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At least 253 records · Page 14

Progress on the experimental search for the chiral magnetic effect, the chiral vortical effect, and the chiral magnetic wave

In quantum chromodynamics, the interactions of quarks with the topological gluon field can lead to nonconservation of local parity (P) and conjugated parity (CP) , which provides a solution to the strong CP problem and a possibility to explain the asymmetry of matter-antimatter in the current universe. Under the action of a strong magnetic field, the nonconservation of P and CP can lead to the separation of particles according to their electric charges, which is called the chiral magnetic effect (CME). An observation of the CME-induced charge separation will confirm several fundamental properties of quantum chromodynamics (QCD), namely, approximate chiral symmetry restoration, topological charge fluctuation, and local parity violation. In relativistic heavy-ion collisions, there are other chiral anomalous effects similar to the CME, such as the chiral vortical effect (CVE) and the chiral magnetic wave (CMW). This review briefly summarizes the current progress of experimental research on the CME, CVE, and CMW in relativistic heavy-ion collisions.

Physics↗

Thermodiffusion in concentrated ferrofluids: Experimental and numerical results on magnetic thermodiffusion

Ferrofluids consist of magnetic nanoparticles dispersed in a carrier liquid. Their strong thermodiffusive behaviour, characterised by the Soret coefficient, coupled with the dependency of the fluid's parameters on magnetic fields is dealt with in this work. It is known from former experimental investigations on the one hand that the Soret coefficient itself is magnetic field dependent and on the other hand that the accuracy of the coefficient's experimental determination highly depends on the volume concentration of the fluid. The thermally driven separation of particles and carrier liquid is carried out with a concentrated ferrofluid (φ = 0.087) in a horizontal thermodiffusion cell and is compared to equally detected former measurement data. The temperature gradient (1 K/mm) is applied perpendicular to the separation layer. The magnetic field is either applied parallel or perpendicular to the temperature difference. For three different magnetic field strengths (40 kA/m, 100 kA/m, 320 kA/m) the diffusive separation is detected. It reveals a sign change of the Soret coefficient with rising field strength for both field directions which stands for a change in the direction of motion of the particles. This behaviour contradicts former experimental results with a dilute magnetic fluid, in which a change in the coefficient's sign could only be detected for the parallel setup. An anisotropic behaviour in the current data is measured referring to the intensity of the separation being more intense in the perpendicular position of the magnetic field: S{sub T‖} = −0.152 K{sup −1} and S{sub T⊥} = −0.257 K{sup −1} at H = 320 kA/m. The ferrofluiddynamics-theory (FFD-theory) describes the thermodiffusive processes thermodynamically and a numerical simulation of the fluid's separation depending on the two transport parameters ξ{sub ‖} and ξ{sub ⊥} used within the FFD-theory can be implemented. In the case of a parallel aligned magnetic field, the parameter can be determined to ξ{sub ‖} = (2.8; 9.1; 11.2) × 10{sup −11} · D{sub ‖} kg/(A{sup 2}m) for the different field strengths and in dependence on the magnetic diffusion coefficient D{sub ‖}. An adequate fit in the perpendicular case is not possible, by ξ{sub ⊥} = 1 × 10{sup −17} kg/(Am{sup 2}) a rather good agreement between numerical and experimental data can be found for a field strength of 40 kA/m, a change in the coefficient's sign in the perpendicular setup is not numerically determinable via this theory. The FFD-theory is only partly applicable to calculate the concentration profile in concentrated magnetic fluids established due to a temperature gradient and magnetic field applied.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Spatial tuning of acoustofluidic pressure nodes by altering net sonic velocity enables high-throughput, efficient cell sorting

Particle sorting using acoustofluidics has enormous potential but widespread adoption has been limited by complex device designs and low throughput. Here, we report high-throughput separation of particles and T lymphocytes (600 μL min -1 ) by altering the net sonic velocity to reposition acoustic pressure nodes in a simple two-channel device. Finally, the approach is generalizable to other microfluidic platforms for rapid, high-throughput analysis.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Observations of particle acceleration in solar flares

Solar flares provide several examples of nonthermal particle acceleration. The paper reviews the information gained about these processes via X-ray and gamma-ray astronomy, which can presently distinguish among three separate particle-acceleration processes at the sun: an impulsive accelerator of more than 20 keV electrons, a gradual accelerator of more than 20 keV electrons, and a gradual accelerator of more than 10 MeV ions. The acceleration energy efficiency (total particle energy divided by total flare energy) of any of these mechanisms cannot be less than about 0.1%, although the gradual acceleration does not occur in every flare. The observational material suggests that both the impulsive and gradual accelerations take place preferentially in closed magnetic-field structures, but that the electrons decay in these traps before they can escape. The ions escape very efficiently.

