Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Film microstructures”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 883 records · Page 49

Effects of copper excess and copper deficiency on the structural and electrical properties of bulk Cu{sub x}SnSe{sub 3} with x=1.6–2.2

Effects of the Cu variation on the morphological, structural, and electrical properties of bulk Cu{sub x}SnSe{sub 3} (CTSe) with x=1.6–2.2 have been investigated. Dense CTSe pellets with grains of 3–4 µm were obtained after sintering at 550 °C. All CTSe pellets showed a dominant p-type behavior. CTSe at x=2.0 with a hole concentration (n{sub p}) of 1.02×10{sup 18} cm{sup −3} and Hall mobility (μ) of 225 cm{sup 2}/V/s had a highest conductivity (σ) of 39 S/cm. CTSe at x=1.6 with n{sub p} of 5.0×10{sup 17} cm{sup −3} and of 11 cm{sup 2}/V/s had a lowest of 0.90 S/cm. The explanation, based upon vacancies and antisite defects, for the changes in electrical property with the Cu content is supported by the data from lattice parameter. The study in bulk properties of CTSe and its defects is helpful for selecting the suitable absorber composition to fabricate thin film solar cells. - Graphical abstract: Cu{sub 2}SnSe{sub 3} is an absorber candidate for solar cells. The Cu stoichiometry on electrical properties, which is important for CIGS and CZTS, is investigated and the Cu-deficiency composition is recommended. - Highlights: • Cu{sub x}SnSe{sub 3} (CTSe) bulks with 1.6≤x≤2.2 were prepared by reactive sintering. • Cu{sub 2}SnSe{sub 3} with n{sub p} of 1.02×10{sup 18} cm{sup −3} and μ of 225 cm{sup 2}/V/s had highest σ of 39 S/cm. • Cu{sub 1.6}SnSe{sub 3} with n{sub p}=5.0×10{sup 17} cm{sup −3} and μ=11 cm{sup 2}/V/s had lowest σ=0.90 S/cm. • Lower n{sub p} at CTSe at x=1.6 is related to the formation of the Sn-to-Cu defect. • The drop in n{sub p} for CTSe at x=2.2 indicates V{sub Sn}{sup 4−} dominates over Cu{sub Sn}{sup 3−} defect.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Synthesis, microstructure and micro-mechanical characterization of metal (Nb, Ti) – MAX phase (Ti 2 AlC) nanolaminates

We utilize elevated temperature physical vapor deposition (PVD) techniques to design metal/MAX multilayered nanocomposite thin films with alternating nanoscale metallic (Nb, Ti) and MAX phase (Ti 2 AlC) layer thicknesses. These metal/MAX nanolaminate architectures attempt to exploit a unique hierarchical topology – as interfaces between the layers are expected to be in direct competition with the internal interfaces within the MAX layers, to drive their tunable macroscopic mechanical behavior. Two metal/MAX nanolaminates – Nb/Ti 2 AlC and Ti/Ti 2 AlC – were deposited. The Nb/Ti 2 AlC metal/MAX system showed highly diffused layer interfaces with distinct Ti – rich and Nb–Al – rich layers, with the presence of MAX phase alongside TiC and other Ti–Al and Nb–Al intermetallic phases. The Nb/Ti 2 AlC system possessed a layered architecture, though the MAX phases were not found to be continuously present in each alternating layer. The second Ti/Ti 2 AlC system showed a non-lamellar nanocomposite microstructure and the formation of mixed Ti n+1 AlC n phases (a mix of n = 1, 2), and no indication of layering. Diffusion occurring between the metal/MAX layers in both cases, likely due to the elevated temperatures during the deposition process, is speculated as the likely cause of these resultant microstructures. The mechanical properties of both systems were evaluated using micromechanical (nanoindentation and micro-pillar compression) techniques, which demonstrated high strengths for both systems (Nb system: yield and instability strengths of 4.88 ± 0.1 GPa and 5.57 ± 0.03 GPa, Ti system: yield and instability strength of 5.61 ± 0.28 GPa and 6.21 ± 0.25 GPa). In conclusion, this work highlights the promising mechanical properties of metal/MAX multilayered depositions and summarizes the challenges in PVD synthesis of metal/MAX multilayered nanolaminates.

