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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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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

The Solid Angle for a Spherical Surface Source and a Detector with an Arbitrary Aperture: An Elegant Proof

It has previously been proven that the solid angle (or geometry factor, also called the geometrical efficiency) for a spherically symmetric outward-directed surface source with an arbitrary radius and polar angle distribution and an arbitrary detector aperture is equal to the solid angle for an isotropic point source located at the center of the spherical surface source and the same detector aperture. The solid angle for a source-detector system is the fraction of source particles that enter the detector aperture and so it is not purely geometric-the angular distribution of the source is a factor. The previous proof relied on an analytic transport-theory (streaming only) calculation of the solid angle Ω for a spherically symmetric surface source and a point detector. In this paper, a new, more elegant proof is given. Since the net current across any portion of a plane that intersects the center of a spherical surface source is zero, the solid angle for a spherical surface source with any polar angle distribution and a uniform azimuthal angle distribution and any detector aperture is equal to the solid angle for an isotropic point source and the same detector. This insight obviates the calculus and trigonometry involved in the previous proof. (author)

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2016

The solid angle (geometry factor) for a spherical surface source and an arbitrary detector aperture

It is proven that the solid angle (or geometry factor, also called the geometrical efficiency) for a spherically symmetric outward-directed surface source with an arbitrary radius and polar angle distribution and an arbitrary detector aperture is equal to the solid angle for an isotropic point source located at the center of the spherical surface source and the same detector aperture.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2025

On MCNP Stochastic Volume Estimation Normalization

This paper resolves a perennial point of confusion regarding the source-weighting normalization factor recommended in the MCNP manual (𝜋⁢𝑟 2 ) to stochastically estimate the volume of a region within an enclosing inward-directed spherical surface source with radius 𝑟. The normalization factor arises from the relationship between a sphere’ s mean chord length, its volume, and the values estimated by MCNP track-length tallies. A brief derivation is given that relates these quantities and results in the stated normalization. The correctness of this factor is demonstrated by estimating the volume of a variety of convex and nonconvex volumes. A heuristic demonstration of how biasing the inward-directed source reduces the statistical uncertainty of the stochastic volume estimate is also given, but a rigorous analysis of this improvement is left as future work.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2025

On Alfvénic turbulence of solar wind streams observed by Solar Orbiter during March 2022 perihelion and their source regions

It has been recently accepted that the standard classification of the solar wind solely according to flow speed is outdated, and particular interest has been devoted to the study of the origin and evolution of so-called Alfvénic slow solar wind streams and to what extent such streams resemble or differ from fast wind. In March 2022, Solar Orbiter completed its first nominal phase perihelion passage. During this interval, it observed several Alfvénic streams, allowing for characterization of fluctuations in three slow wind intervals (AS1-AS3) and comparison with a fast wind stream (F) at almost the same heliocentric distance. This work makes use of Solar Orbiter plasma parameters from the Solar Wind Analyzer (SWA) and magnetic field measurements from the magnetometer (MAG). The magnetic connectivity to the solar sources of selected solar wind intervals was reconstructed using a ballistic extrapolation based on measured solar wind speed down to the (spherical) source surface at 2.5 R s below which a potential field extrapolation was used to map back to the Sun. The source regions were identified using SDO/AIA observations. A spectral analysis of in situ measured magnetic field and velocity fluctuations was performed to characterize correlations, Alfvénicity, normalized cross-helicity, and residual energy in the frequency domain as well as intermittency of the fluctuations and spectral energy transfer rate estimated via mixed third-order moments. A machine learning technique was used to separate proton core, proton beam, and alpha particles and to study v − b correlations for the different ion populations in order to evaluate the role played by each population in determining the Alfvénic content of solar wind fluctuations. The comparison between fast wind and Alfvénic slow wind intervals highlights the differences between the two solar wind regimes: The fast wind is characterized by larger amplitude fluctuations, and magnetic and velocity fluctuations are closer to equipartition of energy. In fact the Alfvénic slow wind streams appear to be on a spectrum of wind types, with AS1, originating from open field lines neighboring active regions and displaying similarities with the fast wind in terms of fluctuation amplitude and turbulence characteristics, but not with respect to the alpha particles and proton beams. The other two slow streams differed both in their sources as well as plasma characteristics, with AS2 coming from the expansion of a narrow coronal hole corridor and AS3 from a region straddling a pseudostreamer. The latter displayed the coldest and highest density but the slowest stream with the smallest fluctuation amplitude and greatest magnetic energy excess. It also showed the largest scatter in proton beam speeds and the greatest difference in speed between proton beam and alpha particles. This study shows how the old fast–slow solar wind dichotomy, already called into question by the observations of slower Alfvénic solar wind streams, should further be refined, as the Alfvénic slow wind, originating in different solar wind regions, show significant differences in density, temperature, and proton and alpha-particle properties in the inner heliosphere. The observations presented here provide the starting point for a better understanding of the origin and evolution of different solar wind streams as well as the evolving turbulence contained within.

