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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 433 records · Page 24
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Isothermal oxidation of zirconium using steam

Oxidation of zirconium and its alloys under any atmosphere is generally characterised by a protective and non-protective stage. During the protective stage, the kinetics of oxidation are quasi-parabolic, while the oxide scale formed on the surface of the metal is black, compact, and protective in nature. For the non-protective stage, the oxidation rate becomes linear, while the protective oxide film turns into a deteriorated white scale. Breakaway is known as the transition point from protective to non-protective stage. The actual mechanism leading to breakaway of zirconium is still a matter of controversy, however some of the most common factors affecting breakaway are the following: - Impurities on the metal (Carbon, Oxygen, Nitrogen); - Oxidizing atmosphere (Presence of H{sub 2}O (g) or N{sub 2} (g)); - Sample preparation (Chemically etched or polished); - Temperature (LWR, LOCA). This research investigates the effect of temperature on 'breakaway' when zirconium is oxidized isothermally in steam for 60 min at 800 and 900 deg. C using thermogravimetric and optical microscopic imaging techniques. 1. Steam isothermal oxidations were performed on zirconium at 800 and 900 deg. C using a Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA). 2. Log-log plots of mass gain vs time were obtained from thermogravimetric results to calculate the reaction orders (n) and reaction rate constants (K) during oxidation. 3. Results of the kinetics of reaction were correlated with optical microscopic images form Light Microscope (LM) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Breakaway depends very strongly on temperature. At 800 deg. C, the weight gain followed a cubic-parabolic behaviour with evidence of a protective oxide film. On the other hand, oxidation at 900 deg. C showed signs of breakaway since the oxide film was cracked and oxidation rate was almost linear throughout the reaction.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2020

Connecting Hindered Transport in Porous Media across Length Scales: From Single-Pore to Macroscopic

Hindered mass transport is widely observed in various porous media, including filtration membranes and porous rocks. However, there is no universal model capable of predicting transport in porous media due to the heterogeneity of porous structures and the complexity of the underlying microscopic mechanisms, including electrostatic and hydrodynamic effects. Here, we used a highly ordered porous medium (i.e. a silica inverse opal film) as a model system to directly explore the effects of geometric parameters (i.e. pore size, pore throat size and tracer particle size) and microscopic interaction parameters (e.g. controlled by ionic strength) on nanoparticle transport in porous environments using three-dimensional single-particle tracking. We found a linear scaling relation between the macroscopic diffusion coefficient and microscopic diffusion behaviors and a combination of parameters associated with microscopic features and phenomena, including both geometric effects and particle-level interactions. The proportionality coefficient relating micro and macro behaviors was complex and related to the connectivity of the matrix and pore-size variation, which could lead to tortuous diffusion pathways, hindering macroscopic transport. Furthermore, these findings provide important insights into nanoparticles and macromolecules transport in various porous media.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2026

Adaptive optical correction for in vivo two-photon fluorescence microscopy with neural fields

Adaptive optics restore ideal imaging performance in complex samples by measuring and correcting optical aberrations but often require custom-built microscopes with carefully aligned wavefront sensing/shaping devices and can be susceptible to sample motion. Here we describe NeAT, a computational framework using neural fields for adaptive optics two-photon fluorescence microscopy. NeAT estimates wavefront aberration and recovers sample structure from a 3D image stack without requiring external datasets for training. Incorporating motion correction in learning and correcting conjugation errors commonly found in commercial microscopes, NeAT is designed for deployment in biological laboratories for in vivo imaging. We validate NeAT’s performance using a custom-built microscope with a wavefront sensor under varying signal-to-noise ratios, aberration and motion conditions. With a commercial microscope, we demonstrate real-time aberration correction for in vivo morphological and functional imaging in the living mouse brain, with NeAT improving the signal and accuracy of glutamate and calcium imaging of synapses and neurons.

