Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “diffractive optics”

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 1,171 records · Page 65

Hot Deformation Behavior and Microstructural Evolution of Antibacterial Austenitic Stainless Steel Containing 3.60% Cu

Hot deformation behavior of as-cast antibacterial austenitic stainless steel containing 3.60% copper was investigated in a temperature range of 900-1150 °C and strain rate range of 0.01-20 s{sup −1}. At strain rates higher than 1 s {sup −1}, the flow stress curves were corrected considering adiabatic heating. Kinetic analysis indicated that the hot deformation activation energy of steel was 376.02 kJ mol{sup −1}. The microstructural evolution under different temperatures was observed by optical microscopy. The nucleation sites for recrystallization and different orientations and twin ratios under different strain rates were analyzed by electron backscatter diffraction. The results showed that hot deformation was dominated by continuous dynamic recrystallization in the high-temperature and high-strain-rate region (1050-1150 °C, 1-20 s{sup −1}). On increasing the temperature and strain rate, the degree of recrystallization and twinning increased simultaneously. These phenomena promoted one another. Thus, the volume fraction of the recrystallized and twinned grains increased with the addition of Cu.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Physics-Based Optical Neuromorphic Classification

Typical approaches to classify scenes from light convert the light field to electrons to perform the computation in the digital electronic domain. This conversion and downstream computational analysis require significant power and time. Diffractive neural networks have recently emerged as unique systems to classify optical fields at lower energy and high speeds. Previous work has shown that a single layer of diffractive metamaterial can achieve high performance on classification tasks. In analogy with electronic neural networks, it is anticipated that multilayer diffractive systems would provide better performance, but the fundamental reasons for the potential improvement have not been established. In this work, we present extensive computational simulations of two - layer diffractive neural networks and show that they can achieve high performance with fewer diffractive features than single layer systems.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Structural-scale levels of development of inelastic martensitic deformation during isothermal loading of submicrocrystalline titanium nickelide in premartensitic condition

The results are presented of an experimental investigation into the regularities and mechanisms of the development of thermoelastic martensitic transformation in submicrocrystalline alloy Ti{sub 49.4}Ni{sub 50.6} with different ways of thermo-power actions using the methods of optical microscopy in situ and X-ray diffraction. The peculiarities of localization of martensite transformation at the meso- and macroscale levels in this alloy with submicrocrystalline structure are considered. Experimental data on the relay mechanism of propagation of the martensitic transformation are presented. The interrelation between the localization of the martensitic transformation on the meso-and macroscale levels and deformation behavior under isothermal loading alloy Ti{sub 49.4}Ni5{sub 0.6} in submicrocrystalline condition are shown and discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Application of physical and chemical characterization techniques to metallic powders

Systematic studies have been carried out on two different powder materials used for additive manufacturing: stainless steel and cobalt-chrome. The characterization of these powders is important in NIST efforts to develop appropriate measurements and standards for additive materials and to document the property of powders used in a NIST-led additive manufacturing material round robin. An extensive array of characterization techniques was applied to these two powders, in both virgin and recycled states. The physical techniques included laser diffraction particle size analysis, X-ray computed tomography for size and shape analysis, and optical and scanning electron microscopy. Techniques sensitive to chemistry, including X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive analytical X-ray analysis using the X-rays generated during scanning electron microscopy, were also employed. Results of these analyses will be used to shed light on the question: how does virgin powder change after being exposed to and recycled from one or more additive manufacturing build cycles? In addition, these findings can give insight into the actual additive manufacturing process.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Corrosion Behavior of Q235 Steel Exposed in Deepwater of South China Sea

For the first time, the corrosion behavior of Q235 steel in 1200, 2000 and 3000 m deepwater of South China Sea for 0.5 year was reported in this study. The corrosion morphology and corrosion products properties were investigated using different techniques, such as 3D optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, x-ray diffraction analyzer and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The main environmental factors influencing the corrosion rate of Q235 in deep sea were discussed by applying gray relational analysis. The results indicated that uniform thinning occurred after exposure. A large number of tiny pits were distributed under the corrosion products with a two-layer structure. The corrosion rate and average pitting depth of samples exposed at 2000 m were lower than those exposed at 1200 and 3000 m, and the main environmental factors determining the variation of corrosion rate at different depths were temperature and dissolved oxygen concentration. Hydrostatic pressure had slight effect on the corrosion rate of Q235 steel, but promoted the formation of a more uniform corrosion morphology.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Interstellar Optics

We discuss the effects of finite source size on the diffraction pattern produced by scattering in a thin screen, particularly as applied to radio-wave scattering, by density fluctuations in the interstellar plasma.

