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Space-Cent: Studying the Physiological and Anatomical Effects of Centrifugation and Head Down Tilt: 2021 Update

BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to evaluate the cerebral and ocular physiological and anatomical effects of head-down tilt bedrest (HDBR) with and without daily artificial gravity (AG) in healthy subjects to provide novel insights into possible countermeasures for the Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS). Previous long-term studies using the spaceflight analog of strict 6° HDBR for 30 days revealed changes in ocular structure, including optic disc edema. The effects of an AG countermeasure using intermittent centrifugation to restore upright hydrostatic gradients and reduce the ocular and brain anatomical effects has not been explored. METHODS The effects of 60-day exposure to simulated microgravity (6° HDBR) on the cerebral, ocular and vestibular systems with and without the intervention of daily 30 minute exposure to AG (short-arm centrifugation) was evaluated in 24 healthy subjects. Non-invasive measurements of cerebral blood flow, intracranial blood volume (near infrared spectroscopy, NIRS), cerebral and ocular structure (MRI and optical coherence tomography), internal jugular vein area (ultrasound), lateral ventricular volumes (MRI), intraocular pressure, and sensorimotor/vestibular (i.e. balance and coordination) systems were made during various time-points during the bedrest study. Additional measures with ultrasound and NIRS were made during centrifugation. RESULTS The study began in Spring 2019 and all 24 subjects completed the testing by end of 2019. Data analysis continues. We report the following updated results for 2021. MRI showed significant decreases in carotid artery flow, increases in brain and CSF volumes, and aqueductal flow velocities in all subjects in HDT compared to baseline supine, but no effects of the short duration AG. All groups showed increased posterior globe flattening during bedrest compared to baseline, without protection from AG. As previously reported we observed chorioretinal folds for the first time in a bedrest analog, as well as optic disc edema, with no protection from the short-term AG. Data from the study is now being transmitted to the NASA LSDA which will allow for future research. CONCLUSIONS The 6 degree HDBR analog produced significant changes in the anatomical and physiological functions of the brain and eye in healthy subjects. Daily 30 minute exposure to AG with short-arm centrifugation had significant transient effects on physiology of the cerebrovascular system, but was not sufficient to prevent the anatomical effects of HDBR on the brain and eye.

E M Bershad↗
NASA NTRS1993

The structure and stability of transonic accretion disks surrounding black holes

Stationary transonic alpha-viscosity models of accretion disks surrounding nonrotating black holes have been investigated. The viscosity is modified such that it vanishes in the supersonic region to ensure its effect does not violate the causality condition. In contrast to previous studies, the viscous stress is taken to be explicitly proportional to the angular velocity gradient and is not assumed to depend solely on the local pressure in the disk. The numerical results reveal that the structure of the innermost regions of the disk are more sensitive to the modified form of the viscosity than to the form of the viscous stress. The critical sonic point is located inside the innermost stable circular orbit of a test particle at 3 Schwarzschild radii. In these solutions, the transition from subsonic to supersonic flow results from pressure effects and not viscous effects. The linear stability of these disks has been examined in the local approximation. It is found that radiative energy transport and viscous stresses in the radial direction can have important effects. As a result, it is shown that the growth rate of the inertial-acoustic mode reaches a maximum at a critical wavelength.

Chen, Xingming↗
NASA NTRS1991

Texture analysis of radiometric signatures of new sea ice forming in Arctic leads

Analysis of 33.6-GHz, high-resolution, passive microwave images suggests that new sea ice accumulating in open leads is characterized by a unique textural signature which can be used to discriminate new ice forming in this environment from adjacent surfaces of similar radiometric temperature. Ten training areas were selected from the data set, three of which consisted entirely of first-year ice, four entirely of multilayer ice, and three of new ice in open leads in the process of freezing. A simple gradient operator was used to characterize the radiometric texture in each training region in terms of the degree to which radiometric gradients are oriented. New ice in leads has a sufficiently high proportion of well-oriented features to distinguish it uniquely from first-year ice and multiyear ice. The predominance of well-oriented features probably reflects physical processes by which new ice accumulates in open leads. Banded structures, which are evident in aerial photographs of new ice, apparently give rise to the radiometric signature observed, in which the trend of brightness temperature gradients is aligned parallel to lead trends. First-year ice and multiyear ice, which have been subjected to a more random growth and process history, lack this banded structure and therefore are characterized by signatures in which well-aligned elements are less dominant.

