Results for “Control Room” — Page 86

DOE OSTI2015

Control of coherence among the spins of a single electron and the three nearest neighbor {sup 13}C nuclei of a nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond

Individual nuclear spins in diamond can be optically detected through hyperfine couplings with the electron spin of a single nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center; such nuclear spins have outstandingly long coherence times. Among the hyperfine couplings in the NV center, the nearest neighbor {sup 13}C nuclear spins have the largest coupling strength. Nearest neighbor {sup 13}C nuclear spins have the potential to perform fastest gate operations, providing highest fidelity in quantum computing. Herein, we report on the control of coherences in the NV center where all three nearest neighbor carbons are of the {sup 13}C isotope. Coherence among the three and four qubits are generated and analyzed at room temperature.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2022

Observation of the surface layer of lithium metal using in situ spectroscopy

In this work, we have investigated the surface of lithium metal using x-ray photoemission spectroscopy and optical spectroscopic ellipsometry. Even if we prepare the surface of lithium metal rigorously by chemical cleaning and mechanical polishing inside a glovebox, both spectroscopic investigations show the existence of a few tens of nanometer-thick surface layers, consisting of lithium oxides and lithium carbonates. When lithium metal is exposed to room air (~50% moisture), in situ real-time monitoring of optical spectra indicates that the surface layer grows at a rate of approximately 24 nm/min, presumably driven by an interface-controlled process. Our results hint that surface-layer-free lithium metals are formidable to achieve by a simple cleaning/polishing method, suggesting that the initial interface between lithium metal electrodes and solid-state electrolytes in fabricated lithium metal batteries can differ from an ideal lithium/electrolyte contact.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

NASA NTRS1966

Mixer conditions temperature of liquified gas streams

Room temperature gaseous hydrogen mixed with liquified hydrogen in a venturi produces a two- phased liquid hydrogen stream at a stable temperature. This technique is useful in laboratory testing where presently, temperature control is maintained by a calibrated heat leak that results in considerable expenditure of cryogenic refrigerants.

Talmor, E.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Space vehicle thermal testing: Principles, practices and effectiveness

Component qualification and acceptance temperatures are derived from worst case thermal analyses and analytic uncertainty margin subject to certain specified temperature extremes. Temperature requirements are shown for equipment operation within specification and for survival and turn-on (need not operate within specification, but must not experience any degradation when returned to operational range). Temperature excursions for most equipment are seen to be 20 to 50 C above and below room temperature. Components without active electronics which are mounted outboard, such as solar arrays and antennas, are usually designed to withstand wider temperature excursions, particularly at the cold end. Batteries are tightly controlled at cold temperatures to increase life. Payload components such as extremely accurate clocks for precise navigation are controlled over a relatively narrow temperature range.

Gluck, Donald F.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Ceramic composites portend long turbopump lives

Use of continuous fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites (FRCMC) for turbopump hot section components offers a number of benefits. The performance benefits of incresed turbine inlet temperature are apparent and readily quantifiable. Perhaps less obvious are the potential benefits of incresed component life. At nominal turbopump operating conditions, FRCMC offer increased operating temperature margin relative to conventional materials. This results in potential for significant life enhancement. Other attributes (e.g., thermal shock resistance and high cycle fatigue endurance) of FRCMC provide even greater potential to improve life and reduce maintenance requirements. Silicon carbide (SiC0 matrix composites with carbon fibers (C/SiC) do not degrade when exposed to hydrogen-rich steam for 10 hours at 1200 C. This FRCMC is resistant to thermal shock transients far in excess of those anticipated for advanced, high temperature turbomachinery. Orthogonal, two-dimensional (2D0, plain woven, C/SiC also does not degrade when subjected to tensile-tensile fatigue at room temperature for 4 x 10(exp 5) cycles at 75% of the ultimate strength. Runout at greater than 10(exp 6) cycle occurs for axial specimens subjected to fully reversed strain controlled fatigue at ambient temperature and 0.3% strain.

Herbell, Tomas P.↗

NASA NTRS1997

2195 Aluminum-Copper-Lithium Friction Plug Welding Development

Technology developments and applications of friction plug welding is presented. This friction repair welding technology is being studied for implementation on the Space Transportation System's Super Light Weight External Tank. Single plug repairs will be used on a vast majority of weld defects, however, linear defects of up to several inches can be repaired by overlapping plug welds. Methods and results of tensile, bend, simulated service, surface crack tension and other tests at room and cryogenic temperatures is discussed. Attempts to implement Friction Plug Welding has led to both tool and process changes in an attempt to minimize expansive tooling and lengthy implementation times. Process control equipment and data storage methods intended for large scale production will also be addressed. Benefits include increased strength and toughness, decreased weld repair time, automated and highly reliable process, and a lower probability of having to re-repair defect locations.

