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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 379 records · Page 21
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2018

Lack of superconductivity in the phase diagram of single-crystalline Eu ( F e 1 - x C o x ) 2 A s 2 grown by transition metal arsenide flux

Here, the interplay of magnetism and superconductivity (SC) has been a focus of interest in condensed matter physics for decades. EuFe 2 As 2 has been identified as a potential platform to investigate interactions between structural, magnetic, and electronic effects as well as the coexistence of magnetism and SC with similar transition temperatures. However, there are obvious inconsistencies in the reported phase diagrams of Eu(Fe 1–x Co x ) 2 As 2 crystals grown by different methods. For transition metal arsenide (TMA)-flux-grown crystals, even the existence of SC is uncertain. Here we reexamine the phase diagram of single-crystalline Eu(Fe 1–x Co x ) 2 As 2 grown by TMA flux. We found that the lattice parameter c shrinks linearly with Co doping, almost twice as fast as that of the tin-flux-grown crystals. With Co doping, the spin-density-wave (SDW) order of the Fe sublattice is quickly suppressed, being detected only up to x=0.08. The magnetic ordering temperature of the Eu 2+ sublattice ( T Eu ) shows a systematic evolution with Co doping, first going down and reaching a minimum at x=0.08, then increasing continuously up to x=0.24. Over the whole composition range investigated, no signature of SC is observed above 1.8 K.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Crossover between strongly coupled and weakly coupled exciton superfluids

Following a crossover Superfluidity in fermionic systems occurs through the pairing of fermions into bosons, which can undergo condensation. Depending on the strength of the interactions between fermions, the pairs range from large and overlapping to tightly bound. The crossover between these two limits has been explored in ultracold Fermi gases. Liu et al . observed the crossover in an electronic system consisting of two layers of graphene separated by an insulating barrier and placed in a magnetic field. In this two-dimensional system, the pairs were excitons formed from an electron in one layer and a hole in the other. The researchers used magnetic field and layer separation to tune the interactions and detected the signatures of superfluidity through transport measurements. —JS

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗
DOE OSTI2018

Feasibility of Single-sided 3D elemental imaging

We present single-sided 3D image reconstruction and neutron spectrum of non-nuclear material interrogated with a deuterium-tritium neutron generator. The results presented here are a proof-of-principle of an existing technique previously used for nuclear material, applied to non-nuclear material. While we do see excess signatures over background, they do not have the expected form and are currently un-identified.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Isotopic insights into microbial sulfur cycling in oil reservoirs

Microbial sulfate reduction in oil reservoirs (biosouring) is often associated with secondary oil production where seawater containing high sulfate concentrations (~28 mM) is injected into a reservoir to maintain pressure and displace oil. The sulfide generated from biosouring can cause corrosion of infrastructure, health exposure risks, and higher production costs. Isotope monitoring is a promising approach for understanding microbial sulfur cycling in reservoirs, enabling early detection of biosouring, and understanding the impact of souring. Microbial sulfate reduction is known to result in large shifts in the sulfur and oxygen isotope compositions of the residual sulfate, which can be distinguished from other processes that may be occurring in oil reservoirs, such as precipitation of sulfate and sulfide minerals. Key to the success of this method is using the appropriate isotopic fractionation factors for the conditions and processes being monitored. For a set of batch incubation experiments using a mixed microbial culture with crude oil as the electron donor, we measured a sulfur fractionation factor for sulfate reduction of -30 . We have incorporated this result into a simplified 1D reservoir reactive transport model to highlight how isotopes can help discriminate between biotic and abiotic processes affecting sulfate and sulfide concentrations. Modeling results suggest that monitoring sulfate isotopes can provide an early indication of souring for reservoirs with reactive iron minerals that can remove the produced sulfide, especially when sulfate reduction occurs in the mixing zone between formation waters (FW) containing elevated concentrations of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and injection water (IW) containing elevated sulfate. In addition, we examine the role of reservoir thermal, geochemical, hydrological, operational and microbiological conditions in determining microbial souring dynamics and hence the anticipated isotopic signatures.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2014

Mixed crystal organic scintillators

A mixed organic crystal according to one embodiment includes a single mixed crystal having two compounds with different bandgap energies, the organic crystal having a physical property of exhibiting a signal response signature for neutrons from a radioactive source, wherein the signal response signature does not include a significantly-delayed luminescence characteristic of neutrons interacting with the organic crystal relative to a luminescence characteristic of gamma rays interacting with the organic crystal. According to one embodiment, an organic crystal includes bibenzyl and stilbene or a stilbene derivative, the organic crystal having a physical property of exhibiting a signal response signature for neutrons from a radioactive source.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Scientific Opportunities with the Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment

