Horizontal Split-Table Conceptual Design to Support Advanced Reactor Validation Needs
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Topological flat bands, such as the band in twisted bilayer graphene, are becoming a promising platform to study topics such as correlation physics, superconductivity, and transport. In this Letter, we introduce a generic approach to construct two-dimensional (2D) topological quasiflat bands from line graphs and split graphs of bipartite lattices. A line graph or split graph of a bipartite lattice exhibits a set of flat bands and a set of dispersive bands. The flat band connects to the dispersive bands through a degenerate state at some momentum. We find that, with spin-orbit coupling (SOC), the flat band becomes quasiflat and gapped from the dispersive bands. By studying a series of specific line graphs and split graphs of bipartite lattices, we find that (i) if the flat band (without SOC) has inversion or C 2 symmetry and is nondegenerate, then the resulting quasiflat band must be topologically nontrivial, and (ii) if the flat band (without SOC) is degenerate, then there exists a SOC potential such that the resulting quasiflat band is topologically nontrivial. This generic mechanism serves as a paradigm for finding topological quasiflat bands in 2D crystalline materials and metamaterials.
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Lithiated transition metal oxides serve as active materials in the positive electrode (cathode) of lithium-ion cells. During electrochemical cycling, lithium ions intercalate and deintercalate into these oxide particles. This behavior causes two types of lithiation gradients to emerge: (i) a bulk gradient across the depth of the cathode matrix (averaged over individual oxide particles) and (ii) a microscopic gradient across the particles themselves, which also depends on their location in the electrode. Here we show how both gradients can be studied using operando X-ray diffraction during 4C charge and 4C discharge. The oxide (de)lithiation is estimated from the unit cell parameters by indexing the X-ray diffraction spectra. By fitting the lithiation profiles with orthogonal polynomials, the bulk gradients across the electrode thickness are quantified. These gradients develop as the current flows through the cell and dissipate during open-circuit and potentiostatic-hold periods. Further details of lithiation dynamics can be obtained through shape analysis of the Bragg peaks. In particular, from electrochemical model simulations, we show that the width and skewness of the (003) peak track (de)lithiation fronts moving across the individual oxide particles.
Lithiated nickel-cobalt-manganese oxides, such as NCM523, are used in the positive electrode (cathode) of Li-ion cells. Using operando X-ray diffraction profilometry, lithiation gradients in the cathode matrix can be observed and quantified by expansion into Legendre polynomials with time-dependent weights. These weights (referred to as gradients) increase in magnitude when electric current flows through the cell, decrease during potentiostatic hold and finally relax to zero when the current is interrupted during open circuit rest. Both physics-based electrochemical models and operando X-ray experiments suggest that the time constants for gradient growth and abatement are primarily determined by ionic diffusion in the oxide particles, which in turn depends on their lithium content. In contrast, the magnitude of gradients depends mainly on the applied current. The X-ray profilometry provides a way of directly probing the formation and disappearance of Li gradients across the cathode during fast cycling, which can help to diagnose the effects of material degradation in the cells.
Li-ion battery performance and degradation are strongly correlated with the electrode microstructures and can be modeled at different scales, each with their own limitations. Herein, we compare predictions achieved with a macro- and a micro-scale model, that is, respectively, neglecting or considering the microstructural heterogeneity of the composite electrodes, on virtual numerically generated and real microstructures. While both models are in relative agreement at the low charge rates, differences arise for fast charging scenarios and especially for the real, highly heterogenous, microstructures. The microscale model predicts that electrolyte concentration saturation and depletion, respectively, at the back of the cathode and of the anode are exacerbated, and that lithium plating occurs earlier for real microstructures. The present work also indicates that the mesh representation significantly impacts the microscale model predictions, and consequently that microscale models should add surface area as a parameter to consider explicitly surface roughness. This article is the first of a series, with subsequent entries further investigating in-plane heterogeneities, lithium plating, and the impact of microstructure representativity on model predictions.
Fast charging of Li-ion batteries would ease consumer concerns regarding refueling time of electric vehicles. In this series of articles, we are systematically examining the effects of high currents flowing through the cell. Here we consider open-circuit relaxation dynamics for cell voltage and individual electrode potentials after abrupt termination of steady-state charging currents (1-6C) or short current pulses (< 30 s) of either polarity (to 16C). We demonstrate that dispersive kinetics observed after these current perturbations become faster for higher currents applied before the rest period. Our observations indicate that the voltage relaxation behaviors (i) depend on the current during charge, and less so on the state of charge, (ii) display universal stretched-exponential kinetics, (iii) can be induced by a short current pulse, (iv) require a minimum amount of charge transfer during the pulse, and (v) originate mainly from the oxide cathode. Trap controlled Li + ion transport through a partially disordered oxygen-depleted subsurface layer in the cathode is suggested as a possible origin for the relaxation behavior. The slow multidecadal responses to high currents can cause the nonlinearities observed during rapid charging of the electrochemical cells, reported in Part 2 of this series.
