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At least 127 records · Page 7

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DOE OSTI2026

Revisiting the validity of eddy viscosity models for predicting airflow over water waves

In this study, we revisit the validity of eddy viscosity models for predicting wave-induced airflow disturbances over ocean surface waves. We first derive a turbulence curvilinear model for the phase-averaged Navier–Stokes equations, extending the work of Cao, Deng & Shen (2020 J. Fluid Mech. 901, A27), by incorporating turbulence stress terms previously neglected in the linearised viscous curvilinear model. To verify our formulation, we perform a priori tests by numerically solving the model using mean wind and turbulence stress profiles from large-eddy simulations (LES) of airflow over waves across various wave ages. Results show that including turbulence stress terms improves wave-induced airflow predictions compared with the previous viscous curvilinear model. We further show that using a standard mixing-length eddy viscosity yields inaccurate predictions at certain wave ages, as it fails to capture wave-induced turbulence, which fundamentally differs from mean shear-driven turbulence. The LES data show that accurate representations of wave-induced stresses require a complex-valued eddy viscosity. The maximum magnitude of this eddy viscosity scales as ∼𝑢 𝜏 ⁢𝜁 𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑟 , where 𝑢 𝜏 is the friction velocity and 𝜁 𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑟 is the inner-layer thickness, the height at which the eddy-turnover time matches the wave advection time scale. This scaling aligns with the prediction by Belcher & Hunt (1993 J. Fluid Mech. 251, 109–148). Overall, the findings demonstrate that traditional eddy viscosity models are inadequate for capturing wave-induced turbulence. More sophisticated turbulence models are essential for the accurate prediction of airflow disturbances and form drag in wind–wave interaction models.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

DOE OSTI2024

Exploiting Saturation Regimes and Surface Effects to Tune Composite Design: Single Platelet Nanocomposites of Peptoid Nanosheets and CaCO 3

Mineral-polymer composites found in nature exhibit exceptional structural properties essential to their function, and transferring these attributes to the synthetic design of functional materials holds promise across various sectors. Biomimetic fabrication of nanocomposites introduces new pathways for advanced material design and explores biomineralization strategies. This study presents a novel approach for producing single platelet nanocomposites composed of CaCO 3 and biomimetic peptoid (N-substituted glycines) polymers, akin to the bricks found in the brick-and-mortar structure of nacre, the inner layer of certain mollusc shells. The significant aspect of the proposed strategy is the use of organic peptoid nanosheets as the scaffolds for brick formation, along with their controlled mineralization in solution. Here, we employ the B28 peptoid nanosheet as a scaffold, which readily forms free-floating zwitterionic bilayers in aqueous solution. The peptoid nanosheets were mineralized under consistent initial conditions (σ calcite = 1.2, pH 9.00), with variations in mixing conditions and supersaturation profiles over time aimed at controlling the final product. Nanosheets were mineralized in both feedback control experiments, where supersaturation was continuously replenished by titrant addition and in batch experiments without a feedback loop. Complete coverage of the nanosheet surface by amorphous calcium carbonate was achieved under specific conditions with feedback control mineralization, whereas vaterite was the primary CaCO 3 phase observed after batch experiments. Thermodynamic calculations suggest that time-dependent supersaturation profiles as well as the spatial distribution of supersaturation are effective controls for tuning the mineralization extent and product. We anticipate that the control strategies outlined in this work can serve as a foundation for the advanced and scalable fabrication of nanocomposites as building blocks for nacre-mimetic and functional materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2021

A pushered capsule implosion as an alternate approach to the ignition regime for inertial confinement fusion

