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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 1,621 records · Page 90
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

Bending-induced Symmetry Breaking of Lithiation in Germanium Nanowires

From signal transduction of living cells to oxidation and corrosion of metals, mechanical stress intimately couples with chemical reactions, regulating these biological and physiochemical processes. The coupled effect is particularly evident in electrochemical lithiation/delithiation cycling of high-capacity electrodes, such as silicon (Si), where on one hand lithiation-generated stress mediates lithiation kinetics, and on the other electrochemical reaction rate regulates stress generation and mechanical failure of the electrodes. Here we report for the first time the evidence on the controlled lithiation in germanium nanowires (GeNWs) through external bending. Contrary to the symmetric core-shell lithiation in free-standing GeNWs, we show bending GeNWs breaks the lithiation symmetry, speeding up lithaition at the tensile side while slowing down at the compressive side of the GeNWs. The bending-induced symmetry breaking of lithiation in GeNWs is further corroborated by chemomechanical modeling. In the light of the coupled effect between lithiation kinetics and mechanical stress in the electrochemical cycling, our findings shed light on strain/stress engineering of durable high-rate electrodes and energy harvesting through mechanical motion.

Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory↗
NASA NTRS2013

Towards Probablistic Assessment of Hypobaric Decompression Sickness Treatment

INTRODUCTION: Pressure, oxygen (O2), and time are the pillars to effective treatment of decompression sickness (DCS). The NASA DCS Treatment Model links a decrease in computed bubble volume to the resolution of a symptom. The decrease in volume is realized in two stages: a) during the Boyle's Law compression and b) during subsequent dissolution of the gas phase by the O2 window. METHODS: The cumulative distribution of 154 symptoms that resolved during repressurization was described with a log-logistic density function of pressure difference (deltaP as psid) associated with symptom resolution and two other explanatory variables. The 154 symptoms originated from 119 cases of DCS during 969 exposures in 47 different altitude tests. RESULTS: The probability of symptom resolution [P(symptom resolution)] = 1 / (1+exp(- (ln(deltaP) - 1.682 + 1.089×AMB - 0.00395×SYMPTOM TIME) / 0.633)), where AMB is 1 when the subject ambulated as part of the altitude exposure or else 0 and SYMPTOM TIME is the elapsed time in min from start of the altitude exposure to recognition of a DCS symptom. The P(symptom resolution) was estimated from computed deltaP from the Tissue Bubble Dynamics Model based on the "effective" Boyle's Law change: P2 - P1 (deltaP, psid) = P1×V1/V2 - P1, where V1 is the computed volume of a spherical bubble in a unit volume of tissue at low pressure P1 and V2 is computed volume after a change to a higher pressure P2. V2 continues to decrease through time at P2, at a faster rate if 100% ground level O2 was breathed. The computed deltaP is the effective treatment pressure at any point in time as if the entire deltaP was just from Boyle's Law compression. DISCUSSION: Given the low probability of DCS during extravehicular activity and the prompt treatment of a symptom with options through the model it is likely that the symptom and gas phase will resolve with minimum resources and minimal impact on astronaut health, safety, and productivity.

Conkin, J.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Numerical analysis and parametric studies of the buckling of composite orthotropic compression and shear panels

A computer program is presented which was developed for the combined compression and shear of stiffened variable thickness orthotropic composite panels on discrete springs: boundary conditions are general and include elastic boundary restraints. Buckling solutions are obtained by using a newly developed trigonometric finite difference procedure which improves the solution convergence rate over conventional finite difference methods. The classical general shear buckling results which exist only for simply supported panels over a limited range of orthotropic properties, were extended to the complete range of these properties for simply supported panels and, in addition, to the complete range of orthotropic properties for clamped panels. The program was also applied to parametric studies which examine the effect of filament orientation upon the buckling of graphite-epoxy panels. These studies included an examination of the filament orientations which yield maximum shear or compressive buckling strength for panels having all four edges simply supported or clamped over a wide range of aspect ratios. Panels with such orientations had higher buckling loads than comparable, equal weight, thin skinned aluminum panels. Also included among the parameter studies were examinations of combined axial compression and shear buckling and examinations of panels with rotational elastic edge restraints.

