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At least 307 records · Page 17

Gradient sensing via cell communication

Experimental evidence lends support to the conjecture that cell-to-cell communication plays a role in the gradient sensing of chemical species by certain chains of cells. Models have been formulated to explore this idea. For cells with no identifiable sensing structure, Mugler et al. [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (U.S.A.) 113, E689 (2016)] have defined a particular local excitation, global inhibition (LEGI) model that pits nearest-neighbor communication against local reactions in a noisy environment to suggest how this sensing capability might arise in a physical system. In this study, we generalize the nearest-neighbor communication mechanism in the aforementioned LEGI model in order to explore the extent to which the gradient sensing characteristics depend on the parametrization of the communication itself, as well as on the cell size, the radius of influence of neighboring cells, and the influence of the background noise. Using our generalization and a collection of particular candidate communication models, we find that the precision of gradient sensing is indeed sensitive to the particular communication model, and we derive physical and analytic explanations for these results. The framework established and the associated results should prove useful in understanding the appropriateness of particular cell-to-cell communication models in gradient sensing studies.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Model Residuals as Shields: A Two-Level Formulation to Defend Smart Grids From Poisoning Attacks

The advancement of smart grids presents both vast opportunities and heightened cybersecurity risks. Data-driven defense mechanisms, though designed as a shield against these threats, can fall prey to poisoning attacks. We delve into regression settings, underscoring the imperative to fortify defenses against a spectrum of poison ratios, notably those above 0.5—an issue scarcely addressed in prior studies. Recognizing the susceptibilities of smart grids and their manipulable sensors, we exploit the very intent of poisoning attacks, compromising model accuracy, as our defense mechanism. Our proposed two-level optimization framework discerns between poisoned and authentic data based on model residuals, outperforming or matching existing methods in 72% to 77% of precision and 75% to 80% of recalls across various poisoning attacks, poison ratios, and datasets. Once the authentic data are identified, the trained model is adaptable for a variety of applications. Comprehensive evaluations on different smart grid datasets, pitted against myriad poisoning schemes, validate our methodology’s edge over existing methods. Here, we also shed light on the implications of model misspecification originating from temporal auto-correlation, a common feature in Internet of Things and smart grid data.

Adversarial machine learning (ML)↗

Preload Characterization of Short Models of MQXF the Nb 3 Sn Low-β Quadrupole for the Hi-Lumi LHC

MQXF is the Nb3Sn Low-β Quadrupole magnet that the HL-LHC project is planning to install in the LHC interaction regions in 2026 as part of an upgrade to increase the LHC inte-grated luminosity by about a factor of ten. The magnet will be fab-ricated in two different lengths: 4.2 m for MQXFA, built in the US by the Accelerator Upgrade Project (AUP), and 7.15 m for MQXFB, fabricated by CERN. In order to qualify the magnet de-sign and characterize its performance with different conductors, cable geometries and pre-load configuration, five short model magnets, called MQXFS, were fabricated, assembled and tested. The latest model, MQXFS6, uses a new powder-in-tube (PIT) su-perconducting wire, featuring a bundle barrier surrounding the filaments. The coil and the support structure were equipped with strain gauges and optical fibres to monitor strain during assembly, cool-down and excitation. In this paper we further develop the conventional azimuthal preload analysis and introduce a new set of tools for MQXF coil pack characterization which we use to an-alyse the behaviour of MQXFS6 room temperature preload and to reanalyse all the short models tested at CERN. A comparison is made between all the studied magnets revealing new characteriz-ing preload parameters.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Design and Construction of a High Field Cable Test Facility at Fermilab

Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, together with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, is building a new High Field Vertical Magnet Test Facility (HFVMTF) to be situated in the Magnet Test Facility at Fermilab. The HFVMTF is jointly funded by the US DOE Offices of Science, High Energy Physics, and Fusion Energy Sciences, and will serve as a superconducting cable test facility for both communities. The background magnetic field for test samples is 15 T and will be produced by a magnet provided by LBNL operating at 1.9 K in superfluid helium. The samples will be placed in the background magnetic field, cooled to between 4.5 K and a user-specified upper limit, and will be powered with a super-conducting transformer at up to 100 kA. Additionally, this facility will be used to test high-field superconducting magnet models and demonstrators, including hybrid magnets, produced by the US Magnet Development Program. Presently, the various tasks of the project are at different stages of execution, from conceptual to ready-for-construction designs. Here, this paper describes the parameters and design status of the pit construction, cryostat, heat exchanger, lambda plate, power system, and quench protection and monitoring systems of the facility.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Critical Current Densities and n-Values of MgB 2 Conductors for SMES, MRI, and Low AC Loss Applications

Multifilamentary MgB 2 strands (filament numbers 36 to 114) prepared by the in-situ power-in-tube (PIT) route with carbon doping contents of 0, 2, and 3.2% were wound on barrels for transport J c and n -value measurement at 4.2 K in fields of up to 12 T. The strand and gauge lengths were 1 m and 0.5 m. Heat treatments at 675 °C and 650 °C centered around the melting point of Mg (650 °C) and both utilized the liquid-solid reaction. A pair of strands, with and without 2% C doping exhibited the J c (B) crossover effect. Here studied were the dependencies of J c on field strength, dopant concentration, and cabling and the dependence of n -value on field strength.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Detection efficiency of adult Pacific lamprey passage counts at Leaburg Dam and upstream distribution in the McKenzie River (Oregon, USA)

Abstract Adult Pacific lamprey ( Entosphenus tridentatus ) were counted using consistent methodology since 2005 with a video monitoring system as they passed Leaburg Dam (McKenzie River, Oregon, USA) en route to upstream spawning areas. In this study we evaluated the detection efficiency of the video system and upstream distribution of Pacific lamprey using the video counts of lamprey passage (herein, “dam counts”), passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags, and radio telemetry. In 2019–2020 we collected, tagged and tracked 32 adult lamprey (4 from the McKenzie River and 28 that were translocated from Willamette Falls). All fish were tagged and released into the tailrace of Leaburg Dam in June 2019. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife employees and volunteers from the local community conducted mobile radiotracking above and below the dam in drift boats (114 mainstem river kilometers) and on foot (several tributaries). The estimated detection efficiency for dam counts was 92% (95% confidence interval: 67%–99%). Fifty percent (16 of 32) of the tagged lamprey passed the dam, including 13 of 28 that were translocated. Thirty‐seven percent (6 of 16) of lamprey that passed Leaburg Dam were detected in a restored reach of the South Fork McKenzie, 32.6 river kilometers upstream of the dam.

Romer, Jeremy D.↗

THERMAL MODELING OF HANFORD LEAD CANISTER’S HEATER BENCH TESTS

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was built to simulate planned testing of heater assemblies for the Hanford Lead Canister (HLC) project. The HLC is a canister storage system that will contain heaters to simulate the decay heat of nuclear material and provide the canister storage system with environmental conditions equivalent to the operating conditions on a dry storage pad. The HLC will be equipped with long-term data collection and monitoring systems to provide an early warning of corrosion, pitting, cracking, or other signs of canister degradation that might threaten the integrity of the containment boundary over the potentially long term of dry storage. An important part of the HLC development is to confirm the function and ability of the electric heater assemblies that were specially designed to provide heating similar to the decay heat of nuclear material contained within the canister storage system. Heater bench testing is planned for early 2022 in a test configuration that does not include the canister. The goal of the bench testing is to verify that the heaters can replicate the decay heat of a canister with nuclear material and to validate the thermal models, which are critical to understanding the HLC’s thermal environment, including the local air flow within the canister storage system. Testing of the heater assemblies inside the canister system are planned in the future to validate canister level thermal models, and rigorous pre-deployment testing of the complete HLC cask and canister system is intended to be completed before the HLC is deployed in the 2025-2026 timeframe. This study presents the pre-test temperature predictions of the bench testing. A description of the heater assemblies and planned bench testing is presented. The model was developed with the commercial CFD code STAR-CCM+. An uncertainty analysis was run with the CFD model to determine the uncertainty in the temperature predictions and provide a range over which the predicted temperatures are expected to vary. The uncertainty analysis was performed by coupling STAR-CCM+ with the software Dakota, which provides advanced parametric analyses, including quantification of margins and uncertainty with computational models. This work is expected to provide insight into SNF canister behavior.

