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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 235 records · Page 13
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Modeling aerosol transmission spectra from n(λ) and k(λ) infrared optical constants measurements of organic liquids and solids

The effects of light scattering and refraction play significantly different roles for aerosols than for bulk materials, making it challenging to identify aerosolized chemicals using traditional spectral methods or spectral reference libraries. Due to a potentially infinite number of particle morphologies, sizes, and compositions, constructing a database of laboratory-measured aerosol spectra is not a practical solution. Here, as an alternative approach, the measured n / k optical vectors of two example organic materials (diethyl phthalate and D-mannitol) are used in combination with particle absorption / scattering theory (Mie theory and FDTD) and the Beer-Lambert law to generate a series of synthetic infrared transmission / scattered light spectra. The synthetic spectra show significant differences versus simple slab transmission spectra, even for small changes in particle size (e.g., 5 vs. 10 µm) for both single particles and ensembles, potentially serving as useful reference data for aerosol sensing. For spherical single particles with diameters of 1 to 10 µm, FDTD simulations predict changes in the magnitudes of spectral shifts and the shapes of the peaks vs. particle size with only small deviations from Mie theory predictions, yet reliably capture the direction of the shifts. Typical spectral peak shifts in the longwave infrared correspond to Δλ ∼0.20 µm (∼34 cm -1 ) when compared to corresponding slab transmission spectra. Additionally, synthetic spectra generated from the n / k values derived using two different methods (KBr pellet transmission and single-angle reflectance) are compared using the Mie theory model.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2026

Emergent viscous hydrodynamics from a single quantum particle

We investigate an explicit example of how spatial decoherence can lead to hydrodynamic behavior in the late-time, long-wavelength regime of open quantum systems. We focus on the case of a single nonrelativistic quantum particle linearly coupled to a thermal bath of noninteracting harmonic oscillators at temperature T , a la Caldeira and Leggett. Taking advantage of decoherence in the position representation, we expand the reduced density matrix in powers of the off-diagonal spatial components, so that high-order terms are suppressed at late times. Truncating the resulting power series at second order leads to a set of dissipative transient hydrodynamic equations similar to the nonrelativistic limit of equations widely used in simulations of the quark-gluon plasma formed in ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions. Transport coefficients are directly determined by the damping constant γ , which quantifies the influence of the environment. The asymptotic limit of our hydrodynamic equations reduces to the celebrated Navier-Stokes equations for a compressible fluid in the presence of a drag force. Furthermore, our results shed new light on the onset of hydrodynamic behavior in open quantum systems where a system with few degrees of freedom is coupled to a large thermal environment.

Hydrodynamics↗
DOE OSTI2022

Model for Independent Particle Motion

Independent particle model in nuclear physics assumes that the nucleon in the nucleus moves in the average (mean field) potential generated by all other nucleons. This chapter gives a short overview of basic features of the independent particle motion in atomic nuclei and its theoretical realization in the framework of shell models for spherical, deformed, and rotating nuclei as well as in more sophisticated approaches such as microscopic+macroscopic model and density functional theories. Independent particle motion of nucleons leads to global and single-particle consequences. The global ones manifest themselves in the shell structure, and its consequences for the global structure of nuclear landscape, the existence of superheavy nuclei, and the superdeformation at high spin are briefly reviewed. Finally, the latter shows itself in the single-particle properties such as energies, alignments, and densities; their manifestations are illustrated on specific examples.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1973

Particle-fluid interactions for flow measurements

Study has been made of the motion of single particle and of group of particles, emphasizing solid particles in gaseous fluid. Velocities of fluid and particle are compared for several conditions of physical interest. Mean velocity and velocity fluctuations are calculated for single particle, and some consideration is given to multiparticle systems.

Berman, N. S.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Accessing the deuteron source with pion-deuteron femtoscopy in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV

Femtoscopy of nonidentical particle pairs has been instrumental for precision measurements of both two-particle sources and the final-state interactions in high-energy elementary and heavy-ion collisions. The majority of measurements assessing the source properties are based on identical particle pairs, providing direct access to the characteristics of the single-particle source. The work in this paper demonstrates, via femtoscopy measurements of charged pion-deuteron pairs in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV, the feasibility of accessing the characteristics of the single-particle femtoscopic source by using particle pairs with large mass differences such as pions and deuterons. The first experimental results of the measurement of deuteron source sizes in ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions are presented. The results show good agreement with the trend derived from other charged hadrons such as pions, kaons, and protons as a function of transverse mass, indicating similar source properties.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1990

