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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 1,117 records · Page 62
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Electronic Spin Relaxation and Clustering in High-Pressure High-Temperature Synthesized Microcrystalline Diamond Particles with Reduced Nitrogen Content

The negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy (NV – ) color center in diamonds is widely studied because of numerous applications of this unique quantum system in sensing and quantum information sciences. While substitutional nitrogen is required to form the NV – centers in diamond, it also yields other paramagnetic defects─primarily the neutrally charged substitutional nitrogen centers (P1)─that decrease NV – spin coherence, which in turn degrades performance in applications. Herein, we investigate high-pressure high-temperature synthesized diamond microparticles (ca. 140–185 μm) having lower─ranging from 3 to 38 ppm─than the typical nitrogen content of type 1b diamond ( ca. 100 ppm and higher) typically used for the production of fluorescent diamond particles with NV – centers. A suite of electron paramagnetic resonance, optically detected magnetic resonance, and nuclear magnetic resonance methods are used to characterize spin properties of P1 and NV – centers in the particles. Upon decreasing the nitrogen content from 29 to 3 ppm, the ensemble NV – T 2 relaxation time increased by about 3-fold as measured directly in the Hahn Echo experiment at magnetic field of 1.2 T. Analysis of electronic relaxation of P1 centers revealed the existence of at least two distinct populations of P1 centers, consisting of fast and slower relaxing spins and allowed for an estimation of local concentrations. Even with <10 ppm nitrogen contents, the analysis indicated a highly heterogeneous distribution of P1 centers, suggesting the possibility of P1 spin clustering even at low nitrogen concentrations. The combined data demonstrate that the particles prepared from HPHT diamond with a low nitrogen content offer improved spin properties that are beneficial for NV – sensing applications.

Carbon↗
DOE OSTI2025

Interlaboratory comparison of secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis results from the 7th international technical nuclear forensics working group collaborative material exercise

A review and interlaboratory comparison of secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) data obtained by laboratories participating in the International Technical Nuclear Forensics Working Group (ITWG) 7th Collaborative Material Exercise (CMX-7) has been conducted. The analyzed materials were two uranium compounds in powder form and two pieces of uranium metal. The instruments used in this comparison were a small-geometry (SG) SIMS, CAMECA IMS 7f from the Research Centre Rez, and a large-geometry (LG) SIMS, CAMECA IMS 1280 from Los Alamos National Laboratory. Despite the differences in instruments and analytical procedures, e.g., sample preparation, SIMS setups, and data post-processing, there was good agreement for the 234 U/ 238 U, 235 U/ 238 U, and 236 U/ 238 U ratios in the analyzed materials. The main difference was in the precision, which was, as expected, higher for the LG-SIMS. In addition, a comparison between the laboratories was also made for the image processing algorithms applied to raw data acquired in automated particle measurement (APM) mode. In conclusion, the result of this comparison has led to identification of best practices for setting up parameters of the APM software.

and nuclear chemistry↗
NASA NTRS1977

Observations of joule and particle heating in the auroral zone

Observational data from the Chatanika, Alaska incoherent scatter radar have been used to deduce atmospheric heating rates associated with particle precipitation and joule dissipation. During periods when Chatanika is in the vicinity of the auroral oval the height-integrated heat input to the lower thermosphere can be as large as 100 ergs per sq cm per sec with joule and particle heating rates of comparable magnitude. Altitude profiles of these heat inputs are also obtained, showing that the energy liberated by joule dissipation tends to peak at a substantially higher altitude (about 130 km) than that due to particles (100-120 km). As a consequence, it follows that joule heating can be expected to provide a rapid means for creating thermospheric disturbances. It is also pointed out that joule and particle heating are permanent features of the auroral oval and polar cap. As such, expansion of the auroral oval leads to an increase in the total global heating and, hence, to the close relationship between magnetic disturbances and thermospheric perturbation.

