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At least 1,657 records · Page 92

Directionally Interacting Spheres and Rods Form Ordered Phases

The structures formed by mixtures of dissimilarly shaped nanoscale objects can significantly enhance our ability to produce nanoscale architectures. However, understanding their formation is a complex problem due to the interplay of geometric effects (entropy) and energetic interactions at the nanoscale. Spheres and rods are perhaps the most basic geometrical shapes and serve as convenient models of such dissimilar objects. The ordered phases formed by each of these individual shapes have already been explored, but, when mixed, spheres and rods have demonstrated only limited structural organization to date. We show using experiments and theory that the introduction of directional attractions between rod ends and isotropically interacting spherical nanoparticles (NPs) through DNA base pairing leads to the formation of ordered three-dimensional lattices. The spheres and rods arrange themselves in a complex alternating manner, where the spheres can form either a face-centered cubic (FCC) or hexagonal close-packed (HCP) lattice, or a disordered phase, as observed by in situ X-ray scattering. Increasing NP diameter at fixed rod length yields an initial transition from a disordered phase to the HCP crystal, energetically stabilized by rod-rod attraction across alternating crystal layers, as revealed by theory. In the limit of large NPs, the FCC structure is instead stabilized over the HCP by rod entropy. Thus, we propose that directionally specific attractions in mixtures of anisotropic and isotropic objects offer insight into unexplored self-assembly behavior of noncomplementary shaped particles.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Hot Spot Chemistry in Several Polymer-Bound Explosives under Nanosecond Shock Conditions

Initial hot spot temperatures and temperature evolutions for 4 polymer-bound explosives under shock compression by laser-driven flyer plates at speeds from 1.5–4.5 km s -1 are presented. A new averaging routine allows for improved signal to noise in shock compressed impactor experiments and yields temperature dynamics which are more accurate than has been previously available. The PBX formulations studied here consist of either pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX), 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), or 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB) in a 80/20 wt.% mixture with a silicone elastomer binder. The temperature dynamics demonstrate a unique shock strength dependence for each base explosive. The initial hot spot temperature and its evolution in time are shown to be indicative of chemistry occurring within the reaction zone of the four explosives. The number density of hot spots is qualitatively inferred from the spatially-averaged emissivity and appears to increase exponentially with shock strength. An increased emissivity for formulations consisting of TNT and TATB is consistent with carbon-rich explosives and in increased hot spot volume. Finally, qualitative conclusions about sensitivity were drawn from the initial hot spot temperature and rate at which the number of hot spots appear to grow.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Physical and chemical effects of isopropanol exchange in cement-based materials

Drying cement-based materials is a necessary step to characterize the microstructure by microscopy, adsorption, or mercury intrusion. The isopropanol (IPA) exchange method is commonly used to replace the pore solution prior to drying, as it reduces the capillary pressure and thereby helps to preserve the microstructure of the hydrated cementitious materials. However, some physical and chemical effects of IPA on hydration products have been reported. These effects cannot be completely avoided, but can be reduced by shortening the exchange duration, in particular for effects on ettringite. This study carried out experiments with different exchange durations and IPA removal techniques to address research gaps in the literature. For 1-mm cubes of cement paste with IPA diffusion coefficient of 1 × 10{sup −11} m{sup 2}/s, the compared exchange durations are 5 min, 15 min (value from the literature), 40 min (when the mixture at the sample center achieves 95% of the drop in surface tension from water to IPA), 80 min (when the IPA/water mixture at the sample center reaches an azeotrope), 5 h (when over 99% IPA is replaced at the sample center), and 24 h (prolonged exchange). After IPA exchange, samples were either directly dried at 40 °C with flushing N{sub 2} or washed by diethyl ether prior to N{sub 2} drying. Even though the exchange duration of 40 and 80 min, in theory, can reduce the damage from capillary pressure, the nitrogen adsorption results do not show any advantage in preventing microstructural alteration. The 5-h exchange provided results similar to the 24-h exchange, but the latter induced slightly more serious chemical effects resulting from the longer contact of IPA with hydration products. In addition, the compared IPA removal techniques do not show significant differences. Therefore, this study suggests using small samples (~1 mm) for microstructural studies following IPA exchange for a period corresponding to the time when 99% of the water (mole fraction) at the sample center is replaced.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Mechanisms of flame stabilisation at low lifted height in a turbulent lifted slot-jet flame

