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At least 1,171 records · Page 65

Downlight Demonstration Program: Hilton Columbus Downtown

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that there were about 700 million downlight luminaires installed in residential and commercial buildings in the U.S. as of 2012, with light-emitting diode (LED) luminaires representing less than 1% of this installed base. Downlight luminaires using conventional incandescent, halogen, and compact fluorescent lamps have lower efficacies and shorter expected lifetimes than comparable LED systems, but the lower initial cost of the conventional technology and the uncertainties associated with the newer LED technology have restricted widespread adoption of LED downlight luminaires. About 278 tBtu of energy could be saved annually if LED luminaires were to saturate the downlight market, equating to an annual energy cost savings of $2.6 billion. This report summarizes an evaluation of LED recessed downlight luminaires in the guest rooms at the Hilton Columbus Downtown hotel in Columbus, OH. The facility opened in October of 2012, and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) conducted a post-occupancy assessment of the facility in January–March of 2014. Each of the 484 guest rooms uses seven 15 W LED downlights: four downlights in the entry and bedroom and three downlights in the bathroom. The 48 suites use the seven 15 W LED downlights and additional fixtures depending on the space requirements, so that in total the facility has more than 3,700 LED downlights. The downlights are controlled through wall-mounted switches and dimmers. A ceiling-mounted vacancy sensor ensures that the bathroom luminaires are turned off when the room is not occupied.

Davis, Robert G.↗

High-density grids for efficient data collection from multiple crystals

Higher throughput methods to mount and collect data from multiple small and radiation-sensitive crystals are important to support challenging structural investigations using microfocus synchrotron beamlines. Furthermore, efficient sample-delivery methods are essential to carry out productive femtosecond crystallography experiments at X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) sources such as the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS). To address these needs, a high-density sample grid useful as a scaffold for both crystal growth and diffraction data collection has been developed and utilized for efficient goniometer-based sample delivery at synchrotron and XFEL sources. A single grid contains 75 mounting ports and fits inside an SSRL cassette or uni-puck storage container. The use of grids with an SSRL cassette expands the cassette capacity up to 7200 samples. Grids may also be covered with a polymer film or sleeve for efficient room-temperature data collection from multiple samples. New automated routines have been incorporated into the Blu-Ice / DCSS experimental control system to support grids, including semi-automated grid alignment, fully automated positioning of grid ports, rastering and automated data collection. Specialized tools have been developed to support crystallization experiments on grids, including a universal adaptor, which allows grids to be filled by commercial liquid-handling robots, as well as incubation chambers, which support vapor-diffusion and lipidic cubic phase crystallization experiments. Experiments in which crystals were loaded into grids or grown on grids using liquid-handling robots and incubation chambers are described. As a result, crystals were screened at LCLS-XPP and SSRL BL12-2 at room temperature and cryogenic temperatures.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Colossal terahertz magnetoresistance at room temperature in epitaxial La 0.7 Sr 0.3 MnO 3 nanocomposites and single-phase thin films

Colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) is demonstrated at terahertz (THz) frequencies by using terahertz time-domain magnetospectroscopy to examine vertically aligned nanocomposites (VANs) and planar thin films of La 0.7 Sr 0.3 MnO 3 . At the Curie temperature (room temperature), the THz conductivity of the VAN was dramatically enhanced by over 2 orders of magnitude under the application of a magnetic field with a non-Drude THz conductivity that increased with frequency. The direct current (dc) CMR of the VAN is controlled by extrinsic magnetotransport mechanisms such as spin-polarized tunneling between nanograins. In contrast, we find that THz CMR is dominated by intrinsic, intragrain transport: the mean free path was smaller than the nanocolumn size, and the planar thin-film exhibited similar THz CMR to the VAN. Surprisingly, the observed colossal THz magnetoresistance suggests that the magnetoresistance can be large for alternating current motion on nanometer length scales, even when the magnetoresistance is negligible on the macroscopic length scales probed by dc transport. This suggests that colossal magnetoresistance at THz frequencies may find use in nanoelectronics and in THz optical components controlled by magnetic fields. As a result, the VAN can be scaled in thickness while retaining a high structural quality and offers a larger THz CMR at room temperature than the planar film.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Magnetic Field Control of Cycloidal Domains and Electric Polarization in Multiferroic BiFeO 3

