Analysis of the distribution, rotation and scale characteristics of solar wind switchbacks: comparison between the first and second encounters of Parker Solar Probe

The S-shaped magnetic structure in the solar wind formed by the twisting of magnetic field lines is called a switchback, whose main characteristics are the reversal of the magnetic field and the significant increase in the solar wind radial velocity. We identify 242 switchbacks during the first two encounters of Parker Solar Probe (PSP). Statistics methods are applied to analyze the distribution and the rotation angle and direction of the magnetic field rotation of the switchbacks. The diameter of switchbacks is estimated with a minimum variance analysis (MVA) method based on the assumption of a cylindrical magnetic tube. We also make a comparison between switchbacks from inside and the boundary of coronal holes. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) the rotation angles of switchbacks observed during the first encounter seem larger than those of the switchbacks observed during the second encounter in general; (2) the tangential component of the velocity inside the switchbacks tends to be more positive (westward) than in the ambient solar wind; (3) switchbacks are more likely to rotate clockwise than anticlockwise, and the number of switchbacks with clockwise rotation is 1.48 and 2.65 times of those with anticlockwise rotation during the first and second encounters, respectively; (4) the diameter of switchbacks is about 10^5 km on average and across five orders of magnitude (10^3 – 10^7 km).

Absorption of ultrasound by a magnetic fluid in a rotating magnetic field

Experimental results on the absorption of ultrasound by a magnetic fluid in a rotating magnetic field have been obtained for the first time. It is shown that the lag of the angular dependence of the ultrasonic absorption coefficient by a magnetic fluid in the range of magnetic field rotation frequencies fH = 0.056 - 280 mHz at T = 295 K is not observed within the limits of observational errors. Similar results were observed for both low-viscosity and high-viscosity magnetic fluids. Tables 1, Figs 6, Refs 39.

Design of micromagnetic arrays for on-chip separation of superparamagnetic bead aggregates and detection of a model protein and double-stranded DNA analytes

Magnetically actuated lab-on-a-chip (LOC) technologies have enabled rapid, highly efficient separation of specific biomarkers and cells from complex biological samples. Nonlinear magnetophoresis (NLM) is a technique that uses a microfabricated magnet array (MMA) and a time varying external magnetic field to precisely control the transport of superparamagnetic (SPM) beads on the surface of a chip based on their size and magnetization. We analyze the transport and separation behavior of SPM monomers and dimers on four MMA geometries, i.e., circular, triangular, square and rectangular shaped micromagnets, across a range of external magnetic field rotation frequencies. The measured critical frequency of the SPM beads on an MMA, i.e., the velocity for which the hydrodynamic drag on a bead exceeds the magnetic force, is closely related to the local magnetic flux density landscape on a micromagnet in the presence of an external magnetic field. A set of design criteria has been established for the optimization of MMAs for NLM separation, with particular focus on the shape of the micromagnets forming the array. The square MMA was used to detect a model protein biomarker and gene fragment based on a magnetic bead assembly (MBA) assay. This assay uses ligand functionalized SPM beads to capture and directly detect an analyte through the formation of SPM bead aggregates. These beads aggregates were detected through NLM separation and microscopic analysis resulting in a highly sensitive assay that did not use carrier fluid.

Effect of Magnetic Field on Thermosolutal Instability of Rotating Ferromagnetic Fluid Under Varying Gravity Field

This paper deals with the theoretical investigation of the effect of a magnetic field, rotation and magnetization on a ferromagnetic fluid under varying gravity field. To find the exact solution for a ferromagnetic fluid layer contained between two free boundaries, we have used a linear stability analysis and normal mode analysis method. For the case of stationary convection, a stable solute gradient has a stabilizing effect, while rotation has a stabilizing effect if λ>0 and destabilizing effect if λ<0. Further, the magnetic field is discovered to have both a stabilizing and destabilizing effect for both λ>0 and λ<0. It is likewise discovered that magnetization has a stabilizing effect for both λ>0 and λ<0 in the absence of the stable solute gradient. Graphs have been plotted by giving numerical values of various parameters. In the absence of rotation, magnetic field and stable solute gradient, the principle of exchange of stabilities is found to hold true for certain conditions.

