Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “ab initio data”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 379 records · Page 21

Toward a Generalizable Prediction Model of Molten Salt Mixture Density with Chemistry‐Informed Transfer Learning

Optimally designing applications of molten salts requires knowledge of their thermophysical properties over a wide range of temperatures and compositions. There exist significant gaps in existing databases and this data can be challenging to experimentally measure due to high temperatures, salt corrosivity, and salt hygroscopicity. Existing databases have been used to create Redlich–Kister (RK) models for mixture density showing improved accuracy with respect to ideal mixing assumptions, but these models require subcomponent data measurements for each new system, therefore lacking generality. In order to address generalizability and data sparsity, a transfer learning procedure is proposed to train deep neural networks (DNNs) using a combination of semi‐empirical relationships (RK), data from the thermophysical arm of the molten salt thermal properties database and universal ab initio properties of component mixtures taken from the joint automated repository for various integrated simulations (JARVIS) classical force‐field inspired descriptors database to predict density in molten salts. Herein, it is shown that DNNs predict molten salt density with an r 2 over 0.99 and a mean absolute percentage error under 1%, outperforming alternative methods.

inorganic materials↗

Crystal structure and ion conductivity of a new mixed-anion phosphate LiMg{sub 3}(PO{sub 4})P{sub 2}O{sub 7}

A new lithium-containing phosphate, LiMg{sub 3}(PO{sub 4})P{sub 2}O{sub 7}, was prepared by a solid-state reaction, and it was characterized by an ab initio structure determination method on the basis of synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction data. LiMg{sub 3}(PO{sub 4})P{sub 2}O{sub 7} was found to be orthorhombic (space group Pnma) with lattice parameters a=9.0387(1) Å, b=10.6072(1) Å, c=8.3065(1) Å, and V=796.39(1) Å{sup 3}. The structure features infinite [Mg{sub 3}O{sub 10}]{sub ∞} layers that are parallel to the bc plane and that are interconnected along the a axis by PO{sub 4} and P{sub 2}O{sub 7} groups. The [Mg{sub 3}O{sub 10}]{sub ∞} layer contains Mg{sub 3}O{sub 14} trimers that are formed by three edge-shared MgO{sub 6} octahedra. The PO{sub 4} and P{sub 2}O{sub 7} groups are located alternatively between [Mg{sub 3}O{sub 10}]{sub ∞} layers. This gives rise to a three-dimensional framework that contains large tunnels along the directions [1 0 0] and [0 1 0]; the Li{sup +} ions are stabilized in these tunnels. AC impedance spectroscopy shows that LiMg{sub 3}(PO{sub 4})P{sub 2}O{sub 7} has an ionic conductivity of 3.40×10{sup −5} S cm{sup −1} at 769 K, with an activation energy of 1.17 eV. - Graphical abstract: Polyhedral view of LiMg3(PO4)P2O7. Li+ ions are represented by orange spheres, MgO6 groups by octahedra, and PO4 groups by tetrahedra. - Highlights: • New compound LiMg{sub 3}(PO{sub 4})P{sub 2}O{sub 7} is reported. • The crystal structure is investigated by synchrotron XRD analysis. • The structure features [Mg{sub 3}O{sub 10}]{sub ∞} layers with interconnecting PO{sub 4} and P{sub 2}O{sub 7} groups. • Correlation between the crystal structure and ionic conductivity is discussed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Investigating the weak charge of 48 Ca using a dispersive optical model

