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At least 271 records · Page 15

Materials and methods for the preparation of nanocomposites

Disclosed herein is an isolable colloidal particle comprising a nanoparticle and an inorganic capping agent bound to the surface of the nanoparticle, a method for making the same in a biphasic solvent mixture, and the formation of structures and solids from the isolable colloidal particle. The process can yield photovoltaic cells, piezoelectric crystals, thermoelectric layers, optoelectronic layers, light emitting diodes, ferroelectric layers, thin film transistors, floating gate memory devices, phase change layers, and sensor devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Cheaper and more noise-resilient quantum state preparation using eigenvector continuation

Subspace methods are powerful, noise-resilient methods that can effectively prepare ground states on quantum computers. The challenge is to get a subspace with a small condition number that spans the states of interest using minimal quantum resources. In this work, we will use eigenvector continuation to build a subspace from the low-lying states of a set of Hamiltonians. The basis vectors are prepared using truncated versions of standard state preparation methods such as imaginary-time evolution (ITE), adiabatic state preparation (ASP), and variational quantum eigensolver. By using these truncated methods combined with eigenvector continuation, we can directly improve upon them, obtaining more accurate ground-state energies at a reduced cost. We use several spin systems to demonstrate convergence even when methods like ITE and ASP fail, such as ASP in the presence of level crossings and ITE with vanishing energy gaps. We also showcase the noise resilience of this approach beyond the gains already made by having shallower quantum circuits. Furthermore, our findings suggest that eigenvector continuation can be used to improve existing state preparation methods in the near term.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Novel silicon crystals and method for their preparation

Plate shaped silicon crystals and their preparation by pouring a silicon melt into a suitable mold and then allowing it to solidify in a temperature gradient were investigated. The production of energy by direct conversion of solar energy into electrical energy by means of solar cells takes on increasing importance. While this type of energy production is already the prevailing form today in the realm of satellite technology, its terrestrial application has thus far encountered strict limitations owing to the high price of such solar cells. Of the greatest interest in this connection are silicon cells. A substantial reduction in the semiconductor material costs and the costs involved in the further processing to make solar cells are prerequisites for a rational market growth for solar energy.

Authier, B.↗

Method for the preparation of inorganic single crystal and polycrystalline electronic materials

Large area, semiconductor crystals selected from group 3-5 compounds and alloys are provided for semiconductor device fabrication by the use of a selective etching operation which completely removes the substrate on which the desired crystal was deposited. The substrate, selected from the same group as the single crystal, has a higher solution rate than the epitaxial single crystal which is essentially unaffected by the etching solution. The preparation of gallium phosphide single crystals using a gallium arsenide substrate and a concentrated nitric acid etching solution is described.

Groves, W. O.↗

Method of manufacturing graphene using photoreduction

The present disclosure is directed to a low temperature method of preparing graphene. The method comprises applying a graphene oxide to a substrate and treating the graphene oxide on the substrate using photoreduction to reduce and stitch the graphene oxide to graphene. The present disclosure is also directed to graphene produced according to the aforementioned method.

Velten, Josef A.↗

Multidentate ligands and use thereof

The present invention provides, inter alia, a multidentate ligand having the structure of:Also provided are methods of preparing metal complexes from the multidentate ligand, and the metal complexes prepared by such methods. Further provided are catalysts comprising such metal complexes, and various uses of such catalysts.

Parkin, Gerard↗

Conversion of lignin to ionic liquids

Disclosed herein are lignin-derived ionic liquids and methods for preparing them. The methods include forming a reaction mixture comprising a lignin-derived starting material, a carbonyl compound, and an amine; maintaining the reaction mixture under conditions sufficient to form a lignin-derived aminophenol; and converting the lignin derived aminophenol to the lignin-derived ionic liquid. Monomeric phenols, oligomeric phenols, and polymeric phenols can be used as lignin-derived starting materials.

Dutta, Tanmoy↗

Low density syntactic foams via material extrusion additive manufacturing

An ink formulation for additive manufacturing of low density syntactic foams is described. The ink formulation can include a thermoset resin, a curing agent suitable for use with the thermoset resin, a plurality of hollow spheres, such as glass microballoons, one or more solvents, and one or more non-hollow, viscosity modifying filler. Also described are a method of preparing the ink formulation, a method of preparing three-dimensional objects comprising low density syntactic foams, and the three-dimensional objects prepared thereby.