Suffield, Sarah R.↗

THERMAL MODELING OF HANFORD CESIUM AND STRONTIUM CANISTERS DURING SIMULATED LOADING

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was built to simulate planned testing of heater assemblies within a canister and overpack for the Hanford Lead Canister (HLC) project. The HLC is a canister storage system that will contain heaters to simulate the decay heat of nuclear material and provide the canister storage system with environmental conditions equivalent to the operating conditions on a dry storage pad. The HLC will be equipped with long-term data collection and monitoring systems to provide an early warning of corrosion, pitting, cracking, or other signs of canister degradation that might threaten the integrity of the containment boundary over the potentially long term of dry storage. An important part of the HLC development is to make pretest numerical predictions for the behavior of the heated canister during the simulated radiolytic decay heat testing, which simulates the dry storage system during loading operations. The simulated radiolytic decay heat test is planned for mid-2024 in a configuration that includes the heater assembly, overpack, and canister, but with the lids removed to allow loading cesium and strontium capsules into the canister. One of the goals of the test is to evaluate the thermal behavior of the canister and overpack assembly in the ambient air of the test facility, which will provide data critical to validating the thermal models and understanding how the HLC will perform as a system once deployed. To best approximate real-world conditions, the CFD model includes the full air volume of the mock-up truck bay the heated canister test will be performed in, enabling detailed investigation of how the heated canister affects airflow around it. Rigorous pre-deployment testing of the complete HLC cask and canister system is intended to be completed before the HLC is deployed in the 2028 timeframe. This study presents the pre-test temperature predictions of the simulated radiolytic decay heat test. A description of the heater assembly, canister, and overpack system is presented. The model was developed with the commercial CFD software STAR-CCM+. An uncertainty analysis was run with the CFD model to determine the uncertainty in the temperature predictions and provide a range over which the predicted temperatures are expected to vary. The uncertainty analysis was preformed by coupling STAR-CCM+ with the software Dakota, which provides advanced parametric analyses, including quantification of margins and uncertainty with computational models. This work is expected to provide insight into SNF canister behavior.

Carpenter-Graffy, Dina E.↗

Feasibility of Lead Fast Reactor Heat Exchanger Tube Online Monitoring

Within virtually all reactor systems with heat exchangers, the thinnest barriers between primary and secondary fluids are the heat exchanger tubes. Consistent with light water reactor experience, the advanced reactor heat exchangers are the most susceptible regions for corrosion and leakage (NRC, 2019). Moreover, traditional inspections and repairs using robotics will be expensive or impractical. On-line structural health corrosion monitoring (OLSHM) is therefore desirable to detect tube degradation prior to leaks that may allow mixing of heat exchanger fluids. Rhetorically many molten salt reactor (MSR) designers plan for on-line monitoring of critical reactor components including heat exchangers but there are no proven OLSHM sensors or systems for MSR heat exchangers. Guided wave ultrasound from the tube-end or ID using conventional low-temperature piezoelectric sensors has been shown to be sensitive to pits and cracks less than 50% through-wall in long pipes and tubes (Narayanan M.M., 2019) . Mode and frequency selection are important for practical sensor design decisions and ultimate performance. The L-0 wave-mode is easily excited by L-mode transducers but they have surface normal wave motion that will be sensitive to and more attenuative because of fluid interaction with the tube surface (Rose J.L., 1994). Shear Horizontal (SH) wave modes have material motion parallel to the tube surface therefore are virtually unaffected by fluid interaction. For SH-0 to be nondispersive in steel, the frequency-thickness product (MHz-mm) must be less than approximately 1.5. SH mode transducers must be coupled by a material that can support shear stress; a thin layer of honey works well for temporary sensors and an adhesive or a brazed metallurgical bond for permanent sensors. If sensors are incorporated into the fabrication process, the same kinds of SH-0 waves can be generated from the stagnant flow area of the tube OD without compromising the heat-exchange tube function. Piezoelectric materials are also available that can withstand harsh temperatures of molten salt heat exchangers (Stevenson T., 2015) (Machura et al., 2008). Though they may not have as high-performance characteristics, their performance only needs to be good enough to detect flaws of interest. This project attempts to demonstrate feasibility to develop a sensor that can be sensitive to flaws of interest and perform long-term monitoring of a molten salt reactor heat exchanger. Benefits to the advanced reactor system include: • Minimizing the expense of a reactor shut down for periodic inspection—only shutdown for cause. • Reduce risk of unexpected tube rupture by detecting flaws before they grow to through-wall leaks. • Cost reduction by minimizing need to design for manual/robotic inspectability. Transducer design, characterization of the beam profile, wedges vs. direct application of piezoelectric sensors, and ultrasonic pulse-echo responses from a representative heat exchange tube with fabricated flaw types are discussed.

