Classical Polarization Solution with No Self-Consistent Field Iterations
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The explosion in the rate, quality and diversity of image acquisition instruments has propelled the development of expert systems to organize and query image collections more efficiently. Recommendation systems that handle scientific images are rare, particularly if records lack metadata. This paper introduces new strategies to enable fast searches and image ranking from large pictorial datasets with or without labels. The main contribution is the development of pyCBIR, a deep neural network software to search scientific images by content. This tool exploits convolutional layers with locality sensitivity hashing for querying images across domains through a user-friendly interface. Our results report image searches over databases ranging from thousands to millions of samples. We test pyCBIR search capabilities using three convNets against four scientific datasets, including samples from cell microscopy, microtomography, atomic diffraction patterns, and materials photographs to demonstrate 95% accurate recommendations in most cases. Furthermore, all scientific data collections are released.
The efficient storage of hydrogen is a critical challenge in the quest for sustainable energy solutions. Current adsorbent-based methods achieve satisfactory storage densities predominantly under cryogenic temperatures and/or high pressures, which imposes problems with cost-efficient and safe implementation of this technology. Materials that can bind hydrogen gas reversibly at ambient temperatures and more moderate pressures could play a pivotal role in enabling hydrogen-powered technologies. In this study, we use reliable computational modeling to investigate two synthetically feasible paths for tuning the enthalpy of H2 binding in MFU-4-type metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), aiming to maximize usable capacity. This study examines MIM4 IICl3(bta)6 (bta– = benzotriazolate) Kuratowski-type clusters as a model for strong binding sites in MFU-4l frameworks. We systematically evaluate the impact of separately tuning the central MII metal ion (which plays a structural role) and the peripheral MI metal ion (which binds the substrate) on the energetics of H2 binding. Our computational study reveals that H2 binding at an MI site mostly follows the trend AgI < CuI < NiI < CoI < AuI while a larger central MII site generally weakens the H2 binding at a MI site. Importantly, we have identified three new combinations of MI and MII to achieve high fractional usable capacities of the total H2 adsorbed under a pressure swing from 5 to 100 bar at room temperature. Additionally, we examine the nature of the binding interaction between the peripheral metal atom and the hydrogen molecule. While charge transfer predominantly induces this interaction, for several atom combinations, a change in the polarization (associated with variations in the ionic radius of the MI binding atom) is another important factor for adjusting the strength of the interaction. We suggest that the proposed compositions of Kuratowski-type clusters are highly desirable synthetic targets for future laboratory study.
GRETL is a C++ library for evaluation, re-evaluation and algorithmic differentiation of functional operations on an arbitrary computational graph with limited memory usage. Similar to popular machine learning frameworks in Python, like PyTorch and JAX, it tracks and stores both operations and output data as functions are evaluated. Once this composition of functions is built up, the entire chain of operations can be back propagated to compute sensitivities of the final result with respect to any number of inputs. In contrast to most machine learning applications, memory usage becomes the bottleneck for back propagation in many physics applications, especially for time-dependent PDEs. Dynamic check pointing becomes essential. An important distinguishing feature of GRETL is its ability to limit the maximum memory usage by automatically dynamic checkpointing the data output for each graph operation (see Wang, Moin, Iaccarino, 2009). During backpropagation, parts of the graph that are no longer in memory are automatically re-evaluated from upstream checkpointed states as needed for derivative sensitivity calculations (or more precisely, for vector-Jacobian products). GRETL is particularly beneficial for applications, such as coupled multi-physics, where deriving adjoint-based sensitivities and managing checkpoint memory across modules becomes onerous. Cases which can be readily handled by the GRETL library include: different time-integration algorithms per physics (e.g., coupled predictor-corrector algorithms, IMEX, etc.), sub-cycling, asynchronous integrators, state dependent timestep sizes, iterative solvers and coupling algorithms, controller algorithms, and more.
Here, we study the honeycomb lattice with a single magnetic impurity modeled by adding imaginary next-nearest-neighbor hopping 𝑖ℎ on a single hexagon. This Haldane defect gives a topological mass term to the gapless Dirac cones and generates chirality. For a small density of defects, Neehus et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 126604 (2025)] found that the system's chirality reverses at a critical ℎ 𝑐 ≈ 0.95 associated with an unexpected tricritical point of Dirac fermions at zero defect density. We investigate this zero-density limit by analyzing a single defect and computing two experimentally relevant measures of chirality: (1) orbital magnetization via local Chern marker, a bulk probe of all occupied states; and (2) electronic currents of low-energy states. Both probes show a chirality reversal at a critical ℎ 𝑐 ≈ 0.9–1.0. Motivated by this consistency, we propose a defect-scale toy model whose low-energy states reverse their chirality at ℎ$^{'}_{c}$ ≈ 0.87. Remarkably, the same pair of zero-energy bound states also generates the critical point ℎ 𝑐 in the full impurity projected T-matrix. Our results show how the chirality reversal produced by an impurity can be observed either in local probes or in the global topology, and suggest a possible role of the microscopic defect structure at the critical point.
