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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

Axisymmetric hybrid Vlasov equilibria with applications to tokamak plasmas

We derive axisymmetric equilibrium equations in the context of the hybrid Vlasov model with kinetic ions and massless fluid electrons, assuming isothermal electrons and deformed Maxwellian distribution functions for the kinetic ions. The equilibrium system comprises a Grad–Shafranov partial differential equation and an integral equation. These equations can be utilized to calculate the equilibrium magnetic field and ion distribution function, respectively, for given particle density or given ion and electron toroidal current density profiles. The resulting solutions describe states characterized by toroidal plasma rotation and toroidal electric current density. Additionally, due to the presence of fluid electrons, these equilibria also exhibit a poloidal current density component. This is in contrast to the fully kinetic Vlasov model, where axisymmetric Jeans equilibria can only accommodate toroidal currents and flows, given the absence of a third integral of the microscopic motion.

Physics↗

Generation, dynamics, and correlations of the fission fragments' angular momenta

The generation of angular momentum in fissioning nuclei is not well understood. The predictions of different models disagree, particularly concerning the correlation between the fragments' angular momenta. In this article, a time-dependent collective Hamiltonian model is proposed to treat the generation of the angular momentum in the fission fragments due to the quantum uncertainty principle as well as the dynamics of the collective wave function during and after scission. The model is constructed in the framework of the frozen Hartree-Fock approximation using a Skyrme energy functional to extract deformations of the fission fragments as well as the interactions in a derived collective Hamiltonian. The fission reactions studied are $^{240}$Pu $\rightarrow$ $^{132}$Sn+$^{108}$Ru and $^{240}$Pu $\rightarrow$ $^{144}$Ba+$^{96}$Sr. The model can account for a large part of the angular momentum found in experimental data. The orientation of the angular momentum of each fragment is found to be mainly in the plane perpendicular to the fission axis, in agreement with the experiment. The magnitudes of the angular momenta in the two fragments are nearly uncorrelated, in agreement with the recent experimental data of Wilson et al., Nature (London) 590, 566 (2021). Some of the conclusions of the traditional collective vibration model are supported by the present model but some are not. Surprisingly, it is found that the angular momenta of the fragments are slightly correlated positively as in a wriggling mode. As a result, it is also found that the presence of an octupole deformation in a fragment can significantly increase the generated angular momentum.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Impact of O4 future detections on the determination of the dense matter equations of state

Here, in view of the next LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA Observing period O4 (to start in Spring 2023), we address the question of the ability of the interferometers network to discriminate among different neutron stars equation of states better than what was possible with the observation of the binary neutron stars merger GW170817. We show that the observation of an event similar to GW170817 during O4 would allow us to resolve the dimensionless effective tidal deformability $\tilde{Λ}$ within an uncertainty 7 times better than the one obtained in O2. Thanks to the expected increase in sensitivities, we show that any GW170817-like single-event within a distance of 100 Mpc would imply significantly improved constraints of the neutron stars equations of state. We also illustrate the important impact of the noise in the analysis of the signal, showing how it can impact the effective tidal deformability probability density function for large signal-to-noise ratio.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

A strong and ductile Super Kovar alloy via fully coherent nanoprecipitates

Emerging high-precision technologies demand materials with exceptional dimensional stability and mechanical robustness, as even microscopic thermomechanical deformation can cause functional failure. However, a fundamental trilemma exists: High strength, ductility, and low thermal expansion are mutually exclusive, as strengthening-induced lattice distortions compromise the spin-lattice coupling, which is essential for low thermal expansion. Here, we overcome this trilemma by designing “Super Kovar,” an Fe-Ni-Co-Al-Ta alloy, featuring fully coherent nanoprecipitates. It unifies a 1.0-gigapascal ultimate tensile strength and ∼39% elongation with a Kovar-grade thermal expansion of 3.81 × 10−6 K−1 (100 to 410 K). The key is a dense dispersion of L12 nanoprecipitates that form an almost strain-free coherent interface with the ferromagnetic matrix. Beyond providing precipitation strengthening, these coherent interfaces suppress intrinsic phonons of nanoprecipitates via elastic coupling while avoiding magnetic domain pinning to preserve the Invar effect of the matrix. This reduces the thermal expansion of the precipitates by 56% and achieves a fourfold enhancement in the strength-ductility product, establishing a paradigm for dimensionally stable, ultrastrong alloys.

