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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

Recovery of Cathode Materials and Aluminum Foil Using a Green Solvent

Effective separation of cathode materials and current collectors is one of the most enabling steps, yet a very challenging step, in recycling electrode scraps and spent Li-ion cells. Here, a green solvent, triethyl phosphate, was used to recover invaluable cobalt-containing cathodes, such as NMC622, by dissolving the polymeric binder of poly(vinylidene fluoride). Electrochemically active materials were separated from cathode scraps collected at the manufacturing step of electrodes through a solvent-based separation method without jeopardizing their physical characteristics, crystalline structure, and electrochemical performance. In this work, we found that the recovered aluminum foils were clean without any sign of corrosion and that the polymeric binder could be recovered via a non-solvent-induced phase separation. Additionally, recovery of cathode materials from spent cells was achieved using refined separation parameters based on the recycling of cathode scraps. It is anticipated that this green solvent-based separation for cathode recovery will attract significant interest by the lithium-ion battery manufacturing and recycling communities.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Experimental demonstration of continuous quantum error correction

The storage and processing of quantum information are susceptible to external noise, resulting in computational errors. A powerful method to suppress these effects is quantum error correction. Typically, quantum error correction is executed in discrete rounds, using entangling gates and projective measurement on ancillary qubits to complete each round of error correction. Here we use direct parity measurements to implement a continuous quantum bit-flip correction code in a resource-efficient manner, eliminating entangling gates, ancillary qubits, and their associated errors. An FPGA controller actively corrects errors as they are detected, achieving an average bit-flip detection efficiency of up to 91%. Furthermore, the protocol increases the relaxation time of the protected logical qubit by a factor of 2.7 over the relaxation times of the bare comprising qubits. Our results showcase resource-efficient stabilizer measurements in a multi-qubit architecture and demonstrate how continuous error correction codes can address challenges in realizing a fault-tolerant system.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Effects of laser-annealing on fixed-frequency superconducting qubits

As superconducting quantum processors increase in complexity, techniques to overcome constraints on frequency crowding are needed. The recently developed method of laser-annealing provides an effective post-fabrication method to adjust the frequency of superconducting qubits. In this work, we present an automated laser-annealing apparatus based on conventional microscopy components and demonstrate preservation of highly coherent transmons. In addition, we perform noise spectroscopy to investigate the change in defect features, in particular, two-level system defects, after laser-annealing. Finally, we present a local heating model as well as demonstrate aging stability for laser-annealing on the wafer scale. Our work constitutes an important step toward both understanding the underlying physical mechanism and scaling up laser-annealing of superconducting qubits.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Implementation of scalable suspended superinductors

Superinductors have become a crucial component in the superconducting circuit toolbox, playing a key role in the development of more robust qubits. Enhancing the performance of these devices can be achieved by suspending the superinductors from the substrate, thereby reducing stray capacitance. Here, we present a fabrication framework for constructing superconducting circuits with suspended superinductors in planar architectures. To validate the effectiveness of this process, we systematically characterize both resonators and qubits with suspended arrays of Josephson junctions, ultimately confirming the high quality of the superinductive elements. In addition, this process is broadly compatible with other types of superinductors and circuit designs. Furthermore, our results not only pave the way for scalable superconducting architectures utilizing superinductors but also provide the primitive for future investigation of loss mechanisms associated with the device substrate.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Improved Method for Evaluating and Specifying the Chromaticity of Light Sources