A turbulent lifted slot-jet flame is studied using direct numerical simulation (DNS). A one-step chemistry model is employed with a mixture-fraction-dependent activation energy which can reproduce qualitatively the dependence of the laminar burning rate on the equivalence ratio that is typical of hydrocarbon fuels. The basic structure of the flame base is first examined and discussed in the context of earlier experimental studies of lifted flames. Several features previously observed in experiments are noted and clarified. Some other unobserved features are also noted. Comparison with previous DNS modelling of hydrogen flames reveals significant structural differences. The statistics of flow and relative edge-flame propagation velocity components conditioned on the leading edge locations are then examined. The results show that, on average, the streamwise flame propagation and streamwise flow balance, thus demonstrating that edge-flame propagation is the basic stabilisation mechanism. Fluctuations of the edge locations and net edge velocities are, however, significant. It is demonstrated that the edges tend to move in an essentially two-dimensional (2D) elliptical pattern (laterally outwards towards the oxidiser, then upstream, then inwards towards the fuel, then downstream again). It is proposed that this is due to the passage of large eddies, as outlined in Su et al. ( Combust. Flame , vol. 144 (3), 2006, pp. 494–512). However, the mechanism is not entirely 2D, and out-of-plane motion is needed to explain how flames escape the high-velocity inner region of the jet. Finally, the time-averaged structure is examined. A budget of terms in the transport equation for the product mass fraction is used to understand the stabilisation from a time-averaged perspective. The result of this analysis is found to be consistent with the instantaneous perspective. The budget reveals a fundamentally 2D structure, involving transport in both the streamwise and transverse directions, as opposed to possible mechanisms involving a dominance of either one direction of transport. Lastly, it features upstream transport balanced by entrainment into richer conditions, while on the rich side, upstream turbulent transport and entrainment from leaner conditions balance the streamwise convection.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Insights into Sustainable Nitrogen Fixation by Gas-phase Spectroscopic Measurements and Global Modeling of Reaction Intermediates in Humid Nitrogen Plasma

In this article, there is growing interest in reacting molecular nitrogen and water to sustainably synthesize fixed forms of nitrogen such as ammonia. In particular, low-temperature plasmas can activate these relatively inert feedstocks at or near room temperature without a catalyst. However, because of the enhanced reactivity and nonequilibrium chemistry, a diverse range of products is formed, and the underlying reaction mechanisms are exceedingly complex. In this work, we studied a simplified reactor consisting of a gaseous plasma containing controlled mixtures of nitrogen gas and water vapor. Densities of key chemical species such as N, H, OH, NH, and NO were measured by emission and laser-based spectroscopy as a function of the relative humidity. A global model was constructed and the reaction network was validated by comparing calculated species densities with experiments. We discover that N, a key initial intermediate for ammonia, strongly decreases in the presence of water vapor, and as a result, ammonia formation becomes limited at high relative humidity. This decrease is surprisingly not because N itself reacts, but because one of its main sources, an excited molecular nitrogen state, is reacted away. In addition, oxidation pathways for nitrogen, which lead to NO and related products, are found to be favored over reduction pathways because the corresponding reverse reactions are less significant. Together, this understanding helps explain previously reported observations of selectivity toward nitrogen oxides over ammonia, particularly at higher relative humidities.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Progress towards edge-localized mode suppression via magnetic perturbations in hydrogen plasmas

