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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 307 records · Page 17

Adaptively coupled phase retrieval in multi-peak Bragg coherent diffraction imaging

Recent advances in Bragg coherent diffraction imaging (BCDI) experimental techniques permit routine measurement of multiple Bragg peaks from a single crystalline grain. The resulting images contain the full lattice distortion vector field which can be differentiated to provide lattice strain and rotation. With the advent of fourth-generation synchrotron light sources, such multi-peak datasets are produced at high rates, facilitating the need for rapid phase retrieval of the multiple peaks and subsequent image analysis. Here we describe and demonstrate a new implementation of a coupled phase retrieval technique for multi-peak BCDI which simultaneously treats each Bragg peak of the dataset and produces a three-dimensional image of the crystal's morphology and lattice distortion field. In addition, this method uses the redundant information contained in the various Bragg diffraction patterns to detect and suppress spurious signal appearing on the detector in a subset of the measurements. Compared with manual data editing, adaptive coupling produces a more consistent phase profile in reciprocal space and sharper surfaces in direct space, with no significant difference in computational cost. These improvements reduce the need for manual preprocessing and enable robust high-throughput analysis of multi-peak BCDI data, supporting near-real-time strain microscopy at modern synchrotron facilities.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

High-Performance Deep Learning Toolbox for Genome-Scale Prediction of Protein Structure and Function

Computational biology is one of many scientific disciplines ripe for innovation and acceleration with the advent of high-performance computing (HPC). In recent years, the field of machine learning has also seen significant benefits from adopting HPC practices. In this work, we present a novel HPC pipeline that incorporates various machine-learning approaches for structure-based functional annotation of proteins on the scale of whole genomes. Our pipeline makes extensive use of deep learning and provides computational insights into best practices for training advanced deep-learning models for high-throughput data such as proteomics data. We showcase methodologies our pipeline currently supports and detail future tasks for our pipeline to envelop, including large-scale sequence comparison using SAdLSA and prediction of protein tertiary structures using AlphaFold2.

Gao, Mu↗

Wide-ranging predictions of new stable compounds powered by recommendation engines

The computational search for new stable inorganic compounds is faster than ever, thanks to high-throughput density functional theory (DFT). However, stable compound searches remain highly expensive because of the enormous search space and the cost of DFT calculations. To aid these searches, recommendation engines have been developed. We conduct a systematic comparison of the performance of previously developed recommendation engines, specifically ones based on elemental substitution, data mining, and neural network prediction of formation enthalpy. After identifying ways to improve the recommendation engines, we find the neural network to be superior at recommending stable Heusler compounds. Armed with improved recommendation engines, we identify tens of thousands of compounds that are stable at zero temperature and pressure, now available in the Open Quantum Materials Database. We summarize this diverse pool of compounds, including the elusive mixed anion compounds, and two of their many applications: thermoelectricity and solar thermochemical fuel production.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗

Combined Experimental and Computational Efforts to Establish Ion Mobility, Solubility and Stability of Functional Liquids for Electrochemical Energy Storage

This work provides a computation-driven investigation of the stability of organic electrolytes for lithium-air batteries. Electrolyte instability is currently a key challenge that limits practical use of aprotic Li-air batteries, and the chemical processes that cause this instability are often kinetically-driven. Computational screening for kinetic stability involves the determination of reaction barriers for the numerous potential reaction mechanisms, barriers that are challenging to calculate due to the difficulty of locating transition state structures. Here we screen a broad set of substituted electrolytes for susceptibility to nucleophilic attack by superoxide. We find that carbonates are not typically expected to be stable and that sulfones are generally stable, validating literature trends. We study the effects of chemical functionalization with electron-donating and withdrawing groups and their interplay with steric factors, identifying functional groups and other chemical modifications that increase stability in these groups. User-input driven transition state identification is used for these initial calculations, and an automated computational pipeline is subsequently presented and validated as a means to perform further high-throughput searches across mechanisms and chemistries. The pipeline integrates cheminformatics-based reaction encoding, relaxed potential energy scans, and nudged elastic band calculations for an end-to-end approach to barrier calculations. We review this automated search approach and its current limitations, and discuss challenges and further work.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Machine learning unifies flexibility and efficiency of spinodal structure generation for stochastic biomaterial design

Abstract Porous biomaterials design for bone repair is still largely limited to regular structures (e.g. rod-based lattices), due to their easy parameterization and high controllability. The capability of designing stochastic structure can redefine the boundary of our explorable structure–property space for synthesizing next-generation biomaterials. We hereby propose a convolutional neural network (CNN) approach for efficient generation and design of spinodal structure—an intriguing structure with stochastic yet interconnected, smooth, and constant pore channel conducive to bio-transport. Our CNN-based approach simultaneously possesses the tremendous flexibility of physics-based model in generating various spinodal structures (e.g. periodic, anisotropic, gradient, and arbitrarily large ones) and comparable computational efficiency to mathematical approximation model. We thus successfully design spinodal bone structures with target anisotropic elasticity via high-throughput screening, and directly generate large spinodal orthopedic implants with desired gradient porosity. This work significantly advances stochastic biomaterials development by offering an optimal solution to spinodal structure generation and design.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Cross Inference of Throughput Profiles Using Micro Kernel Network Method

