Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Interface dynamics”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 469 records · Page 26

The allosteric mechanism leading to an open-groove lipid conductive state of the TMEM16F scramblase

TMEM16F is a Ca 2+ -activated phospholipid scramblase in the TMEM16 family of membrane proteins. Unlike other TMEM16s exhibiting a membrane-exposed hydrophilic groove that serves as a translocation pathway for lipids, the experimentally determined structures of TMEM16F shows the groove in a closed conformation even under conditions of maximal scramblase activity. It is currently unknown if/how TMEM16F groove can open for lipid scrambling. Here we describe the analysis of ~400 µs all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the TMEM16F revealing an allosteric mechanism leading to an open-groove, lipid scrambling competent state of the protein. The groove opens into a continuous hydrophilic conduit that is highly similar in structure to that seen in other activated scramblases. The allosteric pathway connects this opening to an observed destabilization of the Ca 2+ ion bound at the distal site near the dimer interface, to the dynamics of specific protein regions that produces the open-groove state to scramble phospholipids.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

In-situ/operando X-ray absorption spectroscopic investigation of the electrode/electrolyte interface on the molecular scale

A method for performing X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) in the soft X-ray region was developed to investigate the surface-sensitive electron signal of electrode/electrolyte interfaces in common multivalent based organic solvents under in situ/operando conditions. Our approach enables us to probe the molecular-scale structure of electrode interfaces by measuring total electron yield and is suitable for redox systems exhibiting low intrinsic electrochemical current. In-situ F K-edge XAS measurements in a 0.5 M Magnesium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonimide)/2-Methyltetrahydrofuran (Mg(TFSI) 2 /2-MeTHF) electrolyte were carried out to determine the evolution of interfacial species during the electrochemical charging/discharging process. Time-dependent density-functional theory (TD-DFT) simulation indicate that the F K-edge evolution is the result of interfacial chemical environment change driven by electrochemical potential. In addition, we performed the “operando XAS” which runs the CV and collects spectra simultaneously. Furthermore, by using this method, the non-equilibrium state of condensed matter interfaces and interfacial dynamical transient process can be revealed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Conformational Dynamics of AcrA Govern Multidrug Efflux Pump Assembly

Multidrug efflux pumps of pathogenic, Gram-negative bacteria comprise an innate resistance mechanism and are key contributors to the emerging global pandemic of antibiotic resistance. Several increasingly detailed cryo-electron microscopy maps have been resolved of an entire efflux pump complex, AcrAB–TolC, resulting in atomistic structural models. Using a recent model, we have carried out nearly 40 μs of molecular dynamics simulations to study one of the key components of the protein complex AcrA, the membrane fusion protein that connects the inner-membrane-bound AcrB to the outer-membrane-bound TolC. Here, we determined a three-dimensional potential of mean force (PMF) for AcrA, which displays two main conformational basins representing assembly competent and incompetent states. Corresponding experiments show that stabilizing mutations at an interdomain interface shift the dynamic equilibrium between these states to the incompetent one, disrupting pump assembly and function and resensitizing bacteria to existing antibiotics. The modulation of AcrA dynamics through pharmacological intervention therefore presents a promising route for the development of new antibiotics.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Improving Efficiency and Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells Enabled by A Near-Infrared-Absorbing Moisture Barrier

Simultaneously improving device efficiency and stability is the most important issue in perovskite solar cell (PSC) research. Here, we strategically introduce a multi-functional interface layer (MFIL) with integrated roles of: (1) electron transport, (2) moisture barrier, (3) near-infrared photocurrent enhancement, (4) trap passivation, and (5) ion migration suppression to enhance the device performance. The narrow-band-gap non-fullerene acceptor, Y6, was screened out to replace the most commonly used PCBM in the inverted PSCs. A significantly improved power conversion efficiency of 21.0% was achieved, along with a remarkable stability (up to 1,700 h) without encapsulation under various external stimuli (light, heat, and moisture). Furthermore, systematic studies of the molecular orientation or passivation and the charge carrier dynamics at the interface between perovskite and MFIL were presented. These results offer deep insights for designing advanced interlayers and establish the correlations between molecular orientation, interface molecular bonding, trap state density, non-radiation recombination, and the device performance.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Damage initiation and evolution in Al-Si layered microstructures under shock loading conditions at atomic scales

