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At least 1,081 records · Page 60
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

Strain relaxation of thick (11–22) semipolar InGaN layer for long wavelength nitride-based device

In this study, the properties of thick stress-relaxed (11–22) semipolar InGaN layers were investigated. Owing to the inclination of growth orientation, misfit dislocations (MDs) occurred at the heterointerface when the strain state of the (11–22) semipolar InGaN layers reached the critical point. We found that unlike InGaN layers based on polar and nonpolar growth orientations, the surface morphologies of the stress-relaxed (11–22) semipolar InGaN layers did not differ from each other and were similar to the morphology of the underlying GaN layer. In addition, misfit strain across the whole InGaN layer was gradually relaxed by MD formation at the heterointerface. To minimize the effect of surface roughness and defects in GaN layers on the InGaN layer, we conducted further investigation on a thick (11–22) semipolar InGaN layer grown on an epitaxial lateral overgrown GaN template. We found that the lateral indium composition across the whole stress-relaxed InGaN layer was almost uniform. Therefore, thick stress-relaxed (11–22) semipolar InGaN layers are suitable candidates for use as underlying layers in long-wavelength devices, as they can be used to control strain accumulation in the heterostructure active region without additional influence of surface roughness.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Optical defect modes at an active defect layer in photonic liquid crystals

An analytic approach to the theory of the optical defect modes in photonic liquid crystals in the case of an active defect layer is developed. The analytic study is facilitated by the choice of the problem parameters related to the dielectric properties of the studied structures. The chosen models allow eliminating polarization mixing at the external surfaces of the studied structures. The dispersion equations determining the relation of the defect mode (DM) frequency to the dielectric characteristics of an isotropic, birefringent and absorbing (amplifying) defect layer and its thickness are obtained. Analytic expressions for the transmission and reflection coefficients of the defect mode structure (DMS) (photonic liquid crystal-active defect layer-photonic liquid crystal) are presented and analyzed. The effect of anomalously strong light absorption at the defect mode frequency for an absorbing defect layer is discussed. It is shown that in a distributed feed-back lasing at the DMS with an amplifying defect layer, adjusting the lasing frequency to the DM frequency results in a significant decrease in the lasing threshold and the threshold gain decreases as the defect layer thickness increases. It is found that, generally speaking, the layer birefringence and dielectric jumps at the interfaces of the defect layer and photonic liquid crystal reduce the DM lifetime in comparison with the DMS with an isotropic defect layer without dielectric jumps at the interfaces. Correspondingly, generally speaking, the effect of anomalously strong light absorption at the defect mode frequency and the decrease in the lasing threshold are not so pronounced as in the case of the DMS with an isotropic defect layer without dielectric jumps at the interfaces. The case of a DMS with a low defect layer birefringence and sufficiently large dielectric jumps are studied in detail. The options of effectively influencing the DM parameters by changing the defect layer dielectric properties, and the birefringence in particular, are discussed.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2019

Characterization of surface layers formed on DU10Mo ingots after processing steps and high humidity exposure

The design of monolithic U-Mo fuel elements fabricated from low-enriched uranium for use in high-power research reactors requires bonding of the fuel foil to either Al cladding or a Zr barrier layer. Processing of the U-Mo ingot to final foil form has the potential to generate surface layers on the foil that differ from the bulk, metallic U-Mo. The interfacial properties between the U-Mo and Zr or Al cladding layers will then be determined by these surface layers. We use x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy to characterize the composition, oxidation state, and morphology of the surface layers that form after hot rolling and cold rolling depleted U–10 wt% Mo alloy (DU10Mo). A thick uranium nitride layer is observed after hot rolling, although its origin is likely from a previous processing step. The surface composition of cold-rolled DU10Mo varied significantly between two foils, with a strongly Mo-depleted surface oxide layer observed on one foil but nominal Mo composition observed on the other. The efficacy of acid etching in HNO 3 is compared to that of electropolishing in H 2 SO 4 to remove the surface layers, and both methods are found to be similarly effective. Both laboratory (low humidity) air exposure and longer rinse times in water are shown to promote the formation of surface oxide layers. Exposure of both acid-etched and electropolished DU10Mo foils to humid air (97% relative humidity) for six weeks results in formation of a thick oxide layer due to corrosion. The oxide layer on the acid-etched foil is thicker and more highly oxidized than the oxide layer that forms on the electropolished foil, and these differences in oxidation behavior are attributed to higher surface roughness on the acid-etched foil. In general, Mo is found to play a role as a sacrificial element, typically exhibiting a larger ratio of Mo 6+ / Mo 4+ than U 6+ / U 4+ . This is unexpected, given the greater thermodynamic driving force to form U oxides than Mo oxides.

