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At least 667 records · Page 37

Application of Nuclear Technology to Art Identification Problems: First Annual Report

Throughout the centuries, as man has become increasingly affluent, his interest in antiquities and objects of art, and the price he has been willing to pay for them, has increased. Inevitably, one result has been to attract the unscrupulous to the production and sale of counterfeit paintings, sculptures, and other works of art. The skill of forgers varies but often is highly sophisticated. However, dealers, museum curators, and other experts have also become more skillful in the detection of forgeries. Scientific tools of increasing sensitivity and sophistication have gradually been applied to the examination of the materials of art and archaeology. Such tools frequently support and render more reliable the judgment of the experts. The quality of forgeries may improve further as their makers become acquainted with the new methods of detection and in turn learn to circumvent or confound the methods. Therefore, the development of still more advanced methods of examination has great utility in the art world. This is particularly true if the ultimate effect is to make circumvention of the methods of examination so costly that the economic incentives for producing forgeries may be substantially reduced, if not eliminated.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Revealing meso-structure dynamics in additive manufacturing of energy storage via operando coherent X-ray scattering

3D printing is an emerging technology for the fabrication of energy storage devices, offering advantages over traditional manufacturing methods. However, optimization and design of such devices requires an understanding of the meso-structure formation during the 3D printing process. This study utilizes operando coherent X-ray scattering, X-ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (XPCS), to study the spatiotemporally-resolved far-from-equilibrium dynamics during direct ink writing 3D printing. Here, Lithium Titanate (LTO) based ink is prepared and rheologically tested for its shear-thinning properties. Two-time intensity-intensity functions are calculated to be used in subsequent quantitative analysis, which allows for an overall characterization of the dynamics, description of an initial fast decorrelation and identification of sudden rearrangements of subdomains of the sample. The results show the dynamics to be anisotropic, spatiotemporally heterogenous and marked by distinct rearrangement events, all of which impact the electrochemical performance of energy storage devices. The studied 3D printing ink is used to fabricate electrodes which are then electrochemically tested, showing good performance in cycling and retaining structural integrity. This work furthers the understanding of the far-from-equilibrium material dynamics during 3D printing, giving quantitative characterization of this process, and highlights aspects of structure formation relevant to the electrochemical performance of the resultant energy storage device.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Integrated analysis of X-ray diffraction patterns and pair distribution functions for machine-learned phase identification

Abstract To bolster the accuracy of existing methods for automated phase identification from X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, we introduce a machine learning approach that uses a dual representation whereby XRD patterns are augmented with simulated pair distribution functions (PDFs). A convolutional neural network is trained directly on XRD patterns calculated using physics-informed data augmentation, which accounts for experimental artifacts such as lattice strain and crystallographic texture. A second network is trained on PDFs generated via Fourier transform of the augmented XRD patterns. At inference, these networks classify unknown samples by aggregating their predictions in a confidence-weighted sum. We show that such an integrated approach to phase identification provides enhanced accuracy by leveraging the benefits of each model’s input representation. Whereas networks trained on XRD patterns provide a reciprocal space representation and can effectively distinguish large diffraction peaks in multi-phase samples, networks trained on PDFs provide a real space representation and perform better when peaks with low intensity become important. These findings underscore the importance of using diverse input representations for machine learning models in materials science and point to new avenues for automating multi-modal characterization.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Electron energy loss spectroscopy database synthesis and automation of core-loss edge recognition by deep-learning neural networks

Abstract The ionization edges encoded in the electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) spectra enable advanced material analysis including composition analyses and elemental quantifications. The development of the parallel EELS instrument and fast, sensitive detectors have greatly improved the acquisition speed of EELS spectra. However, the traditional way of core-loss edge recognition is experience based and human labor dependent, which limits the processing speed. So far, the low signal–noise ratio and the low jump ratio of the core-loss edges on the raw EELS spectra have been challenging for the automation of edge recognition. In this work, a convolutional-bidirectional long short-term memory neural network (CNN-BiLSTM) is proposed to automate the detection and elemental identification of core-loss edges from raw spectra. An EELS spectral database is synthesized by using our forward model to assist in the training and validation of the neural network. To make the synthesized spectra resemble the real spectra, we collected a large library of experimentally acquired EELS core edges. In synthesize the training library, the edges are modeled by fitting the multi-Gaussian model to the real edges from experiments, and the noise and instrumental imperfectness are simulated and added. The well-trained CNN-BiLSTM network is tested against both the simulated spectra and real spectra collected from experiments. The high accuracy of the network, 94.9%, proves that, without complicated preprocessing of the raw spectra, the proposed CNN-BiLSTM network achieves the automation of core-loss edge recognition for EELS spectra with high accuracy.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Towards Software Bill of Materials in the Nuclear Industry

