Sample records for explosive compaction process

  1. Underwater explosive compaction-sintering of tungsten-copper coating on a copper surface

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Xiang; Li, Xiaojie; Yan, Honghao; Wang, Xiaohong; Chen, Saiwei

    2018-01-01

    This study investigated underwater explosive compaction-sintering for coating a high-density tungsten-copper composite on a copper surface. First, 50% W-50% Cu tungsten-copper composite powder was prepared by mechanical alloying. The composite powder was pre-compacted and sintered by hydrogen. Underwater explosive compaction was carried out. Finally, a high-density tungsten-copper coating was obtained by diffusion sintering of the specimen after explosive compaction. A simulation of the underwater explosive compaction process showed that the peak value of the pressure in the coating was between 3.0 and 4.8 GPa. The hardness values of the tungsten-copper layer and the copper substrate were in the range of 87-133 and 49 HV, respectively. The bonding strength between the coating and the substrate was approximately 100-105 MPa.

  2. Structure, phase content and mechanical properties of aluminium with hard particles after shock-wave compaction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kulkov, S.; Vorozhtsov, S.; Turuntaev, I.

    2015-04-01

    The possibilities to combine metal and metal oxide powders in various compositions open a broad range of mechanical and thermal behavior. When using in nanostructured components the resulting materials might exhibit even more interesting properties, like product effectiveness, tensile strength, wear resistance, endurance and corrosion resistance. Intermetallics like TiAl could be obtained as TiAlx in a quality similar to that obtained from melting where only eutectic mixture can be produced. Similar effects are possible when compacting nanoceramic powders whereas these can be combined with intermetallics. Currently, it is very difficult to produce wires and special shaped parts from high temperature superconducting materials. The compacting by explosives could solve this problem.The present paper uses explosion compacting of Al nanoparticles to create nanocomposite with increased physico-mechanical properties. Russian civil explosive Uglenit was chosen as high energy material (HEM) for shock-wave compaction. The different schemes and conditions were suggested to run the explosion process. Al nanoparticles as produced by electric wire explosion contain 8-10% of aluminum oxide. That aluminum oxide can serve as strengthening material in the final nanocomposite which may be generated in various compositions by explosive compacting. Further modifications of nanocomposites were obtained when including nanodiamonds into the mixture with aluminum nanoparticles with different percentages. The addition of nanodiamonds results in a substantial strengthening effect. The experiments with compacting aluminum nanoparticles by explosives are described in detail including the process variations and conditions. The physico-mechanical properties of the nanocomposites are determined and discussed by considering the applied conditions. Especially, microstructure and phases of the obtained nanocomposites are analyzed by X-ray diffraction.

  3. Consolidation of Bimetallic Nanosized Particles and Formation of Nanocomposites Depending on Conditions of Shock Wave Compaction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vorozhtsov, S. A.; Kudryashova, O. B.; Lerner, M. I.; Vorozhtsov, A. B.; Khrustalyov, A. P.; Pervikov, A. V.

    2017-11-01

    The authors consider and evaluate the physical parameters and regularities of the process of consolidation of Fe-Cu, Cu-Nb, Ag-Ni, Fe-Pb nanoparticles when creating composite materials by means of shock wave compaction. As a result of theoretical consideration of explosive compaction process, researchers established and discussed the physical process conditions, established a number of threshold pressure values corresponding to different target indicators of the state of the compact. The time of shock wave impact on powders for powder consolidation was estimated.

  4. Tool and process for miniature explosive joining of tubes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bement, Laurence J. (Inventor); Bailey, James W. (Inventor)

    1987-01-01

    A tool and process to be used in the explosive joining of tubes is disclosed. The tool consists of an initiator, a tool form, and a ribbon explosive. The assembled tool is a compact, storable, and safe device suitable for explosive joining of small, lightweight tubes down to 0.20 inch in diameter. The invention is inserted into either another tube or a tube plate. A shim or standoff between the two surfaces to be welded is necessary. Initiation of the explosive inside the tube results in a high velocity, angular collision between the mating surfaces. This collision creates surface melts and collision bonding wherein electron-sharing linkups are formed.

  5. Explosive compaction of aluminum oxide modified by multiwall carbon nanotubes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Buzyurkin, A. E.; Kraus, E. I.; Lukyanov, Ya L.

    2018-04-01

    This paper presents experiments and numerical research on explosive compaction of aluminum oxide powder modified by multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and modeling of the stress state behind the shock front at shock loading. The aim of this study was to obtain a durable low-porosity compact sample. The explosive compaction technology is used in this problem because the aluminum oxide is an extremely hard and refractory material. Therefore, its compaction by traditional methods requires special equipment and considerable expenses.

  6. Explosively generated shock wave processing of metal powders by instrumented detonics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sharma, A. D.; Sharma, A. K.; Thakur, N.

    2013-06-01

    The highest pressures generated by dynamic processes resulting either from high velocity impact or by spontaneous release of high energy rate substances in direct contact with a metal find superior applications over normal mechanical means. The special feature of explosive loading to the powder materials over traditional methods is its controlled detonation pressure which directly transmits shock energy to the materials which remain entrapped inside powder resulting into several micro-structural changes and hence improved mechanical properties. superalloy powders have been compacted nearer to the theoretical density by shock wave consolidation. In a single experimental set-up, compaction of metal powder and measurement of detonation velocity have been achieved successfully by using instrumented detonics. The thrust on the work is to obtain uniform, crack-free and fracture-less compacts of superalloys having intact crystalline structure as has been examined from FE-SEM, XRD and mechanical studies. Shock wave processing is an emerging technique and receiving much attention of the materials scientists and engineers owing to its excellent advantages over traditional metallurgical methods due to short processing time, scaleup advantage and controlled detonation pressure.

  7. Probing Dynamic Processes in Explosives and Propellants - Science Issues

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Moore, David

    2017-06-01

    Recent experiments on advanced light sources have started to unravel some of the micromechanical behavior of single crystal energetic materials, including void collapse under shock loading and inter-granular failure. These examples just scratch the surface of many extant explosives science issues, which could be elucidated with advanced XFEL-type resources. These include such diverse questions as: How do powders actually compact and what are the spatially and temporally resolved temperature and flow fields generated (especially two-phase flows)? Are there polymorphic effects (if so, how are they spatially distributed)? What are the strain fields during compaction? What happens near surfaces, especially for composite explosives? How is mechanics coupled to chemistry? What are hot spots really? I will provide some history behind these and other questions and point towards how future experiments might be designed to provide some answers.

  8. Study on loading coefficient in steam explosion process of corn stalk.

    PubMed

    Sui, Wenjie; Chen, Hongzhang

    2015-03-01

    The object of this work was to evaluate the effect of loading coefficient on steam explosion process and efficacy of corn stalk. Loading coefficient's relation with loading pattern and material property was first revealed, then its effect on transfer process and pretreatment efficacy of steam explosion was assessed by established models and enzymatic hydrolysis tests, respectively, in order to propose its optimization strategy for improving the process economy. Results showed that loading coefficient was mainly determined by loading pattern, moisture content and chip size. Both compact loading pattern and low moisture content improved the energy efficiency of steam explosion pretreatment and overall sugar yield of pretreated materials, indicating that they are desirable to improve the process economy. Pretreatment of small chip size showed opposite effects in pretreatment energy efficiency and enzymatic hydrolysis performance, thus its optimization should be balanced in investigated aspects according to further techno-economical evaluation. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  9. Calculation analysis of magnetic-pulse compaction of explosively formed high-velocity metal elements used for meteoroid protection testing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fedorov, Sergey V.; Selivanov, Victor V.; Veldanov, Vladislav A.

    2017-06-01

    Accumulation of microdamages as a result of intensive plastic deformation leads to a decrease in the average density of the high-velocity elements that are formed at the explosive collapse of the special shape metal liners. For compaction of such elements in tests of their spacecraft meteoroid protection reliability, the use of magnetic-field action on the produced elements during their movement trajectory before interaction with a target is proposed. On the basis of numerical modeling within the one-dimensional axisymmetric problem of continuum mechanics and electrodynamics, the physical processes occurring in the porous conducting elastoplastic cylinder placed in a magnetic field are investigated. Using this model, the parameters of the magnetic-pulse action necessary for the compaction of the steel and aluminum elements are determined.

  10. Pressure Amplification Off High Impedance Barriers in DDT

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

    Heatwole, Eric Mann; Broilo, Robert M.; Kistle, Trevin Joseph

    The Deflagration-to-Detonation Transition (DDT) in one-dimensional porous explosive, where combustion in an explosive transitions to detonation, can be described by the following model. This simplified model proceeds in five steps, as follows: 1) Ignition of the explosive, surface burning. 2) Convective burning, with the flame front penetrating through the porous network of the explosive. This proceeds until the pressure grows high enough to result in choked flow in the pores restricting the convective burn. 3) The choked flow results in the formation of a high-density compact of explosive. This compact is driven into undisturbed material by the pressure of themore » burning explosive. See Figure1. 4) The compression of the undisturbed porous explosive by the compact leads to the ignition of a compressive burn. This builds in pressure until a supported shock forms. 5) The shock builds in pressure until detonation occurs. See Figure 2 for an overview streak of the proceeding steps.« less

  11. A novel assembly used for hot-shock consolidation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Pengwan; Zhou, Qiang; State Key Laboratory of Explosion Science and Technique Team

    2013-06-01

    A novel assembly characterized by an automatic set-up was developed for hot-shock consolidations of powders. The under-water shock wave and the high-temperature preheating, which are considered as two effective ways to eliminate cracks, were combined in the system. In this work, a SHS reaction mixture was used as chemical furnace to preheat the precursor powder, and the water column as well as the explosive attached to it was detached from the furnace by a solenoid valve fixed on the slide guide. When the precursor powders was preheated to the designed temperature, the solenoid valve was switched on, then the water column and the explosive slid down along the slide guide by gravity. At the moment the water container contacted with the lower part, the explosive was initiated, and the generated shock wave propagated through the water column to compact the powders. So the explosive and water column can be kept cool during the preheating process. The intensity of shock wave loading can be adjusted by changing the heights of water column. And the preheating temperature is controlled in the range of 700 ~1300 °C by changing the mass of the SHS mixture. In this work, pure tungsten powders and tungsten-copper mixture were separately compacted using this new assembly. The pure tungsten powder with a grain size of 2 μm were compacted to high density (96%T.D.) at 1300 °C, and the 90W-10Cu (wt pct) mixtures were compacted to nearly theoretical density at 1000 °C. The results showed that both samples were free of cracks. The consolidated specimens were then characterized by SEM analysis and micro-hardness testing.

  12. A novel assembly used for hot-shock consolidation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, P.; Zhou, Q.

    2014-05-01

    A novel assembly was developed for hot-shock consolidations of powders. The under-water shock wave and the high-temperature preheating, which are considered as two effective ways to eliminate cracks, were combined in the system. In this work, a SHS (self-propagating high-temperature synthesis) reaction mixture was used as chemical furnace to preheat the precursor powder, and the water column as well as the explosive attached to it was detached from the furnace by a solenoid valve fixed on the slide guide. When the precursor powders were preheated to the designed temperature, the solenoid valve was switched on, and then the water column and the explosive slid down along the slide guide by gravity. At the moment the water container contacted with the lower part, the explosive was initiated, and the generated shock wave propagated through the water column to compact the powders. So the explosive and water column can be kept cool during the preheating process. The intensity of shock wave loading can be adjusted by changing the heights of water column. And the preheating temperature is controlled in the range of 700~1300 °C by changing the mass of the SHS mixture. In this work, pure tungsten powders and tungsten-copper mixture were separately compacted using this new assembly. The pure tungsten powder with a grain size of 2 μm were compacted to high density (96 %T.D.) at 1300 °C, and the 90W-10Cu (wt pct) mixtures were compacted to 95.3 %T.D. at 970 °C. The results showed that both samples were free of cracks. The consolidated specimens were then characterized using SEM analysis and micro-hardness testing.

  13. Fragmentation of structural energetic materials: implications for performance

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Aydelotte, B.; Braithwaite, C. H.; Thadhani, N. N.

    2014-05-01

    Fragmentation results for structural energetic materials based on intermetallic forming mixtures are reviewed and the implications of the fragment populations are discussed. Cold sprayed Ni+Al and explosively compacted mixtures of Ni+Al+W and Ni+Al+W+Zr powders were fabricated into ring shaped samples and explosively fragmented. Ring velocity was monitored and fragments were soft captured in order to study the fragmentation process. It was determined that the fragments produced by these structural energetic materials are much smaller than those typically produced by ductile metals such as steel or aluminum. This has implications for combustion processes that may occur subsequent to the fragmentation process.

  14. Explosive Compations of Intermetallic-Forming Powder Mixtures for Fabricating Structural Energetic Materials

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Du, S. W.; Aydelotte, B.; Fondse, D.; Wei, C.-T.; Jiang, F.; Herbold, E.; Vecchio, K.; Meyers, M. A.; Thadhani, N. N.

    2009-12-01

    A double-tube implosion geometry is used to explosively shock consolidate intermetallic-forming Ni-Al, Ta-Al, Nb-Al, Mo-Al and W-Al powder mixtures for fabricating bulk structural energetic materials, with mechanical strength and ability to undergo impact-initiated exothermic reactions. The compacts are characterized based on uniformity of micro structure and degree of densification. Mechanical properties of the compacts are characterized over the strain-rate range of 10-3 to 104 s-1. The impact reactivity is determined using rod-on-anvil experiments, in which disk-shaped compacts mounted on a copper projectile, are impacted against a steel anvil in using a 7.62 mm gas gun. The impact reactivity of the various explosively-consolidated reactive powder mixture compacts is correlated with overall kinetic energy and impact stress to determine their influence on threshold for reaction initiation. The characteristics of the various compacts, their mechanical properties and impact-initiated chemical reactivity will be described in this paper.

  15. North Korea's 2017 Test and its Nontectonic Aftershock

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, J.; Li, L.; Zahradník, J.; Sokos, E.; Liu, C.; Tian, X.

    2018-04-01

    Seismology illuminates physical processes occurring during underground explosions, not all yet fully understood. The thus-far strongest North Korean test of 3 September 2017 was followed by a moderate seismic event (mL 4.1) after 8.5 min. Here we provide evidence that this aftershock was a nontectonic event which radiated seismic waves as a buried horizontal closing crack. This vigorous crack closure, occurring shortly after the blast, is studied in the North Korea test site for the first time. The event can be qualitatively explained as rapid destruction of an explosion-generated cracked rock chimney due to cavity collapse, although other compaction processes cannot be ruled out.

  16. Simulation of the detonation process of an ammonium nitrate based emulsion explosive using the Lee-Tarver reactive flow model

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ribeiro, Jose; Silva, Cristovao; Mendes, Ricardo; Plaksin, Igor; Campos, Jose

    2011-06-01

    The use of emulsion explosives [EEx] for processing materials (compaction, welding and forming) requires the ability to perform detailed simulations of its detonation process [DP]. Detailed numerical simulations of the DP of this kind of explosives, characterized by having a finite reaction zone thickness, are thought to be suitable performed using the Lee-Tarver reactive flow model. In this work a real coded genetic algorithm methodology was used to estimate the 15 parameters of the reaction rate equation [RRE] of that model for a particular EEx. This methodology allows, in a single optimization procedure, using only one experimental result and without the need of any starting solution, to seek for the 15 parameters of the RRE that fit the numerical to the experimental results. Mass averaging and the Plate-Gap Model have been used for the determination of the shock data used in the unreacted explosive JWL EoS assessment and the thermochemical code THOR retrieved the data used in the detonation products JWL EoS assessment. The obtained parameters allow a good description of the experimental data and show some peculiarities arising from the intrinsic nature of this kind of composite explosive.

  17. VLBI of supernovae and gamma-ray bursts

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bartel, N.; Karimi, B.; Bietenholz, M. F.

    2017-04-01

    Supernovae and gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are among the brightest events in the universe. Excluding Type Ia supernovae and short GRBs, they are the result of the core collapse of a massive star with material being ejectedwith speeds of several 1000 km/s to nearly the speed of light, and with a neutron star or a black hole left over as the compact remnant of the explosion. Synchrotron radiation in the radio is generated in a shell when the ejecta interact with the surrounding medium and possibly also in the central region near the compact remnant itself. VLBI has allowed resolving some of these sources and monitoring their expansion in detail, thereby revealing characteristics of the dying star, the explosion, the expanding shock front, and the expected compact remnant. We report on updates of some of the most interesting results that have been obtained with VLBI so far. Movies of supernovae are available from our website. They show the evolution from shortly after the explosion to decades thereafter, in one case revealing an emerging compact central source, which may be associated with shock interaction near the explosion center or with the stellar corpse itself, a neutron star or a black hole.

  18. Identification of the central compact object in the young supernova remnant 1E 0102.2-7219

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vogt, Frédéric P. A.; Bartlett, Elizabeth S.; Seitenzahl, Ivo R.; Dopita, Michael A.; Ghavamian, Parviz; Ruiter, Ashley J.; Terry, Jason P.

    2018-04-01

    Oxygen-rich young supernova remnants1 are valuable objects for probing the outcome of nucleosynthetic processes in massive stars, as well as the physics of supernova explosions. Observed within a few thousand years after the supernova explosion2, these systems contain fast-moving oxygen-rich and hydrogen-poor filaments visible at optical wavelengths: fragments of the progenitor's interior expelled at a few thousand kilometres per second during the supernova explosion. Here we report the identification of the compact object in the supernova remnant 1E 0102.2-7219 in reprocessed Chandra X-ray Observatory data, enabled by the discovery of a ring-shaped structure visible primarily in optical recombination lines of Ne i and O i. The optical ring has a radius of (2.10 ± 0.35)″ ≡ (0.63 ± 0.11) pc, and is expanding at a velocity of 90 .5-30+40 km s-1. It surrounds an X-ray point source with an intrinsic X-ray luminosity Li (1.2-2.0 keV) = (1.4 ± 0.2) × 1033 erg s-1. The energy distribution of the source indicates that this object is an isolated neutron star: a central compact object akin to those present in the Cas A3-5 and Pup A6 supernova remnants, and the first of its kind to be identified outside of our Galaxy.

  19. Identification of the central compact object in the young supernova remnant 1E 0102.2-7219

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vogt, Frédéric P. A.; Bartlett, Elizabeth S.; Seitenzahl, Ivo R.; Dopita, Michael A.; Ghavamian, Parviz; Ruiter, Ashley J.; Terry, Jason P.

    2018-06-01

    Oxygen-rich young supernova remnants1 are valuable objects for probing the outcome of nucleosynthetic processes in massive stars, as well as the physics of supernova explosions. Observed within a few thousand years after the supernova explosion2, these systems contain fast-moving oxygen-rich and hydrogen-poor filaments visible at optical wavelengths: fragments of the progenitor's interior expelled at a few thousand kilometres per second during the supernova explosion. Here we report the identification of the compact object in the supernova remnant 1E 0102.2-7219 in reprocessed Chandra X-ray Observatory data, enabled by the discovery of a ring-shaped structure visible primarily in optical recombination lines of Ne i and O i. The optical ring has a radius of (2.10 ± 0.35)″ ≡ (0.63 ± 0.11) pc, and is expanding at a velocity of 90 .5-30+40 km s-1. It surrounds an X-ray point source with an intrinsic X-ray luminosity Li (1.2-2.0 keV) = (1.4 ± 0.2) × 1033 erg s-1. The energy distribution of the source indicates that this object is an isolated neutron star: a central compact object akin to those present in the Cas A3-5 and Pup A6 supernova remnants, and the first of its kind to be identified outside of our Galaxy.

  20. Mechanism of vacuum breakdown in radio-frequency accelerating structures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Barengolts, S. A.; Mesyats, V. G.; Oreshkin, V. I.; Oreshkin, E. V.; Khishchenko, K. V.; Uimanov, I. V.; Tsventoukh, M. M.

    2018-06-01

    It has been investigated whether explosive electron emission may be the initiating mechanism of vacuum breakdown in the accelerating structures of TeV linear electron-positron colliders (Compact Linear Collider). The physical processes involved in a dc vacuum breakdown have been considered, and the relationship between the voltage applied to the diode and the time delay to breakdown has been found. Based on the results obtained, the development of a vacuum breakdown in an rf electric field has been analyzed and the main parameters responsible for the initiation of explosive electron emission have been estimated. The formation of craters on the cathode surface during explosive electron emission has been numerically simulated, and the simulation results are discussed.

  1. Simulation of the detonation process of an ammonium nitrate based emulsion explosive using the lee-tarver reactive flow model

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ribeiro, José B.; Silva, Cristóvão; Mendes, Ricardo; Plaksin, I.; Campos, Jose

    2012-03-01

    The use of emulsion explosives [EEx] for processing materials (compaction, welding and forming) requires the ability to perform detailed simulations of its detonation process [DP]. Detailed numerical simulations of the DP of this kind of explosives, characterized by having a finite reaction zone thickness, are thought to be suitably performed using the Lee-Tarver reactive flow model. In this work a real coded genetic algorithm methodology was used to estimate the 15 parameters of the reaction rate equation [RRE] of that model for a particular EEx. This methodology allows, in a single optimization procedure, using only one experimental result and without the need of any starting solution, to seek for the 15 parameters of the RRE that fit the numerical to the experimental results. Mass averaging and the Plate-Gap Model have been used for the determination of the shock data used in the unreacted explosive JWL EoS assessment, and the thermochemical code THOR retrieved the data used in the detonation products JWL EoS assessment. The obtained parameters allow a reasonable description of the experimental data.

  2. High-explosive driven crowbar switch

    DOEpatents

    Dike, Robert S.; Kewish, Jr., Ralph W.

    1976-01-13

    The disclosure relates to a compact explosive driven switch for use as a low resistance, low inductance crowbar switch. A high-explosive charge extrudes a deformable conductive metallic plate through a polyethylene insulating layer to achieve a hard current contact with a supportive annular conductor.

  3. Compact pulse generators with soft ferromagnetic cores driven by gunpowder and explosive.

    PubMed

    Ben, Chi; He, Yong; Pan, Xuchao; Chen, Hong; He, Yuan

    2015-12-01

    Compact pulse generators which utilized soft ferromagnets as an initial energy carrier inside multi-turn coil and hard ferromagnets to provide the initial magnetic field outside the coil have been studied. Two methods of reducing the magnetic flux in the generators have been studied: (1) by igniting gunpowder to launch the core out of the generator, and (2) by detonating explosives that demagnetize the core. Several types of compact generators were explored to verify the feasibility. The generators with an 80-turn coil that utilize gunpowder were capable of producing pulses with amplitude 78.6 V and the full width at half maximum was 0.41 ms. The generators with a 37-turn coil that utilize explosive were capable of producing pulses with amplitude 1.41 kV and the full width at half maximum was 11.68 μs. These two methods were both successful, but produce voltage waveforms with significantly different characteristics.

  4. Numerical study of multiscale compaction-initiated detonation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gambino, J. R.; Schwendeman, D. W.; Kapila, A. K.

    2018-02-01

    A multiscale model of heterogeneous condensed-phase explosives is examined computationally to determine the course of transient events following the application of a piston-driven stimulus. The model is a modified version of that introduced by Gonthier (Combust Sci Technol 175(9):1679-1709, 2003. https://doi.org/10.1080/00102200302373) in which the explosive is treated as a porous, compacting medium at the macro-scale and a collection of closely packed spherical grains capable of undergoing reaction and diffusive heat transfer at the meso-scale. A separate continuum description is ascribed to each scale, and the two scales are coupled together in an energetically consistent manner. Following piston-induced compaction, localized energy deposition at the sites of intergranular contact creates hot spots where reaction begins preferentially. Reaction progress at the macro-scale is determined by the spatial average of that at the grain scale. A parametric study shows that combustion at the macro-scale produces an unsteady detonation with a cyclical character, in which the lead shock loses strength and is overtaken by a stronger secondary shock generated in the partially reacted material behind it. The secondary shock in turn becomes the new lead shock and the process repeats itself.

  5. Influence of metallic additives on manganese ferrites sintering

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shevelev, S. A.; Luchnikov, P. A.; Yarullina, A. R.

    2018-01-01

    Influence of cuprum nanopowder additive received by electric explosion on the process of manganese ferrites MgFe2O4 consolidating at thermal sintering was researched by dilatometry method. Cuprum nanopowder at a rate of 5 mass % was added into the original commercial-grade powder of manganese ferrite MgFe2O4. Powder mixture was numerously blended with screening for better blending before pressing. Powder compacts were formed by cold one-axle static pressing. It was proved that introduction of cuprum additive caused shrinkage increase at final heating stage. There was abnormal compact enlarging at sintering in the air at isothermal stage; the specified process was not observed in vacuum. This difference can be explained by changes in conditions of gaseous discharge from volume of pores.

  6. Synthesis and Explosive Consolidation of Titanium, Aluminium, Boron and Carbon Containing Powders

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chikhradze, Mikheil; Oniashvili, George; Chikhradze, Nikoloz; D. S Marquis, Fernand

    2016-10-01

    The development of modern technologies in the field of materials science has increased the interest towards the bulk materials with improved physical, chemical and mechanical properties. Composites, fabricated in Ti-Al-B-C systems are characterized by unique physical and mechanical properties. They are attractive for aerospace, power engineering, machine and chemical applications. The technologies to fabricate ultrafine grained powder and bulk materials in Ti-Al-B-C system are described in the paper. It includes results of theoretical and experimental investigation for selection of powders composition and determination of thermodynamic conditions for bland preparation, as well as optimal technological parameters for mechanical alloying and adiabatic compaction. The crystalline coarse Ti, Al, C powders and amorphous B were used as precursors and blends with different compositions of Ti-Al, Ti-Al-C, Ti-B-C and Ti-Al-B were prepared. Preliminary determination/selection of blend compositions was made on the basis of phase diagrams. The powders were mixed according to the selected ratios of components to produce the blend. Blends were processed in “Fritsch” Planetary premium line ball mill for mechanical alloying, syntheses of new phases, amorphization and ultrafine powder production. The blends processing time was variable: 1 to 20 hours. The optimal technological regimes of nano blend preparation were determined experimentally. Ball milled nano blends were placed in metallic tube and loaded by shock waves for realization of consolidation in adiabatic regime. The structure and properties of the obtained ultrafine grained materials depending on the processing parameters are investigated and discussed. For consolidation of the mixture, explosive compaction technology is applied at room temperatures. The prepared mixtures were located in low carbon steel tube and blast energies were used for explosive consolidation compositions. The relationship of ball milling technological parameters and explosive consolidation conditions on the structure/properties of the obtained samples are described in the paper.

  7. Continuous-wave deep ultraviolet sources for resonance Raman explosive sensing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yellampalle, Balakishore; Martin, Robert; Sluch, Mikhail; McCormick, William; Ice, Robert; Lemoff, Brian

    2015-05-01

    A promising approach to stand-off detection of explosive traces is using resonance Raman spectroscopy with Deepultraviolet (DUV) light. The DUV region offers two main advantages: strong explosive signatures due to resonant and λ- 4 enhancement of Raman cross-section, and lack of fluorescence and solar background. For DUV Raman spectroscopy, continuous-wave (CW) or quasi-CW lasers are preferable to high peak powered pulsed lasers because Raman saturation phenomena and sample damage can be avoided. In this work we present a very compact DUV source that produces greater than 1 mw of CW optical power. The source has high optical-to-optical conversion efficiency, greater than 5 %, as it is based on second harmonic generation (SHG) of a blue/green laser source using a nonlinear crystal placed in an external resonant enhancement cavity. The laser system is extremely compact, lightweight, and can be battery powered. Using two such sources, one each at 236.5 nm and 257.5 nm, we are building a second generation explosive detection system called Dual-Excitation-Wavelength Resonance-Raman Detector (DEWRRED-II). The DEWRRED-II system also includes a compact dual-band high throughput DUV spectrometer, and a highly-sensitive detection algorithm. The DEWRRED technique exploits the DUV excitation wavelength dependence of Raman signal strength, arising from complex interplay of resonant enhancement, self-absorption and laser penetration depth. We show sensor measurements from explosives/precursor materials at different standoff distances.

  8. A novel explosive process is required for the gamma-ray burst GRB 060614.

    PubMed

    Gal-Yam, A; Fox, D B; Price, P A; Ofek, E O; Davis, M R; Leonard, D C; Soderberg, A M; Schmidt, B P; Lewis, K M; Peterson, B A; Kulkarni, S R; Berger, E; Cenko, S B; Sari, R; Sharon, K; Frail, D; Moon, D-S; Brown, P J; Cucchiara, A; Harrison, F; Piran, T; Persson, S E; McCarthy, P J; Penprase, B E; Chevalier, R A; MacFadyen, A I

    2006-12-21

    Over the past decade, our physical understanding of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) has progressed rapidly, thanks to the discovery and observation of their long-lived afterglow emission. Long-duration (> 2 s) GRBs are associated with the explosive deaths of massive stars ('collapsars', ref. 1), which produce accompanying supernovae; the short-duration (< or = 2 s) GRBs have a different origin, which has been argued to be the merger of two compact objects. Here we report optical observations of GRB 060614 (duration approximately 100 s, ref. 10) that rule out the presence of an associated supernova. This would seem to require a new explosive process: either a massive collapsar that powers a GRB without any associated supernova, or a new type of 'engine', as long-lived as the collapsar but without a massive star. We also show that the properties of the host galaxy (redshift z = 0.125) distinguish it from other long-duration GRB hosts and suggest that an entirely new type of GRB progenitor may be required.

  9. Statistical Study of High-Velocity Compact Clouds Based on the Complete CO Imagings of the Central Molecular Zone

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tokuyama, Sekito; Oka, Tomoharu; Takekawa, Shunya; Yamada, Masaya; Iwata, Yuhei; Tsujimoto, Shiho

    2017-01-01

    High-velocity compact clouds (HVCCs) is one of the populations of peculiar clouds detected in the Central Molecular Zone (CMZ) of our Galaxy. They have compact appearances (< 5 pc) and large velocity widths (> 50 km s-1). Several explanations for the origin of HVCC were proposed; e.g., a series of supernovae (SN) explosions (Oka et al. 1999) or a gravitational kick by a point-like gravitational source (Oka et al. 2016). To investigate the statistical property of HVCCs, a complete list of them is acutely necessary. However, the previous list is not complete since the identification procedure included automated processes and manual selection (Nagai 2008). Here we developed an automated procedure to identify HVCCs in a spectral line data.

  10. Observation and modeling of deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) in low-density HMX

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tringe, Joseph W.; Vandersall, Kevin S.; Reaugh, John E.; Levie, Harold W.; Henson, Bryan F.; Smilowitz, Laura B.; Parker, Gary R.

    2017-01-01

    We employ simultaneous flash x-ray radiography and streak imaging, together with a multi-phase finite element model, to understand deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) phenomena in low-density (˜1.2 gm/cm3) powder of the explosive cyclotetramethylene-tetranitramine (HMX). HMX powder was lightly hand-tamped in a 12.7 mm diameter column, relatively lightly-confined in an optically-transparent polycarbonate cylinder with wall thickness 25.4 mm. We observe apparent compaction of the powder in advance of the detonation transition by the motion of small steel spheres pre-emplaced throughout the length of explosive. High-speed imaging along the explosive cylinder length provides a more temporally continuous record of the transition that is correlated with the high-resolution x-ray image record. Preliminary simulation of these experiments with the HERMES model implemented in the ALE3D code enables improved understanding of the explosive particle burning, compaction and detonation phenomena which are implied by the observed reaction rate and transition location within the cylinder.

  11. Real-time fluorescence quenching-based detection of nitro-containing explosive vapours: what are the key processes?

    PubMed

    Shaw, P E; Burn, P L

    2017-11-15

    The detection of explosives continues to be a pressing global challenge with many potential technologies being pursued by the scientific research community. Luminescence-based detection of explosive vapours with an organic semiconductor has attracted much interest because of its potential for detectors that have high sensitivity, compact form factor, simple operation and low-cost. Despite the abundance of literature on novel sensor materials systems there are relatively few mechanistic studies targeted towards vapour-based sensing. In this Perspective, we will review the progress that has been made in understanding the processes that control the real-time luminescence quenching of thin films by analyte vapours. These are the non-radiative quenching process by which the sensor exciton decays, the analyte-sensor intermolecular binding interaction, and the diffusion process for the analyte vapours in the film. We comment on the contributions of each of these processes towards the sensing response and, in particular, the relative roles of analyte diffusion and exciton diffusion. While the latter has been historically judged to be one of, if not the primary, causes for the high sensitivity of many conjugated polymers to nitrated vapours, recent evidence suggests that long exciton diffusion lengths are unnecessary. The implications of these results on the development of sensor materials for real-time detection are discussed.

  12. First spectroscopy of a short-hard GRB: the environment of a compact object merger

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    de Ugarte Postigo, Antonio; Thöne, Christina C.; Rowllinson, Antonia; Benito, Rubén García; Levan, Andrew J.; Gorosabel, Javier; Goldoni, Paolo; Schulze, Steve

    2015-03-01

    Short gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are an extremely elusive family of cosmic explosions. They are thought to be related to the violent merger of compact objects (such as a neutron stars or black holes). Their optical counterparts were not discovered until 2005, and since then, there had been no successful spectroscopic observations. Here we present the first spectra of a short GRB, which we use to study the environment and derive implications on the progenitors of these cosmic explosions. This poster is based on the work by de Ugarte Postigo et al. (2014).

  13. Welding of Pyroclastic Deposits: Questions Arising from Experiments (Invited)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Russell, K.; Quane, S.; Robert, G.; Andrews, G. D.; Kennedy, B. M.

    2009-12-01

    Ultimately, all natural magmas vesiculate near the Earth’s surface to produce bubble-rich melts, that commonly foam to the point of fragmentation producing pyroclastic deposits. Vesiculation processes increase porosity and create permeability thereby increasing the efficacy of fluid escape and suppressing explosivity. Conversely, processes that destroy porosity and permeability, including bubble collapse, compaction, and welding, inhibit the escape of fluids and can produce overpressures leading to explosive behavior. Compaction and welding processes are pervasive in volcanic deposits and pertinent to: i) formation of spatter-fed clastogenic lava flows, ii) sintering of fragmental material in volcanic conduits, and to iii) welding of pyroclastic flow and fall deposits. The rate at which porous pyroclastic deposits compact and sinter (i.e., welding; cf. Grunder and Russell, 2005) governs the efficacy with which porosity (and ultimately permeability) is lost (Sparks et al., 1999). Ultimately, rates of welding reflect the aggregate rheological properties of the deposit. Here, we present an ensemble of experimental results used to investigate the rheology of hot, porous, pyroclastic materials during compaction. We have used a GEOCOMP Loadtrac II device modified to perform constant displacement rate or constant load deformation experiments on large (7 x 4.5 cm) unconfined cores of pumice, lava, or sintered ash. The experiments are at temperatures (T ~ 800-900°C), load stresses (< 150 MPa), and strain rates (10-6 to -2 s-1) consistent with the emplacement of pyroclastic flows. The effects of fluid pressure have also been studied experimentally by using a steel cell and piston system that permits high-T deformation experiments at controlled PH2O (Robert et al. 2008). Our experiments simulate compaction of natural pyroclastic deposits and provide the data to parameterize a relationship between the effective viscosity of the hot, porous deposit of ash (η), the viscosity of the melt fragments (ηo) and porosity (Φ) of the deposit (Quane et al. 2009): log η = log ηo - 2.5Φ/(1-Φ). This relationship is used to model compaction and welding of processes in ignimbrites and in volcanic conduits as a function of load, temperature and porosity. Our analysis shows that compaction operates very rapidly at high-T such that welding in ignimbrites is fully decoupled from cooling history and may even rival the depositional timescales of pyroclastic density currents. Experiments performed at PH2O values of ~1-3 MPa recover lower values of effective viscosity (109.2 - 9.4 Pa s), despite being run at substantially lower temperature (640-665°C). The presence of the H2O fluid expands the window of viscous (vs. brittle) deformation and prevents the strain hardening that normally accompanies porosity reduction allowing for the continuous accumulation of strain. These results apply to welding of rheomorphic ignimbrites and the compaction, annealing and eventual sealing of volcanic conduits.

  14. Toward wearable sensors: optical sensor for detection of ammonium nitrate-based explosives, ANFO and ANNM.

    PubMed

    Sheykhi, Sara; Mosca, Lorenzo; Anzenbacher, Pavel

    2017-05-04

    Increasing security needs require compact and portable detection tools for the rapid and reliable identification of explosives used in improvised explosive devices (IEDs). We report of an easy-to-use optical sensor for both vapour-phase and solution-phase identification of explosive mixtures that uses a cross-reactive fluorimetric sensor array comprising chemically responsive fluorimetric indicators composed of aromatic aldehydes and polyethyleneimine. Ammonium nitrate-nitromethane (ANNM) was analyzed by paper microzone arrays and nanofiber sensor mats. Progress toward wearable sensors based on electrospun nanofiber mats is outlined.

  15. Direct Observation of Accretion onto a Hypernova's Newly Formed Black Hole

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Milisavljevic, Dan

    2017-09-01

    Models of energetic core-collapse supernovae and long-duration gamma-ray bursts often invoke engine-driven scenarios associated with the formation of compact objects that input energy into the explosion. To date, only indirect evidence of black holes or magnetars formed in these events exists from observations obtained when the explosions are most luminous. Here we request a modest 15 ks Chandra pilot observation of the exceptionally important nearby hypernova SN2002ap to test models that predict X-ray emission associated with its remnant black hole to be detectable after 15 yr of ejecta expansion. Direct observation a newly formed "baby" black hole would be a landmark discovery capable of opening up new ways to investigate fundamental aspects of the core collapse process.

  16. Exposing Hierarchical Parallelism in the FLASH Code for Supernova Simulation on Summit and Other Architectures

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

    Papatheodore, Thomas L.; Messer, Bronson

    Since roughly 100 million years after the big bang, the primordial elements hydrogen (H), helium (He), and lithium (Li) have been synthesized into heavier elements by thermonuclear reactions inside of the stars. The change in stellar composition resulting from these reactions causes stars to evolve over the course of their lives. Although most stars burn through their nuclear fuel and end their lives quietly as inert, compact objects, whereas others end in explosive deaths. These stellar explosions are called supernovae and are among the most energetic events known to occur in our universe. Supernovae themselves further process the matter ofmore » their progenitor stars and distribute this material into the interstellar medium of their host galaxies. In the process, they generate ∼1051 ergs of kinetic energy by sending shock waves into their surroundings, thereby contributing to galactic dynamics as well.« less

  17. Ground Truth Collections for Explosions in Northern Fennoscandia and Russia

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

    Harris, D B; Ringdal, F; Kremenetskaya, E

    2003-07-28

    This project is providing ground-truth information on explosions conducted at the principal mines within 500 kilometers of the ARCES station, and is assembling a seismic waveform database for these events from local and regional stations. The principal mines of interest are in northwest Russia (Khibiny Massif, Olenogorsk, Zapolyamy, and Kovdor groups) and Sweden (Malmberget, Kiruna). These mines form a natural laboratory for examining the variation of mining explosion observations with source type, since they include colocated surface and underground mines and mines conducting a variety of different shot types. In September 2002 we deployed two lines of temporary stations frommore » the Khibiny Massif through and to the north of the ARCES station. This deployment is producing data that will allow researchers to examine the variation of discriminants caused by varying source-receiver distance and the diversity of explosion types. To date, we have collected ground-truth information on 1,118 explosions in the Kola Peninsula, and have assembled waveform data for approximately 700 of these. The database includes waveforms from instruments temporarily deployed in the Khibiny Massif mines, from the Apatity network just outside of the Massif, from LVZ, KEV and ARCES, and from the stations deployed along the two lines into northern Norway. In this paper we present representative waveforms for several types of shots recorded at various regional distances. We have conducted a preliminary study of the variation of phase ratios as a function of source type. This study shows significant differences in Pd/Sn and Pd/Lg ratios for two types of mining explosions: surface ripple-fired explosions and compact underground explosions. Compact explosions are, typically, underground explosions of a few tons with only one or two short delays, and are the closest approximation to single, well-tamped explosions available in the Khibiny mines. The surface shots typically are much larger (ranging up to hundreds of tons), with many delays. The surface mine that we present results for typically also conducts several distinct shots across the mine nearly simultaneously (with a few seconds or tens of seconds). Measured phase ratios are more consistent for compact underground explosions. This consistency is an expected result given the smaller scope for shot variation in these smaller events. In addition, Pd/Lg ratios appear more stable than Pd/Sn ratios for both types of events. The most interesting result is that the compact underground explosions are richer in shear energy (i.e. having smaller P/S ratios) than their surface ripple-fired counterparts. We continue to work on an approach for identifying the principal mines to be targeted for screening at a particular station. Often, routine industrial blasts constitute a large proportion of events detected by monitoring stations close to major mining districts. Many mines may be present, and it may be a problem to determine which subset of mines is responsible for the majority of the events, and should be prime candidates for the deployment of ground-truth collection resources. Our solution to this problem entails several steps. The first is to find geographic clusters of events that may correspond to major groups of mines. For this step, we use event density maps generated from existing network catalogs. This year we examined some of the tradeoffs in generating event density maps: use of automated bulletins to produce maps vs. analyst-reviewed bulletins, and the amount of time required to produce stables maps which can be used to identify significant mines.« less

  18. Handheld detector using NIR for bottled liquid explosives

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Itozaki, Hideo; Sato-Akaba, Hideo

    2014-10-01

    A handheld bottle checker for detection of liquid explosives is developed using near infrared technology. In order to make it compact, a LED light was used as a light source and a novel circuit board was developed for the device control instead of using a PC. This enables low power consumption and this handheld detector can be powered by a Li-ion battery without an AC power supply. This checker works well to analyze liquids, even using limited bandwidth of NIR by the LED. It is expected that it can be applied not only to airport security but also to wider applications because of its compactness and portability.

  19. Effect of particle size and particle size distribution on physical characteristics, morphology and crystal structure of explosively compacted high-T(sub c) superconductors

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kotsis, I.; Enisz, M.; Oravetz, D.; Szalay, A.

    1995-01-01

    A superconductor, of composition Y(Ba,K,Na)2Cu3O(x)/F(y) and a composite of composition Y(Ba,K,Na)2Cu3O(x)/F(y) + Ag, with changing K, Na and F content but a constant silver content (Ag = 10 mass%) was prepared using a single heat treatment. the resulting material was ground in a corundum lined mill, separated to particle size fractions of 0-40 micron, 0-63 micron and 63-900 micron and explosively compacted, using an explosive pressure of 10(exp 4) MPa and a subsequent heat treatment. Best results were obtained with the 63-900 micron fraction of composition Y(Ba(1.95) K(0.01)Cu3O(x)F(0),(05)/Ag: porosity less than 0.01 cu cm/g and current density 2800 A/sq cm at 77K.

  20. High-sensitivity explosives detection using dual-excitation-wavelength resonance-Raman detector

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yellampalle, Balakishore; McCormick, William B.; Wu, Hai-Shan; Sluch, Mikhail; Martin, Robert; Ice, Robert V.; Lemoff, Brian

    2014-05-01

    A key challenge for standoff explosive sensors is to distinguish explosives, with high confidence, from a myriad of unknown background materials that may have interfering spectral peaks. To meet this challenge a sensor needs to exhibit high specificity and high sensitivity in detection at low signal-to-noise ratio levels. We had proposed a Dual-Excitation- Wavelength Resonance-Raman Detector (DEWRRED) to address this need. In our previous work, we discussed various components designed at WVHTCF for a DEWRRED sensor. In this work, we show a completely assembled laboratory prototype of a DEWRRED sensor and utilize it to detect explosives from two standoff distances. The sensor system includes two novel, compact CW deep-Ultraviolet (DUV) lasers, a compact dual-band high throughput DUV spectrometer, and a highly-sensitive detection algorithm. We choose DUV excitation because Raman intensities from explosive traces are enhanced and fluorescence and solar background are not present. The DEWRRED technique exploits the excitation wavelength dependence of Raman signal strength, arising from complex interplay of resonant enhancement, self-absorption and laser penetration depth. We show measurements from >10 explosives/pre-cursor materials at different standoff distances. The sensor showed high sensitivity in explosive detection even when the signalto- noise ratio was close to one (~1.6). We measured receiver-operating-characteristics, which show a clear benefit in using the dual-excitation-wavelength technique as compared to a single-excitation-wavelength technique. Our measurements also show improved specificity using the amplitude variation information in the dual-excitation spectra.

  1. Performance comparison of single and dual-excitation-wavelength resonance-Raman explosives detectors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yellampalle, Balakishore; Martin, Robert; Witt, Kenneth; McCormick, William; Wu, Hai-Shan; Sluch, Mikhail; Ice, Robert; Lemoff, Brian

    2017-05-01

    Deep-ultraviolet Raman spectroscopy is a very useful approach for standoff detection of explosive traces. Using two simultaneous excitation wavelengths improves the specificity and sensitivity to standoff explosive detection. The High Technology Foundation developed a highly compact prototype of resonance Raman explosives detector. In this work, we discuss the relative performance of a dual-excitation sensor compared to a single-excitation sensor. We present trade space analysis comparing three representative Raman systems with similar size, weight, and power. The analysis takes into account, cost, spectral resolution, detection/identification time and the overall system benefit.

  2. PUSHing core-collapse simulations to explosion

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fröhlich, C.; Perego, A.; Hempe, M.; Ebinger, K.; Eichler, M.; Casanova, J.; Liebendörfer, M.; Thielemann, F.-K.

    2018-01-01

    We report on the PUSH method for artificially triggering core-collapse supernova explosions of massive stars in spherical symmetry. The PUSH method increases the energy deposition in the gain region proportionally to the heavy flavor neutrino fluxes.We summarize the parameter dependence of the method and calibrate PUSH to reproduce SN 1987A observables. We identify a best-fit progenitor and set of parameters that fit the explosion properties of SN 1987A, assuming 0.1 M⊙ of fallback. For the explored progenitor range of 18-21 M⊙, we find correlations between explosion properties and the compactness of the progenitor model.

  3. The Orion Bullets: New GEMS MCAO images

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ginsburg, Adam; Bally, John; Youngblood, Allison

    2013-07-01

    The Orion A molecular cloud (OMC1) is the nearest site of massive star formation at a distance of 414 pc. The BN/KL region within it contains signs of a massive explosion triggered 500 years ago by decay of a non- hierarchical multiple system of massive stars. We present observations of the OMC1 core at high spatial resolution (<0.1") in narrow-band [Fe II] 1.64um and H2 S(1) 1-0 2.12um filters. The new data reveal compact (0.1" to 0.5") knots with unique excitation and chemical properties, unveiling new details about the three-dimensional structure of the explosion. Bright H2 emission from these compact, high proper-motion knots and compact [Fe II] features are consistent with scenario proposed by Bally et al. (2011) in which they are interpreted to be high density (n > 10^8 cm^{-3}) disk fragments launched from within a few AU of a massive star by a > three-body dynamical interaction that led to the ejection of the BN objects and the formation of a compact (separation < few AU) binary, most likely radio source I. The proper motions are as high as 400 km/s, hinting at the enormous energy unleashed in the explosion. The data also unveiled a population of obscured close binary systems. This new population will allow a comparison of embedded young binary systems with the older, un-obscured, visual binary population to test models of the evolution of multiplicity statistics in the Orion Nebula Cluster.

  4. Dual-excitation wavelength resonance Raman explosives detector

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yellampalle, Balakishore; Sluch, Mikhail; Wu, Hai-Shan; Martin, Robert; McCormick, William; Ice, Robert; Lemoff, Brian E.

    2013-05-01

    Deep-ultraviolet resonance Raman spectroscopy (DUVRRS) is a promising approach to stand-off detection of explosive traces due to: 1) resonant enhancement of Raman cross-section, 2) λ-4-cross-section enhancement, and 3) fluorescence and solar background free signatures. For trace detection, these signal enhancements more than offset the small penetration depth due to DUV absorption. A key challenge for stand-off sensors is to distinguish explosives, with high confidence, from a myriad of unknown background materials that may have interfering spectral peaks. To address this, we are developing a stand-off explosive sensor using DUVRRS with two simultaneous DUV excitation wavelengths. Due to complex interplay of resonant enhancement, self-absorption and laser penetration depth, significant amplitude variation is observed between corresponding Raman bands with different excitation wavelengths. These variations with excitation wavelength provide an orthogonal signature that complements the traditional Raman signature to improve specificity relative to single-excitation-wavelength techniques. As part of this effort, we are developing two novel CW DUV lasers, which have potential to be compact, and a compact dual-band high throughput DUV spectrometer, capable of simultaneous detection of Raman spectra in two spectral windows. We have also developed a highly sensitive algorithm for the detection of explosives under low signal-to-noise situations.

  5. Anisotropy in the Ratchet Growth of PBX 9502

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

    Schwarz, Ricardo Blum; Liu, Cheng; Thompson, Darla Graff

    2015-03-12

    TATB-based compactions and composites are known to undergo “ratchet growth”, an irreversible volume increase that occurs upon heating or cooling of a specimen. Ratchet growth likely arises because the coefficient of thermal expansion of the TATB crystals is strongly anisotropic, but the exact mechanism is not well-understood. TATB crystals in solid, plastic-bonded, explosive PBX 9502 parts can have a preferred crystallographic orientation (texture) caused by the compaction process. As a result, the irreversible strain associated with PBX 9502 ratchet growth is anisotropic. The present paper relates the magnitude of ratchet growth to the crystalline anisotropy of the TATB crystals. Themore » crystalline anisotropy is measured by x-ray diffraction and the ratchet growth is measured by a digital image-correlation technique.« less

  6. Smart phones: platform enabling modular, chemical, biological, and explosives sensing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Finch, Amethist S.; Coppock, Matthew; Bickford, Justin R.; Conn, Marvin A.; Proctor, Thomas J.; Stratis-Cullum, Dimitra N.

    2013-05-01

    Reliable, robust, and portable technologies are needed for the rapid identification and detection of chemical, biological, and explosive (CBE) materials. A key to addressing the persistent threat to U.S. troops in the current war on terror is the rapid detection and identification of the precursor materials used in development of improvised explosive devices, homemade explosives, and bio-warfare agents. However, a universal methodology for detection and prevention of CBE materials in the use of these devices has proven difficult. Herein, we discuss our efforts towards the development of a modular, robust, inexpensive, pervasive, archival, and compact platform (android based smart phone) enabling the rapid detection of these materials.

  7. Observation and modeling of deflagration-to-detonation (DDT) transition in low-density HMX

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tringe, Joseph; Vandersall, Kevin; Reaugh, Jack; Levie, Harold; Henson, Bryan; Smilowitz, Laura; Parker, Gary

    2015-06-01

    We employ simultaneous flash x-ray radiography and streak imaging, together with a multi-phase finite element model, to understand deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) phenomena in low-density (~ 1.2 gm/cm3) powder of the explosive cyclotetramethylene-tetranitramine (HMX). HMX powder was lightly hand-tamped in a 12.7 mm diameter column, relatively lightly-confined in an optically-transparent polycarbonate cylinder with wall thickness 25.4 mm. We observe apparent compaction of the powder in advance of the detonation transition, both by x-ray contrast and by the motion of small steel spheres pre-emplaced throughout the length of explosive. High-speed imaging along the explosive cylinder length provides a temporally continuous record of the transition that is correlated with the high-resolution x-ray image record. Preliminary simulation of these experiments with the HERMES model implemented in the ALE3D code enables improved understanding of the explosive particle burning, compaction and detonation phenomena which are implied by the observed reaction rate and transition location within the cylinder. This work performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.

  8. Compact chemical energy system for seismic applications

    DOEpatents

    Engelke, Raymond P.; Hedges, Robert O.; Kammerman, Alan B.; Albright, James N.

    1998-01-01

    A chemical energy system is formed for producing detonations in a confined environment. An explosive mixture is formed from nitromethane (NM) and diethylenetriamine (DETA). A slapper detonator is arranged adjacent to the explosive mixture to initiate detonation of the mixture. NM and DETA are not classified as explosives when handled separately and can be safely transported and handled by workers in the field. In one aspect of the present invention, the chemicals are mixed at a location where an explosion is to occur. For application in a confined environment, the chemicals are mixed in an inflatable container to minimize storage space until it is desired to initiate an explosion. To enable an inflatable container to be used, at least 2.5 wt % DETA is used in the explosive mixture. A barrier is utilized that is formed of a carbon composite material to provide the appropriate barrel geometry and energy transmission to the explosive mixture from the slapper detonator system.

  9. Supernova kicks and dynamics of compact remnants in the Galactic Centre

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bortolas, Elisa; Mapelli, Michela; Spera, Mario

    2017-08-01

    The Galactic Centre (GC) is a unique place to study the extreme dynamical processes occurring near a supermassive black hole (SMBH). Here, we investigate the role of supernova (SN) explosions occurring in massive binary systems lying in a disc-like structure within the innermost parsec. We use a regularized algorithm to simulate 3 × 104 isolated three-body systems composed of a stellar binary orbiting the SMBH. We start the integration when the primary member undergoes an SN explosion and analyse the impact of SN kicks on the orbits of stars and compact remnants. We find that SN explosions scatter the lighter stars in the pair on completely different orbits, with higher eccentricity and inclination. In contrast, stellar-mass black holes (BHs) and massive stars retain memory of the orbit of their progenitor star. Our results suggest that SN kicks are not sufficient to eject BHs from the GC. We thus predict that all BHs that form in situ in the central parsec of our Galaxy remain in the GC, building up a cluster of dark remnants. In addition, the change of neutron star (NS) orbits induced by SNe may partially account for the observed dearth of NSs in the GC. About 40 per cent of remnants stay bound to the stellar companion after the kick; we expect up to 70 per cent of them might become X-ray binaries through Roche lobe filling. Finally, the eccentricity of some light stars becomes >0.7 as an effect of the SN kick, producing orbits similar to those of the G1 and G2 dusty objects.

  10. MISSING BLACK HOLES UNVEIL THE SUPERNOVA EXPLOSION MECHANISM

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

    Belczynski, Krzysztof; Wiktorowicz, Grzegorz; Fryer, Chris L.

    2012-09-20

    It is firmly established that the stellar mass distribution is smooth, covering the range 0.1-100 M{sub Sun }. It is to be expected that the masses of the ensuing compact remnants correlate with the masses of their progenitor stars, and thus it is generally thought that the remnant masses should be smoothly distributed from the lightest white dwarfs to the heaviest black holes (BHs). However, this intuitive prediction is not borne out by observed data. In the rapidly growing population of remnants with observationally determined masses, a striking mass gap has emerged at the boundary between neutron stars (NSs) andmore » BHs. The heaviest NSs reach a maximum of two solar masses, while the lightest BHs are at least five solar masses. Over a decade after the discovery, the gap has become a significant challenge to our understanding of compact object formation. We offer new insights into the physical processes that bifurcate the formation of remnants into lower-mass NSs and heavier BHs. Combining the results of stellar modeling with hydrodynamic simulations of supernovae, we both explain the existence of the gap and also put stringent constraints on the inner workings of the supernova explosion mechanism. In particular, we show that core-collapse supernovae are launched within 100-200 ms of the initial stellar collapse, implying that the explosions are driven by instabilities with a rapid (10-20 ms) growth time. Alternatively, if future observations fill in the gap, this will be an indication that these instabilities develop over a longer (>200 ms) timescale.« less

  11. Ultrasound assisted combustion synthesis of TiC in Al-Ti-C system.

    PubMed

    Liu, Zhiwei; Rakita, Milan; Xu, Wilson; Wang, Xiaoming; Han, Qingyou

    2015-11-01

    This research investigated the effects of high-intensity ultrasound on the combustion synthesis of TiC particles in Al-Ti-C system. The process involved that high-intensity ultrasound was applied on the surface of a compacted Al-Ti-C pellet directly through a Nb probe during the thermal explosion reaction. By comparing with the sample without ultrasonic treatment, it was found that the thermal explosion reaction for synthesizing TiC phase could take place thoroughly in the ultrasonically treated sample. During the process of synthesizing TiC phase, the dissolution of solid graphite particles into the Al-Ti melt, as well as the nucleation and growth of TiC particles could be promoted effectively due to the effects of ultrasound, leading to an enhancement of the formation of TiC particles. Ultrasound assisted combustion synthesis as a simple and effective approach was proposed for synthesizing materials in this research. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. Ti-44 Gamma-Ray Emission Lines from SN1987A Reveal an Asymmetric Explosion

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Boggs, S. E.; Harrison, F. A.; Miyasaka, H.; Grefenstette, B. W.; Zoglauer, A.; Fryer, C. L.; Reynolds, S. P.; Alexander, D. M.; An, H.; Barret, D.; hide

    2015-01-01

    In core-collapse supernovae, titanium-44 (Ti-44) is produced in the innermost ejecta, in the layer of material directly on top of the newly formed compact object. As such, it provides a direct probe of the supernova engine. Observations of supernova 1987A (SN1987A) have resolved the 67.87- and 78.32-kilo-electron volt emission lines from decay of Ti-44 produced in the supernova explosion. These lines are narrow and redshifted with a Doppler velocity of 700 kilometers per second, direct evidence of large-scale asymmetry in the explosion.

  13. Effect of particle size and particle size distribution on physical characteristics, morphology and crystal strucutre of explosively compacted high-Tc superconductors

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

    Kotsis, I.; Enisz, M.; Oravetz, D.

    1994-12-31

    A superconductor, of composition Y(Ba,K,Na){sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub x}/F{sub y} and a composite, of composition Y(Ba,K,Na){sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub x}/F{sub y}+Ag, with changing K, Na and F content, but a constant silver content (Ag=10 mass per cent) was prepared using a single heat treatment. The resulting material was ground in a corundum lined mill, separated to particle size fractions of 0-40 {mu}m, 0-63 {mu}m and 63-900 {mu}m and explosively compacted, using an explosive pressure of 10{sup 4} MPa and a subsequent heat treatment. Best results were obtained with the 63-900 {mu}m fraction of composition Y(Ba{sub 1,95}K{sub 0,01})Cu{sub 3}O{sub x}F{sub 0,05}/Ag: porosity <0.01more » cm{sup 3}/g and current density 2800 A/cm{sup 2} at 77 K.« less

  14. Compaction and gas loss in welded pyroclastic deposits as revealed by porosity, permeability, and electrical conductivity measurements of the Shevlin Park Tuff

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Wright, Heather M.; Cashman, Katharine V.

    2014-01-01

    Pyroclastic flows produced by large volcanic eruptions commonly densify after emplacement. Processes of gas escape, compaction, and welding in pyroclastic-flow deposits are controlled by the physical and thermal properties of constituent material. Through measurements of matrix porosity, permeability, and electrical conductivity, we provide a framework for understanding the evolution of pore structure during these processes. Using data from the Shevlin Park Tuff in central Oregon, United States, and from the literature, we find that over a porosity range of 0%–70%, matrix permeability varies by almost 10 orders of magnitude (from 10–20 to 10–11 m2), with over three orders of magnitude variation at any given porosity. Part of the variation at a given porosity is due to permeability anisotropy, where oriented core samples indicate higher permeabilities parallel to foliation (horizontally) than perpendicular to foliation (vertically). This suggests that pore space is flattened during compaction, creating anisotropic crack-like networks, a geometry that is supported by electrical conductivity measurements. We find that the power law equation: k1 = 1.3 × 10–21 × ϕ5.2 provides the best approximation of dominant horizontal gas loss, where k1 = permeability, and ϕ = porosity. Application of Kozeny-Carman fluid-flow approximations suggests that permeability in the Shevlin Park Tuff is controlled by crack- or disk-like pore apertures with minimum widths of 0.3 and 7.5 μm. We find that matrix permeability limits compaction over short times, but deformation is then controlled by competition among cooling, compaction, water resorption, and permeable gas escape. These competing processes control the potential for development of overpressure (and secondary explosions) and the degree of welding in the deposit, processes that are applicable to viscous densification of volcanic deposits in general. Further, the general relationships among porosity, permeability, and pore geometry are relevant for flow of any fluid through an ignimbritic host.

  15. SN 2015as: a low-luminosity Type IIb supernova without an early light-curve peak

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gangopadhyay, Anjasha; Misra, Kuntal; Pastorello, A.; Sahu, D. K.; Tomasella, L.; Tartaglia, L.; Singh, Mridweeka; Dastidar, Raya; Srivastav, S.; Ochner, P.; Brown, Peter J.; Anupama, G. C.; Benetti, S.; Cappellaro, E.; Kumar, Brajesh; Kumar, Brijesh; Pandey, S. B.

    2018-05-01

    We present results of the photometric (from 3 to 509 d post-explosion) and spectroscopic (up to 230 d post-explosion) monitoring campaign of the He-rich Type IIb supernova (SN) 2015as. The (B - V) colour evolution of SN 2015as closely resemble those of SN 2008ax, suggesting that SN 2015as belongs to the SN IIb subgroup that does not show the early, short-duration photometric peak. The light curve of SN 2015as reaches the B-band maximum about 22 d after the explosion, at an absolute magnitude of -16.82 ± 0.18 mag. At ˜75 d after the explosion, its spectrum transitions from that of a SN II to a SN Ib. P Cygni features due to He I lines appear at around 30 d after explosion, indicating that the progenitor of SN 2015as was partially stripped. For SN 2015as, we estimate a 56Ni mass of ˜0.08 M⊙ and ejecta mass of 1.1-2.2 M⊙, which are similar to the values inferred for SN 2008ax. The quasi-bolometric analytical light-curve modelling suggests that the progenitor of SN 2015as has a modest mass (˜0.1 M⊙), a nearly compact (˜0.05 × 1013 cm) H envelope on top of a dense, compact (˜2 × 1011 cm) and a more massive (˜1.2 M⊙) He core. The analysis of the nebular phase spectra indicates that ˜0.44 M⊙ of O is ejected in the explosion. The intensity ratio of the [Ca II]/[O I] nebular lines favours either a main-sequence progenitor mass of ˜15 M⊙ or a Wolf-Rayet star of 20 M⊙.

  16. THE LANDSCAPE OF THE NEUTRINO MECHANISM OF CORE-COLLAPSE SUPERNOVAE: NEUTRON STAR AND BLACK HOLE MASS FUNCTIONS, EXPLOSION ENERGIES, AND NICKEL YIELDS

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

    Pejcha, Ondřej; Thompson, Todd A., E-mail: pejcha@astro.princeton.edu, E-mail: thompson@astronomy.ohio-state.edu

    2015-03-10

    If the neutrino luminosity from the proto-neutron star formed during a massive star core collapse exceeds a critical threshold, a supernova (SN) results. Using spherical quasi-static evolutionary sequences for hundreds of progenitors over a range of metallicities, we study how the explosion threshold maps onto observables, including the fraction of successful explosions, the neutron star (NS) and black hole (BH) mass functions, the explosion energies (E {sub SN}) and nickel yields (M {sub Ni}), and their mutual correlations. Successful explosions are intertwined with failures in a complex pattern that is not simply related to initial progenitor mass or compactness. Wemore » predict that progenitors with initial masses of 15 ± 1, 19 ± 1, and ∼21-26 M {sub ☉} are most likely to form BHs, that the BH formation probability is non-zero at solar-metallicity and increases significantly at low metallicity, and that low luminosity, low Ni-yield SNe come from progenitors close to success/failure interfaces. We qualitatively reproduce the observed E {sub SN}-M {sub Ni} correlation, we predict a correlation between the mean and width of the NS mass and E {sub SN} distributions, and that the means of the NS and BH mass distributions are correlated. We show that the observed mean NS mass of ≅ 1.33 M {sub ☉} implies that the successful explosion fraction is higher than 0.35. Overall, we show that the neutrino mechanism can in principle explain the observed properties of SNe and their compact objects. We argue that the rugged landscape of progenitors and outcomes mandates that SN theory should focus on reproducing the wide ranging distributions of observed SN properties.« less

  17. Fragmentation of Structural Energetic Materials: Implications for Performance

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Aydelotte, Brady; Braithwaite, Christopher; Thadhani, Naresh

    2013-06-01

    Fragmentation results for structural energetic materials based on intermetallic forming mixtures are reviewed and the implications of the fragment populations are discussed. Cold Sprayed Ni+Al and explosively compacted mixtures of Ni+Al+W and Ni+Al+W+Zr powders were fabricated into ring shaped samples and subjected to fragmentation tests. Ring velocity was monitored and fragments were soft captured in order to study the fragmentation process. It was determined that the fragments produced by these structural energetic materials are much smaller than those typically produced by ductile metals such as steel or aluminum. This has implications for combustion processes that may occur subsequent to the fragmentation process. ONR/MURI grant No. N00014-07-1-0740 Dr. Cliff Bedford PM.

  18. Microcantilever technology for law enforcement and anti-terrorism applications: chemical, biological, and explosive material detection

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Adams, J. D.; Rogers, B.; Whitten, R.

    2005-05-01

    The remarkable sensitivity, compactness, low cost, low power-consumption, scalability, and versatility of microcantilever sensors make this technology among the most promising solutions for detection of chemical and biological agents, as well as explosives. The University of Nevada, Reno, and Nevada Nanotech Systems, Inc (NNTS) are currently developing a microcantilever-based detection system that will measure trace concentrations of explosives, toxic chemicals, and biological agents in air. A baseline sensor unit design that includes the sensor array, electronics, power supply and air handling has been created and preliminary demonstrations of the microcantilever platform have been conducted. The envisioned device would measure about two cubic inches, run on a small watch battery and cost a few hundred dollars. The device could be operated by untrained law enforcement personnel. Microcantilever-based devices could be used to "sniff out" illegal and/or hazardous chemical and biological agents in high traffic public areas, or be packaged as a compact, low-power system used to monitor cargo in shipping containers. Among the best detectors for such applications at present is the dog, an animal which is expensive, requires significant training and can only be made to work for limited time periods. The public is already accustomed to explosives and metal detection systems in airports and other public venues, making the integration of the proposed device into such security protocols straightforward.

  19. Wave Pattern Peculiarities of Different Types of Explosions Conducted at Semipalatinsk Test Site

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sokolova, Inna

    2014-05-01

    The historical seismograms of the explosions conducted at the STS in 1949 - 1989 are of great interest for the researchers in the field of monitoring. Large number of air (86), surface (30) and underground nuclear explosions were conducted here in boreholes and tunnels (340). In addition to nuclear explosions, large chemical explosions were conducted at the Test Site. It is known that tectonic earthquakes occur on the Test Site territory and near it. Since 2005 the Institute of Geophysical Researches conducts works on digitizing the historical seismograms of nuclear explosions. Currently, the database contains more than 6000 digitized seismograms of nuclear explosions used for investigative monitoring tasks, major part of them (4000) are events from the STS region. Dynamic parameters of records of air, surface and underground nuclear explosions, as well as large chemical explosions with compact charge laying were investigated for seismic stations located on the territory of Kazakhstan using digitized records of the STS events. In addition, the comparison between salvo wave pattern and single explosions was conducted. The records of permanent and temporary seismic stations (epicentral distances range 100 - 800 km) were used for the investigations. Explosions spectra were analyzed, specific features of each class of events were found. The seismograms analysis shows that the wave pattern depends significantly on the explosion site and on the source type.

  20. The rise, collapse, and compaction of Mt. Mantap from the 3 September 2017 North Korean nuclear test.

    PubMed

    Wang, Teng; Shi, Qibin; Nikkhoo, Mehdi; Wei, Shengji; Barbot, Sylvain; Dreger, Douglas; Bürgmann, Roland; Motagh, Mahdi; Chen, Qi-Fu

    2018-05-10

    Surveillance of clandestine nuclear tests relies on a global seismic network, but the potential of spaceborne monitoring has been underexploited. Here, we determined the complete surface displacement field of up to 3.5 m of divergent horizontal motion with 0.5 m of subsidence associated with North Korea's largest underground nuclear test using satellite radar imagery. Combining insight from geodetic and seismological remote sensing, we found that the aftermath of the initial explosive deformation involved subsidence associated with sub-surface collapse and aseismic compaction of the damaged rocks of the test site. The explosive yield from the nuclear detonation with seismic modeling for 450m depth was between 120-304 kt of TNT equivalent. Our results demonstrate the capability of spaceborne remote sensing to help characterize large underground nuclear tests. Copyright © 2018, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

  1. Fracture and compaction of andesite in a volcanic edifice.

    PubMed

    Heap, M J; Farquharson, J I; Baud, P; Lavallée, Y; Reuschlé, T

    The failure mode of lava-dilatant or compactant-depends on the physical attributes of the lava, primarily the porosity and pore size, and the conditions under which it deforms. The failure mode for edifice host rock has attendant implications for the structural stability of the edifice and the efficiency of the sidewall outgassing of the volcanic conduit. In this contribution, we present a systematic experimental study on the failure mode of edifice-forming andesitic rocks (porosity from 7 to 25 %) from Volcán de Colima, Mexico. The experiments show that, at shallow depths (<1 km), both low- and high-porosity lavas dilate and fail by shear fracturing. However, deeper in the edifice (>1 km), while low-porosity (<10 %) lava remains dilatant, the failure of high-porosity lava is compactant and driven by cataclastic pore collapse. Although inelastic compaction is typically characterised by the absence of strain localisation, we observe compactive localisation features in our porous andesite lavas manifest as subplanar surfaces of collapsed pores. In terms of volcano stability, faulting in the upper edifice could destabilise the volcano, leading to an increased risk of flank or large-scale dome collapse, while compactant deformation deeper in the edifice may emerge as a viable mechanism driving volcano subsidence, spreading and destabilisation. The failure mode influences the evolution of rock physical properties: permeability measurements demonstrate that a throughgoing tensile fracture increases sample permeability (i.e. equivalent permeability) by about a factor of two, and that inelastic compaction to an axial strain of 4.5 % reduces sample permeability by an order of magnitude. The implication of these data is that sidewall outgassing may therefore be efficient in the shallow edifice, where rock can fracture, but may be impeded deeper in the edifice due to compaction. The explosive potential of a volcano may therefore be subject to increase over time if the progressive compaction and permeability reduction in the lower edifice cannot be offset by the formation of permeable fracture pathways in the upper edifice. The mode of failure of the edifice host rock is therefore likely to be an important factor controlling lateral outgassing and thus eruption style (effusive versus explosive) at stratovolcanoes.

