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At least 1,693 records · Page 94

Development of SAM Code Capabilities for Safety Analysis of GCR Air-ingress Events

Air-ingress following a depressurized loss-of-forced-cooling (DLOFC) event is a challenging, multiphysics safety scenario for High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors (HTGRs), involving coupled gas composition transport, buoyancy-driven flow redistribution, graphite oxidation, and structural heat-up. Despite its importance — air ingress is a key scenario identified in the PIRT process for the HTGRs — existing system-level safety codes have lacked the integrated capability to simulate the complete event sequence with high confidence. This report documents the development, validation, and demonstration of three new capabilities in the SAM code to address this gap: (1) a multi-component gas mixture flow model with binary diffusion to track the helium-air composition and its effect on system density and flow; (2) a 0-D graphite oxidation model based on the Roes correlation, including oxygen consumption and exothermic heat release; and (3) an isentropic critical flow model for accurate representation of primary system depressurization through a break. These capabilities are validated against two benchmark experiments. The NSTF heavy-gas ingress experiment validates the multi-component flow model: SAM correctly reproduces the rapid buoyancydriven flow stagnation and subsequent natural circulation recovery driven by composition-dependent density changes. The NACOK graphite oxidation experiment validates the oxidation model: SAM predicts a bottom-level graphite weight loss of 25%, in close agreement with the measured 24%, and reproduces the strong axial nonuniformity and block-geometry dependence of oxidation, at a level comparable to the SPECTRA and TINTE codes. The validated capabilities are then exercised together in an integrated, reactor-scale simulation of a DLOFC air-ingress transient in a simplified HTR-PM pebble-bed reactor. In a single calculation spanning approximately 8 days, SAM reproduces the complete accident sequence: rapid depressurization, densityand diffusion-driven air ingress over ˜15 hours, onset of buoyancy-driven natural circulation, exothermic graphite oxidation with a peak fuel temperature at ˜62 hours, and eventual passive cooldown. These results demonstrate that SAM now provides the nuclear community with a preliminarily validated, modern systemlevel tool for HTGR air-ingress safety analysis, filling a recognized capability gap. Future extensions to broaden species tracking, improve oxidation chemistry, and refine the reactor model are discussed.

Yang, Gang↗

Split-Step Simulations to Assess the Effects of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Turbulence on the Dose Variability of N-Waves and Shaped Booms

The effects of atmospheric boundary layer turbulence on the loudness variability of a sonic boom N-wave and shaped boom are examined with split-step simulations. The shaped boom is representative of a design iteration of the NASA X-59 aircraft. Inhomogeneous atmospheric boundary layer turbulence is generated in the computational domain by a Fourier synthesis method. The N-wave and shaped boom are propagated through turbulent fields representing eight different convection levels measured at the NASA Kennedy Space Center and the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center. Probability density functions of the formation of caustic regions along the propagation direction are computed from the N-wave results, and a parameter to collapse the caustic PDFs that accounts for both fluctuation intensities and length scales is proposed. Statistical results concerning loudness metric variability are presented, and the standard deviations of several metrics are shown to collapse across different convection levels of turbulence for small nondimensional propagation distances. The loudness metric distributions are observed to be well approximated by a normal distribution for a given range of propagation distances, and become increasingly skewed as distance increases. A model function for the dose variability is proposed, and the function parameters are found to be related to the convection level of the turbulence. The model for the dose variability distribution is compared to simulation data that were not used to find the regression parameters of the model. At several nondimensional propagation distances, agreement is observed between the model and the simulation data. These results indicate that the model may be suitable for providing quick estimates of noise dose variability in the primary carpet region across a wide range of atmospheric boundary layer conditions.

