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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 181 records · Page 10
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Dimensional analysis on microscale gas breakdown with electric field nonuniformity and positive space charge effects

A dimensional method was employed to evaluate the microscale gas breakdown characteristics at atmospheric pressure, resulting in a universal breakdown curve applicable to different types of gases (e.g., Ar, Xe, Ne, and N2). As the gap distance decreases, the breakdown mode transitions from ion-induced secondary electron emission to the field emission regime. In the field emission regime, the positive space charge effect becomes more significant. We discovered that incorporating the positive space charge effect in the field emission regime can be achieved by modifying the local electric field enhancement factor β. Consequently, we propose an effective electric field enhancement factor, βeff, which scales linearly with β, to accurately reproduce the breakdown curve while considering the positive space charge effect. This proposed approach significantly simplifies the numerical model. Additionally, we examined the effects of gas pressure, gap distance, cathode properties (e.g., work function and secondary electron emission coefficient), and electric field nonuniformity.

Physics↗
DOE OSTI2022

Surface ionization waves propagating over non-planar substrates: wavy surfaces, cut-pores and droplets

Atmospheric pressure plasmas intersecting with dielectric surfaces will often transition into surface ionization waves (SIWs). Several applications of these discharges are purposely configured to be SIWs. During propagation of an SIW over a dielectric surface, the plasma charges the surface while responding to changes in geometrical and electrical material properties. This is particularly important for non-planar surfaces where polarization of the dielectric results in local electric field enhancement. In this paper, we discuss results from computational investigations of negative and positive SIWs propagating over nonplanar dielectrics in three configurations—wavy surfaces, cuts through porous materials and water droplets on flat surfaces. Here we found that negative SIWs are particularly sensitive to the electric field enhancement that occurs at the crests of non-planar surfaces. The local increase in ionization rates by the electric field enhancement can result in the SIW detaching from the surface, which produces non-uniform plasma exposure of the surface. Positive SIWs tend to adhere to the surface to a greater degree. These trends indicate that treatment of pathogen containing droplets on surfaces may be best performed by positive SIWs. The same principles apply to the surfaces cut through pores. Buried pores with small openings to the SIW may be filled by plasma by either flow of plasma into the pore (large opening) or initiated by photoionization (small opening), depending on the size of the opening compared to the Debye length.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

FSVPy: A python-based package for fluorescent streak velocimetry (FSV)

Predictive constitutive equations that connect easy-to-measure transport properties (e.g., viscosity and conductivity) with system performance variables (e.g., power consumption and efficiency) are needed to design advanced thermal and electrical systems. In this work, we explore the use of fluorescent particle-streak analysis to directly measure the local velocity field of a pressure-driven flow, introducing a new Python package (FSVPy) to perform the analysis. Fluorescent streak velocimetry combines high-speed imaging with highly fluorescent particles to produce images that contain fluorescent streaks, whose length and intensity can be related to the local flow velocity. By capturing images throughout the sample volume, the three-dimensional velocity field can be quantified and reconstructed. We demonstrate this technique by characterizing the channel flow profiles of several non-Newtonian fluids: micellar Cetylpyridinium Chloride solution, Carbopol 940, and Polyethylene Glycol. We then explore more complex flows, where significant acceleration is created due to microscale features encountered within the flow. We demonstrate the ability of FSVPy to process streaks of various shapes and use the variable intensity along the streak to extract position-specific velocity measurements from individual images. Thus, we demonstrate that FSVPy is a flexible tool that can be used to extract local velocimetry measurements from a wide variety of fluids and flow conditions.

Mechanics↗
DOE OSTI2025

Local structural distortions drive magnetic molecular field in compositionally complex spinel oxide

Understanding how local distortions determine the functional properties of high entropy materials, containing five or more elements at the same crystallographic site, is an open challenge. We address this for a compositionally complex spinel oxide (Mn 0.2 Co 0.2 Ni 0.2 Cu 0.2 Zn 0.2 )Cr 2 O 4 (A 5 Cr 2 O 4 ). By comparatively examining extended X-ray absorption fine structure on A 5 Cr 2 O 4 and its parent counterparts, ACr 2 O 4 , along with density functional theory calculations for multiple configurations, we find that the element-specific distortions go beyond the first neighbor. Specifically, the strong Jahn-Teller distortion present in CuCr 2 O 4 is found to be completely suppressed in A 5 Cr 2 O 4 even locally. Instead, there is a broad distribution of Cu-O and Cu-Cr bond distances, while other A-O distances acquire certain specific values. This study demonstrates the additional flexibility of a cationic sublattice in maintaining a uniform long-range structure, in contrast to previous reports showing only the accommodative anionic sublattice. The mean-field magnetic interactions of A 5 Cr 2 O 4 exhibit a striking resemblance to those of NiCr 2 O 4 , despite the presence of multiple magnetic ions and variable bond lengths. This originates from the comparability of bond lengths around Cr in both materials. Our study paves the way for a deeper understanding of the impact of local structural distortions on the physical properties of compositionally complex quantum materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

