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At least 73 records · Page 4

Numerical coupling of aerosol emissions, dry removal, and turbulent mixing in the E3SM Atmosphere Model version 1 (EAMv1) – Part 1: Dust budget analyses and the impacts of a revised coupling scheme

Abstract. An earlier study evaluating dust life cycle in the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) Atmosphere Model version 1 (EAMv1) has revealed that the simulated global mean dust lifetime is substantially shorter when higher vertical resolution is used, primarily due to significant strengthening of dust dry removal in source regions. This paper demonstrates that the sequential splitting of aerosol emissions, dry removal, and turbulent mixing in the model's time integration loop, especially the calculation of dry removal after surface emissions and before turbulent mixing, is the primary reason for the vertical resolution sensitivity reported in that earlier study. Based on this reasoning, we propose a revised numerical process coupling scheme that requires the least amount of code changes, in which the surface emissions are applied before turbulent mixing instead of before dry removal. The revised scheme allows newly emitted particles to be transported aloft by turbulence before being removed from the atmosphere, and hence better resembles the dust life cycle in the real world. Sensitivity experiments show that the revised process coupling substantially weakens dry removal and strengthens vertical mixing in dust source regions. It also strengthens the large-scale transport from source to non-source regions, strengthens dry removal outside the source regions, and strengthens wet removal and activation globally. In transient simulations of the years 2000–2009 conducted using 1∘ horizontal grid spacing, 72 vertical layers, and unchanged tuning parameters of emission strength, the revised process coupling leads to a 40 % increase in the global total dust burden and an increase of dust lifetime from 1.8 to 2.5 d in terms of 10-year averages. Weakened dry removal and increased mixing ratios are also seen for other aerosol species that have substantial surface emissions, although the changes in mixing ratio are considerably smaller for the submicron species than for dust and sea salt. Numerical experiments confirm that the revised coupling scheme significantly reduces the strong and non-physical sensitivities of model results to vertical resolution in the original EAMv1. This provides a motivation for adopting the revised scheme in EAM as well as for further improvements on the simple revision presented in this paper.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Development, characterization, and modeling of a high-performance Ru/B2CA catalyst for ammonia synthesis

This paper documents the development and performance of a nano-phase Ru catalyst on a (BaO) x (CaO) y (Al 2 O 3 ) support. Extensive screening of the support’s ternary composition shows the best stoichiometry is (BaO) 2 (CaO)(Al 2 O 3 ), denoted B2CA. The paper first describes catalyst preparation and characterization. The paper reports a detailed 12-step reaction mechanism that represents ammonia synthesis over wide ranges of temperature, pressure, space velocity, and feed composition. Additionally, the mechanism is developed and validated using results of packed-bed experiments. The elementary reaction pathways consider surface adsorbates, including catalyst-poisoning behaviors. The rate expressions include important coverage-dependent activation barriers. Machine learning models assist interpretation of the catalyst-support interactions. The detailed chemistry is much more predictive than is possible with global representations (N 2 + 3H 2 ⇌ 2NH 3 ). The validated models can be applied to assist optimizing reactor design and operating conditions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Multi-objective Bayesian optimization of ferroelectric materials with interfacial control for memory and energy storage applications

Optimization of materials’ performance for specific applications often requires balancing multiple aspects of materials’ functionality. Even for the cases where a generative physical model of material behavior is known and reliable, this often requires search over multidimensional function space to identify low-dimensional manifold corresponding to the required Pareto front. In this work, we introduce the multi-objective Bayesian optimization (MOBO) workflow for the ferroelectric/antiferroelectric performance optimization for memory and energy storage applications based on the numerical solution of the Ginzburg–Landau equation with electrochemical or semiconducting boundary conditions. MOBO is a low computational cost optimization tool for expensive multi-objective functions, where we update posterior surrogate Gaussian process models from prior evaluations and then select future evaluations from maximizing an acquisition function. Using the parameters for a prototype bulk antiferroelectric (PbZrO 3 ), we first develop a physics-driven decision tree of target functions from the loop structures. We further develop a physics-driven MOBO architecture to explore multidimensional parameter space and build Pareto-frontiers by maximizing two target functions jointly—energy storage and loss. This approach allows for rapid initial materials and device parameter selection for a given application and can be further expanded toward the active experiment setting. The associated notebooks provide both the tutorial on MOBO and allow us to reproduce the reported analyses and apply them to other systems (https://github.com/arpanbiswas52/MOBO_AFI_Supplements).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Dynamical instability in multi-orbiter systems with gas friction

