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At least 361 records · Page 20

Lunar production of solar cells - A near-term product for a lunar industrial facility

Because of the much lower escape velocity, there is a great advantage in manufacture of solar cells for use in space on the moon rather than on earth. Silicon is abundant on the moon, and new refining methods allow it to be reduced and purified without extensive reliance on materials unavailable on the moon. Silicon and amorphous silicon solar cells could be manufactured on the moon for use in space.

Landis, Geoffrey A.↗

Sputtered Ta-Si-N diffusion barriers in Cu metallizations for Si

Electrical measurements on shallow Si n+-p junction diodes with a 30-nm TiSi2 contacting layer demonstrate that an 80-nm-thick amorphous Ta36Si14N50 film prepared by reactive RF sputtering of a Ta5Si3 target in an Ar/N2 plasma very effectively prevents the interaction between the Si substrate with the TiSi2 contacting layer and a 500-nm Cu overlayer. The Ta36Si14N50 diffusion barrier maintains the integrity of the I-V characteristics up to 900 C for 30-min annealing in vacuum. It is concluded that the amorphous Ta36Si14N50 alloy is not only a material with a very low reactivity for copper, titanium, and silicon, but must have a small diffusivity for copper as well.

Kolawa, E.↗

Procedures for analysis of debris relative to Space Shuttle systems

Debris samples collected from various Space Shuttle systems have been submitted to the Microchemical Analysis Branch. This investigation was initiated to develop optimal techniques for the analysis of debris. Optical microscopy provides information about the morphology and size of crystallites, particle sizes, amorphous phases, glass phases, and poorly crystallized materials. Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectrometry is utilized for information on surface morphology and qualitative elemental content of debris. Analytical electron microscopy with wavelength dispersive spectrometry provides information on the quantitative elemental content of debris.

Kim, Hae Soo↗

A photovoltaic catenary-tent array for the Martian surface

To provide electrical power during an exploration mission to Mars, a deployable tent-shaped structure with a flexible photovoltaic (PV) blanket is proposed. The array is designed with a self-deploying mechanism utilizing pressurized gas expansion. The structural design for the array uses a combination of cables, beams, and columns to support and deploy the PV blanket. Under the force of gravity a cable carrying a uniform load will take the shape of a catenary curve. A catenary-tent collector is self shadowing which must be taken into account in the solar radiation calculation. The shape and the area of the shadow on the array was calculated and used in the determination of the global radiation on the array. The PV blanket shape and structure dimension were optimized to achieve a configuration which maximizes the specific power (W/kg). The optimization was performed for four types of PV blankets (Si, GaAs/Ge, GaAs CLEFT, and amorphous Si) and four types of structure materials (Carbon composite, Aramid Fiber composite, Aluminum, and Magnesium). The results show that the catenary shape of the PV blanket, which produces the highest specific power, corresponds to zero end angle at the base with respect to the horizontal. The tent angle is determined by the combined effect of the array structure specific mass and the PV blanket output power. The combination of carbon composite structural material and GaAs CLEFT solar cells produce the highest specific power. The study was carried out for two sites on Mars corresponding to the Viking Lander locations. The designs were also compared for summer, winter, and yearly operation.

Crutchik, M.↗

Recent Progress in CuInS2 Thin-Film Solar Cell Research at NASA Glenn

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is interested in developing low-cost highly efficient solar cells on light-weight flexible substrates, which will ultimately lower the mass-specific power (W/kg) of the cell allowing extra payload for missions in space as well as cost reduction. In addition, thin film cells are anticipated to have greater resistance to radiation damage in space, prolonging their lifetime. The flexibility of the substrate has the added benefit of enabling roll-to-roll processing. The first major thin film solar cell was the "CdS solar cell" - a heterojunction between p-type CuxS and n-type CdS. The research on CdS cells started in the late 1950s and the efficiency in the laboratory was up to about 10 % in the 1980s. Today, three different thin film materials are leading the field. They include amorphous Si, CdTe, and Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS). The best thin film solar cell efficiency of 19.2 % was recently set by CIGS on glass. Typical module efficiencies, however, remain below 15 %.

