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At least 217 records · Page 12

Isotope effects in dynamics of water isotopologues induced by core ionization at an x-ray free-electron laser

Dynamical response of water exposed to x-rays is of utmost importance in a wealth of science areas. We exposed isolated water isotopologues to short x-ray pulses from a free-electron laser and detected momenta of all produced ions in coincidence. By combining experimental results and theoretical modeling, we identify significant structural dynamics with characteristic isotope effects in H 2 O 2+ , D 2 O 2+ , and HDO 2+ , such as asymmetric bond elongation and bond-angle opening, leading to two-body or three-body fragmentation on a timescale of a few femtoseconds. A method to disentangle the sequences of events taking place upon the consecutive absorption of two x-ray photons is described. The obtained deep look into structural properties and dynamics of dissociating water isotopologues provides essential insights into the underlying mechanisms.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Elastic Properties of Plasma-Exposed Tungsten Predicted by Molecular-Dynamics Simulations

We report results of systematic molecular-dynamics computations of the elastic properties of single-crystalline tungsten containing structural defects, voids and overpressurized He nanobubbles, related to plasma exposure of tungsten serving as a plasma- facing component (PFC) in nuclear fusion devices. Our computations reveal that the empty voids are centers of dilatation resulting in development of tensile stress in the tungsten matrix, whereas He-filled voids (nanobubbles) introduce compressive stress in the plasma-exposed tungsten. We find that the dependence of the elastic moduli of plasma-exposed tungsten, namely, the bulk, Young, and shear modulus, on its void fraction follows a universal exponential scaling relation. We also find that the elastic moduli of plasma-exposed tungsten soften substantially as a function of He content in the tungsten matrix, following an exponential scaling relation; this He-induced exponential softening is in addition to the softening caused in the matrix with increasing temperature. A systematic characterization of the dependence of the elastic moduli on the He bubble size reveals that He bubble growth affects significantly both the bulk modulus and the Poisson ratio of plasma-exposed tungsten, while its effect on the Young and shear moduli of the plasma-exposed material is weak. Our findings contribute directly to the development of a structure-properties database that is required for the predictive modeling of the dynamical response of PFCs in nuclear fusion devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Prediction of dynamic behavior of a system undergoing an exchange of components using a transmission simulator method

In systems with modular design, it is of interest to perform component exchanges to upgrade components and explore new system configurations. If the dynamics of the components are known, then dynamic substructuring can be used to obtain a prediction of system performance for the new configuration. The transmission simulator method is a substructuring technique that utilizes an additional fixture to apply an elastic boundary condition to a test article such that an appropriate dynamic response can be obtained for a given substructuring application, and the technique has been used widely for performing coupling and decoupling operations. Here, in this work, a modified transmission simulator method is proposed that allows a direct exchange of components to be performed. In a numerical demonstration, the proposed method is shown to accurately predict the dynamics of an assembly that has undergone a component exchange in which the exchanged components have different material properties and different geometric properties. This approach can be applied to dynamic qualification frameworks in which structures undergo modifications or upgrades rather than complete redesigns.

Component exchange↗

Damage initiation and evolution in Al-Si layered microstructures under shock loading conditions at atomic scales

Designing materials with microstructural features like multiphase interfaces have shown significant promise for usage in the next generation defense and nuclear applications. The dynamic response of these interfaces in extreme environments is observed to vary with the deformability of individual phases, which could subsequently alter the favored damage nucleation sites related to spall failure. Here, we investigate the role of spacing of interfaces in a nanocrystalline layered Aluminum-Silicon system on the shock wave propagation behavior, and microstructural and defect evolution using classical molecular dynamics simulations. The simulations are carried out with different hypothetical Al/Si microstructures including variations in the distribution of Si grains as layers in a nanocrystalline Al matrix. The molecular dynamics simulations suggest that spall failure is preferentially initiated at Al/Si interfaces. In addition, for the same system volume and same concentration of Si, a higher number of layers is marked by an increase in shock wave velocity and reduced resistance to spall failure.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Transitions, Dynamics, and Driven States in Quantum Magnets (Final Report Revised)

