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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 397 records · Page 22

Effects of 9.5 years warming on SOC concentration and composition in bulk soil and density fractions

Original data of whole-soil warming experiment after 9.5 years at Blodgett Forest Research Station. The Blodgett Forest is a mixed coniferous temperate forest with Mediterranean climate. The annual air temperature is 12.5℃ and the annual precipitation is 1774 mm yr-1- The soil is mesic ultic Alfisol of granitic origin, equivalent to Dystric Cambisol according to The World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB) system. The soil is warmed down to 1 m at + 4℃ by vertically installed heating cables. At the time of soil sampling on 1 May 2023, the whole-soil warming experiment had been running for approximately 9.5 years, from January 2014 to May 2023. The dataset includes: - Bulk_EA: C, N content, δ13C, and CN ratio of bulk soil; - Density_fractionation: organic carbon concentration, δ13C, and C/N ratio of free light fraction (fLF), occluded ligh fraction (oLF), and heavy fraction (HF); - PCA_DRIFT_AUC: original data of area under the curve (AUC) values of eight carbon bond types integrated on diffuse reflectance infrared fourier transform spectroscopy for each soil sample and soil fraction, which are consequently used for principal component analysis (PCA); - DRIFTS_stability_index: the calculation of aliphatic C–H (3000–2800 cm-1) to aromatic C=C (1670–1600 cm-1) ratios for each bulk soil sample and soil fraction. All data are provided in CSV format and can be viewed using Microsoft Excel.

Climate change↗

Overcoming the sensitivity vs. throughput tradeoff in Coulter counters: A novel side counter design

We report microfabricated Coulter counters are attractive for point of care (POC) applications since they are label free and compact. However, these approaches inherently suffer from a trade off between sample throughput and sensitivity. The counter measures a change in impedance due to displaced fluid volume by passing cells, and thus the counter's signal increases with the fraction of the sensing volume displaced. Reducing the size of the sensing region requires reductions in volumetric throughput in the absence of increased hydraulic pressure and sensor bandwidth. The risk of mechanical clog formation, rendering the counter inoperable, increases markedly with reductions in the size of the constriction aperture. We present here a microfluidic coplanar Coulter counter device design that overcomes the problem of constriction clogging while capable of operating in microfluidic channels filled entirely with highly conductive sample. The device utilizes microfabricated planar electrodes projecting into one side of the microfluidic channel and is easily integrated with upstream electronic, hydrodynamic, or other focusing units to produce efficient counting which could allow for dramatically increased volumetric and sample throughput. The design lends itself to simple, cost effective POC applications.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Evaluating Grid Strength under Uncertain Renewable Generation

The increasing displacement of synchronous generators with renewable resources such as wind and solar via power electronic interfaces causes a reduction in short-circuit strength and weak grid issues. The variation and uncertainty of renewable energy increase challenges for identifying weak grid conditions. This paper proposes an efficient method to analyze the impact of uncertain renewable energy on grid strength. The proposed method uses the probabilistic collocation method (PCM) to approximate the results of grid strength assessment under uncertain renewable generation, in order to reduce computational burden without compromising result accuracy when compared with traditional Monte Carlo simulation (MCS). To improve the accuracy of the approximation results, the proposed method integrates the K-means clustering technique with PCM to select the approximation samples of input variables. The efficacy of the proposed method is demonstrated by comparison with MCS on the modified IEEE 9-bus system and modified IEEE 39-bus system with multiple renewable generators.

