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At least 379 records · Page 21

Time-Resolved Grazing Incidence X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy for the In Situ Investigation of the Initial Stages of Sputter-Deposited Copper Thin Films

The sputter deposition and the growth of thin copper films on float glass substrates are in situ studied using grazing incidence, reflection mode X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy with subsecond time resolution. The experimental data are compared with model calculations, assuming the presence of crystalline, face-centered cubic metallic Cu nanostructures. From a detailed analysis of the measured spectra, the film thickness as well as the surface roughness is determined, leading to a detailed understanding of the films growth as a function of the sputter deposition time. In particular, different stages of film growth can clearly be distinguished from the fits of the experimental data. The results suggest the formation of isolated, approximately nm-sized copper clusters in the initial phase of the film deposition for the first few seconds, a coalescence phase with a nominal thickness of ≈1.5–2.8 nm, constant roughness of about 1.4 nm for the subsequent ≈5 s, and finally 3D growth of the Cu crystallites in the film for later stages of film growth. Further prospects of the methodology are given.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Formation of Amorphous Carbon Multi‐Walled Nanotubes from Random Initial Configurations

Amorphous carbon nanotubes (a‐CNT) with up to four walls and sizes ranging from 200 to 3200 atoms have been simulated, starting from initial random configurations and using the Gaussian Approximation Potential. The important variables (like density, height, and diameter) required to successfully simulate a‐CNTs were predicted with the machine learning random forest technique. The width of the a‐CNT models ranged between 0.55–2 nm with an average inter‐wall spacing of 0.31 nm. The topological defects in a‐CNTs were analyzed and new defect configurations were observed. The electronic density of states and localization in these phases were discussed and delocalized electrons in the π subspace were identified as an important factor for inter‐layer cohesion. Spatial projection of the electronic conductivity favors axial transport along connecting hexagons, while non‐hexagonal parts of the network either hinder or bifurcate the electronic transport. A vibrational density of states was calculated and is potentially an experimentally comparable fingerprint of the material. The appearance of a low‐frequency radial breathing mode was discussed and the thermal conductivity at 300 K was estimated using the Green‐Kubo formula.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Dark initial state radiation and the kinetic mixing portal

Data from Planck measurements of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) place important constraints on models with light dark matter (DM) and light mediators especially when both lie in the mass range below ~ 1 GeV. In models involving kinetic mixing where the dark photon acts as the mediator, these constraints are easily satisfied and the appropriate DM relic density achievable if the DM is, e.g., a complex scalar, where p-wave annihilation occurs, or is the lighter component of a split pseudo-Dirac state where co-annihilation dominates. In both of these cases, although higher order in the dark gauge coupling, g D , the corresponding annihilation processes including dark photon initial state radiation (ISR) will be dominantly s-wave with essentially temperature independent cross sections. The rates for these dark ISR associated processes, though not yielding cross sections large enough to contribute to the relic density, can still run into possible conflicts with the bounds arising from the CMB. In this paper we perform a preliminary study of the present and potential future constraints that the CMB imposes on the parameter spaces for both of these scenarios due to the existence of this dark ISR. Further analyses of the effects of dark ISR in DM annihilation is clearly warranted.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Initial value problem in string-inspired nonlocal field theory

We consider a nonlocal scalar field theory inspired by the tachyon action in open string field theory. The Lorentz-covariant action is characterized by a parameter ξ 2 that quantifies the amount of nonlocality. Restricting to purely time-dependent configurations, we show that a field redefinition perturbative in ξ 2 reduces the action to a local two-derivative theory with a ξ 2 -dependent potential. This picture is supported by evidence that the redefinition maps the wildly oscillating rolling tachyon solutions of the nonlocal theory to conventional rolling in the new scalar potential. For general field configurations we exhibit an obstruction to a local Lorentz-covariant formulation, but we can still achieve a formulation local in time, as well as a light-cone formulation. These constructions provide an initial value formulation and a Hamiltonian. Their causality is consistent with a lack of superluminal behavior in the nonlocal theory.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Enhanced accuracy through ensembling of randomly initialized auto-regressive models for dynamical systems

