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At least 973 records · Page 54

A new hydrocarbon empirical potential in angle bending calculation for the molecular dynamics simulation

Typically, short range potential only depends on neighbouring atoms and its parameters function can be categorized into bond stretching, angle bending and bond rotation potential. In this paper, we present our work called Angle Bending (AB) potential, whereas AB potential is the extension of our previous work namely Bond Stretching (BS) potential. Basically, potential will tend to zero after truncated region, potential in specific region can be represented by different piecewise polynomial. We proposed the AB piecewise potential which is possible to solve a system involving three atoms. AB potential able to handle the potential of covalent bonds for three atoms as well as two atoms cases due to its degeneracy properties. Continuity for the piecewise polynomial has been enforced by coupling with penalty methods. There are still plenty of improvement spaces for this AB potential. The improvement for three atoms AB potential will be studied and further modified into torsional potential which are the ongoing current research.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Role of interfaces on the mechanical response of accumulative roll bonded nanometallic laminates investigated via dislocation dynamics simulations

Unraveling the effects of continuous dislocation interactions with interfaces, particularly at the nanometer length scales, is key to a broader understanding of plasticity, to material design and to material certification. To this end, this work proposes a novel discrete dislocation dynamics-based model for dislocation interface interactions tracking the fate of residual dislocation on interfaces. This new approach is used to predict the impact of dislocation/interface reactions on the overall mechanical behavior of accumulative roll bonded nanometallic laminates. The framework considers the dynamic evolution of the interface concurrent with a large network of dislocations, thus, accounting for the local short and long range effects of the dislocations under the external boundary conditions. Specifically, this study focuses on two-phase Fe/Cu nanometallic laminates, and investigates the role of the underlying elastic and plastic contrast of the Fe and the Cu layers on the composite response of the material. Moreover, the role of initial microstructures, resulting from processing is also investigated. Subsequently, the model is used to examine the effect of layer thickness and interface orientation relationship on the residual stresses of the relaxed microstructure. The associated mechanical response of these laminates are compared when loaded under normal direction compression, as well as shear compression. Finally, this work predicts a dominant effect of the layer thickness, as compared to the interface orientation relationship, on the macroscopic response and on the residual stresses of these nanolaminates, while the local dislocation transmission propensity through the interface is significantly influenced by the corresponding orientation relationship.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Quantum-Based Molecular Dynamics Simulations Using Tensor Cores

Tensor cores, along with tensor processing units, represent a new form of hardware acceleration specifically designed for deep neural network calculations in artificial intelligence applications. Tensor cores provide extraordinary computational speed and energy efficiency but with the caveat that they were designed for tensor contractions (matrix–matrix multiplications) using only low-precision floating-point operations. Despite this perceived limitation, we demonstrate how tensor cores can be applied with high efficiency to the challenging and numerically sensitive problem of quantum-based Born–Oppenheimer molecular dynamics, which requires highly accurate electronic structure optimizations and conservative force evaluations. The interatomic forces are calculated on-the-fly from an electronic structure that is obtained from a generalized deep neural network, where the computational structure naturally takes advantage of the exceptional processing power of the tensor cores and allows for high performance in excess of 100 Tflops on a single Nvidia A100 GPU. Stable molecular dynamics trajectories are generated using the framework of extended Lagrangian Born–Oppenheimer molecular dynamics, which combines computational efficiency with long-term stability, even when using approximate charge relaxations and force evaluations that are limited in accuracy by the numerically noisy conditions caused by the low-precision tensor core floating-point operations. A canonical ensemble simulation scheme is also presented, where the additional numerical noise in the calculated forces is absorbed into a Langevin-like dynamics.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Study of the effects of metalloid elements (P, C, B) on Fe-based amorphous alloys by ab initio molecular dynamics simulations

