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We have developed a model for microwave heating of a sphere in a rectangular resonant cavity. The model calculates transient temperature distributions within a sphere during the approach to steady state conditions or on the path to thermal runaway.
Immersing polymer solar cells in aqueous electrolyte for photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen production is likely to cause photophysical changes that could present both challenges and opportunities for engineering functional and durable devices. Herein we study the bulk heterojunction blend poly(4,8-bis(5-(2-ethylhexyl)thiophen-2-yl)benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene-2,6-diyl)-alt-(2-(((2-ethylhexyl)oxy)carbonyl)-3-fluorothieno[3,4-b]thiophene-4,6-diyl):poly(N,N'-di(2-octyldodecyl)naphthalene-1,8:4,5-bis(dicarboximide)-2,6-diyl)-alt-(2,2-bithiophene-5,5'-diyl) (PTB7-Th:N2200) excited-state dynamics in electrolyte from femtosecond to millisecond time scales using pump-probe microwave conductivity and absorption spectroscopy. While the blend swells very little, electrolyte exposure increases the microwave-frequency mobility and possibly the yield of photogenerated charges while also decreasing crystallinity. These results indicate an enhancement in key performance metrics, implying that any limitations on the performance of PEC test devices do not arise from active layer-electrolyte interactions. For the PTB7-Th:N2200 blend or similar photocathode systems, our results indicate that improving the interfacial kinetics and/or the carrier lifetime should be prioritized, not protecting the active layer from the electrolyte. Since this observation may not be universal to all polymer systems, future research should focus on identifying their limiting photophysical processes. electrolyte.
A fully functional, microgravity-compatible microwave sterilization and depyrogenation system (MSDS) prototype was developed that is capable of producing medical-grade water (MGW) without expendable supplies, using NASA potable water that currently is available aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and will be available for Lunar and planetary missions in the future. The microwave- based, continuous MSDS efficiently couples microwaves to a single-phase, pressurized, flowing water stream that is rapidly heated above 150 C. Under these conditions, water is rapidly sterilized. Endotoxins, significant biological toxins that originate from the cell walls of gram-negative bacteria and which represent another defining MGW requirement, are also deactivated (i.e., depyrogenated) albeit more slowly, with such deactivation representing a more difficult challenge than sterilization. Several innovations culminated in the successful MSDS prototype design. The most significant is the antenna-directed microwave heating of a water stream flowing through a microwave sterilization chamber (MSC). Novel antenna designs were developed to increase microwave transmission efficiency. These improvements resulted in greater than 95-percent absorption of incident microwaves. In addition, incorporation of recuperative heat exchangers (RHxs) in the design reduced the microwave power required to heat a water stream flowing at 15 mL/min to 170 C to only 50 W. Further improvements in energy efficiency involved the employment of a second antenna to redirect reflected microwaves back into the MSC, eliminating the need for a water load and simplifying MSDS design. A quick connect (QC) is another innovation that can be sterilized and depyrogenated at temperature, and then cooled using a unique flow design, allowing collection of MGW at atmospheric pressure and 80 C. The final innovation was the use of in-line mixers incorporated in the flow path to disrupt laminar flow and increase contact time at a given flow rate. These technologies can be employed in small-scale systems for efficient production of MGW in the laboratory or in a range of larger systems that meet various industrial requirements. The microwave antennas can also be adapted to selectively sterilize vulnerable connections to ultra-pure water production facilities or biologically vulnerable systems where microorganisms may intrude.
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In this study, a 1-D steady-state microphysical model which describes the vertical distribution of melting precipitation particles is developed. The model is driven by the ice-phase precipitation distributions just above the freezing level at applicable gridpoints of "parent" 3-D cloud-resolving model (CRM) simulations. It extends these simulations by providing the number density and meltwater fraction of each particle in finely separated size categories through the melting layer. The depth of the modeled melting layer is primarily determined by the initial material density of the ice-phase precipitation. The radiative properties of melting precipitation at microwave frequencies are calculated based upon different methods for describing the dielectric properties of mixed phase particles. Particle absorption and scattering efficiencies at the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Microwave Imager frequencies (10.65 to 85.5 GHz) are enhanced greatly for relatively small (approx. 0.1) meltwater fractions. The relatively large number of partially-melted particles just below the freezing level in stratiform regions leads to significant microwave absorption, well-exceeding the absorption by rain at the base of the melting layer. Calculated precipitation backscatter efficiencies at the Precipitation Radar frequency (13.8 GHz) increase in proportion to the particle meltwater fraction, leading to a "bright-band" of enhanced radar reflectivities in agreement with previous studies. The radiative properties of the melting layer are determined by the choice of dielectric models and the initial water contents and material densities of the "seeding" ice-phase precipitation particles. Simulated melting layer profiles based upon snow described by the Fabry-Szyrmer core-shell dielectric model and graupel described by the Maxwell-Garnett water matrix dielectric model lead to reasonable agreement with radar-derived melting layer optical depth distributions. Moreover, control profiles that do not contain mixed-phase precipitation particles yield optical depths that are systematically lower than those observed. Therefore, the use of the melting layer model to extend 3-D CRM simulations appears justified, at least until more realistic spectral methods for describing melting precipitation in high-resolution, 3-D CRM's are implemented.
