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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 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Characterization of a radiation detector based on opaque water-based liquid scintillator

Here, we present the characterization of a novel radiation detector based on an opaque water-based liquid scintillator. Opaque scintillators, also known as LiquidO, are made to be highly scattering, such that the scintillation light is effectively confined, and read out through wavelength-shifting fibers. The 1-liter, 32-channel prototype demonstrates the capability for both spectroscopy and topological reconstruction of point-like events. The design, construction, and evaluation of the detector are described, including modeling of the scintillation liquid optical properties and the detector’s response to gamma rays of several energies. A mean position reconstruction error of 4.4 mm for 1.6 MeV-equivalent events and 7.4 mm for 0.8 MeV-equivalent events is demonstrated using a simple reconstruction approach analogous to center-of-mass.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Evolution of the Cellulose Microfibril through Gamma-Valerolactone-Assisted Co-Solvent and Enzymatic Hydrolysis

Biomass recalcitrance during deconstruction remains a key bottleneck to affordable biomass processing technologies. A clear connection between the cell wall structure and biomass deconstruction is necessary to understand how lignocellulosic material is broken down to valuable monomeric components. Here, we monitor changes in the cellulose microfibril domains of poplar, sorghum, and switchgrass throughout gamma-valerolactone (GVL)–water co-solvent pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis using solid-state 13 C cross-polarization magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (CP/MAS 13 C-NMR) and wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS). Spectral fitting of NMR peaks corresponding to different cellulose microenvironments at the C 4 carbon center suggests that a mildly acidic GVL–water co-solvent pretreatment of poplar leads to nearly full removal of xylan–cellulose linkages, which primes the cellulose for enzymatic attack. The spectral fitting also suggests that the pretreatment causes significant depletion of the inaccessible fibril surface domains with an increase in more thermally stable crystalline resonances (I β ). WAXS confirmed a decrease in the lattice spacing between (200) crystalline planes with increasing co-solvent pretreatment severity. These results are interpreted as an opening of bound microfibril surfaces previously inaccessible to the co-solvent system, which leaves behind a more thermally stable, crystalline domain that is potentially prone to relaxation and recrystallization. Full conversion of residual GVL-pretreated biomass was achieved after the GVL co-solvent pretreatment at 140 °C using a commercial enzyme cocktail, CTec2, which contains different cellulases and other enzymes. Spectral fitting of enzymatically hydrolyzed samples by a single engineered cellulase, CelR, suggests that the residual cellulose recalcitrance is mainly due to the inability of CelR to digest the I β crystalline domain present in pretreated samples. This work helps to provide new information regarding the structure of the cell wall and recalcitrance throughout GVL–water mild acidolysis and CelR enzymatic biomass deconstruction by tracking the evolution of structural domains within the cellulose microfibril. This work further directs recommendations for improving the conversion and sugar yields in future studies. Finally, our findings inform inquiry into larger questions of cellulose recalcitrance through GVL pretreatment and CelR enzymatic hydrolysis and give insight into subsequent required steps for full cellulose conversion with attention to the most recalcitrant cellulose structures.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Calibration of a compact ASIC-based data acquisition system for neutron/$γ$ discrimination and spectroscopy with organic scintillators

Segmented neutron detectors that use silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) are receiving significant attention in nuclear security applications. Some of these detectors employ hundreds of channels and would therefore benefit from the use of high-channel-density and low-cost-per-channel data acquisition (DAQ) systems. Candidate DAQ systems that meet these requirements exist, but few perform full waveform digitization, which permits neutron and gamma-ray interaction discrimination via pulse shape. In this work, we study the performance of the TOFPET2 (PETsys Electronics), an ASIC-based DAQ designed for positron emission tomography, which has been adapted to provide sensitivity to pulse shape by the use of variable-period charge integration. We use a light-emitting diode to calibrate a combination of an ON Semiconductor (SensL) 60035-64P J-Series SiPM and TOPFET2 DAQ and evaluate the linearity of their response and dynamic range. Here, the calibration curve was obtained by comparing the DAQ response to that measured with a photodiode interfaced with a traditional waveform digitizer. This calibration process was used for rudimentary spectroscopy of various neutron and sources.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2020

A search for optical and near-infrared counterparts of the compact binary merger GW190814

