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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 325 records · Page 18
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Results of the Analyses of SMECT Mercury Sample Collected During Mercury Pump (MB1) Functional Check

A pump added to remove mercury from the sump of the Slurry Mix Evaporator Condensate Tank (SMECT) in DWPF was successfully tested in 2020, resulting in a sample of contaminated mercury obtained from the Mercury Purification Process (MPP) cell. The mercury in the sump of the SMECT was present as a result of steam stripping of sludge slurry in the Sludge Receipt and Adjustment Tank (SRAT) at DWPF. A schematic of the MPP system provided by DWPF personnel is shown in Appendix A. DWPF personnel supplied the following detailed description of the Hg sampling: “The sample provided is the result of DWPF extraction of mercury by means of the Mercury Pump-Water Cart. The Mercury Pump extracted the sample from the SMECT mercury sump. The pump uses pressurized water to transfer a small amount of mercury to a leachate bucket located at the Lab Mercury cell. The mercury and water were allowed to be self separated, and mercury was gravity decanted from the leachate bucket.” DWPF personnel indicate that the leachate bucket is equipped with both a top stopcock/drain and a lower/bottom stopcock/drain from which the mercury was decanted or drained out, while the separated water layer remained above the mercury during draining. The DWPF customer requested SRNL to analyze the sample for the following: gross alpha/nonvolatile beta analysis and perform a Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) per the Environmental Protection Agency's Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste: Physical/Chemical Methods, SW-846. While the TCLP was preferred, a Total Metals analysis of the eight Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) metals was deemed acceptable.2 The analytical data collected on this mercury sample will be used in planning for sample disposition as well to start a profile for future Hg disposition of Hg collected from steam stripping.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2021

Post-Closure Inspection (PCI) Letter Report for Closed Non-Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action Units (CAUs) on the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS), for Calendar Year (CY) 2020

This letter report is for the following CAUs for CY 2020, including CAUs located on the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) that are accessed through the NNSS Main Gate. Use restriction (UR) issues that were identified in the 2019 inspections were addressed in 2020.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Metagenome-assembled genomes provide insight into the metabolic potential during early production of Hydraulic Fracturing Test Site 2 in the Delaware Basin

Demand for natural gas continues to climb in the United States, having reached a record monthly high of 104.9 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in November 2023. Hydraulic fracturing, a technique used to extract natural gas and oil from deep underground reservoirs, involves injecting large volumes of fluid, proppant, and chemical additives into shale units. This is followed by a “shut-in” period, during which the fracture fluid remains pressurized in the well for several weeks. The microbial processes that occur within the reservoir during this shut-in period are not well understood; yet, these reactions may significantly impact the structural integrity and overall recovery of oil and gas from the well. To shed light on this critical phase, we conducted an analysis of both pre-shut-in material alongside production fluid collected throughout the initial production phase at the Hydraulic Fracturing Test Site 2 (HFTS 2) located in the prolific Wolfcamp formation within the Permian Delaware Basin of west Texas, USA. Specifically, we aimed to assess the microbial ecology and functional potential of the microbial community during this crucial time frame. Prior analysis of 16S rRNA sequencing data through the first 35 days of production revealed a strong selection for a Clostridia species corresponding to a significant decrease in microbial diversity. Here, we performed a metagenomic analysis of produced water sampled on Day 33 of production. This analysis yielded three high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), one of which was a Clostridia draft genome closely related to the recently classified Petromonas tenebris. This draft genome likely represents the dominant Clostridia species observed in our 16S rRNA profile. Annotation of the MAGs revealed the presence of genes involved in critical metabolic processes, including thiosulfate reduction, mixed acid fermentation, and biofilm formation. These findings suggest that this microbial community has the potential to contribute to well souring, biocorrosion, and biofouling within the reservoir. Our research provides unique insights into the early stages of production in one of the most prolific unconventional plays in the United States, with important implications for well management and energy recovery.

natural gas↗
DOE OSTI2020

Performance and Wake Characterization of a Model Hydrokinetic Turbine: The Reference Model 1 (RM1) Dual Rotor Tidal Energy Converter