We report in inertial confinement fusion, the threshold for ignition is a highly dynamic quantity as the sources and sinks of power in the hot spot can vary rapidly. In this article, we consider the ignition condition as a race between heating and disassembly rates and make use of a prior solution to the fusion hot-spot thermodynamics to develop a Lawson-like ignition criteria for pressure × confinement time (p-τ) vs temperature. Low-Z capsule designs reach the temperature for this threshold using as much of the shell as feasible as ablator but then are limited in τ by low stagnated mass. An alternate approach, the pushered single shell (PSS) design [D. D.-M. Ho, S. MacLaren, and Y. Wang, “High-yield implosions via radiation trapping and high rho-R,” paper presented at the 60th Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Plasma Physics, 2018], introduces a dense inner layer of Mo-Be alloy that is smoothly graded outward to pure Be, increasing the confinement time at stagnation and lowering the temperature requirement at the ignition threshold. Here, we describe a PSS ignition design for the National Ignition Facility and use the theory as well as simulations to compare it with the low-Z capsule approach. Additionally, we show how an adjustment to the design is used to anticipate the effects of mixing at the fuel–ablator interface.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2023

First bromine doped cryogenic implosion at the National Ignition Facility

We report on the first experiment dedicated to the study of nuclear reactions on dopants in a cryogenic capsule at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). This was accomplished using bromine doping in the inner layers of the CH ablator of a capsule identical to that used in the NIF shot N140520. The capsule was doped with 3 × 1016 bromine atoms. The doped capsule shot, N170730, resulted in a DT yield that was 2.6 times lower than the undoped equivalent. The Radiochemical Analysis of Gaseous Samples (RAGS) system was used to collect and detect 79Kr atoms resulting from energetic deuteron and proton ion reactions on 79Br. RAGS was also used to detect 13N produced dominantly by knock-on deuteron reactions on the 12C in the ablator. High-energy reaction-in-flight neutrons were detected via the 209Bi(n,4n)206Bi reaction, using bismuth activation foils located 50 cm outside of the target capsule. The robustness of the RAGS signals suggests that the use of nuclear reactions on dopants as diagnostics is quite feasible.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2021

Numerical investigation of active control of tearing mode by magnetic coils and the role of Δ'

Magnetic feedback stabilization of the tearing mode (TM) is numerically investigated, utilizing the MARS-F code (Liu et al 2000 Phys. Plasmas 7 3681) for toroidal tokamak equilibria. With control coil configurations assumed in this study, magnetic feedback partially or fully stabilizes the TM, with either vanishing or finite equilibrium pressure. The best control is achieved by the combination of internal active coils and internal poloidal sensors. The internal and external tearing indices are evaluated for the close-loop system, based on the MARS-F computed mode eigenvalue and eigenfunction, respectively. In the absence of the favorable curvature effect, these two indices are real-valued and quantitatively agree well with each other. For the equilibrium with finite pressure gradient at the mode rational surface, the favorable average curvature effect becomes important and the close-loop tearing index also becomes complex-valued, partly due to interaction of the feedback system with the dissipative wall eddy current response. Isolating the inner layer and outer region response to magnetic feedback, with either proportional or proportional-derivative actions, allows to establish that feedback stabilization of the TM occurs mainly due to modification of the behavior of the external ideal solution, further confirming the analytic result reported in He et al 2021 Phys. Plasmas 28 012504.

Physics↗

DOE OSTI2023

Enhancing Qubit Readout with Autoencoders

In addition to the need for stable and precisely controllable qubits, quantum computers take advantage of good readout schemes. Superconducting qubit states can be inferred from the readout signal transmitted through a dispersively coupled resonator. Here, this work proposes a readout classification method for superconducting qubits based on a neural network pretrained with an autoencoder approach. A neural network is pretrained with qubit readout signals as autoencoders in order to extract relevant features from the data set. Afterward, the pretrained-network inner-layer values are used to perform a classification of the inputs in a supervised manner. We demonstrate that this method can enhance classification performance, particularly for short- and long-time measurements where more traditional methods present inferior performance.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

DOE OSTI2025

X-ray and Neutron Radiography for Quantitative Material Reconstructions

Radiography is a powerful tool to determine the interior structure of objects. X-ray radiography is widely used and provides high-resolution images, though X-rays have limited transmission through materials of high atomic number (Z) and density. In contrast, neutrons can penetrate many materials that are heavily attenuating to X-rays, such as metals, providing contrast in the inner layers of highly attenuating items. Past work has shown the value in using both X-ray and neutron radiography for estimating material thicknesses, though that work was limited to simulated data. Here, we demonstrate quantitative material reconstructions using experimental X-ray and neutron radiography data from lab-based systems, accurately modeling radiography system responses to within a few percent to enable quantitative measures of material thickness. We demonstrate the utility of neutron radiography and X-ray radiography for these quantitative reconstructions and introduce methods for using their complementarity to improve image quality and optimize experimental design.

