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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 1,567 records · Page 87
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Small-angle X-ray microdiffraction from fibrils embedded in tissue thin sections

Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) from fibrils embedded in a fixed, thin section of tissue includes contributions from the fibrils, the polymeric matrix surrounding the fibrils, other constituents of the tissue, and cross-terms due to the spatial correlation between fibrils and neighboring molecules. This complex mixture severely limits the amount of information that can be extracted from scattering studies. However, availability of micro- and nano-beams has made the measurement of scattering from very small volumes possible, which, in some cases, may be dominated by a single fibrillar constituent. In such cases, information about the predominant species may be accessible. Nevertheless, even in these cases, the correlations between the positions of fibrils and other constituents have a significant impact on the observed scattering. Here, strategies are proposed to extract partial information about fibril structure and tissue organization on the basis of SAXS from samples of this type. It is shown that the spatial correlation function of the fibril in the direction perpendicular to the fibril axis can be computed and contains information about the predominant fibril structure and the organization of the surrounding tissue matrix. This has significant advantages over approaches based on techniques developed for X-ray solution scattering. Examples of correlation calculations in different types of samples are given to demonstrate the information that can be obtained from these measurements.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS2006

Nonlinear Spring Finite Elements for Predicting Mode I-Dominated Delamination Growth in Laminated Structure with Through-Thickness reinforcement

One particular concern of polymer matrix composite laminates is the relatively low resistance to delamination cracking, in particular when the dominant type of failure is mode I opening. One method proposed for alleviating this problem involves the insertion pultruded carbon pins through the laminate thickness. The pins, known as z-pins, are inserted into the prepreg laminate using an ultrasonic hammer prior to the curing process, resulting in a field of pins embedded normal to the laminate plane as illustrated in Figure. 1. Pin diameters range between 0.28-mm to 0.5-mm and standard areal densities range from 0.5% to 4%. The z-pins are provided by the manufacturer, Aztex(Registered TradeMark) , in a low-density foam preform, which acts to stabilize orientation of the pins during the insertion process [1-3]. Typical pin materials include boron and carbon fibers embedded in a polymer matrix. A number of methods have been developed for predicting delamination growth in laminates reinforced with z-pins. During a study on the effect of z-pin reinforcement on mode I delamination resistance, finite element analyses of z-pin reinforced double cantilever beam (DCB) specimens were performed by Cartie and Partridge [4]. The z-pin bridging stresses were modeled by applying equivalent forces at the pin locations. Single z-pin pull-out tests were performed to characterize the traction law of the pins under mode I loading conditions. Analytical solutions for delamination growth in z-pin reinforced DCB specimens were independently derived by Robinson and Das [5] and Ratcliffe and O'Brien [6]. In the former case, pin bridging stresses were modeled using a distributed load and in the latter example the bridging stresses were discretely modeled by way of grounded springs. Additionally, Robinson and Das developed a data reduction strategy for calculating mode I fracture toughness, G(sub Ic), from a z-pin reinforced DCB specimen test [5]. In both cases a traction law similar to that adopted by Cartie and Partridge was used to represent z-pin failure under mode I loading conditions. In the current work spring elements available in most commercial finite element codes were used to model z-pins. The traction law used in previous analyses [4-6] was employed to represent z-pin damage. This method is intended for and is limited to simulating z-pins in composite laminate structure containing mode I-dominated delamination cracking. The current technique differs from previous analyses in that spring finite elements (available in commercial codes) are employed for simulating zpins, reducing the complexity of the analysis construction process. Furthermore, the analysis method can be applied to general structure that experiences mode I-dominated delamination cracking, in contrast to existing analytical solutions that are only applicable to coupon DCB specimens.

