Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Reversibility”

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 1,441 records · Page 80
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

An octahedral Mach B-dot probe for 3D flows and magnetic fields in the edge of reversed field pinches

Measurements and simulations show that plasma relaxation processes in the reversed field pinch drive and redistribute both magnetic flux and momentum. To examine this relaxation process, a new 3D Mach B-dot probe has been constructed. This probe collects ion saturation currents through six molybdenum electrodes arranged on the flattened vertices of an octahedron made of boron nitride (BN). The ion saturation current flows through configurable voltage dividers for measurement and returns through one of six selectable return electrodes equally spaced along the 12 cm BN probe arm. In addition, the probe arm houses three B-dot magnetic pickup coils in the BN stalk immediately below to the octahedron, to measure the local magnetic field. Inserted in the Madison Symmetric Torus (MST) during deuterium discharges with 220 kA plasma current, density of 0.8 × 10 13 cm –3 , the probe collects ion saturation currents with sawtooth-like peaks correlated with relaxation events. This compact octahedral design fitting six Mach electrode surfaces within a 1 cm3 cube will enable future multi-point, multi-field probes compatible with the 1.5 in. ports of MST. Such probes will allow for flow circulation, current, and canonical vorticity to be calculated in the center of the finite difference stencil formed by the measurement locations.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Forming a database to study reversed magnetic shear from the National Spherical Torus eXperiment using machine learning

Achieving a long-lived reversed magnetic shear (RMS) target plasma in the National Spherical Torus eXperiment Upgrade will require developing various sustainment scenarios. To help with the ongoing plasma control efforts, the development of a new analysis for the motional Stark effect (MSE) diagnostic using a machine learning algorithm, namely, MSE-ML, is described. MSE-ML will be used to identify patterns during RMS discharges, some of which suffer magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) events resulting in current redistribution and monotonic q-profiles. A database consisting of q and magnetic shear profiles is being constructed primarily based on the existing National Spherical Torus eXperiment data with equilibrium reconstructions constrained by the magnetic field pitch angle profile measured using the multi-channel MSE diagnostic. An unsupervised k-means clustering of the data is developed to study the RMS formation as a function of time. The initial clustering from the q-profiles shows significant differences in both amplitude and the duration of the RMS period. As a goal, the clustering results that detect and distinguish shots with substantial and sustained RMS are to be used as a preprocessing step in a supervised algorithm to identify the underlying conditions that lead to long-lasting improved confinement with RMS. Another aim of the MSE-ML study is to identify precursors of RMS-destroying MHD events in either derived data such as the q-profile or directly measured data such as the magnetic field pitch angle profile.

Uzun-Kaymak, I. U. (ORCID:0000000276251493)↗
DOE OSTI2024

Effects of zero and reversed magnetic shear on resistive wall modes in a straight limiter tokamak with zero beta

Advanced tokamak scenarios often feature equilibriums with zero and reversed magnetic shear. To isolate and investigate their impacts on the resistive wall mode (RWM) instability analytically, we construct a series of cylindrical limiter equilibriums with different magnetic shear in the core and toward plasma edge, as a prototype of the configurations in advanced tokamak scenarios. Equilibriums with zero β are considered so that the analysis focuses on the current-driven RWMs. Analytical solutions for the n=1 resistive wall mode, derived from the reduced ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) equations, consistently demonstrate key insights for both the core and the edge: the growth rate of RWMs is inversely proportional to the averaged magnetic shear when the safety factor at the edge (qa) is held constant. Specifically, an increase in positive averaged magnetic shear results in a decreased growth rate, whereas an increase in negative averaged magnetic shear leads to an increased growth rate. Furthermore, the influence of nqa on the mode's stability significantly surpasses the effects of magnetic shear changes previously discussed. These analytical calculation results provide a verification of NIMROD simulations.