Designing materials with microstructural features like multiphase interfaces have shown significant promise for usage in the next generation defense and nuclear applications. The dynamic response of these interfaces in extreme environments is observed to vary with the deformability of individual phases, which could subsequently alter the favored damage nucleation sites related to spall failure. Here, we investigate the role of spacing of interfaces in a nanocrystalline layered Aluminum-Silicon system on the shock wave propagation behavior, and microstructural and defect evolution using classical molecular dynamics simulations. The simulations are carried out with different hypothetical Al/Si microstructures including variations in the distribution of Si grains as layers in a nanocrystalline Al matrix. The molecular dynamics simulations suggest that spall failure is preferentially initiated at Al/Si interfaces. In addition, for the same system volume and same concentration of Si, a higher number of layers is marked by an increase in shock wave velocity and reduced resistance to spall failure.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Quantifying the Impact of Electric Fields on the Local Structure and Migration of Potassium Ions at the Orthoclase (001) Surface

Developing an understanding of the response of mineral/water interfaces to applied electric fields is central to detecting and interpreting signatures of interfacial processes in the subsurface. Here we focus density functional theory calculations on understanding K + cation binding and diffusion across the (001) surface of orthoclase feldspar under various applied electric fields with and without surface hydration. The calculations reveal how water ligands labilize surface K + cations for diffusion while also increasing their sensitivity to electric field effects on the binding energy at different surface sites. The calculations also show how the direction and strength of the electric field systematically affect surface cation mobility, sorption, and hydration behavior. Specifically, electric fields directed toward the surface increase the potassium binding energies, facilitate K + diffusion across multiple binding sites, and increase the propensity of surface K + ions to lose their hydration shells. Furthermore, the findings help fill a major knowledge gap into the impact of electric fields on mineral/water interface structure and dynamics more generally, featuring in this case a commonly found type of feldspar involved in a multitude of atmospheric and geochemical processes.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Structural and dynamic changes in P-Rex1 upon activation by PIP 3 and inhibition by IP 4

PIP 3 -dependent Rac exchanger 1 (P-Rex1) is abundantly expressed in neutrophils and plays central roles in chemotaxis and cancer metastasis by serving as a guanine-nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Rac. The enzyme is synergistically activated by PIP 3 and heterotrimeric Gβγ subunits, but mechanistic details remain poorly understood. While investigating the regulation of P-Rex1 by PIP 3 , we discovered that Ins(1,3,4,5)P 4 (IP 4 ) inhibits P-Rex1 activity and induces large decreases in backbone dynamics in diverse regions of the protein. Cryo-electron microscopy analysis of the P-Rex1·IP 4 complex revealed a conformation wherein the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain occludes the active site of the Dbl homology (DH) domain. This configuration is stabilized by interactions between the first DEP domain (DEP1) and the DH domain and between the PH domain and a 4-helix bundle (4HB) subdomain that extends from the C-terminal domain of P-Rex1. Disruption of the DH–DEP1 interface in a DH/PH-DEP1 fragment enhanced activity and led to a more extended conformation in solution, whereas mutations that constrain the occluded conformation led to decreased GEF activity. Variants of full-length P-Rex1 in which the DH–DEP1 and PH–4HB interfaces were disturbed exhibited enhanced activity during chemokineinduced cell migration, confirming that the observed structure represents the autoinhibited state in living cells. Interactions with PIP 3 -containing liposomes led to disruption of these interfaces and increased dynamics protein-wide. Our results further suggest that inositol phosphates such as IP 4 help to inhibit basal P-Rex1 activity in neutrophils, similar to their inhibitory effects on phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Exchange bias training relaxation in spin glass/ferromagnet bilayers

