Large Lateral Distances Research Articles

Groundwater flow-controlled migration of dissolved microbial gas in the Eastern Hungarian Pannonian Basin

The formation of commercial microbial gas accumulations requires specific migration and accumulation conditions which can be effectively provided by groundwater flow systems. Namely, if microbial methane can be gathered and transported in aqueous solution over large lateral distances, great amounts of free gas can be exsolved where flows turn upward, causing a decrease in solubility. Based on this concept and the flow pattern of regional scale topography-driven groundwater flow systems, the present study built a simplistic 2D model in MS Excel including a methane solubility database with 32 000 data points. The model can calculate the required flow pathway length to saturate groundwater with methane, the amount of free gas that can be released in a potential accumulation zone and the necessary time interval for the whole process. Application of the model was demonstrated based on the geological and hydrogeological conditions of a study area in the Central Pannonian Basin (Hungary), focusing on the Hajdúszoboszló gas field. In light of the upscaled results of the 2D model, the known microbial gas accumulations of the study area could be charged according to the model. In addition, parameter sensitivity analysis also provided valuable insights into the complex mechanisms of microbial gas migration.

CMP: Four Decades of Innovation and a Promising Future

The invention of CMP by IBM in 1983 represents an inflection point in the evolution of semiconductors. It was a bold and risky idea to mechanically apply abrasives to the surface of a wafer, but this new process for restoring a wafer to a planar state was the key to continued areal scaling and increased device complexity. Initially applied to a simple application for filling trenches with insulator, the potential of this technique was evident. Through understanding of material properties and subsequent manipulation of slurry chemistry, CMP was applied to enable the more challenging and technically critical processes for Shallow Trench Isolation and Tungsten contacts. The late 1990’s saw the introduction of copper interconnects. IBM was first to market this technology which continues to support conductors down to lines widths on the order of 10 nanometers! The CMP process required for copper interconnects demanded a thorough understanding of the materials present and potential surface phenomena for exploitation. For this need, a new and complex mechanism for copper planarization was invented. Equally challenging was the need for a subsequent non-selective barrier removal step. For this a unique, self-balancing approach was also invented, borrowing some elements from previous STI technology. Device architecture has progressed from planar geometry to FINFETs to Gate All Around, or Nanosheet technology. This evolution has required increasingly more CMP process steps with a concurrent demand for increased process control. Gate height control for Nanosheeets is currently paramount for performance, affected by many CMP steps in the process flow. A typical requirement is less than 1nm added variability per CMP step! Looking forward, CMP continues to be tapped to enable technology evolution. Polish steps are becoming part of the patterning process to enable pitch splitting for upcoming nodes. A VTFET integration approach can enable further area scaling but presents integration challenges; CMP is being asked to enable “third color” schemes for the protection of NFET vs PFET devices which is necessary at various points in the in the VTFET process flow. Heterogeneous Integration is demanding nanometer control of topography across large contact pads and large lateral distances. Finally, extreme scaling is creating fundamental challenges for metal polish at the contact and interconnect levels. CMP tool architecture currently does not provide for control of ambient conditions at the wafer surface during wet transport and post CMP cleaning. Subsequently, unwanted metal dissolution is observed. New tool designs will be needed to control wafer surface conditions, and particularly oxygen exposure through all steps within the CMP tool. This talk is dedicated to the special session in honor of Professor S.V. Babu

Factors Influencing Lateral Distance and Speed of Motorized Vehicles Overtaking Bicycles

This research analyzed the factors influencing lateral distance and speed of motorized vehicles overtaking cyclists. The measurement apparatus consisted of an instrumented bicycle equipped with an ultrasonic sensor, a speed radar, GPS devices and a GoPro camera. The experiment was carried out along a predetermined route in the urban area of Londrina, in the state of Paraná, Brazil. A total of 36 tours were performed, wherein 2032 overtaking maneuvers were identified. Several factors were regressed on two dependent variables, namely the overtaking speed and the lateral distance, within a path analysis modeling framework to assess their contributions to the cyclist safety. The presence of painted bike lanes was shown to be the most important aspect, as lateral clearance increased by an average 31 cm compared with that for streets without this intervention. It should be noted though that this effect is higher for lanes with larger widths, with practically no influence on narrower lanes. Larger lateral distances were found in wider streets, whereas heavier vehicles and higher speed limits were associated with faster overtaking maneuvers. The most critical factor was related to cycling in commercial city zones where the combined effects posed a greater risk to cycling (i.e., higher overtaking speeds with shorter lateral distances). These findings shed light on relevant policies to promote cyclist safety and cycling attractiveness, such as expanding cycling infrastructure, decreasing street speed limits and informing citizens about the safest cycling routes in their urban environment.