A 3D Full Stress Tensor Model for Oklahoma

Abstract The stress tensor is an important property for upper crustal studies such as those that involve pore fluids and earthquake hazards. At tectonic plate scale, plate boundary forces and mantle convection are the primary drivers of the stress field. In many local settings (10–100 s of km and <10 km depth) in tectonic plate interiors, we can simplify by assuming a constant background stress field that is perturbed by local heterogeneity in density and elasticity. Local stress orientation and sometimes magnitude can be estimated from earthquake and borehole‐based observations when available. Modeling of the local stress field often involves interpolating sparse observations. We present a new method to estimate the 3D stress field in the upper crust and demonstrate it for Oklahoma. We created a 3D material model by inverting multiple types of geophysical observations simultaneously. Integrating surface‐wave dispersion, local travel times and gravity observations produces a model of P‐wave velocity, S‐wave velocity, and density. The stress field can then be modeled using finite element simulations. The simulations are performed using our simplified view of the local stress field as the sum of a constant background stress field that is perturbed by local density and elasticity heterogeneity and gravitational body forces. An orientation of N82°E, for the maximum compressive tectonic force, best agrees with previously observed stress orientations and faulting types in Oklahoma. The gravitational contribution of the horizontal stress field has a magnitude comparable to the tectonic contribution for the upper 5 km of the subsurface.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

Sub-melt nanosecond pulsed-laser induced densification and strain-field relaxation in single-crystal diamond

Dislocations and polishing-induced defect networks in synthetic diamond introduce local strain fields and broaden Raman features, limiting performance in optical, thermal, and electronic applications. Laser annealing is emerging as a promising approach to repair surface and near-surface defects in diamond without entering the melt regime, yet surface densification, defect-state modification, and associated structural changes have not been well quantified. In this work, we show that sub-melt nanosecond pulsed-laser annealing (PLA) induces near-surface densification and defect-mediated strain relaxation in single-crystal Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) diamond. Single- and two-pulse PLA were applied, and structural evolution was quantified using co-registered ISO 25,178 white-light interferometry, depth-resolved Raman spectroscopy, and cross-sectional STEM with geometric phase analysis (GPA). Across a 5 × 6 grid (n = 30), responsive regions exhibit large reductions in local slope (Sdq 45–65%), developed area (Sdr 60–90%), height spread (Sp, Sz 30–65%), void volume (Vv 57–60%), and roughness amplitude (Sa, Sq 48–57%), consistent with densification of ∼4–6.5 nm. Raman profiling shows narrowing of the diamond line and improved spectral uniformity to depths of ∼2–3 μm. Given that the Raman probing depth significantly exceeds the densified layer thickness, this response is interpreted as consistent with long-range strain-field redistribution originating from the near-surface region. STEM-GPA strain maps further support this interpretation, showing smoother strain fields, suppressed hotspots, and redistribution of localized strain concentrations following PLA. These results are consistent with defect-mediated strain relaxation and densification-driven modification of the near-surface energy state. The approach provides a scalable pathway for improving near-surface structural quality in diamond relevant to electronic, photonic, and quantum applications.

Areal surface metrology (ISO 25,178)↗
DOE OSTI2020

Quantitative nanoscale tracking of oxygen vacancy diffusion inside single ceria grains by in situ transmission electron microscopy

