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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 1,243 records · Page 69
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

Copper substrate as a catalyst for the oxidation of chemical vapor deposition-grown graphene

We report the catalytic effect of copper substrate on graphene–oxygen reaction at high temperature. Previous studies showed that graphene grown on copper are mostly defect-free with strong oxidation resistance. We found that a freshly prepared copper-supported graphene sample can be completely oxidized in trace amount of oxygen (<3 ppm) at 600 °C within 2 h. Both X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) suggest that upon ambient air exposure, oxygen molecules diffuse into the space between graphene and copper, resulting in the formation of copper oxide which acts as catalytic sites for the graphene-oxygen reaction. This result has important implications for the characterization, processing, and storage of copper-supported graphene samples. - Graphical abstract: The copper substrate enhances the thermel oxidation of single-layer graphene. - Highlights: • A copper-supported graphene can be oxidized in Ar (O{sub 2}<3 ppm, 600 °C, 2 h). • O{sub 2} intercalates between graphene and copper upon exposure to air. • The copper foil should not be considered as an inert substrate.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2026

Genomic-based biosurveillance for avian influenza: whole genome sequencing from wild mallards sampled during autumn migration in 2022–2023 reveals a high co-infection rate on migration stopover site in Georgia

The Caucasus region, including Georgia, is an important intersection for migratory waterbirds, offering potential for avian influenza virus (AIV) transmission between populations from different geographic areas. In 2022 and 2023, wild ducks were sampled during autumn migration events in Georgia to study the genetic relationships and molecular characteristics of influenza strains. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were used to compare the sampled strains to reference sequences from Africa, Asia, and Europe, allowing assessment of genetic relationships and virus transmission between migratory birds. Protein language modeling identified potential co-infections. Of 225 duck samples, 128 tested positive for the influenza M gene. 55 influenza-positive samples underwent whole-genome sequencing, revealing significant diversity. Analysis of the hemagglutinin (HA) segment showed notable differences among subtypes. Most samples were H6N1 and H6N6, but co-infections with combinations like H6H3, N8N1, N6H9, N2N6, and H9H6/N1N2 were also identified. These findings demonstrate the high variability of influenza viruses in migratory waterbirds in Georgia, including a notable rate of co-infections. Some samples exhibited uncommon genetic characteristics compared to other strains from the same year, suggesting Georgia’s role as a mixing vessel for influenza viruses. This facilitates reassortment during co-infections and contributes to the genetic diversity observed across flyways.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

Fabrication of AZ31/MWCNTs Surface Metal Matrix Composites by Friction Stir Processing: Investigation of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties

The surface metal matrix composites of AZ31 Mg alloy reinforced with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been fabricated through the friction stir processing by a conventional and two stepped tools. The microstructure and mechanical properties of fabricated composites were studied by optical and electron microscopy, microhardness and tensile tests, respectively. The processing has developed a fine-grain structure along with good distribution of reinforcements. The hardness and tensile strength of fabricated MWCNT/AZ31 composites are generally higher than as-received and FSPed samples. The accumulative effect of grain refinement and reinforcing nanotubes is assumed to be the reason for increasing the ductility after friction stir processing. The hardness is nearly doubled for FSPed samples and some more for nanocomposites compared with the as-received sample. The elongation of nanocomposites is about two times greater than that of the as-rolled sample. The speed ratio, pass number and CNT amount are three important factors influencing the resulting microstructure and mechanical properties. The stepped tools also give a more uniform distribution of reinforcement and higher grain refinement.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Coupling Thermomechanical Processing and Alloy Design to Improve Textures in Mg-Zn-Ca Sheet Alloys