This article recommends a method for calculating and specifying light source chromaticity using the CIE 2015 10° color matching functions (CMFs), which, according to analysis of existing psychophysical experiment data, can reduce visual mismatch compared to specifications based on the traditional CIE 1931 2° CMFs. Specifically, this work evaluates, documents, and recommends for adoption a supporting system of measures to be used with the CIE 2015 10° CMFs: a new uniform chromaticity scale (UCS) diagram with coordinates (s, t), a measure of correlated color temperature (CCTst), and a measure of distance from the Planckian locus (Dst). It also presents options for updating nominal classification quadrangles. A complete method of this nature has not yet been standardized, which may be contributing to the slow uptake of the CIE 2015 CMFs. The proposed tools are analogous to u, v, CCT, Duv, and the ANSI C78.377 nominal classification quadrangles that are currently specified in the CIE 1960 UCS using the CIE 1931 2° CMFs. While conceptually equivalent, the differences between the current standard method and the new st system are important for reducing unintended mismatch in the chromaticity of light. Furthermore, the implications of changing chromaticity specification methods are identified by a comparison over a diverse set of real light source SPDs. Finally, as a step toward improving the design and specification of light sources for illumination purposes, we propose a process for implementing the recommendations.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Cytogenetic follow-up studies on humans with internal and external exposure to ionizing radiation

Cells exposed to ionizing radiation have a wide spectrum of DNA lesions that include DNA single-strand breaks, DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), oxidative base damage and DNA-protein crosslinks. Among them, DSB is the most critical lesion, which when mis-repaired leads to unstable and stable chromosome aberrations. Currently, chromosome aberration analysis is the preferred method for biological monitoring of radiation-exposed humans. Here, stable chromosome aberrations, such as inversions and balanced translocations, persist in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of radiation-exposed humans for several years and, therefore, are potentially useful tools to prognosticate the health risks of radiation exposure, particularly in the hematopoietic system. In this review, we summarize the cytogenetic follow-up studies performed by REAC/TS (Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training site, Oak Ridge, USA) on humans exposed to internal and external radiation. In the light of our observations as well as the data existing in the literature, this review attempts to highlight the importance of follow-up studies for predicting the extent of genomic instability and its impact on delayed health risks in radiation-exposed victims.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

Machine learning for continuous quantum error correction on superconducting qubits

Abstract Continuous quantum error correction has been found to have certain advantages over discrete quantum error correction, such as a reduction in hardware resources and the elimination of error mechanisms introduced by having entangling gates and ancilla qubits. We propose a machine learning algorithm for continuous quantum error correction that is based on the use of a recurrent neural network to identify bit-flip errors from continuous noisy syndrome measurements. The algorithm is designed to operate on measurement signals deviating from the ideal behavior in which the mean value corresponds to a code syndrome value and the measurement has white noise. We analyze continuous measurements taken from a superconducting architecture using three transmon qubits to identify three significant practical examples of non-ideal behavior, namely auto-correlation at temporal short lags, transient syndrome dynamics after each bit-flip, and drift in the steady-state syndrome values over the course of many experiments. Based on these real-world imperfections, we generate synthetic measurement signals from which to train the recurrent neural network, and then test its proficiency when implementing active error correction, comparing this with a traditional double threshold scheme and a discrete Bayesian classifier. The results show that our machine learning protocol is able to outperform the double threshold protocol across all tests, achieving a final state fidelity comparable to the discrete Bayesian classifier.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

How Generalizable is a Machine-Learning Approach for Modeling Hub-Height Turbulence Intensity?

Hub-height turbulence intensity is essential for a variety of wind energy applications. However, simulating it is a challenging task. Simple analytical models have been proposed in the literature, but they all come with significant limitations. Even state-of-the-art numerical weather prediction models, such as the Weather Research and Forecasting model, currently struggle to predict hub-height turbulence intensity. Here, we propose a machine-learning-based approach to predict hub-height turbulence intensity from other hub-height and ground-level atmospheric measurements, using observations from the Perdigao field campaign and the Southern Great Plains atmospheric observatory. We consider a random forest regression model, which we validate first at the site used for training and then under a more robust round-robin approach, and compare its performance to a multivariate linear regression. The random forest successfully outperforms the linear regression in modeling hub-height turbulence intensity, with a normalized root-mean-square error as low as 0.014 when using 30-minute average data. In order to achieve such low root-mean-square error values, the knowledge of hub-height turbulence kinetic energy (which can instead be modeled in the Weather Research and Forecasting model) is needed. Interestingly, we find that the performance of the random forest generalizes well when considering a round-robin validation (i.e., when the algorithm is trained at one site such as Perdigao or Southern Great Plains) and then applied to model hub-height turbulence intensity at the other location.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

