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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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At least 271 records · Page 15

ORTHO-PARA SELECTION RULES IN THE GAS-PHASE CHEMISTRY OF INTERSTELLAR AMMONIA

The ortho-para chemistry of ammonia in the cold interstellar medium is investigated using a gas-phase chemical network. Branching ratios for the primary reaction chain involved in the formation and destruction of ortho- and para-NH{sub 3} were derived using angular momentum rules based on the conservation of the nuclear spin. We show that the 'anomalous' ortho-to-para ratio of ammonia ({approx}0.7) observed in various interstellar regions is in fact consistent with nuclear spin selection rules in a para-enriched H{sub 2} gas. This ratio is found to be independent of temperature in the range 5-30 K. We also predict an ortho-to-para ratio of {approx}2.3 for NH{sub 2}. We conclude that a low ortho-to-para ratio of H{sub 2} naturally drives the ortho-to-para ratios of nitrogen hydrides below the statistical values.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Nucleon QCD sum rules in the instanton medium

We try to find grounds for the standard nucleon QCD sum rules, based on a more detailed description of the QCD vacuum. We calculate the polarization operator of the nucleon current in the instanton medium. The medium (QCD vacuum) is assumed to be a composition of the small-size instantons and some long-wave gluon fluctuations. We solve the corresponding QCD sum rule equations and demonstrate that there is a solution with the value of the nucleon mass close to the physical one if the fraction of the small-size instantons contribution is w{sub s} ≈ 2/3.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Modelling of a Space-Based Ronchi Ruling Experiment for High-Precision Astrometry

An end-to-end modelling program for an astrometric telescope employing a Ronchi ruling has been developed. The program models the aberrated images formed anywhere in the field-of-view. It then determines apparent centroids by simulating the motion of a Ronchi ruling across the field. Photo-electon statistics are included.

Ronchi↗

Sequential Processing for Organic Photovoltaics: Design Rules for Morphology Control by Tailored Semi-Orthogonal Solvent Blends

Design rules are presented for significantly expanding sequential processing (SqP) into previously inaccessible polymer:fullerene systems by tailoring binary solvent blends for fullerene deposition. Starting with a base solvent that has high fullerene solubility, 2-chlorophenol (2-CP), ellipsometry-based swelling experiments are used to investigate different co-solvents for the fullerene-casting solution. By tuning the Flory-Huggins χ parameter of the 2-CP/co-solvent blend, it is possible to optimally swell the polymer of interest for fullerene interdiffusion without dissolution of the polymer underlayer. In this way solar cell power conversion efficiencies are obtained for the PTB7 (poly[(4,8-bis[(2-ethylhexyl)oxy]benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene-2,6-diyl)(3-fluoro-2-[(2-ethylhexyl)carbonyl]thieno[3,4-b]thiophenediyl)]) and PC61BM (phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester) materials combination that match those of blend-cast films. Both semicrystalline (e.g., P3HT (poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl)) and entirely amorphous (e.g., PSDTTT (poly[(4,8-di(2-butyloxy)benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene-2,6-diyl)-alt-(2,5-bis(4,4'-bis(2-octyl)dithieno[3,2-b:2'3'-d]silole-2,6-diyl)thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole)]) conjugated polymers can be processed into highly efficient photovoltaic devices using the solvent-blend SqP design rules. Grazing-incidence wide-angle x-ray diffraction experiments confirm that proper choice of the fullerene casting co-solvent yields well-ordered interdispersed bulk heterojunction (BHJ) morphologies without the need for subsequent thermal annealing or the use of trace solvent additives (e.g., diiodooctane). The results open SqP to polymer/fullerene systems that are currently incompatible with traditional methods of device fabrication, and make BHJ morphology control a more tractable problem.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

A method to apply Zavitsas' aqueous electrolyte model to multicomponent solutions and its equivalence to Zdanovskii's rule

Abstract Zavitsas developed an aqueous electrolyte thermodynamic model and applied it to single electrolyte solutions previously. Here, a method to apply the model to multicomponent solutions is derived by setting the water activity to the mole fraction of free water in the mixture. The method is shown to work effectively for the CsBr‐KNO 3 ‐H 2 O and CsCl‐KNO 3 ‐H 2 O systems at 100.3°C even at concentrations greater than 6 molal. The largest error in the prediction of water activities was just −0.00365 for the CsBr‐KNO 3 ‐H 2 O system and −0.00631 for the CsCl‐KNO 3 ‐H 2 O system. Zavitsas' model naturally obeys Zdanovskii's rule because when two electrolyte solutions with the same fraction of free water are mixed together, water is obviously going to have that same fraction in the mixture. This means that Zavitsas' model will likely work well for the many electrolytes that obey Zdanovskii's rule.