Nuclear Safety is a review journal that covers significant developments in the field of nuclear safety. Its scope includes the analysis and control of hazards associated with nuclear energy, operations involving fissionable materials, and the products of nuclear fission and their effects on the environment. Primary emphasis is on safety in reactor design, construction, and operation; however, the safety aspects of the entire fuel cycle, including fuel fabrication, spent-fuel processing, nuclear waste disposal, handling of radioisotopes, and environmental effects of these operations, are also treated. Table of Contents for this issue follows. GENERAL SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS: 477 Report on the International Symposium on the Use of Probabilistic Safety Assessment for Operational Safety—PSA '91, S. Chakraborty and M. Khatib-Rahbar; 488 Good Relationships Are Pivotal in Nuclear Data Bases, A. S. Heger and B. V. Koen; 494 Technical Note: The Interagency Nuclear Safety Review Panel's Evaluation of the Ulysses Space Mission, J. A. Sholtis, Jr., D. A. Huff, L. B. Gray, N. P. Klug, and R. O. Winchester; ACCIDENT ANALYSIS: 502 The Severe Accident Analysis Program for the Savannah River Nuclear Production Reactors, M. L. Hyder; CONTROL AND INSTRUMENTATION: 511 A Framework for Selecting Suitable Control Technologies for Nuclear Power Plant Systems, R. A. Kisner; DESIGN FEATURES: 521 Containments for Gas-Cooled Power Reactors History and Status, P.W. Williams; ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS: 537 Indoor Radon: A Natural Risk, N. H. Harley and J.H. Harley; On the Importance of the Atmospheric Parameters in the Fission Products Distribution of a Severe Reactor Accident, M. C. Barla and A. R. Bayulken; Book Review: Health Effects of Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation BEIR V, C. R. Richmond; WASTE AND SPENT FUEL MANAGEMENT: 555 Activities Related to Waste and Spent Fuel Management, M. D. Muhlheim and E. G. Silver OPERATING EXPERIENCES: 567 Effects of Component Aging on the Westhinghouse Control Rod Drive System, K. Sullivan and W. Gunther; 577 Reactor Shutdown Experience, Compiled by J. W. Cletcher, 580 Selected Safety-Related Events, Compiled by G. A. Murphy; 582 Operating U 8 Power Reactors, Compiled by M. D. Muhlheim and E. G. Silver, RECENT DEVELOPMENTS: 596 General Administrative Activities, Compiled by M. D. Muhlheim and E. G. Silver; 610 Reports, Standards, and Safety Guides, D. S. Queener; 614 Proposed Rule Changes as of June 30, 1991; ANNOUNCEMENTS: 520 Workshop on PC PRAISE: A Probabilistic Fracture Mechanics Personal Computer Code for Nuclear Power Plant Piping Reliability Assessment; 536 Fifth Workshop on Nuclear Power Plant Containment Integrity; 624 New OECD "International Information System on Occupational Exposure (ISOE)"; 625 Harvard School of Public Health Announces Short Courses; 625 Eighth Power Plant Dynamics, Control and Testing Symposium; 626 Second Training Course on Off-Site Emergency Planning and Response for Nuclear Accidents; 618 The Authors; 622 Reviewers of Nuclear Safety, Vol 32.
Battery lifetime models are used to extrapolate data from accelerated aging tests to simulate degradation in real-world applications such as electric vehicles and battery energy storage systems. Methods developed at NREL utilize both expert domain-knowledge and machine-learning to identify models, using statistical methods such as cross-validation and bootstrap resampling to interrogate model performance and quantify uncertainty. These models can be utilized in systems level simulations to predict battery performance or technoeconomic models to estimate the lifetime cost of battery systems.
A one-dimensional (1D) finite-element model of the AGR 3/4 experiment fission product distributions based on the Multiphysics Object-Oriented Simulation Environment (MOOSE) framework has been revised and implemented within BISON, with improvements which allow for detailed temperature histories to be used for analyses. Empirically determined concentration profiles and ring inventories from the AGR-3/4 experiment have been compiled for comparison purposes. Ongoing efforts to build fission product diffusion models which can describe the applicable physics for isotopic concentration profiles in each AGR-3/4 capsule are discussed, as well as the suitability of each isotopic concentration profile in each capsule for obtaining transport parameters.