Oxygen vacancy formation and migration in ceria is critical to its electrochemical and catalytic properties in systems for chemical and energy transformation, but its quantification is rather challenging especially at atomic-scale because of disordered distribution. Here we report a rational approach to track oxygen vacancy diffusion in single grains of pure and Sm-doped ceria at -20 °C to 160 °C using in situ (scanning) transmission electron microscopy ((S)TEM). To create a gradient in oxygen vacancy concentration, a small region (~30 nm in diameter) inside a ceria grain is reduced to the C-type CeO 1.68 phase by the ionization or radiolysis effect of a high-energy electron beam. The evolution in oxygen vacancy concentration is then mapped through lattice expansion measurement using scanning nano-beam diffraction or 4D STEM at a spatial resolution better than 2 nm; this allows direct determination of local oxygen vacancy diffusion coefficients in a very small domain inside pure and Sm-doped ceria at different temperatures. Further, the activation energies for oxygen transport are determined to be 0.59, 0.66, 1.12, and 1.27 eV for pure CeO 2 , Ce 0.94 Sm 0.06 O 1.97 , Ce 0.89 Sm 0.11 O 1.945 , and Ce 0.8 Sm 0.2 O 1.9 , respectively, implying that activation energy increases due to impurity scattering. The results are qualitatively supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In addition, our in situ TEM investigation reveals that dislocations impede oxygen vacancy diffusion by absorbing oxygen vacancies from the surrounding areas and pinning them locally. With more oxygen vacancies absorbed, dislocations show extended strain fields with local tensile zone sandwiched between the compressed ones. Therefore, dislocation density should be reduced in order to minimize the resistance to oxygen vacancy diffusion at low temperatures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Asymmetric Bipolar Membrane for High Current Density Electrodialysis Operation with Exceptional Stability

Bipolar membranes (BPMs) enable isolated acidic/alkaline regions in electrochemical devices, facilitating optimized environments for electrochemical separations and catalysis. For economic viability, BPMs must attain stable, high current density operation with low overpotentials in a freestanding configuration. We report an asymmetric, graphene oxide (GrOx)-catalyzed BPM capable of freestanding electrodialysis operation at 1 A cm–2 with overpotentials <250 mV. Use of a thin anion-exchange layer improves water transport while maintaining near unity Faradaic efficiency for acid and base generation. Voltage stability exceeding 1100 h with an average drift of 70 μV/h at 80 mA cm–2 and 100 h with an average drift of −300 μV/h at 500 mA cm–2 and implementation in an electrodialysis stack demonstrate real-world applicability. Continuum modeling reveals that water dissociation in GrOx BPMs is both catalyzed and electric-field enhanced, where low pK a moieties on GrOx enhance local electric fields and high pK a moieties serve as active sites for surface-catalyzed water dissociation. These results establish commercially viable BPM electrodialysis and provide fundamental insight to advance design of next-generation devices.

Lucas, Éowyn↗
DOE OSTI2022

X-ray free-electron laser based dark-field X-ray microscopy: a simulation-based study

Dark-field X-ray microscopy (DFXM) is a nondestructive full-field imaging technique providing three-dimensional mapping of microstructure and local strain fields in deeply embedded crystalline elements. This is achieved by placing an objective lens in the diffracted beam, giving a magnified projection image. So far, the method has been applied with a time resolution of milliseconds to hours. In this work, the feasibility of DFXM at the picosecond time scale using an X-ray free-electron laser source and a pump–probe scheme is considered. Thermomechanical strain-wave simulations are combined with geometrical optics and wavefront propagation optics to simulate DFXM images of phonon dynamics in a diamond single crystal. Using the specifications of the XCS instrument at the Linac Coherent Light Source as an example results in simulated DFXM images clearly showing the propagation of a strain wave.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Nonlocal Magneto-curvature Instability in a Differentially Rotating Disk

A global mode is shown to be unstable to nonaxisymmetric perturbations in a differentially rotating Keplerian disk containing either vertical or azimuthal magnetic fields. In an unstratified cylindrical disk model, using both global eigenvalue stability analysis and linear global initial-value simulations, it is demonstrated that this instability dominates at strong magnetic fields where local standard magnetorotational instability (MRI) becomes stable. Unlike the standard MRI mode, which is concentrated in the high flow shear region, these distinct global modes (with low azimuthal mode numbers) are extended in the global domain and are Alfvén-continuum-driven unstable modes. As its mode structure and relative dominance over MRI are inherently determined by the global spatial curvature as well as the flow shear in the presence of a magnetic field, we call it the magneto-curvature (magneto-spatial-curvature) instability. Consistent with the linear analysis, as the field strength is increased in the nonlinear simulations, a transition from MRI-driven turbulence to a state dominated by global nonaxisymmetric modes is obtained. This global instability could therefore be a source of nonlinear transport in accretion disks at a higher magnetic field than predicted by local models.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Electric-field enhanced water-dissociation catalysis on oxide surfaces

