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At least 451 records · Page 25

FY23 Update: Aerosol Sampling for the Canister Deposition Field Demonstration

This report describes the results of preliminary testing of aerosol monitoring equipment that will be used to continuously monitor the aerosol source term for the multi-year Canister Deposition Field Demonstration (CDFD). These data are required inputs for the development and validation of models for the deposition of dust and potentially corrosive salts on the surface of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) dry storage canisters. Surface salt loads correlate with the extent of corrosion damage on a metal surface, and potentially to the likelihood and timing of initiation of stress corrosion cracks. Aerosols will be monitored at the CDFD site using three instruments. A Dekati ® ELPI+ cascade impactor will be used for real-time monitoring of aerosol particle sizes. It will also collect dust in 14 size bins on impactor targets that can be chemically analyzed to determine the soluble salts present as a function of particle size. However, this instrument can only measure dried aerosols, with a diameter of <10 µm. The second instrument is a Topas laser particle size spectrometer, which provides real-time monitoring of aerosol particle sizes up to ~40 µm in size. It monitors both the ambient (potentially deliquesced) aerosol particle size distributions required for the dust deposition models and the distributions of the equivalent dried particles, allowing correlation with the Dekati ® data. However, it does not discriminate between inert dust particles and salt aerosols, and it does not retain samples of the different particle sizes for later analysis. The third instrument that will monitor aerosols at the CDFD site is a Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET) tower, which uses a multiple canister system to collect weekly samples for analysis to total suspended aerosol particle compositions and atmospheric gas concentrations. This status report describes work in FY23 to develop the capabilities for using these tools. In two training exercises, the cascade impactor and laser particle sizer were deployed in two different testing environments, one indoor and one outdoor. For the cascade impactor, the tests provided opportunities for the operators to familiarize themselves with impactor substrate preparation, and post-test sample removal and analysis. For the laser particle sizer, the tests were used to evaluate different instrument parameters, to determine the most appropriate settings for capturing transient events. Data and samples were collected for weeks to months for each test, and the results are presented here. In addition to the preliminary testing, contracts were developed with WSP Analytical Labs for sample preparation and analysis of the cascade impactor samples. The impactor tower from outdoor test was delivered to WSP and used to train the staff there in disassembly, sample extraction, sample analysis, and tower reassembly with new target substrates. These are tasks that WSP will be performing routinely for the CDFD project. The CASTNET system cannot be purchased or tested until an actual site has been selected for the CDFD test. Work for this FY has been restricted to preparation of contracts for purchasing the CASTNET tower, and for sample analysis, once the tower is in operation.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Let’s Stick Together: Interplay of Moisture, Particle Size, and Anatomical Fraction in the Flowability of Corn Stover Crumbles

Handling of agricultural waste biomass feedstocks (such as corn stover) is a persistent challenge in the production of biofuels and chemicals at integrated biorefineries. Inconsistent flowability and high feedstock variability creates equipment downtime and processing challenges. This work investigates the influence of anatomical fractionation and moisture content on the bulk solids handling behavior of corn stover crumbles. A combination of rotational shear testing, tribological measurements, and surface and sorption characterization techniques (inverse gas chromatography (IGC), dynamic vapor sorption (DVS), and electron microscopy) were used to evaluate the contributions of particle composition, size, and surface properties to flow behavior. Shear and frictional testing revealed that moisture content has the greatest effect on flowability, significantly increasing unconfined yield strength (ƒ c ) and reducing the flow function coefficient (F F C), regardless of anatomical fraction. While differences in surface energy were observed between fractions, particularly in polar contributions (γ AB ), these did not correspond to meaningful differences in flow behavior. Coarser 6 mm particles exhibited poorer flow performance than 4 mm crumbles, likely due to broader particle size distributions and increased particle interlocking. Taken together, these results suggest that anatomical fractionation provides minimal benefit from a bulk handling perspective. Moisture content and particle size heterogeneity dominate handling behavior, reinforcing the utility of unfractionated corn stover in processing environments. These insights can inform the design of more efficient and reliable feedstock processing systems for agricultural biomass in integrated biorefineries.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

