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At least 1,459 records · Page 81

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DOE OSTI2022

Using high-throughput amplicon sequencing to determine diet of generalist lady beetles in agricultural landscapes

Determining feeding relationships is central to understanding biological control potential in the field. However, methods to differentiate actual (or realized) feeding relationships from potential feeding relationships is lacking especially for small, generalist predators such as lady beetles. In this study, we used DNA metabarcoding approaches to characterize actual feeding relationships of lady beetles (Coccinellidae) in the field and validated our methods with a lab study. We first asked whether high-throughput amplicon sequencing (HTS) can characterize diets of lady beetles ranging from monotypic diets to diverse diet mixtures in the lab. We then examined whether diet composition and breadth of lady beetles collected from different habitat types in southern WI varied between monocultures of soybean and corn, diverse tallgrass prairie, and urban habitats. Lastly, we asked whether different body or tissue types (partial-body versus whole-body specimens) would change the likelihood of prey detection for both studies. In our controlled lab study, we found that HTS can accurately assess diet composition and diet breadth for lady beetle populations, but at the individual level, HTS has limitation for individuals feeding on more than three species of prey at any given time. In our field study, we documented lower prey richness and diet breadth in corn compared to soybean and grassland, and greater prey DNA in regurgitants than in whole-body specimens. Finally, we found that reduced diet diversity was associated with an increased prevalence of intraguild predation, but that habitat and prey diversity are not necessarily correlated. The prey detection rates (proportion of specimens with prey DNA) in our study were comparable to other studies (55% in the lab study, 33% in field study) and varied with diet composition and habitat type. Furthermore, the relatively low detection rates suggest that many consumer individuals would need to be assayed to fully assess diet diversity, especially in diverse systems.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2026

Drive Cycles, Battery Pack Scaling, and Usage Considerations for Long-Haul and Regional-Haul Electric Trucks

Electrifying Class-8 heavy-duty trucks presents a promising opportunity to enhance energy efficiency and reduce freight transport costs. Battery electric trucks (BETs), once considered niche, are gaining traction due to advancements in battery technology and cost reductions. However, accurately predicting battery lifespan under realistic usage conditions remains a key challenge. Understanding battery failure mechanisms and their links to design, operation, and management is essential for developers and fleet operators. This study introduces a method to develop simplified, lab-testable dynamic stress test (DST) cycles for regional and long-haul Class-8 BETs, derived from real-world diesel truck usage. These DSTs enable benchmarking of battery technologies, identification of aging stressors, and optimization of battery design, life, and cost. The approach supports evaluation of key metrics such as levelized cost of driving and total cost of ownership, aiding fair comparisons and adoption decisions. We also propose feasible battery pack sizes that meet current driving demands with strategic charging, and a method to scale pack-level DSTs to cell-level cycles for lab-based testing. These tools facilitate tradeoff analysis across battery chemistries, pack sizing, and charging strategies, while offering means to get insights into battery aging under realistic conditions-ultimately supporting informed BET deployment decisions.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

DOE OSTI2025

Taking three-dimensional x-ray diffraction (3DXRD) from the synchrotron to the laboratory scale

Three-dimensional x-ray diffraction (3DXRD), a rotating x-ray diffraction technique, is a powerful tool for studying the micromechanical behavior of polycrystalline materials, capable of measuring the volume, position, orientation, and strain of thousands of grains simultaneously. However, its application has been historically limited to synchrotron facilities. Here, we present the first demonstration of laboratory-scale 3DXRD (Lab-3DXRD) using a liquid-metal-jet source. Lab-3DXRD achieves accuracy comparable to synchrotron-based 3DXRD, as validated against laboratory diffraction contrast tomography (LabDCT) and synchrotron-3DXRD. Over 96% of the grains detected with Lab-3DXRD are cross-validated, particularly for coarse grains (> ~60 μm), while the results suggest that finer grains should be accessible by taking advantage of high-efficiency detectors. We further demonstrate that its sensitivity to finer grains is enhanced by incorporating pre-characterization into the analysis. This study establishes Lab-3DXRD as a practical alternative to synchrotron techniques, making 3DXRD accessible to a wider range of academic and industrial researchers.

characterization and analytical techniques↗

DOE OSTI2019

Bridging the academic and industrial metrics for next-generation practical batteries