Housner, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS2020

An Improved Plastically Dilatant Unified Viscoplastic Constitutive Formulation for Multiscale Analysis of Polymer Matrix Composites Under High Strain Rate Loading

Polymer matrix composites are commonly used to fabricate energy-absorbing structures expected to experience impact loading. As such, a detailed understanding of the dynamic response of the constituent materials is necessary. Since the rate, temperature, and pressure dependence of carbon fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites are primarily manifestations of the rate, temperature, and pressure dependence of the polymer matrix, it is crucial that the constitutive behavior of the matrix be accurately characterized. In this work, an existing unified viscoplastic constitutive formulation is extended to ensure thermodynamic consistency and to more accurately account for the tension-compression asymmetry observed in the response of polymeric materials. A new plastic potential function is proposed, and elementary loading conditions are utilized to determine relations between model constants to ensure nonnegative plastic dissipation, a necessary thermodynamic requirement. Expressions for plastic Poisson’s ratios are derived and are bounded by enforcing nonnegative plastic dissipation. The model is calibrated against available experimental data from tests conducted over a range of strain rates, temperatures, and loading cases on a representative thermoset epoxy; good correlation between simulations and experimental data is obtained. Temperature rises due to the conversion of plastic work to heat are computed via the adiabatic heat energy equation. The viscoplastic polymer model is then used as a constitutive model in the generalized method of cells micromechanics theory to investigate the effects of matrix adiabatic heating on the high strain rate response of a unidirectional composite. The thermodynamic consistency of the model ensures plastic dissipation can only cause an increase in temperature. Simulation results indicate that significant thermal softening due to the conversion of plastic work to heat is observed in the composite for matrix dominated deformation modes.

Impact loading↗
DOE OSTI2017

Induced Radioactivity in Lead Shielding at the National Synchrotron Light Source

The National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) at Brookhaven National Laboratory was shut down in September 2014. Lead bricks used as radiological shadow shielding within the accelerator were exposed to stray radiation fields during normal operations. The FLUKA code, a fully integrated Monte Carlo simulation package for the interaction and transport of particles and nuclei in matter, was used to estimate induced radioactivity in this shielding and stainless steel beam pipe from known beam losses. The FLUKA output was processed using MICROSHIELD® to estimate on-contact exposure rates with individually exposed bricks to help design and optimize the radiological survey process. This entire process can be modeled using FLUKA, but use of MICROSHIELD® as a secondary method was chosen because of the project’s resource constraints. Due to the compressed schedule and lack of shielding configuration data, simple FLUKA models were developed in this paper. FLUKA activity estimates for stainless steel were compared with sampling data to validate results, which show that simple FLUKA models and irradiation geometries can be used to predict radioactivity inventories accurately in exposed materials. During decommissioning 0.1% of the lead bricks were found to have measurable levels of induced radioactivity. Finally, post-processing with MICROSHIELD® provides an acceptable secondary method of estimating residual exposure rates.