A canonical spin glass (SG) FeAu layer is fabricated to couple to a soft ferromagnet (FM) FeNi layer. Below the SG freezing temperature, exchange bias (EB) and training are observed. Training in SG/FM bilayers is insensitive to cooling field and may suppress the EB or change the sign of the EB field from negative to positive at specific temperatures, violating from the simple power-law or the single exponential function derived from the antiferromagnet based systems. In view of the SG nature, we employ a double decay model to distinguish the contributions from the SG bulk and the SG/FM interface to training. Dynamical properties during training under different cooling fields and at different temperatures are discussed, and the nonzero shifting coefficient in the time index as a signature of slowing-down decay for SG based systems is interpreted by means of a modified Monte Carlo Metropolis algorithm.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Aqueous-Phase Acetic Acid Ketonization over Monoclinic Zirconia

The effect of aqueous phase on the acetic acid ketonization over monoclinic zirconia has been investigated using first-principles based density functional theory (DFT) calculations. To capture the aqueous phase chemistry over the solid zirconia catalyst surface, the aqueous phase is represented by 111 explicit water molecules with a liquid water density of 0.93 g/cm3 and the monoclinic zirconia is modeled by the most stable surface structure . The dynamic nature of aqueous phase/ interface was studied using ab initio molecular dynamics simulation, indicating that nearly half of the surface Zr sites are occupied by either adsorbed water molecules or hydroxyl groups at 550 K. DFT calculations show that the adsorption process of acetic acid from the liquid water phase to the surface is nearly thermodynamically neutral with a Gibbs free energy of -2.3 kJ/mol although the adsorption strength of acetic acid on the surface in aqueous phase is much stronger than in vapor phase. Therefore it is expected that the adsorption of acetic acid will dramatically affects aqueous phase ketonization reactivity over the monoclinic zirconia catalyst. Using the same ketonization mechanism via the β-keto acid intermediate, we have compared acetic acid ketonization to acetone in both vapor and aqueous phases. Our DFT calculation results show although the rate-determining step of the β-keto acid formation via the C-C coupling is not pronouncedly affected, the presence of liquid water molecules will dramatically affect dehydrogenation and hydrogenation steps via proton transfer mechanism. This work was financially supported by the United States Department of Energy (DOE)’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) and performed at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). PNNL is a multi-program national laboratory operated for DOE by Battelle Memorial Institute. Computing time and advanced catalyst characterization use was granted by a user proposal at the William R. Wiley Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL). EMSL is a national scientific user facility sponsored by the Department of Energy’s Office of Biological and Environmental Research and located at PNNL.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Assessment of a Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics Method for Thin Film on Textured Surfaces

