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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 505 records · Page 28

Characterizing the γ-Ray Emission from FR0 Radio Galaxies

Abstract FR0 galaxies constitute the most abundant jet population in the local Universe. With their compact jet structure, they are broadband photon emitters and have been proposed as multimessenger sources. Recently, these sources have been detected for the first time inγrays. Using a revised FR0 catalog, we confirm that the FR0 population as a whole areγ-ray emitters, and we also identify two significant sources. For the first time, we find a correlation between the 5 GHz core radio luminosity andγ-ray luminosity in the 1–800 GeV band, having a 4.8σstatistical significance. This is clear evidence that the jet emission mechanism is similar in nature for FR0s and the well-studied canonical FR (FRI and FRII) radio galaxies. Furthermore, we perform broadband spectral energy distribution modeling for the significantly detected sources as well as the subthreshold source population using a one-zone synchrotron self-Compton model. Within the maximum jet power budget, our modeling shows that the detectedγrays from the jet can be explained as inverse Compton photons. To explain the multiwavelength observations for these galaxies, the modeling results stipulate a low bulk Lorentz factor and a jet composition far from equipartition, with the particle energy density dominating over the magnetic field energy density.

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗

Supramolecular Support of Cuprophilic Network Bonding in 2-D Copper n -Alkanethiolates

Here, the development of heterogeneous materials, catalysts, and semiconductors is often reliant on precise control of self-assembly and crystal packing. Many new materials are initially synthesized as microcrystalline powders, making them incompatible with typical methods of structure determination, such as single-crystal X-ray diffraction. This resultant lack of structural information has made thorough investigation into the effect of metal substitution on crystal structure in metal-organic chalcogenolates (MOChas) challenging. Here, we use small molecule serial femtosecond crystallography (smSFX) to present the structures of four copper n-alkanethiolates: CuSC4, CuSC5, CuSC6, and CuSC7. Divergent patterns of alkyl chain packing are identified from microcrystalline powders via smSFX. An odd-even effect in crystal packing has been identified and attributed to different orientations of symmetry elements in the even- and odd-numbered chains. This results in minute changes in the azimuthal organization of the even-numbered chains and the network of cuprophilic interactions. Additionally, we present a synthesis of crystalline gold n-alkanethiolates to provide the first comparison between three d 10 coinage metals (Cu, Ag, and Au) and their resultant n-alkanethiolates.

Willson, Maggie C. [Univ. of Connecticut, Storrs, ↗

High-throughput screening of tribological properties of monolayer films using molecular dynamics and machine learning

Monolayer films have shown promise as a lubricating layer to reduce friction and wear of mechanical devices with separations on the nanoscale. These films have a vast design space with many tunable properties that can affect their tribological effectiveness. For example, terminal group chemistry, film composition, and backbone chemistry can all lead to films with significantly different tribological properties. This design space, however, is very difficult to explore without a combinatorial approach and an automatable, reproducible, and extensible workflow to screen for promising candidate films. Here, using the Molecular Simulation Design Framework (MoSDeF), a combinatorial screening study was performed to explore 9747 unique monolayer films (116 964 total simulations) and a machine learning (ML) model using a random forest regressor, an ensemble learning technique, to explore the role of terminal group chemistry and its effect on tribological effectiveness. The most promising films were found to contain small terminal groups such as cyano and ethylene. The ML model was subsequently applied to screen terminal group candidates identified from the ChEMBL small molecule library. Approximately 193 131 unique film candidates were screened with approximately a five order of magnitude speed-up in analysis compared to simulation alone. The ML model was thus able to be used as a predictive tool to greatly speed up the initial screening of promising candidate films for future simulation studies, suggesting that computational screening in combination with ML can greatly increase the throughput in combinatorial approaches to generate in silico data and then train ML models in a controlled, self-consistent fashion.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Multiwavelength study of OT 081: broadband modelling of a transitional blazar

