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Results for “GEOMETRIC FACTOR”

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 145 records · Page 8
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1995

Error in predicting hydrosol backscattering from remotely sensed reflectance

Monte Carlo simulations are carried out to determine the error in the inversion of backscattering from remotely sensed reflectance when geometrical shape factors of the light field are assumed to be unity. The results show that error in backscattering inversion can vary from a 40% overestimation to a 20% underestimation and is dependent on the solar angle and the hydrosol consituents contributing to backscattering. The simulations also demostrate that for chlorophyll concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 20 mg/cu m the most dramatic change in the geometrical shape factors occurs near 1.0 to 1.5 mg/cu m chlorophyll. The potential importance of bacteria in influencing the shape factor and the subsequent effect of bacteria on the retrieval of the backscattering from remote sensing reflectance are shown. Quartzlike material's strong impact on geometrical shape factors and errors of retrieval of backscattering at low chlorophyll concentrations are also demonstrated. Remote sensing reflectance inversion schemes must include information about the backscattering function to be successful.

Weidemann, A. D.↗
NASA NTRS2004

A Method for Estimating Noise from Full-Scale Distributed Exhaust Nozzles

A method to estimate the full-scale noise suppression from a scale model distributed exhaust nozzle (DEN) is presented. For a conventional scale model exhaust nozzle, Strouhal number scaling using a scale factor related to the nozzle exit area is typically applied that shifts model scale frequency in proportion to the geometric scale factor. However, model scale DEN designs have two inherent length scales. One is associated with the mini-nozzles, whose size do not change in going from model scale to full scale. The other is associated with the overall nozzle exit area which is much smaller than full size. Consequently, lower frequency energy that is generated by the coalesced jet plume should scale to lower frequency, but higher frequency energy generated by individual mini-jets does not shift frequency. In addition, jet-jet acoustic shielding by the array of mini-nozzles is a significant noise reduction effect that may change with DEN model size. A technique has been developed to scale laboratory model spectral data based on the premise that high and low frequency content must be treated differently during the scaling process. The model-scale distributed exhaust spectra are divided into low and high frequency regions that are then adjusted to full scale separately based on different physics-based scaling laws. The regions are then recombined to create an estimate of the full-scale acoustic spectra. These spectra can then be converted to perceived noise levels (PNL). The paper presents the details of this methodology and provides an example of the estimated noise suppression by a distributed exhaust nozzle compared to a round conic nozzle.

Kinzie, Kevin W.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Geometric compatibility measure m' for twin transmission: A predictor or descriptor?

In this work, the geometric compatibility factor m' is critically analyzed to assess whether it can be used to interpret/predict twin transmission (TT) across grain boundaries (GBs). This geometric measure is widely used to relate the likelihood of TT to the misalignment of both the shear and plane-normal directions within a twin set (i.e., incoming and outgoing twin). Here, using a large set of electron back scattering diffraction (EBSD) data, a detailed statistical analysis of twin-GB interactions is performed for {${1\bar{01}}2$} tensile twins in hexagonal close-packed (HCP) metals Mg, Zr, and Ti at different strain levels. In addition, a full-field crystal plasticity model is employed to quantify the role of local stresses and the applicability of m' as a criterion for the TT process. This combined study addresses the following three main questions: (i) What is the fidelity of m' in describing experimentally observed TTs? (ii) Can m' be used as a metric to predict/anticipate TT? (iii) Does m' naturally capture local stress effects? As a descriptor, m' cannot rationalize ~25% of TT events observed in Mg or more than 50% of TT events in Zr and Ti. As a predictor, the m'-measure does not predict TT events in over ~50% of twin-GB interactions analyzed. Further, the applicability of m' to describe and predict TT events decreases with an increase in elastic anisotropy, plastic anisotropy, and macroscopic strain levels. Finally, the twinning simulations reveal that m' does not capture the key effects of local stresses on variant selection upon twin transmission. The local stress induced by the twinning shear transformation plays a dominant role in driving the TT process compared to the geometric alignment of the constituting twins, i.e., m'.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1993

