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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 73 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Evaporation of a Reactive Nanofluid Sessile Drop: Capturing Rapid Emergence of Surface Crystals with In Situ Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction

Mechanisms for surface pattern formation from evaporation of a reactive nanofluid sessile drop are not well understood. In contrast to the coffee-ring effect from inert particles, rapid chemical and morphological transformation of reactive nanoparticles upon rapid evaporative drying are challenging to probe experimentally. Here, using grazing-incidence X-ray surface scattering, the nanostructure of nascent surface patterns has been probed as a ZnO nanofluid sessile drop rapidly dries. The high temporal resolution enabled by the high flux of synchrotron X-rays allows the observation of the emergence of Zn(OH) 2 surface crystals from the onset of evaporation and their rapid evolution into the final residual surface pattern, via transient layered complexes evident from the temporary appearance of X-ray diffraction peaks preceding Zn(OH) 2 formation. The results offer mechanistic insights of morphogenesis of surface patterns from evaporation-induced self-assembly and self-organization of reactive nanofluids, previously untenable using other experimental methods.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Correcting for digital image correlation speckle inversion at high temperature using color cameras

Digital image correlation (DIC) is a popular, noncontacting technique to measure full-field deformation by using cameras to track the motion of an applied surface pattern. Because it is noncontacting, DIC can be performed for extreme temperature applications (e.g., hot-fire rocket testing of carbon composite rocket nozzles) under harsh conditions during which bonded gauges are damaged. Speckle pattern inversion is a phenomenon that sometimes occurs while performing high-temperature DIC. During speckle pattern inversion, portions of the surface pattern that were initially darker at room temperature (e.g., graphite) may emit more light due to blackbody radiation than the portions that were initially paler, thereby producing images in which the pattern appears inverted at high temperature relative to the initial pattern at room temperature. This phenomenon can prevent the correlation algorithm from being able to resolve the displacements between images. This work compares three methods to mitigate speckle pattern inversion: (A) the subtraction method, a recently-published technique in which two high-temperature images are subtracted to remove unwanted light; (B) the filtering method, a popular technique in which optical bandpass filters screen out unwanted light; and (C) the histogram rescaling method, a proposed new method that pairs a color camera with a blue light source and uses information from the green sensor of the camera to correct against inversion in the blue sensor through postprocessing. The histogram rescaling method is shown to successfully eliminate speckle pattern inversion and has the added advantages that it does not require quasi-static loading to be able to compensate for speckle pattern inversion, nor does it impose thick-glass distortions caused by the optical filter.

Rowley, Lindsey J.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Pattern formation on free surfaces via plastic buckling and periodic folding

Spontaneous formation of surface patterns such as folds and creases is widely observed in engineered systems, such as thin films and machined surfaces, as well as in natural systems such as floral petals and leaves. A recognized route for their formation is via surface elastic instabilities. Here we demonstrate an alternate route for their formation —plastic buckling and folding—that occurs when ductile materials are subject to large-strain (>1) deformation. Using in situ imaging of simple-shear deformation of polypropylene, we delineate the mechanics underlying formation of folds and the resulting surface morphology. Here, the fold pattern shows a single wavelength that scales linearly with the size of the plastic zone. An analytical model predicts onset of the plastic buckling instability and characteristics of the folds. Besides obvious applications for controllably generating surface features over large areas, our results suggest a contributing mechanism for origin of surface roughness in solids.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
NASA NTRS2017

Experimental Study of Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (HIAD) Aeroshell with Axisymmetric Surface Deflection Patterns

