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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 613 records · Page 34

Hydrophilic-Core Microcapsules and Their Formation

Hydrophilic-core microcapsules and methods of their formation are provided. A hydrophilic-core microcapsule may include a shell that encapsulates water with the core substance dissolved or dispersed therein. The hydrophilic-core microcapsules may be formed from an emulsion having hydrophilic-phase droplets dispersed in a hydrophobic phase, with shell-forming compound contained in the hydrophilic phase or the hydrophobic phase and the core substance contained in the hydrophilic phase. The shells of the microcapsules may be capable of being broken down in response to being contacted by an alkali, e.g., produced during corrosion, contacting the shell.

Calle, Luz M.↗

A missing layer in COVID-19 studies: Transmission of enveloped viruses in mucus-rich droplets

Here we evaluate the influence of mucus layers on the evaporation time and transport of enveloped viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Enveloped viruses must remain moist to be fully infective. Yet, the Wells model based on water droplets divides respiratory droplets into either quickly evaporated aerosolized particles termed droplet nuclei (<10 s) or liquid droplets that fall to the nearest surface, leaving no physical mechanism for airborne transmission of fully infective enveloped viruses over large distances (greater than a few meters). Yet, the role of mucus layers on evaporation times has not been considered even though the formation of mucus shells around liquid cores of respiratory droplets has been shown experimentally. Here we show that mucus shells increase the drying time by orders of magnitude so that enveloped virions may remain well hydrated and, thus, fully infective at substantial distances. Further, this provides a mechanism by which infective enveloped virus particles can transmit as aerosols within buildings and between buildings over extended distances. This analysis is important because public health agencies typically follow the Wells model to establish health policies including social/physical distancing guidelines.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

The Three-dimensional Collapse of a Rapidly Rotating 16 M ⊙ Star

I report on the three-dimensional (3D) hydrodynamic evolution of a rapidly rotating 16 M ⊙ star to iron core collapse. For the first time, I follow the 3D evolution of the angular momentum (AM) distribution in the iron core and convective shell burning regions for the final 10 minutes up to and including gravitational instability and core collapse. In 3D, convective regions show efficient AM transport that leads to an AM profile that differs in shape and magnitude from MESA within a few shell convective turnover timescales. For different progenitor models, such as those with tightly coupled Si/O convective shells, efficient AM transport in 3D simulations could lead to a significantly different AM distribution in the stellar interior affecting estimates of the natal neutron star or black hole spin. The results suggest that 3D AM transport in convective and rotating shell burning regions are critical components in models of massive stars and could qualitatively alter the explosion outcome and inferred compact remnant properties.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Observations of the circumstellar gas shells around Betelgeuse and Antares

Results are presented on the direct observations of the circumstellar shell around alpha-Ori, along with new observations of the Ca II infrared triplet lines which provide lower limits for the Ca(+) shell radii for alpha-Ori and alpha-Sco (Antares). The 8542-A line in alpha-Ori does not show a circumstellar absorption core, and the shell radius limit is estimated to be at least 31 times stellar radius. A 108-mA circumstellar core is observed in the 8542-A line in Antares for which a shell radius equal to 4.0 times stellar radius is suggested. The discovery of circumstellar emission through resonance line scattering will provide valuable additional information on the physical conditions in the shell.

Bernat, A. P.↗

Neutron Diffraction Studies of the Atomic Vibrations of Bulk and Surface Atoms of Nanocrystalline SiC

Thermal atomic motions of nanocrystalline Sic were characterized by two temperature atomic factors B(sub core), and B(sub shell). With the use of wide angle neutron diffraction data it was shown that at the diffraction vector above 15A(exp -1) the Wilson plots gives directly the temperature factor of the grain interior (B(sub core)). At lower Q values the slope of the Wilson plot provides information on the relative amplitudes of vibrations of the core and shell atoms.

Stelmakh, S.↗

Convection, nucleosynthesis, and core collapse

We use a piecewise parabolic method hydrodynamics code (PROMETHEUS) to study convective burning in two dimensions in an oxygen shell prior to core collapse. Significant mixing beyond convective boundaries determined by mixing-length theory brings fuel (C-12) into the convective regon, causing hot spots of nuclear burning. Plumes dominate the velocity structure. Finite perturbations arise in a region in which O-16 will be explosively burned to Ni-56 when the star explodes; the resulting instabilities and mixing are likely to distribute Ni-56 throughout the supernova envelope. Inhomogeneities in Y(sub e) may be large enough to affect core collapse and will affect explosive nucleosynthesis. The nature of convective burning is dramatically different from that assumed in one-dimensional simulations; quantitative estimates of nucleosynthetic yields, core masses, and the approach to core collapse will be affected.

