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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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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2019

Zika discourse in the Americas: A multilingual topic analysis of Twitter

Article Authors Metrics Comments Media Coverage Abstract Introduction Materials and methods Results Discussion Acknowledgments References Reader Comments (0) Media Coverage (0) Figures Abstract This work examines Twitter discussion surrounding the 2015 outbreak of Zika, a virus that is most often mild but has been associated with serious birth defects and neurological syndromes. We introduce and analyze a collection of 3.9 million tweets mentioning Zika geolocated to North and South America, where the virus is most prevalent. Using a multilingual topic model, we automatically identify and extract the key topics of discussion across the dataset in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. We examine the variation in Twitter activity across time and location, finding that rises in activity tend to follow to major events, and geographic rates of Zika-related discussion are moderately correlated with Zika incidence (ρ = .398).

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Materials Dynamics

The Materials Dynamics area of leadership focuses on understanding structure-properties-performance relationships for the extreme conditions of dynamic loading. This research encompasses controlled synthesis of materials to meet dynamic performance requirements and requires computational coupling across length and time scales for three-dimensional microstructure modeling. For this leadership area, we define dynamic loading as strain rates greater than 103/s. A key grand challenge of this area is to predict and measure the evolution of microstructural phases, defect structures, and electronic structure under dynamic conditions while also dynamically measuring local temperature to understand transition states. Solving this challenge will require agile, multidimensional data analysis and interpretation capability.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Development of Accelerated Kinetic Monte Carlo Code for Simulation of Helium Bubble Evolution

A mesoscale model to predict helium bubble evolution is needed for tritium applications. Such a model requires that the conventional kinetic Monte Carlo (kMC) simulations be significantly accelerated. The objective of this report is to (a) highlight the concepts and mathematical expressions of the accelerated method for defect implementation that have not been published, (b) show an example input file to run the kMC code, and (c) provide suggestions on future improvement following my retirement.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Real-Time Identification of Oxygen Vacancy Centers in LiNbO 3 and SrTiO 3 during Irradiation with High Energy Particles

Oxygen vacancies are known to play a central role in the optoelectronic properties of oxide perovskites. A detailed description of the exact mechanisms by which oxygen vacancies govern such properties, however, is still quite incomplete. The unambiguous identification of oxygen vacancies has been a subject of intense discussion. Interest in oxygen vacancies is not purely academic. Precise control of oxygen vacancies has potential technological benefits in optoelectronic devices. In this review paper, we focus our attention on the generation of oxygen vacancies by irradiation with high energy particles. Irradiation constitutes an efficient and reliable strategy to introduce, monitor, and characterize oxygen vacancies. Unfortunately, this technique has been underexploited despite its demonstrated advantages. This review revisits the main experimental results that have been obtained for oxygen vacancy centers (a) under high energy electron irradiation (100 keV–1 MeV) in LiNbO 3 , and (b) during irradiation with high-energy heavy (1–20 MeV) ions in SrTiO 3 . In both cases, the experiments have used real-time and in situ optical detection. Moreover, the present paper discusses the obtained results in relation to present knowledge from both the experimental and theoretical perspectives. Our view is that a consistent picture is now emerging on the structure and relevant optical features (absorption and emission spectra) of these centers. One key aspect of the topic pertains to the generation of self-trapped electrons as small polarons by irradiation of the crystal lattice and their stabilization by oxygen vacancies. What has been learned by observing the interplay between polarons and vacancies has inspired new models for color centers in dielectric crystals, models which represent an advancement from the early models of color centers in alkali halides and simple oxides. The topic discussed in this review is particularly useful to better understand the complex effects of different types of radiation on the defect structure of those materials, therefore providing relevant clues for nuclear engineering applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Limited-angle effect compensation for respiratory binned cardiac SPECT