Dedicated network connections are being increasingly deployed in cloud, centralized and edge computing and data infrastructures, whose throughput profiles are critical indicators of the underlying data transfer performance. Due to the cost and disruptions to physical infrastructures, network emulators, such as Mininet, are often used to generate measurements needed to estimate throughput profiles, typically expressed as a function of the connection round trip time. The profiles estimated using measurements from such emulated networks are usually inaccurate for high bandwidth and high latency connections, since they do not accurately reflect the critical network transport dynamics mainly due to computing and memory constraints of the host. We present a machine learning (ML) method to estimate the throughput profiles using emulation measurements to closely match the testbed and production network profiles. In particular, we propose a micro Kernel Network (mKN) that provides baseline throughput measurements on the host running Mininet emulations, which are used to learn a regression map that converts them to the corresponding testbed measurement estimates. Once initially learned, this map is applied to measurements from subsequent network emulations on the same host. We present experimental measurements to illustrate this approach, and derive generalization equations for the proposed mKN-ML method. Using a four-site scenario emulation, we show the effectiveness of this method in providing accurate concave throughput profiles from inaccurate convex or non-smooth ones indicated by Mininet emulation.

Rao, Nageswara↗

MechElastic: A Python library for analysis of mechanical and elastic properties of bulk and 2D materials

We report the MechElastic Python package evaluates the mechanical and elastic properties of bulk and 2D materials using the elastic coefficient matrix ( C ij ) obtained from any ab-initio density-functional theory (DFT) code. The current version of this package reads the output of VASP, ABINIT, and Quantum Espresso codes (but it can be easily generalized to any other DFT code) and performs the appropriate post-processing of elastic constants as per the requirement of the user. This program can also detect the input structure's crystal symmetry and test the mechanical stability of all crystal classes using the Born-Huang criteria. Various useful material-specific properties such as elastic moduli, longitudinal and transverse elastic wave velocities, Debye temperature, elastic anisotropy, 2D layer modulus, hardness, Pugh's ratio, Cauchy's pressure, Kleinman's parameter, and Lame's coefficients, can be estimated using this program. Another existing feature of this program is to employ the ELATE package (2016) [29] and plot the spatial variation of several elastic properties such as Poisson's ratio, linear compressibility, shear modulus, and Young's modulus in three dimensions. Further, the MechElastic package can plot the equation of state (EOS) curves for energy and pressure for a variety of EOS models such as Murnaghan, Birch, Birch-Murnaghan, and Vinet, by reading the inputted energy/pressure versus volume data obtained via numerical calculations or experiments. This package is particularly useful for the high-throughput analysis of elastic and mechanical properties of materials.

2D materials↗

PAGANI: a parallel adaptive GPU algorithm for numerical integration

We present a new adaptive parallel algorithm for the challenging problem of multi-dimensional numerical integration on massively parallel architectures. Adaptive algorithms have demonstrated the best performance, but efficient many-core utilization is difficult to achieve because the adaptive work-load can vary greatly across the integration space and is impossible to predict a priori. Existing parallel algorithms utilize sequential computations on independent processors, which results in bottlenecks due to the need for data redistribution and processor synchronization. Our algorithm employs a high-throughput approach in which all existing sub-regions are processed and sub-divided in parallel. Repeated sub-region classification and filtering improves upon a brute-force approach and allows the algorithm to make efficient use of computation and memory resources. A CUDA implementation shows orders of magnitude speedup over the fastest open-source CPU method and extends the achievable accuracy for difficult integrands. Our algorithm typically outperforms other existing deterministic parallel methods.

Sakiotis, Ioannis↗

New trends in photonic switching and optical networking architectures for data centers and computing systems [Invited]

The rapid increases in data traffic coupled with user preferences are driving the data center and computing system service providers to offer energy-efficient, intelligent, flexible, cost-effective, high-capacity, and low-latency data services without added complexity to the users. Disaggregated heterogeneous reconfigurable computing systems realized by photonic switching and interconnects can enhance throughput and energy efficiency for artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) workloads, especially when aided by the AI/ML-enhanced control plane. Photonic switching and new optical networking architectures are expected to solve many of these challenging problems. This paper discusses new trends in photonic switching and optical network architectures for future data centers and computing systems summarized as follows: (1) flat reconfigurable disaggregated computing enabled by high-radix photonic switching and interconnects in data centers; (2) chiplet-based computing architectures empowered by embedded photonics toward heterogeneous reconfigurable computing; (3) nanosecond-scale photonic switching in data centers and computing systems; (4) AI/ML in self-driving, application-aware, and situation-aware data centers; (5) the emergence of flexible networking for cloud computing, edge computing, and split computing, as well as flexible networking for 5G/6G RF-optical networks; and (6) the deployment of embedded co-designed silicon photonics being considered for future data centers.