The mechanical power and wake flow field of a 1:40 scale model of the US Department of Energy’s Reference Model 1 (RM1) dual rotor tidal energy converter are characterized in an open-channel flume to evaluate power performance and wake flow recovery. The NACA-63(4)-24 hydrofoil profile in the original RM1 design is replaced with a NACA-4415 profile to minimize the Reynolds dependency of lift and drag characteristics at the test chord Reynolds number. Precise blade angular position and torque measurements were synchronized with three acoustic Doppler velocimeters (ADV) aligned with each rotor centerline and the midpoint between the rotor axes. Flow conditions for each case were controlled to maintain a hub height velocity, uhub= 1.04 ms−1, a flow Reynolds number, ReD= 4.4 × 105, and a blade chord length Reynolds number, Rec= 3.1 × 105. Performance was measured for a range of tip-speed ratios by varying rotor angular velocity. Peak power coefficients, CP= 0.48 (right rotor) and CP= 0.43 (left rotor), were observed at a tip speed ratio, λ= 5.1. Vertical velocity profiles collected in the wake of each rotor between 1 and 10 rotor diameters are used to estimate the turbulent flow recovery in the wake, as well as the interaction of the counter-rotating rotor wakes. The observed performance characteristics of the dual rotor configuration in the present study are found to be similar to those for single rotor investigations in other studies. Similarities between dual and single rotor far-wake characteristics are also observed.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗
DOE OSTI2021

Spent Crystalline Silicotitanate Storage Study—Post AP-105DF Processing

A Tank-Side Cesium Removal (TSCR) system is under development by Washington River Protection Solutions to support initial production of immobilized low-activity waste (LAW) by feeding Hanford tank supernate from tank farms to the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) LAW Facility. Tank waste supernate will be filtered to remove suspended solids and then Cs will be removed by processing it through crystalline silicotitanate (CST) ion exchange media manufactured by Honeywell UOP, LLC. The Cs-loaded CST columns will be stored indefinitely, with a goal of eventual CST removal and treatment. Thus, the spent CST needs to be recoverable after undetermined storage time. Previous testing with AP-105 simulant showed that rinsing the CST bed with 3 bed volumes (1.4 apparatus volumes [AVs]) of 0.1 M NaOH resulted in a dried bed that maintained flow characteristics indicative of ease of recovery. This study explored the intermediate conditions (between feed dried in place and the 1.4 AVs of 0.1 M NaOH rinse) to evaluate CST bed properties after: 1) stoppage with feed in place; 2) stoppage after draining feed; 3) stoppage after 0.7 AV of 0.1 M NaOH rinse through column; 4) stoppage after 1.5 AVs of 0.1 M NaOH rinse through column. Post processing, each column was heated at 50 °C for 19 days under pseudo-storage conditions to simulate the expected dried and stored CST bed conditions. Testing was conducted at the small scale (12-mL bed volume); actual, Cs-depleted, AP-105 tank waste was used as the feed. Post-dried CST bed physical properties (angle of repose and penetration depth) were measured to evaluate how CST moved and flowed. All process stop-conditions resulted in a solidified CST bed except for the final condition, 1.5 AVs of 0.1 M NaOH rinse. At this small scale, the three CST beds presented an issue for retrievability after the short storage period (19 days at 50 °C). The latter case confirmed the results from simulant testing. The testing was intended to provide a preliminary assessment of issues that may arise from desiccation of CST during storage with the indicated salt solutions in place. Since these were small-scale tests, the processing system did not scale to full scale conditions exactly; however, the tests did provide insight into the impact on the dried and stored CST bed after stopping processing at an earlier step (upset condition) than normal. These results indicate that if an upset condition occurs at TSCR, a dilute hydroxide rinse should be considered before the CST dries from internal heating.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2021

Investigating Effects of Operational Parameters on the Rate of Electrochemical Cleaning of Chromium Deposits on Strontium-Doped Lanthanum Manganite Cathodes in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Chromium poisoning of the cathode remains a significant obstacle to the stable long-term performance of solid oxide fuel cells. This study reports, a quick, in-situ mitigation method, called electrochemical cleaning. By applying a mild anodic bias, the electrochemical deposition reactions of chromium-containing species are reversed. Chromium vapor species are formed, freeing active electrochemical sites in the air electrode. An LSM/YSZ-based cell was exposed to Cr vapors at 800ºC and then subjected to electrochemical cleaning. Cell performance recovery was evidenced by current-voltage and EIS measurements. Chromium removal was verified using SEM and EDS analyses. The cyclability of the electrochemical cleaning was tested by repeated poisoning and cleaning of another cell. Investigation into the effect of cell operating parameters (current density and cell temperature) on the rate of cleaning is discussed.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗
DOE OSTI2024