  2. Hollow fibers for compact infrared gas sensors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lambrecht, A.; Hartwig, S.; Herbst, J.; Wöllenstein, J.

    2008-02-01

    Hollow fibers can be used for compact infrared gas sensors. The guided light is absorbed by the gas introduced into the hollow core. High sensitivity and a very small sampling volume can be achieved depending on fiber parameters i.e. attenuation, flexibility, and gas exchange rates. Different types of infrared hollow fibers including photonic bandgap fibers were characterized using quantum cascade lasers and thermal radiation sources. Obtained data are compared with available product specifications. Measurements with a compact fiber based ethanol sensor are compared with a system simulation. First results on the detection of trace amounts of the explosive material TATP using hollow fibers and QCL will be shown.

  3. Progenitor constraints for core-collapse supernovae from Chandra X-ray observations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Heikkilä, T.; Tsygankov, S.; Mattila, S.; Eldridge, J. J.; Fraser, M.; Poutanen, J.

    2016-03-01

    The progenitors of hydrogen-poor core-collapse supernovae (SNe) of Types Ib, Ic and IIb are believed to have shed their outer hydrogen envelopes either by extremely strong stellar winds, characteristic of classical Wolf-Rayet stars, or by binary interaction with a close companion star. The exact nature of the progenitors and the relative importance of these processes are still open questions. One relatively unexplored method to constrain the progenitors is to search for high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) at SN locations in pre-explosion X-ray observations. In an HMXB, one star has already exploded as a core-collapse SN, producing a neutron star or a stellar mass black hole. It is likely that the second star in the system will also explode as an SN, which should cause a detectable long-term change in the system's X-ray luminosity. In particular, a pre-explosion detection of an HMXB coincident with an SN could be informative about the progenitor's nature. In this paper, we analyse pre-explosion ACIS observations of 18 nearby Type Ib, Ic and IIb SNe from the Chandra X-ray observatory public archive. Two sources that could potentially be associated with the SN are identified in the sample. Additionally we make similar post-explosion measurements for 46 SNe. Although our modelling indicates that progenitor systems with compact binary companions are probably quite rare, studies of this type can in the future provide more stringent constraints as the number of discovered nearby SNe and suitable pre-explosion X-ray data are both increasing.

  4. p-Process Nucleosynthesis inside Supernova-driven Supercritical Accretion Disks

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fujimoto, Shin-ichirou; Hashimoto, Masa-aki; Koike, Osamu; Arai, Kenzo; Matsuba, Ryuichi

    2003-03-01

    We investigate p-process nucleosynthesis in a supercritical accretion disk around a compact object of 1.4 Msolar, using the self-similar solution of an optically thick advection-dominated flow. Supercritical accretion is expected to occur in a supernova with fallback material accreting onto a newborn compact object. It is found that an appreciable number of p-nuclei are synthesized via the p-process in supernova-driven supercritical accretion disks (SSADs) when the accretion rate m=Mc2/(16LEdd)>105, where LEdd is the Eddington luminosity. Abundance profiles of p-nuclei ejected from SSADs have features similar to those of the oxygen/neon layers in Type II supernovae when the abundance of the fallback gas far from the compact object is that of the oxygen/neon layers in the progenitor. The overall abundance profile is in agreement with that of the solar system. Some p-nuclei, such as Mo, Ru, Sn, and La, are underproduced in the SSADs as in Type II supernovae. If the fallback gas is mixed with a small fraction of protons through Rayleigh-Taylor instability during the explosion, significant amounts of 92Mo are produced inside the SSADs. Isotopes 96Ru and 138La are also produced when the fallback gas contains abundant protons, although the overall abundance profile of p-nuclei is rather different from that of the solar system. The p-process nucleosynthesis in SSADs contributes to the chemical evolution of p-nuclei, in particular 92Mo, if several percent of the fallback matter are ejected via jets and/or winds.

  5. Abundance profiling of extremely metal-poor stars and supernova properties in the early universe

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

    Tominaga, Nozomu; Iwamoto, Nobuyuki; Nomoto, Ken'ichi, E-mail: tominaga@konan-u.ac.jp, E-mail: iwamoto.nobuyuki@jaea.go.jp, E-mail: nomoto@astron.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp

    2014-04-20

    After the big bang nucleosynthesis, the first heavy element enrichment in the universe was made by a supernova (SN) explosion of a population (Pop) III star (Pop III SN). The abundance ratios of elements produced from Pop III SNe are recorded in abundance patterns of extremely metal-poor (EMP) stars. The observations of the increasing number of EMP stars have made it possible to statistically constrain the explosion properties of Pop III SNe. We present Pop III SN models whose nucleosynthesis yields well reproduce, individually, the abundance patterns of 48 such metal-poor stars as [Fe/H] ≲ – 3.5. We then derivemore » relations between the abundance ratios of EMP stars and certain explosion properties of Pop III SNe: the higher [(C + N)/Fe] and [(C + N)/Mg] ratios correspond to the smaller ejected Fe mass and the larger compact remnant mass, respectively. Using these relations, the distributions of the abundance ratios of EMP stars are converted to those of the explosion properties of Pop III SNe. Such distributions are compared with those of the explosion properties of present day SNe: the distribution of the ejected Fe mass of Pop III SNe has the same peak as that of the present day SNe but shows an extended tail down to ∼10{sup –2}-10{sup –5} M {sub ☉}, and the distribution of the mass of the compact remnant of Pop III SNe is as wide as that of the present-day, stellar-mass black holes. Our results demonstrate the importance of large samples of EMP stars obtained by ongoing and future EMP star surveys and subsequent high-dispersion spectroscopic observations in clarifying the nature of Pop III SNe in the early universe.« less

  6. Systematic features of axisymmetric neutrino-driven core-collapse supernova models in multiple progenitors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nakamura, Ko; Takiwaki, Tomoya; Kuroda, Takami; Kotake, Kei

    2015-12-01

    We present an overview of two-dimensional (2D) core-collapse supernova simulations employing a neutrino transport scheme by the isotropic diffusion source approximation. We study 101 solar-metallicity, 247 ultra metal-poor, and 30 zero-metal progenitors covering zero-age main sequence mass from 10.8 M⊙ to 75.0 M⊙. Using the 378 progenitors in total, we systematically investigate how the differences in the structures of these multiple progenitors impact the hydrodynamics evolution. By following a long-term evolution over 1.0 s after bounce, most of the computed models exhibit neutrino-driven revival of the stalled bounce shock at ˜200-800 ms postbounce, leading to the possibility of explosion. Pushing the boundaries of expectations in previous one-dimensional studies, our results confirm that the compactness parameter ξ that characterizes the structure of the progenitors is also a key in 2D to diagnosing the properties of neutrino-driven explosions. Models with high ξ undergo high ram pressure from the accreting matter onto the stalled shock, which affects the subsequent evolution of the shock expansion and the mass of the protoneutron star under the influence of neutrino-driven convection and the standing accretion-shock instability. We show that the accretion luminosity becomes higher for models with high ξ, which makes the growth rate of the diagnostic explosion energy higher and the synthesized nickel mass bigger. We find that these explosion characteristics tend to show a monotonic increase as a function of the compactness parameter ξ.

  7. Constitutive model for porous materials

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

    Weston, A.M.; Lee, E.L.

    1982-01-01

    A simple pressure versus porosity compaction model is developed to calculate the response of granular porous bed materials to shock impact. The model provides a scheme for calculating compaction behavior when relatively limited material data are available. While the model was developed to study porous explosives and propellants, it has been applied to a much wider range of materials. The early development of porous material models, such as that of Hermann, required empirical dynamic compaction data. Erkman and Edwards successfully applied the early theory to unreacted porous high explosives using a Gruneisen equation of state without yield behavior and withoutmore » trapped gas in the pores. Butcher included viscoelastic rate dependance in pore collapse. The theoretical treatment of Carroll and Holt is centered on the collapse of a circular pore and includes radial inertia terms and a complex set of stress, strain and strain rate constitutive parameters. Unfortunately data required for these parameters are generally not available. The model described here is also centered on the collapse of a circular pore, but utilizes a simpler elastic-plastic static equilibrium pore collapse mechanism without strain rate dependence, or radial inertia terms. It does include trapped gas inside the pore, a solid material flow stress that creates both a yield point and a variation in solid material pressure with radius. The solid is described by a Mie-Gruneisen type EOS. Comparisons show that this model will accurately estimate major mechanical features which have been observed in compaction experiments.« less

  8. Compaction shock dissipation in low density granular explosive

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

    Rao, Pratap T.; Gonthier, Keith A., E-mail: gonthier@me.lsu.edu; Chakravarthy, Sunada

    The microstructure of granular explosives can affect dissipative heating within compaction shocks that can trigger combustion and initiate detonation. Because initiation occurs over distances that are much larger than the mean particle size, homogenized (macroscale) theories are often used to describe local thermodynamic states within and behind shocks that are regarded as the average manifestation of thermodynamic fields at the particle scale. In this paper, mesoscale modeling and simulation are used to examine how the initial packing density of granular HMX (C{sub 4}H{sub 8}N{sub 8}O{sub 8}) C{sub 4}H{sub 8}N{sub 8}O{sub 8} having a narrow particle size distribution influences dissipation withinmore » resolved, planar compaction shocks. The model tracks the evolution of thermomechanical fields within large ensembles of particles due to pore collapse. Effective shock profiles, obtained by averaging mesoscale fields over space and time, are compared with those given by an independent macroscale compaction theory that predicts the variation in effective thermomechanical fields within shocks due to an imbalance between the solid pressure and a configurational stress. Reducing packing density is shown to reduce the dissipation rate within shocks but increase the integrated dissipated work over shock rise times, which is indicative of enhanced sensitivity. In all cases, dissipated work is related to shock pressure by a density-dependent power law, and shock rise time is related to pressure by a power law having an exponent of negative one.« less

  9. Optical design and development of near-range compact lidar

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shiina, Tatsuo

    2011-12-01

    There are large demands to monitor the atmosphere in the closed space (hall, factory and so on), to check vegetation remotely and to detect hazardous gases such as explosive gas and bio terror from explosion-proof distance. On the contrary, traditional lidars have blind area, it is hard to monitor the atmosphere and the gas in the near range. In this study, optical designs and concrete developments for the atmosphere monitoring and the certain gas detection in near range were accomplished. Unique optical designs are introduced and their practical setups are explained.

  10. Aspherical Supernovae and Oblique Shock Breakout

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Afsariardchi, Niloufar; Matzner, Christopher D.

    2017-02-01

    In an aspherical supernova explosion, shock emergence is not simultaneous and non-radial flows develop near the stellar surface. Oblique shock breakouts tend to be easily developed in compact progenitors like stripped-envelop core collapse supernovae. According to Matzner et al. (2013), non-spherical explosions develop non-radial flows that alters the observable emission and radiation of a supernova explosion. These flows can limit ejecta speed, change the distribution of matter and heat of the ejecta, suppress the breakout flash, and most importantly engender collisions outside the star. We construct a global numerical FLASH hydrodynamic simulation in a two dimensional spherical coordinate, focusing on the non-relativistic, adiabatic limit in a polytropic envelope to see how these fundamental differences affect the early light curve of core-collapse SNe.

  11. Time-dependent permeability evolution in compacting volcanic fracture systems and implications for gas overpressure

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Farquharson, Jamie I.; Wadsworth, Fabian B.; Heap, Michael J.; Baud, Patrick

    2017-06-01

    Volcanic eruptions are driven by the ascent of volatile-laden magma. The capacity of a volcano system to outgas these volatiles-its permeability-controls the explosive potential, and fractures at volcanic conduit margins play a crucial role in tempering eruption explosivity by acting as outgassing pathways. However, these fractures are often filled with hot volcanic debris that welds and compacts over time, meaning that these permeable pathways have a finite lifetime. While numerous studies emphasize that permeability evolution is important for regulating pressure in shallow volcanic systems, how and when this occurs remains an outstanding question in volcanology. In this contribution, we show that different pressure evolution regimes can be expected across a range of silicic systems as a function of the width and distribution of fractures in the system, the timescales over which they can outgas (a function of depth and temperature), and the permeability of the host material. We define outgassing, diffusive relaxation, and pressure increase regimes, which are distinguished by comparing the characteristic timescales over which they operate. Moreover, we define a critical permeability threshold, which determines (in concert with characteristic timescales of diffusive mass exchange between the pore and melt phases) whether systems fracture and outgas efficiently, or if a volcano will be prone to pressure increases, incomplete healing, and explosive failure.

  12. Shock Response and Explosive Launch of Compacted Reactive Material

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Molitoris, John; Gash, Alexander; Garza, Raul; Gagliardi, Franco; Tringe, Joseph; Batteux, Jan; Souers, P.; HEAF Team

    2013-06-01

    We have performed a series of experiments investigating the detailed dynamic response of compacted reactive material to shock and blast. Here a granular reactive formulation (Fe2O3/Al based thermite) was pressed into a solid cylinder of material and mated to a high-explosive charge of the same diameter. Detonation of the charge transmitted a shock wave to the thermite cylinder and imparted momentum launching it in the direction of the detonation. High-resolution time sequence radiography was used to image the dynamic response of the thermite. This technique allowed a detailed investigation of material deformation in addition to changes in the internal structure and indications of reactivity. The effect of variations in the initial density of the pressed thermite was also examined. We find that these pressed thermites behave much like solid metals during shock transit, then respond much differently. This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.

  13. Development of compact explosively driven ferromagnetic seed source for helical magnetic flux compression generator

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Peng; Zhang, He; Ma, Shaojie; Shi, Yunlei

    2018-05-01

    A compact explosively driven ferromagnetic generator (FMG) is developed for seed power source of helical magnetic flux compression generator (HMFCG). The mechanism of FMG is studied by establishing a magnetoelectric conversion model. Analytical calculations and numerical simulations are conducted on the magnetostatic field of open-circuit magnet in FMG. The calculation method for the magnet's cross-sectional magnetic flux is obtained. The pulse sources made of different materials and equipped with different initiation modes are experimentally explored. Besides, the dynamic coupling experiments of FMG and HMFCG are carried out. The results show that, N35 single-ended and double-ended initiating FMGs have an energy conversion efficiency ηt not less than 14.6% and 24.4%, respectively; FMG has an output pulse current not less than 4kA and an energy of about 3J on 320nH inductive load; HMFCG experiences energy gains of about 2-3 times. FMG and HMFCG can be coupled to form a full-blast electrical driving pulse source.

  14. Confronting Models of Massive Star Evolution and Explosions with Remnant Mass Measurements

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Raithel, Carolyn A.; Sukhbold, Tuguldur; Özel, Feryal

    2018-03-01

    The mass distribution of compact objects provides a fossil record that can be studied to uncover information on the late stages of massive star evolution, the supernova explosion mechanism, and the dense matter equation of state. Observations of neutron star masses indicate a bimodal Gaussian distribution, while the observed black hole mass distribution decays exponentially for stellar-mass black holes. We use these observed distributions to directly confront the predictions of stellar evolution models and the neutrino-driven supernova simulations of Sukhbold et al. We find strong agreement between the black hole and low-mass neutron star distributions created by these simulations and the observations. We show that a large fraction of the stellar envelope must be ejected, either during the formation of stellar-mass black holes or prior to the implosion through tidal stripping due to a binary companion, in order to reproduce the observed black hole mass distribution. We also determine the origins of the bimodal peaks of the neutron star mass distribution, finding that the low-mass peak (centered at ∼1.4 M ⊙) originates from progenitors with M ZAMS ≈ 9–18 M ⊙. The simulations fail to reproduce the observed peak of high-mass neutron stars (centered at ∼1.8 M ⊙) and we explore several possible explanations. We argue that the close agreement between the observed and predicted black hole and low-mass neutron star mass distributions provides new, promising evidence that these stellar evolution and explosion models capture the majority of relevant stellar, nuclear, and explosion physics involved in the formation of compact objects.

  15. PHOTONICS AND NANOTECHNOLOGY Laser-induced modification of transparent crystals and glasses

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bulgakova, N. M.; Stoian, Razvan; Rosenfeld, A.

    2010-12-01

    We analyse the processes taking place in transparent crystals and glasses irradiated by ultrashort laser pulses in the regimes typical of various applications in optoelectronics and photonics. We consider some phenomena, which have been previously described by the authors within the different model representations: charging of the dielectric surface due to electron photoemission resulting in a Coulomb explosion; crater shaping by using an adaptive control of the laser pulse shape; optimisation of the waveguide writing in materials strongly resistant to laser-induced compaction under ordinary irradiation conditions. The developed models and analysis of the processes relying on these models include the elements of the solid-state physics, plasma physics, thermodynamics, theory of elasticity and plasticity. Some important experimental observations which require explanations and adequate description are summarised.

  16. UNIFYING THE ZOO OF JET-DRIVEN STELLAR EXPLOSIONS

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

    Lazzati, Davide; Blackwell, Christopher H.; Morsony, Brian J.

    We present a set of numerical simulations of stellar explosions induced by relativistic jets emanating from a central engine sitting at the center of compact, dying stars. We explore a wide range of durations of the central engine activity, two candidate stellar progenitors, and two possible values of the total energy release. We find that even if the jets are narrowly collimated, their interaction with the star unbinds the stellar material, producing a stellar explosion. We also find that the outcome of the explosion can be very different depending on the duration of the engine activity. Only the longest-lasting enginesmore » result in successful gamma-ray bursts. Engines that power jets only for a short time result in relativistic supernova (SN) explosions, akin to observed engine-driven SNe such as SN2009bb. Engines with intermediate durations produce weak gamma-ray bursts, with properties similar to nearby bursts such as GRB 980425. Finally, we find that the engines with the shortest durations, if they exist in nature, produce stellar explosions that lack sizable amounts of relativistic ejecta and are therefore dynamically indistinguishable from ordinary core-collapse SNe.« less

  17. Static and Dynamic Compaction of CL-20 Powders

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cooper, Marcia A.; Brundage, Aaron L.; Dudley, Evan C.

    2009-12-01

    Hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20) powders were compacted under quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions. A uniaxial compression apparatus quasi-statically compressed the powders to 90% theoretical maximum density with applied stresses up to 0.4 GPa. Dynamic compaction measurements using low-density pressings approximately 64% theoretical maximum density (TMD) were obtained in a single-stage gas gun at impact velocities between 0.17-0.95 km/s. Experiments were conducted in a reverse ballistic arrangement in which the projectile contained the CL-20 powder bed and impacted a target consisting of an aluminized window. VISAR-measured particle velocities at the explosive-window interface determined the shock Hugoniot states for pressures up to 1.3 GPa. Approved for public release, SAND2009-4810C.

  18. Design optimization of Cassegrain telescope for remote explosive trace detection

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bhavsar, Kaushalkumar; Eseller, K. E.; Prabhu, Radhakrishna

    2017-10-01

    The past three years have seen a global increase in explosive-based terror attacks. The widespread use of improvised explosives and anti-personnel landmines have caused thousands of civilian casualties across the world. Current scenario of globalized civilization threat from terror drives the need to improve the performance and capabilities of standoff explosive trace detection devices to be able to anticipate the threat from a safe distance to prevent explosions and save human lives. In recent years, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is an emerging approach for material or elemental investigations. All the principle elements on the surface are detectable in a single measurement using LIBS and hence, a standoff LIBS based method has been used to remotely detect explosive traces from several to tens of metres distance. The most important component of LIBS based standoff explosive trace detection system is the telescope which enables remote identification of chemical constituents of the explosives. However, in a compact LIBS system where Cassegrain telescope serves the purpose of laser beam delivery and light collection, need a design optimization of the telescope system. This paper reports design optimization of a Cassegrain telescope to detect explosives remotely for LIBS system. A design optimization of Schmidt corrector plate was carried out for Nd:YAG laser. Effect of different design parameters was investigated to eliminate spherical aberration in the system. Effect of different laser wavelengths on the Schmidt corrector design was also investigated for the standoff LIBS system.

  19. State-of-the-art survey of joinability of materials for OTEC heat exchangers

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

    Beaver, R. J.

    1978-12-01

    Literature and industrial sources were surveyed to assess, on the basis of apparent economics and reliability, the joinability of both shell-and-tube and compact ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) heat exchangers. A no-leak requirement is mandatory to prevent mixing seawater and the ammonia working fluid. The operating temperature range considered is 7 to 28/sup 0/C (45 to 82/sup 0/F). Materials evaluated were aluminum, titanium, copper--nickel, AL-6X austenitic stainless steel, singly and in combination with steel and concrete. Many types of welding and brazing processes, roller expansion, magnaforming, O-ring sealing, and adhesive bonding were considered. The automatic gas tungsten-arc welding process andmore » explosion welding processes are the only two joining processes that now appear to offer the high reliability required of no-leak shell-and-tube heat exchangers. Of these two processes, the gas tungsten-arc welding process appears to be the more economically attractive.« less

  20. Infrared photothermal imaging of trace explosives on relevant substrates

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kendziora, Christopher A.; Furstenberg, Robert; Papantonakis, Michael; Nguyen, Viet; Borchert, James; Byers, Jeff; McGill, R. Andrew

    2013-06-01

    We are developing a technique for the stand-off detection of trace explosives on relevant substrate surfaces using photo-thermal infrared (IR) imaging spectroscopy (PT-IRIS). This approach leverages one or more compact IR quantum cascade lasers, tuned to strong absorption bands in the analytes and directed to illuminate an area on a surface of interest. An IR focal plane array is used to image the surface and detect small increases in thermal emission upon laser illumination. The PT-IRIS signal is processed as a hyperspectral image cube comprised of spatial, spectral and temporal dimensions as vectors within a detection algorithm. The ability to detect trace analytes on relevant substrates is critical for stand-off applications, but is complicated by the optical and thermal analyte/substrate interactions. This manuscript describes recent PT-IRIS experimental results and analysis for traces of RDX, TNT, ammonium nitrate (AN) and sucrose on relevant substrates (steel, polyethylene, glass and painted steel panels). We demonstrate that these analytes can be detected on these substrates at relevant surface mass loadings (10 μg/cm2 to 100 μg/cm2) even at the single pixel level.

  1. Large Scale Supernova Structure from Pre- and Post-Explosion Convection

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Young, Patrick A.; Vance, Gregory; Ellinger, Carola; Fryer, Chris

    2017-06-01

    We present results of 3D supernova simulations with initial conditions drawn from 3D models of late stage stellar convection. Simulations are performed with the supernova-optimized smooth particle hydrodynamics code SNSPH and postprocessed using a 522 isotope nuclear reaction network. The simulations also have a non-fixed central compact object that is free to accrete momentum from fall back material. It has been established that neutrino-driven convection can produce large asymmetries in the explosion, but the effects caused by convective anisotropies in late burning shells in the progenitor star and time-varying gravitational potential after the explosion are less well explored. We find that convective motions can result in highly asymmetric overturn of deep layers that are not susceptible to large effects from explosion generated Rayleigh-Taylor and Richtmeyer-Meshkov instabilities. Such overturn can produce regions with a strong alpha-rich freezeout and high iron abundances morphologically similar to the iron-rich structure in the southeast quadrant of Cassiopeia A.

  2. Remote detection of explosives using field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometer installed on multicopter.

    PubMed

    Kostyukevich, Yury; Efremov, Denis; Ionov, Vladimir; Kukaev, Eugene; Nikolaev, Eugene

    2017-11-01

    The detection of explosives and drugs in hard-to-reach places is a considerable challenge. We report the development and initial experimental characterization of the air analysis system that includes Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometer, array of the semiconductor gas sensors and is installed on multicopter. The system was developed based on the commercially available DJI Matrix 100 platform. For data collection and communication with operator, the special compact computer (Intel Compute Stick) was installed onboard. The total weight of the system was 3.3 kg. The system allows the 15-minute flight and provides the remote access to the obtained data. The developed system can be effectively used for the detection of impurities in the air, ecology monitoring, detection of chemical warfare agents, and explosives, what is especially important in light of recent terroristic attacks. The capabilities of the system were tested on the several explosives such as trinitrotoluene and nitro powder. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  3. RT-CW: widely tunable semiconductor THz QCL sources

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Razeghi, M.; Lu, Q. Y.

    2016-09-01

    Distinctive position of Terahertz (THz) frequencies (ν 0.3 -10 THz) in the electromagnetic spectrum with their lower quantum energy compared to IR and higher frequency compared to microwave range allows for many potential applications unique to them. Especially in the security side of the THz sensing applications, the distinct absorption spectra of explosives and related compounds in the range of 0.1-5 THz makes THz technology a competitive technique for detecting hidden explosives. A compact, high power, room temperature continuous wave terahertz source emitting in a wide frequency range will greatly boost the THz applications for the diagnosis and detection of explosives. Here we present a new strong-coupled strain-balanced quantum cascade laser design for efficient THz generation based intracavity DFG. Room temperature continuous wave operation with electrical frequency tuning range of 2.06-4.35 THz is demonstrated.

  4. Portable radiography system using a relativistic electron beam

    DOEpatents

    Hoeberling, Robert F.

    1990-01-01

    A portable radiographic generator is provided with an explosive magnetic flux compression generator producing the high voltage necessary to generate a relativistic electron beam. The relativistic electron beam is provided with target materials which generates the desired radiographic pulse. The magnetic flux compression generator may require at least two conventional explosively driven generators in series to obtain a desired output voltage of at least 1 MV. The cathode and anode configuration of the diode are selected to provide a switching action wherein a high impedance load is presented to the magnetic flux compression generator when the high voltage is being generated, and thereafter switching to a low impedance load to generate the relativistic electron beam. Magnetic flux compression generators can be explosively driven and provided in a relatively compact, portable form for use with the relativistic x-ray equipment.

  5. Portable radiography system using a relativistic electron beam

    DOEpatents

    Hoeberling, R.F.

    1987-09-22

    A portable radiographic generator is provided with an explosive magnetic flux compression generator producing the high voltage necessary to generate a relativistic electron beam. The relativistic electron beam is provided with target materials which generates the desired radiographic pulse. The magnetic flux compression generator may require at least two conventional explosively driven generators in series to obtain a desired output voltage of at least 1 MV. The cathode and anode configuration of the diode are selected to provide a switching action wherein a high impedance load is presented to the magnetic flux compression generator when the high voltage is being generated, and thereafter switching to a low impedance load to generate the relativistic electron beam. Magnetic flux compression generators can be explosively driven and provided in a relatively compact, portable form for use with the relativistic x-ray equipment. 8 figs.

  6. Explicit 2-D Hydrodynamic FEM Program

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

    Lin, Jerry

    1996-08-07

    DYNA2D* is a vectorized, explicit, two-dimensional, axisymmetric and plane strain finite element program for analyzing the large deformation dynamic and hydrodynamic response of inelastic solids. DYNA2D* contains 13 material models and 9 equations of state (EOS) to cover a wide range of material behavior. The material models implemented in all machine versions are: elastic, orthotropic elastic, kinematic/isotropic elastic plasticity, thermoelastoplastic, soil and crushable foam, linear viscoelastic, rubber, high explosive burn, isotropic elastic-plastic, temperature-dependent elastic-plastic. The isotropic and temperature-dependent elastic-plastic models determine only the deviatoric stresses. Pressure is determined by one of 9 equations of state including linear polynomial, JWL highmore » explosive, Sack Tuesday high explosive, Gruneisen, ratio of polynomials, linear polynomial with energy deposition, ignition and growth of reaction in HE, tabulated compaction, and tabulated.« less

  7. Dynamic loading and release in Johnson Space Center Lunar regolith simulant

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Plesko, C. S.; Jensen, B. J.; Wescott, B. L.; Skinner McKee, T. E.

    2011-10-01

    The behavior of regolith under dynamic loading is important for the study of planetary evolution, impact cratering, and other topics. Here we present the initial results of explosively driven flier plate experiments and numerical models of compaction and release in samples of the JSC-1A Lunar regolith simulant.

  8. Electron trapping data storage system and applications

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Brower, Daniel; Earman, Allen; Chaffin, M. H.

    1993-01-01

    The advent of digital information storage and retrieval has led to explosive growth in data transmission techniques, data compression alternatives, and the need for high capacity random access data storage. Advances in data storage technologies are limiting the utilization of digitally based systems. New storage technologies will be required which can provide higher data capacities and faster transfer rates in a more compact format. Magnetic disk/tape and current optical data storage technologies do not provide these higher performance requirements for all digital data applications. A new technology developed at the Optex Corporation out-performs all other existing data storage technologies. The Electron Trapping Optical Memory (ETOM) media is capable of storing as much as 14 gigabytes of uncompressed data on a single, double-sided 54 inch disk with a data transfer rate of up to 12 megabits per second. The disk is removable, compact, lightweight, environmentally stable, and robust. Since the Write/Read/Erase (W/R/E) processes are carried out 100 percent photonically, no heating of the recording media is required. Therefore, the storage media suffers no deleterious effects from repeated Write/Read/Erase cycling.

  9. Characterizing the X-ray Emission in Small Magellanic Cloud Supernova Remnants

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Man, Nicole; Auchettl, Katie; Lopez, Laura

    2018-01-01

    The Small Magellanic Cloud is a close, metal-poor galaxy with active star formation, and it has a diverse population of 24 supernova remnants (SNRs) that have been identified at several wavelengths. Past work has characterized the X-ray emission in these sources separately and aimed to constrain their explosive origins from observations with Chandra and XMM-Newton. Three SNRs have possible evidence for Type Ia explosions based on strong Fe-L emission in their X-ray spectra, although the environments and intermediate-mass element abundances are more consistent with those of core-collapse SNe. In this poster, we analyze the archival Chandra and XMM-Newton observations of the SMC SNR sample, and we model the sources' X-ray spectra in a systematic way to derive the plasma properties and to constrain the nature of the explosions. In one SNR, we note the presence of an X-ray binary near the source's geometric center, suggesting the compact object was produced in the SN explosion. As one of only three SNRs known in the Local Group to host a binary system, this source is worthy of follow-up investigations to probe explosions of massive stars in binary systems.

  10. Static and Dynamic Compaction of CL-20 Powders

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cooper, Marcia; Brundage, Aaron; Dudley, Evan

    2009-06-01

    Hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20) powders were compacted under quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions. A uniaxial compression apparatus quasi-statically compressed the powders to 90% theoretical maximum density with applied stresses up to 0.5 GPa. Dynamic compaction measurements using low-density pressings (62-70% theoretical maximum density) were obtained in a single-stage gas gun at impact velocities between 0.17-0.70 km/s. Experiments were conducted in a reverse ballistic arrangement in which the CL-20 ladened projectile impacted a target consisting of an aluminized window. VISAR-measured particle velocities at the explosive-window interface determined the shock Hugoniot states for pressures up to 0.9 GPa. The powder compaction behavior is found to be stiffer under dynamic loading than under quasi-static loading. Additional gas gun tests were conducted in which the low-density CL-20 pressings were confined within a target cup by the aluminized window. This arrangement enabled temporal measurement of the transmitted wave profiles in which elastic wave precursors were observed.

  11. The effects of shock wave compaction on the transition temperatures of A15 structure superconductors

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Otto, G. H.

    1974-01-01

    Several superconductors with the A15 structure exhibit a positive pressure coefficient, indicating that their transition temperatures increase with applied pressure. Powders of the composition Nb3Al, Nb3Ge, Nb3(Al0.75Ge0.25), and V3Si were compacted by explosive shock waves. The superconducting properties of these materials were measured before and after compaction and it was found that regardless of the sign of the pressure coefficient, the transition temperature is always lowered. The decrease in transition temperature is associated with a decrease in the particle diameter. The shock wave passage through a 3Nb:1Ge powder mixture leads to the formation of at least one compound (probably Nb5Ge3). However, the formation of the A15 compound Nb3Ge is not observed. Elemental niobium powder can be compacted by converging shock waves close to the expected value of the bulk density. Under special circumstances a partial remelting in the center of the sample is observed.

  12. Ultrasonic approach to the synthesis of HMX@TATB core-shell microparticles with improved mechanical sensitivity.

    PubMed

    Huang, Bing; Hao, Xiaofei; Zhang, Haobin; Yang, Zhijian; Ma, Zhigang; Li, Hongzhen; Nie, Fude; Huang, Hui

    2014-07-01

    To improve the safety of sensitive explosive HMX while maintaining explosion performance, a moderately powerful but insensitive explosive TATB was used to coat HMX microparticles via a facile ultrasonic method. By using Estane as surface modifier and nano-sized TATB as the shell layer, the HMX@TATB core-shell microparticles with a monodisperse size and compact shell structure were successfully constructed. Both scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results confirmed the formation of perfect core-shell structured composites. Based on a systematic and comparative study of the effect of experimental conditions, a possible formation mechanism of core-shell structure was proposed in detail. Moreover, the perfect core-shell HMX@TATB microparticles exhibited a unique thermal behavior and significantly improved mechanical sensitivity compared with that of the physical mixture. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  13. X-Ray Emission from "Uranium" Stars

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Schlegel, Eric; Mushotzky, Richard (Technical Monitor)

    2005-01-01

    The project aims to secure XMM observations of two targets with extremely low abundances of the majority of heavy elements (e.g., log[Fe/H] $\\sim$-4), but that show absorption lines of uranium. The presence of an r-process element such as uranium requires a binary star system in which the companion underwent a supernova explosion. A binary star system raises the distinct possibility of the existence of a compact object, most likely a neutron star, in the binary, assuming it survived the supernova blast. The presence of a compact object then suggests X-ray emission if sufficient matter accretes to the compact object. The observations were completed less than one year ago following a series of reobservations to correct for significant flaring that occurred during the original observations. The ROSAT all-sky survey was used to report on the initial assessment of X-ray emission from these objects; only upper limits were reported. These upper limits were used to justify the XMM observing time, but with the expectation that upper limits would merely be pushed lower. The data analysis hinges critically on the quality and degree of precision with which the background is handled. During the past year, I have spent some time learning the ins and outs of XMM data analysis. In the coming year, I can apply that learning to the analysis of the 'uranium' stars.

  14. Neutrino-Driven Explosions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Janka, Hans-Thomas

    The question why and how core-collapse supernovae (SNe) explode is one of the central and most long-standing riddles of stellar astrophysics. Solving this problem is crucial for deciphering the supernova (SN) phenomenon; for predicting its observable signals such as light curves and spectra, nucleosynthesis yields, neutrinos, and gravitational waves; for defining the role of SNe in the dynamical and chemo-dynamical evolution of galaxies; and for explaining the birth conditions and properties of neutron stars (NSs) and stellar-mass black holes. Since the formation of such compact remnants releases over hundred times more energy in neutrinos than the kinetic energy of the SN explosion, neutrinos can be the decisive agents for powering the SN outburst. According to the standard paradigm of the neutrino-driven mechanism, the energy transfer by the intense neutrino flux to the medium behind the stagnating core bounce shock, assisted by violent hydrodynamic mass motions (sometimes subsumed by the term "turbulence"), revives the outward shock motion and thus initiates the SN explosion. Because of the weak coupling of neutrinos in the region of this energy deposition, detailed, multidimensional hydrodynamic models including neutrino transport and a wide variety of physics are needed to assess the viability of the mechanism. Owing to advanced numerical codes and increasing supercomputer power, considerable progress has been achieved in our understanding of the physical processes that have to act in concert for the success of neutrino-driven explosions. First studies begin to reveal observational implications and avenues to test the theoretical picture by data from individual SNe and SN remnants but also from population-integrated observables. While models will be further refined, a real breakthrough is expected through the next galactic core-collapse SN, when neutrinos and gravitational waves can be used to probe the conditions deep inside the dying star.

  15. Phenomenological Model for Infrared Emissions from High-Explosive Detonation Fireballs

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2007-09-01

    concentrations for H2O, CO2, CO, and HCl. Fitting this model to the observed MWIR spectra affords a compact, high-fidelity representation with... concentrations separates the TNT and ENE events. Spectrally-determined R values are somewhat consistent with stoichiometric expectations. Comparing...78 4.7.2 Atmospheric Water Vapor Concentration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 4.7.3 Spectral Resolution

  16. Numerical Relativity

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Baker, John G.

    2009-01-01

    Recent advances in numerical relativity have fueled an explosion of progress in understanding the predictions of Einstein's theory of gravity, General Relativity, for the strong field dynamics, the gravitational radiation wave forms, and consequently the state of the remnant produced from the merger of compact binary objects. I will review recent results from the field, focusing on mergers of two black holes.

  17. Standoff detection of explosives and chemical agents using broadly tuned external-cavity quantum cascade lasers (EC-QCLs)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Takeuchi, Eric B.; Rayner, Timothy; Weida, Miles; Crivello, Salvatore; Day, Timothy

    2007-10-01

    Civilian soft targets such as transportation systems are being targeted by terrorists using IEDs and suicide bombers. Having the capability to remotely detect explosives, precursors and other chemicals would enable these assets to be protected with minimal interruption of the flow of commerce. Mid-IR laser technology offers the potential to detect explosives and other chemicals in real-time and from a safe standoff distance. While many of these agents possess "fingerprint" signatures in the mid-IR (i.e. in the 3-20 micron regime), their effective interrogation by a practical, field-deployable system has been limited by size, complexity, reliability and cost constraints of the base laser technology. Daylight Solutions has addressed these shortcomings by developing compact, portable, broadly tunable mid-IR laser sources based upon external-cavity quantum cascade technology. This technology is now being applied by Daylight in system level architectures for standoff and remote detection of explosives, precursors and chemical agents. Several of these architectures and predicted levels of performance will be presented.

  18. Controlling state explosion during automatic verification of delay-insensitive and delay-constrained VLSI systems using the POM verifier

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Probst, D.; Jensen, L.

    1991-01-01

    Delay-insensitive VLSI systems have a certain appeal on the ground due to difficulties with clocks; they are even more attractive in space. We answer the question, is it possible to control state explosion arising from various sources during automatic verification (model checking) of delay-insensitive systems? State explosion due to concurrency is handled by introducing a partial-order representation for systems, and defining system correctness as a simple relation between two partial orders on the same set of system events (a graph problem). State explosion due to nondeterminism (chiefly arbitration) is handled when the system to be verified has a clean, finite recurrence structure. Backwards branching is a further optimization. The heart of this approach is the ability, during model checking, to discover a compact finite presentation of the verified system without prior composition of system components. The fully-implemented POM verification system has polynomial space and time performance on traditional asynchronous-circuit benchmarks that are exponential in space and time for other verification systems. We also sketch the generalization of this approach to handle delay-constrained VLSI systems.

  19. Infrared photothermal imaging spectroscopy for detection of trace explosives on surfaces.

    PubMed

    Kendziora, Christopher A; Furstenberg, Robert; Papantonakis, Michael; Nguyen, Viet; Byers, Jeff; Andrew McGill, R

    2015-11-01

    We are developing a technique for the standoff detection of trace explosives on relevant substrate surfaces using photothermal infrared (IR) imaging spectroscopy (PT-IRIS). This approach leverages one or more compact IR quantum cascade lasers, which are tuned to strong absorption bands in the analytes and directed to illuminate an area on a surface of interest. An IR focal plane array is used to image the surface and detect increases in thermal emission upon laser illumination. The PT-IRIS signal is processed as a hyperspectral image cube comprised of spatial, spectral, and temporal dimensions as vectors within a detection algorithm. The ability to detect trace analytes at standoff on relevant substrates is critical for security applications but is complicated by the optical and thermal analyte/substrate interactions. This manuscript describes a series of PT-IRIS experimental results and analysis for traces of RDX, TNT, ammonium nitrate, and sucrose on steel, polyethylene, glass, and painted steel panels. We demonstrate detection at surface mass loadings comparable with fingerprint depositions ( 10μg/cm2 to 100μg/cm2) from an area corresponding to a single pixel within the thermal image.

  20. Effects of Initial Particle Distribution on an Energetic Dispersal of Particles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rollin, Bertrand; Ouellet, Frederick; Koneru, Rahul; Garno, Joshua; Durant, Bradford

    2017-11-01

    Accurate predictions of the late time solid particle cloud distribution ensuing an explosive dispersal of particles is an extremely challenging problem for compressible multiphase flow simulations. The source of this difficulty is twofold: (i) The complex sequence of events taking place. Indeed, as the blast wave crosses the surrounding layer of particles, compaction occurs shortly before particles disperse radially at high speed. Then, during the dispersion phase, complex multiphase interactions occurs between particles and detonation products. (ii) Precise characterization of the explosive and particle distribution is virtually impossible. In this numerical experiment, we focus on the sensitivity of late time particle cloud distributions relative to carefully designed initial distributions, assuming the explosive is well described. Using point particle simulations, we study the case of a bed of glass particles surrounding an explosive. Constraining our simulations to relatively low initial volume fractions to prevent reaching of the close packing limit, we seek to describe qualitatively and quantitatively the late time dependency of a solid particle cloud on its distribution before the energy release of an explosive. This work was supported by the U.S. DoE, NNSA, Advanced Simulation and Computing Program, as a Cooperative Agreement under the Predictive Science Academic Alliance Program, under Contract No. DE-NA0002378.

  1. Steam explosion of oil palm residues for the production of durable pellets

    DOE PAGES

    Lam, Pak Sui; Lam, Pak Yiu; Sokhansanj, Shahab; ...

    2015-01-03

    Here we investigated the effect of steam explosion pretreatment on the physical and mechanical properties of the pellets made from empty fruit bunch (EFB) and palm kernel shell (PKS) and we compared to that of softwood Douglas fir (DF). We found that the high heating value of the empty fruit bunch was increased by 21% after steam explosion pretreatment. The pellet density of EFB and Douglas fir pellets did not change while the pellet density of PKS increased from 1.13 to 1.21 g/cm 3 after steam explosion. That may be attributed to the rapid volatilization of high mass fraction extractivesmore » during high pressure steaming and lead to the shrinkage of micropores of the PKS fibers. The maximum brealdng strength of steam exploded EFB and PKS were increased by 63% and 45%, respectively. The required compaction energy for the steam exploded EFB pellet is 44.50 J/g while that of the untreated EFB pellet is 30.15 J/g. Similar to Douglas fir, the required extrusion energy for the steam exploded EFB pellet was about 6 times than that of the untreated EFB pellet. The increased extrusion energy is mainly contributed by the increase in mono-saccharides by auto-hydrolysis during steam explosion pretreatment.« less

  2. Steam explosion of oil palm residues for the production of durable pellets

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

    Lam, Pak Sui; Lam, Pak Yiu; Sokhansanj, Shahab

    Here we investigated the effect of steam explosion pretreatment on the physical and mechanical properties of the pellets made from empty fruit bunch (EFB) and palm kernel shell (PKS) and we compared to that of softwood Douglas fir (DF). We found that the high heating value of the empty fruit bunch was increased by 21% after steam explosion pretreatment. The pellet density of EFB and Douglas fir pellets did not change while the pellet density of PKS increased from 1.13 to 1.21 g/cm 3 after steam explosion. That may be attributed to the rapid volatilization of high mass fraction extractivesmore » during high pressure steaming and lead to the shrinkage of micropores of the PKS fibers. The maximum brealdng strength of steam exploded EFB and PKS were increased by 63% and 45%, respectively. The required compaction energy for the steam exploded EFB pellet is 44.50 J/g while that of the untreated EFB pellet is 30.15 J/g. Similar to Douglas fir, the required extrusion energy for the steam exploded EFB pellet was about 6 times than that of the untreated EFB pellet. The increased extrusion energy is mainly contributed by the increase in mono-saccharides by auto-hydrolysis during steam explosion pretreatment.« less

  3. Quark Phase Transition in Compact Objects and Multimessenger Astronomy: Neutrino Signals, Supernovae and Gamma-Ray Bursts

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sokolov, V. V.; Vlasyuk, V. V.; Petkov, V. B.

    2016-06-01

    The International Workshop on Quark Phase Transition in Compact Objects and Multimessenger Astronomy: Neutrino Signals, Supernovae and Gamma-Ray Bursts (October, 7-14, 2015) was dedicated to Quantum ChromoDynamics (QCD) Phase Transitions and observational signals of these transitions related to formation of compact astrophysical objects. The aim of this workshop was to bring together researchers working on the problems of behavior of matter under critical conditions achievable in such astrophysical objects as "strange" or "hybrid" stars and in laboratories at heavy-ion collisions to discuss fundamental issues and recent developments. Topics included both observations (radio, optical and X-ray astronomy, gamma ray bursts, gravitational waves, neutrino detection, heavy-ion collisions, etc.) and theory (supernova simulations, proto-neutron and neutron stars, equation of state of dense matter, neutron star cooling, unstable modes, nucleosynthesis, explosive transitions, quark-gluon plasma).

  4. A two-phase micromorphic model for compressible granular materials

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Paolucci, Samuel; Li, Weiming; Powers, Joseph

    2009-11-01

    We introduce a new two-phase continuum model for compressible granular material based on micromorphic theory and treat it as a two-phase mixture with inner structure. By taking an appropriate number of moments of the local micro scale balance equations, the average phase balance equations result from a systematic averaging procedure. In addition to equations for mass, momentum and energy, the balance equations also include evolution equations for microinertia and microspin tensors. The latter equations combine to yield a general form of a compaction equation when the material is assumed to be isotropic. When non-linear and inertial effects are neglected, the generalized compaction equation reduces to that originally proposed by Bear and Nunziato. We use the generalized compaction equation to numerically model a mixture of granular high explosive and interstitial gas. One-dimensional shock tube and piston-driven solutions are presented and compared with experimental results and other known solutions.

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

    Radousky, H B

    This months issue has the following articles: (1) Innovative Solutions Reap Rewards--Commentary by George H. Miller; (2) Surveillance on the Fly--An airborne surveillance system can track up to 8,000 moving objects in an area the size of a small city; (3) A Detector Radioactive Particles Can't Evade--An ultrahigh-resolution spectrometer can detect the minute thermal energy deposited by a single gamma ray or neutron; (4) Babel Speeds Communication among Programming Languages--The Babel program allows software applications in different programming languages to communicate quickly; (5) A Gem of a Software Tool--The data-mining software Sapphire allows scientists to analyze enormous data sets generatedmore » by diverse applications; (6) Interferometer Improves the Search for Planets--With externally dispersed interferometry, astronomers can use an inexpensive, compact instrument to search for distant planets; (7) Efficiently Changing the Color of Laser Light--Yttrium-calcium-oxyborate crystals provide an efficient, compact approach to wavelength conversion for high-average-power lasers; (8) Pocket-Sized Test Detects Trace Explosives--A detection kit sensitive to more than 30 explosives provides an inexpensive, easy-to-use tool for security forces everywhere; (9) Tailor-Made Microdevices Serve Big Needs--The Center for Micro- and Nanotechnology develops tiny devices for national security.« less

  6. Fault-Tolerant Heat Exchanger

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Izenson, Michael G.; Crowley, Christopher J.

    2005-01-01

    A compact, lightweight heat exchanger has been designed to be fault-tolerant in the sense that a single-point leak would not cause mixing of heat-transfer fluids. This particular heat exchanger is intended to be part of the temperature-regulation system for habitable modules of the International Space Station and to function with water and ammonia as the heat-transfer fluids. The basic fault-tolerant design is adaptable to other heat-transfer fluids and heat exchangers for applications in which mixing of heat-transfer fluids would pose toxic, explosive, or other hazards: Examples could include fuel/air heat exchangers for thermal management on aircraft, process heat exchangers in the cryogenic industry, and heat exchangers used in chemical processing. The reason this heat exchanger can tolerate a single-point leak is that the heat-transfer fluids are everywhere separated by a vented volume and at least two seals. The combination of fault tolerance, compactness, and light weight is implemented in a unique heat-exchanger core configuration: Each fluid passage is entirely surrounded by a vented region bridged by solid structures through which heat is conducted between the fluids. Precise, proprietary fabrication techniques make it possible to manufacture the vented regions and heat-conducting structures with very small dimensions to obtain a very large coefficient of heat transfer between the two fluids. A large heat-transfer coefficient favors compact design by making it possible to use a relatively small core for a given heat-transfer rate. Calculations and experiments have shown that in most respects, the fault-tolerant heat exchanger can be expected to equal or exceed the performance of the non-fault-tolerant heat exchanger that it is intended to supplant (see table). The only significant disadvantages are a slight weight penalty and a small decrease in the mass-specific heat transfer.

  7. Abundances in the Uranium-rich Star CS 31082-001

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Qian, Y.-Z.; Wasserburg, G. J.

    2001-05-01

    The recent discovery by Cayrel et al. of U in CS 31082-001 along with Os and Ir at greatly enhanced abundances but with [Fe/H]=-2.9 strongly reinforces the argument that there are at least two kinds of Type II supernova (SN II) sources for r-nuclei. One source is the high-frequency H events responsible for heavy r-nuclei (A>135) but not Fe. The H-yields calculated from data on other ultra-metal-poor stars and the Sun provide a template for quantitatively predicting the abundances of all other r-elements. In CS 31082-001 these should show a significant deficiency at A<135 relative to the solar r-pattern. It is proposed that CS 31082-001 should have had a companion that exploded as an SN II H event. If the binary survived the explosion, this star should now have a compact companion, most likely a stellar-mass black hole. Comparison of abundance data with predicted values and a search for a compact companion should provide a stringent test of the proposed r-process model. The U-Th age determined by Cayrel et al. for CS 31082-001 is, to within substantial uncertainties, in accord with the r-process age determined from solar system data. The time gap between the big bang and the onset of normal star formation allows r-process chronometers to provide only a lower limit on the age of the universe.

  8. Method for making generally cylindrical underground openings

    DOEpatents

    Routh, J.W.

    1983-05-26

    A rapid, economical and safe method for making a generally cylindrical underground opening such as a shaft or a tunnel is described. A borehole is formed along the approximate center line of where it is desired to make the underground opening. The borehole is loaded with an explodable material and the explodable material is detonated. An enlarged cavity is formed by the explosive action of the detonated explodable material forcing outward and compacting the original walls of the borehole. The enlarged cavity may be increased in size by loading it with a second explodable material, and detonating the second explodable material. The process may be repeated as required until the desired underground opening is made. The explodable material used in the method may be free-flowing, and it may be contained in a pipe.

  9. Design of compact freeform LED flashlight capable of two different light distributions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Isaac, Annie Shalom; Neumann, Cornelius

    2016-04-01

    Free-form optical surfaces are designed for desired intensity requirements for applications ranging from general to automotive lighting. But a single compact free-form optics which satisfies two different intensity distributions is not presented so far. In this work, a compact LED flashlight fulfilling two different intensity requirements that could be used in potentially explosive atmospheres is designed and validated. The first target is selected after a study on visibility analysis in fog, dust, and smoke environments. Studies showed that a ring-like distribution (5°- 10°) have better visual recognition for short distances in smoky environments. The second target is selected to have a maximum intensity at the peak to provide visibility for longer distances. We realized these two different intensity requirements by moving the LED with respect to the optics along the optical axis. To fulfill the above- required intensity distributions, hybrid TIR optics was designed as free-form curves calculated by combining several geometric optic methods. We validated the free-form TIR hybrid optics using Monte Carlo ray trace simulation. The overall diameter of the optics is 29 mm and 10 mm in thickness. The simulated results showed an optical efficiency of about 84% to realize both target light distributions in a single optics. Then we designed a whole flashlight consisting of LED, PMMA hybrid optics, PC glass casing and a housing including the critical thermal management for explosive environments. To validate the results, a prototype for the designed optics was made. The measured results showed an overall agreement with the simulated results.

  10. Wide and Narrow CMEs and Their Source Explosions Observed at the Spring 2003 SOHO-Sun-Ulysses Quadrature

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Suess, Steven; Corti, G.; Poletto, G.; Sterling, A.; Moore, R.

    2006-01-01

    At the time of the spring 2003 Ulysses-SOHO-Sun quadrature, Ulysses was off the East limb of the Sun at 14.5 degrees north latitude and 4.91 AU. LASCO/C2 images show small transient events that originated from near the limb on May 25, 26 and 27 in the north-east quadrant, along with a large Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) that originated from an active region near disk center on May 26. Ulysses data bear clear signatures of the large CME, specifically including an enhanced abundance of highly ionized Fe. SOHO/UVCS spectra at 1.75 solar radii, near the radial direction to Ulysses, give no evidence of emission from high temperature lines, even for the large CME: instead, for the small events, occasional transient high emission in cool lines was observed, such as the CIII 977 Angstrom line usually absent at coronal levels. Each of these events lasted ca. 1 hour or less and never affected lines from ions forming above ca. 106K. Compact eruptions in Helium 304 Angstrom EIT images, related to the small UVCS transients, were observed at the limb of the Sun over the same period. At least one of these surge events produced a narrow CME observed in LASCO/C2. Most probably all these events are compact magnetic explosions (surges/jets, from around a small island of included polarity) which ejected cool material from lower levels. Ulysses data have been analyzed to find evidence of the cool, narrow CME events, but none or little was found. This puzzling scenario, where events seen by UVCS have no in situ counterparts and vice versa, can be partially explained once the region where the large CME originated is recognized as being at the center of the solar disk so that the CME material was actually much further from the Sun than the 1.7 Rsun height of the UVCS slit off the limb. Conversely, the narrow events may simply have missed Ulysses or been too brief for reliable signatures in composition and ionization state. A basic feature demonstrated by these observations is that large magnetic explosions produce wide-angle CMEs whereas compact magnetic explosions produce narrow CMEs. The results show that quadrature observations need some luck to be successfull: that is, events must be in the plane of the sky to allow SOHO/UVCS and Ulysses to sample the same plasma. This will most easily occur in winter 2007 and winter 2008, when the quadrature geometry will allow for prolonged observations.

  11. A method to press powder at 6000 ton using small amount of explosive

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hilmi, Ahmad Humaizi; Azmi, Nor Azmaliana; Ismail, Ariffin

    2017-12-01

    Large die hydraulic press forces are one of the key instruments in making jumbo planes. The machine can produce aircraft components such as wing spars, landing gear supports and armor plates. Superpower nations such as USA, Russia, Germany, Japan, Korea and China have large die hydraulic press which can press 50,000 tons. In Malaysia, heavy-duty press is available from companies such as Proton that builds chassis for cars. However, that heavy-duty press is not able to produce better bulkhead for engines, fuselage, and wings of an aircraft. This paper presents the design of an apparatus that uses 50 grams of commercial grade explosives to produce 6000 tons of compaction. This is a first step towards producing larger scale apparatus that can produce 50,000-ton press. The design was done using AUTODYN blast simulation software. According to the results, the maximum load the apparatus can withstand was 6000 tons which was contributed by 50 grams of commercial explosive(Emulex). Explosive size larger than 50 grams will lead to catastrophic failure. Fabrication of the apparatus was completed. However, testing of the apparatus is not presented in this article.

  12. Modelling of Deflagration to Detonation Transition in Porous PETN of Density 1.4 g / cc with HERMES

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Reaugh, John; Curtis, John; Maheswaran, Mary-Ann

    2017-06-01

    The modelling of Deflagration to Detonation Transition in explosives is a severe challenge for reactive burn models because of the complexity of the physics; there is mechanical and thermal interaction of the gaseous burn products with the burning porous matrix, with resulting compaction, shock formation and subsequent detonation. Experiments on the explosive PETN show a strong dependence of run distance to detonation on porosity. The minimum run distance appears to occur when the density is approximately 1.4 g / cc. Recent research on the High Explosive Response to Mechanical Stimulation (HERMES) model for High Explosive Violent Reaction has included the development of a model for PETN at 1.4 g / cc., which allows the prediction of the run distance in the experiments for PETN at this density. Detonation and retonation waves as seen in the experiment are evident. The HERMES simulations are analysed to help illuminate the physics occurring in the experiments. JER's work was performed under the auspices of the US DOE by LLNL under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344 and partially funded by the Joint US DoD/DOE Munitions Technology Development Program. LLNL-ABS-723537.

  13. From rock to magma and back again: The evolution of temperature and deformation mechanism in conduit margin zones

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Heap, Michael J.; Violay, Marie; Wadsworth, Fabian B.; Vasseur, Jérémie

    2017-04-01

    Explosive silicic volcanism is driven by gas overpressure in systems that are inefficient at outgassing. The zone at the margin of a volcanic conduit-thought to play an important role in the outgassing of magma and therefore pore pressure changes and explosivity-is the boundary through which heat is exchanged from the hot magma to the colder country rock. Using a simple heat transfer model, we first show that the isotherm for the glass transition temperature (whereat the glass within the groundmass transitions from a glass to an undercooled liquid) moves into the country rock when the magma within the conduit can stay hot, or into the conduit when the magma is quasi-stagnant and cools (on the centimetric scale over days to months). We then explore the influence of a migrating viscous boundary on compactive deformation micromechanisms in the conduit margin zone using high-pressure (effective pressure of 40 MPa), high-temperature (up to 800 °C) triaxial deformation experiments on porous andesite. Our experiments show that the micromechanism facilitating compaction in andesite is localised cataclastic pore collapse at all temperatures below the glass transition of the amorphous groundmass glass Tg (i.e., rock). In this regime, porosity is only reduced within the bands of crushed pores; the porosity outside the bands remains unchanged. Further, the strength of andesite is a positive function of temperature below the threshold Tg due to thermal expansion driven microcrack closure. The micromechanism driving compaction above Tg (i.e., magma) is the distributed viscous flow of the melt phase. In this regime, porosity loss is distributed and is accommodated by the widespread flattening and closure of pores. We find that viscous flow is much more efficient at reducing porosity than cataclastic pore collapse, and that it requires stresses much lower than those required to form bands of crushed pores. Our study therefore highlights that temperature excursions can result in a change in deformation micromechanism that drastically alters the mechanical and hydraulic properties of the material within the conduit margin zone, with possible implications for pore pressure augmentation and explosive behaviour.

  14. Panchromatic Observations of SN2011dh Point to a Compact Progenitor Star

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Soderberg, A. M.; Margutti, R.; Zauerer, B. A.; Krauss, M.; Katz, B.; Chomiuk, L.; Dittmann, J. A.; Nakar, E.; Sakamoto, T.; Kawai, N.; hide

    2011-01-01

    We report the discovery and detailed monitoring of X-ray emission associated with the Type IIb SN2011dh using data from the Swift and Chandra satellites, placing it among the best studied X-ray supernovae to date. We further present millimeter and radio data obtained with the SMA, CARMA, and EVLA during the first three weeks after explosion. Combining these observations with early optical photometry, we show that the panchromatic dataset is well-described by non-thermal synchrotron emission (radio/mm) with inverse Compton scattering (X-ray) of a thermal population of optical photons. We derive the properties of the shockwave and the circumstellar environment and find a time-averaged shock velocity of v approximately equals 0.1c and a progenitor mass loss rate of M-dot approximately equals 6 X 10 (exp 5) Solar M/ yr (wind velocity, v(sub w) = 1000 km/s). We show that these properties are consistent with the sub-class of Type IIb supernovae characterized by compact progenitors (Type cIIb) and dissimilar from those with extended progenitors (Type eIIb). Furthermore, we consider the early optical emission in the context of a cooling envelope model to estimate a progenitor radius of R(sub star) approximately equals 10(exp 11) cm, in line with the expectations for a Type cIIb supernova. Together, these diagnostics suggest that the putative yellow supergiant progenitor star identified in archival HST observations is instead a binary companion or unrelated to the supernova. Finally, we searched for the high energy shock breakout pulse using X-ray and gamma-ray observations obtained during the purported explosion date range. Based on the compact radius of the progenitor, we estimate that the shock breakout pulse was detectable with current instruments but likely missed due to their limited temporal/ spatial coverage. Future all-sky missions will regularly detect shock breakout emission from compact SN progenitors enabling prompt follow-up observations of the shockwave with the EVLA and ALMA.

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

    AllamehZadeh, Mostafa, E-mail: dibaparima@yahoo.com

    A Quadratic Neural Networks (QNNs) model has been developed for identifying seismic source classification problem at regional distances using ARMA coefficients determination by Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs). We have devised a supervised neural system to discriminate between earthquakes and chemical explosions with filter coefficients obtained by windowed P-wave phase spectra (15 s). First, we preprocess the recording's signals to cancel out instrumental and attenuation site effects and obtain a compact representation of seismic records. Second, we use a QNNs system to obtain ARMA coefficients for feature extraction in the discrimination problem. The derived coefficients are then applied to the neuralmore » system to train and classification. In this study, we explore the possibility of using single station three-component (3C) covariance matrix traces from a priori-known explosion sites (learning) for automatically recognizing subsequent explosions from the same site. The results have shown that this feature extraction gives the best classifier for seismic signals and performs significantly better than other classification methods. The events have been tested, which include 36 chemical explosions at the Semipalatinsk test site in Kazakhstan and 61 earthquakes (mb = 5.0-6.5) recorded by the Iranian National Seismic Network (INSN). The 100% correct decisions were obtained between site explosions and some of non-site events. The above approach to event discrimination is very flexible as we can combine several 3C stations.« less

  16. [A Method to Measure the Velocity of Fragments of Large Equivalence Explosion Field Based on Explosion Flame Spectral Analysis].

    PubMed

    Liu, Ji; Yu, Li-xia; Zhang, Bin; Zhao Dong-e; Liij, Xiao-yan; Wang, Heng-fei

    2016-03-01

    The deflagration fire lasting for a long time and covering a large area in the process of large equivalent explosion makes it difficult to obtain velocity parameters of fragments in the near-field. In order to solve the problem, it is proposed in this paper a photoelectric transceiver integrated method which utilize laser screen as the sensing area. The analysis of three different types of warhead explosion flame spectral distribution of radiation shows that 0.3 to 1.0 μm within the band is at relatively low intensity. On the basis of this, the optical system applies the principle of determining the fixed distance by measuring the time and the reflector technology, which consists of single longitudinal mode laser, cylindrical Fresnel lens, narrow-band filters and high-speed optical sensors, etc. The system has its advantage, such as transceiver, compact structure and combination of narrowband filter and single longitudinal mode laser, which can stop the spectrum of fire from suppressing the interference of background light effectively. Large amounts of experiments in different models and equivalent have been conducted to measure the velocity of difference kinds of warheads, obtaining higher signal-to-noise ratio of the waveform signal after a series of signal de-noising and recognition through NI company data acquisition and recording system. The experimental results show that this method can complete the accurately test velocity of fragments around center of the explosion. Specifically, the minimum size of fragments can be measured is 4 mm while the speed can be obtained is up to 1 200 m x s(-1) and the capture rate is better than 95% comparing with test results of target plate. At the same time, the system adopts Fresnel lenses-transparent to form a rectangular screen, which makes the distribution of rectangular light uniform in vertical direction, and the light intensity uniformity in horizontal direction is more than 80%. Consequently, the system can distinguish preliminarily the correspondence between the velocity and the sizes of prefabricated fragments.

  17. Test to Extract Soil Properties Using the Seismic HammerTM Active Seismic Source

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

    Lee, Rebekah F.; Abbott, Robert E.

    Geologic material properties are necessary parameters for ground motion modeling and are difficult and expensive to obtain via traditional methods. Alternative methods to estimate soil properties require a measurement of the ground's response to a force. A possible method of obtaining these measurements is active-source seismic surveys, but measurements of the ground response at the source must also be available. The potential of seismic sources to obtain soil properties is limited, however, by the repeatability of the source. Explosives, and hammer surveys are not repeatable because of variable ground coupling or swing strength. On the other hand, the Seismic Hammermore » TM (SH) is consistent in the amount of energy it inputs into the ground. In addition, it leaves large physical depressions as a result of ground compaction. The volume of ground compaction varies by location. Here, we hypothesize that physical depressions left in the earth by the SH correlate to energy recorded by nearby geophones, and therefore are a measurement of soil physical properties. Using measurements of the volume of shot holes, we compare the spatial distribution of the volume of ground compacted between the different shot locations. We then examine energy recorded by the nearest 50 geophones and compare the change in amplitude across hits at the same location. Finally, we use the percent difference between the energy recorded by the first and later hits at a location to test for a correlation to the volume of the shot depressions. We find that: * Ground compaction at the shot-depression does cluster geographically, but does not correlate to known surface features. * Energy recorded by nearby geophones reflects ground refusal after several hits. * There is no correlation to shot volume and changes in energy at particular shot locations. Deeper material properties (i.e. below the depth of surface compaction) may be contributing to the changes in energy propagation. * Without further processing of the data, shot-depression volumes are insufficient to understanding ground response to the SH. Without an accurate understanding of the ground response, we cannot extract material properties in conjunction with the SH survey. Additional processing including picking direct arrivals and static corrections may yield positive results.« less

  18. Properties of Tuffs, Grout and Other Materials.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1982-01-01

    analysis , and tested in uniaxial strain. Table 2 presents the physical properties, ultrasonic data, and the per- manent volume compaction resulting from the... methods provide an accuracy of ±2% on pressure and stress measure- ments. Strain Measurements - Strains are measured using cantilever arms inside the...that are used in nuclear blast effects analysis , and specifically to assist in the analysis of the grout sphere explosive tests being conducted by the

  19. Neutron-star–black-hole binaries produced by binary-driven hypernovae

    DOE PAGES

    Fryer, Chris L.; Oliveira, F. G.; Rueda, Jorge A.; ...

    2015-12-04

    Here, binary-driven hypernovae (BdHNe) within the induced gravitational collapse paradigm have been introduced to explain energetic (E iso ≳10 52 erg), long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) associated with type Ic supernovae (SNe). The progenitor is a tight binary composed of a carbon-oxygen (CO) core and a neutron-star (NS) companion, a subclass of the newly proposed “ultrastripped” binaries. The CO-NS short-period orbit causes the NS to accrete appreciable matter from the SN ejecta when the CO core collapses, ultimately causing it to collapse to a black hole (BH) and producing a GRB. These tight binaries evolve through the SN explosion very differentlymore » than compact binaries studied in population synthesis calculations. First, the hypercritical accretion onto the NS companion alters both the mass and the momentum of the binary. Second, because the explosion time scale is on par with the orbital period, the mass ejection cannot be assumed to be instantaneous. This dramatically affects the post-SN fate of the binary. Finally, the bow shock created as the accreting NS plows through the SN ejecta transfers angular momentum, braking the orbit. These systems remain bound even if a large fraction of the binary mass is lost in the explosion (well above the canonical 50% limit), and even large kicks are unlikely to unbind the system. Indeed, BdHNe produce a new family of NS-BH binaries unaccounted for in current population synthesis analyses and, although they may be rare, the fact that nearly 100% remain bound implies that they may play an important role in the compact merger rate, important for gravitational waves that, in turn, can produce a new class of ultrashort GRBs.« less

  20. Neutron-Star-Black-Hole Binaries Produced by Binary-Driven Hypernovae.

    PubMed

    Fryer, Chris L; Oliveira, F G; Rueda, J A; Ruffini, R

    2015-12-04

    Binary-driven hypernovae (BdHNe) within the induced gravitational collapse paradigm have been introduced to explain energetic (E_{iso}≳10^{52}  erg), long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) associated with type Ic supernovae (SNe). The progenitor is a tight binary composed of a carbon-oxygen (CO) core and a neutron-star (NS) companion, a subclass of the newly proposed "ultrastripped" binaries. The CO-NS short-period orbit causes the NS to accrete appreciable matter from the SN ejecta when the CO core collapses, ultimately causing it to collapse to a black hole (BH) and producing a GRB. These tight binaries evolve through the SN explosion very differently than compact binaries studied in population synthesis calculations. First, the hypercritical accretion onto the NS companion alters both the mass and the momentum of the binary. Second, because the explosion time scale is on par with the orbital period, the mass ejection cannot be assumed to be instantaneous. This dramatically affects the post-SN fate of the binary. Finally, the bow shock created as the accreting NS plows through the SN ejecta transfers angular momentum, braking the orbit. These systems remain bound even if a large fraction of the binary mass is lost in the explosion (well above the canonical 50% limit), and even large kicks are unlikely to unbind the system. Indeed, BdHNe produce a new family of NS-BH binaries unaccounted for in current population synthesis analyses and, although they may be rare, the fact that nearly 100% remain bound implies that they may play an important role in the compact merger rate, important for gravitational waves that, in turn, can produce a new class of ultrashort GRBs.

