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At least 73 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Linking microstructure to creep behavior in vertically and horizontally built LPBF Haynes 282 compared with wrought material via θ -projection

Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) has emerged as a promising route for fabricating intricate geometries in high-performance alloys. Haynes 282 (H282) is a strong candidate for applications such as heat exchangers or engines due to its excellent creep strength and thermal stability; however, the long-term creep behavior of LPBF-processed H282 remains poorly understood. In this study, the θ -projection method is used to analyze and extrapolate the creep behavior of vertically built LPBF, horizontally built LPBF, compared to wrought H282 tested at 816 °C. Vertically built LPBF H282 exhibits the lowest minimum creep rate (MCR), while the horizontally built condition shows a higher MCR comparable to that of wrought H282. Despite these differences, both LPBF conditions exhibit significantly shorter rupture life and reduced rupture strain than the wrought material, with the most severe degradation observed in the horizontal builds, consistent with an earlier onset of tertiary creep and accelerated strain-rate evolution. Microstructural characterization reveals that both LPBF and wrought H282 exhibit abundant twin-related boundary character; however, their grain boundary topologies differ markedly. The wrought alloy contains a higher fraction of low-angle grain boundaries and continuous twin lamellae, whereas the LPBF microstructure is characterized by a suppressed low-angle boundary population and fragmented twin-related boundaries embedded within irregular high-angle grain boundary networks. Fractographic analysis further reveals predominantly intergranular cracking in LPBF H282, accompanied by grain-boundary-decorated carbides, Al 2 O 3 inclusions, and high-aspect-ratio pores. These results demonstrate that grain boundary topology, rather than minimum creep rate alone, plays a critical role in governing creep damage accumulation and rupture behavior in LPBF and wrought H282.

Creep↗
DOE OSTI2025

4D Observations of the initiation of abnormal grain growth in commercially pure Ni

Abnormal grain growth (AGG), where a small fraction of grains grow faster than others, is critical to predict because it can significantly impact material properties. However, the mechanism behind AGG remains unclear. In this study, laboratory-based x-ray diffraction contrast tomography (LabDCT) is employed to non-destructively track the 3D microstructural evolution of high-purity nickel during the onset of AGG at 800 °C. The initial microstructure state is used to test hypothesized microstructure predictors of the initiation of AGG. The change in grain size was not related to the initial grain size or normalized integral mean curvature. Additionally, the grain boundary energy distributions of abnormal grains were indistinguishable from those of control groups exhibiting normal grain growth. However, the grains that later became abnormal exhibit large areas of asymmetric tilt boundaries that were previously found to be fast. This 3D microstructure dataset is useful to investigate new hypotheses for the initiation of AGG.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Three-dimensional in Situ Observations of Polycrystalline Microstructure Evolution During Directional Solidification of Transparent Alloys Aboard the ISS and Quantitative Comparison with Numerical Modeling

Cellular/dendritic microstructures formed during solidification have a crucial influence on the mechanical properties of a wide range of structural alloys. By minimizing the amount of gravity-induced convection in the liquid, directional solidification experiments using transparent organic alloys conducted in the DECLIC-DSI onboard the International Space Station have provided unique 3D in situ observations of the spatiotemporal evolution of the solid-liquid interface during the formation of cellular and dendritic microstructures under purely diffusive growth conditions in polycrystalline samples containing several grains with a small misorientation with respect to the temperature gradient. Those observations have made it possible to perform benchmark quantitative comparisons with the predictions of state-of-the-art phase-field simulations of microstructure formation in 3D on experimentally relevant length and time scales. This talk will report quantitative comparisons between microgravity experiments and phase-field simulations in succinonitrile-camphor alloys of two different compositions that shed new light on the role of subgrain boundaries in the spatiotemporal evolution of the primary cellular spacing and the selection of dendritic array structures.

