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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 361 records · Page 20

Conventional High-Temperature Superconductivity in Metallic, Covalently Bonded, Binary-Guest C–B Clathrates

Inspired by the synthesis of XB 3 C 3 (X = Sr, La) compounds in the bipartite sodalite clathrate structure, density functional theory (DFT) calculations are performed on members of this family containing up to two different metal atoms. A DFT chemical pressure analysis on systems with X = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba reveals that the size of the metal cation, which can be tuned to stabilize the B–C framework, is key for their ambient-pressure dynamic stability. High-throughput density functional theory calculations on 105 Pm$\bar{3}$ symmetry XYB 6 C 6 binary-guest compounds (where X, Y are electropositive metal atoms) find 22 that are dynamically stable at 1 atm, expanding the number of potentially synthesizable phases by 19 (18 metals and 1 insulator). Here, the density of states at the Fermi level and superconducting critical temperature, T c , can be tuned by changing the average oxidation state of the metal atoms, with T c being highest for an average valence of +1.5. KPbB 6 C 6 , with an ambient-pressure Eliashberg T c of 88 K, is predicted to possess the highest T c among the studied Pm$\bar{3}$n XB 3 C 3 or Pm$\bar{3}$XYB 6 C 6 phases, and calculations suggest it may be synthesized using high-pressure high-temperature techniques and then quenched to ambient conditions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

The effects of space radiation on thin films of YBa2Cu3O(sub 7-x)

This investigation had two objectives: (1) to determine the effects of space radiation on superconductor parameters that are most important in space applications; and (2) to determine whether this effect can be simulated with Co-60 gamma rays, the standard test method for space materials. Thin films of yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO) were formed by coevaporation of Y, BaF2, and Cu and post-annealing in wet oxygen at 850 C for 3.5 h. The substrate used was (100) silicon with an evaporated zirconia buffer layer. The samples were characterized by four point probe electrical measurements as a function of temperature. The parameters measured were the zero resistance transition temperature (T sub c) and the room temperature resistance. The samples were then exposed to Co-60 gamma-rays in air and in pure nitrogen, and to 780 keV electrons, in air. The parameters were then remeasured. The results are summarized. The results indicate little or no degradation in the parameters measured for samples exposed up to 10 Mrads of gamma-rays in nitrogen. However, complete degradation of samples exposed to 10-Mrad in air was observed. This degradation is preliminarily attributed to the high level of ozone generated in the chamber by the gamma-ray interaction with air. It can be concluded that: (1) the electron component of space radiation does not degrade the critical temperature of the YBCO films described, at least for energies around 800 keV and doses similar to those received by surface materials on spacecraft in typical remote sensing missions; and (2) for qualifying this and other superconducting materials against the space-radiation threat the standard test method in the aerospace industry, namely, exposure to Co-60 gamma-rays in air, may require some further investigation. As a minimum, the sample must be either in vacuum or in positive nitrogen pressure.

Herschitz, R.↗

Characterization of ZrO2 buffer layers for sequentially evaporated Y-Ba-CuO on Si and Al2O3 substrates

Thin film high temperature superconductors have the potential to change the microwave technology for space communications systems. For such applications it is desirable that the films be formed on substrates such as Al2O3 which have good microwave properties. The use of ZrO2 buffer layers between Y-Ba-Cu-O and the substrate has been investigated. These superconducting films have been formed by multilayer sequential electron beam evaporation of Cu, BaF2 and Y with subsequent annealing. The three layer sequence of Y/BaF2/Cu is repeated four times for a total of twelve layers. Such a multilayer film, approximately 1 micron thick, deposited directly on SrTiO3 and annealed at 900 C for 45 min produces a film with a superconducting onset of 93 K and critical temperature of 85 K. Auger electron spectroscopy in conjunction with argon ion sputtering was used to obtain the distribution of each element as a function of depth for an unannealed film, the annealed film on SrTiO3 and annealed films on ZrO2 buffer layers. The individual layers were apparent. After annealing, the bulk of the film on SrTiO3 is observed to be fairly uniform while films on the substrates with buffer layers are less uniform. The Y-Ba-Cu-O/ZrO2 interface is broad with a long Ba tail into the ZrO2, suggesting interaction between the film and the buffer layer. The underlying ZrO2/Si interface is sharper. The detailed Auger results are presented and compared with samples annealed at different temperatures and durations.