TOI-220 b : a warm sub-Neptune discovered by TESS

ABSTRACT In this paper, we report the discovery of TOI-220 b, a new sub-Neptune detected by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and confirmed by radial velocity follow-up observations with the HARPS spectrograph. Based on the combined analysis of TESS transit photometry and high precision radial velocity measurements, we estimate a planetary mass of 13.8 ± 1.0 M⊕ and radius of 3.03 ± 0.15 R⊕, implying a bulk density of 2.73 ± 0.47 $\rm {g\,cm}^{-3}$. TOI-220 b orbits a relative bright (V= 10.4) and old (10.1 ± 1.4 Gyr) K dwarf star with a period of ∼10.69 d. Thus, TOI-220 b is a new warm sub-Neptune with very precise mass and radius determinations. A Bayesian analysis of the TOI-220 b internal structure indicates that due to the strong irradiation it receives, the low density of this planet could be explained with a steam atmosphere in radiative–convective equilibrium and a supercritical water layer on top of a differentiated interior made of a silicate mantle and a small iron core.

Hoyer, S.↗

TOI–757 b: an eccentric transiting mini–Neptune on a 17.5–d orbit

ABSTRACT We report the spectroscopic confirmation and fundamental properties of TOI$-$757 b, a mini$-$Neptune on a 17.5$-$d orbit transiting a bright star ($V\, =\, 9.7$ mag) discovered by the TESS mission. We acquired high$-$precision radial velocity measurements with the HARPS, ESPRESSO, and PFS spectrographs to confirm the planet detection and determine its mass. We also acquired space$-$borne transit photometry with the CHEOPS space telescope to place stronger constraints on the planet radius, supported with ground$-$based LCOGT photometry. WASP and KELT photometry were used to help constrain the stellar rotation period. We also determined the fundamental parameters of the host star. We find that TOI$-$757 b has a radius of $R_{\mathrm{p}} = 2.5 \pm 0.1 R_{\oplus }$ and a mass of $M_{\mathrm{p}} = 10.5^{+2.2}_{-2.1} M_{\oplus }$, implying a bulk density of $\rho _{\text{p}} = 3.6 \pm 0.8$ g cm$^{-3}$. Our internal composition modelling was unable to constrain the composition of TOI$-$757 b, highlighting the importance of atmospheric observations for the system. We also find the planet to be highly eccentric with e = 0.39$^{+0.08}_{-0.07}$, making it one of the very few highly eccentric planets among precisely characterized mini$-$Neptunes. Based on comparisons to other similar eccentric systems, we find a likely scenario for TOI$-$757 b’s formation to be high eccentricity migration due to a distant outer companion. We additionally propose the possibility of a more intrinsic explanation for the high eccentricity due to star$-$star interactions during the earlier epoch of the Galactic disc formation, given the low metallicity and older age of TOI$-$757.

Alqasim, A. (ORCID:0000000151025505)↗

Responses of the Plant Cell Wall to Sub-Zero Temperatures: A Brief Update

Our general understanding of plant responses to sub-zero temperatures focuses on mechanisms that mitigate stress to the plasma membrane. The plant cell wall receives comparatively less attention, and questions surrounding its role in mitigating freezing injury remain unresolved. Despite recent molecular discoveries that provide insight into acclimation responses, the goal of reducing freezing injury in herbaceous and woody crops remains elusive. This is likely due to the complexity associated with adaptations to low temperatures. Understanding how leaf cell walls of herbaceous annuals promote tissue tolerance to ice does not necessarily lead to understanding how meristematic tissues are protected from freezing by tissue-level barriers formed by cell walls in overwintering tree buds. In this mini-review, we provide an overview of biological ice nucleation and explain how plants control the spatiotemporal location of ice formation. We discuss how sugars and pectin side chains alleviate adhesive injury that develops at sub-zero temperatures between the matrix polysaccharides and ice. The importance of site-specific cell-wall elasticity to promote tissue expansion for ice accommodation and control of porosity to impede ice growth and promote supercooling will be presented. How specific cold-induced proteins modify plant cell walls to mitigate freezing injury will also be discussed. The opinions presented in this report emphasize the importance of a plant’s developmental physiology when characterizing mechanisms of freezing survival.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Measurement of beam-recoil observables 𝐶 𝑥 and 𝐶 𝑧 for 𝐾 + ⁢Λ photoproduction