Deep neural networks (DNN) have been used to model nonlinear relations between physical quantities. Those DNNs are embedded in physical systems described by partial differential equations (PDE) and trained by minimizing a loss function that measures the discrepancy between predictions and observations in some chosen norm. This loss function often includes the PDE constraints as a penalty term when only sparse observations are available. As a result, the PDE is only satisfied approximately by the solution. However, the penalty term typically slows down the convergence of the optimizer for stiff problems. We present a new approach that trains the embedded DNNs while numerically satisfying the PDE constraints. We develop an algorithm that enables differentiating both explicit and implicit numerical solvers in reverse-mode automatic differentiation. This allows the gradients of the DNNs and the PDE solvers to be computed in a unified framework. We demonstrate that our approach enjoys faster convergence and better stability in relatively stiff problems compared to the penalty method. Furthermore, our approach allows for the potential to solve and accelerate a wide range of data-driven inverse modeling, where the physical constraints are described by PDEs and need to be satisfied accurately.
Digital mechanics explores information processing through binary, mechanical circuits. This work demonstrates a flexural, mechanical integrated circuit (m-IC) that achieves reversible, non-reciprocal signal propagation through integrated AND logic and memory. Our approach exploits sequential bistable transitions with symmetric energy wells, tunable stiffness, impedance matching, and AND gate non-linearity, to enable signal propagation, repeatability, and reversibility. We present a generalized model of logic kinematics and energetics, validated experimentally, to study energy flows, quantify energetic limits, and identify operating regimes for reversible logic. Macro-scale experiments confirm propagation dynamics, and new fabrication methods extend the architecture to micro-scale devices. By achieving controlled, reversible signal transmission across interconnected logic and memory, this work establishes a scalable platform for robust mechanical computing and adaptive sensing.
Trans-critical CO2 vapor compression (VC) refrigeration cycles require a high compression ratio, which is associated with high expansion losses. To recover these expansion losses, a pressure exchange process between the low- and high-pressure sides of the VC cycle is proposed and examined in this study. The proposed pressure exchange system is an open type constant volume process where the high- and low-pressure flows mix inside the system. This prototype is inspired by the pressure exchangers used in reverse-osmosis (RO) desalination systems. In this system, a 2D model was generated and modeled using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique. The numerical model ignored any losses due to leakage or hydraulic friction and the process is considered adiabatic. For the modeling, it was assumed that the inlet conditions for the two pressure exchanger flows are similar to the flow conditions at the evaporator and gas cooler outlets in a VC cycle. Two parameters are examined to test the validity of the system and understand their effect on the performance, including the inlet flow rate represented by the inlet velocity and the process time represented by the speed of rotation. A total of nine cases were simulated and analyzed in this study.
A system is described for monitoring the respiratory process in which the gas flow rate and the frequency of respiration and expiration cycles can be determined on a real time basis. A face mask is provided with one-way inlet and outlet valves where the gas flow is through independent flowmeters and through a mass spectrometer. The opening and closing of a valve operates an electrical switch, and the combination of the two switches produces a low frequency electrical signal of the respiratory inhalation and exhalation cycles. During the time a switch is operated, the corresponsing flowmeter produces electric pulses representative of the flow rate; the electrical pulses being at a higher frequency than that of the breathing cycle and combined with the low frequency signal. The high frequency pulses are supplied to conventional analyzer computer which also receives temperature and pressure inputs and computes mass flow rate and totalized mass flow of gas. From the mass spectrometer, components of the gas are separately computed as to flow rate. The electrical switches cause operation of up-down inputs of a reversible counter. The respective up and down cycles can be individually monitored and combined for various respiratory measurements.
A revised approach to the design of transmission shafting which considers the flexure fatigue characteristics of the shaft material under combined cyclic bending and static torsion stress is presented. A fatigue failure relation, corroborated by published combined stress test data, is presented which shows an elliptical variation of reversed bending endurance strength with static torsional stress. From this elliptical failure relations, a design formula for computing the diameter of rotating solid shafts under the most common condition of loading is developed.