Valco, George J.↗

Dissipative superfluid hydrodynamics for the unitary Fermi gas

In this work we establish constraints on the temperature dependence of the shear viscosity η in the superfluid phase of a dilute Fermi gas in the unitary limit. Our results are based on analyzing experiments that measure the aspect ratio of a deformed cloud after release from an optical trap. Here, we discuss how to apply the two-fluid formalism to the unitary gas and provide a suitable parametrization of the equation of state. We show that in expansion experiments the difference between the normal and superfluid velocities remains small and can be treated as a perturbation. We find that expansion experiments favor a shear viscosity that decreases significantly in the superfluid regime. Using an exponential parametrization, we find η(T c /2T F ) ≲ 0.37[η(T c /T F )], where T c is the critical temperature and T F is the local Fermi temperature of the gas.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Structure, stability, and superconductivity of N-doped lutetium hydrides at kbar pressures

Here, the structure of the material responsible for the room temperature and near ambient pressure superconductivity reported in an N-doped lutetium hydride has not been conclusively determined. Herein, density functional theory calculations are performed in an attempt to uncover what it might be. Guided by a range of strategies including crystal structure prediction and modifications of existing structure types, we present an array of Lu-N-H phases that are dynamically stable at experimentally relevant pressures. Although none of the structures found are thermodynamically stable, and none are expected to remain superconducting above ~17 K at 10 kbar, a number of metallic compounds with fcc Lu lattices – as suggested by the experimental X-ray diffraction measurements of the majority phase – are identified. The system whose calculated equation of states matches best with that measured for the majority phase is fluorite-type LuH 2 , whose 10 kbar superconducting critical temperature was estimated to be 0.1 K using the Allen-Dynes modified McMillan equation.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Planar Defect Layers Template a High-Pressure InBi Polymorph

The short- and long-range order of III–V materials under high pressure has long been the subject of debate, with advancements in structural characterization leading to significant revisions to the accepted structural models. Despite these revisions, previous high-pressure structural assignments in the In–Bi system include the site-disordered β-Sn structure type, a structure type demonstrated to be nonexistent in analogous III–V systems. While X-ray diffraction is consistent with site disordering in InBi at high pressure, cluster expansion calculations indicate that disordering requires temperatures above 3000 K. Here, we propose InBi as a model material for studying unique high-pressure planar defects due to its highly anisotropic stress-dependent properties and structure. Specifically, we identify two sets of planar defects that mimic the diffraction pattern of a site disordered β-Sn structure type and are compatible with the calculated disorder barrier. We derive these defects by symmetry relations over crystallographic transitions. Density functional theory calculations of the proposed defects suggest that these defects are stabilized by diminishing interlayer separations with pressure. Further, we find that one of the proposed defects closely resembles a bulk high-pressure phase of InBi, InBi-ϵ, and we assert that the proposed defects order upon heating, acting as a template for InBi-ϵ growth. The proposed defects and their electronic structure provide a basis for the trend of superconducting critical temperature with increasing pressure. These methods for identifying defects are generalizable to other materials with reports of site disorder at high pressure, prompting a broader search for related high-pressure defects.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Observation of stacking engineered magnetic phase transitions within moiré supercells of twisted van der Waals magnets

