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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 19 records

Experimental longitudinal emittance manipulation using laser-based photoionization in the Fermilab Linac

A series of simulations and beam studies were conducted at Fermilab’s linear accelerator to evaluate the effectiveness of longitudinal emittance control via laser-induced photoionization. While similar laser techniques have been employed at Fermilab to enhance injection and extraction efficiency into the Booster, the work presented here focuses on extending these methods to bunch-by-bunch manipulation. This approach utilizes fine-scale correction of the H- bunches’ longitudinal spatial distribution. In theory, loosely confined particles in longitudinal phase space contribute to emittance growth during acceleration. By selectively removing these outlying particles through laser scraping (H- + γ → H + e-), this growth can be reduced. This report presents experimental results from both symmetric and asymmetric longitudinal scraping of H⁻ bunches in the Fermilab linac, which were subsequently injected into Booster, and evaluates the broader applicability of this method for future high-intensity accelerator operations.

Landon, Parker [Boston U.; Fermilab]↗

Structural Manipulation of Phase Transitions by Self‐Induced Strain in Geometrically Confined Thin Films

Strain engineering is a well-known method often used to tune material properties in thin films. The most studied sources of strain are lattice mismatch and differential thermal contraction between the substrate and film. However, in materials which undergo a structural phase transition (SPT), a third and often overlooked source of strain may play a very significant role. If the substrate confines the area of the film, the SPT may induce stress which changes the evolution of the transition. This is a 2D analog of the isochoric phase transition between water and ice, where the freezing point drops below 0 °C. To illustrate this, the prototypical Mott insulator V 2 O 3 which has an SPT coupled to a metal–insulator transition is used to show how self-induced strain can drastically alter structural and electronic properties. This effect provides an elegant approach for mapping the phase diagram of the SPT and the transitions coupled to it. Moreover, the magnitude of self-straining is tunable by modifying the substrate morphology. Furthermore, this effect may be important for numerous materials which exhibit an SPT and are subjected to geometrical constraints.

Kalcheim, Yoav↗

Achieving High‐Performance and 2000 h Stability in Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells by Manipulating Ionomer Properties and Electrode Optimization

The primary function of the ionomers that are incorporated into fuel cell electrode catalyst layers is to provide pathways for ion transport between the catalyst active sites and the electrolyte. This is influenced by many variables, including the ion-exchange capacity, water uptake, and molecular weight. In anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs), controlling ionomer water uptake is particularly important and tailoring this property in each electrode is an important consideration when looking to maximize cell performance. In this study, three poly(norbornene) tetrablock copolymer ionomers with a range of physical properties are synthesized and incorporated into AEMFC anode and cathode electrodes. Systematic electrode engineering with these ionomers allows the peak power density to be increased by 100% (1.6 W cm -2 → 3.2 W cm -2 ) and the current density at 0.2 V to be increased by 59% (5.9 A cm -2 → 9.4 A cm -2 ). Moreover, the top-performing electrode configuration is tested in an operating AEMFC at the US Department of Energy defined current density of 600 mA cm -2 for 2000 h, showing a record-low voltage decay rate of 15.36 µV h -1 – only 3.65% –a over 2000 h. Here, this work sets a new bar for AEMFCs, reporting the best combination of performance and durability of any AEMFC to date.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Electronic structure manipulation via composition tuning for the development of highly conductive and acid-stable oxides

Exploring materials that simultaneously possess high conductivity and electrochemical stability is critical for various energy-conversion applications. In this study, our combined computations and experiments suggest the Mg–Ti–O chemical space for novel ternary oxide compounds offering high electrical conductivity and corrosion stability in acidic conditions to be potentially used as catalyst supporter of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. High electrical conductivity (6.09 × 10 -1 S cm -1 ) is achieved at room temperature by tuning the chemical composition of Mg 1-x Ti 2+x O 5 while still maintaining good corrosion stability (1.2 × 10 -4 mA cm -2 after six days) in acidic conditions. Furthermore, we discover that a reducing gas environment during the synthesis increases the Ti solubility in Mg 1-x Ti 2+x O 5 with a reduced valence state of Ti, thus resulting in high conductivity.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Manipulating strong electromagnetic fields with the average transverse momentum of relativistic nuclear collisions

Abstract We show that an event-shape engineering based on the mean transverse momentum of charged hadrons, $$[p_t]$$ [ p t ] , provides an optimal handle on the strength of the magnetic field created in central heavy-ion collisions at high energy. This is established through quantitative evaluations of the correlation existing between the event-by-event magnetic field produced by the spectator protons in 5.02 TeV Pb + Pb collisions and the event-by-event $$[p_t]$$ [ p t ] at a given collision centrality. We argue that the event selection based on $$[p_t]$$ [ p t ] provides a better handle on the magnetic field than the more traditional selection based on the event ellipticities. Advantages brought by this new method for the experimental search of the chiral magnetic effect are discussed.