ABSTRACT OT 081 is a well-known, luminous blazar that is remarkably variable in many energy bands. We present the first broadband study of the source, which includes very high energy (VHE, $E\gt $ 100 GeV) $\gamma$-ray data taken by the MAGIC (Major Atmospheric Gamma-ray Imaging Cherenkov telescopes) and H.E.S.S. (High Energy Stereoscopic System) imaging Cherenkov telescopes. The discovery of VHE $\gamma$-ray emission happened during a high state of $\gamma$-ray activity in July 2016, observed by many instruments from radio to VHE $\gamma$-rays. We identify four states of activity of the source, one of which includes VHE $\gamma$-ray emission. Variability in the VHE domain is found on daily time-scales. The intrinsic VHE spectrum can be described by a power law with index $3.27\pm 0.44_{\rm stat}\pm 0.15_{\rm sys}$ (MAGIC) and $3.39\pm 0.58_{\rm stat}\pm 0.64_{\rm sys}$ (H.E.S.S.) in the energy range of 55–300 and 120–500 GeV, respectively. The broadband emission cannot be successfully reproduced by a simple one-zone synchrotron self-Compton model. Instead, an additional external Compton component is required. We test a lepto-hadronic model that reproduces the data set well and a proton-synchrotron-dominated model that requires an extreme proton luminosity. Emission models that are able to successfully represent the data place the emitting region well outside of the broad-line region to a location at which the radiative environment is dominated by the infrared thermal radiation field of the dusty torus. In the scenario described by this flaring activity, the source appears to be a flat spectrum radio quasar (FSRQ), in contrast with past categorizations. This suggests that the source can be considered to be a transitional blazar, intermediate between BL Lac and FSRQ objects.

Abe, H.↗

Secure and Resilient Operations Using Open-Source Distributed Systems Platform (OpenDSP)

The goal of this project is to identify and address cybersecurity gaps by developing a multi-layer multi-channel cyber-physical defense and survival mechanism for operating distribution networks with high penetration of solar / inverter-based resource (IBR) / distributed energy resource (DER). The proposed security enhancements are built upon the distributed framework and solution architecture for both information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) systems. The technical solutions consist of two composite functionalities and six layers: proactive defense (vulnerability assessment, communication protection, and attack detection, as layers 1-3), and adaptive self-healing (attack-resilient control, adaptive recovery, and resilient survival, as layers 4-6). These layers, built on and extended from DHS CISA Cyber Framework, establish an integrated and robust cybersecurity framework for operating large-scale distribution networks.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Interior Athabascan Energy Capacity Building Network (Final Report)

Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) is the traditional tribal consortium for the 37 federally recognized Tribes and villages of Interior Alaska. TCC is based on a belief in tribal self-determination and the need for regional Native unity. TCC is a nonprofit organization that works toward meeting the needs and challenges for more than 10,000 Alaska Natives (mostly Alaskan Athabaskans) in Interior Alaska. With support from DOE-OIE’s Inter-Tribal Technical Assistance grant, TCC’s goal was to expand and build on the solid foundation of work that the existing TCC Energy Program established through the creation of the Interior Athabascan Energy Network (IAEN). More specifically, the IAEN was designed to create a network of village-based energy champions across the interior and hold quarterly teleconferences and annual inperson meetings. Among the greatest impacts of the IAEN were the creation and support of realistic, communitybased energy projects that produced tangible results such as fuel savings and skills and capacity development among local staff as well as establishment of an energy team that included TCC staff, Tribal participants, technical consultants, and support agencies. The DOE-TA funding allowed us to provide technical assistance to our Tribal communities to develop energy projects, and to foster a network consisting of Tribal community members and energy experts that has strengthened the ability in the region to troubleshoot energy issues, develop meaningful projects, envision a clean energy future, and to share project successes and challenges. The funding from DOE was a catalyst for growth, has created opportunities for learning and knowledge sharing, and has led to the development of cost saving energy projects. Most importantly, the DOE project allowed energy champions around the region to share their knowledge, experiences, and expertise to create place-based solutions and has forged inter-Tribal relationships that will continue to be an asset for years to come. Through information exchange that occurred at out IAEN annual meetings and other events, this technical assistance grant award has spurred a spinoff project that is focused on establishing a collaborative of independent utilities that work together to solve energy problems and share services to operate and maintain their electric utilities. We have indentified at least 10 and possibly 12 communities that are interested in collaborating in managing their utilities to reduce costs and increase reliability. As well, by identifying and supporting Community Energy Champions in the Interior villages and adding capacity to the TCC Energy Program, we were able to create actionable community energy plans, develop specific projects, and increase local capacity, skills, and literacy around clean energy initiatives.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Self-Limitations of Heat Release in Coupled Core-Shell Spinel Ferrite Nanoparticles: Frequency, Time, and Temperature Dependencies

