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At least 217 records · Page 12

Band Anticrossing in Highly Mismatched Compound Semiconductor Alloys

Compound semiconductor alloys in which metallic anions are partially replaced with more electronegative isoelectronic atoms have recently attracted significant attention. Group IIIN(sub x)V(sub 1-x) alloys with a small amount of the electronegative N substituting more metallic column V elements has been the most extensively studied class of such Highly Mismatched Alloys (HMAs). We have shown that many of the unusual properties of the IIIN(sub x)V(sub 1-x) alloys can be well explained by the Band Anticrossing (BAC) model that describes the electronic structure in terms of an interaction between highly localized levels of substitutional N and the extended states of the host semiconductor matrix. Most recently the BAC model has been also used to explain similar modifications of the electronic band structure observed in Te-rich ZnS(sub x)Te(sub 1-x) and ZnSe(sub y)Te(sub 1-y) alloys. To date studies of HMAs have been limited to materials with relatively small concentrations of highly electronegative atoms. Here we report investigations of the electronic structure of ZnSe(sub y)Te(sub 1-y) alloys in the entire composition range, y between 0 and 1. The samples used in this study are bulk ZnSe(sub y)Te(sub 1-y) crystals grown by either a modified Bridgman method or by physical vapor transport. Photomodulated reflection (PR) spectroscopy was used to measure the composition dependence of optical transitions from the valence band edge and from the spin-orbit split off band to the conduction band. The pressure dependence of the band gap was measured using optical absorption in a diamond anvil cell. We find that the energy of the spin-orbit split off valence band edge does not depend on composition and is located at about 3 eV below the conduction band edge of ZnSe. On the Te-rich side the pressure and the composition dependence of the optical transitions are well explained by the BAC model which describes the downward shift of the conduction band edge in terms of the interaction between localized Se states and the conduction band. On the other hand we show that the large band gap reduction observed on the Se-rich side of the alloy system is a result of an interaction between the localized Te level and the valence bands. This interaction leads to the formation of a Te-like valence band edge that strongly interacts with the light hole valence band. Calculations based on a modified k(sup dot)p model account for the reduction of the band gap and the large increase of the spin-orbit splitting observed in Se-rich ZnSe(sub y)Te(sub 1-y) alloys. We will also discuss the importance of these new results for understanding of the electronic structure and band offsets in other highly mismatched alloy systems.

Yu, Kin Man↗

Pressure-Induced Phase Transitions in Bilayer La 3 Ni 2 O 7

La 3 Ni 2 O 7 differs from expectations in part because at ambient pressure, it exists in two polymorphs: an unconventional crystal structure with alternating layers of single- and triple-layered nickel−oxygen octahedra (i.e., La 2 NiO 4 plus La 4 Ni 3 O 10 , with the so-called 1313 crystal structure) and a classical double-layer Ruddlesden−Popper phase (i.e., La 3 Ni 2 O 7 , with the so-called 2222 crystal structure, which dominates at high pressure). In this study, we report the pressure-dependent structural and electrical resistive properties of single crystals of the classical double-layered La 3 Ni 2 O 7 , grown at slightly elevated pressure using the floating-zone method. Structural characterization under pressures up to 15.4 GPa reveals a gradual transition from orthorhombic to tetragonal symmetry that is completed at 12−14 GPa. Additionally, we present pressure and field-dependent electrical resistance measurements up to 27.4 GPa, from which we construct a phase diagram. Although a resistive transition at 80 K is observed at high pressures, the resistive hallmarks of superconductivity are not.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

A phase-field model of quasi-brittle fracture for pressurized cracks: Application to UO 2 high-burnup microstructure fragmentation