Nonnormality of sonic boom loudness metrics in the turbulent atmospheric boundary layer at large lateral distances from the flight path

Atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) turbulence causes variability of the sonic boom waveform at the ground. Recent numerical investigations of sonic boom propagation through kinematic velocity fluctuations indicate that loudness metric distributions are positively skewed relative to a normal distribution. This skewness depends on the propagation distance and turbulence intensity. Propagation simulations of N-waves and shaped booms through inhomogeneous ABL turbulence are presented. Meteorological conditions are varied to examine different daytime ABL conditions and their effect on sonic boom loudness distributions. Two outcomes are observed: (1) the loudness metric distributions become increasingly positively skewed as the propagation distance through the ABL increases, and (2) the distributions become increasingly positively skewed at the same lateral distance from the flight path as the convection level of the daytime ABL is increased. Thus, results indicate that ground level measurements of sonic boom loudness from flight tests performed at large lateral distances from the flight path may not be normally distributed, due to turbulence present in the ABL. (This research is supported by the Commercial Supersonic Technology Project of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration under Grant No. 80NSSC19K1685.)

Vector field path following of a full-wing solar-powered Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) landing based on Dubins path: a lesson from multiple landing failures

Abstract The full-wing solar-powered UAV has a large aspect ratio, special configuration, and excellent aerodynamic performance. This UAV converts solar energy into electrical energy for level flight and storage to improve endurance performance. The UAV only uses a differential throttle for lateral control, and the insufficient control capability during crosswind landing results in a large lateral distance bias and leads to multiple landing failures. This paper analyzes 11 landing failures and finds that a large lateral distance bias at the beginning of the approach and the coupling of base and differential throttle control is the main reason for multiple landing failures. To improve the landing performance, a heading angle-based vector field (VF) method is applied to the straight-line and orbit paths following and two novel 3D Dubins landing paths are proposed to reduce the initial lateral control bias. The results show that the straight-line path simulation exhibits similar phenomenon with the practical failure; the single helical path has the highest lateral control accuracy; the left-arc to left-arc (L-L) path avoids the saturation of the differential throttle; and both paths effectively improve the probability of successful landing.

Scaling study of molecular beam epitaxy grown InAs/Al2O3 films using atomic force microscopy

Scaling study of polycrystalline InAs thin films grown by molecular beam epitaxy on c-plane sapphire (001) substrate has been presented using atomic force microscopy, corresponding height-height correlation function and two-dimensional fast Fourier transform profiles. Height-height correlation function profiles exhibit oscillations at larger lateral distances along with ring-like features in the respective two-dimensional fast Fourier transform scans and clearly indicate mound-like surface morphology. Scaling parameters, interface width and lateral correlation length were extracted and their dependence on the growth temperatures were investigated. The growth mechanism has been well explained in terms of diffusion effects and the obtained parameters qualitatively agrees with the parameters obtained for the growth of InAs films grown on Si(100) substrate under identical growth conditions. Our study suggests that molecular beam epitaxy grown InAs thin films on lattice mismatched substrates (c-plane sapphire(001) and Si(100) substrate) follows the same growth behavior under identical growth conditions.

