Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Enhanced condensation”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 199 records · Page 11

MBX V1.2: Accelerating Data-Driven Many-Body Molecular Dynamics Simulations

The MBX software provides an advanced platform for molecular dynamics simulations, leveraging state-of-the-art MB-pol and MB-nrg data-driven many-body potential energy functions. Developed over the past decade, these potential energy functions integrate physics-based and machine-learned many-body terms trained on electronic structure data calculated at the "gold standard" coupled-cluster level of theory. Recent advancements in MBX have focused on optimizing its performance, resulting in the release of MBX v1.2. While the inherently many-body nature of MB-pol and MB-nrg ensures high accuracy, it poses computational challenges. MBX v1.2 addresses these challenges with significant performance improvements, including enhanced parallelism that fully harnesses the power of modern multicore CPUs. In conclusion, these advancements enable simulations on nanosecond time scales for condensed-phase systems, significantly expanding the scope of high-accuracy, predictive simulations of complex molecular systems powered by data-driven many-body potential energy functions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Effects of physical, chemical, and biological ageing on the mineralization of pine wood biochar by a Streptomyces isolate

If biochar is to be used for carbon (C) management, we must understand how weathering or ageing affects biochar C mineralization. Here, we incubated aged and unaged eastern white pine wood biochar produced at 350 and 550°C with a Streptomyces isolate, a putative biochar-decomposing microbe. Ageing was accelerated via three different processes, namely, (a) physical ageing–subjecting biochar to alternating freeze-thaw and wet-dry cycles, (b) chemical ageing–treating biochar with concentrated hydrogen peroxide and (c) biological ageing–incubating biochar in the presence of nutrients and microorganisms. Elemental composition and surface chemistry (Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy) of biochar samples were compared before and after ageing. Biochar C mineralization between ageing treatments was significantly different in the case of 350°C biochar ( p value = 0.03). Among the 350°C biochars, physical ageing resulted in the greatest increase (by 103%) in biochar C mineralization ( p value = 0.05). However, in the case of 550°C biochar, ageing did not result in a significant change in biochar C mineralization ( p value = 0.40). Biochar C mineralization was positively correlated with an increase in O/C ratio post-ageing ( r s = 0.86, p value = 0.01). In the case of 350°C biochar, surface oxidation during ageing enhanced biochar degradation by the isolate. For 550°C biochar, however, ageing did not significantly increase biochar C mineralization, likely due to high condensed aromatic C content and lower surface oxidation during ageing. The results from our study suggest that low temperature aged biochar is more susceptible to biological degradation by soil microbes. These findings have implications for the use of biochar for long term C storage in soils.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

EPCAPE-PT-LANL Measurements: Cloud Condensation Nuclei Counter

Coastal cities offer a unique environment for studying aerosol-cloud interactions and the effects of urban emissions on cloud properties. As part of the Eastern Pacific Cloud Aerosol Precipitation Experiment (EPCAPE), the Partitioning Thrust by Los Alamos National Laboratory (EPCAPE-PT-LANL) was conducted. Our campaign focused on measuring the optical and chemical properties of aerosols and their interactions within marine stratocumulus clouds in La Jolla, California. EPCAPE-PT-LANL enhances the primary goals of EPCAPE through innovative observations of vapor-phase transitions between aerosols and cloud droplets, the impact of black carbon on aerosol-cloud dynamics, and the effects of cloud processing on aerosol optical properties. Instrument: Cloud Condensation Nuclei Counter, single column (Droplet Measurements Technology) Files: data_10sec_CCNc.csv, data_10min_CCNc.csv Header: - SuperSaturation[unitless]: The level of supersaturation, expressed as a unitless percentage, at which cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) activity is measured. - NumberConcentration[/cm3]: Number concentration of particles acting as CCN at the baseline supersaturation level, measured in particles per cubic centimeter. - NumberConcentration_SS2[/cm3]: Number concentration of particles acting as CCN at a supersaturation level of 0.2%, measured in particles per cubic centimeter. - NumberConcentration_SS4[/cm3]: Number concentration of particles acting as CCN at a supersaturation level of 0.4%, measured in particles per cubic centimeter. - QualityControl_Flag[bool]: A boolean flag indicating whether the data point passed quality control checks. - CVI_Flag[bool]: A boolean flag indicating whether the Counterflow Virtual Impactor (CVI) was active (true) or inactive (false) during the measurement.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Synthesis of Free-Standing Pd-Ni-P Metallic Glass Nanoparticles with Durable Medium-Range Ordered Structure for Enhanced Electrocatalytic Properties