Here, in this paper, we present a phase-field model of quasi-brittle fracture with pressurized cracks, with dedicated applications for polycrystalline materials. The model is formulated as a minimization problem within the variational framework. The external work done by pressure on the crack surfaces is included in the objective function. Several careful modeling choices lead to a regularization-length-independent critical strength. The model is constructed to give a softening response with an underlying linear traction-separation law. The pressure-dependent softening response and the regularization of the prescribed pressure are demonstrated with a (quasi) one-dimensional numerical analysis. In a two-dimensional numerical analysis under plane strain assumptions, the critical stress corresponding to crack propagation (as predicted by our quasi-brittle fracture model) is compared with linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) analytical solutions. Our model is further utilized to simulate fission-gas-induced fragmentation of the UO 2 high-burnup structure (HBS). Simulation results show that pressurized bubbles can cause crack nucleation and propagation, and that the bubble size and the surrounding external pressure affect the critical pressure corresponding to crack nucleation. Simulations of a partial HBS at different recrystallization stages show that different grain structures (due to recrystallization) also influence crack paths and fragmentation morphology.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Studies of leading-edge thrust phenomena

A study of practical limitations on achievement of theoretical leading-edge thrust has been made and an empirical method for estimation of attainable thrust has been developed. The method is based on a theoretical analysis of a set of two-dimensional airfoils to define thrust dependence on airfoil geometric characteristics and arbitrarily defined limiting pressures, an examination of two-dimensional airfoil experimental data to provide an estimate of limiting pressure dependence on local Mach number and Reynolds number, and employment of simple sweep theory to adapt the method to three-dimensional wings. Because the method takes into account the spanwise variation of airfoil section characteristics, an opportunity is afforded for design by iteration to maximize the attainable thrust and the attendant performance benefits. The applicability of the method was demonstrated by comparisons of theoretical and experimental aerodynamic characteristics for a series of wing-body configurations. Generally, good predictions of the attainable thrust and its influence on lift and drag characteristics were obtained over a range of Mach numbers from 0.24 to 2.0.

Carlson, H. W.↗

System Regulates the Water Contents of Fuel-Cell Streams

An assembly of devices provides for both humidification of the reactant gas streams of a fuel cell and removal of the product water (the water generated by operation of the fuel cell). The assembly includes externally-sensing forward-pressure regulators that supply reactant gases (fuel and oxygen) at variable pressures to ejector reactant pumps. The ejector supply pressures depend on the consumption flows. The ejectors develop differential pressures approximately proportional to the consumption flow rates at constant system pressure and with constant flow restriction between the mixer-outlet and suction ports of the ejectors. For removal of product water from the circulating oxygen stream, the assembly includes a water/gas separator that contains hydrophobic and hydrophilic membranes. The water separator imposes an approximately constant flow restriction, regardless of the quality of the two-phase flow that enters it from the fuel cell. The gas leaving the water separator is nearly 100 percent humid. This gas is returned to the inlet of the fuel cell along with a quantity of dry incoming oxygen, via the oxygen ejector, thereby providing some humidification.

Vasquez, Arturo↗

A survey of thermocouple anomalies: mechanisms, interpretation, and mitigation

Thermocouples (TCs) are a critical diagnostic sensor for high enthalpy environments including thermal protection systems (TPS) for atmospheric re-entry, hypersonic wind tunnels, and arc jet test facilities. They are used for both evaluating facility environmental conditions (enthalpy, heat flux) as well as for measuring in-situ material thermal response under test conditions (thermal conductivity, heat capacity, B’, etc.). Consequently, accurate TC measurements are fundamental for both material and facility verification and validation (V&V). However, a number of TC anomalies have been observed in both ground tests and flight instrumentation. These anomalies are caused via various coupling mechanisms: electrostatic gradients, temperature-dependent electrical shorts, radio pickup, magnetic induction, and pressure-dependent leaks. All of these mechanisms can, if unaddressed, result in obviously compromised results or worse, non-physical measurements which appear reasonable. This work will survey known anomaly mechanisms and discuss ongoing efforts to quantify and mitigate anomaly mechanisms including anomaly modeling, diagnostics, and new TC designs/development.