Auroral emissions from Uranus and Neptune

Uranus and Neptune possess highly tilted/offset magnetic fields whose interaction with the solar wind shapes unique twin asymmetric, highly dynamical, magnetospheres. These radiate complex auroral emissions, both reminiscent of those observed at the other planets and unique to the ice giants, which have been detected at radio and ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths to date. Our current knowledge of these radiations, which probe fundamental planetary properties (magnetic field, rotation period, magnetospheric processes, etc.), still mostly relies on Voyager 2 radio, UV and in situ measurements, when the spacecraft flew by each planet in the 1980s. These pioneering observations were, however, limited in time and sampled specific solar wind/magnetosphere configurations, which significantly vary at various timescales down to a fraction of a planetary rotation. Since then, despite repeated Earth-based observations at similar and other wavelengths, only the Uranian UV aurorae have been re-observed at scarce occasions by the Hubble Space Telescope. These observations revealed auroral features radically different from those seen by Voyager 2, diagnosing yet another solar wind/magnetosphere configuration. Perspectives for the in-depth study of the Uranian and Neptunian auroral processes, with implications for exoplanets, include follow-up remote Earth-based observations and future orbital exploration of one or both ice giant planetary systems. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Future exploration of ice giant systems’.

Atomic, electronic and magnetic structure of an oxygen interstitial in neutron-irradiated Al2O3 single crystals

A single radiation-induced superoxide ion $$O_{2}^{ - }$$ O 2 - has been observed for the first time in metal oxides. This structural defect has been revealed in fast-neutron-irradiated (6.9×1018n/cm2) corundum (α-Al2O3) single crystals using the EPR method. Based on the angular dependence of the EPR lines at the magnetic field rotation in different planes and the determined g tensor components, it is shown that this hole-type $$O_{2}^{ - }$$ O 2 - center (i) incorporates one regular and one interstitial oxygen atoms being stabilized by a trapped hole (S = 1/2), (ii) occupies one oxygen site in the (0001) plane being oriented along the a axis, and (iii) does not contain any other imperfection/defect in its immediate vicinity. The thermal stepwise annealing (observed via the EPR signal and corresponding optical absorption bands) of the $$O_{2}^{ - }$$ O 2 - centers, caused by their destruction with release of a mobile ion (tentatively the oxygen ion with the formal charge −1), occurs at 500–750 K, simultaneously with the partial decay of single F-type centers (mostly with the EPR-active F+ centers). The obtained experimental results are in line with the superoxide defect configurations obtained via density functional theory (DFT) calculations employing the hybrid B3PW exchange-correlation functional. In particular, the DFT calculations confirm the $$O_{2}^{ - }$$ O 2 - center spin S = 1/2, its orientation along the a axis. The $$O_{2}^{ - }$$ O 2 - center is characterized by a short O–O bond length of 1.34 Å and different atomic charges and magnetic moments of the two oxygens. We emphasize the important role of atomic charges and magnetic moments analysis in order to identify the ground state configuration.

Propagation and Reflection of Plane Waves in a Rotating Magneto-Elastic Fibre-Reinforced Semi Space with Surface Stress

The present paper investigates the propagation of quasi longitudinal (qLD) and quasi transverse (qTD) waves in a magneto elastic fibre-reinforced rotating semi-infinite medium. Reflections of waves from the flat boundary with surface stress have been studied in details. The governing equations have been used to obtain the polynomial characteristic equation from which qLD and qTD wave velocities are found. It is observed that both the wave velocities depend upon the incident angle. After imposing the appropriate boundary conditions including surface stress the resultant amplitude ratios for the total displacements have been obtained. Numerically simulated results have been depicted graphically by displaying two and three dimensional graphs to highlight the influence of magnetic field, rotation, surface stress and fibre-reinforcing nature of the material medium on the propagation and reflection of plane waves.

Eddy current separation for recovering aluminium and lithium-iron phosphate components of spent lithium-iron phosphate batteries

With the rapid development of the electric vehicle market since 2012, lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries face retirement intensively. Numerous LFP batteries have been generated given their short service life. Thus, recycling spent LFP batteries is crucial. However, published information on the recovery technology of spent LFP batteries is minimal. Traditional separators and separation theories of recovering technologies were unsuitable for guiding the separation process of recovering metals from spent LFP batteries. The separation rate of the current method for recovering spent LFP batteries was rather low. Furthermore, some wastewater was produced. In this study, spent LFP batteries were dismantled into individual parts of aluminium shells, cathode slices, polymer diaphragms and anode slices. The anode pieces were scraped to separate copper foil and anode powder. The cathode pieces were thermally treated to reduce adhesion between the cathode powder and the aluminium foil. The dissociation rate of the cathode slices reached 100% after crushing when the temperature and time reached 300℃ and 120 min, respectively. Eddy current separation was performed to separate nonferrous metals (aluminium) from aluminium and LFP mixture. The optimized operation parameters for the eddy current separation were feeding speed of 1 m/s and magnetic field rotation speed of 4 m/s. The separation rate of the eddy current separation reached 100%. Mass balance of the recovered materials was conducted. Results showed that the recovery rate of spent LFP can reach 92.52%. This study established a green and full material recovery process for spent LFP batteries.