Sonic boom↗

The impact of NRZ data asymmetry on the performance of a space telemetry system

The telemetry data asymmetry due to rising and falling voltage transitions can cause undesired spectral components at the output of a spacecraft transmitter. The performance of a space telemetry system can potentially degrade because of these undesired components. Here, an expression is derived for the power spectral density of an asymmetric nonreturn-to-zero (NRZ) data stream. This formula is then used to investigate how the data bandwidth varies with data asymmetry. At the receiver end, the threshold levels of undesired spectral components that fall into the carrier-tracking-loop bandwidth are determined by examining the derived spectral density. Further, based on this formula, a simple technique is developed for the computation of bit signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) degradation due to data asymmetry. The telemetry bit SNR degradations derived using this technique are compared with results obtained previously and with measurements by the Electronic Systems Test Laboratory (ESTL) at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.

Nguyen, T. M.↗

Solar Cycle Variations of Electron Density and Temperature in the Venusian Nightside Ionosphere

The return of periapsis to low altitudes during the Summer and Fall of 1992 provided a unique opportunity for the Pioneer Venus Orbiter (PVO) to make in situ measurements in the Venusian ionosphere at much lower levels of solar activity (F10.7=120) than existed when periapsis was at low altitudes in 1979 and 1980 (F10.7=220). We present the observations of electron density (N(sub e)) and temperature (T(sub e)) made by the Orbiter Electron Temperature Probe (OETP) during the Entry Period. Empirical models of the Ne and Te height variations are presented and compared with similar models based on OETP measurements made at solar maximum. The median Ne at the ionospheric peak (approx. 140 km) was essentially unchanged from its solar maximum value, but the ionosphere was increasingly depleted at higher altitudes, reaching a factor of 7 lower densities at 200 km. T(sub e) was lower by almost a factor of 2 at 140 km but was rather significantly enhanced at higher altitudes; exceeding its solar maximum values by a factor of 1.3 at 200 km and a factor of 2 at 500 km. In general these results support the earlier conclusions that the nightside upper ionosphere is depleted at lower levels of solar activity by a reduction of the nightward ion flow. The lack of N(sub e) variation near the peak (between solar maximum and entry) suggests that nightward ion transport does not play as large a role in the peak formation as does local ion production by energetic particles. The decrease in T(sub e) at low altitudes suggests that the low densities of the upper ionosphere at the time of PVO entry could no longer support the conduction of heat from the dayside ionosphere, thus allowing the lower nightside ionosphere to cool by collisions with ions and neutrals, and by heat conduction to the cooler regions below.

Theis, Robert F.↗

Optimization of an oligonucleotide microchip for microbial identification studies: a non-equilibrium dissociation approach

The utility of a high-density oligonucleotide microarray (microchip) for identifying strains of five closely related bacilli (Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus medusa and Bacillus subtilis) was demonstrated using an approach that compares the non-equilibrium dissociation rates ('melting curves') of all probe-target duplexes simultaneously. For this study, a hierarchical set of 30 oligonucleotide probes targeting the 16S ribosomal RNA of these bacilli at multiple levels of specificity (approximate taxonomic ranks of domain, kingdom, order, genus and species) was designed and immobilized in a high-density matrix of gel pads on a glass slide. Reproducible melting curves for probes with different levels of specificity were obtained using an optimized salt concentration. Clear discrimination between perfect match (PM) and mismatch (MM) duplexes was achieved. By normalizing the signals to an internal standard (a universal probe), a more than twofold discrimination (> 2.4x) was achieved between PM and 1-MM duplexes at the dissociation temperature at which 50% of the probe-target duplexes remained intact. This provided excellent differentiation among representatives of different Bacillus species, both individually and in mixtures of two or three. The overall pattern of hybridization derived from this hierarchical probe set also provided a clear 'chip fingerprint' for each of these closely related Bacillus species.