Large, modern industrial facilities often incorporate thousands of digital assets in their operational technology. Regulated facilities, such as nuclear power plants (NPPs), maintain robust cybersecurity and configuration management programs that often use bills of materials (BOMs) for these assets, including make, model, and version of hardware, firmware, and software. However, these BOMs typically capture only first- or second-tier information provided by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). Unfortunately, as indicated by the increasing number and sophistication of software supply chain attacks, this level of detail is insufficient for identifying all the potential vulnerabilities and risks in software applications. Software BOMs (SBOMs) provide detailed enumeration of components and dependencies within the product or devices, including firmware. SBOMs can be combined with vulnerability data sources and vendor vulnerability attestations to improve vulnerability management and enable rapid identification of affected components when new software vulnerabilities are discovered. Ideally, SBOMs are created by the OEM prior to installation. However, since this practice is not yet commonplace and since NPPs are typically slow to adopt new technology, most NPPs do not incorporate SBOMs into their asset or configuration management programs. Fortunately, SBOMs can be generated by NPPs on existing digital assets to provide further insight into risk management decisions. This report provides an overview of the current SBOM ecosystem and recommends guidance on how to get started in a “crawl, walk, run” manner to develop and implement a sustainable SBOM program for digital assets in an NPP.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

International Meeting on Fuel Cell and Electrolyzer Quality Control: Summary Report

Quality control (QC) for both polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell and electrolysis membrane electrode assembly (MEA) materials is a key challenge for scale-up and cost reduction. Developing methods for detecting defects, as well as measuring critical material properties and understanding the impact of as-manufactured variations in these materials on cell performance and lifetime, are critical barriers. To help address these needs, the National Research Council Canada (NRC), Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE), and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have organized and facilitated a series of workshops on the topic, bringing together industry, academia, and research institutions from North America and Europe. Prior workshops in Canada and Germany have focused on the status of quality tool capabilities and identification of needed developments for fuel cells. These meetings have garnered an excellent response and follow-on attendance, with over 100 unique attendees.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗

Selective Methane Oxidation to Methanol on ZnO/Cu 2 O/Cu(111) Catalysts: Multiple Site-Dependent Behaviors

Due to the abundance of natural gas in our planet, a major goal is to achieve a direct methane to methanol conversion at medium to low temperatures using mixtures of methane and oxygen. Here, we report an efficient catalyst, ZnO/Cu 2 O/Cu(111), for this process investigated using a combination of reactor testing, scanning tunneling microscopy, ambient-pressure x-ray photoemission spectroscopy, density functional calculations, and kinetic Monte Carlo simulations. The catalyst is capable of methane activation at room temperature and transforms mixtures of methane and oxygen to methanol at 450 K with a selectivity of ~30%. This performance is not seen for other heterogenous catalysts which usually require the addition of water to enable a significant conversion of methane to methanol. The unique coarse structure of the ZnO islands supported on a Cu 2 O/Cu(111) substrate provides a collection of multiple centers that display different catalytic activity during the reaction. ZnO-Cu 2 O step sites are active centers for methanol synthesis when exposed to CH 4 and O 2 due to an effective O-O bond dissociation, which enables a methane-to-methanol conversion with a reasonable selectivity. Upon addition of water, the defected O-rich ZnO sites, introduced by Zn vacancies, show superior behavior towards methane conversion and enhance the overall methanol selectivity to over 80%. Thus, in this case, the surface sites involved in a direct CH 4 → to CH 3 OH conversion are different from those engaged in methanol formation without water. Furthermore, the identification of the site-dependent behavior of ZnO/Cu 2 O/Cu(111) opens a design strategy for guiding efficient methane reforming with high methanol selectivity.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Quantitative imaging and automated fuel pin identification for passive gamma emission tomography

