Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “wave direction”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 595 records · Page 33

Unlocking the Potential of Marine Energy Using Hydrogen Generation Technologies

Marine energy, including ocean waves, ocean currents, ocean thermal gradients, tides, and river currents, is a vast and untapped resource that can be harnessed to help enable the transition to renewable energy. Marine energy is an attractive renewable resource because of its energy density, predictability, and persistence. Further, marine energy has the potential to provide energy for utility-scale applications, remote and distributed applications, and rapidly expanding maritime industries, such as aquaculture and shipping. Marine energy technologies are, however, at a nascent stage of development, and a significant amount of the resource is located far from population centers and transmission infrastructure. Accordingly, to unlock the full potential of marine energy, efficient methods of storing and transporting captured marine energy are needed so that the energy can be used when and where it is needed. A promising solution to these energy storage and transportation challenges is to combine marine energy and hydrogen generation technologies. Herein, we provide a high-level analysis of the unique value proposition and technical challenges of combining marine energy and hydrogen technologies. First, we review marine energy technologies, electrolysis technologies, and hydrogen storage methods. Next, we consider specific applications and opportunities for combining the two technologies. Finally, we identify critical R&D challenges that must be overcome to successfully combine marine energy and hydrogen generation technologies. As part of our fact-finding effort in this area, we held a workshop attended by marine energy and hydrogen technology experts from industry, academia, national labs, and government entities to explore the technical challenges and opportunities for combined marine energy and hydrogen generation systems. Our intent is that this document and the report from the workshop can be used in conjunction to help identify and direct research and development that is needed to realize the potential of marine energy-hydrogen systems.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Performance evaluation of the USGS velocity model for the San Francisco Bay Area

In this study, we evaluated the performance of the United States Geological Survey velocity model developed for the San Francisco Bay Area (SFBA), version 21.1. The evaluation was performed through high-resolution three-dimensional physics-based ground motion simulations of seven small-magnitude earthquakes (ranging from magnitude 3.8 to 4.4) that occurred on the eastern side of the San Francisco Bay. The simulations were performed in the frequency range from 0 to 5 Hz with a minimum shear-wave velocity of 250 m/s, which allowed the capture of wave propagation effects of the near-surface soft materials that characterize local basins. Based on the direct comparison of Fourier amplitude spectra between recorded and simulated ground motions for more than 250 stations, we found that the velocity model generally performs well in the frequency range of 0.2–5 Hz. The median value of the Fourier amplitude residuals was found to be near zero for all seven earthquakes. The slight over-prediction of 0.2 log-natural units at frequencies above 3 Hz in our simulations was attributed to the potentially inaccurate representation of the source radiation pattern by a double-couple point source model, and simple representation of shallow small-scale underground structural complexity in the velocity model. Maps of spectral amplitude differences between the simulated and recorded data were used to identify areas responsible for systematic ground motion over-predictions or under-predictions. For example, while some sub-domains over soft sediments show over-prediction patterns, the block east of the Hayward fault is prone to exhibit patterns of under-prediction. These maps can be used to guide future refinements of the SFBA velocity model. Since our simulation methodology allows for the decoupling of the source and wave propagation effects, the ground motion data generated by our simulations can also be used to quantify the epistemic uncertainty due to the velocity model, in empirically based ground motion estimates for the SFBA.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Strongly Correlated Charge Density Wave in La 2 – x Sr x CuO 4 Evidenced by Doping-Dependent Phonon Anomaly

The discovery of charge-density-wave-related effects in the resonant inelastic x-ray scattering spectra of cuprates holds the tantalizing promise of clarifying the interactions that stabilize the electronic order. In this paper, we report a comprehensive resonant inelastic x-ray scattering study of La 2 – x Sr x CuO 4 finding that charge-density wave effects persist up to a remarkably high doping level of x = 0.21 before disappearing at x = 0.25 . The inelastic excitation spectra remain essentially unchanged with doping despite crossing a topological transition in the Fermi surface. This indicates that the spectra contain little or no direct coupling to electronic excitations near the Fermi surface, rather they are dominated by the resonant cross section for phonons and charge-density-wave-induced phonon softening. We interpret our results in terms of a charge-density wave that is generated by strong correlations and a phonon response that is driven by the charge-density-wave-induced modification of the lattice.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