thermocouple anomalies↗

A Survey of Thermocouple Anomalies: Mechanisms, Interpretation, and Mitigation

Thermocouples (TCs) are a critical diagnostic sensor for high enthalpy environments including thermal protection systems (TPS) for atmospheric re-entry, hypersonic wind tunnels, and arc jet test facilities. They are used for both evaluating facility environmental conditions (enthalpy, heat flux) as well as for measuring in-situ material thermal response under test conditions (thermal conductivity, heat capacity, B’, etc.). Consequently, accurate TC measurements are fundamental for both material and facility verification and validation (V&V). However, a number of TC anomalies have been observed in both ground tests and flight instrumentation. These anomalies are caused via various coupling mechanisms: electrostatic gradients, temperature-dependent electrical shorts, radio pickup, magnetic induction, and pressure-dependent leaks. All of these mechanisms can, if unaddressed, result in obviously compromised results or worse, non-physical measurements which appear reasonable. This work will survey known anomaly mechanisms and discuss ongoing efforts to quantify and mitigate anomaly mechanisms including anomaly modeling, diagnostics, and new TC designs/development.

Thermocouple Anomalies↗

Cookoff of Powdered and Pressed Explosives using a Micromechanics Pressurization Model

Cookoff experiments of powdered and pressed TATB-based plastic bonded explosives (PBXs) have been modeled using a pressure-dependent universal cookoff model (UCM) in combination with a micromechanics pressurization (MMP) model described in a companion paper. The MMP model is based on the accumulation of decomposition gases at nucleation sites that load the surrounding TATB crystals and binder. This is the first cookoff model to use an analytical mechanics solution for compressibility and thermal expansion to describe internal pressurization caused by both temperature and decomposition occurring within closed-pore explosives. This approach produces more accurate predictions of ignition time and pressurization within high-density explosives than simple equation-of-state models. The current paper gives details of the reaction chemistry, model parameters, predicted uncertainty, and validation using experiments from multiple laboratories with errors less than 6 %. The UCM/MMP model framework gives more accurate thermal ignition predictions for high density explosives that are initially impermeable to decomposition gases.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗

Methanol oxidation up to 100 atm in a supercritical pressure jet-stirred reactor

Methanol (CH 3 OH) has attracted considerable attention as a renewable fuel or fuel additive with low greenhouse gas emissions. Methanol oxidation was studied using a recently developed supercritical pressure jet-stirred reactor (SP-JSR) at pressures of 10 and 100 atm, at temperatures from 550 to 950 K, and at equivalence ratios of 0.1, 1.0, and 9.0 in experiments and simulations. Here, the experimental results show that the onset temperature of CH 3 OH oxidation at 100 atm is around 700 K, which is more than 100 K lower than the onset at 10 atm and this trend cannot be predicted by the existing kinetics models. Furthermore, a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) behavior was clearly observed at 100 atm at fuel rich conditions for methanol for the first time. To understand the observed temperature shift in the reactivity and the NTC effect, we updated some key elementary reaction rates of relevance to high pressure CH 3 OH oxidation from the literature and added some new low-temperature reaction pathways such as CH 2 O + HO 2 = HOCH 2 O 2 (RO 2 ), RO 2 + RO 2 = HOCH 2 O (RO) + HOCH 2 O (RO) + O 2 , and CH 3 OH + RO 2 = CH 2 OH + HOCH 2 O 2 H (ROOH). Although the model with these updates improves the prediction somewhat for the experimental data at 100 atm and reproduces well high-temperature ignition delay times and laminar flame speed data in the literature, discrepancies still exist for some aspects of the 100 atm low-temperature oxidation data. In addition, it was found that the pressure-dependent HO 2 chemistry shifts to lower temperature as the pressure increases such that the NTC effect at fuel-lean conditions is suppressed. Therefore, as shown in the experiments, the NTC phenomenon was only observed at the fuel-rich condition where fuel radicals are abundant and the HO 2 chemistry at high pressure is weakened by the lack of oxygen resulting in comparatively little HO 2 formation.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Multi-Anvil Experimentation Applied to Planetary Differentiation

