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At least 451 records · Page 25

Unified Nanotechnology Format: One Way to Store Them All

The domains of DNA and RNA nanotechnology are steadily gaining in popularity while proving their value with various successful results, including biosensing robots and drug delivery cages. Nowadays, the nanotechnology design pipeline usually relies on computer-based design (CAD) approaches to design and simulate the desired structure before the wet lab assembly. To aid with these tasks, various software tools exist and are often used in conjunction. However, their interoperability is hindered by a lack of a common file format that is fully descriptive of the many design paradigms. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a Unified Nanotechnology Format (UNF) designed specifically for the biomimetic nanotechnology field. UNF allows storage of both design and simulation data in a single file, including free-form and lattice-based DNA structures. By defining a logical and versatile format, we hope it will become a widely accepted and used file format for the nucleic acid nanotechnology community, facilitating the future work of researchers and software developers. Together with the format description and publicly available documentation, we provide a set of converters from existing file formats to simplify the transition. Finally, we present several use cases visualizing example structures stored in UNF, showcasing the various types of data UNF can handle.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Bayes Inference Engine (BIE) Test Plan: TiltConeBeamComboDMLinear

The Bayes Inference Engine (BIE) is a general software tool intended to be used primarily in the analysis of radiographic data for density. An analysis is set up in the BIE by representing the problem as a collection of modules called glyphs. All glyphs to be used in creating the forward model of the experiment will be tested separately for a range of inputs.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Report of the Atmosphere to Electrons Mesoscale-to-Microscale Coupling Project (FY2019)

The overall goal of the Mesoscale-to-Microscale Coupling (MMC) project is to improve coupling between mesoscale and microscale simulations via improved guidance and new strategies for setting up simulations and the development of new tools that can be used across the community. Including the mesoscale forcing is critical to modeling the full energy transfer across scales in the atmosphere. The project-specific objectives include: Apply rigorous verification and validation (V&V) techniques to the new modeling tools that are developed as part of the project to ensure the accuracy of our codes and results and develop estimates of the relative uncertainty. Improve computational performance of the coupled MMC models through the development of methods that can be used to reduce turbulence spin-up time and hence the size of computational domains. Improve representation of the surface layer in microscale models to enhance simulations of hub-height wind speed. Develop guidance for the community describing the best ways to couple mesoscale and microscale models, including specific spatial scales at which the handoff to the microscale model should occur. Prepare documentation and a suite of software tools that can be used across the community. Transition MMC research to the offshore environment.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Bayes Inference Engine (BIE) Test Plan: TiltConeBeamComboDMGeometric

The Bayes Inference Engine (BIE) is a general software tool intended to be used primarily in the analysis of radiographic data for density. An analysis is set up in the BIE by representing the problem as a collection of modules called glyphs. All glyphs to be used in creating the forward model of the experiment will be tested separately for a range of inputs.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Enabling Low-Temperature (LTP) Ignition Technologies for Multi-Mode Engines through the Development of a Validated High-Fidelity LTP Model for Predicative Simulations Tools

The goal of multi-mode engine architectures is to extend current lean-burn dilution limits with renewable fuels, which requires spark plugs to deposit high energies (hundreds of mJ) in order to initiate ignition and complete combustion. At elevated energy deposition rates, spark plugs experience increased electrode erosion and thermal losses, which ultimately shortens the spark-plug lifetime and lowers ignition efficiency. As such, in order to safeguard the efficiency gains of multi-mode concepts, new and improved ignition technologies are required. Recently, non-equilibrium low-temperature plasmas (LTP) have been shown to promote energy-efficient ignition via quenching and transport of electronically excited atoms and molecules, selective radical production and fast heating of hydrocarbon/air mixtures [1-2]. Thus, LTP is seen as a technology that can potentially improve the energy extraction efficiency of fuels, while enabling kinetically controlled combustion modes towards fuel leaner conditions to realize current DOE VTO goals of improving the sustainability of future mobility [3]. Although many previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of plasma-assisted ignition to enhance combustion, the detailed enhancement mechanisms remain largely unknown, especially for oxygenated fuels and at elevated pressures that are most relevant to practical engine conditions. These barriers hinder the development of accurate and comprehensive numerical models that seek to describe LTP-based ignition in existing engine design software tools and methods. Current state-of-the-art simulation capabilities for LTP ignition systems are in need of improvements since they deliver qualitative results only due to important limitations of existing approaches. Firstly, validated kinetic models with elementary steps for plasma discharges in oxygenated fuel/air mixtures of relevance to the transportation sector are required. Such kinetic models do not exist at present and will be developed and validated within this project. Secondly, plasma discharges and reactive mixture ignition are multi-scale, unsteady processes requiring high-performance numerical methods and software that execute efficiently on DOE supercomputers. Such software does not exist at present and will be developed and applied to practical LTP ignition scenarios as part of this project. Thirdly, experimental databases that are tailored to serve as benchmark in support of the development of predictive computational models of LTP ignition do not exist and will be part of this project.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Modeling the direct sun component in buildings using matrix algebraic approaches: Methods and validation

