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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 127 records · Page 7

In situ X-ray ptychography imaging of high-temperature CO{sub 2} acceptor particle agglomerates

Imaging nanoparticles under relevant reaction conditions of high temperature and gas pressure is difficult because conventional imaging techniques, like transmission electron microscopy, cannot be used. Here we demonstrate that the coherent diffractive imaging technique of X-ray ptychography can be used for in situ phase contrast imaging in structure studies at atmospheric pressure and elevated temperatures. Lithium zirconate, a candidate CO{sub 2} capture material, was studied at a pressure of one atmosphere in air and in CO{sub 2}, at temperatures exceeding 600 °C. Images with a spatial resolution better than 200 nm were retrieved, and possibilities for improving the experiment are described.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Parallel Element Agglomeration Multilevel Monte Carlo Library (ParELAGMC)

ParELAGMC is a parallel distributed memory C++ library for multilevel Monte Carlo (MLMC) simulations with algebraically constructed coarse spaces for estimating statistical moments of a quantity of interest involving solutions of partial differential equations with uncertain coefficients. A primary focus of the library is the scalable generation of Gaussian random fields using a novel stochastic PDE (SPDE) sampling technique for large-scale simulations. A key feature in the SPDE sampling technique is a novel non-matching mesh embedding technique to mitigate artificial boundary artifacts that are inherent in the method. Example applications to uncertainty quantification of subsurface flow simulations in the mixed finite element setting are provided as well.

Osborn, SarahV.↗

Influence of Material Properties on TiO 2 Nanoparticle Agglomeration

Emerging nanomaterials are being manufactured with varying particle sizes, morphologies, and crystal structures in the pursuit of achieving outstanding functional properties. These variations in these key material properties of nanoparticles may affect their environmental fate and transport. To date, few studies have investigated this important aspect of nanoparticles’ environmental behavior. In this study, the aggregation kinetics of ten different TiO 2 nanoparticles (5 anatase and 5 rutile each with varying size) was systematically evaluated. Our results show that, as particle size increases, the surface charge of both anatase and rutile TiO 2 nanoparticles shifts toward a more negative value, and, accordingly, the point of zero charge shifts toward a lower value. The colloidal stability of anatase sphere samples agreed well with DLVO theoretical predictions, where an increase in particle size led to a higher energy barrier and therefore greater critical coagulation concentration. In contrast, the critical coagulation concentration of rutile rod samples correlated positively with the specific surface area, i.e., samples with higher specific surface area exhibited higher stability. Finally, due to the large innate negative surface charge of all the TiO 2 samples at the pH value (pH = 8) tested, the addition of natural organic matter was observed to have minimal effect on TiO 2 aggregation kinetics, except for the smallest rutile rods that showed decreased stability in the presence of natural organic matter.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Resolving Salt-Induced Agglomeration of Laponite Suspensions Using X-ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy and Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Linking the physics of the relaxation behavior of viscoelastic fluids as they form arrested gel states to the underlying chemical changes is essential for developing predictive controls on the properties of the suspensions. In this study, 3 wt.% laponite suspensions are studied as model systems to probe the influence of salt-induced relaxation behavior arising from the assembly of laponite nanodisks. X-ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (XPCS) measurements show that laponite suspensions prepared in the presence of 5 mM concentrations of CaCl2, MgCl2 and CsCl salts accelerate the formation of arrested gel states, with CaCl2 having a significant impact followed by CsCl and MgCl2 salts. The competing effects of ion size and charge on relaxation behavior are noted. For example, the relaxation times of laponite suspensions in the presence of Mg2+ ions are slower compared to Cs+ ions despite the higher charge, suggesting that cation size dominates in this scenario. The faster relaxation behavior of laponite suspensions in the presence of Ca2+ ions compared to Cs+ ions shows that a higher charge dominates the size of the ion. The trends in relaxation behavior are consistent with the cluster formation behavior of laponite suspensions and the electrostatic interactions predicted from MD simulations. Charge balance is achieved by the intercalation of the cations at the negatively charged surfaces of laponite suspensions. These studies show that the arrested gel state of laponite suspensions is accelerated in the presence of salts, with ion sizes and charges having a competing effect on relaxation behavior.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

High radiation pressure on interstellar dust computed by light-scattering simulation on fluffy agglomerates of magnesium-silicate grains with metallic-iron inclusions