A large number of previous studies suggest that the behavior of the near-wall liquid micro-layer plays a key role in boiling heat transfer and boiling crisis; see examples. The thin liquid layer interacts with heater surface and 'external' two-phase flow. The net effects of these interactions define the micro-hydrodynamics that leads to dryout. As a result, a good understanding of the thin-layer hydrodynamics is significant for the accurate prediction of CHF. Recently, with the advent of nanotechnology including micro-scale manufacturing, it becomes possible to perform high heat-flux boiling experiments with controlled surface conditions. Although many reports show rich observations about the effects of surface characteristics on CHF, physical mechanisms remain not fully understood. In order to have better understanding of the above phenomena, several computational models are developed, ranging from the lubrication theory to CFD methods. The former models are limited to one-dimensional formulation and unable to deal with the dry-out phenomena. It turns out that CFD methods have a greater potential for the mechanistic study of boiling. Towards the study objective, a particle-based CFD method called Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) is adopted. SPH is a Lagrangian particle method for solving systems of partial differential equations. Originally SPH is proposed for fluid dynamics in the context of astrophysical problems. Because mass and density are introduced during the particle approximation, SPH is also applied in fluid dynamic problems, where mass and density are important parameters to determine, without mass loss (a limitation of interface capturing schemes in mesh-based methods). Besides, geometrically complex and/or dynamic boundaries and interfaces can be handled without undue difficulty in SPH. Currently, most SPH simulations focus on large-scale scenarios (meter scale), like flooding and solitary wave. Also some works have been done with SPH in pore-scale. As for micro- or nano-scale simulation, people usually apply Dissipative Particle Dynamics (DPD) and Molecular Dynamics (MD) for particle-based simulation. Almost no work has been done on micro-scale with SPH, so assessments are needed to investigate the capability of SPH in application of micro-hydrodynamics. The Phenomena Identification and Ranking Table (PIRT) is applied to align application's technical requirements with associated physics and materials, models, simulation code capabilities and verification, validation and uncertainty quantification activities. The figures of merit are determined as: (1) Timing of micro-layer rewetting dry surface; (2) Effects of surface features. The corresponding key phenomena are determined as: (1) Hydrodynamics; (2) Interface Dynamics; (3) Energy; (4) Surface Effect. This study deals with isothermal scenario and no energy term is considered. Based on the current needs, a new SPH package, Micro-SPH, is compiled based on SPHysics with surface tension and wettability built in. Test cases are performed with Micro-SPH to assess the capability of SPH to each phenomenon identified. NEUTRINO with incompressible SPH solver is employed to investigate micro-fluid dynamics on a surface with uniformly distributed cylindrical pillars for application purposes. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Panoramic Mapping of Phonon Transport from Ultrafast Electron Diffraction and Scientific Machine Learning

Abstract One central challenge in understanding phonon thermal transport is a lack of experimental tools to investigate frequency‐resolved phonon transport. Although recent advances in computation lead to frequency‐resolved information, it is hindered by unknown defects in bulk regions and at interfaces. Here, a framework that can uncover microscopic phonon transport information in heterostructures is presented, integrating state‐of‐the‐art ultrafast electron diffraction (UED) with advanced scientific machine learning (SciML). Taking advantage of the dual temporal and reciprocal‐space resolution in UED, and the ability of SciML to solve inverse problems involving coupled Boltzmann transport equations, the frequency‐dependent interfacial transmittance and frequency‐dependent relaxation times of the heterostructure from the diffraction patterns are reliably recovered. The framework is applied to experimental Au/Si UED data, and a transport pattern beyond the diffuse mismatch model is revealed, which further enables a direct reconstruction of real‐space, real‐time, frequency‐resolved phonon dynamics across the interface. The work provides a new pathway to probe interfacial phonon transport mechanisms with unprecedented details.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Unraveling disadhesion mechanism of epoxy/CSH interface under aggressive conditions

Almost all FRP-reinforced concrete exposed to the marine environment are susceptible to durability deficiencies due to failure of the FRP/epoxy/concrete interface, especially the vulnerable epoxy/concrete interface, which is frequently attacked by water and ions. Herein, molecular dynamics simulations of epoxy/CSH interface under different environmental exposures are utilized to specifically elucidate the degradation principles of water and ions on the bonding properties and mechanical responses of the epoxy/concrete interface. The environmental sequences associated with the interfacial bonding degradation are arranged as Na{sub 2}SO{sub 4} + NaCl>NaCl>Na{sub 2}SO{sub 4} > Water>Dry. Remarkably, water molecules weaken the interaction between the epoxy and CSH by robbing interfacial H- and Ca-O bonds, thereby reducing the energy barrier to interfacial peel and shear failure. The weakening effects are exacerbated by the presence of aggressive ions, as Na{sup +} ions attracted to the CSH surface accumulate more water molecules in the interfacial region by forming hydrated ions clusters, which ultimately accelerates the epoxy/CSH interfacial degradation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Spin Unrestricted Nonradiative Relaxation Dynamics of Cobalt-Doped Anatase Nanowire

