SEARCH · Engineering Papers
Results for “Topic Modeling”
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.
Dynamics of Phospholipid Membranes beyond Thermal Undulations
Here, we investigated the molecular dynamics of unilamellar liposomes by neutron spin echo spectroscopy. We report the first experimental evidence of a short-range motion at the length scale of the size of the headgroup of a lipid. The associated mean squared displacement shows a t 0.26 dependence in the pico- to nanosecond region that indicates another process beyond the predictions of the Zilman–Granek (ZG) model (t 0.66 ) and translational diffusion (t 1 ). A comparison with theory shows that the observed low exponent is associated with a non-Gaussian transient trapping of lipid molecules in a local area and supports the continuous time random walk model. The analysis of the mean squared displacement leads to the important conclusion that the friction at the interface between water and liposomes plays a minor role. Center of mass diffusion of liposomes and transient trapping of lipids define the range in which the ZG model can be applied to analyze membrane fluctuations.
Arctic amplification is caused by sea-ice loss under increasing CO 2
Warming in the Arctic has been much faster than the rest of the world in both observations and model simulations, a phenomenon known as the Arctic amplification (AA) whose cause is still under debate. By analyzing data and model simulations, here we show that large AA occurs only from October to April and only over areas with significant sea-ice loss. AA largely disappears when Arctic sea ice is fixed or melts away. Periods with larger AA are associated with larger sea-ice loss, and models with bigger sea-ice loss produce larger AA. Increased outgoing longwave radiation and heat fluxes from the newly opened waters cause AA, whereas all other processes can only indirectly contribute to AA by melting sea-ice. We conclude that sea-ice loss is necessary for the existence of large AA and that models need to simulate Arctic sea ice realistically in order to correctly simulate Arctic warming under increasing CO 2 .
Neural networks to learn protein sequence–function relationships from deep mutational scanning data
Understanding the relationship between protein sequence and function is necessary to design new and useful proteins with applications in bioenergy, medicine, and agriculture. The mapping from sequence to function is tremendously complex because it involves thousands of molecular interactions that are coupled over multiple lengths and timescales. We show that neural networks can learn the sequence–function mapping from large protein datasets. Neural networks are appealing for this task because they can learn complicated relationships from data, make few assumptions about the nature of the sequence–function relationship, and can learn general rules that apply across the length of the protein sequence. We demonstrate that learned models can be applied to design new proteins with properties that exceed natural sequences.
Mechanism of synergistic activation of Arp2/3 complex by cortactin and N-WASP
Nucleation promoting factors (NPFs) initiate branched actin network assembly by activating Arp2/3 complex, a branched actin filament nucleator. Cellular actin networks contain multiple NPFs, but how they coordinately regulate Arp2/3 complex is unclear. Cortactin is an NPF that activates Arp2/3 complex weakly on its own, but with WASP/N-WASP, another class of NPFs, potently activates. We dissect the mechanism of synergy and propose a model in which cortactin displaces N-WASP from nascent branches as a prerequisite for nucleation. Single-molecule imaging revealed that unlike WASP/N-WASP, cortactin remains bound to junctions during nucleation, and specifically targets junctions with a ~160-fold increased on rate over filament sides. N-WASP must be dimerized for potent synergy, and targeted mutations indicate release of dimeric N-WASP from nascent branches limits nucleation. Mathematical modeling shows cortactin-mediated displacement but not N-WASP recycling or filament recruitment models can explain synergy. Our results provide a molecular basis for coordinate Arp2/3 complex regulation.