We explored a series of highly uniform magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with a core-shell nanoarchitecture prepared by an efficient solvothermal approach. In our study, we focused on the water dispersion of MNPs based on two different CoFe 2 O 4 core sizes and the chemical nature of the shell (MnFe 2 O 4 and spinel iron oxide). We performed an uncommon systematic investigation of the time and temperature evolution of the adiabatic heat release at different frequencies of the alternating magnetic field (AMF). Our systematic study elucidates the nontrivial variations in the heating efficiency of core-shell MNPs concerning their structural, magnetic, and morphological properties. In addition, we identified anomalies in the temperature and frequency dependencies of the specific power absorption (SPA). We conclude that after the initial heating phase, the heat release is governed by the competition of the Brown and Néel mechanism. In addition, we demonstrated that a rational parameter sufficiently mirroring the heating ability is the mean magnetic moment per MNP. Our study, thus, paves the road to fine control of the AMF-induced heating by MNPs with fine-tuned structural, chemical, and magnetic parameters. Importantly, we claim that the nontrivial variations of the SPA with the temperature must be considered, e.g., in the emerging concept of MF-assisted catalysis, where the temperature profile influences the undergoing chemical reactions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Celestial gluon amplitudes from the outside in

We show that, given a two-dimensional realization of the celestial OPE in self-dual Yang-Mills, we can find a scalar source around which scattering amplitudes replicate correlation functions computed from the 2D ‘gluon’ operators in a limit where a dynamic massless scalar decouples. We derive conditions on the two-dimensional three-point correlation function so that such a source exists and give two particular examples of this construction, one in which gluons are constructed from vertex operators in the semiclassical limit of Liouville theory and another in which the soft gluons arise from generalized free fields. Finally, we identify a bulk dual to the level of the boundary Kac-Moody algebra and discuss moving beyond the decoupling limit.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Computational Prediction of Coiled–Coil Protein Gelation Dynamics and Structure

Protein hydrogels represent an important and growing biomaterial for a multitude of applications, including diagnostics and drug delivery. We have previously explored the ability to engineer the thermoresponsive supramolecular assembly of coiled–coil proteins into hydrogels with varying gelation properties, where we have defined important parameters in the coiled–coil hydrogel design. Using Rosetta energy scores and Poisson–Boltzmann electrostatic energies, we iterate a computational design strategy to predict the gelation of coiled–coil proteins while simultaneously exploring five new coiled–coil protein hydrogel sequences. Provided this library, we explore the impact of in silico energies on structure and gelation kinetics, where we also reveal a range of blue autofluorescence that enables hydrogel disassembly and recovery. As a result of this library, we identify the new coiled–coil hydrogel sequence, Q5, capable of gelation within 24 h at 4 °C, a more than 2-fold increase over that of our previous iteration Q2. The fast gelation time of Q5 enables the assessment of structural transition in real time using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) that is correlated to coarse-grained and atomistic molecular dynamics simulations revealing the supramolecular assembling behavior of coiled–coils toward nanofiber assembly and gelation. This work represents the first system of hydrogels with predictable self-assembly, autofluorescent capability, and a molecular model of coiled–coil fiber formation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

SAXS-guided unbiased coarse-grained Monte Carlo simulation for identification of self-assembly nanostructures and dimensions

Recent studies have shown that solvated amphiphiles can form nanostructured self-assemblies called dynamic binary complexes (DBCs) in the presence of ions. Since the nanostructures of DBCs are directly related to their viscoelastic properties, it is important to understand how the nanostructures change under different solution conditions. However, it is challenging to obtain a three-dimensional molecular description of these nanostructures by utilizing conventional experimental characterization techniques or thermodynamic models. To this end, we combined the structural data from small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments and thermodynamic knowledge from coarse-grained Monte Carlo (CGMC) simulations to identify the detailed three-dimensional nanostructure of DBCs. Specifically, unbiased CGMC simulations are performed with SAXS-guided initial conditions, which aids us to sample accurate nanostructures in a computationally efficient fashion. As a result, an elliptical bilayer nanostructure is obtained as the most probable nanostructure of DBCs whose dimensions are validated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. Then, utilizing the obtained molecular model of DBCs, here we could also explain the pH tunability of the system. Overall, our results from SAXS-guided unbiased CGMC simulations highlight that using potential energy combined with SAXS data, we can distinguish otherwise degenerate nanostructures resulting from the inherent ambiguity of SAXS patterns.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Spatiotemporal structure of edge harmonic oscillation and its role in ELM-free QH-mode at KSTAR

