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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 91 records · Page 5

Sensitivity of Dislocation-GB interactions to simulation setups in atomistic models

Dislocation-grain boundary (GB) interactions play an integral role in strengthening of crystalline materials, and are dependent on external loading conditions and atomic arrangements at the grain boundary. While molecular dynamics (MD) simulations can provide critical insights into relationships between these parameters and the exact interaction, the outcomes are sensitive to the computational setup. Here, in this work, we explore the effect of computational setup (system size, GB orientation and boundary conditions) on stress-controlled dislocation-grain boundary (DGB) reactions using MD simulations for a well-studied copper symmetric $\langle$1 1 2$\rangle$ tilt boundary. The study demonstrates that the DGB reactions (pinning, absorption, transmission, etc.) are sensitive to the system size and the orientation of the GB to the applied stress. Additionally, the current work shows that there is a critical system size for the dislocation-grain boundary reaction stresses to converge, one which was found to be much larger than the setups in comparable MD studies. This was attributed to the specific stress states and the influence of surfaces, fixed or free, as these computational setups are modified. Finally, a stress-controlled setup with minimal model artifacts is examined, and the effect of coupled Schmid and non-Schmid stress components on the dislocation-GB reactions are discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Giant Nonreciprocity and Gyration through Modulation-Induced Hatano-Nelson Coupling in Integrated Photonics

Asymmetric energy exchange interactions, also known as Hatano-Nelson type couplings, enable the study of non-Hermitian physics and associated phenomena like the non-Hermitian skin effect and exceptional points (EPs). Since these interactions are by definition nonreciprocal, there have been very few options for implementations in integrated photonics. Here, in this work, we show that asymmetric couplings are readily achievable in integrated photonic systems through time-domain dynamic modulation. We experimentally study this concept using a two-resonator photonic molecule produced in a lithium niobate on insulator platform that is electro-optically modulated by rf stimuli. We demonstrate the dynamic tuning of the Hatano-Nelson coupling between the resonators, surpassing the asymmetry that has been achieved in previous work, to reach an EP for the first time. We are additionally able to flip the relative sign of the couplings for opposite directions by going past the EP. Using this capability, we show that the through-chain transport can be configured to exhibit both giant (~60 dB) optical contrast as well as photonic gyration or nonreciprocal π phase contrast.

42 ENGINEERING↗

An integrated approach to examine fuel-cladding chemical interaction in HT9/U-10Zr metallic fast reactor fuels: Coupling machine learning with electron microscopy and local mechanical properties analysis

The metallic U-Zr nuclear fuel alloy has garnered renewed interest as a promising candidate for next-generation sodium-cooled fast reactors. Recent studies and technology assessments have identified several areas requiring improvements, enhanced knowledge, and reliable data to strengthen the U-Zr fuel design basis for qualification and commercial applications. One of the most challenging phenomena impacting this fuel system’s performance is fuel-cladding chemical interaction (FCCI). This work aimed to harvest FCCI data by examining selected HT9/U-10Zr (wt. %) fuel samples of prototypic full-length fuel pins through an integrated approach. This approach integrated scanning electron microscopy (SEM) microstructure characterization with localized mechanical properties examination to deepen understanding of FCCI phenomenon in HT9/U-10Zr fuel system. Particularly, this study focused on MFF fuel pins irradiated at Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF), which aimed to qualify metallic fuel as a driver fuel for FFTF and to assess its viability for larger-scale fast reactors. Electron microscopy provided high confidence in detecting and distinguishing the different FCCI layers, while small-scale mechanical testing (SSMT) probed the mechanical properties of these layers. SEM examination of a MFF-2 pin 192167, with a time averaged inner cladding temperature (TICT) slightly over 500°C, revealed minimal cladding-side FCCI (cladding wastage). In contrast, significantly thicker cladding wastage comprising two distinct sublayers was observed in samples from the thermally hot MFF-3 pin 193045 and MFF-5 pin 195011 where the TICT ranged from 610-635°C. SSMT indicated complete embrittlement in the sublayer adjacent to the fuel and a tendency toward embrittlement in the other sublayer. Additionally, a new machine learning method was developed, validated, and used to quantify cladding wastage thickness. The machine learning method reliably predicted the wastage thickness across various fuel pins and sample cross-sections. Furthermore, the available cladding wastage data from HT9/U-10Zr fuel system demonstrated a strong temperature dependency. However, the dataset remains small, and ongoing research activities are essential to further understand the FCCI phenomenon and develop a reliable FCCI model for enhanced fuel performance simulation under various conditions.