Abstract Recent demonstrations of moiré magnetism, featuring exotic phases with noncollinear spin order in the twisted van der Waals (vdW) magnet chromium triiodide CrI 3 , have highlighted the potential of twist engineering of magnetic (vdW) materials. However, the local magnetic interactions, spin dynamics, and magnetic phase transitions within and across individual moiré supercells remain elusive. Taking advantage of a scanning single-spin magnetometry platform, here we report observation of two distinct magnetic phase transitions with separate critical temperatures within a moiré supercell of small-angle twisted double trilayer CrI 3 . By measuring temperature-dependent spin fluctuations at the coexisting ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic regions in twisted CrI 3 , we explicitly show that the Curie temperature of the ferromagnetic state is higher than the Néel temperature of the antiferromagnetic one by ~10 K. Our mean-field calculations attribute such a spatial and thermodynamic phase separation to the stacking order modulated interlayer exchange coupling at the twisted interface of moiré superlattices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Phase instabilities in austenitic steels during particle bombardment at high and low dose rates

Disruption of phase stability by energetic particle bombardment is a major challenge in designing advanced radiation-tolerant alloys and ion beam processing of nanocomposites. Particularly, ballistic dissolution susceptibility of different solute nanocluster species in alloys is poorly understood. Here, low dose rate neutron irradiations were conducted on a Fe-Cr-Ni based austenitic steel in the BOR-60 reactor (9.4 × 10 -7 dpa/s, 318 °C) followed by accelerated dose rate ion irradiations at multiple temperatures ( 10 -3 dpa/s, 380 – 420 °C). Using atom probe tomography, the stability of radiation-enhanced Cu-rich and radiation-induced Ni-Si-Mn-rich nanoclusters was evaluated. During neutron irradiation, Cu-rich clusters nucleated with their core concentrations progressively increasing with dose, while Ni-Si-Mn-rich clusters formed and evolved into G-phase precipitates. Ion irradiations dramatically altered the nanoclusters. Cu-rich clusters were ballistically dissolved, but Ni-Si-Mn-rich clusters remained stable and coarsened with dose at 400 and 420 °C, highlighting that different nanocluster species in a single microstructure can have innately distinct ballistic dissolution susceptibilities. Solute-specific recoil rates were incorporated into the Heinig precipitate stability model, which shows that in addition to radiation-enhanced diffusion, recovery from ballistic dissolution depends on solute concentration gradient near cluster interfaces. Finally, the combined experimental-modeling study quantified the critical temperatures and damage rates where ballistic dissolution dominates for each cluster species.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Effect of layer thickness on structural, morphological and superconducting properties of Nb 3 Sn films fabricated by multilayer sequential sputtering

Superconducting Nb3Sn films can be synthesized by controlling atomic concentration of Sn. Multilayer sequential sputtering of Nb and Sn thin films followed by high temperature annealing is considered as a method to fabricate Nb3Sn films where Sn composition of deposited films can be controlled by controlling the thickness of alternating Nb and Sn layers. We report on the structural, morphological and superconducting properties of Nb3Sn films fabricated by multilayer sequential sputtering of Nb and Sn films on sapphire substrates with ex-situ annealing at 950 °C for 3 h. We have investigated the effect of Nb and Sn layer thickness on the properties of Nb3Sn films. The thicknesses of Nb and Sn layers were varied in two ways: (1) varied Nb:Sn thickness ratio (1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1), and (2) varied layer thickness of both Nb and Sn layers, while keeping constant Nb:Sn thickness ratio of 2:1. The crystal structure, surface morphology, topography, and film composition were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) respectively. The results showed Sn loss from the surface due to evaporation during annealing. Superconducting Nb3Sn films of critical temperature up to 17.93 K have been achieved.