Here, we report on our observing campaign of the compact binary merger GW190814, detected by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors on 2019 August 14. This signal has the best localization of any observed gravitational wave (GW) source, with a 90 per cent probability area of 18.5 deg 2 , and an estimated distance of ≈240 Mpc. We obtained wide-field observations with the Deca-Degree Optical Transient Imager (DDOTI) covering 88 per cent of the probability area down to a limiting magnitude of w = 19.9 AB. Nearby galaxies within the high probability region were targeted with the Lowell Discovery Telescope (LDT), whereas promising candidate counterparts were characterized through multicolour photometry with the Reionization and Transients InfraRed (RATIR) and spectroscopy with the Gran Telescopio de Canarias (GTC). We use our optical and near-infrared limits in conjunction with the upper limits obtained by the community to constrain the possible electromagnetic counterparts associated with the merger. A gamma-ray burst seen along its jet’s axis is disfavoured by the multiwavelength data set, whereas the presence of a burst seen at larger viewing angles is not well constrained. Although our observations are not sensitive to a kilonova similar to AT2017gfo, we can rule out high-mass (>0.1 M ⊙ ) fast-moving (mean velocity ≥0.3c) wind ejecta for a possible kilonova associated with this merger.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Advanced nanoscale characterization of aluminum nanoparticles with modified surface morphology via atmospheric helium and carbon monoxide plasmas

Aluminum nanoparticles (nAl) have the potential as energetic additives in explosive/propellant formulations. Scalable methodologies must be pursued to mitigate the inactive amorphous alumina shell surrounding the active aluminum (Al) core with modified surface morphology and chemistry for increased combustion effects. This work explores the feasibility of making reactive core/shell nAl with thinned oxide shells and modified surface coatings via a two-step atmospheric plasma surface treatment process in a custom dielectric barrier discharge plasma reactor. The commercial nAl of nominal average size similar to 40-60nm was first treated with helium (He) followed by He/carbon monoxide (CO) plasmas for different durations. The resultant samples were characterized via high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and Fourier transform IR (FTIR) spectra. HRTEM images revealed sporadic patchy gamma -alumina deposits on particle surfaces and in gaps among particles for all samples, suggesting the non-uniform plasma effects of the He/CO glow. Nanoscale chemical analyses via scanning transmission electron microscopy elemental mapping and x-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy were further performed. Although no carbon-associated structure appeared in electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) spectra, the presence of carbonaceous materials was confirmed as a thin dispersive layer evenly distributed on the nAl surface suggesting either its amorphous nature or is present at a level insufficient to generate satisfactory EELS spectra. The trend of intensity profiles for key elements acquired by drawing lines across a single particle on the elemental maps confirmed that carbonaceous materials only existed on the surface and they were most likely carboxylates that increased with increased He/CO treatment duration, as evident by FTIR results. Finally, this work demonstrated the success of atmospheric plasma-treated reactive nAl with comprehensively characterized surface features via advanced microscopy and spectroscopy.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Discovery of the lensed quasar eRASS1 J050129.5–073309 with SRG/eROSITA and Gaia

We report the discovery and spectroscopic identification of the bright doubly lensed quasar eRASS1 J050129.5–073309 at redshift z = 2.47, selected from the first all-sky survey of the Spectrum Roentgen Gamma (SRG) eROSITA telescope and the Gaia EDR3 catalog. We systematically searched for extragalactic sources with eROSITA X-ray positions that have multiple Gaia counterparts, and we have started spectroscopic follow-up of the most promising candidates using long-slit spectroscopy with NTT/EFOSC2 to confirm the lens nature. The two images are separated by 2.7", and their average Gaia g-band magnitudes are 16.95 and 17.33. Legacy Survey DR10 imaging and image modeling reveal both the lensing galaxy and tentatively the lensed image of the quasar host galaxy. Archival optical light curves show evidence of a variability time delay, with the fainter component lagging the brighter by about 100 days. The brightness of the fainter image has also decreased by about one magnitude since 2019. This dimming was still obvious at the time of the spectroscopic observations and is probably caused by microlensing. The optical spectroscopic follow-up obtained from NTT/EFOSC2 and the evidence provided by the imaging and timing analysis allow us to confirm the lensed nature of eRASS1 J050129.5–073309.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Probing triaxiality beyond the proton drip line: Spectroscopy of Tm 147

