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Wang, Yuhan

Publications and source records attributed to Wang, Yuhan.

The Simons Observatory: Design, Optimization, and Performance of Low-Frequency Detectors

The Simons Observatory (SO) is a cosmic microwave background (CMB) experiment located in the Atacama Desert in Chile that will make precise temperature and polarization measurements over six spectral bands ranging from 27 to 285 GHz. Three small aperture telescopes (SATs) and one large aperture telescope (LAT) will house ~60,000 detectors and cover angular scales between one arcminute and tens of degrees. We present the performance of the dichroic, low-frequency (LF) lenslet-coupled sinuous antenna transition-edge sensor (TES) bolometer arrays with bands centered at 27 and 39 GHz. The LF focal plane will primarily characterize Galactic synchrotron emission as a critical part of foreground subtraction from CMB data. We will discuss the design, optimization, and current testing status of these pixels.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

The Simons Observatory: Design, Integration, and Testing of the Small Aperture Telescopes

The Simons Observatory (SO) is a cosmic microwave background survey experiment that includes small-aperture telescopes (SATs) observing from an altitude of 5200 m in the Atacama Desert in Chile. The SO SATs will cover six spectral bands between 27 and 280 GHz to search for primordial B-modes to a sensitivity of σ(r) = 0.002, with quantified systematic errors well below this value. Each SAT is a self-contained cryogenic telescope with a 35° field of view, 42 cm diameter optical aperture, 40 K half-wave plate, 1 K refractive optics, and <0.1 K focal plane that holds >12,000 transition edge sensor detectors. We describe the nominal design of the SATs and present details about the integration and testing for one operating at 93 and 145 GHz.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Macroscopic Traffic Modeling Using Probe Vehicle Data: A Machine Learning Approach

Abstract The macroscopic fundamental diagram (MFD) captures an orderly relationship among traffic flow, density, and speed at the network level. It is a simple yet powerful tool for modeling traffic dynamics in large urban networks with broad application in traffic control and management. However, empirically derived MFDs in urban regions require high-resolution traffic data from the network. Having the network flow and vehicular density estimated at the (granular) census tract level using vehicle probe data, we apply machine learning methods to predict the MFDs across U.S. urban areas and capture the impacts of location-specific input features on the network flow–density relationships at a large scale. The results show that, among the four tested machine learning approaches (Random Forest, XGBoost, Support Vector Machine, and Neural Network), XGBoost delivers the best performance in predicting network traffic flow based on vehicular density and location attributes. Using interaction Shapley Additive explanation (SHAP) values and partial correlation analysis, we examine the factors influencing MFD shapes across different locations. Our empirical findings reveal that across U.S. urban areas, network topology, transportation infrastructure, and land use are primary factors shaping MFD curves, while demand and trip-related factors play a lesser role. Specifically, higher ranking roads, centrality, and development levels correlate positively with network capacity and critical density, whereas negative associations are observed for network connectivity, mixed-use development, and road roughness levels.

Jin, Ling↗

Automobile and Technology Lifecycle-Based Assignment (ATLAS) v2.0.12

ATLAS is a comprehensive vehicle transaction and technology adoption microsimulator. ATLAS evolves the fleet mix of individual households by simulating the transaction (vehicle addition, disposal, and replacement) and choice (vehicle type, vintage, powertrain, and tenure) decisions in response to the co-evolving demographics, land use, and vehicle technology simulations. Different from the existing vehicle models that are either static or aggregated (e.g. stock model), ATLAS is fully disaggregated and dynamic following a sequential and circumstantial decision-making trajectory. This fine-grained approach not only enhances the realism of the simulation but also provides a nuanced understanding of the dynamics inherent in vehicle fleet evolution. ATLAS outputs are fully compatible with subsequent agent-based transportation modeling system and can enable distributional effect analysis regarding the fleet turnover among heterogeneous populations. ATLAS expands the typical new sale focused vehicle choice modeling to including used vehicle transactions that are of increasing interests to understanding the vehicle adoption behavior among lower income households.

