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At least 163 records · Page 9

Roles of initial condition and vortex pairing in jet noise

Sound generation by vortex pairing in circular and elliptic cold-air jets at Mach 0.15-0.35 is investigated experimentally, with a focus on the effects of initial conditions. The results are presented in graphs and interpreted using the theory of vortex sound proposed by Moehring (1978) and vortex-filament models of jet coherent structure. Tripping the nozzle boundary layer is shown to (1) preempt formation of shear-layer vortices, (2) remove the sound they produce in later pairing, and (3) increase the diffusion of coherent vorticity in the vortex rings. Hence pairing noise should not be significant in practical jets, which are initially turbulent.

Bridges, J. E.↗

Plasma waves in the distant geomagnetic tail - ISEE 3

The plasma wave measurements obtained during ISEE 3's deep passes through the geomagnetic tail found that moderate to intense electric field turbulence occurred in association with the major plasma and magnetic field regions and flow phenomena. In the magnetopause boundary layer the electric field spectral amplitudes are typically sharply peaked at 316 Hz to 562 Hz. The tail lobe region which is upstream of slow shocks and is magnetically connected to the plasma sheet is characterized by wave spectras that peak in the 100- to 316-Hz range and at the electron plasma frequency. Within the plasma sheet, broadband electrostatic noise occurs in regions where the magnetic field strength exceeds 2 nT; this noise can also be found in the plasma sheet boundary layer in association with strong field-aligned plasma flows. As ISEE 3 moved between the different distant tail regions, distinct but often subtle changes occurred in the plasma wave spectra.

Coroniti, F. V.↗

Microelectrical Mechanical Systems Flow Control Used to Manage Engine Face Distortion in Compact Inlet Systems

Turbofan engine-face flow distortion is one of the most troublesome and least understood problems for designers of modern engine inlet systems. One concern is that there are numerous sources of flow-field distortion that are ingested by the inlet or generated within the inlet duct itself. Among these are: (1) flow separation at the cowl lip during in-flight maneuvering, (2) flow separation on the compression surfaces due to shock-wave/boundary layer interactions, (3) spillage of the fuselage boundary layer into the inlet duct, (4) ingestion of aircraft vortices and wakes emanating from upstream disturbances, and (5) strong secondary flow gradients and flow separation induced by wall curvature within the inlet duct itself. Most developing aircraft (including the B70, F-111, F-14, Mig-25, Tornado, and Airbus A300) have experienced one or more of these types of problems, particularly at high Mach numbers and/or extreme maneuver conditions when flow distortion at the engine face exceeded the allowable limits of the engine.

Anderson, Bernhard H.↗

Pulsed Electrolysis Promotes Catalyst Activity in Dilute CO 2 Streams

Industrial CO 2 streams vary widely in composition, from pure to as low as 3%, posing challenges for purification or direct conversion. Electrochemical reduction offers a route for converting dilute CO 2 streams but faces severe mass transport limitations. This study demonstrates that pulsed electrolysis effectively overcomes these limitations, enhancing CO 2 electroreduction across variable feed compositions and current densities, particularly at low CO 2 concentrations and high current densities. At 25% CO 2 and 400 mA cm −2 , pulsing improved selectivity from 25.6 to 78.6%, production rate from 13.7 to 21.0 mol m −2 h −1 , and energy productivity from 0.77 to 2.59 mol kWh −1 . A dynamic, multiphysics continuum model confirms a 64% increase in CO 2 concentration within the catalyst layer during pulsing, resolving the transient chemical microenvironment. These findings establish pulsed electrolysis as a viable strategy for converting dilute industrial CO 2 streams into valuable feedstocks, bypassing costly pre-separation.

