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At least 703 records · Page 39

E(n)-Equivariant cartesian tensor message passing interatomic potential

Machine learning potential (MLP) has been a popular topic in recent years for its capability to replace expensive first-principles calculations in some large systems. Meanwhile, message passing networks have gained significant attention due to their remarkable accuracy, and a wave of message passing networks based on Cartesian coordinates has emerged. However, the information of the node in these models is usually limited to scalars, and vectors. In this work, we propose High-order Tensor message Passing interatomic Potential (HotPP), an E(n) equivariant message passing neural network that extends the node embedding and message to an arbitrary order tensor. By performing some basic equivariant operations, high order tensors can be coupled very simply and thus the model can make direct predictions of high-order tensors such as dipole moments and polarizabilities without any modifications. The tests in several datasets show that HotPP not only achieves high accuracy in predicting target properties, but also successfully performs tasks such as calculating phonon spectra, infrared spectra, and Raman spectra, demonstrating its potential as a tool for future research.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Asymmetric rotations slow down diffusion under confinement

Translation and rotation are the two most fundamental forms of diffusion, yet their coupling mechanism is not clear, especially under confinement. Here, we provided evidence of the coupling between rotation and translation using a substituted benzene molecule as an example. A counterintuitive behavior was observed where the movement of the smaller molecule with an asymmetric shape was unexpectedly slower than the larger one with a symmetric shape in confined channels of zeolite. We showed that this diffusion behavior was caused by the presence of the specific and selective interaction of the asymmetric guest with the pores, which increased the local restricted residence time, thus inhibiting the translation under confinement, as further confirmed by dynamic breakthrough curves, uptake measurements, quasi-elastic neutron scattering, and 2 H solid-state NMR techniques. Our work correlated asymmetric rotation and diffusion under a confined environment, which enriched our understanding of the coupling between rotation and translation and could shed light on a fundamental understanding of the diffusion process.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Deterministic nanoscale quantum spin-defect implantation and diffraction strain imaging

Abstract Local crystallographic features negatively affect quantum spin defects by changing the local electrostatic environment, often resulting in degraded or varied qubit optical and coherence properties. Few tools exist that enable the deterministic synthesis and study of such intricate systems on the nano-scale, making defect-to-defect strain environment quantification difficult. In this paper, we highlight state-of-the-art capabilities from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Nanoscale Science Research Centers that directly address these shortcomings. Specifically, we demonstrate how complementary capabilities of nano-implantation and nano-diffraction can be used to demonstrate the quantum relevant, spatially deterministic creation of neutral divacancy centers in 4H silicon carbide, while investigating and characterizing these systems on the ≤ 25 nm scale with strain sensitivities on the order of 1 × 10 − 6 , relevant to defect formation dynamics. This work lays the foundation for ongoing studies into the dynamics and deterministic formation of low strain homogeneous quantum relevant spin defects in the solid state.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Sierra/SolidMechanics 5.0 Goodyear Specific

Sierra/SolidMechanics (Sierra/SM) is a Lagrangian, three-dimensional finite element analysis code for solids and structures subjected to extensive contact and large deformations, encompassing explicit and implicit dynamic as well as quasistatic loading regimes. This document supplements the primary Sierra/SM 5.0 User’s Guide, describing capabilities specific to Goodyear analysis use cases, including additional implicit solver options, material models, finite element formulations, and contact settings.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Sierra/SolidMechanics 4.56 Goodyear User's Guide

Sierra/SolidMechanics (Sierra/SM) is a Lagrangian, three-dimensional finite element analysis code for solids and structures subjected to extensive contact and large deformations, encompassing explicit and implicit dynamic as well as quasistatic loading regimes. This document supplements the primary Sierra/SM 4.56 User’s Guide, describing capabilities specific to Goodyear analysis use cases, including additional implicit solver options, material models, finite element formulations, and contact settings.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Detecting depinning and nonequilibrium transitions with unsupervised machine learning