grid strength↗

Decoding the star forming properties of gas-rich galaxy pairs

Here we extend the analysis of Bok et al. (2020) in which the H i content of isolated galaxies from the AMIGA (Analysis of the interstellar Medium in Isolated GAlaxies) sample and selected paired galaxies from ALFALFA (Arecibo Legacy Fast ALFA) were examined as a potential driver of galaxy location on the WISE (Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer) mid-infrared SFR–M * sequence. By further characterizing the isolated and pair galaxy samples, i.e. in terms of optical galaxy morphology, a more detailed and quantitative description of local galaxy environment by way of the local number density (η) and tidal strength (Q) parameters, star formation efficiency (SFE HI ), and H i integrated profile asymmetries, we present plausible pathways for the broadening of the pair sample H i deficiency distribution towards both high and low deficiencies compared to the narrower isolated galaxy sample distribution (i.e. σ PAIRS = 0.34 versus σ AMIGA = 0.28). We associate the gas-rich tail of the pair deficiency distribution with the highest Q values, large profile asymmetries, and low SFEs. From this, we infer that merger activity is enhancing gas supplies, as well as disrupting the efficiency of star formation, via strong gravitational torques. The gas-poor wing of the deficiency distribution appears to be populated with galaxies in denser environments (with larger η values on average), more akin to groups. Despite our gas-rich selection criterion, there is a small population of early-type galaxies in the pair sample, which primarily fall in the positive deficiency wing of the distribution. These results suggest that a combination of a denser galaxy environment, early-type morphology, and higher stellar mass is contributing to the broadening of the deficiency distribution towards larger deficiencies.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Residual resistance ratio measurement system for Nb 3 Sn wires extracted from Rutherford cables

Residual resistance ratio (RRR) of superconducting strands is an important parameter for magnet electrical stability. RRR serves as a measure of the low-temperature electrical conductivity of the copper within a conductor that has a copper stabilization matrix. For Nb 3 Sn, due to the need of a reaction heat treatment, the technical requirements for high quality measurements of strands extracted from Rutherford cables are particularly demanding. Quality of wire, cabling deformation, heat treatment temperature, heat treatment atmosphere, sample handling, and measurement methods can all affect the RRR. Therefore, as an integral part of the electrical quality control (QC) of Nb 3 Sn Rutherford cables manufactured at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, it was prudent that we established a RRR measurement system that can isolate the assessment of cable-fabrication-related impacts from sample preparation and measurement factors. Here we describe a bespoke cryocooler-based measurement system, capable of measuring RRR of over 80 samples in a single cooldown. The samples are mounted on custom-designed printed circuit boards that accommodate the shape of strands extracted from a Rutherford cable without added deformation, which we will show is critical in ensuring that the measurements accurately represent the RRR values of the conductor within the cable. Using this sample mounting solution, we routinely measure the overall RRR of the strand as well as individual intra-strand sections corresponding to both cable edges and cable broad faces with high reproducibility. Such measurements provide valuable information on the variation of RRR along the length of the strands as well as across strand productions and cable runs over time.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Accelerating the identification of novel secondary metabolites in bioenergy plant root exudates using MicroED

Small molecule metabolites drive inter- and intraspecies communication and dependencies in diverse biological systems, yet a large proportion of these important chemical compounds remain uncharacterized in plants and microbes. Approximately 90% of the metabolites in root exudate profiles are unknown compounds, despite the importance of root exudate composition in plant-microbe interactions. We need advanced analytical capabilities that will support rapid discovery and structural elucidation of metabolites from biological samples that may be limited in quantity and high in complexity. To fill this gap, this project aimed to develop an integrated workflow involving metabolite extraction, separation, and crystallization from plant root exudates followed by characterization using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and microcrystal electron diffraction (MicroED). Using crude root exudates from sorghum, this project successfully developed higher throughput exudate fractionation strategies to obtain pure compounds for crystallization and identified crystals in multiple fractions that diffracted. Additional efforts to increase the throughput of high-quality crystal generation for MicroED, such as crystallization screening and crystallization chaperone exploration, will be needed to further advance root exudate metabolite identification. The overall optimized sample preparation process can then be integrated with the existing data collection and data analysis pipelines for MicroED at PNNL to facilitate more rapid natural product discovery.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

NSUF Report EBSD analyses on metallic fuel samples: Tips and improvements in sample preparation

