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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 145 records · Page 8

Contamination of argon x-ray spectra by tungsten and other elements commonly found in tokamaks

Here, emission lines which appear in the spectral ranges of ground state transitions from n> = 2 levels in He- and H-like argon ions are discussed. X-ray transitions from elements commonly found in tokamaks (tungsten, molybdenum, iron and sulphur) which radiate in the wavelength range from 3700–4000 mÅ are identified by comparison with atomic structure calculations. Individual lines from tungsten charge states in the vicinity of Zn-like W 44+ are documented, along with B-like Mo 37+ . The behaviour of line ratios as a function of electron temperature is examined, in support of the identifications.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Quantum dynamics in strongly driven random dipolar magnets

The random dipolar magnet LiHo x Y 1– x F 4 enters a strongly frustrated regime for small Ho 3+ concentrations with x < 0.05. In this regime, the magnetic moments of the Ho 3+ ions experience small quantum corrections to the common Ising approximation of LiHo x Y 1– x F 4 , which lead to a $\mathbb{Z}_2$-symmetry breaking and small, degeneracy breaking energy shifts between different eigenstates. Here we show that destructive interference between two almost degenerate excitation pathways burns spectral holes in the magnetic susceptibility of strongly driven magnetic moments in LiHo x Y 1– x F 4 . Such spectral holes in the susceptibility, microscopically described in terms of Fano resonances, can already occur in setups of only two or three frustrated moments, for which the driven level scheme has the paradigmatic Λ shape. For larger clusters of magnetic moments, the corresponding level schemes separate into almost isolated many-body Λ schemes, in the sense that either the transition matrix elements between them are negligibly small or the energy difference of the transitions is strongly off-resonant to the drive. This enables the observation of Fano resonances, caused by many-body quantum corrections to the common Ising approximation also in the thermodynamic limit. Finally, we discuss its dependence on the driving strength and frequency as well as the crucial role that is played by lattice dissipation.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Analog B ( M 1 ) strengths in the T z = ± 3 2 mirror nuclei Mn 47 and Ti 47

The lifetimes of the first excited 7 2 − states in the T z = ± 3 2 mirror nuclei Mn 47 and Ti 47 have been extracted utilizing the γ -ray line shape method, giving τ = 687 ( 36 ) ps and τ = 331 ( 15 ) ps respectively. Since these transitions are essentially pure M 1 transitions, these results allow for a high-precision comparison of analog M 1 strengths in mirror nuclei. The two analog B ( M 1 ) s are observed to be identical to a precision of about 10 % . The expected dependence of the transition matrix element with T z has been used to extract the separate isoscalar and isovector components of the transition strength, and the results are discussed in the context of predictions, based on the isospin formalism, regarding analog B ( M 1 ) strengths. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

39 ≤ A ≤ 58↗

Highlights from a Mach 4 Experimental Demonstration of Inlet Mode Transition for Turbine-Based Combined Cycle Hypersonic Propulsion

NASA is focused on technologies for combined cycle, air-breathing propulsion systems to enable reusable launch systems for access to space. Turbine Based Combined Cycle (TBCC) propulsion systems offer specific impulse (Isp) improvements over rocket-based propulsion systems in the subsonic takeoff and return mission segments along with improved safety. Among the most critical TBCC enabling technologies are: 1) mode transition from the low speed propulsion system to the high speed propulsion system, 2) high Mach turbine engine development and 3) innovative turbine based combined cycle integration. To address these challenges, NASA initiated an experimental mode transition task including analytical methods to assess the state-of-the-art of propulsion system performance and design codes. One effort has been the Combined-Cycle Engine Large Scale Inlet Mode Transition Experiment (CCE-LIMX) which is a fully integrated TBCC propulsion system with flowpath sizing consistent with previous NASA and DoD proposed Hypersonic experimental flight test plans. This experiment was tested in the NASA GRC 10 by 10-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel (SWT) Facility. The goal of this activity is to address key hypersonic combined-cycle engine issues including: (1) dual integrated inlet operability and performance issues-unstart constraints, distortion constraints, bleed requirements, and controls, (2) mode-transition sequence elements caused by switching between the turbine and the ramjet/scramjet flowpaths (imposed variable geometry requirements), and (3) turbine engine transients (and associated time scales) during transition. Testing of the initial inlet and dynamic characterization phases were completed and smooth mode transition was demonstrated. A database focused on a Mach 4 transition speed with limited off-design elements was developed and will serve to guide future TBCC system studies and to validate higher level analyses.