Eppler, Duane T.↗
DOE OSTI2024

RCEMIP-II: mock-Walker simulations as phase II of the radiative–convective equilibrium model intercomparison project

Abstract. The radiative–convective equilibrium (RCE) model intercomparison project (RCEMIP) leveraged the simplicity of RCE to focus attention on moist convective processes and their interactions with radiation and circulation across a wide range of model types including cloud-resolving models (CRMs), general circulation models (GCMs), single-column models, global cloud-resolving models, and large-eddy simulations. While several robust results emerged across the spectrum of models that participated in the first phase of RCEMIP (RCEMIP-I), two points that stand out are (1) the strikingly large diversity in simulated climate states and (2) the strong imprint of convective self-aggregation on the climate state. However, the lack of consensus in the structure of self-aggregation and its response to warming is a barrier to understanding. Gaining a deeper understanding of convective aggregation and tropical climate will require reducing the degrees of freedom with which convection can vary. Therefore, we propose phase II of RCEMIP (RCEMIP-II) that utilizes a prescribed sinusoidal sea surface temperature (SST) pattern to provide a constraint on the structure of convection and move one critical step up the model hierarchy. This so-called “mock-Walker” configuration generates features that resemble observed tropical circulations. The specification of the mock-Walker protocol for RCEMIP-II is described, along with example results from one CRM and one GCM. RCEMIP-II will consist of five required simulations: three simulations with the same three mean SSTs as in RCEMIP-I but with an SST gradient and two additional simulations at one of the mean SSTs with different values of the SST gradients. We also test the sensitivity to the imposed SST gradient and the domain size. Under weak SST gradients, unforced self-aggregation emerges across the entire domain, similar to what was found in RCEMIP. As the SST gradient increases, the convective region narrows and is more confined to the warmest SSTs. At warmer mean SSTs and stronger SST gradients, low-frequency variability in the convective aggregation emerges, suggesting that simulations of at least 200 d may be needed to achieve robust equilibrium statistics in this configuration. Simulations with different domain sizes generally have similar mean statistics and convective structures, depending on the value of the SST gradient. The prescribed SST boundary condition is the only difference in the set-up between RCEMIP-II and RCEMIP-I, which enables comparison between the two; however, we also welcome participation in RCEMIP-II from models that did not participate in RCEMIP-I.

Geology↗
DOE OSTI2023

Vector spin Seebeck effect and spin swapping effect in antiferromagnetic insulators with non-collinear spin structure

Antiferromagnets (AFs) are prospective for next-generation high-density and high-speed spintronic applications due to their negligible stray field and ultrafast spin dynamics, notwithstanding the challenges in detecting and manipulating AF order with no magnetization (M = 0). Among the AFs, non-collinear AFs are of particular interest because of their unique properties arising from the non-collinear spin structure and the small magnetization M. In this work, we describe the recently observed vector spin Seebeck effect in non-collinear LuFeO 3 , where the magneto-thermovoltage under an in-plane temperature gradient, not previously observed, is consistent with the predicted spin swapping effect. Our results shed light on the importance of the non-collinear spin structure in the emerging spin phenomena in non-collinear AFs and offer a new class of materials for AF spintronics and spin caloritronics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1970

Laminar wave train structure of collisionless magnetic slow shocks

The laminar wave train structure of collisionless magnetic slow shocks is investigated using two fluid hydromagnetics with ion cyclotron radius dispersion. For shock strengths less than the maximally strong switch-off shock, in the shock leading edge dispersive steepening forms a magnetic field gradient, while in the downstream flow dispersive propagation forms a trailing wave train; dispersion scale lengths are the ion inertial length if beta is smaller than 1 and the ion cyclotron radius if beta is greater than 1. In the switch-off slow shock leading edge, dispersion only produced rotations of the magnetic field direction; the gradient of the magnetic field magnitude, and hence the shock steepening length, is determined solely by resistive diffusion. The switch-off shock structure consists of a long trailing of magnetic rotations which are gradually damped by resistivity.