Purpose: In cardiac single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), respiratory-binned study is used to combat the motion blur associated with respiratory motion. However, owing to the variability in respiratory patterns during data acquisition, the acquired data counts can vary significantly both among respiratory bins and among projection angles within individual bins. If not properly accounted for, such variation could lead to artifacts similar to limited-angle effect in image reconstruction. In this work, the authors aim to investigate several reconstruction strategies for compensating the limited-angle effect in respiratory binned data for the purpose of reducing the image artifacts. Methods: The authors first consider a model based correction approach, in which the variation in acquisition time is directly incorporated into the imaging model, such that the data statistics are accurately described among both the projection angles and respiratory bins. Afterward, the authors consider an approximation approach, in which the acquired data are rescaled to accommodate the variation in acquisition time among different projection angles while the imaging model is kept unchanged. In addition, the authors also consider the use of a smoothing prior in reconstruction for suppressing the artifacts associated with limited-angle effect. In our evaluation study, the authors first used Monte Carlo simulated imaging with 4D NCAT phantom wherein the ground truth is known for quantitative comparison. The authors evaluated the accuracy of the reconstructed myocardium using a number of metrics, including regional and overall accuracy of the myocardium, uniformity and spatial resolution of the left ventricle (LV) wall, and detectability of perfusion defect using a channelized Hotelling observer. As a preliminary demonstration, the authors also tested the different approaches on five sets of clinical acquisitions. Results: The quantitative evaluation results show that the three compensation methods could all, but to different extents, reduce the reconstruction artifacts over no compensation. In particular, the model based approach reduced the mean-squared-error of the reconstructed myocardium by as much as 40%. Compared to the approach of data rescaling, the model based approach further improved both the overall and regional accuracy of the myocardium; it also further improved the lesion detectability and the uniformity of the LV wall. When ML reconstruction was used, the model based approach was notably more effective for improving the LV wall; when MAP reconstruction was used, the smoothing prior could reduce the noise level and artifacts with little or no increase in bias, but at the cost of a slight resolution loss of the LV wall. The improvements in image quality by the different compensation methods were also observed in the clinical acquisitions. Conclusions: Compensating for the uneven distribution of acquisition time among both projection angles and respiratory bins can effectively reduce the limited-angle artifacts in respiratory-binned cardiac SPECT reconstruction. Direct incorporation of the time variation into the imaging model together with a smoothing prior in reconstruction can lead to the most improvement in the accuracy of the reconstructed myocardium.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Direct evidence that KLK4 is a hydroxyapatite-binding protein

Highlights: • Contradictions about KLK4 binding to hydroxyapatite were resolved biochemically. • A proxy substrate stabilises KLK4 against inactivation, aggregation and autolysis. • A mechanistic model involving KLK4 retention and autodegradation is proposed. The protease kallikrein 4 (KLK4) plays a pivotal role during dental enamel formation by degrading the major enamel protein, amelogenin, prior to the final steps of enamel hardening. KLK4 dysfunction is known to cause some types of developmental defect in enamel but the mechanisms responsible for transient retention of KLK4 in semi-hardened enamel matrix remain unclear. To address contradictory reports about the affinity of KLK4 for enamel hydroxyapatite-like mineral, we used pure components in quasi-physiological conditions and found that KLK4 binds hydroxyapatite directly. Hypothesising KLK4 self-destructs once amelogenin is degraded, biochemical analyses revealed that KLK4 progressively lost activity, became aggregated, and autofragmented when incubated without substrate in both the presence and absence of reducer. However, with non-ionic detergent present as proxy substrate, KLK4 remained active and intact throughout. These findings prompt a new mechanistic model and line of enquiry into the role of KLK4 in enamel hardening and malformation.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Defect-Driven Oxide Transformations and the Electrochemical Interphase

