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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 37 records · Page 2

Demonstration of <2 ns timing resolution for neutrino interaction in the MicroBooNE detector

The MicroBooNE detector, located in the Booster Neutrino Beamline (BNB) at Fermilab, collected data from 2015 to 2021. MicroBooNE’s Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber is accompanied by a Photon Detection System consisting of 32 PMTs used to measure the argon scintillation light and determine the timing of the neutrino interactions. This work employs improved analysis techniques combining light signals and reconstructed tracks achieving neutrino interaction timing resolution <2 ns. The result obtained allows MicroBooNE to access the 2 ns neutrino pulse structure of the BNB for the first time. The timing resolution achieved enables significant enhancement of cosmic background rejection for all neutrino analyses. Furthermore, the ns timing resolution opens the door for searching new long-lived-particles (e.g. Heavy Neutral Leptons, Higgs Portal Scalars) in MicroBooNE, as well in future large LArTPC experiments, namely SBN and DUNE.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Enhancing New Physics Searches with a Future Beam Dump Configuration at SBND

Accelerator-based neutrino experiments, especially those with high-intensity beams and highly capable detectors, offer a powerful and complementary method for probing new physics scenarios. The MiniBooNE experiment at Fermilab pioneered a special Booster Neutrino Beam (BNB) beam dump run and set new limits on sub-GeV dark matter. This white paper explores the physics opportunities enabled by operating the Short-Baseline Near Detector (SBND) at Fermilab in a future BNB beam dump configuration. Redirecting the proton beam away from the default target suppresses neutrino backgrounds, enabling SBND to significantly enhance sensitivity to many new physics scenarios. We evaluate two operational scenarios – off-target mode and a new dedicated beam dump mode – and demonstrate that both approaches can open new avenues in the search for physics beyond the Standard Model. We present two example cases, scalar dark matter and heavy neutral leptons via axion-like particle.

Dutta, Bhaskar [TAMU, College Station]↗

Performance Limits for Maritime Wide-Area Search (MWAS) Radar

One of the earliest applications for radar was to search for and find maritime vessels on the open sea. Proper design and operation of an airborne Maritime Wide Area Search (MWAS) radar requires an understanding of system performance characteristics and limitations, and furthermore understanding the trades amongst a large number of interdependent system parameters. This report identifies and explores those characteristics and limits, and how they depend on hardware system parameters and environmental conditions. Ultimately, this leads to a characterization of parameters that offer optimum performance for the overall MWAS radar system. While the information herein is not new to the literature, its collection into a single report hopes to offer some value in reducing the 'seek time'. Acknowledgements This report was funded by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) Mission Systems under Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) SC08/01749 between Sandia National Laboratories and GA-ASI. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of privately-held General Atomics, is a leading manufacturer of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems, including the Predator/Gray Eagle-series and Lynx Multi-mode Radar. -

42 ENGINEERING↗

IM3 GO WEST Parameter Search Dataset

GO WEST is an open-source power grid modeling framework for U.S. Western Interconnection, which allows users to tailor the model depending on their research study and science questions. It is developed to address weather and water dynamics, and associated vulnerabilities in this bulk power system. It covers 28 balancing authorities (BA) and 12 states in U.S. Western Interconnection. GO WEST allows users to select different number of nodes and come up with a simplified network by utilizing 10,000 nodal topology of U.S. Western Interconnection created by Texas A&M University. Users can try and select different number of nodes, mathematical formulations (linear programming vs. mixed-integer linear programming), transmission line limit scaling factors, and hurdle rate scaling factors. GO WEST offers a unit commitment and economic dispatch (UC/ED) module to simulate grid operations on an hourly scale. In this sense, users can calibrate and validate their model versions by comparing model outputs to historical datasets. Therefore, GO WEST can help researchers to strike a balance between model fidelity (i.e. accuracy) and computational complexity (i.e. runtime). This dataset includes model inputs and outputs from 600 model versions for each 2019, 2020, and 2021. The folder naming convention is as follows: Exp{Number of Nodes}_{Mathematical Formulation}_{Transmission Line Limit Scaling Factor in MW}_{Hurdle Rate Scaling Factor in %}_{Year}. Linear programming is designated with "simple" label whereas mixed-integer linear programming is designated with "coal" label. For example, "Exp100_simple_1000_50_2019" folder contains inputs and outputs from 2019 model version with 100 nodes, linear programming, +1000 MW transmission line limit scaling factor, and +50% hurdle rate scaling factor. GO WEST GitHub repository hosts all raw datasets, processing scripts, and model scripts. Please refer to the README file for a detailed description of the included files.