Compliance of member States to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons is monitored through nuclear safeguards. The Passive Gamma Emission Tomography (PGET) system is a novel instrument developed within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) project JNT 1510, which included the European Commission, Finland, Hungary and Sweden. The PGET is used for the verification of spent nuclear fuel stored in water pools. Advanced image reconstruction techniques are crucial for obtaining high-quality cross-sectional images of the spent-fuel bundle to allow inspectors of the IAEA to monitor nuclear material and promptly identify its diversion. In this work, we have developed a software suite to accurately reconstruct the spent-fuel cross sectional image, automatically identify present fuel rods, and estimate their activity. Unique image reconstruction challenges are posed by the measurement of spent fuel, due to its high activity and the self-attenuation. While the former is mitigated by detector physical collimation, we implemented a linear forward model to model the detector responses to the fuel rods inside the PGET, to account for the latter. The image reconstruction is performed by solving a regularized linear inverse problem using the fast-iterative shrinkage-thresholding algorithm. We have also implemented the traditional filtered back projection (FBP) method based on the inverse Radon transform for comparison and applied both methods to reconstruct images of simulated mockup fuel assemblies. Higher image resolution and fewer reconstruction artifacts were obtained with the inverse-problem approach, with the mean-square-error reduced by 50%, and the structural-similarity improved by 200%. We then used a convolutional neural network (CNN) to automatically identify the bundle type and extract the pin locations from the images; the estimated activity levels finally being compared with the ground truth. The proposed computational methods accurately estimated the activity levels of the present pins, with an associated uncertainty of approximately 5%.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

An NV − center in magnesium oxide as a spin qubit for hybrid quantum technologies

Recent predictions suggest that oxides, such as MgO and CaO, could serve as hosts of spin defects with long coherence times and thus be promising materials for quantum applications. However, in most cases, specific defects have not yet been identified. Here, by using a high-throughput first-principles framework and advanced electronic structure methods, we identify a negatively charged complex between a nitrogen interstitial and a magnesium vacancy in MgO with favorable electronic and optical properties for hybrid quantum technologies. We show that this NV − center has stable triplet ground and excited states, with singlet shelving states enabling optical initialization and spin-dependent readout. We predict several properties, including absorption, emission, and zero-phonon line energies, as well as zero-field splitting tensor, and hyperfine interaction parameters, which can aid in the experimental identification of this defect. Our calculations show that due to a strong pseudo-Jahn Teller effect and low-frequency phonon modes, the NV − center in MgO is subject to a substantial vibronic coupling. We discuss design strategies to reduce such coupling and increase the Debye-Waller factor, including the effect of strain and the localization of the defect states. We propose that the favorable properties of the NV − defect, along with the technological maturity of MgO, could enable hybrid classical-quantum applications, such as spintronic quantum sensors and single qubit gates.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

CsI(Tl) pulse shape discrimination with the Belle II electromagnetic calorimeter as a novel method to improve particle identification at electron–positron colliders

Here we describe the implementation and performance of CsI(Tl) pulse shape discrimination for the Belle II electromagnetic calorimeter, representing the first application of CsI(Tl) pulse shape discrimination for particle identification at an electron–positron collider. The pulse shape characterization algorithms applied by the Belle II calorimeter are described. Control samples of $γ, μ^+, π^±, K^±$ and $ρ/ \bar{ρ}$ are used to demonstrate the significant insight into the secondary particle composition of calorimeter clusters that is provided by CsI(Tl) pulse shape discrimination. Comparisons with simulation are presented and provide further validation for newly developed CsI(Tl) scintillation response simulation techniques, which when incorporated with GEANT4 simulations allow the particle dependent scintillation response of CsI(Tl) to be modelled. Comparisons between data and simulation also demonstrate that pulse shape discrimination can be a new tool to identify sources of improvement in the simulation of hadronic interactions in materials. The $K^0_L$ efficiency and photon-as-hadron fake-rate of a multivariate classifier that is trained to use pulse shape discrimination is presented and comparisons are made to a shower-shape based approach. CsI(Tl) pulse shape discrimination is shown to reduce the photon-as-hadron fake-rate by over a factor of 3 at photon energies of 0.2 GeV and over a factor 10 at photon energies of 1 GeV.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Structural, Electrical, and Electromechanical Properties of Inverse Hybrid Perovskites from First-Principles: The Case of (CH 3 NH 3 ) 3 OI

