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At least 289 records · Page 16

Modeling Magneto‐Photoabsorption Using Time‐Dependent Complex Generalized Hartree‐Fock

Abstract Magneto‐optical spectroscopy provides a glimpse into the hidden electronic structure of molecules and materials that normally cannot be resolved with regular optical absorption spectroscopy. The magneto‐optical signal is difficult to simulate computationally due to the necessity of modeling perturbations from both uniform magnetic and oscillating electric fields. In this work, we introduce a time‐dependent complex generalized Hartree‐Fock framework for calculating electronic magneto‐optical spectra of atomic and molecular systems. Complex‐valued gauge including atomic orbitals are used in a non‐perturbative treatment of the uniform magnetic field. The magneto‐photoabsorption spectra of atomic alkalis and aromatic systems are investigated with a focus on understanding how spectroscopic signals change in the presence of a uniform magnetic field.

Stetina, Torin F.↗

Titanium Imido Complexes by Displacement of –SiMe 3 and C–H Bond Activation in a Ti III Amido Complex, Promoted by a Cyclic (Alkyl)(Amino) Carbene (cAAC)

A strong σ‐donating cyclic (alkyl)(amino) carbene (cAAC) triggers rearrangement of the silyl(aryl) amido ligand –N(SiMe 3 )Dipp (Dipp = 2,6‐diisopropylphenyl) in the coordination sphere of titanium(III) to afford a novel zwitterionic titanium imido complex with a TiCH 2 SiMe 2 [cAAC] linkage. Reduction of this species produces a new DippN=Ti imido complex containing a cAAC‐centered radical species, characterized by single‐crystal diffraction analysis and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Ye, Qing↗

Grain-Size Based Additivity Models for Scaling Multi-rate Uranyl Surface Complexation in Subsurface Sediments

This study statistically analyzed a grain-size based additivity model that has been proposed to scale reaction rates and parameters from laboratory to field. The additivity model assumed that reaction properties in a sediment including surface area, reactive site concentration, reaction rate, and extent can be predicted from field-scale grain size distribution by linearly adding reaction properties for individual grain size fractions. This study focused on the statistical analysis of the additivity model with respect to reaction rate constants using multi-rate uranyl (U(VI)) surface complexation reactions in a contaminated sediment as an example. Experimental data of rate-limited U(VI) desorption in a stirred flow-cell reactor were used to estimate the statistical properties of multi-rate parameters for individual grain size fractions. The statistical properties of the rate constants for the individual grain size fractions were then used to analyze the statistical properties of the additivity model to predict rate-limited U(VI) desorption in the composite sediment, and to evaluate the relative importance of individual grain size fractions to the overall U(VI) desorption. The result indicated that the additivity model provided a good prediction of the U(VI) desorption in the composite sediment. However, the rate constants were not directly scalable using the additivity model, and U(VI) desorption in individual grain size fractions have to be simulated in order to apply the additivity model. An approximate additivity model for directly scaling rate constants was subsequently proposed and evaluated. The result found that the approximate model provided a good prediction of the experimental results within statistical uncertainty. This study also found that a gravel size fraction (2-8mm), which is often ignored in modeling U(VI) sorption and desorption, is statistically significant to the U(VI) desorption in the sediment.

Zhang, Xiaoying↗

Assessment of a tomography-informed polyhedral discrete element modelling approach for complex-shaped granular woody biomass in stress consolidation

The design of handling equipment for granular biomass primarily requires experiments. Discrete element models (DEM) can provide designers with detailed insight into the behaviour of granular materials. However, granular biomass comprising complex-shaped particles is difficult to model with DEM. A tomography-informed DEM approach and an exhaustive assessment of the ability of the approach to predict the bulk behaviour of milled pines using experimental data is presented. Nano-CT scan was conducted to obtain 3D particle surface geometries as the basis for particle shape approximation by a polyhedral model and a sphero-polyhedral model. These models were applied in the simulation of a compressibility test. Our parametric study showed that particle Young's modulus and restitution coefficient are the two main properties influencing the simulated bulk behaviour of the DEM particles and that the level of approximating DEM particle shape for real particles is critical for accurately replicating the bulk behaviour of milled pines. The polyhedral model demonstrated better suitability than its sphero-polyhedral counterpart for modelling pine particles. The polyhedral model calibrated in a compressibility test was then applied in the simulations of a friction test without additional parameter tuning. Interlocking was dominant in the shear of bulk pine particles. Remarkably, the polyhedral model predicted the frictional behaviour of the pine particles when compared to the experimental results. The limitations of the model, as well as possible ways for enhancement, are discussed. This work provided novel insights into the suitability of complex-shaped DEM models for granular woody biomass.

