Direct Measurement of Plant Cellulose Microfibril and Bundles in Native Cell Walls
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cellulose synthesis↗
SEARCH · Engineering Papers
Results for “synthesis science”
Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.
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Achieving a balance - Science and human exploration
The linkage between science and human exploration is close. Currently, proponents of science and human presence themes identified by the Synthesis Group as the most important themes of Mars exploration, tend to have reservations about the other camp. Mechanisms that integrate the program themes are essential, to gain the advocacies of the exploration communities and find optimal solutions to the technical problems. Without such mechanisms, it will be difficult to gain widespread acceptance of the SEI as the strategic horizon for the U.S. civilian space program.
Duke, Michael B.↗
Diamond Research Overview and a Model for Lab Experiments Using Oxyacetylene Torch
High pressure synthetic diamonds have now been a commercial product for over 40 years. Russian scientists invented the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process 30 years ago, while the Japanese followed 10 years later and the U.S. was introduced to it 10 years after that. The new syntheses focus is on liquid and solid phase approaches. There are three CVD processes: microwave plasma, hot filament, and oxy-acetylene torch. The oxy-acetylene torch is an excellent materials synthesis lab experiment, emphasizing the simplicity of the science.
Roy, Rustum↗
Final Scientific/Technical Report
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
Atomically Dispersed Supported Metal Catalysts: Understanding Fundamentals and Extending to New Catalyst Classes
We report synthesis, characterization, and catalyst performance data for supported metal catalysts, primarily those consisting of noble metals on metal oxide and zeolite supports.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Self-driving thin film laboratory: autonomous epitaxial atomic-layer synthesis via real-time computer vision analysis of electron diffraction
Emerging materials science platforms with the ability to make autonomous decisions on the fly are fundamentally changing the outlook and protocols for materials optimization and discovery. Because AI-driven self-navigating schemes can effectively reduce the total number of iterations needed to arrive at the "answer" (i.e. the best stochiometric composition for a desired physical property, optimum materials processing parameters, etc.) by significant margins, they have the potential to revolutionize materials and chemical manufacturing processes at large in research laboratory settings as well as in industrial plants. Here, we demonstrate a successful implementation of real-time closed-loop autonomous navigation of a multi-dimensional materials synthesis parameter space for fabricating phase-pure epitaxial films of a metastable phase of a functional oxide in a combinatorial pulsed laser deposition chamber. Sequential epitaxial growth iterations in search of the optimized recipe to stabilize the desired crystal phase were performed using frame-by-frame quantitative computer vision analysis of reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) images of the unit-cell level film being deposited. The autonomous scheme regularly resulted in > 30-fold reduction in the number of required experiments compared to a comprehensive mapping of the parameter space. The real-time workflow developed here can be readily extended to a variety of thin film synthesis platforms opening the door for self-driving atomic-level materials design as well as autonomous optimization of semiconductor manufacturing.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Automation of Nanoparticle Synthesis Processes in a Plasma Environment Using LabVIEW
This work presents an automated control system for the synthesis of nanomaterials by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), implemented using the LabVIEW software environment. The main objective of the study is to develop an integrated hardware-software platform that enables sequential control of the key stages of the PECVD process, including vacuum chamber preparation, pressure monitoring, working gas supply, plasma ignition, power matching, cyclic nanomaterial growth, and optical monitoring of nanoparticles in the plasma environment. The use of LabVIEW made it possible to integrate actuator control, experimental parameter acquisition, and realtime process visualization within a single automated system. The automated cycle begins with evacuation of the reaction chamber to a predefined base pressure. Transition to the next stage is permitted only after the specified pressure threshold has been reached, ensuring reproducible initial conditions for each experiment. The program then controls the supply of the working gas through mass flow controllers (MFCs). In this work, two gas-flow control modes were considered: analog control using a 0-5 V voltage signal and digital communication via RS-232 interface. It was shown that the analog approach requires accurate scaling of the control voltage, since applying 5 V corresponds to full-scale opening of the controller and results in the maximum gas flow. In contrast, the RS232 interface enables the gas flow rate to be specified directly in sccm, improving the accuracy, flexibility, and convenience of gas-environment control. After pressure stabilization, LabVIEW initiates RF plasma ignition and executes the RF matching algorithm aimed at minimizing reflected power and improving the stability of the plasma process. A separate software module implements the cyclic nanomaterial growth mode, in which the plasma-on time, plasma duration, and total number of synthesis cycles are predefined. This approach makes it possible to control material accumulation on the substrate and to correlate the process parameters with the morphological characteristics of the resulting nanostructures. The final module of the system is designed for optical monitoring of the nanoparticle cloud density in dusty plasma. For this purpose, the change in the intensity of laser radiation passing through the plasma region is recorded using a photodetector and a Keithley 2401 measuring unit connected to LabVIEW via RS-232 interface. The difference between the initial and modified optical signal intensity is used as a diagnostic parameter characterizing the formation and temporal evolution of nanoparticles. The developed system demonstrates that LabVIEW can be effectively applied not only for the automation of individual instruments, but also for the implementation of a complete digital control cycle for PECVD-based nanomaterial synthesis.
