Publications

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Classical density functional theory (DFT) is applied to study properties of fully detailed, realistic models of poly(dimethylsiloxane) liquids near silica surfaces and compared to results from molecular dynamics simulations. In solving the DFT equations, the direct correlation functions are obtained from the polymer reference interaction site model (PRISM) theory for the repulsive parts of the interatomic interactions, and the attractions are treated via the random-phase approximation (RPA). Good agreement between density profiles calculated from DFT and from the simulations is obtained with empirical scaling of the direct correlation functions. Separate scaling factors are required for the PRISM and RPA parts of the direct correlation functions. Theoretical predictions of stress profiles, normal pressure, and surface tensions are also in reasonable agreement with simulation results.

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In the crystal structure of the title compound, C{sub 4}H{sub 4}N{sub 2}O{sub 3}, the packing is dominated by intermolecular carbonyl-carbonyl interactions and N-H...O hydrogen bonds.

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The solution of the governing steady transport equations for momentum, heat and mass transfer in fluids undergoing non-equilibrium chemical reactions can be extremely challenging. The difficulties arise from both the complexity of the nonlinear solution behavior as well as the nonlinear, coupled, non-symmetric nature of the system of algebraic equations that results from spatial discretization of the PDEs. In this paper, we briefly review progress on developing a stabilized finite element (FE) capability for numerical solution of these challenging problems. The discussion considers the stabilized FE formulation for the low Mach number Navier-Stokes equations with heat and mass transport with non-equilibrium chemical reactions, and the solution methods necessary for detailed analysis of these complex systems. The solution algorithms include robust nonlinear and linear solution schemes, parameter continuation methods, and linear stability analysis techniques. Our discussion considers computational efficiency, scalability, and some implementation issues of the solution methods. Computational results are presented for a CFD benchmark problem as well as for a number of large-scale, 2D and 3D, engineering transport/reaction applications.

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Highly ordered gold nanocrystal (NC)/silica films are synthesized by self-assembly of water-soluble gold NC micelles and silica using a sol-gel spin coating technique. The optical properties are analyzed using ellipsometry and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. Transmission and absorption spectra were measured for wavelengths ranging from 200 to 2000 nm. The absorption spectra show a strong surface plasmon absorption band at {approx}520 nm for all samples. Charge transport behavior of the films was examined using metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) and metal-insulator-metal (MIM) structures. MOS capacitor samples exhibit charge storage with discharge behavior dominated by electron transport within the gold NC arrays. Low temperature current-voltage measurements on MIM devices reveal electrical conduction with a thermal activation energy of {approx}90 meV. For temperatures less than 100 K, the I-V characteristics of the NC film exhibits a strong coulomb blockade effect, with a threshold voltage of {approx}0.5 V measured at 78 K.

A new approach is proposed for the a posteriori error estimation of both global spatial and parameter error in parameterized nonlinear reaction-diffusion problems. The technique is based on linear equations relating the linearized spatial and parameter error to the weak residual. Computable local element error indicators are derived for local contributions to the global spatial and parameter error, along with corresponding global error indicators. The effectiveness of the error indicators is demonstrated using model problems for the case of regular points and simple turning points. In addition, a new turning point predictor and adaptive algorithm for accurately computing turning points are introduced.

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The intense magnetic field produced by the 20 MA Z accelerator is used as an impulsive pressure source to accelerate metal flyer plates to high velocity for the purpose of performing plate impact, shock wave experiments. This capability has been significantly enhanced by the recently developed pulse shaping capability of Z, which enables tailoring the rise time to peak current for a specific material and drive pressure to avoid shock formation within the flyer plate during acceleration. Consequently, full advantage can be taken of the available current to achieve the maximum possible magnetic drive pressure. In this way, peak magnetic drive pressures up to 490 GPa have been produced, which shocklessly accelerated 850 {micro}m aluminum (6061-T6) flyer plates to peak velocities of 34 km/s. We discuss magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations that are used to optimize the magnetic pressure for a given flyer load and to determine the shape of the current rise time that precludes shock formation within the flyer during acceleration to peak velocity. In addition, we present results pertaining to plate impact, shock wave experiments in which the aluminum flyer plates were magnetically accelerated across a vacuum gap and impacted z-cut, {alpha}-quartz targets. Accurate measurements of resulting quartz shock velocities are presented and analyzed through high-fidelity MHD simulations enhanced using optimization techniques. Results show that a fraction of the flyer remains at solid density at impact, that the fraction of material at solid density decreases with increasing magnetic pressure, and that the observed abrupt decrease in the quartz shock velocity is well correlated with the melt transition in the aluminum flyer.