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At least 1,801 records · Page 100

Stochastic derivative-free optimization using a trust region framework

This study presents a trust region algorithm to minimize a function f when one has access only to noise-corrupted function values f¯. The model-based algorithm dynamically adjusts its step length, taking larger steps when the model and function agree and smaller steps when the model is less accurate. The method does not require the user to specify a fixed pattern of points used to build local models and does not repeatedly sample points. If f is sufficiently smooth and the noise is independent and identically distributed with mean zero and finite variance, we prove that our algorithm produces iterates such that the corresponding function gradients converge in probability to zero. As a result, we present a prototype of our algorithm that, while simplistic in its management of previously evaluated points, solves benchmark problems in fewer function evaluations than do existing stochastic approximation methods.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Accumulation of Corrosion-Fatigue Damage by Hydro Turbine Equipment Elements

Questions are considered for evaluating material damage and substantiation of life on the basis of corrosion-fatigue crack development kinetics. Linear fracture mechanics are used for this approach suitable for large and small cracks, which makes it possible to include a nominal initial crack l0 among basic material properties. Calculated curves for fatigue in an aqueous medium based on 1010 cycles, and the curves for fatigue damage accumulation corresponding to 106 and 1010 cycles are provided for specimens with a cross section of 180X200 mm of steel 06Kh12N3D in rolled and cast conditions. Results are provided for evaluation of the life of during action of two-stage loading and repeated overloading.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Molten Halide Salt Surface Tension: Methods and Correlations

Here, this paper reviews various methods for studying surface tension and their applicability to fluoride and chloride molten salt systems, including a comparison of benefits and drawbacks. Such a comparison aids in experiment design based on desired factors such as scale, accuracy, and repeatability. A detailed review is presented for existing literature data regarding the surface tension of molten fluoride and chloride salts. These reference data were compiled and analyzed to determine cross-validated correlation equations for several alkali and alkaline earth fluoride and chloride salts as functions of temperature. These correlations are necessary for reliable multiphysics modeling approaches as well as accurate design and analysis of multiphase molten salt phenomena such as gas sparging and bubble formation/transport. This analysis supports the development of the thermophysical arm of the Molten Salt Thermal Properties Database (MSTDB-TP) managed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Chloride↗

In-process monitoring and prediction of droplet quality in droplet-on-demand liquid metal jetting additive manufacturing using machine learning

Abstract In droplet-on-demand liquid metal jetting (DoD-LMJ) additive manufacturing, complex physical interactions govern the droplet characteristics, such as size, velocity, and shape. These droplet characteristics, in turn, determine the functional quality of the printed parts. Hence, to ensure repeatable and reliable part quality it is necessary to monitor and control the droplet characteristics. Existing approaches for in-situ monitoring of droplet behavior in DoD-LMJ rely on high-speed imaging sensors. The resulting high volume of droplet images acquired is computationally demanding to analyze and hinders real-time control of the process. To overcome this challenge, the objective of this work is to use time series data acquired from an in-process millimeter-wave sensor for predicting the size, velocity, and shape characteristics of droplets in DoD-LMJ process. As opposed to high-speed imaging, this sensor produces data-efficient time series signatures that allows rapid, real-time process monitoring. We devise machine learning models that use the millimeter-wave sensor data to predict the droplet characteristics. Specifically, we developed multilayer perceptron-based non-linear autoregressive models to predict the size and velocity of droplets. Likewise, a supervised machine learning model was trained to classify the droplet shape using the frequency spectrum information contained in the millimeter-wave sensor signatures. High-speed imaging data served as ground truth for model training and validation. These models captured the droplet characteristics with a statistical fidelity exceeding 90%, and vastly outperformed conventional statistical modeling approaches. Thus, this work achieves a practically viable sensing approach for real-time quality monitoring of the DoD-LMJ process, in lieu of the existing data-intensive image-based techniques.

Gaikwad, Aniruddha (ORCID:0000000285642621)↗

All-aerosol-jet-printed highly sensitive and selective polyaniline-based ammonia sensors: a route toward low-cost, low-power gas detection