Sayeed, M. N.↗

Design of Test Support Hardware for Advanced Space Suits

As a member of the Space Suit Assembly Development Engineering Team, I designed and built test equipment systems to support the development of the next generation of advanced space suits. During space suit testing it is critical to supply the subject with two functions: (1) cooling to remove metabolic heat, and (2) breathing air to pressurize the space suit. The objective of my first project was to design, build, and certify an improved Space Suit Cooling System for manned testing in a 1‐G environment. This design had to be portable and supply a minimum cooling rate of 2500 BTU/hr. The Space Suit Cooling System is a robust, portable system that supports very high metabolic rates. It has a highly adjustable cool rate and is equipped with digital instrumentation to monitor the flowrate and critical temperatures. It can supply a variable water temperature down to 34 deg., and it can generate a maximum water flowrate of 2.5 LPM. My next project was to design and build a Breathing Air System that was capable of supply facility air to subjects wearing the Z‐2 space suit. The system intakes 150 PSIG breathing air and regulates it to two operating pressures: 4.3 and 8.3 PSIG. It can also provide structural capabilities at 1.5x operating pressure: 6.6 and 13.2 PSIG, respectively. It has instrumentation to monitor flowrate, as well as inlet and outlet pressures. The system has a series of relief valves to fully protect itself in case of regulator failure. Both projects followed a similar design methodology. The first task was to perform research on existing concepts to develop a sufficient background knowledge. Then mathematical models were developed to size components and simulate system performance. Next, mechanical and electrical schematics were generated and presented at Design Reviews. After the systems were approved by the suit team, all the hardware components were specified and procured. The systems were then packaged, fabricated, and thoroughly tested. The next step was to certify the equipment for manned used, which included generating a Hazard Analysis and giving a presentation to the Test Readiness Review Board. Both of these test support systems will perform critical roles in the development of next‐generation space suits. They will used on a regular basis to test the NASA's new Z‐2 Space Suit. The Space Suit Cooling System is now the primary cooling system for all advanced suit tests.

Watters, Jeffrey A.↗

Structure and equation of state of Bi 2 Sr 2 Ca n-1 Cu n O 2n+4+δ from x-ray diffraction to megabar pressures

Pressure is a unique tuning parameter for probing the properties of materials, and it has been particularly useful for studies of electronic materials such as high-temperature cuprate superconductors. In this work we report the effects of quasihydrostatic compression produced by a neon pressure medium on the structures of bismuth-based high-T c cuprate superconductors with the nominal composition Bi 2 Sr 2 Ca n-1 Cu n O 2n+4+δ (n=1, 2, 3) up to 155 GPa. The structures of all three compositions obtained by synchrotron x-ray diffraction can be described as pseudotetragonal over the entire pressure range studied. We show that previously reported pressure-induced distortions and structural changes arise from the large strains that can be induced in these layered materials by nonhydrostatic stresses. The pressure-volume equations of state (EOS) measured under these quasihydrostatic conditions cannot be fit to single phenomenological formulation over the pressure ranges studied, starting below 20 GPa. This intrinsic anomalous compression as well as the sensitivity of Bi 2 Sr 2 Ca n-1 Cu n O 2n+4+δ to deviatoric stresses provide explanations for the numerous inconsistencies in reported EOS parameters for these materials. We conclude that the anomalous compressional behavior of all three compositions is a manifestation of the changes in electronic properties that are also responsible for the remarkable nonmonotonic dependence of T c with pressure, including the increase in T c at the highest pressures studied so far for each. Transport and spectroscopic measurements up to megabar pressures are needed to fully characterize these cuprates and explore higher possible critical temperatures in these materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

