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At least 397 records · Page 22

Active control of aircraft engine inlet noise using compact sound sources and distributed error sensors

An active noise control system using a compact sound source is effective to reduce aircraft engine duct noise. The fan noise from a turbofan engine is controlled using an adaptive filtered-x LMS algorithm. Single multi channel control systems are used to control the fan blade passage frequency (BPF) tone and the BPF tone and the first harmonic of the BPF tone for a plane wave excitation. A multi channel control system is used to control any spinning mode. The multi channel control system to control both fan tones and a high pressure compressor BPF tone simultaneously. In order to make active control of turbofan inlet noise a viable technology, a compact sound source is employed to generate the control field. This control field sound source consists of an array of identical thin, cylindrically curved panels with an inner radius of curvature corresponding to that of the engine inlet. These panels are flush mounted inside the inlet duct and sealed on all edges to prevent leakage around the panel and to minimize the aerodynamic losses created by the addition of the panels. Each panel is driven by one or more piezoelectric force transducers mounted on the surface of the panel. The response of the panel to excitation is maximized when it is driven at its resonance; therefore, the panel is designed such that its fundamental frequency is near the tone to be canceled, typically 2000-4000 Hz.

Burdisso, Ricardo↗

THE GOULD's BELT VERY LARGE ARRAY SURVEY. I. THE OPHIUCHUS COMPLEX

We present large-scale (∼2000 arcmin{sup 2}), deep (∼20 μJy), high-resolution (∼1'') radio observations of the Ophiuchus star-forming complex obtained with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array at λ = 4 and 6 cm. In total, 189 sources were detected, 56 of them associated with known young stellar sources, and 4 with known extragalactic objects; the other 129 remain unclassified, but most of them are most probably background quasars. The vast majority of the young stars detected at radio wavelengths have spectral types K or M, although we also detect four objects of A/F/B types and two brown dwarf candidates. At least half of these young stars are non-thermal (gyrosynchrotron) sources, with active coronas characterized by high levels of variability, negative spectral indices, and (in some cases) significant circular polarization. As expected, there is a clear tendency for the fraction of non-thermal sources to increase from the younger (Class 0/I or flat spectrum) to the more evolved (Class III or weak line T Tauri) stars. The young stars detected both in X-rays and at radio wavelengths broadly follow a Güdel-Benz relation, but with a different normalization than the most radioactive types of stars. Finally, we detect a ∼70 mJy compact extragalactic source near the center of the Ophiuchus core, which should be used as gain calibrator for any future radio observations of this region.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

In-orbit operation of Resolve Filter Wheel and modulated X-ray source

The Resolve soft X-ray spectrometer is a high spectral resolution microcalorimeter spectrometer for the X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission. In the beam of Resolve, there is a filter wheel containing X-ray filters. In the beam, there is also an active calibration source, the modulated X-ray source (MXS), which can provide pulsed X-rays to facilitate gain calibration. The filter wheel consists of six filter positions. Two open positions, one 55 Fe source to aid in spectrometer characterization during the commissioning phase, and three transmission filters: a neutral density filter, an optical blocking filter, and a beryllium filter. The X-ray intensity, pulse period, and pulse separation of an MXS are highly configurable. Furthermore, the switch-on time is synchronized with the spacecraft’s internal clock to give accurate start and end times of the pulses. One of the issues raised during ground testing was the susceptibility of an MXS at high voltage to ambient light. Although measures were taken to mitigate the light leak, the efficacy of those measures must be verified in orbit. Along with an overview of issues raised during ground testing, we will discuss the calibration source and the filter performance in-flight and compare with the transmission curves present in the Resolve calibration database.

