Sample records for u-al dispersion core

  1. Interdiffusion in U 3Si-Al, U 3Si 2-Al, and USi-Al dispersion fuels during irradiation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kim, Yeon Soo; Hofman, Gerard L.

    2011-03-01

    Uranium-silicide compound fuel dispersion in an Al matrix is used in research and test reactors worldwide. Interaction layer (IL) growth between fuel particles and the matrix is one of performance issues. The interaction layer growth data for U 3Si, U 3Si 2 and USi dispersions in Al were obtained from both out-of-pile and in-pile tests. The IL is dominantly U(AlSi) 3 from out-of-pile tests, but its (Al + Si)/U ratio from in-pile tests is higher than the out-of-pile data, because of amorphous behavior of the ILs. IL growth correlations were developed for U 3Si-Al and U 3Si 2-Al. The IL growth rates were dependent on the U/Si ratio of the fuel compounds. During irradiation, however, the IL growth rates did not decrease with the decreasing U/Si ratio by fission. It is reasoned that transition metal fission products in the IL compensate the loss of U atoms by providing chemical potential for Al diffusion and volume expansion by solid swelling and gas bubble swelling. The addition of Mo in U 3Si 2 reduces the IL growth rate, which is similar to that of UMo alloy dispersion in a silicon-added Al matrix.

  2. Microstructure of the irradiated U 3Si 2/Al silicide dispersion fuel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gan, J.; Keiser, D. D.; Miller, B. D.; Jue, J.-F.; Robinson, A. B.; Madden, J. W.; Medvedev, P. G.; Wachs, D. M.

    2011-12-01

    The silicide dispersion fuel of U 3Si 2/Al is recognized as the best performance fuel for many nuclear research and test reactors with up to 4.8 gU/cm 3 fuel loading. An irradiated U 3Si 2/Al dispersion fuel ( 235U ˜ 75%) from the high-flux side of a fuel plate (U0R040) from the Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactors (RERTR)-8 test was characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The fuel was irradiated in the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) for 105 days. The average irradiation temperature and fission density of the U 3Si 2 fuel particles for the TEM sample are estimated to be approximately 110 °C and 5.4 × 10 27 f/m 3. The characterization was performed using a 200-kV TEM. The U/Si ratio for the fuel particle and (Si + Al)/U for the fuel-matrix-interaction layer are approximately 1.1 and 4-10, respectively. The estimated average diameter, number density and volume fraction for small bubbles (<1 μm) in the fuel particle are ˜94 nm, 1.05 × 10 20 m -3 and ˜11%, respectively. The results and their implication on the performance of the U 3Si 2/Al silicide dispersion fuel are discussed.

  3. Amorphization of the interaction products in U-Mo/Al dispersion fuel during irradiation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ryu, Ho Jin; Kim, Yeon Soo; Hofman, G. L.

    2009-04-01

    The microstructures of the product resulting from interaction between U-Mo fuel particles and the Al matrix in U-Mo/Al dispersion fuel are discussed. We analyzed the available characterization results for the Al matrix dispersion fuels from both the out-of-pile and in-pile tests and examined the difference between these results. The morphology of pores that form in the interaction products during irradiation is similar to the porosity previously observed in irradiation-induced amorphized uranium compounds. The available diffraction studies for the interaction products formed in both the out-of-pile and in-pile tests are analyzed. We have concluded that the interaction products in the U-Mo/Al dispersion fuel are formed as an amorphous state or become amorphous during irradiation, depending on the irradiation conditions.

  4. Modeling a failure criterion for U-Mo/Al dispersion fuel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Oh, Jae-Yong; Kim, Yeon Soo; Tahk, Young-Wook; Kim, Hyun-Jung; Kong, Eui-Hyun; Yim, Jeong-Sik

    2016-05-01

    The breakaway swelling in U-Mo/Al dispersion fuel is known to be caused by large pore formation enhanced by interaction layer (IL) growth between fuel particles and Al matrix. In this study, a critical IL thickness was defined as a criterion for the formation of a large pore in U-Mo/Al dispersion fuel. Specifically, the critical IL thickness is given when two neighboring fuel particles come into contact with each other in the developed IL. The model was verified using the irradiation data from the RERTR tests and KOMO-4 test. The model application to full-sized sample irradiations such as IRISs, FUTURE, E-FUTURE, and AFIP-1 tests resulted in conservative predictions. The parametric study revealed that the fuel particle size and the homogeneity of the fuel particle distribution are influential for fuel performance.

  5. Irradiation behavior of U 6Mn-Al dispersion fuel elements

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Meyer, M. K.; Wiencek, T. C.; Hayes, S. L.; Hofman, G. L.

    2000-02-01

    Irradiation testing of U 6Mn-Al dispersion fuel miniplates was conducted in the Oak Ridge Research Reactor (ORR). Post-irradiation examination showed that U 6Mn in an unrestrained plate configuration performs similarly to U 6Fe under irradiation, forming extensive and interlinked fission gas bubbles at a fission density of approximately 3×10 27 m-3. Fuel plate failure occurs by fission gas pressure driven `pillowing' on continued irradiation.

  6. In-pile test results of U-silicide or U-nitride coated U-7Mo particle dispersion fuel in Al

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kim, Yeon Soo; Park, J. M.; Lee, K. H.; Yoo, B. O.; Ryu, H. J.; Ye, B.

    2014-11-01

    U-silicide or U-nitride coated U-Mo particle dispersion fuel in Al (U-Mo/Al) was in-pile tested to examine the effectiveness of the coating as a diffusion barrier between the U-7Mo fuel kernels and Al matrix. This paper reports the PIE data and analyses focusing on the effectiveness of the coating in terms of interaction layer (IL) growth and general fuel performance. The U-silicide coating showed considerable success, but it also provided evidence for additional improvement for coating process. The U-nitride coated specimen showed largely inefficient results in reducing IL growth. From the test, important observations were also made that can be utilized to improve U-Mo/Al fuel performance. The heating process for coating turned out to be beneficial to suppress fuel swelling. The use of larger fuel particles confirmed favorable effects on fuel performance.

  7. Thermophysical properties of heat-treated U-7Mo/Al dispersion fuel

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

    Cho, Tae Won; Kim, Yeon Soo; Park, Jong Man

    In this study, the effects of interaction layer (IL) on thermophysical properties of U-7Mo/Al dispersion fuel were examined. Microstructural analyses revealed that ILs were formed uniformly on U-Mo particles during heating of U-7Mo/Al samples. The IL volume fraction was measured by applying image analysis methods. The uranium loadings of the samples were calculated based on the measured meat densities at 298 K. The density of the IL was estimated by using the measured density and IL volume fraction. Thermal diffusivity and heat capacity of the samples after the heat treatment were measured as a function of temperature and volume fractionsmore » of U-Mo and IL. The thermal conductivity of IL-formed U-7Mo/Al was derived by using the measured thermal diffusivity, heat capacity, and density. The thermal conductivity obtained in the present study was lower than that predicted by the modified Hashin–Shtrikman model due to the theoretical model’s inability to consider the thermal resistance at interfaces between the meat constituents.« less

  8. Thermophysical properties of heat-treated U-7Mo/Al dispersion fuel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cho, Tae Won; Kim, Yeon Soo; Park, Jong Man; Lee, Kyu Hong; Kim, Sunghwan; Lee, Chong Tak; Yang, Jae Ho; Oh, Jang Soo; Sohn, Dong-Seong

    2018-04-01

    In this study, the effects of interaction layer (IL) on thermophysical properties of U-7Mo/Al dispersion fuel were examined. Microstructural analyses revealed that ILs were formed uniformly on U-Mo particles during heating of U-7Mo/Al samples. The IL volume fraction was measured by applying image analysis methods. The uranium loadings of the samples were calculated based on the measured meat densities at 298 K. The density of the IL was estimated by using the measured density and IL volume fraction. Thermal diffusivity and heat capacity of the samples after the heat treatment were measured as a function of temperature and volume fractions of U-Mo and IL. The thermal conductivity of IL-formed U-7Mo/Al was derived by using the measured thermal diffusivity, heat capacity, and density. The thermal conductivity obtained in the present study was lower than that predicted by the modified Hashin-Shtrikman model due to the theoretical model's inability to consider the thermal resistance at interfaces between the meat constituents.

  9. Pore growth in U-Mo/Al dispersion fuel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kim, Yeon Soo; Jeong, G. Y.; Sohn, D.-S.; Jamison, L. M.

    2016-09-01

    U-Mo/Al dispersion fuel is currently under development in the DOE's Material Management and Minimization program to convert HEU-fueled research reactors to LEU-fueled reactors. In some demanding conditions in high-power and high-performance reactors, large pores form in the interaction layers between the U-Mo fuel particles and the Al matrix, which pose a potential to cause fuel failure. In this study, comprehension of the formation and growth of these pores was explored. As a product, a model to predict pore growth and porosity increase was developed. The model includes three major topics: fission gas release from the U-Mo and the IL to the pores, stress evolution in the fuel meat, and the effect of amorphous IL growth. Well-characterized in-pile data from reduced-size plates were used to fit the model parameters. A data set from full-sized plates, independent and distinctively different from those used to fit the model parameters, was used to examine the accuracy of the model. The model showed fair agreement with the measured data. The model suggested that the growth of the IL has a critical effect on pore growth, as both its material properties and energetics are favorable to pore formation. Therefore, one area of the current effort, focused on suppressing IL growth, appears to be on the right track to improve the performance of this fuel.

  10. Prediction of U-Mo dispersion nuclear fuels with Al-Si alloy using artificial neural network

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

    Susmikanti, Mike, E-mail: mike@batan.go.id; Sulistyo, Jos, E-mail: soj@batan.go.id

    2014-09-30

    Dispersion nuclear fuels, consisting of U-Mo particles dispersed in an Al-Si matrix, are being developed as fuel for research reactors. The equilibrium relationship for a mixture component can be expressed in the phase diagram. It is important to analyze whether a mixture component is in equilibrium phase or another phase. The purpose of this research it is needed to built the model of the phase diagram, so the mixture component is in the stable or melting condition. Artificial neural network (ANN) is a modeling tool for processes involving multivariable non-linear relationships. The objective of the present work is to developmore » code based on artificial neural network models of system equilibrium relationship of U-Mo in Al-Si matrix. This model can be used for prediction of type of resulting mixture, and whether the point is on the equilibrium phase or in another phase region. The equilibrium model data for prediction and modeling generated from experimentally data. The artificial neural network with resilient backpropagation method was chosen to predict the dispersion of nuclear fuels U-Mo in Al-Si matrix. This developed code was built with some function in MATLAB. For simulations using ANN, the Levenberg-Marquardt method was also used for optimization. The artificial neural network is able to predict the equilibrium phase or in the phase region. The develop code based on artificial neural network models was built, for analyze equilibrium relationship of U-Mo in Al-Si matrix.« less

  11. Effect of stress evolution on microstructural behavior in U-Mo/Al dispersion fuel [Effect of stress on microstructural evolution in U-Mo/Al dispersion fuel

    DOE PAGES

    Jeong, G. Y.; Kim, Yeon Soo; Jamison, L. M.; ...

    2017-02-20

    U-Mo/Al dispersion fuel irradiated to high burnup at high power (high fission rate) exhibited microstructural changes such as deformation of the fuel particles, pore growth, and rupture of the Al matrix. The driving force for these microstructural changes was meat swelling caused by a combination of fuel particle swelling and interaction layer growth. Five miniplates with well-recorded fabrication data and irradiation conditions were selected, and their PIE data was analyzed. ABAQUS finite element analysis (FEA) was utilized to simulate the microstructural evolution of the plates. Using the simulation results shear stress, effective stress and hydrostatic stress exerted on both themore » fuel particles and the Al matrix were determined. The effects of fabrication and irradiation variables on stress-induced microstructural evolutions, such as pore growth in the interaction layers and Al matrix rupture, were investigated. The observed microstructural changes were consistent with the calculated stress distribution in the meat.« less

  12. Effect of stress evolution on microstructural behavior in U-Mo/Al dispersion fuel [Effect of stress on microstructural evolution in U-Mo/Al dispersion fuel

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

    Jeong, G. Y.; Kim, Yeon Soo; Jamison, L. M.

    U-Mo/Al dispersion fuel irradiated to high burnup at high power (high fission rate) exhibited microstructural changes such as deformation of the fuel particles, pore growth, and rupture of the Al matrix. The driving force for these microstructural changes was meat swelling caused by a combination of fuel particle swelling and interaction layer growth. Five miniplates with well-recorded fabrication data and irradiation conditions were selected, and their PIE data was analyzed. ABAQUS finite element analysis (FEA) was utilized to simulate the microstructural evolution of the plates. Using the simulation results shear stress, effective stress and hydrostatic stress exerted on both themore » fuel particles and the Al matrix were determined. The effects of fabrication and irradiation variables on stress-induced microstructural evolutions, such as pore growth in the interaction layers and Al matrix rupture, were investigated. The observed microstructural changes were consistent with the calculated stress distribution in the meat.« less

  13. Thermal properties of U-7Mo/Al dispersion fuel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cho, Tae Won; Kim, Yeon Soo; Park, Jong Man; Lee, Kyu Hong; Kim, Sunghwan; Lee, Chong-Tak; Yang, Jae Ho; Oh, Jang Soo; Won, Ju-Jin; Sohn, Dong-Seong

    2017-12-01

    The thermal diffusivity and heat capacity of U-7Mo/Al and U-7Mo/Al-5Si as functions of U-Mo fuel volume fraction and temperature were measured. The density of the sample was measured at room temperature and estimated using thermal expansion data at elevated temperatures. Using the measured data, the thermal conductivity was obtained as a function of U-Mo volume fraction and temperature. The thermal conductivity of U-7Mo/Al-5Si was found to be lower than that of U-7Mo/Al because of the Si addition to the Al. Due to a lower porosity and reduced interaction between U-Mo and Al in the sample, the thermal conductivity data reported in the present study were higher than those in the literature. The present data were found to be in agreement with the predictions of theoretical models.

  14. Microstructural characterization of a thin film ZrN diffusion barrier in an As-fabricated U-7Mo/Al matrix dispersion fuel plate

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Keiser, Dennis D.; Perez, Emmanuel; Wiencek, Tom; Leenaers, Ann; Van den Berghe, Sven

    2015-03-01

    The United States High Performance Research Reactor Fuel Development program is developing low enriched uranium fuels for application in research and test reactors. One concept utilizes U-7 wt.% Mo (U-7Mo) fuel particles dispersed in Al matrix, where the fuel particles are coated with a 1 μm-thick ZrN coating. The ZrN serves as a diffusion barrier to eliminate a deleterious reaction that can occur between U-7Mo and Al when a dispersion fuel is irradiated under aggressive reactor conditions. To investigate the final microstructure of a physically-vapor-deposited ZrN coating in a dispersion fuel plate after it was fabricated using a rolling process, characterization samples were taken from a fuel plate that was fabricated at 500 °C using ZrN-coated U-7Mo particles, Al matrix and AA6061 cladding. Scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy analysis were performed. Data from these analyses will be used to support future microstructural examinations of irradiated fuel plates, in terms of understanding the effects of irradiation on the ZrN microstructure, and to determine the role of diffusion barrier microstructure in eliminating fuel/matrix interactions during irradiation. The as-fabricated coating was determined to be cubic-ZrN (cF8) phase. It exhibited a columnar microstructure comprised of nanometer-sized grains and a region of relatively high porosity, mainly near the Al matrix. Small impurity-containing phases were observed at the U-7Mo/ZrN interface, and no interaction zone was observed at the ZrN/Al interface. The bonding between the U-7Mo and ZrN appeared to be mechanical in nature. A relatively high level of oxygen was observed in the ZrN coating, extending from the Al matrix in the ZrN coating in decreasing concentration. The above microstructural characteristics are discussed in terms of what may be most optimal for a diffusion barrier in a dispersion fuel plate application.

  15. A modelling study of the inter-diffusion layer formation in U-Mo/Al dispersion fuel plates at high power

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

    Ye, B.; Hofman, G. L.; Leenaers, A.

    Post irradiation examinations of full-size U-Mo/Al dispersion fuel plates fabricated with ZrN- or Sicoated U-Mo particles revealed that the reaction rate of irradiation-induced U-Mo-Al inter-diffusion, an important microstructural change impacting the performance of this type of fuel, is temperature and fission-rate dependent. In order to simulate the U-Mo/Al inter-diffusion layer (IL) growth behavior in full-size dispersion fuel plates, the existing IL growth correlation was modified with a temperaturedependent multiplication factor that transits around a threshold fission rate. In-pile irradiation data from four tests in the BR2 reactors, including FUTURE, E-FUTURE, SELEMIUM, and SELEMIUM-1a, were utilized to determine and validate themore » updated IL growth correlation. Irradiation behavior of the plates was simulated with the DART-2D computational code. The general agreement between the calculated and measured fuel meat swelling and constituent volume fractions as a function of fission density demonstrated the plausibility of the updated IL growth correlation. The simulation results also suggested the temperature dependence of the IL growth rate, similar to the temperature dependence of the intermixing rate in ion-irradiated bi-layer systems.« less

  16. TEM characterization of irradiated U-7Mo/Mg dispersion fuel

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

    Gan, J.; Keiser, D. D.; Miller, B. D.

    This paper presents the results of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) characterization on neutron-irradiated samples taken from the low-flux and high-flux sides of the same fuel plate with U-7Mo fuel particles dispersed in Mg matrix with aluminum alloy Al6061 as cladding material that was irradiated edge-on to the core in the Advanced Test Reactor. The corresponding local fission density and fission rate of the fuel particles and the average fuel-plate centerline temperature for the low-flux and high-flux samples are estimated to be 3.7 × 10 21 f/cm 3, 7.4 × 10 14 f/cm 3/s and 123 °C, and 5.5 × 10more » 21 f/cm3, 11.0 × 10 14 f/cm 3/s and 158 °C, respectively. Complex interaction layers developed at the Al-Mg interface, consisting of Al 3Mg 2 and Al 12Mg 17 along with precipitates of MgO, Mg 2Si and FeAl 5.3. No interaction between Mg matrix and U-Mo fuel particle was identified. For the U-Mo fuel particles, at low fission density, small elongated bubbles wrapped around the clean areas with a fission gas bubble superlattice, which suggests that bubble coalescence is an important mechanism for converting the fission gas bubble superlattice to large bubbles. At high fission density, no bubbles or porosity were observed in the Mg matrix, and pockets of residual fission gas bubble superlattice were observed in the U-Mo fuel particle interior.« less

  17. TEM characterization of irradiated U-7Mo/Mg dispersion fuel

    DOE PAGES

    Gan, J.; Keiser, D. D.; Miller, B. D.; ...

    2017-07-15

    This paper presents the results of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) characterization on neutron-irradiated samples taken from the low-flux and high-flux sides of the same fuel plate with U-7Mo fuel particles dispersed in Mg matrix with aluminum alloy Al6061 as cladding material that was irradiated edge-on to the core in the Advanced Test Reactor. The corresponding local fission density and fission rate of the fuel particles and the average fuel-plate centerline temperature for the low-flux and high-flux samples are estimated to be 3.7 × 10 21 f/cm 3, 7.4 × 10 14 f/cm 3/s and 123 °C, and 5.5 × 10more » 21 f/cm3, 11.0 × 10 14 f/cm 3/s and 158 °C, respectively. Complex interaction layers developed at the Al-Mg interface, consisting of Al 3Mg 2 and Al 12Mg 17 along with precipitates of MgO, Mg 2Si and FeAl 5.3. No interaction between Mg matrix and U-Mo fuel particle was identified. For the U-Mo fuel particles, at low fission density, small elongated bubbles wrapped around the clean areas with a fission gas bubble superlattice, which suggests that bubble coalescence is an important mechanism for converting the fission gas bubble superlattice to large bubbles. At high fission density, no bubbles or porosity were observed in the Mg matrix, and pockets of residual fission gas bubble superlattice were observed in the U-Mo fuel particle interior.« less

  18. Modeling a failure criterion for U–Mo/Al dispersion fuel

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

    Oh, Jae-Yong; Kim, Yeon Soo; Tahk, Young-Wook

    2016-05-01

    The breakaway swelling in U-Mo/Al dispersion fuel is known to be caused by large pore formation enhanced by interaction layer (IL) growth between fuel particles and Al matrix. In this study, a critical IL thickness was defined as a criterion for the formation of a large pore in U-Mo/Al dispersion fuel. Specifically, the critical IL thickness is given when two neighboring fuel particles come into contact with each other in the developed IL. The model was verified using the irradiation data from the RERTR tests and KOMO- 4 test. The model application to full-sized sample irradiations such as IRISs, FUTURE,more » E-FUTURE, and AFIP-1 tests resulted in conservative predictions. The parametric study revealed that the fuel particle size and the homogeneity of the fuel particle distribution are influential for fuel performance.« less

  19. A modelling study of the inter-diffusion layer formation in U-Mo/Al dispersion fuel plates at high power

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ye, B.; Hofman, G. L.; Leenaers, A.; Bergeron, A.; Kuzminov, V.; Van den Berghe, S.; Kim, Y. S.; Wallin, H.

    2018-02-01

    Post irradiation examinations of full-size U-Mo/Al dispersion fuel plates fabricated with ZrN- or Si- coated U-Mo particles revealed that the reaction rate of irradiation-induced U-Mo-Al inter-diffusion, an important microstructural change impacting the performance of this type of fuel, transited at a threshold temperature/fission rate. The existing inter-diffusion layer (IL) growth correlation, which does not describe the transition behavior of IL growth, was modified by applying a temperature-dependent multiplication factor that transits around a threshold fission rate. In-pile irradiation data from four tests in the BR2 reactors, including FUTURE, E-FUTURE, SELEMIUM, and SELEMIUM-1a, were utilized to determine and validate the updated IL growth correlation. Irradiation behavior of the plates was simulated with the DART-2D computational code. The general agreement between the calculated and measured fuel meat swelling and constituent volume fractions as a function of fission density demonstrated the plausibility of the updated IL growth correlation. The simulation results also suggested the temperature dependence of the IL growth rate, similar to the temperature dependence of the inter-mixing rate in ion-irradiated bi-layer systems.

  20. High ink absorption performance of inkjet printing based on SiO2@Al13 core-shell composites

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, YiFan; Jiang, Bo; Liu, Li; Du, Yunzhe; Zhang, Tong; Zhao, LiWei; Huang, YuDong

    2018-04-01

    The increasing growth of the inkjet market makes the inkjet printing more necessary. A composite material based on core-shell structure has been developed and applied to prepare inkjet printing layer. In this contribution, the ink printing record layers based on SiO2@Al13 core-shell composite was elaborated. The prepared core-shell composite materials were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), zeta potential, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results proved the presence of electrostatic adsorption between SiO2 molecules and Al13 molecules with the formation of the well-dispersed system. In addition, based on the adsorption and the liquid permeability analysis, SiO2@Al13 ink printing record layer achieved a relatively high ink uptake (2.5 gmm-1) and permeability (87%), respectively. The smoothness and glossiness of SiO2@Al13 record layers were higher than SiO2 record layers. The core-shell structure facilitated the dispersion of the silica, thereby improved its ink absorption performance and made the clear printed image. Thus, the proposed procedure based on SiO2@Al13 core-shell structure of dye particles could be applied as a promising strategy for inkjet printing.

  1. Evidence of mixed valence states in U M2Al 3 ( M = Ni, Pd) studied by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fujimori, Shin-ichi; Saito, Yasuharu; Sato, Noriaki; Komatsubara, Takemi; Suzuki, Shoji; Sato, Shigeru; Ishii, Takehiko

    1998-01-01

    We have measured the XPS valence band and core-level spectra of U M2Al 3 ( M = Ni and Pd). The results are compared with those of reference materials, dilute alloy U 0.1La 0.9Pd 2Al 3 and itinerant 5 f compound URh 3. The similarity of the core-level spectra between UPd 2Al 3 and U 0.1La 0.9Pd 2Al 3 suggests that their core-level spectra are governed by the interaction between U 5 f and ligand states of neighboring palladium and aluminum sites, with negligible contributions from neighboring uranium states. A complex satellite structure, observed in the core-level spectra of U M2Al 3, suggests that the uranium atoms are in the strong mixed valence states with 5 f2(U 4+) and 5 f3(U 3+).

  2. A model to predict thermal conductivity of irradiated U-Mo dispersion fuel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Burkes, Douglas E.; Huber, Tanja K.; Casella, Andrew M.

    2016-05-01

    Numerous global programs are focused on the continued development of existing and new research and test reactor fuels to achieve maximum attainable uranium loadings to support the conversion of a number of the world's remaining high-enriched uranium fueled reactors to low-enriched uranium fuel. Some of these programs are focused on assisting with the development and qualification of a fuel design that consists of a uranium-molybdenum (U-Mo) alloy dispersed in an aluminum matrix as one option for reactor conversion. Thermal conductivity is an important consideration in determining the operational temperature of the fuel and can be influenced by interaction layer formation between the dispersed phase and matrix and upon the concentration of the dispersed phase within the matrix. This paper extends the use of a simple model developed previously to study the influence of interaction layer formation as well as the size and volume fraction of fuel particles dispersed in the matrix, Si additions to the matrix, and Mo concentration in the fuel particles on the effective thermal conductivity of the U-Mo/Al composite during irradiation. The model has been compared to experimental measurements recently conducted on U-Mo/Al dispersion fuels at two different fission densities with acceptable agreement. Observations of the modeled results indicate that formation of an interaction layer and subsequent consumption of the matrix reveals a rather significant effect on effective thermal conductivity. The modeled interaction layer formation and subsequent consumption of the high thermal conductivity matrix was sensitive to the average dispersed fuel particle size, suggesting this parameter as one of the most effective in minimizing thermal conductivity degradation of the composite, while the influence of Si additions to the matrix in the model was highly dependent upon irradiation conditions.

  3. Development of PRIME for irradiation performance analysis of U-Mo/Al dispersion fuel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jeong, Gwan Yoon; Kim, Yeon Soo; Jeong, Yong Jin; Park, Jong Man; Sohn, Dong-Seong

    2018-04-01

    A prediction code for the thermo-mechanical performance of research reactor fuel (PRIME) has been developed with the implementation of developed models to analyze the irradiation behavior of U-Mo dispersion fuel. The code is capable of predicting the two-dimensional thermal and mechanical performance of U-Mo dispersion fuel during irradiation. A finite element method was employed to solve the governing equations for thermal and mechanical equilibria. Temperature- and burnup-dependent material properties of the fuel meat constituents and cladding were used. The numerical solution schemes in PRIME were verified by benchmarking solutions obtained using a commercial finite element analysis program (ABAQUS). The code was validated using irradiation data from RERTR, HAMP-1, and E-FUTURE tests. The measured irradiation data used in the validation were IL thickness, volume fractions of fuel meat constituents for the thermal analysis, and profiles of the plate thickness changes and fuel meat swelling for the mechanical analysis. The prediction results were in good agreement with the measurement data for both thermal and mechanical analyses, confirming the validity of the code.

  4. Fabrication of hierarchical core-shell polydopamine@MgAl-LDHs composites for the efficient enrichment of radionuclides

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhu, Kairuo; Lu, Songhua; Gao, Yang; Zhang, Rui; Tan, Xiaoli; Chen, Changlun

    2017-02-01

    Novel hierarchical core/shell structured polydopamine@MgAl-layered double hydroxides (PDA@MgAl-LDHs) composites involving MgAl-layered double hydroxide shells and PDA cores were fabricated thought one-pot coprecipitation assembly and methodically characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, scanning/transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, elemental mapping, thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy technologies. U(VI) and Eu(III) sorption experiments showed that the PDA@MgAl-LDHs exhibited higher sorption ability with a maximum sorption capacity of 142.86 and 76.02 mg/g at 298 K and pH 4.5, respectively. More importantly, according to XPS analyses, U(VI) and Eu(III) were sorbed on PDA@MgAl-LDHs via oxygen-containing functional groups, and the chemical affinity of U(VI) by oxygen-containing functional groups is higher than that of Eu(III). These observations show great expectations in the enrichment of radionuclides from aquatic environments by PDA@MgAl-LDHs.

  5. Development of PRIME for irradiation performance analysis of U-Mo/Al dispersion fuel

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

    Jeong, Gwan Yoon; Kim, Yeon Soo; Jeong, Yong Jin

    A prediction code for the thermo-mechanical performance of research reactor fuel (PRIME) has been developed with the implementation of developed models to analyze the irradiation behavior of U-Mo dispersion fuel. The code is capable of predicting the two-dimensional thermal and mechanical performance of U-Mo dispersion fuel during irradiation. A finite element method was employed to solve the governing equations for thermal and mechanical equilibria. Temperature-and burnup-dependent material properties of the fuel meat constituents and cladding were used. The numerical solution schemes in PRIME were verified by benchmarking solutions obtained using a commercial finite element analysis program (ABAQUS).The code was validatedmore » using irradiation data from RERTR, HAMP-1, and E-FUTURE tests. The measured irradiation data used in the validation were IL thickness, volume fractions of fuel meat constituents for the thermal analysis, and profiles of the plate thickness changes and fuel meat swelling for the mechanical analysis. The prediction results were in good agreement with the measurement data for both thermal and mechanical analyses, confirming the validity of the code. (c) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.« less

  6. Low-Energy Bead-Mill Dispersion of Agglomerated Core-Shell α-Fe/Al₂O₃ and α″-Fe₁₆N₂/Al₂O₃ Ferromagnetic Nanoparticles in Toluene.

    PubMed

    Zulhijah, Rizka; Suhendi, Asep; Yoshimi, Kazuki; Kartikowati, Christina Wahyu; Ogi, Takashi; Iwaki, Toru; Okuyama, Kikuo

    2015-06-09

    Magnetic materials such as α″-Fe16N2 and α-Fe, which have the largest magnetic moment as hard and soft magnetic materials, are difficult to produce as single domain magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) because of quasistable state and high reactivity, respectively. The present work reports dispersion of agglomerated plasma-synthesized core-shell α″-Fe16N2/Al2O3 and α-Fe/Al2O3 in toluene by a new bead-mill with very fine beads to prepare single domain MNPs. As a result, optimization of the experimental conditions (bead size, rotation speed, and dispersion time) enables the break-up of agglomerated particles into primary particles without destroying the particle structure. Slight deviation from the optimum conditions, i.e., lower or higher dispersion energy, gives undispersed or broken particles due to fragile core-shell structure against stress or impact force of beads. The dispersibility of α″-Fe16N2/Al2O3 is more restricted than that of α-Fe/Al2O3, because of the preparation conditions. Especially for α″-Fe16N2/Al2O3, no change on crystallinity (98% α″-Fe16N2) or magnetization saturation after dispersion was observed, showing that this method is appropriate to disperse α″-Fe16N2/Al2O3 MNPs. A different magnetic hysteresis behavior is observed for well-dispersed α″-Fe16N2/Al2O3 MNPs, and the magnetic coercivity of these NPs is constricted when the magnetic field close to zero due to magnetic dipole coupling among dispersed α″-Fe16N2 MNPs.

  7. Irradiation behavior of the interaction product of U-Mo fuel particle dispersion in an Al matrix

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kim, Yeon Soo; Hofman, G. L.

    2012-06-01

    Irradiation performance of U-Mo fuel particles dispersed in Al matrix is stable in terms of fuel swelling and is suitable for the conversion of research and test reactors from highly enriched uranium (HEU) to low enriched uranium (LEU). However, tests of the fuel at high temperatures and high burnups revealed obstacles caused by the interaction layers forming between the fuel particle and matrix. In some cases, fission gas filled pores grow and interconnect in the interdiffusion layer resulting in fuel plate failure. Postirradiation observations are made to examine the behavior of the interdiffusion layers. The interdiffusion layers show a fluid-like behavior characteristic of amorphous materials. In the amorphous interdiffusion layers, fission gas diffusivity is high and the material viscosity is low so that the fission gas pores readily form and grow. Based on the observations, a pore formation mechanism is proposed and potential remedies to suppress the pore growth are also introduced.

  8. Detailed measurements of local thickness changes for U-7Mo dispersion fuel plates with Al-3.5Si matrix after irradiation at different powers in the RERTR-9B experiment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Keiser, Dennis D.; Williams, Walter; Robinson, Adam; Wachs, Dan; Moore, Glenn; Crawford, Doug

    2017-10-01

    The Materials Management and Minimization program is developing fuel designs to replace highly enriched fuel with fuels of low enrichment. Swelling is an important irradiation behavior that needs to be well understood. Data from high resolution thickness measurements performed on U-7Mo dispersion fuel plates with Al-Si alloy matrices that were irradiated at high power is sparse. This paper reports the results of detailed thickness measurements performed on two dispersion fuel plates that were irradiated at relatively high power to high fission densities in the Advanced Test Reactor in the same RERTR-9B experiment. Both plates were irradiated to similar fission densities, but one was irradiated at a higher power than the other. The goal of this work is to identify any differences in the swelling behavior when fuel plates are irradiated at different powers to the same fission densities. Based on the results of detailed thickness measurments, more swelling occurs when a U-7Mo dispersion fuel with Al-3.5Si matrix is irradiated to a high fission density at high power compared to one irradiated at a lower power to high fission density.

  9. Laser dispersing of ceramic powders into Al-alloys

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jendrzejewski, Rafał; Van Acker, Karel; Vanhoyweghen, Dirk

    2007-02-01

    The general objective of the work was formation of highly wear resistant metal matrix composite (MMC) surface layers on aluminium based Al 6061 alloy by means of laser dispersing. The surface of the substrate is locally melted by the high power diode laser beam and simultaneously powder particles are injected into molten material. The optimal process parameter window for the laser dispersing of SiC in Al 6061 has been found. The measured values of the wear rates of the sample with dispersed SiC particles are about seven times lower than that of the reference Al-substrates. Results show that laser dispersing is highly promising technology to improve the surface, mainly wear properties of light metals. However the possibilities of industrial application are still limited due to considerable laser beam power and preheating temperature applied as well low productivity because of low scanning speed, and therefore further investigations are required.

  10. Hybrid porous core low loss dispersion flattened fiber for THz propagation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ali, Sharafat; Ahmed, Nasim; Aljunid, Syed; Ahmad, Badlishah

    2016-11-01

    This manuscript represents a novel porous core fiber design for Terahertz (THz) propagation with low loss and near zero flat dispersion properties. In this proposed fiber a hexagonal arrangement is used as cladding structure and a hybrid core containing circular and triangular designs is used as the central porous region. The Effective Material Loss (EML), confinement loss and bending loss are investigated for the proposed fiber along with dispersion characteristics. Simulation results show a very low EML of 0.01944 cm-1 at 1 THz operating frequency with negligible confinement and bending loss. The proposed novel porous design shows 0.55 THz range near zero flat dispersion of ±0.05 ps/THz/cm at 0.95 ps/THz/cm. The reported design consists of only circular shaped air holes with proper core diameter and porosity to simplify the fabrication process. The newly proposed hybrid design in the porous core region can be considered as an improved edition in the research of THz porous core fibers.

  11. Performance of the MTR core with MOX fuel using the MCNP4C2 code.

    PubMed

    Shaaban, Ismail; Albarhoum, Mohamad

    2016-08-01

    The MCNP4C2 code was used to simulate the MTR-22 MW research reactor and perform the neutronic analysis for a new fuel namely: a MOX (U3O8&PuO2) fuel dispersed in an Al matrix for One Neutronic Trap (ONT) and Three Neutronic Traps (TNTs) in its core. Its new characteristics were compared to its original characteristics based on the U3O8-Al fuel. Experimental data for the neutronic parameters including criticality relative to the MTR-22 MW reactor for the original U3O8-Al fuel at nominal power were used to validate the calculated values and were found acceptable. The achieved results seem to confirm that the use of MOX fuel in the MTR-22 MW will not degrade the safe operational conditions of the reactor. In addition, the use of MOX fuel in the MTR-22 MW core leads to reduce the uranium fuel enrichment with (235)U and the amount of loaded (235)U in the core by about 34.84% and 15.21% for the ONT and TNTs cases, respectively. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  12. Annealing tests of in-pile irradiated oxide coated U-Mo/Al-Si dispersed nuclear fuel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zweifel, T.; Valot, Ch.; Pontillon, Y.; Lamontagne, J.; Vermersch, A.; Barrallier, L.; Blay, T.; Petry, W.; Palancher, H.

    2014-09-01

    U-Mo/Al based nuclear fuels have been worldwide considered as a promising high density fuel for the conversion of high flux research reactors from highly enriched uranium to lower enrichment. In this paper, we present the annealing test up to 1800 °C of in-pile irradiated U-Mo/Al-Si fuel plate samples. More than 70% of the fission gases (FGs) are released during two major FG release peaks around 500 °C and 670 °C. Additional characterisations of the samples by XRD, EPMA and SEM suggest that up to 500 °C FGs are released from IDL/matrix interfaces. The second peak at 670 °C representing the main release of FGs originates from the interaction between U-Mo and matrix in the vicinity of the cladding.

  13. Phase development in a U-7 wt.% Mo vs. Al-7 wt.% Ge diffusion couple

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Perez, E.; Keiser, D. D.; Sohn, Y. H.

    2013-10-01

    Fuel development for the Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactors (RERTR) program has demonstrated that U-Mo alloys in contact with Al develop interaction regions with phases that have poor irradiation behavior. The addition of Si to the Al has been considered with positive results. In this study, compositional modification is considered by replacing Si with Ge to determine the effect on the phase development in the system. The microstructural and phase development of a diffusion couple of U-7 wt.% Mo in contact with Al-7 wt.% Ge was examined by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The interdiffusion zone developed a microstructure that included the cubic-UGe3 phase and amorphous phases. The UGe3 phase was observed with and without Mo and Al solid solution developing a (U,Mo)(Al,Ge)3 phase.

  14. Comparison of thermal compatibility between atomized and comminuted U{sub 3}Si dispersion fuels

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

    Ryu, Woo-Seog; Park, Jong-Man; Kim, Chang-Kyu

    1997-08-01

    Thermal compatibility of atomized U{sub 3}Si dispersion fuels were evaluated up to 2600 hours in the temperature range from 250 to 500{degrees}C, and compared with that of comminuted U{sub 3}Si. Atomized U{sub 3}Si showed better performance in terms of volume expansion of fuel meats. The reaction zone of U{sub 3}Si and Al occurred along the grain boundaries and deformation bands in U{sub 3}Si particles. Pores around fuel particles appeared at high temperature or after long-term annealing tests to remain diffusion paths over the trench of the pores. The constraint effects of cladding on fuel rod suppressed the fuel meat, andmore » reduced the volume expansion.« less

  15. Identification of phases in the interaction layer between U-Mo-Zr/Al and U-Mo-Zr/Al-Si

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

    Varela, C.L. Komar; Arico, S.F.; Mirandou, M.

    Out-of-pile diffusion experiments were performed between U-7wt.% Mo-1wt.% Zr and Al or Al A356 (7,1wt.% Si) at 550 deg. C. In this work morphological characterization and phase identification on both interaction layer are presented. They were carried out by the use of different techniques: optical and scanning electron microscopy, X-Ray diffraction and WDS microanalysis. In the interaction layer U-7wt.% Mo-1wt.% Zr/Al, the phases UAl{sub 3}, UAl{sub 4}, Al{sub 20}Mo{sub 2}U and Al{sub 43}Mo{sub 4}U{sub 6} were identified. In the interaction layer U-7wt.% Mo-1wt.% Zr/Al A356, the phases U(Al, Si) with 25at.% Si and Si{sub 5}U{sub 3} were identified. This lastmore » phase, with a higher Si concentration, was identified with XRD Synchrotron radiation performed at the National Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS), Campinas, Brasil. (author)« less

  16. Crystallographic study of Si and ZrN coated U-Mo atomised particles and of their interaction with al under thermal annealing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zweifel, T.; Palancher, H.; Leenaers, A.; Bonnin, A.; Honkimaki, V.; Tucoulou, R.; Van Den Berghe, S.; Jungwirth, R.; Charollais, F.; Petry, W.

    2013-11-01

    A new type of high density fuel is needed for the conversion of research and test reactors from high to lower enriched uranium. The most promising one is a dispersion of atomized uranium-molybdenum (U-Mo) particles in an Al matrix. However, during in-pile irradiation the growth of an interaction layer between the U-Mo and the Al matrix strongly limits the fuel's performance. To improve the in-pile behaviour, the U-Mo particles can be coated with protective layers. The SELENIUM (Surface Engineering of Low ENrIched Uranium-Molybdenum) fuel development project consists of the production, irradiation and post-irradiation examination of 2 flat, full-size dispersion fuel plates containing respectively Si and ZrN coated U-Mo atomized powder dispersed in a pure Al matrix. In this paper X-ray diffraction analyses of the Si and ZrN layers after deposition, fuel plate manufacturing and thermal annealing are reported. It was found for the U-Mo particles coated with ZrN (thickness 1 μm), that the layer is crystalline, and exhibits lower density than the theoretical one. Fuel plate manufacturing does not strongly influence these crystallographic features. For the U-Mo particles coated with Si (thickness 0.6 μm), the measurements of the as received material suggest an amorphous state of the deposited layer. Fuel plate manufacturing strongly modifies its composition: Si reacts with the U-Mo particles and the Al matrix to grow U(Al, Si)3 and U3Si5 phases. Finally both coatings have shown excellent performances under thermal treatment by limiting drastically the U-Mo/Al interdiffusion. U(Al,Si)3 with two lattice parameters (4.16 Å and 4.21 Å), A distorted U3Si5 phase. Note that these phases were not present in the U-Mo(Si) powders. These phases are usually found in the Silicon rich diffusion layer (SiRDL) obtained in dispersed fuels (as-manufactured U-Mo/Al(Si) fuel plates [12,3] or annealed UMo(Si)/Al fuel rods [40]) as well as in diffusion couples (U-Mo/Al(Si7) [37-39] or U

  17. Potential annealing treatments for tailoring the starting microstructure of low-enriched U-Mo dispersion fuels to optimize performance during irradiation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Keiser, Dennis D.; Jue, Jan-Fong; Woolstenhulme, Nicolas E.; Ewh, Ashley

    2011-12-01

    Low-enriched uranium-molybdenum (U-Mo) alloy particles dispersed in aluminum alloy (e.g., dispersion fuels) are being developed for application in research and test reactors. To achieve the best performance of these fuels during irradiation, optimization of the starting microstructure may be required by utilizing a heat treatment that results in the formation of uniform, Si-rich interaction layers between the U-Mo particles and Al-Si matrix. These layers behave in a stable manner under certain irradiation conditions. To identify the optimum heat treatment for producing these kinds of layers in a dispersion fuel plate, a systematic annealing study has been performed using actual dispersion fuel samples, which were fabricated at relatively low temperatures to limit the growth of any interaction layers in the samples prior to controlled heat treatment. These samples had different Al matrices with varying Si contents and were annealed between 450 and 525 °C for up to 4 h. The samples were then characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine the thickness, composition, and uniformity of the interaction layers. Image analysis was performed to quantify various attributes of the dispersion fuel microstructures that related to the development of the interaction layers. The most uniform layers were observed to form in fuel samples that had an Al matrix with at least 4 wt.% Si and a heat treatment temperature of at least 475 °C.

  18. Guiding properties and dispersion control of kagome lattice hollow-core photonic crystal fibers.

    PubMed

    Im, Song-Jin; Husakou, Anton; Herrmann, Joachim

    2009-07-20

    Dispersion properties, loss and optimum design of kagome lattice hollow-core photonic crystal fibers filled with argon are studied for the purpose of possible applications in ultrafast nonlinear optics. As will be shown numerically and by using an approximate analytical formula these fibers exhibit anomalous dispersion for visible or UV wavelengths both for a 1-cell-core as well for a 3-ring-core which can be controlled by the gas pressure and do not suffer from high loss. It is shown that while the loss is mainly influenced by the strut thickness of the kagome lattice the group velocity dispersion is almost independently controlled by the core size. These results demonstrate that kagome lattice hollow fibers have a promising potential in ultrashort pulse delivering of high-energy pulses and in several interesting applications in ultrafast nonlinear optics.

  19. Interdiffusion behavior of U3Si2 with FeCrAl via diffusion couple studies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hoggan, Rita E.; He, Lingfeng; Harp, Jason M.

    2018-04-01

    Uranium silicide (U3Si2) is a candidate to replace uranium oxide (UO2) as light water reactor (LWR) fuel because of its higher thermal conductivity and higher fissile density relative to the current standard, UO2. A class of Fe, Cr, Al alloys collectively known as FeCrAl alloys that have superior mechanical and oxidation resistance are being considered as an alternative to the standard Zirconium based LWR cladding. The interdiffusion behavior between FeCrAl and U3Si2 is investigated in this study. Commercially available FeCrAl, along with U3Si2 pellets were placed in diffusion couples. Individual tests were ran at temperatures ranging from 500 °C to 1000 °C for 30 h and 100 h. The interdiffusion was analyzed with an optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscope. Uniform and planar interdiffusion layers along the material interface were illustrated with backscatter electron micrographs and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Electron diffraction was used to validate phases present in the system, including distinct U2Fe3Si/UFe2 and UFeSi layers at the material interface. U and Fe diffused far into the FeCrAl and U3Si2 matrix, respectively, in the higher temperature tests. No interaction was observed at 500 °C for 30 h.

  20. Deformation Behavior of Al/a-Si Core-shell Nanostructures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fleming, Robert

    Al/a-Si core-shell nanostructures (CSNs), consisting of a hemispherical Al core surrounded by a hard shell of a-Si, have been shown to display unusual mechanical behavior in response to compression loading. Most notably, these nanostructures exhibit substantial deformation recovery, even when loaded much beyond the elastic limit. Nanoindentation measurements revealed a unique mechanical response characterized by discontinuous signatures in the load-displacement data. In conjunction with the indentation signatures, nearly complete deformation recovery is observed. This behavior is attributed to dislocation nucleation and annihilation events enabled by the 3-dimensional confinement of the Al core. As the core confinement is reduced, either through an increase in confined core volume or a change in the geometrical confinement, the indentation signatures and deformation resistance are significantly reduced. Complimentary molecular dynamics simulations show that a substantial amount of dislocation egression occurs in the core of CSNs during unloading as dislocations annihilate at the core/shell interface. Smaller core diameters correlate with the development of a larger back-stress within the core during unloading, which further correlates with improved dislocation annihilation after unloading. Furthermore, dislocations nucleated in the core of core-shell nanorods are not as effectively removed as compared to CSNs. Nanostructure-textured surfaces (NSTSs) composed of Al/a-Si CSNs have improved tribological properties compared surfaces patterned with Al nanodots and a flat (100) Si surface. NSTSs have a coefficient of friction (COF) as low as 0.015, exhibit low adhesion with adhesion forces on the order of less than 1 microN, and are highly deformation resistant, with no apparent surface deformation after nanoscratch testing, even at contact forces up to 8000 microN. In comparison, (100) Si has substantially higher adhesion and COF ( 10 microN and 0.062, respectively

  1. Role of Si on the Diffusional Interactions Between U-Mo and Al-Si Alloys at 823 K (550 °C)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Perez, Emmanuel; Sohn, Yong-Ho; Keiser, Dennis D.

    2013-01-01

    U-Mo dispersions in Al-alloy matrix and monolithic fuels encased in Al-alloy are under development to fulfill the requirements for research and test reactors to use low-enriched molybdenum stabilized uranium alloy fuels. Significant interaction takes place between the U-Mo fuel and Al during manufacturing and in-reactor irradiation. The interaction products are Al-rich phases with physical and thermal characteristics that adversely affect fuel performance and result in premature failure. Detailed analysis of the interdiffusion and microstructural development of this system was carried through diffusion couples consisting of U-7 wt pct Mo, U-10 wt pct Mo and U-12 wt pct Mo in contact with pure Al, Al-2 wt pct Si, and Al-5 wt pct Si, annealed at 823 K (550 °C) for 1, 5 and 20 hours. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were employed for the analysis. Diffusion couples consisting of U-Mo in contact with pure Al contained UAl3, UAl4, U6Mo4Al43, and UMo2Al20 phases. Additions of Si to the Al significantly reduced the thickness of the interdiffusion zone. The interdiffusion zones developed Al- and Si-enriched regions, whose locations and size depended on the Si and Mo concentrations in the terminal alloys. In these couples, the (U,Mo)(Al,Si)3 phase was observed throughout the interdiffusion zone, and the U6Mo4Al43 and UMo2Al20 phases were observed only where the Si concentrations were low.

  2. Correction for Delay and Dispersion Results in More Accurate Cerebral Blood Flow Ischemic Core Measurement in Acute Stroke.

    PubMed

    Lin, Longting; Bivard, Andrew; Kleinig, Timothy; Spratt, Neil J; Levi, Christopher R; Yang, Qing; Parsons, Mark W

    2018-04-01

    This study aimed to assess how the ischemic core measured by perfusion computed tomography (CTP) was affected by the delay and dispersion effect. Ischemic stroke patients having CTP performed within 6 hours of onset were included. The CTP data were processed twice, generating standard cerebral blood flow (sCBF) and delay- and dispersion-corrected CBF (ddCBF), respectively. Ischemic core measured by the sCBF and ddCBF was then compared at the relative threshold <30% of normal tissue. Two references for ischemic core were used: acute diffusion-weighted imaging or 24-hour diffusion-weighted imaging in patients with complete recanalization. Difference of core volume between CTP and diffusion-weighted imaging was estimated by Mann-Whitney U test and limits of agreement. Patients were also classified into favorable and unfavorable CTP patterns. The imaging pattern classification by sCBF and ddCBF was compared by the χ 2 test; their respective ability to predict good clinical outcome (3-month modified Rankin Scale score) was tested in logistic regression. Fifty-five patients were included in this study. Median sCBF ischemic core volume was 38.5 mL (12.4-61.9 mL), much larger than the median core volume of 17.2 mL measured by ddCBF (interquartile range, 5.5-38.8; P <0.001). Moreover, compared with sCBF <30%, ddCBF <30% measured the ischemic core much closer to diffusion-weighted imaging core references, with the mean volume difference of -0.1 mL (95% limits of agreement, -25.4 to 25.2; P =0.97) and 16.7 mL (95% limits of agreement, -21.7 to 55.2; P <0.001), respectively. Imaging patterns defined by sCBF showed a difference to that defined by ddCBF ( P <0.001), with 12 patients classified as favorable imaging patterns by ddCBF but as unfavorable by sCBF. The favorable imaging pattern classified by ddCBF, compared with sCBF classification, had higher predictive power for good clinical outcome (odds ratio, 7.8 [2-30.5] and 3.1 [0.9-11], respectively). Delay and dispersion

  3. Extremely low-loss, dispersion flattened porous-core photonic crystal fiber for terahertz regime

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Islam, Saiful; Islam, Mohammad Rakibul; Faisal, Mohammad; Arefin, Abu Sayeed Muhammad Shamsul; Rahman, Hasan; Sultana, Jakeya; Rana, Sohel

    2016-07-01

    A porous-core octagonal photonic crystal fiber (PC-OPCF) with ultralow effective material loss (EML), high core power fraction, and ultra flattened dispersion is proposed for terahertz (THz) wave propagation. At an operating frequency of 1 THz and core diameter of 345 μm, simulation results display an extremely low EML of 0.047 cm-1, 49.1% power transmission through core air holes, decreased confinement loss with the increase of frequency, and dispersion variation of 0.15 ps/THz/cm. In addition, the proposed PCF can successfully operate in single-mode condition. All the simulations are performed with finite-element modeling package, COMSOL v4.2. The design can be fabricated using a stacking and drilling method. Thus, the proposed fiber has the potential of being an effective transmission medium of broadband THz waves.

  4. CNEA/ANL collaboration program to develop an optimized version of DART validation and assessment by means of U{sub 3}Si{sub x} and U{sub 3}O{sub 8-}Al dispersed CNEA miniplate irradiation behavior.

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

    Solis, D.

    1998-10-16

    The DART code is based upon a thermomechanical model that can predict swelling, recrystallization, fuel-meat interdiffusion and other issues related with MTR dispersed FE behavior under irradiation. As a part of a common effort to develop an optimized version of DART, a comparison between DART predictions and CNEA miniplates irradiation experimental data was made. The irradiation took place during 1981-82 for U3O8 miniplates and 1985-86 for U{sub 3}Si{sub x} at Oak Ridge Research Reactor (ORR). The microphotographs were studied by means of IMAWIN 3.0 Image Analysis Code and different fission gas bubbles distributions were obtained. Also it was possible tomore » find and identify different morphologic zones. In both kinds of fuels, different phases were recognized, like particle peripheral zones with evidence of Al-U reaction, internal recrystallized zones and bubbles. A very good agreement between code prediction and irradiation results was found. The few discrepancies are due to local, fabrication and irradiation uncertainties, as the presence of U{sub 3}Si phase in U{sub 3}Si{sub 2} particles and effective burnup.« less

  5. Swelling of U-7Mo/Al-Si dispersion fuel plates under irradiation - Non-destructive analysis of the AFIP-1 fuel plates

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wachs, D. M.; Robinson, A. B.; Rice, F. J.; Kraft, N. C.; Taylor, S. C.; Lillo, M.; Woolstenhulme, N.; Roth, G. A.

    2016-08-01

    Extensive fuel-matrix interactions leading to plate pillowing have proven to be a significant impediment to the development of a suitable high density low-enriched uranium molybdenum alloy (U-Mo) based dispersion fuel for high power applications in research reactors. The addition of silicon to the aluminum matrix was previously demonstrated to reduce interaction layer growth in mini-plate experiments. The AFIP-1 project involved the irradiation, in-canal examination, and post-irradiation examination of two fuel plates. The irradiation of two distinct full size, flat fuel plates (one using an Al-2wt%Si matrix and the other an Al-4043 (∼4.8 wt% Si) matrix) was performed in the INL ATR reactor in 2008-2009. The irradiation conditions were: ∼250 W/cm2 peak Beginning Of Life (BOL) power, with a ∼3.5e21 f/cm3 peak burnup. The plates were successfully irradiated and did not show any pillowing at the end of the irradiation. This paper reports the results and interpretation of the in-canal and post-irradiation non-destructive examinations that were performed on these fuel plates. It further compares additional PIE results obtained on fuel plates irradiated in contemporary campaigns in order to allow a complete comparison with all results obtained under similar conditions. Except for a brief indication of accelerated swelling early in the irradiation of the Al-2Si plate, the fuel swelling is shown to evolve linearly with the fission density through the maximum burnup.

  6. High temperature dispersion strengthening of NiAl

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sherman, M.; Vedula, K.

    1986-01-01

    A potential high temperature strengthening mechanism for alloys based on the intermetallic compound NiAl was investigated. This study forms part of an overall program at NASA Lewis Research Center for exploring the potential of alloys based on NiAl for high temperature applications. An alloy containing 2.26 at% Nb and produced by hot extrusion of blended powders was examined in detail using optical and electron microscopy. Interdiffusion between the blended Nb and NiAl powders results in the formation of intermediate phases. A fine dispersion of precipitates of a hexagonal, ordered NiAlNb phases in a matrix of NiAl can be produced and this results in strengthening of the alloy by interfering with dislocation motion at high temperature. These precipitates are, however, found to coarsen during the high temperature (1300 K) deformation at slow strain rates and this may impose some limitatioins on the use of this strengthening mechanism.

  7. Effects of Irradiation on the Microstructure of U-7Mo Dispersion Fuel with Al-2Si Matrix

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

    Dennis D. Keiser, Jr.; Jan-Fong Jue; Adam B. Robinson

    2012-06-01

    The Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactor program is developing low-enriched uranium U-Mo dispersion fuels for application in research and test reactors around the world. As part of this development, fuel plates have been irradiated in the Advanced Test Reactor and then characterized using optical metallography (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to determine the as-irradiated microstructure. To demonstrate the irradiation performance of U-7Mo dispersion fuel plates with 2 wt% Si added to the matrix, fuel plates were tested to medium burnups at intermediate fission rates as part of the RERTR-6 experiment. Further testing was performed to higher fissionmore » rates as part of the RERTR-7A experiment, and very aggressive testing (high temperature, high fission density, high fission rate) was performed in the RERTR-9A, RERTR-9B and AFIP-1 experiments. As-irradiated microstructures were compared to those observed after fabrication to determine the effects of irradiation on the microstructure. Based on comparison of the microstructural characterization results for each irradiated sample, some general conclusions can be drawn about how the microstructure evolves during irradiation: there is growth of the fuel/matrix interaction layer (FMI), which was present in the samples to some degree after fabrication, during irradiation; Si diffuses from the FMI layer to deeper depths in the U-7Mo particles as the irradiation conditions are made more aggressive; lowering of the Si content in the FMI layer results in an increase in the size of the fission gas bubbles; as the FMI layer grows during irradiation more Si diffuses from the matrix to the FMI layer/matrix interface, and interlinking of fission gas bubbles in the fuel plate microstructure that may indicate breakaway swelling is not observed.« less

  8. Effects of irradiation on the microstructure of U-7Mo dispersion fuel with Al-2Si matrix

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Keiser, Dennis D.; Jue, Jan-Fong; Robinson, Adam B.; Medvedev, Pavel; Gan, Jian; Miller, Brandon D.; Wachs, Daniel M.; Moore, Glenn A.; Clark, Curtis R.; Meyer, Mitchell K.; Ross Finlay, M.

    2012-06-01

    The Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactor (RERTR) program is developing low-enriched uranium U-Mo dispersion fuels for application in research and test reactors around the world. As part of this development, fuel plates have been irradiated in the Advanced Test Reactor and then characterized using optical metallography (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to determine the as-irradiated microstructure. To demonstrate the irradiation performance of U-7Mo dispersion fuel plates with 2 wt.% Si added to the matrix, fuel plates were tested to moderate burnups at intermediate fission rates as part of the RERTR-6 experiment. Further testing was performed to higher fission rates as part of the RERTR-7A experiment, and very aggressive testing (high temperature, high fission density, and high fission rate) was performed in the RERTR-9A, RERTR-9B, and AFIP-1 experiments. As-irradiated microstructures were compared to those observed after fabrication to determine the effects of irradiation on the microstructure. Based on comparison of the microstructural characterization results for each irradiated sample, some general conclusions can be drawn about how the microstructure evolves during irradiation: there is growth during irradiation of the fuel/matrix interaction (FMI) layer created during fabrication; Si diffuses from the FMI layer to deeper depths in the U-7Mo particles as the irradiation conditions are made more aggressive; lowering of the Si content in the FMI layer results in an increase in the size of the fission gas bubbles; as the FMI layer grows during irradiation, more Si diffuses from the matrix to the FMI layer/matrix interface; and interlinking of fission gas bubbles in the fuel plate microstructure that may indicate breakaway swelling is not observed.

  9. Al-Qaeda Core: A Case Study

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2017-10-01

    near-simultaneous bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in August 1998 that killed 224 people and wounded more than 5,000; the October...Yemeni Al-Qaeda members attempted unsuccessfully to bomb the USS The Sullivans, anchored in Yemen’s port of Aden. But ten months later, Al-Qaeda... bombing of a synagogue in Tunisia, Al-Qaeda operatives carried out major attacks in Casablanca (May 16, 2003), Istanbul (December 20, 2003), Madrid

  10. 1300 K compressive properties of several dispersion strengthened NiAl materials

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Whittenberger, J. Daniel; Gaydosh, D. J.; Kumar, K. S.

    1990-01-01

    To examine the potential of rapid solidification technology (RST) as a means to fabricate dispersion-strengthened aluminides, cylindrical compression samples were machined from the gauge section of their tensile specimens and tested in air at 1300 K. While microscopy indicates that RST can produce fine dispersions of TiB2, TiC and HfC in a NiAl matrix, the mechanical property data reveal that only HfC successfully strengthens the intermetallic matrix. The high stress exponents (above 10) and/or independence of strain rate on stress for NiAl-HfC materials suggest elevated temperature mechanical behavior similar to that found in oxide dispersion-strengthened alloys. Furthermore, an apparent example of departure side pinning has been observed, and as such, it is indicative of a threshold stress for creep.

  11. A study of the oxide dispersion and recrystallization in NiCrAl prepared from preoxidized powder

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Glasgow, T. K.

    1975-01-01

    The SAP technique of dispersion strengthening (formation of an oxide dispersion by preoxidation of metal powders) was applied to atomized powder of the alloy Ni-17Cr-5Al-0.2 Y. SAP-NiCrAl was worked by extrusion and rod rolling at 1205 C and by swaging at 760 C. A variety of annealing treatments were applied after working to determine the recrystallization response. NiCrAlY, similarly prepared from atomized powder, but without a preoxidation treatment, was examined for comparison. The SAP-NiCrAl of this study exhibited oxide particle size and spacing much larger than that usually observed in oxide dispersion strengthened alloys; nonetheless, it was possible to achieve abnormal (secondary) recrystallization in the SAP-NiCrAl as has been reported for other oxide dispersion strengthened alloys. In contrast, unoxidized NiCrAlY exhibited only primary recrystallization.

  12. Impact Vaporization of Planetesimal Cores

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kraus, R. G.; Root, S.; Lemke, R. W.; Stewart, S. T.; Jacobsen, S. B.; Mattsson, T. R.

    2013-12-01

    The degree of mixing and chemical equilibration between the iron cores of planetesimals and the mantle of the growing Earth has important consequences for understanding the end stages of Earth's formation and planet formation in general. At the Sandia Z machine, we developed a new shock-and-release technique to determine the density on the liquid-vapor dome of iron, the entropy on the iron shock Hugoniot, and the criteria for shock-induced vaporization of iron. We find that the critical shock pressure to vaporize iron is 507(+65,-85) GPa and show that decompression from a 15 km/s impact will initiate vaporization of iron cores, which is a velocity that is readily achieved at the end stages of planet formation. Vaporization of the iron cores increases dispersal of planetesimal cores, enables more complete chemical equilibration of the planetesimal cores with Earth's mantle, and reduces the highly siderophile element abundance on the Moon relative to Earth due to the expanding iron vapor exceeding the Moon's escape velocity. Sandia National Laboratories is a multiprogram laboratory managed and operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation, for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Securities Administration under Contract No. DE-AC04-94AL85000.

  13. A study of the oxide dispersion and recrystallization in NiCrAl prepared from preoxidized powder

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Glasgow, T. K.

    1975-01-01

    The sintered aluminum powder (SAP) technique of dispersion strengthening (formation of an oxide dispersion by preoxidation of metal powders) was applied to atomized powder of a nickel alloy containing, by weight, 17% Cr, 5% Al, and 0.2% Y. The SAP-NiCrAl alloy (without the ytterbium removed by oxdation) was worked by extrusion and rod rolling at 1205 C and by swaging at 760 C. Annealing treatments were applied after working to determine the recrystallization response. The NiCrAlY alloy, similarly prepared from atomized powder, but without a preoxidation treatment, was examined for comparison. The SAP-NiCrAl alloy exhibited oxide particle size and spacing much larger than that usually observed in oxide dispersion strengthened alloys; nonetheless, it was possible to achieve abnormal (secondary) recrystallization in the SAP-NiCrAl alloy as has been reported for other oxide dispersion strengthened alloys. In contrast, the unoxidized NiCrAlY alloy exhibited only primary recrystallization.

  14. DART model for irradiation-induced swelling of uranium silicide dispersion fuel elements

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

    Rest, J.; Hofman, G.L.

    1999-04-01

    Models for the interaction of uranium silicide dispersion fuels with an aluminum matrix, for the resultant reaction product swelling, and for the calculation of the stress gradient within the fuel particles are described within the context of DART fission-gas-induced swelling models. The effects of an aluminide shell on fuel particle swelling are evaluated. Validation of the model is demonstrated by comparing DART calculations with irradiation data for the swelling of U{sub 3}SiAl-Al and U{sub 3}Si{sub 2}-Al in variously designed dispersion fuel elements.

  15. Monolayer dispersion of CoO on Al2O3 probed by positronium atom

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Z. W.; Zhang, H. J.; Chen, Z. Q.

    2014-02-01

    CoO/Al2O3 catalysts were prepared by wet impregnation method with CoO contents ranging from 0 wt% to 24 wt%. X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements suggest formation of CoO after calcined in N2. Quantitative X-ray diffraction analysis indicates monolayer dispersion capacity of CoO in CoO/Al2O3 catalysts to be about 3 wt%. Positron annihilation lifetime and coincidence Doppler broadening measurements were performed to study the dispersion state of CoO on Al2O3. The positron lifetime measurements reveal two long lifetime components τ3 and τ4, which correspond to ortho-positronium annihilation lifetime in microvoids and large pores, respectively. It was found that the positronium atom is very sensitive to the dispersion state of CoO on Al2O3. The presence of CoO significantly decreases both the lifetime and the intensity of τ4. Detailed analysis of the coincidence Doppler broadening measurements suggests that with the CoO content lower than the monolayer dispersion, spin conversion reaction of positronium is induced by CoO. When the cobalt content is higher than the monolayer dispersion capacity, inhibition of positronium formation becomes the dominate effect.

  16. Synthesis of water dispersible boron core silica shell (B@SiO2) nanoparticles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Walton, Nathan I.; Gao, Zhe; Eygeris, Yulia; Ghandehari, Hamidreza; Zharov, Ilya

    2018-04-01

    Water dispersible boron nanoparticles have great potential as materials for boron neutron capture therapy of cancer and magnetic resonance imaging, if they are prepared on a large scale with uniform size and shape and hydrophilic modifiable surface. We report the first method to prepare spherical, monodisperse, water dispersible boron core silica shell nanoparticles (B@SiO2 NPs) suitable for aforementioned biomedical applications. In this method, 40 nm elemental boron nanoparticles, easily prepared by mechanical milling and carrying 10-undecenoic acid surface ligands, are hydrosilylated using triethoxysilane, followed by base-catalyzed hydrolysis of tetraethoxysilane, which forms a 10-nm silica shell around the boron core. This simple two-step process converts irregularly shaped hydrophobic boron particles into the spherically shaped uniform nanoparticles. The B@SiO2 NPs are dispersible in water and the silica shell surface can be modified with primary amines that allow for the attachment of a fluorophore and, potentially, of targeting moieties. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

  17. Investigation of the phase relations in the U-Al-Ge ternary system: Influence of the Al/Ge substitution on the properties of the intermediate phases

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

    Moussa, C.; El Sayah, Z.; Chajewski, G.

    The phase relations within the U-Al-Ge ternary system were studied for two isothermal sections, at 673 K for the whole Gibbs triangle and at 1173 K for the concentration range 25–100 at% U. The identification of the phases, their composition ranges and stability were determined by x-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy coupled to energy dispersive spectroscopy and differential thermal analysis. The tie-lines and the solubility domains were determined for the U-Ge and U-Al binaries, the UAl{sub 3}-UGe{sub 3} solid-solution and for the unique ternary intermediate phase U{sub 3}Al{sub 2−x}Ge{sub 3+x}. The experimental isopleth section of the pseudo-binary UAl{sub 3}-UGe{submore » 3} reveals an isomorphous solid solution based on the Cu{sub 3}Au-type below the solidus. The U{sub 3}Al{sub 2−x}Ge{sub 3+x} solid solution extends for −0.1≤x≤1.35 and −0.2≤x≤1.5 at 673 K and 1173 K respectively. It crystallizes in the I-centered tetragonal symmetry. The reciprocal lattice of several compositions of the U{sub 3}Al{sub 2−x}Ge{sub 3+x} solid solution was examined by electron diffraction at room temperature, revealing the presence of a c-glide plane. Their crystal structure was refined by single crystal x-ray diffraction suggesting an isomorphous solid solution best described with the non-centrosymmetric space group I4cm in the paramagnetic domain. The magnetic measurements confirm the ferromagnetic ordering of the solid solution U{sub 3}Al{sub 2−x}Ge{sub 3+x} with an increase of Tc with the Al content. The thermal variation of the specific heat bear out the magnetic transitions with some delocalized character of the uranium 5f electrons. - Graphical abstract: The phase relations within the U-Al-Ge ternary system were experimentally assessed for two isothermal sections, at 673 K for the whole Gibbs triangle and at 1173 K for the concentration range 25–100 at% U. A complete UAl{sub 3}-UGe{sub 3} solid-solution based on the Cu{sub 3}Au

  18. Post-irradiation examination of prototype Al-64 wt% U{sub 3}Si{sub 2} fuel rods from NRU

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

    Sears, D.F.; Primeau, M.F.; Buchanan, C.

    1997-08-01

    Three prototype fuel rods containing Al-64 wt% U{sub 3}Si{sub 2} (3.15 gU/cm{sup 3}) have been irradiated to their design burnup in the NRU reactor without incident. The fuel was fabricated using production-scale equipment and processes previously developed for Al-U{sub 3}Si fuel fabrication at Chalk River Laboratories, and special equipment developed for U{sub 3}Si{sub 2} powder production and handling. The rods were irradiated in NRU up to 87 at% U-235 burnup under typical driver fuel conditions; i.e., nominal coolant inlet temperature 37{degrees}C, inlet pressure 654 kPa, mass flow 12.4 L/s, and element linear power ratings up to 73 kW/m. Post-irradiation examinationsmore » showed that the fuel elements survived the irradiation without defects. Fuel core diametral increases and volumetric swelling were significantly lower than that of Al-61 wt% U{sub 3}Si fuel irradiated under similar conditions. This irradiation demonstrated that the fabrication techniques are adequate for full-scale fuel manufacture, and qualified the fuel for use in AECL`s research reactors.« less

  19. DART model for irradiation-induced swelling of dispersion fuel elements including aluminum-fuel interaction

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

    Rest, J.; Hofman, G.L.

    1997-12-01

    The Dispersion Analysis Research Tool (DART) contains models for fission-gas-induced fuel swelling, interaction of fuel with the matrix aluminum, for the resultant reaction-product swelling, and for the calculation of the stress gradient within the fuel particle. The effects of an aluminide shell on fuel particle swelling are evaluated. Validation of the model is demonstrated by a comparison of DART calculations of fuel swelling of U{sub 3}SiAl-Al and U{sub 3}Si{sub 2}-Al for various dispersion fuel element designs with the data.

  20. Enhanced thermoelectric transport in modulation-doped GaN/AlGaN core/shell nanowires.

    PubMed

    Song, Erdong; Li, Qiming; Swartzentruber, Brian; Pan, Wei; Wang, George T; Martinez, Julio A

    2016-01-08

    The thermoelectric properties of unintentionally n-doped core GaN/AlGaN core/shell N-face nanowires are reported. We found that the temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity is consistent with thermally activated carriers with two distinctive donor energies. The Seebeck coefficient of GaN/AlGaN nanowires is more than twice as large as that for the GaN nanowires alone. However, an outer layer of GaN deposited onto the GaN/AlGaN core/shell nanowires decreases the Seebeck coefficient at room temperature, while the temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity remains the same. We attribute these observations to the formation of an electron gas channel within the heavily-doped GaN core of the GaN/AlGaN nanowires. The room-temperature thermoelectric power factor for the GaN/AlGaN nanowires can be four times higher than the GaN nanowires. Selective doping in bandgap engineered core/shell nanowires is proposed for enhancing the thermoelectric power.

  1. Relations de Dispersion et Diffusion des Glueballs et des Mesons dans la Theorie de Jauge U(1)(2+1) Compacte

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ahmed, Chaara El Mouez

    Nous avons etudie les relations de dispersion et la diffusion des glueballs et des mesons dans le modele U(1)_{2+1} compact. Ce modele a ete souvent utilise comme un simple modele de la chromodynamique quantique (QCD), parce qu'il possede le confinement ainsi que les etats de glueballs. Par contre, sa structure mathematique est beaucoup plus simple que la QCD. Notre methode consiste a diagonaliser l'Hamiltonien de ce modele dans une base appropriee de graphes et sur reseau impulsion, afin de generer les relations de dispersion des glueballs et des mesons. Pour la diffusion, nous avons utilise la methode dependante du temps pour calculer la matrice S et la section efficace de diffusion des glueballs et des mesons. Les divers resultats obtenus semblent etre en accord avec les travaux anterieurs de Hakim, Alessandrini et al., Irving et al., qui eux, utilisent plutot la theorie des perturbations en couplage fort, et travaillent sur un reseau espace-temps.

  2. Influence of surface morphology and UFG on damping and mechanical properties of composite reinforced with spinel MgAl{sub 2}O{sub 4}-SiC core-shell microcomposites

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

    Singh, Subhash; Pal, Kaushik, E-mail: pl_kshk@yaho

    Interface between ceramic particulate and matrix is known to control the response of the materials and functionality of the composite. Among numerous physical properties, grain structure of the materials has also played a significant role in defining the behaviour of metal matrix composites. Usually, silicon carbide (SiC) particles show poor interfacial wettability in aluminium melt. Herein, we were successfully synthesized magnesium oxide (MgO) and nanocrystalline magnesium aluminate (MgAl{sub 2}O{sub 4}) spinel coated silicon carbide (SiC) core-shell micro-composites through sol-gel technique to improve the wettability of dispersoids. Core-shell structures of submicron size were thoroughly investigated by various characterization techniques. Further, aluminiummore » matrix composites incorporated with pristine SiC, MgO grafted SiC and MgAl{sub 2}O{sub 4} grafted SiC particles were fabricated by stir casting technique, respectively. Additionally, as-cast composites were processed via friction stir processing (FSP) technique to observe the influence of grain refinement on mechanical and damping properties. Electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and X-ray energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDX) analysis were conducted for investigating grain size refinement, adequate dispersion, stability and de-agglomeration of encapsulated SiC particles in aluminium matrix. The mechanical as well as thermal cyclic (from − 100 to 400 °C) damping performance of the as-cast and friction stir processed composites were studied, respectively. Finally, the enhanced properties were attributable to reduced agglomeration, stabilization and proper dispersion of the tailored SiC particles Al matrix. - Highlights: •Synthesizing a novel coating layer of MgO and MgAl{sub 2}O{sub 4} spinel onto SiC particles •Significant improvement in UTS and hardness by reinforcing tailored SiC in Al •Significant grain refinements were obtained

  3. Magnetotransport and Heat Capacity in Ternary Compounds U3M2M‧3‧, M=Al, Ga; M=Si, Ge

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Troć, R.; Rogl, P.; Tran, V. H.; Czopnik, A.

    2001-05-01

    We report detailed studies of magnetization, electrical resistivity, magnetoresistivity, and heat capacity performed on the novel family of intermetallic compounds U3M2M‧3, (M=Al, Ga, and M‧=Si, Ge). The present measurements support the earlier conclusions about the ferrimagnetic properties of silicides and ferromagnetic properties of germanides. The resistivity for both compounds U3{Al,Ga}2Si3 exhibits below TC a pronounced maximum observed for the first time in an actinoid-ferrimagnet, probably caused by (a) the reduction of the number of effective conduction carriers or (b) a SDW-type of spin-disorder scattering of electrons. Both low-temperature resistivity (except for U3Ga2Si3) and heat capacity may be described by a T-dependence involving a small gap Δ on the order of 30-50 K in the magnon dispersion. The Cp/T values at 2 K are enhanced and point to a medium-heavy fermion character of all these ternaries. Magnetoresistance for ferrimagnetic U3{Al,Ga}2Si3 is rather small but positive in correspondence of antiferromagnetic interactions. In correspondence to the ferromagnetic materials, negative magnetoresistance is encountered for U3{Al,Ga}2Ge3. Specific features in the temperature dependence of magnetoresistivity Δρ/ρ at various fields confirm the sinusoidal modulation of the magnetic structure for U3Al2Ge3 between 40 and 60 K. Also, such data for U3Ga2Ge3 present strong indications for a similar magnetic modulation between 63 and 93 K, yet to be discovered by neutron diffraction experiments. In addition, the transition at 63 K is furthermore well resolved in the specific heat data of U3Ga2Ge3.

  4. Synthesis of bi-phase dispersible core-shell FeAu@ZnO magneto-opto-fluorescent nanoparticles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Xue-Mei; Liu, Hong-Ling; Liu, Xiao; Fang, Ning; Wang, Xian-Hong; Wu, Jun-Hua

    2015-11-01

    Bi-phase dispersible core-shell FeAu@ZnO magneto-opto-fluorescent nanoparticles were synthesized by a modified nanoemulsion process using poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEO-PPO-PEO) as the surfactant. The morphology and crystal structure of the nanoparticles were studied by TEM/HRTEM and XRD. The nanoparticles manifest soft ferromagnetic and/or near superparamagnetic behavior with a small coercivity of ~19 Oe at room temperature. The corresponding magnetic hysteresis curves were elucidated by the modified Langevin equation. The FTIR study confirms the PEO-PPO-PEO molecules on the surface of the nanoparticles. The UV-vis and PL results reveal the well-behaved absorption bands including surface plasmon resonance and multiple visible fingerprint photoluminescent emissions of the nanoparticles dispersed in both hydrophilic and hydrophobic solvents. Moreover, the processes of solvent dispersion-collection of the nanoparticles were demonstrated for application readiness of such core-shell nanostructures.

