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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 109 records · Page 6

Optimization of a High Pressure Turbine Blade and Sector-Based Annular Rig Design for Supercritical CO2 Power Cycle Representative Testing

Abstract As part of the ongoing research into the design of hardware for zero emission cycles, a first-stage high-pressure turbine (HPT) blade is optimized for a 300 MWe supercritical CO2 (sCO2) power cycle using the surrogate-assisted genetic algorithm optimizer in Numeca FINE/Design three-dimensional with objectives of increasing efficiency and decreasing heat load to the blade. Supercritical CO2 property tables are constructed from NIST REFPROP data for the condensable gas simulation in FINE/Turbo. A detailed mesh sensitivity study is performed for a baseline design to identify the proper-grid refinement and efficiently allocate resources for the optimization. Seventy design variables are selected for the initial population generation. Self-organizing maps are then used to focus the design variables on the most important ones affecting the objective functions. The optimization results in approximately 3000 three-dimensional Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes simulations of different blade shapes with increases in efficiency of up to 0.85% and decreases in heat load of 14%. Families of blade shapes are identified for experimental testing in an annular rig at the Purdue Experimental Turbine Aerothermal Laboratory. A design to adapt the annular cascade for testing optimized geometries is introduced, which features eccentric radius sectors allowing for scaled-up geometries of sCO2 optimized blade profiles to be tested at design cycle representative conditions at high Reynolds numbers in dry air. Analysis into the effects of Reynolds number, working fluid, and geometric relations are presented to prove the efficacy of the test method.

Engineering↗

Quantum Simulation of Molecular Dynamics Processes─A Benchmark Study Using a Classical Simulator and Present-Day Quantum Hardware

Here, we explore how the fundamental problems in quantum molecular dynamics can be modeled using classical simulators (emulators) of quantum computers and the actual quantum hardware available to us today. The list of problems we tackle includes propagation of a free wave packet, vibration of a harmonic oscillator, and tunneling through a barrier. Each of these problems starts with the initial wave packet setup. Although Qiskit provides a general method for initializing wave functions, in most cases it generates deep quantum circuits. While these circuits perform well on noiseless simulators, they suffer from excessive noise on quantum hardware. To overcome this issue, we designed a shallower quantum circuit for preparing a Gaussian-like initial wave packet, which improves the performance of real hardware. Next, quantum circuits are implemented to apply the kinetic and potential energy operators for the evolution of a wave function over time. The results of our modeling on classical emulators of quantum hardware agree perfectly with the results obtained using the traditional (classical) methods. This serves as a benchmark and demonstrates that the quantum algorithms and Qiskit codes we developed are accurate. However, the results obtained on the actual quantum hardware available today, such as IBM’s superconducting qubits and IonQ’s trapped ions, indicate large discrepancies due to hardware limitations. This work highlights both the potential and challenges of using quantum computers to solve fundamental quantum molecular dynamics problems.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

NeuroCoreX: An Open-Source FPGA-Based Spiking Neural Network Emulator with On-Chip Learning

Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs) are computational models inspired by the event-driven communication and connectivity patterns of biological neural circuits. They enable high energy efficiency and natural support for diverse architectures ranging from layered networks to small-world and graphstructured topologies. In this work, we introduce NeuroCoreX, an open-source, FPGA-based spiking neural network emulator that provides real-time, on-chip learning and flexible network organization. NeuroCoreX supports both feedforward sensory inputs streamed directly from sensors or PCs via UART and recurrent on-chip connectivity, enabling simultaneous processing and learning from external stimuli and internal network dynamics-capabilities rarely available in existing FPGA SNN platforms. The system implements a Leaky Integrate-and-Fire (LIF) neuron model with current-based synapses and supports pair-based STDP learning on both feedforward and recurrent synapses. A lightweight Python interface enables interactive configuration, live monitoring, weight read-back, and experiment control. Importantly, NeuroCoreX is tightly integrated with the SuperNeuroMAT simulator, allowing SNN models to be transferred seamlessly from software to hardware for hardware-in-the-loop development. By combining real-time plasticity, flexible connectivity, and an open-source VHDL implementation, NeuroCoreX provides an extensible and accessible platform for neuromorphic research, algorithm-hardware co-design, and energy-efficient edge intelligence.