Kang, Iksung↗
DOE OSTI2021

Scanning SQUID microscopy in a cryogen-free dilution refrigerator

We report a scanning superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) microscope in a cryogen-free dilution refrigerator with a base temperature at the sample stage of at least 30 mK. The microscope is rigidly mounted to the mixing chamber plate to optimize thermal anchoring of the sample. The microscope housing fits into the bore of a superconducting vector magnet, and our design accommodates a large number of wires connecting the sample and sensor. Through a combination of vibration isolation in the cryostat and a rigid microscope housing, we achieve relative vibrations between the SQUID and the sample that allow us to image with micrometer resolution over a 150 μm range while the sample stage temperature remains at base temperature. To demonstrate the capabilities of our system, we show images acquired simultaneously of the static magnetic field, magnetic susceptibility, and magnetic fields produced by a current above a superconducting micrometer-scale device.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2020

Merging ab initio theory and few-body approach for (d, p) reactions

A framework for A(d, p)B reactions is introduced by merging the microscopic approach to computing the properties of the nucleon-target systems and the three-body n + p + A reaction formalism, thus providing a consistent link between the reaction cross sections and the underlying microscopic structure. In this first step toward a full microscopic description, we focus on the inclusion of the neutron-target microscopic properties. The properties of the neutron-target subsystem are encapsulated in the Green's function which is computed with the coupled Cluster theory using a chiral nucleon-nucleon and three-nucleon interactions. Subsequently, this many-body information is introduced in the few-body Green's Function Transfer approach to (d, p) reactions. Our benchmarks on stable targets 40,48 Ca show an excellent agreement with the data. We then proceed to make specific predictions for (d, p) on neutron rich 52,54 Ca isotopes. These predictions are directly relevant to testing the new magic numbers N = 32, 34 and are expected to be feasible in the first campaign of the projected FRIB facility.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Unified theory of hastatic order and antiferromagnetism in URu 2 Si 2

The hidden-order phase of URu 2 Si 2 has eluded identification for over 35 years. A compelling proposal that explains the Ising heavy-fermion nature of the material is hastatic order: a symmetry-breaking heavy Fermi liquid arising from a spinorial microscopic hybridization. The original hastatic proposal cannot microscopically model the pressure-induced antiferromagnetic phase; and while it predicts a spinorial order parameter, it does not provide any detectable signatures of the spinorial nature. Here, we present a more realistic microscopic model of hastatic order in URu 2 Si 2 based on two conducting electron bands and explore its phase diagram in detail. Our model nontrivially preserves the Ising heavy-fermion physics of the original, while allowing us to tune between the antiferromagnet and hidden order using pressure analogs and magnetic field. Furthermore, our model is also consistent with recent phenomenological predictions of not one, but two, vector order parameters associated with the spinorial order that provide the first microscopic predictions for detecting the spinorial nature.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2022

Elastic proton scattering off nonzero spin nuclei

In recent years, we constructed a microscopic optical potential (OP) for elastic nucleon-nucleus ( NA ) scattering using modern approaches based on chiral theories for the nucleon-nucleon ( NN ) interaction. The OP was derived at first order of the spectator expansion in Watson multiple scattering theory and its final expression was a folding integral between the NN t matrix and the nuclear density of the target. Two- and three-body forces are consistently included both in the target and in the projectile description. The purpose of this work is to apply our microscopic OP to nuclei characterized by a ground state of spin-parity quantum numbers J π ≠ 0 + . We extended our formalism to include the spin of the target nucleus. The full amplitudes of the NN reaction matrix are retained in the calculations starting from two- and three-body chiral forces. The microscopic OP can be applied in the energy range 100 ≤ E ≤ 350 MeV. Finally, we show a remarkable agreement with experimental data for the available observables and, simultaneously, provide reliable estimates for the theoretical uncertainties. This work paves the way toward a full microscopic approach to inelastic NA scattering, showing that the derivation of optical potentials between states with J π ≠ 0 + is completely under control.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Quantifying uncertainties due to irreducible three-body forces in deuteron-nucleus reactions

