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Quantifying magnetic field driven lattice distortions in kagome metals at the femto-scale using scanning tunneling microscopy
A wide array of unusual phenomena has recently been uncovered in kagome solids. The charge density wave (CDW) state in the kagome superconductor AV 3 Sb 5 , in particular, intrigued the community; the CDW phase appears to break the time-reversal symmetry despite the absence of spin magnetism, which has been tied to exotic orbital loop currents possibly intertwined with magnetic field tunable crystal distortions. To test this connection, precise determination of the lattice response to an applied magnetic field is crucial but can be challenging at the atomic scale. We establish a scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) based method to study the evolution of the AV 3 Sb 5 atomic structure as a function of magnetic field. The method substantially reduces the errors of typical STM measurements, which are at the order of 1% when measuring an in-plane lattice constant change. Here, we find that the out-of-plane lattice constant of AV 3 Sb 5 remains unchanged (within 10 —6 ) by the application of both in-plane and out-of-plane magnetic fields. We also reveal that the in-plane lattice response to magnetic field is at most at the order of 0.05%. Our experiments provide further constraints on time-reversal symmetry breaking in kagome metals and establish a tool for higher-resolution extraction of the field-lattice coupling at the nanoscale applicable to other quantum materials.
Glycosyl residue composition of cell wall extracts from tillers of switchgrass WT and PvGAUT4-KD plants
Glycosyl residue composition of cell wall extracts from tillers of switchgrass WT and PvGAUT4-KD plants
Comparison of optical potential for nucleons and $\varDelta $ resonances
Precise modeling of neutrino interactions on nuclear targets is essential for neutrino oscillations experiments. The modeling of the energy of final state particles in quasielastic (QE) scattering and resonance production on bound nucleons requires knowledge of both the removal energy of the initial state bound nucleon as well as the average Coulomb and nuclear optical potentials for final state leptons and hadrons. We extract the average values of the real part of the nuclear optical potential for final state nucleons ( $U_{opt}^{QE}$ U opt QE ) as a function of the nucleon kinetic energy from inclusive electron scattering data on nuclear targets ( $_\mathbf{6 }^\mathbf{12 }{} \mathbf{C} $ 6 12 C + $_\mathbf{8 }^\mathbf{16 }{} \mathbf{O} $ 8 16 O , $_\mathbf{20 }^\mathbf{40 }{} \mathbf{Ca} $ 20 40 Ca + $_\mathbf{18 }^\mathbf{40 }{} \mathbf{Ar} $ 18 40 Ar , $_\mathbf{3 }^\mathbf{6 }{} \mathbf{Li} $ 3 6 Li , $_\mathbf{18 }^\mathbf{27 }{} \mathbf{Al} $ 18 27 Al , $_\mathbf{26 }^\mathbf{56 }{} \mathbf{Fe} $ 26 56 Fe , $_\mathbf{82 }^\mathbf{208 }{} \mathbf{Pb} $ 82 208 Pb ) in the QE region and compare to calculations. We also extract values of the average of the real part of the nuclear optical potential for a $\varDelta (1232)$ Δ ( 1232 ) resonance in the final state ( $U^\varDelta _{opt}$ U opt Δ ) within the impulse approximation. We find that $U^\varDelta _{opt}$ U opt Δ is more negative than $U_{opt}^{QE}$ U opt QE with $U^\varDelta _{opt}\approx $ U opt Δ ≈ 1.5 $U_{opt}^{QE}$ U opt QE for $_\mathbf{6 }^\mathbf{12 }{} \mathbf{C} $ 6 12 C .
Probing specific ion effects at air-aqueous dibutyl phosphate interfaces using vibrational sum frequency generation spectroscopy
Molecular properties at air–liquid and liquid–liquid interface hold the key to many processes involving molecular transport across phase boundaries from aerosol formation to carbon cycling and material separation using solvent extraction techniques. Using dibutyl phosphate (DBP) as a representative for partially aqueous soluble surfactants, the specific ion effect (SIE) of the Hofmeister series cations Cs + , Na + , Li + , and Mg 2+ on the partition and interaction between surfactant molecules and water molecules in the air–aqueous interface are investigated using vibrational sum frequency generation spectroscopy and surface tension measurements. In the presence of 1 mM and 1M bulk aqueous phase ionic strength salt concentrations, fundamental qualitative relationships are observed for the salting out of DBP relative to bulk aqueous phase nitrate salt concentrations and the specific cations species. At 1 mM ionic strength, the interfacial charge and hence the interfacial potential modulates the electrostatic interactions; in particular, the counter cations partially screen the negatively charged interface induced by the DBP in a direct Hofmeister order. At 1M ionic strength, the electric field at the interface or interfacial potential is effectively neutralized, and the counter cations promote the partitioning of DBP to the interface depending on their specific interaction with the DBP head group and metal ion hydration properties. The present results lay a foundation to study SIEs of heavier metals on hydrophobic-aqueous DBP interfaces.
