Martian surface properties
Surface properties derived from IRTM data are correlated to derive interpretations of the surface geology on Mars.
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Surface properties derived from IRTM data are correlated to derive interpretations of the surface geology on Mars.
Hyperspectral IR sounders such as AIRS on Aqua, CrIS on S-NPP, NOAA20 and JPSS-2, IASI on Metop A, B, and C provide high-quality atmospheric temperature, water, vapor, and greenhouse gas vertical profiles. Additionally, they provide atmospheric cloud properties, surface emissivity, and surface skin temperatures. We have developed two algorithms which can consistently derive these products from multiple IR sounders. The first one is a Single Field-of-view Sounder Atmospheric Product (SIFSAP) algorithm and the second one is a Climate Fingerprinting Sounder Product (ClimFiSP) algorithm. The SiFSAP algorithm performs one retrieval for each FOV using an all-sky optimal estimation approach. The core of the SiFSAP algorithm is an accurate and fast Principal Component-based Radiative Transfer Model (PCRTM), which can calculate hyperspectral radiance spectra under both clear and cloudy conditions. The PCRTM was developed in the past decade using consistent reference line-by-line radiative transfer model and spectroscopy for hyperspectral sounders such as AIRS, CrIS, IASI, NAST-I, and S-HIS. The ClimFiSP algorithm, which performs retrievals from spatiotemporally averaged L1 hyperspectral radiances directly, will be orders of magnitude faster than traditional method. he ClimFiSP algorithm uses consistent radiative kernels and a robust spectral fingerprinting method. It provides accurate data climate data fusion products from multiple satellite sensors. Both SiFSAP and ClimFiSP will be available at NASA GES DISC data center for public access.
Here, we use density-functional theory to investigate the bulk and surface properties of MgB 2 . The unique bonding structure of MgB 2 is investigated by Bader's atoms-in-molecules, charge density difference, and occupancy projected band structure analyses. Oxygen adsorption on the charge-depleted surfaces of MgB 2 is studied by a surface potential energy mapping method, reporting a complete map including low-symmetry binding sites. The B-terminated MgB 2 (0001) demonstrates reconstruction of the graphenelike B layer, and the reconstructed geometry exposes a threefold site of the subsurface Mg, making it accessible from the surface. Detailed reconstruction mechanisms are studied by simulated annealing method based on ab initio molecular dynamics and nudged elastic band calculations. The surface clustering of B atoms significantly modifies the B 2p states to occupy low energy valence states. The present paper emphasizes that a thorough understanding of the surface phase may explain an apparent inconsistency in the experimental surface characterization of MgB 2 . Furthermore, these results suggest that the surface passivation can be an important technical challenge when it comes to development of a superconducting device using MgB 2 .
Properties of metallic surfaces prepared in ultrahigh vacuums
y-LiAlO2 enriched with 6Li isotope exhibits excellent performance under neutron radiation and is used in tritium-producing burnable absorber rods (TPBARs) to produce tritium (T, 3H) in pressurized water reactor (PWR). To better understand the 3H formation and diffusion on the surfaces, the first-principles calculations are performed to study the stability of y-LiAlO2 surface and the 3H adsorption on the surface. By considering all possible symmetrical stoichiometric and nonstoichiometric low-index surfaces, two most stable surfaces, one stoichiometric (100) and one nonstoichiometric (101), were identified. The 3H adsorption and diffusion on the most stable (100) surface were further explored, and the obtained results show that there are four stable sites (three O and one Al atop) for 3H adsorption. The calculated Bader charges of atoms reflect that 3H adsorption on the top of O site is a reduction process, while on the top of Al site is an oxidation one. Under low adsorption coverage of 1/4 per surface unit cell, 3H atoms are adsorbed on the most stable OA atop site. With increasing 3H diffused from bulk to surface, the AlG site is the second choice for 3H adsorption, and then the OB site. The coverage of 2/4 is the most favorable 3H adsorption state due to the counteracted charge transfer. When the coverage is up to 4/4, the interaction between 3H atoms leads to partial formation of T2 molecule that desorbs from surface. Therefore, T2 molecule should be the main product from the perfect surface of y-LiAlO2 at high 3H coverage.
