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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Detecting fractionalization in critical spin liquids using color centers

Quantum spin liquids are highly entangled ground states of insulating spin systems, in which magnetic ordering is prevented down to the lowest temperatures due to quantum fluctuations. One of the most extraordinary characteristics of quantum spin liquid phases is their ability to support fractionalized, low-energy quasiparticles known as spinons, which carry spin-1/2 but bear no charge. Relaxometry based on color centers in crystalline materials—of which nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond are a well-explored example—provides an exciting new platform to probe the spin spectral functions of magnetic materials with both energy and momentum resolution and to search for signatures of these elusive, fractionalized excitations. In this work, we theoretically investigate the color-center relaxometry of two archetypal quantum spin liquids: the two-dimensional U(1) quantum spin liquid with a spinon Fermi surface and the spin-1/2 antiferromagnetic spin chain. The former is characterized by a metallic, spin-split ground state of mobile, interacting spinons, which closely resembles a spin-polarized Fermi liquid ground state but with neutral quasiparticles. We show that the observation of the Stoner continuum and the collective spin wave mode in the spin spectral function would provide a strong evidence for the existence of spinons and fractionalization. In one dimension, mobile spinons form a Luttinger liquid ground state. We show that the spin spectral function exhibits strong features representing the collective density and spin-wave modes, which are broadened in an algebraic fashion with an exponent characterized by the Luttinger parameter. The possibilities of measuring these collective modes and detecting the power-law decay of the spectral weight using NV relaxometry are discussed. We also examine how the transition rates are modified by marginally irrelevant operators in the Heisenberg limit. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Takei, So (ORCID:0000000191771895)↗
DOE OSTI2026

Complexity in the medium-range order of gallium as a polyvalent liquid metal

Simplicity in chemical composition does not always translate into simplicity in the structures and dynamics of liquids and solids. Some elementary liquid metals, such as gallium, show unusual behaviors in thermodynamic and transport properties as a result of their complex atomic structure and dynamics. Here, in this work, we study the real-space atomic correlation function of liquid gallium by neutron scattering. In the pair-distribution function, there exist two kinds of medium-range order (MRO), characterized by oscillations beyond the first nearest neighbors. On the other hand, the first neighbor shell shows only one kind of bond. The two types of MRO are strongly overlapping in space and fluctuating in time. We propose that they are the basis for anomalous behavior of liquid gallium. This view challenges the current view that liquid gallium consists of fluctuating metallic and insulating domains. These findings shed light on the interpretation of similar microscopic anomalies observed in other semimetallic liquids.

Hua, Chengyun [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL↗
DOE OSTI2023

3D-printed sheet jet for stable megahertz liquid sample delivery at X-ray free-electron lasers

X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) can probe chemical and biological reactions as they unfold with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. A principal challenge in this pursuit involves the delivery of samples to the X-ray interaction point in such a way that produces data of the highest possible quality and with maximal efficiency. This is hampered by intrinsic constraints posed by the light source and operation within a beamline environment. For liquid samples, the solution typically involves some form of high-speed liquid jet, capable of keeping up with the rate of X-ray pulses. However, conventional jets are not ideal because of radiation-induced explosions of the jet, as well as their cylindrical geometry combined with the X-ray pointing instability of many beamlines which causes the interaction volume to differ for every pulse. This complicates data analysis and contributes to measurement errors. An alternative geometry is a liquid sheet jet which, with its constant thickness over large areas, eliminates the problems related to X-ray pointing. Since liquid sheets can be made very thin, the radiation-induced explosion is reduced, boosting their stability. These are especially attractive for experiments which benefit from small interaction volumes such as fluctuation X-ray scattering and several types of spectroscopy. Although their use has increased for soft X-ray applications in recent years, there has not yet been wide-scale adoption at XFELs. Here, gas-accelerated liquid sheet jet sample injection is demonstrated at the European XFEL SPB/SFX nano focus beamline. Its performance relative to a conventional liquid jet is evaluated and superior performance across several key factors has been found. This includes a thickness profile ranging from hundreds of nanometres to 60 nm, a fourfold increase in background stability and favorable radiation-induced explosion dynamics at high repetition rates up to 1.13 MHz. Its minute thickness also suggests that ultrafast single-particle solution scattering is a possibility.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2019