Jin, M. H.-C.↗

Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Silicon Carbide, Boron Nitride and Silicon for Ceramic Matrix Composite Applications

A comprehensive computational molecular dynamics study is presented for crystalline α-SiC (6H, 4H, and 2H SiC), β-SiC (3C SiC), layered boron nitride, amorphous boron nitride and silicon, the constituent materials for high-temperature SiC/SiC compositions. Large-scale Atomic/Molecular Parallel Simulator software package was used. The Tersoff Potential force field was utilized to evaluate their mechanical characteristics of most of the materials, and the Reax force field was used to model silicon when the Tersoff Potential did not provide accurate results. Their mechanical behaviors were evaluated at a strain rate of 10(exp 7)/s and the results agree with the experimental data in the literature. The results are foundational for linking constituent behavior to composite performance, particularly when test data is unavailable or suspect.

Aluko, Olanrewaju↗

Chemically Recyclable Analogs of Styrene–Butadiene Copolymers Enabling Perfectly Linear Ethylene–Styrene Materials with Random Phenyl Distribution

Copolymerization of cyclopentene (CP) and 4-phenylcyclopentene (4PCP) at a full range of comonomer feed ratios is reported using Ru-based ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) yielding homogeneous copolymers analogous to poly(styrene-ran-1,4-butadiene) and poly(ethylene-ran-styrene) copolymers following hydrogenation under mild conditions. In all cases, total monomer conversions of 86%–92% yielded copolymers with compositions within 4% of monomer feeds. Analysis of equilibrium copolymerization thermodynamics, rarely performed on two cycloolefin monomers with low ring strain energies, provides rational design strategies for negotiating two monomers with different equilibrium monomer concentrations. Inverse-gated decoupled 13 C NMR analysis of dyad sequences on the resulting copolymer microstructures concludes a near-random distribution of comonomer units. The copolymers produced from ROMP have number-average molar masses up to 60 kg mol –1 , moderate dispersities (1.5 ± 0.1), and high trans olefin content (86% ± 2%) while glass-transitions temperatures follow the Fox equation and span the full range between homopolymer extremities of PCP (−96 °C) and P4PCP (17 °C). Unlike most prevulcanized elastomers, these materials undergo facile chemical recycling to monomer, producing complete ring-closing metathesis depolymerization (RCMD) of the polymer back to the CP comonomers. Quantitative olefin hydrogenation produced perfectly linear polyethylene with 4%–16% of the backbone carbons containing a phenyl pendant, analogous to ES copolymers with up to 71.5% w/w styrene units but with random distribution of the aromatic pendants. Thermal properties of these materials are discussed, which span from semicrystalline to amorphous, and with T g values notably less than the reported ES copolymer analogs at similar compositions.

animal feed↗

Reflectance spectra of 'featureless' materials and the surface mineralogies of M- and E-class asteroids

In a search for diagnostic spectral parameters which can be used to distinguish different materials on the surface of asteroids and to provide information on the detection limits for mafic silicates, the 0.3- to 2.6-micron reflectance spectra of meteoritic enstatite (nearly pure MgSiO3), iron meteorite metal, magnetite, and amorphous carbon as well as various mixtures of these materials with mafic silicates were examined. Results are presented on the dependence of the spectral detectability of mafic silicates associated with metal, carbon, and magnetite on the particle sizes of the phases, their chemistries, crystal structures, and abundances. It is shown that the observational data for a representative M-class asteroid, (16) Psyche, are largely consistent with a fine-grained metal-rich surface assemblage, whereas data for the E-class asteroid (44) Nysa indicate that its surface is composed of fine-grained material similar to enstatite achondrites, with a small amount of material comparable to the chondritic inclusions found in the Cumberland Falls aubrite.

Cloutis, Edward A.↗

The 16-39 micron spectroscopy of oxygen-rich stars

Airborne observations of the 16-39 microns spectra of ten oxygen-rich stars with excess emission in the infrared was obtained. The stars show excess emission attributed to circumstellar dust grains in the 16-39 microns region in the form of a broad hump peaking near 18 microns and falling smoothly to longer wavelengths. The emission is similar in character to the emission from the Trapezium region of the Orion nebula indicating the grain materials are quite similar in these objects. The existence of a feature in the 20 microns region is consistent with the 0-Si-0 bending resonance expected for silicate material. The lack of any sharp structure in the spectra indicates the silicate is in an amorphous, disordered form. A simple model of small grains of carbonaceous chondrite silicate material in a diffuse circumstellar envelope is shown to give a good qualitative fit to the observed 8-39 microns circumstellar spectra. Comparison of the observed spectra with the model spectra indicates the grain emissivity falls as 1/lambda squared from 20 microns to 40 microns.