Kaspar, Tiffany C. (ORCID:0000000328167569)↗
DOE OSTI2014

Synthesis, crystal structure and optical properties of two new layered cadmium iodates: Cd(IO{sub 3})X (X=Cl, OH)

Systematic explorations of new compounds in the cadmium iodate system by hydrothermal reactions led to two layered iodates, namely, Cd(IO{sub 3})X (X=Cl, OH). Cd(IO{sub 3})Cl crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Cmca (No. 64) whereas Cd(IO{sub 3})(OH) crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma (No. 62). Cd(IO{sub 3})Cl displays a unique double layered structure composed of {sup 1}{sub ∞}[Cd−O{sub 3}Cl]{sub n} chains. Cadmium octahedrons form a 1D chain along the a-axis through edge sharing, and such chains are further interconnected via IO{sub 3} groups to form a special double layer on (020) plane. Cd(IO{sub 3})(OH) also exhibits a layered structure that is composed of cadmium cations, IO{sub 3} groups and hydroxyl ions. Within a layer, chains of CdO{sub 6} edge-shared octahedra are observed along the b-axis. And these chains are connected by IO{sub 3} groups into a layer parallel to the bc plane. Spectroscopic characterizations, elemental analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis for the reported two compounds are also presented. - Graphical abstract: Two new layered cadmium iodates Cd(IO{sub 3})X (X=Cl, OH) are reported. Cd(IO{sub 3})Cl features a unique double layered structure whereas Cd(IO{sub 3})(OH) displays an ordinary layered structure. - Highlights: • Two new layered cadmium iodates Cd(IO{sub 3})X (X=Cl, OH) are reported. • Cd(IO{sub 3})Cl features a unique double layered structure. • Cd(IO{sub 3})(OH) displays an ordinary layered structure. • The spectroscopic and thermal properties have been studied in detail.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Growth and auto-oxidation of Pd on single-layer AgO x /Ag(111)

Here, we investigated the growth and auto-oxidation of Pd deposited onto a AgO x single-layer on Ag(111) using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Palladium initially grows as well-dispersed, single-layer clusters that adopt the same triangular shape and orientation of Ag n units in the underlying AgO x layer. Bi-layer clusters preferentially form upon increasing the Pd coverage to ~0.30 ML (monolayer) and continue to develop until aggregating and forming a nearly conformal Pd bi-layer at a coverage near 2 ML. Analysis of the STM images provides quantitative evidence of a transition from single to bi-layer Pd growth on the AgO x layer, and a continuation of bi-layer growth with increasing Pd coverage from ~0.3 to 2 ML. XPS further demonstrates that the AgO x layer efficiently transfers oxygen to Pd at 300 K, and that the fraction of Pd that oxidizes is approximately equal to the local oxygen coverage in the AgO x layer for Pd coverages up to at least ~0.7 ML. Our results show that oxygen in the initial AgO x layer mediates the growth and structural properties of Pd on the AgO x /Ag(111) surface, enabling the preparation of model PdAg surfaces with uniformly distributed single or bi-layer Pd clusters. Facile auto-oxidation of Pd by AgO x further suggests that oxygen transfer from Ag to Pd could play a role in promoting oxidation chemistry of adsorbed molecules on PdAg surfaces.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