Inverse-hybrid perovskites (IHPs) with large polarization have recently been predicted from first-principles computations. Here, we use one representative from the IHP class of materials, (CH 3 NH 3 ) 3 OI (MA3OI), to propose a route to the first-principles prediction of structural and electrical properties, such as polarization, polarization reversibility, and the associated coercive field for hybrid organic–inorganic perovskites. The route relies on the construction of the polarization reversal path that models experimental measurements. Such a path was found to play an important role in the ground-state search as well as in the identification of competing structural variations. The latter is believed to be the origin of the structural disorder that is characteristic of hybrid organic–inorganic perovskites. The application of such an approach to MA3OI leads to the prediction of several structural variations that are expected to result in a structurally disordered phase above 766 K and of the polar ground state with a polarization of 25.3 μC/cm 2 that is reversible with the application of an electric field. The upper estimate for the coercive field associated with homogeneous polarization reversal is 6.9 GV/m. The piezoelectric constants of MA3OI are predicted to be an order of magnitude smaller in comparison with a prototypical inorganic ferroelectric PbTiO 3 ; however, the low symmetry of the MA3OI structure yields finite values for all components of the piezoelectric tensor. The polarization in MA3OI is tunable by the epitaxial strain (11.5% change under 5% epitaxial strain), although less so as compared with PbTiO 3 .

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Mechanistic Elucidation of Electronically Conductive PEDOT:PSS Tailored Binder for a Potassium‐Ion Battery Graphite Anode: Electrochemical, Mechanical, and Thermal Safety Aspects

Potassium-ion batteries (KIBs) are considered more appropriate for grid-scale storage than lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to similar operating chemistry, abundant precursors, and compatibility with low-cost graphite anodes. However, a larger ion reduces rate capabilities and exacerbates capacity fading from volumetric expansion. In this report, conductive polymer, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS), is substituted for standard insulating polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). Half-cells using carbon black (CB) in continuously conductive PEDOT:PSS/CB binder outperforms PVDF/CB by mitigating electrically isolated “dead” graphite, improving 100 cycle capacity retention at C/10 from 63 to 80%. Enhanced electrical contact with PEDOT:PSS/CB also reduces ion impedance and improves rate capabilities. Without CB however, PEDOT:PSS binder performs poorly in electrochemical studies despite promising ex situ electronic conductivity. This discrepancy is mechanistically elucidated through identification of redox activity between PEDOT:PSS and K + which results in high impedances in the anode operating voltage window. Additionally, the impact of conducting binder on mechanical properties and thermal safety of the anode is investigated. Brittleness and poor wettability of PEDOT:PSS are identified as issues, but greater stability against reactive KC 8 reduces overall heat generation. Binder substitution offers a promising means of mitigating issues with current KIB anodes regardless of active material, and the work herein addresses issues towards further improvement.

electrochemical impedance spectroscopy↗

Utilization of Data Augmentation Techniques in Automated Inspection Systems for Defect Detection in Metals With Limited Data

Accurate identification of defects on metal surfaces is of great interest to many industry sectors, such as the automotive and aerospace industries. In contrast to conventional manual inspection techniques, recent automated inspection systems employ deep learning models trained to detect defects rapidly and precisely. The development of these models often requires a substantial image dataset to acquire adequate knowledge of defect features and enhance their predictive accuracy. When data is limited, augmentation techniques are often used to improve the precision and accuracy of defect detection systems. This study examined the prediction performance of two object detection models, namely Faster Region‐based Convolutional Neural Network (Faster R‐CNN) and You Only Look Once version 8 (YOLOv8), to identify dent defects in limited images of cast iron cylinder head surfaces. The original image set contains 46 images with 563 dents. To overcome limited data availability, common image augmentation techniques along with a copy‐paste method were applied. Results show that standard augmentation improved YOLOv8 accuracy by 8.00% and average precision (AP) by 3.00%. On the other hand, the copy‐paste technique achieved a 20.00% increase in accuracy and a 1% increase in AP with just 200 synthetic dents. Furthermore, these results provide support for using the copy‐paste augmentation strategy to enhance defect detection performance, with a limited dataset, contributing to more accurate defect identification in remanufacturing processes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Evaluation of the Potential for Precipitation of Solids during Storage of Non-Aluminum SNF Solutions