Gilbert, Andrew J.↗

DOE OSTI2020

“Mirror” magnet experiment for quench studies, quench analysis techniques development and in support of superconducting magnet modeling

In order to progress on various research points related to superconducting magnets, we suggest performing series of tests with induced and natural quenches on a mirror magnet, probably using a “11 T” coil. The “mirror” is to have voltage taps instrumented on half the strands, on both coil ends. It is to be instrumented with multiple spot-heaters, of the order of ten, in designated pole-turn areas. Instrumentation is to include quench antenna array facing the inner coil surface, as well as acoustic sensors on the inner layer pole. Further, acoustic sensors at the magnet ends and an acoustic calibration transducer are to be installed. Thus, we are to test sensitivity and precision of acoustic and quench antenna (QA) array sensors, both at close proximity to the coil, and we are to test and commission acoustic on-magnet real-time “calibration”. New or extended DAQ will be tested as well. In addition to diagnostic development, the purpose of the magnet experiment is to investigate current redistribution in the coil, both during quenching and in operating conditions; to assess voltage build up across strands and in the coil segments during quenching, to explore voltage signature differentiation between different type of quenches; to improve modeling of processes during quenching and for magnet design purposes. In this experiment, we expect to be able to characterize the processes during a quench in unprecedented details.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

NASA NTRS1966

Insulation for cryogenic tanks has reduced thickness and weight

Dual seal insulation, consisting of an inner layer of sealed-cell Mylar honeycomb core and an outer helium purge channel of fiber glass reinforced phenolic honeycomb core, is used as a thin, lightweight insulation for external surfaces of cryogenic-propellant tanks.

Dumire, P. E.↗

NASA NTRS1971

Technique for in-place welding of aluminum backed up by a combustible material

Welding external aluminum jacket, tightly wrapped around inner layer of wood composition fiberboard, in oxygen free environment prevents combustion and subsequent damage to underlying fiberboard. Technique also applies to metal cutting in similar assemblies without disassembly to remove combustible materials from welding heat proximity.

Spagnuolo, A. C.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Window with integral seal

Installation concept needed for airtight, watertight, laminated window does away with O-rings and sealants needed for effective edge seal. Pliable inner layer of laminating adhesive extends to form build-in gasket. Technique is usable for plastic or glass windows where space for gaskets and sealing rings is limited, canopies, and shields for military, marine, and land transportation vehicles.

Behar, J. M.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Sudden bending of cracked laminates

A dynamic approximate laminated plate theory is developed with emphasis placed on obtaining effective solution for the crack configuration where the 1/square root of r stress singularity and the condition of plane strain are preserved. The radial distance r is measured from the crack edge. The results obtained show that the crack moment intensity tends to decrease as the crack length to laminate plate thickness is increased. Hence, a laminated plate has the desirable feature of stabilizing a through crack as it increases its length at constant load. Also, the level of the average load intensity transmitted to a through crack can be reduced by making the inner layers to be stiffer than the outer layers. The present theory, although approximate, is useful for analyzing laminate failure to crack propagation under dynamic load conditions.

Sih, G. C.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Sudden bending of a cracked laminate

The intensification of stresses near a through crack in the laminate that suddenly undergoes bending is investigated. A dynamic plate theory is developed which includes the effects of material inhomogeneity in the thickness direction and realistic crack edge stress singularity and distribution. Numerical examples indicate that (1) the crack moment intensity tends to decrease as the crack length to laminate thickness is increased, and (2) the average load intensity transmitted to a through crack can be reduced by making the inner layers to be stiffer than the outer layers.

Sih, G. C.↗

NASA NTRS1985

X-ray spectra of young Type I supernova remnants - Exploded white dwarfs?