Planets undergo differentiation that includes segregation of metal from silicate at high temperatures and pressures ranging from deep planetary core pressures (>300 GPa for Earth)to very shallow conditions of asteroids (<100 MPa).The multi-anvil solid media apparatus accesses the middle part of this range from 3 to 30 GPa –pressure relevant to the interior of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Earth’s Moon, and Mars. Early planets are thought to have experienced high temperatures from a combination of heat sources including radioactive decay, gravitational and accretional heating, and impact processes. These heating events led to melting of mantles and cores, thus requiring an understanding of solid-liquid equilibria in metal-silicate systems. In 2006 we established a multi-anvil facility at NASA-JSC combining an 880 ton press and a Kawai/Walker type module from Rockland Research. Our high PT work has been greatly facilitated by use of the COMPRES multi-anvil assemblies (1). Our recent work has included studies of element partitioning between liquid metal and liquid silicate(e.g., 2), as well as between minerals and melts(e.g., 3), both of which have led to better constraints on the timing and conditions of planetary differentiation(e.g. 4). Several examples involving sustained efforts will be summarized below and for the presentation. The distribution of siderophile (iron-loving) elements between core and mantle is controlled by metal-silicate equilibrium across a wide range of pressures. Therefore, experimentation across this pressure range helps to calibrate elemental partitioning models that can be applied to planets, and used to predict mantle chemistry and composition during planetary differentiation. Our studies have focused on a wide range of siderophile elements (refractory Ni, Co, W, Mo; volatile P, Ga, Cu, Sn, Sb; highly siderophile Au, Pd) that have constrained partitioning, valence, and isotopic fractionation, and applied to Earth, Moon, and Mars. When molten mantles (magma oceans) cool enough to initiate crystallization, the solids precipitate at depth and in large planets this involves high pressure phases like garnet, majorite, akimotoite, and ringwoodite. As these solids precipitate they can segregate from liquid by density contrasts, thus causing elemental fractionation which can be used to decipher timing of differentiation. Mineral/melt and metal/silicate equilibria in our lab have helped to better understand high pressure fractionation of isotopic parent/daughter pairs Hf/W, Mn/Cr, Pd/Ag, Pt/Os, Re/Os, and U/Pb, and their application to Earth, Moon and Mars. There remains great potential for multi-anvil experimentation to shed light on many pressure–dependent aspects of planetary evolution such as core formation, high pressure phase equilibria, redox equilibria, and volatile evolution and storage. References1. Leinenweber, K., et al.(2012) American Mineralogist,97, 353–368. 2.Righter, K., et al.(2020) Geochem. Persp. Lett.15, 1-6.3. Righter, K., et al.(2020) Met. Planet. Sci 55, 2741-2757.4. Righter, K., et al.(2020)Earth and Planetary Science Letters,552, 116590.

pressure↗

Quantifying deformation during Zry-4 burst testing: a comparison of BISON and a combined in-situ digital image correlation and infrared thermography method

The development and verification of nuclear fuel-cladding performance codes require extensive testing to establish empirical correlations, necessitating more accelerated testing methods that can replace large validation studies. Here, in the present work, a technique was developed and implemented to experimentally quantify the relationship between temperature, cladding internal pressure, and strain in-situ during a burst test, with the specific aim of generating data for code validation and model refinement. Digital image correlation was used to measure hoop, axial, and radial strain, and infrared thermography to quantify axial temperature gradients. Several key experimental modifications to traditional LOCA burst testing were necessary, but are shown to effectively have little impact on burst temperatures. The time/temperature dependent pressure and time/spatially dependent thermal gradient data were used with BISON to simulate cladding burst and strain rates. Although the measured DIC strains reach appreciable amounts at slightly lower temperatures than BISON simulated strains, there is good agreement between the measured and simulated strains in terms of magnitude and rates leading up to burst. However, in the few seconds prior to and during burst, the BISON simulated strains are significantly lower than the measured strains, indicating the potential for model improvement. The combined experiment and simulation technique may be applied to any new cladding concept to accelerate fuel qualification.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Double-domed temperature-pressure phase diagram of CePd 3 S 4

