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At least 127 records · Page 7

The origin of the Stokes–Einstein relation in simple dense liquids

Here, we investigate the origin of the universal relation between structural relaxation and diffusion in simple dense liquids, known as the Stokes–Einstein (SE) relation. The fact that this relation, originally derived from a hydrodynamic model of a macroscopic particle in a viscous medium, can describe the microscopic-scale liquid dynamics still eludes understanding. We introduce a new universal measure of structural relaxation in a system of N identical particles based on an explicit decomposition of the configuration space into N! congruent convex polyhedra. This measure makes it possible to quantify the correlation between two distinct particle configurations in terms of their minimal Euclidean distance, optimized with respect to particle permutations. Using this measure alongside a model of independent random walkers under the single-occupancy constraint, we derive a master equation that quantifies the SE relation. It allows us to demonstrate that the universal relation between structural relaxation and diffusion in simple dense liquids is caused by two conditions: (a) the confinement of the dominant density fluctuations to the first coordination shell, manifested by de Gennes narrowing, and (b) Gaussianity of the diffusion process; the former is shown to be violated in low-density fluids, and the latter is known to be violated in supercooled liquids.

Physics - Condensed matter physics

On the Efficacy of Repeat Voltage Holds for Conditioning and Calendar Life Testing of Graphite and Silicon Cells

Voltage-hold (V-hold) protocols have shown promise toward calendar lifetime analysis of cells with graphite (Gr) and silicon (Si) anodes. In this work, repeat V-holds are performed on Gr and Si cells paired with lithium iron phosphate cathodes to delineate their beneficial role in formation and conditioning. We find that V-hold at the top of charge supplements constant current cycling in conditioning the cell to higher capacities for both Gr and Si cells after the first V-hold. A reduced order model provides the irreversible capacity proportions of each V-hold. With each repeat V-hold, parasitic loss of lithium to the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) decreases on both Gr and Si cells. Gr cells show the square-root-of-time capacity loss behavior within 200 h of V-hold, indicative of its fast relaxation and low impact of reference performance test cycles on the SEI growth. Lifetime estimates from repeat V-holds on Gr can reach years. Si exhibits longer transition times from kinetic to diffusion-limited SEI growth, evidenced by the 400 h and 200 h holds showing square-root-of-time and linear behavior, respectively. Lifetime predictions from repeat V-holds on Si only reach 1–2 months, highlighting its limitations. Recommended duration of V-holds for Si cells should be ≥400 h.

25 ENERGY STORAGE

Simulations of the churning mode: Toroidally symmetric plasma convection and turbulence around the X-points in a snowflake divertor

Using a reduced MHD model, extended to include field-aligned thermal conduction, we present numerical simulations of the churning mode (CM): a toroidally symmetric, non-linear plasma vortex in the vicinity of the null points in a snowflake (SF) divertor [D. D. Ryutov et al., Phys. Scr. 89, 088002 (2014)]. Simulations are carried out across a range of inter-null separations, d xx ⁠, and inter-null orientations, θ⁠, primarily in conditions relevant to the MAST-U tokamak. We find that, when d xx is small, the CM induces additional transport across the X-points when β pm ≳8%, where β pm is the ratio of the plasma pressure in the null region to poloidal magnetic pressure at the midplane. This transport also increases approximately linearly as d xx is reduced. A diffusive model of this transport is shown to predict the total transport across the null points, where diffusion coefficients of up to ∼ 10 2 m 2 s −1 centered on a small region around the X-points are used. However, the CM also results in significant changes to the flux surfaces in the null region, which is not captured by this diffusive model. The changes in magnetic geometry mean the fractional exhaust power delivered to each divertor leg is highly sensitive to β pm ⁠, d xx ⁠, and θ⁠. For small values of θ⁠, the CM can induce a change in topology, redirecting exhaust power from a secondary divertor leg on the high field side to one on the low field side. Similar behavior is found in the fraction of exhaust power going to the inner and outer divertor. Such changes in the flux surfaces may not be captured by Grad–Shafranov solvers and so may be a source of error in the magnetic reconstruction of SF experiments. We consistently find that the fractional exhaust power going to a secondary divertor leg on the high field side is small, consistent with SF experiments.