Orfali, Dania Muhieddine [New York University (NYU↗

Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotubes Grown on Copper Foil as Electrodes for Electrochemical Double Layer Capacitors

This study reports a binder-free, catalyst-free method for fabricating vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs) directly on copper (Cu) foil using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) for electrochemical double-layer capacitor (EDLC) applications. This approach eliminates the need for catalyst layers, polymeric binders, or substrate pre-treatments, simplifying electrode design and enhancing electrical integration. The resulting VACNTs form a dense, uniform, and porous array with strong adhesion to the Cu substrate, minimizing contact resistance and improving conductivity. Electrochemical analysis shows gravimetric specific capacitance (C grav ) and areal specific capacitance (C areal ) of 8 F g −1 and 3.5 mF cm −2 at a scan rate of 5 mV/s, with low equivalent series resistance (3.70 Ω) and charge transfer resistance (0.48 Ω), enabling efficient electron transport and rapid ion diffusion. The electrode demonstrates excellent rate capability and retains 92% of its initial specific capacitance after 3000 charge–discharge cycles, indicating strong cycling stability. These results demonstrate the potential of directly grown VACNT-based electrodes for high-performance EDLCs, particularly in applications requiring rapid charge–discharge cycles and sustained energy delivery.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Theoretical and experimental studies of the atmospheric sodium layer

Atmospheric atomic sodium was studied with a laser radar system. Photocount data were processed using a digital filter to obtain continuous estimates of the sodium concentration versus altitude. Wave-like structures in the sodium layer were observed, and there was evidence for the presence of a standing wave in the layer. The bottomside of the layer was observed to undulate with a period of about 2 1/2 hours, and the layer was observed to broaden through the night. A meteor ablation-cluster ion theory of sodium was developed. The theory shows good agreement with existing atmospheric observations as well as laboratory measurements of rate constants.

Richter, E. S.↗

Thermal radiation in Arctic stratus clouds

Infrared radiative properties of Arctic stratus clouds in the 10.1-12.7 micron wavelength region are determined from a series of aircraft measurements. The average emissivity of the clouds when scattering is neglected is unity for cloud depths greater than 350 m. Under the assumption that the cloud layers are homogeneous the cloud droplet volume absorption coefficient is estimated as 17 + or - 5 per km. Several mass absorption coefficients are estimated for several assumed liquid water distributions. It is also concluded that the cloud reflectance is not larger than 2 (+ or - 5%).

Herman, G. F.↗

Magnetopause and cusp observations at Neptune

Plasma and magnetic field measurements in a subsolar cusp region of Neptune are compared with two current models of cusp regions, stemming from earth measurements: (1) a cusp region filled with stagnant plasma separated from the magnetosheath by a tangential discontinuity and (2) a mantle layer of dynamic plasma separated from the sheath by a rotational discontinuity. The plasma observations are more consistent with the mantle-layer interpretation. However, because of the particular trajectory of the Voyager 2 flyby, it was not possible to distinguish the mantle and the stagnant cusp models on geometrical grounds.

Szabo, Adam↗

Investigation of Geomorphological Signatures of Permafrost in the Polar Lunar Areas With VIPER

A study of images of the polar regions shows that small craters near the poles of the Moon are distinguished by the following features: 1. they have a smoother shape - see Fig (a); 2. patterned ground (“wrinkled skin”) is often observed in and around the crater - see Figs (a,b,c); 3. outside the craters landslides and cracks are noticeable - see Fig (d); 4. layers or scarps are often visible on the inner slope - see Fig (e). These features (scarps and patterned ground) are typical for Martian craters in the permafrost zone (see Fig f), as well as for similar zones on Earth. It is hypothesized that these features of lunar craters are associated with the presence of permafrost in the polar regions of the Moon. In 2023, the VIPER rover will investigate the distribution of ice (volatile) deposits in the region of the Moon's South Pole. VIPER navigation cameras represent a unique opportunity for the geomorphological analysis of the lunar surface and the study of physical properties of regolith due to multiple key factors: - A large number of high-quality digital images with a good resolution of the South Pole of the Moon, which is a key region for the landing of manned expeditions. - A low position of the Sun, which generates long shadows, creates favorable conditions for object recognition algorithms. - A presence of a rover track in the images enables VIPER wheels to be used as tools for the study of the regolith and the development of a geotechnical model of regolith in the South Pole region. Rover navigation cameras will allow investigation of the distribution and shape of small craters and other structures along the path of the rover and test the hypothesis about geomorphological signatures of permafrost in the lunar polar areas. If a relationship between characteristics of lunar craters and the distribution of permafrost is confirmed, this will open a possibility to remotely determine the deposits of lunar ice from satellite imagery.