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL P↗
NASA NTRS1997

Colloids and Nucleation

The objectives of the work funded under this grant were to develop a microphotographic technique and use it to monitor the nucleation and growth of crystals of hard colloidal spheres. Special attention is given to the possible need for microgravity studies in future experiments. A number of persons have been involved in this work. A masters student, Keith Davis, began the project and developed a sheet illumination apparatus and an image processing system for detection and analysis. His work on a segmentation program for image processing was sufficient for his master's research and has been published. A post doctoral student Bernie Olivier and a graduate student Yueming He, who originally suggested the sheet illumination, were funded by another source but along with Keith made photographic series of several samples (that had been made by Keith Davis). Data extraction has been done by Keith, Bernie, Yueming and two undergraduates employed on the grant. Results are published in Langmuir. These results describe the sheet lighting technique as one which illuminates not only the Bragg scattering crystal, but all the crystals. Thus, accurate crystal counts can be made for nucleation rate measurements. The strange crystal length scale reduction, observed in small angle light scattering (SALS) studies, following the initial nucleation and growth period, has been observed directly. The Bragg scattering (and dark) crystal size decreases in the crossover region. This could be an effect due to gravitational forces or due to over- compression of the crystal during growth. Direct observations indicate a complex morphology for the resulting hard sphere crystals. The crystal edges are fairly sharp but the crystals have a large degree of internal structure. This structure is a result of (unstable) growth and not aggregation. As yet unpublished work compares growth exponents data with data obtained by SALS. The nucleation rate density is determined over a broad volume fraction range (0.505 to 0.575) and compared to classical nucleation rate calculations. The experimental nucleation rate density varies with volume fraction more slowly than expected theoretically. Gravity may influence nucleation because crystal nuclei are more dense than the surrounding fluid and may be gravitationally convected. The largest observed crystal size was near volume fraction 0.52. Near the freezing point, crystals should grow to large size because nuclei are sparse and there is plenty of room to grow without contacting other crystals. Near melting the opposite is true, with crystals growing into one another shortly after nucleation. The maximum crystal size seen near 0.52 volume fraction suggests that gravitational stresses are limiting crystal growth near freezing.

Ackerson, Bruce↗
NASA NTRS1980

On the stability of three-dimensional compressible nonparallel boundary layers

A compressible linear stability theory is presented for three-dimensional nonuniform boundary layers. The amplitude, phase, and wavenumber equations which govern the motion of the disturbance are obtained by using the method of multiple scales. Group velocity trajectories are used to identify the disturbance growth direction. The spatial stability theory is applied to the flow on a laminar flow control supercritical sweptback wing of infinite span. Three different methods are used to calculate the absolute maximum logarithmic amplitude ratio N. In the front crossflow instability region, the method of maximum spatial growth rate predicts large difference in N compared with the method of fixed wavelength and the method of fixed spanwise component of wavelength. This difference decreases in the middle streamwise instability region, and almost vanishes in the rear crossflow instability region. Compressibility of the medium reduces N by about 15% in both the front and rear regions, and by about 40% in the middle region of the wing. Nonuniformity of the medium has large effects specially in the rear region.

El-Hady, N. M.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Effect of substrate tilt on sputter-deposited AuTa films

Gold-tantalum alloy films are of interest for biomedical and magnetically-assisted inertial confinement fusion applications. However, growth mechanisms of such Au-Ta alloy films are not well understood. Here, we systematically study the effect of substrate tilt on properties of films deposited by direct current magnetron sputtering from a AuTa alloy target. Experimental data is correlated with distributions of landing energies and incident angles of sputtered and backscattered species calculated by Monte Carlo simulations of ballistic collisions and gas phase atomic transport. Results reveal that the deposition rate and film density monotonically decrease with increasing substrate tilt. Properties are similar for films with a tilt of 40° and below: films are amorphous, with an average compressive stress of 0.5 GPa, a density of 16 g/cm 3 , and electrical resistivity of 200 μΩ cm. The critical substrate tilt angle for the onset of porosity, a transition to a reduced stress state, and an increase in electrical resistivity lies between 40 and 60°. Based on Monte Carlo simulations, these changes in film properties are correlated with an increase in the average impact angle of the ballistic component of atomic flux. Implications of these results to deposition onto non-planar substrates are discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Modeling of intragranular misorientation and grain fragmentation in polycrystalline materials using the viscoplastic self-consistent formulation