Ignition and combustion characteristics of metallized propellants

Shakedown and calibration of the experimental apparatus designed to study secondary atomization and ignition characteristics of aluminum slurry propellants was begun and nears completion. The burner was tested over an array of equivalence ratios and oxygen mass fractions to determine the permissible range of operating conditions. A burner flow control system was designed and fabricated which permits independent control of flame stoichiometry and oxidant O2 concentrations. The Sun slurry formulation was selected as the base for initial testing. Laser beam waists at the focal volume of the single particle sizing system were determined to be 396 microns for the Ar-ion and 81 microns for the He-Ne laser. Size calibrations using pinholes were completed and compared to Mie theory for light scattering from particles. A vibrating office droplet generator was used to test the single particle sizing system dynamically by producing a water droplet laden gas flow. The data acquisition and analysis programming was completed and testing is in progress. From initial results, the particle sizing, atomization and ignition detection systems appear to be performing as expected.

Turns, S. R.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Ne 21 energy levels approaching the α -particle threshold

Nuclei around Ne 20 exhibit an interplay of different excitations caused by different aspects of nuclear structure, including single-particle and multiparticle configurations and collective rotations. One-nucleon transfer reactions selectively probe single-particle structures in these nuclei. These nuclei are also important to astrophysics, with a number of important reactions proceeding through this mass region. Energy levels approaching the α -particle threshold in Ne 21 are of importance to nuclear structure. The Ne 20 ( d , p ) Ne 21 reaction was measured and the corresponding spectroscopic nuclear information was extracted. States in Ne 21 were populated using the Ne 20 ( d , p ) Ne 21 reaction in forward kinematics. Protons were identified in the Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory (TUNL) Enge split-pole spectrograph and angular distributions were extracted. Spin-party assignments were made and neutron partial widths were determined based on distorted-wave Born approximation (DWBA) analysis. Several new energy levels were observed at energies of 7176, 7235, 7250, and 7337 keV, and spin-parities are reported which generally agree with previous results where literature was available. Spin and parity assignments are reported for several energy levels along with estimated neutron widths for those states above the neutron threshold ( S n = 6761 keV ). Results from this study are placed in context with a review of the available literature on all known states in this energy region of Ne 21 . Published by the American Physical Society 2024

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Enrichment of Phosphates, Lead, and Mixed Soil–Organic Particles in INPs at the Southern Great Plains Site

Ice nucleating particles (INPs) are rare particles that initiate primary ice formation, a critical step required for subsequent important cloud microphysical processes that ultimately govern cloud phase and cloud radiative properties. Laboratory studies have found that organic-rich dusts, such as those found in soils, are more efficient INPs compared to mineral dust. However, the atmospheric relevance of these organic-rich dusts are not well understood, particularly in regions with significant agricultural activity. The Agricultural Ice nuclei at the Southern Great Plains field campaign (AGINSGP) was conducted in rural Oklahoma to investigate how soil dusts contribute to INP populations in the Great Plains. We present chemical characterization of ambient and ice crystal residual particles from a single day of sampling, using single particle mass spectrometry (SPMS) and scanning microscopy. Ambient particles were primarily carbonaceous or secondary aerosol, while the fraction of dust particles was higher in the residual particles. We also observed an unusual particle type consisting of a carbonaceous core mixed with dust fragments on the surface, which was found in higher proportion in residuals. Dust particles measured during residual sampling contained greater proportions of phosphate $(^{63}\text{PO}^-_2$ and $^{79}\text{PO}^-_3)$ and lead ( 206 Pb + ). Strong sulfate signals were not seen in the residual dust particles measured by the SPMS, while nitrate was slightly depleted relative to ambient dust. This study shows that organic-rich soils may be important contributors to the ambient INP population in agricultural regions.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Dataset for "Enrichment of phosphates, lead, and mixed soil-organic particles in INPs at the Southern Great Plains site"

