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At least 991 records · Page 55

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DOE OSTI2011

Combustible structural composites and methods of forming combustible structural composites

Combustible structural composites and methods of forming same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a combustible structural composite includes combustible material comprising a fuel metal and a metal oxide. The fuel metal is present in the combustible material at a weight ratio from 1:9 to 1:1 of the fuel metal to the metal oxide. The fuel metal and the metal oxide are capable of exothermically reacting upon application of energy at or above a threshold value to support self-sustaining combustion of the combustible material within the combustible structural composite. Structural-reinforcing fibers are present in the composite at a weight ratio from 1:20 to 10:1 of the structural-reinforcing fibers to the combustible material. Other embodiments and aspects are disclosed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2013

Combustible structural composites and methods of forming combustible structural composites

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2014

Thermal transfer structures coupling electronics card(s) to coolant-cooled structure(s)

Cooling apparatuses and coolant-cooled electronic systems are provided which include thermal transfer structures configured to engage with a spring force one or more electronics cards with docking of the electronics card(s) within a respective socket(s) of the electronic system. A thermal transfer structure of the cooling apparatus includes a thermal spreader having a first thermal conduction surface, and a thermally conductive spring assembly coupled to the conduction surface of the thermal spreader and positioned and configured to reside between and physically couple a first surface of an electronics card to the first surface of the thermal spreader with docking of the electronics card within a socket of the electronic system. The thermal transfer structure is, in one embodiment, metallurgically bonded to a coolant-cooled structure and facilitates transfer of heat from the electronics card to coolant flowing through the coolant-cooled structure.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2021

Nucleon off-shell structure and the free neutron valence structure from A=3 inclusive electron scattering measurements

Understanding the differences between the distribution of quarks bound in protons and neutrons is key for constraining the mechanisms of SU(6) spin-flavor symmetry breaking in Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD). While vast amounts of proton structure measurements were done, data on the structure of the neutron is much more spars as experiments typically extract the structure of neutrons from measurements of light atomic nuclei using model-dependent corrections for nuclear effects. Recently the MARATHON collaboration performed such an extraction by measuring inclusive deep-inelastic electron-scattering on helium-3 and tritium mirror nuclei where nuclear effects are expected to be similar and thus be suppressed in the helium-3 to tritium ratio. Here we evaluate the model dependence of this extraction by examining a wide range of models including the effect of using instant-form and light-cone nuclear wave functions and several different parameterizations of nucleon modification effects, including those with and without isospin dependence. We find that, while the data cannot differentiate among the different models of nuclear structure and nucleon modification, they consistently prefer a neutron-to-proton structure function ratio of at $x_B \rightarrow 1$ of $\sim 0.4$ with a typical uncertainty ($1\sigma$) of $\sim0.05$ and $\sim0.10$ for isospin-independent and isospin-dependent modification models, respectively. While strongly favoring SU(6) symmetry breaking models based on perturbative QCD and the Schwinger-Dyson equation calculation, the MARATHON data do not completely rule out the scalar di-quark models if an isospin-dependent modification exist.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2012

Morphology, structure, and chemistry of nanoclusters in a mechanically alloyed nanostructured ferritic steel

Nanostructured ferritic steels have excellent high temperature creep properties and radiation tolerance due to the presence of a high density of Ti-Y-O-enriched nanoclusters. The morphology of the nanoclusters is found to be consistent with a truncated rhombic dodecahedron defined by the {l_brace}100{r_brace} and {l_brace}110{r_brace} planes in the Fe matrix. The derived symmetry and the compositional information indicate that the nanoclusters are inconsistent with the cubic Y2Ti2O7 or the polymorphs of Y2TiO5 phase. Possible structural models are discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2015

Pressure induced structural transitions in CuSbS[subscript 2] and CuSbSe[subscript 2] thermoelectric compounds

Abstract not provided

Baker, J.↗

DOE OSTI2011

Active-Site Structure of Class IV Adenylyl Cyclase and Transphyletic Mechanism

Adenylyl cyclases (ACs) belonging to three nonhomologous classes (II, III, and IV) have been structurally characterized, enabling a comparison of the mechanisms of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate biosynthesis. We report the crystal structures of three active-site complexes for Yersinia pestis class IV AC (AC-IV) - two with substrate analogs and one with product. Mn{sup 2+} binds to all three phosphates, and to Glu12 and Glu136. Electropositive residues Lys14, Arg63, Lys76, Lys111, and Arg113 also form hydrogen bonds to phosphates. The conformation of the analogs is suitable for in-line nucleophilic attack by the ribose O3' on {alpha}-phosphate (distance {approx} 4 {angstrom}). In the product complex, a second Mn ion is observed to be coordinated to both ribose 2' oxygen and ribose 3' oxygen. Observation of both metal sites, together with kinetic measurements, provides strong support for a two-cation mechanism. Eleven active-site mutants were also made and kinetically characterized. These findings and comparisons with class II and class III enzymes enable a detailed transphyletic analysis of the AC mechanism. Consistent with its lack of coordination to purine, Y. pestis AC-IV cyclizes both ATP and GTP. As in other classes of AC, the ribose is loosely bound, and as in class III, no base appears to ionize the O3' nucleophile. Different syn/anti conformations suggest that the mechanism involves a conformational transition, and further evidence suggests a role for ribosyl pseudorotation. With resolutions of 1.6-1.7 {angstrom}, these are the most detailed active-site ligand complexes for any class of this ubiquitous signaling enzyme.