Using numerical simulations of a model disk system, we demonstrate that a machine learning generated order-parameter-like measure can detect depinning transitions and different dynamic flow phases in systems driven far from equilibrium. Furthermore, we specifically consider monodisperse passive disks with short range interactions undergoing a depinning phase transition when driven over quenched disorder. The machine learning derived order-parameter-like measure identifies the depinning transition as well as different dynamical regimes, such as the transition from a flowing liquid to a phase separated liquid-solid state that is not readily distinguished with traditional measures such as velocity-force curves or Voronoi tessellation. The order-parameter-like measure also shows markedly distinct behavior in the limit of high density where jamming effects occur. Our results should be general to the broad class of particle-based systems that exhibit depinning transitions and nonequilibrium phase transitions.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Fluid Behavior in Nanoporous Silica

We investigate dynamics of water (H 2 O) and methanol (CH 3 OH and CH 3 OD) inside mesoporous silica materials with pore diameters of 4.0, 2.5, and 1.5 nm using low-field (LF) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry. Experiments were conducted to test the effects of pore size, pore volume, type of fluid, fluid/solid ratio, and temperature on fluid dynamics. Longitudinal relaxation times (T 1 ) and transverse relaxation times (T 2 ) were obtained for the above systems. We observe an increasing deviation in confined fluid behavior compared to that of bulk fluid with decreasing fluid-to-solid ratio. Our results show that the surface area-to-volume ratio is a critical parameter compared to pore diameter in the relaxation dynamics of confined water. An increase in temperature for the range between 25 and 50°C studied did not influence T 2 times of confined water significantly. However, when the temperature was increased, T 1 times of water confined in both silica-2.5 nm and silica-1.5 nm increased, while those of water in silica-4.0 nm did not change. Reductions in both T 1 and T 2 values as a function of fluid-to-solid ratio were independent of confined fluid species studied here. The parameter T 1 /T 2 indicates that H 2 O interacts more strongly with the pore walls of silica-4.0 nm than CH 3 OH and CH 3 OD.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Monolithically-Fabricated Tunable Long-Wave Infrared Detectors Based on Dynamic Graphene Metasurfaces.

In this paper, the design, fabrication, and characterization of an actively tunable long-wave infrared detector, made possible through direct integration of a graphene-enabled metasurface with a conventional type-II superlattice infrared detector, are reported. This structure allows for post-fabrication tuning of the detector spectral response through voltage-induced modification of the carrier density within graphene and, therefore, its plasmonic response. These changes modify the transmittance through the metasurface, which is fabricated monolithically atop the detector, allowing for spectral control of light reaching the detector. Importantly, this structure provides a fabrication-controlled alignment of the metasurface filter to the detector pixel and is entirely solid-state. Using single pixel devices, relative changes in the spectral response exceeding 8% have been realized. These proof-of-concept devices present a path toward solid-state hyperspectral imaging with independent pixel-to-pixel spectral control through a voltage-actuated dynamic response.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

The carbon challenge: Design, synthesis, and chemisorption behavior of solid sorbents in direct air capture of carbon dioxide

Direct air capture (DAC) of CO 2 is a promising solution for reducing the carbon footprint through "negative emission" technology. However, the low CO 2 concentration (~400 ppm) and the dynamic nature of DAC processes present challenges in designing effective sorbent systems. Recent advancements in material design and structural engineering have led to the development of high-performance solid sorbents, offering a more stable, safe, and energy-efficient alternative to traditional liquid CO 2 capture methods. This review highlights progress in solid sorbent-based DAC, focusing on amine-modified materials, hydrogen-bonded frameworks, and ionic liquid-engineered scaffolds. The discussion covers design principles, synthesis methodologies, and their impact on CO 2 chemisorption, comparing the advantages and limitations of each approach. Characterization techniques, especially operando methods and computational tools, are reviewed to understand sorbent behavior during CO 2 integration and release. The reaction pathways and interaction mechanisms of these sorbents with CO 2 are analyzed to guide future design. Additionally, the CO 2 chemisorption behaviors, including capacity, sorption kinetics, recyclability, and durability in the presence of gaseous impurities and under humid conditions will be evaluated and compared. Further, the review offers unique insights into the physical properties, chemical structures, and surface engineering effects of these sorbents, based on comprehensive characterization and evaluation techniques.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Microstructural impacts on ionic conductivity of oxide solid electrolytes from a combined atomistic-mesoscale approach