Forrest, W. J.↗

16-39 micron spectroscopy of oxygen-rich stars

Airborne observations of the 16-39-micron spectra of 10 oxygen-rich stars with excess emission in the infrared have been obtained. The stars show excess emission attributed to circumstellar dust grains in the 16-39-micron region in the form of a broad hump peaking near 18 microns and falling smoothly to longer wavelengths. The emission is similar in character to the emission from the Trapezium region of the Orion Nebula, indicating the grain materials are quite similar in these objects. The existence of a feature in the 20-micron region is consistent with the O-Si-O bending resonance expected for silicate material. The lack of any sharp structure in the spectra indicates the silicate is in an amorphous, disordered form. A simple model of small grains of carbonaceous chondrite silicate material in a diffuse circumstellar envelope is shown to give a good qualitative fit to the observed 8-39-micron circumstellar spectra. Comparison of the observed spectra with the model spectra indicates the grain emissivity falls as the inverse square of wavelength from 20 to 40 microns.

Forrest, W. J.↗

Low-Temperature Pyrolysis of Aliphatic Polymers Using a Fluorinated Amorphous Silica–Alumina: Cooperative Reactivity between a Redox-Active Radical and an Aluminum Lewis Site

Fluorinated amorphous silica–alumina (F-ASA) prepared by the thermolysis of Krossing’s Al(OC(CF 3 ) 3 ) 3 (PhF) Lewis superacid supported on silica is a very reactive catalyst that promotes the pyrolysis (cracking) of aliphatic polymer melts to produce low molecular weight hyperbranched oils. Initial spectroscopic studies reported previously (Gao, J.; Perras, F. A.; Conley, M. P. J. Am. Chem. Soc . 2025 , 147, 18145–18154) showed that this material contains a distribution of four-, five-, and six-coordinate aluminum sites and a small amount of Brønsted acid sites, similar to typical amorphous silica–alumina materials that are far less reactive in the pyrolysis of aliphatic polymer melts. The objective of this study was to determine whether other active sites present in F-ASA could facilitate pyrolysis reactions. This study provides evidence for the presence of a redox-active silicon oxycarbide persistent radical ((≡Si) 3 C•) in F-ASA. Mims ENDOR EPR experiments show that (≡Si) 3 C• is located close to aluminum. Contacting F-ASA with thianthrene (Th) results in oxidation to form the [Th •+ ][F–ASA] ion-pair, while reactions with 1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine (TEMPOH) result in H atom transfer to form TEMPO radical and F-ASA-H containing a mildly acidic (≡Si) 3 C–H. Poisoning studies show that both Lewis acidity and (≡Si) 3 C• are required for polymer pyrolysis reactivity. Finally, we propose that F-ASA promotes the formation of alkyl radicals in polymer melts, which are key intermediates in the thermal pyrolysis reactions of aliphatic polymers, involving the cooperative reactivity of both the Lewis acid and (≡Si) 3 C•.

aluminum↗

Microchemical and Structural Evidence for Space Weathering in Soils from Asteroid Itokawa