08 HYDROGEN↗

DOE OSTI2012

Crystal structure, spectroscopic, magnetic and electronic structure studies of a novel Cu(II) amino acid complex [Cu(L-arg){sub 2}(H{sub 2}O)]{sub 2}(P{sub 4}O{sub 12}){center_dot}8H{sub 2}O

Single crystals of a novel copper (II) complex with the amino acid L-arginine (L-arg) and cyclotetraphosphate, [Cu(L-arg){sub 2}(H{sub 2}O)]{sub 2}(P{sub 4}O{sub 12}){center_dot}8H{sub 2}O, were prepared in aqueous solution and were characterized by X-ray diffraction, spectroscopy (diffuse reflectance, UV-vis and IR) and thermal analysis. Magnetic measurements and electronic structure calculations were also performed. Crystal structure determination reveals that this compound has a nonsymmetrical atomic arrangement, containing mainly a binuclear [Cu(L-arg){sub 2}(H{sub 2}O)]{sub 2}{sup 4+} cation and an uncoordinated cyclotetraphosphate counter-anion (P{sub 4}O{sub 12}{sup 4-}). The tetravalent cation contains two independent Cu(II) ions in two different chemical environments. This compound exhibits an antiferromagnetic (AFM) to paramagnetic (PM) phase transition at a temperature (T{sub N}) lower than 2 K. The values of paramagnetic Curie-Weiss temperature ({theta}{sub cw}) and the exchange parameter (J/K{sub B}) emphasize the existence of an antiferromagnetic interaction between the neighboring copper ions. - Graphical abstract: The atomic arrangement of [Cu(L-arg){sub 2}(H{sub 2}O)]{sub 2}(P{sub 4}O{sub 12}){center_dot}8H{sub 2}O is built up of corrugated 2D-supramolecular layers and 1D-supramolecular anionic chain constructed by [P{sub 4}O{sub 12}(H{sub 2}O){sub 6}]{sub n}{sup 4n-}. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Crystal structure of unusual cationic binuclear complex of [Cu(L-arg){sub 2}(H{sub 2}O)]{sub 2}(P{sub 4}O{sub 12}){center_dot}8H{sub 2}O. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer An anti-syn equatorial-apical carboxylate bridging mode of both copper (II) centers. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer [Cu(L-arg){sub 2}(H{sub 2}O)]{sub 2}{sup 4+} are held together by extensive H-bonds into wave-like layer. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Magnetic measurements exhibit an antiferomagnetic interaction between Cu(II). Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Electronic structure calculation confirms the insulator state of the complex.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2016

A new family of metal borohydride guanidinate complexes: Synthesis, structures and hydrogen-storage properties

We report on a new class of complex hydrides: borohydride guanidinate complexes (MBH{sub 4}·nCN{sub 3}H{sub 5}, M=Li, Mg, and Ca). They can be prepared via facile solid-state synthesis routes. Their crystal structures were successfully determined using a combination of X-ray diffraction, first-principles calculations and neutron vibrational spectroscopy. Among these compounds, Mg(BH{sub 4}){sub 2}·6CN{sub 3}H{sub 5} is composed of large complex Mg[CN{sub 3}H{sub 5}]{sub 6}{sup 2+} cations and surrounding BH{sub 4}{sup -} ions, while Ca(BH{sub 4}){sub 2}·2CN{sub 3}H{sub 5} possesses layers of corner-sharing Ca[BH{sub 4}]{sub 4}(CN{sub 3}H{sub 5}){sub 2} octahedra. Our dehydrogenation results show that ≈10 wt% hydrogen can be released from MBH{sub 4}·nCN{sub 3}H{sub 5} (M=Li, Mg, and Ca) at moderate temperatures with minimal ammonia and diborane contamination thanks to the synergistic effect of C-N bonds from guanidine and hydridic H from borohydrides leading to a weakening of the N-H bonds, thus impeding ammonia gas liberation. Further tuning the dehydrogenation with different cation species indicates that Mg(BH{sub 4}){sub 2}·nCN{sub 3}H{sub 5} can exhibit the optimum properties with nearly thermally neutral dehydrogenation and very high purity hydrogen release. - Graphical abstract: A new family of complex hydrides: borohydride guanidinates, was developed with diverse crystal structures and remarkable hydrogen storage properties. - Highlights: • A new family of complex hydrides, borohydride guanidinate complexes, are synthesized. • Their diverse crystal structures are determined using combined characterizations. • These compounds can release ~10 wt% pure H{sub 2} at moderate temperatures. • Dehydrogenation thermodynamics and H{sub 2} purity can be tuned by varying cation species.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2017