Study of Muons in Ultra-High-Energy Cosmic-Ray Air Showers with the Telescope Array Experiment

One of the uncertainties in the interpretation of ultra-high-energy cosmic-ray (UHECR) data comes from the high-energy hadronic interaction models used for air shower Monte-Carlo (MC) simulations. A long-standing problem of the so-called “muon excess”, the discrepancy of number of muons predicted by simulations and observed in the data, is believed to be caused by the incompleteness of modern hadronic interaction models, all of which are known to use the extrapolated values of the parameters of hadronic interactions, such as cross sections and multiplicities. The present work is dedicated to the study of muon densities in UHE extensive air showers from the Telescope Array experiment surface detector data. In the 7-year-data from the Telescope Array experiment, we find that the number of particles observed for signals with an expected muon purity of ∼65% at a lateral distance of 2000 m from the shower core is 1.72 ± 0.10(stat.) ± 0.37(syst.) times larger than the MC prediction value using the QGSJETII-03 model for the proton-induced showers. A similar effect is also seen in comparison with other hadronic models such as QGSJETII-04, which shows a 1.67 ± 0.10 ± 0.36 excess. We also studied the dependence of these excesses on lateral distances and found a slower decrease of the lateral distribution of muons in the data as compared to the MC, causing larger discrepancy at the larger lateral distances.

Study of muons from ultrahigh energy cosmic ray air showers measured with the Telescope Array experiment

One of the uncertainties in interpretation of ultra-high energy cosmic ray (UHECR) data comes from the hadronic interaction models used for air shower Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. The number of muons observed at the ground from UHECR-induced air showers is expected to depend upon the hadronic interaction model. One may therefore test the hadronic interaction models by comparing the measured number of muons with the MC prediction. In this paper, we present the results of studies of muon densities in UHE extensive air showers obtained by analyzing the signal of surface detector stations which should have high $\it{muon \, purity}$. The muon purity of a station will depend on both the inclination of the shower and the relative position of the station. In 7 years' data from the Telescope Array experiment, we find that the number of particles observed for signals with an expected muon purity of $\sim$65% at a lateral distance of 2000 m from the shower core is $1.72 \pm 0.10{\rm (stat.)} \pm 0.37 {\rm (syst.)}$ times larger than the MC prediction value using the QGSJET II-03 model for proton-induced showers. A similar effect is also seen in comparisons with other hadronic models such as QGSJET II-04, which shows a $1.67 \pm 0.10 \pm 0.36$ excess. We also studied the dependence of these excesses on lateral distances and found a slower decrease of the lateral distribution of muons in the data as compared to the MC, causing larger discrepancy at larger lateral distances.

Real structure of (Sb1/3Zn2/3)GaO3(ZnO)3, a member of the homologous series ARO3(ZnO)m with ordered site occupation

The hitherto unknown compound (Sb1/3Zn2/3)GaO3(ZnO)3, a member of the homologous series with general formula ARO3(ZnO)m (A,R = trivalent metal cation), was prepared by solid state methods from the binary oxides in sealed Pt-tubes. The structure of (Sb1/3Zn2/3)GaO3(ZnO)3 has been determined by X-ray diffraction from flux-grown single crystals (R3̅m, Z = 3, aR = 3.2387(7) Å, cR = 41.78(1) Å. The analysis revealed that (Sb1/3Zn2/3)GaO3(ZnO)m is isostructural with InGaO3(ZnO)m, where In3+ on octahedral sites is replaced by Sb5+ and Zn2+ in a ratio of 1:2, preserving an average charge of 3+. (Sb1/3Zn2/3)GaO3(ZnO)3 was furthermore analyzed by electron diffraction, High Angle Annular Dark Field (HAADF) scanning TEM, and high precision EELS spectroscopic imaging, where a periodic ordering of SbO6 octahedra connected via edge sharing to six ZnO6 octahedra in the octahedral layers in a honeycomb motif is found. Due to the large lateral distance of ca. 1.4nm between adjacent octahedral layers, electrostatic interaction might hardly dictate Sb and Zn positions in neighbouring layers, and hence is a characteristic of the real structure of (Sb1/3Zn2/3)GaO3(ZnO)3. A structure model of the compound in space group P3112 (Nr. 151) with strictly ordered and discrete Sb and Zn positions is derived by crystallographic transformations as closest approximant for the real structure of (Sb1/3Zn2/3)GaO3(ZnO)3. UV–vis measurements confirm this compound to be a transparent oxide with an optical band gap in the UV region with Eg = 3.15eV.