Foster, Lancert E.↗

Solvent-driven fractional crystallization for atom-efficient separation of metal salts from permanent magnet leachates

Abstract This work reports a dimethyl ether-driven fractional crystallization process for separating rare earth elements and transition metals. The process has been successfully applied in the treatment of rare earth element-bearing permanent magnet leachates as an atom-efficient, reagent-free separation method. Using ~5 bar pressure, the solvent was dissolved into the aqueous system to displace the contained metal salts as solid precipitates. Treatments at distinct temperatures ranging from 20–31 °C enable crystallization of either lanthanide-rich or transition metal-rich products, with single-stage solute recovery of up to 95.9% and a separation factor as high as 704. Separation factors increase with solution purity, suggesting feasibility for eco-friendly solution treatments in series and parallel to purify aqueous material streams. Staged treatments are demonstrated as capable of further improving the separation factor and purity of crystallized products. Upon completion of a crystallization, the solvent can be recovered with high efficiency at ambient pressure. This separation process involves low energy and reagent requirements and does not contribute to waste generation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Memory Switches Based On MnO2-x Thin Films

Thin films of Mn02-x at intersections between metallic row and column conductors serve as switching elements for nonvolatile electronic memories. "On"-state resistance adjustable, and on-to-off transition irreversible. Elements electrically programmable and especially suitable for use in associative electronic memories based on neural-network concepts.

Ramesham, Rajeshuni↗

Cross-flow vortex structure and transition measurements using multi-element hot films

An experiment on a 45-degree swept wing was conducted to study three-dimensional boundary-layer characteristics using surface-mounted, micro-thin, multi-element hot-film sensors. Cross-flow vortex structure and boundary-layer transition were measured from the simultaneously acquired signals of the hot films. Spanwise variation of the root-mean-square (RMS) hot-film signal show a local minima and maxima. The distance between two minima corresponds to the stationary cross-flow vortex wavelength and agrees with naphthalene flow-visualization results. The chordwise and spanwise variation of amplified traveling (nonstationary) cross-flow disturbance characteristics were measured as Reynolds number was varied. The frequency of the most amplified cross-flow disturbances agrees with linear stability theory.

Agarwal, Naval K.↗

Multi-principal elemental intermetallic nanoparticles synthesized via a disorder-to-order transition

Nanoscale multi-principal element intermetallics (MPEIs) may provide a broad and tunable compositional space of active, high–surface area materials with potential applications such as catalysis and magnetics. However, MPEI nanoparticles are challenging to fabricate because of the tendency of the particles to grow/agglomerate or phase-separated during annealing. Here, we demonstrate a disorder-to-order phase transition approach that enables the synthesis of ultrasmall (4 to 5 nm) and stable MPEI nanoparticles (up to eight elements). We apply just 5 min of Joule heating to promote the phase transition of the nanoparticles into L1 0 intermetallic structure, which is then preserved by rapidly cooling. This disorder-to-order transition results in phase-stable nanoscale MPEIs with compositions (e.g., PtPdAuFeCoNiCuSn), which have not been previously attained by traditional synthetic methods. This synthesis strategy offers a new paradigm for developing previously unexplored MPEI nanoparticles by accessing a nanoscale-size regime and novel compositions with potentially broad applications.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Transition Documentation on a Three-Element High-Lift Configuration at High Reynolds Numbers: Analysis

A 2-D high-lift system experiment was conducted in August of 1996 in the Low Turbulence Pressure Tunnel at NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA. The purpose of the experiment was to obtain transition measurements on a three element high-lift system for CFD code validation studies. A transition database has been created using the data from this experiment. The present report contains the analysis of the surface hot film data in terms of the transition locations on the three elements. It also includes relevant information regarding the pressure loads and distributions and the wakes behind the model to aid in the interpretation of the transition data. For some of the configurations the current pressure data has been compared with previous wind tunnel entries of the same model. The methodology used to determine the regions of transitional flow is outlined and each configuration tested has been analyzed. A discussion of interference effects, repeatability, and three-dimensional effects on the data is included.

Bertelrud, Arild↗

Proton and neutron contributions to the quadrupole transition strengths in 39 Ca and 39 K studied by lifetime measurements of mirror transitions

The E2 transition matrix elements of isobaric multiplets are expected to follow a linear trend as a function of isospin projection. However, measurements of the 2 + → 0 + transitions in the A = 38 triplet of Ca, K, and Ar show a deviation from this trend with an enhanced transition strength in 38 Ca with respect to its mirror 38 Ar. We have studied analogue 11/2 – → 7/2 – E2 transitions in 39 Ca and its mirror partner 39 K to determine if this enhancement persists in neighboring Ca isotopes. Recoil-distance lifetime measurements of 39 Ca and 39 K were performed utilizing a 42 Sc secondary beam, the TRIPLEX plunger, the GRETINA array, and the S800 spectrograph. Our data provide a lifetime measurement of the (11/2 – ) state in 39 Ca as well as an improved lifetime result for the (9/2 – ) state, while the 39 K data are used to validate the present analysis. Furthermore, a comparison of the present data to shell-model calculations suggests an enhanced transition strength in 39 Ca, pointing to both proton and neutron contributions to core excitations across the Z = N = 20 shell gaps in close proximity to 40 Ca.