The morphology of the X-ray afterglows and of the jetted GeV emission in long GRBs
ABSTRACT We recall evidence that long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) have binary progenitors and give new examples. Binary-driven hypernovae (BdHNe) consist of a carbon–oxygen core (COcore) and a neutron star (NS) companion. For binary periods ∼5 min, the COcore collapse originates the subclass BdHN I characterized by (1) an outstanding supernova (SN; the ‘SN-rise’); (2) a black hole (BH), born from the NS collapse by SN matter accretion, leading to a GeV emission with luminosity $L_{\rm GeV} = A_{\rm GeV}\, t^{-\alpha _{\rm GeV}}$, observed only in some cases; and (3) a new NS (νNS), born from the SN, originating from the X-ray afterglow with $L_\mathrm{ X} = A_{\rm X}\, t^{-\alpha _{\rm X}}$, observed in all BdHN I. We record 378 sources and present for four prototype GRBs 130427A, 160509A, 180720B, and 190114C: (1) spectra, luminosities, SN-rise duration; (2) AX, αX = 1.48 ± 0.32, and (3) the νNS spin time evolution. We infer (i) AGeV, αGeV = 1.19 ± 0.04 and (ii) the BdHN I morphology from time-resolved spectral analysis, three-dimensional simulations, and the GeV emission presence/absence in 54 sources within the Fermi-Large Area Telescope boresight angle. For 25 sources, we give the integrated and time-varying GeV emission, 29 sources have no GeV emission detected and show X/gamma-ray flares previously inferred as observed along the binary plane. The 25/54 ratio implies the GeV radiation is emitted within a cone of half-opening angle ≈60° from the normal to the orbital plane. We deduce BH masses of 2.3–8.9 M⊙ and spin of 0.27–0.87 by explaining the GeV emission from the BH rotational energy extraction, while their time evolution validates the BH mass–energy formula.
Creating electrochemical accessibility in covalent organic frameworks for uranium extraction via electrodeposition
Not provided.
Mechanical and Ionic Characterization for Organic Semiconductor–Incorporated Perovskites for Stable 2D/3D Heterostructure Perovskite Solar Cells
Hybrid metal halide perovskite (MHP) materials, while being promising for photovoltaic technology, also encounter challenges related to material stability. Combining 2D MHPs with 3D MHPs offers a viable solution, yet there is a gap in the understanding of the stability among various 2D materials. The mechanical, ionic, and environmental stability of various 2D MHP ligands are reported, and an improvement with the use of a quater-thiophene-based organic cation (4TmI) that forms an organic-semiconductor incorporated MHP structure is demonstrated. It is shown that the best balance of mechanical robustness, environmental stability, ion activation energy, and reduced mobile ion concentration under accelerated aging is achieved with the usage of 4TmI. It is believed that by addressing mechanical and ion-based degradation modes using this built-in barrier concept with a material system that also shows improvements in charge extraction and device performance, MHP solar devices can be designed for both reliability and efficiency.
Ion microprobe analysis and petrogenetic interpretations of Li, Mg, Ti, K, Sr, Ba in lunar plagioclase
The ion microprobe employed in the considered investigation utilizes a focused primary ion beam to sputter a tiny volume of a sample. A small fraction of the sputtered atoms is ionized and extracted from the sample region for subsequent analysis with a mass spectrometer. A systematic study was conducted to determine which elements can be detected and analyzed in lunar Ca-rich plagioclase. Attention is given to the method of quantitative determination, the selected samples, and aspects of data presentation. A number of general conclusions are discussed. All minor elements in plagioclases from anorthosites from several lunar sites show a restricted range consistent with a common origin. The simplest interpretation is that the anorthosites developed from a moon-wide event, or at least from closely-related events. A moon-wide magma ocean would satisfy this condition.
