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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 1,783 records · Page 99
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2017

Synthesis and VOC degradation ability of a CeO{sub 2}/WO{sub 3} thin-layer visible-light photocatalyst

Highlights: • Plasma-synthesized γ/ε-WO{sub 3} showed improvement of acetaldehyde decomposition. • Ferroelectricity of ε-WO{sub 3} slowed hole-electron recombination. • Synergistic effect between WO{sub 3} and CeO{sub 2} further enhanced photocatalytic activity. - Abstract: The plasma synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic activity of WO{sub 3}, which consisted of a mixture of gamma WO{sub 3} and epsilon WO{sub 3} (γ/ε-WO{sub 3}), and physically mixed WO{sub 3} and CeO{sub 2} (WO{sub 3}/CeO{sub 2}) were investigated. Synergistic effects were observed in acetaldehyde photocatalysis experiments using γ/ε-WO{sub 3} or WO{sub 3}/CeO{sub 2}. The synergistic effect in the γ/ε-WO{sub 3} photocatalyst system is proposed to be the concurrent reduction of oxygen at gamma WO{sub 3} and oxidation of acetaldehyde at epsilon WO{sub 3}. It is hypothesized that acetaldehyde preferentially interacts with epsilon WO{sub 3} over gamma WO{sub 3} because of dipole–dipole interactions between them. In the case of the WO{sub 3}/CeO{sub 2} photocatalyst, the electron scavenging property of CeO{sub 2} aided charge carrier separation. As a result, WO{sub 3}/CeO{sub 2} exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity in volatile organic compound decomposition under visible light at room temperature.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Real-time nanoscale observation of deformation mechanisms in CrCoNi-based medium- to high-entropy alloys at cryogenic temperatures

Technologically important mechanical properties of engineering materials often degrade at low temperatures. One class of materials that defy this trend are CrCoNi-based medium- and high-entropy alloys, as they display enhanced strength, ductility, and toughness with decreasing temperature. Here we show, using in situ straining in the transmission electron microscope at 93 K (–180 °C) that their exceptional damage tolerance involves a synergy of deformation mechanisms, including twinning, glide of partials and full dislocations, extensive cross-slip, and multiple slip activated by dislocation and grain-boundary interactions. In particular, massive cross-slip occurs at the early stages of plastic deformation, thereby promoting multiple slip and dislocation interactions. Furthermore these results indicate that the reduced intensity of thermal activation of defects at low temperatures and the required increase of applied stress for continued plastic flow, together with high lattice resistance, play a pivotal role in promoting the concurrent operation of multiple deformation mechanisms, which collectively enable the outstanding mechanical properties of these alloys.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2012

High-dose radiotherapy in inoperable nonsmall cell lung cancer: Comparison of volumetric modulated arc therapy, dynamic IMRT and 3D conformal radiotherapy

Conformal 3D radiotherapy (3D-CRT) combined with chemotherapy for inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to the preferable high dose is often not achievable because of dose-limiting organs. This reduces the probability of regional tumor control. Therefore, the surplus value of using intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) techniques, specifically volumetric modulated arc therapy (RapidArc [RA]) and dynamic IMRT (d-IMRT) has been investigated. RA and d-IMRT plans were compared with 3D-CRT treatment plans for 20 patients eligible for concurrent high-dose chemoradiotherapy, in whom a dose of 60 Gy was not achievable. Comparison of dose delivery in the target volume and organs at risk was carried out by evaluating 3D dose distributions and dose-volume histograms. Quality of the dose distribution was assessed using the inhomogeneity and conformity index. For most patients, a higher dose to the target volume can be delivered using RA or d-IMRT; in 15% of the patients a dose {>=}60 Gy was possible. Both IMRT techniques result in a better conformity of the dose (p < 0.001). There are no significant differences in homogeneity of dose in the target volume. IMRT techniques for NSCLC patients allow higher dose to the target volume, thus improving regional tumor control.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Effect of induction chemotherapy on estimated risk of radiation pneumonitis in bulky non–small cell lung cancer