Hudson, H. S.↗

How the method of synthesis governs the local and global structure of zinc aluminum layered double hydroxides

A series of zinc aluminum layered double hydroxides (ZnAl LDHs), [Zn1-xAlx (OH)2Ax,nH2O with A = NO3-, Cl- or CO3] were prepared by the urea and co-precipitation synthesis methods, which allowed for a detailed investigation on how synthesis parameters such as pH, metal ion concentration and post synthesis treatment influence the local and global structure of the LDH product. Information about sample composition, purity, defects and other structural aspects of the LDH products were obtained from powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, micro-Raman, and elemental analysis, as well as solid state 1H, 27Al and 67Zn NMR spectroscopy. Our results show that the urea method results in LDHs, which on the global scale are highly crystalline LDHs, whereas solid state NMR shows the different local environments indicating local disorder most likely linked to the presence of Al-rich phases. However, these Alrich phases are not detected by global range techniques, as they either defects within the LDH particles or separate phase(s) associated with LDHs. In contrast, samples prepared by coprecipitation especially synthesized under careful pH control and subsequently hydrothermal treated have high local order and good crystallinity (particle size). Our results show that both molecular level and macroscopic techniques are needed to assess the composition of LDHs, as the conventional PXRD and TEM analysis of LDHs failed to identify the many structural defects and/or amorphous phases.

Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory↗

Facile etching for single crystal cathode materials

A recycling and synthesis of charge material for secondary batteries generates single-crystal charge materials for producing batteries with greater charge cycle longevity. Charge material particles undergo a heating for fusing or enhancing grain boundaries between polycrystalline particles. The resulting, more well-defined grain boundaries are easily etched by a relatively weak mineral acid solution. The acid solution removes material at the grain boundaries to separate secondary particles into primary particles along the grain boundaries. The resulting single crystal (monocrystalline) charge material particles are washed and filtered, and typically re-sintered to accommodate any needed lithium (lithium carbonate), and result in a charge material with larger surface area, higher lithium diffusivity and lower cation ordering.

Wang, Yan↗

Production of Carbon Nanomaterials and Sorbents from Domestic U.S. Coal (Final Report)

The main goal of this project was to produce high-value carbon nanomaterials and carbon sorbents from domestic coal resources in a cost-effective manner. Four types of domestic coal samples were processed through a combination of deashing, devolatilization, oxidation, reduction, and activation treatments to produce graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (RGO), and activated carbon (AC). The precursors and developed materials were extensively characterized by various methods to investigate the impact of the coal feedstock type on the yield and quality of each product. A commercial graphite-based GO sample was included in the experimental work as the baseline material for comparison with the coal-based materials developed in this work. The performed work also included a technoeconomic analysis and cost estimation for a plant processing 20 tons/day coal, a market evaluation for the graphene materials, and a technology gap analysis. A simple process by concentrated nitric acid oxidation is used to oxidize coal precursors for the production of GO. Fine oxidized coal particles that were separated from larger oxidized coal particles had significantly higher oxygen contents and were identified as coal-based GO samples. Coarse oxidized coal particles were used as precursors for production of AC. Based on the Raman spectroscopy results, coal-based GO samples exhibited G and D bands similar to those of graphite-based GO samples. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that coal-based GO samples had surface oxygen contents of ~26-35% that were higher than the oxygen contents of graphite-based GO samples. Larger particles of oxidized coal samples were activated under different conditions to produce high surface area functionalized AC. Prepared materials had surface areas exceeding 1,500 m 2 /g and pore volumes more than 1 cm 3 /g with different pore size distributions. Reduced graphene oxide samples were prepared by thermal reduction of both coal-based and graphite-based GO samples at 170-2800 ºC. Coal-based and graphite-based RGO samples exhibited similar carbon contents, Raman spectra, and XRD profiles. Heat treatment above 1500 ºC shifted RGO to synthetic graphite. Among anthracite, bituminous, subbituminous, and lignite coals tested, anthracite was the best precursor to produce carbon nanomaterials exhibiting properties similar to those of graphite-based materials. Anthracite-based carbon nanomaterials also had the highest production yields. Technoeconomic analysis estimated the production cost of GO and RGO for anthracite-based samples at about 2,600 and 4,200 $/ton, respectively, which is about two orders of magnitude lower than the current estimated price of graphite-based materials. Several gaps to further develop the proposed technology were identified and discussed that include process and equipment optimization, process integration, need for additional bench- and pilot-scale experiments, and other items to reduce the scale up risk. Market analysis reports suggested a compound annual growth rate of 40% for graphene and related materials. Short-term applications include composites, inks, and coatings. However, energy storage applications appear to be the dominant potential long-term applications. Different applications of coal-based GO and RGO need to be explored and clear metrics and standards for each application need to be developed.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗

Using X-Ray Computed Tomography to Catalog Rock Fragments in Apollo Drive Tube 73002

Overview: The Apollo missions collected 382 kg of rock, regolith, and core samples from six locations on the nearside of the Moon. Approximately 84% by mass of the Apollo collection remains in pristine condition within the curation facility at Johnson Space Center (i.e., never allocated, continuously stored in dry-N2 purged cabinets, exposure history restricted to Teflon, stainless steel, and Al-metal). Although most Apollo samples have been well characterized, there are several types of samples that have remained wholly or largely unstudied since their return, and/or that have been cu-rated under special conditions, e.g., frozen samples, samples stored in He-purged environment, and previously unopened drive tubes. NASA solicited proposals for the Apollo Next Generation Sample Analysis Pro-gram (ANGSA), and 9 teams were selected to study a subset of the unopened and frozen samples [1]. The first sample opened as part of the ANGSA pro-gram was drive tube 73002. This was originally a ~30 cm long, 4 cm diameter drive tube collected on a land-slide deposit near Lara Crater at the Apollo 17 landing site. It was part of a ~60 cm long double drive tube collected, and the bottom half of the tube (73001) was sealed under vacuum on the Moon [2]. Prior to opening sample 73002, the sample was imaged with a high resolution X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) scan of the entire tube [3], which provided invaluable information during the dissection process [4]. In addition to the pre-dissection XCT scans, individual >4 mm particles were separated from the 73002 regolith during processing and scanned at high resolution by XCT. Here we pre-sent the initial lithologic classification of 134 individual >4 mm rock fragments separated from the 73002 core during the dissection process. Methodology: Drive tube 73002 was manually dissected in 0.5 cm depth intervals in three passes (Fig. 1) [4,5]. Each interval from pass 1 and 2 was sieved to <1 mm and >1 mm size fractions, and >1 mm particles were further manually subdivided into 1-2, 2-4, 4-10, and >10 mm size fractions. Pass 3 was not sieved, but >10 mm clasts were separated manually. Each 4-10 mm and >10 mm fragment was individually weighed, triply bagged in Teflon, and scanned by XCT. There are 60 rock fragments in Pass 1, 64 rock fragments in Pass 2 (from the 4-10 mm and >10 mm size fractions), and 8 rock fragments from Pass 3 (>10 mm size fraction). Each individually bagged rock fragment was scanned using the 180 kV nano-focus transmission source on the Nikon XTH 320 XCT system at NASA Johnson Space Center [6]. Scanning conditions varied considerably for individual particles, in large part be-cause of the large variation in size (0.008-19.623 g). All scans fell within the following range of scan conditions: 2.8-20.6 um voxel size; 90-155 kV voltage; 18-39 uA current; 1891-3141 projections; and 902-2000 slices. Results and Discussion: The 132 rock fragments from sample 73002 fall into the following general cat-gories: agglutinates (n = 6); basalts (13); impact melts (5); impact melt breccias (IMB; 42); regolith breccias (62); and soil breccias (4); see Figure 2 for representative examples of each lithology. Within most of these broad lithologic groups are recognizable subgroups. For example, a significant portion of regolith breccia fragments contain some agglutinate-like glass (n = 9) or are dilithologic (7) because they contain a single large clast (~50% or more by volume). Subgroups can be based on similarities to previously identified lunar lithologies, such as high-Ti basalts (9) and VLT basalts (4; Fig. 3), or based on commonly seen features within the fragments, such as poikilitic ilmenite IMB (10), ilmenite-lath IMB (12), or vesicular IMB (11) “groups”. Particles in the same “group” are not necessarily intended to be genetically related, but rather identify particles that are similar and that follow-up studies can classify in more detail [7]. Conclusion: Identification of lithologies based on XCT is a powerful tool, but a more absolute classification will sometimes require additional textural information from thin sections (e.g., glassy-matrix regolith vs. impact-melt vs. granulitic breccia) or quantitative mineral compositions (e.g., basalt vs. monomict breccia).