Gautam, Ashish [ORNL]↗

Three-Dimensional Integration of Functional Oxides and Crystalline Silicon for Optical Neuromorphic Computing Using Nanometer-Scale Oxygen Scavenging Barriers

Dating to the first reports of epitaxial oxide deposition on Si(001), the integration of complex oxides on silicon has been a fast-moving area of research, where fundamental materials physics is intimately connected to tremendous technological promise in such areas as integrated electronics, optical neuromorphic and quantum computing, and sensing, to name a few. Despite their great promise, devices relying on the co-integration of silicon and epitaxial perovskites are typically limited to basic, planar geometries due to practical issues with their fabrication. In this paper, we overcome these long-standing challenges by developing a method to produce high-quality Si(001)/TMO/Si(001)/TMO heterostructures without wafer bonding, resulting in the straightforward three-dimensional integration of functional complex oxides and active Si(001) layers into a technologically relevant platform that is needed for on-chip hardware implementations of neuromorphic computing based on optical signals. We present detailed structural and chemical characterization of our heterostructures and discuss generalized design rules for their fabrication. Our results exponentially expand the universe of practically achievable TMO-based integrated devices and push this promising class of materials closer to realizing their full technological potential.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Fast jet tagging with MLP-Mixers on FPGAs

We explore the innovative use of MLP-Mixer models for real-time jet tagging and establish their feasibility on resource-constrained hardware like FPGAs. MLP-Mixers excel in processing sequences of jet constituents, achieving state-of-the-art performance on datasets mimicking Large Hadron Collider conditions. By using advanced optimization techniques such as High-Granularity Quantization and Distributed Arithmetic, we achieve unprecedented efficiency. These models match or surpass the accuracy of previous architectures, reduce hardware resource usage by up to 97%, double the throughput, and half the latency. Additionally, non-permutation-invariant architectures enable smart feature prioritization and efficient FPGA deployment, setting a new benchmark for machine learning in real-time data processing at particle colliders.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Improving Cyber Situational Understanding

Effective cybersecurity operations require the ability to analyze large amounts of information to assess security risks and formulate defensive strategies against adversaries. This has become more complex in recent years as the sprawl and interconnectivity of devices grows through implementation of virtualization, cloud computing, and Internet of Things (IoT). The amount of data and analysis required for effective cybersecurity command and control decisions far exceeds humans’ capacity to perform manually. We characterize the analysis problem as cyber situational understanding. The research presented to improve cyber situational understanding focuses on vulnerability analysis and threat intelligence. Regarding vulnerabilities, entities must analyze and plan work for between thousands and tens of thousands of software vulnerabilities annually. Entities heavily use network firewalls to limit vulnerability exposure. As a result, some of these vulnerabilities permit exposure to adversarial exploitation, whereas others are inaccessible and therefore present negligible risk of exploitation. Distinguishing between high and low risk software vulnerabilities requires a deep understanding of the vulnerability, network firewall protection, and characteristics of the targeted device. This problem is solved by extracting network service features from vulnerability data features using both machine-learning and natural language processing. Then, the network firewall topology is parsed to determine which vulnerabilities are reachable by adversaries. Ultimately, a state-based safety analysis ascertains which vulnerabilities are unsafe. A related vulnerability analysis problem occurs in cybersecurity operations when associating an entity’s hardware and software assets to public vulnerability databases. Assets often reveal hardware and software through installation artifacts and network service identification, and entities store these artifacts in inventory databases. However, software and hardware vendors apply a standard Common Platform Enumeration (CPE) naming convention when publicly reporting vulnerabilities. Associating these two datasets often requires many hours to days of manual inspection. The proposed solution automates the mapping approach of human analysts using fuzzy matching techniques, natural language processing, and, ultimately, machine learning to present a small set of recommendations for mapping the two datasets. The result significantly reduces human analysis time and reduces the occurrence of false positives in vulnerability notifications. Finally, cyber threat intelligence (CTI) requires associating cyber observable artifacts, such as IP addresses, URIs, and file hashes, with cyber threat tactics, techniques, and procedures. Unfortunately, most CTI data is compartmentalized across multiple organizations and cannot be shared due to the legal and reputational risk with cyber threat being associated with the entity. The approach to solving this problem inovlves using a distributed ledger with anonymous token spending and authentication. This allows a consortium of semi-trusted entities to share the workload of curating CTI for a threat sharing community’s cooperative benefit.

