Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “network function”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2

Constructing tensor network influence functionals for general quantum dynamics

Here, we describe an iterative formalism to compute influence functionals that describe the general quantum dynamics of a subsystem beyond the assumption of linear coupling to a quadratic bath. We use a space-time tensor network representation of the influence functional and investigate its approximability in terms of its bond dimension and time-like entanglement in the tensor network description. We study two numerical models, the spin-boson model and a model of interacting hard-core bosons in a 1D harmonic trap. We find that the influence functional and the intermediates involved in its construction can be efficiently approximated by low bond dimension tensor networks in certain dynamical regimes, which allows the quantum dynamics to be accurately computed for longer times than with direct time evolution methods. However, as one iteratively integrates out the bath, the correlations in the influence functional can first increase before decreasing, indicating that the final compressibility of the influence functional is achieved via non-trivial cancellation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Nuclei with Up to $$\varvec{A=6}$$ Nucleons with Artificial Neural Network Wave Functions

The ground-breaking works of Weinberg have opened the way to calculations of atomic nuclei that are based on systematically improvable Hamiltonians. Solving the associated many-body Schrödinger equation involves non-trivial difficulties, due to the non-perturbative nature and strong spin-isospin dependence of nuclear interactions. Artificial neural networks have proven to be able to compactly represent the wave functions of nuclei with up to $A=4$ nucleons. In this work, we extend this approach to $^6$Li and $^6$He nuclei, using as input a leading-order pionless effective field theory Hamiltonian. We successfully benchmark their binding energies, point-nucleon densities, and radii with the highly-accurate hyperspherical harmonics method.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Growth in heterogeneous, evolving macromolecular networks: toward functional, biomimetic material

This report summarizes research carried out by the Balazs and Matyjaszewski Labs at Pitt and CMU, respectively, during 2025-26, supported by the DOE grant. It has produced the following 3 research articles and 2 review publications that acknowledged grant ER45998: 1. Computational Modeling of Hyperbranched Polymers 2. Synthesis of Structurally Tailored Networks 3. Sustainable and Oxygen-Tolerant Catalysis 4. A review paper on Current Status and Outlook for ATRP 5. A review paper on Future Directions for Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

Balazs, Anna (ORCID:0000000255552692)↗

Constructing a multi-functional polymer network for ultra-stable and safe Li-metal batteries

We report the practical application of lithium (Li) metal electrodes is impeded by Li dendrite growth and unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). Herein, a multi-grafting polymer network, poly(dimethyl siloxane)-g-[poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate)-r-sodium poly(p-styrene sulfonate)] (PPS), is chemically synthesized from reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. With integrated stretchability, ionic conductivity, and mechanical robustness, it serves a dual role to stabilize the Li electrode. As artificial SEI layer, the PPS enables superior electrochemical performance in half cells, symmetric cells, and full cells (PPS@Li/LiFePO 4 , capacity retention of >70% after 600 cycles). Utilized as solid polymer electrolyte (SPE), the all-solid-state Li/SPE/LiFePO 4 full cell delivers excellent cycling performance with an unprecedented capacity retention of 90% over 1,700 cycles at 0.5 C and 81% over 1,000 cycles at 1.0 C. With high-voltage LiNi 0.8 Mn 0.1 Co 0.1 O 2 (NMC811) as cathode, the Li/SPE/NMC811 cell exhibits an initial discharge capacity of 162.2 mAh g -1 with a capacity retention of 72% after 200 cycles. The assembled solid-state Li/SPE/LiFePO4 pouch cell with SPE exhibits stable cycling performance over 200 cycles with a capacity retention of 75% and still operates well even after curling, folding, and cutting, demonstrating great potential for achieving ultra-safe and high energy density batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

App2Net: Moving App Functions to Network & a Case Study on Low-latency Feedback

Recent advances in programmable networks enable custom processing of data at hundreds of gigabits per second. These advances can boost the performance of many distributed applications. Yet the high-level languages used by application developers are different from the data plane programming languages (such as P4 and NPL) used by network equipment. This language barrier slows innovation. Our hourglass-shaped architectural solution aims to lower this language barrier. This enables the application developer community to leverage programmable networks for achieving better performance. In this paper we propose a JSON-based intermediate representation to bridge the gap between applications and in-network computing. We demonstrate an instance of the solution in the context of a low-latency feedback application that enables SQL-based data filtering in a P4-based programmable environment. We also present a prototype compiler to convert an intermediate representation in JSON to P4 source.

Sankaran, Ganesh↗

Multiscale Neural Networks for Approximating Green’s Functions

Neural networks (NNs) have been widely used to solve partial differential equations (PDEs) in the applications of physics, biology, and engineering. One effective approach for solving PDEs with a fixed differential operator is learning Green’s functions. However, Green’s functions are notoriously difficult to learn due to their poor regularity, which typically requires larger NNs and longer training times. In this work, we address these challenges by leveraging multiscale NNs to learn Green’s functions. Through theoretical analysis using multiscale Barron space methods and experimental validation, we show that the multiscale approach significantly reduces the necessary NN size and accelerates training.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Non-mercury methylating microbial taxa are integral to understanding links between mercury methylation and elemental cycles in marine and freshwater sediments