  1. Neutron-Star-Black-Hole Binaries Produced by Binary-Driven Hypernovae

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fryer, Chris L.; Oliveira, F. G.; Rueda, J. A.; Ruffini, R.

    2015-12-01

    Binary-driven hypernovae (BdHNe) within the induced gravitational collapse paradigm have been introduced to explain energetic (Eiso≳1052 erg ), long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) associated with type Ic supernovae (SNe). The progenitor is a tight binary composed of a carbon-oxygen (CO) core and a neutron-star (NS) companion, a subclass of the newly proposed "ultrastripped" binaries. The CO-NS short-period orbit causes the NS to accrete appreciable matter from the SN ejecta when the CO core collapses, ultimately causing it to collapse to a black hole (BH) and producing a GRB. These tight binaries evolve through the SN explosion very differently than compact binaries studied in population synthesis calculations. First, the hypercritical accretion onto the NS companion alters both the mass and the momentum of the binary. Second, because the explosion time scale is on par with the orbital period, the mass ejection cannot be assumed to be instantaneous. This dramatically affects the post-SN fate of the binary. Finally, the bow shock created as the accreting NS plows through the SN ejecta transfers angular momentum, braking the orbit. These systems remain bound even if a large fraction of the binary mass is lost in the explosion (well above the canonical 50% limit), and even large kicks are unlikely to unbind the system. Indeed, BdHNe produce a new family of NS-BH binaries unaccounted for in current population synthesis analyses and, although they may be rare, the fact that nearly 100% remain bound implies that they may play an important role in the compact merger rate, important for gravitational waves that, in turn, can produce a new class of ultrashort GRBs.

  2. Shock initiation studies of low density HMX using electromagnetic particle velocity and PVDF stress gauges

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

    Sheffield, S.A.; Gustavsen, R.L.; Alcon, R.R.

    1993-09-01

    Magnetic particle velocity and PVDF stress rate gauges have been used to measure the shock response of low density octotetramethylene tetranitramine (HMX) (1.24 &/cm{sup 3}). In experiments done at LANL, magnetic particle velocity gauges were located on both sides of the explosive. In nearly identical experiments done at SNL, PVDF stress rate gauges were located at the same positions so both particle velocity and stress histories were obtained for a particular experimental condition. Unreacted Hugoniot data were obtained and an EOS was developed by combining methods used by Hayes, Sheffield and Mitchell (for describing the Hugoniot of HNS at variousmore » densities) with Hermann`s P-{alpha} model. Using this technique, it is only necessary to know some thermodynamic constants or the Hugoniot of the initially solid material and the porous material sound speed to obtain accurate unreacted Hugoniots for the porous explosive. Loading and reaction paths were established in the stress-particle velocity plane for some experimental conditions. This information was used to determine a global reaction rate of {approx} 0.13 {mu}s{sup {minus}1} for porous HMX shocked to 0.8 GPa. At low input stresses the transmitted wave profiles had long rise times (up to 1 {mu}s) due to the compaction processes.« less

  3. Using Neutron Diffraction to Investigate Texture Evolution During Consolidation of Deuterated Triaminotrinitrobenzene (d-TATB) Explosive Powder

    DOE PAGES

    Luscher, Darby J.; Yeager, John D.; Clausen, Bjørn; ...

    2017-05-14

    Triaminotrinitrobenzene (TATB) is a highly anisotropic molecular crystal used in several plastic-bonded explosive (PBX) formulations. A complete understanding of the orientation distribution of TATB particles throughout a PBX charge is required to understand spatially variable, anisotropic macroscale properties of the charge. Although texture of these materials can be measured after they have been subjected to mechanical or thermal loads, measuring texture evolution in situ is important in order to identify mechanisms of crystal deformation and reorientation used to better inform thermomechanical models. Neutron diffraction measurements were used to estimate crystallographic reorientation while deuterated TATB (d-TATB) powder was consolidated into amore » cylindrical pellet via a uniaxial die-pressing operation at room temperature. Both the final texture of the pressed pellet and the in situ evolution of texture during pressing were measured, showing that the d-TATB grains reorient such that (001) poles become preferentially aligned with the pressing direction. A compaction model is used to predict the evolution of texture in the pellet during the pressing process, finding that the original model overpredicted the texture strength compared to these measurements. The theory was extended to account for initial particle shape and pore space, bringing the results into good agreement with the data.« less

  4. Using Neutron Diffraction to Investigate Texture Evolution During Consolidation of Deuterated Triaminotrinitrobenzene (d-TATB) Explosive Powder

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

    Luscher, Darby J.; Yeager, John D.; Clausen, Bjørn

    Triaminotrinitrobenzene (TATB) is a highly anisotropic molecular crystal used in several plastic-bonded explosive (PBX) formulations. A complete understanding of the orientation distribution of TATB particles throughout a PBX charge is required to understand spatially variable, anisotropic macroscale properties of the charge. Although texture of these materials can be measured after they have been subjected to mechanical or thermal loads, measuring texture evolution in situ is important in order to identify mechanisms of crystal deformation and reorientation used to better inform thermomechanical models. Neutron diffraction measurements were used to estimate crystallographic reorientation while deuterated TATB (d-TATB) powder was consolidated into amore » cylindrical pellet via a uniaxial die-pressing operation at room temperature. Both the final texture of the pressed pellet and the in situ evolution of texture during pressing were measured, showing that the d-TATB grains reorient such that (001) poles become preferentially aligned with the pressing direction. A compaction model is used to predict the evolution of texture in the pellet during the pressing process, finding that the original model overpredicted the texture strength compared to these measurements. The theory was extended to account for initial particle shape and pore space, bringing the results into good agreement with the data.« less

  5. Introduction to High-Energy Astrophysics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rosswog, Stephan; Bruggen, Marcus

    2003-04-01

    High-energy astrophysics covers cosmic phenomena that occur under the most extreme physical conditions. It explores the most violent events in the Universe: the explosion of stars, matter falling into black holes, and gamma-ray bursts - the most luminous explosions since the Big Bang. Driven by a wealth of new observations, the last decade has seen a large leap forward in our understanding of these phenomena. Exploring modern topics of high-energy astrophysics, such as supernovae, neutron stars, compact binary systems, gamma-ray bursts, and active galactic nuclei, this textbook is ideal for undergraduate students in high-energy astrophysics. It is a self-supporting, timely overview of this exciting field of research. Assuming a familiarity with basic physics, it introduces all other concepts, such as gas dynamics or radiation processes, in an instructive way. An extended appendix gives an overview of some of the most important high-energy astrophysics instruments, and each chapter ends with exercises.• New, up-to-date, introductory textbook providing a broad overview of high-energy phenomena and the many advances in our knowledge gained over the last decade • Written especially for undergraduate teaching use, it introduces the necessary physics and includes many exercises • This book fills a valuable niche at the advanced undergraduate level, providing professors with a new modern introduction to the subject

  6. Self-similar dynamic converging shocks - I. An isothermal gas sphere with self-gravity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lou, Yu-Qing; Shi, Chun-Hui

    2014-07-01

    We explore novel self-similar dynamic evolution of converging spherical shocks in a self-gravitating isothermal gas under conceivable astrophysical situations. The construction of such converging shocks involves a time-reversal operation on feasible flow profiles in self-similar expansion with a proper care for the increasing direction of the specific entropy. Pioneered by Guderley since 1942 but without self-gravity so far, self-similar converging shocks are important for implosion processes in aerodynamics, combustion, and inertial fusion. Self-gravity necessarily plays a key role for grossly spherical structures in very broad contexts of astrophysics and cosmology, such as planets, stars, molecular clouds (cores), compact objects, planetary nebulae, supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, supernova remnants, globular clusters, galactic bulges, elliptical galaxies, clusters of galaxies as well as relatively hollow cavity or bubble structures on diverse spatial and temporal scales. Large-scale dynamic flows associated with such quasi-spherical systems (including collapses, accretions, fall-backs, winds and outflows, explosions, etc.) in their initiation, formation, and evolution are likely encounter converging spherical shocks at times. Our formalism lays an important theoretical basis for pertinent astrophysical and cosmological applications of various converging shock solutions and for developing and calibrating numerical codes. As examples, we describe converging shock triggered star formation, supernova explosions, and void collapses.

  7. Development of mine explosion ground truth smart sensors

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

    Taylor, Steven R.; Harben, Phillip E.; Jarpe, Steve

    Accurate seismo-acoustic source location is one of the fundamental aspects of nuclear explosion monitoring. Critical to improved location is the compilation of ground truth data sets for which origin time and location are accurately known. Substantial effort by the National Laboratories and other seismic monitoring groups have been undertaken to acquire and develop ground truth catalogs that form the basis of location efforts (e.g. Sweeney, 1998; Bergmann et al., 2009; Waldhauser and Richards, 2004). In particular, more GT1 (Ground Truth 1 km) events are required to improve three-dimensional velocity models that are currently under development. Mine seismicity can form themore » basis of accurate ground truth datasets. Although the location of mining explosions can often be accurately determined using array methods (e.g. Harris, 1991) and from overhead observations (e.g. MacCarthy et al., 2008), accurate origin time estimation can be difficult. Occasionally, mine operators will share shot time, location, explosion size and even shot configuration, but this is rarely done, especially in foreign countries. Additionally, shot times provided by mine operators are often inaccurate. An inexpensive, ground truth event detector that could be mailed to a contact, placed in close proximity (< 5 km) to mining regions or earthquake aftershock regions that automatically transmits back ground-truth parameters, would greatly aid in development of ground truth datasets that could be used to improve nuclear explosion monitoring capabilities. We are developing an inexpensive, compact, lightweight smart sensor unit (or units) that could be used in the development of ground truth datasets for the purpose of improving nuclear explosion monitoring capabilities. The units must be easy to deploy, be able to operate autonomously for a significant period of time (> 6 months) and inexpensive enough to be discarded after useful operations have expired (although this may not be part of our business plan). Key parameters to be automatically determined are event origin time (within 0.1 sec), location (within 1 km) and size (within 0.3 magnitude units) without any human intervention. The key parameter ground truth information from explosions greater than magnitude 2.5 will be transmitted to a recording and transmitting site. Because we have identified a limited bandwidth, inexpensive two-way satellite communication (ORBCOMM), we have devised the concept of an accompanying Ground-Truth Processing Center that would enable calibration and ground-truth accuracy to improve over the duration of a deployment.« less

  8. Low-energy Population III supernovae and the origin of extremely metal-poor stars

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Ke-Jung; Heger, Alexander; Whalen, Daniel J.; Moriya, Takashi J.; Bromm, Volker; Woosley, S. E.

    2017-06-01

    Some ancient, dim, metal-poor stars may have formed in the ashes of the first supernovae (SNe). If their chemical abundances can be reconciled with the elemental yields of specific Population III (Pop III) explosions, they could reveal the properties of primordial stars. But multidimensional simulations of such explosions are required to predict their yields because dynamical instabilities can dredge material up from deep in the ejecta that would otherwise be predicted to fall back on to the central remnant and be lost in one-dimensional (1D) models. We have performed two-dimensional (2D) numerical simulations of two low-energy Pop III SNe, a 12.4 M⊙ explosion and a 60 M⊙ explosion, and find that they produce elemental yields that are a good fit to those measured in the most iron-poor star discovered to date, SMSS J031300.36-670839.3 (J031300). Fallback on to the compact remnant in these weak explosions accounts for the lack of measurable iron in J031300 and its low iron-group abundances in general. Our 2D explosions produce higher abundances of heavy elements (atomic number Z > 20) than their 1D counterparts due to dredge-up by fluid instabilities. Since almost no 56Ni is ejected by these weak SNe, their low luminosities will prevent their detection in the near-infrared with the James Webb Space Telescope and future 30-m telescopes on the ground. The only evidence that they ever occurred will be in the fossil abundance record.

  9. Holographic studies of the vapor explosion of vaporizing water-in-fuel emulsion droplets

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sheffield, S. A.; Hess, C. F.; Trolinger, J. D.

    1982-01-01

    Holographic studies were performed which examined the fragmentation process during vapor explosion of a water-in-fuel (hexadecane/water) emulsion droplet. Holograms were taken at 700 to 1000 microseconds after the vapor explosion. Photographs of the reconstructed holograms reveal a wide range of fragment droplet sizes created during the explosion process. Fragment droplet diameters range from below 10 microns to over 100 microns. It is estimated that between ten thousand and a million fragment droplets can result from this extremely violent vapor explosion process. This enhanced atomization is thus expected to have a pronounced effect on vaporization processes which are present during combustion of emulsified fuels.

  10. Resource recycling technique of abandoned TNT-RDX-AL mixed explosive

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Siyang; Ding, Yukui

    2017-08-01

    TNT-RDX-AL mixed explosive is a kind of high energy mixed explosive. It has the detonation characteristics even when reaching the scrapping standard. Inappropriate disposal often causes serious accident. Employing the resource recycling technique, the abandoned TNT-RDX-AL mixed explosive can be recycled. This paper summarized the progress of recycling of abandoned mixed explosive. What's more, three kinds of technological process of resource recycling abandoned TNT-RDX-AL mixed explosives are introduced. The author analysis of the current recovery processes and provided a reference for the recycling of the other same type explosive.

  11. The photon pair source that survived a rocket explosion

    PubMed Central

    Tang, Zhongkan; Chandrasekara, Rakhitha; Tan, Yue Chuan; Cheng, Cliff; Durak, Kadir; Ling, Alexander

    2016-01-01

    We report on the performance of a compact photon pair source that was recovered intact from a failed space launch. The source had been embedded in a nanosatellite and was designed to perform pathfinder experiments leading to global quantum communication networks using spacecraft. Despite the launch vehicle explosion soon after takeoff, the nanosatellite was successfully retrieved from the accident site and the source within it was found to be fully operational. We describe the assembly technique for the rugged source. Post-recovery data is compared to baseline measurements collected before the launch attempt and no degradation in brightness or polarization correlation was observed. The survival of the source through an extreme environment provides strong evidence that it is possible to engineer rugged quantum optical systems. PMID:27161541

  12. The Arduous Journey to Black Hole Formation in Potential Gamma-Ray Burst Progenitors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dessart, Luc; O'Connor, Evan; Ott, Christian D.

    2012-07-01

    We present a quantitative study on the properties at death of fast-rotating massive stars evolved at low-metallicity—objects that are proposed as likely progenitors of long-duration γ-ray bursts (LGRBs). We perform one-dimensional+rotation stellar-collapse simulations on the progenitor models of Woosley and Heger, and critically assess their potential for the formation of a black hole and a Keplerian disk (namely, a collapsar) or a proto-magnetar. We note that theoretical uncertainties in the treatment of magnetic fields and the approximate handling of rotation compromise the accuracy of stellar-evolution models. We find that only the fastest rotating progenitors achieve sufficient compactness for black hole formation while the bulk of models possess a core density structure typical of garden-variety core-collapse supernova (SN) progenitors evolved without rotation and at solar metallicity. Of the models that do have sufficient compactness for black hole formation, most of them also retain a large amount of angular momentum in the core, making them prone to a magneto-rotational explosion, therefore preferentially leaving behind a proto-magnetar. A large progenitor angular-momentum budget is often the sole criterion invoked in the community today to assess the suitability for producing a collapsar. This simplification ignores equally important considerations such as the core compactness, which conditions black hole formation, the core angular momentum, which may foster a magneto-rotational explosion preventing black hole formation, or the metallicity and the residual envelope mass which must be compatible with inferences from observed LGRB/SNe. Our study suggests that black hole formation is non-trivial, that there is room for accommodating both collapsars and proto-magnetars as LGRB progenitors, although proto-magnetars seem much more easily produced by current stellar-evolutionary models.

  13. THE ARDUOUS JOURNEY TO BLACK HOLE FORMATION IN POTENTIAL GAMMA-RAY BURST PROGENITORS

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

    Dessart, Luc; O'Connor, Evan; Ott, Christian D., E-mail: Luc.Dessart@oamp.fr, E-mail: evanoc@tapir.caltech.edu, E-mail: cott@tapir.caltech.edu

    2012-07-20

    We present a quantitative study on the properties at death of fast-rotating massive stars evolved at low-metallicity-objects that are proposed as likely progenitors of long-duration {gamma}-ray bursts (LGRBs). We perform one-dimensional+rotation stellar-collapse simulations on the progenitor models of Woosley and Heger, and critically assess their potential for the formation of a black hole and a Keplerian disk (namely, a collapsar) or a proto-magnetar. We note that theoretical uncertainties in the treatment of magnetic fields and the approximate handling of rotation compromise the accuracy of stellar-evolution models. We find that only the fastest rotating progenitors achieve sufficient compactness for black holemore » formation while the bulk of models possess a core density structure typical of garden-variety core-collapse supernova (SN) progenitors evolved without rotation and at solar metallicity. Of the models that do have sufficient compactness for black hole formation, most of them also retain a large amount of angular momentum in the core, making them prone to a magneto-rotational explosion, therefore preferentially leaving behind a proto-magnetar. A large progenitor angular-momentum budget is often the sole criterion invoked in the community today to assess the suitability for producing a collapsar. This simplification ignores equally important considerations such as the core compactness, which conditions black hole formation, the core angular momentum, which may foster a magneto-rotational explosion preventing black hole formation, or the metallicity and the residual envelope mass which must be compatible with inferences from observed LGRB/SNe. Our study suggests that black hole formation is non-trivial, that there is room for accommodating both collapsars and proto-magnetars as LGRB progenitors, although proto-magnetars seem much more easily produced by current stellar-evolutionary models.« less

  14. Monitoring uranium, hydrogen, and lithium and their isotopes using a compact laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) probe and high-resolution spectrometer.

    PubMed

    Cremers, David A; Beddingfield, Alan; Smithwick, Robert; Chinni, Rosemarie C; Jones, C Randy; Beardsley, Burt; Karch, Larry

    2012-03-01

    The development of field-deployable instruments to monitor radiological, nuclear, and explosive (RNE) threats is of current interest for a number of assessment needs such as the on-site screening of suspect facilities and nuclear forensics. The presence of uranium and plutonium and radiological materials can be determined through monitoring the elemental emission spectrum using relatively low-resolution spectrometers. In addition, uranium compounds, explosives, and chemicals used in nuclear fuel processing (e.g., tributyl-phosphate) can be identified by applying chemometric analysis to the laser-induced breakdown (LIBS) spectrum recorded by these spectrometers. For nuclear forensic applications, however, isotopes of U and Pu and other elements (e.g., H and Li) must also be determined, requiring higher resolution spectrometers given the small magnitude of the isotope shifts for some of these elements (e.g., 25 pm for U and 13 pm for Pu). High-resolution spectrometers will be preferred for several reasons but these must fit into realistic field-based analysis scenarios. To address the need for field instrumentation, we evaluated a previously developed field-deployable hand-held LIBS interrogation probe combined with two relatively new high-resolution spectrometers (λ/Δλ ~75,000 and ~44,000) that have the potential to meet field-based analysis needs. These spectrometers are significantly smaller and lighter in weight than those previously used for isotopic analysis and one unit can provide simultaneous wide spectral coverage and high resolution in a relatively small package. The LIBS interrogation probe was developed initially for use with low resolution compact spectrometers in a person-portable backpack LIBS instrument. Here we present the results of an evaluation of the LIBS probe combined with a high-resolution spectrometer and demonstrate rapid detection of isotopes of uranium and hydrogen and highly enriched samples of (6)Li and (7)Li. © 2012 Society for Applied Spectroscopy

  15. Instrumented Pressing of HE and Inert Materials to Study the Effect of Particle Size

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Stull, Jamie; Woznick, Caitlin; Deluca, Racci; Patterson, Brain; Thompson, Darla Graff

    2017-06-01

    It is well known that detonation and mechanical properties of high explosives (HE) depend on density. Computationally it has been shown that specific particle-size distributions will lead to better pressed parts. Theoretically this should improve moderate compaction conditions, uniform density and strength. There are many other powder characteristics that are important such as crystal shape and strength. We are interested to explore the role of HE powder characteristics on compaction properties and pellet integrity. We have used an instrumented compaction instrument to press inert and HE powders such as TATB and HMX, which have very different crystal structures. The force and displacement measurements from the instrumented press provide information on the quality of compaction of the specimen in the form of Heckel plots, etc. We have evaluated the thermal and mechanical integrity of resultant pellets by measuring the coefficient of thermal expansion and the compressive strength and strain at failure. We have employed micro x-ray computed tomography (CT) to characterize the microstructure and to quantify the number, the size, and the location of voids. The lack of binder in these specimens greatly simplifies the microstructure analysis and makes the data more amenable to modeling and interpretation.

  16. Low cost mobile explosive/drug detection devices

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

    Gozani, T.; Bendahan, J.

    1999-06-10

    Inspection technologies based on Thermal Neutron Analysis (TNA) and/or Fast Neutron Analysis (FNA) are the basis for relatively compact and low-cost, material-sensitive devices for a wide variety of inspection needs. The TNA allows the use of either isotropic neutron sources such as a {sup 252}Cf, or electronic neutron generators such as the d-T sealed neutron generator tubes. The latter could be used in a steady state mode or in slow (>{mu}s) pulsing mode, to separate the thermal neutron capture signatures following the pulse from the combination of the FNA plus TNA signatures during the pulse. Over the years, Ancore Corporationmore » has built and is continuing to develop a variety of inspection devices based on its TNA and FNA technologies: SPEDS--an explosive detection device for small parcels, portable electronics, briefcases and other similar carry-on items; MDS - a system for the detection or confirmation of buried mines; VEDS - a system for the detection of varied amounts of explosives and/or drugs concealed in passenger vehicles, pallets, lightly loaded trucks or containers, etc.; ACD - a device to clear alarms from a primary, non-specific explosive detection system for passenger luggage. The principle and performance of these devices will be shown and discussed.« less

  17. Portable Hydraulic Powerpack

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Anderson, L. A.; Henry, R. L.; Fedor, O. H.; Owens, L. J.

    1986-01-01

    Rechargeable hydraulic powerpack functions as lightweight, compact source of mechanical energy. Self-contained hydraulic powerpack derives energy from solid chemical charge. Combustion of charge initiated by small hammer, and revolving feeder replaces charges expended. Combustion gases cool during expansion in turbine and not too hot for release to atmosphere. Unit has applications driving wheelchairs and operating drills, winches, and other equipment in remote areas. Also replaces electric motors and internal-combustion engines as source of power in explosive atmospheres.

  18. Hypervelocity gun. [using both electric and chemical energy for projectile propulsion

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ford, F. C.; Biehl, A. J. (Inventor)

    1965-01-01

    A velocity amplifier system which uses both electric and chemical energy for projectile propulsion is provided in a compact hypervelocity gun suitable for laboratory use. A relatively heavy layer of a tamping material such as concrete encloses a loop of an electrically conductive material. An explosive charge at least partially surrounding the loop is adapted to collapse the loop upon detonation of the charge. A source of electricity charges the loop through two leads, and an electric switch which is activated by the charge explosive charge, disconnects the leads from the source of electricity and short circuits them. An opening in the tamping material extends to the loop and forms a barrel. The loop, necked down in the opening, forms the sabot on which the projectile is located. When the loop is electrically charged and the explosive detonated, the loop is short circuited and collapsed thus building up a magnetic field which acts as a sabot catcher. The sabot is detached from the loop and the sabot and projectile are accelerated to hypervelocity.

  19. Enhanced the enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency of wheat straw after combined steam explosion and laccase pretreatment.

    PubMed

    Qiu, Weihua; Chen, Hongzhang

    2012-08-01

    Laccase, capable of selectively degrading lignin while keeping cellulose intact, has been widely applied for the modification and bio-bleaching of pulp. In this study Sclerotium sp. laccase (MSLac) was employed in combination with steam explosion to evaluate the effect of this treatment on cellulose hydrolysis. Combined steam explosion with laccase pretreatment enhanced the cellulose conversion rate of wheat straw no matter in the case of successive (MSLac-Cel) and simultaneous (MSLac+Cel) MSLac and cellulase hydrolysis. The highest cellulose conversion rate of 84.23% was obtained when steam-exploded wheat straw (SEWS) (1.3 MPa, 5 min) was treated by MSLac+Cel at a laccase loading of 0.55 U g(-1) substrate. FT-IR and SEM analyses indicated that MSLac oxidized the phenol and changed electron configuration of the ring, which contributed to loosening the compact wrap of lignin-carbohydrate complex and consequently enhancing the enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency of cellulose. This article provided a promising method for lignocellulose bio-pretreatment. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  20. A density-adaptive SPH method with kernel gradient correction for modeling explosive welding

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, M. B.; Zhang, Z. L.; Feng, D. L.

    2017-09-01

    Explosive welding involves processes like the detonation of explosive, impact of metal structures and strong fluid-structure interaction, while the whole process of explosive welding has not been well modeled before. In this paper, a novel smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) model is developed to simulate explosive welding. In the SPH model, a kernel gradient correction algorithm is used to achieve better computational accuracy. A density adapting technique which can effectively treat large density ratio is also proposed. The developed SPH model is firstly validated by simulating a benchmark problem of one-dimensional TNT detonation and an impact welding problem. The SPH model is then successfully applied to simulate the whole process of explosive welding. It is demonstrated that the presented SPH method can capture typical physics in explosive welding including explosion wave, welding surface morphology, jet flow and acceleration of the flyer plate. The welding angle obtained from the SPH simulation agrees well with that from a kinematic analysis.

  1. Explosives Safety Requirements Manual

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1996-03-29

    This Manual describes the Department of Energy's (DOE's) explosives safety requirements applicable to operations involving the development, testing, handling, and processing of explosives or assemblies containing explosives. It is intended to reflect...

  2. A scheme for the classification of explosions in the chemical process industry.

    PubMed

    Abbasi, Tasneem; Pasman, H J; Abbasi, S A

    2010-02-15

    All process industry accidents fall under three broad categories-fire, explosion, and toxic release. Of these fire is the most common, followed by explosions. Within these broad categories occur a large number of sub-categories, each depicting a specific sub-type of a fire/explosion/toxic release. But whereas clear and self-consistent sub-classifications exist for fires and toxic releases, the situation is not as clear vis a vis explosions. In this paper the inconsistencies and/or shortcomings associated with the classification of different types of explosions, which are seen even in otherwise highly authentic and useful reference books on process safety, are reviewed. In its context a new classification is attempted which may, hopefully, provide a frame-of-reference for the future.

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

    Taddia, Francesco; Sollerman, J.; Fremling, C.

    Context. Supernova (SN) 1987A was a peculiar hydrogen-rich event with a long-rising (~84 d) light curve, stemming from the explosion of a compact blue supergiant star. Only a few similar events have been presented in the literature in recent decades. Aims. We present new data for a sample of six long-rising Type II SNe (SNe II), three of which were discovered and observed by the Palomar Transient Factory (PTF) and three observed by the Caltech Core-Collapse Project (CCCP). Our aim is to enlarge this small family of long-rising SNe II, characterizing their differences in terms of progenitor and explosion parameters.more » We also study the metallicity of their environments. Methods. Optical light curves, spectra, and host-galaxy properties of these SNe are presented and analyzed. Detailed comparisons with known SN 1987A-like events in the literature are shown, with particular emphasis on the absolute magnitudes, colors, expansion velocities, and host-galaxy metallicities. Bolometric properties are derived from the multiband light curves. By modeling the early-time emission with scaling relations derived from the SuperNova Explosion Code (SNEC) models of MESA progenitor stars, we estimate the progenitor radii of these transients. The modeling of the bolometric light curves also allows us to estimate other progenitor and explosion parameters, such as the ejected 56Ni mass, the explosion energy, and the ejecta mass. Results. We present PTF12kso, a long-rising SN II that is estimated to have the largest amount of ejected 56Ni mass measured for this class. PTF09gpn and PTF12kso are found at the lowest host metallicities observed for this SN group. The variety of early light-curve luminosities depends on the wide range of progenitor radii of these SNe, from a few tens of R ⊙ (SN 2005ci) up to thousands (SN 2004ek) with some intermediate cases between 100 R ⊙ (PTF09gpn) and 300 R ⊙ (SN 2004em). Conclusions. We confirm that long-rising SNe II with light-curve shapes closely resembling that of SN 1987A generally arise from blue supergiant (BSG) stars. However, some of them, such as SN 2004em, likely have progenitors with larger radii (~300 R ⊙, typical of yellow supergiants) and can thus be regarded as intermediate cases between normal SNe IIP and SN 1987A-like SNe. Some extended red supergiant (RSG) stars such as the progenitor of SN 2004ek can also produce long-rising SNe II if they synthesized a large amount of 56Ni in the explosion. Lastly, low host metallicity is confirmed as a characteristic of the SNe arising from compact BSG stars.« less

  4. Long-rising Type II supernovae from Palomar Transient Factory and Caltech Core-Collapse Project

    DOE PAGES

    Taddia, Francesco; Sollerman, J.; Fremling, C.; ...

    2016-03-09

    Context. Supernova (SN) 1987A was a peculiar hydrogen-rich event with a long-rising (~84 d) light curve, stemming from the explosion of a compact blue supergiant star. Only a few similar events have been presented in the literature in recent decades. Aims. We present new data for a sample of six long-rising Type II SNe (SNe II), three of which were discovered and observed by the Palomar Transient Factory (PTF) and three observed by the Caltech Core-Collapse Project (CCCP). Our aim is to enlarge this small family of long-rising SNe II, characterizing their differences in terms of progenitor and explosion parameters.more » We also study the metallicity of their environments. Methods. Optical light curves, spectra, and host-galaxy properties of these SNe are presented and analyzed. Detailed comparisons with known SN 1987A-like events in the literature are shown, with particular emphasis on the absolute magnitudes, colors, expansion velocities, and host-galaxy metallicities. Bolometric properties are derived from the multiband light curves. By modeling the early-time emission with scaling relations derived from the SuperNova Explosion Code (SNEC) models of MESA progenitor stars, we estimate the progenitor radii of these transients. The modeling of the bolometric light curves also allows us to estimate other progenitor and explosion parameters, such as the ejected 56Ni mass, the explosion energy, and the ejecta mass. Results. We present PTF12kso, a long-rising SN II that is estimated to have the largest amount of ejected 56Ni mass measured for this class. PTF09gpn and PTF12kso are found at the lowest host metallicities observed for this SN group. The variety of early light-curve luminosities depends on the wide range of progenitor radii of these SNe, from a few tens of R ⊙ (SN 2005ci) up to thousands (SN 2004ek) with some intermediate cases between 100 R ⊙ (PTF09gpn) and 300 R ⊙ (SN 2004em). Conclusions. We confirm that long-rising SNe II with light-curve shapes closely resembling that of SN 1987A generally arise from blue supergiant (BSG) stars. However, some of them, such as SN 2004em, likely have progenitors with larger radii (~300 R ⊙, typical of yellow supergiants) and can thus be regarded as intermediate cases between normal SNe IIP and SN 1987A-like SNe. Some extended red supergiant (RSG) stars such as the progenitor of SN 2004ek can also produce long-rising SNe II if they synthesized a large amount of 56Ni in the explosion. Lastly, low host metallicity is confirmed as a characteristic of the SNe arising from compact BSG stars.« less

  5. Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment for the Operation of the Explosives Waste Treatment Facility at Site 300 of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Volume 1: Report of Results

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

    Gallegos, G; Daniels, J; Wegrecki, A

    2006-04-24

    This document contains the human health and ecological risk assessment for the Resource Recovery and Conservation Act (RCRA) permit renewal for the Explosives Waste Treatment Facility (EWTF). Volume 1 is the text of the risk assessment, and Volume 2 (provided on a compact disc) is the supporting modeling data. The EWTF is operated by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) at Site 300, which is located in the foothills between the cities of Livermore and Tracy, approximately 17 miles east of Livermore and 8 miles southwest of Tracy. Figure 1 is a map of the San Francisco Bay Area, showingmore » the location of Site 300 and other points of reference. One of the principal activities of Site 300 is to test what are known as ''high explosives'' for nuclear weapons. These are the highly energetic materials that provide the force to drive fissionable material to criticality. LLNL scientists develop and test the explosives and the integrated non-nuclear components in support of the United States nuclear stockpile stewardship program as well as in support of conventional weapons and the aircraft, mining, oil exploration, and construction industries. Many Site 300 facilities are used in support of high explosives research. Some facilities are used in the chemical formulation of explosives; others are locations where explosive charges are mechanically pressed; others are locations where the materials are inspected radiographically for such defects as cracks and voids. Finally, some facilities are locations where the machined charges are assembled before they are sent to the on-site test firing facilities, and additional facilities are locations where materials are stored. Wastes generated from high-explosives research are treated by open burning (OB) and open detonation (OD). OB and OD treatments are necessary because they are the safest methods for treating explosives wastes generated at these facilities, and they eliminate the requirement for further handling and transportation that would be required if the wastes were treated off site.« less

  6. Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment for the Operation of the Explosives Waste Treatment Facility at Site 300 of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

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

    Gallegos, G; Daniels, J; Wegrecki, A

    2007-10-01

    This document contains the human health and ecological risk assessment for the Resource Recovery and Conservation Act (RCRA) permit renewal for the Explosives Waste Treatment Facility (EWTF). Volume 1 is the text of the risk assessment, and Volume 2 (provided on a compact disc) is the supporting modeling data. The EWTF is operated by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) at Site 300, which is located in the foothills between the cities of Livermore and Tracy, approximately 17 miles east of Livermore and 8 miles southwest of Tracy. Figure 1 is a map of the San Francisco Bay Area, showingmore » the location of Site 300 and other points of reference. One of the principal activities of Site 300 is to test what are known as 'high explosives' for nuclear weapons. These are the highly energetic materials that provide the force to drive fissionable material to criticality. LLNL scientists develop and test the explosives and the integrated non-nuclear components in support of the United States nuclear stockpile stewardship program as well as in support of conventional weapons and the aircraft, mining, oil exploration, and construction industries. Many Site 300 facilities are used in support of high explosives research. Some facilities are used in the chemical formulation of explosives; others are locations where explosive charges are mechanically pressed; others are locations where the materials are inspected radiographically for such defects as cracks and voids. Finally, some facilities are locations where the machined charges are assembled before they are sent to the onsite test firing facilities, and additional facilities are locations where materials are stored. Wastes generated from high-explosives research are treated by open burning (OB) and open detonation (OD). OB and OD treatments are necessary because they are the safest methods for treating explosives wastes generated at these facilities, and they eliminate the requirement for further handling and transportation that would be required if the wastes were treated off site.« less

  7. Modeling initiation trains based on HMX and TATB

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Drake, R. C.; Maisey, M.

    2017-01-01

    There will always be a requirement to reduce the size of initiation trains. However, as the size is reduced the performance characteristics can be compromised. A detailed science-based understanding of the processes (ignition and growth to detonation) which determine the performance characteristics is required to enable compact and robust initiation trains to be designed. To assess the use of numerical models in the design of initiation trains a modeling study has been undertaken, with the aim of understanding the initiation of TATB and HMX charges by a confined, surface mounted detonator. The effect of detonator diameter and detonator confinement on the formation of dead zones in the acceptor explosives has been studied. The size of dead zones can be reduced by increasing the diameter of the detonator and by increasing the impedance of the confinement. The implications for the design of initiation trains are discussed.

  8. On the mechanism of polypropylene fibres in preventing fire spalling in self-compacting and high-performance cement paste

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

    Liu, X.; Magnel Laboratory for Concrete Research, Department of Structural Engineering, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 904 B-9052, Ghent; Ye, G.

    2008-04-15

    With the increasing application of self-compacting concrete (SCC) in construction and infrastructure, the fire spalling behavior of SCC has been attracting due attention. In high performance concrete (HPC), addition of polypropylene fibers (PP fibers) is widely used as an effective method to prevent explosive spalling. Hence, it would be useful to investigate whether the PP fibers are also efficient in SCC to avoid explosive spalling. However, no universal agreement exists concerning the fundamental mechanism of reducing the spalling risk by adding PP fiber. For SCC, the reduction of flowability should be considered when adding a significant amount of fibres. Inmore » this investigation, both the micro-level and macro-level properties of pastes with different fiber contents were studied in order to investigate the role of PP fiber at elevated temperature in self-compacting cement paste samples. The micro properties were studied by backscattering electron microscopy (BSE) and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) tests. The modification of the pore structure at elevated temperature was investigated as well as the morphology of the PP fibers. Some macro properties were measured, such as the gas permeability of self-compacting cement paste after heating at different temperatures. The factors influencing gas permeability were analyzed. It is shown that with the melting of PP fiber, no significant increase in total pore volume is obtained. However, the connectivity of isolated pores increases, leading to an increase of gas permeability. With the increase of temperature, the addition of PP fibers reduces the damage of cement pastes, as seen from the total pore volume and the threshold pore diameter changes. From this investigation, it is concluded that the connectivity of pores as well as the creation of micro cracks are the major factors which determine the gas permeability after exposure to high temperatures. Furthermore, the connectivity of the pores acts as a dominant factor for temperatures below 300 deg. C. For higher temperatures micro cracks are becoming the major factor which influences the gas permeability.« less

  9. Shock-treated Lunar Soil Simulant: Preliminary Assessment as a Construction Material

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Boslough, Mark B.; Bernold, Leonhard E.; Horie, Yasuyuki

    1992-01-01

    In an effort to examine the feasibility of applying dynamic compaction techniques to fabricate construction materials from lunar regolith, preliminary explosive shock-loading experiments on lunar soil simulants were carried out. Analysis of our shock-treated samples suggests that binding additives, such as metallic aluminum powder, may provide the necessary characteristics to fabricate a strong and durable building material (lunar adobe) that takes advantage of a cheap base material available in abundance: lunar regolith.

  10. High energy neutrinos and gamma-ray emission from supernovae in compact star clusters

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bykov, A. M.; Ellison, D. C.; Gladilin, P. E.; Osipov, S. M.

    2017-01-01

    Compact clusters of young massive stars are observed in the Milky Way and in starburst galaxies. The compact clusters with multiple powerful winds of young massive stars and supernova shocks are favorable sites for high-energy particle acceleration. We argue that expanding young supernova (SN) shells in compact stellar clusters can be very efficient PeV CR accelerators. At a stage when a supernova shock is colliding with collective fast winds from massive stars in a compact cluster the Fermi mechanism allows particle acceleration to energies well above the standard limits of diffusive shock acceleration in an isolated SNR. The energy spectrum of protons in such an accelerator is a hard power-law with a broad spectral upturn above TeV before a break at multi-PeV energies, providing a large energy flux in the high-energy end of the spectrum. The acceleration stage in the colliding shock flow lasts for a few hundred years after the supernova explosion producing high-energy CRs that escape the accelerator and diffuse through the ambient matter producing γ-rays and neutrinos in inelastic nuclear collisions. In starburst galaxies a sizeable fraction of core collapse supernovae is expected to occur in compact star clusters and therefore their high energy gamma-ray and neutrino spectra in the PeV energy regime may differ strongly from that of our Galaxy. To test the model with individual sources we briefly discuss the recent H.E.S.S. detections of gamma-rays from two potential candidate sources, Westerlund 1 and HESS J1806-204 in the Milky Way. We argue that this model of compact star clusters, with typical parameters, could produce a neutrino flux sufficient to explain a fraction of the recently detected IceCube South Pole Observatory neutrinos.

  11. Hot subdwarfs: Small stars marking important events in stellar evolution. Ludwig Biermann Award Lecture 2014

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Geier, S.

    2015-06-01

    Hot subdwarfs are considered to be the compact helium cores of red giants which lost almost their entire hydrogen envelope. What causes this enormous mass loss is still unclear. Binary interactions are invoked, and a significant fraction of the hot subdwarf population is indeed found in close binaries. In a large project we search for close binary sdBs with the most and the least massive companions. Significantly enhancing the known sample of close binary sdBs we performed the first comprehensive study of this population. Triggered by the discovery of two sdB binaries with close brown dwarf companions in the course of this project, we were able to show that the interaction of stars with substellar companions is an important channel to form sdB stars. Finally, we discovered a unique and very compact binary system consisting of an sdB and a massive white dwarf which qualifies as a progenitor candidate for a supernova of type Ia. In addition to that, we could connect those explosions to the class of hypervelocity hot subdwarf stars which we consider as the surviving companions of such events. Being the stripped cores of red giants, hot subdwarfs turned out to be important markers of peculiar events in stellar evolution ranging all the way from star-planet interactions to the progenitors of stellar explosions used to measure the expansion of our Universe.

  12. An automated multidimensional preparative gas chromatographic system for isolation and enrichment of trace amounts of xenon from ambient air.

    PubMed

    Larson, Tuula; Östman, Conny; Colmsjö, Anders

    2011-04-01

    The monitoring of radioactive xenon isotopes is one of the principal methods for the detection of nuclear explosions in order to identify clandestine nuclear testing. In this work, a miniaturized, multiple-oven, six-column, preparative gas chromatograph was constructed in order to isolate trace quantities of radioactive xenon isotopes from ambient air, utilizing nitrogen as the carrier gas. The multidimensional chromatograph comprised preparative stainless steel columns packed with molecular sieves, activated carbon, and synthetic carbon adsorbents (e.g., Anasorb®-747 and Carbosphere®). A combination of purification techniques--ambient adsorption, thermal desorption, back-flushing, thermal focusing, and heart cutting--was selectively optimized to produce a well-defined xenon peak that facilitated reproducible heart cutting and accurate quantification. The chromatographic purification of a sample requires approximately 4 h and provides complete separation of xenon from potentially interfering components (such as water vapor, methane, carbon dioxide, and radon) with recovery and accuracy close to 100%. The preparative enrichment process isolates and concentrates a highly purified xenon gas fraction that is suitable for subsequent ultra-low-level γ-, ß/γ-spectroscopic or high-resolution mass spectrometric measurement (e.g., to monitor the gaseous fission products of nuclear explosions at remote locations). The Xenon Processing Unit is a free-standing, relatively lightweight, and transportable system that can be interfaced to a variety of sampling and detection systems. It has a relatively inexpensive, rugged, and compact modular (19-inch rack) design that provides easy access to all parts for maintenance and has a low power requirement.

  13. DoD Contractors’ Safety Manual for Ammunition and Explosives.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1997-09-01

    grit, and other foreign material into operating buildings. 9. Windows and skylights . Non-shatterable glazing is preferred where an explosion...with the explosives being processed. Dull or damaged tools shall not be used for machining high explosives. k. The explosives products resulting from

  14. Method for digesting a nitro-bearing explosive compound

    DOEpatents

    Shah, Manish M.

    2000-01-01

    The present invention is a process wherein superoxide radicals from superoxide salt are used to break down the explosive compounds. The process has an excellent reaction rate for degrading explosives, and operates at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure in aqueous or non-aqueous conditions. Because the superoxide molecules are small, much smaller than an enzyme molecule for example, they can penetrate the microstructure of plastic explosives faster. The superoxide salt generates reactive hydroxyl radicals, which can destroy other organic contaminants, if necessary, along with digesting the explosive nitro-bearing compound.

  15. Selective detection of trace nitroaromatic, nitramine, and nitrate ester explosive residues using a three-step fluorimetric sensing process: a tandem turn-off, turn-on sensor.

    PubMed

    Sanchez, Jason C; Toal, Sarah J; Wang, Zheng; Dugan, Regina E; Trogler, William C

    2007-11-01

    Detection of trace quantities of explosive residues plays a key role in military, civilian, and counter-terrorism applications. To advance explosives sensor technology, current methods will need to become cheaper and portable while maintaining sensitivity and selectivity. The detection of common explosives including trinitrotoluene (TNT), cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine, cyclotetramethylene-tetranitramine, pentaerythritol tetranitrate, 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl-N-methylnitramine, and trinitroglycerin may be carried out using a three-step process combining "turn-off" and "turn-on" fluorimetric sensing. This process first detects nitroaromatic explosives by their quenching of green luminescence of polymetalloles (lambda em approximately 400-510 nm). The second step places down a thin film of 2,3-diaminonaphthalene (DAN) while "erasing" the polymetallole luminescence. The final step completes the reaction of the nitramines and/or nitrate esters with DAN resulting in the formation of a blue luminescent traizole complex (lambda(em) = 450 nm) providing a "turn-on" response for nitramine and nitrate ester-based explosives. Detection limits as low as 2 ng are observed. Solid-state detection of production line explosives demonstrates the applicability of this method to real world situations. This method offers a sensitive and selective detection process for a diverse group of the most common high explosives used in military and terrorist applications today.

  16. Dynamic Fracture Behavior of Plastic-Bonded Explosives

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fu, Hua; Li, Jun-Ling; Tan, Duo-Wang; Ifp, Caep Team

    2011-06-01

    Plastic-Bonded Explosives (PBX) are used as important energetic materials in nuclear or conventional weapons. Arms Warhead in the service process and the ballistic phase, may experience complex process such as long pulse and higher loading, compresson, tension and reciprocating compression - tension, friction with the projectile shell, which would lead to explosive deformation and fracture.And the dynamic deformation and fracture behavior of PBX subsequently affect reaction characteristics and initiation mechanism in explosives, then having influence on explosives safety. The dynamic fracure behavior of PBX are generally complex and not well studied or understood. In this paper, the dynamic fracture of explosives are conducted using a Kolsky bar. The Brazilian test, also known as a indirect tensile test or splitting test, is chosen as the test method. Tensile strength under different strain rates are obtained using quartz crystal embedded in rod end. The dynamic deformation and fracture process are captured in real-time by high-speed digital camera, and the displacement and strain fields distribution before specimen fracture are obtained by digital correlation method. Considering the non-uniform microstructure of explosives,the dynamic fracture behavior of explosive are simulated by discrete element method, the simulation results can reproduce the deformation and fracture process in Brazilian test using a maximum tensile strain criterion.

  17. 27 CFR 555.184 - Statements of process and samples.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... regard to any plastic explosive or to any detection agent that is to be introduced into a plastic... importer, upon request, to the Director. (b) Samples of any plastic explosive or detection agent shall be..., FIREARMS, AND EXPLOSIVES, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE EXPLOSIVES COMMERCE IN EXPLOSIVES Marking of Plastic...

  18. 27 CFR 555.184 - Statements of process and samples.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... regard to any plastic explosive or to any detection agent that is to be introduced into a plastic... importer, upon request, to the Director. (b) Samples of any plastic explosive or detection agent shall be..., FIREARMS, AND EXPLOSIVES, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE EXPLOSIVES COMMERCE IN EXPLOSIVES Marking of Plastic...

  19. 27 CFR 555.184 - Statements of process and samples.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... regard to any plastic explosive or to any detection agent that is to be introduced into a plastic... importer, upon request, to the Director. (b) Samples of any plastic explosive or detection agent shall be..., FIREARMS, AND EXPLOSIVES, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE EXPLOSIVES COMMERCE IN EXPLOSIVES Marking of Plastic...

  20. 27 CFR 555.184 - Statements of process and samples.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... regard to any plastic explosive or to any detection agent that is to be introduced into a plastic... importer, upon request, to the Director. (b) Samples of any plastic explosive or detection agent shall be..., FIREARMS, AND EXPLOSIVES, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE EXPLOSIVES COMMERCE IN EXPLOSIVES Marking of Plastic...

  1. 27 CFR 555.184 - Statements of process and samples.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... regard to any plastic explosive or to any detection agent that is to be introduced into a plastic... importer, upon request, to the Director. (b) Samples of any plastic explosive or detection agent shall be..., FIREARMS, AND EXPLOSIVES, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE EXPLOSIVES COMMERCE IN EXPLOSIVES Marking of Plastic...

  2. The Maximum Mass of Rotating Strange Stars

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Szkudlarek, M.; Gondek-Rosiń; ska, D.; Villain, L.; Ansorg, M.

    2012-12-01

    Strange quark stars are considered as a possible alternative to neutron stars as compact objects (e.g. Weber 2003). A hot compact star (a proto-neutron star or a strange star) born in a supernova explosion or a remnant of neutron stars binary merger are expected to rotate differentially and be important sources of gravitational waves. We present results of the first relativistic calculations of differentially rotating strange quark stars for broad ranges of degree of differential rotation and maximum densities. Using a highly accurate, relativistic code we show that rotation may cause a significant increase of maximum allowed mass of strange stars, much larger than in the case of neutron stars with the same degree of differential rotation. Depending on the maximum allowed mass a massive neutron star (strange star) can be temporarily stabilized by differential rotation or collapse to a black hole.

  3. Process for forming coal compacts and product thereof

    DOEpatents

    Gunnink, Brett; Kanunar, Jayanth; Liang, Zhuoxiong

    2002-01-01

    A process for forming durable, mechanically strong compacts from coal particulates without use of a binder is disclosed. The process involves applying a compressive stress to a particulate feed comprising substantially water-saturated coal particles while the feed is heated to a final compaction temperature in excess of about 100.degree. C. The water present in the feed remains substantially in the liquid phase throughout the compact forming process. This is achieved by heating and compressing the particulate feed and cooling the formed compact at a pressure sufficient to prevent water present in the feed from boiling. The compacts produced by the process have a moisture content near their water saturation point. As a result, these compacts absorb little water and retain exceptional mechanical strength when immersed in high pressure water. The process can be used to form large, cylindrically-shaped compacts from coal particles (i.e., "coal logs") so that the coal can be transported in a hydraulic coal log pipeline.

  4. Explosives (and other threats) detection using pulsed neutron interrogation and optimized detectors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Strellis, Dan A.; Elsalim, Mashal; Gozani, Tsahi

    2011-06-01

    We have previously reported results from a human-portable system using neutron interrogation to detect contraband and explosives. We summarized our methodology for distinguishing threat materials such as narcotics, C4, and mustard gas in the myriad of backgrounds present in the maritime environment. We are expanding our mission for the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) to detect Special Nuclear Material (SNM) through the detection of multiple fission signatures without compromising the conventional threat detection performance. This paper covers our initial investigations into using neutrons from compact pulsed neutron generators via the d(D,n)3He or d(T,n)α reactions with energies of ~2.5 and 14 MeV, respectively, for explosives (and other threats) detection along with a variety of gamma-ray detectors. Fast neutrons and thermal neutrons (after successive collisions) can stimulate the emission of various threat detection signatures. For explosives detection, element-specific gamma-ray signatures via the (n,n'γ) inelastic scattering reaction and the (n,'γ) thermal capture reaction are detected. For SNM, delayed gamma-rays following fission can be measured with the same detector. Our initial trade-off investigations of several gamma-ray detectors types (NaI, CsI, LaBr3, HPGe) for measuring gamma-ray signatures in a pulsed neutron environment for potential application in a human-portable active interrogation system are covered in this paper.

  5. APSTNG: neutron interrogation for detection of explosives, drugs, and nuclear and chemical warfare materials

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rhodes, Edgar A.; Peters, Charles W.

    1993-02-01

    A recently developed neutron diagnostic probe system has the potential to satisfy a significant number of van-mobile and fixed-portal requirements for nondestructive detection, including monitoring of contraband explosives, drugs, and weapon materials, and treaty verification of sealed munitions. The probe is based on a unique associated-particle sealed-tube neutron generator (APSTNG) that interrogates the object of interest with a low-intensity beam of 14- MeV neutrons generated from the deuterium-tritium reaction and that detects the alpha-particle associated with each neutron. Gamma-ray spectra of resulting neutron reactions identify nuclides associated with all major chemicals in explosives, drugs, and chemical warfare agents, as well as many pollutants and fissile and fertile special nuclear material. Flight times determined from detection times of the gamma-rays and alpha-particles yield a separate coarse tomographic image of each identified nuclide. The APSTNG also forms the basis for a compact fast-neutron transmission imaging system that can be used along with or instead of the emission imaging system. Proof-of-concept experiments have been performed under laboratory conditions for simulated nuclear and chemical warfare munitions and for explosives and drugs. The small and relatively inexpensive APSTNG exhibits high reliability and can be quickly replaced. Surveillance systems based on APSTNG technology can avoid the large physical size, high capital and operating expenses, and reliability problems associated with complex accelerators.

  6. An upper limit on the contribution of accreting white dwarfs to the type Ia supernova rate.

    PubMed

    Gilfanov, Marat; Bogdán, Akos

    2010-02-18

    There is wide agreement that type Ia supernovae (used as standard candles for cosmology) are associated with the thermonuclear explosions of white dwarf stars. The nuclear runaway that leads to the explosion could start in a white dwarf gradually accumulating matter from a companion star until it reaches the Chandrasekhar limit, or could be triggered by the merger of two white dwarfs in a compact binary system. The X-ray signatures of these two possible paths are very different. Whereas no strong electromagnetic emission is expected in the merger scenario until shortly before the supernova, the white dwarf accreting material from the normal star becomes a source of copious X-rays for about 10(7) years before the explosion. This offers a means of determining which path dominates. Here we report that the observed X-ray flux from six nearby elliptical galaxies and galaxy bulges is a factor of approximately 30-50 less than predicted in the accretion scenario, based upon an estimate of the supernova rate from their K-band luminosities. We conclude that no more than about five per cent of type Ia supernovae in early-type galaxies can be produced by white dwarfs in accreting binary systems, unless their progenitors are much younger than the bulk of the stellar population in these galaxies, or explosions of sub-Chandrasekhar white dwarfs make a significant contribution to the supernova rate.

  7. The characterization and evaluation of accidental explosions

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Strehlow, R. A.; Baker, W. E.

    1975-01-01

    Accidental explosions are discussed from a number of viewpoints. First, all accidental explosions, intentional explosions and natural explosions are characterized by type. Second, the nature of the blast wave produced by an ideal (point source or HE) explosion is discussed to form a basis for describing how other explosion processes yield deviations from ideal blast wave behavior. The current status blast damage mechanism evaluation is also discussed. Third, the current status of our understanding of each different category of accidental explosions is discussed in some detail.

  8. SEARCH FOR PRECURSOR ERUPTIONS AMONG TYPE IIB SUPERNOVAE

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

    Strotjohann, Nora L.; Ofek, Eran O.; Gal-Yam, Avishay

    2015-10-01

    The progenitor stars of several Type IIb supernovae (SNe) show indications of extended hydrogen envelopes. These envelopes might be the outcome of luminous energetic pre-explosion events, so-called precursor eruptions. We use the Palomar Transient Factory (PTF) pre-explosion observations of a sample of 27 nearby SNe IIb to look for such precursors during the final years prior to the SN explosion. No precursors are found when combining the observations in 15-day bins, and we calculate the absolute-magnitude-dependent upper limit on the precursor rate. At the 90% confidence level, SNe IIb have on average <0.86 precursors as bright as an absolute R-bandmore » magnitude of −14 in the final 3.5 years before the explosion and <0.56 events over the final year. In contrast, precursors among SNe IIn have a ≳5 times higher rate. The kinetic energy required to unbind a low-mass stellar envelope is comparable to the radiated energy of a few-weeks-long precursor that would be detectable for the closest SNe in our sample. Therefore, mass ejections, if they are common in such SNe, are radiatively inefficient or have durations longer than months. Indeed, when using 60-day bins, a faint precursor candidate is detected prior to SN 2012cs (∼2% false-alarm probability). We also report the detection of the progenitor of SN 2011dh that does not show detectable variability over the final two years before the explosion. The suggested progenitor of SN 2012P is still present, and hence is likely a compact star cluster or an unrelated object.« less

  9. The ALMA View of the OMC1 Explosion in Orion

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bally, John; Ginsburg, Adam; Arce, Hector; Eisner, Josh; Youngblood, Allison; Zapata, Luis; Zinnecker, Hans

    2017-03-01

    Most massive stars form in dense clusters where gravitational interactions with other stars may be common. The two nearest forming massive stars, the BN object and Source I, located behind the Orion Nebula, were ejected with velocities of ˜29 and ˜13 km s-1 about 500 years ago by such interactions. This event generated an explosion in the gas. New ALMA observations show in unprecedented detail, a roughly spherically symmetric distribution of over a hundred 12CO J = 2-1 streamers with velocities extending from V LSR = -150 to +145 km s-1. The streamer radial velocities increase (or decrease) linearly with projected distance from the explosion center, forming a “Hubble Flow” confined to within 50″ of the explosion center. They point toward the high proper-motion, shock-excited H2 and [Fe II] “fingertips” and lower-velocity CO in the H2 wakes comprising Orion's “fingers.” In some directions, the H2 “fingers” extend more than a factor of two farther from the ejection center than the CO streamers. Such deviations from spherical symmetry may be caused by ejecta running into dense gas or the dynamics of the N-body interaction that ejected the stars and produced the explosion. This ˜1048 erg event may have been powered by the release of gravitational potential energy associated with the formation of a compact binary or a protostellar merger. Orion may be the prototype for a new class of stellar explosiozn responsible for luminous infrared transients in nearby galaxies.

  10. Synthesis of TiCx Powder via the Underwater Explosion of an Explosive

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tanaka, Shigeru; Bataev, Ivan; Hamashima, Hideki; Tsurui, Akihiko; Hokamoto, Kazuyuki

    2018-05-01

    In this study, a novel approach to the explosive synthesis of titanium carbide (TiC) is discussed. Nonstoichiometric TiCx powder was produced via the underwater explosion of a Ti powder encapsulated within a spherical explosive charge. The explosion process, bubble formation, and synthesis process were visualized using high-speed camera imaging. It was concluded that synthesis occurred within the detonation gas during the first expansion/contraction cycle of the bubble, which was accompanied by a strong emission of light. The recovered powders were studied using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Submicron particles were generated during the explosion. An increase in the carbon content of the starting powder resulted in an increase in the carbon content of the final product. No oxide byproducts were observed within the recovered powders.

  11. The Use of Explosive Forming for Fastening and Joining Structural and Pressure Components

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Schroeder, J. W.

    1985-01-01

    Explosive expansion of tubes into tubesheets has been used for over 20 years in the fabrication and repair of shell and tube heat exchangers. The use of explosives to perform these expansions has offered several distinct advantages over other methods. First, the process is fast and economical and can be performed with minimal training of personnel. Secondly, explosive forming does not cause the deleterious metallurgical effects which often result from other forming operations. In addition, the process can be performed remotely without the need for sophisticated handling equipment. The expansion of tubes into tubesheets is only one of many possible fastening and joining applications for which explosive forming can be used to achieve highly successful results. The explosive forming process and where it has been used are described. In addition, some possible adaptations to other joining applications are identified and discussed.

  12. 75 FR 5345 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comments Requested

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-02-02

    ... of information collection under review: Statement of Process-Marking of Plastic Explosives for the... Process-Marking of Plastic Explosives for the Purpose of Detection. (3) Agency form number, if any, and... Public Law 104- 132. This information will be used to ensure that plastic explosives contain a detection...

  13. Portable NIR bottled liquid explosive detector

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Itozaki, Hideo; Ono, Masaki; Ito, Shiori; Uekawa, Keisuke; Miyato, Yuji; Sato-Akaba, Hideo

    2016-05-01

    A near infrared bottled liquid scanner has been developed for security check at airports for anti-terrorism. A compact handheld liquid scanner has been developed using an LED as a light source, instead of a halogen lamp. An LED has much smaller size, longer life time and lower power consumption than those of the lamp. However, it has narrower wave band. Here, we tried to use LEDs to scan liquids and showed the possibility that LEDs can be used as a light source of liquid detector.

  14. Very high-resolution observations of compact radio sources in the directions of supernova remnants

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Geldzahler, B. J.; Shaffer, D. B.

    1981-01-01

    Compact radio sources whose positions lie within the outlines of supernova remnants may be the stellar remnants of supernova explosions and, if they are related to the supernova remnants, may be used to explore the nature of any morphological connection between the Galactic and extragalactic radio sources. Three such compact sources, G 127.11+0.54, CL 4, and 2051+433, have been observed at 10.65 GHz with an array of very long baseline interferometers having elements in the USA and West Germany. The radio source 2051+433 was also observed briefly at 5.01 GHz. The measured size of CL 4 at 10.65 GHz is about 0.0005 arcsec and seems to be dominated by the effects of interstellar scattering. No fringes were seen in 2051+433, and results indicate there is no compact component of 2051+433 smaller than 0.001 arcsec radiating at 10.65 GHz above a level of about 50 mJy. The possibility is presented that G 127.11+0.54 is a Galactic object. It is found to consist of two components separated by about 0.002 arcsec and oriented perpendicular to both the radio bridge of the supernova remnant G 127.1+0.5 and the underlying optical image. G 127.11+0.54, if Galactic, lies at the extreme low-luminosity end of an apparent continuum of Galactic and extragalactic compact radio source luminosities.

  15. Permanent wire splicing by an explosive joining process

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bement, Laurence J. (Inventor); Kushnick, Anne C. (Inventor)

    1991-01-01

    The invention is an apparatus and method for wire splicing using an explosive joining process. The apparatus consists of a prebent, U-shaped strap of metal that slides over prepositioned wires. A standoff means separates the wires from the strap before joining. An adhesive means holds two ribbon explosives in position centered over the U-shaped strap. A detonating means connects to the ribbon explosives. The process involves spreading strands of each wire to be joined into a flat plane. The process then requires alternating each strand in alignment to form a mesh-like arrangement with an overlapped area. The strap slides over the strands of the wires, and the standoff means is positioned between the two surfaces. The detonating means then initiates the ribbon explosives that drive the strap to accomplish a high velocity, angular collision between the mating surfaces. This collision creates surface melts and collision bonding results in electron sharing linkups.

  16. Monitoring/Verification using DMS: TATP Example

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

    Stephan Weeks, Kevin Kyle, Manuel Manard

    Field-rugged and field-programmable differential mobility spectrometry (DMS) networks provide highly selective, universal monitoring of vapors and aerosols at detectable levels from persons or areas involved with illicit chemical/biological/explosives (CBE) production. CBE sensor motes used in conjunction with automated fast gas chromatography with DMS detection (GC/DMS) verification instrumentation integrated into situational operations-management systems can be readily deployed and optimized for changing application scenarios. The feasibility of developing selective DMS motes for a “smart dust” sampling approach with guided, highly selective, fast GC/DMS verification analysis is a compelling approach to minimize or prevent the illegal use of explosives or chemical and biologicalmore » materials. DMS is currently one of the foremost emerging technologies for field separation and detection of gas-phase chemical species. This is due to trace-level detection limits, high selectivity, and small size. Fast GC is the leading field analytical method for gas phase separation of chemical species in complex mixtures. Low-thermal-mass GC columns have led to compact, low-power field systems capable of complete analyses in 15–300 seconds. A collaborative effort optimized a handheld, fast GC/DMS, equipped with a non-rad ionization source, for peroxide-based explosive measurements.« less

  17. Evolution of Supernova Remnants Near the Galactic Center

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

    Yalinewich, A.; Piran, T.; Sari, R.

    Supernovae near the Galactic center (GC) evolve differently from regular Galactic supernovae. This is mainly due to the environment into which the supernova remnants (SNRs) propagate. SNRs near the GC propagate into a wind swept environment with a velocity directed away from the GC, and a graded density profile. This causes these SNRs to be non-spherical, and to evolve faster than their Galactic counterparts. We develop an analytic theory for the evolution of explosions within a stellar wind, and verify it using a hydrodynamic code. We show that such explosions can evolve in one of three possible morphologies. Using thesemore » results we discuss the association between the two SNRs (SGR East and SGR A’s bipolar radio/X-ray lobes) and the two neutron stars (the Cannonball and SGR J1745-2900) near the GC. We show that, given the morphologies of the SNR and positions of the neutron stars, the only possible association is between SGR A’s bipolar radio/X-ray lobes and SGR J1745-2900. If a compact object was created in the explosion of SGR East, it remains undetected, and the SNR of the supernova that created the Cannonball has already disappeared.« less

  18. Using of explosive technologies for development of a compact current-limiting device for operation on 110 kV class systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shurupov, A. V.; Shurupov, M. A.; Kozlov, A. A.; Kotov, A. V.

    2016-11-01

    This paper considers the possibility of creating on new physical principles a highspeed current-limiting device (CLD) for the networks with voltage of 110 kV, namely, on the basis of the explosive switching elements. The device is designed to limit the steady short-circuit current to acceptable values for the time does not exceed 3 ms at electric power facilities. The paper presents an analysis of the electrical circuit of CLD. The main features of the scheme are: a new high-speed switching element with high regenerating voltage; fusible switching element that enables to limit the overvoltage after sudden breakage of network of the explosive switch; non-inductive resistor with a high heat capacity and a special reactor with operating time less than 1 s. We analyzed the work of the CLD with help of special software PSPICE, which is based on the equivalent circuit of single-phase short circuit to ground in 110 kV network. Analysis of the equivalent circuit operation CLD shows its efficiency and determines the CLD as a perspective direction of the current-limiting devices of new generation.

  19. Monitoring/Verification Using DMS: TATP Example

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

    Kevin Kyle; Stephan Weeks

    Field-rugged and field-programmable differential mobility spectrometry (DMS) networks provide highly selective, universal monitoring of vapors and aerosols at detectable levels from persons or areas involved with illicit chemical/biological/explosives (CBE) production. CBE sensor motes used in conjunction with automated fast gas chromatography with DMS detection (GC/DMS) verification instrumentation integrated into situational operationsmanagement systems can be readily deployed and optimized for changing application scenarios. The feasibility of developing selective DMS motes for a “smart dust” sampling approach with guided, highly selective, fast GC/DMS verification analysis is a compelling approach to minimize or prevent the illegal use of explosives or chemical and biologicalmore » materials. DMS is currently one of the foremost emerging technologies for field separation and detection of gas-phase chemical species. This is due to trace-level detection limits, high selectivity, and small size. GC is the leading analytical method for the separation of chemical species in complex mixtures. Low-thermal-mass GC columns have led to compact, low-power field systems capable of complete analyses in 15–300 seconds. A collaborative effort optimized a handheld, fast GC/DMS, equipped with a non-rad ionization source, for peroxide-based explosive measurements.« less

  20. The evolution of pore connectivity in volcanic rocks

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Colombier, Mathieu; Wadsworth, Fabian B.; Gurioli, Lucia; Scheu, Bettina; Kueppers, Ulrich; Di Muro, Andrea; Dingwell, Donald B.

    2017-03-01

    Pore connectivity is a measure of the fraction of pore space (vesicles, voids or cracks) in a material that is interconnected on the system length scale. Pore connectivity is fundamentally related to permeability, which has been shown to control magma outgassing and the explosive potential of magma during ascent in the shallowest part of the crust. Here, we compile a database of connectivity and porosity from published sources and supplement this with additional measurements, using natural volcanic rocks produced in a broad range of eruptive styles and with a range of bulk composition. The database comprises 2715 pairs of connectivity C and porosity ϕ values for rocks from 35 volcanoes as well as 116 products of experimental work. For 535 volcanic rock samples, the permeability k was also measured. Data from experimental studies constrain the general features of the relationship between C and ϕ associated with both vesiculation and densification processes, which can then be used to interpret natural data. To a first order, we show that a suite of rocks originating from effusive eruptive behaviour can be distinguished from rocks originating from explosive eruptive behaviour using C and ϕ. We observe that on this basis, a particularly clear distinction can be made between scoria formed in fire-fountains and that formed in Strombolian activity. With increasing ϕ, the onset of connectivity occurs at the percolation threshold ϕc which in turn can be hugely variable. We demonstrate that C is an excellent metric for constraining ϕc in suites of porous rocks formed in a common process and discuss the range of ϕc values recorded in volcanic rocks. The percolation threshold is key to understanding the onset of permeability, outgassing and compaction in shallow magmas. We show that this threshold is dramatically different in rocks formed during densification processes than in rocks formed in vesiculating processes and propose that this value is the biggest factor in controlling the evolution of permeability at porosities above ϕc.

  1. Asymmetric core collapse of rapidly rotating massive star

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gilkis, Avishai

    2018-02-01

    Non-axisymmetric features are found in the core collapse of a rapidly rotating massive star, which might have important implications for magnetic field amplification and production of a bipolar outflow that can explode the star, as well as for r-process nucleosynthesis and natal kicks. The collapse of an evolved rapidly rotating MZAMS = 54 M⊙ star is followed in three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations using the FLASH code with neutrino leakage. A rotating proto-neutron star (PNS) forms with a non-zero linear velocity. This can contribute to the natal kick of the remnant compact object. The PNS is surrounded by a turbulent medium, where high shearing is likely to amplify magnetic fields, which in turn can drive a bipolar outflow. Neutron-rich material in the PNS vicinity might induce strong r-process nucleosynthesis. The rapidly rotating PNS possesses a rotational energy of E_rot ≳ 10^{52} erg. Magnetar formation proceeding in a similar fashion will be able to deposit a portion of this energy later on in the supernova ejecta through a spin-down mechanism. These processes can be important for rare supernovae generated by rapidly rotating progenitors, even though a complete explosion is not simulated in the present study.