In this work, we report the design and scalable fabrication of a low-cost and low-power polyaniline-based (PANI) ammonia (NH3) gas sensor on polyimide (PI) substrates using additive manufacturing techniques. The silver interdigitated electrode (IDE) arrays and conducting polymer films are printed onto PI using a direct-write technology of aerosol-jet printing. Morphological characteristics are examined by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis which reveal homogeneously printed PANI film on the IDE platform. The gas sensing performance is evaluated in the analytical early leak detection range of 5–1000 ppm NH3 in air as a function of both thermal (23 °C, 50 °C, 80 °C) and relative humidity (RH = 0%, 30%, 50%) exposures. The sensor exhibits sensitivity down to 5 ppm NH3 with a sub-ppm detection limit and good repeatability. We observe rapid NH3 detection at 0% RH with very extended times for equilibration and recovery. However, at both 30 and 50% RH, the room temperature response and recovery times are reduced to only about 1 min and 5 min, respectively. Experiments also reveal good sensitivity toward the analyte even at higher operating temperatures. Present results merit the practical application of aerosol-jet-printed, low-power sensors for industrial applications where low-level hazardous gas detection is essential.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Continuous Fluorescence Depletion Anisotropy Measurement of Protein Rotation

Protein rotation in viscous environments can be measured by fluorescence depletion anisotropy (FDA) which combines long lifetimes of chromophore triplet states with the sensitivity of fluorescence excitation and detection. FDA achieves sensitivity well beyond that attainable by the more common technique of time-resolved phosphorescence anisotropy (TPA). We have now combined benefits of both time-domain and frequency-domain FDA into a single continuous technique (CFDA). Intensity and polarization of a single laser beam are modulated continuously according to a complex, repeating waveform. Fluorescence signals excited from triplet-forming fluorescent probes are digitized over recurring waveform periods by a high-speed signal averager. CFDA experiments typically involve substantial ground state depletion. Thus signals, unlike those of TPA, are not linear in the exciting light intensity and simple data analysis based on such linearity is not appropriate. An exact solution of the coupled diffusion and triplet production/decay equation describing CFDA within individual data points has been combined with simulated annealing optimization to extract triplet and anisotropy decay kinetics from experimental data. Related calculations compare possible excitation waveforms with respect to rotational information provided per fluorescence photon. We present CFDA results for the model system of eosin conjugates of carbonic anhydrase, BSA and immunoglobulin G in 90% glycerol at various temperatures and initial cellular results on eosin-IgE bound to 2H3 cell Type I Fcε receptors. We explore how CFDA reflects rotational parameters of heterogeneous systems and discuss challenges of extending this method to single cell microscopic measurements.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Detector and Readout Assembly and Characterization for the Simons Array

The Simons Array (SA) is a cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization experiment comprised of three telescopes that will observe the CMB at 90, 150, 220, and 270GHz with more than 22,000 Transition Edge Sensor (TES) bolometers. The cryogenic receivers inside each telescope are named POLARBEAR-2a, POLARBEAR-2b, and POLARBEAR-2c (PB-2a, PB-2b, and PB-2c, respectively). To allow for the large number of detectors, SA uses frequency-division multiplexing with multiplexing factor of 40. We describe the process developed to assemble the readout circuit repeatably for SA. After assembly, we characterize the readout circuit and TESs at cryogenic temperatures in a condition of negligible incident optical power. Impedances in the readout circuit bias our estimates of TES parameters, and we describe a method to account for this.

cosmic microwave background↗

Plastic Laminate Antireflective Coatings for Millimeter-Wave Optics in BICEP Array

The BICEP/Keck series of experiments target the cosmic microwave background at degree-scale resolution from the South Pole. Over the next few years, the “Stage-3” BICEP Array (BA) telescope will improve the program’s frequency coverage and sensitivity to primordial B-mode polarization by an order of magnitude. The first receiver in the array, BA1, began observing at 30/40 GHz in early 2020. The next two receivers, BA2 and BA3, are currently being assembled and will map the southern sky at frequencies ranging from 95 to 150 GHz. Common to all BA receivers is a refractive, on-axis, cryogenic optical design that focuses microwave radiation onto a focal plane populated with antenna-coupled bolometers. High-performance antireflective coatings up to 760 mm in aperture are needed for each element in the optical chain, and must withstand repeated thermal cycles down to 4 K. Here, in this work, we present the design and fabrication of the 30/40 GHz anti-reflection coatings for the recently deployed BA1 receiver, with indices matched to its various polyethylene, nylon and alumina optical components. We describe an epoxy coating technique designed for alumina optics, which achieves better than 80% transmission at room temperature. For polyethylene optical elements, we present a new heat-compression approach that allows low-density polytetrafluoroethylene AR layers to reach sub-percent reflected power. We describe the planned use of these methods for the next BA cryostats, which may inform technological choices for future small-aperture telescopes of the CMB-S4 experiment.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Signatures of Thermal and Electrical Crosstalk in a Microwave Multiplexed Hard X-ray Transition Edge Sensor Array

