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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 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2001

Mechanical behavior in living cells consistent with the tensegrity model

Alternative models of cell mechanics depict the living cell as a simple mechanical continuum, porous filament gel, tensed cortical membrane, or tensegrity network that maintains a stabilizing prestress through incorporation of discrete structural elements that bear compression. Real-time microscopic analysis of cells containing GFP-labeled microtubules and associated mitochondria revealed that living cells behave like discrete structures composed of an interconnected network of actin microfilaments and microtubules when mechanical stresses are applied to cell surface integrin receptors. Quantitation of cell tractional forces and cellular prestress by using traction force microscopy confirmed that microtubules bear compression and are responsible for a significant portion of the cytoskeletal prestress that determines cell shape stability under conditions in which myosin light chain phosphorylation and intracellular calcium remained unchanged. Quantitative measurements of both static and dynamic mechanical behaviors in cells also were consistent with specific a priori predictions of the tensegrity model. These findings suggest that tensegrity represents a unified model of cell mechanics that may help to explain how mechanical behaviors emerge through collective interactions among different cytoskeletal filaments and extracellular adhesions in living cells.

NASA Discipline Cell Biology↗
DOE OSTI2020

Slip Tendency Analysis of Fracture Networks to Determine Suitability of Candidate Testbeds for the EGS Collab Hydroshear Experiment

Experiment 2 of the EGS Collab project is aimed at testing stimulation by hydro-shearing of existing natural fractures, versus Experiment 1, which is focused on hydraulic fracturing a rock mass to enhance permeability. The main criterion for the testbed selection in Experiment 2 is the presence of an interconnected network of fractures, at least 10 meters in extent, and with orientations such that shear slip can be induced at injection pressures less than the minimum horizontal stress (Shmin). The feasibility analysis for this experiment requires a well-constrained stress state along with well-characterized fracture networks. The fracture systems at two candidate locations in the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF), the 4850 Level (number refers to depth below ground surface in feet) and the 4100 Level, have been characterized to different extents. The 4850 Level has a well-characterized Discrete Fracture Network (DFN) from borehole (drilled for an experimental test bed) and drift observations. In contrast, the 4100 level has a fracture network characterized only by observations from the drift wall, which provides little constraint on fracture extents. This paper will present assessments for the interpreted slip potential for the natural fractures at the two locations. Data uncertainties are addressed by performing a probabilistic analysis that takes into account the uncertainty in the stress state, uncertainty in the fracture properties, and preliminary borehole locations. There is strong evidence of shear stimulation of some natural fractures in Experiment 1 on the 4850 level. We use examples of natural fractures strongly linked to shear stimulation in Experiment 1 from multiple monitoring indicators to test the consistency of the stress model and guide the uncertainty interpretation. This analysis is intended to guide the site selection process for Experiment 2 by highlighting the fracture orientations that are likely to be shear-stimulated in a majority of modeled realizations.

40 EE - Geothermal Technologies Office (EE-4G)↗
DOE OSTI2024

MDLoader: A Hybrid Model-Driven Data Loader for Distributed Graph Neural Network Training

Scalable data management is essential for processing large scientific dataset on HPC platforms for distributed deep learning. In-memory distributed storage is preferred for its speed, enabling rapid, random, and frequent data access required by stochastic optimizers. Processes use one-sided or collective communication to fetch remote data, with optimal performance depending on (i) dataset characteristics, (ii) training scale, and (iii) interconnection network. Empirical analysis shows collective communication excels with larger mini-batch sizes and/or fewer processes, whereas one-sided communication outperforms at larger scales. We propose MDLoader, a hybrid in-memory data loader for distributed graph neural network training. MDLoader features a model-driven performance estimator that dynamically selects between one-sided and collective communication at the beginning of training using Tree of Parzen Estimators (TPE). Evaluations on NERSC Perlmutter and OLCF Summit show MDLoader outperforms single-backend loaders by up to 2.83 × and predicts the suitable communication method with 96.3% (Perlmutter) and 94.3% (Summit) success rate.

Bae, Jonghyun↗
NASA NTRS1989

Hyperswitch Network For Hypercube Computer

Data-driven dynamic switching enables high speed data transfer. Proposed hyperswitch network based on mixed static and dynamic topologies. Routing header modified in response to congestion or faults encountered as path established. Static topology meets requirement if nodes have switching elements that perform necessary routing header revisions dynamically. Hypercube topology now being implemented with switching element in each computer node aimed at designing very-richly-interconnected multicomputer system. Interconnection network connects great number of small computer nodes, using fixed hypercube topology, characterized by point-to-point links between nodes.

