Coarse-grained Mineral Dust Deposition in Alpine Lake Sediments: Implications for Regional Drought Patterns and Land-use Changes in the Southwest USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pedraza, A.; Kingsley, C.; Marchitto, T. M., Jr.; Lora, J. M.; Pollen, A.; Vollmer, T.; Leithold, E. L.; Mitchell, J.; Tripati, A. K.; Bhattacharya, A.

2017-12-01

Mineral dust accumulation is often causally associated with aridity. However, the relation might not be as straightforward. Consideration of grain sizes and geochemical fingerprinting of the coarse grain fraction will clearly have an impact on how we interpret the sedimentary record of mineral dust in depositional environments e.g. coarse grain fractions of mineral dust would most certainly be transported over relatively short distances and as such in depositional environments, the depositional rate of coarse grains must be determined in order to reliably understand erosional patterns associated with meteorological events (such as frequency of intense wind events such as tornadoes), climatological phenomenon (such as regional droughts) as well as more recently land-use changes. In this study we separate the two size fractions of mineral dust accumulation- fine fraction (typically <4 microns) and coarse fraction (typically >25 microns using grain size analysis from well-studied cores collected from several lake sites distributed across the western southwestern and the Great Plain regions; furthermore we use trace element analysis in each size fraction to identify contributing source regions. We find evidence that the coarser-grain size fraction in the studied lake cores could be of regional origin (and not just local in orgin);. the coarser fraction also appears to be related to intense meteorological events (i.e., the occurrence of cyclones). Analysis is underway to understand the impact of land-use changes on coarse grain fraction

Effect of temperature and grain size on the dominant diffusion process for superplastic flow in an AZ61 magnesium alloy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Watanabe, H.; Mukai, T.; Kohzu, M.

1999-10-26

The effect of temperature and grain size on superplastic flow was investigated using a relatively coarse-grained ({approximately}20 {micro}m) Mg-Al-Zn alloy for the inclusive understanding of the dominant diffusion process. Tensile tests revealed that the strain rate was inversely proportional to the square of the grain size and to the second power of stress. The activation energy was close to that for grain boundary diffusion at 523--573 K, and was close to that for lattice diffusion at 598--673 K. From the analysis of the stress exponent, the grain size exponent and activation energy, it was suggested that the dominant diffusion processmore » was influenced by temperature and grain size. It was demonstrated that the notion of effective diffusivity explained the experimental results.« less

Can high resolution 3D topographic surveys provide reliable grain size estimates in gravel bed rivers?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pearson, E.; Smith, M. W.; Klaar, M. J.; Brown, L. E.

2017-09-01

High resolution topographic surveys such as those provided by Structure-from-Motion (SfM) contain a wealth of information that is not always exploited in the generation of Digital Elevation Models (DEMs). In particular, several authors have related sub-metre scale topographic variability (or 'surface roughness') to sediment grain size by deriving empirical relationships between the two. In fluvial applications, such relationships permit rapid analysis of the spatial distribution of grain size over entire river reaches, providing improved data to drive three-dimensional hydraulic models, allowing rapid geomorphic monitoring of sub-reach river restoration projects, and enabling more robust characterisation of riverbed habitats. However, comparison of previously published roughness-grain-size relationships shows substantial variability between field sites. Using a combination of over 300 laboratory and field-based SfM surveys, we demonstrate the influence of inherent survey error, irregularity of natural gravels, particle shape, grain packing structure, sorting, and form roughness on roughness-grain-size relationships. Roughness analysis from SfM datasets can accurately predict the diameter of smooth hemispheres, though natural, irregular gravels result in a higher roughness value for a given diameter and different grain shapes yield different relationships. A suite of empirical relationships is presented as a decision tree which improves predictions of grain size. By accounting for differences in patch facies, large improvements in D50 prediction are possible. SfM is capable of providing accurate grain size estimates, although further refinement is needed for poorly sorted gravel patches, for which c-axis percentiles are better predicted than b-axis percentiles.

The OsmiR396c-OsGRF4-OsGIF1 regulatory module determines grain size and yield in rice.

PubMed

Li, Shuangcheng; Gao, Fengyan; Xie, Kailong; Zeng, Xiuhong; Cao, Ye; Zeng, Jing; He, Zhongshan; Ren, Yun; Li, Wenbo; Deng, Qiming; Wang, Shiquan; Zheng, Aiping; Zhu, Jun; Liu, Huainian; Wang, Lingxia; Li, Ping

2016-11-01

Grain weight is the most important component of rice yield and is mainly determined by grain size, which is generally controlled by quantitative trait loci (QTLs). Although numerous QTLs that regulate grain weight have been identified, the genetic network that controls grain size remains unclear. Herein, we report the cloning and functional analysis of a dominant QTL, grain length and width 2 (GLW2), which positively regulates grain weight by simultaneously increasing grain length and width. The GLW2 locus encodes OsGRF4 (growth-regulating factor 4) and is regulated by the microRNA miR396c in vivo. The mutation in OsGRF4 perturbs the OsmiR396 target regulation of OsGRF4, generating a larger grain size and enhanced grain yield. We also demonstrate that OsGIF1 (GRF-interacting factors 1) directly interacts with OsGRF4, and increasing its expression improves grain size. Our results suggest that the miR396c-OsGRF4-OsGIF1 regulatory module plays an important role in grain size determination and holds implications for rice yield improvement. © 2016 The Authors. Plant Biotechnology Journal published by Society for Experimental Biology and The Association of Applied Biologists and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Grain boundary and triple junction diffusion in nanocrystalline copper

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wegner, M.; Leuthold, J.; Peterlechner, M.; Song, X.; Divinski, S. V.; Wilde, G.

2014-09-01

Grain boundary and triple junction diffusion in nanocrystalline Cu samples with grain sizes, , of ˜35 and ˜44 nm produced by spark plasma sintering were investigated by the radiotracer method using the 63Ni isotope. The measured diffusivities, Deff, are comparable with those determined previously for Ni grain boundary diffusion in well-annealed, high purity, coarse grained, polycrystalline copper, substantiating the absence of a grain size effect on the kinetic properties of grain boundaries in a nanocrystalline material at grain sizes d ≥ 35 nm. Simultaneously, the analysis predicts that if triple junction diffusion of Ni in Cu is enhanced with respect to the corresponding grain boundary diffusion rate, it is still less than 500ṡDgb within the temperature interval from 420 K to 470 K.

In situ synchrotron investigation of grain growth behavior of nano-grained UO 2

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Miao, Yinbin; Yao, Tiankai; Lian, Jie

Here, we report on the study of grain growth kinetics in nano-grained UO 2 samples. Dense nano-grained UO 2 samples with well-controlled stoichiometry and grain size were fabricated using the spark plasma sintering technique. To determine the grain growth kinetics at elevated temperatures, a synchrotron wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) study was performed in situ to measure the real-time grain size evolution based on the modified Williamson-Hall analysis. The unique grain growth kinetics of nanocrystalline UO 2 at 730 °C and 820 °C were observed and explained by the difference in mobility of various grain boundaries.

In situ synchrotron investigation of grain growth behavior of nano-grained UO 2

DOE PAGES

Miao, Yinbin; Yao, Tiankai; Lian, Jie; ...

2017-01-09

Here, we report on the study of grain growth kinetics in nano-grained UO 2 samples. Dense nano-grained UO 2 samples with well-controlled stoichiometry and grain size were fabricated using the spark plasma sintering technique. To determine the grain growth kinetics at elevated temperatures, a synchrotron wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) study was performed in situ to measure the real-time grain size evolution based on the modified Williamson-Hall analysis. The unique grain growth kinetics of nanocrystalline UO 2 at 730 °C and 820 °C were observed and explained by the difference in mobility of various grain boundaries.

Underwater microscope for measuring spatial and temporal changes in bed-sediment grain size

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rubin, David M.; Chezar, Henry; Harney, Jodi N.; Topping, David J.; Melis, Theodore S.; Sherwood, Christopher R.

2007-01-01

For more than a century, studies of sedimentology and sediment transport have measured bed-sediment grain size by collecting samples and transporting them back to the laboratory for grain-size analysis. This process is slow and expensive. Moreover, most sampling systems are not selective enough to sample only the surficial grains that interact with the flow; samples typically include sediment from at least a few centimeters beneath the bed surface. New hardware and software are available for in situ measurement of grain size. The new technology permits rapid measurement of surficial bed sediment. Here we describe several systems we have deployed by boat, by hand, and by tripod in rivers, oceans, and on beaches.

Underwater Microscope for Measuring Spatial and Temporal Changes in Bed-Sediment Grain Size

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rubin, David M.; Chezar, Henry; Harney, Jodi N.; Topping, David J.; Melis, Theodore S.; Sherwood, Christopher R.

2006-01-01

For more than a century, studies of sedimentology and sediment transport have measured bed-sediment grain size by collecting samples and transporting them back to the lab for grain-size analysis. This process is slow and expensive. Moreover, most sampling systems are not selective enough to sample only the surficial grains that interact with the flow; samples typically include sediment from at least a few centimeters beneath the bed surface. New hardware and software are available for in-situ measurement of grain size. The new technology permits rapid measurement of surficial bed sediment. Here we describe several systems we have deployed by boat, by hand, and by tripod in rivers, oceans, and on beaches.

BHQ revisited (1) - Looking at grain size

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heilbronner, Renée; Kilian, Rüdiger; Tullis, Jan

2016-04-01

Black Hills Quartzite (BHQ) has been used extensively in experimental rock deformation for numerous studies. Coaxial and general shear experiments have been carried out, for example, to define the dislocation creep regimes of quartz (Hirth & Tullis, 1992), to determine the effect of annealing (Heilbronner & Tullis, 2002) or to study the development of texture and microstructure with strain (Heilbronner & Tullis, 2006). BHQ was also used to determine the widely used quartz piezometer by Stipp & Tullis (2003). Among the microstructure analyses that were performed in those original papers, grain size was usually determined using CIP misorientation images. However, the CIP method (= computer-integrated polarization microscopy, details in Heilbronner and Barrett, 2014) is only capable of detecting the c-axis orientation of optically uniaxial materials and hence is only capable of detecting grain boundaries between grains that differ in c-axis orientation. One of the puzzling results we found (Heilbronner & Tullis, 2006) was that the recrystallized grain size seemed to depend on the crystallographic preferred orientation of the domain. In other words the grain size did not only depend on the flow stress but also on the orientation of the c-axis w/r to the shear direction. At the time, no EBSD analysis (electron back scatter diffraction) was carried out and hence the full crystallographic orientation was not known. In principle it is therefore possible that we missed some grain boundaries (between grains with parallel c-axes) and miscalculated our grain sizes. In the context of recent shear experiments on quartz gouge at the brittle-viscous transition (see Richter et al., this conference), where EBSD is used to measure the recrystallized grain size, we wanted to re-measure the CIP grain sizes of our 2006 samples (deformed in regime 1, 2 and 3 of dislocation) in exactly the same way. In two companion posters we use EBSD orientation imaging to repeat, refine and expand the microstructure and texture analysis of Heilbronner & Tullis (2006). Here, in poster (1), we focus on the recrystallized grain size with the aim of (a) comparing CIP- and EBSD derived grain size measurements, (b) of comparing the recrystallized grain size of coaxially deformed and sheared BHQ and (c) in order to confirm that the quartz piezometer indeed depends on texture, and (d) to test if it also depends on the type of deformation (irrotational versus rotational deformation). References cited: Heilbronner, R., and S.D. Barrett (2014) Image Analysis in Earth Sciences, Springer. Heilbronner, R., and J. Tullis (2002), The effect of static annealing on micro- structure and crystallographic preferred orientations of quartzites experimentally deformed in axial compression and shear, Geol. Soc. Spec. Publ., 200, 191 - 218. Heilbronner, R., and J. Tullis (2006), Evolution of c axis pole figures and grain size during dynamic recrystallization: Results from experimentally sheared quartzite. JGR, 111, B10202, doi:10.1029/2005JB004194, 2006 Hirth, G., and J. Tullis (1992), Dislocation creep regimes in quartz aggregates, JSG, 14, 145-159. Stipp, M., and J. Tullis (2003), The recrystallized grain size piezometer for quartz, Geophys. Res. Lett., 30(21), 2088, doi:10.1029/2003GL018444.

Cobble cam: Grain-size measurements of sand to boulder from digital photographs and autocorrelation analyses

USGS Publications Warehouse

Warrick, J.A.; Rubin, D.M.; Ruggiero, P.; Harney, J.N.; Draut, A.E.; Buscombe, D.

2009-01-01

A new application of the autocorrelation grain size analysis technique for mixed to coarse sediment settings has been investigated. Photographs of sand- to boulder-sized sediment along the Elwha River delta beach were taken from approximately 1??2 m above the ground surface, and detailed grain size measurements were made from 32 of these sites for calibration and validation. Digital photographs were found to provide accurate estimates of the long and intermediate axes of the surface sediment (r2 > 0??98), but poor estimates of the short axes (r2 = 0??68), suggesting that these short axes were naturally oriented in the vertical dimension. The autocorrelation method was successfully applied resulting in total irreducible error of 14% over a range of mean grain sizes of 1 to 200 mm. Compared with reported edge and object-detection results, it is noted that the autocorrelation method presented here has lower error and can be applied to a much broader range of mean grain sizes without altering the physical set-up of the camera (~200-fold versus ~6-fold). The approach is considerably less sensitive to lighting conditions than object-detection methods, although autocorrelation estimates do improve when measures are taken to shade sediments from direct sunlight. The effects of wet and dry conditions are also evaluated and discussed. The technique provides an estimate of grain size sorting from the easily calculated autocorrelation standard error, which is correlated with the graphical standard deviation at an r2 of 0??69. The technique is transferable to other sites when calibrated with linear corrections based on photo-based measurements, as shown by excellent grain-size analysis results (r2 = 0??97, irreducible error = 16%) from samples from the mixed grain size beaches of Kachemak Bay, Alaska. Thus, a method has been developed to measure mean grain size and sorting properties of coarse sediments. ?? 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Effect of Bimodal Grain Size Distribution on Scatter in Toughness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chakrabarti, Debalay; Strangwood, Martin; Davis, Claire

2009-04-01

Blunt-notch tests were performed at -160 °C to investigate the effect of a bimodal ferrite grain size distribution in steel on cleavage fracture toughness, by comparing local fracture stress values for heat-treated microstructures with uniformly fine, uniformly coarse, and bimodal grain structures. An analysis of fracture stress values indicates that bimodality can have a significant effect on toughness by generating high scatter in the fracture test results. Local cleavage fracture values were related to grain size distributions and it was shown that the largest grains in the microstructure, with an area percent greater than approximately 4 pct, gave rise to cleavage initiation. In the case of the bimodal grain size distribution, the large grains from both the “fine grain” and “coarse grain” population initiate cleavage; this spread in grain size values resulted in higher scatter in the fracture stress than in the unimodal distributions. The notch-bend test results have been used to explain the difference in scatter in the Charpy energies for the unimodal and bimodal ferrite grain size distributions of thermomechanically controlled rolled (TMCR) steel, in which the bimodal distribution showed higher scatter in the Charpy impact transition (IT) region.

Expading fluvial remote sensing to the riverscape: Mapping depth and grain size on the Merced River, California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Richardson, Ryan T.

This study builds upon recent research in the field of fluvial remote sensing by applying techniques for mapping physical attributes of rivers. Depth, velocity, and grain size are primary controls on the types of habitat present in fluvial ecosystems. This thesis focuses on expanding fluvial remote sensing to larger spatial extents and sub-meter resolutions, which will increase our ability to capture the spatial heterogeneity of habitat at a resolution relevant to individual salmonids and an extent relevant to species. This thesis consists of two chapters, one focusing on expanding the spatial extent over which depth can be mapped using Optimal Band Ratio Analysis (OBRA) and the other developing general relations for mapping grain size from three-dimensional topographic point clouds. The two chapters are independent but connected by the overarching goal of providing scientists and managers more useful tools for quantifying the amount and quality of salmonid habitat via remote sensing. The OBRA chapter highlights the true power of remote sensing to map depths from hyperspectral images as a central component of watershed scale analysis, while also acknowledging the great challenges involved with increasing spatial extent. The grain size mapping chapter establishes the first general relations for mapping grain size from roughness using point clouds. These relations will significantly reduce the time needed in the field by eliminating the need for independent measurements of grain size for calibrating the roughness-grain size relationship and thus making grain size mapping with SFM more cost effective for river restoration and monitoring. More data from future studies are needed to refine these relations and establish their validity and generality. In conclusion, this study adds to the rapidly growing field of fluvial remote sensing and could facilitate river research and restoration.

Determining the effect of grain size and maximum induction upon coercive field of electrical steels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Landgraf, Fernando José Gomes; da Silveira, João Ricardo Filipini; Rodrigues-Jr., Daniel

2011-10-01

Although theoretical models have already been proposed, experimental data is still lacking to quantify the influence of grain size upon coercivity of electrical steels. Some authors consider a linear inverse proportionality, while others suggest a square root inverse proportionality. Results also differ with regard to the slope of the reciprocal of grain size-coercive field relation for a given material. This paper discusses two aspects of the problem: the maximum induction used for determining coercive force and the possible effect of lurking variables such as the grain size distribution breadth and crystallographic texture. Electrical steel sheets containing 0.7% Si, 0.3% Al and 24 ppm C were cold-rolled and annealed in order to produce different grain sizes (ranging from 20 to 150 μm). Coercive field was measured along the rolling direction and found to depend linearly on reciprocal of grain size with a slope of approximately 0.9 (A/m)mm at 1.0 T induction. A general relation for coercive field as a function of grain size and maximum induction was established, yielding an average absolute error below 4%. Through measurement of B50 and image analysis of micrographs, the effects of crystallographic texture and grain size distribution breadth were qualitatively discussed.

Interlinking backscatter, grain size and benthic community structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McGonigle, Chris; Collier, Jenny S.

2014-06-01

The relationship between acoustic backscatter, sediment grain size and benthic community structure is examined using three different quantitative methods, covering image- and angular response-based approaches. Multibeam time-series backscatter (300 kHz) data acquired in 2008 off the coast of East Anglia (UK) are compared with grain size properties, macrofaunal abundance and biomass from 130 Hamon and 16 Clamshell grab samples. Three predictive methods are used: 1) image-based (mean backscatter intensity); 2) angular response-based (predicted mean grain size), and 3) image-based (1st principal component and classification) from Quester Tangent Corporation Multiview software. Relationships between grain size and backscatter are explored using linear regression. Differences in grain size and benthic community structure between acoustically defined groups are examined using ANOVA and PERMANOVA+. Results for the Hamon grab stations indicate significant correlations between measured mean grain size and mean backscatter intensity, angular response predicted mean grain size, and 1st principal component of QTC analysis (all p < 0.001). Results for the Clamshell grab for two of the methods have stronger positive correlations; mean backscatter intensity (r2 = 0.619; p < 0.001) and angular response predicted mean grain size (r2 = 0.692; p < 0.001). ANOVA reveals significant differences in mean grain size (Hamon) within acoustic groups for all methods: mean backscatter (p < 0.001), angular response predicted grain size (p < 0.001), and QTC class (p = 0.009). Mean grain size (Clamshell) shows a significant difference between groups for mean backscatter (p = 0.001); other methods were not significant. PERMANOVA for the Hamon abundance shows benthic community structure was significantly different between acoustic groups for all methods (p ≤ 0.001). Overall these results show considerable promise in that more than 60% of the variance in the mean grain size of the Clamshell grab samples can be explained by mean backscatter or acoustically-predicted grain size. These results show that there is significant predictive capacity for sediment characteristics from multibeam backscatter and that these acoustic classifications can have ecological validity.

Grain size of loess and paleosol samples: what are we measuring?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Varga, György; Kovács, János; Szalai, Zoltán; Újvári, Gábor

2017-04-01

Particle size falling into a particularly narrow range is among the most important properties of windblown mineral dust deposits. Therefore, various aspects of aeolian sedimentation and post-depositional alterations can be reconstructed only from precise grain size data. Present study is aimed at (1) reviewing grain size data obtained from different measurements, (2) discussing the major reasons for disagreements between data obtained by frequently applied particle sizing techniques, and (3) assesses the importance of particle shape in particle sizing. Grain size data of terrestrial aeolian dust deposits (loess and paleosoil) were determined by laser scattering instruments (Fritsch Analysette 22 Microtec Plus, Horiba Partica La-950 v2 and Malvern Mastersizer 3000 with a Hydro Lv unit), while particles size and shape distributions were acquired by Malvern Morphologi G3-ID. Laser scattering results reveal that the optical parameter settings of the measurements have significant effects on the grain size distributions, especially for the fine-grained fractions (<5 µm). Significant differences between the Mie and Fraunhofer approaches were found for the finest grain size fractions, while only slight discrepancies were observed for the medium to coarse silt fractions. It should be noted that the different instruments provided different grain size distributions even with the exactly same optical settings. Image analysis-based grain size data indicated underestimation of clay and fine silt fractions compared to laser measurements. The measured circle-equivalent diameter of image analysis is calculated from the acquired two-dimensional image of the particle. It is assumed that the instantaneous pulse of compressed air disperse the sedimentary particles onto the glass slide with a consistent orientation with their largest area facing to the camera. However, this is only one outcome of infinite possible projections of a three-dimensional object and it cannot be regarded as a representative one. The third (height) dimension of the particles remains unknown, so the volume-based weightings are fairly dubious in the case of platy particles. Support of the National Research, Development and Innovation Office (Hungary) under contract NKFI 120620 is gratefully acknowledged. It was additionally supported (for G. Varga) by the Bolyai János Research Scholarship of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

Grain-size-yield stress relationship: Analysis and computation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Meyers, M.A.; Benson, D.J.; Fu, H.H.

1999-07-01

The seminal contributions of Julia Weertman to the understanding of the mechanical properties of nanocrystalline materials will be briefly outlined. A constitutive equation predicting the effect of grain size on the yield stress of metals, based on the model proposed by M.A. Meyers and E. Ashworth, is discussed and extended to the nanocrystalline regime. At large grain sizes, it has the Hall-Petch form, and in the nanocrystalline domain the slope gradually decreases until it asymptotically approaches the flow stress of the grain boundaries. The material is envisaged as a composite, comprised of the grain interior, with flow stress {sigma}{sub fB},more » and grain boundary work-hardened layer, with flow stress {sigma}{sub fGB}. Three principal factors contribute to the grain-boundary hardening: (1) the grain boundaries act as barriers to plastic flow; (2) the grain boundaries act as dislocation sources; and (3) elastic anisotropy causes additional stresses in grain-boundary surroundings. The predictions of this model are compared with experimental measurements over the mono, micro, and nanocrystalline domains. Computational predictions are made of plastic flow as a function of grain size incorporating elastic and plastic anisotropy as well as differences of dislocation accumulation rate in grain boundary regions and grain interiors. This is the first plasticity calculation that accounts for grain size effects in a physically-based manner. 58 refs., 7 figs., 1 tab.« less

The relevance of grain dissection for grain size reduction in polar ice: insights from numerical models and ice core microstructure analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steinbach, Florian; Kuiper, Ernst-Jan N.; Eichler, Jan; Bons, Paul D.; Drury, Martyn R.; Griera, Albert; Pennock, Gill M.; Weikusat, Ilka

2017-09-01

The flow of ice depends on the properties of the aggregate of individual ice crystals, such as grain size or lattice orientation distributions. Therefore, an understanding of the processes controlling ice micro-dynamics is needed to ultimately develop a physically based macroscopic ice flow law. We investigated the relevance of the process of grain dissection as a grain-size-modifying process in natural ice. For that purpose, we performed numerical multi-process microstructure modelling and analysed microstructure and crystallographic orientation maps from natural deep ice-core samples from the North Greenland Eemian Ice Drilling (NEEM) project. Full crystallographic orientations measured by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) have been used together with c-axis orientations using an optical technique (Fabric Analyser). Grain dissection is a feature of strain-induced grain boundary migration. During grain dissection, grain boundaries bulge into a neighbouring grain in an area of high dislocation energy and merge with the opposite grain boundary. This splits the high dislocation-energy grain into two parts, effectively decreasing the local grain size. Currently, grain size reduction in ice is thought to be achieved by either the progressive transformation from dislocation walls into new high-angle grain boundaries, called subgrain rotation or polygonisation, or bulging nucleation that is assisted by subgrain rotation. Both our time-resolved numerical modelling and NEEM ice core samples show that grain dissection is a common mechanism during ice deformation and can provide an efficient process to reduce grain sizes and counter-act dynamic grain-growth in addition to polygonisation or bulging nucleation. Thus, our results show that solely strain-induced boundary migration, in absence of subgrain rotation, can reduce grain sizes in polar ice, in particular if strain energy gradients are high. We describe the microstructural characteristics that can be used to identify grain dissection in natural microstructures.

Physical properties of the WAIS Divide ice core

USGS Publications Warehouse

Fitzpatrick, Joan J.; Voigt, Donald E.; Fegyveresi, John M.; Stevens, Nathan T.; Spencer, Matthew K.; Cole-Dai, Jihong; Alley, Richard B.; Jardine, Gabriella E.; Cravens, Eric; Wilen, Lawrence A.; Fudge, T. J.; McConnell, Joseph R.

2014-01-01

The WAIS (West Antarctic Ice Sheet) Divide deep ice core was recently completed to a total depth of 3405 m, ending ∼50 m above the bed. Investigation of the visual stratigraphy and grain characteristics indicates that the ice column at the drilling location is undisturbed by any large-scale overturning or discontinuity. The climate record developed from this core is therefore likely to be continuous and robust. Measured grain-growth rates, recrystallization characteristics, and grain-size response at climate transitions fit within current understanding. Significant impurity control on grain size is indicated from correlation analysis between impurity loading and grain size. Bubble-number densities and bubble sizes and shapes are presented through the full extent of the bubbly ice. Where bubble elongation is observed, the direction of elongation is preferentially parallel to the trace of the basal (0001) plane. Preferred crystallographic orientation of grains is present in the shallowest samples measured, and increases with depth, progressing to a vertical-girdle pattern that tightens to a vertical single-maximum fabric. This single-maximum fabric switches into multiple maxima as the grain size increases rapidly in the deepest, warmest ice. A strong dependence of the fabric on the impurity-mediated grain size is apparent in the deepest samples.

Grain size effect on yield strength of titanium alloy implanted with aluminum ions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Popova, Natalya, E-mail: natalya-popova-44@mail.ru; Institute of Strength Physics and Materials Science, SB RAS, 2/4, Akademicheskii Ave., 634021, Tomsk; Nikonenko, Elena, E-mail: vilatomsk@mail.ru

2016-01-15

The paper presents a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study of the microstructure and phase state of commercially pure titanium VT1-0 implanted by aluminum ions. This study has been carried out before and after the ion implantation for different grain size, i.e. 0.3 µm (ultra-fine grain condition), 1.5 µm (fine grain condition), and 17 µm (polycrystalline condition). This paper presents details of calculations and analysis of strength components of the yield stress. It is shown that the ion implantation results in a considerable hardening of the entire thickness of the implanted layer in the both grain types. The grain size has, however, a differentmore » effect on the yield stress. So, both before and after the ion implantation, the increase of the grain size leads to the decrease of the alloy hardening. Thus, hardening in ultra-fine and fine grain alloys increased by four times, while in polycrystalline alloy it increased by over six times.« less

Can high resolution topographic surveys provide reliable grain size estimates?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pearson, Eleanor; Smith, Mark; Klaar, Megan; Brown, Lee

2017-04-01

High resolution topographic surveys contain a wealth of information that is not always exploited in the generation of Digital Elevation Models (DEMs). In particular, several authors have related sub-grid scale topographic variability (or 'surface roughness') to particle grain size by deriving empirical relationships between the two. Such relationships would permit rapid analysis of the spatial distribution of grain size over entire river reaches, providing data to drive distributed hydraulic models and revolutionising monitoring of river restoration projects. However, comparison of previous roughness-grain-size relationships shows substantial variability between field sites and do not take into account differences in patch-scale facies. This study explains this variability by identifying the factors that influence roughness-grain-size relationships. Using 275 laboratory and field-based Structure-from-Motion (SfM) surveys, we investigate the influence of: inherent survey error; irregularity of natural gravels; particle shape; grain packing structure; sorting; and form roughness on roughness-grain-size relationships. A suite of empirical relationships is presented in the form of a decision tree which improves estimations of grain size. Results indicate that the survey technique itself is capable of providing accurate grain size estimates. By accounting for differences in patch facies, R2 was seen to improve from 0.769 to R2 > 0.9 for certain facies. However, at present, the method is unsuitable for poorly sorted gravel patches. In future, a combination of a surface roughness proxy with photosieving techniques using SfM-derived orthophotos may offer improvements on using either technique individually.

TaGS5-3A, a grain size gene selected during wheat improvement for larger kernel and yield.

PubMed

Ma, Lin; Li, Tian; Hao, Chenyang; Wang, Yuquan; Chen, Xinhong; Zhang, Xueyong

2016-05-01

Grain size is a dominant component of grain weight in cereals. Earlier studies have shown that OsGS5 plays a major role in regulating both grain size and weight in rice via promotion of cell division. In this study, we isolated TaGS5 homoeologues in wheat and mapped them on chromosomes 3A, 3B and 3D. Temporal and spatial expression analysis showed that TaGS5 homoeologues were preferentially expressed in young spikes and developing grains. Two alleles of TaGS5-3A, TaGS5-3A-T and TaGS5-3A-G were identified in wheat accessions, and a functional marker was developed to discriminate them. Association analysis revealed that TaGS5-3A-T was significantly correlated with larger grain size and higher thousand kernel weight. Biochemical assays showed that TaGS5-3A-T possesses a higher enzymatic activity than TaGS5-3A-G. Transgenic rice lines overexpressing TaGS5-3A-T also exhibited larger grain size and higher thousand kernel weight than TaGS5-3A-G lines, and the transcript levels of cell cycle-related genes in TaGS5-3A-T lines were higher than those in TaGS5-3A-G lines. Furthermore, systematic evolution analysis in diploid, tetraploid and hexaploid wheat showed that TaGS5-3A underwent strong artificial selection during wheat polyploidization events and the frequency changes of two alleles demonstrated that TaGS5-3A-T was favoured in global modern wheat cultivars. These results suggest that TaGS5-3A is a positive regulator of grain size and its favoured allele TaGS5-3A-T exhibits a larger potential application in wheat high-yield breeding. © 2015 Society for Experimental Biology, Association of Applied Biologists and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Grain size dependence of dielectric relaxation in cerium oxide as high-k layer

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Cerium oxide (CeO2) thin films used liquid injection atomic layer deposition (ALD) for deposition and ALD procedures were run at substrate temperatures of 150°C, 200°C, 250°C, 300°C, and 350°C, respectively. CeO2 were grown on n-Si(100) wafers. Variations in the grain sizes of the samples are governed by the deposition temperature and have been estimated using Scherrer analysis of the X-ray diffraction patterns. The changing grain size correlates with the changes seen in the Raman spectrum. Strong frequency dispersion is found in the capacitance-voltage measurement. Normalized dielectric constant measurement is quantitatively utilized to characterize the dielectric constant variation. The relationship extracted between grain size and dielectric relaxation for CeO2 suggests that tuning properties for improved frequency dispersion can be achieved by controlling the grain size, hence the strain at the nanoscale dimensions. PMID:23587419

GS6, a member of the GRAS gene family, negatively regulates grain size in rice.

PubMed

Sun, Lianjun; Li, Xiaojiao; Fu, Yongcai; Zhu, Zuofeng; Tan, Lubin; Liu, Fengxia; Sun, Xianyou; Sun, Xuewen; Sun, Chuanqing

2013-10-01

Grain size is an important yield-related trait in rice. Intensive artificial selection for grain size during domestication is evidenced by the larger grains of most of today's cultivars compared with their wild relatives. However, the molecular genetic control of rice grain size is still not well characterized. Here, we report the identification and cloning of Grain Size 6 (GS6), which plays an important role in reducing grain size in rice. A premature stop at the +348 position in the coding sequence (CDS) of GS6 increased grain width and weight significantly. Alignment of the CDS regions of GS6 in 90 rice materials revealed three GS6 alleles. Most japonica varieties (95%) harbor the Type I haplotype, and 62.9% of indica varieties harbor the Type II haplotype. Association analysis revealed that the Type I haplotype tends to increase the width and weight of grains more than either of the Type II or Type III haplotypes. Further investigation of genetic diversity and the evolutionary mechanisms of GS6 showed that the GS6 gene was strongly selected in japonica cultivars. In addition, a "ggc" repeat region identified in the region that encodes the GRAS domain of GS6 played an important historic role in the domestication of grain size in rice. Knowledge of the function of GS6 might aid efforts to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that control grain development and evolution in rice plants, and could facilitate the genetic improvement of rice yield. © 2013 Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Estimating the settling velocity of bioclastic sediment using common grain-size analysis techniques

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cuttler, Michael V. W.; Lowe, Ryan J.; Falter, James L.; Buscombe, Daniel D.

2017-01-01

Most techniques for estimating settling velocities of natural particles have been developed for siliciclastic sediments. Therefore, to understand how these techniques apply to bioclastic environments, measured settling velocities of bioclastic sedimentary deposits sampled from a nearshore fringing reef in Western Australia were compared with settling velocities calculated using results from several common grain-size analysis techniques (sieve, laser diffraction and image analysis) and established models. The effects of sediment density and shape were also examined using a range of density values and three different models of settling velocity. Sediment density was found to have a significant effect on calculated settling velocity, causing a range in normalized root-mean-square error of up to 28%, depending upon settling velocity model and grain-size method. Accounting for particle shape reduced errors in predicted settling velocity by 3% to 6% and removed any velocity-dependent bias, which is particularly important for the fastest settling fractions. When shape was accounted for and measured density was used, normalized root-mean-square errors were 4%, 10% and 18% for laser diffraction, sieve and image analysis, respectively. The results of this study show that established models of settling velocity that account for particle shape can be used to estimate settling velocity of irregularly shaped, sand-sized bioclastic sediments from sieve, laser diffraction, or image analysis-derived measures of grain size with a limited amount of error. Collectively, these findings will allow for grain-size data measured with different methods to be accurately converted to settling velocity for comparison. This will facilitate greater understanding of the hydraulic properties of bioclastic sediment which can help to increase our general knowledge of sediment dynamics in these environments.

Reconstruction of sediment transport pathways in modern microtidal sand flat by multiple classification analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamashita, S.; Nakajo, T.; Naruse, H.

2009-12-01

In this study, we statistically classified the grain size distribution of the bottom surface sediment on a microtidal sand flat to analyze the depositional processes of the sediment. Multiple classification analysis revealed that two types of sediment populations exist in the bottom surface sediment. Then, we employed the sediment trend model developed by Gao and Collins (1992) for the estimation of sediment transport pathways. As a result, we found that statistical discrimination of the bottom surface sediment provides useful information for the sediment trend model while dealing with various types of sediment transport processes. The microtidal sand flat along the Kushida River estuary, Ise Bay, central Japan, was investigated, and 102 bottom surface sediment samples were obtained. Then, their grain size distribution patterns were measured by the settling tube method, and each grain size distribution parameter (mud and gravel contents, mean grain size, coefficient of variance (CV), skewness, kurtosis, 5, 25, 50, 75, and 95 percentile) was calculated. Here, CV is the normalized sorting value divided by the mean grain size. Two classical statistical methods—principal component analysis (PCA) and fuzzy cluster analysis—were applied. The results of PCA showed that the bottom surface sediment of the study area is mainly characterized by grain size (mean grain size and 5-95 percentile) and the CV value, indicating predominantly large absolute values of factor loadings in primal component (PC) 1. PC1 is interpreted as being indicative of the grain-size trend, in which a finer grain-size distribution indicates better size sorting. The frequency distribution of PC1 has a bimodal shape and suggests the existence of two types of sediment populations. Therefore, we applied fuzzy cluster analysis, the results of which revealed two groupings of the sediment (Cluster 1 and Cluster 2). Cluster 1 shows a lower value of PC1, indicating coarse and poorly sorted sediments. Cluster 1 sediments are distributed around the branched channel from Kushida River and show an expanding distribution from the river mouth toward the northeast direction. Cluster 2 shows a higher value of PC1, indicating fine and well-sorted sediments; this cluster is distributed in a distant area from the river mouth, including the offshore region. Therefore, Cluster 1 and Cluster 2 are interpreted as being deposited by fluvial and wave processes, respectively. Finally, on the basis of this distribution pattern, the sediment trend model was applied in areas dominated separately by fluvial and wave processes. Resultant sediment transport patterns showed good agreement with those obtained by field observations. The results of this study provide an important insight into the numerical models of sediment transport.

The grain size(s) of Black Hills Quartzite deformed in the dislocation creep regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heilbronner, Renée; Kilian, Rüdiger

2017-10-01

General shear experiments on Black Hills Quartzite (BHQ) deformed in the dislocation creep regimes 1 to 3 have been previously analyzed using the CIP method (Heilbronner and Tullis, 2002, 2006). They are reexamined using the higher spatial and orientational resolution of EBSD. Criteria for coherent segmentations based on c-axis orientation and on full crystallographic orientations are determined. Texture domains of preferred c-axis orientation (Y and B domains) are extracted and analyzed separately. Subdomains are recognized, and their shape and size are related to the kinematic framework and the original grains in the BHQ. Grain size analysis is carried out for all samples, high- and low-strain samples, and separately for a number of texture domains. When comparing the results to the recrystallized quartz piezometer of Stipp and Tullis (2003), it is found that grain sizes are consistently larger for a given flow stress. It is therefore suggested that the recrystallized grain size also depends on texture, grain-scale deformation intensity, and the kinematic framework (of axial vs. general shear experiments).

Influence of Grain Size on Mechanical Responses in Beta Ti-12Mo Alloy Demonstrating Concurrent Twinning-Induced Plasticity/Transformation-induced Plasticity Effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, D. C.; Xue, Q.; Lei, J. F.; Ma, Y. J.; Yang, R.; Wang, C.

2018-06-01

Metastable β Ti-12Mo wt pct alloys with controllable grain sizes are successfully produced, and the effect of grain size on mechanical responses has been thoroughly investigated. It is found that target alloys possess concurrent twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) and transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) features. Mechanisms governing mechanical properties through well-manipulated tensile experiments, detailed microstructure analysis, as well as strong correlations between triggering stress and twinning/phase transformation are offered.

A pretreatment method for grain size analysis of red mudstones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Zaixing; Liu, Li'an

2011-11-01

Traditional sediment disaggregation methods work well for loose mud sediments, but not for tightly cemented mudstones by ferric oxide minerals. In this paper, a new pretreatment method for analyzing the grain size of red mudstones is presented. The experimental samples are Eocene red mudstones from the Dongying Depression, Bohai Bay Basin. The red mudstones are composed mainly of clay minerals, clastic sediments and ferric oxides that make the mudstones red and tightly compacted. The procedure of the method is as follows. Firstly, samples of the red mudstones were crushed into fragments with a diameter of 0.6-0.8 mm in size; secondly, the CBD (citrate-bicarbonate-dithionite) treatment was used to remove ferric oxides so that the cementation of intra-aggregates and inter-aggregates became weakened, and then 5% dilute hydrochloric acid was added to further remove the cements; thirdly, the fragments were further ground with a rubber pestle; lastly, an ultrasonicator was used to disaggregate the samples. After the treatment, the samples could then be used for grain size analysis or for other geological analyses of sedimentary grains. Compared with other pretreatment methods for size analysis of mudstones, this proposed method is more effective and has higher repeatability.

Grain-Scale Analyses of Curiosity Data at Marias Pass, Gale Crater, Mars: Methods Comparison and Depositional Interpretation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sacks, L. E.; Edgar, L. A.; Edwards, C. S.; Anderson, R. B.

2016-12-01

Images acquired by the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) and the ChemCam Remote Micro Imager (RMI) onboard the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover provide grain-scale data that are critical for interpreting sedimentary deposits. At the location informally known as Marias Pass, Curiosity used both cameras to image the nine rock targets used in this study. We used manual point-counts to measure grain size distributions from those images to compare the abilities of the two cameras. The manually derived results were compared to automated grain size data obtained using pyDGS (Digital Grain Size), an open-source python program. Grain size analyses were used to test the lacustrine and aeolian depositional hypotheses for the Murray and Stimson formations at Marias Pass. Results indicate that the MAHLI and RMI instruments, despite their different fields of view and properties, provide comparable grain size measurements. Additionally, pyDGS does not account for grains smaller than a few pixels and thus does not report representative grain size data and should not be used on images with a large fraction of unresolved grains. Finally, the data collected at Marias Pass are consistent with the existing interpretations of the Murray and Stimson formations. The fine-grained results of the Murray formation analyses support lacustrine deposition, while the mean grain size of the Stimson formation is fine to medium sized sand, consistent with aeolian deposition. However, directly above the contact with the Murray formation, larger rip-up clasts of the Murray formation are present in the Stimson formation. It is possible that water was involved at this stage of erosion and re-deposition, prior to aeolian deposition. Additionally, the grain-scale analyses conducted in this study show that the Dust Removal Tool on Curiosity should be used prior to capturing images for grain-scale analysis. Two images of the target informally named Ronan, taken before and after brushing, resulted in dramatically different grain size results, suggesting that the common, thin layer of dust obscured the true grain size distribution. These grain-scale analyses at Marias Pass have important implications for the collection and processing of image data, as well as the depositional environments recorded in Gale crater. Funded by NSF Grant AST-1461200

Grain size dependence of dynamic mechanical behavior of AZ31B magnesium alloy sheet under compressive shock loading

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Asgari, H., E-mail: hamed.asgari@usask.ca; Odeshi, A.G.; Szpunar, J.A.

2015-08-15

The effects of grain size on the dynamic deformation behavior of rolled AZ31B alloy at high strain rates were investigated. Rolled AZ31B alloy samples with grain sizes of 6, 18 and 37 μm, were subjected to shock loading tests using Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar at room temperature and at a strain rate of 1100 s{sup −} {sup 1}. It was found that a double-peak basal texture formed in the shock loaded samples. The strength and ductility of the alloy under the high strain-rate compressive loading increased with decreasing grain size. However, twinning fraction and strain hardening rate were found tomore » decrease with decreasing grain size. In addition, orientation imaging microscopy showed a higher contribution of double and contraction twins in the deformation process of the coarse-grained samples. Using transmission electron microscopy, pyramidal dislocations were detected in the shock loaded sample, proving the activation of pyramidal slip system under dynamic impact loading. - Highlights: • A double-peak basal texture developed in all shock loaded samples. • Both strength and ductility increased with decreasing grain size. • Twinning fraction and strain hardening rate decreased with decreasing grain size. • ‘g.b’ analysis confirmed the presence of dislocations in shock loaded alloy.« less

Luna 24 regolith breccias: A possible source of the fine size material of the Luna 24 regolith

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rode, O. D.; Lindstrom, M. M.

1994-01-01

The regolith breccias from the Luna 24 core were analyzed. The Luna 24 regolith is a mixture of fine and coarse grain materials. The comparable analysis of the grain size distributions, the modal and chemical compositions of the breccias, and the regolith from the same levels show that the friable slightly litificated breccia with a friable fine grain matrix may be a source of fine grain material of the Luna 24 present day regolith.

Identification of a Novel Allele of TaCKX6a02 Associated with Grain Size, Filling Rate and Weight of Common Wheat

PubMed Central

Zhang, Hai-Ping; Wang, Sheng-Xing; Sun, Genlou; Xiao, Shi-He; Ma, Chuan-Xi

2015-01-01

Cytokinin oxidase (CKX) plays a crucial role in plant growth and development by reversibly inactivating cytokinin (CTK). Twenty-four primer pairs, designed from ESTs of the TaCKX genes family of common wheat, were used to identify their allelic variations associated with grain size, weight, and filling rate in 169 recombinant inbred lines (RIL) derived from Jing 411 × Hongmangchun 21. TaCKX6a02, a member of TaCKX gene family, amplified by primer pair T31–32, showed a close association with grain traits in this RIL population. Statistical analysis indicated that allelic variation of TaCKX6a02 had significant correlation with grain size, weight, and filling rate (GFR; P < 0.001) under varied environments. The TaCKX6a02-D1a allele from Jing411 significantly increased grain size, weight and grain filling rate, compared with TaCKX6a02-D1b from Hongmangchun 21. TaCKX6a02 was located on chromosome 3DS in the interval of Xbarc1119 and Xbarc1162, with a genetic distance of 1.4 cM. The location was further confirmed using Chinese Spring nulli–tetrasomic lines. A major QTL (quantitative trait locus) tightly linked to TaCKX6a02 was detected in the RIL population, explaining 17.1~38.2% of phenotype variations for grain size, weight, GFRmax and GFRmean in different environments. In addition, significant effects of variations of TaCKX6a02 on grain weight and GFR were further validated by association analysis among 102 wheat varieties in two cropping seasons. 12.8~35.1% of phenotypic variations were estimated for these genotypes. A novel 29-bp InDel behind the stop codon was detected by DNA sequence analysis between the two alleles of TaCKX6a02-D1. The gene-specific marker, TKX3D, was designed according to the novel variation, and can be used in marker-assisted selection (MAS) for grain size, weight, and GFR in common wheat. PMID:26657796

Seabed mapping and characterization of sediment variability using the usSEABED data base

USGS Publications Warehouse

Goff, J.A.; Jenkins, C.J.; Jeffress, Williams S.

2008-01-01

We present a methodology for statistical analysis of randomly located marine sediment point data, and apply it to the US continental shelf portions of usSEABED mean grain size records. The usSEABED database, like many modern, large environmental datasets, is heterogeneous and interdisciplinary. We statistically test the database as a source of mean grain size data, and from it provide a first examination of regional seafloor sediment variability across the entire US continental shelf. Data derived from laboratory analyses ("extracted") and from word-based descriptions ("parsed") are treated separately, and they are compared statistically and deterministically. Data records are selected for spatial analysis by their location within sample regions: polygonal areas defined in ArcGIS chosen by geography, water depth, and data sufficiency. We derive isotropic, binned semivariograms from the data, and invert these for estimates of noise variance, field variance, and decorrelation distance. The highly erratic nature of the semivariograms is a result both of the random locations of the data and of the high level of data uncertainty (noise). This decorrelates the data covariance matrix for the inversion, and largely prevents robust estimation of the fractal dimension. Our comparison of the extracted and parsed mean grain size data demonstrates important differences between the two. In particular, extracted measurements generally produce finer mean grain sizes, lower noise variance, and lower field variance than parsed values. Such relationships can be used to derive a regionally dependent conversion factor between the two. Our analysis of sample regions on the US continental shelf revealed considerable geographic variability in the estimated statistical parameters of field variance and decorrelation distance. Some regional relationships are evident, and overall there is a tendency for field variance to be higher where the average mean grain size is finer grained. Surprisingly, parsed and extracted noise magnitudes correlate with each other, which may indicate that some portion of the data variability that we identify as "noise" is caused by real grain size variability at very short scales. Our analyses demonstrate that by applying a bias-correction proxy, usSEABED data can be used to generate reliable interpolated maps of regional mean grain size and sediment character. 

Identification of QTLs for rice grain size using a novel set of chromosomal segment substitution lines derived from Yamadanishiki in the genetic background of Koshihikari

PubMed Central

Okada, Satoshi; Onogi, Akio; Iijima, Ken; Hori, Kiyosumi; Iwata, Hiroyoshi; Yokoyama, Wakana; Suehiro, Miki; Yamasaki, Masanori

2018-01-01

Grain size is important for brewing-rice cultivars, but the genetic basis for this trait is still unclear. This paper aims to identify QTLs for grain size using novel chromosomal segment substitution lines (CSSLs) harboring chromosomal segments from Yamadanishiki, an excellent sake-brewing rice, in the genetic background of Koshihikari, a cooking cultivar. We developed a set of 49 CSSLs. Grain length (GL), grain width (GWh), grain thickness (GT), 100-grain weight (GWt) and days to heading (DTH) were evaluated, and a CSSL-QTL analysis was conducted. Eighteen QTLs for grain size and DTH were identified. Seven (qGL11, qGWh5, qGWh10, qGWt6-2, qGWt10-2, qDTH3, and qDTH6) that were detected in F2 and recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from Koshihikari/Yamadanishiki were validated, suggesting that they are important for large grain size and heading date in Yamadanishiki. Additionally, QTL reanalysis for GWt showed that qGWt10-2 was only detected in early-flowering RILs, while qGWt5 (in the same region as qGWh5) was only detected in late-flowering RILs, suggesting that these QTLs show different responses to the environment. Our study revealed that grain size in the Yamadanishiki cultivar is determined by a complex genetic mechanism. These findings could be useful for the breeding of both cooking and brewing rice. PMID:29875604

Poaceae Pollen from Southern Brazil: Distinguishing Grasslands (Campos) from Forests by Analyzing a Diverse Range of Poaceae Species

PubMed Central

Radaeski, Jefferson N.; Bauermann, Soraia G.; Pereira, Antonio B.

2016-01-01

This aim of this study was to distinguish grasslands from forests in southern Brazil by analyzing Poaceae pollen grains. Through light microscopy analysis, we measured the size of the pollen grain, pore, and annulus from 68 species of Rio Grande do Sul. Measurements were recorded of 10 forest species and 58 grassland species, representing all tribes of the Poaceae in Rio Grande do Sul. We measured the polar, equatorial, pore, and annulus diameter. Results of statistical tests showed that arboreous forest species have larger pollen grain sizes than grassland and herbaceous forest species, and in particular there are strongly significant differences between arboreous and grassland species. Discriminant analysis identified three distinct groups representing each vegetation type. Through the pollen measurements we established three pollen types: larger grains (>46 μm), from the Bambuseae pollen type, medium-sized grains (46–22 μm), from herbaceous pollen type, and small grains (<22 μm), from grassland pollen type. The results of our compiled Poaceae pollen dataset may be applied to the fossil pollen of Quaternary sediments. PMID:27999585

Determination of the total grain size distribution in a vulcanian eruption column, and its implications to stratospheric aerosol perturbation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murrow, P. J.; Rose, W. I., Jr.; Self, S.

1980-01-01

The total grain distribution of tephra from the eruption by the Fuego volcano in Guatemala on Oct. 14, 1974 was determined by grain size analysis. The region within each isopach has a grain distribution which was weighted proportionally to its percentage volume; the total distribution had a median grain size of 0.6 mm and a sorting coefficient of 2.3. The ash composed of fine particles did not fall in the volcano area as part of the recognizable tephra blanket; the eruption column reached well into the stratosphere to the height of 10-12 km above sea level, with mass flux rate estimated altitudes of 18-23 km

Effect of sulfate and carbonate minerals on particle-size distributions in arid soils

USGS Publications Warehouse

Goossens, Dirk; Buck, Brenda J.; Teng, Yuazxin; Robins, Colin; Goldstein, Harland L.

2014-01-01

Arid soils pose unique problems during measurement and interpretation of particle-size distributions (PSDs) because they often contain high concentrations of water-soluble salts. This study investigates the effects of sulfate and carbonate minerals on grain-size analysis by comparing analyses in water, in which the minerals dissolve, and isopropanol (IPA), in which they do not. The presence of gypsum, in particular, substantially affects particle-size analysis once the concentration of gypsum in the sample exceeds the mineral’s solubility threshold. For smaller concentrations particle-size results are unaffected. This is because at concentrations above the solubility threshold fine particles cement together or bind to coarser particles or aggregates already present in the sample, or soluble mineral coatings enlarge grains. Formation of discrete crystallites exacerbates the problem. When soluble minerals are dissolved the original, insoluble grains will become partly or entirely liberated. Thus, removing soluble minerals will result in an increase in measured fine particles. Distortion of particle-size analysis is larger for sulfate minerals than for carbonate minerals because of the much higher solubility in water of the former. When possible, arid soils should be analyzed using a liquid in which the mineral grains do not dissolve, such as IPA, because the results will more accurately reflect the PSD under most arid soil field conditions. This is especially important when interpreting soil and environmental processes affected by particle size.

Provenance and depositional environment of epi-shelf lake sediment from Schirmacher Oasis, East Antarctica, vis-à-vis scanning electron microscopy of quartz grain, size distribution and chemical parameters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shrivastava, Prakash K.; Asthana, Rajesh; Roy, Sandip K.; Swain, Ashit K.; Dharwadkar, Amit

2012-07-01

The scientific study of quartz grains is a powerful tool in deciphering the depositional environment and mode of transportation of sediments, and ultimately the origin and classification of sediments. Surface microfeatures, angularity, chemical features, and grain-size analysis of quartz grains, collectively reveal the sedimentary and physicochemical processes that acted on the grains during different stages of their geological history. Here, we apply scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis to evaluating the sedimentary provenance, modes of transport, weathering characteristics, alteration, and sedimentary environment of selected detrital quartz grains from the peripheral part of two epi-shelf lakes (ESL-1 and ESL-2) of the Schirmacher Oasis of East Antarctica. Our study reveals that different styles of physical weathering, erosive signatures, and chemical precipitation variably affected these quartz grains before final deposition as lake sediments. Statistical analysis (central tendencies, sorting, skewness, and kurtosis) indicates that these quartz-bearing sediments are poorly sorted glaciofluvial sediments. Saltation and suspension seem to have been the two dominant modes of transportation, and chemical analysis of these sediments indicates a gneissic provenance.

Grain-size analysis and sediment dynamics of hurricane-induced event beds in a coastal New England pond

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Castagno, K. A.; Ruehr, S. A.; Donnelly, J. P.; Woodruff, J. D.

2017-12-01

Coastal populations have grown increasingly susceptible to the impacts of tropical cyclone events as they grow in size, wealth, and infrastructure. Changes in tropical cyclone frequency and intensity, augmented by a changing climate, pose an increasing threat of property damage and loss of life. Reconstructions of intense-hurricane landfalls from a series of southeastern New England sediment cores identify a series of events spanning the past 2,000 years. Though the frequency of these landfalls is well constrained, the intensity of these storms, particularly those for which no historical record exists, is not. This study analyzes the grain-size distribution of major storm event beds along a transect of sediment cores from a kettle pond in Falmouth, MA. The grain-size distribution of each event is determined using an image processing, size, and shape analyzer. The depositional patterns and changes in grain-size distribution in these fine-grained systems may both spatially and temporally reveal characteristics of both storm intensity and the nature of sediment deposition. An inverse-modeling technique using this kind of grain-size analysis to determine past storm intensity has been explored in back-barrier lagoon systems in the Caribbean, but limited research has assessed its utility to assess deposits from back-barrier ponds in the northeastern United States. Increases in hurricane intensity may be closely tied to increases in sea surface temperature. As such, research into these prehistoric intervals of increased frequency and/or intensity provides important insight into the current and future hurricane risks facing coastal communities in New England.

Electron backscatter diffraction analysis of Nb3Al multifilamentary strands prepared by rapid heating, quenching and transformation annealing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takeuchi, T.; Tsuchiya, K.; Saeda, M.; Banno, N.; Kikuchi, A.; Iijima, Y.

2010-12-01

To enhance the non-Cu critical current density Jc at 15 T and 4.2 K (1000 A mm - 2 at present) we have endeavoured to refine the grain size of rapid heating, quenching and transformation (RHQT)-processed Nb3Al. In the present study, the grain boundary structures of RHQT-processed Nb3Al were examined by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) because transgranular fracture prevents the observation of fractured cross sections of Nb3Al to statistically determine the grain size. The grain size distributions of body-centred-cubic supersaturated-solid-solution Nb(Al)ss and A15 Nb3Al filaments were measured for grains misoriented by more than 2°, 5° and 15°. A mixed grain structure, which consists of a few large grains (>25 µm) and many small grains (<1 µm), was observed for an Nb3Al filament that had been transformed from non-deformed Nb(Al)ss. Plastic deformation that had been made between the rapid heating and quenching steps and the transformation step apparently homogenized the grain size distribution and then reduced the average grain size. The misorientation angle distributions of Nb(Al)ss and Nb3Al were also measured and compared with each other. A clear relationship between the Jc and the inverse grain size was not confirmed for the RHQT Nb3Al conductors examined in the present study, which indicates the importance of making a filament compositionally homogeneous to obtain a high Jc.

Computer based experimental studies of the Fry method of strain analysis on 2- and 3- dimensional grain populations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Longiaru, S.; Bhattacharyya, T.

1985-01-01

Inherent in Fry's (1979) all-object separation method of strain analysis are the subtle conditions that 1) the grains or phenocrysts being counted are of equal diameter and 2) that the true centers of such grains lie within the plane of measurement. When such conditions are met, the technique yields accurate, easily interpreted voids within all-object separation (AOS) plots for both deformed and non-deformed populations. Natural grain or phenocryst populations generally do not conform to these limitation and practical application of the technique from either a cut rock surface or thin section often yields diffuse patterns that are not easily interpreted.more » The authors examine the effect of grain size variation and grain/matrix ratio on AOS diagrams developed from computer generated spherical grain populations constructed in both two and three dimensions. They employ a random number generator and simple fitting algorithm to develop grain populations with known statistical parameters. Such control allows for the modeling of many types of natural grain size populations such as fluvial sandstones, porphyritic ash flow tuffs, augen gneisses, etc. They show that significant grain size variation in a two dimensional population contributes substantial noise in to the AOS diagram and that an additional level of noise is encountered when dealing with slices through populations modeled in three dimensions. Some of this noise can be eliminated by rigorous sampling of only subsets of the total grain population.« less

Apatite (U-Th-Sm)/He age dispersion arising from analysis of variable grain sizes and broken crystals - examples from the Scottish Southern Uplands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Łuszczak, Katarzyna; Persano, Cristina; Stuart, Finlay; Brown, Roderick

2016-04-01

Apatite (U-Th-Sm)/He (AHe) thermochronometry is a powerful technique for deciphering denudation of the uppermost crust. However, the age dispersion of single grains from the same rock is typical, and this hampers establishing accurate thermal histories when low grain numbers are analysed. Dispersion arising from the analysis of broken crystal fragments[1] has been proposed as an important cause of age dispersion, along with grain size and radiation damage. A new tool, Helfrag[2], allows constraints to be placed on the low temperature history derived from the analysis of apatite crystal fragments. However, the age dispersion model has not been fully tested on natural samples yet. We have performed AHe analysis of multiple (n = 20-25) grains from four rock samples from the Scottish Southern Uplands, which were subjected to the same exhumation episodes, although, the amount of exhumation varied between the localities. This is evident from the range of AFT ages (˜60 to ˜200 Ma) and variable thermal histories showing either strong, moderate and no support for a rapid cooling event at ˜60 Ma. Different apatite size and fragment geometry were analysed in order to maximise age dispersion. In general, the age dispersion increases with increasing AFT age (from 47% to 127%), consistent with the prediction from the fragmentation model. Thermal histories obtained using Helfrag were compared with those obtained by standard codes based on the spherical approximation. In one case, the Helfrag model was capable of resolving the higher complexity of the thermal history of the rock, constraining several heating/cooling events that are not predicted by the standard models, but are in good agreement with the regional geology. In other cases, the thermal histories are similar for both Helfrag and standard models and the age predictions for the Helfrag are only slightly better than for standard model, implying that the grain size has the dominant role in generating the age dispersion. Rather than suggesting that grain size is the predominant factor in controlling age dispersion in all data sets, our results may be linked to the actual size of the picked grains; for grain widths smaller than 100 μm, the He profile within the crystal may not be differentiated enough to produce a dispersion measureable outside the uncertainty associated with the age. It is also easier for long-thin and short-thick than long-thick and short-thin grains to be preserved; this minimises the age dispersion that can be generated from fragmentation. We suggest, that in order to obtain valuable information from both fragmentation and grain size >20 large (width >100 μm) grain fragments of variable length have to be analyzed, together with a few smaller grains. Our results point to a strategy that favours multiple single-grain AHe ages determinations on carefully selected samples, with good quality apatite crystals of variable dimensions rather than fewer determinations on many samples. [1] Brown, R. et al. 2013.Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta.122, 478-497 [2] Beucher, R. et al. 2013.Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta. 120, 395-416.

Effects of composition of grains of debris flow on its impact force

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, jinbo; Hu, Kaiheng; Cui, Peng

2017-04-01

Debris flows compose of solid material with broad size distribution from fine sand to boulders. Impact force imposed by debris flows is a very important issue for protection engineering design and strongly influenced by their grain composition. However, this issue has not been studied in depth and the effects of grain composition not been considered in the calculation of the impact force. In this present study, the small-scale flume experiments with five kinds of compositions of grains for debris flow were carried out to study the effect of the composition of grains of debris flow on its impact force. The results show that the impact force of debris flow increases with the grain size, the hydrodynamic pressure of debris flow is calibrated based on the normalization parameter dmax/d50, in which dmax is the maximum size and d50 is the median size. Furthermore, a log-logistic statistic distribution could be used to describe the distribution of magnitude of impact force of debris flow, where the mean and the variance of the present distribution increase with grain size. This distribution proposed in the present study could be used to the reliability analysis of structures impacted by debris flow.

Thermal conductivity of nanocrystalline silicon: importance of grain size and frequency-dependent mean free paths.

PubMed

Wang, Zhaojie; Alaniz, Joseph E; Jang, Wanyoung; Garay, Javier E; Dames, Chris

2011-06-08

The thermal conductivity reduction due to grain boundary scattering is widely interpreted using a scattering length assumed equal to the grain size and independent of the phonon frequency (gray). To assess these assumptions and decouple the contributions of porosity and grain size, five samples of undoped nanocrystalline silicon have been measured with average grain sizes ranging from 550 to 64 nm and porosities from 17% to less than 1%, at temperatures from 310 to 16 K. The samples were prepared using current activated, pressure assisted densification (CAPAD). At low temperature the thermal conductivities of all samples show a T(2) dependence which cannot be explained by any traditional gray model. The measurements are explained over the entire temperature range by a new frequency-dependent model in which the mean free path for grain boundary scattering is inversely proportional to the phonon frequency, which is shown to be consistent with asymptotic analysis of atomistic simulations from the literature. In all cases the recommended boundary scattering length is smaller than the average grain size. These results should prove useful for the integration of nanocrystalline materials in devices such as advanced thermoelectrics.

Research on flow behaviors of the constituent grains in ferrite-martensite dual phase steels based on nanoindentation measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gou, Rui-bin; Dan, Wen-jiao; Zhang, Wei-gang; Yu, Min

2017-07-01

To investigate the flow properties of constituent grains in ferrite-martensite dual phase steel, both the flow curve of individual grain and the flow behavior difference among different grains were investigated both using a classical dislocation-based model and nanoindentation technique. In the analysis of grain features, grain size, grain shape and martensite proximity around ferrite grain were parameterized by the diameter of area equivalent circular of the grain d, the grain shape coefficient λ and the martensite proximity coefficient p, respectively. Three grain features influenced significantly on the grain initial strength which increases when the grain size d decreases and when grain shape and martensite proximity coefficients enlarge. In describing the flow behavior of single grain, both single-parameter and multi-parameter empirical formulas of grain initial strength were proposed by defining three grain features as the evaluation parameters. It was found that the martensite proximity is an important determinant of ferrite initial strength, while the influence of grain size is minimal. The influence of individual grain was investigated using an improved flow model of overall stress on the overall flow curve of the steel. It was found that the predicted overall flow curve was in good agreement with the experimental one when the flow behaviors of all the constituent grains in the evaluated region were fully considered.

Microstructure characterization via stereological relations — A shortcut for beginners

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pabst, Willi, E-mail: pabstw@vscht.cz; Gregorová, Eva; Uhlířová, Tereza

Stereological relations that can be routinely applied for the quantitative characterization of microstructures of heterogeneous single- and two-phase materials via global microstructural descriptors are reviewed. It is shown that in the case of dense, single-phase polycrystalline materials (e.g., transparent yttrium aluminum garnet ceramics) two quantities have to be determined, the interface density (or, equivalently, the mean chord length of the grains) and the mean curvature integral density (or, equivalently, the Jeffries grain size), while for two-phase materials (e.g., highly porous, cellular alumina ceramics), one additional quantity, the volume fraction (porosity), is required. The Delesse–Rosiwal law is recalled and size measuresmore » are discussed. It is shown that the Jeffries grain size is based on the triple junction line length density, while the mean chord length of grains is based on the interface density (grain boundary area density). In contrast to widespread belief, however, these two size measures are not alternative, but independent (and thus complementary), measures of grain size. Concomitant with this fact, a clear distinction between linear and planar grain size numbers is proposed. Finally, based on our concept of phase-specific quantities, it is shown that under certain conditions it is possible to define a Jeffries size also for two-phase materials and that the ratio of the mean chord length and the Jeffries size has to be considered as an invariant number for a certain type of microstructure, i.e., a characteristic value that is independent of the absolute size of the microstructural features (e.g., grains, inclusions or pores). - Highlights: • Stereology-based image analysis is reviewed, including error considerations. • Recipes are provided for measuring global metric microstructural descriptors. • Size measures are based on interface density and mean curvature integral density. • Phase-specific quantities and a generalized Jeffries size are introduced. • Linear and planar grain size numbers are clearly distinguished and explained.« less

Grain size mapping in shallow rivers using spectral information: a lab spectroradiometry perspective

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Niroumand-Jadidi, Milad; Vitti, Alfonso

2017-10-01

Every individual attribute of a riverine environment defines the overall spectral signature to be observed by an optical sensor. The spectral characteristic of riverbed is influenced not only by the type but also the roughness of substrates. Motivated by this assumption, potential of optical imagery for mapping grain size of shallow rivers (< 1 m deep) is examined in this research. The previous studies concerned with grain size mapping are all built upon the texture analysis of exposed bed material using very high resolution (i.e. cm resolution) imagery. However, the application of texturebased techniques is limited to very low altitude sensors (e.g. UAVs) to ensure the sufficient spatial resolution. Moreover, these techniques are applicable only in the presence of exposed substrates along the river channel. To address these drawbacks, this study examines the effectiveness of spectral information to make distinction among grain sizes for submerged substrates. Spectroscopic experiments are performed in controlled condition of a hydraulic lab. The spectra are collected over a water flume in a range of water depths and bottoms with several grain sizes. A spectral convolution is performed to match the spectra to WorldView-2 spectral bands. The material type of substrates is considered the same for all the experiments with only variable roughness/size of grains. The spectra observed over dry beds revealed that the brightness/reflectance increases with the grain size across all the spectral bands. Based on this finding, the above-water spectra over a river channel are simulated considering different grain sizes in the bottom. A water column correction method is then used to retrieve the bottom reflectances. Then the inferred bottom reflectances are clustered to segregate among grain sizes. The results indicate high potential of the spectral approach for clustering grain sizes (overall accuracy of 92%) which opens up some horizons for mapping this valuable attribute of rivers using remotely sensed data.

Evaluating the importance of grain size sensitive creep in terrestrial ice sheet rheology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maaijwee, C. N. P. J.; de Bresser, J. H. P.

2009-04-01

The rheology of ice in terrestrial ice sheets is generally considered to be independent of the size of the grains (crystals), and appears well described by Glen's flow law. In recent years, however, new laboratory deformation experiments on ice as well as analysis of in situ measurements of deformation at glaciers suggested that grain size and variations therein should not be discarded as important parameters in the deformation of ice in nature. Ice, just like crystalline rock materials, exhibits distributed grain sizes. Taking now that not only grain size insensitive (GSI; dislocation) mechanisms, but also grain size sensitive (GSS; diffusion and/or grain boundary sliding) mechanisms may be operative in ice, variations in the shape of the distribution (e.g. the width) can be expected to affect the rheological behaviour. To evaluate this effect, we have derived a composite GSI+GSS flow law and combined this with full grain size distributions. The constitutive flow equations for end-member GSI and GSS creep of ice were taken from the work of Goldsby and Kohlstedt (2001, J.Geophys.Res., vol. 106). We used their description of grain boundary sliding controlled creep as representative of GSS creep. The grain size data largely came from published measurements from the top 800-1000 m of two Greenland ice cores (NorthGRIP and GRIP) and one Antarctic ice core (Epica, Dome Concordia). Temperature profiles were available for both core settings. The grain size data show a close to lognormal distribution in all three settings, with the median grain size increasing with depth. We constructed a synthetic grain size profile up to a depth of 3100 m (cf. GRIP) by allowing the median grain size and standard deviation of the distribution to linearly increase with depth. The percentage GSS creep contributing to the total strain rate has been calculated for a range of strain rates that were assumed constant along the ice core axes. The results of our calculations show that at realistic strain rates in the order of 10-11 to 10-12 s-1, GSS mechanisms can be expected to dominate creep in the parts of the ice sheets investigated (i.e. the top ~1000 m). In the synthetic core, the GSS contribution decreases if going to greater depth (~2500 m), but increases again close to the contact with the bedrock (at 3100 m). Although many assumptions have been made in our approach, the results confirm the important role that grain size might play in ice sheet rheology. The application of full grain size distributions in composite flow equations helps to come to reliable extrapolation of lab data to nature.

Effect of initial grain size on inhomogeneous plastic deformation and twinning behavior in high manganese austenitic steel with a polycrystalline microstructure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ueji, R.; Tsuchida, N.; Harada, K.; Takaki, K.; Fujii, H.

2015-08-01

The grain size effect on the deformation twinning in a high manganese austenitic steel which is so-called TWIP (twining induced plastic deformation) steel was studied in order to understand how to control deformation twinning. The 31wt%Mn-3%Al-3% Si steel was cold rolled and annealed at various temperatures to obtain fully recrystallized structures with different mean grain sizes. These annealed sheets were examined by room temperature tensile tests at a strain rate of 10-4/s. The coarse grained sample (grain size: 49.6μm) showed many deformation twins and the deformation twinning was preferentially found in the grains in which the tensile axis is parallel near to [111]. On the other hand, the sample with finer grains (1.8 μm) had few grains with twinning even after the tensile deformation. The electron back scattering diffraction (EB SD) measurements clarified the relationship between the anisotropy of deformation twinning and that of inhomogeneous plastic deformation. Based on the EBSD analysis, the mechanism of the suppression of deformation twinning by grain refinement was discussed with the concept of the slip pattern competition between the slip system governed by a grain boundary and that activated by the macroscopic load.

Effects of sediment supply on surface textures of gravel‐bed rivers

USGS Publications Warehouse

Buffington, John M.; Montgomery, David R.

1999-01-01

Using previously published data from flume studies, we test a new approach for quantifying the effects of sediment supply (i.e., bed material supply) on surface grain size of equilibrium gravel channels. Textural response to sediment supply is evaluated relative to a theoretical prediction of competent median grain size (D50′). We find that surface median grain size (D50) varies inversely with sediment supply rate and systematically approaches the competent value (D50′) at low equilibrium transport rates. Furthermore, equilibrium transport rate is a power function of the difference between applied and critical shear stresses and is therefore a power function of the difference between competent and observed median grain sizes (D50′ and D50). Consequently, we propose that the difference between predicted and observed median grain sizes can be used to determine sediment supply rate in equilibrium channels. Our analysis framework collapses data from different studies toward a single relationship between sediment supply rate and surface grain size. While the approach appears promising, we caution that it has been tested only on a limited set of laboratory data and a narrow range of channel conditions.

Dynamic Grain Growth in Forsterite Aggregates Experimentally Deformed to High Strain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kellermann Slotemaker, A.; de Bresser, H.; Spiers, C.; Drury, M.

2004-12-01

The dynamics of the outer Earth are largely controlled by olivine rheology. From previous work it has become clear that if olivine rocks are deformed to high strain, substantial weakening may occur before steady state mechanical behaviour is approached. This weakening appears directly related to progressive modification of the grain size distribution through competing effects of dynamic recrystallization and syn-deformational grain growth. However, most of our understanding of these processes in olivine comes from tests on coarse-grained materials that were reduced in grain size during straining by grain size insensitive (dislocation) creep mechanisms. The aim of the present study was to investigate microstructure evolution of fine-grained olivine rocks that coarsen in grain size while deforming by grain size sensitive (GSS) creep. We used fine-grained (~1 μ m) olivine aggregates (i.e., forsterite/Mg2SiO4), containing ~0.5 wt% water and 10 vol% enstatite (MgSiO3). Two types of experiments were carried out: 1) Hot isostatic pressing (HIP) followed by axial compression to varying strains up to a maximum of ~45%, at 600 MPa confining pressure and a temperature of 950°C, 2) HIP treatment without axial deformation. Microstructures were characterized by analyzing full grain size distributions and texture using SEM/EBSD. Our stress-strain curves showed continuous hardening. When samples were temporally unloaded for short time intervals, no difference in flow stress was observed before and after the interruption in straining. Strain rate sensitivity analysis showed a low value of ~1.5 for the stress exponent n. Measured grain sizes show an increase with strain up to a value twice that of the starting value. HIP-only samples showed only minor increase in grain size. A random LPO combined with the low n ~1.5 suggests dominant GSS creep controlled by grain boundary sliding. These results indicate that dynamic grain growth occurs in forsterite aggregates deforming by GSS creep, and we relate the continuous strain hardening to this process. A dynamic grain growth model involving an increase in cellular defect fraction seems best applicable to the grain growth observed in this study. We suggest that the employment of this model to fine-grained olivine rocks can further improve our understanding of the microstructural evolution of this material and related rheological behaviour.

Modeling grain size variations of aeolian gypsum deposits at White Sands, New Mexico, using AVIRIS imagery

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ghrefat, H.A.; Goodell, P.C.; Hubbard, B.E.; Langford, R.P.; Aldouri, R.E.

2007-01-01

Visible and Near-Infrared (VNIR) through Short Wavelength Infrared (SWIR) (0.4-2.5????m) AVIRIS data, along with laboratory spectral measurements and analyses of field samples, were used to characterize grain size variations in aeolian gypsum deposits across barchan-transverse, parabolic, and barchan dunes at White Sands, New Mexico, USA. All field samples contained a mineralogy of ?????100% gypsum. In order to document grain size variations at White Sands, surficial gypsum samples were collected along three Transects parallel to the prevailing downwind direction. Grain size analyses were carried out on the samples by sieving them into seven size fractions ranging from 45 to 621????m, which were subjected to spectral measurements. Absorption band depths of the size fractions were determined after applying an automated continuum-removal procedure to each spectrum. Then, the relationship between absorption band depth and gypsum size fraction was established using a linear regression. Three software processing steps were carried out to measure the grain size variations of gypsum in the Dune Area using AVIRIS data. AVIRIS mapping results, field work and laboratory analysis all show that the interdune areas have lower absorption band depth values and consist of finer grained gypsum deposits. In contrast, the dune crest areas have higher absorption band depth values and consist of coarser grained gypsum deposits. Based on laboratory estimates, a representative barchan-transverse dune (Transect 1) has a mean grain size of 1.16 ??{symbol} (449????m). The error bar results show that the error ranges from - 50 to + 50????m. Mean grain size for a representative parabolic dune (Transect 2) is 1.51 ??{symbol} (352????m), and 1.52 ??{symbol} (347????m) for a representative barchan dune (Transect 3). T-test results confirm that there are differences in the grain size distributions between barchan and parabolic dunes and between interdune and dune crest areas. The t-test results also show that there are no significant differences between modeled and laboratory-measured grain size values. Hyperspectral grain size modeling can help to determine dynamic processes shaping the formation of the dunes such as wind directions, and the relative strengths of winds through time. This has implications for studying such processes on other planetary landforms that have mineralogy with unique absorption bands in VNIR-SWIR hyperspectral data. ?? 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Frequency Dependent Susceptibility Analysis of Magnetic Carriers: Application to Fe-Oxides on Mars surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adachi, T.; Kletetschka, G.; Mikula, V.

2007-12-01

On Mars, Fe-oxides mineral phases (inferred/detected) are mainly magnetite, pyrrhotite, and hematite. Kletetschka et al., 2005 suggested that the grain size dependent potential may contribute to the Mars surface magnetic anomaly. Grain size of Fe-oxides may play a role for the magnetic signature and anomaly on Mars. According to Kletetschka et al., 2005, the larger the grain size, the larger the magnetization (in this case hematite's TRM). Weather they are magnetite, pyrrhotite or hematite, nano-phase or superparamagnetic grains may contribute to the absence of remanent magnetization on the surface of Mars. In this contribution we tackle how to resolve grain size variations by frequency dependent susceptibility measured on terrestrial hematite samples such as hemo-ilmenite from Allard Lake, Canada, Mars analogue concretions from Utah and Czech Republic, and hematite aggregates from Hawaii. The magnetic characteristics of hematite-goethite mineralogies of Utah and Czech concretions suggested (Adachi et al., 2007) that they contain super paramagnetic (SP) to single domain (SD) magnetic states. Coercivity spectra analysis from acquisition of isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM) data showed the distinct behaviors of hematite, goethite, and mixed composition of both. The estimated magnetic states are analyzed with the frequency-dependent susceptibility instrument (500-250,000 Hertz). The frequency- and size-dependent susceptibility for hematite, goethite, and magnetite are calibrated using the known size powdered (commercial) samples.

Microstructural investigations on carbonate fault core rocks in active extensional fault zones from the central Apennines (Italy)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cortinovis, Silvia; Balsamo, Fabrizio; Storti, Fabrizio

2017-04-01

The study of the microstructural and petrophysical evolution of cataclasites and gouges has a fundamental impact on both hydraulic and frictional properties of fault zones. In the last decades, growing attention has been payed to the characterization of carbonate fault core rocks due to the nucleation and propagation of coseismic ruptures in carbonate successions (e.g., Umbria-Marche 1997, L'Aquila 2009, Amatrice 2016 earthquakes in Central Apennines, Italy). Among several physical parameters, grain size and shape in fault core rocks are expected to control the way of sliding along the slip surfaces in active fault zones, thus influencing the propagation of coseismic ruptures during earthquakes. Nevertheless, the role of grain size and shape distribution evolution in controlling the weakening or strengthening behavior in seismogenic fault zones is still not fully understood also because a comprehensive database from natural fault cores is still missing. In this contribution, we present a preliminary study of seismogenic extensional fault zones in Central Apennines by combining detailed filed mapping with grain size and microstructural analysis of fault core rocks. Field mapping was aimed to describe the structural architecture of fault systems and the along-strike fault rock distribution and fracturing variations. In the laboratory we used a Malvern Mastersizer 3000 granulometer to obtain a precise grain size characterization of loose fault rocks combined with sieving for coarser size classes. In addition, we employed image analysis on thin sections to quantify the grain shape and size in cemented fault core rocks. The studied fault zones consist of an up to 5-10 m-thick fault core where most of slip is accommodated, surrounded by a tens-of-meters wide fractured damage zone. Fault core rocks consist of (1) loose to partially cemented breccias characterized by different grain size (from several cm up to mm) and variable grain shape (from very angular to sub-rounded), and (2) very fine-grained gouges (< 1 mm) localized along major and minor mirror-like slip surfaces. Damage zones mostly consist of fractured rocks and, locally, pulverized rocks. Collectively, field observations and laboratory analyses indicate that within the fault cores of the studied fault zones, grain size progressively decreases approaching the master slip surfaces. Furthermore, grain shape changes from very angular to sub-rounded clasts moving toward the master slip surfaces. These features suggest that the progressive evolution of grain size and shape distributions within fault cores may have determined the development of strain localization by the softening and cushioning effects of smaller particles in loose fault rocks.

Field test comparison of an autocorrelation technique for determining grain size using a digital 'beachball' camera versus traditional methods

USGS Publications Warehouse

Barnard, P.L.; Rubin, D.M.; Harney, J.; Mustain, N.

2007-01-01

This extensive field test of an autocorrelation technique for determining grain size from digital images was conducted using a digital bed-sediment camera, or 'beachball' camera. Using 205 sediment samples and >1200 images from a variety of beaches on the west coast of the US, grain size ranging from sand to granules was measured from field samples using both the autocorrelation technique developed by Rubin [Rubin, D.M., 2004. A simple autocorrelation algorithm for determining grain size from digital images of sediment. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 74(1): 160-165.] and traditional methods (i.e. settling tube analysis, sieving, and point counts). To test the accuracy of the digital-image grain size algorithm, we compared results with manual point counts of an extensive image data set in the Santa Barbara littoral cell. Grain sizes calculated using the autocorrelation algorithm were highly correlated with the point counts of the same images (r2 = 0.93; n = 79) and had an error of only 1%. Comparisons of calculated grain sizes and grain sizes measured from grab samples demonstrated that the autocorrelation technique works well on high-energy dissipative beaches with well-sorted sediment such as in the Pacific Northwest (r2 ??? 0.92; n = 115). On less dissipative, more poorly sorted beaches such as Ocean Beach in San Francisco, results were not as good (r2 ??? 0.70; n = 67; within 3% accuracy). Because the algorithm works well compared with point counts of the same image, the poorer correlation with grab samples must be a result of actual spatial and vertical variability of sediment in the field; closer agreement between grain size in the images and grain size of grab samples can be achieved by increasing the sampling volume of the images (taking more images, distributed over a volume comparable to that of a grab sample). In all field tests the autocorrelation method was able to predict the mean and median grain size with ???96% accuracy, which is more than adequate for the majority of sedimentological applications, especially considering that the autocorrelation technique is estimated to be at least 100 times faster than traditional methods.

Microstructural Effects on Creep-Fatigue Life of Alloy 709

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

McMurtrey, Michael; Carroll, Laura; Wright, Jill

Creep-fatigue tests were performed on plates of Alloy 709 from various heats and processing conditions, but often with inhomogeneous microstructures. After testing, metallographic analysis was performed and the specimens were generally found to either have a uniform grain size or a bimodal grain size distribution with either isolated or groups (bands) of large grains. Creep-fatigue life was characterized with respect to the length of the grain boundary perpendicular to the stress axis, and it was found that large grains (>400 μm) tended to be detrimental to creep-fatigue life, with the exception of elongated (parallel to the stress axis) grains andmore » some specimens that underwent additional annealing.« less

Cyclic hardening behavior of extruded ZK60 magnesium alloy with different grain sizes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Lixin; Zhang, Wencong; Chen, Wenzhen; Wang, Wenke

2018-04-01

Montonic and fully reversed strain-controlled cyclic deformation experiments were conducted on extruded ZK60 magnesium alloy with two different grain sizes in ambient air. Results revealed that the hardening rates of the ZK60 magnesium alloy rods with fine grain and coarse grain in the monotonic deformation and the fully reversed strain-controlled cyclic deformation were opposite along the extrusion direction. Electron Backscatter Diffration analysis revealed that fine grains were more easily rotated than coarse grains under the cyclic deformation. Under the twinning and detwinning process of the cyclic deformation at a large strain amplitude, the coarse grained ZK60 magnesium alloys were more prone to tension twinning {10-12}<10-11> and more residual twins were observed. Texture hardening of coarse grained magnesium alloy was more obvious in cyclic defromation than fine-grained magnesium alloy.

An automated and universal method for measuring mean grain size from a digital image of sediment

USGS Publications Warehouse

Buscombe, Daniel D.; Rubin, David M.; Warrick, Jonathan A.