Computer simulation

Interpretation of Ion Irradiation and Neutron Irradiation Damage in Additively Manufactured 316 Stainless Steel using Multiscale Modeling

The accelerated adoption of nuclear energy necessitates advanced manufacturing technologies, such as additive manufacturing, to meet heightened supply chain requirements and support innovative reactor technologies. Due to the unique microstructural characteristics of additively manufactured materials under distinct solidification conditions, comprehensive evaluation of their performance in reactor environments is essential. The Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies program under the Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy focuses on understanding the irradiation performance and damage evolution of laser powder bed fusion 316 stainless steel, with an emphasis on integrating ion and neutron irradiation data to accelerate the development and qualification of materials for advanced nuclear reactor applications. While ion irradiation is a cost- and time-effective method, modeling and simulation are required to interpret the data for the broader range of irradiation conditions encountered in advanced reactors. In fiscal year 2025, integrated multiscale modeling and simulations were conducted to assess irradiation damage in additively manufactured 316 stainless steel. Key outcomes include predictions of chromium enrichment at grain boundaries, nickel enrichment at dislocation cell walls and void surfaces, and heterogeneous void evolution under ion and neutron irradiation conditions. Cluster dynamics simulations revealed the coarsening of voids at high irradiation temperatures and the suppression of void growth by high network dislocation density, while also demonstrating significant growth and coarsening of voids and self-interstitial atom loops at low dose rates. Machine learning-accelerated atomistic simulations highlighted the impact of the local environment and chromium concentration on vacancy diffusivity, providing key insights on the influence of composition on void swelling and radiation-induced segregation. Additionally, molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated the presence of defect production bias and a significant effect of carbon content on defect cluster behavior. These combined efforts aim to predict the performance of additively manufactured materials under various reactor conditions, supporting their qualification for nuclear reactor applications by interpreting ion irradiation data. This report underscores the potential of integrated multiscale modeling to analyze ion irradiation data in the effort to accelerate the qualification of additively manufactured materials for nuclear reactor components.

316 stainless steel

Ab Initio Design of High-Entropy Thermal/ Environmental Barrier Coatings

Next generation thermal/environmental barrier coatings (TEBC) require carefully balancing various properties including phase stability, thermal conductivity, coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), mechanical properties, and resistance against hot corrosion and water vapor recession. This work mainly focuses on rapid design of cost-effective high entropy rare-earth disilicates and aluminum garnets to protect SiC-based ceramic matrix composites and nickel-based superalloys in the hot section of gas turbine engines using density functional theory methods. Our calculations identify several low-cost high entropy TEBC exhibiting ultralow thermal conductivity at 1500 K and desirable CTE while maintaining good mechanical properties, including Er1/2Y3/4Yb3/4Si2O7, Gd1/4Er1/4Y3/4Yb3/4Si2O7, Eu1/4Er1/4Y3/4Yb3/4Si2O7, and (Y1/4Gd1/4Er1/4Yb1/4)3Al5O12. This work also aims to gain fundamental understanding of oxygen diffusion in model disilicates. Minimizing oxidizer (such as water vapor and oxygen) permeability through the EBC layer can significantly decrease the growth rate of thermally grown oxide and extend the service life of the coating system. Oxygen diffusion mechanisms including formation energy of defects under varying oxygen conditions and defect migration energy barriers will be presented.

coefficient of thermal expansion

The shard test and nanoporomechanics reverse classical paradigm of cement hydration being contractive