Compton, Brett Gibson↗

Microporous structure with layered interstitial surface treatment, and method and apparatus for preparation thereof

A microporous structure with layered interstitial surface treatments, and method and apparatus for preparation thereof is presented. The structure is prepared by sequentially subjecting a uniformly surface-treated structure to atomic oxygen treatment to remove an outer layer of surface treatment to a generally uniform depth, and then surface treating the so exposed layer with another surface treating agent. The atomic oxygen/surface treatment steps may optionally be repeated, each successive time to a lesser depth, to produce a microporous structure having multilayered surface treatments. The apparatus employs at least one side arm from a main atomic oxygen-containing chamber. The side arm has characteristic relaxation times such that a uniform atomic oxygen dose rate is delivered to a specimen positioned transversely in the side arm spaced from the main gas chamber.

Koontz, Steven L.↗

Comparison of microprecipitation methods for polonium source preparation for alpha spectrometry

Detection of radioactive isotopes of polonium is important for understanding natural processes, management and assessment of radioactive waste, and nuclear forensics applications. Further, the most common methods for preparation of polonium samples for alpha spectrometry are electrodeposition and spontaneous deposition which are time consuming. Here, we compare three approaches utilizing rapid microprecipitation from bismuth phosphate, copper sulfide, or tellurium alongside traditional spontaneous deposition methods. From these experiments, results show that copper sulfide microprecipitation recoveries are similar to spontaneous deposition on silver and less time consuming with an approximate five-fold decrease in preparation time, including in the presence of complex matrices like seawater.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗

Linear-depth quantum circuits for loading Fourier approximations of arbitrary functions

Abstract The ability to efficiently load functions on quantum computers with high fidelity is essential for many quantum algorithms, including those for solving partial differential equations and Monte Carlo estimation. In this work, we introduce the Fourier series loader (FSL) method for preparing quantum states that exactly encode multi-dimensional Fourier series using linear-depth quantum circuits. Specifically, the FSL method prepares a (Dn)-qubit state encoding the 2 Dn -point uniform discretization of aD-dimensional function specified by aD-dimensional Fourier series. A free parameter,m, which must be less thann, determines the number of Fourier coefficients, 2 D ( m + 1 ) , used to represent the function. The FSL method uses a quantum circuit of depth at most 2 ( n − 2 ) + ⌈ log 2 ( n − m ) ⌉ + 2 D ( m + 1 ) + 2 − 2 D ( m + 1 ) , which is linear in the number of Fourier coefficients, and linear in the number of qubits (Dn) despite the fact that the loaded function’s discretization is over exponentially many (2 Dn ) points. The FSL circuit consists of at most D n + 2 D ( m + 1 ) + 1 − 1 single-qubit and D n ( n + 1 ) / 2 + 2 D ( m + 1 ) + 1 − 3 D ( m + 1 ) − 2 two-qubit gates; we present a classical compilation algorithm with runtime O ( 2 3 D ( m + 1 ) ) to determine the FSL circuit for a given Fourier series. The FSL method allows for the highly accurate loading of complex-valued functions that are well-approximated by a Fourier series with finitely many terms. We report results from noiseless quantum circuit simulations, illustrating the capability of the FSL method to load various continuous 1D functions, and a discontinuous 1D function, on 20 qubits with infidelities of less than 10 −6 and 10 −3 , respectively. We also demonstrate the practicality of the FSL method for near-term quantum computers by presenting experiments performed on the Quantinuum H1-1 and H1-2 trapped-ion quantum computers: we loaded a complex-valued function on 3 qubits with a fidelity of over 95 % , as well as various 1D real-valued functions on up to 6 qubits with classical fidelities ≈99%, and a 2D function on 10 qubits with a classical fidelity ≈94%.

Physics↗

Microporous structure with layered interstitial surface treatment, and method and apparatus for preparation thereof

A microporous structure with layered interstitial surface treatments, and the method and apparatus for its preparation are disclosed. The structure is prepared by sequentially subjecting a uniformly surface treated structure to atomic oxygen treatment to remove an outer layer of surface treatment to a generally uniform depth, and then surface treating the so exposed layer with another surface treating agent. The atomic oxygen/surface treatment steps may optionally be repeated, each successive time to a lesser depth, to produce a microporous structure having multilayered surface treatments. The apparatus employs at least one side arm from a main oxygen-containing chamber. The side arm has characteristic relaxation times such that a uniform atomic oxygen dose rate is delivered to a specimen positioned transversely in the side arm spaced from the main gas chamber.

