2,882 research outputs found
Manifestations of Dynamical Facilitation in Glassy Materials
By characterizing the dynamics of idealized lattice models with a tunable
kinetic constraint, we explore the different ways in which dynamical
facilitation manifests itself within the local dynamics of glassy materials.
Dynamical facilitation is characterized both by a mobility transfer function,
the propensity for highly-mobile regions to arise near regions that were
previously mobile, and by a facilitation volume, the effect of an initial
dynamical event on subsequent dynamics within a region surrounding it.
Sustained bursts of dynamical activity -- avalanches -- are shown to occur in
kinetically constrained models, but, contrary to recent claims, we find that
the decreasing spatiotemporal extent of avalanches with increased supercooling
previously observed in granular experiments does not imply diminishing
facilitation. Viewed within the context of existing simulation and experimental
evidence, our findings show that dynamical facilitation plays a significant
role in the dynamics of systems investigated over the range of state points
accessible to molecular simulations and granular experiments.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figure
Aerocapture Technologies
Aeroassist technology development is a vital part of the NASA In-Space Propulsion Technology (ISPT) Program. One of the main focus areas of ISPT is aeroassist technologies through the Aerocapture Technology (AT) Activity. Within the ISPT, the current aeroassist technology development focus is aerocapture. Aerocapture relies on the exchange of momentum with an atmosphere to achieve thrust, in this case a decelerating thrust leading to orbit capture. Without aerocapture, a substantial propulsion system would be needed on the spacecraft to perform the same reduction of velocity. This could cause reductions in the science payload delivered to the destination, increases in the size of the launch vehicle (to carry the additional fuel required for planetary capture) or could simply make the mission impossible due to additional propulsion requirements. The AT is advancing each technology needed for the successful implementation of aerocapture in future missions. The technology development focuses on both rigid aeroshell systems as well as the development of inflatable aerocapture systems, advanced aeroshell performance sensors, lightweight structure and higher temperature adhesives. Inflatable systems such as tethered trailing ballutes ('balloon parachutes'), clamped ballutes, and inflatable aeroshells are also under development. Aerocapture-specific computational tools required to support future aerocapture missions are also an integral part of the ATP. Tools include: engineering reference atmosphere models, guidance and navigation, aerothermodynamic modeling, radiation modeling and flight simulation. Systems analysis plays a key role in the AT development process. The NASA in-house aerocapture systems analysis team has been taken with multiple systems definition and concept studies to complement the technology development tasks. The team derives science requirements, develops guidance and navigation algorithms, as well as engineering reference atmosphere models and aeroheating specifications. The study team also creates designs for the overall mission spacecraft. Presentation slides are provided to further describe the aerocapture project
How Do Quasicrystals Grow?
Using molecular simulations, we show that the aperiodic growth of
quasicrystals is controlled by the ability of the growing quasicrystal
`nucleus' to incorporate kinetically trapped atoms into the solid phase with
minimal rearrangement. In the system under investigation, which forms a
dodecagonal quasicrystal, we show that this process occurs through the
assimilation of stable icosahedral clusters by the growing quasicrystal. Our
results demonstrate how local atomic interactions give rise to the long-range
aperiodicity of quasicrystals.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures. Figures and text have been updated to the final
version of the articl
A Tale of Two Tilings
What do you get when you cross a crystal with a quasicrystal? The surprising
answer stretches from Fibonacci to Kepler, who nearly 400 years ago showed how
the ancient tiles of Archimedes form periodic patterns.Comment: 3 pages, 1 figur
Self Assembly of Soft Matter Quasicrystals and Their Approximants
The surprising recent discoveries of quasicrystals and their approximants in
soft matter systems poses the intriguing possibility that these structures can
be realized in a broad range of nano- and micro-scale assemblies. It has been
theorized that soft matter quasicrystals and approximants are largely
entropically stabilized, but the thermodynamic mechanism underlying their
formation remains elusive. Here, we use computer simulation and free energy
calculations to demonstrate a simple design heuristic for assembling
quasicrystals and approximants in soft matter systems. Our study builds on
previous simulation studies of the self-assembly of dodecagonal quasicrystals
and approximants in minimal systems of spherical particles with complex,
highly-specific interaction potentials. We demonstrate an alternative
entropy-based approach for assembling dodecagonal quasicrystals and
approximants based solely on particle functionalization and shape, thereby
recasting the interaction-potential-based assembly strategy in terms of
simpler-to-achieve bonded and excluded-volume interactions. Here, spherical
building blocks are functionalized with mobile surface entities to encourage
the formation of structures with low surface contact area, including
non-close-packed and polytetrahedral structures. The building blocks also
possess shape polydispersity, where a subset of the building blocks deviate
from the ideal spherical shape, discouraging the formation of close-packed
crystals. We show that three different model systems with both of these
features -- mobile surface entities and shape polydispersity -- consistently
assemble quasicrystals and/or approximants. We argue that this design strategy
can be widely exploited to assemble quasicrystals and approximants on the nano-
and micro- scales. In addition, our results further elucidate the formation of
soft matter quasicrystals in experiment.Comment: 12 pages 6 figure
Radiation-Hardened Electronics for the Space Environment
RHESE covers a broad range of technology areas and products. - Radiation Hardened Electronics - High Performance Processing - Reconfigurable Computing - Radiation Environmental Effects Modeling - Low Temperature Radiation Hardened Electronics. RHESE has aligned with currently defined customer needs. RHESE is leveraging/advancing SOA space electronics, not duplicating. - Awareness of radiation-related activities through out government and industry allow advancement rather than duplication of capabilities
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