Le Chatelier in 1887 and Powers in 1947 demonstrated that the volume of nanoscale C-S-H (calcium silicate hydrate) particles formed during hydration is smaller than the combined volume of the reactants—the anhydrous Portland cement and water. Hydration has thus been considered as contractive. An experiment shows that the opposite is true above the nanoscale. The porous skeleton of cement paste expands as the growing C-S-H particles push each other apart, similar to crystal growth pressure. This is significant for high-performance concretes (HPC) with low water-cement ratios (w/c ≤ 0.4), where chemical self-desiccation lowers pore relative humidity by 40%, compared to just 1% in traditional concretes (w/c ≈ 0.5). Standard American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) C1608 tests, using 10 mm thick water-immersed specimens, show large shrinkage because the half-time of water ingress is many decades, unable to offset shrinkage-causing self-desiccation. The present experiment, using a laser microscopy-topography technique, proves the opposite—expansion, evidenced by measuring the length changes of water-immersed HPC shards 0.5 mm thick in which the diffusion halftime, only about one hour, allows continuous resaturation of pores, canceling self-desiccation. The faster diffusion (halftime of one hour) enables continuous pore resaturation, preventing shrinkage. When sealed with paraffin oil, the shards self-desiccate and shrink. These findings align with studies since 2015, showing that models excluding hydration expansion cannot fit test data across various specimen sizes and sealing conditions. The results suggest that standardized ASTM tests for the so-called chemical shrinkage in modern concretes with very low water-cement ratios are misleading and need revision.

Science & Technology - Other Topics

Spectroscopy-guided discovery of three-dimensional structures of disordered materials with diffusion models

Spectroscopy techniques such as x-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) provide valuable insights into the atomic structures of materials, yet the inverse prediction of precise structures from spectroscopic data remains a formidable challenge. In this study, we introduce a framework that combines generative artificial intelligence models with XANES spectroscopy to predict three-dimensional atomic structures of disordered systems, using amorphous carbon (a-C) as a model system. In this work, we introduce a new framework based on the diffusion model, a recent generative machine learning method, to predict 3D structures of disordered materials from a target property. For demonstration, we apply the model to identify the atomic structures of a-C as a representative material system from the target XANES spectra. We show that conditional generation guided by XANES spectra reproduces key features of the target structures. Furthermore, we show that our model can steer the generative process to tailor atomic arrangements for a specific XANES spectrum. Finally, our generative model exhibits a remarkable scale-agnostic property, thereby enabling generation of realistic, large-scale structures through learning from a small-scale dataset (i.e. with small unit cells). Our work represents a significant stride in bridging the gap between materials characterization and atomic structure determination; in addition, it can be leveraged for materials discovery in exploring various material properties as targeted.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE

Molecular Dynamics Study of the Effect of Grafting Density on Ion Diffusivity in a MARTINI Coarse-Grained Strong Polyelectrolyte Brush

Because surface-grafted polyelectrolyte brushes (PEBs) are responsive to external stimuli, such as electric fields and ionic strength, PEBs are attractive for applications ranging from drug delivery to separation technologies. Essential to PEB utilization is understanding how critical parameters like grafting density (σ) impact the PEB structure and the dynamics of the PEB and counterions. To study the effect of σ on PEB and the counterion structure and dynamics, we fine-tune a coarse-grained model that retains the chemical specificity of a strong polyelectrolyte, poly[(2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl) trimethylammonium chloride] (PMETAC), using the MARTINI force field. Using “salt-free” conditions where the counterion concentration balances the charge on the brush, we build coarse-grained (CG) molecular dynamics simulations for MARTINI PMETAC brushes (N = 150 monomers; M W = 31.2 kg/mol) at experimentally relevant values of σ = 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, and 0.40 chains/nm 2 . Using 5 μs simulations, we investigate the effects of grafting density on the PEB structure, ion dissociation dynamics, polymer mobility, and counterion diffusivity. Results show that competition between electrostatic interactions, steric hindrance, and polymer mobility controls counterion diffusivity. Finally, the interplay of these factors leads to diffusivity that depends non-monotonically on σ, with counterion diffusivity peaking at an intermediate σ = 0.10 chains/nm 2 .