Huff, Philip↗

Proton Conducting Neuromorphic Materials and Devices

Neuromorphic computing and artificial intelligence hardware generally aims to emulate features found in biological neural circuit components and to enable the development of energy-efficient machines. In the biological brain, ionic currents and temporal concentration gradients control information flow and storage. It is therefore of interest to examine materials and devices for neuromorphic computing wherein ionic and electronic currents can propagate. Protons being mobile under an external electric field offers a compelling avenue for facilitating biological functionalities in artificial synapses and neurons. In this review, we first highlight the interesting biological analog of protons as neurotransmitters in various animals. We then discuss the experimental approaches and mechanisms of proton doping in various classes of inorganic and organic proton-conducting materials for the advancement of neuromorphic architectures. Since hydrogen is among the lightest of elements, characterization in a solid matrix requires advanced techniques. We review powerful synchrotron-based spectroscopic techniques for characterizing hydrogen doping in various materials as well as complementary scattering techniques to detect hydrogen. First-principles calculations are then discussed as they help provide an understanding of proton migration and electronic structure modification. Outstanding scientific challenges to further our understanding of proton doping and its use in emerging neuromorphic electronics are pointed out.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Intrinsically stretchable neuromorphic devices for on-body processing of health data with artificial intelligence

For leveraging wearable technologies to advance precision medicine, personalized and learning-based analysis of continuously acquired health data is indispensable, for which neuromorphic computing could provide the most efficient implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) data processing. For realizing on-body neuromorphic computing, skin-like stretchability is required, but yet to be combined with the suite of desired neuromorphic metrics, including linear, symmetric weight update, and sufficient state retention, for achieving high computing efficiency. Here, we report an intrinsically stretchable neuromorphic device based on an electrochemical transistor, which provides a large number (>800) of states, linear/symmetric weight update, excellent switching endurance (>100 million), good state retention (>10 4 s), together with high stretchability of 100% strain. Further integration into a prototype array successfully realized the implementation of vector-matrix multiplication even at 100% strain. Finally, we demonstrate the feasibility of implementing AI-based classification of health signals (as exemplified by electrocardiograms) with a high accuracy that is minimally influenced by the stretched state of the neuromorphic hardware. Finally, this work breaks the ground for combining AI data analysis into skin-like wearable electronics for achieving human-integrated/mimetic intelligent systems.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

TAMM: Tensor algebra for many-body methods

Tensor algebra operations such as contractions in computational chemistry consume a significant fraction of the computing time on large-scale computing platforms. The widespread use of tensor contractions between large multi-dimensional tensors in describing electronic structure theory has motivated the development of multiple tensor algebra frameworks targeting heterogeneous computing platforms. In this paper, we present Tensor Algebra for Many-body Methods (TAMM), a framework for productive and performance-portable development of scalable computational chemistry methods. TAMM decouples the specification of the computation from the execution of these operations on available high-performance computing systems. With this design choice, the scientific application developers (domain scientists) can focus on the algorithmic requirements using the tensor algebra interface provided by TAMM, whereas high-performance computing developers can direct their attention to various optimizations on the underlying constructs, such as efficient data distribution, optimized scheduling algorithms, and efficient use of intra-node resources (e.g., graphics processing units). The modular structure of TAMM allows it to support different hardware architectures and incorporate new algorithmic advances. We describe the TAMM framework and our approach to the sustainable development of scalable ground- and excited-state electronic structure methods. We present case studies highlighting the ease of use, including the performance and productivity gains compared to other frameworks.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Toward Multiscale, Multimaterial 3D Printing