Kaihua Ji↗
DOE OSTI2024

Deep operator network surrogate for phase-field modeling of metal grain growth during solidification

A deep operator network (DeepONet) has been constructed that generates accurate representations of phase-field model simulations for evolving two dimensional metal grain morphology growing from melt. These representations serve as lower resolution, computationally efficient stand-ins for quick parameter space exploration of solutions to the the Allen-Cahn equations that dictate the phase-field model simulations. The experimental target for the phase-field model is a uranium casting system cooling a 434 g uranium charge from a maximum temperature of 1400° C at an average rate of 30° C / min , traversing the crystallographic phases of the pure metal. Experimental parameters inform the phase-field model, whose higher resolution computational model solutions are used to train the DeepONet in a given parameter space with the aim of developing a faster, more efficient method for predicting the solidifying metal's microstructure at different potential experimental values. The final DeepONet generates high accuracy, lower resolution predictions with cumulative relative approximation error over all timesteps of less than 0.5%, while ensuring solutions remain within physically feasible ranges. Further, these relative error values are comparable with other state-of-the-art DeepONet models for microstructure evolution, while significantly reducing the amount of training data required. Training a convolutional neural network simultaneously with the DeepONet, enforcing realistic values at the complex metal grain boundaries, and mathematically encoding boundary conditions into the structure of the DeepONet improved prediction accuracy and computational efficiency over a standard DeepONet model.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Time at Temperature Abstract and Intern Poster

Current NRC regulations for BWR operations dictate that any occurrence reaching the point of Departure from Nucleate Boiling (DNB) disqualifies the use of the fuel rod for further reactor operation. That criteria does not account for duration of rate of the power increase, the corresponding effects on material properties or rewetting that may occur. Previous Anticipated Operational Occurrences (AOOs) show short durations power increase that may require limited amounts of heat removal. Industrial experience has shown evidence that fuel can reach dryout yet continue to safely operate in regular reactor conditions. The gap in research into such occurrences is the motivation for a series of experiments, including this current work. Time-at-Temperature experiments aim to identify and characterize the microstructural changes in Zircaloy-2 under oxygen-free high temperatures. This work uses the FlashDSC instrument to rapidly ramp up and down the temperature of a focus ion beam (FIB) prepared large area lift-out (LALO) of Zircaloy-2 at a rate of 10,000 K/s to desired values. The focus is to characterize the microstructure evolution, if any, of Zircaloy-2 that may impact its performance under typical BWR conditions. This characterization includes analyzing grain structure and size, secondary phase particle (SPPs) size, shape, composition, and location using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Further data collection and analysis is in progress including diffraction pattern indexing and 4D STEM processing. While current results focus on the testing and characterizing unirradiated material, future plans include expansion to irradiated material to explore the effects of rapid transition rates seen in DNB and dryout conditions on irradiationg damage and defect annealing.

36 - MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Microstructural evolution in a precipitate-hardened (Fe 0.3 Ni 0.3 Mn 0.3 Cr 0.1 ) 94 Ti 2 Al 4 multi-principal element alloy during high-pressure torsion

Multi-principal element alloys demonstrate high strength, thermal stability, and irradiation resistance, making them excellent candidate materials for applications in nuclear reactors and other harsh environments. Some studies have examined the use of high-pressure torsion to strengthen MPEAs through grain size reduction and strain hardening. However, no studies have investigated the effect of HPT on secondary phases (precipitates) within an MPEA. Two alloys, (Fe 0.3 Ni 0.3 Mn 0.3 Cr 0.1 ) 94 Ti 2 Al 4 containing Ni(Ti, Al) B2 phase, and CrFe σ phase, and single-phase Fe 0.3 Ni 0.3 Mn 0.3 Cr 0.1 , were fabricated by casting and heat treatment. Both alloys were then processed with HPT to study microstructural evolution. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the alloys before and after HPT processing. HPT processing produced a nanocrystalline structure in both alloys, but (Fe 0.3 Ni 0.3 Mn 0.3 Cr 0.1 ) 94 Ti 2 Al 4 exhibited a significantly smaller grain size and higher dislocation density than Fe 0.3 Ni 0.3 Mn 0.3 Cr 0.1 , with corresponding higher hardness. Before HPT, the (Fe 0.3 Ni 0.3 Mn 0.3 Cr 0.1 ) 94 Ti 2 Al 4 alloy consisted of large grain (~ 400 μm) and precipitates, including B2 of ~ 38 μm average size, B2 of ~ 0.7 μm average size, and small amounts of σ of ~ 1.5 μm average size. After HPT, the larger B2 precipitates were decreased in size and volume fraction, while the smaller B2 precipitates were completely dissolved; the σ precipitates appeared unaffected by HPT, likely due to their much higher hardness. Finally, observation of the B2 precipitate distribution along radial distance indicates that the strain caused the precipitates to fracture at intermediate strain (γ = 125) and dissolve at high strain (γ = 280).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Microstructural evolution, defect mitigation, and precipitation behavior in AA6061 via laser powder bed fusion with high-temperature substrate heating

