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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 19 records

Impact of new experimental data on the C2HDM: the strong interdependence between LHC Higgs data and the electron EDM

The complex two-Higgs doublet model (C2HDM) is one of the simplest extensions of the Standard Model with a source of CP-violation in the scalar sector. It has a $\mathbb{Z}$ 2 symmetry, softly broken by a complex coefficient. There are four ways to implement this symmetry in the fermion sector, leading to models known as Type-I, Type-II, Lepton Specific and Flipped. In the latter three models, there is a priori the surprising possibility that the 125 GeV Higgs boson couples mostly as a scalar to top quarks, while it couples mostly as a pseudoscalar to bottom quarks. This “maximal” scenario was still possible with the data available in 2017. Since then, there have been more data on the 125 GeV Higgs boson, direct searches for CP-violation in angular correlations of $τ$-leptons produced in Higgs boson decays, new results on the electron electric dipole moment, new constraints from LHC searches for additional Higgs bosons and new results on $b$ → $sγ$ transitions. Highlighting the crucial importance of the physics results of LHC’s Run 2, we combine all these experiments and show that the “maximal” scenario is now excluded in all models. Still, one can have a pseudoscalar component in $hτ\overline{τ}$ couplings in the Lepton-Specific case as large as 87% of the scalar component for all mass orderings of the neutral scalar bosons.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Behavior of volatiles in Mars' polar areas - A model incorporating new experimental data

A model has been developed to explain the north polar water vapor results obtained by the Viking orbiter Mars atmospheric water detector; it has also been used to compute the thickness of seasonally deposited CO2 frost, the variation of the total atmospheric pressure, and wind velocities due to mass motions associated with CO2 condensation. A north polar water ice thickness in excess of 1 m and an ice albedo a of 0.34(+0.06,-0.03) are inferred from a comparison of the model and experimental data. The model results confirm an earlier conclusion that the atmosphere over the ice is saturated. It is suggested that concentration of the atmospheric inert gases in the polar region, combined with local topography and arctic circulation patterns, could be responsible for the south remnant cap not being at the south pole

Davies, D. W.↗

Advanced Modeling and Simulation Methods for Evaluation of Thermal Neutron Scattering Materials

With the rise of interest in thermal neutron scattering data for advanced reactor, criticality safety, and shielding applications, new experimental data are required for evaluation of new materials or for re-evaluation (or validations) of previously evaluated materials. New experimental data are evaluated in a three-step process: (1) computing the phonon characteristics, (2) computing the dynamic structure factor (DSF) from the data, and (3) using the experimental setup to simulate the experimental data. All three steps have challenges, ranging from the need for a sufficiently general material simulation code—a processing code that can compute the corresponding DSF—to having a detailed layout of the instrument/beamline/facility where the data were measured. Whereas phonon characteristics of materials can be computed using various methods (molecular dynamics, density functional theory, etc.), a high-fidelity computation of the DSF and the simulation of the experiment based on the DSF is vital to the accuracy of the evaluation. The latter two steps can be achieved by using the two corresponding code systems developed by instrument scientists at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory: (1) OCLIMAX, a program that calculates the dynamic structure factor from DFT and MD simulation results, and (2) MCViNE, a Monte Carlo neutron ray-tracing program designed to simulate neutron scattering experiments. Recently, polyethylene and yttrium hydride were measured at the Wide Angular-Range Chopper (ARCS) and SEQUOIA instrument stations of the SNS. These experiments are simulated using the density functional theory code, the Cambridge Serial Total Energy Package (CASTEP), to compute its phonon characteristics (eigenvalues/vectors and PDOS), which is then processed using OCLIMAX to yield the DSF, and finally the data at each instrument station are simulated by the MCViNE for comparison to the measured data for evaluation. For comparison to conventional evaluation methods, the scattering data processed from OCLIMAX are compared against those processed from the LEAPR module of NJOY, and the results from MCViNE simulations are compared against previously used simplified beamline models implemented in the Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) code.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

