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At least 451 records · Page 25

Extensive analysis of reconstruction algorithms for DESI 2024 baryon acoustic oscillations

Reconstruction of the baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) signal has been a standard procedure in BAO analyses over the past decade and has helped to improve the BAO parameter precision by a factor of ∼2 on average. The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) BAO analysis for the first year (DR1) data uses the “standard” reconstruction framework, in which the displacement field is estimated from the observed density field by solving the linearized continuity equation in redshift space, and galaxy and random positions are shifted in order to partially remove non-linearities. There are several approaches to solving for the displacement field in real survey data, including the multigrid (MG), iterative Fast Fourier Transform (iFFT), and iterative Fast Fourier Transform particle (iFFTP) algorithms. In this work, we analyze these algorithms and compare them with various metrics including two-point statistics and the displacement itself using realistic DESI mocks. We focus on three representative DESI samples, the emission line galaxies (ELG), quasars (QSO), and the bright galaxy sample (BGS), which cover the extreme redshifts and number densities, and potential wide-angle effects. We conclude that the MG and iFFT algorithms agree within 0.4% in post-reconstruction power spectrum on BAO scales with the RecSym convention, which does not remove large-scale redshift space distortions (RSDs), in all three tracers. The RecSym convention appears to be less sensitive to displacement errors than the RecIso convention, which attempts to remove large-scale RSDs. However, iFFTP deviates from the first two; thus, we recommend against using iFFTP without further development. In addition, we provide the optimal settings for reconstruction for five years of DESI observation. The analyses presented in this work pave the way for DESI DR1 analysis as well as future BAO analyses.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Data and Scripts associated with “Lambda-PFLOTRAN: Workflow for Incorporating Organic Matter Chemistry Informed by Ultra High Resolution Mass Spectrometry into Biogeochemical Modeling.”

This data package is associated with the publication “Lambda-PFLOTRAN: Workflow for Incorporating Organic Matter Chemistry Informed by Ultra High Resolution Mass Spectrometry into Biogeochemical Modeling” submitted to Geoscientific Model Development (Muller et al., 2024). In this manuscript, organic matter chemistry and thermodynamics are directly connected to reactive transport simulators through the newly developed Lambda-PFLOTRAN (Parallel Reactive Flow and Transport model) workflow tool that succinctly incorporates organic matter chemistry data generated from Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS) into reaction networks to simulate aerobic respiration of the organic matter and the resulting biogeochemistry. Lambda-PFLOTRAN is a python-based workflow, executed through a Jupyter Notebook interface, that digests raw FTICR-MS data, develops a representative reaction network based on substrate-explicit thermodynamic modeling (also termed lambda modeling due to its key thermodynamic parameter λ used therein), and completes a biogeochemical simulation with the open source, reactive flow, and transport code PFLOTRAN. This data package contains Jupyter Notebook based workflows for two test cases for running biogeochemical simulations of organic matter oxidation identified by FTICR-MS. It contains four primary folders (workflow, data, src, and analysis), a file-level metadata file (Muller_2024_Lambda_PFLOTRAN_Manuscript_Data_Package_flmd.csv) that lists all the files contained in this data package with a short description of each, and a data dictionary (Muller_2024_Lambda_PFLOTRAN_Manuscript_Data_Package_dd.csv) file that describes the tabular column headers. The ‘workflow’ folder contains the Jupyter Notebook based workflows for running the lambda analysis, PFLOTRAN simulation, sensitivity analysis and parameter estimation. The ‘data’ folder contains the FTICR-MS data, initial conditions, and incubation data for test cases 1 and 2 in folders titled ‘WHONDRS’ and ‘Colloids’, respectively. The data folder also has a ‘Database’ folder containing a reaction network for bulk organic matter (assumed to be CH2O) and a general database for PFLOTRAN (hanford_rxn_network). The CH2O reaction network defines bulk organic matter oxidation. Biogeochemical simulations are completed for both the lambda binned organic matter and bulk organic matter reaction networks. The ‘hanford_rxn_network’ database includes information required for PFLTORAN simulations including ion size, molar mass, and charge of the aqueous species, gases, and minerals phases. The ‘src’ folder contains python source codes for performing lambda analysis, PFLOTRAN simulation, sensitivity analysis and parameter estimation. The ‘analysis’ folder contains outputs from the test cases 1 and 2 including lambda analysis, PFLOTRAN runs and the calibration results.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Design of High Efficient Mid-Wavelength Infrared Polarizer on ORMOCHALC Polymer