In this paper, the recently established methodology to use known algorithmic expressions of the second moments of the stress field in the grains of a polycrystalline aggregate for calculating average fluctuations of lattice rotation rates and the associated average intragranular misorientation distributions using the mean-field viscoplastic self-consistent (VPSC) formulation is extended to solve the coupled problem of considering the effect of intragranular misorientations on stress and rotation rate fluctuations. In turn, these coupled expressions are used to formulate and implement a grain fragmentation (GF) model in VPSC. Case studies, including tension and plane-strain compression of face-centered cubic polycrystals are used to illustrate the capabilities of the new model. GF-VPSC predictions of intragranular misorientation distributions and texture evolution are compared with experiments and full-field numerical simulations, showing good agreement. In particular, the inclusion of misorientation spreads reduced the intensity of the deformed texture and thus improved the texture predictions. Finally and moreover, considering that intragranular misorientations act as driving forces for recrystallization, the new GF-VPSC formulation is shown to enable modeling of microstructure evolution during deformation and recrystallization, in a computationally efficient manner.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Dynamic recrystallization behavior of an as-cast TiAl alloy during hot compression

High temperature compressive deformation behaviors of as-cast Ti–43Al–4Nb–1.4W–0.6B alloy were investigated at temperatures ranging from 1050 °C to 1200 °C, and strain rates from 0.001 s{sup −1} to 1 s{sup −1}. Electron back scattered diffraction technique, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were employed to investigate the microstructural evolutions and nucleation mechanisms of the dynamic recrystallization. The results indicated that the true stress–true strain curves show a dynamic flow softening behavior. The dependence of the peak stress on the deformation temperature and the strain rate can well be expressed by a hyperbolic-sine type equation. The activation energy decreases with increasing the strain. The size of the dynamically recrystallized β grains decreases with increasing the value of the Zener–Hollomon parameter (Z). When the flow stress reaches a steady state, the size of β grains almost remains constant with increasing the deformation strain. The continuous dynamic recrystallization plays a dominant role in the deformation. In order to characterize the evolution of dynamic recrystallization volume fraction, the dynamic recrystallization kinetics was studied by Avrami-type equation. Besides, the role of β phase and the softening mechanism during the hot deformation was also discussed in details. - Highlights: • The size of DRXed β grains decreases with increasing the value of the Z. • The CDRX plays a dominant role in the deformation. • The broken TiB{sub 2} particles can promote the nucleation of DRX.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Nature of the wiggle instability of galactic spiral shocks

Gas in disk galaxies interacts nonlinearly with an underlying stellar spiral potential to form galactic spiral shocks. While numerical simulations typically show that spiral shocks are unstable to wiggle instability (WI) even in the absence of magnetic fields and self-gravity, its physical nature has remained uncertain. To clarify the mechanism behind the WI, we conduct a normal-mode linear stability analysis and nonlinear simulations assuming that the disk is isothermal and infinitesimally thin. We find that the WI is physical, originating from the generation of potential vorticity at a deformed shock front, rather than Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities as previously thought. Since gas in galaxy rotation periodically passes through the shocks multiple times, the potential vorticity can accumulate successively, setting up a normal mode that grows exponentially with time. Eigenfunctions of the WI decay exponentially downstream from the shock front. Both shock compression of acoustic waves and a discontinuity of shear across the shock stabilize the WI. The wavelength and growth time of the WI depend on the arm strength quite sensitively. When the stellar-arm forcing is moderate at 5%, the wavelength of the most unstable mode is about 0.07 times the arm-to-arm spacing, with the growth rate comparable to the orbital angular frequency, which is found to be in good agreement with the results of numerical simulations.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Constraining the Multiscale Structure of Geophysical Fields in Machine Learning: The Case of Precipitation