Biological materials and organisms possess the fundamental ability to self-organize, through which different components are assembled from the molecular level up to hierarchical structures with superior mechanical properties and multifunctionalities. These complex composites inspire material scientists to design new engineered materials by integrating multiple ingredients and structures over a wide range. Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, has advantages with respect to fabricating multiscale and multi-material structures. The need for multifunctional materials is driving 3D printing techniques toward arbitrary 3D architectures with the next level of complexity. In this paper, the aim is to highlight key features of those 3D printing techniques that can produce either multiscale or multimaterial structures, including innovations in printing methods, materials processing approaches, and hardware improvements. Several issues and challenges related to current methods are discussed. Ultimately, the authors also provide their perspective on how to realize the combination of multiscale and multimaterial capabilities in 3D printing processes and future directions based on emerging research.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Temperature Controlled Glass Additive Manufacturing

Glass additive manufacturing (AM) is an emerging technology with a wide range of applications in chemistry, biology, optical science, and engineering. A custom laser-based glass 3D printer was developed by a group of engineers at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and is being optimized to produce hardware for chemical processing equipment, microfluidic systems, as well as optical elements. AM glass using a filament deposition modeling (FDM) approach allows for generation of parts with high optical quality. The quality of the glass can be affected by the generation of defects such as bubbles and vaporization which affect the optical quality of the glass. The defects can also affect the mechanical performance of the glass and lead to sample cracking.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Modern Approaches to Exact Diagonalization and Selected Configuration Interaction with the Adaptive Sampling CI Method

Recent advances in selected configuration interaction methods have made them competitive with the most accurate techniques available and, hence, creating an increasingly powerful tool for solving quantum Hamiltonians. In this work, we build on recent advances from the adaptive sampling configuration interaction (ASCI) algorithm. We show that a useful paradigm for generating efficient selected CI/exact diagonalization algorithms is driven by fast sorting algorithms, much in the same way iterative diagonalization is based on the paradigm of matrix vector multiplication. We present several new algorithms for all parts of performing a selected CI, which includes new ASCI search, dynamic bit masking, fast orbital rotations, fast diagonal matrix elements, and residue arrays. The ASCI search algorithm can be used in several different modes, which includes an integral driven search and a coefficient driven search. The algorithms presented here are fast and scalable, and we find that because they are built on fast sorting algorithms they are more efficient than all other approaches we considered. After introducing these techniques, we present ASCI results applied to a large range of systems and basis sets to demonstrate the types of simulations that can be practically treated at the full-CI level with modern methods and hardware, presenting double- and triple-ζ benchmark data for the G1 data set. The largest of these calculations is Si$_2$H$_6$ which is a simulation of 34 electrons in 152 orbitals. We also present some preliminary results for fast deterministic perturbation theory simulations that use hash functions to maintain high efficiency for treating large basis sets.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Rad-hard readout system for Timepix3 Hybrid Pixel Detectors

The Beam Gas Ionisation (BGI) profile monitor, located in the Proton Synchrotron (PS) and Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS) at CERN, requires a radiation-tolerant readout system to transfer data from the challenging accelerator surroundings to the back-end for processing. The system needs to control and acquire data from four Timepix3 Hybrid Pixel Detectors (HPDs) located directly inside the beam pipe, a highly radioactive environment. It must ensure reliability given limited hardware access and preserve signal integrity for the high-speed data (32 channels at 320 MHz). However, due to the unavailability of a suitable rad-hard Timepix3 readout, the Beam Instrumentation PiXeL (BIPXL) readout system was designed to meet these requirements. This system employs radiation-hardened components such as the GBTx and the FEASTMP, both developed at CERN. It will be compatible with forthcoming hybrid pixel detector initiatives in similarly harsh radiation conditions.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