ABSTRACT Closely packed multiplanet systems are known to experience dynamical instability if the spacings between the planets are too small. Such instability can be tempered by the frictional forces acting on the planets from gaseous discs. A similar situation applies to stellar-mass black holes embedded in active galactic nuclei discs around supermassive black holes. We use N-body integrations to evaluate how the frictional damping of orbital eccentricity affects the growth of dynamical instability for a wide range of K (the difference in the planetary semimajor axes in units of the mutual Hill radius) and (unequal) planet masses. We find that, in general, the stable region (large K) and unstable region (small K) are separated by a “grey zone”, where the (in)stability is not guaranteed. We report the numerical values of the critical spacing for stability Kcrit and the “grey zone” range in different systems, and provide fitting formulae for arbitrary frictional forcing strength. We show that the stability of a system depends on the damping time-scale τ relative to the zero-friction instability growth time-scale tinst: two-planet systems are stable if tinst ≳ τ; three-planet systems require tinst ≳ 10τ−100τ. When K is sufficiently small, tinst can be less than the synodic period between the planets, which makes frictional stabilization unlikely to occur. As K increases, tinst tends to grow exponentially, but can also fluctuate by a few orders of magnitude. We also devise a linear map to analyse the dynamical instability of the “planet + test mass” system, and find qualitative agreement with N-body simulations.

Li, Jiaru (ORCID:0000000155507421)↗

Sanford Underground Research Facility’s approach to school education, community activities, and public outreach

The Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) is the deepest underground science facility in the United States. SURF hosts world-leading experiments in neutrino, astroparticle and nuclear physics, as well as projects in biology, geology, and engineering, and is home to a major excavation project making space for Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory’s Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF), which will power the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE). An emphasis on outreach and education is embedded in SURF’s mission statement: “to advance world-class science and inspire learning across generations.” To achieve this mission, SURF goes beyond established science communication methods, including operating an open-to-the-public visitor center, hosting multiple public outreach events per month, and an annual city-wide science festival. Furthermore, SURF is training K-12 science educators, developing school curriculum units, and providing classroom materials, based on science researched at the laboratory. The strategic approach, specific methods, and successful outcomes of these programs, which are based on SURF’s science, location, and community, may serve as examples for effective science education, public outreach, and community engagement.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Discrepancies between Theory and Experiment in Determining the Ionization Energy of NF 3

High-accuracy ab initio thermochemical predictions for the ionization energy of NF 3 , the barrier height (to inversion) of NF 3 + , and the dissociative ionization threshold of NF 3 to NF 2 + + F are presented and incorporated into Active Thermochemical Tables. The adiabatic ionization energy of the first ionization band of NF 3 , calculated at 12.647 ± 0.010 eV, is at odds with previous experimental interpretations by nearly 0.36 eV due to unfavorable Franck-Condon factors associated with this transition. The barrier (to inversion) height is calculated to be about 0.6 eV lower in energy than the prior interpretation, which instigates a discussion of the supposed vibrational structure of the first ionization band of NF 3 . Updated assignments of the photoelectron spectrum are proposed, and the loss in vibrational spacing on the high-energy side of the experimental ionization band is discussed. Rudimentary anharmonic Franck-Condon simulations qualitatively reproduce the broad spectral features observed in experiment.