Jin, Ling↗

Technology progress and clean vehicle policies on fleet turnover and equity: insights from household vehicle fleet micro-simulations with $\text{ATLAS}$

This paper documents the design and application of ATLAS (Automobile and Technology Lifecycle-Based ASsignment), a comprehensive household vehicle transaction and technology adoption micro-simulator in the San Francisco Bay Area. ATLAS evolves the fleet mix of individual households by simulating the vehicle transaction and choice decisions in response to co-evolving demographics, land use, and vehicle technology simulations. While most existing literature has focused on the aggregate clean vehicle uptake, this paper differentiates distributional effects and decomposes the underlying mechanisms across heterogeneous sub-populations of households. Using scenarios and sensitivity simulations that vary vehicle technology and policy assumptions, we find that Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) penetrate into higher income groups at a faster rate than into lower income groups, which is intuitive and aligns with expectations. Interestingly, the relative income disparity in ZEV ownership shrinks over time across all scenarios, with a ZEV mandate coupled with declining battery cost leading to the greatest reduction in disparity of ZEV ownership by 2050. Federal, state, and local financial incentives influence the redistribution of ZEV uptake across income groups and contribute to narrowing income disparity. Vehicle transaction frequency and new versus used market dynamics are found to be important factors contributing to the income disparity.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Platform for Integrated Land use And Transportation Experiments and Simulation (PILATES) v1.0

PILATES allows for flexibly and at-scale coupling of multiple models to allow for multi-scale and multi-resolution simulation of regional-scale transport networks. In particular, it couples the MATSim-derived transportation modeling framework for Behavior, Energy, Autonomy and Mobility (BEAM) with other models operating at different time scales. Rather than tightly coupling supply and demand models using shared agents and memory within the same software process, PILATES orchestrates different model runs in a containerized framework. This structure requires passing information from the demand models to BEAM in the format of a synthetic population and agent plans, and from BEAM to the demand models in terms or origin/destination tables (also known as "skims"). This allows it to take advantage of the behavioral sophistication of existing activity-based models as well as the reinforcement learning structure of MATSim replanning and adopted by BEAM, in a way that requires minimal changes to existing models. It also takes advantage of the computational performance of BEAM, which allows for simulations with millions of agents to complete in reasonable time as well as allowing for detailed mechanistic simulation of the operation of on-demand modes.

Needell, Zachary↗

Modern nuclear and astrophysical constraints of dense matter in a redefined chiral approach

Here, we explore the quantum chromodynamics (QCD) phase diagram’s complexities, including quark deconfinement transitions, liquid-gas phase changes, and critical points by using the chiral mean-field (CMF) model that is able to capture all these features. We introduce a vector meson field redefinition within the CMF framework, enabling precise adjustments of meson masses and coupling strengths related to vector meson interactions. Performing a new fit to the deconfinement potential, we are able to replicate recent lattice QCD results, low-energy nuclear physics properties, neutron star observational data, and key phase diagram features as per modern constraints. This approach enhances our understanding of vector mesons’ roles in mediating nuclear interactions and their impact on the equation of state, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the QCD phase diagram and its implications for nuclear and astrophysical phenomena.

QCD phase transitions↗

Validation of the plasma-wall self-organization model for density limit in ECRH-assisted start-up of Ohmic discharges on J-TEXT

Abstract A recently developed plasma-wall self-organization model (Escande et al 2022 Nucl. Fusion 62 026001) predicts a significantly enhanced density limit, which may be attainable in tokamaks with ECRH-assisted Ohmic start-up and sufficiently high initial neutral density. Experiments have been conducted on J-TEXT to validate such a density limit scenario based on this model. Experimental results demonstrate that increasing the pre-filled gas pressure or ECRH power during the start-up phase can help effectively enhance plasma purity and raise the density limit at the flat-top phase. The experimental data shows that density limit increases by a ratio 0.76 / 0.6 ≈ 1.27 for a decrease by a factor 0.13 / 0.33 ≈ 0.4 in C III radiation.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Tailoring activity of iron phthalocyanine by edge-nitrogen sites induced electronic delocalization

Fe-N-C catalysts have been recognized as the most satisfactory candidates alternatively to Pt-based catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). However, fine-tailoring of their intrinsic ORR catalytic activity still remains a great challenge due to the inferior accessibility and intrinsic activity of FeN x moieties. Herein, one order of magnitude activity enhancement of pristine Fe-N-C through cooperating with nitrogen-doped carbon micro-flower is achieved. The axial coordination effect between Fe active center and nitrogen atoms in support can break the electronic distribution symmetry of FeN x moieties and induce the electron delocalization on Fe active center and the electron localization on N, respectively, which favor the adsorption behavior of *OH intermediate. As a result, the catalyst exhibits a remarkable half-wave potential of 0.9 V and a high kinetic current density of 74.04 mA cm -2 at 0.85 V. In addition, when utilized as a cathode catalyst of liquid Zn-air batteries (ZABs), it possesses excellent electrochemical performance, for example, a high open circuit voltage (OCV) and peak power density of 1.59 V and 170.09 mW cm -2 , respectively. In conclusion, this work provides a new understanding into the activity enhancement mechanism of Fe-N-C catalysts, and inspires electronic delocalization of active sites for adjusting catalytic activity.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