EBSD (Electron Backscatter Diffraction) is an analytic technique used to evaluate the microstructure of a specimen. It can be used to evaluate interesting crystallographic data ranging from grains size to grain orientation, from grain boundaries to stresses. Moreover, in the field of nuclear materials EBSD can aid in estimating properties important for reactor performance, such as dislocation and residual strain [1]. EBSD patterns are generated by focusing a stationary electron gun on the specimen and detecting the backscatter electrons that satisfy Bragg conditions, and thus are diffracted by the crystal planes forming the so called Kikuchi bands. These bands correspond to each of the lattice diffracting crystal planes and are detected on a phosphor screen via a low-light CCD camera [2]. The patterns are generated within a small interaction volume located at a depth of less than 50-100 nm. Because of this, the data quality is extremely sensitive to the integrity of the crystallographic lattice order at the surface of the sample and thus to sample preparation and to oxidation [3]. While conventional sample preparation methods are widely used in materials science, they often do not lead to quality electron backscatter patterns needed for the characterization of nuclear materials [4]. This has been related by many authors to the challenges associated with handling radiological specimens, their rapid oxidation, and artifacts in such samples (e.g. high number of defects, precipitates and/or porosities) [4-8]. EBSD, however, can be an invaluable technique to evaluate microstructural evolution during fabrication and after irradiation at the required mesoscale for model and simulation. It also provides important information on grain structure necessary to understand irradiation effect, such as grain subdivision. Thus, it is of paramount importance to further the application of this technique to nuclear materials and especially irradiated fuels.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

J/ ψ elliptic and triangular flow in Pb-Pb collisions at \( \sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} \) = 5 . 02 TeV

The inclusive J/ ψ elliptic ( v 2 ) and triangular ( v 3 ) flow coefficients measured at forward rapidity (2 . 5 < y < 4) and the v 2 measured at midrapidity (| y | < 0 . 9) in Pb-Pb collisions at \( \sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} \) = 5 . 02 TeV using the ALICE detector at the LHC are reported. The entire Pb-Pb data sample collected during Run 2 is employed, amounting to an integrated luminosity of 750 μ b – 1 at forward rapidity and 93 μ b – 1 at midrapidity. The results are obtained using the scalar product method and are reported as a function of transverse momentum p T and collision centrality. At midrapidity, the J/ ψ v 2 is in agreement with the forward rapidity measurement. The centrality averaged results indicate a positive J/ ψ v 3 with a significance of more than 5 σ at forward rapidity in the p T range 2 < p T < 5 GeV/ c . The forward rapidity v 2 , v 3 , and v 3 /v 2 results at low and intermediate p T ( p T ≲ 8 GeV/ c ) exhibit a mass hierarchy when compared to pions and D mesons, while converging into a species-independent curve at higher p T . At low and intermediate p T , the results could be interpreted in terms of a later thermalization of charm quarks compared to light quarks, while at high p T , path-length dependent effects seem to dominate. The J/ ψ v 2 measurements are further compared to a microscopic transport model calculation. Using a simplified extension of the quark scaling approach involving both light and charm quark flow components, it is shown that the D-meson v n measurements can be described based on those for charged pions and J/ ψ flow.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Experimental and Computational Evaluation of Lipidomic In-Source Fragmentation as a Result of Postionization with Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) can provide spatially resolved molecular information about a sample. Recently, a postionization approach (MALDI-2) has been commercially integrated with MALDI-MSI, allowing for bettered sensitivity and consequent improved spatial resolution. While advantages of MALDI-2 have previously been established, we demonstrate here statistically increased in-source fragmentation (ISF) results from postionization with a commercial instrument. Via lipid standard analyses, known MALDI ISF pathways (e.g., loss of trimethylamine) were statistically increased in MALDI-2 compared to MALDI-1 (65–172% increase in fragmentation). Gas phase molecular modeling with density functional theory estimated that the most-weighted virtual orbitals to excite within lipids involve ester and phosphate bonds. Protonated lipid excitation energies are furthermore red-shifted compared to those of other adduct types [e.g., 254 nm for protonated PC(16:0/18:1)] and approach the MALDI-2 laser energy (266 nm). Analysis of rat brain homogenate detected statistically more positive-ion mode peaks with MALDI-2 (1090) than that with MALDI-1 (719), where Kernel density estimations showed that the majority of this enhancement occurs with low m/z ions (i.e., m/z 75–500). Taken together with the lipid standard data, these observations may indicate ISF due to postionization. Finally, while artifact contributions from matrix blanks were also noted, both experimental and computational data sets suggest that the overall extent of ISF is statistically increased in MALDI-2 compared to MALDI-1.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Rapid Quantification of 237 U Specific Activity for Nuclear Forensics