X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission/Resolve↗

FY26 Progress Report on the Operation of the Activated Materials Laboratory at the Advanced Photon Source as a Nuclear Science User Facilities Partner Facility

The Activated Materials Laboratory (AML), located in the Long Beamline Building of the Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), provides a centralized radiological capability for preparing, handling, and supporting synchrotron experiments on activated materials. As a Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF) partner facility, the AML enables the receipt of radioactive shipments, open-form sample handling, encapsulation, transport of specimens to and from APS beamlines, and experimentation with dedicated equipment. The partnership includes the APS 1-ID and 20-ID beamlines, which provide high-energy x-ray scattering, tomography, and diffraction microscopy techniques for ex-situ, in-situ, and grainresolved three-dimensional (3D) characterization. All samples supported through the AML and partner beamlines must meet radiological limits of less than 100 mrem/h at 30 cm. This FY26 progress report summarizes the first full year of AML operations as an NSUF partner facility and highlights progress in both user support and capability development. By the end of FY26, the AML had received a total of 10 NSUF-awarded projects, including 2 Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research (CINR), 7 Rapid Turnaround Experiment (RTE), and 1 Super RTE projects. Beamtime was fully delivered for 3 RTE projects and partially delivered for 1 CINR project, demonstrating successful workflows for receipt, encapsulation, beamline transfer, and radiological experiment execution. These efforts demonstrated safe radiological experiments at APS beamlines for samples with dose rates above the historical 5 mrem/h threshold and now up to 100 mrem/h at 30 cm, marking an important milestone for neutron-irradiated materials research. During FY26, the AML also expanded its experimental capabilities. A Psylotech xTS load frame with in-grip rotation was deployed for room-temperature mechanical testing with threedimensional x-ray characterization during interrupted loading. A Linkam TS1500V vacuum heater was commissioned for thermally driven studies, and temperature calibration experiments were performed to establish specimen-relevant thermal profiles. In parallel, a customized split-tube furnace for high-temperature mechanical testing entered commissioning, and initial work began on robotic sample handling to reduce worker dose and improve operational efficiency. Data workflow and beamline operations continued to mature. Together, these developments demonstrate that the AML is becoming a unique national resource for safe, efficient, and scientifically advanced characterization of activated materials at the APS.

Zhang, Xuan↗

Active oscillatory associative memory

Traditionally, physical models of associative memory assume conditions of equilibrium. Here, we consider a prototypical oscillator model of associative memory and study how active noise sources that drive the system out of equilibrium, as well as nonlinearities in the interactions between the oscillators, affect the associative memory properties of the system. Our simulations show that pattern retrieval under active noise is more robust to the number of learned patterns and noise intensity than under passive noise. To understand this phenomenon, we analytically derive an effective energy correction due to the temporal correlations of active noise in the limit of short correlation decay time. We find that active noise deepens the energy wells corresponding to the patterns by strengthening the oscillator couplings, where the more nonlinear interactions are preferentially enhanced. Using replica theory, we demonstrate qualitative agreement between this effective picture and the retrieval simulations. Our work suggests that the nonlinearity in the oscillator couplings can improve memory under nonequilibrium conditions.