While an organically modified chalcogenide (ORMOCHALC) can be used to fabricate a polymeric mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) polarizer with competitive extinction ratio compared to the commercial wire-grid polarizers, which are composed of fragile inorganic materials, there is still a knowledge gap regarding the systematic design process to obtain high transmission efficiency and extinction ratio. As such, a computational parameter study for design optimization is conducted with the geometric parameters of the bilayer grating ORMOCHALC polarizer. The computational study shows that the Fabry–Pérot cavity is the primary mechanism that determines the transmission behaviors and the extinction ratio. A bilayer grating design, guided by the parameter study, is realized through the thermal nanoimprint and metal deposition processes. The extinction ratios measured with the Fourier-transform infrared are 245, 304, and 351 at the wavelength of 3, 4, and 5 μm, respectively. Compared to the state-of-the-art of the polymeric MWIR linear polarizers, the extinction ratio is improved by 1.4 times, and the transmission efficiency is increased by 2.5 times. Theoretical analysis with the multiple-layer model based on the transfer matrix method predicts a matched transmission behavior with the experiment and a full-wave electromagnetic simulation.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Single-Cell Metabolic Profiling: Metabolite Formulas from Isotopic Fine Structures in Heterogeneous Plant Cell Populations

Characterization of the metabolic heterogeneity in cell populations requires the analysis of single cells. Most current methods in single-cell analysis rely on cell manipulation, potentially altering the abundance of metabolites in individual cells. Small sample volume and the chemical diversity of metabolites are additional challenges in single-cell metabolomics. Here, we describe the combination of fiber-based laser ablation electrospray ionization (f-LAESI) with 21 tesla Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (21TFTICR-MS) for in situ single-cell metabolic profiling in plant tissue. Single plant cells infected by bacteria were selected and sampled directly from the tissue without cell manipulation through mid-infrared ablation with a fine optical fiber tip for ionization by f-LAESI. Finally, ultrahigh performance 21T-FTICR-MS enabled the simultaneous capture of isotopic fine structures (IFSs) for 47 known and 11 unknown compounds, thus elucidating their elemental compositions from single cells, and providing information on metabolic heterogeneity in the cell population.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Autonomous adaptive data acquisition for scanning hyperspectral imaging

Non-invasive and label-free spectral microscopy (spectromicroscopy) techniques can provide quantitative biochemical information complementary to genomic sequencing, transcriptomic profiling, and proteomic analyses. However, spectromicroscopy techniques generate high-dimensional data; acquisition of a single spectral image can range from tens of minutes to hours, depending on the desired spatial resolution and the image size. This substantially limits the timescales of observable transient biological processes. To address this challenge and move spectromicroscopy towards efficient real-time spatiochemical imaging, we developed a grid-less autonomous adaptive sampling method. Our method substantially decreases image acquisition time while increasing sampling density in regions of steeper physico-chemical gradients. When implemented with scanning Fourier Transform infrared spectromicroscopy experiments, this grid-less adaptive sampling approach outperformed standard uniform grid sampling in a two-component chemical model system and in a complex biological sample, Caenorhabditis elegans. We quantitatively and qualitatively assess the efficiency of data acquisition using performance metrics and multivariate infrared spectral analysis, respectively.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Application of end-of-shift respirable crystalline silica monitoring to construction

A pilot project was conducted to determine the effect of common construction dusts as interferences in a new portable end-of-shift (EoS), direct-on-filter (DoF) sampling and analysis method for respirable crystalline silica (RCS), in this case, quartz. Construction dusts were prepared from plaster, drywall, cement and brick by grinding, aerosolizing, and collecting respirable dust with high flow rate cyclones. Filters were loaded with different levels of commercial α-quartz powder Min-u-Sil 5, and different levels of interfering dusts, singly and in combination. Samples were analyzed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Good correlations were found between nominal quartz loading (0 µg, 25 µg, 50 µg, and 100 µg) adjusted for quartz in the interfering dust and FTIR absorbance alone and in the presence of all interfering dusts. The slopes of the correlations were similar whether the loading was quartz without interference, or with plaster, drywall, and cement dusts, regardless of quantity. The results show that (a) plaster and drywall dusts do not interfere substantially; (b) cement does not interfere, but a change in the intercept suggests an effect on the background absorbance of the filter; and (c) in addition to having a substantial quartz content, brick dust contains an additional material, probably a silicate mineral, which interferes with the quartz peak. Thus, the presence of cement leads to lower quartz values and brick leads to higher values, but overall, 83% of the quartz contents predicted from the calibration data agreed within 50% of the adjusted nominal loadings within the range 20–110 µg. This result is encouraging given the high levels of interfering dusts. Nine samples loaded with smaller amounts of all four dusts together gave results within 25% of the adjusted nominal loadings. A single mixture addition of the dusts to the filter gave tighter variance in results than sequential additions. Unexpectedly, the two Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) 1878a and 1878b, gave different results when used to calibrate XRD analysis of Min-u-Sil 5.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Decomposition of multi-particle azimuthal correlations in Q-cumulant analysis*