Batteries have shaped the modern world to an extent far beyond that of other technologies. This success is the result of the intense collaboration between Academia and Industry that took shape in the past several decades culminating with the advent and improvements of rechargeable Li-ion batteries. However, as applications are getting more demanding, stunted growth in the performance of commercial batteries risks to slow down the adoption of important technologies, such as electric vehicles. Yet, the scientific literature is full of reports describing material designs with allegedly superior performances. A large gap needs to be filled if we wish these lab-based achievements reach commercialization. In this Perspective we discuss some of the most relevant testing parameters that are often overlooked in academic literature, but that are critical for the practical applicability of lab-scale research. Metrics, such as anode energy density, voltage hysteresis, mass of the non-active cell components and anode/cathode mass ratio, will be explained and recommendation for future reporting will be made at the end of each section. We hope that this Perspective, together with other similar guiding principles that have recently started to emerge, will aid the transition from lab-scale research to next-generation practical batteries

Cao, Yuliang↗

DOE OSTI2011

Measurements of the EMC effect in few-body nuclei at large x

Recent data on the EMC effect from Jefferson Lab experiment E03103 suggest that the nuclear dependence of the high x quark distribution may depend on the local nuclear environment, rather than being a purely bulk effect. We briefly discuss the analysis and results of the E03103 experiment focusing on the light nuclei and high x region. In addition, we also discuss a future experiment at the upgraded 12 GeV Jefferson Lab facility which will further investigate the role of the local nuclear environment and the influence of detailed nuclear structure on the modification of quark distributions.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2011

Asymmetries in electron-induced breakup of polarized {sup 3}He

The Jefferson Lab Experiment E05-102 'Measurement of A{sub x}{sup '} and A{sub z}{sup '} asymmetries in the quasi-elastic {sup 3}He(e,e'd) reaction' was performed in Hall A in 2009. The main physics motivation of the experiment was to investigate the effects of small components of the {sup 3}He ground-state wave-function by a simultaneous measurement of double-polarization asymmetries in quasi-elastic kinematics for three exclusive channels, (e,e'd), (e,e'p), and (e,e'n), at almost identical momentum transfers, as well as for (e,e'). This experiment will help map the spin structure of the {sup 3}He nucleus onto the picture of the ''free'' polarized neutron. As such, it is of great relevance to the polarized-neutron programs at Jefferson Lab and beyond.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2011

Timelike Compton Scattering

Generalized Parton Distributions (GPDs) have become a key concept in our studies of hadron structure in QCD. The measurement of suitable experimental observables and the extraction of GPDs from these data is one of the high priority 12 GeV programs at Jefferson Lab. Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering (DVCS) is generally thought of as the most promising channel for probing GPDs in the valence quark region. However, the inverse process, Timelike Compton Scattering (TCS) can provide an important complementary measurement, in particular of the real part of the Compton amplitude and power corrections at intermediate values of Q{sup 2}. The first studies of TCS using real tagged and quasi-real untagged photons were performed in Hall B at Jefferson Lab.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2012

ASSEMBLY OF MASSIVE GALAXIES IN A HIGH-z PROTOCLUSTER

We present the results of wide-field deep JHK imaging of the SSA22 field using the MOIRCS instrument equipped with the Subaru telescope. The observed field is 112 arcmin{sup 2} in area, which covers the z = 3.1 protocluster characterized by the overdensities of Ly{alpha} emitters (LAEs) and Ly{alpha} blobs (LABs). The 5{sigma} limiting magnitude is K{sub AB} = 24.3. We extract the potential protocluster members from the K-selected sample by using the multi-band photometric-redshift selection as well as the simple color cut for distant red galaxies (DRGs; J - K{sub AB} > 1.4). The surface number density of DRGs in our observed fields shows clear excess compared with those in the blank fields, and the location of the densest area whose projected overdensity is twice the average coincides with the large-scale density peak of LAEs. We also found that K-band counterparts with z{sub phot} {approx_equal} 3.1 are detected for 75% (15/20) of the LABs within their Ly{alpha} halo, and the 40% (8/20) of LABs have multiple components, which gives a direct evidence of the hierarchical multiple merging in galaxy formation. The stellar mass of LABs correlates with their luminosity, isophotal area, and the Ly{alpha} velocity widths, implying that the physical scale and the dynamical motion of Ly{alpha} emission are closely related to their previous star formation activities. Highly dust-obscured galaxies such as hyper extremely red objects (J - K{sub AB} > 2.1) and plausible K-band counterparts of submillimeter sources are also populated in the high-density region.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2013