Abstract The effect of Ca and Zn additions on the microstructure and texture evolution during thermomechanical processing of Mg-Zn-Ca sheet alloys was systematically investigated and quantified. Plane strain compression testing in a Gleeble thermomechanical simulator was used to physically simulate a 10-pass rolling schedule, while allowing for careful control and monitoring of the processing parameters. Textures in the as-deformed ternary alloy samples demonstrate a weak maximum basal intensity and spreading in the transverse direction. Increasing the Zn content to 3.2 wt.% in the ternary alloys resulted in samples that exhibited weak textures in the as-deformed state. Importantly, static recrystallization (SRX) during post-deformation annealing of these alloys promoted a desirable annular texture, with the c -axis tipped from the normal direction and a lower basal texture intensity. The evolution in texture during SRX is associated with as-deformed microstructures with broad grain orientation spreads and a low degree of recrystallization.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Evaluation of chromatographic resins for high efficacy separation of radium from chemical analogues

The separation of Radium (Ra) from interfering chemical analogues is of major importance for both the accurate measurement of Ra-226 in environmental samples and the preparation of radium targets destined for medical isotope production. The adsorption behavior of Ra, Barium (Ba), and Strontium (Sr) was investigated on multiple crown-ether-based proprietary extraction chromatographic resins developed by TrisKem Int. Among these, the TK101 resin, characterized by a novel room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) dual extractant–solvent system, demonstrated enhanced affinity and selectivity, particularly at low acid concentrations, achieving a D w of 3477 ± 73 for Ra in 0.04 M HNO₃, whereas the maximum Ra D w obtained with the traditional Sr resin in 8 M HNO 3 was only 12.33 ± 0.4. In 0.04 M HNO 3 , a Ra distribution ratio (D w ) of 776 was achieved within 1 min, indicating rapid uptake kinetics. The adsorption capacities were estimated at 19.6 ± 0.1 mg/g for Ba and 12.0 ± 0.2 mg/g for Sr. However, competing alkali metals significantly reduced alkaline earth metal uptake, indicating that the TK101 resin is best suited for radium purification following a preconcentration step to minimize matrix effects in high salinity samples. Dynamic column studies confirmed the strong chromatographic performance of the TK101 resin, with no significant Ba or Sr breakthrough in the Ra fraction and a Ra recovery of 87 ± 2.8%. These results demonstrate the potential of the TK101 resin for selective radium separation in analytical and radiochemical applications.

and nuclear chemistry↗
DOE OSTI2015

Deformation-induced spatiotemporal fluctuation, evolution and localization of strain fields in a bulk metallic glass

Deformation behavior and local strain evolutions upon loading and unloading of a bulk metallic glass (BMG) were systematically investigated by in situ digital image correlation (DIC). Distinct fluctuations and irreversible local strains were observed before the onset of macroscopic yielding. Statistical analysis shows that these fluctuations might be related to intrinsic structural heterogeneities, and that the evolution history and characteristics of local strain fields play an important role in the subsequent initiation of shear bands. Effects of sample size, pre-strain, and loading conditions were systematically analyzed in terms of the probability distributions of the resulting local strain fields. It is found that a higher degree of local shear strain heterogeneity corresponds to a more ductile stressestrain curve. Implications of these findings are discussed for the design of new materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Future integrated mobility-energy systems: A modeling perspective

After over a century of petroleum dominance, the transportation sector is on the verge of radical transformations driven by rapid technology advancement of alternative fuels, automation, information technologies that create new mobility options and business models, and policies at all levels of government. While the technologies and fuels that will move people and goods in the future remain uncertain, the future transportation system will be more integrated with smart buildings, the electric grid, renewables, and information ecosystems, allowing for great opportunities to exploit these interconnections. Modeling tools for analyzing integrated mobility-energy systems require a deep understanding of these interconnections, of the infrastructure required to support alternative fuel vehicles, and a more nuanced understanding of transportation energy needs across multiple segments and spatiotemporal scales. In this paper, we assess the landscape of existing tools used to represent and model future mobility systems and their interactions with other energy systems. Here, we conclude that (a) out-of-sample extrapolation of emerging trends and future anticipated developments is more important than ever due to the plethora of factors driving disruptive change in mobility systems; (b) understanding adoption opportunities for alternative fuel light-duty vehicles requires modeling intra-household decisions affecting travel demand and mode choice; (c) mobility and energy systems need to be modeled as an integrated continuum, breaking the traditional approach in which dynamic energy supply models use relatively simple transportation demand and vice-versa; and (d) increased spatiotemporal fidelity and scalability are required to dynamically couple transportation/mobility and energy supply models and capitalize on these unprecedented interconnection opportunities.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Improved performance of stellarator coil design optimization