2010-01-01

Existing methods for estimating mean grain size of sediment in an image require either complicated sequences of image processing (filtering, edge detection, segmentation, etc.) or statistical procedures involving calibration. We present a new approach which uses Fourier methods to calculate grain size directly from the image without requiring calibration. Based on analysis of over 450 images, we found the accuracy to be within approximately 16% across the full range from silt to pebbles. Accuracy is comparable to, or better than, existing digital methods. The new method, in conjunction with recent advances in technology for taking appropriate images of sediment in a range of natural environments, promises to revolutionize the logistics and speed at which grain-size data may be obtained from the field.

Predictive modelling of grain-size distributions from marine electromagnetic profiling data using end-member analysis and a radial basis function network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baasch, B.; Müller, H.; von Dobeneck, T.

2018-07-01

In this work, we present a new methodology to predict grain-size distributions from geophysical data. Specifically, electric conductivity and magnetic susceptibility of seafloor sediments recovered from electromagnetic profiling data are used to predict grain-size distributions along shelf-wide survey lines. Field data from the NW Iberian shelf are investigated and reveal a strong relation between the electromagnetic properties and grain-size distribution. The here presented workflow combines unsupervised and supervised machine-learning techniques. Non-negative matrix factorization is used to determine grain-size end-members from sediment surface samples. Four end-members were found, which well represent the variety of sediments in the study area. A radial basis function network modified for prediction of compositional data is then used to estimate the abundances of these end-members from the electromagnetic properties. The end-members together with their predicted abundances are finally back transformed to grain-size distributions. A minimum spatial variation constraint is implemented in the training of the network to avoid overfitting and to respect the spatial distribution of sediment patterns. The predicted models are tested via leave-one-out cross-validation revealing high prediction accuracy with coefficients of determination (R2) between 0.76 and 0.89. The predicted grain-size distributions represent the well-known sediment facies and patterns on the NW Iberian shelf and provide new insights into their distribution, transition and dynamics. This study suggests that electromagnetic benthic profiling in combination with machine learning techniques is a powerful tool to estimate grain-size distribution of marine sediments.

Predictive modelling of grain size distributions from marine electromagnetic profiling data using end-member analysis and a radial basis function network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baasch, B.; M"uller, H.; von Dobeneck, T.

2018-04-01

In this work we present a new methodology to predict grain-size distributions from geophysical data. Specifically, electric conductivity and magnetic susceptibility of seafloor sediments recovered from electromagnetic profiling data are used to predict grain-size distributions along shelf-wide survey lines. Field data from the NW Iberian shelf are investigated and reveal a strong relation between the electromagnetic properties and grain-size distribution. The here presented workflow combines unsupervised and supervised machine learning techniques. Nonnegative matrix factorisation is used to determine grain-size end-members from sediment surface samples. Four end-members were found which well represent the variety of sediments in the study area. A radial-basis function network modified for prediction of compositional data is then used to estimate the abundances of these end-members from the electromagnetic properties. The end-members together with their predicted abundances are finally back transformed to grain-size distributions. A minimum spatial variation constraint is implemented in the training of the network to avoid overfitting and to respect the spatial distribution of sediment patterns. The predicted models are tested via leave-one-out cross-validation revealing high prediction accuracy with coefficients of determination (R2) between 0.76 and 0.89. The predicted grain-size distributions represent the well-known sediment facies and patterns on the NW Iberian shelf and provide new insights into their distribution, transition and dynamics. This study suggests that electromagnetic benthic profiling in combination with machine learning techniques is a powerful tool to estimate grain-size distribution of marine sediments.

Impact of grain sizes on the quantitative concrete analysis using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gottlieb, C.; Günther, T.; Wilsch, G.

2018-04-01

In civil engineering concrete is the most used building material for making infrastructures like bridges and parking decks worldwide. It is as a porous and multiphase material made of aggregates with a defined grain size distribution, cement and water as well as different additives and admixtures depending on the application. Different grain sizes are important to ensure the needed density and compressive strength. The resulting porous cement matrix contains a mixture of flour grains (aggregates with a grain size below 125 μm) and cement particles (particle size ≈ 50μm). Harmful species like chlorides may penetrate together with water through the capillary pore space and may trigger different damage processes. The damage assessment of concrete structures in Germany is estimated due to the quantification of harmful elements regarding to the cement content only. In the evaluation of concrete using LIBS a two-dimensional scanning is necessary to consider the heterogeneity caused by the aggregates. Therefore, a LIBS system operating with a low energy NdCr:YAG laser, a pulse energy of 3 mJ, a wavelength of 1064 nm, a pulse width of 1.5 ns and a repetition rate of 100 Hz has been used. Different Czerny-Turner spectrometers with CCD detectors in the UV and NIR range have been used for the detection. Large aggregates (macro-heterogeneity) can be excluded from the evaluation, whereas small aggregates in the range of the laser spot size (flour grains) cannot be spatially resolved. In this work the micro heterogeneity caused by flour grains and their impact on the quantification with LIBS will be discussed. To analyze the effect of changing grain sizes and ratios, the ablation behavior has been determined and compared. Samples with defined grain sizes were made and analyzed using LIBS. The grain size distributions were analyzed with laser diffraction (LDA).

Grain Boundary Effect on Charge Transport in Pentacene Thin Films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weis, Martin; Gmucová, Katarína; Nádaždy, Vojtech; Majková, Eva; Haško, Daniel; Taguchi, Dai; Manaka, Takaaki; Iwamoto, Mitsumasa

2011-04-01

We report on charge transport properties of polycrystalline pentacene films with variable average grain size in the range from 0.1 to 0.3 µm controlled by the preparation technology. We illustrate with the organic field-effect transistors decrease of the effective mobility and presence of traps with decrease of the grain size. Analysis of the charge transfer excitons reveals decrease of the mobile charge density and the steady-state voltammetry showed significant increase of oxygen- and hydrogen-related defects. We also briefly discuss accumulation of the defects on the grain boundary and show relation between the defect density and grain boundary length.

Grain size and shape evolution of experimentally deformed sediments: the role of slip rate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balsamo, Fabrizio; Storti, Fabrizio; De Paola, Nicola

2016-04-01

Sediment deformation within fault zones occurs with a broad spectrum of mechanisms which, in turn, depend on intrinsic material properties (porosity, grain size and shape, etc.) and external factors (burial depth, fluid pressure, stress configuration, etc.). Fieldworks and laboratory measurements conducted in the last years in sediments faulted at shallow depth showed that cataclasis and grain size reduction can occur very close to the Earth surface (<1-2 km), and that fault displacement is one of the parameters controlling the amount of grain size, shape, and microtextural modifications in fault cores. In this contribution, we present a new set of microstructural observations combined with grain size and shape distribution data obtained from quart-feldspatic loose sediments (mean grain diameter 0.2 mm) experimentally deformed at different slip rates from subseismic (0.01 mm/s, 0.1 mm/s, 1 mm/s, 1 cm/s, and 10 cm/s) to coseismic slip rates (1 m/s). The experiments were originally performed at sigma n=14 MPa, with the same amount of slip (1.3 m), to constrain the frictional properties of such sediments at shallow confining pressures (<1 km). After the experiments, the granular materials deformed in the 0.1-1 mm-thick slip zones were prepared for both grain size distribution analyses and microstructural and textural analyses in thin sections. Grain size distribution analyses were obtained with a Malvern Mastersizer 3000 particle size laser-diffraction analyser, whereas grain shape data (angularity) were obtained by using image analysis technique on selected SEM-photomicrographs. Microstructural observations were performed at different scales with a standard optical microscope and with a SEM. Results indicate that mean grain diameter progressively decreases with increasing slip rates up to ~20-30 m, and that granulometric curves systematically modify as well, shifting toward finer grain sizes. Obtained fractal dimensions (D) indicate that D increases from ~2.3 up to >3 moving from subseismic to coseismic slip rates. Grain angularity also changes with increasing slip rates, being particles more smoothed and rounded in sediments deformed at coseismic slip rates. As a whole, our results indicate that both grain size and shape distributions of experimentally deformed sediments progressively changes from subseismic to coseismic slip rate, thus helping to understand the deformation mechanisms in natural fault zones and to predict frictional and permeability properties of faults affecting shallow sediments.

Carpel size, grain filling, and morphology determine individual grain weight in wheat

PubMed Central

Xie, Quan; Mayes, Sean; Sparkes, Debbie L.

2015-01-01

Individual grain weight is a major yield component in wheat. To provide a comprehensive understanding of grain weight determination, the carpel size at anthesis, grain dry matter accumulation, grain water uptake and loss, grain morphological expansion, and final grain weight at different positions within spikelets were investigated in a recombinant inbred line mapping population of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)×spelt (Triticum spelta L.). Carpel size, grain dry matter and water accumulation, and grain dimensions interacted strongly with each other. Furthermore, larger carpels, a faster grain filling rate, earlier and longer grain filling, more grain water, faster grain water absorption and loss rates, and larger grain dimensions were associated with higher grain weight. Frequent quantitative trait locus (QTL) coincidences between these traits were observed, particularly those on chromosomes 2A, 3B, 4A, 5A, 5DL, and 7B, each of which harboured 16−49 QTLs associated with >12 traits. Analysis of the allelic effects of coincident QTLs confirmed their physiological relationships, indicating that the complex but orderly grain filling processes result mainly from pleiotropy or the tight linkages of functionally related genes. After grain filling, distal grains within spikelets were smaller than basal grains, primarily due to later grain filling and a slower initial grain filling rate, followed by synchronous maturation among different grains. Distal grain weight was improved by increased assimilate availability from anthesis. These findings provide deeper insight into grain weight determination in wheat, and the high level of QTL coincidences allows simultaneous improvement of multiple grain filling traits in breeding. PMID:26246614

Evolution of Photometric and Polarimetric Phase Curves of Fine-Grained Water Ice Particles due to Grain Sintering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jost, B.; Cerubini, R.; Poch, O.; Pommerol, A.; Thomas, N.

2018-06-01

Laboratory photometric and polarimetric phase curves of micrometer-sized water ice particles to elucidate the effect of grain sintering on scattering properties relevant for the analysis of potential plume deposition sites on icy satellites.

Impact of High-Temperature, High-Pressure Synthesis Conditions on the Formation of the Grain Structure and Strength Properties of Intermetallic Ni3Al

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ovcharenko, V. E.; Ivanov, K. V.; Boyangin, E. N.; Krylova, T. A.; Pshenichnikov, A. P.

2018-01-01

The impact of the preliminary load on 3Ni+Al powder mixture and the impact of the duration of the delay in application of compacting pressure to synthesis product under the conditions of continuous heating of the mixture up to its self-ignition on the grain size and strength properties of the synthesized Ni3Al intermetallide material have been studied. The grain structure of the intermetallide synthesized under pressure was studied by means of metallography, transmission electron microscopy and EBSD analysis, with the dependence of ultimate tensile strength on the grain size in the synthesized intermetallide having been investigated at room temperature and at temperatures up to 1000°C. It is shown that an increase in the pressure preliminarily applied to the initial mixture compact results in reduced grain size of the final intermetallide, whereas an increase in pre-compaction time makes the grain size increased. A decrease in the grain size increases the ultimate tensile strength of the intermetallide. The maximum value of the ultimate tensile strength in the observed anomalous temperature dependence of this strength exhibits a shift by 200°C toward higher temperatures, and the ultimate strength of the synthesized intermetallide at 1000°C increases roughly two-fold.

How Well Can We Predict Salmonid Spawning Habitat with LiDAR?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pfeiffer, A.; Finnegan, N. J.; Hayes, S.

2013-12-01

Suitable salmonid spawning habitat is, to a great extent, determined by physical, landscape driven characteristics such as channel morphology and grain size. Identifying reaches with high-quality spawning habitat is essential to restoration efforts in areas where salmonid species are endangered or threatened. While both predictions of suitable habitat and observations of utilized habitat are common in the literature, they are rarely combined. Here we exploit a unique combination of high-resolution LiDAR data and seven years of 387 individually surveyed Coho and Steelhead redds in Scott Creek, a 77 km2 un-glaciated coastal California drainage in the Santa Cruz Mountains, to both make and test predictions of spawning habitat. Using a threshold channel assumption, we predict grain size throughout Scott Creek via a shear stress model that incorporates channel width, instead of height, using Manning's equation (Snyder et al., 2013). Slope and drainage area are computed from a LiDAR-derived DEM, and channel width is calculated via hydraulic modeling. Our results for median grain size predictions closely match median grain sizes (D50) measured in the field, with the majority of sites having predicted D50's within a factor of two of the observed values, especially for reaches with D50 > 0.02m. This success suggests that the threshold model used to predict grain size is appropriate for un-glaciated alluvial channel systems. However, it appears that grain size alone is not a strong predictor of salmon spawning. Reaches with a high (>0.1m) average predicted D50 do have lower redd densities, as expected based on spawning gravel sizes in the literature. However, reaches with lower (<0.1m) predicted D50 have a wide range of redd densities, suggesting that reach-average grain size alone cannot explain spawning site selection in the finer-grained reaches of Scott Creek. We turn to analysis of bedform morphology in order to explain the variation in redd density in the low-slope, finer-grained reaches of Lower Scott Creek. Because spawning is strongly correlated with riffle locations, we use a LiDAR-derived longitudinal profile to predict where riffle habitat is located within the watershed. To accomplish this, we use previous studies that constrain pool-riffle habitat to slopes <1.5%, then use wavelet analysis of the longitudinal profile within these pool-riffle reaches to investigate the spacing of drops in water surface slope, with the goal of identifying reaches with high riffle density. Our slope-based predictions of pool-riffle morphology closely match the extent of pool-riffle reaches observed in the field. Average redd density in pool-riffle reaches is more than double the average redd density in reaches of other channel morphologies. Initial wavelet analysis suggests that riffle spacing may be longer in the lower reaches of Scott Creek and shorter in the high-redd density upper reaches, a finding that agrees with the hypothesis that spawning habitat is limited by riffle density. Our results suggest that high resolution topographic data can be successfully used to identify reaches of utilized spawning habitat based on grain size predictions and wavelet analysis of bedform spacing.

Ionic conductivity and thermal stability of magnetron-sputtered nanocrystalline yttria-stabilized zirconia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sillassen, M.; Eklund, P.; Sridharan, M.; Pryds, N.; Bonanos, N.; Bøttiger, J.

2009-05-01

Thermally stable, stoichiometric, cubic yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) thin-film electrolytes have been synthesized by reactive pulsed dc magnetron sputtering from a Zr-Y (80/20 at. %) alloy target. Films deposited at floating potential had a ⟨111⟩ texture. Single-line profile analysis of the 111 x-ray diffraction peak yielded a grain size of ˜20 nm and a microstrain of ˜2% regardless of deposition temperature. Films deposited at 400 °C and selected bias voltages in the range from -70 to -200 V showed a reduced grain size for higher bias voltages, yielding a grain size of ˜6 nm and a microstrain of ˜2.5% at bias voltages of -175 and -200 V with additional incorporation of argon. The films were thermally stable; very limited grain coarsening was observed up to an annealing temperature of 800 °C. Temperature-dependent impedance spectroscopy analysis of the YSZ films with Ag electrodes showed that the in-plane ionic conductivity was within one order of magnitude higher in films deposited with substrate bias corresponding to a decrease in grain size compared to films deposited at floating potential. This suggests that there is a significant contribution to the ionic conductivity from grain boundaries. The activation energy for oxygen ion migration was determined to be between 1.14 and 1.30 eV.

Sedimentology and geochemistry of mud volcanoes in the Anaximander Mountain Region from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

PubMed

Talas, Ezgi; Duman, Muhammet; Küçüksezgin, Filiz; Brennan, Michael L; Raineault, Nicole A

2015-06-15

Investigations carried out on surface sediments collected from the Anaximander mud volcanoes in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea to determine sedimentary and geochemical properties. The sediment grain size distribution and geochemical contents were determined by grain size analysis, organic carbon, carbonate contents and element analysis. The results of element contents were compared to background levels of Earth's crust. The factors that affect element distribution in sediments were calculated by the nine push core samples taken from the surface of mud volcanoes by the E/V Nautilus. The grain size of the samples varies from sand to sandy silt. Enrichment and Contamination factor analysis showed that these analyses can also be used to evaluate of deep sea environmental and source parameters. It is concluded that the biological and cold seep effects are the main drivers of surface sediment characteristics from the Anaximander mud volcanoes. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Spin Testing of Superalloy Disks With Dual Grain Structure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hefferman, Tab M.

2006-01-01

This 24-month program was a joint effort between Allison Advanced Development Company (AADC), General Electric Aircraft (GEAE), and NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC). AADC led the disk and spin hardware design and analysis utilizing existing Rolls-Royce turbine disk forging tooling. Testing focused on spin testing four disks: two supplied by GEAE and two by AADC. The two AADC disks were made of Alloy 10, and each was subjected to a different heat treat process: one producing dual microstructure with coarse grain size at the rim and fine grain size at the bore and the other produced single fine grain structure throughout. The purpose of the spin tests was to provide data for evaluation of the impact of dual grain structure on disk overspeed integrity (yielding) and rotor burst criteria. The program culminated with analysis and correlation of the data to current rotor overspeed criteria and advanced criteria required for dual structure disks.

Grain-size considerations for optoelectronic multistage interconnection networks.

PubMed

Krishnamoorthy, A V; Marchand, P J; Kiamilev, F E; Esener, S C

1992-09-10

This paper investigates, at the system level, the performance-cost trade-off between optical and electronic interconnects in an optoelectronic interconnection network. The specific system considered is a packet-switched, free-space optoelectronic shuffle-exchange multistage interconnection network (MIN). System bandwidth is used as the performance measure, while system area, system power, and system volume constitute the cost measures. A detailed design and analysis of a two-dimensional (2-D) optoelectronic shuffle-exchange routing network with variable grain size K is presented. The architecture permits the conventional 2 x 2 switches or grains to be generalized to larger K x K grain sizes by replacing optical interconnects with electronic wires without affecting the functionality of the system. Thus the system consists of log(k) N optoelectronic stages interconnected with free-space K-shuffles. When K = N, the MIN consists of a single electronic stage with optical input-output. The system design use an effi ient 2-D VLSI layout and a single diffractive optical element between stages to provide the 2-D K-shuffle interconnection. Results indicate that there is an optimum range of grain sizes that provides the best performance per cost. For the specific VLSI/GaAs multiple quantum well technology and system architecture considered, grain sizes larger than 256 x 256 result in a reduced performance, while grain sizes smaller than 16 x 16 have a high cost. For a network with 4096 channels, the useful range of grain sizes corresponds to approximately 250-400 electronic transistors per optical input-output channel. The effect of varying certain technology parameters such as the number of hologram phase levels, the modulator driving voltage, the minimum detectable power, and VLSI minimum feature size on the optimum grain-size system is studied. For instance, results show that using four phase levels for the interconnection hologram is a good compromise for the cost functions mentioned above. As VLSI minimum feature sizes decrease, the optimum grain size increases, whereas, if optical interconnect performance in terms of the detector power or modulator driving voltage requirements improves, the optimum grain size may be reduced. Finally, several architectural modifications to the system, such as K x K contention-free switches and sorting networks, are investigated and optimized for grain size. Results indicate that system bandwidth can be increased, but at the price of reduced performance/cost. The optoelectronic MIN architectures considered thus provide a broad range of performance/cost alternatives and offer a superior performance over purely electronic MIN's.

Theoretical and experimental analyses to determine the effects of crystal orientation and grain size on the thermoelectric properties of oblique deposited bismuth telluride thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morikawa, Satoshi; Satake, Yuji; Takashiri, Masayuki

2018-06-01

The effects of crystal orientation and grain size on the thermoelectric properties of Bi2Te3 thin films were investigated by conducting experimental and theoretical analyses. To vary the crystal orientation and grain size, we performed oblique deposition, followed by thermal annealing treatment. The crystal orientation decreased as the oblique angle was increased, while the grain size was not changed significantly. The thermoelectric properties were measured at room temperature. A theoretical analysis was performed using a first principles method based on density functional theory. Then the semi-classical Boltzmann transport equation was used in the relaxation time approximation, with the effect of grain size included. Furthermore, the effect of crystal orientation was included in the calculation based on a simple semi-experimental model. A maximum power factor of 11.6 µW/(cm·K2) was obtained at an oblique angle of 40°. The calculated thermoelectric properties were in very good agreement with the experimentally measured values.

Carpel size, grain filling, and morphology determine individual grain weight in wheat.

PubMed

Xie, Quan; Mayes, Sean; Sparkes, Debbie L

2015-11-01

Individual grain weight is a major yield component in wheat. To provide a comprehensive understanding of grain weight determination, the carpel size at anthesis, grain dry matter accumulation, grain water uptake and loss, grain morphological expansion, and final grain weight at different positions within spikelets were investigated in a recombinant inbred line mapping population of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)×spelt (Triticum spelta L.). Carpel size, grain dry matter and water accumulation, and grain dimensions interacted strongly with each other. Furthermore, larger carpels, a faster grain filling rate, earlier and longer grain filling, more grain water, faster grain water absorption and loss rates, and larger grain dimensions were associated with higher grain weight. Frequent quantitative trait locus (QTL) coincidences between these traits were observed, particularly those on chromosomes 2A, 3B, 4A, 5A, 5DL, and 7B, each of which harboured 16-49 QTLs associated with >12 traits. Analysis of the allelic effects of coincident QTLs confirmed their physiological relationships, indicating that the complex but orderly grain filling processes result mainly from pleiotropy or the tight linkages of functionally related genes. After grain filling, distal grains within spikelets were smaller than basal grains, primarily due to later grain filling and a slower initial grain filling rate, followed by synchronous maturation among different grains. Distal grain weight was improved by increased assimilate availability from anthesis. These findings provide deeper insight into grain weight determination in wheat, and the high level of QTL coincidences allows simultaneous improvement of multiple grain filling traits in breeding. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Experimental Biology.

Multiscale Analysis of Structurally-Graded Microstructures Using Molecular Dynamics, Discrete Dislocation Dynamics and Continuum Crystal Plasticity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Saether, Erik; Hochhalter, Jacob D.; Glaessgen, Edward H.; Mishin, Yuri

2014-01-01

A multiscale modeling methodology is developed for structurally-graded material microstructures. Molecular dynamic (MD) simulations are performed at the nanoscale to determine fundamental failure mechanisms and quantify material constitutive parameters. These parameters are used to calibrate material processes at the mesoscale using discrete dislocation dynamics (DD). Different grain boundary interactions with dislocations are analyzed using DD to predict grain-size dependent stress-strain behavior. These relationships are mapped into crystal plasticity (CP) parameters to develop a computationally efficient finite element-based DD/CP model for continuum-level simulations and complete the multiscale analysis by predicting the behavior of macroscopic physical specimens. The present analysis is focused on simulating the behavior of a graded microstructure in which grain sizes are on the order of nanometers in the exterior region and transition to larger, multi-micron size in the interior domain. This microstructural configuration has been shown to offer improved mechanical properties over homogeneous coarse-grained materials by increasing yield stress while maintaining ductility. Various mesoscopic polycrystal models of structurally-graded microstructures are generated, analyzed and used as a benchmark for comparison between multiscale DD/CP model and DD predictions. A final series of simulations utilize the DD/CP analysis method exclusively to study macroscopic models that cannot be analyzed by MD or DD methods alone due to the model size.

Using Sieving and Unknown Sand Samples for a Sedimentation-Stratigraphy Class Project with Linkage to Introductory Courses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Videtich, Patricia E.; Neal, William J.

2012-01-01

Using sieving and sample "unknowns" for instructional grain-size analysis and interpretation of sands in undergraduate sedimentology courses has advantages over other techniques. Students (1) learn to calculate and use statistics; (2) visually observe differences in the grain-size fractions, thereby developing a sense of specific size…

Investigation of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of ECAP-Processed AM Series Magnesium Alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gopi, K. R.; Nayaka, H. Shivananda; Sahu, Sandeep

2016-09-01

Magnesium alloy Mg-Al-Mn (AM70) was processed by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) at 275 °C for up to 4 passes in order to produce ultrafine-grained microstructure and improve its mechanical properties. ECAP-processed samples were characterized for microstructural analysis using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Microstructural analysis showed that, with an increase in the number of ECAP passes, grains refined and grain size reduced from an average of 45 to 1 µm. Electron backscatter diffraction analysis showed the transition from low angle grain boundaries to high angle grain boundaries in ECAP 4 pass sample as compared to as-cast sample. The strength and hardness values an showed increasing trend for the initial 2 passes of ECAP processing and then started decreasing with further increase in the number of ECAP passes, even though the grain size continued to decrease in all the successive ECAP passes. However, the strength and hardness values still remained quite high when compared to the initial condition. This behavior was found to be correlated with texture modification in the material as a result of ECAP processing.

3D granulometry: grain-scale shape and size distribution from point cloud dataset of river environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steer, Philippe; Lague, Dimitri; Gourdon, Aurélie; Croissant, Thomas; Crave, Alain

2016-04-01

The grain-scale morphology of river sediments and their size distribution are important factors controlling the efficiency of fluvial erosion and transport. In turn, constraining the spatial evolution of these two metrics offer deep insights on the dynamics of river erosion and sediment transport from hillslopes to the sea. However, the size distribution of river sediments is generally assessed using statistically-biased field measurements and determining the grain-scale shape of river sediments remains a real challenge in geomorphology. Here we determine, with new methodological approaches based on the segmentation and geomorphological fitting of 3D point cloud dataset, the size distribution and grain-scale shape of sediments located in river environments. Point cloud segmentation is performed using either machine-learning algorithms or geometrical criterion, such as local plan fitting or curvature analysis. Once the grains are individualized into several sub-clouds, each grain-scale morphology is determined using a 3D geometrical fitting algorithm applied on the sub-cloud. If different geometrical models can be conceived and tested, only ellipsoidal models were used in this study. A phase of results checking is then performed to remove grains showing a best-fitting model with a low level of confidence. The main benefits of this automatic method are that it provides 1) an un-biased estimate of grain-size distribution on a large range of scales, from centimeter to tens of meters; 2) access to a very large number of data, only limited by the number of grains in the point-cloud dataset; 3) access to the 3D morphology of grains, in turn allowing to develop new metrics characterizing the size and shape of grains. The main limit of this method is that it is only able to detect grains with a characteristic size greater than the resolution of the point cloud. This new 3D granulometric method is then applied to river terraces both in the Poerua catchment in New-Zealand and along the Laonong river in Taiwan, which point clouds were obtained using both terrestrial lidar scanning and structure from motion photogrammetry.

Investigations on the effect of grain size on hot tearing susceptibility of MgZn1Y2 alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Z. J.; Liu, Z.; Wang, Y.; Mao, P. L.; Tang, W. R.; Zhou, Y.

2018-05-01

Effect of grain size on hot tearing susceptibility of MgZn1Y2 alloy was explored in the present paper. Based on the microstructure observation and phase constitution analysis results by the method of OM, SEM, EBSD and XRD, it was found that the addition of 0.2 wt% C2Cl6 or 0.5 wt% Zr could reduced the grain size significantly. The addition of Zr had the better effect than that of 0.2 wt% C2Cl6. The average grain size reduced from 55.48 μm to 20.64 μm, and the average grain shape aspect ratio reduced from 1.859 to 1.49 with the addition of Zr. Although the addition of 0.2 wt% C2Cl6 refined grain, it also reduced the amount of LPSO phase. It was also found that the dendrite coherent temperature (Tcoh) decreased with decreasing of the grain size of the alloy, while the dendrite coherent solid fraction ({{{{f}}}{{s}}}{{coh}}) increased with decreasing of the alloy. The modified Clyne-Davies model was used to predict the hot cracking susceptibility of the alloy. The predicted results indicated that the hot tearing susceptibility decreased with grain refinement. With addition of 0.2 wt% Zr, the predicted hot tearing sensitivity value was reduced by about 2.5 times than that of the alloy without the addition of Zr.

A Fracture Mechanics Approach to Thermal Shock Investigation in Alumina-Based Refractory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Volkov-Husović, T.; Heinemann, R. Jančić; Mitraković, D.

2008-02-01

The thermal shock behavior of large grain size, alumina-based refractories was investigated experimentally using a standard water quench test. A mathematical model was employed to simulate the thermal stability behavior. Behavior of the samples under repeated thermal shock was monitored using ultrasonic measurements of dynamic Young's modulus. Image analysis was used to observe the extent of surface degradation. Analysis of the obtained results for the behavior of large grain size samples under conditions of rapid temperature changes is given.

Rocky Mountain Arsenal North Boundary Expansion Containment System Construction Foundation Report

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-03-01

APPENDIX C Am-Built Wall Data * 4 ’ FIG Timur TitleLa 2-1 Grain Size Analysis Soil A 2-3ii 2-2 Grain Size Analysis Soil 3 2-3iii 2-3 Finite Difference...letter request for investigation from the Great West- ern Sugar Company to Brigadier General C. S. Shadle, IA, dated 4 June 1954. A subsequent letter...from the Great Western Sugar Company to the Chief of Engineering and Service Division, IKA, dated 18 June 1954, related sore information concerning

Grain-Size Based Additivity Models for Scaling Multi-rate Uranyl Surface Complexation in Subsurface Sediments

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Xiaoying; Liu, Chongxuan; Hu, Bill X.

This study statistically analyzed a grain-size based additivity model that has been proposed to scale reaction rates and parameters from laboratory to field. The additivity model assumed that reaction properties in a sediment including surface area, reactive site concentration, reaction rate, and extent can be predicted from field-scale grain size distribution by linearly adding reaction properties for individual grain size fractions. This study focused on the statistical analysis of the additivity model with respect to reaction rate constants using multi-rate uranyl (U(VI)) surface complexation reactions in a contaminated sediment as an example. Experimental data of rate-limited U(VI) desorption in amore » stirred flow-cell reactor were used to estimate the statistical properties of multi-rate parameters for individual grain size fractions. The statistical properties of the rate constants for the individual grain size fractions were then used to analyze the statistical properties of the additivity model to predict rate-limited U(VI) desorption in the composite sediment, and to evaluate the relative importance of individual grain size fractions to the overall U(VI) desorption. The result indicated that the additivity model provided a good prediction of the U(VI) desorption in the composite sediment. However, the rate constants were not directly scalable using the additivity model, and U(VI) desorption in individual grain size fractions have to be simulated in order to apply the additivity model. An approximate additivity model for directly scaling rate constants was subsequently proposed and evaluated. The result found that the approximate model provided a good prediction of the experimental results within statistical uncertainty. This study also found that a gravel size fraction (2-8mm), which is often ignored in modeling U(VI) sorption and desorption, is statistically significant to the U(VI) desorption in the sediment.« less

Computational modeling and simulation of spall fracture in polycrystalline solids by an atomistic-based interfacial zone model

PubMed Central

Lin, Liqiang; Zeng, Xiaowei

2015-01-01

The focus of this work is to investigate spall fracture in polycrystalline materials under high-speed impact loading by using an atomistic-based interfacial zone model. We illustrate that for polycrystalline materials, increases in the potential energy ratio between grain boundaries and grains could cause a fracture transition from intergranular to transgranular mode. We also found out that the spall strength increases when there is a fracture transition from intergranular to transgranular. In addition, analysis of grain size, crystal lattice orientation and impact speed reveals that the spall strength increases as grain size or impact speed increases. PMID:26435546

Influence of grain size and texture prior to warm rolling on microstructure, texture and magnetic properties of Fe-6.5 wt% Si steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, H. J.; Xu, Y. B.; Jiao, H. T.; Cheng, S. F.; Misra, R. D. K.; Li, J. P.

2018-05-01

Fe-6.5 wt% Si steel hot bands with different initial grain size and texture were obtained through different annealing treatment. These bands were then warm rolled and annealed. An analysis on the evolution of microstructure and texture, particularly the formation of recrystallization texture was studied. The results indicated that initial grain size and texture had a significant effect on texture evolution and magnetic properties. Large initial grains led to coarse deformed grains with dense and long shear bands after warm rolling. Such long shear bands resulted in growth advantage for {1 1 3} 〈3 6 1〉 oriented grains during recrystallization. On the other hand, sharp {11 h} 〈1, 2, 1/h〉 (α∗-fiber) texture in the coarse-grained sample led to dominant {1 1 2} 〈1 1 0〉 texture after warm rolling. Such {1 1 2} 〈1 1 0〉 deformed grains provided massive nucleation sites for {1 1 3} 〈3 6 1〉 oriented grains during subsequent recrystallization. These {1 1 3} 〈3 6 1〉 grains were confirmed to exhibit an advantage on grain growth compared to γ-fiber grains. As a result, significant {1 1 3} 〈3 6 1〉 texture was developed and unfavorable γ-fiber texture was inhibited in the final annealed sheet. Both these aspects led to superior magnetic properties in the sample with largest initial grain size. The magnetic induction B8 was 1.36 T and the high frequency core loss P10/400 was 17.07 W/kg.

Effect of stoichiometry on magnetic and transport properties in polycrystalline Y2Ir2O7

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dwivedi, Vinod Kumar; Mukhopadhyay, Soumik

2018-05-01

In this paper we discuss synthesis of polycrystalline Y2Ir2O7 by solid state reaction route. XRD analysis shows deviation from stoichiometry which is also confirmed by SEM-EDX analysis. SEM analysis indicates average particle size ranging from 100 nm to 800 µm. EDX analysis gives clear evidence for deviation of stoichiometry of the product. Magnetic analysis is indicating effect of stoichiometry and showing ferromagnetic interaction unlike antiferromagnetic feature. Electrical resistivity is showing similar behavior as reported earlier and reveals no effect of different size of grains or grain boundaries from room temperature to 125 K.

Abnormal grain growth in AISI 304L stainless steel

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shirdel, M., E-mail: mshirdel1989@ut.ac.ir; Mirzadeh, H., E-mail: hmirzadeh@ut.ac.ir; Advanced Metalforming and Thermomechanical Processing Laboratory, School of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran

2014-11-15

The microstructural evolution during abnormal grain growth (secondary recrystallization) in 304L stainless steel was studied in a wide range of annealing temperatures and times. At relatively low temperatures, the grain growth mode was identified as normal. However, at homologous temperatures between 0.65 (850 °C) and 0.7 (900 °C), the observed transition in grain growth mode from normal to abnormal, which was also evident from the bimodality in grain size distribution histograms, was detected to be caused by the dissolution/coarsening of carbides. The microstructural features such as dispersed carbides were characterized by optical metallography, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersivemore » X-ray analysis, and microhardness. Continued annealing to a long time led to the completion of secondary recrystallization and the subsequent reappearance of normal growth mode. Another instance of abnormal grain growth was observed at homologous temperatures higher than 0.8, which may be attributed to the grain boundary faceting/defaceting phenomenon. It was also found that when the size of abnormal grains reached a critical value, their size will not change too much and the grain growth behavior becomes practically stagnant. - Highlights: • Abnormal grain growth (secondary recrystallization) in AISI 304L stainless steel • Exaggerated grain growth due to dissolution/coarsening of carbides • The enrichment of carbide particles by titanium • Abnormal grain growth due to grain boundary faceting at very high temperatures • The stagnancy of abnormal grain growth by annealing beyond a critical time.« less

A new database sub-system for grain-size analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suckow, Axel

2013-04-01

Detailed grain-size analyses of large depth profiles for palaeoclimate studies create large amounts of data. For instance (Novothny et al., 2011) presented a depth profile of grain-size analyses with 2 cm resolution and a total depth of more than 15 m, where each sample was measured with 5 repetitions on a Beckman Coulter LS13320 with 116 channels. This adds up to a total of more than four million numbers. Such amounts of data are not easily post-processed by spreadsheets or standard software; also MS Access databases would face serious performance problems. The poster describes a database sub-system dedicated to grain-size analyses. It expands the LabData database and laboratory management system published by Suckow and Dumke (2001). This compatibility with a very flexible database system provides ease to import the grain-size data, as well as the overall infrastructure of also storing geographic context and the ability to organize content like comprising several samples into one set or project. It also allows easy export and direct plot generation of final data in MS Excel. The sub-system allows automated import of raw data from the Beckman Coulter LS13320 Laser Diffraction Particle Size Analyzer. During post processing MS Excel is used as a data display, but no number crunching is implemented in Excel. Raw grain size spectra can be exported and controlled as Number- Surface- and Volume-fractions, while single spectra can be locked for further post-processing. From the spectra the usual statistical values (i.e. mean, median) can be computed as well as fractions larger than a grain size, smaller than a grain size, fractions between any two grain sizes or any ratio of such values. These deduced values can be easily exported into Excel for one or more depth profiles. However, such a reprocessing for large amounts of data also allows new display possibilities: normally depth profiles of grain-size data are displayed only with summarized parameters like the clay content, sand content, etc., which always only displays part of the available information at each depth. Alternatively, full spectra were displayed at one depth. The new software now allows to display the whole grain-size spectrum at each depth in a three dimensional display. LabData and the grain-size subsystem are based on MS Access as front-end and MS SQL Server as back-end database systems. The SQL code for the data model, SQL server procedures and triggers and the MS Access basic code for the front end are public domain code, published under the GNU GPL license agreement and are available free of charge. References: Novothny, Á., Frechen, M., Horváth, E., Wacha, L., Rolf, C., 2011. Investigating the penultimate and last glacial cycles of the Sütt dating, high-resolution grain size, and magnetic susceptibility data. Quaternary International 234, 75-85. Suckow, A., Dumke, I., 2001. A database system for geochemical, isotope hydrological and geochronological laboratories. Radiocarbon 43, 325-337.

VNIR reflectance spectroscopy of natural carbonate rocks: implication for remote sensing identification of fault damage zones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Traforti, Anna; Mari, Giovanna; Carli, Cristian; Demurtas, Matteo; Massironi, Matteo; Di Toro, Giulio

2017-04-01

Reflectance spectroscopy in the visible and near-infrared (VNIR) is a common technique used to study the mineral composition of Solar System bodies from remote sensed and in-situ robotic exploration. In the VNIR spectral range, both crystal field and vibrational overtone absorptions can be present with spectral characteristics (i.e. albedo, slopes, absorption band with different positions and depths) that vary depending on composition and texture (e.g. grain size, roughness) of the sensed materials. The characterization of the spectral variability related to the rock texture, especially in terms of grain size (i.e., both the size of rock components and the size of particulates), commonly allows to obtain a wide range of information about the different geological processes modifying the planetary surfaces. This work is aimed at characterizing how the grain size reduction associated to fault zone development produces reflectance variations in rock and mineral spectral signatures. To achieve this goal we present VNIR reflectance analysis of a set of fifteen rock samples collected at increasing distances from the fault core of the Vado di Corno fault zone (Campo Imperatore Fault System - Italian Central Apennines). The selected samples had similar content of calcite and dolomite but different grain size (X-Ray Powder Diffraction, optical and scanning electron microscopes analysis). Consequently, differences in the spectral signature of the fault rocks should not be ascribed to mineralogical composition. For each sample, bidirectional reflectance spectra were acquired with a Field-Pro Spectrometer mounted on a goniometer, on crushed rock slabs reduced to grain size <800, <200, <63, <10 μm and on intact fault zone rock slabs. The spectra were acquired on dry samples, at room temperature and normal atmospheric pressure. The source used was a Tungsten Halogen lamp with an illuminated spot area of ca. 0.5 cm2and incidence and emission angles of 30˚ and 0˚ respectively. The spectral analysis of the crushed and intact rock slabs in the VNIR spectral range revealed that in both cases, with increasing grain size: (i) the reflectance decreases (ii) VNIR spectrum slopes (i.e. calculated between wavelengths of 0.425 - 0.605 μm and 2.205 - 2.33 μm, respectively) and (iii) carbonate main absorption band depth (i.e. vibrational absorption band at wavelength of ˜2.3 μm) increase. In conclusion, grain size variations resulting from the fault zone evolution (e.g., cumulated slip or development of thick damage zones) produce reflectance variations in rocks and mineral spectral signatures. The remote sensing analysis in the VNIR spectral range can be applied to identify the spatial distribution and extent of fault core and damage zone domains for industrial and seismic hazard applications. Moreover, the spectral characterization of carbonate-built rocks can be of great interest for the surface investigation of inner planets (e.g. Earth and Mars) and outer bodies (e.g. Galilean icy satellites). On these surfaces, carbonate minerals at different grain sizes are common and usually related to water and carbon distribution, with direct implications for potential life outside Earth (e.g. Mars).

Methodenvergleich zur Bestimmung der hydraulischen Durchlässigkeit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Storz, Katharina; Steger, Hagen; Wagner, Valentin; Bayer, Peter; Blum, Philipp

2017-06-01

Knowing the hydraulic conductivity (K) is a precondition for understanding groundwater flow processes in the subsurface. Numerous laboratory and field methods for the determination of hydraulic conductivity exist, which can lead to significantly different results. In order to quantify the variability of these various methods, the hydraulic conductivity was examined for an industrial silica sand (Dorsilit) using four different methods: (1) grain-size analysis, (2) Kozeny-Carman approach, (3) permeameter tests and (4) flow rate experiments in large-scale tank experiments. Due to the large volume of the artificially built aquifer, the tank experiment results are assumed to be the most representative. Hydraulic conductivity values derived from permeameter tests show only minor deviation, while results of the empirically evaluated grain-size analysis are about one magnitude higher and show great variances. The latter was confirmed by the analysis of several methods for the determination of K-values found in the literature, thus we generally question the suitability of grain-size analyses and strongly recommend the use of permeameter tests.

Investigations of grain size dependent sediment transport phenomena on multiple scales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thaxton, Christopher S.

Sediment transport processes in coastal and fluvial environments resulting from disturbances such as urbanization, mining, agriculture, military operations, and climatic change have significant impact on local, regional, and global environments. Primarily, these impacts include the erosion and deposition of sediment, channel network modification, reduction in downstream water quality, and the delivery of chemical contaminants. The scale and spatial distribution of these effects are largely attributable to the size distribution of the sediment grains that become eligible for transport. An improved understanding of advective and diffusive grain-size dependent sediment transport phenomena will lead to the development of more accurate predictive models and more effective control measures. To this end, three studies were performed that investigated grain-size dependent sediment transport on three different scales. Discrete particle computer simulations of sheet flow bedload transport on the scale of 0.1--100 millimeters were performed on a heterogeneous population of grains of various grain sizes. The relative transport rates and diffusivities of grains under both oscillatory and uniform, steady flow conditions were quantified. These findings suggest that boundary layer formalisms should describe surface roughness through a representative grain size that is functionally dependent on the applied flow parameters. On the scale of 1--10m, experiments were performed to quantify the hydrodynamics and sediment capture efficiency of various baffles installed in a sediment retention pond, a commonly used sedimentation control measure in watershed applications. Analysis indicates that an optimum sediment capture effectiveness may be achieved based on baffle permeability, pond geometry and flow rate. Finally, on the scale of 10--1,000m, a distributed, bivariate watershed terain evolution module was developed within GRASS GIS. Simulation results for variable grain sizes and for distributed rainfall infiltration and land cover matched observations. Although a unique set of governing equations applies to each scale, an improved physics-based understanding of small and medium scale behavior may yield more accurate parameterization of key variables used in large scale predictive models.

OsAGSW1, an ABC1-like kinase gene, is involved in the regulation of grain size and weight in rice.

PubMed

Li, Tao; Jiang, Jieming; Zhang, Shengchun; Shu, Haoran; Wang, Yaqin; Lai, Jianbin; Du, Jinju; Yang, Chengwei

2015-09-01

Grain shape and weight are two determining agronomic traits of rice yield. ABC1 (Activity of bc1 complex) is a newly found atypical kinase in plants. Here, we report on an ABC1 protein kinase gene, OsAGSW1 (ABC1-like kinase related to Grain size and Weight). Expression of OsAGSW1-GFP in rice revealed that OsAGSW1 is localized to the chloroplasts in rice. Analysis of OsAGSW1 promoter::β-glucuronidase transgenic rice indicated that this gene was highly expressed in vascular bundles in shoot, hull and caryopsis. Furthermore, OsAGSW1-RNAi and overexpressed transgenic rice lines were generated. Stable transgenic lines overexpressing OsAGSW1 exhibited a phenotype with a significant increase in grain size, grain weight, grain filling rate and 1000-grain weight compared with the wild-type and RNAi transgenic plants. Microscopy analysis showed that spikelet hulls just before heading were different in the OsAGSW1-overexpressed plants compared with wild-type and OsAGSW1 RNAi rice. Further cytological analysis showed that the number of external parenchyma cells in rice hulls of OsAGSW1-overexpressed plants increased, leading to wider and longer spikelet hulls than those of the wild-type and OsAGSW1-RNAi plants. The vascular cross-sectional area in lemma, carpopodium and ovules also strikingly increased and area of both xylem and phloem were enlarged in the OsAGSW1-overexpressed plants. Thus, our results demonstrated that OsAGSW1 plays an important role in seed shape and size of rice by regulating the number of external parenchyma cells and the development of vascular bundles, providing a new insight into the functions of ABC1 genes in plants. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Experimental Biology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Size-Selective Modes of Aeolian Transport on Earth and Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Swann, C.; Ewing, R. C.; Sherman, D. J.; McLean, C. J.

2016-12-01

Aeolian sand transport is a dominant driver of surface change and dust emission on Mars. Estimates of aeolian sand transport on Earth and Mars rely on terrestrial transport models that do not differentiate between transport modes (e.g., creep vs. saltation), which limits estimates of the critical threshold for transport and the total sand flux during a transport event. A gap remains in understanding how the different modes contribute to the total sand flux. Experiments conducted at the MARtian Surface WInd Tunnel separated modes of transport for uniform and mixed grain size surfaces at Earth and Martian atmospheric pressures. Crushed walnut shells with a density of 1.0 gm/cm3 were used. Experiments resolved grain size distributions for creeping and saltating grains over 3 uniform surfaces, U1, U2, and U3, with median grain sizes of 308 µm, 721 µm, and 1294 µm, and a mixed grain size surface, M1, with median grain sizes of 519 µm. A mesh trap located 5 cm above the test bed and a surface creep trap were deployed to capture particles moving as saltation and creep. Grains that entered the creep trap at angles ≥ 75° were categorized as moving in creep mode only. Only U1 and M1 surfaces captured enough surface creep at both Earth and Mars pressure for statistically significant grain size analysis. Our experiments show that size selective transport differs between Earth and Mars conditions. The median grain size of particles moving in creep for both uniform and mixed surfaces are larger under Earth conditions. (U1Earth = 385 µm vs. U1Mars = 355 µm; M1Earth = 762 vs. M1Mars = 697 µm ). However, particles moving in saltation were larger under Mars conditions (U1Earth = 282 µm; U1Mars = 309 µm; M1Earth = 347 µm; M1Mars = 454 µm ). Similar to terrestrial experiments, the median size of surface creep is larger than the median grain size of saltation. Median sizes of U1, U2, U3 at Mars conditions for creep was 355 µm, 774 µm and 1574 µm. Saltation at Mars conditions over the same surfaces was 309 µm, 695 µm and 1398 µm. For the mixed surfaces under Earth and Mars conditions, the size selection process resulted the formation of incipient ripples that migrated over a finer substrate. Determining the modes of transport under Martian conditions refines our understanding of the development of deflationary surfaces and bed forms.

Decoding sediment transport dynamics on alluvial fans from spatial changes in grain size, Death Valley, California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brooke, Sam; Whittaker, Alexander; Watkins, Stephen; Armitage, John

2017-04-01

How fluvial sediment transport processes are transmitted to the sedimentary record remains a complex problem for the interpretation of fluvial stratigraphy. Alluvial fans represent the condensed sedimentary archive of upstream fluvial processes, controlled by the interplay between tectonics and climate over time, infused with the complex signal of internal autogenic processes. With high sedimentation rates and near complete preservation, alluvial fans present a unique opportunity to tackle the problem of landscape sensitivity to external boundary conditions such as climate. For three coupled catchments-fan systems in the tectonically well-constrained northern Death Valley, we measure grain size trends across well-preserved Holocene and Late-Pleistocene deposits, which we have mapped in detail. Our results show that fan surfaces from the Late-Pleistocene are, on average, 50% coarser than counterpart active or Holocene fan surfaces, with clear variations in input grain sizes observed between surfaces of differing age. Furthermore, the change in ratio between mean grain size and standard deviation is stable downstream for all surfaces, satisfying the statistical definition of self-similarity. Applying a self-similarity model of selective deposition, we derive a relative mobility function directly from our grain size distributions, and we evaluate for each fan surface the grain size for which the ratio of the probability of transport to deposition is 1. We show that the "equally mobile" grain size lies in the range of 20 to 35 mm, varies over time, and is clearly lower in the Holocene than in the Pleistocene. Our results indicate that coarser grain sizes on alluvial fans are much less mobile than in river systems where such an analysis has been previously applied. These results support recent findings that alluvial fan sediment characteristics can be used as an archive of past environmental change and that landscapes are sensitive to environmental change over a glacial-interglacial cycle. Significantly, the self-similarity methodology offers a means to constrain relative mobility of grain sizes from field measurements where hydrological information is lost or irretrievable.

Optimal reproduction in salmon spawning substrates linked to grain size and fish length

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Riebe, Clifford S.; Sklar, Leonard S.; Overstreet, Brandon T.; Wooster, John K.

2014-02-01

Millions of dollars are spent annually on revitalizing salmon spawning in riverbeds where redd building by female salmon is inhibited by sediment that is too big for fish to move. Yet the conditions necessary for productive spawning remain unclear. There is no gauge for quantifying how grain size influences the reproductive potential of coarse-bedded rivers. Hence, managers lack a quantitative basis for optimizing spawning habitat restoration for reproductive value. To overcome this limitation, we studied spawning by Chinook, sockeye, and pink salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, O. nerka, and O. gorbuscha) in creeks and rivers of California and the Pacific Northwest. Our analysis shows that coarse substrates have been substantially undervalued as spawning habitat in previous work. We present a field-calibrated approach for estimating the number of redds and eggs a substrate can accommodate from measurements of grain size and fish length. Bigger fish can move larger sediment and thus use more riverbed area for spawning. They also tend to have higher fecundity, and so can deposit more eggs per redd. However, because redd area increases with fish length, the number of eggs a substrate can accommodate is maximized for moderate-sized fish. This previously unrecognized tradeoff raises the possibility that differences in grain size help regulate river-to-river differences in salmon size. Thus, population diversity and species resilience may be linked to lithologic, geomorphic, and climatic factors that determine grain size in rivers. Our approach provides a tool for managing grain-size distributions in support of optimal reproductive potential and species resilience.

Dynamics of sediments along with their core properties in the Monastir-Bekalta coastline (Tunisia, Central Mediterranean)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khiari, Nouha; Atoui, Abdelfattah; Khalil, Nadia; Charef, Abdelkrim; Aleya, Lotfi

2017-10-01

The authors report on two campaigns of high-resolution samplings along the shores of Monastir Bay in Tunisia: the first being a study of sediment dynamics, grain size and mineral composition in surface sediment, and the second, eight months later, using four sediment cores to study grain-size distribution in bottom sediments. Particle size analysis of superficial sediment shows that the sand in shallow depths is characterized by S-shaped curves, indicating a certain degree of agitation, possible transport by rip currents near the bottom and hyperbolic curves illustrating heterogeneity of sand stock. The sediments settle in a relatively calm environment. Along the bay shore (from 0 to 2 m depth), the bottom is covered by medium sand. Sediment transport is noted along the coast; from north to south and from south to north, caused by longshore drift and a rip current in the middle of the bay. These two currents are generated by wind and swell, especially by north to northeast waves which transport the finest sediment. Particle size analysis of bottom sediment indicates a mean grain size ranging from coarse to very fine sands while vertical distribution of grain size tends to decrease from surface to depth. The increase in particle size of sediment cores may be due to the coexistence of terrigenous inputs along with the sedimentary transit parallel to the coast due to the effect of longshore drift. Mineralogical analysis shows that Monastir's coastal sands and bottom sediment are composed of quartz, calcite, magnesium calcite, aragonite and hematite. The existence of a low energy zone with potential to accumulate pollutants indicates that managerial action is necessary to help preserve Monastir Bay.

Implications of Grain Size Evolution for the Effective Stress Exponent in Ice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Behn, M. D.; Goldsby, D. L.; Hirth, G.

2016-12-01

Viscous flow in ice has typically been described by the Glen law—a non-Newtonian, power-law relationship between stress and strain-rate with a stress exponent n 3. The Glen law is attributed to grain-size-insensitive dislocation creep; however, laboratory and field studies demonstrate that deformation in ice is strongly dependent on grain size. This has led to the hypothesis that at sufficiently low stresses, ice flow is controlled by grain boundary sliding [1], which explicitly incorporates the grain-size dependence of ice rheology. Yet, neither dislocation creep (n 4), nor grain boundary sliding (n 1.8), have stress exponents that match the value of n 3 for the Glen law. Thus, although the Glen law provides an approximate description of ice flow in glaciers and ice sheets, its functional form cannot be explained by a single deformation mechanism. Here we seek to understand the origin of the n 3 dependence of the Glen law through a new model for grain-size evolution in ice. In our model, grain size evolves in response to the balance between dynamic recrystallization and grain growth. To simulate these processes we adapt the "wattmeter" [2], originally developed within the solid-Earth community to quantify grain size in crustal and mantle rocks. The wattmeter posits that grain size is controlled by a balance between the mechanical work required for grain growth and dynamic grain size reduction. The evolution of grain size in turn controls the relative contributions of dislocation creep and grain boundary sliding, and thus the effective stress exponent for ice flow. Using this approach, we first benchmark our grain size evolution model on experimental data and then calculate grain size in two end-member scenarios: (1) as a function of depth within an ice-sheet, and (2) across an ice-stream margin. We show that the calculated grain sizes match ice core observations for the interior of ice sheets. Furthermore, owing to the influence of grain size on strain rate, the variation in grain size with deformation conditions results in an effective stress exponent intermediate between grain boundary sliding and dislocation creep. [1] Goldsby & Kohlstedt, JGR, 2001; [2] Austin & Evans, Geology, 1997

Dunes Around Khnifiss Lagoon (Tarfaya, SW of Morocco): Composition, Itinerary In Dune Fields, Effects on Dunes' Colours and Morphodynamic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adnani, M.; Azzaoui, M. A.; Elbelrhiti, H.; Ahmamou, M.; Masmoudi, L.

2015-12-01

Dunes around Khnifiss lagoon (28° 3'N, 12°13'W) show different colors ranging from black at the beach, whitish yellow in transverse dunes near the beach to reddish at the mega barchans situated few kilometers in the SW. The scientific question is about the abundance of different dunes in the same environmental conditions. The present work aims to investigate the factors that influence dunes color change, and then at which degree these factors could control dunes stability. To highlight the difference in color observed at the dune fields then to characterize dunes mineralogy, Landsat TM images were used in addition to mineralogical analysis that was carried out for the black grains samples originated from megabarchans. Optic Microscope and SEM- EDS data was adopted, in addition to physico-chemical analysis provided by Electronic Microprobe. Grain size and shape analysis were conducted to characterize the different types of grains of sand. 3/1 Landsat image band ratio allowed iron oxide distinction, the results revealed the importance of iron oxide concentration. Furthermore, mineralogical and physico-chemical analysis revealed (i) a high grade of oxides (Rutile, Ilmenite, Magnetite, Ulvöspinel) in samples, (ii) silicates (Quartz, Clinopyroxene, feldspar, Zircon), (iii) phosphate (apatite) and (iv) carbonate (calcite). The grain size analysis of the sand originated from the megabarchans reveals that there are three populations of sand. Black grains with a diameter less than 100μm and dominated by the magnetite, red ones composed mainly by the quartz with diameter between 100 and 180 μm and grains with diameter more than 180 μm are white and composed by carbonates. The threshold of motion of these different grains was calculated. It shows that these different grains have the same threshold of motion, which means that the grain size compensates the density. This explains the abundance of different populations of sand in the same environment. The dominance of iron oxides justified the color black in sand. However, the whitish yellow and reddish color observed in dunes could be attributed to iron oxide clay coating, produced under weathering conditions, covering the grains of quartz. Key words: black sand, Landsat, Iron Oxide, Khnifiss beach, megadunes, Tarfaya, Morocco

Understanding the mechanical and acoustical characteristics of sand aggregates compacting under triaxial conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hangx, Suzanne; Brantut, Nicolas

2016-04-01

Mechanisms such as grain rearrangement, coupled with elastic deformation, grain breakage, grain rearrangement, grain rotation, and intergranular sliding, play a key role in determining porosity and permeability reduction during burial of clastic sediments. Similarly, in poorly consolidated, highly porous sands and sandstones, grain rotation, intergranular sliding, grain failure, and pore collapse often lead to significant reduction in porosity through the development of compaction bands, with the reduced porosity and permeability of such bands producing natural barriers to flow within reservoir rocks. Such time-independent compaction processes operating in highly porous water- and hydrocarbon-bearing clastic reservoirs can exert important controls on production-related reservoir deformation, subsidence, and induced seismicity. We performed triaxial compression experiments on sand aggregates consisting of well-rounded Ottawa sand (d = 300-400 μm; φ = 36.1-36.4%) at room temperature, to systematically investigate the effect of confining pressure (Pceff = 5-100 MPa), strain rate (10-6-10-4 s-1) and chemical environment (decane vs. water; Pf = 5 MPa) on compaction. For a limited number of experiments grain size distribution (d = 180-500 μm) and grain shape (subangular Beaujean sand; d = 180-300 μm) were varied to study their effect. Acoustic emission statistics and location, combined with microstructural and grain size analysis, were used to verify the operating microphysical compaction mechanisms. All tests showed significant pre-compaction during the initial hydrostatic (set-up) phase, with quasi-elastic loading behaviour accompanied by permanent deformation during the differential loading stage. This permanent volumetric strain involved elastic grain contact distortion, particle rearrangement, and grain failure. From the acoustic data and grain size analysis, it was evident that at low confining pressure grain rearrangement controlled compaction, with grain failure being present but occurring to a relatively limited extent. Acoustic emission localization showed that failure was focussed along a broad shear plane. At higher confining pressure pervasive grain failure clearly accommodated compaction, though no strain localization was observed and failure appeared to be through cataclastic flow. Chemical environment, i.e. chemically inert decane vs. water as a pore fluid, had no significant effect on compaction in the strain rate range tested. Grain size distribution or grain shape also appeared to not affect the observed mechanical behaviour. Our results can be used to better understand the compaction behaviour of poorly consolidated sandstones. Future research will focus on understanding the effect of cementation on strain localization in deforming artificial Ottawa sandstone.

A systematic analysis of eight decades of incipient motion studies, with special reference to gravel-bedded rivers

Treesearch

John M. Buffington; David R. Montgomery

1997-01-01

Data compiled from eight decades of incipient motion studies were used to calculate dimensionless critical shear stress values of the median grain size, T*c50. Calculated T*c50 values were stratified by initial motion definition, median grain size type (surface, subsurface, or laboratory mixture), relative roughness, and flow regime. A traditional Shields plot...

OsMAPK6, a mitogen-activated protein kinase, influences rice grain size and biomass production.

PubMed

Liu, Shuying; Hua, Lei; Dong, Sujun; Chen, Hongqi; Zhu, Xudong; Jiang, Jun'e; Zhang, Fang; Li, Yunhai; Fang, Xiaohua; Chen, Fan

2015-11-01

Grain size is an important agronomic trait in determining grain yield. However, the molecular mechanisms that determine the final grain size are not well understood. Here, we report the functional analysis of a rice (Oryza sativa L.) mutant, dwarf and small grain1 (dsg1), which displays pleiotropic phenotypes, including small grains, dwarfism and erect leaves. Cytological observations revealed that the small grain and dwarfism of dsg1 were mainly caused by the inhibition of cell proliferation. Map-based cloning revealed that DSG1 encoded a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), OsMAPK6. OsMAPK6 was mainly located in the nucleus and cytoplasm, and was ubiquitously distributed in various organs, predominately in spikelets and spikelet hulls, consistent with its role in grain size and biomass production. As a functional kinase, OsMAPK6 interacts strongly with OsMKK4, indicating that OsMKK4 is likely to be the upstream MAPK kinase of OsMAPK6 in rice. In addition, hormone sensitivity tests indicated that the dsg1 mutant was less sensitive to brassinosteroids (BRs). The endogenous BR levels were reduced in dsg1, and the expression of several BR signaling pathway genes and feedback-inhibited genes was altered in the dsg1 mutant, with or without exogenous BRs, indicating that OsMAPK6 may contribute to influence BR homeostasis and signaling. Thus, OsMAPK6, a MAPK, plays a pivotal role in grain size in rice, via cell proliferation, and BR signaling and homeostasis. © 2015 The Authors The Plant Journal published by Society for Experimental Biology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Microstructural Evaluations of Baseline HSR/EPM Disk Alloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gabb, Timothy P.; Garg, Anita; Ellis, David L.

2004-01-01

Six alloys representing two classes of powder metallurgy nickel-based superalloys were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and phase extraction. Alloys KM4, CH98, IN-100 and 456 are based on a Ni-18Co-12Cr composition while alloys Rene' 88 DT and SR 3 have lower Al and Co and higher Cr contents. The lambda size distributions were determined from quantitative image analysis of the TEM images. The volume fraction of lambda and carbides and the composition of the phases were determined by a combination of phase extraction and TEM. The results showed many similarities in lambda size distributions, grain boundary serrations, and grain boundary carbide frequencies between alloys KM4, CH98, 456, Rene' 88 DT and SR 3 when heat treated to give an approximate grain size of ASTM 6. The density of grain boundary carbides in KM4 was shown to substantially increase as the grain size increased. IN-100 and 456 subjected to a serration cooling heat treatment had much more complex lambda size distributions with very large intergranular and intragranular secondary lambda as well as finer than average cooling and aging lambda. The grain boundary carbides in IN-100 were similar to the other alloys, but 456 given the serration cooling heat treatment had a more variable density of grain boundary carbides. Examination of the phases extracted from the matrix showed that there were significant differences in the phase chemistries and elemental partitioning ratios between the various alloys.

Colloidal crystal grain boundary formation and motion

PubMed Central

Edwards, Tara D.; Yang, Yuguang; Beltran-Villegas, Daniel J.; Bevan, Michael A.

2014-01-01

The ability to assemble nano- and micro- sized colloidal components into highly ordered configurations is often cited as the basis for developing advanced materials. However, the dynamics of stochastic grain boundary formation and motion have not been quantified, which limits the ability to control and anneal polycrystallinity in colloidal based materials. Here we use optical microscopy, Brownian Dynamic simulations, and a new dynamic analysis to study grain boundary motion in quasi-2D colloidal bicrystals formed within inhomogeneous AC electric fields. We introduce “low-dimensional” models using reaction coordinates for condensation and global order that capture first passage times between critical configurations at each applied voltage. The resulting models reveal that equal sized domains at a maximum misorientation angle show relaxation dominated by friction limited grain boundary diffusion; and in contrast, asymmetrically sized domains with less misorientation display much faster grain boundary migration due to significant thermodynamic driving forces. By quantifying such dynamics vs. compression (voltage), kinetic bottlenecks associated with slow grain boundary relaxation are understood, which can be used to guide the temporal assembly of defect-free single domain colloidal crystals. PMID:25139760

A Phase Field Study of the Effect of Microstructure Grain Size Heterogeneity on Grain Growth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crist, David J. D.

Recent studies conducted with sharp-interface models suggest a link between the spatial distribution of grain size variance and average grain growth rate. This relationship and its effect on grain growth rate was examined using the diffuse-interface Phase Field Method on a series of microstructures with different degrees of grain size gradation. Results from this work indicate that the average grain growth rate has a positive correlation with the average grain size dispersion for phase field simulations, confirming previous observations. It is also shown that the grain growth rate in microstructures with skewed grain size distributions is better measured through the change in the volume-weighted average grain size than statistical mean grain size. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1334283. The NSF project title is "DMREF: Real Time Control of Grain Growth in Metals" and was awarded by the Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation division under the Designing Materials to Revolutionize and Engineer our Future (DMREF) program.

A Critical Analysis of Grain-Size and Yield-Strength Dependence of Near-Threshold Fatigue-Crack Growth in Steels.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-07-15

strength (ays) or grain size ( ) -- as is the case, for example, with a low-carbon ferritic steel -- it is unmistakably clear that for the gamut of...steels examined (15 cases), the transition points do not order on the basis of £ either cy, or k alone. Rather, values of AKT for the gamut of steels...the search for a systematic ordering of near-threshold fatigue crack growth rates that pertains to the whole gamut of steels. SURVEY AND ANALYSIS A

Impact of grain size evolution on necking and pinch-and-swell formation in calcite layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmalholz, Stefan Markus; Duretz, Thibault

2017-04-01

The formation of necking zones and the associated formation of pinch-and-swell structure is one form of strain localization in extending, competent layers. Natural pinch-and-swell structure in centimetre-thick calcite layers typically shows a reduction of grain size from swell towards pinch. However, the impact of grain size evolution on necking and pinch-and-swell formation is incompletely understood. We perform zero-dimensional (0D) and 2D thermo-mechanical numerical simulations to quantify the impact of grain size evolution on necking for extension rates between 10-12s^-1and10^-14 s-1 and temperatures around 350°C. For a combination of diffusion and dislocation creep we calculate grain size evolution according to the paleowattmeter (grain size is proportional to mechanical work rate) or the paleopiezometer (grain size is proportional to stress). Numerical results fit two observations: (i) grain size reduction from swells towards pinches, and (ii) dislocation creep dominated deformation in swells and significant contribution of diffusion creep in pinches. Modelled grain size in pinches (10 to 60 μm) and swells (70 to 800 μm) is close to observed grain size in pinches (15 to 27 μm) and in swells (250 to 1500 μm). Grain size evolution has only a minor impact on necking suggesting that grain size evolution is a consequence, and not the cause of necking. Viscous shear heating and grain size evolution had a negligible thermal impact in the simulations.

A continuum theory of grain size evolution and damage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ricard, Y.; Bercovici, D.

2009-01-01

Lithospheric shear localization, as occurs in the formation of tectonic plate boundaries, is often associated with diminished grain size (e.g., mylonites). Grain size reduction is typically attributed to dynamic recrystallization; however, theoretical models of shear localization arising from this hypothesis are problematic because (1) they require the simultaneous action of two creep mechanisms (diffusion and dislocation creep) that occur in different deformation regimes (i.e., in grain size stress space) and (2) the grain growth ("healing") laws employed by these models are derived from normal grain growth or coarsening theory, which are valid in the absence of deformation, although the shear localization setting itself requires deformation. Here we present a new first principles grained-continuum theory, which accounts for both coarsening and damage-induced grain size reduction in a monomineralic assemblage undergoing irrecoverable deformation. Damage per se is the generic process for generation of microcracks, defects, dislocations (including recrystallization), subgrains, nuclei, and cataclastic breakdown of grains. The theory contains coupled macroscopic continuum mechanical and grain-scale statistical components. The continuum level of the theory considers standard mass, momentum, and energy conservation, as well as entropy production, on a statistically averaged grained continuum. The grain-scale element of the theory describes both the evolution of the grain size distribution and mechanisms for both continuous grain growth and discontinuous grain fracture and coalescence. The continuous and discontinuous processes of grain size variation are prescribed by nonequilibrium thermodynamics (in particular, the treatment of entropy production provides the phenomenological laws for grain growth and reduction); grain size evolution thus incorporates the free energy differences between grains, including both grain boundary surface energy (which controls coarsening) and the contribution of deformational work to these free energies (which controls damage). In the absence of deformation, only two mechanisms that increase the average grain size are allowed by the second law of thermodynamics. One mechanism, involving continuous diffusive mass transport from small to large grains, captures the essential components of normal grain growth theories of Lifshitz-Slyosov and Hillert. The second mechanism involves the aggregation of grains and is described using a Smoluchovski formalism. With the inclusion of deformational work and damage, the theory predicts two mechanisms for which the thermodynamic requirement of entropy positivity always forces large grains to shrink and small ones to grow. The first such damage-driven mechanism involving continuous mass transfer from large to small grains tends to homogenize the distribution of grain size toward its initial mean grain size. The second damage mechanism favors the creation of small grains by discontinuous division of larger grains and reduces the mean grain size with time. When considered separately, most of these mechanisms allow for self-similar grain size distributions whose scales (i.e., statistical moments such as the mean, variance, and skewness) can all be described by a single grain scale, such as the mean or maximum. However, the combination of mechanisms, e.g., one that captures the competition between continuous coarsening and mean grain size reduction by breakage, does not generally permit a self-similar solution for the grain size distribution, which contradicts the classic assumption that grain growth laws allowing for both coarsening and recrystallization can be treated with a single grain scale such as the mean size.

Shear-Coupled Grain Growth and Texture Development in a Nanocrystalline Ni-Fe Alloy during Cold Rolling

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, Li; Ungár, Tamás; Toth, Laszlo S.

The evolution of texture, grain size, grain shape, dislocation and twin density has been determined by synchrotron X-ray diffraction and line profile analysis in a nanocrystalline Ni- Fe alloy after cold rolling along different directions related to the initial fiber and the long axis of grains. The texture evolution has been simulated by the Taylor-type relaxed constraints viscoplastic polycrystal model. The simulations were based on the activity of partial dislocations in correlation with the experimental results of dislocation density determination. The concept of stress-induced shear-coupling is supported and strengthened by both the texture simulations and the experimentally determined evolution ofmore » the microstructure parameters. Grain-growth and texture evolution are shown to proceed by the shear-coupling mechanism supported by dislocation activity as long as the grain size is not smaller than about 20 nm.« less

Molecular dynamics simulations investigating consecutive nucleation, solidification and grain growth in a twelve-million-atom Fe-system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okita, Shin; Verestek, Wolfgang; Sakane, Shinji; Takaki, Tomohiro; Ohno, Munekazu; Shibuta, Yasushi

2017-09-01

Continuous processes of homogeneous nucleation, solidification and grain growth are spontaneously achieved from an undercooled iron melt without any phenomenological parameter in the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation with 12 million atoms. The nucleation rate at the critical temperature is directly estimated from the atomistic configuration by cluster analysis to be of the order of 1034 m-3 s-1. Moreover, time evolution of grain size distribution during grain growth is obtained by the combination of Voronoi and cluster analyses. The grain growth exponent is estimated to be around 0.3 from the geometric average of the grain size distribution. Comprehensive understanding of kinetic properties during continuous processes is achieved in the large-scale MD simulation by utilizing the high parallel efficiency of a graphics processing unit (GPU), which is shedding light on the fundamental aspects of production processes of materials from the atomistic viewpoint.

Retrieving optical constants of glasses with variable iron abundance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carli, C.; Roush, T. L.; Capaccioni, F.; Baraldi, A.

2013-12-01

Visible and Near Infrared (VNIR, ~0.4-2.5 μm) spectroscopy is an important tool to explore the surface composition of objects in our Solar System. Using this technique different minerals have been recognized on the surfaces of solar system bodies. One of the principal products of extrusive volcanism and impact cratering is a glassy component, that can be abundant and thus significantly influence the spectral signature of the region investigated. Different types of glasses have been proposed and identified on the lunar surface and in star forming regions near young stellar objects. Here we report an initial effort of retrieving the optical constants of volcanic glasses formed in oxidizing terrestrial-like conditions. We also investigated how those calculations are affected by the grain size distribution. Bidirectional reflectance spectra, obtained with incidence and emission angles of 30° and 0°, respectively, were measured on powders of different grain sizes for four different glassy compositions in the VNIR. Hapke's model of the interaction of light with particulate surfaces was used to determine the imaginary index, k, at each wavelength by iteratively minimizing the difference between measured and calculated reflectance The basic approach to retrieving the optical constants was to use multiple grain sizes of the same sample and assume all grain sizes are compositionally equivalent. Unless independently known as a function of wavelength, an additional assumption must be made regarding the real index of refraction, n. The median size for each particle size separate was adopted for initially estimating k. Then, iterating the Hapke analysis results with a subtractive Kramers-Kronig analysis we were able to determine the wavelength dependence of n. For each composition we used the k-values estimated for all the grain sizes to calculate a mean k-value representing that composition. These values were then used to fit the original spectra by only varying the grain sizes. As a separate estimate of the k-values, we will use transmission measurements in the VNIR. Two slabs, with different thicknesses, will be measured for each composition. These data will be used to determine a k value and a comparison between k values obtained from the two different techniques will be discussed.

Grain size constraints on twin expansion in hexagonal close packed crystals

DOE PAGES

Kumar, Mariyappan Arul; Beyerlein, Irene Jane; Tome, Carlos N.

2016-10-20

Deformation twins are stress-induced transformed domains of lamellar shape that form when polycrystalline hexagonal close packed metals, like Mg, are strained. Several studies have reported that the propensity of deformation twinning reduces as grain size decreases. Here, we use a 3D crystal plasticity based micromechanics model to calculate the effect of grain size on the driving forces responsible for expanding twin lamellae. The calculations reveal that constraints from the neighboring grain where the grain boundary and twin lamella meet induce a stress reversal in the twin lamella. A pronounced grain size effect arises as reductions in grain size cause thesemore » stress-reversal fields from twin/grain boundary junctions to affect twin growth. We further show that the severity of this neighboring grain constraint depends on the crystallographic orientation and plastic response of the neighboring grain. We show that these stress-reversal fields from twin/grain boundary junctions will affect twin growth, below a critical parent grain size. Finally, these results reveal an unconventional yet influential role that grain size and grain neighbors can play on deformation twinning.« less

Different slip systems controlling crystallographic preferred orientation and intracrystalline deformation of amphibole in mylonites from the Neyriz mantle diapir, Iran

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elyaszadeh, Ramin; Prior, David J.; Sarkarinejad, Khalil; Mansouri, Hadiseh

2018-02-01

A deformed layered gabbro and a mylonitic gabbro sample from the marginal shear zone of the Neyriz mantle diapir in Iran were analyzed using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Both samples have the common amphibole crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) in which (100) lies perpendicular to foliation and <001> parallel to lineation. Amphibole grains in the layered gabbro sample have little internal deformation, whereas in the mylonitic gabbro sample the amphibole grains are strongly distorted and contain low angle grain boundaries. There is a subtle change in CPO as a function of grain size in the mylonitic gabbro. Coarse grains (porphyroclasts) have a (100) <001> CPO oriented with the main foliation reference frame whilst fine grains have a (100) <001> CPO oriented with the C‧ shear bands. Detailed analysis of porphyroclast distortions and subgrain boundary trace analysis suggests that hard slip systems, most particularly (110) <1-10> control intracrystalline deformation. Schmid factor analysis suggest that these slip systems are not involved in foliation formation but are linked kinematically to C‧ shear bands. It is unlikely that the slip systems that control intracrystalline deformation are important in CPO formation. We interpret that subgrain rotation recrystallization lead to grain size reduction and the elongate recrystallized grains were rotated towards the C‧ shear bands by grain boundary sliding. This rigid body rotation, possibly in combination with easy slip on (100) <001> are considered the main cause of CPO formation. Amphibole zonation patterns in the layered gabbro sample suggest that oriented growth of amphibole may have contributed to CPO.

Pore structure characterization of Chang-7 tight sandstone using MICP combined with N2GA techniques and its geological control factors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Zhe; Liu, Guangdi; Zhan, Hongbin; Li, Chaozheng; You, Yuan; Yang, Chengyu; Jiang, Hang

2016-11-01

Understanding the pore networks of unconventional tight reservoirs such as tight sandstones and shales is crucial for extracting oil/gas from such reservoirs. Mercury injection capillary pressure (MICP) and N2 gas adsorption (N2GA) are performed to evaluate pore structure of Chang-7 tight sandstone. Thin section observation, scanning electron microscope, grain size analysis, mineral composition analysis, and porosity measurement are applied to investigate geological control factors of pore structure. Grain size is positively correlated with detrital mineral content and grain size standard deviation while negatively related to clay content. Detrital mineral content and grain size are positively correlated with porosity, pore throat radius and withdrawal efficiency and negatively related to capillary pressure and pore-to-throat size ratio; while interstitial material is negatively correlated with above mentioned factors. Well sorted sediments with high debris usually possess strong compaction resistance to preserve original pores. Although many inter-crystalline pores are produced in clay minerals, this type of pores is not the most important contributor to porosity. Besides this, pore shape determined by N2GA hysteresis loop is consistent with SEM observation on clay inter-crystalline pores while BJH pore volume is positively related with clay content, suggesting N2GA is suitable for describing clay inter-crystalline pores in tight sandstones.

Pore structure characterization of Chang-7 tight sandstone using MICP combined with N2GA techniques and its geological control factors

PubMed Central

Cao, Zhe; Liu, Guangdi; Zhan, Hongbin; Li, Chaozheng; You, Yuan; Yang, Chengyu; Jiang, Hang

2016-01-01

Understanding the pore networks of unconventional tight reservoirs such as tight sandstones and shales is crucial for extracting oil/gas from such reservoirs. Mercury injection capillary pressure (MICP) and N2 gas adsorption (N2GA) are performed to evaluate pore structure of Chang-7 tight sandstone. Thin section observation, scanning electron microscope, grain size analysis, mineral composition analysis, and porosity measurement are applied to investigate geological control factors of pore structure. Grain size is positively correlated with detrital mineral content and grain size standard deviation while negatively related to clay content. Detrital mineral content and grain size are positively correlated with porosity, pore throat radius and withdrawal efficiency and negatively related to capillary pressure and pore-to-throat size ratio; while interstitial material is negatively correlated with above mentioned factors. Well sorted sediments with high debris usually possess strong compaction resistance to preserve original pores. Although many inter-crystalline pores are produced in clay minerals, this type of pores is not the most important contributor to porosity. Besides this, pore shape determined by N2GA hysteresis loop is consistent with SEM observation on clay inter-crystalline pores while BJH pore volume is positively related with clay content, suggesting N2GA is suitable for describing clay inter-crystalline pores in tight sandstones. PMID:27830731

WIDE AND THICK GRAIN 1, which encodes an otubain-like protease with deubiquitination activity, influences grain size and shape in rice.

PubMed

Huang, Ke; Wang, Dekai; Duan, Penggen; Zhang, Baolan; Xu, Ran; Li, Na; Li, Yunhai

2017-09-01

Grain size and shape are two crucial traits that influence grain yield and grain appearance in rice. Although several factors that affect grain size have been described in rice, the molecular mechanisms underlying the determination of grain size and shape are still elusive. In this study we report that WIDE AND THICK GRAIN 1 (WTG1) functions as an important factor determining grain size and shape in rice. The wtg1-1 mutant exhibits wide, thick, short and heavy grains and also shows an increased number of grains per panicle. WTG1 determines grain size and shape mainly by influencing cell expansion. WTG1 encodes an otubain-like protease, which shares similarity with human OTUB1. Biochemical analyses indicate that WTG1 is a functional deubiquitinating enzyme, and the mutant protein (wtg1-1) loses this deubiquitinating activity. WTG1 is expressed in developing grains and panicles, and the GFP-WTG1 fusion protein is present in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Overexpression of WTG1 results in narrow, thin, long grains due to narrow and long cells, further supporting the role of WTG1 in determining grain size and shape. Thus, our findings identify the otubain-like protease WTG1 to be an important factor that determines grain size and shape, suggesting that WTG1 has the potential to improve grain size and shape in rice. © 2017 The Authors The Plant Journal © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Mechanical properties and crack growth behavior of polycrystalline copper using molecular dynamics simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qiu, Ren-Zheng; Li, Chi-Chen; Fang, Te-Hua

2017-08-01

This study investigated the mechanical properties and crack propagation behavior of polycrystalline copper using a molecular dynamics simulation. The effects of temperature, grain size, and crack length were evaluated in terms of atomic trajectories, slip vectors, common neighbor analysis, the material’s stress-strain diagram and Young’s modulus. The simulation results show that the grain boundary of the material is more easily damaged at high temperatures and that grain boundaries will combine at the crack tip. From the stress-strain diagram, it was observed that the maximum stress increased as the temperature decreased. In contrast, the maximum stress was reduced by increasing the temperature. With regard to the effect of the grain size, when the grain size was too small, the structure of the sample deformed due to the effect of atomic interactions, which caused the grain boundary structure to be disordered in general. However, when the grain size was larger, dislocations appeared and began to move from the tip of the crack, which led to a new dislocation phenomenon. With regards to the effect of the crack length, the tip of the crack did not affect the sample’s material when the crack length was less than 5 nm. However, when the crack length was above 7.5 nm, the grain boundary was damaged, and twinning structures and dislocations appeared on both sides of the crack tip. This is because the tip of the crack was blunt at first before sharpening due to the dislocation effect.

Application of composite flow laws to grain size distributions derived from polar ice cores

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Binder, Tobias; de Bresser, Hans; Jansen, Daniela; Weikusat, Ilka; Garbe, Christoph; Kipfstuhl, Sepp

2014-05-01

Apart from evaluating the crystallographic orientation, focus of microstructural analysis of natural ice during the last decades has been to create depth-profiles of mean grain size. Several ice flow models incorporated mean grain size as a variable. Although such a mean value may coincide well with the size of a large proportion of the grains, smaller/larger grains are effectively ignored. These smaller/larger grains, however, may affect the ice flow modeling. Variability in grain size is observed on centimeter, meter and kilometer scale along deep polar ice cores. Composite flow laws allow considering the effect of this variability on rheology, by weighing the contribution of grain-size-sensitive (GSS, diffusion/grain boundary sliding) and grain-size-insensitive (GSI, dislocation) creep mechanisms taking the full grain size distribution into account [1]. Extraction of hundreds of grain size distributions for different depths along an ice core has become relatively easy by automatic image processing techniques [2]. The shallow ice approximation is widely adopted in ice sheet modeling and approaches the full-Stokes solution for small ratios of vertical to horizontal characteristic dimensions. In this approximation shear stress in the vertical plain dominates the strain. This assumption is not applicable at ice divides or dome structures, where most deep ice core drilling sites are located. Within the upper two thirds of the ice column longitudinal stresses are not negligible and ice deformation is dominated by vertical strain. The Dansgaard-Johnsen model [3] predicts a dominating, constant vertical strain rate for the upper two thirds of the ice sheet, whereas in the lower ice column vertical shear becomes the main driver for ice deformation. We derived vertical strain rates from the upper NEEM ice core (North-West Greenland) and compared them to classical estimates of strain rates at the NEEM site. Assuming intervals of constant accumulation rates, we found a variation of vertical strain rates by a factor 2-3 in the upper ice column. We discuss the current applicability of composite flow laws to grain size distributions extracted from ice cores drilled at sites where the flow direction rotates by 90 degrees with depth (i.e. ice divide). An interesting finding is that a transition to a glacial period in future would be associated with a decrease in vertical strain rate (due to a reduced accumulation rate) and an increase of the frequency of small grains (due to an enhanced impurity content). Composite flow laws assign an enhanced contribution of GSS creep to this transition. It is currently unclear which factor would have a greater influence. [1] Herwegh et al., 2005, J. Struct. Geol., 27, 503-521 [2] T. Binder et al., 2013, J. Microsc., 250, 130-141 [3] W. Dansgaard & S.J. Johnsen, 1969, J. Glaciol., 8, 215-223

The effect of grain size and cement content on index properties of weakly solidified artificial sandstones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Atapour, Hadi; Mortazavi, Ali

2018-04-01

The effects of textural characteristics, especially grain size, on index properties of weakly solidified artificial sandstones are studied. For this purpose, a relatively large number of laboratory tests were carried out on artificial sandstones that were produced in the laboratory. The prepared samples represent fifteen sandstone types consisting of five different median grain sizes and three different cement contents. Indices rock properties including effective porosity, bulk density, point load strength index, and Schmidt hammer values (SHVs) were determined. Experimental results showed that the grain size has significant effects on index properties of weakly solidified sandstones. The porosity of samples is inversely related to the grain size and decreases linearly as grain size increases. While a direct relationship was observed between grain size and dry bulk density, as bulk density increased with increasing median grain size. Furthermore, it was observed that the point load strength index and SHV of samples increased as a result of grain size increase. These observations are indirectly related to the porosity decrease as a function of median grain size.