A new nonlocal dispersive-optical-model analysis has been carried out for neutrons and protons in 48 Ca that reproduces the weak-form-factor measurement of CREX. In addition to elastic-scattering angular distributions, total and reaction cross sections, single-particle energies, the neutron and proton numbers, and the charge distribution, the CREX-measured weak form factor has been fit to extract the neutron and proton self-energies both above and below the Fermi energy. The resulting single-particle propagators yield a weak form factor of F w = 0.125 ± 0.05 and a neutron skin of R skin = 0.152 ± 0.05 fm, in good agreement with CREX. The rearrangement of the neutron distribution to accommodate such a thin neutron skin results in the high-momentum content of the neutrons exceeding that of the protons, in contrast to what is expected from high-energy two-nucleon knockout measurements by the CLAS collaboration and ab initio asymmetric matter calculations. The present analysis also emphasizes the importance of neutron experimental data in constraining weak charge observables necessary for a precise description of neutron densities. Notably, the neutron reaction cross section and further parity-violating experiments weak form factor measurements are essential to generate a unique way to determine the 48 Ca neutron distribution in this framework.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Combining Force Fields and Neural Networks for an Accurate Representation of Chemically Diverse Molecular Interactions

A key goal of molecular modeling is the accurate reproduction of the true quantum mechanical potential energy of arbitrary molecular ensembles with a tractable classical approximation. The challenges are that analytical expressions found in general purpose force fields struggle to faithfully represent the intermolecular quantum potential energy surface at close distances and in strong interaction regimes; that the more accurate neural network approximations do not capture crucial physics concepts, e.g., nonadditive inductive contributions and application of electric fields; and that the ultra-accurate narrowly targeted models have difficulty generalizing to the entire chemical space. We therefore designed a hybrid wide-coverage intermolecular interaction model consisting of an analytically polarizable force field combined with a short-range neural network correction for the total intermolecular interaction energy. Here, we describe the methodology and apply the model to accurately determine the properties of water, the free energy of solvation of neutral and charged molecules, and the binding free energy of ligands to proteins. The correction is subtyped for distinct chemical species to match the underlying force field, to segment and reduce the amount of quantum training data, and to increase accuracy and computational speed. For the systems considered, the hybrid ab initio parametrized Hamiltonian reproduces the two-body dimer quantum mechanics (QM) energies to within 0.03 kcal/mol and the nonadditive many-molecule contributions to within 2%. Simulations of molecular systems using this interaction model run at speeds of several nanoseconds per day.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Quantifying Uncertainties of Microscopic Nuclear Theories

The goal of this project was to produce modernized nuclear data libraries of light ion fusion reactions and actinide fission product yields. Such libraries are essential input in both stockpile science but also fundamental science (nucleosynthesis, superheavy nuclei). When such libraries are used to model complex processes involving exotic, very short-lived nuclei that have not been measured experimentally, the underlying nuclear data come from theoretical models, the predictive power of which needs to be quantified, together with its uncertainties. By teaming up nuclear theorists and statisticians, we built comprehensive theoretical frameworks based on the most fundamental theories of fusion and fission that we coupled for the first time with a Bayesian framework with machine learning techniques for uncertainty quantification. Our results include: (1) statistical emulators for neutron-alpha scattering, and the fission product mass yields of neutron-induced fission of 239 Pu, which will enable developers to generate random realizations of the corresponding data for uncertainty quantification (UQ) in applications; (2) the first complete and most accurate ab initio prediction of the S-factor for proton capture on 7 Be, which – combined with UQ – may become the recommended value at solar energies in the next review of solar fusion cross sections; (3) statistical emulators for fission mass yields in the neutron-induced fission of 239 Pu; (4) the first quantification of how uncertainties in nuclear forces impact fission properties that are relevant in nucleosynthesis simulations to explain how heavy elements are formed in the Cosmos.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Highly Accurate Potential Energy Surface, Dipole Moment Surface, Rovibrational Energy Levels, and Infrared Line List for (32)S(16)O2 up to 8000 cm(exp -1)