Coroniti, F. V.↗
NASA NTRS1982

On the radial structure of planetary rings

Viscous shear stress of a ring of particles in orbit about a planet due to the radial gradient of orbital velocity is discussed. This stress tends to spread the ring with time. At low optical depth (t) and at high t, the shear stress is an increasing function of t. In the intermediate range stress may decrease with increasing t, leading to a diffusive instability which tends to break an initially uniform ring into ringlets of high and low optical depths. According to the shepherd satellite model of narrow ring confinement, the viscous shear stress is opposed by tidal torques from neighboring shepherds, so that radial spreading does not occur. By requiring that the gradient of the viscous shear stress (i.e., angular momentum deposited) be equal to the shepherd satellite torque density at all radii in the rings, equilibrium radial density profiles of a confined ring were constructed. The most noteworthy feature of these profiles is a narrow, high density ringlet surrounded by a low optical density halo of greater width.

Harris, A. W.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Simulations of plasma structure evolution in the high-latitude ionosphere

The Naval Research Laboratory has recently developed a two-dimensional inertial, electrostatic code which has been successfully applied to the development and evolution of ionospheric structure driven by plasma instabilities. This code models the ionosphere and magnetosphere as a set of horizontal two-dimensional layers which are coupled by the vertical magnetic field lines at high latitudes. It is shown that the development of instability-generated structure can be strongly dependent on this coupling. For example, the influence of magnetospheric coupling on the E x B gradient drift instability is to retard the instability's growth and to isotropize density irregularities. The influence of ionospheric coupling on the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability is to retard its growth and to suppress vortex formation. This paper presents the results of numerical simulations of these instabilities and discusses their application to high-latitude ionospheric structure.

Huba, J. D.↗
DOE OSTI2024

High-gradient performance of a prototype accelerator cavity for a 3 GeV proton radiography booster

This paper reports the design, fabrication, and results of the high-gradient conditioning and testing for a two-cell, π -mode, standing wave normal-conducting prototype booster cavity for the proposed 3 GeV proton linac upgrade at Los Alamos Neutron Science Center. Increasing the energy of proton beam from the existing 800 MeV to 3 GeV will improve resolution of the proton radiography by up to 10 times. The proposed energy boost can be achieved with a compact normal-conducting high-gradient radio-frequency (rf) linac section. The C-band section of the booster linac was designed with optimized-shaped copper accelerator cavities with distributed rf coupling. A short two-cell test prototype structure was designed for the frequency of 5.712 GHz, fabricated, and tested at the C-band Engineering Research Test Facility in New Mexico (CERF-NM) at Los Alamos National Laboratory. The maximum klystron power coupled into the test structure was 8.3 MW with 1 μ s pulse length and 100 Hz repetition rate. The breakdown probabilities were recorded as functions of the accelerating gradient and peak surface fields. Operation of the test cavity at accelerating gradients of up to 100 MV / m was demonstrated. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Strain mapping of three-dimensionally structured two-dimensional materials

Strain plays a crucial role in tuning materials’ properties, influencing their optical, electrical, and chemical performances. In two-dimensional (2D) materials, applied stress often induces out-of-plane deformation, resulting in a more intricate three-dimensional (3D) topography, where mapping the strain remains a challenge due to the limitations of conventional characterization techniques. In this work, we introduce BRIGHT (Bragg-Rod Informed, Gradient-based Height-mapping Technique), an integrated method for reconstructing both the topography and planar strain profile of 3D-structured 2D materials using nanobeam four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D-STEM). We apply BRIGHT to a MoS2-MoSe2 transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) lateral heterojunctions exhibiting built-in strain and out-of-plane ripples and show that varying heterojunction widths lead to distinct surface morphologies and corresponding changes in the planar strain distribution. These results establish a foundation for more effective strain engineering in 2D materials by accounting for out-of-plane structural features, thereby enabling more precise control of strain-dependent properties.

Mireles, Adan [Rice Univ., Houston, TX (United Sta↗
DOE OSTI2025

First polarization study of the M87 jet and active galactic nuclei at submillimeter wavelengths with ALMA

We investigated the polarization and Faraday properties of Messier 87 (M87) and seven other radio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGNs) at λ0.87 mm (345 GHz) using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). Our goal was to characterize the linear polarization (LP) fractions, measure Faraday rotation measures (RMs), and examine the magnetic field structures in the emission regions of these AGNs. We conducted full-polarization observations as part of the ALMA Band 7 very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) commissioning during the April 2021 Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) campaign. We analyzed the LP fractions and RMs to assess the nature of Faraday screens and magnetic fields in the submillimeter emission regions. We find LP fractions between 1% and 17% and RMs exceeding 10 5 rad m −2 , which are 1–2 orders of magnitude higher than typically observed at longer wavelengths (λ>3 mm). This suggests denser Faraday screens or stronger magnetic fields. Additionally, we present the first submillimeter polarized images of the M87 jet and the observed AGNs, revealing RM gradients and sign reversals in the M87 jet indicative of a kiloparsec-scale helical magnetic field structure. Our results provide essential constraints for calibrating, analyzing, and interpreting VLBI data from the EHT at 345 GHz, representing a critical step toward submillimeter VLBI imaging.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1996