Obstacle negotiation attempts by leaping cyprinids indicate bank-side spawning migration routes

Understanding freshwater fish population ecology is a pre-requisite for their conservation, management, and exploitation. Many populations of cyprinids, the largest family of freshwater fish, undertake potamodromous migrations. This has important implications for the conservation and management of their stocks. Habitat and connectivity loss are the main factors threatening these stocks. The fine-scale routes (i.e., banks vs. midchannel) of cyprinid spawning migrations in generally turbid rivers are largely unknown, contrary to other taxa such as salmonids, shads, and eels. In this work, we studied the fine-scale leaping behavior of two cyprinid taxa (Luciobarbus sp., barbels) which support commercial and recreational fisheries. We used fish size and leap distance to the margin as indicative of fine-scale spawning migration routes following the river banks vs. midchannel. The results support the idea that these cyprinids migrate close to the banks, and that the larger adults migrate nearer the banks than the smaller ones. This marks a difference between cyprinids and salmonids, showing that knowledge of cyprinid migration routes can help fisheries managers develop improved, more permeable, barriers and less selective fish pass facilities. Particularly, this behavior of cyprinid species can be applied to optimize the design of fish pass facilities: first, by installing fish passes on each bank of wide rivers, where the large lateral distance may make a single facility difficult to find; and second, by using either a single wider entrance or several narrower entrances distributed over a greater distance from the margins so as to cover the more distant stretch used by the younger adults.

Options for aircraft noise reduction on arrival and landing

This paper demonstrates the noise reduction potential from modified final approach and landing procedures of commercial aircraft. A conventional trajectory is compared with a steep approach with a 4.5-degree glide slope (first option), and with a displaced landing, wherein an aircraft approaching with a 3-degree slope is allowed to land with a second threshold (second option). The reference airplane is the Airbus A320-211. Examples of noise footprints are shown for generic cases of constant ground impedance. It is shown that a noise reduction of −1 EPNL reduction is possible with a 450 m landing displacement or with a 3.5 degree glide slope. Noise reduction occurs below the flight track and moderate lateral distances. It is also shown that at larger lateral distances, 200 m or above, the noise level increases compared to the reference case. The ground model has been extended to include variable impedance and actual airfields. Finally, it is shown that an Embraer E195 model landing on a steep trajectory has a reduced noise almost everywhere in a selected region around the airfield.

Deterministic transfer of spin polarization in wire-like lateral structures via the persistent spin helix

We used spatially- and time-resolved Kerr rotation microscopy to show that in lateral wire-like structures, based on a modulation-doped GaAs-AlGaAs quantum well, an optically initialized spin polarization can be deterministically transferred to specific lateral positions, employing the persistent spin helix (PSH). To this end, we show that confinement in two directions leads to a strong enhancement of the effective decay time of spin polarization, which can be exploited to transfer spin polarization over relatively large lateral distances. This is demonstrated by the investigation of L-shaped wire-like lateral structures, where the legs are positioned in directions parallel and perpendicular to the wave vector of the PSH.

Soft-sediment deformation structures in the Mio-Pliocene Misaki Formation within alternating deep-sea clays and volcanic ashes (Miura Peninsula, Japan)

The Mio-Pliocene Misaki Formation of the Miura Group (Miura Peninsula, Japan) shows an extremely wide variety of soft-sediment deformation structures. The most common deformation structures are load casts and associated flame structures, dish-and-pillar structures, synsedimentary faults, multilobated convolutions, chaotic deformation structures, sedimentary veins and dykes, and large-scale slides and slump scars. The formation, which accumulated in a deep-sea environment (2000–3000m), is well exposed in and around Jogashima; it consists of relative thin (commonly dm-scale) alternations of deep-marine fine-grained sediments and volcanic ejecta that are, as a rule, coarse-grained. Since the formation represents fore-arc deposits of the Izu-Bonin and the Honsu arc collision zone, it might be expected that tectonic activity also played a role as a trigger of the soft-sediment deformation structures that abound in these sediments. This is indicated, indeed, by the abundance of soft-sediment deformations over large lateral distances that occur in numerous beds that are sandwiched between undeformed beds. On the basis of their characteristics and the geological context, these layers can be explained satisfactorily only by assuming deformation triggered by seismicity, which must be related to the Izu-Bonin and Honsu arc collision. The layers thus form deep-marine seismites.