AI-enabled traveling wave protection for microgrids

Grid forming inverters provide voltage and frequency regulations for microgrids; in the meantime, new challenges are introduced for microgrid protections. For instance, inverters’ control strategies can affect protection behaviors, and low short-circuit ratios and bi-directional power flows also make protection operations complex. Protection schemes based on conventional principles such as overcurrent and distance relays do not always provide reliable, sensitive, or selective operations. Here, we devise a traveling wave protection approach for microgrids using a wavelet-driven deep neural network named WaveletKernelNet (WKN). Compared with conventional methods, the presented approach provides enhanced sensitivity, higher selectivity, and better identification of various faults in microgrids. Extensive case studies validate the efficacy and excellent performance of the devised approach.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Hypersonic Jets of Detonation Products in the Hydrodynamic Collapse of Macroscopic Voids

Localizing the energetic output from detonation waves has been a long-standing challenge in applied detonation physics. Here, energy localization is achieved via machined millimeter scale voids in pressed samples of PBX 9501, an HMX (1,3,5,7-Tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocane)-based plastic bonded explosive. A main mechanism of energy localization in these systems, the formation of hydrodynamic jets of dense product gases, is characterized experimentally using a semicylindrical geometry in witness plate impact experiments and streak imaging of the jet propagating into the air. The distance at which the jet is optimally developed is identified and the supersonic flow structure in the vicinity of this feature is explored using hydrocode simulations. This analysis found that most of the kinetic energy of the hydrodynamic jet arises from pressure gradients induced by geometrically mediated squeeze flow lateral to the direction of detonation propagation. This work presents a new development in the control of energetic output from detonation waves and applications to detonation wave shaping are discussed.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Shock Formation and Vorticity Creation for 3d Euler

Abstract We analyze the shock formation process for the 3D nonisentropic Euler equations with the ideal gas law, in which sound waves interact with entropy waves to produce vorticity. Building on our theory for isentropic flows in [3, 4], we give a constructive proof of shock formation from smooth initial data. Specifically, we prove that there exist smooth solutions to the nonisentropic Euler equations which form a generic stable shock with explicitly computable blowup time, location, and direction. This is achieved by establishing the asymptotic stability of a generic shock profile in modulated self‐similar variables, controlling the interaction of wave families via: (i) pointwise bounds along Lagrangian trajectories, (ii) geometric vorticity structure, and (iii) high‐order energy estimates in Sobolev spaces. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Mathematics↗

Improving the QBO Forcing by Resolved Waves With Vertical Grid Refinement in E3SMv2

Abstract The quasi‐biennial oscillation (QBO) is the dominate mode of variability in the tropical stratosphere and plays an important role in stratospheric dynamics and chemistry. The QBO is notably deficient in many climate models, including the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) developed by the US Department of Energy. In this work, we refine the lower stratospheric vertical grid spacing from roughly 1 km to 500 m to facilitate more realistic equatorial wave activity in the lower stratosphere in E3SM version 2. The refinement results in a simulated QBO with a reasonable amplitude and easterly‐westerly transition in both directions, but still has a longer period than observed, slower easterly downward propagation speed, and shallower vertical depth. Similar refinement in the multi‐scale modeling framework configuration of E3SM yields similar improvements. By analyzing the forcing contributions from different wave types, we find that most of the QBO forcing still comes from parameterized gravity wave drag from convection. The improved QBO forcing contributions from resolved waves, especially equatorial Kelvin waves and resolved small scale waves, can be attributed to the grid refinement.