van der Waals Semiconductor Empowered Vertical Color Sensor

We report biomimetic artificial vision is receiving significant attention nowadays, particularly for the development of neuromorphic electronic devices, artificial intelligence, and microrobotics. Nevertheless, color recognition, the most critical vision function, is missed in the current research due to the difficulty of downscaling of the prevailing color sensing devices. Conventional color sensors typically adopt a lateral color sensing channel layout and consume a large amount of physical space, whereas compact designs suffer from an unsatisfactory color detection accuracy. In this work, we report a van der Waals semiconductor-empowered vertical color sensing structure with the emphasis on compact device profile and precise color recognition capability. More attractive, we endow color sensor hardware with the function of chromatic aberration correction, which can simplify the design of an optical lens system and, in turn, further downscales the artificial vision systems. Also, the dimension of a multiple pixel prototype device in our study confirms the scalability and practical potentials of our developed device architecture toward the above applications.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Trigonometric continuous-variable gates and hybrid quantum simulations of the sine-Gordon model

Hybrid qubit-qumode quantum computing platforms provide a natural setting for simulating interacting bosonic quantum field theories. However, existing continuous-variable gate constructions rely predominantly on polynomial functions of canonical quadratures. In this work, we introduce a complementary universality paradigm based on trigonometric continuous-variable gates, which enable a Fourier-like representation of bosonic operators and are particularly well suited for periodic and non-perturbative interactions. We present an ancilla-based framework for implementing trigonometric gates with arguments given by arbitrary Hermitian functions of qumode quadratures. The protocol yields unitary gates deterministically, and non-unitary gates through probabilistic post-selection. As a concrete application, we develop a hybrid qubit-qumode quantum simulation of the lattice sine-Gordon model. Using these gates, we prepare ground states via quantum imaginary-time evolution, simulate real-time dynamics, compute time-dependent vertex two-point correlation functions, and extract quantum kink profiles under topological boundary conditions. Our results demonstrate that trigonometric continuous-variable gates provide a physically natural framework for simulating interacting field theories on near-term hybrid quantum hardware, while establishing a parallel route to universality beyond polynomial gate constructions. We expect that the trigonometric gates introduced here to find broader applications, including quantum simulations of condensed matter systems, quantum chemistry, and biological models.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

PSCF+: An Extended and Improved Open-Source Software Package for Polymer Self-Consistent Field Calculations

This work introduces PSCF+, a freely available open‑source software tool for modeling how block copolymers self‑assemble into ordered nanoscale structures. The software allows researchers to study a wide range of polymer models and interaction types, making it possible to directly compare theoretical predictions with molecular and simulation‑based studies in a consistent way. PSCF+ incorporates several recently developed numerical methods that significantly reduce computer memory requirements and speed up calculations, enabling efficient use of modern GPU hardware. Here, it also provides automated tools to calculate free‑energy landscapes and phase boundaries, which are essential for understanding and predicting material behavior. Together, these advances make PSCF+ a powerful and flexible platform for studying polymer self‑assembly and support the design of new polymeric materials for scientific and technological applications.

Chemical calculations↗

Materials Challenges and Opportunities for Energy Generation, Conversion, Delivery, and Storage (Applied Energy Tri-Laboratory Consortium Workshop Report)

