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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Heterovalent Substitution of K 2 SrP 2 O 7 :Cr 3+ to Achieve Anti-Thermal-Quenching Broadband Near-Infrared Luminescence

Broadband near-infrared (NIR) light sources based on phosphor-converted light-emitting diodes are highly desirable for biochemical analysis and medical diagnosis applications. However, thermal quenching remains a demanding challenge for developing efficient NIR phosphors. Herein, we report the enhancement of both quantum efficiency and thermal stability in Cr 3+ -activated K 2 SrP 2 O 7 phosphors through a heterovalent substitution strategy by replacing Sr 2+ with Al 3+ in K 2 Sr 1–x Al x P 2 O 7 (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) to obtain optimized broadband NIR emission. Structural modulation via Al 3+ substitution leads to the optimized composition, K 2 Sr 0.88 Al 0.1 P 2 O 7 :0.02Cr 3+ , which emits across a broad NIR range of 650–1100 nm peaking at 807 nm with a full width at half-maximum of ∼130 nm under 448 nm excitation. Remarkably, its emission intensity at 150 °C remains 120% of the initial value at room temperature, demonstrating a rare antithermal-quenching behavior. Temperature-dependent XRD studies further reveal that Al 3+ substitution effectively suppresses lattice expansion at elevated temperatures, indicating enhanced lattice stability under thermal excitation. Detailed structural and spectral analyses show that the substitution enhances local site symmetry, reduces electron–phonon coupling, increases thermally induced absorption probability, and fortifies energetic barriers against nonradiative transitions. These synergistic effects collectively endow this NIR phosphor with a superior thermal stability. Furthermore, NIR light-emitting diodes fabricated with this phosphor exhibit strong potential for applications in information identification, nondestructive detection, and night vision technologies. This study demonstrates a local structure engineering strategy for designing thermally robust Cr 3+ -activated NIR phosphors, offering valuable insights into material discovery and NIR spectroscopy device development.

Cr3+↗
DOE OSTI2022

Materials for Advanced Ultra-Supercritical (A-USC) Steam Turbines --- A-USC Component Demonstration