Abstract The method of Q -cumulants is a powerful tool for studying the fine details of azimuthal anisotropies in high energy nuclear collisions. This paper presents a new method, based on mathematical induction, to evaluate the analytical form of high-order Q -cumulants. The capability of this method is demonstrated via a toy model that uses the elliptic power distribution to simulate the anisotropic emission of particles, quantified in terms of Fourier flow harmonics . The method can help in studying the large amount of event statistics that can be collected in the future and allow measurements of the very high central moments of the distribution. This can, in turn, facilitate progress in understanding the initial geometry, the input to the hydrodynamic calculations of medium expansion in high energy nuclear collisions, and the constraints on it.

Physics↗

Coolant Pump Predictive Data Analytics from Signatures Generated by the Recursive Short Time Fast Fourier Transform

Although a nuclear reactor is a hostile environment for sensors and signal transmissions, the reactor core is amenable to acoustic communication. An acoustic measurement infrastructure installed at the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) nozzle trench area records acoustic signals that can capture reactor operating states. The distinct states produce unique signatures that can be identified and tracked using data processing and data analytics. The infrastructure relies on acoustic transmission through ATR in-pile structural components, piping, and coolant that transmit acoustically modified signals generated by the coolant pumps. This paper will discuss results from using the Recursive Short Time Fast Fourier Transform (RSTFFT) technique used to process acoustic signals and provide signatures that are identified and monitored by analytics. The RSTFFT is applied to ATR data to understand the vibration levels and signatures for different operating regimes as displayed by the spectrogram. The combination of coolant pumps for normal and high-power operation generate unique signatures. These acoustic signatures are used to develop machine learning approaches to automatically classify operating regimes. Two machine-learning models, Support Vector Machines and Linear Discriminant Analysis, were developed to classify two event classes. Class 1 is a normal steady-state operation, and Class 2 is any event that is due to start up, shut down, or other actions. Both types of machine learning models had over a 96% prediction accuracy for the two classes. These results lay the foundation for predictive analytic frameworks that can be leveraged by ATR to optimize operations and maintenance.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Comparison of Heterogeneous Hydroformylation of Ethylene and Propylene over RhCo 3 /MCM-41 Catalysts

The reaction mechanisms of heterogenous hydroformylation of ethylene and propylene were compared at 413-453 K using RhCo 3 /MCM-41 as catalysts. The reaction rates of propylene for both hydroformylation and the undesired side reaction of hydrogenation were found to be about one order of magnitude lower than those for ethylene in flow reactor studies. The difference in the kinetic behavior between ethylene and propylene was investigated by measuring the reaction orders and apparent activation energies, and these macro-kinetic observables were analyzed using the degree of rate control (DRC) method. In situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) experiments were performed to characterize the surface intermediates formed during the reactions. When the reactant was changed from ethylene to propylene, the IR peak corresponding to adsorbed CO exhibited a significant increase, while the IR peaks of alkyl group decreased in magnitude. Combined with the DRIFTS results, DRC analysis indicates that the first step of olefin hydroformylation, the formation of an alkyl group on the catalyst surface, plays a key role in the difference between ethylene and propylene. This step is kinetically non-relevant when ethylene is the reactant, but it is one of the rate-controlling steps for propylene. Furthermore, the low concentration of the adsorbed propyl group, which is a common intermediate shared by both hydroformylation and hydrogenation of propylene, decreases the rates of both reaction pathways as compared to ethylene.