R A Zeigler↗

Homeotropic nano-particle assembly on degenerate planar nematic interfaces: films and droplets

A continuum theory is used to study the effects of homeotropic nano-particles on degenerate planar liquid crystal interfaces. Particle self-assembly mechanisms are obtained from careful examination of particle configurations on a planar film and on a spherical droplet. The free energy functional that describes the system is minimized according to Ginzburg–Landau and stochastic relaxations. The interplay between elastic and surface distortions and the desire to minimize defect volumes (boojums and half-Saturn rings) is shown to be responsible for the formation of intriguing ordered structures. As a general trend, the particles prefer to localize at defects to minimize the overall free energy. However, multiple metastable configurations corresponding to local minima can be easily observed due to the high energy barriers that separate distinct particle arrangements. Finally, we show that by controlling anchoring strength and temperature one can direct liquid-crystal mediated nanoparticle self-assembly along well defined pathways.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Image processing enhancement of high-resolution TEM micrographs of nanometer-size metal particles

The high-resolution TEM detectability of lattice fringes from metal particles supported on substrates is impeded by the substrate itself. Single value decomposition (SVD) and Fourier filtering (FFT) methods were applied to standard high resolution micrographs to enhance lattice resolution from particles as well as from crystalline substrates. SVD produced good results for one direction of fringes, and it can be implemented as a real-time process. Fourier methods are independent of azimuthal directions and allow separation of particle lattice planes from those pertaining to the substrate, which makes it feasible to detect possible substrate distortions produced by the supported particle. This method, on the other hand, is more elaborate, requires more computer time than SVD and is, therefore, less likely to be used in real-time image processing applications.

Artal, P.↗

Hydrodynamic irreversibility of non-Brownian suspensions in highly confined duct flow

The irreversible behaviour of a highly confined non-Brownian suspension of spherical particles at low Reynolds number in a Newtonian fluid is studied experimentally and numerically. In the experiment, the suspension is confined in a thin rectangular channel that prevents complete particle overlap in the narrow dimension and is subjected to an oscillatory pressure-driven flow. In the small cross-sectional dimension, particles rapidly separate to the walls, whereas in the large dimension, features reminiscent of shear-induced migration in bulk suspensions are recovered. Furthermore, as a consequence of the channel geometry and the development and application of a single-camera particle tracking method, three-dimensional particle trajectories are obtained that allow us to directly associate relative particle proximity with the observed migration. Companion simulations of a steadily flowing suspension highly confined between parallel plates are conducted using the force coupling method, which also show rapid migration to the walls as well as other salient features observed in the experiment. While we consider relatively low volume fractions compared to most prior work in the area, we nevertheless observe significant and rapid migration, which we attribute to the high degree of confinement.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Integrating laboratory and field data to quantify the immersion freezing ice nucleation activity of mineral dust particles

Data from both laboratory studies and atmospheric measurements are used to develop an empirical parameterization for the immersion freezing activity of natural mineral dust particles. Measurements made with the Colorado State University (CSU) continuous flow diffusion chamber (CFDC) when processing mineral dust aerosols at a nominal 105% relative humidity with respect to water (RH w ) are taken as a measure of the immersion freezing nucleation activity of particles. Ice active frozen fractions vs. temperature for dusts representative of Saharan and Asian desert sources were consistent with similar measurements in atmospheric dust plumes for a limited set of comparisons available. The parameterization developed follows the form of one suggested previously for atmospheric particles of non-specific composition in quantifying ice nucleating particle concentrations as functions of temperature and the total number concentration of particles larger than 0.5 μm diameter. Such an approach does not explicitly account for surface area and time dependencies for ice nucleation, but sufficiently encapsulates the activation properties for potential use in regional and global modeling simulations, and possible application in developing remote sensing retrievals for ice nucleating particles. A calibration factor is introduced to account for the apparent underestimate (by approximately 3, on average) of the immersion freezing fraction of mineral dust particles for CSU CFDC data processed at an RH w of 105% vs. maximum fractions active at higher RH w . Instrumental factors that affect activation behavior vs. RH w in CFDC instruments remain to be fully explored in future studies. Nevertheless, the use of this calibration factor is supported by comparison to ice activation data obtained for the same aerosols from Aerosol Interactions and Dynamics of the Atmosphere (AIDA) expansion chamber cloud parcel experiments. Further comparison of the new parameterization, including calibration correction, to predictions of the immersion freezing surface active site density parameterization for mineral dust particles, developed separately from AIDA experimental data alone, shows excellent agreement for data collected in a descent through a Saharan aerosol layer. These studies support the utility of laboratory measurements to obtain atmospherically relevant data on the ice nucleation properties of dust and other particle types, and suggest the suitability of considering all mineral dust as a single type of ice nucleating particle as a useful first-order approximation in numerical modeling investigations.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