The U.S. Advanced Ultra-Supercritical (A-USC) Consortium was formed in 2001 as a government/industry program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Ohio Coal Development Office (OCDO) and cost shared by industrial and not-for-profit partners. The purpose of the consortium was to advance the state of the art for power generation by evaluating and developing materials that allow the use of advanced steam cycles in coal-based power plants. These advanced cycles, with steam temperatures up to 1400°F (760°C), can increase the efficiency of coal-fired boilers from an average of 35% (current U.S. fleet) to more than 45% higher heating value (HHV) (>49% lower heating value [LHV]). The increase in a plant’s efficiency is limited unless new materials able to withstand these higher operating temperatures and pressures are identified and approved for use. The A-USC Consortium identified these needed materials during earlier phases of the program. It developed the welding and joining techniques along with manufacturing processes for casting and wrought products made from these new high-nickel alloys. It subjected these materials to extensive laboratory and steam loop testing. It then obtained ASME code approval for their use in U.S. boiler systems. The program’s successes leave this last remaining activity (ComTest Phase 2) that the U.S. utility industry has recommended to be accomplished prior to commercialization. The focus of the activity is the evaluation and demonstration of commercial readiness for “full scale” components to be made from these nickel-based alloy materials and provided by a U.S. domestic supply chain that is new to working with these alloys. According to studies completed by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), the cost of an A-USC plant is approximately 20% higher than a non-A-USC plant because of its use of nickel-based alloys needed for the high temperature operating conditions. However, CO 2 reductions of approximately 30% from the current fleet average provide a strong incentive for its consideration. The actual costs and perceived value for CO 2 abatement will determine whether new or retrofitted plants are undertaken, although decisions to build A-USC plants in India would indicate its economic feasibility while also being part of a global carbon emissions strategy. The work by the A-USC Consortium, prior to the start of the ComTest project, has included lab scale and pilot scale materials testing, both in air and oxy-combustion. This testing has included air-cooled and steam-cooled “loops” that were installed into existing operating utility boilers to gain exposure of these materials to realistic conditions of high temperature and corrosion caused by the constituents in the coal ash. The A-USC Consortium also gained ASME Code approval of the Inconel 740 material, has cast and extruded the largest high nickel precipitation hardened alloys, and developed unique welding techniques to avoid problems identified by the competing European program. However, as valuable as these material test loops and accomplishments have been for obtaining information, their scale is below that required to minimize the risk associated for a U.S. utility to build a multibillion-dollar A-USC power plant. To reduce the final identified risk barrier to full-scale commercialization of these advanced materials and systems, the A-USC Consortium (guided by a utility industry advisory committee) has identified the key areas of the technology they desire to see as being capable of full-scale manufacturing and/or fabrication from an identified, capable U.S. domestic supplier base. A significant amount of work was accomplished during Phase 1 to identity the components, as well as the component size, that would be manufactured from advanced alloys such as Inconel 740H or Haynes 282 alloys. Pathways to supply these components for ComTest have been identified, as well as any further development that would be required. The Phase 2 effort used Phase 1 findings for designing these key full-scale components for A-USC boilers and turbines to include large castings; extrusions, forgings, fabrication of water walls and steam loops with headers from advanced materials, raw material (such as pipe extrusion billets) are at the commercial readiness level to permit advancement to a demonstration project. The Phase 2 work scope was addressed by a diverse team, including government, industry, and not-for-profit partners. The work scope under Phase 2 addressed fabrication of components identified as being outside of the proven capabilities of the existing supply chain, including the following: Steam turbine rotor forging and Haynes 282 nozzle carrier casting Superheater and reheater header and tube assemblies Large-diameter pipe extrusions and forgings Test valve articles to support ASME Code approval. In addition, key fabrication steps were completed, including boiler weld overlays and simulated field repairs. Throughout, extensive inspection and quality assurance testing of the components were performed. The team worked to advance ASME Code approval for key components and processes. Although much of the focus of ComTest Phase 2 was the high-temperature nickel-based alloy materials, a broader range of materials were incorporated, which would be representative of the materials used in full-scale A-USC power plant applications and have cross-cutting applicability on other high-temperature power generation options, such as advanced nuclear, supercritical CO 2 cycles, and central solar receivers. This report that has been submitted is organized in the following manner: Section 1 contains an Executive Summary. Section 2 discusses the ComTest project background and organization. Section 3 discusses project management and reporting. Section 4 discusses the procurement of nickel-based alloy and other A-USC materials and components. Section 5 discusses the fabrication of procurement of nickel-based alloy and other A-USC materials and components. Section 6 discusses the fabrication of cast nickel-based A-USC steam turbine components. Section 7 discusses the fabrication of forged nickel-based A-USC steam turbine piping and steam pipe components. Section 8 discusses the qualification of pressure relieve valves (PRVs) for A-USC power plants. Section 9 discusses proposed plans for future evaluation of A-USC components. Section 10 contains the summary and conclusion.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗
DOE OSTI1996

Nuclear Safety [Vol. 37, No. 2, April-June 1996]

Nuclear Safety is a journal that covers significant issues in the field of nuclear safety. Its primary scope is safety in the design, construction, operation, and decommissioning of nuclear power reactors worldwide and the research and analysis activities that promote this goal, but it also encompasses the safety aspects of the entire nuclear fuel cycle, including fuel fabrication, spent-fuel processing and handling, and nuclear waste disposal, the handling of fissionable materials and radioisotopes, and the environmental effects of all these activities. Table of Contents for this issue follows. GENERAL SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS: 97 The Nuclear Community and the Public: Cognitive and Cultural Influences on Thinking About Nuclear Risk, M. A. Meyer; 109 Twenty-Third Water Reactor Safety Information Meeting, D. A. Copinger; ACCIDENT ANALYSIS: 126 Analysis of a PWR LBLOCA Without SCRAM, Trevor N. Tyler, Rafael Macian-Juan and John H. Mahaffy; DESIGN FEATURES: 139 Vulnerability of Multiple-Barrier Systems, N. C. Lind; ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS: 149 A Study of Wet Catalytic Oxidation of Radioactive Spent Ion Exchange Resin by Hydrogen Peroxide, Xingchao Jian, Tianbao Wu, and Guichun Yun; 157 A Comparison Study and Resolution of Differences Between Emergency Response and Safety Analysis Codes Used at the Savannah River Site, A. A. Simpkins; OPERATING EXPERIENCES: 164 Reactor Shutdown Experience, Compiled by J. W. Cletcher; RECENT DEVELOPMENTS: 167 Reports, Standards, and Safety Guides, D. S. Queener; 172 Proposed Rule Changes as of Dec. 31,1995; ANNOUNCEMENTS: 178 American Nuclear Society 1997 Annual Meeting; 178 American Nuclear Society Nuclear Criticality and Safety Division Topical Meeting; 176 The Authors.