36 - MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Dynamic Interfacial Design in Adaptive Hybrid Materials Enables Reversible and Tunable Mechano-Optic Smart Responses

Next-generation polymeric materials are shifting toward adaptive and interactive behaviors of living systems; however, designing materials that can reversibly modulate optical properties under mechanical deformation while maintaining mechanical robustness remains a key challenge. Here, we report a mechanically robust vitrimer-based adaptive hybrid material (AHM) that exhibits a stretch-induced reversible transparency-to-opacity transition, enabled by the integration of dynamic interactions at the polymer–silica nanoparticle interface and controlled nanoparticle self-assembly. The AHM combines boronic ester–functionalized polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-polystyrene (S-Bpin) with diol-functionalized silica nanoparticles (diol-SiNPs) to form a hybrid network hosting both dynamic boronic ester and hydrogen-bonding interactions. These reversible linkages facilitate controlled nanoparticle self-assembly and enable strain-induced nanoparticle alignment/aggregation. Upon stretching, SiNP-rich domains align and aggregate within the polymer matrix, while local modulus mismatch between stiff aggregated SiNP/borylated-styrene-rich regions and the softer elastomeric midblock induces surface microwrinkle formation. These internal aggregates and surface wrinkles cooperatively enhance light scattering, producing the opaque state under strain. Furthermore, the tailored AHM exhibits high toughness, thermomechanical stability, reprocessability, and programmable shape-memory behavior. This work presents a dynamic interfacial design strategy for mechanically robust, optically reconfigurable, and reusable soft materials for adaptive optics, smart windows, sensing, soft robotics, and circular smart-material platforms.

adaptive hybrid materials↗

Understanding the dynamic interactions of root-knot nematodes and their host: role of plant growth promoting bacteria and abiotic factors

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp., RKN) are among the most destructive endoparasitic nematodes worldwide, often leading to a reduction of crop growth and yield. Insights into the dynamics of host-RKN interactions, especially in varied biotic and abiotic environments, could be pivotal in devising novel RKN mitigation measures. Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) involves different plant growth-enhancing activities such as biofertilization, pathogen suppression, and induction of systemic resistance. We summarized the up-to-date knowledge on the role of PGPB and abiotic factors such as soil pH, texture, structure, moisture, etc. in modulating RKN-host interactions. RKN are directly or indirectly affected by different PGPB, abiotic factors interplay in the interactions, and host responses to RKN infection. We highlighted the tripartite (host-RKN-PGPB) phenomenon with respect to (i) PGPB direct and indirect effect on RKN-host interactions; (ii) host influence in the selection and enrichment of PGPB in the rhizosphere; (iii) how soil microbes enhance RKN parasitism; (iv) influence of host in RKN-PGPB interactions, and (v) the role of abiotic factors in modulating the tripartite interactions. Furthermore, we discussed how different agricultural practices alter the interactions. Finally, we emphasized the importance of incorporating the knowledge of tripartite interactions in the integrated RKN management strategies.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

COVID19 Disease Map, a computational knowledge repository of virus–host interaction mechanisms

We need to effectively combine the knowledge from surging literature with complex datasets to propose mechanistic models of SARS-CoV-2 infection, improving data interpretation and predicting key targets of intervention. Here, we describe a large-scale community effort to build an open access, interoperable and computable repository of COVID-19 molecular mechanisms. The COVID-19 Disease Map (C19DMap) is a graphical, interactive representation of disease-relevant molecular mechanisms linking many knowledge sources. Notably, it is a computational resource for graph-based analyses and disease modelling. To this end, we established a framework of tools, platforms and guidelines necessary for a multifaceted community of biocurators, domain experts, bioinformaticians and computational biologists. The diagrams of the C19DMap, curated from the literature, are integrated with relevant interaction and text mining databases. We demonstrate the application of network analysis and modelling approaches by concrete examples to highlight new testable hypotheses. This framework helps to find signatures of SARS-CoV-2 predisposition, treatment response or prioritisation of drug candidates. Such an approach may help deal with new waves of COVID-19 or similar pandemics in the long-term perspective.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Structural mechanism for modulation of functional amyloid and biofilm formation by Staphylococcal Bap protein switch