  5. Synthesis of bi-phase dispersible core-shell FeAu@ZnO magneto-opto-fluorescent nanoparticles

    PubMed Central

    Li, Xue-Mei; Liu, Hong-Ling; Liu, Xiao; Fang, Ning; Wang, Xian-Hong; Wu, Jun-Hua

    2015-01-01

    Bi-phase dispersible core-shell FeAu@ZnO magneto-opto-fluorescent nanoparticles were synthesized by a modified nanoemulsion process using poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEO-PPO-PEO) as the surfactant. The morphology and crystal structure of the nanoparticles were studied by TEM/HRTEM and XRD. The nanoparticles manifest soft ferromagnetic and/or near superparamagnetic behavior with a small coercivity of ~19 Oe at room temperature. The corresponding magnetic hysteresis curves were elucidated by the modified Langevin equation. The FTIR study confirms the PEO-PPO-PEO molecules on the surface of the nanoparticles. The UV-vis and PL results reveal the well-behaved absorption bands including surface plasmon resonance and multiple visible fingerprint photoluminescent emissions of the nanoparticles dispersed in both hydrophilic and hydrophobic solvents. Moreover, the processes of solvent dispersion-collection of the nanoparticles were demonstrated for application readiness of such core-shell nanostructures. PMID:26548369

  6. Melting and solidification behavior of Cu/Al and Ti/Al bimetallic core/shell nanoparticles during additive manufacturing by molecular dynamics simulation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rahmani, Farzin; Jeon, Jungmin; Jiang, Shan; Nouranian, Sasan

    2018-05-01

    Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to investigate the role of core volume fraction and number of fusing nanoparticles (NPs) on the melting and solidification of Cu/Al and Ti/Al bimetallic core/shell NPs during a superfast heating and slow cooling process, roughly mimicking the conditions of selective laser melting (SLM). One recent trend in the SLM process is the rapid prototyping of nanoscopically heterogeneous alloys, wherein the precious core metal maintains its particulate nature in the final manufactured part. With this potential application in focus, the current work reveals the fundamental role of the interface in the two-stage melting of the core/shell alloy NPs. For a two-NP system, the melting zone gets broader as the core volume fraction increases. This effect is more pronounced for the Ti/Al system than the Cu/Al system because of a larger difference between the melting temperatures of the shell and core metals in the former than the latter. In a larger six-NP system (more nanoscopically heterogeneous), the melting and solidification temperatures of the shell Al roughly coincide, irrespective of the heating or cooling rate, implying that in the SLM process, the part manufacturing time can be reduced due to solidification taking place at higher temperatures. The nanostructure evolution during the cooling of six-NP systems is further investigated. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

  7. Thermodynamic properties of La-Ga-Al and U-Ga-Al alloys and the separation factor of U/La couple in the molten salt-liquid metal system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Novoselova, A.; Smolenski, V.; Volkovich, V. A.; Ivanov, A. B.; Osipenko, A.; Griffiths, T. R.

    2015-11-01

    The electrochemical behaviour of lanthanum and uranium was studied in fused 3LiCl-2KCl eutectic and Ga-Al eutectic liquid metal alloy between 723 and 823 K. Electrode potentials were recorded vs. Cl-/Cl2 reference electrode and the temperature dependencies of the apparent standard potentials of La-(Ga-Al) and U-(Ga-Al) alloys were determined. Lanthanum and uranium activity coefficients and U/La couple separation factor were calculated. Partial excess free Gibbs energy, partial enthalpy of mixing and partial excess entropy of La-(Ga-Al) and U-(Ga-Al) alloys were estimated.

  8. Interaction Between U-Mo Alloys and Alloys Al-Be

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nikitin, S. N.; Tarasov, B. A.; Shornikov, D. P.

    The main objective of the work is the experimental determination of the effect of doping on the kinetics of the interaction of beryllium, aluminum and uranium-molybdenum alloy dispersed in the nuclear fuel. It is shown that an increase in the content of Be in Al leads to a linear decrease in the rate of interaction of the alloy with uranium-molybdenum alloy. Besides AlBe-alloys have higher thermal and mechanical properties than other matrix alloys such as AlSi.

  9. Development of accident tolerant FeCrAl-ODS steels utilizing Ce-oxide particles dispersion

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shibata, Hiroki; Ukai, Shigeharu; Oono, Naoko H.; Sakamoto, Kan; Hirai, Mutsumi

    2018-04-01

    FeCrAl-ODS ferritic steels with Ce-oxide dispersion instead of Y-oxide were produced for the accident tolerant fuel cladding of the light water reactor. Excess oxygen (Ex.O) was added to improve the mechanical property. The tensile strength at Ex.O = 0 is around 200 MPa at 700 °C, mainly owing to dispersed Ce2O3 particles in less than 10 nm size. The formation of the fine Ce2O3 particles is dominated by a coherent interface with ferritic matrix. With increasing Ex.O, an increased of number density of coarser Ce-Al type oxide particles over 10 nm size is responsible for the improvement of the tensile strength. Change of the type of oxide particle, CeO2, Ce2O3, CeAlO3, Al2O3, in FeCrAl-ODS steel was thermodynamically analyzed as a parameter of Ex.O.

  10. Viscoelastic Properties of Core-Shell-Structured, Hemicellulose-Rich Nanofibrillated Cellulose in Dispersion and Wet-Film States.

    PubMed

    Tanaka, Reina; Saito, Tsuguyuki; Hänninen, Tuomas; Ono, Yuko; Hakalahti, Minna; Tammelin, Tekla; Isogai, Akira

    2016-06-13

    We report the viscoelastic properties of core-shell-structured, hemicellulose-rich nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) in dispersion and wet-film states. The hemicellulose-rich NFC (hemicellulose neutral sugars 23%, carboxylate 0.2 mmol g(-1)), prepared from Japanese persimmons, had a core crystallite thickness of 2.3 nm and unit fibril thickness of 4.2 nm. A carboxylate-rich NFC (hemicellulose neutral sugars 7%, carboxylate 0.9 mmol g(-1)) with crystallite and fibril widths of 2.5 and 3.3 nm, respectively, was used as a reference. The solid-concentration dependencies of the storage moduli of gel-like water dispersions of the hemicellulose-rich NFC were weaker than those of carboxylate-rich NFC, and the dispersions were loosely flocculated even at high salt concentrations and low pH values. The viscoelastic properties of wet NFC films were similar to those of their dispersions; the hemicellulose-rich NFC films were significantly less sensitive to salt concentration and pH and were soft and swollen at high salt concentrations and low pH values.

  11. Synthesis of a highly dispersed CuO catalyst on CoAl-HT for the epoxidation of styrene.

    PubMed

    Hu, Rui; Yang, Pengfei; Pan, Yongning; Li, Yunpeng; He, Yufei; Feng, Junting; Li, Dianqing

    2017-10-10

    A highly dispersed CuO catalyst was prepared by the deposition-precipitation method and evaluated for the catalytic epoxidation of styrene with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as the oxidant under solvent acetonitrile conditions. Compared with MgAl hydrotalcite (MgAl-HT)-, MgO-, TiO 2 -, C-, and MCM-22-supported catalysts, CuO/CoAl-HT exhibited preferable activity and selectivity towards styrene oxide (72% selectivity at 99.5% styrene conversion) due to its high dispersion of CuO and surface area of Cu. The improved dispersion of CuO/CoAl-HT could be ascribed to the nature of HT support, especially the synergistic effect of acidic and basic sites on the surface, which facilitated the formation of highly dispersed CuO species. A structure-performance relationship study indicated that copper(ii) in CuO was the active site for the epoxidation and oxidation of styrene, and that Cu II of rich electronic density favored the improvement of selectivity of styrene oxide. Based on these results, a reaction mechanism was proposed. Moreover, the preferred catalytic performance of CuO/CoAl-HT could be maintained in five reused cycles.

  12. Natural and artificial radionuclides in a marine core. First results of 236U in North Atlantic Ocean sediments.

    PubMed

    Villa-Alfageme, M; Chamizo, E; Santos-Arévalo, F J; López-Gutierrez, J M; Gómez-Martínez, I; Hurtado-Bermúdez, S

    2018-06-01

    There are very few data available of 236 U in marine sediment cores. In this study we present the results from the first oceanic depth profile of 236 U in a sediment core sampled in the North Atlantic Ocean, at the PAP site (4500 m depth, Porcupine Abyssal Plain (PAP) site, 49°0' N, 16°30' W). Additionally, the sediment core was radiologically characterized through the measurement of anthropogenic 137 Cs, 239 Pu, 240 Pu, 129 I and 14 C and natural 210 Pb, 40 K and 226 Ra. The measured 236 U concentrations decrease from about 90·10 6  at g -1 at the seafloor down to 0.5·10 6  at g -1 at 6 cm depth. They are several orders of magnitude lower than the reported values for soils from the Northern Hemisphere solely influenced by global fallout (i.e. from 2700·10 6 to 7500·10 6  at g -1 ). 236 U/ 238 U atom ratios measured are at least three orders of magnitude above the estimated level for the naturally occurring dissolved uranium. The obtained inventories are 1·10 12  at m -2 for 236 U, 80 Bq m -2 for 137 Cs, 45 Bq m -2 for 239+240 Pu and 2.6·10 12  at m -2 for 129 I. Atomic ratios for 236 U/ 239 Pu, 137 Cs/ 236 U and 129 I/ 236 U, obtained from the inventories are 0.036, 0.11 and 2.5 respectively. Concentration profiles show mobilization probably due to bioturbation from the abundant detritivore holothurian species living at the PAP site sea-floor. The range of 236 U, 137 Cs, 239+240 Pu and 129 I values, inventories and ratios of these anthropogenic radionuclides are more similar to the values due to fall-out than values from a contribution from the Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing Plants dispersed to the south-west of the North Atlantic Ocean. However, signs of an additional source are detected and might be associated to the nuclear wastes dumped on the Eastern North Atlantic Ocean. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  13. Microstructural Characterization of a Mg Matrix U-Mo Dispersion Fuel Plate Irradiated in the Advanced Test Reactor to High Fission Density: SEM Results

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Keiser, Dennis D.; Jue, Jan-Fong; Miller, Brandon D.; Gan, Jian; Robinson, Adam B.; Medvedev, Pavel G.; Madden, James W.; Moore, Glenn A.

    2016-06-01

    Low-enriched (U-235 <20 pct) U-Mo dispersion fuel is being developed for use in research and test reactors. In most cases, fuel plates with Al or Al-Si alloy matrices have been tested in the Advanced Test Reactor to support this development. In addition, fuel plates with Mg as the matrix have also been tested. The benefit of using Mg as the matrix is that it potentially will not chemically interact with the U-Mo fuel particles during fabrication or irradiation, whereas with Al and Al-Si alloys such interactions will occur. Fuel plate R9R010 is a Mg matrix fuel plate that was aggressively irradiated in ATR. This fuel plate was irradiated as part of the RERTR-8 experiment at high temperature, high fission rate, and high power, up to high fission density. This paper describes the results of the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of an irradiated fuel plate using polished samples and those produced with a focused ion beam. A follow-up paper will discuss the results of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. Using SEM, it was observed that even at very aggressive irradiation conditions, negligible chemical interaction occurred between the irradiated U-7Mo fuel particles and Mg matrix; no interconnection of fission gas bubbles from fuel particle to fuel particle was observed; the interconnected fission gas bubbles that were observed in the irradiated U-7Mo particles resulted in some transport of solid fission products to the U-7Mo/Mg interface; the presence of microstructural pathways in some U-9.1 Mo particles that could allow for transport of fission gases did not result in the apparent presence of large porosity at the U-7Mo/Mg interface; and, the Mg-Al interaction layers that were present at the Mg matrix/Al 6061 cladding interface exhibited good radiation stability, i.e. no large pores.

  14. Chronology of Pu isotopes and 236U in an Arctic ice core.

    PubMed

    Wendel, C C; Oughton, D H; Lind, O C; Skipperud, L; Fifield, L K; Isaksson, E; Tims, S G; Salbu, B

    2013-09-01

    In the present work, state of the art isotopic fingerprinting techniques are applied to an Arctic ice core in order to quantify deposition of U and Pu, and to identify possible tropospheric transport of debris from former Soviet Union test sites Semipalatinsk (Central Asia) and Novaya Zemlya (Arctic Ocean). An ice core chronology of (236)U, (239)Pu, and (240)Pu concentrations, and atom ratios, measured by accelerator mass spectrometry in a 28.6m deep ice core from the Austfonna glacier at Nordaustlandet, Svalbard is presented. The ice core chronology corresponds to the period 1949 to 1999. The main sources of Pu and (236)U contamination in the Arctic were the atmospheric nuclear detonations in the period 1945 to 1980, as global fallout, and tropospheric fallout from the former Soviet Union test sites Novaya Zemlya and Semipalatinsk. Activity concentrations of (239+240)Pu ranged from 0.008 to 0.254 mBq cm(-2) and (236)U from 0.0039 to 0.053 μBq cm(-2). Concentrations varied in concordance with (137)Cs concentrations in the same ice core. In contrast to previous published results, the concentrations of Pu and (236)U were found to be higher at depths corresponding to the pre-moratorium period (1949 to 1959) than to the post-moratorium period (1961 and 1962). The (240)Pu/(239)Pu ratio ranged from 0.15 to 0.19, and (236)U/(239)Pu ranged from 0.18 to 1.4. The Pu atom ratios ranged within the limits of global fallout in the most intensive period of nuclear atmospheric testing (1952 to 1962). To the best knowledge of the authors the present work is the first publication on biogeochemical cycles with respect to (236)U concentrations and (236)U/(239)Pu atom ratios in the Arctic and in ice cores. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  15. Development of Oxide Dispersion Strengthened MCrAlY Coatings

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bobzin, K.; Schläfer, T.; Richardt, K.; Brühl, M.

    2008-12-01

    MCrAlY materials are widely used as bond coats for thermal barrier coatings on turbine blades. The aim of this work is to improve mechanical properties and wear resistance of thermal sprayed NiCoCrAlY-coatings by strengthening the coating with hard phase particles. In order to retain the effect of the dispersion reinforcement at high temperatures, the use of temperature-stable oxide hard phases such as ZrO2-Y2O3 is necessary. To realize this new material structure, the high-energy ball-milling process is applied and analyzed. The mixture ratio between NiCoCrAlY and ZrO2-Y2O3 was varied between 5 and 10 wt.% ZrO2-Y2O3. The influences of the milling time of the high-energy ball-milling process on the distribution of the hard phases in the metal matrix were analyzed. After spraying with a HVOF system the mechanical properties of the coatings are measured and compared with conventional NiCoCrAlY coatings.

  16. Enhanced thermoelectric transport in modulation-doped GaN/AlGaN core/shell nanowires

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

    Song, Erdong; Li, Qiming; Swartzentruber, Brian

    2015-11-25

    The thermoelectric properties of unintentionally n-doped core GaN/AlGaN core/shell N-face nanowires are reported. We found that the temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity is consistent with thermally activated carriers with two distinctive donor energies. The Seebeck coefficient of GaN/AlGaN nanowires is more than twice as large as that for the GaN nanowires alone. However, an outer layer of GaN deposited onto the GaN/AlGaN core/shell nanowires decreases the Seebeck coefficient at room temperature, while the temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity remains the same. We attribute these observations to the formation of an electron gas channel within the heavily-doped GaN coremore » of the GaN/AlGaN nanowires. The room-temperature thermoelectric power factor for the GaN/AlGaN nanowires can be four times higher than the GaN nanowires. As a result, selective doping in bandgap engineered core/shell nanowires is proposed for enhancing the thermoelectric power.« less

  17. Characterization of oxide nanoparticles in Al-free and Al-containing oxide dispersion strengthened ferritic steels.

    PubMed

    Lee, Jae Hoon; Kim, Jeoung Han

    2013-09-01

    Oxide nanoparticles in oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) ferritic steels with and without Al have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy. It is confirmed that most of the complex oxide particles consist of Y2TiO5 for 18Cr-ODS steel and YAlO3 or YAl5O12 for 18Cr5Al-ODS steel, respectivley. The addition of 5% Al in 18Cr-ODS steel leads to the formation of larger oxide particles and the reduction in their number density. For 18Cr-ODS steel, 87% of the oxide particles are coherent. The misfit strain of the coherent particles and a few semi-coherent particles is about 0.034 and 0.056, respectively. For 18Cr5Al-ODS steel, 75% of the oxide particles are semi-coherent, of which the misfit strain is 0.091 and 0.125, respectively. These results suggest that for the Al-containing ODS steel the Al addition accelerates the formation of semi-coherent oxide particles and its larger coherent and semi-coherent particles result in the larger misfit strain between the oxide particle and alloy matrix, indicating that the coherence of oxide nanoparticles in ODS steels is size-dependent.

  18. Synthesis of core-shell AlOOH hollow nanospheres by reacting Al nanoparticles with water

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lozhkomoev, A. S.; Glazkova, E. A.; Bakina, O. V.; Lerner, M. I.; Gotman, I.; Gutmanas, E. Y.; Kazantsev, S. O.; Psakhie, S. G.

    2016-05-01

    A novel route for the synthesis of boehmite nanospheres with a hollow core and the shell composed of highly crumpled AlOOH nanosheets by oxidizing Al nanopowder in pure water under mild processing conditions is described. The stepwise events of Al transformation into boehmite are followed by monitoring the pH in the reaction medium. A mechanism of formation of hollow AlOOH nanospheres with a well-defined shape and crystallinity is proposed which includes the hydration of the Al oxide passivation layer, local corrosion of metallic Al accompanied by hydrogen evolution, the rupture of the protective layer, the dissolution of Al from the particle interior and the deposition of AlOOH nanosheets on the outer surface. In contrast to previously reported methods of boehmite nanoparticle synthesis, the proposed method is simple, and environmentally friendly and allows the generation of hydrogen gas as a by-product. Due to their high surface area and high, slit-shaped nanoporosity, the synthesized AlOOH nanostructures hold promise for the development of more effective catalysts, adsorbents, vaccines and drug carriers.

  19. Adsorption of formamide over pristine and Al-doped boron nitride nanosheets: A dispersion-corrected DFT study.

    PubMed

    Esrafili, Mehdi D; Mousavian, Parisasadat; Arjomandi Rad, Farzad

    2018-06-01

    Using the dispersion-corrected DFT calculations, different adsorption modes of formamide molecule are studied over the pristine and Al-doped boron nitride nanosheets (BNNS). It is found that the interaction between the Al atom and its neighboring N atoms in the Al-doped BNNS is very strong, which would hinder the dispersion and clustering of the Al atoms over the BNNS surface. Unlike the pristine nanosheet, the electronic properties of Al-doped BNNS are very sensitive to the formamide adsorption. The adsorption energies of formamide over the Al-doped sheet are in the range of -0.93 to -1.85 eV, which indicates the quite strong interaction of this molecule with the surface. Moreover, the dehydrogenation of formamide over the Al-doped BNNS is examined. According to our results, the N-H bond scission of formamide is more energetically favorable than the C-H one. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  20. Ni3Si(Al)/a-SiOx core shell nanoparticles: characterization, shell formation, and stability

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pigozzi, G.; Mukherji, D.; Gilles, R.; Barbier, B.; Kostorz, G.

    2006-08-01

    We have used an electrochemical selective phase dissolution method to extract nanoprecipitates of the Ni3Si-type intermetallic phase from two-phase Ni-Si and Ni-Si-Al alloys by dissolving the matrix phase. The extracted nanoparticles are characterized by transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectrometry, x-ray powder diffraction, and electron powder diffraction. It is found that the Ni3Si-type nanoparticles have a core-shell structure. The core maintains the size, the shape, and the crystal structure of the precipitates that existed in the bulk alloys, while the shell is an amorphous phase, containing only Si and O (SiOx). The shell forms around the precipitates during the extraction process. After annealing the nanoparticles in nitrogen at 700 °C, the tridymite phase recrystallizes within the shell, which remains partially amorphous. In contrast, on annealing in air at 1000 °C, no changes in the composition or the structure of the nanoparticles occur. It is suggested that the shell forms after dealloying of the matrix phase, where Si atoms, the main constituents of the shell, migrate to the surface of the precipitates.

  1. Modeling the Pore Formation Mechanism in UMo/AL Dispersion Fuel

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

    Kim, Yeon Soo; Jamison, L.; Hofman, G.

    In UMo/Al dispersion fuel meat, pores formed in the ILs or at IL-Al interfaces tend to increase in size with irradiation, potentially limiting performance of this fuel. There has been no universally accepted mechanism for the formation and growth of this type of pore. However, there is a consensus that the stress state determined by meat swelling and fission- induced creep is one of the determinants, and fission gas availability at the pore site is another. Five dispersion RERTR miniplates that have well defined irradiation conditions and PIE data were selected for examination. Meat swelling and pore volume were measuredmore » in each plate. ABAQUS finite element analysis (FEA) package was utilized to obtain the time-dependent evolution of mechanical states in the plates while matching the measured meat swelling and creep. Interpretation of these results give insights on how to model a failure function – a predictor for large pore formation – using variables such as meat swelling, interaction layer growth, stress, and creep. This model can be used for optimizing fuel design parameters to reach the desired goal: meeting high power and performance reactor demand.« less

  2. Study on Ultra-Long Life,Small U-Zr Metallic Fuelled Core With Burnable Poison

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

    Kenji Tsuji; Hiromitsu Inagaki; Akira Nishikawa

    2002-07-01

    A conceptual design for a 50 MWe sodium cooled, U-Pu-Zr metallic fuelled, fast reactor core, which aims at a core lifetime of 30 years, has been performed [1]. As for the compensation for a large burn-up reactivity through 30 years, an axially movable reflector, which is located around the core, carries the major part of it and a burnable poison does the rest. This concept has achieved not only a long core lifetime but also a high discharged burn-up. On this study, a conceptual design for a small fast reactor loading U-Zr metallic fuelled core instead of U-Pu-Zr fuelled coremore » has been conducted, based on the original core arrangement of 4S reactor [2]. Within the range of this study including safety requirements, adopting the burnable poison would be effective to construct a core concept that achieves both a long lifetime and a high discharged burn-up. (authors)« less

  3. Re-refinement of the spliceosomal U4 snRNP core-domain structure

    PubMed Central

    Li, Jade; Leung, Adelaine K.; Kondo, Yasushi; Oubridge, Chris; Nagai, Kiyoshi

    2016-01-01

    The core domain of small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP), comprised of a ring of seven paralogous proteins bound around a single-stranded RNA sequence, functions as the assembly nucleus in the maturation of U1, U2, U4 and U5 spliceosomal snRNPs. The structure of the human U4 snRNP core domain was initially solved at 3.6 Å resolution by experimental phasing using data with tetartohedral twinning. Molecular replacement from this model followed by density modification using untwinned data recently led to a structure of the minimal U1 snRNP at 3.3 Å resolution. With the latter structure providing a search model for molecular replacement, the U4 core-domain structure has now been re-refined. The U4 Sm site-sequence AAUUUUU has been shown to bind to the seven Sm proteins SmF–SmE–SmG–SmD3–SmB–SmD1–SmD2 in an identical manner as the U1 Sm-site sequence AAUUUGU, except in SmD1 where the bound U replaces G. The progression from the initial to the re-refined structure exemplifies a tortuous route to accuracy: where well diffracting crystals of complex assemblies are initially unavailable, the early model errors are rectified by exploiting preliminary interpretations in further experiments involving homologous structures. New insights are obtained from the more accurate model. PMID:26894541

  4. Core-Exsolved SiO2 Dispersal in the Earth's Mantle

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Helffrich, George; Ballmer, Maxim D.; Hirose, Kei

    2018-01-01

    SiO2 may have been expelled from the core directly following core formation in the early stages of Earth's accretion and onward through the present day. On account of SiO2's low density with respect to both the core and the lowermost mantle, we examine the process of SiO2 accumulation at the core-mantle boundary (CMB) and its incorporation into the mantle by buoyant rise. Today, if SiO2 is 100-10,000 times more viscous than lower mantle material, the dimensions of SiO2 diapirs formed by the viscous Rayleigh-Taylor instability at the CMB would cause them to be swept into the mantle as inclusions of 100 m-10 km diameter. Under early Earth conditions of rapid heat loss after core formation, SiO2 diapirs of ˜1 km diameter could have risen independently of mantle flow to their level of neutral buoyancy in the mantle, trapping them there due to a combination of intrinsically high viscosity and neutral buoyancy. We examine the SiO2 yield by assuming Si + O saturation at the conditions found at the base of a magma ocean and find that for a range of conditions, dispersed bodies could reach as high as 8.5 vol % in parts of the lower mantle. At such low concentration, their effect on aggregate seismic wave speeds is within observational seismology uncertainty. However, their presence can account for small-scale scattering in the lower mantle due to the bodies' large-velocity contrast. We conclude that the shallow lower mantle (700-1,500 km depth) could harbor SiO2 released in early Earth times.

  5. Microstructure and mechanical properties of a hot-extruded Al-based composite reinforced with core-shell-structured Ti/Al3Ti

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Li; Wu, Bao-lin; Liu, Yu-lin

    2017-12-01

    An Al-based composite reinforced with core-shell-structured Ti/Al3Ti was fabricated through a powder metallurgy route followed by hot extrusion and was found to exhibit promising mechanical properties. The ultimate tensile strength and elongation of the composite sintered at 620°C for 5 h and extruded at a mass ratio of 12.75:1 reached 304 MPa and 14%, respectively, and its compressive deformation reached 60%. The promising mechanical properties are due to the core-shell-structured reinforcement, which is mainly composed of Al3Ti and Ti and is bonded strongly with the Al matrix, and to the reduced crack sensitivity of Al3Ti. The refined grains after hot extrusion also contribute to the mechanical properties of this composite. The mechanical properties might be further improved through regulating the relative thickness of Al-Ti intermetallics and Ti metal layers by adjusting the sintering time and the subsequent extrusion process.

  6. U, Th, and K in planetary cores: Implications for volatile elements and heat production

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Boujibar, A.; Habermann, M.; Righter, K.; Ross, D. K.; Righter, M.; Chidester, B.; Rapp, J. F.; Danielson, L. R.; Pando, K.; Andreasen, R.

    2016-12-01

    The accretion of terrestrial planets is known to be accompanied with volatile loss due to strong solar winds produced by the young Sun and due to energetic impacts. It was previously expected that Mercury, the innermost planet is depleted in volatile elements in comparison to other terrestrial planets. These predictions have been recently challenged by the MESSENGER mission to Mercury that detected relatively high K/U and K/Th ratios on Mercury's surface, suggesting a volatile content similar to Earth and Mars. However previous studies showed that Fe-rich metals can incorporate substantial U, Th and K under reducing conditions and with high sulfur contents, which are two conditions relevant to Mercury. In order to quantify the fractionation of these heat-producing elements during core segregation, we determined experimentally their partition coefficients (Dmet/sil) between metal and silicate at varying pressure, temperature, oxygen fugacity and sulfur content. Our data confirm that U, Th, and K become more siderophile with decreasing fO2 and increasing sulfur content, with a stronger effect for U and Th in comparison to K. Hence Mercury's core is likely to have incorporated more U and Th than K, resulting in the elevated K/U and K/Th ratios measured on the surface. The bulk concentrations of U, Th, and K in terrestrial planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars) are calculated based on geochemical constraints on core-mantle differentiation. Significant amounts of U, Th and K are partitioned into the cores of Mercury, Venus and Earth, but much less into Mars' core. The resulting bulk planet K/U and K/Th correlate with the heliocentric distance, which suggests an overall volatile depletion in the inner Solar System. These results have important implications for internal heat production. The role of impact erosion on the evolution of Th/U ratio will also be addressed.

  7. Ni(3)Si(Al)/a-SiO(x) core-shell nanoparticles: characterization, shell formation, and stability.

    PubMed

    Pigozzi, G; Mukherji, D; Gilles, R; Barbier, B; Kostorz, G

    2006-08-28

    We have used an electrochemical selective phase dissolution method to extract nanoprecipitates of the Ni(3)Si-type intermetallic phase from two-phase Ni-Si and Ni-Si-Al alloys by dissolving the matrix phase. The extracted nanoparticles are characterized by transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectrometry, x-ray powder diffraction, and electron powder diffraction. It is found that the Ni(3)Si-type nanoparticles have a core-shell structure. The core maintains the size, the shape, and the crystal structure of the precipitates that existed in the bulk alloys, while the shell is an amorphous phase, containing only Si and O (SiO(x)). The shell forms around the precipitates during the extraction process. After annealing the nanoparticles in nitrogen at 700 °C, the tridymite phase recrystallizes within the shell, which remains partially amorphous. In contrast, on annealing in air at 1000 °C, no changes in the composition or the structure of the nanoparticles occur. It is suggested that the shell forms after dealloying of the matrix phase, where Si atoms, the main constituents of the shell, migrate to the surface of the precipitates.

  8. Modelling the atomic structure of Al92U8 metallic glass.

    PubMed

    Michalik, S; Bednarcik, J; Jóvári, P; Honkimäki, V; Webb, A; Franz, H; Fazakas, E; Varga, L K

    2010-10-13

    The local atomic structure of the glassy Al(92)U(8) alloy was modelled by the reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) method, fitting x-ray diffraction (XRD) and extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) signals. The final structural model was analysed by means of partial pair correlation functions, coordination number distributions and Voronoi tessellation. In our study we found that the most probable atomic separations between Al-Al and U-Al pairs in the glassy Al(92)U(8) alloy are 2.7 Å and 3.1 Å with coordination numbers 11.7 and 17.1, respectively. The Voronoi analysis did not support evidence of the existence of well-defined building blocks directly embedded in the amorphous matrix. The dense-random-packing model seems to be adequate for describing the connection between solvent and solute atoms.

  9. Core data from offshore Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Hoy, Shannon K.; Chaytor, Jason D.; ten Brink, Uri S.

    2014-01-01

    In 2008, as a collaborative effort between Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the U.S. Geological Survey, 20 giant gravity cores were collected from areas surrounding Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The regions sampled have had many large earthquake and landslide events, some of which are believed to have triggered tsunamis. The objective of this coring cruise, carried out aboard the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration research vessel Seward Johnson, was to determine the age of several substantial slope failures and seismite layers near Puerto Rico in an effort to map their temporal distribution. Data gathered from the cores collected in 2008 and 11 archive cores from the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory are included in this report. These data include lithologic logs, core summary sheets, x-ray fluorescence, wet-bulk density, magnetic susceptibility, grain-size analyses, radiographs, and radiocarbon age dates.

  10. Factors affecting the microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti-Al3Ti core-shell-structured particle-reinforced Al matrix composites

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Guo, Baisong; Yi, Jianhong; Ni, Song; Shen, Rujuan; Song, Min

    2016-04-01

    This work studied the effects of matrix powder and sintering temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of in situ formed Ti-Al3Ti core-shell-structured particle-reinforced pure Al-based composites. It has been shown that both factors have significant effects on the morphology of the reinforcements and densification behaviour of the composites. Due to the strong interfacial bonding and the limitation of the crack propagation in the intermetallic shell during deformation by soft Al matrix and Ti core, the composite fabricated using fine spherical-shaped Al powder and sintered at 570 °C for 5 h has the optimal combination of the overall mechanical properties. The study provides a direction for the optimum combination of high strength and ductility of the composites by adjusting the fabrication parameters.

  11. Influence of gravity level and interfacial energies on dispersion-forming tendencies in hypermonotectic Cu-Pb-Al alloys

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Andrews, J. B.; Curreri, P. A.; Sandlin, A. C.

    1988-01-01

    Results on the nondirectional solidification of several hypermonotectic Cu-Pb-Al alloys were obtained aboard NASA's KC-135 zero-gravity aircraft in order to determine the influence of interfacial energies and gravity levels on dispersion-forming tendencies. The Al content was systematially varied in the alloys. The dispersion-forming ability is correlated with gravity level during solidification, the interfacial energy between the immiscible phases, and the tendency for the minority immiscible phase to wet the walls of the crucible.

  12. Natural age dispersion arising from the analysis of broken crystals. Part I: Theoretical basis and implications for the apatite (U-Th)/He thermochronometer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Brown, Roderick W.; Beucher, Romain; Roper, Steven; Persano, Cristina; Stuart, Fin; Fitzgerald, Paul

    2013-12-01

    a similar magnitude to dispersion expected from differences in absolute grain size alone (spherical equivalent radii of 40-150 μm). This source of dispersion is significant compared with typical analytical uncertainties on individual grain analyses (c. 6%) and standard deviations on multiple grain analyses from a single sample (c. 10-20%). Where there is a significant difference in the U and Th concentration of individual grains (eU), the effect of radiation damage accumulation on 4He diffusivity (assessed using the RDAAM model of Flowers et al. (2009)) is the primary cause of dispersion for samples that have experienced a protracted thermal history, and can cause dispersion in excess of 100% for realistic ranges of eU concentration (i.e. 5-100 ppm). Expected natural dispersion arising from the combined effects of reasonable variations in grain size (radii 40-125 μm), eU concentration (5-150 ppm) and fragmentation would typically exceed 100% for complex thermal histories. In addition to adding a significant component of natural dispersion to analyses, the effect of fragmentation also acts to decouple and corrupt expected correlations between grain ages and absolute grain size and to a lesser extent between grain age and effective uranium concentration (eU). Considering fragmentation explicitly as a source of dispersion and analysing how the different sources of natural dispersion all interact with each other provides a quantitative framework for understanding patterns of dispersion that otherwise appear chaotic. An important outcome of these numerical experiments is that they demonstrate that the pattern of age dispersion arising from fragmentation mimics the pattern of 4He distribution within the whole grains, thus providing an important source of information about the thermal history of the sample. We suggest that if the primary focus of a study is to extract the thermal history information from (U-Th)/He analyses then sampling and analytical strategies should

  13. Atomic interaction of the MEAM type for the study of intermetallics in the Al-U alloy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pascuet, M. I.; Fernández, J. R.

    2015-12-01

    Interaction for both pure Al and Al-U alloys of the MEAM type are developed. The obtained Al interatomic potential assures its compatibility with the details of the framework presently adopted. The Al-U interaction fits various properties of the Al2U, Al3U and Al4U intermetallics. The potential verifies the stability of the intermetallic structures in a temperature range compatible with that observed in the phase diagram, and also takes into account the greater stability of these structures relative to others that are competitive in energy. The intermetallics are characterized by calculating elastic and thermal properties and point defect parameters. Molecular dynamics simulations show a growth of the Al3U intermetallic in the Al/U interface in agreement with experimental evidence.

  14. Near-zero dispersion flattened, low-loss porous-core waveguide design for terahertz signal transmission

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sultana, Jakeya; Islam, Md. Saiful; Atai, Javid; Islam, Muhammad Rakibul; Abbott, Derek

    2017-07-01

    We demonstrate a photonic crystal fiber with near-zero flattened dispersion, ultralower effective material loss (EML), and negligible confinement loss for a broad spectrum range. The use of cyclic olefin copolymer Topas with improved core confinement significantly reduces the loss characteristics and the use of higher air filling fraction results in flat dispersion characteristics. The properties such as dispersion, EML, confinement loss, modal effective area, and single-mode operation of the fiber have been investigated using the full-vector finite element method with the perfectly matched layer absorbing boundary conditions. The practical implementation of the proposed fiber is achievable with existing fabrication techniques as only circular-shaped air holes have been used to design the waveguide. Thus, it is expected that the proposed terahertz waveguide can potentially be used for flexible and efficient transmission of terahertz waves.

  15. Metal-silicate partitioning of U: Implications for the heat budget of the core and evidence for reduced U in the mantle

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chidester, Bethany A.; Rahman, Zia; Righter, Kevin; Campbell, Andrew J.

    2017-02-01

    Earth's core might require an internal heat source, such as radioactive decay, to explain the presence of the magnetic field through geologic time. To investigate whether U would be an important heat source in the core, we performed metal-silicate partitioning experiments of U at P-T (up to 67 GPa and 5400 K) conditions more relevant to a magma ocean scenario than has previously been reported. This study finds the partitioning of U to be strongly dependent on ƒO2, temperature, the S content of the metal and the SiO2 content of the silicate during core-mantle differentiation. Differentiation at mean conditions of 42-58 GPa and 3900-4200 K would put 1.4-3.5 ppb U (2-8 wt% S) in the core, amounting to a maximum of 1.4 (+1/-0.7) TW of heat 4.5 billion years ago. This is likely not enough heat to mitigate early widespread mantle melting. It was also found that U likely exists in the 2+ oxidation state in silicate melts in the deep Earth, a state which has not been previously observed in nature.

  16. Thermal conductivity of fresh and irradiated U-Mo fuels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huber, Tanja K.; Breitkreutz, Harald; Burkes, Douglas E.; Casella, Amanda J.; Casella, Andrew M.; Elgeti, Stefan; Reiter, Christian; Robinson, Adam. B.; Smith, Frances. N.; Wachs, Daniel. M.; Petry, Winfried

    2018-05-01

    The thermal conductivity of fresh and irradiated U-Mo dispersion and monolithic fuel has been investigated experimentally and compared to theoretical models. During in-pile irradiation, thermal conductivity of fresh dispersion fuel at a temperature of 150 °C decreased from 59 W/m·K to 18 W/m·K at a burn-up of 4.9·1021 f/cc and further to 9 W/m·K at a burn-up of 6.1·1021 f/cc. Fresh monolithic fuel has a considerably lower thermal conductivity of 15 W/m·K at a temperature of 150 °C and consequently its decrease during in-pile irradiation is less steep than for dispersion fuel. For a burn-up of 3.5·1021 f/cc of monolithic fuel, a thermal conductivity of 11 W/m·K at a temperature of 150 °C has been measured by Burkes et al. (2015). The difference of decrease for both fuels originates from effects in the matrix that occur during irradiation, like for dispersion fuel the gradual disappearance of the Al matrix with increased burn-up and the subsequent growth of an interaction layer (IDL) between the U-Mo fuel particle and Al matrix and subsequent matrix hardening. The growth of fission gas bubbles and the decomposition of the U-Mo crystal lattice also affect both dispersion and monolithic fuel.

  17. Thermal conductivity of fresh and irradiated U-Mo fuels

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

    Huber, Tanja K.; Breitkreutz, Harald; Burkes, Douglas E.

    The thermal conductivity of fresh and irradiated U-Mo dispersion and monolithic fuel has been investigated experimentally and compared to theoretical models. During in-pile irradiation, the thermal conductivity of fresh dispersion fuel at a temperature of 150°C decreases from 59 W/m ·K down to 18  W/m ·K at a burn-up of 4.9 ·10 21 f/cc and further down to 9 W/m·K at a burn-up of 6.1·10 21 f/cc. Fresh monolithic fuel has a considerably lower thermal conductivity of 15 W/m·K at a temperature of 150 °C and consequently its decrease during in-pile irradiation is less steep as for the dispersion fuel. For a burn-up ofmore » 3.5·10 21 f /cc of monolithic fuel 11 W/m·K at a temperature of 150 °C has been measured by Burkes et al. The difference of the decrease of both fuels originates from effects in the matrix that occur during irradiation, like for dispersion fuel the gradual disappearance of the Al matrix with increasing burn-up and the subsequent growth of an interaction layer (IDL) between the U-Mo fuel particle and Al matrix and subsequent matrix hardening. The growth of fission gas bubbles and the decomposition of the U-Mo crystal lattice affects both dispersion and monolithic fuel.« less

  18. Dart model for irradiation-induced swelling of dispersion fuel elements including aluminum-fuel interaction

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

    Rest, J.; Hofman, G.L.

    1997-06-01

    The Dispersion Analysis Research Tool (DART) contains models for fission-gas induced fuel swelling, interaction of fuel with the matrix aluminum, resultant reaction-product swelling, and calculation of the stress gradient within the fuel particle. The effects of an aluminide shell on fuel particle swelling are evaluated. Validation of the model is demonstrated by a comparison of DART calculations of fuel swelling of U{sub 3}SiAl-Al and U{sub 3}Si{sub 2}-Al for various dispersion fuel element designs with the data. DART results are compared with data for fuel swelling Of U{sub 3}SiAl-Al in plate, tube, and rod configurations as a function of fission density.more » Plate and tube calculations were performed at a constant fuel temperature of 373 K and 518 K, respectively. An irradiation temperature of 518 K results in a calculated aluminide layer thickness for the Russian tube that is in the center of the measured range (16 {mu}m). Rod calculations were performed with a temperature gradient across the rod characterized by surface and central temperatures of 373 K and 423 K, respectively. The effective yield stress of irradiated Al matrix material and the aluminide was determined by comparing the results of DART calculations with postirradiation immersion volume measurement of U{sub 3}SiAl plates. The values for the effective yield stress were used in all subsequent simulations. The lower calculated fuel swelling in the rod-type element is due to an assumed biaxial stress state. Fuel swelling in plates results in plate thickness increase only. Likewise, in tubes, only the wall thickness increases. Irradiation experiments have shown that plate-type dispersion fuel elements can develop blisters or pillows at high U-235 burnup when fuel compounds exhibiting breakaway swelling are used at moderate to high fuel volume fractions. DART-calculated interaction layer thickness and fuel swelling follows the trends of the observations. 3 refs., 2 figs.« less

  19. Thermodynamic assessments and inter-relationships between systems involving Al, Am, Ga, Pu, and U

    DOE PAGES

    Perron, A.; Turchi, P. E. A.; Landa, A.; ...

    2016-12-01

    We present a newly developed self-consistent CALPHAD thermodynamic database involving Al, Am, Ga, Pu, and U. A first optimization of the slightly characterized Am-Al and completely unknown Am-Ga phase diagrams is proposed. To this end, phase diagram features as crystal structures, stoichiometric compounds, solubility limits, and melting temperatures have been studied along the U-Al → Pu-Al → Am-Al, and U-Ga → Pu-Ga → Am-Ga series, and the thermodynamic assessments involving Al and Ga alloying are compared. In addition, two distinct optimizations of the Pu-Al phase diagram are proposed to account for the low temperature and Pu-rich region controversy. We includedmore » the previously assessed thermodynamics of the other binary systems (Am-Pu, Am-U, Pu-U, and Al-Ga) in the database and is briefly described in the present work. In conclusion, predictions on phase stability of ternary and quaternary systems of interest are reported to check the consistency of the database.« less

  20. Thermodynamic assessments and inter-relationships between systems involving Al, Am, Ga, Pu, and U

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Perron, A.; Turchi, P. E. A.; Landa, A.; Oudot, B.; Ravat, B.; Delaunay, F.

    2016-12-01

    A newly developed self-consistent CALPHAD thermodynamic database involving Al, Am, Ga, Pu, and U is presented. A first optimization of the slightly characterized Am-Al and completely unknown Am-Ga phase diagrams is proposed. To this end, phase diagram features as crystal structures, stoichiometric compounds, solubility limits, and melting temperatures have been studied along the U-Al → Pu-Al → Am-Al, and U-Ga → Pu-Ga → Am-Ga series, and the thermodynamic assessments involving Al and Ga alloying are compared. In addition, two distinct optimizations of the Pu-Al phase diagram are proposed to account for the low temperature and Pu-rich region controversy. The previously assessed thermodynamics of the other binary systems (Am-Pu, Am-U, Pu-U, and Al-Ga) is also included in the database and is briefly described in the present work. Finally, predictions on phase stability of ternary and quaternary systems of interest are reported to check the consistency of the database.

  1. Interfacial Reaction During High Energy Ball Milling Dispersion of Carbon Nanotubes into Ti6Al4V

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Adegbenjo, A. O.; Olubambi, P. A.; Potgieter, J. H.; Nsiah-Baafi, E.; Shongwe, M. B.

    2017-12-01

    The unique thermal and mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have made them choice reinforcements for metal matrix composites (MMCs). However, there still remains a critical challenge in achieving homogeneous dispersion of CNTs in metallic matrices. Although high energy ball milling (HEBM) has been reported as an effective method of dispersing CNTs into metal matrices, a careful selection of the milling parameters is important not to compromise the structural integrity of CNTs which may cause interfacial reactions with the matrix. In this study, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were purified by annealing in argon and vacuum atmospheres at 1000 and 1800 °C, respectively, for 5 h to remove possible metallic catalyst impurities. Subsequently, 1, 2 and 3 wt.% MWCNTs were dispersed by adapted HEBM into Ti6Al4V alloy metal matrix. Raman spectroscopy (RS), x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectrometry and transmission electron microscopy techniques were used to characterize the as-received and annealed MWCNTs, as well as the admixed MWCNT/Ti6Al4V nanocomposite powders. The experimental results showed that vacuum annealing successfully eliminated retained nickel (Ni) catalysts from MWCNTs, while the adapted HEBM method achieved a relative homogeneous dispersion of MWCNTs into the Ti6Al4V matrix and helped to control interfacial reactions between defective MWCNTs and the metal matrix.

  2. U-ALS: A Ubiquitous Learning Environment

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Piovesan, Sandra Dutra; Passerino, Liliana Maria; Medina, Roseclea Duarte

    2012-01-01

    The diffusion of the use of the learning virtual environments presents a great potential for the development of an application which meet the necessities in the education area. In view of the importance of a more dynamic application and that can adapt itself continuously to the students' necessities, the "U-ALS" (Ubiquitous Adapted Learning…

  3. Design and numerical analysis of a THz square porous-core photonic crystal fiber for low flattened dispersion, ultrahigh birefringence.

    PubMed

    Luo, Jianfeng; Tian, Fengjun; Qu, Hongkun; Li, Li; Zhang, Jianzhong; Yang, Xinhua; Yuan, Libo

    2017-08-20

    We propose a kind of square porous-core photonic crystal fiber (PCF) for polarization-maintaining terahertz (THz) wave guidance. An asymmetry is introduced by implementing rectangular array air holes in the porous core of the PCF, and ultrahigh birefringence and low effective material loss (EML) can be achieved simultaneously. The properties of THz wave propagation are analyzed numerically in detail. The numerical results indicate that the proposed fiber offers a high birefringence of 0.063 and a low EML of 0.081  cm -1 at 1 THz. Moreover, a very low flattened dispersion profile is observed over a wide frequency domain of 0.85-1.9 THz. The zero flattened dispersion can be controlled. It is predicted that this PCF would be used potentially in polarization maintaining and dispersion management of THz waves.

  4. Pre-Stressing Micron-Scale Aluminum Core-Shell Particles to Improve Reactivity

    PubMed Central

    Levitas, Valery I.; McCollum, Jena; Pantoya, Michelle

    2015-01-01

    The main direction in increasing reactivity of aluminum (Al) particles for energetic applications is reduction in their size down to nanoscale. However, Al nanoparticles are 30–50 times more expensive than micron scale particles and possess safety and environmental issues. Here, we improved reactivity of Al micron scale particles by synthesizing pre-stressed core-shell structures. Al particles were annealed and quenched to induce compressive stresses in the alumina passivation shell surrounding Al core. This thermal treatment was designed based on predictions of the melt-dispersion mechanism (MDM); a theory describing Al particle reaction under high heating rate. For all anneal treatment temperatures, experimental flame propagation rates for Al combined with nanoscale copper oxide (CuO) are in quantitative agreement with the theoretical predictions based on the MDM. The best treatment increases flame rate by 36% and achieves 68% of that for the best Al nanoparticles. PMID:25597747

  5. The microstructure and properties of rapidly solidified, dispersion-strengthened NiAl

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Jha, S. C.; Ray, R.

    1990-01-01

    An advanced rapid solidification technology for processing reactive and refractory alloys, utilized to produce large quantities of melt-spun filaments of NiAl, is presented. The melt-spun filaments are pulverized to fine particle sizes, and subsequently consolidated by hot extrusion or hot isostatic pressing. Rapid solidification process gives rise to very fine-grained microstructures. However, exposure to elevated temperature during hot consolidation leads to grain growth. Alloying agents such as borides, carbides, and tungsten can pin the grain boundaries and retard the grain growth. Various alloy compositions are investigated. The eventual goal is to utilize the hot-extruded and forged stock to grow single-crystal NiAl blades for advanced gas-turbine engine applications. Single-crystal NiAl, containing a uniform dispersion of carbide strengthening precipitates, is expected to lead to highly creep-resistant turbine blades, and is of considerable interest to the aerospace propulsion industry.

  6. A volatile-rich Earth's core inferred from melting temperature of core materials

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Morard, G.; Andrault, D.; Antonangeli, D.; Nakajima, Y.; Auzende, A. L.; Boulard, E.; Clark, A. N.; Lord, O. T.; Cervera, S.; Siebert, J.; Garbarino, G.; Svitlyk, V.; Mezouar, M.

    2016-12-01

    Planetary cores are mainly constituted of iron and nickel, alloyed with lighter elements (Si, O, C, S or H). Understanding how these elements affect the physical and chemical properties of solid and liquid iron provides stringent constraints on the composition of the Earth's core. In particular, melting curves of iron alloys are key parameter to establish the temperature profile in the Earth's core, and to asses the potential occurrence of partial melting at the Core-Mantle Boundary. Core formation models based on metal-silicate equilibration suggest that Si and O are the major light element components1-4, while the abundance of other elements such as S, C and H is constrained by arguments based on their volatility during planetary accretion5,6. Each compositional model implies a specific thermal state for the core, due to the different effect that light elements have on the melting behaviour of Fe. We recently measured melting temperatures in Fe-C and Fe-O systems at high pressures, which complete the data sets available both for pure Fe7 and other binary alloys8. Compositional models with an O- and Si-rich outer core are suggested to be compatible with seismological constraints on density and sound velocity9. However, their crystallization temperatures of 3650-4050 K at the CMB pressure of 136 GPa are very close to, if not higher than the melting temperature of the silicate mantle and yet mantle melting above the CMB is not a ubiquitous feature. This observation requires significant amounts of volatile elements (S, C or H) in the outer core to further reduce the crystallisation temperature of the core alloy below that of the lower mantle. References 1. Wood, B. J., et al Nature 441, 825-833 (2006). 2. Siebert, J., et al Science 339, 1194-7 (2013). 3. Corgne, A., et al Earth Planet. Sc. Lett. 288, 108-114 (2009). 4. Fischer, R. a. et al. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 167, 177-194 (2015). 5. Dreibus, G. & Palme, H. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 60, 1125-1130 (1995). 6. Mc

  7. Evaluation of the Transient Liquid Phase (TLP) Bonding Process for Ti3Al-Based Honeycomb Core Sandwich Structure

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bird, R. Keith; Hoffman, Eric K.

    1998-01-01

    The suitability of using transient liquid phase (TLP) bonding to fabricate honeycomb core sandwich panels with Ti-14Al-21Nb (wt%) titanium aluminide (T3Al) face sheets for high-temperature hypersonic vehicle applications was evaluated. Three titanium alloy honeycomb cores and one Ti3Al alloy honeycomb core were investigated. Edgewise compression (EWC) and flatwise tension (FWT) tests on honeycomb core sandwich specimens and tensile tests of the face sheet material were conducted at temperatures ranging from room temperature to 1500 F. EWC tests indicated that the honeycomb cores and diffusion bonded joints were able to stabilize the face sheets up to and beyond the face sheet compressive yield strength for all temperatures investigated. The specimens with the T3Al honeycomb core produced the highest FWT strengths at temperatures above 1000 F. Tensile tests indicated that TLP processing conditions resulted in decreases in ductility of the Ti-14Al-21Nb face sheets. Microstructural examination showed that the side of the face sheets to which the filler metals had been applied was transformed from equiaxed alpha2 grains to coarse plates of alpha2 with intergranular Beta. Fractographic examination of the tensile specimens showed that this transformed region was dominated by brittle fracture.

  8. Core-exsolved SiO2 Dispersal in the Earth's Mantle

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Helffrich, G. R.; Ballmer, M.; Hirose, K.

    2017-12-01

    SiO2 may have been expelled from the core following its formation in the early stages of Earth's accretion and onwards through the present day. On account of SiO2's low density with respect to both the core and the lowermost mantle, we examine the process of SiO2 accumulation at the core-mantle boundary (CMB) and its incorporation into the mantle by buoyant rise. Today, the if SiO2 is 100-10000 times more viscous than lower mantle material, the dimensions of SiO2 diapirs formed by the viscous Rayleigh-Taylor instability at the CMB would cause them to be swept into the mantle as inclusions of 100 m - 10 km diameter. Under early Earth conditions of rapid heat loss after core formation, SiO2 diapirs of 5-80 km diameter could have risen independently of mantle flow to their level of neutral buoyancy in the mantle, trapping them there due to a combination of high viscosity and neutral buoyancy. We examine the SiO2 yield by assuming Si+O saturation at the conditions found at the base of a magma ocean and find that for a range of conditions, dispersed bodies could reach as high as 2 volume percent in shallow parts of the lower mantle, with their abundance decreasing with depth. At such low concentrations, their effect on aggregate seismic wavespeeds would be within the uncertainty of the radial Earth model PREM. However, their presence would be revealed by small-scale scattering in the lower mantle due to the bodies' large velocity contrast. We conclude that the shallow lower mantle (700-1500 km depth) could harbor SiO2 released in early Earth times.

  9. Issues in Analyzing Alignment of Language Arts Common Core Standards with State Standards

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Beach, Richard W.

    2011-01-01

    This commentary on Porter, McMaken, Hwang, and Yang's "Common Core Standards: The New U.S. Intended Curriculum," which finds a lack of alignment between the Common Core State Standards and state standards and assessments, suggests possible reasons for the lack of alignment. It also offers possible reasons for Porter et al.'s finding of a…

  10. Electron Dispersion in Liquid Alkali and Their Alloys

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vora, Aditya M.

    2010-07-01

    Ashcroft's local empty core (EMC) model pseudopotential in the second-order perturbation theory is used to study the electron dispersion relation, the Fermi energy, and deviation in the Fermi energy from free electron value for the liquid alkali metals and their equiatomic binary alloys for the first time. In the present computation, the use of pseudo-alloy-atom model (PAA) is proposed and found successful. The influence of the six different forms of the local field correction functions proposed by Hartree (H), Vashishta-Singwi (VS), Taylor (T), Ichimaru-Utsumi (IU), Farid et al. (F), and Sarkar et al. (S) on the aforesaid electronic properties is examined explicitly, which reflects the varying effects of screening. The depth of the negative hump in the electron dispersion of liquid alkalis decreases in the order Li → K, except for Rb and Cs, it increases. The results of alloys are in predictive nature.

  11. AB INITIO STUDY OF PHONON DISPERSION AND ELASTIC PROPERTIES OF L12 INTERMETALLICS Ti3Al AND Y3Al

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Arikan, N.; Ersen, M.; Ocak, H. Y.; Iyigör, A.; Candan, A.; UǦUR, Ş.; UǦUR, G.; Khenata, R.; Varshney, D.

    2013-12-01

    In this paper, the structural, elastic and phonon properties of Ti3Al and Y3Al in L12(Cu3Al) phase are studied by performing first-principles calculations within the generalized gradient approximation. The calculated lattice constants, static bulk moduli, first-order pressure derivative of bulk moduli and elastic constants for both compounds are reported. The phonon dispersion curves along several high-symmetry lines at the Brillouin zone, together with the corresponding phonon density of states, are determined using the first-principles linear-response approach of the density functional perturbation theory. Temperature variations of specific heat in the range of 0-500 K are obtained using the quasi-harmonic model.

  12. Fabrication of Oxide Dispersion Strengthened Bond Coats with Low Al2O3 Content

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bergholz, Jan; Pint, Bruce A.; Unocic, Kinga A.; Vaßen, Robert

    2017-06-01

    Nanoscale oxide dispersions have long been used to increase the oxidation and wear resistance of alloys used as bond coatings in thermal barrier coatings. Their manufacturing via mechanical alloying is often accompanied by difficulties regarding their particle size, homogeneous distribution of the oxide dispersions inside the powder, involving considerable costs, due to cold welding of the powder during milling. A significant improvement in this process can be achieved by the use of process control agent (PCA) to achieve the critical balance between cold welding and fracturing, thereby enhancing the process efficiency. In this investigation, the influence of the organic additive stearic acid on the manufacturing process of Al2O3-doped CoNiCrAlY powder was investigated. Powders were fabricated via mechanical alloying at different milling times and PCA concentrations. The results showed a decrease in particle size, without hindering the homogeneous incorporation of the oxide dispersions. Two powders manufactured with 0.5 and 1.0 wt.% PCA were deposited by high velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) spraying. Results showed that a higher content of elongated particles in the powder with the higher PCA content led to increased surface roughness, porosity and decreased coating thickness, with areas without embedded oxide particles.

  13. Spontaneous formation of GaN/AlN core-shell nanowires on sapphire by hydride vapor phase epitaxy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Trassoudaine, Agnès; Roche, Elissa; Bougerol, Catherine; André, Yamina; Avit, Geoffrey; Monier, Guillaume; Ramdani, Mohammed Réda; Gil, Evelyne; Castelluci, Dominique; Dubrovskii, Vladimir G.

    2016-11-01

    Spontaneous GaN/AlN core-shell nanowires with high crystal quality were synthesized on sapphire substrates by vapor-liquid-solid hydride vapor phase epitaxy (VLS-HVPE) without any voluntary aluminum source. Deposition of aluminum is difficult to achieve in this growth technique which uses metal-chloride gaseous precursors: the strong interaction between the AlCl gaseous molecules and the quartz reactor yields a huge parasitic nucleation on the walls of the reactor upstream the substrate. We open up an innovative method to produce GaN/AlN structures by HVPE, thanks to aluminum etching from the sapphire substrate followed by redeposition onto the sidewalls of the GaN core. The paper presents the structural characterization of GaN/AlN core-shell nanowires, speculates on the growth mechanism and discusses a model which describes this unexpected behavior.

  14. U.S. National Institutes of Health core consolidation-investing in greater efficiency.

    PubMed

    Chang, Michael C; Birken, Steven; Grieder, Franziska; Anderson, James

    2015-04-01

    The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) invests substantial resources in core research facilities (cores) that support research by providing advanced technologies and scientific and technical expertise as a shared resource. In 2010, the NIH issued an initiative to consolidate multiple core facilities into a single, more efficient core. Twenty-six institutions were awarded supplements to consolidate a number of similar core facilities. Although this approach may not work for all core settings, this effort resulted in consolidated cores that were more efficient and of greater benefit to investigators. The improvements in core operations resulted in both increased services and more core users through installation of advanced instrumentation, access to higher levels of management expertise; integration of information management and data systems; and consolidation of billing; purchasing, scheduling, and tracking services. Cost recovery to support core operations also benefitted from the consolidation effort, in some cases severalfold. In conclusion, this program of core consolidation resulted in improvements in the effective operation of core facilities, benefiting both investigators and their supporting institutions.

  15. Exciton dynamics in GaAs/(Al,Ga)As core-shell nanowires with shell quantum dots

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Corfdir, Pierre; Küpers, Hanno; Lewis, Ryan B.; Flissikowski, Timur; Grahn, Holger T.; Geelhaar, Lutz; Brandt, Oliver

    2016-10-01

    We study the dynamics of excitons in GaAs/(Al,Ga)As core-shell nanowires by continuous-wave and time-resolved photoluminescence and photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy. Strong Al segregation in the shell of the nanowires leads to the formation of Ga-rich inclusions acting as quantum dots. At 10 K, intense light emission associated with these shell quantum dots is observed. The average radiative lifetime of excitons confined in the shell quantum dots is 1.7 ns. We show that excitons may tunnel toward adjacent shell quantum dots and nonradiative point defects. We investigate the changes in the dynamics of charge carriers in the shell with increasing temperature, with particular emphasis on the transfer of carriers from the shell to the core of the nanowires. We finally discuss the implications of carrier localization in the (Al,Ga)As shell for fundamental studies and optoelectronic applications based on core-shell III-As nanowires.

  16. A model to predict thermal conductivity of irradiated U–Mo dispersion fuel

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

    Burkes, Douglas E.; Huber, Tanja K.; Casella, Andrew M.

    The Office of Materials Management and Minimization Reactor Conversion Program continues to develop existing and new research and test reactor fuels to achieve maximum attainable uranium loadings to support the conversion of a number of the world’s remaining high-enriched uranium fueled reactors to low-enriched uranium fuel. The program is focused on assisting with the development and qualification of a fuel design that consists of a uranium-molybdenum (U-Mo) alloy dispersed in an aluminum matrix as one option for reactor conversion. Thermal conductivity is an important consideration in determining the operational temperature of the fuel and can be influenced by interaction layermore » formation between the dispersed phase and matrix and upon the concentration of the dispersed phase within the matrix. This paper extends the use of a simple model developed previously to study the influence of interaction layer formation as well as the size and volume fraction of fuel particles dispersed in the matrix, Si additions to the matrix, and Mo concentration in the fuel particles on the effective thermal conductivity of the U-Mo/Al composite during irradiation. The model has been compared to experimental measurements recently conducted on U-Mo/Al dispersion fuels at two different fission densities with acceptable agreement. Observations of the modeled results indicate that formation of an interaction layer and subsequent consumption of the matrix reveals a rather significant effect on effective thermal conductivity. The modeled interaction layer formation and subsequent consumption of the high thermal conductivity matrix was sensitive to the average dispersed fuel particle size, suggesting this parameter as one of the most effective in minimizing thermal conductivity degradation of the composite, while the influence of Si additions to the matrix in the model was highly dependent upon irradiation conditions.« less

  17. High density dispersion fuel

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

    Hofman, G.L.

    1996-09-01

    A fuel development campaign that results in an aluminum plate-type fuel of unlimited LEU burnup capability with an uranium loading of 9 grams per cm{sup 3} of meat should be considered an unqualified success. The current worldwide approved and accepted highest loading is 4.8 g cm{sup {minus}3} with U{sub 3}Si{sub 2} as fuel. High-density uranium compounds offer no real density advantage over U{sub 3}Si{sub 2} and have less desirable fabrication and performance characteristics as well. Of the higher-density compounds, U{sub 3}Si has approximately a 30% higher uranium density but the density of the U{sub 6}X compounds would yield the factormore » 1.5 needed to achieve 9 g cm{sup {minus}3} uranium loading. Unfortunately, irradiation tests proved these peritectic compounds have poor swelling behavior. It is for this reason that the authors are turning to uranium alloys. The reason pure uranium was not seriously considered as a dispersion fuel is mainly due to its high rate of growth and swelling at low temperatures. This problem was solved at least for relatively low burnup application in non-dispersion fuel elements with small additions of Si, Fe, and Al. This so called adjusted uranium has nearly the same density as pure {alpha}-uranium and it seems prudent to reconsider this alloy as a dispersant. Further modifications of uranium metal to achieve higher burnup swelling stability involve stabilization of the cubic {gamma} phase at low temperatures where normally {alpha} phase exists. Several low neutron capture cross section elements such as Zr, Nb, Ti and Mo accomplish this in various degrees. The challenge is to produce a suitable form of fuel powder and develop a plate fabrication procedure, as well as obtain high burnup capability through irradiation testing.« less

  18. Electrosprayed core-shell solid dispersions of acyclovir fabricated using an epoxy-coated concentric spray head.

    PubMed

    Liu, Zhe-Peng; Cui, Lei; Yu, Deng-Guang; Zhao, Zhuan-Xia; Chen, Lan

    2014-01-01

    A novel structural solid dispersion (SD) taking the form of core-shell microparticles for poorly water-soluble drugs is reported for the first time. Using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a hydrophilic polymer matrix, the SDs were fabricated using coaxial electrospraying (characterized by an epoxy-coated concentric spray head), although the core fluids were unprocessable using one-fluid electrospraying. Through manipulating the flow rates of the core drug-loaded solutions, two types of core-shell microparticles with tunable drug contents were prepared. They had average diameters of 1.36±0.67 and 1.74±0.58 μm, and were essentially a combination of nanocomposites with the active ingredient acyclovir (ACY) distributed in the inner core, and the sweeter sucralose and transmembrane enhancer sodium dodecyl sulfate localized in the outer shell. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction results demonstrated that ACY, sodium dodecyl sulfate, and sucralose were well distributed in the PVP matrix in an amorphous state because of favorable second-order interactions. In vitro dissolution and permeation studies showed that the core-shell microparticle SDs rapidly freed ACY within 1 minute and promoted nearly eightfold increases in permeation rate across the sublingual mucosa compared with raw ACY powders.

  19. Characterizing Subcore Heterogeneity: A New Analytical Model and Technique to Observe the Spatial Variation of Transverse Dispersion

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Boon, Maartje; Niu, Ben; Krevor, Sam

    2015-04-01

    Transverse dispersion, the lateral spread of chemical components in an aqueous solution caused by small heterogeneities in a rock, plays an important role in spreading, mixing and reaction during flow through porous media. Conventionally, transverse dispersion has been determined with the use of an annular core device and concentration measurements of the effluent (Blackwell, 1962; Hassinger and Von Rosenberg, 1968) or concentration measurements at probe locations along the core (Han et al, 1985; Harleman and Rumer, 1963). Both methods were designed around an analytical model of the transport equations assuming a single constant for the transverse dispersion coefficient, which is used to analyse the experimental data. We have developed a new core flood test with the aim of characterising chemical transport and dispersion directly in three dimensions to (1) produce higher precision observations of transverse dispersion than has been possible before and (2) so that the effects of rock heterogeneity on transport can also be observed and summarised using statistical descriptions allowing for a more nuanced picture of transport than allowed by description with a single transverse dispersion coefficient. The dispersion of a NaI aqueous solution injected into a Berea sandstone rock core was visualised in 3D with the use of a medical x-ray CT scanner. A device consisting out of three annular regions was used for injection. Water was injected into the centre and outer annular region and a NaI aqueous solution was injected in the middle annular region. An analytical solution to the flow and transport equations for this new inlet configuration was derived to design the tests. The Berea sandstone core was 20 cm long and had a diameter of 7.62cm. The core flood experiments were carried out for Peclet nr 0.5 and Peclet nr 2. At steady state, x-ray images were taken every 0.2 cm along the core. This resulted in a high quality 3D digital data set of the concentration distribution

  20. Dispersion-compensating photonic crystal fiber with wavelength tunability based on a modified dual concentric core structure

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Nan; Zhang, Xuedian; Nie, Fukun; Lu, Xinglian; Chang, Min

    2018-07-01

    We present a 5-layer air-hole dispersion-compensating photonic crystal fiber (PCF) with a modified dual concentric core structure, based on central rod doping. The finite element method (FEM) was used to investigate the structure numerically. If the structural parameters remain unchanged, a high degree of linear correlation between the central rod refractive index and the operating wavelength can be achieved in the wavelength range of 1.5457-1.5857 μm, which suggests that the operating wavelength can be determined by the refractive index of the centre rod. A negative dispersion coefficient between -5765.2 ps/km/nm and -6115.8 ps/km/nm was obtained by calculation and within the bandwidth of 108 nm (1.515-1.623 μm) around 1.55 μm, a dispersion coefficient of -3000 ps/km/nm can be ensured for compensation. In addition, this proposed PCF also has the advantage of low confinement loss, between 0.00011 and 0.00012 dB/m, and ease of fabrication with existing technology. The proposed PCF has good prospects in dispersion-compensating applications.

  1. Effect of the addition of Al2O3 nanoparticles on the magnetic properties of Fe soft magnetic composites

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Peng, Yuandong; Nie, Junwu; Zhang, Wenjun; Ma, Jian; Bao, Chongxi; Cao, Yang

    2016-02-01

    We investigated the effect of the addition of Al2O3 nanoparticles on the permeability and core loss of Fe soft magnetic composites coated with silicone. Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis revealed that the surface layer of the powder particles consisted of a thin insulating Al2O3 layer with uniform surface coverage. The permeability and core loss of the composite with the Al2O3 addition annealed at 650 °C were excellent. The results indicated that the Al2O3 nanoparticle addition increases the permeability stablility with changing frequency and decreases the core loss over a wide range of frequencies.

  2. Identification of a localized core mode in a helicon plasma

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Green, Daniel A.; Chakraborty Thakur, Saikat; Tynan, George R.; Light, Adam D.

    2017-10-01

    We present imaging measurements of a newly observed mode in the core of the Controlled Shear Decorrelation Experiment - Upgrade (CSDX-U). CSDX-U is a well-characterized linear machine producing dense plasmas relevant to the tokamak edge (Te 3 eV, ne 1013 /cc). Typical fluctuations are dominated by electron drift waves, with evidence for Kelvin-Helmholtz vortices appearing near the plasma edge. A new mode has been observed using high-speed imaging that appears at high magnetic field strengths and is confined to the inner third of the plasma column. A cross-spectral phase technique allows direct visualization of dominant spatial structures as a function of frequency. Experimental dispersion curve estimates are constructed from imaging data alone, and allow direct comparison of theoretical dispersion relations to the observed mode. We present preliminary identification of the mode based on its dispersion curve, and compare the results with electrostatic probe measurements.

  3. Post-irradiation examination of uranium 7 wt% molybdenum atomized dispersion fuel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Leenaers, A.; Van den Berghe, S.; Koonen, E.; Jarousse, C.; Huet, F.; Trotabas, M.; Boyard, M.; Guillot, S.; Sannen, L.; Verwerft, M.

    2004-10-01

    Two low-enriched uranium fuel plates consisting of U-7wt%Mo atomized powder dispersed in an aluminum matrix, have been irradiated in the FUTURE irradiation rig of the BR2 reactor at SCK•CEN. The plates were submitted to a heat flux of maximum 353 W/cm 2 while the surface cladding temperature is kept below 130 °C. After 40 full power days, visual examination and profilometry of the fuel plates revealed an increase of the plate thickness. In view of this observation, the irradiation campaign was prematurely stopped and the fuel plates were retrieved from the reactor, having at their end-of-life a maximum burn-up of 32.8% 235U (6.5% FIMA). The microstructure of one of the fuel plates has been characterized in an extensive post-irradiation campaign. The U(Mo) fuel particles have been found to interact with the Al matrix, resulting in an interaction layer which can be identified as (U,Mo)Al 3 and (U,Mo)Al 4. Based on the composition of the interaction layer it is shown that the observed physical parameters like thickness of the interaction layer between the Al matrix and the U(Mo) fuel particles compare well to the values calculated by the MAIA code, an U(Mo) behavior modeling code developed by the Commissariat à l'énergie atomique (CEA).

  4. Fractal dimension study of polaron effects in cylindrical GaAs/Al x Ga1- x As core-shell nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sun, Hui; Li, Hua; Tian, Qiang

    2018-04-01

    Polaron effects in cylindrical GaAs/Al x Ga1- x As core-shell nanowires are studied by applying the fractal dimension method. In this paper, the polaron properties of GaAs/Al x Ga1- x As core-shell nanowires with different core radii and aluminum concentrations are discussed. The polaron binding energy, polaron mass shift, and fractal dimension parameter are numerically determined as functions of shell width. The calculation results reveal that the binding energy and mass shift of the polaron first increase and then decrease as the shell width increases. A maximum value appears at a certain shell width for different aluminum concentrations and a given core radius. By using the fractal dimension method, polaron problems in cylindrical GaAs/Al x Ga1- x As core-shell nanowires are solved in a simple manner that avoids complex and lengthy calculations.

  5. Oil-shale data, cores, and samples collected by the U.S. geological survey through 1989

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Dyni, John R.; Gay, Frances; Michalski, Thomas C.; ,

    1990-01-01

    The U.S. Geological Survey has acquired a large collection of geotechnical data, drill cores, and crushed samples of oil shale from the Eocene Green River Formation in Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah. The data include about 250,000 shale-oil analyses from about 600 core holes. Most of the data is from Colorado where the thickest and highest-grade oil shales of the Green River Formation are found in the Piceance Creek basin. Other data on file but not yet in the computer database include hundreds of lithologic core descriptions, geophysical well logs, and mineralogical and geochemical analyses. The shale-oil analyses are being prepared for release on floppy disks for use on microcomputers. About 173,000 lineal feet of drill core of oil shale and associated rocks, as well as 100,000 crushed samples of oil shale, are stored at the Core Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Lakewood, Colo. These materials are available to the public for research.

  6. ZPR-6 assembly 7 high {sup 240}Pu core experiments : a fast reactor core with mixed (Pu,U)-oxide fuel and a centeral high{sup 240}Pu zone.

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

    Lell, R. M.; Morman, J. A.; Schaefer, R.W.

    ZPR-6 Assembly 7 (ZPR-6/7) encompasses a series of experiments performed at the ZPR-6 facility at Argonne National Laboratory in 1970 and 1971 as part of the Demonstration Reactor Benchmark Program (Reference 1). Assembly 7 simulated a large sodium-cooled LMFBR with mixed oxide fuel, depleted uranium radial and axial blankets, and a core H/D near unity. ZPR-6/7 was designed to test fast reactor physics data and methods, so configurations in the Assembly 7 program were as simple as possible in terms of geometry and composition. ZPR-6/7 had a very uniform core assembled from small plates of depleted uranium, sodium, iron oxide,more » U{sub 3}O{sub 8} and Pu-U-Mo alloy loaded into stainless steel drawers. The steel drawers were placed in square stainless steel tubes in the two halves of a split table machine. ZPR-6/7 had a simple, symmetric core unit cell whose neutronic characteristics were dominated by plutonium and {sup 238}U. The core was surrounded by thick radial and axial regions of depleted uranium to simulate radial and axial blankets and to isolate the core from the surrounding room. The ZPR-6/7 program encompassed 139 separate core loadings which include the initial approach to critical and all subsequent core loading changes required to perform specific experiments and measurements. In this context a loading refers to a particular configuration of fueled drawers, radial blanket drawers and experimental equipment (if present) in the matrix of steel tubes. Two principal core configurations were established. The uniform core (Loadings 1-84) had a relatively uniform core composition. The high {sup 240}Pu core (Loadings 85-139) was a variant on the uniform core. The plutonium in the Pu-U-Mo fuel plates in the uniform core contains 11% {sup 240}Pu. In the high {sup 240}Pu core, all Pu-U-Mo plates in the inner core region (central 61 matrix locations per half of the split table machine) were replaced by Pu-U-Mo plates containing 27% {sup 240}Pu in the plutonium

  7. PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF FeCrAl CLADDING AND U-Si FUEL FOR ACCIDENT TOLERANT FUEL CONCEPTS

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

    Hales, J. D.; Gamble, K. A.

    2015-09-01

    Since the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, enhancing the accident tolerance of light water reactors (LWRs) has become an important research topic. In particular, the community is actively developing enhanced fuels and cladding for LWRs to improve safety in the event of accidents in the reactor or spent fuel pools. Fuels with enhanced accident tolerance are those that, in comparison with the standard UO2-zirconium alloy system, can tolerate loss of active cooling in the reactor core for a considerably longer time period during design-basis and beyond design-basis events while maintaining or improving the fuel performance during normalmore » operations and operational transients. This paper presents early work in developing thermal and mechanical models for two materials that may have promise: U-Si for fuel, and FeCrAl for cladding. These materials would not necessarily be used together in the same fuel system, but individually have promising characteristics. BISON, the finite element-based fuel performance code in development at Idaho National Laboratory, was used to compare results from normal operation conditions with Zr-4/UO2 behavior. In addition, sensitivity studies are presented for evaluating the relative importance of material parameters such as ductility and thermal conductivity in FeCrAl and U-Si in order to provide guidance on future experiments for these materials.« less

  8. Investigation of mechanical properties and deformation behavior of single-crystal Al-Cu core-shell nanowire generated using non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sarkar, Jit

    2018-06-01

    Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies were carried out to generate a cylindrical single-crystal Al-Cu core-shell nanowire and its mechanical properties like yield strength and Young's modulus were evaluated in comparison to a solid aluminum nanowire and hollow copper nanowire which combines to constitute the core-shell structure respectively. The deformation behavior due to changes in the number of Wigner-Seitz defects and dislocations during the entire tensile deformation process was thoroughly studied for the Al-Cu core-shell nanowire. The single-crystal Al-Cu core-shell nanowire shows much higher yield strength and Young's modulus in comparison to the solid aluminum core and hollow copper shell nanowire due to tangling of dislocations caused by lattice mismatch between aluminum and copper. Thus, the Al-Cu core-shell nanowire can be reinforced in different bulk matrix to develop new type of light-weight nanocomposite materials with greatly enhanced material properties.

  9. Designing optical metamaterial with hyperbolic dispersion based on Al:ZnO/ZnO nano-layered structure using Atomic Layer Deposition technique

    DOE PAGES

    Kelly, Priscilla; Liu, Mingzhao; Kuznetsova, Lyuba

    2016-04-07

    In this study, nano-layered Al:ZnO/ZnO hyperbolic dispersion metamaterial with a large number of layers was fabricated using the atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique. Experimental dielectric functions for Al:ZnO/ZnO structures are obtained by an ellipsometry technique in the visible and near-infrared spectral ranges. The theoretical modeling of the Al:ZnO/ZnO dielectric permittivity is done using effective medium approximation. A method for analysis of spectroscopic ellipsometry data is demonstrated to extract the optical permittivity for this highly anisotropic nano-layered metamaterial. The results of the ellipsometry analysis show that Al:ZnO/ZnO structures with a 1:9 ALD cycle ratio exhibit hyperbolic dispersion transition change near 1.8more » μm wavelength.« less

  10. Core/multishell nanowire heterostructures as multicolor, high-efficiency light-emitting diodes.

    PubMed

    Qian, Fang; Gradecak, Silvija; Li, Yat; Wen, Cheng-Yen; Lieber, Charles M

    2005-11-01

    We report the growth and characterization of core/multishell nanowire radial heterostructures, and their implementation as efficient and synthetically tunable multicolor nanophotonic sources. Core/multishell nanowires were prepared by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition with an n-GaN core and InxGa1-xN/GaN/p-AlGaN/p-GaN shells, where variation of indium mole fraction is used to tune emission wavelength. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy studies reveal that the core/multishell nanowires are dislocation-free single crystals with a triangular morphology. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy clearly shows shells with distinct chemical compositions, and quantitatively confirms that the thickness and composition of individual shells can be well controlled during synthesis. Electrical measurements show that the p-AlGaN/p-GaN shell structure yields reproducible hole conduction, and electroluminescence measurements demonstrate that in forward bias the core/multishell nanowires function as light-emitting diodes, with tunable emission from 365 to 600 nm and high quantum efficiencies. The ability to synthesize rationally III-nitride core/multishell nanowire heterostructures opens up significant potential for integrated nanoscale photonic systems, including multicolor lasers.

  11. Core/shell CuO/Al Nanorods Thermite Film Based on Electrochemical Anodization.

    PubMed

    Yu, Chunpei; Zhang, Wenchao; Hu, Bin; Ni, Debin; Zheng, Zilong; Liu, Jingping; Ma, Kefeng; Ren, Wei

    2018-06-13

    In this study, a new method was reported for the fabrication of the nanostructured CuO/Al thermite film on the Cu substrate. The CuO nanorods (NRs) arrays vertically grew from the Cu surfaces by electrochemical anodization processes, followed by the deposition of an Al layer on the CuO NRs via magnetron sputtering to form a core/shell CuO/Al nanothermite film, whose component, structure and morphology were subsequently characterized. In addition, the energy-release characteristics of the obtained nanothermite film was investigated using thermal analyses and laser ignition tests. All evidences demonstrate that the obtained CuO/Al is of a uniform structure and superb energy performance. Impressively, this resulted material is potentially useful in the applications of functional energetic chips due to its easy integration with microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technologies. © 2018 IOP Publishing Ltd.