Simulation tools that enable annual energy performance analysis of optically-complex fenestration systems have been widely adopted by the building industry for use in building design, code development, and the development of rating and certification programs for commercially-available shading and daylighting products. The tools rely on a three-phase matrix operation to compute solar heat gains, using as input low-resolution bidirectional scattering distribution function (BSDF) data (10–15° angular resolution; BSDF data define the angle-dependent behavior of light-scattering materials and systems). Measurement standards and product libraries for BSDF data are undergoing development to support solar heat gain calculations. Simulation of other metrics such as discomfort glare, annual solar exposure, and potentially thermal discomfort, however, require algorithms and BSDF input data that more accurately model the spatial distribution of transmitted and reflected irradiance or illuminance from the sun (0.5° resolution). This study describes such algorithms and input data, then validates the tools (i.e., an interpolation tool for measured BSDF data and the five-phase method) through comparisons with ray-tracing simulations and field monitored data from a full-scale testbed. Simulations of daylight-redirecting films, a micro-louvered screen, and venetian blinds using variable resolution, tensor tree BSDF input data derived from interpolated scanning goniophotometer measurements were shown to agree with field monitored data to within 20% for greater than 75% of the measurement period for illuminance-based performance parameters. The three-phase method delivered significantly less accurate results. We discuss the ramifications of these findings on industry and provide recommendations to increase end user awareness of the current limitations of existing software tools and BSDF product libraries.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Exploiting Colorimetry for Fidelity in Data Visualization

Advances in multimodal characterization methods fuel the generation of increasing immense hyper-dimensional data sets. Color mapping is employed for conveying higher dimensional data in two-dimensional (2D) representations for human consumption without relying on multiple projections. How one constructs these color maps, however, critically affects how accurately one perceives data. For simple scalar fields, perceptually uniform color maps and color selection have been shown to improve data readability and interpretation across research fields. In this work, we review core concepts underlying the design of perceptually uniform color maps and extend the concepts from scalar fields to two-dimensional vector fields and three-component composition fields frequently found in materials-chemistry research to enable high-fidelity visualization. Additionally, we develop the software tools PAPUC and CMPUC to enable researchers to utilize these colorimetry principles and employ perceptually uniform color spaces for rigorously meaningful color mapping of higher dimensional data representations. Last, we demonstrate how these approaches deliver immediate improvements in data readability and interpretation in microscopies and spectroscopies routinely used in discerning materials structure, chemistry, and properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Integration of the NCRC Database and Other INL Databases

The Nuclear Computational Resource Center provides a portal by which industry professionals, educational staff, students, national laboratory employees, and others may request access to certain engineering software tools. As the tools provided through the Nuclear Computational Resource Center portal are not open-source and freely available, a set of approvals are necessary before access is granted. All code recipients must be associated with an institution that has a license with Idaho National Laboratory for the code requested. Information about these licenses is controlled by Idaho National Laboratory’s Technology Deployment organization and housed in a Technology Deployment database. Those requesting code access who are not citizens of the United States must also have a security plan, mandated by Idaho National Laboratory policy. Security plans are managed by the International Access Program and are stored in an International Access Program database known as IFacts. Granting access to software thus depends on information stored in the Technology Deployment database and IFacts. In the past, no connection between the Nuclear Computational Resource Center portal and these databases existed, making checking the status of license agreements and security plans time consuming and error prone. This report demonstrates that the Nuclear Computational Resource Center portal now connects to both the Technology Deployment database and IFacts, greatly improving the ease of use of the Nuclear Computational Resource Center system for administrators, which leads to a better overall experience for those requesting code access.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

DLIO: A DATA-CENTRIC BENCHMARK FOR DEEP LEARNING APPLICATIONS

SF-22-136 Deep learning has been shown as a successful method for various tasks, and its popularity results in numerous open-source deep learning software tools. Deep learning has been applied to a broad spectrum of scientific domains such as cosmology, particle physics, computer vision, fusion, and astrophysics. Scientists have performed a great deal of work to optimize the computational performance of deep learning frameworks. However, the same cannot be said for I/O performance. As deep learning algorithms rely on big-data volume and variety to effectively train neural networks accurately, I/O is a significant bottleneck on large-scale distributed deep learning training. DLIO, is a novel representative benchmark suite built based on the I/O profiling of the selected workloads. DLIO can be utilized to accurately emulate the I/O behavior of modern deep learning applications. Using DLIO, application developers and system software solution architects can identify potential I/O bottlenecks in their applications and guide optimizations to boost the I/O performance leading to lower training times. The storage vendor can also use DLIO as a guide for designing and optimize the storage and filesystem targeting at deep learning application.