On-Line Tube Monitor, Guided Wave Ultrasound, SH-0↗

Impact of carrier wafer on etch rate, selectivity, morphology, and passivation during GaN plasma etching

The choice of carrier wafer was found to significantly influence etch rates, selectivity, and morphology in GaN micropillar etching in a Cl 2 -Ar high-density inductively coupled plasma. 7 × 7 mm 2 GaN on sapphire chips with a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition SiO 2 hard mask was etched on top of 4-in. fused silica, silicon carbide, silicon, sapphire, aluminum nitride, and high purity aluminum carriers. Silicon and silicon carbide carriers reduced GaN:SiO 2 selectivity because incidental SiCl x and CCl x etch products from the carriers attack the SiO 2 mask. Aluminum nitride and high-purity aluminum carriers yielded the highest GaN:SiO 2 selectivities due to the deposition of Al-based etched by-products, while the highest GaN etch rate was achieved using the sapphire carrier since it was the most inert carrier and did not sink any Cl 2 . Overall, results indicate that SiO 2 and Al may be used as passivation materials during GaN etching, as vertical profiles were achieved when SiO 2 or Al is redeposited from the fused silica and aluminum carriers, respectively. Floor pitting, trenching, sidewall roughness, and faceting were all influenced by carrier wafer type and will be discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Molecular beam homoepitaxy of N-polar AlN: Enabling role of aluminum-assisted surface cleaning

N-polar aluminum nitride (AlN) is an important building block for next-generation high-power radio frequency electronics. We report successful homoepitaxial growth of N-polar AlN by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) on large-area, cost-effective N-polar AlN templates. Direct growth without any in situ surface cleaning leads to films with inverted Al polarity. It is found that Al-assisted cleaning before growth enables the epitaxial film to maintain N-polarity. The grown N-polar AlN epilayer with its smooth, pit-free surface duplicates the structural quality of the substrate, as evidenced by a clean and smooth growth interface with no noticeable extended defects generation. Near band-edge photoluminescence peaks are observed at room temperature on samples with MBE-grown layers but not on the bare AlN templates, implying the suppression of nonradiative recombination centers in the epitaxial N-polar AlN.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Electrochemical Characteristics of Intermetallic Phases in Al–Cu–Li Alloys

This study provides a comprehensive overview of the electrochemical characteristics of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) commonly encountered in the 3rd generation Al–Cu–Li alloys. The electrochemical measurements were carried out on a AA2070-T8 alloy and surrogate alloys that have the compositions of select IMCs, typically found in AA2070-T8. The effects of environmental variables such as [Cl − ] and pH on the corrosion potential, pitting potential, repassivation potential, corrosion rate, and galvanic current of these IMCs were thoroughly evaluated utilizing the electrochemical microcell method. An electrochemical database was documented that covers eight groups of common IMCs in various Al alloys. The findings improve the understanding of interactions between matrix and IMCs in Al alloys, with implications for corrosion mitigation and new materials design.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Surface Film Formation on Al-V Alloys with Far-From-Equilibrium Microstructure