A New Framework for Interstellar Medium Emission Line Models: Connecting Multiscale Simulations across Cosmological Volumes

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array have detected emission lines from the ionized interstellar medium (ISM) in some of the first galaxies at z ≳ 6. These measurements present an opportunity to better understand galaxy assembly histories and may allow important tests of state-of-the-art galaxy formation simulations. It is challenging, however, to model these lines in their proper cosmological context. In order to meet this challenge, we introduce a novel subgrid line emission modeling framework. The framework uses the high-z zoom-in simulation suite from the Feedback in Realistic Environments (FIRE) collaboration. The line emission signals from H II regions within each simulated FIRE galaxy are modeled using the semianalytic HIIL INES code. A machine learning approach is then used to determine the conditional probability distribution for the line luminosity to stellar-mass ratio from the H II regions around each simulated stellar particle. This conditional probability distribution can then be applied to predict the line luminosities around stellar particles in lower-resolution, yet larger volume cosmological simulations. As an example, we apply this approach to the IllustrisTNG simulations at z = 6. The resulting predictions for the [O II ], [O III ], and Balmer line luminosities as a function of star formation rate agree well with current observations. Our predictions differ, however, from related works in the literature, which lack detailed subgrid ISM models. This highlights the importance of our multiscale simulation modeling framework. Finally, we provide forecasts for future line luminosity function measurements from the JWST and quantify the cosmic variance in such surveys.

(ISM:) H II regions↗

Maximum entropy distributions of dark matter in ΛCDM cosmology

Context. Small-scale challenges to ΛCDM cosmology require a deeper understanding of dark matter physics. Aims. This paper aims to develop the maximum entropy distributions for dark matter particle velocity (denoted by X ), speed (denoted by Z ), and energy (denoted by E ) that are especially relevant on small scales where system approaches full virialization. Methods. For systems involving long-range interactions, a spectrum of halos of different sizes is required to form to maximize system entropy. While the velocity in halos can be Gaussian, the velocity distribution throughout the entire system, involving all halos of different sizes, is non-Gaussian. With the virial theorem for mechanical equilibrium, we applied the maximum entropy principle to the statistical equilibrium of entire system, such that the maximum entropy distribution of velocity (the X distribution) could be analytically derived. The halo mass function was not required in this formulation, but it did indeed result from the maximum entropy. Results. The predicted X distribution involves a shape parameter α and a velocity scale, v 0 . The shape parameter α reflects the nature of force ( α → 0 for long-range force or α → ∞ for short-range force). Therefore, the distribution approaches Laplacian with α → 0 and Gaussian with α → ∞. For an intermediate value of α , the distribution naturally exhibits a Gaussian core for v ≪ v 0 and exponential wings for v ≫ v 0 , as confirmed by N -body simulations. From this distribution, the mean particle energy of all dark matter particles with a given speed, v , follows a parabolic scaling for low speeds (∝ v 2 for v ≪ v 0 in halo core region, i.e., “Newtonian”) and a linear scaling for high speeds (∝ v for v ≫ v 0 in halo outskirt, i.e., exhibiting “non-Newtonian” behavior due to long-range gravity). We compared our results against N -body simulations and found a good agreement.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Algebraic model to study the internal structure of pseudoscalar mesons with heavy-light quark content