VIPER↗

Scaling, elasticity, and CLPT

The first few viewgraphs describe the general solution properties of linear elasticity theory which are given by the following two statements: (1) for stress B.C. on S(sub sigma) and zero displacement B.C. on S(sub u) the altered displacements u(sub i)(*) and the actual stresses tau(sub ij) are elastically dependent on Poisson's ratio nu alone: thus the actual displacements are given by u(sub i) = mu(exp -1)u(sub i)(*); and (2) for zero stress B.C. on S(sub sigma) and displacement B.C. on S(sub u) the actual displacements u(sub i) and the altered stresses tau(sub ij)(*) are elastically dependent on Poisson's ratio nu alone: thus the actual stresses are given by tau(sub ij) = E tau(sub ij)(*). The remaining viewgraphs describe the minimum parameter formulation of the general classical laminate theory plate problem as follows: The general CLT plate problem is expressed as a 3 x 3 system of differential equations in the displacements u, v, and w. The eighteen (six each) A(sub ij), B(sub ij), and D(sub ij) system coefficients are ply-weighted sums of the transformed reduced stiffnesses (bar-Q(sub ij))(sub k); the (bar-Q(sub ij))(sub k) in turn depend on six reduced stiffnesses (Q(sub ij))(sub k) and the material and geometry properties of the k(sup th) layer. This paper develops a method for redefining the system coefficients, the displacement components (u,v,w), and the position components (x,y) such that a minimum parameter formulation is possible. The pivotal steps in this method are (1) the reduction of (bar-Q(sub ij))(sub k) dependencies to just two constants Q(*) = (Q(12) + 2Q(66))/(Q(11)Q(22))(exp 1/2) and F(*) - (Q(22)/Q(11))(exp 1/2) in terms of ply-independent reference values Q(sub ij); (2) the reduction of the remaining portions of the A, B, and D coefficients to nondimensional ply-weighted sums (with 0 to 1 ranges) that are independent of Q(*) and F(*); and (3) the introduction of simple coordinate stretchings for u, v, w and x,y such that the process is neatly completed.

Brunelle, Eugene J.↗

TAL Performance and Mission Analysis in a CDL Capacitor Powered Direct-Drive Configuration

The goals of this research are (1) to prove the concept feasibility of a direct-drive electric propulsion system, and (2) to evaluate the performance and characteristics of a Russian TAL (Thruster with Anode Layer) operating in a long-pulse mode, powered by a capacitor-based power source developed at Space Power Institute. The TAL, designated D-55, is characterized by an external acceleration zone and is powered by a unique chemical double layer (CDL) capacitor bank with a capacitance of 4 F at a charge voltage of 400 V. Performance testing of this power supply on the TAL was conducted at NASA Lewis Research Center in Cleveland, OH. Direct thrust measurements of the TAL were obtained at CDL power levels ranging from 450 to 1750 W. The specific impulse encompassed a range from 1150 s to 2200 s, yielding thruster system efficiencies between 50 and 60%. Preliminary mission analysis of the CDL direct-drive concept and other electric propulsion options was performed for the ORACLE spacecraft in 6am/6pm and 12am/12pm, 300 km sun-synchronous orbits. The direct-drive option was competitive with the other systems by increasing available net mass between 5 and 42% and reducing two-year system wet mass between 18 and 63%. Overall, the electric propulsion power requirements for the satellite solar array were reduced between 57 and 91% depending oil the orbit evaluated The direct-drive, CDL capacitor-based concept in electric propulsion thus promises to be a highly-efficient, viable alternative for satellite operations in specific near-Earth missions.