Nanocrystalline supersaturated Al-V alloys produced by high-energy ball milling have been reported to exhibit enhanced corrosion resistance and mechanical properties compared to commercial Al alloys. Corrosion of passive alloys such as Al-V alloy relies on the characteristics of the surface film, which is studied using scanning/transmission electron microscopy and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. The effect of microstructure and composition on the surface film has been investigated after different immersion periods (30 min, 2 h, and 1 day) in 0.1 M NaCl. The surface film was complex and composed of oxidized Al and V. The heterogeneous surface film was observed due to the presence of secondary phases and initiation of localized corrosion. The void formation was observed beneath the surface film that would potentially cause pitting corrosion. The generation of nano-sized voids was dependent on grain orientation. Compared to pure Al, the chloride penetration is suppressed in Al-V alloys. The effect of composition and microstructure on surface film formation and attendant corrosion behavior is discussed herein.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Modeling Nanoscale Ohmics in Carbon Supports of Fuel Cell Cathodes

Here, reducing platinum (Pt) loading in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) while meeting performace requirements is critical to their widespread deployment. However, significant polarization losses manifest at higher current densities in cathodes with lower Pt content. The morphology of the carbon supports in PEFC cathodes affects the location of Pt deposition into the micropits or onto the surface of the carbon support, translating into different kinetic and transport resistances. In this work, we derive an agglomerate scale model that differentiates the sink terms for Pt on the surface and in the pits of carbon supports. We develop an approach to assess the impact of nanoscale ohmic resistance to Pt in the micropits arising from weakly ionic solution in the carbon support on PEFC performance. Effectiveness factors relating the actual reaction rate to the maximum reaction rate (had all the Pt been exposed) are derived and embedded into a one-dimensional catalyst layer model. Parameters in the catalyst layer model are tuned based on experimental local oxygen transport resistances. Subsequently, we estimate bounds for the micropore resistances based on geometric and physical arguments. Lastly, polarization curves are simulated to assess the effect of the micropore resistance in fully-humidified and oxygen-rich environments.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Nuclear Canister Corrosion Detection

The software titled "nccd" is used for running residual neural networks (ResNets) on images of nuclear canisters. The software provides only the code for the implementation (based on the fastai library), but it does not share the image data. The compute code allows the use of residual nets (and more generally of other deep learning models) for classifying images from nuclear canisters as corroded. or intact. An image is considered to be corroded if it contains pitting or stress corrosion cracks. The code trains ResNets on image tiles extracted from original images from nuclear canisters, and then implements a classification rule, which can be applied to a validation set to decide if each original image is corroded or intact. The software automates the process of using images taken from nuclear canisters to detect corrosion. It provides also scope for future research directions on the basis of the existing research and code.

Papamarkou, Theodore↗

Progress Toward Molten Salt Reactor Heat Exchanger On-Line Monitoring

Within virtually all reactor systems with heat exchangers, the thinnest barriers between primary and secondary fluids are the heat exchanger tubes. Consistent with light water reactor experience, the advanced reactor heat exchangers are the most susceptible regions for corrosion and leakage (NRC, 2019). Moreover, traditional inspections and repairs using robotics will be expensive or impractical. On-line structural health corrosion monitoring (OLSHM) is therefore desirable to detect tube degradation prior to leaks that may allow mixing of heat exchanger fluids. Rhetorically many molten salt reactor (MSR) designers plan for on-line monitoring of critical reactor components including heat exchangers but there are no proven OLSHM sensors or systems for MSR heat exchangers. Guided wave ultrasound from the tube-end or ID using conventional low-temperature piezoelectric sensors has been shown to be sensitive to pits and cracks less than 50% through-wall in long pipes and tubes (Narayanan M.M., 2019) . Mode and frequency selection are important for practical sensor design decisions and ultimate performance. The L-0 wave-mode is easily excited by L-mode transducers but they have surface normal wave motion that will be sensitive to and more attenuative because of fluid interaction with the tube surface (Rose J.L., 1994). Shear Horizontal (SH) wave modes have material motion parallel to the tube surface therefore are virtually unaffected by fluid interaction. For SH-0 to be nondispersive in steel, the frequency-thickness product (MHz-mm) must be less than approximately 1.5. SH mode transducers must be coupled by a material that can support shear stress; a thin layer of honey works well for temporary sensors and an adhesive or a brazed metallurgical bond for permanent sensors. If sensors are incorporated into the fabrication process, the same kinds of SH-0 waves can be generated from the stagnant flow area of the tube OD without compromising the heat-exchange tube function. Piezoelectric materials are also available that can withstand harsh temperatures of molten salt heat exchangers (Stevenson T., 2015) (Machura et al., 2008). Though they may not have as high-performance characteristics, their performance only needs to be good enough to detect flaws of interest. This project attempts to demonstrate feasibility to develop a sensor that can be sensitive to flaws of interest and perform long-term monitoring of a molten salt reactor heat exchanger. Benefits to the advanced reactor system include: • Minimizing the expense of a reactor shut down for periodic inspection—only shutdown for cause. • Reduce risk of unexpected tube rupture by detecting flaws before they grow to through-wall leaks. • Cost reduction by minimizing need to design for manual/robotic inspectability. Transducer design, characterization of the beam profile, and ultrasonic pulse-echo responses from a representative heat exchange tube with fabricated flaw types are discussed.