In the event of an unattributed nuclear explosion, rapid assessment of the short-lived uranium isotope activity and mass can provide valuable information for subsequent forensic analysis. Rapid analysis in the field is enabled by using microfluidic chemistry and deployable instrumentation. Here, this work presents a flow chemistry system, controlled in LabVIEW, that integrates three functionalities: (1) selective extraction of uranium from the sample matrix via a 3D-printed supported liquid membrane module; (2) UV–visible absorbance spectrophotometry to measure the total uranium concentration in the strip flow; and (3) a portable CdTe γ-ray spectrometer coupled to a 3D-printed flow cell to measure 237 U activity concentration in the strip solution. The system was calibrated using standard solutions, and its functionality was demonstrated using a solution of depleted uranium spiked with 237 U. Uranium concentrations of 40–5000 μg/mL were directly quantified online using a 100 mm optical flow cell, while concentrations of 0.5–10 μg/mL were quantified online using a colorimetric reagent. The mass concentration measurement takes approximately 60 min while the activity concentration via γ-ray spectrometry varies depending on the activity of 237 U, with 1 kBq/mL requiring about 30 min of acquisition time to obtain <10% uncertainty at 1σ. This platform provides a fieldable approach for quantifying uranium mass and radioactivity relevant to postdetonation nuclear debris.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Quantum Imaging of Ferromagnetic van der Waals Magnetic Domain Structures at Ambient Conditions

Recently discovered 2D van der Waals magnetic materials, and specifically iron–germanium–telluride (Fe5GeTe2), have attracted significant attention both from a fundamental perspective and for potential applications. Key open questions concern their domain structure and magnetic phase transition temperature as a function of sample thickness and external field, as well as implications for integration into devices such as magnetic memories and logic. Here we address key questions using a nitrogen-vacancy center based quantum magnetic microscope, enabling direct imaging of the magnetization of Fe5GeTe2 at submicrometer spatial resolution as a function of temperature, magnetic field, and thickness. This quantum imaging technique provides noninvasive, high-sensitivity measurements with high spatial resolution under ambient conditions, making it particularly well suited for probing 2D magnets. We employ spatially resolved measures, including magnetization variance and cross-correlation, and find a significant spread in transition temperature yet with no clear dependence on thickness down to 15 nm. We also identify previously unknown stripe features in the optical as well as magnetic images, which we attribute to modulations of the constituting elements during crystal synthesis and subsequent oxidation. Our results suggest that the magnetic anisotropy in this material does not play a crucial role in their magnetic properties, leading to a magnetic phase transition of Fe5GeTe2 which is largely thickness-independent down to 15 nm. Our findings could be significant in designing future spintronic devices, magnetic memories, and logic with 2D van der Waals magnetic materials.

