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At least 1,783 records · Page 99

FEANICS: A Multi-User Facility For Conducting Solid Fuel Combustion Experiments On ISS

The Destiny Module on the International Space Station (ISS) will soon be home for the Fluids and Combustion Facility's (FCF) Combustion Integrated Rack (CIR), which is being developed at the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio. The CIR will be the platform for future microgravity combustion experiments. A multi-user mini-facility called FEANICS (Flow Enclosure Accommodating Novel Investigations in Combustion of Solids) will also be built at NASA Glenn. This mini-facility will be the primary means for conducting solid fuel combustion experiments in the CIR on ISS. The main focus of many of these solid combustion experiments will be to conduct basic and applied scientific investigations in fire-safety to support NASA's Bioastronautics Initiative. The FEANICS project team will work in conjunction with the CIR project team to develop upgradeable and reusable hardware to meet the science requirements of current and future investigators. Currently, there are six experiments that are candidates to use the FEANICS mini-facility. This paper will describe the capabilities of this mini-facility and the type of solid combustion testing and diagnostics that can be performed.

Frate, David T.↗

Microgravity Experiments Being Developed for Microscopic Study of Colloidal Spheres

Microscopic spheres suspended in liquid become highly ordered under the proper conditions. Such collections of particles, called colloidal suspensions or colloids, are the subject of a series of ongoing microgravity experiments at the NASA Lewis Research Center. By studying the way these colloidal suspensions order themselves, scientists can better understand how atoms of a liquid become ordered to form a solid. In addition, highly ordered colloids have special properties that may make them useful in future hightech applications. Work is underway at Lewis to develop an optical microscope to view these colloidal suspensions sphere by sphere in microgravity.

Rogers, Richard B.↗

Dynamics of Diffusion Flames in von Karman Swirling Flows Studied

Von Karman swirling flow is generated by the viscous pumping action of a solid disk spinning in a quiescent fluid media. When this spinning disk is ignited in an oxidizing environment, a flat diffusion flame is established adjacent to the disk, embedded in the boundary layer (see the preceding illustration). For this geometry, the conservation equations reduce to a system of ordinary differential equations, enabling researchers to carry out detailed theoretical models to study the effects of varying strain on the dynamics of diffusion flames. Experimentally, the spinning disk burner provides an ideal configuration to precisely control the strain rates over a wide range. Our original motivation at the NASA Glenn Research Center to study these flames arose from a need to understand the flammability characteristics of solid fuels in microgravity where slow, subbuoyant flows can exist, producing very small strain rates. In a recent work (ref. 1), we showed that the flammability boundaries are wider and the minimum oxygen index (below which flames cannot be sustained) is lower for the von Karman flow configuration in comparison to a stagnation-point flow. Adding a small forced convection to the swirling flow pushes the flame into regions of higher strain and, thereby, decreases the range of flammable strain rates. Experiments using downward facing, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) disks spinning in air revealed that, close to the extinction boundaries, the flat diffusion flame breaks up into rotating spiral flames (refs. 2 and 3). Remarkably, the dynamics of these spiral flame edges exhibit a number of similarities to spirals observed in biological systems, such as the electric pulses in cardiac muscles and the aggregation of slime-mold amoeba. The tail of the spiral rotates rigidly while the tip executes a compound, meandering motion sometimes observed in Belousov-Zhabotinskii reactions.

Nayagam, Vedha↗

Low-Thermal Conductivity Suspensions Used in the Isolation of the Salt Pills Aboard the Astro-H Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerator

An adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator (ADR) utilizes the magnetocholoric effect in a paramagnetic salt to produce sub-Kelvin temperatures. It is a solid-state device that has no moving parts and does not rely upon a density gradient in a working fluid. This makes it ideal for cooling space-based instruments. ·Typically the salt is enclosed in a cylindrical pill that is suspended within the bore of a magnet. The suspension between the salt pill and magnet must be robust enough to survive a launch yet have a thermal conductance that minimizes heat from the magnet that is mechanically, and thermally, anchored to a stage at a higher temperature. Here we detail such a design that uses Kevlar(Trade Mark) as the supporting media in a system that limits motion of the salt pill axial as well as laterally with respect to the magnet bore.