PECVD↗
Discovery of complex oxides via automated experiments and data science
Significance Automation is accelerating the discovery of useful materials, yet testing even a small fraction of the billions of possible materials for a desired property is beyond the reach of workflows involving resource-intensive property measurements. Due to relationships among composition, structure, and properties, identifying a complex material with one interesting property makes it the proverbial needle in a haystack that merits testing for additional properties. We accelerate materials synthesis and optical characterization by employing physics-aware data science to identify materials for further investigation. With this approach, one does not need high-throughput methods for measuring every material property of interest since a single ultra-high–throughput workflow can guide material selection for other properties, which is a new paradigm for accelerated materials discovery.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
ThO 2 and Th 1– x U x O 2 Nanoscale Materials and Thin Films for Nuclear Science Applications
This study investigates the dynamics and mechanisms of solution combustion synthesis (SCS) for the preparation of nanoscale ThO 2 and Th 1–x U x O 2 materials, utilizing metal nitrates (Th(NO 3 ) 4 and UO 2 (NO 3 ) 2 ) and acetylacetone (C 5 H 8 O 2 ) as reactants dissolved in a 2-methoxyethanol (C 3 H 8 O 2 ) solvent. By combining thermodynamic calculations, dynamic time–temperature profile measurements with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), this research reveals how variations in acetylacetone concentration and uranium content influence the structural parameters of the synthesized oxides. The time–temperature measurements show that the heating rate and maximum combustion temperatures are sensitive to acetylacetone concentration. DSC-TGA results indicate shifts in exothermic peak temperatures as the uranium content changes. The complexation between thorium and acetylacetone emerges as a critical factor, impacting combustion parameters and the structural characteristics of the final products. The uniform distribution of Th and U in the Th 1–x U x O 2 solid solution and the formation of nanoscale particles with strained crystallites are considered essential for the low-temperature densification of these materials for nuclear fuel pellet applications. Additionally, high-quality ThO 2 and Th 1–x U x O 2 thin (100–150 nm) films are successfully synthesized via electrospray deposition of combustible solutions followed by a brief period of heat treatment. Furthermore, these films exhibit excellent structural and morphological uniformity, making them ideal candidates for nuclear measurements, irradiation damage studies, and investigations into the physical properties of both pure and mixed oxides.
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
Snowmass Computational Frontier: Topical Group Report on Quantum Computing
Quantum computing will play a pivotal role in the High Energy Physics (HEP) science program over the early parts of the 21$^{st}$ Century, both as a major expansion of our capabilities across the Computational Frontier, and in synthesis with quantum sensing and quantum networks. This report outlines how Quantum Information Science (QIS) and HEP are deeply intertwined endeavors that benefit enormously from a strong engagement together. Quantum computers do not represent a detour for HEP, rather they are set to become an integral part of our discovery toolkit. Problems ranging from simulating quantum field theories, to fully leveraging the most sensitive sensor suites for new particle searches, and even data analysis will run into limiting bottlenecks if constrained to our current computing paradigms. Easy access to quantum computers is needed to build a deeper understanding of these opportunities. In turn, HEP brings crucial expertise to the national quantum ecosystem in quantum domain knowledge, superconducting technology, cryogenic and fast microelectronics, and massive-scale project management. The role of quantum technologies across the entire economy is expected to grow rapidly over the next decade, so it is important to establish the role of HEP in the efforts surrounding QIS. Fully delivering on the promise of quantum technologies in the HEP science program requires robust support. It is important to both invest in the co-design opportunities afforded by the broader quantum computing ecosystem and leverage HEP strengths with the goal of designing quantum computers tailored to HEP science.