  12. Modifying the Surface of γ-Al2 O3 with Y2 Sn2 O7 Pyrochlore: Monolayer Dispersion Behaviour of Composite Oxides.

    PubMed

    Xu, Xianglan; Liu, Fang; Tian, Jinshu; Peng, Honggen; Liu, Wenming; Fang, Xiuzhong; Zhang, Ning; Wang, Xiang

    2017-06-20

    To investigate the dispersion behaviour of composite oxides on supports, and to obtain better supports for Pd for CO oxidation, a series of Y 2 Sn 2 O 7 /Al 2 O 3 composite oxides with different Y 2 Sn 2 O 7 loadings were prepared by a deposition-precipitation method. XRD and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic extrapolation methods revealed that, similar to single-component metal oxides, composite oxides can also disperse spontaneously on support surfaces to form a monolayer with a certain capacity. The monolayer dispersion capacity/threshold for Y 2 Sn 2 O 7 on the surface of γ-Al 2 O 3 is 0.109 mmol per 100 m 2 γ-Al 2 O 3 , corresponding to 7.2 wt % Y 2 Sn 2 O 7 loading. This is the first work to demonstrate monolayer dispersion of a composite oxide on a support. After combining Y 2 Sn 2 O 7 with γ-Al 2 O 3 , active oxygen species can be introduced onto the catalyst surfaces. Thus, the interaction between Pd and the support is strengthened, the dispersion of Pd is improved in comparison with the single-component Y 2 Sn 2 O 7 support, and a synergistic effect is induced between Pd and the composite support, which is beneficial to catalyst activity. By tuning the γ-Al 2 O 3 surface with different amounts of pyrochlore Y 2 Sn 2 O 7 , CO oxidation activity on 1 % Pd/Y 2 Sn 2 O 7 /Al 2 O 3 was improved. These findings may provide new insights into the design and preparation of effective supported noble metal catalysts with lower contents of noble metals. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  13. Experimental investigation of the phase equilibria and thermodynamic assessment in the U-Ga and U-Al-Ga systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Moussa, Chantal; Berche, Alexandre; Barbosa, José; Pasturel, Mathieu; Stepnik, Bertrand; Tougait, Olivier

    2018-02-01

    The phase relations in the binary U-Ga and ternary U-Al-Ga systems were established as an isopleth section and two isothermal sections at 900 K and 1150 K for the whole concentration range, respectively. They were experimentally determined by means of powder and single crystal XRD, SEM-EDS analyses on both as-cast and heat-treated samples and DTA measurements. Both systems were thermodynamically assessed using the Calphad method based on the available data, i.e. phase relations and thermodynamic properties. The new description of the U-Ga phase diagram improves the composition-temperature description for most of invariant reactions. The U-Al-Ga system is characterized by large ternary extensions of the binary phases and the absence of ternary intermediate phase at both 900 K and 1150 K. These experimental results are nicely reproduced by the Calphad assessment, allowing to extract the thermodynamic parameters further used to calculate the liquidus projection and the invariant reactions along with their temperature.

  14. Luminescence emission from nonpolar Al0.3Ga0.7N/GaN core-shell and core-multi-shell nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Namvari, E.; Shojaei, S.; Asgari, A.

    2017-12-01

    In the present work, we theoretically study the possibility of luminescence emission from two systems of nonpolar Al0.3Ga0.7N/GaN Core-shell and core-multi-shell c-axis oriented nanowires with hexagonal cross section. To obtain energy levels and wave functions through the solution of Schrodinger-Poisson equations, numerical Self-consistent procedure has been employed. N-type doping has been considered to investigate the two-dimensional electron gas formation and its effect on luminescence. The detailed analysis of the results as a function of the various structural parameters has been carried out. The results presents an examination of the band to band luminescence feature and its changes with involved parameters. We found that the size of the system determines the feature of luminescence emission. As main finding, our calculations show that the intensity of luminescence spectrum in facet to facet route of NW cross section is significant than that of corner to corner route. In addition, no shift of the peak position is observed with changing the amount of doping. Our numerical calculations give more insights into the luminescence emission of nonpolar GaN/AlGaN core/shell nanowire and have many implications in experiment.

  15. Elevated Temperature Compressive Strength Properties of Oxide Dispersion Strengthened NiAl After Cryo-milling and Roasting in Nitrogen

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Whittenberger, J. Daniel; Grahle, Peter; Arzt, Eduard; Hebsur, Mohan

    1998-01-01

    In an effort to superimpose two different elevated temperature strengthening mechanisms in NiAl, several lots of oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) NiAl powder have been cryo-milled in liquid nitrogen to introduce AlN particles at the grain boundaries. As an alternative to cryo-milling, one lot of ODS NiAl was roasted in nitrogen to produce AlN. Both techniques resulted in hot extruded AlN-strengthened, ODS NiAl alloys which were stronger than the base ODS NiAl between 1200 and 1400 K. However, neither the cryo-milled nor the N2-roasted ODS NiAl alloys were as strong as cryo-milled binary NiAl containing like amounts of AlN. The reason(s) for the relative weakness of cryo-milled ODS NiAl is not certain; however the lack of superior strength in N2-roasted ODS NiAl is probably due to its relatively large AlN particles.

  16. Radiation Resistance of the U(Al, Si)3 Alloy: Ion-Induced Disordering

    PubMed Central

    Yaniv, Gili; Horak, Pavel; Vacik, Jiri; Mykytenko, Natalia; Rafailov, Gennady; Dahan, Itzchak; Fuks, David; Kiv, Arik

    2018-01-01

    During the exploitation of nuclear reactors, various U-Al based ternary intermetallides are formed in the fuel-cladding interaction layer. Structure and physical properties of these intermetallides determine the radiation resistance of cladding and, ultimately, the reliability and lifetime of the nuclear reactor. In current research, U(Al, Si)3 composition was studied as a potential constituent of an interaction layer. Phase content of the alloy of an interest was ordered U(Al, Si)3, structure of which was reported earlier, and pure Al (constituting less than 20 vol % of the alloy). This alloy was investigated prior and after the irradiation performed by Ar ions at 30 keV. The irradiation was performed on the transmission electron microscopy (TEM, JEOL, Japan) samples, characterized before and after the irradiation process. Irradiation induced disorder accompanied by stress relief. Furthermore, it was found that there is a dose threshold for disordering of the crystalline matter in the irradiated region. Irradiation at doses equal or higher than this threshold resulted in almost solely disordered phase. Using the program “Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter” (SRIM), the parameters of penetration of Ar ions into the irradiated samples were estimated. Based on these estimations, the dose threshold for ion-induced disordering of the studied material was assessed. PMID:29393870

  17. Radiation Resistance of the U(Al, Si)₃ Alloy: Ion-Induced Disordering.

    PubMed

    Meshi, Louisa; Yaniv, Gili; Horak, Pavel; Vacik, Jiri; Mykytenko, Natalia; Rafailov, Gennady; Dahan, Itzchak; Fuks, David; Kiv, Arik

    2018-02-02

    During the exploitation of nuclear reactors, various U-Al based ternary intermetallides are formed in the fuel-cladding interaction layer. Structure and physical properties of these intermetallides determine the radiation resistance of cladding and, ultimately, the reliability and lifetime of the nuclear reactor. In current research, U(Al, Si)₃ composition was studied as a potential constituent of an interaction layer. Phase content of the alloy of an interest was ordered U(Al, Si)₃, structure of which was reported earlier, and pure Al (constituting less than 20 vol % of the alloy). This alloy was investigated prior and after the irradiation performed by Ar ions at 30 keV. The irradiation was performed on the transmission electron microscopy (TEM, JEOL, Japan) samples, characterized before and after the irradiation process. Irradiation induced disorder accompanied by stress relief. Furthermore, it was found that there is a dose threshold for disordering of the crystalline matter in the irradiated region. Irradiation at doses equal or higher than this threshold resulted in almost solely disordered phase. Using the program "Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter" (SRIM), the parameters of penetration of Ar ions into the irradiated samples were estimated. Based on these estimations, the dose threshold for ion-induced disordering of the studied material was assessed.

  18. Surface passivation and self-regulated shell growth in selective area-grown GaN-(Al,Ga)N core-shell nanowires.

    PubMed

    Hetzl, Martin; Winnerl, Julia; Francaviglia, Luca; Kraut, Max; Döblinger, Markus; Matich, Sonja; Fontcuberta I Morral, Anna; Stutzmann, Martin

    2017-06-01

    The large surface-to-volume ratio of GaN nanowires implicates sensitivity of the optical and electrical properties of the nanowires to their surroundings. The implementation of an (Al,Ga)N shell with a larger band gap around the GaN nanowire core is a promising geometry to seal the GaN surface. We investigate the luminescence and structural properties of selective area-grown GaN-(Al,Ga)N core-shell nanowires grown on Si and diamond substrates. While the (Al,Ga)N shell allows a suppression of yellow defect luminescence from the GaN core, an overall intensity loss due to Si-related defects at the GaN/(Al,Ga)N interface has been observed in the case of Si substrates. Scanning transmission electron microscopy measurements indicate a superior crystal quality of the (Al,Ga)N shell along the nanowire side facets compared to the (Al,Ga)N cap at the top facet. A nucleation study of the (Al,Ga)N shell reveals a pronounced bowing of the nanowires along the c-direction after a short deposition time which disappears for longer growth times. This is assigned to an initially inhomogeneous shell nucleation. A detailed study of the proceeding shell growth allows the formulation of a strain-driven self-regulating (Al,Ga)N shell nucleation model.

  19. Core transport properties in JT-60U and JET identity plasmas

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Litaudon, X.; Sakamoto, Y.; de Vries, P. C.; Salmi, A.; Tala, T.; Angioni, C.; Benkadda, S.; Beurskens, M. N. A.; Bourdelle, C.; Brix, M.; Crombé, K.; Fujita, T.; Futatani, S.; Garbet, X.; Giroud, C.; Hawkes, N. C.; Hayashi, N.; Hoang, G. T.; Hogeweij, G. M. D.; Matsunaga, G.; Nakano, T.; Oyama, N.; Parail, V.; Shinohara, K.; Suzuki, T.; Takechi, M.; Takenaga, H.; Takizuka, T.; Urano, H.; Voitsekhovitch, I.; Yoshida, M.; ITPA Transport Group; JT-60 Team; EFDA contributors, JET

    2011-07-01

    The paper compares the transport properties of a set of dimensionless identity experiments performed between JET and JT-60U in the advanced tokamak regime with internal transport barrier, ITB. These International Tokamak Physics Activity, ITPA, joint experiments were carried out with the same plasma shape, toroidal magnetic field ripple and dimensionless profiles as close as possible during the ITB triggering phase in terms of safety factor, normalized Larmor radius, normalized collision frequency, thermal beta, ratio of ion to electron temperatures. Similarities in the ITB triggering mechanisms and sustainment were observed when a good match was achieved of the most relevant normalized profiles except the toroidal Mach number. Similar thermal ion transport levels in the two devices have been measured in either monotonic or non-monotonic q-profiles. In contrast, differences between JET and JT-60U were observed on the electron thermal and particle confinement in reversed magnetic shear configurations. It was found that the larger shear reversal in the very centre (inside normalized radius of 0.2) of JT-60U plasmas allowed the sustainment of stronger electron density ITBs compared with JET. As a consequence of peaked density profile, the core bootstrap current density is more than five times higher in JT-60U compared with JET. Thanks to the bootstrap effect and the slightly broader neutral beam deposition, reversed magnetic shear configurations are self-sustained in JT-60U scenarios. Analyses of similarities and differences between the two devices address key questions on the validity of the usual assumptions made in ITER steady scenario modelling, e.g. a flat density profile in the core with thermal transport barrier? Such assumptions have consequences on the prediction of fusion performance, bootstrap current and on the sustainment of the scenario.

  20. Partitioning of K, U, and TH between sulfide and silicate liquids: Implications for radioactive heating of planetary cores

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Murrell, M. T.; Burnett, D. S.

    1986-07-01

    The possibility of heating of planetary cores by K radioactivity has been extensively discussed, as well as the possibility that K partitioning into the terrestrial core is the reason for the difference between the terrestrial and chondritic K/U. We had previously suggested that U and Th partitioning into FeFeS liquids was more important than K. Laboratory FeFeS liquid, silicate liquid partition coefficient measurements (D) for K, U, and Th were made to test this suggestion. For a basaltic liquid at 1450°C and 1.5 GPa, DU is 0.013 and DK is 0.0026; thus U partitioning into FeFeS liquids is 5 times greater than K partitioning under these conditions. There are problems with 1-atm experiments in that they do not appear to equilibrate or reverse. However, measurable U and Th partitioning into sulfide was nearly always observed, but K partitioning was normally not observed (DK <~ 10-4). A typical value for DU from a granitic silicate liquid at one atmosphere, 1150°C, and low f02 is about 0.02; DTh is similar. At low f02 and higher temperature, experiments with basaltic liquids produce strong Ca and U partitioning into the sulfide liquid with DU > 1. DTh is less strongly affected. Because of the consistently low DK/DU, pressure effects near the core-mantle boundary would need to increase DK by factors of ~103 with much smaller increases in DU in order to have the terrestrial K and U abundances at chondritic levels. In addition, if radioactive heating is important for planetary cores, U and Th will be more important than K unless the lower mantle has K/U greater than 10 times chondritic or large changes in partition coefficients with conditions reverse the relative importance of K versus U and Th from our measurements.

  1. Tuning the field distribution and fabrication of an Al@ZnO core-shell nanostructure for a SPR-based fiber optic phenyl hydrazine sensor.

    PubMed

    Tabassum, Rana; Kaur, Parvinder; Gupta, Banshi D

    2016-05-27

    We report the fabrication and characterization of a surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based fiber optic sensor that uses coatings of silver and aluminum (Al)-zinc oxide (ZnO) core-shell nanostructure (Al@ZnO) for the detection of phenyl hydrazine (Ph-Hyd). To optimize the volume fraction (f) of Al in ZnO and the thickness of the core-shell nanostructure layer (d), the electric field intensity along the normal to the multilayer system is simulated using the two-dimensional multilayer matrix method. The Al@ZnO core-shell nanostructure is prepared using the laser ablation technique. Various probes are fabricated with different values of f and an optimized thickness of core-shell nanostructure for the characterization of the Ph-Hyd sensor. The performance of the Ph-Hyd sensor is evaluated in terms of sensitivity. It is found that the Ag/Al@ZnO nanostructure core-shell-coated SPR probe with f = 0.25 and d = 0.040 μm possesses the maximum sensitivity towards Ph-Hyd. These results are in agreement with the simulated ones obtained using electric field intensity. In addition, the performance of the proposed probe is compared with that of probes coated with (i) Al@ZnO nanocomposite, (ii) Al nanoparticles and (iii) ZnO nanoparticles. It is found that the probe coated with an Al@ZnO core-shell nanostructure shows the largest resonance wavelength shift. The detailed mechanism of the sensing (involving chemical reactions) is presented. The sensor also manifests optimum performance at pH 7.

  2. A Core-Offset Mach Zehnder Interferometer Based on A Non-Zero Dispersion-Shifted Fiber and Its Torsion Sensing Application.

    PubMed

    Huerta-Mascotte, Eduardo; Sierra-Hernandez, Juan M; Mata-Chavez, Ruth I; Jauregui-Vazquez, Daniel; Castillo-Guzman, Arturo; Estudillo-Ayala, Julian M; Guzman-Chavez, Ana D; Rojas-Laguna, Roberto

    2016-06-10

    In this paper, an all-fiber Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) based on a non-zero dispersion-shifted fiber (NZ-DSF) is presented. The MZI was implemented by core-offset fusion splicing one section of a NZ-DSF fiber between two pieces of single mode fibers (SMFs). Here, the NZ-DSF core and cladding were used as the arms of the MZI, while the core-offset sections acted as optical fiber couplers. Thus, a MZI interference spectrum with a fringe contrast (FC) of about 20 dB was observed. Moreover, its response spectrum was experimentally characterized to the torsion parameter and a sensitivity of 0.070 nm/° was achieved. Finally, these MZIs can be implemented in a compact size and low cost.

  3. A Core-Offset Mach Zehnder Interferometer Based on A Non-Zero Dispersion-Shifted Fiber and Its Torsion Sensing Application

    PubMed Central

    Huerta-Mascotte, Eduardo; Sierra-Hernandez, Juan M.; Mata-Chavez, Ruth I.; Jauregui-Vazquez, Daniel; Castillo-Guzman, Arturo; Estudillo-Ayala, Julian M.; Guzman-Chavez, Ana D.; Rojas-Laguna, Roberto

    2016-01-01

    In this paper, an all-fiber Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) based on a non-zero dispersion-shifted fiber (NZ-DSF) is presented. The MZI was implemented by core-offset fusion splicing one section of a NZ-DSF fiber between two pieces of single mode fibers (SMFs). Here, the NZ-DSF core and cladding were used as the arms of the MZI, while the core-offset sections acted as optical fiber couplers. Thus, a MZI interference spectrum with a fringe contrast (FC) of about 20 dB was observed. Moreover, its response spectrum was experimentally characterized to the torsion parameter and a sensitivity of 0.070 nm/° was achieved. Finally, these MZIs can be implemented in a compact size and low cost. PMID:27294930

  4. Functional organization of the Sm core in the crystal structure of human U1 snRNP.

    PubMed

    Weber, Gert; Trowitzsch, Simon; Kastner, Berthold; Lührmann, Reinhard; Wahl, Markus C

    2010-12-15

    U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) recognizes the 5'-splice site early during spliceosome assembly. It represents a prototype spliceosomal subunit containing a paradigmatic Sm core RNP. The crystal structure of human U1 snRNP obtained from natively purified material by in situ limited proteolysis at 4.4 Å resolution reveals how the seven Sm proteins, each recognize one nucleotide of the Sm site RNA using their Sm1 and Sm2 motifs. Proteins D1 and D2 guide the snRNA into and out of the Sm ring, and proteins F and E mediate a direct interaction between the Sm site termini. Terminal extensions of proteins D1, D2 and B/B', and extended internal loops in D2 and B/B' support a four-way RNA junction and a 3'-terminal stem-loop on opposite sides of the Sm core RNP, respectively. On a higher organizational level, the core RNP presents multiple attachment sites for the U1-specific 70K protein. The intricate, multi-layered interplay of proteins and RNA rationalizes the hierarchical assembly of U snRNPs in vitro and in vivo.

  5. Quantifying K, U, and Th contents of marine sediments using shipboard natural gamma radiation spectra measured on DV JOIDES Resolution

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    De Vleeschouwer, David; Dunlea, Ann G.; Auer, Gerald; Anderson, Chloe H.; Brumsack, Hans; de Loach, Aaron; Gurnis, Michael; Huh, Youngsook; Ishiwa, Takeshige; Jang, Kwangchul; Kominz, Michelle A.; März, Christian; Schnetger, Bernhard; Murray, Richard W.; Pälike, Heiko

    2017-03-01

    During International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) expeditions, shipboard-generated data provide the first insights into the cored sequences. The natural gamma radiation (NGR) of the recovered material, for example, is routinely measured on the ocean drilling research vessel DV JOIDES Resolution. At present, only total NGR counts are readily available as shipboard data, although full NGR spectra (counts as a function of gamma-ray energy level) are produced and archived. These spectra contain unexploited information, as one can estimate the sedimentary contents of potassium (K), thorium (Th), and uranium (U) from the characteristic gamma-ray energies of isotopes in the 40K, 232Th, and 238U radioactive decay series. Dunlea et al. (2013) quantified K, Th, and U contents in sediment from the South Pacific Gyre by integrating counts over specific energy levels of the NGR spectrum. However, the algorithm used in their study is unavailable to the wider scientific community due to commercial proprietary reasons. Here, we present a new MATLAB algorithm for the quantification of NGR spectra that is transparent and accessible to future NGR users. We demonstrate the algorithm's performance by comparing its results to shore-based inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), inductively coupled plasma-emission spectrometry (ICP-ES), and quantitative wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses. Samples for these comparisons come from eleven sites (U1341, U1343, U1366-U1369, U1414, U1428-U1430, and U1463) cored in two oceans during five expeditions. In short, our algorithm rapidly produces detailed high-quality information on sediment properties during IODP expeditions at no extra cost.

  6. Structural and optical characterization of highly anisotropic low loss Al:ZnO/ZnO multilayered metamaterial with hyperbolic dispersion grown by pulsed layer deposition

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kelly, Priscilla; Zhang, Wenrui; Liu, Mingzhao; Kuznetsova, Lyuba

    2017-08-01

    Transparent conductive oxide materials have shown unique optical properties, such as negative refraction, hyperbolic dispersion, and epsilon-near-zero dispersion. In particular, aluminum-doped zinc oxide (Al:ZnO) has shown the most promising results over traditionally used noble metals. Pulsed layer deposition is a popular technique due to its fast and controlled growth rate, as well as the stoichiometric target-to-substrate material transfer. But, since it uses large and inhomogeneous kinetic energy, samples could be prone to macro- and microscopic defects. In this work, we investigate multilayered samples of Al:ZnO/ZnO grown by pulsed laser deposition with the goal of developing a low-loss metamaterial with hyperbolic dispersion. Different fabrication conditions, such as Al:ZnO/ZnO ratio, the thickness of an individual layer, different substrates, and deposition temperatures, were investigated. Results of the ellipsometry analysis, based on fitting spectroscopy data using the Berreman formalism, show that the hyperbolic dispersion transition (Re ɛ∥>0, Re ɛ⊥< 0) is achieved at λc=1868 nm wavelength (Im (ɛ⊥) 0.03) for samples with 1:4 Al:ZnO/ZnO deposition ratio. The fitted dielectric functions for samples with various parameters show that a lower deposition temperature leads to a shorter transition wavelength.

  7. Hydrogen bonding and interparticle forces in platelet alpha-Al2O3 dispersions: yield stress and zeta potential.

    PubMed

    Khoo, Kay-Sen; Teh, E-Jen; Leong, Yee-Kwong; Ong, Ban Choon

    2009-04-09

    Adsorbed phosphate on smooth platelet alpha-Al2O3 particles at saturation surface coverage gives rise to strong interparticle attractive forces in dispersion. The maximum yield stress at the point of zero charge was increased by 2-fold. This was attributed to a high density of intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the adsorbed phosphate layers of the interacting particles. Adsorbed citrate at saturation surface coverage, however, reduced the maximum yield stress by 50%. It adsorbed to form a very effective steric barrier as intramolecular hydrogen bonding between -OH and the free terminal carboxylic group prevented strong interactions with other adsorbed citrate molecules residing on the second interacting particle. This steric barrier kept the interacting platelet particles further apart, thereby weakening the van der Waals attraction. The platelet alpha-Al2O3 dispersions were flocculated at all pH level. These dispersions displayed a maximum yield stress at the point of zero zeta potential at the pH approximately 8.0. They also obeyed the yield stress-DLVO force model as characterized by a linear decrease in the yield stress with the square of the zeta potential.

  8. The effect of aluminum additions on the oxidation resistance of U 3Si 2

    DOE PAGES

    Wood, E. Sooby; White, J. T.; Nelson, A. T.

    2017-04-01

    The effect of aluminum additions to U 3Si 2 is investigated in this paper as a means to improve the oxidation resistance of this nuclear fuel form. Four U-Si-Al compositions have been synthesized and characterized using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction. The onsets of breakaway oxidation are identified in air thermal ramp tests using thermogravimetric analysis. The final oxidation products following 1000° C air exposure are identified using x-ray diffraction and compared to those of UO 2 and U metal oxidized in the same manner. Finally, thermogravimetric data acquired in this study indicates that increasing amountsmore » of Al in U 3Si 2 further delays the onset of breakaway oxidation, providing enhanced oxidation resistance in air. Al 2O 3 formation on U 3Al 2Si 3 is observed following a heat treatment performed at 500° C in air, demonstrating the potential of Al additions to improve the oxidation resistance of U 3Si 2.« less

  9. The effect of aluminum additions on the oxidation resistance of U 3Si 2

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

    Wood, E. Sooby; White, J. T.; Nelson, A. T.

    The effect of aluminum additions to U 3Si 2 is investigated in this paper as a means to improve the oxidation resistance of this nuclear fuel form. Four U-Si-Al compositions have been synthesized and characterized using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction. The onsets of breakaway oxidation are identified in air thermal ramp tests using thermogravimetric analysis. The final oxidation products following 1000° C air exposure are identified using x-ray diffraction and compared to those of UO 2 and U metal oxidized in the same manner. Finally, thermogravimetric data acquired in this study indicates that increasing amountsmore » of Al in U 3Si 2 further delays the onset of breakaway oxidation, providing enhanced oxidation resistance in air. Al 2O 3 formation on U 3Al 2Si 3 is observed following a heat treatment performed at 500° C in air, demonstrating the potential of Al additions to improve the oxidation resistance of U 3Si 2.« less

  10. Strongly correlated electron behavior in single crystalline U2Os3Al9

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kumar, Neeraj; Das, Pranab Kumar; Kulkarni, Ruta; Thamizhavel, A.; Dhar, S. K.

    2012-12-01

    We report the magnetic properties of a single crystal of a new compound U2Os3Al9 which crystallizes in the well known Y2Co3Ga9 type orthorhombic structure with space group Cmcm. The susceptibility of U2Os3Al9 shows a peak at 7 K typical of antiferromagnetic ordering. The susceptibility in the paramagnetic state is anisotropic, the easy axis of magnetization lying in the ab-plane of the orthorhombic crystal lattice. The magnetization at 2 K, measured up to a maximum field of 160 kOe, shows a metamagnetic transition near 118 kOe when the field is aligned along [010] in addition to a small metamagnetic transition near 25 kOe. The bulk antiferromagnetic ordering of the uranium ions at TN = 7 K is confirmed by a peak in the heat capacity with ΔC nearly 7 J/U.mol K. An extrapolation of the heat capacity data from the paramagnetic regime to T = 0 gives an enhanced electronic specific heat coefficient of 120 mJ/U.mol K2. The electrical resistivity of U2Os3Al9 shows a negative temperature coefficient between 300 and TN which is a signature of spin fluctuations in a narrow band or a Kondo type of interaction. The data thus suggest the presence of strong electron correlations in this compound.

  11. Fabrication of oxide dispersion strengthened bond coats with low Al 2O 3 content [Fabrication of ODS bond coats with low Al 2O 3 content

    DOE PAGES

    Bergholz, Jan; Pint, Bruce A.; Unocic, Kinga A.; ...

    2017-03-23

    Here, nanoscale oxide dispersions have long been used to increase the oxidation and wear resistance of alloys used as bond coatings in thermal barrier coatings. Their manufacturing via mechanical alloying is often accompanied by difficulties regarding their particle size, homogeneous distribution of the oxide dispersions inside the powder, involving considerable costs, due to cold welding of the powder during milling. A significant improvement in this process can be achieved by the use of process control agent (PCA) to achieve the critical balance between cold welding and fracturing, thereby enhancing the process efficiency. In this investigation, the influence of the organicmore » additive stearic acid on the manufacturing process of Al 2O 3-doped CoNiCrAlY powder was investigated. Powders were fabricated via mechanical alloying at different milling times and PCA concentrations. The results showed a decrease in particle size, without hindering the homogeneous incorporation of the oxide dispersions. Two powders manufactured with 0.5 and 1.0 wt.% PCA were deposited by high velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) spraying. Results showed that a higher content of elongated particles in the powder with the higher PCA content led to increased surface roughness, porosity and decreased coating thickness, with areas without embedded oxide particles.« less

  12. Implications of Nubian-Like Core Reduction Systems in Southern Africa for the Identification of Early Modern Human Dispersals

    PubMed Central

    Phillips, Natasha

    2015-01-01

    Lithic technologies have been used to trace dispersals of early human populations within and beyond Africa. Convergence in lithic systems has the potential to confound such interpretations, implying connections between unrelated groups. Due to their reductive nature, stone artefacts are unusually prone to this chance appearance of similar forms in unrelated populations. Here we present data from the South African Middle Stone Age sites Uitpanskraal 7 and Mertenhof suggesting that Nubian core reduction systems associated with Late Pleistocene populations in North Africa and potentially with early human migrations out of Africa in MIS 5 also occur in southern Africa during early MIS 3 and with no clear connection to the North African occurrence. The timing and spatial distribution of their appearance in southern and northern Africa implies technological convergence, rather than diffusion or dispersal. While lithic technologies can be a critical guide to human population flux, their utility in tracing early human dispersals at large spatial and temporal scales with stone artefact types remains questionable. PMID:26125972

  13. Room temperature radiolytic synthesized Cu@CuAlO(2)-Al(2)O(3) nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Abedini, Alam; Saion, Elias; Larki, Farhad; Zakaria, Azmi; Noroozi, Monir; Soltani, Nayereh

    2012-01-01

    Colloidal Cu@CuAlO(2)-Al(2)O(3) bimetallic nanoparticles were prepared by a gamma irradiation method in an aqueous system in the presence of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) and isopropanol respectively as a colloidal stabilizer and scavenger of hydrogen and hydroxyl radicals. The gamma irradiation was carried out in a (60)Co gamma source chamber with different doses up to 120 kGy. The formation of Cu@CuAlO(2)-Al(2)O(3) nanoparticles was observed initially by the change in color of the colloidal samples from colorless to brown. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the presence of bonds between polymer chains and the metal surface at all radiation doses. Results of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed that Cu@CuAlO(2)-Al(2)O(3) nanoparticles are in a core-shell structure. By controlling the absorbed dose and precursor concentration, nanoclusters with different particle sizes were obtained. The average particle diameter increased with increased precursor concentration and decreased with increased dose. This is due to the competition between nucleation, growth, and aggregation processes in the formation of nanoclusters during irradiation.

  14. Irradiation performance of U-Mo monolithic fuel

    DOE PAGES

    Meyer, M. K.; Gan, J.; Jue, J. F.; ...

    2014-04-01

    High-performance research reactors require fuel that operates at high specific power to high fission density, but at relatively low temperatures. Research reactor fuels are designed for efficient heat rejection, and are composed of assemblies of thin-plates clad in aluminum alloy. The development of low-enriched fuels to replace high-enriched fuels for these reactors requires a substantially increased uranium density in the fuel to offset the decrease in enrichment. Very few fuel phases have been identified that have the required combination of very-high uranium density and stable fuel behavior at high burnup. U-Mo alloys represent the best known tradeoff in these properties.more » Testing of aluminum matrix U-Mo aluminum matrix dispersion fuel revealed a pattern of breakaway swelling behavior at intermediate burnup, related to the formation of a molybdenum stabilized high aluminum intermetallic phase that forms during irradiation. In the case of monolithic fuel, this issue was addressed by eliminating, as much as possible, the interfacial area between U-Mo and aluminum. Based on scoping irradiation test data, a fuel plate system composed of solid U-10Mo fuel meat, a zirconium diffusion barrier, and Al6061 cladding was selected for development. Developmental testing of this fuel system indicates that it meets core criteria for fuel qualification, including stable and predictable swelling behavior, mechanical integrity to high burnup, and geometric stability. In addition, the fuel exhibits robust behavior during power-cooling mismatch events under irradiation at high power.« less

  15. Synthesis, microstructure and magnetic properties of Fe{sub 3}Si{sub 0.7}Al{sub 0.3}@SiO{sub 2} core–shell particles and Fe{sub 3}Si/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} soft magnetic composite core

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

    Wang, Jian, E-mail: snove418562@163.com; Key Laboratory for Ferrous Metallurgy and Resources Utilization of Ministry of Education, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430081; Fan, Xi’an, E-mail: groupfxa@163.com

    2015-11-15

    Fe{sub 3}Si{sub 0.7}Al{sub 0.3}@SiO{sub 2} core–shell particles and Fe{sub 3}Si/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} soft magnetic composite core have been synthesized via a modified stöber method combined with following high temperature sintering process. Most of conductive Fe{sub 3}Si{sub 0.7}Al{sub 0.3} particles could be uniformly coated by insulating SiO{sub 2} using the modified stöber method. The Fe{sub 3}Si{sub 0.7}Al{sub 0.3}@SiO{sub 2} core–shell particles exhibited good soft magnetic properties with low coercivity and high saturation magnetization. The reaction 4Al+3SiO{sub 2}=2α-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}+3Si took place during the sintering process. As a result the new Fe{sub 3}Si/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} composite was formed. The Fe{sub 3}Si/Al{sub 2}O{submore » 3} composite core displayed more excellent soft magnetic properties, better frequency stability at high frequencies, much higher electrical resistivity and lower core loss than the pure Fe{sub 3}Si{sub 0.7}Al{sub 0.3} core. The method of introducing insulating layers surrounding magnetic particles provides a promising route to develop new and high compact soft magnetic materials with good magnetic and electric properties. - Graphical abstract: In Fe{sub 3}Si/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} composite, Fe{sub 3}Si phases are separated by Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} layers and the eddy currents are confined in Fe{sub 3}Si phases, thus increasing resistivity and reducing core loss. - Highlights: • Fe{sub 3}Si{sub 0.7}Al{sub 0.3}@SiO{sub 2} core–shell particles and Fe{sub 3}Si/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} cores were prepared. • Fe{sub 3}Si{sub 0.7}Al{sub 0.3} particles could be uniformly coated by nano-sized SiO{sub 2} clusters. • Fe{sub 3}Si{sub 0.7}Al{sub 0.3}@SiO{sub 2} particles and Fe{sub 3}Si/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} cores showed good soft magnetic properties. • Fe{sub 3}Si/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} had lower core loss and better frequency stability than Fe{sub 3}Si{sub 0.7}Al{sub 0.3} cores.« less

  16. [Compatibility between high-strength dental ceramic (type A) and vintage AL veneering porcelain].

    PubMed

    Cui, Jun; Chao, Yong-lie; Meng, Yu-kun

    2006-05-01

    To investigate the interface bond strength and compatibility between High-Strength Dental Ceramic (type A) and Vintage AL veneering porcelain. Twenty bar-shape specimens (ten Vintage AL and ten Vitadur alpha) were fabricated, and shear test was conducted to determine the bond strength. A bilayered composite (1 mm core ceramic and 0.8 mm Vintage AL) was prepared and then fractured for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. Ten all-ceramic anterior crowns were fabricated and the temperatures of thermal shock resistance were tested. The mean values of the bond strength measured were (55.52 +/- 14.64) MPa and (59.37 +/- 13.93) MPa for Vintage AL and Vitadur alpha respectively (P>0.05). SEM showed tight connection between the High-Strength Dental Ceramic (type A) and the veneering porcelain. Element diffusion was also confirmed by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. The temperature of thermal shock resistance of this system was (179 +/- 15) degrees C. Vintage AL veneering porcelain has good thermal and chemical compatibility with High-Strength Dental Ceramic (type A).

  17. Enhanced adsorption of U(VI) and 241Am(III) from wastewater using Ca/Al layered double hydroxide@carbon nanotube composites.

    PubMed

    Chen, Haijun; Chen, Zhe; Zhao, Guixia; Zhang, Zhibin; Xu, Chao; Liu, Yunhai; Chen, Jing; Zhuang, Li; Haya, Tasawar; Wang, Xiangke

    2018-04-05

    Ca/Al layered double hydroxide decorated carbon nanotube (Ca/Al-LDH@CNTs) composites were fabricated by co-precipitation method and hydrothermal aged treatment. The prepared Ca/Al-LDH@CNTs was characterized by SEM, TEM, EDS, XRD, FT-IR, UV-vis and XPS techniques, and applied to remove U(VI) from aqueous solutions under various environmental conditions (i.e., pH, ionic strength, temperature and contact time). The results indicated that the adsorption of U(VI) on Ca/Al-LDH@CNTs was four times higher than that of U(VI) on bare CNTs. The kinetic investigations reflected the chemisorption of U(VI) on Ca/Al-LDH@CNTs through oxygen-containing functional groups. The adsorption isotherms demonstrated that the adsorption of U(VI) was well fitted by Langmuir model and the maximum adsorption capacity of U(VI) on Ca/Al-LDH@CNTs was calculated to be 382.9 mg g -1 at 289.15 K. The thermodynamic parameters calculated from temperature-dependent isotherms suggested that U(VI) adsorption on Ca/Al-LDH@CNTs were endothermic and spontaneous process. Furthermore, Ca/Al-LDH@CNTs could remove ∼91% of 241 Am(III) at pH = 8.0, which confirmed Ca/Al-LDH@CNTs as a promising material for multiply low level radionuclides' pollution remediation. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  18. IRRADIATION PERFORMANCE OF U-Mo MONOLITHIC FUEL

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

    M.K. Meyer; J. Gan; J.-F. Jue

    2014-04-01

    High-performance research reactors require fuel that operates at high specific power to high fission density, but at relatively low temperatures. Research reactor fuels are designed for efficient heat rejection, and are composed of assemblies of thin-plates clad in aluminum alloy. The development of low-enriched fuels to replace high-enriched fuels for these reactors requires a substantially increased uranium density in the fuel to offset the decrease in enrichment. Very few fuel phases have been identified that have the required combination of very-high uranium density and stable fuel behavior at high burnup. UMo alloys represent the best known tradeoff in these properties.more » Testing of aluminum matrix U-Mo aluminum matrix dispersion fuel revealed a pattern of breakaway swelling behavior at intermediate burnup, related to the formation of a molybdenum stabilized high aluminum intermetallic phase that forms during irradiation. In the case of monolithic fuel, this issue was addressed by eliminating, as much as possible, the interfacial area between U-Mo and aluminum. Based on scoping irradiation test data, a fuel plate system composed of solid U-10Mo fuel meat, a zirconium diffusion barrier, and Al6061 cladding was selected for development. Developmental testing of this fuel system indicates that it meets core criteria for fuel qualification, including stable and predictable swelling behavior, mechanical integrity to high burnup, and geometric stability. In addition, the fuel exhibits robust behavior during power-cooling mismatch events under irradiation at high power.« less

  19. Evolved dispersal strategies at range margins

    PubMed Central

    Dytham, Calvin

    2009-01-01

    Dispersal is a key component of a species's ecology and will be under different selection pressures in different parts of the range. For example, a long-distance dispersal strategy suitable for continuous habitat at the range core might not be favoured at the margin, where the habitat is sparse. Using a spatially explicit, individual-based, evolutionary simulation model, the dispersal strategies of an organism that has only one dispersal event in its lifetime, such as a plant or sessile animal, are considered. Within the model, removing habitat, increasing habitat turnover, increasing the cost of dispersal, reducing habitat quality or altering vital rates imposes range limits. In most cases, there is a clear change in the dispersal strategies across the range, although increasing death rate towards the margin has little impact on evolved dispersal strategy across the range. Habitat turnover, reduced birth rate and reduced habitat quality all increase evolved dispersal distances at the margin, while increased cost of dispersal and reduced habitat density lead to lower evolved dispersal distances at the margins. As climate change shifts suitable habitat poleward, species ranges will also start to shift, and it will be the dispersal capabilities of marginal populations, rather than core populations, that will influence the rate of range shifting. PMID:19324810

  20. Internal stresses in pre-stressed micron-scale aluminum core-shell particles and their improved reactivity

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

    Levitas, Valery I., E-mail: vlevitas@iastate.edu; McCollum, Jena; Pantoya, Michelle L.

    2015-09-07

    Dilatation of aluminum (Al) core for micron-scale particles covered by alumina (Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}) shell was measured utilizing x-ray diffraction with synchrotron radiation for untreated particles and particles after annealing at 573 K and fast quenching at 0.46 K/s. Such a treatment led to the increase in flame rate for Al + CuO composite by 32% and is consistent with theoretical predictions based on the melt-dispersion mechanism of reaction for Al particles. Experimental results confirmed theoretical estimates and proved that the improvement of Al reactivity is due to internal stresses. This opens new ways of controlling particle reactivity through creating and monitoringmore » internal stresses.« less

  1. High resolution remanent magnetization scanner for long cores

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Demory, François; Quesnel, Yoann; Uehara, Minoru; Rochette, Pierre; Zylberman, William; Romey, Carole; Pignol, Laure; Andrieu-Ponel, Valérie

    2017-04-01

    Superconducting rock magnetometer reaches saturation when measuring magnetic moments higher than 5 10-5 Am2. Due to the distance of the sensor from the measurement zone, the spatial resolution is low for continuous measurements led on U channel or cores. To solve these problems, we designed a core logger dedicated to the measurement of remanent magnetizations. Based on a fluxgate sensor located very close to the sample, the spatial resolution of the core logger is infra-centimetric. The fluxgate sensor is also able to detect magnetic fields of few nT produced by magnetic moments of the order of few 10-8 Am2. As the equipment does not reach saturation, we measured isothermal remanent magnetization of highly magnetic samples. This magnetization was acquired perpendicularly to the long axis of U-channels from Cassis paleo-lake (Romey et al., 2015) and of cores from Haughton impact structure (Zylberman et al., submitted) using Halbach cylinders (Rochette et al., 2001). To interpret local magnetic fields in terms of magnetic moments, we performed an inter-calibration with the superconducting rock magnetometer and signal inversion. This development led to the filing of a patent (FR.16/53142) and is funded by the ECCOREV project MESENVIMAG. References: Rochette, P., Vadeboin, F., Clochard, L., 2001. Rock magnetic applications of Halbach cylinders. Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors 126, 109-117. Romey, C., Vella, C., Rochette, P., Andrieu-Ponel, V., Magnin, F., Veron, A., Talon, B., Landure, C., D'Ovidio, A.M., Delanghe, D., Ghilardi, M., Angeletti, B., 2015. Environmental imprints of landscape evolution and human activities during the Holocene in a small catchment of the Calanques Massif (Cassis, southern France). Holocene 25 (9), 1454-1469. Zylberman W., Quesnel Y., Rochette P., Osinski G. R., Marion C., Gattacceca J. (submitted to MAPS) Hydrothermally-enhanced magnetization at the center of the Haughton impact structure? (Nunavut, Canada).

  2. Hydrophilic-Core Microcapsules and Their Formation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Calle, Luz M. (Inventor); Li, Wenyan (Inventor); Buhrow, Jerry W. (Inventor); Jolley, Scott T. (Inventor)

    2016-01-01

    Hydrophilic-core microcapsules and methods of their formation are provided. A hydrophilic-core microcapsule may include a shell that encapsulates water with the core substance dissolved or dispersed therein. The hydrophilic-core microcapsules may be formed from an emulsion having hydrophilic-phase droplets dispersed in a hydrophobic phase, with shell-forming compound contained in the hydrophilic phase or the hydrophobic phase and the core substance contained in the hydrophilic phase. The shells of the microcapsules may be capable of being broken down in response to being contacted by an alkali, e.g., produced during corrosion, contacting the shell.

  3. Hydrophobic-Core Microcapsules and Their Formation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Buhrow, Jerry W. (Inventor); Li, Wenyan (Inventor); Jolley, Scott T. (Inventor); Calle, Luz M. (Inventor)

    2016-01-01

    Hydrophobic-core microcapsules and methods of their formation are provided. A hydrophobic-core microcapsule may include a shell that encapsulates a hydrophobic substance with a core substance, such as dye, corrosion indicator, corrosion inhibitor, and/or healing agent, dissolved or dispersed therein. The hydrophobic-core microcapsules may be formed from an emulsion having hydrophobic-phase droplets, e.g., containing the core substance and shell-forming compound, dispersed in a hydrophilic phase. The shells of the microcapsules may be capable of being broken down in response to being contacted by an alkali, e.g., produced during corrosion, contacting the shell.

  4. Crystal structure and physical properties of a novel Kondo antiferromagnet: U3Ru4Al12

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pasturel, M; Tougait, O; Potel, M; Roisnel, T; Wochowski, K; Noël, H; Troć, R

    2009-03-01

    A novel ternary compound U3Ru4Al12 has been identified in the U-Ru-Al ternary diagram. Single-crystal x-ray diffraction indicates a hexagonal Gd3Ru4Al12-type structure for this uranium-based intermetallic. While this structure type usually induces geometrically a spin-glass behaviour, an antiferromagnetic ordering is observed at TN = 8.4 K in the present case. The reduced effective magnetic moment of U atoms (μeff = 2.6 µB) can be explained by Kondo-like interactions and crystal field effects that have been identified by a logarithmic temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity, negative values of the magnetoresistivity and particular shape of the Seebeck coefficient.

  5. An AlGaN Core-Shell Tunnel Junction Nanowire Light-Emitting Diode Operating in the Ultraviolet-C Band.

    PubMed

    Sadaf, S M; Zhao, S; Wu, Y; Ra, Y-H; Liu, X; Vanka, S; Mi, Z

    2017-02-08

    To date, semiconductor light emitting diodes (LEDs) operating in the deep ultraviolet (UV) spectral range exhibit very low efficiency due to the presence of large densities of defects and extremely inefficient p-type conduction of conventional AlGaN quantum well heterostructures. We have demonstrated that such critical issues can be potentially addressed by using nearly defect-free AlGaN tunnel junction core-shell nanowire heterostructures. The core-shell nanowire arrays exhibit high photoluminescence efficiency (∼80%) in the UV-C band at room temperature. With the incorporation of an epitaxial Al tunnel junction, the p-(Al)GaN contact-free nanowire deep UV LEDs showed nearly one order of magnitude reduction in the device resistance, compared to the conventional nanowire p-i-n device. The unpackaged Al tunnel junction deep UV LEDs exhibit an output power >8 mW and a peak external quantum efficiency ∼0.4%, which are nearly one to two orders of magnitude higher than previously reported AlGaN nanowire devices. Detailed studies further suggest that the maximum achievable efficiency is limited by electron overflow and poor light extraction efficiency due to the TM polarized emission.

  6. Summary of Independent Assessment of U.S. Government Efforts against Al-Qaeda

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2017-10-01

    Qaeda, and countering terrorism in general • The U.S. has established key partnerships and worked cooperatively with countries around the world...countering terrorism before the forces tasked with these missions reach a breaking point. Requirements for dismantling Al-Qaeda If the U.S. government...International Development’s Office of Transition Initiatives, and the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. o

  7. Monte Carlo simulation of dynamic phase transitions and frequency dispersions of hysteresis curves in core/shell ferrimagnetic cubic nanoparticle

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vatansever, Erol

    2017-05-01

    By means of Monte Carlo simulation method with Metropolis algorithm, we elucidate the thermal and magnetic phase transition behaviors of a ferrimagnetic core/shell nanocubic system driven by a time dependent magnetic field. The particle core is composed of ferromagnetic spins, and it is surrounded by an antiferromagnetic shell. At the interface of the core/shell particle, we use antiferromagnetic spin-spin coupling. We simulate the nanoparticle using classical Heisenberg spins. After a detailed analysis, our Monte Carlo simulation results suggest that present system exhibits unusual and interesting magnetic behaviors. For example, at the relatively lower temperature regions, an increment in the amplitude of the external field destroys the antiferromagnetism in the shell part of the nanoparticle, leading to a ground state with ferromagnetic character. Moreover, particular attention has been dedicated to the hysteresis behaviors of the system. For the first time, we show that frequency dispersions can be categorized into three groups for a fixed temperature for finite core/shell systems, as in the case of the conventional bulk systems under the influence of an oscillating magnetic field.

  8. Room Temperature Radiolytic Synthesized Cu@CuAlO2-Al2O3 Nanoparticles

    PubMed Central

    Abedini, Alam; Saion, Elias; Larki, Farhad; Zakaria, Azmi; Noroozi, Monir; Soltani, Nayereh

    2012-01-01

    Colloidal Cu@CuAlO2-Al2O3 bimetallic nanoparticles were prepared by a gamma irradiation method in an aqueous system in the presence of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) and isopropanol respectively as a colloidal stabilizer and scavenger of hydrogen and hydroxyl radicals. The gamma irradiation was carried out in a 60Co gamma source chamber with different doses up to 120 kGy. The formation of Cu@CuAlO2-Al2O3 nanoparticles was observed initially by the change in color of the colloidal samples from colorless to brown. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the presence of bonds between polymer chains and the metal surface at all radiation doses. Results of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed that Cu@CuAlO2-Al2O3 nanoparticles are in a core-shell structure. By controlling the absorbed dose and precursor concentration, nanoclusters with different particle sizes were obtained. The average particle diameter increased with increased precursor concentration and decreased with increased dose. This is due to the competition between nucleation, growth, and aggregation processes in the formation of nanoclusters during irradiation. PMID:23109893

  9. Development of a Core Curriculum Framework in Cariology for U.S. Dental Schools.

    PubMed

    Fontana, Margherita; Guzmán-Armstrong, Sandra; Schenkel, Andrew B; Allen, Kennneth L; Featherstone, John; Goolsby, Susie; Kanjirath, Preetha; Kolker, Justine; Martignon, Stefania; Pitts, Nigel; Schulte, Andreas; Slayton, Rebecca L; Young, Douglas; Wolff, Mark

    2016-06-01

    Maintenance of health and preservation of tooth structure through risk-based prevention and patient-centered, evidence-based disease management, reassessed at regular intervals over time, are the cornerstones of present-day caries management. Yet management of caries based on risk assessment that goes beyond restorative care has not had a strong place in curriculum development and competency assessment in U.S. dental schools. The aim of this study was to develop a competency-based core cariology curriculum framework for use in U.S. dental schools. The Section on Cariology of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) organized a one-day consensus workshop, followed by a meeting program, to adapt the European Core Cariology Curriculum to the needs of U.S. dental education. Participants in the workshop were 73 faculty members from 35 U.S., three Canadian, and four international dental schools. Representatives from all 65 U.S. dental schools were then invited to review and provide feedback on a draft document. A recommended competency statement on caries management was also developed: "Upon graduation, a dentist must be competent in evidence-based detection, diagnosis, risk assessment, prevention, and nonsurgical and surgical management of dental caries, both at the individual and community levels, and be able to reassess the outcomes of interventions over time." This competency statement supports a curriculum framework built around five domains: 1) knowledge base; 2) risk assessment, diagnosis, and synthesis; 3) treatment decision making: preventive strategies and nonsurgical management; 4) treatment decision making: surgical therapy; and 5) evidence-based cariology in clinical and public health practice. Each domain includes objectives and learning outcomes.

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

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

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

    2016-04-01

    Apatite (U-Th-Sm)/He (AHe) thermochronometry is a powerful technique for deciphering denudation of the uppermost crust. However, the age dispersion of single grains from the same rock is typical, and this hampers establishing accurate thermal histories when low grain numbers are analysed. Dispersion arising from the analysis of broken crystal fragments[1] has been proposed as an important cause of age dispersion, along with grain size and radiation damage. A new tool, Helfrag[2], allows constraints to be placed on the low temperature history derived from the analysis of apatite crystal fragments. However, the age dispersion model has not been fully tested on natural samples yet. We have performed AHe analysis of multiple (n = 20-25) grains from four rock samples from the Scottish Southern Uplands, which were subjected to the same exhumation episodes, although, the amount of exhumation varied between the localities. This is evident from the range of AFT ages (˜60 to ˜200 Ma) and variable thermal histories showing either strong, moderate and no support for a rapid cooling event at ˜60 Ma. Different apatite size and fragment geometry were analysed in order to maximise age dispersion. In general, the age dispersion increases with increasing AFT age (from 47% to 127%), consistent with the prediction from the fragmentation model. Thermal histories obtained using Helfrag were compared with those obtained by standard codes based on the spherical approximation. In one case, the Helfrag model was capable of resolving the higher complexity of the thermal history of the rock, constraining several heating/cooling events that are not predicted by the standard models, but are in good agreement with the regional geology. In other cases, the thermal histories are similar for both Helfrag and standard models and the age predictions for the Helfrag are only slightly better than for standard model, implying that the grain size has the dominant role in generating the age dispersion

  11. TEM Characterization of High Burn-up Microstructure of U-7Mo Alloy

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

    Jian Gan; Brandon Miller; Dennis Keiser

    2014-04-01

    As an essential part of global nuclear non-proliferation effort, the RERTR program is developing low enriched U-Mo fuels (< 20% U-235) for use in research and test reactors that currently employ highly enriched uranium fuels. One type of fuel being developed is a dispersion fuel plate comprised of U-7Mo particles dispersed in Al alloy matrix. Recent TEM characterizations of the ATR irradiated U-7Mo dispersion fuel plates include the samples with a local fission densities of 4.5, 5.2, 5.6 and 6.3 E+21 fissions/cm3 and irradiation temperatures of 101-136?C. The development of the irradiated microstructure of the U-7Mo fuel particles consists ofmore » fission gas bubble superlattice, large gas bubbles, solid fission product precipitates and their association to the large gas bubbles, grain subdivision to tens or hundreds of nanometer size, collapse of bubble superlattice, and amorphisation. This presentation will describe the observed microstructures specifically focusing on the U-7Mo fuel particles. The impact of the observed microstructure on the fuel performance and the comparison of the relevant features with that of the high burn-up UO2 fuels will be discussed.« less

  12. Analysis of dispersive interactions at polymer/TiAlN interfaces by means of dynamic force spectroscopy.

    PubMed

    Wiesing, M; de Los Arcos, T; Gebhard, M; Devi, A; Grundmeier, G

    2017-12-20

    The structural and electronic origins of the interactions between polycarbonate and sputter deposited TiAlN were analysed using a combined electron and force spectroscopic approach. Interaction forces were measured by means of dynamic force spectroscopy and the surface polarizability was analysed by X-ray photoelectron valence band spectroscopy. It could be shown that the adhesive interactions between polycarbonate and TiAlN are governed by van der Waals forces. Different surface cleansing and oxidizing treatments were investigated and the effect of the surface chemistry on the force interactions was analysed. Intense surface oxidation resulted in a decreased adhesion force by a factor of two due to the formation of a 2 nm thick Ti 0.21 Al 0.45 O surface oxide layer. The origin of the residual adhesion forces caused by the mixed Ti 0.21 Al 0.45 O surface oxide was clarified by considering the non-retarded Hamaker coefficients as calculated by Lifshitz theory, based on optical data from Reflection Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy. This disclosed increased dispersion forces of Ti 0.21 Al 0.45 O due to the presence of Ti(iv) ions and related Ti 3d band optical transitions.

  13. Asymmetric Core Computing for U.S. Army High-Performance Computing Applications

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2009-04-01

    Playstation 4 (should one be announced). 8 4.2 FPGAs Reconfigurable computing refers to performing computations using Field Programmable Gate Arrays...2008 4 . TITLE AND SUBTITLE Asymmetric Core Computing for U.S. Army High-Performance Computing Applications 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER...Acknowledgments vi  1.  Introduction 1  2.  Relevant Technologies 2  3.  Technical Approach 5  4 .  Research and Development Highlights 7  4.1  Cell

  14. High-temperature behavior of oxide dispersion strengthening CoNiCrAlY

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

    Unocic, Kinga A.; Bergholz, Jan; Huang, T

    2017-11-01

    To fabricate oxide dispersion strengthened bond coatings, commercial Co–30wt-%Ni–20Cr–8Al–0•4Y powder was milled with 2% additions of Al2O3, Y2O3 or Y2O3 + HfO2. Low-pressure plasma sprayed, free-standing specimens were oxidised in air + 10%H2O at 1100 °C both isothermally (100 h) and in 500, 1-h cycles. Dry air cyclic testing conducted at both ORNL and FZJ showed remarkably similar results. In general, the water vapour addition caused more scale spallation. Two LPPS specimens without oxide additions were tested for comparison. The specimens with 2%Al2O3 addition exhibited the best behaviour as the powder already contained 0•4%Y. Additions of 2%Y2O3 and especially 1%Y2O3more » + 1%HfO2 resulted in over-doping as evidenced by high mass gains and the formation of Y- and Hf-rich pegs. Scanning transmission electron microscopy of the isothermal specimens showed no Hf and/or Y segregation to the alumina scale grain boundaries in the over-doped specimens.« less

  15. Compact X-ray Binary Re-creation in Core Collapse: NGC 6397

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Grindlay, J. E.; Bogdanov, S.; van den Berg, M.; Heinke, C.

    2005-12-01

    We report new Chandra observations of the core collapsed globular cluster NGC 6397. In comparison with our original Chandra observations (Grindlay et al 2001, ApJ, 563, L53), we now detect some 30 sources (vs. 20) in the cluster. A new CV is confirmed, though new HST/ACS optical observations (see Cohn et al this meeting) show that one of the original CV candidates is a background AGN). The 9 CVs (optically identified) yet only one MSP and one qLMXB suggest either a factor of 7 reduction in NSs/WDs vs. what we find in 47Tuc (see Grindlay 2005, Proc. Cefalu Conf. on Interacting Binaries) or that CVs are produced in the core collapse. The possible second MSP with main sequence companion, source U18 (see Grindlay et al 2001) is similar in its X-ray and optical properties to MSP-W in 47Tuc, which must have swapped its binary companion. Together with the one confirmed (radio) MSP in NGC 6397, with an evolved main sequence secondary, the process of enhanced partner swapping in the high stellar density of core collapse is implicated. At the same time, main sequence - main sequence binaries (active binaries) are depleted in the cluster core, presumably by "binary burning" in core collapse. These binary re-creation and destruction mechanisms in core collapse have profound implications for binary evolution and mergers in globulars that have undergone core collapse.

  16. A nano-disperse ferritin-core mimetic that efficiently corrects anemia without luminal iron redox activity

    PubMed Central

    Powell, Jonathan J.; Bruggraber, Sylvaine F.A.; Faria, Nuno; Poots, Lynsey K.; Hondow, Nicole; Pennycook, Timothy J.; Latunde-Dada, Gladys O.; Simpson, Robert J.; Brown, Andy P.; Pereira, Dora I.A.

    2014-01-01

    The 2-5 nm Fe(III) oxo-hydroxide core of ferritin is less ordered and readily bioavailable compared to its pure synthetic analogue, ferrihydrite. We report the facile synthesis of tartrate-modified, nano-disperse ferrihydrite of small primary particle size, but with enlarged or strained lattice structure (~ 2.7 Å for the main Bragg peak versus 2.6 Å for synthetic ferrihydrite). Analysis indicated that co-precipitation conditions can be achieved for tartrate inclusion into the developing ferrihydrite particles, retarding both growth and crystallization and favoring stabilization of the cross-linked polymeric structure. In murine models, gastrointestinal uptake was independent of luminal Fe(III) reduction to Fe(II) and, yet, absorption was equivalent to that of ferrous sulphate, efficiently correcting the induced anemia. This process may model dietary Fe(III) absorption and potentially provide a side effect-free form of cheap supplemental iron. From the Clinical Editor Small size tartrate-modified, nano-disperse ferrihydrite was used for efficient gastrointestinal delivery of soluble Fe(III) without the risk for free radical generation in murine models. This method may provide a potentially side effect-free form iron supplementation. PMID:24394211

  17. Interaction and dispersion of waveguide modes in an optical fiber with microirregularities of the core surface

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zadorin, A. S.; Kruglov, R. S.; Surkova, G. A.

    2012-08-01

    A self-consistent linear model is proposed for the transformation of the average intensity of the mode spectrum I( z) of the waveguide field in a multimode optical fiber with a stepped refractive index profile and the core having a rough surface. The model is based on the concept of the intermodal dispersion matrix of an elementary segment of the fiber, ∆, whose elements characterize the mutual transfer of energy between the waveguide modes, as well as their conversion to radiation modes on the specified interval. On this basis, the features of the transformation of the mode spectrum I( z) in a multimode optical fiber with a stepped refractive index profile are considered that is due to the effects of multiple dispersion of the signal by the stochastic irregularities of the duct. The effect of self-filtering of I( z) is described that results in the formation of a stable (normalized) distribution I*. The features of the normalization of the radiative damping of a group of modes I i ( z) in an optical fiber are considered.

  18. Accurate calibration for the quantification of the Al content in AlGaN epitaxial layers by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy in a Transmission Electron Microscope

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Amari, H.; Lari, L.; Zhang, H. Y.; Geelhaar, L.; Chèze, C.; Kappers, M. J.; McAleese, C.; Humphreys, C. J.; Walther, T.

    2011-11-01

    Since the band structure of group III- nitrides presents a direct electronic transition with a band-gap energy covering the range from 3.4 eV for (GaN) to 6.2 eV (for AlN) at room temperature as well as a high thermal conductivity, aluminium gallium nitride (AlGaN) is a strong candidate for high-power and high-temperature electronic devices and short-wavelength (visible and ultraviolet) optoelectronic devices. We report here a study by energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) of the micro structure and elemental distribution in different aluminium gallium nitride epitaxial layers grown by different research groups. A calibration procedure is out-lined that yields the Al content from EDXS to within ~1 at % precision.

  19. Preliminary CFA measurements of Al and Fe "available" fraction in EPICA-Dome C ice core (East Antarctica)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Udisti, R.; Barbante, C.; Cozzi, G.; Fattori, I.; Largiuni, O.; Magaldi, L.; Traversi, R.

    2003-04-01

    Aerosol load of Al and Fe allows estimating the crustal contribution to the primary aerosol sources. While continental dust is the only significant source for Al, Fe takes part also to metabolic processes of living species as an essential oligo-element. For this reason, it has been assumed that atmospheric deposition of desert dust on the oceanic surface can constitute a phytoplanktonic growth factor. Besides, Fe content in aerosol during glacial/interglacial transitions is believed to play a relevant role in controlling oceanic phytoplanktonic uptake of atmospheric CO2. A detailed stratigraphy of Al and Fe in ice cores is basic in understanding the correlation between environmental and climatic changes. Here we report preliminary results of CFA methods able to determine, in field, the "available" (free form and labile complexes) fraction of Al and Fe in ice cores with high sensitivity (D.L. of 10 ppt for Al and 300 ppt for Fe) and reproducibility (around 2 % at ppb level). The two methods were applied to 32 selected sections coming from the EPICA-Dome C ice core (EDC96): 10 sections belonging to Holocene, 10 to the transition and 12 to the LGM. Though Al and Fe determined by CFA is representative of the only soluble fraction (or "available" in the measurement conditions after filtration on 5.0 um), a comparison with the Al and Fe "total" content, as measured by ICP-MS, was made. "Available" fractions represent a minor contribution to the ICP-MS Fe and Al content in the LGM, but this contribution increases during the transition. In the Holocene, the two different analytical methods give similar values. Anyway, also CFA Fe and Al profiles show a sharp concentration decrease in the glacial/interglacial transition, reflecting the lowering dust aerosol load. Fe, especially, shows a very high sensitivity for the ACR climatic change. Whereas CFA-Fe in the LGM is more than 10 times lower than ICP-MS-Fe, ACR values are similar. This evidence could be explained considering

  20. Aquatic toxicity of petroleum products and dispersant agents determined under the U.S. EPA Oil Spill Research Program

    EPA Science Inventory

    The U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development has developed baseline data on the ecotoxicity of selected petroleum products and several chemical dispersants as part of its oil spills research program. Two diluted bitumens (dilbits) from the Alberta Tar Sands were tested for acu...

  1. Collection, analysis, and age-dating of sediment cores from 56 U.S. lakes and reservoirs sampled by the U.S. Geological Survey, 1992-2001

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Van Metre, Peter; Wilson, Jennifer T.; Fuller, Christopher C.; Callender, Edward; Mahler, Barbara J.

    2004-01-01

    The U.S. Geological Survey Reconstructed Trends National Synthesis study collected sediment cores from 56 lakes and reservoirs between 1992 and 2001 across the United States. Most of the sampling was conducted as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program. The primary objective of the study was to determine trends in particle-associated contaminants in response to urbanization; 47 of the 56 lakes are in or near one of 20 U.S. cities. Sampling was done with gravity, piston, and box corers from boats and push cores from boats or by wading, depending on the depth of water and thickness of sediment being sampled. Chemical analyses included major and trace elements, organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, cesium-137, and lead-210. Age-dating of the cores was done on the basis of radionuclide analyses and the position of the pre-reservoir land surface in the reservoir and, in a few cases, other chemical or lithologic depth-date markers. Dates were assigned in many cores on the basis of assumed constant mass accumulation between known depth-date markers. Dates assigned were supported using a variety of other date markers including first occurrence and peak concentrations of DDT and polychlorinated biphenyls and peak concentration of lead. A qualitative rating was assigned to each core on the basis of professional judgment to indicate the reliability of age assignments. A total of 122 cores were collected from the 56 lakes and age dates were assigned to 113 of them, representing 54 of the 56 lakes. Seventy-four of the 122 cores (61 percent) received a good rating for the assigned age dates, 28 cores (23 percent) a fair rating, and 11 cores (9 percent) a poor rating; nine cores (7 percent) had no dates assigned. An analysis of the influence of environmental factors on the apparent quality of age-dating of the cores concluded that the most important factor was the mass accumulation rate (MAR) of sediment: the

  2. The Effect of Early Diagenesis on the 238U/235U Ratio of Platform Carbonates.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tissot, F.; Chen, C.; Go, B. M.; Naziemiec, M.; Healy, G.; Swart, P. K.; Dauphas, N.

    2017-12-01

    In the past 15 years, the so-called non-traditional stable isotopes systems (e.g., Mg, Fe, Mo, U) have emerged as powerful tracers of both high-T and low-T geochemical processes (e.g., [1]). Of particular interest for paleoredox studies is the ratio of "stable" isotopes of U (238U/235U), which has the potential to track the global extent of oceanic anoxia (e.g., [2, 3]). Indeed, in the modern ocean, U exists in two main oxidation states, soluble U6+ and insoluble U4+, and has a mean residence time of 400 kyr ([4]), much longer than the global ocean mixing time (1-2 kyr). As such the salinity-normalized ocean is homogeneous with regards to both U concentrations and isotopes (δ238USW = -0.392±0.005 ‰, [2]). The value of δ238USW at any given time is therefore the balance between U input to the ocean, mainly from rivers, and U removal, mostly into biogenic carbonates, anoxic/euxinic sediments and suboxic/hypoxic sediments (e.g., [2, 5]). Because the 238U/235U ratio of the past ocean cannot be measured directly, it has to be estimated from the measurement of the 238U/235U ratio of a sedimentary rock and assuming a constant fractionation factor. Carbonates appear as a promising record since they span most of Earth's history, and the δ238U values of modern primary carbonate precipitates and well-preserved fossil aragonitic coral up to 600 ka are indistinguishable from that of seawater (e.g., [2, 6, 7]). Yet, the effect of secondary processes on the δ238U values of non-coral carbonates, which represent the bulk of the rock record, has only been studied in a handful of shallow samples (down to 40cm, [6]) and remains poorly understood. To investigate the effect of early diagenesis on the 238U/235U ratio of carbonates on the 30kyr to 1Myr timescale, we measured δ13C, δ18O, and δ238U in samples from a 220m long drill core from the Bahamas carbonate platform. In order to separate lattice bound U from secondary U we developed a leaching protocol applicable to carbonate

  3. Computational investigation of longitudinal diffusion, eddy dispersion, and trans-particle mass transfer in bulk, random packings of core-shell particles with varied shell thickness and shell diffusion coefficient.

    PubMed

    Daneyko, Anton; Hlushkou, Dzmitry; Baranau, Vasili; Khirevich, Siarhei; Seidel-Morgenstern, Andreas; Tallarek, Ulrich

    2015-08-14

    In recent years, chromatographic columns packed with core-shell particles have been widely used for efficient and fast separations at comparatively low operating pressure. However, the influence of the porous shell properties on the mass transfer kinetics in core-shell packings is still not fully understood. We report on results obtained with a modeling approach to simulate three-dimensional advective-diffusive transport in bulk random packings of monosized core-shell particles, covering a range of reduced mobile phase flow velocities from 0.5 up to 1000. The impact of the effective diffusivity of analyte molecules in the porous shell and the shell thickness on the resulting plate height was investigated. An extension of Giddings' theory of coupled eddy dispersion to account for retention of analyte molecules due to stagnant regions in porous shells with zero mobile phase flow velocity is presented. The plate height equation involving a modified eddy dispersion term excellently describes simulated data obtained for particle-packings with varied shell thickness and shell diffusion coefficient. It is confirmed that the model of trans-particle mass transfer resistance of core-shell particles by Kaczmarski and Guiochon [42] is applicable up to a constant factor. We analyze individual contributions to the plate height from different mass transfer mechanisms in dependence of the shell parameters. The simulations demonstrate that a reduction of plate height in packings of core-shell relative to fully porous particles arises mainly due to reduced trans-particle mass transfer resistance and transchannel eddy dispersion. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  4. 23. CORE WORKER OPERATING A COREBLOWER THAT PNEUMATICALLY FILLED CORE ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    23. CORE WORKER OPERATING A CORE-BLOWER THAT PNEUMATICALLY FILLED CORE BOXES WITH RESIGN IMPREGNATED SAND AND CREATED A CORE THAT THEN REQUIRED BAKING, CA. 1950. - Stockham Pipe & Fittings Company, 4000 Tenth Avenue North, Birmingham, Jefferson County, AL

  5. Electronic structures of U X3 (X =Al , Ga, and In) studied by photoelectron spectroscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fujimori, Shin-ichi; Kobata, Masaaki; Takeda, Yukiharu; Okane, Tetsuo; Saitoh, Yuji; Fujimori, Atsushi; Yamagami, Hiroshi; Haga, Yoshinori; Yamamoto, Etsuji; Ōnuki, Yoshichika

    2017-09-01

    The electronic structures of U X3 (X =Al , Ga , and In ) were studied by photoelectron spectroscopy to understand the relationship between their electronic structures and magnetic properties. The band structures and Fermi surfaces of UAl3 and UGa3 were revealed experimentally by angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (ARPES), and they were compared with the result of band-structure calculations. The topologies of the Fermi surfaces and the band structures of UAl3 and UGa3 were explained reasonably well by the calculation, although bands near the Fermi level (EF) were renormalized owing to the finite electron correlation effect. The topologies of the Fermi surfaces of UAl3 and UGa3 are very similar to each other, except for some minor differences. Such minor differences in their Fermi surface or electron correlation effect might take an essential role in their different magnetic properties. No significant changes were observed between the ARPES spectra of UGa3 in the paramagnetic and antiferromagnetic phases, suggesting that UGa3 is an itinerant weak antiferromagnet. The effect of chemical pressure on the electronic structures of U X3 compounds was also studied by utilizing the smaller lattice constants of UAl3 and UGa3 than that of UIn3. The valence band spectrum of UIn3 is accompanied by a satellitelike structure on the high-binding-energy side. The core-level spectrum of UIn3 is also qualitatively different from those of UAl3 and UGa3. These findings suggest that the U 5 f states in UIn3 are more localized than those in UAl3 and UGa3.

  6. Electrical Current Leakage and Open-Core Threading Dislocations in AlGaN-Based Deep Ultraviolet Light-Emitting Diodes.

    DOE PAGES

    Moseley, Michael William; Allerman, Andrew A.; Crawford, Mary H.; ...

    2014-08-04

    Electrical current transport through leakage paths in AlGaN-based deep ultraviolet (DUV) lightemitting diodes (LEDs) and their effect on LED performance are investigated. Open-core threading dislocations, or nanopipes, are found to conduct current through nominally insulating Al0.7Ga0.3N layers and limit the performance of DUV-LEDs. A defect-sensitive phosphoric acid etch reveals these opencore threading dislocations in the form of large, micron-scale hexagonal etch pits visible with optical microscopy, while closed-core screw-, edge-, and mixed-type threading dislocations are represented by smaller and more numerous nanometer-scale pits visible by atomic-force microscopy. The electrical and optical performances of DUV-LEDs fabricated on similar Si-doped Al0.7Ga0.3N templatesmore » are found to have a strong correlation to the density of these nanopipes, despite their small fraction (<0.1% in this study) of the total density of threading dislocations.« less

  7. Constraining the galaxy mass content in the core of A383 using velocity dispersion measurements for individual cluster members

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Monna, A.; Seitz, S.; Zitrin, A.; Geller, M. J.; Grillo, C.; Mercurio, A.; Greisel, N.; Halkola, A.; Suyu, S. H.; Postman, M.; Rosati, P.; Balestra, I.; Biviano, A.; Coe, D.; Fabricant, D. G.; Hwang, H. S.; Koekemoer, A.

    2015-02-01

    We use velocity dispersion measurements of 21 individual cluster members in the core of Abell 383, obtained with Multiple Mirror Telescope Hectospec, to separate the galaxy and the smooth dark halo (DH) lensing contributions. While lensing usually constrains the overall, projected mass density, the innovative use of velocity dispersion measurements as a proxy for masses of individual cluster members breaks inherent degeneracies and allows us to (a) refine the constraints on single galaxy masses and on the galaxy mass-to-light scaling relation and, as a result, (b) refine the constraints on the DM-only map, a high-end goal of lens modelling. The knowledge of cluster member velocity dispersions improves the fit by 17 per cent in terms of the image reproduction χ2, or 20 per cent in terms of the rms. The constraints on the mass parameters improve by ˜10 per cent for the DH, while for the galaxy component, they are refined correspondingly by ˜50 per cent, including the galaxy halo truncation radius. For an L* galaxy with M^{*}B=-20.96, for example, we obtain best-fitting truncation radius r_tr^{*}=20.5^{+9.6}_{-6.7} kpc and velocity dispersion σ* = 324 ± 17 km s-1. Moreover, by performing the surface brightness reconstruction of the southern giant arc, we improve the constraints on rtr of two nearby cluster members, which have measured velocity dispersions, by more than ˜30 per cent. We estimate the stripped mass for these two galaxies, getting results that are consistent with numerical simulations. In the future, we plan to apply this analysis to other galaxy clusters for which velocity dispersions of member galaxies are available.

  8. TEM and HRTEM study of oxide particles in an Al-alloyed high-Cr oxide dispersion strengthened ferritic steel with Hf addition

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dou, Peng; Kimura, Akihiko; Kasada, Ryuta; Okuda, Takanari; Inoue, Masaki; Ukai, Shigeharu; Ohnuki, Somei; Fujisawa, Toshiharu; Abe, Fujio; Jiang, Shan; Yang, Zhigang

    2017-03-01

    The nanoparticles in an Al-alloyed high-Cr oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) ferritic steel with Hf addition, i.e., SOC-16 (Fe-15Cr-2W-0.1Ti-4Al-0.62Hf-0.35Y2O3), have been examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Relative to an Al-alloyed high-Cr ODS ferritic steel without Hf addition, i.e., SOC-9 (Fe-15.5Cr-2W-0.1Ti-4Al-0.35Y2O3), the dispersion morphology and coherency of the oxide nanoparticles in SOC-16 were significantly improved. Almost all the small nanoparticles (diameter <10 nm) in SOC-16 were found to be consistent with cubic Y2Hf2O7 oxides with the anion-deficient fluorite structure and coherent with the bcc steel matrix. The larger particles (diameter >10 nm) were also mainly identified as cubic Y2Hf2O7 oxides with the anion-deficient fluorite structure. The results presented here are compared with those of SOC-9 with a brief discussion of the underlying mechanisms of the unusual thermal and irradiation stabilities of the oxides as well as the superior strength, excellent irradiation tolerance and extraordinary corrosion resistance of SOC-16.

  9. Impact of open-core threading dislocations on the performance of AlGaN metal-semiconductor-metal photodetectors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Walde, S.; Brendel, M.; Zeimer, U.; Brunner, F.; Hagedorn, S.; Weyers, M.

    2018-04-01

    The influence of open-core threading dislocations on the bias-dependent external quantum efficiency (EQE) of bottom-illuminated Al0.5Ga0.5N/AlN metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) photodetectors (PDs) is presented. These defects originate at the Al0.5Ga0.5N/AlN interface and terminate on the Al0.5Ga0.5N surface as hexagonal prisms. They work as electrically active paths bypassing the Al0.5Ga0.5N absorber layer and therefore alter the behavior of the MSM PDs under bias voltage. This effect is included in the model of carrier collection in the MSM PDs showing a good agreement with the experimental data. While such dislocations usually limit the device performance, the MSM PDs benefit by high EQE at a reduced bias voltage while maintaining a low dark current.

  10. Chalcogen doping at anionic site: A scheme towards more dispersive valence band in CuAlO2

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mazumder, Nilesh; Sen, Dipayan; Chattopadhyay, Kalyan Kumar

    2013-02-01

    Using first-principles calculations, we propose to enhance the dispersion of the top of valence band at high-symmetry points by selective introduction of chalcogen (Ch) impurities at oxygen site. As ab-plane hole mobility of CuAlO2 is large enough to support a band-conduction model over a polaronic one at room temperature [M. S. Lee et al. Appl. Phys. Lett. 79, 2029, (2001); J. Tate et al. Phys. Rev. B 80, 165206, (2009)], we examine its electronic and optical properties normal to c-axis. Intrinsic indirectness of energy-gap at Γ-point can be effectively removed along with substantial increase in density of states near Fermi level (EF) upon Ch addition. This can be attributed to S 2p-Cu 3d interaction just at or below EF, which should result in significantly improved carrier mobility and conductivity profile for this important p-type TCO.

  11. Novel of core-shell AlOOH/Cu nanostructures: Synthesis, characterization, antimicrobial activity and in vitro toxicity in Neuro-2a cells

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

    Bakina, O. V., E-mail: ovbakina@ispms.tsc.ru; Fomenko, A. N., E-mail: alserova@ispms.tsc.ru; Korovin, M. S., E-mail: msk@ispms.tsc.ru

    Core-shell micro/nanostructures were fabricated by the reaction of Al/Cu bimetallic nanoparticles with water. Al/Cu nanoparticles have been obtained using the method of simultaneous electrical explosion of a pair of the corresponding metal wires in an argon atmosphere. The nanoparticles are chemically active and interact with water at 60°C to form core-shell micro/nanostructures. The obtained products were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering and the nitrogen adsorption method. The antibacterial activity of the synthesized structures was investigated against E. coli and St. aureus. The toxic effect of these nanostructures against themore » Neuro-2a neuroblastoma cell line was investigated. AlOOH/Cu nanostructures are shown to inhibit cell proliferation. The AlOOH/Cu nanostructures are good candidates for medical applications.« less

  12. Novel of core-shell AlOOH/Cu nanostructures: Synthesis, characterization, antimicrobial activity and in vitro toxicity in Neuro-2a cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bakina, O. V.; Fomenko, A. N.; Korovin, M. S.; Glazkova, E. A.; Svarovskaya, N. V.

    2016-08-01

    Core-shell micro/nanostructures were fabricated by the reaction of Al/Cu bimetallic nanoparticles with water. Al/Cu nanoparticles have been obtained using the method of simultaneous electrical explosion of a pair of the corresponding metal wires in an argon atmosphere. The nanoparticles are chemically active and interact with water at 60°C to form core-shell micro/nanostructures. The obtained products were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering and the nitrogen adsorption method. The antibacterial activity of the synthesized structures was investigated against E. coli and St. aureus. The toxic effect of these nanostructures against the Neuro-2a neuroblastoma cell line was investigated. AlOOH/Cu nanostructures are shown to inhibit cell proliferation. The AlOOH/Cu nanostructures are good candidates for medical applications.