X-Ray Phase Contrast Imaging of Liquid Film and Spray Development Inside an Aircraft Engine Swirler

Modern aircraft engines combine liquid fuel and air using an intricate flow device with many fuel and air flow passages. To date, the process by which the fuel atomizes within this swirler set has not been examined directly due to optical access limitations. In this work, high-speed X-ray phase-contrast imaging of a liquid spray inside a gas turbine engine swirler geometry is presented. Measurements were carried out at the 7-BM beamline of the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory using the high-energy broadband X-ray beam. The synchrotron X-ray source provides the necessary photon energy and flux to capture time-resolved fluid phenomena within the confines of the relevant geometry while liquid and air are flowing. Spray nozzle hardware and geometries were provided by the National Jet Fuels Combustion Program (NJFCP), allowing for characterization of the spray using a commercially relevant configuration. Modified swirlers were three-dimensional printed with acrylic to improve imaging access while maintaining influential internal features. Water was used as a surrogate fluid for these studies to demonstrate the visualization capabilities. The experiments were conducted at atmospheric exit pressure conditions with a pressure drop of 6% across the swirler. High-speed imaging of the pilot spray cone revealed sheet breakup several millimeters downstream of the orifice exit, upon interaction with the radial assist air flow. These droplets and ligaments were observed to impinge on the inner filming surface of the swirler and flow toward the exit while developing a tangential flow. Under these conditions, the liquid film grows up to several hundred microns in thickness on the filming surface, and subsequently forms ligaments up to several millimeters in length before breaking up. This work demonstrates the capability of X-ray diagnostics in visualizing liquid flows within solid geometries of technical relevance. Furthermore, the spatial quantification of filming flows and liquid interaction with the swirler air provides validation data for modeling of the multiphase flows and surface interactions within the swirler.

Sforzo, Brandon A.↗
DOE OSTI2015

SU-E-T-641: Proton Range Measurements Using a Geometrically Calibrated Liquid Scintillator Detector

Purpose: The purpose of this work is to develop a geometric calibration method to accurately calculate physical distances within a liquid scintillator detector and to assess the accuracy, consistency, and robustness of proton beam range measurements when using a liquid scintillator detector system with the proposed geometric calibration process. Methods: We developed a geometric calibration procedure to accurately convert pixel locations in the camera frame into physical locations in the scintillator frame. To ensure accuracy, the geometric calibration was performed before each experiment. The liquid scintillator was irradiated with spot scanning proton beams of 94 energies in two deliveries. A CCD camera was used to capture the two-dimensional scintillation light profile of each of the proton energies. An algorithm was developed to automatically calculate the proton range from the acquired images. The measured range was compared to the nominal range to assess the accuracy of the detector. To evaluate the robustness of the detector between each setup, the experiments were repeated on three different days. To evaluate the consistency of the measurements between deliveries, three sets of measurements were acquired for each experiment. Results: Using this geometric calibration procedure, the proton beam ranges measured using the liquid scintillator system were all within 0.3mm of the nominal range. The average difference between the measured and nominal ranges was −0.20mm. The delivery-to-delivery standard deviation of the proton range measurement was 0.04mm, and the setup-to-setup standard deviation of the measurement was 0.10mm. Conclusion: The liquid scintillator system can measure the range of all 94 beams in just two deliveries. With the proposed geometric calibration, it can measure proton range with sub-millimeter accuracy, and the measurements were shown to be consistent between deliveries and setups. Therefore, we conclude that the liquid scintillator system provides a reliable and convenient tool for proton range measurement. This project was supported in part by award number CA182450 from the National Cancer Institute.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2017