We investigate the crosstalk between Transition-Edge Sensor (TES) pixels in a 24-pixel hard X-ray spectrometer array fabricated at the Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory. Analysis shows thermal cross talk, possibly associated with insufficient thermalization, and rare but larger in magnitude electrical crosstalk between specific perpetrator-victim pixel combinations, potentially due to defects in the bias wiring or microwave multiplexing circuit. We use a method based on group-triggering and averaging to isolate the crosstalk response despite only having access to X-ray photon illumination uniform across the entire array. This allows us to identify thermal and electrical crosstalk between pixel pairs in repeated measurements to the level of 1 part in 1000 or better. In the array under study, the magnitude of observed crosstalk is small but comparable to the resolving power of this pixel design (E/Delta E similar to\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$E/\Delta {}E \sim$$\end{document} 1000 at 20 keV) and so potentially responsible for a degradation in energy resolution of the array at high incident photon rates. Having proven the methods to identify and quantify crosstalk in our setup, we can now consider mitigations.

Triamkitsawat, Panthita↗

X-ray Inspection Model Validation with Physical Dosimetry

A non-functional printed circuit board assembly was developed using ULTIboard and a simple computational transport model was created for use with the Monte Carlo software MCNP. EBT 3 film radiography was used to compare with Monte Carlo simulation to validate the board representation. The computational transport model was then revised to include connection pins, solder balls, highly attenuating internal structures, and copper trace distribution. Results from the revised model were compared to the EBT 3 films to observe improvements to dose profiles. It was found that this method was useful in verifying the placement of components, as the dose profiles were observed to follow the same trends. The experiment was then repeated using XRQA 2 films to achieve the same level of contrast with 1% the dose of EBT 3 films. It was found that high contrast may be achieved using these films to identify major issues with the model geometry, at a cost of dose profile accuracy. A second validation method was applied to the model using 37 CaF 2 thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs). TLD measurements were compared with the simplified and complex transport models to identify the features that have the greatest impact on simulation accuracy. The TLD calibration to CaF 2 was found to be accurate within 5.6%, while calibration to dose in Si was found to be accurate within 4.7%. Finally, it was observed that the accurate representation of solder balls and proper modeling of highly attenuating internal structures had the greatest impact on simulation accuracy.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

Optimization of Poly(DL-Lactic Acid) Degradation and Evaluation of Biological Re-polymerization

Poly(DL-lactic acid) or PLA is a biodegradable polymer. It has received much attention since it plays an important role in resolving the global warming problem. The protease produced by Actinomadura keratinilytica strain T16-1 was previously reported as having PLA depolymerase potential and being applicable to PLA biodegradation, which was used in this work. Therefore, this research demonstrates the important basic knowledge on the biological degradation process by the crude PLA-degrading enzyme from strain T16-1. Its re-polymerization was evaluated. The optimization of PLA degradation by statistical methods based on central composite design was determined. Approximately 6700 mg/l PLA powder was degraded by the crude enzyme under optimized conditions: an initial enzyme activity of 200 U/ml, incubated at 60 °C for 24 h released 6843 mg/l lactic acid with 82% conversion, which was similar to the commercial enzyme proteinase K (81%). The degradable products were re-polymerized repeatedly by using commercial lipase as a catalyst under a nitrogen atmosphere for 6 h. A PLA oligomer was achieved with a molecular weight of 378 Da (n = 5). This is the first report to demonstrate the high efficiency of the enzyme to degrade 100% of PLA powder and to show the biological recycling process of PLA, which is promising for the treatment and utilization of biodegradable plastic wastes in the future.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Thorium(IV) Recovery from Water and Sea Water Using Surface Modified Nanocellulose/Nanobentonite Composite: Process Design