The Staphylococcal Bap proteins sense environmental signals (such as pH, [Ca 2+ ]) to build amyloid scaffold biofilm matrices via unknown mechanisms. We here report the crystal structure of the aggregation-prone region of Staphylococcus aureus Bap which adopts a dumbbell-shaped fold. The middle module (MM) connecting the N-terminal and C-terminal lobes consists of a tandem of novel double-Ca 2+ -binding motifs involved in cooperative interaction networks, which undergoes Ca 2+ -dependent order-disorder conformational switches. The N-terminal lobe is sufficient to mediate amyloid aggregation through liquid-liquid phase separation and maturation, and subsequent biofilm formation under acidic conditions. Such processes are promoted by disordered MM at low [Ca 2+ ] but inhibited by ordered MM stabilized by Ca 2+ binding, with inhibition efficiency depending on structural integrity of the interaction networks. Furthermore, these studies illustrate a novel protein switch in pathogenic bacteria and provide insights into the mechanistic understanding of Bap proteins in modulation of functional amyloid and biofilm formation, which could be implemented in the anti-biofilm drug design.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Universality of Collective Density Fluctuations in Liquids at and away from Equilibrium – An Integrated Neutron Scattering, Theoretical, and Computational Study (Final Technical Report)

Liquids, ubiquitous on earth, are prototypical disordered condensed matter. As the mediate phase between non-structured gases and ordered solids, liquids p ossess intriguing complexities that are absent on either extreme counter phase, especially when they are driven away from equilibrium. Despite decades of studies, the physics of liquids still keeps surprising us and challenges our understanding of condensed matter, emergent phenomena, and complex systems. Among the many interesting properties, the nature of collective dynamics in liquids remains elusive because of both the presence of strong interactions and the absence of translational invariance. This project studied the universal features of collective density fluctuations (or collective modes), which include both phonon-like excitations and collective relaxations, in the Q-dependent generalized hydrodynamic regime in liquids and liquid-like matter both at and away from equilibrium. We performed systematic studies of the fast collective dynamics (including both phonon-like excitations and collective relaxations) of four classes of liquids characterized by different fragilities and interactions using synergistically integrated coherent neutron scattering experiments (Inelastic Neutron Scattering (INS), Quasi-Elastic Neutron Scattering (QENS), and Neutron Spin Echo (NSE)), a ViscoElastic Hydrodynamics theory we have been developing, andMolecular Dynamics (MD) simulations and our analysis package LiquidLib. The transformative knowledge of the collective dynamics in liquids is important to understand and ultimately control the transport of mass, energy, and charge in liquids, both at and away from thermal equilibrium, which may will likely impact a wide range of disciplines.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Competitive Metabolism of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs): An Assessment Using In Vitro Metabolism and Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Modeling

Humans are routinely exposed to complex mixtures such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) rather than to single compounds, as are often assessed for hazards. Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) metabolize PAHs, and multiple PAHs found in mixtures can compete as substrates for individual CYPs (e.g., CYP1A1, CYP1B1, etc.). The objective of this study was to assess competitive inhibition of metabolism of PAH mixtures in humans and evaluate a key assumption of the Relative Potency Factor approach that common human exposures will not cause interactions among mixture components. To test this objective, we co-incubated binary mixtures of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and dibenzo[def,p]chrysene (DBC) in human hepatic microsomes and measured rates of enzymatic BaP and DBC disappearance. We observed competitive inhibition of BaP and DBC metabolism and measured inhibition coefficients (K i ), observing that BaP inhibited DBC metabolism more potently than DBC inhibited BaP metabolism (0.061 vs. 0.44 µM K i , respectively). We developed a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) interaction model by integrating PBPK models of DBC and BaP and incorporating measured metabolism inhibition coefficients. The PBPK model predicts significant increases in BaP and DBC concentrations in blood AUCs following high oral doses of PAHs (≥100 mg), five orders of magnitude higher than typical human exposures. We also measured inhibition coefficients of Supermix-10, a mixture of the most abundant PAHs measured at the Portland Harbor Superfund Site, on BaP and DBC metabolism. We observed similar potencies of inhibition coefficients of Supermix-10 compared to BaP and DBC. Overall, results of this study demonstrate that these PAHs compete for the same enzymes and, at high doses, inhibit metabolism and alter internal dosimetry of exposed PAHs. This approach predicts that BaP and DBC exposures required to observe metabolic interaction are much higher than typical human exposures, consistent with assumptions used when applying the Relative Potency Factor approach for PAH mixture risk assessment.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