Vapor-Deposited Glasses with Long-Range Columnar Liquid Crystalline Order

Anisotropic molecular packing, particularly in highly ordered liquid crystalline arrangements, has the potential for optimizing performance in organic electronic and optoelectronic applications. Here we show that physical vapor deposition can be used to prepare highly organized glassy solids of discotic liquid crystalline systems. Using grazing incidence X-ray scattering, atomic force microscopy, and UV–vis spectroscopy, we compare three systems: a rectangular columnar liquid crystal, a hexagonal columnar liquid crystal, and a nonmesogen. The packing motifs accessible by vapor deposition are highly organized for the liquid crystalline systems with columns propagating either in plane or out-of-plane depending upon the substrate temperature during deposition. The structures formed at a given substrate temperature can be understood as resulting from partial equilibration toward the structure of the equilibrium liquid crystal surface during the deposition process.

Gujral, Ankit↗
DOE OSTI2018

Demonstrating electromagnetic control of free-surface, liquid-metal flows relevant to fusion reactors

Plasma-facing components (PFC's) made from solid materials may not be able to withstand the large heat and particle fluxes that will be produced within next-generation fusion reactors. To address the shortcomings of solid PFC's, a variety of liquid-metal (LM) PFC concepts have been proposed. Many of the suggested LM-PFC designs rely on electromagnetic restraint (Lorentz force) to keep free-surface, liquid-metal flows adhered to the interior surfaces of a fusion reactor. However, there is very little, if any, experimental data demonstrating that free-surface, LM-PFC's can actually be electromagnetically controlled. Therefore, in this study, electrical currents were injected into a free-surface liquid-metal that was flowing through a uniform magnetic field. The resultant Lorentz force generated within the liquid-metal affected the velocity and depth of the flow in a controllable manner that closely matched theoretical predictions. These results show the promise of electromagnetic control for LM-PFC's and suggest that electromagnetic control could be further developed to adjust liquid-metal nozzle output, prevent splashing within a tokamak, and alter heat transfer properties for a wide-range of liquid-metal systems.

Plasma-Facing Component↗
DOE OSTI2021

Synthesis, antibiotic structure–activity relationships, and cellulose dissolution studies of new room-temperature ionic liquids derived from lignin

Ionic liquids (ILs) are promising pretreatment solvents for lignocellulosic biomass, but are largely prepared from petroleum precursors. Benzaldehydes from depolymerized lignin, such as vanillin, syringaldehyde, and 4-methoxy benzaldehyde, represent renewable feedstocks for the synthesis of ionic liquids. We herein report syntheses of novel lignin-derived ionic liquids, with extended N -alkyl chains, and examine their melting points, cellulose dissolution capacities, and toxicity profiles against Daphnia magna and E. coli strain 1A1. The latter organism has been engineered to produce isoprenol, a drop-in biofuel and precursor for commodity chemicals. The new N,N -diethyl and N,N -dipropyl methyl benzylammonium ILs were liquids at room temperature, showing 75–100 °C decreased melting points as compared to their N,N,N -trimethyl benzylammonium analog. Extension of N -alkyl chains also increased antibacterial activity threefold, while ionic liquids prepared from vanillin showed 2- to 4-fold lower toxicity as compared to those prepared from syringaldehyde and 4-methoxybenzaldehyde. The trend of antibacterial activity for anions of lignin-derived ILs was found to be methanesulfonate < acetate < hydroxide. Microcrystalline cellulose dissolution, from 2 to 4 wt% after 20 min at 100 °C, was observed in all new ILs using light microscopy and IR spectroscopy. Ionic liquids prepared from H-, S- and G-lignin oxidation products provided differential cytotoxic activity against E. coli and D. magna , suggesting these compounds could be tailored for application specificity within a biorefinery.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Observation of Materials Processes in Liquids in the Electron Microscope