A purely ab initio potential energy surface (PES) was refined with selected (32)S(16)O2 HITRAN data. Compared to HITRAN, the root-mean-squares error (RMS) error for all J=0-80 rovibrational energy levels computed on the refined PES (denoted Ames-1) is 0.013 cm(exp -1). Combined with a CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pV(Q+d)Z dipole moment surface (DMS), an infrared (IR) line list (denoted Ames-296K) has been computed at 296K and covers up to 8,000 cm(exp -1). Compared to the HITRAN and CDMS databases, the intensity agreement for most vibrational bands is better than 85-90%. Our predictions for (34)S(16)O2 band origins, higher energy (32)S(16)O2 band origins and missing (32)S(16)O2 IR bands have been verified by most recent experiments and available HITRAN data. We conclude that the Ames-1 PES is able to predict (32/34)S(16)O2 band origins below 5500 cm(exp -1) with 0.01-0.03 cm(exp -1) uncertainties, and the Ames-296K line list provides continuous, reliable and accurate IR simulations. The Ka-dependence of both line position and line intensity errors is discussed. The line list will greatly facilitate SO2 IR spectral experimental analysis, as well as elimination of SO2 lines in high-resolution astronomical observations.

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)↗

Resonances of A = 4T = 1 isospin triplet states within the ab initio no-core Gamow shell model

Here, the A = 4 nuclei, i.e., 4 H, 4 He, and 4 Li , establish an interesting isospin T = 1 isobaric system. 4 H and 4 Li are unbound broad resonances, whereas 4 He is deeply bound in its ground state but unbound in all its excited states. The present situation is that experiments so far have not given consistent data on the resonances. Few-body calculations have well studied the scatterings of the 4N systems. In the present work, we provide many-body calculations of the broad resonance structures, in an ab initio framework with modern realistic interactions. It occurs that, indeed, 4 H, 4 Li, and excited 4 He are broad resonances, which is in accordance with experimental observations. The calculations also show that the first 1 - excited state almost degenerates with the 2 - ground state in the pair of mirror isobars of 4 H and 4 Li, which may suggest that the experimental data on energy and width are the mixture of the ground state and the first excited state. The T = 1 isospin triplet formed with an excited state of 4 He and ground states of 4 H and 4 Li is studied, focusing on the effect of isospin symmetry breaking.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Advancements in Validation of TSLs through Inelastic Neutron Scattering and Transmission Measurements [Abstract]

Historically, the free gas approximation has been used to treat the thermal scattering of neutrons with energies below a few electron-volts (eV) in unevaluated materials. However, this method inadequately reproduces neutron scattering at these energies. Until recently, only a limited number of materials had available thermal scattering law (TSL) files/libraries in the ENDF nuclear data libraries in this energy range. With advancements in atomistic modeling techniques, such as molecular dynamics, ab-initio molecular dynamics, and density functional theory, TSL libraries have become available for many more materials. This is particularly relevant due to the rising interest in several advanced reactor systems that require novel moderator and reflector materials. While quasi-integral and integral benchmarks have been designed to validate historically important moderator materials (such as light water and polyethylene), there is currently a lack of standard validation methods for TSLs, especially when multiple conflicting TSLs exist. To address this issue, the Oak Ridge National Lab Nuclear Data group has been working on utilizing inelastic neutron scattering (INS) measurements combined with transmission (i.e., total cross section) measurements to evaluate and validate TSLs for different materials. We plan to demonstrate how this method has worked on materials such as polyethylene, lucite, and polystyrene. In addition, we will compare the newly created libraries to ENDF libraries for these materials and explain why integral benchmarks should not be used for validation when multiple TSLs exist.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Electron impact rotationally elastic total cross section for formamide

This paper reports computational results of the total cross sections for electron impact on formamide (HCONH₂) over a wide range of energies from 0.01 eV to 5 keV. Total cross sections over such a wide range are reported for the first time as the earlier reported data is up to maximum of 12 eV. Below ionization threshold of the target, we performed ab initio calculations using UK molecular R-Matrix code within static, exchange plus polarization (SEP), and close coupling approximations. Twenty eight target states are included in close coupling formalism. Total 350 channels and 2410 configuration state functions are included in the calculations. We observe a π* shape resonance at 3.41 eV and a σ* resonance at 15.3 eV as against similar resonances reported at 3.77 eV and 14.9 eV, respectively, by Goumans et al. [J. Chem. Theory Comput. 5, 217 (2009)] using SEP model. The cross sections at higher energies are evaluated using the spherical complex optical potential formalism. The two methods are found to be consistent with a smooth cross over at 18 eV. The vertical excitation energies, electronic excitation cross sections, differential cross sections, momentum transfer, and total cross sections are computed. In absence of experimental data, we compared our computed total cross sections with available other theoretical results.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Modeling the thermodynamics of the FeTi hydrogenation under para-equilibrium: An ab-initio and experimental study