Defects, particularly solidification cracking, remain persistent challenges in the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) processing of AA6061 aluminum alloy. This study systematically investigates defect mitigation, microstructural evolution, and mechanical properties associated with high-temperature substrate preheating at 500 °C. Comprehensive microstructural analyses, including characterization of defects, grain structures, and precipitation behavior, were performed on samples in both as-built and T6 heat-treated states. Elevated preheating substantially reduced solidification cracking across a wide processing window, while demonstrating decreased crack sensitivity to laser parameters. Columnar cracks along the build direction were observed despite substrate preheating. Lack-of-fusion and keyhole porosity were effectively eliminated, though gas-induced microporosity persisted at higher powers. In-depth characterization of two distinct laser power and speed conditions confirmed the formation of micron-sized, non-coherent Mg 2 Si precipitates under heated substrate conditions, alongside α-AlFeCrMnSi intermetallic phases indicative of in-situ thermal effects during fabrication. Subsequent T6 heat treatment revealed the formation of fine, coherent needle-shaped β″ strengthening precipitates. Despite substantial differences in processing parameters, comparable mechanical properties were measured in the as-built samples (∼52 MPa yield strength, ∼130 MPa tensile strength), primarily due to reduced strain hardening effects and consistent precipitation characteristics. Meanwhile, the T6 heat treatment led to significant improvement in properties, enhancing yield strength by over 400%, aligning closely with the performance of conventional wrought AA6061-T6. These findings underscore that high-temperature substrate preheating offers an effective means to suppress cracks, control precipitation, and enhance mechanical performance in LPBF-processed AA6061.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Bulk nanocrystalline Al–Mg–Y alloys with amorphous grain boundary complexions display high strength and compressive plasticity

Although nanocrystalline alloys regularly exhibit high strengths, their use in structural applications often face challenges due to sample size limitations, unstable microstructures, and the limited ability to plastically deform. The incorporation of amorphous grain boundary complexions has been proposed to address these issues, by simultaneously stabilizing nanocrystalline grain structures for scale-up processing and improving alloy toughness. In the present study, the mechanical behavior of bulk nanocrystalline Al–Mg–Y is examined with macroscale compression testing, probing a length scale that is relevant to real-world structural applications. Bulk samples were fabricated via a simple powder metallurgy approach, with different hot-pressing temperatures and durations employed for consolidation in order to investigate microstructural and property evolution. All of the specimens contained primary face-centered cubic Al and secondary Al 4 C 3 and Al 3 Y phases, with the Al 3 Y particles exhibiting two populations of small equiaxed and larger elongated particles. Appreciable plasticity was measured along with high ultimate stresses over 800 MPa due to the presence of amorphous grain boundary complexions. Microstructural characterization of fracture surfaces revealed that the area fraction of dimpled regions increased with longer hot-pressing time. Most importantly, the elongated Al 3 Y particles formed regular cellular patterns with increasing hot-pressing time, delaying shear localization and significantly enhancing plasticity. The hierarchy present in the microstructure of the Al–Mg–Y alloy, from amorphous grain boundary complexions to secondary phases, gives rise to excellent bulk mechanical properties, which are attractive for structural applications.