Abstract The suppression of edge-localized modes (ELMs) by applying resonant magnetic perturbations (RMPs) is well studied in low collisionality deuterium plasmas as a measure to reduce transient divertor heat loads. However, ELM suppression has yet to be demonstrated in non-nuclear fuels such as hydrogen and hydrogen + helium mixtures which are the main ion species to be used in the ITER pre-fusion power operation (PFPO) phase. For the first time, attempts have been made to access ELM suppression with RMPs in ITER-like low collisionality hydrogen plasmas at DIII-D and ASDEX Upgrade. The DIII-D experiments focused on operation with injected power slightly above the L–H power threshold similar to the expected conditions in the ITER PFPO phase with limited external heating power. The RMPs were found to trigger H–L backtransitions, which is shown to be avoided by reducing the L–H power threshold by diluting the plasma with helium. The additional helium combined with a larger measured neutral density of hydrogen inside the separatrix compared to ELM suppressed deuterium plasmas precluded access to a pedestal top density below the known RMP-ELM suppression threshold. At ASDEX Upgrade, RMP-ELM suppression has been achieved when the concentration of 1 H in the hydrogen isotope mix is below 40 % . While all known access criteria for RMP-ELM suppression were met above this threshold, full ELM suppression was replaced by strong mitigation. The most prominent difference between the hydrogen and deuterium plasmas was a change of turbulence characteristics in the pedestal where Doppler reflectometry measurements suggest a significant reduction of turbulence even at small hydrogen concentrations. In conclusion, these experiments not only identify issues that may prevent access to RMP-ELM suppression in the ITER PFPO phase, but also highlight missing physics in our current understanding of RMP-ELM suppression such as potentially the role of turbulence in the pedestal gradient region.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Generation of ultraviolet and vacuum ultraviolet radiation

The paper describes nonlinear optical techniques that use phase-matched mixtures of metal vapors and inert gases, or, in certain cases, only inert gases for the generation of ultraviolet radiation. These systems are transparent where nonlinear crystals are opaque and their high ionization permits optical power densities of 10 to the 10 or 10 to the 11 W/sq cm to be utilized. An experiment designed to convert incident 1.064 micron radiation to 3547 A radiation is described as are experiments designed to generate vacuum ultraviolet at 1773, 1520, 1182 and 887 A. Theoretical considerations on the use of this nonlinear optical technique for the generation of soft X-rays are presented and the construction of a vacuum ultraviolet holographic grating with a fringe spacing of 836 A is reported on.

Harris, S. E.↗

Electrophoretic purification of cells in space - Evaluation of results from STS-3

The procedure and results of Electrophoresis Equipment Verification Test, designed to examine electrophoretic behavior of animal cells is suspension more concentrated than possible on earth and flown on the Shuttle flight STS-3, were discussed. Ground-based laboratory values of electrophoretic mobilities of a mixture of human and rabbit aldehyde-fixed red blood cells (RBC) were compared with those recorded at 11 minute intervals on the Shuttle STS-3. RBC migration and separation observed through photographic records were not as expected. However, cell mobilities and migrating band profiles were consistent with the results of laboratory simulation experiments. It was concluded that zero G electrophoresis of very high concentrations (1 x 10 to the 9th) is possible and similar to electrophoresis of normal cell concentrations on earth.

Sarnoff, B. E.↗

The role of high pressure experiment and theory in our understanding of gaseous and icy planets

High pressure experiments provide essential data for modeling planetary structure. Shock wave experiments are often especially suitable because they sample the same region of pressure-temperature space that is achieved naturally within the planet during its evolution. A very brief overview of planetary properties is given, followed by a summary of the issues of current interest: the behavior of hydrogen and hydrogen-rich mixtures; C, N, and O at high pressure, and rock-ice mixtures.