Topologically disordered metallic glass nanoparticles (MGNPs) with highly active and tailorable surface chemistries have immense potential for functional uses. The synthesis of free-standing MGNPs is crucial and intensively pursued because their activity strongly depends on their exposed surfaces. Herein, a novel laser-evaporated inert-gas condensation method is designed and successfully developed for synthesizing free-standing MGNPs without substrates or capping agents, which is implemented via pulse laser-induced atomic vapor deposition under an inert helium atmosphere. In this way, the metallic atoms vaporized from the targets collide with helium atoms and then condense into short-range-order (SRO) clusters, which mutually assemble to form the MGNPs. Using this method, free-standing Pd 40 Ni 40 P 20 MGNPs with a spherical morphology are synthesized, which demonstrates satisfactory electrocatalytic activity and durability in oxygen reduction reactions. Moreover, local structure investigations using synchrotron pair distribution function techniques reveal the transformation of SRO cluster connection motifs of the MGNPs from face-sharing to edge-sharing modes during cyclic voltammetry cycles, which enhances the electrochemical stability by blocking crystallization. Further, this approach provides a general strategy for preparing free-standing MGNPs with high surface activities, which may have widespread functional applications

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Quantum simulations of dark sector showers

We consider dark sector scenarios where dark matter is accompanied by a dark photon and multiple-flavor dark fermions charged under the dark gauge group. We study quantum interference effects in dark sector jets, where multiple dark photons are emitted from high-energy dark fermions. We perform fully quantum simulations of dark sector showers and compare the results against those of the classical Monte-Carlo simulations. We find important differences in probability distributions of dark photon countings between quantum and classical computations. When the number of dark-fermion flavors is large, we find significant enhancements in large numbers of dark photon emissions. Such enhancements can provide distinguishing signals for our scenarios at particle colliders.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Magnetoelastic coupling and phases in the skyrmion lattice magnet Gd 2 PdSi 3 discovered by high-resolution dilatometry

In this work, we report detailed thermodynamic studies on high-quality single crystals of the centrosymmetric skyrmion-hosting intermetallic Gd 2 PdSi 3 by means of high-resolution capacitance dilatometry in fields up to 15 T which are complemented by specific heat and magnetization studies. Our dilatometric measurements show magnetoelastic effects associated with antiferromagnetic order at T N1 =22.3 K and T N2 =19.7 K, as well as strong field effects in an applied magnetic field of 15 T up to 200 K (150 K) for B ∥ c (B ∥ a*, i.e., B ⊥ c). The data allow us to complete the magnetic phase diagram, including a feature at T * ≈13K below which an additional degree of freedom becomes relevant. The magnetic B vs T phase diagram for the a * axis is also reported. Grüneisen analysis shows the onset of magnetic contributions around 60 K, i.e., well above TN1. Uniaxial pressure dependencies of opposite signs, –1.3 and 0.3 K/GPa, are extracted for the out-of-plane and in-plane directions at T N1 . For T * we obtain ∂T * /∂p c =1.4 K/GPa. In particular we elucidate thermodynamic properties of the recently discovered skyrmion lattice phase and show that it is strongly enhanced by uniaxial pressure.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Magnon orbital angular momentum of ferromagnetic honeycomb and zigzag lattice models