Comparing Thick Target Neutron Yield Calculations for Alphas on F-19 using MCNP6 1.1 Beta with TENDL 2012 Libraries
Because of the heritage of MCNPX, the first production release of MCNP6{sup TM} used physics models, instead of ACE (A Compact Evaluated Nuclear Data File) formatted libraries, for simulating the transport of alpha particles at all energies, as MCNPX could not yet read ACE formatted light ion libraries. For non-Coulombic interactions, the physics models have suggested minimums of ∼ 20-200 MeV. The first production release of MCNP6, MCNP6{sup TM} 1.0, was still capable of transporting alphas to low energies; however, the physics models resulted in poor prediction of inelastic reactions at energies below the suggested minimums. This poorer prediction at low energies resulted in orders of magnitude lower neutron yields for events resulting from light ion interactions at low energies. For example, F-19(α,n)Na-22 from U-234 decay in UF{sub 6} produced poor neutron production results. Modeling these types of interactions correctly is vital for signal analysis for nonproliferation safeguards and nuclear security as well as for correctly characterizing source terms for radiation protection and shielding calculations. The TALYS computer code was developed to simulate nuclear reactions involving neutrons, photons, protons, deuterons, tritons, alphas and He-3 particles, in the 1 keV - 200 MeV energy range. TENDL is a nuclear data library, which provides the output of the TALYS nuclear model code system for direct use in applications (i.e. ACE formatted cross sections). Since 2008, TENDL had publicly provided ACE formatted libraries for alpha transport; however, not until the release of MCNP6{sup TM} 1.1 beta, had MCNP6 publicly possessed the capability to read such libraries. At the Radiation Protection and Shielding Division topical meeting in 2014, initial testing of MCNP6 1.1 beta showed that MCNP6 using TENDL 2012 resulted in poor prediction when compared to the compilation of experiment data provided in R. Heaton et al. Further comparisons for PuBe sources, using the MCNP6 1.1 beta spontaneous decay alpha feature coupled with alpha transport, were also given in the winter American Nuclear Society meeting in 2014, where the results showed large discrepancies with measured data. For F-19(α,n)Na-22 interactions, the R. Heaton et al. paper is a conglomeration of several important references; and the data provided by R. Heaton et al. used a numerical fit of the excitation function provided by Norman et al.. Norman et al. has recently published their (α,n) thick target yield data for PbF{sub 2} in tabular form, backing out the thick target yields of F-19(α,n)Na-22 and computing F{sub 2} and UF{sub 6} thick target neutron yields (as supplements to the PbF{sub 2} data). Here we compared measured thick target yields of E. B. Norman et al. to MCNP6 1.1 beta using TENDL 2012 libraries. Deterministically backing out the thick target yield from measured values involves using the stopping power. MCNP uses either the SPAR code or an interpolation of the Spar code and Bethe-Boch formula for computing stopping powers. As a result one may believe that these separate methods will arrive at separate thick target yields independent of the production cross section. In our MCNP calculations, we simulated the alpha until the alpha completely stopped in the medium. The energy loss in the condensed history algorithm is not continuous but discrete and related to the stopping powers. Because the neutron production yield is energy dependent, the energy loss dictates the emission of secondary neutrons; and therefore the difference in stopping powers used may have some slight effect on the yield difference. For this study, we chose to use the default condensed history algorithm setup, while future studies should address tightening steps in the condensed history algorithm to prove whether or not choice of stopping power actually matters. The fact that all 5 evaluated isotopic compositions resulted in different thick target yield percent differences does warrant this type of investigation. A typical user may not be only interested in integral emission, taking 10 s to 100 s of processor hours to simulate, but rather a timely generation of the spectra. Such an application would require biasing the production of secondaries from alpha sources such that millions of secondaries could be produced, emulating a converged energy dependent spectra. Neutron production biasing from alpha sources does not currently exist; however, developing a biasing algorithm for neutron production from alpha sources should be investigated in the future.
