Supersonic Velocities Research Articles

Acceleration of polaron induced by site effective mass increment in organic ferromagnets

The polaron dynamics in organic ferromagnets (OFs) is investigated theoretically by considering the increment of site effective mass originating from the attachment of spin radicals. In spite of the increase of polaron effective mass, the results reveal two opposite effects on the polaron velocity caused by the increment of site effective mass. One is the normal decrease of the polaron velocity with the increment of site effective mass. The other is the abrupt acceleration of the polaron from below the sound velocity to the supersonic velocity upon a critical value of the site effective mass increment. Mechanism analysis shows that the acceleration of the polaron is attributed to the reduction of critical decoupling field for optical and acoustic deformations caused by the site effective mass increment. The second effect further depends on the polaron spin due to the existence of spin-dependent intrinsic dipole of the polarons. This work indicates the potential of high polaron mobility and efficient spin filtering effect under low electric fields in OFs.

Cold Sprayed Metallic Coatings on Fibre-Reinforced Composites: A Machine Learning Approach for the Optimization of the Process

Cold spray additive manufacturing (CSAM) is a promising process for producing metallic layers on different substrates, using powders as a feedstock material. The metallic powders are deposited through pressured gas that reaches supersonic velocities. Due to the low heat input required, as the powders remain in solid-state, this technology is particularly suitable to coat thermo-sensitive materials such as composites. Moreover, the absence of melting allows design freedom, allowing to build complex structures on the substrates, layer by layer. In this scenario, machine learning techniques can be crucial to improve the quality and understanding of this manufacturing process. The aim of this work is to predict the deformation and penetration of a particle upon impact using machine learning techniques in order to assess the properties of the coating. A univariate linear regression method was chosen to verify the feasibility of Theory Guided Machine Learning (TGML) techniques to predict the characteristics of the coating. The training dataset was obtained from both experimental data and computational data. It was confirmed that TGML could be a good route to pursue in order to optimize this process.

An overview of cold spray coating in additive manufacturing, component repairing and other engineering applications

AbstractCold spray process (CSP) is a thermal spray technology in which coating (10–40 µm) is formed in the solid state by the impingement of power particles with supersonic velocity (200–1,200 m/s2) on coupon employing compressed gas jet, below the melting point of coating powder. It is commonly referred as cold gas dynamic spray, high velocity powder deposition, kinetic spray and kinetic energy metallisation process. Using CSP, various engineering materials (metals, polymers and ceramics) and its composites can be deposited. It is unique and promising approach for obtaining surface coating and offers various technological benefits over thermal spray as kinetic energy is employed for deposition rather than thermal energy. This offers great benefits in additive manufacturing (AM) to develop a component denser, low oxide coating free of tensile residual stresses, and undesired chemical reactions compared to conventional AM and coating techniques. Cold spray additive manufacturing (CSAM) is the powerful and emerging technique in the field of AM to develop engineering components with improved performance covering broad range of functionalities of surface, subsurface and interfaces. There are few flaws in this technique; however, extensive research work is going in CSAM and repairing of components to meet the real-time applications. The main objective of this review article is to summarise the history, effect of process parameters on surface coating, research and development in CSP along with its implementation in AM, component repairing and biomedical, antimicrobial and electrical applications. A discussion on future trends in CSAM is also provided at the end part of this article.

Stability analysis of streamwise vortices over a blunt inclined cone under a hypersonic flight condition