A brittle to ductile transition in NiAl of a critical grain size

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schulson, E. M.; Barker, D. R.

1983-01-01

Tensile tests have been carried out on the strongly ordered B2 aluminide NiAl at 400 C to investigate the effect of the grain size on the ductility of the material. It is found that the ductility is very low and essentially independent of the grain size for aggregates of grains larger than about 20 microns; for finer-grained aggregates, the ductility increases sharply with decreasing grain size. Thus, NiAl exhibits a critical grain size below which polycrystalline aggregates are ductile in tension. For all grain sizes, fracture occurs in a brittle manner through a combination of intergranular decohesion and transgranular cleavage.

Origin of high carrier mobility and low residual stress in RF superimposed DC sputtered Al doped ZnO thin film for next generation flexible devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Naveen; Dubey, Ashish; Bahrami, Behzad; Venkatesan, S.; Qiao, Qiquan; Kumar, Mukesh

2018-04-01

In this work, the energy and flux of high energetic ions were controlled by RF superimposed DC sputtering process to increase the grain size and suppress grain boundary potential with minimum residual stress in Al doped ZnO (AZO) thin film. AZO thin films were deposited at different RF/(RF + DC) ratios by keeping total power same and were investigated for their electrical, optical, structural and nanoscale grain boundaries potential. All AZO thin film showed high crystallinity and orientation along (002) with peak shift as RF/(RF + DC) ratio increased from 0.0, pure DC, to 1.0, pure RF. This peak shift was correlated with high residual stress in as-grown thin film. AZO thin film grown at mixed RF/(RF + DC) of 0.75 showed high electron mobility, low residual stress and large crystallite size in comparison to other AZO thin films. The nanoscale grain boundary potential was mapped using Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy in all AZO thin film and it was observed that carrier mobility is controlled not only by grains size but also by grain boundary potential. The XPS analysis confirms the variation in oxygen vacancies and zinc interstitials which explain the origin of low grain boundaries potential and high carrier mobility in AZO thin film deposited at 0.75 RF/(RF + DC) ratio. This study proposes a new way to control the grain size and grain boundary potential to further tune the optoelectronic-mechanical properties of AZO thin films for next generation flexible and optoelectronic devices.

Calcinations effect on the grain size distributions Al2O3 powder

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Issa, Tarik Talib; Mohammed, Awattif A.; Kamil, Dunia

2012-09-01

Fine of Al2O3 Powder was calcined at 200°C, 400°C, 600°C, and 800°C respectively for 2 hours under static air, x-ray diffraction, optical microscope and grain size distribution were done to analysis the resulting data after calcinations process. Batter particle size was achieved at 800°C of value (0.486) μm, while batter particles mean value of size 7.18 μm was found at 400°C. SEM micrographs shows that the agglomerate particles were vanished due to the calcinations process.

CdS thin films prepared by continuous wave Nd:YAG laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, H.; Tenpas, Eric W.; Vuong, Khanh D.; Williams, James A.; Schuesselbauer, E.; Bernstein, R.; Fagan, J. G.; Wang, Xing W.

1995-08-01

We report new results on continuous wave Nd:YAG laser deposition of cadmium sulfide thin films. Substrates were soda-lime silicate glass, silica glass, silicon, and copper coated formvar sheets. As deposited films were mixtures of cubic and hexagonal phases, with two different grain sizes. As revealed by SEM micrographs, films had smooth surface morphology. As revealed by TEM analysis, grain sizes were extremely small.

Reconsideration at Field Scale of the Relationship between Hydraulic Conductivity and Porosity: The Case of a Sandy Aquifer in South Italy

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

To describe flow or transport phenomena in porous media, relations between aquifer hydraulic conductivity and effective porosity can prove useful, avoiding the need to perform expensive and time consuming measurements. The practical applications generally require the determination of this parameter at field scale, while most of the empirical and semiempirical formulas, based on grain size analysis and allowing determination of the hydraulic conductivity from the porosity, are related to the laboratory scale and thus are not representative of the aquifer volumes to which one refers. Therefore, following the grain size distribution methodology, a new experimental relation between hydraulic conductivity and effective porosity, representative of aquifer volumes at field scale, is given for a confined aquifer. The experimental values used to determine this law were obtained for both parameters using only field measurements methods. The experimental results found, also if in the strict sense valid only for the investigated aquifer, can give useful suggestions for other alluvial aquifers with analogous characteristics of grain-size distribution. Limited to the investigated range, a useful comparison with the best known empirical formulas based on grain size analysis was carried out. The experimental data allowed also investigation of the existence of a scaling behaviour for both parameters considered. PMID:25180202

Signal or noise? Separating grain size-dependent Nd isotope variability from provenance shifts in Indus delta sediments, Pakistan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jonell, T. N.; Li, Y.; Blusztajn, J.; Giosan, L.; Clift, P. D.

2017-12-01

Rare earth element (REE) radioisotope systems, such as neodymium (Nd), have been traditionally used as powerful tracers of source provenance, chemical weathering intensity, and sedimentary processes over geologic timescales. More recently, the effects of physical fractionation (hydraulic sorting) of sediments during transport have called into question the utility of Nd isotopes as a provenance tool. Is source terrane Nd provenance resolvable if sediment transport strongly induces noise? Can grain-size sorting effects be quantified? This study works to address such questions by utilizing grain size analysis, trace element geochemistry, and Nd isotope geochemistry of bulk and grain-size fractions (<63μm, 63-125 μm, 125-250 μm) from the Indus delta of Pakistan. Here we evaluate how grain size effects drive Nd isotope variability and further resolve the total uncertainties associated with Nd isotope compositions of bulk sediments. Results from the Indus delta indicate bulk sediment ɛNd compositions are most similar to the <63 µm fraction as a result of strong mineralogical control on bulk compositions by silt- to clay-sized monazite and/or allanite. Replicate analyses determine that the best reproducibility (± 0.15 ɛNd points) is observed in the 125-250 µm fraction. The bulk and finest fractions display the worst reproducibility (±0.3 ɛNd points). Standard deviations (2σ) indicate that bulk sediment uncertainties are no more than ±1.0 ɛNd points. This argues that excursions of ≥1.0 ɛNd points in any bulk Indus delta sediments must in part reflect an external shift in provenance irrespective of sample composition, grain size, and grain size distribution. Sample standard deviations (2s) estimate that any terrigenous bulk sediment composition should vary no greater than ±1.1 ɛNd points if provenance remains constant. Findings from this study indicate that although there are grain-size dependent Nd isotope effects, they are minimal in the Indus delta such that resolvable provenance-driven trends can be identified in bulk sediment ɛNd compositions over the last 20 k.y., and that overall provenance trends remain consistent with previous findings.

Tephra Sedimentation from a Short-term Wind-affected Volcanic Plume of the 8 October 2016 Aso Nakadake Eruption, Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsuji, T.; Nishizaka, N.; Onishi, K.

2017-12-01

Sedimentation processes during explosive volcanic eruptions can be constrained based on detailed analysis of grain-size variation of tephra deposits. Especially, an accurate description of the amount of fine particles has also significant implications for the assessment of specific tephra hazards. Grain size studies for single short-term eruption has advantage to contribute understanding the sedimentation processes because it is simple compared to long-lasting eruption. The 2016 Aso Nakadake eruption, Japan represents an ideal for the study of short-term eruptions thanks to an accurate investigation. Then, we investigate the grain size variation with distance from the vent and sedimentological features of the deposit to discuss the sedimentation processes of the tephra fragments. The eruption provided pyroclastic flow deposit and fallout tephra which distributed NE to ENE direction from the vent. The deposits between 4 and 20 km from vent consist of fine-coated lapilli to coarse ash, ash pellet and mud droplet in ascending degree. The samples are lapilli-bearing within 20 km from vent and those outside of 20 km mainly consist of ash particles. Detailed analyses of individual samples highlight a rapid decay of maximum and mean grain size for the deposit from proximal to distal. The decay trend of maximum grain-size is approximated by three segments of exponential curves with two breaks-in-slope at 10 and 40 km from vent. Most of the sampled deposits are characterized by bimodal grain-size distributions, with the modes of the coarse subpopulation decreasing with distance from vent and those of the fine subpopulation being mostly stable. The fine subpopulation has been interpreted as being mostly associated with size-selective sedimentation processes (e.g., particle aggregation) confirmed by the existence of fine-coated particles, ash pellet and mud droplet. As the fine-coated particles generally have a higher terminal velocity than the individual constituent particles, those could be related with the rapid decrease of maximum grain-size with distance from vent at proximal area. Further detail grain-size analyses and theoretical studies can be contributed to understand the effect of fine ash aggregation on sedimentation processes quantitatively.

SmartGrain: high-throughput phenotyping software for measuring seed shape through image analysis.

PubMed

Tanabata, Takanari; Shibaya, Taeko; Hori, Kiyosumi; Ebana, Kaworu; Yano, Masahiro

2012-12-01

Seed shape and size are among the most important agronomic traits because they affect yield and market price. To obtain accurate seed size data, a large number of measurements are needed because there is little difference in size among seeds from one plant. To promote genetic analysis and selection for seed shape in plant breeding, efficient, reliable, high-throughput seed phenotyping methods are required. We developed SmartGrain software for high-throughput measurement of seed shape. This software uses a new image analysis method to reduce the time taken in the preparation of seeds and in image capture. Outlines of seeds are automatically recognized from digital images, and several shape parameters, such as seed length, width, area, and perimeter length, are calculated. To validate the software, we performed a quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis for rice (Oryza sativa) seed shape using backcrossed inbred lines derived from a cross between japonica cultivars Koshihikari and Nipponbare, which showed small differences in seed shape. SmartGrain removed areas of awns and pedicels automatically, and several QTLs were detected for six shape parameters. The allelic effect of a QTL for seed length detected on chromosome 11 was confirmed in advanced backcross progeny; the cv Nipponbare allele increased seed length and, thus, seed weight. High-throughput measurement with SmartGrain reduced sampling error and made it possible to distinguish between lines with small differences in seed shape. SmartGrain could accurately recognize seed not only of rice but also of several other species, including Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). The software is free to researchers.

Laser Surface Modification of H13 Die Steel using Different Laser Spot Sizes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aqida, S. N.; Naher, S.; Brabazon, D.

2011-05-01

This paper presents a laser surface modification process of AISI H13 tool steel using three sizes of laser spot with an aim to achieve reduced grain size and surface roughness. A Rofin DC-015 diffusion-cooled CO2 slab laser was used to process AISI H13 tool steel samples. Samples of 10 mm diameter were sectioned to 100 mm length in order to process a predefined circumferential area. The parameters selected for examination were laser peak power, overlap percentage and pulse repetition frequency (PRF). Metallographic study and image analysis were done to measure the grain size and the modified surface roughness was measured using two-dimensional surface profilometer. From metallographic study, the smallest grain sizes measured by laser modified surface were between 0.51 μm and 2.54 μm. The minimum surface roughness, Ra, recorded was 3.0 μm. This surface roughness of the modified die steel is similar to the surface quality of cast products. The grain size correlation with hardness followed the findings correlate with Hall-Petch relationship. The potential found for increase in surface hardness represents an important method to sustain tooling life.

Microstructural Evaluation of Forging Parameters for Superalloy Disks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Falsey, John R.

2004-01-01

Forgings of nickel base superalloy were formed under several different strain rates and forging temperatures. Samples were taken from each forging condition to find the ASTM grain size, and the as large as grain (ALA). The specimens were mounted in bakelite, polished, etched and then optical microscopy was used to determine grain size. The specimens ASTM grain sizes from each forging condition were plotted against strain rate, forging temperature, and presoak time. Grain sizes increased with increasing forging temperature. Grain sizes also increased with decreasing strain rates and increasing forging presoak time. The ALA had been determined from each forging condition using the ASTM standard method. Each ALA was compared with the ASTM grain size of each forging condition to determine if the grain sizes were uniform or not. The forging condition of a strain rate of .03/sec and supersolvus heat treatment produced non uniform grains indicated by critical grain growth. Other anomalies are noted as well.

Rapid detection of soils contaminated with heavy metals and oils by laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS).

PubMed

Kim, Gibaek; Kwak, Jihyun; Kim, Ki-Rak; Lee, Heesung; Kim, Kyoung-Woong; Yang, Hyeon; Park, Kihong

2013-12-15

A laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) coupled with the chemometric method was applied to rapidly discriminate between soils contaminated with heavy metals or oils and clean soils. The effects of the water contents and grain sizes of soil samples on LIBS emissions were also investigated. The LIBS emission lines decreased by 59-75% when the water content increased from 1.2% to 7.8%, and soil samples with a grain size of 75 μm displayed higher LIBS emission lines with lower relative standard deviations than those with a 2mm grain size. The water content was found to have a more pronounced effect on the LIBS emission lines than the grain size. Pelletizing and sieving were conducted for all samples collected from abandoned mining areas and military camp to have similar water contents and grain sizes before being analyzed by the LIBS with the chemometric analysis. The data show that three types of soil samples were clearly discerned by using the first three principal components from the spectral data of soil samples. A blind test was conducted with a 100% correction rate for soil samples contaminated with heavy metals and oil residues. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Visible/near-infrared spectral diversity from in situ observations of the Bagnold Dune Field sands in Gale Crater, Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, Jeffrey R.; Achilles, Cherie; Bell, James F.; Bender, Steve; Cloutis, Edward; Ehlmann, Bethany; Fraeman, Abigail; Gasnault, Olivier; Hamilton, Victoria E.; Le Mouélic, Stéphane; Maurice, Sylvestre; Pinet, Patrick; Thompson, Lucy; Wellington, Danika; Wiens, Roger C.

2017-12-01

As part of the Bagnold Dune campaign conducted by Mars Science Laboratory rover Curiosity, visible/near-infrared reflectance spectra of dune sands were acquired using Mast Camera (Mastcam) multispectral imaging (445-1013 nm) and Chemistry and Camera (ChemCam) passive point spectroscopy (400-840 nm). By comparing spectra from pristine and rover-disturbed ripple crests and troughs within the dune field, and through analysis of sieved grain size fractions, constraints on mineral segregation from grain sorting could be determined. In general, the dune areas exhibited low relative reflectance, a weak 530 nm absorption band, an absorption band near 620 nm, and a spectral downturn after 685 nm consistent with olivine-bearing sands. The finest grain size fractions occurred within ripple troughs and in the subsurface and typically exhibited the strongest 530 nm bands, highest relative reflectances, and weakest red/near-infrared ratios, consistent with a combination of crystalline and amorphous ferric materials. Coarser-grained samples were the darkest and bluest and exhibited weaker 530 nm bands, lower relative reflectances, and stronger downturns in the near-infrared, consistent with greater proportions of mafic minerals such as olivine and pyroxene. These grains were typically segregated along ripple crests and among the upper surfaces of grain flows in disturbed sands. Sieved dune sands exhibited progressive decreases in reflectance with increasing grain size, as observed in laboratory spectra of olivine size separates. The continuum of spectral features observed between the coarse- and fine-grained dune sands suggests that mafic grains, ferric materials, and air fall dust mix in variable proportions depending on aeolian activity and grain sorting.

Comparing kinetic curves in liquid chromatography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurganov, A. A.; Kanat'eva, A. Yu.; Yakubenko, E. E.; Popova, T. P.; Shiryaeva, V. E.

2017-01-01

Five equations for kinetic curves which connect the number of theoretical plates N and time of analysis t 0 for five different versions of optimization, depending on the parameters being varied (e.g., mobile phase flow rate, pressure drop, sorbent grain size), are obtained by means of mathematical modeling. It is found that a method based on the optimization of a sorbent grain size at fixed pressure is most suitable for the optimization of rapid separations. It is noted that the advantages of the method are limited by an area of relatively low efficiency, and the advantage of optimization is transferred to a method based on the optimization of both the sorbent grain size and the drop in pressure across a column in the area of high efficiency.

The Effects of Grain Size and Temperature Distributions on the Formation of Interstellar Ice Mantles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pauly, Tyler; Garrod, Robin T.

2016-02-01

Computational models of interstellar gas-grain chemistry have historically adopted a single dust-grain size of 0.1 micron, assumed to be representative of the size distribution present in the interstellar medium. Here, we investigate the effects of a broad grain-size distribution on the chemistry of dust-grain surfaces and the subsequent build-up of molecular ices on the grains, using a three-phase gas-grain chemical model of a quiescent dark cloud. We include an explicit treatment of the grain temperatures, governed both by the visual extinction of the cloud and the size of each individual grain-size population. We find that the temperature difference plays a significant role in determining the total bulk ice composition across the grain-size distribution, while the effects of geometrical differences between size populations appear marginal. We also consider collapse from a diffuse to a dark cloud, allowing dust temperatures to fall. Under the initial diffuse conditions, small grains are too warm to promote grain-mantle build-up, with most ices forming on the mid-sized grains. As collapse proceeds, the more abundant, smallest grains cool and become the dominant ice carriers; the large population of small grains means that this ice is distributed across many grains, with perhaps no more than 40 monolayers of ice each (versus several hundred assuming a single grain size). This effect may be important for the subsequent processing and desorption of the ice during the hot-core phase of star formation, exposing a significant proportion of the ice to the gas phase, increasing the importance of ice-surface chemistry and surface-gas interactions.

Evaluation of the SeedCounter, A Mobile Application for Grain Phenotyping.

PubMed

Komyshev, Evgenii; Genaev, Mikhail; Afonnikov, Dmitry

2016-01-01

Grain morphometry in cereals is an important step in selecting new high-yielding plants. Manual assessment of parameters such as the number of grains per ear and grain size is laborious. One solution to this problem is image-based analysis that can be performed using a desktop PC. Furthermore, the effectiveness of analysis performed in the field can be improved through the use of mobile devices. In this paper, we propose a method for the automated evaluation of phenotypic parameters of grains using mobile devices running the Android operational system. The experimental results show that this approach is efficient and sufficiently accurate for the large-scale analysis of phenotypic characteristics in wheat grains. Evaluation of our application under six different lighting conditions and three mobile devices demonstrated that the lighting of the paper has significant influence on the accuracy of our method, unlike the smartphone type.

Observations of Fabric Development in Polycrystalline Ice at Basal Pressures: Methods and Initial Results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Breton, D. J.; Baker, I.; Cole, D. M.

2012-12-01

Understanding and predicting the flow of polycrystalline ice is crucial to ice sheet modeling and paleoclimate reconstruction from ice cores. Ice flow rates depend strongly on the fabric (i.e. the distribution of grain sizes and crystallographic orientations) which evolves over time and enhances the flow rate in the direction of applied stress. The mechanisms for fabric evolution in ice have been extensively studied at atmospheric pressures, but little work has been done to observe these processes at the high pressures experienced deep within ice sheets where long-term changes in ice rheology are expected to have significance. We conducted compressive creep tests on a 917 kg m-3 polycrystalline ice specimen at 20 MPa hydrostatic pressure, thus simulating ~2,000 m depth. Initial specimen grain orientations were random, typical grain diameters were 1.2 mm, and the applied creep stress was 0.3 MPa. Subsequent microstructural analyses on the deformed specimen and a similarly prepared, undeformed specimen allowed characterization of crystal fabric evolution under pressure. Our microstructural analysis technique simultaneously collected grain shape and size data from Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) micrographs and obtained crystallographic orientation data via Electron BackScatter Diffraction (EBSD). Combining these measurements allows rapid analysis of the ice fabric over large numbers of grains, yielding statistically useful numbers of grain size and full c- and a-axis grain orientation data. The combined creep and microstructural data demonstrate pressure-dependent effects on the mechanical and microstructural evolution of polycrystalline ice. We discuss possible mechanisms for the observed phenomena, and future directions for hydrostatic creep testing.

Modeling the Effect of Grain Size Mixing on Thermal Inertia Values Derived from Diurnal and Seasonal THEMIS Measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McCarty, C.; Moersch, J.

2017-12-01

Sedimentary processes have slowed over Mars' geologic history. Analysis of the surface today can provide insight into the processes that may have affected it over its history. Sub-resolved checkerboard mixtures of materials with different thermal inertias (and therefore different grain sizes) can lead to differences in thermal inertia values inferred from night and day radiance observations. Information about the grain size distribution of a surface can help determine the degree of sorting it has experienced or it's geologic maturity. Standard methods for deriving thermal inertia from measurements made with THEMIS can give values for the same location that vary by as much as 20% between scenes. Such methods make the assumption that each THEMIS pixel contains material that has uniform thermophysical properties. Here we propose that if a mixture of small and large particles is present within a pixel, the inferred thermal inertia will be strongly dominated by whichever particle is warmer at the time of the measurement because the power radiated by a surface is proportional (by the Stefan-Boltzmann law) to the fourth power of its temperature. This effect will result in a change in thermal inertia values inferred from measurements taken at different times of day and night. Therefore, we expect to see correlation between the magnitude of diurnal variations in inferred thermal inertia values and the degree of grain size mixing for a given pixel location. Preliminary work has shown that the magnitude of such diurnal variation in inferred thermal inertias is sufficient to detect geologically useful differences in grain size distributions. We hypothesize that at least some of the 20% variability in thermal inertias inferred from multiple scenes for a given location could be attributed to sub-pixel grain size mixing rather than uncertainty inherent to the experiment, as previously thought. Mapping the difference in inferred thermal inertias from day and night THEMIS observations may prove to be a new way of distinguishing surfaces that have relatively uniform grain sizes from those that have mixed grain sizes. Assessing the effects of different geologic processes can be aided by noting variations in grain size distributions, so this method may be useful as a new way to extract geologic interpretations from the THEMIS thermal data set.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pauly, Tyler; Garrod, Robin T., E-mail: tap74@cornell.edu

Computational models of interstellar gas-grain chemistry have historically adopted a single dust-grain size of 0.1 micron, assumed to be representative of the size distribution present in the interstellar medium. Here, we investigate the effects of a broad grain-size distribution on the chemistry of dust-grain surfaces and the subsequent build-up of molecular ices on the grains, using a three-phase gas-grain chemical model of a quiescent dark cloud. We include an explicit treatment of the grain temperatures, governed both by the visual extinction of the cloud and the size of each individual grain-size population. We find that the temperature difference plays amore » significant role in determining the total bulk ice composition across the grain-size distribution, while the effects of geometrical differences between size populations appear marginal. We also consider collapse from a diffuse to a dark cloud, allowing dust temperatures to fall. Under the initial diffuse conditions, small grains are too warm to promote grain-mantle build-up, with most ices forming on the mid-sized grains. As collapse proceeds, the more abundant, smallest grains cool and become the dominant ice carriers; the large population of small grains means that this ice is distributed across many grains, with perhaps no more than 40 monolayers of ice each (versus several hundred assuming a single grain size). This effect may be important for the subsequent processing and desorption of the ice during the hot-core phase of star formation, exposing a significant proportion of the ice to the gas phase, increasing the importance of ice-surface chemistry and surface–gas interactions.« less

Synthesis and electrical properties of (LiCo 3/5Fe 1/5Mn 1/5)VO 4 ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ram, Moti

2010-03-01

(LiCo 3/5Fe 1/5Mn 1/5)VO 4 ceramic was synthesized via solution-based chemical method. X-ray diffraction analysis was carried out on the synthesized powder sample at room temperature, which confirms the orthorhombic structure with the lattice parameters of a = 10.3646 (20) Å, b = 3.7926 (20) Å, c = 9.2131 (20) Å. Field emission scanning electron microscopic analysis was carried out on the sintered pellet sample that indicates grains of unequal sizes (˜0.1 to 2 μm) presents average grains size with polydisperse distribution on the surface of the ceramic. Complex impedance spectroscopy (CIS) technique is used for the study of electrical properties. CIS analysis identifies: (i) grain interior, grain boundary and electrode-material interface contributions to electrical response (ii) the presence of temperature dependent electrical relaxation phenomena in the ceramics. Detailed conductivity study indicates that electrical conduction in the material is a thermally activated process. The variation of A.C. conductivity with frequency at different temperatures obeys Jonscher's universal law.

A probabilistic approach to remote compositional analysis of planetary surfaces

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lapotre, Mathieu G.A.; Ehlmann, Bethany L.; Minson, Sarah E.

2017-01-01

Reflected light from planetary surfaces provides information, including mineral/ice compositions and grain sizes, by study of albedo and absorption features as a function of wavelength. However, deconvolving the compositional signal in spectra is complicated by the nonuniqueness of the inverse problem. Trade-offs between mineral abundances and grain sizes in setting reflectance, instrument noise, and systematic errors in the forward model are potential sources of uncertainty, which are often unquantified. Here we adopt a Bayesian implementation of the Hapke model to determine sets of acceptable-fit mineral assemblages, as opposed to single best fit solutions. We quantify errors and uncertainties in mineral abundances and grain sizes that arise from instrument noise, compositional end members, optical constants, and systematic forward model errors for two suites of ternary mixtures (olivine-enstatite-anorthite and olivine-nontronite-basaltic glass) in a series of six experiments in the visible-shortwave infrared (VSWIR) wavelength range. We show that grain sizes are generally poorly constrained from VSWIR spectroscopy. Abundance and grain size trade-offs lead to typical abundance errors of ≤1 wt % (occasionally up to ~5 wt %), while ~3% noise in the data increases errors by up to ~2 wt %. Systematic errors further increase inaccuracies by a factor of 4. Finally, phases with low spectral contrast or inaccurate optical constants can further increase errors. Overall, typical errors in abundance are <10%, but sometimes significantly increase for specific mixtures, prone to abundance/grain-size trade-offs that lead to high unmixing uncertainties. These results highlight the need for probabilistic approaches to remote determination of planetary surface composition.

Influence of Cr and Y Addition on Microstructure, Mechanical Properties, and Corrosion Resistance of SPSed Fe-Based Alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muthaiah, V. M. Suntharavel; Mula, Suhrit

2018-03-01

Present work investigates the microstructural stability during spark plasma sintering (SPS) of Fe-Cr-Y alloys, its mechanical properties and corrosion behavior for its possible applications in nuclear power plant and petrochemical industries. The SPS was carried out for the Fe-7Cr-1Y and Fe-15Cr-1Y alloys at 800 °C, 900 °C, and 1000 °C due to their superior thermal stability as reported in Muthaiah et al. [Mater Charact 114:43-53, 2016]. Microstructural analysis through TEM and electron back scattered diffraction confirmed that the grain sizes of the sintered samples depicted a dual size grain distribution with >50 pct grains within a range of 200 nm and remaining grains in the range 200 nm to 2 µm. The best combination of hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion behavior was achieved for the samples sintered at 1000 °C. The high hardness (9.6 GPa), minimum coefficient of friction (0.25), and extremely low wear volume (0.00277 × 10-2 mm3) and low corrosion rate (3.43 mpy) are discussed in the light of solid solution strengthening, grain size strengthening, grain boundary segregation, excellent densification due to diffusion bonding, and precipitation hardening due to uniformly distributed nanosize Fe17Y2 phase in the alloy matrix. The SEM analysis of the worn surface and corroded features corroborated well with the wear resistance and corrosion behavior of the corresponding samples.

Tungsten Carbide Grain Size Computation for WC-Co Dissimilar Welds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Dongran; Cui, Haichao; Xu, Peiquan; Lu, Fenggui

2016-06-01

A "two-step" image processing method based on electron backscatter diffraction in scanning electron microscopy was used to compute the tungsten carbide (WC) grain size distribution for tungsten inert gas (TIG) welds and laser welds. Twenty-four images were collected on randomly set fields per sample located at the top, middle, and bottom of a cross-sectional micrograph. Each field contained 500 to 1500 WC grains. The images were recognized through clustering-based image segmentation and WC grain growth recognition. According to the WC grain size computation and experiments, a simple WC-WC interaction model was developed to explain the WC dissolution, grain growth, and aggregation in welded joints. The WC-WC interaction and blunt corners were characterized using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The WC grain size distribution and the effects of heat input E on grain size distribution for the laser samples were discussed. The results indicate that (1) the grain size distribution follows a Gaussian distribution. Grain sizes at the top of the weld were larger than those near the middle and weld root because of power attenuation. (2) Significant WC grain growth occurred during welding as observed in the as-welded micrographs. The average grain size was 11.47 μm in the TIG samples, which was much larger than that in base metal 1 (BM1 2.13 μm). The grain size distribution curves for the TIG samples revealed a broad particle size distribution without fine grains. The average grain size (1.59 μm) in laser samples was larger than that in base metal 2 (BM2 1.01 μm). (3) WC-WC interaction exhibited complex plane, edge, and blunt corner characteristics during grain growth. A WC ( { 1 {bar{{1}}}00} ) to WC ( {0 1 1 {bar{{0}}}} ) edge disappeared and became a blunt plane WC ( { 10 1 {bar{{0}}}} ) , several grains with two- or three-sided planes and edges disappeared into a multi-edge, and a WC-WC merged.

The Grain-size Patchiness of Braided Gravel-Bed Streams: Example of the Urumqi River (northeast Tian Shan, China)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guerit, L.; Barrier, L.; Narteau, C.; Métivier, F.; Liu, Y.; Lajeunesse, E.; Gayer, E.; Malverti, L.; Meunier, P.; Ye, B.

2012-04-01

In gravel-beds rivers, sediments are sorted into patches of different grain-sizes. For single-thread streams, it has long been shown that this local granulometric sorting is closely linked to the channel morpho-sedimentary elements. For braided streams, this relation is still unclear. In such rivers, many observations of vertical sediment sorting has led to the definition of a surface and a subsurface layers. Because of this common stratification, methods for sampling gravel-bed rivers have been divided in two families. The surface layer is generally sampled by surface methods and the subsurface layer by volumetric methods. Yet, the equivalency between the two kind of techniques is still a key question. In this study, we characterized the grain-size distribution of the surface layer of the Urumqi River, a shallow braided gravel-bed river in China, by surface-count (Wolman grid-by-number) and volumetric (sieve-by-weight) sampling methods. An analysis of two large samples (212 grains and 3226 kg) show that these two methods are equivalent to characterize the river-bed surface layer. Then, we looked at the grain-size distributions of the river-bed morpho-sedimentary elements: (1) chutes at flow constrictions, which pass downstream to (2) anabranches and (3) bars at flow expansions. Using both sampling methods, we measured the diameter of more than 2300 grains and weight more than 6000 kg of grains larger than 4 mm. Our results show that the three morpho-sedimentary elements correspond only to two kinds of grain-size patches: (1) chutes composed of one coarse-grained top layer lying on finer deposits, and (2) anabranches and bars made up of finer-grained deposits more homogeneous in depth. On the basis of these quantitative observations, together with the concave or convex morphology of the different elements, we propose that chute patches form by erosion and transit with size-selective entrainment, whereas anabranch and bar patches rather develop and migrate by transit and deposition. These patch features may be typical of shallow braided gravel-bed rivers and should be considered in future works about on bedload transport processes and their geomorphologic and stratigraphic results.

Cyclic Spin Testing of Superalloy Disks With a Dual Grain Microstructure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gayda, John; Kantzos, Pete

2005-01-01

An aggressive cyclic spin test program was run to verify the reliability of superalloy disks with a dual grain structure, fine grain bore and coarse grain rim, utilizing a disk design with web holes bisecting the grain size transition zone. Results of these tests were compared with conventional disks with uniform grain structures. Analysis of the test results indicated the cyclic performance of disks with a dual grain structure could be estimated to a level of accuracy which does not appear to prohibit the use of this technology in advanced gas turbine engines, although further refinement of lifing methodology is clearly warranted.

The grain-size lineup: A test of a novel eyewitness identification procedure.

PubMed

Horry, Ruth; Brewer, Neil; Weber, Nathan

2016-04-01

When making a memorial judgment, respondents can regulate their accuracy by adjusting the precision, or grain size, of their responses. In many circumstances, coarse-grained responses are less informative, but more likely to be accurate, than fine-grained responses. This study describes a novel eyewitness identification procedure, the grain-size lineup, in which participants eliminated any number of individuals from the lineup, creating a choice set of variable size. A decision was considered to be fine-grained if no more than 1 individual was left in the choice set or coarse-grained if more than 1 individual was left in the choice set. Participants (N = 384) watched 2 high-quality or low-quality videotaped mock crimes and then completed 4 standard simultaneous lineups or 4 grain-size lineups (2 target-present and 2 target-absent). There was some evidence of strategic regulation of grain size, as the most difficult lineup was associated with a greater proportion of coarse-grained responses than the other lineups. However, the grain-size lineup did not outperform the standard simultaneous lineup. Fine-grained suspect identifications were no more diagnostic than suspect identifications from standard lineups, whereas coarse-grained suspect identifications carried little probative value. Participants were generally reluctant to provide coarse-grained responses, which may have hampered the utility of the procedure. For a grain-size approach to be useful, participants may need to be trained or instructed to use the coarse-grained option effectively. (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved).

Quantifying alluvial fan sensitivity to climate in Death Valley, California, from field observations and numerical models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brooke, Sam; Whittaker, Alexander; Armitage, John; D'Arcy, Mitch; Watkins, Stephen

2017-04-01

A quantitative understanding of landscape sensitivity to climate change remains a key challenge in the Earth Sciences. The stream-flow deposits of coupled catchment-fan systems offer one way to decode past changes in external boundary conditions as they comprise simple, closed systems that can be represented effectively by numerical models. Here we combine the collection and analysis of grain size data on well-dated alluvial fan surfaces in Death Valley, USA, with numerical modelling to address the extent to which sediment routing systems record high-frequency, high-magnitude climate change. We compile a new database of Holocene and Late-Pleistocene grain size trends from 11 alluvial fans in Death Valley, capturing high-resolution grain size data ranging from the Recent to 100 kyr in age. We hypothesise the observed changes in average surface grain size and fining rate over time are a record of landscape response to glacial-interglacial climatic forcing. With this data we are in a unique position to test the predictions of landscape evolution models and evaluate the extent to which climate change has influenced the volume and calibre of sediment deposited on alluvial fans. To gain insight into our field data and study area, we employ an appropriately-scaled catchment-fan model that calculates an eroded volumetric sediment budget to be deposited in a subsiding basin according to mass balance where grain size trends are predicted by a self-similarity fining model. We use the model to compare predicted trends in alluvial fan stratigraphy as a function of boundary condition change for a range of model parameters and input grain size distributions. Subsequently, we perturb our model with a plausible glacial-interglacial magnitude precipitation change to estimate the requisite sediment flux needed to generate observed field grain size trends in Death Valley. Modelled fluxes are then compared with independent measurements of sediment supply over time. Our results constitute one of the first attempts to combine the detailed collection of alluvial fan grain size data in time and space with coupled catchment-fan models, affording us the means to evaluate how well field and model data can be reconciled for simple sediment routing systems.

Effects of grain size on the properties of bulk nanocrystalline Co-Ni alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qiao, Gui-Ying; Xiao, Fu-Ren

2017-08-01

Bulk nanocrystalline Co78Ni22 alloys with grain size ranging from 5 nm to 35 nm were prepared by high-speed jet electrodeposition (HSJED) and annealing. Microhardness and magnetic properties of these alloys were investigated by microhardness tester and vibrating sample magnetometer. Effects of grain size on these characteristics were also discussed. Results show that the microhardness of nanocrystalline Co78Ni22 alloys increases following a d -1/2-power law with decreasing grain size d. This phenomenon fits the Hall-Petch law when the grain size ranges from 5 nm to 35 nm. However, coercivity H c increases following a 1/d-power law with increasing grain size when the grain size ranges from 5 nm to 15.9 nm. Coercivity H c decreases again for grain sizes above 16.6 nm according to the d 6-power law.

Grain-size dynamics beneath mid-ocean ridges: Implications for permeability and melt extraction.

PubMed

Turner, Andrew J; Katz, Richard F; Behn, Mark D

2015-03-01

Grain size is an important control on mantle viscosity and permeability, but is difficult or impossible to measure in situ. We construct a two-dimensional, single phase model for the steady state mean grain size beneath a mid-ocean ridge. The mantle rheology is modeled as a composite of diffusion creep, dislocation creep, dislocation accommodated grain boundary sliding, and a plastic stress limiter. The mean grain size is calculated by the paleowattmeter relationship of Austin and Evans (2007). We investigate the sensitivity of our model to global variations in grain growth exponent, potential temperature, spreading-rate, and mantle hydration. We interpret the mean grain-size field in terms of its permeability to melt transport. The permeability structure due to mean grain size may be approximated as a high permeability region beneath a low permeability region. The transition between high and low permeability regions occurs across a boundary that is steeply inclined toward the ridge axis. We hypothesize that such a permeability structure generated from the variability of the mean grain size may focus melt toward the ridge axis, analogous to Sparks and Parmentier (1991)-type focusing. This focusing may, in turn, constrain the region where significant melt fractions are observed by seismic or magnetotelluric surveys. This interpretation of melt focusing via the grain-size permeability structure is consistent with MT observation of the asthenosphere beneath the East Pacific Rise. The grain-size field beneath MORs can vary over orders of magnitude The grain-size field affects the rheology and permeability of the asthenosphere The grain-size field may focus melt toward the ridge axis.

Erosion of an ancient mountain range, the Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina and Tennessee

USGS Publications Warehouse

Matmon, A.; Bierman, P.R.; Larsen, J.; Southworth, S.; Pavich, M.; Finkel, R.; Caffee, M.

2003-01-01

Analysis of 10Be and 26Al in bedrock (n=10), colluvium (n=5 including grain size splits), and alluvial sediments (n=59 including grain size splits), coupled with field observations and GIS analysis, suggest that erosion rates in the Great Smoky Mountains are controlled by subsurface bedrock erosion and diffusive slope processes. The results indicate rapid alluvial transport, minimal alluvial storage, and suggest that most of the cosmogenic nuclide inventory in sediments is accumulated while they are eroding from bedrock and traveling down hill slopes. Spatially homogeneous erosion rates of 25 - 30 mm Ky-1 are calculated throughout the Great Smoky Mountains using measured concentrations of cosmogenic 10Be and 26Al in quartz separated from alluvial sediment. 10Be and 26Al concentrations in sediments collected from headwater tributaries that have no upstream samples (n=18) are consistent with an average erosion rate of 28 ?? 8 mm Ky-1, similar to that of the outlet rivers (n=16, 24 ?? 6 mm Ky-1), which carry most of the sediment out of the mountain range. Grain-size-specific analysis of 6 alluvial sediment samples shows higher nuclide concentrations in smaller grain sizes than in larger ones. The difference in concentrations arises from the large elevation distribution of the source of the smaller grains compared with the narrow and relatively low source elevation of the large grains. Large sandstone clasts disaggregate into sand-size grains rapidly during weathering and downslope transport; thus, only clasts from the lower parts of slopes reach the streams. 26Al/10Be ratios do not suggest significant burial periods for our samples. However, alluvial samples have lower 26Al/10Be ratios than bedrock and colluvial samples, a trend consistent with a longer integrated cosmic ray exposure history that includes periods of burial during down-slope transport. The results confirm some of the basic ideas embedded in Davis' geographic cycle model, such as the reduction of relief through slope processes, and of Hack's dynamic equilibrium model such as the similarity of erosion rates across different lithologies. Comparing cosmogenic nuclide data with other measured and calculated erosion rates for the Appalachians, we conclude that rates of erosion, integrated over varying time periods from decades to a hundred million years are similar, the result of equilibrium between erosion and isostatic uplift in the southern Appalachian Mountains.

Grain size analysis and depositional environment of shallow marine to basin floor, Kelantan River Delta

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Afifah, M. R. Nurul; Aziz, A. Che; Roslan, M. Kamal

2015-09-01

Sediment samples were collected from the shallow marine from Kuala Besar, Kelantan outwards to the basin floor of South China Sea which consisted of quaternary bottom sediments. Sixty five samples were analysed for their grain size distribution and statistical relationships. Basic statistical analysis like mean, standard deviation, skewness and kurtosis were calculated and used to differentiate the depositional environment of the sediments and to derive the uniformity of depositional environment either from the beach or river environment. The sediments of all areas were varied in their sorting ranging from very well sorted to poorly sorted, strongly negative skewed to strongly positive skewed, and extremely leptokurtic to very platykurtic in nature. Bivariate plots between the grain-size parameters were then interpreted and the Coarsest-Median (CM) pattern showed the trend suggesting relationships between sediments influenced by three ongoing hydrodynamic factors namely turbidity current, littoral drift and waves dynamic, which functioned to control the sediments distribution pattern in various ways.

Application of the microboudin method to palaeodifferential stress analysis of deformed impure marbles from Syros, Greece: Implications for grain-size and calcite-twin palaeopiezometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Masuda, Toshiaki; Miyake, Tomoya; Kimura, Nozomi; Okamoto, Atsushi

2011-01-01

Microboudinage structures developed within glaucophane are found in the calcite matrix of blueschist-facies impure marbles from Syros, Greece. The presence of these structures enables the successful application of the microboudin method for palaeodifferential stress analysis, which was originally developed for rocks with a quartzose matrix. Application of the microboudin method reveals that differential stress increased during exhumation of the marble; the estimated maximum palaeodifferential stress values are approximately 9-15 MPa, an order of magnitude lower than the values estimated using the calcite-twin palaeopiezometer. This discrepancy reflects the fact that the two methods assess differential stress at different stages in the deformation history. Differential stresses in the Syros samples estimated using three existing equations for grain-size palaeopiezometry show a high degree of scatter, and no reliable results were obtained by a comparison between the results of the microboudin method and grain-size palaeopiezometry.

Association Studies and Legume Synteny Reveal Haplotypes Determining Seed Size in Vigna unguiculata.

PubMed

Lucas, Mitchell R; Huynh, Bao-Lam; da Silva Vinholes, Patricia; Cisse, Ndiaga; Drabo, Issa; Ehlers, Jeffrey D; Roberts, Philip A; Close, Timothy J

2013-01-01

Highly specific seed market classes for cowpea and other grain legumes exist because grain is most commonly cooked and consumed whole. Size, shape, color, and texture are critical features of these market classes and breeders target development of cultivars for market acceptance. Resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses that are absent from elite breeding material are often introgressed through crosses to landraces or wild relatives. When crosses are made between parents with different grain quality characteristics, recovery of progeny with acceptable or enhanced grain quality is problematic. Thus genetic markers for grain quality traits can help in pyramiding genes needed for specific market classes. Allelic variation dictating the inheritance of seed size can be tagged and used to assist the selection of large seeded lines. In this work we applied 1,536-plex SNP genotyping and knowledge of legume synteny to characterize regions of the cowpea genome associated with seed size. These marker-trait associations will enable breeders to use marker-based selection approaches to increase the frequency of progeny with large seed. For 804 individuals derived from eight bi-parental populations, QTL analysis was used to identify markers linked to 10 trait determinants. In addition, the population structure of 171 samples from the USDA core collection was identified and incorporated into a genome-wide association study which supported more than half of the trait-associated regions important in the bi-parental populations. Seven of the total 10 QTLs were supported based on synteny to seed size associated regions identified in the related legume soybean. In addition to delivering markers linked to major trait determinants in the context of modern breeding, we provide an analysis of the diversity of the USDA core collection of cowpea to identify genepools, migrants, admixture, and duplicates.

Intercomparison of textural parameters of intertidal sediments generated by different statistical procedures, and implications for a unifying descriptive nomenclature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Daidu; Tu, Junbiao; Cai, Guofu; Shang, Shuai

2015-06-01

Grain-size analysis is a basic routine in sedimentology and related fields, but diverse methods of sample collection, processing and statistical analysis often make direct comparisons and interpretations difficult or even impossible. In this paper, 586 published grain-size datasets from the Qiantang Estuary (East China Sea) sampled and analyzed by the same procedures were merged and their textural parameters calculated by a percentile and two moment methods. The aim was to explore which of the statistical procedures performed best in the discrimination of three distinct sedimentary units on the tidal flats of the middle Qiantang Estuary. A Gaussian curve-fitting method served to simulate mixtures of two normal populations having different modal sizes, sorting values and size distributions, enabling a better understanding of the impact of finer tail components on textural parameters, as well as the proposal of a unifying descriptive nomenclature. The results show that percentile and moment procedures yield almost identical results for mean grain size, and that sorting values are also highly correlated. However, more complex relationships exist between percentile and moment skewness (kurtosis), changing from positive to negative correlations when the proportions of the finer populations decrease below 35% (10%). This change results from the overweighting of tail components in moment statistics, which stands in sharp contrast to the underweighting or complete amputation of small tail components by the percentile procedure. Intercomparisons of bivariate plots suggest an advantage of the Friedman & Johnson moment procedure over the McManus moment method in terms of the description of grain-size distributions, and over the percentile method by virtue of a greater sensitivity to small variations in tail components. The textural parameter scalings of Folk & Ward were translated into their Friedman & Johnson moment counterparts by application of mathematical functions derived by regression analysis of measured and modeled grain-size data, or by determining the abscissa values of intersections between auxiliary lines running parallel to the x-axis and vertical lines corresponding to the descriptive percentile limits along the ordinate of representative bivariate plots. Twofold limits were extrapolated for the moment statistics in relation to single descriptive terms in the cases of skewness and kurtosis by considering both positive and negative correlations between percentile and moment statistics. The extrapolated descriptive scalings were further validated by examining entire size-frequency distributions simulated by mixing two normal populations of designated modal size and sorting values, but varying in mixing ratios. These were found to match well in most of the proposed scalings, although platykurtic and very platykurtic categories were questionable when the proportion of the finer population was below 5%. Irrespective of the statistical procedure, descriptive nomenclatures should therefore be cautiously used when tail components contribute less than 5% to grain-size distributions.

Precession electron diffraction for SiC grain boundary characterization in unirradiated TRISO fuel

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lillo, T. M.; van Rooyen, I. J.; Wu, Y. Q.

Precession electron diffraction (PED), a transmission electron microscopy-based technique, has been evaluated for the suitability for evaluating grain boundary character in the SiC layer of tristructural isotropic (TRISO) fuel. Although the ultimate goal is to determine the grain boundary characteristics of fission product containing grain boundaries of neutron irradiated SiC, our work reports the effect of transmission electron microscope (TEM) lamella thickness on quality of data and establishes a baseline comparison on grain boundary characteristics determined previously using a conventional EBSD scanning electron microscope (SEM) based technique. In general, it was determined that the lamella thickness produced using the standardmore » FIB fabrication process, is sufficient to provide reliable PED measurements with thicker lamellae (~120 nm) produce higher quality orientation data. Analysis of grain boundary character from the TEM-based PED data showed a much lower fraction of low angle grain boundaries compared to SEM-based EBSD data from the SiC layer of the same TRISO-coated particle as well as a SiC layer deposited at a slightly lower temperature. The fractions of high angle and CSL-related grain boundaries determined by PED are similar to those found using SEM-based EBSD. Since the grain size of the SiC layer of TRSIO fuel can be as small as 250 nm [12], depending on the fabrication parameters, and grain boundary fission product precipitates can be nano-sized, the TEM-based PED orientation data collection method is preferred to determine an accurate representation of the relative fractions of low angle, high angle and CSL-related grain boundaries. It was concluded that although the resolution of the PED data is better by more than an order of magnitude, data acquisition times may be significantly longer or the number of areas analyzed significantly larger than the SEM-based method to obtain a statistically relevant distribution. Also, grain size could be accurately determined but significantly larger analysis areas than those used in this study would be required.« less

Precession electron diffraction for SiC grain boundary characterization in unirradiated TRISO fuel

DOE PAGES

Lillo, T. M.; van Rooyen, I. J.; Wu, Y. Q.

2016-06-16

Precession electron diffraction (PED), a transmission electron microscopy-based technique, has been evaluated for the suitability for evaluating grain boundary character in the SiC layer of tristructural isotropic (TRISO) fuel. Although the ultimate goal is to determine the grain boundary characteristics of fission product containing grain boundaries of neutron irradiated SiC, our work reports the effect of transmission electron microscope (TEM) lamella thickness on quality of data and establishes a baseline comparison on grain boundary characteristics determined previously using a conventional EBSD scanning electron microscope (SEM) based technique. In general, it was determined that the lamella thickness produced using the standardmore » FIB fabrication process, is sufficient to provide reliable PED measurements with thicker lamellae (~120 nm) produce higher quality orientation data. Analysis of grain boundary character from the TEM-based PED data showed a much lower fraction of low angle grain boundaries compared to SEM-based EBSD data from the SiC layer of the same TRISO-coated particle as well as a SiC layer deposited at a slightly lower temperature. The fractions of high angle and CSL-related grain boundaries determined by PED are similar to those found using SEM-based EBSD. Since the grain size of the SiC layer of TRSIO fuel can be as small as 250 nm [12], depending on the fabrication parameters, and grain boundary fission product precipitates can be nano-sized, the TEM-based PED orientation data collection method is preferred to determine an accurate representation of the relative fractions of low angle, high angle and CSL-related grain boundaries. It was concluded that although the resolution of the PED data is better by more than an order of magnitude, data acquisition times may be significantly longer or the number of areas analyzed significantly larger than the SEM-based method to obtain a statistically relevant distribution. Also, grain size could be accurately determined but significantly larger analysis areas than those used in this study would be required.« less

Grain size evolution and convection regimes of the terrestrial planets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rozel, A.; Golabek, G. J.; Boutonnet, E.

2011-12-01

A new model of grain size evolution has recently been proposed in Rozel et al. 2010. This new approach stipulates that the grain size dynamics is governed by two additive and simultaneous processes: grain growth and dynamic recrystallization. We use the usual normal grain growth laws for the growth part. For dynamic recrystallization, reducing the mean grain size increases the total area of grain boundaries. Grain boundaries carry some surface tension, so some energy is required to decrease the mean grain size. We consider that this energy is available during mechanical work. It is usually considered to produce some heat via viscous dissipation. A partitioning parameter f is then required to know what amount of energy is dissipated and what part is converted in surface tension. This study gives a new calibration of the partitioning parameter on major Earth materials involved in the dynamic of the terrestrial planets. Our calibration is in adequation with the published piezometric relations available in the literature (equilibrium grain size versus shear stress). We test this new model of grain size evolution in a set of numerical computations of the dynamics of the Earth using stagYY. We show that the grain size evolution has a major effect on the convection regimes of terrestrial planets.

Grain-Size Dynamics Beneath Mid-Ocean Ridges: Implications for Permeability and Melt Extraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Turner, A. J.; Katz, R. F.; Behn, M. D.

2014-12-01

The permeability structure of the sub-ridge mantle plays an important role in how melt is focused and extracted at mid-ocean ridges. Permeability is controlled by porosity and the grain size of the solid mantle matrix, which is in turn controlled by the deformation conditions. To date, models of grain size evolution and mantle deformation have not been coupled to determine the influence of spatial variations in grain-size on the permeability structure at mid-ocean ridges. Rather, current models typically assume a constant grain size for the whole domain [1]. Here, we use 2-D numerical models to evaluate the influence of grain-size variability on the permeability structure beneath a mid-ocean ridge and use these results to speculate on the consequences for melt focusing and extraction. We construct a two-dimensional, single phase model for the steady-state grain size beneath a mid-ocean ridge. The model employs a composite rheology of diffusion creep, dislocation creep, dislocation accommodated grain boundary sliding, and a brittle stress limiter. Grain size is calculated using the "wattmeter" model of Austin and Evans [2]. We investigate the sensitivity of the model to global variations in grain growth exponent, potential temperature, spreading-rate, and grain boundary sliding parameters [3,4]. Our model predicts that permeability varies by two orders of magnitude due to the spatial variability of grain size within the expected melt region of a mid-ocean ridge. The predicted permeability structure suggests grain size may promote focusing of melt towards the ridge axis. Furthermore, the calculated grain size structure should focus melt from a greater depth than models that exclude grain-size variability. Future work will involve evaluating this hypothesis by implementing grain-size dynamics within a two-phase mid-ocean ridge model. The developments of such a model will be discussed. References: [1] R. F. Katz, Journal of Petrology, volume 49, issue 12, page 2099, 2008. [2] N. J. Austin and B. Evans, Geology, 35:354, 2007. [3] G. Hirth and D. Kohlstedt, In Inside the Subduction Factory, volume 138 of AGU Geophysical Monograph, 2003. [4] L. N. Hansen et al., JGR (Solid Earth), 116:B08201, 2011.

Lake Sediment Particle Size Analysis for Holocene Paleoenvironmental Study of Steens Mountain, Eastern Oregon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morris, J.; Stoner, J. S.; Reilly, B. T.; Hatfield, R. G.; Konyndyk, D.; Abbott, M. B.; Finkenbinder, M. S.; Hillman, A. L.

2016-12-01

In order to better understand climate trends in the late Pleistocene and Holocene in southeast Oregon, we present a sedimentological analysis of Fish Lake, Harney County, Oregon. Fish Lake (42° 44' 15" N, 118° 38' 57" W, 2,246.7 m) sits on the west slope of Steens Mountain, a fault-block mountain of Miocene basalt, adjacent to a glacial moraine. The present environment is high desert with sub alpine steppe vegetation, receiving approximately 12" of precipitation annually. The lake was cored in August 2013 with a series of overlapping drives, correlated by six distinct tephra and magnetic susceptibility. The composite section provides a 7.5 m continuous record of at least the last 13 ka, constrained by an age model built with 13 terrestrial macrofossil 14C dates. The recovered sediments, consisting of fine terrigenous and biogenous material in varying proportions, were analyzed with computed tomography (CT) scans, x-ray fluorescence (XRF) scans, magnetic measurements, loss on ignition (LOI), and sediment grain-size. CT and LOI data reveal a low density, high organic interval in the early Holocene ( 8.5-11 ka) with relatively coarse and well-sorted grain-size, suggesting an extended period of low lake level and low precipitation. Sediment grain-sizes are variable through the middle and late Holocene with high amplitude longer period features from 3 ka to the present. We investigate these grain-size fluctuations in the context of regional Holocene records.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Guo, Rui; Gao, Liming, E-mail: liming.gao@sjtu.edu.cn; Li, Ming, E-mail: mingli90@sjtu.edu.cn

As the continuous shrinkage of the interconnect line width in microelectronics devices, there is a growing concern about the electromigration (EM) failure of bonding wire. In addition, an innovative Ag–8Au–3Pd alloy wire has shown promise as an economical substitute for gold wire interconnects due to the cost pressure of gold in the last decade. In present study of the Ag–8Au–3Pd alloy wire, the surface diffusion occupied the dominant position during EM failure, and the activation energy was found to be 0.61 eV. In order to reveal the failure mechanism, the cross-sections of the Ag–8Au–3Pd alloy wire during EM were preparedmore » by focused ion beam (FIB) micro-machining for electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis. The microstructure evolution of the Ag–8Au–3Pd alloy wire was characterized by the grain size and grain boundary. As a result, the EM failure originates in the atom transportation, which causes grain size increasing and atom diffusion on the wire surface. - Highlights: • The activation energy of Ag–8Au–3Pd alloy wire was obtained as 0.61 eV. • During EM, the silver atoms diffused from negative to the positive terminal on the wire surface. • The microstructure (grain size and grain boundary) was characterized by FIB-EBSD. • During EM, the atom transportation was found to cause grain size growth and atom diffusion on the wire surface.« less

The discovery of silicon oxide nanoparticles in space-weathered of Apollo 15 lunar soil grains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gu, Lixin; Zhang, Bin; Hu, Sen; Noguchi, Takaaki; Hidaka, Hiroshi; Lin, Yangting

2018-03-01

Space weathering is an important process on the Moon and other airless celestial bodies. The most common space weathering effects are amorphization of the top surface of soil grains and formation of nanophase iron particles (npFe) within the partially amorphous rims. Hence, space weathering significantly affects optical properties of the surface of the Moon and other airless celestial bodies. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis of Apollo 15 soil grains displays npFe (≤5 nm in size) embedded in the space-weathered rim (∼60 nm in thickness) of a pyroxene grain, consistent with previous studies. In contrast, submicron-sized fragments that adhere to the pyroxene grain show distinct space weathering features. Silicon oxide nanoparticles (npSiOx) were observed with npFe in a submicron-sized Mg-Fe silicate fragment. This is the first discovery of npSiOx as a product of space weathering. The npSiOx and the coexisting npFe are ∼10-25 nm in size, significantly larger than the typical npFe in the space weathered rim of the pyroxene grain. The coexisting npSiOx and npFe were probably formed directly in micrometeorite shock-induced melt, instead of in a solar-wind generated vapor deposit or irradiated rim. This new observation will shed light on space weathering processes on the Moon and airless celestial bodies.

Structure and properties of electrodeposited nanocrystalline Ni and Ni-Fe alloy continuous foils

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giallonardo, Jason Derek

This research work presents the first comprehensive study on nanocrystalline materials produced in bulk quantities using a novel continuous electrodeposition process. A series of nanocrystalline Ni and Ni-Fe alloy continuous foils were produced and an intensive investigation into their structure and various properties was carried out. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) revealed the presence of local strain at high and low angle, and twin boundaries. The cause for these local strains was explained based on the interpretation of non-equilibrium grain boundary structures that result when conditions of compatibility are not satisfied. HR-TEM also revealed the presence of twin faults of the growth type, or "growth faults", which increased in density with the addition of Fe. This observation was found to be consistent with a corresponding increase in the growth fault probabilities determined quantitatively using X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern analysis. Hardness and Young's modulus were measured by nanoindentation. Hardness followed the regular Hall-Petch behaviour down to a grain size of 20 nm after which an inverse trend was observed. Young's modulus was slightly reduced at grain sizes less than 20 nm and found to be affected by texture. Microstrain based on XRD line broadening was measured for these materials and found to increase primarily with a decrease in grain size or an increase in intercrystal defect density (i.e., grain boundaries and triple junctions). This microstrain is associated with the local strains observed at grain boundaries in the HR-TEM image analysis. A contribution to microstrain from the presence of growth faults in the nanocrystalline Ni-Fe alloys was also noted. The macrostresses for these materials were determined from strain measurements using a two-dimensional XRD technique. At grain sizes less than 20 nm, there was a sharp increase in compressive macrostresses which was also owed to the corresponding increase in intercrystal defects or interfaces in the solid.

Microstructure, strengthening mechanisms and hot deformation behavior of an oxide-dispersion strengthened UFG Al6063 alloy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Asgharzadeh, H.; Kim, H.S.; Simchi, A., E-mail: simchi@sharif.edu

2013-01-15

An ultrafine-grained Al6063/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} (0.8 vol.%, 25 nm) nanocomposite was prepared via powder metallurgy route through reactive mechanical alloying and hot powder extrusion. Scanning electron microcopy, transmission electron microscopy, and back scattered electron diffraction analysis showed that the grain structure of the nanocomposite is trimodal and composed of nano-size grains (< 0.1 {mu}m), ultrafine grains (0.1-1 {mu}m), and micron-size grains (> 1 {mu}m) with random orientations. Evaluation of the mechanical properties of the nanocomposite based on the strengthening-mechanism models revealed that the yield strength of the ultrafine-grained nanocomposite is mainly controlled by the high-angle grain boundaries rather than nanometricmore » alumina particles. Hot deformation behavior of the material at different temperatures and strain rates was studied by compression test and compared to coarse-grained Al6063 alloy. The activation energy of the hot deformation process for the nanocomposite was determined to be 291 kJ mol{sup -1}, which is about 64% higher than that of the coarse-grained alloy. Detailed microstructural analysis revealed that dynamic recrystallization is responsible for the observed deformation softening in the ultrafine-grained nanocomposite. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The strengthening mechanisms of Al6063/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanocomposite were evaluated. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Hot deformation behavior of the nanocomposite was studied. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The hot deformation activation energy was determined using consecutive models. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The restoration mechanisms and microstructural changes are presented.« less

Stress Distribution During Deformation of Polycrystalline Aluminum by Molecular-Dynamics and Finite-Element Modeling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yamakov, V.; Saether, E.; Phillips, D.; Glaessgen, E. H.

2004-01-01

In this paper, a multiscale modelling strategy is used to study the effect of grain-boundary sliding on stress localization in a polycrystalline microstructure with an uneven distribution of grain size. The development of the molecular dynamics (MD) analysis used to interrogate idealized grain microstructures with various types of grain boundaries and the multiscale modelling strategies for modelling large systems of grains is discussed. Both molecular-dynamics and finite-element (FE) simulations for idealized polycrystalline models of identical geometry are presented with the purpose of demonstrating the effectiveness of the adapted finite-element method using cohesive zone models to reproduce grain-boundary sliding and its effect on the stress distribution in a polycrystalline metal. The yield properties of the grain-boundary interface, used in the FE simulations, are extracted from a MD simulation on a bicrystal. The models allow for the study of the load transfer between adjacent grains of very different size through grain-boundary sliding during deformation. A large-scale FE simulation of 100 grains of a typical microstructure is then presented to reveal that the stress distribution due to grain-boundary sliding during uniform tensile strain can lead to stress localization of two to three times the background stress, thus suggesting a significant effect on the failure properties of the metal.

Size effects in olivine control strength in low-temperature plasticity regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumamoto, K. M.; Thom, C.; Wallis, D.; Hansen, L. N.; Armstrong, D. E. J.; Goldsby, D. L.; Warren, J. M.; Wilkinson, A. J.

2017-12-01

The strength of the lithospheric mantle during deformation by low-temperature plasticity controls a range of geological phenomena, including lithospheric-scale strain localization, the evolution of friction on deep seismogenic faults, and the flexure of tectonic plates. However, constraints on the strength of olivine in this deformation regime are difficult to obtain from conventional rock-deformation experiments, and previous results vary considerably. We demonstrate via nanoindentation that the strength of olivine in the low-temperature plasticity regime is dependent on the length-scale of the test, with experiments on smaller volumes of material exhibiting larger yield stresses. This "size effect" has previously been explained in engineering materials as a result of the role of strain gradients and associated geometrically necessary dislocations in modifying plastic behavior. The Hall-Petch effect, in which a material with a small grain size exhibits a higher strength than one with a large grain size, is thought to arise from the same mechanism. The presence of a size effect resolves discrepancies among previous experimental measurements of olivine, which were either conducted using indentation methods or were conducted on polycrystalline samples with small grain sizes. An analysis of different low-temperature plasticity flow laws extrapolated to room temperature reveals a power-law relationship between length-scale (grain size for polycrystalline deformation and contact radius for indentation tests) and yield strength. This suggests that data from samples with large inherent length scales best represent the plastic strength of the coarse-grained lithospheric mantle. Additionally, the plastic deformation of nanometer- to micrometer-sized asperities on fault surfaces may control the evolution of fault roughness due to their size-dependent strength.

Near-infrared scattering as a dust diagnostic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saajasto, Mika; Juvela, Mika; Malinen, Johanna

2018-06-01

Context. Regarding the evolution of dust grains from diffuse regions of space to dense molecular cloud cores, many questions remain open. Scattering at near-infrared wavelengths, or "cloudshine", can provide information on cloud structure, dust properties, and the radiation field that is complementary to mid-infrared "coreshine" and observations of dust emission at longer wavelengths. Aims: We examine the possibility of using near-infrared scattering to constrain the local radiation field and the dust properties, the scattering and absorption efficiency, the size distribution of the grains, and the maximum grain size. Methods: We use radiative transfer modelling to examine the constraints provided by the J, H, and K bands in combination with mid-infrared surface brightness at 3.6 μm. We use spherical one-dimensional and elliptical three-dimensional cloud models to study the observable effects of different grain size distributions with varying absorption and scattering properties. As an example, we analyse observations of a molecular cloud in Taurus, TMC-1N. Results: The observed surface brightness ratios of the bands change when the dust properties are changed. However, even a change of ±10% in the surface brightness of one band changes the estimated power-law exponent of the size distribution γ by up to 30% and the estimated strength of the radiation field KISRF by up to 60%. The maximum grain size Amax and γ are always strongly anti-correlated. For example, overestimating the surface brightness by 10% changes the estimated radiation field strength by 20% and the exponent of the size distribution by 15%. The analysis of our synthetic observations indicates that the relative uncertainty of the parameter distributions are on average Amax, γ 25%, and the deviation between the estimated and correct values ΔQ < 15%. For the TMC-1N observations, a maximum grain size Amax > 1.5μm and a size distribution with γ > 4.0 have high probability. The mass weighted average grain size is ⟨am⟩ = 0.113μm. Conclusions: We show that scattered infrared light can be used to derive meaningful limits for the dust parameters. However, errors in the surface brightness data can result in considerable uncertainties on the derived parameters.

The distribution of sediments grain size along the depth in source of the Yangtze River, Tibetan Plateau, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Y.; Yao, S.; Zhou, S.; Liu, X.; Yan, X.; Lu, J.

2017-12-01

Sediment was the one result of river process, in alluvial rive, it can reflect the hydrodynamic characteristic, even the hydrology and climate. In the source region of the Yangtze River with few human activities, The Qumalai Reach of the Tongtianhe River was selected to research the distribution of sediments grain size along the depth. The vertical drilling tools were used to obtain 7 boreholes along the river cross section, and the sedimentary cores were made analysis of stratification and granularity. The results show: The sediments are dominated by sand and grail, the sediment transport capacity of river sources is strong; the grain size frequency distribution curve with 2 3 kurtosis, main peak is sharp, it is typical deposit sediment of the suspended load; The grain size coarsen from the stream terrace to the main channel, sediment transport capacity of main stream is bigger; There are several coarse and fine sediments layers in the sedimentary core of the terrace and flood plain, medium diameters of each layer are various from 0.4mm to 80mm, different layer with different grain size can reflect the different hydrodynamic characteristic of each historical period. This result can provide the original data and enlightenment to support the research for historical river process and hydrology so much as the climate change.

Performance analysis of SA-3 missile second stage

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Helmy, A. M.

1981-01-01

One SA-3 missile was disassembled. The constituents of the second stage were thoroughly investigated for geometrical details. The second stage slotted composite propellant grain was subjected to mechanical properties testing, physiochemical analyses, and burning rate measurements at different conditions. To determine the propellant performance parameters, the slotted composite propellant grain was machined into a set of small-size tubular grains. These grains were fired in a small size rocket motor with a set of interchangeable nozzles with different throat diameters. The firings were carried out at three different conditions. The data from test motor firings, physiochemical properties of the propellant, burning rate measurement results and geometrical details of the second stage motor, were used as input data in a computer program to compute the internal ballistic characteristics of the second stage.

Speciation of heavy metals in different grain sizes of Jiaozhou Bay sediments: Bioavailability, ecological risk assessment and source analysis on a centennial timescale.

PubMed

Kang, Xuming; Song, Jinming; Yuan, Huamao; Duan, Liqin; Li, Xuegang; Li, Ning; Liang, Xianmeng; Qu, Baoxiao

2017-09-01

Heavy metal contamination is an essential indicator of environmental health. In this work, one sediment core was used for the analysis of the speciation of heavy metals (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb) in Jiaozhou Bay sediments with different grain sizes. The bioavailability, sources and ecological risk of heavy metals were also assessed on a centennial timescale. Heavy metals were enriched in grain sizes of < 63µm and were predominantly present in residual phases. Moreover, the mobility sequence based on the sum of the first three phases (for grain sizes of < 63µm) was Mn > Pb > Cd > Zn > Cu >Ni > Cr > As. Enrichment factors (EF) indicated that heavy metals in Jiaozhou Bay presented from no enrichment to minor enrichment. The potential ecological risk index (RI) indicated that Jiaozhou Bay had been suffering from a low ecological risk and presented an increasing trend since 1940s owing to the increase of anthropogenic activities. The source analysis indicated that natural sources were primary sources of heavy metals in Jiaozhou Bay and anthropogenic sources of heavy metals presented an increasing trend since 1940s. The principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu and Pb were primarily derived from natural sources and that Zn and Cd were influenced by shipbuilding industry. Mn, Cu, Zn and Pb may originate from both natural and anthropogenic sources. As may be influenced by agricultural activities. Moreover, heavy metals in sediments of Jiaozhou Bay were clearly influenced by atmospheric deposition and river input. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Unfolding grain size effects in barium titanate ferroelectric ceramics

PubMed Central

Tan, Yongqiang; Zhang, Jialiang; Wu, Yanqing; Wang, Chunlei; Koval, Vladimir; Shi, Baogui; Ye, Haitao; McKinnon, Ruth; Viola, Giuseppe; Yan, Haixue

2015-01-01

Grain size effects on the physical properties of polycrystalline ferroelectrics have been extensively studied for decades; however there are still major controversies regarding the dependence of the piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties on the grain size. Dense BaTiO3 ceramics with different grain sizes were fabricated by either conventional sintering or spark plasma sintering using micro- and nano-sized powders. The results show that the grain size effect on the dielectric permittivity is nearly independent of the sintering method and starting powder used. A peak in the permittivity is observed in all the ceramics with a grain size near 1 μm and can be attributed to a maximum domain wall density and mobility. The piezoelectric coefficient d33 and remnant polarization Pr show diverse grain size effects depending on the particle size of the starting powder and sintering temperature. This suggests that besides domain wall density, other factors such as back fields and point defects, which influence the domain wall mobility, could be responsible for the different grain size dependence observed in the dielectric and piezoelectric/ferroelectric properties. In cases where point defects are not the dominant contributor, the piezoelectric constant d33 and the remnant polarization Pr increase with increasing grain size. PMID:25951408

Influence of initial heating during final high temperature annealing on the offset of primary and secondary recrystallization in Cu-bearing grain oriented electrical steels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodriguez-Calvillo, P.; Leunis, E.; Van De Putte, T.; Jacobs, S.; Zacek, O.; Saikaly, W.

2018-04-01

The industrial production route of Grain Oriented Electrical Steels (GOES) is complex and fine-tuned for each grade. Its metallurgical process requires in all cases the abnormal grain growth (AGG) of the Goss orientation during the final high temperature annealing (HTA). The exact mechanism of AGG is not yet fully understood, but is controlled by the different inhibition systems, namely MnS, AlN and CuxS, their size and distribution, and the initial primary recrystallized grain size. Therefore, among other parameters, the initial heating stage during the HTA is crucial for the proper development of primary and secondary recrystallized microstructures. Cold rolled 0.3 mm Cu-bearing Grain Oriented Electrical Steel has been submitted to interrupted annealing experiments in a lab tubular furnace. Two different annealing cycles were applied:• Constant heating at 30°C/h up to 1000°C. Two step cycle with initial heating at 100°C/h up to 600°C, followed by 18 h soaking at 600°C and then heating at 30°C/h up to 1050°C. The materials are analyzed in terms of their magnetic properties, grain size, texture and precipitates. The characteristic magnetic properties are analyzed for the different extraction temperatures and Cycles. As the annealing was progressing, the coercivity values (Hc 1.7T [A/m]) decreased, showing two abrupt drops, which can be associated to the on-set of primary and secondary recrystallization. The primary recrystallized grain sizes and recrystallized fractions are fitted to a model using a non-isothermal approach. This analysis shows that, although the resulting grain sizes were similar, the kinetics for the two step annealing were faster due to the lower recovery. The on-set of secondary recrystallization was also shifted to higher temperatures in the case of the continuous heating cycle, which might end in different final grain sizes and final magnetic properties. In both samples, nearly all the observed precipitates are Al-Si-Mn nitrides, ranging from pure AlN to Si4Mn-nitride.

Structure and giant magnetoresistance of granular Co-Cu nanolayers prepared by cross-beam pulsed laser deposition

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jesche, A.; Stoecker, H.; Levin, A. A.

2010-01-15

A series of Co{sub x}Cu{sub 100-x} (x=0, 40-75, 100) layers with thicknesses between 13 and 55 nm were prepared on silicon substrates using cross-beam pulsed laser deposition. Wide-angle x-ray diffraction (WAXRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and electrical transport measurements revealed a structure consisting of decomposed cobalt and copper grains with grain sizes of about 10 nm. The influence of cobalt content and layer thickness on the grain size is discussed. Electron diffraction indicates the presence of an intermetallic Co-Cu phase of Cu{sub 3}Au structure type. Thermal treatment at temperatures between 525 and 750 K results in the progressive decomposition ofmore » Co and Cu, with an increase of the grain sizes up to about 100 nm. This is tunable by controlling the temperature and duration of the anneal, and is directly observable in WAXRD patterns and TEM images. A careful analysis of grain size and the coherence length of the radiation used allows for an accurate interpretation of the x-ray diffraction patterns, by taking into account coherent and noncoherent scattering. The alloy films show a giant magnetoresistance of 1%-2.3% with the maximum obtained after annealing at around 725 K.« less

On the role of the grain size in the magnetic behavior of sintered permanent magnets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Efthimiadis, K. G.; Ntallis, N.

2018-02-01

In this work the finite elements method is used to simulate, by micromagnetic modeling, the magnetic behavior of sintered anisotropic magnets. Hysteresis loops were simulated for different grain sizes in an oriented multigrain sample. By keeping out other parameters that contribute to the magnetic microstructure, such as the sample size, the grain morphology and the grain boundaries mismatch, it has been found that the grain size affects the magnetic properties only if the grains are exchange-decoupled. In this case, as the grain size decreases, a decrease in the nucleation field of a reverse magnetic domain is observed and an increase in the coercive field due to the pinning of the magnetic domain walls at the grain boundaries.

Grain-size variations on a longitudinal dune and a barchan dune

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watson, Andrew

1986-01-01

The grain-size characteristics of the sand upon two dunes—a 40 m high longitudinal dune in the central Namib Desert and a 6.0 m high barchan in the Jafurah sand sea of Saudi Arabia—vary with position on the dunes. On the longitudinal dune, median grain size decreases, sorting improves and the grain-size distributions are less skewed and more normalized toward the crest. Though sand at the windward toe is distinct, elsewhere on the dune the changes in grain-size characteristics are gradual. An abrupt change in grain size and sorting near the crest—as described by Bagnold (1941, pp. 226-229)—is not well represented on this dune. Coarse grains remain as a lag on concave slope units and small particles are winnowed from the sand on the steepest windward slopes near the crest. Avalanching down slipfaces at the crest acts only as a supplementary grading mechanism. On the barchan dune median grain size also decreases near the crest, but sorting becomes poorer, though the grain-size distributions are more symmetric and more normalized. The dune profile is a Gaussian curve with a broad convex zone at the apex upon which topset beds had accreted prior to sampling. Grain size increases and sorting improves down the dune's slipface. However, this grading mechanism does not influence sand on the whole dune because variations in wind regime bring about different modes of dune accretion. On both dunes, height and morphology appear to influence significantly the grain-size characteristics.

The Femtosecond Laser Ablation on Ultrafine-Grained Copper

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Jianxun; Wu, Xiaoyu; Ruan, Shuangchen; Guo, Dengji; Du, Chenlin; Liang, Xiong; Wu, Zhaozhi

2018-07-01

To investigate the effects of femtosecond laser ablation on the surface morphology and microstructure of ultrafine-grained copper, point, single-line scanning, and area scanning ablation of ultrafine-grained and coarse-grained copper were performed at room temperature. The ablation threshold gradually increased and materials processing became more difficult with decreasing grain size. In addition, the ablation depth and width of the channels formed by single-line scanning ablation gradually increased with increasing grain size for the same laser pulse energy. The microhardness of the ablated specimens was also evaluated as a function of laser pulse energy using area scanning ablation. The microhardness difference before and after ablation increased with decreasing grain size for the same laser pulse energy. In addition, the microhardness after ablation gradually decreased with increasing laser pulse energy for the ultrafine-grained specimens. However, for the coarse-grained copper specimens, no clear changes of the microhardness were observed after ablation with varying laser pulse energies. The grain sizes of the ultrafine-grained specimens were also surveyed as a function of laser pulse energy using electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD). The heat generated by laser ablation caused recrystallization and grain growth of the ultrafine-grained copper; moreover, the grain size gradually increased with increasing pulse energy. In contrast, no obvious changes in grain size were observed for the coarse-grained copper specimens with increasing pulse energy.

The Femtosecond Laser Ablation on Ultrafine-Grained Copper

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Jianxun; Wu, Xiaoyu; Ruan, Shuangchen; Guo, Dengji; Du, Chenlin; Liang, Xiong; Wu, Zhaozhi

2018-05-01

To investigate the effects of femtosecond laser ablation on the surface morphology and microstructure of ultrafine-grained copper, point, single-line scanning, and area scanning ablation of ultrafine-grained and coarse-grained copper were performed at room temperature. The ablation threshold gradually increased and materials processing became more difficult with decreasing grain size. In addition, the ablation depth and width of the channels formed by single-line scanning ablation gradually increased with increasing grain size for the same laser pulse energy. The microhardness of the ablated specimens was also evaluated as a function of laser pulse energy using area scanning ablation. The microhardness difference before and after ablation increased with decreasing grain size for the same laser pulse energy. In addition, the microhardness after ablation gradually decreased with increasing laser pulse energy for the ultrafine-grained specimens. However, for the coarse-grained copper specimens, no clear changes of the microhardness were observed after ablation with varying laser pulse energies. The grain sizes of the ultrafine-grained specimens were also surveyed as a function of laser pulse energy using electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD). The heat generated by laser ablation caused recrystallization and grain growth of the ultrafine-grained copper; moreover, the grain size gradually increased with increasing pulse energy. In contrast, no obvious changes in grain size were observed for the coarse-grained copper specimens with increasing pulse energy.

Extreme Suppression of Lateral Floret Development by a Single Amino Acid Change in the VRS1 Transcription Factor1[OPEN

PubMed Central

Lundqvist, Udda; Kakei, Yusuke; Suzuki, Takako; Hori, Kiyosumi; Wu, Jianzhong; Shimada, Yukihisa; Thomas, William T.B.; Komatsuda, Takao

2017-01-01

Increasing grain yield is an endless challenge for cereal crop breeding. In barley (Hordeum vulgare), grain number is controlled mainly by Six-rowed spike 1 (Vrs1), which encodes a homeodomain leucine zipper class I transcription factor. However, little is known about the genetic basis of grain size. Here, we show that extreme suppression of lateral florets contributes to enlarged grains in deficiens barley. Through a combination of fine-mapping and resequencing of deficiens mutants, we have identified that a single amino acid substitution at a putative phosphorylation site in VRS1 is responsible for the deficiens phenotype. deficiens mutant alleles confer an increase in grain size, a reduction in plant height, and a significant increase in thousand grain weight in contemporary cultivated germplasm. Haplotype analysis revealed that barley carrying the deficiens allele (Vrs1.t1) originated from two-rowed types carrying the Vrs1.b2 allele, predominantly found in germplasm from northern Africa. In situ hybridization of histone H4, a marker for cell cycle or proliferation, showed weaker expression in the lateral spikelets compared with central spikelets in deficiens. Transcriptome analysis revealed that a number of histone superfamily genes were up-regulated in the deficiens mutant, suggesting that enhanced cell proliferation in the central spikelet may contribute to larger grains. Our data suggest that grain yield can be improved by suppressing the development of specific organs that are not positively involved in sink/source relationships. PMID:29101279

Determination of grain-size characteristics from electromagnetic seabed mapping data: A NW Iberian shelf study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baasch, Benjamin; Müller, Hendrik; von Dobeneck, Tilo; Oberle, Ferdinand K. J.

2017-05-01

The electric conductivity and magnetic susceptibility of sediments are fundamental parameters in environmental geophysics. Both can be derived from marine electromagnetic profiling, a novel, fast and non-invasive seafloor mapping technique. Here we present statistical evidence that electric conductivity and magnetic susceptibility can help to determine physical grain-size characteristics (size, sorting and mud content) of marine surficial sediments. Electromagnetic data acquired with the bottom-towed electromagnetic profiler MARUM NERIDIS III were analysed and compared with grain size data from 33 samples across the NW Iberian continental shelf. A negative correlation between mean grain size and conductivity (R=-0.79) as well as mean grain size and susceptibility (R=-0.78) was found. Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were carried out to predict mean grain size, mud content and the standard deviation of the grain-size distribution from conductivity and susceptibility. The comparison of both methods showed that multiple linear regression models predict the grain-size distribution characteristics better than the simple models. This exemplary study demonstrates that electromagnetic benthic profiling is capable to estimate mean grain size, sorting and mud content of marine surficial sediments at a very high significance level. Transfer functions can be calibrated using grains-size data from a few reference samples and extrapolated along shelf-wide survey lines. This study suggests that electromagnetic benthic profiling should play a larger role for coastal zone management, seafloor contamination and sediment provenance studies in worldwide continental shelf systems.

Orientation influence on grain size-effects in ultrafine-grained magnesium

DOE PAGES

Fan, Haidong; Aubry, Sylvie; Arsenlis, A.; ...

2014-11-08

The mechanical behavior of ultrafine-grained magnesium was studied by discrete dislocation dynamics (DDD) simulations. Our results show basal slip yields a strong size effect, while prismatic and pyramidal slips produce a weak one. We developed a new size-strength model that considers dislocation transmission across grain boundaries. Good agreement between this model, current DDD simulations and previous experiments is observed. These results reveal that the grain size effect depends on 3 factors: Peierls stress, dislocation source strength and grain boundary strength.

Effects of grain size on the corrosion resistance of pure magnesium by cooling rate-controlled solidification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yichi; Liu, Debao; You, Chen; Chen, Minfang

2015-09-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of grain size on the corrosion resistance of pure magnesium developed for biomedical applications. High-purity magnesium samples with different grain size were prepared by the cooling rate-controlled solidification. Electrochemical and immersion tests were employed to measure the corrosion resistance of pure magnesium with different grain size. The electrochemical polarization curves indicated that the corrosion susceptibility increased as the grain size decrease. However, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and immersion tests indicated that the corrosion resistance of pure magnesium is improved as the grain size decreases. The improvement in the corrosion resistance is attributed to refine grain can produce more uniform and density film on the surface of sample.

Non-Destructive Evaluation of Grain Structure Using Air-Coupled Ultrasonics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Belvin, A. D.; Burrell, R. K.; Cole, E.G.