Patients with bulky non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) may be at a high risk for radiation pneumonitis (RP) if treated with up-front concurrent chemoradiation. There is limited information about the effect of induction chemotherapy on the volume of normal lung subsequently irradiated. This study aims to estimate the reduction in risk of RP in patients with NSCLC after receiving induction chemotherapy. Between 2004 and 2009, 25 patients with Stage IV NSCLC were treated with chemotherapy alone (no surgery or radiation therapy [RT]) and had computed tomography (CT) scans before and after 2 cycles of chemotherapy. Simulated RT plans were created for the prechemotherapy and postchemotherapy scans so as to deliver 60 Gy to the thoracic disease in patients who had either a >20% volumetric increase or decrease in gross tumor volume (GTV) from chemotherapy. The prechemotherapy and postchemotherapy scans were analyzed to compare the percentage of lung volume receiving≥20 Gy (V20), mean lung dose (MLD), and normal tissue complication probability (NTCP). Eight patients (32%) had a GTV reduction >20%, 2 (8%) had GTV increase >20%, and 15 (60%) had stable GTV. In the 8 responders, there was an absolute median GTV decrease of 88.1 cc (7.3 to 351.6 cc) or a 48% (20% to 62%) relative reduction in tumor burden. One had >20% tumor progression during chemotherapy, yet had an improvement in dosimetric parameters postchemotherapy. Among these 9 patients, the median decrease in V20, MLD, and NTCP was 2.6% (p<0.01), 2.1 Gy (p<0.01), and 5.6% (p<0.01), respectively. Less than one-third of patients with NSCLC obtain >20% volumetric tumor reduction from chemotherapy alone. Even with that amount of volumetric reduction, the 5% reduced risk of RP was only modest and did not convert previously ineligible patients to safely receive definitive thoracic RT.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Dosimetric experience with 2 commercially available multilumen balloon-based brachytherapy to deliver accelerated partial-breast irradiation

The purpose of this work was to report dosimetric experience with 2 kinds of multilumen balloon (MLB), 5-lumen Contura MLB (C-MLB) and 4-lumen MammoSite MLB (MS-MLB), to deliver accelerated partial-breast irradiation, and compare the ability to achieve target coverage and control skin and rib doses between 2 groups of patients treated with C-MLB and MS-MLB brachytherapy. C-MLB has 5 lumens, the 4 equal-spaced peripheral lumens are 5 mm away from the central lumen. MS-MLB has 4 lumens, the 3 equal-spaced peripheral lumens are 3 mm away from the central lumen. In total, 43 patients were treated, 23 with C-MLB, and 20 with MS-MLB. For C-MLB group, 8 patients were treated with a skin spacing < 7 mm and 12 patients with rib spacing < 7 mm. For MS-MLB group, 2 patients were treated with a skin spacing < 7 mm and 5 patients with rib spacing < 7 mm. The dosimetric goals were (1) ≥ 95% of the prescription dose (PD) covering ≥ 95% of the target volume (V{sub 95%} ≥ 95%), (2) maximum skin dose ≤ 125% of the PD, (3) maximum rib dose ≤ 145% of the PD (if possible), and (4) the V{sub 150%} ≤ 50 cm{sup 3} and V{sub 200%} ≤ 10 cm{sup 3}. All dosimetric criteria were met concurrently in 82.6% of C-MLB patients, in 80.0% of MS-MLB patients, and in 81.4% of all 43 patients. For each dosimetric parameter, t-test of these 2 groups showed p > 0.05. Although the geometric design of C-MLB is different from that of MS-MLB, both applicators have the ability to shape the dose distribution and to provide good target coverage, while limiting the dose to skin and rib. No significant difference was observed between the 2 patient groups in terms of target dose coverage and dose to organs at risk.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Pancreatic cancer planning: Complex conformal vs modulated therapies