This report documents the outcomes of the Tri-Laboratory Materials Workshop that was held July 31 and August 1, 2019 to begin addressing the needs, opportunities, and challenges associated with the development, fabrication, and testing of the needed materials and components for integrated hybrid energy systems (i.e., incorporating nuclear, fossil, and renewables for electric and thermal applications). This was accomplished by assembling the research program leads and principal investigators at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), and National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), who support the research and development of new technology and system integration. The team then identified and prioritized key materials development needs. This effort was intended to enhance communications and synergy among the Tri-Lab partners. Advanced functional and structural materials are central to transformative energy technologies for energy generation, conversion, delivery, and storage. With that in mind, the workshop focused on identifying and assessing the foundational materials research needs at both the basic and applied levels. Materials challenges include the ability to withstand harsh environments, such as high temperatures and pressures, corrosion, oxidation, or irradiation while maintaining flexible mission profiles and long service lifespans. Advanced energy system material challenges and needs range from materials for the capture, upgrading/concentration, storage, and delivery of low-grade heat to materials for high temperature environments that involve liquid metals, molten salt, and very high temperature gas heat delivery and storage systems. Material improvements are needed for hybrid energy systems due to accelerated corrosion and stress-fatigue failure of materials and equipment, which results from increased frequency and amplitude of thermal, mechanical, and electrical cycling of systems components. Multifunctional materials are needed for high temperature solid-oxide fuel cells, advanced electrochemical reactors, and in-process separation. Relative to materials manufacturing, application of advanced additive and subtractive methods need to be understood to develop both thin-layer homogenous materials and materials of graded composition. Materials modeling and machine learning will be critical to accelerate the design and production of power electronics, and nuclear reactor materials and fuel, as well as to gain an understanding of beneficial materials phenomena or deleterious microstructure evolution. There is also a need for standardized models, computational structures, data reporting protocols and modeling tools across the three laboratories. This would allow consistent results, analysis, and data sharing. Combining computational capabilities between the three laboratories (e.g., hardware, software) would greatly increase computational capabilities and throughput. The workshop identified the need for laboratories to anticipate and address problems that will occur during scale-up. Laboratory work must connect with industry to ensure that research focuses on processes that are scalable and marketable. Industry input and perspective are essential to guide laboratory research to meet these requirements and deploy new technology in industrial demonstrations. Another aspect of scale-up is the integration of multiple systems since new challenges often arise at the subsystem interfaces. Establishing a scale-up manufacturing demonstration/pilot plant, potentially as an industrial user facility, would be beneficial to the laboratories and industry. That modular scale-up manufacturing demonstration/pilot plant would allow researchers to find and resolve interface problems that cannot be identified by focusing only on individual parts. Communication exchanges among the organizers, attendees, and workshop survey responses indicate that the workshop was successful in achieving its goal to identify key technology gaps and research needs. Strong positive feedback was received on the sharing of ideas, capabilities, talent, and passion to move forward on the materials-related action items.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Nature of innovations affecting photovoltaic system costs

Innovations improve technology costs through various kinds of engineering advancements, including changes to materials choices and device or process designs. Understanding how these innovations relate to cost change can reveal aspects of the process of technology evolution, yet developing such understanding is often not possible with a strictly quantitative approach due to data limitations. In this paper we develop a hybrid quantitative-qualitative framework for relating specific innovations to cost change by using the variables in a quantitative technology cost change model as an organizing principle. We demonstrate this framework by applying it to the cost decline in photovoltaic (PV) systems over the last five decades. This framework generates new understanding of a set of innovations that contributed to PV modules’ sustained cost decline and the more modest trends observed in balance-of-system (BOS) costs. The results show the great diversity of innovations that affected PV costs, drawing on wide-ranging fields of expertise within scientific research and practice. We find that there are differences in the characteristics of innovations that reduced the cost of PV modules compared to innovations influencing BOS costs. Numerous module innovations reduced costs by advancing manufacturing tools and processes that improved material quality. Many BOS innovations reduced costs through a combination of component design changes, integration, automation, digitalization, and standardization. Overall, most innovations in our sample affected PV hardware. However, some also target ‘soft technologies’ such as task durations through innovations like fast-track permitting, which require improved collaboration and process streamlining. This framework also provides insight into the nature of knowledge spillovers between technologies. Both module and BOS hardware innovations show the benefits of PV’s position within an ‘ecosystem’ of continuously advancing technologies in many industries, in particular semiconductors and electronics, and also point to the importance of public institutions for accelerating testing, permitting, and training.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