In order to understand the effects of the metalloid elements M (M: P, C, B) on the atomic structure, glass formation ability (GFA) and magnetic properties of Fe-based amorphous alloys, Fe{sub 80}P{sub 13}C{sub 7}, Fe{sub 80}P{sub 14}B{sub 6} and Fe{sub 80}B{sub 14}C{sub 6} amorphous alloys are chosen to study through first-principle simulations in the present work. The atomic structure characteristic of the three amorphous alloys is investigated through the pair distribution functions (PDFs) and Voronoi Polyhedra (VPs) analyses. The PDFs and VPs analyses suggest that the GFA of the three alloys dropped in the order of Fe{sub 80}P{sub 13}C{sub 7}, Fe{sub 80}P{sub 14}B{sub 6}, and Fe{sub 80}B{sub 14}C{sub 6}, which is well consistent with the experimental results. The density of state (DOS) of the three amorphous alloys is calculated to investigate their magnetic properties. Based on the DOS analysis, the average magnetic moment of Fe atom in Fe{sub 80}P{sub 13}C{sub 7} and Fe{sub 80}P{sub 14}B{sub 6} amorphous alloys can be estimated to be 1.71 μ{sub B} and 1.70 μ{sub B}, respectively, which are in acceptable agreement with the experimental results. However, the calculated average magnetic moment of Fe atom in Fe{sub 80}B{sub 14}C{sub 6} amorphous alloy is about 1.62 μ{sub B}, which is far less than the experimental result.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Adapting SAFT-γ perturbation theory to site-based molecular dynamics simulation. I. Homogeneous fluids

In this work, we aim to develop a version of the Statistical Associating Fluid Theory (SAFT)-γ equation of state (EOS) that is compatible with united-atom force fields, rather than experimental data. We rely on the accuracy of the force fields to provide the relation to experimental data. Although, our objective is a transferable theory of interfacial properties for soft and fused heteronuclear chains, we first clarify the details of the SAFT-γ approach in terms of site-based simulations for homogeneous fluids. We show that a direct comparison of Helmholtz free energy to molecular simulation, in the framework of a third order Weeks-Chandler-Andersen perturbation theory, leads to an EOS that takes force field parameters as input and reproduces simulation results for Vapor-Liquid Equilibria (VLE) calculations. For example, saturated liquid density and vapor pressure of n-alkanes ranging from methane to dodecane deviate from those of the Transferable Potential for Phase Equilibria (TraPPE) force field by about 0.8% and 4%, respectively. Similar agreement between simulation and theory is obtained for critical properties and second virial coefficient. The EOS also reproduces simulation data of mixtures with about 5% deviation in bubble point pressure. Extension to inhomogeneous systems and united-atom site types beyond those used in description of n-alkanes will be addressed in succeeding papers.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Adapting SAFT-γ perturbation theory to site-based molecular dynamics simulation. III. Molecules with partial charges at bulk phases, confined geometries and interfaces

In Paper I [A. F. Ghobadi and J. R. Elliott, J. Chem. Phys. 139(23), 234104 (2013)], we showed that how a third-order Weeks–Chandler–Anderson (WCA) Thermodynamic Perturbation Theory and molecular simulation can be integrated to characterize the repulsive and dispersive contributions to the Helmholtz free energy for realistic molecular conformations. To this end, we focused on n-alkanes to develop a theory for fused and soft chains. In Paper II [A. F. Ghobadi and J. R. Elliott, J. Chem. Phys. 141(2), 024708 (2014)], we adapted the classical Density Functional Theory and studied the microstructure of the realistic molecular fluids in confined geometries and vapor-liquid interfaces. We demonstrated that a detailed consistency between molecular simulation and theory can be achieved for both bulk and inhomogeneous phases. In this paper, we extend the methodology to molecules with partial charges such as carbon dioxide, water, 1-alkanols, nitriles, and ethers. We show that the electrostatic interactions can be captured via an effective association potential in the framework of Statistical Associating Fluid Theory (SAFT). Implementation of the resulting association contribution in assessing the properties of these molecules at confined geometries and interfaces presents satisfactory agreement with molecular simulation and experimental data. For example, the predicted surface tension deviates less than 4% comparing to full potential simulations. Also, the theory, referred to as SAFT-γ WCA, is able to reproduce the specific orientation of hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail of 1-alkanols at the vapor-liquid interface of water.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Accelerating computational fluid dynamics simulation of post-combustion carbon capture modeling with MeshGraphNets

Packed columns are commonly used in post-combustion processes to capture CO 2 emissions by providing enhanced contact area between a CO 2 -laden gas and CO 2 -absorbing solvent. To study and optimize solvent-based post-combustion carbon capture systems (CCSs), computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can be used to model the liquid–gas countercurrent flow hydrodynamics in these columns and derive key determinants of CO 2 -capture efficiency. However, the large design space of these systems hinders the application of CFD for design optimization due to its high computational cost. In contrast, data-driven modeling approaches can produce fast surrogates to study large-scale physics problems. We build our surrogates using MeshGraphNets (MGN), a graph neural network framework that efficiently learns and produces mesh-based simulations. We apply MGN to a random packed column modeled with over 160K graph nodes and a design space consisting of three key input parameters: solvent surface tension, inlet velocity, and contact angle. Our models can adapt to a wide range of these parameters and accurately predict the complex interactions within the system at rates over 1700 times faster than CFD, affirming its practicality in downstream design optimization tasks. This underscores the robustness and versatility of MGN in modeling complex fluid dynamics for large-scale CCS analyses.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