  2. Video monitoring of the persistent strombolian activity of Stromboli volcano represents a window on its plumbing system and an opportunity for understanding the eruptive processes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Coltelli, Mauro; Biale, Emilio; Ciancitto, Francesco; Pecora, Emilio; Prestifilippo, Michele

    2014-05-01

    Since 1994 a video-surveillance camera located on a peak just above the active volcanic vents of Stromboli island records the explosive activity of one of the few volcanoes on the world performing a persistent eruptive activity. From 2003, after one of the larger lava flow eruption of the last century, the video-surveillance system was enhanced with more stations having both thermal and visual cameras. The video-surveillance helps volcanologists to characterize the mild explosive activity of Stromboli named Strombolian and to distinguish between the frequent "ordinary" Strombolian explosions and the occasional "extraordinary" strong Strombolian explosions that periodically occur. A new class of extraordinary explosions was discovered filling the gap between the ordinary activity and the strong explosions named major explosions when the tephra fallout covers large areas on the volcano summit and paroxysmal ones when the bombs fall down to the inhabited area along the coast of the island. In order to quantify the trend of the ordinary Strombolian explosions and to understand the occurring of the extraordinary strong Strombolian explosions a computer assisted image analysis was developed to process the huge amount of thermal and visual images recorded in several years. The results of this complex analysis allow us to clarify the processes occurring in the upper plumbing system where the pockets/trains of bubbles coalesce and move into the active vent conduits producing the ordinary Strombolian activity, and to infer the process into the deeper part of the plumbing system where new magma supply and its evolution lead to the formation of the extraordinary strong Strombolian explosions.

  3. Explosives mimic for testing, training, and monitoring

    DOEpatents

    Reynolds, John G.; Durban, Matthew M.; Gash, Alexander E.; Grapes, Michael D.; Kelley, Ryan S.; Sullivan, Kyle T.

    2018-02-13

    Additive Manufacturing (AM) is used to make mimics for explosives. The process uses mixtures of explosives and matrices commonly used in AM. The explosives are formulated into a mixture with the matrix and printed using AM techniques and equipment. The explosive concentrations are kept less than 10% by wt. of the mixture to conform to requirements of shipping and handling.

  4. Comparative techno-economic analysis of steam explosion, dilute sulfuric acid, ammonia fiber explosion and biological pretreatments of corn stover.

    PubMed

    Baral, Nawa Raj; Shah, Ajay

    2017-05-01

    Pretreatment is required to destroy recalcitrant structure of lignocelluloses and then transform into fermentable sugars. This study assessed techno-economics of steam explosion, dilute sulfuric acid, ammonia fiber explosion and biological pretreatments, and identified bottlenecks and operational targets for process improvement. Techno-economic models of these pretreatment processes for a cellulosic biorefinery of 113.5 million liters butanol per year excluding fermentation and wastewater treatment sections were developed using a modelling software-SuperPro Designer. Experimental data of the selected pretreatment processes based on corn stover were gathered from recent publications, and used for this analysis. Estimated sugar production costs ($/kg) via steam explosion, dilute sulfuric acid, ammonia fiber explosion and biological methods were 0.43, 0.42, 0.65 and 1.41, respectively. The results suggest steam explosion and sulfuric acid pretreatment methods might be good alternatives at present state of technology and other pretreatment methods require research and development efforts to be competitive with these pretreatment methods. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  5. New directions in the science and technology of advanced sheet explosive formulations and the key energetic materials used in the processing of sheet explosives: Emerging trends.

    PubMed

    Talawar, M B; Jangid, S K; Nath, T; Sinha, R K; Asthana, S N

    2015-12-30

    This review presents the work carried out by the international community in the area of sheet explosive formulations and its applications in various systems. The sheet explosive is also named as PBXs and is a composite material in which solid explosive particles like RDX, HMX or PETN are dispersed in a polymeric matrix, forms a flexible material that can be rolled/cut into sheet form which can be applied to any complex contour. The designed sheet explosive must possess characteristic properties such as flexible, cuttable, water proof, easily initiable, and safe handling. The sheet explosives are being used for protecting tanks (ERA), light combat vehicle and futuristic infantry carrier vehicle from different attacking war heads etc. Besides, sheet explosives find wide applications in demolition of bridges, ships, cutting and metal cladding. This review also covers the aspects such as risks and hazard analysis during the processing of sheet explosive formulations, effect of ageing on sheet explosives, detection and analysis of sheet explosive ingredients and the R&D efforts of Indian researchers in the development of sheet explosive formulations. To the best of our knowledge, there has been no review article published in the literature in the area of sheet explosives. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  6. Thermally stable booster explosive and process for manufacture

    DOEpatents

    Quinlin, William T [Amarillo, TX; Thorpe, Raymond [Amarillo, TX; Lightfoot, James M [Amarillo, TX

    2006-03-21

    A thermally stable booster explosive and process for the manufacture of the explosive. The product explosive is 2,4,7,9-tetranitro-10H-benzo[4,5]furo[3,2-b]indole (TNBFI). A reactant/solvent such as n-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) or dimethyl formamide (DMF) is made slightly basic. The solution is heated to reduce the water content. The solution is cooled and hexanitrostilbene is added. The solution is heated to a predetermined temperature for a specific time period, cooled, and the product is collected by filtration.

  7. Method for the decontamination of soil containing solid organic explosives therein

    DOEpatents

    Radtke, Corey W.; Roberto, Francisco F.

    2000-01-01

    An efficient method for decontaminating soil containing organic explosives ("TNT" and others) in the form of solid portions or chunks which are not ordinarily subject to effective bacterial degradation. The contaminated soil is treated by delivering an organic solvent to the soil which is capable of dissolving the explosives. This process makes the explosives more bioavailable to natural bacteria in the soil which can decompose the explosives. An organic nutrient composition is also preferably added to facilitate decomposition and yield a compost product. After dissolution, the explosives are allowed to remain in the soil until they are decomposed by the bacteria. Decomposition occurs directly in the soil which avoids the need to remove both the explosives and the solvents (which either evaporate or are decomposed by the bacteria). Decomposition is directly facilitated by the solvent pre-treatment process described above which enables rapid bacterial remediation of the soil.

  8. Explosive Tube-to-fitting Joining of Small-diameter Tubes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bement, L. J.

    1985-01-01

    An effort is currently under way by NASA Marshall Space Flight Center to upgrade the space shuttle main engine through the use of improved materials and processes. Under consideration is the use of the Langley Research Center explosive seam welding process. The objective is to demonstrate the feasibility of joining space shuttle main engine tube to fitting components in an oxygen heat exchanger, using the NASA LaRC explosive seam welding process. It was concluded that LaRC explosive joining is viable for this application; that there is no incompatability of materials; that ultrasonic inspection is the best nondestructive testing method; and that the .500 DIA joint experiences interface problems.

  9. The Nuclear Barcode: a New Taggant for Identifying Explosives

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Seman, James; Johnson, Catherine; Castaño, Carlos

    2017-06-01

    Creating an effective taggant system for explosives is a challenging problem since the taggant used must be designed to endure the detonation process. A new taggant for use in explosives has been recently developed and named the `nuclear barcode'. The nuclear barcode tags explosives by adding low concentrations of eight different elements to the explosive, and then reads the tag from the post-blast residue using neutron activation analysis (NAA) to identify the elements and their concentrations. The nuclear barcode can be used to identify explosives after detonation by sampling the post-blast residue that is deposited due to incomplete reaction of the explosives. This method of tagging explosives creates an identifying taggant that survives detonation as NAA detects atomic nuclei as opposed to using any chemical or physical properties of the taggant that don't always survive the detonation process. Additional advantages this taggant method offers is ease of recovery of the taggant after detonation, and a total of 25.6 billion possible taggants as currently conceived, which enables the nuclear barcode to be used to tag individual batches of explosives. This paper describes the development of the nuclear barcode taggant system and its potential use in the explosives industry.

  10. Strange Quark Stars in Binaries: Formation Rates, Mergers, and Explosive Phenomena

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

    Wiktorowicz, G.; Drago, A.; Pagliara, G.

    2017-09-10

    Recently, the possible coexistence of a first family composed of “normal” neutron stars (NSs) with a second family of strange quark stars (QSs) has been proposed as a solution of problems related to the maximum mass and to the minimal radius of these compact stellar objects. In this paper, we study the mass distribution of compact objects formed in binary systems and the relative fractions of quark and NSs in different subpopulations. We incorporate the strange QS formation model provided by the two-families scenario, and we perform a large-scale population synthesis study in order to obtain the population characteristics. Accordingmore » to our results, the main channel for strange QS formation in binary systems is accretion from a secondary companion on an NS. Therefore, a rather large number of strange QSs form by accretion in low-mass X-ray binaries and this opens the possibility of having explosive GRB-like phenomena not related to supernovae and not due to the merger of two NSs. The number of double strange QS systems is rather small, with only a tiny fraction that merge within a Hubble time. This drastically limits the flux of strangelets produced by the merger, which turns out to be compatible with all limits stemming from Earth and lunar experiments. Moreover, this value of the flux rules out at least one relevant channel for the transformation of all NSs into strange QSs by strangelets’ absorption.« less

  11. Strange Quark Stars in Binaries: Formation Rates, Mergers, and Explosive Phenomena

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wiktorowicz, G.; Drago, A.; Pagliara, G.; Popov, S. B.

    2017-09-01

    Recently, the possible coexistence of a first family composed of “normal” neutron stars (NSs) with a second family of strange quark stars (QSs) has been proposed as a solution of problems related to the maximum mass and to the minimal radius of these compact stellar objects. In this paper, we study the mass distribution of compact objects formed in binary systems and the relative fractions of quark and NSs in different subpopulations. We incorporate the strange QS formation model provided by the two-families scenario, and we perform a large-scale population synthesis study in order to obtain the population characteristics. According to our results, the main channel for strange QS formation in binary systems is accretion from a secondary companion on an NS. Therefore, a rather large number of strange QSs form by accretion in low-mass X-ray binaries and this opens the possibility of having explosive GRB-like phenomena not related to supernovae and not due to the merger of two NSs. The number of double strange QS systems is rather small, with only a tiny fraction that merge within a Hubble time. This drastically limits the flux of strangelets produced by the merger, which turns out to be compatible with all limits stemming from Earth and lunar experiments. Moreover, this value of the flux rules out at least one relevant channel for the transformation of all NSs into strange QSs by strangelets’ absorption.

  12. High Energy Observational Investigations of Supernova Remnants and their Interactions with Surroundings

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hui, Chung-Yue

    2013-09-01

    Here we review the effort of Fermi Asian Network (FAN) in exploring the supernova remnants (SNRs) with state-of-art high energy observatories, including Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope and Chandra X-ray Observatory, in the period of 2011- 2012. Utilizing the data from Fermi LAT, we have discovered the GeV emission at the position of the Galactic SNR Kes 17 which provides evidence for the hadronic acceleration. Our study also sheds light on the propagation of cosmic rays from their acceleration site to the intersteller medium. We have also launched an identification campaign of SNR candidates in the Milky Way, in which a new SNR G308.3-1.4 have been uncovered with our Chandra observation. Apart from the remnant, we have also discovered an associated compact object at its center. The multiwavelength properties of this X-ray source suggest it can possibly be the compact binary that survived a supernova explosion.

  13. Nucleosynthesis in Supernovae

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Thielemann, Friedrich-Karl; Isern, Jordi; Perego, Albino; von Ballmoos, Peter

    2018-04-01

    We present the status and open problems of nucleosynthesis in supernova explosions of both types, responsible for the production of the intermediate mass, Fe-group and heavier elements (with the exception of the main s-process). Constraints from observations can be provided through individual supernovae (SNe) or their remnants (e.g. via spectra and gamma-rays of decaying unstable isotopes) and through surface abundances of stars which witness the composition of the interstellar gas at their formation. With a changing fraction of elements heavier than He in these stars (known as metallicity) the evolution of the nucleosynthesis in galaxies over time can be determined. A complementary way, related to gamma-rays from radioactive decays, is the observation of positrons released in β+-decays, as e.g. from ^{26}Al, ^{44}Ti, ^{56,57}Ni and possibly further isotopes of their decay chains (in competition with the production of e+e- pairs in acceleration shocks from SN remnants, pulsars, magnetars or even of particle physics origin). We discuss (a) the role of the core-collapse supernova explosion mechanism for the composition of intermediate mass, Fe-group (and heavier?) ejecta, (b) the transition from neutron stars to black holes as the final result of the collapse of massive stars, and the relation of the latter to supernovae, faint supernovae, and gamma-ray bursts/hypernovae, (c) Type Ia supernovae and their nucleosynthesis (e.g. addressing the ^{55}Mn puzzle), plus (d) further constraints from galactic evolution, γ-ray and positron observations. This is complemented by the role of rare magneto-rotational supernovae (related to magnetars) in comparison with the nucleosynthesis of compact binary mergers, especially with respect to forming the heaviest r-process elements in galactic evolution.

  14. Neutron Star Kicks by the Gravitational Tug-boat Mechanism in Asymmetric Supernova Explosions: Progenitor and Explosion Dependence

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Janka, Hans-Thomas

    2017-03-01

    Asymmetric mass ejection in the early phase of supernova (SN) explosions can impart a kick velocity to the new-born neutron star (NS). For neutrino-driven explosions the NS acceleration has been shown to be mainly caused by the gravitational attraction of the anisotropically expelled inner ejecta, while hydrodynamic forces contribute on a subdominant level, and asymmetric neutrino emission plays only a secondary role. Two- and three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations have demonstrated that this gravitational tug-boat mechanism can explain the observed space velocities of young NSs up to more than 1000 km s-1. Here, we discuss how the NS kick depends on the energy, ejecta mass, and asymmetry of the SN explosion, and what role the compactness of the pre-collapse stellar core plays for the momentum transfer to the NS. We also provide simple analytic expressions for the NS velocity in terms of these quantities. Referring to results of hydrodynamic simulations in the literature, we argue why, within the discussed scenario of NS acceleration, electron-capture SNe, low-mass Fe-core SNe, and ultra-stripped SNe can be expected to have considerably lower intrinsic NS kicks than core-collapse SNe of massive stellar cores. Our basic arguments also remain valid if progenitor stars possess large-scale asymmetries in their convective silicon and oxygen burning layers. Possible scenarios for spin-kick alignment are sketched. Much of our discussion stays on a conceptual and qualitative level, and more work is necessary on the numerical modeling side to determine the dependences of involved parameters, whose prescriptions will be needed for recipes that can be used to better describe NS kicks in binary evolution and population synthesis studies.

  15. The ALMA View of the OMC1 Explosion in Orion

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

    Bally, John; Youngblood, Allison; Ginsburg, Adam

    Most massive stars form in dense clusters where gravitational interactions with other stars may be common. The two nearest forming massive stars, the BN object and Source I, located behind the Orion Nebula, were ejected with velocities of ∼29 and ∼13 km s{sup −1} about 500 years ago by such interactions. This event generated an explosion in the gas. New ALMA observations show in unprecedented detail, a roughly spherically symmetric distribution of over a hundred {sup 12}CO J = 2−1 streamers with velocities extending from V {sub LSR} = −150 to +145 km s{sup −1}. The streamer radial velocities increasemore » (or decrease) linearly with projected distance from the explosion center, forming a “Hubble Flow” confined to within 50″ of the explosion center. They point toward the high proper-motion, shock-excited H{sub 2} and [Fe ii] “fingertips” and lower-velocity CO in the H{sub 2} wakes comprising Orion's “fingers.” In some directions, the H{sub 2} “fingers” extend more than a factor of two farther from the ejection center than the CO streamers. Such deviations from spherical symmetry may be caused by ejecta running into dense gas or the dynamics of the N -body interaction that ejected the stars and produced the explosion. This ∼10{sup 48} erg event may have been powered by the release of gravitational potential energy associated with the formation of a compact binary or a protostellar merger. Orion may be the prototype for a new class of stellar explosiozn responsible for luminous infrared transients in nearby galaxies.« less

  16. Neutron Star Kicks by the Gravitational Tug-boat Mechanism in Asymmetric Supernova Explosions: Progenitor and Explosion Dependence

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

    Janka, Hans-Thomas

    Asymmetric mass ejection in the early phase of supernova (SN) explosions can impart a kick velocity to the new-born neutron star (NS). For neutrino-driven explosions the NS acceleration has been shown to be mainly caused by the gravitational attraction of the anisotropically expelled inner ejecta, while hydrodynamic forces contribute on a subdominant level, and asymmetric neutrino emission plays only a secondary role. Two- and three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations have demonstrated that this gravitational tug-boat mechanism can explain the observed space velocities of young NSs up to more than 1000 km s{sup −1}. Here, we discuss how the NS kick depends onmore » the energy, ejecta mass, and asymmetry of the SN explosion, and what role the compactness of the pre-collapse stellar core plays for the momentum transfer to the NS. We also provide simple analytic expressions for the NS velocity in terms of these quantities. Referring to results of hydrodynamic simulations in the literature, we argue why, within the discussed scenario of NS acceleration, electron-capture SNe, low-mass Fe-core SNe, and ultra-stripped SNe can be expected to have considerably lower intrinsic NS kicks than core-collapse SNe of massive stellar cores. Our basic arguments also remain valid if progenitor stars possess large-scale asymmetries in their convective silicon and oxygen burning layers. Possible scenarios for spin-kick alignment are sketched. Much of our discussion stays on a conceptual and qualitative level, and more work is necessary on the numerical modeling side to determine the dependences of involved parameters, whose prescriptions will be needed for recipes that can be used to better describe NS kicks in binary evolution and population synthesis studies.« less

  17. Supernova 1987A: The Supernova of a Lifetime

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kirshner, Robert

    2017-01-01

    Supernova 1987A, the brightest supernova since Kepler's in 1604, was detected 30 years ago at a distance of 160 000 light years in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way. Visible with the naked eye and detected with the full range of technology constructed since Kepler's time, SN 1987A has continued to be a rich source of empirical information to help understand supernova explosions and their evolution into supernova remnants. While the light output has faded by a factor of 10 000 000 over those 30 years, instrumentation, like the Hubble Space Telescope, the Chandra X-ray Observatory, and the Atacama Large Millimeter Array has continued to improve so that this supernova continues to be visible in X-rays, ultraviolet light, visible light, infrared light and in radio emission. In this review, I will sketch what has been learned from these observations about the pre-supernova star and its final stages of evolution, the explosion physics, the energy sources for emission, and the shock physics as the expanding debris encounters the circumstellar ring that was created about 20 000 years before the explosion. Today, SN 1987A is making the transition to a supernova remnant- the energetics are no longer dominated by the radioactive elements produced in the explosion, but by the interaction of the expanding debris with the surrounding gas. While we are confident that the supernova explosion had its origin in gravitational collapse, careful searches for a compact object at the center of the remnant place upper limits of a few solar luminosities on that relic. Support for HST GO programs 13401 and 13405 was provided by NASA through grants from the Space Telescope Science Institute, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under NASA contract NAS5-26555.

  18. Experimental investigation of blast mitigation and particle-blast interaction during the explosive dispersal of particles and liquids

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pontalier, Q.; Loiseau, J.; Goroshin, S.; Frost, D. L.

    2018-04-01

    The attenuation of a blast wave from a high-explosive charge surrounded by a layer of inert material is investigated experimentally in a spherical geometry for a wide range of materials. The blast wave pressure is inferred from extracting the blast wave velocity with high-speed video as well as direct measurements with pressure transducers. The mitigant consists of either a packed bed of particles, a particle bed saturated with water, or a homogeneous liquid. The reduction in peak blast wave overpressure is primarily dependent on the mitigant to explosive mass ratio, M/C, with the mitigant material properties playing a secondary role. Relative peak pressure mitigation reduces with distance and for low values of M/C (< 10) can return to unmitigated pressure levels in the mid-to-far field. Solid particles are more effective at mitigating the blast overpressure than liquids, particularly in the near field and at low values of M/C, suggesting that the energy dissipation during compaction, deformation, and fracture of the powders plays an important role. The difference in scaled arrival time of the blast and material fronts increases with M/C and scaled distance, with solid particles giving the largest separation between the blast wave and cloud of particles. Surrounding a high-explosive charge with a layer of particles reduces the positive-phase blast impulse, whereas a liquid layer has no influence on the impulse in the far field. Taking the total impulse due to the blast wave and material impact into account implies that the damage to a nearby structure may actually be augmented for a range of distances. These results should be taken into consideration in the design of explosive mitigant systems.

  19. Experimental investigation of blast mitigation and particle-blast interaction during the explosive dispersal of particles and liquids

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pontalier, Q.; Loiseau, J.; Goroshin, S.; Frost, D. L.

    2018-05-01

    The attenuation of a blast wave from a high-explosive charge surrounded by a layer of inert material is investigated experimentally in a spherical geometry for a wide range of materials. The blast wave pressure is inferred from extracting the blast wave velocity with high-speed video as well as direct measurements with pressure transducers. The mitigant consists of either a packed bed of particles, a particle bed saturated with water, or a homogeneous liquid. The reduction in peak blast wave overpressure is primarily dependent on the mitigant to explosive mass ratio, M/ C, with the mitigant material properties playing a secondary role. Relative peak pressure mitigation reduces with distance and for low values of M/ C (< 10) can return to unmitigated pressure levels in the mid-to-far field. Solid particles are more effective at mitigating the blast overpressure than liquids, particularly in the near field and at low values of M/ C, suggesting that the energy dissipation during compaction, deformation, and fracture of the powders plays an important role. The difference in scaled arrival time of the blast and material fronts increases with M/ C and scaled distance, with solid particles giving the largest separation between the blast wave and cloud of particles. Surrounding a high-explosive charge with a layer of particles reduces the positive-phase blast impulse, whereas a liquid layer has no influence on the impulse in the far field. Taking the total impulse due to the blast wave and material impact into account implies that the damage to a nearby structure may actually be augmented for a range of distances. These results should be taken into consideration in the design of explosive mitigant systems.

  20. Raman and photothermal spectroscopies for explosive detection

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Finot, Eric; Brulé, Thibault; Rai, Padmnabh; Griffart, Aurélien; Bouhélier, Alexandre; Thundat, Thomas

    2013-06-01

    Detection of explosive residues using portable devices for locating landmine and terrorist weapons must sat- isfy the application criteria of high reproducibility, specificity, sensitivity and fast response time. Vibrational spectroscopies such as Raman and infrared spectroscopies have demonstrated their potential to distinguish the members of the chemical family of more than 30 explosive materials. The characteristic chemical fingerprints in the spectra of these explosives stem from the unique bond structure of each compound. However, these spectroscopies, developed in the early sixties, suffer from a poor sensitivity. On the contrary, MEMS-based chemical sensors have shown to have very high sensitivity lowering the detection limit down to less than 1 picogram, (namely 10 part per trillion) using sensor platforms based on microcantilevers, plasmonics, or surface acoustic waves. The minimum amount of molecules that can be detected depends actually on the transducer size. The selectivity in MEMS sensors is usually realized using chemical modification of the active surface. However, the lack of sufficiently selective receptors that can be immobilized on MEMS sensors remains one of the most critical issues. Microcantilever based sensors offer an excellent opportunity to combine both the infrared photothermal spectroscopy in their static mode and the unique mass sensitivity in their dynamic mode. Optical sensors based on localized plasmon resonance can also take up the challenge of addressing the selectivity by monitoring the Surface Enhanced Raman spectrum down to few molecules. The operating conditions of these promising localized spectroscopies will be discussed in terms of reliability, compactness, data analysis and potential for mass deployment.

  1. The Progenitor Dependence of Core-collapse Supernovae from Three-dimensional Simulations with Progenitor Models of 12–40 M ⊙

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ott, Christian D.; Roberts, Luke F.; da Silva Schneider, André; Fedrow, Joseph M.; Haas, Roland; Schnetter, Erik

    2018-03-01

    We present a first study of the progenitor star dependence of the three-dimensional (3D) neutrino mechanism of core-collapse supernovae. We employ full 3D general-relativistic multi-group neutrino radiation-hydrodynamics and simulate the postbounce evolutions of progenitors with zero-age main sequence masses of 12, 15, 20, 27, and 40 M ⊙. All progenitors, with the exception of the 12 M ⊙ star, experience shock runaway by the end of their simulations. In most cases, a strongly asymmetric explosion will result. We find three qualitatively distinct evolutions that suggest a complex dependence of explosion dynamics on progenitor density structure, neutrino heating, and 3D flow. (1) Progenitors with massive cores, shallow density profiles, and high post-core-bounce accretion rates experience very strong neutrino heating and neutrino-driven turbulent convection, leading to early shock runaway. Accretion continues at a high rate, likely leading to black hole formation. (2) Intermediate progenitors experience neutrino-driven, turbulence-aided explosions triggered by the arrival of density discontinuities at the shock. These occur typically at the silicon/silicon–oxygen shell boundary. (3) Progenitors with small cores and density profiles without strong discontinuities experience shock recession and develop the 3D standing-accretion shock instability (SASI). Shock runaway ensues late, once declining accretion rate, SASI, and neutrino-driven convection create favorable conditions. These differences in explosion times and dynamics result in a non-monotonic relationship between progenitor and compact remnant mass.

  2. Numerical Simulation of the Detonation of Condensed Explosives

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Cheng; Ye, Ting; Ning, Jianguo

    Detonation process of a condensed explosive was simulated using a finite difference method. Euler equations were applied to describe the detonation flow field, an ignition and growth model for the chemical reaction and Jones-Wilkins-Lee (JWL) equations of state for the state of explosives and detonation products. Based on the simple mixture rule that assumes the reacting explosives to be a mixture of the reactant and product components, 1D and 2D codes were developed to simulate the detonation process of high explosive PBX9404. The numerical results are in good agreement with the experimental results, which demonstrates that the finite difference method, mixture rule and chemical reaction proposed in this paper are adequate and feasible.

  3. Practical small-scale explosive seam welding

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bement, L. J.

    1983-01-01

    A small-scale explosive seam welding process has been developed that can significantly contribute to remote metal joining operations under hazardous or inaccessible conditions, such as nuclear reactor repair and assembly of structure in space. This paper describes this explosive seam welding process in terms of joining principles, variables, types of joints created, capabilities, and applications. Very small quantities of explosive in a ribbon configuration are used to create narrow (less than 0.5 inch), long-length, uniform, hermetically sealed joints that exhibit parent metal properties in a wide variety of metals, alloys, and combinations. The practicality of this process has been demonstrated by its current acceptance, as well as its capabilities that are superior in many applications to the universally accepted joining processes, such as mechanical fasteners, fusion and resistance welding, and adhesives.

  4. Permeability During Magma Expansion and Compaction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gonnermann, Helge. M.; Giachetti, Thomas; Fliedner, Céline; Nguyen, Chinh T.; Houghton, Bruce F.; Crozier, Joshua A.; Carey, Rebecca J.

    2017-12-01

    Plinian lapilli from the 1060 Common Era Glass Mountain rhyolitic eruption of Medicine Lake Volcano, California, were collected and analyzed for vesicularity and permeability. A subset of the samples were deformed at a temperature of 975°, under shear and normal stress, and postdeformation porosities and permeabilities were measured. Almost all undeformed samples fall within a narrow range of vesicularity (0.7-0.9), encompassing permeabilities between approximately 10-15 m2 and 10-10 m2. A percolation threshold of approximately 0.7 is required to fit the data by a power law, whereas a percolation threshold of approximately 0.5 is estimated by fitting connected and total vesicularity using percolation modeling. The Glass Mountain samples completely overlap with a range of explosively erupted silicic samples, and it remains unclear whether the erupting magmas became permeable at porosities of approximately 0.7 or at lower values. Sample deformation resulted in compaction and vesicle connectivity either increased or decreased. At small strains permeability of some samples increased, but at higher strains permeability decreased. Samples remain permeable down to vesicularities of less than 0.2, consistent with a potential hysteresis in permeability-porosity between expansion (vesiculation) and compaction (outgassing). We attribute this to retention of vesicle interconnectivity, albeit at reduced vesicle size, as well as bubble coalescence during shear deformation. We provide an equation that approximates the change in permeability during compaction. Based on a comparison with data from effusively erupted silicic samples, we propose that this equation can be used to model the change in permeability during compaction of effusively erupting magmas.

  5. 76 FR 43701 - Renewal of Agency Information Collection for Class III Tribal State Gaming Compact Process...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-07-21

    ... Compact Process. The information collection is currently authorized by OMB Control Number 1076-0172, which... OMB Control Number: 1076-0172. Title: Class III Tribal State Gaming Compact Process, 25 CFR 293. Brief...

  6. Explosive Joining for the Mars Sample Return Mission

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bement, Laurence J.; Sanok, Joseph T.

    2000-01-01

    A unique, small-scale, ribbon explosive joining process is being developed as an option for closing and sealing a metal canister to allow the return of a pristine sample of the Martian surface and atmosphere to Earth. This joining process is accomplished by an explosively driven, high-velocity, angular collision of the metal, which melts and effaces the oxide films from the surfaces to allow valence electron sharing to bond the interface. Significant progress has been made through more than 100 experimental tests to meet the goals of this ongoing developmental effort. The metal of choice, aluminum alloy 6061, has been joined in multiple interface configurations and in complete cylinders. This process can accommodate dust and debris on the surfaces to be joined. It can both create and sever a joint at its midpoint with one explosive input. Finally, an approach has been demonstrated that can capture the back blast from the explosive.

  7. Explosive Spot Joining of Metals

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bement, Laurence J. (Inventor); Perry, Ronnie B. (Inventor)

    1997-01-01

    The invention is an apparatus and method for wire splicing using an explosive joining process. The apparatus consists of a prebend, U-shaped strap of metal that slides over prepositioned wires. A standoff means separates the wires from the strap before joining. An adhesive means holds two ribbon explosives in position centered over the U-shaped strap. A detonating means connects to the ribbon explosives. The process involves spreading strands of each wire to be joined into a flat plane. The process then requires alternating each strand in alignment to form a mesh-like arrangement with an overlapped area. The strap slides over the strands of the wires. and the standoff means is positioned between the two surfaces. The detonating means then initiates the ribbon explosives that drive the strap to accomplish a high velocity. angular collision between the mating surfaces. This collision creates surface melts and collision bonding resulting in electron-sharing linkups.

  8. Modeling a Material's Instantaneous Velocity during Acceleration Driven by a Detonation's Gas-Push Process

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Backofen, Joseph E.

    2005-07-01

    This paper will describe both the scientific findings and the model developed in order to quantfy a material's instantaneous velocity versus position, time, or the expansion ratio of an explosive's gaseous products while its gas pressure is accelerating the material. The formula derived to represent this gas-push process for the 2nd stage of the BRIGS Two-Step Detonation Propulsion Model was found to fit very well the published experimental data available for twenty explosives. When the formula's two key parameters (the ratio Vinitial / Vfinal and ExpansionRatioFinal) were adjusted slightly from the average values describing closely many explosives to values representing measured data for a particular explosive, the formula's representation of that explosive's gas-push process was improved. The time derivative of the velocity formula representing acceleration and/or pressure compares favorably to Jones-Wilkins-Lee equation-of-state model calculations performed using published JWL parameters.

  9. Numerical investigation of particle-blast interaction during explosive dispersal of liquids and granular materials

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pontalier, Q.; Lhoumeau, M.; Milne, A. M.; Longbottom, A. W.; Frost, D. L.

    2018-05-01

    Experiments show that when a high-explosive charge with embedded particles or a charge surrounded by a layer of liquid or granular material is detonated, the flow generated is perturbed by the motion of the particles and the blast wave profile differs from that of an ideal Friedlander form. Initially, the blast wave overpressure is reduced due to the energy dissipation resulting from compaction, fragmentation, and heating of the particle bed, and acceleration of the material. However, as the blast wave propagates, particle-flow interactions collectively serve to reduce the rate of decay of the peak blast wave overpressure. Computations carried out with a multiphase hydrocode reproduce the general trends observed experimentally and highlight the transition between the particle acceleration/deceleration phases, which is not accessible experimentally, since the particles are obscured by the detonation products. The dependence of the particle-blast interaction and the blast mitigation effectiveness on the mitigant to explosive mass ratio, the particle size, and the initial solid volume fraction is investigated systematically. The reduction in peak blast overpressure is, as in experiments, primarily dependent on the mass ratio of material to explosive, with the particle size, density, and initial porosity of the particle bed playing secondary roles. In the near field, the blast overpressure decreases sharply with distance as the particles are accelerated by the flow. When the particles decelerate due to drag, energy is returned to the flow and the peak blast overpressure recovers and reaches values similar to that of a bare explosive charge for low mass ratios. Time-distance trajectory plots of the particle and blast wave motion with the pressure field superimposed, illustrate the weak pressure waves generated by the motion of the particle layer which travel upstream and perturb the blast wave motion. Computation of the particle and gas momentum flux in the multiphase flow generated during explosive particle dispersal indicates that the particle momentum flux is the dominant term in the near field. Both the gas and particle loading must be taken into account when determining the damage to nearby structures following the detonation of a high-explosive charge surrounded by a material layer.

  10. Numerical investigation of particle-blast interaction during explosive dispersal of liquids and granular materials

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pontalier, Q.; Lhoumeau, M.; Milne, A. M.; Longbottom, A. W.; Frost, D. L.

    2018-04-01

    Experiments show that when a high-explosive charge with embedded particles or a charge surrounded by a layer of liquid or granular material is detonated, the flow generated is perturbed by the motion of the particles and the blast wave profile differs from that of an ideal Friedlander form. Initially, the blast wave overpressure is reduced due to the energy dissipation resulting from compaction, fragmentation, and heating of the particle bed, and acceleration of the material. However, as the blast wave propagates, particle-flow interactions collectively serve to reduce the rate of decay of the peak blast wave overpressure. Computations carried out with a multiphase hydrocode reproduce the general trends observed experimentally and highlight the transition between the particle acceleration/deceleration phases, which is not accessible experimentally, since the particles are obscured by the detonation products. The dependence of the particle-blast interaction and the blast mitigation effectiveness on the mitigant to explosive mass ratio, the particle size, and the initial solid volume fraction is investigated systematically. The reduction in peak blast overpressure is, as in experiments, primarily dependent on the mass ratio of material to explosive, with the particle size, density, and initial porosity of the particle bed playing secondary roles. In the near field, the blast overpressure decreases sharply with distance as the particles are accelerated by the flow. When the particles decelerate due to drag, energy is returned to the flow and the peak blast overpressure recovers and reaches values similar to that of a bare explosive charge for low mass ratios. Time-distance trajectory plots of the particle and blast wave motion with the pressure field superimposed, illustrate the weak pressure waves generated by the motion of the particle layer which travel upstream and perturb the blast wave motion. Computation of the particle and gas momentum flux in the multiphase flow generated during explosive particle dispersal indicates that the particle momentum flux is the dominant term in the near field. Both the gas and particle loading must be taken into account when determining the damage to nearby structures following the detonation of a high-explosive charge surrounded by a material layer.

  11. Phase transitions in dense matter

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dexheimer, Veronica; Hempel, Matthias; Iosilevskiy, Igor; Schramm, Stefan

    2017-11-01

    As the density of matter increases, atomic nuclei disintegrate into nucleons and, eventually, the nucleons themselves disintegrate into quarks. The phase transitions (PT's) between these phases can vary from steep first order to smooth crossovers, depending on certain conditions. First-order PT's with more than one globally conserved charge, so-called non-congruent PT's, have characteristic differences compared to congruent PT's. In this conference proceeding we discuss the non-congruence of the quark deconfinement PT at high densities and/or temperatures relevant for heavy-ion collisions, neutron stars, proto-neutron stars, supernova explosions, and compact-star mergers.

  12. Defense Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR). Volume 4. Defense Agency Projects, Abstracts of Phase 1 Awards from FY 1989 SBIR Solicitation

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1990-04-01

    EXPLOSIVE ACTIVITY . FINDINGS AND MEASUREMENTS FROM EACH IMAGE WILL BE COMBINED IN A GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION DATA BASE . VARIOUS IMAGE AND MAP PROJECTS WILL BE...PROPOSAL OF LAND MINES DETECTION BY A NUCLEAR ACTIVATION METHOD IS BASED ON A NEW EXTREMELY INTENSE, COMPACT PULSED SOURCE OF 14.1 MeV NEUTRONS (WITH A...CONVENTIONAL KNOWLEDGE- BASED SYSTEMS TOPIC# 38 OFFICE: PM/SBIR IDENT#: 33862 CASE- BASED REASONING (CBR) REPRESENTS A POWERFUL NEW PARADIGM FOR BUILDING EXPERT

  13. Explosive Welding in the 1990's

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lalwaney, N. S.; Linse, V. D.

    1985-01-01

    Explosive bonding is a unique joining process with the serious potential to produce composite materials capable of fulfilling many of the high performance materials capable of fulfilling many of the high performance materials needs of the 1990's. The process has the technological versatility to provide a true high quality metallurgical compatible and incompatible systems. Metals routinely explosively bonded include a wide variety of combinations of reactive and refractory metals, low and high density metals and their alloys, corrosion resistant and high strength alloys, and common steels. The major advantage of the process is its ability to custom design and engineer composites with physical and/or mechanical properties that meet a specific or unusual performance requirement. Explosive bonding offers the designer unique opportunities in materials selection with unique combinations of properties and high integrity bonds that cannot be achieved by any other metal joining process. The process and some applications are discussed.

  14. Investigating ground effects on mixing and afterburning during a TNT explosion

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fedina, E.; Fureby, C.

    2013-05-01

    In this paper, the unconfined and semi-confined condensed phase explosions of TNT will be studied using large eddy simulations based on the unsteady, compressible, reacting, multi-species Navier-Stokes equations to gain further understanding of the physical processes involved in a condensed phase explosion and the effect of confinement on the physical processes involved. The analysis of the mixing and afterburning of TNT explosions in free air (unconfined) and near the ground (semi-confined) indicates that the combustion region of detonation products and air is determined by the vorticity patterns, which are induced by the Richtmeyer-Meshkov instabilities that arise during the explosion. When the explosive is detonated in the vicinity of a surface, the surface affects the shock propagation by creating complex shock systems, thereby changing the orientation of the vorticity, giving the afterburning a mushroom shape, and increasing performance of an explosive charge by prolonging the existence of the mixing layer and thereby the afterburning.

  15. The physical basis of explosion and blast injury processes.

    PubMed

    Proud, W G

    2013-03-01

    Energetic materials are widely used in civilian and military applications, such as quarrying and mining, flares, and in munitions. Recent conflicts have involved the widespread use of improvised explosive devices to attack military, civilians and infrastructure. This article gives a basic overview of explosive technology and the underlying physical processes that produce the injuries encountered. In particular aspects relevant to primary and secondary injuries are discussed.

  16. Development and validation of a solid phase extraction sample cleanup procedure for the recovery of trace levels of nitro-organic explosives in soil.

    PubMed

    Thomas, Jennifer L; Donnelly, Christopher C; Lloyd, Erin W; Mothershead, Robert F; Miller, Mark L

    2018-03-01

    An improved cleanup method has been developed for the recovery of trace levels of 12 nitro-organic explosives in soil, which is important not only for the forensic community, but also has environmental implications. A wide variety of explosives or explosive-related compounds were evaluated, including nitramines, nitrate esters, nitroaromatics, and a nitroalkane. Fortified soil samples were extracted with acetone, processed via solid phase extraction (SPE), and then analyzed by gas chromatography with electron capture detection. The following three SPE sorbents in cartridge format were compared: Empore™ SDB-XC, Oasis ® HLB, and Bond Elut NEXUS cartridges. The NEXUS cartridges provided the best overall recoveries for the 12 explosives in potting soil (average 48%) and the fastest processing times (<30min). It also rejected matrix components from spent motor oil on potting soil. The SPE method was validated by assessing limit of detection (LOD), processed sample stability, and interferences. All 12 compounds were detectable at 0.02μg explosive/gram of soil or lower in the three matrices tested (potting soil, sand, and loam) over three days. Seven explosives were stable up to seven days at 2μg/g and three were stable at 0.2μg/g, both in processed loam, which was the most challenging matrix. In the interference study, five interferences above the determined LOD for soil were detected in matrices collected across the United States and in purchased all-purpose sand, potting soil, and loam. This represented a 3.2% false positive rate for the 13 matrices processed by the screening method for interferences. The reported SPE cleanup method provides a fast and simple extraction process for separating organic explosives from matrix components, facilitating sample throughput and reducing instrument maintenance. In addition, a comparison study of the validated SPE method versus conventional syringe filtration was completed and highlighted the benefits of sample cleanup for removing matrix interferences, while also providing lower supply cost, order of magnitude lower LODs for most explosives, higher percent recoveries for complex matrices, and fewer instrument maintenance issues. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  17. Spinoff 2010

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    2010-01-01

    Topics covered include: Burnishing Techniques Strengthen Hip Implants; Signal Processing Methods Monitor Cranial Pressure; Ultraviolet-Blocking Lenses Protect, Enhance Vision; Hyperspectral Systems Increase Imaging Capabilities; Programs Model the Future of Air Traffic Management; Tail Rotor Airfoils Stabilize Helicopters, Reduce Noise; Personal Aircraft Point to the Future of Transportation; Ducted Fan Designs Lead to Potential New Vehicles; Winglets Save Billions of Dollars in Fuel Costs; Sensor Systems Collect Critical Aerodynamics Data; Coatings Extend Life of Engines and Infrastructure; Radiometers Optimize Local Weather Prediction; Energy-Efficient Systems Eliminate Icing Danger for UAVs; Rocket-Powered Parachutes Rescue Entire Planes; Technologies Advance UAVs for Science, Military; Inflatable Antennas Support Emergency Communication; Smart Sensors Assess Structural Health; Hand-Held Devices Detect Explosives and Chemical Agents; Terahertz Tools Advance Imaging for Security, Industry; LED Systems Target Plant Growth; Aerogels Insulate Against Extreme Temperatures; Image Sensors Enhance Camera Technologies; Lightweight Material Patches Allow for Quick Repairs; Nanomaterials Transform Hairstyling Tools; Do-It-Yourself Additives Recharge Auto Air Conditioning; Systems Analyze Water Quality in Real Time; Compact Radiometers Expand Climate Knowledge; Energy Servers Deliver Clean, Affordable Power; Solutions Remediate Contaminated Groundwater; Bacteria Provide Cleanup of Oil Spills, Wastewater; Reflective Coatings Protect People and Animals; Innovative Techniques Simplify Vibration Analysis; Modeling Tools Predict Flow in Fluid Dynamics; Verification Tools Secure Online Shopping, Banking; Toolsets Maintain Health of Complex Systems; Framework Resources Multiply Computing Power; Tools Automate Spacecraft Testing, Operation; GPS Software Packages Deliver Positioning Solutions; Solid-State Recorders Enhance Scientific Data Collection; Computer Models Simulate Fine Particle Dispersion; Composite Sandwich Technologies Lighten Components; Cameras Reveal Elements in the Short Wave Infrared; Deformable Mirrors Correct Optical Distortions; Stitching Techniques Advance Optics Manufacturing; Compact, Robust Chips Integrate Optical Functions; Fuel Cell Stations Automate Processes, Catalyst Testing; Onboard Systems Record Unique Videos of Space Missions; Space Research Results Purify Semiconductor Materials; and Toolkits Control Motion of Complex Robotics.

  18. Powder compaction in systems of bimodal distribution

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Chattopadhyay, A. K.; Whittemore, O. J., Jr.

    1973-01-01

    The compaction of mixtures involving different particle sizes is discussed. The various stages of the compaction process include the rearrangement of particles, the filling of the interstices of the large particles by the smaller ones, and the change in particle size and shape upon further densification through the application of pressure. Experimental approaches and equipment used for compacting material are discussed together with the theoretical relations of the compacting process.

  19. Investigation on the Interface Morphologies of Explosive Welding of Inconel 625 to Steel A516 Plates

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mousavi, S. A. A. Akbari; Zareie, H. R.

    2011-01-01

    The purpose of this study is to produce composite plates by explosive cladding process. This is a process in which the controlled energy of explosives is used to create a metallic bond between two similar or dissimilar materials. The welding conditions were tailored through parallel geometry route with different operational parameters. In this investigation, a two-pronged study was adopted to establish the conditions required for producing successful solid state welding: (a) Analytical calculations to determine the weldability domain or welding window; (b) Metallurgical investigations of explosive welding experiments carried out under different explosive ratios to produce both wavy and straight interfaces. The analytical calculations confirm the experimental results. Optical microscopy studies show that a transition from a smooth to wavy interface occurs with an increase in explosive ratio. SEM studies show that the interface was outlined by characteristic sharp transition between two materials.

  20. Field emission and explosive electron emission process in focused ion beam fabricated platinum and tungsten three-dimensional overhanging nanostructure

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Singh, Abhishek Kumar

    2018-06-01

    Three-dimensional platinum and tungsten overhanging nanogap (∼70 nm) electrodes are fabricated on a glass substrate using focused ion beam milling and chemical vapour deposition processes. Current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of the devices measured at a pressure of ∼10-6 mbar shows space-charge emission followed by the Fowler-Nordheim (F-N) field emission. After the F-N emission, the system enters into an explosive emission process, at a higher voltage generating a huge current. We observe a sharp and abrupt rise in the emission current which marks the transition from the F-N emission to the explosive emission state. The explosive emission process is destructive in nature and yields micro-/nano-size spherical metal particles. The chemical compositions and the size-distribution of such particles are performed.

  1. Characterization by X-ray tomography of granulated alumina powder during in situ die compaction

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

    Cottrino, Sandrine; Jorand, Yves, E-mail: yves.jorand@insa-lyon.fr; Maire, Eric

    2013-07-15

    Compaction process, the aim of which being to obtain green bodies with low porosity and small size, is often used before sintering treatment. Prior to die filling, the ceramic powder is generally granulated to improve flowability. However during compaction, density heterogeneity and critical size defects may appear due to intergranule and granule-die wall frictions. In this work, the influence of granule formulation on the compact morphology has been studied. To do so, a compaction setup was installed inside an X-ray tomography equipment so that the evolution of the compact morphology could be analysed during the whole compaction process. We havemore » demonstrated that high humidity rate and the addition of binder in the granule formulation increase density heterogeneity and generate larger defects. - Highlights: • An original compaction set up was installed inside an X-Ray tomography equipment. • The compaction process of granulated ceramic powder is imaged. • The compact green microstructure is quantified and related to the compaction stages. • The most detrimental defects of dry-pressed parts are caused by hollow granules. • Formulations without binder allow a reduction of the number of large defects.« less

  2. The numerical methods for the development of the mixture region in the vapor explosion simulations

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

    Yang, Y.; Ohashi, H.; Akiyama, M.

    An attempt to numerically simulate the process of the vapor explosion with a general multi-component and multi-dimension code is being challenged. Because of the rapid change of the flow field and extremely nonuniform distribution of the components in the system of the vapor explosion, the numerical divergence and diffusion are subject to occur easily. A dispersed component model and a multiregion scheme, by which these difficulties can be effectively overcome, were proposed. The simulations have been performed for the processes of the premixing and the fragmentation propagation in the vapor explosion.

  3. Pretreatment efficiency and structural characterization of rice straw by an integrated process of dilute-acid and steam explosion for bioethanol production.

    PubMed

    Chen, Wen-Hua; Pen, Ben-Li; Yu, Ching-Tsung; Hwang, Wen-Song

    2011-02-01

    The combined pretreatment of rice straw using dilute-acid and steam explosion followed by enzymatic hydrolysis was investigated and compared with acid-catalyzed steam explosion pretreatment. In addition to measuring the chemical composition, including glucan, xylan and lignin content, changes in rice straw features after pretreatment were investigated in terms of the straw's physical properties. These properties included crystallinity, surface area, mean particle size and scanning electron microscopy imagery. The effect of acid concentration on the acid-catalyzed steam explosion was studied in a range between 1% and 15% acid at 180°C for 2 min. We also investigated the influence of the residence time of the steam explosion in the combined pretreatment and the optimum conditions for the dilute-acid hydrolysis step in order to develop an integrated process for the dilute-acid and steam explosion. The optimum operational conditions for the first dilute-acid hydrolysis step were determined to be 165°C for 2 min with 2% H(2)SO(4) and for the second steam explosion step was to be carried out at 180°C for 20 min; this gave the most favorable combination in terms of an integrated process. We found that rice straw pretreated by the dilute-acid/steam explosions had a higher xylose yield, a lower level of inhibitor in the hydrolysate and a greater degree of enzymatic hydrolysis; this resulted in a 1.5-fold increase in the overall sugar yield when compared to the acid-catalyzed steam explosion. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. Explosive bonding of metal-matrix composites

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Reece, O. Y.

    1969-01-01

    Explosive bonding process produces sheet composites of aluminum alloy reinforced by high-strength stainless steel wires. The bonds are excellent metallurgically, no external heat is required, various metals can be bonded, and the process is inexpensive.

  5. In the blink of an eye: head mounted displays development within BAE Systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cameron, Alex

    2015-05-01

    There has been an explosion of interest in head worn displays in recent years, particularly for consumer applications with an attendant ramping up of investment into key enabling technologies to provide what is essence a mobile computer display. However, head mounted system have been around for over 40 years and today's consumer products are building on a legacy of knowledge and technology created by companies such as BAE Systems who have been designing and fielding helmet mounted displays (HMD) for a wide range of specialist applications. Although the dominant application area has been military aviation, solutions have been fielded for solider, ground vehicle, simulation, medical, racing car and even subsea navigation applications. What sets these HMDs apart is that they provide the user with accurate conformal information embedded in the users real world view where the information presented is intuitive and easy to use because it overlays the real world and enables them to stay head up, eyes out, - improving their effectiveness, reducing workload and improving safety. Such systems are an enabling technology in the provision of enhanced Situation Awareness (SA) and reducing user workload in high intensity situations. These capabilities are finding much wider application in new types of compact man mounted audio/visual products enabled by the emergence of new families of micro displays, novel optical concepts and ultra-compact low power processing solutions. This paper therefore provides a personal summary of BAE Systems 40 year's journey in developing and fielding Head Mounted systems, their applications.

  6. Quantitative analysis of packed and compacted granular systems by x-ray microtomography

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fu, Xiaowei; Milroy, Georgina E.; Dutt, Meenakshi; Bentham, A. Craig; Hancock, Bruno C.; Elliott, James A.

    2005-04-01

    The packing and compaction of powders are general processes in pharmaceutical, food, ceramic and powder metallurgy industries. Understanding how particles pack in a confined space and how powders behave during compaction is crucial for producing high quality products. This paper outlines a new technique, based on modern desktop X-ray tomography and image processing, to quantitatively investigate the packing of particles in the process of powder compaction and provide great insights on how powder densify during powder compaction, which relate in terms of materials properties and processing conditions to tablet manufacture by compaction. A variety of powder systems were considered, which include glass, sugar, NaCl, with a typical particle size of 200-300 mm and binary mixtures of NaCl-Glass Spheres. The results are new and have been validated by SEM observation and numerical simulations using discrete element methods (DEM). The research demonstrates that XMT technique has the potential in further investigating of pharmaceutical processing and even verifying other physical models on complex packing.

  7. Planar blast scaling with condensed-phase explosives in a shock tube

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

    Jackson, Scott L

    2011-01-25

    Blast waves are strong shock waves that result from large power density deposition into a fluid. The rapid energy release of high-explosive (HE) detonation provides sufficiently high power density for blast wave generation. Often it is desirable to quantify the energy released by such an event and to determine that energy relative to other reference explosives to derive an explosive-equivalence value. In this study, we use condensed-phase explosives to drive a blast wave in a shock tube. The explosive material and quantity were varied to produce blast waves of differing strengths. Pressure transducers at varying lengths measured the post-shock pressure,more » shock-wave arrival time and sidewall impulse associated with each test. Blast-scaling concepts in a one-dimensional geometry were then used to both determine the energy release associated with each test and to verify the scaling of the shock position versus time, overpressure versus distance, and impulse. Most blast scaling measurements to-date have been performed in a three-dimensional geometry such as a blast arena. Testing in a three-dimensional geometry can be challenging, however, as spherical shock-wave symmetry is required for good measurements. Additionally, the spherical wave strength decays rapidly with distance and it can be necessary to utilize larger (several kg) quantities of explosive to prevent significant decay from occurring before an idealized blast wave has formed. Such a mode of testing can be expensive, require large quantities of explosive, and be limited by both atmospheric conditions (such as rain) and by noise complaints from the population density near the test arena. Testing is possible in more compact geometries, however. Non-planar blast waves can be formed into a quasi-planar shape by confining the shock diffraction with the walls of a shock tube. Regardless of the initial form, the wave shape will begin to approximate a planar front after successive wave reflections from the tube walls. Such a technique has previously been used to obtain blast scaling measurements in the planar geometry with gaseous explosives and the condensed-phase explosive nitroguanidine. Recently, there has been much interest in the blast characterization of various non-ideal high explosive (NIHE) materials. With non-ideals, the detonation reaction zone is significantly larger (up to several cm for ANFO) than more ideal explosives. Wave curvature, induced by charge-geometry, can significantly affect the energy release associated with NIHEs. To measure maximum NIHE energy release accurately, it is desirable to minimize any such curvature and, if possible, to overdrive the detonation shock to ensure completion of chemical reactions ahead of the sonic locus associated with the reaction zone. This is achieved in the current study through use of a powerful booster HE and a charge geometry consisting of short cylindrical lengths of NIHE initiated along the charge centerline.« less

  8. Characteristics of terrestrial basaltic rock populations: Implications for Mars lander and rover science and safety

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Craddock, Robert A.; Golombek, Matthew P.

    2016-08-01

    We analyzed the morphometry of basaltic rock populations that have been emplaced or affected by a variety of geologic processes, including explosive volcanic eruptions (as a proxy for impact cratering), catastrophic flooding, frost shattering, salt weathering, alluvial deposition, and chemical weathering. Morphometric indices for these rock populations were compared to an unmodified population of rocks that had broken off a solidified lava flow to understand how different geologic processes change rock shape. We found that a majority of rocks have an sphericity described as either a disc or sphere in the Zingg classification system and posit that this is a function of cooling fractures in the basalt (Zingg [1935] Schweiz. Miner. Petrogr. Mitt., 15, 39-140). Angularity (roundness) is the most diagnostic morphometric index, but the Corey Shape Factor (CSF), Oblate-Prolate Index (OPI) and deviation from compactness (D) also sometimes distinguished weathering processes. Comparison of our results to prior analyses of rock populations found at the Mars Pathfinder, Spirit, and Curiosity landing sites support previous conclusions. The observation that the size-frequency distribution of terrestrial rock populations follow exponential functions similar to lander and orbital measurements of rocks on Mars, which is expected from fracture and fragmentation theory, indicates that these distributions are being dominantly controlled by the initial fracture and fragmentation of the basalt.

  9. Explosive synchronization as a process of explosive percolation in dynamical phase space

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Xiyun; Zou, Yong; Boccaletti, S.; Liu, Zonghua

    2014-01-01

    Explosive synchronization and explosive percolation are currently two independent phenomena occurring in complex networks, where the former takes place in dynamical phase space while the latter in configuration space. It has been revealed that the mechanism of EP can be explained by the Achlioptas process, where the formation of a giant component is controlled by a suppressive rule. We here introduce an equivalent suppressive rule for ES. Before the critical point of ES, the suppressive rule induces the presence of multiple, small sized, synchronized clusters, while inducing the abrupt formation of a giant cluster of synchronized oscillators at the critical coupling strength. We also show how the explosive character of ES degrades into a second-order phase transition when the suppressive rule is broken. These results suggest that our suppressive rule can be considered as a dynamical counterpart of the Achlioptas process, indicating that ES and EP can be unified into a same framework. PMID:24903808

  10. Nonstandard neutrino interactions in supernovae

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Stapleford, Charles J.; Väänänen, Daavid J.; Kneller, James P.; McLaughlin, Gail C.; Shapiro, Brandon T.

    2016-11-01

    Nonstandard interactions (NSI) of neutrinos with matter can significantly alter neutrino flavor evolution in supernovae with the potential to impact explosion dynamics, nucleosynthesis, and the neutrinos signal. In this paper, we explore, both numerically and analytically, the landscape of neutrino flavor transformation effects in supernovae due to NSI and find a new, heretofore unseen transformation processes can occur. These new transformations can take place with NSI strengths well below current experimental limits. Within a broad swath of NSI parameter space, we observe symmetric and standard matter-neutrino resonances for supernovae neutrinos, a transformation effect previously only seen in compact object merger scenarios; in another region of the parameter space we find the NSI can induce neutrino collective effects in scenarios where none would appear with only the standard case of neutrino oscillation physics; and in a third region the NSI can lead to the disappearance of the high density Mikheyev-Smirnov-Wolfenstein resonance. Using a variety of analytical tools, we are able to describe quantitatively the numerical results allowing us to partition the NSI parameter according to the transformation processes observed. Our results indicate nonstandard interactions of supernova neutrinos provide a sensitive probe of beyond the Standard Model physics complementary to present and future terrestrial experiments.

  11. Digital micromirror devices in Raman trace detection of explosives

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Glimtoft, Martin; Svanqvist, Mattias; Ågren, Matilda; Nordberg, Markus; Östmark, Henric

    2016-05-01

    Imaging Raman spectroscopy based on tunable filters is an established technique for detecting single explosives particles at stand-off distances. However, large light losses are inherent in the design due to sequential imaging at different wavelengths, leading to effective transmission often well below 1 %. The use of digital micromirror devices (DMD) and compressive sensing (CS) in imaging Raman explosives trace detection can improve light throughput and add significant flexibility compared to existing systems. DMDs are based on mature microelectronics technology, and are compact, scalable, and can be customized for specific tasks, including new functions not available with current technologies. This paper has been focusing on investigating how a DMD can be used when applying CS-based imaging Raman spectroscopy on stand-off explosives trace detection, and evaluating the performance in terms of light throughput, image reconstruction ability and potential detection limits. This type of setup also gives the possibility to combine imaging Raman with non-spatially resolved fluorescence suppression techniques, such as Kerr gating. The system used consists of a 2nd harmonics Nd:YAG laser for sample excitation, collection optics, DMD, CMOScamera and a spectrometer with ICCD camera for signal gating and detection. Initial results for compressive sensing imaging Raman shows a stable reconstruction procedure even at low signals and in presence of interfering background signal. It is also shown to give increased effective light transmission without sacrificing molecular specificity or area coverage compared to filter based imaging Raman. At the same time it adds flexibility so the setup can be customized for new functionality.

  12. Minutes of the 23rd Eplosives Safety Seminar, volume 2

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    1988-08-01

    Some areas of discussion at this seminar were: Hazards and risks of the disposal of chemical munitions using a cryogenic process; Special equipment for demilitarization of lethal chemical agent filled munitions; explosive containment room (ECR) repair Johnston Atoll chemical agent disposal system; Sympathetic detonation testing; Blast loads, external and internal; Structural reponse testing of walls, doors, and valves; Underground explosion effects, external airblast; Explosives shipping, transportation safety and port licensing; Explosive safety management; Underground explosion effects, model test and soil rock effects; Chemical risk and protection of workers; and Full scale explosives storage test.

  13. Iron-carbon compacts and process for making them

    DOEpatents

    Sheinberg, Haskell

    2000-01-01

    The present invention includes iron-carbon compacts and a process for making them. The process includes preparing a slurry comprising iron powder, furfuryl alcohol, and a polymerization catalyst for initiating the polymerization of the furfuryl alcohol into a resin, and heating the slurry to convert the alcohol into the resin. The resulting mixture is pressed into a green body and heated to form the iron-carbon compact. The compact can be used as, or machined into, a magnetic flux concentrator for an induction heating apparatus.

  14. Physical explosion analysis in heat exchanger network design

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pasha, M.; Zaini, D.; Shariff, A. M.

    2016-06-01

    The failure of shell and tube heat exchangers is being extensively experienced by the chemical process industries. This failure can create a loss of production for long time duration. Moreover, loss of containment through heat exchanger could potentially lead to a credible event such as fire, explosion and toxic release. There is a need to analyse the possible worst case effect originated from the loss of containment of the heat exchanger at the early design stage. Physical explosion analysis during the heat exchanger network design is presented in this work. Baker and Prugh explosion models are deployed for assessing the explosion effect. Microsoft Excel integrated with process design simulator through object linking and embedded (OLE) automation for this analysis. Aspen HYSYS V (8.0) used as a simulation platform in this work. A typical heat exchanger network of steam reforming and shift conversion process was presented as a case study. It is investigated from this analysis that overpressure generated from the physical explosion of each heat exchanger can be estimated in a more precise manner by using Prugh model. The present work could potentially assist the design engineer to identify the critical heat exchanger in the network at the preliminary design stage.

  15. Common Occurrence of Explosive Hydrogen Burning in Type II Supernovae

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Nan; Stephan, Thomas; Boehnke, Patrick; Nittler, Larry R.; Meyer, Bradley S.; O’D. Alexander, Conel M.; Davis, Andrew M.; Trappitsch, Reto; Pellin, Michael J.

    2018-03-01

    We report Mo isotopic data for 16 15N-rich presolar SiC grains of type AB (14N/15N < solar, AB1) and their correlated Sr and Ba isotope ratios when available. Of the 16 AB1 grains, 8 show s-process Mo isotopic compositions, together with s-process Ba and/or Sr isotopic compositions. We found that a higher percentage of AB1 grains show anomalous isotopic compositions than that of AB2 grains (14N/15N > solar), thus providing further support to the division of the two AB subgroups recently proposed by Liu et al., who showed that AB1 grains most likely originated from Type II supernovae (SNe) with explosive H burning. Comparison of the Sr, Mo, and Ba isotopic compositions of the AB1 grains with SN model predictions indicates that the s-process isotopic compositions of AB1 grains resulted from neutron-capture processes occurring during the progenitor massive stars’ pre-SN evolution rather than from an explosive neutron-capture process. In addition, the observations of (1) explosive H burning occurring in the C-rich regions of the progenitor SNe of X grains as suggested by the isotopic compositions of X grains, and (2) explosive H burning occurring both at the bottom of the He/C zone and at the top of the He/N zone as suggested by model simulations, imply that explosive H burning is a common phenomenon in outer SN zones.

  16. Common Occurrence of Explosive Hydrogen Burning in Type II Supernovae

    DOE PAGES

    Liu, Nan; Stephan, Thomas; Boehnke, Patrick; ...

    2018-03-16

    In this paper, we report Mo isotopic data for 16 15N-rich presolar SiC grains of type AB ( 14N/ 15N < solar, AB1) and their correlated Sr and Ba isotope ratios when available. Of the 16 AB1 grains, 8 show s-process Mo isotopic compositions, together with s-process Ba and/or Sr isotopic compositions. We found that a higher percentage of AB1 grains show anomalous isotopic compositions than that of AB2 grains ( 14N/ 15N > solar), thus providing further support to the division of the two AB subgroups recently proposed by Liu et al., who showed that AB1 grains most likelymore » originated from Type II supernovae (SNe) with explosive H burning. Comparison of the Sr, Mo, and Ba isotopic compositions of the AB1 grains with SN model predictions indicates that the s-process isotopic compositions of AB1 grains resulted from neutron-capture processes occurring during the progenitor massive stars' pre-SN evolution rather than from an explosive neutron-capture process. Finally, in addition, the observations of (1) explosive H burning occurring in the C-rich regions of the progenitor SNe of X grains as suggested by the isotopic compositions of X grains, and (2) explosive H burning occurring both at the bottom of the He/C zone and at the top of the He/N zone as suggested by model simulations, imply that explosive H burning is a common phenomenon in outer SN zones.« less

  17. Common Occurrence of Explosive Hydrogen Burning in Type II Supernovae

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

    Liu, Nan; Stephan, Thomas; Boehnke, Patrick

    In this paper, we report Mo isotopic data for 16 15N-rich presolar SiC grains of type AB ( 14N/ 15N < solar, AB1) and their correlated Sr and Ba isotope ratios when available. Of the 16 AB1 grains, 8 show s-process Mo isotopic compositions, together with s-process Ba and/or Sr isotopic compositions. We found that a higher percentage of AB1 grains show anomalous isotopic compositions than that of AB2 grains ( 14N/ 15N > solar), thus providing further support to the division of the two AB subgroups recently proposed by Liu et al., who showed that AB1 grains most likelymore » originated from Type II supernovae (SNe) with explosive H burning. Comparison of the Sr, Mo, and Ba isotopic compositions of the AB1 grains with SN model predictions indicates that the s-process isotopic compositions of AB1 grains resulted from neutron-capture processes occurring during the progenitor massive stars' pre-SN evolution rather than from an explosive neutron-capture process. Finally, in addition, the observations of (1) explosive H burning occurring in the C-rich regions of the progenitor SNe of X grains as suggested by the isotopic compositions of X grains, and (2) explosive H burning occurring both at the bottom of the He/C zone and at the top of the He/N zone as suggested by model simulations, imply that explosive H burning is a common phenomenon in outer SN zones.« less

  18. Effects of acid impregnated steam explosion process on xylose recovery and enzymatic conversion of cellulose in corncob.

    PubMed

    Fan, Xiaoguang; Cheng, Gang; Zhang, Hongjia; Li, Menghua; Wang, Shizeng; Yuan, Qipeng

    2014-12-19

    Corncob residue is a cellulose-rich byproduct obtained from industrial xylose production via dilute acid hydrolysis processes. Enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose in acid hydrolysis residue of corncob (AHRC) is often less efficient without further pretreatment. In this work, the process characteristics of acid impregnated steam explosion were studied in conjunction with a dilute acid process, and their effects on physiochemical changes and enzymatic saccharification of corncob residue were compared. With the acid impregnated steam explosion process, both higher xylose recovery and higher cellulose conversion were obtained. The maximum conversion of cellulose in acid impregnated steam explosion residue of corncob (ASERC) reached 85.3%, which was 1.6 times higher than that of AHRC. Biomass compositional analysis showed similar cellulose and lignin content in ASERC and AHRC. XRD analysis demonstrated comparable crystallinity of ASERC and AHRC. The improved enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency was attributed to higher porosity in ASERC, measured by mercury porosimetry. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  19. PROCESS OF FORMING POWDERED MATERIAL

    DOEpatents

    Glatter, J.; Schaner, B.E.

    1961-07-14

    A process of forming high-density compacts of a powdered ceramic material is described by agglomerating the powdered ceramic material with a heat- decompossble binder, adding a heat-decompossble lubricant to the agglomerated material, placing a quantity of the material into a die cavity, pressing the material to form a compact, pretreating the compacts in a nonoxidizing atmosphere to remove the binder and lubricant, and sintering the compacts. When this process is used for making nuclear reactor fuel elements, the ceramic material is an oxide powder of a fissionsble material and after forming, the compacts are placed in a cladding tube which is closed at its ends by vapor tight end caps, so that the sintered compacts are held in close contact with each other and with the interior wall of the cladding tube.

  20. Building a Predictive Capability for Decision-Making that Supports MultiPEM

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

    Carmichael, Joshua Daniel

    Multi-phenomenological explosion monitoring (multiPEM) is a developing science that uses multiple geophysical signatures of explosions to better identify and characterize their sources. MultiPEM researchers seek to integrate explosion signatures together to provide stronger detection, parameter estimation, or screening capabilities between different sources or processes. This talk will address forming a predictive capability for screening waveform explosion signatures to support multiPEM.

  1. Analysis of dynamics of vulcanian activity of Ubinas volcano, using multicomponent seismic antennas

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Inza, L. A.; Métaxian, J. P.; Mars, J. I.; Bean, C. J.; O'Brien, G. S.; Macedo, O.; Zandomeneghi, D.

    2014-01-01

    A series of 16 vulcanian explosions occurred at Ubinas volcano between May 24 and June 14, 2009. The intervals between explosions were from 2.1 h to more than 6 days (mean interval, 33 h). Considering only the first nine explosions, the average time interval was 7.8 h. Most of the explosions occurred after a short time interval (< 8 h) and had low energy, which suggests that the refilling time was not sufficient for large accumulation of gas. A tremor episode followed 75% of the explosions, which coincided with pulses of ash emission. The durations of the tremors following the explosions were longer for the two highest energy explosions. To better understand the physical processes associated with these eruptive events, we localized the sources of explosions using two seismic antennas that were composed of three-component 10 and 12 sensors. We used the high-resolution MUSIC-3C algorithm to estimate the slowness vector for the first waves that composed the explosion signals recorded by the two antennas assuming propagation in a homogeneous medium. The initial part of the explosions was dominated by two frequencies, at 1.1 Hz and 1.5 Hz, for which we identified two separated sources located at 4810 m and 3890 m +/- 390 altitude, respectively. The position of these two sources was the same for the full 16 explosions. This implies the reproduction of similar mechanisms in the conduit. Based on the eruptive mechanisms proposed for other volcanoes of the same type, we interpret the position of these two sources as the limits of the conduit portion that was involved in the fragmentation process. Seismic data and ground deformation recorded simultaneously less than 2 km from the crater showed a decompression movement 2 s prior to each explosion. This movement can be interpreted as gas leakage at the level of the cap before its destruction. The pressure drop generated in the conduit could be the cause of the fragmentation process that propagated deeper. Based on these observations, we interpret the position of the highest source as the part of the conduit under the cap, and the deeper source as the limit of the fragmentation zone.

  2. Method of digesting an explosive nitro compound

    DOEpatents

    Shah, Manish M.