Two triaxial states of the proton-decaying nucleus 147 Tm were studied via a comparison of experimental data to results obtained through nonadiabatic quasiparticle calculations. The experimental data were collected in a recoil-decay tagging study using the vacuum-mode recoil separator MARA coupled with the JUROGAM3 $\gamma$-ray spectrometer. The previously proposed level scheme above the triaxial 11/2 - (π⁢ℎ 11/2 ) ground state was confirmed, and the level structure was expanded to cover the states above the weakly populated proton-emitting 5/2 + (πd 5/2 ) isomeric state. Further, it was found that the isomeric state is also triaxial, and possibly more deformed than the ground state.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Electronic properties of single-layer CoO 2 /Au(111)

Here we report direct measurements via angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) of the electronic dispersion of single-layer (SL) CoO 2 . The Fermi contour consists of a large hole pocket centered at the $\overline{\Gamma}$ point. To interpret the ARPES results, we use density functional theory (DFT) in combination with the multi-orbital Gutzwiller Approximation (DFT+GA), basing our calculations on crystalline structure parameters derived from x-ray photoelectron diffraction and low-energy electron diffraction. Our calculations are in good agreement with the measured dispersion. We conclude that the material is a moderately correlated metal. We also discuss substrate effects, and the influence of hydroxylation on the CoO 2 SL electronic structure.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

SOFIA: Spectrometer Optimized for Facility Integrated Applications

Los Alamos National Laboratory researchers developed the Spectrometer Optimized for Facility Integrated Applications (SOFIA) for new capabilities in non-destructive nuclear material analysis, nuclear data measurements, and actinide science. SOFIA is the first ultra-high resolution gamma spectrometer technology based on low-temperature microcalorimeter designs. By precisely measuring the gamma rays passively emitted from radioactive and nuclear materials, SOFIA provides rapid, completely nondestructive analysis to improve the economics and timeliness of nuclear material analysis by reducing reliance on costly sampling and destructive analysis. By developing the first compact instrument based on ultrahigh resolution microcalorimeter gamma spectroscopy, the researchers intended to bring this technology into practical use in nuclear facilities and analytical laboratories.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2020

Level Structure of {sup 31}S Via {sup 32}S({ital p,d}) {sup 31}S

Background: Properties of proton-unbound S-31 states determine the P-30(p, gamma) S-31 reaction rate, which has a significant impact on explosive hydrogen burning in classical novae and type-I x-ray bursts. Despite several previous studies, uncertainties still remain with respect to the nuclear structure of S-31 near the proton threshold. Purpose: The level structure of S-31 has been presently investigated via a charged-particle spectroscopy experiment using the S-32(p, d) S-31 reaction. Method: Deuterons corresponding to S-31 excited states with 3.285 <= E-x <= 10.8 MeV were momentum analyzed via an Enge split-pole spectrograph at six laboratory angles between 10 degrees and 62 degrees. Differential cross sections of the S-32(p, d)S-31 reaction were measured at E-p = 34.5 MeV. Distorted-wave Born approximation calculations were performed to constrain the spin-parity assignments of several of the observed levels. Results: We have detected 72 excited states of S-31, out of which 17 are within the astrophysical region of interest corresponding to the temperature range of 0.1-1.5 GK. We have resolved the discrepancy in the spin and parity of an excited state with E-x = 6542 keV, showing that is it not J(pi) = 3/2(-), and therefore the contribution of this state to the P-30(p, gamma) reaction rate is likely much less significant than previously thought owing to the larger angular-momentum transfer required to populate this excited state. Moreover, our measurement results help consolidate the spin-parity assignments for the 6377 and 6636 keV states in S-31. Conclusions: This work presents the most comprehensive spin-parity assignments to date from a single-neutron transfer reaction on S-32 to S-31 excited states in the region between 6 to 7 MeV excitation energy. This region is significant for the determination of the P-30(p, gamma)S-30 reaction rate over the temperatures characteristic of explosive hydrogen burning in novae.