The prospects for mineral analysis by remote infrared spectroscopy.

An investigation of the effects of physical parameters on the spectra of minerals has been carried out, and an attempt made to develop a comprehensive theory of the reflectance (or emittance) spectra of particulate surfaces. The theory involves the effects of particle size, surface roughness, porosity, and mixing ratios on the spectra of mineralogical assemblages. The true spectral information is represented by the refractive indices and absorption coefficients of the constituent minerals. The present theory and the Mie theory for a cloud of well separated quartz particles are compared, as well as theoretical and experimental reflectances of quartz powders, glass beads, and corundum powders. Experimental results of abrading sapphire are presented.

Aronson, J. R.↗

Arrested coarsening and large density fluctuations in driven particle mixtures in two dimensions

Abstract Using molecular dynamics simulations, we study a driven, nonadditive binary mixture of spherical particles confined to move in two dimensions and immersed in an explicit solvent consisting of point particles with purely repulsive interactions. We show that, without a drive, the mixture of spherical particles phase separates and coarsens with kinetics consistent with an Ising-like conserved dynamics. Conversely, when the drive is applied, the coarsening is arrested and the system develops large density fluctuations. We show that the drive creates domains of a characteristic size which decreases with an increasing force. Furthermore, we find that these domains are anisotropic and can be oriented either parallel or perpendicular to the drive direction. Finally, we connect our findings to existing theories of strongly-driven systems, pointing out the importance of introducing the explicit solvent particles to break the Galilean invariance of the system.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Chapter 4 - Mechanical Fractionations of Biomass Feedstocks for Enhanced Pretreatment and Conversion. In the book Biomass Preprocessing and Pretreatments for Production of Biofuels: Mechanical, Chemical and Thermal Methods.

Living plant biomass consists of multiple types of tissues and organs, each performing unique and essential physical or biological functions in the living plant. Because of these differences in form and function, these tissues and organs can retain these unique physical and chemical properties after senescence or harvest. Properties such as ash composition, ash content, carbohydrate content, lignin content, density, and recalcitrance can vary widely between plant parts and tissues. Mechanical fractionation of biomass feedstocks has the potential to take advantage of these naturally occurring differences to produce physically or chemically unique fractions that have higher or lower value within specific biochemical or thermochemical conversion platforms. Mechanical fractionation techniques that have shown promise include density separations in air or liquid, size separations, and automated sorting. Density separations, such as air classification, separate based on particle density, size, and shape. Size separations are highly dependent upon size reduction techniques, however anatomical differences can affect particle size. The chemical and physical properties of the resulting fractions help determine their optimal use. These unique fractions can be used directly or treated as ingredients and blended with other feedstocks or fractions of feedstocks to meet cost, quality, or conversion specifications.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Advanced Colloids Experiment (ACE) Science Overview