The magnetic field induced rearrangement of the cycloidal spin structure in the room-temperaturemultiferroic BiFeO3 is studied using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The cycloid propagationvectors are observed to rotate when magnetic fields applied perpendicular to the polar axisexceed a pinning threshold value of ~5T in the studied crystals. In light of these experimentalresults, a phenomenological model is proposed that describes our observations, and we revisit themicroscopic origin of the magnetoelectric effect. A new term describing a coupling between themagnetic anisotropy and the polarization is proposed to explain the recently discovered magneticfield induced in-plane electric polarization.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Small-Portion Water Dispenser

Pressure regulated and flow timed to control amount dispensed. Dispenser provides measured amount of water for reconstituting dehydrated foods and beverages. Dispenser holds food or beverage package while being filled with either cold or room-temperature water. Other uses might include dispensing of fluids or medicine. Pressure regulator in dispenser reduces varying pressure of water supply to constant pressure. Electronic timer stops flow after predetermined length of time. Timed flow at regulated pressure ensures controlled volume of water dispensed.

Joerns, J. C.↗

2012-13 Blue Room Low Enriched Uranium Sample Irradiation, Associated Gas Handling System, and Subsequent Separation Chemistry

An irradiation experiment was designed for the production of 100 mCi of medical isotope Mo-99 from a Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) solution. 300 mL of 150 gU/L LEU sulfate solution (pH1) was prepared and irradiated at the LANSCE Blue Room facility. The apparatus designed for the irradiation included a gas handling system, in which safe operation could be controlled by monitoring change in gas pressure. The gas handling system also contained a hydrogen oxygen recombiner, to recombine the gases generated through radiolysis of water, and an iodine trap, primarily for I-131. Pressure transients were observed during irradiation, which could be controlled by increasing the flow rate of the circulating pump. After irradiation the LEU solution was transferred to a hot cell facility for subsequent Mo-99 recovery using a titania column separation process, with samples also subsequently shipped to a radiochemical laboratory for further analysis. Gamma spectroscopy analysis revealed that ca. 70 mCi of Mo-99 was present at end of beam, in good agreement with the predicted value when actual beam history was included into the calculation. There was 80-85 % recovery of Mo-99 through a titania column separation, excluding losses through radioactive decay. The % Mo-99 recovery was lower than observed previously for the 1 mCi Mo-99 production (Target 4) experiments undertaken at LANL using the same separation apparatus, with on this occasion evidence of lower oxidation state molybdenum remaining irreversibly bound to the titania column. Subsequent postmortem analysis of the Blue room apparatus revealed that there had been no leaks in the gas handling system, the hydrogen and oxygen recombination appeared to work efficiently, and recovery of irradiated uranium trapped in the system allowed for >99% uranium mass balance.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

From bidirectional rectifier to polarity-controllable transistor in black phosphorus by dual gate modulation

In complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology, well-defined unipolar transport in field-effect transistors (FETs) is a basic requirement for logic operations, which can be realized by controllable doping of the semiconductor with electrons (n-type) or holes (p-type). However, recent demonstration of polarity controllable transistors in 2D semiconductors provides a flexible way in circuit design with increased circuit integration density. Here we demonstrate the conversion of a bidirectional rectifier to a polarity-controllable transistor in black phosphorus (BP) by dual gate modulation. Electrical characterization of the BP bidirectional rectifier reveals a current rectification of ~35 at room temperature that increases to ~350 upon lowering the temperature to 110 K. Employing cross-linked PMMA as a top gate and combining it together with the global back gate of the SiO 2 substrate, well-defined unipolar transport (n- or p-type) in BP could get accessed. This successful realization of polarity-controllable transistor in BP provides an alternative design for development of BP logic electronics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Noise-optimal control of HEMT LNA's for compensation of temperature deviations