Vibrational nonequilibrium effects on diatomic dissociation rates

The collision-induced dissociation rate of diatomic molecules from a ladder of rotational and anharmonic vibrational states is developed, and the correction for vibrational nonequilibrium is considered. The result is similar to an analytic correction derived by Hammerling et al. (1959) for harmonic oscillators. An empirical correction algorithm suggested by Park (1987, 1990) gives similar results when vibrational temperature is comparable to kinetic temperature but underestimates the dissociation rate when vibrational temperature is small compared with the kinetic temperature. This algorithm uses an effective temperature in the experimentally determined Arrhenius expression for the rate coefficient, which is a weighted average of the vibrational and kinetic temperature, whereas theory indicates that kinetic temperature should appear only in the exponential term of the Arrhenius expression. Nevertheless, an effective temperature can always be found that will numerically duplicate the proper rate coefficient at any given condition, but a constant weighting factor cannot be expected to provide this. However, the algorithm can he adjusted to give reasonable results over a range of conditions if the geometric weighting factor is taken to be a simple linear function of the ratio of vibrational to kinetic temperature in the gas.

Hansen, C. F.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Growth Strategy of a Hybrid Yb3Rh4Sn13/LaRuSn3 Structure Type: Integrating Thermal Analysis, In Situ Diffraction, and Geometric Descriptors

Remeika phases form a versatile family of cage like intermetallics built from transition metal–centered trigonal prisms linked into three dimensional frameworks that generate two characteristic voids: a large [AX₁₂] cuboctahedral cage hosting the rare earth ion and an [XX′₁₂] icosahedral cage accommodating the tetrel atom. In this work, we present a tool driven approach for targeted solid state synthesis of Remeika phases, integrating differential scanning calorimetry, in situ neutron diffraction, and a geometric tolerance factor that quantifies rare earth size compatibility within these polyhedral cages. When combined with arc melting and metallic flux crystal growth, this framework enables prediction, verification, and isolation of specific Remeika phases. Applying this strategy, we obtain single crystals of the predicted pseudo-perovskite Fe based Remeika compound Yb0.9FeGe3.1. More broadly, this perspective highlights how coupling real time structural probes with simple geometric descriptors provides a general pathway for designing synthesis conditions and accessing potentially metastable structure types in complex intermetallic systems.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Uranium hydride corrosion. II Modeling spatially random growth using reaction and nucleation kinetics

A uranium hydride (UH 3 ) corrosion kinetics model has been developed, based on dimensionally restricted nucleation kinetics, which combines heretofore separate reaction and nucleation kinetics models into a single predictive construct. This theoretical framework accounts for the superficial and random pitting behaviour of UH 3 corrosion. The model can be used to generate the net corrosion surface area and volume fractions for a uranium specimen, generally accounting for its geometric form factor through the surface-to-volume ratio. Furthermore, the combined corrosion kinetics model enables the generation of quantities which may be directly compared to those obtained by non-destructive, non-contact evaluation methods.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Multilevel peel-off patterning of a prototype semitransparent organic photovoltaic module

Semitransparent organic photovoltaics (ST-OPVs) with applications to power generating windows have shown substantial increases in power conversion efficiency (PCE) and average photopic transmission (APT) at the laboratory scale. Here, the demonstration of similarly efficient, large-scale ST-OPV modules with geometric fill factors (GFF) approaching 100%, however, remains a challenge. Here, we employ a multilevel peel-off patterning method that can achieve micron-scale resolution without exposing chemically sensitive organic materials to solvents. Eight, 4 cm × 0.4 cm cells are connected in series to realize a prototype ST-OPV module with GFF = 95.8%, with PCE = 7.3 ± 0.2% under simulated AM 1.5G illumination at 1 sun intensity, APT = 41.8 ± 1.4%, and a light utilization efficiency of LUE = 3.1 ± 0.1%. A neutral color STOPV module is also demonstrated with 1.7 ± 0.1% and International Commission on Illumination (CIE) LAB coordinates of (L*, a*, b*) = (53.7, -1.9, -3.9).