Statistical Treatment of Convolutional Neural Network Superresolution of Inland Surface Wind for Subgrid-Scale Variability Quantification

Abstract Machine learning models have been employed to perform either physics-free data-driven or hybrid dynamical downscaling of climate data. Most of these implementations operate over relatively small downscaling factors because of the challenge of recovering fine-scale information from coarse data. This limits their compatibility with many global climate model outputs, often available between ∼50- and 100-km resolution, to scales of interest such as cloud resolving or urban scales. This study systematically examines the capability of a type of superresolving convolutional neural network (SR-CNNs) to downscale surface wind speed data over land from different coarse resolutions (25-, 48-, and 100-km resolution) to 3 km. For each downscaling factor, we consider three convolutional neural network (CNN) configurations that generate superresolved predictions of fine-scale wind speed, which take between one and three input fields: coarse wind speed, fine-scale topography, and diurnal cycle. In addition to fine-scale wind speeds, probability density function parameters are generated through which sample wind speeds can be generated, accounting for the intrinsic stochasticity of wind speed. For assessing generalization to new data, CNN models are tested on regions with different topography and climate that are unseen during training. The evaluation of superresolved predictions focuses on subgrid-scale variability and the recovery of extremes. Models with coarse wind and fine topography as inputs exhibit the best performance when compared with other model configurations, operating across the same downscaling factor. Our diurnal cycle encoding results in lower out-of-sample generalizability when compared with other input configurations.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Pulsed Neutron Capture for monitoring CO2 Storage with Enhanced Oil Recovery in Northern Michigan

Pulsed neutron capture (PNC) logging has been used as part of the Midwest Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership (MRCSP) monitoring of CO2 injection and storage during assessment of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in several northern Niagaran trend reefs in Michigan. A total of four reefs were selected for these studies to monitor CO2 migration and to test the viability and effectiveness of the PNC technology on reefs in various stages (depleted, active and new reefs) of CO2-EOR activities.

Bagley↗
DOE OSTI2020

PILOT PLANT EVALUATIONS OF RARE EARTH ELEMENT RECOVERY AND CONCENTRATION FROM PRE-COMBUSTION BITUMINOUS COAL SOURCES

Rare earths and other critical elements are commonly associated with coal-based sources and sometimes at concentrations that may be attractive for recovery as a byproduct of coal production. The results obtained from laboratory research performed during the past five years have led to the design, construction and testing of a pilot plant that recovered rare earth elements from several bituminous coal-based materials including coarse refuse as well as solutions from a small heap leach and acid mine drainage. From this initial design, rare earth oxide (REO) concentrates having a purity greater than 90% have been produced using solvent extraction as the primary means of concentration. Following cost reduction and process intensification efforts, the circuit was revised to include feed calcination and several selective precipitation stages as a substitute for the original direct leach-solvent extraction circuit. Pilot test results revealed that the modified circuit was ideal for treating the relatively low-grade feedstocks and provided similar final REO purities at a significantly lower cost. This communication will present the flowsheets evaluated in the pilot plant along with technical and economic analyses for each circuit.

Coal↗
DOE OSTI2020

Time-Domain Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Determination of Wettability Alteration: Analysis for Low-Salinity Water

Wettability has been shown to influence oil recovery. This property has become central to low-salinity (LSW) and smart (SWF) water flooding recovery mechanisms research. The challenge lies in the fact that oil recovery results from the combined effects of solid-liquid and liquid-liquid interactions. This demands methods that allow an independent interpretation of wettability alteration contributions. The primary objective of this work is to assess changes in wettability through the application of Time-Domain Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (TD-NMR) T 2 distribution and diffusion coefficient, starting with a well-controlled porous system, that is, glass beads, and then a model rock (Berea), in the presence of one phase, either oil or brine exclusively. Subsequently, two-phase fluid saturation was tested. For the glass beads, dimethyldichlorosilane was used to induce a hydrophobic response, as confirmed by contact angle experiments on slides of the same material. Sodium sulfate was used for its known positive influence on oil recovery during LSW and SWF. In cases where alteration of surface properties was expected, a leftward shift of the average T 2 distribution curve modes, accompanied by a reduction on the diffusion coefficient during the aging process was observed. The results of this work confirm that fluid-solid interactions during LSW and SWF, namely a shift in wettability, take place after the injection of low-salinity water.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2024