Following up on earlier work which demonstrated an improved numerical stellarator coil design optimization performance by the use of stochastic optimization (Lobsien et al., Nucl. Fusion, vol. 58 (10), 2018, 106013), it is demonstrated here that significant further improvements can be made – lower field errors and improved robustness – for a Wendelstein 7-X test case. This is done by increasing the sample size and applying fully three-dimensional perturbations, but most importantly, by changing the design sequence in which the optimization targets are applied: optimization for field error is conducted first, with coil shape penalties only added to the objective function at a later step in the design process. A robust, feasible coil configuration with a local maximum field error of 3.66 % and an average field error of 0.95 % is achieved here, as compared to a maximum local field error of 6.08 % and average field error of 1.56 % found in our earlier work. These new results are compared to those found without stochastic optimization using the FOCUS and ONSET suites. The relationship between local minima in the optimization space and coil shape penalties is also discussed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Solid-State Transformation of Uranyl Peroxide Materials through High-Level Irradiation

The solid-state transformation of sodium uranyl triperoxide (Na 4 (UO 2 )(O 2 ) 3 ·9H 2 O, NaUT) to sodium uranyl tricarbonate (Na 4 (UO 2 )(CO 3 ) 3 ) by radiolysis was observed for the first time. The exposure of NaUT to 3 MGy gamma irradiation resulted in partial breakdown of the peroxides forming a mixed peroxide and carbonate species. The effects of He-ion irradiation on NaUT were also investigated up to 225 MGy using both hydrated argon and dry argon. The complete conversion to the uranyl tricarbonate phase by 56 MGy was done using hydrated argon, while dry argon did not fully convert showing the importance of water in the system. He-ion irradiated NaUT samples all convert to the tricarbonate phase with time in air post radiation exposure. This transition was monitored via Raman spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy (IR), and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) to further confirm the identity of the final product as the sodium uranyl tricarbonate, čejkaite. Furthermore, this transformation outlines a mechanism for the mobility of uranyl in natural environments and in the Hanford tanks.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗
DOE OSTI2020

Hydration-Induced Disorder Lowers the Energy Barriers for Methyl Rotation in Drug Molecules

The thermally activated dynamics of methyl groups are important for biochemical activity as they allow for a more efficient sampling of the energy landscape. In this work, we compare methyl rotations in the dry and variously hydrated states of three primary drugs under consideration to treat the recent coronavirus disease (COVID-19), namely, hydroxychloroquine and its sulfate, dexamethasone and its sodium diphosphate, and remdesivir. We find that the main driving force behind the considerable reduction in the activation energy for methyl rotations in the hydrated state is the hydration-induced disorder in the methyl group local environments. Furthermore, the activation energy for methyl rotations in the hydration-induced disordered state is much lower than that in an isolated drug molecule, indicating that neither isolated molecules nor periodic crystalline structures can be used to analyze the potential landscape governing the side group dynamics in drug molecules. Instead, only the explicitly considered disordered structures can provide insight.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Linking Dissolved Organic Matter Composition to Landscape Properties in Wetlands Across the United States of America

Abstract Wetlands are integral to the global carbon cycle, serving as both a source and a sink for organic carbon. Their potential for carbon storage will likely change in the coming decades in response to higher temperatures and variable precipitation patterns. We characterized the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved organic matter (DOM) composition from 12 different wetland sites across the USA spanning gradients in climate, landcover, sampling depth, and hydroperiod for comparison to DOM in other inland waters. Using absorption spectroscopy, parallel factor analysis modeling, and ultra‐high resolution mass spectroscopy, we identified differences in DOM sourcing and processing by geographic site. Wetland DOM composition was driven primarily by differences in landcover where forested sites contained greater aromatic and oxygenated DOM content compared to grassland/herbaceous sites which were more aliphatic and enriched in N and S molecular formulae. Furthermore, surface and porewater DOM was also influenced by properties such as soil type, organic matter content, and precipitation. Surface water DOM was relatively enriched in oxygenated higher molecular weight formulae representing HUP High O/C compounds than porewaters, whose DOM composition suggests abiotic sulfurization from dissolved inorganic sulfide. Finally, we identified a group of persistent molecular formulae (3,489) present across all sites and sampling depths (i.e., the signature of wetland DOM) that are likely important for riverine‐to‐coastal DOM transport. As anthropogenic disturbances continue to impact temperate wetlands, this study highlights drivers of DOM composition fundamental for understanding how wetland organic carbon will change, and thus its role in biogeochemical cycling.