CePd 3 S 4 exhibits interplay between ferromagnetism (FM), quadrupolar order, and the Kondo effect at low temperatures with a FM transition temperature that is much higher than the value expected from the de Gennes scaling of the heavier RPd 3 S 4 compounds. In this work, we investigated the electrical transport and magnetic properties of CePd 3 S 4 under pressure up through 12 GPa so as to better understand the interplay between electronic and magnetic phases in this material. Our findings show that the low pressure FM state is suddenly replaced by a new magnetically ordered phase that is most likely antiferromagnetic that spans from ~ 7 GPa to ~ 11 GPa. Whereas this could be described as an example of avoided quantum criticality, given that clear changes in resistance and Hall data are detected near 6.3 GPa for all temperatures below 300 K, it is also possible that the change in ground state is a response to a pressure induced change in structure. Furthermore, the lack of any discernible change in the pressure dependence of the room temperature unit cell parameter/volume across this whole pressure range suggests that this change in structure is either more subtle than could be detected by our measurements (i.e. development of weak, new wave vector) or the transition is electronic (such as a Lifshitz transition).

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Analysis and Modeling of a Two-Phase Jet Pump of a Thermal Management System for Aerospace Applications

Jet pumps are devices capable of pumping fluids to a higher pressure by inducing the motion of a secondary fluid employing a high speed primary fluid. The main components of a jet pump are a primary nozzle, secondary fluid injectors, a mixing chamber, a throat, and a diffuser. The work described in this paper models the flow of a two-phase primary fluid inducing a secondary liquid (saturated or subcooled) injected into the jet pump mixing chamber. The model is capable of accounting for phase transformations due to compression, expansion, and mixing. The model is also capable of incorporating the effects of the temperature and pressure dependency in the analysis. The approach adopted utilizes an isentropic constant pressure mixing in the mixing chamber and at times employs iterative techniques to determine the flow conditions in the different parts of the jet pump.

Sherif, S.A.↗

Electronic structure of the kagome compound CaTi 3⁢ Bi 4 using high-field torque magnetometry and density functional theory

Here, we report systematic torque magnetometry measurements to investigate the electronic properties of the newly discovered kagome compound CaTi 3 ⁢Bi 4 . Electrical transport, magnetic susceptibility, and thermal measurements reveal no evidence of a magnetic ground state in this material. Torque data obtained in magnetic fields up to 41.5 T exhibit clear de Haas–van Alphen (dHvA) oscillations, with nine distinct frequencies ranging from 13 to 6164 T. Angular-dependent dHvA measurements show that, with the exception of the lowest frequency (13 T), all observed frequencies nearly follow a 1/cos ⁡𝜃 dependence, where 𝜃 is the angle between the crystallographic 𝑐 axis and the magnetic field direction. This behavior is characteristic of quasi-two-dimensional Fermi-surface sheets with nearly circular cross sections. To further elucidate the electronic structure, we performed density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the band structure and Fermi surface. The calculated bands reveal the presence of multiple Dirac points (DP), flat bands (FB), and van Hove singularities (VHS) near the Fermi level. The resulting Fermi surface consists of several quasi-two-dimensional cylindrical sheets, consistent with the experimentally observed 1/cos⁡ 𝜃 dependence. Notably, the theoretical dHvA frequencies, derived from extremal Fermi-surface cross-sectional areas, agree well with the experimental values and reproduce their angular dependence. Remarkably, all experimentally observed frequencies are captured by the DFT predictions. Pressure-dependent calculations up to 10 GPa show that the electronic features—DP, FB, and VHS—evolve systematically with pressure. In particular, the VHS shifts closer to the Fermi level, demonstrating that pressure acts as an effective tuning parameter in this material. These combined experimental and theoretical results provide a comprehensive understanding of the electronic structure of CaTi 3 ⁢Bi 4 and demonstrate how pressure can be used to tune its key electronic features, offering valuable guidance for exploring related kagome materials.