E3SM↗

On the light-front wave functions of quarkonia

The light-front wave functions of hadrons allow us to calculate a wide range of physical observables; however, the wave functions themselves cannot be measured. We discuss recent results for quarkonia obtained in basis light-front quantization using an effective Hamiltonian with a confining model in both the transverse and longitudinal directions and with explicit one-gluon exchange. In particular, we focus on the numerical convergence of the basis expansion, as well as the asymptotic behavior of the light-front wave functions. Finally, we also illustrate that, for mesons with unequal quark masses, the maxima of the light-front wave functions depend in a non-trivial way on the valence quark-mass difference.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

The microstructure of a selective laser melting (SLM)-fabricated NiTi shape memory alloy with superior tensile property and shape memory recoverability

A selective laser melting (SLM)-fabricated NiTi with superior tensile property and shape memory recoverability was obtained by using a unique stripe rotation scanning strategy. Here, the alloy characteristics, formation mechanisms and evolution in terms of twins, dislocations and precipitations of the alloy were systematically studied. Compared to the conventional smelting-followed-by-machining, the SLM fabrication process involves rapid solidification and repeated heating, which confer distinctive characteristics to the microstructures of SLM-fabricated NiTi alloys. Rapid solidification promotes the formation of a supersaturation solid solution matrix containing a high concentration vacancies, which in turn aggregate to generate a high density of dislocations. During subsequent repeated heating stages, these dislocations occur thermal motion along three directions of <001 > , <111> and <110 >, leading to the formation of thermal kinks, helical dislocations and wave morphology. Simultaneously, precipitated particles Ti 3 Ni 4 repeatedly nucleate and heterogeneous grow with the movement of dislocation. Such precipitation behavior, termed repeated precipitation, has not been previously reported in the conventional NiTi alloys, suggesting that it could be a unique characteristic of such alloy. After martensitic transformation, only two twins, {1 1¯ 1} type I twin and compound twin, are detected. The twinning lamellae of these two twins, where precipitation and dislocation pile-ups exist, often have uneven thickness and chaotic arrangement. Besides, the unique self-accommodated microstructures, such as secondary {1 1¯ 1} type I twin and compound twin with “herring-bone’’ lamellae, which often appear in the deformed or nanocrystalline NiTi, can also be observed. These unique microstructures may confer the distinctive properties to the SLM-fabricated NiTi.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Ultranarrow electroluminescence from magnetic excitons in the van der Waals antiferromagnetic semiconductor NiPS 3

Electrically driven light emission from two-dimensional (2D) semiconducting materials has enabled numerous optoelectronic technologies, including light-emitting diodes, solid-state lasers, and single-photon sources for quantum communication. Here we report ultranarrow electroluminescence from the magnetic excitonic state of the van der Waals antiferromagnetic semiconductor NiPS 3 . This electroluminescence is enabled by the fabrication of gate-tunable NiPS 3 devices that remain electrically conductive below the antiferromagnetic ordering temperature of 155 K, ultimately allowing field-effect mobilities of 1.3 cm 2 V –1 s –1 and 4.5 cm 2 V –1 s –1 to be directly measured at room temperature and 7 K, respectively. By applying a high-frequency square wave voltage to the gate electrode of the resulting field-effect transistors, electroluminescence is capacitively induced from the magnetic excitons of NiPS 3 . Due to the coupling of these excitons with the underlying NiPS 3 antiferromagnetic order, the electroluminescence has an ultranarrow linewidth of 1 meV and a high degree of linear polarization (ρ = 0.78). In addition to facilitating fundamental studies of the coupling between spin states and excitons in van der Waals magnetic semiconductors, this work will accelerate the development of emerging 2D opto-spintronic applications.

two-dimensional materials↗

Symmetry, microscopy and spectroscopy signatures of altermagnetism

The recent discovery of altermagnetism was in part motivated by the research of compensated magnets towards highly scalable spintronic technologies. Simultaneously, altermagnetism shares the anisotropic higher-partial-wave nature of ordering with unconventional superfluid phases, which have been at the forefront of research for the past several decades. These examples illustrate the interest in altermagnetism from a broad range of science and technology perspectives. Here we review the symmetry, microscopy and spectroscopy signatures of altermagnetism. We describe the spontaneously broken and retained symmetries that delineate altermagnetism as a distinct phase of matter with d-, g- or i-wave compensated collinear spin ordering. In materials ranging from weakly interacting metals to strongly correlated insulators, the microscopic crystal-structure realizations of the altermagnetic symmetries feature a characteristic ferroic order of anisotropic higher-partial-wave components of atomic-scale spin densities. These symmetry and microscopy signatures of altermagnetism are directly reflected in spin-dependent electronic spectra and responses. Here, we review salient band-structure features originating from the altermagnetic ordering, and from its interplay with spin–orbit coupling and topological phenomena. Throughout, we compare altermagnetism with traditional ferromagnetism and Néel antiferromagnetism, and with magnetic phases with symmetry-protected compensated non-collinear spin orders. We accompany the theoretical discussions with references to relevant experiments.