Computational mechanics simulations using traditional finite element methods (FEM) require prohibitively expensive computational resources for real-time engineering applications, design optimization, and digital twin implementations. While machine learning (ML) surrogate models offer significant computational speedups, autoregressive ML models for time-dependent mechanical systems suffer from error accumulation that compromises long-term prediction reliability - a critical concern for engineering applications where accuracy over extended time horizons is essential for safety and performance assessments. Here, we propose a deep ensemble framework specifically designed to address this challenge in computational mechanics applications, where multiple ML surrogate models with random weight initializations are trained in parallel and their predictions aggregated during inference. This approach leverages statistical diversity to maximize information gain from a fixed set of training data and to mitigate error propagation, while maintaining the computational efficiency that makes ML surrogates attractive for engineering practice. We validate the framework on three representative problems spanning critical areas of computational mechanics: stress field evolution in heterogeneous microstructures under complex loading (relevant to advanced materials design and composite analysis), planetary-scale shallow water dynamics (applicable to environmental and geotechnical engineering), and Gray-Scott reaction-diffusion systems (relevant to mass transport and chemical process engineering). Across all test cases, the ensemble approach demonstrates consistent error reduction of 15-33% compared to individual models. The codes for this work are available on GitHub (https://github.com/Graham-Brady-Research-Group/AutoregressiveEnsemble_SpatioTemporal_Evolution).

autoregressive prediction↗

Rapid quantification of alcohol production in microorganisms based on nanostructure-initiator mass spectrometry (NIMS)

We described a mass spectrometry-based assay to rapidly quantify the production of primary alcohols directly from cell cultures. This novel assay used the combination of TEMPO-based oxidation chemistry and oxime ligation, followed by product analysis based on Nanostructure-Initiator Mass Spectrometry. This assay enables quantitative monitor both C5 to C18 alcohols as well as glucose and gluconate in the growth medium to support strain characterization and optimization. We find that this assay yields similar results to gas chromatography for isoprenol production but required much less acquisition time per sample. We applied this assay to gain new insights into P. Putida's utilization of alcohols and find that this strain largely could not grow on heptanol and octanol.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Initiation of dusting corrosion in high-temperature alloys under CO exposure

Carbon monoxide is commonly encountered in energy systems, yet its reactivity with structural alloys—critical heat-resistant components in these systems—has been largely overlooked compared to the well-documented effects of oxidizing gases. In contrast, we demonstrate the high-temperature reaction of CO with NiAl using in-situ low-energy electron microscopy and X-ray photoemission electron microscopy. Our results show that CO dissociates into atomic oxygen and carbon, resulting in two concurrent reactions: selective oxidation of aluminum to form Al 2 O 3 and the initiation of dusting corrosion through carbon dissolution into the alloy and subsequent carbon deposition on the surface. These reactions produce spatially distinct surface products, preventing the formation of a continuous protective Al oxide layer. These results reveal a preference for the dissociative pathway of CO over the classic Boudouard disproportionation reaction that forms CO 2 . These insights not only advance our understanding of CO-induced alloy degradation but also highlight the practical implications for managing alloy stability and optimizing catalysis in carbon-rich environments, such as those in petrochemical processing and hydrocarbon combustion.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Initial development of an RIA envelope for dispersed nuclear fuel

A reactivity insertion accident (RIA) is a design basis accident in which reactivity is rapidly injected as a result of a control rod ejection or blade drop scenario. The resultant power increase can result in fuel rod failure and subsequent release of radioactive material into the reactor’s primary system. For light water reactors, failure under RIAs is typically a result of fuel melt, pellet-cladding interaction, or rod over-pressurization. Fuel melt occurs when the fuel system is unable to transport heat out of the fuel system. Pellet-cladding interaction occurs when an aggressive fuel pellet expansion pushes on an embrittled cladding beyond its strain limit. Rod over-pressurization occurs when a fuel rod exceeds the critical heat flux and departs from nucleate boiling, causing the rod internal pressure to rapidly increase, exceeding the systems pressure, and balloon until it bursts. To prevent failure, regulators have developed safety requirements that limit the injected enthalpy based on the state of the fuel system. However, dispersed fuel could enable the removal or relaxation of regulator-imposed safety criteria. Dispersed fuel embeds fuel particles in a highly conductive metal. Dispersed particles can have a particle radius of 1 µm to greater than 100 µm. Traditional fuel systems are plagued by poor thermal conductivity, especially at higher burnups, thus reducing the ability of the fuel system to respond to an RIA. However, dispersed fuel could improve the ability of the fuel system to transport injected energy away from the fissile material and into the coolant more efficiently. Furthermore, dispersing the fuel particles mitigates hard contact that typically occurs in the traditional zirconium-uranium dioxide fuel system, thus removing pellet-cladding mechanical interaction as a potential failure mechanism. This paper evaluates fuel particles dispersed in a metal matrix using the BISON fuel performance code to develop an initial failure threshold based on melt temperature of the fuel particle and/or cladding material as a function of fission density for beginning-of-life and end-of-life conditions. BISON results show that (1) reducing the size of the particles allows fission density to increase as a function of time, (2) particle-to-particle proximity must be considered to evaluate the limiting conditions, and (3) improving the fuel particle thermal conductivity improves thermal performance.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Probing the initial stages of iron surface corrosion: Effect of O 2 and H 2 O on surface carbonation