Multi-Sourced Collaboration for the Production and Refining of Rare Elements and Critical Metals (Final Technical Report)
The project objective was to develop a feasible and cost-effective method for recovering rare earth elements (REEs) and critical materials (CMs) from coal and coal byproducts, resulting in high-purity individually separated REEs and CMs. The targeted REEs included Y, Pr, Nd, Gd, Dy, and Sm, with a purity of over 99.5%, while the CMs included Co, Mn, Ga, Sr, Li, Ni, Zn, and Ge, with a purity of over 90%. The project aimed to design a prototype facility capable of producing 1-3 tonnes/day of high-purity REO mixes. The work was divided into four designated circuits: 1) REE extraction and concentration, 2) REE separation and purification, 3) RE metal production, and 4) CM production. To achieve these goals, the project involved 11 tasks, including technology reviews, research, process flow diagram development, mass balance estimation, and preliminary technical-economic analysis. The project team included researchers from the University of Kentucky, University of Alabama and Virginia Tech as well as process specialists from Argonne National Laboratory. MP Materials provided technical support regarding rare earth markets and processing while Alliance Coal performed resource assessment. The project included a market analysis for Nd/Pr, Tb, Dy, Gd, Y, Co, Mn, Li, Sr, Ga, Ni, Zn, and Ge. These analyses provided insights into the supply and demand trends as well as historic and future projections of market price relative to purity requirements for these elements. Two coal resources were selected for the project: the West Kentucky No. 13 (Baker) Seam and an undisclosed lignite resource in the Illinois coal basin. The estimated quantities of REEs in these resources were calculated based on production samples and drilling data. It was estimated that there is adequate supply for an operation producing one metric ton daily of higher purity mixed rare earth oxides (MREO) for approximately 20 years at a site located in western Kentucky. In Circuit 1, project data was obtained from a pilot heap leach and REE concentration facility. It was concluded that the existing circuit, which generated a MREO concentrate, two types of CM mixed products, and Li- and Sr-containing waters, would be suitable feed for circuits 2-4. Data from the first-of-its-kind coal coarse refuse heap leach pilot pad played a crucial role in estimating reliable elemental concentrations of the pregnant leaching solution (PLS). The average total REE concentration in the PLS was found to be 28.6 ppm. In Circuit 2, several concepts were explored including a novel process referred to as solvent-assisted chromatography (SAC). This concept involved a novel columnar reactor that incorporated multiple mixer/settlers, thereby enabling the operation of counter-flowing aqueous and organic phases. Unfortunately, due to project time constraints, a complete fundamental modeling analysis could not be completed to fully evaluate the technology. Molten salt electrowinning was considered as an alternative for circuit 3 following circuit 2 purification circuit utilizing the novel SAC process. A mass and energy balance of Nd reduction to metal in a fluoride containing molten salt electrolyte was conducted. Comparisons were made with the current state of Asian molten salt electrorefining, and potential improvements in siphoning rare earth metals (REM) from the reactor were presented. A cost estimate was performed for the production of 1 tonne per day, which yielded a total of $2.29 million for the nine electrowinning (EW) cells required. The selected option for circuits 2 and 3 was a plasma distillation process, which initially separates rare earth elements (REEs) from other elements. This is followed by selective electrowinning in various ionic liquids. The selection was made on the basis of thermodynamic modeling and experimental data previously published by a project partner. The combination offers an innovative approach to integrated refining and RE metal production. For Circuit 4, an extensive literature review was conducted for the processing of the CMs. The ultimate decision was to utilize a combined plasma and ionic liquid process as well to produce individual high-purity concentrates of Zn, Ni, Co, Mn, and Mg. A separate flowsheet for Li and Sr was recommended, which would yield carbonates of these elements. Due to the lack of suitable experimental data at this time, a process recommendation could not be provided but several methods have been proposed for consideration. Lastly, a techno-economic analysis (TEA) was conducted to assess the effectiveness of the proposed process for further investigation. The TEA results revealed a capital expense (CapEx) of $737 million and an annual operational expense (OpEx) of $220 million. Due to the selected elements, the hypothetical heap leach pad can produce 1 metric tonne per day of REO equivalent, but a conscious decision was made to only treat targeted REEs, resulting in the production of 0.4 metric tonne of REM. An estimated annual revenue of $90.87 million was projected based on standard market pricing information provided by the funding agency. During the TEA, ten different modules were evaluated for costing purposes. The precipitation circuit was identified as the largest single operational expense, followed by the Mg/Mn process due to the amount of treated metal. In terms of capital expenditures, the heap leach process incurred the highest cost, followed by the Mg/Mn process. The scalability of the plasma process is a crucial consideration since the reactors cannot be scaled beyond the largest demonstrated size due to their reliance on surface area of the slag and vapor phase. The purity estimate for the REEs are generally 98%±2% to produce a metal. The purity level being lower than the project objective was due to the lack of specific experimental data needed to tighten the tolerance of the estimates. Based on literature and previous experience, the CMs are estimated as follows; Ga (95%+, metal), Sr (95%+, carbonate), Li (95%+, carbonate), Ni (98%±2%, metal), Zn (95%+, metal sponge), Ge (95%+, metal), Co (98%±2%, metal), and Mn (98%±2%, metal).