We report FeTi-based hydrides have recently re-attracted attention as stationary hydrogen storage materials due to favorable reversibility, good sorption kinetics and relatively low costs compared to alternative intermetallic hydrides. Employing the OpenCalphad software, the thermodynamics of the (FeTi) 1-x H x (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) system were assessed as a key basis for modeling hydrogenation of FeTi-based alloys. New thermodynamic data were acquired from our experimental pressure-composition-isotherm (PCI) curves, as well as first-principles calculations utilizing density functional theory (DFT). The thermodynamic phase models were carefully selected based on critical analysis of literature information and ab-initio investigations. Key thermodynamic properties such as dissociation pressure, formation enthalpies and phase diagrams were calculated in good agreement to our performed experiments and literature-reported data. This work provides an initial perspective, which can be extended to account for higher-order thermodynamic assessments and subsequently enables the design of novel FeTi-based hydrides. In addition, the assessed thermodynamic data can serve as key inputs for kinetic models and hydride microstructure simulations.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Thermal Conductivity of Metallic Uranium

This project has developed a modeling and simulation approaches to predict the thermal conductivity of metallic fuels and their alloys. We focus on two methods. The first method has been developed by the team at the University of Wisconsin Madison. They developed a practical and general modeling approach for thermal conductivity of metals and metal alloys that integrates ab-initio and semi-empirical physics-based models to maximize the strengths of both techniques. The second method has been developed by the team at Virginia Tech. This approach consists of a determining the thermal conductivity using only ab-initio methods without any fitting parameters. Both methods were complementary. The models incorporated both phonon and electron contributions. Good agreement with experimental data over a wide temperature range were found. The models also provided insight into the different physical factors that govern the thermal conductivity under different temperatures. The models were general enough to incorporate more complex effects like additional alloying species, defects, transmutation products and noble gas bubbles to predict the behavior of complex metallic alloys like U-alloy fuel systems under burnup. 3 Introduction Thermal conductivity is an important thermal physical property affecting the performance and efficiency of metallic fuels. Some experimental measurement of thermal conductivity and its correlation with composition and temperature from empirical fitting are available for U, Zr and their alloys with Pu and other minor actinides. However, as reviewed in by Kim, Cho and Sohn, due to the difficulty in doing experiments on actinide materials, thermal conductivities of metallic fuels have only been measured at limited alloy compositions and temperatures, some of them even being negative and unphysical. Furthermore, the correlations developed so far are empirical in nature and may not be accurate when used for prediction at conditions far from those used in the original fitting. Moreover, as fuels burn up in the reactor and fission products are built up, thermal conductivity is also significantly changed. Unfortunately, fundamental understanding of the effect of fission products is also currently lacking. In this project, we probe thermal conductivity of metallic fuels with ab initio calculations, a theoretical tool with the potential to yield better accuracy and predictive power than empirical fitting. This work will both complement experimental data by determining thermal conductivity in wider composition and temperature ranges than is available experimentally, and also develop mechanistic understanding to guide better design of metallic fuels in the future. So far, we focused on α-U perfect crystal, the ground-state phase of U metal. We focus on two methods. The first method has been developed by the team at the University of Wisconsin Madison. They developed a practical and general modeling approach for thermal conductivity of metals and metal alloys that integrates ab-initio and semi-empirical physics-based models to maximize the strengths of both techniques. The second method has been developed by the team at Virginia Tech. This approach consists of a determining the thermal conductivity using only ab-initio methods without any fitting parameters. Both methods were complementary and very helpful to understand the physics behind the thermal conductivity in metallic uranium and other materials with similar characteristics. In Section I, the combined model developed at UWM is explained. In Section II, the ab-initio method developed at VT is described along with the uranium pseudo-potential and its validation. Section III is devoted to the work done by Jianguo Yu at INL. Finally, we will present the performance of the project in terms of milestones, publications, and presentations.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Accurate thermoelastic tensor and acoustic velocities of NaCl