Direct Air Capture Recovery of Energy for CCUS Partnership (DAC RECO 2 UP) Final Technical Report

The “Direct Air Capture Recovery of Energy for CCUS Partnership (DAC RECO 2 UP)” project employs a team approach and supports the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management’s (DOE-FECM) goal to decrease the cost of capture through the testing of existing direct air capture (DAC) materials in integrated field units that produce a concentrated carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) stream of at least 95% purity. Solid-amine CO 2 adsorption-desorption contactor technology, proven in the laboratory, is undergoing high-fidelity design/validation. Recoverable energy is readily available from a large number of commercial locations where DAC can be deployed; therefore, advancing the fidelity of energy recovery to directly reduce the cost of DAC is a key project objective. In addition, many commercial facilities have low-concentration CO 2 vents that are uneconomical to treat alone but could provide more efficient mass and thermal transport to DAC systems with integrated energy recovery and flexible CO 2 treatment capabilities. Technology scale-up leverages past research and occurs in a commercially relevant environment at the National Carbon Capture Center. Prescreening techno-economic analysis, risk assessments, and life cycle analysis are being performed by experienced team members. Results of the project will address critical technical barriers that, when solved, will improve the capital and operating costs of DAC while validating commercial relevance of cost and product quality/need.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

Developing Methods to Assess Changes in Mechanical Properties of Shale Modified by Engineered Mineral Precipitation

Fractures in subsurface shale formations serve multiple purposes, for example, in the recovery of resources in hydraulic fracturing or as potential harmful leakage passages through caprocks that may contribute undesired fluids to the atmosphere or functional groundwater aquifers. A proposed method to seal or influence fracture properties is Ureolysis-Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation (UICP), a bio-mineralization technology driven by the enzymatic hydrolysis of urea, resulting in the formation of calcium carbonate. The resulting calcium carbonate can bridge the gaps in fractured shale and reduce fluid flow through fractures. This study represents the first step toward determining the influence of UICP treatment on shale material and its subsequent mechanical strength properties. The goal of this preliminary work is twofold: first, we aim to identify a method to test tensile strength along a core axis and second, we seek to assess the effect of temperature on the tensile strength of intact, unfractured shale cores (2.54 cm (1 in) diameter, 5.08 cm (2 in) long for comparison with future fractured and UICP-treated cores. A modified Brazilian indirect tensile strength test successfully measured splitting tensile strength of shale cores from Eagle Ford and Wolfcamp formations at room temperature and 60°C.

clastic rock↗
DOE OSTI2022

Metrics for Intercomparison of Remapping Algorithms (MIRA) protocol applied to Earth system models

Abstract. Strongly coupled nonlinear phenomena such as those described by Earth system models (ESMs) are composed of multiple component models with independent mesh topologies and scalable numerical solvers. A common operation in ESMs is to remap or interpolate component solution fields defined on their computational mesh to another mesh with a different combinatorial structure and decomposition, e.g., from the atmosphere to the ocean, during the temporal integration of the coupled system. Several remapping schemes are currently in use or available for ESMs. However, a unified approach to compare the properties of these different schemes has not been attempted previously. We present a rigorous methodology for the evaluation and intercomparison of remapping methods through an independently implemented suite of metrics that measure the ability of a method to adhere to constraints such as grid independence, monotonicity, global conservation, and local extrema or feature preservation. A comprehensive set of numerical evaluations is conducted based on a progression of scalar fields from idealized and smooth to more general climate data with strong discontinuities and strict bounds. We examine four remapping algorithms with distinct design approaches, namely ESMF Regrid (Hill et al., 2004), TempestRemap (Ullrich and Taylor, 2015), generalized moving least squares (GMLS) (Trask and Kuberry, 2020) with post-processing filters, and WLS-ENOR (Li et al., 2020). By repeated iterative application of the high-order remapping methods to the test fields, we verify the accuracy of each scheme in terms of their observed convergence order for smooth data and determine the bounded error propagation using challenging, realistic field data on both uniform and regionally refined mesh cases. In addition to retaining high-order accuracy under idealized conditions, the methods also demonstrate robust remapping performance when dealing with non-smooth data. There is a failure to maintain monotonicity in the traditional L2-minimization approaches used in ESMF and TempestRemap, in contrast to stable recovery through nonlinear filters used in both meshless GMLS and hybrid mesh-based WLS-ENOR schemes. Local feature preservation analysis indicates that high-order methods perform better than low-order dissipative schemes for all test cases. The behavior of these remappers remains consistent when applied on regionally refined meshes, indicating mesh-invariant implementations. The MIRA intercomparison protocol proposed in this paper and the detailed comparison of the four algorithms demonstrate that the new schemes, namely GMLS and WLS-ENOR, are competitive compared to standard conservative minimization methods requiring computation of mesh intersections. The work presented in this paper provides a foundation that can be extended to include complex field definitions, realistic mesh topologies, and spectral element discretizations, thereby allowing for a more complete analysis of production-ready remapping packages.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Investigating Material Properties of Subsurface Rock Formations Modified by Engineering Mineral Precipitation (Final Scientific and Technical Report)