Chow, Edward↗
NASA NTRS2017

Antarctic Ice Shelf Potentially Stabilized by Export of Meltwater in Surface River

Meltwater stored in ponds and crevasses can weaken and fracture ice shelves, triggering their rapid disintegration. This ice-shelf collapse results in an increased flux of ice from adjacent glaciers and ice streams, thereby raising sea level globally. However, surface rivers forming on ice shelves could potentially export stored meltwater and prevent its destructive effects. Here we present evidence for persistent active drainage networks-interconnected streams, ponds and rivers-on the Nansen Ice Shelf in Antarctica that export a large fraction of the ice shelf's meltwater into the ocean. We find that active drainage has exported water off the ice surface through waterfalls and dolines for more than a century. The surface river terminates in a 130-metre-wide waterfall that can export the entire annual surface melt over the course of seven days. During warmer melt seasons, these drainage networks adapt to changing environmental conditions by remaining active for longer and exporting more water. Similar networks are present on the ice shelf in front of Petermann Glacier, Greenland, but other systems, such as on the Larsen C and Amery Ice Shelves, retain surface water at present. The underlying reasons for export versus retention remain unclear. Nonetheless our results suggest that, in a future warming climate, surface rivers could export melt off the large ice shelves surrounding Antarctica-contrary to present Antarctic ice-sheet models, which assume that meltwater is stored on the ice surface where it triggers ice-shelf disintegration.

Bell, Robin E.↗
DOE OSTI2026

SuperLab 2.0 Showcase: Connecting Five Labs to Tackle Grid Complexity and Unlock Unique Grid Asset Potential

SuperLab 2.0 (5-Lab Demo) is a collaborative, national-scale experiment showcasing the coordination of geographically distributed energy assets in real time. The demonstration integrates 25 physical and digital assets, spanning wind, PV, batteries, electrolyzers, DC fast chargers, microgrid controllers, building automation systems, small modular reactor (SMR), control centers, and gas turbines, across five DOE national laboratories-NLR, INL, NETL, LBNL, and SNL. These assets are unified using Energy Sciences Network (ESnet), a low-latency, high-performance U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) network, and controlled via a centralized energy controller hosted at NLR's ARIES facility. The demonstration validates the ability to stress-test hybrid energy systems under dynamic scenarios to de-risk advanced control strategies for greater resilience and flexibility. SuperLab 2.0 (5-Lab Demo) showcased a major advancement in federated national laboratory collaboration, enabling real-time, cross-laboratory experimentation to coordinate geographically dispersed distributed energy resources (DERs) using various communication protocols and networks. SuperLab 2.0 (5-Lab Demo) built on previous demonstrations conducted between NLR-PNNL and NLR-INL connecting diverse assets including distant protection devices, a SMR simulator, and a high temperature electrolyzer (HTE). Previous demos were based on a single connection between two labs with minimal coordination challenges. The 5-Lab demo with a centralized controller, distributed testbeds across different geographical locations, and use of protocols-based communication represents a scenario closer to real-world grid operations that coordinate resources across a region to meet system needs. This experiment studied how local DER controllers interact with a centralized energy controller during normal and abnormal events to maintain reliability. The SuperLab team across the five labs implemented a notional power system model equivalent of transmission and distribution lines, represented by the data networks interconnecting the labs. Each lab continuously exchanged local parameters (such as P and Q) from its Hardware-In-Loop (CHIL) and Power Hardware-In-Loop (PHIL) assets through centralized energy controller at NLR, enabling real-time interaction and coordination across sites. By leveraging ESnet as the communication backbone, the team successfully operated the distributed assets as a unified power system, with each bus represented by a different laboratory. This setup mirrors how assets interact in real-world power systems across dispersed locations with various protocols and latencies. At each lab site, assets were operated using their own local controllers which were coordinated through an overarching operation and control layer of centralized energy controller, equivalent to how an energy management system (EMS) orchestrates assets across a regional or national grid. SuperLab's federated connectivity utilized a Digital Real-Time Simulators (DRTS)-type gateway to connect Controller Hardware-In-Loop (CHIL) and PHIL assets between labs. To enable this federated connection through ESnet, a deterministic network was established where latency variations were consistent. This consistency allowed the development of digital filters for the power system assets across CHIL and PHIL interfaces to avoid unstable and unreliable grid conditions. This report provides an overview of the cross-laboratory configuration and offers insights into interconnecting geographically distributed research assets to test them as if they were co-located. This experiment represents a step toward linking nine DOE national laboratories, enabling nation-wide simulations that can address utility-driven challenges with grid resilience, flexibility, and modernization.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2023