Bindu, Bindu [Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Isra↗

Controlling polarization of spintronic THz emitter by remanent magnetization texture

Terahertz (THz) sciences and technologies have contributed to a rapid development of a wide range of applications and expanded the frontiers in fundamental science. Spintronic terahertz emitters offer conceptual advantages since the spin orientation in the magnetic layer can be easily controlled either by the externally applied magnetic field or by the internal magnetic field distribution determined by the specific shape of the magnetic elements. Here, we report a switchable terahertz source based on micropatterned magnetic heterostructures driven by femtosecond laser pulses. We show that the precise tunability of the polarization state is facilitated by the underlying magnetization texture of the magnetic layer that is dictated by the shape of the microstructure. These results also reveal the underlying physical mechanisms of a nonuniform magnetization state on the generation of ultrafast spin currents in the magnetic heterostructures. Our findings indicate that the emission of the linearly polarized THz waves can be switched on and off by saturating the sample using a biasing magnetic field, opening fascinating perspectives for integrated on-chip THz devices with wide-ranging potential applications.

Wu, Weipeng↗

Search for prompt production of pentaquarks in charm hadron final states

A search for hidden-charm pentaquark states decaying to a range of Σ c D ¯ and Λ c + D ¯ final states, as well as doubly charmed pentaquark states to Σ c D and Λ c + D , is made using samples of proton-proton collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.7 fb − 1 recorded by the LHCb detector at s = 13 TeV . Since no significant signals are found, upper limits are set on the pentaquark yields relative to that of the Λ c + baryon in the Λ c + → p K − π + decay mode. The known pentaquark states are also investigated, and their signal yields are found to be consistent with zero in all cases. © 2024 CERN, for the LHCb Collaboration 2024 CERN

Aaij, R. (ORCID:0000000305331952)↗

Observation of Significant Flavor-SU(3) Breaking in the Kaon Wave Function at 12 < Q 2 < 25 GeV 2 and Discovery of the Charmless Decay ψ ( 3770 ) → K S 0 K L 0

We present cross sections for the reaction e + e − → K S 0 K L 0 at center-of-mass energies ranging from 3.51 to 4.95 GeV using data samples collected in the BESIII experiment, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 26.5 fb − 1 . The ratio of neutral-to-charged kaon form factors at large momentum transfers ( 12 < Q 2 < 25 GeV 2 ) is determined to be 0.21 ± 0.01 , which indicates a small but significant effect of flavor-SU(3) breaking in the kaon wave function, and, consequently, excludes the possibility that flavor-SU(3) breaking is the primary reason for the strong experimental violation of the pQCD prediction | F ( π ± ) | / | F ( K ± ) | = f π 2 / f K 2 , where F ( π ± ) and F ( K ± ) are the form factors, and f π and f K are the decay constants of charged pions and kaons, respectively. We also observe a significant signal for the charmless decay ψ ( 3770 ) → K S 0 K L 0 for the first time. Within a 1 σ contour of the likelihood value, the branching fraction for ψ ( 3770 ) → K S 0 K L 0 is determined to be B = ( 2.6 3 − 1.59 + 1.40 ) × 10 − 5 , and the relative phase between the continuum and ψ ( 3770 ) amplitudes is ϕ = ( − 0.3 9 − 0.10 + 0.05 ) π . The branching fraction is in good agreement with the S - and D -wave charmonia mixing scheme proposed in the interpretation of the “ ρ π puzzle” between J / ψ and ψ ( 3686 ) decays. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Physics↗

Observation of $t\bar{t}$ Production in Pb+Pb Collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

Top-quark pair production is observed in lead–lead (Pb+Pb) collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV at the Large Hadron Collider with the ATLAS detector. The data sample was recorded in 2015 and 2018, amounting to an integrated luminosity of 1.9 nb −1 . Events with exactly one electron and one muon and at least two jets are selected. Top-quark pair production is measured with an observed (expected) significance of 5.0 (4.1) standard deviations. The measured top-quark pair production cross section is 𝜎 𝑡⁢$\tilde{i}$ = 3.6⁢$^{+1.0}_{−0.9}$⁢(stat)⁢ $^{+0.8}_{−0.5}$⁢(syst) μ⁢b, with a total relative uncertainty of 31%, and is consistent with theoretical predictions using a range of different nuclear parton distribution functions. The observation of this process consolidates the evidence of the existence of all quark flavors in the preequilibrium stage of the quark-gluon plasma at very high energy densities, similar to the conditions present in the early Universe.