Chemistry↗

The SOHO-Stellar Connection

I discusses practical aspects of the so-called "solar-stellar" connection; namely, the fundamental principles, the tools at the disposal of the stellar astronomer, and a few recent examples of the connection in action. I provide an overall evolutionary context for coronal activity, calling attention to the very different circumstances of low mass main sequence stars like the Sun, which are active mainly early in their lives; compared with more massive stars, whose coronally active phase occurs near the end of their lives, during their brief incursion into the cool half of the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram as yellow and then red giants. On the instrumental slide, I concentrate primarily on spectroscopy, in the ultraviolet and X-ray bands where coronae leave their most obvious signatures. I present an early glimpse of the type of moderate resolution spectra we can expect from the recently launched Chandra observatory, and contemporaneous HST STIS high-resolution UV measurements of the CXO calibration star Capella (alpha Aur; G8 III + G1 III). I compare STIS spectra of solar-type dwarfs-zeta Dor (F7 V), an active coronal source; and alpha Cen A (G2 V), a near twin of the Sun-to a trace obtained with the SOHO SUMER imaging UV spectrometer. I also compare STIS line profiles of the active coronal dwarf to the corresponding features in the mixed-activity "hybrid-chromosphere" bright giant alpha TrA (K2 II) and the archetype "noncoronal" red giant Arcturus (alpha Boo; K2 III). The latter shows dramatic evidence for a "cool absorber" in its outer atmosphere that is extinguishing the "hot lines" (like Si IV lambda1393 and N V lambda1238) below about 1500 A, probably through absorption in the Si I lambda1525 and C I lambda1240 photoionization continua. The disappearance of coronae across the "Linsky-Haisch" dividing line near K1 III thus apparently is promoted by a dramatic overturning in the outer atmospheric structure, namely the coronae of the red giants seem to lie beneath their extended chromospheres, rather than outside as in the Sun. I then discuss an intriguing long-slit STIS low-resolution observation of an X-ray active late-A dwarf in the nearby Hyades cluster: the spatially resolved UV spectroscopy clearly shows that a previously unseen close companion (a dKe or dMe) likely is responsible for the coronal activity, rather than some unexplained departure of the A dwarf from its expected state of X-ray dormancy. Finally, I describe early results from a joint observing campaign involving SOHO SUMER, TRACE, and the Kitt Peak Infrared Imaging Spectrometer, conducted May 1999, to explore the dynamics of the quiet solar atmosphere through the key "magnetic transition zone" that separates the kinetically dominated deep photosphere from the magnetically dominated coronal regime. Linking spatially and temporally resolved solar properties to aspects of the averaged lineshapes (for example: widths, asymmetries, intensity ratios, and Doppler shifts) is a crucial step in carrying any physical wisdom we develop in the solar setting to the distant stars.

Ayres, Thomas R.↗

Synergetic effect of MoS{sub 2} and g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} as cocatalysts for enhanced photocatalytic H{sub 2} production activity of TiO{sub 2}

Highlights: • A hydrogen evolution reaction of g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/MoS{sub 2}/TiO{sub 2} photocatalyst was synthesized. • g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/MoS{sub 2}/TiO{sub 2} presents highly efficient H{sub 2} evolution without noble metals. • The effect of g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} and MoS{sub 2} co-catalyst content in the composites was studied. • The mechanism of g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/MoS{sub 2}/TiO{sub 2} photocatalyst under UV–vis light was discussed. - Abstract: In this paper, we report a new g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/MoS{sub 2}/TiO{sub 2} composite material as a high-performance photocatalyst for H{sub 2} evolution. Without a noble-metal cocatalyst, the g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/MoS{sub 2}/TiO{sub 2} composite reaches a high H{sub 2} production rate of 125 μmol h{sup −1} when the content of the g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/MoS{sub 2} cocatalyst is 1.0 wt.% and the content of g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} in this cocatalyst is 10 wt.%. This unusual photocatalytic activity is attributed to the positive synergetic effect between the MoS{sub 2} and g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} components in this cocatalyst, which serve as an electron collector and a source of active adsorption sites, respectively.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Large-scale features of the sun at 20 centimeter wavelength

Results are reported from an experimental study of the characteristics of large-scale coronal structures such as active regions, plages, filaments, and coronal holes using data obtained with the VLA at 1.5 GHz during the period September 11-17, 1988. The radio data were supplemented with He 10830- A, H-alpha, and Calcium-K spectroheliograms. A statistical analysis of some of the characteristics of the active regions is performed. Most of the active region sources were found to be about 100 arcsec in size, with bridges between regions common; lower brightness temperature regions showed a higher degree of polarization in general. The maximum polarization was found at the edge of active regions but well within the associated plages. The degree of polarization from bright active regions was small (not more than 20 percent), in agreement with previous results. Evidence was found for compression of preexisting flux by the emerging flux from a new region, which took place in the apparent absence of magnetic reconnection.