In this document, we describe the wealth of science opportunities and capabilities of LBNE, the Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment. LBNE has been developed to provide a unique and compelling program for the exploration of key questions at the forefront of particle physics. Chief among the discovery opportunities are observation of CP symmetry violation in neutrino mixing, resolution of the neutrino mass hierarchy, determination of maximal or near-maximal mixing in neutrinos, searches for nucleon decay signatures, and detailed studies of neutrino bursts from galactic supernovae. To fulfill these and other goals as a world-class facility, LBNE is conceived around four central components: (1) a new, intense wide-band neutrino source at Fermilab, (2) a fine-grained `near' neutrino detector just downstream of the source, (3) the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) in Lead, South Dakota at an optimal distance (~1300 km) from the neutrino source, and (4) a massive liquid argon time-projection chamber (LArTPC) deployed there as a 'far' detector. The facilities envisioned are expected to enable many other science opportunities due to the high event rates and excellent detector resolution from beam neutrinos in the near detector and atmospheric neutrinos in the far detector. This is a mature, well developed, world class experiment whose relevance, importance, and probability of unearthing critical and exciting physics has increased with time.

Adams, C.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Atmospheric electricity

In the last three years the focus was on the information contained in the lightning measurement, which is independent of other meteorological measurements that can be made from space. The characteristics of lightning activity in mesoscale convective systems were quantified. A strong relationship was found between lightning activity and surface rainfall. It is shown that lightning provides a precursor signature for wet microbursts (the strong downdrafts that produce windshears hazardous to aircraft) and that the lightning signature is a direct consequence of storm evolution. The Universities Space Research Association (USRA) collaborated with NASA scientists in the preliminary analysis and scientific justification for the design and deployment of an optical instrument which can detect lightning from geostationary orbit. Science proposals for the NASA mesoscale science program and for the Tethered Satellite System were reviewed. The weather forecasting research and unmanned space vehicles. Software was written to ingest and analyze the lightning ground strike data on the MSFC McIDAS system. The capabilities which were developed have a wide application to a number of problems associated with the operational impacts of electrical discharge within the atmosphere.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1999

Adaptive Optics Imaging of Solar System Objects

Most solar system objects have never been observed at wavelengths longer than the R band with an angular resolution better than 1". The Hubble Space Telescope itself has only recently been equipped to observe in the infrared. However, because of its small diameter, the angular resolution is lower than that one can now achieved from the ground with adaptive optics, and time allocated to planetary science is limited. We have successfully used adaptive optics on a 4-m class telescope to obtain 0.1" resolution images of solar system objects in the far red and near infrared (0.7-2.5 microns), at wavelengths which best discriminate their spectral signatures. Our efforts have been put into areas of research for which high angular reso!ution is essential.

Roddier, Francois↗
NASA NTRS1999

Astrobiology: exploring the origins, evolution, and distribution of life in the Universe

The search for the origins of life and its presence beyond Earth is strengthened by new technology and by evidence that life tolerates extreme conditions and that planets are widespread. Astrobiologists learn how planets develop and maintain habitable conditions. They combine biological and information sciences to decipher the origins of life. They examine how biota, particularly microorganisms, evolve, at scales from the molecular to the biosphere level, including interactions with long-term planetary changes. Astrobiologists learn how to recognize the morphological, chemical, and spectroscopic signatures of life in order to explore both extraterrestrial samples and electromagnetic spectra reflected from extrasolar planets.

NASA Center ARC↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Final Thermal Design and Thermal Vacuum Testing of the StarBurst Instrument

The StarBurst Multimessenger Pioneer is a small satellite mission serving as a wide-field gamma-ray observatory designed to capture the initial emissions of short gamma-ray bursts, electromagnetic signatures of neutron star mergers. This paper presents the final thermal design and analysis of the StarBurst Instrument, comprising the bus-to-instrument interface plate, control electronics, and twelve crystal detector units, which form the core of the mission’s science capability. The passive thermal control system design requires consideration of restrictive keep-out zones, unknown orbital parameters, and narrow temperature limits of the detectors. Also summarized is the instrument level thermal vacuum cycle test, correlated model refinements, and updated model results. Following successful completion of the instrument test campaign, the hardware was integrated with the spacecraft bus for spacecraft level testing, including additional thermal vacuum testing. The results from the spacecraft level thermal vacuum test will further inform the instrument thermal model, ensuring accurate flight temperature predictions. StarBurst launches as a secondary payload in 2027 and has a mission duration of at least one year.

StarBurst↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Thermal Design and Thermal Vacuum Testing of the StarBurst Instrument

The StarBurst Multimessenger Pioneer is a small satellite mission serving as a wide-field gamma-ray observatory designed to capture the initial emissions of short gamma-ray bursts, electromagnetic signatures of neutron star mergers. This paper presents the final thermal design and analysis of the StarBurst Instrument, comprising the bus-to-instrument interface plate, control electronics, and twelve crystal detector units, which form the core of the mission’s science capability. The passive thermal control system design requires consideration of restrictive keep-out zones, unknown orbital parameters, and narrow temperature limits of the detectors. Also summarized is the instrument level thermal vacuum cycle test, correlated model refinements, and updated model results. Following successful completion of the instrument test campaign, the hardware was integrated with the spacecraft bus for spacecraft level testing, including additional thermal vacuum testing. The results from the spacecraft level thermal vacuum test will further inform the instrument thermal model, ensuring accurate flight temperature predictions. StarBurst launches as a secondary payload in 2027 and has a mission duration of at least one year.