Banks, P. M.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Robust errant beam prognostics with conditional modeling for particle accelerators

Abstract Particle accelerators are complex and comprise thousands of components, with many pieces of equipment running at their peak power. Consequently, they can fault and abort operations for numerous reasons, lowering efficiency and science output. To avoid these faults, we apply anomaly detection techniques to predict unusual behavior and perform preemptive actions to improve the total availability. Supervised machine learning (ML) techniques such as siamese neural network models can outperform the often-used unsupervised or semi-supervised approaches for anomaly detection by leveraging the label information. One of the challenges specific to anomaly detection for particle accelerators is the data’s variability due to accelerator configuration changes within a production run of several months. ML models fail at providing accurate predictions when data changes due to changes in the configuration. To address this challenge, we include the configuration settings into our models and training to improve the results. Beam configurations are used as a conditional input for the model to learn any cross-correlation between the data from different conditions and retain its performance. We employ conditional siamese neural network (CSNN) models and conditional variational auto encoder (CVAE) models to predict errant beam pulses at the spallation neutron source under different system configurations and compare their performance. We demonstrate that CSNNs outperform CVAEs in our application.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
NASA NTRS1986

Long term effects of low doses of Fe-56 ions on the brain and retina of the mouse - Ultrastructural and behavioral studies

Eight-month-old male C57BL6 mice were exposed without anesthesia to whole-body irradiation in circular holders. The mice were tested for behavioral decrements after 0.5 and 50 rads of Fe particle irradiation at 6 and 12 months postirradiation to obtain long-term results. A standard maze was used, and the animals were timed for completion thereof. A string test also was administered to the mice, testing their ability to grasp and move along a string to safety. The results from animals exposed to 50 rads were significantly different from control results to p = less than 0.001 in both systems of testing. The hippocampus (believed to be the location of environmental interaction in the brain) and the retina were examined for ultrastructural changes. The ultrastructural changes were similar to those found in the Cosmos 782, 936, and Argon experiments. The mouse data indicate that iron particles were able to induce long-term changes in the central nervous system which led to behavioral impairment.

Philpott, Delbert E.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Long term effects of low doses of 56Fe ions on the brain and retina of the mouse: ultrastructural and behavioral studies

Eight month old male C57BL6 mice were exposed without anesthesia to whole-body irradiation in circular holders. The mice were tested for behavioral decrements after 0.5 and 50 rads of Fe particle irradiation at 6 and 12 months post irradiation to obtain long term results. A standard maze was used and the animals were timed for completion thereof. A string test also was administered to the mice, testing their ability to grasp and move along a string to safety. The results from animals exposed to 50 rads were significantly different from [correction of fron] control results to p = < .001 in both systems of testing. The hippocampus (believed to be the location of environmental interaction in the brain) and the retina were examined for ultrastructural changes. The ultrastructural changes were similar to those we found in our Cosmos 782, 936 and in our Argon experiments. The mouse data indicate that iron particles were able to induce long term changes in the central nervous system which lead to behavioral impairment.

NASA Program Space Medicine↗
NASA NTRS1989

Charged particle radiation exposure of geocentric satellites

The near-earth radiation environment is characterized, summarizing published data on trapped and transient charged particles and their potential effects on hardware systems and the crews of manned missions. Topics examined include the role of the magnetosphere, the five radiation domains, cyclic and sporadic variations in the radiation environment, the potential effect of a high-altitude nuclear explosion, NASA empirical models for predicting trapped proton and electron fluxes, and the South Atlantic anomaly and the estimation of flux-free periods. Consideration is given to solar cosmic rays and heavy ions, Galactic cosmic rays, geomagnetic shielding, secondary radiation, the design of shielding systems, variables affecting dose evaluations, and ionizing-radiation doses. Extensive diagrams, graphs, and tables of numerical data are provided.