IAEA Photonuclear Data Library 2019

Here, photo-induced reaction cross section data are of importance for a variety of current or emerging applications, such as radiation shielding design and radiation transport analyses, calculations of absorbed dose in the human body during radiotherapy, physics and technology of fission reactors (influence of photo-reactions on neutron balance) and fusion reactors (plasma diagnostics and shielding), activation analyses, safeguards and inspection technologies, nuclear waste transmutation, medical isotope production and astrophysical applications. To address these data needs the IAEA Photonuclear Data library was produced in 1999, containing evaluated photo-induced cross sections and neutron spectra for 164 nuclides which were deemed relevant for the applications. Since the release of the IAEA Photonuclear Data Library however, new experimental data as well as new methods to assess the reliability of experimental cross sections have become available. Theoretical models and input parameters used to evaluate photo-induced reactions have improved significantly over the years. In addition, new measurements of partial photoneutron cross sections using mono-energetic photon beams and advanced neutron detection systems have been performed allowing for the validation of the evaluations and assessments of the experimental data. Furthermore, technological advances have led to the construction of new and more powerful gamma-beam facilities, therefore new data needs are emerging. We report our coordinated efforts to address these data needs and present the results of the new up-to-date evaluations included in the new updated IAEA Photonuclear Data Library consisting of 219 nuclides. The new library includes 188 new evaluations produced by the CRP evaluators, and one evaluation taken from the JENDL/PD-2016 library, while 20 evaluations were retained from the previous 1999 IAEA Photonuclear Data Library. In most of the cases, the photon energy goes up to 200 MeV. A total of 55 nuclides are new in this library reflecting the progress in measurements but also the developing data needs. In this paper we discuss the new assessment method and make recommendations to the user community in cases where the experimental data are discrepant and the assessments disagree. In addition, in the absence of experimental data, we present model predictions for photo-induced reaction cross section on nuclides of potential interest to medical radioisotope production.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

TPSAS-NF1676L-13635-DND

Objectives of AePW: Assess state-of-the-art Computational Aeroelasticity (CAe) methods as practical tools for the prediction of static and dynamic aeroelastic phenomena and responses on relevant geometries. - Perform comparative computational studies on selected test cases - Identify errors & uncertainties in computational aeroelastic methods - Identify gaps in existing aeroelastic databases - Provide roadmap of path forward (additional existing data sets, new experimental data sets, and analytical methods developments).

Walt Silva↗

Consistent Nuclear Data Evaluations for Criticality Safety

Evaluations of nuclear data are based on statistical analysis of available experimental data and their uncertainties plus model calculations and their uncertainties. As the models are currently rather limited, the evaluations are heavily biassed toward experimental data, with the caveat that a thorough analysis is also required to understand possible discrepancies between data sets. Hence, as new experimental data become available, they are incorporated into the evaluation procedure. Recent measurements of the 233 U capture to fission cross section ratio at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center have prompted a re-evaluation of the capture cross section in the resonance and fast regions up to 250 keV. We will discuss the challenges of including the new fast neutron experimental data in an evaluation that is consistent with the resonance region. We will also discuss our consistent evaluation procedure based on the Hauser-Feshbach statistical model for nuclear reactions and its application to the evaluations of 239 Pu and 139 La neutron-induced reactions.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Assessment of buffer-IPyC thermomechanical debonding behavior using new experimental strength data in BISON

TRIstructural ISOtropic (TRISO) fuel is a nuclear fuel commonly used in High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactors (HTGRs). A single sub-millimeter-diameter TRISO fuel particle consists of a spherical fuel kernel surrounded by four coating layers: a low-density pyrocarbon buffer layer, an inner pyrolytic carbon (IPyC) layer, a silicon carbide (SiC) layer, and an outer pyrolytic carbon (OPyC) layer. The kernel is commonly made of UO2 or a mixture of uranium carbide and uranium oxide (UCO). During reactor operation, the TRISO coating layers are subjected to irradiation-induced dimensional changes and the associated thermomechanical behavior of each layer. One of the observed behaviors is gap formation between the buffer and IPyC layer due to the porous buffer’s irradiation-induced shrinkage exceeding that of the IPyC layer. Not all irradiated particles will experience buffer-IPyC gap formation. The debonding may be partial, or it may be nearly total. However, from post-irradiation examination of UCO TRISO fuels irradiated as part of the Advanced Gas Reactor (AGR) Fuel Development and Qualification Program, it was concluded that partial buffer-IPyC debonding was the most common type of buffer-IPyC interaction. To predict TRISO thermomechanical performance, multi-physics models have been built that are being continually updated and refined. The BISON code is a finite element-based nuclear fuel performance code that may be used for 1D, 2D, and 3D TRISO particle simulations. This code is used to calculate fuel temperature, kernel swelling, buffer densification, thermal and irradiation creep, fracture, and fission gas production and release. One of the recent additions to the BISON code is the ability to model the process of layer debonding. This paper will focus on the simulation results of the improved BISON debonding model that will utilize updated strengths measured from irradiated AGR TRISO fuel particles. The new experimental strength data from micromechanical tests of irradiated TRISO fuel samples were exercised in the BISON simulations and compared to baseline strength data to assess their applicability in the models. This also includes updated buffer-IPyC bond strengths to simulate layer delamination. Based on current experimental observations it is noted that the buffer-IPyC separation occurs not exactly at the junction of these two layers, but more on the side of the buffer layer. That observation is also implemented in the TRISO interface debonding model. This improved modeling approach using experimental strength data to characterize buffer-IPyC debonding and its potential subsequent cracking will be presented in the paper along with comparisons to available experimental observations.