We have studied the application of the baseline Model Predictive Control (MPC) algorithm to the control of main fuel flow rate (WF36), variable bleed valve (AE24) and variable stator vane (STP25) control of a simulated high-bypass turbofan engine. Using reference trajectories for thrust and turbine inlet temperature (T41) generated by a simulated new engine, we have examined MPC for tracking these two reference outputs while controlling a deteriorated engine. We have examined the results of MPC control for six different transients: two idle-to-takeoff transients at sea level static (SLS) conditions, one takeoff-to-idle transient at SLS, a Bode power command and reverse Bode power command at 20,000 ft/Mach 0.5, and a reverse Bode transient at 35,000 ft/Mach 0.84. For all cases, our primary focus was on the computational effort required by MPC for varying MPC update rates, control horizons, and prediction horizons. We have also considered the effects of these MPC parameters on the performance of the control, with special emphasis on the thrust tracking error, the peak T41, and the sizes of violations of the constraints on the problem, primarily the booster stall margin limit, which for most cases is the lone constraint that is violated with any frequency.
STITCH is a computer program that processes raw nucleotide-sequence data to automatically remove unwanted vector information, perform reverse-complement comparison, stitch shorter sequences together to make longer ones to which the shorter ones presumably belong, and search against the user s choice of private and Internet-accessible public 16S rRNA databases. ["16S rRNA" denotes a ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) sequence that is common to all organisms.] In STITCH, a template 16S rRNA sequence is used to position forward and reverse reads. STITCH then automatically searches known 16S rRNA sequences in the user s chosen database(s) to find the sequence most similar to (the sequence that lies at the smallest edit distance from) each spliced sequence. The result of processing by STITCH is the identification of the most similar well-described bacterium. Whereas previously commercially available software for analyzing genetic sequences operates on one sequence at a time, STITCH can manipulate multiple sequences simultaneously to perform the aforementioned operations. A typical analysis of several dozen sequences (length of the order of 103 base pairs) by use of STITCH is completed in a few minutes, whereas such an analysis performed by use of prior software takes hours or days.
Here, we propose a universal gate set acting on a qubit formed by the degenerate ground states of a Coulomb-blockaded time-reversal invariant topological superconductor island with spatially separated Majorana Kramers pairs: the “Majorana Kramers qubit.” All gate operations are implemented by coupling the Majorana Kramers pairs to conventional superconducting leads. Interestingly, in such an all-superconducting device, the energy gap of the leads provides another layer of protection from quasiparticle poisoning independent of the island charging energy. Moreover, the absence of strong magnetic fields—which typically reduce the superconducting gap size of the island—suggests a unique robustness of our qubit to quasiparticle poisoning due to thermal excitations. Consequently, the Majorana Kramers qubit should benefit from prolonged coherence times and may provide an alternative route to a Majorana-based quantum computer.
The limits of intercalation electrochemistry continue to be tested in the quest for ever increasing gains in the storage capability of Li-ion cathodes. The subsequent push for multi-electron reactivity has led to the recognition of the extremely versatile role of oxide ligands in charge compensation when there is a large redox swing. Li 3 IrO 4 is a unique model of such activity because it can reversibly cycle between Li 1 IrO 4 and Li 4.7 IrO 4 . In this study, X-ray spectroscopy, magnetic measurements and computational simulations uncover the evolution of O states in the different steps, compared to the involvement of Ir. While the process between Li 1 IrO 4 and Li 3 IrO 4 is dominated by the unconventional lattice oxygen redox, the process between Li 3 IrO 4 and Li 4.7 IrO 4 involves a conventional change of the formal oxidation state of Ir, which affects O due to the high covalency. The O states of Li 3 IrO 4 exhibit a very high reversibility after the whole 3.7-electron process, completely restoring the pristine state.
This paper introduces a new method of information processing in digital systems, and discusses its potential benefits to computing and information security. The new method exploits glitches caused by delays in logic circuits for carrying and processing information. Glitch processing is hidden to conventional logic analyses and undetectable by traditional reverse engineering techniques. It enables the creation of new logic design methods that allow for an additional controllable "glitch logic" processing layer embedded into a conventional synchronous digital circuits as a hidden/covert information flow channel. The combination of synchronous logic with specific glitch logic design acting as an additional computing channel reduces the number of equivalent logic designs resulting from synthesis, thus implicitly reducing the possibility of modification and/or tampering with the design. The hidden information channel produced by the glitch logic can be used: 1) for covert computing/communication, 2) to prevent reverse engineering, tampering, and alteration of design, and 3) to act as a channel for information infiltration/exfiltration and propagation of viruses/spyware/Trojan horses.