The effect of chemically preintercalated alkali ions on the structure of layered titanates and their electrochemistry in aqueous energy storage systems

We introduce a novel chemical preintercalation synthesis technique based on a hydrogen peroxide induced sol–gel process to obtain alkali ion containing ternary layered titanates (MTO, where M = Li, Na, K). Synthesis parameters leading to the formation of single-phase materials with homogeneous elemental distribution are reported for each of the preintercalated ions. Our analyses indicate that the interlayer spacing in the structure of the layered titanates increases with the increase of the radius of the hydrated preintercalated ion. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy imaging revealed morphological diversity: the LTO phase crystallized as nanoplates assembled in “peony-like” spherical agglomerates while NTO and KTO particles exhibited a one-dimensional nanobelt or wire-like morphology, with the KTO nanobelts being shorter and more aggregated than the NTO nanobelts. Structural refinement corroborated by electron diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy revealed that the structure of the LTO phase is built by stacking Ti–O layers containing a single straight layer of connected TiO 6 octahedra. The layers in NTO and KTO structures form differently and consist of double Ti–O layers with two titanium rows and ragged arrangement of units built by TiO6 octahedra. The NTO electrodes exhibited the highest electrochemical performance in cells with aqueous 1 M Na 2 SO 4 electrolyte, followed by the KTO electrodes and then LTO electrodes, and this trend is maintained at various scan rates. The established relationships between the structure and electrochemical performance reveal that, in addition to interlayer distance and chemistry of the interlayer region, the structure of the layers can play an important role in charge storage properties of layered oxide electrodes. The double Ti–O layers in the structure of NTO and KTO phases provide a larger number of redox centers which could contribute to the superior electrochemical performance as compared to the LTO electrodes. Our findings indicate that layered materials containing double transition metal oxide layers are promising candidates for exfoliation and assembly with electronically conductive layers with the aim to create 2D heterostructures with high electrochemical performance.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Deformation mechanisms of ultra-thin Al layers in Al/SiC nanolaminates as a function of thickness and temperature

The mechanical properties of Al/SiC nanolaminates with layer thicknesses between 10 and 100 nm were studied by nanoindentation in the temperature range 25 to 100 °C. The strength of the Al layers as a function of the layer thickness and temperature was obtained from the hardness of the nanolaminates by an inverse methodology based on the numerical simulation of the nanoindentation tests by means of the finite element method. The room temperature yield stress of the Al layers showed a large ‘the thinner, the stronger’ effect, which depended not only on the layer thickness but also on the microstructure, which changed with the Al layer thickness. The yield stress of the Al layers at ambient temperature was compatible with a deformation mechanism controlled by the interaction of dislocations with grain boundaries for the thicker layers (>50 nm), while confined layer slip appeared to be dominant for layers below 50 nm. There was a dramatic reduction in the Al yield stress with temperature, which increased as the Al layer thickness decreased, and led to an inverse size effect at 100 °C. In conclusion, this behavior was compatible with plastic deformation mechanisms controlled by grain boundary and interface diffusion at 100 °C, which limit the strength of the ultra-thin Al layers.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Al x In 1-x P LEDs with II-VI Cladding Layers for Efficient Red and Amber Emission. Final Scientific & Technical Report