Stassinopoulos, E. G.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Reaching For New Physics With MeV-scale Reconstruction In The MicroBooNE LArTPC Neutrino Detector

Large neutrino liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) experiments can broaden their physics reach by reconstructing MeV-Scale energy depositions, or blips, in their data. We demonstrate new calorimetric and particle discrimination capabilities at the MeV scale using reconstructed blips in MicroBooNE LArTPC data at Fermilab. A concentration of low-energy ($<$3 MeV) blips is observed around fiberglass mechanical support struts along the TPC edges, with spectral features consistent with the Compton edge of the 2.614 MeV $^{208}$Tl decay $\gamma$ ray. With these features we perform the electron energy scale calibration to few-percent precision and yield the specific activity of $^{208}$Tl in the struts, $(11.7 \pm 0.2 \text{(stat)} \pm 2.8 \text{(syst)})$ Bq/kg. Using cosmogenic blips above 3 MeV, we demonstrate the ability of large LArTPCs to discriminate low-energy proton and electron depositions. An enriched low-energy proton sample selected with this technique is smaller in data than in dedicated CORSIKA simulations, pointing to possible mismodeling in CORSIKA incident cosmic fluxes or Geant4 particle transport. These methods are applied to MicroBooNE's inclusive single-photon search, which reported a 2.2$\sigma$ excess below 600 MeV in shower energy for events with no reconstructed protons. By identifying and classifying blips near single-photon events selected by the WireCell reconstruction framework, a more comprehensive labeling of nearby hadronic activity is established: blips upstream of the shower axis indicate previously unidentified final-state protons, while elevated blip counts at wide angles signal final-state neutrons. Taken together with MiniBooNE's long-standing low-energy excess (LEE) and MicroBooNE electron-like and sterile neutrino searches disfavored as possible explanations of the MiniBooNE anomaly, this analysis motivates an expanded exploration of the single-photon channel in Fermilab's short-baseline LArTPC program. This thesis documents the current status of this enhanced analysis, which will form a key part of MicroBooNE's final low-energy-excess results.

Andrade Aldana, Diego Armando [IIT, Chicago (main)↗
DOE OSTI2023

Quantitative proton radiography and shadowgraphy for arbitrary intensities

Charged-particle radiography and shadowgraphy data can be directly inverted to obtain a line-integrated transverse Lorentz force or a line-integrated transverse refractive index gradient if intensity modulations due to scattering and absorption are negligible, and angular deflections are small. We develop a new direct-inversion algorithm based on plasma physics and compare it to a new Monge–Ampère code and an existing power diagram code. The measured or source intensity is represented by electrons subject to drag, and the other intensity by fixed ions. The decrease in kinetic plus electrostatic energy determines convergence. The displacement of the electrons from their initial to their equilibrium positions determines the line-integrated force or refractive index gradient. We have implemented two approaches: PIC (particle in cell) and Lagrangian fluid, in 1-D and 2-D. The PIC code works for arbitrary intensities, can work efficiently in parallel, and can make use of existing codes. The Lagrangian code requires less memory and is faster than the PIC code without massively parallel processing, but fails in 2-D for large intensity modulations. The Monge–Ampère code is by far the fastest in 2-D, without massively parallel processing, but fails for intensities with large voids, high contrast ratios and large deflections across the boundaries, and could not obtain the degree of convergence possible with the PIC code. As a result, the power diagram code was by far the slowest and most memory intensive, and failed for large peaks in the measured intensity.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Coupling particle scale model and SuperDEM–CFD for multiscale simulation of biomass pyrolysis in a packed bed pyrolyzer

An efficient biomass pyrolysis process requires a comprehensive understanding of the chemical and physical phenomena that occur at multi-length and time scales. In this study, a multiscale computational approach was developed and validated for biomass pyrolysis in a packed-bed reactor by integrating pyrolysis kinetics, a particle scale model, and SuperDEM-CFD in open-source code MFiX. A one-dimensional particle-scale model that discretizes the characteristic length of biomass particle into layers was developed to predict the intraparticle phenomena inside a single particle. The 1D model was validated by comparing it with a single biomass particle pyrolysis experiment. Here, a recently developed SuperDEM-CFD model was employed to simulate the non-spherical particle-particle contact and fluid-particle interaction. The coupled model was applied to simulate the pyrolysis of cubic biomass particles in a packed bed and validated by comparing with experimental data. Simulation with and without particle-scale model was compared, and the effect of the gas-solid heat transfer models was also investigated.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
NASA NTRS1976

