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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 163 records · Page 9

Synchronization and phase locking of resonant magnet power supplies for Mu2e experiment at Fermilab

The Mu2e Experiment has stringent beam structure requirements; namely, it requires short (~200 ns) proton bunches separated by 1.5-2.0 $\mu$s. This beam structure will be produced using the Fermilab 8 GeV Booster, the 8 GeV Recycler Ring, and the Delivery Ring, which was formerly part of the antiproton accumulator system. Out of time beam is limited to a fraction of level of no more than $1\times 10^{-10}$, a requirement known as "extinction". Achieving this level of extinction requires a system of resonant magnets and collimators, phased such that only in time particles will pass through. The Mu2e magnet system involves two components: a 300 kHz component, timed such that the 600 kHz beam will pass through the collimators at the nodes, and a 4.5 MHz system to reduce the slewing of the in-time beam. These two systems must be precisely phase locked to the bunch rate coming from the Delivery Ring, which itself must be phased to match beam transfers coming from the Recycler. This poster describes the control system for the magnets, which is based on an Intel Arria FPGA, which handles phase locking of the magnets to the Delivery Ring, including the phase jumps required to match transfers from the Recycler.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Magnetic resonance insights into the heterogeneous, fractal-like kinetics of chemically recyclable polymers

Moving toward a circular plastics economy is a vital aspect of global resource management. Chemical recycling of plastics ensures that high-value monomers can be recovered from depolymerized plastic waste, thus enabling circular manufacturing. However, to increase chemical recycling throughput in materials recovery facilities, the present understanding of polymer transport, diffusion, swelling, and heterogeneous deconstruction kinetics must be systematized to allow industrial-scale process design, spanning molecular to macroscopic regimes. To develop a framework for designing depolymerization processes, we examined acidolysis of circular polydiketoenamine elastomers. We used magnetic resonance to monitor spatially resolved observables in situ and then evaluated these data with a fractal method that treats nonlinear depolymerization kinetics. This approach delineated the roles played by network architecture and reaction medium on depolymerization outcomes, yielding parameters that facilitate comparisons between bulk processes. These streamlined methods to investigate polymer hydrolysis kinetics portend a general strategy for implementing chemical recycling on an industrial scale.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Quantitative Low-Field 19 F Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Analysis of Carbonyl Groups in Pyrolysis Oils

Pyrolysis bio-oils, one of the products of lignocellulosic biomass pyrolysis, have the potential to be widely used as fuels. The chemical composition of bio-oils is very complicated as they contain hundreds, if not thousands, of different, mostly oxygen-containing, compounds with a wide distribution of physical properties, chemical structures, and concentrations. Detailed knowledge of bio-oil composition is crucial for optimizing both the pyrolysis processes and for any subsequent upgrading into a more viable fuel resource. Here we report the successful use of low-field, or benchtop, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometers in the analysis of pyrolysis oils. Pyrolysis oils from four different feedstocks were derivatized and analyzed using 19 F NMR techniques. The NMR results compare favorably with titrations for total carbonyl content. In addition, the benchtop NMR spectrometer proves able to reveal key spectral features, thus allowing the quantification of different carbonyl groups, such as aldehydes, ketones and quinones. Benchtop NMR spectrometers are typically compact, cheaper than their superconducting counterparts and do not require cryogens. Their use will make NMR analysis of pyrolysis oils easier and more accessible to a wide range of different potential users.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) of flammable organic chemicals in radioactive high–level supernatant waste at the Savannah River Site (SRS)

The Savannah River Site stores approximately 36 million gallons of radioactive and hazardous waste that contains approximately 245 million curies. The waste is sent through various chemical processes to reduce its volume and to separate various components. The facility plans to replace formic acid (a chemical used to reduce soluble mercury) with glycolic acid. Recycle solution with glycolate may flow back to the tank farm, where the glycolate can generate hydrogen gas by thermal and radiolytic mechanisms. The current analytical method for detecting glycolate (ion chromatography) in supernatant requires a large dilution to reduce interference from the nitrate anions. Hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance is an analytical method that requires less sample dilution. It takes advantage of the CH 2 group in glycolate. Liquid samples were spiked with four different levels of glycolate to build a calibration line, as it is recommended in the standard addition method. The detection and quantitation limits determined were 1 and 5 ppm, respectively, for 32 scans, which is well below the process limit of 10 ppm. In one test, 800 scans of a supernatant spiked with 1 ppm glycolate resulted in a -CH 2 peak with a signal-to-noise ratio of 36.