  13. Influence of nanovoids on α-α' phase separation in FeCrAl oxide dispersion strengthened alloy

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

    Capdevila, Carlos; Aranda, M. M.; Rememnteria, R.

    2015-08-10

    The presence of nanovoids in the vicinity of oxide particles in FeCrAl oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloy has been identified. These nanovoids are inherent to the manufacturing route and remain quite resistant during heat treatments. Positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS) experiments demonstrate that these nanovoids trap Cr inside thereby reducing the Cr-content in the matrix. In conclusion, this might lead to a delay in the α–α' phase separation process as observed by atom probe tomography (APT).

  14. Growth and characterization of n-AlGaN 1-D structures with varying Al composition using u-GaN seeds

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kang, San; Chatterjee, Uddipta; Um, Dae-Young; Seo, In Seok; Lee, Cheul-Ro

    2017-12-01

    Like all the ternary alloys in III-nitride materials family, aluminum gallium nitride (AlGaN) has unique band gap tuning property which enables the alloy to be suitable for many opto-electronic applications. The direct band gap of AlGaN can be tuned from 3.4 to 6.2 eV by changing the composition. In this article, the growth of ternary n-AlGaN micro and nano structures on Si (1 1 1) substrate is demonstrated via 2-step growth method employing metal organic chemical vapor deposition. During the growth flow of Trimethygallium is varied to modulate the final Al/Ga ratio. After the growth, various morphological, crystalline and optical characterizations are carried out to probe in the properties of the grown structures. Recorded X-ray diffraction patterns reveal that the realized structures are wurtzite single crystalline n-AlGaN having a near homogeneous Al distribution and validated by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Low temperature cathodoluminescence spectra show band edge emission in deep UV region which enables the grown n-AlGaN structures to efficiently find opto-electronic applications in the aforementioned region. Finally, planar photoconductive devices are fabricated using the grown 1-D structures and photocurrent evolution is measured. Structure bearing highest Al content shows a manifold enhancement in photo activity compared to other grown samples. Absolute photoresponsivities of the grown samples are calculated to be 301.47, 116 and 38.13 mA/W which is in accord with the findings of low temperature cathodoluminescence investigation. Therefore, it can be concluded that the successful realization of n-AlGaN 1-D structures varying Al content facilitates the further developments of the field concerning nano- and opto-electronic devices.

  15. Quantifying K, U and Th contents of marine sediments using shipboard natural gamma radiation spectra measured on DV JOIDES Resolution

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    De Vleeschouwer, David; Dunlea, Ann G.; Auer, Gerald; Anderson, Chloe H.; Brumsack, Hans; de Loach, Aaron; Gurnis, Michael C.; Huh, Youngsook; Ishiwa, Takeshige; Jang, Kwangchul; Kominz, Michelle A.; März, Christian; Schnetger, Bernhard; Murray, Richard W.; Pälike, Heiko; Expedition 356 shipboard scientists, IODP

    2017-04-01

    During International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) expeditions, shipboard-generated data provide the first insights into the cored sequences. The natural gamma radiation (NGR) of the recovered material, for example, is routinely measured on the ocean drilling research vessel DV JOIDES Resolution. At present, only total NGR counts are readily available as shipboard data, although full NGR spectra (counts as a function of gamma-ray energy level) are produced and archived. These spectra contain unexploited information, as one can estimate the sedimentary contents of potassium (K), thorium (Th), and uranium (U) from the characteristic gamma-ray energies of isotopes in the 40K, 232Th, and 238U radioactive decay series. Dunlea et al. [2013] quantified K, Th and U contents in sediment from the South Pacific Gyre by integrating counts over specific energy levels of the NGR spectrum. However, the algorithm used in their study is unavailable to the wider scientific community due to commercial proprietary reasons. Here, we present a new MATLAB algorithm for the quantification of NGR spectra that is transparent and accessible to future NGR users. We demonstrate the algorithm's performance by comparing its results to shore-based inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), inductively coupled plasma-emission spectrometry (ICP-ES), and quantitative wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses. Samples for these comparisons come from eleven sites (U1341, U1343, U1366-U1369, U1414, U1428-U1430, U1463) cored in two oceans during five expeditions. In short, our algorithm rapidly produces detailed high-quality information on sediment properties during IODP expeditions at no extra cost. Dunlea, A. G., R. W. Murray, R. N. Harris, M. A. Vasiliev, H. Evans, A. J. Spivack, and S. D'Hondt (2013), Assessment and use of NGR instrumentation on the JOIDES Resolution to quantify U, Th, and K concentrations in marine sediment, Scientific Drilling, 15, 57-63.

  16. Interfacial characterization of ceramic core materials with veneering porcelain for all-ceramic bi-layered restorative systems.

    PubMed

    Tagmatarchis, Alexander; Tripodakis, Aris-Petros; Filippatos, Gerasimos; Zinelis, Spiros; Eliades, George

    2014-01-01

    The aim of the study was to characterize the elemental distribution at the interface between all-ceramic core and veneering porcelain materials. Three groups of all-ceramic cores were selected: A) Glass-ceramics (Cergo, IPS Empress, IPS Empress 2, e-max Press, Finesse); B) Glass-infiltrated ceramics (Celay Alumina, Celay Zirconia) and C) Densely sintered ceramics (Cercon, Procera Alumina, ZirCAD, Noritake Zirconia). The cores were combined with compatible veneering porcelains and three flat square test specimens were produced for each system. The core-veneer interfaces were examined by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis. The glass-ceramic systems showed interfacial zones reach in Si and O, with the presence of K, Ca, Al in core and Ca, Ce, Na, Mg or Al in veneer material, depending on the system tested. IPS Empress and IPS Empress 2 demonstrated distinct transitional phases at the core-veneer interface. In the glassinfiltrated systems, intermixing of core (Ce, La) with veneer (Na, Si) elements occurred, whereas an abrupt drop of the core-veneer elemental concentration was documented at the interfaces of all densely sintered ceramics. The results of the study provided no evidence of elemental interdiffusion at the core-veneer interfaces in densely sintered ceramics, which implies lack of primary chemical bonding. For the glass-containing systems (glassceramics and glass-infiltrated ceramics) interdiffusion of the glass-phase seems to play a critical role in establishing a primary bonding condition between ceramic core and veneering porcelain.

  17. POLLUTION PREVENTION OPPORTUNITY ASSESSMENT - U.S. COAST GUARD AVIATION TRAINING CENTER - MOBILE, AL

    EPA Science Inventory

    An assessment of pollution prevention opportunities at the U.S. Coast Guard Aviation Training Center in Mobile, AL, identified waste reduction opportunities in five major processing areas: flight simulator operation, aircraft maintenance, aircraft fueling, aircraft washing, and...

  18. 34. DESPATCH CORE OVENS, GREY IRON FOUNDRY CORE ROOM, BAKES ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    34. DESPATCH CORE OVENS, GREY IRON FOUNDRY CORE ROOM, BAKES CORES THAT ARE NOT MADE ON HEATED OR COLD BOX CORE MACHINES, TO SET BINDING AGENTS MIXED WITH THE SAND CREATING CORES HARD ENOUGH TO WITHSTAND THE FLOW OF MOLTEN IRON INSIDE A MOLD. - Stockham Pipe & Fittings Company, Grey Iron Foundry, 4000 Tenth Avenue North, Birmingham, Jefferson County, AL

  19. Gravity or turbulence? IV. Collapsing cores in out-of-virial disguise

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ballesteros-Paredes, Javier; Vázquez-Semadeni, Enrique; Palau, Aina; Klessen, Ralf S.

    2018-06-01

    We study the dynamical state of massive cores by using a simple analytical model, an observational sample, and numerical simulations of collapsing massive cores. From the analytical model, we find that cores increase their column density and velocity dispersion as they collapse, resulting in a time evolution path in the Larson velocity dispersion-size diagram from large sizes and small velocity dispersions to small sizes and large velocity dispersions, while they tend to equipartition between gravity and kinetic energy. From the observational sample, we find that: (a) cores with substantially different column densities in the sample do not follow a Larson-like linewidth-size relation. Instead, cores with higher column densities tend to be located in the upper-left corner of the Larson velocity dispersion σv, 3D-size R diagram, a result explained in the hierarchical and chaotic collapse scenario. (b) Cores appear to have overvirial values. Finally, our numerical simulations reproduce the behavior predicted by the analytical model and depicted in the observational sample: collapsing cores evolve towards larger velocity dispersions and smaller sizes as they collapse and increase their column density. More importantly, however, they exhibit overvirial states. This apparent excess is due to the assumption that the gravitational energy is given by the energy of an isolated homogeneous sphere. However, such excess disappears when the gravitational energy is correctly calculated from the actual spatial mass distribution. We conclude that the observed energy budget of cores is consistent with their non-thermal motions being driven by their self-gravity and in the process of dynamical collapse.

  20. Analysis of irradiated U-7wt%Mo dispersion fuel microstructures using automated image processing

    DOE PAGES

    Collette, R.; King, J.; Buesch, C.; ...

    2016-04-01

    The High Performance Research Reactor Fuel Development (HPPRFD) program is responsible for developing low enriched uranium (LEU) fuel substitutes for high performance reactors fueled with highly enriched uranium (HEU) that have not yet been converted to LEU. The uranium-molybdenum (U-Mo) fuel system was selected for this effort. In this study, fission gas pore segmentation was performed on U-7wt%Mo dispersion fuel samples at three separate fission densities using an automated image processing interface developed in MATLAB. Pore size distributions were attained that showed both expected and unexpected fission gas behavior. In general, it proved challenging to identify any dominant trends whenmore » comparing fission bubble data across samples from different fuel plates due to varying compositions and fabrication techniques. Here, the results exhibited fair agreement with the fission density vs. porosity correlation developed by the Russian reactor conversion program.« less

  1. Analysis of irradiated U-7wt%Mo dispersion fuel microstructures using automated image processing

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

    Collette, R.; King, J.; Buesch, C.

    The High Performance Research Reactor Fuel Development (HPPRFD) program is responsible for developing low enriched uranium (LEU) fuel substitutes for high performance reactors fueled with highly enriched uranium (HEU) that have not yet been converted to LEU. The uranium-molybdenum (U-Mo) fuel system was selected for this effort. In this study, fission gas pore segmentation was performed on U-7wt%Mo dispersion fuel samples at three separate fission densities using an automated image processing interface developed in MATLAB. Pore size distributions were attained that showed both expected and unexpected fission gas behavior. In general, it proved challenging to identify any dominant trends whenmore » comparing fission bubble data across samples from different fuel plates due to varying compositions and fabrication techniques. Here, the results exhibited fair agreement with the fission density vs. porosity correlation developed by the Russian reactor conversion program.« less

  2. Relevance of GaAs(001) surface electronic structure for high frequency dispersion on n-type accumulation capacitance

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pi, T. W.; Chen, W. S.; Lin, Y. H.; Cheng, Y. T.; Wei, G. J.; Lin, K. Y.; Cheng, C.-P.; Kwo, J.; Hong, M.

    2017-01-01

    This study investigates the origin of long-puzzled high frequency dispersion on the accumulation region of capacitance-voltage characteristics in an n-type GaAs-based metal-oxide-semiconductor. Probed adatoms with a high Pauling electronegativity, Ag and Au, unexpectedly donate charge to the contacted As/Ga atoms of as-grown α2 GaAs(001)-2 × 4 surfaces. The GaAs surface atoms behave as charge acceptors, and if not properly passivated, they would trap those electrons accumulated at the oxide and semiconductor interface under a positive bias. The exemplified core-level spectra of the Al2O3/n-GaAs(001)-2 × 4 and the Al2O3/n-GaAs(001)-4 × 6 interfaces exhibit remnant of pristine surface As emission, thereby causing high frequency dispersion in the accumulation region. For the p-type GaAs, electrons under a negatively biased condition are expelled from the interface, thereby avoiding becoming trapped.

  3. Novel highly dispersible, thermally stable core/shell proppants for geothermal applications

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

    Childers, Ian M.; Endres, Mackenzie; Burns, Carolyne

    The use of proppants during reservoir stimulation in tight oil and gas plays requires the introduction of highly viscous fluids to transport the proppants (µm–mm) with the fracturing fluid. The highly viscous fluids required result in increased pump loads and energy costs. Furthermore, although proppant deployment with fracturing fluids is a standard practice for unconventional oil and gas stimulation operations, there are only a few examples in the US of the applying proppant technology to geothermal energy production. This is due to proppant dissolution, proppant flowback and loss of permeability associated with the extreme temperatures found in enhanced geothermal systemsmore » (EGS). This work demonstrates proof-of-concept of a novel, CO2-responsive, lightweight sintered-bauxite/polymer core/shell proppant. The polymer shell has two main roles; 1) increase the stability of the proppant dispersion in water without the addition of rheology modifiers, and 2) once at the fracture network react with CO2 to promote particle aggregation and prop fractures open. In this work, both of these roles are demonstrated together with the thermal and chemical stability of the materials showing the potential of these CO2-responsive proppants as an alternative proppant technology for geothermal and unconventional oil/gas applications.« less

  4. DISPERSION HARDENING OF URANIUM METAL

    DOEpatents

    Arbiter, W.

    1963-01-15

    A method of hardening U metal involves the forming of a fine dispersion of UO/sub 2/. This method consists of first hydriding the U to form a finely divided powder and then exposing the powder to a very dilute O gas in an inert atmosphere under such pressure and temperature conditions as to cause a thin oxide film to coat each particle of the U hydride, The oxide skin prevents agglomeration of the particles as the remaining H is removed, thus preserving the small particle size. The oxide skin coatings remain as an oxide dispersion. The resulting product may be workhardened to improve its physical characteristics. (AEC)

  5. Neutron Radiation Damage Estimation in the Core Structure Base Metal of RSG GAS

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Santa, S. A.; Suwoto

    2018-02-01

    Radiation damage in core structure of the Indonesian RGS GAS multi purpose reactor resulting from the reaction of fast and thermal neutrons with core material structure was investigated for the first time after almost 30 years in operation. The aim is to analyze the degradation level of the critical components of the RSG GAS reactor so that the remaining life of its component can be estimated. Evaluation results of critical components remaining life will be used as data ccompleteness for submission of reactor operating permit extension. Material damage analysis due to neutron radiation is performed for the core structure components made of AlMg3 material and bolts reinforcement of core structure made of SUS304. Material damage evaluation was done on Al and Fe as base metal of AlMg3 and SUS304, respectively. Neutron fluences are evaluated based on the assumption that neutron flux calculations of U3Si8-Al equilibrium core which is operated on power rated of 15 MW. Calculation result using SRAC2006 code of CITATION module shows the maximum total neutron flux and flux >0.1 MeV are 2.537E+14 n/cm2/s and 3.376E+13 n/cm2/s, respectively. It was located at CIP core center close to the fuel element. After operating up to the end of #89 core formation, the total neutron fluence and fluence >0.1 MeV were achieved 9.063E+22 and 1.269E+22 n/cm2, respectively. Those are related to material damage of Al and Fe as much as 17.91 and 10.06 dpa, respectively. Referring to the life time of Al-1100 material irradiated in the neutron field with thermal flux/total flux=1.7 which capable of accepting material damage up to 250 dpa, it was concluded that RSG GAS reactor core structure underwent 7.16% of its operating life span. It means that core structure of RSG GAS reactor is still capable to receive the total neutron fluence of 9.637E+22 n/cm2 or fluence >0.1 MeV of 5.672E+22 n/cm2.

  6. Landscape types and pH control organic matter mediated mobilization of Al, Fe, U and La in boreal catchments

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Köhler, Stephan J.; Lidman, Fredrik; Laudon, Hjalmar

    2014-06-01

    In this study we present data from a seven-year time series from 15 nested streams within a 68 km2 catchment, covering a pH gradient of almost three units. We demonstrate that the two landscape types, forest and wetlands, control the relative mobilization of Al and Fe in this boreal landscape. The La/U ratio is almost constant across the whole catchment despite large variations in pH, Al/Fe and TOC, whereas U and La mobilization increases with increasing contribution of deeper soils and groundwater further downstream. High Al/TOC ratios in the forested catchments suggest that Al originates from the underlying mineral soils, and low Al/TOC ratios derive from wetlands where Al is retained. We observe a competition effect on the binding to TOC between Al and La and also that the relationship between TOC, Al and La changes from the smaller (0.05-2 km2) catchments to larger (3-68 km2) downstream locations. As pH increase downstream, Al and Fe are gradually removed from the aqueous phase by precipitation of particulate gibbsite-like phases and ferrihydrite. This selective removal of Al and Fe from TOC binding sites results in higher La, and U concentrations downstream. Observed element patterns (U, La) and the range of upper continental crust normalized (La/Nd)UCC and (La/Yb)UCC in the near stream, riparian zone were very similar to the observed ratios across the whole catchment. The rising (La/Nd)UCC over (La/Yb)UCC may be due to a selective removal of REE binding to ferrihydrate in the riparian soil, the result of two distinctly different end-members but most probably not due to the in-stream precipitation of ferrihydrate or gibbsite-like phases.

  7. Growth of the interaction layer around fuel particles in dispersion fuel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Olander, D.

    2009-01-01

    Corrosion of uranium particles in dispersion fuel by the aluminum matrix produces interaction layers (an intermetallic-compound corrosion product) around the shrinking fuel spheres. The rate of this process was modeled as series resistances due to Al diffusion through the interaction layer and reaction of aluminum with uranium in the fuel particle to produce UAl x. The overall kinetics are governed by the relative rates of these two steps, the slowest of which is reaction at the interface between Al in the interaction layer and U in the fuel particle. The substantial volume change as uranium is transferred from the fuel to the interaction layer was accounted for. The model was compared to literature data on in-reactor growth of the interaction layer and the Al/U gradient in this layer, the latter measured in ex-reactor experiments. The rate constant of the Al-U interface reaction and the diffusivity of Al in the interaction layer were obtained from this fitting procedure. The second feature of the corrosion process is the transfer of fission products from the fuel particle to the interaction layer due to the reaction. It is commonly assumed that the observed swelling of irradiated fuel elements of this type is due to release of fission gas in the interaction layer to form large bubbles. This hypothesis was tested by using the model to compute the quantity of fission gas available from this source and comparing the pressure of the resulting gas with the observed swelling of fuel plates. It was determined that the gas pressure so generated is too small to account for the observed delamination of the fuel.

  8. Detailed Investigation of Core-Shell Precipitates in a Cu-Containing High Entropy Alloy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Alam, T.; Gwalani, B.; Viswanathan, G.; Fraser, H.; Banerjee, R.

    2018-05-01

    Due to the competing influences of configurational entropy and enthalpy of mixing, in recent years, secondary (including intermetallic) phases have been reported in many high entropy alloy (HEA) systems. These secondary phases offer great potential in terms of strengthening the HEA beyond the solid solution strengthening effects, and as such are of great interest in regards to alloy design for engineering applications. The present research investigates novel nano-scale core-shell precipitates forming within the disordered bcc matrix phase of an Al2CrCuFeNi2 HEA, utilizing complementary high-resolution microscopy techniques of atom probe tomography (APT) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The size, morphology, and local chemistry of these core-shell precipitates was measured by APT, and the composition was further corroborated by high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy in an aberration-corrected TEM. Furthermore, high-resolution TEM imaging of the core-shell structure indicates that the Cu-rich core exhibits a bcc crystal structure.

  9. Synthesis of the RGO/Al2O3 core-shell nanocomposite flakes and characterization of their unique electrostatic properties using zeta potential measurements

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jastrzębska, A. M.; Karcz, J.; Letmanowski, R.; Zabost, D.; Ciecierska, E.; Zdunek, J.; Karwowska, E.; Siekierski, M.; Olszyna, A.; Kunicki, A.

    2016-01-01

    The aim of this study was to describe the influence of the modification of electrostatic properties of RGO/Al2O3 core-shell nanocomposite flakes. The amount of crystalline form of aluminum oxide was very small. It existed mostly in amorphous phase in the form of covalently bonded to GO surface. The morphological, structural and physicochemical investigations results showed that spherical Al2O3 nanoparticles (ca. 41 nm) in gamma phase completely covered the surface of curly-shaped RGO flakes and acted as a spreader between individual flakes. The high BET specific surface area of the analyzed composite (119.71 m2/g) together with very low open porosity (0.479 cm3/g) indicated that RGO/Al2O3 nanocomposite flakes showed low tendency to agglomeration. The zeta potential curves obtained for RGO/Al2O3 core-shell nanocomposite flakes were differing from curves obtained for GO and Al2O3 suspensions in distilled water and neutral environment. The specific electrostatic properties of the core-shell system of RGO/Al2O3 flakes had an influence on its surface charge (zeta potential) which was measured by applying an external electric field. The FTIR and Raman investigations results also confirmed that the Cdbnd O species were not taking part in the surface amphoteric reactions resulting in the formation of electrostatic surface charge.

  10. 33. BENCH CORE STATION, GREY IRON FOUNDRY CORE ROOM WHERE ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    33. BENCH CORE STATION, GREY IRON FOUNDRY CORE ROOM WHERE CORE MOLDS WERE HAND FILLED AND OFTEN PNEUMATICALLY COMPRESSED WITH A HAND-HELD RAMMER BEFORE THEY WERE BAKED. - Stockham Pipe & Fittings Company, Grey Iron Foundry, 4000 Tenth Avenue North, Birmingham, Jefferson County, AL

  11. Long-term high-velocity oxidation and hot corrosion testing of several NiCrAl and FeCrAl base oxide dispersion strengthened alloys

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lowell, C. E.; Deadmore, D. L.; Whittenberger, J. D.

    1982-01-01

    Several oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloys have been tested for cyclic, long-term, high gas-velocity resistance to oxidation at 1100 C and hot corrosion at 900 C. Both nominally Ni-16Cr-4Al and Fe-20Cr-4.5Al ODS alloys were subjected up to about 2500 cycles, where each cycle consisted of 1 hr in a hot, Mach 0.3 combusted gas stream followed by a 3-min quench in an ambient temperature, Mach 0.3 air blast. For comparison to existing technology, a coated superalloy was simultaneously tested. The ODS iron alloy exhibited clearly superior behavior, surviving 3800 oxidation and 2300 hot corrosion cycles essentially unscathed. While the ODS nickel alloys exhibited adequate oxidation resistance, the long-term hot corrosion resistance could be marginal, since the best life for such alloys under these conditions was only about 1100 cycles. However, the hot corrosion resistance of the ODS Ni-base alloys is excellent in comparison to that of traditional superalloys.

  12. The behavior of groundwater with dispersion in coastal aquifers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kakinuma, Tadao; Kishi, Yosuke; Inouchi, Kunimitsu

    1988-04-01

    A three-dimensional steady-state hydrodynamic dispersion model is used to simulate seawater encroachment in the confined aquifers in the estuaries of the Naka and Kiki Rivers in Japan. Two expressions of the dispersion coefficient are considered; one is constant over the entire region of the aquifer and the other is dependent on the flow velocity of the groundwater. The magnitudes of the constant dispersion coefficients in the horizontal and vertical directions, Dxx and Dzz, as well as the longitudinal and lateral dispersivities, aL and aT, are determined so as to reproduce the regional distributions of salt concentration in the confined aquifers in both estuaries. It is found that Dxx = 5 cm 2s -1, Dzz = 5-0.5 cm 2s -1 and aL = 1000-1250 m, aT = 100-125 m in the estuary of the Naka River; and Dxx = 0.2 cm 2s -1, Dzz = 0.2-0.02 cm 2s -1 and aL = 200 m, aT = 200-20 m in the estuary of the Kiki River. Examining the local distributions of the dispersion coefficient computed from the dispersivity and velocity fields of groundwater in both estuaries, the same value as estimated in the analysis with the constant dispersion coefficient is located in the middle layer of the aquifer. In the estuary of the Naka River, the piezometric surface predicted with the dispersion model with the velocity-dependent dispersion coefficient is almost the same as that predicted with the dispersion model with the constant dispersion coefficient and they are 5 10% lower than that predicted with the interface model (Kakinuma et al., 1984). They are, however, about 1.3 times the observed one.

  13. Sensitivity analysis of FeCrAl cladding and U3Si2 fuel under accident conditions

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

    Gamble, Kyle Allan Lawrence; Hales, Jason Dean

    2016-08-01

    The purpose of this milestone report is to highlight the results of sensitivity analyses performed on two accident tol- erant fuel concepts: U3Si2 fuel and FeCrAl cladding. The BISON fuel performance code under development at Idaho National Laboratory was coupled to Sandia National Laboratories’ DAKOTA software to perform the sensitivity analyses. Both Loss of Coolant (LOCA) and Station blackout (SBO) scenarios were analyzed using main effects studies. The results indicate that for FeCrAl cladding the input parameters with greatest influence on the output metrics of interest (fuel centerline temperature and cladding hoop strain) during the LOCA were the isotropic swellingmore » and fuel enrichment. For U3Si2 the important inputs were found to be the intergranular diffusion coefficient, specific heat, and fuel thermal conductivity. For the SBO scenario, Young’s modulus was found to be influential in FeCrAl in addition to the isotropic swelling and fuel enrichment. Contrarily to the LOCA case, the specific heat of U3Si2 was found to have no effect during the SBO. The intergranular diffusion coefficient and fuel thermal conductivity were still found to be of importance. The results of the sensitivity analyses have identified areas where further research is required including fission gas behavior in U3Si2 and irradiation swelling in FeCrAl. Moreover, the results highlight the need to perform the sensitivity analyses on full length fuel rods for SBO scenarios.« less

  14. Fast Running Urban Dispersion Model for Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD) Releases: Model Description and Validation

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

    Gowardhan, Akshay; Neuscamman, Stephanie; Donetti, John

    Aeolus is an efficient three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics code based on finite volume method developed for predicting transport and dispersion of contaminants in a complex urban area. It solves the time dependent incompressible Navier-Stokes equation on a regular Cartesian staggered grid using a fractional step method. It also solves a scalar transport equation for temperature and using the Boussinesq approximation. The model also includes a Lagrangian dispersion model for predicting the transport and dispersion of atmospheric contaminants. The model can be run in an efficient Reynolds Average Navier-Stokes (RANS) mode with a run time of several minutes, or a moremore » detailed Large Eddy Simulation (LES) mode with run time of hours for a typical simulation. This report describes the model components, including details on the physics models used in the code, as well as several model validation efforts. Aeolus wind and dispersion predictions are compared to field data from the Joint Urban Field Trials 2003 conducted in Oklahoma City (Allwine et al 2004) including both continuous and instantaneous releases. Newly implemented Aeolus capabilities include a decay chain model and an explosive Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD) source term; these capabilities are described. Aeolus predictions using the buoyant explosive RDD source are validated against two experimental data sets: the Green Field explosive cloud rise experiments conducted in Israel (Sharon et al 2012) and the Full-Scale RDD Field Trials conducted in Canada (Green et al 2016).« less

  15. Fuel swelling and interaction layer formation in the SELENIUM Si and ZrN coated U(Mo) dispersion fuel plates irradiated at high power in BR2

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Leenaers, A.; Van den Berghe, S.; Koonen, E.; Kuzminov, V.; Detavernier, C.

    2015-03-01

    In the framework of the SELENIUM project two full size flat fuel plates were produced with respectively Si and ZrN coated U(Mo) particles and irradiated in the BR2 reactor at SCK•CEN. Non-destructive analysis of the plates showed that the fuel swelling profiles of both SELENIUM plates were very similar to each other and none of the plates showed signs of pillowing or excessive swelling at the end of irradiation at the highest power position (local maximum 70% 235U). The microstructural analysis showed that the Si coated fuel has less interaction phase formation at low burn-up but at the highest burn-ups, defects start to develop on the IL-matrix interface. The ZrN coated fuel, shows a virtual absence of reaction between the U(Mo) and the Al, up to high fission densities after which the interaction layer formation starts and defects develop in the matrix near the U(Mo) particles. It was found and is confirmed by the SELENIUM (Surface Engineering of Low ENrIched Uranium-Molybdenum) experiment that there are two phenomena at play that need to be controlled: the formation of an interaction layer and swelling of the fuel. As the interaction layer formation occurs at the U(Mo)-matrix interface, applying a diffusion barrier (coating) at that interface should prevent the interaction between U(Mo) and the matrix. The U(Mo) swelling, observed to proceed at an accelerating rate with respect to fission density accumulation, is governed by linear solid state swelling and fission gas bubble swelling due to recrystallization of the fuel. The examination of the SELENIUM fuel plates clearly show that for the U(Mo) dispersion fuel to be qualified, the swelling rate at high burn-up needs to be reduced.

  16. Stability of Fe-Ni hydride after the reaction between Fe-Ni alloy and hydrous phase (δ-AlOOH) up to 1.2 Mbar: Possibility of H contribution to the core density deficit

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Terasaki, Hidenori; Ohtani, Eiji; Sakai, Takeshi; Kamada, Seiji; Asanuma, Hidetoshi; Shibazaki, Yuki; Hirao, Naohisa; Sata, Nagayoshi; Ohishi, Yasuo; Sakamaki, Tatsuya; Suzuki, Akio; Funakoshi, Ken-ichi

    2012-03-01

    The hydrous mineral, δ-AlOOH, is stable up to at least the core-mantle boundary, and therefore has been proposed as a water carrier to the Earth's deep mantle. If δ-AlOOH is transported down to the core-mantle boundary by a subducting slab or the mantle convection, then the reaction between the iron alloy core and δ-AlOOH is important in the deep water/hydrogen cycle in the Earth. Here we conducted an in situ X-ray diffraction study to determine the behavior of hydrogen between Fe-Ni alloys and δ-AlOOH up to near the core-mantle boundary conditions. The obtained diffraction spectra show that fcc/dhcp Fe-Ni hydride is stable over a wide pressure range of 19-121 GPa at high temperatures. Although the temperature of formation of Fe-Ni hydride tends to increase up to 1950 K with increasing pressure to 121 GPa, this reaction temperature is well below the mantle geotherm. δ-AlOOH was confirmed to coexist stably with perovskite, suggesting that δ-AlOOH can be a major hydrous phase in the lower mantle. Therefore, when δ-AlOOH contacts with the core at the core-mantle boundary, the hydrogen is likely to dissolve into the Earth's core. Based on the present results, the amount of hydrogen to explain the core density deficit is estimated to be 1.0-2.0 wt.%.

  17. In situ strain profiling of elastoplastic bending in Ti-6Al-4V alloy by synchrotron energy dispersive x-ray diffraction

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

    Croft, M.; National Synchrotron Light Source, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973; Shukla, V.

    Elastic and plastic strain evolution under four-point bending has been studied by synchrotron energy dispersive x-ray diffraction. Measured strain profiles across the specimen thickness showed an increasing linear elastic strain gradient under increasing four-point bending load up to approx2 kN. The bulk elastic modulus of Ti-6Al-4V was determined as 118 GPa. The onset of plastic deformation was found to set in at a total in-plane strain of approx0.008, both under tension and compression. Plastic deformation under bending is initiated in the vicinity of the surface and at a stress of 1100 MPa, and propagates inward, while a finite core regionmore » remains elastically deformed up to 3.67 kN loading. The onset of the plastic regime and the plastic regime itself has been verified by monitoring the line broadening of the (100) peak of alpha-Ti. The effective compression/tension stress-strain curve has been obtained from the scaling collapse of strain profile data taken at seven external load levels. A similar multiple load scaling collapse of the plastic strain variation has also been obtained. The level of precision in strain measurement reported herein was evaluated and found to be 1.5x10{sup -5} or better.« less

  18. Phonon Dispersion in Amorphous Ni-Alloys

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vora, A. M.

    2007-06-01

    The well-known model potential is used to investigate the longitudinal and transverse phonon dispersion curves for six Ni-based binary amorphous alloys, viz. Ni31Dy69, Ni33Y67, Ni36Zr64, Ni50Zr50, Ni60 Nb40, and Ni81B19. The thermodynamic and elastic properties are also computed from the elastic limits of the phonon dispersion curves. The theoretical approach given by Hubbard-Beeby is used in the present study to compute the phonon dispersion curves. Five local field correction functions proposed by Hartree, Taylor, Ichimaru-Utsumi, Farid et al. and Sarkar et al. are employed to see the effect of exchange and correlation in the aforesaid properties.

  19. Logistics of Oil Spill Dispersant Application. Volume II. Application Techniques, Stockpiling, Dispersant Selection Strategies

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1982-11-01

    The use of chemicals for oil spill dispersal, while not presently widespread in the U.S., would have implications for the U.S. Coast Guard's Marine Environmental Protection program. This report explores the logistics of oil disperant application by t...

  20. First-principles study of transition-metal nitrides as diffusion barriers against Al

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

    Mei, Zhi-Gang; Yacout, Abdellatif M.; Kim, Yeon Soo

    2016-04-01

    Using density-functional theory based first-principles calculations we provided a comparative study of the diffusion barrier properties of TiN, ZrN, and HfN against Al for U-Mo dispersion fuel applications. We firstly examined the thermodynamic stability of these transition-metal nitrides with Al. The calculated heats of reaction show that both TiN and ZrN are thermodynamically unstable diffusion barrier materials, which might be decomposed by Al at relatively high temperatures. As a comparison, HfN is a stable diffusion barrier material for Al. To evaluate the kinetic stability of these nitride systems against Al diffusion, we investigated the diffusion mechanisms of Al in TiN,more » ZrN and HfN using atomic scale simulations. The effect of non-stoichiometry on the defect formation and Al migration was systematically studied. (C) 2015 ELSEVIER B.V. All rights reserved« less

  1. U.s. Geological survey core drilling on the atlantic shelf.

    PubMed

    Hathaway, J C; Poag, C W; Valentine, P C; Manheim, F T; Kohout, F A; Bothner, M H; Miller, R E; Schultz, D M; Sangrey, D A

    1979-11-02

    The first broad program of scientific shallow drilling on the U.S. Atlantic continental shelf has delineated rocks of Pleistocene to Late Cretaceous age, including phosphoritic Miocene strata, widespread Eocene carbonate deposits that serve as reflective seismic markers, and several regional unconformities. Two sites, off Maryland and New Jersey, showed light hydrocarbon gases having affinity to mature petroleum. Pore fluid studies showed that relatively fresh to brackish water occurs beneath much of the Atlantic continental shelf, whereas increases in salinity off Georgla and beneath the Florida-Hatteras slope suggest buried evaporitic strata. The sediment cores showed engineering properties that range from good foundation strength to a potential for severe loss of strength through interaction between sediments and man-made structures.

  2. The Ecology of Al-Samaliah Island, U.A.E.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zahran, M. A.; Al-Ansari, F. M.

    1999-08-01

    Al-Samaliah Island is one of the inshore islands of U.A.E. located at about 12 km north-east of Abu Dhabi in the Arabian Gulf. It has a flat undulating surface with neither sand dunes nor rocky hills. Its sandy soil is generally salt-affected with variable percentages of salts. The vegetation of Al-Samaliah Island is essentially halophytic and may be categorized as: seagrasses, mangal and littoral saltmarsh types. The main species include: Cymodocea ciliata, Halophila spp. and Halodula univervis (seagrasses), some algae, Avicennia marina (mangrove), Arthrocnemum macrostachyum, Seidlitzia rosmarinus, and Suaeda vermiculata (salt marsh). Other halophytes commonly present are: Anabasis setifera, Halocnemum strobilaeum, Halopeplis perfoliata, Salsola imbricata and Zygophyllum gatarense in addition to two annuals: Schangenia aegyptiaca and Zygophyllum simplex. Phoenix dactylifera is cultivated in local areas covered with sandy sheets. Between the date palm trees there is a thin growth of Cyperus conglomeratus. Some plant species have been analysed chemically to determine their main constituents. The relationships between the environmental factors and the plant life of the islands are discussed.

  3. Highly Luminescent Water-Dispersible NIR-Emitting Wurtzite CuInS2/ZnS Core/Shell Colloidal Quantum Dots

    PubMed Central

    2017-01-01

    Copper indium sulfide (CIS) quantum dots (QDs) are attractive as labels for biomedical imaging, since they have large absorption coefficients across a broad spectral range, size- and composition-tunable photoluminescence from the visible to the near-infrared, and low toxicity. However, the application of NIR-emitting CIS QDs is still hindered by large size and shape dispersions and low photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs). In this work, we develop an efficient pathway to synthesize highly luminescent NIR-emitting wurtzite CIS/ZnS QDs, starting from template Cu2-xS nanocrystals (NCs), which are converted by topotactic partial Cu+ for In3+ exchange into CIS NCs. These NCs are subsequently used as cores for the overgrowth of ZnS shells (≤1 nm thick). The CIS/ZnS core/shell QDs exhibit PL tunability from the first to the second NIR window (750–1100 nm), with PLQYs ranging from 75% (at 820 nm) to 25% (at 1050 nm), and can be readily transferred to water upon exchange of the native ligands for mercaptoundecanoic acid. The resulting water-dispersible CIS/ZnS QDs possess good colloidal stability over at least 6 months and PLQYs ranging from 39% (at 820 nm) to 6% (at 1050 nm). These PLQYs are superior to those of commonly available water-soluble NIR-fluorophores (dyes and QDs), making the hydrophilic CIS/ZnS QDs developed in this work promising candidates for further application as NIR emitters in bioimaging. The hydrophobic CIS/ZnS QDs obtained immediately after the ZnS shelling are also attractive as fluorophores in luminescent solar concentrators. PMID:28638177

  4. Logistics of Oil Spill Dispersant Application. Volume I. Logistics-Related Properties of Oil Spill Dispersants.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1982-11-01

    The use of chemicals for oil spill dispersal, while not presently widespread in the U.S., would have implications for the U.S. Coast Guard's Marine Environmental Protection program. This report explores the logistics of oil disperant application by t...

  5. Relativistic energy-dispersion relations of 2D rectangular lattices

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ata, Engin; Demirhan, Doğan; Büyükkılıç, Fevzi

    2017-04-01

    An exactly solvable relativistic approach based on inseparable periodic well potentials is developed to obtain energy-dispersion relations of spin states of a single-electron in two-dimensional (2D) rectangular lattices. Commutation of axes transfer matrices is exploited to find energy dependencies of the wave vector components. From the trace of the lattice transfer matrix, energy-dispersion relations of conductance and valence states are obtained in transcendental form. Graphical solutions of relativistic and nonrelativistic transcendental energy-dispersion relations are plotted to compare how lattice parameters V0, core and interstitial size of the rectangular lattice affects to the energy-band structures in a situation core and interstitial diagonals are of equal slope.

  6. Face-Centred Cubic Iron: Ab Initio Calculations of Sound Velocities in the Lunar Core

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wood, M. C.; Wood, I. G.; Vočadlo, L.

    2017-12-01

    Studies, such as the reanalysis of the Apollo lunar seismograms [1], have shown that the Moon has undergone differentiation and possesses a small core. The composition of the lunar core is not well constrained, and many compositional models have been suggested including combinations of iron, nickel, and light elements such as sulphur and carbon [e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4], and other more exotic compositions [5]. Additional constraints are crucial to our understanding of the Moon, including its formation, the dynamics of its interior, and a lunar dynamo. We use ab initio molecular dynamics simulations to calculate elastic constants of face-centred cubic (fcc) iron and iron alloys and hence sound velocities at lunar core conditions, at 5-6 GPa and 1,300-1,900 K [3]. The results from these simulations will then be compared with the data from the Apollo seismograms and experimental data to help form a description of the lunar interior. [1] Weber et al. (2011) Science 331, 309-312. [2] Dasgupta et al. (2009) Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 73, 6678-6692. [3] Antonangeli et al. (2015) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 112, 3916-3919. [4] Righter et al. (2017) Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 463, 323-332. [5] Wieczorek & Zuber (2002) Lunar Planet. Sci. 33, abstract 1384.

  7. Design and Calibration of a Dispersive Imaging Spectrometer Adaptor for a Fast IR Camera on NSTX-U

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Reksoatmodjo, Richard; Gray, Travis; Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory Team

    2017-10-01

    A dispersive spectrometer adaptor was designed, constructed and calibrated for use on a fast infrared camera employed to measure temperatures on the lower divertor tiles of the NSTX-U tokamak. This adaptor efficiently and evenly filters and distributes long-wavelength infrared photons between 8.0 and 12.0 microns across the 128x128 pixel detector of the fast IR camera. By determining the width of these separated wavelength bands across the camera detector, and then determining the corresponding average photon count for each photon wavelength, a very accurate measurement of the temperature, and thus heat flux, of the divertor tiles can be calculated using Plank's law. This approach of designing an exterior dispersive adaptor for the fast IR camera allows accurate temperature measurements to be made of materials with unknown emissivity. Further, the relative simplicity and affordability of this adaptor design provides an attractive option over more expensive, slower, dispersive IR camera systems. This work was made possible by funding from the Department of Energy for the Summer Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI) program. This work is supported by the US DOE Contract No. DE-AC02-09CH11466.

  8. Satellite measurements of SO2 emission and dispersion during the 2008-2009 eruption of Halema‘uma‘u, Kilauea

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Carn, S. A.; Sutton, A. J.; Elias, T.; Patrick, M. R.; Owen, R. C.; Wu, S.

    2009-12-01

    Satellite remote sensing is providing unique constraints on sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions associated with the ongoing eruption of Halema‘uma‘u (HMM), and daily observations of volcanic plume dispersion. We use synoptic SO2 measurements by the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on NASA’s Aura satellite to chart the fluctuation in SO2 emissions and plume dispersion. Prior to the onset of degassing from HMM, OMI detected SO2 emissions from the east rift Pu‘u ‘O‘o vent; the average daily SO2 burden measured between Sept 6, 2004 and Feb 29, 2008 was 0.7 kilotons (kt) ±1 (1σ). The additional SO2 production from HMM caused total SO2 burdens in the composite Kilauea plume to increase notably in March-April 2008, and a daily average SO2 burden of ~4 kt ±4 (1σ) was measured by OMI between Mar 1, 2008 and Jul 31, 2009 (all burdens are preliminary and assume a SO2 plume altitude of 3 km). A total of ~2 Megatons of SO2 was measured by OMI in the Kilauea emissions between March 2008 and July 2009. The increased SO2 emissions provide an excellent opportunity to compare ground-based ultraviolet (UV) spectrometer and space-based UV OMI measurements of SO2 output, and test algorithms for derivation of emission rates from satellite data. Kilauea data analyzed to date show that trends in ground-based SO2 emission rates and OMI SO2 burdens are in qualitative agreement but differ in magnitude. Plume altitude is a critical factor in satellite SO2 retrievals, and interpretation of the Kilauea observations is complicated by the presence of two SO2 plumes (from HMM and Pu‘u ‘O‘o) within the OMI field-of-view. In order to constrain plume heights and SO2 lifetimes, we use plume simulations generated by the FLEXPART particle dispersion model and compare the model output with OMI SO2 observations. We validate the model-generated plume altitudes using vertical aerosol profiles derived from the CALIPSO space-borne lidar instrument. Gaussian plume models parameterized using

  9. The Effect of Si and Al Concentration Ratios on the Removal of U(VI) under Hanford Site 200 Area Conditions-12115

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

    Katsenovich, Yelena; Gonzalez, Nathan; Moreno-Pastor, Carol

    2012-07-01

    Injection of reactive gases, such as NH{sub 3}, is an innovative technique to mitigate uranium contamination in soil for a vadose zone (VZ) contaminated with radionuclides. A series of experiments were conducted to examine the effect of the concentration ratio of silicon to aluminum in the presence of various bicarbonate concentrations on the coprecipitation process of U(VI). The concentration of Al in all tests remained unchanged at 2.8 mM. Experiments showed that the removal efficiency of uranium was not significantly affected by the different bicarbonate and U(VI) concentrations tested. For the lower Si:Al molar ratios of 2:1 and 18:1, themore » removal efficiency of uranium was relatively low (≤ 8%). For the Si:Al molar ratio of 35:1, the removal efficiency of uranium was increased to an average of ∼82% for all bicarbonate concentrations tested. At higher Si:Al molar ratios (53:1 and above), a relatively high removal efficiency of U(VI), approximately 85% and higher, was observed. These results demonstrate that the U(VI) removal efficiency is more affected by the Si:Al molar ratio than by the bicarbonate concentration in solution. The results of this experiment are promising for the potential implementation of NH{sub 3} gas injection for the remediation of U(VI) -contaminated VZ. (authors)« less

  10. Crossover from disordered to core-shell structures of nano-oxide Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} dispersed particles in Fe

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

    Higgins, M. P.; Wang, L. M.; Gao, F., E-mail: gaofeium@umich.edu

    Molecular dynamic simulations of Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} in bcc Fe and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations were used to understand the structure of Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} nano-clusters in an oxide dispersion strengthened steel matrix. The study showed that Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} nano-clusters below 2 nm were completely disordered. Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} nano-clusters above 2 nm, however, form a core-shell structure, with a shell thickness of 0.5–0.7 nm that is independent of nano-cluster size. Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} nano-clusters were surrounded by off-lattice Fe atoms, further increasing the stability of these nano-clusters. TEM was used to corroborate our simulation results and showed a crossover frommore » a disordered nano-cluster to a core-shell structure.« less

  11. Bomb fall-out 236U as a global oceanic tracer using an annually resolved coral core

    PubMed Central

    Winkler, Stephan R.; Steier, Peter; Carilli, Jessica

    2012-01-01

    Anthropogenic 236U (t½=23.4 My) is an emerging isotopic ocean tracer with interesting oceanographic properties, but only with recent advances in accelerator mass spectrometry techniques is it now possible to detect the levels from global fall-out of nuclear weapons testing across the water column. To make full use of this tracer, an assessment of its input into the ocean over the past decades is required. We captured the bomb-pulse of 236U in an annually resolved coral core record from the Caribbean Sea. We thereby establish a concept which gives 236U great advantage – the presence of reliable, well-resolved chronological archives. This allows studies of not only the present distribution pattern, but gives access to the temporal evolution of 236U in ocean waters over the past decades. PMID:23564966

  12. Barium and calcium analyses in sediment cores using µ-XRF core scanners

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Acar, Dursun; Çaǧatay, Namık; Genç, S. Can; Eriş, K. Kadir; Sarı, Erol; Uçarkus, Gülsen

    2017-04-01

    Barium and Ca are used as proxies for organic productivity in paleooceanographic studies. With its heavy atomic weight (137.33 u), barium is easily detectable in small concentrations (several ppm levels) in marine sediments using XRF methods, including the analysis by µ-XRF core scanners. Calcium has an intermediate atomic weight (40.078 u) but is a major element in the earth's crust and in sediments and sedimentary rocks, and hence it is easily detectable by µ-XRF techniques. Normally, µ-XRF elemental analysis of cores are carried out using split half cores or 1-2 cm thich u-channels with an original moisture. Sediment cores show variation in different water content (and porosity) along their length. This in turn results in variation in the XRF counts of the elements and causes error in the elemental concentrations. We tried µ-XRF elemental analysis of split half cores, subsampled as 1 cm thick u-channels with original moisture and 0.3 mm-thin film slices of the core with original wet sample and after air drying with humidity protector mylar film. We found considerable increase in counts of most elements, and in particular for Ba and Ca, when we used 0.3 mm thin film, dried slice. In the case of Ba, the counts increased about three times that of the analysis made with wet and 1 cm thick u-channels. The higher Ba and Ca counts are mainly due to the possible precipitation of Ba as barite and Ca as gypsum from oxidation of Fe-sulphides and the evaporation of pore waters. The secondary barite and gypsum precipitation would be especially serious in unoxic sediment units, such as sapropels, with considerable Fe-sulphides and bio-barite.It is therefore suggested that reseachers should be cautious of such secondary precipitation on core surfaces when analyzing cores that have long been exposed to the atmospheric conditions.

  13. Nanocrystal dispersed amorphous alloys

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Perepezko, John H. (Inventor); Allen, Donald R. (Inventor); Foley, James C. (Inventor)

    2001-01-01

    Compositions and methods for obtaining nanocrystal dispersed amorphous alloys are described. A composition includes an amorphous matrix forming element (e.g., Al or Fe); at least one transition metal element; and at least one crystallizing agent that is insoluble in the resulting amorphous matrix. During devitrification, the crystallizing agent causes the formation of a high density nanocrystal dispersion. The compositions and methods provide advantages in that materials with superior properties are provided.

  14. Effect of alumina on grain refinement of Al-Si hypereutectic alloys

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Majhi, J.; Sahoo, S. K.; Patnaik, S. C.; Sarangi, B.; Sachan, N. K.

    2018-03-01

    The size, volume fraction and distribution of primary as well as eutectic silicon affect the mechanical properties of the Al-Si hypereutectic alloys. It is very difficult for the simultaneous refinement and modification of primary and secondary Si particles in hypereutectic Al-Si alloys through traditional processes. This paper explores the role of γ-Al2O3 nanoparticles on Si particles in the course of solidification in hypereutectic Al-Si alloys at particular pouring temperature. The present study involves incorporation of varying contents dispersed γ-Al2O3 nanoparticles into a molten base metal during stir casting and followed by solidification. It has been reported that the synthesized composites having good interfacial bonding (wetting) between the dispersed phase and the liquid matrix was achieved in order to provide improved mechanical properties of the composite. The cast product of hypereutectic Al-16Si alloy with the reinforcement of nanoparticles, illustrated a significant improvement in both wear behaviour and hardness. The dry sliding wear test has been performed on a group of specimens with varying parameters (different loads and sliding velocities) in a pin on disc wear testing machine. Moreover, the wear rate and specific wear rate also affected in different load and different sliding velocities. However in XRD analysis of the samples, the enhancement of wear resistance as well as hardness was due to the formation of brittle phases like SiO2, Al2O3 and Al-rich intermetallic compounds. The hardness value of the materials increases nearly 6% in addition to increase in the density of only 0.8%. As per literature, the large plate eutectic Si particles were modified in to the fine core particles and it acquires enough potential for various applications.

  15. High Resolution Continuous Flow Analysis System for Polar Ice Cores

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dallmayr, Remi; Azuma, Kumiko; Yamada, Hironobu; Kjær, Helle Astrid; Vallelonga, Paul; Azuma, Nobuhiko; Takata, Morimasa

    2014-05-01

    35.636 kyr b2k 7), respectively. The results show the conductivity measured upstream and downstream of the debubbler. We will calculate the depth resolution of our system and compare it with earlier studies. 1) Bigler at al, "Optimization of High-Resolution Continuous Flow Analysis For Transient Climate Signals in Ice Cores". Environ. Sci. Technol. 2011, 45, 4483-4489 2) Kaufmann et al, "An Improved Continuous Flow Analysis System for High Resolution Field Measurements on Ice Cores". Environmental Environ. Sci. Technol. 2008, 42, 8044-8050 3) Gkinis, V., T. J. Popp, S. J. Johnsen and T, Blunier, 2010: A continuous stream flash evaporator for the calibration of an IR cavity ring down spectrometer for the isotopic analysis of water. Isotopes in Environmental and Health Studies, 46(4), 463-475. 4) McConnell et al, "Continuous ice-core chemical analyses using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2002, 36, 7-11 5) Rhodes et al, "Continuous methane measurements from a late Holocene Greenland ice core : Atmospheric and in-situ signals" Earth and Planetary Science Letters. 2013, 368, 9-19 6) Breton et al, "Quantifying Signal Dispersion in a Hybrid Ice Core Melting System". Environ. Sci. Technol. 2012, 46, 11922-11928 7) Rasmussen et al, " A first chronology for the NEEM ice core". Climate of the Past. 2013, 9, 2967--3013

  16. Aquatic toxicity of petroleum products and dispersant agents ...

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    The U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development has developed baseline data on the ecotoxicity of selected petroleum products and several chemical dispersants as part of its oil spills research program. Two diluted bitumens (dilbits) from the Alberta Tar Sands were tested for acute and chronic toxicity to standard freshwater and marine organisms given their spill potential during shipment within the United States. Separately, two reference crude oils representing a range of characteristics, and their mixtures with four representative dispersants, were tested to evaluate acute and chronic toxicity to marine organisms in support of Subpart J of the U.S. National Contingency Plan. Water accommodated fractions (WAF) of oil were prepared using traditional slow-stir methods and toxicity tests generally followed U.S. EPA standard effluent testing guidelines. WAFs were characterized for petroleum hydrocarbons including alkyl PAH homologs. The results of these studies will assist the U.S. EPA to assess toxicity data for unconventional oils (dilbits), and establish baseline toxicity data for selected crude oils and dispersant in support of planning and response activities. Abstract reporting the results of EPA's oil and dispersant toxicity testing program

  17. Dispersion strengthening of precipitation hardened Al-Cu-Mg alloys prepared by rapid solidification and mechanical alloying

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Gilman, P. S.; Sankaran, K. K.

    1988-01-01

    Several Al-4Cu-1Mg-1.5Fe-0.75Ce alloys have been processed from either rapidly solidified or mechanically alloyed powder using various vacuum degassing parameters and consolidation techniques. Strengthening by the fine subgrains, grains, and the dispersoids individually or in combination is more effective when the alloys contain shearable precipitates; consequently, the strength of the alloys is higher in the naturally aged rather than the artificially aged condition. The strengths of the mechanically alloyed variants are greater than those produced from prealloyed powder. Properties and microstructural features of these dispersion strengthened alloys are discussed in regards to their processing histories.

  18. Non-aqueous synthesis of water-dispersible Fe3O4-Ca3(PO4)2 core-shell nanoparticles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, HongLing; Wu, JunHua; Min, Ji Hyun; Hou, Peng; Song, Ah-Young; Kim, Young Keun

    2011-02-01

    The Fe3O4-Ca3(PO4)2 core-shell nanoparticles were prepared by one-pot non-aqueous nanoemulsion with the assistance of a biocompatible triblock copolymer, poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEO-PPO-PEO), integrating the magnetic properties of Fe3O4 and the bioactive functions of Ca3(PO4)2 into single entities. The Fe3O4 nanoparticles were pre-formed first by thermal reduction of Fe(acac)3 and then the Ca3(PO4)2 layer was coated by simultaneous deposition of Ca2 + and PO43 - . The characterization shows that the combination of the two materials into a core-shell nanostructure retains the magnetic properties and the Ca3(PO4)2 shell forms an hcp phase (a = 7.490 Å, c = 9.534 Å) on the Fe3O4 surface. The magnetic hysteresis curves of the nanoparticles were further elucidated by the Langevin equation, giving an estimation of the effective magnetic dimension of the nanoparticles and reflecting the enhanced susceptibility response as a result of the surface covering. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis provides the characteristic vibrations of Ca3(PO4)2 and the presence of the polymer surfactant on the nanoparticle surface. Moreover, the nanoparticles could be directly transferred to water and the aqueous dispersion-collection process of the nanoparticles was demonstrated for application readiness of such core-shell nanostructures in an aqueous medium. Thus, the construction of Fe3O4 and Ca3(PO4)2 in the core-shell nanostructure has conspicuously led to enhanced performance and multi-functionalities, offering various possible applications of the nanoparticles.

  19. The Dynamics of Massive Starless Cores with ALMA

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tan, Jonathan C.; Kong, Shuo; Butler, Michael J.; Caselli, Paola; Fontani, Francesco

    2013-12-01

    How do stars that are more massive than the Sun form, and thus how is the stellar initial mass function (IMF) established? Such intermediate- and high-mass stars may be born from relatively massive pre-stellar gas cores, which are more massive than the thermal Jeans mass. The turbulent core accretion model invokes such cores as being in approximate virial equilibrium and in approximate pressure equilibrium with their surrounding clump medium. Their internal pressure is provided by a combination of turbulence and magnetic fields. Alternatively, the competitive accretion model requires strongly sub-virial initial conditions that then lead to extensive fragmentation to the thermal Jeans scale, with intermediate- and high-mass stars later forming by competitive Bondi-Hoyle accretion. To test these models, we have identified four prime examples of massive (~100 M ⊙) clumps from mid-infrared extinction mapping of infrared dark clouds. Fontani et al. found high deuteration fractions of N2H+ in these objects, which are consistent with them being starless. Here we present ALMA observations of these four clumps that probe the N2D+ (3-2) line at 2.''3 resolution. We find six N2D+ cores and determine their dynamical state. Their observed velocity dispersions and sizes are broadly consistent with the predictions of the turbulent core model of self-gravitating, magnetized (with Alfvén Mach number mA ~ 1) and virialized cores that are bounded by the high pressures of their surrounding clumps. However, in the most massive cores, with masses up to ~60 M ⊙, our results suggest that moderately enhanced magnetic fields (so that mA ~= 0.3) may be needed for the structures to be in virial and pressure equilibrium. Magnetically regulated core formation may thus be important in controlling the formation of massive cores, inhibiting their fragmentation, and thus helping to establish the stellar IMF.

  20. Irradiated microstructure of U-10Mo monolithic fuel plate at very high fission density

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

    Gan, J.; Miller, B. D.; Keiser, D. D.

    Monolithic U-10Mo alloy fuel plates with Al-6061 cladding are being developed for use in research and test reactors as low enrichment fuel (< 20% U-235 enrichment) as a result of its high uranium loading capacity compared to that of U-7Mo dispersion fuel. These fuel plates contain a Zr diffusion barrier between the U-10Mo fuel and Al-6061 cladding that suppresses the interaction between the U-Mo fuel foil and Al alloy cladding that is known to be problematic under irradiation. This paper discusses the TEM results of the U-10Mo/Zr/Al6061 monolithic fuel plate (Plate ID: L1P09T, ~ 59% U-235 enrichment) irradiated in Advancedmore » Test Reactor at Idaho National Laboratory as part of RERTR-9B irradiation campaign with an unprecedented high local fission density of 9.8E+21 fissions/cm3. The calculated fuel foil centerline temperature at the beginning of life and the end of life is 141 and 194 C, respectively. A total of 5 TEM lamellas were prepared using focus ion beam lift-out technique. The estimated U-Mo fuel swelling, based on the fuel foil thickness change from SEM, is approximately 76%. Large bubbles (> 1 µm) are distributed evenly in U-Mo and interlink of these bubbles is evident. The average size of subdivided grains at this fission density appears similar to that at 5.2E+21 fissions/cm3. The measured average Mo and Zr content in the fuel matrix is ~ 30 at% and ~ 7 at%, respectively, in general agreement with the calculated Mo and Zr from fission density.« less

  1. Carriers of mitochondrial DNA macrohaplogroup R colonized Eurasia and Australasia from a southeast Asia core area.

    PubMed

    Larruga, Jose M; Marrero, Patricia; Abu-Amero, Khaled K; Golubenko, Maria V; Cabrera, Vicente M

    2017-05-23

    The colonization of Eurasia and Australasia by African modern humans has been explained, nearly unanimously, as the result of a quick southern coastal dispersal route through the Arabian Peninsula, the Indian subcontinent, and the Indochinese Peninsula, to reach Australia around 50 kya. The phylogeny and phylogeography of the major mitochondrial DNA Eurasian haplogroups M and N have played the main role in giving molecular genetics support to that scenario. However, using the same molecular tools, a northern route across central Asia has been invoked as an alternative that is more conciliatory with the fossil record of East Asia. Here, we assess as the Eurasian macrohaplogroup R fits in the northern path. Haplogroup U, with a founder age around 50 kya, is one of the oldest clades of macrohaplogroup R in western Asia. The main branches of U expanded in successive waves across West, Central and South Asia before the Last Glacial Maximum. All these dispersions had rather overlapping ranges. Some of them, as those of U6 and U3, reached North Africa. At the other end of Asia, in Wallacea, another branch of macrohaplogroup R, haplogroup P, also independently expanded in the area around 52 kya, in this case as isolated bursts geographically well structured, with autochthonous branches in Australia, New Guinea, and the Philippines. Coeval independently dispersals around 50 kya of the West Asia haplogroup U and the Wallacea haplogroup P, points to a halfway core area in southeast Asia as the most probable centre of expansion of macrohaplogroup R, what fits in the phylogeographic pattern of its ancestor, macrohaplogroup N, for which a northern route and a southeast Asian origin has been already proposed.

  2. Collection methods and descriptions of coral cores extracted from massive corals in Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida, U.S.A.

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Weinzierl, Michael S.; Reich, Christopher D.; Hickey, T. Donald; Bartlett, Lucy A.; Kuffner, Ilsa B.

    2016-11-29

    Cores from living coral colonies were collected from Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida, U.S.A., to obtain skeletal records of past coral growth and allow geochemical reconstruction of environmental variables during the corals’ centuries-long lifespans. The samples were collected as part of the U.S. Geological Survey Coral Reef Ecosystems Studies project (http:/coastal.er.usgs.gov/crest) that provides science to assist resource managers tasked with the stewardship of coral reef resources. Three colonies each of the coral species Orbicella faveolata and Siderastrea siderea were collected in May 2012 using the methods described herein and as approved under National Park Service scientific collecting permit number DRTO-2012-SCI-0001 and are cataloged under accession number DRTO-353. These coral samples can be used to retroactively construct environmental parameters, including sea-surface temperature, by measuring the elemental composition of the coral skeleton. The cores described here, and others (see http://olga.er.usgs.gov/coreviewer/), can be requested, on loan, for scientific study. Photographic images for each coral in its ocean environment, the coral cores as curated and slabbed, and the X-rays of the slabs can be found in an associated U.S. Geological Survey Data Release.

  3. Earth's Fiercely Cooling Core - 24 TW

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Morgan, Jason P.; Vannucchi, Paola

    2014-05-01

    Earth's mantle and core are convecting planetary heat engines. The mantle convects to lose heat from slow cooling, internal radioactivity, and core heatflow across its base. Its convection generates plate tectonics, volcanism, and the loss of ~35 TW of mantle heat through Earth's surface. The core convects to lose heat from slow cooling, small amounts of internal radioactivity, and the freezing-induced growth of a compositionally denser inner core. Core convection produces the geodynamo generating Earth's geomagnetic field. The geodynamo was thought to be powered by ~4 TW of heatloss across the core-mantle boundary, a rate sustainable (cf. Gubbins et al., 2003; Nimmo, 2007) by freezing a compositionally denser inner core over the ~3 Ga that Earth is known to have had a strong geomagnetic field (cf. Tarduno, 2007). However, recent determinations of the outer core's thermal conductivity(Pozzo et al., 2012; Gomi et al., 2013) indicate that >15 TW of power should conduct down its adiabat. Conducted power is unavailable to drive thermal convection, implying that the geodynamo needs a long-lived >17 TW power source. Core cooling was thought too weak for this, based on estimates for the Clapeyron Slope for high-pressure freezing of an idealized pure-iron core. Here we show that the ~500-1000 kg/m3 seismically-inferred jump in density between the liquid outer core and solid inner core allows us to directly infer the core-freezing Clapeyron Slope for the outer core's actual composition which contains ~8±2% lighter elements (S,Si,O,Al, H,…) mixed into a Fe-Ni alloy. A PREM-like 600 kg/m3 - based Clapeyron Slope implies there has been ~774K of core cooling during the freezing and growth of the inner core, releasing ~24 TW of power during the past ~3 Ga. If so, core cooling can easily power Earth's long-lived geodynamo. Another major implication of ~24 TW heatflow across the core-mantle boundary is that the present-day mantle is strongly 'bottom-heated', and diapiric mantle

  4. Measurement of attitudes of U.K. dental practitioners to core job constructs.

    PubMed

    Harris, R V; Ashcroft, A; Burnside, G; Dancer, J M; Smith, D; Grieveson, B

    2009-03-01

    To develop a measure to identify dental practitioner attitudes towards core job dimensions relating to job satisfaction and motivation and to test this against practice characteristics and provider attributes of U.K. practitioners. an 83-item questionnaire was developed from open-ended interviews with practitioners and use of items in previously used dentist job satisfaction questionnaires. This was subsequently sent to 684 practitioners. Item analysis reduced the item pool to 40 items and factor analysis (PCA) was undertaken. 440 (64%) dentists responded. Factor analysis resulted in six factors being identified as distinguishable job dimensions, overall Cronbach's alpha = 0.88. The factors were: 'restriction in being able to provide quality care (F1)', 'respect from being a dentist (F2)', 'control of work (F3)', 'running a practice (F4)', 'clinical skills (F5)', and 'caring for patients (F6)'. All six factors were correlated with a global job satisfaction score, although F1 was most strongly related (r = 0.60). Regression model analysis revealed that 'whether the dentist worked within the National Health Service or wholly or partly in the private sector' (p < 0.001), 'time since qualification' (p = 0.009), and the position of the dentist within the practice (whether a practice owner or associate dentist), (p = 0.047) were predictive of this factor. Six core job constructs of U.K. practitioners have been identified, together with several practice characteristics and practitioner attributes which predict these factors. The study demonstrates the importance of refining measures of dentists' job satisfaction to take account of the culture and the system in which the practitioner works.

  5. Effects of Alloying Elements on the Formation of Core-Shell-Structured Reinforcing Particles during Heating of Al-Ti Powder Compacts.

    PubMed

    Chen, Tijun; Gao, Min; Tong, Yunqi

    2018-01-15

    To prepare core-shell-structured Ti@compound particle (Ti@compound p ) reinforced Al matrix composite via powder thixoforming, the effects of alloying elements, such as Si, Cu, Mg, and Zn, on the reaction between Ti powders and Al melt, and the microstructure of the resulting reinforcements were investigated during heating of powder compacts at 993 K (720 °C). Simultaneously, the situations of the reinforcing particles in the corresponding semisolid compacts were also studied. Both thermodynamic analysis and experiment results all indicate that Si participated in the reaction and promoted the formation of Al-Ti-Si ternary compounds, while Cu, Mg, and Zn did not take part in the reaction and facilitated Al₃Ti phase to form to different degrees. The first-formed Al-Ti-Si ternary compound was τ1 phase, and then it gradually transformed into (Al,Si)₃Ti phase. The proportion and existing time of τ1 phase all increased as the Si content increased. In contrast, Mg had the largest, Cu had the least, and Si and Zn had an equivalent middle effect on accelerating the reaction. The thicker the reaction shell was, the larger the stress generated in the shell was, and thus the looser the shell microstructure was. The stress generated in (Al,Si)₃Ti phase was larger than that in τ1 phase, but smaller than that in Al₃Ti phase. So, the shells in the Al-Ti-Si system were more compact than those in the other systems, and Si element was beneficial to obtain thick and compact compound shells. Most of the above results were consistent to those in the semisolid state ones except the product phase constituents in the Al-Ti-Mg system and the reaction rate in the Al-Ti-Zn system. More importantly, the desirable core-shell structured Ti@compound p was only achieved in the semisolid Al-Ti-Si system.

  6. An interdiffusional model for prediction of the interaction layer growth in the system uranium molybdenum/aluminum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Soba, A.; Denis, A.

    2007-03-01

    The codes PLACA and DPLACA, elaborated in this working group, simulate the behavior of a plate-type fuel containing in its core a foil of monolithic or dispersed fissile material, respectively, under normal operation conditions of a research reactor. Dispersion fuels usually consist of ceramic particles of a uranium compound in a high thermal conductivity matrix. The use of particles of a U-Mo alloy in a matrix of Al requires especially devoted subroutines able to simulate the growth of the interaction layer that develops between the particles and the matrix. A model is presented in this work that gives account of these particular phenomena. It is based on the assumption that diffusion of U and Al through the layer is the rate-determining step. Two moving interfaces separate the growing reaction layer from the original phases. The kinetics of these boundaries are solved as Stefan problems. In order to test the model and the associated code, some previous, simpler problems corresponding to similar systems for which analytical solutions or experimental data are known were simulated. Experiments performed with planar U-Mo/Al diffusion couples are reported in the literature, which purpose is to obtain information on the system parameters. These experiments were simulated with PLACA. Results of experiments performed with U-Mo particles disperse in Al either without or with irradiation, published in the open literature were simulated with DPLACA. A satisfactory prediction of the whole reaction layer thickness and of the individual fractions corresponding to alloy and matrix consumption was obtained.

  7. Structure of oxides prepared by decomposition of layered double Mg–Al and Ni–Al hydroxides

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

    Cherepanova, Svetlana V.; Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk; Leont’eva, Natalya N., E-mail: n_n_leonteva@list.ru

    2015-05-15

    Abstracts: Thermal decomposition of Mg–Al and Ni–Al layered double hydroxides LDH at temperatures lower than 800 °C leads to the formation of oxides with different structures. Mg–Al oxide has a very defective structure and consists of octahedral layers as in periclase MgO and mixed octahedral–tetrahedral layers as in spinel MgAl{sub 2}O{sub 4}. Mixed Ni–Al oxide has a sandwich-like structure, consisting of a core with Al-doped NiO-like structure and some surface layers with spinel NiAl{sub 2}O{sub 4} structure epitaxial connected with the core. Suggested models were verified by simulation of X-ray diffraction patterns using DIFFaX code, as well as HRTEM, IR-,more » UV-spectroscopies, and XPS. - Graphical abstract: In the Mg–Al layered double hydroxide Al{sup 3+} ions migrate into interlayers during decomposition. The Mg–Al oxide represents sequence of octahedral and octahedral–tetrahedral spinel layers with vacancies. The Ni–Al oxide has a sandwich-like structure with NiO-like core and surface spinel layers as a result of migration of Al{sup 3+} ions on the surface. The models explain the presence and absence of “memory effect” for the Mg–Al and Ni–Al oxides, respectively. - Highlights: • We study products of Mg(Ni)–Al LDH decomposition by calcination at 500(400)–800 °C. • In Mg–Al/Ni–Al LDH Al ions migrate into interlayers/on the surface during decomposition. • Mg–Al oxide represents sequence of periclase- and spinel-like layers with vacancies. • Ni–Al oxide has a sandwich-like structure with NiO-like core and surface spinel layers. • The models explain the presence/absence of “memory effect” for Mg–Al/Ni–Al oxides.« less

  8. Dynamics of a Nonlocal Dispersal Model with a Nonlocal Reaction Term

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ma, Li; Guo, Shangjiang; Chen, Ting

    In this paper, we study a class of nonlocal dispersal problem with a nonlocal term arising in population dynamics: ut = 𝒟u + u λ ‑ f(u) ‑∫ΩK(x,y)g(u(y))dy,in Ω × (0, +∞), u(x, 0) = u0(x) ≥ 0, in Ω,u = 0, in ℝN\\Ω × (0, +∞), where Ω ⊂ ℝN (N ≥ 1) is a bounded domain, λ ∈ ℝ, 𝒟u(x,t) =∫ΩJ(x ‑ y)[u(y,t) ‑ u(x,t)]dy represents the nonlocal dispersal operator with continuous and non-negative dispersal kernel. The kernel K ∈ C(Ω¯ ×Ω¯) is assumed to be non-negative and is allowed to have a degeneracy in a smooth subdomain Ω0 of Ω. When K is either positive or vanishes in a subdomain, we respectively investigate the existence, multiplicity and asymptotical stability of positive steady states under the local/global variation of parameter by means of sub-supersolution method, Lyapunov-Schmidt reduction, and bifurcation theory.

  9. Self-assembly preparation of SiO2@Ni-Al layered double hydroxide composites and their enhanced electrorheological characteristics

    PubMed Central

    Ji, Xuqiang; Zhang, Wenling; Shan, Lei; Tian, Yu; Liu, Jingquan

    2015-01-01

    The core-shell structured SiO2@Ni-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) composites were prepared via self-assembly of Ni-Al LDH on the surface of SiO2 spheres. Only coating a layer of ultrathin Ni-Al LDH sheet, the resulting SiO2@Ni-Al LDH composites exhibit significantly enhanced electrorheological (ER) characteristics compared to conventional bare SiO2 spheres. The monodispersed SiO2 spheres with average diameters of 260 nm were synthesized by the hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), while the shell part, Ni-Al LDH sheet was prepared by the hydrothermal procedure. The morphology of the samples was investigated via scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The structure of the samples was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The species and distribution of elements in samples were confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Energy dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDX) and elemental mapping in STEM. Subsequently, the ER characteristics of the composites dispersed in insulating oil were characterized by a rotational rheometer. The electric field-stimulated rheological performances (yield stress, viscosity, modulus, etc.) were observed under an external electric field, which is different from the Newtonian state in the free electric field. PMID:26670467

  10. Self-assembly preparation of SiO2@Ni-Al layered double hydroxide composites and their enhanced electrorheological characteristics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ji, Xuqiang; Zhang, Wenling; Shan, Lei; Tian, Yu; Liu, Jingquan

    2015-12-01

    The core-shell structured SiO2@Ni-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) composites were prepared via self-assembly of Ni-Al LDH on the surface of SiO2 spheres. Only coating a layer of ultrathin Ni-Al LDH sheet, the resulting SiO2@Ni-Al LDH composites exhibit significantly enhanced electrorheological (ER) characteristics compared to conventional bare SiO2 spheres. The monodispersed SiO2 spheres with average diameters of 260 nm were synthesized by the hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), while the shell part, Ni-Al LDH sheet was prepared by the hydrothermal procedure. The morphology of the samples was investigated via scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The structure of the samples was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The species and distribution of elements in samples were confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Energy dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDX) and elemental mapping in STEM. Subsequently, the ER characteristics of the composites dispersed in insulating oil were characterized by a rotational rheometer. The electric field-stimulated rheological performances (yield stress, viscosity, modulus, etc.) were observed under an external electric field, which is different from the Newtonian state in the free electric field.

  11. Using SAFRAN Software to Assess Radiological Hazards from Dismantling of Tammuz-2 Reactor Core at Al-tuwaitha Nuclear Site

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Abed Gatea, Mezher; Ahmed, Anwar A.; jundee kadhum, Saad; Ali, Hasan Mohammed; Hussein Muheisn, Abbas

    2018-05-01

    The Safety Assessment Framework (SAFRAN) software has implemented here for radiological safety analysis; to verify that the dose acceptance criteria and safety goals are met with a high degree of confidence for dismantling of Tammuz-2 reactor core at Al-tuwaitha nuclear site. The activities characterizing, dismantling and packaging were practiced to manage the generated radioactive waste. Dose to the worker was considered an endpoint-scenario while dose to the public has neglected due to that Tammuz-2 facility is located in a restricted zone and 30m berm surrounded Al-tuwaitha site. Safety assessment for dismantling worker endpoint-scenario based on maximum external dose at component position level in the reactor pool and internal dose via airborne activity while, for characterizing and packaging worker endpoints scenarios have been done via external dose only because no evidence for airborne radioactivity hazards outside the reactor pool. The in-situ measurements approved that reactor core components are radiologically activated by Co-60 radioisotope. SAFRAN results showed that the maximum received dose for workers are (1.85, 0.64 and 1.3mSv/y) for activities dismantling, characterizing and packaging of reactor core components respectively. Hence, the radiological hazards remain below the low level hazard and within the acceptable annual dose for workers in radiation field

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

    Rabin, S.A.; Martin, M.M.; Lotts, A.L.

    The fabricability of dispersion fuels using UO/sub 2/ or UC as the dispersoid and uranium combined with 10 to 15 wt% Mo as the matrix was investigated. Cores containing l7.8 wt% UO/sub 2/ dispersed in U-- 15 wt.% Mo were successfully fabricated to about 80% of theoretical density by cold pressing at 50 tsi, sintering at 1100 deg C, and cold coining at 50 tsi. Comparable results were obtained with UC as the dispersoid. Core fabrication results varied greatly with the type of matrix powder used. Occluded gases, pour density, and surface cleanliness bore important relations to the fabrication behaviormore » of powders. Suitable pressing and sintering results were obtained with prealloyed, calcium-reduced U--Mo powder and with molybdenum and calcium-reduced uranium as elemental powders. Shotted prealloyed powders were difficult to press and sinter, as were elemental and prealloyed powders prepared by hydriding. The cores containing UO/sub 2/ were picture-frame, hot-roll-clad as miniature plates. Molybdenum, Fansteel 82, and Zr--3 wt% Al were investigated as cladding materials. While each bonded well to itself, only the molybdenum-clad core, rolled at 1150 deg C to 10/1 reduction, resulted in dispersions free of ruptures and UO/sub 2/ fragmentation and in strong bonding to the core, evaluated by metallography, mechanical peel, and thermal shock tests. The matrix phase was homogeneous, but the UO/sub 2/ dispersoid showed stringering characteristic of cores worked by hot rolling. Core densities as high as 99% of theoretical were obtained. (auth)« less

  13. Optical properties of core-shell and multi-shell nanorods

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mokkath, Junais Habeeb; Shehata, Nader

    2018-05-01

    We report a first-principles time dependent density functional theory study of the optical response modulations in bimetallic core-shell (Na@Al and Al@Na) and multi-shell (Al@Na@Al@Na and Na@Al@Na@Al: concentric shells of Al and Na alternate) nanorods. All of the core-shell and multi-shell configurations display highly enhanced absorption intensity with respect to the pure Al and Na nanorods, showing sensitivity to both composition and chemical ordering. Remarkably large spectral intensity enhancements were found in a couple of core-shell configurations, indicative that optical response averaging based on the individual components can not be considered as true as always in the case of bimetallic core-shell nanorods. We believe that our theoretical results would be useful in promising applications depending on Aluminum-based plasmonic materials such as solar cells and sensors.

  14. Thermodynamic evaluation of the solidification phase of molten core-concrete under estimated Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident conditions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kitagaki, Toru; Yano, Kimihiko; Ogino, Hideki; Washiya, Tadahiro

    2017-04-01

    The solidification phases of molten core-concrete under the estimated molten core-concrete interaction (MCCI) conditions in the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 were predicted using the thermodynamic equilibrium calculation tool, FactSage 6.2, and the NUCLEA database in order to contribute toward the 1F decommissioning work and to understand the accident progression via the analytical results for the 1F MCCI products. We showed that most of the U and Zr in the molten core-concrete forms (U,Zr)O2 and (Zr,U)SiO4, and the formation of other phases with these elements is limited. However, the formation of (Zr,U)SiO4 requires a relatively long time because it involves a change in the crystal structure from fcc-(U,Zr)O2 to tet-(U,Zr)O2, followed by the formation of (Zr,U)SiO4 by reaction with SiO2. Therefore, the formation of (Zr,U)SiO4 is limited under quenching conditions. Other common phases are the oxide phases, CaAl2Si2O8, SiO2, and CaSiO3, and the metallic phases of the Fe-Si and Fe-Ni alloys. The solidification phenomenon of the crust under quenching conditions and that of the molten pool under thermodynamic equilibrium conditions in the 1F MCCI progression are discussed.

