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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 775 records · Page 43

Toward High-Voltage Cathodes for Zinc-Ion Batteries: Discovery Pipeline and Material Design Rules

Efficient energy storage systems are crucial to address the intermittency of renewable energy sources. As multivalent batteries, Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs), while inherently low voltage, offer a promising low-cost alternative to Li-ion batteries due to the viable use of zinc as the anode. However, to maximize the potential impact of ZIBs, rechargeable cathodes with improved Zn diffusion are needed. To better understand the chemical and structural factors influencing Zn-ion mobility within battery electrode materials, we employ a high-throughput computational screening approach to systematically evaluate candidate intercalation hosts for ZIB cathodes, expanding the chemical search space on empty intercalation hosts that do not contain Zn. We leverage a high-throughput screening funnel to identify promising cathodes in ZIBs, integrating screening criteria with density functional theory (DFT)-based calculations of Zn2+ intercalation and diffusion inside the host materials. Using these data, we identify the design principles that favor Zn-ion mobility in candidate cathode materials. Building on previous work on divalent-ion cathodes, this study broadens the chemical space for next-generation multivalent energy storage systems.

electrodes↗

leapR: An R Package for Multiomic Pathway Analysis

A generalized goal of many high-throughput data studies is to identify functional mecha-nisms that underlie observed biological phenomena, whether disease outcomes or metabolic out-put. Increasingly, studies that rely on multiple sources of high-throughput data (genomic, tran-scriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic) are faced with a challenge of utilizing the data in a way that maximizes utility. However, methods for integration of multiple forms of molecular data into a biolog-ically coherent frameworks are needed. Furthermore, we have developed a framework to assess biological pathway activity that relates to phenotypic outcome using multi-source data. Availability and implementation: The leapR package with user manual and example workflow is available for download from GitHub (https://github.com/biodataganache/leapR).

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Network Slicing for Federated Learning in Operational Technology Environment

Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) environments are essential to modern infrastructure, facing challenges in ensuring low-latency, high-throughput communication while mitigating cyber threats. This paper presents a framework integrating Federated Learning (FL) and network slicing with Quality of Service (QoS) to enable real-time monitoring without disrupting OT operations. Leveraging digital twin technology and Network Function Virtualization (NFV), the architecture supports predictive analytics and Industry 4.0 requirements. FL facilitates decentralized model training, preserving data privacy and scalability, though it introduces potential throughput constraints. Network slicing addresses this by creating dedicated virtualized segments optimized for performance and security. Advanced fault tolerance at the container and instance levels enhances system reliability. The proposed architecture ensures high throughput, low latency, and secure orchestration for real-time anomaly detection in OT networks. Performance evaluations validate its efficiency in throughput, deployment, and learning accuracy, providing a robust foundation for future ICS automation and data-driven decision-making.

Delgado, Brian G. Rodiles [University of Texas at ↗

An intra-node HPC network architecture with nanosecond-scale photonic switches

We propose a single-stage network architecture for intra-node connectivity that makes use of nanosecond-scale photonic switches. Although buffering at the switch points is of vital importance for complex multi-stage networks, this is not the case for smaller-scale single-stage networks where the end nodes are located only one hop apart. By limiting the buffering to the end points, the proposed architecture manages to minimize the required electro-optic and opto-electronic conversions, leading in this way to both low end-to-end latency and better energy efficiency. Combining these advantages with nanosecond-scale switching times can allow for high-throughput operation even for frequent switch reconfigurations. The performance of the proposed architecture is evaluated via discrete-event simulations for a wide range of synthetic-traffic cases. The simulation results show that high-throughput operation of ≥90% can be achieved even for small message sizes, i.e., 32 KB for all-to-all communication and 2 KB for uniform random traffic, at a data rate of 400 Gb/s and a switch reconfiguration time of ≤72 ns. Moreover, if 100-ns reconfiguration times are achievable as opposed to 150-ns, then for the all-to-all traffic case a 16% and 28% reduction in completion time can be achieved for message sizes of 8 KB and 1 KB, respectively. In a forthcoming era of optically interfaced processors and accelerators, nanosecond-scale photonic switches appear as a highly promising solution for keeping up with the intra-node bandwidth scaling due to their high-bandwidth, low-latency and fast-switching capabilities.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Identification of beneficial and detrimental bacteria impacting sorghum responses to drought using multi-scale and multi-system microbiome comparisons