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE

Adaptive Interface-PINNs (AdaI-PINNs) for transient diffusion: Applications to forward and inverse problems in heterogeneous media

We model transient diffusion in heterogeneous materials using a novel physics-informed neural networks framework (PINNs) termed Adaptive interface physics-informed neural networks or AdaI-PINNs (Roy et al. arXiv preprint arXiv:2406.04626, 2024). AdaI-PINNs utilize different activation functions with trainable slopes tailored to each material region within the computational domain, allowing for a fully automated and adaptive PINNs approach to model interface problems with strongly and weakly discontinuous solutions. To enhance its performance in highly heterogeneous transient diffusion systems, we prescribe a suite of robust practices, including appropriate non-dimensionalization of equations, a biased sampling method, Glorot initialization, and the hard enforcement of boundary and initial conditions. Here we evaluate the efficacy of the proposed method on several benchmark forward and inverse problems. Comparative studies on one-dimensional and two-dimensional benchmark problems reveal that the modified AdaI-PINNs outperform its unmodified counterpart, achieving root-mean-square errors that are at least two orders of magnitude better in forward problems. For inverse problems, the maximum errors in the approximated diffusion coefficients by modified AdaI-PINNs are four orders of magnitude better than those of the unmodified version. Additionally, modified AdaI-PINNs demonstrate improved stability in problems with large material mismatches.

42 ENGINEERING

Comparing Constant and Transient Membrane Transport Parameters for Use in Wave Desalination Models

Directly pressurizing seawater for desalination with reverse osmosis membranes via wave motion is a promising and sustainable method for producing freshwater in coastal regions. However, such a system could result in significant pressure fluctuations and a departure from conventional steady-state desalination operations. This study sought to assess if membrane transport parameters (apparent water and salt permeability) should be modeled as transient or constant in solution–diffusion-based modeling efforts of dynamically operated desalination systems, such as those coupled to wave power. Two approaches were used to model membrane transport parameters: one considered each parameter to be a function of the net driving pressure of the system, and the other assumed they were constant across all conditions. A pilot-scale system was used to conduct steady-state and controlled ramping experiments. Data from steady-state experiments were used to calculate transient and constant transport parameters. Parameter combinations were used in a simulation model to predict water flux and effective permeate salinity, and simulation outcomes were compared against experimental ramping results. The transient relationships for both water and salt permeability produced the most accurate results for water flux and comparable results for effective permeate salinity. Development of such relationships would be unique to a specific system but could be valuable in modeling wave-driven desalination systems across the wide range of operating conditions they experience.

13 HYDRO ENERGY

Effect of sintering temperature on adhesion of spray-on piezoelectric transducers

Conventionally sol-gel spray-on transducers require a high-temperature (> 700 ◦C) sintering process; however, this process can affect the microstructure of the substrate material. For mechanical elbows and valves utilized for fluid transport in the energy sector, the components are designed to have a specific microstructure, and deviations from these specifications can create weak points in the system. For this reason it is important to investigate how the temperature of the deposition process affects the substrate. This paper investigates the effect of high-temperature and low-temperature (< 150 ◦C) processing conditions on the surface composition of the substrate. Furthermore, the resultant transducers from high- and low-temperature fabrication processes are compared to determine if a low-temperature processing method is feasible. For these studies a sol-gel spray-on process is employed to deposit piezoelectric ceramics onto a stainless-steel 316L substrate. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy is utilized to determine the composition of the substrate surface before and after transducer deposition. Results indicate that the high-temperature processing conditions may alter the surface composition of the metal due to a diffusion of the metal into the ceramic, which results in a metal surface that is bonded to the ceramic. Furthermore, it is shown that low-temperature processing of spray-on transducers is a viable method for transducer fabrication where the resultant transducers meet the industry minimum requirement of 30 dB signalto-noise ratio. In parallel simulation calculations, finite-element method (FEM) studies were performed to model the adhesive strength of the low-temperature processed transducer to the substrate surface. Comparisons between the simulations and experiments suggest that the bond strength is much greater than the commercial gel bonds and closer to hardened epoxy glue bonds. These results indicate that spray-on transducers fabricated under lowtemperature processing conditions are a viable solution for leave-in-place monitoring of structures.