INVESTIGATION OF TURBULENT JETS, SPRAYS, AND SUPERCRITICAL MIXING BY TIME RESOLVED RAINBOW SCHLIEREN DEFLECTOMETRY

As technological advancements have enabled higher efficiency compression ignition (CI) engines (diesel engines) by operating at higher pressures and temperatures, the mechanisms of fuel-air mixing are postulated to change. Thus, there is a greater need for experimental data to develop and verify new phenomena. However, the fast time scales and harsh environments associated with CI engines present many experimental difficulties and requires high quality non-intrusive diagnostics to obtain useful data. The diagnostics itself must be validated prior to its implementation in an engine environment. The purpose of this research is to advance rainbow schlieren deflectometry (RSD) to study turbulent fuel sprays including the effects of supercritical mixing in CI engine environments. This objective is met by developing and applying quantitative RSD, for the first time, to three separate aspects of fuel sprays: 1) turbulent mixing, 2) phase boundaries, and 3) non-ideal gas mixing. First, quantitative RSD is demonstrated for turbulent mixing in a canonical helium jet. Rayleigh scattering data in the literature is used to validate the concentration measurements obtained by RSD. The results also provide explanations for phenomena occurring in the helium jet and provide data not yet present in the literature. Second, RSD is applied to high pressure multi-phase fuel sprays and new methodologies are developed to distinguish the liquid region from the vapor region and to quantify the in-between region on a probabilistic basis. Isolating liquid and vapor regions generally requires two separate diagnostics, e.g., Mie scattering (liquid region) and Rayleigh scattering (vapor region). However, the results of this study demonstrate that RSD can be used as a single diagnostic to measure both liquid and vapor boundaries. Third, the optical-to-thermodynamic relations associated with refrac-tometry are investigated under non-ideal gas mixing conditions to develop a generalized relationship valid for both ideal or non-ideal gas mixing. The last part of this research develops the theoretical tools to understand and experimentally realize supercritical mixing at diesel conditions. Guided by the theoretical analysis, RSD is applied to compare supercritical versus transcritical mixing at CI conditions using a constant pressure test rig. It is found that while fully supercritical mixing ers benefits in diesel engines, i.e, faster mixing times (50% higher velocities), the absence of droplets which cause high levels of particulate emissions, etc., it would be difficult to achieve in practice because of the requirements of fuels with low critical temperature and/or substantial fuel preheating.

02 PETROLEUM↗

Direct Observation of Vortex Liquid Droplets in the Iron Pnictide Superconductor CaKFe 4 As 4 at 0.5T c

Type-II superconductors under magnetic fields remain in a quantum-coherent, non-dissipative state as long as vortices are pinned. Dissipation emerges when vortices depin, a process often driven by thermal fluctuations and commonly associated with a melting transition from a vortex solid to a vortex liquid. Macroscopic experiments almost always observe this transition close to the superconducting critical temperature 𝑇 𝑐 . However, how the vortex solid responds to thermal fluctuations at the scale of individual vortices, far below the melting transition, remains largely unexplored. Here, we use scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) to directly visualize vortices in the iron-based superconductor CaKFe 4 ⁢As 4 (𝑇 𝑐 ≈35 K ). We observe the formation of vortex liquid droplets—spatially localized regions where vortices exhibit strong thermal fluctuations—at temperatures as low as 0.5 𝑇 𝑐 . These results demonstrate that the onset of dissipation at the local scale occurs at temperatures significantly below 𝑇𝑐 in type-II superconductors, revealing a previously unrecognized regime of vortex dynamics.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Refining T c Prediction in Hydrides via Symbolic‐Regression‐Enhanced Electron‐Localization‐Function‐Based Descriptors

Hydrogen‐based materials are able to possess extremely high superconducting critical temperatures, T c s , due to hydrogen's low atomic mass and strong electron–phonon interaction. Recently, a descriptor based on the Electron Localization Function (ELF) has enabled the rapid estimation of the T c of hydrogen‐containing compounds from electronic networking properties, but its applicability has been limited by the small size and homogeneity of the training dataset used. Herein, the model is re‐examined, compiling a publicly available combined dataset of 244 binary and ternary hydride superconductors. The analysis shows that though ELF‐based networking remains a valuable descriptor, its predictive power declines with increasing compositional complexity. However, by introducing the molecularity index, defined as the highest value of the ELF at which two hydrogen atoms connect, and applying symbolic regression, the accuracy of the predictions can be substantially enhanced. These results establish a more robust framework for assessing superconductivity in hydride materials, facilitating accelerated screening of novel candidates through integration with crystal structure prediction methods or high‐throughput searches.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Self‐Strain Suppression of the Metal‐to‐Insulator Transition in Phase‐Change Oxide Devices