magnetohydrodynamics (MHD)↗
DOE OSTI2016

MAGNETO-FRICTIONAL MODELING OF CORONAL NONLINEAR FORCE-FREE FIELDS. I. TESTING WITH ANALYTIC SOLUTIONS

We report our implementation of the magneto-frictional method in the Message Passing Interface Adaptive Mesh Refinement Versatile Advection Code (MPI-AMRVAC). The method aims at applications where local adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) is essential to make follow-up dynamical modeling affordable. We quantify its performance in both domain-decomposed uniform grids and block-adaptive AMR computations, using all frequently employed force-free, divergence-free, and other vector comparison metrics. As test cases, we revisit the semi-analytic solution of Low and Lou in both Cartesian and spherical geometries, along with the topologically challenging Titov–Démoulin model. We compare different combinations of spatial and temporal discretizations, and find that the fourth-order central difference with a local Lax–Friedrichs dissipation term in a single-step marching scheme is an optimal combination. The initial condition is provided by the potential field, which is the potential field source surface model in spherical geometry. Various boundary conditions are adopted, ranging from fully prescribed cases where all boundaries are assigned with the semi-analytic models, to solar-like cases where only the magnetic field at the bottom is known. Our results demonstrate that all the metrics compare favorably to previous works in both Cartesian and spherical coordinates. Cases with several AMR levels perform in accordance with their effective resolutions. The magneto-frictional method in MPI-AMRVAC allows us to model a region of interest with high spatial resolution and large field of view simultaneously, as required by observation-constrained extrapolations using vector data provided with modern instruments. The applications of the magneto-frictional method to observations are shown in an accompanying paper.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

STELLAR ROTATION EFFECTS IN POLARIMETRIC MICROLENSING

It is well known that the polarization signal in microlensing events of hot stars is larger than that of main-sequence stars. Most hot stars rotate rapidly around their stellar axes. The stellar rotation creates ellipticity and gravity-darkening effects that break the spherical symmetry of the source's shape and the circular symmetry of the source's surface brightness respectively. Hence, it causes a net polarization signal for the source star. This polarization signal should be considered in polarimetric microlensing of fast rotating stars. For moderately rotating stars, lensing can magnify or even characterize small polarization signals due to the stellar rotation through polarimetric observations. The gravity-darkening effect due to a rotating source star creates asymmetric perturbations in polarimetric and photometric microlensing curves whose maximum occurs when the lens trajectory crosses the projected position of the rotation pole on the sky plane. The stellar ellipticity creates a time shift (i) in the position of the second peak of the polarimetric curves in transit microlensing events and (ii) in the peak position of the polarimetric curves with respect to the photometric peak position in bypass microlensing events. By measuring this time shift via polarimetric observations of microlensing events, we can evaluate the ellipticity of the projected source surface on the sky plane. Given the characterizations of the FOcal Reducer and low dispersion Spectrograph (FORS2) polarimeter at the Very Large Telescope, the probability of observing this time shift is very small. The more accurate polarimeters of the next generation may well measure these time shifts and evaluate the ellipticity of microlensing source stars.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