Ratcliffe, James G.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Study of (DNPs){sub x}/CuTl-1223 Nanoparticle-Superconductor Composites

Sol-gel and solid-state reaction methods were used to synthesize diamond nanoparticles (DNPs) and (DNPs){sub x}/CuTl-1223 (x = 0, 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 wt.%) nanoparticle-superconductor composites, respectively. Effects of these DNPs on structural, morphological, compositional, and transport properties of CuTl-1223 superconducting phase were investigated by different experimental techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and resistivity versus temperature (R-T) measurements. The unchanged crystal structure and stoichiometry of host CuTl-1223 superconducting matrix with addition of DNPs gave evidence about the dispersion of nanoparticles at the grain boundaries of the host matrix, which may heal up the inter-granular voids and pores resulting in enhanced inter-grain connectivity. Critical transition temperature T{sub c} (0) and hole concentration of CuTl-1223 superconductor were observed to be increased with addition of DNPs up to a certain optimum value (i.e. x = 0.5 wt.%).

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2018

Aligned-SWCNT film laminated nanocomposites: Role of the film on mechanical and electrical properties

Here in this study, well-aligned single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) films were utilized as lamellae to prepare a multifunctional nanocomposite by a feasible ‘layer-by-layer’ preparation method. This structural design can not only dramatically reduce the agglomeration effect of SWCNTs, but also achieve high in-plane stiffness. It was found that the well-aligned SWCNT films contribute to the high stress-transfer between CNTs and present good wettability with epoxy matrix, thereby improving the mechanical enhancement. Interestingly, this laminated structure possesses distinct electrical behaviors under different loading conditions. The electrical resistance linearly increases with the increase of in-plane tensile strain but is insensitive to bending. This work could provide in-depth understanding on the mechanical and electrical properties of CNT-based laminated nanocomposites.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

FIRM image analysis: A machine learning workflow for quantifying extracellular matrix components from electron microscopy images

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex network of biomolecules that plays an integral role in the structure, processes, and signaling mechanisms of cells and tissues. Identifying and quantifying changes in these matrix components provides insight into the mechanisms behind specific tissue remodeling processes; however, quantifying these changes is challenging due to difficult imaging conditions, complexity of the ECM, and the subtlety of these changes. Current imaging techniques allow us to visualize these critical remodeling events and developments in image analysis have employed a combination of analysis software and machine learning techniques to improve the efficiency and accuracy with which features are measured. Although image analysis has seen much improvement in recent years, there has been no technique developed to address ambiguity in feature edges in electron microscopy images. Presented here is a new machine learning-based workflow for the analysis of microscopy images named FIRM (Feature Identification from Raw Microscopy) that uses a random forest classifier to identify ECM features of interest and generate binary segmentation masks for quantification with ImageJ-FIJI. FIRM performed with an F1 score of 0.794 and greater than 80% accuracy for number and size of features detected. FIRM had similar deviation from the ground truth in the number of identified fibrils, fibril size, and size distributions when compared to human analyses. The results suggest that FIRM performs as well as manual analysis and requires a fraction of the time. This analysis technique is more efficient, eliminates user bias, and can be easily optimized to identify a variety of features, making it useful for any discipline requiring image analysis.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗
DOE OSTI2010

Direct Determination of the Electron-Phonon Coupling Matrix Element in a Correlated System

High-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy measurements have been carried out on an optimally doped cuprate Bi{sub 2}Sr{sub 2}CaCu{sub 2}O{sub 8+{delta}}. The momentum-dependent energy and linewidth of an A{sub 1} optical phonon were obtained. Based on these data as well as detailed knowledge of the electronic structure, we developed a scheme to determine the electron-phonon coupling (EPC) matrix element related to a specific phonon mode. Such an approach is general and applicable to elucidating the full structure of EPC in a system with anisotropic electronic structure.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
NASA NTRS1993

Preparation of particle-dispersion alloys (M-6)