Wan, Sui (ORCID:0009000464121677)↗
DOE OSTI2026

Impact of reverse flow induced by a sawtooth anode on the performance of an argon Hall thruster

This study reports the performance comparison of the RAIJIN-66 TAL-type Hall thruster with argon propellant, using two hollow anode designs, one with a simple straight shape and another one with a sawtooth shape. Simulations of the rarefied gas in the sawtooth hollow anode region suggest a successful reversal of the direction of neutral particle flow, with an average increase in the neutral particle density by 15.5% when compared to the straight-shaped hollow anode. This contributes to the improvement in performance across a range of discharge voltages that was measured experimentally. When the thruster is operated with a discharge voltage of 150 V and a flow rate of 70 SCCM, the propellant utilization efficiency with the straight anode is 14%, while with the sawtooth anode it is 25.1%. The anode efficiency reaches in the vicinity of 15% with the sawtooth anode in high voltage conditions, exceeding the efficiencies achieved with the straight anode in the same operating conditions. The optimal magnetic field condition for argon operation and the tuning parameters of the sawtooth anode design for RAIJIN-66 are also discussed.

Satpathy, Dibyesh [Univ. of Tokyo (Japan)] (ORCID:↗
DOE OSTI2021

Temperature-dependent collective magnetization reversal in a network of ferromagnetic nanowires

The collective behavior of geometrically frustrated magnetization in connected networks of ferromagnetic nanowires, known as artificial spin ice, leads to complex magnetotransport behavior in those structures. Here, we present temperature- and current-dependent magnetotransport studies on a connected square artificial spin-ice system and correlate our observations to micromagnetic simulations. We find that the field at which the lattice magnetization collectively switches increases as the temperature is lowered. Our experimental findings highlight the importance of the global and local temperatures for the onset of a collective magnetization reversal in the connected system. These studies may also provide useful insights into novel storage concepts and applications in neuromorphic computing.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Effect of atomic flux reversal in a fluctuating moving optical lattice

The dynamics of an ensemble of noninteracting cold atoms is considered in the field of a moving optical lattice subjected to random amplitude and phase fluctuations. The effect of the reversal of an atomic ensemble under the action of lattice fluctuations is demonstrated, in which the atoms begin to move in the direction opposite to that of the lattice motion. A kinetic model is constructed that reproduces this effect and makes it possible to relate its emergence to the asymmetry of the amplitudes of the interlevel transitions in a momentum space. (paper)

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Reversible plasmonic switching in a graphene nanoresonator loaded with a core – shell quantum dot

A model of an all-plasmonic switch based on a graphene waveguide integrated with a stub nanoresonator loaded with a quantum dot is considered. Using the full-wave numerical simulation, it is shown that successive on/off switching of the control surface plasmon – polariton wave at the input of the waveguide leads to a change in the phase of the signal plasmon – polariton wave in the nanoresonator by π. This causes reversible switching of the device operation regime – from almost complete blocking to stable transmission of the signal plasmon – polariton wave through the waveguide. The effect is implemented at rates of ∼0.5 THz for infrared electromagnetic waves localised in a device with a switching region of 40 × 20 nm. (paper)

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Hypoxia treatment reverses neurodegenerative disease in a mouse model of Leigh syndrome

Significance Inherited or acquired defects in mitochondria lead to devastating disorders for which we have no effective general therapies. We recently reported that breathing normobaric 11% O 2 prevents neurodegeneration in a mouse model of a pediatric mitochondrial disease, Leigh syndrome. Here we provide updated survival curves of mice treated with varying doses of oxygen and explore eventual causes of death. We explore alternative hypoxia regimens and report that neither intermittent nor moderate hypoxia regimens suffice to prevent neurological disease. Finally, we show that hypoxia can not only prevent, but also reverses the brain lesions in mice with advanced neuropathology. Our preclinical studies will help guide future clinical studies aimed at harnessing hypoxia as a safe and practical therapy.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

Unique aqueous Li-ion/sulfur chemistry with high energy density and reversibility