2009-08-01

Cast material has a grain structure that is relatively non-uniform. There is a desire to evaluate the grain structure of this material non-destructively. Traditionally, grain size measurement is a destructive process involving the sectioning and metallographic imaging of the material. Generally, this is performed on a representative sample on a periodic basis. Sampling is inefficient and costly. Furthermore, the resulting data may not provide an accurate description of the entire part's average grain size or grain size variation. This project is designed to develop a non-destructive acoustic scanning technique, using Chirp waveforms, to quantify average grain size and grain sizemore » variation across the surface of a cast material. A Chirp is a signal in which the frequency increases or decreases over time (frequency modulation). As a Chirp passes through a material, the material's grains reduce the signal (attenuation) by absorbing the signal energy. Geophysics research has shown a direct correlation with Chirp wave attenuation and mean grain size in geological structures. The goal of this project is to demonstrate that Chirp waveform attenuation can be used to measure grain size and grain variation in cast metals (uranium and other materials of interest). An off-axis ultrasonic inspection technique using air-coupled ultrasonics has been developed to determine grain size in cast materials. The technique gives a uniform response across the volume of the component. This technique has been demonstrated to provide generalized trends of grain variation over the samples investigated.« less

Corrosion resistant surface for vanadium nitride and hafnium nitride layers as function of grain size

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Escobar, C. A.; Caicedo, J. C.; Aperador, W.

2014-01-01

In this research it was studied vanadium nitride (VN) and hafnium nitride (HfN) film, which were deposited onto silicon (Si (100)) and AISI 4140 steel substrates via r.f. magnetron sputtering technique in Ar/N2 atmosphere with purity at 99.99% for both V and Hf metallic targets. Both films were approximately 1.2±0.1 μm thick. The crystallography structures that were evaluated via X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) showed preferential orientations in the Bragg planes VN (200) and HfN (111). The chemical compositions for both films were characterized by EDX. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) was used to study the morphology; the results reveal grain sizes of 78±2 nm for VN and 58±2 nm for HfN and roughness values of 4.2±0.1 nm for VN and 1.5±0.1 nm for HfN films. The electrochemical performance in VN and HfN films deposited onto steel 4140 were studied by Tafel polarization curves and impedance spectroscopy methods (EIS) under contact with sodium chloride at 3.5 wt% solution, therefore, it was found that the corrosion rate decreased about 95% in VN and 99% for HfN films in relation to uncoated 4140 steel, thus demonstrating, the protecting effect of VN and HfN films under a corrosive environment as function of morphological characteristics (grain size). VN(grain size)=78±2.0 nm, VN(roughness)=4.2±0.1 nm, VN(corrosion rate)=40.87 μmy. HfN(grain size)=58±2.0 nm, HfN(roughness)=1.5±0.1 nm, HfN(corrosion rate)=0.205 μmy. It was possible to analyze that films with larger grain size, can be observed smaller grain boundary thus generating a higher corrosion rate, therefore, in this work it was found that the HfN layer has better corrosion resistance (low corrosion rate) in relation to VN film which presents a larger grain size, indicating that the low grain boundary in (VN films) does not restrict movement of the Cl- ion and in this way the corrosion rate increases dramatically.

Magnetic properties in an ash flow tuff with continuous grain size variation: a natural reference for magnetic particle granulometry

USGS Publications Warehouse

Till, J.L.; Jackson, M.J.; Rosenbaum, J.G.; Solheid, P.

2011-01-01

The Tiva Canyon Tuff contains dispersed nanoscale Fe-Ti-oxide grains with a narrow magnetic grain size distribution, making it an ideal material in which to identify and study grain-size-sensitive magnetic behavior in rocks. A detailed magnetic characterization was performed on samples from the basal 5 m of the tuff. The magnetic materials in this basal section consist primarily of (low-impurity) magnetite in the form of elongated submicron grains exsolved from volcanic glass. Magnetic properties studied include bulk magnetic susceptibility, frequency-dependent and temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility, anhysteretic remanence acquisition, and hysteresis properties. The combined data constitute a distinct magnetic signature at each stratigraphic level in the section corresponding to different grain size distributions. The inferred magnetic domain state changes progressively upward from superparamagnetic grains near the base to particles with pseudo-single-domain or metastable single-domain characteristics near the top of the sampled section. Direct observations of magnetic grain size confirm that distinct transitions in room temperature magnetic susceptibility and remanence probably denote the limits of stable single-domain behavior in the section. These results provide a unique example of grain-size-dependent magnetic properties in noninteracting particle assemblages over three decades of grain size, including close approximations of ideal Stoner-Wohlfarth assemblages, and may be considered a useful reference for future rock magnetic studies involving grain-size-sensitive properties.

Grain Size and Phase Purity Characterization of U 3Si 2 Pellet Fuel

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hoggan, Rita E.; Tolman, Kevin R.; Cappia, Fabiola

Characterization of U 3Si 2 fresh fuel pellets is important for quality assurance and validation of the finished product. Grain size measurement methods, phase identification methods using scanning electron microscopes equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction, and phase quantification methods via image analysis have been developed and implemented on U 3Si 2 pellet samples. A wide variety of samples have been characterized including representative pellets from an initial irradiation experiment, and samples produced using optimized methods to enhance phase purity from an extended fabrication effort. The average grain size for initial pellets was between 16 and 18 µm.more » The typical average grain size for pellets from the extended fabrication was between 20 and 30 µm with some samples exhibiting irregular grain growth. Pellets from the latter half of extended fabrication had a bimodal grain size distribution consisting of coarsened grains (>80 µm) surrounded by the typical (20-30 µm) grain structure around the surface. Phases identified in initial uranium silicide pellets included: U 3Si 2 as the main phase composing about 80 vol. %, Si rich phases (USi and U 5Si 4) composing about 13 vol. %, and UO 2 composing about 5 vol. %. Initial batches from the extended U 3Si 2 pellet fabrication had similar phases and phase quantities. The latter half of the extended fabrication pellet batches did not contain Si rich phases, and had between 1-5% UO 2: achieving U 3Si 2 phase purity between 95 vol. % and 98 vol. % U 3Si 2. The amount of UO 2 in sintered U 3Si 2 pellets is correlated to the length of time between U 3Si 2 powder fabrication and pellet formation. These measurements provide information necessary to optimize fabrication efforts and a baseline for future work on this fuel compound.« less

Strengthening and Improving Yield Asymmetry of Magnesium Alloys by Second Phase Particle Refinement Under the Guidance of Integrated Computational Materials Engineering

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, Dongsheng; Lavender, Curt

2015-05-08

Improving yield strength and asymmetry is critical to expand applications of magnesium alloys in industry for higher fuel efficiency and lower CO 2 production. Grain refinement is an efficient method for strengthening low symmetry magnesium alloys, achievable by precipitate refinement. This study provides guidance on how precipitate engineering will improve mechanical properties through grain refinement. Precipitate refinement for improving yield strengths and asymmetry is simulated quantitatively by coupling a stochastic second phase grain refinement model and a modified polycrystalline crystal viscoplasticity φ-model. Using the stochastic second phase grain refinement model, grain size is quantitatively determined from the precipitate size andmore » volume fraction. Yield strengths, yield asymmetry, and deformation behavior are calculated from the modified φ-model. If the precipitate shape and size remain constant, grain size decreases with increasing precipitate volume fraction. If the precipitate volume fraction is kept constant, grain size decreases with decreasing precipitate size during precipitate refinement. Yield strengths increase and asymmetry approves to one with decreasing grain size, contributed by increasing precipitate volume fraction or decreasing precipitate size.« less

Size effect on the deformation mechanisms of nanocrystalline platinum thin films.

PubMed

Shu, Xinyu; Kong, Deli; Lu, Yan; Long, Haibo; Sun, Shiduo; Sha, Xuechao; Zhou, Hao; Chen, Yanhui; Mao, Shengcheng; Liu, Yinong

2017-10-16

This paper reports a study of time-resolved deformation process at the atomic scale of a nanocrystalline Pt thin film captured in situ under a transmission electron microscope. The main mechanism of plastic deformation was found to evolve from full dislocation activity-enabled plasticity in large grains (with grain size d > 10 nm), to partial dislocation plasticity in smaller grains (with grain size 10 nm < d < 6 nm), and grain boundary-mediated plasticity in the matrix with grain sizes d < 6 nm. The critical grain size for the transition from full dislocation activity to partial dislocation activity was estimated based on consideration of stacking fault energy. For grain boundary-mediated plasticity, the possible contributions to strain rate of grain creep, grain sliding and grain rotation to plastic deformation were estimated using established models. The contribution of grain creep is found to be negligible, the contribution of grain rotation is effective but limited in magnitude, and grain sliding is suggested to be the dominant deformation mechanism in nanocrystalline Pt thin films. This study provided the direct evidence of these deformation processes at the atomic scale.

Classification of pollen species using autofluorescence image analysis.

PubMed

Mitsumoto, Kotaro; Yabusaki, Katsumi; Aoyagi, Hideki

2009-01-01

A new method to classify pollen species was developed by monitoring autofluorescence images of pollen grains. The pollens of nine species were selected, and their autofluorescence images were captured by a microscope equipped with a digital camera. The pollen size and the ratio of the blue to red pollen autofluorescence spectra (the B/R ratio) were calculated by image processing. The B/R ratios and pollen size varied among the species. Furthermore, the scatter-plot of pollen size versus the B/R ratio showed that pollen could be classified to the species level using both parameters. The pollen size and B/R ratio were confirmed by means of particle flow image analysis and the fluorescence spectra, respectively. These results suggest that a flow system capable of measuring both scattered light and the autofluorescence of particles could classify and count pollen grains in real time.

A non-invasive multiproxy approach to recognize Holocene paleocoastal environmental signals in Sri Lanka.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ranasinghe, P. N.; Ortiz, J. D.; Siriwardana, C.

2009-05-01

Coastal lagoons are archives of paleocoastal environmental signatures. Lagoonal cores are extensively used to recognize paleo-sea level changes, plaeoclimatic changes, paleo-tsunami and storm deposits. Grain size, microfossil assemblages and organic carbon content are some of the common proxies used in such paleoenvironmental studies. This study attempts to use petrophysical methods to measure the physical properties of lagoonal cores to recognize paleoenvironmental signatures. Three sediment cores, each five meters in length, were collected in a 1 km long transect from a siliciclastic coastal lagoon at Kirinda, Sri Lanka. This south-eastern lagoon is highly susceptible to tsunamis and coastal flood events; The 2004 Asian tsunami generated 7-8 m waves in the area. Evidence for Holocene sea level changes are also preserved in nearby areas. Particle size, magnetic susceptibility and visible color reflectance were measured in the three cores at 1 cm resolution. Principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out with grain size (Q-mode) and reflectance data (R-mode). Log records and depth variation diagrams of grain size, reflectance factor scores, and magnetic susceptibility were compared to identify paleo-environmental signals. PCA analysis of reflectance data identified three principle components which describe 92% of the variance while a similar analysis performed for grain size data identifies six components describing 98% of the variance. Downcore variation plots show that a*, b* and the reflectance factor scores representing sediment goethite and iron oxide content have a strong correlation with grain size factors representing the medium sand, silt and clay size classes. Sand layers deposited by 2004 tsunami event and by similar older events can be clearly recognized using these parameters. Magnetic susceptibility plots also show peaks in some of the same sand layers indicating the association of magnetic mineral-rich beach sand. Downcore plots of these petrophysical parameters show a significant abrupt change in the signal at about 2 m below the surface. According to an age model constructed for a nearby lagoon by Jackson (2009) this break dates back about 6000 yrs BP. This break may represent the mid Holocene sea level transgression, which resulted in about 1.5 m sea level rise in Sri Lanka (Katupota, 1995) Correlation of multi proxy downcore variation plots from Kirinda lagoon with geomorphologically and geographically different lagoons on the eastern coast would enable distinguishing different coastal events in the Holocene history.

Effect of Grain Boundary Misorientation on Electromigration in Lead-Free Solder Joints

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tasooji, Amaneh; Lara, Leticia; Lee, Kyuoh

2014-12-01

Reduction in microelectronic interconnect size gives rise to solder bumps consisting of few grains, approaching a single- or bicrystal grain morphology in C4 bumps. Single grain anisotropy, individual grain orientation, presence of easy diffusion paths along grain boundaries, and the increased current density in these small solder bumps aggravate electromigration. This reduces the reliability of the entire microelectronic system. This paper focuses on electromigration behavior in Pb-free solder, specifically the Sn-0.7 wt.%Cu alloy. We discuss the effects of texture, grain orientation, and grain boundary misorientation angle on electromigration (EM) and intermetallic compound formation in EM-tested C4 bumps. The detailed electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis used in this study reveals the greater influence of grain boundary misorientation on solder bump electromigration compared with the effect associated with individual grain orientation.

Palaeoenvironmental implication of grain-size compositions of terrace deposits on the western Chinese Loess Plateau

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Xingxing; Sun, Youbin; Vandenberghe, Jef; Li, Ying; An, Zhisheng

2018-06-01

Sedimentary sequences that developed on river terraces have been widely investigated to reconstruct high-resolution palaeoclimatic changes since the last deglaciation. However, frequent changes in sedimentary facies make palaeoenvironmental interpretation of grain-size variations relatively complicated. In this paper, we employed multiple grain-size parameters to discriminate the sedimentary characteristics of aeolian and fluvial facies in the Dadiwan (DDW) section on the western Chinese Loess Plateau. We found that wind and fluvial dynamics have quite different impacts on the grain-size compositions, with distinctive imprints on the distribution pattern. By using a lognormal distribution fitting approach, two major grain-size components sensitive to aeolian and fluvial processes, respectively, were distinguished from the grain-size compositions of the DDW terrace deposits. The fine grain-size component (GSC2) represents mixing of long-distance aeolian and short-distance fluvial inputs, whilst the coarse grain-size component (GSC3) is mainly transported by wind from short-distance sources. Thus GSC3 can be used to infer the wind intensity. Grain-size variations reveal that the wind intensity experienced a stepwise shift from large-amplitude variations during the last deglaciation to small-amplitude oscillations in the Holocene, corresponding well to climate changes from regional to global context.

Species distribution model transferability and model grain size - finer may not always be better.

PubMed

Manzoor, Syed Amir; Griffiths, Geoffrey; Lukac, Martin

2018-05-08

Species distribution models have been used to predict the distribution of invasive species for conservation planning. Understanding spatial transferability of niche predictions is critical to promote species-habitat conservation and forecasting areas vulnerable to invasion. Grain size of predictor variables is an important factor affecting the accuracy and transferability of species distribution models. Choice of grain size is often dependent on the type of predictor variables used and the selection of predictors sometimes rely on data availability. This study employed the MAXENT species distribution model to investigate the effect of the grain size on model transferability for an invasive plant species. We modelled the distribution of Rhododendron ponticum in Wales, U.K. and tested model performance and transferability by varying grain size (50 m, 300 m, and 1 km). MAXENT-based models are sensitive to grain size and selection of variables. We found that over-reliance on the commonly used bioclimatic variables may lead to less accurate models as it often compromises the finer grain size of biophysical variables which may be more important determinants of species distribution at small spatial scales. Model accuracy is likely to increase with decreasing grain size. However, successful model transferability may require optimization of model grain size.

Measuring grain boundary character distributions in Ni-base alloy 725 using high-energy diffraction microscopy

DOE PAGES

Bagri, Akbar; Hanson, John P.; Lind, J. P.; ...

2016-10-25

We use high-energy X-ray diffraction microscopy (HEDM) to characterize the microstructure of Ni-base alloy 725. HEDM is a non-destructive technique capable of providing three-dimensional reconstructions of grain shapes and orientations in polycrystals. The present analysis yields the grain size distribution in alloy 725 as well as the grain boundary character distribution (GBCD) as a function of lattice misorientation and boundary plane normal orientation. We find that the GBCD of Ni-base alloy 725 is similar to that previously determined in pure Ni and other fcc-base metals. We find an elevated density of Σ9 and Σ3 grain boundaries. We also observe amore » preponderance of grain boundaries along low-index planes, with those along (1 1 1) planes being the most common, even after Σ3 twins have been excluded from the analysis.« less

Quantifying Grain-Size Variability of Metal Pollutants in Road-Deposited Sediments Using the Coefficient of Variation

PubMed Central

Wang, Xiaoxue; Li, Xuyong

2017-01-01

Particle grain size is an important indicator for the variability in physical characteristics and pollutants composition of road-deposited sediments (RDS). Quantitative assessment of the grain-size variability in RDS amount, metal concentration, metal load and GSFLoad is essential to elimination of the uncertainty it causes in estimation of RDS emission load and formulation of control strategies. In this study, grain-size variability was explored and quantified using the coefficient of variation (Cv) of the particle size compositions, metal concentrations, metal loads, and GSFLoad values in RDS. Several trends in grain-size variability of RDS were identified: (i) the medium class (105–450 µm) variability in terms of particle size composition, metal loads, and GSFLoad values in RDS was smaller than the fine (<105 µm) and coarse (450–2000 µm) class; (ii) The grain-size variability in terms of metal concentrations increased as the particle size increased, while the metal concentrations decreased; (iii) When compared to the Lorenz coefficient (Lc), the Cv was similarly effective at describing the grain-size variability, whereas it is simpler to calculate because it did not require the data to be pre-processed. The results of this study will facilitate identification of the uncertainty in modelling RDS caused by grain-size class variability. PMID:28788078

The analysis of critical cooling rate for high-rise building steel S460

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Shiping; Chen, Xia; Li, Qun; Wang, Haibao; Gu, Linhao

2017-09-01

High-rise building steel S460 is an important structure steel.The product process of the steel is Quenching&Tempering. The critical cooling rate of steel is very important in heavy plate quenching process, and it is also the basis of the cooling process[1].The critical cooling rate of HSLA steel S460 is obtained from the Thermal simulation method,and the differences about the microstructure and properties of different cooling rate is also analyzed.In this article, the angle of the grain boundary and the average grain size are analyzed by EBSD under different cooling rate. The relationship between grain boundary angle and grain size with the cooling rate is obtained. According to the experiment,it provides the basis for the formulation of the quenching process of the industrial production.

Effect of freeze-thaw cycling on grain size of biochar.

PubMed

Liu, Zuolin; Dugan, Brandon; Masiello, Caroline A; Wahab, Leila M; Gonnermann, Helge M; Nittrouer, Jeffrey A

2018-01-01

Biochar may improve soil hydrology by altering soil porosity, density, hydraulic conductivity, and water-holding capacity. These properties are associated with the grain size distributions of both soil and biochar, and therefore may change as biochar weathers. Here we report how freeze-thaw (F-T) cycling impacts the grain size of pine, mesquite, miscanthus, and sewage waste biochars under two drainage conditions: undrained (all biochars) and a gravity-drained experiment (mesquite biochar only). In the undrained experiment plant biochars showed a decrease in median grain size and a change in grain-size distribution consistent with the flaking off of thin layers from the biochar surface. Biochar grain size distribution changed from unimodal to bimodal, with lower peaks and wider distributions. For plant biochars the median grain size decreased by up to 45.8% and the grain aspect ratio increased by up to 22.4% after 20 F-T cycles. F-T cycling did not change the grain size or aspect ratio of sewage waste biochar. We also observed changes in the skeletal density of biochars (maximum increase of 1.3%), envelope density (maximum decrease of 12.2%), and intraporosity (porosity inside particles, maximum increase of 3.2%). In the drained experiment, mesquite biochar exhibited a decrease of median grain size (up to 4.2%) and no change of aspect ratio after 10 F-T cycles. We also document a positive relationship between grain size decrease and initial water content, suggesting that, biochar properties that increase water content, like high intraporosity and pore connectivity large intrapores, and hydrophilicity, combined with undrained conditions and frequent F-T cycles may increase biochar breakdown. The observed changes in biochar particle size and shape can be expected to alter hydrologic properties, and thus may impact both plant growth and the hydrologic cycle.

Grain Size as a Control for Melt Focusing Beneath Mid-Ocean Ridges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Turner, A.; Katz, R. F.; Behn, M. D.

2015-12-01

Grain size is a fundamental control on both the rheology and permeability of the mantle. These properties, in turn, affect the transport of melt beneath mid-ocean ridges. Previous models of grain size beneath ridges have considered only the single-phase problem of dynamic recrystallisation and the resultant pattern of grain-size variation [1,2]. These models have not coupled the spatially variable grain-size field to two-phase (partially molten) mechanics to investigate the implications of spatially variable grain size on melt transport. Here, we present new results from numerical models that investigate the consequences of this coupling. In our two-dimensional, two-phase model the grain-size is coupled to both the permeability and rheology. The rheology is strain-rate and grain-size dependent. For simplicity, however, the grain-size field is not computed dynamically — rather, it is imposed from a single-phase, steady-state model [1] that is based on the "wattmeter" theory [3]. Our calculations predicts that a spatially variable grain size field can promote focusing of melt towards the ridge axis. This focusing is distinct from the commonly discussed, sub-lithospheric decompaction channel [4]. Furthermore, our model predicts that the shape of the partially molten region is sensitive to rheological parameters associated with grain size. The comparison of this shape with observations [5] may help to constrain the rheology of the upper mantle beneath mid-ocean ridges. References: [1] Turner et al., Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 16, 925-946, 2015. [2] Behn et al., EPSL, 282, 178-189, 2009. [3] Austin and Evans, Geology, 35:343-346, 2007. [4] Sparks and Parmentier, EPSL, 105, 368-377, 1991. [5] Key et al., Nature, 495, 499-502, 2013.

Effect of freeze-thaw cycling on grain size of biochar

PubMed Central

Dugan, Brandon; Masiello, Caroline A.; Wahab, Leila M.; Gonnermann, Helge M.; Nittrouer, Jeffrey A.

2018-01-01

Biochar may improve soil hydrology by altering soil porosity, density, hydraulic conductivity, and water-holding capacity. These properties are associated with the grain size distributions of both soil and biochar, and therefore may change as biochar weathers. Here we report how freeze-thaw (F-T) cycling impacts the grain size of pine, mesquite, miscanthus, and sewage waste biochars under two drainage conditions: undrained (all biochars) and a gravity-drained experiment (mesquite biochar only). In the undrained experiment plant biochars showed a decrease in median grain size and a change in grain-size distribution consistent with the flaking off of thin layers from the biochar surface. Biochar grain size distribution changed from unimodal to bimodal, with lower peaks and wider distributions. For plant biochars the median grain size decreased by up to 45.8% and the grain aspect ratio increased by up to 22.4% after 20 F-T cycles. F-T cycling did not change the grain size or aspect ratio of sewage waste biochar. We also observed changes in the skeletal density of biochars (maximum increase of 1.3%), envelope density (maximum decrease of 12.2%), and intraporosity (porosity inside particles, maximum increase of 3.2%). In the drained experiment, mesquite biochar exhibited a decrease of median grain size (up to 4.2%) and no change of aspect ratio after 10 F-T cycles. We also document a positive relationship between grain size decrease and initial water content, suggesting that, biochar properties that increase water content, like high intraporosity and pore connectivity large intrapores, and hydrophilicity, combined with undrained conditions and frequent F-T cycles may increase biochar breakdown. The observed changes in biochar particle size and shape can be expected to alter hydrologic properties, and thus may impact both plant growth and the hydrologic cycle. PMID:29329343

Metallographic Characterization of Wrought Depleted Uranium

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Forsyth, Robert Thomas; Hill, Mary Ann

Metallographic characterization was performed on wrought depleted uranium (DU) samples taken from the longitudinal and transverse orientations from specific locations on two specimens. Characterization of the samples included general microstructure, inclusion analysis, grain size analysis, and microhardness testing. Comparisons of the characterization results were made to determine any differences based on specimen, sample orientation, or sample location. In addition, the characterization results for the wrought DU samples were also compared with data obtained from the metallographic characterization of cast DU samples previously characterized. No differences were observed in microstructure, inclusion size, morphology, and distribution, or grain size in regard tomore » specimen, location, or orientation for the wrought depleted uranium samples. However, a small difference was observed in average hardness with regard to orientation at the same locations within the same specimen. The longitudinal samples were slightly harder than the transverse samples from the same location of the same specimen. This was true for both wrought DU specimens. Comparing the wrought DU sample data with the previously characterized cast DU sample data, distinct differences in microstructure, inclusion size, morphology and distribution, grain size, and microhardness were observed. As expected, the microstructure of the wrought DU samples consisted of small recrystallized grains which were uniform, randomly oriented, and equiaxed with minimal twinning observed in only a few grains. In contrast, the cast DU microstructure consisted of large irregularly shaped grains with extensive twinning observed in most grains. Inclusions in the wrought DU samples were elongated, broken and cracked and light and dark phases were observed in some inclusions. The mean inclusion area percentage for the wrought DU samples ranged from 0.08% to 0.34% and the average density from all wrought DU samples was 1.62E+04/cm 2. Inclusions in the cast DU samples were equiaxed and intact with light and dark phases observed in some inclusions. The mean inclusion area percentage for the cast DU samples ranged from 0.93% to 1.00% and the average density from all wrought DU samples was 2.83E+04/cm 2. The average mean grain area from all wrought DU samples was 141 μm 2 while the average mean grain area from all cast DU samples was 1.7 mm2. The average Knoop microhardness from all wrought DU samples was 215 HK and the average Knoop microhardness from all cast DU samples was 264 HK.« less

Straight from the source's mouth; a quantitative study of grain-size export for an entire active rift, the Corinth Rift, central Greece

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watkins, Stephen E.; Whittaker, Alexander C.; Bell, Rebecca E.; Brooke, Sam A. S.; McNeill, Lisa C.; Gawthorpe, Robert L.

2017-04-01

The volumes, grain sizes and characteristics of sediment supplied from source catchments fundamentally controls basin stratigraphy. However, to date, few studies have constrained sediment budgets, including grain size, released into an active rift basin at a regional scale. The Gulf of Corinth, central Greece, is one of the most rapidly extending rifts in the world, with geodetic measurements of 5 mm/yr in the East to 15 mm/yr in the West. It has well-constrained climatic and tectonic boundary conditions and bedrock lithologies are well-characterised. It is therefore an ideal natural laboratory to study the grain-size export for a rift. In the field, we visited the river mouths of 49 catchments draining into the Corinth Gulf, which in total drain 83% of the rift. At each site, hydraulic geometries, surface grain-size of channel bars and full-weighted grain-size distributions of river sediment were obtained. The surface grain-size was measured using the Wolman point count method and the full-weighted grain-size distribution of the bedload by in-situ sieving. In total, approximately 17,000 point counts and 3 tonnes of sediment were processed. The grain-size distributions show an overall increase from East to West on the southern coast of the gulf, with largest grain-sizes exported from the Western rift catchments. D84 ranges from 20 to 110 mm, however 50% of D84 grain-sizes are less than 40 mm. Subsequently, we derived the full Holocene sediment budget for the Corinth Gulf by combining our grain size data with catchment sediment fluxes, constrained using the BQART model and calibrated to known Holocene sediment volumes in the basin from seismic data (c.f. Watkins et al., in review). This is the first time such a budget has been derived for the Corinth Rift. Finally, our estimates of sediment budgets and grain sizes were compared to regional uplift constraints, fault distributions, slip rates and lithology to identify the relative importance of these controls on sediment supply to the basin.

Oxygen diffusion in nanocrystalline yttria-stabilized zirconia: the effect of grain boundaries.

PubMed

De Souza, Roger A; Pietrowski, Martha J; Anselmi-Tamburini, Umberto; Kim, Sangtae; Munir, Zuhair A; Martin, Manfred

2008-04-21

The transport of oxygen in dense samples of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), of average grain size d approximately 50 nm, has been studied by means of 18O/16O exchange annealing and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Oxygen diffusion coefficients (D*) and oxygen surface exchange coefficients (k*) were measured for temperatures 673

Strengthening and toughening mechanisms in low-c microalloyed martensitic steel as influenced by austenite conditioning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kennett, Shane C.

Three low-carbon ASTM A514 microalloyed steels were used to assess the effects of austenite conditioning on the microstructure and mechanical properties of martensite. A range of prior austenite grain sizes with and without thermomechanical processing were produced in a Gleeble RTM 3500 and direct-quenched. Samples in the as-quenched, low temperature tempered, and high temperature tempered conditions were studied. The microstructure was characterized with scanning electron microscopy, electron backscattered diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and x-ray diffraction. The uniaxial tensile properties and Charpy V-notch properties were measured and compared with the microstructural features (prior austenite grain size, packet size, block size, lath boundaries, and dislocation density). For the equiaxed prior austenite grain conditions, prior austenite grain size refinement decreases the packet size, decreases the block size, and increases the dislocation density of as-quenched martensite. However, after high temperature tempering the dislocation density decreases with prior austenite grain size refinement. Thermomechanical processing increases the low angle substructure, increases the dislocation density, and decreases the block size of as-quenched martensite. The dislocation density increase and block size refinement is sensitive to the austenite grain size before ausforming. The larger prior austenite grain size conditions have a larger increase in dislocation density, but the small prior austenite grain size conditions have the largest refinement in block size. Additionally, for the large prior austenite grain size conditions, the packet size increases with thermomechanical processing. The strength of martensite is often related to an effective grain size or carbon concentration. For the current work, it was concluded that the strength of martensite is primarily controlled by the dislocation density and dislocation substructure; which is related to a grain size and carbon concentration. In the microyielding regime, the strength and work hardening is related to the motion of unpinned dislocation segments. However, with tensile strain, a dislocation cell structure is developed and the flow strength (greater than 1% offset) is controlled by the dislocation density following a Taylor hardening model, thereby ruling out any grain size effects on the flow strength. Additionally, it is proposed that lath boundaries contribute to strength. It is shown that the strength differences associated with thermomechanically processed steels can be fully accounted for by dislocation density differences and the effect of lath boundaries. The low temperature ductile to brittle transition of martensite is controlled by the martensite block size, packet size, and prior austenite grain size. However, the effect of block size is likely small in comparison. The ductile to brittle transition temperature is best correlated to the inverse square root of the martensite packet size because large crack deflections are typical at packet boundaries.

Effect of Microstructural Interfaces on the Mechanical Response of Crystalline Metallic Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aitken, Zachary H.

Advances in nano-scale mechanical testing have brought about progress in the understanding of physical phenomena in materials and a measure of control in the fabrication of novel materials. In contrast to bulk materials that display size-invariant mechanical properties, sub-micron metallic samples show a critical dependence on sample size. The strength of nano-scale single crystalline metals is well-described by a power-law function, sigma ∝ D-n, where D is a critical sample size and n is a experimentally-fit positive exponent. This relationship is attributed to source-driven plasticity and demonstrates a strengthening as the decreasing sample size begins to limit the size and number of dislocation sources. A full understanding of this size-dependence is complicated by the presence of microstructural features such as interfaces that can compete with the dominant dislocation-based deformation mechanisms. In this thesis, the effects of microstructural features such as grain boundaries and anisotropic crystallinity on nano-scale metals are investigated through uniaxial compression testing. We find that nano-sized Cu covered by a hard coating displays a Bauschinger effect and the emergence of this behavior can be explained through a simple dislocation-based analytic model. Al nano-pillars containing a single vertically-oriented coincident site lattice grain boundary are found to show similar deformation to single-crystalline nano-pillars with slip traces passing through the grain boundary. With increasing tilt angle of the grain boundary from the pillar axis, we observe a transition from dislocation-dominated deformation to grain boundary sliding. Crystallites are observed to shear along the grain boundary and molecular dynamics simulations reveal a mechanism of atomic migration that accommodates boundary sliding. We conclude with an analysis of the effects of inherent crystal anisotropy and alloying on the mechanical behavior of the Mg alloy, AZ31. Through comparison to pure Mg, we show that the size effect dominates the strength of samples below 10 microm, that differences in the size effect between hexagonal slip systems is due to the inherent crystal anisotropy, suggesting that the fundamental mechanism of the size effect in these slip systems is the same.

Grain size control of rhenium strip

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schuster, Gary B.

1991-01-01

Ensuring the desired grain size in the pure Re strip employed by the SP-100 space nuclear reactor design entails the establishment of an initial grain size in the as-received strip and the avoidance of excessive grain growth during subsequent fabrication. Pure Re tapered tensile specimens have been fabricated and tested in order to quantify the effects of grain-boundary migration. Grain size could be rendered fine and uniform by means of a rolling procedure that uses rather large reductions between short intermediate anneals. The critical strain regime varies inversely with annealing temperature.

Grain growth and pore coarsening in dense nano-crystalline UO 2+x fuel pellets

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yao, Tiankai; Mo, Kun; Yun, Di

Dense nano-sized UO 2+x pellets are synthesized by spark plasma sintering with controlled stoichiometries (UO 2.03 and UO 2.11) and grain sizes (~100 nm), and subsequently isothermally annealed to study their effects on grain growth kinetics and microstructure stability. The grain growth kinetics is determined and analyzed focusing on the interaction between grain boundary migration, pore growth and coalescence. Grains grow much bigger in nano-sized UO 2.11 than UO 2.03 upon thermal annealing, consistent with the fact that hyper-stoichiometric UO 2+x is beneficial for sintering due to enhanced U ion diffusion from excessive O ion interstitials. The activation energies ofmore » the grain growth for UO 2.03 and UO 2.11 are determined as ~1.0 and 1.3~2.0 eV, respectively. As compared with the micron-sized UO 2 in which volumetric diffusion dominates the grain coarsening with an activation energy of ~3.0 eV, the enhanced grain growth kinetics in nano-sized UO 2+x suggests that grain boundary diffusion controls grain growth. Lastly, the higher activation energy of more hyper-stoichiometric nano-sized UO 2.11 may be attributed to the excessive O interstitials pinning grain boundary migration.« less

Grain growth and pore coarsening in dense nano-crystalline UO 2+x fuel pellets

DOE PAGES

Yao, Tiankai; Mo, Kun; Yun, Di; ...

2017-03-25

Dense nano-sized UO 2+x pellets are synthesized by spark plasma sintering with controlled stoichiometries (UO 2.03 and UO 2.11) and grain sizes (~100 nm), and subsequently isothermally annealed to study their effects on grain growth kinetics and microstructure stability. The grain growth kinetics is determined and analyzed focusing on the interaction between grain boundary migration, pore growth and coalescence. Grains grow much bigger in nano-sized UO 2.11 than UO 2.03 upon thermal annealing, consistent with the fact that hyper-stoichiometric UO 2+x is beneficial for sintering due to enhanced U ion diffusion from excessive O ion interstitials. The activation energies ofmore » the grain growth for UO 2.03 and UO 2.11 are determined as ~1.0 and 1.3~2.0 eV, respectively. As compared with the micron-sized UO 2 in which volumetric diffusion dominates the grain coarsening with an activation energy of ~3.0 eV, the enhanced grain growth kinetics in nano-sized UO 2+x suggests that grain boundary diffusion controls grain growth. Lastly, the higher activation energy of more hyper-stoichiometric nano-sized UO 2.11 may be attributed to the excessive O interstitials pinning grain boundary migration.« less

Strain Amount Dependent Grain Size and Orientation Developments during Hot Compression of a Polycrystalline Nickel Based Superalloy

PubMed Central

He, Guoai; Tan, Liming; Liu, Feng; Huang, Lan; Huang, Zaiwang; Jiang, Liang

2017-01-01

Controlling grain size in polycrystalline nickel base superalloy is vital for obtaining required mechanical properties. Typically, a uniform and fine grain size is required throughout forging process to realize the superplastic deformation. Strain amount occupied a dominant position in manipulating the dynamic recrystallization (DRX) process and regulating the grain size of the alloy during hot forging. In this article, the high-throughput double cone specimen was introduced to yield wide-range strain in a single sample. Continuous variations of effective strain ranging from 0.23 to 1.65 across the whole sample were achieved after reaching a height reduction of 70%. Grain size is measured to be decreased from the edge to the center of specimen with increase of effective strain. Small misorientation tended to generate near the grain boundaries, which was manifested as piled-up dislocation in micromechanics. After the dislocation density reached a critical value, DRX progress would be initiated at higher deformation region, leading to the refinement of grain size. During this process, the transformations from low angle grain boundaries (LAGBs) to high angle grain boundaries (HAGBs) and from subgrains to DRX grains are found to occur. After the accomplishment of DRX progress, the neonatal grains are presented as having similar orientation inside the grain boundary. PMID:28772514

Using Antifreeze Proteins to understand ice microstructure evolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bayer-Giraldi, Maddalena; Azuma, Nobuhiko; Takata, Morimasa; Weikusat, Christian; Kondo, Hidemasa; Kipfstuhl, Sepp

2017-04-01

Polar ice sheets are considered a unique climate archive. The chemical analysis of its impurities and the development of its microstructure with depth give insight in past climate conditions as well as in the development of the ice sheet with time and deformation. Microstructural patterns like small grain size observed in specific depths are thought to be linked to the retarding effect of impurities on ice grain growth. Clear evidence of size or chemical composition of the impurities causing this effect is missing, but in this context a major role of nanoparticles has been suggested. In order to shed light on different mechanisms by which nanoparticles can control microstructure development we used antifreeze proteins (AFPs) as proxies for particles in ice. These proteins are small nanoparticles, approx. 5 nm in size, with the special characteristics of firmly binding to ice through several hydrogen bonds. We used AFPs from the sea-ice microalgae Fragilariopsis cylindrus (fcAFPs) in bubble-free, small-grained polycrystalline ice obtained by the phase-transition size refinement method. We explain how fcAFP bind to ice by presenting the 3-D-protein structure model inferred by X-ray structure analysis, and show the importance of the chemical interaction between particles and ice in controlling normal grain growth, comparing fcAFPs to other protein nanoparticles. We used modifications of fcAFPs for particle localization through fluorescence spectroscopy. Furthermore, the effect of fcAFPs on the driving factors for ice deformation during creep, i.e. on internal dislocations due to incorporation within the lattice and on the mobility of grain boundaries due to pinning, makes these proteins particularly interesting in studying the process of ice deformation.

From Aeolis Palus to the Bagnold Dunes field: Overview of martian soil analyses performed by ChemCam in Gale Crater

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cousin, A.; Meslin, P. Y.; Dehouck, E.; David, G.; Rapin, W.; Schröder, S.; Forni, O.; Gasnault, O.; Williams, A. J.; Lasue, J.; Stein, N.; Ehlmann, B. L.; Payre, V.; Anderson, R. B.; Blaney, D. L.; Bridges, N. T.; Clark, B. C.; Frydenvang, J.; Gasda, P. J.; Johnson, J. R.; Lanza, N.; l'Haridon, J.; Mangold, N.; Maurice, S.; Newsom, H. E.; Ollila, A.; Pinet, P. C.; Sautter, V.; Thomas, N. H.; Wiens, R. C.

2017-12-01

In situ analysis of the chemical and mineralogical composition of the martian soil, and the determination of its volatile inventory, can provide important constraints on the bulk composition of the martian crust, on its igneous diversity, but also on the physical and chemical weathering processes that have altered its primary igneous constituents. Transport processes that have occurred over long geological time scales, however, make this analysis quite complex, as constituents from different unknown sources are mixed together, and may have been sorted according to grain size or density. A meteoritic contribution is also present. Disentangling the influence of each of these processes requires the use of different analytical techniques, at different spatial scales, and at different locations over the planet. We will present an overview of the soil analyses obtained over the past 5 years by the ChemCam instrument on board MSL/Curiosity. Their specificity lies in their small spatial scale ( 300 μm), close to the average grains' size. At this scale, chemical trends are observed, resulting from the mixing of different end-members with different grain sizes: coarse felsic grains of likely local origin, fine grains with a basaltic composition close to soil compositions observed at other landing sites, but distinct from local rocks, and a fine-grained, Si-poor, volatile-rich component probably associated with the XRD-amorphous component detected by the CheMin instrument. The thin ablation depth associated with each laser shot ( 1 μm) enables us to analyse the surface of the grains, which is characterized by a strong, but variable hydrogen signal. These analyses provide constraints on the composition of a possible alteration rind or coating present at their surface. An extensive, multi-instrument investigation of active dunes (barchan and linear dunes) has also been carried out, revealing slight chemical differences with surrounding soils, and a more homogeneous composition, although chemical variations as a function of grain size are observed, with coarser grains enriched in mafic minerals. These results illustrate the still ongoing influence of aeolian transport on the physical sorting of loose, unconsolidated sediments. These results also provide ground truth for orbital IR observations of aeolian bedforms.

Grain Size of Recall Practice for Lengthy Text Material: Fragile and Mysterious Effects on Memory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wissman, Kathryn T.; Rawson, Katherine A.

2015-01-01

The current research evaluated the extent to which the grain size of recall practice for lengthy text material affects recall during practice and subsequent memory. The "grain size hypothesis" states that a smaller vs. larger grain size will increase retrieval success during practice that in turn will enhance subsequent memory for…

Size effects on the martensitic phase transformation of NiTi nanograins

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Waitz, T.; Antretter, T.; Fischer, F. D.; Simha, N. K.; Karnthaler, H. P.

2007-02-01

The analysis of nanocrystalline NiTi by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) shows that the martensitic transformation proceeds by the formation of atomic-scale twins. Grains of a size less than about 50 nm do not transform to martensite even upon large undercooling. A systematic investigation of these phenomena was carried out elucidating the influence of the grain size on the energy barrier of the transformation. Based on the experiment, nanograins were modeled as spherical inclusions containing (0 0 1) compound twinned martensite. Decomposition of the transformation strains of the inclusions into a shear eigenstrain and a normal eigenstrain facilitates the analytical calculation of shear and normal strain energies in dependence of grain size, twin layer width and elastic properties. Stresses were computed analytically for special cases, otherwise numerically. The shear stresses that alternate from twin layer to twin layer are concentrated at the grain boundaries causing a contribution to the strain energy scaling with the surface area of the inclusion, whereas the strain energy induced by the normal components of the transformation strain and the temperature dependent chemical free energy scale with the volume of the inclusion. In the nanograins these different energy contributions were calculated which allow to predict a critical grain size below which the martensitic transformation becomes unlikely. Finally, the experimental result of the atomic-scale twinning can be explained by analytical calculations that account for the transformation-opposing contributions of the shear strain and the twin boundary energy of the twin-banded morphology of martensitic nanograins.

[Polychlorinated biphenyls in fractions of wheat grains and in selected bakery products].

PubMed

Brandt, Elzbieta; Pietrzak-Fiećko, Renata; Smoczyński, S S

2012-01-01

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) form a group of synthetic aromatic chemical compounds, commonly occurring in the environment as a result of industrialisation. Despite the ban on PCBs production, their wide application in the past resulted in their common occurrence in all elements of the environment. The lipophilic nature of the compounds resulting in their accumulation in live organisms and in the human body may trigger many harmful effects. The aim of this study was to determine the PCBs content in the selected species of wheat and in bakery products. The studies aiming at confirming possible correlation between the size of the grain of the selected species of wheat and the content of polychlorinated biphenyls were presented in this paper. Moreover, PCBs concentration in cereals' grains and in bread was compared. The PCBs content was defined in different sizes of grains species of wheat i.e. Opatka, Zyta, Elena and Almari. The study included also two kinds of wheat bread. PCBs were determined after the extraction with n-hexane followed by sulphuric acid hydrolysis. Gas chromatography analysis was conducted on a PU 4600 Unicam apparatus with an electron capture detector. The large variations in PCBs content depending on the grain size were confirmed. In the Opatka species the increase in the content of all determined congeners and the size of grain was confirmed. The lowest PCBs concentrations were in smallest grains (0,0090 mg/kg of fat), and the highest in the largest grains (0,0264 mg/kg of fat). In Zyta species PCBs content was also lowest in the smallest grains, however these results were not statistically significant. In the Elena species the increase in the PCBs content together with the increase in the grain size was confirmed. Basing on the determination coefficient it was found that the concentration of PCBs depends on the size of grains in 24%. The highest concentration of PCBs (0,0366 mg/kg of fat) was found in the largest grains, however differences between the examined fractions were not statistically significant. Similar tendencies were observed in Almari species. PCBs content in wheat bread was on lower level than in all of the examined species. It was confirmed that fraction 2,8 x 25 mm of all species of wheat grain had the highest PCBs content. The tendency to decrease of PCBs content with the decrease of the grain in size was observed. The relation between qualitative class of species and PCBs content was not confirmed. There were statistically significant differences in the PCBs concentrations between the wheat species within one size fraction. The results of PCBs content in wheat bread were lower than in all examined species of wheat. One can assume that for the production of bread collected for the study, the wheat originating from areas with low PCBs contamination was used. Somewhat higher PCBs content was observed in the wheat bread with bran added, probably due to higher PCBs accumulation in the bran, which contain higher fat and contribute therefore to the overall PCBs in the bran containing bread.

Impact of Grain Shape and Multiple Black Carbon Internal Mixing on Snow Albedo: Parameterization and Radiative Effect Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Cenlin; Liou, Kuo-Nan; Takano, Yoshi; Yang, Ping; Qi, Ling; Chen, Fei

2018-01-01

We quantify the effects of grain shape and multiple black carbon (BC)-snow internal mixing on snow albedo by explicitly resolving shape and mixing structures. Nonspherical snow grains tend to have higher albedos than spheres with the same effective sizes, while the albedo difference due to shape effects increases with grain size, with up to 0.013 and 0.055 for effective radii of 1,000 μm at visible and near-infrared bands, respectively. BC-snow internal mixing reduces snow albedo at wavelengths < 1.5 μm, with negligible effects at longer wavelengths. Nonspherical snow grains show less BC-induced albedo reductions than spheres with the same effective sizes by up to 0.06 at ultraviolet and visible bands. Compared with external mixing, internal mixing enhances snow albedo reduction by a factor of 1.2-2.0 at visible wavelengths depending on BC concentration and snow shape. The opposite effects on albedo reductions due to snow grain nonsphericity and BC-snow internal mixing point toward a careful investigation of these two factors simultaneously in climate modeling. We further develop parameterizations for snow albedo and its reduction by accounting for grain shape and BC-snow internal/external mixing. Combining the parameterizations with BC-in-snow measurements in China, North America, and the Arctic, we estimate that nonspherical snow grains reduce BC-induced albedo radiative effects by up to 50% compared with spherical grains. Moreover, BC-snow internal mixing enhances the albedo effects by up to 30% (130%) for spherical (nonspherical) grains relative to external mixing. The overall uncertainty induced by snow shape and BC-snow mixing state is about 21-32%.

Spatial distribution of quartz recrystallization microstructures across the Aar massif (Swiss Central Alps)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peters, M.; Herwegh, M.

2012-04-01

In the Aar massif, main foliation and major deformation structures were developed during NW-SE compression associated with the Alpine orogeny (Steck 1968). To be precise, shearing at the brittle to ductile transition may have initiated at different stages between 22-20 Ma and 14-12 Ma, followed by purely brittle deformation at around 10 Ma (Rolland et al. 2009). In light of the onset of dynamic recrystallization in quartz, Bambauer et al. (2009) defined a quartz recrystallization isograd in the northern part of the Aar massif. To the south, the grain size of recrystallized grains increases due to an increase of metamorphic temperatures from N to S. The aim of the current project is to carry out quantitative analysis on changes of the dynamic and static recrystallization behavior of quartz. Across the Aar massif, two general types of microstructures have to be discriminated: (i) weakly to moderately deformed host rocks and (ii) intensely deformed mylonites to ultramylonites out of high strain shear zones. In (i), volume fraction and size of recrystallized quartz grains increase towards the S showing grain size changes from around 5 µm up to ca. 200 µm. Southern microstructures are characterized by complete recrystallization. In terms of recrystallization processes, a transition from bulging recrystallization in the N to subgrain rotation recrystallization in the S occurs. Such a change in dynamic recrystallization processes combined with a grain size increase points towards reduced differential stresses with increasing temperature. This temperature gradient is also corroborated by a switch in the active glide systems in quartz from basal to rhomb dominated glide. In contrast to the granitic host rocks, the mylonites and ultramylonites (ii) show smaller recrystallized grain sizes due to enhanced strain rates. However, they also reveal a general increase of recrystallized grain sizes from N to S. In the S, microstructures from (i) and (ii) show equidimensional grains with 120° triple junctions and straight grain boundaries. Such microstructures are typical for static annealing. For that reason, we propose a post-deformational temperature pulse mainly affecting the southern part of the Aar massif. This annealing stage might correlate with the fluid pulse between 12-10 Ma suggested by Challandes et al. (2008). We will present constraints on the grade of deformation based on grain size data and CPO analyses, supporting the hypothesis that various deformation stages are well preserved in statically recrystallized structures.

Amyloplast Membrane Protein SUBSTANDARD STARCH GRAIN6 Controls Starch Grain Size in Rice Endosperm1

PubMed Central

Matsushima, Ryo; Maekawa, Masahiko; Kusano, Miyako; Tomita, Katsura; Kondo, Hideki; Nishimura, Hideki; Crofts, Naoko; Fujita, Naoko; Sakamoto, Wataru

2016-01-01

Starch is a biologically and commercially important polymer of glucose. Starch is organized into starch grains (SGs) inside amyloplasts. The SG size differs depending on the plant species and is one of the most important factors for industrial applications of starch. There is limited information on genetic factors regulating SG sizes. In this study, we report the rice (Oryza sativa) mutant substandard starch grain6 (ssg6), which develops enlarged SGs in endosperm. Enlarged SGs are observed starting at 3 d after flowering. During endosperm development, a number of smaller SGs appear and coexist with enlarged SGs in the same cells. The ssg6 mutation also affects SG morphologies in pollen. The SSG6 gene was identified by map-based cloning and microarray analysis. SSG6 encodes a protein homologous to aminotransferase. SSG6 differs from other rice homologs in that it has a transmembrane domain. SSG6-green fluorescent protein is localized in the amyloplast membrane surrounding SGs in rice endosperm, pollen, and pericarp. The results of this study suggest that SSG6 is a novel protein that controls SG size. SSG6 will be a useful molecular tool for future starch breeding and applications. PMID:26792122

Characterization of minerals in natural and manufactured sand in Cauvery River belt, Tamilnadu, India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gnanasaravanan, S.; Rajkumar, P.

2013-05-01

The present study investigates the characterization of minerals in the River Sand (R - Sand) and the Manufactured sand (M-Sand) through FTIR spectroscopic studies. The R - Sand is collected from seven different locations in Cauvery River and M - Sand is collected from eight different manufactures around the Cauvery River belt in Salem, Erode, Tirupur and Namakkal districts of Tamilnadu, India. To extend the effectiveness of the analysis, the samples were subjected to grain size separation to classify the bulk samples into different grain sizes. All the samples were analyzed using FTIR spectrometer. The number of minerals identified with the help of FTIR spectra in overall (bulk) samples of R - Sand is 14 and of M - Sand is 13. The number has been increased while going for grain size separation, i.e., from 14 to 31 for R - Sand and from 13 to 20 for M - Sand. Among all minerals, quartz plays a major role. The relative distribution and the crystallinity nature of quartz have been discussed based on the extinction co-efficient and the crystallinity index values computed. There is no major variation found in M - Sand while going for grain size separation.

Temperature dependent dielectric relaxation and ac-conductivity of alkali niobate ceramics studied by impedance spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yadav, Abhinav; Mantry, Snigdha Paramita; Fahad, Mohd.; Sarun, P. M.

2018-05-01

Sodium niobate (NaNbO3) ceramics is prepared by conventional solid state reaction method at sintering temperature 1150 °C for 4 h. The structural information of the material has been investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The XRD analysis of NaNbO3 ceramics shows an orthorhombic structure. The FE-SEM micrograph of NaNbO3 ceramics exhibit grains with grain sizes ranging between 1 μm to 5 μm. The surface coverage and average grain size of NaNbO3 ceramics are found to be 97.6 % and 2.5 μm, respectively. Frequency dependent electrical properties of NaNbO3 is investigated from room temperature to 500 °C in wide frequency range (100 Hz-5 MHz). Dielectric constant, ac-conductivity, impedance, modulus and Nyquist analysis are performed. The observed dielectric constant (1 kHz) at transition temperature (400 °C) are 975. From conductivity analysis, the estimated activation energy of NaNbO3 ceramics is 0.58 eV at 10 kHz. The result of Nyquist plot shows that the electrical behavior of NaNbO3 ceramics is contributed by grain and grain boundary responses. The impedance and modulus spectrum asserts that the negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR) behavior and non-Debye type relaxation in NaNbO3.

Creep of quartz by dislocation and grain boundary processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fukuda, J. I.; Holyoke, C. W., III; Kronenberg, A. K.

2015-12-01

Wet polycrystalline quartz aggregates deformed at temperatures T of 600°-900°C and strain rates of 10-4-10-6 s-1 at a confining pressure Pc of 1.5 GPa exhibit plasticity at low T, governed by dislocation glide and limited recovery, and grain size-sensitive creep at high T, governed by diffusion and sliding at grain boundaries. Quartz aggregates were HIP-synthesized, subjecting natural milky quartz powder to T=900°C and Pc=1.5 GPa, and grain sizes (2 to 25 mm) were varied by annealing at these conditions for up to 10 days. Infrared absorption spectra exhibit a broad OH band at 3400 cm-1 due to molecular water inclusions with a calculated OH content (~4000 ppm, H/106Si) that is unchanged by deformation. Rate-stepping experiments reveal different stress-strain rate functions at different temperatures and grain sizes, which correspond to differing stress-temperature sensitivities. At 600-700°C and grain sizes of 5-10 mm, flow law parameters compare favorably with those for basal plasticity and dislocation creep of wet quartzites (effective stress exponents n of 3 to 6 and activation enthalpy H* ~150 kJ/mol). Deformed samples show undulatory extinction, limited recrystallization, and c-axis maxima parallel to the shortening direction. Similarly fine-grained samples deformed at 800°-900°C exhibit flow parameters n=1.3-2.0 and H*=135-200 kJ/mol corresponding to grain size-sensitive Newtonian creep. Deformed samples show some undulatory extinction and grain sizes change by recrystallization; however, grain boundary deformation processes are indicated by the low value of n. Our experimental results for grain size-sensitive creep can be compared with models of grain boundary diffusion and grain boundary sliding using measured rates of silicon grain boundary diffusion. While many quartz mylonites show microstructural and textural evidence for dislocation creep, results for grain size-sensitive creep may apply to very fine-grained (<10 mm) quartz mylonites.

Grain Size Threshold for Enhanced Irradiation Resistance in Nanocrystalline and Ultrafine Tungsten

DOE PAGES

El Atwani, Osman; Hinks, Jonathan; Greaves, Graeme; ...

2017-02-21

Nanocrystalline metals are considered highly radiation-resistant materials due to their large grain boundary areas. Here, the existence of a grain size threshold for enhanced irradiation resistance in high-temperature helium-irradiated nanocrystalline and ultrafine tungsten is demonstrated. Average bubble density, projected bubble area and the corresponding change in volume were measured via transmission electron microscopy and plotted as a function of grain size for two ion fluences. Nanocrystalline grains of less than 35 nm size possess ~10–20 times lower change in volume than ultrafine grains and this is discussed in terms of the grain boundaries defect sink efficiency.

Computational Investigation of Effects of Grain Size on Ballistic Performance of Copper

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Ge; Dou, Yangqing; Guo, Xiang; Liu, Yucheng

2018-01-01

Numerical simulations were conducted to compare ballistic performance and penetration mechanism of copper (Cu) with four representative grain sizes. Ballistic limit velocities for coarse-grained (CG) copper (grain size ≈ 90 µm), regular copper (grain size ≈ 30 µm), fine-grained (FG) copper (grain size ≈ 890 nm), and ultrafine-grained (UG) copper (grain size ≈ 200 nm) were determined for the first time through the simulations. It was found that the copper with reduced grain size would offer higher strength and better ductility, and therefore renders improved ballistic performance than the CG and regular copper. High speed impact and penetration behavior of the FG and UG copper was also compared with the CG coppers strengthened by nanotwinned (NT) regions. The comparison results showed the impact and penetration resistance of UG copper is comparable to the CG copper strengthened by NT regions with the minimum twin spacing. Therefore, besides the NT-strengthened copper, the single phase copper with nanoscale grain size could also be a strong candidate material for better ballistic protection. A computational modeling and simulation framework was proposed for this study, in which Johnson-Cook (JC) constitutive model is used to predict the plastic deformation of Cu; the JC damage model is to capture the penetration and fragmentation behavior of Cu; Bao-Wierzbicki (B-W) failure criterion defines the material's failure mechanisms; and temperature increase during this adiabatic penetration process is given by the Taylor-Quinney method.

A Rare Allele of GS2 Enhances Grain Size and Grain Yield in Rice.

PubMed

Hu, Jiang; Wang, Yuexing; Fang, Yunxia; Zeng, Longjun; Xu, Jie; Yu, Haiping; Shi, Zhenyuan; Pan, Jiangjie; Zhang, Dong; Kang, Shujing; Zhu, Li; Dong, Guojun; Guo, Longbiao; Zeng, Dali; Zhang, Guangheng; Xie, Lihong; Xiong, Guosheng; Li, Jiayang; Qian, Qian

2015-10-05

Grain size determines grain weight and affects grain quality. Several major quantitative trait loci (QTLs) regulating grain size have been cloned; however, our understanding of the underlying mechanism that regulates the size of rice grains remains fragmentary. Here, we report the cloning and characterization of a dominant QTL, grain size on chromosome 2 (GS2), which encodes Growth-Regulating Factor 4 (OsGRF4), a transcriptional regulator. GS2 localizes to the nucleus and may act as a transcription activator. A rare mutation of GS2 affecting the binding site of a microRNA, OsmiR396c, causes elevated expression of GS2/OsGRF4. The increase in GS2 expression leads to larger cells and increased numbers of cells, which thus enhances grain weight and yield. The introduction of this rare allele of GS2/OsGRF4 into rice cultivars could significantly enhance grain weight and increase grain yield, with possible applications in breeding high-yield rice varieties. Copyright © 2015 The Author. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Interpreting Hydraulic Conditions from Morphology, Sedimentology, and Grain Size of Sand Bars in the Colorado River in Grand Canyon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rubin, D. M.; Topping, D. J.; Schmidt, J. C.; Grams, P. E.; Buscombe, D.; East, A. E.; Wright, S. A.

2015-12-01

During three decades of research on sand bars and sediment transport in the Colorado River in Grand Canyon, we have collected unprecedented quantities of data on bar morphology, sedimentary structures, grain size of sand on the riverbed (~40,000 measurements), grain size of sand in flood deposits (dozens of vertical grain-size profiles), and time series of suspended sediment concentration and grain size (more than 3 million measurements using acoustic and laser-diffraction instruments sampling every 15 minutes at several locations). These data, which include measurements of flow and suspended sediment as well as sediment within the deposits, show that grain size within flood deposits generally coarsens or fines proportionally to the grain size of sediment that was in suspension when the beds were deposited. The inverse problem of calculating changing flow conditions from a vertical profile of grain size within a deposit is difficult because at least two processes can cause similar changes. For example, upward coarsening in a deposit can result from either an increase in discharge of the flow (causing coarser sand to be transported to the depositional site), or from winnowing of the upstream supply of sand (causing suspended sand to coarsen because a greater proportion of the bed that is supplying sediment is covered with coarse grains). These two processes can be easy to distinguish where suspended-sediment observations are available: flow-regulated changes cause concentration and grain size of sand in suspension to be positively correlated, whereas changes in supply can cause concentration and grain size of sand in suspension to be negatively correlated. The latter case (supply regulation) is more typical of flood deposits in Grand Canyon.

Grain size tuning of nanostructured Cu{sub 2}O films through vapour phase supersaturation control and their characterization for practical applications

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Anu, A.; Abdul Khadar, M., E-mail: mabdulkhadar@rediffmail.com

2015-09-15

A strategy for creating nanostructured films is the alignment of nanoparticles into ordered superstructures as living organisms synthesize biomaterials with superior physical properties using nanoparticle building blocks. We synthesized nanostructured films of Cu{sub 2}O of variable grain size by establishing the condition of supersaturation for creation of nanoparticles of copper which deposited as nanograined films and which was then oxidized. This technique has the advantage of being compatible with conventional vacuum processes for electronic device fabrication. The Cu{sub 2}O film samples consisted of a secondary structure of spherical particles of almost uniform size, each particle being an agglomerate of primarymore » nanocrystals. Fractal analysis of the AFM images of the samples is carried out for studying the aggregation mechanism. Grain size tuning of the nanostructured Cu{sub 2}O films has been studied using XRD, and micro-Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy.« less

Physico-chemical characterization of grain dust in storage air of Bangalore.

PubMed

Mukherjee, A K; Nag, D P; Kakde, Y; Babu, K R; Prdkash, M N; Rao, S R

1998-06-01

An Anderson personal cascade impactor was used to study the particle mass size distribution in the storage air of two major grain storage centers in Bangalore. Dust levels in storage air as well as the personal exposures of workers were determined along with a detailed study on the particle size distribution. Protein and carbohydrate content of the dust were also determined respectively in the phosphate buffer saline (PBS) and water extracts by using the standard analytical techniques. Personal exposures in both of the grain storage centers have been found to be much above the limit prescribed by ACGIH (1995-96). But the results of particle size analysis showed a higher particle mass distribution in the non-respirable size range. The mass median diameters (MMD) of the storage air particulate of both the centers were found to be beyond the respirable range. Presence of protein and carbohydrate in the storage air dust is indicative of the existence of glyco-proteins, mostly of membrane origin.

The Effect of Grain Size on the Strain Hardening Behavior for Extruded ZK61 Magnesium Alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Lixin; Zhang, Wencong; Chen, Wenzhen; Duan, Junpeng; Wang, Wenke; Wang, Erde

2017-12-01

The effects of grain size on the tensile and compressive strain hardening behaviors for extruded ZK61 alloys have been investigated by uniaxial tensile and compressive tests along the extrusion directions. Cylindrical tension and compression specimens of extruded ZK61 alloys with various sized grain were fabricated by annealing treatments. Tensile and compressive tests at ambient temperature were conducted at a strain rate of 0.5 × 10-3 s-1. The results indicate that both tensile strain hardening and compressive strain hardening of ZK61 alloys with different grain sizes have an athermal regime of dislocation accumulation in early deformation. The threshold stress value caused dynamic recovery is predominantly related to grain size in tensile strain hardening, but the threshold stress values for different grain sizes are almost identical in compressive strain hardening. There are obvious transition points on the tensile strain hardening curves which indicate the occurrence of dynamic recrystallization (DRX). The tensile strain hardening rate of the coarse-grained alloy obviously decreases faster than that of fine-grained alloys before DRX and the tensile strain hardening curves of different grain sizes basically tend to parallel after DRX. The compressive strain hardening rate of the fine-grained alloy obviously increases faster than that of coarse-grained alloy for twin-induced strain hardening, but compressive strain hardening curves also tend to parallel after twinning is exhausted.

Nanostructure formation during accumulative roll bonding of commercial purity titanium

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Karimi, Mohsen, E-mail: m.karimi@shahroodut.ac.ir

2016-12-15

In this investigation, commercial purity titanium (CP–Ti) was subjected to accumulative roll bonding (ARB) process up to 8 cycles (equivalent strain of 6.4) at the ambient temperature. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X–ray diffraction line profile analysis (XRDLPA) were utilized to investigate the microstructure and grain size evolution. Both characterization techniques could clarify the non–uniform microstructure in the early stages and the uniform microstructure in the final stages of the process. The effectiveness of ARB for the fabrication of the nano–grained structure in CP–Ti was revealed. It was found that the SFE is not the only factor affecting grain refinement,more » as compared with other studies on ARB of FCC materials. Influence of other factors such as the melting temperature and the crystalline structure of the material was determined on the grain refinement. - Highlights: •Nano–grained commercial purity titanium was produced by accumulative roll bonding. •TEM and XRDLPA were used for the characterization of the microstructure. •Important factors affecting the grain size of ARBed materials were discussed.« less

Accurate Modeling of X-ray Extinction by Interstellar Grains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoffman, John; Draine, B. T.

2016-02-01

Interstellar abundance determinations from fits to X-ray absorption edges often rely on the incorrect assumption that scattering is insignificant and can be ignored. We show instead that scattering contributes significantly to the attenuation of X-rays for realistic dust grain size distributions and substantially modifies the spectrum near absorption edges of elements present in grains. The dust attenuation modules used in major X-ray spectral fitting programs do not take this into account. We show that the consequences of neglecting scattering on the determination of interstellar elemental abundances are modest; however, scattering (along with uncertainties in the grain size distribution) must be taken into account when near-edge extinction fine structure is used to infer dust mineralogy. We advertise the benefits and accuracy of anomalous diffraction theory for both X-ray halo analysis and near edge absorption studies. We present an open source Fortran suite, General Geometry Anomalous Diffraction Theory (GGADT), that calculates X-ray absorption, scattering, and differential scattering cross sections for grains of arbitrary geometry and composition.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bagri, Akbar; Hanson, John P.; Lind, J. P.

We use high-energy X-ray diffraction microscopy (HEDM) to characterize the microstructure of Ni-base alloy 725. HEDM is a non-destructive technique capable of providing three-dimensional reconstructions of grain shapes and orientations in polycrystals. The present analysis yields the grain size distribution in alloy 725 as well as the grain boundary character distribution (GBCD) as a function of lattice misorientation and boundary plane normal orientation. We find that the GBCD of Ni-base alloy 725 is similar to that previously determined in pure Ni and other fcc-base metals. We find an elevated density of Σ9 and Σ3 grain boundaries. We also observe amore » preponderance of grain boundaries along low-index planes, with those along (1 1 1) planes being the most common, even after Σ3 twins have been excluded from the analysis.« less

Aeolian Grain Evolution on Mars: Implications for Regolith Origins

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sullivan, R. J.; Cabrol, N. A.; Golombek, M.; Herkenhoff, K. E.; Landis, G.; Mer Athena Science Team

2010-12-01

Early wind tunnel experiments and the Viking Lander experience led to concepts of grain evolution and regolith development on Mars. Wind tunnel experiments showed that 100-150 μm grains are easiest to entrain on Mars, but at 10 times higher wind speeds than on Earth. Even if trajectory speeds of martian saltating grains achieve smaller fractions of entraining wind speeds than on Earth, kinetic energies of these grains would be much higher, with greater potential for damage to the grains during return collisions with the particle bed. On this basis Sagan et al. [1977] JGR 82, 28, 4430 proposed that aeolian grain evolution on Mars followed a “kamikaze” pattern in which an initially coarse grain, entrained only relatively rarely by the strongest winds, would be abraded by high kinetic energy impacts and migrate through successively smaller size-frequencies at an ever-increasing rate (as entrainment became easier and thus more likely) until the grain was essentially turned to dust. On this basis it was proposed that sand-sized grains might be relatively short-lived and perhaps rare on Mars. MER observations motivate adjustments to these concepts, with implications for origins of martian regolith reworked by wind. Along both MER traverses, on opposite sides of the planet, regolith is volumetrically dominated by very fine sand mixed with unresolved finer grains. Sorting probably is poor, based on weakly cohesive remolding by rover wheel cleats. The size-frequency of this material, even if not precisely known, is consistent with grains that have evolved by attrition to sizes smaller than the most easily-moved 100-150 μm interval, to where entrainment becomes more difficult due to the increasing relative importance of inter-particle surface forces. At these smaller sizes also, kinetic energies have been reduced proportionally by the cube of the particle radius, so grain-to-grain attrition is less effective for further evolution to even smaller grain sizes. Characteristics of the most ubiquitous, volumetrically dominant regolith component at both MER sites are consistent with a residuum of grains developed by aeolian grain-to-grain collisions. At both MER sites also: (1) there is a paucity of grains between 300 and 850 μm; and (2) grains >850 μm have participated in creep movements (driven by saltation of finer grains) during past migrations of coarse-grained ripples. These and other observations suggest aeolian grain evolution in which (1) the coarsest grains initially would be driven in creep only, where attrition efficiency might be limited; (2) probability of saltation increases when grain size evolves somewhere below ~900 μm, accelerating further grain evolution to smaller sizes until slowed by decreasing susceptibility to entrainment and (more importantly) decreased collisional effectiveness at grain sizes of <100 μm. We speculate that on a planet where aeolian working of surface materials is common, this grain evolution scenario could have widespread applicability and that regolith grain size-frequency characteristics encountered at both MER sites might be common in many regolith units across the martian surface that have been processed by wind.

Elaboration of austenitic stainless steel samples with bimodal grain size distributions and investigation of their mechanical behavior

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flipon, B.; de la Cruz, L. Garcia; Hug, E.; Keller, C.; Barbe, F.

2017-10-01

Samples of 316L austenitic stainless steel with bimodal grain size distributions are elaborated using two distinct routes. The first one is based on powder metallurgy using spark plasma sintering of two powders with different particle sizes. The second route applies the reverse-annealing method: it consists in inducing martensitic phase transformation by plastic strain and further annealing in order to obtain two austenitic grain populations with different sizes. Microstructural analy ses reveal that both methods are suitable to generate significative grain size contrast and to control this contrast according to the elaboration conditions. Mechanical properties under tension are then characterized for different grain size distributions. Crystal plasticity finite element modelling is further applied in a configuration of bimodal distribution to analyse the role played by coarse grains within a matrix of fine grains, considering not only their volume fraction but also their spatial arrangement.

Strain localization in ultramylonitic calcite marbles by dislocation creep-accommodated grain boundary sliding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rogowitz, Anna; Grasemann, Bernhard; Clancy White, Joseph

2015-04-01

Strain localization in monomineralic rocks is often associated with brittle precursors, resulting in stress and strain concentration, followed by grain size reduction and activation of grain-size-sensitive deformation mechanisms such as diffusion creep, grain boundary sliding and cataclastic flow. The aforementioned mechanisms typically tend to produce a random crystallographic orientation or a decrease in intensity of a pre-existing texture. However, reports of fine grained polycrystalline materials showing a preferred crystallographic orientation indicate a need for subsequent grain re-organization by either static annealing or the activation of additional deformation mechanisms in conjunction with grain boundary sliding. We present observations from an almost pure calcite marble layer from Syros Island (Cyclades, Greece) deformed in lower greenschist facies conditions. The presence of a crack (i.e. cross-cutting element) that rotated during shear resulted in the formation of a flanking structure. At the location of maximum displacement (120 cm) along the cross-cutting element, the marble is extremely fine grained (3 µm) leading to anticipation of deformation by grain-size-sensitive mechanisms. Detailed microstructural analysis of the highly strained (80 < gamma < 1000) calcite ultramylonite by optical microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction and scanning transmission electron microscopy show that recrystallization by bulging results in small, strain-free grains. The change in grain size appears to be concomitant with increased activity of independent grain boundary sliding as indicated by a random misorientation angle distribution. At the same time, dislocation multiplication through Frank-Read sources produces high mean dislocation density (~ 5x10^13 m^-2) as well as a weak primary CPO; the latter all argue that grain boundary sliding was accommodated by dislocation activity. Theoretical and experimental determined relationships (paleowattmeter, paleopiezometer, dislocation density) have been used to estimate the flow stress conditions. All of the applied relationships indicate differential stresses in a range between 80 and 200 MPa. Plotted in a deformation mechanism map for calcite, the data show that the ultramylonite was deformed at maximum strain rates of 10^-9 s^-1. Our study shows that the switch from dominantly dislocation creep to grain boundary sliding accommodated by dislocation activity corresponds to strain softening and can be an important strain localization process in calcite rocks, even at high strain rate (10^-9 s^-1) and low temperature (300 °C).

Microstructure evolution and electrical characterization of Lanthanum doped Barium Titanate (BaTiO{sub 3}) ceramics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Billah, Masum, E-mail: masum.buet09@gmail.com; Ahmed, A., E-mail: jhinukbuetmme@gmail.com; Rahman, Md. Miftaur, E-mail: miftaurrahman@mme.buet.ac.bd

2016-07-12

In the current work, we investigated the structural and dielectric properties of Lanthanum oxide (La{sub 2}O{sub 3}) doped Barium Titanate (BaTiO{sub 3}) ceramics and established a correlation between them. Solid state sintering method was used to dope BaTiO{sub 3} with 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7 mole% La{sub 2}O{sub 3} under different sintering parameters. The raw materials used were La{sub 2}O{sub 3} nano powder of ~80 nm grain size and 99.995% purity and BaTiO{sub 3} nano powder of 100 nm grain size and 99.99% purity. Grain size distribution and morphology of fracture surface of sintered pellets were examined by Field Emission Scanningmore » Electron Microscope and X-Ray Diffraction analysis was conducted to confirm the formation of desired crystal structure. The research result reveal that grain size and electrical properties of BaTiO{sub 3} ceramic significantly enhanced for small amount of doping (up to 0.5 mole% La{sub 2}O{sub 3}) and then decreased with increasing doping concentration. Desired grain growth (0.80-1.3 µm) and high densification (<90% theoretical density) were found by proper combination of temperature, sintering parameters and doping concentration. We found the resultant stable value of dielectric constant was 10000-12000 at 100-300 Hz in the temperature range of 30°-50° C for 0.5 mole% La{sub 2}O{sub 3} with corresponding shift of curie temperature around 30° C. So overall this research showed that proper La{sup 3+} concentration can control the grain size, increase density, lower curie temperature and hence significantly improve the electrical properties of BaTiO{sub 3} ceramics.« less

Time-evolution of grain size distributions in random nucleation and growth crystallization processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teran, Anthony V.; Bill, Andreas; Bergmann, Ralf B.

2010-02-01

We study the time dependence of the grain size distribution N(r,t) during crystallization of a d -dimensional solid. A partial differential equation, including a source term for nuclei and a growth law for grains, is solved analytically for any dimension d . We discuss solutions obtained for processes described by the Kolmogorov-Avrami-Mehl-Johnson model for random nucleation and growth (RNG). Nucleation and growth are set on the same footing, which leads to a time-dependent decay of both effective rates. We analyze in detail how model parameters, the dimensionality of the crystallization process, and time influence the shape of the distribution. The calculations show that the dynamics of the effective nucleation and effective growth rates play an essential role in determining the final form of the distribution obtained at full crystallization. We demonstrate that for one class of nucleation and growth rates, the distribution evolves in time into the logarithmic-normal (lognormal) form discussed earlier by Bergmann and Bill [J. Cryst. Growth 310, 3135 (2008)]. We also obtain an analytical expression for the finite maximal grain size at all times. The theory allows for the description of a variety of RNG crystallization processes in thin films and bulk materials. Expressions useful for experimental data analysis are presented for the grain size distribution and the moments in terms of fundamental and measurable parameters of the model.

Influence of grain size distribution on the mechanical behavior of light alloys in wide range of strain rates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skripnyak, Vladimir A.; Skripnyak, Natalia V.; Skripnyak, Evgeniya G.; Skripnyak, Vladimir V.

2017-01-01

Inelastic deformation and damage at the mesoscale level of ultrafine grained (UFG) light alloys with distribution of grain size were investigated in wide loading conditions by experimental and computer simulation methods. The computational multiscale models of representative volume element (RVE) with the unimodal and bimodal grain size distributions were developed using the data of structure researches aluminum and magnesium UFG alloys. The critical fracture stress of UFG alloys on mesoscale level depends on relative volumes of coarse grains. Microcracks nucleation at quasi-static and dynamic loading is associated with strain localization in UFG partial volumes with bimodal grain size distribution. Microcracks arise in the vicinity of coarse and ultrafine grains boundaries. It is revealed that the occurrence of bimodal grain size distributions causes the increasing of UFG alloys ductility, but decreasing of the tensile strength.

Effect of Powder Grain Size on Microstructure and Magnetic Properties of Hexagonal Barium Ferrite Ceramic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shao, Li-Huan; Shen, Si-Yun; Zheng, Hui; Zheng, Peng; Wu, Qiong; Zheng, Liang

2018-05-01

Compact hexagonal barium ferrite (BaFe12O19, BaM) ceramics with excellent magnetic properties have been prepared from powder with the optimal grain size. The dependence of the microstructure and magnetic properties of the ceramics on powder grain size was studied in detail. Single-phase hexagonal barium ferrite powder with grain size of 177 nm, 256 nm, 327 nm, and 454 nm was obtained by calcination under different conditions. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that 327-nm powder was beneficial for obtaining homogeneous grain size and compact ceramic. In addition, magnetic hysteresis loops and complex permeability spectra demonstrated that the highest saturation magnetization (67.2 emu/g) and real part of the permeability (1.11) at 1 GHz were also obtained using powder with grain size of 327 nm. This relationship between the powder grain size and the properties of the resulting BaM ceramic could be significant for development of microwave devices.

The Smallest Lunar Grains: Analytical TEM Characterization of the Sub-micron Size Fraction of a Mare Soil

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thompson, M.; Christoffersen, R.

2010-01-01

The chemical composition, mineralogical type, and morphology of lunar regolith grains changes considerably with decreasing size, and below the approx.25 m size range the correlation between these parameters and remotely-sensed lunar surface properties connected to space weathering increases significantly. Although trends for these parameters across grain size intervals greater than 20 m are now well established, the 0 to 20 m size interval remains relatively un-subdivided with respect to variations in grain modal composition, chemistry and microstructure. Of particular interest in this size range are grains in the approximate < 1 m diameter class, whose fundamental properties are now the focus of lunar research pertaining to electrostatic grain transport, dusty plasmas, and lunar dust effects on crew health and exploration systems. In this study we have used analytical transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to characterize the mineralogy, microstructure and major element composition of grains below the 1 m size threshold in lunar soil 10084.

Promise and Pitfalls of Using Grain Size Analysis to Identify Glacial Sediments in Alpine Lake Cores.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clark, D. H.

2011-12-01

Lakes fed by glacier outwash should have a clastic particle-size record distinct from non-glacial lakes in the same area, but do they? The unique turquoise color of alpine glacial lakes reflects the flux of suspended clastic glacial rock flour to those lakes; conversely, lakes not fed by outwash are generally clear with sediments dominated by organics or slope-wash from nearby hillslopes. This contrast in sediment types and sources should produce a distinct and measureable different in grain sizes between the two settings. Results from a variety of lakes suggest the actual situation is often more subtle and complex. I compare grain size results to other proxies to assess the value of grain size analysis for paleoglacier studies. Over the past 10 years, my colleagues and I have collected and analyzed sediment cores from a wide variety of lakes below small alpine glaciers in an attempt to constrain the timing and magnitude of alpine glaciation in those basins. The basic concept is that these lakes act as continuous catchments for any rock flour produced upstream by glacier abrasion; as a glacier grows, the flux of rock flour to the lake will also increase. If the glacier disappears entirely, rock flour deposition will also cease in short order. We have focused our research in basins with simple sedimentologic settings: mostly small, high-altitude, stripped granitic or metamorphic cirques in which the cirque glaciers are the primary source of clastic sediments. In most cases, the lakes are fed by meltwater from a modern glacier, but were ice free during the earlier Holocene. In such cases, the lake cores should record formation of and changes in activity of the glacier upstream. We used a Malvern Mastersizer 2000 laser particle size analyzer for our grain size analyses, as well as recording magnetic susceptibility, color, and organics for the same cores. The results indicate that although lakes often experience increases in silt and clay-size (<0.63 mm) clastic particles when a glacier is present upstream, the signal can be highly variable and complex, most likely the result of stochastic processes in the basin. Our analyses indicate that although particle size reflects glacier activity upstream, it is rarely the best record of glacier change and is most useful in combination with other proxies, most notably MS, color, and organic content.

The transitional behaviour of avalanches in cohesive granular materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Quintanilla, M. A. S.; Valverde, J. M.; Castellanos, A.

2006-07-01

We present a statistical analysis of avalanches of granular materials that partially fill a slowly rotated horizontal drum. For large sized noncohesive grains the classical coherent oscillation is reproduced, consisting of a quasi-periodic succession of regularly sized avalanches. As the powder cohesiveness is increased by decreasing the particle size, we observe a gradual crossover to a complex dynamics that resembles the transitional behaviour observed in fusion plasmas. For particle size below ~50 µm, avalanches lose a characteristic size, retain a short term memory and turn gradually decorrelated in the long term as described by a Markov process. In contrast, large grains made cohesive by coating them with adhesive microparticles display a distinct phenomenology, characterized by a quasi-regular succession of well defined small precursors and large relaxation events. The transition from a one-peaked distribution (noncohesive large beads) to a flattened distribution (fine cohesive beads) passing through the two-peaked distribution of cohesive large beads had already been predicted using a coupled-map lattice model, as the relaxation mechanism of grain reorganization becomes dominant to the detriment of inertia.

The Effect of Film Composition on the Texture and Grain Size of CuInS2 Prepared by Spray Pyrolysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jin, Michael H.; Banger, Kulinder K.; Harris, Jerry D.; Hepp, Aloysius F.

2003-01-01

Ternary single-source precursors were used to deposit CuInS2 thin films using chemical spray pyrolysis. We investigated the effect of the film composition on texture, secondary phase formation, and grain size. As-grown films were most often In-rich. They became more (204/220)-oriented as indium concentration increased, and always contained a yet unidentified secondary phase. The (112)-prefened orientation became more pronounced as the film composition became more Cu-rich. The secondary phase was determined to be an In-rich compound based on composition analysis and Raman spectroscopy. In addition, as-grown Cu-rich (112)-oriented films did not exhibit the In-rich compound. Depositing a thin Cu layer prior to the growth of CuInS2 increased the maximum grain size from - 0.5 micron to - 1 micron, and prevented the formation of the In-rich secondary phase.

Effect of Grain Refinement and Cooling Rate on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Secondary Al-Si-Cu Alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Timelli, Giulio; Camicia, Giordano; Ferraro, Stefano

2014-02-01

The effect of AlTi5B1 grain refinement and different solidification rates on metallurgical and mechanical properties of a secondary AlSi7Cu3Mg alloy is reported. While the Ti content ranges from 0.04 up to 0.225 wt.%, the cooling rate varies between 0.1 and 5.5 °C/s. Metallographic and thermal analysis techniques have been used to quantitatively examine the macro- and microstructural changes occurring with grain refiner addition at various cooling rates. The results indicate that a small AlTi5B1 addition produces the greatest refinement, while no significant reduction of grain size is obtained with a great amount of grain refiner. On increasing the cooling rate, a lower amount of AlTi5B1 master alloy is necessary to produce a uniform grain size throughout the casting. The combined addition of AlTi5B1 and Sr does not produce any reciprocal interaction or effect on primary α-Al and eutectic solidification. The grain refinement improves the plastic behavior of the alloy and increases the reliability of castings, as evidenced by the Weibull statistics.

Grain and tortilla quality in landraces and improved maize grown in the highlands of Mexico.

PubMed

Vázquez-Carrillo, Gricelda; García-Lara, Silverio; Salinas-Moreno, Yolanda; Bergvinson, David J; Palacios-Rojas, Natalia

2011-06-01

The maize produced in the highlands of Mexico (>2,400 masl) is generally not accepted by the flour and masa and tortilla industry. The objective of this work was to evaluate the grain quality and tortilla properties of maize landraces commonly grown in the highlands of Mexico and compare them with improved germplasm (hybrids). Germplasm analysis included 11 landraces, 32 white hybrids, and six yellow hybrids. Grain quality was analyzed for a range of physical and chemical factors, as well as for alkaline cooking quality. Landrace grains tended to be heterogeneous in terms of size, hardness and color. All landraces had soft-intermediate grains with an average flotation index (FI) of 61%. In contrast, hybrid grains were homogenous in size and color, and harder than landrace grains, with a FI of 38%. Protein, free sugars, oil and phenolic content in landraces were higher than in the hybrids. Significant correlations were found between phenolic content and tortilla color (r= -0.60; p<0.001). Three landraces were identified as appropriate for the masa and tortilla industry, while all the hybrids evaluated fulfilled the requirements of this industry.