In Quiescent H-mode (QH-mode), edge-localized modes (ELMs) are naturally replaced by a low-n edge harmonic oscillation (EHO), yet the self-regulating transport mechanism driven by the EHO remains insufficiently understood. Using high-spatiotemporal-resolution imaging diagnostics on KSTAR—electron cyclotron emission imaging and broadband electron cyclotron emission—we resolve the eigenmode structure of the EHO and elucidate its regulatory role in edge transport. The EHO is localized within the pedestal near the maximum pressure gradient, propagates in the ion-diamagnetic direction, and its radial envelope expands with increasing shear, suggesting that rotational shear is closely associated with the structural evolution of the EHO. Information-theoretic Transfer Entropy analysis identifies a distinct ‘dual-stabilization’ regulatory interaction pattern: the EHO is associated with enhanced outward energy transport to limit the pressure gradient, while the background shear flow is associated with preferential regulatory influence on the EHO saturation amplitude and energy flux. These results demonstrate that the QH-mode pedestal is sustained by a shear-associated regulation mechanism, where the coupling between rotational shear and mode structure appears closely linked to the sustained ELM-free state.

ECEI↗

A Domestic Program for Liquid Metal PFC Research in Fusion

While high-Z solid plasma-facing components (PFCs) are the leading candidates for reactors, it is unclear that they can survive the intense plasma material interaction (PMI). Liquid metals (LM) PFCs offer potential solutions since they are not susceptible to the same type of damage, and can be “self-healing”. Following the Fusion Energy System Study on Liquid Metal Plasma Facing Components study that recently was completed by Kessel et al. (Fusion Sci Technnol 75:886, 2019) a domestic LM PFC design program has been initiated to develop reactor-relevant LM PFC concepts. This program seeks to evaluate LM PFC concepts for a Fusion Nuclear Science Facility (FNSF) or a Compact Pilot Plant via engineering design calculations, modeling of PMI and PFC components and laboratory experiments. The latter involves experiments in dedicated test stands and confinement devices and seeks to identify and answer open questions in LM PFC design. The new national LM PFC program is first investigating lithium as the plasma facing material for a flowing divertor PFC concept. Several flow speeds will be evaluated, ranging from ~ cm/s to m/s. The surface temperature will initially be held below the strongly evaporative limit in the first design; higher temperatures with strong evaporation will be considered in future concepts. Other topics of interest include: understanding of the hydrogen and helium interaction with the liquid lithium; single effect experiments on wetting, compatibility and embrittlement; and prototypical experiments for control and characterization of flowing LM. A path to plasma and future tokamak exposure of these concepts will be developed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Design and Function of α-Helix-Rich, Heme-Binding Peptide Materials

Peptide materials often employ short peptides that self-assemble into unique nanoscale architectures and have been employed across many fields relevant to medicine and energy. A majority of peptide materials are high in beta-sheet, secondary structure content, including heme-binding peptide materials. To broaden the structural diversity of heme-binding peptide materials, a small series of peptides were synthesized to explore the design criteria required for (1) folding into an alpha-helix structure, (2) assembling into a nanoscale material, (3) binding heme, and (4) demonstrating functions similar to that of heme proteins. One peptide was identified to meet all four criteria, including the heme protein function of CO binding and its microsecond-to-millisecond recombination rates, as measured by transient absorption spectroscopy. In conclusion, implications of new design criteria and peptide material function through heme incorporation are discussed.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Bottom-up synthesis of mesoscale nanomeshes of graphene nanoribbons on germanium

The synthesis of functional graphene nanostructures on Ge(001) provides an attractive route toward integrating graphene-based electronic devices onto complementary metal oxide semiconductor-compatible platforms. In this study, we leverage the phenomenon of the anisotropic growth of graphene nanoribbons from rationally placed graphene nanoseeds and their rotational self-alignment during chemical vapor deposition to synthesize mesoscale graphene nanomeshes over areas spanning several hundred square micrometers. Lithographically patterned nanoseeds are defined on a Ge(001) surface at pitches ranging from 50 to 100 nm, which serve as starting sites for subsequent nanoribbon growth. Rotational self-alignment of the nanoseeds followed by anisotropic growth kinetics causes the resulting nanoribbons to be oriented along each of the equivalent, orthogonal Ge < 110 > directions with equal probability. As the nanoribbons grow, they fuse, creating a continuous nanomesh. In contrast to nanomesh synthesis via top-down approaches, this technique yields nanomeshes with atomically faceted edges and covalently bonded junctions, which are important for maximizing charge transport properties. Additionally, we simulate the electrical characteristics of nanomeshes synthesized from different initial nanoseed-sizes, size-polydispersities, pitches, and device channel lengths to identify a parameter-space for acceptable on/off ratios and on-conductance in semiconductor electronics. The simulations show that decreasing seed diameter and pitch are critical to increasing nanomesh on/off ratio and on-conductance, respectively. With further refinements in lithography, nanomeshes obtained via seeded synthesis and anisotropic growth are likely to have superior electronic properties with tremendous potential in a multitude of applications, such as radio frequency communications, sensing, thin-film electronics, and plasmonics.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Robust Nodal Behavior in the Thermal Conductivity of Superconducting UTe 2