MAX phase↗

Time Domain Thermoreflectance (TDTR) Studies of Microstructural Characterization of as-Fabricated and/or Irradiated TPBAR Components

Paddock et al. demonstrated for the first-time the measurement of thermal diffusivity from thin metal films using picosecond transient thermoreflectance in 1986. This project attempted to use a similar experimental setup based on a femtosecond time domain thermoreflectance (TDTR) to measure the damage to the crystal lattice of LiAlO 2 from irradiation in the reactor and production of tritium and helium. The TDTR is based on a pump-probe laser configuration where the pump laser is used to heat the sample and the probe laser is used to follow the thermal evolution created by the pump laser. The goal for this project is to measure the differences in thermal diffusivity between LiAlO 2 and the irradiated Li AIO 2 sample in a reactor. Unfortunately, COVID-19 restricted laboratory research time and the availability of researchers capable to conduct TDTR work. In addition, the ultrafast laser (Astrella 35fs laser) required to conduct the work was inoperable making this particulate work impossible to conduct in FY20 and FY21. The purpose of the thermal diffusion measurements with a TDTR setup is to probe the damage and disorder to the crystal lattice of pristine and irradiated samples. Since TDTR was not available for this work, a different approach using Raman and luminescence spectroscopy was used to characterize the crystal lattice damage in LiAlO 2 from irradiation.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

Effect of SrO Doping on LaGaO 3 Synthesis via Magnetron Sputtering

The high temperature growth behavior of epitaxial LaGaO 3 thin films with and without SrO is determined with real-time X-ray scattering. In this study, we find SrO alters the thin film growth mode of LaGaO 3 , both when predeposited on a surface as well as when SrO and LaGaO 3 are codeposited. We also find that depositing a small amount of SrO on a LaGaO 3 surface induces significant structural rearrangement in the film. We describe mechanisms under which these transformations can occur. In conclusion, the strong effect of SrO on the microstructure of La 1–x Sr x GaO 3 likely has wider implications for other ionically conducting oxide materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Agglomerates in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Electrodes: Part I. Structural Characterization

This two-part study characterizes the structural and transport properties of polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) cathode catalyst electrode. The agglomerates comprising the electrode are characterized with nano scale resolution X-ray computed tomography (nano-CT). A hybrid reconstruction technique is used to further refine the 3-D agglomerate microstructure and obtain 1-nm voxel resolution of the constituent catalyst, ionomer, carbon support and primary and secondary pore phases. Our analysis of nano-CT data shows that the electrode composition is heterogeneous and the agglomerates have structural heterogeneities in terms of size and composition. There is a strong correlation between the ionomer to carbon weight ratio (I/C) and agglomerate microstructure, suggesting that ionomer plays role in formation of larger agglomerates. With the hybrid reconstructions, we show that ionomer film thickness is spatially non-uniform inside the agglomerate and is strongly dependent on the I/C. Smaller agglomerate size and high I/C are shown to favor the ionomer impregnation. We demonstrate that the majority of the primary pores are smaller than 15 nm for I/C = 0.8 and higher I/C reduces the primary pore size. We also characterize the uniformity of the catalyst distribution and show that the majority of the catalyst is located away from the agglomerate surface.