The role of grain size in He bubble formation: Implications for swelling resistance

DOE PAGES

El-Atwani, Osman; Nathaniel, II, James E.; Leff, Asher C.; ...

2016-12-07

Here, nanocrystalline metals are postulated as radiation resistant materials due to their high defect and particle (e.g. Helium) sink density. Here, the performance of nanocrystalline iron films is investigated in-situ in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) using He irradiation at 700 K. Automated crystal orientation mapping is used in concert with in-situ TEM to explore the role of grain orientation and grain boundary character on bubble density trends. Bubble density as a function of three key grain size regimes is demonstrated. While the overall trend revealed an increase in bubble density up to a saturation value, grains with areas rangingmore » from 3000 to 7500 nm 2 show a scattered distribution. An extrapolated swelling resistance based on bubble size and areal density indicated that grains with sizes less than 2000 nm 2 possess the greatest apparent resistance. Moreover, denuded zones are found to be independent of grain size, grain orientation, and grain boundary misorientation angle.« less

Tailored Net-Shape Powder Composites by Spark Plasma Sintering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khaleghi, Evan Aryan

This dissertation investigates the ability to produce net-shape and tailored composites in spark plasma sintering (SPS), with an analysis of how grain growth, densification, and mechanical properties are affected. Using alumina and four progressively anisotropic dies, we studied the impact of specimen shape on densification. We found specimen shape had an impact on overall densification, but no impact on localized properties. We expected areas of the specimen to densify differently, or have higher grain growth, based on current anisotropy in the specimen during sintering, and preliminary results indicated this, but further investigation showed this did not occur. Overall average grain size and porosity decreased as shape complexity increased. In Fe-V-C steel, we mechanical alloyed two rapidly solidified powders, and used spark sintering to retain the properties imparted during the rapid solidification. We noticed VC grains being produced during densification, which improved the final properties. We conducted spark plasma extrusion (SPE) of aluminum to understand the effect on microstructure. We found, through an analysis of the grain structure, that SPE did have a grain deformation potential, and grain size was severely decreased compared to conventional sintering. Dynamic recrystallization did not occur, due to the reduced temperatures we were able to extrude with SPS. Finally, we examined whether there were particular sintering conditions for SPS that reduced the complexity of the grain growth and porosity relationship to one similar to conventional sintering, of the form G = k G0 ε -1/. We found that although a reasonable case could be made for free sintering, as found in the literature, for hot-pressing and SPS the conditions required go against the common knowledge in grain growth and densification kinetics. We were able to fit our data very well to the model, but the correlated results do not make physical sense.

Sediment transport modelling based on grain size trend analysis in Augusta Harbour (Sicily)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barbera, Giuseppe; Feo, Roberto; Freni, Gabriele

2015-12-01

To support marine civil engineer in pollutant studies, sediment management or dredging operations, is useful to know how the sediments move in accumulation basin. This paper investigates the dynamic of the sediment path using a two-dimensional numeric model: the Grain Size Trend Analysis (GSTA). The GSTA was applied using GiSedTrend plugin, under GIS software. The case study is the Augusta Harbour, which is one of the most polluted Italian harbours. It is the marine part of the Site of National Interest (SNI) of Priolo Gargallo (Siracusa, Italy) and it can be hydrodynamically considered as a lagoon. Two scenarios were obtained by using different geostatistical criteria.

Laboratory Studies of Charging Properties of Dust Grains in Astrophysical/Planetary Environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tankosic, D.; Abbas, M. M.

2012-01-01

Dust grains in various astrophysical environments are generally charged electrostatically by photoelectric emissions with UV/X-ray radiation, as well as by electron/ion impact. Knowledge of physical and optical properties of individual dust grains is required for understanding of the physical and dynamical processes in space environments and the role of dust in formation of stellar and planetary systems. In this paper we focus on charging of individual micron/submicron dust grains by processes that include: (a) UV photoelectric emissions involving incident photon energies higher than the work function of the material and b) electron impact, where low energy electrons are scattered or stick to the dust grains, thereby charging the dust grains negatively, and at sufficiently high energies the incident electrons penetrate the grain leading to excitation and emission of electrons referred to as secondary electron emission (SEE). It is well accepted that the charging properties of individual micron/submicron size dust grains are expected to be substantially different from the bulk materials. However, no viable models for calculation of the charging properties of individual micron size dust grains are available at the present time. Therefore, the photoelectric yields, and secondary electron emission yields of micron-size dust grains have to be obtained by experimental methods. Currently, very limited experimental data are available for charging of individual micron-size dust grains. Our experimental results, obtained on individual, micron-size dust grains levitated in an electrodynamic balance facility (at NASA-MSFC), show that: (1) The measured photoelectric yields are substantially higher than the bulk values given in the literature and indicate a particle size dependence with larger particles having order-of-magnitude higher values than for submicron-size grains; (2) dust charging by low energy electron impact is a complex process. Also, our measurements indicate that the electron impact may lead to charging or discharging of dust grains depending upon the grain size, surface potential, electron energy, electron flux, grain composition, and configuration (e.g. Abbas et al, 2010). Laboratory measurements on charging of analogs of the interstellar dust as well as Apollo 11 dust grains conducted at the NASA-MSFC Dusty Plasma Lab. are presented here

Grain growth in Class I protostar Per-emb-50: a dust continuum analysis with NOEMA & SMA .

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agurto-Gangas, C.; Pineda, J. E.; Testi, L.; Caselli, P.; Szucs, L.; Tazzari, M.; Dunham, M.; Stephens, I. W.; Miotello, A.

A good understanding of when dust grains grow from sub-micrometer to millimeter sizes occurs is crucial for models of planet formation. This provides the first step towards the production of pebbles and planetesimals in protoplanetary disks. Thanks to detailed studies of the spectral index in Class II disks, it is well established that Class II objects have already dust grains of millimetres sizes, however, it is not clear when in the star formation process this grain growth occurs. Here, we present interferometric data from NOEMA at 3 mm and SMA at 1.3 mm of the Class I protostar, Per-emb-50, to determine the flux density spectral index at mm-wavelengths of the unresolved disk and the surrounding envelope. We find a spectral index in the unresolved disk 30% smaller than the envelope, alpha env=2.18, comparable to values obtained toward Class 0 sources.

Changes in the physical and mechanical properties of Al-Mg alloy processed by severe plastic deformation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krasnoveikin, V. A.; Kozulin, A. A.; Skripnyak, V. A.; Moskvichev, E. N.; Borodulin, D. A.

2017-12-01

This paper presents the results of studies into the effect of severe plastic deformation on the microstructure, physical and mechanical properties of coarse-grained Al-Mg alloy 1560 in the as-received state with an average grain size of 50 µm. Severe plastic deformation is performed by four-pass equal channel angular pressing (ECAP), which results in the formation of an ultrafine-grained structure with an average grain size of 3 µm in the alloy. Analysis of experimental data revealed that the physical and mechanical properties change significantly after severe plastic deformation. The microhardness of the ECAPed alloy increases by 50%, tensile yield strength by 80%, and ultimate strength by 44% in comparison with these parameters in the as-received state. The constants of approximating functions have been determined for the experimental stress-strain curves of the alloy specimens in the as-received and ECAPed states.

Study of composite thin films for applications in high density data storage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Hua

Granular Co-alloy + oxide thin films are currently used as the magnetic recording layer of perpendicular media in hard disk drives. The microstructure of these films is composed mainly of fine (7--10 nm) magnetic grains physically surrounded by oxide phases, which produce magnetic isolation of the grains. As a result, the magnetic switching volume is maintained as small as the physical grain size. Consequently, ample number of magnetic switching units can be obtained in one recording bit, in other words, higher signal to noise ratios (SNR) can be achieved. Therefore, a good understanding and control of the microstructure of the films is very important for high areal density magnetic recording media. Interlayers and seedlayers play important roles in controlling the microstructure in terms of grain size, grain size distribution, oxide segregation and orientation dispersion of the crystallographic texture. Developing novel interlayers or seedlayers with smaller grain size is a key approach to produce smaller grain size in the recording layer. This study focuses on how to achieve smaller grain sizes in the recording layer through novel interlayer/seedlayer materials and processes. It also discusses the resulting microstructure in smaller-grain-size thin films. Metal + oxide (e.g. Ru + SiO2) composite thin films were chosen as interlayer and seedlayer materials due to their unique segregated microstructure. Such layers can be grown epitaxially on top of fcc metal seedlayers with good orientation. It can also provide an epitaxial growth template for the subsequent magnetic layer (recording layer). The metal and oxide phases in the composite thin films are immiscible. The final microstructure of the interlayer depends on factors, such as, sputtering pressure, oxide species, oxide volume fraction, thickness, alloy composition, temperature etc. Moreover, it has been found that the microstructure of the composite thin films is affected mostly by two important factors---oxide volume fraction and sputtering pressure. The latter affects grain size and grain segregation through surface-diffusion modification and the self-shadowing effect. The composite Ru + oxide interlayers were found to have various microstructures under various sputtering conditions. Four characteristic microstructure zones can be identified as a function of oxide volume fraction and sputtering pressure---"percolated" (A), "maze" (T), "granular" (B) and "embedded" (C), based on which, a new structural zone model (SZM) is established for composite thin films. The granular microstructure of zone B is of particular interest for recording media application. The grain size of interlayers is a strong function of pressure, oxide species and oxide volume fraction. Magnetic layers grown on top of these interlayers were found to be significantly affected by the interlayer microstructure. One-to-one grain epitaxial growth is very difficult to achieve when the grain size is too small. As a result, the magnetic properties of smaller grain size magnetic layers deteriorate due to poor growth. This presents a huge challenge to high areal density magnetic recording media. A novel approach of Ar-ion etched Ru seedlayer, which can improve epitaxy between interlayer and magnetic layer is proposed. This method produces interlayer thin films of: (1) smaller grain size and higher nucleation density due to both a rougher seedlayer surface and an oxide addition in the interlayer; (2) good (00.2) texture due to the growth on top of the low pressure deposited Ru seedlayer; (3) dome-shape grain morphology due to the high pressure deposition. Therefore, a significant Ru grain size reduction with enhanced granular morphology and improved grain-to-grain epitaxy with the magnetic layer was achieved. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques, such as, electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), energy-filtered TEM (EFTEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and mapping, and high angle annular dark field (HAADF) imaging have been utilized to investigate elemental distribution and grain morphology in composite magnetic thin films of different grain sizes. An oxygen-rich grain shell of about 0.5 ˜ 1 nm thickness is often observed for most media with different grain sizes. Reducing the grain size increases surface to volume ratio. With more surface area, smaller grains are more vulnerable to oxidization, resulting in even greater influence of the oxide on the magnetic properties of the grains.

DUST DYNAMICS IN PROTOPLANETARY DISK WINDS DRIVEN BY MAGNETOROTATIONAL TURBULENCE: A MECHANISM FOR FLOATING DUST GRAINS WITH CHARACTERISTIC SIZES

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Miyake, Tomoya; Suzuki, Takeru K.; Inutsuka, Shu-ichiro, E-mail: miyake.tomoya@e.mbox.nagoya-u.ac.jp, E-mail: stakeru@nagoya-u.jp

We investigate the dynamics of dust grains of various sizes in protoplanetary disk winds driven by magnetorotational turbulence, by simulating the time evolution of the dust grain distribution in the vertical direction. Small dust grains, which are well-coupled to the gas, are dragged upward with the upflowing gas, while large grains remain near the midplane of a disk. Intermediate-size grains float near the sonic point of the disk wind located at several scale heights from the midplane, where the grains are loosely coupled to the background gas. For the minimum mass solar nebula at 1 au, dust grains with sizemore » of 25–45 μm float around 4 scale heights from the midplane. Considering the dependence on the distance from the central star, smaller-size grains remain only in an outer region of the disk, while larger-size grains are distributed in a broader region. We also discuss the implications of our result for observations of dusty material around young stellar objects.« less

ANALYSIS OF THE INSTABILITY DUE TO GAS–DUST FRICTION IN PROTOPLANETARY DISKS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shadmehri, Mohsen, E-mail: m.shadmehri@gu.ac.ir

2016-02-01

We study the stability of a dust layer in a gaseous disk subject to linear axisymmetric perturbations. Instead of considering single-size particles, however, the population of dust particles is assumed to consist of two grain species. Dust grains exchange momentum with the gas via the drag force and their self-gravity is also considered. We show that the presence of two grain sizes can increase the efficiency of the linear growth of drag-driven instability in the protoplanetary disks (PPDs). A second dust phase with a small mass, compared to the first dust phase, would reduce the growth timescale by a factormore » of two or more, especially when its coupling to the gas is weak. This means that once a certain amount of large dust particles form, even though it is much smaller than that of small dust particles, the dust layer becomes more unstable and dust clumping is accelerated. Thus, the presence of dust particles of various sizes must be considered in studies of dust clumping in PPDs where both large and small dust grains are present.« less

Carbonate pseudomatrix in siliciclastic-carbonate turbidites from the Oquirrh-Wood River basin, southern Idaho

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Geslin, J.K.

1994-01-01

Upper Pennsylvanian to Lower Permian mixed siliciclastic-carbonate sandy turbidites from the Oquirrh-Wood River basin in southern Idaho contain 20 to 60 modal percent microspar and pseudospar. Previous interpretations suggested that neomorphism of detrital lime mud produced the observed carbonate textures. The original detrital lime mud produced the observed carbonate textures. The original detrital lime mud content, based on these interpretations, indicates matrix-rich, poorly sorted turbidite deposits. However, observed turbidite hydrodynamics, and grain-size data from experimental and naturally occurring sandy turbidite deposits, indicate that T[sub n]-T[sub c] intervals of sandy turbidites are generally moderately well sorted, with low matrix content. Fluorescencemore » microscopy reveals that the carbonate fraction of these mixed siliciclastic-carbonate turbidites contains micritized skeletal grains and fusulinids, and algal peloids. These micritized grains and peloids were physically compacted and neomorphosed to form a carbonate pseudomatrix. Formation of carbonate pseudomatrix is analogous to formation of pseudomatrix in siliciclastic lithic sands, which includes crushing and recrystallization of lithic grains. Grain-size analysis of siliciclastic and slightly compacted carbonate grains indicates that these are moderately well sorted turbidite deposits with similar grain-size populations in both fractions. Lack of recognition of carbonate pseudomatrix could lead to erroneous interpretations of carbonate petrology. Identification of carbonate pseudomatrix is important to the study of mixed siliciclastic-carbonate gravity-flow deposits. This study demonstrates the value of fluorescence microscopy in the recognition of carbonate pseudomatrix.« less

Grain size distribution and microstructures of experimentally sheared granitoid gouge at coseismic slip rates - Criteria to distinguish seismic and aseismic faults?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stünitz, Holger; Keulen, Nynke; Hirose, Takehiro; Heilbronner, Renée

2010-01-01

Microstructures and grain size distribution from high velocity friction experiments are compared with those of slow deformation experiments of Keulen et al. (2007, 2008) for the same material (Verzasca granitoid). The mechanical behavior of granitoid gouge in fast velocity friction experiments at slip rates of 0.65 and 1.28 m/s and normal stresses of 0.4-0.9 MPa is characterized by slip weakening in a typical exponential friction coefficient vs displacement relationship. The grain size distributions yield similar D-values (slope of frequency versus grain size curve = 2.2-2.3) as those of slow deformation experiments (D = 2.0-2.3) for grain sizes larger than 1 μm. These values are independent of the total displacement above a shear strain of about γ = 20. The D-values are also independent of the displacement rates in the range of ˜1 μm/s to ˜1.3 m/s and do not vary in the normal stress range between 0.5 MPa and 500 MPa. With increasing displacement, grain shapes evolve towards more rounded and less serrated grains. While the grain size distribution remains constant, the progressive grain shape evolution suggests that grain comminution takes place by attrition at clast boundaries. Attrition produces a range of very small grain sizes by crushing with a D <-value = 1. The results of the study demonstrate that most cataclastic and gouge fault zones may have resulted from seismic deformation but the distinction of seismic and aseismic deformation cannot be made on the basis of grain size distribution.

Sediment Grain-Size and Loss-on-Ignition Analyses from 2002 Englebright Lake Coring and Sampling Campaigns

USGS Publications Warehouse

Snyder, Noah P.; Allen, James R.; Dare, Carlin; Hampton, Margaret A.; Schneider, Gary; Wooley, Ryan J.; Alpers, Charles N.; Marvin-DiPasquale, Mark C.

2004-01-01

This report presents sedimentologic data from three 2002 sampling campaigns conducted in Englebright Lake on the Yuba River in northern California. This work was done to assess the properties of the material deposited in the reservoir between completion of Englebright Dam in 1940 and 2002, as part of the Upper Yuba River Studies Program. Included are the results of grain-size-distribution and loss-on-ignition analyses for 561 samples, as well as an error analysis based on replicate pairs of subsamples.

Role of microstructure on twin nucleation and growth in HCP titanium: A statistical study

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Arul Kumar, M.; Wroński, M.; McCabe, Rodney James

In this study, a detailed statistical analysis is performed using Electron Back Scatter Diffraction (EBSD) to establish the effect of microstructure on twin nucleation and growth in deformed commercial purity hexagonal close packed (HCP) titanium. Rolled titanium samples are compressed along rolling, transverse and normal directions to establish statistical correlations for {10–12}, {11–21}, and {11–22} twins. A recently developed automated EBSD-twinning analysis software is employed for the statistical analysis. Finally, the analysis provides the following key findings: (I) grain size and strain dependence is different for twin nucleation and growth; (II) twinning statistics can be generalized for the HCP metalsmore » magnesium, zirconium and titanium; and (III) complex microstructure, where grain shape and size distribution is heterogeneous, requires multi-point statistical correlations.« less

Role of microstructure on twin nucleation and growth in HCP titanium: A statistical study

DOE PAGES

Arul Kumar, M.; Wroński, M.; McCabe, Rodney James; ...

2018-02-01

In this study, a detailed statistical analysis is performed using Electron Back Scatter Diffraction (EBSD) to establish the effect of microstructure on twin nucleation and growth in deformed commercial purity hexagonal close packed (HCP) titanium. Rolled titanium samples are compressed along rolling, transverse and normal directions to establish statistical correlations for {10–12}, {11–21}, and {11–22} twins. A recently developed automated EBSD-twinning analysis software is employed for the statistical analysis. Finally, the analysis provides the following key findings: (I) grain size and strain dependence is different for twin nucleation and growth; (II) twinning statistics can be generalized for the HCP metalsmore » magnesium, zirconium and titanium; and (III) complex microstructure, where grain shape and size distribution is heterogeneous, requires multi-point statistical correlations.« less

Spectral variations in rocks and soils containing ferric iron hydroxide and(or) sulfate minerals as seen by AVIRIS and laboratory spectroscopy

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rockwell, Barnaby W.

2004-01-01

Analysis of Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) data covering the Big Rock Candy Mountain area of the Marysvale volcanic field, west-central Utah, identified abundant rocks and soils bearing jarosite, goethite, and chlorite associated with volcanic rocks altered to propylitic grade during the Miocene (2321 Ma). Propylitically-altered rocks rich in pyrite associated with the relict feeder zones of convecting, shallow hydrothermal systems are currently undergoing supergene oxidation to natrojarosite, kaolinite, and gypsum. Goethite coatings are forming at the expense of jarosite where most pyrite has been consumed through oxidation in alluvium derived from pyrite-bearing zones. Spectral variations in the goethite-bearing rocks that resemble variations found in reference library samples of goethites of varying grain size were observed in the AVIRIS data. Rocks outside of the feeder zones have relatively low pyrite content and are characterized by chlorite, epidote, and calcite, with local copper-bearing quartz-calcite veins. Iron-bearing minerals in these rocks are weathering directly to goethite. Laboratory spectral analyses were applied to samples of iron-bearing rock outcrops and alluvium collected from the area to determine the accuracy of the AVIRIS-based mineral identification. The accuracy of the iron mineral identification results obtained by analysis of the AVIRIS data was confirmed. In general, the AVIRIS analysis results were accurate in identifying medium-grained goethite, coarse-grained goethite, medium- to coarse-grained goethite with trace jarosite, and mixtures of goethite and jarosite. However, rock fragments from alluvial areas identified as thin coatings of goethite with the AVIRIS data were found to consist mainly of medium- to coarse-grained goethite based on spectral characteristics in the visible and near-infrared. To determine if goethite abundance contributed to the spectral variations observed in goethite-bearing rocks with AVIRIS data, a laboratory experiment was performed in which spectra were acquired of a goethite-bearing rock while progressively decreasing the areal abundance of the rock with respect to a background of white, fine-grained quartz sand. This experiment found that, with decreasing material abundance, the crystal field absorption feature of goethite near 1.0 micron decreases in depth and narrows more from the long wavelength side of the feature than from the short wavelength side, as is the case in goethite reference spectra as grain size decreases from coarse to fine. In the Marysvale study area, goethite-bearing alluvium downgradient from source outcrops tends to be identified as finer-grained or thin coatings of goethite due to the minerals presence in lesser abundance. The goethite-bearing alluvium is a closer match to reference spectra of thin coatings of goethite even though the actual grain size of the contained goethite fragments is medium to coarse grained, the same on average as that from the source outcrops. Coarser-grained goethite most likely will be correctly identified in areas of greater goethite abundance proximal to jarosite-bearing source rock where the surface is relatively free of goethite-free soil components and vegetation that corrupt the goethite spectral response. When analysis of imaging spectroscopy data is performed using reference spectra of iron minerals of varying grain sizes and mixed compositions, the results are useful not only for purposes of mineral identification, but also for distinguishing goethite-bearing outcrop from alluvial surfaces with similar mineralogy, providing valuable information for geologic, geomorphologic, mineral exploration, and environmental assessment studies.

Effect of particles attachment to multi-sized dust grains present in electrostatic sheaths of discharge plasmas

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zaham, B.; Faculté des Sciences et des Sciences Appliquées, Université de Bouira Rue Drissi Yahia 10000 Bouira; Tahraoui, A., E-mail: alatif-tahraoui@yahoo.fr

The loss of electrons and ions due to their attachment to a Gauss-distributed sizes of dust grains present in electrostatic sheaths of discharge plasmas is investigated. A uni-dimensional, unmagnetized, and stationary multi-fluid model is proposed. Forces acting on the dust grain along with its charge are self-consistently calculated, within the limits of the orbit motion limited model. The dynamic analysis of dust grains shows that the contribution of the neutral drag force in the net force acting on the dust grain is negligible, whereas the contribution of the gravity force is found considerable only for micrometer particles. The dust grainsmore » trapping is only possible when the electrostatic force is balanced by the ion drag and the gravity forces. This trapping occurs for a limited radius interval of micrometer dust grains, which is around the most probable dust grain radius. The effect of electron temperature and ion density at the sheath edge is also discussed. It is shown that the attachment of particles reduces considerably the sheath thickness and induces dust grain deceleration. The increase of the lower limit as well as the upper limit of the dust radius reduces also the sheath thickness.« less

Influence of attrition milling on nano-grain boundaries

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rawers, J.; Cook, D.

1999-03-01

Nanostructured materials have a relatively large proportion of their atoms associated with the grain boundary, and the method used to develop the nano-grains has a strong influence on the resulting grain boundary structure. In this study, attrition milling iron powders and blends of iron powders produced micron-size particles composed of nano-size grains. Mechanical cold-working powder resulted in dislocation generation, multiplication, and congealing that produced grain refinement. As the grain size approached nano-dimensions, dislocations were no longer sustained within the grain and once generated, rapidly diffused to the grain boundary. Dislocations on the grain boundary strained the local lattice structure which,more » as the grain size decreased, became the entire grain. Mechanical alloying of substitutional aluminium atoms into iron powder resulted in the aluminium atoms substituting for iron atoms in the grain boundary cells and providing a grain boundary structure similar to that of the iron powder processed in argon. Attrition milling iron powder in nitrogen gas resulted in nitrogen atoms being adsorbed onto the particle surface. Continued mechanical milling infused the nitrogen atoms into interstitial lattice sites on the grain boundary which also contributed to expanding and straining the local lattice.« less

Effect of Al on Grain Refinement and Mechanical Properties of Mg-3Nd Casting Alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Lei; Feng, Yicheng; Wang, Liping; Chen, Yanhong; Guo, Erjun

2018-05-01

The effect of Al on the grain refinement and mechanical properties of as-cast Mg-3Nd alloy was investigated systematically by a series of microstructural analysis, solidification analysis and tensile tests. The results show that Al has an obvious refining effect on the as-cast Mg-3Nd alloy. With increasing Al content, the grain size of the as-cast Mg-3Nd alloy decreases firstly, then increases slightly after the Al content reaching 3 wt.%, and the minimum grain size of the Mg-3Nd alloy is 48 ± 4.0 μm. The refining mechanism can be attributed to the formation of Al2Nd particles, which play an important role in the heterogeneous nucleation. The strength and elongation of the Mg-3Nd alloy refined by Al also increase with increasing Al content and slightly decrease when the Al content is more than 3 wt.%, and the strengthening mechanism is attributed to the grain refinement as well as dispersed intermetallic particles. Furthermore, the microstructural thermal stability of the Mg-3Nd-3Al alloy is higher than that of the Mg-3Nd-0.5Zr alloy. Overall, the Mg-3Nd alloy with Al addition is a novel alloy with wide and potential application prospects.

Study of grain structure evolution during annealing of a twin-roll-cast Mg alloy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tripathi, A.; Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science, IIT Bombay; Department of Materials Engineering, Monash University

2016-04-15

The evolution of microstructure under static annealing was studied for mid-thickness section of a twin-roll-cast (TRC) magnesium alloy. Annealing was performed at 300 °C and 500 °C for different times. Microstructural evolution was quantitatively analyzed, from optical micrographs, using grain path envelope analysis. Additional information from electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) was used for addressing the possible mechanism(s). It was found that the TRC structure had a bimodal grain size, which was preserved even after annealing at 300 °C. However, the annealing at 500 °C led to a unimodal grain size. This difference in the grain size distribution created a contrastingmore » behavior in the normalized standard deviations. This was primarily attributed to a competition between recovery and recrystallization, and their respective dominance at 300° and 500 °C. A deformation induced recrystallization recovery (DIRR) model was proposed. The proposed model could successfully address the experimental microstructural evolution. - Highlights: • Annealing of twin roll cast (TRC) magnesium alloy was done at temperatures of 300 °C and 500 °C. • TRC had bimodal structure. Bimodality preserved for annealing at 300 °C. Annealing at 500 °C led to unimodal structure. • Grain evolution was described based on the competition between recovery and recrystallization. • Deformation induced recrystallization recovery (DIRR) mechanistic model was developed.« less

Particle Sizes in the Coma of Comet 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdušáková from Arecibo Radar Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Springmann, Alessondra; Howell, Ellen S.; Harmon, John K.; Lejoly, Cassandra; Rivera-Valentin, Edgard G.; Virkki, Anne; Zambrano-Marin, Luisa F.; Taylor, Patrick A.; Harris, Walter M.; Mueller, Beatrice E. A.; Samarasinha, Nalin H.; Rodriguez Sanchez-Vahamonde, Carolina

2017-10-01

Radar observations of cometary comae can provide information about not only the cross-section of the coma, but also constraints on the particle sizes comprising the coma. Harmon et al. (2011) described analysis of radar observations of comet 103P/Hartley 2 to constrain the sizes of its coma particles, as well as modeling to analyze the particle velocity distribution in the coma and orientation with respect to the sun. Arecibo Observatory planetary radar system observations of comet 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdušáková were obtained 9-16 February 2017 by transmitting a continuous wave of polarized radio waves at the comet. By examining the polarization ratios of the returned signal (whether it has the same sense or opposite sense of the transmitted signal), we can look for non-zero same sense polarization signal. Detectable same sense signal indicates the presence of particles with sizes larger than the Rayleigh transition size criteria, a = λ/2π ≈ 2 cm (for the Arecibo wavelength of 12.6 cm).The observations show strong opposite sense signal return from the comet nucleus, as well as a larger ‘skirt’ of surrounding grains in the coma. Preliminary analysis of this data indicates at least a weak same sense polarized signal, implying a population of grains larger than 2 cm in the coma. The sizes of particles in the coma, compared with the area of the coma, can help us constrain the minimum mass for particles at the Rayleigh size limit in the 45P coma. Further, a detectable grain halo of large particles around 45P would imply significant lofting of grains from the comet nucleus.ReferencesHarmon, John K., et al. "Radar observations of comet 103P/Hartley 2." The Astrophysical Journal Letters 734.1 (2011): L2.

Thermoelectric properties of nanocrystalline Sb2Te3 thin films: experimental evaluation and first-principles calculation, addressing effect of crystal grain size.

PubMed

Morikawa, Satoshi; Inamoto, Takuya; Takashiri, Masayuki

2018-02-16

The effect of crystal grain size on the thermoelectric properties of nanocrystalline antimony telluride (Sb 2 Te 3 ) thin films was investigated by experiments and first-principles studies using a developed relaxation time approximation. The Sb 2 Te 3 thin films were deposited on glass substrates using radio-frequency magnetron sputtering. To change the crystal grain size of the Sb 2 Te 3 thin films, thermal annealing was performed at different temperatures. The crystal grain size, lattice parameter, and crystal orientation of the thin films were estimated using XRD patterns. The carrier concentration and in-plane thermoelectric properties of the thin films were measured at room temperature. A theoretical analysis was performed using a first-principles study based on density functional theory. The electronic band structures of Sb 2 Te 3 were calculated using different lattice parameters, and the thermoelectric properties were predicted based on the semi-classical Boltzmann transport equation in the relaxation time approximation. In particular, we introduced the effect of carrier scattering at the grain boundaries into the relaxation time approximation by estimating the group velocities from the electronic band structures. Finally, the experimentally measured thermoelectric properties were compared with those obtained by calculation. As a result, the calculated thermoelectric properties were found to be in good agreement with the experimental results. Therefore, we can conclude that introducing the effect of carrier scattering at the grain boundaries into the relaxation time approximation contributes to enhance the accuracy of a first-principles calculation relating to nanocrystalline materials.

Thermoelectric properties of nanocrystalline Sb2Te3 thin films: experimental evaluation and first-principles calculation, addressing effect of crystal grain size

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morikawa, Satoshi; Inamoto, Takuya; Takashiri, Masayuki

2018-02-01

The effect of crystal grain size on the thermoelectric properties of nanocrystalline antimony telluride (Sb2Te3) thin films was investigated by experiments and first-principles studies using a developed relaxation time approximation. The Sb2Te3 thin films were deposited on glass substrates using radio-frequency magnetron sputtering. To change the crystal grain size of the Sb2Te3 thin films, thermal annealing was performed at different temperatures. The crystal grain size, lattice parameter, and crystal orientation of the thin films were estimated using XRD patterns. The carrier concentration and in-plane thermoelectric properties of the thin films were measured at room temperature. A theoretical analysis was performed using a first-principles study based on density functional theory. The electronic band structures of Sb2Te3 were calculated using different lattice parameters, and the thermoelectric properties were predicted based on the semi-classical Boltzmann transport equation in the relaxation time approximation. In particular, we introduced the effect of carrier scattering at the grain boundaries into the relaxation time approximation by estimating the group velocities from the electronic band structures. Finally, the experimentally measured thermoelectric properties were compared with those obtained by calculation. As a result, the calculated thermoelectric properties were found to be in good agreement with the experimental results. Therefore, we can conclude that introducing the effect of carrier scattering at the grain boundaries into the relaxation time approximation contributes to enhance the accuracy of a first-principles calculation relating to nanocrystalline materials.

Autonomous bed-sediment imaging-systems for revealing temporal variability of grain size

USGS Publications Warehouse

Buscombe, Daniel; Rubin, David M.; Lacy, Jessica R.; Storlazzi, Curt D.; Hatcher, Gerald; Chezar, Henry; Wyland, Robert; Sherwood, Christopher R.

2014-01-01

We describe a remotely operated video microscope system, designed to provide high-resolution images of seabed sediments. Two versions were developed, which differ in how they raise the camera from the seabed. The first used hydraulics and the second used the energy associated with wave orbital motion. Images were analyzed using automated frequency-domain methods, which following a rigorous partially supervised quality control procedure, yielded estimates to within 20% of the true size as determined by on-screen manual measurements of grains. Long-term grain-size variability at a sandy inner shelf site offshore of Santa Cruz, California, USA, was investigated using the hydraulic system. Eighteen months of high frequency (min to h), high-resolution (μm) images were collected, and grain size distributions compiled. The data constitutes the longest known high-frequency record of seabed-grain size at this sample frequency, at any location. Short-term grain-size variability of sand in an energetic surf zone at Praa Sands, Cornwall, UK was investigated using the ‘wave-powered’ system. The data are the first high-frequency record of grain size at a single location of a highly mobile and evolving bed in a natural surf zone. Using this technology, it is now possible to measure bed-sediment-grain size at a time-scale comparable with flow conditions. Results suggest models of sediment transport at sandy, wave-dominated, nearshore locations should allow for substantial changes in grain-size distribution over time-scales as short as a few hours.

Influence of deep defects on device performance of thin-film polycrystalline silicon solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fehr, M.; Simon, P.; Sontheimer, T.; Leendertz, C.; Gorka, B.; Schnegg, A.; Rech, B.; Lips, K.

2012-09-01

Employing quantitative electron-paramagnetic resonance analysis and numerical simulations, we investigate the performance of thin-film polycrystalline silicon solar cells as a function of defect density. We find that the open-circuit voltage is correlated to the density of defects, which we assign to coordination defects at grain boundaries and in dislocation cores. Numerical device simulations confirm the observed correlation and indicate that the device performance is limited by deep defects in the absorber bulk. Analyzing the defect density as a function of grain size indicates a high concentration of intra-grain defects. For large grains (>2 μm), we find that intra-grain defects dominate over grain boundary defects and limit the solar cell performance.

Influence of Grain Size Distribution on the Mechanical Behavior of Light Alloys in Wide Range of Strain Rates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skripnyak, Vladimir A.; Skripnyak, Natalia V.; Skripnyak, Evgeniya G.; Skripnyak, Vladimir V.

2015-06-01

Inelastic deformation and damage at the mesoscale level of ultrafine grained (UFG) Al 1560 aluminum and Ma2-1 magnesium alloys with distribution of grain size were investigated in wide loading conditions by experimental and computer simulation methods. The computational multiscale models of representative volume element (RVE) with the unimodal and bimodal grain size distributions were developed using the data of structure researches aluminum and magnesium UFG alloys. The critical fracture stress of UFG alloys on mesoscale level depends on relative volumes of coarse grains. Microcracks nucleation at quasi-static and dynamic loading is associated with strain localization in UFG partial volumes with bimodal grain size distribution. Microcracks arise in the vicinity of coarse and ultrafine grains boundaries. It is revealed that the occurrence of bimodal grain size distributions causes the increasing of UFG alloys ductility, but decreasing of the tensile strength. The increasing of fine precipitations concentration not only causes the hardening but increasing of ductility of UFG alloys with bimodal grain size distribution. This research carried out in 2014-2015 was supported by grant from ``The Tomsk State University Academic D.I. Mendeleev Fund Program''.

Experimental analysis of armouring process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lamberti, Alberto; Paris, Ennio

Preliminary results from an experimental investigation on armouring processes are presented. Particularly, the process of development and formation of the armour layer under different steady flow conditions has been analyzed in terms of grain size variations and sediment transport rate associated to each size fraction.

Multiple antiferromagnet/ferromagnet interfaces as a probe of grain-size-dependent exchange bias in polycrystalline Co/Fe 50Mn 50

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bolon, Bruce T.; Haugen, M. A.; Abin-Fuentes, A.; Deneen, J.; Carter, C. B.; Leighton, C.

2007-02-01

We have used ferromagnet/antiferromagnet/ferromagnet trilayers and ferromagnet/antiferromagnet multilayers to probe the grain size dependence of exchange bias in polycrystalline Co/Fe 50Mn 50. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy show that the Fe 50Mn 50 (FeMn) grain size increases with increasing FeMn thickness in the Co (30 Å)/FeMn system. Hence, in Co(30 Å)/FeMn( tAF Å)/Co(30 Å) trilayers the two Co layers sample different FeMn grain sizes at the two antiferromagnet/ferromagnet interfaces. For FeMn thicknesses above 100 Å, where simple bilayers have a thickness-independent exchange bias, we are therefore able to deduce the influence of FeMn grain size on the exchange bias and coercivity (and their temperature dependence) simply by measuring trilayer and multilayer samples with varying FeMn thicknesses. This can be done while maintaining the (1 1 1) orientation, and with little variation in interface roughness. Increasing the average grain size from 90 to 135 Å results in a fourfold decrease in exchange bias, following an inverse grain size dependence. We interpret the results as being due to a decrease in uncompensated spin density with increasing antiferromagnet grain size, further evidence for the importance of defect-generated uncompensated spins.

[Effects of the grain size and thickness of dust deposits on soil water and salt movement in the hinterland of the Taklimakan Desert].

PubMed

Sun, Yan-Wei; Li, Sheng-Yu; Xu, Xin-Wen; Zhang, Jian-Guo; Li, Ying

2009-08-01

By using mcirolysimeter, a laboratory simulation experiment was conducted to study the effects of the grain size and thickness of dust deposits on the soil water evaporation and salt movement in the hinterland of the Taklimakan Desert. Under the same initial soil water content and deposition thickness condition, finer-textured (<0.063 mm) deposits promoted soil water evaporation, deeper soil desiccation, and surface soil salt accumulation, while coarse-textured (0.063-2 mm) deposits inhibited soil water evaporation and decreased deeper soil water loss and surface soil salt accumulation. The inhibition effect of the grain size of dust deposits on soil water evaporation had an inflection point at the grain size 0.20 mm, i. e., increased with increasing grain size when the grain size was 0.063-0.20 mm but decreased with increasing grain size when the grain size was > 0.20 mm. With the increasing thickness of dust deposits, its inhibition effect on soil water evaporation increased, and there existed a logarithmic relationship between the dust deposits thickness and water evaporation. Surface soil salt accumulation had a negative correlation with dust deposits thickness. In sum, the dust deposits in study area could affect the stability of arid desert ecosystem.

Comparisons of Fabric Strength and Development in Polycrystalline Ice at Atmospheric and Basal Hydrostatic Pressures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Breton, Daniel; Baker, Ian; Cole, David

2013-04-01

Understanding and predicting the flow of polycrystalline ice is crucial to ice sheet modeling and paleoclimate reconstruction from ice cores. Ice flow rates depend strongly on the fabric (i.e. the distribution of grain sizes and crystallographic orientations) which evolves over time and enhances the flow rate in the direction of applied stress. The mechanisms for fabric evolution in ice have been extensively studied at atmospheric pressures, but little work has been done to observe these processes at the high pressures experienced deep within ice sheets where long-term changes in ice rheology are expected to have significance. We conducted compressive creep tests to ~10% strain on 917 kg m-3, initially randomly-oriented polycrystalline ice specimens at 0.1 (atmospheric) and 20 MPa (simulating ~2,000 m depth) hydrostatic pressures, performing microstructural analyses on the resulting deformed specimens to characterize the evolution and strength of crystal fabric. Our microstructural analysis technique simultaneously collects grain shape and size data from Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) micrographs and obtains crystallographic orientation data via Electron BackScatter Diffraction (EBSD). Combining these measurements allows rapid analysis of the ice fabric over large numbers of grains, yielding statistically useful numbers of grain size and orientation data. We present creep and microstructural data to demonstrate pressure-dependent effects on the mechanical and microstructural evolution of polycrystalline ice and discuss possible mechanisms for the observed differences.

Ferrite grain refinement in low carbon Cu–P–Cr–Ni–Mo weathering steel at various temperatures in the (α + γ) region

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Chunling, E-mail: zhangchl@ysu.edu.cn; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401; Zhang, Mengmeng

2016-03-15

Self-designed Cu–P–Cr–Ni–Mo weathering steel was subjected to compression test to determine the mechanism of ferrite grain refinement from 750 °C to 925 °C. Optical microscopic images showed that ferrite grain size declined, whereas the ferrite volume fraction increased with increasing compression temperature. Electron backscatter diffraction patterns revealed that several low-angle boundaries shifted to high-angle boundaries, thereby generating fine ferrite grains surrounded by high-angle boundaries. Numerous low-angle boundaries were observed within ferrite grains at 750 °C, which indicated the existence of pre-eutectoid ferrite. Results showed that ferrite grain refinement could be due to continuous dynamic recrystallization at 750 °C and 775more » °C, and deformation-induced ferrite transformation could be the main mechanism at 800 °C and 850 °C. Fine equiaxed ferrite grains with size ranging from 1.77 μm to 2.69 μm were produced in the (α + γ) dual-phase region. - Graphical abstract: There is a close relationship between the microstructure evolution and flow curves during deformation. Fine equiaxed ferrite grains with size ranging from 1.77 μm to 2.69 μm were achieved in the (α + γ) dual-phase region. Ferrite grain refinement could be due to continuous dynamic recrystallization at 750 °C and 775 °C, and deformation-induced ferrite transformation at 800 °C and 850 °C. The occurrence of deformation-induced ferrite transformation and continuous dynamic recrystallization can be monitored by analysis of flow curves and microstructures. Deformation-induced ferrite transformation leads to the dynamic softening in flow curve when temperature just below A{sub r3}, while the dynamic softening in flow curve is ferrite continuous dynamic recrystallization (Special Fig. 5b). - Highlights: • Compression deformation was operated at temperatures from 750 °C to 925 °C at a strain rate of 0.1 s–1, and a strain of 1.2. • Fine equiaxed ferrite grains of ~1.77–2.19 μm were obtained at 750 °C and 775 °C via continuous dynamic recrystallization. • Ferrite grain size of ~2.31–2.69 μm at 800 °C and 850 °C can be obtained by deformation-induced ferrite transformation. • With decreasing deformation temperature the average grain size of ferrite decreased while volume fraction increased. • Ferrite refinement was from deformation-induced ferrite to continuous dynamic recrystallization as temperature reduced.« less

Reversal in the Size Dependence of Grain Rotation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhou, Xiaoling; Tamura, Nobumichi; Mi, Zhongying

The conventional belief, based on the Read-Shockley model for the grain rotation mechanism, has been that smaller grains rotate more under stress due to the motion of grain boundary dislocations. However, in our high-pressure synchrotron Laue x-ray microdiffraction experiments, 70 nm nickel particles are found to rotate more than any other grain size. We infer that the reversal in the size dependence of the grain rotation arises from the crossover between the grain boundary dislocation-mediated and grain interior dislocation-mediated deformation mechanisms. The dislocation activities in the grain interiors are evidenced by the deformation texture of nickel nanocrystals. This new findingmore » reshapes our view on the mechanism of grain rotation and helps us to better understand the plastic deformation of nanomaterials, particularly of the competing effects of grain boundary and grain interior dislocations.« less

Reversal in the Size Dependence of Grain Rotation

DOE PAGES

Zhou, Xiaoling; Tamura, Nobumichi; Mi, Zhongying; ...

2017-03-01

The conventional belief, based on the Read-Shockley model for the grain rotation mechanism, has been that smaller grains rotate more under stress due to the motion of grain boundary dislocations. However, in our high-pressure synchrotron Laue x-ray microdiffraction experiments, 70 nm nickel particles are found to rotate more than any other grain size. We infer that the reversal in the size dependence of the grain rotation arises from the crossover between the grain boundary dislocation-mediated and grain interior dislocation-mediated deformation mechanisms. The dislocation activities in the grain interiors are evidenced by the deformation texture of nickel nanocrystals. This new findingmore » reshapes our view on the mechanism of grain rotation and helps us to better understand the plastic deformation of nanomaterials, particularly of the competing effects of grain boundary and grain interior dislocations.« less

The 1815 Tambora ash fall: implications for transport and deposition of distal ash on land and in the deep sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kandlbauer, Jessica; Carey, Steven N.; Sparks, R. Stephen J.

2013-04-01

Tambora volcano lies on the Sanggar Peninsula of Sumbawa Island in the Indonesian archipelago. During the great 1815 explosive eruption, the majority of the erupted pyroclastic material was dispersed and subsequently deposited into the Indian Ocean and Java Sea. This study focuses on the grain size distribution of distal 1815 Tambora ash deposited in the deep sea compared to ash fallen on land. Grain size distribution is an important factor in assessing potential risks to aviation and human health, and provides additional information about the ash transport mechanisms within volcanic umbrella clouds. Grain size analysis was performed using high precision laser diffraction for a particle range of 0.2 μm-2 mm diameter. The results indicate that the deep-sea samples provide a smooth transition to the land samples in terms of grain size distributions despite the different depositional environments. Even the very fine ash fraction (<10 μm) is deposited in the deep sea, suggesting vertical density currents as a fast and effective means of transport to the seafloor. The measured grain size distribution is consistent with an improved atmospheric gravity current sedimentation model that takes into account the finite duration of an eruption. In this model, the eruption time and particle fall velocity are the critical parameters for assessing the ash component depositing while the cloud advances versus the ash component depositing once the eruption terminates. With the historical data on eruption duration (maximum 24 h) and volumetric flow rate of the umbrella cloud (˜1.5-2.5 × 1011 m3/s) as input to the improved model, and assuming a combination of 3 h Plinian phase and 21 h co-ignimbrite phase, it reduces the mean deviation of the predicted versus observed grain size distribution by more than half (˜9.4 % to ˜3.7 %) if both ash components are considered.

Modeling of grain size strengthening in tantalum at high pressures and strain rates

DOE PAGES

Rudd, Robert E.; Park, H. -S.; Cavallo, R. M.; ...

2017-01-01

Laser-driven ramp wave compression experiments have been used to investigate the strength (flow stress) of tantalum and other metals at high pressures and high strain rates. Recently this kind of experiment has been used to assess the dependence of the strength on the average grain size of the material, finding no detectable variation with grain size. The insensitivity to grain size has been understood theoretically to result from the dominant effect of the high dislocation density generated at the extremely high strain rates of the experiment. Here we review the experiments and describe in detail the multiscale strength model usedmore » to simulate them. The multiscale strength model has been extended to include the effect of geometrically necessary dislocations generated at the grain boundaries during compatible plastic flow in the polycrystalline metal. Lastly, we use the extended model to make predictions of the threshold strain rates and grain sizes below which grain size strengthening would be observed in the laser-driven Rayleigh-Taylor experiments.« less

Textural analysis of marine sediments at the USGS Woods Hole Science Center; methodology and data on DVD

USGS Publications Warehouse

Poppe, Lawrence J.; Williams, S. Jeffress; Paskevich, Valerie F.

2006-01-01

Marine sediments off the eastern United States vary markedly in texture (i.e., the size, shape, composition, and arrangement of their grains) due to a complex geologic history. For descriptive purposes, however, it is typically most useful to classify these sediments according to their grain-size distributions. In 1962, the U.S. Geological Survey began a program to study the marine geology of the continental margin off the Atlantic coast of the United States. As part of this program and numerous subsequent projects, thousands of sediment grab samples and cores were collected and analyzed for grain size at the Woods Hole Science Center. USGS Open-File Report 2005-1001 (Poppe et al., 2005), available on DVD and online, describes the field methods used to collect marine sediment samples as well as the laboratory methods used to determine and characterize grain-size distributions, and presents these data in several formats that can be readily employed by interested parties. The report is divided into three sections. The first section discusses procedures and contains pictures of the equipment, analytical flow diagrams, video clips with voice commentary, classification schemes, useful forms and compiled and uncompiled versions of the data-acquisition and data-processing software with documentation. The second section contains the grain-size data for more than 23,000 analyses in two “flat-file” formats, a data dictionary, and color-coded browse maps. The third section provides a GIS data catalog of the available point, interpretive, and baseline data layers, with FGDC-compliant metadata to help users visualize the textural information in a geographic context.

Element enrichment factor calculation using grain-size distribution and functional data regression.

PubMed

Sierra, C; Ordóñez, C; Saavedra, A; Gallego, J R

2015-01-01

In environmental geochemistry studies it is common practice to normalize element concentrations in order to remove the effect of grain size. Linear regression with respect to a particular grain size or conservative element is a widely used method of normalization. In this paper, the utility of functional linear regression, in which the grain-size curve is the independent variable and the concentration of pollutant the dependent variable, is analyzed and applied to detrital sediment. After implementing functional linear regression and classical linear regression models to normalize and calculate enrichment factors, we concluded that the former regression technique has some advantages over the latter. First, functional linear regression directly considers the grain-size distribution of the samples as the explanatory variable. Second, as the regression coefficients are not constant values but functions depending on the grain size, it is easier to comprehend the relationship between grain size and pollutant concentration. Third, regularization can be introduced into the model in order to establish equilibrium between reliability of the data and smoothness of the solutions. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influence of Hydrodynamic Sorting on the Composition and Age of Yellow River Suspended Particulate Organic Matter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, M.; Eglinton, T. I.; Haghipour, N.; Montluçon, D. B.; Wacker, L.; Hou, P.; Zhao, M.

2016-12-01

The transport of organic carbon (OC) by rivers to coastal oceans is an important component of the global carbon cycle. The Yellow River (YR), the second largest river in China, transports large amounts of particulate organic carbon (POC) to the Chinese marginal seas, with fossil and pre-aged (ca, 1600 yr) OC comprising the dominant components. However, the influence of hydrodynamic processes on the origin, composition and age of POC exported by the YR remains poorly understood, yet these processes likely ultimately play an important role in determining OC fate in the Chinese marginal seas. We address this question through bulk, biomarker and carbon isotopic (δ13C and Δ14C) characterization of organic matter associated with different grain size fractions of total suspended particles (TSP) in the YR. Surface TSP samples were collected in the spring, summer, fall and during the Water-Sediment Regulation period (WSR, July) of 2015. TSP samples were separated into five grain-size fractions (<8μm, 8-16μm, 16-32μm, 32-63μm and >63μm) for organic geochemical and isotope analysis. Generally, the 16-32 and 32-63μm fractions contributed most of the TSP mass and the majority of OC resided in 16-32μm fraction. TOC% decreased with increasing grain size and 14C ages exhibited significant variability, ranging from 3,335 yr (<8μm fraction in summer) to 11,120 yr (>63μm fraction in autumn), but did not show any systematic trend among grain size fractions or across sampling times. In contrast, compound-specific 14C analysis of long-chain n-fatty acids (C26-30 FAs) revealed two clear patterns: first, C26-30 FAs age decreased with increasing grain size for all sampling times; second, the C26-30 FAs age difference was the largest among the different size fractions during the WSR period, and smallest after the WSR. These findings have important implications for our understanding of riverine POC transport mechanisms and their influence on the dispersal and burial efficiency of terrestrial OC in coastal oceans.

Measuring spatiotemporal variation in snow optical grain size under a subalpine forest canopy using contact spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Molotch, Noah P.; Barnard, David M.; Burns, Sean P.; Painter, Thomas H.

2016-09-01

The distribution of forest cover exerts strong controls on the spatiotemporal distribution of snow accumulation and snowmelt. The physical processes that govern these controls are poorly understood given a lack of detailed measurements of snow states. In this study, we address one of many measurement gaps by using contact spectroscopy to measure snow optical grain size at high spatial resolution in trenches dug between tree boles in a subalpine forest. Trenches were collocated with continuous measurements of snow depth and vertical profiles of snow temperature and supplemented with manual measurements of snow temperature, geometric grain size, grain type, and density from trench walls. There was a distinct difference in snow optical grain size between winter and spring periods. In winter and early spring, when facetted snow crystal types were dominant, snow optical grain size was 6% larger in canopy gaps versus under canopy positions; a difference that was smaller than the measurement uncertainty. By midspring, the magnitude of snow optical grain size differences increased dramatically and patterns of snow optical grain size became highly directional with 34% larger snow grains in areas south versus north of trees. In winter, snow temperature gradients were up to 5-15°C m-1 greater under the canopy due to shallower snow accumulation. However, in canopy gaps, snow depths were greater in fall and early winter and therefore more significant kinetic growth metamorphism occurred relative to under canopy positions, resulting in larger snow grains in canopy gaps. Our findings illustrate the novelty of our method of measuring snow optical grain size, allowing for future studies to advance the understanding of how forest and meteorological conditions interact to impact snowpack evolution.

Magnetic properties and microstructure of gas atomized MRE2(Fe, Co)14B powder with ZrC addition (MRE=Nd + Y + Dy)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tang, W.; Wu, Y. Q.; Dennis, K.

2009-05-12

Gas atomization powder with Zr substitutions for the MRE and ZrC additions were systematically studied. The results show that the partial substitutions of Zr and the ZrC additions effectively improved glass formability in the alloys. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the as-atomized powder with a particle size of less than 32 {micro}m is predominately uniform equiaxed grains with an average grain size of 1.5 {micro}m. X-ray diffraction and differential thermal analysis measurements detected very tiny amounts of amorphous phase. After annealing at 700 C for 15 min, the SEM grain microstructure exhibits a minor change, but magnetic properties aremore » substantially improved. M versus T measurements reveal that the phase composition evolved from 2:14:1 plus a small amount of 2:17 phases to a single 2:14:1 phase during the annealing process. The sieve analysis of the powders showed a particle size distribution with 90 wt % of the powder less than 45 {micro}m. The magnetic properties of the annealed powder varied with particle size. (BH){sub max} first increases with increasing particle size from 5 {micro}m, reaches the peak value in the size range of 20-25 {micro}m, and then decreases with increasing particle size. For the 20-25 {micro}m powder sample annealed at 700 C for 15 min, the (BH){sub max} of 9.6 MG Oe at room temperature and 5.6 MG Oe at 200 C were obtained, respectively.« less

Deformation Characteristics and Recrystallization Response of a 9310 Steel Alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Snyder, David; Chen, Edward Y.; Chen, Charlie C.; Tin, Sammy

2013-01-01

The flow behavior and recrystallization response of a 9310 steel alloy deformed in the ferrite temperature range were studied in this work. Samples were compressed under various conditions of strain (0.6, 0.8 and multi-axial), strain rate (10-4 seconds-1 to 10-1 seconds-1) and temperature [811 K to 1033 K (538 °C to 760 °C)] using a Gleeble thermo-mechanical simulator. Deformation was characterized by both qualitative and quantitative means, using standard microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis and flow stress modeling. The results indicate that deformation is primarily accommodated through dynamic recovery in sub-grain formation. EBSD analysis shows a continuous increase in sub-grain boundary misorientation with increasing strain, ultimately producing recrystallized grains from the sub-grains at high strains. This suggests that a sub-grain rotation recrystallization mechanism predominates in this temperature range. Analyses of the results reveal a decreasing mean dynamically recrystallized grain size with increasing Zener-Hollomon parameter, and an increasing recrystallized fraction with increasing strain.

Charging of Individual Micron-Size Interstellar/Planetary Dust Grains by Secondary Electron Emissions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tankosic, D.; Abbas, M. M.

2012-01-01

Dust grains in various astrophysical environments are generally charged electrostatically by photoelectric emissions with UV/X-ray radiation, as well as by electron/ion impact. Knowledge of physical and optical properties of individual dust grains is required for understanding of the physical and dynamical processes in space environments and the role of dust in formation of stellar and planetary systems. In this paper, we discuss experimental results on dust charging by electron impact, where low energy electrons are scattered or stick to the dust grains, thereby charging the dust grains negatively, and at sufficiently high energies the incident electrons penetrate the grain leading to excitation and emission of electrons referred to as secondary electron emission (SEE). Currently, very limited experimental data are available for charging of individual micron-size dust grains, particularly by low energy electron impact. Available theoretical models based on the Sternglass equation (Sternglass, 1954) are applicable for neutral, planar, and bulk surfaces only. However, charging properties of individual micron-size dust grains are expected to be different from the values measured on bulk materials. Our recent experimental results on individual, positively charged, micron-size lunar dust grains levitated in an electrodynamic balance facility (at NASA-MSFC) indicate that the SEE by electron impact is a complex process. The electron impact may lead to charging or discharging of dust grains depending upon the grain size, surface potential, electron energy, electron flux, grain composition, and configuration (e.g. Abbas et al, 2010). Here we discuss the complex nature of SEE charging properties of individual micron-size lunar dust grains and silica microspheres.

Effect of Process Variables on the Grain Size and Crystallographic Texture of Hot-Dip Galvanized Coatings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaboli, Shirin; McDermid, Joseph R.

2014-08-01

A galvanizing simulator was used to determine the effect of galvanizing bath antimony (Sb) content, substrate surface roughness, and cooling rate on the microstructural development of metallic zinc coatings. Substrate surface roughness was varied through the use of relatively rough hot-rolled and relatively smooth bright-rolled steels, cooling rates were varied from 0.1 to 10 K/s, and bulk bath Sb levels were varied from 0 to 0.1 wt pct. In general, it was found that increasing bath Sb content resulted in coatings with a larger grain size and strongly promoted the development of coatings with the close-packed {0002} basal plane parallel to the substrate surface. Increasing substrate surface roughness tended to decrease the coating grain size and promoted a more random coating crystallographic texture, except in the case of the highest Sb content bath (0.1 wt pct Sb), where substrate roughness had no significant effect on grain size except at higher cooling rates (10 K/s). Increased cooling rates tended to decrease the coating grain size and promote the {0002} basal orientation. Calculations showed that increasing the bath Sb content from 0 to 0.1 wt pct Sb increased the dendrite tip growth velocity from 0.06 to 0.11 cm/s by decreasing the solid-liquid interface surface energy from 0.77 to 0.45 J/m2. Increased dendrite tip velocity only partially explains the formation of larger zinc grains at higher Sb levels. It was also found that the classic nucleation theory cannot completely explain the present experimental observations, particularly the effect of increasing the bath Sb, where the classical theory predicts increased nucleation and a finer grain size. In this case, the "poisoning" theory of nucleation sites by segregated Sb may provide a partial explanation. However, any analysis is greatly hampered by the lack of fundamental thermodynamic information such as partition coefficients and surface energies and by a lack of fundamental structural studies. Overall, it was concluded that the fundamental mechanisms behind the microstructural development of solidified metallic zinc coatings have yet to be completely elucidated and require further investigation.

Interaction between riverbed condition and characteristics of debris flow in Ichino-sawa subwatershed of Ohya-kuzure landslide, Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsunetaka, Haruka; Hotta, Norifumi; Imaizumi, Fumitoshi; Hayakawa, Yuichi S.; Yumen, Noriki

2015-04-01

Large-scale sediment movements, such as a deep-seated landslide, not only induce immediate sediment disasters but also produce a large amount of unstable sediment upstream. Most of the unstable sediment residing in the upstream area is discharged as debris flow. Hence, after the occurrence of large-scale sediment movement, debris flows have a long-term effect on the watershed regime. However, the characteristics of debris flow in upstream areas are not well understood, due to the topographic and grain-size conditions that are more complicated than the downstream area. This study was performed to reveal the relationship between such a riverbed condition and the characteristics of debris flow by field observations. The study site was Ichinosawa-subwatershed in the Ohya-kuzure basin, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. The basin experienced a deep-seated landslide about 300 years ago and is currently actively yielding sediment with a clear annual cycle. During the winter season, sediment is deposited on the valley bottom by freeze-thaw and weathering. In the summer season, the deposited sediment is discharged incrementally by debris flows related to storm events. Topographical survey and grain-size analysis were performed several times between November 2011 and November 2014. High-resolution digital elevation models (10 cm) were created from the results of a topographical survey using a terrestrial laser scanner. A grain-size analysis was conducted in the upper, middle, and lower parts of the study site. Debris flow occurrences were also monitored in the same period by a sensor-triggered video camera and interval camera. Rainfall was observed during the summer season for comparison with debris flow occurrence. Several debris flows of different magnitudes were observed during the study period. Although heavy rainfall events altered the bed inclination, the thickness of deposited sediment, and the grain-size distribution, more significant changes were detected after the debris flow. While the initial grain-size distribution in early spring was roughly identical across the study site, the subsequent changes in the grain-size distribution differed according to location. The source, transport and deposition areas of the debris flows differed among rainfall events, resulting in different transitions in topographic conditions at different locations. Furthermore, surges of debris flow not only induced erosion-deposited sediment but also suspended and deposited sediment in the same area during one typhoon event. A comparison of the results indicated that, in addition to the conditions of the triggering rainfall, topographic and grain-size conditions affected the debris flow occurrence and magnitude. These interactions also showed that the magnitude and form of the succeeding debris flow could be dominant, depending on changing riverbed condition by past debris flows in upstream areas.

Investigating Holocene Glacial and Pluvials Events in the Sierra Nevada of California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ashford, J.; Sickman, J. O.; Lucero, D. M.; Kirby, M.; Gray, A. B.

2016-12-01

Understanding interannual and decadal variation in snowfall and extreme hydrologic events in the Sierra Nevada is hampered by short instrumental record and uncertainty caused by extrapolating paleoclimate data from lower elevation systems to the alpine snow deposition zone. Longer paleo records from high elevation systems are necessary to provide a more accurate record of snow water content and extreme precipitation events over millennial timescales that can be used to test hypotheses regarding teleconnections between Pacific climate variability and water supply and flood risk in California. In October 2013 we collected sediment cores from Pear Lake, an alpine lake in Sequoia National Park. The cores were split and characterized by P-wave velocity, magnetic susceptibility and density scanning along with grain-size analysis at 1-2 cm increments. Radiocarbon dates indicate that the Pear Lake cores contain a 13.5K year record of lake sediment. In contrast to other Sierra Nevada lakes previously cored by our group, high-resolution scanning revealed alternating fine grained, light-dark bands (1 mm to 5 mm thick) for most of the Pear Lake core length. This pattern was interrupted at intervals by homogenous clasts (up to 75 mm thick) ranging in grain size from sand to gravel up to 1 cm diameter. The sand to gravel sized clasts are most likely associated with extreme precipitation events. Preliminary grain-size analysis results show evidence of isolated extreme hydrologic events and sections of increased event frequency which we hypothesize are the result of atmospheric rivers intersecting the southern Sierra Nevada outside of the snow covered period.

Automated Mineral Analysis to Characterize Metalliferous Mine Waste

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hensler, Ana-Sophie; Lottermoser, Bernd G.; Vossen, Peter; Langenberg, Lukas C.

2016-10-01

The objective of this study was to investigate the applicability of automated QEMSCAN® mineral analysis combined with bulk geochemical analysis to evaluate the environmental risk of non-acid producing mine waste present at the historic Albertsgrube Pb-Zn mine site, Hastenrath, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Geochemical analyses revealed elevated average abundances of As, Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, Sb and Zn and near neutral to slightly alkaline paste pH values. Mineralogical analyses using the QEMSCAN® revealed diverse mono- and polymineralic particles across all samples, with grain sizes ranging from a few μm up to 2000 μm. Calcite and dolomite (up to 78 %), smithsonite (up to 24 %) and Ca sulphate (up to 11.5 %) are present mainly as coarse-grained particles. By contrast, significant amounts of quartz, muscovite/illite, sphalerite (up to 10.8 %), galena (up to 1 %), pyrite (up to 3.4 %) and cerussite/anglesite (up to 4.3 %) are present as fine-grained (<500 μm) particles. QEMSCAN® analysis also identified disseminated sauconite, coronadite/chalcophanite, chalcopyrite, jarosite, apatite, rutile, K-feldspar, biotite, Fe (hydr) oxides/CO3 and unknown Zn Pb(Fe) and Zn Pb Ca (Fe Ti) phases. Many of the metal-bearing sulphide grains occur as separate particles with exposed surface areas and thus, may be matter of environmental concern because such mineralogical hosts will continue to release metals and metalloids (As, Cd, Sb, Zn) at near neutral pH into ground and surface waters. QEMSCAN® mineral analysis allows acquisition of fully quantitative data on the mineralogical composition, textural characteristics and grain size estimation of mine waste material and permits the recognition of mine waste as “high-risk” material that would have otherwise been classified by traditional geochemical tests as benign.

An experimental assessment of the size effects on the strength and ductility of freestanding copper films under macroscopically homogenous deformation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chauhan, Shakti Singh

Metallic interconnects and circuitry has been experiencing excessive deformation beyond their elastic limits in many applications, ranging from micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) to flexible electronics. These broad applications are creating needs to understand the extent of strength and ductility of freestanding metallic films at scales approaching the micron and sub micron range. This work aims to elucidate the effects of microstructural constraint as well as geometric dimensional constraint on the strength and ductility of freestanding Cu films under uniaxial tension. Two types of films are tested (i) high purity rolled films of 12.5-100microm thickness and average grain sizes of 11-47microm and (ii) electroplated films of 2-50 microm thickness and average grain sizes of 1.8-5microm. Several experimental tools including residual electrical resistivity measurements, surface strain measurements and surface roughness measurements are employed to highlight the underlying deformation mechanisms leading to the observed size effects. With respect to the strength of the specimens, we find that the nature and magnitude of thickness effects is very sensitive to the average grain size. In all cases, coupled thickness and grain size effects were observed. This study shows that this observed coupling, unique to the case of freestanding specimen, arises because the observed size effects are an outcome of the size dependence of two fundamental microstructural parameters i.e. volume fraction of surface grains and grain boundary area per unit specimen volume. For films having thickness and grain sizes greater than 5microm, thickness dependent weakening is observed for a constant grain size. Reducing thickness results in an increase in the volume fraction of grains exposed to the free surface as well as a reduction in the grain boundary area per unit specimen volume. The former effect leads to a reduction in the effective microstructural constraint on the intragranular dislocation activity in individual grains. This free surface related effect is the origin of a weakening contribution to the overall specimen strength with reducing thickness. For specimens with grain sizes ˜ O (10-50microm), this effect was found to be dominating i.e. reducing thickness resulted in reducing strength. A phenomenological model employing the flow strength of surface and bulk grains is proposed to model the observed trends. For films having thickness and grain sizes smaller than 5microm, size dependent strengthening is observed for a constant grain size. At this scale, grain boundary dislocations dominate. As a consequence, thickness effects arise because grain boundary dislocation source density per unit specimen volume reduces with reducing specimen thickness. This statistical reduction in dislocation source density leads to increasing specimen strength via source starvation strengthening. Our results show that such increasing specimen strength with reducing thickness, which has only been observed previously for nanocrystalline thin films, first appears at average grain size of ˜5microm or xx smaller. The measurements showed a characteristic length scale of about 5microm, which defines the size dependent strengthening or weakening of the film. With respect to the thickness effects on ductility, it was found that both thickness and average grain size affect ductility. While prominent thickness effects persist at larger grain sizes, for specimens with grain size approaching 1microm, the loss of strain hardening ability at such fine microstructures dominates and a limiting ductility of ˜2% is seen irrespective of the thickness. The observed thickness effects on ductility were investigated via surface roughness measurements that allow the characterization of initiation and evolution of deformation heterogeneities. It was found that thickness has a strong influence on the characteristic heterogeneity of deformation. At small specimen thicknesses, the deformation was found to be highly localized i.e. widely spaced regions showing substantial thickness reduction, hence increasing the vulnerability to the onset of plastic instabilities. At larger thicknesses, however, the increasing microstructural constraint delocalizes the strain and thereby precludes the early onset of instability, leading to enhanced ductility.

Computer program for the calculation of grain size statistics by the method of moments

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sawyer, Michael B.

1977-01-01

A computer program is presented for a Hewlett-Packard Model 9830A desk-top calculator (1) which calculates statistics using weight or point count data from a grain-size analysis. The program uses the method of moments in contrast to the more commonly used but less inclusive graphic method of Folk and Ward (1957). The merits of the program are: (1) it is rapid; (2) it can accept data in either grouped or ungrouped format; (3) it allows direct comparison with grain-size data in the literature that have been calculated by the method of moments; (4) it utilizes all of the original data rather than percentiles from the cumulative curve as in the approximation technique used by the graphic method; (5) it is written in the computer language BASIC, which is easily modified and adapted to a wide variety of computers; and (6) when used in the HP-9830A, it does not require punching of data cards. The method of moments should be used only if the entire sample has been measured and the worker defines the measured grain-size range. (1) Use of brand names in this paper does not imply endorsement of these products by the U.S. Geological Survey.

Microstructure and nanohardness distribution in a polycrystalline Zn deformed by high strain rate impact

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dirras, G., E-mail: dirras@univ-paris13.fr; Ouarem, A.; Couque, H.

2011-05-15

Polycrystalline Zn with an average grain size of about 300 {mu}m was deformed by direct impact Hopkinson pressure bar at a velocity of 29 m/s. An inhomogeneous grain structure was found consisting of a center region having large average grain size of 20 {mu}m surrounded by a fine-grained rim with an average grain size of 6 {mu}m. Transmission electron microscopy investigations showed a significant dislocation density in the large-grained area while in the fine-grained rim the dislocation density was negligible. Most probably, the higher strain yielded recrystallization in the outer ring while in the center only recovery occurred. The hardeningmore » effect of dislocations overwhelms the smaller grain size strengthening in the center part resulting in higher nanohardness in this region than in the outer ring. - Graphical Abstract: (a): EBSD micrograph showing the initial microstructure of polycrystalline Zn that was subsequently submitted to high strain rate impact. (b): an inhomogeneous grain size refinement was obtained which consists of a central coarse-grained area, surrounded by a fine-grained recrystallized rim. The black arrow points to the disc center. Research Highlights: {yields} A polycrystalline Zn specimen was submitted to high strain rate impact loading. {yields} Inhomogeneous grain refinement occurred due to strain gradient in impacted sample. {yields} A fine-grained recrystallized rim surrounded the coarse-grained center of specimen. {yields} The coarse-grained center exhibited higher hardness than the fine-grained rim. {yields} The higher hardness of the center was caused by the higher dislocation density.« less

The importance of grain size to mantle dynamics and seismological observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gassmoeller, R.; Dannberg, J.; Eilon, Z.; Faul, U.; Moulik, P.; Myhill, R.

2017-12-01

Grain size plays a key role in controlling the mechanical properties of the Earth's mantle, affecting both long-timescale flow patterns and anelasticity on the timescales of seismic wave propagation. However, dynamic models of Earth's convecting mantle usually implement flow laws with constant grain size, stress-independent viscosity, and a limited treatment of changes in mineral assemblage. We study grain size evolution, its interplay with stress and strain rate in the convecting mantle, and its influence on seismic velocities and attenuation. Our geodynamic models include the simultaneous and competing effects of dynamic recrystallization resulting from dislocation creep, grain growth in multiphase assemblages, and recrystallization at phase transitions. They show that grain size evolution drastically affects the dynamics of mantle convection and the rheology of the mantle, leading to lateral viscosity variations of six orders of magnitude due to grain size alone, and controlling the shape of upwellings and downwellings. Using laboratory-derived scaling relationships, we convert model output to seismologically-observable parameters (velocity, attenuation) facilitating comparison to Earth structure. Reproducing the fundamental features of the Earth's attenuation profile requires reduced activation volume and relaxed shear moduli in the lower mantle compared to the upper mantle, in agreement with geodynamic constraints. Faster lower mantle grain growth yields best fit to seismic observations, consistent with our re-examination of high pressure grain growth parameters. We also show that ignoring grain size in interpretations of seismic anomalies may underestimate the Earth's true temperature variations.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

El Atwani, Osman; Hinks, Jonathan; Greaves, Graeme

Nanocrystalline metals are considered highly radiation-resistant materials due to their large grain boundary areas. Here, the existence of a grain size threshold for enhanced irradiation resistance in high-temperature helium-irradiated nanocrystalline and ultrafine tungsten is demonstrated. Average bubble density, projected bubble area and the corresponding change in volume were measured via transmission electron microscopy and plotted as a function of grain size for two ion fluences. Nanocrystalline grains of less than 35 nm size possess ~10–20 times lower change in volume than ultrafine grains and this is discussed in terms of the grain boundaries defect sink efficiency.

Effects of laser power density and initial grain size in laser shock punching of pure copper foil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Chao; Zhang, Xiu; Zhang, Yiliang; Ji, Zhong; Luan, Yiguo; Song, Libin

2018-06-01

The effects of laser power density and initial grain size on forming quality of holes in laser shock punching process were investigated in the present study. Three different initial grain sizes as well as three levels of laser power densities were provided, and then laser shock punching experiments of T2 copper foil were conducted. Based upon the experimental results, the characteristics of shape accuracy, fracture surface morphology and microstructures of punched holes were examined. It is revealed that the initial grain size has a noticeable effect on forming quality of holes punched by laser shock. The shape accuracy of punched holes degrades with the increase of grain size. As the laser power density is enhanced, the shape accuracy can be improved except for the case in which the ratio of foil thickness to initial grain size is approximately equal to 1. Compared with the fracture surface morphology in the quasistatic loading conditions, the fracture surface after laser shock can be divided into three zones including rollover, shearing and burr. The distribution of the above three zones strongly relates with the initial grain size. When the laser power density is enhanced, the shearing depth is not increased, but even diminishes in some cases. There is no obvious change of microstructures with the enhancement of laser power density. However, while the initial grain size is close to the foil thickness, single-crystal shear deformation may occur, suggesting that the ratio of foil thickness to initial grain size has an important impact on deformation behavior of metal foil in laser shock punching process.

Effect of stochastic grain heating on cold dense clouds chemistry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Long-Fei; Chang, Qiang; Xi, Hong-Wei

2018-06-01

The temperatures of dust grains play important roles in the chemical evolution of molecular clouds. Unlike large grains, the temperature fluctuations of small grains induced by photons may be significant. Therefore, if the grain size distribution is included in astrochemical models, the temperatures of small dust grains may not be assumed to be constant. We simulate a full gas-grain reaction network with a set of dust grain radii using the classical MRN grain size distribution and include the temperature fluctuations of small dust grains. Monte Carlo method is used to simulate the real-time dust grain's temperature fluctuations which is caused by the external low energy photons and the internal cosmic ray induced secondary photons. The increase of dust grains radii as ice mantles accumulate on grain surfaces is also included in our models. We found that surface CO2 abundances in models with grain size distribution and temperature fluctuations are more than one order of magnitude larger than those with single grain size. Small amounts of terrestrial complex organic molecules (COMs) can also be formed on small grains due to the temperature spikes induced by external low energy photons. However, cosmic ray induced secondary photons overheat small grains so that surface CO sublime and less radicals are formed on grains surfaces, thus the production of surface CO2 and COMs decreases by about one order of magnitude. The overheating of small grains can be offset by grain growth so that the formation of surface CO2 and COMs becomes more efficient.

Grain boundary stability governs hardening and softening in extremely fine nanograined metals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, J.; Shi, Y. N.; Sauvage, X.; Sha, G.; Lu, K.

2017-03-01

Conventional metals become harder with decreasing grain sizes, following the classical Hall-Petch relationship. However, this relationship fails and softening occurs at some grain sizes in the nanometer regime for some alloys. In this study, we discovered that plastic deformation mechanism of extremely fine nanograined metals and their hardness are adjustable through tailoring grain boundary (GB) stability. The electrodeposited nanograined nickel-molybdenum (Ni-Mo) samples become softened for grain sizes below 10 nanometers because of GB-mediated processes. With GB stabilization through relaxation and Mo segregation, ultrahigh hardness is achieved in the nanograined samples with a plastic deformation mechanism dominated by generation of extended partial dislocations. Grain boundary stability provides an alternative dimension, in addition to grain size, for producing novel nanograined metals with extraordinary properties.

Coupled transport-reaction pathways and distribution patterns between siliciclastic-carbonate sediments at the Ria de Vigo

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

García, T.; Velo, A.; Fernandez-Bastero, S.; Gago-Duport, L.; Santos, A.; Alejo, I.; Vilas, F.

2005-02-01

This paper examines the linkages between the space-distribution of grain sizes and the relative percentage of the amount of mineral species that result from the mixing process of siliciclastic and carbonate sediments at the Ria de Vigo (NW of Spain). The space-distribution of minerals was initially determined, starting from a detailed mineralogical study based on XRD-Rietveld analysis of the superficial sediments. Correlations between the maps obtained for grain sizes, average fractions of either siliciclastic or carbonates, as well as for individual-minerals, were further stabilised. From this analysis, spatially organized patterns were found between carbonates and several minerals involved in the siliciclastic fraction. In particular, a coupled behaviour is observed between plagioclases and carbonates, in terms of their relative percentage amounts and the grain size distribution. In order to explain these results a conceptual model is proposed, based on the interplay between chemical processes at the seawater-sediment interface and hydrodynamical factors. This model suggests the existence of chemical control mechanisms that, by selective processes of dissolution-crystallization, constrain the mixed environment's long-term evolution, inducing the formation of self-organized sedimentary patterns.

Two-phase nc-TiN/a-(C,CN{sub x}) nanocomposite films: A HRTEM and MC simulation study

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Guo, J.; Lu, Y. H.; Hu, X. J.

2013-06-18

The grain growth in two-phase nanocomposite Ti-C{sub x}-N{sub y} thin films grown by reactive close-field unbalanced magnetron sputtering in an Ar-N{sub 2} gas mixture with microstructures comprising of nanocrystalline (nc-) Ti(N,C) phase surrounded by amorphous (a-) (C,CN{sub x}) phase was investigated by a combination of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. The HRTEM results revealed that amorphous-free solid solution Ti(C,N) thin films exhibited polycrystallites with different sizes, orientations and irregular shapes. The grain size varied in the range between several nanometers and several decade nanometers. Further increase of C content (up to {approx}19 at.% C) mademore » the amorphous phase wet nanocrystallites, which strongly hindered the growth of nanocrystallites. As a result, more regular Ti(C,N) nanocrystallites with an average size of {approx}5 nm were found to be separated by {approx}0.5-nm amorphous phases. When C content was further increased (up to {approx}48 at.% in this study), thicker amorphous matrices were produced and followed by the formation of smaller sized grains with lognormal distribution. Our MC analysis indicated that with increasing amorphous volume fraction (i.e. increasing C content), the transformation from nc/nc grain boundary (GB)-curvature-driven growth to a/nc GB-curvature-driven growth is directly responsible for the observed grain growth from great inhomogeneity to homogeneity process.« less

Synthesis, Dielectric, Electrical and Optical characterization of ZnO synthesized by chemical route using polymer precursors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mishra, Raman; Bajpai, P. K.

2011-11-01

Nano-size ZnO (particle size 7.8 nm) have been prepared from a versatile, efficient and technically simple polymer matrix based precursor solution. The precursor solution constituted of zinc nitrates with polymer PVA in presence of mono-/disaccharides. Annealing the precursor mass at 900 °C single phase zinc oxide nano-particles are obtained. X-ray diffraction analysis confirms hexagonal crystal structure with lattice parameter a = b = 3.261 A0, c = 5.220 A0. The estimated average particle size obtained from XRD data is ≈7.8 nm. The impedance analysis reveals that the grain resistance decreases with increase in temperature as expected for a semi-conducting material. The relaxation is polydispersive and conduction is mainly through grains. Optical properties and AC/DC conduction activation energies are estimated from Arrhenius plots and conduction mechanism is discussed.

Computational study of deformation mechanisms and grain size evolution in granulites - Implications for the rheology of the lower crust

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maierová, Petra; Lexa, Ondrej; Jeřábek, Petr; Schulmann, Karel; Franěk, Jan

2017-05-01

Most of granulite terrains worldwide are characterized by large mean grain sizes of 1 mm or more. An important exception are the high-pressure felsic granulites in the Bohemian Massif, the European Variscan belt. There, recrystallization of original coarse-grained ternary feldspar led to formation of a fine-grained (∼100 μm) mixed matrix dominated by plagioclase and K-feldspar. This change occurred at temperatures of ∼850 °C and was probably caused by chemically induced decomposition related to slight cooling and enhanced by deformation during continental collision. The resulting microstructure shows indications of diffusion creep assisted by melt-enhanced grain-boundary sliding. Further on, minor coarsening occurred associated with deformation by dislocation creep and aggregation of mineral phases. Using a thermodynamics-based model of grain size evolution we show that stability of the fine-grained microstructure crucially depends on Zener pinning in the two-phase mineral matrix. Pinning efficiently hinders grain growth, and the small grain size that resulted from the ternary feldspar decomposition can be stable even at high temperatures. The late switch from the grain-size-sensitive creep to dislocation creep is rather difficult to explain by temperature and strain rate (or stress) changes only. However, a simple incorporation of melt solidification can successfully simulate this behavior. Alternatively, the switch and the associated grain size growth can be related to mineral phase aggregation at lower pressure-temperature conditions resulting into a decrease of pinning efficiency. This study suggests that the fine grain size of the Bohemian granulites, in contrast to the common coarse-grained type, stems from abrupt recrystallization during the high-pressure high-temperature conditions, and pinning in the fine-grained matrix. Such a process may in some cases significantly and suddenly reduce the strength of the lower continental crust and allow for its efficient redistribution.

Plate-tectonic boundary formation by grain-damage and pinning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bercovici, David

2015-04-01

Shear weakening in the lithosphere is an essential ingredient for understanding how and why plate tectonics is generated from mantle convection on terrestrial planets. I present continued work on a theoretical model for lithospheric shear-localization and plate generation through damage, grain evolution and Zener pinning in two-phase (polycrystalline) lithospheric rocks. Grain size evolves through the competition between coarsening, which drives grain-growth, with damage, which drives grain reduction. The interface between phases controls Zener pinning, which impedes grain growth. Damage to the interface enhances the Zener pinning effect, which then reduces grain-size, forcing the rheology into the grain-size-dependent diffusion creep regime. This process thus allows damage and rheological weakening to co-exist, providing a necessary shear-localizing feedback. Moreover, because pinning inhibits grain-growth it promotes shear-zone longevity and plate-boundary inheritance. This theory has been applied recently to the emergence of plate tectonics in the Archean by transient subduction and accumulation of plate boundaries over 1Gyr, as well as to rapid slab detachment and abrupt tectonic changes. New work explores the saturation of interface damage at low interface curvature (e.g., because it is associated with larger grains that take up more of the damage, and/or because interface area is reduced). This effect allows three possible equilibrium grain-sizes for a given stress; a small-grain-size high-shear state in diffusion creep, a large grain-size low shear state in dislocation creep, and an intermediate state (often near the deformation map phase-boundary). The low and high grain-size states are stable, while the intermediate one is unstable. This implies that a material deformed at a given stress can acquire two stable deformation regimes, a low- and high- shear state; these are indicative of plate-like flows, i.e, the coexistence of both slowly deforming plates and rapidly deforming plate boundaries.

Localization and partitioning of deformation in experimentally produced granitoid fault rocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peč, Matěj.; Stünitz, Holger; Heilbronner, Renée.