    2000-01-01

    The present invention is a process wherein bleaching oxidants are used to digest explosive nitro compounds. The process has an excellent reaction rate for digesting explosives and operates under multivariate conditions. Reaction solutions may be aqueous, non-aqueous or a combination thereof, and can also be any pH, but preferably have a pH between 2 and 9. The temperature may be ambient as well as any temperature above which freezing of the solution would occur and below which any degradation of the bleaching oxidant would occur or below which any explosive reaction would be initiated. The pressure may be any pressure, but is preferably ambient or atmospheric, or a pressure above a vapor pressure of the aqueous solution to avoid boiling of the solution. Because the bleaching oxidant molecules are small, much smaller than an enzyme molecule for example, they can penetrate the microstructure of plastic explosives faster. The bleaching oxidants generate reactive hydroxyl radicals, which can destroy other organic contaminants, if necessary, along with digesting the explosive nitro compound.

  3. Thermal reactive hazards of HMX with contaminants.

    PubMed

    Peng, Deng-Jr; Chang, Cheng-Ming; Chiu, Miin

    2004-10-18

    In the past, many unexpected runaway accidents occurred in manufacturing processes, involving volatile chemical and explosive storage and transportation. Incompatible product reactions of high explosives must be carefully considered using loss prevention strategies for thermal hazards risk analysis. High explosive reactions vary via environmental changes, contact materials, or process situations, such as onset temperature and shifts in reaction type when high explosives are in contact with contaminants. Therefore, the manufacture and handling of high explosives require the utmost in safety and loss prevention. HMX (cyclotetramethyene tetranitramine) is one kind of high explosive widely used around the world which is stable with high detonation strength properties. In this study, the influences of contaminants on HMX are investigated. The studied contaminants include ferrous chloride tetrahydrate, ferric chloride hexahydrate, acetone solution, acetic acid, and nitric acid. DSC thermal curves and incompatible reaction kinetic evaluations were preformed using iron, chlorine and acid. Organic acetone solution has lesser effects on HMX. Hopefully, this study will lead to improved thermal hazards risk analysis and reduce accidents.

  4. Nucleosynthesis inside Supernova-Driven Supercritical Accretion Disks

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fujimoto, Shin-Ichirou; Arai, Kenzo; Matsuba, Ryuichi; Hashimoto, Masa-Aki; Koike, Osamu; Mineshige, Shin

    2001-06-01

    We have investigated nucleosynthesis in a supercritical accretion disk around a compact object of 1.4Msolar, using the self-similar solution of an optically thick advection dominated flow. Supercritical accretion is expected to occur in a supernova with fallback material accreting onto a new-born compact object. It has been found that appreciable nuclear reactions take place even for a reasonable value of the viscosity parameter, αvissimeq 0.01, when the accretion rate dot{m}=dot{M}c2/(16LEdd) > 105, where LEdd is the Eddington luminosity. If dot{m} ge 4 × 106, all heavy elements are destroyed to 4He through photodisintegrations at the inner part of the disk. Even 4He is also disintegrated to protons and neutrons near the inner edge when dot{m} ge 2 × 107. If the fallback matter of the supernova explosion has the composition of a helium-rich layer of the progenitor, a considerable amount of 44Ti could be ejected via a jet from the disk.

  5. Anfo Response To Low-Stress Planar Impacts

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cooper, Marcia A.; Trott, Wayne M.; Schmitt, Robert G.; Short, Mark; Jackson, Scott I.

    2012-03-01

    Ammonium Nitrate plus Fuel Oil (ANFO) is a non-ideal explosive where the mixing behavior of the mm-diameter prills with the absorbed fuel oil is of critical importance for chemical energy release. The large-scale heterogeneity of ANFO establishes conditions uniquely suited for observation using the spatially- and temporally-resolved line-imaging ORVIS (Optically Recording Velocity Interferometer System) diagnostic. The first demonstration of transmitted wave profiles in ANFO from planar impacts using a single-stage gas gun is reported. Major observations including an extended compaction precursor, post-shock particle velocity variations and between-prill jetting are reported.

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

    Garnett, Robert W.

    Quite a broad range of accelerators have been applied to solving many of the challenging problems related to homeland security and defense. These accelerator systems range from relatively small, simple, and compact, to large and complex, based on the specific application requirements. They have been used or proposed as sources of primary and secondary probe beams for applications such as radiography and to induce specific reactions that are key signatures for detecting conventional explosives or fissile material. A brief overview and description of these accelerator systems, their specifications, and application will be presented. Some recent technology trends will also bemore » discussed.« less

  7. Overview of Accelerators with Potential Use in Homeland Security

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Garnett, Robert W.

    Quite a broad range of accelerators have been applied to solving many of the challenging problems related to homeland security and defense. These accelerator systems range from relatively small, simple, and compact, to large and complex, based on the specific application requirements. They have been used or proposed as sources of primary and secondary probe beams for applications such as radiography and to induce specific reactions that are key signatures for detecting conventional explosives or fissile material. A brief overview and description of these accelerator systems, their specifications, and application will be presented. Some recent technology trends will also be discussed.

  8. K-9 training aids made using additive manufacturing

    DOEpatents

    Reynolds, John G.; Durban, Matthew M.; Gash, Alexander E.; Grapes, Michael D.; Kelley, Ryan S.; Sullivan, Kyle T.

    2018-02-20

    Additive Manufacturing (AM) is used to make aids that target the training of K-9s to detect explosives. The process uses mixtures of explosives and matrices commonly used in AM. The explosives are formulated into a mixture with the matrix and printed using AM techniques and equipment. The explosive concentrations are kept less than 10% by wt. of the mixture to conform to requirements of shipping and handling.

  9. Metallic glass coating on metals plate by adjusted explosive welding technique

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, W. D.; Liu, K. X.; Chen, Q. Y.; Wang, J. T.; Yan, H. H.; Li, X. J.

    2009-09-01

    Using an adjusted explosive welding technique, an aluminum plate has been coated by a Fe-based metallic glass foil in this work. Scanning electronic micrographs reveal a defect-free metallurgical bonding between the Fe-based metallic glass foil and the aluminum plate. Experimental evidence indicates that the Fe-based metallic glass foil almost retains its amorphous state and mechanical properties after the explosive welding process. Additionally, the detailed explosive welding process has been simulated by a self-developed hydro-code and the bonding mechanism has been investigated by numerical analysis. The successful welding between the Fe-based metallic glass foil and the aluminum plate provides a new way to obtain amorphous coating on general metal substrates.

  10. A new supernova light curve modeling program

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jäger, Zoltán; Nagy, Andrea P.; Biro, Barna I.; Vinkó, József

    2017-12-01

    Supernovae are extremely energetic explosions that highlight the violent deaths of various types of stars. Studying such cosmic explosions may be important because of several reasons. Supernovae play a key role in cosmic nucleosynthesis processes, and they are also the anchors of methods of measuring extragalactic distances. Several exotic physical processes take place in the expanding ejecta produced by the explosion. We have developed a fast and simple semi-analytical code to model the the light curve of core collapse supernovae. This allows the determination of their most important basic physical parameters, like the the radius of the progenitor star, the mass of the ejected envelope, the mass of the radioactive nickel synthesized during the explosion, among others.

  11. Method to prevent/mitigate steam explosions in casting pits

    DOEpatents

    Taleyarkhan, Rusi P.

    1996-01-01

    Steam explosions can be prevented or mitigated during a metal casting process by the placement of a perforated flooring system in the casting pit. An upward flow of compressed gas through this perforated flooring system is introduced during the casting process to produce a buffer layer between any spilled molten metal and the cooling water in the reservoir. This buffer layer provides a hydrodynamic layer which acts to prevent or mitigate steam explosions resulting from hot, molten metal being spilled into or onto the cooling water.

  12. Process for Testing Compaction of a Swaged Heater for an Anode Sub-Assembly of a Hollow Cathode Assembly

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Patterson, Michael J. (Inventor); Verhey, Timothy R. R. (Inventor); Soulas, George C. (Inventor)

    2003-01-01

    A process for testing compaction of a swaged heater for an anode sub-assembly of a Hollow Cathode Assembly (HCA), in which a test sample is cleaned, its mass measured before and after immersion in kerosene for 24 hours, and a compaction percentage calculated. A swaged heater is rejected if the compaction percentage exceeds 84%, plus or minus 4%.

  13. Carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios of factory-produced RDX and HMX.

    PubMed

    Howa, John D; Lott, Michael J; Chesson, Lesley A; Ehleringer, James R

    2014-07-01

    RDX and HMX are explosive compounds commonly used by the military and also occasionally associated with acts of terrorism. The isotopic characterization of an explosive can be a powerful approach to link evidence to an event or an explosives cache. We sampled explosive products and their reactants from commercial RDX manufacturers that used the direct nitration and/or the Bachmann synthesis process, and then analyzed these materials for carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios. For manufacturers using the Bachmann process, RDX (13)C enrichment relative to the hexamine substrate was small (+0.9‰) compared to RDX produced using the direct nitration process (+8.2‰ to +12.0‰). RDX (15)N depletion relative to the nitrogen-containing substrates (-3.6‰) was smaller in the Bachmann process than in the direct nitration process (-12.6‰ to -10.6‰). The sign and scale of these differences agree with theorized mechanisms of mass-dependent fractionation. We also examined the isotopic relationship between RDX and HMX isolated from explosive samples. The δ(13)C and δ(15)N values of RDX generally matched those of the HMX with few exceptions, most notably from a manufacturer known to make RDX using two different synthesis processes. The range in δ(13)C values of RDX in a survey of 100 samples from 12 manufacturers spanned 33‰ while the range spanned by δ(15)N values was 26‰; these ranges were much greater than any previously published observations. Understanding the relationship between products and reactants further explains the observed variation in industrially manufactured RDX and can be used as a diagnostic tool to analyze explosives found at a crime scene. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  14. The Distribution of Radioactive Ti-44 in Cassiopeia A

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Grefenstette, Brian W.; Fryer, Chris L.; Harrison, Fiona A.; Boggs, Steven E.; Delaney, Tracey; Laming, J. Martin; Reynolds, Stephen P.; Alexander, David M.; Barret, Didier; Zhang, William W.; hide

    2016-01-01

    The distribution of elements produced in the innermost layers of a supernova explosion is a key diagnostic for studying the collapse of massive stars. Here we present the results of a 2.4 Ms NuSTAR observing campaign aimed at studying the supernova remnant Cassiopeia A (Cas A). We perform spatially resolved spectroscopic analysis of the Ti-44 ejecta, which we use to determine the Doppler shift and thus the three-dimensional (3D) velocities of the Ti-44 ejecta. We find an initial Ti-44 mass of (1.54 +/- 0.21) x 10(exp. -4) Solar Mass, which has a present-day average momentum direction of 340 degrees +/- 15 degrees projected onto the plane of the sky (measured clockwise from celestial North) and is tilted by 58 degrees +/- 20 degrees into the plane of the sky away from the observer, roughly opposite to the inferred direction of motion of the central compact object. We find some Ti-44 ejecta that are clearly interior to the reverse shock and some that are clearly exterior to it. Where we observe Ti-44 ejecta exterior to the reverse shock we also see shock-heated iron; however, there are regions where we see iron but do not observe Ti-44. This suggests that the local conditions of the supernova shock during explosive nucleosynthesis varied enough to suppress the production of Ti-44 by at least a factor of two in some regions, even in regions that are assumed to be the result of processes like Alpha-rich freezeout that should produce both iron and titanium.

  15. In-situ monitoring of flow-permeable surface area of high explosive powder using small sample masses

    DOE PAGES

    Maiti, Amitesh; Han, Yong; Zaka, Fowzia; ...

    2015-02-17

    To ensure good performance of high explosive devices over long periods of time, initiating powders need to maintain their specific surface area within allowed margins during the entire duration of deployment. A common diagnostic used in this context is the Fisher sub-sieve surface area (FSSA). Furthermore, commercial permeametry instruments measuring the FSSA requires the utilization of a sample mass equal to the crystal density of the sample material, an amount that is often one or two orders of magnitude larger than the typical masses found in standard detonator applications. Here we develop a customization of the standard device that canmore » utilize just tens of milligram samples, and with simple calibration yield FSSA values at ac curacy levels comparable to the standard apparatus. This necessitated a newly designed sample holder, made from a material of low coefficient of thermal expansion, which is conveniently transferred between an aging chamber and a re-designed permeametry tube. This improves the fidelity of accelerated aging studies by allowing measurement on the same physical sample at various time - instants during the aging process, and by obviating the need for a potentially FSSA-altering powder re-compaction step. We used the customized apparatus to monitor the FSSA evolution of a number of undoped and homolog-doped PETN powder samples that were subjected to artificial aging for several months at elevated temperatures. These results, in conjunction with an Arrhenius-based aging model were used to assess powder-coarsening - rates under long-term storage.« less

  16. Simulation of roller compaction with subsequent tableting and characterization of lactose and microcrystalline cellulose.

    PubMed

    Hein, Stephanie; Picker-Freyer, Katharina M; Langridge, John

    2008-01-01

    Tablets are by far the most common solid oral dosage forms, and many drugs need to be granulated before they can be tableted. Increasingly roller compaction is being used as a dry granulation technique; however it is a very time and material intensive method. Thus some mini roller compactors and simulations of the roller compaction process have been developed as a means of studying the technique at small scale. An important factor in the selection of materials for roller compaction is their ability to be recompressed into tablets after the initial roller compaction and milling steps. In this paper the roller compaction process was simulated on the basis of some models by Gereg and Cappola (2002) and Zinchuk et al. (2004). An eccentric tableting machine was used to make compacts from alpha-lactose monohydrate, anhydrous beta-lactose, spray-dried lactose and microcrystalline cellulose at different maximum relative densities (rho rel,max 0.6-0.9). These compacts were milled immediately to granules with a rotary granulator. The properties of the granules were analyzed and compared to the properties of the original powders. These granules and powders were then tableted at different maximum relative densities (rho rel,max 0.75-0.95) and their properties including elastic recovery, crushing force and 3D-model were analyzed. The properties of the tablets made from the granules were compared to the properties of the tablets made from the powders to determine which excipients are most suitable for the roller compaction process. The study showed that anhydrous beta-lactose is the preferred form of lactose for use in roller compaction since compaction did not affect tablet crushing force to a large extent. With the simulation of roller compaction process one is able to find qualified materials for use in roller compaction without the necessity of a great deal of material and time.

  17. TNT and RDX degradation and extraction from contaminated soil using subcritical water.

    PubMed

    Islam, Mohammad Nazrul; Shin, Moon-Su; Jo, Young-Tae; Park, Jeong-Hun

    2015-01-01

    The use of explosives either for industrial or military operations have resulted in the environmental pollution, poses ecological and health hazard. In this work, a subcritical water extraction (SCWE) process at laboratory scale was used at varying water temperature (100-175 °C) and flow rate (0.5-1.5 mL min(-1)), to treat 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) contaminated soil, to reveal information with respect to the explosives removal (based on the analyses of soil residue after extraction), and degradation performance (based on the analyses of water extracts) of this process. Continuous flow subcritical water has been considered on removal of explosives to avoid the repartitioning of non-degraded compounds to the soil upon cooling which usually occurs in the batch system. In the SCWE experiments, near complete degradation of both TNT and RDX was observed at 175 °C based on analysis of water extracts and soil. Test results also indicated that TNT removal of >99% and a complete RDX removal were achieved by this process, when the operating conditions were 1 mL min(-1), and treatment time of 20 min, after the temperature reached 175 °C. HPLC-UV and ion chromatography analysis confirmed that the explosives underwent for degradation. The low concentration of explosives found in the process wastewater indicates that water recycling may be viable, to treat additional soil. Our results have shown in the remediation of explosives contaminated soil, the effectiveness of the continuous flow SCWE process. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  18. Determining the compactive effort required to model pavement voids using the Corps of Engineers gyratory testing machine.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1997-11-01

    Various agencies have used the Corps of Engineers gyratory testing machine (GTM) to design and test asphalt mixes. Materials properties such as shear strength and strain are measured during the compaction process. However, a compaction process duplic...

  19. Dust Explosion Characteristics of Aluminum, Titanium, Zinc, and Iron-Based Alloy Powders Used in Cold Spray Processing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sakata, K.; Tagomori, K.; Sugiyama, N.; Sasaki, S.; Shinya, Y.; Nanbu, T.; Kawashita, Y.; Narita, I.; Kuwatori, K.; Ikeda, T.; Hara, R.; Miyahara, H.

    2014-01-01

    Compared to conventional thermal spray coating, cold spray processing typically employs finer, smaller-diameter metal powders. Furthermore, cold-sprayed particles exhibit fewer surface oxides than thermally sprayed particles due to the absence of particle melting during spraying. For these reasons, it is important to consider the potential for dust explosions or fires during cold spray processing, for both industrial and R&D applications. This work examined the dust explosion characteristics of metal powders typically used in cold spray coating, for the purpose of preventing dust explosions and fires and thus protecting the health and safety of workers and guarding against property damage. In order to safely make use of the new cold spray technology in industrial settings, it is necessary to manage the risks based on an appropriate assessment of the hazards. However, there have been few research reports focused on such risk management. Therefore, in this study, the dust explosion characteristics of aluminum, titanium, zinc, carbonyl iron, and eutectoid steel containing chromium at 4 wt.% (4 wt.% Cr-eutectoid steel) powders were evaluated according to the standard protocols JIS Z 8818, IEC61241-2-3(1994-09) section 3, and JIS Z 8817. This paper reports our results concerning the dust explosion properties of the above-mentioned metal powders.

  20. Strength of the phase change materials on loading with the products of electric explosion of conductors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Savenkov, Georgiy; Morozov, Viktor; Kats, Victor

    2018-05-01

    Results of the experimentation on the destruction of the phase change materials (beeswax and paraffin) by the electric explosion of conductors are presented. The process of the explosion of copper and nickel titanium wires in both pure PCM and its mixture with nonosized additives of cuprous oxide is analyzed. The effect of this additive on the process of the expansion of the electric-discharge plasma during the electric explosion of conductors and on the strength of composite materials is demonstrated. The piezoprobe-based method of measurement of the radial pressure during samples destruction is developed. The experiments made it possible to determine the dimensions of the melting channel formed inside the samples during the explosion and the subsequent expansion of the electric-discharge plasma. The experiments are performed on the generator of short-term high-voltage pulses capable to shape the voltage of (10-24) kV.

  1. MASTER OT J004207.99+405501.1/M31LRN 2015 luminous red nova in M31: discovery, light curve, hydrodynamics and evolution

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lipunov, V. M.; Blinnikov, S.; Gorbovskoy, E.; Tutukov, A.; Baklanov, P.; Krushinski, V.; Tiurina, N.; Balanutsa, P.; Kuznetsov, A.; Kornilov, V.; Gorbunov, I.; Shumkov, V.; Vladimirov, V.; Gress, O.; Budnev, N. M.; Ivanov, K.; Tlatov, A.; Gabovich, A.; Yurkov, V.; Sergienko, Yu.; Zalozhnykh, I.

    2017-09-01

    We report the discovery and multicolour (VRIW) photometry of the rare explosive star MASTER OT J004207.99+405501.1 - a luminous red nova - in the Andromeda galaxy M31N2015-01a. We use our original light curve acquired with identical MASTER Global Robotic Net telescopes in one photometric system: VRI during the first 30 d and W (unfiltered) during 70 d. Also, we added published multicolour photometry data to estimate the mass and energy of the ejected shell and we discuss the likely formation scenarios of outbursts of this type. We propose an interpretation of the explosion that is consistent with an evolutionary scenario where the merging of stellar components or the disruption of the common envelope of a close binary can explain some luminous red novae. Radiative hydrodynamic simulations of a luminous red nova were carried out in extended parameter space to fit its light curves. We find that the multicolour passband light curves of the luminous red nova are consistent with an initial common envelope radius of 10 R⊙, a merger mass of 3 M⊙ and an explosion energy of 3 × 1048 erg. As a result, the phenomenon of novae consists of two classes: classical nuclear novae and more rare events (red novae) connected with the loss of compact common envelopes.

  2. Identification of the fragmentation of brittle particles during compaction process by the acoustic emission technique.

    PubMed

    Favretto-Cristini, Nathalie; Hégron, Lise; Sornay, Philippe

    2016-04-01

    Some nuclear fuels are currently manufactured by a powder metallurgy process that consists of three main steps, namely preparation of the powders, powder compaction, and sintering of the compact. An optimum between size, shape and cohesion of the particles of the nuclear fuels must be sought in order to obtain a compact with a sufficient mechanical strength, and to facilitate the release of helium and fission gases during irradiation through pores connected to the outside of the pellet after sintering. Being simple to adapt to nuclear-oriented purposes, the Acoustic Emission (AE) technique is used to control the microstructure of the compact by monitoring the compaction of brittle Uranium Dioxide (UO2) particles of a few hundred micrometers. The objective is to identify in situ the mechanisms that occur during the UO2 compaction, and more specifically the particle fragmentation that is linked to the open porosity of the nuclear matter. Three zones of acoustic activity, strongly related to the applied stress, can be clearly defined from analysis of the continuous signals recorded during the compaction process. They correspond to particle rearrangement and/or fragmentation. The end of the noteworthy fragmentation process is clearly defined as the end of the significant process that increases the compactness of the material. Despite the fact that the wave propagation strongly evolves during the compaction process, the acoustic signature of the fragmentation of a single UO2 particle and a bed of UO2 particles under compaction is well identified. The waveform, with a short rise time and an exponential-like decay of the signal envelope, is the most reliable descriptor. The impact of the particle size and cohesion on the AE activity, and then on the fragmentation domain, is analyzed through the discrete AE signals. The maximum amplitude of the burst signals, as well as the mean stress corresponding to the end of the recorded AE, increase with increasing mean diameter of the particles. Moreover, the maximum burst amplitude increases with increasing particle cohesion. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  3. Experiment Analysis and Modelling of Compaction Behaviour of Ag60Cu30Sn10 Mixed Metal Powders

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhou, Mengcheng; Huang, Shangyu; Liu, Wei; Lei, Yu; Yan, Shiwei

    2018-03-01

    A novel process method combines powder compaction and sintering was employed to fabricate thin sheets of cadmium-free silver based filler metals, the compaction densification behaviour of Ag60Cu30Sn10 mixed metal powders was investigated experimentally. Based on the equivalent density method, the density-dependent Drucker-Prager Cap (DPC) model was introduced to model the powder compaction behaviour. Various experiment procedures were completed to determine the model parameters. The friction coefficients in lubricated and unlubricated die were experimentally determined. The determined material parameters were validated by experiments and numerical simulation of powder compaction process using a user subroutine (USDFLD) in ABAQUS/Standard. The good agreement between the simulated and experimental results indicates that the determined model parameters are able to describe the compaction behaviour of the multicomponent mixed metal powders, which can be further used for process optimization simulations.

  4. Explosive magnetic reconnection - Puzzle to be solved as the energy supply process for magnetospheric substorms?

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Akasofu, S.-I.

    1985-01-01

    It is pointed out that magnetospheric substorms are perhaps the most basic type of disturbances which occur throughout the magnetosphere. There is little doubt that the energy for magnetospheric substorms is delivered from the sun to the magnetosphere by the solar wind, and theoretical and observational studies have been conducted to uncover the processes associated with the energy transfer from the solar wind to the magnetosphere, and the subsequent processes leading to various magnetospheric substorm phenomena. It has been widely accepted that explosive magnetic reconnection supplies the energy for magnetospheric substorm processes. It is indicated that the auroral phenomena must be various manifestations of a large-scale electrical discharge process which is powered by the solar wind-magnetosphere dynamo. Certain problems regarding explosive magnetic reconnection are discussed.

  5. VARTM Variability and Substantiation

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2008-06-18

    Presentation overview: establish the fundamental understanding of the various VARTM processes; Flow model is fully developed for SCRIMP, VAP, and CAPRI process; Compaction behavior has been evaluated for all processes; Dry compaction during debulking...

  6. Three-dimensional simulations of nanopowder compaction processes by granular dynamics method.

    PubMed

    Boltachev, G Sh; Lukyashin, K E; Shitov, V A; Volkov, N B

    2013-07-01

    In order to describe and to study the processes of cold compaction within the discrete element method a three-dimensional model of nanosized powder is developed. The elastic forces of repulsion, the tangential forces of "friction" (Cattaneo-Mindlin), and the dispersion forces of attraction (van der Waals-Hamaker), as well as the formation and destruction of hard bonds between the individual particles are taken into account. The monosized powders with the size of particles in the range 10-40 nm are simulated. The simulation results are compared to the experimental data of the alumina nanopowders compaction. It is shown that the model allows us to reproduce experimental data reliably and, in particular, describes the size effect in the compaction processes. A number of different external loading conditions is used in order to perform the theoretical and experimental researches. The uniaxial compaction (the closed-die compaction), the biaxial (radial) compaction, and the isotropic compaction (the cold isostatic pressing) are studied. The real and computed results are in a good agreement with each other. They reveal a weak sensitivity of the oxide nanopowders to the loading condition (compaction geometry). The application of the continuum theory of the plastically hardening porous body, which is usually used for the description of powders, is discussed.

  7. Three-dimensional simulations of nanopowder compaction processes by granular dynamics method

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Boltachev, G. Sh.; Lukyashin, K. E.; Shitov, V. A.; Volkov, N. B.

    2013-07-01

    In order to describe and to study the processes of cold compaction within the discrete element method a three-dimensional model of nanosized powder is developed. The elastic forces of repulsion, the tangential forces of “friction” (Cattaneo-Mindlin), and the dispersion forces of attraction (van der Waals-Hamaker), as well as the formation and destruction of hard bonds between the individual particles are taken into account. The monosized powders with the size of particles in the range 10-40 nm are simulated. The simulation results are compared to the experimental data of the alumina nanopowders compaction. It is shown that the model allows us to reproduce experimental data reliably and, in particular, describes the size effect in the compaction processes. A number of different external loading conditions is used in order to perform the theoretical and experimental researches. The uniaxial compaction (the closed-die compaction), the biaxial (radial) compaction, and the isotropic compaction (the cold isostatic pressing) are studied. The real and computed results are in a good agreement with each other. They reveal a weak sensitivity of the oxide nanopowders to the loading condition (compaction geometry). The application of the continuum theory of the plastically hardening porous body, which is usually used for the description of powders, is discussed.

  8. 78 FR 26655 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comments Requested: Statement of...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-05-07

    ...-Marking of Plastic Explosives for the Purpose of Detection ACTION: 30-Day notice. The Department of...) Title of the Form/Collection: Statement of Process-Marking of Plastic Explosives for the Purpose of... used to ensure that plastic explosives contain a detection agent as required by law. (5) An estimate of...

  9. Supernovae-generated high-velocity compact clouds

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yalinewich, A.; Beniamini, P.

    2018-05-01

    Context. A previous study claimed the discovery of an intermediate-mass black hole (IMBH). This hypothetical black hole was invoked in order to explain the high-velocity dispersion in one of several dense molecular clouds near the Galactic center. The same study considered the possibility that this cloud was due to a supernova explosion, but disqualified this scenario because no X-rays were detected. Aims: We here check whether a supernova explosion could have produced that cloud, and whether this explanation is more likely than an IMBH. More specifically, we wish to determine whether a supernova inside a dense molecular cloud would emit in the X-rays. Methods: We have approached this problem from two different directions. First, we performed an analytic calculation to determine the cooling rate by thermal bremsstrahlung and compared this time to the lifetime of the cloud. Second, we estimated the creation rate of these dense clouds in the central molecular zone (CMZ) region near the Galactic center, where they were observed. Based on this rate, we can place lower bounds on the total mass of IMBHs and clouds and compare this to the masses of the components of the CMZ. Results: We find that the cooling time of the supernova remnant inside a molecular cloud is shorter than its dynamical time. This means that the temperature in such a remnant would be much lower than that of a typical supernova remnant. At such a low temperature, the remnant is not expected to emit in the X-rays. We also find that to explain the rate at which such dense clouds are created requires fine-tuning the number of IMBHs. Conclusions: We find the supernova model to be a more likely explanation for the formation of high-velocity compact clouds than an IMBH.

  10. Pulse generator with intermediate inductive storage as a lightning simulator

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kovalchuk, B. M.; Kharlov, A. V.; Zherlytsyn, A. A.; Kumpyak, E. V.; Tsoy, N. V.

    2016-06-01

    Compact transportable generators are required for simulating a lightning current pulse for electrical apparatus testing. A bi-exponential current pulse has to be formed by such a generator (with a current rise time of about two orders of magnitude faster than the damping time). The objective of this study was to develop and investigate a compact pulse generator with intermediate inductive storage and a fuse opening switch as a simulator of lightning discharge. A Marx generator (six stages) with a capacitance of 1 μF and an output voltage of 240 kV was employed as primary storage. In each of the stages, two IK-50/3 (50 kV, 3 μF) capacitors are connected in parallel. The generator inductance is 2 μH. A test bed for the investigations was assembled with this generator. The generator operates without SF6 and without oil in atmospheric air, which is very important in practice. Straight copper wires with adjustable lengths and diameters were used for the electro-explosive opening switch. Tests were made with active-inductive loads (up to 0.1 Ω and up to 6.3 μH). The current rise time is lower than 1200 ns, and the damping time can be varied from 35 to 125 μs, following the definition of standard lightning current pulse in the IEC standard. Moreover, 1D MHD calculations of the fuse explosion were carried out self-consistently with the electric circuit equations, in order to calculate more accurately the load pulse parameters. The calculations agree fairly well with the tests. On the basis of the obtained results, the design of a transportable generator was developed for a lightning simulator with current of 50 kA and a pulse shape corresponding to the IEEE standard.

  11. Programs for calculating the explosion resistance of buildings and structures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shevchenko, Nikita; Manucharyan, Rachik; Gravit, Marina; Geraskin, Yuriy

    2017-10-01

    Trends in the development of the oil and gas processing industry and facilities using liquefied hydrocarbon gases in the technological processes lead to an increase in the number of emergency situations and as a result to the increase of the damage and environmental degradation. A gasified housing stock is a special group of explosive objects. The accident in such disasters lead to hundreds of human victims. The main danger of explosive effects on objects can lead to a large-scale destruction connected with an “internal explosion”. It results in the release of combustible substances (gas, oil, etc.) into enclosed or semi-enclosed rooms (modules) with the ignition (in explosion mode of deflagration or detonation) of air gas mixtures (AGM).

  12. Experimental model of the role of cracks in the mechanism of explosive eruption of St. Helens-80

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kedrinskii, V. K.; Skulkin, A. A.

    2017-07-01

    A unique mini model of explosive volcano eruption through a formed system of cracks is developed. The process of crack formation and development is simulated by electric explosion of a conductor in a plate of optically transparent organic glass submerged into water. The explosion of a wire aligned with a through hole in the plate generates shock-wave loading along the plate and forms cracks. The fundamental role of high velocity flow in crack wedging by a high power hydrodynamic flow of a pulsating explosion cavity has been demonstrated.

  13. Reactive Behavior of Explosive Billets in Deflagration Tube of Varied Confinements

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hu, Haibo; Guo, Yingwen; Li, Tao; Fu, Hua; Shang, Hailin; Wen, Shanggang; Qiu, Tian; LaboratoryShock Wave; Detonation Physics Research Team

    2017-06-01

    The deflagration process of small size cylinder billets of pressed HMX-based explosive JO-9159 and the deflagration tube wall deformation is recorded by combined pressure velocity-meter high-speed frame photographic and radiographic diagnostic system. The influence of confinement structure strength on deflagration evolution behavior is compared with analysis of convective flame propagation along the slot between explosive billet and confinement wall.The follow-up reaction inside the cracks on the initiation site end surface on the side surfaces and between the end surfaces of explosive billets is restored with the analysis results of post experimental explosive billet remains.

  14. Supernovae with two peaks in the optical light curve and the signature of progenitors with low-mass extended envelopes

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

    Nakar, Ehud; Piro, Anthony L.

    2014-06-20

    Early observations of supernova light curves are powerful tools for shedding light on the pre-explosion structures of their progenitors and their mass-loss histories just prior to explosion. Some core-collapse supernovae that are detected during the first days after the explosion prominently show two peaks in the optical bands, including the R and I bands, where the first peak appears to be powered by the cooling of shocked surface material and the second peak is clearly powered by radioactive decay. Such light curves have been explored in detail theoretically for SN 1993J and 2011dh, where it was found that they maymore » be explained by progenitors with extended, low-mass envelopes. Here, we generalize these results. We first explore whether any double-peaked light curve of this type can be generated by a progenitor with a 'standard' density profile, such as a red supergiant or a Wolf-Rayet star. We show that a standard progenitor (1) cannot produce a double-peaked light curve in the R and I bands and (2) cannot exhibit a fast drop in the bolometric luminosity as is seen after the first peak. We then explore the signature of a progenitor with a compact core surrounded by extended, low-mass material. This may be a hydrostatic low-mass envelope or material ejected just prior to the explosion. We show that it naturally produces both of these features. We use this result to provide simple formulae to estimate (1) the mass of the extended material from the time of the first peak, (2) the extended material radius from the luminosity of the first peak, and (3) an upper limit on the core radius from the luminosity minimum between the two peaks.« less

  15. Long-lasting X-ray emission from type IIb supernova 2011dh and mass-loss history of the yellow supergiant progenitor

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

    Maeda, Keiichi; Katsuda, Satoru; Bamba, Aya

    2014-04-20

    Type IIb supernova (SN) 2011dh, with conclusive detection of an unprecedented yellow supergiant (YSG) progenitor, provides an excellent opportunity to deepen our understanding on the massive star evolution in the final centuries toward the SN explosion. In this paper, we report on detection and analyses of thermal X-ray emission from SN IIb 2011dh at ∼500 days after the explosion on Chandra archival data, providing a solidly derived mass-loss rate of a YSG progenitor for the first time. We find that the circumstellar media should be dense, more than that expected from a Wolf-Rayet (W-R) star by one order of magnitude.more » The emission is powered by a reverse shock penetrating into an outer envelope, fully consistent with the YSG progenitor but not with a W-R progenitor. The density distribution at the outermost ejecta is much steeper than that expected from a compact W-R star, and this finding must be taken into account in modeling the early UV/optical emission from SNe IIb. The derived mass-loss rate is ∼3 × 10{sup –6} M {sub ☉} yr{sup –1} for the mass-loss velocity of ∼20 km s{sup –1} in the final ∼1300 yr before the explosion. The derived mass-loss properties are largely consistent with the standard wind mass-loss expected for a giant star. This is not sufficient to be a main driver to expel nearly all the hydrogen envelope. Therefore, the binary interaction, with a huge mass transfer having taken place at ≳ 1300 yr before the explosion, is a likely scenario to produce the YSG progenitor.« less

  16. Manufacturing Methods and Technology Program Accomplishments

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1980-10-01

    573,74,77.78,4139 AppI of Radar to Ballistic ACC Test of Amo (ARBAT) 43 574 4162 Automated Line for Melt-Pour Process of High Explosives 44 571,72 4171 Investigation...Sensitivity Criteria 49 576 4288 Explosive Safe Separation and Sensitivity Criteria 50 577 4288 Explosive Safe Separation and Sensitivity Sriteria 51...1 ANICIPATE. BEN(EPITS ACTUAL BENE’ITS PRO3ECT NUMBER $ SAVINGS OTHER SAVINGS OTHER REMARKS 5 73 1139 REDUCED EXPLOSIVE HAZARD TWO MACHINES WERE

  17. A Computational Investigation of Various Water-Induced Explosion Mitigation Mechanisms

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2007-01-01

    Guidelines for Evaluating the Characteristics of Vapor Cloud Explosions, Flash Fires, and BLEVEs , Center for Chemical Process Safety, AIChE, New York, NY...1994. [6]. Liebman and J. K. Richmond, Suppression of Coal Dust Explosions by Passive Water Barriers in a single Entry Mine , U.S. Bureau of Mines ...R.I. 8294, 1974. [7]. Liebman, J. Corry and J. K. Richmond, Water Barriers for Suppressing Coal Dust Explosions, U.S. Bureau of Mines R.I. 8170

  18. 25 CFR 1000.161 - What is a self-governance compact?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 25 Indians 2 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false What is a self-governance compact? 1000.161 Section 1000... EDUCATION ACT Negotiation Process for Annual Funding Agreements Negotiating A Self-Governance Compact § 1000.161 What is a self-governance compact? A self-governance compact is an executed document that affirms...

  19. A major advance in powder metallurgy

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Williams, Brian E.; Stiglich, Jacob J., Jr.; Kaplan, Richard B.; Tuffias, Robert H.

    1991-01-01

    Ultramet has developed a process which promises to significantly increase the mechanical properties of powder metallurgy (PM) parts. Current PM technology uses mixed powders of various constituents prior to compaction. The homogeneity and flaw distribution in PM parts depends on the uniformity of mixing and the maintenance of uniformity during compaction. Conventional PM fabrication processes typically result in non-uniform distribution of the matrix, flaw generation due to particle-particle contact when one of the constituents is a brittle material, and grain growth caused by high temperature, long duration compaction processes. Additionally, a significant amount of matrix material is usually necessary to fill voids and create 100 percent dense parts. In Ultramet's process, each individual particle is coated with the matrix material, and compaction is performed by solid state processing. In this program, Ultramet coated 12-micron tungsten particles with approximately 5 wt percent nickel/iron. After compaction, flexure strengths were measured 50 percent higher than those achieved in conventional liquid phase sintered parts (10 wt percent Ni/Fe). Further results and other material combinations are discussed.

  20. The effect of processing on the mechanical properties of self-reinforced composites

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hassani, Farzaneh; Martin, Peter J.; Falzon, Brian G.

    2018-05-01

    Hot-compaction is one of the most common manufacturing methods for creating recyclable all thermoplastic composites. The current work investigates the compaction of highly oriented self-reinforced fabrics with three processing methods to study the effect of pressure and temperature in the tensile mechanical properties of the consolidated laminates. Hot-press, calender roller and vacuum bag technique were adopted to consolidate bi-component polypropylene woven fabrics in a range of pressures and compaction temperatures. Hot-pressed samples exhibited the highest quality of compaction. The modulus of the hot-pressed samples increased with compaction temperature initially due to the improved interlayer bonding and decreased after a maximum at 150°C because of partial melting of the reinforcement phase. The calender roller technique exhibited to have smaller processing temperature window as the pressure is only applied for a short time and the fabrics start to shrink with increasing the processing temperature. The need for constraining the fabrics through the process is therefore found to be paramount. The Vacuum bag results showed this technique to be the least efficient method because of the low compaction pressure. Microscopic images and void content measurement of the consolidated samples further validate the results from tensile testing.

  1. A Conceptual Model of the Air Force Logistics Pipeline

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1989-09-01

    Contracting Process . ....... 138 Industrial Capacity .. ......... 140 The Disposal Pipeline Subsystem ....... 142 Collective Pipeline Models...Explosion of " Industry ," Acquisition and Production Process .... ............ 202 60. First Level Explosion of "Attrition," the Disposal Process...Terminology and Phrases, a publication of The American Production and Inventory Control Society ( APICS ). This dictionary defines 5 "pipeline stock" as the

  2. Practical small-scale explosive seam welding

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bement, L. J.

    1983-01-01

    Joining principles and variables, types of joints, capabilities, and current and potential applications are described for an explosive seam welding process developed at NASA Langley Research Center. Variable small quantities of RDX explosive in a ribbon configuration are used to create narrow (less than 0.5 inch), long length, uniform, hermetrically sealed joints that exhibit parent metal properties in a wide variety of metals, alloys, and combinations. The first major all application of the process is the repair of four nuclear reactors in Canada. Potential applications include pipelines, sealing of vessels, and assembly of large space structures.

  3. On the mechanism of influence of explosive compounds: Destruction process on sensitivity of these compounds to mechanic impacts

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

    Filin, V.P.; Loboyko, B.G.; Averin, A.N.

    1996-05-01

    The results of investigations into sensitivity of the HMX-based explosive compound samples to mechanic stimuli are shown in the presented report. As a result of experimental studies it was illustrated, that explosives deformation and destruction processes under mechanical stimuli are accompanied by occurrence of different electric phenomena. The hypothesis on possible influence of electric phenomena occurring under deformation and destruction on the mechanism of formation of zones with high density of energy is discussed in the report. {copyright} {ital 1996 American Institute of Physics.}

  4. Controlling Explosive Sensitivity of Energy-Related Materials by Means of Production and Processing in Electromagnetic Fields

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rodzevich, A. P.; Gazenaur, E. G.; Kuzmina, L. V.; Krasheninin, V. I.; Sokolov, P. N.

    2016-08-01

    The present work is one of the world first attempts to develop effective methods for controlling explosive sensitivity of energy-related materials with the help of weak electric (up to 1 mV/cm) and magnetic (0.001 T) fields. The resulting experimental data can be used for purposeful alternation of explosive materials reactivity, which is of great practical importance. The proposed technology of producing and processing materials in a weak electric field allows forecasting long-term stability of these materials under various energy impacts.

  5. Method to prevent/mitigate steam explosions in casting pits

    DOEpatents

    Taleyarkhan, R.P.

    1996-12-24

    Steam explosions can be prevented or mitigated during a metal casting process by the placement of a perforated flooring system in the casting pit. An upward flow of compressed gas through this perforated flooring system is introduced during the casting process to produce a buffer layer between any spilled molten metal and the cooling water in the reservoir. This buffer layer provides a hydrodynamic layer which acts to prevent or mitigate steam explosions resulting from hot, molten metal being spilled into or onto the cooling water. 3 figs.

  6. Effect of roll compaction on granule size distribution of microcrystalline cellulose–mannitol mixtures: computational intelligence modeling and parametric analysis

    PubMed Central

    Kazemi, Pezhman; Khalid, Mohammad Hassan; Pérez Gago, Ana; Kleinebudde, Peter; Jachowicz, Renata; Szlęk, Jakub; Mendyk, Aleksander

    2017-01-01

    Dry granulation using roll compaction is a typical unit operation for producing solid dosage forms in the pharmaceutical industry. Dry granulation is commonly used if the powder mixture is sensitive to heat and moisture and has poor flow properties. The output of roll compaction is compacted ribbons that exhibit different properties based on the adjusted process parameters. These ribbons are then milled into granules and finally compressed into tablets. The properties of the ribbons directly affect the granule size distribution (GSD) and the quality of final products; thus, it is imperative to study the effect of roll compaction process parameters on GSD. The understanding of how the roll compactor process parameters and material properties interact with each other will allow accurate control of the process, leading to the implementation of quality by design practices. Computational intelligence (CI) methods have a great potential for being used within the scope of quality by design approach. The main objective of this study was to show how the computational intelligence techniques can be useful to predict the GSD by using different process conditions of roll compaction and material properties. Different techniques such as multiple linear regression, artificial neural networks, random forest, Cubist and k-nearest neighbors algorithm assisted by sevenfold cross-validation were used to present generalized models for the prediction of GSD based on roll compaction process setting and material properties. The normalized root-mean-squared error and the coefficient of determination (R2) were used for model assessment. The best fit was obtained by Cubist model (normalized root-mean-squared error =3.22%, R2=0.95). Based on the results, it was confirmed that the material properties (true density) followed by compaction force have the most significant effect on GSD. PMID:28176905

  7. Effect of roll compaction on granule size distribution of microcrystalline cellulose-mannitol mixtures: computational intelligence modeling and parametric analysis.

    PubMed

    Kazemi, Pezhman; Khalid, Mohammad Hassan; Pérez Gago, Ana; Kleinebudde, Peter; Jachowicz, Renata; Szlęk, Jakub; Mendyk, Aleksander

    2017-01-01

    Dry granulation using roll compaction is a typical unit operation for producing solid dosage forms in the pharmaceutical industry. Dry granulation is commonly used if the powder mixture is sensitive to heat and moisture and has poor flow properties. The output of roll compaction is compacted ribbons that exhibit different properties based on the adjusted process parameters. These ribbons are then milled into granules and finally compressed into tablets. The properties of the ribbons directly affect the granule size distribution (GSD) and the quality of final products; thus, it is imperative to study the effect of roll compaction process parameters on GSD. The understanding of how the roll compactor process parameters and material properties interact with each other will allow accurate control of the process, leading to the implementation of quality by design practices. Computational intelligence (CI) methods have a great potential for being used within the scope of quality by design approach. The main objective of this study was to show how the computational intelligence techniques can be useful to predict the GSD by using different process conditions of roll compaction and material properties. Different techniques such as multiple linear regression, artificial neural networks, random forest, Cubist and k-nearest neighbors algorithm assisted by sevenfold cross-validation were used to present generalized models for the prediction of GSD based on roll compaction process setting and material properties. The normalized root-mean-squared error and the coefficient of determination ( R 2 ) were used for model assessment. The best fit was obtained by Cubist model (normalized root-mean-squared error =3.22%, R 2 =0.95). Based on the results, it was confirmed that the material properties (true density) followed by compaction force have the most significant effect on GSD.

  8. A Green Solvent Induced DNA Package

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Satpathi, Sagar; Sengupta, Abhigyan; Hridya, V. M.; Gavvala, Krishna; Koninti, Raj Kumar; Roy, Bibhisan; Hazra, Partha

    2015-03-01

    Mechanistic details of DNA compaction is essential blue print for gene regulation in living organisms. Many in vitro studies have been implemented using several compaction agents. However, these compacting agents may have some kinds of cytotoxic effects to the cells. To minimize this aspect, several research works had been performed, but people have never focused green solvent, i.e. room temperature ionic liquid as DNA compaction agent. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first ever report where we have shown that guanidinium tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate (Gua-IL) acts as a DNA compacting agent. The compaction ability of Gua-IL has been verified by different spectroscopic techniques, like steady state emission, circular dichroism, dynamic light scattering and UV melting. Notably, we have extensively probed this compaction by Gua-IL through field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and fluorescence microscopy images. We also have discussed the plausible compaction mechanism process of DNA by Gua-IL. Our results suggest that Gua-IL forms a micellar kind of self aggregation above a certain concentration (>=1 mM), which instigates this compaction process. This study divulges the specific details of DNA compaction mechanism by a new class of compaction agent, which is highly biodegradable and eco friendly in nature.

  9. Experimentally validated computational modeling of organic binder burnout from green ceramic compacts

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

    Ewsuk, K.G.; Cochran, R.J.; Blackwell, B.F.

    The properties and performance of a ceramic component is determined by a combination of the materials from which it was fabricated and how it was processed. Most ceramic components are manufactured by dry pressing a powder/binder system in which the organic binder provides formability and green compact strength. A key step in this manufacturing process is the removal of the binder from the powder compact after pressing. The organic binder is typically removed by a thermal decomposition process in which heating rate, temperature, and time are the key process parameters. Empirical approaches are generally used to design the burnout time-temperaturemore » cycle, often resulting in excessive processing times and energy usage, and higher overall manufacturing costs. Ideally, binder burnout should be completed as quickly as possible without damaging the compact, while using a minimum of energy. Process and computational modeling offer one means to achieve this end. The objective of this study is to develop an experimentally validated computer model that can be used to better understand, control, and optimize binder burnout from green ceramic compacts.« less

  10. Cause and Prevention of Explosions Involving DC Casting of Aluminum Sheet Ingot

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Richter, Ray T.; Ekenes, J. Martin

    The casting of aluminum alloy sheet ingot and T-bar presents the potential for some of the most volatile situations that can occur in DC (direct chill) and EMC (Electromagnetic) casting processes. Aluminum Association explosion incident data from over 300 explosions spanning a twenty-year period were reviewed and analyzed looking for common factors and repetitive reasons for explosions. Analysis of explosions occurring during the three stages of sheet ingot casting, `start of cast', `steady state' and `end of cast', were examined and prioritized. Case studies illustrate the need for understanding both technical and non-technical factors contributing to explosions involving molten metal. This paper identifies the major causes of explosions involving DC casting of aluminum alloy sheet ingot and makes recommendations for how to prevent the recurrence of such events and minimize the risk of injury.

  11. Formation of close binary black holes merging due to gravitational-wave radiation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tutukov, A. V.; Cherepashchuk, A. M.

    2017-10-01

    The conditions for the formation of close-binary black-hole systems merging over the Hubble time due to gravitational-wave radiation are considered in the framework of current ideas about the evolution of massive close-binary systems. The original systems whose mergers were detected by LIGO consisted of main-sequence stars with masses of 30-100 M ⊙. The preservation of the compactness of a binary black hole during the evolution of its components requires either the formation of a common envelope, probably also with a low initial abundance of metals, or the presence of a "kick"—a velocity obtained during a supernova explosion accompanied by the formation of a black hole. In principle, such a kick can explain the relatively low frequency of mergers of the components of close-binary stellar black holes, if the characteristic speed of the kick exceeds the orbital velocities of the system components during the supernova explosion. Another opportunity for the components of close-binary systems to approach each other is related to their possible motion in a dense molecular cloud.

  12. Combined, solid-state molecular property and gamma spectrometers for CBRNE detection

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rogers, Ben; Grate, Jay; Pearson, Brett; Gallagher, Neal; Wise, Barry; Whitten, Ralph; Adams, Jesse

    2013-05-01

    Nevada Nanotech Systems, Inc. (Nevada Nano) has developed a multi-sensor solution to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) detection that combines the Molecular Property Spectrometer™ (MPS™)—a micro-electro-mechanical chip-based technology capable of measuring a variety of thermodynamic and electrostatic molecular properties of sampled vapors and particles—and a compact, high-resolution, solid-state gamma spectrometer module for identifying radioactive materials, including isotopes used in dirty bombs and nuclear weapons. By conducting multiple measurements, the system can provide a more complete characterization of an unknown sample, leading to a more accurate identification. Positive identifications of threats are communicated using an integrated wireless module. Currently, system development is focused on detection of commercial, military and improvised explosives, radioactive materials, and chemical threats. The system can be configured for a variety of CBRNE applications, including handheld wands and swab-type threat detectors requiring short sample times, and ultra-high sensitivity detectors in which longer sampling times are used. Here we provide an overview of the system design and operation and present results from preliminary testing.

  13. Periodic silicon nanostructures for spectroscopic microsensors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wehrspohn, Ralf B.; Gesemann, Benjamin; Pergande, Daniel; Geppert, Torsten M.; Schweizer, Stefan L.; Moretton, Susanne; Lambrecht, Armin

    2011-09-01

    Periodic silicon nanostructures can be used for different kinds of gas sensors depending on the analyte concentration. First we present an optical gas sensor based on the classical non-dispersive infrared technique for ppm-concentration using ultra-compact photonic crystal gas cells. It is conceptually based on low group velocities inside a photonic crystal gas cell and anti-reflection layers coupling light into the device. Experimentally, an enhancement of the CO2 infrared absorption by a factor of 2.6 to 3.5 as compared to an empty cell, due to slow light inside a 2D silicon photonic crystal gas cell, was observed; this is in excellent agreement with numerical simulations. In addition we report on silicon nanotip arrays, suitable for gas ionization in ion mobility microspectrometers (micro-IMS) having detection ranges in principle down to the ppt-range. Such instruments allow the detection of explosives, chemical warfare agents, and illicit drugs, e.g., at airports. We describe the fabrication process of large-scale-ordered nanotips with different tip shapes. Both silicon microstructures have been fabricated by photoelectrochemical etching of silicon.

  14. A novel optical-fiber based surface plasmon resonance sensing architecture and its application to gastric cancer diagnostics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Francois, Alexandre; Boehm, Jonathan; Penno, Megan; Hoffmann, Peter; Monro, Tanya M.

    2011-05-01

    The management of threats such as pandemics and explosives, and of health and the environment requires the rapid deployment of highly sensitive detection tools. Sensors based on Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) allow rapid, labelfree, highly sensitive detection, and indeed this phenomenon underpins the only label-free optical biosensing technology that is available commercially. In these sensors, the existence of surface plasmons is inferred indirectly from absorption features that correspond to the coupling of light to the surface plasmon. Although SPR is not intrinsically a radiative process, under certain conditions the surface plasmon can itself couple to the local photon states, and emit light. Here we show for the first time that by collecting and characterising this re-emitted light, it is possible to realise new SPR sensing architectures that are more compact, versatile and robust than existing approaches. It is applicable to a range of SPR geometries, including optical fibres. As an example, this approach has been used to demonstrate the detection of a protein identified as a being a biomarker for cancer.

  15. Organic Explosives and Related Compounds. Environmental and Health Considerations

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1989-03-01

    compounds used as explosives and in propellant formulations. While a summiary of synthetic processes is included, emphasis is focused on behavior and...INTRODUCTION .......................................................... 3 SYNTHESIS/ PRODUCTION AND USE .......................................... 5...2 , NG PA DEGDN C(CH2 ON02)4 PETN Figure 1. Structures of Explosives and Related Compounds SYNTHESIS/ PRODUCTION AND USE Methods for the synthesis or

  16. Process for manufacturing tantalum capacitors

    DOEpatents

    Lauf, Robert J.; Holcombe, Cressie E.; Dykes, Norman L.

    1993-01-01

    A process for manufacturing tantalum capacitors in which microwave energy is used to sinter a tantalum powder compact in order to achieve higher surface area and improved dielectric strength. The process comprises cold pressing tantalum powder with organic binders and lubricants to form a porous compact. After removal of the organics, the tantalum compact is heated to 1300.degree. to 2000.degree. C. by applying microwave radiation. Said compact is then anodized to form a dielectric oxide layer and infiltrated with a conductive material such as MnO.sub.2. Wire leads are then attached to form a capacitor to said capacitor is hermetically packaged to form the finished product.

  17. Process for manufacturing tantalum capacitors

    DOEpatents

    Lauf, R.J.; Holcombe, C.E.; Dykes, N.L.

    1993-02-02

    A process for manufacturing tantalum capacitors in which microwave energy is used to sinter a tantalum powder compact in order to achieve higher surface area and improved dielectric strength. The process comprises cold pressing tantalum powder with organic binders and lubricants to form a porous compact. After removal of the organics, the tantalum compact is heated to 1,300 to 2,000 C by applying microwave radiation. Said compact is then anodized to form a dielectric oxide layer and infiltrated with a conductive material such as MnO[sub 2]. Wire leads are then attached to form a capacitor to said capacitor is hermetically packaged to form the finished product.

  18. Onset of the Magnetic Explosion in Solar Polar Coronal X-Ray Jets

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Moore, Ronald L.; Sterling, Alphonse C.; Panesar, Navdeep K.

    2018-05-01

    We follow up on the Sterling et al. discovery that nearly all polar coronal X-ray jets are made by an explosive eruption of a closed magnetic field carrying a miniature filament in its core. In the same X-ray and EUV movies used by Sterling et al., we examine the onset and growth of the driving magnetic explosion in 15 of the 20 jets that they studied. We find evidence that (1) in a large majority of polar X-ray jets, the runaway internal/tether-cutting reconnection under the erupting minifilament flux rope starts after both the minifilament’s rise and the spire-producing external/breakout reconnection have started; and (2) in a large minority, (a) before the eruption starts, there is a current sheet between the explosive closed field and the ambient open field, and (b) the eruption starts with breakout reconnection at that current sheet. The variety of event sequences in the eruptions supports the idea that the magnetic explosions that make polar X-ray jets work the same way as the much larger magnetic explosions that make a flare and coronal mass ejection (CME). That idea and recent observations indicating that magnetic flux cancellation is the fundamental process that builds the field in and around the pre-jet minifilament and triggers that field’s jet-driving explosion together suggest that flux cancellation inside the magnetic arcade that explodes in a flare/CME eruption is usually the fundamental process that builds the explosive field in the core of the arcade and triggers that field’s explosion.

  19. Formation and Evolution of X-ray Binaries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fragkos, Anastasios

    X-ray binaries - mass-transferring binary stellar systems with compact object accretors - are unique astrophysical laboratories. They carry information about many complex physical processes such as star formation, compact object formation, and evolution of interacting binaries. My thesis work involves the study of the formation and evolution of Galactic and extra-galacticX-ray binaries using both detailed and realistic simulation tools, and population synthesis techniques. I applied an innovative analysis method that allows the reconstruction of the full evolutionary history of known black hole X-ray binaries back to the time of compact object formation. This analysis takes into account all the available observationally determined properties of a system, and models in detail four of its evolutionary evolutionary phases: mass transfer through the ongoing X-ray phase, tidal evolution before the onset of Roche-lobe overflow, motion through the Galactic potential after the formation of the black hole, and binary orbital dynamics at the time of core collapse. Motivated by deep extra-galactic Chandra survey observations, I worked on population synthesis models of low-mass X-ray binaries in the two elliptical galaxies NGC3379 and NGC4278. These simulations were targeted at understanding the origin of the shape and normalization of the observed X-ray luminosity functions. In a follow up study, I proposed a physically motivated prescription for the modeling of transient neutron star low-mass X-ray binary properties, such as duty cycle, outburst duration and recurrence time. This prescription enabled the direct comparison of transient low-mass X-ray binary population synthesis models to the Chandra X-ray survey of the two ellipticals NGC3379 and NGC4278. Finally, I worked on population synthesismodels of black holeX-ray binaries in the MilkyWay. This work was motivated by recent developments in observational techniques for the measurement of black hole spin magnitudes in black hole X-ray binaries. The accuracy of these techniques depend on misalignment of the black hole spin with respect to the orbital angular momentum. In black hole X-ray binaries, this misalignment can occur during the supernova explosion that forms the compact object. In this study, I presented population synthesis models of Galactic black hole X-ray binaries, and examined the distribution of misalignment angles, and its dependence on the model parameters.

  20. A comparison study of exploding a Cu wire in air, water, and solid powders

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Han, Ruoyu; Wu, Jiawei; Ding, Weidong; Zhou, Haibin; Qiu, Aici; Wang, Yanan

    2017-11-01

    In this paper, an experimental study on exploding a copper wire in air, water, incombustible powders, and energetic materials is performed. We examined the effects of the surrounding media on the explosion process and its related phenomena. Experiments were first carried out with copper wire explosions driven by microsecond timescale pulsed currents in air, water, and the half-half case. Then, the copper wires were exploded in air, water, SiO2 powders, quartz sand, NaCl powders, and energetic-material cylinders, respectively. Our experimental results indicated that the explosion process was significantly influenced by the surrounding media, resulting in noticeable differences in energy deposition, optical emission, and shock waves. In particular, incombustible powders could throttle the current flow completely when a fine wire was adopted. We also found that an air or incombustible-powder layer could drastically attenuate the shock wave generated by a wire explosion. As for energetic-material loads, obvious discrepancies were found in voltage/current waveforms from vaporization when compared with a wire explosion in air/water, which meant the metal vapor/liquid drops play a significant role in the ignition process.

  1. Surface characterization of an energetic material, pentaerythritoltetranitrate (PETN), having a thin coating achieved through a starved addition microencapsulation technique

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

    Worley, C.M.

    The objective of this research was to: (1) determine the nature of a thin coating on an explosive material which was applied using a starved addition microencapsulation technique, (2) understand the coating/crystal bond, and (3) investigate the wettability/adhesion of plastic/solvent combinations using the coating process. The coating used in this work was a Firestone Plastic Company copolymer (FPC-461) of vinylchloride/trifluorochloroethylene in a 1.5/1.0 weight ratio. The energetic explosive examined was pentaerythritoltetranitrate (PETN). The coating process used was starved addition followed by a solvent evaporation technique. Surface analytical studies, completed for characterization of the coating process, show (1) evidence that themore » polymer coating is present, but not continuous, over the surface of PETN; (2) the average thickness of the polymer coating is between 16-32 A and greater than 44 A, respectively, for 0.5 and 20 wt % coated PETN; (3) no changes in surface chemistry of the polymer or the explosive material following microencapsulation; and (4) the presence of explosive material on the surface of 0.5 wt % FPC-461 coated explosives. 5 refs., 15 figs., 6 tabs.« less

  2. In situ investigation of explosive crystallization in a-Ge: Experimental determination of the interface response function using dynamic transmission electron microscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nikolova, Liliya; Stern, Mark J.; MacLeod, Jennifer M.; Reed, Bryan W.; Ibrahim, Heide; Campbell, Geoffrey H.; Rosei, Federico; LaGrange, Thomas; Siwick, Bradley J.

    2014-09-01

    The crystallization of amorphous semiconductors is a strongly exothermic process. Once initiated the release of latent heat can be sufficient to drive a self-sustaining crystallization front through the material in a manner that has been described as explosive. Here, we perform a quantitative in situ study of explosive crystallization in amorphous germanium using dynamic transmission electron microscopy. Direct observations of the speed of the explosive crystallization front as it evolves along a laser-imprinted temperature gradient are used to experimentally determine the complete interface response function (i.e., the temperature-dependent front propagation speed) for this process, which reaches a peak of 16 m/s. Fitting to the Frenkel-Wilson kinetic law demonstrates that the diffusivity of the material locally/immediately in advance of the explosive crystallization front is inconsistent with those of a liquid phase. This result suggests a modification to the liquid-mediated mechanism commonly used to describe this process that replaces the phase change at the leading amorphous-liquid interface with a change in bonding character (from covalent to metallic) occurring in the hot amorphous material.

  3. Parameter study of r-process lanthanide production and heating rates in kilonovae

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lippuner, Jonas; Roberts, Luke F.

    2015-04-01

    Explosive r-process nucleosynthesis in material ejected during compact object mergers may lead to radioactively powered transients called kilonovae. The timescale and peak luminosity of these transients are sensitive to the composition of the material after nuclear burning ceases, as the composition determines the local heating rate from nuclear decays and the opacity. The presence of lanthanides in the ejecta can drastically increase the opacity. We use the new general-purpose nuclear reaction network SkyNet to run a parameter study of r-process nucleosynthesis for a range of initial electron fractions Ye, initial entropies s, and density decay timescales τ. We find that the ejecta is lanthanide-free for Ye >~ 0 . 22 - 0 . 3 , depending on s and τ. The heating rate is insensitive to s and τ, but certain, larger values of Ye lead to reduced heating rates, because single nuclides dominate the heating. With a simple model we estimate the luminosity, time, and effective temperature at the peak of the light curve. Since the opacity is much lower in the lanthanide-free case, we find the luminosity peaks much earlier at ~ 1 day vs. ~ 15 days in the lanthanide-rich cases. Although there is significant variation in the heating rate with Ye, changes in the heating rate do not mitigate the effect of the lanthanides. This research is partially supported by NSF under Award Numbers AST-1333520 and AST-1205732.

  4. Inhomogeneous galactic chemical evolution of r-process elements

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wehmeyer, Benjamin

    2018-01-01

    Stars provide a fundamental contribution to the cosmic life cycle. Gas clouds form and collapse to stars, experiencing different evolutionary stages according to their properties like mass and metal content. Small stars like our Sun end their life as planetary nebulae, while more massive stars end their evolution with violent explosions like supernovae or hypernovae, leaving behind either a neutron star or a black hole. These compact objects may also merge, leading to a new ejection of material. Today the origin of the heaviest elements is still matter of debate. The relative contributions of the proposed sources of r-process elements (e.g., Supernovae, Neutron Star Mergers) in the early galaxy as well as in the Sun is one of the main uncertainties. We use the inhomogeneous chemical evolution tool “ICE” [1, 2] to study the role of some of the main parameters of the cosmic life cycle. With ICE's high resolution (≥ 20parsec/cell) runs, we are able to get converged simulations of the inhomogeneities in the early Galactic evolution stages, and of the observed scatter of r-process elements in metal-poor stars [3].[1] B. Wehmeyer, M. Pignatari, F.-K. Thielemann, 2015 MNRAS 452, 1970–1981[2] B. Wehmeyer, M. Pignatari, F.-K. Thielemann, 2016 AIPC 1743, 040009[3] I. Roederer et al., 2010 ApJ 724:975–993

  5. Discovery of a Powerful, Transient, Explosive Thermal Event at Marduk Fluctus, Io, in Galileo NIMS Data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Davies, A. G.; Davies, R. L.; Veeder, G. J.; de Kleer, K.; de Pater, I.; Matson, D. L.; Johnson, T. V.; Wilson, L.

    2018-04-01

    Analysis of Galileo Near-Infrared Mapping Spectrometer observations of Marduk Fluctus, a volcano on the Jovian moon Io, reveals a style of volcanic activity not previously seen there—a powerful thermal event lasting only a few minutes in 1996. The thermal emission rapidly fades, suggesting extremely rapid cooling of small clasts. The duration and evolution of the explosive eruption are akin to what might be expected from a strombolian or vulcanian explosion. The presence of such events provides an additional volcanic process that can be imaged by future missions with the intent of determining lava composition from eruption temperature, an important constraint on the internal composition of Io. These data promise to be of particular use in understanding the mechanics of explosive volcanic processes on Io.

  6. Modeling of heat transfer in compacted machining chips during friction consolidation process

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Abbas, Naseer; Deng, Xiaomin; Li, Xiao; Reynolds, Anthony

    2018-04-01

    The current study aims to provide an understanding of the heat transfer process in compacted aluminum alloy AA6061 machining chips during the friction consolidation process (FCP) through experimental investigations and mathematical modelling and numerical simulation. Compaction and friction consolidation of machining chips is the first stage of the Friction Extrusion Process (FEP), which is a novel method for recycling machining chips to produce useful products such as wires. In this study, compacted machining chips are modelled as a continuum whose material properties vary with density during friction consolidation. Based on density and temperature dependent thermal properties, the temperature field in the chip material and process chamber caused by frictional heating during the friction consolidation process is predicted. The predicted temperature field is found to compare well with temperature measurements at select points where such measurements can be made using thermocouples.

  7. Overview of accelerators with potential use in homeland security

    DOE PAGES

    Garnett, Robert W.

    2015-06-18

    Quite a broad range of accelerators have been applied to solving many of the challenging problems related to homeland security and defense. These accelerator systems range from relatively small, simple, and compact, to large and complex, based on the specific application requirements. They have been used or proposed as sources of primary and secondary probe beams for applications such as radiography and to induce specific reactions that are key signatures for detecting conventional explosives or fissile material. A brief overview and description of these accelerator systems, their specifications, and application will be presented. Some recent technology trends will also bemore » discussed.« less

  8. A novel cleaning process for industrial production of xylose in pilot scale from corncob by using screw-steam-explosive extruder.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Hong-Jia; Fan, Xiao-Guang; Qiu, Xue-Liang; Zhang, Qiu-Xiang; Wang, Wen-Ya; Li, Shuang-Xi; Deng, Li-Hong; Koffas, Mattheos A G; Wei, Dong-Sheng; Yuan, Qi-Peng

    2014-12-01

    Steam explosion is the most promising technology to replace conventional acid hydrolysis of lignocellulose for biomass pretreatment. In this paper, a new screw-steam-explosive extruder was designed and explored for xylose production and lignocellulose biorefinery at the pilot scale. We investigated the effect of different chemicals on xylose yield in the screw-steam-explosive extrusion process, and the xylose production process was optimized as followings: After pre-impregnation with sulfuric acid at 80 °C for 3 h, corncob was treated at 1.55 MPa with 9 mg sulfuric acid/g dry corncob (DC) for 5.5 min, followed by countercurrent extraction (3 recycles), decoloration (activated carbon dosage 0.07 g/g sugar, 75 °C for 40 min), and ion exchange (2 batches). Using this process, 3.575 kg of crystal xylose was produced from 22 kg corncob, almost 90 % of hemicellulose was released as monomeric sugar, and only a small amount of by-products was released (formic acid, acetic acid, fural, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, and phenolic compounds were 0.17, 1.14, 0.53, 0.19, and 1.75 g/100 g DC, respectively). All results indicated that the screw-steam-explosive extrusion provides a more effective way to convert hemicellulose into xylose and could be an alternative method to traditional sulfuric acid hydrolysis process for lignocellulose biorefinery.

  9. A non-imaging polarized terahertz passive system for detecting and identifying concealed explosives

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Karam, Mostafa A.; Meyer, Doug

    2011-06-01

    Existing terahertz THz systems for detecting concealed explosives are not capable of identifying explosive type which leads to higher false alarm rates. Moreover, some of those systems are imaging systems that invade personal privacy, and require more processing and computational resources. Other systems have no polarization preference which makes them incapable of capturing the geometric features of an explosive. In this study a non-imaging polarized THz passive system for detecting and identifying concealed explosives overcoming the forgoing shortcomings is developed. The system employs a polarized passive THz sensor in acquiring emitted data from a scene that may have concealed explosives. The acquired data are decomposed into their natural resonance frequencies, and the number of those frequencies is used as criteria in detecting the explosive presence. If the presence of an explosive is confirmed, a set of physically based retrieval algorithms is used in extracting the explosive dielectric constant/refractive index value from natural resonance frequencies and amplitudes of associated signals. Comparing the refractive index value against a database of refractive indexes of known explosives identifies the explosive type. As an application, a system having a dual polarized radiometer operating within the frequency band of 0.62- 0.82 THz is presented and used in detecting and identifying person borne C-4 explosive concealed under a cotton garment. The system showed higher efficiencies in detecting and identifying the explosive.