Yoo, S. J. Ben (ORCID:0000000274201871)↗

Fiber optic computing using distributed feedback

Abstract The widespread adoption of machine learning and other matrix intensive computing algorithms has renewed interest in analog optical computing, which has the potential to perform large-scale matrix multiplications with superior energy scaling and lower latency than digital electronics. However, most optical techniques rely on spatial multiplexing, requiring a large number of modulators and detectors, and are typically restricted to performing a single kernel convolution operation per layer. Here, we introduce a fiber-optic computing architecture based on temporal multiplexing and distributed feedback that performs multiple convolutions on the input data in a single layer. Using Rayleigh backscattering in standard single mode fiber, we show that this technique can efficiently apply a series of random nonlinear projections to the input data, facilitating a variety of computing tasks. The approach enables efficient energy scaling with orders of magnitude lower power consumption than GPUs, while maintaining low latency and high data-throughput.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Artificial-Intelligence Aided Design and Synthesis of Novel Layered 2D Multi-Principal Element Materials for Energy Storage (Final Report)

This DOE-EPSCoR project aimed to predict, synthesize, and characterize novel layered two-dimensional (2D) high-entropy materials (HEMs). These 2D-HEMs, composed of multiple principal elements in nearly equal concentrations, are distinct from traditional 2D materials (typically containing two or three elements) and conventional alloys (dominated by a single primary element with minor secondary additions). Their unique structural and compositional features enable significant lattice strain accommodation, resulting in enhanced electrode performance and potential applications in catalysis, hydrogen storage, sensing, quantum information technologies, and flexible electronics. The research focused on addressing four fundamental questions: (i) What combinations of elements can form stable and synthesizable 2D-HEMs? (ii) What mechanisms drive the stability and synthesizability of crystalline single-phase 2D-HEMs? (iii) How do local chemical disorder and defects influence the macroscopic electronic and mechanical properties? and (iv) What charge storage mechanisms are active in selectively synthesized 2D-HEMs for battery and supercapacitor electrode applications? To achieve these goals, the project employed an integrated theory-experiment approach, incorporating high-throughput first-principles calculations, theoretical modeling, data mining, experimental synthesis, and advanced characterization techniques. The advanced computing resources and state-of-the-art experimental characterization facilities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) were leveraged through collaboration. Beyond scientific advancements, the project contributed to workforce development. Two postdoctoral researchers and three graduate students at the University of Maine were trained through co-advising by ORNL scientists and collaborative interactions, strengthening their expertise in cutting-edge materials science.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Construct design for CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing in plants

CRISPR construct design is a key step in the practice of genome editing, which includes identification of appropriate Cas proteins, design and selection of guide RNAs (gRNAs), and selection of regulatory elements to express gRNAs and Cas proteins. Here, we review the choices of CRISPR-based genome editors suited for different needs in plant genome editing applications. We consider the technical aspects of gRNA design and the associated computational tools. We also discuss strategies for the design of multiplex CRISPR constructs for high-throughput manipulation of complex biological processes or polygenic traits. We provide recommendations for different elements of CRISPR constructs and discuss the remaining challenges of CRISPR construct optimization in plant genome editing.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Quantum defects in silicon

The dataset used in the publication titled “High-throughput identification of spin-photon interfaces in silicon. Using an automated first-principles computational workflow, we construct a dataset that details simple charged defects in silicon that are relevant for spin-photon interface applications. It encompasses properties vital for quantum defect design, including charged defect stability, excitation energy (determined using the single-shot hybrid functional approach), emission brightness, electronic structures, and more. The dataset encompasses all charged defects stable within the energy gap. We emphasized the importance of defect-bound excitons as telecom band emitters and proposed promising candidates for spin-photon interfaces.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Representations of Materials for Machine Learning

High-throughput data generation methods and machine learning (ML) algorithms have given rise to a new era of computational materials science by learning the relations between composition, structure, and properties and by exploiting such relations for design. However, to build these connections, materials data must be translated into a numerical form, called a representation, that can be processed by an ML model. Data sets in materials science vary in format (ranging from images to spectra), size, and fidelity. Predictive models vary in scope and properties of interest. Here, we review context-dependent strategies for constructing representations that enable the use of materials as inputs or outputs for ML models. Furthermore, we discuss how modern ML techniques can learn representations from data and transfer chemical and physical information between tasks. Finally, we outline high-impact questions that have not been fully resolved and thus require further investigation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Technical descriptions of the experimental dynamical downscaling simulations over North America by the CAM–MPAS variable-resolution model