2010-05-01

The complex interplay between frictional and viscous deformation processes taking place in the "brittle-ductile transition" is still poorly understood. Fracturing, as one of the most effective grain size reducing mechanisms, occurs under a wide range of conditions and seems to be an important pre-cursor for the onset of viscous deformation in the crust. The aim of this work is to study localization and partitioning of brittle and viscous deformation in experimentally produced fault gouges and to identify the active deformation mechanism(s) via quantitative microstructural analysis. We performed a series of simple shear experiments on granitoid fault gouge in a Griggs solid medium deformation rig at 500 MPa confining pressure and 300 or 500°C. Before deformation, the artificially produced gouge consists of 28% Qtz, 25% Kfs, 15% Plg, 3% Bi and 0.5% Msk. The average thickness of the shear zone is ˜1 mm and the porosity is ˜28%. All three major phases (Qtz, Kfs and Plg) deform by fracturing along grain-to-grain contacts and have a similar aspect ratio (L/S) ˜2.13. Two measures for concavity were determined: paris factor ~7.6% and deltaA factor ~6.5%. Finally, a measure for angularity, omega factor, is slightly higher in Qtz (24.8%) than in feldspars (˜20%) (Heilbronner & Keulen 2006). Micas deform mainly by kinking. We observe a slight shape preferred orientation of the grains perpendicular to the applied load indicating that the applied pressure during the pumping up of the experiment is not entirely isotropic. After fast frictional deformation (shear strain rates of 10^-4 sec^-1 and 10^-3 sec^-1) to a gamma value of up to 2.7, the average thickness of the shear zone is reduced to 0.7 mm and the porosity drops below 3%. We observe overall grain size reduction and shear localization through the development of S-C-Ć fabric with Ć shear bands being the dominant feature. The Ć shear bands form at an angle of 18° to sigma 1 resp. 27° to the shear zone boundary and contain the smallest grains (< 10 nm). Locally, where the amount of fine grain fraction is high or where mica is present, the Ć shear bands change their orientation to C shear bands (boundary parallel). Due to the widespread grain-size reduction it is often hard to identify individual grains even at high magnifications. Therefore we analyze individual grains (well identifiable grains) and grain aggregates (delimited by phase to phase contacts) separately. The fractured qtz grains have a slightly higher average aspect ration (2.3) than the feldspar grains (2.0) and seem to be the strongest phase. Average paris, deltaA and omega values for Qtz grains are higher (12.3%, 7.3% and 21%) than for feldspar grains (10.6%, 5.2% and 16%) due to cleavage effects on fracturing. The grain aggregates have higher aspect ratios (Qtz = 2.4, Kfs = 2.8, Plg = 2.3) a monoclinic symmetry and often form "core-and-mantle" structures where the core is formed by a less fractured porphyroclast and the mantle is formed by finely fractured material of the same phase. These aggregates show a strong SPO synthetic with the induced sense of shear. After one week of stress relaxation or constant load creep we observe the reorientation of the Ć shear bands to an angle of 30° to sigma 1 resp. 15° to shear zone boundary. The smallest grain fraction is no longer present and we see an overall grain-size increase due to cementation of fine grains into bigger ones with lobate grain boundaries. The observed microstructures, together with the mechanical data, suggest that the fine-grained material along the Ć shear bands is exploited by viscous deformation. The envisaged deformation mechanism is dissolution - precipitation creep. References: Heilbronner, R. and Keulen N. (2006) Grain size and grain shape analysis of fault rocks. Tectonophysics 427:199-216

An acoustic emission study of plastic deformation in polycrystalline aluminium

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bill, R. C.; Frederick, J. R.; Felbeck, D. K.

1979-01-01

Acoustic emission experiments were performed on polycrystalline and single crystal 99.99% aluminum while undergoing tensile deformation. It was found that acoustic emission counts as a function of grain size showed a maximum value at a particular grain size. Furthermore, the slip area associated with this particular grain size corresponded to the threshold level of detectability of single dislocation slip events. The rate of decline in acoustic emission activity as grain size is increased beyond the peak value suggests that grain boundary associated dislocation sources are giving rise to the bulk of the detected acoustic emissions.

Computational prediction of probabilistic ignition threshold of pressed granular Octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) under shock loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Seokpum; Miller, Christopher; Horie, Yasuyuki; Molek, Christopher; Welle, Eric; Zhou, Min

2016-09-01

The probabilistic ignition thresholds of pressed granular Octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine explosives with average grain sizes between 70 μm and 220 μm are computationally predicted. The prediction uses material microstructure and basic constituent properties and does not involve curve fitting with respect to or prior knowledge of the attributes being predicted. The specific thresholds predicted are James-type relations between the energy flux and energy fluence for given probabilities of ignition. Statistically similar microstructure sample sets are computationally generated and used based on the features of micrographs of materials used in actual experiments. The predicted thresholds are in general agreement with measurements from shock experiments in terms of trends. In particular, it is found that grain size significantly affects the ignition sensitivity of the materials, with smaller sizes leading to lower energy thresholds required for ignition. For example, 50% ignition threshold of the material with an average grain size of 220 μm is approximately 1.4-1.6 times that of the material with an average grain size of 70 μm in terms of energy fluence. The simulations account for the controlled loading of thin-flyer shock experiments with flyer velocities between 1.5 and 4.0 km/s, constituent elasto-viscoplasticity, fracture, post-fracture contact and friction along interfaces, bulk inelastic heating, interfacial frictional heating, and heat conduction. The constitutive behavior of the materials is described using a finite deformation elasto-viscoplastic formulation and the Birch-Murnaghan equation of state. The ignition thresholds are determined via an explicit analysis of the size and temperature states of hotspots in the materials and a hotspot-based ignition criterion. The overall ignition threshold analysis and the microstructure-level hotspot analysis also lead to the definition of a macroscopic ignition parameter (J) and a microscopic ignition risk parameter (R) which are statistically related. The relationships between these parameters are established and delineated.

Surface Roughening Behavior of 6063 Aluminum Alloy during Bulging by Spun Tubes

PubMed Central

Cai, Yang; Wang, Xiaosong; Yuan, Shijian

2017-01-01

Severe surface roughening during the hydroforming of aluminum alloy parts can produce surface defects that severely restrict their application in the automobile and aerospace industry. To understand the relation between strain, grain size and surface roughness under biaxial stress conditions, hydro-bulging tests of aluminum alloy tubes were carried out, and the tubes with different grain sizes were prepared by a spinning and annealing process. The surface roughness was measured by a laser scanning confocal microscope to evaluate the surface roughening macroscopical behavior, and the corresponding microstructures were observed using electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD) to reveal the roughening microscopic behavior. The results obtained show that the surface roughness increased with both strain and grain size under biaxial stress. No surface defects were observed on the surface when the grain size was less than 105 μm if the strain was less than 18%, or when the grain size was between 130 and 175 μm if the strain was less than 15.88% and 7.15%, respectively. The surface roughening microscopic behavior was identified as an inhomogeneous grain size distribution, which became more pronounced with increasing grain size and resulted in greater local deformation. Concentrated grain orientation also results in severe inhomogeneous deformation during plastics deformation, and serious surface roughening. PMID:28772658

Comet C2012 S1 (ISON)s Carbon-rich and Micron-size-dominated Coma Dust

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wooden, D.; De Buizer, J.; Kelley, M.; Sitko, M.; Woodward, C.; Harker, D.; Reach, W.; Russell, R.; Kim, D.; Yanamadra-Fisher, P.;

Advanced Micro-Polycrystalline Silicon Films Formed by Blue-Multi-Laser-Diode Annealing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Noguchi, Takashi; Chen, Yi; Miyahira, Tomoyuki; de Dieu Mugiraneza, Jean; Ogino, Yoshiaki; Iida, Yasuhiro; Sahota, Eiji; Terao, Motoyasu

2010-03-01

Semiconductor blue-multi-laser-diode annealing (BLDA) for amorphous Si film was performed to obtain a film containing uniform polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) grains as a low temperature poly-Si (LTPS) process used for thin-film transistor (TFT). By adopting continuous wave (CW) mode at the 445 nm wavelength of the BLDA system, the light beam is efficiently absorbed into the thin amorphous silicon film of 50 nm thickness and can be crystallized stably. By adjusting simply the laser power below 6 W with controlled beam shape, the isotropic Si grains from uniform micro-grains to arbitral grain size of polycrystalline phase can be obtained with reproducible by fixing the scan speed at 500 mm/s. As a result of analysis using electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM), uniform distributed micro-poly-Si grains of smooth surface were observed at a power condition below 5 W and the preferred crystal orientation of (111) face was confirmed. As arbitral grain size can be obtained stably and reproducibly merely by controlling the laser power, BLDA is promising as a next-generation LTPS process for AM OLED panel including a system on glass (SoG).

Quantification of the effects of secondary matrix on the analysis of sandstone composition, and a petrographic-chemical technique for retrieving original framework grain modes of altered sandstones.

PubMed

Cox, R; Lowe, D R

1996-05-01

Most studies of sandstone provenance involve modal analysis of framework grains using techniques that exclude the fine-grained breakdown products of labile mineral grains and rock fragments, usually termed secondary matrix or pseudomatrix. However, the data presented here demonstrate that, when the proportion of pseudomatrix in a sandstone exceeds 10%, standard petrographic analysis can lead to incorrect provenance interpretation. Petrographic schemes for provenance analysis such as QFL and QFR should not therefore be applied to sandstones containing more than 10% secondary matrix. Pseudomatrix is commonly abundant in sandstones, and this is therefore a problem for provenance analysis. The difficulty can be alleviated by the use of whole-rock chemistry in addition to petrographic analysis. Combination of chemical and point-count data permits the construction of normative compositions that approximate original framework grain compositions. Provenance analysis is also complicated in many cases by fundamental compositional alteration during weathering and transport. Many sandstones, particularly shallow marine deposits, have undergone vigorous reworking, which may destroy unstable mineral grains and rock fragments. In such cases it may not be possible to retrieve provenance information by either petrographic or chemical means. Because of this, pseudomatrix-rich sandstones should be routinely included in chemical-petrological provenance analysis. Because of the many factors, both pre- and post-depositional, that operate to increase the compositional maturity of sandstones, petrologic studies must include a complete inventory of matrix proportions, grain size and sorting parameters, and an assessment of depositional setting.

Laboratory Measurements on Charging of Individual Micron-Size Apollo-11 Dust Grains by Secondary Electron Emissions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tankosic, D.; Abbas, M. M.

2012-01-01

Observations made during Apollo missions, as well as theoretical models indicate that the lunar surface and dust grains are electrostatically charged, levitated and transported. Lunar dust grains are charged by UV photoelectric emissions on the lunar dayside and by the impact of the solar wind electrons on the nightside. The knowledge of charging properties of individual lunar dust grains is important for developing appropriate theoretical models and mitigating strategies. Currently, very limited experimental data are available for charging of individual micron-size size lunar dust grains in particular by low energy electron impact. However, experimental results based on extensive laboratory measurements on the charging of individual 0.2-13 micron size lunar dust grains by the secondary electron emissions (SEE) have been presented in a recent publication. The SEE process of charging of micron-size dust grains, however, is found to be very complex phenomena with strong particle size dependence. In this paper we present some examples of the complex nature of the SEE properties of positively charged individual lunar dust grains levitated in an electrodynamic balance (EDB), and show that they remain unaffected by the variation of the AC field employed in the above mentioned measurements.

Cohesion of Mm- to Cm-Sized Asteroid Simulant Grains: An Experimental Study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brisset, Julie; Colwell, Joshua E.; Dove, Adrienne; Jarmak, Stephanie; Anderson, Seamus

2017-10-01

The regolith covering the surfaces of asteroids and planetary satellites is very different from terrestrial soil particles and subject to environmental conditions very different from what is found on Earth. The loose, unconsolidated granular material has angular-shaped grains and a broad size distribution. On small and airless bodies (<10 km), the solar wind leads to a depletion of fine grains (<100µm) on the surface. Ground observations of the two asteroids currently targeted by spacecraft, Ryugu (Hayabusa-2) and Bennu (OSIRIS-REx), indicate that their surfaces could be covered in mm- to cm-sized regolith grains. As these small bodies have surface gravity levels below 10-5g, g being the Earth surface gravity, the cohesion behavior of the regolith grains will dictate the asteroid’s surface morphology and its response to impact or spacecraft contact.Previous laboratory experiments on low-velocity impacts into regolith simulant with grain sizes <250 µm have revealed a transition of the grain behavior from a gravity-dominated regime to a cohesion-dominated regime when the local gravity level reaches values below 10-3g. This is in good agreement with analytical and simulation studies for these grain sizes. From the expected grain sizes at the surfaces of Ryugu and Bennu, we have now focused on larger grain sizes ranging from mm to cm. We have carried out a series of experiments to study the cohesion behavior of such larger grains of asteroid regolith simulant. The simulant used was CI Orgueil of Deep Space Industries. Experiments included laboratory tabletop avalanching, compression and shear force measurements, as well as low-velocity impacts under microgravity.Our goal is to determine if the grain size distribution has an influence on the cohesion behavior of the regolith and if we can validate numerical simulation results with experimental measurements. We will discuss the implications of our results for sample return or landing missions to small bodies such as asteroids or Martian moons.

Competing Grain Boundary and Interior Deformation Mechanisms with Varying Sizes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Wei; Gao, Yanfei; Nieh, T. G.

In typical coarse-grained alloys, the dominant plastic deformations are dislocation gliding or climbing, and material strengths can be tuned by dislocation interactions with grain boundaries, precipitates, solid solutions, and other defects. With the reduction of grain size, the increase of material strengths follows the classic Hall-Petch relationship up to nano-grained materials. Even at room temperatures, nano-grained materials exhibit strength softening, or called the inverse Hall-Petch effect, as grain boundary processes take over as the dominant deformation mechanisms. On the other hand, at elevated temperatures, grain boundary processes compete with grain interior deformation mechanisms over a wide range of the appliedmore » stress and grain sizes. This book chapter reviews and compares the rate equation model and the microstructure-based finite element simulations. The latter explicitly accounts for the grain boundary sliding, grain boundary diffusion and migration, as well as the grain interior dislocation creep. Therefore the explicit finite element method has clear advantages in problems where microstructural heterogeneities play a critical role, such as in the gradient microstructure in shot peening or weldment. Furthermore, combined with the Hall-Petch effect and its breakdown, the above competing processes help construct deformation mechanism maps by extending from the classic Frost-Ashby type to the ones with the dependence of grain size.« less

Static Grain Growth in Contact Metamorphic Calcite: A Cathodoluminescence Study.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vogt, B.; Heilbronner, R.; Herwegh, M.; Ramseyer, K.

2009-04-01

In the Adamello contact aureole, monomineralic mesozoic limestones were investigated in terms of grain size evolution and compared to results on numerical modeling performed by Elle. The sampled area shows no deformation and therefore represents an appropriate natural laboratory for the study of static grain growth (Herwegh & Berger, 2003). For this purpose, samples were collected at different distances to the contact to the pluton, covering a temperature range between 270 to 630°C. In these marbles, the grain sizes increase with temperature from 5 µm to about 1 cm as one approaches the contact (Herwegh & Berger, 2003). In some samples, photomicrographs show domains of variable cathodoluminescence (CL) intensities, which are interpreted to represent growth zonations. Microstructures show grains that contain cores and in some samples even several growth stages. The cores are usually not centered and the zones not concentric. They may be in touch with grain boundaries. These zonation patterns are consistent within a given aggregate but differ among the samples even if they come from the same location. Relative CL intensities depend on the Mn/Fe ratio. We assume that changes in trace amounts of Mn/Fe must have occurred during the grain size evolution, preserving local geochemical trends and their variations with time. Changes in Mn/Fe ratios can either be explained by (a) locally derived fluids (e.g. hydration reactions of sheet silicate rich marbles in the vicinity) or (b) by the infiltration of the calcite aggregates by externally derived (magmatic?) fluids. At the present stage, we prefer a regional change in fluid composition (b) because the growth zonations only occur at distances of 750-1250 m from the pluton contact (350-450°C). Closer to the contact, neither zonations nor cores were found. At larger distances, CL intensities differ from grain to grain, revealing diagenetic CL patterns that were incompletely recrystallized by grain growth. The role of infiltration of magmatic fluids is also manifest in the vicinity of dikes, where intense zonation patterns are prominent in the marbles. The software Elle was developed to simulate microstructural evolution in rocks. The numerical model with the title "Grain boundary sweeping" was performed by M. Jessell and was found on http://www.materialsknowledge.org/elle. It displays the grain size evolution and the development of growth zonations during grain boundary migration of a 2D foam structure. This simulation was chosen because the driving force is the minimization of isotropic surface energies. It will be compared to the natural microstructures. At the last stage of the simulation the average grain and core sizes have increased. All, even the smallest grains, show growth zonations. Grains can be divided into two groups: (a) initially larger grains, increasing their grain size and maintaining their core size and (b) initially smaller grains with decreasing grain and decreasing core size. Group (a) grains show large areas swept by grain boundaries into the direction of small grains. Grain boundaries between large grains move more slowly. Their cores do not touch any grain boundaries. Cores of group (b) grains are in contact with the grain boundary network and are on the way to be consumed. In the numerical model and in the natural example similar features can be observed: The cores are not necessarily centered, the zonations are not necessarily concentric and some of the cores touch the grain boundary network. In the simulation, grain boundary migration velocity between large grains is smaller than between a large and a small grain. From this we would predict that - given enough time - a well sorted grain size distribution of increased grain size could be generated. But since many small grains occur we infer that this equilibrium has not been obtained. Analytical results of some natural samples that could be analyzed up to now indicate a relatively well sorted grain size distribution suggesting a more mature state of static grain growth. In comparison to the simulation, grain and core boundaries in the marbles are not always straight. For lobate grain boundaries the surface area has not been minimized in respect to the grain size. An explanation for this might be grain boundary pinning or a local dynamic overprint. Some cores and growth zones in the investigated calcites show a continuous change in luminescence. This is interpreted to be an effect of late diffusion within the grain and/or a continuous change of fluid composition and supply. The absence of zonation in samples close to the contact might be explained by fast grain growth due to high temperatures and/or fast fluid transport. Possibly, this is combined with an enhanced component of volume diffusion. Thus concentration variations of Mn/Fe are diminished and not visible in form of a growth zonation. Herwegh M, Berger A (2003) Differences in grain growth of calcite: a field-based modeling approach. Contr. Min. Pet. 145: 600-611

Surface-sediment grain-size distribution and sediment transport in the subaqueous Mekong Delta, Vietnam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, T. T.; Stattegger, K.; Nittrouer, C.; Phung, P. V.; Liu, P.; DeMaster, D. J.; Bui, D. V.; Le, A. D.; Nguyen, T. N.

2016-02-01

Collected surface-sediment samples in coastal water around Mekong Delta (from distributary channels to Ca Mau Peninsula) were analyzed to determine surface-sediment grain-size distribution and sediment-transport trend in the subaqueous Mekong Delta. The grain-size data set of 238 samples was obtained by using the laser instrument Mastersizer 2000 and LS Particle Size Analyzer. Fourteen samples were selected for geochemical analysis (total-organic and carbonate content). These geochemical results were used to assist in interpreting variations of granulometricparamenters along the cross-shore transects. Nine transects were examined from CungHau river mouth to Ca Mau Peninsula and six thematic maps on the whole study area were made. The research results indicate that: (1) generally, the sediment becomes finer from the delta front downwards to prodelta and becomes coarser again and poorer sorted on the adjacent inner shelf due to different sources of sediment; (2) sediment-granulometry parameters vary among sedimentary sub-environments of the underwater part of Mekong Delta, the distance from sediment source and hydrodynamic regime controlling each region; (3) the net sediment transport is southwest toward the Ca Mau Peninsula.

Structure and mechanical properties of foils made of nanocrystalline beryllium

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhigalina, O. M., E-mail: zhigal@ns.crys.ras.ru; Semenov, A. A.; Zabrodin, A. V.

2016-07-15

The phase composition and structural features of (45–90)-μm-thick foils obtained from nanocrystalline beryllium during multistep thermomechanical treatment have been established using electron microscopy, electron diffraction, electron backscattering diffraction, and energy-dispersive analysis. This treatment is shown to lead to the formation of a structure with micrometer- and submicrometer-sized grains. The minimum average size of beryllium grains is 352 nm. The inclusions of beryllium oxide (BeO) of different modifications with tetragonal (sp. gr. P4{sub 2}/mnm) and hexagonal (sp. gr. P6{sub 3}/mmc) lattices are partly ground during deformation to a size smaller than 100 nm and are located along beryllium grain boundaries inmore » their volume, significantly hindering migration during treatment. The revealed structural features of foils with submicrometer-sized crystallites provide the thermal stability of their structural state. Beryllium with this structure is a promising material for X-ray instrument engineering and for the production of ultrathin (less than 10 μm) vacuum-dense foils with very high physicomechanical characteristics.« less

Influence of Solute Content and Solidification Parameters on Grain Refinement of Aluminum Weld Metal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schempp, Philipp; Cross, Carl Edward; Pittner, Andreas; Rethmeier, Michael

2013-07-01

Grain refinement provides an important possibility to enhance the mechanical properties ( e.g., strength and ductility) and the weldability (susceptibility to solidification cracking) of aluminum weld metal. In the current study, a filler metal consisting of aluminum base metal and different amounts of commercial grain refiner Al Ti5B1 was produced. The filler metal was then deposited in the base metal and fused in a GTA welding process. Additions of titanium and boron reduced the weld metal mean grain size considerably and resulted in a transition from columnar to equiaxed grain shape ( CET). In commercial pure aluminum (Alloy 1050A), the grain-refining efficiency was higher than that in the Al alloys 6082 and 5083. Different welding and solidification parameters influenced the grain size response only slightly. Furthermore, the observed grain-size reduction was analyzed by means of the undercooling parameter P and the growth restriction parameter Q, which revealed the influence of solute elements and nucleant particles on grain size.

ACCURATE MODELING OF X-RAY EXTINCTION BY INTERSTELLAR GRAINS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hoffman, John; Draine, B. T., E-mail: jah5@astro.princeton.edu, E-mail: draine@astro.princeton.edu

Interstellar abundance determinations from fits to X-ray absorption edges often rely on the incorrect assumption that scattering is insignificant and can be ignored. We show instead that scattering contributes significantly to the attenuation of X-rays for realistic dust grain size distributions and substantially modifies the spectrum near absorption edges of elements present in grains. The dust attenuation modules used in major X-ray spectral fitting programs do not take this into account. We show that the consequences of neglecting scattering on the determination of interstellar elemental abundances are modest; however, scattering (along with uncertainties in the grain size distribution) must bemore » taken into account when near-edge extinction fine structure is used to infer dust mineralogy. We advertise the benefits and accuracy of anomalous diffraction theory for both X-ray halo analysis and near edge absorption studies. We present an open source Fortran suite, General Geometry Anomalous Diffraction Theory (GGADT), that calculates X-ray absorption, scattering, and differential scattering cross sections for grains of arbitrary geometry and composition.« less

EFFECTS ON ELECTROSTATIC PRECIPITATION OF CHANGES IN GRAIN LOADING, SIZE DISTRIBUTION, RESISTIVITY, AND TEMPERATURE

EPA Science Inventory

The paper discusses the simulation of the effects of changes to particle loading, particle size distribution, and electrostatic precipitator (ESP) operating temperatures using ESP models. It also illustrates the usefulness of modern ESP models for this type of analysis. Increasin...

[Characteristics and its forming mechanism on grain size distribution of suspended matter at Changjiang Estuary].

PubMed

Pang, Chong-guang; Yu, Wei; Yang, Yang

2010-03-01

In July of 2008, under the natural condition of sea water, the Laser in-situ scattering and transmissometry (LISST-100X Type C) was used to measure grain size distribution spectrum and volume concentration of total suspended matter in the sea water, including flocs at different layers of 24 sampling stations at Changjiang Estuary and its adjacent sea. The characteristics and its forming mechanism on grain size distribution of total suspended matter were analyzed based on the observation data of LISST-100X Type C, and combining with the temperature, salinity and turbidity of sea water, simultaneously observed by Alec AAQ1183. The observation data showed that the average median grain size of total suspended matter was about 4.69 phi in the whole measured sea area, and the characteristics of grain size distribution was relatively poor sorted, wide kurtosis, and basically symmetrical. The conclusion could be drawn that vertically average volume concentration decreased with the distance from the coastline, while median grain size had an increase trend with the distance, for example, at 31.0 degrees N section, the depth-average median grain size had been increased from 11 microm up to 60 microm. With the increasing of distance from the coast, the concentration of fine suspended sediment reduced distinctly, nevertheless some relatively big organic matter or big flocs appeared in quantity, so its grain size would rise. The observation data indicated that the effective density was ranged from 246 kg/m3 to 1334 kg/m, with average was 613 kg/m3. When the concentration of total suspended matter was relatively high, median grain size of total suspended matter increased with the water depth, while effective density decreased with the depth, because of the faster settling velocity and less effective density of large flocs that of small flocs. As for station 37 and 44, their correlation coefficients between effective density and median grain size were larger than 0.9.

Rheology of ice I at low stress and elevated confining pressure

USGS Publications Warehouse

Durham, W.B.; Stern, L.A.; Kirby, S.H.

2001-01-01

Triaxial compression testing of pure, polycrystalline water ice I at conditions relevant to planetary interiors and near-surface environments (differential stresses 0.45 to 10 MPa, temperatures 200 to 250 K, confining pressure 50 MPa) reveals that a complex variety of rheologies and grain structures may exist for ice and that rheology of ice appears to depend strongly on the grain structures. The creep of polycrystalline ice I with average grain size of 0.25 mm and larger is consistent with previously published dislocation creep laws, which are now extended to strain rates as low as 2 ?? 10-8s-1. When ice I is reduced to very fine and uniform grain size by rapid pressure release from the ice II stability field, the rheology changes dramatically. At 200 and 220 K the rheology matches the grain-size-sensitive rheology measured by Goldsby and Kohlstedt [1997, this issue] at 1 atm. This finding dispels concerns that the Goldsby and Kohlstedt results were influenced by mechanisms such as microfracturing and cavitation, processes not expected to operate at elevated pressures in planetary interiors. At 233 K and above, grain growth causes the fine-grained ice to become more creep resistant. Scanning electron microscopy investigation of some of these deformed samples shows that grains have markedly coarsened and the strain hardening can be modeled by normal grain growth and the Goldsby and Kohlstedt rheology. Several samples also displayed very heterogeneous grain sizes and high aspect ratio grain shapes. Grain-size-sensitive creep and dislocation creep coincidentally contribute roughly equal amounts of strain rate at conditions of stress, temperature, and grain size that are typical of terrestrial and planetary settings, so modeling ice dynamics in these settings must include both mechanisms. Copyright 2001 by the American Geophysical Union.

Impact of Snow Grain Shape and Internal Mixing with Black Carbon Aerosol on Snow Optical Properties for use in Climate Models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, C.; Liou, K. N.; Takano, Y.; Yang, P.; Li, Q.; Chen, F.

2017-12-01

A set of parameterizations is developed for spectral single-scattering properties of clean and black carbon (BC)-contaminated snow based on geometric-optic surface-wave (GOS) computations, which explicitly resolves BC-snow internal mixing and various snow grain shapes. GOS calculations show that, compared with nonspherical grains, volume-equivalent snow spheres show up to 20% larger asymmetry factors and hence stronger forward scattering, particularly at wavelengths <1 mm. In contrast, snow grain sizes have a rather small impact on the asymmetry factor at wavelengths <1 mm, whereas size effects are important at longer wavelengths. The snow asymmetry factor is parameterized as a function of effective size, aspect ratio, and shape factor, and shows excellent agreement with GOS calculations. According to GOS calculations, the single-scattering coalbedo of pure snow is predominantly affected by grain sizes, rather than grain shapes, with higher values for larger grains. The snow single-scattering coalbedo is parameterized in terms of the effective size that combines shape and size effects, with an accuracy of >99%. Based on GOS calculations, BC-snow internal mixing enhances the snow single-scattering coalbedo at wavelengths <1 mm, but it does not alter the snow asymmetry factor. The BC-induced enhancement ratio of snow single-scattering coalbedo, independent of snow grain size and shape, is parameterized as a function of BC concentration with an accuracy of >99%. Overall, in addition to snow grain size, both BC-snow internal mixing and snow grain shape play critical roles in quantifying BC effects on snow optical properties. The present parameterizations can be conveniently applied to snow, land surface, and climate models including snowpack radiative transfer processes.

Effects of microrolling parameters on the microstructure and deformation behavior of pure copper

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jing, Yi; Zhang, Hong-mei; Wu, Hao; Li, Lian-jie; Jia, Hong-bin; Jiang, Zheng-yi

2018-01-01

Microrolling experiments and uniaxial tensile tests of pure copper under different annealing conditions were carried out in this paper. The effects of grain size and reduction on non-uniform deformation, edge cracking, and microstructure were studied. The experimental results showed that the side deformation became more non-uniform, resulting in substantial edge bulge, and the uneven spread increased with increasing grain size and reduction level. When the reduction level reached 80% and the grain size was 65 μm, slight edge cracks occurred. When the grain size was 200 μm, the edge cracks became wider and deeper. No edge cracks occurred when the grain size was 200 μm and the reduction level was less than 60%; edge cracks occurred when the reduction level was increased to 80%. As the reduction level increased, the grains were gradually elongated and appeared as a sheet-like structure along the rolling direction; a fine lamellar structure was obtained when the grain size was 20 μm and the reduction level was less than 60%.

Large grain instruction and phonological awareness skill influence rime sensitivity, processing speed, and early decoding skill in adult L2 learners

PubMed Central

Brennan, Christine; Booth, James R.

2016-01-01

Linguistic knowledge, cognitive ability, and instruction influence how adults acquire a second orthography yet it remains unclear how different forms of instruction influence grain size sensitivity and subsequent decoding skill and speed. Thirty-seven monolingual, literate English-speaking adults were trained on a novel artificial orthography given initial instruction that directed attention to either large or small grain size units (i.e., words or letters). We examined how initial instruction influenced processing speed (i.e., reaction time (RT)) and sensitivity to different orthographic grain sizes (i.e., rimes and letters). Directing attention to large grain size units during initial instruction resulted in higher accuracy for rimes, whereas directing attention to smaller grain size units resulted in slower RTs across all measures. Additionally, phonological awareness skill modulated early learning effects, compensating for the limitations of the initial instruction provided. Collectively, these findings suggest that when adults are learning to read a second orthography, consideration should be given to how initial instruction directs attention to different grain sizes and inherent phonological awareness ability. PMID:27829705

Grain size effect on activation energy in spinel CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} ceramic

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Supriya, Sweety, E-mail: sweety@iitp.ac.in; Kumar, Sunil; Kar, Manoranjan

2016-05-23

Cobalt ferrite of different average crystallites (from nanocrystallite to micro crystallites) has been prepared by the Sol-Gel Method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirms the cubic spinel phase with no trace of impurity phases. The effect of annealing temperature on micro structure and electric transport properties as a function of frequency and temperature has been studied. It is observed that the electric impedance and conductivity are strongly dependent on grain size. The impedance spectroscopic study is employed to understand the electrical transport properties of cobalt ferrite.

Behavior and Microstructure in Cryomilled Aluminum alloy Containing Diamondoids Nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hanna, Walid Magdy

Aluminum (Al) alloys have been the materials of choice for both civil and military aircraft structure. Primary among these alloys are 6061 Al and 5083 Al, which have used for several structural applications including those in aerospace and automobile industry. It is desirable to enhance strength in Al alloys beyond that achieved via traditional techniques such as precipitation hardening. Recent developments have indicated strengthening via grain refinement is an effective approach since, according the Hall-Petch relation, as grain size decreases strength significantly increases. The innovate techniques of severe plastic deformation, cryomilling, are successful in reefing grain size. These techniques lead to a minimum grain size that is the result of a dynamic balance between the formation of dislocation structure and its recovery by thermal processes. According to Mohamed's model, each metal is characterized by a minimum grain size that is determined by materials parameters such as the stacking faulty energy and the activation energy for diffusion. In the present dissertation, 6061 Al and 5083 Al were synthesized using cryomilling. Microstructural characterization was extensively carried out to monitor grain size changes. A close examination of the morphology of the 6061 Al powder particles revealed that in the early milling stages, the majority of the particles changed from spheres to thin disk-shaped particles. This change was attributed to the high degree of plastic deformation generated by the impact energy during ball-powder-ball collisions. Both transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to monitor the change in grain size as a function of milling time. The results of both techniques demonstrated a close agreement with respect to two observations: (a) during cryomilling, the grain size of 6061 Al decreased with milling time, and (b) after 15 h of milling, the grain size approached a minimum value of about 22 nm, which is in the range reported for Al (18 nm--24 nm). Despite this agreement, there was a discrepancy: for grain sizes > 40 nm, the grain size measured by TEM was appreciably larger that inferred from XRD. It was suggested that this discrepancy was most likely related to the limitation for accurately measuring grain sizes > 100 nm by the technique of XRD. It was reported that the average grain size of the as-milled powders of 5083 Al alloy was about 20 nm, and that when the as-milled powders were exposed to elevated temperatures or consolidated via hot isostatic pressing and extruded, the average grain size increased to about 250 nm. Very recent results have indicated the success of maintaining the thermal stability of Al by adding diamantane during milling. 5083 Al powders were cryomilled with 0.5 wt. % diamantane for 8 hours producing mechanically alloyed powders with an average grain size of 17 nm. The grain size remained nanocrystalline (less than100 nm) for Al 5083 alloy with 0.5% diamantane, even after 48 h at the highest temperature of 773 K. The Effect of Diamantane on the thermal stability of cryomilled nanocrystalline 5083 Al alloy was investigated by heating the powder in an inert gas atmosphere at temperature range from 473K to 773K for time interval between 0.5 hr. to 48 hr. The average grain size was observed to be in nano scale range less than 100 nm. The thermal stability results were found to be consistent with the grain growth model based on drag forces exerted by dispersed particles against grain boundary migration (Burke model). As observed for other cryomilled Al alloys, two grain growth regimes were identified using this model: one at relatively low temperatures (473--623 K) where the activation energy is about 1.9 kJ/mole and another at higher temperatures where the activation energy is about 18 kJ/mole. The presence of the former region was explained in terms of stress relaxation facilitated by less stable processes such as recovery of dislocation segments or sub-boundary remnants while the latter region was attributed to grain boundary realignment annihilation of grain boundary remnants.

Mapping Snow Grain Size over Greenland from MODIS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lyapustin, Alexei; Tedesco, Marco; Wang, Yujie; Kokhanovsky, Alexander

2008-01-01

This paper presents a new automatic algorithm to derive optical snow grain size (SGS) at 1 km resolution using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) measurements. Differently from previous approaches, snow grains are not assumed to be spherical but a fractal approach is used to account for their irregular shape. The retrieval is conceptually based on an analytical asymptotic radiative transfer model which predicts spectral bidirectional snow reflectance as a function of the grain size and ice absorption. The analytical form of solution leads to an explicit and fast retrieval algorithm. The time series analysis of derived SGS shows a good sensitivity to snow metamorphism, including melting and snow precipitation events. Preprocessing is performed by a Multi-Angle Implementation of Atmospheric Correction (MAIAC) algorithm, which includes gridding MODIS data to 1 km resolution, water vapor retrieval, cloud masking and an atmospheric correction. MAIAC cloud mask (CM) is a new algorithm based on a time series of gridded MODIS measurements and an image-based rather than pixel-based processing. Extensive processing of MODIS TERRA data over Greenland shows a robust performance of CM algorithm in discrimination of clouds over bright snow and ice. As part of the validation analysis, SGS derived from MODIS over selected sites in 2004 was compared to the microwave brightness temperature measurements of SSM\\I radiometer, which is sensitive to the amount of liquid water in the snowpack. The comparison showed a good qualitative agreement, with both datasets detecting two main periods of snowmelt. Additionally, MODIS SGS was compared with predictions of the snow model CROCUS driven by measurements of the automatic whether stations of the Greenland Climate Network. We found that CROCUS grain size is on average a factor of two larger than MODIS-derived SGS. Overall, the agreement between CROCUS and MODIS results was satisfactory, in particular before and during the first melting period in mid-June. Following detailed time series analysis of SGS for four permanent sites, the paper presents SGS maps over the Greenland ice sheet for the March-September period of 2004.

The Strength-Grain Size Relationship in Ultrafine-Grained Metals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balasubramanian, N.; Langdon, Terence G.

2016-12-01

Metals processed by severe plastic deformation (SPD) techniques, such as equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) and high-pressure torsion (HPT), generally have submicrometer grain sizes. Consequently, they exhibit high strength as expected on the basis of the Hall-Petch (H-P) relationship. Examples of this behavior are discussed using experimental data for Ti, Al, and Ni. These materials typically have grain sizes greater than 50 nm where softening is not expected. An increase in strength is usually accompanied by a decrease in ductility. However, both high strength and high ductility may be achieved simultaneously by imposing high strain to obtain ultrafine-grain sizes and high fractions of high-angle grain boundaries. This facilitates grain boundary sliding, and an example is presented for a cast Al-7 pct Si alloy processed by HPT. In some materials, SPD may result in a weakening even with a very fine grain size, and this is due to microstructural changes during processing. Examples are presented for an Al-7034 alloy processed by ECAP and a Zn-22 pct Al alloy processed by HPT. In some SPD-processed materials, it is possible that grain boundary segregation and other features are present leading to higher strengths than predicted by the H-P relationship.

Unified Hall-Petch description of nano-grain nickel hardness, flow stress and strain rate sensitivity measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Armstrong, R. W.; Balasubramanian, N.

2017-08-01

It is shown that: (i) nano-grain nickel flow stress and hardness data at ambient temperature follow a Hall-Petch (H-P) relation over a wide range of grain size; and (ii) accompanying flow stress and strain rate sensitivity measurements follow an analogous H-P relationship for the reciprocal "activation volume", (1/v*) = (1/A*b) where A* is activation area. Higher temperature flow stress measurements show a greater than expected reduction both in the H-P kɛ and in v*. The results are connected with smaller nano-grain size (< ˜20 nm) measurements exhibiting grain size weakening behavior that extends to larger grain size when tested at very low imposed strain rates.

Influence of CdTe Deposition Temperature and Window Thickness on CdTe Grain Size and Lifetime After CdCl 2 Recrystallization

DOE PAGES

Amarasinghe, Mahisha; Colegrove, Eric; Moutinho, Helio; ...

2018-01-23

Grain structure influences both transport and recombination in CdTe solar cells. Larger grains generally are obtained with higher deposition temperatures, but commercially it is important to avoid softening soda-lime glass. Furthermore, depositing at lower temperatures can enable different substrates and reduced cost in the future. We examine how initial deposition temperatures and morphology influence grain size and lifetime after CdCl 2 recrystallization. Techniques are developed to estimate grain distribution quickly with low-cost optical microscopy, which compares well with electron backscatter diffraction data providing corroborative assessments of exposed CdTe grain structures. Average grain size increases as a function of CdCl 2more » temperature. For lower temperature close-spaced sublimation CdTe depositions, there can be more stress and grain segregation during recrystallization. However, the resulting lifetimes and grain sizes are similar to high-temperature CdTe depositions. The grain structures and lifetimes are largely independent of the presence and/or interdiffusion of Se at the interface, before and after the CdCl 2 treatment.« less

Influence of CdTe Deposition Temperature and Window Thickness on CdTe Grain Size and Lifetime After CdCl 2 Recrystallization

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Amarasinghe, Mahisha; Colegrove, Eric; Moutinho, Helio

Grain structure influences both transport and recombination in CdTe solar cells. Larger grains generally are obtained with higher deposition temperatures, but commercially it is important to avoid softening soda-lime glass. Furthermore, depositing at lower temperatures can enable different substrates and reduced cost in the future. We examine how initial deposition temperatures and morphology influence grain size and lifetime after CdCl 2 recrystallization. Techniques are developed to estimate grain distribution quickly with low-cost optical microscopy, which compares well with electron backscatter diffraction data providing corroborative assessments of exposed CdTe grain structures. Average grain size increases as a function of CdCl 2more » temperature. For lower temperature close-spaced sublimation CdTe depositions, there can be more stress and grain segregation during recrystallization. However, the resulting lifetimes and grain sizes are similar to high-temperature CdTe depositions. The grain structures and lifetimes are largely independent of the presence and/or interdiffusion of Se at the interface, before and after the CdCl 2 treatment.« less

Steady state and a general scale law of deformation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Yan

2017-07-01

Steady state deformation has been characterized based on the experimental results for dilute single-phase aluminium alloys. It was found that although characteristic properties such as flow stress and grain size remained constant with time, a continuous loss of grain boundaries occurred as an essential feature at steady state. A physical model, which takes into account the activity of grain boundary dislocations, was developed to describe the kinetics of steady state deformation. According to this model, the steady state as a function of strain rate and temperature defines the limit of the conventional grain size and strength relationship, i.e., the Hall-Petch relation holds when the grain size is larger than that at the steady state, and an inverse Hall-Petch relation takes over if grain size is smaller than the steady state value. The transition between the two relationships relating grain size and strength is a phenomenon that depends on deformation conditions, rather than an intrinsic property as generally perceived. A general scale law of deformation is established accordingly.

Fatigue Failure Modes of the Grain Size Transition Zone in a Dual Microstructure Disk

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gabb, Timothy P.; Kantzos, Pete T.; Palsa, Bonnie; Telesman, Jack; Gayda, John; Sudbrack, Chantal K.

2012-01-01

Mechanical property requirements vary with location in nickel-based superalloy disks. In order to maximize the associated mechanical properties, heat treatment methods have been developed for producing tailored grain microstructures. In this study, fatigue failure modes of a grain size transition zone in a dual microstructure disk were evaluated. A specialized heat treatment method was applied to produce varying grain microstructure in the bore to rim portions of a powder metallurgy processed nickel-based superalloy disk. The transition in grain size was concentrated in a zone of the disk web, between the bore and rim. Specimens were extracted parallel and transversely across this transition zone, and multiple fatigue tests were performed at 427 C and 704 C. Grain size distributions were characterized in the specimens, and related to operative failure initiation modes. Mean fatigue life decreased with increasing maximum grain size, going out through the transition zone. The scatter in limited tests of replicates was comparable for failures of uniform gage specimens in all transition zone locations examined.

Grain dissection as a grain size reducing mechanism during ice microdynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steinbach, Florian; Kuiper, Ernst N.; Eichler, Jan; Bons, Paul D.; Drury, Martin R.; Griera, Albert; Pennock, Gill M.; Weikusat, Ilka

2017-04-01

Ice sheets are valuable paleo-climate archives, but can lose their integrity by ice flow. An understanding of the microdynamic mechanisms controlling the flow of ice is essential when assessing climatic and environmental developments related to ice sheets and glaciers. For instance, the development of a consistent mechanistic grain size law would support larger scale ice flow models. Recent research made significant progress in numerically modelling deformation and recrystallisation mechanisms in the polycrystalline ice and ice-air aggregate (Llorens et al., 2016a,b; Steinbach et al., 2016). The numerical setup assumed grain size reduction is achieved by the progressive transformation of subgrain boundaries into new high angle grain boundaries splitting an existing grain. This mechanism is usually termed polygonisation. Analogue experiments suggested, that strain induced grain boundary migration can cause bulges to migrate through the whole of a grain separating one region of the grain from another (Jessell, 1986; Urai, 1987). This mechanism of grain dissection could provide an alternative grain size reducing mechanism, but has not yet been observed during ice microdynamics. In this contribution, we present results using an updated numerical approach allowing for grain dissection. The approach is based on coupling the full field theory crystal visco-plasticity code (VPFFT) of Lebensohn (2001) to the multi-process modelling platform Elle (Bons et al., 2008). VPFFT predicts the mechanical fields resulting from short strain increments, dynamic recrystallisation process are implemented in Elle. The novel approach includes improvements to allow for grain dissection, which was topologically impossible during earlier simulations. The simulations are supported by microstructural observations from NEEM (North Greenland Eemian Ice Drilling) ice core. Mappings of c-axis orientations using the automatic fabric analyser and full crystallographic orientations using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) are presented. Numerical simulations predict and resolve the microstructural evolution over strain and time. The occurrence of processes such as grain dissection can only be proven using such time resolved movies of microstructure evolution. We will present movies that show grain dissection as a common process during the simulations. Microstructures obtained from NEEM ice core support the observations and we provide evidence for grain dissection in natural ice. Grain dissection is observed to be most efficient relative to polygonisation, when the microstructure approaches steady state grain sizes. This is consistent with analogue experiments observing grain dissection by Jessell (1986) and Urai (1987). Our research suggests a novel grain size reducing mechanisms in ice microdynamics that should be considered when developing a consistent grain size law.

Activation of Big Grain1 significantly improves grain size by regulating auxin transport in rice.

PubMed

Liu, Linchuan; Tong, Hongning; Xiao, Yunhua; Che, Ronghui; Xu, Fan; Hu, Bin; Liang, Chengzhen; Chu, Jinfang; Li, Jiayang; Chu, Chengcai

2015-09-01

Grain size is one of the key factors determining grain yield. However, it remains largely unknown how grain size is regulated by developmental signals. Here, we report the identification and characterization of a dominant mutant big grain1 (Bg1-D) that shows an extra-large grain phenotype from our rice T-DNA insertion population. Overexpression of BG1 leads to significantly increased grain size, and the severe lines exhibit obviously perturbed gravitropism. In addition, the mutant has increased sensitivities to both auxin and N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid, an auxin transport inhibitor, whereas knockdown of BG1 results in decreased sensitivities and smaller grains. Moreover, BG1 is specifically induced by auxin treatment, preferentially expresses in the vascular tissue of culms and young panicles, and encodes a novel membrane-localized protein, strongly suggesting its role in regulating auxin transport. Consistent with this finding, the mutant has increased auxin basipetal transport and altered auxin distribution, whereas the knockdown plants have decreased auxin transport. Manipulation of BG1 in both rice and Arabidopsis can enhance plant biomass, seed weight, and yield. Taking these data together, we identify a novel positive regulator of auxin response and transport in a crop plant and demonstrate its role in regulating grain size, thus illuminating a new strategy to improve plant productivity.

Direct Observation of Sink-Dependent Defect Evolution in Nanocrystalline Iron under Irradiation

DOE PAGES

El Atwani, Osman; Nathaniel, James; Leff, Asher C.; ...

2017-05-12

Crystal defects generated during irradiation can result in severe changes in morphology and an overall degradation of mechanical properties in a given material. Nanomaterials have been proposed as radiation damage tolerant materials, due to the hypothesis that defect density decreases with grain size refinement due to the increase in grain boundary surface area. The lower defect density should arise from grain boundary-point defect absorption and enhancement of interstitial-vacancy annihilation. In this study, low energy helium ion irradiation on free-standing iron thin films were performed at 573 K. Interstitial loops of a 0 /2 [111] Burgers vector were directly observed asmore » a result of the displacement damage. Loop density trends with grain size demonstrated an increase in the nanocrystalline (<100 nm) regime, but scattered behavior in the transition from the nanocrystalline to the ultra-fine regime (100–500 nm). To examine the validity of such trends, loop density and area for different grains at various irradiation doses were compared and revealed efficient defect absorption in the nanocrystalline grain size regime, but loop coalescence in the ultra-fine grain size regime. Lastly, a relationship between the denuded zone formation, a measure of grain boundary absorption efficiency, grain size, grain boundary type and misorientation angle is determined.« less

Direct Observation of Sink-Dependent Defect Evolution in Nanocrystalline Iron under Irradiation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

El Atwani, Osman; Nathaniel, James; Leff, Asher C.

Crystal defects generated during irradiation can result in severe changes in morphology and an overall degradation of mechanical properties in a given material. Nanomaterials have been proposed as radiation damage tolerant materials, due to the hypothesis that defect density decreases with grain size refinement due to the increase in grain boundary surface area. The lower defect density should arise from grain boundary-point defect absorption and enhancement of interstitial-vacancy annihilation. In this study, low energy helium ion irradiation on free-standing iron thin films were performed at 573 K. Interstitial loops of a 0 /2 [111] Burgers vector were directly observed asmore » a result of the displacement damage. Loop density trends with grain size demonstrated an increase in the nanocrystalline (<100 nm) regime, but scattered behavior in the transition from the nanocrystalline to the ultra-fine regime (100–500 nm). To examine the validity of such trends, loop density and area for different grains at various irradiation doses were compared and revealed efficient defect absorption in the nanocrystalline grain size regime, but loop coalescence in the ultra-fine grain size regime. Lastly, a relationship between the denuded zone formation, a measure of grain boundary absorption efficiency, grain size, grain boundary type and misorientation angle is determined.« less

Update on Regulation of Sand Transport in the Colorado River by Changes in the Surface Grain Size of Eddy Sandbars over Multiyear Timescales

USGS Publications Warehouse

Topping, David J.; Rubin, David M.; Schmidt, John C.

2008-01-01

In settings where the transport of sand is partially or fully supply limited, changes in the upstream supply of sand are coupled to changes in the grain size of sand on the bed. In this manner, the transport of sand under the supply-limited case is ?grain-size regulated.? Since the closure of Glen Canyon Dam in 1963, the downstream reach of the Colorado River in Marble and Grand Canyons has exhibited evidence of sand-supply limitation. Sand transport in the river is now about equally regulated by changes in the discharge of water and changes in the grain sizes of sand on the channel bed and eddy sandbars. Previous work has shown that changes in the grain size of sand on the channel bed (driven by changes in the upstream supply of sand owing to both tributary floods and high dam releases) are important in regulating sand transport over timescales of days to months. In this study, suspended-sand data are analyzed in conjunction with bed grain-size data to determine whether changes in the sand grain size on the channel bed, or changes in the sand grain size on the surface of eddy sandbars, have been more important in regulating sand transport in the postdam Colorado River over longer, multiyear timescales. The results of this study show that this combined theory- and field-based approach can be used to deduce which environments in a complicated setting are most important for regulating sediment transport. In the case of the regulated Colorado River in Marble and upper Grand Canyons, suspended-sand transport has been regulated mostly by changes in the surface grain size of eddy sandbars.

Importance of suspended sediment (SPS) composition and grain size in the bioavailability of SPS-associated pyrene to Daphnia magna.

PubMed

Xia, Xinghui; Zhang, Xiaotian; Zhou, Dong; Bao, Yimeng; Li, Husheng; Zhai, Yawei

2016-07-01

Hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) tend to associate with suspended sediment (SPS) in aquatic environments; the composition and grain size of SPS will affect the bioavailability of SPS-associated HOCs. However, the bioavailability of HOCs sorbed on SPS with different compositions and grain sizes is not well understood. In this work, passive dosing devices were made to control the freely dissolved concentration of pyrene, a typical HOC, in the exposure systems. The effect of pyrene associated with amorphous organic carbon (AOC), black carbon (BC), and minerals of SPS with grain sizes of 0-50 μm and 50-100 μm on the immobilization and enzymatic activities of Daphnia magna was investigated to quantify the bioavailability of pyrene sorbed on SPS with different grain sizes and compositions. The results showed that the contribution of AOC-, BC-, and mineral-associated pyrene to the total bioavailability of SPS-associated pyrene was approximately 50%-60%, 10%-29%, and 20%-30%, respectively. The bioavailable fraction of pyrene sorbed on the three components of SPS was ordered as AOC (22.4%-67.3%) > minerals (20.1%-46.0%) > BC (9.11%-16.8%), and the bioavailable fraction sorbed on SPS of 50-100 μm grain size was higher than those of 0-50 μm grain size. This is because the SPS grain size will affect the ingestion of SPS and the SPS composition will affect the desorption of SPS-associated pyrene in Daphnia magna. According to the results obtained in this study, a model has been developed to calculate the bioavailability of HOCs to aquatic organisms in natural waters considering both SPS grain size and composition. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Modeling of Grain Size Distribution of Tsunami Sand Deposits in V-shaped Valley of Numanohama During the 2011 Tohoku Tsunami

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gusman, A. R.; Satake, K.; Goto, T.; Takahashi, T.

2016-12-01

Estimating tsunami amplitude from tsunami sand deposit has been a challenge. The grain size distribution of tsunami sand deposit may have correlation with tsunami inundation process, and further with its source characteristics. In order to test this hypothesis, we need a tsunami sediment transport model that can accurately estimate grain size distribution of tsunami deposit. Here, we built and validate a tsunami sediment transport model that can simulate grain size distribution. Our numerical model has three layers which are suspended load layer, active bed layer, and parent bed layer. The two bed layers contain information about the grain size distribution. This numerical model can handle a wide range of grain sizes from 0.063 (4 ϕ) to 5.657 mm (-2.5 ϕ). We apply the numerical model to simulate the sedimentation process during the 2011 Tohoku earthquake in Numanohama, Iwate prefecture, Japan. The grain size distributions at 15 sample points along a 900 m transect from the beach are used to validate the tsunami sediment transport model. The tsunami deposits are dominated by coarse sand with diameter of 0.5 - 1 mm and their thickness are up to 25 cm. Our tsunami model can well reproduce the observed tsunami run-ups that are ranged from 16 to 34 m along the steep valley in Numanohama. The shapes of the simulated grain size distributions at many sample points located within 300 m from the shoreline are similar to the observations. The differences between observed and simulated peak of grain size distributions are less than 1 ϕ. Our result also shows that the simulated sand thickness distribution along the transect is consistent with the observation.

Effect of specimen size and grain orientation on the mechanical and physical properties of NBG-18 nuclear graphite

DOE PAGES

Vasudevamurthy, G.; Byun, T. S.; Pappano, Pete; ...

2015-03-13

Here we present a comparison of the measured baseline mechanical and physical properties of with grain (WG) and against grain (AG) non-ASTM size NBG-18 graphite. The objectives of the experiments were twofold: (1) assess the variation in properties with grain orientation; (2) establish a correlation between specimen tensile strength and size. The tensile strength of the smallest sized (4 mm diameter) specimens were about 5% higher than the standard specimens (12 mm diameter) but still within one standard deviation of the ASTM specimen size indicating no significant dependence of strength on specimen size. The thermal expansion coefficient and elastic constantsmore » did not show significant dependence on specimen size. Lastly, experimental data indicated that the variation of thermal expansion coefficient and elastic constants were still within 5% between the different grain orientations, confirming the isotropic nature of NBG-18 graphite in physical properties.« less

Tsunami sediments and their grain size characteristics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sulastya Putra, Purna

2018-02-01

Characteristics of tsunami deposits are very complex as the deposition by tsunami is very complex processes. The grain size characteristics of tsunami deposits are simply generalized no matter the local condition in which the deposition took place. The general characteristics are fining upward and landward, poor sorting, and the grain size distribution is not unimodal. Here I review the grain size characteristics of tsunami deposit in various environments: swale, coastal marsh and lagoon/lake. Review results show that although there are similar characters in some environments and cases, but in detail the characteristics in each environment can be distinguished; therefore, the tsunami deposit in each environment has its own characteristic. The local geological and geomorphological condition of the environment may greatly affect the grain size characteristics.

Characterisation of a garnet population from the Sikkim Himalaya: implications for the mechanisms and rates of porphyroblast crystallisation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

George, Freya; Gaidies, Fred

2016-04-01

Analysis of porphyroblast distribution in metamorphic rocks yields insight into the processes controlling metamorphic reaction rates. By coupling this textural record with microprobe analysis and phase-equilibria and diffusion modelling, a detailed view of the nucleation and growth history of metamorphic minerals can be obtained. In this study, we comprehensively characterise the 3D distribution and compositional variation of a garnet population in a garnet-grade pelitic schist of the Lesser Himalayan Sequence (Sikkim), in order to investigate both the rates and kinetic controls of porphyroblastic crystallisation. Quantification of the size, shape and spatial distribution of garnet using high-resolution μ-computed X-ray tomography and statistical analysis reveals a log-normal crystal size distribution, systematic variation of aspect ratio with crystal size, and a significantly clustered garnet texture in the study sample. The latter is indicative of interface-controlled nucleation and growth, with nucleation sites controlled principally by a heterogeneous precursor assemblage. At length-scales less than 0.7 mm, there is evidence for adjacent grains that are on average smaller than the mean size of the population; this minor ordering is attributed to secondary redistribution of porphyroblast centers and reduction of crystal sizes due to syn-kinematic growth and resorption, respectively. Geochemical traverses through centrally sectioned garnet crystals of variable size highlight several features: (1) core compositions of even the smallest crystals preserve primary prograde growth zonation, with little evidence for diffusional modification in any crystal size; (2) rim compositions are within error between grains, suggestive of sample-scale equilibration of the growth medium at the time of cessation of crystallisation; (3) different grains of equal radii display equivalent compositional zoning; and (4) gradients of compositional profiles display a steepening trend in progressively smaller grain sizes, converse to anticipated trends based on classic kinetic crystallisation theory. The observed systematic behaviour is interpreted to reflect interface-controlled rates of crystallisation, with a decrease in the rate of crystal growth of newly nucleated grains as the crystallisation interval proceeds. Numerical simulations of garnet growth successfully reproduce observed core and rim compositions, and simulations of intracrystalline diffusion yield rapid heating/cooling rates along the P-T path, in excess of 100 °C/Ma. Radial garnet crystallisation is correspondingly rapid, with minimum growth rates of 1.5 mm/Ma in the smallest crystals. Simulations suggest progressive nucleation of new generations of garnet occurred with an exponentially decreasing frequency along the prograde path; however, measured gradients indicate that core compositions developed more slowly than predicted by the model, potentially resulting in a more evenly distributed pattern of nucleation.

Modulating crystal grain size and optoelectronic properties of perovskite films for solar cells by reaction temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Xiaodong; Yang, Zhou; Yang, Dong; Zhang, Xu; Cui, Dong; Liu, Yucheng; Wei, Qingbo; Fan, Haibo; Liu, Shengzhong (Frank)

2016-02-01

Regulating the temperature during the direction contact and intercalation process (DCIP) for the transition from PbI2 to CH3NH3PbI3 modulated the crystallinity, crystal grain size and crystal grain orientation of the perovskite films. Higher temperatures produced perovskite films with better crystallinity, larger grain size, and better photovoltaic performance. The best cell, which had a PCE of 12.9%, was obtained on a film prepared at 200 °C. Further open circuit voltage decay and film resistance characterization revealed that the larger grain size contributed to longer carrier lifetime and smaller carrier transport resistance, both of which are beneficial for solar cell devices.Regulating the temperature during the direction contact and intercalation process (DCIP) for the transition from PbI2 to CH3NH3PbI3 modulated the crystallinity, crystal grain size and crystal grain orientation of the perovskite films. Higher temperatures produced perovskite films with better crystallinity, larger grain size, and better photovoltaic performance. The best cell, which had a PCE of 12.9%, was obtained on a film prepared at 200 °C. Further open circuit voltage decay and film resistance characterization revealed that the larger grain size contributed to longer carrier lifetime and smaller carrier transport resistance, both of which are beneficial for solar cell devices. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: XRD patterns and statistic results of solar cell performance. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr08935b

Heat removal from bipolar transistor by loop heat pipe with nickel and copper porous structures.

PubMed

Nemec, Patrik; Smitka, Martin; Malcho, Milan

2014-01-01

Loop heat pipes (LHPs) are used in many branches of industry, mainly for cooling of electrical elements and systems. The loop heat pipe is a vapour-liquid phase-change device that transfers heat from evaporator to condenser. One of the most important parts of the LHP is the porous wick structure. The wick structure provides capillary force to circulate the working fluid. To achieve good thermal performance of LHP, capillary wicks with high permeability and porosity and fine pore radius are expected. The aim of this work was to develop porous structures from copper and nickel powder with different grain sizes. For experiment copper powder with grain size of 50 and 100 μm and nickel powder with grain size of 10 and 25 μm were used. Analysis of these porous structures and LHP design are described in the paper. And the measurements' influences of porous structures in LHP on heat removal from the insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) have been made.

Effect of substrate temperature and gas flow ratio on the nanocomposite TiAlBN coating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rosli, Z. M.; Kwan, W. L.; Juoi, J. M.

2016-07-01

Nanocomposite TiAlBN (nc-TiAlBN) coatings were successfully deposited via RF magnetron sputtering by varying the nitrogen-to-total gas flow ratio (RN), and substrate temperature (TS). All coatings were deposited on AISI 316 substrates using single Ti-Al-BN hot-pressed disc as a target. The grain size, phases, and chemical composition of the coatings were evaluated using glancing angle X-ray diffraction analysis (GAXRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Results showed that the grains size of the deposited nc-TiAlBN coatings were in the range of 3.5 to 5.7 nm and reached a nitride saturation state as early as 15 % RN. As the nitrogen concentration decreases, boron concentration increased from 9 at.% to 16.17 at.%. and thus, increase the TiB2 phase within the coatings. The TS, however, showed no significant effect either on the crystallographic structure, grain size, or in the chemical composition of the deposited nc-TiAlBN coating.

Heat Removal from Bipolar Transistor by Loop Heat Pipe with Nickel and Copper Porous Structures

PubMed Central

Smitka, Martin; Malcho, Milan

2014-01-01

Loop heat pipes (LHPs) are used in many branches of industry, mainly for cooling of electrical elements and systems. The loop heat pipe is a vapour-liquid phase-change device that transfers heat from evaporator to condenser. One of the most important parts of the LHP is the porous wick structure. The wick structure provides capillary force to circulate the working fluid. To achieve good thermal performance of LHP, capillary wicks with high permeability and porosity and fine pore radius are expected. The aim of this work was to develop porous structures from copper and nickel powder with different grain sizes. For experiment copper powder with grain size of 50 and 100 μm and nickel powder with grain size of 10 and 25 μm were used. Analysis of these porous structures and LHP design are described in the paper. And the measurements' influences of porous structures in LHP on heat removal from the insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) have been made. PMID:24959622

[Spatial change of the grain-size of aeolian sediments in Qira oasis-desert ecotone, Northwest China].

PubMed

Lin, Yong Chong; Xu, Li Shuai

2017-04-18

In order to understand the environmental influence of oasis-desert ecotone to oasis ecological system, we comparatively analyzed the grain size characteristics of various aeolian sediments, including the sediments in oasis-desert ecotone, shelterbelt and the inside oasis and in Qira River valley. The results showed that the grain size characteristics (including grain-size distribution curve, grain size parameters, and content of different size classes) of sediments in the oasis-desert ecotone were consistent along the prevailing wind direction with a grain-size range of 0.3-200 μm and modal size of 67 μm. All of the sediments were good sorting and mainly composed of suspension components and saltation components, but not denatured saltation and creeping components (>200 μm). They were typically aeolian deposits being short-range transported. The grain sizes of sediments in oasis-desert ecotone were smaller than that in the material sources of Qira River valley and desert (0.3-800 μm), but very similar to those of the modern aeolian deposits in oasis-desert ecotone, shelterbelt and the inside oasis. The denatured saltation and creep components (>200 μm) were suppressed to transport into oasis-desert ecotone because of the high vegetation cover in oasis-desert ecotone. Therefore, like the shelterbelts, the oasis-desert ecotone could also block the invasion of desert. They safeguarded the oasis ecological environment together.

Grain-size-independent plastic flow at ultrahigh pressures and strain rates.

PubMed

Park, H-S; Rudd, R E; Cavallo, R M; Barton, N R; Arsenlis, A; Belof, J L; Blobaum, K J M; El-dasher, B S; Florando, J N; Huntington, C M; Maddox, B R; May, M J; Plechaty, C; Prisbrey, S T; Remington, B A; Wallace, R J; Wehrenberg, C E; Wilson, M J; Comley, A J; Giraldez, E; Nikroo, A; Farrell, M; Randall, G; Gray, G T

2015-02-13

A basic tenet of material science is that the flow stress of a metal increases as its grain size decreases, an effect described by the Hall-Petch relation. This relation is used extensively in material design to optimize the hardness, durability, survivability, and ductility of structural metals. This Letter reports experimental results in a new regime of high pressures and strain rates that challenge this basic tenet of mechanical metallurgy. We report measurements of the plastic flow of the model body-centered-cubic metal tantalum made under conditions of high pressure (>100  GPa) and strain rate (∼10(7)  s(-1)) achieved by using the Omega laser. Under these unique plastic deformation ("flow") conditions, the effect of grain size is found to be negligible for grain sizes >0.25  μm sizes. A multiscale model of the plastic flow suggests that pressure and strain rate hardening dominate over the grain-size effects. Theoretical estimates, based on grain compatibility and geometrically necessary dislocations, corroborate this conclusion.

Method to grow carbon thin films consisting entirely of diamond grains 3-5 nm in size and high-energy grain boundaries

DOEpatents

Carlisle, John A.; Auciello, Orlando; Birrell, James

2006-10-31

An ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) having an average grain size between 3 and 5 nanometers (nm) with not more than about 8% by volume diamond having an average grain size larger than 10 nm. A method of manufacturing UNCD film is also disclosed in which a vapor of acetylene and hydrogen in an inert gas other than He wherein the volume ratio of acetylene to hydrogen is greater than 0.35 and less than 0.85, with the balance being an inert gas, is subjected to a suitable amount of energy to fragment at least some of the acetylene to form a UNCD film having an average grain size of 3 to 5 nm with not more than about 8% by volume diamond having an average grain size larger than 10 nm.

Grain optical properties

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hanner, Martha

1988-01-01

The optical properties of small grains provide the link between the infrared observations presented in Chapter 1 and the dust composition described in Chapter 3. In this session, the optical properties were discussed from the viewpoint of modeling the emission from the dust coma and the scattering in order to draw inference about the dust size distribution and composition. The optical properties are applied to the analysis of the infrared data in several ways, and these different uses should be kept in mind when judging the validity of the methods for applying optical constants to real grains.

Micromechanics of pressure-induced grain crushing in porous rocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davis, Daniel M.

1990-01-01

The hydrostatic compaction behavior of a suite of porous sandstones was investigated at confining pressures up to 600 MPa and constant pore pressures ranging up to 50 MPa. These five sandstones (Boise, Kayenta, St. Peter, Berea, and Weber) were selected because of their wide range of porosity (5-35%) and grain size (60-460 μm). We tested the law of effective stress for the porosity change as a function of pressure. Except for Weber sandstone (which has the lowest porosity and smallest grain size), the hydrostat of each sandstone shows an inflection point corresponding to a critical effective pressure beyond which an accelerated, irrecoverable compaction occurs. Our microstructural observations show that brittle grain crushing initiates at this critical pressure. We also observed distributed cleavage cracking in calcite and intensive kinking in mica. The critical pressures for grain crushing in our sandstones range from 75 to 380 MPa. In general, a sandstone with higher porosity and larger grain size has a critical pressure which is lower than that of a sandstone with lower porosity and smaller grain size. We formulate a Hertzian fracture model to analyze the micromechanics of grain crushing. Assuming that the solid grains have preexisting microcracks with dimensions which scale with grain size, we derive an expression for the critical pressure which depends on the porosity, grain size, and fracture toughness of the solid matrix. The theoretical prediction is in reasonable agreement with our experimental data as well as other data from soil and rock mechanics studies for which the critical pressures range over 3 orders of magnitude.

Disappearance of 19P/Borrelly's Silicate Feature in 2001 Apparition Is Attributed to Increase in Grain Size

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wooden, D. H.; Woodward, C. E.; Harker, D. E.

2002-01-01

We report on observations and analysis of HIFOGS 10 microns spectrophotometry of short period comet 19P/Borrelly on 2003 October 13, 15 UT at the NASA IRTF. 19P/Borrelly is one of two short period comets, comet 4PIFaye being the other, to have a silicate feature detected. During Borrelly s perihelion passage in 1994 December, a silicate feature was present with a flux-to-continuum ratio of 0.25. Two apparitions later in 2003 October, the silicate feature is absent. Thermal emission modeling using amorphous olivine and amorphous carbon shows that a slight increase in grain size accounts for the disappearance of the silicate feature. Analysis of 19P/Borrelly suggests grain size, and not the absence of olivine minerals, may be responsible for the absence of silicate features in most short period comets. 19P/Borrelly is one of the more active short period comets. However, short period comets as a family are less active than long period comets. Short period comets probably originated in the Kuiper Belt and suffered collisions while in residence in the outer solar system. Upon evolution into orbits that take them through the inner solar system, the surfaces of short period comets are exposed to sunlight through their many perihelion passages. This is in contrast to long period comets which probably originated near Jupiter and were expelled to the Oort cloud where they have existed and been exposed to cosmic ray processing. By studying the grain properties in short period comets and comparing to long period comets, we compare the effects on the grain populations of different parent body evolution histories. Upcoming opportunities to study short and long period comets will be advertised.

Comparative Mineralogy, Microstructure and Compositional Trends in the Sub-Micron Size Fractions of Mare and Highland Lunar Soils

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thompson, M. S.; Christoffersen, R.; Noble, S. K.; Keller, L. P.

2012-01-01

The morphology, mineralogy, chemical composition and optical properties of lunar soils show distinct correlations as a function of grain size and origin [1,2,3]. In the <20 m size fraction, there is an increased correlation between lunar surface properties observed through remote sensing techniques and those attributed to space weathering phenomenae [1,2]. Despite the establishment of recognizable trends in lunar grains <20 in size [1,2,3], the size fraction < 10 m is characterized as a collective population of grains without subdivision. This investigation focuses specifically on grains in the <1 m diameter size fraction for both highland and mare derived soils. The properties of these materials provide the focus for many aspects of lunar research including the nature of space weathering on surface properties, electrostatic grain transport [4,5] and dusty plasmas [5]. In this study, we have used analytical transmission and scanning transmission electron microscopy (S/TEM) to characterize the mineralogy type, microstructure and major element compositions of grains in this important size range in lunar soils.

Elevated Temperature Deformation of Fe-39.8Al and Fe-15.6Mn-39.4Al

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whittenberger, J. Daniel

2004-01-01

The elevated temperature compressive properties of binary Fe-39.8 at % Al and Fe-15.6Mn-39.4Al have been measured between 1000 and 1300 K at strain rates between 10(exp 7) and 10(exp 3)/ s. Although the Mn addition to iron aluminide did not change the basic deformation characteristics, the Mn-modified alloy was slightly weaker. In the regime where deformation of FeAl occurs by a high stress exponent mechanism (n = 6), strength increases as the grain size decreases at least for diameters between approx. 200 and approx. 10 microns. Due to the limitation in the grain size-flow stress-temperature-strain rate database, the influence of further reductions of the grain size on strength is uncertain. Based on the appearance of subgrains in deformed iron aluminide, the comparison of grain diameters to expected subgrain sizes, and the grain size exponent and stress exponent calculated from deformation experiments, it is believed that grain size strengthening is the result of an artificial limitation on subgrain size as proposed by Sherby, Klundt and Miller.

Stress Dependence of Microstructures in Experimentally Deformed Calcite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Platt, J. P.; De Bresser, J. H. P.

2017-12-01

Measurements of dynamically recrystallized grain size (Dr), subgrain size (Sg), minimum bulge size (Blg), and the maximum scale length for surface-energy driven grain-boundary migration (γGBM) in experimentally deformed Cararra marble help define the dependence of these microstructural features on stress and temperature. Measurements were made optically on ultra-thin sections in order to allow these features to be defined during measurement on the basis of microstructural setting and geometry. Taken together with previously published data Dr defines a paleopiezometer with a stress exponent of -1.09. There is no discernible temperature dependence over the 500°C temperature range of the experiments. Recrystallization occured mainly by bulging and subgrain rotation, and the two processes operated together, so that it is not possible to separate grains nucleated by the two mechanisms. Sg and Dr measured in the same samples are closely similar in size, suggesting that new grains do not grow significantly after nucleation, and that subgrain size is likely to be the primary control on recrystallized grain size. Blg and γGBM measured on each sample define a relationship to stress with an exponent of approximately -1.6, which helps define the boundary in stress - grain-size space between a region of dominant strain-energy-driven grain-boundary migration at high stress, from a region of dominant surface-energy-driven grain-boundary migration at low stress.

Fabric and texture at Siple Dome, Antarctica

USGS Publications Warehouse

Diprinzio, C.L.; Wilen, Lawrence A.; Alley, R.B.; Fitzpatrick, J.J.; Spencer, M.K.; Gow, A.J.

2005-01-01

Preferred c-axis orientations are present in the firn at Siple Dome, West Antarctica, and recrystallization begins as shallow as 200 m depth in ice below -20??C, based on digital analysis of c-axis fabrics, grain-sizes and other characteristics of 52 vertical thin sections prepared in the field from the kilometer-long Siple Dome ice core. The shallowest section analyzed, from 22 m, shows clustering of c axes toward the vertical. By 200 m depth, girdle fabric and other features of recrystallized ice are evident in layers (or regions), separated by layers (regions) of typically finer-grained ice lacking evidence of recrystallization. Ice from about 700-780 m depth, which was deposited during the last ice age, is especially fine-grained, with strongly vertical c axes, but deeper ice shows much larger crystals and strong evidence of recrystallization. Azimuthal asymmetry of some c-axis fabrics, trends in grain-size, and other indicators reveal additional information on processes and history of ice flow at Siple Dome.

FORMATION OF SiC GRAINS IN PULSATION-ENHANCED DUST-DRIVEN WIND AROUND CARBON-RICH ASYMPTOTIC GIANT BRANCH STARS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yasuda, Yuki; Kozasa, Takashi, E-mail: yuki@antares-a.sci.hokudai.ac.jp

2012-02-01

We investigate the formation of silicon carbide (SiC) grains in the framework of dust-driven wind around pulsating carbon-rich asymptotic giant branch (C-rich AGB) stars to reveal not only the amount but also the size distribution. Two cases are considered for the nucleation process: one is the local thermal equilibrium (LTE) case where the vibration temperature of SiC clusters T{sub v} is equal to the gas temperature as usual, and another is the non-LTE case in which T{sub v} is assumed to be the same as the temperature of small SiC grains. The results of the hydrodynamical calculations for a modelmore » with stellar parameters of mass M{sub *} = 1.0 M{sub Sun }, luminosity L{sub *} = 10{sup 4} L{sub Sun }, effective temperature T{sub eff} = 2600 K, C/O ratio = 1.4, and pulsation period P = 650 days show the following: in the LTE case, SiC grains condense in accelerated outflowing gas after the formation of carbon grains, and the resulting averaged mass ratio of SiC to carbon grains of {approx}10{sup -8} is too small to reproduce the value of 0.01-0.3, which is inferred from the radiative transfer models. On the other hand, in the non-LTE case, the formation region of the SiC grains is more internal and/or almost identical to that of the carbon grains due to the so-called inverse greenhouse effect. The mass ratio of SiC to carbon grains averaged at the outer boundary ranges from 0.098 to 0.23 for the sticking probability {alpha}{sub s} = 0.1-1.0. The size distributions with the peak at {approx}0.2-0.3 {mu}m in radius cover the range of size derived from the analysis of the presolar SiC grains. Thus, the difference between the temperatures of the small cluster and gas plays a crucial role in the formation process of SiC grains around C-rich AGB stars, and this aspect should be explored for the formation process of dust grains in astrophysical environments.« less

Settling equivalence of detrital minerals and grain-size dependence of sediment composition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garzanti, Eduardo; Andò, Sergio; Vezzoli, Giovanni

2008-08-01

This study discusses the laws which govern sediment deposition, and consequently determine size-dependent compositional variability. A theoretical approach is substantiated by robust datasets on major Alpine, Himalayan, and African sedimentary systems. Integrated (bulk-petrography, heavy-mineral, X-ray powder diffraction) multiple-window analyses at 0.25ϕ to 0.50ϕ sieve interval of eighty-five fluvial, beach, and eolian-dune samples, ranging from very fine silt to coarse sand, document homologous intrasample compositional trends, revealed by systematic concentration of denser grains in finer-grained fractions (“size-density sorting”). These trends are explained by the settling-equivalence principle, stating that detrital minerals are deposited together if their settling velocity is the same. Settling of silt is chiefly resisted by fluid viscosity, and Stokes' law predicts that size differences between detrital minerals in ϕ units (“size shifts”) are half the difference between the logarithms of their submerged densities. Settling of pebbles is chiefly resisted by turbulence effects, and the Impact law predicts double size shifts than Stokes' law. Settling of sand is resisted by both viscosity and turbulence, the settling-equivalence formula is complex, and size shifts increase - with increasing settling velocity and grain size - from those predicted by Stokes' law to those predicted by the Impact law. In wind-laid sands, size shifts match those predicted by the Impact law; size-density sorting is thus greater than in water-laid fine sands. New analytical, graphical, and statistical techniques for rigorous settling-equivalence analysis of terrigenous sediments are illustrated. Deviations associated with non-spherical shape, density anomalies, inheritance from source rocks, or mixing of detrital species with contrasting provenance and different size distribution are also tentatively assessed. Such integrated theoretical and experimental approach allows us to mathematically predict intrasample compositional variability of water-laid and wind-laid sediments, once the density of detrital components is known.

Soil grain analyses at Meridiani Planum, Mars

USGS Publications Warehouse

Weitz, C.M.; Anderson, R.C.; Bell, J.F.; Farrand, W. H.; Herkenhoff, K. E.; Johnson, J. R.; Jolliff, B.L.; Morris, R.V.; Squyres, S. W.; Sullivan, R.J.

2006-01-01

Grain-size analyses of the soils at Meridiani Planum have been used to identify rock souces for the grains and provide information about depositional processes under past and current conditions. Basaltic sand, dust, millimeter-size hematite-rich spherules interpreted as concretions, spherule fragments, coated partially buried spherules, basalt fragments, sedimentary outcrop fragments, and centimeter-size cobbles are concentrated on the upper surfaces of the soils as a lag deposit, while finer basaltic sands and dust dominate the underlying soils. There is a bimodal distribution of soil grain sizes with one population representing grains <125 ??m and the other falling between 1-4.5 mm. Soils within craters like Eagle and Endurance show a much greater diversity of grain morphologies compared to the plains. The spherules found in the plains soils are approximately 1-2 mm smaller in size than those seen embedded in the outcrop rocks of Eagle and Endurance craters. The average major axis for all unfractured spherules measured in the soils and outcrop rocks is 2.87 ?? 1.18 mm, with a trend toward decreasing spherule sizes in both the soils and outcrop rocks as the rover drove southward. Wind ripples seen across the plains of Meridiani are dominated by similar size (1.3-1.7 mm) hematite-rich grains, and they match in size the larger grains on plains ripples at Gusev Crater. Larger clasts and centimeter-size cobbles that are scattered on the soils have several spectral and compositional types, reflecting multiple origins. The cobbles tend to concentrate within ripple troughs along the plains and in association with outcrop exposures. Copyright 2006 by the American Geophysical Union.

Mechanical Behavior of Nanostructured and Ultrafine Grained Materials under Shock Wave Loadings. Experimental Data and Results of Computer Simulation.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skripnyak, Vladimir

2011-06-01

Features of mechanical behavior of nanostructured (NS) and ultrafine grained (UFG) metal and ceramic materials under quasistatic and shock wave loadings are discussed in this report. Multilevel models developed within the approach of computational mechanics of materials were used for simulation mechanical behavior of UFG and NS metals and ceramics. Comparisons of simulation results with experimental data are presented. Models of mechanical behavior of nanostructured metal alloys takes into account a several structural factors influencing on the mechanical behavior of materials (type of a crystal lattice, density of dislocations, a size of dislocation substructures, concentration and size of phase precipitation, and distribution of grains sizes). Results show the strain rate sensitivity of the yield stress of UFG and polycrystalline alloys is various in a range from 103 up to 106 1/s. But the difference of the Hugoniot elastic limits of a UFG and coarse-grained alloys may be not considerable. The spall strength, the yield stress of UFG and NS alloys are depend not only on grains size, but a number of factors such as a distribution of grains sizes, a concentration and sizes of voids and cracks, a concentration and sizes of phase precipitation. Some titanium alloys with grain sizes from 300 to 500 nm have the quasi-static yield strength and the tensile strength twice higher than that of coarse grained counterparts. But the spall strength of the UFG titanium alloys is only 10 percents above than that of coarse grained alloys. At the same time it was found the spall strength of the bulk UFG aluminium and magnesium alloys with precipitation strengthening is essentially higher in comparison of coarse-grained counterparts. The considerable decreasing of the strain before failure of UFG alloys was predicted at high strain rates. The Hugoniot elastic limits of oxide nanoceramics depend not only on the porosity, but also on sizes and volume distribution of voids.

Size and density sorting of dust grains in SPH simulations of protoplanetary discs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pignatale, F. C.; Gonzalez, J.-F.; Cuello, Nicolas; Bourdon, Bernard; Fitoussi, Caroline

2017-07-01

The size and density of dust grains determine their response to gas drag in protoplanetary discs. Aerodynamical (size × density) sorting is one of the proposed mechanisms to explain the grain properties and chemical fractionation of chondrites. However, the efficiency of aerodynamical sorting and the location in the disc in which it could occur are still unknown. Although the effects of grain sizes and growth in discs have been widely studied, a simultaneous analysis including dust composition is missing. In this work, we present the dynamical evolution and growth of multicomponent dust in a protoplanetary disc using a 3D, two-fluid (gas+dust) smoothed particle hydrodynamics code. We find that the dust vertical settling is characterized by two phases: a density-driven phase that leads to a vertical chemical sorting of dust and a size-driven phase that enhances the amount of lighter material in the mid-plane. We also see an efficient radial chemical sorting of the dust at large scales. We find that dust particles are aerodynamically sorted in the inner disc. The disc becomes sub-solar in its Fe/Si ratio on the surface since the early stage of evolution but sub-solar Fe/Si can be also found in the outer disc-mid-plane at late stages. Aggregates in the disc mimic the physical and chemical properties of chondrites, suggesting that aerodynamical sorting played an important role in determining their final structure.

Microstructural evolution and grain growth kinetics of GZ31 magnesium alloy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Roostaei, M., E-mail: miladroustaei68@ut.ac.ir

2016-08-15

Grain growth behavior of Mg–3Gd–1Zn (GZ31) magnesium alloy was studied in a wide range of annealing time and temperature to clarify the kinetics of grain growth, microstructural evolution and related metallurgical phenomena. This material exhibited typical normal grain growth mode under annealing conditions with annealing temperature of lower than 300 °C and soaking time of lower than 240 min. However, the abnormality in grain growth was also evident at annealing temperature of 400 °C and 500 °C. The dependence of abnormal grain growth (AGG) at mentioned annealing temperatures upon microstructural features such as dispersed precipitates, which were rich in Znmore » and Gd, was investigated by optical micrographs, X-ray diffraction patterns, scanning electron microscopy images, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis spectra. The bimodality in grain-size distribution histograms also signified the occurrence of AGG. Based on the experimental data on grain growth obtained by annealing treatments, the grain growth exponent and the activation energy were also figured out.« less

Positive column of a glow discharge in neon with charged dust grains (a review)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Polyakov, D. N., E-mail: cryolab@ihed.ras.ru; Shumova, V. V.; Vasilyak, L. M.