Leveraging the most recent success in expanding the electrochemical stability window of aqueous electrolytes, in this work we create a unique Li-ion/sulfur chemistry of both high energy density and safety. We show that in the superconcentrated aqueous electrolyte, lithiation of sulfur experiences phase change from a high-order polysulfide to low-order polysulfides through solid–liquid two-phase reaction pathway, where the liquid polysulfide phase in the sulfide electrode is thermodynamically phase-separated from the superconcentrated aqueous electrolyte. The sulfur with solid–liquid two-phase exhibits a reversible capacity of 1,327 mAh/(g of S), along with fast reaction kinetics and negligible polysulfide dissolution. By coupling a sulfur anode with different Li-ion cathode materials, the aqueous Li-ion/sulfur full cell delivers record-high energy densities up to 200 Wh/(kg of total electrode mass) for >1,000 cycles at ~100% coulombic efficiency. These performances already approach that of commercial lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) using a nonaqueous electrolyte, along with intrinsic safety not possessed by the latter. We conclude the excellent performance of this aqueous battery chemistry significantly promotes the practical possibility of aqueous LIBs in large-format applications.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Structure of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase cleaving RNA in an RNA/DNA hybrid

HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) contains both DNA polymerase and RNase H activities to convert the viral genomic RNA to dsDNA in infected host cells. Here we report the 2.65-Å resolution structure of HIV-1 RT engaging in cleaving RNA in an RNA/DNA hybrid. A preferred substrate sequence is absolutely required to enable the RNA/DNA hybrid to adopt the distorted conformation needed to interact properly with the RNase H active site in RT. Substituting two nucleotides 4 bp upstream from the cleavage site results in scissile-phosphate displacement by 4 Å. Here, we also have determined the structure of HIV-1 RT complexed with an RNase H-resistant polypurine tract sequence, which adopts a rigid structure and is accommodated outside of the nuclease active site. Based on this newly gained structural information and a virtual drug screen, we have identified an inhibitor specific for the viral RNase H but not for its cellular homologs.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Warming reverses top-down effects of predators on belowground ecosystem function in Arctic tundra

Significance Organisms’ responses to climate change can result in altered species interactions, with cascading effects on communities and ecosystems. Understanding these processes is especially relevant in the rapidly warming Arctic, where faster decomposition of stored soil carbon is expected to result in positive carbon feedbacks to the atmosphere. We provide evidence that warmer temperatures alter the cascading effects of wolf spiders, an abundant and widespread predator, on ecosystem functioning. Specifically, we find that warming tends to reverse the effect of high spider densities on fungal-feeding Collembola and ultimately leads to slower decomposition rates. Our work demonstrates that climate change can alter the nature of predator effects on decomposition, resulting in unexpected changes in ecosystem function with potentially important global implications.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

Atomic-scale determination of spontaneous magnetic reversal in oxide heterostructures

Interfaces between transition metal oxides are known to exhibit emerging electronic and magnetic properties. Here we report intriguing magnetic phenomena for La 2/3 Sr 1/3 MnO 3 films on an SrTiO 3 (001) substrate (LSMO/STO), where the interface governs the macroscopic properties of the entire monolithic thin film. The interface is characterized on the atomic level utilizing scanning transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy (STEM-EELS), and density functional theory (DFT) is employed to elucidate the physics. STEM-EELS reveals mixed interfacial stoichiometry, subtle lattice distortions, and oxidation-state changes. Magnetic measurements combined with DFT calculations demonstrate that a unique form of antiferromagnetic exchange coupling appears at the interface, generating a novel exchange spring-type interaction that results in a remarkable spontaneous magnetic reversal of the entire ferromagnetic film, and an inverted magnetic hysteresis, persisting above room temperature. Formal oxidation states derived from electron spectroscopy data expose the fact that interfacial oxidation states are not consistent with nominal charge counting. The present work demonstrates the necessity of atomically resolved electron microscopy and spectroscopy for interface studies. Theory demonstrates that interfacial nonstoichiometry is an essential ingredient, responsible for the observed physical properties. The DFT-calculated electrostatic potential is flat in both the LSMO and STO sides (no internal electric field) for both Sr-rich and stoichiometric interfaces, while the DFT-calculated charge density reveals no charge transfer/accumulation at the interface, indicating that oxidation-state changes do not necessarily reflect charge transfer and that the concept of polar mismatch is not applicable in metal−insulator polar−nonpolar interfaces.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Time-reversal symmetry breaking in the Fe-chalcogenide superconductors

