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At least 1,009 records · Page 56

Experimental Investigation of Elastodynamic Nonlinear Response of Dry Intact, Fractured and Saturated Rock

Nonlinear elastodynamic response of fractured rocks carries crucial information on fracture features that can be exploited to forecast flow properties, friction constitutive behavior and poromechanical response. Well-controlled laboratory experiments are designed to measure the nonlinear elastodynamic response of Westerly granite in three states: dry intact, dry fractured and saturated fractured. We study the effect of fracturing and saturation in modifying the elastodynamic response of the rock. Each sample is tested at a normal stress level of 15 MPa. We measure the elastodynamic response of an intact L-shaped sample of Westerly Granite subjected to normal stress oscillations of prescribed amplitudes (0.2–1 MPa) and frequencies (0.1, 1, 10 Hz). Ultrasonic waves transmitted across the sample are used to monitor the evolution of wave velocity before, during and after dynamic stressing. Furthermore, the nonlinearity of the elastodynamic response is measured in terms of: (1) the offset in normalized wave velocity; (2) the amplitude of wave velocity fluctuation during the oscillations; and (3) recovery rate of the wave velocity post-oscillation. We observe that the three nonlinearity parameters show a similar trend. Irrespective of the parameter, the nonlinearity measures higher for sample in dry-intact condition than that for dry-fractured and the saturated-fractured sample exhibits smaller nonlinearity than the dry-fractured sample. As expected, the saturated sample exhibits less nonlinearity than the dry intact and fractured samples due to the presence of interstitial fluid and the resulting increased interface stiffness. Conversely, the dry intact rock shows a higher nonlinearity than the dry fractured. We use numerical simulations to show that the presence of fracture significantly alters the strain distribution across the bulk of the sample and only the contacting asperities are highly strained, thus resulting in a decrease in the measured elastodynamic nonlinearity.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

EPR of Photoexcited Triplet-State Acceptor Porphyrins

The photoexcited triplet states of porphyrin architectures are of significant interest in a wide range of fields including molecular wires, nonlinear optics, and molecular spintronics. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is a key spectroscopic tool in the characterization of these transient paramagnetic states singularly well suited to quantify spin delocalization. Previous work proposed a means of extracting the absolute signs of the zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameters, D and E, and triplet sublevel populations by transient continuous wave, hyperfine measurements, and magnetophotoselection. Here, we present challenges of this methodology for a series of mesoperfluoroalkyl-substituted zinc porphyrin monomers with orthorhombic symmetries, where interpretation of experimental data must proceed with caution and the validity of the assumptions used in the analysis must be scrutinized. The EPR data are discussed alongside quantum chemical calculations, employing both DFT and CASSCF methodologies. Despite some success of the latter in quantifying the magnitude of the ZFS interaction, the results clearly provide motivation to develop improved methods for ZFS calculations of highly delocalized organic triplet states.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Time-dependent heterogeneity leads to transient suppression of the COVID-19 epidemic, not herd immunity

Significance Epidemics generally spread through a succession of waves that reflect factors on multiple timescales. Here, we develop a general approach bridging across these timescales and demonstrate how to incorporate population heterogeneity into a wide class of epidemiological models. We demonstrate that a fragile state of transient collective immunity emerges during early, high-paced stages of the epidemic, leading to suppression of individual epidemic waves. However, this state is not an indication of lasting herd immunity: Subsequent waves may emerge due to stochastic changes in individual social activity. Parameters of transient collective immunity are estimated using empirical data from the COVID-19 epidemic in several US locations.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Conductive Spray Paint Fabricated Cylindrical Coplanar Waveguide for Noncontact Liquid-Level Sensing

A noncontact liquid-level sensor using a cylindrical coplanar waveguide (CCPW) is proposed. The concept is demonstrated using a prototype device made by directly spraying conductive paint on the outer surface of a glass cylinder. The position of the air–liquid interface is measured using the time-domain reflection (TDR) signal from the CCPW. The geometric parameters of the prototype sensor were optimized using a full-wave simulation tool. The experimental results show that the prototype CCPW-based liquid-level sensor has a resolution of 29.8μm over a range of 210 mm at the sweeping frequency bandwidth of 500 MHz–4 GHz. The tradeoff between the resolution and the measurement range was discussed. The proposed sensor provides a low-cost, easy-to-fabricate, and noncontact method for liquid-level measurement, which has potential applications in fuel storage, chemical production, and wastewater treatment.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Constraining the particle-scale diversity of black carbon light absorption using a unified framework