By expanding the gauge 𝜆 𝑛 ⁡(𝐤) for magnon band 𝑛 in harmonics of momentum 𝐤=(𝑘,𝜙), we demonstrate that the only observable component of the magnon orbital angular momentum 𝑂 𝑛 ⁡(𝐤) is its angular average over all angles 𝜙, denoted by 𝐹 𝑛 ⁡(𝑘). Although 𝐹 𝑛 ⁡(𝑘) vanishes for antiferromagnetic honeycomb and zigzag (0<𝐽 1 <𝐽 2 ) lattices, it is nonzero for the ferromagnetic (FM) versions of those lattices in the presence of Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions. For a FM zigzag model with equal exchange interactions 𝐽 1⁢𝑥 and 𝐽 1⁢𝑦 along the 𝑥 and 𝑦 axes, the magnon bands are degenerate along the boundaries of the Brillouin zone with 𝑘 𝑥 −𝑘 𝑦 =±𝜋/𝑎 and the Chern numbers 𝐶 𝑛 are not well defined. However, a revised model with 𝐽 1⁢𝑦 ≠𝐽 1⁢𝑥 lifts those degeneracies and produces well-defined Chern numbers of 𝐶𝑛=±1 for the two magnon bands. When 𝐽 1⁢𝑦 =𝐽 1⁢𝑥 , the thermal conductivity 𝜅 𝑥⁢𝑦⁡ (𝑇) of the FM zigzag lattice is largest for 𝐽2/𝐽1>6 but is still about four times smaller than that of the FM honeycomb lattice at high temperatures. Due to the removal of band degeneracies, 𝜅𝑥⁢𝑦⁡(𝑇) is slightly enhanced when 𝐽 1⁢𝑦 ≠𝐽 1⁢𝑥 .

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Ames National Laboratory, Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program: FY2022 Annual Summary

Laboratory Directed Research & Development (LDRD) projects at Ames National Laboratory are compelling, collaborative, and mission-oriented research that accelerate progress in our strategic directions. The aim of these projects is to strengthen Ames National Laboratory’s emerging scientific leaders and core capabilities, to further enhance our scientific and technological vitality by stimulating R&D innovation in support of the Laboratory’s foundational strengths and strategic initiatives, and to build capabilities to respond to rapidly emerging R&D opportunities of clear potential benefit to DOE’s mission. LDRD funding strengthens our core capabilities either by exploiting targets of opportunity in expanding current capabilities, or by exploring and implementing new capabilities that provide scientific advantages and position Ames National Laboratory to be a leader in existing and emerging scientific fields. For FY2022, the Ames National Laboratory LDRD focused on transformative science to accelerate progress in our strategic directions, especially the initiatives discussed below. Of particular interest are areas that span multiple disciplines, or that develop new technical capabilities that enhance our ability to address our strategic directions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Observations of high-time-resolution and size-resolved aerosol chemical composition and microphysics in the central Arctic: implications for climate-relevant particle properties

Abstract. Aerosols play a critical role in the Arctic's radiative balance, influencing solar radiation and cloud formation. Limited observations in the central Arctic leave gaps in understanding aerosol dynamics year-round, affecting model predictions of climate-relevant aerosol properties. Here, we present the first annual high-time-resolution observations of submicron aerosol chemical composition in the central Arctic during the Arctic Ocean 2018 (AO2018) and the 2019–2020 Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) expeditions. Seasonal variations in the aerosol mass concentrations and chemical composition in the central Arctic were found to be driven by typical Arctic seasonal regimes and resemble those of pan-Arctic land-based stations. Organic aerosols dominated the pristine summer, while anthropogenic sulfate prevailed in autumn and spring under haze conditions. Ammonium, which impacts aerosol acidity, was consistently less abundant, relative to sulfate, in the central Arctic compared to lower latitudes of the Arctic. Cyclonic (storm) activity was found to have a significant influence on aerosol variability by enhancing emissions from local sources and the transport of remote aerosol. Local wind-generated particles contributed up to 80 % (20 %) of the cloud condensation nuclei population in autumn (spring). While the analysis presented herein provides the current central Arctic aerosol baseline, which will serve to improve climate model predictions in the region, it also underscores the importance of integrating short-timescale processes, such as seasonal wind-driven aerosol sources from blowing snow and open leads/ocean in model simulations. This is particularly important, given the decline in mid-latitude anthropogenic emissions and the increase in local ones.