RESOLVING THE OPTICAL EMISSION LINES OF Ly{alpha} BLOB ''B1'' AT z = 2.38: ANOTHER HIDDEN QUASAR

We have used the SINFONI near-infrared integral field unit on the Very Large Telescope to resolve the optical emission line structure of one of the brightest (L{sub Ly{alpha}} Almost-Equal-To 10{sup 44} erg s{sup -1}) and nearest (z Almost-Equal-To 2.38) of all Ly{alpha} blobs (LABs). The target, known in the literature as object {sup B}1{sup ,} lies at a redshift where the main optical emission lines are accessible in the observed near-infrared. We detect luminous [O III] {lambda}{lambda}4959, 5007 and H{alpha} emission with a spatial extent of at least 32 Multiplication-Sign 40 kpc (4'' Multiplication-Sign 5''). The dominant optical emission line component shows relatively broad lines (600-800 km s{sup -1}, FWHM) and line ratios consistent with active galactic nucleus (AGN) photoionization. The new evidence for AGN photoionization, combined with previously detected C IV and luminous, warm infrared emission, suggest that B1 is the site of a hidden quasar. This is confirmed by the fact that [O II] is relatively weak compared with [O III] (extinction-corrected [O III]/[O II] of about 3.8), which is indicative of a high, Seyfert-like ionization parameter. From the extinction-corrected [O III] luminosity we infer a bolometric AGN luminosity of {approx}3 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 46} erg s{sup -1}, and further conclude that the obscured AGN may be Compton-thick given existing X-ray limits. The large line widths observed are consistent with clouds moving within the narrow-line region of a luminous QSO. The AGN scenario is capable of producing sufficient ionizing photons to power the Ly{alpha}, even in the presence of dust. By performing a census of similar objects in the literature, we find that virtually all luminous LABs harbor obscured quasars. Based on simple duty-cycle arguments, we conclude that AGNs are the main drivers of the Ly{alpha} in LABs rather than the gravitational heating and subsequent cooling suggested by cold stream models. We also conclude that the empirical relation between LABs and overdense environments at high redshift must be due to a more fundamental correlation between AGNs (or massive galaxies) and environment.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2012

A DEEP SEARCH FOR CO J = 2-1 EMISSION FROM A Ly{alpha} BLOB AT z {approx} 6.595

We have used the Green Bank Telescope to carry out a deep search for redshifted CO J = 2-1 line emission from an extended (>17 kpc) Ly{alpha} blob (LAB), 'Himiko', at z {approx} 6.595. Our non-detection of CO J = 2-1 emission places the strong 3{sigma} upper limit of L'{sub CO} < 1.8 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 10} Multiplication-Sign ({Delta}V/250){sup 1/2} K km s{sup -1} pc{sup 2} on the CO line luminosity. This is comparable to the best current limits on the CO line luminosity in LABs at z {approx} 3 and lower-luminosity Ly{alpha} emitters at z {approx}> 6.5. High-z LABs appear to have lower CO line luminosities than the host galaxies of luminous quasars and submillimeter galaxies at similar redshifts, despite their high stellar mass. Although the CO-to-H{sub 2} conversion factor is uncertain for galaxies in the early universe, we assume X{sub CO} = 0.8 M{sub Sun} (K km s{sup -1} pc{sup 2}){sup -1} to obtain the limit M(H{sub 2}) <1.4 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 10} M{sub Sun} on Himiko's molecular gas mass; this is a factor of {approx}> 2.5 lower than the stellar mass in the z {approx} 6.595 LAB.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2026

Nonmonotonic-potential description of polarization effects, fusion, and nuclear rainbows in elastic scattering of 6 Li + 12 C at 4.5–600 MeV