The effect of charged micron-size dust grains (microparticles) on the electric parameters of the positive column of a low-pressure dc glow discharge in neon has been studied experimentally and numerically. Numerical analysis is carried out in the diffusion-drift approximation with allowance for the interaction of dust grains with metastable neon atoms. In a discharge with a dust grain cloud, the longitudinal electric field increases. As the number density of dust grains in an axisymmetric cylindrical dust cloud rises, the growth of the electric field saturates. It is shown that the contribution of metastable atoms to ionization is higher in amore » discharge with dust grains, in spite of the quenching of metastable atoms on dust grains. The processes of charging of dust grains and the dust cloud are considered. As the number density of dust grains rises, their charge decreases, while the space charge of the dust cloud increases. The results obtained can be used in plasma technologies involving microparticles.« less

The effects of surface finish and grain size on the strength of sintered silicon carbide

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

You, Y. H.; Kim, Y. W.; Lee, J. G.; Kim, C. H.

1985-01-01

The effects of surface treatment and microstructure, especially abnormal grain growth, on the strength of sintered SiC were studied. The surfaces of sintered SiC were treated with 400, 800 and 1200 grit diamond wheels. Grain growth was induced by increasing the sintering times at 2050 C. The beta to alpha transformation occurred during the sintering of beta-phase starting materials and was often accompanied by abnormal grain growth. The overall strength distributions were established using Weibull statistics. The strength of the sintered SiC is limited by extrinsic surface flaws in normal-sintered specimens. The finer the surface finish and grain size, the higher the strength. But the strength of abnormal sintering specimens is limited by the abnormally grown large tabular grains. The Weibull modulus increases with decreasing grain size and decreasing grit size for grinding.

Local hysteresis and grain size effect in Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3- PbTiO3 thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shvartsman, V. V.; Emelyanov, A. Yu.; Kholkin, A. L.; Safari, A.

2002-07-01

The local piezoelectric properties of relaxor ferroelectric films of solid solutions 0.9Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3- 0.1PbTiO3 were investigated by scanning force microscopy (SFM) in a piezoelectric contact mode. The piezoelectric hysteresis loops were acquired in the interior of grains of different sizes. A clear correlation between the values of the effective piezoelectric coefficients, deff, and the size of the respective grains is observed. Small grains exhibit slim piezoelectric hysteresis loops with low remanent deff, whereas relatively strong piezoelectric activity is characteristic of larger grains. Part of the grains (approx20-25%) is strongly polarized without application of a dc field. The nature of both phenomena is discussed in terms of the internal bias field and grain size effects on the dynamics of nanopolar clusters.

Friction angle measurements on a naturally formed gravel streambed: Implications for critical boundary shear stress

Treesearch

John M. Buffington; William E. Dietrich; James W. Kirchner

1992-01-01

We report the first measurements of friction angles for a naturally formed gravel streambed. For a given test grain size placed on a bed surface, friction angles varied from 10º to over 100º; friction angle distributions can be expressed as a function of test grain size, median bed grain size, and bed sorting parameter. Friction angles decrease with increasing grain...

Intragranular Recrystallization and Lattice Reorientation of Calcite Grains in Experimentally Deformed Crinoids and Trilobites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, N.; Takahashi, M.; Shigematsu, N.; Ree, J. H.; Jung, H.

2017-12-01

Intragranular recrystallization, including subgrain-rotation-recrystallization (SGR) and nucleation (and growth) of new grains along boundaries of deformation twins and bands, is an important process leading to grain-size reduction and causing rheological change depending on deformation condition. Despite of its importance, the detailed processes of intragranular recrystallization are still somewhat unclear. We deformed a limestone using triaxial testing machine at AIST of Japan at temperature of 500 700 °, strain rate of 10-4 10-5 s-1, confining pressure of 200 MPa and strain of up to 30%, to explore intragranular recrystallization processes of calcite. The limestone contains two abundant fossils, crinoid and trilobite. The crinoids are mono- or poly-crystalline. We focus on the monocrystalline crinoids with a coarser grain size ( 700 μm). The trilobites are polycrystalline and much finer-grained ( 7 μm) with initially a strong c-axis preferred orientation. At a lower temperature condition, subgrains develop both in twin and host domains of crinoids and evolve into new grains by SGR. At a higher temperature, recrystallized grains have irregular grain boundaries and bimodal grain-size distribution, implying grain-boundary migration (GBM) recrystallization. At a lower temperature, new grains nucleating and growing along twin boundaries inherit lattice orientation of twin domain, and with the nucleation site and usually a smaller grain size, they can be distinguished from new grains by SGR. At a higher temperature, however, the distinction is difficult at present due to extensive GBM. For the trilobites, there is only local GBM with no significant change in grain size, and flattening of grains reflects the bulk strain at a lower temperature. At a higher temperature, individual grains of the trilobites are equi-axed with weakened LPO, although the strain of trilobites is higher than bulk strain. These microfabrics suggest that the dominant deformation mechanism of the trilobites is diffusion creep. Although the initial LPO of the trilobites is weakened, the LPO is still preserved up to strain of 30%. This implies that even if the grain size of trilobites and matrix is similar in naturally deformed limestones, the lattice orientation map may be useful in recognizing trilobite fossils.

Deformation mechanisms and grain size evolution in the Bohemian granulites - a computational study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maierova, Petra; Lexa, Ondrej; Jeřábek, Petr; Franěk, Jan; Schulmann, Karel

2015-04-01

A dominant deformation mechanism in crustal rocks (e.g., dislocation and diffusion creep, grain boundary sliding, solution-precipitation) depends on many parameters such as temperature, major minerals, differential stress, strain rate and grain size. An exemplary sequence of deformation mechanisms was identified in the largest felsic granulite massifs in the southern Moldanubian domain (Bohemian Massif, central European Variscides). These massifs were interpreted to result from collision-related forced diapiric ascent of lower crust and its subsequent lateral spreading at mid-crustal levels. Three types of microstructures were distinguished. The oldest relict microstructure (S1) with large grains (>1000 μm) of feldspar deformed probably by dislocation creep at peak HT eclogite facies conditions. Subsequently at HP granulite-facies conditions, chemically- and deformation- induced recrystallization of feldspar porphyroclasts led to development of a fine-grained microstructure (S2, ~50 μm grain size) indicating deformation via diffusion creep, probably assisted by melt-enhanced grain-boundary sliding. This microstructure was associated with flow in the lower crust and/or its diapiric ascent. The latest microstructure (S3, ~100 μm grain size) is related to the final lateral spreading of retrograde granulites, and shows deformation by dislocation creep at amphibolite-facies conditions. The S2-S3 switch and coarsening was interpreted to be related with a significant decrease in strain rate. From this microstructural sequence it appears that it is the grain size that is critically linked with specific mechanical behavior of these rocks. Thus in this study, we focused on the interplay between grain size and deformation with the aim to numerically simulate and reinterpret the observed microstructural sequence. We tested several different mathematical descriptions of the grain size evolution, each of which gave qualitatively different results. We selected the two most elaborated and at the same time the most promising descriptions: thermodynamics-based models with and without Zener pinning. For conditions compatible with the S1 and S2 microstructures (~800 °C and strain rate ~10-13 s-1), the calculated stable grain sizes are ~30 μm and >300 μm in the models with and without Zener pinning, respectively. This is in agreement with the contrasting grain sizes associated with S1 and S2 microstructures implying that mainly chemically induced recrystallization of S1 feldspar porphyroclasts must had played a fundamental role in the transition into the diffusion creep. The model with pinning also explains only minor changes of mean grain size associated with S2 microstructure. The S2-S3 switch from the diffusion to dislocation creep is difficult to explain when assuming reasonable temperature and strain rate (or stress). However, a simple incorporation of the effect of melt solidification into the model with pinning can mimic this observed switch. Besides the above mentioned simple models with prescribed temperature and strain rate, we implemented the grain size evolution laws into in a 2D thermo-mechanical model setup, where stress, strain rate and temperature evolve in a more natural manner. This setup simulates a collisional evolution of an orogenic root with anomalous lower crust. The lower-crustal material is a source region for diapirs and it deforms via a combination of dislocation and grain-size-sensitive creeps. We tested the influence of selected parameters in the flow laws and in the grain-size evolution laws on the shape and other characteristics of the growing diapirs. The outputs of our simulations were then compared with the geological record from the Moldanubian granulite massifs.

Soil Particle Size Analysis by Laser Diffractometry: Result Comparison with Pipette Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Šinkovičová, Miroslava; Igaz, Dušan; Kondrlová, Elena; Jarošová, Miriam

2017-10-01

Soil texture as the basic soil physical property provides a basic information on the soil grain size distribution as well as grain size fraction representation. Currently, there are several methods of particle dimension measurement available that are based on different physical principles. Pipette method based on the different sedimentation velocity of particles with different diameter is considered to be one of the standard methods of individual grain size fraction distribution determination. Following the technical advancement, optical methods such as laser diffraction can be also used nowadays for grain size distribution determination in the soil. According to the literature review of domestic as well as international sources related to this topic, it is obvious that the results obtained by laser diffractometry do not correspond with the results obtained by pipette method. The main aim of this paper was to analyse 132 samples of medium fine soil, taken from the Nitra River catchment in Slovakia, from depths of 15-20 cm and 40-45 cm, respectively, using laser analysers: ANALYSETTE 22 MicroTec plus (Fritsch GmbH) and Mastersizer 2000 (Malvern Instruments Ltd). The results obtained by laser diffractometry were compared with pipette method and the regression relationships using linear, exponential, power and polynomial trend were derived. Regressions with the three highest regression coefficients (R2) were further investigated. The fit with the highest tightness was observed for the polynomial regression. In view of the results obtained, we recommend using the estimate of the representation of the clay fraction (<0.01 mm) polynomial regression, to achieve a highest confidence value R2 at the depths of 15-20 cm 0.72 (Analysette 22 MicroTec plus) and 0.95 (Mastersizer 2000), from a depth of 40-45 cm 0.90 (Analysette 22 MicroTec plus) and 0.96 (Mastersizer 2000). Since the percentage representation of clayey particles (2nd fraction according to the methodology of Complex Soil Survey done in Slovakia) in soil is the determinant for soil type specification, we recommend using the derived relationships in soil science when the soil texture analysis is done according to laser diffractometry. The advantages of laser diffraction method comprise the short analysis time, usage of small sample amount, application for the various grain size fraction and soil type classification systems, and a wide range of determined fractions. Therefore, it is necessary to focus on this issue further to address the needs of soil science research and attempt to replace the standard pipette method with more progressive laser diffraction method.

Extreme grain size reduction in dolomite: microstructures and mechanisms.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kennedy, L.; White, J. C.

2007-12-01

Pure dolomite sample were deformed at room temperature and under a variety of confining pressures (0 - 100MPa) to examine the processes of grain size reduction. The dolomite is composed of > 97 vol. % dolomite with accessory quartz, calcite, tremolite, and muscovite and has been metamorphosed to amphibolite facies and subsequently annealed. At the hand sample scale, the rock is isotropic, except for minor, randomly oriented tremolite porphyroblasts, and weakly aligned muscovite. At the thin section scale, coarser grains have lobate grain boundaries, exhibit minor to no undulose extinction and few deformation twins, although well- developed subgrains are present. Growth twins are common, as is the presence of well developed {1011} cleavage. Mean grain size 476 microns, and porosity is essentially zero (Austin and Kennedy, 2006). Samples contain diagonal to subvertical faults. Fractures are lined with an exceptionally fine-grained, powdered dolomite. Even experiments done at no confining pressure and stopped before sliding on the fracture surfaces occurred had significant powdered gouge developed along the surfaces. In this regard, fracturing of low porosity, pure dolomite, with metamorphic textures (e.g. lobate, interlocking grain boundaries) results in the development of fine-grained gouge. As expected the dolomite exhibited an increase in strength with increasing confining pressure, with a maximum differential stress of ~400MPa at 100 MPa confining pressure. At each chosen confining pressure, two experiments were performed and stopped at different stages along the load-displacement curve: just before yield stress and at peak stress. Microstructures at each stage were observed in order to determine the possible mechanisms for extreme grain size reduction. SEM work shows that in samples with little to no apparent displacement along microfractures, extreme grain size reduction still exists, suggesting that frictional sliding and subsequent cataclasis may not be the mechanism responsible for grain size reduction. Within individual dolomite clasts, apparent Mode I cracks are also lined with powedered gouge. Alternative mechanisms for grain size reduction are explored. Austin et al. 2005, Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 243, 51-66.3.

The dust scattering halo of Cygnus X-3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Corrales, L. R.; Paerels, F.

2015-10-01

Dust grains scatter X-ray light through small angles, producing a diffuse halo image around bright X-ray point sources situated behind a large amount of interstellar material. We present analytic solutions to the integral for the dust scattering intensity, which allow for a Bayesian analysis of the scattering halo around Cygnus X-3. Fitting the optically thin 4-6 keV halo surface brightness profile yields the dust grain size and spatial distribution. We assume a power-law distribution of grain sizes (n ∝ a-p) and fit for p, the grain radius cut-off amax, and dust mass column. We find that a p ≈ 3.5 dust grain size distribution with amax ≈ 0.2 μm fits the halo profile relatively well, whether the dust is distributed uniformly along the line of sight or in clumps. We find that a model consisting of two dust screens, representative of foreground spiral arms, requires the foreground Perseus arm to contain 80 per cent of the total dust mass. The remaining 20 per cent of the dust, which may be associated with the outer spiral arm of the Milky Way, is located within 1 kpc of Cyg X-3. Regardless of which model was used, we found τ_sca ˜ 2 E_keV^{-2}. We examine the energy resolved haloes of Cyg X-3 from 1 to 6 keV and find that there is a sharp drop in scattering halo intensity when E < 2-3 keV, which cannot be explained with multiple scattering effects. We hypothesize that this may be caused by large dust grains or material with unique dielectric properties, causing the scattering cross-section to depart from the Rayleigh-Gans approximation that is used most often in X-ray scattering studies. The foreground Cyg OB2 association, which contains several evolved stars with large extinction values, is a likely culprit for grains of unique size or composition.

Microstructural stability and thermomechanical processing of boron modified beta titanium alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cherukuri, Balakrishna

One of the main objectives during primary processing of titanium alloys is to reduce the prior beta grain size. Producing an ingot with smaller prior beta grain size could potentially eliminate some primary processing steps and thus reduce processing cost. Trace additions of boron have been shown to decrease the as-cast grain size in alpha + beta titanium alloys. The primary focus of this dissertation is to investigate the effect of boron on microstructural stability and thermomechanical processing in beta titanium alloys. Two metastable beta titanium alloys: Ti-15Mo-2.6Nb-3Al-0.2Si (Beta21S) and Ti-5Al-5V-5Mo-3Cr (Ti5553) with 0.1 wt% B and without boron additions were used in this investigation. Significant grain refinement of the as-cast microstructure and precipitation of TiB whiskers along the grain boundaries was observed with boron additions. Beta21S and Beta21S-0.1B alloys were annealed above the beta transus temperature for different times to investigate the effect of boron on grain size stability. The TiB precipitates were very effective in restricting the beta grain boundary mobility by Zener pinning. A model has been developed to predict the maximum grain size as a function of TiB size, orientation, and volume fraction. Good agreement was obtained between model predictions and experimental results. Beta21S alloys were solution treated and aged for different times at several temperatures below the beta transus to study the kinetics of alpha precipitation. Though the TiB phase did not provide any additional nucleation sites for alpha precipitation, the grain refinement obtained by boron additions resulted in accelerated aging. An investigation of the thermomechanical processing behavior showed different deformation mechanisms above the beta transus temperature. The non-boron containing alloys showed a non-uniform and fine recrystallized necklace structure at grain boundaries whereas uniform intragranular recrystallization was observed in boron containing alloys. Micro-voids were observed at the ends of the TiB needles at high temperature, slow strain rates as a result of decohesion at the TiB/matrix interfaces. At low temperatures and faster strain rates micro voids were also formed due to fracture of TiB needles. Finite element analysis on void formation in TiB containing alloys were in agreement with experimental observations. Microhardness and tensile testing of as-cast + forged and aged Beta21S and Ti5553 alloys with and without boron did not show any significant differences in mechanical properties. The primary benefits of boron modified alloys are in as-cast condition.

Minimum and Maximum Times Required to Obtain Representative Suspended Sediment Samples

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gitto, A.; Venditti, J. G.; Kostaschuk, R.; Church, M. A.

2014-12-01

Bottle sampling is a convenient method of obtaining suspended sediment measurements for the development of sediment budgets. While these methods are generally considered to be reliable, recent analysis of depth-integrated sampling has identified considerable uncertainty in measurements of grain-size concentration between grain-size classes of multiple samples. Point-integrated bottle sampling is assumed to represent the mean concentration of suspended sediment but the uncertainty surrounding this method is not well understood. Here we examine at-a-point variability in velocity, suspended sediment concentration, grain-size distribution, and grain-size moments to determine if traditional point-integrated methods provide a representative sample of suspended sediment. We present continuous hour-long observations of suspended sediment from the sand-bedded portion of the Fraser River at Mission, British Columbia, Canada, using a LISST laser-diffraction instrument. Spectral analysis suggests that there are no statistically significant peak in energy density, suggesting the absence of periodic fluctuations in flow and suspended sediment. However, a slope break in the spectra at 0.003 Hz corresponds to a period of 5.5 minutes. This coincides with the threshold between large-scale turbulent eddies that scale with channel width/mean velocity and hydraulic phenomena related to channel dynamics. This suggests that suspended sediment samples taken over a period longer than 5.5 minutes incorporate variability that is larger scale than turbulent phenomena in this channel. Examination of 5.5-minute periods of our time series indicate that ~20% of the time a stable mean value of volumetric concentration is reached within 30 seconds, a typical bottle sample duration. In ~12% of measurements a stable mean was not reached over the 5.5 minute sample duration. The remaining measurements achieve a stable mean in an even distribution over the intervening interval.

Heavy metal speciation in various grain sizes of industrially contaminated street dust using multivariate statistical analysis.

PubMed

Yıldırım, Gülşen; Tokalıoğlu, Şerife

2016-02-01

A total of 36 street dust samples were collected from the streets of the Organised Industrial District in Kayseri, Turkey. This region includes a total of 818 work places in various industrial areas. The modified BCR (the European Community Bureau of Reference) sequential extraction procedure was applied to evaluate the mobility and bioavailability of trace elements (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) in street dusts of the study area. The BCR was classified into three steps: water/acid soluble fraction, reducible and oxidisable fraction. The remaining residue was dissolved by using aqua regia. The concentrations of the metals in street dust samples were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Also the effect of the different grain sizes (<38µm, 38-53µm and 53-74µm) of the 36 street dust samples on the mobility of the metals was investigated using the modified BCR procedure. The mobility sequence based on the sum of the first three phases (for <74µm grain size) was: Cd (71.3)>Cu (48.9)>Pb (42.8)=Cr (42.1)>Ni (41.4)>Zn (40.9)>Co (36.6)=Mn (36.3)>Fe (3.1). No significant difference was observed among metal partitioning for the three particle sizes. Correlation, principal component and cluster analysis were applied to identify probable natural and anthropogenic sources in the region. The principal component analysis results showed that this industrial district was influenced by traffic, industrial activities, air-borne emissions and natural sources. The accuracy of the results was checked by analysis of both the BCR-701 certified reference material and by recovery studies in street dust samples. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Amorphous and Crystalline H20 Ice at Rhea's Inktomi Crater

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lewis, Emma M.; Dalle Ore, Cristina M.; Cruikshank, Dale P.; White, Oliver L.

2014-01-01

We present the analysis of Cassini spectral data from spectral mapping of Saturnian icy moons Dione and Rhea, to investigate possible effects of impact crater formation on the relative abundances of crystalline and amorphous water ice in the moons' ice crusts. Both moons display morphologically young ray craters as well as older craters. Possible changes in ice properties due to crater formation are conjectured to be more visible in younger craters, and as such Rhea's well imaged ray crater Inktomi is analysed, as are older craters for comparison. We used data from Cassini's Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS). For each pixel in the VIMS maps, spectral data were extracted in the near-infrared range (1.75 micrometers less than lambda less than 2.45 micrometers). Analysis was begun by fitting a single Gaussian to the peak in absorption at 2.0 micrometers, which was then subtracted from the data, leaving residuals with a minimum on either side of the original 2.0-micrometers band. The spectra of the individual spatial pixels were then clustered by the differences between these minima, which are sensitive to changes in both ice grain size and crystallinity. This yielded preliminary maps which approximated the physical characteristics of the landscape and were used to identify candidates for further analysis. Spectra were then clustered by the properties of the 1.5-micrometers band, to divide the map into regions based on inferred grain size. For each region, the predicted differences in minima from the Gaussian residuals, over a range of crystallinities, were calculated based on the found grain sizes. This model was used to find the crystallinity of each pixel via grain size and characteristics of the residual function. Preliminary results show a greater degree of crystallization of young crater interiors, particularly in Rhea's ray crater Inktomi, where ice showed crystalline ice abundances between 33 percent and 61 percent. These patterns in ice crystallization are possibly attributable to increased heat generated during crater formation.

Suppression of Twinning and Phase Transformation in an Ultrafine Grained 2 GPa Strong Metastable Austenitic Steel: Experiment and Simulation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shen, Yongfeng; Jia, Nan; Wang, Y. D.

2015-07-17

An ultrafine-grained 304 austenitic 18 wt.%Cr-8 wt.%Ni stainless steel with a grain size of ~270 nm was synthesized by accumulative rolling (67 % total reduction) and annealing (550 °C, 150s). Uniaxial tensile testing at room temperature reveals an extremely high yield strength of 1890 ± 50MPa and a tensile strength of 2050 ± 30MPa, while the elongation reaches 6 ± 1%. Experimental characterization on samples with different grain sizes between 270 nm and 35 μm indicates that both, deformation twinning and martensitic phase transformation are significantly retarded with increasing grain refinement. A crystal plasticity finite element model incorporating a constitutivemore » law reflecting the grain size-controlled dislocation slip and deformation twinning captures the micromechanical behavior of the steels with different grain sizes. Comparison of simulation and experiment shows that the deformation of ultrafine-grained 304 steels is dominated by the slip of partial dislocations, whereas for coarse-grained steels dislocation slip, twinning and martensite formation jointly contribute to the shape change.« less

Analysis of structure and deformation behavior of AISI 316L tensile specimens from the second operational target module at the Spallation Neutron Source

DOE PAGES

Gussev, Maxim N.; McClintock, David A.; Garner, Frank

2015-08-05

In an earlier publication, tensile testing was performed on specimens removed from the first two operational targets of the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS). There were several anomalous features in the results. First, some specimens had very large elongations (up to 57%) while others had significantly smaller values. Second, there was a larger than the usual amount of data scatter in the elongation results. Third, the stress-strain diagrams of nominally similar specimens spanned a wide range of behavior ranging from expected irradiation-induced hardening to varying levels of force drop after yield point and indirect signs of "traveling deformation wave" behavior associatedmore » with strain-induced martensite formation. To investigate the cause(s) of such variable tensile behavior, several specimens from Target 2, spanning the range of observed tensile behavior, were chosen for detailed microstructural examination using electron backscattering analysis (EBSD). It was also shown that the steel employed in the construction of the target contained an unexpected bimodal grain size distribution, containing very large out-of-specification grains surrounded by necklaces of grains of within-specification sizes. The large grains were frequently comparable to the width of the gauge section of the tensile specimen. Moreover, the propensity to form martensite during deformation was shown to be accelerated by radiation but also to be very sensitive to the relative orientation of the grains with respect to the tensile axis. Specimens having large grains in the gauge that were most favorably oriented for production of martensite strongly exhibited the traveling deformation wave phenomenon, while those specimens with less favorably oriented grains had lesser or no degree of the wave effect, thereby accounting for the larger than expected data scatter.« less

Stress distribution during cold compression of a quartz aggregate using synchrotron X-ray diffraction: Observed yielding, damage, and grain crushing: STRESS DISTRIBUTION OF QUARTZ AGGREGATE

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cheung, C. S. N.; Weidner, D. J.; Li, L.

We report new experimental results that quantify the stress distribution within a quartz aggregate during pore collapse and grain crushing. The samples were probed with synchrotron X-ray diffraction as they were compressed in a multianvil deformation apparatus at room temperature from low pressure (tens of megapascal) to pressures of a few gigapascal. In such a material, stress is likely to concentrate at grain-to-grain contacts and vanish where grains are bounded by open porosity. Therefore, internal stress is likely to vary significantly from point to point in such an aggregate, and hence, it is important to understand both the heterogeneity andmore » anisotropy of such variation with respect to the externally applied stress. In our quartz aggregate (grain size of ~4 μm), the measured diffraction peaks broaden asymmetrically at low pressure (tens of megapascal), suggesting that open pores are still a dominant characteristic of grain boundaries. In contrast, a reference sample of novaculite (a highly dense quartz polycrystal, grain size of ~6–9 μm) showed virtually no peak broadening with increasing pressure. In the quartz aggregate, we observed significant deviation in the pressure-volume curves in the range of P = 400–600 MPa. We suggest that this marks the onset of grain crushing (generally denoted as P* in the rock mechanic literature), which is commonly reported to occur in sandstones at pressures of this order, in general agreement with a Hertzian analysis of fracturing at grain contacts.« less

Mechanism for selective growth in electrical steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oh, Eun Jee; Heo, Nam Hoe; Kwon, Se Kyun; Koo, Yang Mo

2018-01-01

Through the competitive selective growth process between {100}, {110}, and {111} grains during final annealing which is governed by the primary grain size and the surface segregation concentration of sulfur, the sharp {110}<001> annealing texture can be developed in a C-and Al-free Fe-3%Si-0.1%Mn electrical steel. Generally, the selective growth of the {110} grains occurs actively under the low surface segregation concentration of sulfur. In spite of the surface energy disadvantage, the selective growth of a {hkl} grain can however occur, if the {hkl} grain size is larger than the critical grain size linearly proportional to the strip thickness.

Effect of the Grain Size of the Initial Structure of 1565chM Alloy on the Structure and Properties of the Joints Fabricated by Friction Stir Welding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ovchinnikov, V. V.; Drits, A. M.; Gureeva, M. A.; Malov, D. V.

2017-12-01

The effect of the initial grain size in the structure of the aluminum 1565chM alloy on the mechanical properties of the welded joints formed by friction stir welding and on the grain size in the weld core is studied. It is shown that the design of tool and, especially, the parameters of a screw groove exert a great effect on the grain size in the weld core.

Grain size-sensitive creep in ice II

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kubo, T.; Durham, W.B.; Stern, L.A.; Kirby, S.H.

2006-01-01

Rheological experiments on fine-grained water ice II at low strain rates reveal a creep mechanism that dominates at conditions of low stress. Using cryogenic scanning electron microscopy, we observed that a change in stress exponent from 5 to 2.5 correlates strongly with a decrease in grain size from about 40 to 6 micrometers. The grain size-sensitive creep of ice II demonstrated here plausibly dominates plastic strain at the low-stress conditions in the interior of medium- to large-sized icy moons of the outer solar system.

Processing, Microstructure, and Material Property Relationships Following Friction Stir Welding of Oxide Dispersion Strengthened Steels

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-09-01

2.75), (b) 400 RPM/100 MMPM (HI= 4 ), (c) 300 RPM/50 MMPM (HI= 6 ), and (d) 500 RPM/25 MMPM (HI=10) showing increase in grain size as HI is increased...Heat Index Weld Quality Weld Penetration 200 50 4 Lack of Consolidation Incomplete 300 50 6 Defect-free Full 300 100 3 Lack of Consolidation...Specifically, the grain size for HI= 6 (300 RPM/50 MMPM) is less than the grain size for HI= 4 (400 RPM/100 MMPM); however, grain size did

Grain size effects on dislocation and twinning mediated plasticity in magnesium

DOE PAGES

Fan, Haidong; Aubry, Sylvie; Arsenlis, Athanasios; ...

2015-09-20

Grain size effects on the competition between dislocation slip and {101¯2} -twinning in magnesium are investigated using discrete dislocation dynamics simulations. These simulations account for dislocation–twin boundary interactions and twin boundary migration through the glide of twinning dislocations. It is shown that twinning deformation exhibits a strong grain size effect; while dislocation mediated slip in untwinned polycrystals displays a weak one. In conclusion, this leads to a critical grain size at 2.7 μm, above which twinning dominates, and below which dislocation slip dominates.

Grain size-sensitive creep in ice II.

PubMed

Kubo, Tomoaki; Durham, William B; Stern, Laura A; Kirby, Stephen H

2006-03-03

Rheological experiments on fine-grained water ice II at low strain rates reveal a creep mechanism that dominates at conditions of low stress. Using cryogenic scanning electron microscopy, we observed that a change in stress exponent from 5 to 2.5 correlates strongly with a decrease in grain size from about 40 to 6 micrometers. The grain size-sensitive creep of ice II demonstrated here plausibly dominates plastic strain at the low-stress conditions in the interior of medium- to large-sized icy moons of the outer solar system.

Linking Monsoon Activity with River-Derived Sediment Deposition in the northern South China Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ge, Q.; Xue, Z. G.; Liu, P.; Chu, F.

2016-02-01

Sediments retrieved from a gravity core were analyzed to examine the connection between East Asian Monsoon (EAM) and river-derived sediment deposition on the continental slope in the South China Sea since the Last Glacial Maximum. Combined clay mineralogy and grain size index analysis provided evidence of the sources of fine-grained sediment as well as for rebuilding the history of paleo-EAM. A shift of sediment source from the Pearl River to southwestern Taiwanese rivers was identified during the Holocene. The 4-8μm grain size fraction, as an environmental sensitive component and thus the EAM proxy, indicated the local deposition environment is mainly controlled by sea-level variations. And during the Holocene, the East Asian summer monsoon exhibited an in-phase relationship with East Asian winter monsoon, both following variations of the insolation intensity.

Using UAS optical imagery and SfM photogrammetry to characterize the surface grain size of gravel bars in a braided river (Vénéon River, French Alps)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vázquez-Tarrío, Daniel; Borgniet, Laurent; Liébault, Frédéric; Recking, Alain

2017-05-01

This paper explores the potential of unmanned aerial system (UAS) optical aerial imagery to characterize grain roughness and size distribution in a braided, gravel-bed river (Vénéon River, French Alps). With this aim in view, a Wolman field campaign (19 samples) and five UAS surveys were conducted over the Vénéon braided channel during summer 2015. The UAS consisted of a small quadcopter carrying a GoPro camera. Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry was used to extract dense and accurate three-dimensional point clouds. Roughness descriptors (roughness heights, standard deviation of elevation) were computed from the SfM point clouds and were correlated with the median grain size of the Wolman samples. A strong relationship was found between UAS-SfM-derived grain roughness and Wolman grain size. The procedure employed has potential for the rapid and continuous characterization of grain size distribution in exposed bars of gravel-bed rivers. The workflow described in this paper has been successfully used to produce spatially continuous grain size information on exposed gravel bars and to explore textural changes following flow events.

Size-Dependent Grain-Boundary Structure with Improved Conductive and Mechanical Stabilities in Sub-10-nm Gold Crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Chunyang; Du, Kui; Song, Kepeng; Ye, Xinglong; Qi, Lu; He, Suyun; Tang, Daiming; Lu, Ning; Jin, Haijun; Li, Feng; Ye, Hengqiang

2018-05-01

Low-angle grain boundaries generally exist in the form of dislocation arrays, while high-angle grain boundaries (misorientation angle >15 ° ) exist in the form of structural units in bulk metals. Here, through in situ atomic resolution aberration corrected electron microscopy observations, we report size-dependent grain-boundary structures improving both stabilities of electrical conductivity and mechanical properties in sub-10-nm-sized gold crystals. With the diameter of a nanocrystal decreasing below 10 nm, the high-angle grain boundary in the crystal exists as an array of dislocations. This size effect may be of importance to a new generation of interconnects applications.

Grain-Size-Dependent Thermoelectric Properties of SrTiO3 3D Superlattice Ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Rui-zhi; Koumoto, Kunihito

2013-07-01

The thermoelectric (TE) performance of SrTiO3 (STO) 3D superlattice ceramics with 2D electron gas grain boundaries (GBs) was theoretically investigated. The grain size dependence of the power factor, lattice thermal conductivity, and ZT value were calculated by using Boltzmann transport equations. It was found that nanostructured STO ceramics with smaller grain size have larger ZT value. This is because the quantum confinement effect, energy filtering effect, and interfacial phonon scattering at GBs all become stronger with decreasing grain size, resulting in higher power factor and lower lattice thermal conductivity. These findings will aid the design of nanostructured oxide ceramics with high TE performance.

Negative Temperature Dependence of Recrystallized Grain Size: Formulation and Experimental Confirmation on Copper

PubMed Central

Elmasry, Mohamed; Liu, Fan; Jiang, Yao; Mao, Ze Ning; Liu, Ying; Wang, Jing Tao

2017-01-01

The catalyzing effect on nucleation of recrystallization from existing grains resulting from previous lower temperature deformation is analyzed, analogous to the size effect of foreign nucleus in heterogeneous nucleation. Analytical formulation of the effective nucleation site for recrystallization leads to a negative temperature dependence of recrystallized grain size of metals. Non-isochronal annealing—where annealing time is set just enough for the completion of recrystallization at different temperatures—is conducted on pure copper after severe plastic deformation. More homogeneous and smaller grains are obtained at higher annealing temperature. The good fit between analytical and experimental results unveils the intrinsic feature of this negative temperature dependence of recrystallized grain size. PMID:28772676

Trends in Solidification Grain Size and Morphology for Additive Manufacturing of Ti-6Al-4V

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gockel, Joy; Sheridan, Luke; Narra, Sneha P.; Klingbeil, Nathan W.; Beuth, Jack

2017-12-01

Metal additive manufacturing (AM) is used for both prototyping and production of final parts. Therefore, there is a need to predict and control the microstructural size and morphology. Process mapping is an approach that represents AM process outcomes in terms of input variables. In this work, analytical, numerical, and experimental approaches are combined to provide a holistic view of trends in the solidification grain structure of Ti-6Al-4V across a wide range of AM process input variables. The thermal gradient is shown to vary significantly through the depth of the melt pool, which precludes development of fully equiaxed microstructure throughout the depth of the deposit within any practical range of AM process variables. A strategy for grain size control is demonstrated based on the relationship between melt pool size and grain size across multiple deposit geometries, and additional factors affecting grain size are discussed.

Role of grain-size in phyllonitisation: Insights from mineralogy, microstructures, strain analyses and numerical modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bose, Narayan; Dutta, Dripta; Mukherjee, Soumyajit

2018-07-01

Brittle Y- and P-planes exist in an exposure of greywacke in the Garhwal Lesser Himalaya, India. Although, Y-planes are well developed throughout, the P-planes are prominent only in some parts (domain-A), and not elsewhere (domain-B). To investigate why the P-planes developed selectively, the following studies were undertaken: 1. Clay-separated XRD analyses: clinochlore and illite are present in both the domains. 2. Strain analyses by Rf-φ method: it deduces strain magnitudes of ∼1.8 for the ductile deformed quartz grains from both the domains A and B. 3. Grain size analyses of quartz clasts: domain-A is mostly composed of finer grains (area up to 40,000 μm2), whereas domain-B consists of a population of coarser grains (area >45,000 μm2). A 2D finite element modeling of linear elastic material was performed using COMSOL software to investigate the control of grain-size variation on the generation brittle shear planes. The results of numerical modeling corroborate the known fact that an increase in grain-size reduces the elastic strain energy density. A broader grain-size distribution increases the effects of diffusion creep and resists the onset of dislocation creep. Thus, rocks with coarser grain population (domain B) tend to resist the generation of shear fractures, unlike their fine-grained counterpart (domain A).

Examining the influence of grain size on radiation tolerance in the nanocrystalline regime

DOE PAGES

Barr, Christopher M.; Li, Nan; Boyce, Brad L.; ...

2018-05-01

Here, nanocrystalline materials have been proposed as superior radiation tolerant materials in comparison to coarse grain counterparts. However, there is still a limited understanding whether a particular nanocrystalline grain size is required to obtain significant improvements in key deleterious effects resulting from energetic irradiation. This work employs the use of in-situ heavy ion irradiation transmission electron microscopy experiments coupled with quantitative defect characterization and precession electron diffraction to explore the sensitivity of defect size and density within the nanocrystalline regime in platinum. Under the explored experimental conditions, no significant change in either the defect size or density between grain sizesmore » of 20 and 100 nm was observed. Furthermore, the in-situ transmission electron microscopy irradiations illustrate stable sessile defect clusters of 1–3 nm adjacent to most grain boundaries, which are traditionally treated as strong defect sinks. The stability of these sessile defects observed in-situ in small, 20–40 nm, grains is the proposed primary mechanism for a lack of defect density trends. Lastly, this scaling breakdown in radiation improvement with decreasing grain size has practical importance on nanoscale grain boundary engineering approaches for proposed radiation tolerant alloys.« less

Examining the influence of grain size on radiation tolerance in the nanocrystalline regime

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Barr, Christopher M.; Li, Nan; Boyce, Brad L.

Here, nanocrystalline materials have been proposed as superior radiation tolerant materials in comparison to coarse grain counterparts. However, there is still a limited understanding whether a particular nanocrystalline grain size is required to obtain significant improvements in key deleterious effects resulting from energetic irradiation. This work employs the use of in-situ heavy ion irradiation transmission electron microscopy experiments coupled with quantitative defect characterization and precession electron diffraction to explore the sensitivity of defect size and density within the nanocrystalline regime in platinum. Under the explored experimental conditions, no significant change in either the defect size or density between grain sizesmore » of 20 and 100 nm was observed. Furthermore, the in-situ transmission electron microscopy irradiations illustrate stable sessile defect clusters of 1–3 nm adjacent to most grain boundaries, which are traditionally treated as strong defect sinks. The stability of these sessile defects observed in-situ in small, 20–40 nm, grains is the proposed primary mechanism for a lack of defect density trends. Lastly, this scaling breakdown in radiation improvement with decreasing grain size has practical importance on nanoscale grain boundary engineering approaches for proposed radiation tolerant alloys.« less

Grain growth effects on magnetic properties of Ni0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4 material prepared using mechanically alloyed nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Syazwan, M. M.; Hapishah, A. N.; Azis, R. S.; Abbas, Z.; Hamidon, M. N.

2018-06-01

The effect of grain growth via sintering temperature on some magnetic properties is reported in this research. Ni0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4 nanoparticles were mechanically alloyed for 6 h and the sintering process starting from 600 to 1200 °C with 25 °C increment with only one sample subjected to all sintering scheme. The resulting change in the material was observed after each sintering. Single phase has been formed at 600 °C and above and the intensity peaks increased with sintering temperature as well as crystallinity increment. The morphological studies showed grain size increment as the sintering temperature increased. Moreover, the density increased while the porosity decreased with increasing sintering temperature. The saturation induction, Bs increased with the increased of grain size. On the other hand, the coercivity-vs-grain size plot reveals the critical single-domain-to-multidomain grain size to be about ∼400 nm. The initial permeability, μi value was increased with grain size enhancement. The microstructural grain growth, as exposed for the first time by this research, is shown as a process of multiple activation energy barriers.

Effects of grain size, mineralogy, and acid-extractable grain coatings on the distribution of the fallout radionuclides 7Be, 10Be, 137Cs, and 210Pb in river sediment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singleton, Adrian A.; Schmidt, Amanda H.; Bierman, Paul R.; Rood, Dylan H.; Neilson, Thomas B.; Greene, Emily Sophie; Bower, Jennifer A.; Perdrial, Nicolas

2017-01-01

Grain-size dependencies in fallout radionuclide activity have been attributed to either increase in specific surface area in finer grain sizes or differing mineralogical abundances in different grain sizes. Here, we consider a third possibility, that the concentration and composition of grain coatings, where fallout radionuclides reside, controls their activity in fluvial sediment. We evaluated these three possible explanations in two experiments: (1) we examined the effect of sediment grain size, mineralogy, and composition of the acid-extractable materials on the distribution of 7Be, 10Be, 137Cs, and unsupported 210Pb in detrital sediment samples collected from rivers in China and the United States, and (2) we periodically monitored 7Be, 137Cs, and 210Pb retention in samples of known composition exposed to natural fallout in Ohio, USA for 294 days. Acid-extractable materials (made up predominately of Fe, Mn, Al, and Ca from secondary minerals and grain coatings produced during pedogenesis) are positively related to the abundance of fallout radionuclides in our sediment samples. Grain-size dependency of fallout radionuclide concentrations was significant in detrital sediment samples, but not in samples exposed to fallout under controlled conditions. Mineralogy had a large effect on 7Be and 210Pb retention in samples exposed to fallout, suggesting that sieving sediments to a single grain size or using specific surface area-based correction terms may not completely control for preferential distribution of these nuclides. We conclude that time-dependent geochemical, pedogenic, and sedimentary processes together result in the observed differences in nuclide distribution between different grain sizes and substrate compositions. These findings likely explain variability of measured nuclide activities in river networks that exceeds the variability introduced by analytical techniques as well as spatial and temporal differences in erosion rates and processes. In short, we suggest that presence and amount of pedogenic grain coatings is more important than either specific surface area or surface charge in setting the distribution of fallout radionuclides.

Grain size-sensitive viscoelastic relaxation and seismic properties of polycrystalline MgO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barnhoorn, A.; Jackson, I.; Fitz Gerald, J. D.; Kishimoto, A.; Itatani, K.

2016-07-01

Torsional forced-oscillation experiments on a suite of synthetic MgO polycrystals, of high-purity and average grain sizes of 1-100 µm, reveal strongly viscoelastic behavior at temperatures of 800-1300°C and periods between 1 and 1000 s. The measured shear modulus and associated strain energy dissipation both display monotonic variations with oscillation period, temperature, and grain size. The data for the specimens of intermediate grain size have been fitted to a generalized Burgers creep function model that is also broadly consistent with the results for the most coarse-grained specimen. The mild grain size sensitivity for the relaxation time τL, defining the lower end of the anelastic absorption band, is consistent with the onset of elastically accommodated grain boundary sliding. The upper end of the anelastic absorption band, evident in the highest-temperature data for one specimen only, is associated with the Maxwell relaxation time τM marking the transition toward viscous behavior, conventionally ascribed a stronger grain size sensitivity. Similarly pronounced viscoelastic behavior was observed in complementary torsional microcreep tests, which confirm that the nonelastic strains are mainly recoverable, i.e., anelastic. With an estimated activation volume for the viscoelastic relaxation, the experimentally constrained Burgers model has been extrapolated to the conditions of pressure and temperature prevailing in the Earth's uppermost lower mantle. For a plausible grain size of 10 mm, the predicted dissipation Q-1 ranges from 10-3 to 10-2 for periods of 3-3000 s. Broad consistency with seismological observations suggests that the lower mantle ferropericlase phase might account for much of its observed attenuation.

Grain size effect on the electrical and magneto-transport properties of nanosized Pr0.67Sr0.33MnO3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ng, S. W.; Lim, K. P.; Halim, S. A.; Jumiah, H.

2018-06-01

In this study, nanosized of Pr0.67Sr0.33MnO3 prepared via sol-gel method followed by heat treatment at 600-1000 °C in intervals of 100 °C were synthesized. The structure, surface morphology, electrical, magneto-transport and magnetic properties of the samples were investigated. Rietveld refinements of X-ray diffraction patterns confirm that single phase orthorhombic crystal structure with the space group of Pnma (62) is formed at 600 °C. A strong dependence of surface morphology, electrical and magneto-transport properties on grain size have been observed in this manganites system. Both grain size and crystallite size are increases with the sintering temperature due to the congregation effect. Upon increasing grain size, the paramagnetic-ferromagnetic transition temperature increases from 278 K to 295 K. The resistivity drops and the metal-insulator transition temperature shifted from 184 K to 248 K with increases of grain size due to the grain growth and reduction of grain boundary. Below metal-insulator transition temperature, the samples fit well to the combination of resistivity due to grain or domain boundaries, electron-electron scattering process and electron-phonon interaction. The resistivity data above the metal-insulator transition temperature is well described using small polaron hopping and variable range hopping models. It is found that the negative magnetoresistance also increases with larger grain size where the highest %MR of - 26% can be observed for sample sintered at 1000 °C (245 nm).

SMALL GRAIN 1, which encodes a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4, influences grain size in rice.

PubMed

Duan, Penggen; Rao, Yuchun; Zeng, Dali; Yang, Yaolong; Xu, Ran; Zhang, Baolan; Dong, Guojun; Qian, Qian; Li, Yunhai

2014-02-01

Although grain size is one of the most important components of grain yield, little information is known about the mechanisms that determine final grain size in crops. Here we characterize rice small grain1 (smg1) mutants, which exhibit small and light grains, dense and erect panicles and comparatively slightly shorter plants. The short grain and panicle phenotypes of smg1 mutants are caused by a defect in cell proliferation. The smg1 mutations were identified, using a map-based cloning approach, in mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4 (OsMKK4). Relatively higher expression of OsMKK4/SMG1 was detected in younger organs than in older ones, consistent with its role in cell proliferation. Green fluorescent protein (GFP)-OsMKK4/SMG1 fusion proteins appear to be distributed ubiquitously in plant cells. Further results revealed that OsMKK4 influenced brassinosteroid (BR) responses and the expression of BR-related genes. Thus, our findings have identified OsMKK4 as a factor for grain size, and suggest a possible link between the MAPK pathways and BRs in grain growth. © 2013 The Authors The Plant Journal © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Analysis of stress fields and elastic energies in the vicinity of nanograin boundaries using the disclination approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sukhanov, Ivan I.; Ditenberg, Ivan A.

2017-12-01

The paper provides a theoretical analysis of elastic stresses and elastic energy distribution in nanostructured metal materials in the vicinity of nanograin boundaries with a high partial disclination density. The analysis demonstrates the stress field distribution in disclination grain boundary configurations as a function of nanograin size, taking into account the superposition of these stresses in screening the disclination pile-ups. It is found that the principal stress tensor components reach maximum values only in disclination planes P ≈ E/25 and that the stress gradients peak at nodal points ∂P/∂x ≈ 0.08E nm-1. The shear stress components are localized within the physical grain size, and the specific elastic energy distribution for such configurations reveals characteristic local maxima which can be the cause for physical broadening of nanograin boundaries.

Thermal Stability of Nanocrystalline Alloys by Solute Additions and A Thermodynamic Modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saber, Mostafa

Nanocrystalline alloys show superior properties due to their exceptional microstructure. Thermal stability of these materials is a critical aspect. It is well known that grain boundaries in nanocrystalline microstructures cause a significant increase in the total free energy of the system. A driving force provided to reduce this excess free energy can cause grain growth. The presence of a solute addition within a nanocrystalline alloy can lead to the thermal stability. Kinetic and thermodynamic stabilization are the two basic mechanisms with which stability of a nanoscale grain size can be achieved at high temperatures. The basis of this thesis is to study the effect of solute addition on thermal stability of nanocrystalline alloys. The objective is to determine the effect of Zr addition on the thermal stability of mechanically alloyed nanocrysatillne Fe-Cr and Fe-Ni alloys. In Fe-Cr-Zr alloy system, nanoscale grain size stabilization was maintained up to 900 °C by adding 2 at% Zr. Kinetic pinning by intermetallic particles in the nanoscale range was identified as a primary mechanism of thermal stabilization. In addition to the grain size strengthening, intermetallic particles also contribute to strengthening mechanisms. The analysis of microhardness, XRD data, and measured grain sizes from TEM micrographs suggested that both thermodynamic and kinetic mechanisms are possible mechanisms. It was found that alpha → gamma phase transformation in Fe-Cr-Zr system does not influence the grain size stabilization. In the Fe-Ni-Zr alloy system, it was shown that the grain growth in Fe-8Ni-1Zr alloy is much less than that of pure Fe and Fe-8Ni alloy at elevated temperatures. The microstructure of the ternary Fe-8Ni-1Zr alloy remains in the nanoscale range up to 700 °C. Using an in-situ TEM study, it was determined that drastic grain growth occurs when the alpha → gamma phase transformation occurs. Accordingly, there can be a synergistic relationship between grain growth and alpha → gamma phase transformation in Fe-Ni-Zr alloys. In addition to the experimental study of thermal stabilization of nanocrystalline Fe-Cr-Zr or Fe-Ni-Zr alloys, the thesis presented here developed a new predictive model, applicable to strongly segregating solutes, for thermodynamic stabilization of binary alloys. This model can serve as a benchmark for selecting solute and evaluating the possible contribution of stabilization. Following a regular solution model, both the chemical and elastic strain energy contributions are combined to obtain the mixing enthalpy. The total Gibbs free energy of mixing is then minimized with respect to simultaneous variations in the grain boundary volume fraction and the solute concentration in the grain boundary and the grain interior. The Lagrange multiplier method was used to obtained numerical solutions. Application are given for the temperature dependence of the grain size and the grain boundary solute excess for selected binary system where experimental results imply that thermodynamic stabilization could be operative. This thesis also extends the binary model to a new model for thermodynamic stabilization of ternary nanocrystalline alloys. It is applicable to strongly segregating size-misfit solutes and uses input data available in the literature. In a same manner as the binary model, this model is based on a regular solution approach such that the chemical and elastic strain energy contributions are incorporated into the mixing enthalpy DeltaHmix, and the mixing entropy DeltaSmix is obtained using the ideal solution approximation. The Gibbs mixing free energy Delta Gmix is then minimized with respect to simultaneous variations in grain growth and solute segregation parameters. The Lagrange multiplier method is similarly used to obtain numerical solutions for the minimum Delta Gmix. The temperature dependence of the nanocrystalline grain size and interfacial solute excess can be obtained for selected ternary systems. As an example, model predictions are compared to experimental results for Fe-Cr-Zr and Fe-Ni-Zr alloy systems. Consistency between the experimental results and the present model predictions provide a more rigorous criterion for investigating thermal stabilization. However, other possible contributions for grain growth stabilization should still be considered.

Liquid impact and fracture of free-standing CVD diamond

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kennedy, Claire F.; Telling, Robert H.; Field, John E.

1999-07-01

The Cavendish Laboratory has developed extensive facilities for studies of liquid and solid particle erosion. This paper describes the high-speed liquid impact erosion of thin CVD diamond discs and the variation with grain sizes of the absolute damage threshold velocity (ADTV), viz., the threshold below which the specimen shows no damage. All specimens fail by rear surface cracking and there is shown to be a shallow dependence of rear surface ADTV on grain size. Fracture propagation in CVD diamond has also been monitored using a specially-designed double-torsion apparatus and data for K1C are presented. Tentatively, the results suggest that finer-grained CVD diamond exhibits a higher fracture toughness, although the differences are slight even over a fourfold variation in the mean grain size. No preference for intergranular fracture was observed and one may conclude from this that the grain boundaries themselves do not seriously weaken the material. The large pre-existing flaws, both within and between grains, whose size varies the grain size are believed to be the dominant source of weakness.

Linking Initial Microstructure to ORR Related Property Degradation in SOFC Cathode: A Phase Field Simulation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lei, Y.; Cheng, T. -L.; Wen, Y. H.

Microstructure evolution driven by thermal coarsening is an important factor for the loss of oxygen reduction reaction rates in SOFC cathode. In this work, the effect of an initial microstructure on the microstructure evolution in SOFC cathode is investigated using a recently developed phase field model. Specifically, we tune the phase fraction, the average grain size, the standard deviation of the grain size and the grain shape in the initial microstructure, and explore their effect on the evolution of the grain size, the density of triple phase boundary, the specific surface area and the effective conductivity in LSM-YSZ cathodes. Itmore » is found that the degradation rate of TPB density and SSA of LSM is lower with less LSM phase fraction (with constant porosity assumed) and greater average grain size, while the degradation rate of effective conductivity can also be tuned by adjusting the standard deviation of grain size distribution and grain aspect ratio. The implication of this study on the designing of an optimal initial microstructure of SOFC cathodes is discussed.« less

Linking Initial Microstructure to ORR Related Property Degradation in SOFC Cathode: A Phase Field Simulation

DOE PAGES

Lei, Y.; Cheng, T. -L.; Wen, Y. H.

2017-07-05

Microstructure evolution driven by thermal coarsening is an important factor for the loss of oxygen reduction reaction rates in SOFC cathode. In this work, the effect of an initial microstructure on the microstructure evolution in SOFC cathode is investigated using a recently developed phase field model. Specifically, we tune the phase fraction, the average grain size, the standard deviation of the grain size and the grain shape in the initial microstructure, and explore their effect on the evolution of the grain size, the density of triple phase boundary, the specific surface area and the effective conductivity in LSM-YSZ cathodes. Itmore » is found that the degradation rate of TPB density and SSA of LSM is lower with less LSM phase fraction (with constant porosity assumed) and greater average grain size, while the degradation rate of effective conductivity can also be tuned by adjusting the standard deviation of grain size distribution and grain aspect ratio. The implication of this study on the designing of an optimal initial microstructure of SOFC cathodes is discussed.« less

Microstructural Damage During High-Strain Torsion Experiments on Calcite-Anhydrite Aggregates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cross, A. J.; Skemer, P. A.

2016-12-01

Ductile shear zones play a critical role in localising deformation in the Earth's crust and mantle. Severe grain size reduction - a ubiquitous feature of natural mylonites - is commonly thought to cause strain weakening via a transition to grain size sensitive deformation mechanisms. Although grain size reduction is modulated by grain growth in single-phase aggregates, grain boundary pinning in well-mixed poly-phase composites can inhibit grain growth, leading to microstructural `damage' which is likely a critical element of strain localization in the lithosphere. While dynamic recrystallization has been widely explored in rock mechanics and materials science, the mechanisms behind phase-mixing remain poorly understood. In this contribution we present results from high-strain, deformation experiments on calcite-anhydrite composites. Experiments were conducted in torsion at T = 500-700°C and P 1.5 GPa, using the new Large Volume Torsion (LVT) solid-medium apparatus, to shear strains of 0.5-30. As shear strain increases, progressive thinning and necking of initially large (≤ 1 mm) calcite domains is observed, resulting in an increase in the proportion of interphase boundaries. Grain-size is negatively correlated with the fraction of interphase boundaries, such that calcite grains in well-mixed regions are significantly smaller than those in single-phase domains. Crucially, progressive deformation leads to a reduction in grain-size beyond the lower limit established by the grain size piezometer for mono-phase calcite, implying microstructural damage. These data therefore demonstrate continued microstructural evolution in two-phase composites that is not possible in single-phase aggregates. These observations mark a new `geometric' mechanism for phase mixing, complementing previous models for phase mixing involving chemical reactions, material diffusion, and/or grain boundary sliding.

Indications of the Mineralogy of Callisto and Mars from Reflectance Spectroscopy.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Calvin, Wendy Marie

1991-02-01

Remotely sensed reflectance spectra contain information on mineral identities, grain sizes, and abundances. This thesis consists of analysis of such spectra for two planetary objects, Callisto and Mars. Theoretical modeling of telescopic spectra of Callisto indicates that the surface consists of 20 to 45 wt% water ice at large grain sizes. In the spectral region beyond 3 μm absorption by hydrated mineral phases is dominant. The non-ice material is spectrally similar to hydrous alteration minerals that are commonly found in certain petrologic types of meteorites. New high-resolution data of Callisto are consistent with the findings of the modeling study. In addition, these new data have identified the presence of a small amount of fine-grained water ice on the leading hemisphere, through a characteristic absorption near 3.4 mum. Variations in the depth of this absorption feature indicate dynamic competition between processes which create and erode fine -grained water ice. Calibration and analysis of spectrometer data from the Mariner 6 and 7 space-craft has provided new information regarding the mineralogy of Mars. Laboratory measurements and theoretical calculations of CO_2 frosts have allowed an analysis of spectra taken over the martian south polar cap. The grain sizes in the seasonal cap are quite large and there may be evidence of contamination by water frost or dust. Analysis of Mariner spectra in non-polar regions have tentatively identified absorption features near 2.76 μm and 5.4 mum. The location of these features, and other absorptions identified from terrestrial observations, are consistent with the spectra of hydrous magnesium carbonates. The hydrous carbonates do not have strong spectral features typically associated with carbonates. Theoretical calculations of mixtures indicates that 10-30wt% of these minerals can be included and still be consistent with spectral observations. These minerals form on earth through weathering of mafic minerals with the production of amorphous iron oxides as byproducts, consistent with both present and inferred past martian environments. The presence of hydrous carbonates can provide a mechanism for having abundant carbonates on Mars while spectral searches for (anhydrous) carbonates will not find any evidence for them.

Dual Analyses Examining Proving Process: Grounded Theory and Knowledge Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Adiredja, Aditya P.; Smith Karunakaran, Shiv

2016-01-01

This report presents dual analyses of an undergraduate student, Cassie, whose work provides nice contrasts between Grounded Theory (GT) analysis and Knowledge Analysis (KA). The analyses highlight particular methodological differences, such as grain size of findings, positioning of novices and more general implications about expert-novice studies.…

Process-scale modelling of microstructure in direct chill casting of aluminium alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bedel, M.; Heyvaert, L.; Založnik, M.; Combeau, H.; Daloz, D.; Lesoult, G.

2015-06-01

The mechanical properties of an alloy being related to its microstructure, the understanding of the mechanisms responsible for the grain structure formation in direct chill casting is crucial. However, the grain size prediction by modelling is difficult since a variety of multi-scale coupled phenomena have to be considered. Nucleation and growth of the grains are interrelated, and the macroscopic transport phenomena such as the motion of grains and inoculant particles with the flow impact the nucleation-gowth competition. Thus we propose to study the grain size distribution of a 5182 alloy industrial scale slab of 510 mm thickness, both non-inoculated and inoculated with Al-3Ti-1B, for which experimental grain size measurements are available. We use a volume-averaged two-phase multi-scale model that describes nucleation from inoculant particles and grain growth, fully coupled with macroscopic transport phenomena: fluid flow induced by natural convection and solidification shrinkage, heat, mass and solute mass transport, grains and inoculant particles motion. We analyze the effect of liquid and grain motion as the effect of grain morphology on microstructure formation and we show in which extent those phenomena are responsible for the grain size distribution observed experimentally. The effect of the refiner level is also studied.

Anomalous permittivity in fine-grain barium titanate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ostrander, Steven Paul

Fine-grain barium titanate capacitors exhibit anomalously large permittivity. It is often observed that these materials will double or quadruple the room temperature permittivity of a coarse-grain counterpart. However, aside from a general consensus on this permittivity enhancement, the properties of the fine-grain material are poorly understood. This thesis examines the effect of grain size on dielectric properties of a self-consistent set of high density undoped barium titanate capacitors. This set included samples with grain sizes ranging from submicron to ˜20 microns, and with densities generally above 95% of the theoretical. A single batch of well characterized powder was milled, dry-pressed then isostatically-pressed. Compacts were fast-fired, but sintering temperature alone was used to control the grain size. With this approach, the extrinsic influences are minimized within the set of samples, but more importantly, they are normalized between samples. That is, with a single batch of powder and with identical green processing, uniform impurity concentration is expected. The fine-grain capacitors exhibited a room temperature permittivity of ˜5500 and dielectric losses of ˜2%. The Curie-temperature decreased by {˜}5sp°C from that of the coarse-grain material, and the two ferroelectric-ferroelectric phase transition temperatures increased by {˜}10sp°C. The grain size induced permittivity enhancement was only active in the tetragonal and orthorhombic phases. Strong dielectric anomalies were observed in samples with grain size as small as {˜}0.4\\ mum. It is suggested that the strong first-order character observed in the present data is related to control of microstructure and stoichiometry. Grain size effects on conductivity losses, ferroelectric losses, ferroelectric dispersion, Maxwell-Wagner dispersion, and dielectric aging of permittivity and loss were observed. For the fine-grain material, these observations suggest the suppression of domain wall motion below the Curie transition, and the suppression of conductivity above the Curie transition.

Location-Control of Large Si Grains by Dual-Beam Excimer-Laser and Thick Oxide Portion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ishihara, Ryoichi; Burtsev, Artyom; Alkemade, Paul F. A.

2000-07-01

An array of large Si grains was placed at a predetermined position by dual excimer-laser irradiation of a multi-layer structure of silicon (Si), silicon dioxide (SiO2) with an array of bumps and metal on a glass substrate. We have investigated the effects of irradiating energy density and the topology of the structure on the grain size and crystallographic structure by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron back-scattering pattern (EBSP) analysis. In the low-energy-density regime, numerous small grains and petal shaped grains formed on top of the SiO2 bumps. The number of small grains on the bumps decreased with increasing irradiating energy density. At sufficiently high energy densities, one single Si grain as large as 3.5 μm was positioned at the center of the bumps. Although most of the area of the large Si grain has a single crystallographic orientation, twins and low-angle grain boundaries are often formed at the periphery of the grain. There was no preferred crystallographic orientation in the center of the location-controlled Si grain. Numerical analysis of the temperature profile showed that a temperature drop occurs at the center of the bump, during and immediately after laser irradiation. The diameter of the location-controlled Si grain increased with total thickness of the intermediate SiO2 layer, and took the maximum value of 6.2 μm.

Grain-size-dependent diamond-nondiamond composite films: characterization and field-emission properties.

PubMed

Pradhan, Debabrata; Lin, I Nan

2009-07-01

Diamond films with grain sizes in the range of 5-1000 nm and grain boundaries containing nondiamond carbon are deposited on a silicon substrate by varying the deposition parameters. The overall morphologies of the as-deposited diamond-nondiamond composite films are examined by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, which show a decrease in the surface roughness with a decrease in the diamond grain size. Although the Raman spectra show predominately nondiamond carbon features in the diamond films with smaller grain sizes, glancing-angle X-ray diffraction spectra show the absence of graphitic carbon features and the presence of very small amorphous carbon diffraction features. The CH4 percentage (%) in Ar and H2 plasma during deposition plays a crucial role in the formation of diamond films with different grain sizes and nondiamond carbon contents, which, in turn, determines the field-emission behavior of the corresponding diamond films. The smaller the grain size of the diamond, the lower is the turn-on field for electron emission. A lower turn-on field is obtained from the diamond films deposited with 2-5% CH4 than from the films deposited with either 1% or 7.5% CH4 in the Ar medium. A current density greater than 1 mA/cm2 (at 50 V/microm) is obtained from diamond films deposited with a higher percentage of CH4. A model is suggested for the field-emission mechanism from the diamond-nondiamond composite films with different diamond grain sizes and nondiamond contents.

Grain size dependent phase stabilities and presence of a monoclinic (Pm) phase in the morphotropic phase boundary region of (1-x)Bi(Mg1/2Ti1/2)O3-xPbTiO3 piezoceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Upadhyay, Ashutosh; Singh, Akhilesh Kumar

2015-04-01

Results of the room temperature structural studies on (1-x)Bi(Mg1/2Ti1/2)O3-xPbTiO3 ceramics using Rietveld analysis of the powder x-ray diffraction data in the composition range 0.28 ≤ x ≤ 0.45 are presented. The morphotropic phase boundary region exhibits coexistence of monoclinic (space group Pm) and tetragonal (space group P4 mm) phases in the composition range 0.33 ≤ x ≤ 0.40. The structure is nearly single phase monoclinic (space group Pm) in the composition range 0.28 ≤ x ≤ 0.32. The structure for the compositions with x ≥ 0.45 is found to be predominantly tetragonal with space group P4 mm. Rietveld refinement of the structure rules out the coexistence of rhombohedral and tetragonal phases in the morphotropic phase boundary region reported by earlier authors. The Rietveld structure analysis for the sample x = .35 calcined at various temperatures reveals that phase fraction of the coexisting phases in the morphotropic phase boundary region varies with grain size. The structural parameters of the two coexisting phases also change slightly with changing grain size.

Physical properties and surface/interface analysis of nanocrystalline WO3 films grown under variable oxygen gas flow rates

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vemuri, R. S.; Carbjal-Franco, G.; Ferrer, D. A.

2012-10-15

Nanocrystalline WO3 films were grown by reactive magnetron sputter-deposition in a wide range of oxygen gas flow rates while keeping the deposition temperature fixed at 400 oC. The physical characteristics of WO3 films were evaluated using grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), X-ray reflectivity (XRR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements. Physical characterization indicates that the thickness, grain size, and density of WO3 films are sensitive to the oxygen gas flow rate during deposition. XRD data indicates the formation of tetragonal WO3 films. The grain size increases from 21 to 25 nm with increasing oxygen gas flow rate to 65%, atmore » which point the grain size exhibits a decreasing trend to attain the lowest value of 15 nm at 100% oxygen. TEM analysis provides a model consisting of isotropic WO3 film (nanocrystalline)-SiO2 interface (amorphous)-Si(100) substrate. XRR simulations, which are based on this model, provide excellent agreement to the experimental data indicating that the normalized thickness of WO3 films decreases with the increasing oxygen gas flow rate. The density of WO3 films increases with increasing oxygen gas flow rate.« less

VERY LARGE INTERSTELLAR GRAINS AS EVIDENCED BY THE MID-INFRARED EXTINCTION

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, Shu; Jiang, B. W.; Li, Aigen, E-mail: shuwang@mail.bnu.edu.cn, E-mail: bjiang@bnu.edu.cn, E-mail: wanshu@missouri.edu, E-mail: lia@missouri.edu

The sizes of interstellar grains are widely distributed, ranging from a few angstroms to a few micrometers. The ultraviolet (UV) and optical extinction constrains the dust in the size range of a couple hundredths of micrometers to several submicrometers. The near and mid infrared (IR) emission constrains the nanometer-sized grains and angstrom-sized very large molecules. However, the quantity and size distribution of micrometer-sized grains remain unknown because they are gray in the UV/optical extinction and they are too cold and emit too little in the IR to be detected by IRAS, Spitzer, or Herschel. In this work, we employ themore » ∼3–8 μm mid-IR extinction, which is flat in both diffuse and dense regions to constrain the quantity, size, and composition of the μm-sized grain component. We find that, together with nano- and submicron-sized silicate and graphite (as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), μm-sized graphite grains with C/H ≈ 137 ppm and a mean size of ∼1.2 μm closely fit the observed interstellar extinction of the Galactic diffuse interstellar medium from the far-UV to the mid-IR, as well as the near-IR to millimeter thermal emission obtained by COBE/DIRBE, COBE/FIRAS, and Planck up to λ ≲ 1000 μm. The μm-sized graphite component accounts for ∼14.6% of the total dust mass and ∼2.5% of the total IR emission.« less

Laboratory Measurements of Optical and Physical Properties of Individual Lunar Dust Grains

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abbas, M. M.; Tankosic, D.; Craven, P. D.; Hoover, R. B.

2006-01-01

The lunar surface is covered with a thick layer of sub-micron/micron size dust grains formed by meteoritic impact over billions of years. The fine dust grains are levitated and transported on the lunar surface, and transient dust clouds over the lunar horizon were observed by experiments during the Apollo 17 mission. Theoretical models suggest that the dust grains on the lunar surface are charged by the solar UV radiation as well as the solar wind. Even without any physical activity, the dust grains are levitated by electrostatic fields and transported away from the surface in the near vacuum environment of the Moon. The current dust charging and levitation models, however, do not fully explain the observed phenomena. Since the abundance of dust on the Moon's surface with its observed adhesive characteristics has the potential of severe impact on human habitat and operations and lifetime of a variety of equipment, it is necessary to investigate the charging properties and the lunar dust phenomena in order to develop appropriate mitigating strategies. Photoelectric emission induced by the solar UV radiation with photon energies higher than the work function of the grain materials is recognized to be the dominant process for charging of the lunar dust, and requires measurements of the photoelectric yields to determine the charging and equilibrium potentials of individual dust grains. In this paper, we present the first laboratory measurements of the photoelectric yields of individual sub-micron/micron size dust grains selected from sample returns of Apollo 17, and Luna 24 missions, as well as similar size dust grains from the JSC-1 simulants. The experimental results were obtained on a laboratory facility based on an electrodynamic balance that permits a variety of experiments to be conducted on individual sub-micron/micron size dust grains in simulated space environments. The photoelectric emission measurements indicate grain size dependence with the yield increasing by an order of magnitude for grains of radii sub-micron size to several micron radii, at which it reaches asymptotic values. The yield for large size grains is found to be more than an order of magnitude higher than the bulk measurements on lunar fines reported in the literature.

Applying Transmission Kikuchi Diffraction (TKD) to Understand Nanogranular Fault Rock Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, S. A. F.; Demurtas, M.; Prior, D. J.; Di Toro, G.

2017-12-01

Nanoparticles (<< 1 µm) form in the localized slip zones of natural and experimental faults, but their origin (e.g. seismic vs. aseismic slip) and mechanical behaviour is still debated. Understanding the deformation processes that produce nanoparticles in faults requires an understanding of grain sizes, shapes and crystallographic orientations at higher spatial resolution than is currently possible using standard EBSD techniques. Transmission Kikuchi Diffraction (TKD) in the SEM is a technique that allows to overcome this spatial resolution issue by performing orientation mapping in a commercial EBSD system on electron transparent foils with resolutions that can be below 10 nm. Therefore, the potential of TKD to understand deformation processes in nanoparticles is very high. We present results of TKD analysis performed on mixed calcite-dolomite gouges deformed in a rotary-shear apparatus at slip rates ranging from sub-seismic to co-seismic (30 µm/s to 1 m/s). Samples for TKD were prepared by argon ion slicing, a method that yields relatively large (104 µm2) electron transparent areas, as well as standard argon ion milling. Coupled TKD-EDS analysis allows quantification of elemental contents at a scale of tens of nanometers. Preliminary results show that at a slip velocity of 1 m/s, the localized slip zone that forms in the gouges during shearing is composed of recrystallized grains of calcite and Mg-calcite (the latter being a decarbonation product of dolomite) with an average grain size of c. 300 nm. Individual grains are characterized by relatively straight boundaries, and many triple and quadruple grain junctions are present. The nanogranular aggregates show a polygonised texture with absence of clear porosity and shape preferred orientation. Orientation data show a random distribution of the calcite c-axes. Further investigation will help to obtain new insights into the deformation mechanisms active during seismic faulting in carbonate-bearing faults. The integration of grain size, grain shape and crystallographic information into flow laws will help to describe and predict the rheological behaviour of carbonate faults during seismic sliding.

The effects of lithology and landsliding on hillslope sediment supply: case study from southern Italy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roda-Boluda, Duna; D'Arcy, Mitch; Whittaker, Alex; McDonald, Jordan

2017-04-01

Sediment supply from hillslopes -including volumes, rates and grain size distributions- controls the sediment fluxes from upland areas and modulates how landscapes respond to tectonics. Here, we present new field data from tectonically-active areas in southern Italy that quantifies how lithology and rock-mass strength control the delivery processes and grain size distributions of sediment supplied from hillslopes. We evaluate the influence of landslides on sediment supply along 8 normal faults with excellent tectonic constraints. Frequency-area analysis of the landslide inventory, and a new field-calibrated area-volume scaling relationship, reveal that landsliding in the area is not dominated by large landslides (β ˜2), with 83% of landslides being < 0.1 km2 and shallower than 3 m. Based on volumetric estimates and published erosion rates, we infer that our inventory likely represents the integrated record of landsliding over 1-3 kyrs, implying minimum sediment fluxes between 6.90 x 102 and 2.07 x 103 m3/yr. We demonstrate that outcrop-scale rock-mass strength controls both landslide occurrence and the grain sizes supplied by bedrock weathering, for different lithologies. Comparisons of particle size distributions from bedrock weathering with those measured on landslide deposits demonstrates that landslides supply systematically coarser material, with lithology influencing the degree of coarsening. Finally, we evaluate the effect of landslide supply on fluvial sediment export, and show that D84 grain size increases by ˜ 6 mm for each 100-m increment in incision depth, due to the combination of enhanced landsliding and transport capacity in more incised catchments. Our results reveal a dual control of lithology and rock-mass strength on both the sediment volumes and grain sizes supplied to the fluvial system, which we demonstrate has a significant impact on sediment export from upland areas. This study provides a uniquely detailed field data set for studying how tectonics and lithology control hillslope erosion and sediment characteristics.

Deformation-mechanism map for nanocrystalline metals by molecular-dynamics simulation.

PubMed

Yamakov, V; Wolf, D; Phillpot, S R; Mukherjee, A K; Gleiter, H

2004-01-01

Molecular-dynamics simulations have recently been used to elucidate the transition with decreasing grain size from a dislocation-based to a grain-boundary-based deformation mechanism in nanocrystalline f.c.c. metals. This transition in the deformation mechanism results in a maximum yield strength at a grain size (the 'strongest size') that depends strongly on the stacking-fault energy, the elastic properties of the metal, and the magnitude of the applied stress. Here, by exploring the role of the stacking-fault energy in this crossover, we elucidate how the size of the extended dislocations nucleated from the grain boundaries affects the mechanical behaviour. Building on the fundamental physics of deformation as exposed by these simulations, we propose a two-dimensional stress-grain size deformation-mechanism map for the mechanical behaviour of nanocrystalline f.c.c. metals at low temperature. The map captures this transition in both the deformation mechanism and the related mechanical behaviour with decreasing grain size, as well as its dependence on the stacking-fault energy, the elastic properties of the material, and the applied stress level.

Significant contribution of stacking faults to the strain hardening behavior of Cu-15%Al alloy with different grain sizes.

PubMed

Tian, Y Z; Zhao, L J; Chen, S; Shibata, A; Zhang, Z F; Tsuji, N

2015-11-19

It is commonly accepted that twinning can induce an increase of strain-hardening rate during the tensile process of face-centered cubic (FCC) metals and alloys with low stacking fault energy (SFE). In this study, we explored the grain size effect on the strain-hardening behavior of a Cu-15 at.%Al alloy with low SFE. Instead of twinning, we detected a significant contribution of stacking faults (SFs) irrespective of the grain size even in the initial stage of tensile process. In contrast, twinning was more sensitive to the grain size, and the onset of deformation twins might be postponed to a higher strain with increasing the grain size. In the Cu-15 at.%Al alloy with a mean grain size of 47 μm, there was a stage where the strain-hardening rate increases with strain, and this was mainly induced by the SFs instead of twinning. Thus in parallel with the TWIP effect, we proposed that SFs also contribute significantly to the plasticity of FCC alloys with low SFE.

Significant contribution of stacking faults to the strain hardening behavior of Cu-15%Al alloy with different grain sizes

PubMed Central

Tian, Y. Z.; Zhao, L. J.; Chen, S.; Shibata, A.; Zhang, Z. F.; Tsuji, N.

2015-01-01

It is commonly accepted that twinning can induce an increase of strain-hardening rate during the tensile process of face-centered cubic (FCC) metals and alloys with low stacking fault energy (SFE). In this study, we explored the grain size effect on the strain-hardening behavior of a Cu-15 at.%Al alloy with low SFE. Instead of twinning, we detected a significant contribution of stacking faults (SFs) irrespective of the grain size even in the initial stage of tensile process. In contrast, twinning was more sensitive to the grain size, and the onset of deformation twins might be postponed to a higher strain with increasing the grain size. In the Cu-15 at.%Al alloy with a mean grain size of 47 μm, there was a stage where the strain-hardening rate increases with strain, and this was mainly induced by the SFs instead of twinning. Thus in parallel with the TWIP effect, we proposed that SFs also contribute significantly to the plasticity of FCC alloys with low SFE. PMID:26582568

Luminescence isochron dating: a new approach using different grain sizes.

PubMed

Zhao, H; Li, S H

2002-01-01

A new approach to isochron dating is described using different sizes of quartz and K-feldspar grains. The technique can be applied to sites with time-dependent external dose rates. It is assumed that any underestimation of the equivalent dose (De) using K-feldspar is by a factor F, which is independent of grain size (90-350 microm) for a given sample. Calibration of the beta source for different grain sizes is discussed, and then the sample ages are calculated using the differences between quartz and K-feldspar De from grains of similar size. Two aeolian sediment samples from north-eastern China are used to illustrate the application of the new method. It is confirmed that the observed values of De derived using K-feldspar underestimate the expected doses (based on the quartz De) but, nevertheless, these K-feldspar De values correlate linearly with the calculated internal dose rate contribution, supporting the assumption that the underestimation factor F is independent of grain size. The isochron ages are also compared with the results obtained using quartz De and the measured external dose rates.

Effect of non-metallic precipitates and grain size on core loss of non-oriented electrical silicon steels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jiayi; Ren, Qiang; Luo, Yan; Zhang, Lifeng

2018-04-01

In the current study, the number density and size of non-metallic precipitates and the size of grains on the core loss of the 50W800 non-oriented electrical silicon steel sheets were investigated. The number density and size of precipitates and grains were statistically analyzed using an automatic scanning electron microscope (ASPEX) and an optical microscope. Hypothesis models were established to reveal the physical feature for the function of grain size and precipitates on the core loss of the steel. Most precipitates in the steel were AlN particles smaller than 1 μm so that were detrimental to the core loss of the steel. These finer AlN particles distributed on the surface of the steel sheet. The relationship between the number density of precipitates (x in number/mm2 steel area) and the core loss (P1.5/50 in W/kg) was regressed as P1.5/50 = 4.150 + 0.002 x. The average grain size was approximately 25-35 μm. The relationship between the core loss and grain size (d in μm) was P1.5/50 = 3.851 + 20.001 d-1 + 60.000 d-2.

Dependence of Grain Size on the Performance of a Polysilicon Channel TFT for 3D NAND Flash Memory.

PubMed

Kim, Seung-Yoon; Park, Jong Kyung; Hwang, Wan Sik; Lee, Seung-Jun; Lee, Ki-Hong; Pyi, Seung Ho; Cho, Byung Jin

2016-05-01

We investigated the dependence of grain size on the performance of a polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) channel TFT for application to 3D NAND Flash memory devices. It has been found that the device performance and memory characteristics are strongly affected by the grain size of the poly-Si channel. Higher on-state current, faster program speed, and poor endurance/reliability properties are observed when the poly-Si grain size is large. These are mainly attributed to the different local electric field induced by an oxide valley at the interface between the poly-Si channel and the gate oxide. In addition, the trap density at the gate oxide interface was successfully measured using a charge pumping method by the separation between the gate oxide interface traps and traps at the grain boundaries in the poly-Si channel. The poly-Si channel with larger grain size has lower interface trap density.

The Grain-size Patchiness of Braided Gravel-Bed Streams - example of the Urumqi River (northeast Tian Shan, China)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guerit, L.; Barrier, L.; Narteau, C.; Métivier, F.; Liu, Y.; Lajeunesse, E.; Gayer, E.; Meunier, P.; Malverti, L.; Ye, B.

2014-02-01

In gravel-bed rivers, sediments are often sorted into patches of different grain-sizes, but in braided streams, the link between this sorting and the channel morpho-sedimentary elements is still unclear. In this study, the size of the bed sediment in the shallow braided gravel-bed Urumqi River is characterized by surface-count and volumetric sampling methods. Three morpho-sedimentary elements are identified in the active threads of the river: chutes at flow constrictions, which pass downstream to anabranches and bars at flow expansions. The surface and surface-layer grain-size distributions of these three elements show that they correspond to only two kinds of grain-size patches: (1) coarse-grained chutes, coarser than the bulk river bed, and (2) finer-grained anabranches and bars, consistent with the bulk river bed. In cross-section, the chute patches are composed of one coarse-grained top layer, which can be interpreted as a local armour layer overlying finer deposits. In contrast, the grain size of the bar-anabranch patches is finer and much more homogeneous in depth than the chute patches. Those patches, which are features of lateral and vertical sorting associated to the transport dynamics that build braided patterns, may be typical of active threads in shallow gravel-bed rivers and should be considered in future works on sorting processes and their geomorphologic and stratigraphic results.

Plastic Flow and Microstructure Evolution during Thermomechanical Processing of a PM Nickel-Base Superalloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Semiatin, S. L.; McClary, K. E.; Rollett, A. D.; Roberts, C. G.; Payton, E. J.; Zhang, F.; Gabb, T. P.

2013-06-01

Plastic flow and microstructure evolution during sub- and supersolvus forging and subsequent supersolvus heat treatment of the powder-metallurgy superalloy LSHR (low-solvus, high-refractory) were investigated to develop an understanding of methods that can be used to obtain a moderately coarse gamma grain size under well-controlled conditions. To this end, isothermal, hot compression tests were conducted over broad ranges of temperature [(1144 K to 1450 K) 871 °C to 1177 °C] and constant true strain rate (0.0005 to 10 s-1). At low temperatures, deformation was generally characterized by flow softening and dynamic recrystallization that led to a decrease in grain size. At high subsolvus temperatures and low strain rates, steady-state flow or flow hardening was observed. These latter behaviors were ascribed to superplastic deformation and microstructure evolution characterized by a constant grain size or concomitant dynamic grain growth, respectively. During supersolvus heat treatment following subsolvus deformation, increases in grain size whose magnitude was a function of the prior deformation conditions were noted. A transition in flow behavior from superplastic to nonsuperplastic and the development during forging at a high subsolvus temperature of a wide (possibly bi- or multimodal) gamma-grain-size distribution having some large grains led to a substantially coarser grain size during supersolvus annealing in comparison to that produced under all other forging conditions.

Mechanical behavior of nanostructured and ultrafine-grained materials under shock wave loadings. experimental data and results of computer simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skripnyak, Vladimir

2012-03-01

Features of mechanical behavior of nanostructured and ultrafine-grained metals under quasistatic and shock wave loadings are discussed. Features of mechanical behavior of nanostructured and ultrafine grained metals over a wide range of strain rates are discussed. A constitutive model for mechanical behavior of metal alloys under shock wave loading including a grain size distribution, a precipitate hardening, and physical mechanisms of shear stress relaxation is presented. Strain rate sensitivity of the yield stress of face-centered-cubic, hexagonal close-packed metal alloys depends on grain size, whereas the Hugoniot elastic limits of ultrafine-grained copper, aluminum, and titanium alloys are close to values of coarse-grained counterparts. At quasi-static loading the yield strength and the tensile strength of titanium alloys with grain size from 300 to 500 nm are twice higher than at coarse-grained counterparts. But the spall strength of the UFG titanium alloys exceeds the value of coarse-grained counterparts only for 10 percents.

The mechanical behavior of metal alloys with grain size distribution in a wide range of strain rates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skripnyak, V. A.; Skripnyak, V. V.; Skripnyak, E. G.

2017-12-01

The paper discusses a multiscale simulation approach for the construction of grain structure of metals and alloys, providing high tensile strength with ductility. This work compares the mechanical behavior of light alloys and the influence of the grain size distribution in a wide range of strain rates. The influence of the grain size distribution on the inelastic deformation and fracture of aluminium and magnesium alloys is investigated by computer simulations in a wide range of strain rates. It is shown that the yield stress depends on the logarithm of the normalized strain rate for light alloys with a bimodal grain distribution and coarse-grained structure.

Effects of polycrystallinity in nano patterning by ion-beam sputtering

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yoon, Sun Mi; Kim, J.-S., E-mail: jskim@sm.ac.kr; Yoon, D.