Transitions into unusual electronic, optical, and magnetic states at the absolute zero of temperature display special properties that teach us about fundamental quantum mechanics and also underlie important technologies. These so-called quantum phase transitions intertwine the static and dynamical responses of the materials changing state. They are extremely sensitive to the effects of disorder and etch in high relief the role of quantum fluctuations. There are ample questions remaining about the character of such transitions and the nature of the competing quantum states. There are also opportunities to drive quantum materials out of equilibrium, with the possibility of new types of correlated and coherent order, and new ways to access the dynamical evolution of ground and excited states. We have investigated how the order develops in time and space, and the nature of the final configurations. We are able to compare and contrast classical and quantum excitations in our experimental system of choice, and thereby can trace the relative speed by which the system settles into its lowest-energy ground state. This comparison of quantum and classical annealing protocols lies at the heart of strategies for harnessing the power of quantum computers dedicated to optimization problems. A combination of magnetic susceptibility measurements at finite frequency where the magnetic spins are queried by an external ac field, dc magnetometry measurements that characterize the macroscopic strength of magnetic order and its resistance to change, noise measurements that reveal the microscopic fluctuations of the spins as they prepare to change state, and microwave spectroscopy to look at the response of both the electronic and nuclear degrees of freedom, have been performed as functions of temperature, magnetic field, frequency, excitation amplitude, magnetic spin concentration, and disorder. This combination of probes addresses issues of stability over time, overlap between spin states, the ability of the spins to respond independently or coherently, and the promise of control on the nanometer length scale. The research reported here provides insights into fundamental quantum physics. It also addresses the question of how best to use complex systems, such as magnetic solids, to stably process quantum information.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

A hierarchical gray-box dynamic modeling methodology for direct-expansion cooling systems to support control stability analysis; Méthodologie de modélisation dynamique hiérarchique de type boîte grise pour les systèmes de refroidissement à détente directe afin de soutenir l'analyse de stabilité de la commande

In this paper, a gray-box dynamic modeling approach for direct-expansion cooling systems is presented. The overall approach incorporates a multi-stage training procedure that consists of 1) identification of component sub-models from quasi-steady-state performance data, 2) system model integration with estimation of refrigerant charge and 3) fine tuning of thermal capacitances of the evaporator and condenser to capture the system dynamic responses. Compared to traditional physics-based models, the proposed modeling approach has advantages including reduced engineering efforts in the model development phase, improved computational efficiency and enhanced prediction accuracy. The modeling method was validated using a 3-ton variable-speed heat pump and proved to be capable of accurately predicting the system transient behaviors over a wide range of operating conditions. The established dynamic model was then applied for control stability analysis, with a specific goal of determining a proper control execution time step. The case study results showed that the stable control execution time step could change significantly, from 3 sec to 19 sec, as the operating conditions and control settings vary, and a proper selection of the execution time step is critical to ensure stable and reliable operations.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Sensitivity of Atmospheric River Vapor Transport and Precipitation to Uniform Sea Surface Temperature Increases

Abstract Filaments of intense vapor transport called atmospheric rivers (ARs) are responsible for the majority of poleward vapor transport in the midlatitudes. Despite their importance to the hydrologic cycle, there remain many unanswered questions about changes to ARs in a warming climate. In this study we perform a series of escalating uniform SST increases (+2, +4, and +6K, respectively) in the Community Atmosphere Model version 5 in an aquaplanet configuration to evaluate the thermodynamic and dynamical response of AR vapor content, transport, and precipitation to warming SSTs. We find that AR column integrated water vapor (IWV) is especially sensitive to SST and increases by 6.3–9.7% per degree warming despite decreasing relative humidity through much of the column. Further analysis provides a more nuanced view of AR IWV changes: Since SST warming is modest compared to that in the midtroposphere, computing fractional changes in IWV with respect to SST results in finding spuriously large increases. Meanwhile, results here show that AR IWV transport increases relatively uniformly with temperature and at consistently lower rates than IWV, as modulated by systematically decreasing low‐level wind speeds. Similarly, changes in AR precipitation are related to a compensatory relationship between enhanced near‐surface moisture and damped vertical motions.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Super-resolved time–frequency measurements of coupled phonon dynamics in a 2D quantum material