Significance In the Fe-chalcogenide superconductors, topology, superconductivity, and magnetism all come together to provide a platform for a range of exotic quantum phenomena. Topology and superconductivity can interact to give topological superconductivity capable of supporting Majorana fermions that could prove to be the basis of future qubit technology. The large spin–orbit interaction associated with the topological phenomena combined with magnetism can potentially result in the quantum anomalous Hall effect although the superconductivity will work against such. It is important that we understand the relevant roles of the different phenomena. Here we provide evidence of time-reversal symmetry breaking and associated mass acquisition in a topological surface state at the superconducting transition, an observation highly suggestive of the formation of surface ferromagnetism.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

WISEP J061135.13–041024.0 AB: A J-band flux reversal binary at the L/T transition

We present Keck II laser guide star adaptive optics observations of the brown dwarf WISEP J061135.13–041024.0 showing it is a binary with a component separation of 0.''4. This system is one of the six known resolved binaries in which the magnitude differences between the components show a reversal in sign between the Y/J band and the H/K bands. Deconvolution of the composite spectrum results in a best-fit binary solution with L9 and T1.5 components. We also present a preliminary parallax placing the system at a distance of 21.2 ± 1.3 pc. Using the distance and resolved magnitudes we are able to place WISEP J061135.13–041024.0 AB on a color-absolute magnitude diagram, showing that this system contributes to the well-known 'J-band bump' and the components' properties appear similar to other late-type L and early-type T dwarfs. Fitting our data to a set of cloudy atmosphere models suggests the system has an age >1 Gyr with WISE 0611–0410 A having an effective temperature (T {sub eff}) of 1275-1325 K and mass of 64-65 M {sub Jup}, and WISE 0611–0410 B having T {sub eff} = 1075-1115 K and mass 40-65 M {sub Jup}.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

On the reversal of star formation rate-density relation at z = 1: Insights from simulations

Recent surveys have found a reversal of the star formation rate (SFR)-density relation at z = 1 from that at z = 0, while the sign of the slope of the color-density relation remains unchanged. We use adaptive mesh refinement cosmological hydrodynamic simulations of a 21 × 24 × 20 h {sup –3} Mpc{sup 3} region to examine the SFR-density and color-density relations of galaxies at z = 0 and z = 1. The local environmental density is defined by the dark matter mass in spheres of radius 1 h {sup –1} Mpc, and we probe two decades of environmental densities. Our simulations produce a large increase of SFR with density at z = 1, as in the Elbaz et al. observations. We also find a significant evolution to z = 0, where the SFR-density relation is much flatter. The simulated color-density relation is consistent from z = 1 to z = 0, in agreement with observations. We find that the increase in SFR with local density at z = 1 is due to a growing population of star-forming galaxies in higher-density environments. At z = 0 and z = 1 both the SFR and cold gas mass are correlated with the galaxy halo mass, and therefore the correlation between median halo mass and local density is an important cause of the SFR-density relation at both redshifts. However, at z = 0 the local density on 1 h {sup –1} Mpc scales affects galaxy SFRs as much as halo mass. Finally, we find indications that while at z = 0 high-density environments depress galaxy SFRs, at z = 1 high-density environments tend to increase SFRs.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Synchrotron self-inverse Compton radiation from reverse shock on GRB 120326A