11 - NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

The combustion of pure and composite propellants - The expansion and application of laminar flame theory to heterogeneous solid propellants.

Development of a combustion theory based on the laminarized solutions to the energy and flow conservation equations, which is more realistic in recognizing the nature of the heating-rate problem and in obtaining a practical solution to estimating its magnitude. A new experimental approach is used for studying the combustion behavior of pure monopropellants and composite propellants which uses a laser beam to supply additional heat feedback to a burning surface. New experimental data are presented for the laser-induced combustion rate and ignition delay of pure ammonium perchlorate. The pure monopropellant theory is generalized to include such nonadiabatic effects, and the new experimental data are in good agreement with the nonadiabatic theory.-

Hertzberg, M.↗

16 O ⁡(𝑒,𝑒′⁢𝛼)⁢ 12 C measurements and the 12 C ⁡(𝛼,𝛾)⁢ 16 O astrophysical reaction rate

The 12 C ⁡(𝛼,𝛾)⁢ 16 O reaction, an important component of stellar helium burning, has a key role in nuclear astrophysics. It has significant impact on the evolution and final state of heavy to low mass stars, maximum mass of stellar formed black holes and also shapes the elemental abundances resulting from nucleosynthesis in such stars. Providing a reliable estimate for the energy dependence of this reaction at stellar helium burning temperatures has been a longstanding and important goal. In this work, we study the role of potential new 𝐸⁢1 and 𝐸⁢2 measurements of the 16 O ⁡(𝑒,𝑒′⁢𝛼)⁢ 12 C reaction in reducing the overall uncertainty in the astrophysical 𝑆 factor for the 12 C ⁡(𝛼,𝛾)⁢ 16 O 𝐸⁢1 and 𝐸⁢2 ground state capture extrapolated to a stellar energy of 300 keV. A multilevel 𝑅-matrix analysis is used to make extrapolations of the 𝑆 𝐸⁢1 (300 keV) and 𝑆 𝐸⁢2 (300 keV) factors for the 12 C ⁡(𝛼,𝛾)⁢ 16 O reaction from existing ground state capture data. Bayesian analysis is used to quantify the uncertainties in the extrapolations for both the existing data alone and also when possible new experimental data are included. In particular, we consider a new experiment that would make use of a high-intensity low-energy electron beam that impinges on a windowless oxygen gas target as a means to determine the total 𝐸⁢1 and 𝐸⁢2 ground state cross sections for this reaction. Here we find that the new data could significantly reduce the 𝑆⁡(300) uncertainties. Splitting the new data into high and low energy regions shows that both low and high energy data are effective in reducing the uncertainty.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Reinvestigation of the level structures of the N=49 isotones 89 Zr and 91 Mo

Here, excited states of 89 Zr and 91 Mo have been investigated using the fusion reaction 6 Li+ 89 Y at beam energy of 34 MeV. Based on new experimental data, about 16 (13) new transitions have been added to the level scheme of 89 Zr ( 91 Mo). The level structures are investigated in the framework of the spherical-basis shell model using the effective interactions JUN45 and GWBXG. Reasonable agreement is obtained between the experimental results and the calculations. The calculated results indicate the newly proposed states are characterized by proton excitations from the 1f 5/2 , 2p 3/2 , 2p 1/2 orbits to the high-j 1g 9/2 orbit. The systematic features of low lying states in the N = 49 isotones are discussed.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Developing and applying quantifiable metrics for diagnostic and experiment design on Z