39 ≤ A ≤ 58↗

Supramolecular Control of Redox-Mediated Interactions for Ion-Selective Electroseparations

This report summarizes efforts from the Su Group at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in researching and developing materials and processes for the recovery of rare earth elements and other metal elements that are critical to the United States economy and national security, under DOE Award No. DE-SC0021409. This report highlights efforts in the recovery of: • Transition metal elements (including arsenic, chromium, molybdenum, rhenium, vanadium): Redox-active metallopolymers are able to capture these elements in their oxyanion form. Direct control of target ion capture/release through electrochemical-mediated switching of metallocene binding sites reduces chemical input and lowers generation of waste in element recovery processes. We study the effects of metallopolymer structure on targeted ion binding through a combination of experimental screening of ion selectivity from multi-component mixtures, computational efforts which elucidate the charge-transfer origins of metallocene binding and provide insight on how binding site structure influences selectivity, and state-of-the-art neutron reflectivity of metallocene polymer films to understand the interplay of polymer-ion (charge-transfer), polymer-solvent (polymer hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity), and ion-solvent (ion hydration) interactions with spatial resolution of polymer films. • Rare earth elements (including yttrium, neodymium, europium, gadolinium, dysprosium, cerium): Here we employ redox-copolymers for recovery of rare earth elements by electrochemically regenerated ion-exchange. Rare earth elements require an alternative route to capture/release than directly with metallopolymers since rare earth elements typically exist in cationic form in water. To address this, copolymerization of traditional ion-exchange moieties with metallocene moieties allowed for capture of rare earth elements with the ion-exchange moieties and electrochemical-mediated release of rare earth elements through oxidation of metallocene moieties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Flow transition with 2-D roughness elements in a 3-D channel

We develop a new numerical approach to study the spatially evolving instability of the streamwise dominant flow in the presence of roughness elements. The difficulty in handling the flow over the boundary surface with general geometry is removed by using a new conservative form of the governing equations and an analytical mapping. The numerical scheme uses second-order backward Euler in time, fourth-order central differences in all three spatial directions, and boundary-fitted staggered grids. A three-dimensional channel with multiple two-dimensional-type roughness elements is employed as the test case. Fourier analysis is used to decompose different Fourier modes of the disturbance. The results show that surface roughness leads to transition at lower Reynolds number than for smooth channels.

Liu, Zhining↗

Hypersonic Second Mode Instability Response to Shaped Roughness

An experimental campaign was conducted on a 7-degree half-angle cone in the NASA Langley Research Center 20-Inch Mach 6 Wind Tunnel to examine the influence of arrays of regularly spaced roughness elements on instability growth and transition. The primary element shape was a pair of elliptical planform ramps that were inclined at equal and opposite angles with respect to the local streamwise direction. The element shapes were designed to induce transient growth disturbances that would lead to sustained azimuthal modulation of the boundary layer flow while limiting the nearfield disturbances to avoid an immediate, i.e., effective tripping of the boundary layer. The bulk of the run matrix consisted of testing different element height sat free stream unit Reynolds numbers ranging from 9.8 to 13.1 million per meter. Other element shapes previously designed for tripping hypersonic boundary layers were also implemented. The model was instrumented with surface mounted Kulite ® and PCB ® pressure transducers and thermocouples. Spectra from the PCBs ® indicated clear suppression of the second-mode instability; however, neither the PCB ® spectra nor the heat transfer data presented strong evidence for delayed turbulent flow. Complementary stability computations likewise demonstrated second-mode reduction, particularly just downstream of the roughness, but also revealed a rise in first mode (streak-instability) amplitudes from the baseline that was likely responsible for the earlier transition observed for taller roughness cases.

Hypersonics↗

Hypersonic Second-Mode Instability Response to Shaped Roughness

An experimental campaign was conducted on a 7-degree half-angle cone in the NASA Langley Research Center 20-Inch Mach 6 Wind Tunnel to examine the influence of arrays of regularly spaced roughness elements on instability growth and transition. The primary element shape was a pair of elliptical planform ramps that were inclined at equal and opposite angles with respect to the local streamwise direction. The element shapes were designed to induce transient growth disturbances that would lead to sustained azimuthal modulation of the boundary layer flow while limiting the nearfield disturbances to avoid an immediate, i.e., effective tripping of the boundary layer. The bulk of the run matrix consisted of testing different element height sat free stream unit Reynolds numbers ranging from 9.8 to 13.1 million per meter. Other element shapes previously designed for tripping hypersonic boundary layers were also implemented. The model was instrumented with surface mounted Kulite ® and PCB ® pressure transducers and thermocouples. Spectra from the PCBs ® indicated clear suppression of the second-mode instability; however, neither the PCB ® spectra nor the heat transfer data presented strong evidence for delayed turbulent flow. Complementary stability computations likewise demonstrated second-mode reduction, particularly just downstream of the roughness, but also revealed a rise in first mode (streak-instability) amplitudes from the baseline that was likely responsible for the earlier transition observed for taller roughness cases.