Abstract Methods to probe and understand the dynamic response of materials following impulsive excitation are important for many fields, from materials and energy sciences to chemical and neuroscience. To design more efficient nano, energy, and quantum devices, new methods are needed to uncover the dominant excitations and reaction pathways. In this work, we implement a newly-developed superlet transform—a super-resolution time-frequency analytical method—to analyze and extract phonon dynamics in a laser-excited two-dimensional (2D) quantum material. This quasi-2D system, 1 T -TaSe 2 , supports both equilibrium and metastable light-induced charge density wave (CDW) phases mediated by strongly coupled phonons. We compare the effectiveness of the superlet transform to standard time-frequency techniques. We find that the superlet transform is superior in both time and frequency resolution, and use it to observe and validate novel physics. In particular, we show fluence-dependent changes in the coupled dynamics of three phonon modes that are similar in frequency, including the CDW amplitude mode, that clearly demonstrate a change in the dominant charge-phonon couplings. More interestingly, the frequencies of the three phonon modes, including the strongly-coupled CDW amplitude mode, remain time- and fluence-independent, which is unusual compared to previously investigated materials. Our study opens a new avenue for capturing the coherent evolution and couplings of strongly-coupled materials and quantum systems.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Importance of Site Diversity and Connectivity in Electrochemical CO Reduction on Cu

Electrochemical CO 2 reduction on Cu is a promising approach to produce value-added chemicals using renewable feedstocks, yet various Cu preparations have led to differences in activity and selectivity toward single and multicarbon products. Here, we find, surprisingly, that the effective catalytic activity toward ethylene improves when there is a larger fraction of less active sites acting as reservoirs of *CO on the surface of Cu nanoparticle electrocatalysts. In an adaptation of chemical transient kinetics to electrocatalysis, we measure the dynamic response of a gas diffusion electrode (GDE) cell when the feed gas is abruptly switched between Ar (inert) and CO. When switching from Ar to CO, CO reduction (COR) begins promptly, but when switching from CO to Ar, COR can be maintained for several seconds (delay time) despite the absence of the CO reactant in the gas phase. A three-site microkinetic model captures the observed dynamic behavior and shows that Cu catalysts exhibiting delay times have a less active *CO reservoir that exhibits fast diffusion to active sites. The observed delay times and the estimated *CO reservoir sizes are affected by catalyst preparation, applied potential, and microenvironment (electrolyte cation identity, electrolyte pH, and CO partial pressure). Notably, we estimate that the *CO reservoir surface coverage can be as high as 88 ± 7% on oxide-derived Cu (OD-Cu) at high overpotentials (–1.52 V vs SHE) and this increases in reservoir coverage coincide with increased turnover frequencies to ethylene. We also estimate that *CO can travel substantial distances (up to 10s of nm) prior to desorption or reaction. It appears that active C–C coupling sites by themselves do not control selectivity to C 2+ products in electrochemical COR; the supply of CO to those sites is also a crucial factor. More generally, the overall activity of Cu electrocatalysts cannot be approximated from linear combinations of individual site activities. Future designs must consider the diversity of the catalyst network and account for intersite transportation pathways.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗

Modeling shock-induced void collapse in single-crystal Ta systems at the mesoscales