05 NUCLEAR FUELS↗
DOE OSTI1996

Nuclear Safety [Vol. 37, No. 2, April-June 1996]

Nuclear Safety is a journal that covers significant issues in the field of nuclear safety. Its primary scope is safety in the design, construction, operation, and decommissioning of nuclear power reactors worldwide and the research and analysis activities that promote this goal, but it also encompasses the safety aspects of the entire nuclear fuel cycle, including fuel fabrication, spent-fuel processing and handling, and nuclear waste disposal, the handling of fissionable materials and radioisotopes, and the environmental effects of all these activities. Table of Contents for this issue follows. GENERAL SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS: 97 The Nuclear Community and the Public: Cognitive and Cultural Influences on Thinking About Nuclear Risk, M. A. Meyer; 109 Twenty-Third Water Reactor Safety Information Meeting, D. A. Copinger; ACCIDENT ANALYSIS: 126 Analysis of a PWR LBLOCA Without SCRAM, Trevor N. Tyler, Rafael Macian-Juan and John H. Mahaffy; DESIGN FEATURES: 139 Vulnerability of Multiple-Barrier Systems, N. C. Lind; ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS: 149 A Study of Wet Catalytic Oxidation of Radioactive Spent Ion Exchange Resin by Hydrogen Peroxide, Xingchao Jian, Tianbao Wu, and Guichun Yun; 157 A Comparison Study and Resolution of Differences Between Emergency Response and Safety Analysis Codes Used at the Savannah River Site, A. A. Simpkins; OPERATING EXPERIENCES: 164 Reactor Shutdown Experience, Compiled by J. W. Cletcher; RECENT DEVELOPMENTS: 167 Reports, Standards, and Safety Guides, D. S. Queener; 172 Proposed Rule Changes as of Dec. 31,1995; ANNOUNCEMENTS: 178 American Nuclear Society 1997 Annual Meeting; 178 American Nuclear Society Nuclear Criticality and Safety Division Topical Meeting; 176 The Authors.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Exploring sodium dynamics in the dilute oxygen regime of mixed oxy-sulfide NaPSiSO glasses

All-solid-state‑sodium batteries have great potential to lower the cost of grid-scale energy storage systems. However, they require a low cost, high conductivity solid electrolyte to become a reality. The electrochemical properties of mixed oxy-sulfide glasses NaPSiSO exceed those of either the pure sulfide or the pure oxide glass alone. In this work, we have tested models of sodium ion dynamics in the NaPSiSO series: zNa 2 S+(1-z)[(1-y)[(1-x)SiS 2 + xPS 5/2 ] + yNaPO 3 ] where 0.57 ≤ z ≤ 0.588, 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.35, and 0.15 ≤ y ≤ 0.35 using 23 Na nuclear magnetic resonance to directly probe the local fields and their fluctuations at the nuclear sites. We determined the distribution of activation energies in these materials arising from distributions of local environments and provided quantitative information about the connectivity of the ionic pathways through which the sodium ions move. We found that the sodium ion conduction dynamics were described as an ionic percolation through a Gaussian distribution of energy barriers and that the composition dependence of the ionic conductivity in the dilute oxygen regime is well-described by the Nernst-Einstein relation modified for percolation.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Dataset: Breaking the barrier of human-annotated training data for machine-learning-aided plant research using aerial imagery

This dataset supports the implementation described in the manuscript "Breaking the Barrier of Human-Annotated Training Data for Machine-Learning-Aided Biological Research Using Aerial Imagery." It comprises UAV aerial imagery used to execute the code available at https://github.com/pixelvar79/GAN-Flowering-Detection-paper. For detailed information on dataset usage and instructions for implementing the code to reproduce the study, please refer to the GitHub repository.