Active Thermochemical Tables↗

Model-Free Measurement of Local Entropy Production and Extractable Work in Active Matter

Time-reversal symmetry breaking and entropy production are universal features of nonequilibrium phenomena. Despite its importance in the physics of active and living systems, the entropy production of systems with many degrees of freedom has remained of little practical significance because the high dimensionality of their state space makes it difficult to measure. Here, in this work, we introduce a local measure of entropy production and a numerical protocol to estimate it. We establish a connection between the entropy production and extractability of work in a given region of the system and show how this quantity depends crucially on the degrees of freedom being tracked. We validate our approach in theory, simulation, and experiments by considering systems of active Brownian particles undergoing motility-induced phase separation, as well as active Brownian particles and E.coli in a rectifying device in which the time-reversal asymmetry of the particle dynamics couples to spatial asymmetry to reveal its effects on a macroscopic scale.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Tensile deformation behavior of twist grain boundaries in CoCrFeMnNi high entropy alloy bicrystals

High entropy alloys (HEA) are a class of materials that consist of multiple elemental species in similar concentrations. The use of elements in far from dilute concentrations introduces a multi-dimensional composition design space by which the properties of metallic systems can be tailored. While the mechanical behavior of HEAs has been the subject of active research recently, the role of grain boundaries (GBs) in their deformation behavior remains poorly understood. Motivated by recent experiments on HEAs demonstrating that GBs act as nucleation sites for deformation twins, herein, we leverage atomistic simulations to construct a series of equiatomic CoCrFeMnNi HEA bicrystals with $\langle 110 \rangle$ and $\langle 111 \rangle$ symmetric twist GBs and examine their tensile behavior and underlying deformation mechanisms at 77 K. Simulation results reveal that plastic deformation proceeds by the nucleation of partial dislocations from GBs, which then grow with further loading by bowing into the bulk crystals leaving behind stacking faults. Variations in the nucleation stress exist as function of GB character, defined in this work by the twist angle. Our results provide future avenues to explore GBs as a microstructure design tool to develop HEAs with tailored properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Steady-State Irradiation of Characterized Instruments for Nuclear Thermal Rockets Using In-Pile Experiment Apparatus

The development of nuclear rocket technology is critical for further exploration of extra-terrestrial bodies. Nuclear rockets can provide various advantages over current chemical rockets. However, the harsh environment provides several challenges regarding instrument performance. Temperature extremes, radiation (reactor and space), and the inability to conduct traditional maintenance activities can lead to severe degradation in instrument performance. To better understand the effects of radiation on instrumentation, an irradiation campaign has been designed to test a set of instruments provided by a collaborator in the aerospace industry. Details concerning instrument performance before and after irradiation are provided to allow for an analysis of the tested instruments. Additionally, the design of the irradiation test is described in detail.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Index tests for geosynthetic clay liners containing bentonite–polymer composites

The hydraulic conductivity of geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) containing bentonite–polymer composites (BPCs) is controlled by a pore clogging mechanism related to the swelling of sodium bentonite (NaB) granules and formation of polymer gel in the pore space. Three index testing procedures that are influenced by bentonite swelling and rheology of the polymer gel were evaluated in this study for screening BPC GCLs for hydraulic conductivity: viscosity, liquid limit by fall-cone penetration and active water content. Experiments were conducted using polyacrylamide (PAM) polymer, dry-blended mixtures of PAM and NaB and a BPC from a commercially available GCL. These materials were contacted with inorganic solutions representing leachates from a range of waste containment scenarios. For the BPC that was evaluated, hydraulic conductivities less than 10 -10 m/s were obtained when the viscosity exceeded 220 mPa s and the active water content exceeded 300%. Hydraulic conductivities less than 10 -11 m/s were achieved for viscosity exceeding 350 mPa s, fall-cone liquid limit exceeding 190 and active water content exceeding 300%. Additional testing is needed to assess the generality of these index tests and the identified thresholds when applied to other BPC GCLs and other permeant liquids.

