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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 1,747 records · Page 97
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Ba 1−x Sr x FeO 3−δ as an improved oxygen storage material for chemical looping air separation: a computational and experimental study

Chemical looping air separation (CLAS) is a promising technology to generate oxygen-rich gas streams to enable efficient carbon dioxide capture during fossil fuel combustion or gasification. CLAS relies on the capture and release of oxygen from the atmosphere using the redox properties of an oxygen-selective solid oxide carrier. This study investigates the redox characteristics of Ba 1−x Sr x FeO 3−δ (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.417, 0.0 ≤ δ ≤ 0.5) using a combination of density functional theory (DFT) calculations and experimental verification using X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and oxygen-temperature-programmed desorption. The DFT computed energies of the Ba 1−x Sr x FeO 3−δ perovskites reveal a composition-dependent transition from hexagonal to cubic phases as the Sr-concentration or oxygen vacancy concentration increases. Oxygen vacancy formation energies of the cubic perovskites are found to be lower than those of their hexagonal counterparts. A low oxygen diffusion barrier of ∼1 eV combined with the thermodynamic preference of Ba 1−x Sr x FeO 3−δ compositions that form in a cubic phase suggests them as promising candidates for oxygen storage applications. The experimental results corroborate this finding by identifying Ba 0.75 Sr 0.25 FeO 3−δ in the cubic phase as an optimal composition offering low-temperature oxygen storage capacities comparable to that of the state-of-the-art Sr 0.75 Ca 0.25 FeO 3−δ perovskite oxygen storage material at 325 °C and 350 °C.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2017

Evaluation of the 235 U prompt fission neutron spectrum including a detailed analysis of experimental data and improved model information

We present an evaluation of the 235 U prompt fission neutron spectrum (PFNS) induced by thermal to 20-MeV neutrons. Experimental data and associated covariances were analyzed in detail. The incident energy dependence of the PFNS was modeled with an extended Los Alamos model combined with the Hauser-Feshbach and the exciton models. These models describe prompt fission, pre-fission compound nucleus and pre-equilibrium neutron emissions. The evaluated PFNS agree well with the experimental data included in this evaluation, preliminary data of the LANL and LLNL Chi-Nu measurement and recent evaluations by Capote et al. and Rising et al. However, they are softer than the ENDF/B-VII.1 (VII.1) and JENDL-4.0 PFNS for incident neutron energies up to 2 MeV. Simulated effective multiplication factors k eff of the Godiva and Flattop-25 critical assemblies are further from the measured k eff if the current data are used within VII.1 compared to using only VII.1 data. However, if this work is used with ENDF/B-VIII.0β2 data, simulated values of k eff agree well with the measured ones.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Experimental spectrum averaged cross sections (SACS) in 252 Cf(sf) neutron field and its impact on the evaluation of neutron standards

A new evaluation of spectrum averaged cross sections (SACS) of 235 U, 238 U, and 239 Pu measured in the 252 Cf(sf) reference neutron field is presented and found to be consistent with the original Mannhart SACS evaluation in IRDF-2002. The comprehensive vetted experimental database that includes SACS ratio and absolute SACS measurements of major actinides is being used to update the SACS database employed as input of the new GMApy code to derive the Neutron Standards. An update of the current neutron standards based on Time Projection Chamber (TPC) shape data, a new comprehensive uncertainty quantification, and revised SACS experimental database is proposed which result in a 0.7% increase of the evaluated 239 Pu(n,f)/ 235 U(n,f) crosssection ratio in the 1–5 MeV energy region. The increase is due to a 0.3% reduction of the standard 235 U(n,f) cross section and a 0.4% increase of the 239 Pu(n,f) reference cross section in the 1–5 MeV energy region. Those changes are well within estimated USU fission cross-section uncertainties of 1.2%, but are relevant for the evaluated mean values.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Experimental Validation of Thermal Scattering Evaluations

In order to test the performance of new neutron thermal scattering law (TSL) evaluations it is desirable to have experimental data that is highly sensitive to the TSL and provides high fidelity information on the energy dependent performance of TSL evaluations. Three relevant experiments are discussed including: accurate thermal total cross section measurements, thermal neutron die-away experiments, and neutron leakage experiments. The experimental setups and results are reviewed, and examples provided for some moderators including polyethylene, Plexiglas, and YHx. For the experiments preformed thus far, there is generally good agreement between the measured total cross section and simulations using current TSL evaluations, however in certain energy ranges differences were observed. Similarly, neutron die-away and leakage measurements for samples at room temperature are in good agreement with data computed from TSLs, however leakage measurements for polyethylene at 29K show discrepancies with TSL evaluations.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