agglomerate↗

High Performance PEFC Electrode Structures

Raytheon Technologies Research Center (RTRC) in collaboration with Ion Power Inc. and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the FC-PAD consortium executed a project that: (1) developed comprehensive models of oxygen and proton transport in cathode catalyst layers that provided new insights about losses associated with reducing platinum loading to 0.1 mg/cm 2 , (2) designed, fabricated, characterized, and tested cells featuring carbon-supported catalyst layers with low platinum loadings that met efficiency and power density targets set forth by the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Technology Office, and (3) designed, fabricated, characterized, and tested novel catalyst structures. The modeling efforts produced eight scientific publications that shared new descriptions of oxygen and proton transport in catalyst layers with the broader technical community. The key physical insights from the models are expressed in straightforward algebraic expressions, facilitating easy adoption by other researchers. The models developed during the project explain why resistance to oxygen transport is inversely proportional to interfacial area of platinum – an observation that eluded quantitative explanation for a decade. The models quantitatively predict polarization when measured morphological parameters and transport properties are input. Membrane-electrode assemblies made during the project met stated goals for current at high voltage and power density at rated voltage for transportation fuel cells at the end of budget period 2. High performance was achieved by developing a diffusion layer with low resistance to oxygen transport and a PtCo/C cathode catalyst layer capable of supporting rapid proton and oxygen transport. The project was subsequently directed to curtail experimental work and focus on modeling during budget period 3. Ion Power Inc. developed new expertise in fabricating catalyst layers containing platinum-cobalt catalysts, and processing very thin membranes. The University of Arkansas at Little Rock developed novel nanocolumnar self-supported thin film electrocatalysts that can be grown on carbon supports using a simple high pressure sputter deposition method. The nanocolumnar microstructure provides adequate surface-to-volume ratio for efficient platinum utilization, and the conformal platinum shell with larger crystal grain sizes covering the carbon support surface may eliminate durability issues associated with catalyst dissolution, agglomeration, and carbon corrosion.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Temperature-independent giant dielectric response in transitional BaTiO 3 thin films

Ferroelectric materials exhibit the largest dielectric permittivities and piezoelectric responses in nature, making them invaluable in applications from supercapacitors or sensors to actuators or electromechanical transducers. The origin of this behavior is their proximity to phase transitions. However, the largest possible responses are most often not utilized due to the impracticality of using temperature as a control parameter and to operate at phase transitions. This has motivated the design of solid solutions with morphotropic phase boundaries between different polar phases that are tuned by composition and that are weakly dependent on temperature. Thus far, the best piezoelectrics have been achieved in materials with intermediate (bridging or adaptive) phases. But so far, complex chemistry or an intricate microstructure has been required to achieve temperature-independent phase-transition boundaries. Here, we report such a temperature-independent bridging state in thin films of chemically simple BaTiO3. A coexistence among tetragonal, orthorhombic, and their bridging low-symmetry phases are shown to induce continuous vertical polarization rotation, which recreates a smear in-transition state and leads to a giant temperature-independent dielectric response. The current material contains a ferroelectric state that is distinct from those at morphotropic phase boundaries and cannot be considered as ferroelectric crystals. We believe that other materials can be engineered in a similar way to contain a ferroelectric state with gradual change of structure, forming a class of transitional ferroelectrics. Similar mechanisms could be utilized in other materials to design low-power ferroelectrics, piezoelectrics, dielectrics, or shape-memory alloys, as well as efficient electro- and magnetocalorics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Microstructure and Magnetic Properties of Exchange-Coupled Co{sub 72}Pt{sub 28}/Pt/Co{sub 81}Ir{sub 19} Composite Media for Perpendicular Magnetic Recording

In this work, we report the investigation of microstructure and magnetic properties of the Co{sub 72}Pt{sub 28}/Pt/Co{sub 81}Ir{sub 19} exchange-coupled composite (ECC) media using soft-layer (SL) of Co{sub 81}Ir{sub 19} with negative magnetocrystalline anisotropy (MA). Our TEM images show that the hard-layer (HL) exhibits a columnar type microstructure with well-isolated grains and the exchange-coupled SL with hcp-structure show the same texture. Strong coupling of the two layers have been evidenced by the magnetic characterization for all the studied films with Pt inter-layer thickness ranging from 0 to 2 nm. Importantly, these ECC media films have much lower coercivities and much higher thermal stabilities in the favor of high-density magnetic recording.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Effect of thermal annealing on the properties of transparent conductive In–Ga–Zn oxide thin films