A wind tunnel test program was conducted to obtain aeroheating environment data on Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator aeroshells with flexible thermal protection systems. Data were obtained on a set of rigid wind tunnel models with surface deflection patterns of various heights that simulated a range of potential in-flight aeroshell deformations. Wind tunnel testing was conducted at Mach 6 at unit Reynolds numbers from 2.1 × 10(exp 6)/ft to 8.3 × 10(exp 6)/ft and angles of attack from 0 deg to 18 deg. Boundary-layer transition onset and global surface heating distribution measurements were performed using phosphor thermography and flow field images were obtained through schlieren photography. Surface deflections were found to both promote early transition of the boundary layer and to augment heating levels for both laminar and turbulent flows. A complimentary computational flow field study was also performed to provide heating predictions for comparison with the measurements as well as boundary layer flow field properties for use in correlating the data. Correlations of the wind tunnel data were developed to predict deflection effects on boundary layer transition and surface heating and were applied to both the wind tunnel test conditions and to the trajectory of NASA's successful IRVE-3 flight test. In general, the correlations produced at least qualitative agreement with the wind tunnel data, although the heating levels were underpredicted for some of the larger surface deflections. For the flight conditions, the correlations suggested that peak heating levels on the leeward side conical flank of the IRVE-3 vehicle may have exceeded those at nose for times late in the trajectory after the peak heating time point. However, the flight estimates were based on a conservative assumption of surface deflection magnitude (i.e., larger) than likely was produced in flight.

Hollis, Brian R.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Functional stimuli-responsive polymers on micro- and nano-patterned interfaces

Micro- and nano-patterned surfaces offer precise control over morphology and chemical composition, enhancing the stability, durability, and functionality of coating materials. When combined with stimuli-responsive polymers, these surfaces gain dynamic adaptability, enabling reversible binding, reusable sensing, and selective molecular capture. Furthermore, while recent review articles have explored various aspects of stimuli-responsive materials, from hydrogel patterns for bioanalytical applications to shape-morphing hydrogels for soft robotics and sensors, a comprehensive review focused on the integration of smart polymers with micro- or nano-patterned interfaces remains absent. This review addresses key surface patterning techniques, including soft lithography, colloidal lithography, and polymer brush photolithography, as well as advances in surface-initiated polymerization methods, such as surface-initiated controlled radical polymerization (SI-CRP). In addition, we discuss recent progress in integrating stimuli-responsive polymers with patterned surfaces to create advanced, functional materials.

Colloidal lithography↗
DOE OSTI2015

A high-transparency, micro-patternable chip for X-ray diffraction analysis of microcrystals under native growth conditions

A highly X-ray-transparent, silicon nitride-based device has been designed and fabricated to harvest protein microcrystals for high-resolution X-ray diffraction data collection using microfocus beamlines and XFELs. Microcrystals present a significant impediment to the determination of macromolecular structures by X-ray diffraction methods. Although microfocus synchrotron beamlines and X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) can enable the collection of interpretable diffraction data from microcrystals, there is a need for efficient methods of harvesting small volumes (<2 µl) of microcrystals grown under common laboratory formats and delivering them to an X-ray beam source under native growth conditions. One approach that shows promise in overcoming the challenges intrinsic to microcrystal analysis is to pair so-called ‘fixed-target’ sample-delivery devices with microbeam-based X-ray diffraction methods. However, to record weak diffraction patterns it is necessary to fabricate devices from X-ray-transparent materials that minimize background scattering. Presented here is the design of a new micro-diffraction device consisting of three layers fabricated from silicon nitride, photoresist and polyimide film. The chip features low X-ray scattering and X-ray absorption properties, and uses a customizable blend of hydrophobic and hydrophilic surface patterns to help localize microcrystals to defined regions. Microcrystals in their native growth conditions can be loaded into the chips with a standard pipette, allowing data collection at room temperature. Diffraction data collected from hen egg-white lysozyme microcrystals (10–15 µm) loaded into the chips yielded a complete, high-resolution (<1.6 Å) data set sufficient to determine a high-quality structure by molecular replacement. The features of the chip allow the rapid and user-friendly analysis of microcrystals grown under virtually any laboratory format at microfocus synchrotron beamlines and XFELs.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2023

Dynamic Motions of Topological Defects in Nematic Liquid Crystals under Spatial Confinement