Abstract Drought is a major abiotic stress limiting agricultural productivity. Previous field-level experiments have demonstrated that drought decreases microbiome diversity in the root and rhizosphere. How these changes ultimately affect plant health remains elusive. Toward this end, we combined reductionist, transitional and ecological approaches, applied to the staple cereal crop sorghum to identify key root-associated microbes that robustly affect drought-stressed plant phenotypes. Fifty-three Arabidopsis-associated bacteria were applied to sorghum seeds and their effect on root growth was monitored. Two Arthrobacter strains caused root growth inhibition (RGI) in Arabidopsis and sorghum. In the context of synthetic communities, Variovorax strains were able to protect plants from Arthrobacter-caused RGI. As a transitional system, high-throughput phenotyping was used to test the synthetic communities. During drought stress, plants colonized by Arthrobacter had reduced growth and leaf water content. Plants colonized by both Arthrobacter and Variovorax performed as well or better than control plants. In parallel, we performed a field trial wherein sorghum was evaluated across drought conditions. By incorporating data on soil properties into the microbiome analysis, we accounted for experimental noise with a novel method and were able to observe the negative correlation between the abundance of Arthrobacter and plant growth. Having validated this approach, we cross-referenced datasets from the high-throughput phenotyping and field experiments and report a list of bacteria with high confidence that positively associated with plant growth under drought stress. In conclusion, a three-tiered experimental system successfully spanned the lab-to-field gap and identified beneficial and deleterious bacterial strains for sorghum under drought.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Electronic structure simulations in the cloud computing environment

The transformative impact of modern computational paradigms and technologies, such as high-performance computing, quantum computing, and cloud computing, has opened up profound new opportunities for scientific simulations. Scalable computational chemistry is one beneficiary of this technological progress. The main focus of this paper is on the performance of various quantum chemical formulations, ranging from low-order methods to high-accuracy approaches, implemented in different computational chemistry packages, such as NWChem, NWChemEx, SPEC, ExaChem, and FLOSIC codes on the Azure Quantum Element (AQE) Microsoft cloud services. We pay particular attention to the intricate workflows for performing composite chemistry simulations, associated data curation, and mechanisms for accuracy assessment, as defined by the enabling cloud Computational Chemistry as a Service (CCaaS). Our focus also extends to Arrows' automated workflow for high throughput simulations. Finally, we provide a perspective on the role of cloud computing in supporting the mission of leadership computational facilities (LCFs).

computational chemistry, electronic structure, Clo↗

Accelerating Materials Discovery: Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable, High-Performance Polymers

PolyID enables the discovery of polymers with advanced performance and greater sustainability while reducing material development timelines. The material design space is immense and cannot be reasonably probed using an Edisionian approach. High-throughput property prediction, enabled by artificial intelligence provides a hypothesis driven approach for down selection of candidate polymers to pursue experimentally. To aid experimentalists in the down selection of material targets this high-throughput, machine learning-based tool is capable of predicting polymer properties simply from molecular structures. Currently, transport, thermal, and mechanical properties across 7 polymer class (polyamides, polyesters, polycarbonates, polyimides, polyolefins, polyacrylates, and polyurethanes) can be predicted, and the PolyID platform has been flexibly designed so new materials and properties can be added.

artificial intelligence↗

3P Program: Phenotyping X Prediction = Productivity (Final Scientific/Technical Report)