Abstract not provided
In this study, the enhanced surface properties and microstructure evolution of quenched and tempered cold work die steel Cr12MoV, which were induced by ultrasonic surface rolling process combined with deep cryogenic treatment (UDCT), were systematically investigated. The results indicated that UDCT had an advantage over conventional ultrasonic surface rolling process (USRP) in improving surface mechanical properties, including smaller surface roughness and smoother machined surface with less cracks and defects; higher surface microindentation hardness with the value of ~ 890 HV (increased by ~ 6.2% compared with USRP); and lower friction coefficient. Such enhancements in surface properties are mainly attributed to the martensitic transformation of retained austenite, the dispersion strengthening of small secondary carbides and the homogenized carbides distribution during UDCT.
Neutron star surface properties and formation from collapse of dynamically unstable star, noting neutrino processes
Describing flow resistance from the properties of an underlying surface is a challenge in surface hydrology. Runoff models must specify a resistance formulation or “roughness scheme”—describing the functional relationship between flow resistance and flow depth/velocity—and its parameters. Uncertainty in runoff predictions derives from both the selected roughness scheme (e.g., Darcy Weisbach, Manning's, or laminar flow equations), and its parameterization with a roughness coefficient (e.g., Manning's n). Both choices are informed by model calibration to data, usually discharge, and, if available, velocity. In this study, a Saint Venant Equation-based runoff model is calibrated to discharge and velocity data from 112 rainfall simulator experiments. The results are used to identify the optimal roughness scheme among four widely-used options for each experiment, and to explore whether surface properties can be used to select the optimal roughness scheme and its coefficient. Among the tested roughness schemes, a transitional flow equation provided the best fit to the plurality of experiments. The most suitable roughness scheme for a given experiment was not related to measured surface properties. Regression models predicted the calibrated roughness coefficients with adjusted values between 0.48 and 0.54, depending on the roughness scheme used. Litter cover was the best predictor of the roughness coefficient, followed by soil cover and average canopy gap size. The results suggest that selection of an optimal roughness scheme based on surface properties alone remains difficult, but that once a scheme is selected, roughness coefficients can be estimated from surface properties.
The session "Mars: Surface Coatings, Mineralogy, and Surface Properties" contained the following reports:High-Silica Rock Coatings: TES Surface-Type 2 and Chemical Weathering on Mars; Old Desert Varnish-like Coatings and Young Breccias at the Mars Pathfinder Landing Site; Analyses of IR-Stealthy and Coated Surface Materials: A Comparison of LIBS and Reflectance Spectra and Their Application to Mars Surface Exploration; Contrasting Interpretations of TES Spectra of the 2003 Rover:Opportunity-Landing Site: Hematite Coatings and Gray Hematite; A New Hematite Formation Mechanism for Mars; Geomorphic and Diagenetic Analogs to Hematite Regions on Mars: Examples from Jurassic Sandstones of Southern Utah, USA; The Geologic Record of Early Mars: A Layered, Cratered, and "Valley-"ed: Volume; A Simple Approach to Estimating Surface Emissivity with THEMIS; A Large Scale Topographic Correction for THEMIS Data; Thermophysical Properties of Meridiani Planum, Mars; Thermophysical and Spectral Properties of Gusev, the MER-Spirit Landing Site on Mars; Determining Water Content of Geologic Materials Using Reflectance Spectroscopy; and Global Mapping of Martian Bound Water at 6.1 Microns Based on TES Data: Seasonal Hydration.
Surface properties of lunar fines sample 67481 have been investigated by measuring the adsorptions of nitrogen (at -196 C) and water (at 20 C). Characteristics of this sample are similar to those of samples from other locations on the lunar surface and include the more typical alteration reaction with adsorbed water. Although their maturities are markedly different, the surface properties of 67481 are very much like those of the more mature 63341 from the adjacent station 13. These results indicate that the surface properties of lunar soils attain an equilibrium state faster than other properties used to indicate maturity.