Non-aluminum clad spent nuclear fuels (NASNF) stored in the L-Area basin will be dissolved in H-Canyon using the 6.3D electrolytic dissolver. The solutions will be stored in either the hot or warm canyon until the preparation of a sludge batch for the Defense Waste Processing Facility. Spent nuclear fuel solutions could be stored for 1-2 years before transfer to the H-Area Tank Farm depending on the interval between sludge batches. The solution level in the storage tanks will be maintained; therefore, precipitation of solids due to evaporation is not an issue. However, the precipitation of solids from completely dissolved SNF due to solution instabilities has been observed during intermediate storage of solutions generating hydrated oxides.The presence of fissile material in these solids is generally associated with zirconium molybdate, which is known to act as a host lattice for Pu and can carry the actinides upon precipitation. The formation of zirconium molybdate solids which carry fissile material is a potential concern for the storage of NASNF solutions. To address this concern, the Savannah River National Laboratory performed a literature review to identify knowledge gaps which may require experimental work to determine if the formation of solids is a concern during storage of these solutions. Based on the literature review, the precipitation of zirconium molybdate solids from the Campaign 1 NASNF solutions during intermediatestorage is expected. This conclusion is supported by the identification of zirconium molybdate solids found on the H-Canyon 6.1D Dissolver MK-12 insert spacer. The formation of the zirconium molybdate solids is attributed to hydrolysis and radiolytic processes in the nitric acid solution. As the molybdate solids form, U and Pu can substitute for Zr in the crystal lattice resulting in co-precipitation. Generally, the Pu substitutes directly into the crystal lattice during precipitation while the U associated with the molybdate solids more likely absorbs from the solution. The U in the NASNF solutions is present as uranyl nitrate, a 2+ cation which will not substitute as easily into the molybdate crystal lattice for the Zr 4+ ion.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Development of a Convolutional Neural Network Classifier for Data Starved Spectra - 20199

The Institute for Clean Energy Technology (ICET) at Mississippi State University is exploring the utility of machine learning in augmenting its mobile radiation surveying platforms, which are currently being developed as means to survey depleted uranium contaminated areas in support of remediation and decommissioning efforts. Mobile survey platforms provide a means to efficiently scan large areas of interest while reducing human exposure to radiation and other hazards. The survey platforms can also be used for scanning for any gamma emitting isotope in addition to depleted uranium. The spectral data that the platforms collect may be data starved with relatively low counts and poorly defined spectral features depending on the speed of the platforms and scintillation detector selection. Such data-starved spectra are difficult to use for isotope identification, requiring advanced knowledge of the possible radionuclides that could be present and environmental factors that could attenuate signals or introduce background noise. These factors in combination with the volume of survey data increases the time it takes to perform analysis of survey data when the source type is unknown. There are a number of algorithms in the field of machine learning that can be used to classify data that would be challenging and time-consuming for a human to identify. Supervised machine learning algorithms train models based on extensive amounts of human-labeled training data. Once sufficiently trained, these models can be used to quickly make high-fidelity predictions on new data. Convolutional neural networks are machine learning algorithms that excel in learning representations of 'shapes'. They do this by taking numerical input data and convolving them with spatial feature detectors referred to as filters. These filters are incrementally adjusted to reduce the prediction error on the data during the backpropagation step of training. Discussed in this paper is the development of a convolutional neural network classifier (CNNC) that can utilize spectral survey data for source discrimination and isotope identification. Bench-top laboratory experiments data using LaBr{sub 3}(Ce) scintillation detectors were used to train and evaluate the performance of the developed CNNC. The CNNC is capable of discriminating a variety of gamma emitting source types, differentiating different forms of uranium (depleted vs. natural), and estimating the amount of uranium for a known geometry. The discussed CNNC may be useful in scenarios where survey systems are deployed in situations where hazardous radioactive material maybe present, but the type is unknown. When used in remediation applications the CNNC can be used to screen-out false positives, helping reduce remediation costs. (authors)

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

Making Small-Volume Heat Pump Water Heaters Larger: A Design Framework for Integrated Phase Change Material Heat Exchangers