Scaling Resolution of Gigapixel Whole Slide Images Using Spatial Decomposition on Convolutional Neural Networks

Gigapixel images are prevalent in scientific domains ranging from remote sensing, and satellite imagery to microscopy, etc. However, training a deep learning model at the natural resolution of those images has been a challenge in terms of both, overcoming the resource limit (e.g. HBM memory constraints), as well as scaling up to a large number of GPUs. In this paper, we trained Residual neural Networks (ResNet) on 22,528 x 22,528-pixel size images using a distributed spatial decomposition method on 2,304 GPUs on the Summit Supercomputer. We applied our method on a Whole Slide Imaging (WSI) dataset from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. WSI images can be in the size of 100,000 x 100,000 pixels or even larger, and in this work we studied the effect of image resolution on a classification task, while achieving state-of-the-art AUC scores. Moreover, our approach doesn't need pixel-level labels, since we're avoiding patching from the WSI images completely, while adding the capability of training arbitrary large-size images. This is achieved through a distributed spatial decomposition method, by leveraging the non-block fat-tree interconnect network of the Summit architecture, which enabled GPU-to-GPU direct communication. Finally, detailed performance analysis results are shown, as well as a comparison with a data-parallel approach when possible.

Tsaris, Aristeidis (aris)↗
DOE OSTI2025

Li 21 Ge 8 P 3 S 34 : New Lithium Superionic Conductor with Unprecedented Structural Type

Abstract Lithium superionic conductors are pivotal for enabling all‐solid‐state batteries, which aim to replace liquid electrolytes and enhance safety. Herein, we report the discovery of an unprecedented lithium superionic conductor, Li 21 Ge 8 P 3 S 34 , featuring a novel structural type and a new composition in the Li–Ge–P–S system. This material exhibits high lithium ionic conductivity of approximately 1.0 mS cm −1 at 303 K with a low activation energy of 0.20(1) eV. It's unique crystal structure was elucidated using three‐dimensional electron diffraction (3D ED) and further refined through combined powder X‐ray and neutron diffraction analyses. The structure consists of alternating two‐dimensional slabs: one of corner‐sharing GeS 4 tetrahedra and the other of isolated PS 4 tetrahedra, enabling efficient lithium‐ion transport through a tetrahedrally interconnected network of 1D, 2D, and 3D diffusion pathways. This distinctive structural motif provides a novel design strategy for next‐generation solid electrolytes, broadening the structural landscape of lithium superionic conductors. With further advancements in compositional tuning and interfacial engineering, Li 21 Ge 8 P 3 S 34 could contribute to the development of high‐performance all‐solid‐state batteries.

Chemistry↗
DOE OSTI2024

Hypereutectic Al-Ce-X (X=Mn, Cr, V, Mo, W) alloys fabricated by laser powder-bed fusion

Here, we characterize the microstructures and high-temperature mechanical properties of Al-2Ce and ternary Al-2Ce-1X (at.%) alloys fabricated by laser powder-bed fusion (LPBF), where X = Mn, Cr, V, Mo, and W are slow-diffusing transition metals. All ternary alloys show a hypereutectic microstructure in the as-LPBF state, containing an interconnected network of eutectic Al 11 Ce 3 phases (~10 vol.%) and an additional population of submicron, equiaxed Al 20 CeX 2 primary precipitates (~10 vol.%) which are isomorphous among these five alloys. Similar microstructures are present in arc-melted rods and atomized powders but are coarser due to the slower cooling rates in these processes. The hardness of the as-LPBF ternary Al-Ce-X alloys (1300–1400 MPa) is higher than that of the binary Al-Ce alloy (~1100 MPa) due to the higher volume fraction of strengthening phases. Furthermore, during exposure at 400 °C for up to three months, greater hardness retention is achieved in the ternary Al-Ce-X alloys (65–75%) than in the binary Al-Ce alloy (~55%), which is attributed to the extreme coarsening resistance of the Al 20 CeX 2 precipitates imparted by the very slow-diffusing ternary solute. These coarsening-resistant Al 20 CeX 2 precipitates also substantially improve alloy creep resistance, increasing the threshold stress for dislocation creep at 300°C from ~32 MPa for the binary Al-Ce alloy to ~77–100 MPa for the ternary Al-Ce-X alloys, and at 400°C from <10 MPa for the binary Al-Ce alloy to >40 MPa for the ternary Al-Ce-V alloy.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Effect of chloride ingress on self-healing recovery of smart cementitious composite incorporating crystalline admixture and MgO expansive agent