Heutte, Benjamin (ORCID:0000000173727460)↗

Chiral superconductivity with enhanced quantized Hall responses in moiré transition metal dichalcogenides

Experimental demonstrations of tunable correlation effects in magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene have put two-dimensional moiré quantum materials at the forefront of condensed-matter research. Other twisted few-layer graphitic structures, boron-nitride, and homo- or hetero-stacks of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have further enriched the opportunities for analysis and utilization of correlations in these systems. Recent experiments within the latter material class confirmed the relevance of many-body interactions and demonstrated the importance of their extended range. Since the interaction, its range, and the filling can be tuned experimentally by twist angle, substrate engineering and gating, we here explore Fermi surface instabilities and resulting phases of matter of hetero-bilayer TMDs. Using an unbiased renormalization group approach, we establish in particular that hetero-bilayer TMDs are platforms to realize topological superconductivity with winding number |$\mathcal{N}$| = 4. We show that this state reflects in pronounced experimental signatures, such as distinct quantum Hall features.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Effective direct steam regeneration of bis-iminoguanidine solid sorbent used for carbon dioxide capture

A cost-effective, energy-efficient sorbent regeneration process for phase-changing guanidines used for CO 2 capture was developed based on direct-steam stripping. This approach enhances the regeneration rate, simplifies the overall CO 2 capture process, and reduces the energy cost compared to conventional conductive thermal regeneration. A direct-steam sorbent regeneration reactor was developed, demonstrating that aqueous bis(iminoguanidines) (BIG) sorbents, e.g., methylglyoxal-bis(iminoguanidine) (MGBIG) and glyoxal-bis(iminoguanidine) (GBIG), could be efficiently regenerated with up to ~ 99 % CO 2 recovery through direct-steam stripping. Using low-temperature steam at 100 °C, a 4.5 times faster regeneration rate for GBIG carbonate sorbent (e.g., 30 min for 10 g) was demonstrated compared to conductive-heating (e.g., 135 min for 10 g) at 130 °C. Additionally, fully regenerated MGBIG converts into an aqueous MGBIG solution when the steam condenses onto the sorbent surface. Condensed steam with the guanidine can be easily recycled as an aqueous solution into the gas–liquid contactor to achieve a continuous-flow CO 2 -capture process. Molecular dynamics simulation was employed to provide a better understanding of the process. Higher heat transfer rates from steam to guanidine carbonate, compared to air heating, were attributed to the vibration resonance of water molecules within MGBIG with that of vapor molecules and the effective transfer of kinetic energy from vapor to solid. Technoeconomic analysis demonstrated that direct-steam stripping significantly decreases the CO 2 capture cost by 50 % compared to traditional conductive heating methods. Further, enhanced mass transfer facilitated by low-temperature steam and subsequent condensation effectively heats up the H 2 O-containing BIG-carbonate crystals, facilitating the desorption of CO 2 from the solid crystals, thereby leading to fast, effective, and energy-efficient sorbent regeneration.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Theoretical model of dielectrophoretic water vapor condensation during multiphase flow of electrically charged water droplets in air