3D Experimental Measurements of Evolution of Force Chains in Natural Silica Sand

The mechanisms of force transmission in granular materials is a classic physics problem that has been addressed since the 19th century, when Heinrich Rudolf Hertz investigated the interaction between two similar objects that were in contact under compression. However, the study of force transmission mechanisms in assemblies of more particles has proven to be a formidable problem due to the complex nature of granular materials. In recent years, synchrotron microcomputed tomography (SMT) and three-dimensional X-ray diffraction microscopy (3DXRD) have been employed to study the mechanics of granular materials experimentally. Combining SMT and 3DXRD offers unique three-dimensional (3D) experimental measurements of the internal structure, kinematics (such as rotation and translation), and lattice strains of individual sand particles. In this paper, in situ SMT and 3DXRD scans were acquired at multiple load steps for a specimen composed of 2,705 natural Ottawa sand particles that were subjected to one-dimensional (1D) confined compression. An algorithm was developed to combine SMT images and 3DXRD lattice strain measurements and used to characterize the constitutive behavior of sand particles. The results were used to identify the crystal structure and the evolution of the stresses and lattice strains of individual sand particles. Another algorithm was developed to characterize the force structures within the specimen. Force structures were identified, and their properties (such as length) and evolution through the experiment were examined. The contact number of particles is a particle-scale property that affects the mechanics of granular materials. The effect of the contact number of the sand particles on the onset and evolution of the force structures was also investigated and discussed.

3D x-ray diffraction microscopy↗
DOE OSTI2011

Combined experimental and modeling studies of microwave activated CH{sub 4}/H{sub 2}/Ar plasmas for microcrystalline, nanocrystalline, and ultrananocrystalline diamond deposition

A comprehensive study of microwave (MW) activated CH{sub 4}/H{sub 2}/Ar plasmas used for diamond chemical vapor deposition is reported, focusing particularly on the effects of gross variations in the H{sub 2}/Ar ratio in the input gas mixture (from H{sub 2}/Ar mole fraction ratios of > 10:1, through to {approx}1:99). Absolute column densities of C{sub 2}(a) and CH(X) radicals and of H(n = 2) atoms have been determined by cavity ringdown spectroscopy, as functions of height (z) above a substrate and of process conditions (CH{sub 4}, H{sub 2}, and Ar input mole fractions, total pressure, p, and input microwave power, P). Optical emission spectroscopy has also been used to explore the relative densities of electronically excited H atoms, and CH, C{sub 2}, and C{sub 3} radicals, as functions of these same process conditions. These experimental data are complemented by extensive 2D (r, z) modeling of the plasma chemistry, which provides a quantitative rationale for all of the experimental observations. Progressive replacement of H{sub 2} by Ar (at constant p and P) leads to an expanded plasma volume. Under H{sub 2}-rich conditions, > 90% of the input MW power is absorbed through rovibrational excitation of H{sub 2}. Reducing the H{sub 2} content (as in an Ar-rich plasma) leads to a reduction in the absorbed power density; the plasma necessarily expands in order to accommodate a given input power. The average power density in an Ar-rich plasma is much lower than that in an H{sub 2}-rich plasma operating at the same p and P. Progressive replacement of H{sub 2} by Ar is shown also to result in an increased electron temperature, an increased [H]/[H{sub 2}] number density ratio, but little change in the maximum gas temperature in the plasma core (which is consistently {approx}3000 K). Given the increased [H]/[H{sub 2}] ratio, the fast H-shifting (C{sub y}H{sub x} + H {r_reversible} C{sub y}H{sub x-1} + H{sub 2}; y = 1-3) reactions ensure that the core of Ar-rich plasma contains much higher relative abundances of ''product'' species like C atoms, and C{sub 2,} and C{sub 3} radicals. The effects of Ar dilution on the absorbed power dissipation pathways and the various species concentrations just above the growing diamond film are also investigated and discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2011

Multipurpose modular experimental station for the DiProI beamline of Fermi-Elettra free electron laser

We present a compact modular apparatus with a flexible design that will be operated at the DiProI beamline of the Fermi-Elettra free electron laser (FEL) for performing static and time-resolved coherent diffraction imaging experiments, taking advantage of the full coherence and variable polarization of the short seeded FEL pulses. The apparatus has been assembled and the potential of the experimental setup is demonstrated by commissioning tests with coherent synchrotron radiation. This multipurpose experimental station will be open to general users after installation at the Fermi-Elettra free electron laser in 2011.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Experimental Investigations And Numerical Modelling of 210CR12 Steel in Semi-Solid State