Exclusive photoproduction of 𝐾 + ⁢Λ final states off a proton target has been an important component in the search for missing nucleon resonances and our understanding of the production of final states containing strange quarks. Polarization observables have been instrumental in this effort. The current work is an extension of previously published CLAS results on the beam-recoil transferred polarization observables 𝐶 𝑥 and 𝐶 𝑧 . Here, we extend the kinematic range up to invariant mass 𝑊 = 3.33 GeV from the previous limit of 𝑊 = 2.5 GeV with significantly improved statistical precision in the region of overlap. These data will provide for tighter constraints on the reaction models used to unravel the spectrum of nucleon resonances and their properties by not only improving the statistical precision of the data within the resonance region, but also constraining 𝑡-channel processes that dominate at higher 𝑊 but extend into the resonance region.

Electrons↗

First displaced vertex search for electroproduced dark-sector strongly interacting massive particles by the HPS experiment

The Heavy Photon Search experiment (HPS) is a fixed-target, electron beam experiment designed to search for 𝑒 + ⁢𝑒 − mass resonances and displaced decays using a forward acceptance spectrometer. This paper details the search for naturally long-lived “dark” vector mesons (𝑉 𝐷 ) arising from a dark sector of beyond-Standard-Model strongly interacting massive particles, characterized by a QCD-like 𝑆⁢𝑈⁢(3) 𝐷 symmetry and coupled to the Standard Model photon via a new 𝑈⁢(1) 𝐷 gauge interaction mediated by the “heavy photon,” or 𝐴′. The results are based on an integrated luminosity of 10 608 nb −1 collected during the 2016 HPS engineering run. The displaced vertex search for 𝑉 𝐷 → 𝑒 +⁢ 𝑒 − in the 𝑒 +⁢ 𝑒 − invariant mass range 39–179 MeV showed no statistically significant evidence for signal above the QED background.

extensions of gauge sector↗

Measurement of spin-density matrix elements in 𝜙⁡(1020) → 𝐾$^{0}_{𝑆}$⁢𝐾$^{0}_{𝐿}$ photoproduction with a linearly polarized photon beam at 𝐸 𝛾 = 8.2–8.8 GeV

We measure the spin-density matrix elements (SDMEs) for the photoproduction of 𝜙⁡(1020) off of the proton in its decay to 𝐾$^{0}_{𝑆}$⁢𝐾$^{0}_{𝐿}$, using 105 pb −1 of data collected with a linearly polarized photon beam using the GlueX experiment. The SDMEs are measured in nine bins of the squared four-momentum transfer 𝑡 in the range −𝑡=0.15−1.0 GeV 2 , providing the first measurement of their 𝑡 dependence for photon beam energies of 𝐸 𝛾 = 8.2−8.8 GeV. We confirm the dominance of Pomeron exchange in this region and put constraints on the contribution of other Regge exchanges. We also find that helicity amplitudes where the helicity of the photon and 𝜙⁡(1020) differ by two units are negligible.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Measurement of single- and double-polarization observables in the photoproduction of 𝜋 + ⁢𝜋 − meson pairs off the proton using CLAS at Jefferson Laboratory

The photoproduction of 𝜋 + ⁢𝜋 − meson pairs off the proton has been studied in the reaction 𝛾⁢𝑝→𝑝⁢𝜋 + ⁢𝜋 − using the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS) and the frozen-spin target (FROST) in Hall B at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. For the first time, the beam and target asymmetries, 𝐼 𝑠,𝑐 and 𝑃 𝑥,𝑦 , have been measured along with the beam-target double-polarization observables, 𝑃$^{𝑠,𝑐}_{𝑥,𝑦}$, using a transversely polarized target with center-of-mass energies ranging from 1.51 GeV up to 2.04 GeV. These data and additional 𝜋⁢𝜋 photoproduction observables from CLAS and experiments elsewhere were included in a partial-wave analysis within the Bonn-Gatchina framework. Significant contributions from 𝑠-channel resonance production are observed in addition to 𝑡-channel exchange processes. The data indicate significant contributions from 𝑁* and Δ* resonances in the third and fourth resonance regions.