New Carbon Allotropes with Helical Chains of Complementary Chirality Connected by Ethene-type π-Conjugation
We here identify by ab initio calculations two distinct three-dimensional three-connected (3D3C) chiral framework structures of carbon in R3m and I41/amd symmetry, respectively, which comprise 3-fold and 4-fold helical chains with complementary chirality. The helical carbon chains are connected by an ethene-type planar p-conjugation, and the resulting structures contain a network of sp2 carbon bonds with one-third being double bonds between the chains and two-thirds single bonds along the chains. Phonon and electronic band structure calculations show that these chiral carbene structures are dynamically stable and exhibit a large band gap (2.4 , 2.9 eV). This semiconducting nature reflects a key distinction from previously proposed metallic isomers of helical or zigzag carbon chains with twisted p states that are dynamically unstable. The present results solve the long-sought 3D3C all-sp2 carbon structures and may help design other covalent bonding networks.
Introduction to spectral line shape theory
Spectral line-shape models are an important part of understanding high-energy-density (HED) plasmas. Models are needed for calculating opacity of materials and can serve as diagnostics for astrophysical and laboratory plasmas. However, much of the literature on line shapes is directed toward specialists. This perspective makes it difficult for non-specialists to enter the field. We have two broad goals with this topical review. First, we aim to give information so that others in HED physics may better understand the current field. Additionally, this first goal may help guide future experiments to test different aspects of the theory. Second, we provide an introduction for those who might be interested in line-shape theory, and enough materials to be able to navigate the field and the literature. We give a high-level overview of line broadening process, as well as dive into the formalism, available methods, and approximations.
Background Information for the Nevada National Security Site Integrated Sampling Plan, Revision 0
This document describes the process followed to develop the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) Integrated Sampling Plan (referred to herein as the Plan). It provides the Plan’s purpose and objectives, and briefly describes the Underground Test Area (UGTA) Activity, including the conceptual model and regulatory requirements as they pertain to groundwater sampling. Background information on other NNSS groundwater monitoring programs—the Routine Radiological Environmental Monitoring Plan (RREMP) and Community Environmental Monitoring Program (CEMP)—and their integration with the Plan are presented. Descriptions of the evaluations, comments, and responses of two Sampling Plan topical committees are also included.
The CPA Equation of State and an Activity Coefficient Model for Accurate Molar Enthalpy Calculations of Mixtures with Carbon Dioxide and Water/Brine
Thermodynamic property calculations of mixtures containing carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and water, including brines, are essential in theoretical models of many natural and industrial processes. The properties of greatest practical interest are density, solubility, and enthalpy. Many models for density and solubility calculations have been presented in the literature, but there exists only one study, by Spycher and Pruess, that has compared theoretical molar enthalpy predictions with experimental data. In this report, we recommend two different models for enthalpy calculations: the CPA equation of state by Li and Firoozabadi, and the CO 2 activity coefficient model by Duan and Sun. We show that the CPA equation of state, which has been demonstrated to provide good agreement with density and solubility data, also accurately calculates molar enthalpies of pure CO 2 , pure water, and both CO 2 -rich and aqueous (H 2 O-rich) mixtures of the two species. It is applicable to a wider range of conditions than the Spycher and Pruess model. In aqueous sodium chloride (NaCl) mixtures, we show that Duan and Sun’s model yields accurate results for the partial molar enthalpy of CO 2 . It can be combined with another model for the brine enthalpy to calculate the molar enthalpy of H 2 O-CO 2 -NaCl mixtures. We conclude by explaining how the CPA equation of state may be modified to further improve agreement with experiments. This generalized CPA is the basis of our future work on this topic.