This project applies methods in Bayesian inference and modern statistical methods to quantify the value of new experimental data, in the form of new or modified diagnostic configurations and/or experiment designs. We demonstrate experiment design methods that can be used to identify the highest priority diagnostic improvements or experimental data to obtain in order to reduce uncertainties on critical inferred experimental quantities and select the best course of action to distinguish between competing physical models. Bayesian statistics and information theory provide the foundation for developing the necessary metrics, using two high impact experimental platforms on Z as exemplars to develop and illustrate the technique. We emphasize that the general methodology is extensible to new diagnostics (provided synthetic models are available), as well as additional platforms. We also discuss initial scoping of additional applications that began development in the last year of this LDRD.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Experimental data for new fire-retardant materials

Report contains evaluations of flammability and physical properties of twenty-four upholstery and furnishing materials, such as those used in commercial aircraft. Data presented include degradation upon heating, limited oxygen indices, smoke generation, flammability afterglow, and char length.

Supkis, D. E.↗

Application of New Partition Coefficients to Modeling Plagioclase

Previously, studies that determined the partition coefficient for an element, i, between plagioclase and the residual basaltic melt (Di plag) have been conducted using experimental conditions dissimilar from the Moon, and thus these values are not ideal for modeling plagioclase fractionation in a lunar system. However, recent work [1] has determined partition coefficients for plagioclase at lunar oxygen fugacities, and resulted in plagioclase with Anorthite contents ≥An90; these are significantly more calcic than plagioclase in previous studies, and the An content has a profound effect on partition coefficient values [2,3]. Plagioclase D-values, which are dependent on the An content of the crystal [e.g., 2-6], can be determined using published experimental data and the correlative An contents. Here, we examine new experimental data from [1] to ascertain their effect on the calculation of equilibrium liquids from Apollo 16 sample 60635,2. This sample is a coarse grained, subophitic impact melt composed of ~55% plagioclase laths with An94.4-98.7 [7,8], distinctly more calcic than of previous partition coefficient studies (e.g., [3-6, 9-10]). Sample 60635,2 is notable as having several plagioclase trace element analyses containing a negative Europium anomaly (-Eu) in the rare-earth element (REE) profile, rather than the typical positive Eu anomaly (+Eu) [7-8] (Fig. 1). The expected +Eu is due to the similarity in size and charge with Ca2+, thereby allowing Eu2+ to be easily taken up by the plagioclase crystal structure, in contrast to the remaining REE3+. Some 60635,2 plagioclase crystals only have +Eu REE profiles, some only have -Eu REE profiles, and some +Eu and -Eu analyses in different areas on a single crystal [7, 8]. Moreover, there does not seem to be any core-rim association with the +Eu or -Eu analyses, nor does there appear to be a correlation between the size, shape, or location of a particular crystal within the sample and the sign of its Eu anomaly, which suggests a complex evolution. In order to investigate this sample further, we can calculate the equilibrium liquids, but with An contents distinct from previous experimental studies, we must calculate the appropriate partition coefficients for each trace element analysis.

Fagan, A. L.↗

Non-Boltzmann Effects in Chain Branching and Pathway Branching for Diethyl Ether Oxidation

Low-temperature (LT) engine applications have several potential benefits, including reduced emissions and increased efficiency. Attaining these benefits requires accurate kinetic modeling of LT chain branching, which depends heavily on ketohydroperoxide (KHP) decomposition. For diethyl ether (DEE), a promising biofuel, current estimates of the KHP decomposition rate constant are largely based on empirical fits to data. In this study, we investigate the most important KHP isomer in DEE LT oxidation by applying variable reaction coordinate transition state theory to the main pathway for KHP decomposition: OO bond fission to produce •OH and a keto-alkoxy radical, •OQ'O. We also use ab initio kinetics methods to investigate the decomposition of •OQ'O, where we find dominant branching to acetic acid, with the remaining flux going to CH 3 C(O)OCHO. Additionally, new time-resolved measurements of DEE and acetic acid concentrations during LT (450–600 K) DEE oxidation are obtained in a laser photolysis flow reactor coupled with multiplexed photoionization mass spectrometry. These new experimental data, along with jet-stirred reactor data in the literature, are compared with the predictions of a recent DEE mechanism (Tran et al. Proc. Comb. Inst. 2019, 37, 511-519) that was modified with the newly calculated ab initio rate constants for KHP and •OQ'O decomposition. The predictions of the modified mechanism are quite poor when compared to the experimental data; this is primarily due to the new KHP ⇌ •OQ'O + •OH rate constant, which is 1–2 orders of magnitude slower than empirical values employed in recent mechanisms. To reconcile the new KHP rate constant and the experimental data, we explore and quantify the possible role of non-Boltzmann (nB) reaction sequences. The nB reactions have a substantial effect on both the overall mechanism reactivity and the •OQ'O branching to acetic acid. We also provide guidance on the proper implementation of nB reactions in kinetic mechanisms.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Theoretical studies of spectroscopic problems of importance for atmospheric radiation measurements