It is argued that the X-ray spectra of young Type I supernova remnants can be understood consistently in terms of thermal emission mainly from a reverse shock into initially uniform density ejecta. The inferred mass of ejecta is then consistent with 1.4 solar mass in SN 1006, Tycho, and Kepler. A substantial mass of iron, perhaps 0.8 solar mass, may be present provided that the ejecta are chemically inhomogeneous, with iron confined to inner layers of ejecta. The marked difference between the X-ray spectra of SN 1006 and Tycho is explained by the lower interstellar density around SN 1006.

Hamilton, A. J. S.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Shatter-Resistant, Flame-Resistant Window

Combustion-chamber window combines properties of polycarbonate and sapphire. Inner layer of sapphire, withstands flame in chamber. Outer layer of polycarbonate tough but susceptible to weakening by flame and protected from flame by sapphire layer. Resists flames, shattering, and high pressure. Windows withstand 60 lb/in. to second power (414 kPa) in hydrostatic pressure vessel. Also survives leak test under internal pressure of 2 atm (0.2 MPa) of helium and external pressure of 10 to negative fifth power torr (1.3 mPa). Has transmission density of 0.08 to 0.11 in visible light. In contrast, unbonded layers have transmission density of 0.13 to 0.16.

Richardson, William R.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Oxidation behavior of FeAl+Hf,Zr,B

The oxidation behavior of Fe-40Al-1Hf, Fe-40Al-1Hf-0.4B, and Fe-40Al-0.1Zr-0.4B (at. percent) alloys was characterized after 900, 1000, and 100 C exposures. Isothermal tests revealed parabolic kinetics after a period of transitional theta-alumina scale growth. The parabolic growth rates for the subsequent alpha-alumina scales were about five times higher than those for NiAl+0.1Zr alloys. The isothermally grown scales showed a propensity toward massive scale spallation due to both extensive rumpling from growth stresses and to an inner layer of HfO2. Cyclic oxidation for 200 1-hr cycles produced little degradation at 900 or 1000 C, but caused significant spallation at 1100 C in the form of small segments of the outer scale. The major difference in the cyclic oxidation of the three FeAl alloys was increased initial spallation for FeAl+Zr,B. Although these FeAl alloys showed many similarities to NiAl alloys, they were generally less oxidation resistant. It is believed that this resulted from nonoptimal levels of dopants and larger thermal expansion mismatch stresses.

Smialek, James L.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Reinforcing Liner For Composite Cryogenic Tank

Proposed fiber-reinforced liner for graphite/epoxy fuel tank prevents metal-foil leakage barrier from detaching at low temperatures. Consists of epoxy containing fibers of Spectra 1000. Tank holds inner layers of foil, adhesive, and proposed liner. Liner much thinner than shell, adds little weight, and subtracts little volume. Lined composite tank used to hold liquids from room temperature to cryogenic temperatures. Not suitable for oxygen, because organic materials in liner oxidized quickly.

Burgeson, John E.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Oxidation behavior of FeAl+Hf,Zr,B

The oxidation behavior of Fe-40Al-1Hf, Fe-40Al-1Hf-0.4B, and Fe-40Al-0.1Zr-0.4B (at. percent) alloys was characterized after 900, 1000, and 100 C exposures. Isothermal tests revealed parabolic kinetics after a period of transitional theta-alumina scale growth. The parabolic growth rates for the subsequent alpha-alumina scales were about five times higher than those for NiAl+0.1Zr alloys. The isothermally grown scales showed a propensity toward massive scale spallation due to both extensive rumpling from growth stresses and to an inner layer of Hf02. Cyclic oxidation for 200 1-hr cycles produced little degradation at 900 or 1000 C, but caused significant spallation at 1100 C in the form of small segments of the outer scale. The major difference in the cyclic oxidation of the three FeAl alloys was increased initial spallation for FeAl+Zr,B. Although these FeAl alloys showed many similarities to NiAl alloys, they were generally less oxidation resistant. It is believed that this resulted from nonoptimal levels of dopants and larger thermal expansion mismatch stresses.

Smialek, James L.↗