Noise-optimal control of high-electron mobility transistor low noise amplifier (HEMT LNA) bias voltage and current values was achieved at room temperature. The performance metric maximized was the amplifier gain divided by the amplifier input noise temperature, G/T(sub e). Additionally, the feasibility of automating the initial determination of bias settings was demonstrated in the laboratory. Simulation models of an HEMT were developed from available measurement data, installed on a Sun SPARC 1 workstation, and used in investigating several optimization algorithms. Simple tracking-type algorithms, which follow changes in optimum settings if started at or near the global optimum point, produced the best performance. Implementation of the optimization algorithms was performed using a three-stage Field Effect Transistor (FET) LNA and an existing test apparatus. Software was written to control the bias settings of the first stage of the LNA and to perform noise and gain measurements by using the test apparatus. The optimization control was then integrated with existing test software to create a master test and optimization program for test apparatus use.

Maccarley, C.↗

Composite Thermal Switch

Lithium primary and lithium ion secondary batteries provide high specific energy and energy density. The use of these batteries also helps to reduce launch weight. Both primary and secondary cells can be packaged as high-rate cells, which can present a threat to crew and equipment in the event of external or internal short circuits. Overheating of the cell interior from high current flows induced by short circuits can result in exothermic reactions in lithium primary cells and fully charged lithium ion secondary cells. Venting of the cell case, ejection of cell components, and fire have been reported in both types of cells, resulting from abuse, cell imperfections, or faulty electronic control design. A switch has been developed that consists of a thin layer of composite material made from nanoscale particles of nickel and Teflon that conducts electrons at room temperature and switches to an insulator at an elevated temperature, thus interrupting current flow to prevent thermal runaway caused by internal short circuits. The material is placed within the cell, as a thin layer incorporated within the anode and/or the cathode, to control excess currents from metal-to-metal or metal-to-carbon shorts that might result from cell crush or a manufacturing defect. The safety of high-rate cells is thus improved, preventing serious injury to personnel and sensitive equipment located near the battery. The use of recently available nanoscale particles of nickel and Teflon permits an improved, homogeneous material with the potential to be fine-tuned to a unique switch temperature, sufficiently below the onset of a catastrophic chemical reaction. The smaller particles also permit the formation of a thinner control film layer (<50 m), which can be incorporated into commercial high-rate lithium primary and secondary cells. The innovation permits incorporation in current lithium and lithium-ion cell designs with a minimal impact on cell weight and volume. The composite thermal switch (CTS(TradeMark)) coating can be incorporated in either the anode or cathode or both. The coating can be applied in a variety of different processes that permits incorporation in the cell and electrode manufacturing processes. The CTS responds quickly and halts current flow in the hottest parts of the cell first. The coating can be applied to metal foil and supplied as a cell component onto which the active electrode materials are coated.

McDonald, Robert↗

Electric Field-Controlled Magnetization in GaAs/AlGaAs Heterostructures–Chiral Organic Molecules Hybrids

Here, we study GaAs/AlGaAs devices hostinga two-dimensional electron gas and coated with a monolayer of chiral organic molecules.We observe clear signatures of room temperature magnetism, which is induced in these systems by applying a gate voltage. We explain this phenomenon as a consequence of the spin-polarized charges that are injectedinto the semiconductor through the chiral molecules. The orientation of the magnetic moment can be manipulated by low gate voltages, with a switching ratein the MHz range. Therefore, our devices implement an efficient, electric field controlled magnetization, which has long been desired for their technical prospects.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Room-Temperature Creation and Spin–Orbit Torque Manipulation of Skyrmions in Thin Films with Engineered Asymmetry

Magnetic skyrmions, which are topologically protected spin textures, are promising candidates for ultralow-energy and ultrahigh-density magnetic data storage and computing applications. To date, most experiments on skyrmions have been carried out at low temperatures. The choice of available materials is limited, and there is a lack of electrical means to control skyrmions in devices. In this work, we demonstrate a new method for creating a stable skyrmion bubble phase in the CoFeB–MgO material system at room temperature, by engineering the interfacial perpendicular magnetic anisotropy of the ferromagnetic layer. Importantly, we also demonstrate that artificially engineered symmetry breaking gives rise to a force acting on the skyrmions, in addition to the current-induced spin–orbit torque, which can be used to drive their motion. This room-temperature creation and manipulation of skyrmions offers new possibilities to engineer skyrmionic devices. The results bring skyrmionic memory and logic concepts closer to realization in industrially relevant and manufacturable thin film material systems.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Effect of substitutional doping and disorder on the phase stability, magnetism, and half-metallicity of Heusler alloys