Spin-resolved charge transfer dynamics at the interface of a Co(NH3)2-doped (001) anatase TiO2 nanowire and liquid water calculations based on density functional theory and density matrix formalism are considered. Three models with the same stoichiometry but different electronic structure are explored. While one model had no change to electron count and spin count (neutral model), the other two models were assigned a charge of 2+, one in a doublet and the other a quartet spin configuration. Co2+ is the most probable state for dopant in all models and Co acts as an electron acceptor. The optical absorption spectra show a rather unique pattern post 400 nm where the α and β absorptions happen independently at different frequency ranges. Essentially, the relaxation dynamics can be controlled as when an α electron is excited, there is a near zero probability of a β electron also undergoing an excitation and vice versa. The isolated exemption is between 400 and 650 nm in the neutral model. All the models absorb light in the visible range, while the electrons and holes have drastic differences in relaxation rates. The spatial charge separation occurs upon excitation and subsequent trapping, designating the considered system a prospect for electrochemical cell applications. (2+) models trap states more effectively slow down electron relaxation, making the charged models slightly better options for application compared to the neutral model.

Jensen, Stephanie J.↗

Nanoparticle Assemblies at Fluid Interfaces

A systematic study of the structure and dynamics of nanoparticles (NP) and NP-surfactants was performed. The ligands attached to both the NPs and NP-surfactants dictate the manner in which the nanoscopic materials assemble at fluid interfaces. Studies have shown that a single layer of the nanoscpic materials form at the interface to reduce the interactions between the two immiscible fluids. The shape of the NP is, also, important, where for spherical particles, a disordered, liquid-like monolayer forms, and, for nanorods, ordered domains at the interface is found and, if the monolayers are compressed, the orientation of the nanorods with respect to the interface can change. By associating end-functionalized polymers to the NPs assembled at the interface, NP-surfactants are formed that increase the energetic gain in segregating each NP at the interface which allows the NP-surfactants to jam at the interface when compressed. This has opened the possibility of structuring the two liquids by freezing in shape changes of the liquids.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Modulating electronic coupling at the quantum dot/molecule interface by wavefunction engineering

In this work, we use wavefunction engineering by varying the size of Quantum Dots (QDs) and tuning the delocalization (or diffuseness) of frontier orbitals of an acceptor molecule to modulate charge transfer dynamics at the QD/molecule interface. For this purpose, we apply our recently developed bulk-adjusted linear combination of atomic orbitals (BA-LCAO) approach for nanostructures and a density functional theory (DFT) for the acceptor molecules. These electronic structure calculations, combined with extensive molecular dynamics simulations using a fragmented molecular mechanics (FraMM) force field, reveal intimate details of charge transfer across the QD/Acceptor interface. For the spherical wurtzite-(CdSe) 201 and (CdSe) 693 nanostructures, as model QDs with respective 2.8 and 4.1 nm diameters, and anthraquinone-2,3-dicarboxylic acid and its derivatives with the 7-OH, 7-OF, 10-BH, and 10-CH 2 substituents, as model molecular acceptors, we find that (1) both the electron donating and withdrawing groups greatly enhance hole transfer by means of diffusing the acceptor HOMO; (2) electron transfer is affected only by the electron donating groups; (3) solvent effects are largely negligible for the orbital overlaps, and (4) consistent with spatial confinement theories, the electron density of the smaller QD penetrates farther into the vacuum than the corresponding density of the larger QD leading to stronger coupling with the acceptor. These findings suggest that (a) one can effectively control charge transfer across the QD/molecule interface by either changing the size of the QD or by tuning diffuseness of frontier orbitals of the acceptor molecule and (b) the combination of the recently developed BA-LCAO approach for QDs with a DFT for the acceptor molecules, facilitated by the use of the FraMM force field and extensive molecular dynamics simulations, provide qualitatively accurate description of charge transfer dynamics at the QD/acceptor interface.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Towards Next Generation Lithium-Sulfur Batteries: Non-Conventional Carbon Compartments/Sulfur Electrodes and Multi-Scale Analysis