The goal of the 3P Program was to establish integrated, real-time phenotyping and to analyze above- and below-ground plant architecture and total carbon partitioning and allocation to predict heterosis and develop superior crop hybrids by fully leveraging the Sorghum gene pool. There were two overarching themes: 1) the development of a new crop improvement approach utilizing advances in high-throughput phenotyping (HTP), computing, and genomics for public dissemination and 2) leveraging this platform for sorghum crop improvement and commercialization. The Clemson team worked on creating genomic resources and using both statistical learning and high-throughput phenotyping in genomics-assisted breeding. Research was broadly interested in the genetics of carbon partitioning, with the aim of improving crop performance and achieving sustainability. The technology and resources created can be readily found in the public domain and serve to advance scientific understanding of crop genomics and breeding. Genomic prediction was able to identify top crosses to be made, and a hybrid prediction pipeline is in place to drive year-over-year genetic gain. Roots have long been ignored by plant breeders and agronomists, not because they are unimportant but because they are hard to measure. This is an untapped white space of potential insight and innovation. To address this, Hi Fidelity Genetics developed the RootTracker to measure roots in the field on a continuous basis. A database system called RootTracker Tracker was developed to handle data coming from the RootTrackers. In using this device, valuable data was observed for plant breeding, hydrochemical development, and other agricultural biology applications. Carnegie Mellon’s goal was developing new techniques to generate high-resolution 3D models of plants from data collected in the field. The idea was that more useful and more informative phenotypes could be extracted by resolving small features, such as seeds and flowers, and that by modeling in 3D, the spatial structure of plants could be examined. To achieve this, multiple images collected by a new small format structured light stereo imager were fused together. A sorghum panicle modeling pipeline was developed to allow the collection and processing of data. Carolina Seed Systems is an agricultural technology company focused on decarbonizing the agricultural system. Their technology pipeline serves to drive fundamental progress towards creation and distribution of carbon negative crops. The genomic and the engineering technology developed through the 3P Program was leveraged to deliver both value and sustainability from the grower to the consumer. Promising sorghum hybrids were scaled up and commercialized. The overall goal of our research was to integrate, create, and deploy genetic and engineering concepts and technologies to enhance crop productivity in a sustainable fashion. The combination of public and private partners allowed the basic research and hypothesis testing to be quickly accelerated for commercial application by the companies yet maintained that the core framework and academic insights remain in the public domain for continued market disruption, competition, and innovation.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Architector 2.0: Expanded Capabilities for Metal Complex Engineering

Automated three-dimensional molecular construction from two-dimensional graph representations is critical to high-throughput discovery eIorts. Software capabilities in this area have accelerated research across fields ranging from protein design and drug discovery to transition metal catalyst development. When Architector was first introduced, it uniquely enabled high-throughput, chemically relevant three-dimensional construction of f-element complexes. Since its introduction, Architector has been applied in large-scale computational campaigns, targeted studies in critical mineral extraction, and artificial intelligence-driven discovery eIorts.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Label-Free Profiling of up to 200 Single-Cell Proteomes per Day Using a Dual-Column Nanoflow Liquid Chromatography Platform

Single-cell proteomics (SCP) has great potential to advance biomedical research and personalized medicine. The sensitivity of such measurements increases with low-flow separations (<100 nL/min) due to improved ionization efficiency, but the time required for sample loading, column washing, and regeneration in these systems can lead to low measurement throughput and inefficient utilization of the mass spectrometer. Herein, we developed a two-column liquid chromatography (LC) system that dramatically increases the throughput of label-free SCP using two parallel subsystems to multiplex sample loading, online desalting, analysis, and column regeneration. The integration of MS1-based feature matching increased proteome coverage when short LC gradients were used. The high-throughput LC system was reproducible between the columns, with a 4% difference in median peptide abundance and a median CV of 18% across 100 replicate analyses of a single-cell-sized peptide standard. An average of 621, 774, 952, and 1622 protein groups were identified with total analysis times of 7, 10, 15, and 30 min, corresponding to a measurement throughput of 206, 144, 96, and 48 samples per day, respectively. When applied to single HeLa cells, we identified nearly 1000 protein groups per cell using 30 min cycles and 660 protein groups per cell for 15 min cycles. Finally, we explored the possibility of measuring cancer therapeutic targets with a pilot study comparing the K562 and Jurkat leukemia cell lines. This work demonstrates the feasibility of high-throughput label-free single-cell proteomics.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Non-Electricity Based Renewable Fuels: Theory and Computation for Solar Thermochemical Hydrogen