Engineering↗

A Ce-CuZn catalyst with abundant Cu/Zn-OV-Ce active sites for CO 2 hydrogenation to methanol

CO 2 hydrogenation to chemicals and fuels is a significant approach for achieving carbon neutrality. It is essential to rationally design the chemical structure and catalytic active sites towards the development of efficient catalysts. Here we show a Ce-CuZn catalyst with enriched Cu/Zn-OV-Ce active sites fabricated through the atomic-level substitution of Cu and Zn into Ce-MOF precursor. The Ce-CuZn catalyst exhibits a high methanol selectivity of 71.1% and a space-time yield of methanol up to 400.3 g·kg cat -1 ·h -1 with excellent stability for 170 h at 260°C, comparable to that of the state-of-the-art CuZnAl catalysts. Controlled experiments and DFT calculations confirm that the incorporation of Cu and Zn into CeO 2 with abundant oxygen vacancies can facilitate H 2 dissociation energetically and thus improve CO 2 hydrogenation over the Ce-CuZn catalyst via formate intermediates. This work offers an atomic-level design strategy for constructing efficient multi-metal catalysts for methanol synthesis through precise control of active sites.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Advances in Quantum Defect Embedding Theory

Quantum defect embedding theory (QDET) is a many-body embedding method designed to describe condensed systems with strongly correlated electrons localized within a given region of space, for example spin defects in semiconductors and insulators. Although the QDET approach has been successful in predicting the electronic properties of several point defects, several limitations of the method remain. Here, in this work, we propose multiple advances to the QDET formalism. We derive a doublecounting correction that consistently treats the frequency dependence of the screened Coulomb interaction, and we illustrate the effect of including unoccupied orbitals in the active space. In addition, we propose a method to describe hybridization effects between the active space and the environment, and we compare the results of several impurity solvers, providing further insights into improving the reliability and applicability of the method. We present results for defects in diamond and for molecular qubits, including a detailed comparison with experiments.

Chen, Siyuan [University of Chicago, IL (United St↗

Bayesian D‐Optimal Designs for Gaussian Process Surrogate Models

Computer experiments often employ space-filling strategies to create surrogate models with strong predictive performance. The impact of model parameter estimation for Gaussian process surrogates, however, is often overlooked. Obtaining a better initial estimate of the covariance lengthscale parameter, θ, can greatly improve the resulting Gaussian process fit through more effective sequential acquisitions during active learning. In this work, we propose a novel initial design maximizing the Bayesian D-optimality criterion of the Gaussian process lengthscale parameter. Previously published results have shown the emphasis on lengthscale estimation to be promising, but relied on an empirically driven design creation process. Our Bayesian D-optimal designs are rooted in information theory and lead to more informative sequential acquisitions by improving lengthscale estimation. In many cases, these gains eventually result in better surrogates than those seeded with space-filling initial designs. Furthermore, Bayesian D-optimal designs can be tailored to either isotropic or anisotropic covariance structures, and the Bayesian framework enables the inclusion of prior knowledge in the design process, offering greater flexibility and adaptability. Through several simulation studies, we demonstrate the advantages of Bayesian D-optimal designs in terms of both lengthscale estimation accuracy and predictive performance during active learning.

Bayesian experimental design↗

Gas-Phase Stability of Large Lanthanide:Ligand Clusters Evaluated Using Collision-Induced Dissociation

