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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 163 records · Page 9
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1984

Temperature relaxation in supernova remnants, revisited

Some supernova remnants are expanding into a partially neutral medium. The neutral atoms which are engulfed by the fast blast shock are collisionally ionized to eject low-energy secondary electrons. Calculations are conducted of the temperature relaxation through Coulomb collisions among the secondary electrons, the shocked electrons, and the ions, assuming that the three species have Maxwellian velocity distributions. The results are applied to a self-similar blast wave. If the efficiency of collisionless electron heating at the shock front is high in young remnants such as Tycho, the secondary electrons may be much cooler than both the shocked electrons and the ions. In this case, the emergent X-ray continuum spectrum will have a two-temperature, or a power-law, appearance. This effect may have been observed in the bright rim of the remnant of SN 1006.

Itoh, H.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Pressure tuning of competing interactions on a honeycomb lattice

Exchange interactions are mediated via orbital overlaps across chemical bonds. Thus, modifying the bond angles by physical pressure or strain can tune the relative strength of competing interactions. Here we present a remarkable case of such tuning between the Heisenberg (J) and Kitaev (K) exchange, which respectively establish magnetically ordered and spin liquid phases on a honeycomb lattice. We observe a rapid suppression of the Néel temperature (T N ) with pressure in Ag 3 LiRh 2 O 6 , a spin-1/2 honeycomb lattice with both J and K couplings. Using a combined analysis of x-ray data and first-principles calculations, we find that pressure modifies the bond angles in a way that increases the ∣K/J∣ ratio and thereby suppresses T N . Consistent with this picture, we observe a spontaneous onset of muon spin relaxation (μSR) oscillations below T N at low pressure, whereas in the high pressure phase, oscillations appear only when T < T N /2. Unlike other candidate Kitaev materials, Ag 3 LiRh 2 O 6 is tuned toward a quantum critical point by pressure while avoiding a structural dimerization in the relevant pressure range.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Light induced electron spin resonance properties of van der Waals CrX 3 (X = Cl, I) crystals

The research on layered van der Waals (vdW) magnets is rapidly progressing owing to exciting fundamental science and potential applications. In bulk crystal form, CrCl 3 is a vdW antiferromagnet with in-plane ferromagnetic ordering below 17 K, and CrI 3 is a vdW ferromagnet below 61 K. In this paper, we report on the electron spin resonance (ESR) properties of CrCl 3 and CrI 3 single crystals upon photo-excitation in the visible range. We noticed remarkable changes in the ESR spectra upon illumination. In the case of CrCl 3 , at 10 K, the ESR signal is shifted from g = 1.492 (dark) to 1.661 (light), the linewidth increased from 376 to 506 Oe, and the signal intensity is reduced by 1.5 times. Most interestingly, the observed change in the signal intensity is reversible when the light is cycled on/off. We observed almost no change in the ESR spectral parameters in the paramagnetic phase (>20 K) upon illumination. Upon photo-excitation of CrI 3 , the ESR signal intensity is reduced by 1.9 times; the g-value increased from 1.956 to 1.990; the linewidth increased from 1170 to 1260 Oe at 60 K. These findings are discussed by taking into account the skin depth, the slow relaxation mechanism, and the appearance of low-symmetry fields at the photo-generated Cr 2+ Jahn–Teller centers. Such an increase in the g-value as a result of photo-generated Cr 2+ ions is further supported by our many-body wavefunction calculations. This work has the potential to extend to monolayer vdWs magnets by combining ESR spectroscopy with optical excitation and detection.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Method to determine the electron–ion temperature relaxation rate from test particle distributions

Here a method to calculate the electron–ion energy exchange rate from the forces on and velocities of an ensemble of test particles is described. The essence of the method is that the energy exchange rate is related to the covariance between the distribution of velocities of test particles and the forces acting on them. The energy exchange rate is related to the electron–ion temperature relaxation rate in the limit of a low test particle speed. A proof of concept is conducted with first-principles molecular dynamics simulations.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Emergent topological quasiparticle kinetics in constricted nanomagnets

The ubiquitous domain wall kinetics under magnetic field or current application describes the dynamic properties in nanostructured magnets. However, when the geometrical size of a nanomagnetic system is constricted to the limiting domain wall length scale, the competing energetics between anisotropy, exchange, and dipolar interactions can cause emergent kinetics due to quasiparticle relaxation, similar to bulk magnets of atomic origin. This paper presents a joint experimental and theoretical study to support this argument: constricted nanomagnets, made of antiferromagnetic and paramagnetic neodymium thin film with honeycomb motif, reveal fast kinetic events at picosecond timescales due to the relaxation of topological quasiparticles that persist to low temperature in the absence of any external stimuli. This discovery is especially important considering the fact that paramagnets or antiferromagnets have no net magnetization. Yet, the kinetics in neodymium nanostructures is quantitatively similar to that found in ferromagnetic counterparts and only varies with the thickness of the specimen. This suggests that a universal, topological quasiparticle-mediated dynamical behavior can be prevalent in nanoscopic magnets, irrespective of the nature of the underlying magnetic material.