Interstellar Optics Scattering techniques telescop↗

ZnTeO{sub 3} crystal growth by a modified Bridgman technique

Highlights: • ZnTeO{sub 3} single crystals were grown for the first time by a modified Bridgman method. • The growth is still possible in a system that lacks congruent melting. • A growth is best when melt is exposed to a steeper axial thermal gradient. • Optical and electrical properties were investigated for the grown crystals. - Abstract: Zinc Tellurite (ZnTeO{sub 3}) crystals were grown for the first time using a modified Bridgman method with a 2.5 kHz radio frequency (RF) furnace. Single crystal growth of ZnTeO{sub 3} was hindered by many complicating factors, such as the evaporation of TeO{sub 2} above 700 °C and the formation of more than one phase during crystal growth. While there were several successful runs that produced ZnTeO{sub 3} single crystals, it was found that large (≥10 cm{sup 3}) single ZnTeO{sub 3} crystals resulted when the crucible was exposed to a steeper vertical thermal gradient and when the temperature of the melt was raised to at least 860 °C. The results of powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns were in accordance with the X-ray powder diffraction file (PDF) for ZnTeO{sub 3}. Some optical, electrical and structural properties of ZnTeO{sub 3} single crystals were reported in this paper.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Synthesis and structural characterization of ferrous trioctahedral smectites: Implications for clay mineral genesis and detectability on Mars

Widespread detections of phyllosilicates in Noachian terrains on Mars imply a history of near-surface fluid-rock interaction. Ferrous trioctahedral smectites are thermodynamically predicted products of basalt weathering on early Mars, but to date only Fe 3+ -bearing dioctahedral smectites have been identified from orbital observations. In general, the physicochemical properties of ferrous smectites are poorly studied because they are susceptible to air oxidation. In this study, eight Fe 2+ -bearing smectites were synthesized from Fe 2+ -Mg-Al silicate gels at 200°C under anoxic conditions. Samples were characterized by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, powder X-ray diffraction, Fe K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), Mössbauer spectroscopy, and visible/near-infrared (VNIR) reflectance spectroscopy. The range of redox states was Fe 3+ /ΣFe = 0 to 0.06 ± 0.01 as determined by both XAS and, for short integration times, Mössbauer. The smectites have 060 distances (d (060) ) between 1.53 and 1.56 Å, indicating a trioctahedral structure. d (060) and XAS-derived interatomic Fe-(Fe,Mg,Al) distance scaled with Fe content. Smectite VNIR spectra feature OH/H 2 O absorption bands at 1.4 and 1.9 µm, (Fe 2+ ,Mg,Al) 3 -OH stretching bands near 1.4 µm, and Fe 2+ Fe 2+ Fe 2+ -OH, MgMgMg-OH, AlAl(Mg,Fe 2+ )-OH, and AlAl-OH combination bands at 2.36 µm, 2.32 µm 2.25 µm, and 2.20 µm, respectively. The spectra for ferrous saponites are distinct from those for dioctahedral ferric smectites, permitting their differentiation from orbital observations. X-ray diffraction patterns for synthetic high-Mg ferrosaponite and high-Mg ferrian saponite are both consistent with the Sheepbed saponite detected by the chemistry and mineralogy (CheMin) instrument at Gale Crater, Mars, suggesting that anoxic basalt alteration was a viable pathway for clay mineral formation on early Mars.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Overcoming the Intrinsic Limitations of Fast Charging Lithium‐Ion Batteries Using Integrated Acoustic Streaming