We studied the stability of leeward streamwise vortices over a hypersonic inclined blunt cone under a flight condition by solving the two-dimensional spatial eigenvalue problem (BiGlobal) and plane-marching parabolized stability equations (PSE3D). The stability analyses were performed based on the laminar flow obtained by direct numerical simulation. Due to the azimuthal pressure gradient and large bluntness, a pair of large-scale inward vortices dominate in the vicinity of the leeward ray. Such vortical structures are different from previous studies, where outward vortices are most prominent. Two types of unstable modes are identified, namely, “inner mode” with low phase velocities and “outer mode” with high phase velocities. The inner modes are unstable in a wide frequency range compared to the outer modes, differing from previous studies where inner modes are deemed to lie in a much lower frequency range compared to the outer modes. Moreover, the inner modes, with supersonic phase velocities, are found to be able to radiate weak acoustics outside the vortices. Mack mode, belonging to the outer-mode instability, is most amplified that it is likely responsible for the breakdown of the vortices. BiGlobal and PSE3D results show good agreement regarding the downstream developments of the Mack mode and inner modes and yet exhibit remarkable discrepancies in tracing the evolution of the outer modes, highlighting the necessity of considering the non-parallel effects when studying the stability of streamwise vortices.

Pressure- and Size-Dependent Aerodynamic Drag Effects on Mach 0.3–2.2 Microspheres for High-Precision Micro-Ballistic Characterization

The acceleration of microparticles to supersonic velocities is required for microscopic ballistic testing, a method for understanding material characteristics under extreme dynamic conditions, and for projectile gene and drug delivery, a needle-free administration technique. However, precise aerodynamic effects upon supersonic microsphere motion at sub-300 Reynolds numbers have not been quantified. We derive drag coefficients for microspheres traveling in air at subsonic, transonic, and supersonic velocities from the measured trajectories of microspheres launched by laser-induced projectile acceleration. Moreover, the observed drag effects on microspheres in atmospheric (760 Torr) and reduced pressure (76 Torr) are compared with existing empirical data and drag coefficient models. We find that the existing models adequately predict the drag coefficient for subsonic microspheres, while rarefaction effects cause a discrepancy between the model and empirical data in the supersonic regime. These results will improve microsphere flight modeling for high-precision microscopic ballistic testing and projectile gene and drug delivery.

A single-step chemistry mechanism for biogas supersonic combustion velocity with nitrogen dilution

A single-step chemistry mechanism for biogas supersonic combustion velocity with nitrogen dilution

Experimental and numerical investigation of compressibility effects on velocity derivative flatness in turbulence

Compressibility effects on the velocity derivative flatness F∂u′/∂x are investigated by experiments with opposing arrays of piston-driven synthetic jet actuators (PSJAs) and direct numerical simulations (DNS) of statistically steady compressible isotropic turbulence and temporally evolving turbulent planar jets with subsonic or supersonic jet velocities. Experiments using particle image velocimetry show that nearly homogeneous isotropic turbulence is generated at the center of a closed box from interactions between supersonic synthetic jets. The dependencies of F∂u′/∂x on the turbulent Reynolds number Reλ and the turbulent Mach number MT are examined both experimentally and using DNS. Previous studies of incompressible turbulence indicate a universal relationship between F∂u′/∂x and Reλ. However, both experiments and DNS confirm that F∂u′/∂x increases relative to the incompressible turbulence via compressibility effects. Although F∂u′/∂x tends to be larger with MT in each flow, the F∂u′/∂x in the turbulent jets and the turbulence generated from PSJAs deviate from those in incompressible turbulence at lower MT compared with isotropic turbulence sustained by a solenoidal forcing. The PSJAs and supersonic planar jets generate strong pressure waves, and the wave propagation can cause an increased F∂u′/∂x, even at low MT. These results suggest that the compressibility effects on F∂u′/∂x are not solely determined from a local value of MT and depend on the turbulence generation process.

Ion temperature effects on plasma flow in the magnetic mirror configuration

Effects of finite ion temperature on the plasma flow in the converging–diverging magnetic field, the magnetic mirror, or equivalently, magnetic nozzle configuration are studied using a quasineutral paraxial two-fluid MHD model with isothermal electrons and warm magnetized ions. The ion acceleration was studied with an emphasis on the role of the singularity at the sonic point transition. It is shown that the regularity of the sonic point defines a global solution describing plasma acceleration from subsonic to supersonic velocity. Stationary accelerating solutions were obtained and compared with the time dependent dynamics, confirming that the solutions of the time-dependent equations converge to the stationary solutions and, therefore, are stable. The effects of the ion pressure anisotropy were analyzed using the Chew–Golberger–Low model and its generalization. It is shown that the mirror force (manifested by the perpendicular ion pressure) enhances plasma acceleration. The role of ionization and charge exchange on plasma flow acceleration have been investigated.