Water droplet growth in air, influenced by vapor diffusion and electrical charging, has significant implications for indoor air quality, cloud formation, and aerosol dynamics. Here, this study presents a comprehensive theoretical model that describes the growth dynamics of electrically charged water droplets under external electric fields, incorporating diffusion, electrostatic, and dielectrophoretic forces to enhance understanding and practical applications in air dehumidification and environmental control. A theoretical model was established to analyze the growth dynamics of the charged water droplets. The approach extended the thermodynamic framework of the Modified Kelvin-Thomson equation by integrating electrostatic and dielectrophoretic effects, enabling a comprehensive evaluation of vapor concentration near the surface of charged droplets. A sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the roles of droplet size, electric field intensity, surface charge, and vapor concentration on condensation rates. The study progressed beyond the classical diffusion-limited growth of neutral droplets, addressing the behavior of charged droplets in electrohydrodynamic environments. The model highlighted the significance of dielectrophoretic drift flux for dipolar vapor molecules, especially in micron-sized droplets ranging from 10 to 100 µm. Findings demonstrated that, for smaller droplets subjected to elevated electrical charge, average growth rates varied from 0.3 to 1.6 µm/s if the air relative humidity increased from 50 to 100 %. Analytical results are corroborated by numerical simulations, which exhibited strong concordance, thereby validating the proposed theoretical approach. This research introduced an innovative and scalable analytical methodology for electric field-enhanced droplet growth, offering valuable insights into the advancement of energy-efficient air dehumidification, water desalination, and atmospheric water harvesting technologies.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Computational Insights into Malononitrile-Based Carbanions for CO 2 Capture

Although anionic N and O sites have been widely used in chemisorption of CO 2 , carbanions are much less explored for CO 2 capture. Here, in this study, we employ ab initio calculations and quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to examine the interaction between CO 2 and the malononitrile carbanion, [CH(CN) 2 ] – . We have explored the potential energy surface of CO 2 binding by scanning the C–C distance between CO 2 and the central C site of the carbanion. We find that CO 2 prefers to bind to the nitrile group physically rather than to form a C–C bond via the carboxylation reaction at the sp 2 C site. Moreover, the two –CN groups can attract two CO 2 molecules at equal strength. The presence of an alkali metal ion enhances both physical and chemical interactions of CO 2 with the malononitrile carbanion. QM/MM MD simulations further confirm the preference of physical interaction in the condensed ionic liquid phase with a phosphonium cation. Our findings suggest that ionic liquids based on the malononitrile carbanion may have a high CO 2 solubility for carbon capture.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Constraining axion properties with radio telescopes

Axion dark matter or any ultralight bosonic dark matter can go through Bose-Einstein condensation due to the large phase density, leading to the formation of axion stars or solitons in dark matter halo centers. The formation rate is enhanced in the presence of the substructures expected in the postinflationary scenario for the QCD axion or axionlike particles. An axion star will continue to grow until a critical mass is reached, after which it collapses and then explodes, with the emission of relativistic axions, in a process called an “axinovae.” There can also be accompanying photon emission due to the stimulated decay of axions in the coherent compact axion star. In axion models with a modest enhancement (𝜅 ∼𝒪⁡(10)) of the axion-photon coupling 𝑔 𝑎⁢𝛾 = 𝜅⁢𝛼/(2⁢𝜋⁢𝑓 𝑎 ) axinovae will contain a significant flux of radio photons. We determine the range of parameters over which axinovae can be detectable with radio transient searches.

Fox, Patrick J. [Fermi National Accelerator Labora↗

Optimal operation of multi-plant steam district heating systems for enhanced efficiency and sustainability