Dominated by photovoltaics and wind, current renewable energy sources generate mostly electricity, but 80% of the global final energy consumption occurs in form of fuels. Therefore, direct solar fuel generation would be a major breakthrough for the energy transition. Solar thermochemical hydrogen (STCH) is one of the very few potential routes towards scalable renewable fuels, but currently suffers from lack of an oxide working material that could optimally perform energy conversion within the thermodynamic boundary conditions. Theory and computation can contribute in two distinct ways, through materials search and discovery, but also by providing detailed mechanistic models for specific systems so to advance our understanding of possible design strategies. To enable high-throughput materials screening, we developed a defect graph neural network (dGNN) machine learning approach,[1] which accelerates the prediction of defect formation energies by replacing the tedious density functional theory (DFT) supercell calculations for all possible defect sites. This approach enables high-throughput database screening of oxides, which was integrated with thermodynamic modeling to extract the reduction entropies as additional selection criterion for STCH. Once potential candidate materials are identified, detailed models can guide materials design by predicting performance characteristics. One challenge is to quantitatively predict thermochemical equilibria at high concentrations when the redox active defects start to interact with each other, thereby impeding the formation of additional defects. Introducing a model for the free energy of defect interaction, parametrized on the basis of DFT data, we simulated the complete STCH redox cycle for (Sr,Ce)MnO3 alloys, achieving near-quantitative agreement with experimental data.[2] The analysis of these simulations reveals how defect interactions diminish the reduction entropy and H2 yield, suggesting to include these interactions in design considerations. Finally, we revisit the popular van't Hoff method for analyzing reduction enthalpies and entropies. This method is not ideal, as it involves a temperature-dependent convolution of gas-phase and solid-state entropies, causing uncertainties in the same order of magnitude as the physical quantities of interest. To avoid this problem, we suggest a simple alternative approach which can be applied to experimental and simulated data alike.

first-principles calculations↗

Rapid Identification of Synthetic Routes to Functional Metastable Phases Using X-ray Probed Laser Anneal Mapping (XPLAM) Time-Temperature Quench Maps

Many material systems have known or predicted functional phases that are metastable at standard temperature and pressure. While substantial advances have been made in the high-throughput and combinatorial synthesis of materials with a range of stoichiometries, investigation of thermal processing remains largely the domain of iterative uniform anneals or static gradients. Here we develop X-ray probed laser anneal mapping (XPLAM), a high throughput technique coupling spatially resolved X-ray diffraction with microsecond to millisecond laser gradient anneals to produce temperature–dwell–transformation (TDT) diagrams of the phase as a function of quench time and temperature. In addition to showing regimes where specific metastable phases form preferentially, TDT diagrams provide insight into the submillisecond kinetics of solid–solid phase transitions. This is a unique tool for mapping reaction pathways for metastable phases. As a first demonstration of XPLAM, we study Bi2O3, which has a rich set of polytypes, including the d-phase with an exceptionally high oxygen ion conductivity. We demonstrate the first annealing-driven synthesis of room temperature d-Bi2O3. We expect XPLAM to prove a powerful technique for rapid identification of synthetic routes to metastable phases and to generate the exhaustive data sets required for machine learning-guided exploration of materials processing.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Integrated design of aluminum-enriched high-entropy refractory B2 alloys with synergy of high strength and ductility