Bulk nanocrystalline alloy↗
DOE OSTI2024

Alloying effects on deformation induced microstructure evolution in copper

In this work, we investigated the effects of alloying elements on plastic deformation and microstructure evolution in polycrystalline copper (Cu) and Cu alloyed with 1 wt. % lead (Cu-1 %Pb). These materials were selected due to the size mismatch between Cu and Pb, with the latter forming precipitates at grain boundaries. Multi-modal characterization techniques, including neutron diffraction, electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), along with finite element simulations were employed to study the deformation behavior across multiple length scales. While both Cu and Cu-1%Pb exhibited similar macroscale response and final deformation textures, both dislocation line profile analysis and TEM revealed increased dislocation density in deformed Cu-1%Pb specimens. The presence of lead precipitates also significantly affected local plastic deformation during compression, with their influence diminishing with increasing strain. These results demonstrate the complex relationships between alloying elements, plastic deformation, microstructural evolution, and material behavior under load. The insights gained from this multi-scale and multi-technique approach contribute to the fundamental understanding of microstructural evolution in immiscible alloys and are valuable for tailoring the properties of structural materials for specific engineering applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Phase-field modeling for restructuring in the dark zone of high burnup UO 2

This report summarizes the mesoscale modeling work performed in fiscal year 2024 under the Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) program to capture the microstructural evolution and restructuring observed in the dark regions of high burnup UO 2 nuclear fuel. This is the first attempt to realistically simulate the restructuring behavior observed in different region of a high burnup fuel. We employ a grand-potential based phase-field model to concurrently evaluate the formation of subgrains and growth of fission bubbles within the fuel. A energy-based subgrain formation criteria is introduced to simulate the restructuring process. Effect of different initial conditions and different modeling parameters are studies systematically to capture how each of these parameters influence the characteristics of the restructured fuel. It is observed that the subgrain formation begins around existing fission gas bubbles and then proceeds towards triple junctions, grain boundaries and grain interiors. It is demonstrated that restructuring is influenced by a combination of initial dislocation densities, subgrain formation rate, and temperature. Rate of restructuring increases with increase in fuel temperature. A restructuring bias is observed within the microstructure due to variation in defect accumulation among different grains. Furthermore, bubble sizes and distribution does not have a significant effect on rate of restructuring. The predicted microstructures resembles the characteristics of the restructured regions as observed in experiments. Finally, a correlation is presented that demonstrates the evolution of the restructuring volume fraction as a function of local effective burnup. This work provides a first of its kind restructuring model for darkzone that can be used by BISON for performance prediction of high burnup UO 2 fuel.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Elucidating the phase transformations and grain growth behavior of O3-type sodium-ion layered oxide cathode materials during high temperature synthesis

Understanding the formation mechanism of layered oxide cathodes via solid-state synthesis is imperative to achieving controllability over their materials properties and electrochemical behaviors. In this work, we investigate the phase and microstructure evolution during the synthesis of NaNi 1/3 Fe 1/3 Mn 1/3 O 2 , a model sodium-ion layered oxide cathode, using a combination of imaging, diffraction, and spectroscopic techniques. We unravel the synthetic mechanistic pathways involved in the high-temperature calcination reaction, as well as elaborate the synthesis-microstructure-performance relationship of this material. The formation of the final layered oxide phase involves a gradual transformation through a sodiated oxyhydroxide intermediate. During the reaction, the precursor dehydration reaction dominates at 250–550 °C, while the major sodiation reaction occurs at 550–850 °C. Alongside multiple stages of phase transformations, the final grain structure formation occurs through the continuous growth of the (003) and (104) facets. During the reaction, Mn acts as the charge-compensating element and exhibits depth-dependent characteristics. When the sodiation reaction dominates over dehydration, the reaction intermediates undergo gradual electronic structure changes with increasing temperature, as indicated by the spectral features of TM3d-O2p hybrid states. Calcination duration is also a critical parameter governing the microstructure, surface reactivity, phase fraction distribution and electrochemical performance of the material. The optimal calcination duration was determined to be 18 hours at 850 °C under the conditions evaluated here. Calcination beyond this duration was found to be detrimental to electrochemical performance due to Na and O loss and heterogeneous sodium distribution throughout the particles. Our work sheds light on the complex crystallographic-chemical-microstructural evolution of sodium ion layered oxide cathodes and provides insight into precisely tuning material properties which are intimately linked to battery performances.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Unveiling the nucleation and growth of Zr oxide precipitates in internally oxidized Nb3Sn superconductors