A free radical propulsion concept utilizing the recombination energy of dissociated low molecular weight gases to produce thrust was examined. The concept offered promise of a propulsion system operating at a theoretical impulse, with hydrogen, as high as 2200 seconds at high thrust to power ratio, thus filling the gas existing between chemical and electrostatic propulsion capabilities. Microwave energy used to dissociate a continuously flowing gas was transferred to the propellant via three body recombination for conversion to propellant kinetic energy. Power absorption by the microwave plasma discharge was in excess of 90 percent over a broad range of pressures. Gas temperatures inferred from gas dynamic equations showed much higher temperatures from microwave heating than from electrothermal heating. Spectroscopic analysis appeared to corroborate the inferred temperatures of one of the gases tested.
In this paper, we report results of hydroxyl radical and static temperature measurements performed in the General Applied Science Laboratories-NASA HYPULSE expansion tube facility using the microwave resonance lamp absorption technique. Data were obtained as part of a series of hydrogen/air and hydrogen/oxygen combustion tests at stagnation enthalpies corresponding to Mach 17 flight speeds. Data from a representative injector configuration is compared to a full Navier-Stokes CFD solution.
In this work, metal nanoparticles of multi-principal element alloys (MPEA) with a single crystalline phase have been synthesized by flash heating/cooling of nanosized metals encapsulated in micelle vesicles dispersed in an oil phase (e.g., cyclohexane). Flash heating is realized by selective absorption of a microwave pulse in metals to rapidly heat metals into uniform melts. The oil phase barely absorbs microwave and maintains the low temperature, which can rapidly quench the high-temperature metal melts to enable the flash cooling process. The precursor ions of four metals, including Au, Pt, Pd, and Cu, can be simultaneously reduced by hydrazine in the aqueous solution encapsulated in the micelle vesicles. The resulting metals efficiently absorb microwave energy to locally reach a temperature high enough to melt themselves into a uniform mixture. The duration of microwave pulse is crucial to ensure the reduced metals mix uniformly, while the temperature of oil phase is still low to rapidly quench the metals and freeze the single-phase crystalline lattices in alloy nanoparticles. The microwave-enabled flash heating/cooling provides a new method to synthesize single-phase MPEA nanoparticles of many metal combinations when the appropriate water-in-oil micelle systems and the appropriate reduction reactions of metal precursors are available.
Current knowledge on the components of interstellar space and on interstellar dust clouds (which contain most of the molecules existing in interstellar space) is reviewed. The discovery of molecules by absorption of a microwave continuum or by emission from their own excited state is discussed in historical order, and the interpretation of their spectra is examined. The observed microwave resonances of interstellar molecules are tabulated. Another table shows the approximate column densities of molecules found in the directions of the Orion nebula and of Sagittarius. The various types of nonequilibrium encountered are demonstrated by examples.
Full-disk Very Large Array (VLA) synthesis maps of the quiet Sun indicate that filaments can be seen in emission at 91.6 cm wavelength; they are detected in absorption at shorter microwave wavelengths. The 91.6 cm emission has a brightness temperature of T sub B = 3 x 10(exp 5) K. It is hotter, wider and longer than the underlying filament detected at H alpha wavelengths, but the similarity between the shape, position, elongation and orientation of the radio and optical features suggests their close association. The 91.6 cm emission is attributed to the thermal-bremsstrahlung of a hot transition sheath that envelopes the H alpha filament and acts as an interface between the cool, dense H alpha filament and the hotter, rarefied corona. The transition sheath is seen in emission because of the lower optical depth of the corona at 90 cm wavelength, and the width of this sheet is 10(exp 9) cm. A power law gradient in pressure provides a better match to the observations than a constant pressure model; definitive tests of theoretical models await simultaneous multi-wavelength studies of filaments at different observing angles. When the thermal bremsstrahlung is optically thin, the magnetic field strength in the transition sheath can be inferred from the observed circular polarization. Variable physical parameters of the sheath, such as width, electron density, and electron temperature, can explain controversial reports of the detection of, or the failure to detect, the meter-wavelength counterpart of H alpha filaments.
An intercomparison of ozone profiling instruments, two differential absorption lidars, a microwave radiometer, electrochemical concentration sondes, and the SAGE II satellite instrument is presented.