Despite their crucial role in supplying heat and power to universities, industries, and healthcare facilities, many steam-based district heating systems rely on outdated control methods. Among these, multi-central plant districts are particularly challenging due to the complexities of coordinating multiple plants, optimizing load distributions, and managing system downtime. In response, new operational strategies are developed to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of steam districts while utilizing existing resources. These strategies include reducing plant operational pressure without compromising the reliable supply to buildings and optimizing load allocation across multiple plants. The load allocation considers boiler part-load efficiency, runtime, network losses, and building pressure set points, and is compared with traditional multi-boiler controls. To support this exploration, new dynamic Modelica models are developed. In addition, methods to reduce modeling complexities are incorporated, enhancing their suitability for practical applications. A holistic district-wide analysis using a real university case study demonstrates a 4.7% fuel savings by lowering boiler operational pressure from 900 kPa to 600 kPa, along with a 13.3% reduction in condensation losses across the distribution network. Furthermore, the load allocation approach results in a 13.1% reduction in fuel consumption during peak winter periods and 15.3% during shoulder periods, with corresponding decreases in carbon emissions and fuel costs. This approach can also save maintenance costs by reducing the boiler runtime by 49.6%. In conclusion, this research underscores the benefits of retrofitting aging steam district heating systems, offering immediate operational improvements by enhancing efficiency, meeting regulatory compliance, and extending infrastructure lifespans while delaying costly overhauls.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

GaAs growth rates of 528 μm/h using dynamic-hydride vapor phase epitaxy with a nitrogen carrier gas

Herein we demonstrate record GaAs growth rates approaching 530 μm/h using nitrogen carrier gas and 400 μm/h using hydrogen carrier gas in a dynamic-hydride vapor phase epitaxy reactor. We measured root mean square surface roughness below 1 nm using a 1 μm × 1 μm atomic force microscopy scan for GaAs growth rates up to 483 μm/h using a nitrogen carrier gas and 400 μm/h using a hydrogen carrier gas. We performed computational fluid dynamics modeling to study the effect of the carrier gas choice on the thermal profile within the reactor and how that influences the degree of AsH 3 decomposition. The modeling suggests that the lower thermal conductivity of the nitrogen carrier gas minimizes the amount of AsH 3 that thermally decomposes before reaching the wafer surface and the heavier atomic mass decreases the likelihood that AsH 3 will reach the heated reactor walls, leading to a growth rate enhancement relative to the hydrogen carrier case in a hydride-enhanced growth regime.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Extending the Gutzwiller approximation to intersite interactions

In this work, we develop an extension of the Gutzwiller approximation (GA) formalism that includes the effects of Coulomb interactions of arbitrary range (including density density, exchange, pair hopping, and Coulomb-assisted hopping terms). This formalism reduces to the ordinary GA formalism for the multiband Hubbard models in the presence of only local interactions. This is accomplished by combining the 1 / z expansion—where z is the coordination number, and only the leading-order terms contribute in the limit of infinite dimensions—with a P R † P R - I expansion, where P R is the Gutzwiller projector on the site R . Furthermore, the method is conveniently formulated in terms of a Gutzwiller Lagrange function. We apply our theory to the extended single-band Hubbard model. Similarly to the usual Brinkman-Rice mechanism, we find a Mott transition. A valence skipping transition is observed, where the occupation of the empty and doubly occupied states for the Gutzwiller wave function is enhanced with respect to the uncorrelated Slater determinant wave function.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Towards cubic symmetry for Ir 4 + : Structure and magnetism of the antifluorite K 2 IrBr 6

Here, crystal structure, electronic state of Ir 4 + , and magnetic properties of the antifluorite compound K 2 IrBr 6 are studied using high-resolution synchrotron x-ray diffraction, resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS), thermodynamic and transport measurements, and ab initio calculations. The crystal symmetry is reduced from cubic at room temperature to tetragonal below 170 K and eventually to monoclinic below 122 K. These changes are tracked by the evolution of the noncubic crystal-field splitting Δ measured by RIXS. Nonmonotonic changes in Δ are ascribed to the competing effects of the tilt, rotation, and deformation of the IrBr 6 octahedra as well as tetragonal strain on the electronic levels of Ir 4 + . The Néel temperature of T N = 11.9 K exceeds that of the isostructural K 2 IrCl 6 , and the magnitude of frustration on the fcc spin lattice decreases. We argue that the replacement of Cl by Br weakens electronic correlations and enhances magnetic couplings.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