Hrbud, Ivana↗

Intercomparison of Remote and Flight Level Measured Aerosol Backscatter Coefficient During GLOBE 2 Pacific Survey Mission

Aerosol backscatter coefficient data are examined from two local flights undertaken during NASA's GLObal Backscatter Experiment (GLOBE) in May - June, 1990. During each of these two flights the aircraft traversed different altitudes within a region of the atmosphere defined by the same set of latitude and longitude coordinates. This provides an ideal opportunity to allow flight level measured or modeled aerosol backscafter to be compared with pulsed lidar aerosol backscafter data that were obtained at these same altitudes either earlier or later than the flight level measurements. Aerosol backscafter comparisons were made at 1.06-, 9.11- and 9.25-mm wavelengths, using data from three lidar systems and two aerosol optical counters. The best agreement between all sensor's was found in the altitude region below 7 km where backscafter values were moderately high at all three wavelengths. Above this altitude the pulsed lidar backscafter data at 1.06- and 9.25-mm wavelengths were higher than the flight level data obtained from the CW lidar or derived from the optical counters. Possible reasons are offered to explain this discrepancy. During the Japan local flight, microphysics analysis revealed: (1) evidence of a strong advected seasalt aerosol plume from the marine boundary layer, and (2) where backscatter was low, the large lidar sampling volume included many large particles which were of different chemical composition to the small particle category sampled by the particle counters.

Cutten, D. R.↗

Tailoring copper current collector roughness and crystallographic orientation to improve lithium plating

Secondary lithium metal batteries are of great interest due to a high theoretical energy density, but rechargeability is limited by the formation of lithium dendrites that lead to internal short circuits and catastrophic cell failure. Mitigating dendrites through uniform current distribution at the current collector is a promising solution to enabling long cycle life of lithium metal electrodes. Here, the impact of copper crystal orientation and roughness on electrochemically deposited lithium morphology is studied. For 50 cycles, the capacity retention from greatest to least followed polycrystalline copper 95 ± 1 % (MC-PC) ≥ 94.55 ± 0.01 % Cu (110) > 93.0 ± 0.4 % Cu(111) > 75.8 ± 0.1 % Cu(100). Cu(100) performed the worst in all cases with shorts occurring frequently before reaching 50 cycles. Cryo-scanning electron microscopy images showed that after 50 cycles, MC-PC Cu had the best lithium morphology, but at early cycles, Cu(111) formed the densest lithium layer. MC-PC Cu had the most uniform lithium nucleation which may have been caused by increased roughness relative to the single crystal samples. When polycrystalline Cu (F-PC) roughness was systematically controlled, the cumulative Coulombic efficiency increased from about 0.3–0.5 with increasing roughness from an Ra of about 10–40 nm. Lastly, plating rates were studied. Slower rates of 0.25 mA/cm 2 exhibited denser lithium morphology in all cases as compared to 0.5 and 1.0 mA/cm 2 , but the relative porosity of Li deposited on the different current collectors depended on the rate applied.

Copper↗

Magnetic structure and magnetoelectric coupling in the antiferromagnet Co 5⁢ (Te⁢O 3 ) 4 ⁢Cl 2