The experimental differential cross-section (CS) and analyzing power (AP) data of the 6 Li + 12 C elastic scattering over a wide laboratory energy scale (4.5MeV≤𝐸 lab ≤600MeV) are analyzed within the framework of the optical model (OPM) using nonmonotonic (NM) nucleus–nucleus potentials. The real part of the NM potentials is derived from the Pauli-embodied energy density-functional (EDF) formalism with the sudden approximation. The real part of the noncentral spin-orbit and tensor terms, as well as the imaginary parts, are treated phenomenologically. The effect of the radius of sensitivity on the CS and AP data is found to be more important at lower energies. The diffractive and refractive scattering with Airy structures in the whole angular region of the elastic scattering across the studied energy range is successfully described within the OPM using the NM 6 Li + 12 C potential. The near- and far-side (N and F) decomposition of the total elastic-scattering amplitudes has also been studied using our NM potentials. The evolution of the Airy minima in the angular distributions, coupled with the fitting of the AP data, provides an accurate description of Airy minima of different orders. The OPM calculations with the NM potentials describe exceptionally well the CS, vector analyzing power (VAP), and tensor analyzing power data at 𝐸 lab =9.0,19.24,20,30, and 50MeV. In agreement with our past successful descriptions of CS and the opposite signs of the VAP data for the 6 Li and 7 Li elastic scattering using NM potentials in OPM, the present results appear to provide a better fit, so far, than those obtained from the coupled-channels method. The fusion cross sections of 6 Li + 12 C have been predicted in the energy range (4.5MeV≤𝐸 lab ≤20MeV), fitting the experimental data well in the range 𝐸 lab =2.97–11.77MeV. The EDF potential without any energy dependence and renormalization is also found to describe satisfactorily the experimental CS and AP data at energies up to several hundreds of MeV.

6 ≤ A ≤ 19↗

DOE OSTI2012

Implications of the Formation of Small Polarons in Li2O2 for Li-Air Batteries

Lithium-air batteries (LABs) are an intriguing next-generation technology due to their high theoretical energy density of {approx}11 kWh/kg. However, LABs are hindered by both poor rate capability and significant polarization in cell voltage, primarily due to the formation of Li{sub 2}O{sub 2} in the air cathode. Here, by employing hybrid density functional theory, we show that the formation of small polarons in Li{sub 2}O{sub 2} limits electron transport. Consequently, the low electron mobility {mu} = 10{sup -10}-10{sup -9} cm{sup 2}/V s contributes to both the poor rate capability and the polarization that limit the LAB power and energy densities. The self-trapping of electrons in the small polarons arises from the molecular nature of the conduction band states of Li{sub 2}O{sub 2} and the strong spin polarization of the O 2p state. Our understanding of the polaronic electron transport in Li{sub 2}O{sub 2} suggests that designing alternative carrier conduction paths for the cathode reaction could significantly improve the performance of LABs at high current densities.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

DOE OSTI2020

Leveraging National Laboratory Assets to Address Stability Challenges due to Declining Grid Inertia Using Geographically Distributed Electrical–Thermal Co-Emulation

Due to increased penetration of low-inertia resources into the electric grid, challenges are increasing for maintaining wide-area system stability. Grid stability assessment requires a faithful representation of the multiple-physics interaction at the system level, and timescales of interaction varying in orders of magnitude, from microseconds to seconds to several minutes. Along with the simulation-based techniques, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), controller HIL, and power HIL techniques have been developed to better understand the emergent behavior of the system with emerging technologies. US National Laboratories have played a vital role in research and development to understand the behavior of individual technologies and devices integrated to the electric grid. Each national laboratory forwards a technological and strategic initiative tied core and enabling capabilities. Due to strategic, efficiency, and economic reasons, not all the labs have assets to conduct research on all technologies concomitantly, so it becomes crucial to integrate the labs across geographies to understand the interplay of different technologies together at the system level. This approach avoids duplication of the assets at different lab facilities and helps understand the integrated system behavior of various technologies representative of actual grid conditions by connecting multiple national labs. This article talks about techniques of connecting three national laboratories to enable co-emulation of electrical–mechanical–thermal characteristics of devices and systems. Such an approach can be used to understand the dynamic and transient interaction of multi-physics in a system level, at-scale emulation using real-time simulation tools and techniques.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2020

