Engineering topics

Erskine, D.

Publications and source records attributed to Erskine, D..

4 records

DOE OSTI2024

Evidence for dissociation in shock-compressed methane

Theory and experiments show that with increasing pressure, the chemical bonds of methane rearrange, leading to the formation of complex polymers and then to dissociation. However, there is disagreement on the exact conditions where these changes take place. In this study, methane samples were precompressed in diamond-anvil cells and then shock compressed to pressures reaching 400 GPa, the highest pressures yet explored in methane. Furthermore, the results reveal a qualitative change in the Hugoniot curve at 80-150 GPa, which is interpreted as a signature of dissociation based on thermodynamic calculations and theoretical predictions.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

DOE OSTI2021

Metastability of diamond ramp-compressed to 2 terapascals

Carbon is the fourth-most prevalent element in the Universe and essential for all known life. In the elemental form it is found in multiple allotropes, including graphite, diamond and fullerenes, and it has long been predicted that even more structures can exist at pressures greater than those at Earth’s core. Several phases have been predicted to exist in the multi-terapascal regime, which is important for accurate modelling of the interiors of carbon-rich exoplanets. By compressing solid carbon to 2 terapascals (20 million atmospheres; more than five times the pressure at Earth’s core) using ramp-shaped laser pulses and simultaneously measuring nanosecond-duration time-resolved X-ray diffraction, we found that solid carbon retains the diamond structure far beyond its regime of predicted stability. The results confirm predictions that the strength of the tetrahedral molecular orbital bonds in diamond persists under enormous pressure, resulting in large energy barriers that hinder conversion to more-stable high-pressure allotropes, just as graphite formation from metastable diamond is kinetically hindered at atmospheric pressure. In conclusion, this work nearly doubles the highest pressure at which X-ray diffraction has been recorded on any material.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

NASA NTRS1981

Advanced solar concentrator: Preliminary and detailed design

A single reflection point focusing two-axis tracking paraboloidal dish with a reflector aperture diameter of approximately 11 m has a reflective surface made up of 64 independent, optical quality gores. Each gore is a composite of a thin backsilvered mirror glass face sheet continuously bonded to a contoured substrate of lightweight, rigid cellular glass. The use of largely self-supporting gores allows a significant reduction in the weight of the steel support structure as compared to alternate design concepts. Primary emphasis in the preliminary design package for the low-cost, low-weight, mass producible concentrator was placed on the design of the higher cost subsystems. The outer gore element was sufficiently designed to allow fabrication of prototype gores.

Bell, D. M.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Low-cost point-focus solar concentrator, phase 1

The results of the preliminary design study for the low cost point focus solar concentrator (LCPFSC) development program are presented. A summary description of the preliminary design is given. The design philosophy used to achieve a cost effective design for mass production is described. The concentrator meets all design requirements specified and is based on practical design solutions in every possible way.

Nelson, E. V.↗