Commercial, industrial, and institutional discount rate estimation for efficiency standards analysis: Sector-level data 1998–2021
Underlying each of the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) federal appliance and equipment energy conservation standards are a set of complex analyses of the projected costs and benefits of regulation. Any new or amended standard must be designed to achieve significant additional energy conservation, provided that it is technologically feasible and economically justified (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(A)). DOE determines economic justification based on whether the benefits exceed the burdens, considering a variety of factors, including the economic impact of the standard on consumers of the product and the savings in lifetime operating cost compared to any increase in price or maintenance expenses (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)). As part of this determination, DOE conducts a Life-Cycle Cost (LCC) analysis, which models the combined impact of appliance first cost and operating cost changes on a representative commercial building sample in order to identify the fraction of customers achieving LCC savings or incurring net cost at the considered efficiency levels. Thus, the commercial discount rate value(s) used to calculate the present value of energy cost savings within the LCC model implicitly plays a role in estimating the economic impact of potential standard levels. This report provides an in-depth discussion of the commercial discount rate estimation process. It is an update to previous reports on estimating commercial discount rates from firm-level financial data (Fujita, 2016). Major topics covered in this report include: Discount rate estimation methods and rationale; -Data sources used and data limitations; -Discount rate distributions for use in standards analysis; -Discount rate estimation methods and distributions specific to the small business subgroup analysis. Going forward, this report will be updated as data allow and analyses necessitate.
Beyond the Standard Model physics prospects at the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment
The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) is an international project for neutrino physics and proton-decay searches, currently in the design and planning stages. Once built, DUNE will consist of two detectors exposed to the world's most intense neutrino beam. The near detector at Fermilab will record neutrino interactions near the beginning of the beam line. The other, much larger, detector, comprising four 10-kton liquid argon time projection chambers (LArTPCs), will be installed at a depth of 1.5 km at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in South Dakota, about 1,300 km away from the neutrino source. The unique combination of the high-intensity neutrino beam, DUNE's high-resolution near detector system, and massive LArTPC far detector enables a variety of probes of Beyond-the-Standard-Model (BSM) physics, from the discovery of new particles (sterile neutrinos or dark matter), to precision tests of beyond the three-flavor mixing paradigm, non-standard neutrino interactions (NSIs), heavy neutral leptons, and the detailed study of rare processes (e.g., neutrino trident production). This article reviews these physics topics and discusses the prospects for their discovery at the DUNE experiment.
Correlated prompt fission data in transport simulations
Detailed information on the fission process can be inferred from the observation, modeling and theoretical understanding of prompt fission neutron and γ-ray observables. Beyond simple average quantities, the study of distributions and correlations in prompt data, e.g., multiplicity-dependent neutron and γ-ray spectra, angular distributions of the emitted particles, n -n, n - γ, and γ - γ correlations, can place stringent constraints on fission models and parameters that would otherwise be free to be tuned separately to represent individual fission observables. The FREYA and CGMF codes have been developed to follow the sequential emissions of prompt neutrons and γ rays from the initial excited fission fragments produced right after scission. Both codes implement Monte Carlo techniques to sample initial fission fragment configurations in mass, charge and kinetic energy and sample probabilities of neutron and γ emission at each stage of the decay. This approach naturally leads to using simple but powerful statistical techniques to infer distributions and correlations among many observables and model parameters. The comparison of model calculations with experimental data provides a rich arena for testing various nuclear physics models such as those related to the nuclear structure and level densities of neutron-rich nuclei, the γ-ray strength functions of dipole and quadrupole transitions, the mechanism for dividing the excitation energy between the two nascent fragments near scission, and the mechanisms behind the production of angular momentum in the fragments, etc. Beyond the obvious interest from a fundamental physics point of view, such studies are also important for addressing data needs in various nuclear applications. The inclusion of the FREYA and CGMF codes into the MCNP6.2 and MCNPX - PoliMi transport codes, for instance, provides a new and powerful tool to simulate correlated fission events in neutron transport calculations important in nonproliferation, safeguards, nuclear energy, and defense programs. Here, this review provides an overview of the topic, starting from theoretical considerations of the fission process, with a focus on correlated signatures. It then explores the status of experimental correlated fission data and current efforts to address some of the known shortcomings. Numerical simulations employing the FREYA and CGMF codes are compared to experimental data for a wide range of correlated fission quantities. The inclusion of those codes into the MCNP6.2 and MCNPX - PoliMi transport codes is described and discussed in the context of relevant applications. The accuracy of the model predictions and their sensitivity to model assumptions and input parameters are discussed. Lastly, a series of important experimental and theoretical questions that remain unanswered are presented, suggesting a renewed effort to address these shortcomings.