Quark-gluon plasma↗

Measurement of $\tau _\text {L}$ using the ${B} _s^0 \rightarrow J/\psi \eta$ decay mode

Using a proton–proton collision data sample collected by the LHCb detector and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $5.7~\text {fb}^{-1}$ , the lifetime of the light ${{B} ^0_{s}}$ mass eigenstate, $\tau _{L}$ , is measured using the $B^0_s \rightarrow J/\psi \eta$ decay mode to be $\begin{aligned} \tau _{\text {L}} = 1.445 \pm 0.016 \text {(stat)} \pm 0.008 \text {(syst)} \,\text {ps}. \end{aligned}$ A combination of this result with a previous LHCb analysis using an independent dataset corresponding to 3 fb –1 of integrated luminosity gives $\begin{aligned} \tau _{\text {L}} = 1.452 \pm 0.014 \pm 0.007 \pm 0.002 \,\text {ps}, \end{aligned}$ where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second due to the uncorrelated part of the systematic uncertainty and the third due to the correlated part of the systematic uncertainty.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Nature of innovations affecting photovoltaic system costs

Innovations improve technology costs through various kinds of engineering advancements, including changes to materials choices and device or process designs. Understanding how these innovations relate to cost change can reveal aspects of the process of technology evolution, yet developing such understanding is often not possible with a strictly quantitative approach due to data limitations. In this paper we develop a hybrid quantitative-qualitative framework for relating specific innovations to cost change by using the variables in a quantitative technology cost change model as an organizing principle. We demonstrate this framework by applying it to the cost decline in photovoltaic (PV) systems over the last five decades. This framework generates new understanding of a set of innovations that contributed to PV modules’ sustained cost decline and the more modest trends observed in balance-of-system (BOS) costs. The results show the great diversity of innovations that affected PV costs, drawing on wide-ranging fields of expertise within scientific research and practice. We find that there are differences in the characteristics of innovations that reduced the cost of PV modules compared to innovations influencing BOS costs. Numerous module innovations reduced costs by advancing manufacturing tools and processes that improved material quality. Many BOS innovations reduced costs through a combination of component design changes, integration, automation, digitalization, and standardization. Overall, most innovations in our sample affected PV hardware. However, some also target ‘soft technologies’ such as task durations through innovations like fast-track permitting, which require improved collaboration and process streamlining. This framework also provides insight into the nature of knowledge spillovers between technologies. Both module and BOS hardware innovations show the benefits of PV’s position within an ‘ecosystem’ of continuously advancing technologies in many industries, in particular semiconductors and electronics, and also point to the importance of public institutions for accelerating testing, permitting, and training.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

PM2.5 Active Aerosol Collection Field Campaign Report

The long-range transport of aerosols can affect local air quality as well as contribute elements and constituents to mountain watersheds that have potentially positive (e.g., nitrate) and negative (e.g., heavy metals) effects to the local ecosystem. Isotopic analysis of aerosols can be a powerful tool for deconvolving the relative contributions of far-distant and local sources to the composition of collected aerosols. Our field campaign involved the week-long collection of PM2.5 (i.e., particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of about 2.5 microns) aerosols on filters, which were returned to the laboratories at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) for analysis. The sampling sites were located at the Gothic, Colorado Surface Atmosphere Integrated Field Laboratory (SAIL) Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) and the Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado SAIL ARM sites. The original intention was to measure the lead (Pb) and strontium (Sr) isotopic compositions of the collected aerosols at high precision to provide constraints on source portioning and attribution, as well as analyze the chemical compositions and nitrogen and carbon isotopic compositions. However, severe blank issues arose that prevented the planned isotopic analyses of Sr, Pb, C, and N and severely affected the analyses of the bulk chemical compositions of the collected aerosols, resulting in the failure of the study. The issue is described in Section 2.0.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