Environmental Sciences & Ecology↗
DOE OSTI2015

A continuous cold atomic beam interferometer

We demonstrate an atom interferometer that uses a laser-cooled continuous beam of {sup 87}Rb atoms having velocities of 10–20 m/s. With spatially separated Raman beams to coherently manipulate the atomic wave packets, Mach–Zehnder interference fringes are observed at an interference distance of 2L = 19 mm. The apparatus operates within a small enclosed area of 0.07 mm{sup 2} at a bandwidth of 190 Hz with a deduced sensitivity of 7.8×10{sup −5} rad/s/√(Hz) for rotations. Using a low-velocity continuous atomic source in an atom interferometer enables high sampling rates and bandwidths without sacrificing sensitivity and compactness, which are important for applications in real dynamic environments.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2015

Surface modification of multilayer graphene using Ga ion irradiation

The effect of Ga ion irradiation intensity on the surface of multilayer graphene was examined. Using Raman spectroscopy, we determined that the irradiation caused defects in the crystal structure of graphene. The density of defects increased with the increase in dwell times. Furthermore, the strain induced by the irradiation changed the crystallite size and the distance between defects. These defects had the effect of doping the multilayer graphene and increasing its work function. The increase in work function was determined using contact potential difference measurements. The surface morphology of the multilayer graphene changed following irradiation as determined by atomic force microscopy. Additionally, the adhesion between the atomic force microscopy tip and sample increased further indicating that the irradiation had caused surface modification, important for devices that incorporate graphene.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Spin-phonon study of EuMn{sub 2}O{sub 5} nanorods

EuMn{sub 2}O{sub 5} multiferroic nanorods, with diameters radial × (〈L{sub C}〉) lengths of 25(6) nm × 47(15) nm and 51(16) nm × 70(26) nm, were fabricated by the hydrothermal method. Ferrimagnetic ordering below 50 K (T*) is observed in the 〈L{sub C}〉 = 70 nm sample, which exhibited ferromagnetic (FM) behavior below T* in a field cooling process. No similar behavior was found in the 〈L{sub C}〉 = 47 nm sample. These observations reveal that only the 〈L{sub C}〉 = 70 nm sample has a meta-FM state, and this sample exhibits the stronger coupling between the Mn ions. Raman spectra of both sets of samples were obtained in 0, 610, 1000, 1600, and 2000 G magnetic fields. The red-shift of the A{sub g} (681 cm{sup −1}) mode of the both samples increased with the strength of the field above 1000 G, indicating the existence of spin-phonon interaction. The smaller sampled exhibited a larger red-shift, suggesting that the size importantly affects the of EuMn{sub 2}O{sub 5} nanorods.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Sound velocity of tantalum under shock compression in the 18–142 GPa range

Dynamic compression experiments of tantalum (Ta) within a shock pressure range from 18–142 GPa were conducted driven by explosive, a two-stage light gas gun, and a powder gun, respectively. The time-resolved Ta/LiF (lithium fluoride) interface velocity profiles were recorded with a displacement interferometer system for any reflector. Sound velocities of Ta were obtained from the peak state time duration measurements with the step-sample technique and the direct-reverse impact technique. The uncertainty of measured sound velocities were analyzed carefully, which suggests that the symmetrical impact method with step-samples is more accurate for sound velocity measurement, and the most important parameter in this type experiment is the accurate sample/window particle velocity profile, especially the accurate peak state time duration. From these carefully analyzed sound velocity data, no evidence of a phase transition was found up to the shock melting pressure of Ta.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Modeling of electron energy spectra and mobilities in semi-metallic Hg{sub 1−x}Cd{sub x}Te quantum wells