Spintronics is the fast growing field that will play a key role in optimizing power consumption, memory, and processing capabilities of nanoelectronic devices. Heusler alloys are potential candidates for application in spintronics due to their room temperature (RT) half-metallicity, high Curie temperature, low lattice mismatch with most substrates, and strong control on electronic density of states at Fermi level. In this work, we investigate the effect of substitutional doping and disorder on the half-metallicity, phase stability, and magnetism of Heusler alloys using density functional theory methods. Our study shows that electronic and magnetic properties of half/full-Heusler alloys can be tuned by changing electron-count through controlled variation of chemical compositions of alloying elements. We provide a detailed discussion on the effect of substitutional doping and disorder on the tunability of half-metallic nature of Co 2 MnX and NiMnX based Heusler alloys, where X represents group 13–16 and period 3–6 elements of the periodic table. Based on the idea of electron count and disorder, we predicted a possible existence of thermodynamically stable half-metallic multicomponent bismuthides, for example, (CuNi 3 )Mn 4 Bi 4 and (ZnNi 7 )Mn 8 Bi 8 , through substitution doping at Ni site by specific Cu and Zn composition in half-Heusler NiMnBi. We believe that the design guide based on electron-counts presented for half-metals will play a key role in electronic-structure engineering of novel Heusler alloys for spintronic application, which will accelerate the development and synthesis of novel materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

In-situ synthesis of Ag nanoparticles by electron beam irradiation

Ag nanoparticles were synthesized by electron beam irradiation in the transmission electron microscope chamber at room temperature and the growth mechanism was explored in detail. The sizes of the Ag nanoparticles are controlled by the electron beam current density. Two nanoparticle growth stages were identified. The first growth stage was dominated by the discharging effect, while the second stage was controlled by the heating effect. The nanoparticle synthesis method should be applicable to the synthesis of other metallic nanoparticles. - Highlights: • Ag nanoparticles were synthesized by electron beam irradiation in the transmission electron microscope chamber. • The sizes of the Ag nanoparticles are controlled by the electron beam current density. • The growth mechanism was studied, two growth stages were confirmed. • The first growth stage was dominated by the discharging effect, and the second stage was controlled by the heating effect.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Tuning the Magnetic Properties of New Layered Iron Chalcogenides (BaF) 2 Fe 2– x Q 3 (Q = S, Se) by Changing the Defect Concentration on the Iron Sublattice

Effecting and controlling ferromagnetic-like properties hi senticonductors has proven to be a complex problem, especially when approaching room temperature. Here, we demonstrate the important role of defects in the magnetic properties of semiconductors by reporting the structures and properties of the iron chalcogenides (BaF)(2)Fe2-x Q(3) (Q= S, Se), which exhibit anomalous Magnetic properties that are correlated' with detects in the Fe-sublattice, The compounds form in both long-range ordered and disordered polytypes of a new structure typified by the alternate stacking of fluorite (BaF)(2)(2+) and (Fe(2-x)Q(3))(2-) layers. The latter layers exhibit an ordered array of strong Pe-Pe dimers in edge-Sharing tetrahedra. Given the strong Fe-Fe interaction, it is expected that the Fe-Fe dimer is,antiferromagnetically coupled, yet crystals exhibit a Weak ferromagnetic moment that orders at relatively-high temperature: below 280-315 K and 240275 K for the sulfide and selenide analogues, respectively. This transition temperature positively correlates with the concentration of defect in the Fe-sublattice, as determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Our results indicate that internal defects in Fe(2-x)Q(3) layers play an important role in dictating the magnetic properties of newly discovered (BaF)2Fe(2),Q-3, (Q= 5-, Se), which can yield switchable ferromagnetically ordered mother-its at or above room temperature.