  10. Interaction of intense ultrashort pulse lasers with clusters.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Petrov, George

    2007-11-01

    The last ten years have witnessed an explosion of activity involving the interaction of clusters with intense ultrashort pulse lasers. Atomic or molecular clusters are targets with unique properties, as they are halfway between solid and gases. The intense laser radiation creates hot dense plasma, which can provide a compact source of x-rays and energetic particles. The focus of this investigation is to understand the salient features of energy absorption and Coulomb explosion by clusters. The evolution of clusters is modeled with a relativistic time-dependent 3D Molecular Dynamics (MD) model [1]. The Coulomb interaction between particles is handled by a fast tree algorithm, which allows large number of particles to be used in simulations [2]. The time histories of all particles in a cluster are followed in time and space. The model accounts for ionization-ignition effects (enhancement of the laser field in the vicinity of ions) and a variety of elementary processes for free electrons and charged ions, such as optical field and collisional ionization, outer ionization and electron recapture. The MD model was applied to study small clusters (1-20 nm) irradiated by a high-intensity (10^16-10^20 W/cm^2) sub-picosecond laser pulse. We studied fundamental cluster features such as energy absorption, x-ray emission, particle distribution, average charge per atom, and cluster explosion as a function of initial cluster radius, laser peak intensity and wavelength. Simulations of novel applications, such as table-top nuclear fusion from exploding deuterium clusters [3] and high power synchrotron radiation for biological applications and imaging [4] have been performed. The application for nuclear fusion was motivated by the efficient absorption of laser energy (˜100%) and its high conversion efficiency into ion kinetic energy (˜50%), resulting in neutron yield of 10^6 neutrons/Joule laser energy. Contributors: J. Davis and A. L. Velikovich. [1] G. M. Petrov, et al Phys. Plasmas 12 063103 (2005); 13 033106 (2006) [2] G. M. Petrov, J. Davis, European Phys. J. D 41 629 (2007) [3] G. M. Petrov, J. Davis, A. L. Velikovich, Plasma Phys. Contr. Fusion 48 1721 (2006) [4] G. M. Petrov, J. Davis, A. L. Velikovich, J. Phys. B 39 4617 (2006)

  11. Process and apparatus for producing ultrafine explosive particles

    DOEpatents

    McGowan, Michael J.

    1992-10-20

    A method and an improved eductor apparatus for producing ultrafine explosive particles is disclosed. The explosive particles, which when incorporated into a binder system, have the ability to propagate in thin sheets, and have very low impact sensitivity and very high propagation sensitivity. A stream of a solution of the explosive dissolved in a solvent is thoroughly mixed with a stream of an inert nonsolvent by obtaining nonlaminar flow of the streams by applying pressure against the flow of the nonsolvent stream, to thereby diverge the stream as it contacts the explosive solution, and violently agitating the combined stream to rapidly precipitate the explosive particles from the solution in the form of generally spheroidal, ultrafine particles. The two streams are injected coaxially through continuous, concentric orifices of a nozzle into a mixing chamber. Preferably, the nonsolvent stream is injected centrally of the explosive solution stream. The explosive solution stream is injected downstream of and surrounds the nonsolvent solution stream for a substantial distance prior to being ejected into the mixing chamber.

  12. Research on the analytical method about influence of gas leakage and explosion on subway

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ji, Wendong; Yang, Ligong; Chen, Lin

    2018-05-01

    With the construction and development of city subway, the cross impact of underground rail transit and gas pipe network is becoming more and more serious, but there is no analytical method for the impact of gas explosions on the subway. According to this paper, the gas leakage is equivalent to the TNT explosion equivalent, based on which, the calculation of the explosive impact load is carried out. On the basis of the concrete manifestation of gas explosion, it is more convenient to carry out the subsequent calculation by equivalently treating the explosive impact load as a uniform load within a certain range. The overlying soil of the subway station has played a protective role for the subway, making the displacement of the subway structure in the explosion process significantly reduced. The analysis on the actual case shows that this method can be successfully applied to the quantitative analysis of such accidents.

  13. Na+ Shows a Markedly Higher Potential than K+ in DNA Compaction in a Crowded Environment

    PubMed Central

    Zinchenko, Anatoly A.; Yoshikawa, Kenichi

    2005-01-01

    Whereas many physicochemical investigations have shown that among monovalent cations Na+ ion possesses minimal potential for DNA binding, biological assays have shown that Na+ ion (in contrast to K+ ion) plays a primary role in chromatin compaction and related processes. It is difficult to explain this inverse relationship between the compaction potentials of Na+ and K+ and their binding abilities. In this study we sought to resolve this contradiction and emphasize the phenomenological distinction between DNA compaction and DNA binding processes in the case of DNA compaction by monocations. Using polyethylene glycol solutions as a model of a crowded cell environment, we studied DNA compaction by alkali metal salts LiCl, NaCl, KCl, RbCl, and CsCl, and found that all of these monocations promote DNA compaction. Among these monovalent cations Na+ produces the greatest compaction and the ratio of K+ cand Na+ oncentrations for DNA compaction is ∼1.5–2. A comparative analysis of recent experimental results indicates that a higher binding activity of monocation generally corresponds to a low compaction potential of the corresponding monovalent ion. This inverse relation is explained as a result of partial dehydration of monocations in the compact state. PMID:15778438

  14. 49 CFR 1542.221 - Records of law enforcement response.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ..., explosives, or incendiaries discovered during any passenger-screening process, and the method of detection of..., explosive, or incendiary confiscated, as appropriate; and (iii) Identification of the aircraft operators or...

  15. 49 CFR 1542.221 - Records of law enforcement response.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ..., explosives, or incendiaries discovered during any passenger-screening process, and the method of detection of..., explosive, or incendiary confiscated, as appropriate; and (iii) Identification of the aircraft operators or...

  16. 49 CFR 1542.221 - Records of law enforcement response.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ..., explosives, or incendiaries discovered during any passenger-screening process, and the method of detection of..., explosive, or incendiary confiscated, as appropriate; and (iii) Identification of the aircraft operators or...

  17. 49 CFR 1542.221 - Records of law enforcement response.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ..., explosives, or incendiaries discovered during any passenger-screening process, and the method of detection of..., explosive, or incendiary confiscated, as appropriate; and (iii) Identification of the aircraft operators or...

  18. Installation-Restoration Program environmental-technology development. Task order 3. Use of activated carbon for treatment of explosives-contaminated ground water at the Badger Army Ammunition Plant (BAAP). Final report Jun 88-Aug 89

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

    Wujcik, W.J.; Lowe, W.L.; Marks, P.J.

    1989-08-01

    The United States Army operates explosives manufacturing plants to produce various forms of explosives used in military ordnance. Manufacturing activities at such plants result in the production of organic wastewaters that contain both explosive residues and other organic chemicals. Several treatment technologies have been developed to treat these wastewaters for final discharge. Past waste handling practices at explosives manufacturing plants commonly included the use of the unlined lagoons or pits for containing process wastewaters. As a result of these past practices, some explosives residues may leach through the soil and contaminated groundwater. Therefore, the treatment of contaminated groundwater may bemore » required.« less

  19. Understanding ultrafine nanodiamond formation using nanostructured explosives

    PubMed Central

    Pichot, Vincent; Risse, Benedikt; Schnell, Fabien; Mory, Julien; Spitzer, Denis

    2013-01-01

    The detonation process is able to build new materials with a bottom-up approach. Diamond, the hardest material on earth, can be synthesized in this way. This unconventional synthesis route is possible due to the presence of carbon inside the high-explosive molecules: firing high-explosive mixtures with a negative oxygen balance in a non-oxidative environment leads to the formation of nanodiamond particles. Trinitrotoluene (TNT) and hexogen (RDX) are the explosives primarily used to synthesize nanodiamonds. Here we show that the use of nanostructured explosive charges leads to the formation of smaller detonation nanodiamonds, and it also provides new understanding of nanodiamond formation-mechanisms. The discontinuity of the explosive at the nanoscale level plays the key role in modifying the diamond particle size, and therefore varying the size with microstructured charges is impossible. PMID:23831716

  20. Explosive origin of silicic lava: Textural and δD-H2O evidence for pyroclastic degassing during rhyolite effusion

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Castro, Jonathan M.; Bindeman, Ilya N.; Tuffen, Hugh; Ian Schipper, C.

    2014-11-01

    A long-standing challenge in volcanology is to explain why explosive eruptions of silicic magma give way to lava. A widely cited idea is that the explosive-to-effusive transition manifests a two-stage degassing history whereby lava is the product of non-explosive, open-system gas release following initial explosive, closed-system degassing. Direct observations of rhyolite eruptions indicate that effusive rhyolites are in fact highly explosive, as they erupt simultaneously with violent volcanic blasts and pyroclastic fountains for months from a common vent. This explosive and effusive overlap suggests that pyroclastic processes play a key role in rendering silicic magma sufficiently degassed to generate lava. Here we use precise H-isotope and magmatic H2O measurements and textural evidence to demonstrate that effusion results from explosion(s)-lavas are the direct product of brittle deformation that fosters batched degassing into transient pyroclastic channels (tuffisites) that repetitively and explosively vent from effusing lava. Our measurements show, specifically that D/H ratios and H2O contents of a broad suite of explosive and effusive samples from Chaitén volcano (hydrous bombs, Plinian pyroclasts, tuffisite veins, and lava) define a single and continuous degassing trend that links wet explosive pyroclasts (∼ 1.6 wt.% H2O, δD = - 76.4 ‰) to dry obsidian lavas (∼ 0.13 wt.% H2O, δD = - 145.7 ‰). This geochemical pattern is best fit with batched degassing model that comprises small repeated closed-system degassing steps followed by pulses of vapour extraction. This degassing mechanism is made possible by the action of tuffisite veins, which, by tapping already vesicular or brecciated magma, allow batches of exsolved gas to rapidly and explosively escape from relatively isolated closed-system domains and large tracts of conduit magma by giving them long-range connectivity. Even though tuffisite veins render magma degassed and capable of effusing, they are nonetheless the avenues of violent gas and particle transport and thus have the potential to drive explosions when they become blocked or welded shut. Thus the effusion of silicic lava, traditionally thought to be relatively benign process, presents a particularly hazardous form of explosive volcanism.

  1. Compact neutron generator

    DOEpatents

    Leung, Ka-Ngo; Lou, Tak Pui

    2005-03-22

    A compact neutron generator has at its outer circumference a toroidal shaped plasma chamber in which a tritium (or other) plasma is generated. A RF antenna is wrapped around the plasma chamber. A plurality of tritium ion beamlets are extracted through spaced extraction apertures of a plasma electrode on the inner surface of the toroidal plasma chamber and directed inwardly toward the center of neutron generator. The beamlets pass through spaced acceleration and focusing electrodes to a neutron generating target at the center of neutron generator. The target is typically made of titanium tubing. Water is flowed through the tubing for cooling. The beam can be pulsed rapidly to achieve ultrashort neutron bursts. The target may be moved rapidly up and down so that the average power deposited on the surface of the target may be kept at a reasonable level. The neutron generator can produce fast neutrons from a T-T reaction which can be used for luggage and cargo interrogation applications. A luggage or cargo inspection system has a pulsed T-T neutron generator or source at the center, surrounded by associated gamma detectors and other components for identifying explosives or other contraband.

  2. Impacts of the Detection of Cassiopeia A Point Source.

    PubMed

    Umeda; Nomoto; Tsuruta; Mineshige

    2000-05-10

    Very recently the Chandra first light observation discovered a point-like source in the Cassiopeia A supernova remnant. This detection was subsequently confirmed by the analyses of the archival data from both ROSAT and Einstein observations. Here we compare the results from these observations with the scenarios involving both black holes (BHs) and neutron stars (NSs). If this point source is a BH, we offer as a promising model a disk-corona type model with a low accretion rate in which a soft photon source at approximately 0.1 keV is Comptonized by higher energy electrons in the corona. If it is an NS, the dominant radiation observed by Chandra most likely originates from smaller, hotter regions of the stellar surface, but we argue that it is still worthwhile to compare the cooler component from the rest of the surface with cooling theories. We emphasize that the detection of this point source itself should potentially provide enormous impacts on the theories of supernova explosion, progenitor scenario, compact remnant formation, accretion to compact objects, and NS thermal evolution.

  3. Heat pump/refrigerator using liquid working fluid

    DOEpatents

    Wheatley, John C.; Paulson, Douglas N.; Allen, Paul C.; Knight, William R.; Warkentin, Paul A.

    1982-01-01

    A heat transfer device is described that can be operated as a heat pump or refrigerator, which utilizes a working fluid that is continuously in a liquid state and which has a high temperature-coefficient of expansion near room temperature, to provide a compact and high efficiency heat transfer device for relatively small temperature differences as are encountered in heating or cooling rooms or the like. The heat transfer device includes a pair of heat exchangers that may be coupled respectively to the outdoor and indoor environments, a regenerator connecting the two heat exchangers, a displacer that can move the liquid working fluid through the heat exchangers via the regenerator, and a means for alternately increasing and decreasing the pressure of the working fluid. The liquid working fluid enables efficient heat transfer in a compact unit, and leads to an explosion-proof smooth and quiet machine characteristic of hydraulics. The device enables efficient heat transfer as the indoor-outdoor temperature difference approaches zero, and enables simple conversion from heat pumping to refrigeration as by merely reversing the direction of a motor that powers the device.

  4. Compaction of Railway Ballast During Tamping Process: a Parametric Study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Saussine, G.; Azéma, E.; Perales, R.; Radjaï, F.

    2009-06-01

    We characterize an industrial process currently used on railway track: tamping operation. This process is employed in order to restore the geometry of railway track distorted by train traffics. The main goal is to compact the granular material under the sleepers supporting the railroad squeezing and vibrations. We focus on different phases of the tamping process, namely the penetration of tamping tines into the ballast and squeezing of ballast between tines. Our numerical simulations of three-dimensional discrete polyhedral grains allow us to investigate the influence of vibration frequency on the compaction level at the end of the process, the role of velocity of tamping tines during penetration phase and the mechanism of compaction of a confined granular layer under horizontal vibrations. For each tamping phase, an optimal frequency is proposed, and an analysis of the full process on the samples representing a portion of the railway track enables us to access the influence of various parameters required to optimize the process.

  5. Persistent explosive activity at Stromboli investigated with OP-FTIR and SO2 cameras

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Burton, M. R.; La Spina, A.; Sawyer, G. M.; Harris, A. J.

    2012-12-01

    Stromboli volcano in Italy exhibits what is perhaps one of the most well-known examples of cyclic activity, in the form of its regular explosions, which send a few m3 of material 100-200 m into the air every 10-20 minutes. Recent developments in measurements of volatile release from Stromboli using a series of novel approaches have allowed this cyclic behaviour to be examined in detail. In particular, the use of an automated OP-FTIR has revealed unprecedented detail in the dynamics of degassing from individual craters at the summit of Stromboli. Furthermore, the variations in composition of explosive degassing from Stromboli demonstrate a deep source ~2 km for the gas slugs which produce explosions at this volcano, in contrast to the commonly-held view that gas coalescence at shallow depth is responsible for the behaviour. The SO2 camera has revealed fascinating new details on the dynamics of degassing at Stromboli, and has allowed direct quantification of the amount of gas released during explosions and through quiescent degassing. The remarkable observation that 99% of degassing takes place quiescently, and that the explosions, whilst apparently more significant, are in fact a secondary process compared with the mass and energy involved in background, quiet processes. The new insight that the explosions are actually only a relatively minor aspect of the activity (in terms of mass and energy) actually makes the regularity of the cyclic explosive activity still more remarkable. In this paper we present a detailed overview of the state of the art of our understanding of cyclic explosive activity at Stromboli volcano from the perspective of recent advances in geochemical monitoring of the gas emissions. We also report initial results from a multidisciplinary campaign on Stromboli which utilised both OP-FTIR and SO2 camera techniques.

  6. Onset of the Magnetic Explosion in Solar Polar Coronal X-Ray Jets

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Moore, Ronald L.; Sterling, Alphonse C.; Panesar, Navdeep

    2017-08-01

    We examine the onset of the driving magnetic explosion in 15 random polar coronal X-ray jets. Each eruption is observed in a coronal X-ray movie from Hinode and in a coronal EUV movie from Solar Dynamics Observatory. Contrary to the Sterling et al (2015, Nature, 523, 437) scenario for minifilament eruptions that drive polar coronal jets, these observations indicate: (1) in most polar coronal jets (a) the runaway internal tether-cutting reconnection under the erupting minifilament flux rope starts after the spire-producing breakout reconnection starts, not before it, and (b) aleady at eruption onset, there is a current sheet between the explosive closed magnetic field and ambient open field; and (2) the minifilament-eruption magnetic explosion often starts with the breakout reconnection of the outside of the magnetic arcade that carries the minifilament in its core. On the other hand, the diversity of the observed sequences of occurrence of events in the jet eruptions gives further credence to the Sterlling et al (2015, Nature, 523, 437) idea that the magnetic explosions that make a polar X-ray jet work the same way as the much larger magnetic explosions that make and flare and CME. We point out that this idea, and recent observations indicating that magnetic flux cancelation is the fundamental process that builds the field in and around pre-jet minifilaments and triggers the jet-driving magnetic explosion, together imply that usually flux cancelation inside the arcade that explodes in a flare/CME eruption is the fundamental process that builds the explosive field and triggers the explosion.This work was funded by the Heliophysics Division of NASA's Science Mission Directorate through its Living With a Star Targeted Research and Technology Program, its Heliophsyics Guest Investigators Program, and the Hinode Project.

  7. Insensitive explosive composition of halogenated copolymer and triaminotrinitrobenzene

    DOEpatents

    Benziger, Theodore M.

    1976-01-01

    A highly insensitive and heat resistant plastic-bonded explosive containing 90 wt % triaminotrinitrobenzene and 10 wt % of a fully saturated copolymer of chlorotrifluoroethylene and vinylidene fluoride is readily manufactured by the slurry process.

  8. Processing of Lewisite munitions in the explosive destruction system.

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

    Shepodd, Timothy J.; Didlake, John E., Jr.; Bradshaw, Robert W., PhD

    2005-03-01

    The Explosive Destruction System (EDS) is a transportable system designed to treat chemical munitions. The EDS is transported on an open trailer that provides a mounting surface for major system components and an operator's work platform. The trailer is towed by a prime mover. An explosive containment vessel contains the shock, munition fragments, and the chemical agent during the munition opening process, and then provides a vessel for the subsequent chemical treatment of the agent. A fragmentation suppression system houses the chemical munition and protects the containment vessel from high velocity fragments. An explosive accessing system uses shaped charges tomore » cut the munition open and attack the burster. A firing system detonates the shaped charges. A chemical feed system supplies neutralizing reagents and water to the containment vessel. A waste handling system drains the treated effluent.« less

  9. The Distribution of Radioactive 44Ti in Cassiopeia A

    DOE PAGES

    Grefenstette, Brian W.; Fryer, Christopher Lee; Harrison, Fiona A.; ...

    2016-12-27

    The distribution of elements produced in the inner-most layers of a supernova explosion is a key diagnostic for studying the collapse of massive stars. Here we present the results of a 2.4 Ms NuSTAR observing campaign aimed at studying the supernova remnant Cassiopeia A (Cas A). We perform spatially-resolved spectroscopic analyses of the 44Ti ejecta which we use to determine the Doppler shift and thus the three-dimensional (3D) velocities of the 44Ti ejecta. We nd an initial 44Ti mass of 1.54±0.21x10 -4 M which has a present day average momentum direction of 340°±15° projected on to the plane of themore » sky (measured clockwise from Celestial North) and tilted by 58°±20° into the plane of the sky away from the observer, roughly opposite to the inferred direction of motion of the central compact object. We find some 44Ti ejecta that are clearly interior to the reverse shock and some that are clearly exterior to the reverse shock. Where we observe 44Ti ejecta exterior to the reverse shock we also see shock-heated iron; however, there are regions where we see iron but do not observe 44Ti. This suggests that the local conditions of the supernova shock during explosive nucleosynthesis varied enough to suppress the production of 44Ti in some regions by at least a factor of two, even in regions that are assumed to be the result of processes like α-rich freezeout that should produce both iron and titanium.« less

  10. The Distribution of Radioactive 44Ti in Cassiopeia A

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

    Grefenstette, Brian W.; Fryer, Christopher Lee; Harrison, Fiona A.

    The distribution of elements produced in the inner-most layers of a supernova explosion is a key diagnostic for studying the collapse of massive stars. Here we present the results of a 2.4 Ms NuSTAR observing campaign aimed at studying the supernova remnant Cassiopeia A (Cas A). We perform spatially-resolved spectroscopic analyses of the 44Ti ejecta which we use to determine the Doppler shift and thus the three-dimensional (3D) velocities of the 44Ti ejecta. We nd an initial 44Ti mass of 1.54±0.21x10 -4 M which has a present day average momentum direction of 340°±15° projected on to the plane of themore » sky (measured clockwise from Celestial North) and tilted by 58°±20° into the plane of the sky away from the observer, roughly opposite to the inferred direction of motion of the central compact object. We find some 44Ti ejecta that are clearly interior to the reverse shock and some that are clearly exterior to the reverse shock. Where we observe 44Ti ejecta exterior to the reverse shock we also see shock-heated iron; however, there are regions where we see iron but do not observe 44Ti. This suggests that the local conditions of the supernova shock during explosive nucleosynthesis varied enough to suppress the production of 44Ti in some regions by at least a factor of two, even in regions that are assumed to be the result of processes like α-rich freezeout that should produce both iron and titanium.« less

  11. Analysis of microstructure-dependent shock dissipation and hot-spot formation in granular metalized explosive

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chakravarthy, Sunada; Gonthier, Keith A.

    2016-07-01

    Variations in the microstructure of granular explosives (i.e., particle packing density, size, shape, and composition) can affect their shock sensitivity by altering thermomechanical fields at the particle-scale during pore collapse within shocks. If the deformation rate is fast, hot-spots can form, ignite, and interact, resulting in burn at the macro-scale. In this study, a two-dimensional finite and discrete element technique is used to simulate and examine shock-induced dissipation and hot-spot formation within low density explosives (68%-84% theoretical maximum density (TMD)) consisting of large ensembles of HMX (C4H8N8O8) and aluminum (Al) particles (size ˜ 60 -360 μm). Emphasis is placed on identifying how the inclusion of Al influences effective shock dissipation and hot-spot fields relative to equivalent ensembles of neat/pure HMX for shocks that are sufficiently strong to eliminate porosity. Spatially distributed hot-spot fields are characterized by their number density and area fraction enabling their dynamics to be described in terms of nucleation, growth, and agglomeration-dominated phases with increasing shock strength. For fixed shock particle speed, predictions indicate that decreasing packing density enhances shock dissipation and hot-spot formation, and that the inclusion of Al increases dissipation relative to neat HMX by pressure enhanced compaction resulting in fewer but larger HMX hot-spots. Ensembles having bimodal particle sizes are shown to significantly affect hot-spot dynamics by altering the spatial distribution of hot-spots behind shocks.

  12. Photoacoustic spectroscopy for trace vapor detection and standoff detection of explosives

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Holthoff, Ellen L.; Marcus, Logan S.; Pellegrino, Paul M.

    2016-05-01

    The Army is investigating several spectroscopic techniques (e.g., infrared spectroscopy) that could allow for an adaptable sensor platform. Current sensor technologies, although reasonably sized, are geared to more classical chemical threats, and the ability to expand their capabilities to a broader range of emerging threats is uncertain. Recently, photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS), employed in a sensor format, has shown enormous potential to address these ever-changing threats. PAS is one of the more flexible IR spectroscopy variants, and that flexibility allows for the construction of sensors that are designed for specific tasks. PAS is well suited for trace detection of gaseous and condensed media. Recent research has employed quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) in combination with MEMS-scale photoacoustic cell designs. The continuous tuning capability of QCLs over a broad wavelength range in the mid-infrared spectral region greatly expands the number of compounds that can be identified. We will discuss our continuing evaluation of QCL technology as it matures in relation to our ultimate goal of a universal compact chemical sensor platform. Finally, expanding on our previously reported photoacoustic detection of condensed phase samples, we are investigating standoff photoacoustic chemical detection of these materials. We will discuss the evaluation of a PAS sensor that has been designed around increasing operator safety during detection and identification of explosive materials by performing sensing operations at a standoff distance. We investigate a standoff variant of PAS based upon an interferometric sensor by examining the characteristic absorption spectra of explosive hazards collected at 1 m.

  13. The progenitors of stripped-envelope supernovae

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Elias-Rosa, N.

    2013-05-01

    The type Ib/c SNe are those explosions which come from massive star populations, but lack hydrogen and helium. These have been proposed to originate in the explosions of massive Wolf-Rayet stars, and we should easily be able to detect the very luminous, young progenitors if they exist. However, there has not been any detection of progenitors so far. I present the study of two extinguished Type Ic SNe 2003jg and 2004cc. In both cases there is no clear evidence of a direct detection of their progenitors in deep pre-explosion images. Upper limits derived by inserting artificial stars of known brightness at random positions around the progenitor positions (M_v>-8.8 and M_v>-9 magnitudes for the progenitors of SN 2003jg and SN 2004cc, respectively) are brighter than those expected for a massive WC (Wolf-Rayet, carbon-rich) or WO (Wolf-Rayet, oxygen-rich) (e.g., approximately between -3 and -6 in the LMC). Therefore, this is perhaps further evidence that the most massive stars may give rise to black-holes forming SNe, or it is an undetected, compact massive star hidden by a thick dust lane. However the extinction toward these SNe is currently one of the largest known. Even if these results do not directly reveal the nature of the type Ic SN progenitors, they can help to characterize the dusty environment which surrounded the progenitor of the stripped-envelope CC-SNe.

  14. What Dominates a Craters Size, the Largest Single Explosion of the Formation Process or the Cumulative Energy of Many? Results of Multiblast Crater Evolution Experiments

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sonder, I.; Graettinger, A. H.; Valentine, G. A.

    2015-12-01

    Craters of explosive volcanic eruptions are products of many explosions. Such craters are different than products of single events such as meteorite impacts or those produced by military testing because they typically result from multiple, rather than single, explosions. We analyzed the evolution of experimental craters that were created by several detonations of chemical explosives in layered aggregates. A method to calculate an effective explosion depth for non-flat topography (e.g. for explosions below existing craters) is derived, showing how multi-blast crater sizes differ from the single blast case. It is shown that sizes of natural caters (radii, volumes) are not characteristic of the number of explosions, and therefore not characteristic for the total acting energy, that formed a crater. Also the crater size is not simply related to the largest explosion in a sequence, but depends upon that explosion and the energy of that single blast and on the cumulative energy of all blasts that formed the crater. The two energies can be combined to form an effective number of explosions that is characteristic for the crater evolution. The multi-blast crater size evolution implies that it is not correct to estimate explosion energy of volcanic events from crater size using previously published relationships that were derived for single blast cases.

  15. Dissipative rogue waves induced by soliton explosions in an ultrafast fiber laser.

    PubMed

    Liu, Meng; Luo, Ai-Ping; Xu, Wen-Cheng; Luo, Zhi-Chao

    2016-09-01

    We reported on the observation of dissipative rogue waves (DRWs) induced by soliton explosions in an ultrafast fiber laser. It was found that the soliton explosions could be obtained in the fiber laser at a critical pump power level. During the process of the soliton explosion, the high-amplitude waves that fulfill the rogue wave criteria could be detected. The appearance of the DRWs was identified by characterizing the intensity statistics of the time-stretched soliton profile based on the dispersive Fourier-transform method. Our findings provide the first experimental demonstration that the DRWs could be observed in the soliton explosion regime and further enhance the understanding of the physical mechanism of optical RW generation.

  16. 3-D Velocimetry of Strombolian Explosions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Taddeucci, J.; Gaudin, D.; Orr, T. R.; Scarlato, P.; Houghton, B. F.; Del Bello, E.

    2014-12-01

    Using two synchronized high-speed cameras we were able to reconstruct the three-dimensional displacement and velocity field of bomb-sized pyroclasts in Strombolian explosions at Stromboli Volcano. Relatively low-intensity Strombolian-style activity offers a rare opportunity to observe volcanic processes that remain hidden from view during more violent explosive activity. Such processes include the ejection and emplacement of bomb-sized clasts along pure or drag-modified ballistic trajectories, in-flight bomb collision, and gas liberation dynamics. High-speed imaging of Strombolian activity has already opened new windows for the study of the abovementioned processes, but to date has only utilized two-dimensional analysis with limited motion detection and ability to record motion towards or away from the observer. To overcome this limitation, we deployed two synchronized high-speed video cameras at Stromboli. The two cameras, located sixty meters apart, filmed Strombolian explosions at 500 and 1000 frames per second and with different resolutions. Frames from the two cameras were pre-processed and combined into a single video showing frames alternating from one to the other camera. Bomb-sized pyroclasts were then manually identified and tracked in the combined video, together with fixed reference points located as close as possible to the vent. The results from manual tracking were fed to a custom software routine that, knowing the relative position of the vent and cameras, and the field of view of the latter, provided the position of each bomb relative to the reference points. By tracking tens of bombs over five to ten frames at different intervals during one explosion, we were able to reconstruct the three-dimensional evolution of the displacement and velocity fields of bomb-sized pyroclasts during individual Strombolian explosions. Shifting jet directivity and dispersal angle clearly appear from the three-dimensional analysis.

  17. Nano-Evaluris: an inhalation and explosion risk evaluation method for nanoparticle use. Part I: description of the methodology

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bouillard, Jacques X.; Vignes, Alexis

    2014-02-01

    In this paper, an inhalation health and explosion safety risk assessment methodology for nanopowders is described. Since toxicological threshold limit values are still unknown for nanosized substances, detailed risk assessment on specific plants may not be carried out. A simple approach based on occupational hazard/exposure band expressed in mass concentrations is proposed for nanopowders. This approach is consolidated with an iso surface toxicological scaling method, which has the merit, although incomplete, to provide concentration threshold levels for which new metrological instruments should be developed for proper air monitoring in order to ensure safety. Whenever the processing or use of nanomaterials is introducing a risk to the worker, a specific nano pictogram is proposed to inform the worker. Examples of risk assessment of process equipment (i.e., containment valves) processing various nanomaterials are provided. Explosion risks related to very reactive nanomaterials such as aluminum nanopowders can be assessed using this new analysis methodology adapted to nanopowders. It is nevertheless found that to formalize and extend this approach, it is absolutely necessary to develop new relevant standard apparatuses and to qualify individual and collective safety barriers with respect to health and explosion risks. In spite of these uncertainties, it appears, as shown in the second paper (Part II) that health and explosion risks, evaluated for given MWCNTs and aluminum nanoparticles, remain manageable in their continuous fabrication mode, considering current individual and collective safety barriers that can be put in place. The authors would, however, underline that peculiar attention must be paid to non-continuous modes of operations, such as process equipment cleaning steps, that are often under-analyzed and are too often forgotten critical steps needing vigilance in order to minimize potential toxic and explosion risks.

  18. Principles of control automation of soil compacting machine operating mechanism

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Anatoly Fedorovich, Tikhonov; Drozdov, Anatoly

    2018-03-01

    The relevance of the qualitative compaction of soil bases in the erection of embankment and foundations in building and structure construction is given.The quality of the compactible gravel and sandy soils provides the bearing capability and, accordingly, the strength and durability of constructed buildings.It has been established that the compaction quality depends on many external actions, such as surface roughness and soil moisture; granulometry, chemical composition and degree of elasticity of originalfilled soil for compaction.The analysis of technological processes of soil bases compaction of foreign and domestic information sources showed that the solution of such important problem as a continuous monitoring of soil compaction actual degree in the process of machine operation carry out only with the use of modern means of automation. An effective vibrodynamic method of gravel and sand material sealing for the building structure foundations for various applications was justified and suggested.The method of continuous monitoring the soil compaction by measurement of the amplitudes and frequencies of harmonic oscillations on the compactible surface was determined, which allowed to determine the basic elements of facilities of soil compacting machine monitoring system of operating, etc. mechanisms: an accelerometer, a bandpass filter, a vibro-harmonics, an on-board microcontroller. Adjustable parameters have been established to improve the soil compaction degree and the soil compacting machine performance, and the adjustable parameter dependences on the overall indexhave been experimentally determined, which is the soil compaction degree.A structural scheme of automatic control of the soil compacting machine control mechanism and theoperation algorithm has been developed.

  19. Simple methodologies to estimate the energy amount stored in a tree due to an explosive seed dispersal mechanism

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    do Carmo, Eduardo; Goncalves Hönnicke, Marcelo

    2018-05-01

    There are different forms to introduce/illustrate the energy concepts for the basic physics students. The explosive seed dispersal mechanism found in a variety of trees could be one of them. Sibipiruna trees carry out fruits (pods) who show such an explosive mechanism. During the explosion, the pods throw out seeds several meters away. In this manuscript we show simple methodologies to estimate the energy amount stored in the Sibipiruna tree due to such a process. Two different physics approaches were used to carry out this study: by monitoring indoor and in situ the explosive seed dispersal mechanism and by measuring the elastic constant of the pod shell. An energy of the order of kJ was found to be stored in a single tree due to such an explosive mechanism.

  20. High Energy Rate Forming Induced Phase Transition in Austenitic Steel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kovacs, T.; Kuzsella, L.

    2017-02-01

    In this study, the effects of explosion hardening on the microstructure and the hardness of austenitic stainless steel have been studied. The optimum explosion hardening technology of austenitic stainless steel was researched. In case of the explosive hardening used new idea means indirect hardening setup. Austenitic stainless steels have high plasticity and can be cold formed easily. However, during cold processing the hardening phenomena always occurs. Upon the explosion impact, the deformation mechanism indicates a plastic deformation and this deformation induces a phase transformation (martensite). The explosion hardening enhances the mechanical properties of the material, includes the wear resistance and hardness [1]. In case of indirect hardening as function of the setup parameters specifically the flayer plate position the hardening increased differently. It was find a relationship between the explosion hardening setup and the hardening level.

  1. Analysis of compaction initiation in human embryos by using time-lapse cinematography.

    PubMed

    Iwata, Kyoko; Yumoto, Keitaro; Sugishima, Minako; Mizoguchi, Chizuru; Kai, Yoshiteru; Iba, Yumiko; Mio, Yasuyuki

    2014-04-01

    To analyze the initiation of compaction in human embryos in vitro by using time-lapse cinematography (TLC), with the goal of determining the precise timing of compaction and clarifying the morphological changes underlying the compaction process. One hundred and fifteen embryos donated by couples with no further need for embryo-transfer were used in this study. Donated embryos were thawed and processed, and then their morphological behavior during the initiation of compaction was dynamically observed via time-lapse cinematography (TLC) for 5 days. Although the initiation of compaction occurred throughout the period from the 4-cell to 16-cell stage, 99 (86.1 %) embryos initiated compaction at the 8-cell stage or later, with initiation at the 8-cell stage being most frequent (22.6 %). Of these 99 embryos, 49.5 % developed into good-quality blastocysts. In contrast, of the 16 (13.9 %) embryos that initiated compaction prior to the 8-cell stage, only 18.8 % developed into good-quality blastocysts. Embryos that initiated compaction before the 8-cell stage showed significantly higher numbers of multinucleated blastomeres, due to asynchronism in nuclear division at the third mitotic division resulting from cytokinetic failure. The initiation of compaction primarily occurs at the third mitotic division or later in human embryos. Embryos that initiate compaction before the 8-cell stage are usually associated with aberrant embryonic development (i.e., cytokinetic failure accompanied by karyokinesis).

  2. The neural basis of emotions varies over time: different regions go with onset- and offset-bound processes underlying emotion intensity.

    PubMed

    Résibois, Maxime; Verduyn, Philippe; Delaveau, Pauline; Rotgé, Jean-Yves; Kuppens, Peter; Van Mechelen, Iven; Fossati, Philippe

    2017-08-01

    According to theories of emotion dynamics, emotions unfold across two phases in which different types of processes come to the fore: emotion onset and emotion offset. Differences in onset-bound processes are reflected by the degree of explosiveness or steepness of the response at onset, and differences in offset-bound processes by the degree of accumulation or intensification of the subsequent response. Whether onset- and offset-bound processes have distinctive neural correlates and, hence, whether the neural basis of emotions varies over time, still remains unknown. In the present fMRI study, we address this question using a recently developed paradigm that allows to disentangle explosiveness and accumulation. Thirty-one participants were exposed to neutral and negative social feedback, and asked to reflect on its contents. Emotional intensity while reading and thinking about the feedback was measured with an intensity profile tracking approach. Using non-negative matrix factorization, the resulting profile data were decomposed in explosiveness and accumulation components, which were subsequently entered as continuous regressors of the BOLD response. It was found that the neural basis of emotion intensity shifts as emotions unfold over time with emotion explosiveness and accumulation having distinctive neural correlates. © The Author (2017). Published by Oxford University Press.

  3. The neural basis of emotions varies over time: different regions go with onset- and offset-bound processes underlying emotion intensity

    PubMed Central

    Verduyn, Philippe; Delaveau, Pauline; Rotgé, Jean-Yves; Kuppens, Peter; Van Mechelen, Iven; Fossati, Philippe

    2017-01-01

    Abstract According to theories of emotion dynamics, emotions unfold across two phases in which different types of processes come to the fore: emotion onset and emotion offset. Differences in onset-bound processes are reflected by the degree of explosiveness or steepness of the response at onset, and differences in offset-bound processes by the degree of accumulation or intensification of the subsequent response. Whether onset- and offset-bound processes have distinctive neural correlates and, hence, whether the neural basis of emotions varies over time, still remains unknown. In the present fMRI study, we address this question using a recently developed paradigm that allows to disentangle explosiveness and accumulation. Thirty-one participants were exposed to neutral and negative social feedback, and asked to reflect on its contents. Emotional intensity while reading and thinking about the feedback was measured with an intensity profile tracking approach. Using non-negative matrix factorization, the resulting profile data were decomposed in explosiveness and accumulation components, which were subsequently entered as continuous regressors of the BOLD response. It was found that the neural basis of emotion intensity shifts as emotions unfold over time with emotion explosiveness and accumulation having distinctive neural correlates. PMID:28402478

  4. Nucleosynthesis during a Thermonuclear Supernova Explosion

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Panov, I. V.; Glazyrin, S. I.; Röpke, F. K.; Blinnikov, S. I.

    2018-05-01

    Supernovae are such bright objects that they can be observed even at high redshifts. Some types of such events, for example, type Ia (thermonuclear), have peculiarities of the light curve, which allows them to be used for cosmological applications. The light curve is determined by the details of the explosion dynamics and nucleosynthesis: in particular, it depends on the amount of iron-peak elements produced during the explosion. We discuss the burning processes in such objects and the peculiarities of turbulence simulations in them, which is needed for a proper hydrodynamic description of the explosion process. A direct nucleosynthesis calculation is performed for the temperature and density profiles derived in the available 3D hydrodynamic explosion simulations. We show that in the supernova progenitor model considered the calculated abundances of elements from carbon to iron-peak elements are in good agreement both with the observations and with the calculations of other authors. At the same time, no r-elements are produced even at the maximum neutron excess for this model ( Y e 0.47) due to the slow evolution of the density and temperature.

  5. Impact of pretreatment and downstream processing technologies on economics and energy in cellulosic ethanol production.

    PubMed

    Kumar, Deepak; Murthy, Ganti S

    2011-09-05

    While advantages of biofuel have been widely reported, studies also highlight the challenges in large scale production of biofuel. Cost of ethanol and process energy use in cellulosic ethanol plants are dependent on technologies used for conversion of feedstock. Process modeling can aid in identifying techno-economic bottlenecks in a production process. A comprehensive techno-economic analysis was performed for conversion of cellulosic feedstock to ethanol using some of the common pretreatment technologies: dilute acid, dilute alkali, hot water and steam explosion. Detailed process models incorporating feedstock handling, pretreatment, simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation, ethanol recovery and downstream processing were developed using SuperPro Designer. Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb) was used as a model feedstock. Projected ethanol yields were 252.62, 255.80, 255.27 and 230.23 L/dry metric ton biomass for conversion process using dilute acid, dilute alkali, hot water and steam explosion pretreatment technologies respectively. Price of feedstock and cellulose enzymes were assumed as $50/metric ton and 0.517/kg broth (10% protein in broth, 600 FPU/g protein) respectively. Capital cost of ethanol plants processing 250,000 metric tons of feedstock/year was $1.92, $1.73, $1.72 and $1.70/L ethanol for process using dilute acid, dilute alkali, hot water and steam explosion pretreatment respectively. Ethanol production cost of $0.83, $0.88, $0.81 and $0.85/L ethanol was estimated for production process using dilute acid, dilute alkali, hot water and steam explosion pretreatment respectively. Water use in the production process using dilute acid, dilute alkali, hot water and steam explosion pretreatment was estimated 5.96, 6.07, 5.84 and 4.36 kg/L ethanol respectively. Ethanol price and energy use were highly dependent on process conditions used in the ethanol production plant. Potential for significant ethanol cost reductions exist in increasing pentose fermentation efficiency and reducing biomass and enzyme costs. The results demonstrated the importance of addressing the tradeoffs in capital costs, pretreatment and downstream processing technologies.

  6. Impact of pretreatment and downstream processing technologies on economics and energy in cellulosic ethanol production

    PubMed Central

    2011-01-01

    Background While advantages of biofuel have been widely reported, studies also highlight the challenges in large scale production of biofuel. Cost of ethanol and process energy use in cellulosic ethanol plants are dependent on technologies used for conversion of feedstock. Process modeling can aid in identifying techno-economic bottlenecks in a production process. A comprehensive techno-economic analysis was performed for conversion of cellulosic feedstock to ethanol using some of the common pretreatment technologies: dilute acid, dilute alkali, hot water and steam explosion. Detailed process models incorporating feedstock handling, pretreatment, simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation, ethanol recovery and downstream processing were developed using SuperPro Designer. Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb) was used as a model feedstock. Results Projected ethanol yields were 252.62, 255.80, 255.27 and 230.23 L/dry metric ton biomass for conversion process using dilute acid, dilute alkali, hot water and steam explosion pretreatment technologies respectively. Price of feedstock and cellulose enzymes were assumed as $50/metric ton and 0.517/kg broth (10% protein in broth, 600 FPU/g protein) respectively. Capital cost of ethanol plants processing 250,000 metric tons of feedstock/year was $1.92, $1.73, $1.72 and $1.70/L ethanol for process using dilute acid, dilute alkali, hot water and steam explosion pretreatment respectively. Ethanol production cost of $0.83, $0.88, $0.81 and $0.85/L ethanol was estimated for production process using dilute acid, dilute alkali, hot water and steam explosion pretreatment respectively. Water use in the production process using dilute acid, dilute alkali, hot water and steam explosion pretreatment was estimated 5.96, 6.07, 5.84 and 4.36 kg/L ethanol respectively. Conclusions Ethanol price and energy use were highly dependent on process conditions used in the ethanol production plant. Potential for significant ethanol cost reductions exist in increasing pentose fermentation efficiency and reducing biomass and enzyme costs. The results demonstrated the importance of addressing the tradeoffs in capital costs, pretreatment and downstream processing technologies. PMID:21892958

  7. Testing of Confining Pressure Impacton Explosion Energy of Explosive Materials

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Drzewiecki, Jan; Myszkowski, Jacek; Pytlik, Andrzej; Pytlik, Mateusz

    2017-06-01

    This paper presents the results of testing the explosion effects of two explosive charges placed in an environment with specified values of confining pressure. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of variable environmental conditions on the suitability of particular explosives for their use in the prevention of natural hazards in hard coal mining. The research results will contribute to improving the efficiency of currently adopted technologies of natural hazard prevention and aid in raising the level of occupational safety. To carry out the subject matter measurements, a special test stand was constructed which allows the value of the initial pressure inside the chamber, which constitutes its integral part, to be altered before the detonation of the charge being tested. The obtained characteristics of the pressure changes during the explosion of the analysed charge helped to identify the work (energy) which was produced during the process. The test results are a valuable source of information, opening up new possibilities for the use of explosives, the development of innovative solutions for the construction of explosive charges and their initiation.

  8. On-site Rapid Detection of Trace Non-volatile Inorganic Explosives by Stand-alone Ion Mobility Spectrometry via Acid-enhanced Evaporization

    PubMed Central

    Peng, Liying; Hua, Lei; Wang, Weiguo; Zhou, Qinghua; Li, Haiyang

    2014-01-01

    New techniques for the field detection of inorganic improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are urgently developed. Although ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) has been proved to be the most effective method for screening organic explosives, it still faces a major challenge to detect inorganic explosives owing to their low volatilities. Herein, we proposed a strategy for detecting trace inorganic explosives by thermal desorption ion mobility spectrometry (TD-IMS) with sample-to-sample analysis time less than 5 s based on in-situ acidification on the sampling swabs. The responses for typical oxidizers in inorganic explosives, such as KNO3, KClO3 and KClO4 were at least enhanced by a factor of 3000 and their limits of detection were found to be subnanogram. The common organic explosives and their mixtures with inorganic oxidizers were detected, indicating that the acidification process did not affect the detection of organic explosives. Moreover, the typical inorganic explosives such as black powders, firecrackers and match head could be sensitively detected as well. These results demonstrated that this method could be easily employed in the current deployed IMS for on-site sensitive detection of either inorganic explosives or organic ones. PMID:25318960

  9. Sensor for Monitoring Nanodevice-Fabrication Plasmas

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bolshakov, Alexander

    2004-01-01

    The term plasma process diagnostics (PPD) refers to a spectroscopic technique and sensing hardware that have been proposed for monitoring plasma processes used to fabricate electronic devices that feature sizes as small as several nanometers. Nanometer dimensions are characteristic of the quantum level of miniaturization, where single impurity atoms or molecules can drastically change the local properties of the nanostructures. Such changes may be purposely used in nanoscale design but may also be extremely damaging or cause improper operation of the fabricated devices. Determination of temperature and densities of reactants near the developing features is important, since the structural synthesis is affected by characteristics of the local microenvironment. Consequently, sensors capable of nonintrusive monitoring with high sensitivity and high resolution are essential for real-time atomistic control of reaction kinetics and minimizing trace contamination in plasma processes used to fabricate electronic nanodevices. Such process-monitoring sensors are required to be compact, multiparametric, and immune to the harsh environments of processing plasmas. PPD is intended to satisfy these requirements. The specific technique used to implement plasma diagnostics with a PPD sensor would be an advanced version of continuous-wave cavity-ringdown spectroscopy (CW-CRDS) capable of profiling spectral line broadenings in order to derive both Doppler and Stark components. CRDS is based on measurements of the rate of absorption of laser light in an optical resonator. The ultimate sensitivity results from a very long absorption path length within the cavity and immunity to variations in incident laser intensity. The proposed version of this technique would involve the use of multiplexing tunable laser diodes and an actively modulated high-reflectivity optical resonator, thus offering a synergistic combination of simplicity, compactness, high sensitivity, and high resolution. The multiplexing capabilities of diode lasers could be utilized to make the PPD sensor a single, simple, compact, and inexpensive tool for the acquisition of multiparametric data. A PPD sensor would be capable of continuous measurement of such physical parameters as gas temperature, gas velocity, electron number density, and absolute densities of reacting chemical species. A laser beam can be easily adjusted to analyze the immediate vicinity of the growing nanostructures (or features etched down) in real time. The absorption enhancement in an optical cavity would afford the sensitivity needed for measurement of the temperature and densities of species at concentrations significantly lower than measurable by other nonintrusive techniques. It is anticipated that fully developed PPD sensors would enable simultaneous measurement of local temperature and determination of plasma species responsible for the synthesis and functionalization of nanodevices. These sensors would also enable tracking the pathways and origins of damaging contaminants, thereby providing feedback for adjustment of processes to optimize them and reduce contamination. The PPD sensors should also be useful for optimization of conventional microelectronics manufacturing plasma processes. Going beyond plasma processes for fabrication of electronic devices, PPD sensors could be used for monitoring of atoms, molecules, ions, radicals, clusters, and particles in a variety of other settings, including outer space. Because of their high sensitivity, such sensors could also prove useful for detecting traces of illegal drugs and explosives.

  10. Current subsidence rates due to compaction of Holocene sediments in southern Louisiana

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Meckel, T.A.; ten Brink, Uri S.; Williams, S.J.

    2006-01-01

    Relative contributions of geologic and anthropogenic processes to subsidence of southern Louisiana are vigorously debated. Of these, shallow sediment compaction is often considered dominant, although this has never been directly observed or effectively demonstrated. Quantitative understanding of subsidence is important for predicting relative sea level rise, storm surge flooding due to hurricanes, and for successful wetland restoration. Despite many shallow borings, few appropriate stratigraphic and geotechnical data are available for site-specific calculations. We overcome this by determining present compaction rates from Monte Carlo simulations of the incremental sedimentation and compaction of stratigraphies typical of the Holocene of southern Louisiana. This approach generates distributions of present compaction rates that are not expected to exceed 5 mm/yr, but may locally. Locations with present subsidence rates greater than the predicted maximum probable shallow compaction rates are likely influenced by additional processes.

  11. Method and apparatus for selective capture of gas phase analytes using metal .beta.-diketonate polymers

    DOEpatents

    Harvey, Scott D [Kennewick, WA

    2011-06-21

    A process and sensor device are disclosed that employ metal .beta.-diketonate polymers to selectively capture gas-phase explosives and weaponized chemical agents in a sampling area or volume. The metal .beta.-diketonate polymers can be applied to surfaces in various analytical formats for detection of: improvised explosive devices, unexploded ordinance, munitions hidden in cargo holds, explosives, and chemical weapons in public areas.

  12. Clean, agile alternative binders, additives and plasticizers for propellant and explosive formulations

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

    Hoffman, D.M.; Hawkins, T.W.; Lindsay, G.A.

    1994-12-01

    As part of the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) a clean, agile manufacturing of explosives, propellants and pyrotechniques (CANPEP) effort set about to identify new approaches to materials and processes for producing propellants, explosives and pyrotechniques (PEP). The RDX based explosive PBXN-109 and gun propellant M-43 were identified as candidates for which waste minimization and recycling modifications might be implemented in a short time frame. The binders, additives and plasticizers subgroup identified cast non-curable thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) formulations as possible replacement candidates for these formulations. Paste extrudable explosives were also suggested as viable alternatives to PBXN-109. Commercial inertmore » and energetic TPEs are reviewed. Biodegradable and hydrolyzable binders are discussed. The applicability of various types of explosive formulations are reviewed and some issues associated with implementation of recyclable formulations are identified. It is clear that some processing and weaponization modifications will need to be made if any of these approaches are to be implemented. The major advantages of formulations suggested here over PBXN-109 and M-43 is their reuse/recyclability. Formulations using TPE or Paste could by recovered from a generic bomb or propellant and reused if they met specification or easily reprocessed and sold to the mining industry.« less

  13. Interface morphology and mechanical properties of Al-Cu-Al laminated composites fabricated by explosive welding and subsequent rolling process

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hoseini-Athar, M. M.; Tolaminejad, B.

    2016-07-01

    Explosive welding is a well-known solid state method for joining similar and dissimilar materials. In the present study, tri-layered Al-Cu-Al laminated composites with different interface morphologies were fabricated by explosive welding and subsequent rolling. Effects of explosive ratio and rolling thickness reduction on the morphology of interface and mechanical properties were evaluated through optical/scanning electron microscopy, micro-hardness, tensile and tensile-shear tests. Results showed that by increasing the thickness reduction, bonding strength of specimens including straight and wavy interfaces increases. However, bonding strength of the specimens with melted layer interface decreases up to a threshold thickness reduction, then rapidly increases by raising the reduction. Hardness Values of welded specimens were higher than those of original material especially near the interface and a more uniform hardness profile was obtained after rolling process.

  14. Comparison Between Terrestrial Explosion Crater Morphology in Floating Ice and Europan Chaos

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Billings, S. E.; Kattenhorn, S. A.

    2003-01-01

    Craters created by explosives have been found to serve as valuable analogs to impact craters, within limits. Explosion craters have been created in floating terrestrial ice in experiments related to clearing ice from waterways. Features called chaos occur on the surface of Europa s floating ice shell. Chaos is defined as a region in which the background plains have been disrupted. Common features of chaos include rafted blocks of pre-existing terrain suspended in a matrix of smooth or hummocky material; low surface albedo; and structural control on chaos outline shape by pre-existing lineaments. All published models of chaos formation call on endogenic processes whereby chaos forms through thermal processes. Nonetheless, we note morphological similarities between terrestrial explosion craters and Europan chaos at a range of scales and consider whether some chaos may have formed by impact. We explore these similarities through geologic and morphologic mapping.

  15. 25 CFR 1000.162 - What is included in a self-governance compact?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 25 Indians 2 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false What is included in a self-governance compact? 1000.162...-DETERMINATION AND EDUCATION ACT Negotiation Process for Annual Funding Agreements Negotiating A Self-Governance Compact § 1000.162 What is included in a self-governance compact? A model format for self-governance...

  16. Low vulnerability explosives (LOVEX) for mass-use warheads

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

    Pruneda, C.; Jessop, E.; McGuire, R.

    1990-03-13

    There is an ongoing effort at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to develop explosives with a significantly lower vulnerability to battlefield environments (bullets, fragments, sympathetic detonation) than current explosives (TNT and Comp B) without sacrificing performance or increasing costs. The approach taken is to develop a composite explosive which is comprised of inexpensive fillers such as RDX, NaNO{sub 3}, Al and a low modulus binder system. The binder system uses nitroglycerin/triacetin as an energetic plasticizer. This paper discusses the experimental results to date in vulnerability, performance and processing. 7 refs., 8 figs., 6 tabs.

  17. On the Violence of High Explosive Reactions

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

    Tarver, C M; Chidester, S K

    High explosive reactions can be caused by three general energy deposition processes: impact ignition by frictional and/or shear heating; bulk thermal heating; and shock compression. The violence of the subsequent reaction varies from benign slow combustion to catastrophic detonation of the entire charge. The degree of violence depends on many variables, including the rate of energy delivery, the physical and chemical properties of the explosive, and the strength of the confinement surrounding the explosive charge. The current state of experimental and computer modeling research on the violence of impact, thermal, and shock-induced reactions is reviewed.

  18. Minutes of the Explosives Safety Seminar (25). Volume 4. Held in Anaheim, California on 18-20 Aug 1992

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1992-08-01

    reaction process ; - sensitivity versus damage (vivacity, specific surface, porosity, density variation). So, most of the experimental tests need to...the later mapping process would form a better basis for compliance with published requirementsi I than the current approach. Seytion Summary It takes... Processing of Explosives, Propellants and Ingredients, AIIPA, San Diego, (’alif. April 1991. 49. W.11I. Andersen and N.A. Louie, " Projectile Impact Ignition

  19. Effect of slow energy releasing on divergent detonation of Insensitive High Explosives

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hu, Xiaomian; Pan, Hao; Huang, Yong; Wu, Zihui

    2014-03-01

    There exists a slow energy releasing (SER) process in the slow reaction zone located behind the detonation wave due to the carbon cluster in the detonation products of Insensitive High Explosives (IHEs), and the process will affect the divergent detonation wave's propagation and the driving process of the explosives. To study the potential effect, a new artificial burn model including the SER process based on the programmed burn model is proposed in the paper. Quasi-steady analysis of the new model indicates that the nonlinearity of the detonation speed as a function of front curvature owes to the significant change of the reaction rate and the reaction zone length at the sonic state. What's more, in simulating the detonation of IHE JB-9014, the new model including the slow reaction can predict a slower jump-off velocity, in good agreement with the result of the test.

  20. Applying NASA's explosive seam welding

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bement, Laurence J.

    1991-01-01

    The status of an explosive seam welding process, which was developed and evaluated for a wide range of metal joining opportunities, is summarized. The process employs very small quantities of explosive in a ribbon configuration to accelerate a long-length, narrow area of sheet stock into a high-velocity, angular impact against a second sheet. At impact, the oxide films of both surface are broken up and ejected by the closing angle to allow atoms to bond through the sharing of valence electrons. This cold-working process produces joints having parent metal properties, allowing a variety of joints to be fabricated that achieve full strength of the metals employed. Successful joining was accomplished in all aluminum alloys, a wide variety of iron and steel alloys, copper, brass, titanium, tantalum, zirconium, niobium, telerium, and columbium. Safety issues were addressed and are as manageable as many currently accepted joining processes.

  1. Stronger or longer: Discriminating between Hawaiian and Strombolian eruption styles

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Houghton, Bruce F.; Taddeucci, Jacopo; Andronico, D.; Gonnerman, H; Pistolesi, M; Patrick, Matthew R.; Orr, Tim R.; Swanson, Don; Edmonds, M; Carey, Rebecca J.; Scarlato, P.

    2016-01-01

    The weakest explosive volcanic eruptions globally, Strombolian explosions and Hawaiian fountaining, are also the most common. Yet, despite over a hundred years of observations, no classifications have offered a convincing, quantitative way of demarcating these two styles. New observations show that the two styles are distinct in their eruptive timescale, with the duration of Hawaiian fountaining exceeding Strombolian explosions by about 300 to 10,000 seconds. This reflects the underlying process of whether shallow-exsolved gas remains trapped in the erupting magma or whether it is decoupled from it. We propose here a classification scheme based on the duration of events (brief explosions versus prolonged fountains) with a cutoff at 300 seconds that separates transient Strombolian explosions from sustained Hawaiian fountains.

  2. Gas expulsion vs gas retention in young stellar clusters II: effects of cooling and mass segregation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Silich, Sergiy; Tenorio-Tagle, Guillermo

    2018-05-01

    Gas expulsion or gas retention is a central issue in most of the models for multiple stellar populations and light element anti-correlations in globular clusters. The success of the residual matter expulsion or its retention within young stellar clusters has also a fundamental importance in order to understand how star formation proceeds in present-day and ancient star-forming galaxies and if proto-globular clusters with multiple stellar populations are formed in the present epoch. It is usually suggested that either the residual gas is rapidly ejected from star-forming clouds by stellar winds and supernova explosions, or that the enrichment of the residual gas and the formation of the second stellar generation occur so rapidly, that the negative stellar feedback is not significant. Here we continue our study of the early development of star clusters in the extreme environments and discuss the restrictions that strong radiative cooling and stellar mass segregation provide on the gas expulsion from dense star-forming clouds. A large range of physical initial conditions in star-forming clouds which include the star-forming cloud mass, compactness, gas metallicity, star formation efficiency and effects of massive stars segregation are discussed. It is shown that in sufficiently massive and compact clusters hot shocked winds around individual massive stars may cool before merging with their neighbors. This dramatically reduces the negative stellar feedback, prevents the development of the global star cluster wind and expulsion of the residual and the processed matter into the ambient interstellar medium. The critical lines which separate the gas expulsion and the gas retention regimes are obtained.

  3. Application of imaging technology to improve the laboratory and field compaction of HMA.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2009-04-01

    Field compaction of asphalt mixtures is an important process that influences performance of asphalt : pavements. This study evaluates the relationship between different field compaction patterns and the : uniformity of air void distribution in asphal...

  4. Evaluation of performance of asphalt pavements constructed using intelligent compaction techniques.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2014-10-01

    The long-term performance of asphalt pavements depends on the quality of the subgrade and : asphalt layers. Intelligent compaction methods continuously monitor the modulus/stiffness of : subgrade and asphalt layers during compaction process and have ...

  5. Effects of hydrogen bond on the melting point of azole explosives

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Jian-Hua; Shen, Chen; Liu, Yu-Cun; Luo, Jin; Duan, Yingjie

    2018-07-01

    Melting point is an important index to determine whether an explosive can be a melt cast carrier. In this study, the relationship among the molecular structure, crystal structure, and melting point of explosives was investigated by using nitroazole compounds. Hydrogen bonds influence crystal packing modes in chemically understandable ways. Hydrogen bonds also affect the changes in entropy and enthalpy in balancing melting process. Hence, different types of hydrogen bonds in explosive crystal structures were compared when the relationship between the molecular structure and the melting point of nitroazole explosives were analyzed. The effects of methyl and amino groups on intermolecular hydrogen bonds were also compared. Results revealed that the methyl and amino groups connected on the N(1) of the heterocyclic compound can reduce the melting point of azole explosive. This finding is possible because methyl and amino groups destroy the intermolecular hydrogen bond of the heterocyclic compound.

  6. Etched tracks and serendipitous dosimetry.

    PubMed

    Fleischer, Robert L; Chang, Sekyung; Farrell, Jeremy; Herrmann, Rachel C; MacDonald, Jonathan; Zalesky, Marek; Doremus, Robert H

    2006-01-01

    Nuclear tracks in detectors that just happened to be there can be found in unexpected places. Eyeglasses, household glass, minerals, objects that were exposed to nuclear explosions, and space equipment on the moon are examples. Such materials allow us to measure doses of past radon exposures, cosmic-ray fluences, fission rates and neutrons. Incidental results include measuring mountain-building rates and deciding where finding oil is likely (or unlikely); in another case erosion rates of surface materials in space are found. New results that assess the effects of hydration layers on the leaching out from glass surfaces of imbedded alpha-recoil nuclei imply that long-term, retrospective radon measurements can be made more reliable by selecting only glass with compact hydration layers.

  7. Multi-thermal observations of flares and eruptions with the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly on the Solar Dynamics Observatory. (Invited)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schrijver, C. J.; Aia Science Team

    2010-12-01

    The revolutionary advance in observational capabilities offered by SDO's AIA offers new views of solar flares and eruptions. The high cadence and spatial resolution, the full-Sun coverage, and the variety of thermal responses of the AIA channels from thousands to millions of degrees enable the study the source regions of solar explosions, as well as the responses of the solar corona from their immediate vicinity to regions over a solar radius away. These observations emphasize the importance of magnetic connectivity and topology, the frequent occurrence of fast wave-like perturbations, and the contrasts between impulsive compact X-ray-bright flares and long-duration EUV-bright phenomena.

  8. Recent Developments in Instrumentation for Capillary Electrophoresis and Microchip-Capillary Electrophoresis

    PubMed Central

    Felhofer, Jessica L.; Blanes, Lucas; Garcia, Carlos D.

    2010-01-01

    Over the last years there has been an explosion in the number of developments and applications of capillary electrophoresis (CE) and microchip-CE. In part, this growth has been the direct consequence of recent developments in instrumentation associated with CE. This review, which is focused on contributions published in the last five years, is intended to complement the papers presented in this special issue dedicated to Instrumentation and to provide an overview on the general trend and some of the most remarkable developments published in the areas of high voltage power supplies, detectors, auxiliary components, and compact systems. It also includes few examples of alternative uses of and modifications to traditional CE instruments. PMID:20665910

  9. AFRL Solid Propellant Laboratory Explosive Siting and Renovation Lessons Learned

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2010-07-01

    Area 1-30A explosive facility and provide consultation/support during the review process for each of the site plans. • Applied Engineering Services...provided consultation/support during the siting review process. • Applied Engineering Services (AES) Inc. performed a detailed structural, blast, thermal... Applied Engineering Services (AES) Inc. structural, blast, thermal and fragment hazard analysis to determine the appropriate siting values based on

  10. Dissolution Mechanism for High Melting Point Transition Elements in Aluminum Melt

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lee, Young E.; Houser, Stephen L.

    When added cold in aluminum melt, the alloying process for compacts of transition metal elements such as Mn, Fe, Cr, Ni, Ti, Cu, and Zn takes a sequence of incubation, exothermic reactions to form intermetallic compounds, and dispersion of the alloying elements into aluminum melt. The experiments with Cr compacts show that the incubation period is affected by the content of ingredient Al and size of compacts and by size of Cr particles. Incubation period becomes longer as the content of ingredient aluminum in compact decreases, and this prolonged incubation period negatively impacts the dissolution of the alloying elements in aluminum. Once liquid aluminum forms at reaction sites, the exothermic reaction takes place quickly and significantly raises the temperature of the compacts. As the result of it, the compacts swell in volume with a sponge like structure. Such porous structure encourages the penetration of liquid aluminum from the melt. The compacts become weak mechanically, and the alloying elements are dispersed and entrained in aluminum melt as discrete and small sized units. When Cr compacts are deficient in aluminum, the unreacted Cr particles are encased by the intermetallic compounds in the dispersed particles. They are carried in the melt flow and continue the dissolution reaction in aluminum. The entire dissolution process of Cr compacts completes within 10 to 15 minutes with a full recovery when the aluminum content is 10 to 20% in compacts.

  11. Insensitivity of compaction properties of brittle granules to size enlargement by roller compaction.

    PubMed

    Wu, Sy-Juen; Sun, Changquan 'Calvin'

    2007-05-01

    Pharmaceutical granules prepared by roller compaction often exhibit significant loss of tabletability, that is, reduction in tensile strength, when compared to virgin powder. This may be attributed to granule size enlargement for highly plastic materials, for example, microcrystalline cellulose. The sensitivity of powder compaction properties on granule size variations impacts the robustness of the dry granulation process. We hypothesize that such sensitivity of compaction properties on granule size is minimum for brittle materials because extensive fracture of brittle granules during compaction minimizes differences in initial granule size. We tested the hypothesis using three common brittle excipients. Results show that the fine (44-106 microm), medium (106-250 microm), and coarse (250-500 microm) granules exhibit essentially identical tabletability below a certain critical compaction pressure, 100, 140, and 100 MPa for spray-dried lactose monohydrate, anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate, and mannitol, respectively. Above respective critical pressure, tabletability lines diverge with smaller granules exhibiting slightly higher tablet tensile strength at identical compaction conditions. Overall, tabletability of brittle granules is insensitive to granule size enlargement. The results provide a scientific basis to the common practice of incorporating brittle filler to a typical tablet formulation processed by roller compaction granulation. (c) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association.

  12. Low density microcellular carbon or catalytically impregnated carbon forms and process for their preparation

    DOEpatents

    Hopper, Robert W.; Pekala, Richard W.

    1989-01-01

    Machinable and structurally stable, low density microcellular carbon, and catalytically impregnated carbon, foams, and process for their preparation, are provided. Pulverized sodium chloride is classified to improve particle size uniformity, and the classified particles may be further mixed with a catalyst material. The particles are cold pressed into a compact having internal pores, and then sintered. The sintered compact is immersed and then submerged in a phenolic polymer solution to uniformly fill the pores of the compact with phenolic polymer. The compact is then heated to pyrolyze the phenolic polymer into carbon in the form of a foam. Then the sodium chloride of the compact is leached away with water, and the remaining product is freeze dried to provide the carbon, or catalytically impregnated carbon, foam.

  13. Low density microcellular carbon or catalytically impregnated carbon foams and process for their prepartion

    DOEpatents

    Hopper, Robert W.; Pekala, Richard W.

    1988-01-01

    Machinable and structurally stable, low density microcellular carbon, and catalytically impregnated carbon, foams, and process for their preparation, are provided. Pulverized sodium chloride is classified to improve particle size uniformity, and the classified particles may be further mixed with a catalyst material. The particles are cold pressed into a compact having internal pores, and then sintered. The sintered compact is immersed and then submerged in a phenolic polymer solution to uniformly fill the pores of the compact with phenolic polymer. The compact is then heated to pyrolyze the phenolic polymer into carbon in the form of a foam. Then the sodium chloride of the compact is leached away with water, and the remaining product is freeze dried to provide the carbon, or catalytically impregnated carbon, foam.

  14. Low density microcellular carbon or catalytically impregnated carbon foams and process for their preparation

    DOEpatents

    Hooper, R.W.; Pekala, R.W.

    1987-04-30

    Machinable and structurally stable, low density microcellular carbon, and catalytically impregnated carbon, foams, and process for their preparation, are provided. Pulverized sodium chloride is classified to improve particle size uniformity, and the classified particles may be further mixed with a catalyst material. The particles are cold pressed into a compact having internal pores, and then sintered. The sintered compact is immersed and then submerged in a phenolic polymer solution to uniformly fill the pores of the compact with phenolic polymer. The compact is then heated to pyrolyze the phenolic polymer into carbon in the form of a foam. Then the sodium chloride of the compact is leached away with water, and the remaining product is freeze dried to provide the carbon, or catalytically impregnated carbon, foam.

  15. 25 CFR 293.15 - When does an approved or considered-to-have-been-approved compact or amendment take effect?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... compact or amendment take effect? 293.15 Section 293.15 Indians BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ECONOMIC ENTERPRISES CLASS III TRIBAL STATE GAMING COMPACT PROCESS § 293.15 When does an approved or considered-to-have-been-approved compact or amendment take effect? (a) An approved or...

  16. MCNP Simulation Benchmarks for a Portable Inspection System for Narcotics, Explosives, and Nuclear Material Detection

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Alfonso, Krystal; Elsalim, Mashal; King, Michael; Strellis, Dan; Gozani, Tsahi

    2013-04-01

    MCNPX simulations have been used to guide the development of a portable inspection system for narcotics, explosives, and special nuclear material (SNM) detection. The system seeks to address these threats to national security by utilizing a high-yield, compact neutron source to actively interrogate the threats and produce characteristic signatures that can then be detected by radiation detectors. The portability of the system enables rapid deployment and proximity to threats concealed in small spaces. Both dD and dT electronic neutron generators (ENG) were used to interrogate ammonium nitrate fuel oil (ANFO) and cocaine hydrochloride, and the detector response of NaI, CsI, and LaBr3 were compared. The effect of tungsten shielding on the neutron flux in the gamma ray detectors was investigated, while carbon, beryllium, and polyethylene ENG moderator materials were optimized by determining the reaction rate density in the threats. In order to benchmark the modeling results, experimental measurements are compared with MCNPX simulations. In addition, the efficiency and die-away time of a portable differential die-away analysis (DDAA) detector using 3He proportional counters for SNM detection has been determined.