Takeshita, Rike P.↗

NASA NTRS2010

More About N2O-Based Propulsion and Breathable-Gas Systems

A concept was evaluated of using nitrous oxide as (1) a monopropellant in thrusters for space suits and spacecraft and (2) a source of breathable gas inside space suits and spacecraft, both by exploiting the controlled decomposition of N2O into N2 and O2. Relative to one prior monopropellant hydrazine, N2O is much less toxic, yet offers comparable performance. N2O can be stored safely as a liquid at room temperature and unlike another prior monopropellant hydrogen peroxide does not decompose spontaneously. A prototype N2O-based thruster has been demonstrated. It has also been proposed to harness N2O-based thrusters for generating electric power and to use the N2 + O2 decomposition product as a breathable gas. Because of the high performance, safety, and ease of handling of N2O, it can be expected to be economically attractive to equip future spacecraft and space suits with N2O-based thrusters and breathable-gas systems.

Zubrin, Robert↗

NASA NTRS2003

Review of Laser Ablation Process for Single Wall Carbon Nanotube Production

Different types of lasers are now routinely used to prepare single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). The original method developed by researchers at Rice University utilized a "double pulse laser oven" process. A graphite target containing about 1 atomic percent of metal catalysts is ablated inside a 1473K oven using laser pulses (10 ns pulse width) in slow flowing argon. Two YAG lasers with a green pulse (532 nm) followed by an IR pulse (1064 nm) with a 50 ns delay are used for ablation. This set up produced single wall carbon nanotube material with about 70% purity having a diameter distribution peaked around 1.4 nm. The impurities consist of fullerenes, metal catalyst clusters (10 to 100 nm diameter) and amorphous carbon. The rate of production with the initial set up was about 60 mg per hour with 10Hz laser systems. Several researchers have used variations of the lasers to improve the rate, consistency and study effects of different process parameters on the quality and quantity of SWCNTs. These variations include one to three YAG laser systems (Green, Green and IR), different pulse widths (nano to microseconds as well as continuous) and different laser wavelengths (Alexandrite, CO, CO2, free electron lasers in the near to far infrared). It is noted that yield from the single laser (Green or IR) systems is only a fraction of the two laser systems. The yield seemed to scale up with the repetition rate of the laser systems (10 to 60 Hz) and depended on the beam uniformity and quality of the laser pulses. The shift to longer wavelength lasers (free electron, CO and CO2) did not improve the quality, but increased the rate of production because these lasers are either continuous (CW) or high repetition rate pulses (kHz to MHz). The average power and the peak power of the lasers seem to influence the yields. Very high peak powers (MegaWatts per square centimeter) are noted to increase ablation of bigger particles with reduced yields of SWCNTs. Increased average powers seem to help the conversion of the carbon from target into vapor phase to improve formation of nanotubes. The use of CW far infrared lasers reduced the need for the oven, at the expense of controlled ablation. Some of these variations are tried with different combinations and concentrations of metal catalysts (Nickel with Cobalt, Iron, Palladium and Platinum) different buffer gases (e.g. Helium); with different oven temperatures (Room temperature to 1473K); under different flow conditions (1 to 1000 kPa) and even different porosities of the graphite targets. It is to be noted that the original Cobalt and Nickel combination worked best, possibly because of improved carbonization with stable crystalline phases. The mean diameter and yield seemed to increase with increasing oven temperatures. Thermal conductivity of the buffer gas and flow conditions dictate the quality as well as quantity of the SWCNTs. Faster flows, lower pressures and heavier gases seem to increase the yields. This review will attempt to cover all these variations and their relative merits. Possible growth mechanisms under these different conditions will also be discussed.