We present multi-wavelength observations of a typical long duration GRB 120326A at z = 1.798, including rapid observations using a Submillimeter Array (SMA) and a comprehensive monitoring in the X-ray and optical. The SMA observation provided the fastest detection to date among seven submillimeter afterglows at 230 GHz. The prompt spectral analysis, using Swift and Suzaku, yielded a spectral peak energy of E{sub peak}{sup src}=107.8{sub −15.3}{sup +15.3} keV and an equivalent isotropic energy of E{sub iso} as 3.18{sub −0.32}{sup +0.40}×10{sup 52} erg. The temporal evolution and spectral properties in the optical were consistent with the standard forward shock synchrotron with jet collimation (6.°69 ± 0.°16). The forward shock modeling, using a two-dimensional relativistic hydrodynamic jet simulation, was also determined by the reasonable burst explosion and the synchrotron radiation parameters for the optical afterglow. The X-ray light curve showed no apparent jet break and the temporal decay index relation between the X-ray and optical (αo – α{sub X} = –1.45 ± 0.10) indicated different radiation processes in each of them. Introducing synchrotron self-inverse Compton radiation from reverse shock is a possible solution, and the detection and slow decay of the afterglow in submillimeter supports that this is a plausible idea. The observed temporal evolution and spectral properties, as well as forward shock modeling parameters, enabled us to determine reasonable functions to describe the afterglow properties. Because half of the events share similar properties in the X-ray and optical as the current event, GRB 120326A will be a benchmark with further rapid follow-ups, using submillimeter instruments such as an SMA and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Reverse and forward shock X-ray emission in an evolutionary model of supernova remnants undergoing efficient diffusive shock acceleration

We present new models for the forward and reverse shock thermal X-ray emission from core-collapse and Type Ia supernova remnants (SNRs) that include the efficient production of cosmic rays (CR) via nonlinear diffusive shock acceleration (DSA). Our CR-hydro-NEI code takes into account non-equilibrium ionization, hydrodynamic effects of efficient CR production on the SNR evolution, and collisional temperature equilibration among heavy ions and electrons in both the shocked supernova (SN) ejecta and the shocked circumstellar material. While X-ray emission is emphasized here, our code self-consistently determines both thermal and non-thermal broadband emission from radio to TeV energies. We include Doppler broadening of the spectral lines by thermal motions of the ions and by the remnant expansion. We study, in general terms, the roles that the ambient environment, progenitor models, temperature equilibration, and processes related to DSA have on the thermal and non-thermal spectra. The study of X-ray line emission from young SNRs is a powerful tool for determining specific SN elemental contributions and for providing critical information that helps to understand the type and energetics of the explosion, the composition of the ambient medium in which the SN exploded, and the ionization and dynamics of the hot plasma in the shocked SN ejecta and interstellar medium. With the approaching launch of the next-generation X-ray satellite Astro-H, observations of spectral lines with unprecedented high resolution will become a reality. Our self-consistent calculations of the X-ray spectra from various progenitors will help interpret future observations of SNRs.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

REVERSE SHOCK EMISSION AND IONIZATION BREAKOUT POWERED BY POST-MERGER MILLISECOND MAGNETARS

There is accumulating evidence that at least a fraction of binary neutron star (BNS) mergers result in rapidly spinning magnetars, with subrelativistic neutron-rich ejecta as massive as a small fraction of a solar mass. The ejecta could be heated continuously by the Poynting flux emanated from the central magnetars. Such a Poynting flux could become lepton dominated so that a reverse shock develops. It was demonstrated that such a picture is capable of accounting for the optical transient PTF11agg. In this paper we investigate the X-ray and ultraviolet (UV) radiation, as well as the optical and radio radiation studied by Wang and Dai. UV emission is particularly important because it has the right energy to ionize the hot ejecta at times t ≲ 600 s. It is thought that the ejecta of BNS mergers are a remarkably pure sample of r-process material, about which our understanding is still incomplete. In this paper we evaluate the possibility of observationally determining the bound-bound and bound-free opacities of the r-process material by timing the X-ray, UV, and optical radiation. It is found that these timings depend on the opacities weakly, and therefore only loose constraints on the opacities can be obtained.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