Iron plays a vital role in natural processes such as water, mineral, iron, and nutrient cycles. Iron undergoes reduction-oxidation and catalytic reactions to produce various corrosion films depending on its chemical environment. Near ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, polarized modulated infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy, and Auger electron spectroscopy were used to study the key reactants, from O 2 (g), H 2 O vapor, Na + and Cl – on the initial stages of iron surface corrosion. Here, with increasing the ratio of O 2 and H 2 O, surface hydrocarbons were shown to oxidize into carbonates, while the Cl – was found to migrate into the interface. The effect of each individual reactant was measured separately and water was shown to have a first order rate dependence on the carbonate growth at low pressures, with little dependence for O 2 . Near ambient pressures, both H 2 O and O 2 were found to increase the carbonate growth, which was estimated using the Langmuir isotherm model, yielding Gibbs energies between –9.8 to –8.5 kJ/mol. A mechanism is suggested to explain the oxidation is catalyzed by NaCl on iron surfaces and the adventitious hydrocarbons served as the source for surface carbonation. These findings have implications for understanding other surface catalytic and redox interface chemistry in complex environments.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Intuitive study on the effect of support morphology over Cs-Ru/CeO 2 catalyst for microwave-initiated ammonia synthesis

Microwave-initiated ammonia synthesis is a potential candidate to the current Haber-Bosch process that can operate from stranded renewable energy source. Our previous studies indicated Cs-Ru/CeO 2 is a promising catalyst for microwave-assisted ammonia synthesis and the morphology of CeO 2 significantly affects the catalytic performance. In this paper, CeO 2 support with distinct morphologies nanorod, nanoparticle, and microstructure, is studied comprehensively at ambient pressure and low temperature under microwave irradiation. Moreover, CeO 2 nanorods of various sizes were synthesized at different timing (24, 36, and 48 h). Nanorods synthesized at 36 h exhibited superior activity associated to high dispersion and small Ru particle size.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Initial plant community responses to hardwood control treatments in restoration of remnant longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) woodlands

Changes in land use over the past century have contributed to substantial losses of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) woodlands in the southeastern USA and replacement with higher density, mixed pine and hardwood stands that suppress understory development and limit application of prescribed fire. To increase understanding of limiting factors and identify potential approaches for restoring longleaf pine woodlands, we studied in this work initial availability of light and soil water and 2-year (2018–2019) plant community responses after controlling overstory hardwoods in five remnant longleaf pine woodlands having no evidence of previous agriculture at the Savannah River Site near Aiken, SC, USA. Seven hardwood control treatments and a non-treated check were compared in a randomized compete block experiment: cutting, cutting + shredding of logging residues, stem injection with imazapyr herbicide, cutting + basal spray with imazapyr herbicide, cutting + basal spray with triclopyr herbicide, cutting + directed foliar spray with a mixture of glyphosate and imazapyr herbicides, and cutting + broadcast foliar spray with the same herbicide mixture. In the year prior to hardwood cutting (2016), understory light availability averaged 23% of full sun. Throughout the year of treatment installation (2017), average soil water content (SWC) was below permanent wilting point (5.5% SWC) where overstory hardwoods were retained; whereas, it was above wilting point (7.5%) where they had been cut. Thus, combined effects of shade and root competition from overstory hardwoods probably limited cover of herbaceous species in the non-treated check. In the 2 years following treatment, hardwood survival averaged > 99%, 62%, 42% and < 1% for the non-treated check, cutting, shredding, and herbicide treatments, respectively. Relative to the non-treated check, herbaceous species richness was increased by shredding, stem injection, basal spray, or directed foliar treatments; herbaceous cover was increased by basal spray or directed foliar treatments; and woody cover was decreased by directed or broadcast foliar treatments. The directed foliar spray was the most effective treatment for achieving many of the desired understory characteristics of a longleaf pine woodland, including a diverse understory dominated by herbaceous vegetation capable of supporting periodic prescribed fires. Although the imazapyr basal spray treatment increased cover of remnant woodland indicator species, none of the treatments increased richness of this species group, suggesting that restoration of native species composition will be expedited by enrichment seedings or plantings.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Computational analysis of flame initiation, quenching, and re-ignition in a prechamber natural gas engine under varying EGR-dilution levels