Tuning Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence Intensity Enhancement Using Hexagonal Lattice Arrays of Gold Nanodisks
Electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) microscopy shows promise as a technique for mapping chemical reactions on single nanoparticles. The technique’s spatial resolution is limited by the quantum yield of the emission and the diffusive nature of the ECL process. To improve signal intensity, ECL dyes have been coupled with plasmonic nanoparticles, which act as nanoantennas. Here, we characterize the optical properties of hexagonal arrays of gold nanodisks and how they impact the enhancement of ECL from the coreaction of tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)dichlororuthenium(II) hexahydrate and tripropylamine. Here, we find that varying the lattice spacing results in a 23-fold enhancement of ECL intensity because of increased dye-array near-field coupling as modeled using finite element method simulations.
Crystal Structure of AgBi 2 I 7 Thin Films
Synthesis of cubic-phase AgBi 2 I 7 iodobismuthate thin films and fabrication of air-stable Pb-free solar cells using the AgBi 2 I 7 absorber have recently been reported. Based on X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and nominal composition, it was suggested that the synthesized films have a cubic ThZr 2 H 7 crystal structure with AgBi 2 I 7 stoichiometry. Through careful examination of the proposed structure and computational evaluation of the phase stability and bandgap, we find that the reported “AgBi 2 I 7 ” films cannot be forming with the ThZr 2 H 7 -type structure, but rather more likely adopt an Ag-deficient AgBiI 4 type. Both the experimental X-ray diffraction pattern and band gap can be better explained by the AgBiI 4 structure. Additionally, the proposed AgBiI 4 structure, with octahedral bismuth coordination, removes unphysically short Bi–I bonding within the BiI8 hexahedra of the ThZr 2 I 7 model. Our results provide critical insights for assessing the photovoltaic properties of AgBi 2 I 7 iodobismuthate materials.
Signatures of Mottness and Hundness in archetypal correlated metals
Physical properties of multi-orbital materials depend not only on the strength of the effective interactions among the valence electrons but also on their type. Strong correlations are caused by either Mott physics that captures the Coulomb repulsion among charges, or Hund physics that aligns the spins in different orbitals. We identify four energy scales marking the onset and the completion of screening in orbital and spin channels. The differences in these scales, which are manifest in the temperature dependence of the local spectrum and of the charge, spin and orbital susceptibilities, provide clear signatures distinguishing Mott and Hund physics. We illustrate these concepts with realistic studies of two archetypal strongly correlated materials, and corroborate the generality of our conclusions with a model Hamiltonian study.
Frustration- and doping-induced magnetism in a Fermi–Hubbard simulator
Geometrical frustration in strongly correlated systems can give rise to a plethora of novel ordered states and intriguing magnetic phases, such as quantum spin liquids. Promising candidate materials for such phases can be described by the Hubbard model on an anisotropic triangular lattice, a paradigmatic model capturing the interplay between strong correlations and magnetic frustration. However, the fate of frustrated magnetism in the presence of itinerant dopants remains unclear, as well as its connection to the doped phases of the square Hubbard model. Here we investigate the local spin order of a Hubbard model with controllable frustration and doping, using ultracold fermions in anisotropic optical lattices continuously tunable from a square to a triangular geometry. At half-filling and strong interactions U/t ≈ 9, we observe at the single-site level how frustration reduces the range of magnetic correlations and drives a transition from a collinear Néel antiferromagnet to a short-range correlated 120° spiral phase. Away from half-filling, the triangular limit shows enhanced antiferromagnetic correlations on the hole-doped side and a reversal to ferromagnetic correlations at particle dopings above 20%, hinting at the role of kinetic magnetism in frustrated systems. Furthermore, this work paves the way towards exploring possible chiral ordered or superconducting phases in triangular lattices and realizing t–t' square lattice Hubbard models that may be essential to describe superconductivity in cuprate materials.