Ion-transfer reactions in the presence of electric fields are ubiquitous in (bio/electro)chemical systems and catalysis, yet the impact of the electric field is poorly understood. Here, we use bipolar membranes (BPMs) to isolate electric-field-driven non-faradaic water dissociation (WD: H 2 O → H + + OH − ) on catalytic surfaces. We find the catalyst layer's ionic properties dictate both the transport and kinetic processes within the BPM. The role of these properties are explored via a series of membrane architectures, and catalyst poisoning experiments, and the corresponding current–voltage and impedance responses. Arrhenius analyses show that an acidic graphene-oxide (GO x ) catalyst layer gives rise to low interfacial H 2 O entropy in the heterojunction, illustrated via a >100 fold increase in the Arrhenius prefactor relative to baseline TiO 2 measurements. Furthermore, ∼50% of the applied driving force goes towards reducing the apparent enthalpic activation barrier in the case of GO x , while other metal-oxide catalysts have enthalpic barriers independent of driving force. This analysis demonstrates a new mechanistic understanding of WD, where local electric fields augment enthalpic transition-state barriers, and the local ionic environment facilitates field-driven ion transfer. Ultimately, these results present a new design space for designing ion-transfer catalytic processes, and ionic heterojunctions more broadly.

Nathan Stovall, T. [University of California, Berk↗
DOE OSTI2022

Modification of the Loss Cone for Energetic Particles in the Earth's Inner Magnetosphere

The behavior of energetic particles in the Earth's dipole and stretched magnetic-field models is explored with a focus on the shift of the atmospheric loss cone away from the magnetic-field direction and on non-adiabatic behavior occurring when the particle gyroradius becomes comparable with the gradient scale length of the local magnetic field. It is shown that the equatorial loss cone is aberrated away from the magnetic-field direction (pitch angle of 0°) by the perpendicular drift of a charged particle (which is referred to as the “Mozer transform” described in Mozer (1966, https://doi.org/10.1029/JZ071i011p02701). It is found that the Mozer coordinate transformation in pitch-angle/gyrophase-angle space better organizes the behavior of bounce times, mirror altitudes, drift speeds, and first adiabatic invariant. It also describes the loss-cone shift accurately for a certain range of values of the adiabaticity parameter ϵ, defined by the ratio of the particle gyroradius to the local radius of curvature of the magnetic field. For particles with larger ϵ, the Mozer transform (evaluated with the standard gradient-curvature drift) breaks down and the “central trajectory” theory can be used to calculate the angular shift of the loss cone, which now includes an Earthward shift. When ϵ becomes relatively large, stochastic field line curvature (FLC) scattering occurs: we show the intimate connection between the strength of FLC scattering and the loss-cone shift. Finally, by comparing ion orbits in the dipole and Tsyganenko (Ts89 and Ts04) magnetic fields, we conclude that the loss cone of ring-current ions is significantly modified during geomagnetically active times.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Hydroxymethanesulfonate (HMS) Formation during Summertime Fog in an Arctic Oil Field

Hydroxymethanesulfonate (HMS) is produced in the aqueous-phase reaction of formaldehyde (HCHO) and sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) and has been proposed as a significant contributor to midlatitude wintertime pollution events. In this work, we report HMS detection within submicrometer atmospheric aerosols during frequent late summer, regional fog events in an Arctic oil field. The number fraction of individual particles containing HMS increased during fog periods, consistent with aqueous-phase formation. The single-particle mass spectra showed the primary particle signature (oil field emissions), plus secondary oxidized organics and sulfate, consistent with aqueous-phase processing. HMS mass concentrations ranged from below the ion chromatography limit of detection (0.3 ng/m 3 ) to 1.6 ng/m 3 , with sulfate concentrations of 37-222 ng/m 3 . HCHO and SO 2 measurements suggest that the fog HMS production rate is ~10 times higher in the oil fields than in the upwind Beaufort Sea. Aqueous-phase reactions of local oil field emissions during frequent summertime regional fog events likely have downwind impacts on Arctic aerosol composition. The potential for fog-based HMS production was estimated to be an order of magnitude higher in Fairbanks and Anchorage, AK, than in the oil fields and may explain the missing organosulfate source contributing to Fairbanks air quality.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Design and Control of Three-Dimensional Topological Magnetic Fields Using Interwoven Helical Nanostructures