Nonfused-ring electron acceptors (NFREA)s have been proposed as alternatives to fused-ring acceptors in organic photovoltaics (OPV)s. The simpler molecular design of NFREAs results in a reduced synthetic complexity, potentially lowering manufacturing costs, and easier access to desired optoelectronic properties by structural modifications. However, they have not seen the same rise in popularity as fused nonfullerene acceptors (NFA)s due to their lower performances in devices. In this work, we explore structure–property relationships of three NFREA molecules based on thieno[3,2-b]thiophene (TT) and benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene (BDT) cores and malononitrile functionalized-isatin end group acceptors. We describe their synthetic routes, computational analysis, and photophysical and electronic properties. Here, we investigated the effect of changing the core from TT to BDT on electronic properties of the molecules─a result of raising/lowering of the frontier molecular orbital (FMO) levels. We also explored the effect of branched vs nonbranched alkyl groups on the morphological and blend-capabilities in bulk heterojunction (BHJ) OPV devices. These effects were then reflected in the overall device performances, primarily due to favorable FMO energy alignment between the NFREA and polymer. To investigate the behavior of the excited states of the NFREAs within the active layer of the devices, we performed time-resolved microwave conductivity and transient absorption experiments, which confirmed that the TT molecules exhibited very low conductance while the BDT molecule showed moderate photoconductance. Our combined theoretical, synthetic, device, and charge carrier dynamics studies of these materials reveal the central role that structure–property relationships play in future molecular designs of NFREAs that can perform as well as their fused counterparts.
Experimental observations of propane/air flames have been carried out. Measurements of hydroxyl (OH) radical concentration have been made using resonance line absorption techniques. A microwave-pumped low pressure discharge in argon and water vapor is employed to produce strong OH radical band radiation in the 308 nm region. This radiation is transmitted through the plume and absorption data is taken at various radial positions using an optical multichannel analyzer. This absorption data is used to compute OH number density using a model for the absorption band characteristics as a function of temperature based on an atlas of line strengths. A numerical computation of flow fields, temperature profile, OH number density and water vapor mass fraction profiles was carried out by using a technique of computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The results of CFD computation are compared with experimental observation with a good agreement.
Experimental observations of propane-air flames were performed. Measurements of hydroxyl (OH) radical concentration were made using resonance line absorption techniques. A microwave-pumped low pressure discharge in argon and water vapor is employed to produce strong OH radical band radiation in the 308 nm region. This radiation is transmitted through the plume and absorption data are taken at various radical positions using an optical multichannel analyzer. This absorption data is used to compute OH number density using a model for the absorption band characteristics as a function of temperature based on an atlas of line strengths. A numerical computation of flow fields, temperature profile and OH number density is carried out by using a technique of computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The results of CFD computation are good compared with experimental observation with a good agreement.
Molecular oxygen microwave spectrum application to mesospheric temperature profile determination, noting absorption matrix and tensor equation for microwave spectrum computation
An instrument to measure atmospheric pressure at the Earth's surface from an orbiting satellite is considered. Surface pressure can be deduced from measurements of the transmission of an atmospheric column at several frequencies at the edges of the 60 GHz oxygen absorption band. An active microwave instrument proposed to make these measurements is the subject of a joint UK-US development program to demonstrate its capabilities. The results of an extensive analysis of the potential performance of the instrument are summarized.
When strongly pumped at twice their resonant frequency, nonlinear resonators develop a high-amplitude intracavity field, a phenomenon known as parametric self-oscillations. The boundary over which this instability occurs can be extremely sharp and thereby presents an opportunity for realizing a detector. Here, we operate such a device based on a superconducting microwave resonator whose nonlinearity is engineered from kinetic inductance. The device indicates the absorption of low-power microwave wavepackets by transitioning to a self-oscillating state. Using calibrated pulses, we measure the detection efficiency to zeptojoule energy wavepackets. We then apply it to measurements of electron spin resonance, using an ensemble of 209 Bi donors in silicon that are inductively coupled to the resonator. We achieve a latched readout of the spin signal with an amplitude that is five hundred times greater than the underlying spin echoes.
A central goal in quantum technologies is to maximize GT 2 , where G stands for the coupling of a qubit to control and readout signals and T 2 is the qubit’s coherence time. Furthermore, this is challenging, as increasing G (e.g., by coupling the qubit more strongly to external stimuli) often leads to deleterious effects on T 2 . Here, we study the coupling of pure and magnetically diluted crystals of Ho W 10 magnetic clusters to microwave superconducting coplanar waveguides. Absorption lines give a broadband picture of the magnetic energy level scheme and, in particular, confirm the existence of level anticrossings at equidistant magnetic fields determined by the combination of crystal field and hyperfine interactions. Such “spin clock transitions” are known to shield the electronic spins against magnetic field fluctuations. The analysis of the microwave transmission shows that the spin-photon coupling also becomes maximum at these transitions. The results show that engineering spin-clock states of molecular systems offers a promising strategy to combine sizable spin-photon interactions with a sufficient isolation from unwanted magnetic noise sources.