Experimental investigation, including hot compression and simple closed die filling was performed. Temperature range of tests was between 1225 deg. C and 1320 deg. C. Temperature selection was adequate with liquid fraction between 20 and 60%, which is typical for thixoforming processes. In the die filling test, steel dies with ceramic layer was used (highly refractory air-setting mortar JM 3300 manufactured by Thermal Ceramics). Experiments were carried out on the Gleeble 3800 physical simulator with MCU unit. In the paper, methodology of experimental investigation is described. Dependency of forming forces on temperature and forming velocities is analysed. Obtained results are discussed. The second part of the paper concerns numerical modelling of semi-solid forming. Numerical models for both sets of test were developed. Structural and Computational Fluid Dynamics models are compared. Initial works in microstructural modelling of 210CR12 steel behaviour are described. Lattice Boltzman Method model for thixotropic flows is introduced. Microscale and macroscale models were integrated into multiscale simulation of semi-solid forming. Some fundamental issues related to multiscale modelling of thixoforming are discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2011

Experimental and Numerical Studies on the Formability of Materials in Hot Stamping and Cold Die Quenching Processes

Formability of steel and aluminium alloys in hot stamping and cold die quenching processes is studied in this research. Viscoplastic-damage constitutive equations are developed and determined from experimental data for the prediction of viscoplastic flow and ductility of the materials. The determined unified constitutive equations are then implemented into the commercial Finite Element code Abaqus/Explicit via a user defined subroutine, VUMAT. An FE process simulation model and numerical procedures are established for the modeling of hot stamping processes for a spherical part with a central hole. Different failure modes (failure takes place either near the central hole or in the mid span of the part) are obtained. To validate the simulation results, a test programme is developed, a test die set has been designed and manufactured, and tests have been carried out for the materials with different forming rates. It has been found that very close agreements between experimental and numerical process simulation results are obtained for the ranges of temperatures and forming rates carried out.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2011

Experimental study on the role of a resistor in the filter of Hall thrusters

A filter is a mainly component applied to reduce the discharge current low frequency oscillation in the range of 10-100 kHz. The only form of the filter in actual use involves RLC networks, whose design originates from the 1970s, but even now, researchers are unaware of the actual primary motivations for the resistor's presence [S. Barral et al., AIAA Paper 2008-4632, 2008]. Therefore, the role of the resistor in the filter is experimentally studied and discussed through the analysis of control system and electric circuit theory. Experimental results and analysis indicate that the presence of a resistor makes the filter having the phase compensation function. The proper phase-angle and amplitude provided by the filter would increase or decrease the ion mobility and be helpful to balance the ion production in the discharge channel and then to decrease the fluctuation of the plasma density and lower the low frequency oscillation.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Radio frequency emission from high-pressure xenon arcs: A systematic experimental analysis of the underlying near-anode plasma instability

High-pressure Xe discharge lamps at DC operation can show unwanted strong RF (radio-frequency) emission to beyond 1 GHz, correlated to a sharp periodic lamp-voltage instability in the near-anode plasma with a pulse repetition rate {epsilon} of 1-10 MHz. The physical origin of the instability is unclear. Here, its existence and pulse rate have been measured as a function of arc current I = 0.2-1.2 A and anode temperature T{sub a} = 1700-3400 K independently, in experimental lamps with pure-tungsten electrodes and a Xe operating pressure around p = 10 MPa. Surprisingly, the instability is not affected by I or current density j but exists if T{sub a} is lower than a threshold value around 2800-2900 K. The pulse rate {epsilon} is simply a rising linear function of the inverse anode temperature 1/T{sub a}, with only a small I-dependent correction. The average anode heat load is slightly lower in the unstable regime and possibly depends on {epsilon}. The results allow a consistent re-interpretation of earlier and present experimental observations and should be both a valuable help in practical lamp engineering and a tight constraint for future theories of this effect.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Evaluating the use of electronegativity in band alignment models through the experimental slope parameter of lanthanum aluminate heterostructures

In this work, photoelectron spectroscopy is used to characterize the band alignment of lanthanum aluminate heterostructures which possess a wide range of potential applications. It is found that our experimental slope parameter agrees with theory using the metal-induced gap states model while the interface induced gap states (IFIGS) model yields unsatisfactory results. We show that this discrepancy can be attributed to the correlation between the dielectric work function and the electronegativity in the IFIGS model. It is found that the original trend, as established largely by metals, may not be accurate for larger band gap materials. By using a new correlation, our experimental data shows good agreement of the slope parameter using the IFIGS model. This correlation, therefore, plays a crucial role in heterostructures involving wider bandgap materials for accurate band alignment prediction using the IFIGS model.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2012

Experimental development on the 18 mA, H{sup -} multi-cusp ion source at China Institute of Atomic Energy