The on-road natural-gas (NG) fueled transportation relies on stoichiometric spark-ignition engines for the advantages of simple after-treatment system despite the efficiency penalty relative to lean-burn combustion strategies. Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) has the potential to reduce this efficiency gap at low to moderate loads without the need for complex lean-exhaust aftertreatment systems. However, EGR dilution leads to reduced combustion stability and increased cycle-to-cycle variability. A promising technology that has the potential to achieve reliable operation under diluted conditions is the prechamber ignition (or turbulent jet ignition) which uses chemically active turbulent jets generated from combustion inside a prechamber to initiate, stabilize and accelerate combustion of the mixture inside the main chamber. The present work focusses on developing a RANS-based CFD approach to accurately reproduce in-cylinder phenomena in a stoichiometric NG prechamber-assisted heavy-duty engine without relying on complex combustion models that account for turbulence-chemistry interactions. This is necessary because reactive prechamber jets at high EGR dilution tend to extinguish while emerging into the main chamber, which is followed by a phase of re-ignition — a phenomenon that conventional G-equation or well-stirred reactor combustion models cannot reproduce. With addition of a damping multiplier to the well-stirred reactor model, the predictions are seen to show good agreement with experimental pressure evolution and combustion images acquired from a single cylinder Cummins N-14 optical diesel engine retrofitted with a prechamber ignition system. Model predictions of local heat release in the flame and temperature evolution inside the flame are used to investigate combustion dynamics in the prechamber and the main chamber. It is seen that the well-stirred reactor model with the inclusion of damping is able to reproduce the temporary reduction in heat release within the flame, which can be considered equivalent to quenching of jets, and the subsequent re-ignition of the flame inside the main chamber. The delay between quenching and re-ignition depends on the amount of dilution, as explained by an illustration of flame evolution in a Borghi diagram.

Prechamber ignition↗

Clumped 13 CH 2 D and 12 CHD 2 compositions of methyl groups from wood and synthetic monomers: Methods, experimental and theoretical calibrations, and initial results

Methyl groups are found in numerous biogenic and synthetic materials including geologically preserved materials such as wood. The carbon and hydrogen isotope compositions of methyl groups are used as tracers in biogeochemical cycles, as paleothermometers, and to determine the hydrogen isotopic composition of ancient rain. Here we present analyses of resolved 13 C–D ( 13 CH 2 D) and D–D ( 12 CHD 2 ) clumped isotope compositions of methyl groups as new variables for the study of methyl groups in the present and past. We first present chemical methods to extract, purify, and derivatize methyl groups from methoxyl (R–O–CH 3 ) groups as CH 3 F and CH 3 Cl, and high-resolution mass spectrometric techniques to determine the clumped isotope compositions of these species. We achieve precisions for 13 C–D clumping of ±0.25‰ and D–D clumping of ±2.5‰. We anchor our clumped isotopic measurements to a thermodynamic reference frame by first calculating the theoretical temperature dependences of 13 C–D and D–D clumping in CH 3 Cl, then placing our measurements onto this reference frame through experimental internal isotopic equilibration of CH 3 Cl at 200 °C. Finally, we provide and analyze an initial dataset of clumped 13 C–D and D–D compositions of methyl groups from various commercial/synthetic monomers and environmental woods. We observe ranges in clumped isotope compositions of ~11‰ in 13 C–D and ~48‰ in D–D, and systematic differences within these ranges between methyl groups from commercial monomers and wood. Specifically, commercial clumped 13 C–D compositions are between 0 and 3‰, which correspond to apparent equilibrium temperatures between 170 °C and the infinite temperature limit. In contrast, the clumped 13 C–D compositions of wood methoxyl groups are distinctively high (9.50–11.25‰) and 3–6‰ higher than would be expected if formed in internal isotopic equilibrium at Earth-surface temperatures. Commercial/synthetic methyl and wood methoxyl clumped D–D compositions are also distinct: -5 to +13‰ in commercial monomers vs. -35 to -8‰ in wood—such negative values cannot result from formation in isotopic equilibrium and require kinetic processes to have occurred. Overall, these results indicate that wood methoxyl groups are formed out of isotopic equilibrium and that clumped isotope compositions of methyl groups may be useful tracers of methyl group sources and sinks in the environment. For instance, isotopic clumping in methyl groups may be useful for understanding controls on isotopic clumping in methane produced by methylotrophic methanogens.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Origin of the isotopic composition of natural perchlorate: Experimental results for the impact of reaction pathway and initial ClO x reactant