generative and adversarial learning↗
DOE OSTI2023

Development of an Energy Services Interface for the EGoT

The Energy Services Interface (ESI) is a set of rules that ensure private, secure, and trustworthy information exchange between Grid Service Providers (GSPs) and utility customers. Large-scale adoption of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) will be necessary for GSPs to dispatch effective grid services, and to stimulate technological innovations in DER and DERMS (DER Management Systems) technologies, as well as novel grid service programs. The ESI promotes these objectives by advancing a set of rules and interoperability requirements that define bi-directional, service-oriented, logical interfaces between GSPs and customers’ DERs, with expectations for privacy, security, and trust. The ESI rules and interoperability requirements establish boundaries between customers and GSPs that delineate the functions and responsibilities that must be implemented by the developers of Energy Grid of Things (EGoT) ecosystem products. These rules impose constraints on the implementation of a DERMS. The ESI interoperability requirements are based on the Interoperability Maturity Model (IMM), developed by the Grid Modernization Laboratory Consortium. By emphasizing private, secure, and trustworthy information exchange, and by mandating a service-oriented and interoperable architecture, the ESI promotes the development of an EGoT ecosystem that motivates customer participation and technological innovation. Interoperability will encourage innovation by reducing barriers to entry and increasing confidence of stakeholders. Customers will be willing to participate in DER service programs that establish trust and emphasize customer choice. Large-scale customer participation ensures GSPs have ample DER resources to provide grid services that have significant impact on grid reliability and reduce electricity cost for consumers. This in turn signals economic opportunities that encourage innovation, resulting in the development of a robust EGoT ecosystem.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2021

Spatial and unobserved heterogeneity in consumer preferences for adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles: A Bayesian hierarchical modeling approach

The transition to low carbon vehicles known as alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) is well underway. This transition has been motivated partly by consumer demand and partly by legislation such as the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, which requires manufacturers to sell a certain percentage of their vehicles as AFVs. While the long-term adoption of AFVs (specifically, electric and hybrids) may take several years, there is a need to understand consumer preferences for AFV adoption and the pathways of AFV adoption from a national perspective. Therefore, this study sought to provide information about consumer preferences regarding AFV ownership while considering spatial and unobserved heterogeneity in consumer preferences, which can potentially impact societal transition to low carbon fueled vehicles. The 2017 National Household Travel Survey was used to calibrate Bayesian logit and hierarchical models. Here, the findings of these models reveal that higher gasoline prices contribute toward the adoption of battery electric vehicles. The results also reveal that the perceived disadvantages of AFVs for long commutes are the key barrier in wider adoption of AFVs. Interestingly, frequent use of the internet by consumers revealed a higher likelihood for purchase of hybrid vehicles. Furthermore, West Coast residents are observed to be a large portion of the early adopters and are more likely to purchase hybrids as compared to battery electric vehicles. The knowledge generated by this study has implications for making better informed decisions about AFV adoption and developing incentives to promote wider adoption of AFVs by overcoming their perceived disadvantages.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2022

A matrix completion algorithm for efficient calculation of quantum and variational effects in chemical reactions

This work examines the viability of matrix completion methods as cost-effective alternatives to full nuclear Hessians for calculating quantum and variational effects in chemical reactions. The harmonic variety-based matrix completion (HVMC) algorithm, developed in a previous study (https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0018326), exploits the low-rank character of the polynomial expansion of potential energy to recover, using a small sample, vibrational frequencies (square roots of nuclear Hessian eigenvalues) constituting the reaction path. Furthermore, these frequencies are essential for calculating rate coefficients using variational transition state theory with multidimensional tunneling (VTST-MT). HVMC performance is examined for four SN2 reactions and five hydrogen transfer reactions, with each H-transfer reaction consisting of at least one vibrational mode strongly coupled to the reaction coordinate. HVMC is robust and captures zero-point energies, vibrational free energies, zero-curvature tunneling, and adiabatic ground state and free energy barriers as well as their positions on the reaction coordinate. For medium to large reactions involving H-transfer, with the exception of the most complex Ir catalysis system, less than 35% of total eigenvalue information is necessary for accurate recovery of key VTST-MT observables.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Late-Stage Research Development and Demonstration Sub-activities Updates – FY24 Q3