Realizing solid state lighting systems with high efficiency and enhanced functionality will require the adoption of color-mixing (cm-LEDs) architectures combining highly efficient red, green, blue and amber light emitting diodes. Already, the hybrid architectures (hy-LEDs) pair phosphor-converted wide bandgap nitride LEDs with (Al x Ga 1-x ) 0.51 In 0.49 P red LEDs to improve the emission spectrum and reduce losses in the infrared. However, the efficiencies of (Al x Ga 1-x ) 0.51 In 0.49 P red and amber LEDs are still too low to truly enable these approaches. The DOE Solid-State Lighting R&D Plan highlights red and amber LED improvement as a long-term research goal. Excessive electron leakage out of the cladding layers, in particular, leads to strong thermal droop and red LED efficiencies of ~25% at normal operating temperatures. The typical device architecture for red and amber LEDs is based on indirect bandgap (Al y Ga 1-y ) 0.51 In 0.49 P cladding layers used to confine injected electrons and holes within a lower, direct bandgap (Al x Ga 1-x ) 0.51 In 0.49 P light-emitting active layer (x < y). The challenge with this approach is that the electron confinement is limited and decreases as the emission wavelength is shortened. Hence, thermal droop and overall device efficiency are very poor for amber LEDs. Innovative solutions to this problem must be sought through the use of new semiconductor materials and structures that will increase electron confinement. We plan to develop Al x In 1-x P LEDs with a II-VI semiconductor electron cladding layer to greatly increase the carrier confinement. Such an approach has the potential to improve red and amber LED efficiency, temperature stability, and light extraction. Al x In 1-x P active layers provide high direct bandgap energies needed to reach amber wavelengths without detrimental internal losses. ZnSe-based alloys are attractive candidates for the electron cladding layer because they can be engineered to provide high conduction band energies relative to the Al x In 1-x P active layer while maintaining roughly the same lattice constant. The lower index of refraction of the II-VI cladding layer will also aid light extraction. While extended defects have largely precluded the use of II-VI semiconductors as the light emitting layer in LEDs and lasers, the effects of these defects on device performance can be mitigated by limiting the use of II-VI materials to the thin, heavily doped cladding layer. Proposed research will focus on optimizing the quality of the Al x In 1-x P active layer and the heteropolar growth of the III-V/II-VI interface, tuning the II-VI cladding layer composition, and device design to maximize electron confinement and LED efficiency. Significant improvement in the performance of red and amber LEDs through this new approach is expected to advance the capabilities of next generation solid-state lighting technologies.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1984

Boundary-layer linear stability theory

Most fluid flows are turbulent rather than laminar and the reason for this was studied. One of the earliest explanations was that laminar flow is unstable, and the linear instability theory was first developed to explore this possibility. A series of early papers by Rayleigh produced many notable results concerning the instability of inviscid flows, such as the discovery of inflectional instability. Viscosity was commonly thought to act only to stabilize the flow, and flows with convex velocity profiles appeared to be stable. The investigations that led to a viscous theory of boundary layer instability was reported. The earliest application of linear stability theory to transition prediction calculated the amplitude ratio of the most amplified frequency as a function of Reynolds number for a Blasius boundary layer, and found that this quantity had values between five and nine at the observed Ret. The experiment of Schubauer and Skramstad (1947) completely reversed the prevailing option and fully vindicated the Gottingen proponents of the theory. This experiment demonstrated the existence of instability waves in a boundary layer, their connection with transition, and the quantitative description of their behavior by the theory of Tollmien and Schlichting. It is generally accepted that flow parameters such as pressure gradient, suction and heat transfer qualitatively affect transition in the manner predicted by the linear theory, and in particular that a flow predicted to be stable by the theory should remain laminar. The linear theory, in the form of the e9, or N-factor is today in routine use in engineering studies of laminar flow. The stability theory to boundary layers with pressure gradients and suction was applied. The only large body of numerical results for exact boundary layer solutions before the advent of the computer age by calculating the stability characteristics of the Falkner-Skan family of velocity profiles are given. When the digital computer reached a stage of development which permit the direct solution of the primary differential equations, numerical results were obtained from the linear theory during the next 10 years for many different boundary layer flows: three dimensional boundary layers; free convention boundary layers; compressible boundary layers; boundary layers on compliant walls; a recomputation of Falkner-Skan flows; unsteady boundary layers; and heated wall boundary layers.