MPEX AI Digital Twins

All magnetically confined plasma fusion power plant concepts (Tokamak, Spherical Tokamak, Stellarator, Mirror, ...) must exhaust the heat and plasma from the core confinement region to the material walls. The primary channel for this exhaust is through a plasma divertor which directs plasma along open magnetic field lines to a material target. The Material Plasma Exposure eXperiment (MPEX) illustrated in Figure 1, is a high-power, steady-state linear plasma device designed to produce the plasma material interaction (PMI) conditions of the divertor of future magnetic confinement fusion power plants: energy flux 20MW/m 2 , ion fluence 1031/m 2 , pulse duration 106 sec. These goals of plasma exposure in MPEX are well beyond those achieved in magnetic fusion experimental devices. Successfully achieving these high power steady state conditions for long pulses requires operational control of the heating and particle sources and the plasma flux to the walls and target. The MPEX AI Hot Spot Controller, proposed in this project, will help achieve the operational milestones of MPEX. The MPEX device will begin commissioning at the end of FY26. A smaller proto-MPEX was operated for 14,666 plasma discharges and will resume operation in September of 2025 as proto-MPEX-lite, with reduced capability, to test a new window for the Helicon plasma source. The proto-MPEX data has undergone surrogate modeling with machine learning methods (R. Archibald, 2022 IEEE International Conference on Big Data). This proto-MPEX data will be used to begin development of the AI digital twins described in this white paper. The scientific mission of MPEX is to qualify materials of different composition for use in the high energy and plasma flux conditions of a fusion power plant. The materials exposed in MPEX will in some cases be exposed to high neutron fluxes at other ORNL facilities to measure the changes to their PMI properties. The targets exposed in MPEX will be transported under vacuum to a Surface Analysis Station (SAS). The SAS will be equipped with the following diagnostics: Focused Ion Beam (FIB) for trench milling, 100-400 angstrom resolution scanning electron microscope (SEM), surface mapping x-ray spectrometer, high resolution camera, and a future upgrade to a laser induced breakdown spectroscopy quadruple mass spectrometer (LIBS-QMS). The MPEX experiments will generate diverse pre- and post-exposure measurement data of detailed material properties down to the crystal grain level in 3D for post-exposure assessment of PMI damage (e.g. cracking, melting, erosion and redeposition of the material). Physics models for the PMI, and how the material composition and manufacturing impact its performance under high energy plasma exposure, need to be validated with MPEX data to guide the selection of new candidate materials. Our vision for the MPEX AI Digital Twins project is to supply experimental and physics model simulation data to train Artificial Intelligence (AI) models for data processing, analysis, operational control, PMI and materials simulation to maximize the scientific output of the MPEX device. Ultimately, an AI digital twin of MPEX material assessment metrics for tested and synthetic material types with simulated PMI will be trained by the AI Modeling Teams on the experimental and physics simulation data submitted to the American Science Cloud by this project. A purely empirical search for the best material is inefficient given the finite number of samples that can be tested on MPEX. In order to expand the material properties database for training the MPEX Material Assessment AI Digital Twin, and to gain physics understanding of the PMI processes, physics models of the material properties and PMI processes are required. The physics simulations provide detailed simulation data, like impact angles for plasma ions, sputtering yields, transport of the ionized sputtered target material in the plasma, and redeposition locations. This simulation data expands the measurement data for deeper physics understanding. The experimental data is essential to validate the PMI and material structure simulation models. The validated models can then be used to generate new simulation data of MPEX material assessments for synthetic material compositions that have not been exposed in MPEX. These predictive simulations, plus the whole experimental dataset, will be used to train the MPEX Material Assessment AI Digital Twin allowing a rapid generative AI search for new materials with reduced PMI damage by interpolating the domain of the training set. These new optimum materials can be simulated with the physics codes and/or tested in MPEX. The ability of AI neural networks to interpolate multi-dimensional parameter spaces and generate virtual data is exploited for a more efficient search for optimum materials. The advent of the Transformational AI Models Consortium (TAIMC) is an opportunity to engage with state of the art private and public AI developers to achieve the goals of the AI digital twins and AI accelerated physics models proposed in this project. Our partners at ORNL from the Advance Scientific Computing Research (ASCR) organization will collaborate in accelerating the integrated plasma material interaction simulation framework. This simulation framework will provide a platform for generating simulation data across a range of physical fidelities, including hybrid methods that produce multi-fidelity results. This data will be leveraged for AI model development, both for generation of surrogates and the automation of simulation campaigns. A part of the research below will include collaborative efforts with the TAIMC to (i) adapt data storage approaches to ensure AI-readiness, (ii) provide a protypical exemplar to inform and exercise constructed workflows, and (iii) generate and share data, using the TAIMC unified AI data standard, for foundational models that will be trained from multiple sources across the DOE complex. We will also collaborate with the TAIMC, as well as the planned AI modeling teams, to develop approaches for reducing the cost of data generation. These include tailored multi-fidelity approaches as well as fine-tuning strategies to augment general, large-scale foundational models.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Kinetic Limitations in Single‐Crystal High‐Nickel Cathodes