Giacalone, Giuliano (ORCID:0000000287761034)↗

Concept Lens: Visual Comparison and Evaluation of Generative Model Manipulations

Generative models are becoming a transformative technology for the creation and editing of images. However, it remains challenging to harness these models for precise image manipulation. These challenges often manifest as inconsistency in the editing process, where both the type and amount of semantic change, depend on the image being manipulated. Moreover, there exist many methods for computing image manipulations, whose development is hindered by the matter of inconsistency. This paper aims to address these challenges by improving how we evaluate, compare, and explore the space of manipulations offered by a generative model. We present Concept Lens, a visual interface that is designed to aid users in understanding semantic concepts carried in image manipulations, and how these manipulations vary over generated images. Given the large space of possible images produced by a generative model, Concept Lens is designed to support the exploration of both generated images, and their manipulations, at multiple levels of detail. To this end, the layout of Concept Lens is informed by two hierarchies: a hierarchical organization of (1) original images, grouped by their similarities, and (2) image manipulations, where manipulations that induce similar changes are grouped together. This layout allows one to discover the types of images that consistently respond to a group of manipulations, and vice versa, manipulations that consistently respond to a group of codes. We show the benefits of this design across multiple use cases, specifically, studying the quality of manipulations for a single method, and offering a means of comparing different methods.

clustering↗

Object manipulation in immersive virtual environments: Hand Motion tracking technology and snap-to-fit function

There have been recent efforts to use virtual reality and manipulation to train construction workers and inspection. However, there is a lack of research efforts comparing and evaluating virtual manipulation hardware for construction tasks. Moreover, the current practice of virtual manipulation has limited functionality to guide users with the placement of objects in virtual environments. To address these issues, this paper presents 1) a detailed case study that compares three types of manipulation hardware (image-based, infrared-based, and magnetic-based) for construction applications and 2) a snap-to-fit method that improves the VM through solving limitations of the advanced virtual reality interaction metaphors. The latter enhances the placement process for manipulation by comparing two models (e.g., scan and BIM models) for proper placement in assembly scenarios. Finally, the case study results show that magnetic-based systems outperform others in construction scenarios. Lastly, the snap-to-fit function was validated in terms of accuracy and time performance.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Nanoscale Manipulation of Wrinkle-Pinned Vortices in Iron-Based Superconductors

The controlled manipulation of Abrikosov vortices is essential for both fundamental science and logical applications. However, achieving nanoscale manipulation of vortices while simultaneously measuring the local density of states within them remain challenging. Here, we demonstrate the manipulation of Abrikosov vortices by moving the pinning center, namely one-dimensional wrinkles, on the terminal layers of Fe(Te,Se) and LiFeAs, by utilizing low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/S). The wrinkles trap the Abrikosov vortices induced by the external magnetic field. In some of the wrinkle-pinned vortices, robust zero-bias conductance peaks are observed. We tailor the wrinkle into short pieces and manipulate the wrinkles by using an STM tip. Strikingly, we demonstrate that the pinned vortices move together with these wrinkles even at high magnetic field up to 6 T. Our results provide a universal and effective routine for manipulating wrinkle-pinned vortices and simultaneously measuring the local density of states on the iron-based superconductor surfaces.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Electrothermoplasmonic Trapping and Dynamic Manipulation of Single Colloidal Nanodiamond

Low-power trapping of nanoscale objects can be achieved by using the enhanced fields near plasmonic nanoantennas. Unfortunately, in this approach the trap site is limited to the position of the plasmonic hotspots and continuous dynamic manipulation is not feasible. In this work, we report a low-frequency electrothermoplasmonic tweezer (LFET) that provides low-power, high-stability and continuous dynamic manipulation of a single nanodiamond. LFET harnesses the combined action of the laser illumination of a plasmonic nanopillar antenna array and low-frequency alternating current (ac) electric field to establish an electrohydrodynamic potential capable of the stable trapping and dynamic manipulation of single nanodiamonds. We experimentally demonstrate the fast transport, trapping, and dynamic manipulation of a single nanodiamond using a low-frequency ac field below 5 kHz and low-laser power of 1 mW. This nanotweezer platform for nanodiamond manipulation holds promise for the scalable assembly of single photon sources for quantum information processing and low noise quantum sensors.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