Highlights: • Crack closure under wet/dry cycles in chloride solution is higher than the one in distilled water. • Element analysis shows that calcium is vital for crack healing either in water or chloride solution. • AFm is consumed by chloride ion to form Fs, and Fs were decomposed to AH{sub 3} by carbonation. • Soluble reactive silica reacts with calcium hydrate to form C-S-H gel to heal concrete cracks. • Expansion of magnesium hydroxide facilitates crack self-healing by interconnected network. In this study, the effect of chloride environment containing various concentrations of chloride ion (Cl{sup −}) on self-healing performance of pre-cracked cementitious composite containing crystalline admixture (CA) and MgO expansive agent (MEA) was investigated under wet-dry cycles in chloride solutions. The results revealed that the Cl{sup −} changed the mineralogy of self-healing products, and consequently, affected the crack closure ratio and mechanical strength recovery. When self-healing occurred in distilled water, a large amount of ettringite (AFt) were detected, whereas in Cl{sup −} solution, monosulfate (AFm) was consumed by Cl{sup −} to form Friedel's salt (Fs), and then the Fs was decomposed to Al(OH){sub 3}(AH{sub 3}) due to carbonation. During the multiphase conversion process, hydroxide (OH{sup −}) was released into crack solution, therefore the dissolved carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) concentration was increased. The carbonation of the crystals formed in cracks was accelerated with the volume expansion, which achieved rapid crack sealing but contributed little to the mechanical performance recovery.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Carbonation, strength development, and characterization of calcined limestone as a potential construction material

The emergence of the modern Portland cement has led to the downfall of lime as a construction material. Consequentially, its use has been limited to repair and restoration of historical buildings. Yet, its lower calcination temperature (~950 °C) and the ability to gain strength through carbonation implies its potential as a sustainable alternative to cement. In this study, calcined limestone was studied concerning its carbonation and strength development. Superplasticizer, raw limestone, and different carbonation regimes were explored as techniques to improve the composite strength development, a shortfall that hinders its re-adoption. The results indicated that the raw limestone as a partial replacement of the calcined limestone significantly improved the carbonation degree and mechanical properties. The average compressive strength reached 20 MPa under 20% CO{sub 2} due to the formation of an interconnected network of calcite as the dominant carbonation product. Supercritical CO{sub 2}, in contrast, formed disjoint particles or agglomerates of carbonates.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Unveiling mesoscopic structures in distorted lamellar phases through deep learning-based small angle neutron scattering analysis

Hypothesis: The formation of distorted lamellar phases, distinguished by their arrangement of crumpled, stacked layers, is frequently accompanied by the disruption of long-range order, leading to the formation of interconnected network structures commonly observed in the sponge phase. Nevertheless, traditional scattering functions grounded in deterministic modeling fall short of fully representing these intricate structural characteristics. Our hypothesis posits that a deep learning method, in conjunction with the generalized leveled wave approach used for describing structural features of distorted lamellar phases, can quantitatively unveil the inherent spatial correlations within these phases. Experiments and Simulations: This report outlines a novel strategy that integrates convolutional neural networks and variational autoencoders, supported by stochastically generated density fluctuations, into a regression analysis framework for extracting structural features of distorted lamellar phases from small angle neutron scattering data. To evaluate the efficacy of our proposed approach, we conducted computational accuracy assessments and applied it to the analysis of experimentally measured small angle neutron scattering spectra of AOT surfactant solutions, a frequently studied lamellar system. Findings: The findings unambiguously demonstrate that deep learning provides a dependable and quantitative approach for investigating the morphology of wide variations of distorted lamellar phases. It is adaptable for deciphering structures from the lamellar to sponge phase including intermediate structures exhibiting fused topological features. In conclusion, this research highlights the effectiveness of deep learning methods in tackling complex issues in the field of soft matter structural analysis and beyond.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Microstructure and creep properties of cast near-eutectic Al–Ce–Ni alloys

