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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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25 records · Page 2

Aero-Optics of Hypersonic Turbulent Boundary Layers

Aero-optics refers to optical distortions due to index-of-refraction gradients that are induced by aerodynamic density gradients. At hypersonic flow conditions, the bulk velocity is many times the speed of sound and density gradients may originate from shock waves, compressible turbulent structures, acoustic waves, thermal variations, etc. Due to the combination of these factors, aero-optic distortions are expected to differ from those common to sub-sonic and lower super-sonic speeds. This report summarizes the results from a 2019-2022 Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) project led by Sandia National Laboratories in collaboration with the University of Notre Dame, New Mexico State University, and the Georgia Institute of Technology. Efforts extended experimental and simulation methodologies for the study of turbulent hypersonic boundary layers. Notable experimental advancements include development of spectral de-aliasing techniques for highspeed wavefront measurements, a Spatially Selective Wavefront Sensor (SSWFS) technique, new experimental data at Mach 8 and 14, a Quadrature Fringe Imaging Interferometer (QFII) technique for time-resolved index-of-refraction measures, and application of QFII to shock-heated air. At the same time, model advancements include aero-optic analysis of several Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) datasets from Mach 0.5 to 14 and development of wall-modeled Large Eddy Simulation (LES) techniques for aero-optic predictions. At Mach 8 measured and predicted root mean square Optical Path Differences agree within confidence bounds but are higher than semi-empirical trends extrapolated from lower Mach conditions. Overall, results show that aero-optic effects in the hypersonic flow regime are not simple extensions from prior knowledge at lower speeds and instead reflect the added complexity of compressible hypersonic flow physics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

AmeriFlux FLUXNET-1F MX-PMm Puerto Morelos mangrove

This is the AmeriFlux Management Project (AMP) created FLUXNET-1F version of the carbon flux data for the site MX-PMm Puerto Morelos mangrove. This is the FLUXNET version of the carbon flux data for the site MX-PMm Puerto Morelos mangrove produced by applying the standard ONEFlux (1F) software. Site Description - The tower was located at the “Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marín” Botanical Garden. The surface monitored is covered with basin mangrove (sporadically flooded wetland) that grows in a fringe parallel to the northeastern coast (ca. 1 km) of the Yucatan Peninsula. The dominant species are Rhizophora mangle and Conocarpus erectus, which grow intertwined and relatively stunted (max tree height is 5m). Under the influence of trade winds and frequent stroms. The vegetation is regenerating after complete defoliation due to hurricane Wilma (cat. 4) passing in October 2005. The site is sporadically flooded by rainfall soil saturation excess; there are no marine surface water inputs but ground water level fluctuations show tidal signals. The terrain of the monitored surface is flat, while the area downwind of the tower presents a slope which corresponds to an ancient coast line. There is extensive urban development in the coastal dune along the coast mainly for tourism use (Mayan Riviera).

Alvarado-Barrientos, Ma. Susana [Instituto de Ecol↗

Manipulating and Probing Ultrafast Atomic and Molecular Dynamics (Final Report)

This program has focused on the exploration and control of dynamics in atoms, small molecules, clusters, and micro- or nano-structures following ultrafast excitation and/or driven by strong oscillating fields. In our principal experiments, gas phase atoms and molecules were exposed to short pulses of electromagnetic radiation with frequencies ranging from THz into the XUV spectral regions, and with durations from picoseconds to attoseconds. The pulses coherently induce and/or probe dynamics in the electronic, vibrational, and rotational degrees of freedom of the targets. The overarching goal of the various projects has been to exploit strong-field processes and/or implement novel ultrafast techniques for manipulating and probing coherent electronic and nuclear motion. Typically, the relevant system evolution occurs over attosecond to picosecond timescales. In doing so, we have gained a more complete picture of correlated multi-particle dynamics in atoms, molecules, and other complex systems and expanded the toolbox of useful techniques for manipulating and probing those dynamics. Grant funds were primarily used to: (i) pay salaries and fringe benefits for the PI and postdocs and stipends, tuition, and health care costs for graduate students; (ii) cover travel expenses for the PI, postdocs, and students to attend and participate in professional meetings, conferences, and workshops; and (iii) purchase research materials, supplies, and equipment required for experiments. The research resulted in the publication of 24 peer reviewed articles (including 1 in Nature Physics, 2 in Nature Communications, 7 in Physical Review Letters, and 12 in Physical Review A), and 4 PhD dissertations. The specific results from different funding periods are summarized separately in the main report.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Continuous fiber malleable thermoset composites with sub-1-minute dwell times; validation of impact performance and evaluation of the efficacy of the compression forming process. CRADA Final Report