A particle dispersion alloy is one type of metal-ceramic composite material, and is used as heat resistance material, wear resistance material, and electrical material. This material consists of a metal matrix and dispersed particles, and for its unique structure it has both tenacity as a metal and hardness as a ceramic. Its properties improve when the particles become finer and disperse more uniformly. Most of the particle dispersion alloys are produced by the powder metallurgical process. This process is favorable for uniform dispersion of particles, but it consists of complicated techniques such as mechanical alloying and hot extrusion, and has the following drawbacks: (1) it is difficult to fabricate large-sized products; (2) the amount of particles is limited to a few percent; and (3) the process is complicated and expensive. To overcome these drawbacks, recently special attention has been paid to conventional melting process. However, under terrestrial conditions, dispersions separate immediately due to the different specific gravities of the metal matrix and the particles and thermal convection effects. The microgravity environment is, therefore, considered to be an attractive place for fabricating the dispersion alloy. This space experiment is carried out to clarify the influence of microgravity on the properties of the particle dispersion alloy and to obtain a deeper understanding of the experiment under the microgravity environment.

Muramatsu, Yuji↗
NASA NTRS1986

Effects of thermal cycling on graphie-fiber-reinforced 6061 aluminum

Graphite-reinforced aluminum alloy metal-matrix composites are among materials being considered for structural components in dimensionally stable space structures. This application requires materials with low values of thermal expansions and high specific stiffnesses. They must remain stable during exposures to the space environment for periods extending to 20 years. The effects of thermal cycling on the thermal expansion behavior and mechanical properties of Thornel P100 graphite 6061 aluminum composites, as fabricated and after thermal processing to eliminate thermal strain hysteresis, have been investigated. Two groups of composites were studied: one was fabricated by hot roll bonding and the other by diffusion bonding. Processing significantly reduced strain hysteresis during thermal cycling in both groups and improved the ultimate tensile strength and modulus in the diffusion-bonded composites. Thermal cycling stabilized the as-fabricated composites by reducing the residual fabrication stress and increased the matrix strength by metallurgical aging. Thermal expansion behavior of both groups after processing was insensitive to thermal cycling. Data scatter was too large to determine effects of thermal cycling on the mechanical properties. The primary effects of processing and thermal cycling can be attributed to changes in the metallurgical condition and stress state of the matrix.

Dries, G. A.↗
DOE OSTI2016

A fast, memory efficient and robust sparse preconditioner based on a multifrontal approach with applications to finite‐element matrices

Summary In this article, we introduce a fast, memory efficient and robust sparse preconditioner that is based on a direct factorization scheme for sparse matrices arising from the finite‐element discretization of elliptic partial differential equations. We use a fast (but approximate) multifrontal approach as a preconditioner and use an iterative scheme to achieve a desired accuracy. This approach combines the advantages of direct and iterative schemes to arrive at a fast, robust, and accurate preconditioner. We will show that this approach is faster (∼2×) and more memory efficient (∼2–3×) than a conventional direct multifrontal approach. Furthermore, we will demonstrate that this preconditioner is both faster and more effective than other preconditioners such as the incomplete LU preconditioner. Specific speedups depend on the matrix size and improve as the size of the matrix increases. The preconditioner can be applied to both structured and unstructured meshes in a similar manner. We build on our previous work and utilize the fact that dense frontal and update matrices, in the multifrontal algorithm, can be represented as hierarchically off‐diagonal low‐rank matrices. Using this idea, we replace all large dense matrix operations in the multifrontal elimination process with O ( N ) hierarchically off‐diagonal low‐rank operations to arrive at a faster and more memory efficient factorization scheme. We then use this direct factorization method at low accuracies as a preconditioner and apply it to various real‐life engineering test cases. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Aminfar, AmirHossein↗
DOE OSTI2019

Enhanced Hybridization and Nanopatterning via Heated Liquid-Phase Infiltration into Self-Assembled Block Copolymer Thin Films

