Stabilizing Transition Metal Vacancy Induced Oxygen Redox by Co 2+ /Co 3+ Redox and Sodium-Site Doping for Layered Cathode Materials
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The study investigated how post‐weld heat treatment (PWHT) temperature affects the microstructure and localized deformation/fracture during bend testing of rotary inertia friction welds (RIFW) between AISI 422 stainless steel and AISI 4140 steel. RIFW produced a fully martensitic interface with approximately 550 HV hardness in both the thermo-mechanically affected (TMAZ) and heat‐affected zones (HAZ). Due to differences in temper resistance, the 4140 TMAZ/HAZ softened progressively under PWHT temperatures from 525 °C to 700 °C, while the 422 TMAZ unexpectedly maintained about 550 HV up to 600 °C before significantly softening at temperatures ≥625 °C. This asymmetric softening generated steep hardness gradients across the interface at temperatures ≤600 °C. Furthermore, carbon migration across the interface was minimal up to 600 °C, moderate at 625 °C, and by 700 °C produced a carbide‐rich eutectoid layer in the 422 TMAZ alongside a carbon‐depleted soft ferrite layer in the 4140 TMAZ. Strain during bending was PWHT‐dependent, concentrating on the 4140 side; in as-welded joints, the high hardness led to deformation and crack initiation in the base metals, whereas in PWHT samples, cracking initiated in the softened 4140 TMAZ near the interface. The intermediate PWHT temperature of 625 °C offered the best balance of limited carbon diffusion across the interface, relatively low peak weld hardness and minimized hardness gradients across the interface, more homogenous deformation, and good bend test performance.
Abstract Oxide ceramic electrolytes (OCEs) have great potential for solid-state lithium metal (Li 0 ) battery applications because, in theory, their high elastic modulus provides better resistance to Li 0 dendrite growth. However, in practice, OCEs can hardly survive critical current densities higher than 1 mA/cm 2 . Key issues that contribute to the breakdown of OCEs include Li 0 penetration promoted by grain boundaries (GBs), uncontrolled side reactions at electrode-OCE interfaces, and, equally importantly, defects evolution (e.g., void growth and crack propagation) that leads to local current concentration and mechanical failure inside and on OCEs. Here, taking advantage of a dynamically crosslinked aprotic polymer with non-covalent –CH 3 ⋯CF 3 bonds, we developed a plastic ceramic electrolyte (PCE) by hybridizing the polymer framework with ionically conductive ceramics. Using in-situ synchrotron X-ray technique and Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (Cryo-TEM), we uncover that the PCE exhibits self-healing/repairing capability through a two-step dynamic defects removal mechanism. This significantly suppresses the generation of hotspots for Li 0 penetration and chemomechanical degradations, resulting in durability beyond 2000 hours in Li 0 -Li 0 cells at 1 mA/cm 2 . Furthermore, by introducing a polyacrylate buffer layer between PCE and Li 0 -anode, long cycle life >3600 cycles was achieved when paired with a 4.2 V zero-strain cathode, all under near-zero stack pressure.
The 10 September 2025 M w 4.1 earthquake in northeastern Utah, United States, had a focal depth 68 km beneath sea level, which is ∼20–25 km greater than estimates of local crustal thickness, making it a rare example of a continental mantle earthquake (CME). The focal depth is well resolved from arrival-time inversion (nearest station ∼13 km away) and moment tensor inversion of regional waveforms. Similar to other CMEs in the Intermountain West, there were no obvious aftershocks or foreshocks, and the waveforms were enriched in high-frequency energy. Spectral modeling gives a stress drop of ∼80 MPa and a radiation efficiency of ∼0.08, albeit with large uncertainties. The high stress drop and low radiation efficiency are consistent with a dissipative source process such as thermal runaway. Also similar to previous Intermountain West CMEs, the event occurred along the boundary of the Archean Wyoming craton, where pressure–temperature conditions favor ductile deformation. We hypothesize that edge-driven or regional-scale mantle convection produces increased strain rates near the craton boundary that make either conventional brittle failure or thermal runaway feasible at relatively high pressure–temperature conditions. High conductivity inferred around the edge of the craton may suggest that fluids also contribute to CME occurrence.