Amorphous In–Ga–Zn oxide (IGZO) thin films were prepared using radio frequency magnetron sputtering at room temperature. Upon thermal annealing at temperatures even up to 500 °C, the amorphous characteristics were still maintained, but the electronic properties could be considerably enhanced. This could be ascribed to the increased optical band gap and the increased oxygen vacancies, as corroborated by the microstructure characterizations. In addition, the surface became smoother upon thermal annealing, guaranteeing good interface contact between electrode and a-IGZO. The optical transmittance at 400–800 nm exceeded 90% for all samples. All in all, thermal annealing at appropriate temperatures is expected to improve the performances of relevant a-IGZO thin film transistors.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Inter‐Fullerene Electronic Coupling Controls the Efficiency of Photoinduced Charge Generation in Organic Bulk Heterojunctions

Photoinduced charge generation (PCG) dynamics are notoriously difficult to correlate with specific molecular properties in device relevant polymer:fullerene organic photovoltaic blend films due to the highly complex nature of the solid state blend morphology. Here, this study uses six judiciously selected trifluoromethylfullerenes blended with the prototypical polymer poly(3‐hexylthiophene) and measure the PCG dynamics in 50 fs–500 ns time scales with time‐resolved microwave conductivity and femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. The isomeric purity and thorough chemical characterization of the fullerenes used in this study allow for a detailed correlation between molecular properties, driving force, local intermolecular electronic coupling and, ultimately, the efficiency of PCG yield. The findings show that the molecular design of the fullerene not only determines inter‐fullerene electronic coupling, but also influences the decay dynamics of free holes in the donor phase even when the polymer microstructure remains unchanged.

Larson, Bryon W.↗

Pretreatment effects on the morphology and properties of aluminum oxide thermally grown on NiCoCrAlY

The effect of pretreatments on the morphology and properties of aluminum oxide thermally grown from NiCoCrAlY was investigated. The goal was to optimize process steps to produce a highly adherent, continuous, and insulating aluminum oxide. Two pretreatments were carried out, one in vacuum (about 0.0001 Torr) at 1350 K for 5 h, and the other consisting of deposition of a 1-micron thick Al2O3 film by activated reactive evaporation. Samples were subsequently oxidized thermally at 1000 C for 50 h at 0.5 Torr oxygen pressure. The two pretreatments were carried out on electron-beam evaporation NiCoCrAlY, about 120 microns thick, deposited on a superalloy turbine blade substrate. The results showed that the thermally grown oxide was significantly different in microstructure, surface topography and in its adherence to the NiCoCrAlY for the two pretreatments. Optimum results were obtained by combining the two pretreatments to produce an adherent, continuous, and insulating oxide film on the NiCoCrAlY-coated superalloy substrate.

Prakash, S.↗

Structure and physico-chemical properties of organosilicon crystal-like composite spicules of the glass sponge Hyalonema sieboldi

Highlights: • The microstructural organization of Hexactinellids sponge spicules of is a system of thin layers. • Spicules demonstrate their capacity for thermo- and triboluminescence. • Also they have electrical resistance and are able to produce piezoelectric effect. - Abstract: Morphology, chemical composition and electrical properties of long monoaxonic spicules of the deep-sea hexactinellid sponge Hyalonema sieboldi were studied. In this paper we show for the first time that the spicules have an electrical resistance and can produce the piezoelectric effect. The piezoelectric properties of the organosilicon spicules seem to result from their complex multilayered organization. Mechanical tension can be detected between these layers in different parts of the spicules that disappears following the destruction of a spicule. Our findings on the presence of the piezoelectric effect in composite organosilicon material of the hexactinellid spicules may contribute to the creation of biomimetic materials capable of generating light emission.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Interpreting Electrochemical and Chemical Sodiation Mechanisms and Kinetics in Tin Antimony Battery Anodes Using in Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy and Computational Methods