A lithium‐ion battery's maximum charge rate and energy density are intrinsically limited by the ion diffusion rate in the electrolyte. Most research focuses on materials science solutions to this problem, with gradual improvement over the years. A mechanical solution is proposed to integrate an MHz‐order frequency surface acoustic wave (SAW) device into an existing 1.8 Ah multilayered Li‐ion pouch cell to enhance the ion diffusion rate and the overall battery performance. Both the charging rate and cycling lifetime are improved from SAW. At a 6C (10 min) charge and C/3 discharge rate, typical of electric vehicle applications, integrating SAW into the Li‐ion cell doubles the energy density and maintains at least 72% of the battery's initial capacity after 2000 cycles. Moreover, using SAW quantifiably reduces battery degradation in these conditions as determined by optical imaging, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and neutron diffraction. The use of SAW appears to offer a method to avoid undesirable Li metal plating on the graphite anode during charging, and leads to a much longer battery lifetime and good charge capacity, all despite rapid charging.

Huang, An↗

A Workflow for Accelerating Multimodal Data Collection for Electrodeposited Films

Abstract Future machine learning strategies for materials process optimization will likely replace human capital-intensive artisan research with autonomous and/or accelerated approaches. Such automation enables accelerated multimodal characterization that simultaneously minimizes human errors, lowers costs, enhances statistical sampling, and allows scientists to allocate their time to critical thinking instead of repetitive manual tasks. Previous acceleration efforts to synthesize and evaluate materials have often employed elaborate robotic self-driving laboratories or used specialized strategies that are difficult to generalize. Herein we describe an implemented workflow for accelerating the multimodal characterization of a combinatorial set of 915 electroplated Ni and Ni–Fe thin films resulting in a data cube with over 160,000 individual data files. Our acceleration strategies do not require manufacturing-scale resources and are thus amenable to typical materials research facilities in academic, government, or commercial laboratories. The workflow demonstrated the acceleration of six characterization modalities: optical microscopy, laser profilometry, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, nanoindentation, and tribological (friction and wear) testing, each with speedup factors ranging from 13–46x. In addition, automated data upload to a repository using FAIR data principles was accelerated by 64x.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A process optimization framework for laser direct energy deposition: Densification, microstructure, and mechanical properties of an Fe-Cr alloy

Laser Direct Energy Deposition (DED) is a metal additive manufacturing technique with the ability to fabricate large and complex parts through deposition of metal powders. However, achieving high-density parts and targeted build heights using DED can be challenging due to the large number of highly sensitive process variables. This work proposes a robust fabrication parameter optimization framework to generate process maps for primary parameters in DED, including laser power, scan speed, mass flow rate, hatch spacing, and layer height. Simple single-track experiments were utilized to map out the parameter space, and a combination of geometric criteria for hatch spacing and layer height were proposed to determine parameter sets that achieve both targeted build heights and mitigate porosity formation. Using this framework, specimens with >99 % density and consistent mechanical properties were successfully fabricated over a wide range of process parameters for an Fe-9wt.%Cr (Fe9Cr) alloy, a surrogate for radiation damage-resistant reduced activation ferritic/martensitic (RAFM) steels. Processing these materials using DED is of particular interest in the development of plasma facing components for nuclear fusion applications. The microstructure and mechanical properties of as-printed Fe9Cr were characterized using optical and electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and uniaxial tensile tests. As-printed Fe9Cr displayed ~25 % elongation and ultimate tensile strengths of up to 475 MPa which is comparable to similar wrought alloys. Finally, the proposed framework will allow for accelerated DED parameter optimization for novel alloy systems, as well as open the possibility for local microstructure control while simultaneously mitigating defect formation.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Investigation of UO 2 doped with Fe 2 O 3 sintered under a reducing atmosphere

Nuclear fuel produced with trace amounts of transition metal additives is of potential interest for introducing intentional signatures for accelerating nuclear forensics. In this work, we investigate the effects on microstructure, grain size, crystal structure, and stoichiometry when trace amounts of Fe in the form of Fe 2 O 3 are added to UO 2 . Sintering of compacts with different concentrations, from 250 to 3000 ppmw, was performed under a reducing atmosphere at 1773 K. The persistence of the taggant during the fuel fabrication process as well as its impact on grain size, crystal lattice, and first-neighbor chemistry was evaluated using inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (pXRD), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy–backscatter electron spectroscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. We observed that a negligible amount of Fe was lost during sintering. Our results indicate that the feedstock, Fe 2 O 3 transforms into Fe and FeO under the test sintering conditions. For all compositions, metallic Fe precipitate was found in grain boundaries as a secondary phase. In conclusion, the potential incorporation of ionic Fe into the UO 2 unit cell was determined by pXRD and Raman spectra.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Surface modification induced phase transformation and structure variation on the rapidly solidified recast layer of titanium