The chemistry, microstructure and optical properties of grains on the surfaces of airless bodies are continu-ously modified due to their interactions predominantly with solar energetic ions and micrometeorite impacts. Collectively known as space weathering, this phenomenon results in a discrepancy between remotely sensed spectra from asteroids and those ac-quired directly from meteorites. The return of pristine samples from the asteroid Itokawa provides insight into surface processes on airless bodies and will help in correlating remote sensing data with laboratory analysis of meteorites. Samples and Methods: We examined Itokawa samples RA-QD02-0042-01 and RA-QD-02-0042-02, ultramicrotomed sec-tions of a singular grain prepared by the Hayabusa sample cura-tion team. We analyzed these slices using a 200 keV JEOL 2010F transmission electron microscope (TEM) at Arizona State Uni-versity and a 200 keV JEOL 2500SE TEM at NASA JSC. Both field emission TEMs are equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometers (EDS) and scanning TEM (STEM) detectors. Results and Discussion: TEM observations reveal that the sectioned grain predominantly consists of a single crystal of low-Ca orthopyroxene, with subsidiary smaller regions of olivine, Fe-Ni sulfide, and Fe-Ni metal. EDS-spectrum imaging and high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) show local, nanocrystalline regions of the outermost 2 to 5 nm of the pyroxene are composed of an Fe-Mg-S-rich and Si- and O-depleted layer that is underlain by a 2- to 5-nm thick amorphous zone enriched in Si. These layers occur in multiple microtome slices and have uniform thicknesses. We also observe localized 'islands' of material on the surface of the pyroxene which HRTEM imaging indicates are amorphous and EDS measurements show are compositionally heterogeneous. A 10- to 60-nm thick partially amorphous zone occurs below the compositionally distinct rim. While this this zone is associated with the compositionally heterogeneous outer layer, it also occurs as a local stand-alone feature on the exterior rim of the grain. Ar-eas of the pyroxene grain rim also exhibit a vesicular texture. The TEM data indicate a complex history of space weather-ing for samples RA-QD02-0042-01 and -02. The outermost layer of nanocrystalline material with varied composition is consistent with previously suggested [3-4] chemical and structural pro-cessing by solar wind ions, with a possible additional role for im-pact vapor deposition [3-4]. The amorphous and compositionally distinct islands on the surface of this grain, similar to lunar glasses, suggest formation through vapor deposition via micrometeor-ite impact events. In comparison, the amorphization and vesicula-tion textures are likely a product of radiation damage from the solar wind. The depth and degree of amorphization, in conjunction with model calculations, will help provide an upper limit on exposure time for these particles.

Thompson, M. S.↗

Infrared Spectroscopy of Anhydrous Interplanetary Dust Particles

Infrared (IR) spectroscopy is the primary means of mineralogical analysis of materials outside our solar system. The identity and properties of circumstellar grains are inferred from spectral comparisons between astronomical observations and laboratory data from natural and synthetic materials. These comparisons have been facilitated by the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO), which obtained IR spectra from numerous astrophysical objects over a wide spectral range (out to 50/cm) where crystalline silicates and other phases have distinct features. The anhydrous interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) are particularly important comparison materials because some IDPs contain carbonaceous material with non-solar D/H and N-15/N-14 ratios and amorphous and crystalline silicates with non-solar 0- isotopic ratios, demonstrating that these IDPs contain preserved interstellar material. Here, we report on micro- Fourier transform (FT) IR spectrometry of IDPs, focusing on the inorganic components of primitive IDPs (FTIR spectra from the organic/carbonacecous materials in IDPs are described elsewhere).

Keller, L. P.↗

CARES/Life Used for Probabilistic Characterization of MEMS Pressure Sensor Membranes

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices are typically made from brittle materials such as silicon using traditional semiconductor manufacturing techniques. They can be etched (or micromachined) from larger structures or can be built up with material deposition processes. Maintaining dimensional control and consistent mechanical properties is considerably more difficult for MEMS because feature size is on the micrometer scale. Therefore, the application of probabilistic design methodology becomes necessary for MEMS. This was demonstrated at the NASA Glenn Research Center and Case Western Reserve University in an investigation that used the NASA-developed CARES/Life brittle material design program to study the probabilistic fracture strength behavior of single-crystal SiC, polycrystalline SiC, and amorphous Si3N4 pressurized 1-mm-square thin-film diaphragms. These materials are of interest because of their superior high-temperature characteristics, which are desirable for harsh environment applications such as turbine engine and rocket propulsion system hot sections.