Natural perchlorate (ClO 4 - ) exists in many places on Earth, in lunar regolith, meteorites, and on the surface of Mars. Terrestrial natural ClO 4 - has widely variable Cl and O stable isotopic compositions (δ 37 Cl, δ 18 O, Δ 17 O). The δ 18 O and Δ 17 O values of ClO 4 - from the most hyper-arid locations co-vary. ClO 4 - from less arid areas has relatively little 17 O excess and poor Δ 17 O-δ 18 O correlation. ClO 4 - from the Atacama Desert has unusually low δ 37 Cl (<-10‰) and exhibits a positive correlation between δ 37 Cl and δ 18 O, while the δ 37 Cl of ClO 4 - from all other locations varies between -5 and +7‰ with no δ 37 Cl-δ 18 O covariation. To evaluate the impact of different precursors (ClO x ) and reaction pathways on the isotopic composition of ClO 4 - , we measured the isotopic composition of ClO 4 - produced in the laboratory by UV or O 3 mediated aqueous oxidation of Cl-, OCl-, ClO2-, and ClO2° as well as O 3 mediated oxidation of dry NaCl. ClO x oxidation in aqueous or dry systems enriched in O 3 produced ClO 4 - with Δ 17 O values that generally increased with the number of O atoms required and included evidence that the site-specific 17 O anomaly in O 3 was preferentially transferred to ClO 4 - . Based on the inferred number of O atoms sourced from O 3 , and known Cl and O reaction pathways, it appears that ClO 2 ° and ClO 3 * were required intermediates in the production of ClO 4 - in the O 3 experiments. ClO x aqueous oxidation by UV irradiation produced ClO 4 - with a large range of δ 18 O values and little or no 17 O anomaly. ClO 3 - was produced to a much greater extent than ClO 4 - in all experiments except dry oxidation of NaCl by O 3 . The isotopic composition of ClO 3 - was distinct from that of ClO 4 - produced from the same initial reactants. Combined results of O 3 and UV mediated reactions largely bracketed the range of natural ClO 4 - δ 18 O and Δ 17 O values as well as δ 37 Cl values of non-Atacama natural samples, but no conditions produced the low δ 37 Cl values of Atacama ClO 4 - . Finally, our results indicate that variation in production mechanisms, possibly combined with isotopically variable precursors, could be responsible for much of the observed isotopic variation in natural ClO 4 - and ClO 3 - .

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Statistical chronometry of Meteorites: II. Initial abundances and homogeneity of short-lived radionuclides