Non-NASA Center↗

High-Energy Space Propulsion Based on Magnetized Target Fusion

A conceptual study is made to explore the feasibility of applying magnetized target fusion (MTF) to space propulsion for omniplanetary travel. Plasma-jet driven MTF not only is highly amenable to space propulsion, but also has a number of very attractive features for this application: 1) The pulsed fusion scheme provides in situ a very dense hydrogenous liner capable of moderating the neutrons, converting more than 97% of the neutron energy into charged particle energy of the fusion plasma available for propulsion. 2) The fusion yield per pulse can be maintained at an attractively low level (< 1 GJ) despite a respectable gain in excess of 70. A compact, low-weight engine is the result. An engine with a jet power of 25 GW, a thrust of 66 kN, and a specific impulse of 77,000 s, can be achieved with an overall engine mass of about 41 metric tons, with a specific power density of 605 kW/kg, and a specific thrust density of 1.6 N/kg. The engine is rep-rated at 40 Hz to provide this power and thrust level. At a practical rep-rate limit of 200 Hz, the engine can deliver 128 GW jet power and 340 kN of thrust, at specific power and thrust density of 1,141 kW/kg and 3 N/kg respectively. 3) It is possible to operate the magnetic nozzle as a magnetic flux compression generator in this scheme, while attaining a high nozzle efficiency of 80% in converting the spherically radial momentum of the fusion plasma to an axial impulse. 4) A small fraction of the electrical energy generated from the flux compression is used directly to recharge the capacitor bank and other energy storage equipment, without the use of a highvoltage DC power supply. A separate electrical generator is not necessary. 5) Due to the simplicity of the electrical circuit and the components, involving mainly inductors, capacitors, and plasma guns, which are connected directly to each other without any intermediate equipment, a high rep-rate (with a maximum of 200 Hz) appears practicable. 6) All fusion related components are within the current state of the art for pulsed power technology. Experimental facilities with the required pulsed power capabilities already exist. 7) The scheme does not require prefabricated fuel target and liner hardware in any esoteric form or state. All necessary fuel and liner material are introduced into the engine in the form of ordinary matter in gaseous state at room temperature, greatly simplifying their handling on board. They are delivered into the fusion reaction chamber in a completely standoff manner.

Thio, Y. C. F.↗

A unique van Hove singularity in kagome superconductor CsV 3-x Ta x Sb 5 with enhanced superconductivity

Van Hove singularity (VHS) has been considered as a driving source for unconventional superconductivity. A VHS in two-dimensional (2D) materials consists of a saddle point connecting electron-like and hole-like bands. In a rare case, when a VHS appears at Fermi level, both electron-like and hole-like conduction can coexist, giving rise to an enhanced density of states as well as an attractive component of Coulomb interaction for unconventional electronic pairing. However, this van Hove scenario is often destroyed by an incorrect chemical potential or competing instabilities. Here, by using angle-resolved photoemission measurements, we report the observation of a VHS perfectly aligned with the Fermi level in a kagome superconductor CsV 3-x Ta x Sb 5 (x~ 0.4), in which a record-high superconducting transition temperature is achieved among all the current variants of AV 3 Sb 5 (A = Cs, Rb, K) at ambient pressure. Doping dependent measurements reveal the important role of van Hove scenario in boosting superconductivity, and spectroscopic-imaging scanning tunneling microscopy measurements indicate a distinct superconducting state in this system.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Machine-learned impurity level prediction for semiconductors: the example of Cd-based chalcogenides

The ability to predict the likelihood of impurity incorporation and their electronic energy levels in semiconductors is crucial for controlling its conductivity, and thus the semiconductor's performance in solar cells, photodiodes, and optoelectronics. The difficulty and expense of experimental and computational determination of impurity levels makes a data-driven machine learning approach appropriate. In this work, we show that a density functional theory-generated dataset of impurities in Cd-based chalcogenides CdTe, CdSe, and CdS can lead to accurate and generalizable predictive models of defect properties. By converting any semiconductor + impurity system into a set of numerical descriptors, regression models are developed for the impurity formation enthalpy and charge transition levels. These regression models can subsequently predict impurity properties in mixed anion CdX compounds (where X is a combination of Te, Se and S) fairly accurately, proving that although trained only on the end points, they are applicable to intermediate compositions. We make machine-learned predictions of the Fermi-level-dependent formation energies of hundreds of possible impurities in 5 chalcogenide compounds, and we suggest a list of impurities which can shift the equilibrium Fermi level in the semiconductor as determined by the dominant intrinsic defects. Machine learning predictions for the dominating impurities compare well with DFT predictions, revealing the power of machine-learned models in the quick screening of impurities likely to affect the optoelectronic behavior of semiconductors.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A predictor-corrector guidance algorithm for use in high-energy aerobraking system studies