Deuteron-induced nuclear reactions are an essential tool for probing the structure of nuclei as well as astrophysical information such as (n, γ) cross sections. The deuteron-nucleus system is typically described within a Faddeev three-body model consisting of a neutron (n), a proton (p), and the target nucleus (A) interacting through pairwise phenomenological potentials. While Faddeev techniques enable the exact description of the three-body dynamics, their predictive power is limited in part by the omission of irreducible neutron-proton-nucleus three-body force (n–p–A 3BF). Here, our goal is to quantify systematic uncertainties stemming from the reduction of deuteron-nucleus (d + A) dynamics to a picture of three pointlike nuclear clusters interacting via pairwise nucleon-nucleus forces, using as testing grounds d + α scattering and the 6 Li ground state. We particularly focus on quantifying uncertainties arising from the full antisymmetrization of the (A + 2)-body system with the target nucleus fixed in its ground state. We adopt the ab initio no-core shell model coupled with the resonating group method (NCSM/RGM) to compute microscopic n–α and p–α interactions, and use them in a three-body description of the d + α system by means of momentum-space Faddeev-type equations. Simultaneously, we also carry out ab initio calculations of d + α scattering and 6 Li ground state by means of six-body NCSM/RGM calculations to serve as a benchmark for the three-body model predictions given by the Faddeev calculations. By comparing the Faddeev and NCSM/RGM results, we show that the irreducible n–p–α 3BF has a non-negligible effect on bound state and scattering observables alike. Specifically, the Faddeev approach yields a 6 Li ground state that is approximately 600 keV shallower than the one obtained with the NCSM/RGM. Additionally, the Faddeev calculations for d + α scattering yield a 3 + resonance that is located approximately 400 keV higher in energy compared to the NCSM/RGM result. The shape of the d + α angular distributions computed using the two approaches also differ, owing to the discrepancy in the predictions of the 3 + resonance energy. The Faddeev three-body model predictions for d + α scattering and 6 Li using microscopic n–α and p–α potentials differ from those computed microscopically with the NCSM/RGM. These discrepancies are due to the n–p–α 3BF, which arises from two-nucleon exchange terms in the microscopic d–α interaction and are not accounted for in the three-body model Faddeev calculations. This study lays the foundation for future parametrizations of the 3BF due to Pauli exclusion principle effects in improved three-body calculations of deuteron-induced reactions.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Odd-Parity Magnetism Driven by Antiferromagnetic Exchange

Realizing odd-parity, time-reversal-preserving, nonrelativistic spin splitting is a central goal for spintronics applications. We propose a group-theory-based microscopic framework to induce odd-parity spin splitting from coplanar antiferromagnetic (AFM) states without spin-orbit coupling (SOC). We develop phenomenological models for 421 conventional period-doubling AFM systems in nonsymmorphic space groups and construct minimal microscopic models for 119 of these. We find that these AFM states can attain three possible competing ground states. These ground states all break symmetries in addition to those broken by the usual AFM order. Specifically, they give rise to either odd-parity spin-splitting, nematic order, or scalar odd-parity order related to multiferroicity. Our microscopic theories reveal that the odd-parity spin-splitting energy scale is generically large and further reveal that the scalar odd-parity order gives a nonzero Berry curvature dipole without SOC. We identify 67 materials in the Magndata database for which our theory applies. We provide density-functional theory (DFT) calculations on Fe-based materials that reveal an ℎ-wave spin splitting consistent with our symmetry arguments and apply our microscopic model to determine the nonrelativistic Edelstein response for CeNiAsO.

Antiferromagnets↗
DOE OSTI2020

The Abrasion of Photovoltaic Glass: A Comparison of the Effects of Natural and Artificial Aging

Natural soiling and the subsequent requisite cleaning of photovoltaic (PV) modules result in abrasion damage to the cover glass. The durability of the front glass has important economic consequences, including determining the use of antireflective and/or antisoiling coatings as well as the method and frequency of operating maintenance (cleaning). The abrasion of coatings and glass has been explored in a field study, including the soiling-prone locations of Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Kuwait City (Kuwait), Mesa (Arizona), Mumbai (India), and Sacramento (California). Dry-brush-cleaned specimens will be compared to those subjected to artificial-brush testing. The characteristics of material integrity, surface energy, optical transmittance, surface roughness, and scratch size were examined using an optical microscope, contact goniometer (for water), spectrophotometer, interferometer, and atomic force microscope (AFM), respectively. The findings of this study will be used to provide feedback regarding the cleaning equipment, cleaning methods, and coatings used in the PV industry. The study here will also be used to aid in developing an abrasion standard for the PV industry.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Switchable resolution in soft x-ray tomography of single cells