Abstract. Atmospheric black carbon (BC), the strongest absorber of visible solar radiation in the atmosphere, manifests across a wide spectrum of morphologies and compositional heterogeneity. Phenomenologically, the distribution of BC among diverse particles of varied composition gives rise to enhancement of its light absorption capabilities by over twofold in comparison to that of nascent or unmixed homogeneous BC. This situation has challenged the modeling community to consider the full complexity and diversity of BC on a per-particle basis for accurate estimation of its light absorption. The conventionally adopted core–shell approximation, although computationally inexpensive, is inadequate not only in estimating but also capturing absorption trends for ambient BC. Here we develop a unified framework that encompasses the complex diversity in BC morphology and composition using a single metric, the phase shift parameter (ρBC), which quantifies how much phase shift the incoming light waves encounter across a particle compared to that in its absence. We systematically investigate variations in ρBC across the multi-space distribution of BC morphology, mixing state, mass, and composition as reported by field and laboratory observations. We find that ρBC>1 leads to decreased absorption by BC, which explains the weaker absorption enhancements observed in certain regional BC compared to laboratory results of similar mixing state. We formulate universal scaling laws centered on ρBC and provide physics-based insights regarding core–shell approximation overestimating BC light absorption. We conclude by packaging our framework in an open-source Python application to facilitate community-level use in future BC-related research. The package has two main functionalities. The first functionality is for forward problems, wherein experimentally measured BC mixing state and assumed BC morphology are input, and the aerosol absorption properties are output. The second functionality is for inverse problems, wherein experimentally measured BC mixing state and absorption are input, and the morphology of BC is returned. Further, if absorption is measured at multiple wavelengths, the package facilitates the estimation of the imaginary refractive index of coating materials by combining the forward and inverse procedures. Our framework thus provides a computationally inexpensive source for calculation of absorption by BC and can be used to constrain light absorption throughout the atmospheric lifetime of BC.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

The design and development of an automatic control system for the in-duct cancellation of spinning modes of sound

The reduction is discussed of the discrete tones generated by jet engines which is essential for jet aircraft to meet present and proposed noise standards. The discrete tones generated by the blades and vanes propagate in the inlet and exhaust duct in the form of spiraling acoustic waves, or spinning modes. The reduction of these spinning modes by the cancellation effect of the combination of two acoustic fields was investigated. The spinning mode synthesizer provided the means for effective study of this noise reduction scheme. Two sets of electrical-acoustical transducers located in an equally-spaced circular array simultaneously generate a specified spinning mode and the cancelling mode. Analysis of the wave equation for the synthesizer established the optimum cancelling array acoustic parameters for maximum sound pressure level reduction. The parameter dependence of the frequency ranges of propagation of single, specified circumferential modes generated by a single array, and of effective cancellation of the modes generated by two arrays, was determined. Substantial sound pressure level reduction was obtained for modes within these limits.

Harrington, W. W.↗

Acoustic attenuation analysis program for ducts with mean flow

A computerized acoustic attenuation prediction procedure has been developed to evaluate acoustically lined ducts for various geometric and environmental parameters. The analysis procedure is based on solutions to the acoustic wave equation, assuming uniform airflow on a duct cross section, combined with appropriate mathematical lining impedance models. The impedance models included in the analysis procedure are representative of either perforated sheet or porous polyimide impregnated fiberglass facing sheet coupled with a cellular backing space. Advantages and limitations of the analysis procedure are reviewed.

Kunze, R. K., Jr.↗

Climatological studies of the earth's radiation budget and its variability with measurements of the satellite Nimbus 3

Measurements of emitted long-wave radiation and reflected solar radiation were obtained over the entire globe from the meteorological satellite Nimbus III during 10 semimonthly periods of 1969 and 1970 covering a full annual cycle. Analyses of these measurements resulted in values for various scales for the radiation balance, the planetary albedo, and the outgoing long-wave radiation flux, and in geographical distributions of their averages and parameters describing their variability. Some examples obtained from measurements during the semimonthly period from 1-15 July 1969 are presented. They show the value of quantitative radiometric measurements as climatological descriptors as well as for studies of atmospheric energetics.