New Yield Estimates for Nuclear Detonations Over Water

One of the primary methods used by the United States to estimate the yields of atmospheric nuclear tests performed in the 1940’s, 50’s, and 60’s was to film each detonation with a high-speed camera, measure the blast radius as a function of time, and then use Taylor’s spherical blast wave equation to calculate the source energy (i.e., the yield). For surface detonations, the yield in Taylor’s equation was assumed to be twice as large as the actual yield to account for the energy reflected from the surface, assuming the ground was a perfect reflector. Recent simulations of surface detonations over water (referred to as barge shots) have shown that Taylor’s equation must be modified further to account for material entrainment and heat losses. We have computed this lost energy using a high-order radiation-hydrodynamics code to determine the reduction in blast radius vs. time. By analyzing simulation data in the same manner as film data, we have determined that a yield correction factor of 1.27± 0.04 should be applied to the barge shots.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗
DOE OSTI2021

Simulations of applications using diaboloid mirrors

The diaboloid is a reflecting surface that converts a spherical wave to a cylindrical wave. This complex surface may find application in new Advanced Light Source bending-magnet beamlines or in other beamlines that now use toroidal optics for astigmatic focusing. Here, the numerical implementation of diaboloid mirrors is described, and the benefit of this mirror in beamlines exploiting diffraction-limited storage rings is studied by ray tracing. The use of diaboloids becomes especially interesting for the new low-emittance storage rings because the reduction of aberration becomes essential for such small sources. Here, the validity of the toroidal and other mirror surfaces approximating the diaboloid, and the effect of the mirror magnification, are discussed.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Geodetic imaging of thermal deformation in geothermal reservoirs - production, depletion and fault reactivation

Here, we investigate thermally induced surface deformation in geothermal systems. To define source mechanisms at depth, we assess the mechanical process of subsurface deformation by assuming a spherically cooled fractured reservoir in an infinite medium and derive relations that define magnitudes of thermal contraction, stress change and permeability evolution. The magnitude of thermal deformation in typical geothermal system is larger than anticipated and suggests two different modalities of surface subsidence – thermal contraction and fault reactivation. Here, surface deformation (vertical displacement, surface tilt and horizontal strain) induced by the two different modalities are assessed with Mogi (contraction) and Okada (slip) models and compared with instrumental sensitivity of high precision surface geodetic tools. Here, we show that 1 year of geothermal operation at 10 MW with a power plant conversion efficiency of 12% can yield ~ 3.0 × 10 4 m 3 of subsurface volume change. For a reservoir at 2000 m depth, this induces ~ 1.7 mm of vertical surface displacement, ~ 800 nano-radians of surface tilt and ~ 900 nano-strains of surface strain. This result implies that typically observed magnitudes of surface subsidence (order of cm/year) are naturally expected in massive (100 MW scale) geothermal operations and observed surface subsidence may largely be the result of thermal contraction. Conversely, thermal unloading can trigger fault reactivation. Analysis with an Okada slip model shows these shear offsets on pre-existing faults can also result in surface deformations of considerable magnitude. Our analysis of field operational data from various geothermal projects suggests that both thermal contraction and slow fault reactivation may contribute to the observed large surface deformation. Comparison of predicted deformation with instrumental sensitivity of high precision surface tools confirms that geodetic signals, especially tilt and strain, are indeed sufficiently large to describe reservoir evolution and to potentially deconvolve reservoir parameters of interest, such as permeability.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Comparison of Heat Flux Predictions over the Blottner Cylinder and Sphere