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Exploration, Prediction, and Experimental Verification of Structure and Optoelectronic Properties in I 2 -Eu-IV-X 4 (I = Li, Cu, Ag; IV = Si, Ge, Sn; X = S, Se) Chalcogenide Semiconductors

Recently, there has been extensive research into photovoltaic, thermoelectric, and nonlinear optical applications of chalcogenide semiconductors within the large set of defect-resistant I 2 -II-IV-X4 (I = Li, Cu, Ag; II = Ba, Sr, Eu, Pb; IV = Si, Ge, Sn; X = S, Se) compounds. Five Eu-including compounds have previously been reported within this family, but a comparative study of possible structures and electronic properties of all 18 Eu-based combinations is still absent. Herein, we use hybrid density functional theory to study rare-earth-including I 2 -II-IV-X 4 semiconductors with Eu on the II site, in order to further understand this family and test the geometric tolerance factor approach (reported in our previous work) as a tool for predicting potential stable structures. We investigate how the exchange mixing parameter of the HSE06 density functional, α, affects the energetic positions of electronic levels, especially of the localized f-electron orbitals near the band edges of the extended semiconductor structures, using literature photoemission and band gap data of EuS for comparison. Lowest-energy quaternary structure candidates, energy band structures, and densities of states are computationally predicted for all 18 materials. Based on its predicted photovoltaics-relevant band gap, the previously unknown compound Cu 2 EuSnSe 4 was selected and synthesized. Furthermore, the experimental structure, lattice parameters, and band gap of Cu 2 EuSnSe 4 are consistent with the computational predictions, confirming a 1.55 eV band gap.

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

Biopolymer-Templated Titania Film Formation for Nanostructured Coatings Revealed by Machine Learning-Supported Time-Resolved Analysis

This study presents a machine learning approach to derive the film formation of biopolymer-templated titania nanostructures during spray deposition, in combination with in situ grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS). A neural network trained on synthetic GISAXS data directly predicts domain-size distributions from experimental two-dimensional scattering patterns, capturing the full kinetics of nanostructure evolution with high temporal resolution. The predictions reveal hierarchical size distributions and periodic growth features, consistent with layer-by-layer spray deposition and validated by complementary scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging. Quantitative comparison with conventional parametric GISAXS fits shows good qualitative agreement, with systematic differences explained by domain-shape assumptions and resolved by applying a geometric scaling factor. Simulated SEM-like surfaces derived from neural network outputs reproduce the porous, foam-like nanoscale morphology observed experimentally, reinforcing the method’s credibility. This integrated approach enables real-time, nondestructive, statistically averaged monitoring of bulk nanostructure development in functional coatings, offering a scalable methodology to accelerate the characterization and process control of sustainably manufactured nanostructured titania films for energy-related applications such as photocatalysis and photovoltaics.

Heger, JulianEliah↗
DOE OSTI2020

Cost estimates of production scale semitransparent organic photovoltaic modules for building integrated photovoltaics

Building integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) are attached to commercial and residential structures to enable solar energy harvesting. While conventional Si photovoltaics (PVs) are dominant in the current market, second and third generation thin film solar cells based on amorphous Si, CdTe, CIGS, perovskites or organic photovoltaics (OPVs) are often considered as an alternative for BIPV applications since they may offer reduced costs compared to Si PVs. Indeed, recent advances in performance suggest that lightweight, flexible and visibly transparent OPVs can potentially be integrated into windows or other applications to which Si PVs are less well suited. Here, we estimate the cost of high efficiency, semitransparent OPVs (ST-OPVs) based on solution processing in a roll-to-roll (R2R) manufacturing line. Assuming modules with 10% power conversion efficiency (PCE), a 70% geometric fill factor (GFF), and 95% inverter efficiency, we anticipate a %1.6 per Wp module manufacturing cost that includes the cost of the microinverter to condition the OPV dc output to be compatible with the ac line voltage of the building. The materials and inverter cost comprise ~90% of the total module cost. Hence, with simplified material synthesis and a lower inverter cost, including marginally improved PCE and GFF, we expect the cost can be as low as $0.47 per Wp. Here, while the module costs ~60% of the average (uninstalled) double-pane window, we expect the payback period can be as short as 2 to 6 years, suggesting that OPVs can be an economic and attractive candidate for BIPV applications.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Sample shape and boundary dependence of measured transverse thermal properties

In spite of increased interest in thermal Hall measurements for the analysis of insulating quantum materials, there remains large uncertainty in such measurements due to contact misalignment. In this paper, we propose that sample geometry and uncertain boundary conditions provide an additional source of uncertainty in the measurement of $D_{xy}$ or $κ_{xy}$. By running simple simulations in an open source finite-element solver, we demonstrate that measured $D_{xy}$ can be changed by a non-negligible fraction in samples with similar width and length. This geometric corrective factor depends on the distinction between a uniform heat flow and constant temperature boundary couplings to a bath. Sample geometry and boundary conditions can be accounted for through simulation or by using rectangular samples to make thermal Hall measurements more reliable and reproducible. Finally, we detail a contactless optical method for measuring $D_{xy}$ based on an existing photothermal microscope technique. This method is insensitive to the longitudinal diffusivity pollution caused by contact misalignment.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Extending the Mott–Gurney law to one-dimensional nonplanar diodes using point transformations