The Fornax3D project: The environmental impact on gas metallicity gradients in Fornax cluster galaxies

The role played by environment in galaxy evolution is a topic of ongoing debate among astronomers. There has been little success in elucidating the degree to which environment can alter, re-shape, or drive galaxy evolution, that is, using either observations or simulations. However, our knowledge of the effect of environment on gas metallicity gradients remains limited. Here we present our analysis of the gas metallicity gradients for a sample of ten Fornax cluster galaxies observed with MUSE as part of the Fornax3D project. We used detailed maps of emission lines to determine precise values of gas metallicity and metallicity gradients. The integrated gas metallicity of our Fornax cluster galaxies shows slightly higher metallicities (∼0.045 dex) in comparison to a control sample. In addition, we find signs of a mass and metallicity segregation from the center to the outskirts of the cluster. By comparing our Fornax cluster metallicity gradients with a control sample we find a general median offset of ∼0.04 dex/Re, with eight of our galaxies showing flatter or more positive gradients. The intermediate infallers in our Fornax sample show more positive gradients with respect to the control sample. We find no systematic difference between the gradients of recent and intermediate infallers when considering the projected distance of each galaxy to the cluster center. To identify the origin of the observed offset in the metallicity gradients, we performed a similar analysis with data from the TNG50 simulation. We identify 12 subhalos in Fornax-like clusters and compared their metallicity gradients with a control sample of field subhalos. This exercise also shows a flattening in the metallicity gradients for galaxies in Fornax-like halos, with a median offset of ∼0.05 dex/Re. We also analyzed the merger history, Mach numbers (ℳ), and ram pressure stripping of our TNG50 sample. We conclude that the observed flattening in metallicity gradients is likely due to a combination of galaxies traveling at supersonic velocities (ℳ > 1), which are experiencing high ram pressure stripping and flybys.

Supersonic divergence of a panel with a free edge initially loaded in two directions tensile and compressive forces

In the article, in a linear formulation, the problem of the static stability of a rectangular plate in a supersonic gas is investigated, initially loaded in two directions, respectively, stretched along the gas flow and compressed in the direction perpendicular to the gas flow velocity, under the assumption that the gas flow runs on its free edge. An analytical solution to the problem is obtained. The space of parameters of the “plate-flow” system was partitioned into areas of stability and static instability in the form of panel divergence and in the form of localized divergence. The corresponding critical velocities are found. The ratio of the stress coefficients characterizing the tensile and compressive forces, leading to the dominance of the stabilization effect, has been established. It is shown that compressive forces have an insignificant effect on the stability of sufficiently elongated plates, in comparison with tensile forces. The boundary value of the tensile stress coefficient is found, starting from which the elongated plates are stable at the beginning of the interval of supersonic velocities.

Design optimization of ejectors using ANN and GA

AbstractEjectors are devices that are based on the principle of momentum transfer. A primary fluid passes through a nozzle that is usually of converging–diverging cross‐section so that the flow reaches supersonic velocity at the exit. Consequently, a low‐pressure region is created just outside the nozzle exit. This pressure gradient draws out the secondary fluid, into the ejector through the annular space—a phenomenon known as entrainment. This paper attempts to design and optimize an ejector with 1,1‐dichloro‐1‐fluoroethane as the working fluid. The governing equations that accurately predict the behavior of the working fluid, are solved using the finite volume method after the discretization of the flow domain, using ANSYS Fluent. A database is created over 1008 similar computational fluid dynamics simulations by recording the input parameter values and the corresponding output parameter values. It is then used to define a function that can precisely predict the output for an unknown set of input parameters. This is achieved through the implementation of artificial neural networks—a surrogate modeling technique. The accuracy of the model is determined from the coefficient of correlation. The objective function thus obtained is optimized with the help of a genetic algorithm (GA)—a nature‐inspired optimization technique. The optimal design of the ejector for a set of operating conditions is obtained as the output of the GA.