Abstract Topological defects (TDs) have become a sensational topic due to their significant influence on the unusual optical and physiochemical characteristics of the material. To facilitate their application across a wide range of disciplines it is desirable to analyze and gain fundamental understanding of TDs in both equilibrium and nonequilibrium systems. Liquid crystals (LCs) are considered an ideal system for study given the direct visualization of TDs and a straightforward analyzation process. In addition to the equilibrium morphology of LC TDs, it is also of great interest to track and control the formation and annihilation of defects during thermodynamic processes. However, controlling the dynamic behavior of formed defects remains a challenge. Here, nematic LCs confined in a cell exhibiting surfaces with periodic anchoring conditions containing surface topography are relied on. The effects of patterned surface characteristics such as width, periodicity, and degree of curvature on defects dynamic motion, stabilization, and annihilation are explored. The computational experiments recapitulate the TDs transition path and provide free energy‐based predictions of critical distances for defect annihilation. Taken together, this simple approach offers a promising opportunity to control the dynamics of TDs in LCs through chemical patterned surfaces with topography.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Electrostatically driven pattern formation in mixed charged–neutral multicomponent elastic membranes

Multicomponent crystalline and amorphous elastic shells exhibit heterogeneous surface patterns that provide distinctive functionalities in cellular environments. Such patterning typically arises from the competition between short-range attractive and long-range repulsive interactions in membranes. Here, we demonstrate that the intrinsic competition between electrostatic repulsion and elastic deformation is sufficient to drive spontaneous surface patterning in elastic shells, requiring no additional attractive interactions. Using numerical simulations, we demonstrate pattern formation in mechanically homogeneous membranes with heterogeneous surface charge composition across different topologies, including spheres, discs, and flat periodic membranes. We also examine patterns in crystalline and amorphous shells of coassembled charged and neutral components with different bending rigidities. At low charge fraction, discrete charged surface domains form. At intermediate charge fraction, the competition between electrostatics and elasticity leads to elongated domains (rods) of the charged component, which results in lamellar patterns at nearly equal fraction of the charged and neutral components. At high charge fraction, nanodomains of the neutral component form. Amorphous shells exhibit similar progressions but with disordered structures rather than ordered lamellar patterns. These pattern morphologies are observed in both the closed shells and flat membranes. As salt concentration increases, all patterns coarsen due to the screening of electrostatic interactions.

charge heterogeneity↗
NASA NTRS1972

Experimental surface flow patterns and flow-field phenomena of a delta-wing space-shuttle orbiter

Composite photographs of the surface flow and shadowgraphs of the shock wave pattern are presented that depict the hypersonic flow field of a typical delta wing space shuttle orbiter. Results from a wind tunnel test in air are given in side, oblique, and projected plan views for angles of attack from 0 to 60 deg. The tests were conducted at a Mach number of 7.4 and for Reynolds numbers based on body length of 6,000,000 and 9,000,000. The interrelationship is shown for the intersecting bow and wing leading edge waves with the surface flow for angles of attack for which: (1) the leading edge wave is attached, and (2) the leading edge wave is detached.

Cleary, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Covariation of Mesoscale Ocean Color and Sea-Surface Temperature Patterns in the Sargasso Sea

During the lifetime of the Coastal Zone Color Scanner, there were 21 instances in which both satellite-derived ocean color and sea-surface temperature are simultaneously available over large areas of the Sargasso Sea. These images reveal close correspondence between mesoscale structures observed in temperature and pigment fields. In general, higher (lower) pigment biomass occurs in mesoscale features consisting of cold (warm) temperature anomalies. This relationship is consistent with the idea that upward displacement of isopycnals at the base of the euphotic zone by mesoscale eddies is an important mechanism of nutrient supply in the region.

McGillicuddy, Dennis J., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Covariation of Mesoscale Ocean Color and Sea-Surface Temperature Patterns in the Sargasso Sea

During the lifetime of the Coastal Zone Color Scanner, there were 21 instances in which both satellite-derived ocean color and sea-surface temperature are simultaneously available over large areas of the Sargasso Sea. These images reveal close correspondence between mesoscale structures observed in temperature and pigment fields. In general, higher (lower) pigment biomass occurs in mesoscale features consisting of cold (warm) temperature anomalies. This relationship is consistent with the idea that upward displacement of isopycnals at the base of the euphotic zone by mesoscale eddies is an important mechanism of nutrient supply in the region.