Electron mobility, energy spectra, and intrinsic carrier concentrations in the n-type Hg{sub 0.32}Cd{sub 0.68}Te/Hg{sub 1−x}Cd{sub x}Te/Hg{sub 0.32}Cd{sub 0.68}Te quantum well (QW) in semi-metallic state are numerically modeled. Energy spectra and wave functions were calculated in the framework of the 8-band k-p Hamiltonian. In our model, electron scattering on longitudinal optical phonons, charged impurities, and holes has been taken into account, and the mobility has been calculated by an iterative solution of the Boltzmann transport equation. Our results show that the increase of the electron concentration in the well enhances the screening of the 2D electron gas, decreases the hole concentration, and can ultimately lead to a high electron mobility at liquid nitrogen temperatures. The increase of the electron concentration in the QW could be achieved in situ by delta-doping of barriers or by applying the top-gate potential. Our modeling has shown that for low molar composition x the concentration of holes in the well is high in a wide range of electron concentrations; in this case, the purity of samples does not significantly influence the electron mobility. These results are important in the context of establishing optimal parameters for the fabrication of high-mobility Hg{sub 1−x}Cd{sub x}Te quantum wells able to operate at liquid nitrogen temperature and thus suitable for applications in terahertz detectors.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Synthesis and characterisation of composite based biohydroxyapatite bovine bone mandible waste (BHAp) doped with 10 wt % amorphous SiO{sub 2} from rice husk by solid state reaction

Effect of 10 wt% amorphous SiO{sub 2} from rice husk addition on the microstructures of biohydroxyapatite (BHAp) obtained from bovine bone was synthesized by solid state reaction. In this study, biohydroxyapatite powder was obtained from bovine bone mandible waste heat treated at 800 °C for 5 h and amorphous SiO{sub 2} powder was extracted from citric acid leaching of rice husk followed by combustion at 700°C for 5 h. The composite powder then mixed and sintered at 1200 °C for 3 h. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques are utilized to characterize the phase relations, functional group present and morphology of the sample. The study has revealed that the processing procedures played an important role in microstructural development of BHAp-10 wt% SiO{sub 2} composite. The XRD study of the raw material revealed that the primary phase material in the heat treated of bovine bone mandible waste is hydroxyapatite and in the combustion of rice husk is amorphous SiO{sub 2}. However, in the composite the hydroxyapatite, β-tricalcium phosphate, and calcium phosphate silicate were observed. The FTIR result show that the hydroxyl stretching band in the composite decrease compared with those of hydroxyapatite spectra and the evolution of morphology was occurred in the composite.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Spall fracture in additive manufactured Ti-6Al-4V

Here, we present a study on the spall strength of additive manufactured (AM) Ti-6Al-4V. Samples were obtained from two pieces of selective laser melted (SLM, a powder bed fusion technique) Ti-6Al-4V such that the response to dynamic tensile loading could be investigated as a function of the orientation between the build layers and the loading direction. A sample of wrought bar-stock Ti-6Al-4V was also tested to act as a baseline representing the traditionally manufactured material response. A single-stage light gas-gun was used to launch a thin flyer plate into the samples, generating a region of intense tensile stress on a plane normal to the impact direction. The rear free surface velocity time history of each sample was recorded with laser-based velocimetry to allow the spall strength to be calculated. The samples were also soft recovered to enable post-mortem characterization of the spall damage evolution. Results showed that when the tensile load was applied normal to the interfaces between the build layers caused by the SLM fabrication process the spall strength was drastically reduced, dropping to 60% of that of the wrought material. However, when loaded parallel to the AM build layer interfaces the spall strength was found to remain at 95% of the wrought control, suggesting that when loading normal to the AM layer interfaces, void nucleation is facilitated more readily due to weaknesses along these boundaries. Quasi-static testing of the same sample orientations revealed a much lower degree of anisotropy, demonstrating the importance of rate-dependent studies for damage evolution in AM materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