The use of deep-learning algorithms for estimating the value of geophysical variables from remotely sensed information is rapidly expanding. The typical objective function minimized in such algorithms is the mean square error (MSE), which is known to lead to smooth estimates with compressed dynamical range as compared to the true distribution of the variable of interest. Here, we introduce and evaluate alternative objective functions, focusing on the retrieval of precipitation rates from satellite passive microwave radiometric measurements using a deep convolutional neural network. For this testbed application, the results show that explicitly imposing the preservation of the statistical distribution and spatial wavelet power spectrum of the target variable allows to accurately reproduce extreme values and sharp gradients across multiple scales in this study.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

A Novel Event Detection Method Using PMU Data with High Precision

To take full advantage of the considerably high reporting rate of phasor measurement units (PMU) data, this paper develops a novel PMU-based event detection methodology. Considering the huge amount of streaming PMU data, a data compression algorithm, swinging door trending (SDT), is first used to compress the PMU data and generate multiple compression intervals. Then dynamic programming is utilized to solve the optimization problem, which is recursively constituted by a score function. Based on predefined PMU event rules, dynamic programming merges adjacent compression intervals with the same slope direction. Finally, all the PMU event features are characterized. A conventional wavelet-based event detection method is compared with the developed dynamic programming based SDT (DPSDT) method. Numerical simulations on the real-time and synthetic PMU data show that the DPSDT method can accurately detect the start-time of an event and the event placement with relatively high precision. Furthermore, the PMU event features, including the magnitude and duration of strokes, are characterized.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2014

TU-A-9A-02: Analysis of Variations in Clinical Doppler Ultrasound Peak Velocity Measurements

Purpose: Doppler ultrasound (US) peak velocity (Vmax) measurements show considerable variations due to intrinsic spectral broadening with different scanning techniques, machines and manufacturers. We developed a semi-automated Vmax estimation method and used this method to investigate the performance of a US system for clinical Doppler Vmax measurement. Methods: Semi-automated Vmax is defined as the velocity at which the computed mean spectral profile falls to within 1 background standard deviation of the background mean. GE LOGIQ E9 system with 9L and ML6-15 probes were studied with steady flow (5.3 – 12.5 ml/s) in a Gammex OPTIMIZER 1425A phantom. All Doppler spectra were acquired by 1 operator at the distal end of 5 mm angular tube using a modified clinical carotid artery protocol. Repeatability and variation of Vmax to scanning parameters and probes were analyzed and reported as percentage, i.e. (max-min)/mean. Results: Vmax estimation had good repeatability (3.1% over 6 days for 9L, and 3.6% for ML6-15). For 9L probe, varying gain, compression, scale, SV depth and length, and frequency had minimal impact on Vmax (all variations less than 4.0%). Beam steering had slightly higher influence (largest variations across flow rates were 4.9% for 9L and 6.9% for ML6-15). For both probes, Doppler angle had the greatest effect on Vmax. Percentage increase of Vmax was largely independent of actual flow rates. For Doppler angle varied from 30 to 60°, Vmax increased 24% for 9L, and 20% for ML6-15. Vmax measured by ML6-15 were lower than that by 9L at each Doppler angle with differences less than 5%. Conclusion: The proposed Vmax estimation method is shown to be a useful tool to evaluate clinical Doppler US system performance. For the tested system and probes, Doppler angle had largest impact in measured Vmax.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2016

Surface uplift and time-dependent seismic hazard due to fluid injection in eastern Texas

Observations that unequivocally link seismicity and wastewater injection are scarce. We show that wastewater injection in eastern Texas causes uplift, detectable in radar interferometric data up to >8 kilometers from the wells. Using measurements of uplift, reported injection data, and a poroelastic model, we computed the crustal strain and pore pressure. We infer that an increase of >1 megapascal in pore pressure in rocks with low compressibility triggers earthquakes, including the 4.8–moment magnitude event that occurred on 17 May 2012, the largest earthquake recorded in eastern Texas. Seismic activity increased even while injection rates declined, owing to diffusion of pore pressure from earlier periods with higher injection rates. Finally, induced seismicity potential is suppressed where tight confining formations prevent pore pressure from propagating into crystalline basement rocks.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Multi-millijoule hollow-core fiber compression of short-wave infrared pulses to a single cycle