Lithium-Ion Battery Life Model with Electrode Cracking and Early-Life Break-in Processes
This paper develops a physically justified reduced-order capacity fade model from accelerated calendar- and cycle-aging data for 32 lithium-ion (Li-ion) graphite/nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) cells. The large data set reveals temperature-, charge C-rate-, depth-of-discharge-, and state of charge (SOC)-dependent degradation patterns that would be unobserved in a smaller test matrix. Model structure is informed by incremental capacity analysis that shows loss of lithium inventory and cathode-material loss as the dominant capacity fade mechanisms. The model includes terms attributable to solid-electrolyte interface (SEI) growth, electrode cracking, cycling-driven acceleration of SEI growth, and "break-in" mechanisms that slightly decrease or increase available Li inventory early in life. The study explores what mathematical couplings of these mechanisms best describe calendar aging, cycle aging, and mixed calendar/cycle aging. Various approaches are discussed for extracting relevant stress factors from complex cycling profiles to predict lifetime during real-world battery loads using models trained on constant-current laboratory test results. The complexity of the present human-driven model identification process motivates future work in machine learning to more widely search and statistically discern the optimal model that correctly extrapolates capacity fade based on physical knowledge.
Galvanostatic Intermittent Titration Technique Reinvented: Part II. Experiments
Following a critical review of the galvanostatic intermittent titration technique in Part I, here we experimentally demonstrate how to extract chemical diffusivity with a modified method. We prepare dense bulk samples that ensure diffusion-limitation. We utilize the scaling with $\sqrt{{t}_{\mathrm{relax}}+\tau }-\sqrt{{t}_{\mathrm{relax}}}$ (trelax: relaxation time; τ: pulse duration), avoiding problems with composition-dependent overpotentials. The equilibrium Nernst voltage is measured separately using small porous particles. This separation between the diffusion measurement and the titration procedure is critical for performing each measurement in a reliable setting. We report the chemical diffusion coefficients of LixNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 and their activation energy. We extract ionic conductivity and compare it with total conductivity to confirm ion-limitation in chemical diffusion. The measurements suggest that the time scale for diffusion in typical Li-ion battery particles could be much shorter than that of the intercalation/deintercalation processes at the particle surface (Biot number less than 0.1).
Conceptual design for a blanket tritium extraction test stand
Tritium breeding is fundamentally required for a sustainable fusion fuel cycle, yet the technological readiness of blanket technology lags far behind other fusion systems. Breeder concepts are divided into solid and liquid media, where solid breeders typically rely on a sweep gas, such as helium, to carry away tritium from lithium containing ceramic materials, and liquid breeders produce tritium from lithium containing eutectics (e.g., PbLi) or molten salts (FLiBe). In each case, tritium must be harvested from the breeding medium. A promising method for tritium extraction is through a vacuum permeator, in which a concentration gradient from the tritium- containing fluid promotes diffusion through a membrane with high hydrogen permeability to the vacuum. This technology has been demonstrated for hydrogen gas systems using Pd and PdAg permeators, but relatively little work has been done to test tritium extraction from PbLi. A Tritium Extraction eXperimental (TEX) loop is being designed to test tritium extraction in a vacuum permeator configuration. The system design is such that it will allow the testing of tritium extraction from both helium and PbLi. A phased approach is being taken that will allow testing of small specimens for fundamental permeation measurements, to multi-meter component testing at near-prototypic conditions. A molten PbLi loop is challenging due to the toxic and explosive nature of Pb and Li, respectively, radiological concerns by introducing tritium, and high temperatures involved in such a system. In addition, PbLi corrosion is a significant issue at high temperatures (>400C). The TEX system will not employ a neutron source for volumetric production of tritium. Herein we present the design and methods used for 1) pumping PbLi, 2) introducing deuterium or tritium into the PbLi, 3) quantifying the amount of deuterium in the loop, 4) extracting deuterium and tritium, and 5) quantifying the total amount of extracted deuterium or tritium from the permeator. In addition, the safety design for operating such a system will be discussed.