Kimball, Mark O.↗

Biological Oxidation of Fe(II)-Bearing Smectite by Microaerophilic Iron Oxidizer Sideroxydans lithotrophicus Using Dual Mto and Cyc2 Iron Oxidation Pathways

Fe(II) clays are common across many environments, making them a potentially significant microbial substrate, yet clays are not well established as an electron donor. Therefore, we explored whether Fe(II)-smectite supports the growth of Sideroxydans lithotrophicus ES-1, a microaerophilic Fe(II)-oxidizing bacterium (FeOB), using synthesized trioctahedral Fe(II)-smectite and 2% oxygen. S. lithotrophicus grew substantially and can oxidize Fe(II)-smectite to a higher extent than abiotic oxidation, based on X-ray near-edge spectroscopy (XANES). Sequential extraction showed that edge-Fe(II) is oxidized before interior-Fe(II) in both biotic and abiotic experiments. The resulting Fe(III) remains in smectite, as secondary minerals were not detected in biotic and abiotic oxidation products by XANES and Mössbauer spectroscopy. To determine the genes involved, we compared S. lithotrophicus grown on smectite versus Fe(II)-citrate using reverse-transcription quantitative PCR and found that cyc2 genes were highly expressed on both substrates, while mtoA was upregulated on smectite. Proteomics confirmed that Mto proteins were only expressed on smectite, indicating that ES-1 uses the Mto pathway to access solid Fe(II). We integrate our results into a biochemical and mineralogical model of microbial smectite oxidation. This work increases the known substrates for FeOB growth and expands the mechanisms of Fe(II)-smectite alteration in the environment.

smectite↗

Electron subband degeneracy heat pump for cryogenic cooling

An unconventional method of solid-state cryogenic cooling utilizing the electron subband degeneracy of semiconductor heterostructures is discussed in this Letter. The working principle of using the electrons as the working medium to perform cyclic heat pumping under electrostatic subband "expansion" and "compression" is discussed. The calculated base temperature can reach below dilution refrigeration temperatures with the fundamental limit set by electron-phonon interaction. Using an ultra-wide GaAs quantum well as an example, the cooling power per unit volume is estimated to reach $0.85\ \rm \mu W/cm^3$ at $25\ \rm mK$ with a hot-side temperature of $42.5\ \rm mK$, suitable for applications such as quantum computing.

Wang, Chulin↗

Deployment of a 3D Sonar System at Savannah River: Results, Implications and Next Steps - 19718

Waste solids mapping is required at SRS to support the closure of high level radioactive waste tanks. The current mapping methodologies utilize a combination of video inspections and still camera photos to record the solids location and height in the tank with interpretation by site Engineering personnel. Tank liquid level is recorded during capture of the images to determine the height of solids. If no liquid is present, the images are compared to known waste tank features (e.g., cooling coils, support columns) to determine the height of the solids. In December of 2017, NuVision Engineering and Fortis Engineering conducted a demonstration of Sonar technology in SRS F-Tank Farm (FTF) Tank 7 using three risers (Risers 1, 5, and Center) for the purposes of mapping waste solids in the tank. Tank 7 was not the ideal choice for a 'first-of-a-kind' deployment given its congested internals but was selected based on the priority of tank farm operations. Savannah River Remediation (SRR) evaluated the results of this demonstration against the current solids mapping methodologies to determine potential future application of Sonar technology to support upcoming sludge or salt waste removal, decisions to cease waste removal and perform sampling and analysis, final residuals volume determinations, and applicability for use in H-Tank Farm (HTF) Type IV tanks. The efficiency of the Sonar mapping technology against the current mapping techniques and the relative costs of each were also evaluated. The Sonar demonstration performed in the three risers of Tank 7 resulted in a tank floor coverage of approximately 26%. This limited coverage was primarily due to shadow effects and image distortions created by vertical cooling coils and support columns within the waste tank. A comparison of the images produced during the Sonar demonstration and the historical Tank 7 mapping, performed in 2011 upon completion of Bulk Waste Removal Efforts (BWRE), showed physical similarities between the mounds located near the Sonar deployment risers. The technology performed well in accurately mapping solids in those areas accessible to coverage. The Sonar mapping technology may achieve more benefits if configured to work around internal obstructions, or in a Type IV tank, where the lack of vertical cooling coils may allow for a larger coverage area. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Space-qualified submillimeter radiometer