Arepalli, Sivaram↗

NASA NTRS2014

TPSAS-NF1676L-19524-DND

Distributed propulsion is being proposed as an approach to achieve greater aircraft efficiency. An added benefit which might be realized with a distributed propulsion configuration is a reduction in radiated sound power. A reduction in radiated sound power could relieve concerns related to an increase in community noise that would accompany the adaptation of a fleet of many small aircraft fielded to meet increased travel demand. However, a reduction in radiated sound power does not necessarily translate into community acceptance of the new noise signature. Some characteristics of distributed propulsion configurations can create aural effects that people would find more annoying even though the sound is at a lower power level. To understand the community response to the new class of noise that a distributed propulsion system would present requires the prediction, synthesis and auralization of the noise in a controlled environment. Representative members of the community can then be exposed to the noise and queried for their reaction. These are the types of tests performed in NASA Langley’s Exterior Effects Room. This report summarizes preliminary results obtained using isolated propeller predictions. The sound pressure level of a single ‘large’ propeller is compared to that of two ‘smaller’ propellers of equivalent total thrust. The aural effects of different implementations of the two propellers are also considered. The different implementations include rotation direction and blade passage frequency separation.

Stephen A Rizzi↗

NASA NTRS2014

TPSAS-NF1676L-19003-DND

Distributed propulsion is being proposed as an approach to achieve greater aircraft efficiency. An added benefit which might be realized with a distributed propulsion configuration is a reduction in radiated sound power. A reduction in radiated sound power could relieve concerns related to an increase in community noise that would accompany the adaptation of a fleet of many small aircraft fielded to meet increased travel demand. However, a reduction in radiated sound power does not necessarily translate into community acceptance of the new noise signature. Some characteristics of distributed propulsion configurations can create aural effects that people would find more annoying even though the sound is at a lower power level. To understand the community response to the new class of noise that a distributed propulsion system would present requires the prediction, synthesis and auralization of the noise in a controlled environment. Representative members of the community can then be exposed to the noise and queried for their reaction. These are the types of tests performed in NASA Langley’s Exterior Effects Room. This report summarizes preliminary results obtained using isolated propeller predictions. The sound pressure level of a single ‘large’ propeller is compared to that of two ‘smaller’ propellers of equivalent total thrust. The aural effects of different implementations of the two propellers are also considered. The different implementations include rotation direction and blade passage frequency separation.

Daniel L Palumbo↗

NASA NTRS2014

TPSAS-NF1676L-17844-DND

Distributed propulsion is being proposed as an approach to achieve greater aircraft efficiency. An added benefit which might be realized with a distributed propulsion configuration is a reduction in radiated sound power. A reduction in radiated sound power could relieve concerns related to an increase in community noise that would accompany the adaptation of a fleet of many small aircraft fielded to meet increased travel demand. However, a reduction in radiated sound power does not necessarily translate into community acceptance of the new noise signature. Some characteristics of distributed propulsion configurations can create aural effects that people would find more annoying even though the sound is at a lower power level. To understand the community response to the new class of noise that a distributed propulsion system would present requires the prediction, synthesis and auralization of the noise in a controlled environment. Representative members of the community can then be exposed to the noise and queried for their reaction. These are the types of tests performed in NASA Langley’s Exterior Effects Room. This report summarizes preliminary results obtained using isolated propeller predictions. The sound pressure level of a single ‘large’ propeller is compared to that of two ‘smaller’ propellers of equivalent total thrust. The aural effects of different implementations of the two propellers are also considered. The different implementations include rotation direction and blade passage frequency separation.

Dan Palumbo↗

DOE OSTI2018

Understanding Occupancy Patterns in a Commercial Space

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) is a prime source of energy consumption in the US. In 2006, approximately 35% of energy in the US was used for HVAC [1]. Usually building operators use a static schedule for controlling HVAC systems without having a deeper understanding of how many people use the building at different times of the day. In addition, HVAC systems operate by assuming maximum occupancy in each room, which leads to a significant energy waste, e.g., an HVAC system providing ventilation for 30 people when there are only 10 people in a room. Considering how many people use different rooms at different times of the day is very crucial for achieving building energy efficiency and providing occupant comfort. There have been several attempts to collect long term occupancy patterns from office buildings, e.g., Mitsubishi’s Electronic Research Lab (MERL) dataset [14] and Colorado School of Mines (CSMBB) dataset. However, PIR motion detectors are used in these projects for sensing occupancy and hence these datasets only reflect whether a room is occupied or not without revealing the actual person count. Similar datasets are also collected from households. Only a few datasets from commercial spaces capture actual person count, and even in these cases, the data collection period was very limited, e.g., in [3] only 5 days of occupancy data is collected as ground truth. We are the first to collect long term (9 months) occupancy data (people count) from an 11,000 square foot commercial office (second floor of Bosch Research and Technology Center Pittsburgh). In this paper, we outline some statistical results from our empirical study and explore their implications for saving energy.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2016