Astrophysical models of planet formation require accurate radiometric dating of meteoritic components by short-lived (Al-Mg, Mn-Cr, Hf-W) and long-lived (U-Pb) chronometers, to develop a timeline of such events in the solar nebula as formation of Ca-rich, Al-rich Inclusions (CAIs), chondrules, planetesimals, etc. CAIs formed mostly around a time (“t=0”) when the short-lived radionuclide 26 Al (t 1/2 = 0.72 Myr) was present and presumably homogeneously distributed at a known level we define as ( 26 Al/ 27 Al) SS = 5.23 × 10 -5 . The time of formation after t=0 of another object can be found by determining its initial ( 26 Al/ 27 Al) 0 ratio and comparing it to ( 26 Al/ 27 Al) SS . Dating of meteoritic objects using the Mn-Cr or Hf-W systems is hindered because the abundances ( 53 Mn/ 55 Mn) SS and ( 182 Hf/ 180 Hf) SS at t=0 are not known precisely. To constrain these quantities, we compile literature Al-Mg, Mn-Cr, Hf-W and Pb-Pb data for 13 achondrites and use novel statistical techniques to minimize the discrepancies between their times of formation across these systems. We find that for ( 53 Mn/ 55 Mn) SS = (7.80±0.36)×10 -6 , ( 182 Hf/ 180 Hf) SS = (10.41 ± 0.12) × 10-5, t SS = 4568.65 ± 0.10 Myr, and a 53 Mn half-life of 3.98 ± 0.22 Myr, these four free parameters make concordant 18 formation times recorded by the different systems in all six known volcanic achondrites (the quenched angrites D’Orbigny, Sahara 99555, Northwest Africa 1670; the psuedo-eucrites Asuka 881394 and Ibitira; and the basaltic achondrite Northwest Africa 7325). These parameters also make concordant the ages derived for chondrules from CB/CH achondrites, formed simultaneously in an impact. The other seven achondrites are not quite concordant, but are plutonic angrites or ‘carbonaceous achondrites’ for which simultaneous closure of the isotopic systems might not be expected. Our findings provide very strong support for homogeneity of 26 Al, 53 Mn, and 182 Hf in the solar nebula, and our approach offers a path for more precise chronometry

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

A probabilistic creep model incorporating test condition, initial damage, and material property uncertainty

Uncertainty is prevalent in the creep resistance of alloys, where at elevated temperature and low pressure, rupture can range across logarithmic decades. In this study, a probabilistic continuum-damage-mechanics (CDM)-based model is derived to capture the uncertainty of creep resistance. To meet this objective, creep data for alloy 304 Stainless Steel is gathered. A constitutive model, “Sinh”, is calibrated deterministically to determine the statistical variability of the material properties. Three sources of uncertainty are injected into the model: test condition (stress and temperature), initial damage, and material properties. Probabilistic simulations are carried out by (a) calibrating probability distribution functions (pdfs) for each source of uncertainty (b) randomly sampling the pdfs using Monte Carlo methods and (c) executing simulations to replicate the uncertain creep behavior. A sensitivity analysis is performed to evaluate the relative effect of each source of uncertainty. In full probabilistic simulations, the cumulative uncertainty of creep behavior is evaluated. The probabilistic model accurately predicts the creep deformation and rupture of the available experiments. The probabilistic model is validated for interpolation but lacks extrapolation ability. Several future works are proposed to further improve the model.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Patterns of Care, Tolerability, and Safety of the First Cohort of Patients Treated on a Novel High-Field MR-Linac Within the MOMENTUM Study: Initial Results From a Prospective Multi-Institutional Registry

High-field magnetic resonance-linear accelerators (MR-Linacs), linear accelerators combined with a diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner and online adaptive workflow, potentially give rise to novel online anatomic and response adaptive radiation therapy paradigms. The first high-field (1.5T) MR-Linac received regulatory approval in late 2018, and little is known about clinical use, patient tolerability of daily high-field MRI, and toxicity of treatments. Herein we report the initial experience within the MOMENTUM Study (NCT04075305), a prospective international registry of the MR-Linac Consortium.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Synthesis of hyperbranched polymer films via electrodeposition and oxygen-tolerant surface-initiated photoinduced polymerization

Hypothesis Hyperbranched polymers, not only possess higher functionality, but are also easier to prepare compared to dendrimers and dendric polymers. Combining electrodeposition and surface-initiated photoinduced electron transfer-reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (SI-PET-RAFT) polymerization is hypothesized to be a novel strategy for preparing hyperbranched polymer films on conductive surfaces without degassing. Experiments In this study, polymer brush grafted films with four different architectures (i.e. linear, branched, linear- block -branched, and branched- block -linear) were prepared on gold-coated glass substrates using electrodeposition, followed by SI-PET-RAFT polymerization. The resulting film structure and thickness, surface topology, absorption property, and electrochemical behavior were confirmed by spectroscopy, microscopy, microbalance technique, and impedance measurement. Findings These hyperbranched polymer brushes were capable of forming a thicker but more uniformly covered films compared to linear polymer brush films, demonstrating that hyperbranched polymer films can be potentially useful for fabricating protective polymer coatings on various conductive surfaces.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