A study of the turbulence structures of wall-bounded shear flows

This project extends the study of the structure of wall-bounded flows using the topological properties of eddying motions as developed by Chong et al. (1990), Soria et al. (1992, 1994), and as recently extended by Blackburn et al. (1996) and Chacin et al. (1996). In these works, regions of flow which are focal in nature are identified by being enclosed by an isosurface of a positive small value of the discriminant of the velocity gradient tensor. These regions resemble the attached vortex loops suggested first by Theodorsen (1955). Such loops are incorporated in the attached eddy model versions of Perry & Chong (1982), Perry et al. (1986), and Perry & Marusic (1995), which are extensions of a model first formulated by Townsend (1976). The DNS data of wall bounded flows studied here are from the zero pressure gradient flow of Spalart (1988) and the boundary layer with separation and reattachment of Na & Moin (1996). The flow structures are examined from the viewpoint of the attached eddy hypothesis.

Chong, M. S.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Basic features of the STS/Spacelab vibration environment

The Space Shuttle acceleration environment is characterized. The acceleration environment is composed of a residual or quasi-steady component and higher frequency components induced by vehicle structural modes and the operation of onboard machinery. Quasi-steady accelerations are generally due to atmospheric drag, gravity gradient effects, and rotational forces. These accelerations tend to vary with the orbital frequency (approx. 10(exp -4) Hz) and have magnitudes less than or equal to 10(exp -6) g(sub 0) (where 1 g(sub 0) is terrestrial gravity). Higher frequency g-jitter is characterized by oscillatory disturbances in the 1-100 Hz range and transient components. Oscillatory accelerations are related to the response of large flexible structures like antennae, the Spacelab module, and the Orbiter itself, and to the operation of rotating machinery. The Orbiter structural modes in the 1-10 Hz range, are excited by oscillatory and transient disturbances and tend to dominate the energy spectrum of the acceleration environment. A comparison of the acceleration measurements from different Space Shuttle missions reveals the characteristic signature of the structural modes of the Orbiter overlaid with mission specific hardware induced disturbances and their harmonics. Transient accelerations are usually attributed to crew activity and Orbiter thruster operations. During crew sleep periods, the acceleration levels are typically on the order of 10(exp -6) g(sub 0) (1 micro-g). Crew work and exercise tend to raise the accelerations to the 10(exp -3) g(sub 0) (1 milli-g) level. Vernier reaction control system firings tend to cause accelerations of 10(exp -4) g(sub 0), while primary reaction control system and Orbiter maneuvering system firings cause accelerations as large as 10(exp -2) g(sub 0). Vibration isolation techniques (both active and passive systems) used during crew exercise have been shown to significantly reduce the acceleration magnitudes.

Baugher, Charles R.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Model structure of a cosmic-ray mediated stellar or solar wind

An idealized hydrodynamic model is presented for the mediation of a free-streaming stellar wind by galactic cosmic rays or energetic particles accelerated at the stellar wind termination shock. The spherically-symmetric stellar wind is taken to be cold; the only body force is the cosmic ray pressure gradient. The cosmic rays are treated as a massless fluid with an effective mean diffusion coefficient k proportional to radial distance r. The structure of the governing equations is investigated both analytically and numerically. Solutions for a range of values of k are presented which describe the deceleration of the stellar wind and a transition to nearly incompressible flow and constant cosmic ray pressure at large r. In the limit of small k the transition steepens to a strong stellar wind termination shock. For large k the stellar wind is decelerated gradually with no shock transition. It is argued that the solutions provide a simple model for the mediation of the solar wind by interstellar ions as both pickup ions and the cosmic ray anomalous component which together dominate the pressure of the solar wind at large r.