Understanding the role of microstructural heterogeneities on the shock wave propagation and defect evolution behavior is essential to predicting the dynamic response of metals. Heterogeneities, such as voids, provide challenges to understanding the wave propagation behavior as the shock-void interaction can collapse the void and result in large plastic strains and significant heating (hot spot formation) in the metal. Accurate modeling of this phenomenon requires predicting the void collapse mechanisms and the related heat generation and dissipation mechanisms (hotspot formation) that determine the microstructure evolution. While molecular dynamics (MD) simulations can model the void collapse behavior, the time/length scale capabilities pose a challenge to connect with continuum models or the experimental scales. Here, this study presents the capability of the newly developed quasi-coarse-grained dynamics (QCGD) method that extends the MD simulations to larger system sizes and longer times to model this phenomenon. This study uses QCGD simulations to investigate the mechanisms of shock wave interactions with pre-existing voids in single-crystal Ta microstructures for variations in shock pressures, void size, and loading orientations. For a given orientation, the plasticity contributions and rates of void collapse are observed to vary with shock pressures and void size. The larger void sizes and higher pressures result in increased temperatures (hot spots) and faster void collapse rates and unravel the variations in the plasticity contributions. In addition, QCGD simulations investigate the post-collapse microstructure evolution as a release wave travels through the hot spot region. The simulations reveal that the reduction in temperatures due to heat dissipation initiates the dynamic recrystallization behavior in the hotspot regions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Machine learning bridges local static structure with multiple properties in metallic glasses

A long-standing challenge in the metallic glass (MG) community has been how to quantitatively gauge the influence of the intricate local packing environment on the response (such as the propensity for atomic rearrangement) of the atomic configuration to external stimuli. Here we establish this structure–property relation by representing the complex amorphous structure using a single, flexibility-orientated structural quantity. This structural flexibility (SF) couples to a bona fide structural representation, the pair distribution function (PDF) of individual atoms, through a weighting function that reflects what matters in the static atomic configuration to dynamic responses. Machine learning is used, employing microscopic flexibility volume as the supervisory signal, to establish via direct regression an optimized weighting vector, which is proven robust for all quenching rates, deformation conditions, and different compositions in a given (e.g., Cu x Zr 100-x ) alloy system. Additionally, the SF is evaluated solely from the particle positions (PDF), for any structure variation, from the atomic scale up to sample average. Strong correlations are demonstrated between SF and a broad range of properties, including vibrational, diffusional, as well as elastic and plastic relaxation responses.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Analysis of spent nuclear fuel multipurpose canister dynamics during rail transportation

The primary mode of spent nuclear fuel transportation within the United States will be by railcar. One such system is the Atlas railcar, which is designed to transport 17 different spent nuclear fuel cask systems, including bare fuel systems and canister fuel systems. In the latter configuration, multipurpose canisters containing spent nuclear fuel may be placed within an overpack for storage, or within a cask for transportation. Compared to bare fuel systems, canister fuel systems have additional degrees of freedom for motion during transportation, because clearance between the cask and canister allows for some motion of the canister to occur relative to the cask. This work investigates the effect of canister motion on the shock and vibration imparted to the spent nuclear fuel within. Structural dynamic analyses have been conducted to identify the effects of canister to cask clearance, presence and type of dunnage, and loading direction and frequency. This modeling study calculates anticipated cask motion, canister motion, and spent nuclear fuel structural dynamic response to normal conditions of transportation railcar motion using finite element analysis methods that were developed to model the rail segment of the ENSA/DOE (Equipos Nucleares S.A., U.S. Department of Energy) multimodal transportation test of 2017.

SNF, UNF, LS-DYNA, dynamics, kinematics, shock, vi↗

Time-varying gradient metasurface with applications in all-optical beam steering

Integrating the large, subpicosecond nonlinear optical response of epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) materials with the broad design freedoms of plasmonic metasurfaces shows potential for creating rapidly modulated optical devices with possible applications in telecommunications, sensing, and reactive beam steering. In this work, we experimentally investigate a metasurface consisting of a plasmonic gradient array on a thin layer of indium tin oxide (ITO), characterize how incident probe pulses diffract from a system as it is being dynamically modulated by a pump pulse at wavelengths near the ENZ region. Angular shifts in the diffraction orders are observed and can be principally attributed to the adiabatic wavelength conversion of the probe as it witnesses the temporal change of index induced by the pump. Of note, the asymmetric gradient metasurface, considered to be a blazed diffraction grating, shows significantly different dynamic responses for different diffraction orders. The free-space wavelength shift to +1 and -1 diffraction orders is 6 and 12 nm, resulting in steering angle changes of 0.65 and 1.5°, respectively.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Multi-Timescale Integrated Dynamics and Scheduling for Solar (MIDAS-Solar) (Final Technical Report)