To compare the roles of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and volumetric- modulated arc therapy (VMAT) therapy as compared to simple and complex 3-dimensional chemoradiotherpy (3DCRT) planning for resectable and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. In all, 12 patients who received postoperative radiotherapy (8) or neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (4) were evaluated retrospectively. Radiotherapy planning was performed for 4 treatment techniques: simple 4-field box, complex 5-field 3DCRT, 5 to 6-field IMRT, and single-arc VMAT. All volumes were approved by a single observer in accordance with Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) Pancreas Contouring Atlas. Plans included tumor/tumor bed and regional lymph nodes to 45 Gy; with tumor/tumor bed boosted to 50.4 Gy, at least 95% of planning target volume (PTV) received the prescription dose. Dose-volume histograms (DVH) for multiple end points, treatment planning, and delivery time were assessed. Complex 3DCRT, IMRT, and VMAT plans significantly (p < 0.05) decreased mean kidney dose, mean liver dose, liver (V{sub 30}, V{sub 35}), stomach (D{sub 10}%), stomach (V{sub 45}), mean right kidney dose, and right kidney (V{sub 15}) as compared with the simple 4-field plans that are most commonly reported in the literature. IMRT plans resulted in decreased mean liver dose, liver (V{sub 35}), and left kidney (V{sub 15}, V{sub 18}, V{sub 20}). VMAT plans decreased small bowel (D{sub 10}%, D{sub 15}%), small bowel (V{sub 35}, V{sub 45}), stomach (D{sub 10}%, D{sub 15}%), stomach (V{sub 35}, V{sub 45}), mean liver dose, liver (V{sub 35}), left kidney (V{sub 15}, V{sub 18}, V{sub 20}), and right kidney (V{sub 18}, V{sub 20}). VMAT plans significantly decreased small bowel (D{sub 10}%, D{sub 15}%), left kidney (V{sub 20}), and stomach (V{sub 45}) as compared with IMRT plans. Treatment planning and delivery times were most efficient for simple 4-field box and VMAT. Excluding patient setup and imaging, average treatment delivery was within 10 minutes for simple and complex 3DCRT, IMRT, and VMAT treatments. This article shows significant improvements in 3D plan performance with complex planning over the more frequently compared 3- or 4-field simple 3D planning techniques. VMAT plans continue to demonstrate potential for the most organ sparing. However, further studies are required to identify if dosimetric benefits associated with inverse optimized planning can be translated into clinical benefits and if these treatment techniques are value-added therapies for this group of patients with cancer.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Dosimetric advantages of intensity-modulated proton therapy for oropharyngeal cancer compared with intensity-modulated radiation: A case-matched control analysis

A potential advantage of intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) over intensity-modulated (photon) radiation therapy (IMRT) in the treatment of oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC) is lower radiation dose to several critical structures involved in the development of nausea and vomiting, mucositis, and dysphagia. The purpose of this study was to quantify doses to critical structures for patients with OPC treated with IMPT and compare those with doses on IMRT plans generated for the same patients and with a matched cohort of patients actually treated with IMRT. In this study, 25 patients newly diagnosed with OPC were treated with IMPT between 2011 and 2012. Comparison IMRT plans were generated for these patients and for additional IMRT-treated controls extracted from a database of patients with OPC treated between 2000 and 2009. Cases were matched based on the following criteria, in order: unilateral vs bilateral therapy, tonsil vs base of tongue primary, T-category, N-category, concurrent chemotherapy, induction chemotherapy, smoking status, sex, and age. Results showed that the mean doses to the anterior and posterior oral cavity, hard palate, larynx, mandible, and esophagus were significantly lower with IMPT than with IMRT comparison plans generated for the same cohort, as were doses to several central nervous system structures involved in the nausea and vomiting response. Similar differences were found when comparing dose to organs at risks (OARs) between the IMPT cohort and the case-matched IMRT cohort. In conclusion, these findings suggest that patients with OPC treated with IMPT may experience fewer and less severe side effects during therapy. This may be the result of decreased beam path toxicities with IMPT due to lower doses to several dysphagia, odynophagia, and nausea and vomiting–associated OARs. Further study is needed to evaluate differences in long-term disease control and chronic toxicity between patients with OPC treated with IMPT in comparison to those treated with IMRT.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Zeolite-like MOF nanocrystals incorporated 6FDA-polyimide mixed-matrix membranes for CO 2 /CH 4 separation