Materials synthesis and the functioning of devices often indispensably involve liquid media. But direct visualization of dynamic process in liquids, especially with high spatial and temporal resolution, has been challenging. For solid materials, advances in aberration corrected electron microscopy have made observation of atomic level features a routine practice. Here we discuss the extent to which one can take advantage of the resolution of modern electron microscopes to image phenomenon occuring in liquids. We will describe the fundamentals of two different experimental approaches, closed and open liquid cells. We will illustrate the capabilities of each approach by considering processes in batteries and nucleation and growth of nanoparticles from solution. We conclude that liquid cell electron microscopy appears to be duly fulfilling its role for in situ studies of nanoscale processes in liquids, revealing physical and chemical processes otherwise difficult to observe.

Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory↗
DOE OSTI2017

SAM Process Heat Model Development and Validation: Liquid-HTF Trough and Direct Steam Generation Linear Focus Systems

Two new solar industrial process heat (SIPH) models have been added to the System Advisor Model (SAM) energy simulation tool. The two process heat models were: i) liquid-heat transfer fluid (HTF) parabolic troughs; and ii) direct steam generation (DSG) linear-focus collectors. The DSG model can simulate either DSG parabolic troughs (PT) or DSG Linear Fresnel (LF) fields, based on the optical characteristics supplied. These models help to meet the need for independent, validated tools that reliably simulate the effects of adding a solar field to provide heat for potential IPH applications. During the pre-validation of the liquid-HTF model, operational data was provided and preprocessed by SPF and evaluated at ZAE Bayern. The beta liquid-HTF model provided excellent agreement between the simulations and the operational data for the solar thermal yield generation on a yearly and monthly basis (4.4% difference). The final liquid-HTF process heat model has been further optimized with test users such as ZAE Bayern and SPF. Key improvements in the SIPH models to better model SIPH fields include the use of smaller piping systems and heat capacities, a single collector field, and a higher time-step resolution than for electricity generation (down to 10 minutes). Both the final liquid-HTF and DSG models were successfully validated against operational data for respective solar fields, and showed less than 5% deviation to actual results. A brief application where the liquid-HTF process heat model is used for a brewery in California and the value of reliably simulating a potential SIPH solar field are highlighted.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2012

Catalytic Conversion of Biomass to Fuels and Chemicals Using Ionic Liquids

This project provides critical innovations and fundamental understandings that enable development of an economically-viable process for catalytic conversion of biomass (sugar) to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). A low-cost ionic liquid (Cyphos 106) is discovered for fast conversion of fructose into HMF under moderate reaction conditions without any catalyst. HMF yield from fructose is almost 100% on the carbon molar basis. Adsorbent materials and adsorption process are invented and demonstrated for separation of 99% pure HMF product and recovery of the ionic liquid from the reaction mixtures. The adsorbent material appears very stable in repeated adsorption/regeneration cycles. Novel membrane-coated adsorbent particles are made and demonstrated to achieve excellent adsorption separation performances at low pressure drops. This is very important for a practical adsorption process because ionic liquids are known of high viscosity. Nearly 100% conversion (or dissolution) of cellulose in the catalytic ionic liquid into small molecules was observed. It is promising to produce HMF, sugars and other fermentable species directly from cellulose feedstock. However, several gaps were identified and could not be resolved in this project. Reaction and separation tests at larger scales are needed to minimize impacts of incidental errors on the mass balance and to show 99.9% ionic liquid recovery. The cellulose reaction tests were troubled with poor reproducibility. Further studies on cellulose conversion in ionic liquids under better controlled conditions are necessary to delineate reaction products, dissolution kinetics, effects of mass and heat transfer in the reactor on conversion, and separation of final reaction mixtures.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2013

A Low-cost, High-yield Process for the Direct Productin of High Energy Density Liquid Fuel from Biomass