In this study, neodymium-doped yttrium orthovanadate (Nd:YVO{sub 4}) as a laser source with different scanning speeds was used on biomedical Ti surface. The microstructural and biological properties of laser-modified samples were investigated by means of optical microscope, electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, surface roughness instrument, contact angle and cell cytotoxicity assay. After laser modification, the rough volcano-like recast layer with micro-/nanoporous structure and wave-like recast layer with nanoporous structure were generated on the surfaces of laser-modified samples, respectively. It was also found out that, an α → (α + rutile-TiO{sub 2}) phase transition occurred on the recast layers of laser-modified samples. The Ti surface becomes hydrophilic at a high speed laser scanning. Moreover, the cell cytotoxicity assay demonstrated that laser-modified samples did not influence the cell adhesion and proliferation behaviors of osteoblast (MG-63) cell. The laser with 50 mm/s scanning speed induced formation of rough volcano-like recast layer accompanied with micro-/nanoporous structure, which can promote cell adhesion and proliferation of MG-63 cell on Ti surface. The results indicated that the laser treatment was a potential technology to enhance the biocompatibility for titanium. - Highlights: • Laser induced the formation of recast layer with micro-/nanoporous structure on Ti. • An α → (α + rutile-TiO{sub 2}) phase transition was observed within the recast layer. • The Ti surface becomes hydrophilic at a high speed laser scanning. • Laser-modified samples exhibit good biocompatibility to osteoblast (MG-63) cell.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Strain induced grain boundary migration effects on grain growth of an austenitic stainless steel during static and metadynamic recrystallization

Static and metadynamic recrystallization of an AISI 304L austenitic stainless steel was investigated at 1100 °C and 10{sup −} {sup 2} s{sup −} {sup 1} strain rate. The kinetics of recrystallization was determined through double hit compression tests. Two strain levels were selected for the first compression hit: ε{sub f} = 0.15 for static recrystallization (SRX) and 0.25 for metadynamic recrystallization (MDRX). Both the as-deformed and the recrystallized microstructures were investigated through optical microscopy and electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD) technique. During deformation, strain induced grain boundary migration appeared to be significant, producing a square-like grain boundary structure aligned along the directions of the maximum shear stresses in compression. EBSD analysis revealed to be as a fundamental technique that the dislocation density was distributed heterogeneously in the deformed grains. Grain growth driven by surface energy reduction was also investigated, finding that it was too slow to explain the experimental data. Based on microstructural results, it was concluded that saturation of the nucleation sites occurred in the first stages of recrystallization, while grain growth driven by strain induced grain boundary migration (SIGBM) dominated the subsequent stages. - Highlights: • Recrystallization behavior of a stainless steel was investigated at 1100 °C. • EBSD revealed that the dislocation density distribution was heterogeneous during deformation. • Saturation of nucleation sites occurred in the first stages of recrystallization. • Strain induced grain boundary migration (SIGBM) effects were significant. • Grain growth driven by SIGBM dominated the subsequent stages.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Hydrogen induced cracking susceptibility of API 5L X70 pipeline steel in relation to microstructure and crystallographic texture developed after different thermomechanical treatments