The Advanced Colloids Experiment is being conducted on the International Space Station (ISS) using the Light Microscopy Module (LMM) in the Fluids Integrated Rack (FIR). Work to date will be discussed and future plans and opportunities will be highlighted. The LMM is a microscope facility designed to allow scientists to process, manipulate, and characterize colloidal samples in micro-gravity where the absence of gravitational settling and particle jamming enables scientists to study such things as:a.The role that disordered and ordered-packing of spheres play in the phase diagram and equation of state of hard sphere systems,b.crystal nucleation and growth, growth instabilities, and the glass transition, c.gelation and phase separation of colloid polymer mixtures,d.crystallization of colloidal binary alloys,e.competition between crystallization and phase separation,f.effects of anisotropy and specific interactions on packing, aggregation, frustration and crystallization,g.effects of specific reversible and irreversible interactions mediated in the first case by hybridization of complementary DNA strands attached to separate colloidal particles,h.Lock and key interactions between colloids with dimples and spheres which match the size and shape of the dimples,i.finding the phase diagrams of isotropic and interacting particles,j.new techniques for complex self-assembly including scenarios for self-replication, k.critical Casimir forces,l.biology (real and model systems) in microgravity,m.etc. By adding additional microscopy capabilities to the existing LMM, NASA will increase the tools available for scientists that fly experiments on the ISS enabling scientists to observe directly what is happening at the particle level. Presently, theories are needed to bridge the gap between what is being observed (at a macroscopic level when photographing samples) with what is happening at a particle (or microscopic) level. What is happening at a microscopic level will be directly accessible with the availability of the Light Microscopy Module (LMM) on ISS. To meet these goals, the ACE experiment is being built-up in stages, with the availability of confocal microscopy being the ultimate objective. Supported by NASAs Physical Sciences Research Program, ESAESTEC, and the authors respective governments.

Microgravity Biology Research↗

High-Energy Permanent Magnets for Hybrid Vehicles and Alternative Energy Uses

The report summarizes research undertaken by a multidisciplinary team aimed at the development of the next generation high-energy permanent magnets. The principal approach was relied on bottom-up fabrication of anisotropic nanocomposite magnets. Our efforts resulted in further development of the theoretical concept and fabrication principles for the nanocomposites and in synthesis of a range of rare-earth-based hard magnetic nanoparticles. Even though we did not make a breakthrough in the assembly of these hard magnetic particles with separately prepared Fe(Co) nanoparticles and did not obtain a compact nanocomposite magnet, our performed research will help to direct the future efforts, in particular, towards nano-assembly via coating, when the two phases which made the nanocomposite are first organized in core-shell-structured particles. Two other approaches were to synthesize (discover) new materials for the traditional singe-material magnets and the nanocomposite magnets. Integrated theoretical and experimental efforts lead to a significant advance in nanocluster synthesis technique and yielded novel rare-earth-free nanostructured and nanocomposite materials. Examination of fifteen R-Fe-X alloy systems (R = rare earth), which have not been explored earlier due to various synthesis difficulties reveal several new ferromagnetic compounds. The research has made major progress in bottom-up manufacturing of rare-earth-containing nanocomposite magnets with superior energy density and open new directions in development of higher-energy-density magnets that do not contain rare earths. The advance in the scientific knowledge and technology made in the course of the project has been reported in 50 peer-reviewed journal articles and numerous presentations at scientific meetings.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Chemical Characterization of Individual Particles and Residuals of Cloud Droplets and Ice Crystals Collected On Board Research Aircraft in the ISDAC 2008 Study

Although it has been shown that size of atmospheric particles has a direct correlation with their ability to act as cloud droplet and ice nuclei, the influence of composition of freshly emitted and aged particles in nucleation processes is poorly understood. In this work we combine data from field measurements of ice nucleation with chemical imaging of the sampled particles to link aerosol composition with ice nucleation ability. Field measurements and sampling were conducted during the Indirect and Semidirect Aerosols Campaign (ISDAC) over Barrow, Alaska, in the springtime of 2008. In-situ ice nucleation measurements were conducted using a Continuous Flow Diffusion Chamber (CFDC). Measured number concentrations of ice nuclei (IN) varied from frequent values of 0.01 per liter to more than 10 per liter. Residuals of airborne droplets and ice crystals were collected through a counterflow virtual impactor (CVI). The compositions of individual atmospheric particles and the residuals were studied using Computer Controlled Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (CCSEM/EDX) and Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscopy coupled with Near Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure spectroscopy (STXM/NEXAFS). Chemical analysis of cloud particle residuals collected during an episode of high ice nucleation suggests that both size and composition may influence aerosol's ability to act as IN. The STXM/NEXAFS chemical composition maps of individual residuals have characteristic structures of either inorganic or black carbon cores coated by organic materials. In a separate flight, particle samples from a biomass burning plume were collected. Although it has previously been suggested that episodes of biomass burning contribute to increased numbers of highly effective ice nuclei, in this episode we observed that only a small fraction were effective ice nuclei. Most of the particles from the biomass plume episode were smaller in size and were composed of homogeneous organic material without identifiable cores.

Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory↗