Despite the importance of thermoelastic properties of minerals in geology and geophysics, their measurement at high pressures and temperatures are still challenging. Thus, ab initio calculations are an essential tool for predicting these properties at extreme conditions. Owing to the approximate description of the exchange-correlation energy, approximations used in calculations of vibrational effects, and numerical/methodological approximations, these methods produce systematic deviations. Hybrid schemes combining experimental data and theoretical results have emerged as a way to reconcile available information and offer more reliable predictions at experimentally inaccessible thermodynamics conditions. Here we introduce a method to improve the calculated thermoelastic tensor by using highly accurate thermal equation of state (EoS). The corrective scheme is general, applicable to crystalline solids with any symmetry, and can produce accurate results at conditions where experimental data may not exist. We apply it to rock-salt-type NaCl, a material whose structural properties have been challenging to describe accurately by standard ab initio methods and whose acoustic/seismic properties are important for the gas and oil industry.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Electro-Oxidation of Methane on Platinum under Ambient Conditions

Herein, we investigate the electrochemical conversion of methane to CO 2 on platinum electrodes under ambient conditions. Through a combination of experimentation, density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and ab initio kinetic modeling, we have developed an improved understanding of the reaction mechanism and the factors that determine catalyst activity. We hypothesized that the rate-determining methane activation step is thermochemical (i.e., CH 4 (g) → CH 3 * + H * ) as opposed to electrochemical based on a fitted barrier of approximately 0.96 eV that possesses minimal potential dependence. We developed a simple kinetic model based on the assumption of thermochemical methane activation as the rate-determining step, and the results match well with experimental data. Namely, the magnitude of the maximum current density and the electrode potential at which it is realized agree with our ab initio kinetic model. Finally, we expanded our kinetic model to include other transition metals via a descriptor-based analysis and found platinum to be the most active catalyst for the oxidation of methane, which is in line with previously published experimental observations.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

High-Precision Spectroscopy of 20 O Benchmarking Ab Initio Calculations in Light Nuclei

The excited states of unstable 20 O were investigated via γ-ray spectroscopy following the 19 O(d, p) ⁢20 O reaction at 8 A⁢ MeV. By exploiting the Doppler shift attenuation method, the lifetimes of the $2^+_2$ and $3^+_1$ states were firmly established. From the γ-ray branching and E⁢2/M⁢1 mixing ratios for transitions deexciting the $2^+_2$ and $3^+_1$ states, the B⁡(E⁢2) and B⁡(M⁢1) were determined. Various chiral effective field theory Hamiltonians, describing the nuclear properties beyond ground states, along with a standard USDB interaction, were compared with the experimentally obtained data. Such a comparison for a large set of γ-ray transition probabilities with the valence space in medium similarity renormalization group ab initio calculations was performed for the first time in a nucleus far from stability. It was shown that the ab initio approaches using chiral effective field theory forces are challenged by detailed high-precision spectroscopic properties of nuclei. Finally, the reduced transition probabilities were found to be a very constraining test of the performance of the ab initio models.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Ab-initio molecular dynamics study of eutectic chloride salt: MgCl2–NaCl–KCl