The prediction of heat flux over a sphere in hypersonic flow is an interesting and challenging problem. When using solutions to the Navier-Stokes equations to predict the heat flux, a common source of numerical error is a phenomenon known as 'grid imprinting'. Rather than the axisymmetric heat flux profile expected for a spherical surface, the topology of the grid can be seen in the surface heat flux distribution. We will examine the origin of this phenomenon; specifically the regions of the grid that contribute most. Comparisons will be made between second order finite volume and Discontinuous Galerkin (DG) results — the DG results will range from 2 nd to 4 th order. The Dual Weighted Residual (DWR) framework is used to obtain local error estimates for the heat flux integrated over the surface with respect to the grid for the DG results.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

ON THE ORIGIN OF INNER COMA STRUCTURES OBSERVED BY ROSETTA DURING A DIURNAL ROTATION OF COMET 67P/CHURYUMOV–GERASIMENKO

The Rosetta probe around comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko (67P) reveals an anisotropic dust distribution of the inner coma with jet-like structures. The physical processes leading to jet formation are under debate, with most models for cometary activity focusing on localized emission sources, such as cliffs or terraced regions. Here we suggest, by correlating high-resolution simulations of the dust environment around 67P with observations, that the anisotropy and the background dust density of 67P originate from dust released across the entire sunlit surface of the nucleus rather than from few isolated sources. We trace back trajectories from coma regions with high local dust density in space to the non-spherical nucleus and identify two mechanisms of jet formation: areas with local concavity in either two dimensions or only one. Pits and craters are examples of the first case; the neck region of the bi-lobed nucleus of 67P is an example of the latter case. The conjunction of multiple sources, in addition to dust released from all other sunlit areas, results in a high correlation coefficient (∼0.8) of the predictions with observations during a complete diurnal rotation period of 67P.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Highly Sensitive and Selective Detection of Amoxicillin Using Carbon Quantum Dots Derived from Beet

In the present work, we synthesized the carbon quantum dots (CQDs) by one step hydrothermal method using the dried beet powder as the carbon source without additional chemical reagents and functionalization. The as-prepared CQDs are quasi-spherical carbon nanoparticles with diameters of 4–8 nm as well as surface functional groups such as carboxyl and hydroxyl groups, and exhibit good water-solubility, biocompatibility, and strong fluorescence. It is confirmed that amoxicillin (AMO) could enhance the fluorescent intensity of CQDs, the I/I{sub 0} showed a linear correlation between the intensity of fluorescence and the concentration of AMO in a broad range. These superior properties render a potential application of the CQDs in biomedical.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Synthesis and catalytic activity of the metastable phase of gold phosphide

Recently, transition metal phosphides have found new applications as catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction that has generated an impetus to synthesize these materials at the nanoscale. In this work, Au{sub 2}P{sub 3} was synthesized utilizing the high temperature decomposition of tri-n-octylphosphine as a source of elemental phosphorous. Gold nanorods were used as morphological templates with the aim of controlling the shape and size of the resulting gold phosphide particles. We demonstrate that the surface capping ligand of the gold nanoparticle precursors can influence the purity and extent to which the gold phosphide phase will form. Gold nanorods functionalized with 1-dodecanethiol undergo digestive ripening to produce discrete spherical particles that exhibit reduced reactivity towards phosphorous, resulting in low yields of the gold phosphide. In contrast, gold phosphide was obtained as a phase pure product when cetyltrimethylammonium bromide functionalized gold nanorods are used instead. The Au{sub 2}P{sub 3} nanoparticles exhibited higher activity than polycrystalline gold towards the hydrogen evolution reaction. - Graphical abstract: Au{sub 2}P{sub 3} was synthesized utilizing the high temperature decomposition of tri-n-octylphosphine as a source of elemental phosphorous and gold nanoparticles as reactants. We demonstrate that the surface capping ligand of the gold nanoparticle precursors influence the purity and extent to which the Au{sub 2}P{sub 3} phase will form. Gold nanorods functionalized with 1-dodecanethiol undergo digestive ripening to produce discrete spherical particles that exhibit reduced reactivity towards phosphorous, resulting in low yields of the gold phosphide. In contrast, gold phosphide was obtained as a phase pure product when cetyltrimethylammonium bromide functionalized gold nanoparticles are used instead. The Au{sub 2}P{sub 3} nanoparticles exhibited higher activity than polycrystalline gold towards the hydrogen evolution reaction. - Highlights: • The surface chemistry of gold affects the synthetic yields of Au{sub 2}P{sub 3}. • Imaging of Au{sub 2}P{sub 3} with transmission electron microscopy results in decomposition. • Au{sub 2}P{sub 3} nanoparticles exhibit activity towards the hydrogen evolution reaction.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Tribological Performance of Ni{sub 3}Al Matrix Self-Lubricating Composites Containing Multilayer Graphene Prepared by Additive Manufacturing