Sturza, Mihai↗

Reactive Intermediates or Inert Graphene? Temperature- and Pressure-Determined Evolution of Carbon in the CH 4 –Ni(111) System

Atomic-level identification of carbon intermediates under reaction conditions is essential for carbon-related heterogeneous catalysis. Using the in operando technique of near-ambient-pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, we have identified in this paper various carbon intermediates during the thermal decomposition of CH 4 on Ni(111), including *CH, *C 1 /Ni 3 C, *C n (n ≥ 2), and clock-reconstructed Ni 2 C at different temperature regions (300–900 K). These “reactive” carbon precursors can either react with probing molecules such as O 2 at room temperature or be etched away by CH 4 . They can also develop into graphene flakes under controlled conditions: a temperature between 800 and 900 K and a suitable CH 4 pressure (10 –3 –10 –1 mbar, depending on temperature). The growth rate of graphene is significantly restrained at higher CH 4 pressures, due to the accelerated etching of its carbon precursors. The identification of in operando carbon intermediates and the control of their evolution have great potential in designing heterogeneous catalysts for the direct conversion of methane. Finally, the observed carbon aggregation/etching equilibrium reveals an underlying mechanism in coking prevention and in the fabrication of large-area single-crystal graphene, where the suppression of seeding density and etching up of small grains are required.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

A fluorescent-protein spin qubit

Quantum bits (qubits) are two-level quantum systems that support initialization, readout and coherent control1. Optically addressable spin qubits form the foundation of an emerging generation of nanoscale sensors. The engineering of these qubits has mainly focused on solid-state systems. However, fluorescent proteins, rather than exogenous fluorescent probes, have become the gold standard for in vivo microscopy because of their genetic encodability. Although fluorescent proteins possess a metastable triplet state, they have not been investigated as qubits. Here we realize an optically addressable spin qubit in enhanced yellow fluorescent protein. A near-infrared laser pulse enables triggered readout of the triplet state with up to 20% spin contrast. Using coherent microwave control of the enhanced-yellow-fluorescent-protein spin at liquid-nitrogen temperatures, we measure a (16 ± 2) μs coherence time under Carr–Purcell–Meiboom–Gill decoupling. We express the qubit in mammalian cells, maintaining contrast and coherent control despite the complex intracellular environment. Finally, we demonstrate optically detected magnetic resonance in bacterial cells at room temperature with contrast up to 8%. Our results introduce fluorescent proteins as a powerful qubit platform that paves the way for applications in the life sciences, such as nanoscale field sensing and spin-based imaging modalities.

Feder, Jacob S. [Univ. of Chicago, IL (United Stat↗

In situ electric-field control of ferromagnetic resonance in the low-loss organic-based ferrimagnet V[TCNE] x ∼2

We demonstrate indirect electric-field control of ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) in devices that integrate the low-loss, molecule-based, room-temperature ferrimagnet vanadium tetracyanoethylene (V[TCNE]x∼2) mechanically coupled to PMN-PT piezoelectric transducers. Upon straining the V[TCNE]x films, the FMR frequency is tuned by more than 6 times the resonant linewidth with no change in Gilbert damping for samples with α = 6.5 × 10−5. We show this tuning effect is due to a strain-dependent magnetic anisotropy in the films and find the magnetoelastic coefficient |λs| ∼ (1–4.4) ppm, backed by theoretical predictions from density-functional theory calculations and magnetoelastic theory. Noting the rapidly expanding application space for strain-tuned FMR, we define a new metric for magnetostrictive materials, magnetostrictive agility, given by the ratio of the magnetoelastic coefficient to the FMR linewidth. This agility allows for a direct comparison between magnetostrictive materials in terms of their comparative efficacy for magnetoelectric applications requiring ultra-low loss magnetic resonance modulated by strain. With this metric, we show V[TCNE]x is competitive with other magnetostrictive materials, including YIG and Terfenol-D. This combination of ultra-narrow linewidth and magnetostriction, in a system that can be directly integrated into functional devices without requiring heterogeneous integration in a thin film geometry, promises unprecedented functionality for electric-field tuned microwave devices ranging from low-power, compact filters and circulators to emerging applications in quantum information science and technology.

Materials Science↗