The superconducting state of the heavy-fermion metal UTe 2 has attracted considerable interest because of evidence of spin-triplet Cooper pairing and nontrivial topology. Progress on these questions requires identifying the presence or absence of nodes in the superconducting gap function and their dimension. In this article, we report a comprehensive study of the influence of disorder on the thermal transport in the superconducting state of UTe 2 . Through detailed measurements of the magnetic-field dependence of the thermal conductivity in the zero-temperature limit, we obtain clear evidence of the presence of point nodes in the superconducting gap for all samples with transition temperatures ranging from 1.6 to 2.1 K obtained by different synthesis methods, including a refined self-flux method. This robustness implies the presence of symmetry-imposed nodes throughout the range studied, further confirmed via disorder-dependent calculations of the thermal transport in a model with a single pair of nodes. In addition to capturing the temperature dependence of the thermal conductivity up to 𝑇 𝑐 , this model provides some information about the locations of the nodes, suggesting a 𝐵 1⁢𝑢 or 𝐵 2⁢𝑢 symmetry for the superconducting order parameter. Additionally, comparing the new, ultrahigh conductivity samples to older samples reveals a crossover between a low-field and a high-field regime at a single value of the magnetic field in all samples. In the high-field regime, the thermal conductivity at different disorder levels differs from each other by a simple offset, suggesting that some simple principle determines the physics of the mixed state, a fact which may illuminate trends observed in other clean nodal superconductors.

spin-triplet pairing↗

Targeting Aspergillus allergen oryzin with a chemical probe at atomic precision

We report the molecular basis of Aspergillus fumigatus oryzin, allergen Asp f 13, or alkaline proteinase ALP1, containing the sequence motif His–Asp–Ser of the subtilisin family, structure, and function at atomic detail. Given the resolution of the data (1.06 Å), we use fragment molecular replacement with ideal polyalanine α-helices to determine the first crystal structure of oryzin. We probe the catalytic serine through formation of an irreversible bond to a small molecule compound, specifically labeling it, describing the amino acid residues performing the catalytic function. Defined by a self-processed pro-peptide, the active site architecture shapes up pocket-like subsites that bind to and unveil the S1′–S4′ substrate binding preferences. We use molecular modeling to dock a model of the pro-peptide in the S1–S4 region and to dock collagen along the active site cleft. Opposite to the face harboring the catalytic serine, the enzyme binds to a calcium ion in a binding site created by backbone flipping. We use thermal unfolding to show that this metal ion provides structural stability. With no known host inhibitor identified thus far, this structure may hasten the progress of developing new therapeutic agents for diseases caused by pathogenic fungi.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Ponderomotive force driven density modifications parallel to B on the LAPD

The ponderomotive force has previously been identified as a possible driver of observed density modifications close to radio frequency actuators during operation. This nonlinear force redistributes density in regions of gradients in the magnitude of an oscillating electric field and describes the influence of the fast time scale RF wave dynamics on slow time scale plasma transport. Depletion of the saturation current (a proxy for the density) measured at the Large Plasma Device (LAPD) was 30–35% during ion cyclotron range of frequencies operation. A coupled 1D plasma transport and cold plasma frequency domain wave solver was developed to self-consistently describe ponderomotive effects and was used to compare with results obtained from the LAPD experiment. The scaled current density driver for the wave model yielded an RF B field in close agreement with two components of the experimental data. However, the 1D parallel model did not accurately reproduce the amplitude or spatial distribution observed in experimental measurements of By. Within the limitations of the 1D model, initial simulation results showed that the ponderomotive force depleted up to 8% for high power (1 MW) and around 1% for the experimental power of 120 kW. This could suggest that the ponderomotive force is not the main driver of density modification for the LAPD experiments presented in this paper. Higher fidelity tools of at least 2D will be required to give a more realistic description of the RF E fields and the effect of the ponderomotive force on the LAPD.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