  15. Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Nanointermetallic Phase Dispersed Al65Cu20Ti15 Amorphous Matrix Composite Synthesized by Mechanical Alloying and Hot Isostatic Pressing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Roy, D.; Mitra, R.; Ojo, O. A.; Lojkowski, W.; Manna, I.

    2011-08-01

    The structure and mechanical properties of nanocrystalline intermetallic phase dispersed amorphous matrix composite prepared by hot isostatic pressing (HIP) of mechanically alloyed Al65Cu20Ti15 amorphous powder in the temperature range 573 K to 873 K (300 °C to 600 °C) with 1.2 GPa pressure were studied. Phase identification by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and microstructural investigation by transmission electron microscopy confirmed that sintering in this temperature range led to partial crystallization of the amorphous powder. The microstructures of the consolidated composites were found to have nanocrystalline intermetallic precipitates of Al5CuTi2, Al3Ti, AlCu, Al2Cu, and Al4Cu9 dispersed in amorphous matrix. An optimum combination of density (3.73 Mg/m3), hardness (8.96 GPa), compressive strength (1650 MPa), shear strength (850 MPa), and Young's modulus (182 GPa) were obtained in the composite hot isostatically pressed ("hipped") at 773 K (500 °C). Furthermore, these results were compared with those from earlier studies based on conventional sintering (CCS), high pressure sintering (HPS), and pulse plasma sintering (PPS). HIP appears to be the most preferred process for achieving an optimum combination of density and mechanical properties in amorphous-nanocrystalline intermetallic composites at temperatures ≤773 K (500 °C), while HPS is most suited for bulk amorphous alloys. Both density and volume fraction of intermetallic dispersoids were found to influence the mechanical properties of the composites.

  16. Partitioning of K, U, and Th between sulfide and silicate liquids - Implications for radioactive heating of planetary cores

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Murrell, M. T.; Burnett, D. S.

    1986-01-01

    Experimental partitioning studies are reported of K, U, and Th between silicate and FeFeS liquids designed to test the proposal that actinide partitioning into sulfide liquids is more important then K partitioning in the radioactive heating of planetary cores. For a basaltic liquid at 1450 C and 1.5 GPa, U partitioning into FeFeS liquids is five times greater than K partitioning. A typical value for the liquid partition coefficient for U from a granitic silicate liquid at one atmosphere at 1150 C and low fO2 is about 0.02; the coefficient for Th is similar. At low fO2 and higher temperature, experiments with basaltic liquids produce strong Ca and U partitioning into the sulfide liquid with U coefficient greater than one. The Th coefficient is less strongly affected.

  17. Experimental constraints on Earth's core formation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bouhifd, Mohamed Ali

    2017-04-01

    The Earth contains a Fe-rich metallic core that segregated from the primitive silicate mantle very early in its 4.5 billion year history. One major consequence of this segregation is the depletion of the Earth's mantle from the siderophile elements "high core affinity" relative to primitive solar system abundances. The way in which siderophile elements partition between metal and silicate depends strongly on pressure (P), temperature (T), oxygen fugacity (fO2) and chemical compositions of both metal and silicate phases. In the present presentation, I will discuss the experimental results of metal-silicate partitioning of Ni and Co that show a marked change with increasing pressure (e.g. Bouhifd and Jephcoat, 2011; Siebert et al., 2012; Fischer et al., 2015 for the most recent studies). This behavior coincides with a change in the coordination of silicon (in a basaltic melt composition) from 4-fold coordination under ambient conditions to 6-fold coordination at about 35 GPa, indicating that melt compressibility may controls siderophile-element partitioning (Sanloup et al., 2013). I will also discuss the impact of Earth's core formation on "lithophile" elements such as Sm, Nd, Ta and Nb (e.g. Bouhifd et al. 2015; Cartier et al., 2014), as well as the impact of sulphur on the behavior of various elements during core formation (e.g. Boujibar et al., 2014; Wohlers and Wood, 2015). By combining the metal-silicate partitioning data from siderophile, lithophile and chalcophile elements I will present and discuss the most plausible conditions for Earth's core formation. References Bouhifd and Jephcoat (2011) EPSL, 307, 341-348. Bouhifd et al. (2015) EPSL 413, 158-166. Boujibar et al. (2014) EPSL 391, 42-54. Cartier et al. (2014) Nature Geoscience, 7, 573-576. Fischer et al. (2015) GCA 167, 177-194. Sanloup et al. (2013) Nature, 503, 104-107. Siebert et al. (2012) EPSL 321-322, 189-197. Wohlers and Wood (2015) Nature 520, 337-340.

  18. Band gap depiction of quaternary FeMnTiAl alloy using Hubbard (U) potential

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bhat, Tahir Mohiuddin; Yousuf, Saleem; Khandy, Shakeel Ahmad; Gupta, Dinesh C.

    2018-05-01

    We have employed self-consistent ab-initio calculations to investigate new quaternary alloy FeMnTiAl by applying Hubbard potential (U). The alloy is found to be stable in ferromagnetic phase with cubic structure. The alloy shows half-metallic (HM) ferromagnet character. The values of minority band gap FeMnTiAl are found to be 0.33 eV respectively. Electronic charge density reveals that both types of bonds covalent as well as ionic are present in the alloy. Thus the new quaternary alloy can be proved as vital contender for spin valves and spin generator devices.

  19. Realization of the axial next-nearest-neighbor Ising model in U 3 Al 2 Ge 3

    DOE PAGES

    Fobes, David M.; Lin, Shi-Zeng; Ghimire, Nirmal J.; ...

    2017-11-09

    Inmore » this paper, we report small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements and theoretical modeling of U 3 Al 2 Ge 3 . Analysis of the SANS data reveals a phase transition to sinusoidally modulated magnetic order at T N = 63 K to be second order and a first-order phase transition to ferromagnetic order at T c = 48 K. Within the sinusoidally modulated magnetic phase (T c < T < T N), we uncover a dramatic change, by a factor of 3, in the ordering wave vector as a function of temperature. Finally, these observations all indicate that U 3 Al 2 Ge 3 is a close realization of the three-dimensional axial next-nearest-neighbor Ising model, a prototypical framework for describing commensurate to incommensurate phase transitions in frustrated magnets.« less

  20. Realization of the axial next-nearest-neighbor Ising model in U 3 Al 2 Ge 3

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

    Fobes, David M.; Lin, Shi-Zeng; Ghimire, Nirmal J.

    Inmore » this paper, we report small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements and theoretical modeling of U 3 Al 2 Ge 3 . Analysis of the SANS data reveals a phase transition to sinusoidally modulated magnetic order at T N = 63 K to be second order and a first-order phase transition to ferromagnetic order at T c = 48 K. Within the sinusoidally modulated magnetic phase (T c < T < T N), we uncover a dramatic change, by a factor of 3, in the ordering wave vector as a function of temperature. Finally, these observations all indicate that U 3 Al 2 Ge 3 is a close realization of the three-dimensional axial next-nearest-neighbor Ising model, a prototypical framework for describing commensurate to incommensurate phase transitions in frustrated magnets.« less

  1. Screening apatites for (U-Th)/He thermochronometry via continuous ramped heating: He age components and implications for age dispersion

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    McDannell, Kalin T.; Zeitler, Peter K.; Janes, Darwin G.; Idleman, Bruce D.; Fayon, Annia K.

    2018-02-01

    Old slowly-cooled apatites often yield dispersed (U-Th)/He ages for a variety of reasons, some well understood and some not. Analytical protocols like careful grain selection can reduce the impact of this dispersion but add costs in time and resources and too often have proven insufficient. We assess a new analytical protocol that utilizes static-gas measurement during continuous ramped heating (CRH) as a means to rapidly screen apatite samples. In about the time required for a conventional total-gas analysis, this method can discriminate between samples showing expected volume-diffusion behavior and those showing anomalous release patterns inconsistent with their direct use in thermochronologic applications. This method also appears able to discriminate between the radiogenic and extraneous 4He fractions released by a sample, potentially allowing ages to be corrected. Well-behaved examples such as the Durango standard and other apatites with good age reproducibility show the expected smooth, sigmoidal gas-release curves predicted for volume diffusion using typical apatite kinetics, with complete exhaustion by ∼900 °C for linear heating at 20 °C/min. Secondary factors such as U and Th zoning and alpha-loss distribution have a relatively minor impact on such profiles. In contrast, samples having greater age dispersion show significant He release in the form of outgassing spikes and He release deferred to higher temperatures. Screening results for a range of samples permit us to assess the degree to which CRH screening can identify misbehaving grains, give insight into the source of extraneous He, and suggest that in some cases it may be possible to correct ages for the presence of such components.

  2. Utilization of thorium and U-ZrH1.6 fuels in various heterogeneous cores for TRIGA PUSPATI Reactor (RTP)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Damahuri, Abdul Hannan Bin; Mohamed, Hassan; Aziz Mohamed, Abdul; Idris, Faridah

    2018-01-01

    The use of thorium as nuclear fuel has been an appealing prospect for many years and will be great significance to nuclear power generation. There is an increasing need for more research on thorium as Malaysian government is currently active in the national Thorium Flagship Project, which was launched in 2014. The thorium project, which is still in phase 1, focuses on the research and development of the thorium extraction from mineral processing ore. Thus, the aim of the study is to investigate other alternative TRIGA PUSPATI Reactor (RTP) core designs that can fully utilize thorium. Currently, the RTP reactor has an average neutron flux of 2.797 x 1012 cm-2/s-1 and an effective multiplication factor, k eff, of 1.001. The RTP core has a circular array core configuration with six circular rings. Each ring consists of 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 or 36 U-ZrH1.6 fuel rods. There are three main type of uranium weight, namely 8.5, 12 and 20 wt.%. For this research, uranium zirconium hydride (U-ZrH1.6) fuel rods in the RTP core were replaced by thorium (ThO2) fuel rods. Seven core configurations with different thorium fuel rods placements were modelled in a 2D structure and simulated using Monte Carlo n-particle (MCNPX) code. Results show that the highest initial criticality obtained is around 1.35101. Additionally there is a significant discrepancy between results from previous study and the work because of the large estimated leakage probability of approximately 21.7% and 2D model simplification.

  3. Core layering

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jacobson, S. A.; Rubie, D. C.; Hernlund, J. W.; Morbidelli, A.

    2015-12-01

    We have created a planetary accretion and differentiation model that self-consistently builds and evolves Earth's core. From this model, we show that the core grows stably stratified as the result of rising metal-silicate equilibration temperatures and pressures, which increases the concentrations of light element impurities into each newer core addition. This stable stratification would naturally resist convection and frustrate the onset of a geodynamo, however, late giant impacts could mechanically mix the distinct accreted core layers creating large homogenous regions. Within these regions, a geodynamo may operate. From this model, we interpret the difference between the planetary magnetic fields of Earth and Venus as a difference in giant impact histories. Our planetary accretion model is a numerical N-body integration of the Grand Tack scenario [1]—the most successful terrestrial planet formation model to date [2,3]. Then, we take the accretion histories of Earth-like and Venus-like planets from this model and post-process the growth of each terrestrial planet according to a well-tested planetary differentiation model [4,5]. This model fits Earth's mantle by modifying the oxygen content of the pre-cursor planetesimals and embryos as well as the conditions of metal-silicate equilibration. Other non-volatile major, minor and trace elements included in the model are assumed to be in CI chondrite proportions. The results from this model across many simulated terrestrial planet growth histories are robust. If the kinetic energy delivered by larger impacts is neglected, the core of each planet grows with a strong stable stratification that would significantly impede convection. However, if giant impact mixing is very efficient or if the impact history delivers large impacts late, than the stable stratification can be removed. [1] Walsh et al. Nature 475 (2011) [2] O'Brien et al. Icarus 223 (2014) [3] Jacobson & Morbidelli PTRSA 372 (2014) [4] Rubie et al. EPSL 301

  4. Evolution of dispersal and life history strategies – Tetrahymena ciliates

    PubMed Central

    Fjerdingstad, Else J; Schtickzelle, Nicolas; Manhes, Pauline; Gutierrez, Arnaud; Clobert, Jean

    2007-01-01

    Background Considerable attention has focused on how selection on dispersal and other core life-history strategies (reproductive effort, survival ability, colonization capacity) may lead to so-called dispersal syndromes. Studies on genetic variation in these syndromes within species could importantly increase our understanding of their evolution, by revealing whether traits co-vary across genetic lineages in the manner predicted by theoretical models, and by stimulating further hypotheses for experimental testing. Yet such studies remain scarce. Here we studied the ciliated protist Tetrahymena thermophila, a particularly interesting organism due to cells being able to transform into morphs differing dramatically in swim-speed. We investigated dispersal, morphological responses, reproductive performance, and survival in ten different clonal strains. Then, we examined whether life history traits co-varied in the manner classically predicted for ruderal species, examined the investment of different strains into short- and putative long-distance dispersal, while considering also the likely impact of semi-sociality (cell aggregation, secretion of 'growth factors') on dispersal strategies. Results Very significant among-strain differences were found with regard to dispersal rate, morphological commitment and plasticity, and almost all core life-history traits (e.g. survival, growth performance and strategy), with most of these traits being significantly intercorrelated. Some strains showed high short-distance dispersal rates, high colonization capacity, bigger cell size, elevated growth performance, and good survival abilities. These well performing strains, however, produced fewer fast-swimming dispersal morphs when subjected to environmental degradation than did philopatric strains performing poorly under normal conditions. Conclusion Strong evidence was found for a genetic covariation between dispersal strategies and core life history traits in T. thermophila, with a

  5. Environmental impacts of dispersed development from federal infrastructure projects.

    PubMed

    Southerland, Mark T

    2004-06-01

    Dispersed development, also referred to as urban growth or sprawl, is a pattern of low-density development spread over previously rural landscapes. Such growth can result in adverse impacts to air quality, water quality, human health, aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, agricultural land, military training areas, water supply and wastewater treatment, recreational resources, viewscapes, and cultural resources. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) is charged with protecting public health and the environment, which includes consideration of impacts from dispersed development. Specifically, because federal infrastructure projects can affect the progress of dispersed development, the secondary impacts resulting from it must be assessed in documents prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has oversight for NEPA and Section 309 of the Clean Air Act requires that U.S. EPA review and comment on federal agency NEPA documents. The adverse effects of dispersed development can be induced by federal infrastructure projects including transportation, built infrastructure, modifications in natural infrastructure, public land conversion and redevelopment of properties, construction of federal facilities, and large traffic or major growth generation developments requiring federal permits. This paper presents an approach that U.S. EPA reviewers and NEPA practitioners can use to provide accurate, realistic, and consistent analysis of secondary impacts of dispersed development resulting from federal infrastructure projects. It also presents 24 measures that can be used to mitigate adverse impacts from dispersed development by modifying project location and design, participating in preservation or restoration activities, or informing and supporting local communities in planning.

  6. Irradiated microstructure of U-10Mo monolithic fuel plate at very high fission density

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gan, J.; Miller, B. D.; Keiser, D. D.; Jue, J. F.; Madden, J. W.; Robinson, A. B.; Ozaltun, H.; Moore, G.; Meyer, M. K.

    2017-08-01

    Monolithic U-10Mo alloy fuel plates with Al-6061 cladding are being developed for use in research and test reactors as low enrichment fuel (<20% U-235 enrichment) as a result of its high uranium loading capacity compared to that of U-7Mo dispersion fuel. These fuel plates contain a Zr diffusion barrier between the U-10Mo fuel and Al-6061 cladding that suppresses the interaction between the U-Mo fuel foil and Al alloy cladding that is known to be problematic under irradiation. Different methods have been employed to fabricate monolithic fuel plates, including hot-rolling with no cold-rolling. L1P09T is a hot-rolled fuel plate irradiated to high fission density in the RERTR-9B experiment. This paper discusses the TEM characterization results for this U-10Mo/Zr/Al6061 monolithic fuel plate (∼59% U-235 enrichment) irradiated in Advanced Test Reactor at Idaho National Laboratory with an unprecedented high local fission density of 9.8E+21 fissions/cm3. The calculated fuel foil centerline temperature at the beginning of life and the end of life is 141 and 194 °C, respectively. TEM lamellas were prepared using focus ion beam lift-out technique. The estimated U-Mo fuel swelling, based on the fuel foil thickness change from SEM, is approximately 76%. Large bubbles (>1 μm) are distributed evenly in U-Mo and interlink of these bubbles is evident. The average size of subdivided grains at this fission density appears similar to that at 5.2E+21 fissions/cm3. The measured average Mo and Zr content in the fuel matrix is ∼30 at% and ∼7 at%, respectively, in general agreement with the calculated Mo and Zr from fission density.

  7. The Learning-Focused Transformation of Biology and Physics Core Courses at the U.S. Air Force Academy

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Sagendorf, Kenneth; Noyd, Robert K.; Morris, D. Brent

    2009-01-01

    An institution-wide focus on deep learning has made significant changes in the biology and physics core course curriculum at the U.S. Air Force Academy. The biology course director has reworked course objectives to reflect the learning-focused approach to teaching, while the physics curriculum has adopted new learning outcomes and ways to…

  8. Photoreactive, core-shell cross-linked/hollow microspheres prepared by delayed addition of cross-linker in dispersion polymerization for antifouling and immobilization of protein.

    PubMed

    Wang, Shengliu; Yue, Kai; Liu, Lianying; Yang, Wantai

    2013-01-01

    When dispersion polymerization of styrene (St) had run for 3h, after particle rapidly growing stage, 4,4'-dimethacryloyloxybenzophenone (DMABP) cross-linker was added to reaction system and photoreactive, core(PSt)-shell(Poly(St-co-DMABP)) particles with rich benzophenone (BP) groups on surface were prepared. Polymerization of DMABP could occurred mainly on the preformed core of PSt because its diffusion could be impeded by (1) compactness of particles formed at the moment of cross-linker addition (more than 80% of monomer had been consumed, particles were no longer fully swollen by monomer), (2) reduced polarity of continuous phase, and (3) immediate occurrence of cross-linking. Subsequently, photoreactive, cross-linked hollow particles were yielded by removal of uncross-linked core in THF. SEM and TEM observation demonstrated the formation of core-shell structure and improvement of shell thickness when DMABP content increased. UV-vis spectra analysis on polymer dissolved in THF indicated that there is no polymer of DMABP in core. FTIR spectra analysis and XPS measurement further revealed that BP component on particle surface was enriched when amount of DMABP increased. Finally, an anti-fouling polymer (poly (ethylene glycol), PEG) and protein of mouse IgG was immobilized on particle surface under UV irradiation, as confirmed by FTIR spectra analysis, SEM observation and TMB color reaction. Crown Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. Irradiation creep of dispersion strengthened copper alloy

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

    Pokrovsky, A.S.; Barabash, V.R.; Fabritsiev, S.A.

    1997-04-01

    Dispersion strengthened copper alloys are under consideration as reference materials for the ITER plasma facing components. Irradiation creep is one of the parameters which must be assessed because of its importance for the lifetime prediction of these components. In this study the irradiation creep of a dispersion strengthened copper (DS) alloy has been investigated. The alloy selected for evaluation, MAGT-0.2, which contains 0.2 wt.% Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}, is very similar to the GlidCop{trademark} alloy referred to as Al20. Irradiation creep was investigated using HE pressurized tubes. The tubes were machined from rod stock, then stainless steel caps were brazed ontomore » the end of each tube. The creep specimens were pressurized by use of ultra-pure He and the stainless steel caps subsequently sealed by laser welding. These specimens were irradiated in reactor water in the core position of the SM-2 reactors to a fluence level of 4.5-7.1 x 10{sup 21} n/cm{sup 2} (E>0.1 MeV), which corresponds to {approx}3-5 dpa. The irradiation temperature ranged from 60-90{degrees}C, which yielded calculated hoop stresses from 39-117 MPa. A mechanical micrometer system was used to measure the outer diameter of the specimens before and after irradiation, with an accuracy of {+-}0.001 mm. The irradiation creep was calculated based on the change in the diameter. Comparison of pre- and post-irradiation diameter measurements indicates that irradiation induced creep is indeed observed in this alloy at low temperatures, with a creep rate as high as {approx}2 x 10{sup {minus}9}s{sup {minus}1}. These results are compared with available data for irradiation creep for stainless steels, pure copper, and for thermal creep of copper alloys.« less

  10. Interpretation of data obtained from non-destructive and destructive post-test analyses of an intact-core column of culebra dolomite

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

    Lucero, Daniel L.; Perkins, W. George

    The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has been developing a nuclear waste disposal facility, the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), located approximately 42 km east of Carlsbad, New Mexico. The WIPP is designed to demonstrate the safe disposal of transuranic wastes produced by the defense nuclear-weapons program. Pefiormance assessment analyses (U.S. DOE, 1996) indicate that human intrusion by inadvertent and intermittent drilling for resources provide the only credible mechanisms for significant releases of radionuclides horn the disposal system. These releases may occur by five mechanisms: (1) cuttings, (2) cavings, (3) spallings, (4) direct brine releases, and (5) long- term brinemore » releases. The first four mechanisms could result in immediate release of contaminant to the accessible environment. For the last mechanisq migration pathways through the permeable layers of rock above the Salado are important, and major emphasis is placed on the Culebra Member of the Rustler Formation because this is the most transmissive geologic layer in the disposal system. For reasons of initial quantity, half-life, and specific radioactivity, certain isotopes of T~ U, Am, and Pu would dominate calculated releases from the WIPP. In order to help quantifi parameters for the calculated releases, radionuclide transport experiments have been carried out using five intact-core columns obtained from the Culebra dolomite member of the Rustler Formation within the Waste Isolation Pilot Pknt (WIPP) site in southeastern New Mexico. This report deals primarily with results of analyses for 241Pu and 241Am distributions developed during transport experiments in one of these cores. All intact-core column transport experiments were done using Culebra-simukmt brine relevant to the core recovery location (the WIPP air-intake shaft - AK). Hydraulic characteristics (i.e., apparent porosity and apparent dispersion coefficient) for intact-core columns were obtained via experiments using

  11. MOND Calculations of Bulk Dispersions and Radial Dispersion Profiles of Milky Way and Andromeda Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxies

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

    Alexander, S. G.; Walentosky, M. J.; Messinger, Justin

    We present a new computational method for calculating the motion of stars in a dwarf spheroidal galaxy (dSph) that can use either Newtonian gravity or Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND). In our model, we explicitly calculate the motion of several thousand stars in a spherically symmetric gravitational potential, and we statistically obtain both the line-of-sight bulk velocity dispersion and dispersion profile. Our results for MOND calculated bulk dispersions for Local Group dSph’s agree well with previous calculations and observations. Our MOND calculated dispersion profiles are compared with the observations of Walker et al. for Milky Way dSph’s, and we present calculatedmore » dispersion profiles for a selection of Andromeda dSph’s.« less

  12. Early Dynamics of the Moon's Core

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cuk, Matija; Hamilton, Douglas; Stewart, Sarah T.

    2018-04-01

    The Moon has a small molten iron core (Williams et al. 2006). Remanent magnetization in lunar rocks likely derives from a past lunar dynamo (Wieczorek 2018 and references therein), which may have been powered by differential precession between the mantle and the core. The rotations of the lunar mantle and core were largely decoupled for much of lunar history, with a large mutual offset during the Cassini State Transition (Meyer and Wisdom, 2011). It is likely that the past work underestimated lunar obliquities, and therefore core offsets, during early lunar history (Cuk et al. 2016). Here we investigate the dynamics of the lunar core and mantle using a Lie-Poisson numerical integrator (Touma and Wisdom 2001) which includes interactions between triaxial core and mantle, as well as all gravitational and tidal effects included in the model of Cuk et al. (2016). Since we assume a rigid triaxial mantle, this model is applicable to the Moon only once it has acquired its current shape, which probably happened before the Moon reached 25 Earth radii. While some details of the core dynamics depend on our assumptions about the shape of the lunar core-mantle boundary, we can report some robust preliminary findings. The presence of the core does not change significantly the evolutionary scenario of Cuk et al. (2016). The core and mantle are indeed decoupled, with the core having a much smaller obliquity to the ecliptic than the mantle for almost all of the lunar history. The core was largely in an equivalent of Cassini State 2, with the vernal equinoxes (wrt the ecliptic) of the core and the mantle being anti-aligned. The core-mantle spin axis offset has been very large during the Moon's first billion years (this is true both in canonical and high-inclination tidal evolution), causing the lunar core to be sub-synchronous. If the ancient lunar magnetic dipole was rotating around the core axis that was inclined to the Moon's spin axis, then the magnetic poles would move across

  13. Science strategy for Core Science Systems in the U.S. Geological Survey, 2013-2023

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Bristol, R. Sky; Euliss, Ned H.; Booth, Nathaniel L.; Burkardt, Nina; Diffendorfer, Jay E.; Gesch, Dean B.; McCallum, Brian E.; Miller, David M.; Morman, Suzette A.; Poore, Barbara S.; Signell, Richard P.; Viger, Roland J.

    2012-01-01

    Core Science Systems is a new mission of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) that grew out of the 2007 Science Strategy, “Facing Tomorrow’s Challenges: U.S. Geological Survey Science in the Decade 2007–2017.” This report describes the vision for this USGS mission and outlines a strategy for Core Science Systems to facilitate integrated characterization and understanding of the complex earth system. The vision and suggested actions are bold and far-reaching, describing a conceptual model and framework to enhance the ability of USGS to bring its core strengths to bear on pressing societal problems through data integration and scientific synthesis across the breadth of science.The context of this report is inspired by a direction set forth in the 2007 Science Strategy. Specifically, ecosystem-based approaches provide the underpinnings for essentially all science themes that define the USGS. Every point on earth falls within a specific ecosystem where data, other information assets, and the expertise of USGS and its many partners can be employed to quantitatively understand how that ecosystem functions and how it responds to natural and anthropogenic disturbances. Every benefit society obtains from the planet—food, water, raw materials to build infrastructure, homes and automobiles, fuel to heat homes and cities, and many others, are derived from or effect ecosystems.The vision for Core Science Systems builds on core strengths of the USGS in characterizing and understanding complex earth and biological systems through research, modeling, mapping, and the production of high quality data on the nation’s natural resource infrastructure. Together, these research activities provide a foundation for ecosystem-based approaches through geologic mapping, topographic mapping, and biodiversity mapping. The vision describes a framework founded on these core mapping strengths that makes it easier for USGS scientists to discover critical information, share and publish

  14. Hominin Sites and Paleolakes Drilling Project. Chew Bahir, southern Ethiopia: How to get from three tonnes of sediment core to > 500 ka of continuous climate history?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Foerster, Verena; Asrat, Asfawossen; Cohen, Andrew S.; Gromig, Raphael; Günter, Christina; Junginger, Annett; Lamb, Henry F.; Schaebitz, Frank; Trauth, Martin H.

    2016-04-01

    In search of the environmental context of the evolution and dispersal of Homo sapiens and our close relatives within and beyond the African continent, the ICDP-funded Hominin Sites and Paleolakes Drilling Project (HSPDP) has recently cored five fluvio-lacustrine archives of climate change in East Africa. The sediment cores collected in Ethiopia and Kenya are expected to provide valuable insights into East African environmental variability during the last ~3.5 Ma. The tectonically-bound Chew Bahir basin in the southern Ethiopian rift is one of the five sites within HSPDP, located in close proximity to the Lower Omo River valley, the site of the oldest known fossils of anatomically modern humans. In late 2014, the two cores (279 and 266 m long respectively, HSPDP-CHB14-2A and 2B) were recovered, summing up to nearly three tonnes of mostly calcareous clays and silts. Deciphering an environmental record from multiple records, from the source region of modern humans could eventually allow us to reconstruct the pronounced variations of moisture availability during the transition into Middle Stone Age, and its implications for the origin and dispersal of Homo sapiens. Here we present the first results of our analysis of the Chew Bahir cores. Following the HSPDP protocols, the two parallel Chew Bahir sediment cores have been merged into one single, 280 m long and nearly continuous (>90%) composite core on the basis of a high resolution MSCL data set (e.g., magnetic susceptibility, gamma ray density, color intensity transects, core photographs). Based on the obvious cyclicities in the MSCL, correlated with orbital cycles, the time interval covered by our sediment archive of climate change is inferred to span the last 500-600 kyrs. Combining our first results from the long cores with the results from the accomplished pre-study of short cores taken in 2009/10 along a NW-SE transect across the basin (Foerster et al., 2012, Trauth et al., 2015), we have developed a hypothesis

  15. GaAs/AlGaAs core multishell nanowire-based light-emitting diodes on Si.

    PubMed

    Tomioka, Katsuhiro; Motohisa, Junichi; Hara, Shinjiroh; Hiruma, Kenji; Fukui, Takashi

    2010-05-12

    We report on integration of GaAs nanowire-based light-emitting-diodes (NW-LEDs) on Si substrate by selective-area metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy. The vertically aligned GaAs/AlGaAs core-multishell nanowires with radial p-n junction and NW-LED array were directly fabricated on Si. The threshold current for electroluminescence (EL) was 0.5 mA (current density was approximately 0.4 A/cm(2)), and the EL intensity superlinearly increased with increasing current injections indicating superluminescence behavior. The technology described in this letter could help open new possibilities for monolithic- and on-chip integration of III-V NWs on Si.

  16. X-ray Fluorescence Core Scanning of Oman Drilling Project Holes BT1B and GT3A Cores on D/V CHIKYU

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Johnson, K. T. M.; Kelemen, P. B.; Michibayashi, K.; Greenberger, R. N.; Koepke, J.; Beinlich, A.; Morishita, T.; Jesus, A. P. M.; Lefay, R.

    2017-12-01

    The JEOL JSX-3600CA1 energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence core logger (XRF-CL) on the D/V Chikyu provides quantitative element concentrations of scanned cores. Scans of selected intervals are made on an x-y grid with point spacing of 5 mm. Element concentrations for Si, Al, Ti, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Na, K, Cr, Ni, S and Zn are collected for each point on the grid. Accuracy of element concentrations provided by the instrument software is improved by applying empirical correction algorithms. Element concentrations were collected for 9,289 points from twenty-seven core intervals in Hole BT1B (basal thrust) and for 6,389 points from forty core intervals in Hole GT3A (sheeted dike-gabbro transition) of the Oman Drilling Project on the D/V Chikyu XRF-CL during Leg 2 of the Oman Drilling Project in August-September, 2017. The geochemical data are used for evaluating downhole compositional details associated with lithological changes, unit contacts and mineralogical variations and are particularly informative when plotted as concentration contour maps or downhole concentration diagrams. On Leg 2 additional core scans were made with X-ray Computed Tomography (X-ray CT) and infrared images from the visible-shortwave infrared imaging spectroscopy (IR) systems on board. XRF-CL, X-ray CT and IR imaging plots used together provide detailed information on rock compositions, textures and mineralogy that assist naked eye visual observations. Examples of some uses of XRF-CL geochemical maps and downhole data are shown. XRF-CL and IR scans of listvenite clearly show zones of magnesite, dolomite and the Cr-rich mica, fuchsite that are subdued in visual observation, and these scans can be used to calculate variations in proportions of these minerals in Hole BT1B cores. In Hole GT3A XRF-CL data can be used to distinguish compositional changes in different generations of sheeted dikes and gabbros and when combined with visual observations of intrusive relationships the detailed geochemical

  17. A study on wear resistance and microcrack of the Ti 3Al/TiAl + TiC ceramic layer deposited by laser cladding on Ti-6Al-4V alloy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Jianing; Chen, Chuanzhong; Squartini, Tiziano; He, Qingshan

    2010-12-01

    Laser cladding of the Al + TiC alloy powder on Ti-6Al-4V alloy can form the Ti 3Al/TiAl + TiC ceramic layer. In this study, TiC particle-dispersed Ti 3Al/TiAl matrix ceramic layer on the Ti-6Al-4V alloy by laser cladding has been researched by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, electron probe micro-analyzer, energy dispersive spectrometer. The main difference from the earlier reports is that Ti 3Al/TiAl has been chosen as the matrix of the composite coating. The wear resistance of the Al + 30 wt.% TiC and the Al + 40 wt.% TiC cladding layer was approximately 2 times greater than that of the Ti-6Al-4V substrate due to the reinforcement of the Ti 3Al/TiAl + TiC hard phases. However, when the TiC mass percent was above 40 wt.%, the thermal stress value was greater than the materials yield strength limit in the ceramic layer, the microcrack was present and its wear resistance decreased.

  18. Entrapment of carbon dioxide with chitosan-based core-shell particles containing changeable cores.

    PubMed

    Dong, Yanrui; Fu, Yinghao; Lin, Xia; Xiao, Congming

    2016-08-01

    Water-soluble chitosan-based core-shell particles that contained changeable cores were successfully applied to anchor carbon dioxide. The entrapment capacity of the particles for carbon dioxide (EC) depended on the cores. It was found that EC of the particles contained aqueous cores was higher than that of the beads with water-soluble chitosan gel cores, which was confirmed with thermogravimetric analysis. In addition, calcium ions and sodium hydroxide were introduced within the particles to examine their effect on the entrapment. EC of the particles was enhanced with sodium hydroxide when the cores were WSC gel. The incorporation of calcium ions was helpful for stabilizing carbon dioxide through the formation of calcium carbonate, which was verified with Fourier transform infrared spectra and scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive spectrometry. This phenomenon meant the role of calcium ions for fixating carbon dioxide was significant. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. HEU Holdup Measurements in 321-M B and Spare U-Al Casting Furnaces

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

    Salaymeh, S.R.

    The Analytical Development Section of Savannah River Technology Center (SRTC) was requested by the Facilities Decontamination Division (FDD) to determine the holdup of enriched uranium in the 321-M facility as part of an overall deactivation project of the facility. The 321-M facility was used to fabricate enriched uranium fuel assemblies, lithium-aluminum target tubes, neptunium assemblies, and miscellaneous components for the production reactors. This report covers holdup measurements in two uranium aluminum alloy (U-Al) casting furnaces. Our results indicate an upper limit of 235U content for the B and Spare furnaces of 51 and 67 g respectively. This report discusses themore » methodology, non-destructive assay (NDA) measurements, and results of the uranium holdup on the two furnaces.« less

  20. Comparative Analysis of Hexagonal Solid Silica and Nitro-benzene Filled Hollow Core Photonic Crystal Fiber

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shahiruddin; Singh, Dharmendra K.; Hassan, M. A.

    2018-02-01

    A comparative study of five ring solid core and nitrobenzene filled hollow core liquid filled photonic crystal fiber (PCF) are presented. Considering the same structure, one is used as solid silica and another one is filled with nitrobenzene in the core. Here the paper elaborates the confinement loss, dispersion properties and birefringence of an index-guiding PCF with asymmetric cladding designed and analyzed by the finite-element method. The proposed structure shows the low confinement loss in case of solid silica, negative dispersion in nitrobenzene filled hollow core PCF and high birefringence in both the cases. The calculated values shows flat zero confinement loss in 0.7 µm to 1.54 µm range, flat zero dispersion is achieved in solid core and -2000 ps/km-nm in nitrobenzene filled hollow core PCF and high birefringence in the range of 10-3 in nitrobenzene filled hollow core PCF. Results show the relative analysis at different air fill fraction.

  1. Theoretical study on the dispersion curves of Lamb waves in piezoelectric-semiconductor sandwich plates GaAs-FGPM-AlAs: Legendre polynomial series expansion

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Othmani, Cherif; Takali, Farid; Njeh, Anouar

    2017-06-01

    In this paper, the propagation of the Lamb waves in the GaAs-FGPM-AlAs sandwich plate is studied. Based on the orthogonal function, Legendre polynomial series expansion is applied along the thickness direction to obtain the Lamb dispersion curves. The convergence and accuracy of this polynomial method are discussed. In addition, the influences of the volume fraction p and thickness hFGPM of the FGPM middle layer on the Lamb dispersion curves are developed. The numerical results also show differences between the characteristics of Lamb dispersion curves in the sandwich plate for various gradient coefficients of the FGPM middle layer. In fact, if the volume fraction p increases the phase velocity will increases and the number of modes will decreases at a given frequency range. All the developments performed in this paper were implemented in Matlab software. The corresponding results presented in this work may have important applications in several industry areas and developing novel acoustic devices such as sensors, electromechanical transducers, actuators and filters.

  2. On a class of nonlinear dispersive-dissipative interactions

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

    Rosenau, P.

    1997-07-29

    The authors study the prototypical, genuinely nonlinear, equation; u{sub t} + a(u{sup m}){sub x} + (u{sup n}){sub xxx} = {mu}(u{sup k}){sub xx}, a, {mu} = consts., which encompasses a wide variety of dissipative-dispersive interactions. The parametric surface k = (m + n)/2 separates diffusion dominated from dissipation dominated phenomena. On this surface dissipative and dispersive effects are in detailed balance for all amplitudes. In particular, the m = n + 2 = k + 1 subclass can be transformed into a form free of convection and dissipation making it accessible to theoretical studies. Both bounded and unbounded oscillations are foundmore » and certain exact solutions are presented. When a = (2{mu}3/){sup 2} the map yields a linear equation; rational, periodic and aperiodic solutions are constructed.« less

  3. Microstructural characterization of an irradiated RERTR-6 U-7Mo/AA4043 alloy dispersion fuel plate specimen blister-tested to a final temperature of 500 °C

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Keiser, Dennis D.; Jue, Jan-Fong; Gan, Jian; Miller, Brandon D.; Robinson, Adam B.; Madden, James W.; Ross Finlay, M.; Moore, Glenn; Medvedev, Pavel; Meyer, Mitch

    2017-05-01

    The Material Management and Minimization (M3) Reactor Conversion Program, in the past called the Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactor (RERTR) Program, is developing low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuels for application in research and test reactors. U-Mo alloy dispersion fuel is one type being developed. Blister testing has been performed on different fuel plate samples to determine the margin to failure for fuel plates irradiated to different fission densities. Microstructural characterization was performed using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy on a sample taken from a U-7Mo/AA4043 matrix dispersion fuel plate irradiated in the RERTR-6 experiment that was blister-tested up to a final temperature of 500 °C. The results indicated that two types of grain/cell boundaries were observed in the U-7Mo fuel particles, one with a relatively low Mo content and fission gas bubbles and a second type enriched in Si, due to interdiffusion from the Si-containing matrix, with little evidence of fission gas bubbles. With respect to the behavior of the major fission gas Xe, a significant amount of the Xe was still observed within the U-7Mo fuel particle, along with microns into the AA4043 matrix. For the fuel/matrix interaction layers that form during fabrication and then grow during irradiation, they change from the as-irradiated amorphous structure to one that is crystalline after blister testing. In the AA4043 matrix, the original Si-rich precipitates, which are typically observed in as-irradiated U-Mo dispersion fuel, get consumed due to interdiffusion with the U-7Mo fuel particles during the blister test. Finally, the fission gas bubbles that were originally around 3 nm in diameter and resided on a fission gas superlattice (FGS) in the intragranular regions of as-irradiated U-7Mo fuel grew in size (up to ∼20 nm diameter) during blister testing and, in many areas, are no longer organized as a superlattice.

  4. Zirconium doped nano-dispersed oxides of Fe, Al and Zn for destruction of warfare agents

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

    Stengl, Vaclav, E-mail: stengl@uach.cz; Houskova, Vendula; Bakardjieva, Snejana

    2010-11-15

    Zirconium doped nano dispersive oxides of Fe, Al and Zn were prepared by a homogeneous hydrolysis of the respective sulfate salts with urea in aqueous solutions. Synthesized metal oxide hydroxides were characterized using Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area and Barrett-Joiner-Halenda porosity (BJH), X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX). These oxides were taken for an experimental evaluation of their reactivity with sulfur mustard (HD or bis(2-chloroethyl)sulfide), soman (GD or (3,3'-Dimethylbutan-2-yl)-methylphosphonofluoridate) and VX agent (S-[2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl]-O-ethyl-methylphosphonothionate). The presence of Zr{sup 4+} dopant can increase both the surface area and the surface hydroxylation of the resultingmore » doped oxides, decreases their crystallites' sizes thereby it may contribute in enabling the substrate adsorption at the oxide surface thus it can accelerate the rate of degradation of warfare agents. Addition of Zr{sup 4+} converts the product of the reaction of ferric sulphate with urea from ferrihydrite to goethite. We found out that doped oxo-hydroxides Zr-FeO(OH) - being prepared by a homogeneous hydrolysis of ferric and zirconium oxo-sulfates mixture in aqueous solutions - exhibit a comparatively higher degradation activity towards chemical warfare agents (CWAs). Degradation of soman or VX agent on Zr-doped FeO(OH) containing ca. 8.3 wt.% of zirconium proceeded to completion within 30 min.« less

  5. Liquid-filled simplified hollow-core photonic crystal fiber

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Shengnan; Gao, Wei; Li, Hongwei; Dong, Yongkang; Zhang, Hongying

    2014-12-01

    We report on a novel type of liquid-filled simplified hollow-core photonic crystal fibers (HC-PCFs), and investigate their transmission properties with various filling liquids, including water, ethanol and FC-40. The loss and dispersion characterizations are calculated for different fiber parameters including strut thickness and core diameter. The results show that there are still low-loss windows existing for liquid-filled simplified HC-PCFs, and the low-loss windows and dispersions can be easily tailored by filling different liquids. Such liquid-filled simplified HC-PCFs open up many possibilities for nonlinear fiber optics, optical, biochemical and medical sensing.

  6. 36Cl, 10Be and 26Al analyses from the GISP2 bedrock core and the stability of the Greenland Ice Sheet

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schaefer, J. M.; Finkel, R. C.; Fifield, L. K.; Balco, G.; Caffee, M.; Alley, R. B.; Briner, J. P.; Young, N. E.; Gow, A. J.; Schwartz, R.

    2017-12-01

    The Greenland Ice Sheet (GIS) contains the equivalent of 7.4 meters (24 feet) of global sea-level rise. Its stability in our warming climate is therefore a pressing concern. However, the scarcity of proxy evidence of the palaeo-stability of the GIS means that its history remains controversial (for example 1 vs. 2). Current model simulations of the past GIS configuration during warm periods remain ambiguous but do show that both the magnitude and the duration of warmth are critical to ice-sheet stability. Much of this uncertainty reflects the fact that the direct evidence, if it exists, is buried beneath the present ice sheet. Here we attempt to overcome this obstacle via cosmogenic nuclide analysis of sub-GIS bedrock. Cosmogenic nuclides directly monitor periods of surface exposure to cosmic ray bombardment and thus ice-free conditions, and the ratios between cosmogenic nuclides of differing half-lives are diagnostic for periods the GIS shielded the bedrock. We focus on the bedrock underneath the 3042 m long GISP2 ice core, retrieved in 1993, and recently published the 10Be (half-life 1.4 Myr) and 26Al (half-life 0.7 Myr) analyses from quartz of this bedrock core 3. The published results show that Greenland was nearly ice-free for extended periods during the Pleistocene (2.6 Myr -11.7 kyr ago) and narrow the spectrum of possible GIS histories: the longest period of stability of the present ice sheet that is consistent with the 10Be and 26Al measurements is 1.1 Myr, assuming that this was preceded by more than 280 kyr of ice-free conditions. More dynamic scenarios, in which Greenland was ice-free during any or all Pleistocene interglacials, would be also consistent with the 10Be and 26Al data. We now present 36Cl (half-life 0.3 Myr) data from feldspars separated from this bedrock core. The measured 36Cl depth profile is consistent with the 10Be and 26Al data, indicating that most of the analyzed 36Cl was produced by neutron spallation during periods of nearly ice

  7. U-PuO2, U-PuC, U-PuN cermet fuel for fast reactor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mishra, Sudhir; Kaity, Santu; Banerjee, Joydipta; Nandi, Chiranjeet; Dey, G. K.; Khan, K. B.

    2018-02-01

    Cermet fuel combines beneficial properties of both ceramic and metal and attracts global interest for research as a candidate fuel for nuclear reactors. In the present study, U matrix PuC/PuN/PuO2 cermet for fast reactor have been fabricated on laboratory scale by the powder metallurgy route. Characterization of the fuel has been carried out using Dilatometer, Differential Thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffractometer and Optical microscope. X ray diffraction study of the fuel reveals presence of different phases. The PuN dispersed cermet was observed to have high solidus temperature as compared to PuC and PuO2 dispersed cermet. Swelling was observed in U matrix PuO2 cermet which also showed higher thermal expansion. Among the three cermets studied, U matrix PuC cermet showed maximum thermal conductivity.

  8. Mechanical properties of Mo-Si-B alloys fabricated by using core-shell powder with dispersion of yttria nanoparticles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Byun, Jong Min; Bang, Su-Ryong; Choi, Won June; Kim, Min Sang; Noh, Goo Won; Kim, Young Do

    2017-01-01

    In recent years, refractory materials with excellent high-temperature properties have been in the spotlight as a next generation's high-temperature materials. Among these, Mo-Si-B alloys composed of two intermetallic compound phases (Mo5SiB2 and Mo3Si) and a ductile α-Mo phase have shown an outstanding thermal properties. However, due to the brittleness of the intermetallic compound phases, Mo-Si-B alloys were restricted to apply for the structural materials. So, to enhance the mechanical properties of Mo-Si-B alloys, many efforts to add rare-earth oxide particles in the Mo-Si-B alloy were performed to induce the improvement of strength and fracture toughness. In this study, to investigate the effect of adding nano-sized Y2O3 particles in Mo-Si-B alloy, a core-shell powder consisting of intermetallic compound phases as the core and nano-sized α-Mo and Y2O3 particles surrounding the core was fabricated. Then pressureless sintering was carried out at 1400 °C for 3 h, and the mechanical properties of sintered bodies with different amounts of Y2O3 particles were evaluated by Vickers hardness and 3-point bending test. Vickers hardness was improved by dispersed Y2O3 particles in the Mo-Si-B alloy. Especially, Mo-3Si-1B-1.5Y2O3 alloy had the highest value, 589 Hv. The fracture toughness was measured using Mo-3Si-1B-1.5Y2O3 alloy and the value indicated as 13.5 MPa·√m.

  9. Analysis of doping concentration and composition in wide bandgap AlGaN:Si by wavelength dispersive x-ray spectroscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kusch, Gunnar; Mehnke, Frank; Enslin, Johannes; Edwards, Paul R.; Wernicke, Tim; Kneissl, Michael; Martin, Robert W.

    2017-03-01

    Detailed knowledge of the dopant concentration and composition of wide band gap Al x Ga{}1-x{{N}} layers is of crucial importance for the fabrication of ultra violet light emitting diodes. This paper demonstrates the capabilities of wavelength dispersive x-ray (WDX) spectroscopy in accurately determining these parameters and compares the results with those from high resolution x-ray diffraction (HR-XRD) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). WDX spectroscopy has been carried out on different silicon-doped wide bandgap Al x Ga{}1-x{{N}} samples (x between 0.80 and 1). This study found a linear increase in the Si concentration with the SiH4/group-III ratio, measuring Si concentrations between 3× {10}18 cm-3 and 2.8× {10}19 cm-3, while no direct correlation between the AlN composition and the Si incorporation ratio was found. Comparison between the composition obtained by WDX and by HR-XRD showed very good agreement in the range investigated, while comparison of the donor concentration between WDX and SIMS found only partial agreement, which we attribute to a number of effects.

  10. Formation of Al3Ti/Mg composite by powder metallurgy of Mg-Al-Ti system.

    PubMed

    Yang, Zi R; Qi Wang, Shu; Cui, Xiang H; Zhao, Yu T; Gao, Ming J; Wei, Min X

    2008-07-01

    An in situ titanium trialuminide (Al 3 Ti)-particle-reinforced magnesium matrix composite has been successfully fabricated by the powder metallurgy of a Mg-Al-Ti system. The reaction processes and formation mechanism for synthesizing the composite were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), x-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Al 3 Ti particles are found to be synthesized in situ in the Mg alloy matrix. During the reaction sintering of the Mg-Al-Ti system, Al 3 Ti particles are formed through the reaction of liquid Al with as-dissolved Ti around the Ti particles. The formed intermetallic particles accumulate at the original sites of the Ti particles. As sintering time increases, the accumulated intermetallic particles disperse and reach a relatively homogeneous distribution in the matrix. It is found that the reaction process of the Mg-Al-Ti system is almost the same as that of the Al-Ti system. Mg also acts as a catalytic agent and a diluent in the reactions and shifts the reactions of Al and Ti to lower temperatures. An additional amount of Al is required for eliminating residual Ti and solid-solution strengthening of the Mg matrix.

  11. Core-shell Fe3O4 polydopamine nanoparticles as sorbent for magnetic dispersive solid-phase extraction of copper from food samples.

    PubMed

    Yavuz, Emre; Tokalıoğlu, Şerife; Patat, Şaban

    2018-10-15

    In the present study, core-shell Fe 3 O 4 polydopamine nanoparticles were synthesized and used for the first time as an adsorbent for the vortex assisted magnetic dispersive solid phase extraction of copper from food samples. After elution, copper in the solutions was determined by FAAS. The adsorbent was characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area, and zeta potential measurements. Various parameters affecting the magnetic dispersive solid-phase extraction were evaluated. The optimum pH and magnetic adsorbent amount were found to be 5 and 40 mg, respectively. Elution was made by 3 mL of 2 mol L -1 HNO 3 .The major advantage of the method is the fast equilibration during adsorption without the need for vortexing or shaking. The preconcentration factor and detection limit of the method were found to be 150 and 0.22 mg L -1 , respectively. The precision (as RSD%) and adsorption capacity of the method were 3.7% and 28 mg g -1 , respectively. The method was successfully verified by analyzing four certified reference materials (SPS-WW1 Batch 114 Wastewater, TMDA-53.3 Lake water, BCR-482 Lichen and 1573a Tomato Leaves) and by addition/recovery tests of copper standard solution in organic baby food, muesli, macaroni, honey, and milk samples. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  12. Dechlorination of Hexachlorobenzene in Contaminated Soils Using a Nanometallic Al/CaO Dispersion Mixture: Optimization through Response Surface Methodology

    PubMed Central

    Jiang, Yuhui; Shang, Yixuan; Yu, Shuyao; Liu, Jianguo

    2018-01-01

    Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) contamination of soils remains a significant environmental challenge all over the world. Reductive stabilization is a developing technology that can decompose the HCB with a dechlorination process. A nanometallic Al/CaO (n-Al/CaO) dispersion mixture was developed utilizing ball-milling technology in this study. The dechlorination efficiency of HCB in contaminated soils by the n-Al/CaO grinding treatment was evaluated. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to investigate the effects of three variables (soil moisture content, n-Al/CaO dosage and grinding time) and the interactions between these variables under the Box-Behnken Design (BBD). A high regression coefficient value (R2 = 0.9807) and low p value (<0.0001) of the quadratic model indicated that the model was accurate in predicting the experimental results. The optimal soil moisture content, n-Al/CaO dosage, and grinding time were found to be 7% (m/m), 17.7% (m/m), and 24 h, respectively, in the experimental ranges and levels. Under optimal conditions, the dechlorination efficiency was 80%. The intermediate product analysis indicated that dechlorination was the process by stepwise loss of chloride atoms. The main pathway observed within 24 h was HCB → pentachlorobenzene (PeCB) → 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorobenzene (TeCB) and 1,2,4,5-TeCB. The results indicated that the moderate soil moisture content was crucial for the hydrodechlorination of HCB. A probable mechanism was proposed wherein water acted like a hydrogen donor and promoted the hydrodechlorination process. The potential application of n-Al/CaO is an environmentally-friendly and cost-effective option for decontamination of HCB-contaminated soils. PMID:29702570

  13. Dechlorination of Hexachlorobenzene in Contaminated Soils Using a Nanometallic Al/CaO Dispersion Mixture: Optimization through Response Surface Methodology.

    PubMed

    Jiang, Yuhui; Shang, Yixuan; Yu, Shuyao; Liu, Jianguo

    2018-04-27

    Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) contamination of soils remains a significant environmental challenge all over the world. Reductive stabilization is a developing technology that can decompose the HCB with a dechlorination process. A nanometallic Al/CaO (n-Al/CaO) dispersion mixture was developed utilizing ball-milling technology in this study. The dechlorination efficiency of HCB in contaminated soils by the n-Al/CaO grinding treatment was evaluated. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to investigate the effects of three variables (soil moisture content, n-Al/CaO dosage and grinding time) and the interactions between these variables under the Box-Behnken Design (BBD). A high regression coefficient value ( R ² = 0.9807) and low p value (<0.0001) of the quadratic model indicated that the model was accurate in predicting the experimental results. The optimal soil moisture content, n-Al/CaO dosage, and grinding time were found to be 7% (m/m), 17.7% (m/m), and 24 h, respectively, in the experimental ranges and levels. Under optimal conditions, the dechlorination efficiency was 80%. The intermediate product analysis indicated that dechlorination was the process by stepwise loss of chloride atoms. The main pathway observed within 24 h was HCB → pentachlorobenzene (PeCB) → 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorobenzene (TeCB) and 1,2,4,5-TeCB. The results indicated that the moderate soil moisture content was crucial for the hydrodechlorination of HCB. A probable mechanism was proposed wherein water acted like a hydrogen donor and promoted the hydrodechlorination process. The potential application of n-Al/CaO is an environmentally-friendly and cost-effective option for decontamination of HCB-contaminated soils.

  14. IN-SYNC. II. Virial Stars from Subvirial Cores—the Velocity Dispersion of Embedded Pre-main-sequence Stars in NGC 1333

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Foster, Jonathan B.; Cottaar, Michiel; Covey, Kevin R.; Arce, Héctor G.; Meyer, Michael R.; Nidever, David L.; Stassun, Keivan G.; Tan, Jonathan C.; Chojnowski, S. Drew; da Rio, Nicola; Flaherty, Kevin M.; Rebull, Luisa; Frinchaboy, Peter M.; Majewski, Steven R.; Skrutskie, Michael; Wilson, John C.; Zasowski, Gail

    2015-02-01

    The initial velocity dispersion of newborn stars is a major unconstrained aspect of star formation theory. Using near-infrared spectra obtained with the APOGEE spectrograph, we show that the velocity dispersion of young (1-2 Myr) stars in NGC 1333 is 0.92 ± 0.12 km s-1 after correcting for measurement uncertainties and the effect of binaries. This velocity dispersion is consistent with the virial velocity of the region and the diffuse gas velocity dispersion, but significantly larger than the velocity dispersion of the dense, star-forming cores, which have a subvirial velocity dispersion of 0.5 km s-1. Since the NGC 1333 cluster is dynamically young and deeply embedded, this measurement provides a strong constraint on the initial velocity dispersion of newly formed stars. We propose that the difference in velocity dispersion between stars and dense cores may be due to the influence of a 70 μG magnetic field acting on the dense cores or be the signature of a cluster with initial substructure undergoing global collapse.

  15. A generalized quasi-geostrophic core flow formalism

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Amit, H.; Coutelier, M.

    2016-12-01

    The quasi-geostrophic formalism provides a theoretical coupling between toroidal and poloidal core flows. By enforcing impermeable core-mantle boundary, conservation of mass and a linear variation of the axial flow along an axial column, this coupling can be written as div_h · u_h = c tan θ/R u_θ where u_h is the tangential velocity at the top of the core, θ is co-latitude, R is the core radius and c=2 (Amit and Olson, 2004; Amit and Pais, 2013). We extend this theory and develop this expression for different profiles of the axial flow. Our results show that the same expression holds but the value of c may vary depending on the profile of the axial flow, including c=1 as in the tangential geostrophy formalism. These results may therefore provide new constraints on quasi-geostrophic core flow inversions from geomagnetic SV.

  16. MIMO signal progressing with RLSCMA algorithm for multi-mode multi-core optical transmission system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bi, Yuan; Liu, Bo; Zhang, Li-jia; Xin, Xiang-jun; Zhang, Qi; Wang, Yong-jun; Tian, Qing-hua; Tian, Feng; Mao, Ya-ya

    2018-01-01

    In the process of transmitting signals of multi-mode multi-core fiber, there will be mode coupling between modes. The mode dispersion will also occur because each mode has different transmission speed in the link. Mode coupling and mode dispersion will cause damage to the useful signal in the transmission link, so the receiver needs to deal received signal with digital signal processing, and compensate the damage in the link. We first analyzes the influence of mode coupling and mode dispersion in the process of transmitting signals of multi-mode multi-core fiber, then presents the relationship between the coupling coefficient and dispersion coefficient. Then we carry out adaptive signal processing with MIMO equalizers based on recursive least squares constant modulus algorithm (RLSCMA). The MIMO equalization algorithm offers adaptive equalization taps according to the degree of crosstalk in cores or modes, which eliminates the interference among different modes and cores in space division multiplexing(SDM) transmission system. The simulation results show that the distorted signals are restored efficiently with fast convergence speed.

  17. Microstructural characterization of an irradiated RERTR-6 U-7Mo/AA4043 alloy dispersion fuel plate specimen blister-tested to a final temperature of 500°C

    DOE PAGES

    Keiser, Jr., Dennis D.; Jue, Jan -Fong; Gan, Jian; ...

    2017-02-27

    The Material Management and Minimization (M3) Reactor Conversion Program, in the past called the Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactor (RERTR) Program, is developing low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuels for application in research reactors. U–Mo alloy dispersion fuel is one type being developed. Blister testing has been performed on different fuel plate samples to determine the margin to failure for fuel plates irradiated to different fission densities. Microstructural characterization was performed using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy on a sample taken from a U-7Mo/AA4043 matrix dispersion fuel plate irradiated in the RERTR-6 experiment that was blister-tested up tomore » a final temperature of 500°C. The results indicated that two types of grain/cell boundaries were observed in the U- 7Mo fuel particles, one with a relatively low Mo content and fission gas bubbles and a second type enriched in Si, due to interdiffusion from the Si-containing matrix, with little evidence of fission gas bubbles. With respect to the behavior of the major fission gas Xe, a significant amount of the Xe was still observed within the U-7Mo fuel particle, along with microns into the AA4043 matrix. For the fuel/matrix interaction layers that form during fabrication and then grow during irradiation, they change from the as-irradiated amorphous structure to one that is crystalline after blister testing. In the AA4043 matrix, the original Si-rich precipitates, which are typically observed in as-irradiated U-Mo dispersion fuel, get consumed due to interdiffusion with the U-7Mo fuel particles during the blister test. Lastly, the fission gas bubbles that were originally around 2 nm in diameter and resided on a fission gas superlattice in the intragranular regions of as-irradiated U-7Mo fuel grew in size (up to ~20 nm diameter) during blister testing.« less

  18. Microstructural characterization of an irradiated RERTR-6 U-7Mo/AA4043 alloy dispersion fuel plate specimen blister-tested to a final temperature of 500°C

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

    Keiser, Jr., Dennis D.; Jue, Jan -Fong; Gan, Jian

    The Material Management and Minimization (M3) Reactor Conversion Program, in the past called the Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactor (RERTR) Program, is developing low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuels for application in research reactors. U–Mo alloy dispersion fuel is one type being developed. Blister testing has been performed on different fuel plate samples to determine the margin to failure for fuel plates irradiated to different fission densities. Microstructural characterization was performed using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy on a sample taken from a U-7Mo/AA4043 matrix dispersion fuel plate irradiated in the RERTR-6 experiment that was blister-tested up tomore » a final temperature of 500°C. The results indicated that two types of grain/cell boundaries were observed in the U- 7Mo fuel particles, one with a relatively low Mo content and fission gas bubbles and a second type enriched in Si, due to interdiffusion from the Si-containing matrix, with little evidence of fission gas bubbles. With respect to the behavior of the major fission gas Xe, a significant amount of the Xe was still observed within the U-7Mo fuel particle, along with microns into the AA4043 matrix. For the fuel/matrix interaction layers that form during fabrication and then grow during irradiation, they change from the as-irradiated amorphous structure to one that is crystalline after blister testing. In the AA4043 matrix, the original Si-rich precipitates, which are typically observed in as-irradiated U-Mo dispersion fuel, get consumed due to interdiffusion with the U-7Mo fuel particles during the blister test. Lastly, the fission gas bubbles that were originally around 2 nm in diameter and resided on a fission gas superlattice in the intragranular regions of as-irradiated U-7Mo fuel grew in size (up to ~20 nm diameter) during blister testing.« less

  19. Dispersal of Udonella australis (Monogenea: Udonellidae) between caligid copepods Caligus rogercresseyi and Lepeophtheirus mugiloidis on Chilean rock cod.

    PubMed

    Marin, Sandra L; Carvajal, Juan; George-Nascimento, Mario

    2007-04-01

    Udonella australis is a platyhelminth that lives on the surface of the ectoparasite copepods Caligus rogercresseyi and Lepeophtheirus mugiloidis, which coexist on the Chilean rock cod Eleginops maclovinus. The absence of a planktonic oncomiracidium stage in the life cycle of udonellids may limit their dispersal ability. However, the high prevalence and intensity of U. australis on C. rogercresseyi suggest they have developed dispersal strategies to compensate for the lack of a free-living larval stage. The goals of this study were to determine the main dispersal mechanisms of U. australis in 1 copepod species and to compare the dispersal ability of U. australis between 2 different copepod species. Chilean rock cods were infected with female (without udonellids) and male (with and without udonellids) C. rogercresseyi. Other fishes were also infected with this copepod (with U. australis) and with L. mugiloidis (without U. australis). The dispersal of udonellids among copepods occurs through both intraspecific and interspecific processes. The main dispersal mechanism appears to be copepod mating; contact between same-sex individuals is less important. Intraspecific dispersal seems to be more dependent on the number of udonellids per fish than on copepod abundance, as observed for interspecific dispersal.

  20. Solidification of Al-Sn-Cu Based Immiscible Alloys under Intense Shearing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kotadia, H. R.; Doernberg, E.; Patel, J. B.; Fan, Z.; Schmid-Fetzer, R.

    2009-09-01

    The growing importance of Al-Sn based alloys as materials for engineering applications necessitates the development of uniform microstructures with improved performance. Guided by the recently thermodynamically assessed Al-Sn-Cu system, two model immiscible alloys, Al-45Sn-10Cu and Al-20Sn-10Cu, were selected to investigate the effects of intensive melt shearing provided by the novel melt conditioning by advanced shear technology (MCAST) unit on the uniform dispersion of the soft Sn phase in a hard Al matrix. Our experimental results have confirmed that intensive melt shearing is an effective way to achieve fine and uniform dispersion of the soft phase without macro-demixing, and that such dispersed microstructure can be further refined in alloys with precipitation of the primary Al phase prior to the demixing reaction. In addition, it was found that melt shearing at 200 rpm and 60 seconds will be adequate to produce fine and uniform dispersion of the Sn phase, and that higher shearing speed and prolonged shearing time can only achieve minor further refinement.

  1. Al Qaeda and Affiliates: Historical Perspective, Global Presence, and Implications for U.S. Policy

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2010-02-05

    mountainous tribal belt of northwest Pakistan, where it continues to train operatives, recruit, and disseminate propaganda. But Al Qaeda franchises or...April 2005 to U.S. charges of involvement in the September 11 plot, apparently visited Malaysia and met with cell members in 2000. Additionally, the...Qaeda leader, Malaysia was viewed as an ideal location for transiting and meeting because it allowed visa-free entry to citizens of most Gulf states

  2. Preparation of Microcapsules Containing β-Carotene with Thermo Sensitive Curdlan by Utilizing Reverse Dispersion

    PubMed Central

    Taguchi, Yoshinari; Ono, Fumiyasu; Tanaka, Masato

    2013-01-01

    We have tried to microencapsulate β-carotene with curdlan of a thermogelation type polysaccharide. Microcapsules were prepared by utilizing reverse dispersion, in which salada oil was the continuous phase (O’) and the curdlan water slurry (W) was the dispersed phase. β-carotene (O) as a core material was broken into fine oil droplets in the dispersed phase to form the (O/W) dispersion. The (O/W) dispersion was poured in the continuous phase (O’) and stirred to form the (O/W)/O’ dispersion at room temperature and then, temperature of the dispersion was raised to 80 °C to prepare curdlan-microcapusles containing β-carotene. In this microencapsulation process, the concentrations of curdlan and oil soluble surfactant and the impeller speed to form the (O/W)/O’ dispersion were mainly changed stepwise. We were able to prepare microcapsules by the microencapsulation method adopted here. The content of core material was increased with the curdlan concentration and decreased with the impeller speed and the oil soluble surfactant concentration. With the curdlan concentration, the drying rate of microcapsules was decreased and the retention ability for water was increased due to the stable preservation of β-carotene. PMID:24300565

  3. Measuring U-series Disequilibrium in Weathering Rinds to Study the Influence of Environmental Factors to Weathering Rates in Tropical Basse-Terre Island (French Guadeloupe)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Guo, J.; Ma, L.; Sak, P. B.; Gaillardet, J.; Chabaux, F. J.; Brantley, S. L.

    2015-12-01

    Chemical weathering is a critical process to global CO2 consumption, river/ocean chemistry, and nutrient import to biosphere. Weathering rinds experience minimal physical erosion and provide a well-constrained system to study the chemical weathering process. Here, we applied U-series disequilibrium dating method to study weathering advance rates on the wet side of Basse-Terre Island, French Guadeloupe, aiming to understand the role of the precipitation in controlling weathering rates and elucidate the behavior and immobilization mechanisms of U-series isotopes during rind formation. Six weathering clasts from 5 watersheds with mean annual precipitation varying from 2000 to 3000 mm/yr were measured for U-series isotope ratios and major element compositions on linear core-to-rind transects. One sample experienced complete core-to-rind transformation, while the rest clasts contain both rinds and unweathered cores. Our results show that the unweathered cores are under U-series secular equilibrium, while all the rind materials show significant U-series disequilibrium. For most rinds, linear core-to-rind increases of (230Th/232Th) activity ratios suggest a simple continuous U addition history. However, (234U/238U) and (238U/232Th) trends in several clasts show evidences of remobilization of Uranium besides the U addition, complicating the use of U-series dating method. The similarity between U/Th ratios and major elements trends like Fe, Al, P in some transects and the ongoing leaching experiments suggest that redox and organic colloids could control the mobilization of U-series isotopes in the rinds. Rind formation ages and weathering advance rate (0.07-0.29mm/kyr) were calculated for those rinds with a simple U-addition history. Our preliminary results show that local precipitation gradient significantly influenced the weathering advance rate, revealing the potential of estimating weathering advance rates at a large spatial scale using the U-series dating method.

  4. Defining Islamic Way of Warfare and Its Comparison with Al Qaeda Doctrine

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2012-06-08

    DEFINING ISLAMIC WAY OF WARFARE AND ITS COMPARISON WITH AL QAEDA DOCTRINE A thesis presented to the Faculty of the U.S. Army...subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. PLEASE DO...Islamic way of warfare. It is important to understand that anything, to be qualified as Islamic, has to have a reference from the core sources of Islam

  5. Positive solutions for nonlocal dispersal equation with spatial degeneracy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sun, Jian-Wen

    2018-02-01

    In this paper, we consider the positive solutions of the nonlocal dispersal equation \\int \\limits _{Ω }J(x,y)[u(y)-u(x)]dy=-λ m(x)u(x)+[c(x)+ɛ ]u^p(x) \\quad { in }\\bar{Ω }, where Ω \\subset R^N is a bounded domain, λ ,ɛ and p>1 are positive constants. The dispersal kernel J and the coefficient c( x) are nonnegative, but c( x) has a degeneracy in some subdomain of Ω . In order to study the influence of heterogeneous environment on the nonlocal system, we study the sharp spatial patterns of positive solutions as ɛ → 0. We obtain that the positive solutions always have blow-up asymptotic profiles in \\bar{Ω }. Meanwhile, we find that the profiles in degeneracy domain are different from the domain without degeneracy.

  6. Status of the core and the mini core collections for the U.S. gemrplasm collection of peanut

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    To maximize their usefulness, core and mini core collections should be dynamic. The peanut core collection was developed in the early 1990's, and the mini core was developed in the late 1990's. Research has shown that these collections can be used to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of ide...

  7. Nonlinear optics in hollow-core photonic bandgap fibers.

    PubMed

    Bhagwat, Amar R; Gaeta, Alexander L

    2008-03-31

    Hollow-core photonic-bandgap fibers provide a new geometry for the realization and enhancement of many nonlinear optical effects. Such fibers offer novel guidance and dispersion properties that provide an advantage over conventional fibers for various applications. In this review we summarize the nonlinear optics experiments that have been performed using these hollow-core fibers.

  8. Spatial characterization of catchment dispersion mechanisms in an urban context

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rossel, Florian; Gironás, Jorge; Mejía, Alfonso; Rinaldo, Andrea; Rodriguez, Fabrice

    2014-12-01

    Previous studies have examined in-depth the dispersion mechanisms in natural catchments. In contrast, these dispersion mechanisms have been studied little in urban catchments, where artificial transport elements and morphological arrangements are expected to modify travel times and mobilize excess rainfall from spatially distributed impervious sites. This has the ability to modify the variance of the catchment's travel times and hence the total dispersion. This work quantifies the dispersion mechanisms in an urban catchment using the theory of transport by travel times as represented by the Urban Morpho-climatic Instantaneous Unit Hydrograph (U-McIUH) model. The U-McIUH computes travel times based on kinematic wave theory and accounts explicitly for the path heterogeneities and altered connectivity patterns characteristic of an urban drainage network. The analysis is illustrated using the Aubinière urban catchment in France as a case study. We found that kinematic dispersion is dominant for small rainfall intensities, whereas geomorphologic dispersion becomes more dominant for larger intensities. The total dispersion scales with the drainage area in a power law fashion. The kinematic dispersion is dominant across spatial scales up to a threshold of approximately 2-3 km2, after which the geomorphologic dispersion becomes more dominant. Overall, overland flow is responsible for most of the dispersion in the catchment, while conduits tend to counteract the increase of the geomorphologic dispersion with a negative kinematic dispersion. Further study with other catchments is needed to asses if the latter is a general feature of urban drainage networks.

  9. The use of dispersion modeling to determine the feasibility of vegetative environmental buffers (VEBS) at controlling odor dispersion

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Weber, Eric E.

    Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) have been experiencing increased resistance from surrounding residents making construction of new facilities or expansion of existing ones increasingly limited (Jacobson et al., 2002). Such concerns often include the impact of nuisance odor on peoples’ lives and on the environment (Huang and Miller, 2006). Vegetative environmental buffers (VEBs) have been suggested as a possible odor control technology. They have been found to impact odor plume dispersion and have shown the possibility of being an effective tool for odor abatement when used alone or in combination with other technologies (Lin et al., 2006). The main objective of this study was to use Gaussian-type dispersion modeling to determine the feasibility of use and the effectiveness of a VEB at controlling the spread of odor from a swine feeding operation. First, wind tunnel NH3 dispersion trends were compared to model generated dispersion trends to determine the accuracy of the model at handling VEB dispersion. Next, facility-scale (northern Missouri specific) model simulations with and without a VEB were run to determine its viability as an option for dispersion reduction. Finally, dispersion forecasts that integrated numerical weather forecasts were developed and compared to collected concentration data to determine forecast accuracy. The results of this study found that dispersion models can be used to simulate dispersion around a VEB. AERMOD-generated dispersion trends were found to follow similar patterns of decreasing downwind concentration to those of both wind tunnel simulations and previous research. This shows that a VEB can be incorporated into AERMOD and that the model can be used to determine its effectiveness as an odor control option. The results of this study also showed that a VEB has an effect on odor dispersion by reducing downwind concentrations. This was confirmed by both wind tunnel and AERMOD simulations of dispersion displaying

  10. Vibroacoustic Characterization of Corrugated-Core and Honeycomb-Core Sandwich Panels

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Allen, Albert; Schiller, Noah

    2016-01-01

    The vibroacoustic characteristics of two candidate launch vehicle fairing structures, corrugated- core and honeycomb-core sandwich designs, were studied. The study of these structures has been motivated by recent risk reduction efforts focused on mitigating high noise levels within the payload bays of large launch vehicles during launch. The corrugated-core sandwich concept is of particular interest as a dual purpose structure due to its ability to harbor resonant noise control systems without appreciably adding mass or taking up additional volume. Specifically, modal information, wavelength dispersion, and damping were determined from a series of vibrometer measurements and subsequent analysis procedures carried out on two test panels. Numerical and analytical modeling techniques were also used to assess assumed material properties and to further illuminate underlying structural dynamic aspects. Results from the tests and analyses described herein may serve as a reference for additional vibroacoustic studies involving these or similar structures.

  11. Resistance of Benghal Dayflower (Commelina benghalensis) Seeds to Harsh Environments and the Implications for Dispersal by Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura) in Georgia, U.S.A.

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The potential dispersal of Benghal dayflower seeds by mourning doves was studied in southern Georgia, U.S.A. The gut contents (both crop and gizzard) of mourning doves harvested in the autumn months were investigated to determine if mourning doves fed on Benghal dayflower and whether seeds can surv...

  12. Synthesis of parallel and antiparallel core-shell triangular nanoparticles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bhattacharjee, Gourab; Satpati, Biswarup

    2018-04-01

    Core-shell triangular nanoparticles were synthesized by seed mediated growth. Using triangular gold (Au) nanoparticle as template, we have grown silver (Ag) shellto get core-shell nanoparticle. Here by changing the chemistry we have grown two types of core-shell structures where core and shell is having same symmetry and also having opposite symmetry. Both core and core-shell nanoparticles were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) to know the crystal structure and composition of these synthesized core-shell nanoparticles. From diffraction pattern analysis and energy filtered TEM (EFTEM) we have confirmed the crystal facet in core is responsible for such two dimensional growth of core-shell nanostructures.

  13. RLINE: Re-formulation of Plume Spread for Near-Surface Dispersion

    EPA Science Inventory

    Recent concerns about effects of automobile emissions on the health of people living close to roads have motivated an examination of models to estimate dispersion in the surface boundary layer. During the development of a new line source dispersion model, RLINE (Snyder et al., 20...

  14. The effect of Si and Al concentrations on the removal of U(VI) in the alkaline conditions created by NH3 gas

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

    Katsenovich, Yelena P.; Cardona, Claudia; Lapierre, Robert

    2016-10-01

    Remediation of uranium in the deep unsaturated zone is a challenging task, especially in the presence of oxygenated, high-carbonate alkalinity soil and pore water composition typical for arid and semi-arid environments of the western regions of the U.S. This study evaluates the effect of various pore water constituencies on changes of uranium concentrations in alkaline conditions, created in the presence of reactive gases such as NH3 to effectively mitigate uranium contamination in the vadose zone sediments. This contaminant is a potential source for groundwater pollution through slow infiltration of soluble and highly mobile uranium species towards the water table. Themore » objective of this research was to evaluate uranium sequestration efficiencies in the alkaline synthetic pore water solutions prepared in a broad range of Si, Al, and bicarbonate concentrations typically present in field systems of the western U.S. regions and identify solid uranium-bearing phases that result from ammonia gas treatment. In previous studies (Szecsody et al. 2012; Zhong et al. 2015), although uranium mobility was greatly decreased, solid phases could not be identified at the low uranium concentrations in field-contaminated sediments. The chemical composition of the synthetic pore water used in the experiments varied for silica (5–250 mM), Al3+ (2.8 or 5 mM), HCO3- (0–100 mM) and U(VI) (0.0021–0.0084 mM) in the solution mixture. Experiment results suggested that solutions with Si concentrations higher than 50 mM exhibited greater removal efficiencies of U(VI). Solutions with higher concentrations of bicarbonate also exhibited greater removal efficiencies for Si, Al, and U(VI). Overall, the silica polymerization reaction leading to the formation of Si gel correlated with the removal of U(VI), Si, and Al from the solution. If no Si polymerization was observed, there was no U removal from the supernatant solution. Speciation modeling indicated that the dominant uranium

  15. Apparatus for controlling molten core debris

    DOEpatents

    Golden, Martin P. [Trafford, PA; Tilbrook, Roger W. [Monroeville, PA; Heylmun, Neal F. [Pittsburgh, PA

    1977-07-19

    Apparatus for containing, cooling, diluting, dispersing and maintaining subcritical the molten core debris assumed to melt through the bottom of a nuclear reactor pressure vessel in the unlikely event of a core meltdown. The apparatus is basically a sacrificial bed system which includes an inverted conical funnel, a core debris receptacle including a spherical dome, a spherically layered bed of primarily magnesia bricks, a cooling system of zig-zag piping in graphite blocks about and below the bed and a cylindrical liner surrounding the graphite blocks including a steel shell surrounded by firebrick. Tantalum absorber rods are used in the receptacle and bed.

  16. The composition of Earth's core from equations of state, metal-silicate partitioning, and core formation modeling

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fischer, Rebecca; Campbell, Andrew; Ciesla, Fred

    2016-04-01

    The Earth accreted in a series of increasingly large and violent collisions. Simultaneously, the metallic core segregated from the silicate mantle, acquiring its modern composition through high pressure (P), high temperature (T) partitioning reactions. Here we present a model that couples these aspects of early planetary evolution, building on recent accretion simulations and metal-silicate partitioning experiments, constrained by density measurements of Fe-rich alloys. Previously, the equations of state of FeO, Fe-9Si, Fe-16Si, and FeSi were measured to megabar pressures and several thousand K using a laser-heated diamond anvil cell. With these equations of state, we determined that the core's density can be reproduced through the addition of 11.3 +/- 0.6 wt% silicon or 8.1 +/- 1.1 wt% oxygen to an Fe-Ni alloy (Fischer et al., 2011, 2014). Metal-silicate partitioning experiments of Ni, Co, V, Cr, Si, and O have been performed in a diamond anvil cell to 100 GPa and 5700 K, allowing the effects of P, T, and composition on the partitioning behaviors of these elements to be parameterized (Fischer et al., 2015; Siebert et al., 2012). Here we apply those experimental results to model Earth's core formation, using N-body simulations to describe the delivery, masses, and original locations of planetary building blocks (Fischer and Ciesla, 2014). As planets accrete, their core and mantle compositions are modified by high P-T reactions with each collision (Rubie et al., 2011). For partial equilibration of the mantle at 55% of the evolving core-mantle boundary pressure and the liquidus temperature, we find that the core contains 5.4 wt% Si and 1.9 wt% O. This composition is consistent with the seismologically-inferred density of Earth's core, based on comparisons to our equations of state, and indicate that the core cannot contain more than ~2 wt% S or C. Earth analogues experience 1.2 +/- 0.2 log units of oxidation during accretion, due to both the effects of high P

  17. An oxide dispersion strengthened Ni-W-Al alloy with superior high temperature strength

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Glasgow, T. K.