M. Sinding, Kyle

Exploring the impact of hydro-mechanical coupling on compaction localization

In deep subsurface environments, where porous rocks are saturated with fluids, hydromechanical coupling plays a critical role in the formation and propagation of localized deformation zones, such as compaction bands. In this study, we numerically investigate the influence of fluid-rock interactions on the development of compaction localization in fluid-saturated rocks. For this purpose, it uses a numerical framework that adapts the heat equation to model the diffusion of pore pressure caused by deformation. This is achieved with specialized subroutines for material behavior and heat transfer formulated within the ABAQUS platform and by allowing changes in rock permeability during strain localization. The results highlight that hydromechanical coupling significantly alters the compaction behavior compared to dry conditions. Under high confining stress, excess pore pressure inhibits the progression of compaction fronts, while in time-dependent processes like rock creep, pore pressure transients accelerate deformation by creating feedback loops between mechanical forces and fluid flow. These findings underscore the importance of saturation in controlling the dynamics of compaction localization and provide insights into the interplay between pore pressure, deformation, and permeability. The implications of this study extend to applications in geological storage, resource extraction, and subsurface geomechanics, offering a deeper understanding of coupled hydromechanical processes in porous rocks.

58 GEOSCIENCES

Multi-physics Preconditioning for Thermally Activated Batteries

Thermal batteries, also known as molten-salt batteries, are single-use reserve power systems activated by pyrotechnic heat generation, which transitions the solid electrolyte into a molten state. The simulation of these batteries relies on multiphysics modeling to evaluate performance and behavior under various conditions. This paper presents advancements in scalable preconditioning strategies for the Thermally Activated Battery Simulator (TABS) tool, enabling efficient solutions to the coupled electrochemical systems that dominate computational costs in thermal battery simulations. We propose a hierarchical block Gauss-Seidel preconditioner implemented through the Teko package in Trilinos, which effectively addresses the challenges posed by tightly coupled physics, including charge transport, porous flow, and species diffusion. The preconditioner leverages scalable subblock solvers, including smoothed aggregation algebraic multigrid (SA-AMG) methods and domain-decomposition techniques, to achieve robust convergence and parallel scalability. Strong and weak scaling studies demonstrate the solver’s ability to handle problem sizes up to 51.3 million degrees of freedom on 2048 processors, achieving near sub-second setup and solve times for the end-to-end electrochemical solve. These advancements significantly improve the computational efficiency and turnaround time of thermal battery simulations, paving the way for higher-resolution models and enabling the transition from 2D axisymmetric to full 3D simulations.

25 ENERGY STORAGE

Dataset_for_Conserved_macromolecular_architecture_of_Poplar_secondary_cell_walls_revealed_by_ssNMR_and_atomistic_modeling

This dataset contains solid-state 13C NMR data and atomistic molecular dynamics simulation files supporting the study of nanoscale secondary cell wall architecture across 13 genetically diverse Populus trichocarpa genotypes grown under uniform greenhouse conditions in 13C-enriched CO2 atmospheres (~89% 13C enrichment).The dataset contains two collections of solid-state 13C NMR data. (1) 200 MHz data (Bruker Avance III HD, 4 mm HX probe, 10 kHz MAS): raw Bruker TopSpin experiment folders and DMFIT-exported ascii spectra for selective and non-selective 1D 13C-13C spin diffusion experiments (3000 ms mixing) used to quantify inter-polymer spatial proximities, and short-mixing (1 ms) reference spectra used for polymeric abundance quantification by spectral deconvolution. (2) 600 MHz data (Bruker Avance III, 1.6 mm PhoenixNMR HXY probe, 30 kHz MAS): raw Bruker TopSpin experiment folders containing 2D CORD, 2D CP-INADEQUATE, and 13C/1H relaxation (T1, T1rho) experiments for all 13 genotypes, with processed Excel workbooks per experiment type. Molecular dynamics simulation code, coordinate files, and analysis scripts (NAMD/CHARMM/Python) for six atomistic cell wall models are included. Summarized ssNMR data are compiled into a single excel file and subjected to statistical analysis. Multivariate analysis code (PCA, Pearson correlation) and summary data are provided as excel worksheets and Jupyter notebooks (Python 3).