Investigation of interplanetary dust from out-of-ecliptic space probes

Measurements of interplanetary dust via zodiacal light observations and direct detection are discussed for an out-of-ecliptic space probe. Particle fluxes and zodiacal light brightnesses were predicted for three models of the dust distribution. These models predict that most of the information will be obtained at space probe distances less than 1 A.U. from the ecliptic plane. Joint interpretation of the direct particle measurements and the zodiacal light data can yield the best knowledge of the three-dimensional particle dynamics, spatial distribution, and physical characteristics of the interplanetary dust. Such measurements are important for an understanding of the origin and role of the dust in relation to meteoroids, asteroids, and comets, as well as the interaction of the dust with solar forces.

Fechtig, H.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Solid Hydrogen Experiments for Atomic Propellants: Particle Formation, Imaging, Observations, and Analyses

This report presents particle formation observations and detailed analyses of the images from experiments that were conducted on the formation of solid hydrogen particles in liquid helium. Hydrogen was frozen into particles in liquid helium, and observed with a video camera. The solid hydrogen particle sizes and the total mass of hydrogen particles were estimated. These newly analyzed data are from the test series held on February 28, 2001. Particle sizes from previous testing in 1999 and the testing in 2001 were similar. Though the 2001 testing created similar particles sizes, many new particle formation phenomena were observed: microparticles and delayed particle formation. These experiment image analyses are some of the first steps toward visually characterizing these particles, and they allow designers to understand what issues must be addressed in atomic propellant feed system designs for future aerospace vehicles.

Palaszewski, Bryan↗
NASA NTRS2006

Quantification of Spore-forming Bacteria Carried by Dust Particles

In order to establish a biological contamination transport model for predicting the cross contamination risk during spacecraft assembly and upon landing on Mars, it is important to understand the relationship between spore-forming bacteria and their carrier particles. We conducted air and surface sampling in indoor, outdoor, and cleanroom environments to determine the ratio of spore forming bacteria to their dust particle carriers of different sizes. The number of spore forming bacteria was determined from various size groups of particles in a given environment. Our data also confirms the existence of multiple spores on a single particle and spore clumps. This study will help in developing a better bio-contamination transport model, which in turn will help in determining forward contamination risks for future missions.

particles↗
DOE OSTI2024

Desorption lifetimes and activation energies influencing gas–surface interactions and multiphase chemical kinetics

Abstract. Adsorption and desorption of gases on liquid or solid substrates are involved in multiphase processes and heterogeneous chemical reactions. The desorption energy (Edes0), which depends on the intermolecular forces between adsorbate and substrate, determines the residence time of chemical species at interfaces. We show how Edes0 and temperature influence the net uptake or release of gas species, the rates of surface–bulk exchange and surface or bulk reactions, and the equilibration timescales of gas–particle partitioning. Using literature data, we derive a parameterization to estimate Edes0 for a wide range of chemical species based on the molecular mass, polarizability, and oxygen-to-carbon ratio of the desorbing species independent of substrate-specific properties, which is possible because of the dominant role of the desorbing species' properties. Correlations between Edes0 and the enthalpies of vaporization and solvation are rooted in molecular interactions. The relation between Edes0 and desorption kinetics reflects the key role of interfacial exchange in multiphase processes. For small molecules and semi-volatile organics (VOC, IVOC, SVOC), Edes0 values around 10–100 kJ mol−1 correspond to desorption lifetimes around nanoseconds to days at room temperature. Even higher values up to years are obtained at low temperatures and for low volatile organic compounds (LVOC, ELVOC/ULVOC) relevant for secondary organic aerosols (SOA). Implications are discussed for SOA formation, gas–particle partitioning, organic phase changes, and indoor surface chemistry. We expect these insights to advance the mechanistic and kinetic understanding of multiphase processes in atmospheric and environmental physical chemistry, aerosol science, materials science, and chemical engineering.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Constraints on millicharged particles from cosmic-ray production