    1976-01-01

    Oxide dispersion strengthened alloys based on the WAZ-20 nickel-base alloy were prepared by the mechanical alloying process described by Benjamin (1973), and evaluated. The results of microstructural examinations and mechanical property determinations are discussed. It is shown that WAZ-20, a high gamma-prime fraction alloy having a high gamma-prime solvus temperature, can be effectively dispersion strengthened. The strengths obtained were outstanding, especially at 1150 and 1205 C. The strength is attributed to a combination of highly alloyed matrix, elongated grain structure, and hard phase dispersion. Tensile ductility can be improved by post-recrystallization heat treatment. The new alloy shows some potential for low stress post-extrusion forming.

  18. Core Composition and the Magnetic Field of Mercury

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Spohn, T.; Breuer, D.

    2005-05-01

    The density of Mercury suggests a core of approximately 1800 km radius and a mantle of approximately 600 km thickness. Convection in the mantle is often claimed to be capable of freezing the core over the lifetime of the solar system if the core is nearly pure iron. The thermal history calculations of Stevenson et al. (1983) and Schubert et al. (1988) suggest that about 5 weight-% sulphur are required to lower the core liquidus sufficiently to prevent complete freezing of the core and maintain a significant fluid outer core shell. Other candidates for a light alloying element require similarly large concentrations. The requirement of a significant concentration of volatile elements in the core is likely to be at variance with cosmochemical arguments for a mostly refractory, volatile poor composition of the planet. We have re-addressed the question of the freezing of Mercury's core using parameterized convection models based on the stagnant lid theory of planetary mantle convection. We have compared these results to earlier calculations (Conzelmann and Spohn, 1999) of Hermian mantle convection using a finite-amplitude convection code. We find consistently that the stagnant lid tends to thermally insulate the deep interior and we find mantle and core temperatures significantly larger than those calculated by Stevenson et al. (1983) and Schubert et al. (1988). As a consequence we find fluid outer core shells for reasonable mantle rheology parameters even for compositions with as little as 0.1 weight-% sulphur. Stevenson, D.J., T. Spohn, and G. Schubert. Icarus, 54, 466, 1983. Schubert, G. M.N. Ross, D.J. Stevenson, and T. Spohn, in Mercury, F. Vilas, C.R. Chapman and M.S. Matthews, eds., p.429, 1988. Conzelmann, V. and T. Spohn, Bull. Am. Astr. Soc., 31, 1102, 1999.

  19. Water Quality Criteria for Disperse Red 9

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1987-07-01

    reported in Chin and Borer 1983). The parent compound of Disperse Red 9 is 9,10-anthraquinone; many of the natural and synthetic derivatives of 9,10...and carbonaceous matter (Rubin et al. 1983). 14 The combustion products are a result of thermal decomposition, thermal rearrangement of the parent dye...with individuals becoming more sensitive to subsequent contact (Tatyrok 1965). Parent (1964) reported that Disperse Red 9 is only slightly toxic by

  20. Key characteristics of the Fe-snow regime in Ganymede's core

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rückriemen, Tina; Breuer, Doris; Spohn, Tilman

    2014-05-01

    , respectively. Since Ganymede's core heat flux does not exceed values of 4 mW/m2 [2], we consider the snow zone to be stable against thermal convection. The time necessary to grow the snow zone across the core is between 230-1900 Myr. For representative models we calculate the temporal evolution of the surface dipolar magnetic field strength according to [5]. All models show surface dipolar magnetic field strengths during the evolution of the snow zone that match the observed value of |Bdip|≡719 nT. In conclusion, we find that the Fe-snow regime produces a stably-stratified liquid layer in the snow zone below which a magnetic field of observed strength can be generated. Such a chemical dynamo is restricted in time and stops as soon as an inner solid core starts to grow suggesting the absence of such an inner core in Ganymede. The present model further suggests a core with high initial sulfur concentration, because this leads to a late start and a long duration of the dynamo necessary to explain the present magnetic field. References [1] Kivelson, M et al. (1996), Nature, 384(6609), [2] Hauck II, S. et al. (2006), JGR, 111(E9), [3] Williams, Q. (2009), EPSL, 284(3), [4] Christensen, U. and J. Wicht (2007), Treatise of Geophysics, Elsevier, [5] Christensen, U., and J. Aubert (2006), GJI, 166(1)

  1. Silicone-containing aqueous polymer dispersions with hybrid particle structure.

    PubMed

    Kozakiewicz, Janusz; Ofat, Izabela; Trzaskowska, Joanna

    2015-09-01

    In this paper the synthesis, characterization and application of silicone-containing aqueous polymer dispersions (APD) with hybrid particle structure are reviewed based on available literature data. Advantages of synthesis of dispersions with hybrid particle structure over blending of individual dispersions are pointed out. Three main processes leading to silicone-containing hybrid APD are identified and described in detail: (1) emulsion polymerization of organic unsaturated monomers in aqueous dispersions of silicone polymers or copolymers, (2) emulsion copolymerization of unsaturated organic monomers with alkoxysilanes or polysiloxanes with unsaturated functionality and (3) emulsion polymerization of alkoxysilanes (in particular with unsaturated functionality) and/or cyclic siloxanes in organic polymer dispersions. The effect of various factors on the properties of such hybrid APD and films as well as on hybrid particles composition and morphology is presented. It is shown that core-shell morphology where silicones constitute either the core or the shell is predominant in hybrid particles. Main applications of silicone-containing hybrid APD and related hybrid particles are reviewed including (1) coatings which show specific surface properties such as enhanced water repellency or antisoiling or antigraffiti properties due to migration of silicone to the surface, and (2) impact modifiers for thermoplastics and thermosets. Other processes in which silicone-containing particles with hybrid structure can be obtained (miniemulsion polymerization, polymerization in non-aqueous media, hybridization of organic polymer and polysiloxane, emulsion polymerization of silicone monomers in silicone polymer dispersions and physical methods) are also discussed. Prospects for further developments in the area of silicone-containing hybrid APD and related hybrid particles are presented. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  2. Application of ethyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose and octadecanol for wax based floating solid dispersion pellets.

    PubMed

    Yan, Hong-Xiang; Zhang, Shuang-Shuang; He, Jian-Hua; Liu, Jian-Ping

    2016-09-05

    The present study aimed to develop and optimize the wax based floating sustained-release dispersion pellets for a weakly acidic hydrophilic drug protocatechuic acid to achieve prolonged gastric residence time and improved bioavailability. This low-density drug delivery system consisted of octadecanol/microcrystalline cellulose mixture matrix pellet cores prepared by extrusion-spheronization technique, coated with drug/ethyl cellulose 100cp solid dispersion using single-step fluid-bed coating method. The formulation-optimized pellets could maintain excellent floating state without lag time and sustain the drug release efficiently for 12h based on non-Fickian transport mechanism. Observed by SEM, the optimized pellet was the dispersion-layered spherical structure containing a compact inner core. DSC, XRD and FTIR analysis revealed drug was uniformly dispersed in the amorphous molecule form and had no significant physicochemical interactions with the polymer dispersion carrier. The stability study of the resultant pellets further proved the rationality and integrity of the developed formulation. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  3. Growth and Characterisation of GaAs/AlGaAs Core-shell Nanowires for Optoelectronic Device Applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jiang, Nian

    III-V semiconductor nanowires have been investigated as key components for future electronic and optoelectronic devices and systems due to their direct band gap and high electron mobility. Amongst the III-V semiconductors, the planar GaAs material system has been extensively studied and used in industries. Accordingly, GaAs nanowires are the prime candidates for nano-scale devices. However, the electronic performance of GaAs nanowires has yet to match that of state-of-the-art planar GaAs devices. The present deficiency of GaAs nanowires is typically attributed to the large surface-to- volume ratio and the tendency for non-radiative recombination centres to form at the surface. The favoured solution of this problem is by coating GaAs nanowires with AlGaAs shells, which replaces the GaAs surface with GaAs/AlGaAs interface. This thesis presents a systematic study of GaAs/AlGaAs core-shell nanowires grown by metal organic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD), including understanding the growth, and characterisation of their structural and optical properties. The structures of the nanowires were mainly studied by scanning electron microscopy and transmis- sion electron microscopy (TEM). A procedure of microtomy was developed to prepare the cross-sectional samples for the TEM studies. The optical properties were charac- terised by photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Carrier lifetimes were measured by time-resolved PL. The growth of AlGaAs shell was optimised to obtain the best optical properties, e.g. the strongest PL emission and the longest minority carrier lifetimes. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.).

  4. Differentiated planetesimal impacts into a terrestrial magma ocean: Fate of the iron core

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kendall, Jordan D.; Melosh, H. J.

    2016-08-01

    The abundance of moderately siderophile elements (;iron-loving;; e.g. Co, Ni) in the Earth's mantle is 10 to 100 times larger than predicted by chemical equilibrium between silicate melt and iron at low pressure, but it does match expectation for equilibrium at high pressure and temperature. Recent studies of differentiated planetesimal impacts assume that planetesimal cores survive the impact intact as concentrated masses that passively settle from a zero initial velocity and undergo turbulent entrainment in a global magma ocean; under these conditions, cores greater than 10 km in diameter do not fully mix without a sufficiently deep magma ocean. We have performed hydrocode simulations that revise this assumption and yield a clearer picture of the impact process for differentiated planetesimals possessing iron cores with radius = 100 km that impact into magma oceans. The impact process strips away the silicate mantle of the planetesimal and then stretches the iron core, dispersing the liquid iron into a much larger volume of the underlying liquid silicate mantle. Lagrangian tracer particles track the initially intact iron core as the impact stretches and disperses the core. The final displacement distance of initially closest tracer pairs gives a metric of core stretching. The statistics of stretching imply mixing that separates the iron core into sheets, ligaments, and smaller fragments, on a scale of 10 km or less. The impact dispersed core fragments undergo further mixing through turbulent entrainment as the molten iron fragments rain through the magma ocean and settle deeper into the planet. Our results thus support the idea that iron in the cores of even large differentiated planetesimals can chemically equilibrate deep in a terrestrial magma ocean.

  5. Theory and X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy for Aluminum Coordination Complexes – Al K-Edge Studies of Charge and Bonding in (BDI)Al, (BDI)AlR2, and (BDI)AlX2 Complexes.

    PubMed

    Altman, Alison B; Pemmaraju, C D; Camp, Clément; Arnold, John; Minasian, Stefan G; Prendergast, David; Shuh, David K; Tyliszczak, Tolek

    2015-08-19

    Polarized aluminum K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy and first-principles calculations were used to probe electronic structure in a series of (BDI)Al, (BDI)AlX2, and (BDI)AlR2 coordination compounds (X = F, Cl, I; R = H, Me; BDI = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl-β-diketiminate). Spectral interpretations were guided by examination of the calculated transition energies and polarization-dependent oscillator strengths, which agreed well with the XANES spectroscopy measurements. Pre-edge features were assigned to transitions associated with the Al 3p orbitals involved in metal-ligand bonding. Qualitative trends in Al 1s core energy and valence orbital occupation were established through a systematic comparison of excited states derived from Al 3p orbitals with similar symmetries in a molecular orbital framework. These trends suggested that the higher transition energies observed for (BDI)AlX2 systems with more electronegative X(1-) ligands could be ascribed to a decrease in electron density around the aluminum atom, which causes an increase in the attractive potential of the Al nucleus and concomitant increase in the binding energy of the Al 1s core orbitals. For (BDI)Al and (BDI)AlH2 the experimental Al K-edge XANES spectra and spectra calculated using the eXcited electron and Core-Hole (XCH) approach had nearly identical energies for transitions to final state orbitals of similar composition and symmetry. These results implied that the charge distributions about the aluminum atoms in (BDI)Al and (BDI)AlH2 are similar relative to the (BDI)AlX2 and (BDI)AlMe2 compounds, despite having different formal oxidation states of +1 and +3, respectively. However, (BDI)Al was unique in that it exhibited a low-energy feature that was attributed to transitions into a low-lying p-orbital of b1 symmetry that is localized on Al and orthogonal to the (BDI)Al plane. The presence of this low-energy unoccupied molecular orbital on electron-rich (BDI)Al distinguishes

  6. Isotopic compositions of (236)U and Pu isotopes in "black substances" collected from roadsides in Fukushima prefecture: fallout from the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant accident.

    PubMed

    Sakaguchi, Aya; Steier, Peter; Takahashi, Yoshio; Yamamoto, Masayoshi

    2014-04-01

    Black-colored road dusts were collected in high-radiation areas in Fukushima Prefecture. Measurement of (236)U and Pu isotopes and (134,137)Cs in samples was performed to confirm whether refractory elements, such as U and Pu, from the fuel core were discharged and to ascertain the extent of fractionation between volatile and refractory elements. The concentrations of (134,137)Cs in all samples were exceptionally high, ranging from 0.43 to 17.7 MBq/kg, respectively. (239+240)Pu was detected at low levels, ranging from 0.15 to 1.14 Bq/kg, and with high (238)Pu/(239+240)Pu activity ratios of 1.64-2.64. (236)U was successfully determined in the range of (0.28 to 6.74) × 10(-4) Bq/kg. The observed activity ratios for (236)U/(239+240)Pu were in reasonable agreement with those calculated for the fuel core inventories, indicating that trace amounts of U from the fuel cores were released together with Pu isotopes but without large fractionation. The quantities of U and (239+240)Pu emitted to the atmosphere were estimated as 3.9 × 10(6) Bq (150 g) and 2.3 × 10(9) Bq (580 mg), respectively. With regard to U, this is the first report to give a quantitative estimation of the amount discharged. Appreciable fractionation between volatile and refractory radionuclides associated with the dispersal/deposition processes with distance from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant was found.

  7. The Al-Jazeera News Network: Opportunity or Challenge for U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2003-07-23

    vehemently. During the war in Afghanistan in 2001, Al- Jazeera’s Kabul office was accidently struck by U.S. fire. Despite Ayoub’s death , a recent article...series entitled “ Horseman Without a Horse.” The story was a chronicle of the Arab struggle against colonial rule and against the establishment of the

  8. Possible Role of Hydrogen in the Earth Core

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Takahashi, E.; Imai, T.

    2011-12-01

    Possible role of hydrogen in the Earth core has been discussed by Stevenson (1977) and demonstrated experimentally by Fukai (1984), Okuchi (1997) and others. Planetary theory proposes a possibility of hydrogen incorporation in Earth's magma ocean from ambient solar nebula gas (Ikoma & Genda 2005, Genda & Ikoma 2008). More recently, migration of snow line during planet formation was examined (Min et al., 2010; Oka et al, 2011) and it was proposed that the Earth building material originally contained abundant water as ice and hydrous minerals. Therefore, it is very important to investigate the fate of water in the planet building process and clarify the role of hydrogen in the planetary core. Using SPring-8 synchrotron (NaCl capsule, LiAlH4 as hydrogen source), we determined the melting curve of FeH up to 20 GPa under hydrogen saturated conditions (Sakamaki, Takahashi et al, 2009). Observed melting point is below 1300C and has a very small dT/dP slope. By extrapolating the melting curve using Lindeman's law, we proposed that hydrogen could lower the melting temperature of the Earth core by more than 1500K than current estimate. Here we report our new experiments using SPring-8 synchrotron (single crystal diamond capsule, water as hydrogen source). Hydrogen concentration and melting temperature of FeHx that coexists with hydrous mantle minerals were determined at 15-20GPa and 1000-1600C. We show that 1) hydrogen concentration in FeHx at 1000C, coexisting with hydrous-B and ringwoodite is approximately X=0.6. 2) Upon heating, hydrous-B decomposes and hydrogen strongly partitions into FeHx (X=0.8~1.0) than ringwoodite. 3) FeHx that coexists with ringwoodite melts between ~1300C (solidus) and ~1600C (liquidus). Combined our new experiments with those by Sakamaki et al (2009) and Shibazaki et al (2009), partitioning of hydrogen between proto-core and primitive mantle is discussed. We propose that >90% of water in the source material may have entered the Earth core. Given

  9. Super-Earths as Failed Cores in Orbital Migration Traps

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hasegawa, Yasuhiro

    2016-11-01

    I explore whether close-in super-Earths were formed as rocky bodies that failed to grow fast enough to become the cores of gas giants before the natal protostellar disk dispersed. I model the failed cores’ inward orbital migration in the low-mass or type I regime to stopping points at distances where the tidal interaction with the protostellar disk applies zero net torque. The three kinds of migration traps considered are those due to the dead zone's outer edge, the ice line, and the transition from accretion to starlight as the disk's main heat source. As the disk disperses, the traps move toward final positions near or just outside 1 au. Planets at this location exceeding about 3 M ⊕ open a gap, decouple from their host traps, and migrate inward in the high-mass or type II regime to reach the vicinity of the star. I synthesize the population of planets that formed in this scenario, finding that a fraction of the observed super-Earths could have been failed cores. Most super-Earths that formed this way have more than 4 M ⊕, so their orbits when the disks dispersed were governed by type II migration. These planets have solid cores surrounded by gaseous envelopes. Their subsequent photoevaporative mass loss is most effective for masses originally below about 6 M ⊕. The failed core scenario suggests a division of the observed super-Earth mass-radius diagram into five zones according to the inferred formation history.

  10. Studies of Al-Ti Alloys by SEM

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yildiz, K.; Atici, Y.; Keşlİ Oǧlu, K.; Yaşar, E.

    2007-04-01

    Al-Ti (1, 2 wt. %) alloys were investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). SEM observations and energy-dispersive x-ray analyses (EDX) showed that the phase structure of Al-Ti (1 %) alloy at 165 μm/s is composed of Al matrix and C, Ni, Fe and Si particles and the Al-Ti (1 %) alloys at 16 and 8 μm/s have only the Al matrix and C particles. It was also found that the Al-Ti (2 %) form the Al matrix and intermetallic TiAl.

  11. Dispersive transport and symmetry of the dispersion tensor in porous media

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pride, Steven R.; Vasco, Donald W.; Flekkoy, Eirik G.; Holtzman, Ran

    2017-04-01

    The macroscopic laws controlling the advection and diffusion of solute at the scale of the porous continuum are derived in a general manner that does not place limitations on the geometry and time evolution of the pore space. Special focus is given to the definition and symmetry of the dispersion tensor that is controlling how a solute plume spreads out. We show that the dispersion tensor is not symmetric and that the asymmetry derives from the advective derivative in the pore-scale advection-diffusion equation. When flow is spatially variable across a voxel, such as in the presence of a permeability gradient, the amount of asymmetry can be large. As first shown by Auriault [J.-L. Auriault et al. Transp. Porous Med. 85, 771 (2010), 10.1007/s11242-010-9591-y] in the limit of low Péclet number, we show that at any Péclet number, the dispersion tensor Di j satisfies the flow-reversal symmetry Di j(+q ) =Dj i(-q ) where q is the mean flow in the voxel under analysis; however, Reynold's number must be sufficiently small that the flow is reversible when the force driving the flow changes sign. We also demonstrate these symmetries using lattice-Boltzmann simulations and discuss some subtle aspects of how to measure the dispersion tensor numerically. In particular, the numerical experiments demonstrate that the off-diagonal components of the dispersion tensor are antisymmetric which is consistent with the analytical dependence on the average flow gradients that we propose for these off-diagonal components.

  12. Tellurite microstructure fibers with small hexagonal core for supercontinuum generation.

    PubMed

    Liao, Meisong; Chaudhari, Chitrarekha; Qin, Guanshi; Yan, Xin; Suzuki, Takenobu; Ohishi, Yasutake

    2009-07-06

    Tellurite glass microstructure fibers with a 1 microm hexagonal core were fabricated successfully by accurately controlling the temperature field in the fiber-drawing process. The diameter ratio of holey region to core (DRHC) for the fiber can be adjusted freely in the range of 1-20 by pumping a positive pressure into the holes when drawing fiber, which provides much freedom in engineering the chromatic dispersion. With the increase of DRHC from 3.5 to 20, the zero dispersion wavelengths were shifted several hundred nanometers, the cutoff wavelength due to confinement loss was increased from 1600 nm to 3800 nm, and the nonlinear coefficient gamma was increased from 3.9 to 5.7 W(-1)/m. Efficient visible emissions due to third harmonic generation were found for fibers with a DRHC of 10 and 20 under the 1557 nm pump of a femtosecond fiber laser. One octave flattened supercontinuum spectrum was generated from fibers with a DRHC of 3.5, 10 and 20 by the 1064 nm pump of a picosecond fiber laser. To the best of our knowledge, we have for the first time fabricated a hexagonal core fiber by soft glass with such a small core size, and have demonstrated a large influence of the holey region on the dispersion, nonlinear coefficient and supercontinuum generation for such fiber.

  13. Thermodynamic modelling of the C-U and B-U binary systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chevalier, P. Y.; Fischer, E.

    2001-02-01

    The thermodynamic modelling of the carbon-uranium (C-U) and boron-uranium (B-U) binary systems is being performed in the framework of the development of a thermodynamic database for nuclear materials, for increasing the basic knowledge of key phenomena which may occur in the event of a severe accident in a nuclear power plant. Applications are foreseen in the nuclear safety field to the physico-chemical interaction modelling, on the one hand the in-vessel core degradation producing the corium (fuel, zircaloy, steel, control rods) and on the other hand the ex-vessel molten corium-concrete interaction (MCCI). The key O-U-Zr ternary system, previously modelled, allows us to describe the first interaction of the fuel with zircaloy cladding. Then, the three binary systems Fe-U, Cr-U and Ni-U were modelled as a preliminary work for modelling the O-U-Zr-Fe-Cr-Ni multicomponent system, allowing us to introduce the steel components in the corium. In the existing database (TDBCR, thermodynamic data base for corium), Ag and In were introduced for modelling AIC (silver-indium-cadmium) control rods which are used in French pressurized water reactors (PWR). Elsewhere, B 4C is also used for control rods. That is why it was agreed to extend in the next years the database with two new components, B and C. Such a work needs the thermodynamic modelling of all the binary and pseudo-binary sub-systems resulting from the combination of B, B 2O 3 and C with the major components of TDBCR, O-U-Zr-Fe-Cr-Ni-Ag-In-Ba-La-Ru-Sr-Al-Ca-Mg-Si + Ar-H. The critical assessment of the very numerous experimental information available for the C-U and B-U binary systems was performed by using a classical optimization procedure and the Scientific Group Thermodata Europe (SGTE). New optimized Gibbs energy parameters are given, and comparisons between calculated and experimental equilibrium phase diagrams or thermodynamic properties are presented. The self-consistency obtained is quite satisfactory.

  14. Determination of selenium in biological samples with an energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer.

    PubMed

    Li, Xiaoli; Yu, Zhaoshui

    2016-05-01

    Selenium is both a nutrient and a toxin. Selenium-especially organic selenium-is a core component of human nutrition. Thus, it is very important to measure selenium in biological samples. The limited sensitivity of conventional XRF hampers its widespread use in biological samples. Here, we describe the use of high-energy (100kV, 600W) linearly polarized beam energy-dispersive X-Ray fluorescence spectroscopy (EDXRF) in tandem with a three-dimensional optics design to determine 0.1-5.1μgg(-1) levels of selenium in biological samples. The effects of various experimental parameters such as applied voltage, acquisition time, secondary target and various filters were thoroughly investigated. The detection limit of selenium in biological samples via high-energy (100kV, 600W) linearly polarized beam energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy was decreased by one order of magnitude versus conventional XRF (Paltridge et al., 2012) and found to be 0.1μg/g. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to describe EDXRF measurements of Se in biological samples with important implications for the nutrition and analytical chemistry communities. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  15. A model for evaluating dispersed outdoor recreation use estimation

    Treesearch

    Stanley J. Zarnoch; Donald B. K. English; Susan M. Kocis

    2004-01-01

    An outdoor recreation use simulator (ORUS) has been developed to simulate dispersed recreation survey data similar to that collected by the National Visitor Use Monitoring (NVUM) Project's survey of the national forests of the U.S.A. Statistical distributions are used to represent the various behaviors of recreationists during their visit to a dispersed area. The...

  16. Emerald ash borer adult dispersal

    Treesearch

    Robert A. Haack; Toby R. Petrice

    2003-01-01

    The emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, is an Asian buprestid beetle that was first discovered in Michigan and Ontario in 2002 (Haack et al. 2002). Smaller populations, resulting from movement of infested host material, were found in Ohio, Maryland, and Virginia in 2003. EAB adult dispersal has not been studied in Asia; however,...

  17. Addendum: ``The Dynamics of M15: Observations of the Velocity Dispersion Profile and Fokker-Planck Models'' (ApJ, 481, 267 [1997])

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dull, J. D.; Cohn, H. N.; Lugger, P. M.; Murphy, B. W.; Seitzer, P. O.; Callanan, P. J.; Rutten, R. G. M.; Charles, P. A.

    2003-03-01

    It has recently come to our attention that there are axis scale errors in three of the figures presented in Dull et al. (1997, hereafter D97). This paper presented Fokker-Planck models for the collapsed-core globular cluster M15 that include a dense, centrally concentrated population of neutron stars and massive white dwarfs. These models do not include a central black hole. Figure 12 of D97, which presents the predicted mass-to-light profile, is of particular interest, since it was used by Gerssen et al. (2002) as an input to their Jeans equation analysis of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) STIS velocity measurements reported by van der Marel et al. (2002). On the basis of the original, incorrect version of Figure 12, Gerssen et al. (2002) concluded that the D97 models can fit the new data only with the addition of an intermediate-mass black hole. However, this is counter to our previous finding, shown in Figure 6 of D97, that the Fokker-Planck models predict the sort of moderately rising velocity dispersion profile that Gerssen et al. (2002) infer from the new data. Baumgardt et al. (2003) have independently noted this apparent inconsistency. We appreciate the thoughtful cooperation of Roeland van der Marel in resolving this issue. Using our corrected version of Figure 12 (see below), Gerssen et al. (2003) now find that the velocity dispersion profile that they infer from the D97 mass-to-light ratio profile is entirely consistent with the velocity dispersion profile presented in Figure 6 of D97. Gerssen et al. (2003) further find that there is no statistically significant difference between the fit to the van der Marel et al. (2002) velocity measurements provided by the D97 intermediate-phase model and that provided by their model, which supplements this D97 model with a 1.7+2.7-1.7×103Msolar black hole. Thus, the choice between models with and without black holes will require additional model predictions and observational tests. We present corrected versions of

  18. Catchment Dispersion Mechanisms in an Urban Context

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gironas, J. A.; Mejia, A.; Rossel, F.; Rinaldo, A.; Rodriguez, F.

    2014-12-01

    Dispersion mechanisms have been examined in-depth in natural catchments in previous studies. However, these dispersion mechanisms have been studied little in urban catchments, where artificial transport elements and morphological arrangements are expected to modify travel times and mobilize excess rainfall from spatially distributed impervious sites. Thus, these features can modify the variance of the catchment's travel times and hence the total dispersion. This work quantifies the dispersion mechanisms in an urban catchment using the theory of transport by travel times as represented by the Urban Morpho-climatic Instantaneous Unit Hydrograph (U-McIUH) model. This model computes travel times based on kinematic wave theory and accounts explicitly for the path heterogeneities and altered connectivity patterns characteristic of an urban drainage network. The analysis is illustrated using the Aubinière urban catchment (France) as a case study. We found that kinematic dispersion is dominant for small rainfall intensities, whereas geomorphologic dispersion becomes more dominant for larger intensities. The total dispersion scales with the drainage area in a power law fashion. The kinematic dispersion is dominant across spatial scales up to a threshold of approximately 2-3 km2, after which the geomorphologic dispersion becomes more dominant. Overall, overland flow is responsible for most of the dispersion, while conduits tend to counteract the increase of the geomorphologic dispersion with a negative kinematic dispersion. Further studies with other catchments are needed to assess whether the latter is a general feature of urban drainage networks.

  19. Dispersant Effectiveness Of Heavy Fuel Oils Using The Baffled Flask Test

    EPA Science Inventory

    Dispersants have been widely used as a primary response measure for marine oil spills around the world. Recently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed an improved laboratory dispersant testing protocol, called the Baffled Flask Test (BFT). The BFT protocol w...

  20. EVALUATION OF MIXING ENERGY IN FLASKS USED FOR DISPERSANT EFFECTIVENESS TESTING

    EPA Science Inventory

    A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) laboratory screening protocol for dispersant effectiveness consists of placing water, oil, and a dispersant in a flask and mixing the contents on an orbital shaker. Two flasks are being investigated, a simple Erlenmeyer (used in EPA's...

  1. Effect of Dispersants on the Biodegradation of South ...

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    This article reports biodegradation rates for a commercial dispersant, JD-2000, South Louisiana crude oil (SLC) alone, and SLC dispersed with JD-2000 at 5 and 25oC. Results from the biodegradation experiments revealed that Component X, a chemical marker for JD-2000, rapidly degraded at both temperatures. The application of JD-2000 decreased by half the overall biodegradation rate of aliphatic compounds at 25oC. At 5oC, a residual fraction consisting of iso- and n-alkanes (C29-C35) persisted after 56 d. The combination of dispersant and higher temperature resulted in faster removal rates for 2- and 3-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. When compared with Corexit 9500, our results suggest that the chemistry of the surfactant (or surfactants) in JD-2000 might have favored oil dissolution (substrate transport to the aqueous phase) as an uptake mechanism over adhesion, which requires direct contact of the biomass with the oil. This paper presents results obtained after carrying out treatability experiments with South Louisiana crude oil (SLC) and JD-2000, a dispersant included on the National Contingency Plan (NCP) Product Schedule. In a study conducted by Judson et al. (2010), JD-2000 was found to be significantly less cytotoxic than all other NCP-listed products. We also compare the results for JD-2000 with those obtained in a previous study for C9500 dispersing the same SLC oil (Campo et al., 2013).

  2. Fabrication and characterization of nano-Y2O3 and Al2O3 dispersed W-Ni alloys by mechanical alloying and pressureless conventional sintering

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Talekar, V. R.; Patra, A.; Karak, S. K.

    2018-03-01

    Nano Y2O3 and Al2O3 dispersed W-Ni alloys with nominal composition of W89Ni10 (Y2O3)1 (alloy A), W89Ni10 (Al2O3)1 (alloy B) were mechanically alloyed for 10 h followed by compaction at 0.5 GPa pressure with 5 min of dwell time and conventional sintering at 1400°C with 2 h soaking time in Ar atmosphere with Ar flow rate of 100 ml/min. The microstructure of milled and sintered alloy was investigated using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and Elemental mapping. Minimum crystallite size of 31.9 nm and maximum lattice strain, dislocation density of 0.23%, 9.12(1016/m2) respectively was found in alloy A at 10 h of milling. Uneven and coarse particles at 0 h of milling converted to elongated flake shape at 10 h of milling. Bimodal (fine and coarse) particle size distribution is revealed in both the alloys and minimum particle size of 0.69 μm is achieved in 10 h milled alloy A. Evidences of formation of intermetallic phases like Y2WO6, Y6WO12 and Y10W2O21 in sintered alloy A and Al2(WO4)3, NiAl10O16, NiAl2O4 and AlWO4 in sintered alloy B were revealed by XRD pattern and SEM micrograph. Minimum grain size of 1.50 μm was recorded in sintered alloy A. Both faceted and spherical W matrix is evident in both the alloys which suggests occurrence of both solid phase and liquid phase sintering. Maximum % relative sintered density and hardness of 85.29% and 5.13 GPa respectively was found in alloy A. Wear study at 20N force at 25 rpm for 15 min on ball on plate wear tester revealed that minimum wear depth (48.99 μm) and wear track width (272 μm) was found for alloy A as compared to alloy B.

  3. uCollaborator: Framework for STEM Project Collaboration among Geographically-Dispersed Student/Faculty Teams

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Fiore, Stephen M.; Rodriguez, Walter E.; Carstens, Deborah S.

    2012-01-01

    This paper presents a framework for facilitating communication among STEM project teams that are geographically dispersed in synchronous or asynchronous online courses. The framework has been developed to: (a) improve how engineering and technology students and faculty work with collocated and geographically-dispersed teams; and (b) to connect the…

  4. Comparative toxicity of oil, dispersant, and oil plus dispersant to several marine species.

    PubMed

    Fuller, Chris; Bonner, James; Page, Cheryl; Ernest, Andrew; McDonald, Thomas; McDonald, Susanne

    2004-12-01

    Dispersants are a preapproved chemical response agent for oil spills off portions of the U.S. coastline, including the Texas-Louisiana coast. However, questions persist regarding potential environmental risks of dispersant applications in nearshore regions (within three nautical miles of the shoreline) that support dense populations of marine organisms and are prone to spills resulting from human activities. To address these questions, a study was conducted to evaluate the relative toxicity of test media prepared with dispersant, weathered crude oil, and weathered crude oil plus dispersant. Two fish species, Cyprinodon variegatus and Menidia beryllina, and one shrimp species, Americamysis bahia (formerly Mysidopsis bahia), were used to evaluate the relative toxicity of the different media under declining and continuous exposure regimes. Microbial toxicity was evaluated using the luminescent bacteria Vibrio fisheri. The data suggested that oil media prepared with a chemical dispersant was equal to or less toxic than the oil-only test medium. Data also indicated that continuous exposures to the test media were generally more toxic than declining exposures. The toxicity of unweathered crude oil with and without dispersant was also evaluated using Menidia beryllina under declining exposure conditions. Unweathered oil-only media were dominated by soluble hydrocarbon fractions and found to be more toxic than weathered oil-only media in which colloidal oil fractions dominated. Total concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons in oil-plus-dispersant media prepared with weathered and unweathered crude oil were both dominated by colloidal oil and showed no significant difference in toxicity. Analysis of the toxicity data suggests that the observed toxicity was a function of the soluble crude oil components and not the colloidal oil.

  5. Metal-silicate partitioning of Co, Ni, V, Cr, Si, and O up to 100 GPa and 5500 K: Implications for core formation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fischer, R. A.; Campbell, A. J.; Frost, D. J.; Harries, D.; Langenhorst, F.; Miyajima, N.; Pollok, K.; Rubie, D. C.

    2013-12-01

    % oxygen, which is a significantly higher percentage of light elements than the Earth's outer core is thought to contain [e.g. 1]. Using our results, we develop a model for metal/silicate exchange during core formation, the light element composition of the core, and possible chemical reactions at the core-mantle boundary. [1] McDonough, W.F. (2003) Treatise on Geochemistry, Vol. 2, pp 547-568. [2] Bouhifd, M.A. and A.P. Jephcoat (2011) Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 307, 341-348. [3] Mann, U., D.J. Frost, and D.C. Rubie (2009) Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 73, 7360-7386. [4] Righter, K. et al. (2010) Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 291, 1-9. [5] Siebert, J. et al. (2012) Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 321-322, 189-197. [6] Siebert, J. et al. (2013) Science 339, 1194-1197. [7] Wade, J., and B.J. Wood (2005) Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 236, 78-95. [8] Rubie, D.C. et al. (2011) Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 301, 31-42.

  6. Automated Laser-Light Scattering measurements of Impurities, Bubbles, and Imperfections in Ice Cores

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Stolz, M. R.; Ram, M.

    2004-12-01

    Laser- light scattering (LLS) on polar ice, or on polar ice meltwater, is an accepted method for measuring the concentration of water insoluble aerosol deposits (dust) in the ice. LLS on polar ice can also be used to measure water soluble aerosols, as well as imperfections (air bubbles and cavities) in the ice. LLS was originally proposed by Hammer (1977a, b) as a method for measuring the dust concentration in polar ice meltwater. Ram et al. (1995) later advanced the method and applied it to solid ice, measuring the dust concentration profile along the deep, bubble-free sections of the Greenland Ice Sheet Projetct 2 (GISP2) ice core (Ram et al., 1995, 2000) from central Greenland. In this paper, we will put previous empirical findings (Ram et al., 1995, 2000) on a theoretical footing, and extend the usability of LLS on ice into the realm of the non-transparent, bubbly polar ice. For LLS on clear, bubble-free polar ice, we studied numerically the scattering of light by soluble and insoluble (dust) aerosol particles embedded in the ice to complement previous experimental studies (Ram et al., 2000). For air bubbles in polar ice, we calculated the effects of multiple light scattering using Mie theory and Monte Carlo simulations, and found a method for determining the bubble number size and concentration using LLS on bubbly ice. We also demonstrated that LLS can be used on bubbly ice to measure annual layers rapidly in an objective manner. Hammer, C. U. (1977a), Dating of Greenland ice cores by microparticle concentration analyses., in International Symposium on Isotopes and Impurities in Snow and Ice, pp. 297-301, IAHS publ. no. 118. Hammer, C. U. (1977b), Dust studies on Greenland ice cores, in International Symposium on Isotopes and Impurities in Snow and Ice, pp. 365-370, IAHS publ. no. 118. Ram, M., M. Illing, P. Weber, G. Koenig, and M. Kaplan (1995), Polar ice stratigraphy from laser-light scattering: Scattering from ice, Geophys. Res. Lett., 22(24), 3525

  7. High-resolution Sulfur Isotopes in Ice Cores Identify Large Stratospheric Eruptions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Burke, A.; Sigl, M.; Moore, K.; Nita, D. C.; Adkins, J. F.; Paris, G.; McConnell, J.

    2016-12-01

    The record of the volcanic forcing of climate over the past 2500 years is reconstructed primarily from sulfate concentrations in ice cores. Of particular interest are stratospheric eruptions, as these afford sulfate aerosols the longest residence time and largest dispersion in the atmosphere, and thus the greatest impact on radiative forcing. Identification of stratospheric eruptions currently relies on the successful matching of the same volcanic sulfate peak in ice cores from both the Northern and Southern hemispheres (a "bipolar event"). These are interpreted to reflect the global distribution of sulfur aerosols by the stratospheric winds. Despite its recent success, this method relies on precise and accurate dating of ice cores, in order to distinguish between a true `bipolar event' and two separate eruptions that occurred in close temporal succession. Sulfur isotopes can been used to distinguish between these two scenarios since stratospheric sulfur aerosols are exposed to UV radiation which imparts a mass independent fractionation (Baroni et al., 2007). Mass independent fractionation of sulfate in ice cores thus offers a novel method of fingerprinting stratospheric eruptions, and thus refining the historic record of explosive volcanism and its forcing of climate. Here we present new high-resolution (sub-annual) sulfur isotope data from the Tunu Ice core in Greenland over seven eruptions. Sulfur isotopes were measured by MC-ICP-MS, which substantially reduces sample size requirements and allows high temporal resolution from a single ice core. We demonstrate the efficacy of the method on recent, well-known eruptions (including Pinatubo and Katmai/Novarupta), and then apply it to unidentified sulfate peaks, allowing us to identify new stratospheric eruptions. Baroni, M., Thiemens, M. H., Delmas, R. J., & Savarino, J. (2007). Mass-independent sulfur isotopic compositions in stratospheric volcanic eruptions. Science, 315(5808), 84-87. http://doi.org/10

  8. Genetic recapture identifies long-distance breeding dispersal in Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus)

    Treesearch

    Todd B. Cross; David E. Naugle; John C. Carlson; Michael K. Schwartz

    2017-01-01

    Dispersal can strongly influence the demographic and evolutionary trajectory of populations. For many species, little is known about dispersal, despite its importance to conservation. The Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) is a species of conservation concern that ranges across 11 western U.S. states and 2 Canadian provinces. To investigate dispersal...

  9. Trace-element analyses of core samples from the 1967-1988 drillings of Kilauea Iki lava lake, Hawaii

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Helz, Rosalind Tuthill

    2012-01-01

    This report presents previously unpublished analyses of trace elements in drill core samples from Kilauea Iki lava lake and from the 1959 eruption that fed the lava lake. The two types of data presented were obtained by instrumental neutron-activation analysis (INAA) and energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis (EDXRF). The analyses were performed in U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) laboratories from 1989 to 1994. This report contains 93 INAA analyses on 84 samples and 68 EDXRF analyses on 68 samples. The purpose of the study was to document trace-element variation during chemical differentiation, especially during the closed-system differentiation of Kilauea Iki lava lake.

  10. Time and duration of metamorphism and exhumation of the central Rhodopian core complex, Bulgaria

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ovtcharova, M.; von Quadt, A.; Peytcheva, I.; Neubauer, F.; Heinrich, C. A.; Kaiser, M.

    2003-04-01

    The evolution of central Rhodopian dome (Bulgaria) is interpreted in terms of an extensional collapse of thickened crust (Ivanov at al., 2000). U-Pb isotope dating (single Zr and Mnz), Rb-Sr (W.R., Bt and Ap) and Ar-Ar (on Bt) were carried out on different rocks from the central Rhodope, Bulgaria, to constrain the timing and duration of the metamorphism and exhumation of the core complex. The beginning of extensional stage is marked by intrusion of earliest non-penetratively deformed granite bodies at 53Ma (U-Pb on single Zr and Mnz). The late Alpine extensional evolution of the massif is marked by a detachment system connected with exhumation of the migmatites in the core part of the dome (lower plate). U-Pb analyses on Mnz and Zr from mesosome and discordant leucosome yield a Variscan protolith age of the gneiss (311 Ma) and Eocene age (37Ma) of crystallization of the newly formed anatectic melt that corresponds with the peak of the Alpine metamorphic event (P 4.5-6kbar and T 720-750^oC; Georgieva et al., 2002). Rb-Sr mineral system of the weakly deformed gneisses from lower plate of the core complex gives evidence for a cooling age of 34.5±0.34Ma. This result is confirmed by Ar-Ar on Bt from the same rock: 35.5±0.4Ma. Ar-Ar data on biotite from gneisses of the upper plate yield an age of 34.9±0.6Ma. The same age is reflected by an Rb-Sr isochron (W.R., Bt and Ap) of 35.22±0.35Ma. The post-collisional extension was followed by graben depressions filled with sediments of Eocene-Oligocene age and active volcanism and ore mineralization (Zn-Pb and Cu-Pb-Zn ore deposits). Connected with the most intensively "stretched" sections of the extensional system is emplacement of rhyolitic dikes at 32.8±0.41Ma (U-Pb on single Zr, Xe). The available data constrain narrow time bracket between timing of high-grade metamorphism event (37Ma, >600^oC), cooling (35Ma, 300ºC) of the core complex and volcanic activity (32Ma) that corresponds with rapid exhumation tectonic regime

  11. Data file: the 1976 Atlantic Margin Coring (AMCOR) Project of the U.S. Geological Survey

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Poppe, Lawrence J.; Poppe, Lawrence J.

    1981-01-01

    In 1976, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted the Atlantic Margin Coring Project (AMCOR) to obtain information on stratigraphy, hydrology and water chemistry, mineral resources other than petroleum hydrocarbons, and geotechnical engineering properties at sites widely distributed along the Continental Shelf and Slope of the Eastern United States (Hathaway and others, 1976, 1979). This program's primary purpose was to investigate a broad variety of sediment properties, many of which had not been previously studied in this region. Previous studies of sediments recovered by core drilling in this region were usually limited to one or two aspects of the sediment properties (Hathaway and others, 1979, table 2). The AMCOR program was limited by two factors: water depth and penetration depth. Because the ship selected for the program, the Glomar Conception, lacked dynamic positioning capability, its anchoring capacity determined the maximum water depth in which drilling could take place. Although it was equipped to anchor in water 450 m deep and did so successfully at one site, we attmepted no drilling in water depths greater than 300 m. Strong Gulf Stream currents at the one attempted deep (443 m) site frustrated attempts to "spud in" to begin the hole.

  12. 27Al, 63Cu NMR spectroscopy and electrical transport in Heusler Cu-Mn-Al alloy powders

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nadutov, V. M.; Perekos, A. O.; Kokorin, V. V.; Trachevskii, V. V.; Konoplyuk, S. M.; Vashchuk, D. L.

    2018-02-01

    The ultrafine powder of the Heusler Cu-13,1Mn-12,6Al (wt.%) alloy produced by electrical spark dispersion (ESD) in ethanol and the pellets prepared by pressing of the powders and aged in various gas environment (air, Ar, vacuum) were studied by XRD, nuclear magnetic resonance, magnetic and electric transport methods. The constituent phases were identified as b.c.c. α-Cu-Mn-Al, f.c.c. γ-Cu-Mn-Al, Cu2MnAl, and oxides. The sizes of the coherently scattering domains (CSD) and the saturation magnetizations were in the range of 4-90 nm and 0-1.5 Am2/kg, respectively. 27Al and 63Cu NMR spectra of the powders and pellets have shown hyperfine structure caused by contributions from atomic nuclei of the constituent phases. The aging of pellets in different gas environments had effect on their phase composition but no effect on dispersion of the phases. In contrast to the as-cast alloy, electrical resistance of the pellets evidenced semiconducting behavior at elevated temperatures due to the presence of metal oxides formed on the surfaces of nanoparticles.

  13. Updated procedures for using drill cores and cuttings at the Lithologic Core Storage Library, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Hodges, Mary K.V.; Davis, Linda C.; Bartholomay, Roy C.

    2018-01-30

    In 1990, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy Idaho Operations Office, established the Lithologic Core Storage Library at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The facility was established to consolidate, catalog, and permanently store nonradioactive drill cores and cuttings from subsurface investigations conducted at the INL, and to provide a location for researchers to examine, sample, and test these materials.The facility is open by appointment to researchers for examination, sampling, and testing of cores and cuttings. This report describes the facility and cores and cuttings stored at the facility. Descriptions of cores and cuttings include the corehole names, corehole locations, and depth intervals available.Most cores and cuttings stored at the facility were drilled at or near the INL, on the eastern Snake River Plain; however, two cores drilled on the western Snake River Plain are stored for comparative studies. Basalt, rhyolite, sedimentary interbeds, and surficial sediments compose most cores and cuttings, most of which are continuous from land surface to their total depth. The deepest continuously drilled core stored at the facility was drilled to 5,000 feet below land surface. This report describes procedures and researchers' responsibilities for access to the facility and for examination, sampling, and return of materials.

  14. Use of water-external micellar dispersions in oil recovery

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

    Jones, S.C.

    1970-04-14

    A water-external micellar dispersion followed by a mobility buffer and a water drive were used for enhanced oil recovery. Field Berea sandstone cores (19.6 percent porosity, 387 md permeability) were saturated with brine (16,500 ppM sodium chloride), flooded with crude oil from the Henry lease in Illinois (viscosity of 5.9 cp at 72/sup 0/F, specific gravity of 0.833), and waterflooded with water from Henry lease (17,210 ppM TDS). The micellar dispersion followed by the mobility buffer produced 99.6 percent of the oil in the core. The micellar slug contained ammonium petroleum sulfonate (MW 450), Henry crude oil, isopropanol, nonyl phenol,more » sodium hydroxide, and water from the Palestine water reservoir in Palestine, Illinois (412 ppM TDS). No. 530 Pusher, ammonium thiocyanate, isopropanol, and Palestine water were in the mobility buffer.« less

  15. Phase relations of Fe-Si-Ni alloys at core conditions: Implications for the Earth inner core

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fiquet, G.; Boulard, E.; Auzende, A.; Antonangeli, D.; Badro, J.; Morard, G.; Siebert, J.; Perrillat, J.; Mezouar, M.

    2008-12-01

    The Earth core consists of a liquid outer core and a solid inner core, which are believed to be made predominantly of iron (Fe). Among all crystallographic structures proposed, a consensus has more or less emerged with the hexagonal closed packed structure -hcp- for iron. The question of the structure of this alloy at core conditions, in particular in vicinity of the melting line is however still largely debated. Among others, a possible thermal and chemical stabilization of body-centered cubic iron in the Earth's core has indeed been proposed with the theoretical calculations of Vocadlo et al. [Nature, 424, 536, 2003]. Recent X-ray experiments have shown the existence of such a bcc structure above 220 GPa at high-temperature for iron- nickel alloys [Dubrovinsky et al., Science, 316, 1880, 2007]. It is also known from density systematics that the Earth's core is made of iron alloyed with light elements [see Poirier, Phys. Earth Planet. Int., 85, 319, 1994]. We recently proposed a compositional model for the Earth's inner core from a systematic study of the effect of light elements on sound velocities at high pressure. Our preferred core model is an inner core which contains 2.3 wt % silicon and traces of oxygen [see Badro et al., Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 254, 233, 2007 for more details]. Recent studies, however, suggest that small amount of silicon or nickel can substantially affect the phase relations and thermodynamic properties of iron alloys. We present results from an X-ray diffraction carried out at ESRF at high-pressure and high-temperature, using a state-of-the-art double sided laser heating system. We address the question of the structure of this alloy at core conditions. Two different alloys have been synthesized for this experiment, with Fe : 92.4, Si : 3.7, Ni 3.9 and Fe: 88.4, Si: 7.3, Ni: 4.3 in wt %, so as to satisfy the core preferred compositional model described in Badro et al. [2007]. The samples were loaded in a diamond anvil cell with neon as

  16. Analysis of maximum allowable fragment heights during dissolution of high flux isotope reactor fuel in an h-canyon dissolver

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

    Daniel, G.; Rudisill, T.

    2017-07-17

    As part of the Spent Nuclear Fuel (SNF) processing campaign, H-Canyon is planning to begin dissolving High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) fuel in late FY17 or early FY18. Each HFIR fuel core contains inner and outer fuel elements which were fabricated from uranium oxide (U 3O 8) dispersed in a continuous Al phase using traditional powder metallurgy techniques. Fuels fabricated in this manner, like other SNF’s processed in H-Canyon, dissolve by the same general mechanisms with similar gas generation rates and the production of H 2. The HFIR fuel cores will be dissolved using a flowsheet developed by the Savannahmore » River National Laboratory (SRNL) in either the 6.4D or 6.1D dissolver using a unique insert. Multiple cores will be charged to the same dissolver solution maximizing the concentration of dissolved Al. The recovered U will be down-blended into low-enriched U for subsequent use as commercial reactor fuel. During the development of the HFIR fuel dissolution flowsheet, the cycle time for the initial core was estimated at 28 to 40 h. Once the cycle is complete, H-Canyon personnel will open the dissolver and probe the HFIR insert wells to determine the height of any fuel fragments which did not dissolve. Before the next core can be charged to the dissolver, an analysis of the potential for H 2 gas generation must show that the combined surface area of the fuel fragments and the subsequent core will not generate H 2 concentrations in the dissolver offgas which exceeds 60% of the lower flammability limit (LFL) of H 2 at 200 °C. The objective of this study is to identify the maximum fuel fragment height as a function of the Al concentration in the dissolving solution which will provide criteria for charging successive HFIR cores to an H-Canyon dissolver.« less

  17. Apparatus for controlling nuclear core debris

    DOEpatents

    Jones, Robert D.

    1978-01-01

    Nuclear reactor apparatus for containing, cooling, and dispersing reactor debris assumed to flow from the core area in the unlikely event of an accident causing core meltdown. The apparatus includes a plurality of horizontally disposed vertically spaced plates, having depressions to contain debris in controlled amounts, and a plurality of holes therein which provide natural circulation cooling and a path for debris to continue flowing downward to the plate beneath. The uppermost plates may also include generally vertical sections which form annular-like flow areas which assist the natural circulation cooling.

  18. Dissolution flowsheet for high flux isotope reactor fuel

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

    Foster, T.

    2016-09-27

    As part of the Spent Nuclear Fuel (SNF) processing campaign, H-Canyon is planning to begin dissolving High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) fuel in late FY17 or early FY18. Each HFIR fuel core contains inner and outer fuel elements which were fabricated from uranium oxide (U 3O 8) dispersed in a continuous Al phase using traditional powder metallurgy techniques. Fuels fabricated in this manner, like other SNF’s processed in H-Canyon, dissolve by the same general mechanisms with similar gas generation rates and the production of H 2. The HFIR fuel cores will be dissolved and the recovered U will be down-blendedmore » into low-enriched U. HFIR fuel was previously processed in H-Canyon using a unique insert in both the 6.1D and 6.4D dissolvers. Multiple cores will be charged to the same dissolver solution maximizing the concentration of dissolved Al. The objective of this study was to identify flowsheet conditions through literature review and laboratory experimentation to safely and efficiently dissolve the HFIR fuel in H-Canyon. Laboratory-scale experiments were performed to evaluate the dissolution of HFIR fuel using both Al 1100 and Al 6061 T6 alloy coupons. The Al 1100 alloy was considered a representative surrogate which provided an upper bound on the generation of flammable (i.e., H 2) gas during the dissolution process. The dissolution of the Al 6061 T6 alloy proceeded at a slower rate than the Al 1100 alloy and was used to verify that the target Al concentration in solution could be achieved for the selected Hg concentration. Mass spectrometry and Raman spectroscopy were used to provide continuous monitoring of the concentration of H 2 and other permanent gases in the dissolution offgas allowing the development of H 2 generation rate profiles. The H 2 generation rates were subsequently used to evaluate if a full HFIR core could be dissolved in an H-Canyon dissolver without exceeding 60% of the calculated lower flammability limit (LFL) for H 2 at a given Hg

  19. Combining a dispersal model with network theory to assess habitat connectivity.

    PubMed

    Lookingbill, Todd R; Gardner, Robert H; Ferrari, Joseph R; Keller, Cherry E

    2010-03-01

    Assessing the potential for threatened species to persist and spread within fragmented landscapes requires the identification of core areas that can sustain resident populations and dispersal corridors that can link these core areas with isolated patches of remnant habitat. We developed a set of GIS tools, simulation methods, and network analysis procedures to assess potential landscape connectivity for the Delmarva fox squirrel (DFS; Sciurus niger cinereus), an endangered species inhabiting forested areas on the Delmarva Peninsula, USA. Information on the DFS's life history and dispersal characteristics, together with data on the composition and configuration of land cover on the peninsula, were used as input data for an individual-based model to simulate dispersal patterns of millions of squirrels. Simulation results were then assessed using methods from graph theory, which quantifies habitat attributes associated with local and global connectivity. Several bottlenecks to dispersal were identified that were not apparent from simple distance-based metrics, highlighting specific locations for landscape conservation, restoration, and/or squirrel translocations. Our approach links simulation models, network analysis, and available field data in an efficient and general manner, making these methods useful and appropriate for assessing the movement dynamics of threatened species within landscapes being altered by human and natural disturbances.

  20. Annealing Effects on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Ultrafine-Grained Al Composites Reinforced with Nano-Al2O3 by Rotary Swaging

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Cunguang; Wang, Wenwen; Guo, Zhimeng; Sun, Chunbao; Volinsky, Alex A.; Paley, Vladislav

    2018-03-01

    Microstructure evolution and variations in mechanical properties of Al-Al2O3 nanocomposite produced by powder metallurgy were investigated and compared with commercially pure aluminum (Al-1050) after furnace annealing. Fine gas-atomized Al powder compacts were first sintered in flowing nitrogen, subsequently consolidated into wires by rotary swaging and eventually annealed at 300 and 500 °C for 24 h each. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy was utilized to document the microstructure evolution. Rotary swaging was proven to lead to a marked decrease in grain size. After heavy swaging to true deformation degree of φ = 6 and annealing at 500 °C, obvious recrystallization was observed at Al-1050's existing grain boundaries and the crystals began to grow perpendicular to the flow direction. In the Al-Al2O3 nanocomposite, fabricated from d 50 = 6 μm Al powder, recrystallization partially occurred, while grains were still extremely fine. Due to the dual role of fine-grained Al2O3 dispersion strengthening, the nanocomposite showed improved mechanical performance in terms of tensile strength, approximately twice higher than Al-1050 after annealing at 500 °C.

  1. Apparatus for controlling molten core debris. [LMFBR

    DOEpatents

    Golden, M.P.; Tilbrook, R.W.; Heylmun, N.F.

    1977-07-19

    Disclosed is an apparatus for containing, cooling, diluting, dispersing and maintaining subcritical the molten core debris assumed to melt through the bottom of a nuclear reactor pressure vessel in the unlikely event of a core meltdown. The apparatus is basically a sacrificial bed system which includes an inverted conical funnel, a core debris receptacle including a spherical dome, a spherically layered bed of primarily magnesia bricks, a cooling system of zig-zag piping in graphite blocks about and below the bed and a cylindrical liner surrounding the graphite blocks including a steel shell surrounded by firebrick. Tantalum absorber rods are used in the receptacle and bed. 9 claims, 22 figures.

  2. Effect of dispersal at range edges on the structure of species ranges

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Bahn, V.; O'Connor, R.J.; Krohn, W.B.

    2006-01-01

    Range edges are of particular interest to ecology because they hold key insights into the limits of the realized niche and associated population dynamics. A recent feature of Oikos summarized the state of the art on range edge ecology. While the typical question is what causes range edges, another important question is how range edges influence the distribution of abundances across a species geographic range when dispersal is present. We used a single species population dynamics model on a coupled-lattice to determine the effects of dispersal on peripheral populations as compared to populations at the core of the range. In the absence of resource gradients, the reduced neighborhood and thus lower connectivity or higher isolation among populations at the range edge alone led to significantly lower population sizes in the periphery of the range than in the core. Lower population sizes mean higher extinction risks and lower adaptability at the range edge, which could inhibit or slow range expansions, and thus effectively stabilize range edges. The strength of this effect depended on the potential population growth rate and the maximum dispersal distance. Lower potential population growth rates led to a stronger effect of dispersal resulting in a higher difference in population sizes between the two areas. The differential effect of dispersal on population sizes at the core and periphery of the range in the absence of resource gradients implies that traditional, habitat-based distribution models could result in misleading conclusions about the habitat quality in the periphery. Lower population sizes at the periphery are also relevant to conservation, because habitat removal not only eliminates populations but also creates new edges. Populations bordering these new edges may experience declines, due to their increased isolation. ?? OIKOS.

  3. North Africa’s Menace: AQIM’s Evolution and the U.S. Policy Response

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2013-01-01

    south . • U.S. military capabilities developed to combat core Al Qaeda will need to be adapted to AQIM’s African context. Supporting allies, such as...and least recognized factor behind the merger was simply money. By 2006, AQIM was 4 swimming in cash from the kidnapping and smuggling opera- tions... socioeconomic conditions, especially in the Sahelian The record to date and the real incentives they face suggest that [AQIM’s] commitment to Bin

  4. pH-Sensitive Microparticles with Matrix-Dispersed Active Agent

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Calle, Luz M. (Inventor); Jolley, Scott T. (Inventor); Buhrow, Jerry W. (Inventor); Li, Wenyan (Inventor)

    2014-01-01

    Methods to produce pH-sensitive microparticles that have an active agent dispersed in a polymer matrix have certain advantages over microcapsules with an active agent encapsulated in an interior compartment/core inside of a polymer wall. The current invention relates to pH-sensitive microparticles that have a corrosion-detecting or corrosion-inhibiting active agent or active agents dispersed within a polymer matrix of the microparticles. The pH-sensitive microparticles can be used in various coating compositions on metal objects for corrosion detecting and/or inhibiting.

  5. Highly birefringent elliptical core photonic crystal fiber for terahertz application

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sultana, Jakeya; Islam, Md. Saiful; Faisal, Mohammad; Islam, Mohammad Rakibul; Ng, Brian W.-H.; Ebendorff-Heidepriem, Heike; Abbott, Derek

    2018-01-01

    We present a novel strategy for designing a highly birefringent photonic crystal fiber (PCF) with near zero flattened dispersion properties by applying elliptical air holes in the core area. The elliptical structure of the air holes in the porous-core region introduces asymmetry between x and y polarization modes, which consequently offers ultra-high birefringence. Also the compact geometry of the conventional hexagonal structure in the cladding confines most of the useful power. The optical properties including birefringence, dispersion, confinement loss, effective material loss (EML) and single modeness of the fiber are investigated using a full-vector finite element method. Simulation results show an ultra-high birefringence of 0 . 086 ultra-flattened near zero dispersion of 0 . 53 ± 0 . 07 ps/THz/cm in a broad frequency range. The practical implementation of the proposed fiber is feasible using existing fabrication technology and is applicable to the areas of terahertz sensing and polarization maintaining systems.

  6. Support the Design of Improved IUE NEWSIPS High Dispersion Extraction Algorithms: Improved IUE High Dispersion Extraction Algorithms

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lawton, Pat

    2004-01-01

    The objective of this work was to support the design of improved IUE NEWSIPS high dispersion extraction algorithms. The purpose of this work was to evaluate use of the Linearized Image (LIHI) file versus the Re-Sampled Image (SIHI) file, evaluate various extraction, and design algorithms for evaluation of IUE High Dispersion spectra. It was concluded the use of the Re-Sampled Image (SIHI) file was acceptable. Since the Gaussian profile worked well for the core and the Lorentzian profile worked well for the wings, the Voigt profile was chosen for use in the extraction algorithm. It was found that the gamma and sigma parameters varied significantly across the detector, so gamma and sigma masks for the SWP detector were developed. Extraction code was written.

  7. Thermopyhsical conditions for the onset of a core dynamo in Vesta

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Formisano, Michelangelo; Federico, Costanzo; De Angelis, Simone; De Sanctis, Maria Cristina; Magni, Gianfranco

    2016-04-01

    Recently, a study on the magnetization of the eucrite meteorite Allan Hills A81001 [1] has suggested the possibility that, in its primordial history, Vesta had an active core dynamo. The magnetic field associated could have preserved Vesta from the space-weathering. In this work, using a parametrized thermal convection method, we verified the thermophysical conditions for the onset of a core dynamo. The starting point is a post-differentiated structure [2,3,4], made of a metallic core, silicate mantle and rocky crust. We explored four different fully differentiated configurations of Vesta [5], characterized by different chondritic composition, with the constraints on the core size and density provided by [6]. We also explored three different scaling laws for the core velocity (mixing-length theory, MAC and an intermediate case). Core and mantle have both a temperature-dependent viscosity, which is the parameter that largely influences the magnetic Reynolds number and the dynamo duration. Our results suggest that Vesta had an active dynamo, whose duration lies in the range 150-500 Myr and the more appropriate scaling law for the core velocity is that given by the mixing-length theory. The maximum strength of the primordial core magnetic field is compatible with the estimations provided by [1]. [1] Fu, R. et al, 2012, Science 338, 238 [2] Ghosh, A. and McSween, H.Y., 1998, Icarus, 134, 187 [3] Formisano, M. et al., 2013, Meteoritics and Planetary Science, 48, 2316 [4] Neumann, W., et al., 2014, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 395, 267 [5] Toplis, M.J., et al., 2013, Meteoritics and Planetary Science, 48, 2300 [6] Ermakov, A.I., et al.2014, Icarus, 240, 146

  8. U-based metallic glasses with superior glass forming ability

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xu, Hongyang; Ke, Haibo; Huang, Huogen; Zhang, Pengguo; Pu, Zhen; Zhang, Pei; Liu, Tianwei

    2018-02-01

    By using Al as the third and B as the fourth but minor alloying elements for the U66.7Co33.3 basic metallic glass, a series of U-Co-Al(-B) alloys were designed. The quaternary U-Co-Al-B alloys exhibit significantly improved glass-forming ability (GFA) than previously reported U-based metallic glasses. Low fragility (∼24) is found for these new U-based metallic glasses. The improvement in GFA would result from denser atomic packing in the undercooled liquids due to the presence of small B atoms. Some U-Co-Al(-B) glasses showed corrosion resistance comparable to that of U64Co34Al2 glass, known for premium anti-corrosive performance among the unveiled U-based glasses.

  9. Zircon U-Pb age and Hf-O isotopes of felsic rocks from the Atlantis Bank, Southwest Indian Ridge

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, C. Z.; Zhang, W. Q.

    2017-12-01

    Hole U1473A was drilled to 790 meters below seafloor on the Atlantis Bank, an oceanic core complex in the Southwest Indian Ridge, where the upper crust has been removed by detachment faulting. The recovered core consists dominantly of olivine gabbro, with subordinate gabbro, gabbro with varying Fe-Ti oxide concentrations. Felsic veins intermittently occur throughout the whole core section. Zircons separated from twenty-four felsic samples have been conducted for U-Pb dating and O isotope analyses on the Cameca 1280 and Lu-Hf isotopes by laser ablation coupled with a MC-ICPMS. The zircons have highly variable contents of U (12-2078 ppm) and Th (5-801 ppm), yielding Th/U ratios of 0.33-0.81. They are typical oceanic zircons as defined by the trace element discrimination plots of Grimes et al. (2015). The weighted mean 206Pb/238U ages of the analyzed zircons vary from 11.29 to 12.57 Ma. Age differences between felsic veins throughout the whole core are not resolved within analytical uncertainty of the SIMS measurements. All felsic samples have similar zircon Hf isotope compositions, with initial 176Hf/177Hf ratios of 0.283126-0.283197 and ɛHf values of 12.76-15.27. Zircons from all felsic samples but one have mantle-like δ18O values of 5.14-5.50‰. Zircons from one sample show partial resorption or total recrystallization; in comparison, they have lower δ18O values of 4.81±0.21‰. Such characteristics provide clear evidence for hydrothermal alteration after magmatic intrusion.

  10. Core Research Center

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Hicks, Joshua; Adrian, Betty

    2009-01-01

    The Core Research Center (CRC) of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), located at the Denver Federal Center in Lakewood, Colo., currently houses rock core from more than 8,500 boreholes representing about 1.7 million feet of rock core from 35 States and cuttings from 54,000 boreholes representing 238 million feet of drilling in 28 States. Although most of the boreholes are located in the Rocky Mountain region, the geologic and geographic diversity of samples have helped the CRC become one of the largest and most heavily used public core repositories in the United States. Many of the boreholes represented in the collection were drilled for energy and mineral exploration, and many of the cores and cuttings were donated to the CRC by private companies in these industries. Some cores and cuttings were collected by the USGS along with other government agencies. Approximately one-half of the cores are slabbed and photographed. More than 18,000 thin sections and a large volume of analytical data from the cores and cuttings are also accessible. A growing collection of digital images of the cores are also becoming available on the CRC Web site Internet http://geology.cr.usgs.gov/crc/.

  11. Oxide nanoparticles in an Al-alloyed oxide dispersion strengthened steel: crystallographic structure and interface with ferrite matrix

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Zhenbo; Pantleon, Wolfgang

    2017-07-01

    Oxide nanoparticles are quintessential for ensuring the extraordinary properties of oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels. In this study, the crystallographic structure of oxide nanoparticles, and their interface with the ferritic steel matrix in an Al-alloyed ODS steel, i.e. PM2000, were systematically investigated by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The majority of oxide nanoparticles were identified to be orthorhombic YAlO3. During hot consolidation and extrusion, they develop a coherent interface and a near cuboid-on-cube orientation relationship with the ferrite matrix in the material. After annealing at 1200 °C for 1 h, however, the orientation relationship between the oxide nanoparticles and the matrix becomes arbitrary, and their interface mostly incoherent. Annealing at 1300 °C leads to considerable coarsening of oxide nanoparticles, and a new orientation relationship of pseudo-cube-on-cube between oxide nanoparticles and ferrite matrix develops. The reason for the developing interfaces and orientation relationships between oxide nanoparticles and ferrite matrix under different conditions is discussed.

  12. Oil, fatty acid, flavonoid, and resveratrol content variability in FAD2A functional SNP genotypes in the U.S. peanut mini-core collection

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Peanut seeds contain high amounts of oil and protein as well as some useful bioactive phytochemicals which can contribute to human health. The U.S. peanut mini-core collection is an important genetic resource for improving seed quality and developing new cultivars. Variability of seed chemical compo...

  13. Overview of the Core Commitments Initiative

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    McTighe Musil, Caryn

    2013-01-01

    This chapter provides an overview of the Core Commitments Initiative conducted by the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U). Core Commitments was intended to reinvigorate the conversation about personal and social responsibility within higher education, and served as the impetus for this "New Directions" volume.

  14. High-resolution sulfur isotopes in ice cores identify large stratospheric volcanic eruptions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Burke, Andrea; Sigl, Michael; Adkins, Jess; Paris, Guillaume; McConnell, Joe

    2016-04-01

    The record of the volcanic forcing of climate over the past 2500 years is reconstructed primarily from sulfate concentrations in ice cores. Of particular interest are stratospheric eruptions, as these afford sulfate aerosols the longest residence time and largest dispersion in the atmosphere, and thus the greatest impact on radiative forcing. Identification of stratospheric eruptions currently relies on the successful matching of the same volcanic sulphate peak in ice cores from both the Northern and Southern hemispheres (a "bipolar event"). These are interpreted to reflect the global distribution of sulfur aerosols by the stratospheric winds. Despite its recent success, this method relies on precise and accurate dating of ice cores, in order to distinguish between a true 'bipolar event' and two separate eruptions that occurred in close temporal succession. Sulfur isotopes can been used to distinguish between these two scenarios since stratospheric sulfur aerosols are exposed to UV radiation which imparts a mass independent fractionation (Baroni et al., 2007). Mass independent fractionation of sulfate in ice cores thus offers a novel method of fingerprinting stratospheric eruptions, and thus refining the historic record of explosive volcanism and its forcing of climate. Here we present new high-resolution (sub-annual) sulfur isotope data from the Tunu Ice core in Greenland over seven eruptions. Sulfur isotopes were measured by MC-ICP-MS, which substantially reduces sample size requirements and allows high temporal resolution from a single ice core. We demonstrate the efficacy of the method on recent, well-known eruptions (including Pinatubo and Katmai/Novarupta), and then apply it to unidentified sulfate peaks, allowing us to identify new stratospheric eruptions. Baroni, M., Thiemens, M. H., Delmas, R. J., & Savarino, J. (2007). Mass-independent sulfur isotopic compositions in stratospheric volcanic eruptions. Science, 315(5808), 84-87. http://doi.org/10

  15. Water nanodroplet thermodynamics: quasi-solid phase-boundary dispersivity.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Xi; Sun, Peng; Huang, Yongli; Ma, Zengsheng; Liu, Xinjuan; Zhou, Ji; Zheng, Weitao; Sun, Chang Q

    2015-04-23

    It has long been puzzling that water nanodroplets undergo simultaneously "supercooling" at freezing and "superheating" at melting. Recent progress (Sun et al. J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2013, 4, 2565, 3238) enables us to resolve this anomaly from the perspective of hydrogen bond (O:H-O) specific heat disparity. A superposition of the specific heat ηx(T) curves for the H-O bond (x = H) and the O:H nonbond (x = L) defines two intersecting temperatures that form the ice/quasi-solid/liquid phase boundaries. Molecular undercoordination (with fewer than four nearest neighbors in the bulk) stretches the ηH(T) curve by raising the Debye temperature ΘDH through H-O bond shortening and phonon stiffening. The ηH(T) stretching is coupled with the ηL(T) depressing because of the Coulomb repulsion between electron pairs on oxygen ions. The extent of dispersion varies with the size of a droplet that prefers a core-shell structure configuration-the bulk interior and the skin. Understandings may open an effective way of dealing with the thermodynamic behavior of water droplets and bubbles from the perspective of O:H-O bond cooperativity.

  16. Origin of strong dispersion in Hubbard insulators

    DOE PAGES

    Wang, Y.; Wohlfeld, K.; Moritz, B.; ...

    2015-08-10

    Using cluster perturbation theory, we explain the origin of the strongly dispersive feature found at high binding energy in the spectral function of the Hubbard model. By comparing the Hubbard and $t₋J₋3s$ model spectra, we show that this dispersion does not originate from either coupling to spin fluctuations ($∝ J$ ) or the free hopping ($∝ t$ ). Instead, it should be attributed to a long-range, correlated hopping $∝ t²/U$ which allows an effectively free motion of the hole within the same antiferromagnetic sublattice. This origin explains both the formation of the high-energy anomaly in the single-particle spectrum and themore » sensitivity of the high-binding-energy dispersion to the next-nearest-neighbor hopping $t'$ .« less

  17. Large-Scale Gene Relocations following an Ancient Genome Triplication Associated with the Diversification of Core Eudicots.

    PubMed

    Wang, Yupeng; Ficklin, Stephen P; Wang, Xiyin; Feltus, F Alex; Paterson, Andrew H

    2016-01-01

    Different modes of gene duplication including whole-genome duplication (WGD), and tandem, proximal and dispersed duplications are widespread in angiosperm genomes. Small-scale, stochastic gene relocations and transposed gene duplications are widely accepted to be the primary mechanisms for the creation of dispersed duplicates. However, here we show that most surviving ancient dispersed duplicates in core eudicots originated from large-scale gene relocations within a narrow window of time following a genome triplication (γ) event that occurred in the stem lineage of core eudicots. We name these surviving ancient dispersed duplicates as relocated γ duplicates. In Arabidopsis thaliana, relocated γ, WGD and single-gene duplicates have distinct features with regard to gene functions, essentiality, and protein interactions. Relative to γ duplicates, relocated γ duplicates have higher non-synonymous substitution rates, but comparable levels of expression and regulation divergence. Thus, relocated γ duplicates should be distinguished from WGD and single-gene duplicates for evolutionary investigations. Our results suggest large-scale gene relocations following the γ event were associated with the diversification of core eudicots.

  18. Large-Scale Gene Relocations following an Ancient Genome Triplication Associated with the Diversification of Core Eudicots

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Yupeng; Ficklin, Stephen P.; Wang, Xiyin; Feltus, F. Alex; Paterson, Andrew H.

    2016-01-01

    Different modes of gene duplication including whole-genome duplication (WGD), and tandem, proximal and dispersed duplications are widespread in angiosperm genomes. Small-scale, stochastic gene relocations and transposed gene duplications are widely accepted to be the primary mechanisms for the creation of dispersed duplicates. However, here we show that most surviving ancient dispersed duplicates in core eudicots originated from large-scale gene relocations within a narrow window of time following a genome triplication (γ) event that occurred in the stem lineage of core eudicots. We name these surviving ancient dispersed duplicates as relocated γ duplicates. In Arabidopsis thaliana, relocated γ, WGD and single-gene duplicates have distinct features with regard to gene functions, essentiality, and protein interactions. Relative to γ duplicates, relocated γ duplicates have higher non-synonymous substitution rates, but comparable levels of expression and regulation divergence. Thus, relocated γ duplicates should be distinguished from WGD and single-gene duplicates for evolutionary investigations. Our results suggest large-scale gene relocations following the γ event were associated with the diversification of core eudicots. PMID:27195960

  19. A Massive Galaxy in Its Core Formation Phase Three Billion Years After the Big Bang

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Nelson, Erica; van Dokkum, Pieter; Franx, Marijn; Brammer, Gabriel; Momcheva, Ivelina; Schreiber, Natascha M. Forster; da Cunha, Elisabete; Tacconi, Linda; Bezanson, Rachel; Kirkpatrick, Allison; hide

    2014-01-01

    Most massive galaxies are thought to have formed their dense stellar cores at early cosmic epochs. However, cores in their formation phase have not yet been observed. Previous studies have found galaxies with high gas velocity dispersions or small apparent sizes but so far no objects have been identified with both the stellar structure and the gas dynamics of a forming core. Here we present a candidate core in formation 11 billion years ago, at z = 2.3. GOODS-N-774 has a stellar mass of 1.0 × 10 (exp 11) solar mass, a half-light radius of 1.0 kpc, and a star formation rate of 90 (sup +45 / sub -20) solar mass/yr. The star forming gas has a velocity dispersion 317 plus or minus 30 km/s, amongst the highest ever measured. It is similar to the stellar velocity dispersions of the putative descendants of GOODS-N-774, compact quiescent galaxies at z is approximately equal to 2 (exp 8-11) and giant elliptical galaxies in the nearby Universe. Galaxies such as GOODS-N-774 appear to be rare; however, from the star formation rate and size of the galaxy we infer that many star forming cores may be heavily obscured, and could be missed in optical and near-infrared surveys.

  20. Simulating an Exploding Fission-Bomb Core

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Reed, Cameron

    2016-03-01

    A time-dependent desktop-computer simulation of the core of an exploding fission bomb (nuclear weapon) has been developed. The simulation models a core comprising a mixture of two isotopes: a fissile one (such as U-235) and an inert one (such as U-238) that captures neutrons and removes them from circulation. The user sets the enrichment percentage and scattering and fission cross-sections of the fissile isotope, the capture cross-section of the inert isotope, the number of neutrons liberated per fission, the number of ``initiator'' neutrons, the radius of the core, and the neutron-reflection efficiency of a surrounding tamper. The simulation, which is predicated on ordinary kinematics, follows the three-dimensional motions and fates of neutrons as they travel through the core. Limitations of time and computer memory render it impossible to model a real-life core, but results of numerous runs clearly demonstrate the existence of a critical mass for a given set of parameters and the dramatic effects of enrichment and tamper efficiency on the growth (or decay) of the neutron population. The logic of the simulation will be described and results of typical runs will be presented and discussed.

  1. Contaminant dispersion at the rehabilitated Mary Kathleen uranium mine, Australia

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lottermoser, B. G.; Ashley, P. M.; Costelloe, M. T.

    2005-09-01

    This study reports on the transfer of contaminants from waste rock dumps and mineralised ground into soils, sediments, waters and plants at the rehabilitated Mary Kathleen uranium mine in semi-arid northwest Queensland. Numerous waste rock dumps were partly covered with benign soil and the open pit mine was allowed to flood. The mineralised and waste calc-silicate rock in the open pit and dumps has major (>1 wt%) Ca, Fe and Mg, minor (>1,000 ppm) Ce, La, Mn, P and S, subminor (>100 ppm) Ba, Cu, Th and U, and trace (<100 ppm) As, Ni, Pb, Y and Zn values. Consequently, chemical and physical weathering processes have acted on waste rock and on rock faces within the open pit, mobilising many elements and leading to their dispersion into soils, stream sediments, pit water and several plant species. Chemical dispersion is initiated by sulfide mineral breakdown, generation of sulfuric acid and formation of several soluble, transient sulfate minerals as evaporative efflorescent precipitates. Radiation doses associated with the open pit average 5.65 mSv year-1; waste dumps commonly have lower values, especially where soil-covered. Surface pit water is slightly acid, with high sulfate values accompanied by levels of U, Cu and Ni close to or above Australian water guideline values for livestock. Dispersion of U and related elements into soils and stream sediments occurs by physical (erosional) processes and from chemical precipitation. Plants growing in the mine void, on waste dumps and contaminated soil display evidence of biological uptake of U, LREE, Cu and Th and to a lesser degree of As, Ni, Pb, Y and Zn, with values being up to 1-2 orders of magnitude above background sites for the same species. Although rehabilitation procedures have been partly successful in reducing dispersion of U and related elements into the surrounding environment, it is apparent that 20 years after rehabilitation, there is significant physical and chemical mobility, including transfer into

  2. Geochemical and mineralogical characterization of the Eagle Ford Shale: Results from the USGS Gulf Coast #1 West Woodway core

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Birdwell, Justin E.; Boehlke, Adam; Paxton, Stanley T.; Whidden, Katherine J.; Pearson, Ofori N.