Biomass flow↗

Extraction chromatographic separations of tantalum and tungsten from hafnium and complex matrix constituents

Ta, Hf, and W analyses from complex matrices (including environmental samples) require high purification of these analytes from each other and major/trace matrix constituents, however, current state-of-the-art Ta/Hf/W separations rely on traditional anion exchange approaches that suffer from relatively similar distribution coefficient (Kd) values for these analytes. This work reports assessment of three commercially available extraction chromatographic resins (TEVA, TRU, and UTEVA) for Ta/Hf/W separations. Batch contact studies show differences in Ta/W,Hf Kd values of up to 106, representing an improvement of a factor of 100 and 300 in Ta/Hf and Ta/W Kd values (respectively) over AG1x4 resin. Variations in the Kd values as a function of HCl concentration for TRU resin show that this resin is well suited for Ta/Hf/W separations, with Ta/Hf, Ta/W, and W/Hf Kd value improvements of 10, 200, and 30 (respectively) over AG1x4 resin. Finally, analyses of digested soil samples (NIST 2710a) using TRU resin and tandem TEVA-TRU columns demonstrate the ability to achieve extremely high purification (>99%) of Ta and W from each other and Hf, as well as enabling very high purification of Ta and W from the major and trace elemental constituents present in soils, using a single chromatographic step.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Modeling soot formation from solid complex fuels

A detailed model is proposed for predicting soot formation from complex solid fuels. The proposed model resolves two particle size distributions, one for soot precursors and another for soot particles. The precursor size distribution is represented with a sectional approach while the soot particle-size distribution is represented with the method of moments and an interpolative closure method is used to resolve fractional methods. Based on established mechanisms, this model includes submodels for precursor coagulation, growth, and consumption, as well as soot nucleation, surface growth, agglomeration, and consumption. The model is validated with comparisons to experimental data for two systems: coal combustion over a laminar flat-flame burner and biomass gasification. Results are presented for soot yield for three coals at three temperatures each, and for soot yield from three types of biomass at two temperatures each. These results represent a wide range of fuels and varying combustion environments, demonstrating the broad applicability of the model.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Complexation of lanthanides and other metal ions by the polypyridyl ligand quaterpyridine: Relation between metal ion size, chelate ring size, and complex stability

Metal ion complexing properties of the ligand QPY (2,2':6',2'':6'',2'''-quaterpyridine) are reported in relation to its possible use as a functional group for reagents in the extraction and separation of Ln(III) (lanthanide) ions. QPY is almost totally insoluble in water, but variation of the intense π-π* transitions in the UV spectrum of 1 × 10 –5 M QPY solutions in 50% CH 3 OH/H 2 O (v/v) as a function of pH or metal ion concentration allowed for the determination of the protonation constant (pK) and log K 1 values with metal ions. The pK a values of QPY are 4.54 ± 0.02 and 3.47 ± 0.02 in 50% CH 3 OH/H 2 O. The log K 1 values determined by UV–visible spectroscopy for the Ln(III) ions by titration of 1:1 solutions of 1.0 × 10­ 5 M Ln(III) ion and QPY between pH 2 and 6 were: La(III), 3.79; Pr(III), 4.34; Nd(III) 4.57; Sm(III), 4.78; Gd(III) 4.69; Dy(III), 4.76, Ho(III), 4.94; Er(III), 5.36, Tm(III), 5.84, and Lu(III) 5.54, all at 25 °C and ionic strength zero. The log K 1 values for the Ln(III) ions show quite strong increases from La(III) to Lu(III), with a local maximum at Sm(III), and a local minimum at Gd(III). The local maxium at Sm(III) is attributed to this ion being the best-fit size for coordinating with polypyridyl ligands. The effect of preorganization of polypyridyls such as QPY with bridging benzo groups in the ligand backbone to yield DPP (2,9-dipyrid-2-yl-1,10-phenanthroline) is to produce significant increases in log K 1 for large metal ions such as Ln(III) ions, but for small metal ions such as Zn(II), there is a large decrease in log K 1 in passing from QPY to DPP: this shows how rigidification of the ligand can enhance the selectivity against small metal ions of polypyridyls forming five-membered chelate rings. DFT calculations are used to analyze the variation in log K 1 in passing from the La(III) complexes of QPY to DPP compared to those for the smaller Lu(III) ion.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Statistical detection of differentially abundant ions in mass spectrometry-based imaging experiments with complex designs

Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MSI) characterizes changes in chemical composition between regions of biological samples such as tissues. This translates into a statistical goal of class comparison, i.e. determining analytes that change in abundance between conditions more systematically than as expected by random variation. To reach accurate and reproducible conclusions, statistical analysis must appropriately reflect the initial research question, the design of the MSI experiment, and all the associated sources of variation. This manuscript highlights the importance of following these general statistical principles. Using the example of two case studies with complex experimental designs, and with dierent strategies of data acquisition, we demonstrate the extent to which choices made at key points of this workflow impact the results, and provide suggestions for appropriate design and analysis of MSI experiments that aim at detecting dierentially abundant analytes.

NanoDESI, mass spectrometry, MSIQuickView↗

A Ricin Forensic Profiling Approach Based on a Complex Set of Biomarkers

A forensic method for the retrospective determination of preparation methods used for illicit ricin toxin production was developed. The method was based on a complex set of biomarkers, including carbohydrates, fatty acids, seed storage proteins, in combination with data on ricin and Ricinus communis agglutinin. The analyses were performed on samples prepared from four castor bean plant ( Ricinus communis ) cultivars by four different sample preparation methods (PM1 – PM4) ranging from simple disintegration of the castor beans to multi-step preparation methods including different protein precipitation methods. Comprehensive analytical data was collected by use of a range of analytical methods and robust orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis- models (OPLS-DA) were constructed based on the calibration set. By the use of a decision tree and two OPLS-DA models, the sample preparation methods of a test set of ricin preparations were determined. The model statistics of the two models were good and a 100% rate of correct predictions of the test set was achieved.

Fredriksson, Sten-Åke (ORCID:0000000237131990)↗

Mediated Fuel Cells: Soluble Redox Mediators and their Applications to Electrochemical Reduction of O2 and Oxidation of H2, Alcohols, Biomass, and Complex Fuels

Mediated fuel cells are electrochemical devices that produce power in a manner similar to that of conventional proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). They differ from PEMFCs in their use of redox mediators dissolved in liquid electrolyte to conduct oxidation of the fuel or reduction of the oxidant, typically O2, in bulk solution. The mediators transport electrons (and often protons) between the electrode and the catalysts or chemical reagents in solution. This strategy can help overcome many of the challenges associated with conventional fuel cells, including managing complex multi-phase reactions (as in O2 reduction) or the use of challenging or heterogeneous fuels, such as hydrocarbons, polyols and biomass. Mediators are also commonly used in enzymatic fuel cells, where direct electron transfer from the electrode to the enzymatic active site can be slow. This review provides a comprehensive survey of historical and recent mediated fuel cell efforts, including applications using chemical and enzymatic catalysts. Our research on in this field has been exploring a number of different topics and has been supported different funding sources: the Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis, an Energy Frontier Research Center funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences (molecular mediators for catalytic oxygen reduction); the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, DOE Office of Science DE-SC0018409 (research on biomass-based fuels; U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Catalysis Program, DE-FG02-05ER15690 (copper-catalyzed oxidation reactions); and the NIH NIGMS, R01 GM100143 and R35 GM134929 (use of molecular mediators for organic chemical synthesis).

Anson, Colin W.↗