McGillicuddy, D. J.↗
DOE OSTI2019

Formation of Ligand Clusters on Multimodal Chromatographic Surfaces

Multimodal chromatography is a powerful tool which uses multiple modes of interaction, such as charge and hydrophobicity, to purify protein-based therapeutics. In this work, we performed molecular dynamics simulations of a series of multimodal cation-exchange ligands immobilized on a hydrophilic self-assembled monolayer surface at the commercially relevant surface density (1 ligand/nm2). We found that ligands that were flexible and terminated in a hydrophobic group had a propensity to aggregate on the surface, while less flexible ligands containing a hydrophobic group closer to the surface did not aggregate. For aggregating ligands, we report this resulted in the formation of a surface pattern that contained relatively large patches of hydrophobicity and charge whose sizes exceeded the length scale of the individual ligands. On the other hand, lowering the surface density to 1 ligand/3 nm 2 reduced or eliminated this aggregation behavior. In addition, the introduction of a flexible linker (corresponding to the commercially available ligand) enhanced cluster formation and allowed aggregation to occur at lower surface densities. Further, the use of flexible linkers enabled hydrophobic groups to collapse to the surface, reducing their accessibility. Finally, we developed an approach for quantifying differences in the observed surface patterns by calculating distributions of the patch size and patch length. This clustering phenomenon is likely to play a key role in governing protein–surface interactions in multimodal chromatography. This new understanding of multimodal surfaces has important implications for developing improved predictive models and designing new classes of multimodal separation materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Impact of thermodynamic fluctuations and pattern size on the nucleation behavior during area selective deposition

In this work, the authors explore the impact that thermodynamic fluctuations have on the spontaneous appearance of defects during area selective deposition on patterned surfaces that are fully covered by adsorbates under local thermodynamic equilibrium, such as self-assembled monolayers. By using a simple lattice gas model for the adsorbed monolayer, the authors were able to track the spontaneous formation of defects in the monolayer as a function of the pattern width. The results indicate that, for pattern widths of the order of tens of nanometers, roughening effects at the pattern edge can be the leading source for the spontaneous appearance of nucleation defects. This leads to an enhancement of the density of defects that can be up to three orders of magnitude higher than those expected in uniform (not patterned) surfaces. The model also predicts a density of defects that is inversely proportional to the pattern width. Finally, if the dynamic nucleation of defects during area selective deposition is driven by thermodynamic fluctuations, the model predicts that the nucleation rate should be proportional to the total precursor fluency and independent of purge times. Moreover, a tight confinement of the monolayer through a high quality smooth interface in the patterned substrate and strong cohesive interactions between adsorbates should each contribute to a reduction of the overall defect density.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS2022

Winds at the Mars 2020 Landing Site: 1. Near-Surface Wind Patterns at Jezero Crater

This is the first part of a two-part paper. NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance rover measured winds on the Jezero crater floor close to the delta of an ancient river. A mostly repeatable diurnal cycle was observed and presented two regimes: (a) a convective regime, from dawn to sunset, with average easterly to southeasterly winds, during which maximum wind speeds were measured, and (b) a nighttime regime with westerly-northwesterly winds followed by a relatively calm period with highly variable wind directions as a function of sol and time of night. The timing and magnitude of the observed regimes are consistent with primary control by regional and local slope flows. Data suggest that the surface circulation at Jezero region in northern spring and summer is highly unaffected by large-scale circulation except during particular periods in the diurnal cycle or generally during dust storms, which is supported by MarsWRF model simulations. Consequently, the observed seasonal variability was weak. However, sol-to-sol and seasonal variability were measured, most of it during certain nighttime periods. Traveling waves consistent with baroclinic instability were clearly observed in surface winds at L_s ∼ 75°. The early MY36/2022A regional dust storm at L_s ∼ 153° disturbed the wind patterns with changes suggesting enhanced tidal flows. After sunset, the dust storm also produced detectable gravity wave activity, increasing the mixing in the nighttime planetary boundary layer during storm conditions. Inferred wind directions from dust devil movies strongly suggest that prevailing winds continued to be slope-driven during the late summer, fall and early winter seasons.