Economics↗

A Solid State Zwitterionic Plastic Crystal With High Static Dielectric Constant

Solid materials with a high dielectric constant have a wide range of applications in the energy storage field. In this research, an imidazolium-based zwitterion is designed, synthesized, and confirmed to have a plastic crystal phase based on the following experimental and computational evidence: (i) the presence of long-range order with weak intermolecular forces and competing attractive-repulsive interactions along different crystallographic directions; (ii) the observation of more than one endotherm on heating including a solid-solid phase transition at T s-s = −26 °C and melting of the plastic crystal at T m = 72°C; (iii) a low entropy of fusion at melting (2.1 JK −1 mol −1 ); (iv) a strongly anisotropic morphology; (v) relatively fast dynamics originating from short-range degrees of freedom. Furthermore, it exhibits a very high dielectric constant in the plastic crystal solid state (147 at −10°C and 103 at 70°C) due to the rotational degrees of freedom of plastic crystals that arise from weak net intermolecular interactions of zwitterions due to only having two carbons between the anion and cation. This material conveniently remains in the plastic crystal phase within 50 K of ambient temperature. This discovery opens new opportunities in the search for solid-state high dielectric constant materials.

dielectric relaxation↗

Probing bottom-associated production of a TeV scale scalar decaying to a top quark and dark matter at the LHC

Abstract A minimal non-thermal dark matter model that can explain both the existence of dark matter and the baryon asymmetry in the universe is studied. It requires two color-triplet, iso-singlet scalars with$$ \mathcal{O}\left(\textrm{TeV}\right) $$ O TeV masses and a singlet Majorana fermion with a mass of$$ \mathcal{O}\left(\textrm{GeV}\right) $$ O GeV . The fermion becomes stable and can play the role of the dark matter candidate. We consider the fermion to interact with a top quark via the exchange of QCD-charged scalar fields coupled dominantly to third generation fermions. The signature of a single top quark production associated with a bottom quark and large missing transverse momentum opens up the possibility to search for this type of model at the LHC in a way complementary to existing monotop searches.

Physics↗

Quantum gravity phenomenology at the dawn of the multi-messenger era—A review

The exploration of the universe has recently entered a new era thanks to the multi-messenger paradigm, characterized by a continuous increase in the quantity and quality of experimental data that is obtained by the detection of the various cosmic messengers (photons, neutrinos, cosmic rays and gravitational waves) from numerous origins. They give us information about their sources in the universe and the properties of the intergalactic medium. Moreover, multi-messenger astronomy opens up the possibility to search for phenomenological signatures of quantum gravity. On the one hand, the most energetic events allow us to test our physical theories at energy regimes which are not directly accessible in accelerators; on the other hand, tiny effects in the propagation of very high energy particles could be amplified by cosmological distances. After decades of merely theoretical investigations, the possibility of obtaining phenomenological indications of Planck-scale effects is a revolutionary step in the quest for a quantum theory of gravity, but it requires cooperation between different communities of physicists (both theoretical and experimental). This review, prepared within the COST Action CA18108 “Quantum gravity phenomenology in the multi-messenger approach”, is aimed at promoting this cooperation by giving a state-of-the art account of the interdisciplinary expertise that is needed in the effective search of quantum gravity footprints in the production, propagation and detection of cosmic messengers.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Distributive Nd-to-Yb Energy Transfer within Pure [YbNdYb] Heterometallic Molecules

Facile access to site-selective hetero-lanthanide molecules will open new avenues in the search of novel photophysical phenomena based on Ln-to-Ln' energy transfer (ET). This challenge demands strategies to segregate efficiently different Ln metal ions among different positions in a molecule. We report here the one-step synthesis and structure of a pure [YbNdYb] (1) coordination complex featuring short Yb···Nd distances, ideal to investigate a potential distributive (i.e., from one donor to two acceptors) intramolecular ET from one Nd 3+ ion to two Yb 3+ centers within a well-characterized molecule. The difference in ionic radius is the mechanism allowing to allocate selectively both types of metal ion within the molecular structure, exploited with the simultaneous use of two β-diketone-type ligands. To assist the photophysical investigation of this heterometallic species, the analogues [YbLaYb] (2) and [LuNdLu] (3) have also been prepared. Sensitization of Yb 3+ and Nd 3+ in the last two complexes, respectively, was observed, with remarkably long decay times, facilitating the determination of the Nd-to-Yb ET within the [YbNdYb] composite. This ET was demonstrated by comparing the emission of iso-absorbant solutions of 1, 2, and 3 and through lifetime determinations in solution and solid state. The comparatively high efficiency of this process corroborates the facilitating effect of having two acceptors for the nonradiative decay of Nd 3+ created within the [YbNdYb] molecule.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