The Simons Observatory: Magnetic Shielding Measurements for the Universal Multiplexing Module

The Simons Observatory (SO) includes four telescopes that will measure the temperature and polarization of the cosmic microwave background using over 60,000 highly sensitive transition-edge bolometers (TES). These multichroic TES bolometers are read out by a microwave RF SQUID multiplexing system with a multiplexing factor of 910. Given that both TESes and SQUIDs are susceptible to magnetic field pickup and that it is hard to predict how they will respond to such fields, it is important to characterize the magnetic response of these systems empirically. This information can then be used to limit spurious signals by informing magnetic shielding designs for the detectors and readout. This paper focuses on measurements of magnetic pickup with different magnetic shielding configurations for the SO universal multiplexing module (UMM), which contains the SQUIDs, associated resonators, and TES bias circuit. The magnetic pickup of a prototype UMM was tested under three shielding configurations: no shielding (copper packaging), aluminum packaging for the UMM, and a tin/lead-plated shield surrounding the entire dilution refrigerator 100 mK cold stage. We also present measurements of the pickup in the UMM when aluminum feedhorns are installed. The measurements show that the aluminum packaging outperforms the copper packaging by a shielding factor of 8-10, and adding the tin/lead-plated 1K shield further increases the relative shielding factor in the aluminum configuration by 1-2 orders of magnitude. Furthermore, the addition of feedhorns provides a factor of 30 improvement when the tin/lead shield is not installed and a factor of 5 improvement when it is.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

The Simons Observatory Microwave SQUID Multiplexing Detector Module Design

Advances in cosmic microwave background (CMB) science depend on increasing the number of sensitive detectors observing the sky. New instruments deploy large arrays of superconducting transition-edge sensor (TES) bolometers tiled densely into ever larger focal planes. High multiplexing factors reduce the thermal loading on the cryogenic receivers and simplify their design. We present the design of focal-plane modules with an order of magnitude higher multiplexing factor than has previously been achieved with TES bolometers. We focus on the novel cold readout component, which employs microwave SQUID multiplexing (μmux). Simons Observatory will use 49 modules containing 70,000 bolometers to make exquisitely sensitive measurements of the CMB. We validate the focal-plane module design, presenting measurements of the readout component with and without a prototype detector array of 1728 polarization-sensitive bolometers coupled to feedhorns. The readout component achieves a 95% yield and a 910 multiplexing factor. The median white noise of each readout channel is 65 . This impacts the projected SO mapping speed by <8%, which is less than is assumed in the sensitivity projections. The results validate the full functionality of the module. We discuss the measured performance in the context of SO science requirements, which are exceeded.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Solar-to-Grid: Trends in System Impacts, Reliability, and Market Value in the United States with Data Through 2019

With continued deployment of solar across the United States, assessing the interactions of solar with the power system is an increasingly important complement to studies tracking the cost and performance of solar plants. This project focuses on the historical contribution to reliability, trends in market value, and impacts on the bulk power system of solar deployed in the U.S. through the end of 2019.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Role of Ho Doping in Magnetization Mechanism of BiFeO{sub 3} Thin Films

BiFeO{sub 3} (BFO) as one of the considerable interesting multiferroic materials has been widely investigated for its fantastic science and potential application. Herein, effects of Ho doping on the structure, morphology, and magnetic properties of BFO thin films were systematically studied. X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicates a successful substitution of Ho at Bi site and a transition in crystal structure of Bi{sub 0.9}Ho{sub 0.1}FeO{sub 3} (BHFO) thin film. Raman scattering spectrum is further evidence of XRD analysis results. The Ho-doped BFO thin films possess uniform morphology. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirms that the substitution of Bi{sup 3+} ions with Ho{sup 3+} ions is beneficial. The remanent magnetization of BHFO thin films is about three times than that of the BFO thin films under a maximum magnetic field of 15,000 Oe. And we systematically discussed several possible reasons for the enhancement of magnetization.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Bayesian Assimilation of Multiscale Precipitation Data and Sparse Ground Gauge Observations in Mountainous Areas