We report on atomic-scale analyses of nucleation and growth of Zr oxide precipitates and the microstructural evolution of internally oxidized Nb3Sn wires for high-field superconducting magnet applications, utilizing atom probe tomography (APT), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and first-principles calculations. APT analyses reveal that oxygen and zirconium are already segregated at grain boundaries (GBs) in the unreacted Nb-1Zr-4Ta (at%) alloy prior to forming Nb3Sn through reacting the Nb alloy with Sn and SnO2. After forming Nb3Sn, Zr oxide precipitates nucleate both at the Nb3Sn/Nb heterophase interfaces and in the Nb3Sn grains, driven by the small solubilities of Zr and O in Nb3Sn compared to their value in Nb. A high number density (Nv) of Zr oxide nanoprecipitates is observed in the Nb3Sn layers, ∼10 23 m −3 , with a mean diameter <10 nm for a heat treatment at 625 °C. Quantitative APT and TEM analyses of the Zr oxide precipitates in the reacted Nb3Sn layers elucidate details of the nucleation, growth, and coarsening processes of the Zr oxide precipitates in Nb3Sn. First-principles calculations and classical nucleation theory are employed to study the nucleation of Zr oxide precipitates in Nb3Sn and to estimate the maximum energy barrier and critical radius for nucleation. Our research unveils the kinetic pathways for nucleation and growth of Zr oxide precipitates and the microstructural evolution of Nb3Sn layers, which helps to understand and improve the superconducting properties of internally oxidized Nb3Sn wires for use in high-field superconducting magnets. •We investigated the nucleation and growth of Zr oxide nanoprecipitates in Nb3Sn superconductors for magnet applications.•APT and TEM analyses reveals the nucleation and growth process of Zr oxide precipitates in Nb3Sn layers.•Classical nucleation theory with DFT is employed to describe the nucleation process of Zr oxide precipitates in Nb3Sn.•We find that the interfacial reactions at Nb/Nb3Sn interface play a critical role in the nucleation of Zr oxide precipitates.•Current study provides a pathway to improve the properties of internally oxidized Nb3Sn superconducting wires.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
NASA NTRS2006

Evolution and Control of 2219 Aluminum Microstructural Features Through Electron Beam Freeform Fabrication

The layer-additive nature of the electron beam freeform fabrication (EBF3) process results in a tortuous thermal path producing complex microstructures including: small homogeneous equiaxed grains; dendritic growth contained within larger grains; and/or pervasive dendritic formation in the interpass regions of the deposits. Several process control variables contribute to the formation of these different microstructures, including translation speed, wire feed rate, beam current and accelerating voltage. In electron beam processing, higher accelerating voltages embed the energy deeper below the surface of the substrate. Two EBF3 systems have been established at NASA Langley, one with a low-voltage (10-30kV) and the other a high-voltage (30-60 kV) electron beam gun. Aluminum alloy 2219 was processed over a range of different variables to explore the design space and correlate the resultant microstructures with the processing parameters. This report is specifically exploring the impact of accelerating voltage. Of particular interest is correlating energy to the resultant material characteristics to determine the potential of achieving microstructural control through precise management of the heat flux and cooling rates during deposition.