Radio detections of IR-selected runaway stellar bow shocks

ABSTRACT Massive stars moving at supersonic peculiar velocities through the interstellar medium (ISM) can create bow shocks, arc-like structures at the interface between the stellar wind and the ISM. Many such bow shocks have been detected and catalogued at IR wavelengths, but detections in other wavebands remain rare. Strikingly, while electrons are expected to be accelerated in the bow shock and their non-thermal emission may include synchrotron emission at low frequencies, only two massive runaway stellar bow shocks have to date been detected in the radio band. Here, we examine a sample of fifty IR-detected bow shocks from the E-BOSS catalogues in recently released radio images from the Rapid ASKAP Continuum Survey. We identify three confident and three likely counterparts, as well as three inconclusive candidates requiring confirmation via follow-up observations. These detections significantly increase the number of known radio massive stellar bow shocks and highlight the advantage of dedicated searches with current and next-generation radio telescopes. We investigate the underlying radio emission mechanism for these radio sources, finding a mix of free–free-dominated and synchrotron-dominated systems. We also discuss the non-detected targets by putting constraints on their emission properties and investigating their detectability with future observations. Finally, we propose several future avenues of research to advance the study and understanding of bow shocks at radio frequencies.

Nonlinear evolution of internal gravity waves in the Earth’s ionosphere: Analytical and numerical approach

The nonlinear propagation of internal gravity waves in the weakly ionized, incompressible Earth’s ionosphere is studied using the fluid theory approach. Previous theory in the literature is advanced by the effects of the terrestrial inhomogeneous magnetic field embedded in weakly ionized ionospheric layers ranging in altitude from about 50 to 500 km. It is shown that the ionospheric conducting fluids can support the formation of solitary dipolar vortices (or modons). Both analytical and numerical solutions of the latter are obtained and analyzed. It is found that in absence of the Pedersen conductivity, different vortex structures with different space localization can be formed which can move with the supersonic velocity without any energy loss. However, its presence can cause the amplitude of the solitary vortices to decay with time and the vortex structure can completely disappear owing to the energy loss. Such energy loss can be delayed, i.e., the vortex structure can prevail for relatively a longer time if the nonlinear effects associated with either the stream function or the density variation become significantly higher than the dissipation due to the Pedersen conductivity. The main characteristic dynamic parameters are also defined which are in good correlation with the existing experimental data.

Stable and unstable supersonic stagnation of an axisymmetric rotating magnetized plasma

The Naval Research Laboratory ‘Mag Noh problem’, described in this paper, is a self-similar magnetized implosion flow, which contains a fast magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) outward propagating shock of constant velocity. We generalize the classic Noh (OSTI Tech. Rep. 577058, 1983) problem to include azimuthal and axial magnetic fields as well as rotation. Our family of ideal MHD solutions is five parametric, each solution having its own self-similarity index, gas gamma, magnetization, the ratio of axial to the azimuthal field and rotation. While the classic Noh problem must have a supersonic implosion velocity to create a shock, our solutions have an interesting three-parametric special case with zero initial velocity in which magnetic tension, instead of implosion flow, creates the shock at $t=0+$ . Our self-similar solutions are indeed realized when we solve the initial value MHD problem with the finite volume MHD code Athena. We numerically investigated the stability of these solutions and found both stable and unstable regions in parameter space. Stable solutions can be used to test the accuracy of numerical codes. Unstable solutions have also been widely used to test how codes reproduce linear growth, transition to turbulence and the practically important effects of mixing. Now we offer a family of unstable solutions featuring all three elements relevant to magnetically driven implosions: convergent flow, magnetic field and a shock wave.