A small strain theory, three-dimensional elastic-plastic finite element analysis was used to simulate fracture in thin sheet 2024-T3 aluminum alloy in the T-L orientation. Both straight and tunneled cracks were modeled. The tunneled crack front shapes as a function of applied stress were obtained from the fracture surface of tested specimens. The stable crack growth behavior was measured at the specimen surface as a function of applied stress. The fracture simulation modeled the crack tunneling and extension as a function of applied stress. The results indicated that the global constraint factor, alpha(sub g), initially dropped during stable crack growth. After peak applied stress was achieved, alpha(sub g) began to increase slightly. The effect of crack front shape on alpha(sub g) was small, but the crack front shape did greatly influence the local constraint and through-thickness crack-tip opening angle (CTOA) behavior. The surface values of CTOA for the tunneled crack front model agreed well with experimental measurements, showing the same initial decrease from high values during the initial 3mm of crack growth at the specimen's surface. At the same time, the interior CTOA values increased from low angles. After the initial stable tearing region, the CTOA was constant through the thickness. The three-dimensional analysis appears to confirm the potential of CTOA as a two-dimensional fracture criterion.
Background: Nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) may be considered as part of national pandemic preparedness as a first line defense against influenza pandemics. Preemptive school closures (PSCs) are an NPI reserved for severe pandemics and are highly effective in slowing influenza spread but have unintended consequences. Methods: We used results of simulated PSC impacts for a 1957-like pandemic (i.e., an influenza pandemic with a high case fatality rate) to estimate population health impacts and quantify PSC costs at the national level using three geographical scales, four closure durations, and three dismissal decision criteria (i.e., the number of cases detected to trigger closures). At the Chicago regional level, we also used results from simulated 1957-like, 1968-like, and 2009-like pandemics. Our net estimated economic impacts resulted from educational productivity costs plus loss of income associated with providing childcare during closures after netting out productivity gains from averted influenza illness based on the number of cases and deaths for each mitigation strategy. Results: For the 1957-like, national-level model, estimated net PSC costs and averted cases ranged from $\$7.5$ billion (2016 USD) averting 14.5 million cases for two-week, community-level closures to $\$97$ billion averting 47 million cases for 12-week, county-level closures. We found that 2-week school-by-school PSCs had the lowest cost per discounted life-year gained compared to county-wide or school district–wide closures for both the national and Chicago regional-level analyses of all pandemics. The feasibility of spatiotemporally precise triggering is questionable for most locales. Theoretically, this would be an attractive early option to allow more time to assess transmissibility and severity of a novel influenza virus. However, we also found that county-wide PSCs of longer durations (8 to 12 weeks) could avert the most cases (31–47 million) and deaths (105,000–156,000); however, the net cost would be considerably greater ($\$88$-$\$103$ billion net of averted illness costs) for the national-level, 1957-like analysis. Conclusions: We found that the net costs per death averted ($\$180,000$-$\$4.2$ million) for the national-level, 1957-like scenarios were generally less than the range of values recommended for regulatory impact analyses ($\$4.6$ to 15.0 million). This suggests that the economic benefits of national-level PSC strategies could exceed the costs of these interventions during future pandemics with highly transmissible strains with high case fatality rates. In contrast, the PSC outcomes for regional models of the 1968-like and 2009-like pandemics were less likely to be cost effective; more targeted and shorter duration closures would be recommended for these pandemics.
The 28 Jun. 1992 Landers earthquake ground motion records at the Echo site (DSS-12 antenna) were adjusted to provide a better match with spectra from the measured Mars site (DSS-14 antenna) instrument tower response. A finite-element model of the antenna structural system was analyzed for response to this ground motion. Dynamic forces and displacements were computed in the locality of components that had failed during the earthquake. Calculated forces in the range of 30,000 to 35,000 lb on failed Y-axis actuator U-joints were consistent with laboratory load tests. The load capacity of these joints was found to be below the range of 34,000 to 42,000 lb. Dynamic amplification factors of from 6 to 16 were computed for the quadripod apex accelerations with respect to the ground accelerations. The largest factor--25--was found at the outboard end of the X-actuator.
Abstract Optical transmission and scattering spectroscopic microscopy at the visible and adjacent wavelengths denote one of the most informative and inclusive characterization methods in material research. Unfortunately, restricted by the diffraction limit of light, it cannot resolve the nanoscale variation in light absorption and scattering, diagnostics of the local inhomogeneity in material structure and properties. Moreover, a large quantity of nanomaterials has anisotropic optical properties that are appealing yet hard to characterize through conventional optical methods. There is an increasing demand to extend the optical hyperspectral imaging into the nanometer length scale. In this work, we report a super-resolution hyperspectral imaging technique that uses a nanoscale white light source generated by superfocusing the light from a tungsten-halogen lamp to simultaneously obtain optical transmission and scattering spectroscopic images. A 6-nm spatial resolution in the visible to near-infrared wavelength regime (415–980 nm) is demonstrated on an individual single-walled carbon nanotube (SW-CNT). Both the longitudinal and transverse optical electronic transitions are measured, and the SW-CNT chiral indices can be identified. The band structure modulation in a SW-CNT through strain engineering is mapped.