A Comment on “Deep Proteogenomics of a Photosynthetic Cyanobacterium”

Proteomic researchers strive to achieve complete annotation of protein-coding DNA sequences to provide a foundational context for their relevant biological data. A recent deep proteogenomic study using a photosynthetic cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 by Spät et al. proposed 64 refined open reading frames (ORFs). By searching LC-MS/MS data from affinity chromatography-isolated protein complexes, our laboratory identified that six of these high-abundance ORFs possess Nterminal initiation start sites that differ than those proposed in the alternative models. Our findings are supported by highly confident MS2 data, phylogenetic analysis, chemical labeling, and established data from two independent research groups. Based on these highquality experimental identifications, we subsequently propose a standardized strategy and set of criteria for future deep proteogenomic efforts to ensure accurate and stringent proteogenomic annotation.

cyanobacteria↗

Axion stars: mass functions and constraints

The QCD axion and axion-like particles, as leading dark matter candidates, can also have interesting implications for dark matter substructures if the Peccei-Quinn symmetry is broken after inflation. In such a scenario, axion perturbations on small scales will lead to the formation of axion miniclusters at matter-radiation equality, and subsequently the formation of axion stars. Such compact objects open new windows for indirect searches for axions. We compute the axion star mass function based on recent axion minicluster studies and Bose star simulations. Applying this mass function, we find post-inflation axion-like particles with masses 1.8 × 10$^{-21}$ eV

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

New Light on Dark Extended Lenses with the Roman Space Telescope

Abstract The Roman Space Telescope’s Galactic Bulge Time Domain Survey will constitute the most sensitive microlensing survey of the Galactic bulge to date, opening up new opportunities to search for dark matter (DM). Many extensions of the Standard Model predict the formation of extended DM substructures, such as DM subhalos, boson/axion stars, and halo-dressed primordial black holes. We demonstrate that for such targets, Roman will be sensitive to a broad parameter space up to 4 orders of magnitude below existing constraints. Our analysis can be readily applied to other extended DM configurations as well.

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗

Lighting up the LHC with Dark Matter

We show that simultaneously explaining dark matter and the observed value of the muon’s magnetic dipole moment may lead to yet unexplored photon signals at the LHC. We consider the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model with electroweakino masses in the few-to-several hundred GeV range, and opposite sign of the Bino mass parameter with respect to both the Higgsino and Wino mass parameters. In such region of parameter space, the spin-independent elastic scattering cross section of a Bino-like dark matter candidate in direct detection experiment is suppressed by cancellations between different amplitudes, and the observed dark matter relic density can be realized via Bino-Wino co-annihilation. Moreover, the observed value of the muon’s magnetic dipole moment can be explained by Bino and Wino loop contributions. Interestingly, “radiative” decays of Wino-like neutralinos into the lightest neutralino and a photon are enhanced, whereas decays into leptons are suppressed. While these decay patterns weaken the reach of multi-lepton searches at the LHC, the radiative decay opens a new window for probing dark matter at the LHC through the exploration of parameter space regions beyond those currently accessible. To complement the current electroweakino searches, we propose searching for a single (soft) photon plus missing transverse energy, accompanied by a hard initial state radiation jet.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

The XtalOpt Evolutionary Algorithm for Crystal Structure Prediction

Significant progress has been made in the field of a priori crystal structure prediction, with a number of recent remarkable success stories. Herein, we briefly outline the methods that have been developed for finding the global minimum structure and interesting local minima without the need for experimental information. Focus is placed on describing the XTALOPT evolutionary algorithm (EA) developed in our group towards this end. XTALOPT is published under well-known open-source licenses, and the EA searches can be analyzed via the AVOGADRO chemical editor and visualizer. We describe new algorithmic developments that have made it possible to predict the structures of ever-more complex crystalline lattices. Benchmark tests, which clearly illustrate how the new developments improve the success rate and accelerate the discovery of the global minimum structure, are carried out. Lastly, we describe how XTALOPT has been employed to predict novel ternary hydrides that have the propensity for high-temperature superconductivity under pressure.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Probing physics beyond the standard model: limits from BBN and the CMB independently and combined