    2017-01-01

    The Eagle Ford shale is a major continuous oil and gas resource play in southcentral Texas and a source for other oil accumulations in the East Texas Basin. As part of the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) petroleum system assessment and research efforts, a coring program to obtain several immature, shallow cores from near the outcrop belt in central Texas has been undertaken. The first of these cores, USGS Gulf Coast #1 West Woodway, was collected near Waco, Texas, in September 2015 and has undergone extensive geochemical and mineralogical characterization using routine methods to ascertain variations in the lithologies and chemofacies present in the Eagle Ford at this locale. Approximately 270 ft of core was examined for this study, focusing on the Eagle Ford Group interval between the overlying Austin Chalk and underlying Buda Limestone (~20 ft of each). Based on previous work to identify the stratigraphy of the Eagle Ford Group in the Waco area and elsewhere (Liro et al., 1994; Robison, 1997; Ratcliffe et al., 2012; Boling and Dworkin, 2015; Fairbanks et al., 2016, and references therein), several lithological units were expected to be present, including the Pepper Shale (or Woodbine), the Lake Waco Formation (or Lower Eagle Ford, including the Bluebonnet, Cloice, and Bouldin or Flaggy Cloice members), and the South Bosque Member (Upper Eagle Ford). The results presented here indicate that there are three major chemofacies present in the cored interval, which are generally consistent with previous descriptions of the Eagle Ford Group in this area. The relatively high-resolution sampling (every two ft above the Buda, 432.8 ft depth, and below the Austin Chalk, 163.5 ft depth) provides great detail in terms of geochemical and mineralogical properties supplementing previous work on immature Eagle Ford Shale near the outcrop belt.

  3. First stages of oxide growth on Al(1 1 0) and core-level shifts from density functional theory calculations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lousada, Cláudio M.; Korzhavyi, Pavel A.

    2018-05-01

    The formation of islands of O-atoms is the dominant mode of growth of the oxide in the first stages of oxidation of Al(1 1 1). It is however unknown if a similar mechanism exists for other low index surfaces of Al. We performed a density functional theory (DFT) and ab initio molecular dynamics investigation of the first stages of the oxidation of Al(1 1 0) using two distinct models: a homogeneous surface disposition of O-atoms; and a model where the O-atoms are close-spaced forming clusters or islands. We investigated the surface reactions with oxygen up to a coverage of 2 ML and found that for both models the adsorption energy per dissociating O2(g) becomes more negative with increasing coverage. Our results show that for coverages up to 1.25 ML the oxide forms clusters or islands while for coverages higher than 1.5 ML the oxide covers the surface homogeneously. This is because the O-atoms bind preferably to neighboring sites even at the minimum coverage. With increasing coverage, the clusters of O start to form stripes along the [1 1 bar 0] direction. The work function (ϕ) of the surface decreases when going from bare Al(1 1 0) to up to 1 ML coverage of O-atoms, but for coverages of 1.25 ML and higher, ϕ increases. The Al 2p surface core level shifts (SCLS) shift towards higher binding energies with increasing surface coverage of O-atoms and start to approach the values of Al 2p in Al2O3 already at a coverage of 2ML. A relation between the SCLS and the coordination number of Al to O-atoms was made. The Al 2p SCLS increases with increasing coordination to O-atoms, for single, twofold and three-fourfold coordinated cations. For the O-atoms that terminate the surface at the short-bridge sites, the SCLS of O 1s, is largely affected by the proximity to other O-atoms. These results demonstrate that the cooperative effects between surface bound O-atoms have important roles in the mechanism of growth of the oxide at Al(1 1 0), and similarly to what happens for Al(1 1 1

  4. 29. DEPENDABLE FORDATHSHELL CORE MACHINES IN THE GREY IRON FOUNDRY ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    29. DEPENDABLE FORDATH-SHELL CORE MACHINES IN THE GREY IRON FOUNDRY INJECTS SAND INTO A CLOSED CORE BOX. SOME OF THE UNITS HEAT THE CORE BOX TO FIX THE RESINS AS THE CORE REMAINS IN THE BOX, OTHERS MERELY SHAPED THE CORE SAND REQUIRING BAKING OF THE CORES TO HARDEN THEM. - Stockham Pipe & Fittings Company, Grey Iron Foundry, 4000 Tenth Avenue North, Birmingham, Jefferson County, AL

  5. Soliton propagation in tapered silicon core fibers.

    PubMed

    Peacock, Anna C

    2010-11-01

    Numerical simulations are used to investigate soliton-like propagation in tapered silicon core optical fibers. The simulations are based on a realistic tapered structure with nanoscale core dimensions and a decreasing anomalous dispersion profile to compensate for the effects of linear and nonlinear loss. An intensity misfit parameter is used to establish the optimum taper dimensions that preserve the pulse shape while reducing temporal broadening. Soliton formation from Gaussian input pulses is also observed--further evidence of the potential for tapered silicon fibers to find use in a range of signal processing applications.

  6. Efficient dispersion tailoring by designing alternately arranged dispersion compensating fibers and fiber amplifiers to create self-similar parabolic pulses

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ghosh, Dipankar; Basu, Mousumi

    2010-11-01

    The parabolic similariton pulse formation by alternate arrangements of passive and active dispersion compensating fibers (DCFs) is presented here. These combinations of passive and active DCFs with constant core radii and constant nonlinearities are suggested as equivalent profiles of a dispersion tailored fiber amplifier in normal dispersion regime. The dispersion tailored fibers, usually known as dispersion decreasing fibers (DDFs) in normal dispersion regime, are capable of producing linearly chirped parabolic self-similar pulses. The DDF is designed and optimized with proper choice of fiber parameters so that considerable variation of nonlinearity can be achieved, which in turn enhances the effective gain coefficient of the fiber. Inclusion of this nonlinear variation along the DDF amplifier length leads to obtain the simulated output pulses with very small misfit parameters with respect to perfect parabolic pulse at sufficiently reduced optimum length. At the same time to avoid the fabrication difficulties of the DDF, the alternately arranged passive and active DCFs are suggested as suitable alternatives of the DDF. The performances of the cascaded systems for generation of self-similar parabolic pulses are compared with that of the DDF amplifier as well as combined systems consisting of DCFs with equal gain. The results show that the proposed alternately arranged cascaded system with less pumping requirements, are efficient enough to produce similar parabolic pulses as compared to the previously designed DDF, even when considerable amount of splice loss at each joint is included.

  7. A massive galaxy in its core formation phase three billion years after the Big Bang

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nelson, Erica; van Dokkum, Pieter; Franx, Marijn; Brammer, Gabriel; Momcheva, Ivelina; Schreiber, Natascha Förster; da Cunha, Elisabete; Tacconi, Linda; Bezanson, Rachel; Kirkpatrick, Allison; Leja, Joel; Rix, Hans-Walter; Skelton, Rosalind; van der Wel, Arjen; Whitaker, Katherine; Wuyts, Stijn

    2014-09-01

    Most massive galaxies are thought to have formed their dense stellar cores in early cosmic epochs. Previous studies have found galaxies with high gas velocity dispersions or small apparent sizes, but so far no objects have been identified with both the stellar structure and the gas dynamics of a forming core. Here we report a candidate core in the process of formation 11 billion years ago, at redshift z = 2.3. This galaxy, GOODS-N-774, has a stellar mass of 100 billion solar masses, a half-light radius of 1.0 kiloparsecs and a star formation rate of solar masses per year. The star-forming gas has a velocity dispersion of 317 +/- 30 kilometres per second. This is similar to the stellar velocity dispersions of the putative descendants of GOODS-N-774, which are compact quiescent galaxies at z ~ 2 (refs 8, 9, 10, 11) and giant elliptical galaxies in the nearby Universe. Galaxies such as GOODS-N-774 seem to be rare; however, from the star formation rate and size of this galaxy we infer that many star-forming cores may be heavily obscured, and could be missed in optical and near-infrared surveys.

  8. A massive galaxy in its core formation phase three billion years after the Big Bang.

    PubMed

    Nelson, Erica; van Dokkum, Pieter; Franx, Marijn; Brammer, Gabriel; Momcheva, Ivelina; Schreiber, Natascha Förster; da Cunha, Elisabete; Tacconi, Linda; Bezanson, Rachel; Kirkpatrick, Allison; Leja, Joel; Rix, Hans-Walter; Skelton, Rosalind; van der Wel, Arjen; Whitaker, Katherine; Wuyts, Stijn

    2014-09-18

    Most massive galaxies are thought to have formed their dense stellar cores in early cosmic epochs. Previous studies have found galaxies with high gas velocity dispersions or small apparent sizes, but so far no objects have been identified with both the stellar structure and the gas dynamics of a forming core. Here we report a candidate core in the process of formation 11 billion years ago, at redshift z = 2.3. This galaxy, GOODS-N-774, has a stellar mass of 100 billion solar masses, a half-light radius of 1.0 kiloparsecs and a star formation rate of solar masses per year. The star-forming gas has a velocity dispersion of 317 ± 30 kilometres per second. This is similar to the stellar velocity dispersions of the putative descendants of GOODS-N-774, which are compact quiescent galaxies at z ≈ 2 (refs 8-11) and giant elliptical galaxies in the nearby Universe. Galaxies such as GOODS-N-774 seem to be rare; however, from the star formation rate and size of this galaxy we infer that many star-forming cores may be heavily obscured, and could be missed in optical and near-infrared surveys.

  9. The Application of 238U/235U as a Redox-Proxy for Past Ocean Chemistry

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Andersen, M. B.; Westermann, S.; Bahniuk, A.; Vasconcelos, C.; McKenzie, J. A.; Föllmi, K. B.; Vance, D.

    2014-12-01

    The recent discovery of significant variation in 238U/235U caused by redox change at the surface Earth has led to its use to extract information on the oxygenation state of ancient oceans from marine sediments [e.g. 1]. Recent studies have focused on improving the understanding of the 238U/235U signature in modern marine carbonates [2] and black shales [3] to improve the robustness of this tracer. To further advance its use we have focused on improving our understanding of 238U/235U systematics in modern dolomite, another commonly occurring rock-type in the geological record, before turning to 238U/235U signatures in ancient sediments. The measured dolomite samples, precipitated in modern environments of coastal hypersaline lagoons in Brazil, all exhibit 238U/235U values that deviate from the seawater composition [3]. Observed values are both lighter (ca. 130 ppm; as also observed in dolomite from tidal-ponds on Bahamas [2]) and heavier (50-180 ppm). These distinct 238U/235U values for different dolomite-precipitates likely attest to the particular formation style, as well as early diagenetic processes. We use such modern settings to discuss the utility of 238U/235U in ancient sediments, the singularity of any observed 238U/235U signal, its relation to global ocean chemistry and potential diagenetic overprinting. These constraints are then used to evaluate a well-preserved marine carbonate section [4] and published black shale 238U/235U data [1], both deposited during the Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (93 Ma). We discuss the capabilities of both the carbonate and black shale section for retaining information on the 238U/235U composition in the ocean during OAE 2. [1] Montoya-Pino et al. (2010) Geology, 38, 315-318 [2] Romaniello et al. (2013) 362, 305-316 [3] Andersen et al. (2014) EPSL, 400, 184-194 [4] Westermann et al. (2010) Cret. Res., 31, 500-514

  10. U-Pb (SHRIMP) Ages of Be and U-rich Opal in Tuffaceous Breccia at Spor Mountain, Utah: Interpreting a Record of Continuous Opal Formation, Episodic Be-U Mineralization, and Remobilization Events

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ayuso, R. A.; Vazquez, J. A.; Foley, N.; Lederer, G.; Jaskula, B.

    2016-12-01

    The Spor Mountain Fm. (SMF, ca. 21 Ma; Lindsey, 1977, Eco. Geol., v. 72, 219-232; Foley et al., 2012, USGS SIR 2010-5070-F, 1-43) hosts the largest deposit of volcanogenic-epithermal Be in the world (proven reserves 15,700 t/contained Be). Ore occurs mainly in cm-to-m-wide irregularly layered nodules of calcite, chalcedony, opal, fluorite, and bertrandite (Be4Si2O7(OH)2) in tuff breccias. U-Pb SHRIMP dating (adapted from Paces et al., 2004, GCA v. 68, 1591-1606; Neymark and Paces, 2013, EPSL v. 361, 98-109) of opal in nodules from SMF yielded 206Pb/238U ages coupled with multi-element analyses, e.g., Be, F, P, Si, Ti, REE, etc. The ages reveal periods of prolonged massive and fracture-filling opal formation that range from 55 Ma to 2 Ma. Age gaps are not prominent (a previous study of bulk samples identified opal ages of 21.8 Ma, 13-16 Ma, 8-9 Ma in SMF and 3.5 Ma in the overlying 6 Ma Topaz Mountain Fm.; Ludwig et al., 1980, EPSL, v. 46, 221-232). High values of Be/Si ( 5,000-20,000), Be/F, Be/P, and Be/U and oldest ages ( 55 to 28 Ma) occur in opal in nodule cores; outward, younger opal layers ( 28 to 7 Ma) decline in Be/Si but also include spikes of >5,000. A prominent U/Si spike (>300) occurs in opal between 6 Ma and 4 Ma, which may establish the age of U mineralization that occurs immediately east of Spor Mountain (the Yellow Chief U deposit). The occurrence of Be-rich opal older than 25 Ma in nodules within the 21 Ma (K-Ar date) tuff suggests that nodule formation may also be associated with older volcanism in the region. Opal that is younger than 21 Ma is thought to have formed by hydrothermal fluid interacting with Be-rich tuff. Geochemical modeling shows leaching of Be and other elements from volcanic glass and deposition of bertrandite upon reaction of the fluid with carbonate clasts in the tuff are viable mechanisms for the observed assemblages. Be concentrations in late nodular opal (<6 Ma) may reflect redistribution of earlier mineralization. The world

  11. EPA's New Oil and Dispersant Testing Program

    EPA Science Inventory

    The U.S. EPA has initiated a new component of its oil spills research program to develop baseline data on the ecotoxicity of selected petroleum products and toxicity and efficacy of dispersant agents. Two diluted bitumens (dilbits) from the Alberta Tar Sands are currently being t...

  12. Structural and compositional evolution of Al{sub 3}(Zr,Y) precipitates in Al-Zr-Y alloy

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

    Gao, Haiyan, E-mail: gaohaiyan@sjtu.edu.cn

    Structural and compositional evolution of Al{sub 3}(Zr,Y) precipitates in aged Al-Zr-Y alloy was investigated through atom probe tomography (APT) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis and first principles calculations. The results show that short-bar-shaped D0{sub 19}-Al{sub 3}Y with some Zr atoms dissolved in precipitated at the very beginning of decomposition and worked as heterogeneous nuclei for L1{sub 2}-Al{sub 3}Zr with spherical morphology after being aged at 400 °C for 2 h. Quasi-static coarsening happened as the aging treatment lasted from 2 h to 200 h. However, distribution of Zr and Y atoms in Al{sub 3}(Zr,Y) is nearly uniform and Al{submore » 3}(Zr,Y) do not have the typical “Al{sub 3}RE core-Al{sub 3}Zr shell” structure which observed in other RE containing Al-Zr-RE alloys with L1{sub 2}-Al{sub 3}RE as nuclei. First principles calculations revealed that binding energy between Y and Zr is strong during the growth of Al{sub 3}(Zr,Y), which led to the co-precipitation of Y and Zr atoms and attribute to the evolution of Al{sub 3}(Zr,Y). - Highlights: •Al{sub 3}Y precipitated firstly and then became nuclei for Al{sub 3}Zr during aging of Al-Zr-Y. •Al{sub 3}(Zr,Y) precipitates do not have the typical “Al{sub 3}Y core-Al{sub 3}Zr shell” structure. •Strong binding between Y and Zr led to the co-precipitation of Y and Zr atoms.« less

  13. Effect of Al(OH)3 on the sintering of UO2-Gd2O3 fuel pellets with addition of U3O8 from recycle

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    dos Santos, Lauro Roberto; Durazzo, Michelangelo; Urano de Carvalho, Elita Fontenele; Riella, Humberto Gracher

    2017-09-01

    The incorporation of gadolinium as burnable poison directly into nuclear fuel is important for reactivity compensation, which enables longer fuel cycles. The function of the burnable poison fuel is to control the neutron population in the reactor core during its startup and the beginning of the fuel burning cycle to extend the use of the fuel. The implementation of UO2-Gd2O3 poisoned fuel in Brazil has been proposed according to the future requirements established for the Angra-2 nuclear power plant. The UO2 powder used is produced from the Ammonium Uranyl Carbonate (AUC). The incorporation of Gd2O3 powder directly into the AUC-derived UO2 powder by dry mechanical blending is the most attractive process, because of its simplicity. Nevertheless, processing by this method leads to difficulties while obtaining sintered pellets with the minimum required density. The cause of the low densities is the bad sintering behavior of the UO2-Gd2O3 mixed fuel, which shows a blockage in the sintering process that hinders the densification. This effect has been overcome by microdoping of the fuel with small quantities of aluminum. The process for manufacturing the fuel inevitably generates uranium-rich scraps from various sources. This residue is reincorporated into the production process in the form of U3O8 powder additions. The addition of U3O8 also hinders densification in sintering. This study was carried out to investigate the influence of both aluminum and U3O8 additives on the density of fuel pellets after sintering. As the effects of these additives are counterposed, this work studied the combined effect thereof, seeking to find an applicable composition for the production process. The experimental results demonstrated the effectiveness of aluminum, in the form of Al(OH)3, as an additive to promote increase in the densification of the (U,Gd)O2 pellets during sintering, even with high additions of U3O8 recycled from the manufacturing process.

  14. Intermetallic Growth and Interfacial Properties of the Grain Refiners in Al Alloys

    PubMed Central

    Li, Chunmei; Cheng, Nanpu; Chen, Zhiqian; Xie, Zhongjing; Hui, Liangliang

    2018-01-01

    Al3TM(TM = Ti, Zr, Hf, Sc) particles acting as effective grain refiners for Al alloys have been receiving extensive attention these days. In order to judge their nucleation behaviors, first-principles calculations are used to investigate their intermetallic and interfacial properties. Based on energy analysis, Al3Zr and Al3Sc are more suitable for use as grain refiners than the other two intermetallic compounds. Interfacial properties show that Al/Al3TM(TM = Ti, Zr, Hf, Sc) interfaces in I-ter interfacial mode exhibit better interface wetting effects due to larger Griffith rupture work and a smaller interface energy. Among these, Al/Al3Sc achieves the lowest interfacial energy, which shows that Sc atoms should get priority for occupying interfacial sites. Additionally, Sc-doped Al/Al3(Zr, Sc) interfacial properties show that Sc can effectively improve the Al/Al3(Zr, Sc) binding strength with the Al matrix. By combining the characteristics of interfaces with the properties of intermetallics, the core-shell structure with Al3Zr-core or Al3Zr(Sc1-1)-core encircled with an Sc-rich shell forms. PMID:29677155

  15. Liquid-Solid Interaction in Al-Si/Al-Mn-Cu-Mg Brazing Sheets and Its Effects on Mechanical Properties

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jin, H.; Kozdras, M. S.; Amirkhiz, B. Shalchi; Winkler, S. L.

    2018-05-01

    The liquid-solid interaction during brazing at 592 °C to 605 °C and its effects on mechanical properties were investigated in a series of Al-Si/Al-Mn-Cu-Mg brazing sheets with different Mg contents. Depending on the Mg level in core alloy and the brazing temperature, critical changes of local chemistry and microstructure related to the liquid-solid interaction occur, including solid-state diffusion, uniform clad-core interface migration, and grain boundary penetration (GBP). When the Mg in core alloy is below 1 wt pct, the interaction is limited and the formation of a dense precipitation band due to solid-state diffusion of Si from the clad to the core is dominant. As the Mg exceeds 1 wt pct, very extensive interaction occurs resulting in clad-core interface migration and GBP of Si into the core, both involving local melting and re-solidification of the core alloy. Whenever Si from the clad encounters Mg in the core due to the interaction, Mg2Si precipitates are formed leading to significant improvement of strength. However, the interface migration and GBP drastically reduce the ductility, due to the segregation of coarse secondary phase particles along the newly formed grain boundaries.

  16. Liquid-Solid Interaction in Al-Si/Al-Mn-Cu-Mg Brazing Sheets and Its Effects on Mechanical Properties

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jin, H.; Kozdras, M. S.; Amirkhiz, B. Shalchi; Winkler, S. L.

    2018-07-01

    The liquid-solid interaction during brazing at 592 °C to 605 °C and its effects on mechanical properties were investigated in a series of Al-Si/Al-Mn-Cu-Mg brazing sheets with different Mg contents. Depending on the Mg level in core alloy and the brazing temperature, critical changes of local chemistry and microstructure related to the liquid-solid interaction occur, including solid-state diffusion, uniform clad-core interface migration, and grain boundary penetration (GBP). When the Mg in core alloy is below 1 wt pct, the interaction is limited and the formation of a dense precipitation band due to solid-state diffusion of Si from the clad to the core is dominant. As the Mg exceeds 1 wt pct, very extensive interaction occurs resulting in clad-core interface migration and GBP of Si into the core, both involving local melting and re-solidification of the core alloy. Whenever Si from the clad encounters Mg in the core due to the interaction, Mg2Si precipitates are formed leading to significant improvement of strength. However, the interface migration and GBP drastically reduce the ductility, due to the segregation of coarse secondary phase particles along the newly formed grain boundaries.

  17. The Information Systems Core: A Study from the Perspective of IS Core Curricula in the U.S.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hwang, Drew; Ma, Zhongming; Wang, Ming

    2015-01-01

    To keep up with technology changes and industry trends, it is essential for Information Systems (IS) programs to maintain up to date curricula. In doing so, IS educators need to determine what the IS core is and implement it in their curriculum. This study performed a descriptive analysis of 2,229 core courses offered by 394 undergraduate IS…

  18. SEM in situ MiniCantilever Beam Bending of U-10Mo/Zr/Al Fuel Elements

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

    Mook, William; Baldwin, Jon K.; Martinez, Ricardo M.

    2014-06-16

    In this work, the fracture behavior of Al/Zr and Zr/dU-10Mo interfaces was measured via the minicantilever bend technique. The energy dissipation rates were found to be approximately 3.7-5 mj/mm 2 and 5.9 mj/mm 2 for each interface, respectively. It was found that in order to test the Zr/U-10Mo interface, location of the hinge of the cantilever was a key parameter. While this test could be adapted to hot cell use through careful alignment fixturing and measurement of crack lengths with an optical microscope (as opposed to SEM, which was used here out of convenience), machining of the cantilevers via MiniMillmore » in such a way as to locate the interfaces at the cantilever hinge, as well as proper placement of a femtosecond laser notch will continue to be key challenges in a hot cell environment.« less

  19. From core to coax: extending core RF modelling to include SOL, Antenna, and PFC

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shiraiwa, Syun'ichi

    2017-10-01

    A new technique for the calculation of RF waves in toroidal geometry enables the simultaneous incorporation of antenna geometry, plasma facing components (PFCs), the scrape off-layer (SOL), and core propagation. Traditionally, core RF wave propagation and antenna coupling has been calculated separately both using rather simplified SOL plasmas. The new approach, instead, allows capturing wave propagation in the SOL and its interactions with non-conforming PFCs permitting self-consistent calculation of core absorption and edge power loss, as well as investigating far and near field impurity generation from RF sheaths and a breakdown issue from antenna electric fields. Our approach combines the field solutions obtained from a core spectral code with a hot plasma dielectric and an edge FEM code using a cold plasma approximation via surface admittance-like matrix. Our approach was verified using the TORIC core ICRF spectral code and the commercial COMSOL FEM package, and was extended to 3D torus using open-source scalable MFEM library. The simulation result revealed that as the core wave damping gets weaker, the wave absorption in edge could become non-negligible. Three dimensional capabilities with non axisymmetric edge are being applied to study the antenna characteristic difference between the field aligned and toroidally aligned antennas on Alcator C-Mod, as well as the surface wave excitation on NSTX-U. Work supported by the U.S. DoE, OFES, using User Facility Alcator C-Mod, DE-FC02-99ER54512 and Contract No. DE-FC02-01ER54648.

  20. Large-pitch kagome-structured hollow-core photonic crystal fiber

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Couny, F.; Benabid, F.; Light, P. S.

    2006-12-01

    We report the fabrication and characterization of a new type of hollow-core photonic crystal fiber based on large-pitch (˜12μm) kagome lattice cladding. The optical characteristics of the 19-cell, 7-cell, and single-cell core defect fibers include broad optical transmission bands covering the visible and near-IR parts of the spectrum with relatively low loss and low chromatic dispersion, no detectable surface modes and high confinement of light in the core. Various applications of such a novel fiber are also discussed, including gas sensing, quantum optics, and high harmonic generation.

  1. Evaluation of material dispersion using a nanosecond optical pulse radiator.

    PubMed

    Horiguchi, M; Ohmori, Y; Miya, T

    1979-07-01

    To study the material dispersion effects on graded-index fibers, a method for measuring the material dispersion in optical glass fibers has been developed. Nanosecond pulses in the 0.5-1.7-microm region are generated by a nanosecond optical pulse radiator and grating monochromator. These pulses are injected into a GeO(2)-P(2)0(5)-doped silica graded-index fiber. Relative time delay changes between different wavelengths are used to determine material dispersion, core glass refractive index, material group index, and optimum profile parameter of the graded-index fiber. From the measured data, the optimum profile parameter on the GeO(2)-P(2)O(5)-doped silica graded-index fiber could be estimated to be 1.88 at 1.27 microm of the material dispersion free wavelength region and 1.82 at 1.55 microm of the lowest-loss wavelength region in silica-based optical fiber waveguides.

  2. Spectroscopy of Al wire array stagnation on Z

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jones, B.; Jennings, C. A.; Hansen, S. B.; Bailey, J. E.; Rochau, G. A.; Coverdale, C. A.; Yu, E. P.; Ampleford, D. J.; Cuneo, M. E.; Maron, Y.; Fisher, V. I.; Bernshtam, V.; Starobinets, A.; Weingarten, L.; Pinhas, S.

    2011-10-01

    In this work, we present analysis of time-gated spectra of ~2 keV K-shell emissions from Al (5% Mg) wire arrays on Z to provide details of the plasma conditions and dynamics at the onset of stagnation. The plasma is modeled as concentric radial zones, and collisional-radiative modeling with self-consistent radiation transport is used to constrain the temperatures and densities in these regions. A hot ~2 keV plasma core bearing a few percent of the total mass forms at the foot of the x-ray pulse, with participating mass increasing toward peak x-ray power as material arrives on axis with ~50 cm/ μs implosion velocity. The atomic modeling accounts for K-shell line opacity and Doppler effects, and is compared to 3D MHD simulations. Sandia National Laboratories is a multi-program laboratory managed and operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation, for the U.S. DOE National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000.

  3. Photochemical internalization-mediated nonviral gene transfection: polyamine core-shell nanoparticles as gene carrier

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zamora, Genesis; Wang, Frederick; Sun, Chung-Ho; Trinidad, Anthony; Kwon, Young Jik; Cho, Soo Kyung; Berg, Kristian; Madsen, Steen J.; Hirschberg, Henry

    2014-10-01

    The overall objective of the research was to investigate the utility of photochemical internalization (PCI) for the enhanced nonviral transfection of genes into glioma cells. The PCI-mediated introduction of the tumor suppressor gene phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) or the cytosine deaminase (CD) pro-drug activating gene into U87 or U251 glioma cell monolayers and multicell tumor spheroids were evaluated. In the study reported here, polyamine-DNA gene polyplexes were encapsulated in a nanoparticle (NP) with an acid degradable polyketal outer shell. These NP synthetically mimic the roles of viral capsid and envelope, which transport and release the gene, respectively. The effects of PCI-mediated suppressor and suicide genes transfection efficiency employing either "naked" polyplex cores alone or as NP-shelled cores were compared. PCI was performed with the photosensitizer AlPcS2a and λ=670-nm laser irradiance. The results clearly demonstrated that the PCI can enhance the delivery of both the PTEN or CD genes in human glioma cell monolayers and multicell tumor spheroids. The transfection efficiency, as measured by cell survival and inhibition of spheroid growth, was found to be significantly greater at suboptimal light and DNA levels for shelled NPs compared with polyamine-DNA polyplexes alone.

  4. Accurate ab initio calculations which demonstrate a 3 Pi u ground state for Al2

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bauschlicher, Charles W., Jr.; Partridge, Harry; Langhoff, Stephen R.; Taylor, Peter R.; Walch, Stephen P.

    1986-01-01

    The spectroscopic parameters and separations between the three low-lying X 3 Pi u, A 3 Sigma g -, and a 1 Sigma g + states of Al2 are studied as a function of both the one-particle and n-particle basis set. Approximate correlation treatments are calibrated against full Cl calculations correlating the six valence electrons in a double-zeta plus two d-function basis set. Since the CASSCF/MRCI 3 Pi u to 3 Sigma g - separation is in excellent agreement wtih the FCI value, the MRCI calculations were carried out in an extended (20s13p6d4f)/(6s5p3d2f) gaussian basis. Including a small correction for relativistic effects, the best estimate is that 3 Sigma g - state lies 174/cm above the 3 Pi u ground state. The 1 Sigma g + state lies at least 2000/cm higher in energy. At the CPF level, inclusion of 2s and 2p correlation has little effect on D sub e, reduces T sub e by only 26/cm, and shortens the bond lengths by about 0.02 a sub o. Further strong support for a 3 Pi u ground state comes from the experimental absorption spectra, since both observed transitions can be convincingly assigned as 3 Pi u yields 3 Pi g. The (2) 3 Pi g state is observed to be sensitive to the level of correlation treatment, and to have its minimum shifted to shorter rho values, such that the strongest experimental absorption peak probably corresponds to the 0 yields 2 transition.

  5. Interaction between air pollution dispersion and residential heating demands

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

    Lipfert, F.W.; Moskowitz, P.D.; Dungan, J.

    The effect of the short-term correlation of a specific emission (sulfur dioxide) from residential space heating, with air pollution dispersion rates on the accuracy of model estimates of urban air pollution on a seasonal or annual basis is analyzed. Hourly climatological and residential emission estimates for six U.S. cities and a simplified area source-dispersion model based on a circular receptor grid are used. The effect on annual average concentration estimations is found to be slight (approximately + or - 12 percent), while the maximum hourly concentrations are shown to vary considerably more, since maximum heat demand and worst-case dispersion aremore » not coincident. Accounting for the correlations between heating demand and dispersion makes possible a differentiation in air pollution potential between coastal and interior cities.« less

  6. Microstructure Characterization of RERTR Fuel

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

    J. Gan; B. D. Miller; D. D. Keiser

    2008-09-01

    A variety of phases have the potential to develop in the irradiated fuels for the reduced enrichment research test reactor (RERTR) program. To study the radiation stability of these potential phases, three depleted uranium alloys were cast. The phases of interest were identified including U(Si,Al)3, (U,Mo)(Si,Al)3, UMo2Al20, UAl4, and U6Mo4Al43. These alloys were irradiated with 2.6 MeV protons at 200ºC up to 3.0 dpa. The microstructure is characterized using SEM and TEM. Microstructural characterization for an archive dispersion fuel plate (U-7Mo fuel particles in Al-2%Si cladding) was also carried out. TEM sample preparation for the irradiated dispersion fuel has beenmore » developed.« less

  7. LMFBR fuel assembly design for HCDA fuel dispersal

    DOEpatents

    Lacko, Robert E.; Tilbrook, Roger W.

    1984-01-01

    A fuel assembly for a liquid metal fast breeder reactor having an upper axial blanket region disposed in a plurality of zones within the fuel assembly. The characterization of a zone is dependent on the height of the axial blanket region with respect to the active fuel region. The net effect of having a plurality of zones is to establish a dispersal flow path for the molten materials resulting during a core meltdown accident. Upward flowing molten material can escape from the core region and/or fuel assembly without solidifying on the surface of fuel rods due to the heat sink represented by blanket region pellets.

  8. The last interglaciation at Owens Lake, California; Core OL-92

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Bischoff, James L.

    1998-01-01

    Owens Lake, located at the eastern base of the central Sierra Nevada (Fig. 1), was the terminus of the Owens River prior to the lake's complete desiccation shortly after 1913 due to river diversion by the City of Los Angeles. During earlier wetter cycles, the lake overflowed to fill a series of downstream basins including China Lake Basin, Searles Valley, Panamint Valley, and ultimately, Death Valley (Smith and Street-Perrott, 1983). In 1992 the U.S. Geological Survey drilled a 323-m-deep core (OL-92) into Owens Lake sediments near the depocenter of the basin to obtain a continuous record of silty-clay sediment spanning the last 800,000 yrs. A multi-parameter reconnaissance study of the entire core (ca 7000-yr resolution), was reported in a 13-chapter summary volume (Smith and Bischoff, 1997). A document containing the numerical and other detailed forms of raw data collected by that volume's authors was prepared earlier (Smith and Bischoff, 1993). The reconnaissance study provided an approximate time-depth model for the entire core, based on radiocarbon dates from the top 31m, the Bishop Ash (759,000 yrs) at 304 m, ten within-Brunhes paleomagnetic excursions, and a compaction-corrected mass-accumulation rate of 51.4 g/cm/l000yr (Bischoff et al., 1997a). Application of this model to observed sediment parameters indicates that Owens Lake was saline, alkaline, and biologically productive at times of decreased water-flow, and was generally hydrologically flushed and relatively unproductive during times of increased water-flow. Grain size, abundance of CaCO3, organic carbon, clay mineralogy, cation-exchange capacity of the clay fraction, fossil pollen, fish, ostracodes, and diatoms (see summary by Smith et al., 1997) all show cyclic variation down the core. CaCO3 abundance, in particular, strongly reflects an approximately 100 ka dominant cycle, characteristic of global ice-volume indicated by the MIS δ18O record. Four of the last five marine isotope terminations are

  9. Engineering ultra-flattened normal dispersion photonic crystal fiber with silica material

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ferhat, Mohamed Lamine; Cherbi, Lynda; Bahloul, Lies; Hariz, Abdelhafid

    2017-05-01

    The tailoring of the group velocity dispersion (GVD) of an optical fiber is critical in many applications, influence on the bandwidth of information transmission in optical communication systems, successful utilization of nonlinear optical properties in applications such as supercontinuum generation, wavelength conversion and harmonic generation via stimulated Raman scattering ...In this work, we propose a design of ultra-flattened photonic crystal fiber by changing the diameter of the air holes of the cladding rings. The geometry is composed of only four rings, hexagonal structure of air holes and silica as background of the solid core. As a result, we present structures with broadband flat normal dispersion on many wavelengths bands useful for several applications. We obtain flat normal dispersion over 1000 nm broadband flat normal dispersion below -7 [ps/nm.km], and ultra-flat near zero normal dispersion below -0.2 [ps/nm.km] over 150 nm. The modeled photonic crystal fiber would be valuable for the fabrication of ultra-flattened-dispersion fibers, and have potential applications in wide-band high-speed optical communication systems, supercontinuum generation and many other applications.

  10. Translation and convection of Earth's inner core

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Monnereau, M.; Calvet, M.; Margerin, L.; Mizzon, H.; Souriau, A.

    2012-12-01

    The image of the inner core growing slowly at the center of the Earth by gradual cooling and solidification of the surrounding liquid outer core is being replaced by the more vigorous image of a ``deep foundry'', where melting and crystallization rates exceed by many times the net growth rate. Recently, a particular mode of convection, called translation, has been put forward as an important mode of inner core dynamics because this mechanism is able to explain the observed East-West asymmetry of P-wave velocity and attenuation (Monnereau et al. 2010). Translation is a pure solid displacement of the inner core material (solid iron) within its envelop, implying crystallization of entering iron on one side of the inner core and melting on the opposite side. Translation is consistent with multiple scattering models of wave propagation. If they do not experience deformation, iron crystals grow as they transit from one hemisphere to the other. Larger crystals constituting a faster and more attenuating medium, a translation velocity of some cm/yr (about ten times the growth rate) is enough to account for the superficial asymmetry observed for P-wave velocity and attenuation, with grains of a few hundred meters on the crystallizing side (West) growing up to a few kilometers before melting on the East side, and a drift direction located in the equatorial plane. Among all hypotheses that have been proposed to account for the seismic asymmetry, translation is the only one based on a demonstrated link between the seismic data and the proposed dynamics, notably through a model of seismic wave propagation. This mechanism was also proposed to be responsible for the formation of a dense layer at the bottom of the outer core, since the high rate of melting and crystallization would release a liquid depleted in light elements at the surface of the inner core (Alboussiere et al 2010). This would explain the anomalously low gradient of P wave velocity in the lowermost 200 km of the

  11. 7 CFR 51.301 - U.S. Fancy.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... Standards for Grades of Apples Grades § 51.301 U.S. Fancy. “U.S. Fancy” consists of apples of one variety... injury, visible water core, and broken skins. The apples are also free from damage caused by bruises... variety of apples. Invisible water core shall not be scored against the Fuji variety of apples under any...

  12. 7 CFR 51.301 - U.S. Fancy.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... Standards for Grades of Apples Grades § 51.301 U.S. Fancy. “U.S. Fancy” consists of apples of one variety... injury, visible water core, and broken skins. The apples are also free from damage caused by bruises... variety of apples. Invisible water core shall not be scored against the Fuji variety of apples under any...

  13. 7 CFR 51.301 - U.S. Fancy.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Standards for Grades of Apples Grades § 51.301 U.S. Fancy. “U.S. Fancy” consists of apples of one variety... injury, visible water core, and broken skins. The apples are also free from damage caused by bruises... variety of apples. Invisible water core shall not be scored against the Fuji variety of apples under any...

  14. Dispersion of the Neutron Emission in U{sup 235} Fission

    DOE R&D Accomplishments Database

    Feynman, R. P.; de Hoffmann, F.; Serber, R.

    1955-01-01

    Equations are developed which allow the calculation of the average number of neutrons per U{sup235} fission from experimental measurements. Experimental methods are described, the results of which give a value of (7.8 + 0.6){sup ?} neutrons per U{sup 235} thermal fission.

  15. Mediterranean Outflow Water during the late Pliocene: New stratigraphic constraints from micropaleontology and XRF core-scanning (IODP Expedition 339, Hole U1389E)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Grunert, Patrick; Balestra, Barbara; Flores, José-Abel; Garcia Gallardo, Ángela; Auer, Gerald; Röhl, Ulla; Piller, Werner E.

    2015-04-01

    IODP Hole U1389E, at present located in the lower core of the Mediterranean Outflow Water (MOW) at 640m water depth in the northern Gulf of Cadiz, represents a key-site for the understanding of changes in MOW contribution to the North Atlantic during the late Pliocene thermal optimum and the transition into the Pleistocene ice house climate. Zr/Al ratios of the recovered sediments as well as δ18O and Mg/Ca of benthic foraminifera imply major changes in MOW strength in the studied interval. However, to consider these data in a broader paleoceanographic and paleoclimatic context, a well-constrained age model is essential. New data from calcareous nannoplankton and XRF core-scanning suggest that the shipboard age model for the site has to be reconsidered as major changes in sedimentation rates have not been recognized in the original comparably low resolution data-sets. While the new, higher-resolution biostratigraphic data confirm the overall time frame of 2.6 to 3.6 Myrs, they also imply a potential sedimentary hiatus within the Pliocene thermal optimum and a significant increase in sedimentation rates thereafter. A distinct cyclic pattern is recognized in the CaCO3 and TOC contents as well as Ca/Ti ratios. Based on the estimated sedimentation rates these cycles are most likely linked to precessional forcing, resembling cyclic changes in riverine input from southern Spain recognized at several drill-sites at the northern shelf break. A detailed cyclostratigraphic analysis is currently in progress to confirm the precessional signal and to further constrain the duration of the sedimentary hiatus during the Pliocene thermal optimum. This study contributes to project P25831-N29 of the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) and is financially supported by grants of ECORD and the Max Kade Foundation.

  16. Geoantineutrino spectrum and slow nuclear burning on the boundary of the liquid and solid phases of the Earth's core

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rusov, V. D.; Pavlovich, V. N.; Vaschenko, V. N.; Tarasov, V. A.; Zelentsova, T. N.; Bolshakov, V. N.; Litvinov, D. A.; Kosenko, S. I.; Byegunova, O. A.

    2007-09-01

    We give an alternative description of the data produced in the KamLAND experiment. Assuming the existence of a natural nuclear reactor on the boundary of the liquid and solid phases of the Earth's core, a geoantineutrino spectrum is obtained. This assumption is based on the experimental results of V. Anisichkin and his collaborators on the interaction of uranium dioxide and uranium carbide with iron-nickel and silica-alumina melts at high pressure (5-10 GPa) and temperature (1600-2200°C), which led to the proposal of the existence of an actinide shell in the Earth's core. We describe the operating mechanism of this reactor as solitary waves of nuclear burning in 238U and/or 232Th medium, in particular, as neutron fission progressive waves of Feoktistov and/or Teller et al. type. Next, we propose a simplified model for the accumulation and burn-up kinetics in Feoktistov's U-Pu fuel cycle. We also apply this model for numerical simulations of neutron fission wave in a two-phase UO2/Fe medium on the surface of the Earth's solid core. The proposed georeactor model offers a mechanism for the generation of 3He. The 3He/4He distribution in the Earth's interior is calculated, which in turn can be used as a natural quantitative criterion of the georeactor thermal power. Finally, we give a tentative estimation of the geoantineutrino intensity and spectrum on the Earth's surface. For this purpose we use the O'Nions et al. geochemical model of mantle differentiation and crust growth complemented by a nuclear energy source (georeactor with power of 30 TW).

  17. Morphology and composition of spinel in Pu'u 'O'o lava (1996-1998), Kilauea volcano, Hawaii

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Roeder, P.L.; Thornber, C.; Poustovetov, Alexei; Grant, A.

    2003-01-01

    The morphology and composition of spinel in rapidly quenched Pu'u 'O'o vent and lava tube samples are described. These samples contain glass, olivine phenocrysts (3-5 vol.%) and microphenocrysts of spinel (~0.05 vol.%). The spinel surrounded by glass occurs as idiomorphic octahedra 5-50 μm in diameter and as chains of octahedra that are oriented with respect to each other. Spinel enclosed by olivine phenocrysts is sometimes rounded and does not generally form chains. The temperature before quenching was calculated from the MgO content of the glass and ranges from 1150oC to 1180oC. The oxygen fugacity before quenching was calculated by two independent methods and the log f O2 ranged from -9.2 to -9.9 (delta QFM=-1). The spinel in the Pu'u'O'o samples has a narrow range in composition with Cr/(Cr+Al)=0.61 to 0.73 and Fe2+/(Fe2++Mg) =0.46 to 0.56. The lower the calculated temperature for the samples, the higher the average Fe2+/(Fe2++Mg), Fe3+ and Ti in the spinel. Most zoned spinel crystals decrease in Cr/(Cr+Al) from core to rim and, in the chains, the Cr/(Cr+Al) is greater in the core of larger crystals than in the core of smaller crystals. The occurrence of chains and hopper crystals and the presence of Cr/(Cr+Al) zoning from core to rim of the spinel suggest diffusion-controlled growth of the crystals. Some of the spinel crystals may have grown rapidly under the turbulent conditions of the summit reservoir and in the flowing lava, and the crystals may have remained in suspension for a considerable period. The rapid growth may have caused very local (μm) gradients of Cr in the melt ahead of the spinel crystal faces. The crystals seem to have retained the Cr/(Cr+Al) ratio that developed during the original growth of the crystal, but the Fe2+/(Fe2++Mg) ratio may have equilibrated fairly rapidly with the changing melt composition due to olivine crystallization. Six of the samples were collected on the same day at various locations along a 10-km lava tube and the

  18. Comparison of Dispersion Model of Magneto-Acoustic Cyclotron Instability with Experimental Observation of 3He Ion Cyclotron Emission on JT-60U

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sumida, Shuhei; Shinohara, Kouji; Ikezoe, Ryuya; Ichimura, Makoto; Sakamoto, Mizuki; Hirata, Mafumi; Ide, Shunsuke

    2017-12-01

    The Magneto-acoustic Cyclotron Instability (MCI) is a possible emission mechanism for Ion Cyclotron Emissions (ICEs). A dispersion model of the MCI driven by a drifting-ring-type ion velocity distribution has been proposed. In this study, the model was compared with the experimental observations of 3He ICEs [ICEs(3He)] on JT-60U. For this purpose, at first, velocity distributions of deuterium-deuterium fusion produced fast 3He ions at the time of an appearance of the ICE(3He) were evaluated by using a fast ion orbit following code under a realistic condition. The calculated distribution at the edge of the plasma on the midplane on the low field side is shown to have an inverted population and strong anisotropy. This distribution can be reasonably approximated by the drifting-ring-type distribution. Next, dispersions of the MCIs driven by the drifting-ring-type distribution were compared with those of observed ICEs(3He). The comparison shows that toroidal wavenumbers and frequencies of the calculated MCIs agree with those of the observed ICEs(3He).

  19. Coaxial GaAs-AlGaAs core-multishell nanowire lasers with epitaxial gain control

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

    Stettner, T., E-mail: Thomas.Stettner@wsi.tum.de, E-mail: Gregor.Koblmueller@wsi.tum.de, E-mail: Jonathan.Finley@wsi.tum.de; Zimmermann, P.; Loitsch, B.

    2016-01-04

    We demonstrate the growth and single-mode lasing operation of GaAs-AlGaAs core-multishell nanowires (NW) with radial single and multiple GaAs quantum wells (QWs) as active gain media. When subject to optical pumping lasing emission with distinct s-shaped input-output characteristics, linewidth narrowing and emission energies associated with the confined QWs are observed. Comparing the low temperature performance of QW NW laser structures having 7 coaxial QWs with a nominally identical structure having only a single QW shows that the threshold power density reduces several-fold, down to values as low as ∼2.4 kW/cm{sup 2} for the multiple QW NW laser. This confirms that themore » individual radial QWs are electronically weakly coupled and that epitaxial design can be used to optimize the gain characteristics of the devices. Temperature-dependent investigations show that lasing prevails up to 300 K, opening promising new avenues for efficient III–V semiconductor NW lasers with embedded low-dimensional gain media.« less

  20. Has Earth's Plate Tectonics Led to Rapid Core Cooling?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    de Montserrat Navarro, A.; Morgan, J. P.; Vannucchi, P.; Connolly, J. A.

    2016-12-01

    Earth's mantle and core are convecting planetary heat engines. The mantle convects to lose heat from secular cooling, internal radioactivity, and core heatflow across its base. Its convection generates plate tectonics, volcanism, and the loss of 35 TW of mantle heat through Earth's surface. The core convects to lose heat from secular cooling, small amounts of internal radioactivity, and the freezing-induced growth of a compositionally denser inner core. Until recently, the geodynamo was thought to be powered by 4 TW of heatloss across the core-mantle boundary. More recent determinations of the outer core's thermal conductivity (Pozzo et al., 2012; Gomi et al., 2013) would imply that >15 TW of power should conduct down its adiabat. Secular core cooling has been previously thought to be too slow for this, based on estimates for the Clapeyron Slope for high-pressure freezing of an idealized pure-iron core (cf. Nimmo, 2007). The 500-1000 kg m-3 seismically-inferred jump in density between the liquid outer core and solid inner core allows a direct estimate of the Clapeyron Slope for the outer core's actual composition which contains 0.08±0.02 lighter elements (S,Si,O,Al, H,…) mixed into a Fe-Ni alloy. A PREM-like 600 kg m-3 density jump yields a Clapeyron Slope for which there has been 774K of core cooling during the freezing and growth of the inner core, cooling that has been releasing an average of 21 TW of power during the past 3 Ga. If so, core cooling could easily have powered Earth's long-lived geodynamo. Another implication is that the present-day mantle is strongly `bottom-heated', and diapiric mantle plumes should dominate deep mantle upwelling. This mode of core and mantle convection is consistent with slow, 37.5K/Ga secular cooling of Earth's mantle linked to more rapid secular cooling of the core (cf. Morgan, Rüpke, and White, 2016). Efficient plate subduction, hence plate tectonics, is a key ingredient for such rapid secular core cooling.We also show

  1. TRACER DISPERSION STUDIES FOR HYDRAULIC CHARACTERIZATION OF PIPES

    EPA Science Inventory

    A series of experiments were conducted at the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Test & Evaluation (T&E) Facility in Cincinnati, Ohio, to quantify longitudinal dispersion of a sodium fluoride tracer in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe and ductile iron pipe under laminar, tr...

  2. Reply to comment by E. Bard et al. on "Younger Dryas sea level and meltwater pulse 1B recorded in Barbados reef crest coral Acropora palmata" by N. A. Abdul et al.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mortlock, Richard A.; Abdul, Nicole A.; Wright, James D.; Fairbanks, Richard G.

    2016-12-01

    Abdul et al. (2016) presented a detailed record of sea level at Barbados (13.9-9 kyr B.P.) tightly constraining the timing and amplitude during the Younger Dryas and Meltwater Pulse 1B (MWP-1B) based on U-Th dated reef crest coral species Acropora palmata. The Younger Dryas slow stand and the large (14 m) rapid sea level jump are not resolved in the Tahiti record. Tahiti sea level estimates are remarkably close to the Barbados sea level curve between 13.9 and 11.6 kyr but fall below the Barbados sea level curve for a few thousand years following MWP-1B. By 9 kyr the Tahiti sea level estimates again converge with the Barbados sea level curve. Abdul et al. (2016) concluded that Tahiti reefs at the core sites did not keep up with intervals of rapidly rising sea level during MWP-1B. We counter Bard et al. (2016) by showing (1) that there is no evidence for a hypothetical fault in Oistins Bay affecting one of the Barbados coring locations, (2) that the authors confuse the rare occurrences of A. palmata at depths >5 m with the "thickets" of A. palmata fronds representing the reef-crest facies, and (3) that uncertainties in depth habitat proxies largely account for differences in Barbados and Tahiti sea level differences curves with A. palmata providing the most faithful proxy. Given the range in Tahiti paleodepth uncertainties at the cored sites, the most parsimonious explanation remains that Tahiti coralgal ridges did not keep up with the sea level rise of MWP-1B.

  3. Supercontinuum generation in square photonic crystal fiber with nearly zero ultra-flattened chromatic dispersion and fabrication tolerance analysis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Begum, Feroza; Namihira, Yoshinori; Kinjo, Tatsuya; Kaijage, Shubi

    2011-02-01

    This paper presents a simple index-guiding square photonic crystal fiber (SPCF) where the core is surrounded by air holes with two different diameters. The proposed design is simulated through an efficient full-vector modal solver based on the finite difference method with anisotropic perfectly matched layers absorbing boundary condition. The nearly zero ultra-flattened dispersion SPCF with low confinement loss, small effective area as well as broadband supercontinuum (SC) spectra is targeted. Numerical results show that the designed SPCF has been achieved at a nearly zero ultra-flattened dispersion of 0 ± 0.25 ps/(nm·km) in a wavelength range of 1.38 μm to 1.89 μm (510 nm band) which covers E, S, C, L and U communication bands, a low confinement loss of less than 10 -7 dB/m in a wavelength range of 1.3 μm to 2.0 μm and a wide SC spectrum (FWHM = 450 nm) by using picosecond pulses at a center wavelength of 1.55 μm. We then analyze the sensitivity of chromatic dispersion to small variations from the optimum value of specific structural parameters. The proposed index-guiding SPCF can be applicable in supercontinuum generation (SCG) covering such diverse fields as spectroscopy applications and telecommunication dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) sources.

  4. 28. MODIFIED CHAIN SAW FOR CUTTING ROCK CORES; BRUNTON COMPASS ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    28. MODIFIED CHAIN SAW FOR CUTTING ROCK CORES; BRUNTON COMPASS STAND FOR DETERMINING CORE'S FIELD ORIENTATION; INSECTICIDE DISPENSER MODIFIED TO LUBRICATE CORE DRILLING PROCESS. - U.S. Geological Survey, Rock Magnetics Laboratory, 345 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, San Mateo County, CA

  5. Dramatic Raman Gain Suppression in the Vicinity of the Zero Dispersion Point in a Gas-Filled Hollow-Core Photonic Crystal Fiber.

    PubMed

    Bauerschmidt, S T; Novoa, D; Russell, P St J

    2015-12-11

    In 1964 Bloembergen and Shen predicted that Raman gain could be suppressed if the rates of phonon creation and annihilation (by inelastic scattering) exactly balance. This is only possible if the momentum required for each process is identical, i.e., phonon coherence waves created by pump-to-Stokes scattering are identical to those annihilated in pump-to-anti-Stokes scattering. In bulk gas cells, this can only be achieved over limited interaction lengths at an oblique angle to the pump axis. Here we report a simple system that provides dramatic Raman gain suppression over long collinear path lengths in hydrogen. It consists of a gas-filled hollow-core photonic crystal fiber whose zero dispersion point is pressure adjusted to lie close to the pump laser wavelength. At a certain precise pressure, stimulated generation of Stokes light in the fundamental mode is completely suppressed, allowing other much weaker phenomena such as spontaneous Raman scattering to be explored at high pump powers.

  6. Simulation of tracer dispersion from elevated and surface releases in complex terrain

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hernández, J. F.; Cremades, L.; Baldasano, J. M.

    A new version of an advanced mesoscale dispersion modeling system for simulating passive air pollutant dispersion in the real atmospheric planetary boundary layer (PBL), is presented. The system comprises a diagnostic mass-consistent meteorological model and a Lagrangian particle dispersion model (LADISMO). The former version of LADISMO, developed according to Zannetti (Air pollution modelling, 1990), was based on the Monte Carlo technique and included calculation of higher-order moments of vertical random forcing for convective conditions. Its ability to simulate complex flow dispersion has been stated in a previous paper (Hernández et al. 1995, Atmospheric Environment, 29A, 1331-1341). The new version follows Thomson's scheme (1984, Q. Jl Roy. Met. Soc.110, 1107-1120). It is also based on Langevin equation and follows the ideas given by Brusasca et al. (1992, Atmospheric Environment26A, 707-723) and Anfossi et al. (1992, Nuovo Cemento 15c, 139-158). The model is used to simulate the dispersion and predict the ground level concentration (g.l.c.) of a tracer (SF 6) released from both an elevated source ( case a) and a ground level source ( case b) in a highly complex mountainous terrain during neutral and synoptically dominated conditions ( case a) and light and apparently stable conditions ( case b). The last case is considered as being a specially difficult task to simulate. In fact, few works have reported situations with valley drainage flows in complex terrains and real stable atmospheric conditions with weak winds. The model assumes that nearly calm situations associated to strong stability and air stagnation, make the lowest layers of PBL poorly diffusive (Brusasca et al., 1992, Atmospheric Environment26A, 707-723). Model results are verified against experimental data from Guardo-90 tracer experiments, an intensive field campaign conducted in the Carrion river valley (Northern Spain) to study atmospheric diffusion within a steep walled valley in mountainous

  7. Core-shell indium (III) sulfide@metal-organic framework nanocomposite as an adsorbent for the dispersive solid-phase extraction of nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

    PubMed

    Jia, Yuqian; Zhao, Yanfang; Zhao, Mei; Wang, Zhenhua; Chen, Xiangfeng; Wang, Minglin

    2018-05-25

    A core-shell discoid shaped indium (III) sulfide@metal-organic framework (MIL-125(Ti)) nanocomposite was synthesized by a solvothermal method and explored as an adsorbent material for dispersive solid-phase extraction (d-SPE). The as-synthesized sorbent was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, N 2 adsorption-desorption analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The extraction performance was evaluated by the d-SPE of 16 nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs) from water samples. The analysis was carried out by gas chromatography (GC) coupled with triple quadruple mass spectrometer in negative chemical ionization (NCI) mode. The selected ion monitoring (SIM) was used in the quantification of the target NPAHs. Extraction factors affecting the d-SPE, including the ionic strength, extraction temperature, and extraction time were optimized by the response surface methodology. The developed d-SPE method showed good linear correlations from 10 to 1000 ng L -1 (r > 0.99), low detection limits (2.9-83.0 ng L -1 ), satisfactory repeatability (relative standard deviation of <10%, n = 6), and acceptable recoveries (71.3%-112.2%) for water samples. The developed method was used for the food and environmental sample analysis. The results demonstrated that the method could be used for sample preparation of trace NPAHs in real samples. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  8. Interpretation of actinide-distribution data obtained from non-destructive and destructive post-test analyses of an intact-core column of Culebra dolomite.

    PubMed

    Perkins, W G; Lucero, D A

    2001-02-01

    The US Department of Energy (DOE), with technical assistance from Sandia National Laboratories, has successfully received EPA certification and opened the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), a nuclear waste disposal facility located approximately 42 km east of Carlsbad, NM. Performance assessment (PA) analyses indicate that human intrusions by inadvertent, intermittent drilling for resources provide the only credible mechanisms for significant releases of radionuclides from the disposal system. For long-term brine releases, migration pathways through the permeable layers of rock above the Salado formation are important. Major emphasis is placed on the Culebra Member of the Rustler Formation because this is the most transmissive geologic layer overlying the WIPP site. In order to help quantify parameters for the calculated releases, radionuclide transport experiments have been carried out using intact-core columns obtained from the Culebra dolomite member of the Rustler Formation within the WIPP site. This paper deals primarily with results of analyses for 241Pu and 241Am distributions developed during transport experiments in one of these cores. Transport experiments were done using a synthetic brine that simulates Culebra brine at the core recovery location (the WIPP air-intake shaft (AIS)). Hydraulic characteristics (i.e., apparent porosity and apparent dispersion coefficient) for intact-core columns were obtained via experiments using the conservative tracer 22Na. Elution experiments carried out over periods of a few days with tracers 232U and 239Np indicated that these tracers were weakly retarded as indicated by delayed elution of the species. Elution experiments with tracers 241Pu and 241Am were attempted but no elution of either species has been observed to date, including experiments of many months' duration. In order to quantify retardation of the non-eluted species 241Pu and 241Am after a period of brine flow, non-destructive and destructive analyses of

  9. Assessment of particle emissions inventories in northeastern U.S., using remote sensing, Lidar technology, air pollution sensors, and a Lagrangian particle dispersion model

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Barrera, Y.; Swofsy, S. C.; Li, L.; Hegarty, J. D.; Nehrkorn, T.; Koutrakis, P.

    2017-12-01

    In the most recent issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, a new study found that 95% of Medicare beneficiaries over the age of 65 showed an increased risk of mortality, even at fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels below the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). This new finding suggests that although a state may be designated under attainment for meeting the primary and secondary PM2.5 NAAQS, sensitive populations dispersed throughout the region may still be experiencing adverse health effects. To conduct accurate public health impact assessments, reliable information regarding PM2.5 concentrations in cities are required at high spatial and temporal resolutions. A newly developed particle emissions inventory using remote sensing (PEIRS) captured both primary and secondary formation in northeastern U.S. at a 1km x 1km spatial resolution during the period 2002-2014 (Tang et al., 2017). The PEIRS annual emissions inventory used the MODIS satellite to fill-in the spatial gaps where, EPA monitoring stations were not available. However, simulations of the planetary boundary layer (PBL) were a key factor in estimating PM2.5 concentrations on the ground and hence, testing PEIRS products with observationally based quantifications are critical. Recent advances in light ranging and detection (Lidar) technology allow us to estimate PBL heights in cities. This study combines information from a network of Mini Micropulse Lidar (MPL) instruments, meteorological and air pollution measuring sensors, and a Lagrangian particle dispersion model to test the performance of PEIRS at the neighborhood and urban scale. MPL observations were processed using image recognition and fuzzy logic to estimate PBL heights that were inputted into PEIRS to predict daily PM2.5 concentrations. To compare vertical distribution of aerosols, we use our LPDM model "footprints" to predict vertical profiles of PM2.5 distribution at our Lidar locations. Our model-data assimilation improved

  10. Mechanical and morphological properties of polypropylene/nano α-Al2O3 composites.

    PubMed

    Mirjalili, F; Chuah, L; Salahi, E

    2014-01-01

    A nanocomposite containing polypropylene (PP) and nano α-Al2O3 particles was prepared using a Haake internal mixer. Mechanical tests, such as tensile and flexural tests, showed that mechanical properties of the composite were enhanced by addition of nano α-Al2O3 particles and dispersant agent to the polymer. Tensile strength was approximately ∼ 16% higher than pure PP by increasing the nano α-Al2O3 loading from 1 to 4 wt% into the PP matrix. The results of flexural analysis indicated that the maximum values of flexural strength and flexural modulus for nanocomposite without dispersant were 50.5 and 1954 MPa and for nanocomposite with dispersant were 55.88 MPa and 2818 MPa, respectively. However, higher concentration of nano α-Al2O3 loading resulted in reduction of those mechanical properties that could be due to agglomeration of nano α-Al2O3 particles. Transmission and scanning electron microscopic observations of the nanocomposites also showed that fracture surface became rougher by increasing the content of filler loading from 1 to 4% wt.

  11. Study of the Al m 26 ( d , p ) Al 27 Reaction and the Influence of the Al 26 0 + Isomer on the Destruction of Al 26 in the Galaxy

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

    Almaraz-Calderon, S.; Rehm, K. E.; Gerken, N.

    The existence of 26Al (t 1/2 = 7.17 × 10 5 yr) in the interstellar medium provides a direct confirmation of ongoing nucleosynthesis in the Galaxy. The presence of a low-lying 0 + isomer ( 26Al m), however, severely complicates the astrophysical calculations. Here we present for the first time a study of the 26Al m (d, p) 27 Al reaction using an isomeric 26Al beam. The selectivity of this reaction allowed the study of ℓ = 0 transfers to T = 1/2, and T = 3/2 states in 27Al . Mirror symmetry arguments were then used to constrain themore » 26Al m (p,γ) 27Si reaction rate and provide an experimentally determined upper limit of the rate for the destruction of isomeric 26Al via radiative proton capture reactions, which is expected to dominate the destruction path of 26Al m in asymptotic giant branch stars, classical novae, and core collapse supernovae.« less

  12. Study of the Al m 26 ( d , p ) Al 27 Reaction and the Influence of the Al 26 0 + Isomer on the Destruction of Al 26 in the Galaxy

    DOE PAGES

    Almaraz-Calderon, S.; Rehm, K. E.; Gerken, N.; ...

    2017-08-17

    The existence of 26Al (t 1/2 = 7.17 × 10 5 yr) in the interstellar medium provides a direct confirmation of ongoing nucleosynthesis in the Galaxy. The presence of a low-lying 0 + isomer ( 26Al m), however, severely complicates the astrophysical calculations. Here we present for the first time a study of the 26Al m (d, p) 27 Al reaction using an isomeric 26Al beam. The selectivity of this reaction allowed the study of ℓ = 0 transfers to T = 1/2, and T = 3/2 states in 27Al . Mirror symmetry arguments were then used to constrain themore » 26Al m (p,γ) 27Si reaction rate and provide an experimentally determined upper limit of the rate for the destruction of isomeric 26Al via radiative proton capture reactions, which is expected to dominate the destruction path of 26Al m in asymptotic giant branch stars, classical novae, and core collapse supernovae.« less

  13. Study of the ^{26}Al^{m}(d,p)^{27}Al Reaction and the Influence of the ^{26}Al 0^{+} Isomer on the Destruction of ^{26}Al in the Galaxy.

    PubMed

    Almaraz-Calderon, S; Rehm, K E; Gerken, N; Avila, M L; Kay, B P; Talwar, R; Ayangeakaa, A D; Bottoni, S; Chen, A A; Deibel, C M; Dickerson, C; Hanselman, K; Hoffman, C R; Jiang, C L; Kuvin, S A; Nusair, O; Pardo, R C; Santiago-Gonzalez, D; Sethi, J; Ugalde, C

    2017-08-18

    The existence of ^{26}Al (t_{1/2}=7.17×10^{5}  yr) in the interstellar medium provides a direct confirmation of ongoing nucleosynthesis in the Galaxy. The presence of a low-lying 0^{+} isomer (^{26}Al^{m}), however, severely complicates the astrophysical calculations. We present for the first time a study of the ^{26}Al^{m}(d,p)^{27}Al reaction using an isomeric ^{26}Al beam. The selectivity of this reaction allowed the study of ℓ=0 transfers to T=1/2, and T=3/2 states in ^{27}Al. Mirror symmetry arguments were then used to constrain the ^{26}Al^{m}(p,γ)^{27}Si reaction rate and provide an experimentally determined upper limit of the rate for the destruction of isomeric ^{26}Al via radiative proton capture reactions, which is expected to dominate the destruction path of ^{26}Al^{m} in asymptotic giant branch stars, classical novae, and core collapse supernovae.

  14. Polaronic effects on the off-center donor impurity in AlAs/GaAs/SiO2 spherical core/shell quantum dots

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    El Haouari, M.; Feddi, E.; Dujardin, F.; Restrepo, R. L.; Mora-Ramos, M. E.; Duque, C. A.

    2017-11-01

    The ground state of a conduction electron coupled to an off-center impurity donor in a AlAS/GaAs spherical core/shell quantum dot is investigated theoretically. The image-charge effect and the influence of the electron-polar-LO-phonon interaction are considered. The electron-impurity binding energy is calculated via a variational procedure and is reported both as a function of the shell width and of the radial position of the donor atom. The polaronic effects on this quantity are particularly discussed.

  15. Fabrication of homogeneously dispersed graphene/Al composites by solution mixing and powder metallurgy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zeng, Xiang; Teng, Jie; Yu, Jin-gang; Tan, Ao-shuang; Fu, Ding-fa; Zhang, Hui

    2018-01-01

    Graphene-reinforced aluminum (Al) matrix composites were successfully prepared via solution mixing and powder metallurgy in this study. The mechanical properties of the composites were studied using microhardness and tensile tests. Compared to the pure Al alloy, the graphene/Al composites showed increased strength and hardness. A tensile strength of 255 MPa was achieved for the graphene/Al composite with only 0.3wt% graphene, which has a 25% increase over the tensile strength of the pure Al matrix. Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were used to investigate the morphologies, chemical compositions, and microstructures of the graphene and the graphene/Al composites. On the basis of fractographic evidence, a relevant fracture mechanism is proposed.

  16. Ecosystem history of South Florida; Biscayne Bay sediment core descriptions

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Ishman, S.E.

    1997-01-01

    The 'Ecosystem History of Biscayne Bay and the southeast Coast' project of the U.S. Geological Survey is part of a multi-disciplinary effort that includes Florida Bay and the Everglades to provide paleoecologic reconstructions for the south Florida region. Reconstructions of past salinity, nutrients, substrate, and water quality are needed to determine ecosystem variability due to both natural and human-induced causes. Our understanding of the relations between the south Florida ecosystem and introduced forces will allow managers to make informed decisions regarding the south Florida ecosystem restoration and monitoring. The record of past ecosystem conditions can be found in shallow sediment cores. This U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report describes six shallow sediment cores collected from Biscayne Bay. The cores described herein are being processed for a variety of analytical procedures, and this provides the descriptive framework for future analyses of the included cores. This report is preliminary and has not been reviewed for conformity with U.S. Geological Survey editorial standards or with the North American Stratigraphic Code. Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

  17. Completely transparent ohmic electrode on p-type AlGaN for UV LEDs with core-shell Cu@alloy nanosilk network (Conference Presentation)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cai, Duanjun; Wang, Huachun; Huang, Youyang; Wu, Chenping; Chen, Xiaohong; Gao, Na; Wei, Tongbo T.; Wang, Junxi; Li, Shuping; Kang, Junyong

    2016-09-01

    Metal nanowire networks hold a great promise, which have been supposed the only alternative to ITO as transparent electrodes for their excellent performance in touch screen, LED and solar cell. It is well known that the difficulty in making transparent ohmic electrode to p-type high-Al-content AlGaN conducting layer has highly constrained the further development of UV LEDs. On the IWN-2014, we reported the ohmic contact to n, p-GaN with direct graphene 3D-coated Cu nanosilk network and the fabrication of complete blue LED. On the ICNS-2015, we reported the ohmic contact to n-type AlGaN conducting layer with Cu@alloy nanosilk network. Here, we further demonstrate the latest results that a novel technique is proposed for fabricating transparent ohmic electrode to high-Al-content AlGaN p-type conducting layer in UV LEDs using Cu@alloy core-shell nanosilk network. The superfine copper nanowires (16 nm) was synthesized for coating various metals such as Ni, Zn, V or Ti with different work functions. The transmittance showed a high transparency (> 90%) over a broad wavelength range from 200 to 3000 nm. By thermal annealing, ohmic contact was achieved on p-type Al0.5Ga0.5N layer with Cu@Ni nanosilk network, showing clearly linear I-V curve. By skipping the p-type GaN cladding layer, complete UV LED chip was fabricated and successfully lit with bright emission at 276 nm.

  18. Raman spectroscopy on ice cores from Greenland and Antarctica

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Weikusat, C.; Kipfstuhl, S.

    2012-04-01

    Ice cores are invaluable archives for the reconstruction of the climatic history of the earth. Besides the analysis of various climatic processes from isotopes and chemical signatures they offer the unique possibility of directly extracting the past atmosphere from gaseous inclusions in the ice. Many aspects of the formation and alterations of these inclusions, e.g. the entrapment of air at the firn-ice-transition, the formation of crystalline gas hydrates (clathrates) from the bubbles or the structural relaxation during storage of the cores, need to be better understood to enable reliable interpretations of the obtained data. Modern micro Raman spectroscopy is an excellent tool to obtain high-quality data for all of these aspects. It has been productively used for phase identification of solid inclusions [1], investigation of air clathrates [2] and high-resolution measurements of N2/O2 mixing ratios inside individual air bubbles [3,4]. Detailed examples of the various uses of Raman spectroscopy will be presented along with practical information about the techniques required to obtain high-quality spectra. Retrieval and interpretation of quantitative data from the spectra will be explained. Future possibilities for advanced uses of Raman spectroscopy for ice core research will be discussed. [1] T. Sakurai et al., 2009, Direct observation of salts as micro-inclusions in the Greenland GRIP ice core. Journal of Glaciology, 55, 777-783. [2] F. Pauer et al., 1995, Raman spectroscopic study of nitrogen/oxygen ratio in natural ice clathrates in the GRIP ice core. Geophysical Research Letters, 22, 969-971. [3] T. Ikeda-Fukazawa et al., 2001, Variation in N2/O2 ratio of occluded air in Dome Fuji antarctic ice. Journal of Geophysical Research, 106, 17799-17810. [4] C. Weikusat et al., Raman spectroscopy of gaseous inclusions in EDML ice core: First results - microbubbles. Journal of Glaciology, accepted.

  19. The hydrodynamics of splash-cup seed dispersal

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Amador, Guillermo; Yamada, Yasukuni; Hu, David

    2011-11-01

    Over 20 species of plants have raindrop-sized flowers that catch raindrops opportunistically, directing the resulting splash to scatter their 0.3 mm seeds over distances of 1 meter. In this combined experimental and theoretical study, we measure the effectiveness of this drop-based projectile launching. High speed videography is used to visualize drop impacts onto the conical flowers of the plants Chrysosplenium and Mazus as well as their shape mimics fabricated using a 3D printer. We observe dispersal distance is strongly dependent on the impact parameter between the drop and flower. Off-center impacts maximize dispersal distance by amplifying fluid velocity by a factor of three in a manner similar to the oblique impact of a jet onto a horizontal plane (Kate et al 2007). Further increase in dispersal distance is accomplished through increase of the inertia of the seed by encapsulation into drops.

  20. An efficient method for supercontinuum generation in dispersion-tailored Lead-silicate fiber taper

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Z.; Ma, S.; Dutta, N. K.

    2010-08-01

    In this paper we theoretically study the broadband mid-IR supercontinuum generation (SCG) in a lead-silicate microstructured fiber (the glass for simulation is SF57). The total dispersion of the fiber can be tailored by changing the core diameter of the fiber so that dispersion profiles with two zero dispersion wavelengths (ZDWs) can be obtained. Numerical simulations of the SCG process in a 4 cm long SF57 fiber/fiber taper seeded by femto-second pulses at telecommunications wavelength of 1.55 µm are presented. The results show that a fiber taper features a continuous shift of the longer zero dispersion wavelength. This extends the generated continuum to a longer wavelength region compared to fibers with fixed ZDWs. The phase-matching condition (PMC) is continuously modified in the fiber taper and the bandwidth of the generated dispersive waves (DWs) is significantly broadened.

  1. Human-aided and natural dispersal drive gene flow across the range of an invasive mosquito.

    PubMed

    Medley, Kim A; Jenkins, David G; Hoffman, Eric A

    2015-01-01

    Human-aided transport is responsible for many contemporary species introductions, yet the contribution of human-aided transport to dispersal within non-native regions is less clear. Understanding dispersal dynamics for invasive species can streamline mitigation efforts by targeting routes that contribute disproportionally to spread. Because of its limited natural dispersal ability, rapid spread of the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) has been attributed to human-aided transport, but until now, the relative roles of human-aided and natural movement have not been rigorously evaluated. Here, we use landscape genetics and information-theoretic model selection to evaluate 52 models representing 9240 pairwise dispersal paths among sites across the US range for Ae. albopictus and show that recent gene flow reflects a combination of natural and human-aided dispersal. Highways and water availability facilitate dispersal at a broad spatial scale, but gene flow is hindered by forests at the current distributional limit (range edge) and by agriculture among sites within the mosquito's native climatic niche (range core). Our results show that highways are important to genetic structure between range-edge and range-core pairs, suggesting a role for human-aided mosquito transport to the range edge. In contrast, natural dispersal is dominant at smaller spatial scales, reflecting a shifting dominance to natural movement two decades after introduction. These conclusions highlight the importance of (i) early intervention for species introductions, particularly those with readily dispersed dormant stages and short generation times, and (ii) strict monitoring of commercial shipments for transported immature stages of Ae. albopictus, particularly towards the northern edge of the US range. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  2. The Colorado Plateau Coring Project: A Continuous Cored Non-Marine Record of Early Mesozoic Environmental and Biotic Change

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Irmis, Randall; Olsen, Paul; Geissman, John; Gehrels, George; Kent, Dennis; Mundil, Roland; Rasmussen, Cornelia; Giesler, Dominique; Schaller, Morgan; Kürschner, Wolfram; Parker, William; Buhedma, Hesham

    2017-04-01

    The early Mesozoic is a critical time in earth history that saw the origin of modern ecosystems set against the back-drop of mass extinction and sudden climate events in a greenhouse world. Non-marine sedimentary strata in western North America preserve a rich archive of low latitude terrestrial ecosystem and environmental change during this time. Unfortunately, frequent lateral facies changes, discontinuous outcrops, and a lack of robust geochronologic constraints make lithostratigraphic and chronostratigraphic correlation difficult, and thus prevent full integration of these paleoenvironmental and paleontologic data into a regional and global context. The Colorado Plateau Coring Project (CPCP) seeks to remedy this situation by recovering a continuous cored record of early Mesozoic sedimentary rocks from the Colorado Plateau of the western United States. CPCP Phase 1 was initiated in 2013, with NSF- and ICDP-funded drilling of Triassic units in Petrified Forest National Park, northern Arizona, U.S.A. This phase recovered a 520 m core (1A) from the northern part of the park, and a 240 m core (2B) from the southern end of the park, comprising the entire Lower-Middle Triassic Moenkopi Formation, and most of the Upper Triassic Chinle Formation. Since the conclusion of drilling, the cores have been CT scanned at the University of Texas - Austin, and split, imaged, and scanned (e.g., XRF, gamma, and magnetic susceptibility) at the University of Minnesota LacCore facility. Subsequently, at the Rutgers University Core Repository, core 1A was comprehensively sampled for paleomagnetism, zircon geochronology, petrography, palynology, and soil carbonate stable isotopes. LA-ICPMS U-Pb zircon analyses are largely complete, and CA-TIMS U-Pb zircon, paleomagnetic, petrographic, and stable isotope analyses are on-going. Initial results reveal numerous horizons with a high proportion of Late Triassic-aged primary volcanic zircons, the age of which appears to be a close

  3. Analysis of C/E results of fission rate ratio measurements in several fast lead VENUS-F cores

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kochetkov, Anatoly; Krása, Antonín; Baeten, Peter; Vittiglio, Guido; Wagemans, Jan; Bécares, Vicente; Bianchini, Giancarlo; Fabrizio, Valentina; Carta, Mario; Firpo, Gabriele; Fridman, Emil; Sarotto, Massimo

    2017-09-01

    During the GUINEVERE FP6 European project (2006-2011), the zero-power VENUS water-moderated reactor was modified into VENUS-F, a mock-up of a lead cooled fast spectrum system with solid components that can be operated in both critical and subcritical mode. The Fast Reactor Experiments for hybrid Applications (FREYA) FP7 project was launched in 2011 to support the designs of the MYRRHA Accelerator Driven System (ADS) and the ALFRED Lead Fast Reactor (LFR). Three VENUS-F critical core configurations, simulating the complex MYRRHA core design and one configuration devoted to the LFR ALFRED core conditions were investigated in 2015. The MYRRHA related cores simulated step by step design peculiarities like the BeO reflector and in pile sections. For all of these cores the fuel assemblies were of a simple design consisting of 30% enriched metallic uranium, lead rodlets to simulate the coolant and Al2O3 rodlets to simulate the oxide fuel. Fission rate ratios of minor actinides such as Np-237, Am-241 as well as Pu-239, Pu-240, Pu-242 and U-238 to U-235 were measured in these VENUS-F critical assemblies with small fission chambers in specially designed locations, to determine the spectral indices in the different neutron spectrum conditions. The measurements have been analyzed using advanced computational tools including deterministic and stochastic codes and different nuclear data sets like JEFF-3.1, JEFF-3.2, ENDF/B7.1 and JENDL-4.0. The analysis of the C/E discrepancies will help to improve the nuclear data in the specific energy region of fast neutron reactor spectra.