  17. Long-Duration Gamma-Ray Burst Host Galaxies in Emission and Absorption

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Perley, Daniel A.; Niino, Yuu; Tanvir, Nial R.; Vergani, Susanna D.; Fynbo, Johan P. U.

    2016-12-01

    The galaxy population hosting long-duration GRBs provides a means to constrain the progenitor and an opportunity to use these violent explosions to characterize the nature of the high-redshift universe. Studies of GRB host galaxies in emission reveal a population of star-forming galaxies with great diversity, spanning a wide range of masses, metallicities, and redshifts. However, as a population GRB hosts are significantly less massive and poorer in metals than the hosts of other core-collapse transients, suggesting that GRB production is only efficient at metallicities significantly below Solar. GRBs may also prefer compact galaxies, and dense and/or central regions of galaxies, more than other types of core-collapse explosion. Meanwhile, studies of hosts in absorption against the luminous GRB optical afterglow provide a unique means of unveiling properties of the ISM in even the faintest and most distant galaxies; these observations are helping to constrain the chemical evolution of galaxies and the properties of interstellar dust out to very high redshifts. New ground- and space-based instrumentation, and the accumulation of larger and more carefully-selected samples, are continually enhancing our view of the GRB host population.

  18. Inverse modeling of geochemical and mechanical compaction in sedimentary basins

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Colombo, Ivo; Porta, Giovanni Michele; Guadagnini, Alberto

    2015-04-01

    We study key phenomena driving the feedback between sediment compaction processes and fluid flow in stratified sedimentary basins formed through lithification of sand and clay sediments after deposition. Processes we consider are mechanic compaction of the host rock and the geochemical compaction due to quartz cementation in sandstones. Key objectives of our study include (i) the quantification of the influence of the uncertainty of the model input parameters on the model output and (ii) the application of an inverse modeling technique to field scale data. Proper accounting of the feedback between sediment compaction processes and fluid flow in the subsurface is key to quantify a wide set of environmentally and industrially relevant phenomena. These include, e.g., compaction-driven brine and/or saltwater flow at deep locations and its influence on (a) tracer concentrations observed in shallow sediments, (b) build up of fluid overpressure, (c) hydrocarbon generation and migration, (d) subsidence due to groundwater and/or hydrocarbons withdrawal, and (e) formation of ore deposits. Main processes driving the diagenesis of sediments after deposition are mechanical compaction due to overburden and precipitation/dissolution associated with reactive transport. The natural evolution of sedimentary basins is characterized by geological time scales, thus preventing direct and exhaustive measurement of the system dynamical changes. The outputs of compaction models are plagued by uncertainty because of the incomplete knowledge of the models and parameters governing diagenesis. Development of robust methodologies for inverse modeling and parameter estimation under uncertainty is therefore crucial to the quantification of natural compaction phenomena. We employ a numerical methodology based on three building blocks: (i) space-time discretization of the compaction process; (ii) representation of target output variables through a Polynomial Chaos Expansion (PCE); and (iii) model inversion (parameter estimation) within a maximum likelihood framework. In this context, the PCE-based surrogate model enables one to (i) minimize the computational cost associated with the (forward and inverse) modeling procedures leading to uncertainty quantification and parameter estimation, and (ii) compute the full set of Sobol indices quantifying the contribution of each uncertain parameter to the variability of target state variables. Results are illustrated through the simulation of one-dimensional test cases. The analyses focuses on the calibration of model parameters through literature field cases. The quality of parameter estimates is then analyzed as a function of number, type and location of data.

  19. Characteristics of a plasma flow field produced by a metal array bridge foil explosion

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Junying, WU; Long, WANG; Yase, LI; Lijun, YANG; Manzoor, SULTAN; Lang, CHEN

    2018-07-01

    To improve the energy utilization efficiency of metal bridge foil explosion, and increase the function range of plasmas, array bridge foil explosion experiments with different structures were performed. A Schlieren photographic measurement system with a double-pulse laser source was used to observe the flow field of a bridge foil explosion. The evolution laws of plasmas and shock waves generated by array bridge foil explosions of different structures were analyzed and compared. A multi-phase flow calculation model was established to simulate the electrical exploding process of a metal bridge foil. The plasma equation of state was determined by considering the effect of the changing number of particles and Coulomb interaction on the pressure and internal energy. The ionization degree of the plasma was calculated via the Saha–Eggert equation assuming conditions of local thermal equilibrium. The exploding process of array bridge foils was simulated, and the superposition processes of plasma beams were analyzed. The variation and distribution laws of the density, temperature, pressure, and other important parameters were obtained. The results show that the array bridge foil has a larger plasma jet diameter than the single bridge foil for an equal total area of the bridge foil. We also found that the temperature, pressure, and density of the plasma jet’s center region sharply increase because of the superposition of plasma beams.

  20. Trends in Nuclear Explosion Monitoring Research & Development - A Physics Perspective

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

    Maceira, Monica; Blom, Philip Stephen; MacCarthy, Jonathan K.

    This document entitled “Trends in Nuclear Explosion Monitoring Research and Development – A Physics Perspective” reviews the accessible literature, as it relates to nuclear explosion monitoring and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT, 1996), for four research areas: source physics (understanding signal generation), signal propagation (accounting for changes through physical media), sensors (recording the signals), and signal analysis (processing the signal). Over 40 trends are addressed, such as moving from 1D to 3D earth models, from pick-based seismic event processing to full waveform processing, and from separate treatment of mechanical waves in different media to combined analyses. Highlighted in the documentmore » for each trend are the value and benefit to the monitoring mission, key papers that advanced the science, and promising research and development for the future.« less

  1. Modeling of hot-mix asphalt compaction : a thermodynamics-based compressible viscoelastic model

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2010-12-01

    Compaction is the process of reducing the volume of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) by the application of external forces. As a result of compaction, the volume of air voids decreases, aggregate interlock increases, and interparticle friction increases. The qu...

  2. Compact Polarimetry Potentials

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Truong-Loi, My-Linh; Dubois-Fernandez, Pascale; Pottier, Eric

    2011-01-01

    The goal of this study is to show the potential of a compact-pol SAR system for vegetation applications. Compact-pol concept has been suggested to minimize the system design while maximize the information and is declined as the ?/4, ?/2 and hybrid modes. In this paper, the applications such as biomass and vegetation height estimates are first presented, then, the equivalence between compact-pol data simulated from full-pol data and compact-pol data processed from raw data as such is shown. Finally, a calibration procedure using external targets is proposed.

  3. Ideological principles of Neo-Byurakan Cosmogony

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Poghosyan, Samvel

    2015-07-01

    There exists an insurmountable antagonism between the Classical and the Byurakan approaches on the origins of celestial bodies. The Classical approach states that celestial bodies arise from the condensation of gases, gravitational compression; and according to the Byurakan conception, they come into existence due to the explosions, differentiation of compact, superdense bodies. Rejecting each other, the supporters of these two polarized views do not accept that those two trends, differentiation and integration, dispersion and unity are interconnected and mutually conditioned processes: there are always cases of dispersion and differentiation in integration and unity and vice versa. Neo-Byurakan theory distinguishes two types of physical symmetries: substantial and relational symmetries. The types of substantial symmetry are: Symmetry of positive and negative gravitational charges (masses), Symmetry of particles and antiparticles (matter and antimatter). The types of relational symmetry are: Symmetry of differentiation and integration, Symmetry of homogeneity and inhomogeneity, Symmetry of statics (or stationarity) and dynamics, Symmetry of great unity, of strong and electroweak forces and interactions, Symmetry of electroweak unity, of weak and electromagnetic forces. As the above mentioned examples show, substantial symmetries are related to the basic types of matter; and relational symmetries to the interactions of these types. Both types can be explicit and implicit. Neo-Byurakan cosmogony puts forward a range of new ideas: 1.Being a part of Gc?? Cosmology, it differentiates and identifies the concepts of "Eternal Universe", "our Universe" and "Metagalaxy". Viewing Metagalaxy as a subsystem of our universe, as a unity of all galaxies and their clusters, it defines the basic equations which express the basic physical parameters of Metagalaxy, describes its structure, giving a physical explanation to the homogeneity of the large-scale structure of Metagalaxy, mentioning the laws and peculiarities of its origination and evolution. 2.Admitting the fact of its expansion, Neo-Byurakan theory considers that during evolution all physical parameters of Metagalaxy change, including not only the volume and average density but also the mass of Metagalaxy. And it means that the Friedman-Gamow theory of Fireball cannot be ascribed to Metagalaxy, especially to our Universe. A hypothesis is put forward, according to which the concept of Fireball or Big Bang refers to and accurately describes the differentiation and evaluation of compact, superdense superclusters of galaxies through explosion. The immediate components of the large-scale homogeneity of Metagalaxy are superclusters of galaxies. They are similar physical systems belonging to the same class, which have similar structures, and though they arise at different times, they undergo similar phases of evolution.

  4. Sources and Radiation Patterns of Volcano-Acoustic Signals Investigated with Field-Scale Chemical Explosions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bowman, D. C.; Lees, J. M.; Taddeucci, J.; Graettinger, A. H.; Sonder, I.; Valentine, G.

    2014-12-01

    We investigate the processes that give rise to complex acoustic signals during volcanic blasts by monitoring buried chemical explosions with infrasound and audio range microphones, strong motion sensors, and high speed imagery. Acoustic waveforms vary with scaled depth of burial (SDOB, units in meters per cube root of joules), ranging from high amplitude, impulsive, gas expansion dominated signals at low SDOB to low amplitude, longer duration, ground motion dominated signals at high SDOB. Typically, the sudden upward acceleration of the substrate above the blast produces the first acoustic arrival, followed by a second pulse due to the eruption of pressurized gas at the surface. Occasionally, a third overpressure occurs when displaced material decelerates upon impact with the ground. The transition between ground motion dominated and gas release dominated acoustics ranges between 0.0038-0.0018 SDOB, respectively. For example, one explosion registering an SDOB=0.0031 produced two overpressure pulses of approximately equal amplitude, one due to ground motion, the other to gas release. Recorded volcano infrasound has also identified distinct ground motion and gas release components during explosions at Sakurajima, Santiaguito, and Karymsky volcanoes. Our results indicate that infrasound records may provide a proxy for the depth and energy of these explosions. Furthermore, while magma fragmentation models indicate the possibility of several explosions during a single vulcanian eruption (Alidibirov, Bull Volc., 1994), our results suggest that a single explosion can also produce complex acoustic signals. Thus acoustic records alone cannot be used to distinguish between single explosions and multiple closely-spaced blasts at volcanoes. Results from a series of lateral blasts during the 2014 field experiment further indicates whether vent geometry can produce directional acoustic radiation patterns like those observed at Tungarahua volcano (Kim et al., GJI, 2012). Beside infrasonic radiation, our multiparametric dataset also allowed us to investigate other acoustic processes relevant for explosive eruptions, including shock-wave generation and audible sound radiation, and to link them to the starting conditions and evolution of the blasts.

  5. Multispectral Observations of Explosive Gas Emissions from Santiaguito, Guatemala

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Carn, S. A.; Watson, M.; Thomas, H.; Rodriguez, L. A.; Campion, R.; Prata, F. J.

    2016-12-01

    Santiaguito volcano, Guatemala, has been persistently active for decades, producing frequent explosions from its actively growing lava dome. Repeated release of volcanic gases contains information about conduit processes during the cyclical explosions at Santiaguito, but the composition of the gas phase and the amount of volatiles released in each explosion remains poorly constrained. In addition to its persistent activity, Santiaguito offers an exceptional opportunity to investigate lava dome degassing processes since the upper surface of the active lava dome can be viewed from the summit of neighboring Santa Maria. In January 2016 we conducted multi-spectral observations of Santiaguito's explosive eruption plumes and passive degassing from multiple perspectives as part of the first NSF-sponsored `Workshop on Volcanoes' instrument deployment. Gas measurements included open-path Fourier-Transform infrared (OP-FTIR) spectroscopy from the Santa Maria summit, coincident with ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) camera and UV Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) from the El Mirador site below Santiaguito's active Caliente lava dome. Using the OP-FTIR in passive mode with the Caliente lava dome as the source of IR radiation, we were able to collect IR spectra at high temporal resolution prior to and during two explosions of Santiaguito on 7-8 January, with volcanic SO2 and H2O emissions detected. UV and IR camera data provide constraints on the total SO2 burden in the emissions (and potentially the volcanic ash burden), which coupled with the FTIR gas ratios provides new constraints on the mass and composition of volatiles driving explosions at Santiaguito. All gas measurements indicate significant volatile release during explosions with limited degassing during repose periods. In this presentation we will present ongoing analysis of the unique Santiaguito gas dataset including estimation of the total volatile mass released in explosions and an intercomparison of SO2 amounts recorded by the UV and IR instruments.

  6. The Initial Mass Function of the First Stars Inferred from Extremely Metal-poor Stars

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ishigaki, Miho N.; Tominaga, Nozomu; Kobayashi, Chiaki; Nomoto, Ken’ichi

    2018-04-01

    We compare the elemental abundance patterns of ∼200 extremely metal-poor (EMP; [Fe/H] < ‑3) stars to the supernova yields of metal-free stars, in order to obtain insights into the characteristic masses of the first (Population III or Pop III) stars in the universe. The supernova yields are prepared with nucleosynthesis calculations of metal-free stars with various initial masses (M = 13, 15, 25, 40 and 100 M ⊙) and explosion energies (E 51 = E/1051[erg] = 0.5–60), to include low-energy, normal-energy, and high-energy explosions. We adopt the mixing-fallback model, to take into account possible asymmetry in the supernova explosions, and the yields that best fit the observed abundance patterns of the EMP stars are searched by varying the model parameters. We find that the abundance patterns of the EMP stars are predominantly best-fitted by the supernova yields with initial masses M < 40 M ⊙, and that more than than half of the stars are best-fitted by the M = 25 M ⊙ hypernova (E 51 = 10) models. The results also indicate that the majority of the primordial supernovae have ejected 10‑2–10‑1 M ⊙ of 56Ni, leaving behind a compact remnant (either a neutron star or a black hole), with a mass in the range of ∼1.5–5 M ⊙. These results suggest that the masses of the first stars responsible for the first metal enrichment are predominantly <40 M ⊙. This implies that the higher-mass first stars were either less abundant, directly collapsed into a black hole without ejecting heavy elements, or a supernova explosion of a higher-mass first star inhibits the formation of the next generation of low-mass stars at [Fe/H] < ‑3.

  7. Seismicity associated with quiescent-explosive transitions at dome forming eruptions: The July 2008 Vulcanian Explosion of Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rodgers, Mel; Smith, Patrick; Mather, Tamsin A.; Pyle, David M.

    2017-04-01

    During long-lived dome-forming eruptions volcanoes often transition between quiescent, effusive, and explosive behaviour. Soufrière Hills Volcano (SHV), Montserrat, has been erupting since 1995 and has repeatedly transitioned between these different phases of activity. At SHV many of the largest explosions have occurred either during periods of dome growth, or as major dome collapse events at the end of extrusion phases. However, on the 29th July 2008 a vulcanian explosion marked the transition from a quiescent phase (Pause 3) to explosion and then extrusion. This was one of the largest explosions by volume and the largest to occur outside a period of lava extrusion. The eruption was preceded by one of the most intense seismic swarms ever recorded at SHV. In this study we analysed precursory seismic data to investigate the subsurface volcanic processes that culminated in this eruption. We used spectral and multiplet analysis techniques, and applied a simple parameterization approach to relate monitoring observations (seismic, SO2, visual) to subsurface interpretations. These techniques would be available to most volcano observatories. Our study suggests that an initial VT swarm, coincident with ash-venting events, can be triggered by ascent of decoupled gas ahead of rising magma. A subsequent large LF swarm shows a coincident decrease in spectral content that we interpret as magma ascent through the upper conduit system. An ash-venting event on 27 July (a few hours before peak event rate) may have triggered rapid microlite growth. We observe an increase in the spectral content of the LF swarm that is concurrent with a decrease in event rates, suggesting pressurization of the magmatic system due to inhibited magmatic outgassing. Our results suggest that pressurization of the magmatic system may have occurred in the final 24 h before the vulcanian explosion. We also observe LP and Hybrid events within the same multiplet, suggesting that these events have very similar source processes and should be considered part of the same classification at SHV. Our study demonstrates the potential for using spectral and multiplet analysis to understand subsurface magmatic processes and for investigating the transition between quiescence and eruption.

  8. Energy Partitioning of Seismic Phases: Current Datasets and Techniques Aimed at Improving the Future of Event Identification

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bonner, J.

    2006-05-01

    Differences in energy partitioning of seismic phases from earthquakes and explosions provide the opportunity for event identification. In this talk, I will briefly review teleseismic Ms:mb and P/S ratio techniques that help identify events based on differences in compressional, shear, and surface wave energy generation from explosions and earthquakes. With the push to identify smaller yield explosions, the identification process has become increasingly complex as varied types of explosions, including chemical, mining, and nuclear, must be identified at regional distances. Thus, I will highlight some of the current views and problems associated with the energy partitioning of seismic phases from single- and delay-fired chemical explosions. One problem yet to have a universally accepted answer is whether the explosion and earthquake populations, based on the Ms:mb discriminants, should be separated at smaller magnitudes. I will briefly describe the datasets and theory that support either converging or parallel behavior of these populations. Also, I will discuss improvement to the currently used methods that will better constrain this problem in the future. I will also discuss the role of regional P/S ratios in identifying explosions. In particular, recent datasets from South Africa, Scandinavia, and the Western United States collected from earthquakes, single-fired chemical explosions, and/or delay-fired mining explosions have provide new insight into regional P, S, Lg, and Rg energy partitioning. Data from co-located mining and chemical explosions suggest that some mining explosions may be used for limited calibration of regional discriminants in regions where no historic explosion data is available.

  9. Composition and structure of aggregates from compacted soil horizons in the southern steppe zone of European Russia

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sorokin, A. S.; Abrosimov, K. N.; Lebedeva, M. P.; Kust, G. S.

    2016-03-01

    The composition and structure of aggregates from different agrogenic soils in the southern steppe zone of European Russia have been studied. It is shown that the multi-level study (from the macro- to microlevel) of these horizons makes it possible to identify soil compaction caused by different elementary soil processes: solonetz-forming, vertisol-forming, and mechanical (wheel) compaction in the rainfed and irrigated soils. The understanding of the genesis of the compaction of soil horizons (natural or anthropogenic) is important for the economic evaluation of soil degradation. It should enable us to make more exact predictions of the rates of degradation processes and undertake adequate mitigation measures. The combined tomographic and micromorphological studies of aggregates of 1-2 and 3-5 mm in diameter from compacted horizons of different soils have been performed for the first time. Additional diagnostic features of negative solonetz- forming processes (low open porosity of aggregates seen on tomograms and filling of a considerable part of the intraped pores with mobile substance) and the vertisol-forming processes (large amount of fine intraaggregate pores seen on tomograms and a virtual absence of humus-clay plasma in the intraped zone)—have been identified. It is shown that the combination of microtomographic and micromorphological methods is helpful for studying the pore space of compacted horizons in cultivated soils.

  10. The Effect of Electric Field on the Explosive Sensitivity of Silver Azide

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rodzevich, A. P.; Gazenaur, E. G.; Kuzmina, L. V.; Krasheninin, V. I.; Gazenaur, N. V.

    2017-05-01

    The effect of a constant contactless electric field on the rate of a chemical reaction in silver azide is explored in this paper. The technology of growing and processing silver azide whiskers in the constant contactless electric field (field intensity was varied in the range from 10-3 V/m to 100 V/m) allows supervising their explosive sensitivity, therefore, the results of experiments can be relevant for purposeful controlling the resistance of explosive materials. This paper is one of the first attempts to develop efficient methods to affect the explosive sensitivity of energy-related materials in a weak electric field (up to 10-3 V/m).

  11. What factors control the superficial lava dome explosivity?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Boudon, Georges; Balcone-Boissard, Hélène; Villemant, Benoit; Morgan, Daniel J.

    2015-04-01

    Dome-forming eruption is a frequent eruptive style; lava domes result from intermittent, slow extrusion of viscous lava. Most dome-forming eruptions produce highly microcrystallized and highly- to almost totally-degassed magmas which have a low explosive potential. During lava dome growth, recurrent collapses of unstable parts are the main destructive process of the lava dome, generating concentrated pyroclastic density currents (C-PDC) channelized in valleys. These C-PDC have a high, but localized, damage potential that largely depends on the collapsed volume. Sometimes, a dilute ash cloud surge develops at the top of the concentrated flow with an increased destructive effect because it may overflow ridges and affect larger areas. In some cases, large lava dome collapses can induce a depressurization of the magma within the conduit, leading to vulcanian explosions. By contrast, violent, laterally directed, explosions may occur at the base of a growing lava dome: this activity generates dilute and turbulent, highly-destructive, pyroclastic density currents (D-PDC), with a high velocity and propagation poorly dependent on the topography. Numerous studies on lava dome behaviors exist, but the triggering of lava dome explosions is poorly understood. Here, seven dome-forming eruptions are investigated: in the Lesser Antilles arc: Montagne Pelée, Martinique (1902-1905, 1929-1932 and 650 y. BP eruptions), Soufrière Hills, Montserrat; in Guatemala, Santiaguito (1929 eruption); in La Chaîne des Puys, France (Puy de Dome and Puy Chopine eruptions). We propose a new model of superficial lava-dome explosivity based upon a textural and geochemical study (vesicularity, microcrystallinity, cristobalite distribution, residual water contents, crystal transit times) of clasts produced by these key eruptions. Superficial explosion of a growing lava dome may be promoted through porosity reduction caused by both vesicle flattening due to gas escape and syn-eruptive cristobalite precipitation. Both processes generate an impermeable and rigid carapace allowing overpressurisation of the inner parts of the lava dome by the rapid input of vesiculated magma batches. The thickness of the cristobalite-rich carapace is an inverse function of the external lava dome surface area. Thus the probability of a superficial lava dome explosion inversely depends on its size; explosive activity more likely occurs at the onset of the lava dome extrusion in agreement with observations. We evidence a two-step process in magma ascent with edification of the lava dome that may be accompanied by a rapid ascent of an undegassed batch of magma some days prior the explosive activity. This new result is of interest for the whole volcanological community and for risk management.

  12. Thermal stability and mechanism of decomposition of emulsion explosives in the presence of pyrite.

    PubMed

    Xu, Zhi-Xiang; Wang, Qian; Fu, Xiao-Qi

    2015-12-30

    The reaction of emulsion explosives (ammonium nitrate) with pyrite was studied using techniques of TG-DTG-DTA. TG-DSC-MS was also used to analyze samples thermal decomposition process. When a mixture of pyrite and emulsion explosives was heated at a constant heating rate of 10K/min from room temperature to 350°C, exothermic reactions occurred at about 200°C. The essence of reaction between emulsion explosives and pyrite is the reaction between ammonium nitrate and pyrite. Emulsion explosives have excellent thermal stability but it does not mean it showed the same excellent thermal stability when pyrite was added. Package emulsion explosives were more suitable to use in pyrite shale than bulk emulsion explosives. The exothermic reaction was considered to take place between ammonium nitrate and pyrite where NO, NO2, NH3, SO2 and N2O gases were produced. Based on the analysis of the gaseous, a new overall reaction was proposed, which was thermodynamically favorable. The results have significant implication in the understanding of stability of emulsion explosives in reactive mining grounds containing pyrite minerals. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  13. Optical measurements of flyer plate acceleration by emulsion explosive

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kubota, Shiro; Shimada, Hideki; Matsui, Kikuo; Ogata, Yuji; Seto, Masahiro; Masui, Akira; Wada, Yuji; Liu, Zhi-Yue; Itoh, Shigeru

    2001-04-01

    This paper presents the study on the application of explosive welding technique to the field of the urgent repair of the gas and water pipe networks. The essential parameters related to the explosive welding are scrutinized from the point of view of the minimizing the damage to the steel pipe after welded explosively with a flyer plate. The emulsion explosive is contained in a rectangular hard-paper box whose bottom is the flyer plate with 100 mm length, 25 mm width and 1.5 mm thickness. The flyer motions of the flyer plates accelerated by emulsion explosive are observed by high-speed photography from the side and front view of the flyer plate. The damage to the pipe by the flyer plate is discussed with the results of the observation of flyer motion and explosive welding test under various experimental conditions. Moreover, one way to control the motion of the flyer plate is proposed. We put a PMMA buffer block into the explosive. The flying process of flyer plate is calculated by the finite different scheme based on the ALE method. The effectiveness of this method is demonstrated by the experimental and numerical studies.

  14. DOE explosives safety manual

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    1990-05-01

    The Department of Energy (DOE) policy requires that all activities be conducted in a manner that protects the safety of the public and provides a safe and healthful workplace for employees. DOE has also prescribed that all personnel be protected in any explosives operation undertaken. The level of safety provided shall be at least equivalent to that of the best industrial practice. The risk of death or serious injury shall be limited to the lowest practicable minimum. DOE and contractors shall continually review their explosives operations with the aim of achieving further refinements and improvements in safety practices and protective features. This manual describes the Department's explosive safety requirements applicable to operations involving the development, testing, handling, and processing of explosives or assemblies containing explosives. It is intended to reflect the state-of-the-art in explosives safety. In addition, it is essential that applicable criteria and requirements for implementing this policy be readily available and known to those responsible for conducting DOE programs. This document shall be periodically reviewed and updated to establish new requirements as appropriate. Users are requested to submit suggestions for improving the DOE Explosives Safety Manual through their appropriate Operations Office to the Office of Quality Programs.

  15. Explosions of Thorne-Żytkow objects

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Moriya, Takashi J.

    2018-03-01

    We propose that massive Thorne-Żytkow objects can explode. A Thorne-Żytkow object is a theoretically predicted star that has a neutron core. When nuclear reactions supporting a massive Thorne-Żytkow object terminate, a strong accretion occurs towards the central neutron core. The accretion rate is large enough to sustain a super-Eddington accretion towards the neutron core. The neutron core may collapse to a black hole after a while. A strong large-scale outflow or a jet can be launched from the super-Eddington accretion disc and the collapsing Thorne-Żytkow object can be turned into an explosion. The ejecta have about 10 M⊙ but the explosion energy depends on when the accretion is suppressed. We presume that the explosion energy could be as low as ˜1047 erg and such a low-energy explosion could be observed like a failed supernova. The maximum possible explosion energy is ˜1052 erg and such a high-energy explosion could be observed as an energetic Type II supernova or a superluminous supernova. Explosions of Thorne-Żytkow objects may provide a new path to spread lithium and other heavy elements produced through the irp process such as molybdenum in the Universe.

  16. Nuclear Explosion and Infrasound Event Resources of the SMDC Monitoring Research Program

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2008-09-01

    2008 Monitoring Research Review: Ground-Based Nuclear Explosion Monitoring Technologies 928 Figure 7. Dozens of detected infrasound signals from...investigate alternative detection schemes at the two infrasound arrays based on frequency-wavenumber (fk) processing and the F-statistic. The results of... infrasound signal - detection processing schemes. REFERENCES Bahavar, M., B. Barker, J. Bennett, R. Bowman, H. Israelsson, B. Kohl, Y-L. Kung, J. Murphy

  17. Joint Symposium on Compatibility of Plastics/Materials with Explosives Processing Explosives Held in Albuquerque, New Mexico on 15-17 May 1979.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1979-05-01

    250 A. S. Tompa REAL-TIME LOW TEMPERATURE NC AND PBX 9404 DECOMPOSITION STUDIES ....................................... 276 ._- Dr. Hermann...the five major unit operations for multi-base cannon propellant; nitrocellulose dehydration , premixing, mixing, extruding and cutting. Throughout the...during facility design, a general process description is presented as follows: Thermal Dehydration Nitrocellulose (NC) slurry is fed to a continuous

  18. Processing Benefits of Resonance Acoustic Mixing on High Performance Propellants and Explosives

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2012-02-01

    slightly greater stress Modulus similar Dewetting Distribution Statement A: Approved for Public Release Tensile Comparison File: NAVAIR Brief 18...greater stress Modulus similar Dewetting Distribution Statement A: Approved for Public Release Resodyn Mixed Explosive 19 File: NAVAIR Brief

  19. Reflection processing of the large-N seismic data from the Source Physics Experiment (SPE)

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

    Paschall, Olivia C.

    2016-07-18

    The purpose of the SPE is to develop a more physics-based model for nuclear explosion identification to understand the development of S-waves from explosion sources in order to enhance nuclear test ban treaty monitoring.

  20. Laser Simulations of the Destructive Impact of Nuclear Explosions on Hazardous Asteroids

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Aristova, E. Yu.; Aushev, A. A.; Baranov, V. K.; Belov, I. A.; Bel'kov, S. A.; Voronin, A. Yu.; Voronich, I. N.; Garanin, R. V.; Garanin, S. G.; Gainullin, K. G.; Golubinskii, A. G.; Gorodnichev, A. V.; Denisova, V. A.; Derkach, V. N.; Drozhzhin, V. S.; Ericheva, I. A.; Zhidkov, N. V.; Il'kaev, R. I.; Krayukhin, A. A.; Leonov, A. G.; Litvin, D. N.; Makarov, K. N.; Martynenko, A. S.; Malinov, V. I.; Mis'ko, V. V.; Rogachev, V. G.; Rukavishnikov, A. N.; Salatov, E. A.; Skorochkin, Yu. V.; Smorchkov, G. Yu.; Stadnik, A. L.; Starodubtsev, V. A.; Starodubtsev, P. V.; Sungatullin, R. R.; Suslov, N. A.; Sysoeva, T. I.; Khatunkin, V. Yu.; Tsoi, E. S.; Shubin, O. N.; Yufa, V. N.

    2018-01-01

    We present the results of preliminary experiments at laser facilities in which the processes of the undeniable destruction of stony asteroids (chondrites) in space by nuclear explosions on the asteroid surface are simulated based on the principle of physical similarity. We present the results of comparative gasdynamic computations of a model nuclear explosion on the surface of a large asteroid and computations of the impact of a laser pulse on a miniature asteroid simulator confirming the similarity of the key processes in the fullscale and model cases. The technology of fabricating miniature mockups with mechanical properties close to those of stony asteroids is described. For mini-mockups 4-10 mm in size differing by the shape and impact conditions, we have made an experimental estimate of the energy threshold for the undeniable destruction of a mockup and investigated the parameters of its fragmentation at a laser energy up to 500 J. The results obtained confirm the possibility of an experimental determination of the criteria for the destruction of asteroids of various types by a nuclear explosion in laser experiments. We show that the undeniable destruction of a large asteroid is possible at attainable nuclear explosion energies on its surface.

  1. Using Co-located Rotational and Translational Ground-Motion Sensors to Characterize Seismic Scattering in the P-Wave Coda

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bartrand, J.; Abbott, R. E.

    2017-12-01

    We present data and analysis of a seismic data collect at the site of a historical underground nuclear explosion at Yucca Flat, a sedimentary basin on the Nevada National Security Site, USA. The data presented here consist of active-source, six degree-of-freedom seismic signals. The translational signals were collected with a Nanometrics Trillium Compact Posthole seismometer and the rotational signals were collected with an ATA Proto-SMHD, a prototype rotational ground motion sensor. The source for the experiment was the Seismic Hammer (a 13,000 kg weight-drop), deployed on two-kilometer, orthogonal arms centered on the site of the nuclear explosion. By leveraging the fact that compressional waves have no rotational component, we generated a map of subsurface scattering and compared the results to known subsurface features. To determine scattering intensity, signals were cut to include only the P-wave and its coda. The ratio of the time-domain signal magnitudes of angular velocity and translational acceleration were sectioned into three time windows within the coda and averaged within each window. Preliminary results indicate an increased rotation/translation ratio in the vicinity of the explosion-generated chimney, suggesting mode conversion of P-wave energy to S-wave energy at that location. Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory managed and operated by National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International Inc. for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-NA0003525.

  2. Ash Features from Present-day Activity at Stromboli

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cannata, Chiara; Taddeucci, Jacopo; Lautze, Nicole; de Rosa, Rosanna; Donato, Paola; Scarlato, Piergiorgio

    2010-05-01

    The present-day explosive activity at Stromboli volcano (Aeolian Islands, Italy) is characterized by a relatively large variability of eruptive styles on a relatively small temporal and spatial scale. Despite volcanic ash is a common product of this explosive activity, few studies have been conducted so far on ash of Stromboli and in particular on the products of individual explosions. Here we focus on micro-scale textural observations of ash particles erupted from a number of different vents during three sampling campaigns. Component analysis under the binocular microscope reveal that ash from present-day activity at Stromboli is dominated by two main end-members of fragments with a wide variability of color and degree of surface alteration: blocky and dark, fragments (i.e. tachylite) and glassy, highly vesiculated and fluidal fragments (i.e. sideromelane). In addition, individual phenocrysts or composite fragments (crystals plus tachylite or sideromelane) and rare, highly altered accessory lithic fragments are also present. Thin section investigation show that tachylite has micro- to crypto-crystalline groundmass, while sideromelane is partially or totally glassy. Component and modal analyses reveal that, in the sampling period, sideromelane is the most abundant component only in one vent while the other vents erupted mainly tachylite-rich ash. The morphology, micro-textures and chemical composition of particles surface were also analyzed using a Field Emission SEM equipped with EDS. In general, particle morphology and surface chemistry poorly discriminates between the different samples, while tachylite particles show a higher compactness, lower elongation, and more extensive overgrowth of secondary phases (mainly gypsum, sulphate and halide salts) in respect with sideromelane ones.

  3. Mechanical and chemical compaction in fine-grained shallow-water limestones.

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Shinn, E.A.; Robbin, D.M.

    1983-01-01

    Significant mechanical compaction resulted from pressures simulating less than 305 m of burial. Increasing loads to an equivalent of more than 3400 m did not significantly increase compaction or reduce sediment core length. Chemical compaction (pressure dissolution) was detected only in sediment cores compacted to pressures greater than 3400 m of burial. These short-term experiments suggest that chemical compaction would begin at much shallower depths given geologic time. Compaction experiments that caused chemical compaction lend support to the well-established hypothesis; that cement required to produce a low-porosity/low-permeability fine-grained limestone is derived internally. Dissolution, ion diffusion, and reprecipitation are considered the most likely processes for creating significant thicknesses of dense limestone in the geologic record. Continuation of chemical compaction after significant porosity reduction necessitates expulsion of connate fluids, possibly including hydrocarbons. -from Authors

  4. Effect of target-fixture geometry on shock-wave compacted copper powders

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kim, Wooyeol; Ahn, Dong-Hyun; Yoon, Jae Ik; Park, Lee Ju; Kim, Hyoung Seop

    2018-01-01

    In shock compaction with a single gas gun system, a target fixture is used to safely recover a powder compact processed by shock-wave dynamic impact. However, no standard fixture geometry exists, and its effect on the processed compact is not well studied. In this study, two types of fixture are used for the dynamic compaction of hydrogen-reduced copper powders, and the mechanical properties and microstructures are investigated using the Vickers microhardness test and electron backscatter diffraction, respectively. With the assistance of finite element method simulations, we analyze several shock parameters that are experimentally hard to control. The results of the simulations indicate that the target geometry clearly affects the characteristics of incident and reflected shock waves. The hardness distribution and the microstructure of the compacts also show their dependence on the geometry. With the results of the simulations and the experiment, it is concluded that the target geometry affects the shock wave propagation and wave interaction in the specimen.

  5. Modeling of porosity loss during compaction and cementation of sandstones

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lemée, Claire; Guéguen, Yves

    1996-10-01

    Irreversible inelastic processes are responsible for mechanical and chemical compaction of sedimentary rocks at the time of burying. Our purpose is to describe the inelastic response of the rock at large time scales. In order to do this, we build a model that describes how porosity progressively decreases at depth. We use a previous geometrical model for the compaction process of a sandstone by grain interpenetration that is restricted to the case of mass conservation. In addition, we introduce a compaction equilibrium concept. Solid grains can support stresses up to a critical effective stress, σc, before plastic flow occurs. This critical stress depends on temperature and is derived from the pressure-solution deformation law. Pressure solution is the plastic deformation mechanism implemented during compaction. Our model predicts a porosity destruction at a depth of about 3 km. This model has the property to define a range of compaction curves. We investigate the sensitivity of the model to the main input parameters: liquid film thickness, grain size, temperature gradient, and activation energy.

  6. The role of porosity and annealing in the impact fragmentation of an aluminum reactive material

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hooper, Joseph

    2017-06-01

    A reactive fragment has a unique structural requirement to survive explosive launch but then fragment catastrophically and combust upon impact. Suitable materials for this application tend to be metal composites with high ductility in compression but elastic-brittle behavior in tension. Characterizing the dynamic fragmentation of such materials is key for understanding their lethality. Here we consider a prototypical aluminum reactive frag material, formed via cold isostatic pressing of micron-scale powder followed by annealing. Samples were gun-launched into a target and recovered in a soft-catch medium of artificial snow, allowing for excellent recovery down to micron sizes and minimal contamination. Recovered fragment distributions were analyzed and compared to standard energy-balance theories. We study the effect of compaction pressure and annealing conditions on the fragmentation behavior at 500-800 m/s impacts, and find a particularly strong effect from short annealing periods. Though dynamic fracture occurs entirely along original particle boundaries in this material, recovery processes within the Al microstructure during annealing lead to a rapid decrease in the extent of fragmentation. This work was funded by the Office of Naval Research, program director Cliff Bedford.

  7. Dissolution and sorption of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) residues from detonated mineral surfaces.

    PubMed

    Jaramillo, Ashley M; Douglas, Thomas A; Walsh, Marianne E; Trainor, Thomas P

    2011-08-01

    Composition B (Comp B) is a commonly used military formulation composed of the toxic explosive compounds 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX). Numerous studies of the temporal fate of explosive compounds in soils, surface water and laboratory batch reactors have been conducted. However, most of these investigations relied on the application of explosive compounds to the media via aqueous addition and thus these studies do not provide information on the real world loading of explosive residues during detonation events. To address this we investigated the dissolution and sorption of TNT and RDX from Comp B residues loaded to pure mineral phases through controlled detonation. Mineral phases included nontronite, vermiculite, biotite and Ottawa sand (quartz with minor calcite). High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy were used to investigate the dissolution and sorption of TNT and RDX residues loaded onto the mineral surfaces. Detonation resulted in heterogeneous loading of TNT and RDX onto the mineral surfaces. Explosive compound residues dissolved rapidly (within 9 h) in all samples but maximum concentrations for TNT and RDX were not consistent over time due to precipitation from solution, sorption onto mineral surfaces, and/or chemical reactions between explosive compounds and mineral surfaces. We provide a conceptual model of the physical and chemical processes governing the fate of explosive compound residues in soil minerals controlled by sorption-desorption processes. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  8. Revisiting Shock Initiation Modeling of Homogeneous Explosives

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Partom, Yehuda

    2013-04-01

    Shock initiation of homogeneous explosives has been a subject of research since the 1960s, with neat and sensitized nitromethane as the main materials for experiments. A shock initiation model of homogeneous explosives was established in the early 1960s. It involves a thermal explosion event at the shock entrance boundary, which develops into a superdetonation that overtakes the initial shock. In recent years, Sheffield and his group, using accurate experimental tools, were able to observe details of buildup of the superdetonation. There are many papers on modeling shock initiation of heterogeneous explosives, but there are only a few papers on modeling shock initiation of homogeneous explosives. In this article, bulk reaction reactive flow equations are used to model homogeneous shock initiation in an attempt to reproduce experimental data of Sheffield and his group. It was possible to reproduce the main features of the shock initiation process, including thermal explosion, superdetonation, input shock overtake, overdriven detonation after overtake, and the beginning of decay toward Chapman-Jouget (CJ) detonation. The time to overtake (TTO) as function of input pressure was also calculated and compared to the experimental TTO.

  9. Analysis of the Effect of Prevailing Weather Conditions on the Occurrence of Grain Dust Explosions.

    PubMed

    Sanghi, Achint; Ambrose, R P Kingsly

    2016-07-27

    Grain dust explosions have been occurring in the U.S. for the past twenty years. In the past ten years, there have been an average of ten explosions a year, resulting in nine fatalities and 93 injuries. In more than half of these cases, the ignition source remains unidentified. The effect of ambient humidity on the likelihood of a dust explosion has been discussed for many years. However, no investigation into a possible link between the two has been carried out. In this study, we analyzed local weather data and grain dust explosions during the period 2006 to 2014 to measure potential relationships between the two events. The 84 analyzed explosions do not show any trend with regard to prevailing temperatures, or relative or absolute humidity. In addition, the ignition source could not be identified in 54 of the incidents. The majority of grain dust explosion incidents occurred at grain elevator facilities, where the dust generation potential was high compared with grain processing industries. Copyright© by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers.

  10. Measurement of residual stress fields in FHPP welding: a comparison between DSPI combined with hole-drilling and neutron diffraction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Viotti, Matias R.; Albertazzi, Armando; Staron, Peter; Pisa, Marcelo

    2013-04-01

    This paper shows a portable device to measure mainly residual stress fields outside the optical bench. This system combines the traditional hole drilling technique with Digital Speckle Pattern Interferometry. The novel feature of this device is the high degree of compaction since only one base supports simultaneously the measurement module and the hole-drilling device. The portable device allows the measurement of non-uniform residual stresses in accordance with the ASTM standard. In oil and gas offshore industries, alternative welding procedures among them, the friction hydro pillar processing (FHPP) is highlighted and nowadays is an important maintenance tool since it has the capability to produce structure repairs without risk of explosions. In this process a hole is drilled and filled with a consumable rod of the same material. The rod, which could be cylindrical or conical, is rotated and pressed against the hole, leading to frictional heating. In order to assess features about the residual stress distribution generated by the weld into the rod as well as into the base material around the rod, welded samples were evaluated by neutron diffraction and by the hole drilling technique having a comparison between them. For the hole drilling technique some layers were removed by using electrical discharge machining (EDM) after diffraction measurements in order to assess the bulk stress distribution. Results have shown a good agreement between techniques.

  11. Flow and Compaction During the Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding Process

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Grimsley, Brian W.; Hubert, Pascal; Song, Xiao-Lan; Cano, Roberto J.; Loos, Alfred C.; Pipes, R. Byron

    2001-01-01

    The flow of an epoxy resin and compaction behavior of carbon fiber preform during vacuum- assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) infiltration was measured using an instrumented tool. Composite panels were fabricated by the VARTM process using SAERTEX(R)2 multi-axial non- crimp carbon fiber fabric and the A.T.A.R.D. SI-ZG-5A epoxy resin. Resin pressure and preform thickness variation was measured during infiltration. The effects of the resin on the compaction behavior of the preform were measured. The local preform compaction during the infiltration is a combination of wetting and spring-back deformations. Flow front position computed by the 3DINFIL model was compared with the experimental data.

  12. Improved explosive collection and detection with rationally assembled surface sampling materials

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

    Chouyyok, Wilaiwan; Bays, J. Timothy; Gerasimenko, Aleksandr A.

    Sampling and detection of trace explosives is a key analytical process in modern transportation safety. In this work we have explored some of the fundamental analytical processes for collection and detection of trace level explosive on surfaces with the most widely utilized system, thermal desorption IMS. The performance of the standard muslin swipe material was compared with chemically modified fiberglass cloth. The fiberglass surface was modified to include phenyl functional groups. When compared to standard muslin, the phenyl functionalized fiberglass sampling material showed better analyte release from the sampling material as well as improved response and repeatability from multiple usesmore » of the same swipe. The improved sample release of the functionalized fiberglass swipes resulted in a significant increase in sensitivity. Various physical and chemical properties were systematically explored to determine optimal performance. The results herein have relevance to improving the detection of other explosive compounds and potentially to a wide range of other chemical sampling and field detection challenges.« less

  13. Pilot-scale study on the acid-catalyzed steam explosion of rice straw using a continuous pretreatment system.

    PubMed

    Chen, Wen-Hua; Tsai, Chia-Chin; Lin, Chih-Feng; Tsai, Pei-Yuan; Hwang, Wen-Song

    2013-01-01

    A continuous acid-catalyzed steam explosion pretreatment process and system to produce cellulosic ethanol was developed at the pilot-scale. The effects of the following parameters on the pretreatment efficiency of rice straw feedstocks were investigated: the acid concentration, the reaction temperature, the residence time, the feedstock size, the explosion pressure and the screw speed. The optimal presteaming horizontal reactor conditions for the pretreatment process are as follows: 1.7 rpm and 100-110 °C with an acid concentration of 1.3% (w/w). An acid-catalyzed steam explosion is then performed in the vertical reactor at 185 °C for 2 min. Approximately 73% of the total saccharification yield was obtained after the rice straw was pretreated under optimal conditions and subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis at a combined severity factor of 0.4-0.7. Moreover, good long-term stability and durability of the pretreatment system under continuous operation was observed. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  14. Explosive eruptions triggered by rockfalls at Kīlauea volcano, Hawaii

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Orr, Tim R.; Thelen, Weston A.; Patrick, Matthew R.; Swanson, Donald A.; Wilson, David C.

    2012-01-01

    Ongoing eruptive activity at Kīlauea volcano’s (Hawai‘i) summit has been controlled in part by the evolution of its vent from a 35-m-diameter opening into a collapse crater 150 m across. Geologic observations, in particular from a network of webcams, have provided an unprecedented look at collapse crater development, lava lake dynamics, and shallow outgassing processes. These observations show unequivocally that the hundreds of transient outgassing bursts and weak explosive eruptions that have punctuated the vent’s otherwise nearly steady-state behavior, and that are associated with composite seismic events, were triggered by rockfalls from the vent walls onto the top of the lava column. While the process by which rockfalls drive the explosive bursts is not fully understood, we believe that it is initiated by the generation of a rebound splash, or Worthington jet, which then undergoes fragmentation. The external triggering of low-energy outgassing events by rockfalls represents a new class of small transient explosive eruptions.

  15. Effects of water states on steam explosion of lignocellulosic biomass.

    PubMed

    Sui, Wenjie; Chen, Hongzhang

    2016-01-01

    The work aimed to identify the complexity and roles of water states in steam explosion process of corn stalk to enhance the treatment efficiency. Results showed that two main water states with different mobility existed in corn stalk and influenced steam explosion treatment. By correlating dynamic water states data to feedstock mechanical properties and treatment process characteristics, the bound water being the excellent plasticizer that reduced the mechanical strength of fibers by over 30%, was conducive to treatment; while, the free water presenting buffering effects in treatment by hindering heat transfer which was reflected by the increase of temperature rising time by 1.29 folds and steam consumption by 2.18 folds, was not conducive. The distinguished point of these two waters was fiber saturated point. By considering treatment efficacy and energy consumption, the significance of fiber saturated point was highlighted as the optimal water states for steam explosion of corn stalk. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. Evolution of the microstructure during the process of consolidation and bonding in soft granular solids.

    PubMed

    Yohannes, B; Gonzalez, M; Abebe, A; Sprockel, O; Nikfar, F; Kiang, S; Cuitiño, A M

    2016-04-30

    The evolution of microstructure during powder compaction process was investigated using a discrete particle modeling, which accounts for particle size distribution and material properties, such as plasticity, elasticity, and inter-particle bonding. The material properties were calibrated based on powder compaction experiments and validated based on tensile strength test experiments for lactose monohydrate and microcrystalline cellulose, which are commonly used excipient in pharmaceutical industry. The probability distribution function and the orientation of contact forces were used to study the evolution of the microstructure during the application of compaction pressure, unloading, and ejection of the compact from the die. The probability distribution function reveals that the compression contact forces increase as the compaction force increases (or the relative density increases), while the maximum value of the tensile contact forces remains the same. During unloading of the compaction pressure, the distribution approaches a normal distribution with a mean value of zero. As the contact forces evolve, the anisotropy of the powder bed also changes. Particularly, during loading, the compression contact forces are aligned along the direction of the compaction pressure, whereas the tensile contact forces are oriented perpendicular to direction of the compaction pressure. After ejection, the contact forces become isotropic. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  17. Modeling of the L-shell copper X-pinch plasma produced by the compact generator of Ecole polytechnique using pattern recognition

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

    Larour, Jean; Aranchuk, Leonid E.; Danisman, Yusuf

    2016-03-15

    Principal component analysis is applied and compared with the line ratios of special Ne-like transitions for investigating the electron beam effects on the L-shell Cu synthetic spectra. The database for the principal component extraction is created over a non Local Thermodynamic Equilibrium (non-LTE) collisional radiative L-shell Copper model. The extracted principal components are used as a database for Artificial Neural Network in order to estimate the plasma electron temperature, density, and beam fractions from a representative time-integrated spatially resolved L-shell Cu X-pinch plasma spectrum. The spectrum is produced by the explosion of 25-μm Cu wires on a compact LC (40more » kV, 200 kA, and 200 ns) generator. The modeled plasma electron temperatures are about T{sub e} ∼ 150 eV and N{sub e} = 5 × 10{sup 19} cm{sup −3} in the presence of the fraction of the beams with f ∼ 0.05 and a centered energy of ∼10 keV.« less

  18. Is the Link Between the Observed Velocities of Neutron Stars and their Progenitors a Simple Mass Relationship?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bray, J. C.

    2017-11-01

    While the imparting of velocity `kicks' to compact remnants from supernovae is widely accepted, the relationship of the `kick' to the progenitor is not. We propose the `kick' is predominantly a result of conservation of momentum between the ejected and compact remnant masses. We propose the `kick' velocity is given by v kick = α(M ejecta/M remnant)+β, where α and β are constants we wish to determine. To test this we use the BPASS v2 (Binary Population and Spectral Synthesis) code to create stellar populations from both single star and binary star evolutionary pathways. We then use our Remnant Ejecta and Progenitor Explosion Relationship (REAPER) code to apply `kicks' to neutron stars from supernovae in these models using a grid of α and β values, (from 0 to 200 km s-1 in steps of 10 km s-1), in three different `kick' orientations, (isotropic, spin-axis aligned and orthogonal to spin-axis) and weighted by three different Salpeter initial mass functions (IMF's), with slopes of -2.0, -2.35 and -2.70. We compare our synthetic 2D and 3D velocity probability distributions to the distributions provided by Hobbs et al. (1995).

  19. A High-velocity Cloud Impact Forming a Supershell in the Milky Way

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Park, Geumsook; Koo, Bon-Chul; Kang, Ji-hyun; Gibson, Steven J.; Peek, J. E. G.; Douglas, Kevin A.; Korpela, Eric J.; Heiles, Carl E.

    2016-08-01

    Neutral atomic hydrogen (H I) gas in interstellar space is largely organized into filaments, loops, and shells, the most prominent of which are “supershells.” These gigantic structures, which require ≳ 3× {10}52 erg to form, are generally thought to be produced by either the explosion of multiple supernovae (SNe) in OB associations or, alternatively, by the impact of high-velocity clouds (HVCs) falling into the Galactic disk. Here, we report the detection of a kiloparsec (kpc)-size supershell in the outskirts of the Milky Way with the compact HVC 040 + 01-282 (hereafter, CHVC040) at its geometrical center using the “Inner-Galaxy Arecibo L-band Feed Array” H I 21 cm survey data. The morphological and physical properties of both objects suggest that CHVC040, which is either a fragment of a nearby disrupted galaxy or a cloud that originated from an intergalactic accreting flow, collided with the disk ˜5 Myr ago to form the supershell. Our results show that some compact HVCs can survive their trip through the Galactic halo and inject energy and momentum into the Milky Way disk.

  20. SN 1987A: A Unique Laboratory for Shock Physics

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sonneborn, George

    2012-01-01

    Supernova 1987 A is the brightest and nearest supernova observed since Kepler's SN1604, and is the only one close enough to resolve and directly observe the temporal growth of the ejecta. Over the past 25 years, intensive observations across the electromagnetic spectrum with observatories on the ground (Australia Telescope Compact Array, Gemini-S, Magellan, VLT) and in space (IUE, KAO, CGRO, Hubble, Chandra, Spitzer, Herschel) have given us an unprecedented view of the evolution of the debris of the supernova and of its shock interaction with circumstellar matter. The outer supernova debris, now expanding with velocities -8000 km/s, encountered the relatively dense circumstellar ring formed by presupernova mass loss starting in 1994. The resulting shock interaction has been manifested by: rapidly brightening UV-optical "hotspots", an expanding X-ray ring. an expanding ring of knotty non-thermal radio emission, and a ring of thermal IR emission from silicate dust. The recent evolution of these emissions reveal new details about the shock interaction, circumstellar material, and the star that exploded. Certain critical problems about SN 1987 A, such as the still undiscovered compact object formed in the explosion and the structure of the central debris, require the capabilities of JWST.

  1. From Vulcanian explosions to sustained explosive eruptions: The role of diffusive mass transfer in conduit flow dynamics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mason, R. M.; Starostin, A. B.; Melnik, O. E.; Sparks, R. S. J.

    2006-05-01

    Magmatic explosive eruptions are influenced by mass transfer processes of gas diffusion into bubbles caused by decompression. Melnik and Sparks [Melnik, O.E., Sparks, R.S.J. 2002, Modelling of conduit flow dynamic during explosive activity at Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat. In: Druitt, T.H., Kokelaar, B.P. (eds). The Eruption of Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat, from 1995 to 1999. Geological Society, London, Memoirs, 21, 307-317] proposed two end member cases corresponding to complete equilibrium and complete disequilibrium. In the first case, diffusion is fast enough to maintain the system near equilibrium and a long-lived explosive eruption develops. In the latter case, pre-existing bubbles expand under conditions of explosive eruption and decompression, but diffusive gas transfer is negligible. This leads to a much shorter eruption. Here we develop this model to consider the role of mass transfer by investigating transient flows at the start of an explosive eruption triggered by a sudden decompression. The simulations reveal a spectrum of behaviours from sustained to short-lived highly non-equilibrium Vulcanian-style explosions lasting a few tens of seconds, through longer lasting eruptions that can be sustained for tens of minutes and finally to eruptions that can last hours or even days. Behaviour is controlled by a mass-transfer parameter, ω, which equals n*2/3D, where n* is the bubble number density and D is the diffusivity. The parameter ω is expected to vary between 10 - 5 and 1 s - 1 in nature and reflects a time-scale for efficient diffusion. The spectrum of model behaviours is consistent with variations in styles of explosive eruptions of silicic volcanoes. In the initial stages peak discharges occur over 10-20 s and then decline to low discharges. If a critical bubble overpressure is assumed to be the criterion for fragmentation then fragmentation may stop and start several times in the declining period causing several pulses of high-intensity discharge. For the cases of strong disequilibria, the fluxes can decrease to negligible values where other processes, such as gas escape through permeable magma, prevents explosive conditions becoming re-established so that explosive activity stops and dome growth can start. For cases closer to the equilibrium the eruption can evolve towards a quasi-steady sustained flow, never declining sufficiently for gas escape to become dominant.

  2. Incorporation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) transforming bacteria into explosive formulations.

    PubMed

    Nyanhongo, G S; Aichernig, N; Ortner, M; Steiner, Walter; Guebitz, G M

    2009-06-15

    Pseudomonas putida GG04 and Bacillus SF have been successfully incorporated into an explosive formulation to enhance biotransformation of TNT residues and/or explosives which fail to detonate due to technical faults. The incorporation of the microorganisms into the explosive did not affect the quality of the explosive (5 years storage) in terms of detonation velocity while complete biotransformation of TNT moieties upon transfer in liquid media was observed after 5 days. The incorporated microorganisms reduced TNT sequentially leading to the formation of hydroxylaminodinitrotoluenes (HADNT), 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluenes; 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluenes, different azoxy compounds; 2,6-diaminonitrotoluenes (2,4-DAMNT) and 2,4-diaminonitrotoluenes (2,6-DAMNT). However, the accumulation of AMDNT and DAMNT (major dead-end metabolites) was effectively prevented by incorporating guaiacol and catechol during the biotransformation process.

  3. Detonation Reaction Zones in Condensed Explosives

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tarver, Craig M.

    2006-07-01

    Experimental measurements using nanosecond time resolved embedded gauges and laser interferometric techniques, combined with Non-Equilibrium Zeldovich - von Neumann - Doling (NEZND) theory and Ignition and Growth reactive flow hydrodynamic modeling, have revealed the average pressure/particle velocity states attained in reaction zones of self-sustaining detonation waves in several solid and liquid explosives. The time durations of these reaction zone processes are discussed for explosives based on pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), nitromethane, octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX), triaminitrinitrobenzene(TATB) and trinitrotoluene (TNT).

  4. Organic supernanostructures self-assembled via solution process for explosive detection.

    PubMed

    Wang, Lei; Zhou, Yan; Yan, Jing; Wang, Jian; Pei, Jian; Cao, Yong

    2009-02-03

    Three different polymorphic crystalline structures, including microbelts and flowerlike supernanostructures, were obtained via a simple solution process by utilizing different solvents from an oligoarene derivative. Explosive chemosensors based on these self-assembled organic crystalline nanostructures were successfully fabricated. The differences in the structures on the microscopic level and in the film morphologies led to dramatic enhancements of the explosive detection speed. With the evolution of structures from the netted 1D microbelts to the flowerlike supernanostructures, the detection speed of the chemosensors for DNT and TNT was improved by more than 700 times. Our discovery demonstrates that the morphology control through self-assembly provides a new platform to utilize organic crystalline microstructures for chemosensors, optoelectronics, biosensors and bioelectronics, and so forth.

  5. Theoretical Investigation of Calculating Temperatures in the Combining Zone of Cu/Fe Composite Plate Jointed by Explosive Welding

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Qu, Y. D.; Zhang, W. J.; Kong, X. Q.; Zhao, X.

    2016-03-01

    The heat-transfer behavior of the interface of Flyer plate (or Base Plate) has great influence on the microcosmic structures, stress distributions, and interface distortion of the welded interface of composite plates by explosive welding. In this paper, the temperature distributions in the combing zone are studied for the case of Cu/Fe composite plate jointed by explosive welding near the lower limit of explosive welding. The results show that Flyer plate (Cu plate) and Base Plate (Fe plate) firstly almost have the same melting rate in the explosive welding process. Then, the melting rate of Cu plate becomes higher than that of Fe plate. Finally, the melt thicknesses of Cu plate and Fe plate trend to be different constants, respectively. Meanwhile, the melting layer of Cu plate is thicker than that of Fe plate. The research could supply some theoretical foundations for calculating the temperature distribution and optimizing the explosive welding parameters of Cu/Fe composite plate to some extent.

  6. Detection and mapping of trace explosives on surfaces under ambient conditions using multiphoton electron extraction spectroscopy (MEES).

    PubMed

    Tang, Shisong; Vinerot, Nataly; Fisher, Danny; Bulatov, Valery; Yavetz-Chen, Yehuda; Schechter, Israel

    2016-08-01

    Multiphoton electron extraction spectroscopy (MEES) is an analytical method in which UV laser pulses are utilized for extracting electrons from solid surfaces in multiphoton processes under ambient conditions. Counting the emitted electrons as a function of laser wavelength results in detailed spectral features, which can be used for material identification. The method has been applied to detection of trace explosives on a variety of surfaces. Detection was possible on dusty swabs spiked with explosives and also in the standard dry-transfer contamination procedure. Plastic explosives could also be detected. The analytical limits of detection (LODs) are in the sub pmole range, which indicates that MEES is one of the most sensitive detection methods for solid surface under ambient conditions. Scanning the surface with the laser allows for its imaging, such that explosives (as well as other materials) can be located. The imaging mode is also useful in forensic applications, such as detection of explosives in human fingerprints. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  7. Acoustic wavefield and Mach wave radiation of flashing arcs in strombolian explosion measured by image luminance

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Genco, Riccardo; Ripepe, Maurizio; Marchetti, Emanuele; Bonadonna, Costanza; Biass, Sebastien

    2014-10-01

    Explosive activity often generates visible flashing arcs in the volcanic plume considered as the evidence of the shock-front propagation induced by supersonic dynamics. High-speed image processing is used to visualize the pressure wavefield associated with flashing arcs observed in strombolian explosions. Image luminance is converted in virtual acoustic signal compatible with the signal recorded by pressure transducer. Luminance variations are moving with a spherical front at a 344.7 m/s velocity. Flashing arcs travel at the sound speed already 14 m above the vent and are not necessarily the evidence of a supersonic explosive dynamics. However, seconds later, the velocity of small fragments increases, and the spherical acousto-luminance wavefront becomes planar recalling the Mach wave radiation generated by large scale turbulence in high-speed jet. This planar wavefront forms a Mach angle of 55° with the explosive jet axis, suggesting an explosive dynamics moving at Mo = 1.22 Mach number.

  8. Shallow magma diversions during explosive diatreme-forming eruptions.

    PubMed

    Le Corvec, Nicolas; Muirhead, James D; White, James D L

    2018-04-13

    The diversion of magma is an important mechanism that may lead to the relocation of a volcanic vent. Magma diversion is known to occur during explosive volcanic eruptions generating subterranean excavation and remobilization of country and volcanic rocks. However, feedbacks between explosive crater formation and intrusion processes have not been considered previously, despite their importance for understanding evolving hazards during volcanic eruptions. Here, we apply numerical modeling to test the impacts of excavation and subsequent infilling of diatreme structures on stress states and intrusion geometries during the formation of maar-diatreme complexes. Explosive excavation and infilling of diatremes affects local stress states which inhibits magma ascent and drives lateral diversion at various depths, which are expected to promote intra-diatreme explosions, host rock mixing, and vent migration. Our models demonstrate novel mechanisms explaining the generation of saucer-shaped sills, linked with magma diversion and enhanced intra-diatreme explosive fragmentation during maar-diatreme volcanism. Similar mechanisms will occur at other volcanic vents producing crater-forming eruptions.

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

    Watkins, B.E.; Kanna, R.L.; Chambers, R.D.

    There is a great need for alternatives to open burn/open detonation of explosives and propellants from dismantled munitions. LANL has investigated the use of base hydrolysis for the demilitarization of explosives. Hydrolysates of Comp B, Octol, Tritonal, and PBXN-109 were processed in the pilot molten salt unit (in building 191). NOx and CO emissions were found to be low, except for CO from PBXN-109 processing. This report describes experimental results of the destruction of the base hydrolysates.

  10. Integration of CW / Radionucleotide Detection Systems to the Fido XT Explosives Detector

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2008-07-31

    explosives detected by the Fido XT. Additionally, a platform for centralized storage and processing of Fido XT data files collected in house, targeted...fused silica glass wool (obtained from Restek). The fluorescent signal was easily washed out of the flow cell by a nominal amount of buffer...detector with supporting NRE was processed . The Interceptor components were configured to operate under a Windows CE processor environment, and to

  11. Pyrophoric sulfides influence over the minimum ignition temperature of dust cloud

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Prodan, Maria; Lupu, Leonard Andrei; Ghicioi, Emilian; Nalboc, Irina; Szollosi-Mota, Andrei

    2017-12-01

    The dust cloud is the main form of existence of combustible dust in the production area and together with the existence of effective ignition sources are the main causes of dust explosions in production processes. The minimum ignition temperature has an important role in the process of selecting the explosion-protected electrical equipment when performing the explosion risk assessment of combustible dusts. The heated surfaces are able to ignite the dust clouds that can form in process industry. The oil products usually contain hydrogen sulfide and thus on the pipe walls iron sulfides can form, which can be very dangerous from health and safety point of view. In order to study the influence of the pyrophoric sulfide over the minimum ignition temperature of combustible dusts for this work were performed several experiments on a residue collected from the oil pipes contaminated with commercially iron sulfide.

  12. Thermally driven advection for radioxenon transport from an underground nuclear explosion

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sun, Yunwei; Carrigan, Charles R.

    2016-05-01

    Barometric pumping is a ubiquitous process resulting in migration of gases in the subsurface that has been studied as the primary mechanism for noble gas transport from an underground nuclear explosion (UNE). However, at early times following a UNE, advection driven by explosion residual heat is relevant to noble gas transport. A rigorous measure is needed for demonstrating how, when, and where advection is important. In this paper three physical processes of uncertain magnitude (oscillatory advection, matrix diffusion, and thermally driven advection) are parameterized by using boundary conditions, system properties, and source term strength. Sobol' sensitivity analysis is conducted to evaluate the importance of all physical processes influencing the xenon signals. This study indicates that thermally driven advection plays a more important role in producing xenon signals than oscillatory advection and matrix diffusion at early times following a UNE, and xenon isotopic ratios are observed to have both time and spatial dependence.

  13. Chandra Maps Vital Elements From Supernova

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    1999-12-01

    A team of astronomers led by Dr. John Hughes of Rutgers University in Piscataway, NJ has used observations from NASA's orbital Chandra X-ray Observatory to make an important new discovery that sheds light on how silicon, iron, and other elements were produced in supernova explosions. An X-ray image of Cassiopeia A (Cas A), the remnant of an exploded star, reveals gaseous clumps of silicon, sulfur, and iron expelled from deep in the interior of the star. The findings appear online in the Astrophysical Journal Letters at http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/ and are slated for print publication on Jan. 10, 2000. Authors of the paper, "Nucleosynthesis and Mixing in Cassiopeia A", are Hughes, Rutgers graduate student Cara Rakowski, Dr. David Burrows of the Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA and Dr. Patrick Slane of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA. According to Hughes, one of the most profound accomplishments of twentieth century astronomy is the realization that nearly all of the elements other than hydrogen and helium were created in the interiors of stars. "During their lives, stars are factories that take the simplest element, hydrogen, and convert it into heavier ones," he said. "After consuming all the hydrogen in their cores, stars begin to evolve rapidly, until they finally run out of fuel and begin to collapse. In stars ten times or so more massive than our Sun, the central parts of the collapsing star may form a neutron star or a black hole, while the rest of the star is blown apart in a tremendous supernova explosion." Supernovae are rare, occurring only once every 50 years or so in a galaxy like our own. "When I first looked at the Chandra image of Cas A, I was amazed by the clarity and definition," said Hughes. "The image was much sharper than any previous one and I could immediately see lots of new details." Equal in significance to the image clarity is the potential the Chandra data held for measuring the composition of the various knots and filaments of stellar material visible in Cas A. Not only could the astronomers determine the composition of many knots in the remnant from the Chandra data, they were also able to infer where in the exploding star the knots had originated. For example, the most compact and brightest knots were composed mostly of silicon and sulfur, with little or no iron. This pointed to an origin deep in the star's interior where the temperatures had reached three billion degrees during the collapse and resulting supernova. Elsewhere, they found fainter features that contained significant amounts of iron as well as some silicon and sulfur. This material was produced even deeper in the star, where the temperatures during the explosion had reached higher values of four to five billion degrees. When Hughes and his collaborators compared where the compact silicon-rich knots and fainter iron-rich features were located in Cas A, they discovered that the iron-rich features from deepest in the star were near the outer edge of the remnant. This meant that they had been flung the furthest by the explosion that created Cas A. Even now this material appears to be streaming away from the site of the explosion with greater speed than the rest of the remnant. By studying the Cas A Chandra data further, astronomers hope to identify which of the several processes proposed by theoretical studies is likely to be the correct mechanism for explaining supernova explosions, both in terms of the dynamics and elements they produce. "In addition to understanding how iron and the other elements are produced in stars, we also want to learn how it gets out of stars and into the interstellar medium. This is why the study of supernovas and supernova remnants is so important," said Hughes. "Once released from stars, newly-created elements can then participate in the formation of new stars and planets in a great cycle that has gone on numerous times already. It is remarkable to realize that our planet Earth and indeed even humanity itself is part of this vast cosmic cycle." The Chandra observation was taken with the Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS) on August 19, 1999. ACIS was built by Pennsylvania State University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA. Press: Fact Sheet (08/99) To follow Chandra's progress, visit the Chandra site at: http://chandra.harvard.edu AND http://chandra.nasa.gov NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., manages the Chandra program. TRW, Inc., Redondo Beach, Calif., is the prime contractor for the spacecraft. The Smithsonian's Chandra X-ray Center controls science and flight operations from Cambridge, Mass.

  14. Study of the suitability of a commercial hydroxyapatite powder to obtain sintered compacts for medical applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Palacio, C.; Jaramillo, D.; Correa, S.; Arroyave, M.

    2017-06-01

    Hydroxyapatite (HA) is a material widely used by the medical community due to its Ca/P ratio is comparable to the Ca/P ratio of bones and teeth, which promotes osteoinduction and osteoconduction processes when in contact with bone tissue, either as volume piece or coating. This work focuses on studying the quality of the commercial HA powder MKnano-#MKN-HXAP-S12 µm, after processing, to obtain sintered compact discs with suitable physical and chemical characteristics for implants applications. The HA powder was processed through calcination, grinding, pressing and sintering to evaluate the effect of such as procedures in the compacts dics quality. The raw powder was characterized by laser diffraction, SEM, XRF, XRD, TGA and DSC while the characteristics of the obtained compact discs were determined by dilatometry and XRD to identify the sintering temperature range, constituent phases, the amorphous content and the crystallinity degree, parameters that allow determining their suitability for implants applications. Although, it was not possible to obtain sintered compacts with the suitable chemical composition and without fractures, this work allowed to identify the parameters that determine the suitability of a HA powder to obtain sintered compacts for medical applications, as well as the characterization protocol that allows the evaluation of such parameters.