Koontz, Steven L.↗

Trash-to-Gas: Trash Preparation and Feed Mechanism

One method of reducing the mass and volume of astronaut waste items during future exploration missions is a process called Trash-to-Gas (TtG), which uses thermal degradation to convert various astronaut waste items into a gas that can either be repurposed onboard or safely vented overboard. This project aims to determine which methods for pre-processing waste may enhance the gasification efficiency within a microgravity TtG reactor. Preparation methods that were investigated include mixing, pre-drying, shredding, compacting, and raw unprocessed waste. Each of these preparation methods was tested within the state-of-the-art subscale TtG system, known as the Orbital Syngas/Commodity Augmentation Reactor (OSCAR), and the resulting solid-to-gas conversion and burn durations were compared. Full-scale CAD models of these various preparation methods in conjunction with a projected full-scale TtG reactor were created using Creo Parametric. An Equivalent System Mass (ESM) analysis was then performed to trade the benefits of improved solid-to-gas performance with the costs associated with implementing the additional components that would increase system mass, power, volume, and design complexity. The results of this ESM analysis will be leveraged for future full-scale TtG system development to help reduce the overall mass, power, and volume of the system while ensuring effective reactor performance.

Ray Pitts↗

Process for preparing thermoplastic aromatic polyimides

A method of preparing insoluble thermoplastic aromatic polyimides is described, having uniquely low softening temperatures by reacting, in a suitable solvent, an aromatic dianhydride, and a meta-substituted aromatic diamine.

Bell, V. L.↗

Preparation of Regular Specimens for Atom Probes

A method of preparation of specimens of non-electropolishable materials for analysis by atom probes is being developed as a superior alternative to a prior method. In comparison with the prior method, the present method involves less processing time. Also, whereas the prior method yields irregularly shaped and sized specimens, the present developmental method offers the potential to prepare specimens of regular shape and size. The prior method is called the method of sharp shards because it involves crushing the material of interest and selecting microscopic sharp shards of the material for use as specimens. Each selected shard is oriented with its sharp tip facing away from the tip of a stainless-steel pin and is glued to the tip of the pin by use of silver epoxy. Then the shard is milled by use of a focused ion beam (FIB) to make the shard very thin (relative to its length) and to make its tip sharp enough for atom-probe analysis. The method of sharp shards is extremely time-consuming because the selection of shards must be performed with the help of a microscope, the shards must be positioned on the pins by use of micromanipulators, and the irregularity of size and shape necessitates many hours of FIB milling to sharpen each shard. In the present method, a flat slab of the material of interest (e.g., a polished sample of rock or a coated semiconductor wafer) is mounted in the sample holder of a dicing saw of the type conventionally used to cut individual integrated circuits out of the wafers on which they are fabricated in batches. A saw blade appropriate to the material of interest is selected. The depth of cut and the distance between successive parallel cuts is made such that what is left after the cuts is a series of thin, parallel ridges on a solid base. Then the workpiece is rotated 90 and the pattern of cuts is repeated, leaving behind a square array of square posts on the solid base. The posts can be made regular, long, and thin, as required for samples for atom-probe analysis. Because of their small volume and regularity, the amount of FIB-milling time can be much less than that of the method of sharp shards. Individual posts can be broken off for mounting in a manner similar to that of the method of sharp shards. Alternatively, the posts can be left intact on the base and the base can be cut to a small square (e.g., 3 by 3 mm) suitable for mounting in an atom probe of a type capable of accepting multiple-tip specimens. The advantage of multiple-tip specimens is the possibility of analyzing many tips without the time-consuming interchange of specimens.

Kuhlman, Kim↗

Metal Phosphide Nanoparticles Generated via a Molecular Precursor Route for Hydrotreatment of Methyl Laurate

Transition metal phosphide nanoparticles supported on silica were used as catalysts to investigate the hydrodeoxygenation of methyl laurate (used as a model compound for vegetable oils). Ni 2 P, Ni 1 Mo 1 P, and Ni 1.6 Mo 0.4 P were synthesized using a molecular precursor route. The nanoparticles were added to the silica support without any changes in their structure or particle size. As a reference and for comparison, MoP/SiO 2 was also prepared by the phosphite method. The prepared catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and chemical analysis. A higher conversion is reached with the MoP/SiO 2 monometallic catalyst, close to that with Ni 1 Mo 1 P/SiO 2 . However, this observation is misleading because the differences in dispersion obscure the result that the intrinsic activity (turnover frequency) of the bimetallic catalyst, prepared by a molecular precursor route, is significantly higher than that of the monometallic catalyst, prepared by the phosphite route, revealing a synergistic effect on the catalytic activity due to the formation of the bimetallic phosphide.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