Ionic liquid materials are viable candidates as a heat transfer fluid (HTF) in a wide range of applications, notably within concentrated solar power (CSP) technology and molten salt reactors (MSRs). For next-generation CSP and MSR technologies that strive for higher power generation efficiency, a HTF with wide liquid phase range and energy storage capabilities is crucial. Studies have shown that eutectic chloride salts exhibit thermal stability at high temperatures, high heat storage capacity, and are less expensive than nitrate and carbonate salts. However, the experimental data needed to fully evaluate the potential of eutectic chloride salts as a HTF contender are scarce and entail large uncertainties. Considering the high cost and potential hazards associated with the experimental methods used to determine the properties of ionic liquids, molecular modeling can be used as a viable alternative resource. In this study, the eutectic ternary chloride salt MgCl 2 –NaCl–KCl is modeled using ab-initio molecular dynamics simulations (AIMDs) in the liquid phase. Using the simulated data, the thermophysical and transport properties of eutectic chloride salt can be calculated: density, viscosity, heat capacity, diffusion coefficient, and ionic conductivity. For an initial model validation, experimental pair-distribution function data were obtained from X-ray total scattering techniques and compared to the theoretical pair-distribution function. Additionally, theoretical viscosity values are compared to experimental viscosity values for a similar system. The results provide a starting foundation for a MgCl 2 –NaCl–KCl model that can be extended to predict other fundamental properties.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗

The structure of CO{sub 2} hydrate between 0.7 and 1.0 GPa

A deuterated sample of CO{sub 2} structure I (sI) clathrate hydrate (CO{sub 2}·8.3 D{sub 2}O) has been formed and neutron diffraction experiments up to 1.0 GPa at 240 K were performed. The sI CO{sub 2} hydrate transformed at 0.7 GPa into the high pressure phase that had been observed previously by Hirai et al. [J. Phys. Chem. 133, 124511 (2010)] and Bollengier et al. [Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 119, 322 (2013)], but which had not been structurally identified. The current neutron diffraction data were successfully fitted to a filled ice structure with CO{sub 2} molecules filling the water channels. This CO{sub 2}+water system has also been investigated using classical molecular dynamics and density functional ab initio methods to provide additional characterization of the high pressure structure. Both models indicate the water network adapts a MH-III “like” filled ice structure with considerable disorder of the orientations of the CO{sub 2} molecule. Furthermore, the disorder appears to be a direct result of the level of proton disorder in the water network. In contrast to the conclusions of Bollengier et al., our neutron diffraction data show that the filled ice phase can be recovered to ambient pressure (0.1 MPa) at 96 K, and recrystallization to sI hydrate occurs upon subsequent heating to 150 K, possibly by first forming low density amorphous ice. Unlike other clathrate hydrate systems, which transform from the sI or sII structure to the hexagonal structure (sH) then to the filled ice structure, CO{sub 2} hydrate transforms directly from the sI form to the filled ice structure.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Sr{sub 4}Ru{sub 6}ClO{sub 18}, a new Ru{sup 4+/5+} oxy-chloride, solved by precession electron diffraction: Electric and magnetic behavior

The crystal structure of Sr{sub 4}Ru{sub 6}ClO{sub 18}, a new Ru{sup 4+/5+} oxo-chloride, has been determined from Precession Electron Diffraction (PED) data acquired on a nanocrystal in a transmission electron microscope using the technique of electron diffraction tomography. This approach is described in details following a pedagogic route and a systematic comparison is made of this rather new method with other experimental methods of electron diffraction, and with the standard single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. Both transport and magnetic measurements, showed a transition at low temperature that may be correlated to Ru{sup 4+}/Ru{sup 5+} charge ordering. - Graphical abstract: Structure of Sr{sub 4}Ru{sub 6}ClO{sub 18}, determined using Precession Electron Diffraction data. - Highlights: • Structure of Sr{sub 4}Ru{sub 6}ClO{sub 18} was solved ab initio using precession electron diffraction. • This was done both on a nanometric sample and on a micrometric one. • Different type of experimental methods of electron diffraction are compared. • Single crystal X-ray diffraction was used to confirm the results. • Transport properties were characterized and show “exotic” behavior.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