Mallinda is developing polyimine malleable thermoset prepreg composite materials which have excellent mechanical properties (100 GPa tensile modulus, 2 GPA tensile strength, 2.4% elongation at break) and high operating temperatures (Tg>200°C). At scale, polyimine resins are commensurate in price with commodity epoxy resins. What distinguishes malleable thermoset prepreg from traditional thermoset prepreg materials, is that they are fully cured during Mallinda’s roll-to-roll production of prepreg laminate. This results in 5 key value-differentiating benefits. First, it simplifies manufacturing logistics by enabling ambient transportation and storage, and by significantly extending out-life and shelf-life almost indefinitely. Second, elimination of autoclave curing reduces the economic and energy costs to the customer. Third, scrap rates can be reduced as malleable thermoset prepreg materials are directly reusable. Fourth, the manufacturing consolidation step can be roughly 10x faster than traditional thermosets, because the resin is already cured. Parts can be made via compression forming by the application of heat and pressure to quickly vitrify and consolidate a multilayer part – easily leading to sub 3-minute cycle times (at lab scale we have demonstrated a 20 second dwell time, with room for further optimization). Finally, the closed-loop cradle-to-cradle solution-based recyclability of malleable thermoset composites can also contribute significantly to the future of sustainable lightweight materials. The focus of this project was the development, optimization and validation of malleable thermoset composite materials which exhibit manufacturing cycle times of 3-minute or less, high speed impact performance on par with incumbent technologies, and defect-free consolidation of 3 dimensional parts.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Silicon Consortium Project: No-Go on Moir Interferometry for Measuring SEI Strain as a Probe for Calendar Life Testing

Silicon is a promising candidate as a next generation anode to replace or complement graphite electrodes due to its high energy density and low lithiation potential. When silicon is lithiated, it experiences over 300% expansion which stresses the silicon as well as its solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) leading to poor performance. The use of nano-sized silicon has helped to mitigate volume expansion and stress in the silicon, yet the silicon SEI is still both mechanically and chemically unstable. Identifying the mechanical failure mechanism of the SEI will help enhance calendar and cycle life performance through improved SEI design. In situ moiré interferometry was investigated to try and track the in-plane strain in the SEI and silicon electrode for this purpose. Moiré can detect on the order of 10 nm changes in displacement and is therefore a useful tool in the measurement of strain. As the sample undergoes small deformations, large changes in the moiré fringe allow for measurements of displacement below the diffraction limit of light. Figure 1a shows how the moiré fringe changes as the sample grating deforms. As the sample contracts or expands, the frequency of the moiré fringe changes, and this change is proportional to the strain in the sample.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The OCEAN ICE mooring compilation: a standardised, pan-Antarctic database of ocean hydrography and current time series

Continuous moored time series of temperature, salinity, pressure and current speed and direction are of great importance for understanding the continental shelf and under-ice-shelf dynamics and thermodynamics that govern water mass transformations and ice melting in and around Antarctic marginal seas. In these regions, icebergs and sea ice make ship-based mooring deployment and recovery challenging. Nevertheless, over decades, expeditions around the fringe of Antarctica sporadically deployed and recovered hundreds of moored instruments, including those facilitated through ice shelves boreholes. These datasets tend to be archived in a wide range of data centres, with, to our knowledge, no clear format standardisation. As a result, systematic analysis of historical mooring time series in the marginal seas is often challenging. Here we present the first version of a standardised pan-Antarctic moored hydrography and current time series compilation, with broad international contributions from data centres, research institutes and individual data owners. The mooring records in this compilation span over five decades, from the 1970s to the 2020s, providing an opportunity for a systematic study of the pan-Antarctic water mass transport and shelf connectivity. As a demonstration of the utility of this compilation, we present spectral analysis of the compiled current velocity time series, which unsurprisingly shows the dominating presence of tidal variability within most records. This component of the variability is fitted using multi-linear regression to tidal frequencies, and the tidal fit is removed from the original time series to leave de-tided variability. Given the limited record durations to months to years, de-tided variability is dominated by synoptic (3–10 d period), intraseasonal (10–80 d) and seasonal (∼6 months–1 year) signals. The spatial distribution of the kinetic energy integrated within frequency bands is presented and discussed within respective regional contexts, and future avenues of research are proposed. This data compilation is assembled under the endorsement of Ocean-Cryosphere Exchanges in ANtarctica: Impacts on Climate and the Earth System (OCEAN ICE) project (https://ocean-ice.eu/, last access: 23 October 2025) funded by the European Commission and UK Research and Innovation. It is available and regularly updated in NetCDF format with the SEANOE database at https://doi.org/10.17882/99922 (Zhou et al., 2024a).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Compatibility of Medium Density Polyethylene (MDPE) for Distribution of Gaseous Hydrogen

Hydrogen has emerged as a convenient energy storage medium and is being considered as an alternative for reducing the use of carbon-based fuels. Numerous projects are looking into distributing blends of natural gas and different amounts of gaseous hydrogen through the existing natural gas distribution system, which is widely composed of medium density polyethylene (MDPE) line pipes. The mechanical behavior of MDPE with hydrogen is not well understood; therefore, the effect of gaseous hydrogen on the mechanical properties of MDPE needs to be examined. In the current study, we investigate the effects of gaseous hydrogen on fatigue crack growth rate, fracture resistance, and fatigue life of MDPE in the presence of 3.4 MPa gaseous hydrogen. Fatigue crack growth behavior and fracture resistance are measured using compact tension specimens, while the fatigue life tests are carried out using circumferential notched tensile specimens. In addition, fatigue and fracture tests were conducted in air to determine the baseline properties of MDPE, which was then compared with the ones observed in gaseous hydrogen environment. After the completion of mechanical testing, fracture surfaces are also analyzed using optical and scanning electron microscopes to understand salient fracture features of MDPE with and without the presence of gaseous hydrogen.

Shrestha, Rakish↗