Shtefiienko, Kyryl [West Texas A & M University, C↗

A thermal equation for flame quenching

An approximate thermal equation was derived for quenching distance based on a previously proposed diffusional treatment. The quenching distance was expressed in terms of the thermal conductivity, the fuel mole fraction, the heat capacity, the rate of the rate-controlling chemical reaction, a constant that depends on the geometry of the quenching surface, and one empirical constant. The effect of pressure on quenching distance was shown to be inversely proportional to the pressure dependence of the flame reaction, with small correction necessitated by the effect of pressure on flame temperature. The equation was used with the Semenov equation for burning velocity to show that the quenching distance was inversely proportional to burning velocity and pressure at any given initial temperature and equivalence ratio.

Potter, A E , Jr↗

Tunable amorphous carbon films formed on ultralow wear, Pt–Au alloys

The mechanocatalytic formation of carbonaceous films at the interface between sliding metallic contacts is simultaneously advantageous for reducing friction and adhesion in several tribological applications and detrimental for electrical contacts as they can induce device failure by increasing the contact resistance. Yet, remarkably little is still known about the chemistry, structural and mechanical properties, and tunability of these interfacial layers. In this study, we performed contact pressure-dependent tribological experiments in dry nitrogen containing trace organics on four, nanocrystalline Pt–Au alloys ([Au] from 0 at.% to 10 at.%) – a promising class of alloys for ultralow wear and electrical contact applications. The ex-situ, multi-technique characterization results did not only provide insights into the chemical nature and mechanical behavior of the mechanocatalytic, carbon-rich films formed on Pt–Au surfaces, but also revealed the interplay between catalytic and mechanochemical tribofilm formation controlled by the composition-dependent electronic structure of the Pt–Au substrate and the applied contact pressure. The results of this work provide guidelines for tailoring nanocrystalline alloys to control their mechanocatalytic activity on the basis of variations of the alloy mechanical properties and element's electronic structure with the alloy stoichiometry.

AFM↗

Modeling Catalyzed Growth of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes (Final Report)

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are among the most promising nanostructures because of their special and unusual physico-chemical properties that make them strong candidates for a variety of applications. Since their discovery, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods have become the preferred synthesis method. CVD uses a carbon-containing precursor species, which is decomposed over a catalyst yielding C atoms that eventually evolve in carbon nanostructures. CVD temperatures are in the order of 1000K or lower, and pressures in the range of 1-5 atm, although some processes use higher pressures. Depending on the nature of the catalyst, and on the conditions of pressure, temperature, and presence of other inert compounds, the resultant nanostructures may include nanofibers, nano-onions, multiple-, or single-wall carbon nanotubes, among others. When the CVD synthesis process is appropriately tuned, however, it is possible to obtain only SWCNTs, which are geometrically characterized by their diameter and by their chiral angle. The chiral indexes (n,m) determine the degree of helical twist of the graphite lattice along the nanotube axis, where the term chirality is derived from the left and right-handed helicity of the tubes defined by their chiral indexes (n,m) and (m,n) respectively. The main goal of this research is to build fundamental understanding that will help elucidating the nature and structure of the actual catalyst in a combined catalyst/support system, which we claim is essential especially when the catalyst is of nanodimensions. Given that we are considerably advanced in the understanding of selective single-walled carbon nanotube catalyst synthesis, we take this process as a case study. Thus, we focus on the understanding of the selective growth of SWCNTs on supported nanocatalysts in systems where the catalyst synthesis takes place in the same reactor preceding the nanotube synthesis. Once we understand what type of catalyst structure would be necessary for this specific growth, we will try to elucidate the catalytic synthesis process that leads to such catalytic structure. Thus, our aim of controlling nanostructure synthesis may start to be delineated.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