Stevenson, David J.↗

The Structure and Stability of Laminar Flames

This review paper on the structure and stability of laminar flames considers such phenomena as heterogeneous mixtures, acoustic instabilities, flame balls and related phenomena, radiation effects, the iodate oxidation of arsenous acid and 'liquid flame fronts', approximate kinetic mechanisms and asymptotic approximations, and tribrachial or triple flames. The topics examined here indicate three themes that may play an important role in laminar flame theory in the coming years: microgravity experiments, kinetic modeling, and turbulence modeling. In the discussion of microgravity experiments it is pointed out that access to drop towers, the Space Shuttle and, in due course, the Space Station Freedom will encourage the development of experiments well designed to isolate the fundamental physics of combustion.

Buckmaster, John↗

Buoyancy Effects in Strongly-pulsed, Turbulent Diffusion Flames

The objective of this experiment is to better understand the combustion behavior of pulsed, turbulent diffusion flames by conducting experiments in microgravity. The fuel jet is fully-modulated (i.e., completely shut off between pulses) by an externally controlled valve system leading to enhanced fuel/air mixing compared to acoustically excited or partially-modulated jets. Experiments are conducted both in laboratories at UW and WPI and in the GRC 2.2s Drop Tower. A single fuel nozzle with diameter d = 2 mm is centered in a combustor 20 x 20 cm in cross section and 67 cm in height. The gaseous fuel flow (ethylene or a 50/50 ethylene/nitrogen mixture by volume) is fully-modulated by a fast-response solenoid valve with injection times from tau = 4 to tau = 300 ms. The nominal Reynolds number based on the fuel velocity during injection, U(sub jet), is 5,000. A slow oxidizer co-flow properly ventilates the flame and an electrically heated wire loop serves as a continuous ignition source. Diagnostic techniques include video imaging, fine-wire thermocouples and thermopile radiometers, and gas sampling and standard emissions instruments (the last in the laboratory only).

Hermanson, J. C.↗

Latest Results from NASA Ames’ COSmIC and Optical Constants Facility (OCF): Determining Optical Constants for Titan, Pluto and Protoplanetary Disks Applications

The NASA Ames COsmic SImulation Chamber (COSmIC) is a unique experimental facility that can be used, among many applications, to produce solid particles from gas phase molecular precursors at low temperature (150 K) using a plasma discharge to induce the chemistry in the stream of a free jet expansion. The choice of the initial gas mixture used to produce the solid sample allows the simulation of either cold planetary atmospheres like Titan or Pluto (with N2/CH4-based initial mixtures), or circumstellar environments (with Ar/CxHy-based initial mixtures). The Ames Optical Constants Facility (OCF) allows the determination of optical constants covering a broad wavelength range with high spectral resolution for solid materials, analogs of organic refractory materials formed in planetary and astrophysical environments. The core of the OCF is a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer that allows the continuous characterization of solid samples in the visible to far-infrared (FIR) range (0.59–200 μm, 16,950–50 cm−1). Modeling of the laboratory measurements conducted with the OCF allows the determination of accurate optical constants, n and k, over the full vis-FIR range. Here we present the latest results of two studies that combined (1) experiments performed with COSmIC to produce analogs of aerosols forming in Titan’s atmosphere and analogs of cosmic grains forming in circumstellar envelops, and (2) the characterization of these analogs with the OCF to provide the real and imaginary parts of their refractive indices, n + ik, to the community, from the visible to the FIR. These optical constants can be used as critical input parameters in radiative transfer, atmospheric and reflectance models to interpret observational data of, e.g., Titan’s atmosphere and protoplanetary disks. Providing optical constants for various materials of different compositions allows to explore a broad range of composition by simulating mixtures of materials. We also present a new project to produce analogs of Pluto’s atmospheric aerosols with COSmIC and determine their optical constants with OCF, to be used in reflectance spectra models for the interpretation of New Horizons observations of Lowell Regio, Sputnik Planitia and Cthulhu.