The van der Waals (vdW) layered multiferroics, which host simultaneous ferroelectric and magnetic orders, have attracted attention not only for their potentials to be utilized in nanoelectric devices and spintronics, but also offer alternative opportunities for emergent physical phenomena. To date, the vdW layered multiferroic materials are still very rare. In this work, we have investigated the magnetic structure and magnetoelectric (ME) effects in Co 5 ⁢(Te⁢O 3 ) 4 ⁢Cl 2 , a promising multiferroic compound with antiferromagnetic (AFM) Néel point T N ~18 K. The neutron-powder diffraction reveals the noncoplanar AFM state with preferred Néel vector along the c axis, while a spin reorientation occurring between 8 and 15 K is identified, which results from the distinct temperature dependence of the nonequivalent Co site's moment in Co 5 ⁢(Te⁢O 3 ) 4 ⁢Cl 2 . Moreover, it is found that Co 5 ⁢(Te⁢O 3 ) 4 ⁢Cl 2 is one of the best vdW multiferroics studied so far in terms of the multiferroic performance. The measured linear ME coefficient exhibits the emergent oscillation dependence of the angle between magnetic field and electric field, and the maximal value is as big as 45 ps/m. Finally, it is suggested that Co 5 ⁢(Te⁢O 3 ) 4 ⁢Cl 2 is an appreciated platform for exploring the emergent multiferroicity in vdW layered compounds.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Membrane Degradation in PEM Fuel Cells: Part I. Modeling Gas Crossover and the Pt Band

Understanding chemical degradation of the proton-exchange membrane in fuel cells is crucial for extending their lifetimes. Herein, various degradation reactions reported in literature are organized and analyzed, including direct radical generation and an indirect (Fenton) pathway. To understand the transport of dissolved H 2 and O 2 crossover gases as they relate to membrane degradation, an agglomerate-scale model is introduced, treating gas, ionomer, and catalyst as discrete phases. The model reveals a key phenomenon: at working potentials, dissolved gases are mostly consumed at the interface between the catalyst layer and the membrane, leaving little gas to cross the membrane. Under open-circuit conditions, dissolved gases are not consumed and can then cross the membrane. This explains high H 2 O 2 concentrations and degradation rates seen in experiments but not captured in previous models. Following mixed-potential theory, crossover gases supply the hydrogen-oxidation and oxygen-reduction reactions, which occur simultaneously on individual Pt particles comprising the Pt band in the membrane, forming reactive species (H 2 O 2 , OH·). Results show crossover gas almost entirely reacts on the Pt band, allowing little to reach the opposite electrode. Furthermore, the micro-scale geometry of the catalyst-layer/membrane interface impacts the gas crossover at working potentials, indicating that cell construction affects membrane durability.

Johnson, Evan F. [Lawrence Berkeley National Labor↗

The altitude distribution of the Venus ultraviolet nightglow and implications on vertical transport

The altitude distribution of the nitric oxide nightglow was measured with an ultraviolet spectrometer on board Pioneer Venus, in order to study the effects of the distribution on the Venus nightside lower thermosphere transport properties. Limb profiles were obtained with an 8 ms integration period on several orbits near periapsis. The observations were made between P minus 2 min and P plus 4 min, where altitude ranges between 150 and 350 km, and latitude varies from 24 degrees N to 9 degrees S. A method independent of the spacecraft attitude data was used to fit the observed limb profiles, and to find the altitude of the maximum of the layer (115 plus or minus 2 km), and the topside scale height (about 3 km). It is shown that downward transport by diffusion alone is not sufficient, and if vertical motion is parameterized by eddy diffusion, an eddy diffusion coefficient is deduced from the altitude of the layer.

Gerard, J. C.↗

Intrusions in the active layer of channeled-substrate-planar laser diodes

Channeled-substrate-planar laser diodes from various wafers were observed to develop a node or dark spot in their near-field patterns after failure during lifetesting. 'Node' devices from each wafer were angle-lapped and stained in an attempt to uncover a physical mechanism for this common failure symptom. Optical microscopic examination of the beveled cross sections revealed that an intrusion, in the form of a spike at the tip of the zinc diffusion front, had penetrated into the active layer of these diodes. The node observed in the near-field pattern appears to be in a position correspondig to the location of the spike in the active region. In addition, cathodoluminescence measurements on other 'node' diodes revealed a dark line region approximately 2-micron-wide running parallel to and in the middle of the 5-micron contact stripe. It is believed that this dark line region is representative of an area of nonradiative recombination which occurs in the portion of the active layer containing the intrusion.

Slavin, S. E.↗