Restrictions to the application of ‘diagnostic’ criteria for recognizing ancient seismites

Soft-sediment deformation structures induced by seismic liquefaction and/or fluidization receive much attention in sedimentological, structural and palaeoseismic studies. The direct record of larger earthquakes is restricted to instrumental and historical data; the recognition of prehistoric earthquakes requires criteria to recognize seismites in the geological record. The areal distribution of seismites can sometimes be related to active faults since distances to the epicenter (for a given magnitude) tend to be related to the liquefaction effects of seismic shocks.The use of soft-sediment deformation structures for palaeoseismic studies has limitations, however. Hardly anything is known, for instance, about the effects that modern seismic events have on the sediments in most environments. Moreover, criteria for the recognition of seismites are still under discussion. The following characteristics seem, particularly in combination, the most reliable: (1) Soft-sediment deformation structures should occur in laterally continuous, preferably recurring horizons, separated by undeformed beds; (2) These deformation structures should be comparable with structures known to have been triggered by modern seismic activity; (3) The sedimentary basin should have experienced tectonic activity at the time when the deformations were formed; and (4) The intensity or abundance of the soft-sediment deformation structures in a presumed seismite should change laterally, depending on the distance to the epicenter. It turns out that all of these four criteria have important exceptions. (1) Soft-sediment deformation structures occurring over large lateral distances in a specific layer can be triggered also by other processes. Moreover, in environments with a low sedimentation rate, the time between successive earthquakes is often too short to allow accumulation of beds that remain undisturbed. Furthermore, total liquefaction of a sandy bed may result in the absence of deformation features. (2) No truly diagnostic soft-sediment deformation structures exist to prove seismic activity. Moreover, the final configuration of a soft-sediment deformation structure is independent of the type of trigger. (3) Seismites occur frequently in areas where seismic activity is low today. (4) The lateral changes in the intensity of soft-sediment deformation structures in seismites as a factor presumed to depend on the distances to the epicenter, pose a complicated problem. The 2012 Emilia earthquakes, for instance, affected sandy fluvial channels but not the fine-grained floodplains.It must thus be deduced that specific soft-sediment deformation structures cannot be used without additional evidence to identify seismites. In particular, the magnitude of seismic shocks and the recurrence time of main events (the most important features that allow recognition of seismites) seem to be sedimentological in nature: facies changes in space and time seem the parameters that most strongly control the occurrence, morphology, lateral extent and the vertical repetition of seismites.

Measuring the muon content of air showers with IceTop

IceTop, the surface component of the IceCube detector, has been used to measure the energy spectrum of cosmic ray primaries in the range between 1.58 PeV and 1.26 EeV. It can also be used to study the low energy muons in air showers by looking at large distances (> 300 m) from the shower axis. We will show the muon lateral distribution function at large lateral distances as measured with IceTop and discuss the implications of this measurement. We will also discuss the prospects for low energy muon studies with IceTop.

Numerical simulation of the pairwise interaction of deformable cells during migration in a microchannel

Leukocytes and other circulating cells deform and move relatively to the channel flow in the lateral and translational directions. Their migratory property is important in immune response, hemostasis, cancer progression, delivery of nutrients, and microfluidic technologies such as cell separation and enrichment, and flow cytometry. Using our three-dimensional computational algorithm for multiphase viscoelastic flow, we have investigated the effect of pairwise interaction on the lateral and translational migration of circulating cells in a microchannel. The numerical simulation data show that when two cells with the same size and small separation distance interact, repulsive interaction take place until they reach the same lateral equilibrium position. During this process, they undergo swapping or passing, depending on the initial separation distance between each other. The threshold value of this distance increases with cell deformation, indicating that the cells experiencing larger deformation are more likely to swap. When a series of closely spaced cells with the same size are considered, they generally undergo damped oscillation in both lateral and translational directions until they reach equilibrium positions where they become evenly distributed in the flow direction (self-assembly phenomenon). A series of cells with a large lateral separation distance could collide repeatedly with each other, eventually crossing the centerline and entering the other side of the channel. For a series of cells with different deformability, more deformable cells, upon impact with less deformable cells, move to an equilibrium position closer to the centerline. The results of our study show that the bulk deformation of circulating cells plays a key role in their migration in a microchannel.