10 SYNTHETIC FUELS↗

Green Needle Coke Production from Pyrolysis Biocrude toward Bio-based Anode Material Manufacture: Biochar Fines Addition Effect as “Physical Template” on the Crystalline Order

Here, a new method for producing green needle coke (GNC) is developed by replacing the “heavy fraction” of petroleum pitch delayed coking with fast pyrolysis biocrude. A series of alternative biocrude distillation, carbonization, and calcination conditions were investigated to determine the influence of these processing parameters onto the crystalline structure of the resulting graphitized material. For the first time, the addition of biochar fines was found to serve as a “physical template” to increase the graphitic nature of the final product. During the initial biocrude carbonization (350–450 °C), volatile compounds are released, and aromatics in pyrolysis biocrude experience condensation, resulting in GNC solids with carbon contents above 95 wt % and some early lamellar structure. In the second stage of the thermal process (25–1500 °C), there are additional thermal decomposition reactions with an increase in the aromatic nature of the graphitized solid. It was found that systematic addition of biochar fines induces a nucleating effect during the GNC development. Thermogravimetric analysis suggests that biochar fines promote polycondensation reactions by modifying the biopitch structure and molecular weight, while elemental analysis (CHN) shows a reduction in both H/C and O/C ratios which are consistent with the increase in aromaticity and removal of oxygenated compounds as thermal treatment evolves. The effects of different bio-based pitch materials (after distillation) and GNC intermediates were evaluated by pyrolysis-gas chromatography mass spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared, displaying slight changes on product yields and quality. X-ray diffraction patterns taken after graphitization evidence an increase in the graphitic order with the addition of biochar fines. Transmittance electron microscopy depicts an improvement on graphitic morphology as biochar fine content increases. The use of biochar fines showed a significant increase in graphitic ordering at addition levels above 0.01 wt %. These results show that thermally treated biocrude/biochar fine systems can produce graphitic structures (hard carbon-like) that might be suitable for the manufacture of sodium-ion batteries.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Soil porous microstructure control over soil organic matter mobility: A multimethod workflow for understanding chemistry-dependent organic matter binding in soil

Soil organic matter (SOM) has attracted a great deal of interest; particularly for its potential to mitigate human derived CO 2 emissions. Studies have demonstrated that SOM plays a critical role in carbon storage and CO 2 sequestration. However, the sorption properties of SOM, which influence its transport in pore water and stabilization within the soil, remain poorly understood. This study develops a workflow to: (1) examine compound-specific advective and diffusive transport and desorption behaviors, (2) quantify desorption rates through stop-flow and continuous-flow column experiments, and (3) evaluate the impact of soil microporosity on SOM mobility using high-resolution imaging and extractions. Intact core column experiments were conducted on Uncultivated (Natural) and Cultivated soil samples, both were arid soils, collected in Washington State. X-ray computed tomography was employed to measure porosity and pore connectivity, while Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry was used to analyze SOM composition. The findings revealed that cultivation increased total carbon and nitrogen levels due to irrigation and fertilization, enhancing carbon capture potential in arid soils. In contrast, the Natural soil, characterized by higher porosity and connectivity, contained more oxidized carbon. Pore network analysis indicated that soil compaction in the Cultivated soil may lead to longer diffusion pathways, significantly influencing SOM transport and stability.

Hydraulic Properties↗

Bismuth Subcarbonate Decorated Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite for the Sensitive Stripping Voltammetry Analysis of Pb(II) and Cd(II) in Water

In this paper, bismuth subcarbonate (BiO)2CO3-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite incorporated in Nafion matrix ((BiO)2CO3-rGO-Nafion) was synthesized and further applied, for the first time, in the sensitive detection of Pb(II) and Cd(II) by square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). The as-synthesized nanocomposites were characterized by energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). (BiO)2CO3 composite plays a key role in the improvement of the detection sensitivity, which can form multicomponent alloy with cadmium and lead. Additionally, the unique structure of rGO can enlarge the surface area and provide abundant active sites. Moreover, Nafion incorporation in the nanocomposite can effectively increase the adhesion and mechanical strength of the film, and further improve the preconcetration ability due to the cation-exchange capacity of its abundant sulfonate groups. As expected, the (BiO)2CO3-rGO/Nafion nanocomposite-modified glassy carbon electrode ((BiO)2CO3-rGO-Nafion/GCE) achieved low detection limits of 0.24 μg/L for Pb(II) and 0.16 μg/L for Cd(II), in the linear range of 1.0–60 μg/L, and showed some excellent performance, such as high stability, good selectivity, and sensitivity. Finally, synthetic water samples were prepared and further used to verify the practicability of the (BiO)2CO3-rGO-Nafion/GCE with satisfactory results.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