Thorium(Th) contamination in the ground water an emerging environmental issue and Th recovery from sea water and nuclear wastewater is of high significance, as it is a major player in the energy sector. For the adsorption and recovery of Th, polymer grafted bio materials are reported as most efficient materials. P(IA/MAA)-g-NC/NB was prepared and all the steps in the synthetic routes were monitored using FTIR, SEM–EDS, and XRD, TG. Efficiency in removal of Th(IV) by P(IA/MAA)-g-NC/NB was tested by batch adsorption technique. The pH dependent Th(IV) adsorption process, was optimized at 4.5 and adsorption equilibrium was achieved within 120 min. Experimental kinetic data correlates well with pseudo-second-order equation, indicates adsorption was chemical process via ion exchange followed by complexation reaction, also could explain the film diffusion process of adsorption. Sips isotherm proved to best fit for the adsorption of Th(IV) onto P(IA/MAA)-g-NC/NB with maximum adsorption capacity of 95.19 mg/g. Thermodynamic studies revealed the endothermic nature, feasibility and spontaneity of the adsorption process. ΔHx and ΔSx were decreased to a small extent from −5.567 to −3.439 kJ/mol and increased from 11.18 to 18.39 J/mol, respectively, with increase in surface loading from 50 to 70 mg/g, indicating that the surface of the onto P(IA/MAA)-g-NC/NB is having energetically heterogeneous surface and there may be some lateral interactions between the adsorbed Th(IV) ions Repeated adsorption–desorption study over six cycles, adsorption percentage decreases from 99.0 to 94.6 %, proved the efficiency of P(IA/MAA)-g-NC/NB as an effective adsorbent for the removal and recovery of Th(IV) from aqueous solutions. Complete removal of Th(IV) ions from seawater containing 10 mg/L with a dose of 0.25 g/L P(IA/MAA)-g-NC/NB achieved. Batch adsorption system as double stage reactor designed from the adsorption isotherm data of Th(IV) by constructing operational lines. From these could be concluded that P(IA/MAA)-g-NC/NB is a promising candidate for the effective removal and removal of Th(IV) from industrial effluents phase and sea water. The maximum adsorption capacity Qs for Ceralite IRC-50 calculated which was found to be 179.67 mg/g which are considerably lower than those for P(IA/MAA)-g-NC/NB.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

A Review on Biodegradable Polymeric Materials Striving Towards the Attainment of Green Environment

Polymers are a chain of repeating monomers that can be either non-biodegradable or biodegradable with technical properties for a wide range of applications. The present scenario drives industries to develop new and eco-friendly materials to replace non-biodegradable materials to attain a clean and green environment. Significant research work has been carried out on the development of biocomposites based on biodegradable polymers and natural fibers. The review article addresses the wide range of biodegradable composites that are capable of undergoing degradation by various routes. Our main emphasis has been on the preparation and characterization of biocomposites, using various biodegradable polymers and natural fibers for wide applications like biomedical, packaging, aerospace, agriculture etc. It is clear that blending of reinforcing fibers and fillers with biodegradable polymers significantly enhanced the physical, chemical, biological, mechanical, thermal and biodegradation properties of the base matrix.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗

Reactive Dye Adsorption from Aqueous Solution on HPEI-Modified Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} Nanoparticle as a Superadsorbent: Characterization, Modeling, and Optimization

In this work, the optimum condition for the adsorption of Reactive Blue 19 dye onto Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} functionalized with hyperbranched polyethylenimine (Fe@HPEI) was determined using response surface methodology. The properties of synthesized magnetic Fe@HPEI nanoparticles were ascertained using FTIR, SEM, TEM, VSM and zeta potential measurement. The experimental adsorption data indicating the positive effect of adsorbent dose and contact time, and the negative effect of pH, initial dye concentration and ionic strength on dye adsorption. At optimal condition; pH 3.4, contact time 25 min, adsorbent dose 0.4 g/L and initial dye concentration 113 mg/L, Fe@HPEI nanoparticles removed dye up to 99.27%. The maximum experimental dye adsorption was near to the predicted value of 100%, which confirmed the reliability of the selected statistical model. The dye adsorption data were fitted well to Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic, and the maximum adsorption capacity was 500 mg/g. Totally, Fe@HPEI as an effective superadsorbent can be repeatedly utilized for the adsorption of dye from the aqueous environment.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Molecular Structure and Crystallization Dynamics of Poly(3-hydroxyl alkanoate) with Medium-Chain Length Biosynthesized from Pseudomonas putida

The molecular structure of poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) (P3HA) with medium-chain length, biosynthesized from Psuedomonas putida (P. putida), was investigated by thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, and infrared spectrum. Cultivation in a medium of nonanoic acid and a mixed substrate of nonanoic acid and glycerin as carbon sources provided P3HA with monomer units of 7 and 9 carbons (P3HA{sub n}) and 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 carbons (P3HA{sub mix}). Since these P3HA has comparatively long side chains, the crystallinity was as low as about 10%. It was suggested that the hydrogen bonding plays an important role in constructing the crystal. The lamellar thickness was 1.20 nm, estimated from the melting temperature depression. This lamellar thickness corresponds to two repeating units. Crystallinity depending on time was observed by the CO stretching mode in the infrared spectrum, and then Avrami’s theory was applied to analyze the crystallization mechanism. The crystallization rate of P3HA{sub n} was very low, on the order of a few hours. An Avrami exponent of 1.45 was estimated from the slope of the Avrami plot. This shows that the conformational arrangement is presumably promoted along the chain axis. The slow crystallization is attributed to the long side chain, which prevents aggregation of the polymer chains.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Poly(methylene-co-cyanoguanidine) as an Eco-friendly Nitrogen Fertilizer with Prolonged Activity