ZHENG, HUIHUO↗

Report of the Atmosphere to Electrons Land-Based Mesoscale-to-Microscale Coupling Project (FY2020)

The overall goal of the Mesoscale-to-Microscale Coupling (MMC) project is to improve coupling between mesoscale and microscale simulations via improved guidance and new strategies for setting up simulations and for the development of new tools that can be used across the community. Including the mesoscale forcing is critical to modeling the full energy transfer across scales in the atmosphere. The project-specific objectives include: 1) To apply rigorous verification and validation (V&V) techniques to the new modeling tools that are developed as part of the project to ensure the accuracy of our codes and results and to develop estimates of the relative uncertainty. 2) To improve computational performance of the coupled MMC models through the development of methods that can be used to reduce turbulence spin-up time and hence the size of computational domains. 3) To improve representation of the surface layer in microscale models to enhance simulations of hub-height wind speed. 4) To develop guidance for the community describing the best ways to couple mesoscale and microscale models, including specific spatial scales at which the handoff to the microscale model should occur. 5) To prepare documentation and a suite of software tools that can be used across the community. And 6) To transition MMC research to the offshore environment. Major progress was made in each of these areas during FY20. The land-based portion of the project is reported herein, while the offshore portion will be reported separately. The team continued to advance the MMC tools and methodologies as well as to document their performance in journal papers and conference presentations, although several planned conferences were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Improving Additive Manufactured Component Performance through Multi-Scale Microstructure Simulation and Process Optimization

The purpose of this project was to utilize computational tools to understand the relationships between processing, microstructure, and properties for additively manufactured (AM) aluminum alloys for automotive applications, and to provide an engineering solution for helping to optimize process conditions. The project leverages ORNL developments in computational modeling, including AM process modeling, phase-field based microstructure evolution predictions, and data analytics techniques for mapping process conditions to material outcomes. The project utilized an Al-Cu-Mn-Zr alloy as a model material for studying formation of defects and microstructural features in response to variations in process conditions. Based on both pre-existing experimental data and simulation results, statistical process maps were constructed to identify regions of process space with minimal defect formation and advantageous microstructures and properties. The software tools used for this purpose were successful disseminated to GM, who were able to successful compile the relevant HPC codes within their own computing ecosystem and perform initial calculations to reproduce ORNL results.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

gRNA-SeqRET: a universal tool for targeted and genome-scale gRNA design and sequence extraction for prokaryotes and eukaryotes

High-throughput genetic screening is frequently employed to rapidly associate gene with phenotype and establish sequence-function relationships. With the advent of CRISPR technology, and the ability to functionally interrogate previously genetically recalcitrant organisms, non-model organisms can be investigated using pooled guide RNA (gRNA) libraries and sequencing-based assays to quantitatively assess fitness of every targeted locus in parallel. To aid the construction of pooled gRNA assemblies, we have developed an in silico design workflow for gRNA selection using the gRNA Sequence Region Extraction Tool (gRNA-SeqRET). Built upon the previously developed CCTop, gRNA-SeqRET enables automated, scalable design of gRNA libraries that target user-specified regions or whole genomes of any prokaryote or eukaryote. Additionally, gRNA-SeqRET automates the bulk extraction of any regions of sequence relative to genes or other features, aiding in the design of homology arms for insertion or deletion constructs. We also assess in silico the application of a designed gRNA library to other closely related genomes and demonstrate that for very closely related organisms Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI) > 95% a large fraction of the library may be of relevance. The gRNA-SeqRET web application pipeline can be accessed at https://grna.jgi.doe.gov. The source code is comprised of freely available software tools and customized Python scripts, and is available at https://bitbucket.org/berkeleylab/grnadesigner/src/master/ under a modified BSD open-source license (https://bitbucket.org/berkeleylab/grnadesigner).