09 BIOMASS FUELS

3D printed carbon fiber reinforced carbon as an energy efficient alternative to graphite for EFAS tooling

As Electric Field Assisted Sintering (EFAS) gains more industrial acceptance and use, it becomes more important to develop more efficient means to implement this technology. To this aim, 3D printed continuous carbon fiber reinforced carbon (CCC) was manufactured and fabricated into tooling for EFAS systems as an alternative to traditional graphite tooling. The impact of fiber orientation on the thermal and electrical properties of the CCC was characterized. Sample material was sintered in Tokai G535 graphite tooling, under common processing conditions and compared with CCC tooling. There was nearly 50 % energy savings compared to graphite while maintaining equivalent sample density and microstructure plus keeping ram temperatures 39 % cooler. This is due to spatial control of generated heat and thermal diffusivity within the molds, by means of fiber orientation anisotropy. Finite element modeling of the tooling design supported the experimental results as well as displays the effect of optimization of this 3D printed CCC material.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE

Towards a theoretical understanding of excitonic properties of phthalocyanine thin films. I. Low-temperature exciton absorption spectra

Phthalocyanine (Pc)-based molecular thin films have emerged in recent years as a promising class of organic semiconductor materials for optoelectronic applications owing to their long exciton coherence length and fast exciton diffusion. However, the dependence of their exciton properties on the dimensionality and thermodynamic conditions, presence of metal ions, and effects of chemical modifications to the PC systems is not yet fully understood. As a first step towards a more comprehensive theoretical understanding of the excitonic properties of Pc thin films, we model their low-temperature exciton absorption spectra by employing the Frenkel Hamiltonian. The latter is derived from quantum-chemical estimates of site energies and exciton–exciton couplings. The predicted exciton absorption spectra of octabutoxy phthalocyanine (H 2 OBPc) is found to be strongly dependent on the dimensionality of the model as well as the distance cutoff for including the monomer–monomer exciton coupling. We also caution that the widely used dipole–dipole approximation could substantially overestimate the excitonic coupling between different monomers compared to a more accurate evaluation using the respective transition densities.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE

Denoising diffusion probabilistic models for generative alloy design

Inverse material design is an extremely challenging optimization task made difficult by, in part, the highly nonlinear relationship linking performance with composition. Quantitative approaches have improved significantly owing to advances in high throughput experimentation and computational thermodynamics. However, existing physics-based tools are mostly forward models; input a chemistry and obtain a prediction. More recently the materials community has leveraged advances in the machine learning community to establish novel inverse design frameworks. Very recently denoising diffusion probabilistic models have been shown to be extremely powerful generators producing synthetic data of various modalities e.g. images, text, audio, tables, etc.. In this work a novel framework for alloy design and optimization is proposed leveraging these class of models. Five key generative tasks are demonstrated (1) unconditional generation (2) composition conditioned generation (3) property conditioned generation (4) multi-feedstock conditioned generation and (5) generative optimization. These methods were tested on three case studies: high entropy alloy design, superalloy binder jet additive manufacturing, and in-situ dual-feedstock wire-arc additive manufacturing. Results indicate that the established models are extremely flexible, expressive, and robust. The architecture’s flexibility and training procedure empower the model to learn complex intra-compositional and composition-property relationships. Furthermore, the probabilistic nature of these models makes them well suited for addressing solution non-uniqueness and tackling uncertainty quantification tasks. While the fidelity and quantity of the underlying training data is paramount, we envision that future alloy design frameworks will make extensive use of these kinds of machine learning models as “search” tools bolstering the utility of experimental and computational approaches.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE

Decoupling thermal and irradiation effects on grain boundary segregation

Radiation-induced segregation (RIS) is most often measured by peak solute concentration at a boundary. However, this may give an incomplete picture of segregation quantity and phenomena. Radiation-induced and thermal segregation at grain boundaries was investigated in Fe-9.6 at.% Cr after 9 MeV Fe 3+ ion irradiation at 400 °C. The experimental results were compared to kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulations. The study revealed that Cr enrichment (peak segregation) at the grain boundaries was comparable in both the irradiated and non-irradiated conditions, although irradiation resulted in broader segregation profiles in both experiments and simulations, indicating an overall increase in grain boundary segregation due to irradiation. This broadening is attributed to back diffusion into the grain interior. While it is an established phenomenon, this study offers a quantitative evaluation using experimental data and KMC modeling. Further, these results emphasize the importance of analyzing the entire segregation profile and decoupling the thermal and irradiation contributions to solute segregation.

Grain boundary segregation