Jungwirth, Tomas [Czech Academy of Sciences, Pragu↗

Experimental study of the isomeric state in 16 N using the 16 N$^{g,m}$($\textit{d}$, 3 He) reaction

Here, the isomeric state of 16 N was studied using the 16 N$^{g,m}$($\textit{d}$, 3 He) proton-removal reactions at 11.8 MeV/u in inverse kinematics. The 16 N beam, of which 24% was in the isomeric state, was produced using the Argonne Tandem-Linac Accelerator System (ATLAS) in-flight system and delivered to the Helical Orbit Spectrometer (HELIOS), which was used to analyze the 3 He ions from the ($\textit{d}$, 3 He) reactions. The simultaneous measurement of reactions on both the ground state and the isomeric states, reduced the systematic uncertainties from the experiment and in the analysis. A direct and reliable extraction of the relative spectroscopic factors was made based on a distorted-wave Born approximation approach. The experimental results suggest that the isomeric state of 16N is an excited neutron-halo state. The results can be understood through calculations using a Woods-Saxon potential model, which captures the effects of weak binding.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Relativistic approach to manipulating angular distribution of charged particles via kinetic equations

Deflection angles of charged particles interacting with materials play a critical role in various plasma applications. The development of a mathematically well-posed kinetic collision operator that accounts for deflection angles of strong Coulomb interactions remains a fundamental open problem. This paper presents a relativistic method for modifying the electromagnetic field in an anisotropic and adjustable manner to manipulate a system of charged particles, specifically by the transfer of angular momentum from a superluminal wave source to particles at specific times and locations. The method provides a mechanism to influence the scattering outcomes of strong interactions by manipulating the angular distribution of particles, and thus the deflection angles of their interactions with a solid surface, without requiring detailed knowledge of the kinetic collision operator. To this end, we demonstrate how a specific type of singularity, generated by Maxwell's equations for a superluminal wave source at the boundary of the plasma, can modify the electromagnetic field in a highly directional manner. The proposed method can lead to the development of novel approaches for controlling interactions of charged particles with a material in plasma systems. Published by the American Physical Society 2025

Moini, Nima (ORCID:0009000929568824)↗

Ion versus Electron Heating in Compressively Driven Astrophysical Gyrokinetic Turbulence

The partition of irreversible heating between ions and electrons in compressively driven (but subsonic) collisionless turbulence is investigated by means of nonlinear hybrid gyrokinetic simulations. We derive a prescription for the ion-to-electron heating ratio Q i /Q e as a function of the compressive-to-Alfvénic driving power ratio P compr /P AW , of the ratio of ion thermal pressure to magnetic pressure β i , and of the ratio of ion-to-electron background temperatures T i /T e . It is shown that Q i /Q e is an increasing function of P compr /P AW . When the compressive driving is sufficiently large, Q i /Q e approaches ≃P compr /P AW . This indicates that, in turbulence with large compressive fluctuations, the partition of heating is decided at the injection scales, rather than at kinetic scales. Analysis of phase-space spectra shows that the energy transfer from inertial-range compressive fluctuations to sub-Larmor-scale kinetic Alfvén waves is absent for both low and high β i , meaning that the compressive driving is directly connected to the ion-entropy fluctuations, which are converted into ion thermal energy. This result suggests that preferential electron heating is a very special case requiring low βi and no, or weak, compressive driving. Our heating prescription has wide-ranging applications, including to the solar wind and to hot accretion disks such as M87 and Sgr A*.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Proximal Observations of Epicentral Infrasound Generated by Shallow Low-Magnitude Earthquakes in the Permian Basin, West Texas