This study investigates the as-cast and aged microstructures, thermal stability, ambient temperature strengthening, and creep resistance of three ternary Al–Ce–Ni alloys (wt%): near-eutectic Al–10Ce–5Ni (with both eutectic and hypoeutectic regions), hypoeutectic Al-7.5Ce-3.75Ni (with numerous primary Al dendrites), and hypereutectic Al-12.5Ce-6.25Ni (with coarse, blocky primary Al3Ni and Al11Ce3 precipitates and some primary Al dendrites). Depending on the alloy composition and local solidification conditions, the following eutectic morphologies are found: (i) coarse Al–Ce eutectic colonies where Al 11 Ce 3 is in the form of “Chinese script”, (ii) intermingled regions of binary Al–Ce and Al–Ni eutectic colonies, with finer Al 3 Ni and Al 11 Ce 3 fibers, (iii) large ternary eutectic colonies, where the binary Al 3 Ni and Al 11 Ce 3 phases are alternating or intertwining within the individual, fine fibers (diameters of ~60–170 nm, depending on solidification rates), and (iv) ternary eutectic zones (between primary Al dendrites), where fine Al 3 Ni and Al 11 Ce 3 build up a 3D-interconnected network. The high volume fraction of intermetallic phases and extremely fine eutectic spacing/fiber diameter both contribute to high ambient strengthening (higher as-cast microhardness than binary Al–Ce or Al–Ni), and also provide enhanced creep resistance at 300 and 350 °C. Additionally, the alloys are coarsening-resistant up to 425 °C for extended periods, with a gradual decrease in microhardness. The alloys aged at 400 °C to 1050 h show fiber fragmentation and coarsening of the resulting particles, with the faster-diffusing Ni driving more rapid coarsening of the Al 3 Ni particles which engulf finer, more stable Al 11 Ce 3 particles. Severe overaging (performed at 590 °C for 24 h) leads to Al 3 Ni and Al 11 Ce 3 spheroids which remain submicron-sized in eutectic colonies, but micron-sized at colony boundary and at Al dendrite-eutectic interface. Creep resistance at 300 °C of overaged Al–10Ce–5Ni remains substantial, consistent with load-transfer based composite strengthening being an important strengthening mechanism in these alloys, making them excellent candidates for replacement of heavier steel or titanium parts operating under stress up to 300 °C.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Risk-averse optimization for resilience enhancement of complex engineering systems under uncertainties

With the growth of complexity and extent, large scale interconnected network systems, e.g., transportation networks or infrastructure networks, become more vulnerable to external disturbances. Hence, managing potential disruptive events during the design, operating, and recovery phase of an engineered system and therefore improving the system’s resilience is an important yet challenging task. Here, to ensure system resilience after the occurrence of failure events, this study proposes a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) based restoration framework using heterogeneous dispatchable agents. The scenario-based stochastic optimization (SO) technique is adopted to deal with the inherent uncertainties imposed on the recovery process from nature. Moreover, different from conventional SO using deterministic equivalent formulations, the CVaR risk measure is implemented for this study because of the temporal sparsity of the decision making in applications such as the recovery from extreme events. The resulting restoration framework involves a large-scale MILP problem and thus an adequate decomposition technique i.e. modified Lagrangian dual decomposition, is also employed to achieve tractable computational complexity. Case study results based on the IEEE 37-bus test feeder demonstrate the benefits of using the proposed framework for resilience improvement as well as the advantages of adopting SO formulations.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

A role for Rab30 in retrograde trafficking and maintenance of endosome-TGN organization