The purpose of this research was to develop a reliable submillimeter wave spectrometer for space-borne high frequency spectral line work. The emphasis was on improving the efficiency of frequency multipliers to limit the system components to rugged, low power consumption solid-state devices. This research has allowed Millitech to develop increased efficiency and performance in Millitech's existing line of submillimeter components and systems. Millitech has fabricated and tested a complete solid-state spectrometer front end for use at 560 GHz (the 1(sub 10) to 1(sub 01) transition of water vapor). The spectrometer was designed with the rigors of flight conditions in mind. The spectrometer uses a phase-locked, solid-state Gunn diode oscillator as the local oscillator, employing a tripler to produce about 3 mW of power at 285 GHz, and a low noise second harmonic waveguide mixer which requires less than 2 mW of LO power. The LO (and the signal) is injected into the mixer by means of a quasioptical diplexer. The measured system noise temperature is 2800 K (DSB) over 400 MHz. The whole spectrometer front end is compact (21 cm by 21 cm by 24 cm), light (7.4 kg), and has a power consumption of less than 8 W. Other topics explored in this work include compact frequency agile phase lock loops, optical filters, and InP Gunn oscillators for low noise applications. As a result of this research, the improvement in the design of multipliers and harmonic mixers will allow their use as the LO power for a variety of satellite-borne receivers operating in the 200 to 600 GHz frequency range.

Huguenin, G. R.↗

The complex structural and chemical nature of monolithic U-10Mo fuel and Zr barrier layer

Nanoscale microstructural characterization by advanced transmission electron microscopy techniques on a U-10Mo/Zr barrier layer monolithic fuel plate was performed to evaluate the microstructural evaluation after high burn-up. Gas bubble superlattice evolution, grain restructuring, and evolution of the Zr interaction layer is investigated through detailed electron microscopy characterization. The use of automated crystallographic orientation mapping to irradiated U-10Mo fuel highlights that the restructured ultra-fine grains are separated by high angle grain boundaries at a burn up of 4.42 × 10 21 fissions/cm 3 . Additionally, advanced chemical analysis and multi-variable statistical analysis shows spatial clustering of solid fission product precipitates. Finally, characterization of a newly observed porous nanocrystalline Zr region in the barrier layer is studied. Finally, this work provides insights into the grain subdivision and restructuring process while using advanced microscopy techniques to analyze fission products in neutron-irradiated U-10Mo fuel.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Communications technology

The objective of the Communications Technology Program is to enable data transmission to and from low Earth orbit, geostationary orbit, and solar and deep space missions. This can be achieved by maintaining an effective, balances effort in basic, applied, and demonstration prototype communications technology through work in theory, experimentation, and components. The program consists of three major research and development discipline areas which are: microwave and millimeter wave tube components; solid state monolithic integrated circuit; and free space laser communications components and devices. The research ranges from basic research in surface physics (to study the mechanisms of surface degradation from under high temperature and voltage operating conditions which impacts cathode tube reliability and lifetime) to generic research on the dynamics of electron beams and circuits (for exploitation in various micro- and millimeter wave tube devices). Work is also performed on advanced III-V semiconductor materials and devices for use in monolithic integrated analog circuits (used in adaptive, programmable phased arrays for microwave antenna feeds and receivers) - on the use of electromagnetic theory in antennas and on technology necessary for eventual employment of lasers for free space communications for future low earth, geostationary, and deep space missions requiring high data rates with corresponding directivity and reliability.