The diversity of living cells, in both size and internal complexity, calls for imaging methods with adaptable spatial resolution. Soft x-ray tomography (SXT) is a three-dimensional imaging technique ideally suited to visualizing and quantifying the internal organization of single cells of varying sizes in a near-native state. The achievable resolution of the soft x-ray microscope is largely determined by the objective lens, but switching between objectives is extremely time-consuming and typically undertaken only during microscope maintenance procedures. Since the resolution of the optic is inversely proportional to the depth of focus, an optic capable of imaging the thickest cells is routinely selected. This unnecessarily limits the achievable resolution in smaller cells and eliminates the ability to obtain high-resolution images of regions of interest in larger cells. Here, we describe developments to overcome this shortfall and allow selection of microscope optics best suited to the specimen characteristics and data requirements. We demonstrate that switchable objective capability advances the flexibility of SXT to enable imaging cells ranging in size from bacteria to yeast and mammalian cells without physically modifying the microscope, and we demonstrate the use of this technology to image the same specimen with both optics.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

3013 Inner Container Closure Weld Region (ICCWR) Characterization by Wide Area 3D Measurement System (WAMS) Analysis (FY21 Progress Report)

As part of the 3013 Surveillance Program, through-wall penetration from stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of the 3013 inner containers has been identified as the most credible condition for failure withing the 50- years lifetime. Chlorides contained in Pu-bearing material, together with intra-canister humidity levels, metallurgical conditions, and internal stresses have been found to produce corrosion in the Inner Container Closure Weld Region (ICCWR) of the 3013 canister system. A Laser Confocal Microscope (LCM) is used as part of the 3013 Surveillance Program protocol to identify the prevalence of corrosion and corrosionrelated cracking in the ICCWR2. With the LCM, a close visual examination is made of the ICCWR surface along with measurements of corrosion-related features. LCM inspections produce immense amounts of image data that is time intensive to analyze. There is also a 9-year backlog of images, with approximately 49 canisters that must be evaluated. To expedite data analysis and reduce the amount of generated data, a Wide Area 3D Measurement System (WAMS) microscope has been added to the examination protocol. Although WAMS is a lower resolution microscope, small features of interest can be still identified. The advantage of collecting data for the full circumference using the WAMS is that it can take about 1/16 of the time needed with the LCM. Both systems offer capabilities that combined can be utilized to expedite the examination of the ICCWR. The WAMS is an efficient system for screening and identification of corrosion features while the LCM can be utilized to obtain higher resolution images areas identified by the WAMS. This report explains and justifies the data collection methods used with the WAMS. It includes a summary of the data generated by WAMS in FY21. The goals set for data collection in FY21 were met. A total of twenty-two DE’s were imaged, and analysis was carried out on eleven samples. The analyzed samples showed large numbers of potential cracks and pits distributed throughout the surfaces. Lastly, to explain the advantages of the WAMS, its capabilities were compared to those of a simpler microscope. Micrographs of the samples imaged in FY21 and those analyzed are included in the appendices.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2024

Advancements in Multiphysics Microdepletion Analysis of an eVinci TM -like Microreactor Leveraging OpenMC-CRAB Workflow