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

ODYSSEY: A PUBLIC GPU-BASED CODE FOR GENERAL RELATIVISTIC RADIATIVE TRANSFER IN KERR SPACETIME

General relativistic radiative transfer calculations coupled with the calculation of geodesics in the Kerr spacetime are an essential tool for determining the images, spectra, and light curves from matter in the vicinity of black holes. Such studies are especially important for ongoing and upcoming millimeter/submillimeter very long baseline interferometry observations of the supermassive black holes at the centers of Sgr A* and M87. To this end we introduce Odyssey, a graphics processing unit (GPU) based code for ray tracing and radiative transfer in the Kerr spacetime. On a single GPU, the performance of Odyssey can exceed 1 ns per photon, per Runge–Kutta integration step. Odyssey is publicly available, fast, accurate, and flexible enough to be modified to suit the specific needs of new users. Along with a Graphical User Interface powered by a video-accelerated display architecture, we also present an educational software tool, Odyssey-Edu, for showing in real time how null geodesics around a Kerr black hole vary as a function of black hole spin and angle of incidence onto the black hole.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Overview of New Tools to Perform Safety Analysis: BWR Station Black Out Test Case

Dynamic Probabilistic Risk Assessment (DPRA) methodologies couple system simulator codes (e.g., RELAP, MELCOR) with simulation controller codes (e.g., RAVEN, ADAPT). While system simulator codes accurately model system dynamics deterministically, simulation controller codes introduce both deterministic (e.g., system control logic, operating procedures) and stochastic (e.g., component failures, parameter uncertainties) elements into the simulation. Typically, a DPRA is performed by: 1) sampling values of a set of parameters from the uncertainty space of interest (using the simulation controller codes), and 2) simulating the system behavior for that specific set of parameter values (using the system simulator codes). For complex systems, one of the major challenges in using DPRA methodologies is to analyze the large amount of information (i.e., large number of scenarios ) generated, where clustering techniques are typically employed to allow users to better organize and interpret the data. In this paper, we focus on the analysis of a nuclear simulation dataset that is part of the Risk Informed Safety Margin Characterization (RISMC) Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) station blackout (SBO) case study. We apply a software tool that provides the domain experts with an interactive analysis and visualization environment for understanding the structures of such high-dimensional nuclear simulation datasets. Our tool encodes traditional and topology-based clustering techniques, where the latter partitions the data points into clusters based on their uniform gradient flow behavior. We demonstrate through our case study that both types of clustering techniques complement each other in bringing enhanced structural understanding of the data.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Bayes Inference Engine (BIE) Test Plan: TiltConeBeamFVT

The Bayes Inference Engine (BIE) is a general software tool intended to be used primarily in the analysis of radiographic data for density. An analysis is set up in the BIE by representing the problem as a collection of modules called glyphs. All glyphs to be used in creating the forward model of the experiment will be tested separately for a range of inputs. The testing of the adjoint code is performed in a separate document.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Accelerating Hanford Site Cleanup through Operations Research Modeling - 20238

The Hanford Site cleanup effort will require the integration of dozens of unique facilities and processes, many of which will be first-of-a-kind in implementation and design. Each facility will be governed by its own set of operating logic, configured with a unique array of unit operations, and subject to a set of constraints that will affect its behavior. The collection of facilities have multiple points of interface, making the operations of any one facility potentially significant to the operations of other up- or downstream processes. It is therefore highly desirable to accurately predict these operations, as it allows for Site officials to identify and preempt bottlenecks and vulnerabilities before they unexpectedly inhibit the cleanup mission. With the quantity and complexity of the processes that will be on Site, building a pen-and-paper or even a spreadsheet-assisted model of the cleanup mission quickly becomes overwhelming in scope and inaccurate in execution. The Engineering organization for the Site's Tank Operations Contract (TOC) has therefore implemented the use of operations research (OR) modeling to simulate and predict future operations of Site facilities. These models are created using a discrete event simulation tool that allows for the development of detailed, versatile, and robust models. Not only can these models account for complex logical behaviors, but they can also simulate process details down to the level of vessel sizing, labor utilization, equipment reliability, and resource availability. To date, the TOC has developed OR models for several facilities on Site, including for single-shell tank (SST) farms, double-shell tank (DST) farms, the Effluent Treatment Facility (ETF), and the waste transfer system. These models have focused on identifying bottlenecks and operational constraints, and have been used to quantify the effects of implementing process changes. This latter point is particularly valuable, as it allows for several alternatives to be studied in a virtual setting before committing resources to making a change in the field. The decision to develop OR models has gained tremendous support from the Site's stakeholders and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) management, and has prompted the use of the tool to support additional internal and external initiatives. Recently, an initiative was proposed to use the models to help identify and provide quantitative backing for risks and opportunities for the TOC. This application of OR could not only help inform how the TOC manages its risks (e.g. quantities and types of spare parts), but could also help drive process improvements whose benefits might otherwise be hard to quantify. The models have also been used to drive the TOC's cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) initiatives. These initiatives will not only improve the ability of the TOC to more rapidly respond to the needs of its customers, but it will also aid in the ability of the TOC to analyze and improve the processes it studies. Partnership with two external software development and consulting companies (Lanner and Ynformed) has furthered not only the application of AI and ML within the TOC, but has also spurred the development of new/improved software tools and platforms used by the companies. These partnerships have proven to be mutually beneficial and productive, and have set a precedent for the types of gains that can be made by exploring such options. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