The primary objective and outcome of this project was the development and validation of a novel, low-cost, high-pressure fast-hydropyrolysis/hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) process (H 2 Bioil) using supplementary hydrogen (H 2 ) to produce liquid hydrocarbons from biomass. The research efforts under the various tasks of the project have culminated in the first experimental demonstration of the H 2 Bioil process, producing 100% deoxygenated >C4+ hydrocarbons containing 36-40% of the carbon in the feed of pyrolysis products from biomass. The demonstrated H{sub 2}Bioil process technology (i.e. reactor, catalyst, and downstream product recovery) is scalable to a commercial level and is estimated to be economically competitive for the cases when supplementary H 2 is sourced from coal, natural gas, or nuclear. Additionally, energy systems modeling has revealed several process integration options based on the H 2 Bioilprocess for energy and carbon efficient liquid fuel production. All project tasks and milestones were completed or exceeded. Novel, commercially-scalable, high-pressure reactors for both fast-hydropyrolysis and hydrodeoxygenation were constructed, completing Task A. These reactors were capable of operation under a wide-range of conditions; enabling process studies that lead to identification of optimum process conditions. Model compounds representing biomass pyrolysis products were studied, completing Task B. These studies were critical in identifying and developing HDO catalysts to target specific oxygen functional groups. These process and model compound catalyst studies enabled identification of catalysts that achieved 100% deoxygenation of the real biomass feedstock, sorghum, to form hydrocarbons in high yields as part of Task C. The work completed during this grant has identified and validated the novel and commercially scalable H 2 Bioil process for production of hydrocarbon fuels from biomass. Studies on model compounds as well as real biomass feedstocks were utilized to identify optimized process conditions and selective HDO catalyst for high yield production of hydrocarbons from biomass. In addition to these experimental efforts, in Tasks D and E, we have developed a mathematical optimization framework to identify carbon and energy efficient biomass-to-liquid fuel process designs that integrate the use of different primary energy sources along with biomass (e.g. solar, coal or natural gas) for liquid fuel production. Using this tool, we have identified augmented biomass-to-liquid fuel configurations based on the fast-hydropyrolysis/HDO pathway, which was experimentally studied in this project. The computational approach used for screening alternative process configurations represents a unique contribution to the field of biomass processing for liquid fuel production.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2014

A G/NARRLI Effort. Measuring the Ionization Yield of Low-Energy Nuclear Recoils in Liquid Argon

Liquid argon has long been used for particle detection due to its attractive drift properties, ample abundance, and reasonable density. The response of liquid argon to lowenergy O(10 2 -10 4 4 eV) interactions is, however, largely unexplored. Weakly interacting massive particles such as neutrinos and hypothetical dark-matter particles (WIMPs) are predicted to coherently scatter on atomic nuclei, leaving only an isolated low-energy nuclear recoil as evidence. The response of liquid argon to low-energy nuclear recoils must be studied to determine the sensitivity of liquid argon based detectors to these unobserved interactions. Detectors sensitive to coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering may be used to monitor nuclear reactors from a distance, to detect neutrinos from supernova, and to test the predicted behavior of neutrinos. Additionally, direct detection of hypothetical weakly interacting dark matter would be a large step toward understanding the substance that accounts for nearly 27% of the universe. In this dissertation I discuss a small dual-phase (liquid-gas) argon proportional scintillation counter built to study the low-energy regime and several novel calibration and characterization techniques developed to study the response of liquid argon to low-energy O(10 2 -10 4 eV) interactions.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Neutron Scattering of Residual Hydrogen in 1,4-Dioxane-D8 Liquid. Understanding Measurements with Molecular Dynamics Simulations