  4. Theoretical modeling of the uranium 4f XPS for U(VI) and U(IV) oxides

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bagus, Paul S.; Nelin, Connie J.; Ilton, Eugene S.

    2013-12-01

    A rigorous study is presented of the physical processes related to X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy, XPS, in the 4f level of U oxides, which, as well as being of physical interest in themselves, are representative of XPS in heavy metal oxides. In particular, we present compelling evidence for a new view of the screening of core-holes that extends prior understandings. Our analysis of the screening focuses on the covalent mixing of high lying U and O orbitals as opposed to the, more common, use of orbitals that are nominally pure U or pure O. It is shown that this covalent mixing is quite different for the initial and final, core-hole, configurations and that this difference is directly related to the XPS satellite intensity. Furthermore, we show that the high-lying U d orbitals as well as the U(5f) orbital may both contribute to the core-hole screening, in contrast with previous work that has only considered screening through the U(5f) shell. The role of modifying the U-O interaction by changing the U-O distance has been investigated and an unexpected correlation between U-O distance and XPS satellite intensity has been discovered. The role of flourite and octahedral crystal structures for U(IV) oxides has been examined and relationships established between XPS features and the covalent interactions in the different structures. The physical views of XPS satellites as arising from shake processes or as arising from ligand to metal charge transfers are contrasted; our analysis provides strong support that shake processes give a more fundamental physical understanding than charge transfer. Our theoretical studies are based on rigorous, strictly ab initio determinations of the electronic structure of embedded cluster models of U oxides with formal U(VI) and U(IV) oxidation states. Our results provide a foundation that makes it possible to establish quantitative relationships between features of the XPS spectra and materials properties.

  5. Novel Organically Modified Core-Shell Clay for Epoxy Composites-"SOBM Filler 1".

    PubMed

    Iheaturu, Nnamdi Chibuike; Madufor, Innocent Chimezie

    2014-01-01

    Preparation of a novel organically modified clay from spent oil base drilling mud (SOBM) that could serve as core-shell clay filler for polymers is herein reported. Due to the hydrophilic nature of clay, its compatibility with polymer matrix was made possible through modification of the surface of the core clay sample with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (3-APTES) compound prior to its use. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy was used to characterize clay surface modification. Electron dispersive X-ray diffraction (EDX) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to expose filler chemical composition and morphology, while electrophoresis measurement was used to examine level of filler dispersion. Results show an agglomerated core clay powder after high temperature treatment, while EDX analysis shows that the organically modified clay is composed of chemical inhomogeneities, wherein elemental compositions in weight percent vary from one point to the other in a probe of two points. Micrographs of the 3-APTES coupled SOBM core-shell clay filler clearly show cloudy appearance, while FT-IR indicates 25% and 5% increases in fundamental vibrations band at 1014 cm(-1) and 1435 cm(-1), respectively. Furthermore, 3-APTES coupled core-shell clay was used to prepare epoxy composites and tested for mechanical properties.

  6. Measurements of ethane in Antarctic ice cores

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Verhulst, K. R.; Fosse, E. K.; Aydin, K. M.; Saltzman, E. S.

    2011-12-01

    Ethane is one of the most abundant hydrocarbons in the atmosphere. The major ethane sources are fossil fuel production and use, biofuel combustion, and biomass-burning emissions and the primary loss pathway is via reaction with OH. A paleoatmospheric ethane record would be useful as a tracer of biomass-burning emissions, providing a constraint on past changes in atmospheric methane and methane isotopes. An independent biomass-burning tracer would improve our understanding of the relationship between biomass burning and climate. The mean annual atmospheric ethane level at high southern latitudes is about 230 parts per trillion (ppt), and Antarctic firn air measurements suggest that atmospheric ethane levels in the early 20th century were considerably lower (Aydin et al., 2011). In this study, we present preliminary measurements of ethane (C2H6) in Antarctic ice core samples with gas ages ranging from 0-1900 C.E. Samples were obtained from dry-drilled ice cores from South Pole and Vostok in East Antarctica, and from the West Antarctic Ice Sheet Divide (WAIS-D). Gases were extracted from the ice by melting under vacuum in a glass vessel sealed by indium wire and were analyzed using high resolution GC/MS with isotope dilution. Ethane levels measured in ice core samples were in the range 100-220 ppt, with a mean of 157 ± 45 ppt (n=12). System blanks contribute roughly half the amount of ethane extracted from a 300 g ice core sample. These preliminary data exhibit a temporal trend, with higher ethane levels from 0-900 C.E., followed by a decline, reaching a minimum between 1600-1700 C.E. These trends are consistent with variations in ice core methane isotopes and carbon monoxide isotopes (Ferretti et al., 2005, Wang et al., 2010), which indicate changes in biomass burning emissions over this time period. These preliminary data suggest that Antarctic ice core bubbles contain paleoatmospheric ethane levels. With further improvement of laboratory techniques it appears

  7. Transmission characteristics of femtosecond optical pulses in hollow-core fibers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mohebbi, Mohammad

    2005-09-01

    Hollow-core fibers with fused silica and metal claddings are studied for transmission of femtosecond optical pulses at a wavelength of 800 nm. The measured transmission loss of a silver-coated hollow fiber with a core diameter of 250 μm is 0.44 dB/m. A bending loss of 1.1 dB/m was measured for this waveguide with a radius of curvature of 1 m. It is shown that the fundamental hybrid mode HE 11 has negligible pulse spreading. In the presence of higher order modes modal dispersion becomes dominant and depends strongly on the core diameter.

  8. A new statistical dispersion model for tracer tests and contaminant spread in porous media

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

    Ates, H.; Kasap, E.

    Dispersion of solutes moving in permeable media is an essential control to describe fluid flow in permeable media. Dispersion can be thought of as a spreading of a solute caused by the presence of microscopic inhomogeneities. An accurate model for dispersion is needed for accurate estimation of oil recovery efficiencies and clean up costs of subsurface contaminants. Current approaches utilizing the fickian assumption fall short in describing the real physics of spreading during a solute transport process. Numerous field investigations have shown that dispersivities measured in the field are much larger than those measured in the lab for the samemore » type of porous material. Moreover, field measured dispersivities have been shown to be scale dependent, that is, a tracer test conducted over a longer travel path will yield a larger dispersivity value than a tracer test conducted in the same geologic formation over a shorter travel path. Numerous approaches to address this problem have been developed yet none attempted to go beyond the Fickian dispersion assumption. In this study, a convective dispersivity is introduced. New model assumes that dispersion is dimensionless and mainly determined by pore size distribution. The new model results in a spread that increases linearly with time contrary to conventional model, which predicts a mixing zone length that increases with square root of time. Therefore, new model explains the field test results that indicate increasing dispersivity with distance. The model validations are in perfect agreement with experimental results, which include; Ganapathy et al.`s slug experiment on Antolini sandstone, Handy`s radioactive tracer experiment on Alhambra sandstone, and CT experiment conducted at BDM-OK/NIPER facilities on Tallant sandstone.« less

  9. Nanosized-Particle Dispersion-Strengthened Al Matrix Composites Fabricated by the Double Mechanical Alloying Process.

    PubMed

    Kim, Chungseok

    2018-03-01

    The objective of this study was to fabricate an Al metal matrix composite strengthened by nanosized Al3Ti particles via double mechanical alloying process. Several Al-xTi alloys were fabricated, including Al-12%Ti, Al-15%Ti, and Al-12%Ti-1%Y2O3. The lattice parameter of as-milled state was calculated to be 4.0485 Å; after a milling time of 540 min, it was 4.0401 Å. This decrease was induced by Ti solutionizing into the Al matrix. The equivalent size of a coarse Al3Ti particle was 200-500 nm after the heat treatment; however, the particles were uniformly distributed and were refined through the MA2 process. The particle size of a Al3Ti phase was 30 nm or less, and the particles were uniformly distributed. These particles remained in a fine state in the matrix without growth and coarsening, even after the hot extrusion process. The microstructure of hot extruded alloys consisted of a uniform distribution of Al3Ti particles and other dispersoids in the Al matrix.

  10. The Faculty of Language Integrates the Two Core Systems of Number.

    PubMed

    Hiraiwa, Ken

    2017-01-01

    Only humans possess the faculty of language that allows an infinite array of hierarchically structured expressions (Hauser et al., 2002; Berwick and Chomsky, 2015). Similarly, humans have a capacity for infinite natural numbers, while all other species seem to lack such a capacity (Gelman and Gallistel, 1978; Dehaene, 1997). Thus, the origin of this numerical capacity and its relation to language have been of much interdisciplinary interest in developmental and behavioral psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and linguistics (Dehaene, 1997; Hauser et al., 2002; Pica et al., 2004). Hauser et al. (2002) and Chomsky (2008) hypothesize that a recursive generative operation that is central to the computational system of language (called Merge ) can give rise to the successor function in a set-theoretic fashion, from which capacities for discretely infinite natural numbers may be derived. However, a careful look at two domains in language, grammatical number and numerals, reveals no trace of the successor function. Following behavioral and neuropsychological evidence that there are two core systems of number cognition innately available, a core system of representation of large, approximate numerical magnitudes and a core system of precise representation of distinct small numbers (Feigenson et al., 2004), I argue that grammatical number reflects the core system of precise representation of distinct small numbers alone. In contrast, numeral systems arise from integrating the pre-existing two core systems of number and the human language faculty. To the extent that my arguments are correct, linguistic representations of number, grammatical number, and numerals do not incorporate anything like the successor function.

  11. The Faculty of Language Integrates the Two Core Systems of Number

    PubMed Central

    Hiraiwa, Ken

    2017-01-01

    Only humans possess the faculty of language that allows an infinite array of hierarchically structured expressions (Hauser et al., 2002; Berwick and Chomsky, 2015). Similarly, humans have a capacity for infinite natural numbers, while all other species seem to lack such a capacity (Gelman and Gallistel, 1978; Dehaene, 1997). Thus, the origin of this numerical capacity and its relation to language have been of much interdisciplinary interest in developmental and behavioral psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and linguistics (Dehaene, 1997; Hauser et al., 2002; Pica et al., 2004). Hauser et al. (2002) and Chomsky (2008) hypothesize that a recursive generative operation that is central to the computational system of language (called Merge) can give rise to the successor function in a set-theoretic fashion, from which capacities for discretely infinite natural numbers may be derived. However, a careful look at two domains in language, grammatical number and numerals, reveals no trace of the successor function. Following behavioral and neuropsychological evidence that there are two core systems of number cognition innately available, a core system of representation of large, approximate numerical magnitudes and a core system of precise representation of distinct small numbers (Feigenson et al., 2004), I argue that grammatical number reflects the core system of precise representation of distinct small numbers alone. In contrast, numeral systems arise from integrating the pre-existing two core systems of number and the human language faculty. To the extent that my arguments are correct, linguistic representations of number, grammatical number, and numerals do not incorporate anything like the successor function. PMID:28360870

  12. Interdiffusion behaviors in doped molybdenum uranium and aluminum or aluminum silicon dispersion fuels: Effects of the microstructure

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Allenou, J.; Tougait, O.; Pasturel, M.; Iltis, X.; Charollais, F.; Anselmet, M. C.; Lemoine, P.

    2011-09-01

    Si addition to Al is considered as a promising route to reduce (U,Mo)-Al interaction kinetics, due to its accumulation in the interaction layer, yielding the formation of silicide phases. The (U,Mo) alloy microstructure, and especially its homogenization state, could play a role on this accumulation process. The addition of a third element in γ(U,Mo) could also influence diffusion mechanisms of Al and Si. These two parameters were studied by means of diffusion couple experiments by joining γU based alloys with Al and (Al,Si) alloy. Chemical elements X added into γ(U,Mo) were thoroughly chosen on the following criteria: (i) the potential solubility of the alloying element into the γ(U,Mo) matrix, (ii) its capability to form the ternary aluminides based on the CeCr 2Al 20 and Ho 6Mo 4Al 43 - types, and (iii) the feasibility to control the microstructure of the alloys. On this basis, a test matrix is defined. It concerns γ(U80,Mo15,X5) alloys (in at.%) with X = Y, Cu, Zr, Ti or Cr. These alloys were homogenized and coupled with Al or (Al,Si) alloy. Results evidenced, first, the importance of the state of homogenization of the γ(U,Mo) binary alloy on interaction processes with (Al,Si) alloy, and the benefit on the diffusion of Si through the interaction layer, as observed on the elementary concentration profiles, when the third element X has some solubility into γ(U,Mo) alloy.

  13. Extraction and preconcentration of trace Al and Cr from vegetable samples by vortex-assisted ionic liquid-based dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction prior to atomic absorption spectrometric determination.

    PubMed

    Altunay, Nail; Yıldırım, Emre; Gürkan, Ramazan

    2018-04-15

    In the study, a simple, and efficient microextraction approach, which is termed as vortex-assisted ionic liquid-based dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (VA-IL-DLLME), was developed for flame atomic absorption spectrometric analysis of aluminum (Al) and chromium (Cr) in vegetables. The method is based on the formation of anionic chelate complexes of Al(III) and Cr(VI) with o-hydroxy azo dye, at pH 6.5, and then extraction of the hydrophobic ternary complexes formed in presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) into a 125 μL volume of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluorosulfonyl)imide [C 4 mim][Tf 2 N]) as extraction solvent. Under optimum conditions, the detection limits were 0.02 µg L -1 in linear working range of 0.07-100 µg L -1 for Al(III), and 0.05 µg L -1 in linear working range of 0.2-80 µg L -1 for Cr(VI). After the validation by analysis of a certified reference material (CRM), the method was successfully applied to the determination of Al and Cr in vegetables using standard addition method. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  14. Si-depleted outer core inferred from sound velocity measurements of liquid Fe-Si alloys

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nakajima, Y.; Imada, S.; Hirose, K.; Kuwayama, Y.; Sinmyo, R.; Tateno, S.; Ozawa, H.; Tsutsui, S.; Uchiyama, H.; Baron, A. Q. R.

    2016-12-01

    Recent core formation models [1,2] suggested that a large amount of Si could have been incorporated into the core forming metals in the early stage of the Earth. These studies gave estimates for the Si content in the core, from 2 to 9 wt.%. In order to constrain the Si content of the outer core, we have determined the sound wave velocity of liquid Fe-Si alloys under high pressures and high temperatures. Starting materials of Fe-Si alloys with 6.5 and 9 wt.% Si were melted in a laser-heated diamond-anvil cell. The longitudinal acoustic phonon excitation of a liquid metal was measured up to 52 GPa and 3200 K by using high resolution inelastic X-ray scattering spectroscopy at beamline BL35XU [3] of the SPring-8 synchrotron facility. Our results show that silicon significantly increases the P-wave velocity of liquid Fe. Seismological observation shows that the P-wave velocity in the outer core is 3-4% faster than in pure iron. Comparing the present results with seismological observations, the silicon content of the outer core should be limited to be <2 wt.%, significantly lower than previous estimates based on the element partitioning between core forming mental and silicate magma ocean during core formation processes. This indicates that the present-day core is depleted in Si relative to the ancient core just after core formation, which agrees with the recent proposal [4] that the Si content in the outer core has been diminished by SiO2 crystallization through the core cooling history. [1] Rubie et al. (2011) Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 301, 31-42. [2] Siebert et al. (2013) Science 339, 1194-1197. [3] Baron et al. (2000) J. Phys. Chem. Solids 61, 461-465 [4] Hirose et al. (2015) Abstract presented at AGU Fall Meeting 2015.

  15. Allogenic and Autogenic Signals in the Detrital Zircon U-Pb Record of the Deep-Sea Bengal Fan

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Blum, M. D.; Rogers, K. G.; Gleason, J. D.; Najman, Y.

    2017-12-01

    The Himalayan-sourced Ganges-Brahmaputra river system and the deep-sea Bengal Fan represent Earth's largest sediment-dispersal system. This presentation summarizes a new detrital zircon U-Pb (DZ) provenance record from the Bengal Fan from cores collected during IODP Expedition 354, with coring sites located 1350 km downdip from the shelf margin. Each of our 15 samples were collected from medium- to fine-grained turbidite sand and, based on shipboard biostratigraphic analyses, our samples are late Miocene to late Pleistocene in age. Each sample was analyzed by LA-ICPMS at the Arizona Laserchron facility, with an average of n=270 concordant U-Pb ages per sample. Our goals are to use these data to evaluate the influence of allogenic controls vs. autogenic processes on signal propagation from source-to-sink. At the first order, large-scale sediment transfer to the Bengal Fan clearly records the strong tectonic and climatic forcing associated with the Himalayas and Ganges-Brahmaputra system: after up to 2500 km of river transport, and 1350 km of transport in turbidity currents, the DZ record faithfully represents Himalayan source terrains. The sand-rich turbidite part of the record is nevertheless biased towards glacial periods when rivers extended across the shelf in response to climate-forced sea-level fall, and discharged directly to slope canyons. However, only part of the Bengal Fan DZ record represents either the Ganges or the Brahmaputra, with most samples representing varying degrees of mixing of sediments from the two systems: this mixing, or the lack thereof, represents the signal of autogenic avulsions on the delta plain that result in the two river systems delivering sediment separately to the shelf margin, or together as they do today. Within the allogenic framework established by tectonic processes, the climatic system, and global climate-forced sea-level change, the DZ U-Pb record of sediment mixing or the lack thereof provides a fingerprint of autogenic

  16. Computer-assisted design of flux-cored wires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dubtsov, Yu N.; Zorin, I. V.; Sokolov, G. N.; Antonov, A. A.; Artem'ev, A. A.; Lysak, V. I.

    2017-02-01

    The algorithm and description of the AlMe-WireLaB software for the computer-assisted design of flux-cored wires are introduced. The software functionality is illustrated with the selection of the components for the flux-cored wire, ensuring the acquisition of the deposited metal of the Fe-Cr-C-Mo-Ni-Ti-B system. It is demonstrated that the developed software enables the technologically reliable flux-cored wire to be designed for surfacing, resulting in a metal of an ordered composition.

  17. Carbon Solubility in Silicon-Iron-Bearing Metals during Core Formation on Mercury

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Vander Kaaden, Kathleen E.; McCubbin, Francis M.; Ross, D. Kent; Rapp, Jennifer F.; Danielson, Lisa R.; Keller, Lindsay P.; Righter, Kevin

    2016-01-01

    Recent results obtained from the MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) spacecraft showed the surface of Mercury has high S abundances (approximately 4 wt%) and low Iron(II) Oxide abundances (less than 2 wt%). Based on these extreme values, the oxygen fugacity of Mercury's surface materials was estimated to be approximately 3 to 7 log(sub 10) units below the IW buffer (Delta IW-3 to Delta IW-7). This highly reducing nature of the planet has resulted in a large core and relatively thin mantle, extending to only approximately 420 km depth (corresponding to a core-mantle boundary pressure of approximately 4-7 GPa) within the planet. Furthermore, MESSENGER results have suggested the presence of carbon on the surface of the planet. Previous experimental results from have also suggested the possibility of a primary floatation crust on Mercury composed of graphite, produced after a global magma ocean event. With these exotic conditions of this compositional end-member planet, it begs the question, what is the core composition of Mercury? Although no definitive conclusion has been reached, previous studies have made advances towards answering this question. Riner et al. and Chen et al. looked at iron sulfide systems and implemented various crystallization and layered core scenarios to try and determine the composition and structure of Mercury's core. Malavergne et al. examined core crystallization scenarios in the presence of sulfur and silicon. Hauck et al. used the most recent geophysical constraints from the MESSENGER spacecraft to model the internal structure of Mercury, including the core, in a iron-sulfur-silicon system. More recently, Chabot et al. conducted a series of metal-silicate partitioning experiments in a iron-sulfur-silicon system. These results showed the core of Mercury has the potential to contain more than 15 wt% silicon. However, with the newest results from MESSENGER's low altitude campaign, carbon is another

  18. Uranium isotope ratios of Muonionalusta troilite and complications for the absolute age of the IVA iron meteorite core

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Brennecka, Gregory A.; Amelin, Yuri; Kleine, Thorsten

    2018-05-01

    The crystallization ages of planetary crustal material (given by basaltic meteorites) and planetary cores (given by iron meteorites) provide fiducial marks for the progress of planetary formation, and thus, the absolute ages of these objects fundamentally direct our knowledge and understanding of planet formation and evolution. The lone precise absolute age of planetary core material was previously obtained on troilite inclusions from the IVA iron meteorite Muonionalusta. This previously reported Pb-Pb age of 4565.3 ± 0.1 Ma-assuming a 238U/235U =137.88-only post-dated the start of the Solar System by approximately 2-3 million years, and mandated fast cooling of planetary core material. Since an accurate Pb-Pb age requires a known 238U/235U of the sample, we have measured both 238U/235U and Pb isotopic compositions of troilite inclusions from Muonionalusta. The measured 238U/235U of the samples range from ∼137.84 to as low as ∼137.22, however based on Pb and U systematics, terrestrial contamination appears pervasive and has affected samples to various extents for Pb and U. The cause of the relative 235U excess in one sample does not appear to be from terrestrial contamination or the decay of short-lived 247Cm, but is more likely from fractionation of U isotopes during metal-silicate separation during core formation, exacerbated by the extreme U depletion in the planetary core. Due to limited Pb isotopic variation and terrestrial disturbance, no samples of this study produced useful age information; however the clear divergence from the previously assumed 238U/235U of any troilite in Muonionalusta introduces substantial uncertainty to the previously reported absolute age of the sample without knowledge of the 238U/235U of the sample. Uncertainties associated with U isotope heterogeneity do not allow for definition of a robust age of solidification and cooling for the IVA core. However, one sample of this work-paired with previous work using short

  19. A novel Zeonex based oligoporous-core photonic crystal fiber for polarization preserving terahertz applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Islam, Md. Saiful; Sultana, Jakeya; Dinovitser, Alex; Ng, Brian W.-H.; Abbott, Derek

    2018-04-01

    A novel waveguide consisting of oligo-porous core photonic crystal fiber (PCF) with a kagome lattice cladding has been designed for highly birefringent and near zero dispersion flattened applications of terahertz waves. The wave guiding properties of the designed PCF including birefringence, dispersion, effective material loss (EML), core power fraction, confinement loss, and modal effective area are investigated using a full vector Finite Element Method (FEM) with Perfectly Matched Layer (PML) absorbing boundary condition. Simulation results demonstrate that an ultra-high birefringence of 0.079, low EML of 0.05 cm-1, higher core power fraction of 44% and negligible confinement loss of 7 . 24 × 10-7 cm-1 can be achieved at 1 THz. Furthermore, for the y-polarization mode a near zero flattened dispersion of 0 . 49 ± 0 . 05 ps/THz/cm is achieved within a broad frequency range of 0.8-1.7 THz. The fabrication of the proposed fiber is feasible using the existing fabrication technology. Due to favorable wave-guiding properties, the proposed fiber has potential for terahertz imaging, sensing and polarization maintaining applications in the terahertz frequency range.

  20. 21. WHILE AUTOMATED CORE BLOWERS REDUCED THE NUMBER OF HANDMADE ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    21. WHILE AUTOMATED CORE BLOWERS REDUCED THE NUMBER OF HAND-MADE CORES IN THE 1950S, MANY SMALLER CORES COULD STILL BE FORMED FASTER BY HAND WITH A RESIGN IMPREGNATED SAND PRIOR TO BAKING. HAND CORE-MAKING WAS ALSO ONE OF THE FEW POSITIONS WOMEN WERE ALLOWED TO FILL IN THE FOUNDRY. - Stockham Pipe & Fittings Company, 4000 Tenth Avenue North, Birmingham, Jefferson County, AL

  1. Challenges to Integrating Geographically-Dispersed Data and Expertise at U.S. Volcano Observatories

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Murray, T. L.; Ewert, J. W.

    2010-12-01

    During the past 10 years the data and information available to volcano observatories to assess hazards and forecast activity has grown dramatically, a trend that will likely continue. Similarly, the ability of observatories to draw upon external specialists who can provide needed expertise is also increasing. Though technology easily provides the ability to move large amounts of information to the observatory, the challenge remains to efficiently and quickly integrate useful information and expertise into the decision-making process. The problem is further exacerbated by the use of new research techniques during times of heightened activity. Eruptive periods typically accelerate research into volcanic processes as scientists use the opportunity to test new hypotheses and develop new tools. Such experimental methods can be extremely insightful, but may be less easily integrated into the normal data streams that inform decisions. Similarly, there is an increased need for collaborative tools that allow efficient and effective communication between the observatory and external experts. Observatories will continue to be the central focus for integrating information, assessing hazards, and communicating with the public, but will increasingly draw on experts at other observatories, government agencies, academia and even the private sector, both foreign and domestic, to provide analysis and assistance. Fostering efficient communication among such a diverse and geographically dispersed group is a challenge. Addressing these challenges is one of the goals of the U.S. National Volcano Early Warning System, falling under the effort to improve interoperability among the five U.S. volcano observatories and their collaborators. In addition to providing the mechanisms to handle the flow of data, efforts will be directed at simplifying - though retaining the required nuance - information and merging data streams while developing tools that enable observatory staff to quickly

  2. High-resolution probing of inner core structure with seismic interferometry

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huang, Hsin-Hua; Lin, Fan-Chi; Tsai, Victor C.; Koper, Keith D.

    2015-12-01

    Increasing complexity of Earth's inner core has been revealed in recent decades as the global distribution of seismic stations has improved. The uneven distribution of earthquakes, however, still causes a biased geographical sampling of the inner core. Recent developments in seismic interferometry, which allow for the retrieval of core-sensitive body waves propagating between two receivers, can significantly improve ray path coverage of the inner core. In this study, we apply such earthquake coda interferometry to 1846 USArray stations deployed across the U.S. from 2004 through 2013. Clear inner core phases PKIKP2 and PKIIKP2 are observed across the entire array. Spatial analysis of the differential travel time residuals between the two phases reveals significant short-wavelength variation and implies the existence of strong structural variability in the deep Earth. A linear N-S trending anomaly across the middle of the U.S. may reflect an asymmetric quasi-hemispherical structure deep within the inner core with boundaries of 99°W and 88°E.

  3. Design of exceptionally strong and conductive Cu alloys beyond the conventional speculation via the interfacial energy-controlled dispersion of γ-Al2O3 nanoparticles

    PubMed Central

    Zeon Han, Seung; Kim, Kwang Ho; Kang, Joonhee; Joh, Hongrae; Kim, Sang Min; Ahn, Jee Hyuk; Lee, Jehyun; Lim, Sung Hwan; Han, Byungchan

    2015-01-01

    The development of Cu-based alloys with high-mechanical properties (strength, ductility) and electrical conductivity plays a key role over a wide range of industrial applications. Successful design of the materials, however, has been rare due to the improvement of mutually exclusive properties as conventionally speculated. In this paper, we demonstrate that these contradictory material properties can be improved simultaneously if the interfacial energies of heterogeneous interfaces are carefully controlled. We uniformly disperse γ-Al2O3 nanoparticles over Cu matrix, and then we controlled atomic level morphology of the interface γ-Al2O3//Cu by adding Ti solutes. It is shown that the Ti dramatically drives the interfacial phase transformation from very irregular to homogeneous spherical morphologies resulting in substantial enhancement of the mechanical property of Cu matrix. Furthermore, the Ti removes impurities (O and Al) in the Cu matrix by forming oxides leading to recovery of the electrical conductivity of pure Cu. We validate experimental results using TEM and EDX combined with first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations, which all consistently poise that our materials are suitable for industrial applications. PMID:26616045

  4. Design of exceptionally strong and conductive Cu alloys beyond the conventional speculation via the interfacial energy-controlled dispersion of γ-Al2O3 nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Han, Seung Zeon; Kim, Kwang Ho; Kang, Joonhee; Joh, Hongrae; Kim, Sang Min; Ahn, Jee Hyuk; Lee, Jehyun; Lim, Sung Hwan; Han, Byungchan

    2015-11-30

    The development of Cu-based alloys with high-mechanical properties (strength, ductility) and electrical conductivity plays a key role over a wide range of industrial applications. Successful design of the materials, however, has been rare due to the improvement of mutually exclusive properties as conventionally speculated. In this paper, we demonstrate that these contradictory material properties can be improved simultaneously if the interfacial energies of heterogeneous interfaces are carefully controlled. We uniformly disperse γ-Al2O3 nanoparticles over Cu matrix, and then we controlled atomic level morphology of the interface γ-Al2O3//Cu by adding Ti solutes. It is shown that the Ti dramatically drives the interfacial phase transformation from very irregular to homogeneous spherical morphologies resulting in substantial enhancement of the mechanical property of Cu matrix. Furthermore, the Ti removes impurities (O and Al) in the Cu matrix by forming oxides leading to recovery of the electrical conductivity of pure Cu. We validate experimental results using TEM and EDX combined with first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations, which all consistently poise that our materials are suitable for industrial applications.

  5. Nitrogen and hydrogen fractionation in high-mass star-forming cores from observations of HCN and HNC

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Colzi, L.; Fontani, F.; Caselli, P.; Ceccarelli, C.; Hily-Blant, P.; Bizzocchi, L.

    2018-02-01

    The ratio between the two stable isotopes of nitrogen, 14N and 15N, is well measured in the terrestrial atmosphere ( 272), and for the pre-solar nebula ( 441, deduced from the solar wind). Interestingly, some pristine solar system materials show enrichments in 15N with respect to the pre-solar nebula value. However, it is not yet clear if and how these enrichments are linked to the past chemical history because we have only a limited number of measurements in dense star-forming regions. In this respect, dense cores, which are believed to be the precursors of clusters and also contain intermediate- and high-mass stars, are important targets because the solar system was probably born within a rich stellar cluster, and such clusters are formed in high-mass star-forming regions. The number of observations in such high-mass dense cores has remained limited so far. In this work, we show the results of IRAM-30 m observations of the J = 1-0 rotational transition of the molecules HCN and HNC and their 15N-bearing counterparts towards 27 intermediate- and high-mass dense cores that are divided almost equally into three evolutionary categories: high-mass starless cores, high-mass protostellar objects, and ultra-compact HII regions. We have also observed the DNC(2-1) rotational transition in order to search for a relation between the isotopic ratios D/H and 14N/15N. We derive average 14N/15N ratios of 359 ± 16 in HCN and of 438 ± 21 in HNC, with a dispersion of about 150-200. We find no trend of the 14N/15N ratio with evolutionary stage. This result agrees with what has been found for N2H+ and its isotopologues in the same sources, although the 14N/15N ratios from N2H+ show a higher dispersion than in HCN/HNC, and on average, their uncertainties are larger as well. Moreover, we have found no correlation between D/H and 14N/15N in HNC. These findings indicate that (1) the chemical evolution does not seem to play a role in the fractionation of nitrogen, and that (2) the

  6. In-situ measurements of U-series nuclides by electron microprobe on zircons and monazites from Gandak river sediments

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bosia, C.; Deloule, E.; France-Lanord, C.; Chabaux, F.

    2015-12-01

    Determination of sediment transfer time during transport in the alluvial plains is a critical issue to correctly understand the relationship between climate, tectonics and Earth surface evolution. The residence time of river sediments may be constrained by analyzing the U series nuclides fractionations (e.g. [1] and [2]), which are created during water rock interactions by the ejection of the daughter nuclides of the grain (α-recoil) and the preferential mobilization of nuclides in decay damaged crystal structure. However, recent studies on sediments from the Gandak river, one of the main Ganga tributary, highlighted the difficulties to obtain reproducible data on bulk sediments, due to the nuggets distribution of U-Th enriched minor minerals in the samples (Bosia et al., unpublished data). We therefore decided to analyze the U and Th isotopic systematic at a grain-scale for Himalayan sediments from the Gandak river. This has been tested by performing in situ depth profiles of 238U-234U-230Th and 232Th on zircons and monazites (50-250 μm) by Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) at the CRPG, Nancy, France. The first results point the occurrence of 238U-234U-230Th disequilibria in the outermost parts of both monazite and zircon minerals with a return to the equilibrium state in the core of the grains. The relative U and Th enrichment is however slightly different depending on considered minerals, suggesting possible adsorption processes of 230-Th. Coupled to a simple model of U and Th mobility during water-mineral interactions, these data should help to constrain the origin of 238U-234U-230Th disequilibria in these minerals. Moreover, the results of the study should be relevant to discuss the potential of this approach to constrain the residence time of zircons and monazites in the Gandak alluvial plain. [1] Chabaux et al., 2012, C. R. Geoscience, 344 (11-12): 688-703; [2] Granet et al., 2007, Earth and Planet. Sci. Lett., 261 (3-4): 389-406.

  7. A cellular automaton method to simulate the microstructure and evolution of low-enriched uranium (LEU) U-Mo/Al dispersion type fuel plates

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Drera, Saleem S.; Hofman, Gerard L.; Kee, Robert J.; King, Jeffrey C.

    2014-10-01

    Low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuel plates for high power materials test reactors (MTR) are composed of nominally spherical uranium-molybdenum (U-Mo) particles within an aluminum matrix. Fresh U-Mo particles typically range between 10 and 100 μm in diameter, with particle volume fractions up to 50%. As the fuel ages, reaction-diffusion processes cause the formation and growth of interaction layers that surround the fuel particles. The growth rate depends upon the temperature and radiation environment. The cellular automaton algorithm described in this paper can synthesize realistic random fuel-particle structures and simulate the growth of the intermetallic interaction layers. Examples in the present paper pack approximately 1000 particles into three-dimensional rectangular fuel structures that are approximately 1 mm on each side. The computational approach is designed to yield synthetic microstructures consistent with images from actual fuel plates and is validated by comparison with empirical data on actual fuel plates.

  8. Bed-Load Dispersion: A Literature Review

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-12-01

    buried. The observed mean and variance of particle dis- placements from experimental measurements at specific time snap-shots can be used to determine...dispersion coefficient equation: . ( 8 ) For the range of experimental conditions tested within the Chang and Yen (2002) study, their equation... surveys , 51 exhibited thin-tail distri- butions and 8 more could have been considered thin-tail based on the definition of the ‘tail’. Liebault et al

  9. 238U/235U determinations of some commonly used reference materials and U-bearing accessory minerals (Invited)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Condon, D.; Noble, S.; McLean, N.; Bowring, S. A.

    2009-12-01

    We have determined 238U/235U ratios for a suite of commonly used natural (CRM 112a, SRM 950a, HU-1) and synthetic (IRMM 184 and CRM U500) uranium reference materials in addition to several U-bearing accessory phases (zircon and monazite) by thermal ionisation mass-spectrometry (TIMS) using the IRMM 3636 233U-236U double spike to accurately correct for mass fractionation. The 238U/235U values for the natural uranium reference materials differ, by up to 0.1%, from the widely used ‘consensus’ value (137.88) with all having 238U/235U values less than 137.88. Similarly, initial 238U/235U data from zircon and monazite yield 238U/235U values that are lower than the ‘consensus’ value. The data obtained from U-bearing minerals is used to assess how the uncertainty in the 238U/235U ratio contributes to the systematic discordance observed in 238U/206Pb and 235U/207Pb dates (Mattinson, 2000; Schoene et al., 2006) which has traditionally been wholly attributed to error in the U decay constants. The 238U/235U determinations made on the synthetic reference materials yield results that are considerably more precise and accurate than the certified values (0.02% vs. 0.1% for CRM U500). The calibration of isotopic tracers used for U-daughter geochronology that are partially based upon these reference materials, and the resultant age determinations, will benefit from increased accuracy and precision. Mattinson, J.M., 2000. Revising the “gold standard”—the uranium decay constants of Jaffey et al., 1971. Eos Trans. AGU, Spring Meet. Suppl., Abstract V61A-02. Schoene B., Crowley J.L., Condon D.C., Schmitz M.D., Bowring S.A., 2006, Reassessing the uranium decay constants for geochronology using ID-TIMS U-Pb data. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 70: 426-445

  10. Dispersion, controlled dispersion, and three applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bradshaw, Douglas H.

    Causality dictates that all physical media must be dispersive. (We will call a medium dispersive if its refractive index varies with frequency.) Ordinarily, strong dispersion is accompanied either by strong absorption or strong gain. However, over the past 15 years several groups have demonstrated that it is possible to have media that are both strongly dispersive and roughly transparent for some finite bandwidth. In these media, group and phase velocities may differ from each other by many orders of magnitude and even by sign. Relationships and intuitive models that are satisfactory when it is reasonable to neglect dispersion may then fail dramatically. In this dissertation we analyze three such cases of failure. Before looking at the specific cases, we review some basic ideas relating to dispersion. We review some of the geometric meanings of group velocity, touch on the relationship between group velocity and causality, and give some examples of techniques by which the group velocity may be manipulated. We describe the interplay between group velocity and energy density for non-absorbing dispersive media. We discuss the ideas of temporary absorption and emission as dictated by an instantaneous spectrum. We then apply these concepts in three specific areas. First, non-dispersive formulations for the momentum of light in a medium must be adjusted to account for dispersion. For over 100 years, there has been a gradual discussion of the proper form for the per-photon momentum. Two forms, each of which has experimental relevance in a 'dispersionless' medium, are the Abraham momentum, and the Minkowski momentum. If h is the angular frequency, n is the refractive index, h is Planck's constant, and c is the speed of light, then these reduce in a dispersionless medium to per-photon momenta of ho/(nc), and nho/c respectively. A simple generalization of the two momenta to dispersive media entails multiplying each per-photon momentum by n/ng, where ng is the group

  11. Accelerated Physical Stability Testing of Amorphous Dispersions.

    PubMed

    Mehta, Mehak; Suryanarayanan, Raj

    2016-08-01

    The goal was to develop an accelerated physical stability testing method of amorphous dispersions. Water sorption is known to cause plasticization and may accelerate drug crystallization. In an earlier investigation, it was observed that both the increase in mobility and decrease in stability in amorphous dispersions was explained by the "plasticization" effect of water (Mehta et al. Mol. Pharmaceutics 2016, 13 (4), 1339-1346). In this work, the influence of water concentration (up to 1.8% w/w) on the correlation between mobility and crystallization in felodipine dispersions was investigated. With an increase in water content, the α-relaxation time as well as the time for 1% w/w felodipine crystallization decreased. The relaxation times of the systems, obtained with different water concentration, overlapped when the temperature was scaled (Tg/T). The temperature dependencies of the α-relaxation time as well as the crystallization time were unaffected by the water concentration. Thus, the value of the coupling coefficient, up to a water concentration of 1.8% w/w, was approximately constant. Based on these findings, the use of "water sorption" is proposed to build predictive models for crystallization in slow crystallizing dispersions.

  12. Alcohol sensing over O+E+S+C+L+U transmission band based on porous cored octagonal photonic crystal fiber

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Paul, Bikash Kumar; Islam, Md. Shadidul; Ahmed, Kawsar; Asaduzzaman, Sayed

    2017-06-01

    A micro structure porous cored octagonal photonic crystal fiber (P-OPCF) has been proposed to sense aqueous analysts (alcohol series) over a wavelength range of 0.80 μm to 2.0 μm. By implementing a full vectorial finite element method (FEM), the numerical simulation on the proposed O-PCF has been analyzed. Numerical investigation shows that high sensitivity can be gained by changing the structural parameters. The obtained result shows the sensitivities of 66.78%, 67.66%, 68.34%, 68.72%, and 69.09%, and the confinement losses of 2.42×10-10 dB/m, 3.28×10-11 dB/m, 1.21×10-6 dB/m, 4.79×10-10 dB/m, and 4.99×10-9 dB/m at the 1.33 μm wavelength for methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, and pentanol, respectively can satisfy the condition of much legibility to install an optical system. The effects of the varying core and cladding diameters, pitch distance, operating wavelength, and effective refractive index are also reported here. It reflects that a significant sensitivity and low confinement loss can be achieved by the proposed P-OPCF. The proposed P-OPCF also covers the wavelength band (O+E+S+C+L+U). The investigation also exhibits that the sensitivity increases when the wavelength increases like S O-band< S E-band < S S-band < S C-band < S L-band < S U-band. This research observation has much pellucidity which has remarkable impact on the field of optical fiber sensor.

  13. A Search for Starless Core Substructure in Ophiuchus

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kirk, Helen

    2017-06-01

    Density substructure is expected in evolved starless cores: a single peak to form a protostar, or multiple peaks from fragmentation. Searches for this substructure have had mixed success. In an ALMA survey of Ophiuchus, we find two starless cores with signs of substructure, consistent with simulation predictions. A similar survey in Chameleon (Dunham et al. 2016) had no detections, despite expecting at least two. Our results suggest that Chamleon may lack a more evolved starless cores. Future ALMA observations will better trace the influence of environment on core substructure formation.

  14. Title: Biogenic Magnetite Prevails in Oxic Pelagic Red Clay Core in the South Pacific Gyre

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shimono, T.; Yamazaki, T.

    2012-12-01

    Magnetotactic bacteria have been observed in wide variety of environments, including soils, freshwater lakes, and marine sediments, since Blakemore (1975) first described in 1975. Magnetotactic bacteria, which most commonly live within the oxic-anoxic transition zone (OATZ) of aquatic environments, produce intracellular crystals of magnetic minerals, specifically magnetite or greigite. It is considered that the magnetite/greigite crystals facilitate the bacteria's search for optimal conditions within the sharp chemical gradients of the OATZ. Petermann and Bleil (1993) reported living magnetotactic bacteria in pelagic and hemipelagic sediments near OATZ in the eastern South Atlantic at water depths to about 3,000 m, but they couldn't find actively swimming magnetotactic bacteria in sediments of deeper water depths. The South Pacific Gyre (SPG) is far from continents and the lowest productivity region on Earth. IODP site U1365 (water depth ~5,700 m) cored pelagic red clay of 75.5 m thick above ~100 Ma basement (except for the chart layer from ~42 to 63.5 m) in the western edge of the SPG. The core mainly consists of iron rich clay. The color is dark reddish and/or dark brown throughout the core. We conducted a paleomagnetic and environmental rock magnetic study of the pelagic clay core. The magnetostratigraphy revealed the top 5 m sediments cover the last 5 My, and sedimentation rate decreases downward from 1.7 to 0.6 m/m.y. Geochemical measurements of pore water indicate that dissolved oxygen was present throughout the core (>50 μM). Thus oxygen penetrates through the entire sediment column to the sediment/basalt interface, and there is no OATZ. Magnetic mineral assemblage of this core is dominated by biogenic magnetite despite no OATZ. First-order reversal curve (FORC) diagrams of all specimens have a narrow central ridge along the Hc axis with very small vertical spread. This indicates very weak magnetostatic interaction (Roberts et al., 2000), and is the

  15. Variations of the core luminosity and solar neutrino fluxes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Grandpierre, Attila

    The aim of the present work is to analyze the geological and astrophysical data as well as presenting theoretical considerations indicating the presence of dynamic processes present in the solar core. The dynamic solar model (DSM) is suggested to take into account the presence of cyclic variations in the temperature of the solar core. Comparing the results of calculations of the CO2 content, albedo and solar evolutionary luminosity changes with the empirically determined global earthly temperatures, and taking into account climatic models, I determined the relation between the earthly temperature and solar luminosity. These results indicate to the observed maximum of 10o change on the global terrestrial surface temperature a related solar luminosity change around 4-5 % on a ten million years timescale, which is the timescale of heat diffusion from the solar core to the surface. The related solar core temperature changes are around 1 % only. At the same time, the cyclic luminosity changes of the solar core are shielded effectively by the outer zones since the radiation diffusion takes more than 105 years to reach the solar surface. The measurements of the solar neutrino fluxes with Kamiokande 1987-1995 showed variations higher than 40 % around the average, at the Super-Kamiokande the size of the apparent scatter decreased to 13 %. This latter scatter, if would be related completely to stochastic variations of the central temperature, would indicate a smaller than 1 % change. Fourier and wavelet analysis of the solar neutrino fluxes indicate only a marginally significant period around 200 days (Haubold, 1998). Helioseismic measurements are known to be very constraining. Actually, Castellani et al. (1999) remarked that the different solar models lead to slightly different sound speeds, and the different methods of regularization yield slightly different sound speeds, too. Therefore, they doubled the found parameter variations, and were really conservative assuming

  16. Dispersion of ceria nanoparticles on γ-alumina surface functionalized using long chain carboxylic acids

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ledwa, Karolina Anna; Kępiński, Leszek

    2017-04-01

    Dispersion and stability of nanoparticles on a support is determined by the interaction between these phases. In case of hydrophobic nanoparticles (e.g. synthesized by reverse microemulsion method) the interaction with hydrophilic support (e.g. γ-Al2O3) is weak and agglomeration as well as poor resistance to sintering may cause problems. The bonding of the particles to the support may be effectively strengthened by proper modification of the support, e.g. by adsorption of hydrophobic compounds on its surface. In this work decanoic, myristic, stearic and oleic acid were used for the first time to cover γ-Al2O3 surface in order to enhance the dispersion of ceria nanoparticles deposited afterward by impregnation on such support. TGA and FTIR methods revealed that at monolayer coverage (1.1-2.5 molecules per nm2) the acid molecules are firmly bounded to the alumina surface. Morphology, textural properties, phase composition and reducibility of the CeO2/γ-Al2O3 samples were investigated using TEM, SEM, BET, XRD and H2-TPR methods. It has been shown that deposition of CeO2 nanoparticles on γ-Al2O3 surface covered with all studied acids enhances its dispersion, stability and reducibility. The most effective modification of the γ-Al2O3 surface was obtained at loading of 2.3 molecules of decanoic acid per nm2 of the support.

  17. Mechanical and Morphological Properties of Polypropylene/Nano α-Al2O3 Composites

    PubMed Central

    Mirjalili, F.; Chuah, L.; Salahi, E.

    2014-01-01

    A nanocomposite containing polypropylene (PP) and nano α-Al2O3 particles was prepared using a Haake internal mixer. Mechanical tests, such as tensile and flexural tests, showed that mechanical properties of the composite were enhanced by addition of nano α-Al2O3 particles and dispersant agent to the polymer. Tensile strength was approximately ∼16% higher than pure PP by increasing the nano α-Al2O3 loading from 1 to 4 wt% into the PP matrix. The results of flexural analysis indicated that the maximum values of flexural strength and flexural modulus for nanocomposite without dispersant were 50.5 and 1954 MPa and for nanocomposite with dispersant were 55.88 MPa and 2818 MPa, respectively. However, higher concentration of nano α-Al2O3 loading resulted in reduction of those mechanical properties that could be due to agglomeration of nano α-Al2O3 particles. Transmission and scanning electron microscopic observations of the nanocomposites also showed that fracture surface became rougher by increasing the content of filler loading from 1 to 4% wt. PMID:24688421

  18. Core-level spectra and molecular deformation in adsorption: V-shaped pentacene on Al(001)

    PubMed Central

    Lin, He; Brivio, Gian Paolo; Floreano, Luca; Fratesi, Guido

    2015-01-01

    Summary By first-principle simulations we study the effects of molecular deformation on the electronic and spectroscopic properties as it occurs for pentacene adsorbed on the most stable site of Al(001). The rationale for the particular V-shaped deformed structure is discussed and understood. The molecule–surface bond is made evident by mapping the charge redistribution. Upon X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) from the molecule, the bond with the surface is destabilized by the electron density rearrangement to screen the core hole. This destabilization depends on the ionized carbon atom, inducing a narrowing of the XPS spectrum with respect to the molecules adsorbed hypothetically undistorted, in full agreement to experiments. When looking instead at the near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectra, individual contributions from the non-equivalent C atoms provide evidence of the molecular orbital filling, hybridization, and interchange induced by distortion. The alteration of the C–C bond lengths due to the V-shaped bending decreases by a factor of two the azimuthal dichroism of NEXAFS spectra, i.e., the energy splitting of the sigma resonances measured along the two in-plane molecular axes. PMID:26734516

  19. Apollo rocks, fines and soil cores

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Allton, J.; Bevill, T.

    Apollo rocks and soils not only established basic lunar properties and ground truth for global remote sensing, they also provided important lessons for planetary protection (Adv. Space Res ., 1998, v. 22, no. 3 pp. 373-382). The six Apollo missions returned 2196 samples weighing 381.7 kg, comprised of rocks, fines, soil cores and 2 gas samples. By examining which samples were allocated for scientific investigations, information was obtained on usefulness of sampling strategy, sampling devices and containers, sample types and diversity, and on size of sample needed by various disciplines. Diversity was increased by using rakes to gather small rocks on the Moon and by removing fragments >1 mm from soils by sieving in the laboratory. Breccias and soil cores are diverse internally. Per unit weight these samples were more often allocated for research. Apollo investigators became adept at wringing information from very small sample sizes. By pushing the analytical limits, the main concern was adequate size for representative sampling. Typical allocations for trace element analyses were 750 mg for rocks, 300 mg for fines and 70 mg for core subsamples. Age-dating and isotope systematics allocations were typically 1 g for rocks and fines, but only 10% of that amount for core depth subsamples. Historically, allocations for organics and microbiology were 4 g (10% for cores). Modern allocations for biomarker detection are 100mg. Other disciplines supported have been cosmogenic nuclides, rock and soil petrology, sedimentary volatiles, reflectance, magnetics, and biohazard studies . Highly applicable to future sample return missions was the Apollo experience with organic contamination, estimated to be from 1 to 5 ng/g sample for Apollo 11 (Simonheit &Flory, 1970; Apollo 11, 12 &13 Organic contamination Monitoring History, U.C. Berkeley; Burlingame et al., 1970, Apollo 11 LSC , pp. 1779-1792). Eleven sources of contaminants, of which 7 are applicable to robotic missions, were

  20. A method for combined Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic analysis of <10 mg dust samples: implication for ice core science

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ujvari, Gabor; Wegner, Wencke; Klötzli, Urs

    2017-04-01

    Aeolian mineral dust particles below the size of 10-20 μm often experience longer distance transport in the atmosphere, and thus Aeolian dust is considered an important tracer of large-scale atmospheric circulation. Since ice core dust is purely Aeolian in origin, discrimination of its potential source region(s) can contribute to a better understanding of past dust activity and climatic/environmental causes. Furthermore, ice core dust source information provides critical experimental constraints for model simulations of past atmospheric circulation patterns [1,2]. However, to identify dust sources in past dust archives such as ice cores, the mineralogy and geochemistry of the wind-blown dust material must be characterized. While the amount of dust in marine cores or common terrestrial archives is sufficient for different types of analyses and even for multiple repeat measurements, dust content in ice cores is usually extremely low even for the peak dusty periods such as the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) (5-8 mg dust/kg ice; [3]). Since the most powerful dust fingerprinting methods, such as REE composition and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic analyses are destructive there is a clear need to establish sequential separation techniques of Sr, Nd, Pb and other REEs to get the most information out of small (5-10 mg) dust samples recovered from ice cores. Although Hf isotopes have recently been added as a robust tool of aerosol/dust source discrimination (e.g. [4,5,6,7]), precise Hf isotopic measurements of small (<10 mg) dust samples are still challenging due to the small Hf amounts (on the order of 1-10 ng) and often compromised by potential problems arising during ion exchange chemistry. In this pilot study an improved method for chemical separation of Sr, Nd and Hf by Bast et al. [8] was applied, which allows the precise isotope analysis of sub-ng amounts of Hf by MC-ICPMS. This ion exchange chromatography procedure has been combined with established methods of separating and

  1. Irradiation testing of high density uranium alloy dispersion fuels

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

    Hayes, S.L.; Trybus, C.L.; Meyer, M.K.

    1997-10-01

    Two irradiation test vehicles have been designed, fabricated, and inserted into the Advanced Test Reactor in Idaho. Irradiation of these experiments began in August 1997. These irradiation tests were designed to obtain irradiation performance information on a variety of potential new, high-density dispersion fuels. Each of the two irradiation vehicles contains 32 microplates. Each microplate is aluminum clad, having an aluminum matrix phase and containing one of the following compositions as the fuel phase: U-10Mo, U-8Mo, U-6Mo, U-4Mo, U-9Nb-3Zr, U-6Nb-4Zr, U-5Nb-3Zr, U-6Mo-1Pt, U-6Mo-0.6Ru, U-10Mo-0.05Sn, U{sub 2}Mo, or U{sub 3}Si{sub 2}. These experiments will be discharged at peak fuel burnups ofmore » 40% and 80%. Of particular interest is the fission gas retention/swelling characteristics of these new fuel alloys. This paper presents the design of the irradiation vehicles and the irradiation conditions.« less

  2. Core heat convection in NSTX-U via modification of electron orbits by high frequency Alfvén eigenmodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Crocker, N. A.; Tritz, K.; White, R. B.; Fredrickson, E. D.; Gorelenkov, N. N.; NSTX-U Team

    2015-11-01

    New simulation results demonstrate that high frequency compressional (CAE) and global (GAE) Alfvén eigenmodes cause radial convection of electrons, with implications for particle and energy confinement, as well as electric field formation in NSTX-U. Simulations of electron orbits in the presence of multiple experimentally determined CAEs and GAEs, using the gyro-center code ORBIT, have revealed substantial convective transport, in addition to the expected diffusion via orbit stochastization. These results advance understanding of anomalous core energy transport expected in high performance, beam-heated NSTX-U plasmas. The simulations make use of experimentally determined density perturbation (δn) amplitudes and mode structures obtained by inverting measurements from 16 a channel reflectometer array using a synthetic diagnostic. Combined with experimentally determined mode polarizations (i.e. CAE or GAE), the δn are used to estimate the ExB displacements for use in ORBIT. Preliminary comparison of the simulation results with transport modeling by TRANSP indicate that the convection is currently underestimated. Supported by US DOE Contracts DE-SC0011810, DE-FG02-99ER54527 & DE-AC02-09CH11466.

  3. Supplemental materials for the ICDP-USGS Eyreville A, B, and C core holes, Chesapeake Bay impact structure: Core-box photographs, coring-run tables, and depth-conversion files

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Durand, C.T.; Edwards, L.E.; Malinconico, M.L.; Powars, D.S.

    2009-01-01

    During 2005-2006, the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program and the U.S. Geological Survey drilled three continuous core holes into the Chesapeake Bay impact structure to a total depth of 1766.3 m. A collection of supplemental materials that presents a record of the core recovery and measurement data for the Eyreville cores is available on CD-ROM at the end of this volume and in the GSA Data Repository. The supplemental materials on the CD-ROM include digital photographs of each core box from the three core holes, tables of the three coring-run logs, as recorded on site, and a set of depth-conversion programs. In this chapter, the contents, purposes, and basic applications of the supplemental materials are briefly described. With this information, users can quickly decide if the materials will apply to their specific research needs. ?? 2009 The Geological Society of America.

  4. U.S. Geological Survey core science systems strategy: characterizing, synthesizing, and understanding the critical zone through a modular science framework

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Bristol, R. Sky; Euliss, Ned H.; Booth, Nathaniel L.; Burkardt, Nina; Diffendorfer, Jay E.; Gesch, Dean B.; McCallum, Brian E.; Miller, David M.; Morman, Suzette A.; Poore, Barbara S.; Signell, Richard P.; Viger, Roland J.

    2013-01-01

    Core Science Systems is a new mission of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) that resulted from the 2007 Science Strategy, "Facing Tomorrow's Challenges: U.S. Geological Survey Science in the Decade 2007-2017." This report describes the Core Science Systems vision and outlines a strategy to facilitate integrated characterization and understanding of the complex Earth system. The vision and suggested actions are bold and far-reaching, describing a conceptual model and framework to enhance the ability of the USGS to bring its core strengths to bear on pressing societal problems through data integration and scientific synthesis across the breadth of science. The context of this report is inspired by a direction set forth in the 2007 Science Strategy. Specifically, ecosystem-based approaches provide the underpinnings for essentially all science themes that define the USGS. Every point on Earth falls within a specific ecosystem where data, other information assets, and the expertise of USGS and its many partners can be employed to quantitatively understand how that ecosystem functions and how it responds to natural and anthropogenic disturbances. Every benefit society obtains from the planet-food, water, raw materials to build infrastructure, homes and automobiles, fuel to heat homes and cities, and many others, are derived from or affect ecosystems. The vision for Core Science Systems builds on core strengths of the USGS in characterizing and understanding complex Earth and biological systems through research, modeling, mapping, and the production of high quality data on the Nation's natural resource infrastructure. Together, these research activities provide a foundation for ecosystem-based approaches through geologic mapping, topographic mapping, and biodiversity mapping. The vision describes a framework founded on these core mapping strengths that makes it easier for USGS scientists to discover critical information, share and publish results, and identify potential

  5. Stabilized soliton self-frequency shift and 0.1- PHz sideband generation in a photonic-crystal fiber with an air-hole-modified core.

    PubMed

    Liu, Bo-Wen; Hu, Ming-Lie; Fang, Xiao-Hui; Li, Yan-Feng; Chai, Lu; Wang, Ching-Yue; Tong, Weijun; Luo, Jie; Voronin, Aleksandr A; Zheltikov, Aleksei M

    2008-09-15

    Fiber dispersion and nonlinearity management strategy based on a modification of a photonic-crystal fiber (PCF) core with an air hole is shown to facilitate optimization of PCF components for a stable soliton frequency shift and subpetahertz sideband generation through four-wave mixing. Spectral recoil of an optical soliton by a red-shifted dispersive wave, generated through a soliton instability induced by high-order fiber dispersion, is shown to stabilize the soliton self-frequency shift in a highly nonlinear PCF with an air-hole-modified core relative to pump power variations. A fiber with a 2.3-microm-diameter core modified with a 0.9-microm-diameter air hole is used to demonstrate a robust soliton self-frequency shift of unamplified 50-fs Ti: sapphire laser pulses to a central wavelength of about 960 nm, which remains insensitive to variations in the pump pulse energy within the range from 60 to at least 100 pJ. In this regime of frequency shifting, intense high- and low-frequency branches of dispersive wave radiation are simultaneously observed in the spectrum of PCF output. An air-hole-modified-core PCF with appropriate dispersion and nonlinearity parameters is shown to provide efficient four-wave mixing, giving rise to Stokes and anti-Stokes sidebands whose frequency shift relative to the pump wavelength falls within the subpetahertz range, thus offering an attractive source for nonlinear Raman microspectroscopy.

  6. Phase stability and electronic structure of UMo2Al20: A first-principles study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Peng-Chuang; Xian, Ya-Jiang; Wang, Xin; Zhang, Yu-Ting; Zhang, Peng-Cheng

    2017-09-01

    In this paper, the phase stability of UMo2Al20 was explored using cluster formula in combination with first-principles calculations. Cluster formula analysis uncovered that the compound was composed of two principal clusters, i.e. [Mo-Al12] and [U-Al16]. The electronic interactions between U, Mo and Al atoms in this compound were discussed using elastic property, Bader charges and energy-resolved local bonding analysis, as well as the electronic interactions between Mo and Al atoms in [Mo-Al12] cluster and between U and Al atoms in [U-Al16] cluster. It revealed that UMo2Al20 satisfied the mechanical stability criterion for cubic system, and exhibited near ionic bonding character with weak bonding directionality. The calculations within both standard DFT and HSE frameworks demonstrated that U and Al atoms acted as an electron donor while Mo atoms acted as electron acceptor. The intrinsic stability of UMo2Al20 mainly stemmed from the bonding states of Mo-Al bonds and Al-Al bonds in [Mo-Al12] cluster. These calculations provide a further insight on the CeCr2Al20-type ternary compounds.

  7. Core-shell-structured nanothermites synthesized by atomic layer deposition

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Qin, Lijun; Gong, Ting; Hao, Haixia; Wang, Keyong; Feng, Hao

    2013-12-01

    Thermite materials feature very exothermic solid-state redox reactions. However, the energy release rates of traditional thermite mixtures are limited by the reactant diffusion velocities. In this work, atomic layer deposition (ALD) is utilized to synthesize thermite materials with greatly enhanced reaction rates. By depositing certain types of metal oxides (oxidizers) onto a commercial Al nanopowder, core-shell-structured nanothermites can be produced. The average film deposition rate on the Al nanopowder is 0.17 nm/cycle for ZnO and 0.031 nm/cycle for SnO2. The thickness of the oxidizer layer can be precisely controlled by adjusting the ALD cycle number. The compositions, morphologies, and structures of the ALD nanothermites are characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The characterization results reveal nearly perfect coverage of the Al nanoparticles by uniform ALD oxidizer layers and confirm the formation of core-shell nanoparticles. Combustion properties of the nanothermites are probed by laser ignition technique. Reactions of the core-shell-structured nanothermites are several times faster than the mixture of nanopowders. The promoted reaction rate is mostly attributed to the uniform distribution of reactants on the nanometer scale. These core-shell-structured nanothermites provide a potential pathway to control and enhance thermite reactions.

  8. Graded Interface Models for more accurate Determination of van der Waals-London Dispersion Interactions across Grain Boundaries

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

    van Benthem, Klaus; Tan, Guolong; French, Roger H

    2006-01-01

    Attractive van der Waals V London dispersion interactions between two half crystals arise from local physical property gradients within the interface layer separating the crystals. Hamaker coefficients and London dispersion energies were quantitatively determined for 5 and near- 13 grain boundaries in SrTiO3 by analysis of spatially resolved valence electron energy-loss spectroscopy (VEELS) data. From the experimental data, local complex dielectric functions were determined, from which optical properties can be locally analysed. Both local electronic structures and optical properties revealed gradients within the grain boundary cores of both investigated interfaces. The obtained results show that even in the presence ofmore » atomically structured grain boundary cores with widths of less than 1 nm, optical properties have to be represented with gradual changes across the grain boundary structures to quantitatively reproduce accurate van der Waals V London dispersion interactions. London dispersion energies of the order of 10% of the apparent interface energies of SrTiO3 were observed, demonstrating their significance in the grain boundary formation process. The application of different models to represent optical property gradients shows that long-range van der Waals V London dispersion interactions scale significantly with local, i.e atomic length scale property variations.« less

  9. The effect of d and f states of ytterbium on the electronic and magnetic properties of Al1‑xYbxN: DFT+U study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Belhachi, S.

    2018-04-01

    Using density functional theory combined LSDA+U method, the structural, electronic and magnetic behaviors of ytterbium implanted in wurtzite AlN were investigated. Low formation energy shows that Yb atom favors to substitute for Al site and to confirm this stability, the adsorption energy has been calculated. It is found that Al0.9375Yb0.0625N possesses a semiconductor behavior. The magnetic moment 0.9891 μB per molecule principally comes from Yb ion with small contribution from the Al and N atoms. We predict that Yb ions order ferromagnetically in AlN. The hybridization between the f orbital of the Yb atom and the p orbital of the N atom is also observed. We see that AlN:Yb will be among the good candidates for spintronic applications.

  10. CuAlO2 and CuAl2O4 thin films obtained by stacking Cu and Al films using physical vapor deposition

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Castillo-Hernández, G.; Mayén-Hernández, S.; Castaño-Tostado, E.; DeMoure-Flores, F.; Campos-González, E.; Martínez-Alonso, C.; Santos-Cruz, J.

    2018-06-01

    CuAlO2 and CuAl2O4 thin films were synthesized by the deposition of the precursor metals using the physical vapor deposition technique and subsequent annealing. Annealing was carried out for 4-6 h in open and nitrogen atmospheres respectively at temperatures of 900-1000 °C with control of heating and cooling ramps. The band gap measurements ranged from 3.3 to 4.5 eV. Electrical properties were measured using the van der Pauw technique. The preferred orientations of CuAlO2 and CuAl2O4 were found to be along the (1 1 2) and (3 1 1) planes, respectively. The phase percentages were quantified using a Rietveld refinement simulation and the energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy indicated that the composition is very close to the stoichiometry of CuAlO2 samples and with excess of aluminum and deficiency of copper for CuAl2O4 respectively. High resolution transmission electron microscopy identified the principal planes in CuAlO2 and in CuAl2O4. Higher purities were achieved in nitrogen atmosphere with the control of the cooling ramps.

  11. Paleomagnetic results from IODP Expedition 344 Site U1381 and implications for the initial subduction of the Cocos Ridge

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Yong-Xiang; Zhao, Xixi; Jovane, Luigi; Petronotis, Katerina; Gong, Zheng; Xie, Siyi

    2016-04-01

    Understanding the processes that govern the strength, nature, and distribution of slip along subduction zones is a fundamental and societally relevant goal of modern earth science. The Costa Rica Seismogenesis Project (CRISP) is specially designed to understand the processes that control nucleation and seismic rupture of large earthquakes at erosional subduction zones. Drilling directly on the Cocos Ridge (CR) during International Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Expedition 344 discovered a sedimentary hiatus in Site U1381 cores. In this study, we conducted a magnetostratigraphic and rock magnetic study on the Cenozoic sedimentary sequences of site U1381. Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility data from sediments above and below the hiatus show oblate fabrcis, but the Kmin axes of the AMS data from sediments below the hiatus are more dispersed than those from sediments above the hiatus, implying that formation of hiatus may have affected AMS. Paleomagnetic results of the U1381 core, together with available Ar-Ar dates of ash layers from sediments below the hiatus, allow us to establish a geomagnetic polarity timescale that brackets the hiatus between ca. 9.61 and 1.52 Ma. Analyses of sedimentary records from ODP/IODP cores in the vicinity reveal that the hiatus appears to be regional, spanning the northeastern end of the CR. Also, the hiatus appears to occur only at certain locations. Its regional occurrence at unique locations implies a link to the initial shallow subduction of the Cocos Ridge. The hiatus was probably produced by either bottom current erosion or the CR buckling upon its initial collision with the Middle American trench (MAT). Thus, the initial subduction of the CR must have taken place on or before 1.52 Ma.

  12. The Green Bank Ammonia Survey: Dense Cores under Pressure in Orion A

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kirk, Helen; Friesen, Rachel K.; Pineda, Jaime E.; Rosolowsky, Erik; Offner, Stella S. R.; Matzner, Christopher D.; Myers, Philip C.; Di Francesco, James; Caselli, Paola; Alves, Felipe O.; Chacón-Tanarro, Ana; Chen, How-Huan; Chun-Yuan Chen, Michael; Keown, Jared; Punanova, Anna; Seo, Young Min; Shirley, Yancy; Ginsburg, Adam; Hall, Christine; Singh, Ayushi; Arce, Héctor G.; Goodman, Alyssa A.; Martin, Peter; Redaelli, Elena

    2017-09-01

    We use data on gas temperature and velocity dispersion from the Green Bank Ammonia Survey and core masses and sizes from the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope Gould Belt Survey to estimate the virial states of dense cores within the Orion A molecular cloud. Surprisingly, we find that almost none of the dense cores are sufficiently massive to be bound when considering only the balance between self-gravity and the thermal and non-thermal motions present in the dense gas. Including the additional pressure binding imposed by the weight of the ambient molecular cloud material and additional smaller pressure terms, however, suggests that most of the dense cores are pressure-confined.

  13. Calibrating the Planck Cluster Mass Scale with Cluster Velocity Dispersions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Amodeo, Stefania; Mei, Simona; Stanford, Spencer A.; Bartlett, James G.; Melin, Jean-Baptiste; Lawrence, Charles R.; Chary, Ranga-Ram; Shim, Hyunjin; Marleau, Francine; Stern, Daniel

    2017-08-01

    We measure the Planck cluster mass bias using dynamical mass measurements based on velocity dispersions of a subsample of 17 Planck-detected clusters. The velocity dispersions were calculated using redshifts determined from spectra that were obtained at the Gemini observatory with the GMOS multi-object spectrograph. We correct our estimates for effects due to finite aperture, Eddington bias, and correlated scatter between velocity dispersion and the Planck mass proxy. The result for the mass bias parameter, (1-b), depends on the value of the galaxy velocity bias, {b}{{v}}, adopted from simulations: (1-b)=(0.51+/- 0.09){b}{{v}}3. Using a velocity bias of {b}{{v}}=1.08 from Munari et al., we obtain (1-b)=0.64+/- 0.11, I.e., an error of 17% on the mass bias measurement with 17 clusters. This mass bias value is consistent with most previous weak-lensing determinations. It lies within 1σ of the value that is needed to reconcile the Planck cluster counts with the Planck primary cosmic microwave background constraints. We emphasize that uncertainty in the velocity bias severely hampers the precision of the measurements of the mass bias using velocity dispersions. On the other hand, when we fix the Planck mass bias using the constraints from Penna-Lima et al., based on weak-lensing measurements, we obtain a positive velocity bias of {b}{{v}}≳ 0.9 at 3σ .

  14. The lowest ionization potentials of Al2

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bauschlicher, Charles W., Jr.; Barnes, Leslie A.; Taylor, Peter R.

    1988-01-01

    Potential curves for the lowest two electronic states (X 2 sigma g + and A 2 pi u) of Al2(+) were computed using complete active space SCF/multireference CI wave functions and large Gaussian basis sets. The lowest observable vertical ionization potential (to Al2(+) X 2 sigma g +) of the Al2 X 3 pi u ground state is calculated to occur around 6.1 eV, in excellent agreement with the experimental range of 6.0 to 6.42 eV obtained in recent cluster ionization studies by Cox and co-workers. The second vertical ionization potential (to Al2(+) A 2 pi u) occurs near 6.4 eV, also within the experimental range. The adiabatic IP of 5.90 eV is in good agreement with the value of 5.8 to 6.1 eV deduced by Hanley and co-workers from the difference in thresholds between collision induced dissociation processes of Al3(+). The computed IP values are somewhat larger than those deduced from branching ratios in cluster fragmentation experiments by Jarrold and co-workers. The observation of an ionization threshold below 6.42 eV is shown to be incompatible with an Al2 ground electronic state assignment of 3 sigma g -, but the separation between the two lowest states of Al2 is so small that it is likely that both are populated in the experiments, so that this does not provide unambiguous support for the recent theoretical assignment of the ground state as 3 pi u.

  15. Molecular Diagnostics of the Internal Motions of Massive Cores

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pineda, Jorge; Velusamy, T.; Goldsmith, P.; Li, D.; Peng, R.; Langer, W.

    2009-12-01

    We present models of the internal kinematics of massive cores in the Orion molecular cloud. We use a sample of cores studied by Velusamy et al. (2008) that show red, blue, and no asymmetry in their HCO+ line profiles in equal proportion, and which therefore may represent a sample of cores in different kinematic states. We use the radiative transfer code RATRAN (Hogerheijde & van der Tak 2000) to model several transitions of HCO+ and H13CO+ as well as the dust continuum emission, of a spherical model cloud with radial density, temperature, and velocity gradients. We find that an excitation and velocity gradients are prerequisites to reproduce the observed line profiles. We use the dust continuum emission to constrain the density and temperature gradients. This allows us to narrow down the functional forms of the velocity gradient giving us the opportunity to test several theoretical predictions of velocity gradients produced by the effect of magnetic fields (e.g. Tassis et. al. 2007) and turbulence (e.g. Vasquez-Semanedi et al 2007).

  16. An oxide dispersion strengthened Ni-W-Al alloy with superior high temperature strength

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Glasgow, T. K.

    1976-01-01

    An experimental oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloy, WAZ-D, derived from the WAZ-20 composition was produced by the mechanical alloying process. Cast WAZ-20 is strengthened by both a high refractory metal content, and 70 volume percent of gamma prime. The ODS alloy WAZ-D was responsive to variables of alloy content, of attritor processing, of consolidation by extrusion, and of heat treatment. The best material produced had large highly elongated grains. It exhibited tensile strengths generally superior to a comparable cast alloy. The ODS alloy exhibited high temperature stress rupture life considerably superior to any known cast superalloy. Tensile and rupture ductility were low, as was intermediate temperature rupture life. Very low creep rates were noted and some specimens failed with essentially no third stage creep. Also the benefit derived from the oxide dispersion, far out-weighed that from the elongated microstructure alone.

  17. U-series constraints on the Holocene human presence in the Cuatro Cienegas basin, Mexico

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Noble, S. R.; Felstead, N.; Gonzalez, S.; Leng, M. J.; Metcalfe, S. E.; Patchett, P. J.

    2010-12-01

    U-series tufa ages dating a human trackway have been obtained, part of a larger Late Pleistocene - Recent palaeoclimate and human occupation study of the Cuatro Cienegas basin, NE Mexico. Our analytical approach, including tracer calibration, couples aspects of what we consider best practice in the U-series community with our U-Pb experiences which includes the EarthTime U-Pb tracer calibration exercise. The recently discovered trackway is near a small hydrothermal pool within the basin [1], an ecologically highly significant oasis in the Chihuahuan desert. The oasis comprises >200 freshwater hydrothermal pools and a river system, and the related ecosystem hosts >70 endemic species[2]. Pools are fed by waters that circulate a deep karstic system and that originate in the surrounding upper Jurassic-lower Cretaceous Sierra Madre Oriental mountains (>3000m) [3]. The area hosted nomadic hunter-gatherers during the Holocene, and possibly as early as Late Pleistocene (~12 ka BP). Despite the basin's ecological significance, only three palaeoenvironmental studies have been published to date, and limited geochronological constraints are available. A pollen study of drill core through peats and tufas proximal to the pools suggested a long period of climatic stability and biogeographic isolation[4], a notion supported by the large number of endemic species, but other palynological and plant macrofossil data suggest that large climatic changes occurred post Late Pleistocene [5]. The 10 m long in situ trackway is preserved in tufa and five samples from the uppermost surfaces were analysed to date the footprints. The tufas comprise clean carbonate with no petrographic evidence of replacement and little contaminant detrital material (on some exposed upper surfaces). Powdered tufa was processed following [6-8], and analysed by TIMS (Triton, U) and MC-ICP-MS (Th, Nu HR), although our future analyses will primarily be obtained on a Neptune. Samples were spiked with a 229Th/236U

  18. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP): An Al Qaeda Affiliate Case Study

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2017-10-01

    Underwear Bombing ” and an unsuccessful 2010 plan to put parcel bombs on U.S.-bound airplanes. AQAP also seeks to inspire “lone jihad” attacks in the... bomb -maker,5 and Sudanese national Ibrahim al-Qosi, a former bookkeeper for Osama Bin Laden.6 Below the emir are regional commanders and heads of...5 “Profile: Al-Qaeda ‘ Bomb Maker’ Ibrahim al-Asiri,” BBC News, July 4, 2014, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-11662143. See also al-Asiri

  19. Searching for the light-element candidate of the Earth's inner core

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Y.; Vocadlo, L.; Brodholt, J. P.; Wood, I. G.

    2016-12-01

    The mismatch between the seismic observations of the Earth's inner core and observations from mineral physics (Vočadlo, 2007; Vočadlo et al., 2009; Belonoshko et al., 2007; Martorell et al., 2013) questions the basic structure of the core and also makes it more difficult to understand its other complex characteristics. The premelting elastic softening predicted in hcp Fe under inner core conditions gives a match with seismic wave velocities, but clearly the density is too high (Martorell et al., 2013); in addition, the origin of such premelting softening is not clear. Using ab-initio based simulation techniques, we have studied the structures and elastic properties of Fe alloys and compounds with C and Si that are strongly relevant to the inner core. The densities and elastic constants were obtained up to melting under inner core pressures. The premelting elastic softening observed in hcp Fe was also observed in materials like Fe7C3, and was found to be correlated with the partial weakening of the bonding network, but the density of Fe7C3 is too low to match that of the inner core. However, the density and elastic properties from calculations on the Fe-Si-C ternary alloy were found to be very close to the seismic observations of the core, suggesting that it may, finally, be possible to report a core composition which is fully matched with seismology. Belonoshko, A. B., Skorodumova, N. V., Davis, S., Osiptsov, A. N., Rosengren, A., Johansson, B., (2007). Science 316 (5831), 1603-1605. Vočadlo, L., (2007). Earth. Planet. Sci. Lett., 254 (1), 227-232. Vočadlo, L., Brodholt, J., Dobson, D.P., Knight, K., Marshall, W., Price, G.D., Wood, I.G. (2002). Earth. Planet. Sci. Lett., 203 (1) 567-575. Vočadlo, L., Dobson, D. P., Wood, I. G., (2009). Earth. Planet. Sci. Lett., 288 (3), 534-538. Martorell, B., Vočadlo, L., Brodholt, J., Wood, I. G., (2013b). Science 342 (6157), 466-468.

  20. Electron Transfer Pathways Facilitating U(VI) Reduction by Fe(II) on Al- vs Fe-Oxides

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

    Taylor, S. D.; Becker, U.; Rosso, K. M.

    This study continues mechanistic development of heterogeneous electron transfer (ET) pathways at mineral surfaces in aquatic environments that enable the reduction U(VI) by surface-associated Fe(II). Using computational molecular simulation within the framework of Marcus Theory, our findings highlight the importance of the configurations and interaction of the electron donor and acceptor species with the substrate, with respect to influencing its electronic structure and thereby the ability of semiconducting minerals to facilitate ET. U(VI) reduction by surface-associated Fe(II) (adsorbed or structurally incorporated into the lattice) on an insulating, corundum (001) surface (α-Al2O3) occurs when proximal inner-sphere (IS) surface complexes are formed,more » such that ET occurs through a combination of direct exchange (i.e., Fe d- and U f-orbitals overlap through space) and superexchange via intervening surface oxygen atoms. U(VI) reduction by coadsorbed Fe(II) on the isostructural semiconducting hematite (α-Fe2O3) basal surface requires either their direct electronic interaction (e.g., IS complexation) or mediation of this interaction indirectly through the surface via an intrasurface pathway. Conceptually possible longer-range ET by charge-hopping through surface Fe atoms was investigated to determine whether this indirect pathway is competitive with direct ET. The calculations show that energy barriers are large for this conduction-based pathway; interfacial ET into the hematite surface is endothermic (+80.1 kJ/mol) and comprises the rate-limiting step (10–6 s–1). The presence of the IS adsorbates appears to weaken the electronic coupling between underlying Fe ions within the surface, resulting in slower intra-surface ET (10–5 s–1) than expected in the bulk basal plane. Our findings lay out first insights into donor-acceptor communication via a charge-hopping pathway through the surface for heterogeneous reduction of U(VI) by Fe(II) and help provide