Viability of Harvesting Salinity Gradient (Blue) Energy by Nanopore-Based Osmotic Power Generation
Not Available
Carbon–Mineral Slurry Electrodes for Energy-Efficient Lithium Leaching from Low-Grade Clay Feedstocks
Lithium extraction from clay deposits is typically hampered by low lithium grades and the high capital and energy demands of conventional processing. We report an ambient temperature electrochemical leaching method that bypasses high-temperature roasting and concentrated-acid leaching, directly liberating 93% of lithium from low-grade hectorite in 24 h at 1 V, with 77% Faradaic efficiency, an energy intensity of 3.91 MWh/t lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE). Utilizing a carbon-mineral composite slurry electrode strategy we achieve electron-driven lattice deconstruction through iron oxidation coupled with proton uptake to drive lithium deintercalation, offering a new strategy for low-temperature critical-metal recovery. A preliminary cost analysis highlights pathways to achieving cost intensities below $3000/t LCE. Challenges remain in improving current density, extraction kinetics, and demonstrating process scalability, however, this work establishes a foundation for effective electrochemical lithium extraction from abundant but previously uneconomical clay deposits.
Glycosyl residue composition of cell wall extracts from stems of P. deltoides WT, vector control and PdGAUT4-KD plants
Glycosyl residue composition of cell wall extracts from stems of P. deltoides WT, vector control and PdGAUT4-KD plants
Core States of Neutron Stars from Anatomizing Their Scaled Structure Equations
Given an Equation of State (EOS) for neutron star (NS) matter, there is a unique mass–radius sequence characterized by a maximum mass ${M}_{\mathrm{NS}}^{\max}$ at radius $R$ max . We first show analytically that the ${M}_{\mathrm{NS}}^{\max}$ and $R$ max scale linearly with two different combinations of the NS central pressure $P$ $c$ and energy density $ε$ $c$ , by dissecting perturbatively the dimensionless Tolman–Oppenheimer–Volkoff (TOV) equations governing NS internal variables. The scaling relations are then verified via 87 widely used and rather diverse phenomenological as well as 17 microscopic NS EOSs with/without considering hadron–quark phase transitions and hyperons, by solving numerically the original TOV equations. The EOS of the densest NS matter allowed before it collapses into a black hole is then obtained. Using the universal ${M}_{\mathrm{NS}}^{\max}$ and $R$ max scalings and Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer and XMM-Newton mass–radius observational data for PSR J0740+6620, a very narrow constraining band on the NS central EOS is extracted directly from the data for the first time, without using any specific input EOS model.
Feature extraction for subtle anomaly detection using semi-supervised learning
The demand for automated and effective monitoring techniques has soared with the increased digitization of industrial monitoring systems. State-of-the-art machine learning methods are effectively detecting abrupt changes in system states. However, these methods lack comparable maturity in detecting subtle changes that may be signs of incipient faults. This manuscript argues that the current anomaly detection methods can be enhanced by exploring weak patterns to enable subtle variation detection. Specifically, the concept of semi-supervised learning is employed, with labels representing knowledge about some anomalous conditions of a system. The basic idea is to extract a candidate set of weak patterns discarded by state-of-the-art baselining algorithms. With few labeled anomalous data, the algorithm selects the weak patterns and allows for their possible fusion using the highest sensitivity to the labeled anomalies. Here, the method’s applicability is demonstrated using a representative pressurized water reactor (PWR) model simulated by Dymola.