In this work, a novel heterofunctional, bimodal-porous carbon morphology, termed the carbon compartment (CC), is utilized as a sulfur host as a lithium-sulfur battery cathode. A multi-scale model explores the physics and chemistry of the lithium-sulfur battery cathode. The CCs are synthesized by a rapid, low cost process to improve electrode-electrolyte interfacial contact and accommodate volumetric expansion associated with sulfide formation. The CCs demonstrate high sulfur loading (47 %-wt. S) and ca. 700 mAh g -1 reversible capacity with high coulombic efficiency due to their unique structures. Density functional theory and ab initio Molecular Dynamics characterize the interface between the C/S composite and electrolyte during the sulfur reduction mechanism. Stochastic realizations of 3D electrode microstructures are reconstructed based on representative SEM images to study the influence of solid sulfur loading and lithium sulfide precipitation on microstructural and electrochemical properties. A macroscale electrochemical performance model is developed to analyze the performance of lithium-sulfur batteries. The combined multi-scale simulation studies explain key fundamentals of sulfur reduction and its relation to the polysulfide shuttle mechanism: how the process is affected due to the presence of carbon substrate, thermodynamics of lithium sulfide formation and deposition on carbon, and microstructural effects on the overall cell performance.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Dynamics of charge at water-to-semiconductor interface: Case study of wet [0 0 1] anatase TiO 2 nanowire

Here, the behavior of water molecules on the surfaces of the TiO 2 nanowire grown in [0 0 1] direction has been investigated by combining theoretical calculations and experiments. Calculated UV–visible absorption spectra reproduce the main features of the experimental spectra. Computations predict that a photoexcitation followed by a sequence of relaxation events results in photoluminescence across the gap. TiO 2 nanowires in vacuum and aqueous environment exhibit different dynamics of photo-excited charge carriers. In water, computed relaxation of electrons (holes) is approximately 2 (4) times faster compared with vacuum environment. Faster relaxation of holes vs. electrons and specific spatial localization of holes result to formation of long lived charge transfer excitation with positive charge at the surface of the nanowire. Comparison of relaxation process in TiO 2 /water interfaces focusing on different surfaces and nanostructures has potential in identifying structural characteristics of TiO 2 materials important for efficient photo-electrochemical water splitting.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Depolarized light scattering and dielectric response of a peptide dissolved in water

The density and orientational relaxation of bulk water can be separately studied by depolarized light scattering (DLS) and dielectric spectroscopy (DS), respectively. Here, we ask the question of what are the leading collective modes responsible for polarization anisotropy relaxation (DLS) and dipole moment relaxation (DS) of solutions involving mostly hydrophobic solute-water interfaces. We study, by atomistic molecular dynamics simulations, the dynamics and structure of hydration water interfacing N-Acetyl-leucine-methylamide dipeptide. The DLS response of the solution is consistent with three relaxation processes: bulk water, rotations of single solutes, and collective dipole-induced-dipole polarizability of the solutes, with the time-scale of 130–200 ps. No separate DLS response of the hydration shell has been identified by our simulations. Density fluctuations of the hydration layer, which largely contribute to the response, do not produce a dynamical process distinct from bulk water. We find that the structural perturbation of the orientational distribution of hydration waters by the dipeptide solute is quite significant and propagates ∼3−5 hydration layers into the bulk. This perturbation is still below that produced by hydrated globular proteins. Despite this structural perturbation, there is little change in the orientational dynamics of the hydration layers, compared to the bulk, as probed by both single-particle orientational dynamics and collective dynamics of the dipole moment of the shells. There is a clear distinction between the perturbation of the interfacial structure by the solute-solvent interaction potential and the perturbation of the interfacial dynamics by the corresponding forces.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