Montana State University’s (MSU) Energy Research Institute (ERI), in collaboration with the Center for Biofilm Engineering (CBE) and the Department of Civil Engineering (CE), has conducted a long‐term research program aimed at developing a novel cementing agent to address wellbore integrity and reduce the unwanted upward migration of fluids and greenhouse gases from the subsurface. The primary technology developed through this research program is known as ureolysis‐induced calcite precipitation (UICP), which harnesses bio‐chemical processes to precipitate calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ). The same general process can also be called microbially-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) when microbes provide the process-catalyzing urease enzyme. Both terms are used in this report. Results have conclusively demonstrated that, if properly controlled, UICP can successfully seal fractures, high permeability zones, and compromised cement in the vicinity of wellbores and in nearby caprock. This technology has been successfully deployed to mitigate annular leakage in two test wells and over sixty commercial wells with a 100% success rate. This success in downhole deployment generates consideration of other subsurface applications where UICP could provide benefit to the energy sector, such as shale property modification for unconventional oil and gas recovery. The focus of this research project was to investigate fundamental material and mechanical properties of select shale cores and analyze how these properties change due to engineered mineral precipitation with the intent to control these properties to achieve a range of engineering objectives. Ultimately, the project aim was to identify valuable new areas where application of UICP might contribute to national energy security and environmental protection. The research workplan coupled UICP treatment of core samples, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) characterization, and mechanical strength testing at MSU with advanced X‐Ray micro-computed tomography (μCT) imaging and numerical modeling performed by collaborators at two national laboratories, the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). Experimental results are useful to inform geo-mechanical models which could be applied to predict mineralized rock formation behavior at field scale. Our findings suggest that NMR and μCT methods to detect and quantify biomineral formation in shale fractures are complementary and consistent with each other. Either could be used to estimate the volume of new mineral formed by UICP in shale fractures. The use of surfactants and guar gum to enhance biomineral precipitation in shale fractures merits further research. UICP can, under some conditions, increase the tensile strength of sealed shale fractures beyond that of the intact shale. These findings demonstrate that continued research in this area may be valuable to understanding and improving shale resource recovery techniques.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Ecologically inspired metrics for transitioning to a sustainable and resilient circular economy with application to multilayer plastic films