Strongly correlated materials exhibiting phase transitions which can be controlled through external stimuli, such as electric fields, are promising for future computing technologies beyond conventional semiconductor transistors. Devices that take advantage of structural phase transitions have inherent built‐in memory, reminiscent of synapses and neurons, and are thus natural candidates for neuromorphic computing. Of particular interest are phase‐change oxides, which allow for control over the metal‐to‐insulator transition. Here, X‐ray nano‐diffraction structural imaging of micro‐devices fabricated with the archetypal phase‐change material vanadium sesquioxide (V 2 O 3 ) is reported. The devices contain a Ga ion‐irradiated region where the metal‐to‐insulator transition critical temperature is lowered, a useful feature for controlling neuron‐like spiking behavior. Results show that strain, induced by crystal lattice mismatch between the pristine and irradiated material, leads to a suppression of the metal‐to‐insulator‐transition. Suppression occurs within the irradiated region or along its edges, depending on the defect‐distribution and the size of the region. The observed self‐straining effect can extend to other phase‐change oxides and dominate as device dimensions are reduced and become too small to dissipate strain within the irradiated region. The findings are important for phase engineering in phase‐change devices and highlight the necessity to study phase transitions at the nanoscale.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Synthesis and Characterization of MoNb Films Superconducting at 100-200 mK

We have developed a new transition-edge sensor material with critical temperature (T-c) in the range 100-200 mK. The new material is a solid solution of two superconducting components, MoxNb1-x, co-sputtered from two high-purity single-component targets (Mo and Nb). The T-c has a minimum (dT(c)/dx = 0) at an intermediate concentration of the components. We have optimized the deposition parameters and composition to provide films with a sharp superconducting transition at ~ 150 mK. We investigated structural features of the films and surface morphology using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy. The XRD measurements indicate that the grown films are polycrystalline, with a preferred orientation along the (110) crystal direction and a clear correlation between superconducting properties and film microstructure.

superconducting alloys↗

Developing AlMn Films for Argonne TES Fabrication

The reference design for the next-generation cosmic microwave background (CMB) experiment, CMB-S4, relies on large arrays of transition-edge sensor (TES) bolometers coupled to Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID)-based readout systems. Mapping the CMB to near cosmic variance limits will enable the search for signatures of inflation and constrain dark energy and neutrino physics. AlMn TESes provide simple film manufacturing and highly uniform arrays over large areas to meet the requirements of the CMB-S 4 experiment. TES parameters such as critical temperature and normal resistance must be tuned to experiment specifications and can be varied based on geometry and steps in the fabrication process such as deposition layering, geometry, and baking time and temperature. Using four-terminal sensing, we measured T C and R N of AlMn 2000 ppm films and devices of varying thicknesses fabricated at Argonne National Laboratory to motivate device geometries and fabrication processes to tune T C to 150–200 mK and R N to ~10 mΩ. Furthermore, measurements of IV curves and time constants for the resulting devices of varying leg length were made using time-division SQUID multiplexing and determined TC, G, k, f 3db , and RN. We present the results of these tests along with the geometries and fabrication steps used to tune the device parameters to the desired limits.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Characterization of the Superconducting Microwave Properties of Aluminum Manganese

A microwave kinetic inductance detector (MKID) is a superconducting pair breaking detector that offers a number of unique advantages for realizing large-format arrays of ultra-sensitive detectors, such as inherent multiplexibility and relative ease of fabrication. With the detection threshold being set by the Cooper pair binding energy, and correspondingly, the superconducting critical temperature (T c ), typically well-understood MKID materials such as aluminum (Al) present a lower limit on the operating frequency. Aluminum manganese (Al-Mn) is a promising candidate material for MKIDs because it can be fabricated with nearly identical processing as pure Al, but allows for control of the T c , with varying levels of Mn doping or post-deposition heat treatment. In this study, we present initial results from an early characterization of AlMn using a series of lumped-element superconducting microwave resonators, including measurements of T c , internal quality factor, and noise performance over a range of Mn doping.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