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
A graph-based network for predicting chemical reaction pathways in solid-state materials synthesis
Abstract Accelerated inorganic synthesis remains a significant challenge in the search for novel, functional materials. Many of the principles which enable “synthesis by design” in synthetic organic chemistry do not exist in solid-state chemistry, despite the availability of extensive computed/experimental thermochemistry data. In this work, we present a chemical reaction network model for solid-state synthesis constructed from available thermochemistry data and devise a computationally tractable approach for suggesting likely reaction pathways via the application of pathfinding algorithms and linear combination of lowest-cost paths in the network. We demonstrate initial success of the network in predicting complex reaction pathways comparable to those reported in the literature for YMnO 3 , Y 2 Mn 2 O 7 , Fe 2 SiS 4 , and YBa 2 Cu 3 O 6.5 . The reaction network presents opportunities for enabling reaction pathway prediction, rapid iteration between experimental/theoretical results, and ultimately, control of the synthesis of solid-state materials.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
BASIN-3D Data Integration for Selected ARM Data Field Campaign Report
The purpose of this data services request was to demonstrate integration of the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) User Facility’s “met” datastreams with time series data from other earth science data sources using the BASIN-3D data synthesis software tool. BASIN-3D is an open-source Python library that enables researchers to integrate data across configured public and private data sources. It provides a common query language for researchers to request measurement locations and time series data based on specified locations, variables, time period, statistics, aggregation, and data quality. BASIN-3D acquires the data that match the query from each configured data source and translates the results into harmonized vocabularies, thus reducing researchers' data-wrangling effort. In addition, because the queries are executed on demand, researchers can easily regenerate their synthesized data sets as new data and/or data updates become available, eliminating one-off data products. BASIN-3D can output data using a variety of different data structures for end-user applications including Python pandas data frames and hdf5 output formats.
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
State changes: insights from the U.S. Long Term Ecological Research Network
Understanding the complex and unpredictable ways ecosystems are changing and predicting the state of ecosystems and the services they will provide in the future requires coordinated, long-term research. This paper is a product of a U.S. National Science Foundation funded Long Term Ecological Research (LTER)network synthesis effort that addressed anticipated changes in future populations and communities. Each LTER site described what their site would look like in50 or 100 yr based on long-term patterns and responses to global change drivers in each ecosystem. Common themes emerged and predictions were grouped into state change, connectivity, resilience, time lags, and cascading effects. Here, we report on the “state change” theme, which includes examples from the Georgia Coastal (coastal marsh), Konza Prairie (mesic grassland), Luquillo(tropical forest), Sevilleta (arid grassland), and Virginia Coastal (coastal grassland) sites. Ecological thresholds(the point at which small changes in an environmental driver can produce an abrupt and persistent state change in an ecosystem quality, property, or phenomenon) were most commonly predicted. For example, in coastal ecosystems, sea-level rise and climate change could convert salt marsh to mangroves and coastal barrier dunes to shrub thicket. Reduced fire frequency has converted grassland to shrubland in mesic prairie, whereas overgrazing combined with drought drive shrub encroachment in arid grasslands. Lastly, tropical cloud forests are susceptible to climate-induced changes in cloud base altitude leading to shifts in species distributions. Overall, these examples reveal that state change is a likely outcome of global environmental change across adverse range of ecosystems and highlight the need for long-term studies to sort out the causes and consequences of state change. The diversity of sites within the LTER network facilitates the emergence of overarching concepts about state changes as an important driver of ecosystem structure, function, services, and futures.