Highlights: • crack propagated mainly along deformed-banded microstructure. • Lower failure strength manifested at pipeline steel surface compared to the mid-thickness. • Greater fraction of martensite/austenite constituents featured in specimen WG relative to specimen WH. • Early onset of cracking in specimen WH showed no preference to specific crystallographic orientation. • Multi-component inclusion particle was revealed along crack propagation path. - Abstract: Thermomechanical treatments offer an innovative means of controlling microstructure development and improving resistance to hydrogen induced cracking (HIC) in pipeline steel. This study was conducted on two X70 pipeline steels (labelled WG and WH) of the same chemical composition, but processed with different thermomechanical parameters. Specimen WG was hot rolled at a higher temperature range of 880–820 {sup °}C, while specimen WH was hot rolled between 830 and 760 {sup °}C before cooling at a rate of 25 {sup °}C/s. Early onset of HIC was observed in specimen WH after electrochemical hydrogen charging for 12 h in a solution of 0.2 M H{sub 2}SO{sub 4} and 3 g/l NH{sub 4}SCN, without any applied stress. Also, test pieces from the surface and mid-thickness layers of each pipeline steel were subjected to slow strain rate tensile (SSRT) test with in-situ hydrogen charging. Characterization techniques such as Optical Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Electron Backscattered Diffraction and X-ray Diffraction were used to investigate the structure pipeline steel specimens. The role of inclusions on HIC was studied by Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy. Although the microstructure of both specimens were predominantly ferritic, more martensite/retained austenite (M/A) constituents featured in WG. Further crystallographic texture analysis indicates that grain orientation at the surfaces of both test specimens were similar with deviations towards <111> on the inverse pole figure (IPF); whereas, pole intensity at the mid-thickness deviated towards the <001> direction. Considering the increased fraction of banded-deformed grains with high stored energy, the lower HIC resistance of specimen WH in comparison to specimen WG was justified.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Conversion of Nuclear Waste into Nuclear Waste Glass: Experimental Investigation and Mathematical Modeling

The melter feed, slurry, or calcine charged on the top of a pool of molten glass forms a floating layer of reacting material called the cold cap. Between the cold-cap top, which is covered with boiling slurry, and its bottom, where bubbles separate it from molten glass, the temperature changes by up to 1000 K. The processes that occur over this temperature interval within the cold cap include liberation of gases, conduction and consumption of heat, dissolution of quartz particles, formation and dissolution of intermediate crystalline phases, and generation of foam and gas cavities. These processes have been investigated using thermal analyses, optical and electronic microscopies, x-ray diffraction, as well as other techniques. Properties of the reacting feed, such as heat conductivity and density, were measured as functions of temperature. Investigating the structure of quenched cold caps produced in a laboratory-scale melter complemented the crucible studies. The cold cap consists of two main layers. The top layer contains solid particles dissolving in the glass-forming melt and open pores through which gases are escaping. The bottom layer contains bubbly melt or foam where bubbles coalesce into larger cavities that move sideways and release the gas to the atmosphere. The feed-to-glass conversion became sufficiently understood for representing the cold-cap processes via mathematical models. These models, which comprise heat transfer, mass transfer, and reaction kinetics models, have been developed with the final goal to relate feed parameters to the rate of glass melting.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Persistent dopants and phase segregation in organolead mixed-halide perovskites

Organolead mixed-halide perovskites such as CH 3 NH 3 PbX 3–a X' a (X, X' = I, Br, Cl) are interesting semiconductors because of their low cost, high photovoltaic power conversion efficiencies, enhanced moisture stability, and band gap tunability. Using a combination of optical absorption spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), and, for the first time, 207 Pb solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR), we probe the extent of alloying and phase segregation in these materials. Because 207 Pb ssNMR chemical shifts are highly sensitive to local coordination and electronic structure, and vary linearly with halogen electronegativity and band gap, this technique can provide the true chemical speciation and composition of organolead mixed-halide perovskites. We specifically investigate samples made by three different preparative methods: solution phase synthesis, thermal annealing, and solid phase synthesis. 207 Pb ssNMR reveals that nonstoichiometric dopants and semicrystalline phases are prevalent in samples made by solution phase synthesis. We show that these nanodomains are persistent after thermal annealing up to 200 °C. Further, a novel solid phase synthesis that starts from the parent, single-halide perovskites can suppress phase segregation but not the formation of dopants. Our observations are consistent with the presence of miscibility gaps and spontaneous spinodal decomposition of the mixed-halide perovskites at room temperature. This underscores how strongly different synthetic procedures impact the nanostructuring and composition of organolead halide perovskites. In conclusion, better optoelectronic properties and improved device stability and performance may be achieved through careful manipulation of the different phases and nanodomains present in these materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