Ice nucleating particles (INPs) are rare particles that initiate primary ice formation, a critical step required for subsequent important cloud microphysical processes that ultimately govern cloud phase and cloud radiative properties. Laboratory studies have found that organic-rich dusts, such as those found in soils, are more efficient INPs compared to mineral dust. However, the atmospheric relevance of these organic-rich dusts are not well understood, particularly in regions with significant agricultural activity. The Agricultural Ice nuclei at the Southern Great Plains field campaign (AGINSGP) was conducted in rural Oklahoma to investigate how soil dusts contribute to INP populations in the Great Plains. We present chemical characterization of ambient and ice crystal residual particles from a single day of sampling using single particle mass spectrometry (SPMS) and scanning microscopy. Ambient particle concentrations were primarily carbonaceous or secondary aerosol, while dust particles were enhanced in the residual particles. Dust particles measured during residual sampling contained elevated signals for phosphate ($^{63}$PO$_2^-$ and $^{79}$PO$_3^-$) and lead ($^{208}$Pb$_2^+$). Nitrate was slightly depleted relative to ambient dust, and strong sulfate signals were not seen in the residual particles measured by the miniSPLAT. The residual and ambient particles measured by the miniSPLAT were approximately the same size, though this may be a reflection of the SPMS size-dependent transmission efficiency and not that of physical truth. This study shows that organic-rich soils may be important contributors to the ambient INP population in agricultural regions.

Cornwell, Gavin C↗
NASA NTRS1975

A photometric function for diffuse reflection by particulate materials

A photometric function is proposed to describe the diffuse reflection of radiation by particulate materials. Both multiple scattering and the dominant effects of particle shadowing are included and the function is verified by comparisons with the photometries of laboratory surfaces. Brightness measurements of planetary and other diffusely scattering surfaces can be used to calculate the brightness for geometries other than those used in the measurements and for which the Minnaert function does not apply. The measurements also can be directly related to such surface characteristics as particle size, single-particle albedo, and compactness.

Meador, W. E.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Working group report on beam plasmas, electronic propulsion, and active experiments using beams

The JPL Workshop addressed a number of plasma issues that bear on advanced spaceborne technology for the years 2000 and beyond. Primary interest was on the permanently manned space station with a focus on identifying environmentally related issues requiring early clarification by spaceborne plasma experimentation. The Beams Working Group focused on environmentally related threats that platform operations could have on the conduct and integrity of spaceborne beam experiments and vice versa. Considerations were to include particle beams and plumes. For purposes of definition it was agreed that the term particle beams described a directed flow of charged or neutral particles allowing single-particle trajectories to represent the characteristics of the beam and its propagation. On the other hand, the word plume was adopted to describe a multidimensional flow (or expansion) of a plasma or neutral gas cloud. Within the framework of these definitions, experiment categories included: (1) Neutral- and charged-particle beam propagation, with considerations extending to high powers and currents. (2) Evolution and dynamics of naturally occurring and man-made plasma and neutral gas clouds. In both categories, scientific interest focused on interactions with the ambient geoplasma and the evolution of particle densities, energy distribution functions, waves, and fields.

Dawson, J. M.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Cathode active materials for secondary batteries

A cathode active material of formula LiNi x Mn y Al z M α O 2-ε B ε or NaNi x′ Mn y′ Al z′ M′ α′ O 2-ε′ B ε′ , wherein M is a combination of Ti, and Mg; M′ is Ti, Mg, or a combination of thereof; B is selected from the group of F, S, Se, or Cl; 0.8<x<1, 0<y<0.2, 0<z≤0.2, 0≤α≤0.2, 0≤ε≤0.1, 0.5<x′<1, 0<y′<0.5, 0<z′≤0.2, 0≤α′≤0.2, and 0≤ε′≤0.1. The particle is a single crystal, a single particle, or a secondary particle comprising a plurality of primary particles; and the particle is a uniform composition or a concentration gradient composition.

Liu, Tongchao↗
DOE OSTI2026

Finite-range pairing in nuclear density functional theory

Pairing correlations are ubiquitous in low-energy states of atomic nuclei. To incorporate them within nuclear density functional theory, often used for global computations of nuclear properties, pairing functionals that generate nucleonic pair densities and pairing fields are introduced. Many pairing functionals currently used can be traced back to zero-range nucleon-nucleon interactions. Unfortunately, such functionals are plagued by deficiencies that become apparent in large model spaces that contain unbound single-particle (continuum) states. In particular, the underlying computational schemes diverge as the single-particle space increases, and the results depend on how marginally occupied states are incorporated. These problems become more pronounced for pairing functionals that contain gradient-density dependence, such as in the Fayans functional. To remedy this, finite-range pairing functionals are introduced. In this study, this is done by folding the pair density with Gaussians. Here, we show that a folding radius of about 1 fm offers the best compromise between quality and stability, and substantially reduces the pathological behavior in different numerical applications.