A structured framework for predicting sustainable aviation fuel properties using liquid-phase FTIR and machine learning

Sustainable aviation fuels have the potential to improve efficiency, reduce emissions, and enhance energy security. To help identify viable sustainable aviation fuels and accelerate research, machine learning models have been developed to predict relevant physicochemical properties. However, many models have limited applicability, leverage data from complex analytical techniques with confined spectral ranges, or use feature decomposition methods that offer limited interpretability. Using liquid-phase Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra, this study presents a structured method for creating accurate and interpretable property prediction models for neat molecules, aviation fuels, and blends. Liquid FTIR spectra can be collected quickly and consistently, offering high reliability, sensitivity, and component specificity using less than 2 ml of sample. The method first decomposes FTIR spectra into fundamental building blocks using non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) to enable scientific analysis of FTIR spectra attributes and fuel properties. The NMF features are then used to create five ensemble models for predicting final boiling point, flash point, freezing point, density at 15°C, and kinematic viscosity at -20°C. All models were trained using experimental property data from neat molecules, aviation fuels, and blends. The models accurately predict key properties across a broad range of neat molecules and representative fuels and blends, while enabling interpretation of relationships between compositional elements, such as functional groups or chemical classes, and their resulting properties. This demonstrates strong potential to support sustainable aviation fuel research and development. The models and data are available on an interactive web tool.

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy↗

Spectrograph stabilization using a single-delay interferometer on the Hale Telescope

We describe a technique for spectrograph stabilization useful when conventional mitigation techniques of vacuum tanks, thermal insulation, and laser frequency comb may be impractical, expensive, heavy, or bulky. This includes spectrographs on airborne platforms or mounted on telescopes where they suffer a changing gravity vector or other drifts. Placing a fixed-delay interferometer in series with a spectrograph forms an externally dispersed interferometer (EDI). This produces a uniform sinusoidal comb multiplying input spectrum, creating (through heterodyning) beats (moiré patterns). In Fourier space for low frequencies up to the comb frequency, the moiré generated signal counter-rotates to ordinary spectra under an unknown disperser wavenumber drift Δx. This generates a large negative feedback signal useful in a conceptual control loop, to converge rapidly to a stable spectrum and yield Δx. A modified EDI data analysis algorithm (“crossfading”) combines frequency-weighted moiré with conventional spectrum to cancel net output spectrum reaction to Δx. Needing only a single-delay, this is a practical improvement over prior crossfading analyses requiring multiple delays. We test crossfading on ThAr data near 4850 cm−1 taken on Hale telescope in an earlier project. In a single pass, we reduce drift 20 times. Using seven iterations, we reduce 0.5 cm−1 (31 km/s Doppler equivalent) drift to 4×10−7 cm−1 (2.5 cm/s). The interferometer delay can wander, because linearity of phase versus wavenumber interpolates science features between bracketing calibrating spectral references. Second, mathematically reversing the heterodyning effect doubles effective spectral resolution without changing disperser slit.

Erskine, David J [Lawrence Livermore National Labo↗

Powder Diffraction Crystallography : 98 Years as Plan B?

A historical essay written in 2014 to accompany a talk in the Transactions Symposium "100 Years of Crystallography" at the 2014 American Crystallographic Association Annual Meeting (talk at https://history.amercrystalassn.org/h-brian-toby-videos). Abstract: Powder diffraction patterns were used for structure solution almost contemporaneously with the Bragg’s initial single-crystal determinations. Structures have continued to be determined from powders, in the subsequent century. There has been a nearly explosive growth in this technique since the 1970’s. This was initially driven by neutron diffraction, which prompted the invention of Rietveld analysis, but synchrotrons have gone on to have at least as large an impact. There is no apparent upper limit to the scale of systems that can be structurally studied with powder diffraction; novel protein structures have been determined. When short-range ordering or disordered regions of a material are of interest, the Fourier transform of a powder diffraction pattern, the pair distribution function can be modeled.