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
Roles of Carburization and Oxidation on Transition-Metal Catalyzed Surface Reactions
Many industrial chemical transformation processes are based on reactions catalyzed by transition metals. In some cases the nano-size particles used as catalysts are synthesized simultaneously or right before the initiation of the main catalytic reaction. Synthesis treatments involve complex processes such as reductions followed by calcinations in oxygenated environments coupled to the presence of gases used for the main reaction. Synthesis details are crucial because they have important consequences on the catalyst shape, size, and chemical composition, and may also affect the structure and composition of the catalyst support. All these effects may alter the main catalyzed reaction in unexpected ways. This work focuses on the synthesis of the overall catalytic system that includes catalyst and support taking place in parallel with the initial stages of the main catalyzed reaction. Two important processes are characterized: carburization and oxidation of the transition metal catalyst during synthesis or initial stages of the main reaction. The objective is to understand how the coking mechanism coupled to surface oxidation and changes in the substrate influence the dry reforming of methane taken as a model reaction. The approach uses first principles computational methods to investigate the catalyst synthesis and characterization and catalytic reaction mechanisms. These studies are complemented with experimental characterization done by the group of Dr. Renu Sharma at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (unfunded collaborator) using high resolution transmission electron microscopy. Specific goals are to identify the role of the synthesis process on the initial nanocatalyst structure and composition, and to determine how that structure and composition may evolve after being exposed to the reactants atmosphere. These studies facilitate a systematic analysis of conditions where the nanoparticle composition can be optimized regarding activity and stability. Moreover, the fundamental study of catalyst/support interactions yields valuable insights for other catalytic processes and is a first step toward controlled nanocatalyst synthesis.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Surface Charge at an Oil/Water Interface Promoting the Enhancement and Assignment of Water Combination Bands
Given the different polarities and distinct chemical structures, it is no wonder that oil and water are incompatible neighbors. They can be forced to cooperate if provided sufficient energy or a suitable intermediary. Emulsions are the result of such a cooperation, where an emulsifying agent (the intermediary) in the form of a surfactant or a cocktail of surface stabilizing compounds allows for the ‘mixing’ of oil and water. Surfactant stabilized emulsions that are nanoscale in size (nanoemulsions) have caught the attention of many because of their newly discovered use in the synthesis of nanomaterials, oil recovery, drug delivery, and food science. Unlike smaller emulsions (e.g. microemulsions with 2-20 nm diameters), very little is known about the molecular level properties of nanoemulsions (NEs) whose diameters are in the 100-500 nm range. One thing that is well known is the macroscopic properties of droplets from these two size regimes are dramatically different, often for reasons not yet fully understood. Nanoemulsions do not form spontaneously and require an external shear beyond ordinary procedures used to create micelles. This shear is required to overcome the effects of surface tension and create droplets in the nanoscale regime. Once formed, however, they can be stable for long periods of time, making them very attractive for commercial and pharmaceutical products requiring a long shelf life. What is not well known is the interfacial molecular processes that lead to the formation and stability of nanoemulsions including those stabilized by surfactants and/or polymers. Such knowledge is important in understanding the molecular structure-function relationship that assists in predicting what additives and solvents are necessary for a specific application. Key to advancing nanoemulsion utility is to develop the needed molecular-level understanding of the structure and bonding interactions present at the surface of these soft nanoparticles.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Nanotechnology: Opportunities and Challenges
Nanotechnology seeks to exploit novel physical, chemical, biological, mechanical, electrical, and other properties, which arise primarily due to the nanoscale nature of certain materials. A key example is carbon nanotubes (CNTs) which exhibit unique electrical and extraordinary mechanical properties and offer remarkable potential for revolutionary applications in electronics devices, computing, and data storage technology, sensors, composites, nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS), and as tip in scanning probe microscopy (SPM) for imaging and nanolithography. Thus the CNT synthesis, characterization, and applications touch upon all disciplines of science and engineering. This presentation will provide an overview and progress report on this and other major research candidates in Nanotechnology and address opportunities and challenges ahead.
Meyyappan, Meyya↗
Rotational spectroscopy at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Environmental monitoring, atmospheric remote sensing and astrophysical studies promoted by NASA require a strong basis of spectroscopic information. The rotational spectroscopy capabilities at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) are currently maintained for the measurement of key mission priorities that enable modeling and retrieval of geophysical data from the atmosphere as well as validation of the space-borne instruments in the Earth Observing System, particularly the Microwave Limb Sounder. Rotational spectra are measured using a variety of spectroscopic techniques including pulsed-beam Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy (at CalTech); millimeter wavelength Stark spectroscopy; millimeter, submillimeter and THz FM spectroscopy; laser sideband spectroscopy and Fourier Transform far-infrared spectroscopy. Remote measurements of atmospheric rotational spectra are made using two limb-sounder instruments in the submillimeter and THz. Recent advances in the direct synthesis of THz radiation that enable more efficient laboratory science will be presented. Software for comprehensive and systematic study of different molecular systems is maintained at JPL, the software is freely available via http://spec.jpl.nasa.gov and is used by our group to create and sustain the JPL spectral line catalog also available online.
molecular spectroscopy↗
Advantages of Microgreen Carotenoid Composition for Space Travel
Microgreens are attractive space crop candidates for their ease of maintenance and nutrient density. These tender greens are particularly rich phytochemicals like carotenoids. To determine the effect of space conditions on carotenoid synthesis, this NASA funded research used Gilroy’s Life Sciences TOAST database to compare transcriptomic data of Arabidopsis thaliana grown on previous spaceflight missions. Of the eight genes studied that involve carotenoid biosynthesis, it was determined that most were upregulated.
microgreens↗