Taminger, Karen M.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Effects of Post-sintering Annealing on (NdLa)-(FeCo)-B Magnets

A common limitation of La substitutions into (Nd, La) 2 Fe 14 B magnets is the reduction of the anisotropy field (H a ), which decreases magnet coercivity (H cj ). In this study, adding a small amount of Pr-Cu to a La-containing neo magnet may modify the grain boundary (GB), which can help recover a fraction of the degraded H cj . An optimal GB modification requires a carefully designed post-sinter heat treatment, which is the focus of this work on characterizing the effects of multi-step post-sintering annealing on the evolutions of microstructure and magnetic properties. We find that Nd and Cu concentrations at GBs and triple junctions (TJs) increase when the annealing temperatures are lowered. Annealing temperatures of 580°C and 480°C (near rare-earth-rich eutectic temperatures) enabled the development of a thick and continuous GB phase, which helps to magnetically decouple the grains, and, thus, enhance H cj . For the alloy with 25% Nd replaced by La, and with the addition of 7.5 wt.% of Pr 68 Cu 32 as GB modifier, the optimized multi-step post-sinter annealing improved the H cj from 4.8 kOe to 9 kOe.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Decoding anomalous grain growth at room temperature during pressure-induced phase transformations

Significant grain growth is observed during the high-pressure phase transformations (PTs) at room temperature in various materials. The main focus here is grain growth from a few hundred nanometers to 10 μm within an hour during α → ω PT in Zr. No existing theory explains this phenomenon since without PT, Zr nanocrystals do not grow at room temperature even for up to 10 years. Here, in this study, a multistep mechanism for the grain growth during α → ω PT in Zr is suggested. Phase interfaces (PI) and grain boundaries (GBs) coincide and move together as a combined PI-GBs under the action of the combined thermodynamic driving force. Such a combined motion changes the diffusional grain growth mechanism to the transformational one and the martensitic mechanism of PT to a reconstructive one via an intermediate disordered phase. The primary condition is that the GB energy of the ω phase is smaller than that of the α phase, which promotes the nucleation of ω-Zr and is consistent with the absence of the reverse PT and reduction in the PT pressure with reducing grain size. Several intermediate steps for such motion are suggested and justified kinetically. Nonhydrostatic stresses due to volume reduction in the growing ω grain promote continuous growth of the existing ω grain instead of a new nucleation at other GBs. In situ synchrotron Laue diffraction experiments confirm the main predictions of the theory. The suggested mechanism provides a new insight into synergistic interaction between PTs and microstructure evolution.

anomalous grain growth during phase transformation↗
NASA NTRS2015

Compositional and Microstructural Evolution of Olivine During Pulsed Laser Irradiation: Insights Based on a FIB/Field-Emission TEM Study