Raschke, E.↗

Effects of nacelle shape on drag and weight of a supersonic cruising aircraft

The quantitive relationship of cruise drag and nacelle shape was investigated for a representative advanced supersonic transport configuration. Nacelle shape parameters were systematically varied, and the effects of these variations on wave and friction drag were determined. The effects of changes in vehicle drag, propulsion weight, and specific fuel consumption on vehicle takeoff gross weight were computed. Generally, it was found that nacelle shapes such that the maximum cross-sectional area occurred at or near the nozzle exit resulted in the lowest wave drag. In fact, nacelle shapes were found that produce favorable interference effects (drag reduction) of such magnitude as to nearly offset the friction drag of the nacelle.

Bonner, E.↗

Trailing edge noise prediction from measured surface pressures

Trailing edge (TE) noise is investigated for the case of a two-dimensional airfoil embedded in a uniform low Mach number flow, and the usefulness of several TE noise theories is examined by applying them to the measured data. The TE noise spectra and directivity are quantitatively determined for the case of a high Reynolds number and a fully turbulent boundary layer. Parameters include angle of attack, flow velocity and TE bluntness. Evanescent wave theories by Chase (1975) and Chandiramani (1974) are compared to the present results and show good agreement. Agreement of the near field pressure scatter phenomenon analysis with measurements implies that the basic assumptions used in the analysis are correct, i.e., the turbulent boundary layer (TBL) flow passes the trailing edge into the wake region. No hydrodynamic wake shedding activity is confirmed for the two-sided TBL flow, and a method incorporating the principles of the coherent output power method is used to determine the sound field. The near field edge scatter model is found to not only establish optimum sizing of edge treatment for noise control, but also to separate and identify the scattered field from the incident hydrodynamic field.

Brooks, T. F.↗

Terrestrial cooling and solar variability

Observational evidence from surface temperature records is presented and discussed which suggests a significant cooling trend over the Northern Hemisphere from 1940 to the present. This cooling trend is associated with an increase of the latitudinal gradient of temperature and the lapse rate, as predicted by climate models with decreased solar input and feedback mechanisms. Evidence suggests that four of these 80- to 100-year cycles of global surface temperature fluctuation may have occurred, and in succession, from 1600 to the present. Interpretation of sunspot activity were used to infer a direct thermal response of terrestrial temperature to solar variability on the time scale of the Gleissberg cycle (90 years, an amplitude of the 11-year cycles). A physical link between the sunspot activity and the solar parameter is hypothesized. Observations of sensible heat flux by stationary planetary waves and transient eddies, as well as general circulation modeling results of these processes, were examined from the viewpoint of the hypothesis of cooling due to reduced insolation.

Agee, E. M.↗

Solar wind flow about the terrestrial planets. I - Modeling bow shock position and shape

A three-parameter method for modeling the position and shape of planetary bow waves was chosen to model the near portion of the Venus, earth and Mars bow shocks, and its results were compared with those of models using one to six free variables. It was found that the relative effective shapes of the near Martian, Cytherean, and terrestrial bow shocks are ellipsoidal, paraboloidal, and hyperboloidal, respectively, in response to the increasing bluntness of the obstacles that the planets present to the solar wind. No significant deviations from axial symmetry were found when the near bow waves of the earth and Venus were mapped into the aberrated terminator plane, in agreement with gas dynamic theory predictions neglecting the effects of the IMF because of their minuteness.

Slavin, J. A.↗

Radial dependence of HF wave field strength in the BPD column

The results of a recent set of RF frequency measurements of the beam plasma discharge (BPD) performed in order to determine a quantitative value for the field strength in the plasma frequency region of the spectrum are presented. The parallel and perpendicular components of the plasma wave electric fields inside the BPD column have comparable field strengths, on the order of 10 volts/m. The radial dependence of the field strength is very strong, decreasing by as much as 40 dB within one meter from the beam center, with the illumination or discharge column approximately one meter in diameter. The field strength inside the column increases as a function of distance along the beam at least for several meters from the gun aperture. The frequency and amplitude of the plasma wave increases with beam current. A particularly rapid increase in these parameters occurs as the beam current approaches the critical current.