  15. Accretion Disk Outflows from Compact Object Mergers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Metzger, Brian

    Nuclear reactions play a key role in the accretion disks and outflows associated with the merger of binary compact objects and the central engines of gamma-ray bursts and supernovae. The proposed research program will investigate the impact of nucleosynthesis on these events and their observable signatures by means of analytic calculations and numerical simulations. One focus of this research is rapid accretion following the tidal disruption of a white dwarf (WD) by a neutron star (NS) or black hole (BH) binary companion. Tidal disruption shreds the WD into a massive torus composed of C, O, and/or He, which undergoes nuclear reactions and burns to increasingly heavier elements as it flows to smaller radii towards the central compact object. The nuclear energy so released is comparable to that released gravitationally, suggesting that burning could drastically alter the structure and stability of the accretion flow. Axisymmetric hydrodynamic simulations of the evolution of the torus including nuclear burning will be performed to explore issues such as the mass budget of the flow (accretion vs. outflows) and its thermal stability (steady burning and accretion vs. runaway explosion). The mass, velocity, and composition of outflows from the disk will be used in separate radiative transfer calculations to predict the lightcurves and spectra of the 56Ni-decay powered optical transients from WD-NS/WD-BH mergers. The possible connection of such events to recently discovered classes of sub-luminous Type I supernovae will be assessed. The coalescence of NS-NS/NS-BH binaries also results in the formation of a massive torus surrounding a central compact object. Three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulations of the long-term evolution of such accretion disks will be performed, which for the first time follow the effects of weak interactions and the nuclear energy released by Helium recombination. The nucleosynthetic yield of disk outflows will be calculated using a detailed nuclear reaction network along characteristic Lagrangian trajectories. Results of these calculations will be used to (1) reassess NS-NS/NS-BH mergers as an astrophysical source of heavy r-process nuclei; and (2) calculate the light curves of the optical transients (`kilonovae') powered by the radioactive decay. Separate work will assess the effects that neutrino irradiation from a long-lived neutron star remnant has on the electron fraction of the disk outflows. The strong contrast between the opacities of proton- and neutron-rich matter imply that the presence and lifetime of such a remnant could be imprinted on the kilonova emission. Our investigation sheds light on the central engines of GRBs and other high-energy transients and hence is relevant to NASA's Swift, MAXI, and Fermi missions. Our results will also impact the interpretation of future observations of supernovae and their galactic environments with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Our results will also impact follow-up observations of kilonovae, maximizing the impact of HST to constrain the key open questions such as the progenitors of gamma-ray bursts and the origin of r-process nuclei.

  16. Perovskite solar cell with an efficient TiO₂ compact film.

    PubMed

    Ke, Weijun; Fang, Guojia; Wang, Jing; Qin, Pingli; Tao, Hong; Lei, Hongwei; Liu, Qin; Dai, Xin; Zhao, Xingzhong

    2014-09-24

    A perovskite solar cell with a thin TiO2 compact film prepared by thermal oxidation of sputtered Ti film achieved a high efficiency of 15.07%. The thin TiO2 film prepared by thermal oxidation is very dense and inhibits the recombination process at the interface. The optimum thickness of the TiO2 compact film prepared by thermal oxidation is thinner than that prepared by spin-coating method. Also, the TiO2 compact film and the TiO2 porous film can be sintered at the same time. This one-step sintering process leads to a lower dark current density, a lower series resistance, and a higher recombination resistance than those of two-step sintering. Therefore, the perovskite solar cell with the TiO2 compact film prepared by thermal oxidation has a higher short-circuit current density and a higher fill factor.

  17. Effects of high power ultrasonic vibration on the cold compaction of titanium.

    PubMed

    Fartashvand, Vahid; Abdullah, Amir; Ali Sadough Vanini, Seyed

    2017-05-01

    Titanium has widely been used in chemical and aerospace industries. In order to overcome the drawbacks of cold compaction of titanium, the process was assisted by an ultrasonic vibration system. For this purpose, a uniaxial ultrasonic assisted cold powder compaction system was designed and fabricated. The process variables were powder size, compaction pressure and initial powder compact thickness. Density, friction force, ejection force and spring back of the fabricated samples were measured and studied. The density was observed to improve under the action of ultrasonic vibration. Fine size powders showed better results of consolidation while using ultrasonic vibration. Under the ultrasonic action, it is thought that the friction forces between the die walls and the particles and those friction forces among the powder particles are reduced. Spring back and ejection force didn't considerably change when using ultrasonic vibration. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  18. Development of explosively bonded TZM wire reinforced Columbian sheet composites

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Otto, H. E.; Carpenter, S. H.

    1972-01-01

    Methods of producing TZM molybdenum wire reinforced C129Y columbium alloy composites by explosive welding were studied. Layers of TZM molybdenum wire were wound on frames with alternate layers of C129Y columbium alloy foil between the wire layers. The frames held both the wire and foils in place for the explosive bonding process. A goal of 33 volume percent molybdenum wire was achieved for some of the composites. Variables included wire diameter, foil thickness, wire separation, standoff distance between foils and types and amounts of explosive. The program was divided into two phases: (1) development of basic welding parameters using 5 x 10-inch composites, and (2) scaleup to 10 x 20-inch composites.

  19. Enhancement of eruption explosivity by heterogeneous bubble nucleation triggered by magma mingling.

    PubMed

    Paredes-Mariño, Joali; Dobson, Katherine J; Ortenzi, Gianluigi; Kueppers, Ulrich; Morgavi, Daniele; Petrelli, Maurizio; Hess, Kai-Uwe; Laeger, Kathrin; Porreca, Massimiliano; Pimentel, Adriano; Perugini, Diego

    2017-12-04

    We present new evidence that shows magma mingling can be a key process during highly explosive eruptions. Using fractal analysis of the size distribution of trachybasaltic fragments found on the inner walls of bubbles in trachytic pumices, we show that the more mafic component underwent fracturing during quenching against the trachyte. We propose a new mechanism for how this magmatic interaction at depth triggered rapid heterogeneous bubble nucleation and growth and could have enhanced eruption explosivity. We argue that the data support a further, and hitherto unreported contribution of magma mingling to highly explosive eruptions. This has implications for hazard assessment for those volcanoes in which evidence of magma mingling exists.

  20. Underwater sympathetic detonation of pellet explosive

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kubota, Shiro; Saburi, Tei; Nagayama, Kunihito

    2017-06-01

    The underwater sympathetic detonation of pellet explosives was taken by high-speed photography. The diameter and the thickness of the pellet were 20 and 10 mm, respectively. The experimental system consists of the precise electric detonator, two grams of composition C4 booster and three pellets, and these were set in water tank. High-speed video camera, HPV-X made by Shimadzu was used with 10 Mfs. The underwater explosions of the precise electric detonator, the C4 booster and a pellet were also taken by high-speed photography to estimate the propagation processes of the underwater shock waves. Numerical simulation of the underwater sympathetic detonation of the pellet explosives was also carried out and compared with experiment.

  1. Relaxed structure of typical nitro explosives in the excited state: Observation, implication and application

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chu, Genbai; Yang, Zuhua; Xi, Tao; Xin, Jianting; Zhao, Yongqiang; He, Weihua; Shui, Min; Gu, Yuqiu; Xiong, Ying; Xu, Tao

    2018-04-01

    Understanding the structural, geometrical, and chemical changes that occur after an electronic excitation is essential to elucidate the inherent mechanism of nitro explosives. Herein, relaxed structures of typical nitro explosives in the lowest singlet excited state are investigated using time-dependent density functional theory. During the excitation process, the nitro group is activated and relaxes via geometrical change. The five explosives RDX, HMX, CL-20, PETN, and LLM-105 exhibit similar relaxed structures, and the impact sensitivity is related to their excitation energy. High-sensitivity δ-HMX has a lower excitation energy for relaxed structure than β-HMX. This study offers novel insight into energetic materials.

  2. Overpressure generation by load transfer following shale framework weakening due to smectite diagenesis

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Lahann, R.W.; Swarbrick, R.E.

    2011-01-01

    Basin model studies which have addressed the importance of smectite conversion to illite as a source of overpressure in the Gulf of Mexico have principally relied on a single-shale compaction model and treated the smectite reaction as only a fluid-source term. Recent fluid pressure interpretation and shale petrology studies indicate that conversion of bound water to mobile water, dissolution of load-bearing grains, and increased preferred orientation change the compaction properties of the shale. This results in substantial changes in effective stress and fluid pressure. The resulting fluid pressure can be 1500-3000psi higher than pressures interpreted from models based on shallow compaction trends. Shale diagenesis changes the mineralogy, volume, and orientation of the load-bearing grains in the shale as well as the volume of bound water. This process creates a weaker (more compactable) grain framework. When these changes occur without fluid export from the shale, some of the stress is transferred from the grains onto the fluid. Observed relationships between shale density and calculated effective stress in Gulf of Mexico shelf wells confirm these changes in shale properties with depth. Further, the density-effective stress changes cannot be explained by fluid-expansion or fluid-source processes or by prediagenesis compaction, but are consistent with a dynamic diagenetic modification of the shale mineralogy, texture, and compaction properties during burial. These findings support the incorporation of diagenetic modification of compaction properties as part of the fluid pressure interpretation process. ?? 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

  3. Correlations between the disintegration of melt and the measured impulses in steam explosions

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

    Froehlich, G.; Linca, A.; Schindler, M.

    To find our correlations in steam explosions (melt water interactions) between the measured impulses and the disintegration of the melt, experiments were performed in three configurations i.e. stratified, entrapment and jet experiments. Linear correlations were detected between the impulse and the total surface of the fragments. Theoretical considerations point out that a linear correlation assumes superheating of a water layer around the fragments of a constant thickness during the fragmentation process to a constant temperature (here the homogeneous nucleation temperature of water was assumed) and a constant expansion velocity of the steam in the main expansion time. The correlation constantmore » does not depend on melt temperature and trigger pressure, but it depends on the configuration of the experiment or of a scenario of an accident. Further research is required concerning the correlation constant. For analysing steam explosion accidents the explosivity is introduced. The explosivity is a mass specific impulse. The explosivity is linear correlated with the degree of fragmentation. Knowing the degree of fragmentation with proper correlation constant the explosivity can be calculated and from the explosivity combined with the total mass of fragments the impulse is obtained which can be used to an estimation of the maximum force.« less

  4. A mesoscopic reaction rate model for shock initiation of multi-component PBX explosives.

    PubMed

    Liu, Y R; Duan, Z P; Zhang, Z Y; Ou, Z C; Huang, F L

    2016-11-05

    The primary goal of this research is to develop a three-term mesoscopic reaction rate model that consists of a hot-spot ignition, a low-pressure slow burning and a high-pressure fast reaction terms for shock initiation of multi-component Plastic Bonded Explosives (PBX). Thereinto, based on the DZK hot-spot model for a single-component PBX explosive, the hot-spot ignition term as well as its reaction rate is obtained through a "mixing rule" of the explosive components; new expressions for both the low-pressure slow burning term and the high-pressure fast reaction term are also obtained by establishing the relationships between the reaction rate of the multi-component PBX explosive and that of its explosive components, based on the low-pressure slow burning term and the high-pressure fast reaction term of a mesoscopic reaction rate model. Furthermore, for verification, the new reaction rate model is incorporated into the DYNA2D code to simulate numerically the shock initiation process of the PBXC03 and the PBXC10 multi-component PBX explosives, and the numerical results of the pressure histories at different Lagrange locations in explosive are found to be in good agreements with previous experimental data. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  5. Environment Monitor

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1988-01-01

    Viking landers touched down on Mars equipped with a variety of systems to conduct automated research, each carrying a compact but highly sophisticated instrument for analyzing Martian soil and atmosphere. Instrument called a Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS) had to be small, lightweight, shock resistant, highly automated and extremely sensitive, yet require minimal electrical power. Viking Instruments Corporation commercialized this technology and targeted their primary market as environmental monitoring, especially toxic and hazardous waste site monitoring. Waste sites often contain chemicals in complex mixtures, and the conventional method of site characterization, taking samples on-site and sending them to a laboratory for analysis is time consuming and expensive. Other terrestrial applications are explosive detection in airports, drug detection, industrial air monitoring, medical metabolic monitoring and for military, chemical warfare agents.

  6. Monsters in the sky. I mostri del cielo

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

    Maffei, P.

    1980-01-01

    The book treats astronomical objects and phenomena which remain unexplained or unproven by current investigators. Specific objects discussed include comets, satellite clouds surrounding the earth, tektites, the planet Vulcan (within the orbit of Mercury), Planet X (beyond Pluto), the Gum Nebula, planetary nebulae, supernovae, supernova remnants, transient X-ray sources, the possible extinction of the dinosaurs by an X-ray explosion and super-supernovae. Attention is also given to the star Eta Carinae, black holes, BL Lacertae objects, active galaxies, Markarian galaxies, N and compact galaxies, Seyfert galaxies, quasars, redshift anomalies, Stephan's quintet of galaxies, and intergalactic black holes or black dwarfs whichmore » may account for the mass necessary to bind together clusters of galaxies.« less

  7. Detection of small molecules with a flow immunosensor

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kusterbeck, Anne W.; Ligler, Frances S.

    1991-01-01

    We describe the development of an easy-to-use sensor with widespread applications for detecting small molecules. The flow immunosensor can analyze discrete samples in under one minute or continuously monitor a flowing stream for the presence of specific analytes. This detection system is extremely specific, and achieves a level of sensitivity which meets or exceeds the detection limits reported for rival assays. Because the system is also compact, transportable, and automated, it has the potential to impact diverse areas. For example, the flow immunosensor has successfully detected drugs of abuse and explosives, and may well address many of the needs of the environmental community with respect to continuous monitoring for pollutants. Efforts are underway to engineer a portable device in the field.

  8. Penetrating radiation: applications at Los Alamos National Laboratory

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Watson, Scott; Hunter, James; Morris, Christopher

    2013-09-01

    Los Alamos has used penetrating radiography extensively throughout its history dating back to the Manhattan Project where imaging dense, imploding objects was the subject of intense interest. This interest continues today as major facilities like DARHT1 have become the mainstay of the US Stockpile Stewardship Program2 and the cornerstone of nuclear weapons certification. Meanwhile, emerging threats to national security from cargo containers and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have invigorated inspection efforts using muon tomography, and compact x-ray radiography. Additionally, unusual environmental threats, like those from underwater oil spills and nuclear power plant accidents, have caused renewed interest in fielding radiography in severe operating conditions. We review the history of penetrating radiography at Los Alamos and survey technologies as presently applied to these important problems.

  9. Explosion of a supernova with a red giant companion

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Livne, E.; Tuchman, Y.; Wheeler, J. C.

    1992-01-01

    Two-dimensional numerical simulations of the collision between spherical ejecta from a supernova and a red giant companion are presented. In contrast to previous numerical studies, in which the companion was a main-sequence star or a compact object, the collision consequences are found to have a dramatic impact upon the red giant. In most cases the red giant companion loses most of its envelope in a time scale of 10 exp 7 s with typical velocities about an order of magnitude less than those of the expanding velocity of the supernova shell. We confirm the conclusion of Chugai (1986) that the stripped hydrogen tends to come off as a low-velocity component interior to the supernova ejecta. Possible observational consequences of the results are discussed.

  10. Piezoelectric Bolt Breakers and Bolt Fatigue Testers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sherrit, Stewart; Badescu, Mircea; Bar-Cohen, Yoseph; Barengoltz, Jack; Heckman, Vanessa

    2008-01-01

    A proposed family of devices for inducing fatigue in bolts in order to break the bolts would incorporate piezoelectric actuators into resonant fixtures as in ultrasonic/ sonic drills/corers and similar devices described in numerous prior NASA Tech Briefs articles. These devices were originally intended primarily for use as safer, more-reliable, more-versatile alternatives to explosive bolts heretofore used to fasten spacecraft structures that must subsequently be separated from each other quickly on command during flight. On Earth, these devices could be used for accelerated fatigue testing of bolts. Fatigue theory suggests that a bolt subjected to both a constant-amplitude dynamic (that is, oscillatory) stress and a static tensile stress below the ultimate strength of the bolt material will fail faster than will a bolt subjected to only the dynamic stress. This suggestion would be applied in a device of the proposed type. The device would be designed so that the device and the bolt to be fatigue-tested or broken would be integral parts of an assembly (see figure). The static tension in the tightened bolt would apply not only the clamping force to hold the joined structures (if any) together but also the compression necessary for proper operation of the piezoelectric actuators as parts of a resonant structural assembly. The constant-amplitude dynamic stress would be applied to the bolt by driving the piezoelectric actuators with a sinusoidal voltage at the resonance frequency of longitudinal vibration of the assembly. The amplitude of the excitation would be made large enough so that the vibration would induce fatigue in the bolt within an acceptably short time. In the spacecraft applications or in similar terrestrial structural-separation applications, devices of the proposed type would offer several advantages over explosive bolts: Unlike explosive bolts, the proposed devices would be reusable, could be tested before final use, and would not be subject to catastrophic misfire. In fatigue-testing applications, devices of the proposed type would offer advantages of compactness and low cost, relative to conventional fatigue- testing apparatuses. In both structural- separation and fatigue-testing applications, bolts to be broken or tested could be instrumented with additional ultrasonic transducers for monitoring of pertinent physical properties and of fatigue failure processes.

  11. r-Process Nucleosynthesis in the Early Universe Through Fast Mergers of Compact Binaries in Triple Systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bonetti, Matteo; Perego, Albino; Capelo, Pedro R.; Dotti, Massimo; Miller, M. Coleman

    2018-05-01

    Surface abundance observations of halo stars hint at the occurrence of r-process nucleosynthesis at low metallicity ([Fe/H] < -3), possibly within the first 108 yr after the formation of the first stars. Possible loci of early-Universe r-process nucleosynthesis are the ejecta of either black hole-neutron star or neutron star-neutron star binary mergers. Here, we study the effect of the inclination-eccentricity oscillations raised by a tertiary (e.g. a star) on the coalescence time-scale of the inner compact object binaries. Our results are highly sensitive to the assumed initial distribution of the inner binary semi-major axes. Distributions with mostly wide compact object binaries are most affected by the third object, resulting in a strong increase (by more than a factor of 2) in the fraction of fast coalescences. If instead the distribution preferentially populates very close compact binaries, general relativistic precession prevents the third body from increasing the inner binary eccentricity to very high values. In this last case, the fraction of coalescing binaries is increased much less by tertiaries, but the fraction of binaries that would coalesce within 108 yr even without a third object is already high. Our results provide additional support to the compact-binary merger scenario for r-process nucleosynthesis.

  12. Managing the data explosion

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Hooper, Richard P.; Aulenbach, Brent T.

    1993-01-01

    The 'data explosion' brought on by electronic sensors and automatic samplers can strain the capabilities of existing water-quality data-management systems just when they're needed most to process the information. The U.S. Geological Survey has responded to the problem by setting up an innovative system that allows rapid data analysis.

  13. Investigation and development of a non-destructive system to evaluate critical properties of asphalt pavements during the compaction process.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2013-10-01

    The purpose of this report is to present findings from a two-stage investigation to develop a non-destructive system to : evaluate critical properties and characteristics of asphalt pavements during the compaction process. The first stage aligned : c...

  14. Long-times series of infrasonic records at open-vents volcanoes (Yasur volcano, Vanuatu, 2003-2014): the remarkable temporal stability of magma viscosity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vergniolle, S.; Souty, V.; Zielinski, C.; Bani, P.; LE Pichon, A.; Lardy, M.; Millier, P.; Herry, P.; Todman, S.; Garaebiti, E.

    2017-12-01

    Open-vents volcanoes, often presenting series of Strombolian explosions of various intensity, are responding, although with a delay, to any changes in the degassing pattern, providing a quasi-direct route to processes at depth. Open-vents volcanoes display a persistent volcanic activity, although of variable intensity. Long-times series at open-vents volcanoes could therefore be key measurements to unravel physical processes at the origin of Strombolian explosions and be crucial for monitoring. Continuous infrasonic records can be used to estimate the gas volume expelled at the vent during explosions (bursting of a long slug). The gas volume of each explosion is deduced from a series of two successive integrations of acoustic pressure (monopole). Here we analysed more than 4 years of infrasonic records at Yasur volcano (Vanuatu), spanning between 2003 and 2014 and organised into 8 main quasi-continuous periods. The relationship between the gas volume of each explosion and its associated maximum positive acoustic pressure, a proxy for the inner gas overpressure at bursting, shows a remarkably stable trend over the 8 periods. Two main trends exists, one which covers the full range of acoustic pressures (called « strong explosions ») and the second which represents explosions with a large gas volume and mild acoustic pressure. The class of « strong explosions » clearly follows the model of Del Bello et al. (2012), which shows that the inner gas overpressure at bursting, here empirically measured by the maximum acoustic pressure, is proportional to the gas volume. Constrains on magma viscosity and conduit radius, are deduced from this trend and from the gas volume at the transition passive-active degassing. The remarkable stability of this trend over time suggests that 1) the magma viscosity is stable at the depth where gas overpressure is produced within the slug and 2) any potential changes in magma viscosity occur very close to the top of the magma column.

  15. Evaluation of potential site for mineral processing plant

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Izwan Ishak, Muhamad Noor; Sipaun, Susan Maria; Mustapha, Ismail; Fahmi Engku Chik, Engku Mohd; Abdullah, Nurliyana; Affandi Mahmood, Airwan

    2018-01-01

    Nuclear moisture-density gauge is a type of instrument for measuring density and moisture of the material in a relatively thin zone beneath a surface of the material by using low activity of neutron and gamma radiation source. Density and moisture content data of the compacted layers are needed to determine the degree of compaction of soils, aggregate, concrete, asphalt or other materials used in civil engineering works. A gamma radiation source is mounted inside gauge housing with the source rod vertically extended to various depth positions. Direct transmission gamma radiation technique is used to obtain the count reading for the number of photons emitted before it is converted into density reading by microprocessor. This paper presents the inspection technique and results for the measurement of soil moisture and density carried out at potential site for mineral processing plant, Malaysian Nuclear Agency. Primarily, the experiment was conducted to ensure the compaction of ground is suitable for the plant construction. From the calculation, the percentages of soil wet density compaction (%WD Compact) are within acceptable limits with respect to the standard compacted wet soil density measured in the laboratory.

  16. Dynamics of vapor emissions at wire explosion thresholda)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Belony, Paul A.; Kim, Yong W.

    2010-10-01

    X-pinch plasmas have been actively studied in the recent years. Numerical simulation of the ramp-up of metallic vapor emissions from wire specimens shows that under impulsive Ohmic heating the wire core invariably reaches a supercritical state before explosion. The heating rate depends sensitively on the local wire resistance, leading to highly variable vapor emission flux along the wire. To examine the vapor emission process, we have visualized nickel wire explosions by means of shock formation in air. In a single explosion as captured by shadowgraphy, there usually appear several shocks with spherical or cylindrical wave front originating from different parts of the wire. Growth of various shock fronts in time is well characterized by a power-law scaling in one form or another. Continuum emission spectra are obtained and calibrated to measure temperature near the explosion threshold. Shock front structures and vapor plume temperature are examined.

  17. EDS V25 containment vessel explosive qualification test report.

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

    Rudolphi, John Joseph

    2012-04-01

    The V25 containment vessel was procured by the Project Manager, Non-Stockpile Chemical Materiel (PMNSCM) as a replacement vessel for use on the P2 Explosive Destruction Systems. It is the first EDS vessel to be fabricated under Code Case 2564 of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, which provides rules for the design of impulsively loaded vessels. The explosive rating for the vessel based on the Code Case is nine (9) pounds TNT-equivalent for up to 637 detonations. This limit is an increase from the 4.8 pounds TNT-equivalency rating for previous vessels. This report describes the explosive qualification tests thatmore » were performed in the vessel as part of the process for qualifying the vessel for explosive use. The tests consisted of a 11.25 pound TNT equivalent bare charge detonation followed by a 9 pound TNT equivalent detonation.« less

  18. Research on Equation of State For Detonation Products of Aluminized Explosive

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yue, Jun-Zheng; Duan, Zhuo-Ping; Zhang, Zhen-Yu; Ou, Zhuo-Cheng

    2017-10-01

    The secondary reaction of the aluminum powder contained in an aluminized explosive is investigated, from which the energy loss resulted from the quantity reduce of the gaseous products is demonstrated. Moreover, taking the energy loss into account, the existing improved Jones-Wilkins-Lee (JWL) equation of state for detonation products of aluminized explosive is modified. Furthermore, the new modified JWL equation of state is implemented into the dynamic analysis software (DYNA)-2D hydro-code to simulate numerically the metal plate acceleration tests of the Hexogen (RDX)-based aluminized explosives. It is found that the numerical results are in good agreement with previous experimental data. In addition, it is also demonstrated that the reaction rate of explosive before the Chapman-Jouget (CJ) state has little influence on the motion of the metal plate, based on which a simple approach is proposed to simulate numerically the products expansion process after the CJ state.

  19. Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization Sources Used in The Detection of Explosives by Ion Mobility Spectrometry

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

    Waltman, Melanie J.

    2010-05-01

    Explosives detection is a necessary and wide spread field of research. From large shipping containers to airline luggage, numerous items are tested for explosives every day. In the area of trace explosives detection, ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is the technique employed most often because it is a quick, simple, and accurate way to test many items in a short amount of time. Detection by IMS is based on the difference in drift times of product ions through the drift region of an IMS instrument. The product ions are created when the explosive compounds, introduced to the instrument, are chemically ionizedmore » through interactions with the reactant ions. The identity of the reactant ions determines the outcomes of the ionization process. This research investigated the reactant ions created by various ionization sources and looked into ways to manipulate the chemistry occurring in the sources.« less

  20. Computer simulation of metal wire explosion under high rate heating

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zolnikov, K. P.; Kryzhevich, D. S.; Korchuganov, A. V.

    2017-05-01

    Synchronous electric explosion of metal wires and synthesis of bicomponent nanoparticles were investigated on the base of molecular dynamics method. Copper and nickel nanosized crystallites of cylindrical shape were chosen as conductors for explosion. The embedded atom approximation was used for calculation of the interatomic interactions. The agglomeration process after explosion metal wires was the main mechanism for particle synthesis. The distribution of chemical elements was non-uniform over the cross section of the bicomponent particles. The copper concentration in the surface region was higher than in the bulk of the synthesized particle. By varying the loading parameters (heating temperature, the distance between the wires) one can control the size and internal structure of the synthesized bicomponent nanoparticles. The obtained results showed that the method of molecular dynamics can be effectively used to determine the optimal technological mode of nanoparticle synthesis on the base of electric explosion of metal wires.

  1. On mechanism of explosive boiling in nanosecond regime

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Çelen, Serap

    2016-06-01

    Today laser-based machining is used to manufacture vital parts for biomedical, aviation and aerospace industries. The aim of the paper is to report theoretical, numerical and experimental investigations of explosive boiling under nanosecond pulsed ytterbium fiber laser irradiation. Experiments were performed in an effective peak power density range between 1397 and 1450 MW/cm2 on pure titanium specimens. The threshold laser fluence for phase explosion, the pressure and temperature at the target surface and the velocity of the expulsed material were reported. A narrow transition zone was realized between the normal vaporization and phase explosion fields. The proof of heterogeneous boiling was given with detailed micrographs. A novel thermal model was proposed for laser-induced splashing at high fluences. Packaging factor and scattering arc radius terms were proposed to state the level of the melt ejection process. Results of the present investigation explain the explosive boiling during high-power laser interaction with metal.

  2. Hydrothermal pretreatment of wood by mild steam explosion and hot water extraction.

    PubMed

    Wojtasz-Mucha, Joanna; Hasani, Merima; Theliander, Hans

    2017-10-01

    The aim of this work was to compare the two most common hydrothermal pre-treatments for wood - mild steam explosion and hot water extraction - both with the prospect of enabling extraction of hemicelluloses and facilitating further processing. Although both involve autohydrolysis of the lignocellulosic tissue, they are performed under different conditions: the most prominent difference is the rapid, disintegrating, discharge employed in the steam explosion opening up the structure. In this comparative study, the emphasis was placed on local composition of the pre-treated wood chips (of industrially relevant size). The results show that short hot water extraction treatments lead to significant variations in the local composition within the wood chips, while steam explosion accomplishes a comparably more even removal of hemicelluloses due to the advective mass transport during the explosion step. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  3. What factors control superficial lava dome explosivity?

    PubMed

    Boudon, Georges; Balcone-Boissard, Hélène; Villemant, Benoît; Morgan, Daniel J

    2015-09-30

    Dome-forming eruption is a frequent eruptive style and a major hazard on numerous volcanoes worldwide. Lava domes are built by slow extrusion of degassed, viscous magma and may be destroyed by gravitational collapse or explosion. The triggering of lava dome explosions is poorly understood: here we propose a new model of superficial lava-dome explosivity based upon a textural and geochemical study (vesicularity, microcrystallinity, cristobalite distribution, residual water contents, crystal transit times) of clasts produced by key eruptions. Superficial explosion of a growing lava dome may be promoted through porosity reduction caused by both vesicle flattening due to gas escape and syn-eruptive cristobalite precipitation. Both processes generate an impermeable and rigid carapace allowing overpressurisation of the inner parts of the lava dome by the rapid input of vesiculated magma batches. The relative thickness of the cristobalite-rich carapace is an inverse function of the external lava dome surface area. Explosive activity is thus more likely to occur at the onset of lava dome extrusion, in agreement with observations, as the likelihood of superficial lava dome explosions depends inversely on lava dome volume. This new result is of interest for the whole volcanological community and for risk management.

  4. Nucleosynthesis in Thermonuclear Supernovae

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Seitenzahl, Ivo Rolf; Townsley, Dean M.

    The explosion energy of thermonuclear (type Ia) supernovae is derived from the difference in nuclear binding energy liberated in the explosive fusion of light "fuel" nuclei, predominantly carbon and oxygen, into more tightly bound nuclear "ash" dominated by iron and silicon group elements. The very same explosive thermonuclear fusion event is also one of the major processes contributing to the nucleosynthesis of the heavy elements, in particular the iron-group elements. For example, most of the iron and manganese in the sun and its planetary system were produced in thermonuclear supernovae. Here, we review the physics of explosive thermonuclear burning in carbon-oxygen white dwarf material and the methodologies utilized in calculating predicted nucleosynthesis from hydrodynamic explosion models. While the dominant explosion scenario remains unclear, many aspects of the nuclear combustion and nucleosynthesis are common to all models and must occur in some form in order to produce the observed yields. We summarize the predicted nucleosynthetic yields for existing explosion models, placing particular emphasis on characteristic differences in the nucleosynthetic signatures of the different suggested scenarios leading to type Ia supernovae. Following this, we discuss how these signatures compare with observations of several individual supernovae, remnants, and the composition of material in our galaxy and galaxy clusters.

  5. What factors control superficial lava dome explosivity?

    PubMed Central

    Boudon, Georges; Balcone-Boissard, Hélène; Villemant, Benoît; Morgan, Daniel J.

    2015-01-01

    Dome-forming eruption is a frequent eruptive style and a major hazard on numerous volcanoes worldwide. Lava domes are built by slow extrusion of degassed, viscous magma and may be destroyed by gravitational collapse or explosion. The triggering of lava dome explosions is poorly understood: here we propose a new model of superficial lava-dome explosivity based upon a textural and geochemical study (vesicularity, microcrystallinity, cristobalite distribution, residual water contents, crystal transit times) of clasts produced by key eruptions. Superficial explosion of a growing lava dome may be promoted through porosity reduction caused by both vesicle flattening due to gas escape and syn-eruptive cristobalite precipitation. Both processes generate an impermeable and rigid carapace allowing overpressurisation of the inner parts of the lava dome by the rapid input of vesiculated magma batches. The relative thickness of the cristobalite-rich carapace is an inverse function of the external lava dome surface area. Explosive activity is thus more likely to occur at the onset of lava dome extrusion, in agreement with observations, as the likelihood of superficial lava dome explosions depends inversely on lava dome volume. This new result is of interest for the whole volcanological community and for risk management. PMID:26420069

  6. Extremely late photometry of the nearby SN 2011fe

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kerzendorf, W. E.; McCully, C.; Taubenberger, S.; Jerkstrand, A.; Seitenzahl, I.; Ruiter, A. J.; Spyromilio, J.; Long, K. S.; Fransson, C.

    2017-12-01

    Type Ia supernovae are widely accepted to be the outcomes of thermonuclear explosions in white dwarf stars. However, many details of these explosions remain uncertain (e.g. the mass, ignition mechanism and flame speed). Theory predicts that at very late times (beyond 1000 d) it might be possible to distinguish between explosion models. Few very nearby supernovae can be observed that long after the explosion. The Type Ia supernova SN 2011fe located in M101 and along a line of sight with negligible extinction, provides us with the once-in-a-lifetime chance to obtain measurements that may distinguish between theoretical models. In this work, we present the analysis of photometric data of SN 2011fe taken between 900 and 1600 d after explosion with Gemini and HST. At these extremely late epochs theory suggests that the light-curve shape might be used to measure isotopic abundances which is a useful model discriminant. However, we show in this work that there are several currently not well constrained physical processes introducing large systematic uncertainties to the isotopic abundance measurement. We conclude that without further detailed knowledge of the physical processes at this late stage one cannot reliably exclude any models on the basis of this data set.

  7. Compacting biomass waste materials for use as fuel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Ou

    Every year, biomass waste materials are produced in large quantity. The combustibles in biomass waste materials make up over 70% of the total waste. How to utilize these waste materials is important to the nation and the world. The purpose of this study is to test optimum processes and conditions of compacting a number of biomass waste materials to form a densified solid fuel for use at coal-fired power plants or ordinary commercial furnaces. Successful use of such fuel as a substitute for or in cofiring with coal not only solves a solid waste disposal problem but also reduces the release of some gases from burning coal which cause health problem, acid rain and global warming. The unique punch-and-die process developed at the Capsule Pipeline Research Center, University of Missouri-Columbia was used for compacting the solid wastes, including waste paper, plastics (both film and hard products), textiles, leaves, and wood. The compaction was performed to produce strong compacts (biomass logs) under room temperature without binder and without preheating. The compaction conditions important to the commercial production of densified biomass fuel logs, including compaction pressure, pressure holding time, back pressure, moisture content, particle size, binder effects, and mold conditions were studied and optimized. The properties of the biomass logs were evaluated in terms of physical, mechanical, and combustion characteristics. It was found that the compaction pressure and the initial moisture content of the biomass material play critical roles in producing high-quality biomass logs. Under optimized compaction conditions, biomass waste materials can be compacted into high-quality logs with a density of 0.8 to 1.2 g/cm3. The logs made from the combustible wastes have a heating value in the range 6,000 to 8,000 Btu/lb which is only slightly (10 to 30%) less than that of subbituminous coal. To evaluate the feasibility of cofiring biomass logs with coal, burn tests were conducted in a stoke boiler. A separate burning test was also carried out by burning biomass logs alone in an outdoor hot-water furnace for heating a building. Based on a previous coal compaction study, the process of biomass compaction was studied numerically by use of a non-linear finite element code. A constitutive model with sufficient generality was adapted for biomass material to deal with pore contraction during compaction. A contact node algorithm was applied to implement the effect of mold wall friction into the finite element program. Numerical analyses were made to investigate the pressure distribution in a die normal to the axis of compaction, and to investigate the density distribution in a biomass log after compaction. The results of the analyses gave generally good agreement with theoretical analysis of coal log compaction, although assumptions had to be made about the variation in the elastic modulus of the material and the Poisson's ratio during the compaction cycle.

  8. On the violence of thermal explosion in solid explosives

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

    Chidester, S.K.; Tarver, C.M.; Green, L.G.

    Heavily confined cylinders of octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) and triaminotrinitrobenzene (TATB) were heated at rates varying from 2 C/min to 3.3 C/h. Fourteen of the cylinders were hollow, and inner metallic liners with small heaters attached were used to produce uniform temperatures just prior to explosion. A complex thermocouple pattern was used to measure the temperature history throughout the charge and to determine the approximate location where the runaway exothermic reaction first occurred. The violence of the resulting explosion was measured using velocity pin arrays placed inside and outside of the metal confinement cylinders, flash x-rays, overpressure gauges, and fragment collection techniques.more » Five cylinders were intentionally detonated for violence comparisons. The measured temperature histories, times to explosion, and the locations of first reaction agreed closely with those calculated by a two-dimensional heat transfer code using multistep chemical decomposition models. The acceleration of the confining metal cylinders by the explosion process was accurately simulated using a two-dimensional pressure dependent deflagration reactive flow hydrodynamic mode. The most violent HMX thermal explosions gradually accelerated their outer cases to velocities approaching those of intentional detonations approximately 120 {micro}m after the onset of explosion. The measured inner cylinder collapse velocities from thermal explosions were considerably lower than those produced by detonations. In contrast to the HMX thermal reactions, no violent thermal explosions were produced by the TATB-based explosive LX-17. A heavily confined, slowly heated LX-17 test produced sufficient pressure to cause a 0.1 cm bend in a 2 cm thick steel plate.« less

  9. Autonomous characterization of plastic-bonded explosives

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Linder, Kim Dalton; DeRego, Paul; Gomez, Antonio; Baumgart, Chris

    2006-08-01

    Plastic-Bonded Explosives (PBXs) are a newer generation of explosive compositions developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Understanding the micromechanical behavior of these materials is critical. The size of the crystal particles and porosity within the PBX influences their shock sensitivity. Current methods to characterize the prominent structural characteristics include manual examination by scientists and attempts to use commercially available image processing packages. Both methods are time consuming and tedious. LANL personnel, recognizing this as a manually intensive process, have worked with the Kansas City Plant / Kirtland Operations to develop a system which utilizes image processing and pattern recognition techniques to characterize PBX material. System hardware consists of a CCD camera, zoom lens, two-dimensional, motorized stage, and coaxial, cross-polarized light. System integration of this hardware with the custom software is at the core of the machine vision system. Fundamental processing steps involve capturing images from the PBX specimen, and extraction of void, crystal, and binder regions. For crystal extraction, a Quadtree decomposition segmentation technique is employed. Benefits of this system include: (1) reduction of the overall characterization time; (2) a process which is quantifiable and repeatable; (3) utilization of personnel for intelligent review rather than manual processing; and (4) significantly enhanced characterization accuracy.

  10. Porous Ti-6Al-4V alloy fabricated by spark plasma sintering for biomimetic surface modification.

    PubMed

    Kon, Masayuki; Hirakata, Luciana M; Asaoka, Kenzo

    2004-01-15

    Porous compacts with both biological and biomechanical compatibilities and high strength were developed. Spherical powders of Ti-6Al-4V alloy, which were either as received or surface modified with the use of calcium ions by hydrothermal treatment (HTT), were fabricated by a spark plasma sintering process. The porous compacts of pure Ti were used as reference materials. Porosity was approximately 30%, and compressive strengths were 113 and 125 MPa for the as-received Ti alloy powders and those modified by the HTT process, respectively. The bending strength and elastic modulus of as-received Ti alloy powders were 128-178 MPa and 16-18 GPa, respectively. Each of the compacts was immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF). The amount of adsorption/precipitation of calcium phosphate through the compacts was measured by weight change and was observed by SEM. The compacts were covered with calcium phosphate after 2 weeks of immersion in SBF. The compacts of Ti alloy had plenty of precipitated apatite crystals, and modification by HTT accumulated more precipitation. Because calcium phosphate is a mineral component of bone, apatite, which is precipitated on the surface of the compacts, could adsorb proteins and/or drugs such as antibiotics. It is expected that a large amount of proteins and/or drugs could be impregnated when the porous compacts developed are used. Copyright 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  11. Preform Characterization in VARTM Process Model Development

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Grimsley, Brian W.; Cano, Roberto J.; Hubert, Pascal; Loos, Alfred C.; Kellen, Charles B.; Jensen, Brian J.

    2004-01-01

    Vacuum-Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) is a Liquid Composite Molding (LCM) process where both resin injection and fiber compaction are achieved under pressures of 101.3 kPa or less. Originally developed over a decade ago for marine composite fabrication, VARTM is now considered a viable process for the fabrication of aerospace composites (1,2). In order to optimize and further improve the process, a finite element analysis (FEA) process model is being developed to include the coupled phenomenon of resin flow, preform compaction and resin cure. The model input parameters are obtained from resin and fiber-preform characterization tests. In this study, the compaction behavior and the Darcy permeability of a commercially available carbon fabric are characterized. The resulting empirical model equations are input to the 3- Dimensional Infiltration, version 5 (3DINFILv.5) process model to simulate infiltration of a composite panel.

  12. The ν process in the innermost supernova ejecta

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sieverding, Andre; Martínez Pinedo, Gabriel; Langanke, Karlheinz; Harris, J. Austin; Hix, W. Raphael

    2018-01-01

    The neutrino-induced nucleosynthesis (ν process) in supernova explosions of massive stars of solar metallicity with initial main sequence masses between 13 and 30 M⊙ has been studied with an analytic explosion model using a new extensive set of neutrino-nucleus cross-sections and spectral properties that agree with modern supernova simulations. The production factors for the nuclei 7Li, 11B, 19F, 138La and 180Ta, are still significantly enhanced but do not reproduce the full solar abundances. We study the possible contribution of the innermost supernova eject to the production of the light elements 7Li and 11B with tracer particles based on a 2D supernova simulation of a 12 M⊙ progenitor and conclude, that a contribution exists but is negligible for the total yield for this explosion model.

  13. Experimental evaluation of LPG tank explosion hazards.

    PubMed

    Stawczyk, Jan

    2003-01-31

    Liquefied-pressure gases (LPG) are transported and stored in the liquid phase in closed tanks under sufficiently high pressure. In the case of an accident, an abrupt tank unsealing may release enormous quantity of evaporating gas and energy that has a destructive effect on the tank and its surroundings. In this paper, experiments with explosions of small LPG tanks are described. The data acquisition equipment applied in the tests provided a chance to learn dynamics of the process and determine hazard factors. The tests enabled a determination of temperature and pressure at which tanks containing LPG disrupt. The results enable a reconstruction of consecutive phases of the explosion and identification of hazards resulting from damage of the tanks. An explanation of the tank unsealing process with fluid parameters above critical point is given.

  14. The Isolation of Nanofibre Cellulose from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Via Steam Explosion and Hydrolysis with HCl 10%

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gea, S.; Zulfahmi, Z.; Yunus, D.; Andriayani, A.; Hutapea, Y. A.

    2018-03-01

    Cellulose nanofibrils were obtained from oil palm empty fruit bunch using steam explosion and hydrolized with 10% solution of HCl. Steam explosion coupled with acid hydrolysis pretreatment on the oil palm empty fruit bunch was very effective in the depolymerization and defibrillation process of the fibre to produce fibers in nanodimension. Structural analysis of steam exploded fibers was determined by Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Thermal stability of cellulose measured using image analysis software image J. Characterization of the fibers by TEM and SEM displayed that fiber diameter decreases with mechanical-chemical treatment and final nanofibril size was 20-30 nm. FT-IR and TGA data confirmed the removal of hemicellulose and lignin during the chemical treatment process.

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

    Leskovar, Matjaz; Koncar, Bostjan

    An ex-vessel steam explosion may occur when during a severe reactor accident the reactor vessel fails and the molten core pours into the water in the reactor cavity. A steam explosion is a fuel coolant interaction process where the heat transfer from the melt to water is so intense and rapid that the timescale for heat transfer is shorter than the timescale for pressure relief. This can lead to the formation of shock waves and production of missiles at later times, during the expansion of the highly pressurized water vapor, that may endanger surrounding structures. In contrast to specialized steammore » explosion CFD codes, where the steam explosion is modeled on micro-scale using fundamental averaged multiphase flow conservation equations, in the presented approach the steam explosion is modeled in a simplified manner as an expanding high-pressure pre-mixture of dispersed molten fuel, liquid water and vapor. Applying the developed steam explosion model, a comprehensive analysis of the ex-vessel steam explosion in a typical PWR reactor cavity was done using the CFD code CFX-10. At four selected locations, which are of importance for the assessment of the vulnerability of cavity structures, the pressure histories were recorded and the corresponding pressure impulses calculated. The pressure impulses determine the destructive potential of the steam explosion and represent the input for the structural mechanical analysis of the cavity structures. The simulation results show that the pressure impulses depend mainly on the steam explosion energy conversion ratio, whereas the influence of the pre-mixture vapor volume fraction, which is a parameter in our model and determines the maximum steam explosion pressure, is not significant. (authors)« less

  16. Mouse Embryo Compaction.

    PubMed

    White, M D; Bissiere, S; Alvarez, Y D; Plachta, N

    2016-01-01

    Compaction is a critical first morphological event in the preimplantation development of the mammalian embryo. Characterized by the transformation of the embryo from a loose cluster of spherical cells into a tightly packed mass, compaction is a key step in the establishment of the first tissue-like structures of the embryo. Although early investigation of the mechanisms driving compaction implicated changes in cell-cell adhesion, recent work has identified essential roles for cortical tension and a compaction-specific class of filopodia. During the transition from 8 to 16 cells, as the embryo is compacting, it must also make fundamental decisions regarding cell position, polarity, and fate. Understanding how these and other processes are integrated with compaction requires further investigation. Emerging imaging-based techniques that enable quantitative analysis from the level of cell-cell interactions down to the level of individual regulatory molecules will provide a greater understanding of how compaction shapes the early mammalian embryo. © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  17. Nanopowder synthesis based on electric explosion technology

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kryzhevich, D. S.; Zolnikov, K. P.; Korchuganov, A. V.; Psakhie, S. G.

    2017-10-01

    A computer simulation of the bicomponent nanoparticle formation during the electric explosion of copper and nickel wires was carried out. The calculations were performed in the framework of the molecular dynamics method using many-body potentials of interatomic interaction. As a result of an electric explosion of dissimilar metal wires, bicomponent nanoparticles having different stoichiometry and a block structure can be formed. It is possible to control the process of destruction and the structure of the formed bicomponent nanoparticles by varying the distance between the wires and the loading parameters.

  18. Supernova explosions.

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Cameron, A. G. W.

    1971-01-01

    The recent history of theoretical investigations of the supernova mechanism is considered, giving attention also to a number of nuclear physical problems which have yet to be solved in connection with the thermonuclear detonation. A variety of different processes of nucleo-synthesis are expected to occur in association with the supernova explosions. Aspects of the chemical evolution of the galaxy are discussed including the cosmic ray production of lithium, beryllium, and boron in the interstellar medium. Various hypotheses to account for the very large amount of light that comes from a supernova explosion are also examined.

  19. Sub-Nanogram Detection of RDX Explosive by Monoclonal Antibodies.

    PubMed

    Ulaeto, David O; Hutchinson, Alistair P; Nicklin, Stephen

    2015-08-01

    Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies were raised to protein carrier molecules haptenized with RDX, a major component of many plastic explosives including Semtex. Sera from immunized mice detected RDX protein conjugates in standard ELISA. Clonally purified monoclonal antibodies had detection limits in the sub-ng/mL range for underivatized RDX in competition ELISA. The monoclonal antibodies are not dependent on the presence of taggants added during the manufacturing process, and are likely to have utility in the detection of any explosive containing RDX, or RDX contamination of environmental sites.

  20. Sub-Nanogram Detection of RDX Explosive by Monoclonal Antibodies

    PubMed Central

    Hutchinson, Alistair P.; Nicklin, Stephen

    2015-01-01

    Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies were raised to protein carrier molecules haptenized with RDX, a major component of many plastic explosives including Semtex. Sera from immunized mice detected RDX protein conjugates in standard ELISA. Clonally purified monoclonal antibodies had detection limits in the sub-ng/mL range for underivatized RDX in competition ELISA. The monoclonal antibodies are not dependent on the presence of taggants added during the manufacturing process, and are likely to have utility in the detection of any explosive containing RDX, or RDX contamination of environmental sites. PMID:26252765

  1. Apparatus and method for explosive bonding to edge of flyer plate

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bement, Laurence J. (Inventor); Kushnick, Anne C. (Inventor)

    1991-01-01

    The invention is an apparatus and a process for the explosive joining of a flyer plate and a base plate. The apparatus consists of a flyer plate positioned over a base plate. The flyer plate has a notch containing a filler material in intimate contact with the flyer plate. An adhesive means holds a ribbon explosive partially overlapping the notch in the flyer plate. A detonating means initiates the ribbon explosive that drives the flyer plate to accomplish a high velocity, angular collision between the mating surfaces. This collision creates surface melts and effacing bonding, resulting in electron sharing linkups between the plates. An unbonded tab fractures at a base of the notch leaving a bond to an edge of the attached flyer plate.

  2. Coulomb explosion of the hot spot of micropinches

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Oreshkin, V. I.; Oreshkin, E. V.

    2017-01-01

    It has been shown that the generation of hard X-ray radiation, electron beam, and high energy ions that have been detected in experiments on compressing pinches can be related to the Coulomb explosion of a micropinch hot spot, which is formed due to the outflow of the material. In the outflow process, the plasma temperature in the hot spot increases and conditions appear for the transition of electrons to the regime of continuous acceleration. The exit of runaway electrons from the hot spot region leads to the creation of a positive bulk charge, then to a Coulomb explosion. Conditions under which electrons pass to the continuous acceleration regime have been determined and estimates of the ion kinetic energy upon a Coulomb explosion have been obtained.

  3. Preparation and characterization of directly compactible layer-by-layer nanocoated cellulose.

    PubMed

    Strydom, Schalk J; Otto, Daniel P; Liebenberg, Wilna; Lvov, Yuri M; de Villiers, Melgardt M

    2011-02-14

    Microcrystalline cellulose is a commonly used direct compression tablet diluent and binder. It is derived from purified α-cellulose in an environmentally unfriendly process that involves mineral acid catalysed hydrolysis. In this study Kraft softwood fibers was nanocoated using a layer-by-layer self-assembling process. Powder flow and compactibility results showed that the application of nano-thin polymer layers on the fibers turned non-flowing, non-compacting cellulose into powders that can be used in the direct compression of tablets. The powder flow properties and tableting indices of compacts compressed from these nanocoated microfibers were similar or better than that of directly compactible microcrystalline cellulose powders. Cellulose microfibers coated with four PSS/PVP bilayers had the best compaction properties while still producing tablets that were able to absorb water and disintegrate and did not retard the dissolution of a model drug acetaminophen. The advantages of nanocoating rather than traditional pharmaceutical coating are that it add less than 1% to the weight of the fibers and allows control of the molecular properties of the surface and the thickness of the coat to within a few nanometers. This process is potentially friendlier to the environment because of the type and quantity of materials used. Also, it does not involve acid-catalyzed hydrolysis and neutralization of depolymerized cellulose. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  4. Explosive detonation causes an increase in soil porosity leading to increased TNT transformation.

    PubMed

    Yu, Holly A; Nic Daeid, Niamh; Dawson, Lorna A; DeTata, David A; Lewis, Simon W

    2017-01-01

    Explosives are a common soil contaminant at a range of sites, including explosives manufacturing plants and areas associated with landmine detonations. As many explosives are toxic and may cause adverse environmental effects, a large body of research has targeted the remediation of explosives residues in soil. Studies in this area have largely involved spiking 'pristine' soils using explosives solutions. Here we investigate the fate of explosives present in soils following an actual detonation process and compare this to the fate of explosives spiked into 'pristine' undetonated soils. We also assess the effects of the detonations on the physical properties of the soils. Our scanning electron microscopy analyses reveal that detonations result in newly-fractured planes within the soil aggregates, and novel micro Computed Tomography analyses of the soils reveal, for the first time, the effect of the detonations on the internal architecture of the soils. We demonstrate that detonations cause an increase in soil porosity, and this correlates to an increased rate of TNT transformation and loss within the detonated soils, compared to spiked pristine soils. We propose that this increased TNT transformation is due to an increased bioavailability of the TNT within the now more porous post-detonation soils, making the TNT more easily accessible by soil-borne bacteria for potential biodegradation. This new discovery potentially exposes novel remediation methods for explosive contaminated soils where actual detonation of the soil significantly promotes subsequent TNT degradation. This work also suggests previously unexplored ramifications associated with high energy soil disruption.

  5. Neutrinos, supernovae, and the origin of the heavy elements

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Qian, YongZhong

    2018-04-01

    Stars of 8-100 M ⊙ end their lives as core-collapse supernovae (SNe). In the process they emit a powerful burst of neutrinos, produce a variety of elements, and leave behind either a neutron star or a black hole. The wide mass range for SN progenitors results in diverse neutrino signals, explosion energies, and nucleosynthesis products. A major mechanism to produce nuclei heavier than iron is rapid neutron capture, or the r process. This process may be connected to SNe in several ways. A brief review is presented on current understanding of neutrino emission, explosion, and nucleosynthesis of SNe.

  6. Analysis of mixing in high-explosive fireballs using small-scale pressurised spheres

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Courtiaud, S.; Lecysyn, N.; Damamme, G.; Poinsot, T.; Selle, L.

    2018-02-01

    After the detonation of an oxygen-deficient homogeneous high explosive, a phase of turbulent combustion, called afterburning, takes place at the interface between the rich detonation products and air. Its modelling is instrumental for the accurate prediction of the performance of these explosives. Because of the high temperature of detonation products, the chemical reactions are mixing-driven. Modelling afterburning thus relies on the precise description of the mixing process inside fireballs. This work presents a joint numerical and experimental study of a non-reacting reduced-scale set-up, which uses the compressed balloon analogy and does not involve the detonation of a high explosive. The set-up produces a flow similar to the one caused by a spherical detonation and allows focusing on the mixing process. The numerical work is composed of 2D and 3D LES simulations of the set-up. It is shown that grid independence can be reached by imposing perturbations at the edge of the fireball. The results compare well with the existing literature and give new insights on the mixing process inside fireballs. In particular, they highlight the fact that the mixing layer development follows an energetic scaling law but remains sensitive to the density ratio between the detonation products and air.

  7. Driving Ability of HMX based Aluminized Explosive Affected by the Reaction Degree of Aluminum Powder

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Duan, Yingliang

    2017-06-01

    Due to the time scale of aluminum reaction, the detonation process of the aluminized explosive becomes very complex, and there is less agreement on the reaction mechanism of aluminum powder. If the reaction of aluminum occurs in the reaction zone, the energy released will further strengthen the work ability of detonation wave. So it is very important for characterizing the detonation parameters and detonation driving ability to accurately understand the role of aluminum powder in the reaction zone. In this paper, detonation driving process of HMX based aluminized explosive was studied by cylinder test, obtaining the expansion track of cylinder wall. In order to further research the reaction degree (λ) of aluminum in the reaction zone, the thermodynamic program VHL was used to calculate the detonation process at different reaction degrees, obtaining the parameters of detonation products thermodynamic state. Using the dynamic software LS-DYNA and the JWL equation of state by fitting the pressure and relative volume relationship, the cylinder test was simulated. Compared with the experimental results, when the reaction degree is 20%, the driving ability is found to be in agreement with measured ones. It is concluded that the driving ability of HMX based aluminized explosive can be more accurately characterized by considering the reaction degree of aluminum powder in the reaction zone.

  8. Hysteresis in DNA compaction by Dps is described by an Ising model

    PubMed Central

    Vtyurina, Natalia N.; Dulin, David; Docter, Margreet W.; Meyer, Anne S.; Dekker, Nynke H.; Abbondanzieri, Elio A.

    2016-01-01

    In all organisms, DNA molecules are tightly compacted into a dynamic 3D nucleoprotein complex. In bacteria, this compaction is governed by the family of nucleoid-associated proteins (NAPs). Under conditions of stress and starvation, an NAP called Dps (DNA-binding protein from starved cells) becomes highly up-regulated and can massively reorganize the bacterial chromosome. Although static structures of Dps–DNA complexes have been documented, little is known about the dynamics of their assembly. Here, we use fluorescence microscopy and magnetic-tweezers measurements to resolve the process of DNA compaction by Dps. Real-time in vitro studies demonstrated a highly cooperative process of Dps binding characterized by an abrupt collapse of the DNA extension, even under applied tension. Surprisingly, we also discovered a reproducible hysteresis in the process of compaction and decompaction of the Dps–DNA complex. This hysteresis is extremely stable over hour-long timescales despite the rapid binding and dissociation rates of Dps. A modified Ising model is successfully applied to fit these kinetic features. We find that long-lived hysteresis arises naturally as a consequence of protein cooperativity in large complexes and provides a useful mechanism for cells to adopt unique epigenetic states. PMID:27091987

  9. The Rocket Equation Improvement under ICF Implosion Experiment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Yanbin; Zheng, Zhijian

    2013-10-01

    The ICF explosion process has been studied in details. The rocket equation has been improved in explosive process by introducing the pressure parameter of fuel. Some methods could be drawn by the improved rocket equation. And the methods could be used to improve ICF target design, driving pulse design and experimental design. The First is to increase ablation pressure. The second is to decrease pressure of fuel. The third is to use larger diameter of target sphere. And the forth is to a shorten driving pulse.

  10. The influence of API concentration on the roller compaction process: modeling and prediction of the post compacted ribbon, granule and tablet properties using multivariate data analysis.

    PubMed

    Boersen, Nathan; Carvajal, M Teresa; Morris, Kenneth R; Peck, Garnet E; Pinal, Rodolfo

    2015-01-01

    While previous research has demonstrated roller compaction operating parameters strongly influence the properties of the final product, a greater emphasis might be placed on the raw material attributes of the formulation. There were two main objectives to this study. First, to assess the effects of different process variables on the properties of the obtained ribbons and downstream granules produced from the rolled compacted ribbons. Second, was to establish if models obtained with formulations of one active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) could predict the properties of similar formulations in terms of the excipients used, but with a different API. Tolmetin and acetaminophen, chosen for their different compaction properties, were roller compacted on Fitzpatrick roller compactor using the same formulation. Models created using tolmetin and tested using acetaminophen. The physical properties of the blends, ribbon, granule and tablet were characterized. Multivariate analysis using partial least squares was used to analyze all data. Multivariate models showed that the operating parameters and raw material attributes were essential in the prediction of ribbon porosity and post-milled particle size. The post compacted ribbon and granule attributes also significantly contributed to the prediction of the tablet tensile strength. Models derived using tolmetin could reasonably predict the ribbon porosity of a second API. After further processing, the post-milled ribbon and granules properties, rather than the physical attributes of the formulation were needed to predict downstream tablet properties. An understanding of the percolation threshold of the formulation significantly improved the predictive ability of the models.

  11. Imaging a Fault Boundary System Using Controlled-Source Data Recorded on a Large-N Seismic Array

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Paschall, O. C.; Chen, T.; Snelson, C. M.; Ralston, M. D.; Rowe, C. A.

    2016-12-01

    The Source Physics Experiment (SPE) is a series of chemical explosions conducted in southern Nevada with an objective of improving nuclear explosion monitoring. Five chemical explosions have occurred thus far in granite, the most recent being SPE-5 on April 26, 2016. The SPE series will improve our understanding of seismic wave propagation (primarily S-waves) due to explosions, and allow better discrimination of background seismicity such as earthquakes and explosions. The Large-N portion of the project consists of 996 receiver stations. Half of the stations were vertical component and the other half were three-component geophones. All receivers were deployed for 30 days and recorded the SPE-5 shot, earthquakes, noise, and an additional controlled-source: a large weight-drop, which is a 13,000 kg modified industrial pile driver. In this study, we undertake reflection processing of waveforms from the weight-drop, as recorded by a line of sensors extracted from the Large-N array. The profile is 1.2 km in length with 25 m station spacing and 100 m shot point spacing. This profile crosses the Boundary Fault that separates granite body and an alluvium basin, a strong acoustic impedance boundary that scatters seismic energy into S-waves and coda. The data were processed with traditional seismic reflection processing methods that include filtering, deconvolution, and stacking. The stack will be used to extract the location of the splays of the Boundary Fault and provide geologic constraints to the modeling and simulation teams within the SPE project.

  12. Real time recognition of explosophorous group and explosive material using laser induced photoacoustic spectroscopy associated with novel algorithm for time and frequency domain analysis.

    PubMed

    El-Sharkawy, Yasser H; Elbasuney, Sherif

    2018-06-07

    Energy-rich bonds such as nitrates (NO 3 - ) and percholorates (ClO 4 - ) have an explosive nature; they are frequently encountered in high energy materials. These bonds encompass two highly electronegative atoms competing for electrons. Common explosive materials including urea nitrate, ammonium nitrate, and ammonium percholorates were subjected to photoacoustic spectroscopy. The captured signal was processed using novel digital algorithm designed for time and frequency domain analysis. Frequency domain analysis offered not only characteristic frequencies for NO 3 - and ClO 4 - groups; but also characteristic fingerprint spectra (based on thermal, acoustical, and optical properties) for different materials. The main outcome of this study is that phase-shift domain analysis offered an outstanding signature for each explosive material, with novel discrimination between explosive and similar non-explosive material. Photoacoustic spectroscopy offered different characteristic signatures that can be employed for real time detection with stand-off capabilities. There is no two materials could have the same optical, thermal, and acoustical properties. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  13. A single cell model for pretreatment of wood by microwave explosion

    Treesearch

    Xianjun Li; Yongdong Zhou; Yonglin Yan; Zhiyong Cai; Fu Feng

    2010-01-01

    A theoretical model was developed to better understand the process of microwave explosion treatment of wood cells. The cell expansion and critical conditions concerning pressure and temperature of ray parenchyma cells in Eucalyptus urophylla were simulated during microwave pretreatment. The results indicate that longitudinal and circumferential stresses were generated...

  14. Internal friction peaks observed in explosively deformed polycrystalline Mo, Nb, and Cu

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Rieu, G. E.; Grimes, H. H.; Romain, J. P.; Defouquet, J.

    1974-01-01

    Explosive deformation (50 kbar range) induced, in Cu, Mo and Nb, internal friction peaks identical to those observed after large normal deformation. The variation of the peaks with pressure for Mo and Nb lead to an explanation of these processes in terms of double kink generation in screw and edge dislocations.

  15. 78 FR 14120 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comments Requested: Statement of...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-03-04

    ...--Marking of Plastic Explosives for the Purpose of Detection ACTION: 60-Day notice. The Department of... currently approved collection. (2) Title of the Form/Collection: Statement of Process--Marking of Plastic... information will be used to ensure that plastic explosives contain a detection agent as required by law. (5...

  16. The fluid dynamics of microjet explosions caused by extremely intense X-ray pulses

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Stan, Claudiu; Laksmono, Hartawan; Sierra, Raymond; Milathianaki, Despina; Koglin, Jason; Messerschmidt, Marc; Williams, Garth; Demirci, Hasan; Botha, Sabine; Nass, Karol; Stone, Howard; Schlichting, Ilme; Shoeman, Robert; Boutet, Sebastien

    2014-11-01

    Femtosecond X-ray scattering experiments at free-electron laser facilities typically requires liquid jet delivery methods to bring samples to the region of interaction with X-rays. We have imaged optically the damage process in water microjets due to intense hard X-ray pulses at the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS), using time-resolved imaging techniques to record movies at rates up to half a billion frames per second. For pulse energies larger than a few percent of the maximum pulse energy available at LCLS, the X-rays deposit energies much larger than the latent heat of vaporization in water, and induce a phase explosion that opens a gap in the jet. The LCLS pulses last a few tens of femtoseconds, but the full evolution of the broken jet is orders of magnitude slower - typically in the microsecond range - due to complex fluid dynamics processes triggered by the phase explosion. Although the explosion results in a complex sequence of phenomena, they lead to an approximately self-similar flow of the liquid in the jet.

  17. Formation of Load Parameters of Destroyed Massife in Explosion of Multicharge Composition with Separation of its Parts by Profile Inert Interval

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Paramonov, G. P.; Mysin, A. V.; Babkin, R. S.

    2017-10-01

    The paper introduces construction of multicharge composition with separation of parts by the profile inert interval. On the basis of the previous researches, the pulse-forming process at explosion of the borehole multicharge taking into account the offered design is considered. The physical model for definition of reflected wavelet taking into account an increment of radius of cross section of a charging cavity and the expiration of detonation products is offered. A technique is developed for numerical modeling of gas-dynamic processes in a borehole with a change in the axial channel of a profile inert interval caused by a high-temperature flow of gaseous products of an explosion. The authors obtained the dependence of the change in mean pressure on the borehole wall on time for each of the parts of the multicharge. To blast a series of charges of the proposed design, taking into account optimization of the stress fields of neighboring charges, the delay interval is determined for a short-delayed explosion.

  18. Seismic source functions from free-field ground motions recorded on SPE: Implications for source models of small, shallow explosions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rougier, Esteban; Patton, Howard J.

    2015-05-01

    Reduced displacement potentials (RDPs) for chemical explosions of the Source Physics Experiments (SPE) in granite at the Nevada Nuclear Security Site are estimated from free-field ground motion recordings. Far-field P wave source functions are proportional to the time derivative of RDPs. Frequency domain comparisons between measured source functions and model predictions show that high-frequency amplitudes roll off as ω- 2, but models fail to predict the observed seismic moment, corner frequency, and spectral overshoot. All three features are fit satisfactorily for the SPE-2 test after cavity radius Rc is reduced by 12%, elastic radius is reduced by 58%, and peak-to-static pressure ratio on the elastic radius is increased by 100%, all with respect to the Mueller-Murphy model modified with the Denny-Johnson Rc scaling law. A large discrepancy is found between the cavity volume inferred from RDPs and the volume estimated from laser scans of the emplacement hole. The measurements imply a scaled Rc of ~5 m/kt1/3, more than a factor of 2 smaller than nuclear explosions. Less than 25% of the seismic moment can be attributed to cavity formation. A breakdown of the incompressibility assumption due to shear dilatancy of the source medium around the cavity is the likely explanation. New formulas are developed for volume changes due to medium bulking (or compaction). A 0.04% decrease of average density inside the elastic radius accounts for the missing volumetric moment. Assuming incompressibility, established Rc scaling laws predicted the moment reasonable well, but it was only fortuitous because dilation of the source medium compensated for the small cavity volume.

  19. Predicting the Presence of Companions for Stripped-envelope Supernovae: The Case of the Broad-lined Type Ic SN 2002ap

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zapartas, E.; de Mink, S. E.; Van Dyk, S. D.; Fox, O. D.; Smith, N.; Bostroem, K. A.; de Koter, A.; Filippenko, A. V.; Izzard, R. G.; Kelly, P. L.; Neijssel, C. J.; Renzo, M.; Ryder, S.

    2017-06-01

    Many young, massive stars are found in close binaries. Using population synthesis simulations we predict the likelihood of a companion star being present when these massive stars end their lives as core-collapse supernovae (SNe). We focus on stripped-envelope SNe, whose progenitors have lost their outer hydrogen and possibly helium layers before explosion. We use these results to interpret new Hubble Space Telescope observations of the site of the broad-lined Type Ic SN 2002ap, 14 years post-explosion. For a subsolar metallicity consistent with SN 2002ap, we expect a main-sequence (MS) companion present in about two thirds of all stripped-envelope SNe and a compact companion (likely a stripped helium star or a white dwarf/neutron star/black hole) in about 5% of cases. About a quarter of progenitors are single at explosion (originating from initially single stars, mergers, or disrupted systems). All of the latter scenarios require a massive progenitor, inconsistent with earlier studies of SN 2002ap. Our new, deeper upper limits exclude the presence of an MS companion star >8-10 {M}⊙ , ruling out about 40% of all stripped-envelope SN channels. The most likely scenario for SN 2002ap includes nonconservative binary interaction of a primary star initially ≲ 23 {M}⊙ . Although unlikely (<1% of the scenarios), we also discuss the possibility of an exotic reverse merger channel for broad-lined Type Ic events. Finally, we explore how our results depend on the metallicity and the model assumptions and discuss how additional searches for companions can constrain the physics that govern the evolution of SN progenitors.

  20. Neutron Star/supernova Remnant Associations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gvaramadze, V. V.

    We propose a new approach for studying the neutron star/supernova remnant associations, based on the idea that the (diffuse) supernova remnants (SNRs) can be products of an off-centred supernova (SN) explosion in a preexisting bubble created by the wind of a moving massive star. A cavity SN explosion of a moving star results in a considerable offset of the neutron star (NS) birth-place from the geometrical centre of the SNR. Therefore: a) the high transverse velocities inferred for a number of NSs (e.g. PSR B 1610-50, PSR B 1757-24, SGR 0525-66) through their association with SNRs can be reduced; b) the proper motion vector of a NS should not necessarily point away from the geometrical centre of the associated SNR. Taking into account of these two facts allow us to enlarge the circle of possible NS/SNR associations, and could significantly affect the results of previous studies of NS/SNR associations. The possibilities of our approach are illustrated with the example of the association between PSR B 1706-44 and SNR G 343.1-2.3. We show that this association could be real if both objects are the remnants of a SN exploded within a mushroom-like cavity (created by the SN progenitor wind breaking out of the parent molecular cloud and expanding into an intercloud medium of a much less density). We also show that the SN explosion sites in some middle-aged (shell-like) SNRs could be marked by (compact) nebulae of thermal X-ray emission. The possible detection of such nebulae within middle-aged SNRs could be used for the re-estimation of implied transverse velocities of known NSs or for the search of new stellar remnants possibly associated with these SNRs.

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