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Zheng, Gang

Publications and source records attributed to Zheng, Gang.

13 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Model Gap Quantification and Evaluation

In the real world, model gaps always exist because models cannot perfectly match the objective physical plants. Model gaps reflect the integrity of models, which is vital for model validation and calibration. This letter proposes a novel approach for model gap quantification and evaluation. First, a comprehensive metric is developed to quantify dynamic model gaps. Next, the model gaps are evaluated from a panoramic view of the probability distribution of the comprehensive metric for multiple scenarios. Finally, we demonstrate the proposed quantification and evaluation approach through synchronous machine models.

Wang, Shaobu↗
DOE OSTI2017

Panoscopic approach for high-performance Te-doped skutterudite

One-step plasma-activated sintering (OS-PAS) fabrication of single-phase high-performance CoSb 3 -based skutterudite thermoelectric material with a hierarchical structure on a time scale of a few minutes is first reported here. The formation mechanism of the CoSb 3 phase and the effects of the current and pressure fields on the phase transformation and microstructure evolution are studied in the one-step PAS process. The application of the panoscopic approach to this system and its effect on the transport properties are investigated. The results show that the hierarchical structure forms during the formation of the skutterudite phase under the effects of both current and sintering pressure. The samples fabricated by the OS-PAS technique have defined hierarchical structures, which scatter phonons more intensely over a broader range of frequencies and significantly reduce the lattice thermal conductivity. High-performance bulk Te-doped skutterudite with the maximum ZT of 1.1 at 820 K for the composition CoSb 2.875 Te 0.125 was obtained. Such high ZT values rival those obtained from single filled skutterudites. As a result, this newly developed OS-PAS technique enhances the thermoelectric performance, dramatically shortens the synthesis period and provides a facile method for obtaining hierarchical thermoelectric materials on a large scale.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

The Role of Zn in Chalcopyrite CuFeS 2 : Enhanced Thermoelectric Properties of Cu 1– x Zn x FeS 2 with In Situ Nanoprecipitates

Chalcopyrite (CuFeS 2 ) is a widespread natural mineral, composed of earth–abundant and nontoxic elements. It has been considered a promising n–type material for thermoelectric applications. In this work, a series of Zn–doped Cu 1–x Zn x FeS 2 (x = 0–0.1) compounds are synthesized by vacuum melting combined with the plasma activated sintering process. The role of Zn in the chalcopyrite and its different effects on thermoelectric properties, depending on its concentration and location in the crystal lattice, are discussed. It is found that Zn is an effective donor which increases the carrier concentration and improves the thermoelectric properties of CuFeS 2 . Here, when the content of Zn exceeds the solubility limit, Zn partially enters the Cu sites and forms in situ ZnS nanophase. This, in turn, shifts the balance between the anion and cation species which is re–established by the formation of antisite Fe/Cu defects. Beyond maintaining charge neutrality of the structure, such antisite defects relieve the lattice strain in the matrix and increase the solubility of Zn further. The highest ZT value of 0.26 is achieved at 630 K for Cu 0.92 Zn 0.08 FeS 2 , which represents an enhancement of about 80% over that of the pristine CuFeS 2 sample.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Small-molecule WNK inhibition regulates cardiovascular and renal function

The With-No-Lysine (K) (WNK) kinases play a critical role in blood pressure regulation and body fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. Herein, we introduce the first orally bioavailable pan-WNK-kinase inhibitor, WNK463, that exploits unique structural features of the WNK kinases for both affinity and kinase selectivity. In rodent models of hypertension, WNK463 affects blood pressure and body fluid and electro-lyte homeostasis, consistent with WNK-kinase-associated physiology and pathophysiology.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

Cellular uptake of lead in the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier: Novel roles of Connexin 43 hemichannel and its down-regulations via Erk phosphorylation