Refractory high-entropy alloys (RHEAs) are promising high-temperature structural materials. Their large compositional space poses great design challenges for phase control and high strength-ductility synergy. The present research pioneers using integrated high-throughput machine learning with Monte Carlo simulations supplemented by ab initio calculations to effectively navigate phase selection and mechanical property predictions, developing single-phase ordered B2 aluminum-enriched RHEAs (Al-RHEAs) demonstrating high strength and ductility. These Al-RHEAs achieve remarkable mechanical properties, including compressive yield strengths up to 1.7 gigapascals, fracture strains exceeding 50%, and notable high-temperature strength retention. They also demonstrate a tensile yield strength of 1.0 gigapascals with a ductility of 9%, albeit with B2 ordering. Furthermore, we identify valence electron count domains for alloy ductility and brittleness with the explanation from density functional theory and provide crucial insights into elemental influence on atomic ordering and mechanical performance. The work sets forth a strategic blueprint for high-throughput alloy design and reveals fundamental principles governing the mechanical properties of advanced structural alloys.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗

Use of a segmented cell for the combinatorial development of platinum group metal-free electrodes for polymer electrolyte fuel cells

The development of novel platinum group metal (PGM)-free catalysts is a difficult task, particularly when coupled with the integration into a cathode catalyst layer (CCL). The optimization of such PGM-free electrode structures is often non-linear and iterative, making it a demanding task due to the high number of parameters that affect performance. To accelerate both materials discovery and electrode development, this work demonstrates the application of a high-resolution segmented cell (SC) with 121 segments of 0.413 cm 2 size for combinatorial high-throughput PGM-free catalyst screening and CCL optimization. The approach utilizes three flow-field strips with active areas of 4.45 cm 2 each, distributed over 11 segments. Electrodes with identical catalyst material and fabrication method result in reproducible data with typically less than 10% variation between each segment and match in performance with differential single cell data. High throughput testing of combinatorial sample sets, with varied PGM-free electrocatalyst materials or electrode composition, demonstrated the ability to rapidly discern high performing outliers, and establish or confirm trends in electrode optimization. The results indicated significant performance benefits of electrodes with ionomer content of 45 wt% over lower values, and of water rich inks with 82% water content over those with 50%.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗

Plasma Enhanced Growth of Carbon Nanotubes For Ultrasensitive Biosensors

The multitude of considerations facing nanostructure growth and integration lends itself to combinatorial optimization approaches. Rapid optimization becomes even more important with wafer-scale growth and integration processes. Here we discuss methodology for developing plasma enhanced CVD growth techniques for achieving individual, vertically aligned carbon nanostructures that show excellent properties as ultrasensitive electrodes for nucleic acid detection. We utilize high throughput strategies for optimizing the upstream and downstream processing and integration of carbon nanotube electrodes as functional elements in various device types. An overview of ultrasensitive carbon nanotube based sensor arrays for electrochemical biosensing applications and the high throughput methodology utilized to combine novel electrode technology with conventional MEMS processing will be presented.