That incoherent scattering from protiated molecular liquids adds a constant background to the measured scattering intensity is well known, but less appreciated is the fact that coherent scattering is also induced by the presence of hydrogen in a deuterated liquid. In fact, the scattering intensity can be very sensitive, in the small-q region, with respect to the amounts and distribution of residual H in the system. We used 1,4-dioxane liquid to demonstrate that the partial structure factors of the HD and DD atom pairs contribute significantly to inter-molecular scattering and that uncertainty in the extent of deuteration account for discrepancies between simulations and measurements. Both contributions to uncertainty have similar magnitudes: scattering interference of the hydrogen-deuterium pair, and complementary interference from the deuterium-deuterium pair by virtue of chemical inhomogeneity. This situation arises in practice since deuteration of liquids is often 99% or less. A combined experimental and extensive computational study of static thermal neutron scattering of 1,4-dioxane demonstrates the foregoing. We show, through simulations, that the reason for the differences is the content of protiated dioxane (vendors quote 1%). We estimate that up to 5% (at 298K and at 343K) protiated mole fraction may be involved in generating the scattering differences. Finally, we find that the particular distribution of hydrogen in the protiated molecules affects the results significantly; here we considered molecules to be either fully protiated or fully deuterated. This scenario best reconciles the computational and experimental results, and leads us to speculate that the deuteration synthesis process tends to leave a molecule either fully deuterated or fully protiated. Although we have used 1,4-dioxane as a model liquid, the effects described in this study extend to similar liquids and similar systematic experimental/computational studies can be performed to either understand measurements or calibrate/validate molecular dynamics models.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Development of high-fidelity models for liquid fuel spray atomization and mixing processes in transportation and energy systems

Significant inadequacies of current models for multiphase flows present a major barrier to rapid development of advanced high-efficiency low-emissions combustion devices. Liquid spray atomization processes largely determine fuel-air mixture formation, which subsequently govern combustion and controls performance, emissions, and durability of a device. The current study presents a fundamentally-consistent framework to model the effects of breakup processes, liquid drop deformations, and internal flow dynamics on mass, momentum, and energy exchange functions. This framework builds on the Taylor Analogy Breakup (TAB) model which naturally quantifies local drop deformation dynamics. Real-fluid multicomponent thermodynamic property modeling and Gradient Theory simulations facilitate accurate calculations of molecular two-phase interface exchange functions, surface tensions forces, drop oscillations, and breakup processes. The analysis establishes that these drop dynamics, along with finite liquid viscosity effects, significantly alter gas-liquid exchange functions. The study quantifies these effects for the resulting drag coefficients of liquid drops and demonstrates significant deviations from the classic dynamic drag model, which is widely applied in modern simulations performed in academia and industry. This work also quantifies effects, which originate from gas-liquid coupling dynamics, on evaporation and heating rates. The analysis establishes that the consideration of these coupling dynamics modify mass and energy transfer rates even more significantly than the corresponding drag forces from momentum exchange. This physical complexity, however, is largely neglected in modern studies from academia and industry. A new set of equations is presented to improve the modeling of drop breakup processes to address the current shortcomings in the prediction of resulting drops proper- ties over the full range of relevant breakup conditions. The framework is based on a refined energy balance equation which explicitly enforces drop momentum conservation during the breakup process. The introduced modeling framework is entirely derived from conservation equations for mass, momentum, and energy and does not, as a consequence, introduce new modeling constants. The significance of the developed modeling advances to fuel injection processes is demonstrated using Large Eddy Simulation (LES) with a Lagrangian-Eulerian modeling approach.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2020