New Nonreactive Force Field for Accurate Molecular Dynamics Simulations of TATB at Extreme Conditions

Insensitive high explosives based on TATB (1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene) are needed in applications when safety is of paramount importance, but the basic material properties that give rise to its insensitivity are not fully understood. Molecular dynamics modeling using empirical force fields (FFs) has been the main route to characterize many complicated dynamical properties of TATB single crystal, but these FFs have not been comprehensively tested at extreme conditions typical of detonation. We collect a benchmark data set of (quasi)static TATB physical properties as determined by experiments and electronic structure calculations and apply this data set to validate four existing TATB FFs along with a new TATB FF that we develop here and denote as the CEA-LLNL-Missouri (CLM) FF. Benchmark data include vibrational spectra, the TATB crystal temperature–pressure–volume equation of state and lattice parameters, properties of TATB crystal polymorphs and transitions to the gaseous and liquid states, dimer energy landscapes, the pressure-dependent elastic tensor, and the energy landscape for inelastic deformation via sliding of TATB crystal layers. As a general assessment, we find that the two existing nonreactive FFs are more accurate in describing TATB’s physical properties compared to the two variants of the ReaxFF reactive FF considered. The new CLM FF is found to consistently yield similar or better agreement with experiments and electronic structure theory than any of the existing FF models, and it presents a distinct improvement in accurately modeling TATB elasticity and equation of state. So this work is expected to help improve the accuracy of FF-based modeling of complicated dynamic responses that ultimately govern the safety and performance characteristics of this material.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Cluster Dynamics Simulations of Intra-Granular Fission Gas Bubble Size and Pressure Evolution in UO 2

Fission gases such as xenon (Xe) play a critical role in determining the behavior and response of nuclear fuel. Given that Xe has little solubility in UO 2 , it accumulates and forms bubbles, which significantly impact fuel performance. Intra- and inter-granular bubble nucleation and growth can lead to fuel swelling, and once bubbles interconnect at grain boundaries, fission gas can be released into the plenum. At low temperatures, limited uranium vacancy mobility can restrict swelling, therefore causing the bubbles to become highly pressurized. Consequently, this can induce micro-cracking, promote fission gas release (increasing the likelihood of cladding failure), and even lead to fuel pulverization under accident conditions such as a loss of coolant accident. As bubble evolution is strongly influenced by local temperature and fission rate, markedly different behavior occurs across the radial profile of the fuel pellet. Capturing the mechanisms that underpin bubble evolution is therefore important to predict these behaviors in the fuel. Previous models describing important mechanisms informed by lower length scale simulations have been developed under the NEAMS program. These can describe the evolution of a single bubble type (i.e., single value for radius and pressure) at each position in the pellet, for instance using the Centipede cluster dynamic code. However, in reality, a full distribution in bubble sizes and pressures exists within the microstructure at a given position in the pellet. To address this the cluster dynamics code Xolotl, which can predict Xe and vacancy phase space (i.e., bubble distributions) for intra-granular bubbles, has been used before. Prior work benchmarked the Xolotl code against the Centipede cluster dynamics code to ensure compatibility and to verify that mobile defect properties are adequately transferred between the two codes, along with some physics improvements. In this work, we go further by introducing a physics-based set of improvements that will allow us to accurately predict bubble size distributions and internal bubble pressures under representative UO 2 irradiation conditions. The improvements include (i) coupling bubble-defect reaction energies to a virial equation of state (EOS), (ii) including a bubble surface tension contribution, (iii) incorporating radiation-induced re-solution of Xe and vacancies, (iv) enabling pressure-driven dislocation loop punching through an effective emission of interstitial clusters informed by interstitial loop energetics, (v) accounting for radiation induced athermal diffusion of Xe, and (vi) implementing a Booth-type grain boundary sink representation for all mobile defects and defect clusters. After these modifications, we observe good agreement of Xolotl fission gas bubble size and concentration predictions with legacy experimental measurements. Additionally, it allows the distribution of Xe bubble pressures and radius to also be predicted and compared to data produced through the Advanced Fuels Campaign (AFC) program. Here, we have done this by running simulations under conditions similar to the AFC post-irradiation examination (PIE) samples irradiated at North Anna 2 light water reactor (LWR). Our results shows excellent agreement with these experimental measurements.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Hugoniot properties of porous stainless steel: Insights from molecular dynamics simulations