Lee, M. A.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Analytical nonadiabatic coupling and state-specific energy gradient for the crystal field Hamiltonian describing lanthanide single-ion magnets

Paramagnetic molecules with a metal ion as an electron spin center are promising building blocks for molecular qubits and high-density memory arrays. However, fast spin relaxation and decoherence in these molecules lead to a rapid loss of magnetization and quantum information. Nonadiabatic coupling (NAC), closely related to spin-vibrational coupling, is the main source of spin relaxation and decoherence in paramagnetic molecules at higher temperatures. Predicting these couplings using numerical differentiation requires a large number of computationally intensive ab initio or crystal field electronic structure calculations. To reduce computational cost and improve accuracy, we derive and implement analytical NAC and state-specific energy gradient for the ab initio parametrized crystal field Hamiltonian describing single-ion molecular magnets. Our implementation requires only a single crystal field calculation. In addition, the accurate NACs and state-specific energy gradients can be used to model spin relaxation using sophisticated nonadiabatic molecular dynamics, which avoids the harmonic approximation for molecular vibrations. To test our implementation, we calculate the NAC values for three lanthanide complexes. Finally, the predicted values support the relaxation mechanisms reported in previous studies.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Reconfiguration of Amorphous Complex Oxides: A Route to a Broad Range of Assembly Phenomena, Hybrid Materials, and Novel Functionalities

This work demonstrate that reconfiguration of amorphous oxide layers drives the assembly of oxide-based and freestanding nanomembranes into 3D structures with a radius of a few hundred nanometers. Reconfiguration-driven assembly is a versatile approach to impart large strains and strain gradients in a broad palette of complex oxides. This capability allows for manipulating and enhancing ferroelectricity, flexoelectricity, piezoelectricity, superconductivity, and ferromagnetism in complex oxides. Moreover, by the approach presented in this work, strain-engineered oxides are obtained in the form of 3D structures that can be fabricated in parallel on any substrate, including large-area and single crystalline semiconductor substrates. This approach will create a vast expanse of possibilities to investigate and leverage strain-tunable effects in amorphous, poly-crystalline, and single-crystalline complex oxides. Reconfiguration-driven assembly of NMs also allows combining different materials in a radial geometry and through scalable processes. For example, radial superlattices of Si (or GaAs) and various complex oxides or alternating layers of different complex oxides (e.g., SrTiO 3 and LaAlO 3 ) could be fabricated by release and heating of bilayer NMs. Here, a broad palette of electronic band structures and spin–orbit interactions could then be obtained by tailoring the curvature of the self-assembled NMs and the materials that the heterostructure comprises.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Large-scale reactive thermoset printing: Complex interactions between temperature evolution, viscosity, and cure shrinkage

Thermoset composites are strong candidates for large-scale material extrusion additive manufacturing (AM). However, uncured thermoset composites become unstable as print height increases. Here, chemical initiation of vinyl ester immediately before deposition was used to suppress collapse and enable large-scale thermoset printing. Structural stability was assessed by printing thin walls at various layer times and monitoring thermal gradients with an infrared camera. Stable printing was observed at a layer time of 4.50 min, approximately half the gel time of the material (8 min). Self-weight collapse occurred at short layer time (0.68 min), whereas warpage occurred at long layer time (6.50 min). Here, a new behavior was discovered at intermediate layer time (2.25 min) where the heat generated by the reaction causes new, un-gelled layers to flow. Forced convection eliminates this behavior, stabilizing the 2.25-min layer time print. These findings motivated development of a less exothermic material system, which was used to print a large-scale mold and demonstrate the value of this understanding. By presenting these challenges of large-scale reactive thermoset AM for the first time, this work motivates focused studies of the complex interplay between rheological, thermal, and chemical behaviors to improve the feasibility of large-scale thermoset AM. Tensile properties of the printed material were also measured. Longitudinal and transverse elastic moduli are 3.79 and 2.95 GPa, respectively, and corresponding tensile strengths are 36.11 and 18.83 MPa. The glass transition temperature is 93.13 °C.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Hydrodynamics of thermally driven chiral suspensions

Considerable effort has been directed towards the characterization of chiral mesoscale structures, as shown in chiral protein assemblies and carbon nanotubes. Here, we establish a thermally driven hydrodynamic description for the actuation and separation of mesoscale chiral structures in a fluid medium. Cross-flow of a Newtonian liquid with a thermal gradient gives rise to an effective torque that propels each particle of a chiral suspension according to its handedness. In turn, the chiral suspension alters the liquid flow, which thus acquires a transverse (chiral) velocity component. Since observation of the predicted effects requires a low degree of sophistication, our work provides an efficient and inexpensive approach to test and calibrate chiral particle propulsion and separation strategies.

Mechanics↗