The internal structure of all lowest-lying pseudoscalar mesons with heavy-light quark content is studied in detail using an algebraic model that has been applied recently, and successfully, to the same physical observables of pseudoscalar and vector mesons with hidden-flavor quark content, from light to heavy quark sectors. The algebraic model consists on constructing simple and evidence-based of the meson’s Bethe-Salpeter amplitude (BSA) and quark’s propagator in such a way that the Bethe-Salpeter wave function (BSWF) can then be readily computed algebraically. Its subsequent projection onto the light front yields the light front wave function (LFWF) whose form allows us a simple access to the valence-quark parton distribution amplitude (PDA) by integrating over the transverse momentum squared. We exploit our current knowledge of the PDAs of lowest-lying pseudoscalar heavy-light mesons to compute their generalized parton distributions (GPDs) through the overlap representation of LFWFs. From these three dimensional knowledge, different limits/projections lead us to deduce the related parton distribution functions (PDFs), electromagnetic form factors (EFFs), and impact parameter space GPDs (IPS-GPDs). When possible, we make explicit comparisons with available experimental results and earlier theoretical predictions. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

High repetition rate mapping of the interaction between a laser plasma and magnetized background plasma via laser induced fluorescence

In this work, the laminar coupling of energy between a laser-produced plasma and a background magnetized plasma was investigated via planar laser induced fluorescence diagnostic and magnetic flux probes. Experiments performed on the Large Plasma Device at the University of California, Los Angeles, mapped out the two-dimensional spatiotemporal evolution of the laser-plasma (debris) ion velocity distribution function (VDF) to assess debris-background coupling in a sub-Alfvénic regime. The acquisition of these data necessitates high repetition rate (1 Hz) as each dataset is the accumulation of thousands of laser shots, which would not be feasible in single-shot experiments. Fully kinetic, three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations are compared to the measured VDFs to provide a framework in which we can understand the coupling of a sub-Alfvénic plasma flow through a preformed, magnetized plasma. The simulations display the same departure from the expected gyromotion of the debris plasma as observed in the experimental data, and in conjunction with the measured magnetic field traces, have led to the direct observation of the collisionless coupling via laminar fields.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Off-shell pion properties: Electromagnetic form factors and light-front wave functions

The off-shell pion electromagnetic form factors are explored with corresponding off-shell light-front wave functions modeled by constituent quark and antiquark. We apply the Mandelstam approach for the microscopic computation of the form factors relating the model parameters with the pion decay constant and charge radius. Analyzing the existing data on the cross sections for the Sullivan process, 1 H(e,e',π + )⁢n, Charged pion form factor between Q 2 = 0.60, and 2.45 GeV 2 . I. Measurements of the cross section for the 1 H⁡(e,e'⁢π + )⁢n reaction, we extract the off-shell pion form factor using the relation derived from the generalized Ward-Takahashi identity for the pion electromagnetic current. They are compared with our previous results from exactly solvable manifestly covariant model of a (3+1)-dimensional fermion field theory. We find that the adopted constituent quark model reproduces the extracted off-shell form factor F 1 ⁡(Q 2 ,t) from the experimental data within a few percent difference and matches well with our previous theoretical simulation which exhibits a variation of about 10% for the extracted off-shell pion form factor g(Q 2 ,t). We also identify the pion valence parton distribution function (PDF) and transverse momentum distribution (TMD) in terms of the light-front wave function and discuss their off-shell properties.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Crystal nucleation rates in one-component Yukawa systems

Nucleation in the supercooled Yukawa system is relevant for addressing current challenges in understanding a range of crystallizing systems including white dwarf (WD) stars. We use both brute force and seeded molecular dynamics simulations to study homogeneous nucleation of crystals from supercooled Yukawa liquids. With our improved approach to seeded simulations, we obtain quantitative predictions of the crystal nucleation rate and cluster size distributions as a function of temperature and screening length. These quantitative results show trends towards fast nucleation with short-ranged potentials. They also indicate that for temperatures T > 0.9⁢T m , where T m is the melt temperature, classical homogeneous nucleation is too slow to initiate crystallization but transient clusters of ~100 particles should be common. As a result, we apply these general results to a typical WD model and obtain a delay of ~0.6 Gyr in the onset of crystallization that may be observable.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Using Direct Laboratory Measurements of Electron Temperature Anisotropy to Identify the Heating Mechanism in Electron-Only Guide Field Magnetic Reconnection