Gopalswamy, N.↗

Tracking Synthetic Particle Paths Generated in GATE with Multi-Positron Emission Particle Tracking (MPEPT)

Multi-Positron Emission Particle Tracking (MPEPT) is able to reconstruct the position of point-sources in a PET scanner to a high degree of accuracy. Experimental and simulated trajectories of activated point-sources are compared herein to validate the GATE model of our PET scanner, and test MPEPT performance. The trajectory followed by one point-source of activity 370000 Bq is simulated in GATE, and experimentally measured for velocities 0.18, 0.22. and 0.45 cm/s moving along the major axis of the detector bore. The average difference between the prescribed and predicted point-source positions is found to be approximately 0.3 mm. However, the number of Lines of Response (LOR) reported by GATE for the 370000 Bq source is larger than the number of LOR measured in the experiments. Additional testing of the accuracy of MPEPT is provided by the simulation of 20 point-sources of 20 Bq each placed around the surface of a sphere of radius 40 mm and moving radially inward to a radius of 20 mm at a constant velocity of 1 E-6 m/s. Point-source trajectories for the GATE simulation are compared to trajectories reconstructed from the GATE generated LOR using MPEPT. The average difference between prescribed and predicted point-source position is found to be approximately 0.72 mm. (authors)

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Modeling study of a proposed field calibration source using K-40 and high-Z targets for sodium iodide detectors

Calibration sources based on the primordial isotope potassium-40 ( 40 K) have reduced controls on the source’s activity due to its terrestrial ubiquity and very low specific activity. Potassium–40’s beta emissions and 1,460.8 keV gamma ray can be used to induce K-shell fluorescence x rays in high-Z metals between 60 and 80 keV. A gamma ray calibration source that uses potassium chloride salt and a high-Z metal to create a two-point calibration for a sodium iodide field gamma spectroscopy instrument is thus proposed. The calibration source was designed in collaboration with the Sandia National Laboratory using the Monte Carlo N-Particle eXtended (MCNPX) transport code. Two methods of x-ray production were explored. First, a thin high-Z layer (HZL) was interposed between the detector and the potassium chloride-urethane source matrix. Second, bismuth metal powder was homogeneously mixed with a urethane binding agent to form a potassium chloride-bismuth matrix (KBM). The bismuth-based source was selected as the development model because it is inexpensive, nontoxic, and outperforms the high-Z layer method in simulation. As a result, based on the MCNPX studies, sealing a mixture of bismuth powder and potassium chloride into a thin plastic case could provide a light, inexpensive field calibration source.

40K↗

Pathways for Agricultural Decarbonization in the United States

In the United States, agricultural production is both a significant source of greenhouse gases (GHGs) (Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 2022) and uniquely susceptible to climate change impacts (Vermeulen et al., 2012). Decarbonization solutions have been proposed for addressing agricultural GHGs; however, research has been limited in synthesizing qualitative and quantitative analysis of potential GHG mitigation solutions in the United States. In this report, we review U.S. agricultural GHG sources by activity and quantify potential mitigation solutions based on a comprehensive data and literature analysis. We also discuss agricultural carbon sequestration options to offset GHG emissions. In our analysis, we identified two significant and hard-to-abate GHG sources (N 2 O from soil management, and CH 4 from enteric fermentation from livestock) as well as high-impact GHG mitigation solutions (e.g. agroforestry, reforestation, and biochar application) and cross-cutting GHG mitigation solutions (renewable energy production, precision agriculture, no-till, integrated nutrient management, and biochar). This report is meant to provide initial analysis and establish a foundation for future agricultural decarbonization research - it is not an exhaustive analysis of all available studies. However, to our knowledge this report is the most comprehensive assessment of agricultural GHG emissions and associated mitigation opportunities in the United States to date. Future empirical research is recommended to close research gaps in different climates, soils, and agricultural systems. Meta-analyses for all mitigation solutions would increase confidence in the estimated GHG mitigation potentials. To conclude this report, we discuss short-term and long-term pathways for agricultural decarbonization in the United States, the importance of accounting for total GHG fluxes, potential co-benefits of agricultural decarbonization, analysis of study data confidence, and research gaps.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Gas and dust emission from comets and life spans of active areas on their rotating nuclei