MOF mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) are regarded as potential candidates for energy-efficient natural gas purification. Our work reports the fabrication of high-performance 6FDA-polyimide MMMs, based on the incorporation of zeolite-like MOF (ZMOF) as fillers, and their associated permeation studies for CO 2 /CH 4 separation. To eliminate micron-sized crystals, a facile repeating sedimentation approach was used to harvest nanocrystals from the as-synthesized bulk ZMOF crystalline powder material. This enables the deployment of ZMOF nanocrystals with relatively uniform dimension and morphology in the polymer matrix. Typical 6FDA-polyimides encompassing distinct diamine moieties (6FDA-DAM, 6FDA-DETDA-DABA or PDMC) were explored as polymer matrices to disclose the transport property matching the hosted ZMOF filler. Mixed-gas permeation measurements revealed that the incorporation of the ZMOF filler affords a concurrent enhancement of the CO 2 permeability and the CO 2 /CH 4 selectivity for the three tested 6FDA-polyimides. Particularly, the highly permeable 6FDA-DAM showed a considerably enhanced performance for CO 2 /CH 4 that transcends the 2008 Robeson upper-bound. Detailed analysis of the sorption data and diffusion coefficients suggest that the enhanced transport property in the ZMOF-based MMM is plausibly attributed to the combination of the higher CO 2 sorption capacity and selectivity, and favorable gas diffusivity via the CO 2 -philic framework of ZMOF in moderately confined pores.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Effects of long-term thermal aging on bulk and local mechanical behavior of ferritic-austenitic duplex stainless steels

Ferritic-austenitic duplex stainless steels (DSS) undergo significant thermal aging embrittlement in service in light water reactors. Specimens of cast CF–3 and CF–8 DSS have been laboratory aged for up to 17,200 h at four different temperatures (280, 320, 360, 400 °C) in order to characterize the aging evolution and mechanical properties. Standard Charpy V-Notch (CVN) impact testing and tensile testing are employed to measure the progression of embrittlement of the steels. Concurrently, nanoindentation measurements are performed to measure the hardening of the individual ferrite and austenite phases. Atom probe tomography (APT) analysis of the ferrite and austenite phases elucidates the relationship between spinodal decomposition of the ferrite and the mechanical effects of aging. The results are discussed to relate the effects of the local microstructure and property changes in the ferrite phase on the overall bulk mechanical evolution of these steels.

Schwarm, Samuel C.↗
DOE OSTI2018

A comparative study of hydrogen embrittlement of 20SiMn2CrNiMo, PSB1080 and PH13-8Mo high strength steels

The present study has attempted to evaluate the hydrogen embrittlement (HE) of commercial 20SiMn2CrNiMo, PSB1080 and PH13-8Mo high strength steels using slow strain rate tensile tests with smooth cylindrical tensile specimens. The results reveal that three steels exhibit the superior strength and plasticity in the absence of hydrogen. However, the mechanical properties are deteriorated after hydrogen charging and the resistance to HE is 20SiMn2CrNiMo steel, PH13-8Mo steel and PSB1080 steel, which is ranked in a decreasing order. Fine lath boundaries in 20SiMn2CrNiMo steel disperse hydrogen atoms, reduce local hydrogen accumulation and then result in the lowest HE. Coherent NiAl precipitates in PH13-8Mo steel and O-Mg-Al-Si-Ca type inclusions in PSB1080 steel are responsible for the high HE susceptibility due to the concurrent effect of the stress concentration and hydrogen-enhanced decohesion mechanism. It is thus suggested that the inclusions in steels should be eliminated and the efforts concerning to obtain low HE susceptibility in steels strengthened by the coherent precipitates should be conducted to guarantee the safe service of engineering components fabricated from high strength steels.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Iron acquisition and mineral transformation by cyanobacteria living in extreme environments

Iron is an essential micronutrient for most living organisms, including cyanobacteria. These microorganisms have been found in Earth's driest polar and non-polar deserts, including the Atacama Desert, Chile. Iron-containing minerals were identified in colonized rock substrates from the Atacama Desert, however, the interactions between microorganisms and iron minerals remain unclear. In the current study, we determined that colonized gypsum rocks collected from the Atacama Desert contained both magnetite and hematite phases. A cyanobacteria isolate was cultured on substrates consisting of gypsum with embedded magnetite nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy imaging revealed a significant reduction in the size of magnetite nanoparticles due to their dissolution, which occurred around the microbial biofilms. Concurrently, hematite was detected, likely from the oxidation of the magnetite nanoparticles. Higher cell counts and production of siderophores were observed in cultures with magnetite nanoparticles suggesting that cyanobacteria were actively acquiring iron from the magnetite nanoparticles. Magnetite dissolution and iron acquisition by the cyanobacteria was further confirmed using large bulk magnetite crystals, uncovering a survival strategy of cyanobacteria in these extreme environments.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