Anisotropic electron heating during electron-only magnetic reconnection with a large guide magnetic field is directly measured in a laboratory plasma through in situ measurements of electron velocity distribution functions. Electron heating preferentially parallel to the magnetic field is localized to one separatrix, and anisotropies of 1.5 are measured. The mechanism for electron energization is identified as the parallel reconnection electric field because of the anisotropic nature of the heating and spatial localization. These characteristics are reproduced in a 2D particle-in-cell simulation and are also consistent with numerous magnetosheath observations. A measured increase in the perpendicular temperature along both separatrices is not reproduced by our 2D simulations. Here, this work has implications for energy partition studies in magnetosheath and laboratory reconnection.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

A Novel Active Optimization Approach for Rapid and Efficient Design Space Exploration Using Ensemble Machine Learning

In this work, a novel design optimization technique based on active learning, which involves dynamic exploration and exploitation of the design space of interest using an ensemble of machine learning algorithms, is presented. In this approach, a hybrid methodology incorporating an explorative weak learner (regularized basis function model) that fits high-level information about the response surface and an exploitative strong learner (based on committee machine) that fits finer details around promising regions identified by the weak learner is employed. For each design iteration, an aristocratic approach is used to select a set of nominees, where points that meet a threshold merit value as predicted by the weak learner are selected for evaluation. In addition to these points, the global optimum as predicted by the strong learner is also evaluated to enable rapid convergence to the actual global optimum once the most promising region has been identified by the optimizer. Additionally, this methodology is first tested by applying it to the optimization of a two-dimensional multi-modal surface and, subsequently, to a complex internal combustion (IC) engine combustion optimization case with nine control parameters related to fuel injection, initial thermodynamic conditions, and in-cylinder flow. It is found that the new approach significantly lowers the number of function evaluations that are needed to reach the optimum design configuration (by up to 80%) when compared to conventional optimization techniques, such as particle swarm and genetic algorithm-based optimization techniques.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Nonextensive hydrodynamics of boost-invariant plasmas

We use quasiparticle anisotropic hydrodynamics to study the non-conformal and non-extensive dynamics of a system undergoing boost-invariant Bjorken expansion. To introduce nonextensivity, we use an underlying Tsallis distribution with a time-dependent nonextensivity parameter q. By taking moments of the quasiparticle Boltzmann equation in the relaxation-time approximation, we obtain dynamical equations which allow us to determine the time evolution of all microscopic parameters including q. We compare numerical solutions for bulk observables obtained using the nonextensive evolution with results obtained using quasiparticle anisotropic hydrodynamics with a Boltzmann distribution function (q → 1). We show that the evolution of the temperature, pressure ratio, and scaled energy density, are quite insensitive to which distribution function is assumed. However, we find significant differences in the early-time evolution of the bulk pressure which are observed for even small deviations from the Boltzmann distribution function. Finally, we discuss the existence of non-conformal hydrodynamic attractors for the longitudinal and transverse pressures, the bulk and shear viscous corrections, and the nonextensivity parameter q.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Final Report: A Multi-Channel Fusion Product

The goal of this project was to measure charged fusion products from the d(d,p)t reaction in MAST-U plasmas as a function of time and position with good energy resolution using a system of up to six charged particle detectors. The data from this new diagnostic will make it possible to determine the neutral beam ion density profile as a function of R, z, and t with reduced model dependency and contribute new information to a global analysis of fast ion diagnostic data needed for the determination of the fast ion distribution function (velocity space tomography).