On-Line Tube Monitor, Guided Wave Ultrasound, SH-0↗

Spatially Averaged Ice Contents of Ice-Wedge Polygon Cross-Sections to 3-m Depth, July 2013, Utqiagvik, Alaska

This dataset contains spatially averaged estimates of ice content (volume percent) for two-dimensional cross-sectional profiles (from trough center to trough center to a depth of 3 meters) of low- and flat-centered ice-wedge polygons (three of each type) located near Utqiagvik, Alaska. A combination of soil pits, trenches, and cores were used to describe, sample, and map the cross-section stratigraphy of soil horizons and ice wedges for each polygon at 6 depth intervals. Observed soil horizons were assigned to four types with increasing amounts of organic components (mineral, mineral/organic, organic/mineral, and organic). The average ice contents of each soil horizon type below the permafrost boundary and wedge ice were weighted by their cross-sectional area fractions to calculate spatially averaged estimates of ice content for each polygon. In the active layer, spatially averaged estimates of volumetric water contents were similarly determined and reported here as “ice” content to enable estimates of the soil’s structurally competent porosity and excess ice in permafrost layers. In this dataset, the file AK13_ice_contents.csv includes cross-sectional area fractions and spatially averaged ice contents for soil layers and horizon types at the six depth intervals. The file AK13_permafrost_ice_fractions.csv contains the calculated partitioning of ice contents into pore ice and excess ice fractions for the three permafrost-dominated depth intervals. In addition, there is a data dictionary file for each of these data files and a file-level metadata file. These data were generated by the Department of Energy’s Soil Carbon Response to Environmental Change Scientific Focus Area and were used as inputs to model simulations examining the consequences of thaw-affected subsidence and microtopography change on active layer thickness of low-relief polygonal tundra landscapes in a warming Arctic.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Soil carbon, nitrogen, and ice content data (2014-2018) at Happy Valley and Sagwon Hills in Northern Alaska, United States

This dataset contains three data files from soil data collected by sampling soil cores and pits across a toposequence on two hillslopes in permafrost affected soils in Northern Alaska, USA. Soil cores and profiles were excavated to 3m or until auger refusal. Samples were collected by genetic soil horizons for laboratory analysis and organized into complete soil profiles ordered depth. Soil carbon, nitrogen, and ice stocks (stocks_by_core.csv) were calculated from the core dataset . Data for mean values by depth increments (20,50,100,150,200 cm) of total soc, total nitrogen, bulk density, and ice content were determined and made available in this dataset (soc-tn-bd-ice-slab_tables.csv). Stocks by site are included in a separate file (stocks_by_site.csv). Each of these three files also has an associated data dictionary file (stocks_by_core_dd.csv, soc-tn-bd-ice-slab_tables_dd.csv, stocks_by_site_dd.csv). Finally, an FLMD file is also included (FLMD_Happy_Valley_Sagwon.csv).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