Current Circular Economy (CE) frameworks applied to product chains exhibit notable shortcomings. These include neglecting the resilience and robustness of design, requiring detailed economic and environmental data for impact assessment, and relying on qualitative rather than quantitative metrics capturing certain CE design aspects. In the current contribution, we addressed these shortcomings by developing an Ecologically inspired (Eco-inspired) Framework using the mathematical foundations of Ecological Network Analysis (ENA). While ENA metrics have previously found application in designing circular economies, particularly in Industrial Symbiosis (IS) networks, our adaptation tailors these metrics for use in product-level CE, recognizing the inherent distinctions between product-level CE and IS. Our Eco-inspired Framework comprises three key categories to provide holistic and granular-level metrics for designing product-level CE. The first set of metrics assesses circularity and resource efficiency. The second set gauges network intensity and robustness as complementary indicators ensuring a CE is both sustainable and resilient. The third group of metrics evaluates enhancement potential of CE strategies through introducing quantitative metrics for measuring the degree of closed-loop strategies and average circularity level of a CE design. The three comprehensive set of indicators within the Eco-inspired Framework uniquely captures various facets of circular design, whether originating from technological innovations and recovery improvement at the end of life (EoL), shifts in human consumption patterns, alterations in product design, or changes in business models. The framework’s application is tested in designing a CE for multilayer Polyethylene-Polyamide (PE-PA) films. Using the Eco-inspired Framework, we identified the best strategy for designing a resilient and sustainable CE for PE-PA films. A diverse set of EoL strategies along with a reduction in product consumption can improve circularity and resilience by 650% and 255%, respectively, and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions by 90%. The framework minimizes trade-offs between sustainability and circularity goals and offers insights on how to enhance each strategy for achieving a resilient and sustainable CE for products.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Proof-of-concept studies with a computationally designed M pro inhibitor as a synergistic combination regimen alternative to Paxlovid

As the SARS-CoV-2 virus continues to spread and mutate, it remains important to focus not only on preventing spread through vaccination but also on treating infection with direct-acting antivirals (DAA). The approval of Paxlovid, a SARS-CoV-2 main protease (M pro ) DAA, has been significant for treatment of patients. A limitation of this DAA, however, is that the antiviral component, nirmatrelvir, is rapidly metabolized and requires inclusion of a CYP450 3A4 metabolic inhibitor, ritonavir, to boost levels of the active drug. Serious drug–drug interactions can occur with Paxlovid for patients who are also taking other medications metabolized by CYP4503A4, particularly transplant or otherwise immunocompromised patients who are most at risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection and the development of severe symptoms. Developing an alternative antiviral with improved pharmacological properties is critical for treatment of these patients. By using a computational and structure-guided approach, we were able to optimize a 100 to 250 μM screening hit to a potent nanomolar inhibitor and lead compound, Mpro61. In this study, we further evaluate Mpro61 as a lead compound, starting with examination of its mode of binding to SARS-CoV-2 M pro . In vitro pharmacological profiling established a lack of off-target effects, particularly CYP450 3A4 inhibition, as well as potential for synergy with the currently approved alternate antiviral, molnupiravir. Development and subsequent testing of a capsule formulation for oral dosing of Mpro61 in B6-K18-hACE2 mice demonstrated favorable pharmacological properties, efficacy, and synergy with molnupiravir, and complete recovery from subsequent challenge by SARS-CoV-2, establishing Mpro61 as a promising potential preclinical candidate.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

Analysis of humidity sensitivity of silicon strip sensors for ATLAS upgrade tracker, pre- and post-irradiation

During the prototyping phase of the new ATLAS Inner-Tracker (ITk) strip sensors, a degradation of the device breakdown voltage at high humidity was observed. Although the degradation was temporary, showing a fast recovery in dry conditions, the study of the influence of humidity on the sensor performance was critical to establish counter-measures and handling protocols during production testing in order to ensure the proper performance of the upgraded detector. The work presented here has the objective to study for the first time the breakdown voltage deterioration in presence of ambient humidity of ATLAS ITk production-layout strip sensors with different surface properties, before and after proton, neutron and gamma irradiations. A study of the humidity sensitivity of miniature ATLAS ITk strip sensors, before and after proton irradiations, is also presented to compare the sensitivity of devices with different sizes. The sensors were also exposed for several days to high humidity with the aim to recreate and evaluate the influence of the detector integration environment expected during the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) Long Shutdown 3 (LS3) in 2026, where the sensors will be exposed to ambient humidity for prolonged times.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2020

Recovery of Damaged Information and the Out-of-Time-Ordered Correlators

The evolution with a complex Hamiltonian generally leads to information scrambling. A time-reversed dynamics unwinds this scrambling and thus leads to the original information recovery. In this work, we show that if the scrambled information is, in addition, partially damaged by a local measurement, then such a damage can still be treated by application of the time-reversed protocol. This information recovery is described by the long-time saturation value of a certain out-of-time-ordered correlator of local variables. We also propose a simple test that distinguishes between quantum and reversible classical chaotic information scrambling.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