Consistency and reproducibility in atomic layer deposition

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is a thin film synthesis technique that can provide exquisite accuracy and precision in film thickness and composition even on complex, large area substrates. Based on self-limiting surface chemistry, ALD can be insensitive to process conditions and reactor designs, allowing an ALD process developed in one lab to be easily reproduced in other labs. In practice, however, ALD is sometimes difficult to reproduce or replicate, and the results can vary substantially between ALD reactors and between labs. This is exemplified by large deviations in reports on the growth of, e.g., Al2O3, FeOx, and TiO2 given the same precursors under similar conditions. Furthermore, the problem of irreproducibility seems to be growing as ALD is adopted by more researchers and integrated into new applications. In this article, the authors highlight some of the major sources of variations and errors and common misconceptions related to ALD. In particular, the authors focus on issues related to precursors, substrates, and deposition tools. The authors illustrate these problems through examples from the literature, and they present results from numerical simulations that describe how nonidealities would manifest in thickness profiles in a typical cross-flow reactor. They also describe how reproducibility in ALD is linked to consistent experimental practice and reporting between labs. The authors’ hope is that by educating newcomers to ALD and advocating for consistent reporting of deposition conditions, they can minimize irreproducibility and enable ALD practitioners to realize the full potential afforded by self-limiting surface chemistry.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2024

Evidence of scaling advantage for the quantum approximate optimization algorithm on a classically intractable problem

The quantum approximate optimization algorithm (QAOA) is a leading candidate algorithm for solving optimization problems on quantum computers. However, the potential of QAOA to tackle classically intractable problems remains unclear. Here, we perform an extensive numerical investigation of QAOA on the low autocorrelation binary sequences (LABS) problem, which is classically intractable even for moderately sized instances. We perform noiseless simulations with up to 40 qubits and observe that the runtime of QAOA with fixed parameters scales better than branch-and-bound solvers, which are the state-of-the-art exact solvers for LABS. The combination of QAOA with quantum minimum finding gives the best empirical scaling of any algorithm for the LABS problem. We demonstrate experimental progress in executing QAOA for the LABS problem using an algorithm-specific error detection scheme on Quantinuum trapped-ion processors. Our results provide evidence for the utility of QAOA as an algorithmic component that enables quantum speedups.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

DOE OSTI2014

Precise polarization measurements via detection of compton scattered electrons

The Qweak experiment at Jefferson Lab aims to make a 4% measurement of the parity-violating asymmetry in elastic scattering at very low Q{sup 2} of a longitudinally polarized electron beam off a proton target. One of the dominant experimental systematic uncertainties in Qweak will result from determining the beam polarization. A new Compton polarimeter was installed in the fall of 2010 to provide a non-invasive and continuous monitoring of the electron beam polarization in Hall C at Jefferson Lab. The Compton-scattered electrons are detected in four planes of diamond micro-strip detectors. We have achieved the design goals of <1% statistical uncertainty per hour and expect to achieve <1% systematic uncertainty.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2026

Solving challenges in QCD 3D partonic distributions

The superior luminosity and high polarization of CEBAF, combined with the high resolution and excellent particle identification capabilities of its detectors, as well as the ability for multidimensional and multiparticle detection using polarized targets, make Jefferson Lab uniquely positioned to disentangle the genuine intrinsic transverse structure of hadrons encoded in 3D partonic distributions—particularly in the kinematic regime dominated by valence quarks. The inclusion of Jefferson Lab data on semi-inclusive and hard exclusive hadron production has the potential to dramatically advance our understanding of non-perturbative QCD dynamics. Although a wealth of data from various Jefferson Lab experiments is already available, its incorporation into phenomenological studies has been slow, and a significant portion of data from other leptoproduction experiments is still missing from global fits. In this contribution, we discuss the existing challenges and outline a path forward for improving the analysis of low center-of-mass electroproduction experiments in general, and Jefferson Lab data in particular.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2017

Production of ${\Sigma (1385)^{\pm }}$ and ${\Xi (1530)^{0}}$ in p–Pb collisions at ${\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}= 5.02}$ TeV

The transverse momentum distributions of the strange and double-strange hyperon resonances (Σ(1385) ± , Ξ(1530) 0 ) produced in p–Pb collisions at √ s NN = 5.02 TeV were measured in the rapidity range –0.5 < y CMS < 0 for event classes corresponding to different charged-particle multiplicity densities, < dN ch /dη lab >. The mean transverse momentum values are presented as a function of < dN ch /dη lab >, as well as a function of the particle masses and compared with previous results on hyperon production. The integrated yield ratios of excited to ground-state hyperons are constant as a function of < dN ch /dη lab >. The equivalent ratios to pions exhibit an increase with < dN ch /dη lab >, depending on their strangeness content.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