Employing graphites with distinctly different mean grain sizes, we study the effects of polycrystallinity on the pattern formation by ion-beam sputtering. The grains influence the growth of the ripples in a highly anisotropic fashion; both the mean uninterrupted ripple length along the ridges and the surface width depend on the mean size of the grains, which is attributed to the large sputter yield at the grain boundary compared with that on the terrace. In contrast, the ripple wavelength does not depend on the mean size of the grains, indicating that the mass transport across the grain boundaries should efficiently proceedmore » by both thermal diffusion and ion-induced processes.« less

Tuneable dielectric films having low electrical losses

DOEpatents

Dimos, Duane Brian; Schwartz, Robert William; Raymond, Mark Victor; Al-Shareef, Husam Niman; Mueller, Carl; Galt, David

2000-01-01

The present invention is directed to a method for forming dielectric thin films having substantially reduced electrical losses at microwave and millimeter wave frequencies relative to conventional dielectric thin films. The reduction in losses is realized by dramatically increasing the grain sizes of the dielectric films, thereby minimizing intergranular scattering of the microwave signal due to grain boundaries and point defects. The increase in grain size is realized by heating the film to a temperature at which the grains experience regrowth. The grain size of the films can be further increased by first depositing the films with an excess of one of the compoents, such that a highly mobile grain boundary phase is formed.

Regulation of sand transport in the Colorado River by changes in the surface grain size of eddy sandbars over multi-year timescales

USGS Publications Warehouse

Topping, D.J.; Rubin, D.M.; Schmidt, J.C.

2005-01-01

In settings where the transport of sand is partially or fully supply limited, changes in the upstream supply of sand are coupled to changes in the grain size of sand on the bed. In this manner, the transport of sand under the supply-limited case is 'grain-size regulated'. Since the closure of Glen Canyon Dam in 1963, the downstream reach of the Colorado River in Marble and Grand Canyons has exhibited evidence of sand-supply limitation. Sand transport in the river is now approximately equally regulated by changes in the discharge of water and changes in the grain sizes of sand on the channel bed and eddy sandbars. Previous work has shown that changes in the grain size of sand on the bed of the channel (driven by changes in the upstream supply of sand owing to both tributary floods and high dam releases) are important in regulating sand transport over timescales of days to months. In this study, suspended-sand data are analysed in conjunction with bed grain-size data to determine whether changes in the grain size of sand on the bed of the channel or changes in the grain size of sand on the surface of eddy sandbars have been more important in regulating sand transport in the post-dam Colorado River over longer, multi-year timescales. The results of this study show that this combined theory- and field-based approach can be used to deduce which environments in a complicated setting are the most important environments for regulating sediment transport. In the case of the regulated Colorado River in Marble and Upper Grand Canyons, suspended-sand transport has been regulated mostly by changes in the surface grain size of eddy sandbars. ?? 2005 International Association of Sedimentologists.

Relation between grain size and modal composition in deep-sea gravity-flow deposits. Example from the Voirons Flysch (Gurnigel nappe, Chablais Prealps, France)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ragusa, Jérémy; Kindler, Pascal

2016-04-01

A coupled analysis of modal composition, grain size and sedimentary features of gravity-flow deposits in the Gurnigel nappe shows that the transition from coarse proximal to fine distal deposits is accompanied by a change in composition from siliciclastic to calcareous. Such compositional variation should be taken into account when interpretating deep-sea deposits if sampling is restricted to a single part of the fan. The Chablais Prealps (Haute-Savoie, France) represent a well-preserved accretionary wedge in the Western Alps. They comprise a stack of northward-thrusted sedimentary cover nappes originating from the Ultrahelvetic realm (distal part of the European margin) to the southern part of the Piemont Ocean. The present study focuses on the Voirons Flysch, belonging to the Gurnigel nappe, which includes four formations consisting of gravity-flow deposits (from bottom to top): (1) the Voirons Sandstone Fm., composed of channel to lobe deposits; (2) the Vouan Conglomerate Fm., represented by the proximal part of a channel system; (3) the Boëge Marls Fm., constituted by distal lobe deposits; finally, (4) the Bruant Sandstone Fm., which consists in channel to lobe deposits. Recent biostratigraphic results using planktonic foraminifers attributed a Middle to Late Eocene age to the Voirons Flysch, which was formerly believed to range from the Paleocene to the Middle Eocene (based on calcareous nannofossils). A total of 270 thin sections with stained feldspars were prepared, representing the four formations of the Voirons Flysch. Circa 300 extrabasinal grains were counted per thin section using the classic Indiana method. In addition, the quantity of intrabasinal grains (i.e. bioclasts, glauconite), cement and porosity was analysed. Cement was stained with alizarine and potassium ferrocyanide. 200 grain-size measurements on ca. 100 samples were performed using 3D conversion and statistical moment analysis. Sedimentary observations for each sampled bed were categorized following Mutti's turbiditic facies scheme. Cluster analysis on the composition of major grains discriminated 10 clusters which are merged into seven petrofacies (P1 - P7) following optical observations under the microscope: P1: poorly cemented porous arenite; P2: all porosity are filled by calcitic cement; P3: well-cemented volcano-clastic arenite; P4: red algae-rich highly cemented arenite to calcarenite; P5: highly cemented arenite; P6: globigerina-rich laminated calcarenite and P7: glauconitic quartzarenite. Grain-size distribution is grouped following the petrofacies. They provide a homogeneous distribution within each petrofacies with a gradual fining and progressively increasing sorting from P1 to P7. Moreover, Mutti's facies distribution indicates a progressive change towards more distal environments: from channel facies (F2 to F5) in P1-P3 to lobe facies (F8 to F9) in P4-P6. The washed composition of the P7 petrofacies is interpreted as distal turbidites that were reworked by bottom currents. The results presented here reveal a link between sand composition, grain size and gravity-flow facies. They highlight that composition of gravity flows is modified during their basinward transport. Consequently, coarse proximal deposits are more siliciclastic with limited filling of voids due to low carbonate contents. On the contrary, carbonate content increases significantly in the fine-grained calcarenites of the distal petrofacies. In distal settings, the segregation of light and porous foraminifera from the heavier siliciclastic fraction occurs under the increasing importance of traction currents.

Passivation Behavior of Ultrafine-Grained Pure Copper Fabricated by Accumulative Roll Bonding (ARB) Process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fattah-alhosseini, Arash; Imantalab, Omid

2016-01-01

In this study, passivation behavior of ultrafine-grained (UFG) pure copper fabricated by ARB process in 0.01 M borax solution has been investigated. Before any electrochemical measurements, evaluation of microstructure was obtained by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM observations revealed that with increasing the number of ARB passes, the grain size of specimens decrease. Also, TEM images showed that UFGs with average size of below 100 nm appeared after 7 passes of ARB. To investigate the passivation behavior of the specimens, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Mott-Schottky analysis was carried out. For this purpose, three potentials within the passive region were chosen for potentiostatic passive film growth. EIS results showed that both passive film and charge-transfer resistance increases with increasing the number of ARB passes. Moreover, Mott-Schottky analysis revealed that with increasing the number of ARB passes, the acceptor density of the passive films decreased. In conclusion, increasing the number of ARB passes offers better conditions for forming the passive films with higher protection behavior, due to the growth of a much thicker and less defective films.

A generalized threshold model for computing bed load grain size distribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Recking, Alain

2016-12-01

For morphodynamic studies, it is important to compute not only the transported volumes of bed load, but also the size of the transported material. A few bed load equations compute fractional transport (i.e., both the volume and grain size distribution), but many equations compute only the bulk transport (a volume) with no consideration of the transported grain sizes. To fill this gap, a method is proposed to compute the bed load grain size distribution separately to the bed load flux. The method is called the Generalized Threshold Model (GTM), because it extends the flow competence method for threshold of motion of the largest transported grain size to the full bed surface grain size distribution. This was achieved by replacing dimensional diameters with their size indices in the standard hiding function, which offers a useful framework for computation, carried out for each indices considered in the range [1, 100]. New functions are also proposed to account for partial transport. The method is very simple to implement and is sufficiently flexible to be tested in many environments. In addition to being a good complement to standard bulk bed load equations, it could also serve as a framework to assist in analyzing the physics of bed load transport in future research.

Extracting magnetic cluster size and its distributions in advanced perpendicular recording media with shrinking grain size using small angle x-ray scattering

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mehta, Virat; Ikeda, Yoshihiro; Takano, Ken

2015-05-18

We analyze the magnetic cluster size (MCS) and magnetic cluster size distribution (MCSD) in a variety of perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) media designs using resonant small angle x-ray scattering at the Co L{sub 3} absorption edge. The different PMR media flavors considered here vary in grain size between 7.5 and 9.5 nm as well as in lateral inter-granular exchange strength, which is controlled via the segregant amount. While for high inter-granular exchange, the MCS increases rapidly for grain sizes below 8.5 nm, we show that for increased amount of segregant with less exchange the MCS remains relatively small, even for grain sizesmore » of 7.5 and 8 nm. However, the MCSD still increases sharply when shrinking grains from 8 to 7.5 nm. We show evidence that recording performance such as signal-to-noise-ratio on the spin stand correlates well with the product of magnetic cluster size and magnetic cluster size distribution.« less

Genetic dissection of grain size and grain number trade-offs in CIMMYT wheat germplasm.

PubMed

Griffiths, Simon; Wingen, Luzie; Pietragalla, Julian; Garcia, Guillermo; Hasan, Ahmed; Miralles, Daniel; Calderini, Daniel F; Ankleshwaria, Jignaben Bipinchandra; Waite, Michelle Leverington; Simmonds, James; Snape, John; Reynolds, Matthew

2015-01-01

Grain weight (GW) and number per unit area of land (GN) are the primary components of grain yield in wheat. In segregating populations both yield components often show a negative correlation among themselves. Here we use a recombinant doubled haploid population of 105 individuals developed from the CIMMYT varieties Weebill and Bacanora to understand the relative contribution of these components to grain yield and their interaction with each other. Weebill was chosen for its high GW and Bacanora for high GN. The population was phenotyped in Mexico, Argentina, Chile and the UK. Two loci influencing grain yield were indicated on 1B and 7B after QTL analysis. Weebill contributed the increasing alleles. The 1B effect, which is probably caused by to the 1BL.1RS rye introgression in Bacanora, was a result of increased GN, whereas, the 7B QTL controls GW. We concluded that increased in GW from Weebill 7B allele is not accompanied by a significant reduction in grain number. The extent of the GW and GN trade-off is reduced. This makes this locus an attractive target for marker assisted selection to develop high yielding bold grain varieties like Weebill. AMMI analysis was used to show that the 7B Weebill allele appears to contribute to yield stability.

Genetic Dissection of Grain Size and Grain Number Trade-Offs in CIMMYT Wheat Germplasm

PubMed Central

Griffiths, Simon; Wingen, Luzie; Pietragalla, Julian; Garcia, Guillermo; Hasan, Ahmed; Miralles, Daniel; Calderini, Daniel F.; Ankleshwaria, Jignaben Bipinchandra; Waite, Michelle Leverington; Simmonds, James; Snape, John; Reynolds, Matthew

2015-01-01

Grain weight (GW) and number per unit area of land (GN) are the primary components of grain yield in wheat. In segregating populations both yield components often show a negative correlation among themselves. Here we use a recombinant doubled haploid population of 105 individuals developed from the CIMMYT varieties Weebill and Bacanora to understand the relative contribution of these components to grain yield and their interaction with each other. Weebill was chosen for its high GW and Bacanora for high GN. The population was phenotyped in Mexico, Argentina, Chile and the UK. Two loci influencing grain yield were indicated on 1B and 7B after QTL analysis. Weebill contributed the increasing alleles. The 1B effect, which is probably caused by to the 1BL.1RS rye introgression in Bacanora, was a result of increased GN, whereas, the 7B QTL controls GW. We concluded that increased in GW from Weebill 7B allele is not accompanied by a significant reduction in grain number. The extent of the GW and GN trade-off is reduced. This makes this locus an attractive target for marker assisted selection to develop high yielding bold grain varieties like Weebill. AMMI analysis was used to show that the 7B Weebill allele appears to contribute to yield stability. PMID:25775191

Muddled or mixed? Inferring palaeoclimate from size distributions of deep-sea clastics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weltje, G. J.; Prins, M. A.

2003-04-01

One of the outstanding problems of palaeoclimate reconstruction from physico-chemical properties of terrigenous deep-sea sediments is the fact that most basin fills are mixtures of sediment populations derived from different sources and transported to the site of deposition by different mechanisms. Conventional approaches to palaeoclimate reconstruction from deep-sea sediments, which ignore this common fact, often fail to recognise the true significance of variations in sediment properties. We formulate a set of requirements that each proposed palaeoenvironmental indicator should fulfil, and focus on the intrinsic coupling between grain size and chemical composition. A critical review of past achievements in grain-size analysis is given to provide a starting point for a conceptual model of spatio-temporal grain-size variation in terms of dynamic populations. Each dynamic population results from a characteristic combination of production and transport mechanisms that corresponds to a distinct subpopulation in the data analysed. The mathematical-statistical equivalent of the conceptual model may be solved by means of the end-member modelling algorithm EMMA. Applications of the model to several ocean basins are discussed, as well as methods to examine the validity of the palaeoclimate reconstructions.

Investigation of the recycling of tires to elastomeric requirements by techniques of thermal compression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nadal Gisbert, Antonio V.

In this work is investigated the recycling of tires to elastomeric requirements by thermal compression. The production of recycled products is carried out starting from the powder, of elastomeric nature, coming from the grinding of used tires denominated GTR (Ground Tire Rubber) of different grain size, although the fundamental objective is the recycling of powder of 0,2mm grain size. The process of forming used for obtaining the recycled product is thermal compression, due to its simplicity and low cost. The composition of the powder has been analyzed and also the influence, on the elastomeric characteristics of the recycled product, of different parameters: Grain size, compact pressure, temperature, time, thickness of the recycled product and combination of sizes. At last we give an hypothesis that justifies the mechanism that gives cohesion to the powder GTR and allows their recycling. We also have carried out an analysis of the investigation lines, at the present, on the recycling of tires in general and an economic study of the viability of the recycled product in front of present products in the market, agglomerated with polyurethane, that have their application in using it in different types of floors.

Deformation and annealing study of Nicraly

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Trela, D. M.; Ebert, L. J.

1975-01-01

Extensive experiments were carried out on the ODS alloy Nicraly, (an alloy prepared by mechanical alloying and consolidating a powder blend consisting of 16% chromium, 4% aluminum, 2-3% yttria, balance nickel), in efforts to develop methods of controlling the grain size and grain shape of the material. The experiments fell into two general categories: variations in the annealing parameters using the as-extruded material as it was received, and various thermomechanical processing schedules (various combinations of cold work and annealing). Success was achieved in gaining grain size and grain shape control by annealing of the as-extruded material. By proper selection of annealing temperature and cooling rates, the grain size of the as-received material was increased almost two orders of magnitude (from an average grain dimension of 0.023 mm to 1.668 mm) while the aspect ratio was increased by some 50% (from 20:1 to 30:1). No success was achieved in gaining significant control of the grain size and shape of the material by thermo-mechanical processing.

The Effects of Atmosphere on the Sintering of Ultrafine-Grained Tungsten with Ti

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Chai; Koopman, Mark; Fang, Z. Zak; Zhang, Huan

2016-11-01

Tungsten (W) is a brittle material at room temperature making it very difficult to fabricate. Although the lack of ductility remains a difficult challenge, nano-sized and ultrafine-grained (UFG) structures offer the potential to overcome tungsten's room-temperature brittleness. One way to manufacture UFG W is to compact and sinter nano-sized W powder. It is challenging, however, to control grain growth during sintering. As one method to inhibit grain growth, the effect of Ti-based additives on the densification and grain growth of nano-W powders was investigated in this study. Addition of 1% Ti into tungsten led to more than a 63% decrease in average grain size of sintered samples at comparable density levels. It was found that sintering in Ar yielded a finer grain size than sintering in H2 at similar densities. The active diffusion mechanisms during sintering were different for W-1% Ti nano powders sintered in Ar and H2.

Grain size distribution of road-deposited sediment and its contribution to heavy metal pollution in urban runoff in Beijing, China.

PubMed

Zhao, Hongtao; Li, Xuyong; Wang, Xiaomei; Tian, Di

2010-11-15

Pollutant washoff from road-deposited sediment (RDS) is an increasing problem associated with the rapid urbanization of China that results in urban non-point source pollution. Here, we analyzed the RDS grain size distribution and its potential impact on heavy metal pollution in urban runoff from impervious surfaces of urban villages, colleges and residences, and main traffic roads in the Haidian District, Beijing, China. RDS with smaller grain size had a higher metal concentration. Specifically, particles with the smallest grain size (<44 μm) had the highest metal concentration in most areas (unit: mg/kg): Cd 0.28-1.31, Cr 57.9-154, Cu 68.1-142, Ni 25.8-78.0, Pb 73.1-222 and Zn 264-664. Particles with smaller grain size (<250 μm) contributed more than 80% of the total metal loads in RDS washoff, while suspended solids with a grain size <44 μm in runoff water accounted for greater than 70% of the metal mass in the total suspended solids (TSS). The heavy metal content in the TSS was 2.21-6.52% of that in the RDS. These findings will facilitate our understanding of the importance of RDS grain size distribution in heavy metal pollution caused by urban storm runoff. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Simulating galactic dust grain evolution on a moving mesh

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McKinnon, Ryan; Vogelsberger, Mark; Torrey, Paul; Marinacci, Federico; Kannan, Rahul

2018-05-01

Interstellar dust is an important component of the galactic ecosystem, playing a key role in multiple galaxy formation processes. We present a novel numerical framework for the dynamics and size evolution of dust grains implemented in the moving-mesh hydrodynamics code AREPO suited for cosmological galaxy formation simulations. We employ a particle-based method for dust subject to dynamical forces including drag and gravity. The drag force is implemented using a second-order semi-implicit integrator and validated using several dust-hydrodynamical test problems. Each dust particle has a grain size distribution, describing the local abundance of grains of different sizes. The grain size distribution is discretised with a second-order piecewise linear method and evolves in time according to various dust physical processes, including accretion, sputtering, shattering, and coagulation. We present a novel scheme for stochastically forming dust during stellar evolution and new methods for sub-cycling of dust physics time-steps. Using this model, we simulate an isolated disc galaxy to study the impact of dust physical processes that shape the interstellar grain size distribution. We demonstrate, for example, how dust shattering shifts the grain size distribution to smaller sizes resulting in a significant rise of radiation extinction from optical to near-ultraviolet wavelengths. Our framework for simulating dust and gas mixtures can readily be extended to account for other dynamical processes relevant in galaxy formation, like magnetohydrodynamics, radiation pressure, and thermo-chemical processes.

Constraining dust properties in circumstellar envelopes of C-stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud: optical constants and grain size of carbon dust

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nanni, Ambra; Marigo, Paola; Groenewegen, Martin A. T.; Aringer, Bernhard; Girardi, Léo; Pastorelli, Giada; Bressan, Alessandro; Bladh, Sara

2016-10-01

We present a new approach aimed at constraining the typical size and optical properties of carbon dust grains in circumstellar envelopes (CSEs) of carbon-rich stars (C-stars) in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). To achieve this goal, we apply our recent dust growth description, coupled with a radiative transfer code to the CSEs of C-stars evolving along the thermally pulsing asymptotic giant branch, for which we compute spectra and colours. Then, we compare our modelled colours in the near- and mid-infrared (NIR and MIR) bands with the observed ones, testing different assumptions in our dust scheme and employing several data sets of optical constants for carbon dust available in the literature. Different assumptions adopted in our dust scheme change the typical size of the carbon grains produced. We constrain carbon dust properties by selecting the combination of grain size and optical constants which best reproduce several colours in the NIR and MIR at the same time. The different choices of optical properties and grain size lead to differences in the NIR and MIR colours greater than 2 mag in some cases. We conclude that the complete set of observed NIR and MIR colours are best reproduced by small grains, with sizes between ˜0.035 and ˜0.12 μm, rather than by large grains between ˜0.2 and 0.7 μm. The inability of large grains to reproduce NIR and MIR colours seems independent of the adopted optical data set. We also find a possible trend of the grain size with mass-loss and/or carbon excess in the CSEs of these stars.

Constraining Dust Properties in Circumstellar Envelopes of C-Stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud: Optical Constants And Grain Size Of Carbon Dust

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nanni, Ambra; Marigo, Paola; Groenewegen, Martin A. T.; Aringer, Berhard; Girardi, Léo; Pastorelli, Giada; Bressan, Alessandro; Bladh, Sara

2016-07-01

We present our recent investigation aimed at constraining the typical size and optical properties of carbon dust grains in Circumstellar envelopes (CSEs) of carbon-rich stars (C-stars) in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC).We applied our recent dust growth model, coupled with a radiative transfer code, to the dusty CSEs of C-stars along the TP-AGB phase, for which we computed spectra and colors. We then compared our modeled colors in the Near and Mid Infrared (NIR and MIR) bands with the observed ones, testing different assumptions in our dust scheme and employing different optical constants data sets for carbon dust. We constrained the optical properties of carbon dust by identifying the combinations of typical grain size and optical constants data set which simultaneously reproduce several colors in the NIR and MIR wavelengths. In particular, the different choices of optical properties and grain size lead to differences in the NIR and MIR colors greater than two magnitudes in some cases. We concluded that the complete set of selected NIR and MIR colors are best reproduced by small grains, with sizes between 0.06 and 0.1 mum, rather than by large grains of 0.2-0.4 mum. The inability of large grains to reproduce NIR and MIR colors is found to be independent of the adopted optical data set and the deviations between models and observations tend to increase for increasing grain sizes. We also find a possible trend of the typical grain size with mss-loss and/or carbon-excess in the CSEs of these stars.The work presented is preparatory to future studies aimed at calibrating the TP-AGB phase through resolved stellar populations in the framework of the STARKEY project.

Grain Size Measurements of Eolian Ripples in Gale Crater, Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weitz, C. M.; Sullivan, R. J., Jr.; Lapotre, M. G. A.; Rowland, S. K.; Edgett, K. S.; Grant, J. A., III; Yingst, R. A.

2017-12-01

The Curiosity rover team has explored several different eolian sand targets in Gale crater, including dunes and ripples. Using Curiosity's Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI), we measured the size of grains on or near ripple crests within dunes, ripple fields, and in isolated ripples. The Barby target (Sol 1184) is on the crest of a ripple on the lower stoss slope of the barchan High dune. Flume Ridge (Sol 1604) and Avery Peak (Sol 1651) are smaller ripples on the Nathan Bridges and Mount Desert Island linear dunes. Schoolhouse Ledge (Sol 1688) is an isolated megaripple not associated with either a dune or ripple field. Enchanted Island (Sol 1751) is a ripple contained within a larger ripple field near the Vera Rubin Ridge. Our results show the grains of the Avery Peak and Flume Ridge targets are mostly 75-150 µm in size and grain motion was observed during each MAHLI imaging sequence. Barby is dominated by 250-450 µm grains assumed to be active based upon the lack of a dust coating, though grain motion was not observed. The Enchanted Island target has slightly larger grains than Barby, with most between 300-500 µm. The grains have some dust aggregates on their surfaces, suggesting they have been less active in recent months or years relative to the ripples examined within the Bagnold dune field. Finally, grains along the crest of Schoolhouse Ledge are the largest, 400-600 µm, and all of the grain surfaces have a thin dust coating, indicating the ripple is not currently active. Some of the ripple crests have similar grain sizes on both the stoss and lee sides (Schoolhouse Ledge, Barby) whereas other ripples showed larger grains concentrated on the stoss side (Enchanted Island, Avery Peak, Flume Ridge). Scuffing by the rover's front wheel revealed both Schoolhouse Ledge and Enchanted Island had coarser grains dominating the ripple surface with finer grains within the ripple interior. In general, the surfaces of active sand ripples have smaller grains compared to the inactive ripples which exhibit an armor of larger grains. Our results indicate grain sizes vary widely depending upon such factors as ripple activity, location along the ripple, ripple size, dune type, and orientation relative to the wind direction.

The balance between keystone clustering and bed roughness in experimental step-pool stabilization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, J. P.

2016-12-01

Predicting how mountain channels will respond to environmental perturbations such as floods requires an improved quantitative understanding of morphodynamic feedbacks among bed topography, surface grain size and sediment sorting. In boulder-rich gravel streams, transport and sorting often lead to the development of step pool morphologies, which are expressed both in bed topography and coarse grain clustering. Bed stability is difficult to measure, and is sometimes inferred from the presence of step pools. I use scaled flume experiments to explore feedbacks among surface grain sizes, coarse grain clustering, bed roughness and hydraulic roughness during progressive bed stabilization and over a range of sediment transport rates. While grain clusters are sometimes identified by subjective interpretation, I quantify the degree of coarse surface grain clustering using spatial statistics, including a novel normalization of Ripley's K function. This approach is objective and provides information on the strength of clustering over a range of length scales. Flume experiments start with an initial bed surface with a broad grain size distribution and spatially random positions. Flow causes the bed surface to progressively stabilize in response to erosion, surface coarsening, roughening and grain reorganization. At 95% confidence, many but not all beds stabilized with coarse grains becoming more clustered than complete spatial randomness (CSR). I observe a tradeoff between topographic roughness and clustering. Beds that stabilized with higher degrees of coarse-grain clustering were topographically smoother, and vice-versa. Initial conditions influenced the degree of clustering at stability: Beds that happened to have fewer initial coarse grains had more coarse grain reorganization during stabilization, leading to more clustering. Finally, regressions demonstrate that clustering statistics actually predict hydraulic roughness significantly better than does D84 (the size at which 84% of grains are smaller). In the experimental data, the spatial organization of surface grains is a stronger control on flow characteristics than the size of surface grains.

Dislocation creep accommodated Grain Boundary Sliding: A high strain rate/low temperature deformation mechanism in calcite ultramylonites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rogowitz, Anna; Grasemann, Bernhard

2014-05-01

Grain boundary sliding (GBS) is an important grain size sensitive deformation mechanism that is often associated with extreme strain localization and superplasticity. Another mechanism has to operate simultaneously to GBS in order to prevent overlaps and voids between sliding grains. One of the most common accommodating mechanisms is diffusional creep but, recently, dislocation creep has been reported to operate simultaneous to GBS. Due to the formation of a flanking structure in nearly pure calcite marble on Syros (Cyclades, Greece) at lower greenschist facies conditions, an extremely fine grained ultramylonite developed. The microstructure of the layer is characterized by (1) calcite grains with an average grain size of 3.6 µm (developed by low temperature/high strain rate grain boundary migration recrystallization, BLG), (2) grain boundary triple junctions with nearly 120° angles and (3) small cavities preferentially located at triple junctions and at grain boundaries in extension. These features suggest that the dominant deformation mechanism was GBS. In order to get more information on the accommodation mechanism detailed microstructural and textural analyses have been performed on a FEI Quanta 3D FEG instrument equipped with an EDAX Digiview IV EBSD camera. The misorientation distribution curves for correlated and uncorrelated grains follow almost perfect the calculated theoretical curve for a random distribution, which is typical for polycrystalline material deformed by GBS. However, the crystallographic preferred orientation indicates that dislocation creep might have operated simultaneously. We also report Zener-Stroh cracks resulting from dislocation pile up, indicating that dislocation movement was active. We, therefore, conclude that the dominant deformation mechanism was dislocation creep accommodated grain boundary sliding. This is consistent with the observed grain size range that plots at the field boundary between grain size insensitive and grain size sensitive creep, in a deformation mechanism map for calcite.

Effects of water deficit on breadmaking quality and storage protein compositions in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

PubMed

Zhou, Jiaxing; Liu, Dongmiao; Deng, Xiong; Zhen, Shoumin; Wang, Zhimin; Yan, Yueming

2018-03-12

Water deficiency affects grain proteome dynamics and storage protein compositions, resulting in changes in gluten viscoelasticity. In this study, the effects of field water deficit on wheat breadmaking quality and grain storage proteins were investigated. Water deficiency produced a shorter grain-filling period, a decrease in grain number, grain weight and grain yield, a reduced starch granule size and increased protein content and glutenin macropolymer contents, resulting in superior dough properties and breadmaking quality. Reverse phase ultra-performance liquid chromatography analysis showed that the total gliadin and glutenin content and the accumulation of individual components were significantly increased by water deficiency. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis detected 144 individual storage protein spots with significant accumulation changes in developing grains under water deficit. Comparative proteomic analysis revealed that water deficiency resulted in significant upregulation of 12 gliadins, 12 high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits and 46 low-molecular-weight glutenin subunits. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that the expression of storage protein biosynthesis-related transcription factors Dof and Spa was upregulated by water deficiency. The present results illustrated that water deficiency leads to increased accumulation of storage protein components and upregulated expression of Dof and Spa, resulting in an improvement in glutenin strength and breadmaking quality. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Relationships between solid dispersion preparation process, particle size and drug release--an NMR and NMR microimaging study.

PubMed

Dahlberg, Carina; Millqvist-Fureby, Anna; Schuleit, Michael; Furó, István

2010-10-01

Solid dispersion tablets prepared by either spray drying or rotoevaporation and exhibiting different grain and pore sizes were investigated under the process of hydration-swelling-gelation. (2)H and (1)H NMR microimaging experiments were used to selectively follow water penetration and polymer mobilization kinetics, respectively, while the drug release kinetics was followed by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The obtained data, in combination with morphological information by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), reveal a complex process that ultimately leads to release of the drug into the aqueous phase. We find that the rate of water ingress has no direct influence on release kinetics, which also renders air in the tablets a secondary factor. On the other hand, drug release is directly correlated with the polymer mobilization kinetics. Water diffusion into the originally dry polymer grains determines the rate of grain swelling and the hydration within the grains varies strongly with grain size. We propose that this sets the stage for creating homogeneous gels for small grain sizes and heterogeneous gels for large grain sizes. Fast diffusion through water-rich sections of the inhomogeneous gels that exhibit a large mesh size is the factor which yields a faster drug release from tablets prepared by rotoevaporation. Copyright © 2010. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Origin of accretionary lapilli from the Pompeii and Avellino deposits of Vesuvius

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sheridan, M.F.; Wohletz, K.H.

1983-01-01

Accretionary lapilli from the Pompeii and Avellino Plinian ash deposits of Vesuvius consist of centimeter-sized spheroids composed of glass, crystal, and lithic fragments of submillimeter size. The typical structure of the lapilli consists of a central massive core surrounded by concentric layers of fine ash with concentrations of larger clasts and vesicles and a thin outer layer of dust. Clasts within the lapilli larger than 125 ..mu..m are extremely rare. The median grain-size of the fine ash is about 50 ..mu..m and the size-distribution is well sorted. Most constituent particles of accretionary lapilli display blocky shapes characteristic of grains producedmore » by phreatomagmatic hydroexplosions. We have used the scanning electron microscope (SEM) in conjunction with energy dispersive spectral analysis (EDS) to investigate the textural and chemical variation along traverses from the core to the rim of lapilli from Vesuvius.« less

A rapid compatibility analysis of potential offshore sand sources for beaches of the Santa Barbara Littoral Cell

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mustain, N.; Griggs, G.; Barnard, P.L.

2007-01-01

The beaches of the Santa Barbara Littoral Cell, which are narrow as a result of either natural and/or anthropogenic factors, may benefit from nourishment. Sand compatibility is fundamental to beach nourishment success and grain size is the parameter often used to evaluate equivalence. Only after understanding which sand sizes naturally compose beaches in a specific cell, especially the smallest size that remains on the beach, can the potential compatibility of source areas, such as offshore borrow sites, be accurately assessed. This study examines sediments on the beach and in the nearshore (5-20m depth) for the entire Santa Barbara Littoral Cell east of Point Conception. A digital bed sediment camera, the Eyeball??, and spatial autocorrelation technique were used to determine sediment grain size. Here we report on whether nearshore sediments are comparable and compatible with beach sands of the Santa Barbara Littoral Cell. ?? 2007 ASCE.

Eyewitness Recall: Regulation of Grain Size and the Role of Confidence

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weber, Nathan; Brewer, Neil

2008-01-01

Eyewitness testimony plays a critical role in Western legal systems. Three experiments extended M. Goldsmith, A. Koriat, and A. Weinberg-Eliezer's (2002) framework of the regulation of grain size (precision vs. coarseness) of memory reports to eyewitness memory. In 2 experiments, the grain size of responses had a large impact on memory accuracy.…

Strategic Regulation of Grain Size in Memory Reporting over Time

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goldsmith, M.; Koriat, A.; Pansky, A.

2005-01-01

As time passes, people often remember the gist of an event though they cannot remember its details. Can rememberers exploit this difference by strategically regulating the ''grain size'' of their answers over time, to avoid reporting wrong information? A metacognitive model of the control of grain size in memory reporting was examined in two…

Experimental Investigation of Charging Properties of Interstellar Type Silica Dust Grains by Secondary Electron Emissions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tankosic, D.; Abbas, M. M.

2013-01-01

The dust charging by electron impact is an important dust charging processes in astrophysical and planetary environments. Incident low energy electrons are reflected or stick to the grains charging the dust grains negatively. At sufficiently high energies electrons penetrate the grains, leading to excitation and emission of electrons referred to as secondary electron emission (SEE). Available classical theoretical models for calculations of SEE yields are generally applicable for neutral, planar, or bulk surfaces. These models, however, are not valid for calculations of the electron impact charging properties of electrostatically charged micron/submicron-size dust grains in astrophysical environments. Rigorous quantum mechanical models are not yet available, and the SEE yields have to be determined experimentally for development of more accurate models for charging of individual dust grains. At the present time, very limited experimental data are available for charging of individual micron-size dust grains, particularly for low energy electron impact. The experimental results on individual, positively charged, micron-size lunar dust grains levitated carried out by us in a unique facility at NASA-MSFC, based on an electrodynamic balance, indicate that the SEE by electron impact is a complex process. The electron impact may lead to charging or discharging of dust grains depending upon the grain size, surface potential, electron energy, electron flux, grain composition, and configuration (Abbas et al, 2010, 2012). In this paper, we discuss SEE charging properties of individual micron-size silica microspheres that are believed to be analogs of a class of interstellar dust grains. The measurements indicate charging of the 0.2m silica particles when exposed to 25 eV electron beams and discharging when exposed to higher energy electron beams. Relatively large size silica particles (5.2-6.82m) generally discharge to lower equilibrium potentials at both electron energies. These measurements conducted on silica microspheres are qualitatively similar in nature to our previous SEE measurements on lunar Apollo missions dust samples.

Grain-size-induced weakening of H2O ices I and II and associated anisotropic recrystallization

USGS Publications Warehouse

Stern, L.A.; Durham, W.B.; Kirby, S.H.

1997-01-01

Grain-size-dependent flow mechanisms tend to be favored over dislocation creep at low differential stresses and can potentially influence the rheology of low-stress, low-strain rate environments such as those of planetary interiors. We experimentally investigated the effect of reduced grain size on the solid-state flow of water ice I, a principal component of the asthenospheres of many icy moons of the outer solar system, using techniques new to studies of this deformation regime. We fabricated fully dense ice samples of approximate grain size 2 ?? 1 ??m by transforming "standard" ice I samples of 250 ?? 50 ??m grain size to the higher-pressure phase ice II, deforming them in the ice II field, and then rapidly releasing the pressure deep into the ice I stability field. At T ??? 200 K, slow growth and rapid nucleation of ice I combine to produce a fine grain size. Constant-strain rate deformation tests conducted on these samples show that deformation rates are less stress sensitive than for standard ice and that the fine-grained material is markedly weaker than standard ice, particularly during the transient approach to steady state deformation. Scanning electron microscope examination of the deformed fine-grained ice samples revealed an unusual microstructure dominated by platelike grains that grew normal to the compression direction, with c axes preferentially oriented parallel to compression. In samples tested at T ??? 220 K the elongation of the grains is so pronounced that the samples appear finely banded, with aspect ratios of grains approaching 50:1. The anisotropic growth of these crystallographically oriented neoblasts likely contributes to progressive work hardening observed during the transient stage of deformation. We have also documented remarkably similar microstructural development and weak mechanical behavior in fine-grained ice samples partially transformed and deformed in the ice II field.

Synthesis and structural analysis of Fe doped TiO2 nanoparticles using Williamson Hall and Scherer Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patle, L. B.; Labhane, P. K.; Huse, V. R.; Gaikwad, K. D.; Chaudhari, A. L.

2018-05-01

The nanoparticles of Pure and doped Ti1-xFexO were synthesized by modified co-precipitation method successfully with nominal composite of x=0.0, 0.01, 0.03 and 0.05 at room temperature. The precursors were further calcined at 500°C for 6hrs in muffle furnace which results in the formation of different TiO2 phase compositions. The structural analysis carried out by XRD (Bruker D8 Cu-Kα1). X-ray peak broadening analysis was used to evaluate the crystalline sizes, the lattice parameters, atomic packing fraction, c/a ratio, X-ray density and Volume of unit cell. The Williamson Hall analysis is used to find grain size and Strain of prepared TiO2 nano particles. Crystalline TiO2 with a Tetragonal Anatase phase is confirmed by XRD results. The grain size of pure and Fe doped samples were found in the range of 10nm to 18nm. All the physical parameters of anatase tetragonal TiO2 nanoparticles were calculated more precisely using modified W-H plot a uniform deformation model (UDM). The results calculated from both the techniques were approximately similar.

Grain-Size-Limited Mobility in Methylammonium Lead Iodide Perovskite Thin Films

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Reid, Obadiah G.; Yang, Mengjin; Kopidakis, Nikos

2016-09-09

We report a systematic study of the gigahertz-frequency charge carrier mobility found in methylammonium lead iodide perovskite films as a function of average grain size using time-resolved microwave conductivity and a single processing chemistry. Our measurements are in good agreement with the Kubo formula for the AC mobility of charges confined within finite grains, suggesting (1) that the surface grains imaged via scanning electron microscopy are representative of the true electronic domain size and not substantially subdivided by twinning or other defects not visible by microscopy and (2) that the time scale of diffusive transport across grain boundaries is muchmore » slower than the period of the microwave field in this measurement (-100 ps). The intrinsic (infinite grain size) minimum mobility extracted form the model is 29 +/- 6 cm2 V-1 s-1 at the probe frequency (8.9 GHz).« less

Size invariance of the granular Rayleigh-Taylor instability.

PubMed

Vinningland, Jan Ludvig; Johnsen, Øistein; Flekkøy, Eirik G; Toussaint, Renaud; Måløy, Knut Jørgen

2010-04-01

The size scaling behavior of the granular Rayleigh-Taylor instability [J. L. Vinningland, Phys. Rev. Lett. 99, 048001 (2007)] is investigated experimentally, numerically, and theoretically. An upper layer of grains displaces a lower gap of air by organizing into dense fingers of falling grains separated by rising bubbles of air. The dependence of these structures on the system and grain sizes is investigated. A spatial measurement of the finger structures is obtained by the Fourier power spectrum of the wave number k. As the size of the grains increases the wave number decreases accordingly which leaves the dimensionless product of wave number and grain diameter, dk, invariant. A theoretical interpretation of the invariance, based on the scaling properties of the model equations, suggests a gradual breakdown of the invariance for grains smaller than approximately 70 microm or greater than approximately 570 microm in diameter.

Swash mark and grain flow

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sallenger,, Asbury H.

1981-01-01

Swash marks composed entirely of coarse sand are commonly found on coarse-sand beaches. These swash marks are 10 to 30 centimeters in width and a few millimeters to one centimeter in height. Previous observations, mostly on finer-sand beaches, indicate swash marks are seldom over a few millimeters in height and are commonly composed of material readily floated by surface tension (e.g., mica flakes and shell fragments). Swash marks composed of coarse sand have both fining seaward and fining with depth trends in grain size. Apparently, the leading margin of a wave upwash drives a highly concentrated flow of grains in which both grain size and grain velocity decrease with depth. Therefore, large grains are transported at greater velocities than are smaller grains. Thus, at the maximum advance of an upwash, a swash mark is deposited which has the observed fining seaward and fining with depth trends in grain size.

Automated grain mapping using wide angle convergent beam electron diffraction in transmission electron microscope for nanomaterials.

PubMed

Kumar, Vineet

2011-12-01

The grain size statistics, commonly derived from the grain map of a material sample, are important microstructure characteristics that greatly influence its properties. The grain map for nanomaterials is usually obtained manually by visual inspection of the transmission electron microscope (TEM) micrographs because automated methods do not perform satisfactorily. While the visual inspection method provides reliable results, it is a labor intensive process and is often prone to human errors. In this article, an automated grain mapping method is developed using TEM diffraction patterns. The presented method uses wide angle convergent beam diffraction in the TEM. The automated technique was applied on a platinum thin film sample to obtain the grain map and subsequently derive grain size statistics from it. The grain size statistics obtained with the automated method were found in good agreement with the visual inspection method.

Search for Large Presolar Silicate Grains in the QUE 99177 CR Chondrite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nguyen, A. N.; Messenger, S.

2012-01-01

Silicates are among the most abundant pre-solar grain type, and their diverse chemical and isotopic compos-tions preserve detailed constraints on their stellar origins, condensation conditions, and nucleosynthetic and interstellar processes. Yet, owing to their small sizes, relatively few grains have been measured for isotopic compositions besides O and Si, and their mineralogy is poorly characterized. The average grain size (approx 270 nm) limits the number of analyses that can be conducted on a given grain, and their identification among solar system silicates introduces contaminating signal. These difficulties can be overcome by identifying large presolar silicate grains. However, such grains are very rare and only two approx 1 micron grains have been discovered. We are conducting a dedicated search for large presolar silicates in size-separated QUE 99177 matrix material. This primitive meteorite has among the highest abundance of presolar silicates

Modeling of Austenite Grain Growth During Austenitization in a Low Alloy Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dong, Dingqian; Chen, Fei; Cui, Zhenshan

2016-01-01

The main purpose of this work is to develop a pragmatic model to predict austenite grain growth in a nuclear reactor pressure vessel steel. Austenite grain growth kinetics has been investigated under different heating conditions, involving heating temperature, holding time, as well as heating rate. Based on the experimental results, the mathematical model was established by regression analysis. The model predictions present a good agreement with the experimental data. Meanwhile, grain boundary precipitates and pinning effects on grain growth were studied by transmission electron microscopy. It is found that with the increasing of the temperature, the second-phase particles tend to be dissolved and the pinning effects become smaller, which results in a rapid growth of certain large grains with favorable orientation. The results from this study provide the basis for the establishment of large-sized ingot heating specification for SA508-III steel.

Transport properties of bismuth telluride compound prepared by mechanical alloying

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khade, Poonam; Bagwaiya, Toshi; Bhattacharya, Shovit; Rayaprol, Sudhindra; Sahu, Ashok K.; Shelke, Vilas

2017-05-01

We have synthesized bismuth telluride compound using mechanical alloying and hot press sintering method. The phase formation, crystal structure was evaluated by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The scanning electron microscopy images indicated sub-micron sized grains. We observed low value of thermal conductivity 0.39 W/mK at room temperature as a result of grain size reduction by increasing deformation. The performance of the samples can be improved by reducing the grain size, which increases the grain boundary scattering.

Role of grain size and particle velocity distribution in secondary electron emission in space plasmas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chow, V. W.; Mendis, D. A.; Rosenberg, M.

1993-01-01

By virtue of being generally immersed in a plasma environment, cosmic dust is necessarily electrically charged. The fact that secondary emission plays an important role in determining the equilibrium grain potential has long been recognized, but the fact that the grain size plays a crucial role in this equilibrium potential, when secondary emission is important, has not been widely appreciated. Using both conducting and insulating spherical grains of various sizes and also both Maxwellian and generalized Lorentzian plasmas (which are believed to represent certain space plasmas), we have made a detailed study of this problem. In general, we find that the secondary emission yield delta increases with decreasing size and becomes very large for grains whose dimensions are comparable to the primary electron penetration depth, such as in the case of the very small grains observed at comet Halley and inferred in the interstellar medium. Moreover, we observed that delta is larger for insulators and equilibrium potentials are generally more positive when the plasma has a broad non-Maxwellian tail. Interestingly, we find that for thermal energies that are expected in several cosmic regions, grains of different sizes can have opposite charge, the smaller ones being positive while the larger ones are negative. This may have important consequences for grain accretion in polydisperse dusty space plasmas.

Experimental Study of Dust Grain Charging

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spann, James F; Venturini, Catherine C.; Comfort, Richard H.; Mian, Abbas M.

1999-01-01

The results of an experimental study of the charging mechanisms of micron size dust grains are presented. Individual dust grains are electrodynamically suspended and exposed to an electron beam of known energy and flux, and to far ultraviolet radiation of known wavelength and intensity. Changes in the charge-to-mass ratio of the grain are directly measured as a function of incident beam (electron and/or photon), grain size and composition. Comparisons of our results to theoretical models that predict the grain response are presented.

Mechanism of secondary recrystallization of Goss grains in grain-oriented electrical steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hayakawa, Yasuyuki

2017-12-01

Since its invention by Goss in 1934, grain-oriented (GO) electrical steel has been widely used as a core material in transformers. GO exhibits a grain size of over several millimeters attained by secondary recrystallization during high-temperature final batch annealing. In addition to the unusually large grain size, the crystal direction in the rolling direction is aligned with <001>, which is the easy magnetization axis of α-iron. Secondary recrystallization is the phenomenon in which a certain very small number of {110}<001> (Goss) grains grow selectively (about one in 106 primary grains) at the expense of many other primary recrystallized grains. The question of why the Goss orientation is exclusively selected during secondary recrystallization has long been a main research subject in this field. The general criterion for secondary recrystallization is a small and uniform primary grain size, which is achieved through the inhibition of normal grain growth by fine precipitates called inhibitors. This paper describes several conceivable mechanisms of secondary recrystallization of Goss grains mainly based on the selective growth model.

Mechanism of secondary recrystallization of Goss grains in grain-oriented electrical steel

PubMed Central

Hayakawa, Yasuyuki

2017-01-01

Abstract Since its invention by Goss in 1934, grain-oriented (GO) electrical steel has been widely used as a core material in transformers. GO exhibits a grain size of over several millimeters attained by secondary recrystallization during high-temperature final batch annealing. In addition to the unusually large grain size, the crystal direction in the rolling direction is aligned with <001>, which is the easy magnetization axis of α-iron. Secondary recrystallization is the phenomenon in which a certain very small number of {110}<001> (Goss) grains grow selectively (about one in 106 primary grains) at the expense of many other primary recrystallized grains. The question of why the Goss orientation is exclusively selected during secondary recrystallization has long been a main research subject in this field. The general criterion for secondary recrystallization is a small and uniform primary grain size, which is achieved through the inhibition of normal grain growth by fine precipitates called inhibitors. This paper describes several conceivable mechanisms of secondary recrystallization of Goss grains mainly based on the selective growth model. PMID:28804524

Mechanism of secondary recrystallization of Goss grains in grain-oriented electrical steel.

PubMed

Hayakawa, Yasuyuki

2017-01-01

Since its invention by Goss in 1934, grain-oriented (GO) electrical steel has been widely used as a core material in transformers. GO exhibits a grain size of over several millimeters attained by secondary recrystallization during high-temperature final batch annealing. In addition to the unusually large grain size, the crystal direction in the rolling direction is aligned with <001>, which is the easy magnetization axis of α-iron. Secondary recrystallization is the phenomenon in which a certain very small number of {110}<001> (Goss) grains grow selectively (about one in 10 6 primary grains) at the expense of many other primary recrystallized grains. The question of why the Goss orientation is exclusively selected during secondary recrystallization has long been a main research subject in this field. The general criterion for secondary recrystallization is a small and uniform primary grain size, which is achieved through the inhibition of normal grain growth by fine precipitates called inhibitors. This paper describes several conceivable mechanisms of secondary recrystallization of Goss grains mainly based on the selective growth model.

Phenotypic and Transcriptional Analysis of Divergently Selected Maize Populations Reveals the Role of Developmental Timing in Seed Size Determination1[W][OPEN

PubMed Central

Sekhon, Rajandeep S.; Hirsch, Candice N.; Childs, Kevin L.; Breitzman, Matthew W.; Kell, Paul; Duvick, Susan; Spalding, Edgar P.; Buell, C. Robin; de Leon, Natalia; Kaeppler, Shawn M.

2014-01-01

Seed size is a component of grain yield and an important trait in crop domestication. To understand the mechanisms governing seed size in maize (Zea mays), we examined transcriptional and developmental changes during seed development in populations divergently selected for large and small seed size from Krug, a yellow dent maize cultivar. After 30 cycles of selection, seeds of the large seed population (KLS30) have a 4.7-fold greater weight and a 2.6-fold larger size compared with the small seed population (KSS30). Patterns of seed weight accumulation from the time of pollination through 30 d of grain filling showed an earlier onset, slower rate, and earlier termination of grain filling in KSS30 relative to KLS30. This was further supported by transcriptome patterns in seeds from the populations and derived inbreds. Although the onset of key genes was earlier in small seeds, similar maximum transcription levels were observed in large seeds at later stages, suggesting that functionally weaker alleles, rather than transcript abundance, may be the basis of the slow rate of seed filling in KSS30. Gene coexpression networks identified several known genes controlling cellularization and proliferation as well as novel genes that will be useful candidates for biotechnological approaches aimed at altering seed size in maize and other cereals. PMID:24710068

Investigation of the Quasi-Brittle Failure of Alashan Granite Viewed from Laboratory Experiments and Grain-Based Discrete Element Modeling

PubMed Central

Zhang, Luqing; Yang, Duoxing; Braun, Anika; Han, Zhenhua

2017-01-01

Granite is a typical crystalline material, often used as a building material, but also a candidate host rock for the repository of high-level radioactive waste. The petrographic texture—including mineral constituents, grain shape, size, and distribution—controls the fracture initiation, propagation, and coalescence within granitic rocks. In this paper, experimental laboratory tests and numerical simulations of a grain-based approach in two-dimensional Particle Flow Code (PFC2D) were conducted on the mechanical strength and failure behavior of Alashan granite, in which the grain-like structure of granitic rock was considered. The microparameters for simulating Alashan granite were calibrated based on real laboratory strength values and strain-stress curves. The unconfined uniaxial compressive test and Brazilian indirect tensile test were performed using a grain-based approach to examine and discuss the influence of mineral grain size and distribution on the strength and patterns of microcracks in granitic rocks. The results show it is possible to reproduce the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) and uniaxial tensile strength (UTS) of Alashan granite using the grain-based approach in PFC2D, and the average mineral size has a positive relationship with the UCS and UTS. During the modeling, most of the generated microcracks were tensile cracks. Moreover, the ratio of the different types of generated microcracks is related to the average grain size. When the average grain size in numerical models is increased, the ratio of the number of intragrain tensile cracks to the number of intergrain tensile cracks increases, and the UCS of rock samples also increases with this ratio. However, the variation in grain size distribution does not have a significant influence on the likelihood of generated microcracks. PMID:28773201

Investigation of the Quasi-Brittle Failure of Alashan Granite Viewed from Laboratory Experiments and Grain-Based Discrete Element Modeling.

PubMed

Zhou, Jian; Zhang, Luqing; Yang, Duoxing; Braun, Anika; Han, Zhenhua

2017-07-21

Granite is a typical crystalline material, often used as a building material, but also a candidate host rock for the repository of high-level radioactive waste. The petrographic texture-including mineral constituents, grain shape, size, and distribution-controls the fracture initiation, propagation, and coalescence within granitic rocks. In this paper, experimental laboratory tests and numerical simulations of a grain-based approach in two-dimensional Particle Flow Code (PFC2D) were conducted on the mechanical strength and failure behavior of Alashan granite, in which the grain-like structure of granitic rock was considered. The microparameters for simulating Alashan granite were calibrated based on real laboratory strength values and strain-stress curves. The unconfined uniaxial compressive test and Brazilian indirect tensile test were performed using a grain-based approach to examine and discuss the influence of mineral grain size and distribution on the strength and patterns of microcracks in granitic rocks. The results show it is possible to reproduce the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) and uniaxial tensile strength (UTS) of Alashan granite using the grain-based approach in PFC2D, and the average mineral size has a positive relationship with the UCS and UTS. During the modeling, most of the generated microcracks were tensile cracks. Moreover, the ratio of the different types of generated microcracks is related to the average grain size. When the average grain size in numerical models is increased, the ratio of the number of intragrain tensile cracks to the number of intergrain tensile cracks increases, and the UCS of rock samples also increases with this ratio. However, the variation in grain size distribution does not have a significant influence on the likelihood of generated microcracks.

Ongoing hydrothermal activities within Enceladus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hsu, Hsiang-Wen; Postberg, Frank; Sekine, Yasuhito; Shibuya, Takazo; Kempf, Sascha; Horányi, Mihály; Juhász, Antal; Altobelli, Nicolas; Suzuki, Katsuhiko; Masaki, Yuka; Kuwatani, Tatsu; Tachibana, Shogo; Sirono, Sin-Iti; Moragas-Klostermeyer, Georg; Srama, Ralf

2015-03-01

Detection of sodium-salt-rich ice grains emitted from the plume of the Saturnian moon Enceladus suggests that the grains formed as frozen droplets from a liquid water reservoir that is, or has been, in contact with rock. Gravitational field measurements suggest a regional south polar subsurface ocean of about 10 kilometres thickness located beneath an ice crust 30 to 40 kilometres thick. These findings imply rock-water interactions in regions surrounding the core of Enceladus. The resulting chemical `footprints' are expected to be preserved in the liquid and subsequently transported upwards to the near-surface plume sources, where they eventually would be ejected and could be measured by a spacecraft. Here we report an analysis of silicon-rich, nanometre-sized dust particles (so-called stream particles) that stand out from the water-ice-dominated objects characteristic of Saturn. We interpret these grains as nanometre-sized SiO2 (silica) particles, initially embedded in icy grains emitted from Enceladus' subsurface waters and released by sputter erosion in Saturn's E ring. The composition and the limited size range (2 to 8 nanometres in radius) of stream particles indicate ongoing high-temperature (>90 °C) hydrothermal reactions associated with global-scale geothermal activity that quickly transports hydrothermal products from the ocean floor at a depth of at least 40 kilometres up to the plume of Enceladus.

Diffusion of Oxygen Isotopes in Thermally Evolving Planetesimals and Size Ranges of Presolar Silicate Grains

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wakita, Shigeru; Nozawa, Takaya; Hasegawa, Yasuhiro, E-mail: shigeru@cfca.jp

Presolar grains are small particles found in meteorites through their isotopic compositions, which are considerably different from those of materials in the solar system. If some isotopes in presolar grains diffused out beyond their grain sizes when they were embedded in parent bodies of meteorites, their isotopic compositions could be washed out, and hence the grains could no longer be identified as presolar grains. We explore this possibility for the first time by self-consistently simulating the thermal evolution of planetesimals and the diffusion length of {sup 18}O in presolar silicate grains. Our results show that presolar silicate grains smaller thanmore » ∼0.03 μ m cannot keep their original isotopic compositions even if the host planetesimals experienced a maximum temperature as low as 600 °C. Since this temperature corresponds to that experienced by petrologic type 3 chondrites, isotopic diffusion can constrain the size of presolar silicate grains discovered in such chondrites to be larger than ∼0.03 μ m. We also find that the diffusion length of {sup 18}O reaches ∼0.3–2 μ m in planetesimals that were heated up to 700–800°C. This indicates that, if the original size of presolar grains spans a range from ∼0.001 μ m to ∼0.3 μ m like that in the interstellar medium, then the isotopic records of the presolar grains may be almost completely lost in such highly thermalized parent bodies. We propose that isotopic diffusion could be a key process to control the size distribution and abundance of presolar grains in some types of chondrites.« less

Grain growth kinetics of ringwoodite and majorite garnet mixtures and implications for the rheology of the transition zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ezad, I.; Dobson, D. P.; Brodholt, J. P.; Thomson, A.; Hunt, S.

2017-12-01

The grain size of the transition zone is a poorly known but important geophysical parameter. Among others, the grain size may control the rheology, seismic attenuation and radiative thermal conductivity of the mantle. However, the grain size of the transition zone minerals ringwoodite (Mg,Fe)2SiO4 and majorite garnet MgSiO3 under appropriate zone conditions is currently unknown and there are very few experiments with which to constrain it. In order to determine the grain size of the transition zone, the grain growth kinetics must be determined for a range of mantle compositions. We have, therefore, experimentally determined the grain growth kinetics of the lowermost transition zone minerals through multi anvil experiments at University College London (UCL). This is achieved through a comprehensive set of time series experiments at pressures of 21 GPa and temperatures relevant to the transition zone. We have also determined the effect of varying water content, oxygen fugacity, iron content and aluminium content also discussed by Dobson and Mariani., (2014). Our initial grain growth experiments conducted at 1200°C and 1400°C at 18 GPa show extremely slow grain growth kinetics; time series experiments extended to 105.8 seconds are unable to produce grains larger than 100 nm. This suggests that fine-grained material at the base of the transition zone will persist on geological timescales. Such small grains size suggests that diffusion creep might be the dominant deformation mechanism in this region. Reference: Dobson, D.P., Mariani, E., 2014. The kinetics of the reaction of majorite plus ferropericlase to ringwoodite: Implications for mantle upwellings crossing the 660 km discontinuity. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 408, 110-118. doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2014.10.009

Strength of Rocks Affected by Deformation Enhanced Grain Growth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kellermann Slotemaker, A.; de Bresser, H.; Spiers, C.

2005-12-01

One way of looking into the possibility of long-term strength changes in the lithosphere is to study transient effects resulting from modifications of the microstructure of rocks. It is generally accepted that mechanical weakening may occur due to progressive grain size refinement resulting from dynamic recrystallization. A decrease in grain size may induce a switch from creep controlled by grain size insensitive dislocation mechanisms to creep governed by grain size sensitive (GSS) mechanisms involving diffusion and grain boundary sliding processes. This switch forms a well-known scenario to explain localization in the lithosphere. However, fine-grained rocks in localized deformation zones are prone to grain coarsening due to surface energy driven grain boundary migration (SED-GBM). This might harden the rock, affecting its role in localizing strain in the long term. The question has arisen if grain growth by SED-GBM in a rock deforming in the GSS creep field can be significantly affected by strain. The broad aim of this study is to shed more light onto this. We have experimentally investigated the microstructural and strength evolution of fine-grained (~0.6 μm) synthetic forsterite and Fe-bearing olivine aggregates that coarsen in grain size while deforming by GSS creep at elevated pressure (600 MPa) and temperature (850-1000 °C). The materials were prepared by `sol-gel' method and contained 0.3-0.5 wt% water and 5-10 vol% enstatite. We performed i) static heat treatment tests of various time durations involving hot isostatic pressing (HIP), and ii) heat treatment tests starting with HIP and continuing with deformation up to 45% axial strain at strain rates in the range 4x10-7 - 1x10-4 s-1. Microstructures were characterized by analyzing full grain size distributions and textures using SEM/EBSD. In addition to the experiments, we studied microstructural evolution in simple two-dimensional numerical models, combining deformation and SED-GBM by means of the modeling package ELLE. Synthetic olivine samples that were heat treated without straining showed only minor grain growth. Presumably, the second phase (enstatite) and/or porosity remaining in the starting material after densification slowed down or inhibited SED-GBM in the static situation. In contrast, samples heat treated and deformed for time durations similar to those of the static tests demonstrated, at identical temperature, an increase in grain size with increasing strain up to a value twice that of the static counterpart. This grain coarsening was associated with continuous hardening of the material, witnessed by the stress-strain curves. A random lattice preferred orientation combined with a low stress sensitivity (n~2) suggested dominant GSS creep controlled by grain boundary sliding. A dynamic grain growth model involving an increase in the fraction of non-hexagonal grains, related to grain neighbor switching, appears applicable to the observed grain growth that is held responsible for the hardening. The ELLE numerical modeling demonstrated that a combination of SED-GBM and geometrical deformation of a 2D grain aggregate can indeed result in enhanced grain growth compared to static grain growth tests. The fraction of non-hexagonal grains was found to remain more or less constant during static grain growth but increased during deformation. We suggest that the application of the dynamic grain growth model to the long-term microstructural evolution of fine-grained lithospheric shear zones can further improve our understanding of the transient or permanent character of strain localizations and related rheological behavior.

Lunar dust charging by photoelectric emissions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abbas, M. M.; Tankosic, D.; Craven, P. D.; Spann, J. F.; LeClair, A.; West, E. A.

2007-05-01

The lunar surface is covered with a thick layer of sub-micron/micron size dust grains formed by meteoritic impact over billions of years. The fine dust grains are levitated and transported on the lunar surface, as indicated by the transient dust clouds observed over the lunar horizon during the Apollo 17 mission. Theoretical models suggest that the dust grains on the lunar surface are charged by the solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation as well as the solar wind. Even without any physical activity, the dust grains are levitated by electrostatic fields and transported away from the surface in the near vacuum environment of the Moon. The current dust charging and levitation models, however, do not fully explain the observed phenomena. Since the abundance of dust on the Moon's surface with its observed adhesive characteristics has the potential of severe impact on human habitat and operations and lifetime of a variety of equipment, it is necessary to investigate the charging properties and the lunar dust phenomena in order to develop appropriate mitigating strategies. Photoelectric emission induced by the solar UV radiation with photon energies higher than the work function (WF) of the grain materials is recognized to be the dominant process for charging of the lunar dust, and requires measurements of the photoelectric yields to determine the charging and equilibrium potentials of individual dust grains. In this paper, we present the first laboratory measurements of the photoelectric efficiencies and yields of individual sub-micron/micron size dust grains selected from sample returns of Apollo 17 and Luna-24 missions as well as similar size dust grains from the JSC-1 simulants. The measurements were made on a laboratory facility based on an electrodynamic balance that permits a variety of experiments to be conducted on individual sub-micron/micron size dust grains in simulated space environments. The photoelectric emission measurements indicate grain size dependence with the yield increasing by an order of magnitude for grains of sub-micron to several micron size radii, at which it reaches asymptotic values. The yield for large size grains is found to be more than an order of magnitude higher than the bulk measurements on lunar fines reported in the literature.

Lunar Dust Charging by Photoelectric Emissions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abbas, M. M.; Tankosic, D.; Craven, P. D.; Spann, J. F.; LeClair, A.; West, E. A.

2007-01-01

The lunar surface is covered with a thick layer of sub-micron/micron size dust grains formed by meteoritic impact over billions of years. The fine dust grains are levitated and transported on the lunar surface, as indicated by the transient dust clouds observed over the lunar horizon during the Apollo 17 mission. Theoretical models suggest that the dust grains on the lunar surface are charged by the solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation as well as the solar wind. Even without any physical activity, the dust grains are levitated by electrostatic fields and transported away from the surface in the near vacuum environment of the Moon. The current dust charging and levitation models, however, do not fully explain the observed phenomena. Since the abundance of dust on the Moon's surface with its observed adhesive characteristics has the potential of severe impact on human habitat and operations and lifetime of a variety of equipment, it is necessary to investigate the charging properties and the lunar dust phenomena in order to develop appropriate mitigating strategies. Photoelectric emission induced by the solar UV radiation with photon energies higher than the work function (WF) of the grain materials is recognized to be the dominant process for charging of the lunar dust, and requires measurements of the photoelectric yields to determine the charging and equilibrium potentials of individual dust grains. In this paper, we present the first laboratory measurements of the photoelectric efficiencies and yields of individual sub-micron/micron size dust grains selected from sample returns of Apollo 17 and Luna-24 missions as well as similar size dust grains from the JSC-1 simulants. The measurements were made on a laboratory facility based on an electrodynamic balance that permits a variety of experiments to be conducted on individual sub-micron/micron size dust grains in simulated space environments. The photoelectric emission measurements indicate grain size dependence with the yield increasing by an order of magnitude for grains of sub-micron to several micron size radii, at which it reaches asymptotic values. The yield for large size grains is found to be more than an order of magnitude higher than the bulk measurements on lunar fines reported in the literature.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, Zhangwei; Baker, Ian; Guo, Wei

We investigated the effects of cold rolling followed by annealing on the mechanical properties and dislocation substructure evolution of undoped and 1.1 at. % carbon-doped Fe 40.4Ni 11.3Mn 34.8Al 7.5Cr 6 high entropy alloys (HEAs). X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atom probe tomography (APT) were employed to characterize the microstructures. The as-cast HEAs were coarse-grained and single phase f.c.c., whereas the thermo-mechanical treatment caused recrystallization (to fine grain sizes) and precipitation (a B2 phase for the undoped HEA; and a B2 phase, and M 23C 6 and M 7C 3 carbides for the C-dopedmore » HEA). Carbon, which was found to have segregated to the grain boundaries using APT, retarded recrystallization. The reduction in grain size resulted in a sharp increase in strength, while the precipitation, which produced only a small increase in strength, probably accounted for the small decrease in ductility for both undoped and C-doped HEAs. For both undoped and C-doped HEAs, the smaller grain-sized material initially exhibited higher strain hardening than the coarse-grained material but showed a much lower strain hardening at large tensile strains. Wavy slip in the undoped HEAs and planar slip in C-doped HEAs were found at the early stages of deformation irrespective of grain size. At higher strains, dislocation cell structures formed in the 19 μm grain-sized undoped HEA, while microbands formed in the 23 μm grain-sized C-doped HEA. Conversely, localized dislocation clusters were found in both HEAs at the finest grain sizes (5 μm). The inhibition of grain subdivision by the grain boundaries and precipitates lead to the transformation from regular dislocation configurations consisting of dislocation-cells and microbands to irregular dislocation configurations consisting of localized dislocation clusters, which further account for the decrease in ductility. Our investigation of the formation mechanism and strain hardening of dislocation cells and microbands could benefit future structural material design.« less

Lunar Dust Charging by Photoelectric Emissions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abbas, M. M.; Tankosic, D.; Craven, P. D.; Spann, J. F.; LeClair, A.; West, E. A.

2007-01-01

The lunar surface is covered with a thick layer of sub-micron/micron size dust grains formed by meteoritic impact over billions of years. The fine dust grains are levitated and transported on the lunar surface, as indicated by the transient dust clouds observed over the lunar horizon during the Apollo 17 mission. Theoretical models suggest that the dust grains on the lunar surface are charged by the solar UV radiation as well as the solar wind. Even without any physical activity, the dust grains are levitated by electrostatic fields and transported away from the surface in the near vacuum environment of the Moon. The current dust charging and levitation models, however, do not fully explain the observed phenomena. Since the abundance of dust on the Moon s surface with its observed adhesive characteristics has the potential of severe impact on human habitat and operations and lifetime of a variety of equipment, it is necessary to investigate the charging properties and the lunar dust phenomena in order to develop appropriate mitigating strategies. Photoelectric emission induced by the solar UV radiation with photon energies higher than the work function of the grain materials is recognized to be the dominant process for charging of the lunar dust, and requires measurements of the photoelectric yields to determine the charging and equilibrium potentials of individual dust grains. In this paper, we present the first laboratory measurements of the photoelectric efficiencies and yields of individual sub-micron/micron size dust grains selected from sample returns of Apollo 17, and Luna 24 missions, as well as similar size dust grains from the JSC-1 simulants. The measurements were made on a laboratory facility based on an electrodynamic balance that permits a variety of experiments to be conducted on individual sub-micron/micron size dust grains in simulated space environments. The photoelectric emission measurements indicate grain size dependence with the yield increasing by an order of magnitude for grains of sub-micron to several micron size radii, at which it reaches asymptotic values. The yield for large size grains is found to be more than an order of magnitude higher than the bulk measurements on lunar fines reported in the literature.

Microstructural Analysis of Severe Plastic Deformed Twin Roll Cast AZ31 for the Optimization of Superplastic Properties

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Young, John P.; Askari, Hesam A.; Heiden, Michael J.

2013-07-08

In recent years magnesium alloys have attracted significant attention as potential candidates to replace many of the heavier metals used in some automotive applications. However, the limited formability of magnesium and its alloys at room temperature has driven interest in the superplastic forming magnesium as an alternative shaping method. Severe plastic deformation techniques have become a well studied method of refining the grain size and modifying the microstructural characteristics of many magnesium alloys to achieve greater superplastic properties. In this study twin roll cast (TRC) AZ31 magnesium alloy was subjected to equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) and friction stir weldingmore » (FSW). The influence of these severe plastic deformation processes on the grain size, texture and grain boundary character distribution was investigated to identify the optimum severe plastic deformation process for the superplastic forming of AZ31.« less

Characterizing 3D grain size distributions from 2D sections in mylonites using a modified version of the Saltykov method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lopez-Sanchez, Marco; Llana-Fúnez, Sergio

2016-04-01

The understanding of creep behaviour in rocks requires knowledge of 3D grain size distributions (GSD) that result from dynamic recrystallization processes during deformation. The methods to estimate directly the 3D grain size distribution -serial sectioning, synchrotron or X-ray-based tomography- are expensive, time-consuming and, in most cases and at best, challenging. This means that in practice grain size distributions are mostly derived from 2D sections. Although there are a number of methods in the literature to derive the actual 3D grain size distributions from 2D sections, the most popular in highly deformed rocks is the so-called Saltykov method. It has though two major drawbacks: the method assumes no interaction between grains, which is not true in the case of recrystallised mylonites; and uses histograms to describe distributions, which limits the quantification of the GSD. The first aim of this contribution is to test whether the interaction between grains in mylonites, i.e. random grain packing, affects significantly the GSDs estimated by the Saltykov method. We test this using the random resampling technique in a large data set (n = 12298). The full data set is built from several parallel thin sections that cut a completely dynamically recrystallized quartz aggregate in a rock sample from a Variscan shear zone in NW Spain. The results proved that the Saltykov method is reliable as long as the number of grains is large (n > 1000). Assuming that a lognormal distribution is an optimal approximation for the GSD in a completely dynamically recrystallized rock, we introduce an additional step to the Saltykov method, which allows estimating a continuous probability distribution function of the 3D grain size population. The additional step takes the midpoints of the classes obtained by the Saltykov method and fits a lognormal distribution with a trust region using a non-linear least squares algorithm. The new protocol is named the two-step method. The conclusion of this work is that both the Saltykov and the two-step methods are accurate and simple enough to be useful in practice in rocks, alloys or ceramics with near-equant grains and expected lognormal distributions. The Saltykov method is particularly suitable to estimate the volumes of particular grain fractions, while the two-step method to quantify the full GSD (mean and standard deviation in log grain size). The two-step method is implemented in a free, open-source and easy-to-handle script (see http://marcoalopez.github.io/GrainSizeTools/).

Using quantitative analysis to understand the current and past physical processes that sculpted the Philae landing site

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poulet, Francois; Lucchetti, Alice; Bibring, Jean-Pierre; Langevin, Yves; Carter, John; Delbo, Marco; Eng, Pascal; Gondet, Brigitte; Jorda, Laurent; Le Mouélic, Stéphane; Mottola, Stefano; Pilorget, Cédric; Vincendon, Mathieu; Cremonese, Gabriele

2015-11-01

The CIVA cameras onboard PHILAE provided the first ever in situ images of the surface of a comet (Bibring et al., Science, 2015). The panorama acquired by CIVA at the landing site on the 67P comet reveals a rough terrain dominated by fractures and agglomerates of consolidated materials. While the composition of these materials is unknown, they provide unique structures to constrain the conditions prevailing at the surface of a comet. A quantitative analysis of the microscopic structures (grains that look like pebbles and fractures) will be presented. The pebble size distribution will be compared to the size distribution of other cometary materials such as boulders at the touchdown site (Mottola et al. Science, 2015), boulders surrounding the landing site (Lucchetti et al., A&A, submitted), >7m sized boulders globally distributed on the comet (Pajola et al., A&A, 2015), grains collected by the COSIMA experiment onboard Rosetta (Langevin et al., JGR, submitted) as well as population of grains remotely observed in coma and jets of other comets. The nature of the pebbles will be then discussed in relation to both endogenic and exogenic processes that could explain their formation. The fractures exhibit two different size distributions that are correlated to the texture of the landscape. Among different physical processes, we will evaluate whether thermal fatigue induced by diurnal temperature variations (Delbo et al. Nature, 2014) could be a mechanism of surficial fragmentation.

Size dependent structural and magnetic properties of Al substituted Co–Mg ferrites synthesized by the sol–gel auto-combustion method

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ahmad, Imran, E-mail: imraan77@yahoo.com; Abbas, Tahir; Ziya, A.B.

2014-04-01

Highlights: • Well-crystalline Co{sub 0.7}Mg{sub 0.3}AlFeO{sub 4} nanoparticles with small grain size were obtained. • The approach is sol–gel auto-combustion technique for obtained nanoparticles. • The prepared Co{sub 0.7}Mg{sub 0.3}AlFeO{sub 4} ferrites are decent soft materials with low coercivity. • The minor decrease in lattice parameter with increase of temperature was observed. - Abstract: Single phased nanocrystalline Co{sub 0.7}Mg{sub 0.3}FeAlO{sub 4} ferrites having low coercivity were synthesized by the sol–gel auto-combustion route. The subsequent powder materials were sintered in a temperature range of 800–1200 °C for 2 h. The effects of sintering temperatures on the structure, morphology and magnetic propertiesmore » of the prepared soft magnetic material were studied. X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and magnetic property measurement system (MPMS) were used to characterize the samples. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed a single-phase cubic spinel structure and ruled out the presence of impurities like hematite. The higher sintering temperatures have caused in enhanced mark of crystallinity and bigger average grain size of the nanocrystals. A slight decrease in lattice parameters was noticed with a rise of grain size. Magnetic measurements revealed that grain size increase led to a decrease in the coercivity and, in difference, an increase in the saturation magnetization.« less

A Multi-Wavelength View of Planet Forming Regions: Unleashing the Full Power of ALMA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tazzari, Marco

2017-11-01

Observations at sub-mm/mm wavelengths allow us to probe the solids in the interior of protoplanetary disks, where the bulk of the dust is located and planet formation is expected to occur. However, the actual size of dust grains is still largely unknown due to the limited angular resolution and sensitivity of past observations. The upgraded VLA and, especially, the ALMA observatories provide now powerful tools to resolve grain growth in disks, making the time ripe for developing a multi-wavelength analysis of sub-mm/mm observations of disks. In my contribution I will present a novel analysis method for multi-wavelength ALMA/VLA observations which, based on the self-consistent modelling of the sub-mm/mm disk continuum emission, allows us to constrain simultaneously the size distribution of dust grains and the disk's physical structure (Tazzari et al. 2016, A&A 588 A53). I will also present the recent analysis of spatially resolved ALMA Band 7 observations of a large sample of disks in the Lupus star forming region, from which we obtained a tentative evidence of a disk size-disk mass correlation (Tazzari et al. 2017, arXiv:1707.01499). Finally, I will introduce galario, a GPU Accelerated Library for the Analysis of Radio Interferometry Observations. Fitting the observed visibilities in the uv-plane is computationally demanding: with galario we solve this problem for the current as well as for the full-science ALMA capabilities by leveraging on the computing power of GPUs, providing the computational breakthrough needed to fully exploit the new wealth of information delivered by ALMA.

Experimental study of IR-signature of water ices between 1 and 2.5 µm : a thermal probe for icy moons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taffin, C.; Grasset, O.; Le Menn, E.; Le Mouélic, S.

2009-12-01

Near IR signatures of water ices are known to depend on temperature and grain size, a property that could be used to constrain the surface characteristics of icy moons1,2,3. Models indicate that the 1.65 µm absorption band depends strongly on temperature2,4,5 and on grain size. Other bands (1.03, 1.27, 1.50 and 2 µm) show a strong dependence with grain size (e.g. (6) for the 1.03 µm band). But the respective influence of temperature and grain size is still not fully understood. In this work, we focus on the 1.50 and 1.55 µm absorption bands. Characteristics of near-IR spectra of pure ice Ih grains have been experimentally investigated using temperature and pressure ranges relevant for icy moons. Nineteen experiments have been conducted both at microscopic (individual grains smaller than 100 mm) and macroscopic (grains ranging from 200 to 800 µm) scales, using a FTIR spectrometer. Position, area and depth of the four main absorption bands in the near-IR domain (1.50, 1.55, 1.65 and 2 µm) have been studied . It will be shown that the positions of the 1.50 µm and the 1.55 µm bands are very good indicators of grain size and of temperature, respectively (Fig.1). The scaling laws established from experimental data can be used to characterize the surface properties of icy moons. Preliminary tests are conducted on extensively studied regions to validate the approach. An application to the Tiger Stripes on Enceladus will be presented. The estimated temperatures are at first order consistent with those obtained by CIRS7, but they still appear slightly higher in average (between 10 and 20 K). Grain size are also bigger than in a previous model8 but the same tendency is observed, i.e., the grain size is larger on the Tiger Stripes than in the surroundings. Ref. : 1-Fink and Larson, Icarus, 1975. 2-Leto et al. Mem. S.A.It. Suppl. 2005. 3-Grundy, Icarus, 1999. 4-Grundy and Schmitt, JGR. 1998. 5-Mastrapa et al. Icarus, 2008. 6-Nolin and Dozier Rem. Sens. Environ. 2000. 7-Abramov and Spencer, Icarus 2009. 8-Jaumann et al. Icarus, 2007. Figure 1: a) Position of the 1.55 µm band versus temperature for ice (black) and frost (red). For each temperature a dispersion of 10 - 20 cm-1 is observed due to the grain size variations from 200 to 800 µm. b) Position of the 1.50 µm band relative to the grain size at microscopic (black) and macroscopic (red) scales. The grain size of macroscopic samples is estimated using the Nolin and Dozier’s method (6).

Effect of the Size of Al3(Sc,Zr) Precipitates on the Structure of Multi-Directionally Isothermally Forged Al-Mg-Sc-Zr Alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sitdikov, O. Sh.; Avtokratova, E. V.; Mukhametdinova, O. E.; Garipova, R. N.; Markushev, M. V.

2017-12-01

The effect of Al3(Sc,Zr) dispersoids on the evolution of the cast Al-Mg-Sc-Zr alloy structure under multi-directional isothermal forging (MIF) has been investigated. The alloy, which has an equiaxed grain structure with a grain size of 25 μm and contains dispersoids 5-10 and 20-50 nm in size after onestage (at 360°C for 6 h) and two-stage (360°C for 6 h + 520°C for 1 h) annealing, respectively, was deformed at 325°C ( 0.65 T m) up to cumulative strains of e = 8.4. In the initial stages of MIF, new fine (sub)grains surrounded by low-angle and high-angle boundaries (HABs) were formed near the initial grain boundaries. With increasing strain, the volume fraction and misorientation of these crystallites increased, which led to the replacement of a coarse-grained structure with a fine-grained one with a grain size of 1.5-2.0 μm. Dynamic recrystallization occurred in accordance to a continuous mechanism and was controlled by the interaction of lattice dislocations and/or (sub)grain boundaries with dispersoids that effectively inhibited the migration of boundaries, as well as the rearrangement of lattice dislocations and their annihilation. The particle size and the density of their distribution significantly affected the parameters of the evolved structure; in an alloy with smaller particles, a structure with a smaller grain size and a larger HAB fraction developed.

The effects of snowpack grain size on satellite passive microwave observations from the Upper Colorado River Basin

USGS Publications Warehouse

Josberger, E.G.; Gloersen, P.; Chang, A.; Rango, A.

1996-01-01

Understanding the passive microwave emissions of a snowpack, as observed by satellite sensors, requires knowledge of the snowpack properties: water equivalent, grain size, density, and stratigraphy. For the snowpack in the Upper Colorado River Basin, measurements of snow depth and water equivalent are routinely available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but extremely limited information is available for the other properties. To provide this information, a field program from 1984 to 1995 obtained profiles of snowpack grain size, density, and temperature near the time of maximum snow accumulation, at sites distributed across the basin. A synoptic basin-wide sampling program in 1985 showed that the snowpack exhibits consistent properties across large regions. Typically, the snowpack in the Wyoming region contains large amounts of depth hoar, with grain sizes up to 5 mm, while the snowpack in Colorado and Utah is dominated by rounded snow grains less than 2 mm in diameter. In the Wyoming region, large depth hoar crystals in shallow snowpacks yield the lowest emissivities or coldest brightness temperatures observed across the entire basin. Yearly differences in the average grain sizes result primarily from variations in the relative amount of depth hoar within the snowpack. The average grain size for the Colorado and Utah regions shows much less variation than do the grain sizes from the Wyoming region. Furthermore, the greatest amounts of depth hoar occur in the Wyoming region during 1987 and 1992, years with strong El Nin??o Southern Oscillation, but the Colorado and Utah regions do not show this behavior.

Fragmentation efficiency of explosive volcanic eruptions: A study of experimentally generated pyroclasts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kueppers, Ulrich; Scheu, Bettina; Spieler, Oliver; Dingwell, Donald B.

2006-05-01

Products of magma fragmentation can pose a severe threat to health, infrastructure, environment, and aviation. Systematic evaluation of the mechanisms and the consequences of volcanic fragmentation is very difficult as the adjacent processes cannot be observed directly and their deposits undergo transport-related sorting. However, enhanced knowledge is required for hazard assessment and risk mitigation. Laboratory experiments on natural samples allow the precise characterization of the generated pyroclasts and open the possibility for substantial advances in the quantification of fragmentation processes. They hold the promise of precise characterization and quantification of fragmentation efficiency and its dependence on changing material properties and the physical conditions at fragmentation. We performed a series of rapid decompression experiments on three sets of natural samples from Unzen volcano, Japan. The analysis comprised grain-size analysis and surface area measurements. The grain-size analysis is performed by dry sieving for particles larger than 250 μm and wet laser refraction for smaller particles. For all three sets of samples, the grain-size of the most abundant fraction decreases and the weight fraction of newly generated ash particles (up to 40 wt.%) increases with experimental pressure/potential energy for fragmentation. This energy can be estimated from the volume of the gas fraction and the applied pressure. The surface area was determined through Argon adsorption. The fragmentation efficiency is described by the degree of fine-particle generation. Results show that the fragmentation efficiency and the generated surface correlate positively with the applied energy.

Dominance of grain size impacts on seasonal snow albedo at open sites in New Hampshire

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adolph, Alden C.; Albert, Mary R.; Lazarcik, James; Dibb, Jack E.; Amante, Jacqueline M.; Price, Andrea

2017-01-01

Snow cover serves as a major control on the surface energy budget in temperate regions due to its high reflectivity compared to underlying surfaces. Winter in the northeastern United States has changed over the last several decades, resulting in shallower snowpacks, fewer days of snow cover, and increasing precipitation falling as rain in the winter. As these climatic changes occur, it is imperative that we understand current controls on the evolution of seasonal snow albedo in the region. Over three winter seasons between 2013 and 2015, snow characterization measurements were made at three open sites across New Hampshire. These near-daily measurements include spectral albedo, snow optical grain size determined through contact spectroscopy, snow depth, snow density, black carbon content, local meteorological parameters, and analysis of storm trajectories using the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory model. Using analysis of variance, we determine that land-based winter storms result in marginally higher albedo than coastal storms or storms from the Atlantic Ocean. Through multiple regression analysis, we determine that snow grain size is significantly more important in albedo reduction than black carbon content or snow density. And finally, we present a parameterization of albedo based on days since snowfall and temperature that accounts for 52% of variance in albedo over all three sites and years. Our improved understanding of current controls on snow albedo in the region will allow for better assessment of potential response of seasonal snow albedo and snow cover to changing climate.