This project involved collaboration between the University of North Dakota (UND) College of Engineering & Mines, Clean Republic, LLC (CR), and the North American Coal Corporation (NACoal) to develop advanced LIBs anodes from lignite-derived carbon materials. The overall goal of the project was to develop advanced anode materials for LIBs from lignite-derived carbon feedstocks.
The University of North Dakota (UND), in collaboration with a comprehensive team of technical, business and host-site partners, built on prior technology development to complete a front-end engineering and design (FEED) and business planning study to recover and refine rare earth elements (REE) and critical minerals (CM) from North Dakota (ND) lignite mine wastes. The end of project goal was to have an investment quality project and a committed team ready to commercialize the proposed technologies in a future construction and operations phase.
Lithium ion cells that can be quickly charged are of critical importance for the continued and accelerated penetration of electric vehicles (EV) into the consumer market. Considering this, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has set a cell recharge time goal of 10–15 min. The following study provides an investigation into the effect of cell design, specifically negative to positive matching ratio (1.2:1 vs. 1.7:1) on fast charging performance. By using specific charging procedures based on negative electrode performance, as opposed to the industrial standard constant current constant voltage procedures, we show that the cells with a higher N:P ratio can be charged to ~16% higher capacity in the ten-minute time frame. Cells with a higher N:P ratio also show similar cycle life performance to those with a conventional N:P ratio, despite the fact that these cells experience a much higher irreversible capacity loss, leading to a lower reversible specific capacity.
Starting from subsurface Zr0-doped “inverse” Pd and bulk-intermetallic Pd0Zr0 model catalyst precursors, we investigated the dry reforming reaction of methane (DRM) using synchrotron-based near ambient pressure in-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (NAP-XPS), in-situ X-ray diffraction and catalytic testing in an ultrahigh-vacuum-compatible recirculating batch reactor cell. Both intermetallic precursors develop a Pd0–ZrO2 phase boundary under realistic DRM conditions, whereby the oxidative segregation of ZrO2 from bulk intermetallic PdxZry leads to a highly active composite layer of carbide-modified Pd0 metal nanoparticles in contact with tetragonal ZrO2. This active state exhibits reaction rates exceeding those of a conventional supported Pd–ZrO2 reference catalyst and its high activity is unambiguously linked to the fast conversion of the highly reactive carbidic/dissolved C-species inside Pd0 toward CO at the Pd/ZrO2 phase boundary, which serves the role of providing efficient CO2 activation sites. In contrast, the near-surface intermetallic precursor decomposes toward ZrO2 islands at the surface of a quasi-infinite Pd0 metal bulk. Strongly delayed Pd carbide accumulation and thus carbon resegregation under reaction conditions leads to a much less active interfacial ZrO2–Pd0 state.
Cast iron exhibits a wide range of mechanical properties, depending on its microstructural features. The microstructure of cast iron consists of several microconstituents with different elastic-plastic behavior, making the strain non-uniform across the bulk material. To understand the individual effects of these microconstituents on the overall mechanical behavior, local strain analysis using digital image correlation analysis was carried out. Samples with two different compositions (varying cerium, magnesium and silicon) were processed at different solidification velocities in a Bridgman furnace. Sections of the directionally solidified samples were loaded under uniaxial compression to measure global and local strain behavior. Despite the variability of the microstructure, the stress–strain curves obtained by digital image correlation (DIC) were found to react in a well-controlled way to changes in solidification velocity. It was observed that high-strain failure (greater than 15%) was accompanied by local straining of the softer ferritic phase, but during low-strain failure, local straining was not prominent. Higher nodularities, due to higher solidification velocities, raised the compressive strength without affecting the toughness significantly. Higher percentages of carbides led to higher compressive strengths with corresponding losses in ductility. The continuity of the matrix was also found to play an important role in the behavior during compression.
The U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) has made a significant investment in research to develop the next generation of reactor technologies as well as to improve the performance and lengthen the life cycle of existing nuclear reactors. Data collected to demonstrate new concepts may also be used in the future to support licensing of these technologies. Provenance of these data must be preserved. The Nuclear Data Management and Analysis System (NDMAS) was established to manage and preserve data collected by fuels and materials research conducted by the high-temperature, gas-cooled reactor program. The scope of NDMAS is expanding to include other nuclear research programs that have the shared need to preserve the provenance of research data. Nuclear research funded by DOE is conducted by Idaho National Laboratory (INL), universities, other national laboratories, foreign research partners, and private companies. This research will generate a large amount of data from a variety of sources over a period of many years. Managing the data generated by the research and development projects presents a significant challenge for retaining data integrity and availability.
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