Nuclear microreactors (MRs) are a class of nuclear reactor technology, characterized by reduced dimensions, modular design, and reduced power output in contrast to conventional Light Water Reactors (LWRs). MRs are proposed for supplying electricity and eventual process heat to remote locations, such as military installations and disaster-affected areas. Current research work sponsored by the US Department of Energy Microreactor Program (MRP) is devoted to the development of novel modeling and simulation tools to better support MR vendors and regulatory bodies. Notably, the NRC is projected to utilize the CRAB multiphysics software driver for executing both design and beyond-design-basis accident analyses. Furthermore, the NRC has been utilizing the MELCOR code to calculate mechanistic source terms during accidents. Since MELCOR relies on isotopic inventory and reactor temperature/power profiles under accident conditions, which theoretically can be derived from CRAB, the goal is to establish a comprehensive CRAB-MELCOR computational framework. Past work was focused on testing and demonstrating CRAB's capability to generate results that can be used to inform mechanistic source term calculations in MELCOR. In particular, a computational workflow leveraging OpenMC-generated microscopic cross sections and CRAB was first applied to perform multiphysics microscopic depletion calculation followed by an accident scenario for a stylized microreactor problem. In fiscal year 2024, the research work has been focused on applying the OpenMC-CRAB workflow, which was first tested in fiscal year 2023, to a realistic 3D heat-pipe cooled MR problem representative of the eVinci TM design. The latter computational problem was developed with inputs from WEC to conserve selected neutronic and thermal characteristics of the eVinci TM design without releasing proprietary data. The results of this simulation, encompassing isotopic inventory, power density distribution, and kinetic parameters, will inform both MELCOR and the WEC-developed FATE code for mechanistic source terms calculations. The results from the two codes will then be compared for code verification purposes. This report contains the design characteristics of the realist heat pipe cooled microreactor developed as a use-case for the verification exercise, and the current results for the multiphysics microscopic depletion performed with the OpenMC-CRAB workflow. The results include eigenvalue as a function of time, power distribution at EOL, in addition to nuclides inventory's time evolution and spatial distribution. Finally, we report improvements to the workflow efficiency achieved through a collaboration with the NEAMS programs. Through this collaborative effort, we were able to strongly decrease the computational time for the multiphysics microdepletion calculation (i.e., from 17.4 hours to 5.7 hours on 280 processors) in addition to simplifying the interface to generate isotopics spatial distribution utilizable by FATE and MELCOR. Future work, including the improvement of the current microscopic cross-sections' library and the simulation of an accident scenario at EOL, is also discussed.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Method for error correction in scanning probe microscopy

Disclosed here is a scanning probe microscope system and method for operating the same for producing scanning probe microscope images at fast scan rates and reducing oscillation artifacts. In some embodiments, an inverse consistent image registration method is used to align forward and backward scan traces for each line of the scanning microscope image. In some embodiments, the aligned forward and backward scan traces are combined using a weighting factor favoring the scan trace with higher smoothness. In some embodiments, the scanning probe microscope image is a potentiometry map and a method is provided to extract from the potentiometry map a conductivity map.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2020

Analysis of Material Properties of Aged Rigid Polyurethane Foam

Foams are classified as either rigid or flexible and are commonly used in applications such as pipe insulation, carpet fibers, and chair foam cushions. Polyurethane foams are excellent thermal insulators, have excellent mechanical properties, and are chemically inert. With the addition of fire protective additives, polyurethane foams have the ability to intumescence when exposed to high temperatures. For the future storage of the 9977 nuclear shipping packages, the material properties of the General Plastics 3716 rigid polyurethane foam were evaluated for long term performance by comparing aged samples to unaged samples. General Plastics 3716 rigid polyurethane foam was aged from November 2014 to June 2019 at varying temperatures of: 160 deg. F, 160 deg. F + 50% relative humidity (RH), 185 deg. F, 215 deg. F, and 250 deg. F. The foam was then analyzed via Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), 3D Optical Microscope, Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). FTIR and Optical Microscope: No significant change to chemical or physical structure was evident by FTIR or optical microscope analysis. DSC: Decrease of heat capacity over time for all oven temperatures except a slight increase for the 185 deg. F conditioned foams. Largest decrease evident with foams conditioned at 250 deg. F. A slight increase in heat capacity for humid samples. Similar trends in heat capacities at 71 deg. C and 102 deg. C. TGA: As conditioning temperature increased, a decline was evident in the average percent weight loss, onset temperature, and first derivative peak temperature. No significant effect due to humidity except for a decrease in first derivative peak temperature. Unaged samples exhibited strong intumescence. Foams conditioned at 160 deg. F exhibited slight intumescence. Results suggest fire protective additives decomposed at higher temperatures, which contributed to a lower average percent mass loss in higher temperature conditioning. Further thermal degradation testing would be beneficial to evaluate the ability of the conditioned foams to intumesce. Evaluate irradiation dose rate effects on conditioned foam. Possible conditioning in an environment with a known humidity or analyzing a new aliquot of sample for each trial to achieve a more representative heat capacity calculation.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2022