Organic–inorganic hybrids featuring tunable material properties can be readily generated by applying vapor- or liquid-phase infiltration (VPI or LPI) of inorganic materials into organic templates, with resulting properties controlled by type and quantity of infiltrated inorganics. While LPI offers more diverse choices of infiltratable elements, it tends to yield smaller infiltration amount than VPI, but the attempt to address the issue has been rarely reported. Here in this paper, we demonstrate a facile temperature-enhanced LPI method to control and drastically increase the quantity and kinetics of Pt infiltration into self-assembled polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) block copolymer (BCP) thin films. By applying LPI at mildly elevated temperatures (40–80 °C), we showcase controllable optical functionality of hybrid BCP films along with conductive three-dimensional (3D) inorganic nanostructures. Structural analysis reveals enhanced metal loading into the BCP matrix at higher LPI temperatures, suggesting multiple metal ion infiltration per monomer of P2VP. Combining temperature-enhanced LPI with hierarchical multilayer BCP self-assembly, we generate BCP-metal hybrid optical coatings featuring tunable antireflective properties as well as scalable conductive 3D Pt nanomesh structures. Enhanced material infiltration and control by temperature-enhanced LPI not only enables tunability of organic–inorganic hybrid nanostructures and properties but also expands the application of BCPs for generating uniquely functional inorganic nanostructures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Brief announcement: Hypergraph parititioning for parallel sparse matrix-matrix multiplication

The performance of parallel algorithms for sparse matrix-matrix multiplication is typically determined by the amount of interprocessor communication performed, which in turn depends on the nonzero structure of the input matrices. In this paper, we characterize the communication cost of a sparse matrix-matrix multiplication algorithm in terms of the size of a cut of an associated hypergraph that encodes the computation for a given input nonzero structure. Obtaining an optimal algorithm corresponds to solving a hypergraph partitioning problem. Furthermore, our hypergraph model generalizes several existing models for sparse matrix-vector multiplication, and we can leverage hypergraph partitioners developed for that computation to improve application-specific algorithms for multiplying sparse matrices.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
NASA NTRS1985

A comparison of measured and calculated thermal stresses in a hybrid metal matrix composite spar cap element

A hybrid spar of titanium with an integrally brazed composite, consisting of an aluminum matrix reinforced with boron-carbide-coated fibers, was heated in an oven and the resulting thermal stresses were measured. Uniform heating of the spar in an oven resulted in thermal stresses arising from the effects of dissimilar materials and anisotropy of the metal matrix composite. Thermal stresses were calculated from a finite element structural model using anisotropic material properties deduced from constituent properties and rules of mixtures. Comparisons of calculated thermal stresses with measured thermal stresses on the spar are presented. It was shown that failure to account for anisotropy in the metal matrix composite elements would result in large errors in correlating measured and calculated thermal stresses. It was concluded that very strong material characterization efforts are required to predict accurate thermal stresses in anisotropic composite structures.

Jenkins, J. M.↗
DOE OSTI2017

Restricted Photoinduced Conformational Change in the Cu(I) Complex for Sensing Mechanical Properties

When designing photoresponsive materials, the effect of a polymer host matrix on the photophysical and photochemical properties of chromophores can be dramatic and advantageous for correlating macromolecular properties. Some compounds possess changes in their photophysical response with variation in the surrounding media (e.g., crystalline glass vs solution). This study illustrates how changes in the excited state dynamics of [Cu(dmp) 2 ] + , where dmp = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, are used to quantitatively probe the viscosity of the surrounding polymer matrix. A correlation of both excited state lifetime and photoluminescence emission wavelength on viscosity was observed in different supramolecular materials containing [Cu(dmp) 2 ] + . These effects were attributed to restricted photoinduced structural distortion of the Cu(I) complex as the polymer matrix hardened. This photoluminescence sensor features a greater dynamic range for viscosity sensing (6 orders of magnitude) and displayed larger changes in lifetime response with respect to typical organometallic mechanosensitive probes.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Polarized photoluminescence of nc-Si–SiO{sub x} nanostructures