D. Viúdez-Moreiras↗
NASA NTRS1998

Martian Meteorology: Determination of Large Scale Weather Patterns from Surface Measurements

We employed numerical modelling of the martian atmosphere, and our expertise in understanding martian atmospheric processes, to better understand the coupling between lower and upper atmosphere processes. One practical application of this work has been our involvement with the ongoing atmospheric aerobraking which the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) spacecraft is currently undergoing at Mars. Dr. Murphy is currently a member of the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Aerobraking Atmospheric Advisory Group (AAG). He was asked to participate in this activity based upon his knowledge of martian atmospheric dynamical processes. Aerobraking is a process whereby a spacecraft, in an elliptical orbit, passes through the upper layers of the atmosphere (in this instance Mars). This passage through the atmosphere 'drags' upon the spacecraft, gradually reducing its orbital velocity. This has the effect, over time, of converting the elliptical orbit to a circular orbit, which is the desired mapping orbit for MGS. Carrying out aerobraking eliminates the need for carrying large amounts of fuel on the spacecraft to execute an engine burn to achieve the desired orbit. Eliminating the mass of the fuel reduces the cost of launch. Damage to one of MGS's solar panels shortly after launch has resulted in a less aggressive extended in time aerobraking phase which will not end until March, 1999. Phase 1 extended from Sept. 1997 through March 1998. During this time period, Dr. Murphy participated almost daily in the AAG meetings, and beginning in December 1997 lead the meeting several times per week. The leader of each of the daily AAG meetings took the results of that meeting current state of the atmosphere, identification of any time trends or spatial patterns in upper atmosphere densities, etc.) forward to the Aerobraking Planning Group (APG) meeting, at which time the decision was made to not chance MGS orbit, to lower the orbit to reach higher densities (greater 'drag'), or raise the orbit to avoid experiencing excessive, possibly damaging densities.

Murphy, James R.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Martian Meteorology: Determination of Large Scale Weather Patterns from Surface Measurements

We employed numerical modelling of the martian atmosphere, and our expertise in understanding martian atmospheric processes, to better understand the coupling between lower and upper atmosphere processes. One practical application of this work has been our involvement with the ongoing atmospheric aerobraking which the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) spacecraft is currently undergoing at Mars. Dr. Murphy is currently a member of the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Aerobraking Atmospheric Advisory Group (AAG). He was asked to participate in this activity based upon his knowledge of martian atmospheric dynamical processes. Aerobraking is a process whereby a spacecraft, in an elliptical orbit, passes through the upper layers of the atmosphere (in this instance Mars). This passage through the atmosphere 'drags'upon the spacecraft, gradually reducing its orbital velocity. This has the effect, over time, of converting the elliptical orbit to a circular orbit, which is the desired mapping orbit for MGS. Carrying out aerobraking eliminates the need for carrying large amounts of fuel on the spacecraft to execute an engine burn to achieve the desired orbit. Eliminating the mass of the fuel reduces the cost of launch. Damage to one of MGS's solar panels shortly after launch has resulted in a less aggressive extended in time aerobraking phase which will not end until March, 1999. Phase I extended from Sept. 1997 through March 1998. During this time period, Dr. Murphy participated almost daily in the AAG meetings, and beginning in December 1997 lead the meeting several times per week. The leader of each of the daily AAG meetings took the results of that meeting (current state of the atmosphere, identification of any time trends or spatial patterns in upper atmosphere densities, etc.) forward to the Aerobraking Planning Group (APG) meeting, at which time the decision was made to not change MGS orbit, to lower the orbit to reach higher densities (greater 'drag'), or raise the orbit to avoid experiencing excessive, possibly damaging densities.

Murphy, James R.↗