A three-degree-of-freedom predictor-corrector guidance algorithm has been developed specifically for use in high-energy aerobraking performance evaluations. The present study reports on both the development and capabilities of this guidance algorithm to the design of manned Mars aero-braking vehicles. Atmospheric simulations are performed to demonstrate the applicability of this algorithm and to evaluate the effect of atmospheric uncertainties upon the mission requirements. The off-nominal conditions simulated result from atmospheric density and aerodynamic characteristic mispredictions. The guidance algorithm is also used to provide relief from the high deceleration levels typically encountered in a high-energy aerobraking mission profile. Through this analysis, bank-angle modulation is shown to be an effective means of providing deceleration relief. Furthermore, the capability of the guidance algorithm to manage off-nominal vehicle aerodynamic and atmospheric density variations is demonstrated.

Braun, Robert D.↗

Distinctive signals of frustrated dark matter

We study a renormalizable model of Dirac fermion dark matter (DM) that communicates with the Standard Model (SM) through a pair of mediators — one scalar, one fermion — in the representation (6, 1, $\frac{4}{3}$) of the SM gauge group SU(3) c x SU(2) L x U(1) Y . While such assignments preclude direct coupling of the dark matter to the Standard Model at tree level, we examine the many effective operators generated at one-loop order when the mediators are heavy, and find that they are often phenomenologically relevant. We reinterpret dijet and pair-produced resonance and jets + E$^{miss}_{T}$ searches at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in order to constrain the mediator sector, and we examine an array of DM constraints ranging from the observed relic density Ω χ h$^{2}_{Planck}$ to indirect and direct searches for dark matter. Tree-level annihilation, available for DM masses starting at the TeV scale, is required in order to produce Ω χ h$^{2}_{Planck}$ through freeze-out, but loops — led by the dimension-five DM magnetic dipole moment — are nonetheless able to produce signals large enough to be constrained, particularly by the XENON1T experiment. In some benchmarks, we find a fair amount of parameter space left open by experiment and compatible with freeze-out. In other scenarios, however, the open space is quite small, suggesting a need for further model-building and/or non-standard cosmologies.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Test bed ion engine development

A test bed ion (TBI) engine was developed to serve as a tool in exploring the limits of electrostatic ion thruster performance. A description of three key ion engine components, the decoupled extraction and amplified current (DE-AC) accelerator system, field enhanced refractory metal (FERM) hollow cathode and divergent line cusp (DLC) discharge chamber, whose designs and operating philosophies differ markedly from conventional thruster technology is given. Significant program achievements were: (1) high current density DE-AC accelerator system operation at low electric field stress with indicated feasibility of a 60 mA/sq cm argon ion beam; (2) reliable FERM cathode start up times of 1 to 2 secs. and demonstrated 35 ampere emission levels; (3) DLC discharge chamber plasma potentials negative of anode potential; and (4) identification of an efficient high plasma density engine operating mode. Using the performance projections of this program and reasonable estimates of other parameter values, a 1.0 Newton thrust ion engine is identified as a realizable technology goal. Calculations show that such an engine, comparable in beam area to a J series 30 cm thruster, could, operating on Xe or Hg, have thruster efficiencies as high as 0.76 and 0.78 respectively, with a 100 eV/ion discharge loss.

Aston, G.↗

First-principles calculation of gate-tunable ferromagnetism in magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene under pressure

Magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene (MATBG) is notable as a highly tunable platform for investigating strongly correlated phenomena such as unconventional superconductivity and quantum spin liquids, due to easy control of doping level through gating and sensitive dependence of the magic angle on hydrostatic pressure. Experimental observations of correlated insulating states, unconventional superconductivity and ferromagnetism in MATBG indicate that this system exhibits rich exotic phases. In this work, using density functional theory calculations in conjunction with the effective screening medium method, we find the MATBG under pressure at a twisting angle of 2.88 °and simulate how its electronic states evolve when doping level and electric field perpendicular to plane are tuned by gating. Our calculations show that, at doping levels between two electrons and four holes per moiré unit cell, a ferromagnetic (FM) solution with spin density localized at AA stacking sites is lower in energy than the nonmagnetic solution. The magnetic moment of this FM state decreases with both electron and hole doping and vanishes at four electrons/holes doped per moiré unit cell. Hybridization between the flat bands at the Fermi level and the surrounding dispersive bands can take place at finite doping. On increasing the out-of-plane electric field at zero doping, a transition from the FM state to the nonmagnetic one is seen. An investigation of impurity effects shows that both absorption of O 2 molecules and occurrence of Stone–Wales impurities suppress the FM state, and the mechanisms are understood from our calculations. We also analyze the interlayer bonding character due to flat bands via Wannier functions. Finally, we report trivial band topology of the flat bands in the FM state at a certain doping level.

Physics↗

Medium-Range Order Resists Deformation in Metallic Liquids and Glasses

In crystals, lattice defects, such as dislocations, control mechanical deformation. Similarly, it is widely believed that even in glasses and liquids some kinds of defects, strongly disordered regions, play a major role in deformation. To identify defects researchers focused on the nature of the short-range order (SRO) in the nearest neighbor cage of atoms. However, recent results by experiment, simulation and theory raise serious questions about this assumption. They suggest that the atomic medium-range order (MRO) provides resistance against flow at the atomic level. Because the MRO is a bulk property, it implies that defects play only a limited role. This new insight is supported by the density wave theory which shows that the MRO is driven by a top-down global force, rather than being a consequence of the SRO in the bottom-up manner, and the MRO provides stiffness to resist deformation. We briefly summarize the density wave theory, show that the MRO is related to ductility of metallic glasses, and discuss the implications on the role of the MRO in the atomic-level mechanism of deformation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Space plasma contactor research, 1987

A simple model describing the process of electron collection from a low pressure ambient plasma in the absence of magnetic field and contactor velocity effects is presented. Experimental measurments of the plasma surrounding the contactor are used to demonstrate that a double-sheath generally develops and separates the ambient plasma from a higher density, anode plasma located adjacent to the contactor. Agreement between the predictions of the model and experimental measurements obtained at the electron collection current levels ranging to 1 A suggests the surface area at the ambient plasma boundary of the double-sheath is equal to the electron current being collected divided by the ambient plasma random electron current density; the surface area of the higher density anode plasma boundary of the double-sheath is equal to the ion current being emitted across this boundary divided by the ion current density required to sustain a stable sheath; and the voltage drop across the sheath is determined by the requirement that the ion and electron currents counterflowing across the boundaries be at space-charge limited levels. The efficiency of contactor operation is shown to improve when significant ionization and excitation is induced by electrons that stream from the ambient plasma through the double-sheath and collide with neutral atoms being supplied through the hollow cathode.

Wilbur, Paul J.↗

Reversal of Anomalous Hall Effect and Octahedral Tilting in SrRuO 3 Thin Films via Hydrogen Spillover

Abstract The perovskite SrRuO 3 (SRO) is a strongly correlated oxide whose physical and structural properties are strongly intertwined. Notably, SRO is an itinerant ferromagnet that exhibits a large anomalous Hall effect (AHE) whose sign can be readily modified. Here, a hydrogen spillover method is used to tailor the properties of SRO thin films via hydrogen incorporation. It is found that the magnetization and Curie temperature of the films are strongly reduced and, at the same time, the structure evolves from an orthorhombic to a tetragonal phase as the hydrogen content is increased up to ≈0.9 H per SRO formula unit. The structural phase transition is shown, via in situ crystal truncation rod measurements, to be related to tilting of the RuO 6 octahedral units. The significant changes observed in magnetization are shown, via density functional theory (DFT), to be a consequence of shifts in the Fermi level. The reported findings provide new insights into the physical properties of SRO via tailoring its lattice symmetry and emergent physical phenomena via the hydrogen spillover technique.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Pitch Carbon-coated Ultrasmall Si Nanoparticle Lithium-ion Battery Anodes Exhibiting Reduced Reactivity with Carbonate-based Electrolyte