Reynolds, Jacob G.↗

Expanding the Schulze-Hardy Rule and the Hofmeister Series to Nanometer-Scaled Hydrophilic Macroions

The Schulze-Hardy Rule is a well-established observation in colloid science (can be derived from the DLVO theory) that demonstrates the relationship between the critical coagulation concentration (CCC) of colloids and the valence of extra counterionic electrolytes (z), with a simple mathematical relationship of CCC ~ z -6 . Here the Schulze-Hardy Rule is expanded to much smaller, nanoscaled soluble macroions in aqueous solution, by examining the stability of the macroions in the presence of additional electrolytes. The CCC values of the macroions follow the general trend of CCC~z -n but the n value is significantly dependent on the surface charge density of the macroions, ranging from n=2 at very low surface charge density to n=6 at a high surface charge density. In addition, different cations with the same valence showed obvious different impacts on the CCC values, with an interesting trend being connected to the Hofmeister Series originally discovered in protein solutions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Superselection rules, quantum error correction, and quantum chromodynamics

We investigate the relationship between superselection rules and quantum error correcting codes. We demonstrate that the existence of a superselection rule implies the Knill-Laflamme condition in quantum error correction. As an example, we examine the code built from quantum chromodynamics, where the proton and neutron states in the model are explored as different superselection sectors that protect logical information. Finally we comment on topological quantum error correcting codes and supersymmetric quantum field theory within this framework.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

The parameter choice rules for weighted Tikhonov regularization scheme

The well-known approach to solve the ill-posed problem is Tikhonov regularization scheme. But, the approximate solution of Tikhonov scheme may not contain all the details of the exact solution. To circumference this problem, weighted Tikhonov regularization has been introduced. In this article, we propose two a posteriori parameter choice rules to choose the regularization parameter for weighted Tikhonov regularization and establish the optimal rate of convergence O(δ{sup ((α+1)/(α+2))}) for the scheme based on these proposed rules. The numerical results are documented to demonstrate the significance of the theoretical results.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Compensatory mitigation and screening rules in environmental impact assessment

Concerns about the effectiveness of environmental impact assessment (EIA) have prompted proposals to improve its performance by limiting the discretion of decision-makers in screening. To investigate whether such proposals are likely to generate the desired results, we conducted an evaluation of the screening process under the Australian government's EIA regime from its introduction on 16 July 2000 to 30 June 2013 (study period). Almost 1 in 5 ‘particular manner’ decisions—a type of screening decision under the regime—were found to be unlawful. The extent of non-compliance is explained on the basis of convenience. The department was required to assess a large number of projects under tight timeframes and with limited resources, while being pressured by proponents to allow their projects to bypass EIA. These pressures resulted in the development of an informal custom whereby the formal compensatory mitigation restrictions were frequently ignored. The results highlight the relative significance of formal and informal institutions in EIA. Formal EIA rules typically provide a mere outline of the process. The informal institutions adopted by administrators often have a greater influence on how the process operates and what it achieves. - Highlights: • Concerns about the effectiveness of environmental impact assessment (EIA) have prompted proposals to improve its performance by limiting the discretion of decision-makers in screening. • To investigate whether such proposals are likely to generate the desired results, we conducted an evaluation of the Australian government's screening process, looking at the extent of compliance with a formal prohibition on the consideration of compensatory mitigation. • Almost 1 in 5 ‘particular manner’ decisions – a type of screening decision under the regime – were found to be unlawful (with a 95% confidence interval of between 1:4 and 1:7) because of a failure to abide by the compensatory mitigation restrictions. For urban development actions, the ratio between lawful and unlawful particular manner decisions was worse than 1:1. • The extent of non-compliance is explained on the basis of convenience. Budget and interest group pressures resulted in the development of an informal custom whereby the formal compensatory mitigation restrictions were ignored. • The results highlight the relative significance of formal and informal institutions in EIA. Formal EIA rules typically provide a mere outline of the process. The informal institutions adopted by administrators often have a greater influence on how the process operates and what it achieves.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Consensus nomenclature rules for radiopharmaceutical chemistry — Setting the record straight

Over recent years, within the community of radiopharmaceutical sciences, there has been an increased incidence of incorrect usage of established scientific terms and conventions, and even the emergence of ‘self-invented’ terms. Here, in order to address these concerns, an international Working Group on ‘Nomenclature in Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry and related areas’ was established in 2015 to achieve clarification of terms and to generate consensus on the utilisation of a standardised nomenclature pertinent to the field. Upon open consultation, the following consensus guidelines were agreed, which aim to: Provide a reference source for nomenclature good practice in the radiopharma-ceutical sciences; Clarify the use of terms and rules concerning exclusively radiopharmaceutical terminology, i.e. nuclear- and radiochemical terms, symbols and expressions; Address gaps and inconsistencies in existing radiochemistry nomenclature rules; Provide source literature for further harmonisation beyond our immediate peer group (publishers, editors, IUPAC, pharmacopoeias, etc.).