COsmic SImulation Chamber (COSmIC)↗

An experimental and theoretical study of the electronic spectrum of the HBCl free radical

Following our previous discovery of the spectra of the HBX (X = F, Cl, and Br) free radicals [S.-G. He, F. X. Sunahori, and D. J. Clouthier, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 127, 10814 (2005)], the A{sup ~2}A{sup ″}Π−X{sup ~2}A{sup ′} band systems of the HBCl and DBCl free radicals have been studied in detail. The radicals have been prepared in a pulsed electric discharge jet using a precursor mixture of BCl{sub 3} and H{sub 2} or D{sub 2} in high pressure argon. Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) and single vibronic level emission spectra have been recorded to map out the ground and excited state vibrational energy levels. The band system involves a linear-bent transition between the two Renner-Teller components of what would be a {sup 2}Π electronic state at linearity. We have used high level ab initio theory to calculate the ground and excited state potential energy surfaces and have determined the vibronic energy levels variationally. The theory results were used to assign the LIF spectra which involve transitions from the ground state zero-point level to high vibrational levels of the excited state. The correspondence between theory and experiment, including the transition frequencies, upper state band symmetries, and H, B, and Cl isotope shifts, was used to validate the assignments.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Metallized Gelled Propellants: Oxygen/RP-1/aluminum Rocket Combustion Experiments

A series of combustion experiments were conducted to measure the specific impulse, Cstar-, and specific-impulse efficiencies of a rocket engine using metallized gelled liquid propellants. These experiments used a small 20- to 40-1bf (89- to 178-N) thrust, modular engine consisting of an injector, igniter, chamber and nozzle. The fuels used were traditional liquid RP-1 and gelled RP-1 with 0-, 5-, and 55-wt% loadings of aluminum and gaseous oxygen was the oxidizer. Ten different injectors were used during the testing: 6 for the baseline 02/RP-1 tests and 4 for the gelled fuel tests which covered a wide range of mixture ratios. At the peak of the Isp versus oxidizer-to-fuel ratio (O/F) data, a range of 93 to 99% Cstar efficiency was reached with ungelled 02/RP-1. A Cstar efficiency range of 75 to 99% was obtained with gelled RP-l (0-wt% RP-1/Al) while the metallized 5-wt% RP-1/Al delivered a Cstar efficiency of 94 to 99% at the peak Isp in the O/F range tested. An 88 to 99% Cstar efficiency was obtained at the peak Isp of the gelled RP1/Al with 55-wt% Al. Specific impulse efficiencies for the 55-wt% RP-1/Al of 67%-83% were obtained at a 2.4:1 expansion ratio. Injector erosion was evident with the 55-wt% testing, while there was little or no erosion seen with the gelled RP-1 with 0- and 5-wt% Al. A protective layer of gelled fuel formed in the firings that minimized the damage to the rocket injector face. This effect may provide a useful technique for engine cooling. These experiments represent a first step in characterizing the performance of and operational issues with gelled RP-1 fuels.

Palaszewski, Bryan↗

Extraction chromatography of 225 Ac and lanthanides on N,N-dioctyldiglycolamic acid /1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide solvent impregnated resin

The alpha-emitter 225 Ac (t 1/2 = 9.92 d) is currently under development for targeted alpha-particle therapy of cancer, and accelerator production of 225 Ac via proton irradiation of thorium targets requires robust separations of 225 Ac from chemically similar fission product lanthanides. Additionally, the lanthanide elements represent critical components in modern technologies, and radiolanthanides such as 140 Nd (t 1/2 = 3.37 d) also have potential application in the field of nuclear medicine. The ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Bmim][NTf 2 ]), combined with the diglycolamide extractant, N,N-dioctyldiglycolamic acid (DODGAA), was adsorbed on macroporous resin support to produce a solvent impregnated resin (SIR) that was investigated for separations of 225 Ac and lanthanides. The equilibrium distribution coefficients (Kd) of the rare earth elements (Sc(III), Y(III), Ln(III)), 225 Ac(III), Th(IV), and U(VI) on the prepared DODGAA/[Bmim][NTf 2 ]-SIR were determined from batch adsorption experiments in HCl and HNO 3 media. The DODGAA/[Bmim][NTf2]-SIR exhibited preferential uptake of the heavier lanthanide elements while allowing for the separation of the lighter lanthanides. Column separations utilizing the DODGAA/[Bmim][NTf 2 ]-SIR were effective at separating the lighter lanthanides from each other, and separating 225 Ac from a mixture of lanthanides, 213 Bi, and 225 Ra without the need for additional complexing agents.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Geochemical reactions and alteration of pore architecture in saturated shale after injection of stimulation fluid