2025 ASMS Investigation of the Collision-Induced Dissociation Mechanism of Protonated TODGA with IRIS

Title (20 words): Investigation of the Collision-Induced Dissociation Mechanism of Protonated TODGA with IRIS Introduction (120 words): One of the challenges facing wide-spread adoption of nuclear power is the development of efficient separation processes for used nuclear fuel. The molecules in separation processes are subjected to an extreme environment due to the high radiation fields from the used fuel and highly acidic media used for fuel dissolution, which results in significant molecular degradation, leading to reduced process efficiency. These degradation products must be identified and studied so mitigation strategies can be developed to maintain process efficiency. However, complex systems can have many degradation products, complicating identification. Untargeted analysis tools could be used to understand radiation chemistry in complex systems. However, this would necessitate improved understanding of the gas-phase fragmentation mechanisms of fuel cycle molecules like tetraoctyldiglycolamide (TODGA). Methods (120 words): The gas-phase fragmentation of protonated TODGA was investigated using collision-induced dissociation (CID), resonance ejection, and infrared ion spectroscopy (IRIS). CID and resonance ejection experiments were conducted using a Bruker Daltonics (Bremen, Gemany) SolariX XR fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometer. IRIS spectra of protonated TODGA and its two CID fragmentation products were measured using a modified Bruker amaZon Speed ETD 3D quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer coupled to the Free Electron Lasers for Infrared eXperiments (FELIX) free electron laser. Measured spectra were compared with density functional theory (DFT) calculations using the Gaussian 16, Revision C.02 software package with the ?B97X-D functional and def2-TZVPP basis sets. Candidate structures were generated using the CREST 3.0 conformational sampling software tool. Preliminary Data (300 words): Collision-induced dissociation of protonated TODGA ([C36H73N2O3]+, m/z=581.562) results two fragment ions, one at m/z=340.285 assigned as [C20H38NO3]+ and the other at m/z=312.290, assigned as [C19H38NO2]+. Based on the assigned formula and the structure of protonated TODGA, the fragment at m/z=340.285 is likely formed from elimination of neutral dioctylamine. Comparison of the IRIS spectrum of m/z=340.285 with DFT predictions suggests it contains a ring structure, and is assigned as N-octyl-N-(6-oxo-1,4-dioxan-2-ylidene)octan-1-aminium. Based on this structure and the structure of protonated TODGA, we hypothesize this fragment formed from elimination of neutral dioctylamine followed by a ring closure mechanism. Comparison of the IRIS spectrum of the fragment at m/z=312.290 with DFT predictions also indicated the presence of a ring structure, assigned as N-(1,3-dioxolan-4-ylidene)-N-octyloctan-1-aminium. This product could be formed from elimination of carbon monoxide from the ring of m/z=340.285 as a sequential fragmentation or formed directly from protonated TODGA via elimination of neutral N,N-dioctylformamide followed by a ring closure. Resonance ejection experiments where m/z=340 was continuously ejected from the IRC cell showed no decrease in intensity of m/z=312.290 across several collision energies, suggesting that the later, direct formation mechanism, dominates. The location of the ionizing proton in protonated TODGA is important for modeling the fragmentation mechanisms. DFT calculations suggested that the position of bands involving the coupled vibrations of the amide C—N and C=O bonds in TODGA are the most sensitive to proton location. Evaluation of the IRIS spectrum of protonated TODGA suggests that the ionizing proton is located between the two amid oxygens. This protonation location was calculated to lie approximately 30 kJ/mol lower in energy than the next lowest energy location, with the proton located solely on one of the amide oxygens. Novel aspect (20 words): Infrared ion spectroscopy combined with resonance ejection experiments and density functional theory to probe the collision-induced dissociation mechanism of tetraoctyldiglycolamide.

37 - INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL C↗