Those that use electricity for water heating, the majority use resistive elements rather than heat pump water heaters (HPWHs), the latter of which use 60-70% less energy than the former. One major barrier to wider HPWH adoption is the added equipment required, which prevents current 50-80-gallon tanks on the market from fitting into smaller utility closets sized for 30-40 gallons, such as those found in manufactured housing. Additionally, these smaller HPWHs tend to underperform relative to their larger counterparts. One solution that addresses both space and performance concerns is thermal energy storage, and in particular, phase change materials (PCMs). PCMs have been studied extensively in building envelope and HVAC systems, but remain a nascent technology in residential water heating. While water itself has a uniquely high energy storage capacity, PCMs have an even higher energy storage density, thus providing the potential to elevate the performance of 40-gallon HPWHs to that of 50-gallon or larger tanks. This research is part of a larger project that seeks to utilize thermal energy storage to enable decarbonized water heating in low-income communities. In this study, we outline the design process used to produce novel PCM heat exchangers for use in small-volume HPWH tanks, including the identification of design constraints and performance targets relevant to real-world applications. In order to ensure optimal PCM utilization and tank storage capacity, we focus here on co-maximizing surface area and PCM volume in the heat exchangers; therefore, this research targets triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) lattices. TPMS lattices boast enhanced heat transfer capabilities compared to traditional heat exchanger geometries and offer highly tailorable designs; thus, they pair well with the growing field of additive manufacturing, or 3D printing. Starting with a suite of TPMS lattices, we demonstrate a systematic approach for narrowing down feasible designs that comply with identified constraints while meeting PCM performance objectives.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Transforming our understanding of chloroplast-associated genes through comprehensive characterization of protein localizations and protein-protein interactions

Bioenergy crops are a renewable source of fuels and are a critical base for building a carbon-neutral economy. Rational engineering of bioenergy crops has the potential to enhance the yields. However, our ability to engineer plants is limited because the functions of most genes remain unknown. Systematic characterization of gene function in plants thus has the potential to greatly accelerate bioenergy research. Here, we focus on the chloroplast, an underexplored energy-producing organelle that is a hallmark of plants. The chloroplast is one of the promising targets of biofuel crop engineering efforts because of its central role in photosynthesis, metabolism, and intracellular signaling. However, the protein composition of the chloroplast and the functions of most of its proteins remain poorly characterized. At the core of this project, we sought to comprehensively determine the localization of chloroplast-associated proteins and generate a spatially defined protein-protein interaction network for chloroplast. For this purpose, we used the leading model alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, which greatly increased experimental speed and throughput. We illustrated the value of our findings to land plants by determining the localization of Arabidopsis thaliana land plant homologs of the Chlamydomonas proteins. Altogether, we were successful in determining the localization of 1,034 chloroplast-associated proteins in Chlamydomonas. The localizations provide numerous insights into the spatial organization of chloroplasts and how they function to support photosynthesis. The localization patterns of distinct proteins revealed new chloroplast structures and revealed new spatial organization inside the chloroplast. We also identified new components of known chloroplast structures, such as the chloroplast envelope, nucleoid, plastoglobuli, and pyrenoid. We identified these new components by investigating the interacting partners of known proteins. Many proteins localized in both the chloroplast and other cellular structures, thereby hinting at new functions and communication between cellular structures. We also applied machine learning on the atlas to generate predictions for the location of all of the proteins in Chlamydomonas. This enabled us to assign putative functions to many uncharacterized proteins based on their cellular location. Altogether, this research establishes a rich resource that opens new avenues of investigation and guides future work in deciphering and manipulating chloroplast function. Next, we developed an extensive protein-protein interaction network for the chloroplast by performing affinity purification-mass spectrometry on ~1,150 tagged chloroplast-associated proteins, the first such large-scale study in any photosynthetic organism. This dataset reveals 4,694 high-confidence protein-protein interactions, offering insights into the functions of thousands of conserved poorly-characterized chloroplast proteins. This systematic identification of protein-protein interactions in the chloroplast also provides multiple exciting new research directions and a detailed blueprint of the chloroplast's operation. This research lays the groundwork to decipher the inner workings of the chloroplast, the cell structure at the heart of photosynthesis. The spatial atlas and protein-protein interactions reveal chloroplast organizational features that would not have been accessible with traditional approaches. The localization mapping, insights into the function, and research materials generated further provide a rich resource for the research community to advance the understanding of how the chloroplast is organized to enable engineering of enhanced photosynthetic organisms.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