Sokoloski, Martin M.↗

Corrosion Behavior of Fe-7Cr-1Mo-12Zr Metal Waste Form Alloy in Simulated Repository Environment

Metal waste forms (MWF) are solid metallic waste categorized as high-level radioactive waste generated during pyro-reprocessing of spent metallic fuels and geologically disposed off. This waste form generated requires an excellent corrosion resistance in a geological repository environment. In the present work, Fe-7Cr-1Mo-12Zr MWF alloy was developed by casting in an arc melting furnace. The x-ray diffraction analysis revealed the formation of stable phases of α-Fe solid solution and the intermetallic phases of Fe{sub 2}Zr and Fe{sub 23}Zr{sub 6}. The corrosion behavior of Fe-7Cr-1Mo-12Zr alloy was investigated using electrochemical techniques in aggressive (highly acidic with Cl{sup −}) and nominal repository pH environment. Cyclic potentiodynamic polarization studies indicated the shift in corrosion potential toward cathodic potential in highly acidic solution with Cl{sup −}. The corrosion mechanism of pitting is associated with acidified pH medium with more Cl{sup −}, whereas uniform corrosion or transpassive dissolution is resultant of mild acidity or mild alkaline medium. The passive region is wider in pH 5 and 8 when compared to pH 1 and 3. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) analysis revealed the lowering of passive film stability in the highly acidic medium in the presence of Cl{sup −}. The role of passive oxide layers on the corrosion resistance of the Fe-7Cr-1Mo-12Zr MWF alloy is discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Methods for Quantitative Thermal Analysis of Lithium Solid-State and Beyond Battery Safety

The use of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to measure the thermal behavior of individual components and electrolyte/electrode combinations is common. However, here we focus on DSC tests on an anode, cathode, and electrolyte (ACE) component combination over a temperature range that includes many of the phase transitions and key reactions (i.e., to 500 °C) that contribute to thermal runaway. This method can help quantify the complex reaction network in a full cell, thereby informing potential safety issues. Here, we used DSC heat flow data from a solid-state Li 0.43 CoO 2 +C+PVDF | LLZO | Li metal ACE sample and its components to quantify key factors affecting results. We focused on three areas: (1) ACE sample preparation and assembly in DSC pans, (2) DSC measurement parameters, and (3) heat flow analysis. Key points include the choice of component ratios (e.g., commercially relevant N:P capacity ratio), the importance of conductive carbon and binder, type of pan used, DSC ramp rate, and integration method used when dealing with broad and overlapping exothermic peaks. This work deepens the scientific basis and best practices for obtaining heat flow data from ACE samples for early-stage evaluation of solid-state and beyond battery safety.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

The spherically symmetric gravitational collapse of a clump of solids in a gas

In the subject of planetesimal formation, several mechanisms have been identified that create dense particle clumps in the solar nebula. The present work is concerned with the gravitational collapse of such clumps, idealized as being spherically symmetric. Fully nonlinear simulations using the two-fluid model are carried out (almost) up to the time when a central density singularity forms. We refer to this as the collapse time. The end result of the study is a parametrization of the collapse time, in order that it may be compared with timescales for various disruptive effects to which clumps may be subject in a particular situation. An important effect that determines the collapse time is that as the clump compresses, it also compresses the gas due to drag. This increases gas pressure, which retards particle collapse and can lead to oscillation in the size and density of the clump. In the limit of particles perfectly coupled to the gas, the characteristic ratio of gravitational force to gas pressure becomes relevant and defines a two-phase Jeans parameter, J{sub t}, which is the classical Jeans parameter with the speed of sound replaced by an effective wave speed in the coupled two-fluid medium. The parameter J{sub t} remains useful even away from the perfect coupling limit because it makes the simulation results insensitive to the initial density ratio of particles to gas (Φ{sub 0}) as a separate parameter. A simple ordinary differential equation model is developed. It takes the form of two coupled non-linear oscillators and reproduces key features of the simulations. Finally, a parametric study of the time to collapse is performed and a formula (fit to the simulations) is developed. In the incompressible limit J{sub t}→0, collapse time equals the self-sedimentation time, which is inversely proportional to the Stokes number. As J{sub t} increases, the collapse time decreases with J{sub t} and eventually becomes approximately equal to the dynamical time. Values of collapse time versus clump size are given for a minimum-mass solar nebula. Finally, the timescale of clump erosion due to turbulent strain is estimated.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Ligand Exchange/Scrambling Study of Gold(I)-Phosphine Complexes in the Solid Phase by DESI-MS Analysis