The depth-dependent recovery of silicon thermal conductivity was achieved after the recrystallization of silicon that had been partially amorphized due to ion implantation. Transmission electron microscopy revealed nanoscale amorphous pockets throughout a structurally distorted band of crystalline material. The minimum thermal conductivity of as-implanted composite material was 2.46 W m −1 K −1 and was found to be uniform through the partially amorphized region. X-ray diffraction measurements reveal 60% strain recovery of the crystalline regions after annealing at 450 °C for 30 min and almost full strain recovery and complete recrystallization after annealing at 700 °C for 30 min. In addition to strain recovery, the amorphous band thickness reduced from 240 to 180 nm after the 450 °C step with nanoscale recrystallization within the amorphous band. A novel depth-dependent thermal conductivity measurement technique correlated thermal conductivity with the structural changes, where, upon annealing, the low thermal conductivity region decreases with the distorted layer thickness reduction and the transformed material shows bulk-like thermal conductivity. Full recovery of bulk-like thermal conductivity in silicon was achieved after annealing at 700 °C for 30 min. After the 700 °C anneal, extended defects remain at the implant projected range, but not elsewhere in the layer. Previous results showed that high point-defect density led to reduced thermal conductivity, but here, we show that point defects can either reform into the lattice or evolve into extended defects, such as dislocation loops, and these very localized, low-density defects do not have a significant deleterious impact on thermal conductivity in silicon.
In simple flows, where the mean deformation rates are mild and the turbulence has time to come to equilibrium with the mean flow, the Reynolds stresses are determined by the applied strain rate. Hence in these flows, it is often adequate to use an eddy-viscosity representation. The modern family of kappa-epsilon models has been very useful in predicting near equilibrium turbulent flows, where the rms deformation rate S is small compared to the reciprocal time scale of the turbulence (epsilon/kappa). In modern engineering applications, turbulence models are quite often required to predict flows with very rapid deformations (large S kappa/epsilon). In these flows, the structure takes some time to respond and eddy viscosity models are inadequate. The response of turbulence to rapid deformations is given by rapid distortion theory (RDT). Under RDT the nonlinear effects due to turbulence-turbulence interactions are neglected in the governing equations, but even when linearized in this fashion, the governing equations are unclosed at the one-point level due to the non-locality of the pressure fluctuations.
In this work, multi-model Monte Carlo estimators are developed to reduce uncertainty in quantities of interest (QoIs) extracted from crystal plasticity simulations of additively manufactured (AM) metals. A significant concern in AM parts is uncertainty in mechanical properties caused in part by complex microstructures that arise from the AM process. Quantifying uncertainty in microstructure-sensitive behavior using experiments alone is costly, especially when mechanical allowables must be established. Quantitative relationships among microstructure, micromechanical metrics like slip accumulation, crack initiation, and failure are also difficult to capture with limited experiments. Crystal plasticity material models instead enable computational prediction of micromechanical stress and strain fields given a discretized microstructure. However, high-fidelity finely discretized crystal plasticity simulations are computationally expensive, while lower-fidelity models are less accurate and generally biased, making uncertainty quantification and reduction computationally difficult as well. Multi-model Monte Carlo methods leverage correlations between high- and low-fidelity models to produce unbiased estimators for QoIs with reduced uncertainty relative to standard Monte Carlo. Crystal plasticity QoIs considered in this work include yield strength and the mean and extreme values of micromechanical fields that are relevant to crack initiation. Multi-model Monte Carlo estimators are developed for each individual QoI and several groups of QoIs. The results of this work establish relationships among model correlations, sample allocation, and uncertainty reduction for different combinations of QoIs and demonstrate a trend of less uncertainty reduction as QoIs become more sensitive to local microstructure. Limitations from using pilot samples to estimate model covariances and train low-fidelity models are also addressed. The uncertainty reduction achieved by multi-model Monte Carlo is an important step toward using computational mechanics models to predict microstructure-sensitive crack initiation and failure in AM parts.