StarBurst↗
DOE OSTI2024

Characterization of a widespread sugar phosphate-processing bacterial microcompartment

Many prokaryotes form Bacterial Microcompartments (BMCs) that encapsulate segments of specialized metabolic pathways to enhance catalysis. The various functions of metabolosomes, catabolic BMCs, are dictated by the signature enzyme that processes initial substrates of the confined pathway. The components and native functions of several metabolosomes have been experimentally characterized; however one of the most prevalent across all bacteria has yet to be studied. Sugar Phosphate Utilizing (SPU) BMC loci encode enzymes predicted to be involved in sugar phosphate metabolism. The SPU genetic loci are found in organisms occupying habitats ranging from soils to hot springs, highlighting the ubiquity of the SPU BMC. We bioinformatically characterized seven SPU subtypes, all which contain an enzyme unique to SPU BMCs, a deoxyribose 5-phosphate aldolase (DERA). Here, we define the fundamental characteristics of SPU BMCs and have expressed, purified, and characterized a set of SPU core enzymes. These include a protein-protein complex formed between a SPU BMC DERA and a predicted ribose 5-phosphate isomerase. Further, we show that the SPU BMC DERA is catalytically active and propose that it acts as the universal signature enzyme for the SPU BMC, with implications for fundamental understanding and biotechnological applications of SPU BMCs.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Dynamic acousto-elastic response of single fatigue cracks with different microstructural features: An experimental investigation

Nonlinearity of damaged materials is often assumed to be correlated with the cumulative length of micro-cracks discounting the influence of crack width and roughness. Here, to investigate the influence of microstructural features of realistic cracks on the nonlinear elastic properties, Dynamic Acousto-Elastic Testing (DAET) is performed on two aluminum alloy samples (30 × 40 × 170 mm 3 ) with a single fatigue-crack. The cracks on the two samples are of similar length but have dissimilar microstructural features due to the different stress intensity factors used during the fatigue tests. DAET is carried out with a surface wave probe to measure the near-surface nonlinearity at a number of locations along each crack. The geometric features of the cracks, including crack width and roughness, are extracted from a series of scanning electron microscope images. DAET results demonstrate that nonlinearity varies along the crack; both samples exhibit greater nonlinearity near the notch, where the crack is wider than near the crack tip. However, the nonlinearity parameters obtained from the sample with a smoother crack are one order of magnitude larger than those of the sample with a relatively rough crack. In addition, the nonlinearity signatures of the two cracks exhibit very different tension/compression asymmetry. Lastly, this study provides valuable data that not only directly correlates the nonlinear ultrasonic signatures and crack interface features but also illuminates the micro-mechanisms and origins of the measured nonlinearities.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Emerging nonlinear Hall effect in Kane-Mele two-dimensional topological insulators

We report the recent observations of nonlinear Hall effect in time-reversal symmetry protected systems and on the surface of three-dimensional topological insulators due to an in-plane magnetic field have attracted immense experimental and theoretical investigations in two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides and Weyl semimetals. The origin of this type of second order effect has been attributed to the emergence of a Berry curvature dipole, which requires a low-symmetry environment. Here, we propose a mechanism for generating such a second order nonlinear Hall effect in Kane-Mele two-dimensional topological insulators due to spatial and time reversal symmetry breaking in the presence of Zeeman and Rashba couplings. By actively tuning the energy gaps with external electromagnetic fields we also demonstrate that the nonlinear Hall effect shows remarkable signatures of topological phase transitions existing in the considered two-dimensional systems.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Quantum atmospherics for materials diagnosis

Symmetry-breaking states of matter can transmit symmetry breaking to nearby atoms or molecular complexes, perturbing their spectra. We calculate here one such effect, involving the “axion electrodynamics” relevant to topological insulators, quantitatively, and identify a signature for T violating superconductivity. Furthermore, we offer an operator framework whereby effects of this kind can be analyzed systematically.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Composition and stacking dependent topology in bilayers from the graphene family

We present a compositional and structural investigation of silicene, germanene, and stanene bilayers from first principles. Due to the staggering of the individual layers, several stacking patterns are possible, most of which are not available to the bilayer graphene. This structural variety, in conjunction with the presence of the spin-orbit coupling, unveils a diversity of the electronic properties, with the appearance of distinct band features, including orbital hybridization and band inversion. Here, we show that for particular cases, the intrinsic spin Hall response exhibits signatures of nontrivial electronic band topology, making these structures promising candidates to probe Dirac-like physics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