Only a few analytical techniques are available for the characterization of mechanochemical synthetic reaction products. We demonstrate here that DESI-MS is a powerful technique for this purpose, combining the selectivity of MS-based assays with the simplicity and in situ analysis capability of ambient ionization methods. In this work, we report that auranofin, a gold-based drug, and its precursor triethylphosphine gold(I) chloride undergo a complex array of ligand exchange/scrambling reactions with thiol-containing amino acids in the solid state. The products were readily characterized by DESI-MS analysis from the solid-phase reaction, clearly exhibiting ligand exchange and scrambling, with independent confirmation by solid state {sup 13}C-NMR. The thioglucose and triethylphosphine moieties exchanged with cysteine and its derivatives, whereas the glutathione replaced 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-1-D-glucopyranose only. It was concluded that ligand exchange and scrambling reactions can be carried out in the solid state, and some of the unique products reported in this study can be conveniently prepared through mechanochemical synthesis in good yields (> 98%), as demonstrated by synthesis of (L-cysteinato-S)-triethylphosphine gold(I) from triethylphosphine gold(I) chloride and L-cysteine. .

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Preparation and Testing of Sorbents Mixed with an Oxidizing Chemical

This procedure outlines the requirements and steps to perform an evaluation of the relative oxidizing hazard of sorbents amalgamated with potassium nitrite. This testing is based on a modified version of Test Method for Oxidizing Solids (SW-846 Method 1040) outlined in Test Plan for Preparation and Testing of Sorbents Mixed with an Oxidizing Chemical (DWT-TP-002). This work is a continuation of Preparation and Testing of Sorbents Mixed with Oxidizer Found in Transuranic Waste (DWT-TST-001) test plan that was written to provide results to inform the Department of Energy (DOE) Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO) Basis of Knowledge. Documentation of the fastest-burning oxidizer, potassium nitrite, was determined in Oxidizer Scoping Studies (DWT-RPT-001), and the use of Quik Solid as the fastest-burning engineered organic polymer was documented in Sorbent Scoping Studies (DWT-RPT-002).

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Magnon-mediated qubit coupling determined via dissipation measurements

Controlled interaction between localized and delocalized solid-state spin systems offers a compelling platform for on-chip quantum information processing with quantum spintronics. Hybrid quantum systems (HQSs) of localized nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond and delocalized magnon modes in ferrimagnets—systems with naturally commensurate energies—have recently attracted significant attention, especially for interconnecting isolated spin qubits at length-scales far beyond those set by the dipolar coupling. However, despite extensive theoretical efforts, there is a lack of experimental characterization of the magnon-mediated interaction between NV centers, which is necessary to develop such hybrid quantum architectures. Here, we experimentally determine the magnon-mediated NV–NV coupling from the magnon-induced self-energy of NV centers. Our results are quantitatively consistent with a model in which the NV center is coupled to magnons by dipolar interactions. This work provides a versatile tool to characterize HQSs in the absence of strong coupling, informing future efforts to engineer entangled solid-state systems.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Dissociated prismatic loop punching by bubble growth in FCC metals

Abstract Materials performance can be significantly degraded due to bubble generation. In this work, the bubble growth process is elaborated in Cu by atomistic modeling to bridge the gap of experimental observations. Upon continuous He implantation, bubble growth is accommodated first by nucleation of dislocation network from bubble surface, then formation of dissociated prismatic dislocation loop (DPDL), and final DPDL emission in $$\langle 110\rangle$$ ⟨ 110 ⟩ directions. As the DPDL is found capable of collecting He atoms, this process is likely to assist the formation of self-organized bubble superlattice, which has been reported from experiments. Moreover, the pressurized bubble in solid state manifests the shape of an imperfect octahedron, built by Cu $$\{111\}$$ { 111 } surfaces, consistent with experiments. These atomistic details integrating experimental work fill the gap of mechanistic understanding of athermal bubble growth in Cu. Importantly, by associating with nanoindentation testings, DPDL punching by bubble growth arguably applies to various FCC (face-centered cubic) metals such as Au, Ag, Ni, and Al.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