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), in collaboration with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), and the Hummingbird Firm (a specialized consulting firm focused on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion considerations), has initiated a national initiative known as the Heat Pump (HP) and Heat Pump Water Heater (HPWH) Field Validation Partnership. This effort involves active participation from numerous critical entities involved in research and market transformation within the field. The ORNL team is responsible for leading Late-Stage Research Development and Demonstration (LSRDD) among the four different topics. The overall outcomes of this project will be: (1) A structured Field Validation Partnership between DOE, the national labs, research, implementation, and market transformation organizations. This will result in unique way to coordinate field validation plans and collect relevant data from around the country into the HP and HPWH Field Validation Database. (2) The Field Validation Partnership will result in a continuous stream of information between DOE and the major industry players in the space of HPs and HPWHs. If desired, DOE could use this information to inform roadmaps related to HP and HPWH market adoption and research going forward. (3) The structure of this Partnership provides a mechanism for sharing lessons learned directly between Late-Stage RD&D, Building Integration Barriers, Regional Market and Policy and Workforce Development efforts. The result will be training content that is well-reviewed by the Partnership which will lead to a workforce that meets the industry’s quality and workforce supply demands. (4) The structure of this Partnership also provides an opportunity for regions to share lessons learned on policy and market transformation with each other through the Market and Policy core Committee. This report includes an update in Late-Stage Research Development and Demonstration.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Knowledge gaps for neuromorphic ionic computing

BACKGROUND Neuromorphic computing, inspired by the human brain’s ability to process information efficiently, represents a transformative approach to computation. In this Review, we explore the emerging field of neuromorphic ionic computing, which leverages ionic conduction and coupling to mimic neural processes, and identify critical knowledge gaps that must be addressed to realize its full potential. A central theme of the discussion is energy efficiency, a challenge that is both a limitation and an opportunity for this technology. Although complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)–based neuromorphic technologies have made strides in scaling to billions of neurons and are increasingly applied in artificial intelligence and numerical computing, they remain orders of magnitude behind the human brain in terms of connectivity and energy efficiency. Neuromorphic ionic computing promises to overcome these limitations by leveraging the distinct architectural and operational principles of the brain. Our brains achieve this energy efficiency by combining several key features: using the same network elements to store and process information; using an incredibly complex and massively interconnected three-dimensional (3D) network of locally active elements that enables sparsity, robustness in the presence of noise, adaptation, and life-long learning; computing at comparatively low voltage and frequency; and last, taking advantage of a plethora of ions and small molecules as information carriers. Here, we propose that ionic computing systems can take advantage of similar features to achieve substantial gains in energy efficiency. ADVANCES Since the first reports of neuromorphic ionic behavior in nanofluidic channels, we have witnessed an explosion of reports that used ionic devices to produce synaptomimetic behaviors. However, achieving the goals of ionic computing requires not only implementation of much more sophisticated device functionality but also overcoming fundamental barriers in materials science, device architecture, and system integration. Current ionic devices, even those incorporating state-of-the-art materials, still suffer from limited functionality and stability, which restrict their performance and increase energy demands. Developing new materials with enhanced ionic properties is essential to overcome these limitations. Similarly, the design of neuromorphic devices must evolve to leverage the particular advantages of ionic processes. Existing architectures often follow a single-information-carrier logic of conventional electronics or are constructed of mesoscale fluidics, failing to capitalize on the energy-efficient mechanisms inherent to ionic systems or implement the multiple-information-carrier paradigm. Current neuromorphic chips focus on large-scale networks of analog memory elements based on mechanisms such as charge trap (flash), filamentary, phase change, or spin, which are built on top of a network of artificial CMOS neurons. Although such prototype networks have achieved impressive performance, it is difficult to envision how they can implement the key features such as massive connectivity, sophisticated plasticity, adaptability, sparsity, and “multichromatic” computing. Although small-scale devices have demonstrated promising results, integrating them, maintaining energy efficiency, and implementing temperature control as systems grow in complexity and size to computationally relevant scale remain major hurdles. Furthermore, interfacing neuromorphic ionic devices with existing computing technologies presents technical and conceptual challenges that will require innovative approaches that combine insights from neuroscience, materials science, and engineering. OUTLOOK Despite these challenges, the potential impact of neuromorphic ionic computing is profound with potential applications ranging from artificial intelligence to robotics and beyond. We also argue that neuromorphic ionic computing systems should not, at least in the beginning, compete with CMOS technologies but rather should focus on applications that require extreme energy efficiency with chemical and/or biological compatibility, such as biomedical applications (for example, brain-computer interfaces), environmental monitoring, and agricultural and food applications. Ultimately, this Review highlights the crucial role of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing the field. Neuromorphic ionic computing is not merely a technological innovation; it represents a substantial step toward sustainable computation, aligning with the growing demand for energy-conscious solutions in a world that is increasingly reliant on data and computation.