Estimating the spatial distribution of precipitation is important for understanding ecohydrological processes at catchment scales. However, this estimation is difficult in mountainous areas because ground-based observation stations are often sparsely located and do not represent the spatial variability of precipitation. In this study, we develop a Bayesian assimilation method based on data collected on the Tibetan Plateau from 1980 to 2014 to estimate monthly and daily precipitation. To accomplish this, point-scale ground meteorological observations are combined with large-scale precipitation data such as satellite observations or reanalysis data. First, we remove the terrain effects from ground observations by fitting the precipitation data as functions of elevation, and then we spatially interpolate the residuals to 5-km-resolution grids to obtain monthly and daily precipitation. Additionally, we use Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite observations and ERA-Interim reanalysis data. Cross-validation methods are used to evaluate our method; the results show that our method not only captures the change in precipitation with terrain but also significantly reduces the associated uncertainty. The improvements are more evident in the main river source areas on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau, where elevation changes dramatically, and in high-altitude areas, where the ground gauges are sparse compared with those in low-altitude areas. Our assimilation method is applicable to other regions and is particularly useful for mountainous watersheds where ground meteorological stations are sparse and precipitation is considerably influenced by terrain.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Impacts of climate warming on the frozen ground and eco-hydrology in the Yellow River source region, China

The Yellow River source region is located in the transition region between permafrost and seasonally frozen ground on the northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The region has experienced severe climate change, especially air temperature increases, in past decades. In this study, we employed a geomorphology-based eco-hydrological model (GBEHM) to assess the impacts of climate change on the frozen ground and eco-hydrological processes in the region. Based on a long-term simulation from 1981 to 2015, we found that the areal mean maximum thickness of seasonally frozen ground ranged from 1.1–1.8 m and decreased by 1.2 cm per year. Additionally, the ratio of the permafrost area to the total area decreased by 1.1% per year. These decreasing trends are faster than the average in China because the study area is on the sensitive margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The annual runoff exhibited variations similar to those of the annual precipitation (R 2 = 0.85), although the annual evapotranspiration (ET) exhibited an increasing trend (14.3 mm/10 a) similar to that of the annual mean air temperature (0.66 °C/10 a). The runoff coefficient (annual runoff divided by annual precipitation) displayed a decreasing trend because of the increasing ET, and the vegetation responses to climate warming and permafrost degradation were manifested as increases in the leaf area index (LAI) and ET at the start of the growing season. Furthermore, the results showed that changes to the frozen ground depth affected vegetation growth. Notably, a rapid decrease in the frozen ground depth (< - 3.0 cm/a) decreased the topsoil moisture and then decreased the LAI. In conclusion, this study showed that the eco-hydrological processes in the headwater area of the Yellow River have changed because of permafrost degradation, and these changes could further influence the water resources availability in the middle and lower reaches of the basin.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Threshold Switching Characteristics of Nb/NbO 2 /TiN Vertical Devices

Nb/NbO2/TiN vertical structures were synthesized in-situ and patterned to devices with different contact areas. The devices exhibited threshold resistive switching with minimal hysteresis and a small EThreshold (60~90 kV/cm). The switching behavior was unipolar, and demonstrated good repeatability. A less sharp but still sizable change in the device resistance was observed up to 150 °C. It was found that the resistive switching without Nb capping layer exhibited the hysteretic behavior and much larger EThreshold (~250 kV/cm) likely due to a 2-3 nm surface Nb2O5 layer. The stable threshold switching behavior well above room temperature shows the potential applications of this device as an electronic switch.

Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory↗

Epitaxial niobium dioxide thin films by reactive-biased target ion beam deposition

Epitaxial NbO{sub 2} thin films were synthesized on Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} (0001) substrates via reactive bias target ion beam deposition. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectra were used to confirm the tetragonal phase of pure NbO{sub 2}. Through XPS, it was found that there was a ∼1.3 nm thick Nb{sub 2}O{sub 5} layer on the surface and the bulk of the thin film was NbO{sub 2}. The epitaxial relationship between the NbO{sub 2} film and the substrate was determined. Electrical transport measurement was measured up to 400 K, and the conduction mechanism was discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