Recent space missions have provided information on the physical and chemical properties of interstellar grains such as the ratio β of radiation pressure to gravity acting on the grains in addition to the composition, structure, and size distribution of the grains. Numerical simulation on the trajectories of interstellar grains captured by Stardust and returned to Earth constrained the β ratio for the Stardust samples of interstellar origin. However, recent accurate calculations of radiation pressure cross-sections for model dust grains have given conflicting stories in the β ratio of interstellar grains. The β ratio for model dust grains of so-called “astronomical silicate” in the femto-kilogram range lies below unity, in conflict with β∼1 for the Stardust interstellar grains. Here, I tackle this conundrum by re-evaluating the β ratio of interstellar grains on the assumption that the grains are aggregated particles grown by coagulation and composed of amorphous MgSiO{sub 3} with the inclusion of metallic iron. My model is entirely consistent with the depletion and the correlation of major rock-forming elements in the Local Interstellar Cloud surrounding the Sun and the mineralogical identification of interstellar grains in the Stardust and Cassini missions. I find that my model dust particles fulfill the constraints on the β ratio derived from not only the Stardust mission but also the Ulysses and Cassini missions. My results suggest that iron is not incorporated into silicates but exists as metal, contrary to the majority of interstellar dust models available to date.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

SPAR 5 experiment no. 74-30 agglomeration in immiscible liquids

The influence of gravity, cooling rate, and composition on the macro-and microstructure of liquid phase immiscible alloys were researched. Aluminum indium alloys of compositions 30, 40, 70, and 90 weight percent indium were processed aboard two sounding rocket flights, SPAR 2 and SPAR 5. Radiographic and metallographic examination of the SPAR 2 flight and ground base samples showed the expected separation at lg of the ground base alloys into indium rich and aluminum rich layers. The flight alloys produced an aluminum rich core surrounding by indium rich metal. The results obtained from the SPAR 5 40 and 70 weight percent indium alloys were essentially identical to those from SPAR 2. The 30 and 90 weight percent indium alloys also showed massive separation into configuration similar to the 40 and 70 weight percent indium alloys. The 90 weight percent indium alloy showed additional evidence that surface tension induced droplet migration had occurred in this alloy which could at least in part account for the observed structures.

Gelles, S.↗

On the dynamics of agglomerating ensembles of clouds

It is shown that for dynamical time scales longer than 10 million years the ensemble of interstellar cold diffuse clouds may be described by equations of mass and momentum conservation where the pressure has the form p/v-squared/ where /v-squared/ is the mass averaged square velocity dispersion. Equilibrium cloud spectra are derived and an equation of state obtained. The equation of state undergoes a phase transition at a critical density close to the local interstellar gas density. At higher densities, more massive clouds are formed and the cloud fluid softens. It is suggested that this mechanism may naturally regulate the interstellar gas density if star formation is very efficient in the cooler high-density systems.

Cowie, L. L.↗

Agglomeration-Free Distributor for Fluidized Beds

New gas distributor for fluidized beds prevents hot particles from reacting on it and forming hard crust. In reduction of iron ore in fluidized bed, ore particles do not sinter on distributor and perhaps clog it or otherwise interfere with gas flow. Distributor also relatively cool. In fluidized-bed production of silicon, inflowing silane does not decompose until within bed of hot silicon particles and deposits on them. Plates of spiral distributor arranged to direct incoming gas into spiral flow. Turbulence in flow reduces frequency of contact between fluidized-bed particles and distributor.

Ouyang, F.↗

Modeling of coalescence, agglomeration, and phase segregation in microgravity processing of bimetallic composite materials

The overall objective of this research is to develop models to predict drop-size-distribution evolutions due to droplet collisions and coalescence during processing within the miscibility gap of bimetallic liquid-phase-miscibility-gap materials. The individual and collective action of gravitational and nongravitational mechanisms on the relative motion and coalescence of drops are considered.

Davis, Robert H.↗

Stardust: Studies in microgravity of condensation and agglomeration of cosmic dust analogue

A short description of the program Stardust whose goal is to study the formation and properties of high temperature particles and gases, including silicate and carbonaceous materials, that are of interest in astrophysics and planetary science, is given. The international program was carried out in microgravity conditions in parabolic flight. A description of the laboratory equipment, conceived to perform experimental tests in reduced gravity conditions, and which is based on the gas evaporation technique, is given. The gas evaporation technique utilizes one or more heated crucible to vaporize solids materials (SiO, Mg) in a low pressure of inert or reactive gas inside of a vacuum bell jar. The vapor pressures of the materials are controlled by the temperature of the crucibles. The temperature and pressure of inert gas are also controlled. By varying the vapor pressure relative to the gas temperature and pressure, the conditions for substantial grain condensation can be controlled and grain formation measured using light scattering techniques. Thus the partial pressure for grain condensation, can be measured as a function of temperature. The gas evaporation technique has the advantage that complex chemical systems can be studied by using multiple crucibles each containing solid source material. Experimental results and future trends are addressed.

Ferguson, F.↗