Cassell, Alan M.↗

X ray, extreme and far ultraviolet optical thin films for space applications

Far and extreme ultraviolet optical thin film filters find many uses in space astronomy, space astrophysics, and space aeronomy. Spacebased spectrographs are used for studying emission and absorption features of the earth, planets, sun, stars, and the interstellar medium. Most of these spectrographs use transmission or reflection filters. This requirement has prompted a search for selective filtering coatings with high throughput in the FUV and EUV spectral region. Important progress toward the development of thin film filters with improved efficiency and stability has been made in recent years. The goal for this field is the minimization of absorption to get high throughput and enhancement of wavelength selection. The Optical Aeronomy Laboratory (OAL) at the University of Alabama in Huntsville has recently developed the technology to determine optical constants of bulk and film materials for wavelengths extending from x-rays (0.1 nm) to the FUV (200 nm), and several materials have been identified that were used for designs of various optical devices which previously have been restricted to space application in the visible and near infrared. A new design concept called the Pi-multilayer was introduced and applied to the design of optical coatings for wavelengths extending from x-rays to the FUV. Section 3 of this report explains the Pi-multilayer approach and demonstrates its application for the design and fabrication of the FUV coatings. Two layer Pi-stacks have been utilized for the design of reflection filters in the EUV wavelength range from 70 - 100 nm. In order to eliminate losses due to the low reflection of the imaging optics and increase throughput and out-of-band rejection of the EUV instrumentation we introduced a self-filtering camera concept. In the FUV region, MgF2 and LiF crystals are known to be birefringent. Transmission polarizers and quarterwave retarders made of MgF2 or LiF crystals are commercially available but the performances are poor. New techniques for the design of the EUV and FUV polarizers and quarterwave retarders are described in Section 5. X- and gamma-ray detectors rely on a measurement of the electron which is effected when a ray interacts with matter. The design of an x- and gamma-ray telescope to operate in a particular region of the spectrum is, therefore, largely dictated by the mechanism through which the rays interact. Energy selection and the focusing of the incident high energy rays can be achieved with spectrally selective high reflective multilayers. The design and spectral performance of narrowband reflective x-ray Pi-multilayers are presented in section 6.

Zukic, Muamer↗

Crystal Orientation and Defect Mapping in Electron-Beam-Sensitive Zeolites with Near-Axis Transmission Kikuchi Diffraction

Porous materials are vital in catalysis, energy conversion, and environmental remediation. Understanding structural heterogeneity in zeolites is key to linking synthesis, framework intergrowths, and catalytic performance, yet current methods for phase identification and spatial mapping lack sufficient resolution or throughput. We present a high-throughput approach using near-axis transmission Kikuchi diffraction in a scanning electron microscope, achieving high phase and spatial resolution for electron-beam-sensitive zeolites, including ZSM-5 and, for the first time, Zeolite A. Here, this method enables direct visualization of intergrowth features that critically affect catalytic and adsorption behavior, bridging the gap between ensemble-averaged X-ray diffraction and high-resolution but low-throughput transmission electron microscopy. Combining nanoscale mapping with statistical sampling is highly suited for machine-learning pipelines guiding new structure function understanding and could be extended to other beam-sensitive porous materials such as metal–organic or covalent–organic frameworks.

crystallography↗

Equilipy: a python package for calculating phase equilibria

The CALPHAD (CALculation of PHAse Diagram) approach (Nigel Saunders & Miodownik, 1998) provides predictions for thermodynamically stable phases in multicomponent-multiphase materials across a wide range of temperatures. Consequently, the CALPHAD calculations became an essential tool in materials and process design (Luo, 2015). Such design tasks frequently require navigating a high-dimensional space due to multiple components involved in the system. This increasing complexity demands high-throughput CALPHAD calculations, especially in the rapidly evolving field of alloy design. In response to the need, we developed Equilipy an open-source Python package designed for calculating phase equilibria of multicomponent-multiphase systems. Equilipy is specifically tailored for high-throughput CALPHAD calculations, offering parallel computations across multiple processors and nodes with the given NPT input conditions namely elemental compositions (N), pressure (P), and temperature (T). Equilipy utilizes the program structure and Gibbs energy functions from the Fortran-based program, Thermochimica (Piro et al., 2013), with incorporating a new Gibbs energy minimization algorithm. This algorithm, originally developed by Capitani and Brown in 1987 (Capitani & Brown, 1987), has been revised and implemented to enhance the stability and performance of calculations. The Fortran codes are precompiled and interfaced with Python via F2PY, ensuring high computation speed. Benchmark tests shown in Figure 1 demonstrate that Equilipy’s computation speed is comparable to those of established commercial software, TC-Python and PanPython. This result highlights its efficiency and potential applications in various scientific and industrial fields.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