Abstract High‐nickel cathodes attract immense interest for use in lithium‐ion batteries to boost Li‐storage capacity while reducing cost. For overcoming the intergranular‐cracking issue in polycrystals, single‐crystals are considered an appealing alternative, but aggravating concerns on compromising the ionic transport and kinetic properties. We report here a quantitative assessment of redox reaction in single‐crystal LiNi 0.8 Mn 0.1 Co 0.1 O 2 using operando hard X‐ray microscopy/spectroscopy, revealing a strong dependence of redox kinetics on the state of charge (SOC). Specifically, the redox is sluggish at low SOC but increases rapidly as SOC increases, both in bulk electrodes and individual particles. The observation is corroborated by transport measurements and finite‐element simulation, indicating that the sluggish kinetics in single‐crystals is governed by ionic transport at low SOC and may be alleviated through synergistic interaction with polycrystals integrated into a same electrode.

Ge, Mingyuan↗

Kinetic Limitations in Single-Crystal High-Nickel Cathodes

High-nickel cathodes attract immense interest for use in lithium-ion batteries, to boost Li-storage capacity while reducing cost. For overcoming the intergranular-cracking issue in polycrystals, single-crystals are considered an appealing alternative, but aggravating concerns on compromising the electrochemical kinetics of electrodes. We report here a quantitative assessment of electrochemical reaction in single-crystal LiNi 0.8 Mn 0.1 Co 0.8 O 2 using operando hard X-ray microscopy/spectroscopy, revealing a strong dependence of redox kinetics on the state of charge (SOC) - being sluggish at low SOC while increasing rapidly as SOC increases both in the bulk electrode and individual particles. The observation is corroborated by transport measurements and finite-element simulation, indicating that the sluggish kinetics in single-crystals is governed by ionic transport at low SOC and may be alleviated through synergistic interaction with polycrystals integrated into a same electrode. Finally, with the elucidated mechanistic origin and alleviation solution of kinetic limitations in single-crystal high-Ni cathodes, this work constitutes a step forward in enabling their practical deployment.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Advances in mapping of x-ray emission from NIF hohlraums

A newly available ns-gated laser-entrance-hole (GLEH) imager in the National Ignition Facility provides a routine, non-perturbative measurement of hohlraum x-ray emission from inner and outer laser beam deposition regions. The GLEH records the x-ray flux integrated over complex interactions of various part of hohlraum plasma that evolves on a sub-nanosecond time scale. In using these images to unravel hohlraum physics, the first step is to pinpoint the origin inside the hohlraum of the observed x-ray image features. By mapping the hohlraum emission to the GLEH images using high-resolution simulations, one can interpret the GLEH images and gain insight into the hohlraum dynamics.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Documentation, assessment, and improvements of fission gas modeling capabilities in BISON

Fission gas behavior critically affects nuclear fuel performance, influencing thermal conductivity, microstructure, swelling, and fuel-cladding interactions. The Simple Integrated Fission Gas Release and Swelling (Sifgrs) model, implemented within the BISON fuel performance code, provides advanced capabilities for modeling these phenomena. This manuscript reviews and assesses Sifgrs’ modular structure and submodels describing intragranular, intergranular, and release mechanisms. The modular implementation enables rapid improvements as our understanding advances and new fuel forms emerge. After an overview of capabilities, we present a comprehensive validation suite, comparing predictions to experimental data from tests under normal and transient conditions, including reproduction of the Vitanza curve. Results demonstrate Sifgrs’ accuracy, robustness, and applicability. Current limitations and ongoing efforts are discussed, including mechanistic, multiscale modeling, uncertainty quantification, and validation within the Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) program, supporting the safe and efficient use of nuclear fuels.