Here, we present a systematic study of Hugoniot properties of porous 316L stainless steel using both a simple interpolation scheme and direct shock simulations in order to probe pore collapse kinetics as well as final thermodynamic states. Both methods indicate that equilibrated Hugoniot properties depend on pore density only and not on the pore distribution or size. We then create a simple porous equation of state model that is shown to be accurate for a range of validation data. This allows us to extend our simulations to make direct comparison to experimental data that have generally significantly larger system sizes and durations. In addition, our direct shock simulations indicate that the relaxation time after hotspot formation is system size dependent and can reach nanosecond timescales for the largest pores investigated in our study, thereby possibly having a measurable effect on fast dynamic loading experiments.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Dynamic Simulation Modeling and Control of a Desiccant Assisted Direct-expansion Air Handling Unit

Desirable built environments demand simultaneous regulation of thermal comfort and indoor air quality (IAQ) with energy-efficient operation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HV AC) systems, which involves controls of temperature, humidity and airborne contaminants simultaneously. This paper presents the efforts of dynamic modeling and initial development control strategy for a desiccant-assisted multi-functional air handling unit (AHU) coupled with a direct-expansion rooftop unit (RTU) system, which aims to achieve multiple functions for indoor environment conditioning with energy efficient control. The RTU-AHU system includes a desiccant wheel for dehumidification and a conceptual direct air capture (DAC) filtering device for CO2 regulation. A Modelica-based dynamic model is developed for this conceptual system, and a simple decentralized control strategy is designed, which combines a differential-enthalpy based AHU return-air ratio control, a demand-controlled ventilation, and supply-air temperature humidity control via the RTU and DW controls. The proposed control method is evaluated with the Modelica simulation model for a selected set of scenarios

Pan, Chao↗

Unfolding bovine α-lactalbumin with T-jump: Characterizing disordered intermediates via time-resolved x-ray solution scattering and molecular dynamics simulations

The protein folding process often proceeds through partially folded transient states. Therefore, a structural understanding of these disordered states is crucial for developing mechanistic models of the folding process. Characterization of unfolded states remains challenging due to their disordered nature, and incorporating multiple methods is necessary. Combining the time-resolved x-ray solution scattering (TRXSS) signal with molecular dynamics (MD), we are able to characterize transient partially folded states of bovine α-lactalbumin, a model system widely used for investigation of molten globule states, during its unfolding triggered by a temperature jump. We track the unfolding process between 20 μs and 70 ms and demonstrate that it passes through three distinct kinetic states. The scattering signals associated with these transient species are then analyzed with TRXSS constrained MD simulations to produce protein structures that are compatible with the input signals. Without utilizing any experimentally extracted kinetic information, the constrained MD simulation successfully drove the protein to an intermediate molten globule state; signals for two later disordered states are refined to terminal unfolded states. From our examination of the structural characteristics of these disordered states, we discuss the implications disordered states have on the folding process, especially on the folding pathway. Finally, we discuss the potential applications and limitations of this method.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

First-principles molecular dynamics simulation of the Ca 2 UO 2 (CO 3 ) 3 complex in water

Recent experiments have shown that the neutral Ca 2 UO 2 (CO 3 ) 3 complex is the dominant species of uranium in many uranyl-containing streams. However, the structure and solvation of such a species in water has not been investigated from first principles. Herein we present a first principles molecular dynamics perspective of the Ca 2 UO 2 (CO 3 ) 3 complex in water based on density functional theory and Born–Oppenheimer approximation. We find that the Ca 2 UO 2 (CO 3 ) 3 complex is very stable in our simulation timeframe for three different concentrations considered and that the key distances from our simulation are in good agreement with the experimental data from extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. More important, we find that the two Ca ions bind differently in the complex, as a result of the hydrogen-bonding network around the whole complex. Furthermore, this finding invites confirmation from time-resolved EXAFS and has implications in understanding the dissociative equilibrium of the Ca 2 UO 2 (CO 3 ) 3 complex in water.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