Higher order hydrodynamic interaction between two slender bodies in potential flow

In this paper, we apply the slender body theory to study the effect of higher order hydrodynamic interactions between two slender bodies of revolution moving in close proximity, in an unbounded, inviscid, and incompressible fluid. We compare between leading and second-order approximations, as well as approximate and exact separation distances. The total solution is found to be valid for both small and large lateral separation distances. The contribution of the higher order forces is found to be relatively small for large separation distances, though significant for small separation distances. Comparisons with measurements and simulations are satisfactory.

Influence of the regional topography on the remote emplacement of hydrothermal systems with examples of Ticsani and Ubinas volcanoes, Southern Peru

Present work studies the influence of the regional topography on the hydrothermal fluid flow pattern in the subsurface of a volcanic complex. We discuss how the advective transfer of heat from a magmatic source is controlled by the regional topography for different values of the averaged permeability. For this purpose, we use a 2-D numerical model of coupled mass and heat transport and new data sets acquired at Ticsani and Ubinas, two andesitic volcanoes in Southern Peru which have typical topography, justifying this approach. A remarkable feature of these hydrothermal systems is their remote position not centered on the top of the edifice. It is evidenced by numerous hot springs located in more than 10km distance from the top of each edifice. Upwelling of thermal water is also inferred from a positive self-potential anomaly at the summit of the both volcanoes, and by ground temperatures up to 37°C observed at Ticsani. Our model results suggest that the regional topographic gradient is able to significantly divert the thermal water flow and can lead to an asymmetric emplacement of the hydrothermal system even considering a homogeneous permeability of the edifice. Inside the thermal flow, the hydraulic conductivity increases with the decrease of temperature-related viscosity, focusing the flow towards the surface and creating a hydrothermal zone at a large lateral distance from the heat source. The location and temperature of the hot springs together with the water table position given by self-potential data can be used to constrain the average permeability of the edifice, a key parameter influencing fluid flow and associated advective heat transfer in the direction opposite to the regional topographic gradient. Our study allows to explain the emplacement of the hydrothermal systems at volcanoes with asymmetric edifices or even the absence of a shallow hydrothermal system. These results can be generalized to the study of non-volcanic hydrothermal systems.

Estimation of Solar Energy Harvested for Autonomous Jellyfish Vehicles (AJVs)

There is significant interest in harvesting ocean energy for powering the autonomous vehicles that can conduct surveillance for long durations. In this paper, we analyze the applicability of solar cells as a power source for medusa-inspired biomimetic vehicles. Since these vehicles will be operating under ocean waters and may need to dive at various depths, a systematic investigation was conducted to determine the variation of output power as a function of depth and salinity levels. We modeled solar energy harvested by flexible amorphous solar cell coated jellyfish vehicles by considering the variables bell diameter, turbidity, depth, and fineness ratio. Low fineness ratio shapes were found to be better for solar energy powered vehicles. Study of three representative species, Aurelia aurita (AA), Mastigias sp., and Cyanea capillata indicates that harvested power was proportional to bell diameter. Optimum power can be harvested by tilting the vehicle axis to face refracted sunrays. Depending on a swimming pattern, power harvested in charging mode and in propulsion mode could vary significantly. The model indicates that, under some circumstances, amorphous silicon solar cell may be a cost-effective way to power autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) operating in shallow-water conditions with large lateral travel distances.

Injection of solids to lift coastal areas

Catastrophic flooding in coastal areas is an ongoing problem that may be aggravated by projected sea-level rise. We present a method of flood protection called SIRGE (solid injection for raising ground elevation), where the ground surface is raised by injecting sediment-laden slurry into hydraulic fractures at shallow depths. The injection process is repeated at adjacent locations to create a network of sub-horizontal, overlapping injections of solid material (hydraulic fractures). We argue that injecting sediment over large lateral distances would cause a lasting surface uplift that scales with the thickness of injected sediment at depth. We support this concept by an analysis showing that, in contrast to hydraulic fractures in petroleum reservoirs, hydraulic fractures in soft, shallow formations would typically grow in the toughness-dominated regime. It appears that the SIRGE process could be implemented to lift ground elevations in places such as Venice or New Orleans. Experimental and geological examples indicate that hydraulic fractures of suitable orientation and size can be created in areas with appropriate in situ stresses.