Bazan, Grant↗

A dynamical model of the ejection of planetary nebulae

In order to study the ejection of planetary nebulae, the present work considers a star evolving up the red giant branch a second time. The star has a carbon oxygen core surrounded by a helium-burning shell source, a helium shell, and a hydrogen-rich shell. The mathematical model consists of a He shell and a hydrogen-rich shell overlying a hard core. It is concluded that the pulsation of long-period variables and the ejection of planetary nebulae are due to the same physical process: namely, radiation momentum and energy transfer to the gas. Furthermore, planetary nebulae ejection appears to be preceded by long-period variability.

Sparks, W. M.↗

Effect of indium alloying on the charge carrier dynamics of thick-shell InP/ZnSe quantum dots

In this work, thick-shell InP/ZnSe III–V/II–VI quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized with two distinct interfaces between the InP core and ZnSe shell: alloy and core/shell. Despite sharing similar optical properties in the spectral domain, these two QD systems have differing amounts of indium incorporation in the shell as determined by high-resolution energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy scanning transmission electron microscopy. Ultrafast fluorescence upconversion spectroscopy was used to probe the charge carrier dynamics of these two systems and shows substantial charge carrier trapping in both systems that prevents radiative recombination and reduces the photoluminescence quantum yield. The alloy and core/shell QDs show slight differences in the extent of charge carrier localization with more extensive trapping observed in the alloy nanocrystals. Despite the ability to grow a thick shell, structural defects caused by III–V/II–VI charge carrier imbalances still need to be mitigated to further improve InP QDs.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Hydrophobic-Core Microcapsules and Their Formation

Hydrophobic-core microcapsules and methods of their formation are provided. A hydrophobic-core microcapsule may include a shell that encapsulates a hydrophobic substance with a core substance, such as dye, corrosion indicator, corrosion inhibitor, and/or healing agent, dissolved or dispersed therein. The hydrophobic-core microcapsules may be formed from an emulsion having hydrophobic-phase droplets, e.g., containing the core substance and shell-forming compound, dispersed in a hydrophilic phase. The shells of the microcapsules may be capable of being broken down in response to being contacted by an alkali, e.g., produced during corrosion, contacting the shell.

Calle, Luz M.↗

Spin-lattice dynamics of surface vs core magnetization in Fe nanoparticles

Magnetization of clusters is often simulated using atomistic spin dynamics for a fixed lattice. Coupled spinlattice dynamics simulations of the magnetization of nanoparticles have up to now neglected the change in the size of the atomic magnetic moments near surfaces. We show that the introduction of variable magnetic moments leads to a better description of experimental data for the magnetization of small Fe nanoparticles. To this end we divide atoms into a surface-near shell and a core with bulk properties. Here, it is demonstrated that both the magnitude of the shell magnetic moment and the exchange interactions need to be modified to obtain a fair representation of the experimental data. This allows for a reasonable description of the average magnetic moment versus cluster size, and also the cluster magnetization versus temperature.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Winds, Water Budgets and Stable Isotopes in Tropical Cyclones using TRMM and QUICKSCAT