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Particle-number distribution in large fluctuations at the tip of branching random walks

Here, we investigate properties of the particle distribution near the tip of one-dimensional branching random walks at large times t , focusing on unusual realizations in which the rightmost lead particle is very far ahead of its expected position, but still within a distance smaller than the diffusion radius ~$\sqrt{t}$. Our approach consists in a study of the generating function $G_{Δx}(λ) = Σ_n$ ${λ^n}p_n(Δx)$ for the probabilities $p_n(Δx)$ of observing $\textit{n}$ particles in an interval of given size $Δ\textit{x}$ from the lead particle to its left, fixing the position of the latter. This generating function can be expressed with the help of functions solving the Fisher-Kolmogorov-Petrovsky-Piscounov (FKPP) equation with suitable initial conditions. In the infinite-time and large-$Δ\textit{x}$ limits, we find that the mean number of particles in the interval grows exponentially with $Δ\textit{x}$, and that the generating function obeys a nontrivial scaling law, depending on $Δ\textit{x}$ and λ through the combined variable $[Δx — f(λ)]^3 / Δx^2$, where $\textit{f}$(λ) ≡ – ln(1 – λ) – ln [– ln(1 – λ)]. From this property, one may conjecture that the growth of the typical particle number with the size of the interval is slower than exponential, but, surprisingly enough, only by a subleading factor at large Δ$\textit{x}$. The scaling we argue is consistent with results from a numerical integration of the FKPP equation.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

A Pseudoreversible Normalizing Flow for Stochastic Dynamical Systems with Various Initial Distributions

Here, we present a pseudoreversible normalizing flow method for efficiently generating samples of the state of a stochastic differential equation (SDE) with various initial distributions. The primary objective is to construct an accurate and efficient sampler that can be used as a surrogate model for computationally expensive numerical integration of SDEs, such as those employed in particle simulation. After training, the normalizing flow model can directly generate samples of the SDE’s final state without simulating trajectories. The existing normalizing flow model for SDEs depends on the initial distribution, meaning the model needs to be retrained when the initial distribution changes. The main novelty of our normalizing flow model is that it can learn the conditional distribution of the state, i.e., the distribution of the final state conditional on any initial state, such that the model only needs to be trained once and the trained model can be used to handle various initial distributions. This feature can provide a significant computational saving in studies of how the final state varies with the initial distribution. Additionally, we propose to use a pseudoreversible network architecture to define the normalizing flow model, which has sufficient expressive power and training efficiency for a variety of SDEs in science and engineering, e.g., in particle physics. We provide a rigorous convergence analysis of the pseudoreversible normalizing flow model to the target probability density function in the Kullback–Leibler divergence metric. Numerical experiments are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed normalizing flow model.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Particle production as a function of charged-particle flattenicity in 𝑝⁢𝑝 collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV

This paper reports the first measurement of the transverse momentum (𝑝 T ) spectra of primary charged pions, kaons, (anti)protons, and unidentified particles as a function of the charged-particle flattenicity in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ =13 TeV. Flattenicity is a novel event shape observable that is measured in the pseudorapidity intervals covered by the V0 detector, 2.8 < 𝜂 < 5.1 and −3.7 < 𝜂 < −1.7. According to QCD-inspired phenomenological models, it shows sensitivity to multiparton interactions and is less affected by biases toward larger 𝑝 T due to local multiplicity fluctuations in the V0 acceptance than multiplicity. The analysis is performed in minimum-bias (MB) as well as in high-multiplicity events up to 𝑝 T = 20 GeV/⁢𝑐. The event selection requires at least one charged particle produced in the pseudorapidity interval |𝜂| < 1. The measured 𝑝 T distributions, average 𝑝 T , kaon-to-pion and proton-to-pion particle ratios, presented in this paper, are compared to model calculations using pythia 8 based on color strings and EPOS LHC. The modification of the 𝑝 T -spectral shapes in low-flattenicity events that have large event activity with respect to those measured in MB events develops a pronounced peak at intermediate 𝑝 T (2 < 𝑝 T < 8 GeV/𝑐), and approaches the vicinity of unity at higher 𝑝 T . The results are qualitatively described by pythia, and they show different behavior than those measured as a function of charged-particle multiplicity based on the V0M estimator.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