Introduction: The use of pulsed laser irradiation to simulate the short duration, high-energy conditions characteristic of micrometeorite impacts is now an established approach in experimental space weathering studies. The laser generates both melt and vapor deposits that contain nanophase metallic Fe (npFe(sup 0)) grains with size distributions and optical properties similar to those in natural impact-generated melt and vapor deposits. There remains uncertainty, however, about how well lasers simulate the mechanical work and internal (thermal) energy partitioning that occurs in actual impacts. We are currently engaged in making a direct comparison between the products of laser irradiation and experimental/natural hypervelocity impacts. An initial step reported here is to use analytical TEM is to attain a better understanding of how the microstructure and composition of laser deposits evolve over multiple cycles of pulsed laser irradiation. Experimental Methods: We irradiated pressed-powder pellets of San Carlos olivine (Fo(sub 90)) with up to 99 rastered pulses of a GAM ArF excimer laser. The irradiated surface of the sample were characterized by SEM imaging and areas were selected for FIB cross sectioning for TEM study using an FEI Quanta dual-beam electron/focused ion beam instrument. FIB sections were characterized using a JEOL2500SE analytical field-emission scanning transmission electron microscope (FE-STEM) optimized for quantitative element mapping at less than 10 nm spatial resolutions. Results: In the SEM the 99 pulse pressed pellet sample shows a complex, inhomogeneous, distribution of laser-generated material, largely concentrated in narrow gaps and larger depressions between grains. Local concentrations of npFe0 spherules 0.1 to 1 micrometers in size are visible within these deposits in SEM back-scatter images. Fig. 1 shows bright-field STEM images of a FIB cross-section of a one of these deposits that continuously covers the top and sloping side of an olivine grain. The deposit has 3 microstructurally distinct sub-layers composed of silicate glass with varying modal fractions and size distributions of npFe( sup 0) spherules, along with nanocrystalline silicate material. A relatively thin (50-300 nm) topmost surface layer has a high-concentration of npFe0 spherules 5-20 nm in size. Element mapping shows the layer to be enriched in Fe by a factor of 2.5 relative to the olivine substrate, with Mg and Si depleted by 20% and 10% respectively. This is compositionally complementary to the underlying, middle layer of the deposit that is depleted in Fe, enriched in Mg and has a much lower npFe0 concentration. A third layer of nanocrystalline olivine occurs at the substrate interface. Discussion: The FE-STEM results suggest the topmost layer is a vapor deposit, underlain by a thicker microstructurally complex melt-generated layer. The compositional relations suggest the melt layer was partially vaporized, preferentially losing more volatile elements (e.g., Fe). The vaporized material re-condensed to form the thin, npFe(sup 0)-rich surface deposit during or immediately after the scan cycle. Nanocrystalline olivine that grew within the melt layer as it formed and cooled is similar in volume and microstructure to what we have observed in the impact melt lining of a micrometeorite impact crater in olivine. This suggest the time-temperature relations attained in the laser sample may not be too different from a micrometeorite impact. Our TEM observations, however, do not show evidence for the same level of mechanical dam-age (e.g., fracturing) seen around the natural micrometeorite crater.

Christoffersen, R.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Compositional and Microstructural Evolution of Olivine Under Multiple-Cycle Pulsed Laser Irradiation as Revealed by FIB/Field-Emission TEM

The use of pulsed laser irradiation to simulate the short duration, high-energy conditions characteristic of micrometeorite impacts is now an established approach in experimental space weathering studies. The laser generates both melt and vapor deposits that contain nanophase metallic Fe (npFe(sup 0)) grains with size distributions and optical properties similar to those in natural impact-generated melt and vapor deposits. There remains uncertainty, however, about how well lasers simulate the mechanical work and internal (thermal) energy partitioning that occurs in actual impacts. We are currently engaged in making a direct comparison between the products of laser irradiation and experimental/natural hypervelocity impacts. An initial step reported here is to use analytical SEM and TEM is to attain a better understanding of how the microstructure and composition of laser deposits evolve over multiple cycles of pulsed laser irradiation.

Christoffersen, R.↗
NASA NTRS2024

Search for Presolar Materials and Isotopically Anomalous Diffuse Insoluble Organic Matter in Samples From Asteroid 101955 Bennu

Carbonaceous asteroids allow us to study the original materials that formed the planets in the protoplanetary disk. They contain organic matter and (sub-)micrometer-size dust grains, called presolar grains, that condensed in the circumstellar envelopes of evolved stars and the ejecta of stellar explosions, such as novae and supernovae, before the formation of our Solar System. The isotopically anomalous organics are thought to have formed in the interstellar medium and the early Solar System. Whereas presolar grains provide insight into the building blocks of our Solar System, studying organics can help us understand the origin of life on Earth. These organics might have contributed to ingredients that helped life emerge. The return of samples from asteroid 101955 Bennu by NASA’s Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security–Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) mission gives us a new opportunity to elucidate the formation mechanism(s) and evolution of organics, as well as the abundance and distribution presolar grains in carbonaceous asteroids. Here, we report on our ongoing work to characterize the isotopic and chemical compositions, microstructure, distribution, and abundance of insoluble organic matter (IOM) and presolar grains in Bennu samples. This work supports hypotheses 2 and 3 of the OSIRIS-REx Sample Analysis Plan.

P. Haenecour↗