In order to improve tribological performance of Ni{sub 3}Al-based alloy, Ni{sub 3}Al matrix composites containing 1.5 wt.% multilayer graphene (MLG) are prepared through additive manufacturing (AM) and spark plasma sintering (SPS), which are denoted as NMAM and NMSPS, respectively. Tribological behaviors of NMAM and NMSPS against Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} balls are researched under constant speed (0.2 m/s) and varied loads (from 4 to 16 N) for evaluating the tribological properties of NMAM and NMSPS. The results present that NMAM exhibits the excellent tribological properties [low friction coefficients (0.26-0.40) and considerable wear resistance (2.8-4.6 × 10{sup −5} mm{sup 3} N{sup −1} m{sup −1})] as compared to NMSPS, which attributes to the uniform enrichment of MLG with properties of high tensile strength and being easily sheared off on the worn surfaces. Owing to the use of spherical prealloyed powder containing multilayer graphene and the characteristics of layer by layer depositing in the AM process, NMAM has a more compact and uniform substrate, which persistently provides a source of the formation of continuous and stable frictional layer. Due to the characteristics of AM rapid solidification, NMAM has the small grain size and well-compacted microstructure, which can effectively reduce the probability of spalling wear and lead to the increase in wear resistance of materials. The research can offer the reference for self-lubricating materials prepared by AM technology.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Nano-carbons from waste tyre rubber: An insight into structure and morphology

Highlights: • Synthesis of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) from waste tyre rubber (WTR). • High temperature approach. • Nano-spherical carbons (diameters: 30-40 nm, specific surface area: 117.7 m{sup 2}/g). - Abstract: This study reports on the novel and sustainable synthesis of high value carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) from waste tyre rubber (WTR), using an innovative high temperature approach. As waste tyres are composed, primarily, of carbon – accounting for some 81.2 wt% – they represent a promising source of carbon for many potential applications. However, cost-effective options for their processing are limited and, consequently, billions of waste tyres have accumulated in landfills and stockpiles, posing a serious global environmental threat. The rapid, high temperature transformation of low value WTR to produce valuable CNPs, reported here, addresses this challenge. In this study, the transformation of WTRs was carried out at 1550 °C over different reaction times (5 s to 20 min). The structure and morphology of the resulting CNPs were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photon spectroscopy (XPS), N{sub 2} isothermal adsorption method and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The formation of CNPs with diameters of 30 and 40 nm was confirmed by Field Emission Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM). Longer heating times also resulted in CNPs with regular and uniform spherical shapes and a specific surface area of up to 117.7 m{sup 2}/g, after 20 min. A mechanism that describes the formation of CNPs through mesophase nuclei intermediate is suggested.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2020