Abstract Although multiple oxide-based solid electrolyte materials with intrinsically high ionic conductivities have emerged, practical processing and synthesis routes introduce grain boundaries and other interfaces that can perturb primary conduction channels. To directly probe these effects, we demonstrate an efficient and general mesoscopic computational method capable of predicting effective ionic conductivity through a complex polycrystalline oxide-based solid electrolyte microstructure without relying on simplified equivalent circuit description. We parameterize the framework for Li 7- x La 3 Zr 2 O 12 (LLZO) garnet solid electrolyte by combining synthetic microstructures from phase-field simulations with diffusivities from molecular dynamics simulations of ordered and disordered systems. Systematically designed simulations reveal an interdependence between atomistic and mesoscopic microstructural impacts on the effective ionic conductivity of polycrystalline LLZO, quantified by newly defined metrics that characterize the complex ionic transport mechanism. Our results provide fundamental understanding of the physical origins of the reported variability in ionic conductivities based on an extensive analysis of literature data, while simultaneously outlining practical design guidance for achieving desired ionic transport properties based on conditions for which sensitivity to microstructural features is highest. Additional implications of our results are discussed, including a possible connection between ion conduction behavior and dendrite formation.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Understanding Solid-Electrolyte Interphase Formation at the Lithium Metal Anode of Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are one of the most promising chemistries for the next generation of energy storage devices. In a standard Li-S cell, the metallic lithium anode is an essential component of the battery due to its low density, extremely high theoretical specific capacity, and very low negative electrochemical potential. However, several challenges related to the use of Li metal have prevented this battery technology from becoming commercially available. For instance, Li-anodes are highly reactive, which results in the continuous decomposition of the electrolyte and the formation of the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer. This, combined with the non-uniform deposition of Liions during plating at the anode surface, can seriously affect the performance, cycling, and safety of the battery. In addition, it has been suggested that a controlled SEI formation at the metallic Li anode can yield enhanced battery performance. Hence, a comprehensive understanding of how the SEI layer is formed can help elucidate improvements in this battery technology. In this work, the formation of the SEI layer in Li-S batteries is investigated using density functional theory (DFT) and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations. The stability of liquid organic-based electrolyte components, salt concentration, electron-rich environments, and the use of inorganic solid-state electrolyte (SSE) materials are explored in order to provide molecular-level fundamental insights into how the nature and composition of the electrolyte can alter the initial stages of the SEI formation. The products of electrolyte decomposition and electro-/chemical reaction pathways of liquid electrolyte component such as solvent and salts are predicted from AIMD simulations of electrolyte-anode interfaces. Energetics of reactions from DFT ground-state optimizations are also presented to confirm the decomposition mechanisms. Some significant differences are then drawn regarding the use of low and high salt concentrations. Simulations under electron-rich environments show additional multielectron electrochemical reactions of solvent and salt decomposition taking place due to the excess of electrons and the presence of radical anions in the solution. Finally, the initial stages of formation, stability, and main constituents of interfaces between Li-metal and Sbased electrodes with sulfide-based SSEs are characterized in detail.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Model for the Solid–Liquid Interfacial Free Energy at High Pressures

The free energy involved in the formation of an interface between two phases (e.g., a solid–liquid interface) is referred to as the interfacial free energy. For the case of solidification, the interfacial free energy dictates the height of the energy barrier required to nucleate stable clusters of the newly forming solid phase and is essential for producing an accurate solidification kinetics model using classical nucleation theory (CNT)-based methods. While various methods have been proposed for modeling the interfacial free energy for solid–liquid interfaces in prior literature, many of these formulations involve making restrictive assumptions or approximations, such as the system being at or near equilibrium (i.e., the system temperature is approximately equal to the melt temperature) or that the system is at pressures close to atmospheric. However, these approximations and assumptions may break down in highly non-equilibrium situations, such as in dynamic-compression experiments where metastable liquids that are undercooled by hundreds of kelvin or over-pressurized by several gigapascals or more are formed before eventually solidifying. We derive a solid–liquid interfacial free-energy model for such high-pressure conditions by considering the enthalpies of interactions between pairs of atoms or molecules. We also consider the contribution of interface roughness (disordering) by incorporating a multilayer interface model known as the Temkin n-layer model. Our formulation is applicable to a diverse variety of materials, and we demonstrate it by developing models specifically for two different materials: water and gallium. We apply our interfacial free-energy formulation to CNT-based kinetics simulations of several suites of dynamic-compression experiments that cause liquid water to solidify to the high-pressure solid polymorph ice VII and have found good agreement to the observed kinetics with only minor empirical fitting.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Unraveling compacted graphite evolution during solidification of cast iron using in-situ synchrotron X-ray tomography