Jost, R. J.↗

Effects of introducing a gas into the free-electron laser

The introduction of a gas into the wiggler section of a free electron laser (FEL) alters the phase velocity of the electromagnetic wave, and so changes the synchronism condition relating wavelength to wiggler parameters and beam energy. This provides a means for tuning the frequency of an oscillator, with the addition of 200 torr of hydrogen gas, the wavelength of a FEL operating in the near infrared without gas was reduced by 0.73 microns. The plasma generated from ionization of the hydrogen molecules by collisions with the electron beam diminished the oscillator gain, but this effect was eliminated by the addition of less than 0.1 percent of an electron attachment gas. Gain is also reduced by multiple scattering of the beam electrons, but this effect is not severe for a 1-m wiggler length. When hydrogen is used, a FEL with fixed wiggler parameters and electron energy can be tuned from the near infrared to about 1200 A, and, with helium, the wavelength can be reduced to 600 A.

Pantell, R. H.↗

Analytical optical scattering in clouds

An analytical optical model for scattering of light due to lightning by clouds of different geometry is being developed. The self-consistent approach and the equivalent medium concept of Twersky was used to treat the case corresponding to outside illumination. Thus, the resulting multiple scattering problem is transformed with the knowledge of the bulk parameters, into scattering by a single obstacle in isolation. Based on the size parameter of a typical water droplet as compared to the incident wave length, the problem for the single scatterer equivalent to the distribution of cloud particles can be solved either by Mie or Rayleigh scattering theory. The super computing code of Wiscombe can be used immediately to produce results that can be compared to the Monte Carlo computer simulation for outside incidence. A fairly reasonable inverse approach using the solution of the outside illumination case was proposed to model analytically the situation for point sources located inside the thick optical cloud. Its mathematical details are still being investigated. When finished, it will provide scientists an enhanced capability to study more realistic clouds. For testing purposes, the direct approach to the inside illumination of clouds by lightning is under consideration. Presently, an analytical solution for the cubic cloud will soon be obtained. For cylindrical or spherical clouds, preliminary results are needed for scattering by bounded obstacles above or below a penetrable surface interface.

Phanord, Dieudonne D.↗

Combustion instability coupling with feed system acoustics

High frequency combustion instability has recently been observed by Rocketdyne in a 40K thrust methane/LOX combustion chamber. The oscillations had frequencies as high as 14,000 Hz with pressure amplitudes in the LOX dome of 500 psi at a chamber pressures of 2,000 psi. At this frequency the wave length associated with a period of oscillation is 2.3 inches in LOX and 1.4 inches in methane. These distances are comparable to the lengths of the injector elements which requires that acoustic waves be considered in the feed systems rather than using lumped parameters as is normally considered for feed system coupled oscillations. To expand the capability of existing models, the Feiler and Heidmann feed system coupled instability model was modified to include acoustic oscillations in the feed system. Similarly the vaporization controlled instability model of Heidmann and Wieber was modified to include flow oscillations that would be produced by feed system coupling. The major elements that control oscillations in a rocket combustion chamber are shown and discussed.

Priem, Richard J.↗

Stochastic Fermi acceleration in solar flares

Proton spectra, valid from non- to ultra-relativistic energies, resulting from stochastic Fermi acceleration in solar flares are calculated. These spectra were obtained by numerically solving the Fokker-Planck equation, in which the escape of the particles from the acceleration region is characterized by an energy-independent escape time. In addition to equilibrium spectra, time-dependent energy spectra showing the approach to equilibrium are also presented. These numerical equilibrium spectra are compared with previous results which were obtained either by Monte Carlo simulations or approximate analytical treatments. There are no analytic solutions valid in the transrelativistic regime, which is very important for the production of pions and neutrons in solar flares. The acceleration efficiency is related to physical parameters, in particular the energy density in either magnetosonic or Alfven waves, and a lower limit is placed on either of these energy densities from acceleration times implied by gamma-ray observations. Also discussed is the physical interpretation of the escape time.

Miller, James A.↗