Infrasound generated by earthquakes and explosions is generally detected at receivers at epicentral distances of hundreds to thousands of kilometers. However, proximal (<50 km) observations are especially important for low-magnitude earthquakes and low-yield explosions that may not generate signals capable of being detected at great ranges. Here, in this study, we present on the signals detected on an infrasound array 3 km away from two M L 2.9 earthquakes in the Permian Basin of west Texas. Local infrasound (LIS), generated at receivers during the passage of seismic waves, was detected following each earthquake. Epicentral infrasound (EIS), created at or near the epicenter and propagating away as a sound wave, was also detected. Array processing methods show that the EIS signals arrive from the same direction as the earthquake epicenters and at acoustic speeds. To our knowledge, these are the first observations of laterally propagating EIS at proximal ranges following an earthquake of any magnitude.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Moving from scientific research to consenting guidance for MRE environmental risk

Potential environmental effects from tidal and wave devices are of concern to regulators, advisors, and other stakeholders in many nations. Monitoring results from early deployments and the first commercial arrays, coupled with targeted research studies, are providing a growing base of knowledge of how components of tidal turbines and wave energy converters might interact with marine animals and habitats. Efforts are underway to organize and direct these findings towards facilitating consenting that allays concerns and allows the marine renewable energy (MRE) industry to move forward. The OES-Environmental international initiative has developed scientific evidence bases for several key interactions from MRE devices, organized around stressors (portions of MRE systems that may cause injury or stress to the marine ecosystem), and receptors (the animals, habitats, and ecosystem processes that may be affected). This paper summarizes the evidence bases for four stressors (underwater noise, electromagnetic fields, habitat change, and changes in oceanographic systems) and presents the process of moving from the scientific knowledge into guidance documents to support the regulatory process. The guidance documents will serve as a broad guide that can be used internationally to look at stressor-receptor interactions of interest within a regulatory context. The evidence bases and guidance documents aim to assist MRE developers, regulators, and advisors with project scoping, consenting, and licensing processes.

Copping, Andrea E.↗

A Model of Large Scale Electrochemical Direct Ocean Capture Under Variable Power

Since limiting warming to 1.5 degrees C by 2100 will not only require an energy transition but also billions of tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) removal per year, it is essential to expand these efforts. This can be done offshore via electrochemical direct ocean capture (eChem DOC) which extracts CO2 from seawater that can later be stored underground or converted to products. Deployments of eChem DOC will be powered by renewable energy and therefore need to function with variable power inputs. This project aims to support future large-scale deployments by developing a model of eChem DOC operation, informed by industry and literature, and assessing its performance under variable power and varying designs. Initial analysis suggests that discretizing the eChem system has a higher impact on increasing overall capture than storing the chemical solutions to continue capture during periods of lower power availability, but this is likely situation dependent. Future work will use more realistic power profiles.

direct ocean capture↗

Time-Domain Extreme-Ultraviolet Diffuse Scattering Spectroscopy of Nanoscale Surface Phonons

Here, we report the observation of dynamic fringe patterns in the diffuse scattering of extreme ultraviolet light from surfaces, following femtosecond optical excitation. At each point on the detector, the diffuse scattering intensity exhibits oscillations at well-defined frequencies that correspond to surface phonons with wave vectors determined by the scattering geometry, indicating that the optical excitation generates coherent surface phonons propagating in all directions and spanning a wavelength range from 60 to 300 nm. This phenomenon is observed on a variety of samples, including single-layer and multilayer metal films, as well as bulk semiconductors. The measured surface phonon dispersions show good agreement with theoretical calculations. By comparing signal amplitudes from samples with different surface morphologies, we find that the excitation mechanism is linked to the natural surface roughness of the samples. However, the signal is still detectable on extremely smooth surfaces with subnanometer roughness. Our findings demonstrate a simple and effective method for optically exciting coherent surface phonons with nanoscale wavelengths on a wide range of solid samples and establish a foundation for surface phonon spectroscopy in a wave vector range well beyond the limit of conventional surface Brillouin scattering.

Capotondi, F. [Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste (Italy)↗