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗

Designing and Discovering a New Family of Semiconducting Quaternary Heusler Compounds Based on the 18-Electron Rule

Intermetallic compounds with sizable band gaps are attractive for their unusual properties but rare. In this report, we present a new family of stable semiconducting quaternary Heusler compounds, designed based on the 18-electron rule and discovered by means of high-throughput ab initio calculations based on the 18-electron rule. The 99 new semiconductors reported here adopt the ordered quaternary Heusler structure with the prototype of LiMgSnPd (F4̅3m, No. 216) and contain 18 valence electrons per formula unit. They are realized by filling the void in the half Heusler structure with a small and electropositive atom, i.e., lithium. These new stable quaternary Heusler semiconductors possess band gaps in the range of 0.3 to 2.5 eV, and exhibit some unusual properties different from conventional semiconductors, such as strong optical absorption, giant dielectric screening, and high Seebeck coefficient, which suggest these semiconductors have potential applications as photovoltaic and thermoelectric materials. While this study opens up avenues for further exploration of this novel class of semiconducting quaternary Heuslers, the design strategy used herein is broadly applicable across a potentially wide array of chemistries to discover new stable materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Overstepping Löwenstein’s Rule—A Route to Unique Aluminophosphate Frameworks with Three-Dimensional Salt-Inclusion and Ion-Exchange Properties

The synthesis of four non-Löwenstein uranyl aluminophosphates, [Cs13Cl5][(UO2)3Al2O(PO4)6], Rb7[Al2O(PO4)3][(UO2)6O4(PO4)2], Cs3[Al2O(PO4)3][(UO2)3O2], and Rb3[Al2O(PO4)3][(UO2)3O2], the first uranyl phosphate salt-inclusion material [Cs4Cs4Cl][(UO2)4(PO4)5], and a related structure Cs4[UO2Al2(PO4)4], all prepared by molten flux methods, is reported. All compounds are discussed from the point of view of their structural features favoring, in some cases, ion-exchange properties. Löwenstein’s rule, well known in the realm of zeolites, aluminosilicate, and aluminophosphate minerals, describes the tendency of tetrahedra (Al, P, Si, and Ge) linked by an oxygen bridge to be of two different elements resulting in the avoidance of Al–O–Al bonds. Zeolites and related aluminosilicate/aluminophosphate minerals are traditionally formed under relatively mild temperatures, where zeolites are synthesized using the hydrothermal synthetic technique. Few exceptions to Löwenstein’s rule are known among aluminophosphates, and four of the five exceptions are synthesized under either high temperature or high pressure methods. For that reason, the high-temperature flux synthesis of four new non-Löwenstein uranyl aluminophosphates realizes a unique synthetic approach to forming the new pyroaluminate-based building block, [Al2O(PO4)6]14–, that can be easily obtained and employed for the construction of new porous structures.

nuclear, materials and chemistry by design, synthe↗

High-Pressure Rate Rules for Ether Alkylperoxy Radical Isomerization

The first isomerization reaction of an alkylperoxy (RO 2 ) radical holds significant importance in low-temperature oxidation, as it governs the branching ratios of the hydroperoxyalkyl (QOOH) radicals, which influence the competition between the chain-propagation and chain-branching reactions. In this study, we systematically calculated high-pressure rate rules for the RO 2 isomerization reaction of monoethers, exploring 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-membered ring transition states. Primary, secondary, and tertiary carbon sites, where both the abstracting peroxy group and the abstracted hydrogen are located, were considered, with particular emphasis on distinguishing between secondary carbons adjacent (alpha) and nonadjacent to the ether functional group. Using the G4//B3LYP/6-311++G(2df,2pd) level of theory and the transition state theory, we estimated the rate constants and the Arrhenius coefficient for over 120 possible isomerization reactions. We examined the effect of ring size and ring atoms, revealing that 6- and 7-membered ring isomerizations were generally the fastest. The impact of the ether functional group on transition states was investigated by comparing reactions with identical ring size, peroxy, and radical positions, but with the ether functional group positioned either outside (i.e., out) or inside (i.e., in) the transition state ring, leading to differences in the rate constants. When comparing to analogous alkane rate constants, differences of up to an order of magnitude were observed, underscoring the need for caution when assigning rate rules by analogy. We applied our rate constants in the di-iso-butyl ether kinetic model and evaluated their influence on low-temperature chemistry finding that they altered the branching ratios by up to a factor of 9, highlighting the significance of site-specific rate constants for more accurate low-temperature modeling.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Design Rules for Open-Shell Molecular Wires: Insights from Correlated Many-Body Transport