We present new Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) limits on the cosmic expansion rate or relativistic energy density, quantified via the number N ν of equivalent neutrino species. We use the latest light element observations, neutron mean lifetime, and update our evaluation for the nuclear rates d + d → 3 He + n and d + d → 3 H+p. Combining this result with the independent constraints from the cosmic microwave background (CMB) yields tight limits on new physics that perturbs N ν and η prior to cosmic nucleosynthesis: a joint BBN+CMB analysis gives N ν = 2.898 ± 0.141, resulting in N ν < 3.180 at 2σ. We apply these limits to a wide variety of new physics scenarios including right-handed neutrinos, dark radiation, and a stochastic gravitational wave background. The strength of the independent BBN and CMB constraints now opens a new window: we can search for limits on potential changes in N ν and/or the baryon-to-photon ratio η between the two epochs. The present data place strong constraints on the allowed changes in N ν between BBN and CMB decoupling; for example, we find -0.708 < N ν CMB - N ν BBN < 0.328 in the case where η and the primordial helium mass fraction Yp are unchanged between the two epochs; we also give limits on the allowed variations in η or in (η, N ν ) jointly. We discuss scenarios in which such changes could occur, and show that BBN+CMB results combine to place important constraints on some early dark energy models to explain the H 0 tension. Looking to the future, we forecast the tightened precision for N ν arising from both CMB Stage 4 measurements as well as improvements in astronomical 4 He measurements. Here, we find that CMB-S4 combined with present BBN and light element observation precision can give σ(N ν ) ≃ 0.03. Such future precision would reveal the expected effect of neutrino heating (N eff -3 = 0.044) of the CMB during BBN, and would be near the level to reveal any particle species ever in thermal equilibrium with the standard model. Improved Y p measurements can push this precision even further.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Spin liquid state in a rare-earth hyperkagome lattice

We report quantum fluctuations enhanced by frustration and subtle interplay between competing degrees of freedom offer an ideal ground to realize novel states with fractional quantum numbers in quantum materials that defy standard theoretical paradigms. Quantum spin liquid (QSL) is a highly entangled state wherein frustration-induced strong quantum fluctuations preclude symmetry-breaking phase transitions down to zero temperature without any order parameter. Experimental realizations of QSL in quantum materials with spin dimensionality greater than one is very rare. Here, we present our thermodynamic, nuclear magnetic resonance, muon spin relaxation, and inelastic neutron scattering studies of a rare-earth hyperkagome compound Li 3 Yb 3 Te 2 O 12 in which Yb 3+ ions constitute a three-dimensional spin lattice without any detectable disorder. Our comprehensive experiments evince neither signature of magnetic ordering nor spin freezing down to 38 mK that suggest the realization of dynamic liquid-like ground state in this antiferromagnet. The ground state of this material is interpreted by a low energy J eff = 1/2 degrees of freedom with short-range spin correlations. The present results demonstrate a viable basis to explore spin-orbit driven enigmatic correlated quantum states in a class of rare-earth-based three-dimensional frustrated magnets that may open avenues in theoretical and experimental search for spin liquids.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Prediction of low-Z collinear and noncollinear antiferromagnetic compounds having momentum-dependent spin splitting even without spin-orbit coupling