Introduction In the reprocessing of f-elements present in used nuclear fuels, a variety of diglycolamides (DGA’s) are used as extractants for actinide partitioning. In particular, the Actinide-Lanthanide Separation (ALSEP) process typically utilizes either the N,N,N’,N’-tetraoctyl diglycolamide (TODGA) or N,N,N',N'-tetra-2-ethylhexyl diglycolamide (T2EHDGA) extractant ligands following the partitioning of uranium and plutonium from used nuclear fuel. To better understand fundamental interactions in these processes, covalent bonding of several f-elements with diglycolamides, primarily TODGA, is investigated in the gas phase using nanospray ionization and a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Further, analysis of the identity and relative strength of the cluster is enabled by MS2 isolation and collision induced dissociation. Methods Metal ion cluster analysis was completed using a Bruker (Billerica, MA, USA) mircOTOF-Q II quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer with a CaptiveSpray nanospray ion source. Detection was accomplished using positive ionization mode. Metal: ligand solutions were assembled as 30 µM europium nitrate, samarium nitrate, cerium nitrate, or holmium nitrate and 3 µM DGA in acetonitrile or a 50:50 mixture of acetonitrile: isopropanol. Preliminary data The samarium cluster experiments yielded clusters with a samarium:TODGA ratio of up to 1:7 able to be isolated and evidence of greater ratios present in the mass spectrum. This is surprising, as metal clusters are not expected to have a coordination space able to accommodate this many TODGA ligands, due to its size and tridenticity. Collisional activation of [Sm(TODGA)3]3+ suggested loss of a TODGA radical cation, in addition to ligand fragmentation. In contrast, activation of clusters with higher Sm:TODGA ratios resulted in loss of entire ligands, with no evidence of fragmentation. A lower collision energy was required to remove ligands as the number of bound TODGAs increased, suggesting that in larger clusters, ligands are more delicately complexed to the metal. In addition, several clusters were observed with the composition [Sm(NO3)x(TODGA)n x]+3 x. With a single nitrate ion, clusters with up to six TODGAs were able to be isolated. In a similar pattern to the samarium clusters containing only TODGA, less collision energy was required to eliminate one or more TODGAs with increasing size. Clusters with composition [Sm(NO3)(TODGA)n-1]2+ appeared in lower abundance and were more collisionally stable than [Sm(TODGA)n]3+ clusters. With two nitrate ions, only clusters with a single TODGA were able to be isolated. Analogous europium experiments resulted in similar clusters. Ratios of up to 1:7 Eu:TODGA and clusters with one nitrate and up to five TODGAs were isolated. In clusters with two nitrate ions, only one or two TODGAs were observed to be bound. Similar to samarium, MS2 experiments with the Eu clusters suggested that larger clusters required less collision energy to eliminate TODGA. Europium clusters with the composition [Eu(NO3)(TODGA)n-1]2+ were observed in greater abundance and with greater stability than the equivalent cluster with the composition [Eu(TODGA)n]3+. Novel Aspect These are the first reported Ln:TODGA clusters, allowing us to begin to investigate intrinsic complexation of lanthanides with process-relevant ligands.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Active oversight and quality control in standard Bayesian optimization for autonomous experiments

The fusion of experimental automation and machine learning has catalyzed a new era in materials research, prominently featuring Gaussian Process (GP) Bayesian Optimization (BO) driven autonomous experiments. Here we introduce a Dual-GP approach that enhances traditional GPBO by adding a secondary surrogate model to dynamically constrain the experimental space based on real-time assessments of the raw experimental data. This Dual-GP approach enhances the optimization efficiency of traditional GPBO by isolating more promising space for BO sampling and more valuable experimental data for primary GP training. We also incorporate a flexible, human-in-the-loop intervention method in the Dual-GP workflow to adjust for unanticipated results. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the Dual-GP model with synthetic model data and implement this approach in autonomous pulsed laser deposition experimental data. This Dual-GP approach has broad applicability in diverse GPBO-driven experimental settings, providing a more adaptable and precise framework for refining autonomous experimentation for more efficient optimization.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Pervasive symmetry-lowering nanoscale structural fluctuations in the cuprate La 2−𝑥 ⁢Sr 𝑥 ⁢Cu⁢O 4