Nuclear density functional theory↗
DOE OSTI2022

Phonon spectra of a two-dimensional solid dusty plasma modified by two-dimensional periodic substrates

Here, phonon spectra of a two-dimensional (2D) solid dusty plasma modulated by 2D square and triangular periodic substrates are investigated using Langevin dynamical simulations. The commensurability ratio, i.e., the ratio of the number of particles to the number of potential well minima, is set to 1 or 2. The resulting phonon spectra show that propagation of waves is always suppressed due to the confinement of particles by the applied 2D periodic substrates. For a commensurability ratio of 1, the spectra indicate that all particles mainly oscillate at one specific frequency, corresponding to the harmonic oscillation frequency of one single particle inside one potential well. At a commensurability ratio of 2, the substrate allows two particles to sit inside the bottom of each potential well, and the resulting longitudinal and transverse spectra exhibit four branches in total. We find that the two moderate branches come from the harmonic oscillations of one single particle and two combined particles in the potential well. The other two branches correspond to the relative motion of the two-body structure in each potential well in the radial and azimuthal directions. The difference in the spectra between the square and triangular substrates is attributed to the anisotropy of the substrates and the resulting alignment directions of the two-body structure in each potential well.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Changes of deformed shell gaps at N ~ 100 in light rare-earth, neutron-rich nuclei

There have been compelling evidences indicating that deformed single-particle states in neutron- rich regions are different from those in the stable region. It was pointed out that for the light rare- earth (60Nd, 62Sm, and 64Gd), neutron-rich (N = 98-102) nuclei, the Woods-Saxon potential, the Nilsson modified oscillator potential with "universal" parameters, and the folded Yukawa potential all failed to describe the correct ordering of neutron single-particle states. The location and size of deformed shell gaps in this mass region are under current debate. We propose a modification for the "standard" Nilsson parameters of Bengtsson and Ragnarsson introduced in 1985. The proposed N-dependent spin-orbit interaction brings an effect of the tensor force for the deformed potential, which causes dynamic changes in deformed shell gaps with neutron number and deformation. By applying the modified Nilsson parameters to generate deformed bases for the Projected Shell Model, we demonstrate that the calculation can explain consistently the current experimental data, including the ground state configuration in odd-neutron nuclei, upbending of the yrast moment of inertia at higher spins and the energies of 2-quasineutron 6- and 4- isomers in even-even nuclei.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Tuning the Dimensionality of Excitons in Colloidal Quantum Dot Molecules

Electrically coupled quantum dots (QDs) can support unique optoelectronic properties arising from the superposition of single-particle excited states. Experimental methods for integrating colloidal QDs within the same nano-object, however, have remained elusive to the rational design. Here, we demonstrate a chemical strategy that allows for the assembling of colloidal QDs into coupled composites, where proximal interactions give rise to unique optoelectronic behavior. The assembly method employing “adhesive” surfactants was used to fabricate both homogeneous (e.g., CdS–CdS, PbS–PbS, CdSe–CdSe) and heterogeneous (e.g., PbS–CdS, CdS–CdSe) nanoparticle assemblies, exhibiting quasi-one-dimensional exciton fine structure. In addition, tunable mixing of single-particle exciton states was achieved for dimer-like assemblies of CdSe/CdS core–shell nanocrystals. The nanoparticle assembly mechanism was explained within the viscoelastic interaction theory adapted for molten-surface colloids. Furthermore, we expect that the present work will provide the synthetic and theoretical foundation needed for building assemblies of many inorganic nanocrystals.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Evaluating Cryo–TEM Reconstruction Accuracy of Self–Assembled Polymer Nanostructures

Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo–TEM) combined with single particle analysis (SPA) is an emerging imaging approach for soft materials. However, the accuracy of SPA–reconstructed nanostructures, particularly those formed by synthetic polymers, remains uncertain due to potential packing heterogeneity of the nanostructures. In this study, the combination of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and image simulations is utilized to validate the accuracy of cryo–TEM 3D reconstructions of self–assembled polypeptoid fibril nanostructures. Using CryoSPARC software, image simulations, 2D classifications, ab initio reconstructions, and homogenous refinements are performed. By comparing the results with atomic models, the recovery of molecular details is assessed, heterogeneous structures are identified, and the influence of extraction location on the reconstructions is evaluated. In conclusion, these findings confirm the fidelity of single particle analysis in accurately resolving complex structural characteristics and heterogeneous structures, exhibiting its potential as a valuable tool for detailed structural analysis of synthetic polymers and soft materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