BISON↗

Simple and Accurate One-Body Energy and Dipole Moment Surfaces for Water and Beyond

Water is often the testing ground for new, advanced force fields. While advanced functional forms for intermolecular interactions have been integral to the development of accurate water models, less attention has been paid to a transferable model for intramolecular valence terms. In this work, we present a one-body energy and dipole moment surface model, named 1B-UCB, that is simple yet accurate and can be feasibly adapted for both standard and advanced potentials. 1B-UCB for water is comparable in accuracy to those with much more complex functional forms, despite having drastically fewer parameters. The parametrization protocol has been implemented as part of the Q-Force automated workflow and requires only a quantum mechanical Hessian calculation as reference data, hence allowing it to be easily extended to a variety of molecular systems beyond water, which we demonstrate on a selection of small molecules with different symmetries.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Stratigraphy‐Induced Localization of Microseismicity During CO 2 Injection in Illinois Basin

Abstract Subsurface fluid injection stimulates complex hydromechanical interaction, necessitating the integration of geomechanical data across spatial and temporal scales to consider the sophisticated behavior. Induced seismic response is usually associated with the complex reservoir architecture and pre‐existing features that are three‐dimensional, such as local stratigraphy, fractures, faults, and other discontinuities. This study encompasses laboratory characterization of the coupled hydromechanical response of cores extracted from rock formations in Illinois Basin: reservoir ‐ Mt. Simon sandstone, basal seal ‐ Argenta sandstone, and crystalline basement ‐ Precambrian rhyolite. High‐resolution numerical modeling allows considering the three‐dimensional complexity of the Illinois Basin Decatur Project with spatial resolution comparable to one of the active seismic surveys. A detailed reconstruction of the evolving state of stress in formations lacking direct stress measurements is achieved by numerical modeling that integrated laboratory‐derived hydromechanical properties, a porosity‐permeability relationship, active seismic data, and an inverted three‐dimensional porosity distribution. It appears that the microseismic clusters, mainly observed in the crystalline basement during the injection, are linked to zones experiencing more critically stressed conditions prior to injection. These zones have a potential for reactivation during the injection and are attributed to the specific local stratigraphy of the injection site, as well as transfer of triggering perturbations during the injection.

Bondarenko, N. [University of Illinois Urbana‐Cham↗

Theory of thermal properties of magnetic materials with unknown entropy

Theoretical approaches to study thermal properties of magnetic materials typically require accurate models of magnetic interactions in order to define the entropy. Here we introduce a complementary approach for examining thermal properties in magnetic systems where an accepted model for such interactions does not exist. In place of a specific model for magnetic interactions, the approach integrates measurements of temperature dependent magnetization of the studied material into a first principles computational scheme. The approach calculates system pressure from thermally disordered microstates that properly incorporate vibrational and spin subsystems at each temperature as well as the coupling between these subsystems. We apply the approach to calculate phonon modes and to investigate the anomalously low thermal expansion of the classical Invar alloy, Fe 0.65 Ni 0.35 . Here, the calculated phonon dispersions for Invar are in excellent agreement with measured data. The Invar thermal expansion is shown to remain small between 50 K and room temperature, consistent with the experimentally observed low thermal expansion value in this same temperature range. This anomalously small thermal expansion is directly connected to a small positive contribution from lattice thermal disorder that is nearly canceled by a large negative magnetic disorder contribution. By contrast, calculations for bcc Fe show a much larger thermal expansion, consistent with experiment, which is dominated by a large contribution from lattice thermal disorder that is reduced only slightly by a small negative contribution from that of magnetism. These findings give insights into the unusual nature of magnetism and spin-lattice coupling in Invar and Fe. In addition, they give promising preliminary support to the presented new methodology as a complementary way to investigate thermal properties of magnetic materials. The success achieved on Invar and Fe motivates future testing of the approach on other magnetic materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Visual Analytics of Crosstalk in Quantum Hardware

Crosstalk remains a major obstacle to building scalable and fault-tolerant quantum computers. Conventional diagnostic techniques-often based on numerical simulation or statistical modeling-struggle to scale with hardware complexity and offer limited interpretability. In this work, we present a visual analytics framework for diagnosing qubit crosstalk using lightweight, circuit-based models integrated with an interactive user interface. Our approach quantifies correlations between active and idle qubits under parameterized single- and twoqubit operations, enabling detection of both spatial and gateinduced crosstalk. The system incorporates qubit topology and gate performance data to support sector-based exploration and correlation mapping. This tool assists users in identifying correlated error sources, informing qubit placement strategies, and guiding noise-aware circuit design.

Chae, Junghoon [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000206016746)↗