Liquid helium fluid dynamics studies. Final Technical Report

Future high energy physics accelerators depend on a number of advanced technologies to open the many doors of scientific discovery. Among these advanced technologies, superconducting magnets and superconducting radio frequency (SRF) cavities are the backbone of the accelerator and detector systems. But all these low temperature systems depend critically on successful and reliable operation of their supporting technologies, among which the liquid helium cooling system is of the utmost importance. To improve the quality of these systems both in terms of efficiency and reliability, a robust helium cryogenics research and development (R&D) effort is required. The proposed research to be conducted by the FSU cryogenics group aims to produce fundamental knowledge that meets this R&D need. The projects that we have completed over the past grant period at Florida State University consist of experimental research on liquid helium fluid dynamics and heat transfer problems relevant to the development of future superconducting particle physics accelerators. Liquid helium is the coolant used in all such facilities and in many of these facilities He II (the low temperature phase of liquid helium also known as superfluid helium) is preferred due to its outstanding heat transfer characteristics. The work consists of two main experimental studies that probe both fundamental as well as practical aspects of liquid helium cooling. The first is a broad and fundamental study of the heat and mass transfer processes that can occur during a sudden catastrophic loss of vacuum (SCLV) incident in a superconducting accelerator. SCLV refers to the remote but extremely critical accident scenario where atmospheric pressure air is allowed to flood into the insulating vacuum system and impinge on the liquid helium cooled surfaces in the accelerator. Safe performance and recovery from such accidents is essential to the reliable operation of superconducting accelerators. The dynamics of this process is quite complex and so our approach is to conduct a series of well-orchestrated experiments that probe the various physical phenomena that can occur during an SCLV event. The experiments are coupled with analytic and numerical analysis in an effort to develop a general understanding of the process and to assist with future accelerator design and development. The second activity is directed toward fundamental understanding of heat and mass transfer in He II, which is essential to the design of superconducting magnets and radio frequency cavities in accelerators. The work consists of flow visualization of the dynamics of He II using laser assisted techniques. Two complementary techniques are used to study the fundamentals of the turbulent state. The first technique uses neutrally buoyant solid hydrogen particles to probe the flow fields of the superfluid and normal fluid components. The other technique uses laser excited He2* molecules as tracers of the normal fluid motion within the He II. The activities also included an effort to use visualization techniques to locate transient hot spots in radio frequency superconducting cavities. Such work provides valuable information about the heat transfer process in He II and its impact on the performance of superconducting devices. The research effort at Florida State University is not directly in support of a specific high energy physics experiment or facility. Rather, the work is general and coordinated with HEP accelerator laboratories to provide valuable insight that can assist with future accelerator development.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2020

Development of Improved Noble Liquid Purity Measurements (Final Technical Report)

The main goal of the Detector R&D project supported by this grant, “Development of Improved Noble Liquid Purity Measurements”, was to perform a scoping study of the feasibility of trapping ions in a liquid argon medium using a radiofrequency (RF) quadrupole trap, and to subsequently use the population of trapped ions to make measurements of the properties of the liquid medium. Using RF quadrupole traps immersed in a noble liquid to trap ions may yield new capabilities to detect and quantify the presence of impurities, as well as enabling other measurements of the microphysics in a noble liquid environment. The major activities undertaken during this project include: the development of a simulation of ions in a liquid argon medium; the designing of a prototype RF quadrupole trap; and the setup of hardware to be used in testing the prototype in vacuum and gas conditions. The summary of these major activities is reported here.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Decontamination and Sterilization of Surfaces using Low Cost Ionic Liquids (CRADA Final Report)

The current study made a comprehensive literature review of the structure activity relationship (SAR) for microcidal and virucidal influence of ionic liquids. It summarized the key structure parameters that have close correlation to the antimicrobial and antiviral properties of the ILs. It proposed an experimental plan on developing and testing an effective ionic liquid from renewable lignocellulosic biomass. The goal is to understand the structure activity relationship (SAR) for virucidal influence of ionic liquids through comprehensive literature search and data analysis. A full experimental plan will be drafted based on the literature summary. Perform a comprehensive literature search to aid the development of an effective and easily deployable method to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 and decontaminate surfaces based on low-cost functional ionic liquids. These designer solvents have the potential to be a compelling and environmentally friendly alternative to common chemical disinfectants. Literature summary report including reported ionic liquid structures, synthesis and testing methods, and the structure activity relationship. Experimental plan on developing a low cost effective antiviral ionic liquid.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