Nemeth, Noel N.↗

First-results from the Perseverance SHERLOC Investigation: Aqueous Alteration Processes and Implications for Organic Geochemistry in Jezero Crater, Mars

The Perseverance rover landed in Jezero crater, a site selected to fulfill the Mars-2020 mission goals of characterizing the geology of habitable environments and searching for signs of life while collecting samples for return to Earth [1]. Jezero hosted an open-basin lake during the late Noachian/early Hesperian (~3.7 Ga) [1-2], has units associated with the largest carbonate deposit identified on Mars [3-4], and has a well-preserved delta with clay and carbonate-bearing sediments, well-suited to preservation of organics [1,3-4]. Investigating the nature of organics and aqueous environments within their geologic con-text allows us to understand important aqueous processes and determine habitability within Jezero crater. Previous in situ landed measurements of organics could not resolve their spatial and mineralogical con-text [5-6]. Although Martian meteorites lack geological context, the spatial distribution of organic compounds in Martian meteorites have allowed recognition of an association between aqueous processes and organics [7-8]. Here, we show for the first time in-situ associations between carbonate-forming ultramafic alteration process, later stage aqueous sulfate and perchlorate formation, and organics on the Martian surface. Methodology and geological context: We use the Perseverance rover’s SHERLOC instrument (Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Lumines-ence of Organics and Chemicals), a deep-ultraviolet fluorescence and Raman scattering spectrometer capable of mapping the organic and mineral composition with a spatial resolution of 100 μm resolution to report the presence of organics and aqueously formed minerals at Jezero crater [9]. These spectral detections were compared with co-located images obtained with the autofocus context imager (ACI) and the WATSON camera for textural analysis [9]. As of writing, the Per-severance rover has abraded five targets that were measured with the SHERLOC instrument. The five targets are located in two different orbitally-identified geological units within the floor of Jezero crater; the Crater Floor Fractured Rough unit (CF-Fr) and the Séítah region within the Crater Floor Fractured 1 unit (CF-F1) [10]. In orbital infrared spectroscopic data, the CF-Fr unit is associated with pyroxene spectral signatures and minor alteration, while the Séítah region is associated with olivine and minor Mg-rich carbonates and clays [3-4,10]. Carbonation of ultramafic protolith recorded within Jezero crater: All scans of abraded targets within the Séítah region reveal strong peaks at 1080–1090 cm−1 consistent with carbonate and peak singlets or doublets at 820–840 cm−1 attributed to olivine (Fig. 1), consistent with orbital infrared observations. Our detailed micron-scale petrographic and spectroscopic evidence shows that these carbonates formed through carbonation of an ultramafic protolith. The supporting observations include: (1) Carbonate cation compositions match those of olivine, suggesting mixed Fe- and Mg-olivine gave rise to mixed Fe- and Mg-carbonates, similar to observations of ultramafic systems on Earth and within Martian meteorites [3-4,7-8]. (2) The ob-served carbonates co-occur with hydrated materials, gypsum, and potentially aqueously-formed phases, amorphous silicates and phosphate. (3) The spectral and textural variation of olivine and carbonate dominated zones and olivine-carbonate mixtures within both primary grains and interstitial zones are expected for carbonated ultramafic protoliths. (4) These mineral associations and textures closely resemble those observed within the ALH84001 and Nakhlite meteorites attributed to olivine carbonation on Mars [6-7]. Taken together, micron-scale SHERLOC documentation of these phenomena bridge previous orbital and meteorite observations and demonstrate in-situ regionally extensive (~106 km2) ultramafic alteration resulting in geo-logical deposition of carbonates. Furthermore, we observe that olivine carbonation was involved in preserving and possibly synthesizing organics, which makes this environment potentially habitable, as previously suggested in [1,3-4] (Fig. 1). Late-stage aqueous perchlorate and sulfate in Jezero crater: An abrasion target within the CF-Fr unit contains combinations of high intensity 950-955 cm−1 peaks and minor 1090-1095 cm−1 and 1150-1155 cm−1 peaks that are spectral fits to anhydrous perchlorate (Fig. 1). Some spectra show a combination of 950-955 cm−1 peaks with equally strong 1010-1020 cm−1 peaks, low intensity broad features at 1120 cm−1, and occasional broad 3450 cm−1 hydration (-OH) features, indicating a mixture of Ca-sulfate and perchlorate that is minimally hydrated (Fig. 1). The detections of per-chlorates within Jezero crater differ from previous measurements (e.g. Phoenix lander, Curiosity rover, Tissint meteorite [7,11]) because they are observed to be intimately related to aqueous processes including sulfate formation, they present as a secondary white void-fill occurring within the interior of the rock, and they are found to likely be Na-perchlorate. implications for their formation: Three different types of organics embedded within three different lithologies were observed within the abraded targets. Organics associated with low intensity ~340 nm fluorescence were widespread within targets with no apparent association to particular minerals (Fig. 1). Organics associated with ~305 nm and ~275 nm fluorescence correlated with sulfates within the Bellegarde target in the CF-Fr unit, while organics associated with high intensity ~340 nm fluorescence correlated with carbonate, phosphate, and amorphous silicate mixtures within the Garde target in the Séítah region (Fig. 1). Although assignment of fluorescence signatures to specific organic compounds is not conclusive, ~340 nm fluorescence is generally more consistent with 2-ring aromatic organics, ~275 nm fluorescence is more consistent with 1-ring aromatic organics, and ~305 nm fluorescence can be created by either 2- or 1-ring aromatics [12]. These observations indicate that the strongest fluorescence signatures interpreted as organics were found in materials associated with aqueous processes, i.e. sulfate- and carbonate-bearing materials, suggesting both brines and ultramafic carbonation aqueous environments were capable of preserving organics on ancient Mars. In Martian meteorites, simple aromatic organics proposed to have been synthesized through aqueous processes can be found within minerals associated with olivine carbonation and in spatial association with perchlorate and sulfate materials [7-8], similar to SHERLOC observations. Hence, we advance an abiotic aqueous synthesis origin for the organics although we cannot rule out the presence of organics from meteoritic in-fall or putative organic biosignatures. Detailed analyses will be required upon return of these materials to Earth.