QCD phenomenology↗

Baryon–antibaryon photoproduction cross sections off the proton

The GlueX experiment at Jefferson Lab has observed 𝑝⁢$\overline{p}$ and, for the first time, Λ$\overlineΛ$ and 𝑝$\overlineΛ$ photoproduction from a proton target at photon energies up to 11.6 GeV. The angular distributions are forward peaked for all produced pairs, consistent with Regge-like 𝑡-channel exchange. Asymmetric wide-angle antibaryon distributions show the presence of additional processes. In a phenomenological model, we find consistency with a double-𝑡-channel exchange process where antibaryons are created only at the middle vertex. The model matches all observed distributions with a small number of free parameters. In the hyperon channels, we observe a clear distinction between photoproduction of the Λ$\overlineΛ$ and 𝑝$\overlineΛ$ systems but general similarity to the 𝑝$\overline{p}$ system. We report both total cross sections and cross sections differential with respect to momentum transfer and the invariant masses of the created particle pairs. No narrow resonant structures were found in these reaction channels. The suppression of 𝑠$\overline{s}$ quark pairs relative to 𝑑$\overline{d}$ quark pairs is similar to what has been seen in other reactions.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

First measurement of 𝑎$^{0}_{2}$⁡(1320) polarized photoproduction cross section

We measure for the first time the differential photoproduction cross section dσ/dt of the a 2 (1320) meson at an average photon beam energy of 8.5 GeV, using data with an integrated luminosity of 104 pb −1 collected by the GlueX experiment. We fully reconstruct the γp → ηπ 0 p reaction and perform a partial-wave analysis in the a 2 (1320) mass region with amplitudes that incorporate the linear polarization of the beam. This allows us to separate for the first time the contributions of natural- and unnatural-parity exchanges. Furthermore, these measurements provide novel information about the photoproduction mechanism, which is critical for the search for spin-exotic states.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Search for the 𝑌⁡(2175) in the Photoproduction Cross Section Measurement of 𝛾⁢𝑝 → 𝜙⁢𝜋 + ⁢𝜋 − ⁢𝑝 at GlueX

Based on 334 pb −1 of photoproduction data collected with the GlueX detector at Jefferson Lab, we have measured for the first time the cross section of the exclusive reaction 𝛾+𝑝→𝜙⁡(1020)⁢𝜋 + ⁢𝜋 − ⁢𝑝 by reconstructing the final state 𝐾 +⁢ 𝐾 − ⁢𝜋 + ⁢𝜋 − ⁢𝑝 produced with a photon beam of energies between 8.0 and 11.6 GeV. Based on the measured differential cross section, we have performed a search for the strangeoniumlike exotic candidate 𝑌⁡(2175), recently renamed to 𝜙⁡(2170). This state has been reported by different 𝑒 + ⁢𝑒 − annihilation experiments and it is addressed here for the first time in a photoproduction experiment. We do not find evidence for this state when using the resonance parameters quoted by the Particle Data Group and provide upper limits on the photoproduction cross section. Instead, we find a structure at a mass of 𝑚⁡(𝜙⁢𝜋 + ⁢𝜋 − ) = 2.24 GeV/𝑐 2 with a statistical significance of about 5⁢𝜎. The parameters of this structure differ from those quoted by the Particle Data Group for the 𝜙⁡(2170) and are consistent with a previous observation in 𝑒 + ⁢𝑒 − annihilation. In addition, there is evidence for a second structure at 1.82 GeV/𝑐 2 .

Exotic mesons↗