Three-dimensional (3D) magnetic nanostructures are an emerging platform capable of creating complex topological magnetic fields. The control of localized nanoscale magnetic fields is seen to be of importance for diverse areas from bioapplications such as drug delivery, to particle trapping and controlling Majorana Fermions for quantum computing. Three-dimensional geometric confinement and proximity can create tailor-made spin textures not possible in two dimensions. The control of magnetization afforded here can allow the formation of unique stray field textures. Here, we report the creation of reconfigurable 3D topological magnetic field textures induced by an interwoven 3D nanostructure and applied field protocol. These field textures emerge due to distinct DWs formed in this structure and lead to the creation of an antivortex field, a hexapole cusp and a 3D skyrmion field tube of mixed chirality. In conclusion, our results therefore show a key step toward the design and control of topological magnetic fields on the nanoscale.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Imaging Bias‐Driven Domain Wall Motion With Scanning Oscillator Piezoresponse Force Microscopy

Understanding ferroelectric domain wall dynamics at the nanoscale across a broad range of timescales requires measuring domain wall position under different applied electric fields. The success of piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) as a tool to apply local electric fields at different positions and imaging their changing position, together with the information obtained from associated switching spectroscopies has fueled numerous studies of the dynamics of ferroelectric domains to determine the impact of intrinsic parameters such as crystalline order, defects and pinning centers, as well as boundary conditions such as environment. However, the investigation of sub-coercive reversible domain wall vibrational modes requires the development of new tools that enable visualizing domain wall motion under varying applied fields with high temporal and spatial resolution while also accounting for spurious electrostatic effects. Here, scanning oscillator piezoresponse force microscopy extends the investigation of domain wall dynamics to new regimes, providing direct visualization of domain wall position as a function of an external electric field that varies in time and location. In conclusion, this enables studying the energetics of field-driven ferroelectric domain wall motion, which is shown to obey a thermally activated flow regime in the millisecond timescale.

Piezoresponse Force Microscopy↗
DOE OSTI2023

Kagome qubit ice

Abstract Topological phases of spin liquids with constrained disorder can host a kinetics of fractionalized excitations. However, spin-liquid phases with distinct kinetic regimes have proven difficult to observe experimentally. Here we present a realization of kagome spin ice in the superconducting qubits of a quantum annealer, and use it to demonstrate a field-induced kinetic crossover between spin-liquid phases. Employing fine control over local magnetic fields, we show evidence of both the Ice-I phase and an unconventional field-induced Ice-II phase. In the latter, a charge-ordered yet spin-disordered topological phase, the kinetics proceeds via pair creation and annihilation of strongly correlated, charge conserving, fractionalized excitations. As these kinetic regimes have resisted characterization in other artificial spin ice realizations, our results demonstrate the utility of quantum-driven kinetics in advancing the study of topological phases of spin liquids.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2020

Radius-to-frequency Mapping and FRB Frequency Drifts

We build a model of radius-to-frequency mapping in magnetospheres of neutron stars and apply it to frequency drifts observed in fast radio bursts (FRBs). We assume that an emission patch propagates along the dipolar magnetic field lines, producing coherent emission with frequency, direction, and polarization defined by the local magnetic field. The observed temporal evolution of the frequency depends on the relativistic effects of time contraction and the curvature of the magnetic field lines. The model generically produces linear scaling of the drift rate, $\dot{\omega}$ ∝-${\omega}$, matching both numerically and parametrically the rates observed in FBRs; a more complicated behavior of $\dot{\omega}$ is also possible. Fast rotating magnetospheres produce higher drifts rates for similar viewing parameters than the slowly rotating ones. In the case of repeaters, the same source may show variable drift patterns depending on the observing phase. We expect rotational of polarization position angle through a burst, though by smaller amount than in radio pulsars. All of these findings compare favorably with properties of FBRs, strengthening their possible loci in the magnetospheres of neutron stars.

Magnetars↗
DOE OSTI2026

Viability of perturbative expansion for quantum field theories on neurons

Neural Network (NN) architectures that break statistical independence of parameters have been proposed as a new approach for simulating local quantum field theories (QFTs) [1]. In the infinite neuron number limit, single-layer NNs can exactly reproduce QFT results. This paper examines the viability of this architecture for perturbative calculations of local QFTs for finite neuron number N using scalar ϕ 4 theory in d Euclidean dimensions as an example. We find that the renormalized O(1/N ) corrections to two-and four-point correlators yield perturbative series which are sensitive to the UV cut-off and therefore have a weak convergence. We propose a modification to the architecture to improve this convergence and discuss constraints on the parameters of the theory and the scaling of N which allow us to extract accurate field theory results.

Sen, Srimoyee [Iowa State University, Ames, IA (Un↗