Leslie M Mack↗
NASA NTRS1995

Cloud layer thicknesses from a combination of surface and upper-air observations

Cloud layer thicknesses are derived from base and top altitudes by combining 14 years (1975-1988) of surface and upper-air observations at 63 sites in the Northern Hemisphere. Rawinsonde observations are employed to determine the locations of cloud-layer top and base by testing for dewpoint temperature depressions below some threshold value. Surface observations serve as quality checks on the rawinsonde-determined cloud properties and provide cloud amount and cloud-type information. The dataset provides layer-cloud amount, cloud type, high, middle, or low height classes, cloud-top heights, base heights and layer thicknesses, covering a range of latitudes from 0 deg to 80 deg N. All data comes from land sites: 34 are located in continental interiors, 14 are near coasts, and 15 are on islands. The uncertainties in the derived cloud properties are discussed. For clouds classified by low-, mid-, and high-top altitudes, there are strong latitudinal and seasonal variations in the layer thickness only for high clouds. High-cloud layer thickness increases with latitude and exhibits different seasonal variations in different latitude zones: in summer, high-cloud layer thickness is a maximum in the Tropics but a minimum at high latitudes. For clouds classified into three types by base altitude or into six standard morphological types, latitudinal and seasonal variations in layer thickness are very small. The thickness of the clear surface layer decreases with latitude and reaches a summer minimum in the Tropics and summer maximum at higher latitudes over land, but does not vary much over the ocean. Tropical clouds occur in three base-altitude groups and the layer thickness of each group increases linearly with top altitude. Extratropical clouds exhibit two groups, one with layer thickness proportional to their cloud-top altitude and one with small (less than or equal to 1000 m) layer thickness independent of cloud-top altitude.

Poore, Kirk D.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Flow and Crystallization in Two-Layer Liquid Systems with and without a Magnetic Field

Flow, heat and mass transfer in a two-layer liquid system is investigated when the layers are subjected to a static magnetic field. The physical system consists of two immiscible liquids in a layer configuration with a free surface and an interfacial layer simulating two crystal growth configurations, namely, floating zone and horizontal zone melting. Mass transfer effects due to crystallization of one of the layers is also considered. The resulting flows are categorized into three types depending on: (a) the dominance of the free surface effect top layer, (b) a balance between the thermocapillary effect on the free surface and the interface effect between the two layers, or (c) the dominance of interfacial effects, in determining the system thermo-fluid characteristics. The use of an additional liquid layer atop the crystallizing layer leads to a reduction of the radial dopant inhomogeneity in comparison to the one-layer case. The effect an externally imposed magnetic field on dopant distribution in this two-layer configuration is rather ambiguous and depends on its direction and intensity resulting in the necessity of optimizing the applied magnetic field for a specific situation. In case of electrically non-conducting melts, the calculations show that some measure of flow control can be achieved by using an electrically conducting encapsulant layer of the desired thickness.

Feonychev, Alexander I.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Effects of Precipitation on Ocean Mixed-Layer Temperature and Salinity as Simulated in a 2-D Coupled Ocean-Cloud Resolving Atmosphere Model