Guo, Jiasen↗
DOE OSTI2022

Calorimetric study of skutterudite (CoAs2.92) and heazlewoodite (Ni3S2)

Abstract Nickel and cobalt arsenides, sulfarsenides, and sulfides occur in many hydrothermal ore deposits, but their thermodynamic properties are not well known, in some cases not known at all. In this work, we determined a full set of thermodynamic properties for heazlewoodite and skutterudite. Both phases were synthesized in evacuated silica tubes at elevated temperatures, and electron microprobe analyses gave their compositions as Ni3S2 and CoAs2.92, respectively. Enthalpies of formation were measured by high-temperature oxide-melt solution calorimetry. The reference phases were pure elements, thus eliminating any systematic errors related to such phases. The enthalpies of formation at T = 298.15 K and P = 105 Pa are –216.0 ± 8.4(2σ) and –88.2 ± 6.1 kJ·mol−1 for Ni3S2 and CoAs2.92, respectively. Entropies were calculated from low-temperature heat capacity (CP) data from relaxation (PPMS) calorimetry and are 133.8 ± 1.6 and 106.4 ± 1.3 J·mol–1·K–1, respectively. The calculated Gibbs free energies of formation are –210.0 ± 8.4 and –79.9 ± 6.2 kJ·mol−1 for Ni3S2 and CoAs2.92, respectively. The PPMS CP data, together with a set of differential scanning calorimetry measurements, were used to derive CP polynomials up to 700 K with the Kieffer model based on previously published frequencies of acoustic and optic modes. Equilibrium constants for selected reactions with an aqueous phase were calculated up to 700 K. Geochemical modeling in these systems, however, should await until more reliable data for other phases from the system Co-Ni-As-S are available.

Geochemistry & Geophysics↗
DOE OSTI2021

New Determination of Fundamental Properties of Palomar 5 Using Deep DESI Imaging Data

The legacy imaging surveys for the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument project provides multiple-color photometric data, which are about 2 mag deeper than those from the SDSS. In this study, we redetermine the fundamental properties for an old halo globular cluster of Palomar 5 based on these new imaging data, including structure parameters, stellar population parameters, and luminosity and mass functions. These characteristics, together with its tidal tails, are key for dynamical studies of the cluster and constraining the mass model of the Milky Way. By fitting the King model to the radial surface density profile of Palomar 5, we derive the core radius of [[Formula]], tidal radius of [[Formula]], and concentration parameter of c = 0.78 ± 0.04. We apply a Bayesian analysis method to derive the stellar population properties and get an age of 11.508 ± 0.027 Gyr, metallicity of [Fe/H] = −1.798 ± 0.014, reddening of E(B − V) = 0.0552 ± 0.0005, and distance modulus of (m−M){sub 0} = 16.835±0.006. The main-sequence luminosity and mass functions for both the cluster center and tidal tails are investigated. The luminosity and mass functions at different distances from the cluster center suggest that there is obvious spatial mass segregation. Many faint low-mass stars have been evaporated at the cluster center, and the tidal tails are enhanced by low-mass stars. Both the concentration and relaxation times suggest that Palomar 5 is a totally relaxed system.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Regulation of Solar Wind Electron Temperature Anisotropy by Collisions and Instabilities

Abstract Typical solar wind electrons are modeled as being composed of a dense but less energetic thermal “core” population plus a tenuous but energetic “halo” population with varying degrees of temperature anisotropies for both species. In this paper, we seek a fundamental explanation of how these solar wind core and halo electron temperature anisotropies are regulated by combined effects of collisions and instability excitations. The observed solar wind core/halo electron data in ( β ∥ , T ⊥ / T ∥ ) phase space show that their respective occurrence distributions are confined within an area enclosed by outer boundaries. Here, T ⊥ / T ∥ is the ratio of perpendicular and parallel temperatures and β ∥ is the ratio of parallel thermal energy to background magnetic field energy. While it is known that the boundary on the high- β ∥ side is constrained by the temperature anisotropy-driven plasma instability threshold conditions, the low- β ∥ boundary remains largely unexplained. The present paper provides a baseline explanation for the low- β ∥ boundary based upon the collisional relaxation process. By combining the instability and collisional dynamics it is shown that the observed distribution of the solar wind electrons in the ( β ∥ , T ⊥ / T ∥ ) phase space is adequately explained, both for the “core” and “halo” components.