Yu, Chengyi [University of Science and Technology ↗

Joint Inversion of Regional Waveform, First-Motion Polarity, and Synthetic Aperture Radar Surface Displacement for the Fourth and Sixth North Korean Declared Nuclear Explosions

Here, this study analyzed the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) fourth (DPRK4, 6 January 2016 M w 4.49) and sixth (DPRK6, 7 September 2017 M w 5.2) declared nuclear tests, employing a joint seismic and Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) inversion to improve understanding of these events and enhance moment tensor (MT) inversion capabilities. The recent efforts have focused on employing seismic waveform and InSAR geodetic deformation data separately to analyze these and the previous nuclear tests (e.g., Chiang et al., 2018; Myers et al., 2018; Wang et al., 2018). Building upon our previous work (Chi-Durán et al., 2021), we performed a joint regional waveform, first-motion (FM) polarity, and surface displacement inversion, which demonstrated improved source-type discrimination, a revised MT solution with reduced scalar moment uncertainty, and an independently constrained location. In this article, we build on the previous results for DPRK6 by including an analysis using a four-layered velocity model with free-surface topography to compute the near-source static deformation Green’s functions. The model consists of a 50 m basalt layer (⁠V P = 2.07 km/s, V S = 1.2 km/s⁠), a 250 m stratified volcanic deposit layer (⁠V P = 1.73 km/s, V S = 1.0 km/s⁠), a 700 m weathered granodiorite layer (⁠V P = 2.5 km/s, V S = 1.3 km/s⁠⁠), and a granodiorite half-space (⁠V P = 5.35 km/s, V S = 3.09 km/s⁠⁠). The half-space shares the velocity of the regional MDJ2 velocity model (Ford et al., 2010), which has proven effective for waveform inversion in the region. This model considers the range of reported values for various lithologies and weathering effects. Our findings show that using the layered velocity model enhances the recovery of source location and depth for both the explosions by improving fits and reducing uncertainties. The joint inversion also improves source-type discrimination and better constrains the scalar seismic moment necessary for downstream yield estimation.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Creep of chemically vapor deposited SiC fibers

The creep, thermal expansion, and elastic modulus properties for chemically vapor deposited SiC fibers were measured between 1000 and 1500 C. Creep strain was observed to increase logarithmically with time, monotonically with temperature, and linearly with tensile stress up to 600 MPa. The controlling activation energy was 480 + or - 20 kJ/mole. Thermal pretreatments near 1200 and 1450 C were found to significantly reduce fiber creep. These results coupled with creep recovery observations indicate that below 1400 C fiber creep is anelastic with neglible plastic component. This allowed a simple predictive method to be developed for describing fiber total deformation as a function of time, temperature, and stress. Mechanistic analysis of the property data suggests that fiber creep is the result of beta-SiC grain boundary sliding controlled by a small percent of free silicon in the grain boundaries.

Dicarlo, J. A.↗

Creep of chemically vapour deposited SiC fibres

The creep, thermal expansion, and elastic modulus properties for chemically vapor deposited SiC fibers were measured between 1000 and 1500 C. Creep strain was observed to increase logarithmically with time, monotonically with temperature, and linearly with tensile stress up to 600 MPa. The controlling activation energy was 480 + or - 20 kJ/mole. Thermal pretreatments near 1200 and 1450 C were found to significantly reduce fiber creep. These results coupled with creep recovery observations indicate that below 1400 C fiber creep is anelastic with negligible plastic component. This allowed a simple predictive method to be developed for describing fiber total deformation as a function of time, temperature, and stress. Mechanistic analysis of the property data suggests that fiber creep is the result of beta-SiC grain boundary sliding controlled by a small percent of free silicon in the grain boundaries.