Outgassing and dust emission from discrete regions on the nuclei of comets are investigated with regard to the processes of activation, dormancy, reactivation, and extinction. With regard to P/Halley, P/Encke, P/Tempel 2, P/Machholz, P/Takamizawa, Bowell and some other new comets, the evolution of one active region of the nucleus surface appears to be independent of the evolution of another active region. The traditional concept of deactivation as a slow and monolithic process needs to be replaced with a more dynamic concept of intermittent periods of dormancy and reactivation of individual vents, varying in size. Life spans of discrete sources of activity are estimated to be at a few hundred revolutions about the sun for comets with perihelia at heliocentric distances of less than 2 AU, if the bulk density is very low.

Sekanina, Z.↗

TRACKING THE GEYSERS OF ENCELADUS INTO SATURN’S E RING

We examine Cassini Imaging Science Subsystem images of the E ring taken over a period of almost 7 yr, from 2006 September to 2013 July, in which long, sinuous structures dubbed tendrils are present. We model these structures by numerically integrating the trajectories of particles launched from the sources of the most active geysers recently located along the four main fractures crossing the south polar terrain of the moon, and producing from these integrations synthetic images that we then compare to the real ones. We include the effects of charging and the electromagnetic forces on the particles in addition to the gravity of Saturn and Enceladus. We demonstrate that these structures are produced by the highest velocity particles erupting from the most active geysers and entering Saturn’s orbit, and not perturbations of E ring particles by Enceladus. The detailed structures of the tendrils change with the orbital position of Enceladus, a finding likely to be the result of the diurnal variability in the source activity.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Identification of mixed sources with an organic scintillator-based radiation portal monitor

We have developed radionuclide identification algorithms for radiation portal monitor applications. One algorithm uses a spectral angle mapper to match the power spectral density of modified cumulative distribution functions of measured pulse height distributions to reference spectra, while the others rely on the decomposition of the observed spectrum as a linear mixture of known radionuclide spectra. Three algorithms were then tested for their ability to perform on-the-fly radionuclide identification on datasets acquired with a liquid organic scintillator-based pedestrian radiation portal monitor on moving special nuclear material and industrial radiological sources, as well as common medical isotopes. We quantified and compared the relative efficacies of the algorithms considered using F-score analysis. Measured radiation sources included 51 g of highly enriched uranium, 6.6 g of weapons grade plutonium, 241 Am, 133 Ba, 57 Co and 137 Cs sources with activities of several hundred kBq, as well as 260 kBq liquid solution samples of the medical isotopes 99m Tc, 111 In, 67 Ga, 123 I, 131 I, and 201 Tl. We achieved 100% positive identification, for three-second measurements of single sources moving at a source-transit speed of 1.2 m/s. For mixed sources with strongest and weakest sources having no more than a 5:1 ratio of detected counts, encouraging positive identification results were achieved with the un-mixing algorithms. Current radiation portal monitor designs suffer from a high incidence rate of nuisance radiation alarms caused in radiation portal monitor primary screenings by recent nuclear medicine patients and cargo containing large amounts of naturally occurring radioactive materials. Integrating reliable on-the-fly radionuclide identification into the radiation portal monitors could lower the number of nuisance alarms requiring time-consuming secondary inspections.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Groundwater flow characterization in a fractured bedrock aquifer using active DTS tests in sealed boreholes