Neuromorphic↗
DOE OSTI2021

Preliminary results from Low Pressure Steam Oxidation Testing of ALD ZrN and ZrO2 Coating Deposited over UCN Fuel Kernels

Steam oxidation testing was used to investigate as-developed 100 nm ALD ZrN and 1000 nm ZrO 2 coatings deposited over UC1-xNx fuel kernels. The results of these tests were compared against oxidation of uncoated kernels. This work was performed to support development of coatings which both provide high temperature Zr metal diffusion barrier and also provide resistance against oxidation, especially against high temperature steam and/or air. This work was performed in collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), using ORNL-provided samples. The oxidation tests yielded valuable information, including relative differences in performance of different coating materials and coating thicknesses.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Cyber-Informed Engineering (CIE) Workbook: End-of-Train (EoT) / Head-of-Train (HoT) Communications

This workbook presents a vulnerability (CVE-2025-1727 ) found in train applications and guides a digital risk assessment and mitigation analysis and application of Cyber-Informed Engineering principles to mitigate the potential consequences and ultimately the hazard through the engineering discipline because of exploiting this vulnerability. Workshop participants are encouraged to use the workbook to capture insights and lessons learned. The workbook guides the participant to: • Understand the HE communication vulnerability • Map digital threats to physical consequences • Use bowtie analysis to illustrate both “security” and “engineering” barriers • Apply CIE principles to ensure that even if communications are compromised, the physical engineered system still behaves safely. • Produce an actionable set of engineered and infosec controls for implementation

42 - ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2024

Integrating adaptive learning with post hoc model explanation and symbolic regression to build interpretable surrogate models

Abstract We develop a materials informatics workflow to build an interpretable surrogate model for micromagnetic simulations. Our goal is to predict the energy barrier of a moving isolated skyrmion in rare-earth-free $$\hbox {Mn}_4$$ Mn 4 N. Our approach integrates adaptive learning with post hoc model explanation and symbolic regression methods. We discuss an unexplored acquisition function (information condensing active learning) within the adaptive learning loop and compare it with the known standard deviation function for efficient navigation of the search space. Model-agnostic post hoc explanation techniques then uncover trends learned by the trained model, which we then leverage to constrain the expressions used for symbolic regression. Graphical abstract

Biswas, Ankita↗
DOE OSTI2024

SQMS science advances impact on Rigetti commercial processors

The collaboration between the Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center (SQMS) and Rigetti Computing produced several advancements in our understanding of the role of materials characteristics in quantum processor performance. This partnership leverages SQMS's extensive characterization infrastructure and cutting-edge research in materials, and Rigetti's expertise in quantum hardware and robust nanofabrication to improve precision and performance of Rigetti's test QPUs. Qubit frequency is determined in large part by the properties of Josephson junctions (JJs) made of amorphous oxide tunnel barriers; the Alternating-Bias Assisted Annealing (ABAA) process allows us to tune JJs to their desired frequency [1]. Work by SQMS researchers in characterizing high-precision JJs post-processed (using ABAA) have yielded crucial information on the nature of the structure and chemical bonding uniformity of the ABAA processed amorphous oxides. Performance has also been improved through a comprehensive series of experiments that tested encapsulation and surface treatment. Encapsulation of the niobium metal layer with tantalum resulted in an T1 improvement of 80%, experimentally confirming the role of Nb surface losses in qubit performance [2]. Pre-treatment of the underlying silicon surface prior to JJ fabrication by replacing a buffered oxide etch (BOE) with hydrofluoric acid (HF) followed by aqueous ammonium fluoride (NH4F) has shown a statistically significant improvement of T1 by 22%, and reduction in the number of strongly-coupled TLS [3]. These examples, as well as many other published and ongoing investigations, demonstrate the mutual benefits that come from Rigetti's involvement in the SQMS collaboration. [1] - Pappas, D.P., et al. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43246-024-00596-z [2] - Bal, M., et al. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41534-024-00840-x [3] Kopas, C. J. et al. Preprint at https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2408.02863 (2024).