Synthesis, crystal structure and electronic structure of the binary phase Rh{sub 2}Cd{sub 5}

A new phase in the Rh-Cd binary system - Rh{sub 2}Cd{sub 5} has been identified and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and Energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The stoichiometric compound Rh{sub 2}Cd{sub 5} crystallizes with a unit cell containing 14 atoms, in the orthorhombic space group Pbam (55). The crystal structure of Rh{sub 2}Cd{sub 5} can be described as a defect form of the In{sub 3}Pd{sub 5} structure with ordered vacancies, formed of two 2D atomic layers with the stacking sequence: ABAB. The A type layers consist of (3.6.3.6)-Kagomé nets of Cd atoms while the B type layers consist of (3{sup 5}) (3{sup 7})- nets of both Cd and Rh atoms. The stability of this line phase is investigated by first principle electronic structure calculations on the model of ordered Rh{sub 2}Cd{sub 5}. - Graphical abstract: (3.6.3.6)-Kagomé nets of cadmium atoms (top) and (3{sup 5}) (3{sup 7})- nets of both cadmium and rhodium atoms (bottom) in the structure of Rh{sub 2}Cd{sub 5}.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2012

The Structural Basis for Tight Control of PP2A Methylation and Function by LCMT-1

Proper formation of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) holoenzymes is essential for the fitness of all eukaryotic cells. Carboxyl methylation of the PP2A catalytic subunit plays a critical role in regulating holoenzyme assembly; methylation is catalyzed by PP2A-specific methyltransferase LCMT-1, an enzyme required for cell survival. We determined crystal structures of human LCMT-1 in isolation and in complex with PP2A stabilized by a cofactor mimic. The structures show that the LCMT-1 active-site pocket recognizes the carboxyl terminus of PP2A, and, interestingly, the PP2A active site makes extensive contacts to LCMT-1. We demonstrated that activation of the PP2A active site stimulates methylation, suggesting a mechanism for efficient conversion of activated PP2A into substrate-specific holoenzymes, thus minimizing unregulated phosphatase activity or formation of inactive holoenzymes. A dominant-negative LCMT-1 mutant attenuates the cell cycle without causing cell death, likely by inhibiting uncontrolled phosphatase activity. Our studies suggested mechanisms of LCMT-1 in tight control of PP2A function, important for the cell cycle and cell survival.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2017

Modal characteristics of structures considering dynamic soil-structure interaction effects

The modal characteristics of structures are usually computed disregarding any interaction with the soil. Here, a finite element-perfectly matched layers model is presented to compute the modal characteristics of 2D and 3D coupled soil-structure systems while taking fully into account dynamic soil-structure interaction. The methodology can facilitate the interpretation of experimentally identified modal characteristics by assessing the importance of dynamic soil-structure interaction.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2010

Structural and Functional Studies of Ig[alpha beta] and Its Assembly with the B Cell Antigen Receptor

The B cell antigen receptor (BCR) plays an essential role in all phases of B cell development. Here we show that the extracellular domains of murine and human Ig{beta} form an I-set immunoglobulin-like structure with an interchain disulfide between cysteines on their G strands. Structural and sequence analysis suggests that Ig{alpha} displays a similar fold as Ig{beta}. An Ig{alpha}{beta} heterodimer model was generated based on the unique disulfide-bonded Ig{beta} dimer. Solution binding studies showed that the extracellular domains of Ig{alpha}{beta} preferentially recognize the constant region of BCR with chain specificity, suggesting a role for Ig{alpha}{beta} to enhance BCR chain signaling. Cluster mutations on Ig{alpha}, Ig{beta}, and a membrane-bound form of immunoglobulin (mIgM) based on the structural model identified distinct areas of potential contacts involving charged residues on both subunits of the coreceptor and the C4 domain of mIgM. These studies provide the first structural model for understanding BCR function.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2011

Structural Analysis of Human and Macaque Monoclonal Antibodies 2909 and 2.5B: Implications for the Configuration of the Quaternary Neutralizing Epitope of HIV-1 gp120