Pore architecture regulates fluid flow between unconventional shale reservoir and hydraulically-induced fractures. Imbibition of stimulation fluid may change this architecture and alter hydrocarbon flow. Hydrothermal experiments were conducted at reservoir conditions (125 °C, 45 MPa) to test two hypotheses: 1) Shale, not stimulation fluid, dominates the geochemistry of an unconventional reservoir containing formation water; and 2) Mineral dissolution and precipitation induced by stimulation fluid is transient and manifests across micro-, meso-, and macro-scales of pore architecture. Experiments replicated a shut-in well in the Cretaceous Baxter Shale, Green River Basin, Wyoming USA. Stimulation fluid was injected into one experiment after formation water (I = 0.35 mol/kg, pH = 6.4) and core reacted for 48 days. This novel approach equilibrated rock and formation water and saturated pores with formation water before introducing stimulation fluid. The second experiment served as a control. Trends of aqueous calcium, silica and aluminum in the injection experiment suggest transient dissolution of calcite and feldspar and/or quartz as well as clay and barite precipitation; mineralogic evidence was limited to calcite dissolution and barite precipitation. The rock maintained reducing conditions (Eh = +0.08 to -0.16 V) despite injection of oxidizing stimulation fluid (Eh = 1.1 V). pH of the stimulation fluid-formation water mixture evolved from 2.3 to pre-injection values (~6) within 24 h. The results indicate that mineral dissolution and precipitation manifest in macropores with barely detectable alteration to micro- and mesopores. Formation water or organic matter in pores may have inhibited access of stimulation fluid to micro- and mesopores

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Modeling atomically mixed graded density impactors

Graded density impactors (GDIs) are multi-material composite impactors used in gas gun experiments to tailor the drive conditions imparted to a sample test material. Previous graded density impactors generally rely on thin, but discrete, layers of different materials. The thinner and the greater number of layers will result in smoother compression. Taken to the limit of very thin layers would be pure material 1 at one surface, such as the front surface of an impactor, smoothly transitioning at the atomic scale to pure material 2 on the back surface. Such an impactor can initially shock, then smoothly compresses a material during a dynamic experiment. This type of experiment can serve to explore a larger region of thermodynamic space than a single or even multi-shock experiments. An overview of how graded density impactors are made is reviewed and sample results are given. Additionally, a strategy for modeling these kinds of impactors is presented. The length scales of constituent mixing are given from the experimental build through electrochemical-deposition. Equation of state models for pure constituents and their subsequent mixtures are presented. It is demonstrated that the time scales for pressure and temperature equilibration, for atomically mixed GDIs, are short enough to be a justifiable closure for the resulting multiphase flow. Furthermore, we present simulation results of dynamic shock followed by a ramp compression, utilizing a silver/gold graded density impactor, onto a tantalum sample.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Measurements of complex coupling coefficients in a ring resonator of a laser gyroscope

A method is proposed for measuring complex coupling coefficients in a ring optical resonator in the absence of an active gas mixture. A setup is described on which measurements are performed in ring resonators of ring He – Ne lasers with a wavelength of 632.8 nm. A model of backscattering field interference between conservative and dissipative sources is presented. Within the framework of this model, the unusual behaviour of backscattering fields in ring resonators observed in experiments is explained: a significant difference in the moduli of coupling coefficients of counterpropagating waves and variation of the magnitude of the total phase shift in a wide range. It is proposed to use this method as a metrological method when assembling and aligning a ring resonator of a laser gyroscope.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