1H↗

Using Low-Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and X-Ray Computed Microtomography Imaging to Explore Potential of Microbially-Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation Treatment to Seal Shale Fractures

Microbially-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) is a biological process in which microbially produced urease enzymes convert urea and calcium into solid calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) deposits. Studies have shown that MICP can be used to seal fractures in shale, raising the possibility of applying this technology to restimulate fracking wells by plugging underperforming fractures. For this and other applications to become a reality, non-invasive tools are needed to determine how effectively MICP seals shale fractures under subsurface conditions. In this study, a 2.54 cm wide and 5.08 cm long Marcellus shale core with a single, ~1 mm wide fracture held open by sand "proppant" underwent MICP-treatment at 60°C until reaching three orders of magnitude permeability reduction. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) and X-Ray computed microtomography (μ-CT) techniques were used to assess the extent of biomineralization within the fracture. These tools revealed that while CaCO 3 precipitation occurred throughout the fracture, there was preferential precipitation around proppant, and the core sealed at the effluent end before filling most of the fracture. Both tools were able to independently calculate of the amount of solid biomineral formed inside the fracture. Furthermore, this study found that the distribution of proppant within the shale fracture was an important parameter controlling the degree of biomineralization.

clastic rock↗

Characterization of Heparin’s Conformational Ensemble by Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Heparin is a highly charged, polysulfated polysaccharide and serves as an anticoagulant. Heparin binds to multiple proteins throughout the body, suggesting a large range of potential therapeutic applications. Although its function has been characterized in multiple physiological contexts, heparin’s solution conformational dynamics and structure–function relationships are not fully understood. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations facilitate the analysis of a molecule’s underlying conformational ensemble, which then provides important information necessary for understanding structure–function relationships. However, for MD simulations to afford meaningful results, they must both provide adequate sampling and accurately represent the energy properties of a molecule. The aim of this study is to compare heparin’s conformational ensemble using two well-developed force fields for carbohydrates, known as GLYCAM06 and CHARMM36, using replica exchange molecular dynamics (REMD) simulations, and to validate these results with NMR experiments. In this work, the anticoagulant sequence, an ultra-low-molecular-weight heparin, known as Arixtra (fondaparinux, sodium), was simulated with both parameter sets. The results suggest that GLYCAM06 matches experimental nuclear magnetic resonance three-bond J-coupling values measured for Arixtra better than CHARMM36. In addition, NOESY and ROESY experiments suggest that Arixtra is very flexible in the sub-millisecond time scale and does not adopt a unique structure at 25 C. Moreover, GLYCAM06 affords a much more dynamic conformational ensemble for Arixtra than CHARMM36.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Interactions of clathrate hydrate promoters sodium dodecyl sulfate and tetrahydrofuran investigated using 1H diffusion nuclear magnetic resonance at hydrate-forming conditions

Thermodynamic hydrate promoters and kinetic hydrate promoters can be used to reduce the P–T conditions for clathrate hydrate synthesis to decrease the nucleation induction time while increasing growth rates. Two commonly used promoters for hydrate research are tetrahydrofuran (THF) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), which can increase the overall hydrate promotion when used in tandem as compared to individually. There are several molecular theories regarding how SDS promotes hydrate growth. This study explores the micellular theory, for which hydrate formation depends on surfactant aggregates (micelles) at a critical micelle concentration (CMC) to increase the interfacial surface area. The micellular theory is the most investigated and criticized surfactant hydrate promotion theory. To address questions related to micellar behavior, this study investigates the intermolecular behavior between SDS and THF for the identification of micelles at hydrate-forming conditions. The systems explored contained THF at 3 and 5 wt. % with varying concentrations of SDS below and above the CMC. Several methods including a qualitative visual method, conductivity, interfacial tensiometry, 13C Liquid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and 1H diffusion NMR spectroscopy were evaluated at temperatures below the Krafft point of SDS and above 0 °C. The presence of THF at low concentrations decreased the critical temperature for the formation of SDS micelles, where SDS is solubilized in THF/water solution at hydrate-forming temperatures without precipitation. The CMC of SDS was decreased significantly even at hydrate-forming conditions. Mixed surfactant–cosolvent micellular behavior of SDS in the presence of low concentrations of THF was confirmed at hydrate-forming conditions above 0 °C.