Dicarlo, J. A.↗

Effect of Apex Flap Deflection on Vertical Tail Buffeting

A computational study of the effect of vortex breakdown location on vertical tail buffeting is conducted. The position of the breakdown is modified by employing an apex flap deflected by an experimentally determined optimal angle. The delayed breakdown flow and buffeting response is then compared to the nominal undeflected case. This multidisciplinary problem is solved sequentially for the fluid flow, the elastic tail deformations and the grid displacements. The fluid flow is simulated by time accurately solving the unsteady, compressible, Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations using an implicit, upwind, flux-difference splitting finite volume scheme. The elastic vibrations of the tails are modeled by uncoupled bending and torsion beam equations. These equations are solved accurately in time using the Galerkin method and a five-stage Runge-Kutta-Verner scheme. The grid for the fluid dynamics calculations is continuously deformed using interpolation functions to disperse the displacements smoothly throughout the computational domain. An angle-of-attack of 35 deg.is chosen such that the wing primary-vortex cores experience vortex breakdown and the resulting turbulent wake flow impinges on tile vertical tails. The dimensions and material properties of the vertical tails are chosen such that the deflections are large enough to insure interaction with the flow, and the natural frequencies are high enough to facilitate a practical computational solution. Results are presented for a baseline uncontrolled buffeting case and a delayed breakdown case in which the apex flap has been deflected 15 deg. The flap was found to be very effective in delaying the breakdown, increasing the location from 50%c to 94%c, which resulted in a 6% increase in lift coefficient and pitching moment. However, the integrated buffet loads and tip responses were roughly equivalent for the two cases.

Massey, Steven J.↗

Applications of Quantum Chemistry to the Study of Carbon Nanotubes

For several years, scientists at NASA Ames have been studying the properties of carbon nanotubes using various experimental and computational methods. In this talk, I will compare different strategies for using quantum chemistry calculations to describe the electronic structure, deformation and chemical functionalization of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) and the physisorption of small molecules on nanotube surfaces. The SWNT can be treated as an infinite (periodic) or finite length carbon cylinder or as a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecule with an imposed curvature maintained by external constraints (as if it were cut out of the SWNT surface). Calculations are carried out using DFT and MP2 methods and a variety of atomic orbital basis sets from minimal (STO-3G) to valence triple zeta. The optimal approach is based on the particular SWNT property of interest. Examples to be discussed include: nanotube fluorination and other functionalization reactions; coating of nanotubes by water vapor and low-molecular weight organic molecules; and the nature of the interface between SWNT and liquids such as water and amines. In many cases, the quantum chemistry calculations are used to parameterize or validate force fields for molecular dynamics simulations. The results of these calculations have helped explain experimental data and contributed to the design of novel materials and sensors based on carbon nanotubes. Some of this research is described in the following papers:

Jaffe, Richard L.↗

Investigating the Effects of Pin Tool Design on Friction Stir Welded Ti-6Al-4V

Friction stir welding (FSWing), a solid state joining technique, uses a non-consumable rotating pin tool to thermomechanically join materials. Heating of the weldment caused by friction and deformation is a function of the interaction between the pin tool and the work piece. Therefore, the geometry of the pin tool is in part responsible for the resulting microstructure and mechanical properties. In this study microwave sintered tungsten carbide (WC) pin tools with tapers and flats were used to FSW Ti-6Al-4V. Transverse sections of welds were mechanically tested, and the microstructure was characterized using optical microscopy (OM) and scanning election microscopy (SEM). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron back-scatter diffraction (EBSD) were used to characterize the texture within the welds produced from the different pin tool designs.

Rubisoff, H. A.↗

The effects of thermal cycling on the thermal deformation of graphite-polyimide

The effects of repetitive thermal cycling on the thermal deformation of graphite-fiber-reinforced polyimide laminates are investigated. Unsymmetric and unidirectional laminate specimens were cycled in an oven between room temperature and 180 or 315 C five times, and temperature and deformation were recorded as a function of time in order to measure thermal deformation. The results of the lower temperature cycling reveal a hysteresis-like effect in the temperature-thermal deformation relation for a single cycle, while no differences are detected from one cycle to the next. The response of an eight-layer curved specimen is found to agree well with predictions based on a piecewise-linear lamination theory, however, four-layer laminate response could not be explained. The results of the high-temperature tests also indicate a dependence of the strain on whether the specimen was being heated or cooled, however quantitative results are considered unreliable, due to strain gage difficulties.