The over 60 years old Rashba-Dresselhaus effect predicts spin-orbit coupling (SOC) induced momentum-dependent spin splitting and spin polarization in materials with noncentrosymmetric structures. Strong SOC induced effects usually require high-atomic number (Z) elements such as rare-earth elements. It has recently been pointed out that antiferromagnets could hold SOC-independent spin splitting and spin polarization. In the present work we develop the spatial and magnetic symmetry conditions enabling such antiferromagnet (AFM)-induced spin splitting, dividing the 1651 magnetic space groups into seven different spin splitting prototypes (SST-1 to SST-7). This analysis places the physics of AFM spin splitting (SST-4) within the broader context of symmetry conditions that enable the more familiar forms of spin splitting, such as ferromagnetic Zeeman effect (SST-5), nonmagnetic no spin splitting (SST-6), and the nonmagnetic Rashba and Dresselhaus effects (SST-7). The AFM-induced spin splitting and spin polarization do not necessarily require breaking of inversion symmetry or the presence of SOC, hence can exist even in centrosymmetric, low-Z light element compounds, considerably broadening the material base for spin manipulations. We use the “inverse design” approach of first formulating the target property (here, spin splitting in low-Z compounds not restricted to low symmetry structures), then derive the enabling physical design principles—the magnetic symmetry conditions—to search realizable compounds that satisfy these a priori design principles. This process uncovers 422 magnetic space groups (160 centrosymmetric and 262 noncentrosymmetric) that could hold AFM-induced, SOC-independent spin splitting and spin polarization. We then search for stable compounds following such enabling symmetries. We investigate the electronic and spin structures of some selected prototype compounds by density functional theory (DFT) and find spin textures that are different than the traditional Rashba-Dresselhaus patterns and exist even in the absence of SOC effect. We provide the DFT results for all antiferromagnetic spin splitting prototypes (SST-1, SST-2, SST-3, SST-4), and concentrate on two limits of SST-4 that are particularly unusual: When spin splitting is momentum dependent (just like the Rashba effect) but is enabled in antiferromagnets even in the absence of SOC in the Hamiltonian. This includes examples of (a) centrosymmetric SST-4A compounds (e.g., orthorhombic LaMnO 3 illustrating collinear AFM, as well as cubic NiS 2 illustrating noncollinear AFM) and (b) noncentrosymmetric SST-4B compounds (e.g., rhombohedral MnTiO 3 illustrating collinear AFM and hexagonal ScMnO 3 illustrating noncollinear AFM). The symmetry design principles outlined here, along with their transformation into an inverse design material search approach and DFT verification, could open the way to their experimental examination.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The Intern Professional Development Center: A Model for Improving Student Engagement Within Industry - 20006

Many innovations and technical improvements have been made over the last half-century regarding our understanding of nuclear materials, with some of the brightest minds in the world collectively working towards a cleaner, brighter, healthier future. However, there is a demographical oddity with the enormous technical workforce that helped shape this new world: they are aging, collectively. Known as the 'silver tsunami,' mass retirements are in the near future for many technical industries, something that the industrial community is not entirely prepared to accommodate. There is an urgent need for a tech-savvy generation to replace the baby boomers, and there must be an uninterrupted hand-off from one generation to the next of institutional knowledge and best practices. Further, it is not enough to simply replace every retiring engineer with a younger one in a 'cold hand-off' - this information transfer takes time. Many educational communities, such as those in the Tri-Cities, Washington, are rising to the challenge, with STEM-focused programs, introducing students to technical concepts and potential career opportunities at an early age. However, while individually, academic institutions search for internships and industry has open positions for interested students, no single clearinghouse exists in the Mid-Columbia region to match talent with opportunities, regardless of the sending or receiving organizations. To fill this void, AYB Drafting (AYB) has established a career development and personal growth center, the Intern Professional Development Center (IPDC). The IPDC, located in Richland, Washington, addresses the problem of what has been referred to as the 'Graying of America,' as it bridges the gap between education and career for the up and coming workforce, creating valuable efficiencies for the young workforce and the industry alike. The operating principles and details of the initial IPDC launch are discussed in the following text, as well as the apparent success and overwhelming positive feedback received in just the first year of operation. (authors)

96 KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND PRESERVATION↗

Identification of high-dielectric constant compounds from statistical design

Abstract The discovery of high-dielectric materials is crucial to increasing the efficiency of electronic devices and batteries. Here, we report three previously unexplored materials with very high dielectric constants (69 < ϵ < 101) and large band gaps (2.9 < E g (eV) < 5.5) obtained by screening materials databases using statistical optimization algorithms aided by artificial neural networks (ANN). Two of these new dielectrics are mixed-anion compounds (Eu 5 SiCl 6 O 4 and HoClO) and are shown to be thermodynamically stable against common semiconductors via phase diagram analysis. We also uncovered four other materials with relatively large dielectric constants (20 < ϵ < 40) and band gaps (2.3 < E g (eV) < 2.7). While the ANN training-data are obtained from the Materials Project, the search-space consists of materials from the Open Quantum Materials Database (OQMD)—demonstrating a successful implementation of cross-database materials design. Overall, we report the dielectric properties of 17 materials calculated using ab initio calculations, that were selected in our design workflow. The dielectric materials with high-dielectric properties predicted in this work open up further experimental research opportunities.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