Error field correction strategies in preparation to MAST-U operation

In magnetic fusion devices, unwanted non-axisymmetric magnetic field perturbations, known as error fields (EF), can have detrimental effects on plasma stability and confinement. Such EFs may originate from several sources, such as axi-symmetric coil misalignments, coil feeds, 3D structures in the wall surrounding the plasma, presence of ferromagnetic materials near the plasma surface, blanket materials in future devices. To minimize their impact on plasma performance and on the available operational space, it is important to identify the EF sources and develop EF control strategies. MAST Upgrade (MAST-U) is a spherical tokamak which will operate in the near future after a series of enhancements from the previous MAST experiment. To deliver a machine with EF amplitude low enough to allow a high quality experimental programme, systematic analysis of the intrinsic EF sources has been carried out for poloidal eld (P) and divertor (D) coils. To deliver a machine with EF amplitude low enough to allow a high quality experimental programme, systematic analysis of the intrinsic EF sources has been carried out for poloidal field (P) and divertor (D) coils, whose magnetic eld measurements were available when writing this paper. Such measurements reveal that P and D coils are 3D deformed and thus are responsible for intrinsic EFs, with mainly n=1 and n=2 toroidal mode numbers. In preparation to MAST-U operation, both passive and active EF control strategies have been adopted for n=1 and n=2 EFs compensation. Passive EF control consisted of installing finely each D and P coil within MAST-U device so as to minimize the intrinsic n=1 EF amplitude. The optimal coil alignment has been determined based on magnetic eld measurements and the corresponding 3D electro-magnetic modelling, and envisaged coil shift and tilt of 3.2 mm and 0.7 mrad, respectively, in the case of P coil named P4. Conversely, active control will be use during MAST-U operation to reduce the n=2 EF which is associated mainly with P4 and P5, as well. Since these coils have been re-used from the MAST device, studies attempting n=2 EF control, based on MAST plasmas, have been modelled utilizing the MARS-F code to interpret experimental results in MAST and to give hints for future n=2 EF control studies in MAST-U. Here, a model-based control set for n=2 EF control has been identified which would allow for the minimization of rotation braking, of the resonant magnetic field at the q=2 and of the plasma displacement in MAST-U, simultaneously.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Scrape-off layer stability, turbulence and transport in MAST-U (Final Report)

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) supported work at Lodestar Research Corporation under grant DE-SC0019270 is summarized in this final report. The research conducted under this grant explored the properties of the edge plasma in spherical torus magnetic fusion devices. Harnessing the energy that is released in fusion reactions would provide a safe and abundant source of power to meet the growing energy needs of the world population. The edge and scrape-off layer (SOL) region of fusion plasmas is the region where the hot core plasma transitions to a cooler surrounding boundary plasma. The properties of this boundary plasma determine how interactions with material surfaces will impact both the overall device performance and the lifetime of crucial components such as the walls of the device chamber and other hardware. The research carried out studied filamentary plasma instabilities and turbulent transport in the edge and SOL of the MAST U spherical torus.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

A spherical shell target scheme for laser-driven neutron sources

A scheme for neutron production is investigated in which an ultra-intense laser is irradiated into a two-layer (deuterium and aurum) spherical shell target through the cone shaped entrance hole. It is found that the energy conversion efficiency from laser to target can reach as high as 71%, and deuterium ions are heated to a maximum energy of several MeV from the inner layer surface. These ions are accelerated towards the center of the cavity and accumulated finally with a high density up to tens of critical density in several picoseconds. Two different mechanisms account for the efficient yield of the neutrons in the cavity: (1) At the early stage, the neutrons are generated by the high energy deuterium ions based on the “beam-target” approach. (2) At the later stage, the neutrons are generated by the thermonuclear fusion when the most of the deuterium ions reach equilibrium in the cavity. It is also found that a large number of deuterium ions accelerated inward can pass through the target center and the outer Au layer and finally stopped in the CD{sub 2} layer. This also causes efficient yield of neutrons inside the CD{sub 2} layer due to “beam-target” approach. A postprocessor has been designed to evaluate the neutron yield and the neutron spectrum is obtained.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