Chemistry↗

Optical Bound States in the Continuum Enabled by Magnetic Resonances Coupled to a Mirror

Dielectric metasurfaces made of high refractive index and low optical loss materials have emerged as promising platforms to achieve high-quality factor modes enabling strong light–matter interaction. Bound states in the continuum have shown potential to demonstrate narrow spectral resonances but often require asymmetric geometry and typically feature strong polarization dependence, complicating fabrication and limiting practical applications. Here, we introduce a novel approach for designing high-quality bound states in the continuum using magnetic dipole resonances coupled to a mirror. The resulting metasurface has simple geometric parameters requiring no broken symmetry. To demonstrate the unique features of our photonic platform we show a record-breaking third harmonic generation efficiency from the metasurface benefiting from the strongly enhanced electric field at high-quality resonances. Our approach mitigates the shortcomings of previous platforms with simple geometry enabling facile and large-area fabrication of metasurfaces paving the way for applications in optical sensing, detection, quantum photonics, and nonlinear devices.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Electrical Control of Magnetic Resonance in Phase Change Materials

Metal–insulator transitions (MITs) in resistive switching materials can be triggered by an electric stimulus that produces significant changes in the electrical response. When these phases have distinct magnetic characteristics, dramatic changes in the spin excitations are also expected. The transition metal oxide La 0.7 Sr 0.3 MnO 3 (LSMO) is a ferromagnetic metal at low temperatures and a paramagnetic insulator above room temperature. When LSMO is in its metallic phase, a critical electrical bias has been shown to lead to an MIT that results in the formation of a paramagnetic resistive barrier transverse to the applied electric field. Using spin-transfer ferromagnetic resonance spectroscopy, we show that even for electrical biases less than the critical value that triggers the MIT, there is magnetic phase separation, with the spin-excitation resonances varying systematically with applied bias. Therefore, voltage-triggered MITs in LSMO can alter magnetic resonance characteristics, offering an effective method for tuning synaptic weights in neuromorphic circuits.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

R&D with NREL'S Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Facility

NREL's state-of-the-art NMR Facility provides scientists the ability to analyze both solid and liquid samples on four NMR spectrometers. NREL's NMR instruments provide distinct capabilities for analyzing a variety of samples from biomass to plastics to battery components. NREL scientists can monitor reactions - even in real time - to further their understanding of the fundamental chemical processes that may drive the development of next-generation sustainable fuels, materials, and products.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Observing the Surface Termination of LaScO 3 Perovskite Using Solid-State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

Materials with well-defined surfaces are drawing increased attention for the design of bespoke catalysts and nanomaterials. Gaining a detailed understanding of the surfaces of these materials is an important challenge, which is often complicated by surface polymorphism and dynamic restructuring. We introduce the use of surface-enhanced NMR spectroscopy for the observation of such surfaces, focusing on LaScO 3 as an example. Here, we show that double-resonance NMR experiments correlating surface oxygen and probe molecules to the 139 La and 45 Sc nuclei at the surface reveal the material to be terminated by a ScO x monolayer. Surface-selective 17 O and 45 Sc NMR experiments further showed the material to be hydroxyl terminated and that the surface may be prone to dynamic restructuring as a result of moisture exposure. Perhaps most interestingly, surface-selective 139 La NMR experiments revealed the existence of previously undetected surface lanthanum defects, suggesting that surface-enhanced NMR may be useful as a guide in the synthesis of defect-free surfaces in the design of various nanomaterials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Atomic-Level Structure of Mesoporous Hexagonal Boron Nitride Determined by High-Resolution Solid-State Multinuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Density Functional Theory Calculations