A Model of Grain Boundary Complexion Transitions and Grain Growth in Yttria-Doped Alumina

In this work, we present a physically-parameterized microstructure evolution model for the Yttria-doped alumina system. Yttria-doped alumina is a well-known ceramic system which undergoes first-order phase-like transitions at grain boundaries, which can radically alter interface properties. The change in interfacial properties in turn can radically change microstructure outcomes during processing, including the induction of abnormal grain growth modes. In this work, we develop a simulation that evolves alumina microstructure as a function of yttria concentration and temperature. In the window studied, we achieve strong agreement with reviewed experimental results in identifying the windows for large grains, small grains, abnormal grain growth, and complexion transition kinetics. We then apply the model to study and demonstrate how the possible inclusion of second-phase particles or uneven solute distribution profiles will impact microstructure evolution. It is found that particles do not significantly affect abnormal grain growth in the window studied (but do lead to reduced grain size through pinning effects). It is found that even modest amounts of solute inhomogeneity will result in substantial changes in microstructure outcomes, frequently leading to clusters of abnormal grains. This model largely corroborates the expectations and hypotheses made from recent experimental studies in oxide-doped alumina systems. Further, it is found that there exists a peak transition fraction for the system at which abnormal grain size tends to be maximized.

Grain Growth, Grain Boundary Complexion, abnormal ↗

New Insights into Nonthermal Plasma-Assisted Poly(vinyl alcohol) Depolymerization Catalyzed by TiO 2

Here, in this study, we investigated the solid residual poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and TiO 2 after nonthermal air, CO 2 , and N 2 plasma depolymerization in the absence and presence of TiO 2 . Scanning electron microscopy studies showed the absence of highly viscous tar and carbonaceous residues on the surfaces of PVA and TiO 2 . In the absence of TiO 2 , PVA particles exhibited micron-sized holes on their surfaces, whereas in the presence of TiO 2 , the surface roughness of PVA particles was observed at the submicron scale. These observations suggest that TiO 2 facilitates the even distribution of nonthermal plasma at a submicron scale, leading to a more uniform depolymerization of PVA surfaces. Raman, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy showed that (i) the surface of residual PVA contains mainly ketone functional groups and less C-H bonds than the pristine PVA and (ii) further confirmed the absence of highly viscous tar and carbonaceous residues on both used TiO 2 and residual PVA. The nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopy suggested that the PVA is growing back to poly polyvinyl acetate by the esterification reaction, and the ethers are produced by the acetal reaction between PVA and aldehyde. The transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis indicated no major crystal structural change of the TiO 2 catalyst after the plasma reactions. This study demonstrates that nonthermal plasma-assisted depolymerization is a viable alternative to thermal depolymerization, offering the unique advantage of converting polymer wastes into gaseous small organic molecules without generating recalcitrant viscous tar and carbonaceous residues on the surfaces of the polymer and TiO 2 catalysts.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Thermal Experiments for Fractured Rock Characterization: Theoretical Analysis and Inverse Modeling

Abstract Field‐scale properties of fractured rocks play a crucial role in many subsurface applications, yet methodologies for identification of the statistical parameters of a discrete fracture network (DFN) are scarce. We present an inversion technique to infer two such parameters, fracture density and fractal dimension, from cross‐borehole thermal experiments data. It is based on a particle‐based heat‐transfer model, whose evaluation is accelerated with a deep neural network (DNN) surrogate that is integrated into a grid search. The DNN is trained on a small number of the heat‐transfer model runs and predicts the cumulative density function of the thermal field. The latter is used to compute fine posterior distributions of the (to be estimated) parameters. Our synthetic experiments reveal that fracture density is well constrained by data, while fractal dimension is harder to determine. Adding nonuniform prior information related to the DFN connectivity improves the inference of this parameter.

Zhou, Zitong↗