Intermetallic compounds such as SnSb are promising anode materials for sodium ion batteries; however, their nanoscale sodiation mechanisms are not well understood. Here, we used a combination of in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM), first-principles electronic structure calculations, computational thermodynamic modeling, and phase-field simulations to reveal the sodiation mechanisms and to quantify microstructural effects contributing to the underlying reaction kinetics in SnSb electrodes. During in situ sodiation experiments, the nanocrystalline SnSb thin films underwent a rapid amorphous phase transformation upon sodiation, as determined by in situ TEM and electron diffraction experiments. The Na + diffusion coefficients were measured with and without an external electrical bias, and the data showed that an applied potential increased Na + diffusion by an order of magnitude compared to solid-state diffusion. Furthermore, there was a distinct decrease in sodium diffusion upon the formation of the amorphous phase that resulted from a change in the local structure and grain boundaries. To further understand how the Na + transport mechanism correlated with the changes observed in the SnSb thin films, phase-field modeling was used, which considered sodium diffusion within the grain boundaries together with their evolution and stress–strain state. As a result, these findings enhance our understanding of sodiation mechanisms within intermetallic anode materials for sodium ion battery applications.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Scalable Solution-Processed Electrolyte Membranes with Optimized Microstructure for High-Performance Protonic Ceramic Electrochemical Cells

Proton-conducting electrochemical cells (PCECs) are promising for efficient hydrogen production, but achieving dense, uniform, thin electrolyte layers remains a key challenge, particularly for scalable fabrication. Here, we present a solution-processed deposition approach with a mechanistically optimized slurry for uniform electrolyte formation. By tailoring particle size distribution, solid loading, and solvent/additive balance, we regulated wetting behavior and evaporation kinetics of the electrolyte slurry to promote homogeneous electrolyte particle packing. These features facilitate tight grain boundary contact and early stage neck growth during sintering, eliminating residual porosity, and improving mechanical integrity. The resulting ∼15 μm thick electrolyte shows high density, strong electrode adhesion, and stable interfaces outperforming the previously reported spray-based fabricated electrolyte by about 31% at 600 °C in FC mode. Single cells deliver 0.962 W cm –2 at 600 °C in fuel cell mode and 1.31 A cm –2 at 1.3 V in electrolysis mode, maintaining robust performance over 100 h with negligible degradation (≤0.02% h –1 ) in each mode. Scale-up to 2.5 cm diameter substrates confirmed reproducible densification and geometric stability. This work demonstrates a cost-effective, scalable route where control over particle-fluid interactions and drying dynamics enables a superior electrolyte microstructure and high PCEC performance.

dense microstructure↗

Mechanical Response of He-Implanted Amorphous SiOC/Crystalline Fe Nanolaminates

This study investigates the microstructural evolution and mechanical response of sputter-deposited amorphous silicon oxycarbide (SiOC)/crystalline Fe nanolaminates, a single layer SiOC film, and a single layer Fe film subjected to ion implantation at room temperature to obtain a maximum He concentration of 5 at. %. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy indicated no evidence of implantation-induced phase transformation or layer breakdown in the nanolaminates. Implantation resulted in the formation of He bubbles and an increase in the average size of the Fe grains in the individual Fe layers of the nanolaminates and the single layer Fe film, but the bubble density and grain size were found to be smaller in the former. By reducing the thicknesses of individual layers in the nanolaminates, bubble density and grain size were further decreased. No He bubbles were observed in the SiOC layers of the nanolaminates and the single layer SiOC film. Nanoindentation and scanning probe microscopy revealed an increase in the hardness of both single layer SiOC and Fe films after implantation. For the nanolaminates, changes in hardness were found to depend on the thicknesses of the individual layers, where reducing the layer thickness to 14 nm resulted in mitigation of implantation-induced hardening.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

The Structure, Dielectric, and Optical Properties of c-Oriented SBN-50 Films Grown on Pt/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} Substrate

Studies of the structure, dielectric and optical properties of thin films of a relaxor ferroelectric Ba{sub 0.5}Sr{sub 0.5}Nb{sub 2}O{sub 6} grown on Pt(111)/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} (c-cut) substrate by high-frequency RF-sputtering in oxygen atmosphere, were performed. X-ray diffraction studies showed that Ba{sub 0.5}Sr{sub 0.5}Nb{sub 2}O{sub 6} films are c-oriented. The unit cell parameters in the tetragonal approximation were c = 3.949(1) Å and a = 12.38(1) Å. It was established that the ferroelectric–paraelectric phase-transition temperature rises and optical anisotropy increases in the object in comparison with the bulk material. Reasons for the elucidated regularities are discussed.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Quantitative Nonlinear Optical Polarimetry with High Spatial Resolution