Mesoporous hexagonal boron nitride (p-BN) has received significant attention over the last decade as a promising candidate for water cleaning/pollutant removal and hydrogen storage applications. In this work, high-resolution solid-state NMR spectroscopy and plane-wave density-functional theory (DFT) calculations are used to obtain an atomic-level description of p-BN. 1 H– 15 N or 1 H– 14 N heteronuclear (HETCOR) correlation experiments recorded with either conventional NMR at room temperature or dynamic nuclear polarization surface-enhanced spectroscopy (DNP-SENS) at ca. 100 K reveal NB 2 H, NBH 2 , NBH 3 + species residing on the edges of BN sheets. Ultra-high field 35.2 T 11 B NMR spectroscopy was used to resolve 11 B NMR signals from BN 3 , BN 2 O x (OH) 1–x (x = 0–1), BNO x (OH) 2–x (x = 0–2), BO x (OH) 3–x (x = 0–3), and BO x (OH) 4–x – (x = 0–4). Importantly, 2D 11 B dipolar double-quantum–single-quantum homonuclear correlation spectra reveal that many pore/defect sites are composed of boron oxide/hydroxide clusters connected to the BN framework through BN 2 O units. 1D and 2D 11 B{ 15 N} HETCOR NMR experiments, in addition to plane-wave DFT calculations of nine different structural models, further confirm the assignment of all NMR signals. The detailed structure determination of the pore and edge/defect sites within p-BN should further enable the rational design and development of next-generation p-BN-based materials. In addition, the techniques outlined here should be applicable to determine structure within other porous and/or boron-based materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (H NMR) of Glycolate in Real Waste: Developing and Testing Analytical Methods for the Savannah River Site Liquid Waste System

In preparation for implementing the NG acid flowsheet for the SRS LWS, analytical methods for determining glycolate at low concentration are desired to support system management and safety. Previous work documented that the IC method performed well for samples with low to moderate ionic strength. That work also included a scoping effort to determine if an alternate analytical strategy using H NMR would complement and extend the capabilities of the IC method. The H NMR scoping results indicated that the method had the potential to expand glycolate analysis in LWS samples to higher ionic strength tanks/solutions. The scope of this work is to develop innovative proton NMR techniques, including demonstrating ion exchange decontamination protocols needed for application of the technique to real waste samples. Part of radioactive waste processing at SRS uses formic acid to reduce oxidized (Hg 2+ ) to more volatile elemental Hg for steam striping, collecting, and disposal. Under acidic conditions found in the Chemical Processing Cell (CPC) at the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF), formic acid has a much higher hydrogen generation rate than an alternative reductant, glycolic acid. Thus, an NG acid flowsheet has been developed utilizing glycolic acid with the benefit of easing the need for headspace monitoring requirements for hydrogen and ammonia at DWPF. Low concentrations of glycolate are conservatively assumed to be in the recycle stream, which will collect in the Recycle Collection Tank (RCT). The DWPF recycle stream collected in the RCT has a distinct pathway to the LWS waste tanks that feed the 2H and 3H Evaporator. This route involves transfer of the DWPF recycle to Tank 22 in the Concentration, Storage, and Transfer Facilities (CSTF) followed by transfer to the LWS tank farm/evaporators.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Observations of heteroclinic bifurcations in resistive magnetohydrodynamic simulations of the plasma response to resonant magnetic perturbations

A class of topological magnetic island bifurcations that has not previously been observed in toroidal plasmas is described. Increasing an externally applied three-dimensional magnetic field in resistive magnetohydrodynamic simulations results in the asymmetric elongation of resonant island flux surfaces followed by a sequence of heteroclinic bifurcations. Here, these bifurcations produce new sets of hyperbolic-elliptic fixed points as predicted by the Poincaré-Birkoff fixed point theorem. Field line calculations verify that the new fixed points do not connect to those of the prebifurcated islands as required for heteroclinic bifurcations on a torus with winding numbers composed of common integer factors.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Numerical study of $\delta$-function current sheets arising from resonant magnetic perturbations

We report general three-dimensional toroidal ideal magnetohydrodynamic equilibria with a continuum of nested flux surfaces are susceptible to forming singular current sheets when resonant perturbations are applied. The presence of singular current sheets indicates that, in the presence of non-zero resistivity, magnetic reconnection will ensue, leading to the formation of magnetic islands and potentially regions of stochastic field lines when islands overlap. Numerically resolving singular current sheets in the ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) limit has been a significant challenge. This work presents numerical solutions of the Hahm–Kulsrud–Taylor (HKT) problem, which is a prototype for resonant singular current sheet formation. The HKT problem is solved by two codes: a Grad–Shafranov (GS) solver and the Stepped Pressure Equilibrium Code (SPEC) code. The GS solver has built-in nested flux surfaces with prescribed magnetic fluxes. The SPEC code implements multi-region relaxed magnetohydrodynamics (MRxMHD), whereby the solution relaxes to a Taylor state in each region while maintaining force balance across the interfaces between regions. As the number of regions increases, the MRxMHD solution appears to approach the ideal MHD solution assuming a continuum of nested flux surfaces. We demonstrate agreement between the numerical solutions obtained from the two codes through a convergence study.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