Effect of Alloying Additions on Wrought FeCrAl Alloys for Accident-Tolerant Fuel Cladding

Nuclear-grade wrought Fe-Cr-Al alloys are under development as one of the candidate materials for accident-tolerant fuel (ATF) cladding for light water reactors (LWRs) because of their superior oxidation and corrosion resistance in high-temperature steam environment compared to Zr-based alloys that are currently in service. Numerous efforts have been made for the development of the FeCrAl alloys with the ATF concept. The current researches focused on optimizing the balance between the improved environmental compatibility and sufficient mechanical properties in both normal service condition and under accident scenario, as well as fabricability of seamless tube product for fuel cladding applications. Alloying addition is one of the key factors to control the various properties. The effect of Cr and Al additions on the properties in model Fe-Cr-Al-Y alloys were systematically examined by the authors, and the candidate base alloy composition with 13 wt.% Cr and 5 wt.% Al was proposed for further development. The modified FeCrAl alloys with Mo and Nb additions were also investigated in order to achieve improved strength. It was revealed that the microstructure control together with the thermal stability to retain desired microstructure were also the dominant factors for successful development of ATF FeCrAl alloys, especially when the fabricability of seamless tube production was also considered. This paper summarizes further investigation of alloying effects with a wide composition range of Cr and Al additions in the model alloys, as well as the effect of minor alloying additions of Mo, Nb, and Zr, through evaluation of the tensile properties. The combined effect of microstructure control is also discussed. Effect of alloying additions on tensile properties of wrought FeCrAl alloys was investigated. Minor alloying additions such as Al, Mo, Nb, and Zr were found to improve room-temperature tensile strength of the wrought FeCrAl alloys significantly. It was also found that stabilized deformed microstructure consisting of subgrains was also effective to improve the properties compared to the recrystallized grain structure. Optimization to balance the properties and the seamless FeCrAl tube fabricability is currently in progress. (authors)

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2012

Control of calcium carbonate crystallization by using anionic polymethylsiloxanes as templates

Sulfonated (SO{sub 3}H-PMS) and carboxylated (CO{sub 2}H-PMS) polymethylsiloxanes were synthesized and their effects as anionic template modifier on the CaCO{sub 3} crystal morphologies were evaluated. In vitro crystallization assays of CaCO{sub 3} were performed at room temperature by using gas diffusion method at different concentration, pH and time. SEM images of CaCO{sub 3} showed well-defined short calcite piles (ca. 5 {mu}m) and elongated calcite (ca. 20 {mu}m) when SO{sub 3}H-PMS was used. When CO{sub 2}H-PMS was used, the morphology of CaCO{sub 3} crystals was single-truncated at pH 7-9 and aggregated-modified calcite at pH 10-11. However, at pH 12 the least stable donut-shaped vaterite crystals were formed. EDS and XRD confirmed the presence of Si from anionic PMS templates on the CaCO{sub 3} surfaces and its polymorphism, respectively. Results showed that the selective morphologies of CaCO{sub 3} reflect the electrostatic interaction of anionic groups of functionalized PMS with Ca{sup 2+} adsorbed on CaCO{sub 3} crystals. Rounded and truncated-modified fluorescent CaCO{sub 3} was also produced by the inclusion of functionalized PMS into the lattice of CaCO{sub 3} matrix. We demonstrated that the anionic PMS offer a good modifier for polymer-controlled crystallization and a convenient approach for understanding the biomineralization field. - Graphical abstract: Optical photographs of rounded and truncated-modified fluorescent CaCO{sub 3} produced by the inclusion of sulfonated (SO{sub 3}H-PMS) polymethylsiloxanes into the lattice of CaCO{sub 3} matrix. Insert represents the simulation of modified and fluorescent CaCO{sub 3} crystals using Software JCrystal, (2008). Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We prepared two anionic polymethylsiloxanes (PMS) as templates. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Their modifier capacity on the CaCO{sub 3} crystal morphologies was demonstrated. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer At pH 12, the least stable donut-shaped vaterite, was formed. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer EDS confirmed the presence of Si from anionic PMS templates on the CaCO{sub 3} surfaces. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Fluorescent CaCO{sub 3} was produced by the inclusion of PMS into the CaCO{sub 3} matrix.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2016