Solar photovoltaic (PV) installations have experienced unprecedented growth in the United States. PV will become not only an energy producer but also a necessary provider of ancillary services at multiple timescales. Conventional methods to simulate power systems operations - such as long-term production simulation (which typically considers schedules from hours to minutes by using an optimization framework) and short-term transient studies (which simulate dynamics from seconds to sub-seconds using state variables and differential equations) - are not sufficient for studying the multiple-timescale variation of solar generation and its impact on system reliability. Long-term system economics and short-term system dynamics are highly coupled, particularly when the penetration level of renewable generation is extremely high, because the uncertainty and variability of solar generation will impact both power system steady-state and dynamic performance. This project helps meet and exceed the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office goal of systems integration by directly addressing this stability and reliability challenge for power grid planning and operation. We have developed a temporally comprehensive, closed-loop simulation model, named Multi-timescale Integrated Dynamics and Scheduling (MIDAS), that seamlessly simulates power system operations from economic scheduling (day-ahead to hours) to dynamic response analysis (seconds to sub-seconds). For schedules with very high levels of inverter-based resources (IBRs), up to and including 100%, the stability of grid controls has been evaluated through electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulations and power-hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) simulations of key transient events at key schedule points. Specifically, MIDAS provides: 1) a closed-loop simulation framework for simulating timescales from economic scheduling to dynamic stability analysis; 2) machine learning-based stability assessment; 3) EMT modeling and analysis for large-scale power systems; 4) MIDAS PHIL test bed. We worked with Hawaii Electric Companies to apply the MIDAS study framework to a Maui grid study. The entire island's transmission system was modeled in detail - from a yearly scheduling model, to a second-level frequency dynamic model, down to a sub-second-scale EMT model to address critical stability issues. The project demonstrated how MIDAS can help system planners and operators assess system reliability and stability while the power grid is marching toward a high-renewable, high-IBR future. In this Maui grid study, we found that 100% instantaneous IBR operation is achievable in EMT simulation and PHIL testing, and grid planners and operators might need new analysis/simulation tools to assess grid reliability and stability in the scheduling stage. MIDAS will bring Maui and other systems closer to 100% clean and stable energy futures. (In this study, we examined transient stability. Other topics necessary for 100% IBR operation, such as protection and resource adequacy, were not examined.)

100% Renewables↗

Responses of a Modular Floating Wind TLP of MarsVAWT Supporting a 10 MW Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

Offshore floating wind foundations supporting a large wind turbine require a large yard facility or significant facility upgrades for their fabrication. To overcome the cost increase associated with facility upgrades, an innovative lightweight modular floating foundation is developed. The foundation comprises multiple modules to enable their assembly on water, offering many benefits and expanding fabrication options for a reduction in the overall cost of the platform. In this paper, the foundation modules and their assembly are briefly described, and an analysis of the platform’s dynamic responses is presented. The modular foundation includes a modular and lightweight tension leg platform (TLP) called “MarsVAWT” which supports a Darrieus 10 MW vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT). The platform is moored with highly pretensioned wire rope tendons. The responses of the platform are analyzed in the time domain in a semi-coupled manner under the turbine operating and parked conditions for an offshore site in the US Northeast. The tower base shear forces and bending moments increase considerably with the combination of wind and waves, compared to those with wind only. The tendon tensions on the weatherside in the operating condition at high wind speeds are comparable to the values of the 50-year extreme (parked). The tendon tension increases are highly correlated to the platform pitch, as well as the horizontal and vertical velocities and vertical acceleration at the tendon porch. The modular platform performances and tendon designs are confirmed to comply with industry standards and practices.