Iron oxide supercapacitor of high volumetric energy and power density using binder-free supersonic spraying and self-healing rGO

Iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets were supersonically sprayed onto a nickel substrate to fabricate flexible supercapacitors. The supersonic impact velocity was adjusted by varying the air chamber pressure from 2 to 6 bar, which facilitated the self-healing of Stone-Wall defects in rGO sheets. Supersonic spraying caused exfoliation of the rGO sheets, which in turn increased the surface area and adherence of the Fe2O3 nanoparticles. The optimal case exhibited a specific capacitance of 1.44 F⋅cm-2 at a current rate of 1.5 mA⋅cm-2 and the energy density was 14.23 mWh⋅cm-3 at 250 mW⋅cm-3. The width of the potential window increased to 1.4 V, implying a significant increase in the energy storage capability. The energy density of the supersonically sprayed Fe2O3/rGO electrode also showed no signs of deterioration even when the increased current density interfered with the electrode performance.

Inversion method for measuring multi-hole probe surface pressure distribution of supersonic compressible atmospheric flow field

The conventional method of measuring a multi-hole probe is based on Bernoulli’s equation and suffers from certain model errors. A computational fluid dynamics-based method was used in this study to reduce the theoretical error and establish a parametric model of the surface pressure of a spherical multi-hole pressure probe for measuring compressible flow fields at supersonic velocities. A flow field inversion method based on the parametric model is proposed herein. Numerical simulations were conducted to validate the proposed method. The experiment results show that in the compressible atmospheric flow field within Mach 1.2–1.7, the measurement errors of the inversion method were 1.3% and 2.35% for velocity and angle, respectively, thus verifying the feasibility of the method. Thus, a new method of measuring multi-hole pressure probe atmospheric flow fields was demonstrated.

Liquid Jet Blasting Using Ultra-High Frequency Supersonic Pulsed Air Jet

This paper reports an experimental study on a liquid injector assembly integrated with an ultra-high frequency pulsed air jet that operates at 21 kHz. The active air-blasting assembly steadily injects a liquid through four micro-nozzles of 0.4 mm diameters each, positioned around a 1 mm nozzle through which the pulsed actuation jet flows out at supersonic velocity. High-frequency compressible air vortexes and shock waves generated by the injector atomize the liquid stream into finer droplets and distribute them to a larger area to improve mixing with the ambiance. The paper presents the design details and preliminary studies on the flow field characteristics of this novel injection scheme, which is a potential candidate for high-speed flow mixing and control applications.

УЧЕТ ТРЕНИЯ НА НАЧАЛЬНОМ ЭТАПЕ ВЕРТИКАЛЬНОГО ВНЕДРЕНИЯ ВЫПУКЛОГО УДАРНИКА В УПРУГУЮ ПОЛУПЛОСКОСТЬ

The initial stage of indentation of a convex rigid punch into isotropic elastic half-plane with friction is considered. A closed mathematical formulation in Cartesian coordinates is presented by equations of motion in the absence of a body force for homogeneous isotropic elastic medium in terms of displacement potentials, Cauchy equations for deformations, Hooke law and translational equation for the punch. Initial conditions are homogeneous. Outside of contact region surface is free from stresses. Inside contact region normal displacements of the surface of a half-space and the surface of a punch are taken to be equal and the relation between tangential and normal stresses in a form of Coulomb friction law is given. Due to the short duration of the supersonic stage and smallness of the contact region radius the tangential stress direction is considered to be point independent. Resolving functional equations are given in a form of convolutions with influence functions. The latter is the solution the original problem for half-plane with a special boundary condition in a form of the Dirac delta function. This solution is obtained in the domain of Laplace transform by time and Fourier transform by spatial coordinate. The original is constructed with the combined Fourier–Laplace inversion method. Solution is given with consideration to the initial stage characteristic property of supersonic velocity of contact region expansion (no smaller than propagation velocity of expansion-compression waves). It is shown that kinematic parameters of the punch, resulting force and discontinuities of the first kind on boundaries of the contact region are independent of friction unlike contact pressure. Calculation examples for different values of friction coefficient are presented.