Hyer, M. W.↗

Shear Softening in a Metallic Glass: First-Principles Local-Stress Analysis

Metallic glasses deform elastically under stress. However, the atomic-level origin of elastic properties of metallic glasses remain unclear. In this Letter using ab initio molecular dynamics simulations of the Cu 5 0Zr 50 metallic glass under shear strain, we show that the heterogeneous stress relaxation results in the increased charge transfer from Zr to Cu atoms, enhancing the softening of the shear modulus. Changes in compositional short-range order and atomic position shifts due to the nonaffine deformation are discussed. It is shown that the Zr subsystem exhibits a stiff behavior, whereas the displacements of Cu atoms from their initial positions, induced by the strain, provide the stress drop and softening.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

First-and Second-Order Displacement Transfer Functions for Structural Shape Calculations Using Analytically Predicted Surface Strains

New first- and second-order displacement transfer functions have been developed for deformed shape calculations of nonuniform cross-sectional beam structures such as aircraft wings. The displacement transfer functions are expressed explicitly in terms of beam geometrical parameters and surface strains (uniaxial bending strains) obtained at equally spaced strain stations along the surface of the beam structure. By inputting the measured or analytically calculated surface strains into the displacement transfer functions, one could calculate local slopes, deflections, and cross-sectional twist angles of the nonuniform beam structure for mapping the overall structural deformed shapes for visual display. The accuracy of deformed shape calculations by the first- and second-order displacement transfer functions are determined by comparing these values to the analytically predicted values obtained from finite element analyses. This comparison shows that the new displacement transfer functions could quite accurately calculate the deformed shapes of tapered cantilever tubular beams with different tapered angles. The accuracy of the present displacement transfer functions also are compared to those of the previously developed displacement transfer functions.

Ko, William L.↗

Diagnostics of sources of disturbances and distribution of vibrations over the width of a tape in tape-feed mechanisms

Disturbances created by certain assemblies and components of tape-feed mechanisms (TFM) and acting on a moving magnetic tape are studied. The method, based on elements of digital logic, is established by stress-strain diagrams of the longitudinal deformations and vibrations across the width of a magnetic tape. Experimental studies were carried out for determination of the functional relationships of longitudinal deformations in a section of magnetic tape to the magnitude of roller play, tension vibrations rate of movement, and elasticity of magnetic tapes. A block diagram of the measurements is shown. Appropriate digital computer algorithms and programs were proposed for statistical analysis of the data obtained. Estimates of the mathematical expectation, dispersion, intercorrelation function, energy spectral density, and distribution pattern of the random process values were calculated.

Kenstavichyus, A. B. B.↗

An experimental investigation of the changes of VLBI time delays due to antenna structural deformations

Structural deformations primarily occur as functions of antenna elevation angle due to gravity loading. For a Cassegrain antenna, one of the major effects of structural deformation on measured VLBI time delays are those delay changes associated with axial subreflector displacement from its nominal position. Two types of time delay changes that occur when the subreflector is axially defocused are: a change which is a linear function of subreflector defocus position; and a cyclical change caused by multipath. Test results show that for the 64-m DSN antenna, the linear change is 1.8 times the subreflector defocus position, while the peak-to-peak change in cyclical variation is about + or - 3 cm when a spanned bandwidth of 38 MHz at 2290 MHz is used.

Otoshi, T. Y.↗

Parametric Studies of Square Solar Sails Using Finite Element Analysis

Parametric studies are performed on two generic square solar sail designs to identify parameters of interest. The studies are performed on systems-level models of full-scale solar sails, and include geometric nonlinearity and inertia relief, and use a Newton-Raphson scheme to apply sail pre-tensioning and solar pressure. Computational strategies and difficulties encountered during the analyses are also addressed. The purpose of this paper is not to compare the benefits of one sail design over the other. Instead, the results of the parametric studies may be used to identify general response trends, and areas of potential nonlinear structural interactions for future studies. The effects of sail size, sail membrane pre-stress, sail membrane thickness, and boom stiffness on the sail membrane and boom deformations, boom loads, and vibration frequencies are studied. Over the range of parameters studied, the maximum sail deflection and boom deformations are a nonlinear function of the sail properties. In general, the vibration frequencies and modes are closely spaced. For some vibration mode shapes, local deformation patterns that dominate the response are identified. These localized patterns are attributed to the presence of negative stresses in the sail membrane that are artifacts of the assumption of ignoring the effects of wrinkling in the modeling process, and are not believed to be physically meaningful. Over the range of parameters studied, several regions of potential nonlinear modal interaction are identified.

Sleight, David W.↗