Many of the instruments used to deduce the physical parameters of the Earth's atmosphere necessary for climate studies or for pollution monitoring (for instance, temperature versus pressure or number densities of trace molecules) rely on the existence of accurate spectroscopic data and an understanding of the physical processes responsible for the absorption or emission of radiation. During the summer, research was either continued or begun on three distinct problems: (1) an improved theoretical framework for the calculation of the far-wing absorption of allowed spectral lines; (2) a refinement of the calculation of the collision-induced fundamental spectrum of N2; and (3) an investigation of possible line-mixing effects in the fundamental spectrum of CH4. Progress in these three areas is summarized below. During the past few years, we have developed a theoretical framework for the calculation of the absorption of radiation by the far wings of spectral lines. Such absorption due to water vapor plays a crucial role in the greenhouse effect as well as limiting the retrieval of temperature profiles from satellite data. Several improvements in the theory have been made and the results are being prepared for publication. Last year we published results for the theoretical calculation of the absorption of radiation due to the dipoles induced during binary collisions of N2 molecules using independently measured molecular parameters; the results were in reasonable agreement with experimental data. However, recent measurements have revealed new fine structure that has been attributed to line-mixing effects. We do not think that this is correct, rather that the structure results from short-range anisotropic dipoles. We are in the process of including this refinement in our theoretical calculation in order to compare with the new experimental data. Subtle changes in the spectra of CH4 measured by researchers at Langley have also been attributed to line-mixing effects. By analyzing the same spectral lines we have attempted to verify or rule out possible line-mixing mechanisms. Due to the complexity and richness of the spectrum of this highly symmetric molecule, as well as the small magnitude of the effects, a detailed first-principle calculation of the mixing is a difficult problem. Before such a program is undertaken it is important to glean as much information as possible concerning the possible mechanisms by a systematic analysis of the existing data.

Tipping, Richard H.↗

Machine learning in nuclear materials research

Nuclear materials are often demanded to function for extended time in extreme environments, including high radiation fluxes with associated transmutations, high temperature and temperature gradients, mechanical stresses, and corrosive coolants. They also have a wide range of microstructural and chemical makeups, resulting in multifaceted and often out-of-equilibrium interactions. Machine learning (ML) is increasingly being used to tackle these complex time-dependent interactions and aid researchers in developing models and making predictions, sometimes with better accuracy than traditional modeling that focuses on one or two parameters at a time. Conventional practices of acquiring new experimental data in nuclear materials research are often slow and expensive, limiting the opportunity for data-centric ML, but new methods are changing that paradigm. Here we review high-throughput computational and experimental data approaches, especially robotic experimentation and active learning that is based on Gaussian process and Bayesian optimization. We show ML examples in structural materials (e.g., reactor pressure vessel (RPV) alloys and radiation detecting scintillating materials) and highlight new techniques of high-throughput sample preparation and characterizations, and automated radiation/environmental exposures and real-time online diagnostics. Herein, this review suggests that ML models of material constitutive relations in plasticity, damage, and even electronic and optical responses to radiation are likely to become powerful tools as they develop. Finally, we speculate on how the recent trends of using natural language processing (NLP) to aid the collection and analysis of literature data, interpretable artificial intelligence (AI), and the use of streamlined scripting, database, workflow management, and cloud computing platforms that will soon make the utilization of ML techniques as commonplace as the spreadsheet curve-fitting practices of today.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