The fit of the Hagfors model to the Magellan altimetry data provides a means to characterize the surface properties of Venus. However, the derived surface properties are only meaningful if the model provides a good representation of the data. The Hagfors model provides a good representation of the data. The Hagfors model is generally a realistic fit to surface scattering properties of a nadir-directed antenna such as the Magellan altimeter; however, some regions of the surface of Venus are poorly described by the existing model, according to the goodness of fit parameter provided on the ARCDR CD-ROMs. Poorly characterized regions need to be identified and fit to new models in order to derive more accurate surface properties for use in inferring the geological processes that affect the surface in those regions. We have compared the goodness of fit of the Hagfors model to the distribution of features across the planet, and preliminary results show a correlation between steep topographic slopes and poor fits to the standard model, as has been noticed by others. In this paper, we investigate possible relations between many classes of features and the ability of the Hagfors model to fit the observed echo profiles. In the regions that are not well characterized by existing models, we calculate new models that compensate for topographic relief in order to derive improved estimates of surface properties. Areas investigated to date span from longitude 315 through 45, at all latitudes covered by Magellan. A survey of those areas yields preliminary results that suggest that topographically high regions are well suited to the current implementation of the Hagfors model. Striking examples of such large-scale good fits are Alpha Regio, the northern edges of Lada Terra, and the southern edge of Ishtar Terra. Other features that are typically well fit are the rims of coronae such as Heng-O and the peaks of volcanos such as Gula Mons. Surprisingly, topographically low regions, such as the ubiquitous plains areas, are modeled poorly in comparison. However, this generalization has has exceptions: Lakshmi Planum is an elevated region that is not well fit compared to the rest of neighboring Ishtar, while the southern parts of topographically low Guinevere Planitia are characterized quite well by the Hagfors model. Features that are candidates for improved models are impact craters, coronae, ridges of significant scale, complex ridged terrains, moderate-sized mountains, and sharp terrain boundaries. These features are chosen because the goodness of fit is likely to be most affected either by departures from normal incidence angles or by sharp changes in terrain type within a single footprint. Most large features that are elevated with respect to their surroundings will suffer from steep slope effects, and smaller coronae and impact craters will probably suffer due to rapid changes in their appearance within a single footprint (10-20 km).
Permeable and porous surfaces are common in natural and engineered systems. Flow and transport above such surfaces are significantly affected by the surface properties, e.g. matrix porosity and permeability. However, the relationship between such properties and macroscopic solute transport is largely unknown. In this work, we focus on mass transport in a two-dimensional channel with permeable porous walls under fully developed laminar flow conditions. By means of perturbation theory and asymptotic analysis, we derive the set of upscaled equations describing mass transport in the coupled channel–porous-matrix system and an analytical expression relating the dispersion coefficient with the properties of the surface, namely porosity and permeability. Our analysis shows that their impact on the dispersion coefficient strongly depends on the magnitude of the Péclet number, i.e. on the interplay between diffusive and advective mass transport. Additionally, we demonstrate different scaling behaviours of the dispersion coefficient for thin or thick porous matrices. Our analysis shows the possibility of controlling the dispersion coefficient, i.e. transverse mixing, by either active (i.e. changing the operating conditions) or passive mechanisms (i.e. controlling matrix effective properties) for a given Péclet number. By elucidating the impact of matrix porosity and permeability on solute transport, our upscaled model lays the foundation for the improved understanding, control and design of microporous coatings with targeted macroscopic transport features.
Natural keratin fibers, such as wool, possess a complex hierarchical structure that governs their mechanical properties and surface energy. However, the extent to which these characteristics are influenced by combined contributions of structural variations (e.g., fiber diameter, intermediate filament (IF) packing) and chemical composition (e.g., disulfide bond density) remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigate wool fibers from five sheep breeds (Merino, Polwarth, Cheviot, Eider, and Devon) to elucidate how these factors influence viscoelasticity and surface interactions. Using a multimodal approach integrating interfacial and bulk characterization methods, including inverse gas chromatography (IGC), atomic force microscopy-infrared spectroscopy (AFM-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), uniaxial tensile testing, and synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), we show that the nanometer-thick 18-methyleicosanoic acid (18-MEA) layer is consistently present across all wool types and plays a key role in governing hydrophobicity and surface heterogeneity. A controlled isothermal treatment at 200 °C, designed to cleave disulfide bonds, results in a nearly 40% reduction in specific surface area across all fiber types, accompanied by a significant decrease in tensile strength and 80% reduction in elongation at break for Merino and Devon wool, but limited influence on the mechanical properties of Eider fibers. Furthermore, rate-dependent tensile testing within the elastic regime reveals distinct viscoelastic responses among the fiber types, suggesting that the sulfur-rich protein matrix surrounding IFs and its structure contribute actively to stress partitioning. Altogether, when combined with conclusions from SAXS measurements of IF spacing, our work offers compelling insights into the role of the keratin-associated protein (KAP) matrix in shaping wool fiber mechanics. Differences in mechanical behavior among wool types, despite similar IF spacing or sulfur content, highlight the importance of matrix composition and cross-linking density, suggesting that the molecular architecture of the KAP network may be a dominant factor in determining fiber performance.
The surface properties of Beta-HMX crystals were studied. The surface energies of three principal crystal faces were obtained by measuring contact angles with several reference liquids. The surface energies and polarity of the three crystal faces are found to be different.