Introduction: Mushroom-forming fungi comprise diverse species that develop complex multicellular structures. In cultivated species, both ecological adaptation and artificial selection have driven genome evolution. However, little is known about the connections among genotype, phenotype and adaptation in mushroom-forming fungi. Objectives: This study aimed to (1) uncover the population structure and demographic history of Lentinula edodes, (2) dissect the genetic basis of adaptive evolution in L. edodes, and (3) determine if genes related to fruiting body development are involved in adaptive evolution. Methods: We analyzed genomes and fruiting body-related traits (FBRTs) in 133 L. edodes strains and conducted RNA-seq analysis of fruiting body development in the YS69 strain. Combined methods of genomic scan for divergence, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and RNA-seq were used to dissect the genetic basis of adaptive evolution. Results: We detected three distinct subgroups of L. edodes via single nucleotide polymorphisms, which showed robust phenotypic and temperature response differentiation and correlation with geographical distribution. Demographic history inference suggests that the subgroups diverged 36,871 generations ago. Moreover, L. edodes cultivars in China may have originated from the vicinity of Northeast China. A total of 942 genes were found to be related to genetic divergence by genomic scan, and 719 genes were identified to be candidates underlying FBRTs by GWAS. Integrating results of genomic scan and GWAS, 80 genes were detected to be related to phenotypic differentiation. A total of 364 genes related to fruiting body development were involved in genetic divergence and phenotypic differentiation. Conclusion: Adaptation to the local environment, especially temperature, triggered genetic divergence and phenotypic differentiation of L. edodes. A general model for genetic divergence and phenotypic differentiation during adaptive evolution in L. edodes, which involves in signal perception and transduction, transcriptional regulation, and fruiting body morphogenesis, was also integrated here.
Impact tests using a soft gelatin projectile were performed to identify failure modes that occur at high strain energy density during impact loading. Failure modes were identified for aluminum plates and for composites plates and half-rings made from triaxial carbon fiber braid having a 0/+/- 60deg architecture. For aluminum plates, a large hole formed as a result of crack propagation from the initiation site at the center of the plate. For composite plates, fiber tensile failure occurred in the back ply at the center of the plate. Cracks then propagated from this site along the +/-60deg fiber directions until triangular flaps opened to form a hole. For composite half-rings fabricated with 0deg fibers aligned circumferentially, fiber tensile failure also occurred in the back ply. Cracks first propagated from this site perpendicular the 0deg fibers. The cracks then turned to follow the +/-60deg fibers and 0deg fibers until rectangular flaps opened to form a hole. Damage in the composites was localized near the impact site, while cracks in the aluminum extended to the boundaries.
For crystal plasticity formulation neglecting the strain gradients at the dislocation scale, backstresses are necessary to satisfy the mesoscopic stress equilibrium and strain compatibility requirements. Backstresses in a material point and those between neighboring points are treated separately. Physically backstresses can dynamically induce either hardening or softening effects to adjust the dislocation hardening of slip systems, whereas the sum of the stresses resulting in backstresses in the representative volume element (RVE) is zero. Backstress hardening suppresses certain slip activities, while backstress softening triggers excess dislocations. A two-phase brass is studied. Backstresses make the hard phase deform smaller and the soft phase deform more than those without employing backstresses in a model. In the former, more homogeneous lattice strain and higher yield stress are obtained. Backstress has limited effects on the evolution of the critical resolved shear stress and crystallographic texture. Furthermore, it is a major cause of the banded structures featuring sharp crystallographic contrasts which are not parallel to the slip planes. Tests indicate that backstress induces a serrated behavior at the early stages of deformation and induces the geometrically necessary bands (GNBs), which are parallel to the macroscopic axes.
While additive manufacturing (AM) is an area of increasing interest to the nuclear industry, there are significant research and development needs prior to successful implementation of additively manufactured components into reactors. AM steel behaves differently than traditional wrought material, as has been observed in numerous mechanical testing studies. The nuclear industry must also understand the material response to irradiation. This work examines the irradiation damage and the irradiation assisted stress corrosion cracking behavior (IASCC) of both proton irradiated AM and wrought 316L steel. For IASCC testing, specimens were strained to 4% plastic strain in a simulated boiling water reactor environment (288°C, 0.2 µS/cm). Transmission and scanning electron microscopy, confocal microscopy, and X-ray computed tomography were used to examine coupons of the material as well as tensile bars used in the IASCC testing. This work found that the wrought 316L was more susceptible to IASCC than the AM steel, however, some IASCC was observed in the AM steel when tested with the tensile axis parallel to the build direction. Electron microscopy has shown significantly fewer radiation induced voids formed in the AM steel. While the pre-existing pore network in the AM steel may act as a sink to point defects, this is not expected to be the major factor in the reduced swelling observed in the AM steel. The lower density of radiation induced voids was expected to contribute to the IASCC resistance by decreasing the localization of deformation in the irradiated specimens, however, severity of localized deformation in AM steel, measured in dislocation channel spacing and height, was similar or more severe to that found in wrought. In conclusion, the presence of severe cracking in the wrought specimens did not allow for a direct comparison of localized deformation severities between the AM and wrought steel.