The effect of photoluminescence polarization memory in nc-Si–SiO{sub x} light-emitting structures containing Si nanoparticles (nc-Si) in an oxide matrix is for the first time studied. The polarization properties of continuous and porous nanostructures passivated in HF vapors (or solutions) are studied. It is established that the polarization memory effect is manifested only after treatment of the structures in HF. The effect is also accompanied by a shift of the photoluminescence peak to shorter wavelengths and by a substantial increase in the photoluminescence intensity. It is found that, in anisotropic nc-Si–SiO{sub x} samples produced by oblique deposition in vacuum, the degree of linear photoluminescence polarization in the sample plane exhibits a noticeable orientation dependence and correlates with the orientation of SiO{sub x} nanocolumns forming the structure of the porous layer. These effects are attributed to the transformation of symmetrically shaped Si nanoparticles into asymmetric elongated nc-Si particles upon etching in HF. In continuous layers, nc-Si particles are oriented randomly, whereas in porous structures, their preferential orientation coincides with the orientation of oxide nanocolumns.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

The effect of magnetic field on bistability in 1D photonic crystal doped by magnetized plasma and coupled nonlinear defects

In this work, we study the defect mode and bistability behavior of 1-D photonic band gap structure with magnetized plasma and coupled nonlinear defects. The transfer matrix method has been employed to investigate the magnetic field effect on defect mode frequency and bistability threshold. The obtained results show that the frequency of defect mode and bistability threshold can be altered, without changing the structure of the photonic multilayer. Therefore, the bistability behavior of the subjected structure in the presence of magnetized plasma can be utilized in manufacturing wide frequency range devices.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

A pseudo-3D approach based on electron backscatter diffraction and backscatter electron imaging to study the character of phase boundaries between Mg and long period stacking ordered phase in a Mg–2Y–Zn alloy

In Mg–2 at.% Y–1 at.% Zn alloys, the LPSO (Long Period Stacking Ordered) phase is important to improve mechanical properties of the material. The aim of this paper is to present a study on the phase boundary character in these two-phase alloys. Using EBSD pattern analysis it was found that the 24R structure is the dominant LPSO phase structure in the current alloy. The phase boundary character between the Mg matrix and the LPSO phase was investigated using an improved pseudo-3D EBSD (electron backscatter diffraction) technique in combination with BSE or SE (backscatter or secondary electron) imaging. A large amount of very low-angle phase boundaries was detected. The (0 0 0 2) plane in the Mg matrix which is parallel to the (0 0 0 24) plane in the LPSO phase was found to be the most frequent plane for these phase boundaries. This plane is supposed to be the habit plane of the eutectic co-solidification of the Mg matrix and the LPSO phase. - Highlights: • It is shown that for the investigated alloy the LPSO phase has mainly 24R crystal structure. • A new method is presented which allows accurate determination of the 5-parameter grain or phase boundary character. • It is found that the low-angle phase boundaries appearing in the alloy all have basal phase boundary planes.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
NASA NTRS1977

Numerical analysis of free vibrations of damped rotating structures

This paper is concerned with the efficient numerical solution of damped and undamped free vibration problems of rotating structures. While structural discretization is achieved by the finite element method, the associated eigenproblem solution is effected by a combined Sturm sequence and inverse iteration technique that enables the computation of a few required roots only without having to compute any other. For structures of complex configurations, a modal synthesis technique is also presented, which is based on appropriate combinations of eigenproblem solution of various structural components. Such numerical procedures are general in nature, which fully exploit matrix sparsity inherent in finite element discretizations, and prove to be most efficient for the vibration analysis of any damped rotating structure, such as rotating machineries, helicopter and turbine blades, spinning space stations, among others.

Gupta, K. K.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Materials Using Distributed Fiber Bragg Sensors

Health monitoring of polymer matrix composite materials using fiber optic Bragg grating (FBG) sensors is accomplished using a tunable IR (infrared) laser via transmission mode. Results are presented from experiments of composite structures with FBG's embedded at various orientations, and surface measurements of various cryogenic composite vessels.

Grant, Joseph↗