A two-dimensional coupled ocean-cloud resolving atmosphere model is used to investigate possible roles of convective scale ocean disturbances induced by atmospheric precipitation on ocean mixed-layer heat and salt budgets. The model couples a cloud resolving model with an embedded mixed layer-ocean circulation model. Five experiment are performed under imposed large-scale atmospheric forcing in terms of vertical velocity derived from the TOGA COARE observations during a selected seven-day period. The dominant variability of mixed-layer temperature and salinity are simulated by the coupled model with imposed large-scale forcing. The mixed-layer temperatures in the coupled experiments with 1-D and 2-D ocean models show similar variations when salinity effects are not included. When salinity effects are included, however, differences in the domain-mean mixed-layer salinity and temperature between coupled experiments with 1-D and 2-D ocean models could be as large as 0.3 PSU and 0.4 C respectively. Without fresh water effects, the nocturnal heat loss over ocean surface causes deep mixed layers and weak cooling rates so that the nocturnal mixed-layer temperatures tend to be horizontally-uniform. The fresh water flux, however, causes shallow mixed layers over convective areas while the nocturnal heat loss causes deep mixed layer over convection-free areas so that the mixed-layer temperatures have large horizontal fluctuations. Furthermore, fresh water flux exhibits larger spatial fluctuations than surface heat flux because heavy rainfall occurs over convective areas embedded in broad non-convective or clear areas, whereas diurnal signals over whole model areas yield high spatial correlation of surface heat flux. As a result, mixed-layer salinities contribute more to the density differences than do mixed-layer temperatures.

Li, Xiaofan↗
NASA NTRS1994

The Roles of Large- and Small-Scale Structures in Turbulent Free Shear Layers

The occurrence of large-scale coherent structures in turbulent free shear flows (especially the planar mixing layer) has been recognized for some time. Indeed, the observation of such structures in mixing layers did much to promote interest in the study of coherent structures in turbulence. It has been widely assumed that the large-scale structures in these flows are responsible for the entrainment of free-stream fluid and the overall growth of the layer, while the small-scale structures provide mixing and dissipation. A model of scalar mixing based on these ideas was proposed for these flows. However, recent experimental and computational evidence suggests that the dominance of the large-scale structures in turbulent mixing layers is not universal. In addition, there is a substantial variation among experiments in several statistical measures of self-similar mixing layers, for example growth rate and velocity variances. To investigate the importance of large-scale structures, several free shear flows (mixing layers and wakes) have been simulated via direct numerical simulation. The simulations are designed to mimic experimental mixing layers in which the splitter plate boundary layers are turbulent. Different levels of two-dimensional forcing are included resulting in large-scale structures of differing strength and importance. These simulations are used to investigate the role of large-scale coherent structures in free shear layers and the effect of these structures on relevant turbulence statistics and scalar mixing. It is found that the statistics and structures in several experiments involving turbulent mixing layers are in better agreement with simulations that do not exhibit dominant large-scale structures than those in which the common mixing layer structures do dominate. It is also found that the level of forcing can have a profound effect on the qualitative and quantitative features of these shear layer, even when they are nominally self-similar.

Moser, Robert D.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Experimental Investigation of Separated and Transitional Boundary Layers Under Low-Pressure Turbine Airfoil Conditions