Setoodehnia, K.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Interdiffusion and Formation of Intermetallic Compounds in High-Temperature Power Electronics Substrate Joints Fabricated by Transient Liquid Phase Bonding

Power electronics packages typically comprise a dielectric substrate bonded to a metal layer and attached to heat sinks using a low-thermal-conductivity solder. These multiple layers increase the effective thermal resistance of the package and are responsible for package failures under cyclic thermal loads. Bonding the aluminum nitride dielectric layer (AlN) directly to a low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) aluminum silicon carbide (AlSiC) cold plate using copper-aluminum (Cu-Al) transient liquid phase (TLP) bonding has been shown to improve the mechanical reliability of the power electronic packages while making the package more compact by bringing the cooling solutions closer to the devices. This study aims to characterize the Cu-Al bonds formed during the TLP bonding of AlSiC with three different power electronics substrates: pure aluminum nitride (AlN), aluminum (DBA), and copper (DBC). The material compositions and microstructures of the bonds were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), confocal scanning acoustic microscopy (C-SAM), and x-ray diffraction (XRD). ..alpha..-Al solid compound was identified as the dominant phase in AlN-AlSiC and Al-AlSiC, with a notable presence of SiC particles. In contrast, three intermetallic phases - ..theta..-CuAl2, ..eta..-CuAl, and ..gamma..'- Cu9Al4 - were observed in the Cu-AlSiC bond. A computational solid-state diffusion model was developed to predict the intermetallic compounds (IMCs) formed during Cu-Al TLP bonding in each system, which supported the observation that an initial Cu volume fraction of 20 % in the material layers produced a final bond composition of >95 % Al with minimal IMC growth. However, increased Cu concentrations produced higher concentration gradients, leading to increased growth of IMCs, Kirkendall voids, and interstitial cracks.

DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Short GRB Host Galaxies. I. Photometric and Spectroscopic Catalogs, Host Associations, and Galactocentric Offsets

We present a comprehensive optical and near-infrared census of the fields of 90 short gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) discovered in 2005–2021, constituting all short GRBs for which host galaxy associations are feasible (≈60% of the total Swift short GRB population). We contribute 274 new multi-band imaging observations across 58 distinct GRBs and 26 spectra of their host galaxies. Supplemented by literature and archival survey data, the catalog contains 542 photometric and 42 spectroscopic data sets. The photometric catalog reaches 3σ depths of ≳24–27 mag and ≳23–26 mag for the optical and near-infrared bands, respectively. We identify host galaxies for 84 bursts, in which the most robust associations make up 56% (50/90) of events, while only a small fraction, 6.7%, have inconclusive host associations. Based on new spectroscopy, we determine 18 host spectroscopic redshifts with a range of z ≈ 0.15–1.5 and find that ≈23%–41% of Swift short GRBs originate from z > 1. We also present the galactocentric offset catalog for 84 short GRBs. Taking into account the large range of individual measurement uncertainties, we find a median of projected offset of ≈7.7 kpc, for which the bursts with the most robust associations have a smaller median of ≈4.8 kpc. Our catalog captures more high-redshift and low-luminosity hosts, and more highly offset bursts than previously found, thereby diversifying the population of known short GRB hosts and properties. In terms of locations and host luminosities, the populations of short GRBs with and without detectable extended emission are statistically indistinguishable. This suggests that they arise from the same progenitors, or from multiple progenitors, which form and evolve in similar environments. All of the data products are available on the Broadband Repository for Investigating Gamma-Ray Burst Host Traits website.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Chemical and Radiological Compatibility Testing of 3D Printed Materials