Boo, Sung Youn↗

A Step Towards Machine Learning-based Coherent Generator Grouping for Emergency Control Applications in Modern Power Grid

A dynamic neural network (NN) based multi-class classifier is proposed for improving online prediction of coherent generator groups (CGGs), following the occurrences of various contingencies in the power grid. This is motivated by the increasing availability of the measurements from phasor measurement units (PMUs) and the number of grouping schemes is limited. The proposed method consists of three steps. First, by performing offline simulations, a library of system dynamic responses characterized by post-contingency rotor angles and speeds of individual generators is obtained. To generate sufficient data, up to N-2 contingencies and the uncertain parameters associated with the power grid including type and location of disturbance and fault clearing times are modeled. Secondly, the training data-set is produced by generating labels for individual contingencies using a hierarchical clustering method based on rotor angle and speed data. Lastly, the dynamic NN models are trained for online applications such as emergency controls and controlled islanding. The proposed method is tested on the standard 16-generator 68-bus system to demonstrate its performance. Furthermore, the impact of the sample data lengths on the CGG numbers is evaluated. It is interesting to observe that the time domain stability behaviors can be determined by examining the changes in the CGG numbers.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Dynamic properties of 316l stainless steel repaired using electron beam additive manufacturing

Additive manufacturing has the potential to be used for repair of high-value parts, but the strength and integrity of such repaired parts, especially under dynamic loading, in still unknown. This work presents the results of high strain-rate dynamic testing of additively repaired stainless steel samples. The 316L samples were intentionally damaged and subsequently repaired with 308L stainless steel wire using electron beam additive manufacturing. The repaired samples were subjected to gas-gun impact testing to induce incipient damage and determine the role played by the repaired region in dictating damage and failure. The results show the following: 1) the equation of state of the repaired region is comparable to the original material as shown by the unchanged spall plane location, 2) the deformation behavior is similar to the original material as shown by the similar Hugoniot Elastic limit, 3) the spall strength of the repaired region is slightly higher than the original material due to varying grain size, and 4) the damage morphology in the repaired region is different and involves a high rate of void coalescence. In conclusion, despite these minor differences in the spall strength and the damage morphology, the overall dynamic response of the original material and repaired samples is similar suggesting that AM is a promising approach for repairing high-value components.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A Molecular View of Methane Activation on Ni(111) through Enhanced Sampling and Machine Learning

A combination of machine learned interatomic potentials (MLIPs) and enhanced sampling simulations is used to investigate the activation of methane on a Ni(111) surface. The work entails the development and iterative refinement of MLIPs, initially trained on a dataset constructed via ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations, supplemented by adaptive biasing forces, to enrich the sampling of catalytically relevant configurations. Our results reveal that by incorporating collective variables that capture the behavior of the reactant molecule, as well as additional frames that describe the dynamic response of the catalytic surface, it is possible to enhance considerably the accuracy of predicted energies and forces. By employing enhanced sampling schemes in the refinement of the MLIP, we systematically explore the potential energy surface, leading to a refined MLIP capable of predicting DFT-level energies and forces and replicating key geometric characteristics of the catalytic system. The resulting free energy landscapes at several temperatures provide a detailed view of the thermodynamics and dynamics of methane activation. Specifically, as methane approaches and dissociates on the catalytic surface, the process involves the dynamic interplay of CH 4 and the Ni catalyst that includes both enthalpic and entropic contributions. The progression towards the transition state involves an CH 4 moiety that is increasingly restrained in its ability to rotate or translate, while the stage following the transition state is characterized by a notable rise of the Ni atom that interacts with the cleaved C–H bond. Furthermore, this leads to an increase in the mobility of the adsorbed species, a feature that becomes more pronounced at higher temperatures.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