The Space Shuttle Orbiter wing comprises of 22 leading edge panels on each side of the wing. These panels are part of the thermal protection system that protects the Orbiter wings from extreme heating that take place on the reentry in to the earth atmosphere. On some panels that experience extreme heating, liberation of silicon carbon (SiC) coating was observed on the slip side regions of the panels. Global structural and local fracture mechanics analyses were performed on these panels as a part of the root cause investigation of this coating liberation anomaly. The wing-leading-edge reinforced carbon-carbon (RCC) panels, Panel 9, T-seal 10, and Panel 10, are shown in Figure 1 and the progression of the stress analysis models is presented in Figure 2. The global structural analyses showed minimal interaction between adjacent panels and the T-seal that bridges the gap between the panels. A bounding uniform temperature is applied to a representative panel and the resulting stress distribution is examined. For this loading condition, the interlaminar normal stresses showed negligible variation in the chord direction and increased values in the vicinity of the slip-side joggle shoulder. As such, a representative span wise slice on the panel can be taken and the cross section can be analyzed using plane strain analysis.
The Transformational Challenge Reactor (TCR) program seeks to demonstrate an advanced 3D printed nuclear reactor core. A binder jet additive manufacturing process is used to fabricate the complex SiC ceramic components of the TCR core. After printing, the components are densified via chemical vapor infiltration (CVI). This process allows complex cavities to be created in which sensors can be placed at strategic locations. Inserting the sensors during the CVI process allows the sensors to be embedded within the component as it is infiltrated. The primary challenge for embedding the sensors is identifying the sensors and sensor sheath materials that can survive the temperatures (>1,000°C) and chemical exposure to H 2 and HCl during CVI. The embedded sensors that are being investigated for use during TCR operation include thermocouples, self-powered neutron detectors, and spatially distributed fiber-optic temperature sensors. This report describes the CVI materials compatibility tests and initial trials for embedding functional sensors. Mo is identified as the most suitable sensor sheath material based on its availability in small diameter tubing, relatively low neutron absorption cross section, and compatibility with H 2 , HCl, and the surrounding SiC matrix at the process temperatures. Amorphous SiO2 fiber-optic samples with Au and Cu metal coatings were successfully embedded in SiC along with bare fibers, although the metal coatings showed some evidence of localized melting during CVI. Initial experiments attempting to embed functional sensors showed that the sensors can be embedded in 3D printed SiC parts, but there are still challenges that must be overcome to ensure that the sensors and sensor sheaths do not fail during CVI. In particular, Nb-sheathed Mo-Nb thermocouples failed at temperatures far lower than expected despite thermodynamic calculations and materials compatibility tests that show the Nb sheath to be compatible with the CVI environment. One potential explanation for the large expansion of the Nb sheath could be related to hydride formation in the lower temperature region of the sheath. Future work will focus on Mo-sheathed thermocouples instead of Nb. The fiberoptic sensors tested during the instrumented experiment broke due to the lack of mechanical protection after their polymer-based coatings were vaporized. Future instrumented experiments will use metal-coated optical fibers for strain sensing to provide additional mechanical protection. However, custom coatings with higher melting points than commercially available Au and Cu might be required. Regardless, fiber-optic sensors are still candidates for spatially distributed temperature measurements since they can be inserted into an embedded metal sheath after CVI.
Physiological mechanical loading is crucial for maintenance of bone integrity and architecture. We have calculated the strain caused by gravity stress on osteoblasts and found that 4-30g corresponds to physiological levels of 40-300 microstrain. Short-term gravity loading (15 minutes) induced a 15-fold increase in expression of growth-related immediate early gene c-fos, a 5-fold increase in egr-1, and a 3-fold increase in autocrine bFGF. The non-growth-related genes EP-1, TGF-beta, and 18s were unaffected by gravity loading. Short-term physiological loading induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK 1/2) phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner with maximum phosphorylation saturating at mechanical loading levels of 12g (p < 0.001) with no effect on total ERK. The phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) was unaffected by mechanical force. g-Loading did not activate P38 MAPK or c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Additionally, a gravity pulse resulted in the localization of phosphorylated ERK 1/2 to the nucleus; this did not occur in unloaded cells. The induction of c-fos was inhibited 74% by the MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126 (p < 0.001) but was not affected by MEK1 or p38 MAPK-specific inhibitors. The long-term consequence of a single 15-minute gravity pulse was a 64% increase in cell growth (p < 0.001). U0126 significantly inhibited gravity-induced growth by 50% (p < 0.001). These studies suggest that short periods of physiological mechanical stress induce immediate early gene expression and growth in MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts primarily through an ERK 1/2-mediated pathway.