Silicon anodes for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have the potential for higher energy density compared to conventionally used graphite-based LIB anodes. However, silicon anodes exhibit poor cycle and calendar lifetimes due to mechanical instabilities and high chemical and electrochemical reactivity with the carbonate-based electrolytes that are typically used in LIBs. In this work, we synthesize a pitch carbon-coated silicon nanoparticle composite active material for LIB anodes that exhibits reduced chemical reactivity with carbonate-based electrolytes compared to an uncoated silicon anode. Silicon primary particle sizes less than 10 nm diameter minimize micro-scale mechanical degradation of the anode composite, while conformal coatings of pitch carbon minimize the parasitic reactions between the silicon and the electrolyte. When matched with a high voltage NMC622 (LiNi 0.6 Mn 0.2 Co 0.2 O 2 ) cathode, the pitch carbon-coated silicon anode retains approximately 75% of its initial capacity at the end of 1000 cycles. Increasing the areal loading of the pitch carbon-coated silicon anodes to realize energy density improvements over graphite anodes results in severe mechanical degradation on the electrode level, highlighting a remaining challenge to be addressed in future work.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

UEDGE modeling of plasma detachment of CFETR with ITER ‐like divertor geometry by external impurity seeding

Abstract Efficient handling of high heat flux on the plasma‐facing components, particularly the divertor targets, poses a significant challenge for the Chinese Fusion Engineering Testing Reactor (CFETR) with fusion power of Gigawatt. This work investigates the divertor plasma detachment of CFETR with a standard ITER‐like divertor geometry by neon (Ne) or argon (Ar) impurity seeding using UEDGE code. The cross‐field drifts terms are switched off, and fluid neutral models and a “fixed‐fraction” impurity model are applied to enable efficient simulations for the study of CFETR detachment. In order to reduce the heat load on the divertor targets below the acceptable level (<10 MW/m 2 ), the impurity fraction ( f ), pumping speed ( S ), and upstream density are varied to identify the suitable operations window during Ne seeding. The effects of Ne and Ar impurities on the plasma detachment are compared. It is found that with the power across the core‐edge interface P SOL = 200 MW and separatrix density of 2.8 10 19 , Ne impurity fraction ≥1.7%, and Ar impurity fraction ≥0.24% can achieve the partial detachment. Achieving similar total radiation power (˜148 MW), the Ne fraction is 2.3% and the Ar fraction is 0.24%. Moreover, the simulation results indicate that Ar exhibits better power radiation efficiency and core compatibility compared with Ne.

Zhang, M. Z.↗

Unraveling the nature of Fe-doping mediated inter- and intra-chain interactions in Ca 3 Co 2 O 6

The structural and magnetic properties of quasi-one-dimensional (1D) spin-chain compounds Ca 3 Co 2-x Fe x O 6 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3) synthesized by a sol-gel method have been systematically studied by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), neutron powder diffraction (NPD), dc and ac magnetization measurements. The samples adopt a rhombohedral crystal structure with the space group R-3c in a temperature range of 5–100 K. Fe ions are found to locate at the trigonal prism Co2 crystallographic sites. Fe doping converts some of low-spin Co 3+ ions at Co1 octahedral sites into Co 2+ ions. For the high-temperature paramagnetic phase, the Curie paramagnetic temperature θp changes its sign from positive to negative at x = 0.2, implying that the dominant magnetic interaction is driven from ferromagnetic (FM) to antiferromagnetic (AFM) upon Fe substitution. A partial low-spin to high-spin state crossover of the Co1 ions is observed at high Fe-doping level x = 0.3. All the samples exhibit a long-range spin-density wave (SDW) AFM ordering below TN, followed by a spin-glass-like transition at Tf. These low-temperature magnetic phases were significantly suppressed upon Fe doping. The Fe substitution in Ca 3 Co 2-x Fe x O 6 weakened both intrachain and interchain magnetic interactions, caused by enhanced magnetic disorder due to the different magnetic characters of Ising Co and Heisenberg Fe spins.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