The quaternary neutralizing epitope (QNE) of HIV-1 gp120 is preferentially expressed on the trimeric envelope spikes of intact HIV virions, and QNE-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) potently neutralize HIV-1. Here, we present the crystal structures of the Fabs of human mAb 2909 and macaque mAb 2.5B. Both mAbs have long beta hairpin CDR H3 regions >20 {angstrom} in length that are each situated at the center of their respective antigen-binding sites. Computational analysis showed that the paratopes include the whole CDR H3, while additional CDR residues form shallow binding pockets. Structural modeling suggests a way to understand the configuration of QNEs and the antigen-antibody interaction for QNE mAbs. Our data will be useful in designing immunogens that may elicit potent neutralizing QNE Abs.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2021

Anisotropic Structural Collapse of Mg 3 Sb 2 and Mg 3 Bi 2 at High Pressure

Alloys between Mg 3 Sb 2 and Mg 3 Bi 2 have recently been shown to be exceptional thermoelectric materials due in part to their anomalously low thermal conductivity. In the present study, in situ high-pressure synchrotron X-ray diffraction was used to investigate the structure and bonding in Mg 3 Sb 2 and Mg 3 Bi 2 at pressures up to 50 GPa. Our results confirm prior predictions of isotropic in-plane and out-of-plane compressibility but reveal large disparities between the bond strength of the two distinct Mg sites. Using single-crystal diffraction, we show that the octahedral Mg–Sb bonds are significantly more compressible than the tetrahedral Mg–Sb bonds in Mg 3 Sb 2 , which lends support to prior arguments that the weaker octahedral Mg bonds are responsible for the anomalous thermal properties of Mg 3 Sb 2 and Mg 3 Bi 2 . Further, we report the discovery of a displacive and reversible phase transition in both Mg 3 Sb 2 and Mg 3 Bi 2 above 7.8 and 4.0 GPa, respectively. Furthermore, the transition to the high-pressure structure involves a highly anisotropic volume collapse, in which the out-of-plane axis compresses significantly more than the in-plane axes. Single-crystal diffraction at high pressure was used to solve the monoclinic high-pressure structure ( C 2/ m ), which is a distorted variant of the ambient-pressure structure containing four unique Mg coordination environments.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2021

X-ray Crystal Structure of Thorium Tetrahydroborate, Th(BH 4 ) 4 , and Computational Studies of An(BH 4 ) 4 (An = Th, U)

Here the crystal structure of Th(BH 4 ) 4 is described. Two of the four BH 4 – ions are terminal and tridentate (κ 3 ), whereas the other two bridge between neighboring Th IV centers in a κ 2 ,κ 2 (i.e., bis-bidentate) fashion. Thus, each thorium center is bound to six BH 4 – groups by 14 Th–H bonds. The six boron atoms describe a distorted octahedron in which the κ 3 -BH 4 – ions are mutually cis; the 14 ligating hydrogen atoms define a highly distorted bicapped hexagonal antiprism. The thorium centers are linked into a polymer consisting of interconnected helical chains wound about 4-fold screw axes. The structures of An(BH 4 ) 4 (An = Th, U) were also investigated by DFT. The geometries of [An(BH 4 ) 6 ] 2– , [An3(BH 4 ) 16 ] 4– , and [An 5 (BH 4 ) 26 ] 6– fragments of the polymeric structures were optimized at the B3LYP and/or PBE levels. Most calculated geometries are 14-coordinate and agree with the experimental structures, but isolated [Th(BH 4 ) 6 ] 2– units are predicted to feature 16-coordinate Th IV centers.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2012

Acoustically Mounted Microcrystals Yield High-Resolution X-ray Structures

We demonstrate a general strategy for determining structures from showers of microcrystals. It uses acoustic droplet ejection to transfer 2.5 nL droplets from the surface of microcrystal slurries, through the air, onto mounting micromesh pins. Individual microcrystals are located by raster-scanning a several-micrometer X-ray beam across the cryocooled micromeshes. X-ray diffraction data sets merged from several micrometer-sized crystals are used to determine 1.8 {angstrom} resolution crystal structures.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2011

Structural basis for supercooled liquid fragility established by synchrotron-radiation method and computer simulation

Metallic melts above the liquidus temperature exhibit nearly Arrhenius-type temperature dependence of viscosity. On cooling below the equilibrium liquidus temperature metallic melts exhibit a non-Arrhenius temperature dependence of viscosity characterized by liquid fragility phenomenon which origin is still not well understood. Structural changes and vitrification of the Pd{sub 42.5}Cu{sub 30}Ni{sub 7.5}P{sub 20} liquid alloy on cooling from above the equilibrium liquidus temperature are studied by synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction and compared with the results of first-principles calculations. Subsequent analysis of the atomic and electronic structure of the alloy in liquid and glassy states reveals formation of chemical short-range order in the temperature range corresponding to such a non-Arrhenius behavior. The first-principles calculations were applied to confirm the experimental findings.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