Toby, Brian H.↗

FTICR-MS Data from Multi-continent River Water and Sediment and from Coastal River Fresh and Saline Sediment Associated with: “Dissolved Organic Matter Functional Trait Relationships are Conserved Across Rivers”

This data package is associated with the publication “Dissolved Organic Matter Functional Trait Relationships are Conserved Across Rivers” submitted to PNAS (Stegen et al., 2023). The study aims to understand large-scale spatial structure of the dissolved organic matter (DOM) thermodynamic traits and inter-trait relationships by investigating (1) river water and sediments collected along 97 rivers spanning 3 continents and (2) coastal sediment collected from fresh and saline locations in Pacific and Gulf/Atlantic rivers. Sediment extracts and water samples were analyzed using ultrahigh resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS). This dataset is comprised of three folders (1) Coastal, (2) WHONDR_S19S, and (3) Data_Dictionaries. Coastal contains (1) a subfolder with processed FTICR-MS data as csv files and sample collection metadata, (2) a subfolder with R scripts used to process the data and create associated figures, (3) a subfolder with the raw, unprocessed FTICR-MS data as .xml files, and (4) a readme file with more information about the dataset and instructions for using Formularity (https://omics.pnl.gov/software/formularity). WHONDRS_S19S contains (1) a csv file with processed FTICR data, (2) a csv with sample collection metadata, (3) a csv with sample geospatial data, (4) a csv with simulated lambda model outputs, (5) a subfolder with R scripts used to process the data and create associated figures, and (6) a readme file with more information regarding WHONDRS raw FTICR data and processing scripts. Data_Dictionaries contains data dictionaries for each csv file in the data package. The 97 global river corridors were part of a WHONDRS (https://whondrs.pnnl.gov) study. The raw, unprocessed FTICR-MS data with additional data can be found at doi:10.15485/1729719 for sediments and doi:10.15485/1603775 for water. This data package contains the processed data used in the associated manuscript. The coastal data has not been previously published, and this data package contains both the raw and processed data. Version 3 of this data package published February 2023 includes updates to the title of the manuscript, additional data and data dictionary and updated scripts linked to new analysis.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Effect of plasma treatment on LMPAEK/CF tape and composites manufactured by automated tape placement (ATP)

Automated tape placement (ATP) process is widely used in aerospace for its advanced process control and multi-axis capabilities but faces issues like limited choice of materials and suboptimal tape consolidation. This study investigates air plasma treatment on ATP carbon fiber thermoplastic feedstock tape to address these challenges. The effects on low melt Polyaryletherketone/carbon fiber unidirectional tape (LMPAEK/CF UD tape) were analyzed. Treated and untreated tapes were used to fabricate composites and evaluated for physical, thermal, mechanical, and interfacial properties. Atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analyses revealed surface roughness changes (on LMPAEK), extent of oxidation, and the presence of hydroxyl/carboxyl groups. Composites from plasma-treated tapes showed a 7.6% increase in tensile strength, 8% in tensile modulus, 18% in flexural strength, and 8.3% in flexural modulus. Further, the interlaminar shear strength improved by 18.7%. Failure analysis showed untreated composites failed via inter-ply and fiber-matrix delamination, while treated composites experienced matrix cracking and fiber breakage. This study highlights atmospheric plasma treatment as a solution to ATP’s limitations, significantly enhancing LMPAEK/CF UD tape composites’ properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Chloride Salt Purification by Reaction With Thionyl Chloride Vapors to Remove Oxygen, Oxygenated Compounds, and Hydroxides

Molten chloride salts (including MgCl 2 , KCl, NaCl, and ZnCl 2 ) are being considered for heat transfer media for renewable (solar) and nuclear power generators, as fuel carrier for nuclear reactors, and as thermal energy storage media. Impurities such as oxygen, hydroxides, moisture, and sulfur are known to negatively influence the corrosion of materials in contact with the salt (e.g., structural metals). Commercially available chloride salts come with a range of impurities. Before using the chloride salts at high temperature, it is desirable to remove the impurities to increase the performance of the salt and reduce corrosion. In this study, we tested the use of thionyl chloride vaporized into a stream of argon to react with oxygenated impurities in a mixture of MgCl 2 -KCl-NaCl, removing them as HCl and SO 2 . The reagent was bubbled through the salt when both above and below the melting point. The reaction was followed using thermocouple data from the salt and by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy on the exhaust of the reactor. The reaction kinetics were followed by comparing the peaks from SO 2 product to SOCl 2 reagent in the FTIR spectra. The purity of the salt was assessed at the end of the purification process by x-ray diffraction and inductively coupled plasma analysis. Although the process was effective in removing the oxygen content of the mixture, ternary compounds were formed in the process, including KNiCl 3 and KMgCl 3 . The nickel in KNiCl 3 came from the reaction between the salt and the nickel vessel. Thus, these experiments suggest that improvements to the process must be made before using SOCl 2 vapors for the purification of chloride salts.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