The goal of this study was to explore the role of non-mercury (Hg) methylating taxa in mercury methylation and to identify potential links between elemental cycles and Hg methylation. Statistical approaches were utilized to investigate the microbial community and biochemical functions in relation to methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations in marine and freshwater sediments. Sediments were collected from the methylation zone (top 15 cm) in four Hg-contaminated sites. Both abiotic (e.g., sulfate, sulfide, iron, salinity, total organic matter, etc.) and biotic factors (e.g., hgcA, abundances of methylating and non-methylating taxa) were quantified. Random forest and stepwise regression were performed to assess whether non-methylating taxa were significantly associated with MeHg concentration. Co-occurrence and functional network analyses were constructed to explore associations between taxa by examining microbial community structure, composition, and biochemical functions across sites. Regression analysis showed that approximately 80% of the variability in sediment MeHg concentration was predicted by total mercury concentration, the abundances of Hg methylating taxa, and the abundances of the non-Hg methylating taxa. The co-occurrence networks identified Paludibacteraceae and Syntrophorhabdaceae as keystone non Hg methylating taxa in multiple sites, indicating the potential for syntrophic interactions with Hg methylators. Strong associations were also observed between methanogens and sulfate-reducing bacteria, which were likely symbiotic associations. The functional network results suggested that non-Hg methylating taxa play important roles in sulfur respiration, nitrogen respiration, and the carbon metabolism-related functions methylotrophy, methanotrophy, and chemoheterotrophy. Interestingly, keystone functions varied by site and did not involve carbon- and sulfur-related functions only. In conclusion, our findings highlight associations between methylating and non-methylating taxa and sulfur, carbon, and nitrogen cycles in sediment methylation zones, with implications for predicting and understanding the impact of climate and land/sea use changes on Hg methylation.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

SD-WAN Evaluation Criteria for a Defense Information Systems Network Expeditionary Customer Edge

The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) has identified a service provision gap midway between the capacity and capability of a Defense Information Systems Network (DISN) transport Edge Points of Presence (POP) and U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Enterprise Classified Travel Kit (DECTK). Some deployed force 100-user Tactical Operations Centers are in field locations far removed from the DISN transport core, in challenging environmental conditions with limitations on space, weight, power, and cooling for network equipment. As part of a multi-phase project, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) will gather and analyze requirements, design, develop, prototype, and test a miniaturized and ruggedized DISN Customer Edge POP scaled to support approximately 100 users in a field Tactical Operations Center. An Expeditionary Customer Edge (ECE) will be more suitable for field deployment than a DISN transport Edge POP, using ruggedized hardware and network function virtualization (NFV) to operate in challenging field environmental conditions, plus reduce weight, power, and cooling requirements. A key enabling technology for ECE is Software Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN). This document provides: • A brief overview of SD-WAN use cases and how they apply to ECE • How SD-WAN technology compares to existing networks like DISN that use Optical Transport Networking (OTN) and Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) • SD-WAN functional requirements relevant to ECE • A description of an ECE Virtual Prototype, including simulated wide area network paths and a DISN-representative implementation of MPLS, in Cisco Modeling Labs • Detailed network flow walkthroughs • Evaluation criteria based on ECE-relevant SD-WAN functional requirements Finally, an appendix provides an informal evaluation of Speedify—a commercial retail Virtual Private Network service—against the ECE SD-WAN evaluation criteria.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Design patterns of biological cells

Design patterns are generalized solutions to frequently recurring problems. They were initially developed by architects and computer scientists to create a higher level of abstraction for their designs. Here, we extend these concepts to cell biology to lend a new perspective on the evolved designs of cells' underlying reaction networks. We present a catalog of 21 design patterns divided into three categories: creational patterns describe processes that build the cell, structural patterns describe the layouts of reaction networks, and behavioral patterns describe reaction network function. Applying this pattern language to the E. coli central metabolic reaction network, the yeast pheromone response signaling network, and other examples lends new insights into these systems.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Multilayer Network Clarifies Prevailing Water Consumption Telecouplings in the United States

Virtual water flows are used to map the indirect water consumption connections implied by the supply chain of a city, region, or country. This information can be used to manage supply chains to achieve environmental policy objectives and mitigate environmental risks to critical supply chains. A limitation of prior work is that these flows are typically analyzed using monolayer networks, which ignores crucial intersectoral or interlayer couplings. Here, in this study, we use a multilayer network to account for such couplings when analyzing blue virtual water flows in the United States. Our multilayer network consists of 115 different regions (nodes), covering the entire conterminous United States; 41 coupled economic sectors (layers); and ∼2 × 10 7 possible links. To analyze the multilayer network, we focus on three fundamental network properties: topological connectivity, mesoscale structure, and node centrality. The network has a high connectivity, with each node being on average connected to roughly 2/3 of the network's nodes. Interlayer flows are a major driver of connectivity, representing ∼54% of all the network's connections. Five different groups of tightly connected nodes (communities) characterize the network. Each community represents a preferred spatial mode of long-range virtual water interaction within the United States. We find that large (populous) cities have a stronger influence than small ones on network functioning because they attract and recirculate more virtual water through their supply chains. Our results also highlight differences between the multilayer and monolayer virtual water network, which overall show that the former provides a more realistic representation of virtual water flows.

Garcia Gonzalez, Susana↗