Lachman, Ella↗
DOE OSTI2023

A mountain-induced moist baroclinic wave test case for the dynamical cores of atmospheric general circulation models

Idealized test cases for the dynamical cores of atmospheric general circulation models are informative tools to assess the accuracy of the numerical designs and investigate the general characteristics of atmospheric motions. A new test case is introduced that is built upon a baroclinically unstable base state with an added orographic barrier. The topography is analytically prescribed and acts as a trigger of both baroclinic Rossby waves and inertia–gravity waves on a rotating, regular-sized planet. Both dry and idealized moist configurations are suggested. The latter utilizes the Kessler warm-rain precipitation scheme. The test case enhances the complexity of the existing test suite hierarchy and focuses on the impacts of two midlatitudinal mountain ridges on the circulation. Selected simulation examples from four dynamical cores are shown. These are the Spectral Element and Finite Volume dynamical cores, which are part of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Community Earth System Model (CESM), versions 2.1.3 and 2.2, and the Cubed-Sphere Finite Volume dynamical cores, which is new to CESM version 2.2. In addition, the Model for Prediction Across Scales (MPAS) is tested. The overall flow patterns agree well in the four dynamical cores, but the details can vary greatly. The examples highlight the broad palette of use cases for the test case and reveal physics–dynamics coupling issues.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

A Graphical User Interface for the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment Robotic Test Stand

In preparation for DUNE, Fermilab along with six other institutions are testing cold electronics for quality control before components placed in the far detector. We test them by using a robotic arm that places these chips into sockets on a computer board that will test their functionality. Up until now, the chips have been tested using a command line script that drives a state machine to conduct tests step-by-step. In order to lower the skill barrier to conduct tests and to speed up the quality control process, I was tasked to create a graphical user interface that would allow users to use buttons, text boxes, and drop-down menus to input information and tell the testing state machine how to operate. I had to learn about the Python package Tkinter to start the process of widget placement. I further developed a pause feature unused in the previous command line script that would allow the user to shut down testing gracefully, bring the robotic arm to go back to ground state, and go forward or backward a step in the testing process. After completing the basic functionality of the GUI, I started testing production chips with the GUI to debug. Some issues were found, which required me to further develop parts of the inherited state machine code. The code for the GUI has now been pushed into the copy the DUNE/FD_CE git repository and will soon be merged with the official DUNE/FD_CE repository so that the other institutions testing DUNE cold electronics can use and expand upon it.

Gutierrez Villanueva, Jaziel [Fermilab]↗
DOE OSTI2021

Using the CYBER-Champ Model to Determine Cyber Competencies and Role Alignment

Cybersecurity roles, tasks, and skills are seen by many organizations as nonessential, abstract, or complicated. Although standards are in place, such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 800-181 document titled “Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity (NICE Framework)” available since September 2012, companies are still showing security vulnerabilities in their cyber networks (Hatzes, 2020). Barriers towards creating a cyber-ready workforce are not always due to a lack of resources, but often caused by organizational structure. The need for cyber-cognizant job postings, improved communication between Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT) employees, increases in staffing and funding for cyber teams, and better communication of standards and training can all contribute to increasing an organization’s cyber resilience. Cybersecurity Competency Health and Maturity Progression model (CYBER-CHAMP) is a model aimed at evaluating an organization’s structure and individual employee’s cyber knowledge and helps develop a plan to reach competency. This model was used to engage with organizations to promote proper cyber protocols and policies. The aim of this paper is to answer if it is possible for an organization to build a cyber-ready workforce by providing education and training options for current employees and prepare the future workforce to be ready on day one of employment. Both open source and firsthand interviews with organizations were used to conduct the research contained in this document. Further research may include additional development to the CYBER-CHAMP model and its delivery platform.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