E L Scheller↗

Plasma Flow Reactor Investigation into Nucleation of Uranium Oxide on Silica Substrates to Better Understand Fallout Formation

Understanding particulate formation in nuclear debris is critical for predicting fallout transport after a nuclear event. Improved characterization of fallout formation and transport could lead to better guidance for emergency response in a post-detonation scenario. By analyzing how U-oxides nucleate onto different forms of SiO 2 (crystalline and amorphous), we can gain insight into how entrained environmental materials may incorporate into fallout. In this experiment a Plasma Flow Reactor (PFR), was used to replicate the high temperature and extreme flow conditions in a nuclear fireball. Uranyl nitrate was injected into the plasma, and PFR-generated Uranium oxides were allowed to condense onto amorphous (nanoparticles of varying sizes) or crystalline (quartz) SiO 2 substrates. SiO 2 substrates were characterized before and after U-oxide deposition using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) based techniques (i.e. EDS) in order to characterize how U-oxides may nucleate onto these substrates. After a collection time of 4 minutes at an RF coil distance of 25cm, both the amorphous SiO 2 nanoparticles and the crystalline structures demonstrated dendritic nucleation of U-oxide species as identified by SEM/EDS.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Spectral Performance of Multilayer Amorphous Selenium and Selenium–Tellurium Photodetectors

The ability to robustly and with scalability detect single photons in the visible spectrum with wavelength resolution would transform many imaging applications. Theoretical studies propose an array of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) functionalized with semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) as a physical realization of such photon sensors. In this work, we report approaches to synthesize these CNT-QD nanostructures using DNA as a smart glue to connect CNTs to QDs.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Microstructure and mechanical behavior of laser remelted amorphous Al-Ni-La welds

To explore the feasibility of using laser powder bed fusion systems to print bulk amorphous Al alloys, a single autogenous weld produced by laser remelting on a cast Al-5La-9Ni (at.%) alloy was studied for its microstructure and mechanical behavior. The solidification rates experienced by material within the welds were high enough to produce entirely amorphous regions within the welds. Welds were characterized using SEM, STEM, and APT and were found to contain Ni-rich amorphous clusters. Micropillar compression tests were used to assess mechanical properties of the welds and found that all of the amorphous regions exhibited yield strengths around 1 GPa. In conclusion, these results are discussed in the context of diffusivity of Ni and rare earth elements in liquid, glass forming ability, thermodynamic driving force for phase formation during solidification, free volume concentrations in bulk metallic glasses, and cluster-related softening.

APT↗