Recent studies have applied variational calculus, conformal mapping, and point transformations to generalize the one-dimensional (1D) space-charge limited current density (SCLCD) and electron emission mechanisms to nonplanar geometries; however, these assessments have focused on extending the Child–Langmuir law (CLL) for SCLCD in vacuum. Since the charge in the diode is independent of the coordinate system (i.e., covariant), we apply bijective point transformations to extend the Mott–Gurney law (MGL) for the SCLCD in a collisional or semiconductor gap to nonplanar 1D geometries. This yields a modified MGL that replaces the Cartesian gap distance with a canonical gap distance that may be written generally in terms of geometric scale factors that are known for multiple geometries. We tabulate results for common geometries. Such an approach may be applied to any current density, including non-space-charge limited gaps and SCLCD that may fall between the CLL and MGL.

Garner, Allen L. [Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN↗
DOE OSTI2021

Simulating MADMAX in 3D: Requirements for Dielectric Axion Haloscopes

We present 3D calculations for dielectric haloscopes such as the currently envisioned MADMAX experiment. For ideal systems with perfectly flat, parallel and isotropic dielectric disks of finite diameter, we find that a geometrical form factor reduces the emitted power by up to 30% compared to earlier 1D calculations. We derive the emitted beam shape, which is important for antenna design. We show that realistic dark matter axion velocities of 10 -3 c and inhomogeneities of the external magnetic field at the scale of 10% have negligible impact on the sensitivity of MADMAX. We investigate design requirements for which the emitted power changes by less than 20% for a benchmark boost factor with a bandwidth of 50 MHz at 22 GHz, corresponding to an axion mass of 90 μeV. We find that the maximum allowed disk tilt is 100 μm divided by the disk diameter, the required disk planarity is 20 μm (min-to-max) or better, and the maximum allowed surface roughness is 100 μm (min-to-max). We show how using tiled dielectric disks glued together from multiple smaller patches can affect the beam shape and antenna coupling.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2020

Radial-offset Optics in EIC Hadron Lattices: Trajectory Lengthening

This Tech. Note describes a method for a radial orbit offset in the arcs of the EIC hadron lattices, based on the perturbation dB/B of the magnetic field of the arc main bend magnets. This can be done independently for each arc (allowing multiple rigidities) and requires the use of pairs of orbit correctors at the extremities of the arc to ensure that the radially shifted orbit is on the zero-orbit (i.e. with the horizontal coordinates x = 0, p x = 0) at the exit and entry point of the respectively upstream and downstream interaction region (IR). The goal is to produce appropriate orbit lengthening as required for time of flight adjustments between the electron and hadron beams as part of EIC operations. An ad hoc parameter is introduced: a “geometric compaction factor” α B = (dC/C)/(dB/B), to quantify the orbit lengthening, or equivalently the radial orbit shift dR = R · α B · dB/B, from bending perturbation. Detailed numerical results are produced and discussed.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Crystallographic Orientation Dependence of Mechanical Responses of FeCrAl Micropillars

Iron-chromium-aluminum (FeCrAl) alloys are used in automobile exhaust gas purifying systems and nuclear reactors due to its superior high-temperature oxidation and excellent corrosion resistance. Single-phase FeCrAl alloys with a body centered cubic structure plastically deform through dislocation slips at room temperature. Here, we investigated the orientation dependence of mechanical responses of FeCrAl alloy through testing single-crystal and bi-crystal micropillars in a scanning electron microscopy at room temperature. Single-crystal micropillars were fabricated with specific orientations which favor the activity of single slip system or two slip systems or multiple slip systems. The strain hardening rate and flow strength increase with increasing the number of activated slip system in micropillars. Bi-crystal micropillars with respect to the continuity of slip systems across grain boundary were fabricated to study the effect of grain boundary on slip transmission. The high geometrical compatibility factor corresponds to a high flow strength and strain hardening rate. Experimental results provide insight into understanding mechanical response of FeCrAl alloy and developing the mechanisms-based constitutive laws for FeCrAl polycrystalline aggregates.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