Multimode jetting unlocks a trade-off between nanostructure morphology and composition in focused electron beam induced deposition

An ability to accelerate the growth rate while simultaneously controlling shape and composition of deposits is fundamental to expanding the utility of electron beam assisted deposition for “direct write” nanostructure fabrication from gas phase precursors. Here, we report on novel tunable mode of Focused Electron Beam Induced Deposition (FEBID) as enabled by the switchable use of reactive (O2) and inert (Ar) “assist” gases directed at high impingement energy and momentum to a deposition site concurrently with a supply of a precursor in a dual-nozzle FEBID arrangement. Organometallic molecules introduced into a deposition chamber in a free-molecular flow regime through a conventional gas injection nozzle, yielding a broad uniform substrate coverage by the precursor in a quasi-equilibrium adsorbed state. Simultaneously, a supersonic micro-jet from a micron-scale capillary placed in close proximity to a deposition site produces a low Knudsen number continuous flow impingement of energized “assist” gas, which perturbs the precursor state to facilitate different chemical reaction pathways. This process offers modulation of deposition outcomes, e.g., enhanced vertical growth rate (aspect ratio) of nanostructures when using argon micro-jet while locally removing parasitic carbonaceous by-products of organometallic precursor decomposition reaction by e-beam through interactions with oxygen micro-jet. Such in-situ/in operando (during growth and on-demand switchable) modulation of FEBID allows for rapid and precisely controllable deposition for a desired outcome, such as tuning metal-to-carbon composition and maintaining shape fidelity in fabricating high-aspect ratio composite nanostructures, which extends the capabilities of FEBID as a robust multi-dimensional, multi-purpose nanoscale 3D printing tool.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

Understanding the effect of friction stir processing on electrical steel: Microstructural changes and mechanical transformations

Raising Si beyond 3.5 wt% reduces core loss but embrittles electrical steels, constraining processing and application. Here we assess friction stir processing (FSP) as a solid‑state route to enable Fe–4.0 wt% Si with improved mechanical performance. Temperature‑controlled FSP with a PcBN tool produced a defect‑free processed zone. SEM/EBSD revealed dynamic recrystallization and grain refinement from an average 110 μm in the base material to ∼20 μm in the processed region, with ∼ 80% of grains < 40 μm and a reduction in high‑angle boundary fraction to ∼65% (vs >85% in the base). Comparative mechanical property analysis shows a moderate increase in yield strength in FSP samples relative to the base material, with a significant improvement in ductility (∼35–50%). Post‑fracture EBSD identified 60° twin boundaries in the base while sub-grain formation with elevated KAM in the FSP sample. Fractography revealed a shift from quasi‑cleavage in the Base-faceted planes with river patterns, steps, and occasional secondary cracks—to ductile micro void coalescence after FSP. Following FSP, the material retains soft‑magnetic behavior, with modest shifts in saturation magnetization consistent with grain refinement and stored strain, accompanied by a clear gain in formability. These results indicate that FSP provides a viable route to deploy higher‑Si electrical steels with concurrent gains in strength and ductility.