Controlling block copolymer phase behavior using ionic surfactant

The phase behavior of poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide-poly(ethylene oxide) PEO-PPO-PEO triblock copolymer [P85 (EO{sub 26}PO{sub 39}EO{sub 26})] in presence of anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in aqueous solution as a function of temperature has been studied using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The measurements have been carried out for fixed concentrations (1 wt%) of block copolymer and surfactants. Each of the individual components (block copolymer and surfactant) and the nanoparticle–surfactant mixed system have been examined at varying temperature. The block copolymer P85 forms spherical micelles at room temperature whereas shows sphere-to-rod like micelle transition at higher temperatures. On the other hand, SDS surfactant forms ellipsoidal micelles over a wide temperature range. Interestingly, it is found that phase behavior of mixed micellar system (P85 + SDS) as a function of temperature is drastically different from that of P85, giving the control over the temperature-dependent phase behavior of block copolymers.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

DOE OSTI2014

Measurement and Analysis of Dose Rate Distribution in the Seismic Base-Isolation pit of the Electron Linac Oncology Facility - Paper 87

Recently electric linac oncology facilities incorporating seismic base-isolation structure have become very popular in Japan to prevent strong impact to the equipment by the earthquakes. When the boundary of the controlled area is set below the base-isolated foundations, additional shielding of iron plate is needed and the cost for shielding sometimes increases up to $1 M Since no one usually accesses underneath the treatment room, except short maintenance period for base-isolation structure, it is reasonable to set the boundary around the downstairs room (pit) by fence. However, it is very difficult to estimate the dose rate of new boundary by using the simple shielding calculation method, because of rotating gantry head and effect of scattering radiation in the base-isolation floor. In this study detail calculations by using Monte-Carlo calculation code MCNP5 have been performed to find out the practical shielding design. To be more specific, investigation for the complicated behavior of photons in the 'pit' have been performed by the analysis, i.e. (1) How much can we reduce the thickness of additional iron plate?, (2) Which angle of the beam direction will influence the most to the dose rate at the new boundary?, (3) Which component of the radiation is dominant at the new boundary? We also verified the calculated results by the measurement. We have performed the analysis of the behavior of photons in the pit and found out no additional iron shielding was necessary, which carried out an extreme reduction of costs. The main contribution to the dose rate at the boundary was scattered photons in the case of 0- degree beam direction. Good agreement between calculated and measured results were obtained, and passed the examination by the authority. It is concluded that the Monte-Carlo calculation code MCNP5 is very effective for the optimistic design of the electron linac oncology facilities incorporating seismic base-isolation structure. (authors)

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Controlled Reaction Dynamics of Binary Hexafluorides to Explore New Chemical Signatures

Uranium hexafluoride (UF6 ) is a key compound in the nuclear fuel cycle. • Many enrichment technologies utilize UF6 due to its advantageous properties: • Fluorine (F) has only one isotope of major abundance. • UF6 is a solid at room temperature but has a high (~70 torr) vapor pressure. • There is significant knowledge regarding the chemical processing of UF6 . • UF6 readily hydrolyzes when released to the atmosphere. • Despite significant advances in UF6 processing, the fundamental chemistry governing reaction with UF6 is still poorly understood.

Dorris, Austin L. [Savannah River National Laborat↗

DOE OSTI2021

Engineering of Ferroic Orders in Thin Films by Anionic Substitution

Multiferroics are a unique class of materials where magnetic and ferroelectric orders coexist. The research on multiferroics contributes significantly to the fundamental understanding of the strong correlations between different material degrees of freedom and provides an energy-efficient route toward the electrical control of magnetism. While multiple ABO 3 oxide perovskites are identified as being multiferroic, their magnetoelectric coupling strength is often weak, necessitating the material search in different compounds. Here, the observation of room-temperature multiferroic orders in multi-anion SrNbO 3-x N x thin films is reported. In these samples, the multi-anion state enables the room-temperature ferromagnetic ordering of the Nb d-electrons. Simultaneously, ferroelectric responses that originate from the structural symmetry breaking associated are found with both the off-center displacements of Nb and the geometric displacements of Sr, depending on the relative O-N arrangements within the Nb-centered octahedra. So findings not only diversify the available multiferroic material pool but also demonstrate a new multiferroism design strategy via multi-anion engineering.

thin-films↗