The “Maggie” filament: Physical properties of a giant atomic cloud

Context. The atomic phase of the interstellar medium plays a key role in the formation process of molecular clouds. Due to the line-of-sight confusion in the Galactic plane that is associated with its ubiquity, atomic hydrogen emission has been challenging to study. Aims. We investigate the physical properties of the “Maggie” filament, a large-scale filament identified in H I emission at line-of-sight velocities, vLSR ~−54 km s−1. Methods. Employing the high-angular resolution data from The H I/OH Recombination line survey of the inner Milky Way (THOR), we have been able to study H I emission features at negative vLSR velocities without any line-of-sight confusion due to the kinematic distance ambiguity in the first Galactic quadrant. In order to investigate the kinematic structure, we decomposed the emission spectra using the automated Gaussian fitting algorithm GAUSSPY+. Results. We identify one of the largest, coherent, mostly atomic H I filaments in the Milky Way. The giant atomic filament Maggie, with a total length of 1.2 ± 0.1 kpc, is not detected in most other tracers, and it does not show signs of active star formation. At a kinematic distance of 17 kpc, Maggie is situated below (by ≈500 pc), but parallel to, the Galactic H I disk and is trailing the predicted location of the Outer Arm by 5−10 km s−1 in longitude-velocity space. The centroid velocity exhibits a smooth gradient of less than ±3 km s−1 (10 pc)−1 and a coherent structure to within ±6 km s−1. The line widths of ~10 km s−1 along the spine of the filament are dominated by nonthermal effects. After correcting for optical depth effects, the mass of Maggie’s dense spine is estimated to be 7.2−1.9+2.5 × 105 M⊙. The mean number density of the filament is ~4 cm−3, which is best explained by the filament being a mix of cold and warm neutral gas. In contrast to molecular filaments, the turbulent Mach number and velocity structure function suggest that Maggie is driven by transonic to moderately supersonic velocities that are likely associated with the Galactic potential rather than being subject to the effects of self-gravity or stellar feedback. The probability density function of the column density displays a log-normal shape around a mean of ⟨NH I⟩ = 4.8 × 1020 cm−2, thus reflecting the absence of dominating effects of gravitational contraction. Conclusions. While Maggie’s origin remains unclear, we hypothesize that Maggie could be the first in a class of atomic clouds that are the precursors of giant molecular filaments.

A New Turbomachine for Clean and Sustainable Hydrocarbon Cracking

Abstract Decarbonizing highly energy-intensive industrial processes is imperative if nations are to comply with anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions targets by 2050. This is a significant challenge for high-temperature industrial processes, such as hydrocarbon cracking, and there have been limited developments thus far. The novel concept presented in this study aims to replace the radiant section of a hydrocarbon cracking plant with a novel turboreactor. This is one of the first major and potentially successful attempts at decarbonizing the petrochemical industry. Rather than using heat from the combustion of natural gas, the novel turboreactor can be driven by an electric motor powered by renewable electricity. Switching the fundamental energy transfer mechanism from surface heat exchange to mechanical energy transfer significantly increases the exergy efficiency of the process. Theoretical analysis and numerical simulations show that the ultrahigh aerodynamic loading rotor is able to impart substantial mechanical energy into the feedstock without excess temperature difference and metal temperature magnitude. A complex shockwave system then transforms the kinetic energy into internal energy over an extremely short distance. The version of the turboreactor developed and presented in this study uses a single rotor row, in which a multistage environment is achieved regeneratively by guiding the flow through a toroidal-shaped vaneless space. This configuration leads to a reduction in reactor volume by more than two orders of magnitude compared with a conventional furnace. A significantly lower wall surface temperature, supersonic gas velocities, and a shorter primary gas path enable a controlled reduction in the residence time for chemical reactions, which optimizes the yield. For the same reasons, the conditions for coke deposition on the turboreactor surfaces are unfavorable, leading to an increase in plant availability. This study demonstrates that the mechanical work input into the feedstock can be dissipated through an intense turbulent mixing process, which maintains an ideal and controlled pressure level for cracking.