The ion source is one of the key devices for the high-intensity cyclotron, which exerts influence on the beam intensity and applications of the machine. The H{sup -} multi-cusp ion source developed at China Institute of Atomic Energy has been used to perform experimental study on beam intensity and emittance versus the bias voltage, arc power, lens voltage, and pressure of the ion source. Up to now, 18 mA H{sup -} ion beam with emittance of 0.93 {pi}mm mrad (four times RMS normalized emittance) was obtained from this ion source through the in-depth study and optimization on some essential factors affecting the beam intensity and quality. The paper will present the experimental study on the ion source as well as the beam test results.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2012

Experimental observation of helical microbunching of a relativistic electron beam

Experimental observation of the microbunching of a relativistic electron beam at the second harmonic interaction frequency of a helical undulator is presented. The microbunching signal is observed from the coherent transition radiation of the electron beam and indicates experimental evidence of a dominantly helical electron beam density distribution. This result is in agreement with theoretical and numerical predictions and provides a proof-of-principle demonstration of proposed schemes designed to generate light with orbital angular momentum in high-gain free-electron lasers.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2012

The dispersive behavior of collective excitations in fluids: An experimental test for the generalized collective modes theory

The predictions of the generalized collective modes (GCM) theory on the non-hydrodynamic dispersion of collective excitations of liquids and supercritical fluids have been tested against previous inelastic x-ray scattering measurements on samples of increasing complexity. We observed a good agreement between experimental results and theoretical predictions within the hypothesis that sound propagation is adiabatic. Overall, the performed comparison provides an experimental validation of GCM predictions and shows that, even in the transition region between the hydrodynamic and the mesoscopic regimes, thermal fluctuations have a minor influence on the dispersion, whose non-hydrodynamic effects are mostly driven by viscoelastic phenomena.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2012

Theoretical and experimental studies of combined therapy of tumours with application of ultrasound

The article presents novel method of combined therapy of superficial tumours based on excitation of ultrasonic waves in tumour tissues by means of ring-shaped waveguide with subsequent radiotherapy and results of its theoretical and experimental studies. Harmonic analysis of forced flexural vibration of the waveguide using ANSYS software and APDL (ANSYS Parametric Design Language) was implemented for determination of waveguide geometric parameters providing its resonance for the given excitation frequency. The developed finite element model accounts for interaction between the waveguide and tumour tissue as well as initial prestressing of tissue radially compressed by the waveguide. Resonant curves of the waveguide in terms of its thickness and diameter are calculated and presented. Experimental studies were performed in vivo on white rats with inoculated sarcoma M-1 tumours. Treatment was performed using ultrasound with frequency 22-23 kHz and intensity about 2 W/cm{sup 2}. Ultrasonic treatment was proved to be an efficient modifier of radiotherapy.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2012

Upgrades of the high resolution imaging x-ray crystal spectrometers on experimental advanced superconducting tokamak

Two imaging x-ray crystal spectrometers, the so-called 'poloidal' and 'tangential' spectrometers, were recently implemented on experimental advanced superconducting tokamak (EAST) to provide spatially and temporally resolved impurity ion temperature (T{sub i}), electron temperature (T{sub e}) and rotation velocity profiles. They are derived from Doppler width of W line for Ti, the intensity ratio of Li-like satellites to W line for Te, and Doppler shift of W line for rotation. Each spectrometer originally consisted of a spherically curved crystal and a two-dimensional multi-wire proportional counter (MWPC) detector. Both spectrometers have now been upgraded. The layout of the tangential spectrometer was modified, since it had to be moved to a different port, and the spectrometer was equipped with two high count rate Pilatus detectors (Model 100 K) to overcome the count rate limitation of the MWPC and to improve its time resolution. The poloidal spectrometer was equipped with two spherically bent crystals to record the spectra of He-like and H-like argon simultaneously and side by side on the original MWPC. These upgrades are described, and new results from the latest EAST experimental campaign are presented.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2012

Laser shocks: A tool for experimental simulation of damage into materials

High power laser irradiation of solids results in a strong shock wave propagation, driving very high amplitude pressure loadings with very short durations. These particular characteristics offer the possibility to study the behaviour of matter under extreme dynamic conditions in continuity with what is possible with the conventional generators of shock (launchers of projectiles, explosives). An advantage of laser shocks is a possible recovery of the shocked samples presenting the metallurgical effects of the shock in most cases. We introduce the principle of the laser shock generation, the characterization of these shocks, the principal mechanisms and effects associated with their propagation in the solids. We show how laser shocks can be a laboratory tool for simulating shock effects at ultra high strain rate, providing a high in information experimental layout for validation of damage modelling on an extended strain rate range compared to conventional shock generators. New data have been obtained with ultra short femtosecond range irradiation. Experimental data gathered through post mortem observation, time resolved velocity measurement are shown along with numerical associated simulations, showing the possibility to predict the damage behaviour of metallic targets under extreme strain rate up to 10{sup 8} s{sup -1}.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