Modern low-pressure turbine airfoils are subject to increasingly stronger pressure gradients as designers impose higher loading in an effort to improve efficiency and to reduce part count. The adverse pressure gradients on the suction side of these airfoils can lead to boundary-layer separation, particularly under cruise conditions. Separation bubbles, notably those which fail to reattach, can result in a significant degradation of engine efficiency. Accurate prediction of separation and reattachment is hence crucial to improved turbine design. This requires an improved understanding of the transition flow physics. Transition may begin before or after separation, depending on the Reynolds number and other flow conditions, has a strong influence on subsequent reattachment, and may even eliminate separation. Further complicating the problem are the high free-stream turbulence levels in a real engine environment, the strong pressure gradients along the airfoils, the curvature of the airfoils, and the unsteadiness associated with wake passing from upstream stages. Because of the complicated flow situation, transition in these devices can take many paths that can coexist, vary in importance, and possibly also interact, at different locations and instances in time. The present work was carried out in an attempt to systematically sort out some of these issues. Detailed velocity measurements were made along a flat plate subject to the same nominal dimensionless pressure gradient as the suction side of a modern low-pressure turbine airfoil ('Pak-B'). The Reynolds number based on wetted plate length and nominal exit velocity, Re, was varied from 50;000 to 300; 000, covering cruise to takeoff conditions. Low, 0.2%, and high, 7%, inlet free-stream turbulence intensities were set using passive grids. These turbulence levels correspond to about 0.2% and 2.5% turbulence intensity in the test section when normalized with the exit velocity. The Reynolds number and free-stream turbulence level do not have a significant effect on the location of boundary-layer separation unless they are high enough to induce transition upstream of separation. The location and extent of the transition zone, in contrast, depend strongly on Re and TI. The beginning of reattachment closely follows the onset of transition. Under low free-stream turbulence conditions the boundary layer is laminar at separation and then begins to exhibit fluctuations in a finite frequency band in the shear layer over the separation bubble. These fluctuations are due to instability waves. The fluctuations grow in magnitude, higher harmonics are generated, and finally lead to a breakdown to turbulence. Transition begins in the shear layer, but quickly spreads to the near wall region and causes the boundary layer to reattach. The transition is rapid and the resulting turbulence contains a full range of high and low frequencies. Under high free-stream turbulence conditions, slowly growing low-frequency fluctuations are induced in the pretransitional boundary layer by the free-stream. The separation bubbles are considerably thinner than in the low TI cases, resulting in thinner boundary layers at the end of the test wall. At Re=50,000 and 100,000, the pre-transitional boundary layer separates at about the same location as in the low TI cases. Transition occurs through a bypass mode, begins upstream of the corresponding low-TI location, and proceeds in a manner similar to that of an attached boundary layer. Under high TI at Re=200,000 and 300,000, transition begins before separation. The boundary layer may separate, but if it does the separation bubble is very short and does not significantly affect the downstream development of the boundary layer. A comparison is made to previous work in a simulated cascade.

Hultgren, Lennart S.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Multilayer Article Characterized by Low Coefficient of Thermal Expansion Outer Layer

A multilayer article comprises a substrate comprising a ceramic or a silicon-containing metal alloy. The ceramic is a Si-containing ceramic or an oxide ceramic with or without silicon. An outer layer overlies the substrate and at least one intermediate layer is located between the outer layer and thc substrate. An optional bond layer is disposed between thc 1 least one intermediate layer and thc substrate. The at least one intermediate layer may comprise an optional chemical barrier layer adjacent the outer layer, a mullite-containing layer and an optional chemical barrier layer adjacent to the bond layer or substrate. The outer layer comprises a compound having a low coefficient of thermal expansion selected from one of the following systems: rare earth (RE) silicates; at least one of hafnia and hafnia-containing composite oxides; zirconia-containing composite oxides and combinations thereof.

Kang N Lee↗
NASA NTRS2006

Layered Deposits of Arabia Terra and Meridiani Planum: Keys to the Habitability of Ancient Mars