To dramatically increase the adaptability, performance, and safety of processes in support of the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF), Savannah River National Lab (SRNL) plans to perform chemical and radiological compatibility testing on a wide variety of 3D printed materials of interest. The 3D printing process provides numerous strategic operational benefits such as rapid prototyping of complex designs and geometry specific to the needs of the nuclear waste disposition process, as well as on-demand rapid prototyping and iteration with materials that aren’t as accessible through traditional manufacturing methods. Reaction chemistry in simulated waste batches can be matched closely to its radioactive counterpart, but glass reactor vessels have limitations. Vessel geometry can play a big factor in mixing transport limitations, process chemistry, and degradation reaction kinetics. In addition, additive manufacturing allows for much more detailed vessel design than traditional alternatives. Waste processing techniques in DWPF also encounter extreme chemical environments including high pH, strong acids, abrasive slurries, and significant irradiation. To meet these challenges, a matrix of various polymer, ceramic, and metal additive manufacturing materials have been exposed to a suite of chemical environments of interest as well as radioactive dose (such as gamma radiation from 60 Co) to properly test their durability under these conditions. Mass change has been monitored over a period of up to a week in these conditions, as well as added characterization for surface modification through Scanning Electron Microscopy/Electron Dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM/EDX). Further chemical characterization has been monitored through Fourier-Transform InfraRed Spectroscopy (FTIR), with planned investigation via thermal and tensile strength degradation. While the direct product of this research is identification of material(s) that can withstand specific hazardous environments encountered by the mercury water wash tank in DWPF process simulation experiments, the reference base of materials will be used for many other nuclear processes in the pursuit of rapidly developed, cost-efficient, and highly specific devices for environmental remediation and much more.

Wilson, Nathan W. [Savannah River National Laborat↗
DOE OSTI2023

Evaluation of Neutron-Radiation Tolerance of Lithium Indium Diselenide Semiconductors

Herein we discuss lithium indium diselenide (LISe) as a semiconductor that holds promise for neutron imaging sensor technologies because of its high neutron absorption efficiency and its corresponding ability to discriminate between gamma rays and neutrons. However, being a semiconductor, LISe may not be sufficiently radiation hard for practical application in radiation hard environments. Therefore, a systematic evaluation of the changes in material and electronic properties of LISe after high neutron fluence exposures is investigated. Herein, the characterization methods are utilized which included UV–vis, X-ray diffraction, radioluminescence, Raman, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), current–voltage, and neutron sensing. Characteristics of LISe material that appeared in the literature are identified herein along with several that are expected to appear based on theoretical analyses. The results obtained show clear changes in the material properties of LISe after neutron exposure up to a fluence of 10 16 n cm -2 . However, LISe is still able to sense neutrons above the background at 10 16 n cm -2 , suggesting that LISe may be suitable for use in neutron imaging sensors at neutron imaging facilities.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Structural evolution of iodine on approach to the monatomic state

Here, we applied single-crystal x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy in a diamond-anvil cell up to 36 GPa and first-principles theoretical calculations to study the molecular dissociation of solid iodine at high pressure. Unlike previously reported, we find that the familiar Cmce molecular phase transforms to a Cmc2 1 molecular structure at 16 GPa, and then to an incommensurate polymeric Fmmm⁡(00⁢$\gamma$)⁢s⁢00 structure, which can be viewed as a mixture of molecular I 2 and zigzag chains of three iodine atoms, at 20 GPa. The available data are consistent with metallization of iodine at the boundary between the commensurate Cmc⁢2 1 structure and the incommensurate Fmmm⁡(00⁢$\gamma$)s⁢00 structure at 20 GPa.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2021

NuSTAR broad-band X-ray observation campaign of energetic pulsar wind nebulae in synergy with VERITAS, HAWC and Fermi gamma-ray telescopes

We report recent progress on the on-going NuSTAR observation campaign of 8 TeV-detected middle-aged pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe). This campaign constitutes a major part of our NuSTAR study of some of the most energetic TeV sources in our Galaxy detected by VERITAS and HAWC. NuSTAR is the first focusing X-ray telescope operating above 10 keV in space with sub-arcminute angular resolution. Broad-band X-ray imaging and spectroscopy data, obtained by NuSTAR, allow us to probe sub-PeV electron populations through detecting synchrotron X-ray radiation. Our targets include PeVatron candidates detected by HAWC, the Boomerang nebula, PWNe crushed by supernova remnant shocks (or relic PWNe) and G0.9‚0.1 in the Galactic Center. Combined with Fermi-LAT data and available TeV data, we aim to provide a complete, multi-wavelength view of a diverse class of middle-aged (~10–100 kyrs old) PWNe. Our NuSTAR analysis detected hard X-ray emission from the Eel and Boomerang PWNe and characterized their broad-band X-ray spectra most accurately. We plan to apply both time-evolution and multi-zone PWNe models to multi-wavelength spectral energy distribution (SED) data over the radio, X-ray, GeV and TeV bands. In this proceeding, we will review our observation campaign and discuss the preliminary results for some PWNe.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