Yoon, Peter H. (ORCID:0000000181343790)↗
NASA NTRS1984

The evaluation of a deformable diffraction grating for a stigmatic EUV spectroheliometer

A second toroidal replica grating was found to have an aspect ratio within 10% of the desire value. The aspect ratio of replica toroidal gratings is coming out somewhat low. Whether this is caused by some relaxation in the epoxy or some residual error in the setup when the replication is made from the deformable submaster grating will be determined. The first imaging tests at EUV wavelengths near 500 A were carried out. The initial results are most encouraging with blur sizes of the order of, or less than, 40 microns. Further focussing and additional photographic tests will be carried out, and preparations made for the first photoelectric measurements of the image quality using the (256 x 1024)-pixel MAMA detection system. The visible-light (256 x 1024)-pixel MAMA detector tube has completed initial evaluation.

Timothy, J. G.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Space station trace contaminant control

Different systems for the control of space station trace contaminants are outlined. The issues discussed include: spacecabin contaminant sources, technology base, contaminant control system elements and configuration, approach to contaminant control, contaminant load model definition, spacecraft maximum allowable concentrations, charcoal bed sizing and performance characteristics, catalytic oxidizer sizing and performance characteristics, special sorbent bed sizing, animal and plant research payload problems, and emergency upset contaminant removal. It is concluded that the trace contaminant control technology base is firm, the necessary hardware tools are available, and the previous design philosophy is still applicable. Some concerns are the need as opposed to danger of the catalytic oxidizer, contaminants with very low allowable concentrations, and the impact of relaxing materials requirements.

Olcutt, T.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Advances in the development of piezoelectric quartz-crystal oscillators, hydrogen masers, and superconducting frequency standards

This paper describes recent research advances made in the development of radiation-hardened piezoelectric quartz oscillators, hydrogen masers, and superconducting oscillators, with emphasis placed on the principles involved in the operation of these oscillators and the factors affecting the operation. Particular attention is given to the radiation-susceptibility studies of quartz-crystal resonators, the hydrogen-maser relaxation process and noise sources, and low-phase-noise superconducting oscillators. Diagrams of these devices and performance graphs are included.

Suter, Joseph J.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Aerospace applications of sodium batteries using novel cathode materials

Preliminary fundamental investigations aimed at evaluating sodium metal chloride systems for future aerospace applications are described. Since the sodium metal chloride systems are relatively new, the approach has been to characterize their fundamental properties in order to understand their limitations. To this end, a series of fundamental electrochemical investigations have been carried out, the results of which are reported here. The metal chloride cathodes show high exchange current densities which corroborate their good reversibility in a battery application. The reduction mechanisms appear to be complex and involve multielectron transfer steps and intermediates. Such intermediates in the reaction mechanism have already been identified in the case of FeCl2. Similar mechanisms may be operative in the case of NiCl2. CuCl2, however, exhibits a second relaxation loop in the impedance plot at low frequencies and also a sloping discharge curve, unlike FeCl2 and NiCl2, which may indicate the existence of monovalent copper in the reduction mechanism.

Ratnakumar, B. V.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Kinetic hydromagnetic instabilities due to a spherical shell distribution of pickup ions

The stability of a spherical shell ion distribution function against low-frequency hydromagnetic waves is discussed by relaxing the assumption of parallel propagation which was imposed in the preceding discussions published in the literature. It is found that Alfven waves as well as magnetosonic waves with oblique angles of propagation can be excited by a shell distribution. In the present analysis, the emphasis is placed on the case in which the thickness of the spherical shell is small.

Wu, C. S.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Preconditioned conjugate gradient methods for the Navier-Stokes equations

A preconditioned Krylov subspace method (GMRES) is used to solve the linear systems of equations formed at each time-integration step of the unsteady, two-dimensional, compressible Navier-Stokes equations of fluid flow. The Navier-Stokes equations are cast in an implicit, upwind finite-volume, flux-split formulation. Several preconditioning techniques are investigated to enhance the efficiency and convergence rate of the implicit solver based on the GMRES algorithm. The superiority of the new solver is established by comparisons with a conventional implicit solver, namely line Gauss-Seidel relaxation (LGSR). Computational test results for low-speed (incompressible flow over a backward-facing step at Mach 0.1), transonic flow (trailing edge flow in a transonic turbine cascade), and hypersonic flow (shock-on-shock interactions on a cylindrical leading edge at Mach 6.0) are presented. For the Mach 0.1 case, overall speedup factors of up to 17 (in terms of time-steps) and 15 (in terms of CPU time on a CRAY-YMP/8) are found in favor of the preconditioned GMRES solver, when compared with the LGSR solver. The corresponding speedup factors for the transonic flow case are 17 and 23, respectively. The hypersonic flow case shows slightly lower speedup factors of 9 and 13, respectively. The study of preconditioners conducted in this research reveals that a new LUSGS-type preconditioner is much more efficient than a conventional incomplete LU-type preconditioner.