In spite of many years of research, the physical phenomena leading to the evolution of compacted graphite (CG) during solidification is still not fully understood. In particular, it is unknown how highly branched CG aggregates form and evolve in the semi-solid, and how local microstructural variations at micrometer length scale affect this growth process. We present here the first time-resolved synchrotron tomography combined with a bespoke high-temperature environmental cell that allows direct observation of the evolution of CG and relates this dynamic process to the local surrounding microstructures in a cast iron sample during repeated melting and solidification. Distinct processes are identified for the formation of CG involving the nucleation, growth, development of branches and interconnection of graphite particles, ultimately evolving into highly branched graphite aggregates with large sizes and low sphericities. CG is found to nucleate with a spheroidal or a plate-like shape, developing branches induced by high carbon concentration, e.g. thin melt channels. Additionally, CG grows much faster than spheroidal graphite during subsequent cooling in solid state. The direct visualization of the dynamic solidification process provides unprecedented new insights into formation mechanisms of CG and correlating factors such as local microstructural variations, and guides the development of CG iron solidification models.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Dynamics of polymer electrolyte with LiTFSI via Quasi-Elastic Neutron Scattering

Most lithium batteries offer a wide range of applications. However, safety issues are still an unresolved issue for several applications. To solve the safety issue of Li-ion batteries, solid polymer electrolyte is a promising candidate to replace commercial liquid electrolyte. A 4-arm star poly(ethylene oxide) polymer with LiTFSI salt as an electrolyte was studied. The dynamics of this polymer were explored with the Quasi-Elastic Neutron Scattering technique. Furthermore, the influence of temperature and Li salt concentration on the polymer dynamics was investigated. The dynamics of the polymer ends of the arm show much higher flexibility than the core parts making those types of polymers attractive for further studies in battery research.

Wang, Hui↗

Dynamic Life-Cycle Analysis of Fast Pyrolysis Biorefineries: Impacts of Feedstock Moisture Content and Particle Size

The commercialization of biorefineries has been met with significant obstacles due to the technical difficulties of handling solid biomass feedstocks, which are highly variable in physical properties and chemical compositions. An understanding of the principles of unit operations along the supply chain is key to the success of the biofuel industry. This study applies a dynamic life-cycle analysis (DLCA) methodology by developing quantitative relationships between the inputs and outputs for each unit operation based on scientific understanding of the causal effects. Using the DLCA, we assessed system sustainability of drop-in fuel production from fast pyrolysis of pine residues followed by hydro-processing. Life-cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were calculated for 4641 runs involving two key feedstock parameters: moisture content after field drying and particle size of the feed to pyrolyzer. Moisture contents varied between 25% and 35%, while particle sizes varied between 0.5 and 5 mm in these runs. The life-cycle GHG emissions of these cases vary from 22 to 40 g/MJ. Close examination of each unit operation's contribution to the total GHG emissions reveals that low moisture content after field drying produces savings in energy consumption during feedstock transportation and on-site drying. However, although small particle size leads to overall higher fuel yield, it also requires a significant amount of energy for feedstock size reduction and fuel production. The energy penalty outweighs the benefit of increased fuel yields, especially when fine particles (<1 mm) are used for pyrolysis; thus, small particle size leads to increased GHG emissions overall. The results highlight the trade-offs between the energy demand for preprocessing and the conversion yields, which can be addressed with DLCA.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Interfacial Hydrogen-Bond Dynamics in Transition Metal Compounds