Nanoscale Antiferromagnetic Domain Imaging using Full-Field Resonant X-ray Magnetic Diffraction Microscopy

The physical properties of magnetic materials frequently depend not only on the microscopic spin and electronic structures, but also on the structures of mesoscopic length scales that emerge, for instance, from domain formations, or chemical and/or electronic phase separations. However, experimental access to such mesoscopic structures is currently limited, especially for antiferromagnets with net zero magnetization. Here, full-field microscopy and resonant magnetic X-ray diffraction are combined to visualize antiferromagnetic (AF) domains of the spin–orbit Mott insulator Sr 2 IrO 4 with area over ≈0.1 mm 2 and with spatial resolution as high as ≈150 nm. With the unprecedented wide field of views and high spatial resolution, an intertwining of two AF domains on a length comparable to the measured average AF domain wall width of 545 nm is revealed. This mesoscopic structure comprises a substantial portion of the sample surface, and thus can result in a macroscopic response unexpected from its microscopic magnetic structure. In particular, the symmetry analysis presented in this work shows that the inversion symmetry, which is preserved by the microscopic AF order, becomes ill-defined at the mesoscopic length scale. We report this result underscores the importance of this novel technique for a thorough understanding of the physical properties of antiferromagnets.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Insights into Heterogeneous Catalysts under Reaction Conditions by In Situ/Operando Electron Microscopy

The advancement of clean energy and environment depends strongly on the development of efficient catalysts in a wide range of heterogeneous catalytic reactions, which has benefited from transmission electron microscopic techniques in determining the atomic-scale morphologies and structures. However, it is the morphology and structure under the catalytic reaction conditions that determine the performance of the catalyst, which has captured a surge of interest in developing and applying in situ/operando transmission electron microscopic techniques in heterogeneous catalysis. The major theme of this review is to highlight some of the most recent insights into heterogeneous catalysts under the relevant reaction conditions using in situ/operando transmission electron microscopic techniques. Rather than a comprehensive overview of the basic principles of in situ/operando techniques, this review focuses on the insights into the atomic-scale/nanoscale details of various catalysts ranging from single-component to multicomponent catalysts under heterogeneous catalytic, electrocatalytic, and photocatalytic reaction conditions involving both gas–solid and liquid–solid interfaces. Here, this focus is coupled with discussions of the correlation of the atomic, molecular, and nanoscale morphology, composition, and structure with the catalytic properties under the reaction conditions, shining light on the challenges and opportunities in design of nanostructured catalysts for clean and sustainable energy applications.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

AEcroscopy: A Software–Hardware Framework Empowering Microscopy Toward Automated and Autonomous Experimentation

Microscopy has been pivotal in improving the understanding of structure-function relationships at the nanoscale and is by now ubiquitous in most characterization labs. However, traditional microscopy operations are still limited largely by a human-centric click-and-go paradigm utilizing vendor-provided software, which limits the scope, utility, efficiency, effectiveness, and at times reproducibility of microscopy experiments. Here, in this work, a coupled software–hardware platform is developed that consists of a software package termed AEcroscopy (short for Automated Experiments in Microscopy), along with a field-programmable-gate-array device with LabView-built customized acquisition scripts, which overcome these limitations and provide the necessary abstractions toward full automation of microscopy platforms. The platform works across multiple vendor devices on scanning probe microscopes and electron microscopes. It enables customized scan trajectories, processing functions that can be triggered locally or remotely on processing servers, user-defined excitation waveforms, standardization of data models, and completely seamless operation through simple Python commands to enable a plethora of microscopy experiments to be performed in a reproducible, automated manner. This platform can be readily coupled with existing machine-learning libraries and simulations, to provide automated decision-making and active theory-experiment optimization to turn microscopes from characterization tools to instruments capable of autonomous model refinement and physics discovery.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