Abstract. Comprehensive assessment of climate datasets is important for communicating model projections and associated uncertainties to stakeholders. Uncertainties can arise not only from assumptions and biases within the model but also from external factors such as computational constraint and data processing. To understand sources of uncertainties in global variable-resolution (VR) dynamical downscaling, we produced a regional climate dataset using the Model for Prediction Across Scales (MPAS; dynamical core version 4.0) coupled to the Community Atmosphere Model (CAM; version 5.4), which we refer to as CAM–MPAS hereafter. This document provides technical details of the model configuration, simulations, computational requirements, post-processing, and data archive of the experimental CAM–MPAS downscaling data. The CAM–MPAS model is configured with VR meshes featuring higher resolutions over North America as well as quasi-uniform-resolution meshes across the globe. The dataset includes multiple uniform- (240 and 120 km) and variable-resolution (50–200, 25–100, and 12–46 km) simulations for both the present-day (1990–2010) and future (2080–2100) periods, closely following the protocol of the North American Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment. A deviation from the protocol is the pseudo-warming experiment for the future period, using the ocean boundary conditions produced by adding the sea surface temperature and sea-ice changes from the low-resolution version of the Max Planck Institute Earth System Model (MPI-ESM-LR) in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 to the present-day ocean state from a reanalysis product. Some unique aspects of global VR models are evaluated to provide background knowledge to data users and to explore good practices for modelers who use VR models for regional downscaling. In the coarse-resolution domain, strong resolution sensitivity of the hydrological cycles exists over the tropics but does not appear to affect the midlatitude circulations in the Northern Hemisphere, including the downscaling target of North America. The pseudo-warming experiment leads to similar responses of large-scale circulations to the imposed radiative and boundary forcings in the CAM–MPAS and MPI-ESM-LR models, but their climatological states in the historical period differ over various regions, including North America. Such differences are carried to the future period, suggesting the importance of the base state climatology. Within the refined domain, precipitation statistics improve with higher resolutions, and such statistical inference is verified to be negligibly influenced by horizontal remapping during post-processing. Limited (≈50 % slower) throughput of the current code is found on a recent many-core/wide-vector high-performance computing system, which limits the lengths of the 12–46 km simulations and indirectly affects sampling uncertainty. Our experience shows that global and technical aspects of the VR downscaling framework require further investigations to reduce uncertainties for regional climate projection.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

High-Throughput Field Plant Phenotyping: A Self-Supervised Sequential CNN Method to Segment Overlapping Plants

High-throughput plant phenotyping—the use of imaging and remote sensing to record plant growth dynamics—is becoming more widely used. The first step in this process is typically plant segmentation, which requires a well-labeled training dataset to enable accurate segmentation of overlapping plants. However, preparing such training data is both time and labor intensive. To solve this problem, we propose a plant image processing pipeline using a self-supervised sequential convolutional neural network method for in-field phenotyping systems. This first step uses plant pixels from greenhouse images to segment nonoverlapping in-field plants in an early growth stage and then applies the segmentation results from those early-stage images as training data for the separation of plants at later growth stages. The proposed pipeline is efficient and self-supervising in the sense that no human-labeled data are needed. We then combine this approach with functional principal components analysis to reveal the relationship between the growth dynamics of plants and genotypes. We show that the proposed pipeline can accurately separate the pixels of foreground plants and estimate their heights when foreground and background plants overlap and can thus be used to efficiently assess the impact of treatments and genotypes on plant growth in a field environment by computer vision techniques. This approach should be useful for answering important scientific questions in the area of high-throughput phenotyping.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Tailoring Microbial Fitness Through Computational Steering and CRISPRi-Driven Robustness Regulation

The widespread application of genetically modified microorganisms (GMMs) across diverse sectors underscores the pressing need for robust strategies to mitigate the risks associated with their potential uncontrolled escape. This study merges computational modeling with CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) to refine GMM metabolic robustness. Utilizing ensemble modeling, we achieved high-throughput in silico screening for enzymatic targets susceptible to expression alterations. Translating these insights, we developed functional CRISPRi, boosting fitness control via multiplexed gene knockdown. Our method, enhanced by an insulator-improved gRNA structure and an off-switch circuit controlling a compact Cas12m, resulted in rationally engineered strains with escape frequencies below National Institutes of Health standards. The effectiveness of this approach was confirmed under various conditions, showcasing its ability for secure GMM management. This research underscores the resilience of microbial metabolism, strategically modifying key nodes to halt growth without provoking significant resistance, thereby enabling more reliable and precise GMM control. A record of this paper's transparent peer review process is included in the supplemental information.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