The cuprate superconductors are among the most widely studied quantum materials, yet there remain fundamental open questions regarding their electronic properties and the role of structural degrees of freedom. Recent neutron and x-ray scattering measurements uncovered exponential scaling with temperature of the strength of orthorhombic fluctuations in the tetragonal phase of La 2−𝑥⁢ Sr 𝑥 ⁢Cu⁢O 4 and Tl 2 ⁢Ba 2 ⁢Cu⁢O 6+𝛿 , unusual behavior that closely resembles prior results for the emergence of superconducting fluctuations, and that points to a common origin rooted in inherent correlated structural inhomogeneity. Here, in this study, we use neutron and x-ray diffuse scattering to provide further insight into structural fluctuations in La 2−𝑥 ⁢Sr 𝑥 ⁢Cu⁢O 4 . We perform measurements up to temperatures that approach the melting point of the undoped parent compound, and we investigate the effects of in situ in-plane uniaxial elastic stress and plastic deformation. Our neutron scattering results for the parent compound La 2 ⁢Cu⁢O 4 reveal that short-range orthorhombic fluctuations persist to the maximum experimental temperature of nearly 1000 K, i.e., to a significant fraction of the crystallization temperature. At this temperature, the spatial characteristic length extracted from the momentum-space data is still about three lattice constants. The neutron scattering experiment enables quasistatic discrimination and reveals that the response is increasingly dynamic at higher temperatures. We also find that neither compressive elastic stress along the tetragonal [110] direction nor irreversible plastic deformation activating the ⟨100⟩⁢[001] slip system significantly alter the robust orthorhombic fluctuations. Overall, these results support the notion that these fluctuations couple to subtle, underlying inhomogeneity that underpins the cuprate phase diagram. Finally, in La 1.8⁢ Sr 0.2⁢ Cu⁢O 4 , we uncover low-energy structural fluctuations at a nominally forbidden reflection that are distinct from the orthorhombic distortions. While the origin of these fluctuations is not clear, they might be related to the presence of extended defects such as dislocations or stacking faults.

Spieker, R. J. [Univ. of Minnesota, Minneapolis, M↗

Planned Steady State Irradiation of Characterized Instruments for Nuclear Thermal Rockets Using In-Pile Experiment Apparatus

The development of nuclear rocket technology is critical for the further exploration of extraterrestrial bodies. Nuclear rockets are capable of providing various advantages over current chemical rockets. However, the harsh environment provides a number of challenges regarding instrument performance. Temperature extremes, radiation (reactor and space), and the inability to conduct traditional maintenance activities can lead to a severe degradation in instrument performance. To better understand the effects of radiation on instrumentation, an irradiation campaign has been designed to test a set of instruments provided by a collaborator in the aerospace industry. Details concerning pre-irradiation performance are provided for a future comparison to the irradiated performance. Additionally, the design of the irradiation test is described in detail.

Floyd, Dan↗

Mechanism of the Accelerated Water Formation Reaction under Interfacial Confinement

Subnanoscale spaces at the interface between weakly coupled thin films and their metal supports offer exciting opportunities for studying chemical reactions under confinement. Here, we investigated the kinetics of water formation (from hydrogen and chemisorbed oxygen) in the confined space at the interface between bilayer (BL) silica and a Ru(0001) support, compared to the reaction on the bare Ru(0001) surface. Ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (AP-XPS) experiments were carried out at different temperatures at elevated pressures of H 2 to follow the reaction kinetics. The apparent activation energy at the BL-silica/Ru(0001) interface was found to be 0.38 eV lower than that on bare Ru(0001), consistent with a recent report by Prieto et al. (Angew. Chem., Int. Ed.2018, 57(28), 8749–8753) carried out at lower H 2 pressures using low-energy electron microscopy. Density functional theory calculations revealed that the rate-limiting step in the direct hydrogenation pathway on the Ru(0001) surface is the first hydrogen addition step (*H + *O ↔ *OH). The confinement at the BL-silica/Ru(0001) interface only marginally affects the energy barrier of the first hydrogen addition. Instead, it activates an alternative disproportionation reaction pathway (*H 2 O + *O ↔ 2*OH). On the bare Ru(0001) surface, the disproportionation pathway can only occur at cryogenic temperatures or under high water vapor pressures. However, the presence of the BL-silica increases the desorption barrier for water molecules at the interface. The increased residence time allows trapped water molecules to react with chemisorbed oxygen to produce two *OH per H 2 O with an activation energy 0.25 eV lower than that of the first hydrogen addition step. Finally, this work reveals the origin of the observed accelerated water formation reaction at the BL-silica/Ru(0001) interface in the low-temperature regime (T < 350 K) and points to a route to engineer chemical reaction pathways by leveraging subnanoscale confined spaces at metal–oxide interfaces.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