Ajmani, Kumud↗
NASA NTRS2012

Radiance Measurement for Low Density Mars Entry

We report measurements of radiance behind a shock wave in Martian simulant (96% CO2, 4% N2) atmosphere at conditions relevant for aerodynamic decelerators. Shock waves are generated in the NASA Ames Electric Arc Shock Tube (EAST) facility at velocities from 6-8 km/s and freestream densities from 1.2-5.9 x 10(exp -4) kilograms per cubic meter (0.05-0.25 Torr, corresponding to 35-50 km altitude). Absolute radiance is measured as a function of wavelength and position in the shock. Radiance measurements extend from the vacuum ultraviolet to near infrared (120-1650 nm). As at higher density/velocity, radiation is dominate by CO 4th positive radiation in the vacuum ultraviolet, though CN contribution is also significant. At most low density conditions, the shock does not relax to equilibrium over several centimeters. A small number of measurements in the mid-infrared were performed to quantify radiation from the fundamental vibrational transition in CO, and this is found to be a minor contributor to the overall radiance at these speeds. Efforts to extend test time and reliability in the 60 cm (24) shock tube will be discussed in the full paper.

Cruden, Brett A.↗
NASA NTRS2012

An Investigation of Stress Dependent Atomic Oxygen Erosion of Black Kapton Observed on MISSE 6

Black Kapton XC polyimide was flown as part of the Polymer Film Tensile Experiment (PFTE) on Materials International Space Station Experiment 6 (MISSE 6). The purpose of the experiment was to expose a variety of polymer films, typical of those used for thermal control blankets or supporting membranes on Earth orbiting spacecraft, to the low Earth orbital (LEO) environment under both relaxed and tension conditions. Black Kapton XC under tensile stress experienced a higher erosion rate during exposure in LEO than the same material that was flown in a relaxed condition. Testing conducted to determine the magnitude of the stress and erosion dependence using a ground-based thermal energy atomic oxygen plasma showed a slight dependence of erosion yield on stress for Kapton HN and Black Kapton XC, but not to the extent observed on MISSE 6. More testing is needed to isolate the factors present in LEO that cause stress dependent erosion.

Miller, Sharon K. R.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Modelling of Surfaces. Part 2: Metallic Alloy Surfaces Using the BFS Method

Using BFS, a new semiempirical method for alloys, we study the surface structure of fcc ordered binary alloys. We concentrate on the calculation of surface energies and surface relaxations for the L1(sub 0) and L1(sub 2) ordered structures. Different terminations of the low-index faces are studied. Also, we present results for the interlayer relaxations for planes close to the surface, revealing different relaxations for atoms of different species producing a rippled surface layer.

Bozzolo, Guillermo↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

The Origin of Palimpsests

Palimpsests are the most enigmatic impact features observed on icy worlds of the Solar System. Palimpsests are large impact features which are bright, old, mostly flat, and roughly circular. They range from >150 to ~350 km in diameter and sometimes exhibit recognizable associated radial secondary ejecta crater strings beyond their rims. Curiously, among all the Solar System's icy worlds, palimpsests are exclusively seen on the icy Galilean moons. Palimpsests are obviously different than similarly sized impact features seen on other icy satellites. For example, Evander, a 350 km diameter peak-ring impact basin on Saturn’s moon Dione, has a very low depth/diameter ratio of 0.008, indicating significant viscous relaxation. Nevertheless, it still retains short wavelength topography including a prominent central peak, peak ring, and a continuous rim, none of which are seen at palimpsests. Palimpsests display an approximately circular, and dominating, expanse of undulating plains, which is level with surrounding terrain and shows no recognizable rim. At the center of palimpsests are smooth central plains that are enclosed by a low scarp. Central plains material superposes the surrounding undulating plains and is littered with small blocks reminiscent of “small chaos” on Europa. Palimpsests have yet to be explored using modern impact simulation tools. We have begun to investigate two competing hypotheses: (A) Palimpsests form on targets which have a preexisting near-subsurface layer that is liquid or solid but very weak, and is excavated as proximal ejecta; or (B) They form in a solid ice target underlain by a steep thermal gradient that strongly influences the resulting impact feature, including the production of impact-induced melting at depth that is then a major component of proximal ejecta. Our results will have profound implications for the early thermal history of the icy Galilean satellites. We will test our two hypotheses for the formation of palimpsests on Ganymede (where they are both best observed and preserved) by means of 2D iSALE hydrodynamic simulations of impacts into ice targets that will be structured according to the scenarios for each hypothesis, with select runs in 3D. We have already conducted a pilot study using 2D iSALE that has yielded promising results, which we will report out at the meeting.

palimpsests↗