Open-shell π-conjugated systems have emerged as promising molecular wires that can sustain unusually high low-bias conductance over tens of nanometers. However, predictive design rules remain limited because near-degeneracy and spin polarization give rise to correlated electronic states that are not reliably captured by standard density functional theory and Landauer transport descriptions. Here, we establish physically transparent design rules for long-range, weakly length-dependent charge transport based on the interplay between bond-length alternation and electron–electron interactions. Using a fully correlated transport framework that combines density matrix renormalization group calculations with nonequilibrium Green’s function embedding, we show that weak dimerization maintains spatially extended edge states, while moderate on-site interaction stabilizes open-shell character without excessively separating transport-relevant resonances. This balance yields zero-bias transmission that is largely insensitive to molecular length, providing a route to connect chemically tunable structure to correlated transport beyond mean-field descriptions.

Charge transport↗

Synthetic accessibility and stability rules of NASICONs

In this paper we develop the stability rules for NASICON-structured materials, as an example of compounds with complex bond topology and composition. By first-principles high-throughput computation of 3881 potential NASICON phases, we have developed guiding stability rules of NASICON and validated the ab initio predictive capability through the synthesis of six attempted materials, five of which were successful. A simple two-dimensional descriptor for predicting NASICON stability was extracted with sure independence screening and machine learned ranking, which classifies NASICON phases in terms of their synthetic accessibility. This machine-learned tolerance factor is based on the Na content, elemental radii and electronegativities, and the Madelung energy and can offer reasonable accuracy for separating stable and unstable NASICONs. This work will not only provide tools to understand the synthetic accessibility of NASICON-type materials, but also demonstrates an efficient paradigm for discovering new materials with complicated composition and atomic structure.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Anomalous magnetoresistance by breaking ice rule in Bi2Ir2O7/Dy2Ti2O7 heterostructure

Abstract While geometrically frustrated quantum magnets host rich exotic spin states with potentials for revolutionary quantum technologies, most of them are necessarily good insulators which are difficult to be integrated with modern electrical circuit. The grand challenge is to electrically detect the emergent fluctuations and excitations by introducing charge carriers that interact with the localized spins without destroying their collective spin states. Here, we show that, by designing a Bi 2 Ir 2 O 7 /Dy 2 Ti 2 O 7 heterostructure, the breaking of the spin-ice rule in insulating Dy 2 Ti 2 O 7 leads to a charge response in the conducting Bi 2 Ir 2 O 7 measured as anomalous magnetoresistance during the field-induced Kagome ice-to-saturated ice transition. The magnetoresistive anomaly also captures the characteristic angular and temperature dependence of this ice-rule-breaking transition, which has been understood as magnetic monopole condensation. These results demonstrate a novel heteroepitaxial approach for electronically probing the transition between exotic insulating spin states, laying out a blueprint for the metallization of frustrated quantum magnets.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A rule-free workflow for the automated generation of databases from scientific literature

Abstract In recent times, transformer networks have achieved state-of-the-art performance in a wide range of natural language processing tasks. Here we present a workflow based on the fine-tuning of BERT models for different downstream tasks, which results in the automated extraction of structured information from unstructured natural language in scientific literature. Contrary to existing methods for the automated extraction of structured compound-property relations from similar sources, our workflow does not rely on the definition of intricate grammar rules. Hence, it can be adapted to a new task without requiring extensive implementation efforts and knowledge. We test our data-extraction workflow by automatically generating a database for Curie temperatures and one for band gaps. These are then compared with manually curated datasets and with those obtained with a state-of-the-art rule-based method. Furthermore, in order to showcase the practical utility of the automatically extracted data in a material-design workflow, we employ them to construct machine-learning models to predict Curie temperatures and band gaps. In general, we find that, although more noisy, automatically extracted datasets can grow fast in volume and that such volume partially compensates for the inaccuracy in downstream tasks.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