In recent years, wireline temperature profiling methods have evolved to offer new insight into fractured rock hydrogeology. Important advances in wireline temperature logging in boreholes make use of active line source heating alone and then in combination with temporary borehole sealing with flexible impervious fabric liners to eliminate the effects of borehole cross-connection and recreate natural flow conditions. Here, a characterization technique was developed based on combining fiber optic distributed temperature sensing (DTS) with active heating within boreholes sealed with flexible borehole liners. DTS systems provide a temperature profiling method that offers significantly enhanced temporal resolution when compared with conventional wireline trolling-based techniques that obtain a temperature–depth profile every few hours. The ability to rapidly and continuously collect temperature profiles can better our understanding of transient processes, allowing for improved identification of hydraulically active fractures and determination of relative rates of groundwater flow. Here, the advantage of a sealed borehole environment for DTS-based investigations is demonstrated through a comparison of DTS data from open and lined conditions for the same borehole. Evidence for many depth-discrete active groundwater flow features under natural gradient conditions using active DTS heat pulse testing is presented along with high resolution geologic and geophysical logging and hydraulic datasets. Implications for field implementation are discussed.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Measuring the activity of a {sup 51}Cr neutrino source based on the gamma-radiation spectrum

A technique for the measurement of activities of intense β sources by measuring the continuous gamma-radiation (internal bremsstrahlung) spectra is developed. A method for reconstructing the spectrum recorded by a germanium semiconductor detector is described. A method for the absolute measurement of the internal bremsstrahlung spectrum of {sup 51}Cr is presented.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Benefits of less intrusive remediation alternatives; A review of case studies in Oak Ridge, Tennessee - 15482

Various alternative cleanup strategies have been utilized at Department of Energy facilities in Oak Ridge, Tennessee to avoid costly and potentially ineffective removal of contaminants in soil and sediments, transportation by truck, and long-term storage in landfills. One such example is a remedial decision in the 1990's to not conduct large-scale removal of PCB-contaminated sediments from a large downstream reservoir, and instead implement sediment disturbance controls and monitoring requirements. Monitoring results suggest the decision was a good one with PCB concentrations in fish decreasing substantially over the last 20 years, presumably due to recent cleaner sediments overlying historical sediment layers. At the East Tennessee Technology Park an innovative remediation strategy was developed to reduce human and ecological risks associated with a PCB-contaminated pond, while also enhancing the site's natural resources. Termed the 'Ecological Management and Enhancement' strategy, this remediation option provided an alternative approach to more conventional pond remediation options like sediment and soil removal, draining and capping, and point source/discharge actions. The basic premise of this option is that ecological management, including fish and wildlife management and vegetation management, can interrupt the contaminant exposure pathways that lead to ecological or human receptors. Recent monitoring results have demonstrated both risk reduction and increased natural resource value. Currently under investigation is the use of watershed management approaches that may help ameliorate mercury methylation and bioaccumulation in East Fork Poplar Creek. There is increased recognition that mercury source reduction alone will not achieve the human health risk target level in fish in the downstream environment, where water chemistry and ecological processes are conducive to mercury methylation. Additionally, significant losses in natural resource values are anticipated if major soil and sediment source removal activities are implemented. The Oak Ridge experience suggests that alternative approaches to the conventional 'muck and truck' options to sediment contamination are worth pursuing in some cases. Taking advantage of natural attenuation processes and/or implementing less intrusive water and ecological manipulations could be especially advantageous at contaminated sites where there are multiple or complex sources that are difficult to remediate, conventional source removal is costly, the contaminant of concern is highly bio-accumulative, or where natural resource values could be preserved or enhanced. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Multiscale polar theory of microtubule and motor-protein assemblies

Microtubules and motor proteins are building blocks of self-organized subcellular biological structures such as the mitotic spindle and the centrosomal microtubule array. These same ingredients can form new “bioactive” liquid-crystalline fluids that are intrinsically out of equilibrium and which display complex flows and defect dynamics. It is not yet well understood how microscopic activity, which involves polarity-dependent interactions between motor proteins and microtubules, yields such larger-scale dynamical structures. In our multiscale theory, Brownian dynamics simulations of polar microtubule ensembles driven by cross-linking motors allow us to study microscopic organization and stresses. Polarity sorting and cross-link relaxation emerge as two polar-specific sources of active destabilizing stress. On larger length scales, our continuum Doi-Onsager theory captures the hydrodynamic flows generated by polarity-dependent active stresses. Finally, the results connect local polar structure to flow structures and defect dynamics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