Hypersonics↗

Hypersonic Second-Mode Instability Response to Shaped Roughness

An experimental campaign was conducted on a 7-degree half-angle cone in the NASA Langley Research Center 20-Inch Mach 6 Wind Tunnel to examine the influence of arrays of regularly spaced roughness elements on instability growth and transition. The primary element shape was a pair of elliptical planform ramps that were inclined at equal and opposite angles with respect to the local streamwise direction. The element shapes were designed to induce transient growth disturbances that would lead to sustained azimuthal modulation of the boundary layer flow while limiting the nearfield disturbances to avoid an immediate, i.e., effective tripping of the boundary layer. The bulk of the run matrix consisted of testing different element height sat free stream unit Reynolds numbers ranging from 9.8 to 13.1 million per meter. Other element shapes previously designed for tripping hypersonic boundary layers were also implemented. The model was instrumented with surface mounted Kulite ® and PCB ® pressure transducers and thermocouples. Spectra from the PCBs ® indicated clear suppression of the second-mode instability; however, neither the PCB ® spectra nor the heat transfer data presented strong evidence for delayed turbulent flow. Complementary stability computations likewise demonstrated second-mode reduction, particularly just downstream of the roughness, but also revealed a rise in first mode (streak-instability) amplitudes from the baseline that was likely responsible for the earlier transition observed for taller roughness cases.

Hypersonics↗

Bringing weak transitions to light

Abstract Weak transitions between quantum states are of fundamental importance for a broad range of phenomena from analytical biochemistry to precision physics, but generally challenge experimental detection. Due to their small cross sections scaling with the absolute square of their transition matrix elements, spectroscopic measurements often fail in particular in the presence of competing background processes. Here we introduce a general concept to break this scaling law and enhance the transition probability by exploiting a stronger laser-coupled pathway to the same excited state. We demonstrate the concept experimentally by attosecond transient absorption spectroscopy in helium atoms. The quasi-forbidden transitions from the ground state 1s 2 to the weakly coupled doubly excited 2p3dandsp 2,4− states are boosted by an order of magnitude. Enhancing single-photon-suppressed transitions can find widespread applicability, from spectral diagnostics of complex molecules in life and chemical sciences to precision spectroscopy of weak transitions in metastable atomic nuclei in the search for new physics.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗

Lead-lead oxide-carbon nanocomposite for energy storage cells and method of preparation

Lead/lead oxide/carbon (“Pb—O—C”) nanocomposite materials are useful as electrode active materials for electrodes in lithium and sodium batteries. A Pb—O—C nanocomposite as described herein comprises Pb and lead oxide nanoparticles homogeneously dispersed in a carbon nanoparticle matrix. In the nanocomposite, the other element or elements (e.g., transition metals, Al, Si, P, Sn, Sb, and Bi) can be alloyed with the Pb nanoparticles, incorporated as a mixed oxide with the lead oxide nanoparticles, or can be present as distinct elemental or oxide nanoparticles within the carbon nanoparticle matrix. In some embodiments, the additional element or elements are present as alloys and mixed oxides with the Pb materials and as distinct elemental and/or oxide nanoparticles. In a preferred embodiment the Pb nanoparticles surface is oxidized to lead oxide thus creating a shell on core nanostructure.

Johnson, Christopher S.↗

Transition to turbulence in plane channel flow

A numerical simulation of the final stages of transition to turbulence in plane channel flow is reported. Three dimensional, incompressible Navier-Stokes equations are numerically integrated to obtain the time-evolution of two and three dimensional finite amplitude disturbances. Computations are performed on the CYBER-203 vector processor for a 32x51x32 grid. Results are presented for no-slip boundary conditions at the solid walls as well as for periodic suction-blowing to simulate active control of transition by mass transfer. Solutions indicate that the method is capable of simulating the complex character of vorticity dynamics during the various stages of transition and final breakdown. In particular, evidence points to the formation of a lambda-shape vortex and the subsequent system of horseshoe vortices inclined to the main flow direction as the main elements of transition. Calculations involving suction-blowing indicate that interference with a wave of suitable phase and amplitude reduces the disturbance growth rates.

Biringen, S.↗