The project entitled, "Nonlinear Modeling of Macroscopic Plasma Dynamics," applied numerical computation to solve mathematical models of plasma behavior in laboratory systems. Plasma is the state of matter with sufficiently large internal energy density such that electrons dissociate from atoms to form gas of electrically charged particles. It occurs naturally in stars, planetary magnetospheres, and interstellar and intergalactic media. It is also used for industrial purposes and in lighting. Fusion energy science seeks to create and sustain plasma conditions where atomic nuclei fuse to create energy that can be captured for power production. Many laboratory experiments for this effort use magnetic field to contain plasma and to thermally insulate it from its surroundings. Possible plasma dynamics in magnetized systems include collective behavior over spatial scales that are comparable to the configuration size, and these dynamics often include evolution of the magnetic field that is used for confinement. Solving the mathematical models that describe these dynamics in specific experiments often requires computer simulations, as done in this project. This project analyzed plasma magnetic relaxation dynamics in the laboratory configurations known as the reversed-field pinch (RFP), the spheromak, and the spherical torus (ST). It also developed capabilities for modeling disruptive plasma dynamics in the tokamak, which has achieved the highest performance for magnetized plasma and is the design of the large international ITER experiment (https://www.iter.org) that is under construction and is expected to be the first to achieve self-heating conditions. Dynamic evolution to states of low energy, the aforementioned magnetic relaxation, is known to be important for generating the RFP and spheromak configurations. Nonlinear computational modeling with the Non-Ideal Magnetohydrodynamics with Rotation, Open Discussion code (NIMROD, https://nimrodteam.org) was applied to understand specific aspects of magnetic relaxation in RFPs, spheromaks, and STs. The RFP study considered how the nonlinear transfer of power among different fluctuation harmonics is altered due to the application of pulses of electric field, as done experimentally in the Madison Symmetric Torus RFP device at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It also investigated the separation of electron and ion dynamics, known as two-fluid effects, including effects on the evolution of the plasma flow profile. The spheromak study considered the influence of these two-fluid effects in conditions relevant to the Sustained Spheromak Experiment (SSPX), formerly at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Our study found that two-fluid effects enhance stability with respect to interchange in SSPX-relevant conditions, but having a complete model with two-fluid effects in separate electron and ion temperature equations is important. The study for STs focused on plasma startup in the Pegasus Toroidal Experiment at UW-Madison, which uses DC voltage applied through a small plasma gun. The simulations show how the resulting helical current stream relaxes through repetitive merging, forming current rings that accumulate into a tokamak-like configuration. Analytical theory was also developed to help explain behavior that was observed in the RFP and spheromak computations. Although the tokamak configuration has outperformed other magnetic confinement configurations, it has a tendency to undergo discharge-terminating dynamics that release energy onto plasma-facing surfaces and exert electromechanical forces on magnetic coils and structures. Our efforts have improved NIMROD's capabilities to model tokamak disruption by incorporating a resistive wall model that can be applied to axisymmetric, as well as asymmetric, distortions of the magnetic field configuration. Computations addressed whether mathematical conditions applied to plasma flow at the wall influence disruptive dynamics.
Resistive switching in correlated complex oxides is lucrative for emerging applications in neuromorphic computing, and densely scaled non-volatile memory. Electrical conductance of such complex oxides can be controllable switched across multiple orders of magnitude by either (a) electroforming a conduction channel (e.g., in tungsten oxide), or (b) inducing Mott-Hubbard transition (e.g., in rare-earth nickelates)– both via controlled migration of defects (such as oxygen vacancies) under applied bias. Nevertheless, the promise of such defect-driven electronic transitions are far from realized due to a lack of fundamental understanding of the atomic-scale processes that underlie migration and spatiotemporal evolution of oxygen vacancies over nano-to-mesoscopic length/timescales under applied electric field. In this project, we employ a synergistic integration of density functional theory (DFT) calculations, ab initio/classical molecular dynamics (AIMD/CMD) simulations, machine learning (ML), precision synthesis, and multi-modal X-ray imaging experiments to address this knowledge gap. Such an integrated approach offers to elucidate the correlations between subtle structural distortion and oxidation states; treat localized charge carriers; describe defect/ion transport in the presence of electric field; and, in turn, greatly advance the current understanding of microstructural evolution in complex oxides under applied bias. The fundamental knowledge gained from this work will enable precise control over hierarchical defect structures and unravel new routes to manipulate resistance states in complex oxides. This, in turn, will accelerate design of novel devices with desired set of neural functionalities, and high-speed densely-scaled resistive random access memory technologies.
The Design Visualization (DV) group supports work at the Kennedy Space Center by utilizing metrology data with Computer-Aided Design (CAD) models and simulations to provide accurate visual representations that aid in decision-making. The capability to measure and simulate objects in real time helps to predict and avoid potential problems before they become expensive in addition to facilitating the planning of operations. I had the opportunity to work on existing and new models and simulations in support of DV and NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems (EGS).