Poly(methylene-co-cyanoguanidine), PMCG, is an oligomeric polycation that has found its application in the waste-water treatment as well as in preparation of polyelectrolyte complex microcapsules for biomedical purposes. Considering the nitrogen-rich composition of repeating unit, PMCG may be a valuable polycation utilized as a novel slow-release fertilizer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of PMCG as a nitrogen fertilizer during its 6-month incubation in the soil. Monocotyledonous oat (Avena sativa) and dicotyledonous radish (Raphanus sativus L.) were selected as representative model plants for plant growth test. The effect of PMCG on plant growth and development was dependent on both the PMCG concentration and time of incubation. An increase in the nitrogen amount in green parts of plants demonstrated the uptake of the plant-available form of nitrogen released from PMCG incubated in the soil. This resulted in an increased percentage of fresh matter and shoot height of the tested plants during their exposure to PMCG. Ecotoxicological impact of PMCG in the soil during incubation period against bacteria Allivibrio fischeri and crustacean Heterocypris incongruens was also assessed. PMCG was found as the potential polymer fertilizer that does not require special treatment and can be used as it is for the prolonged release of nitrogen in agriculture.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Pectin Based Graft Copolymer–ZnO Hybrid Nanocomposite for the Adsorptive Removal of Crystal Violet

In this work we report the comparative study of the dye adsorption behavior of a Pectin-based terpolymer gel, pectin-graft-(poly(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propane sulfonic acid)-co-acrylamide) (Pec-g-poy(AMPS-co-AAm)) and its nanocomposite with ZnO, (Pec-g-poy(AMPS-co-AAm)/ZnO) from aqueous solutions. Both the hydrogel systems have been synthesized using microwave irradiation technique through free radical polymerization. Swelling behavior of the systems was studied in buffer solutions of pH ranging from 1.2 to 13 and maximum swelling was observed in neutral medium. The equilibrium swelling of parent gel was found to be 28.12 g/g whereas it was 16.54 in the case of nanocomposite. Cationic dye, crystal violet, is employed to assess the adsorption efficiency of the gel samples from aqueous solutions. The influence of initial dye concentration was investigated. A maximum adsorption of 329 and 568 mg/g has been observed for the parent gel and the nanocomposite respectively. The presence of ZnO is observed to enhance the adsorption capacity of Pec-g-poy(AMPS-co-AAm) gel considerably. The kinetic studies revealed a second order adsorption process with high rate of initial adsorption in the case of the nanocomposite when compared to the parent gel and the isotherm studies reveals that the adsorption process fits well into Langmuir model. The evaluation of thermodynamic parameters indicated the adsorption process to be exothermic and spontaneous. Desorption studies under acidic condition showed that almost 96% of the adsorbed dye molecules could be desorbed to the stripping solution of pH 1.2 which support the use of these hydrogel systems for the repeated use as adsorbents for cationic dyes.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Impact of Blend Proportion on the Miscibility and Thermal Characteristics of Synthetic Plastic-Derived Polypentapeptide with Commercially Available Polyvinyl Alcohol

Plastic-based polypeptides are versatile entities formed to conceive a broad range of scaffold biomaterials. They possess distinct, repetitive, hydrophobic sequences that confer conservation, reversibility, temperature-dependent self-association and dissociation properties. The repeating sequence of plastic-based peptides, poly(AVGVP) have been synthesized by the solution phase method and characterized by {sup 13}C and {sup 1}H-NMR spectroscopy. The intermolecular interactions between poly(AVGVP) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was explored in solution and solid phase by diverse analytical methods. The interaction parameters, namely; α, β, µ and ∆[η]{sub m} obtained from the dilute solution viscometric approach, unveiled that the two polymers were miscible up to 40% of the polypeptide in the blends. Besides, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy authenticated the formation of strong intermolecular hydrogen bonds connecting blend networks. Further, other analytical techniques such as DSC, SEM and XRD probes advocated the miscibility results. Thermogravimetric investigation of the blends confirmed the proportionate decrease of the thermal stability with the increase of polypentapeptide, attributable to the intermolecular amalgamation between the polypeptide and PVA. The blends and plain poly(AVGVP) degraded completely at about 700 °C, whereas the virgin PVA was about only 60% at this temperature. Graphic Abstract: .

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

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