Understanding how water behaves when confined within atomic layers of active transition-metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides is essential for uncovering the fundamental principles needed to engineer solid–liquid interfaces at the atomic scale. Yet, how lattice element chemistry and surface termination groups collectively regulate the structure and mobility of such interlayer water remains poorly understood. Here, we present a composition-controlled investigation of interlayer water dynamics in layered transition-metal nitride, carbide, and carbonitride systems using a systematic integration of quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS), ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. QENS measurements show that nitride-rich systems host mobile, translationally diffusing water with thermally activated self-diffusion coefficients on the order of 10 –10 m 2 s –1 , whereas mixed C/N lattices confine water to localized, nontranslational motion that is insensitive to temperature. AIMD and DFT reveal that lattice C/N chemistry and surface functional group composition reshape the first hydration layer by modulating the surface electronic structure and termination-dependent hydrogen-bond networks, leading to pronounced differences in water ordering and thermal resilience. On the other hand, fully carbide systems exhibit intermediate behavior, highlighting that water mobility is not primarily controlled by the hydration level alone but by the coupling between lattice composition and surface chemistry. Overall, this study establishes how surface chemistry and lattice composition jointly control interfacial hydrogen bond dynamics, offering a mechanistic framework for designing transition-metal layered materials with tailored interfacial transport properties.

Hydration↗

Thermodynamics, local structure, and transport of protons in triple-conducing oxide, BaCo 0.4 Fe 0.4 Zr 0.1 Y 0.1 O 3-δ (BCFZY4411)

Triple-conducting oxides (TCOs) are an emerging class of mixed ionic and electronically conducting materials that show great promise for oxygen reduction/oxygen evolution (ORR/OER) electrocatalysis—primarily in high-temperature ceramic electrochemical cells— but also in aqueous alkaline environments. Their high activity is attributed, at least in part, to their ability to incorporate and transport three mobile charge carriers: protons, oxygen vacancies, and electron-holes Despite their promise, fundamental studies of TCOs are challenging, as transport dynamics from three charge carriers cannot be fully disentangled via traditional electrical measurement techniques. Characterizing proton dynamics in TCOs is particularly difficult as protons are generally the minority carrier, and their conduction response is typically obscured by the oxygen vacancies and electron holes. Here, we demonstrate successful isolation of the proton behavior in an archetypal TCO, BaCo 0.4 Fe 0.4 Zr 0.1 Y 0.1 O 3-δ (BCFZY4411), using a combination of non-electrical techniques. We determine proton uptake and oxygen non-stoichiometry (δ) using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and neutron diffraction (ND) are used to validate the oxidation state of Co and the δ values obtained through TGA. We apply 1H solid-state magic-angle-spinning (MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to provide insights into local structure, dynamics, and proton kinetics. Finally, the proton transport properties are further quantified using tracer isotope exchange with time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). Despite the very low proton concentrations in BCFZY4411 (<0.2% under most conditions), our analysis suggests that the oxygen Manuscript File Click here to view linked References 2 reduction and evolution reactions are nevertheless limited by the oxygen ion kinetics (e.g., oxygen surface exchange) rather than the proton kinetics at the reduced operating temperatures (<500 °C) that are targeted for electrochemical cell applications. These findings provide a comprehensive understanding of proton behavior in BCFZY4411 and pave the way for advancing the fundamental study of TCOs.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Autonomous Infrared and Small (Wide) Angle X-Ray Scattering (IR-S(W)AXS) Capability

Thin water films are 2-D, nanoconfined layers that form on solid surfaces exposed to humid atmospheres—environments ubiquitous across catalysis, corrosion science, soil science, and subsurface geochemistry. At relative humidity (RH) values below saturation, these films are Å–nm thick and exhibit properties that differ sharply from bulk water, including disrupted H-bonding and impeded mass transport. Owing to their high surface-to-volume ratio, dissolution of the solid can rapidly drive strong supersaturation with respect to secondary phases. Reactivity in thin water films is highly sensitive to film thickness, and critically, thickness evolves during reaction because the hygroscopicity of the interfacial system changes as ions accumulate or diminish in the film and as reaction products transform. To accurately probe and control these dynamics, a capability is needed that can measure and automatically maintain a constant water-film thickness while simultaneously monitoring solid dissolution, nucleation, and growth. This project developed an autonomous Infrared/Small Angle X-ray Scattering-Wide Angle X-ray Scattering (IR/(W)SAXS) for investigating reactivity in thin water films on solid surfaces exposed to humidified gases. The capability consists of an IR spectrometer, a (W)SAXS instrument, and a mass flow controller system for generating variably humidified gas flows to a custom reaction cell. Progress on each of the major components of the capability are detailed below.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