Tensioned metastable fluids and nanoscale interactions with external stimuli—Theoretical-cum-experimental assessments and nuclear engineering applications

The field of tensioned (sub-zero pressure) metastability of organic and inorganic fluids and their responses to external stimuli is under study at Purdue University. Unique properties related to energy storage and sub-nano scale response to external stimuli have been found that give rise to the capability for causing localized supercritical states leading to fluid boiling by visible light photons and other fundamental particles over eight orders of magnitude in the energy range (i.e., from the sub −eV to MeV range). A theoretical model is developed for predicting limits of tension metastability and validated against experimental data. Resonant acoustics and centrifugal force-based systems are described for attaining as-desired tension metastable states along with triggering mechanisms for nano-to-macroscale energy storage-cum-release. Finite-element modeling and simulation framework for design of such systems with experimental benchmarking are described. Technological impacts on diverse fields such as nuclear material detection, physics-based spectroscopy, monitoring of power levels in nuclear systems, general cavitation physics of fluids, acoustically driven thermonuclear fusion, and super compression states attainment are discussed.