As the structural basis of blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCB), epithelial cells in the choroid plexus (CP) are targets for lead (Pb). Pb is known to accumulate in the CP; however, the mechanism of Pb uptake in the choroidal epithelial cells remains unknown. Recently, hemichannels of Connexin 43 (Cx43), the most ubiquitously expressed gap junction proteins in the CP, were found to be important pathways for many substances. This study was designed to investigate the roles of Cx43 in Pb uptake in the epithelial cells. Autometallography was used to outline Pb's subcellular location, and the characteristics of Pb transport into CP cells, including concentration- and time-dependence were analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Knockdown/overexpression of Cx43 with transient siRNA/plasmids transfections before Pb exposure diminished/increased the Pb accumulation. In the Z310 cell-based doxycycline-inducible Cx43 expression cell line (iZCx43), doxycycline induced a significant increase (3-fold) in Pb uptake, corresponding to the increased Cx43 levels. Activation of Cx43 hemichannels by reduced serum conditions caused an increase of Pb concentrations. Cx43-induced Pb uptake was attenuated after blockage of Cx43 hemichannels with its inhibitor, carbenoxolone. Additionally, down-regulation of Cx43 protein levels by Pb exposure paralleled cellular Pb concentrations in the time study. Concomitantly, expressions of phosphor-Src and phosphor-Erk were both significantly increased by Pb. However, inactivation of Erk, not Src pathway, reversed Pb-induced downregulation of Cx43. Taken together, these data establish that Pb can accumulate in the BCB and validate the role of Cx43 hemichannel in Pb uptake and its regulations through Erk phosphorylation. - Highlights: • Pb is sequestrated in choroid plexus both in vivo and in vitro. • Cx43 knockdown/overexpression prevents/increases Pb accumulations. • Cx43 hemichannels are required for Pb uptake. • Pb-induced Erk activation causes reduction of Cx43.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2014

Self-propagating high-temperature synthesis for compound thermoelectrics and new criterion for combustion processing

The existing methods of synthesis of thermoelectric (TE) materials remain constrained to multi-step processes that are time and energy intensive. Here we demonstrate that essentially all compound thermoelectrics can be synthesized in a single-phase form at a minimal cost and on the timescale of seconds using a combustion process called self-propagating high-temperature synthesis. We illustrate this method on Cu2Se and summarize key reaction parameters for other materials. We propose a new empirically based criterion for sustainability of the combustion reaction, where the adiabatic temperature that represents the maximum temperature to which the reacting compact is raised as the combustion wave passes through, must be high enough to melt the lower melting point component. Our work opens a new avenue for ultra-fast, low-cost, large-scale production of TE materials, and provides new insights into combustion process, which greatly broaden the scope of materials that can be successfully synthesized by this technique.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2012

Relative contribution of CTR1 and DMT1 in copper transport by the blood–CSF barrier: Implication in manganese-induced neurotoxicity

The homeostasis of copper (Cu) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is partially regulated by the Cu transporter-1 (CTR1) and divalent metal transporter-1 (DMT1) at the blood–CSF barrier (BCB) in the choroid plexus. Data from human and animal studies suggest an increased Cu concentration in blood, CSF, and brains following in vivo manganese (Mn) exposure. This study was designed to investigate the relative role of CTR1 and DMT1 in Cu transport under normal or Mn-exposed conditions using an immortalized choroidal Z310 cell line. Mn exposure in vitro resulted in an increased cellular {sup 64}Cu uptake and the up-regulation of both CTR1 and DMT1. Knocking down CTR1 by siRNA counteracted the Mn-induced increase of {sup 64}Cu uptake, while knocking down DMT1 siRNA resulted in an increased cellular {sup 64}Cu uptake in Mn-exposed cells. To distinguish the roles of CTR1 and DMT1 in Cu transport, the Z310 cell-based tetracycline (Tet)-inducible CTR1 and DMT1 expression cell lines were developed, namely iZCTR1 and iZDMT1 cells, respectively. In iZCTR1 cells, Tet induction led to a robust increase (25 fold) of {sup 64}Cu uptake with the time course corresponding to the increased CTR1. Induction of DMT1 by Tet in iZDMT1 cells, however, resulted in only a slight increase of {sup 64}Cu uptake in contrast to a substantial increase in DMT1 mRNA and protein expression. These data indicate that CTR1, but not DMT1, plays an essential role in transporting Cu by the BCB in the choroid plexus. Mn-induced cellular overload of Cu at the BCB is due, primarily, to Mn-induced over-expression of CTR1. -- Highlights: ► This study compares the relative role of CTR1 and DMT1 in Cu transport by the BCB. ► Two novel tetracycline-inducible CTR1 and DMT1 expression cell lines are created. ► CTR1, but not DMT1, plays an essential role in transporting Cu by the BCB. ► Mn-induced cellular Cu overload is due to its induction of CTR1 rather than DMT1. ► Induction of CTR1 by Mn in the BCB contributes to an elevated Cu level in the CSF.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