Approaches for efficient pulse compression can enable dramatic increases in the available peak power, as well as enable the generation of isolated attosecond X-ray pulses. Achieving high compression ratios for longer wavelength drivers has, however, been challenging. We present the compression of few-cycle 2.1 µm central wavelength short-wave infrared laser pulses to 6.9 fs with 2.35 mJ pulse energy at a 10 kHz repetition rate. Electric field resolved measurements reveal a single cycle light field oscillation. With a carrier-envelope-phase stability of 131 mrad and average power fluctuations below 1 %, the system constitutes an excellent light source for strong-field experiments and attosecond physics.

Blöchl, Johannes [Ludwig Maximilian Univ. of Munic↗
DOE OSTI2017

Three-Dimensional Modeling of Fracture Clusters in Geothermal Reservoirs

The objective of this is to develop a 3-D numerical model for simulating mode I, II, and III (tensile, shear, and out-of-plane) propagation of multiple fractures and fracture clusters to accurately predict geothermal reservoir stimulation using the virtual multi-dimensional internal bond (VMIB). Effective development of enhanced geothermal systems can significantly benefit from improved modeling of hydraulic fracturing. In geothermal reservoirs, where the temperature can reach or exceed 350oC, thermal and poro-mechanical processes play an important role in fracture initiation and propagation. In this project hydraulic fracturing of hot subsurface rock mass will be numerically modeled by extending the virtual multiple internal bond theory and implementing it in a finite element code, WARP3D, a three-dimensional finite element code for solid mechanics. The new constitutive model along with the poro-thermoelastic computational algorithms will allow modeling the initiation and propagation of clusters of fractures, and extension of pre-existing fractures. The work will enable the industry to realistically model stimulation of geothermal reservoirs. The project addresses the Geothermal Technologies Office objective of accurately predicting geothermal reservoir stimulation (GTO technology priority item). The project goal will be attained by: (i) development of the VMIB method for application to 3D analysis of fracture clusters; (ii) development of poro- and thermoelastic material sub-routines for use in 3D finite element code WARP3D; (iii) implementation of VMIB and the new material routines in WARP3D to enable simulation of clusters of fractures while accounting for the effects of the pore pressure, thermal stress and inelastic deformation; (iv) simulation of 3D fracture propagation and coalescence and formation of clusters, and comparison with laboratory compression tests; and (v) application of the model to interpretation of injection experiments (planned by our industrial partner) with reference to the impact of the variations in injection rate and temperature, rock properties, and in-situ stress.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Enhancements to the Munson-Dawson Model for Rock Salt

The Munson-Dawson (MD) constitutive model was originally developed in the 1980's to predict the thermomechanical behavior of rock salt. Since then, it has been used to simulate the evolution of the underground in nuclear waste repositories, mines, and storage caverns for gases and liquids. This report covers three enhancements to the MD model. (1) New transient and steady-state rate terms were added to capture salt's creep behavior at low equivalent stresses (below about 8 MPa). These new terms were calibrated against a series of triaxial compression creep experiments on salt from the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. (2) The equivalent stress measure was changed from the Tresca stress to the Hosford stress. By varying a single exponent, the Hosford stress can reduce to the Tresca stress, the von Mises stress, or a range of behaviors in-between. This exponent was calibrated against true triaxial compression experiments on salt hollow cylinders. (3) The MD model's numerical implementation was overhauled, adding a line search algorithm to the implicit solution scheme. The new implementation was verified against analytical solutions, and benchmarked against a pre-existing implementation on a room closure simulation. The new implementation pre- dicted virtually identical room closure, yet sped up the simulation by 16x . (The source code of the new implementation is included in an appendix of this report.)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