Electrical steel↗
DOE OSTI2023

Micro-beam bending of FCC bicrystals: A comparison between defect dynamics simulations and experiments

To understand the role of the grain boundary (GB) in plasticity at small scale, a concurrently coupled mesoscale plasticity model was developed to simulate micro-bending of bicrystalline micron-sized beams. By coupling dislocation dynamics (DD) with a finite element model (FEM), a novel defect dynamics model provides the means to investigate intricate interactions between dislocations and GBs under various loading conditions. Our simulations of micro-bending agree well with corresponding micro-bending experiments, and they show that mechanical response of bicrystals could have not only hardening but also softening depending on the characters of the GB. In addition, changing the location of the GB in the microbeams results in different mechanical responses; GBs located at the neutral plane show softening compared to single crystals, while inclined GBs located halfway along the length of the beam show little effect. In conclusion, simulation results could provide a clear picture on detailed dislocation-GB interactions, and quantitative resolved shear stress analysis supplemented by dislocation density distribution is used to analyze the mechanical response of bicrystalline samples.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

In-situ ionothermal synthesis of nanoporous carbon/oxide composites: A new key to functional separators for stable lithium-sulfur batteries

Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) with high energy density are promising for energy storage. However, conventional polypropylene-based separator cannot avoid polysulfides shuttling which impedes the practical application of LSBs. Herein, an in-situ ionothermal synthesis strategy that concurrently applies ionic liquid as the solvent, template and high-yield carbon source is proposed for the facile preparation of nanoporous carbon/oxide composite separator modifiers. The composites exhibit features of high polarity, self doping, oxygen vacancy, heteroatom doping, abundant defects and high electronic conductivity. Theoretical and experimental studies suggest that the composites can efficiently trap and convert polysulfides for high-performance LSBs. Indeed, in the composite-modified LSBs with next-generation roll-to-roll dry-processed high-loading sulfur cathodes, enhanced performance is achieved, revealing the effectiveness of the composites as functional materials towards separator modification. Therefore, the proposed strategy and its delivered nanoporous composites exhibit excellent versatility and practicality for high-performance LSBs.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Correlation between Asian Dust and Specific Radioactivities of Fission Products Included in Airborne Samples in Tokushima, Shikoku Island, Japan, Due to the Fukushima Nuclear Accident

Radioactive fission product {sup 131}I released from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plants (FD-NPP) was first detected on March 23, 2011 in an airborne aerosol sample collected at Tokushima, Shikoku Island, located in western Japan. Two other radioactive fission products, {sup 134}Cs and {sup 137}Cs were also observed in a sample collected from April 2 to 4, 2011. The maximum specific radioactivities observed in this work were about 2.5 to 3.5 mBq×m{sup -3} in a airborne aerosol sample collected on April 6. During the course of the continuous monitoring, we also made our first observation of seasonal Asian Dust and those fission products associated with the FDNPP accident concurrently from May 2 to 5, 2011. We found that the specific radioactivities of {sup 134}Cs and {sup 137}Cs decreased drastically only during the period of Asian Dust. And also, it was found that this trend was very similar to the atmospheric elemental concentration (ng×m{sup -3}) variation of stable cesium ({sup 133}Cs) quantified by elemental analyses using our developed ICP-DRC-MS instrument.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Synergistic learning with multi-task DeepONet for efficient PDE problem solving

Multi-task learning (MTL) is an inductive transfer mechanism designed to leverage useful information from multiple tasks to improve generalization performance compared to single-task learning. It has been extensively explored in traditional machine learning to address issues such as data sparsity and overfitting in neural networks. In this work, we apply MTL to problems in science and engineering governed by partial differential equations (PDEs). However, implementing MTL in this context is complex, as it requires task-specific modifications to accommodate various scenarios representing different physical processes. To this end, we present a multi-task deep operator network (MT-DeepONet) to learn solutions across various functional forms of source terms in a PDE and multiple geometries in a single concurrent training session. We introduce modifications in the branch network of the vanilla DeepONet to account for various functional forms of a parameterized coefficient in a PDE. Additionally, we handle parameterized geometries by introducing a binary mask in the branch network and incorporating it into the loss term to improve convergence and generalization to new geometry tasks. Our approach is demonstrated on three benchmark problems: (1) learning different functional forms of the source term in the Fisher equation; (2) learning multiple geometries in a 2D Darcy Flow problem and showcasing better transfer learning capabilities to new geometries; and (3) learning 3D parameterized geometries for a heat transfer problem and demonstrate the ability to predict on new but similar geometries. Finally, our MT-DeepONet framework offers a novel approach to solving PDE problems in engineering and science under a unified umbrella based on synergistic learning that reduces the overall training cost for neural operators.

42 ENGINEERING↗