We study cosmic-ray-atmosphere collisions as a permanent production source of exotic millicharged particles (MCPs) for all terrestrial experiments. [MCPs are also known as charged massive particles (CHAMPs).] Based on data from Super-K, this allows us to derive new limits on MCPs that are competitive with, or improve, the currently leading bounds from accelerator-based searches for masses up to 1.5 GeV. In models where a subdominant component of dark matter (DM) is fractionally charged, these constraints probe parts of the parameter space that is inaccessible for conventional direct-detection DM experiments, independently of assumptions about the DM abundance.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
NASA NTRS1984

Current carriers for the field-aligned current system

The Dynamics Explorer satellites have returned a large body of data containing high resolution magnetometer measurements and distributions of charged particles of all but thermal electrons. From these data the relations of the field aligned currents to particle precipitation structures were investigated and the charge carriers were identified. Results include the following: (1) during very quiet periods, field aligned currents exist primarily as fine structure; (2) during onset of substorms, region 1 and region 2 become clearly evident but contain significant structure; (3) as magnetic activity subsides, current regions become less distinct, and structure becomes more dominant; (4) the distribution of the upward currents derived from magnetometer data and calculated from suprathermal electron data agree remarkably well in shape but not necessarily in magnitude; (5) at all local times, 5 eV electrons seldom carry most of the upward current; (6) except for the accelerated inverted-V electrons, the dominant upward current carriers which are measured are below 500 eV and are distributed in energy; (7) dusk upward currents (region 1) are associated with the boundary plasma sheet; and (8) suprathermal electron bursts are important current carrying structures.

Hoffman, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Current carriers for the field-aligned current system

The Dynamics Explorer satellites have returned a large body of data containing high resolution magnetometer measurements and distributions of charged particles of all but thermal electrons. From these data the relations of the field aligned currents to particle precipitation structures were investigated and the charge carriers were identified. Results include the following: (1) during very quiet periods, field aligned currents exist primarily as fine structure; (2) during onset of substorms, region 1 and region 2 become clearly evident but contain significant structure; (3) as magnetic activity subsides, current regions become less distinct, and structure becomes more dominant; (4) the distribution of the upward currents derived from magnetometer data and calculated from suprathermal electron data agree remarkably well in shape but not necessarily in magnitude; (5) at all local times, 5 eV electrons seldom carry most of the upward current; (6) except for the accelerated inverted-V electrons, the dominant upward current carriers which are masured are below 500 eV and are distributed in energy; (7) dusk upward currents (region 1) are associated with the boundary plasma sheet; and (8) suprathermal electron bursts are important current carrying structures.

Hoffman, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Magnetospheric Atmospheric X-ray Imaging Experiment (MAXIE)

This report summarizes the activities sponsored by the Office of Naval Research for the Magnetospheric Atmospheric X-ray Imaging Experiment (MAXIE). The MAXIE instrument was developed as a joint activity of Lockheed, The Aerospace Corporation, and the University of Bergen, Norway. Lockheed was responsible for the overall management of the program, interfacing with the appropriate government agencies, the overall electrical and mechanical design, flight software, environmental testing, spacecraft integration activities, on orbit checkout, and data processing activities. The Magnetospheric Atmospheric X-ray Imaging Experiment (MAXIE), the ONR 401 experiment, is the first in a new class of satellite-borne remote sensing instruments. The primary innovation is the ability to obtain rapid, sequential, images with high sensitivity of the earth's X ray aurora from a low altitude polar orbiting satellite. These images can be used to identify dynamic temporal variations in the three-dimensional (energy and position) distribution of electron precipitation into the atmosphere. MAXIE was launched on the TIROS NOAA-13 satellite on 9 August 1993. The experiment performed well during its turn-on sequence; however, the spacecraft bus failed on 21 August 1993. New spacebased technologies successfully used in MAXIE were mixed-mode ASIC microcircuits, a zero torque scanning system with associated viscoelastic damping, a paraffin stow release mechanism, a parallel integrating PHA processor, a low noise Si(Li) sensor telescope, and an advanced thermal cooling system. MAXIE's on orbit operation, control of penetrating particle backgrounds, and scientific data indicated good overall performance.

Imhof, W. L.↗