Nonlinear optical microscopy such as in the optical second-harmonic generation (SHG) modality has become a popular tool today for probing materials in the physical and biological sciences. While imaging and spectroscopy are widely used in the microscopy mode, nonlinear polarimetry, which can shed light on materials’ symmetry and microstructure, is relatively underdeveloped. This is partly because quantitative analytical modeling of the optical SHG response for anisotropic crystals and films largely assumes low-numerical aperture (NA) focusing of light, where the plane-wave approximation is sufficient. Tight focusing provides unique benefits in revealing out-of-plane polarization responses, which cannot be detected by near-plane-wave illumination at normal incidence. Here, we outline a method for quantitatively analyzing SHG polarimetry measurements obtained under high-NA focusing within a microscope geometry. Experiments and simulations of a variety of standard samples, from single crystals to thin films, are in good agreement, including measured and simulated spatial SHG maps of ferroelectric domains. A solution to the inverse problem is demonstrated, where the spatial distribution of an SHG tensor with unknown tensor coefficient magnitudes is determined by experimentally measured polarimetry. The ability to extract the out-of-plane component of the nonlinear polarization in normal incidence is demonstrated, which can be valuable for high-resolution polarimetry of 2D materials, thin films, heterostructures, and uniaxial crystals with a strong out-of-plane response.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Preliminary Phase Field Computational Model Development

This interim report presents progress towards the development of meso-scale models of magnetic behavior that incorporate microstructural information. Modeling magnetic signatures in irradiated materials with complex microstructures (such as structural steels) is a significant challenge. The complexity is addressed incrementally, using the monocrystalline Fe (i.e., ferrite) film as model systems to develop and validate initial models, followed by polycrystalline Fe films, and by more complicated and representative alloys. In addition, the modeling incrementally addresses inclusion of other major phases (e.g., martensite, austenite), minor magnetic phases (e.g., carbides, FeCr precipitates), and minor nonmagnetic phases (e.g., Cu precipitates, voids). The focus of the magnetic modeling is on phase-field models. The models are based on the numerical solution to the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation. From the computational standpoint, phase-field modeling allows the simulation of large enough systems that relevant defect structures and their effects on functional properties like magnetism can be simulated. To date, two phase-field models have been generated in support of this work. First, a bulk iron model with periodic boundary conditions was generated as a proof-of-concept to investigate major loop effects of single versus polycrystalline bulk iron and effects of single non-magnetic defects. More recently, to support the experimental program herein using iron thin films, a new model was generated that uses finite boundary conditions representing surfaces and edges. This model has provided key insights into the domain structures observed in magnetic force microscopy (MFM) measurements. Simulation results for single crystal thin-film iron indicate the feasibility of the model for determining magnetic domain wall thickness and mobility in an externally applied field. Because the phase-field model dimensions are limited relative to the size of most specimens used in experiments, special experimental methods were devised to create similar boundary conditions in the iron films. Preliminary MFM studies conducted on single and polycrystalline iron films with small sub-areas created with focused ion beam have correlated quite well qualitatively with phase-field simulations. However, phase-field model dimensions are still small relative to experiments thus far. We are in the process of increasing the size of the models and decreasing specimen size so both have identical dimensions. Ongoing research is focused on validation of the phase-field model. Validation is being accomplished through comparison with experimentally obtained MFM images (in progress), and planned measurements of major hysteresis loops and first order reversal curves. Extrapolation of simulation sizes to represent a more stochastic bulk-like system will require sampling of various simulations (i.e., with single non-magnetic defect, single magnetic defect, single grain boundary, single dislocation, etc.) with distributions of input parameters. These outputs can then be compared to laboratory magnetic measurements and ultimately to simulate magnetic Barkhausen noise signals.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