Water vapor is the most abundant greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. Changes in its concentration and distribution are controlled by the hydrologic cycle. Because of its capacity to absorb and emit long wave radiation, release latent heat during condensation in storms and reflect short wave radiation when clouds form it has a major impact on Global climate change. The stable isotope ratios of water are H20 H2l6O and H0 H2l6O. These ratios change whenever water undergoes a phase change. They also change in both rain and water vapor whenever an air parcel is exposed to rain. In addition the relative changes in the two ratios differ as a &nction of the relative humidity. In short, the stable isotope ratios in water vapor in the atmosphere contain an integrated history of the processes affecting the concentration and distribution of water vapor in the atmosphere. Therefore the measurement and interpretation of changes in these stable isotope ratios are a powerful tool matched by no other method in tracing the transport history of water in the atmosphere. Our initial studies under this grant focused on the changes of the stable isotope ratios of precipitation and water vapor in tropical cyclones. The changes in time and space were found to be very large and to trace the transport of water in the storms reflecting changes in basic structural features. Because the stable isotope ratios of rains from tropical cyclones are so low flooding associated with land falling tropical cyclones introduces a negative isotopic spike into the coastal surface waters. In addition the stable isotope ratios of water vapor in the vicinity of tropical cyclones is anomalously low. This suggests that carbonate shelled organisms such as ostracoda living in coastal waters have the potential to record the isotopic spike and thereby provide a long term record of tropical storm activity in sediment cores containing fossil shells. Likewise, tree rings in coastal environments offer a similar potential. We have analyzed the oxygen isotopic composition of ostrcoda shells formed in the floodwaters of Tropical Storm Allison (2001) and discovered the negative isotopic 1 16 spike. Because we had learned that storm activity has a major impact on the stable isotope ratios of water vapor in the tropics and sub-tropics we decided to analyze the isotopic compositions of water vapor in different locations in the tropics. We did this in Puerto Escondido, Mexico in July 1998, near Kwajalein Island in the Pacific in 1999 as part of a TRMM summer field program and in 2001 in Key West, Florida as part of the CAMEX 4 summer field program. Our isotopic studies along with our earlier tropical cyclone studies showed that the low isotopic ratios in water vapor induced by exposure to rains the storms persisted for 48 hours often far away from the original storm site. We also noted that positive isotopic spikes were introduced into atmospheric water vapor if winds were high and extensive sea spray was present. These findings have a significant impact on the interpretation of the stable isotope studies of tropical ice cores found in the high mountain regions of the tropics. The assumption made in interpreting the ice core record is that the source water vapor evaporated from the sea surface is in near isotopic equilibrium with the seawater and undergoes a decrease during its transport that reflects the change in temperature from the sea surface to the site of the ice core. Because an additional isotopic depletion occurs at the sea surface source area that depends on the intensity, duration and size of the tropical rain system the isotopic variations found in the ice cores must take into account changes in past storm activity in the tropics. These systems must be an important source of water vapor to the ice cores because they charge the troposphere with water vapor to a far greater vertical height than evaporation in quiescent regions. Finally, an interest in increased heat transfer in thnterior of tropical cyclones resulting from greater amounts of sea spray is a topic of considerable interest to the research community. Increases in sea spray may be related to rapid changes in the intensity of hurricanes, a feature of hurricanes that currently is very poorly forecast. Project CBLAST of the Hurricane Research Division of NOAA is an active program that uses P3 research aircraft to evaluate this problem. An instrument has been designed and built at the University of Houston that will be placed on the P3 research aircraft during the 2004 hurricane season. It continuously measures the salt content of rain in hurricanes. Changes in the salt content of the rains should reflect the abundance of sea spray at the sea surface. In this way maps of sea spray intensity in hurricanes may be forthcoming. This should help computer modelers who simulate hurricanes to better understand the potential of changes in sea spray to change the intensity of hurricanes. The cost of designing, building and installing this instrument was borne largely by funding from this NASA grant. A list of presentations at national meetings and publications that were as the result of funding from this NASA grant are found in the report.

Lawrence, James R.↗

High-resolution optical observations of Ca II K in Deneb and Aldebaran

High-spectral-resolution echellograms confirm the existence of an asymmetric emission core in the K line of Deneb that may be due to chromospheric emission from this A-type supergiant or that may be due to scattering from a circumstellar shell. If the core is due to chromospheric emission, its width does not agree with what is predicted using the Wilson-Bappu relation for late-type stars. This would indicate that the chromospheres of hotter stars are qualitatively different from those of cooler stars. A K-emission-core profile for Aldebaran is also presented.

Mcclintock, W.↗

A process of stellar nucleosynthesis which mimicks mass fractionation in P-xenon

The combination of the O-shell theory of Heymann and Dziczkaniec and the supernova theory of Woosley and Howard clearly identifies the astrophysical sites for the formation of the anomalous light Xe component in carbonaceous chondrites. These sites are the O- and Ne-shells, and possibly C-shell of a massive star. Most of the Xe-124 and Xe-126 are formed in the O-shell during hydrostatic core silicon-burning, when a seed of heavy nuclei is exposed to an effective temperature near T9 = 2.0. Xe-128 is formed via Ba-128 in the O-shell, but the amounts appear too small to satisfy the deduced Xe-128/Xe-124 and Xe-128/Xe-126 yield ratios from the chondrites. However, substantial amounts of Xe-128 can be formed in the adjacent Ne- and C-shells during the explosion. The formation of Ba-128 in the O-shell would increase if the (gamma, alpha) photodisintegration rate in Ba-128 is actually smaller than calculated by Woosley and Howard. Lewis et al. have proposed that the anomalous light Xe component is mass-fractionated normal Xe. It is in this sense that the process of stellar nucleosynthesis of the present paper mimicks mass-fractionation.