Understanding the habitability of ancient Mars is a key goal in the exploration of that planet. Evidence for conditions favorable to early life must be sought in ancient sedimentary rocks, such as those of Arabia Terra and Meridiani Planum. Arabia Terra, the northernmost extension of the ancient highlands, is dominated by cratered plains and minor ridged units. These plains extend south into the adjacent Meridiani Planum. The Opportunity rover landed in northern Meridiani, close to the border with Arabia. High resolution MOC images reveal extensive layered sequences across much of the Arabia and Meridiani region. These layers have been interpreted as eroded remnants of sedimentary rock deposits (Edgett, 2005). The layered sequences are concentrated in the SW quadrant of Arabia and in northern Meridiani. Preliminary mapping by Edgett (2005) distinguished four large scale layered sequences in the Arabia and Meridiani region. These have dimensions of hundreds to more than 1,000 km. MOLA altimetry shows that each of the sequences can attain a thickness of 200 to 400 m, with a total thickness greater than 1 km. The sequences are generally flat lying, with regional slopes of a few degrees. Much finer layering is evident within a number of craters. The plains and ridged units of the Arabia and Meridiani region were originally mapped as Noachian based on crater statistics, particularly the number of large craters (Scott and Carr, 1978). The layered sequences in the current study postdate many, but not all, of these large craters. The layered sequences have partially or totally filled a number of craters with diameters ranging from 20 to over 50 km. The topmost layered sequence, as well as the lower two sequences, have intermediate thermal inertia, as derived from THEMIS, indicative of moderate induration. The TES spectra from the lower sequences include features indicative of basalt. Some areas of the topmost sequence, which includes the Opportunity landing site, have TES spectra dominated by hematite. Just below this topmost sequence lies a sequence with higher thermal inertia, indicative of more indurated or coarser grained material. The TES spectra of this sequence lack distinctive mineral features, and the rocks may be obscured by a thin coating of dust. The layers have been extensively eroded. The uppermost sequences are characterized by deeply scalloped boundaries. Filled craters have been partially exhumed. Finely layered deposits within craters have been strongly dissected. Landforms uniquely attributable to wind erosion are rare, but erosive styles and geomorphology characteristic of water and possibly ice are present. The layered sequences in Arabia Terra and Meridiani Planum likely reflect an epoch when the planet was much more habitable than it is today. Several areas in these layered sequences are under intensive study as candidate landing sites for the 2009 Mars Science Laboratory.

Allen, Carlton C.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

HSRL-2 Observations of Aerosol Variability and Mixing During Boundary Layer Evolution in Houston

The NASA Langley airborne multi-wavelength High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL-2) provides vertical distribution of aerosol optical properties as ?curtains? of aerosol extinction, backscatter and depolarization along the flight track, plus intensive properties that are used to infer aerosol type and external mixing of types. Deployed aboard the NASA Langley King Air on the DISCOVER-AQ field mission in Houston in September 2013, HSRL-2 flew a pattern that included 18 ground sites, repeated four times a day, coordinated with a suite of airborne in situ measurements. The horizontally and vertically resolved curtains of HSRL-2 measurements give an unparalleled view of the spatial and temporal variability of aerosol, which provide broad context for interpreting other measurements and models. In Houston, HSRL-2 generally observed significant variability with distinct layering: boundary layer, residual layer, and frequent upper layers of smoke transported from the Mississippi Valley. The period from Sep. 11-14 is notable for a large aerosol build-up and persistent layers in the free troposphere. We investigate the aerosol properties and evolution using the vertically resolved HSRL-2 measurements, typing and mixture analysis techniques, and boundary layer detection. Between morning and afternoon overpasses, as the boundary layer grows, many distinctions between the layers are lost as the aerosols become mixed. As the boundary layer collapses overnight, the aerosols are cut off and are observed in a distinct residual layer the following day. HSRL-2 measurements of the upper smoke layers suggest slightly different properties each day as new smoke enters the region, while the morning boundary layer indicates more similarity in local emissions day-to-day. HSRL-2 intensive variables (indicators of aerosol type) reflect complex yet predictable mixing. We will present the analysis of aerosol mixtures, and explore the WRF-Chem chemical transport model along the HSRL-2 flight path.

Sharon P Burton↗
DOE OSTI2019

Organic optoelectronics with electrode buffer layers

There is disclosed an organic optoelectronic device comprising two electrodes in superposed relation comprising an anode and a cathode, at least one donor material and at least one acceptor material located between the two electrodes forming a donor-acceptor heterojunction, an anode buffer layer adjacent to the anode and a cathode buffer layer adjacent to the cathode, and an intermediate layer adjacent to at least one of the anode and cathode buffer layers, wherein when the intermediate layer is adjacent to the anode buffer layer, the intermediate layer is chosen to facilitate the transport of holes to the anode buffer layer, and when the intermediate layer is adjacent to the cathode buffer layer, the intermediate layer is chosen to facilitate the transport of electrons to the cathode buffer layer. Also disclosed are methods of making the same.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