Highlights: • Rab30 localised primarily to TGN and recycling endosomes. • Rab30 plays a major role in the spatial organization of the TGN and recycling endosomes. • Deficiency of Rab30 results in a perturbation in endosome-TGN retrograde transport. • Interactive partners of Rab30 include Arf1 and Arf4. • Findings highlight the interconnected network between the TGN and endosomal system. Rab30 is a poorly characterized small GTPase. Here we show that Rab30 is localised primarily to the TGN and recycling endosomes in a range of cell types, including primary neurons; minor levels of Rab30 were also detected throughout the Golgi stack and early endosomes. Silencing of Rab30 resulted in the dispersal of both early and recycling endosomes and TGN compartments in HeLa cells. By analyzing cargo trafficking in Rab30-silenced and Rab30-overexpressing HeLa cells, we demonstrate that Rab30 plays a role in retrograde trafficking of TGN38 from endosomes to the Golgi, but has no apparent role in the endocytic recycling of the transferrin receptor to the plasma membrane. Five interactive partners with Rab30 were identified by pull-down and MS analysis using GFP-tagged Rab30 mutant, Rab30(Q68L). Two of the interactive partners identified were Arf1 and Arf4, known regulators of endosome to TGN retrograde transport. Knockdown of Arf1 and Arf4 results in GFP-Rab30 decorated tubules arising from the recycling endosomes, suggesting association of Rab30 with tubular carriers. Overall our data demonstrates a role for Rab30 in regulating retrograde transport to the TGN and maintenance of endosomal-TGN organization.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Designing Porous Ion Emitters for Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry: Evaluating Metal-Organic Frameworks

In this work we describe the first exploration of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as ‘next generation’ ion emitters for thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS). MOFs were identified as promising candidates for this application given the synthetic control over their desired structural properties. This tunability results in well-ordered, high surface area, high porosity frameworks with targeted sorption affinities. Here we explored an aluminum-based, bipyridine-containing MOF (MOF-253) with and without incorporating the high work function metal, rhenium (Re). After analysis of a Nd-bearing MOF, we hypothesized that the well-dispersed, sponge-like interconnected network of the degraded structure would enhance Nd ionization more than traditional TIMS loading activators (i.e., phosphoric acid). Compared to filaments loaded with phosphoric acid that require an additional benzene carburization step, the Nd ionization efficiencies (atoms detected relative to atoms loaded) for heated filaments loaded with MOF-253 were similar (~1%). Electron microscopy after TIMS analysis demonstrated that the MOF was retained on the filament and, as hypothesized, preserved sub-micron porosity post analysis. While these results are preliminary, they demonstrate that MOFs have potential to enhance ionization and exceed the performance of traditional loading techniques by forming nano-porous ion emitters (nano-PIEs). Thus, further experimentation is likely to exceed this performance through more specific selection of the base MOF structure and modifications to porosity and composition. This work represents a novel application of MOFs and a next step in the pursuit of advanced thermal ionization with potential to expand across the periodic table.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Quantized electronic transitions in electrodeposited copper indium selenide nanocrystalline homojunctions

Pairing semiconductors with electrochemical processing offers an untapped opportunity to create novel nanostructures for practical devices. Here we report the results of one such pairing: the in-situ formation of highly-doped, interface-matched, sharp nanocrystalline homojunctions (NHJs) with single step electrodeposition of two copper-indium-selenide (CISe) compounds on flexible foil. It produces a homogenous film, comprising inherently ordered, 3-dimensional interconnected network of pn -CISe NHJs. These CISe NHJs exhibit surprising non-linear emissions, quantized transitions, large carrier mobility, low trap-state-density, long carrier lifetime and possible up-conversion. They facilitate efficient separation of minority carriers, reduce recombination and essentially function like quantum materials. This approach mitigates the material issues and complex fabrication of incumbent nanoscale heterojunctions; it also overcomes the flexibility and scale-up challenges of conventional planar pn junctions. The self-stabilized CISe NHJ film can be roll-to-roll processed in ambient atmosphere, thus providing a promising platform for a range of optoelectronic technologies. This concept exemplified by CISe compounds can be adapted to create nano-scale pn junctions with other inorganic semiconductors.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Corrigendum and Addendum: Helium flux effects on bubble growth and surface morphology in plasma-facing tungsten from large-scale molecular dynamics simulations (2019 Nucl. Fusion 59 066035)

Two of the simulations discussed in a prior article (Hammond et al 2019 Nucl. Fusion 59 066035) were affected by a simulation glitch. We repeated the affected calculations and discuss them here. Here, the overall conclusions are essentially unchanged, though the details are different. In particular, observations that we referred to as ‘concerted bursting’ were caused primarily by non-physical heating and cooling applied by the thermostat after most atoms’ velocities were deleted (for reasons that are not known for certain). The phenomenon of one bubble bursting and causing another nearby bubble to burst does exist, though its effects are much less spectacular in the absence of non-physical driving forces. The observation of an interconnected network of sub-surface cavities formed by burst bubbles is real, and the observation of holes on the surface 1–2 nm in diameter is also confirmed.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