Heymann, D.↗

Lateral Confinement in 2D Nanoplatelets: A Strategy to Expand the Colloidal Quantum Engineering Toolbox

Among colloidal nanocrystals, 2D nanoplatelets offer a unique set of properties with exceptionally narrow luminescence and low lasing thresholds. Furthermore, their anisotropic shape expands the playground for the complex design of heterostructures where spectra but also scattering rates can be engineered. A challenge that still remains is to combine shell growth which makes NPLs stable, with spectral tunability. Indeed, most reported shelled nanoplatelets end up being red emitters due to a loss of quantum confinement. Here, the combination of both lateral and in-plane confinements within a single heterostructure is explored. A CdS/CdSe/CdS/CdZnS core–crown–crown shell structure that enables yellow emission is grown and that is responsive to a large range of excitation including visible photons, X-ray photons, electron beams, and electrical excitations. k.p simulations predict that emission tunability of up to several 100 s of meV can be obtained in ideal structures. This material also displays stimulated emission resulting from bi-exciton emission with a low threshold. Once integrated into an LED stack, this material is compatible with sub-bandgap excitation and exhibits high luminance. Scaling of the electroluminescence properties by downsizing the pixel size is also investigated.

2D materials↗

First graded metal pushered single shell capsule implosions on the National Ignition Facility

Graded metal pushered single shell (PSS) capsules are predicted to be a viable alternative to low-Z capsule indirect drive inertial confinement fusion (ICF) implosions for achieving high fusion yields [MacLaren et al., Phys. Plasmas 28, 122710 (2021)]. The first experiments with Be/Cr-graded metal PSS capsules indicate that the implementation of the principle design feature, the graded density inner metal layer, has succeeded in producing a stable implosion with performance in agreement with predictions. With 50% Cr concentration in the pusher, PSS capsules have greater than ~2× higher shell densities during stagnation for enhanced core confinement and radiation trapping at ~35% lower shell implosion velocities than low-Z capsules. High-energy >30 keV inflight shell radiography recorded 215 km/s implosion velocities and show that implosion Legendre mode P 2 asymmetry can be tuned via inner-to-outer beam wavelength separation, similar to other implosions. Shell radiographs and neutron core images show similar P 2 asymmetry, suggesting no symmetry swings between peak implosion velocity and stagnation times. Despite the modest implosion velocities, gas-filled deuterium–tritium capsule implosions generate 10 15 neutron yields at relatively modest core ion temperatures of 2.75 keV, indicating that in spite of the high-density inner layer, the implosions have been stabilized by the design density gradient. When compared with hydrodynamic simulations, the measured yield-over-simulated is 35% due to fuel–pusher mix and other perturbations such as the capsule fill tube. Finally, simple analytical scalings of hot spot pressure and neutron yield show that PSS implosions reach similar performance at lower implosion velocities and higher shell densities to low-Z ICF capsules.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Thermal stresses in planetary elastic lithospheres

The role of thermal stresses in the tectonics of the moon is reexamined in this paper. A model is used that considers a spherical elastic shell overlying a fluid core. It is shown that the thermal stresses generated by temperature changes within the shell usually dominate over the thermal contraction or expansion of the core. During the entire evolution of the moon the cooling of the lithosphere is likely to have dominated the cooling of the interior and the result would be tensional lithospheric thermal stresses. However, during the recent evolution of the moon the change in the near surface thermal stresses is compressional. It is argued that the surface compressional features on Mercury are not due to the thermal contraction of the interior

Turcotte, D. L.↗

Visualization of Hemispherical Post‐Detonation Fireball Internal Structures

Hemispherical charges are initiated above a transparent plate in a half‐plane configuration, allowing optical access to the internal regions of the luminous fireball. High‐speed visualization enables characterization of the internal luminous structure, showing clearly the bright shell and dark core regions. Spectroscopic and pyrometric diagnostics are applied to these flows, generating quantitative information on the spatial distribution of temperature inside the fireball. Both cased and uncased charges can be examined using this methodology, and several different high explosives are tested. This approach can be useful in validation of detailed explosive fireball models. Initial comparisons with such models are presented.

detonation↗