The redox reaction pathway is crucial to the sustainable production of the fuels and chemicals required for a carbon-neutral society. Our society is becoming increasingly dependent on devices using batteries and electrolyzers, all of which rely on a series of redox reactions. The overall properties of oxide materials make them very well suited for such electrochemical and catalytic applications due to their associated cationic redox properties and the static site-adsorbate interactions. As these technologies have matured, it has become apparent that defect-driven redox reactions, defect-coupled diffusion, and structural transformations that are both time- and rate-dependent are also critical materials processes. This change in focus, considering not only redox properties but also more complex, dynamic behaviors, represents a new research frontier in the molecular sciences as they are strongly linked to device operation and degradation and lie at the heart of various phenomena that take place at electrochemical interfaces. Fundamental studies of the structural, electronic, and chemical transformation mechanisms are key to the advancement of materials and technological innovations that could be implemented in various electrochemical systems. In this Account, we focus on recent studies and advances in characterizing and understanding the dynamic redox evolution and structural transformations that take place in model perovskites and layered oxides under reactive conditions and correlate them with degradation mechanisms and operations in electrolyzers and batteries. We show that the dynamic evolution of oxygen vacancies and cationic migration in the surface or bulk occurs at the solid-liquid interface, using a combination of different synchrotron-based Xray spectroscopies and scattering probes. Detailed redox-structure-reactivity correlation studies show how defects and diffusion processes can be tailored to drive various physical and chemical transformations in electrolyzers and batteries. We also highlight a strong correlation between oxygen redox reactivity and structural reorganization in both model thin films and particles, helping to bridge the gap between fundamental studies of the reaction mechanism and device applications. Finally, on the basis of these findings, we discuss strategies to probe and tune the redox reactivity and structural stability of the redox-active oxide interphase toward devising efficient pathways for energy and chemical harvesting.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2017

Modeling Helium Segregation to the Surfaces of Plasma-Exposed Tungsten as a Function of Temperature and Surface Orientation

We provide a description of the dependence on surface crystallographic orientation and temperature of the segregation of helium implanted with energies consistent with low-energy plasma exposure to tungsten surfaces. Here, we describe multiscale modeling results based on a hierarchical approach to scale bridging that incorporates atomistic studies based on a reliable interatomic potential to parameterize a spatially dependent drift-diffusion-reaction cluster-dynamics code. An extensive set of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations has been performed at 933 K and/or 1200 K to determine the probabilities of desorption and modified trap mutation that occurs as small, mobile Hen (1 ≤ n ≤ 7) clusters diffuse from the near-surface region toward surfaces of varying crystallographic orientation due to an elastic interaction force that provides the thermodynamic driving force for surface segregation. These near-surface cluster dynamics have significant effects on the surface morphology, the near-surface defect structures, and the amount of helium retained in the material upon plasma exposure, for which we have developed an extensive MD database of cumulative evolution during high-flux helium implantation at 933 K, which we compare to our properly parameterized cluster-dynamics model. This validated model is then used to evaluate the effects of temperature on helium retention and subsurface helium clustering.

Blondel, Sophie↗
DOE OSTI2017

Description of the atomic disorder (local order) in crystals by the mixed-symmetry method

An approach to the description of local atomic disorder (short-range order) in single crystals by the mixed-symmetry method based on Bragg scattering data is proposed, and the corresponding software is developed. In defect-containing crystals, each atom in the unit cell can be described by its own symmetry space group. The expression for the calculated structural factor includes summation over different sets of symmetry operations for different atoms. To facilitate the search for new symmetry elements, an “atomic disorder expert” was developed, which estimates the significance of tested models. It is shown that the symmetry lowering for some atoms correlates with the existence of phase transitions (in langasite family crystals) and the anisotropy of physical properties (in rare-earth dodecaborides RB{sub 12}).

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2022

Electronic Structure Theory and Novel Materials

This grant supported research on electronic structure and materials theory, with focus on three main issues: (i) novel techniques to deal with correlation in the electronic ground-state, (ii) topological materials, (iii) the phase diagram of lattice spin models. Regarding (i), we applied to the homogeneous electron liquid an approach that we previously developed in the context of molecular systems. In this scheme the electronic occupation probabilities and the natural spin orbitals are used to construct an approximate two-body density matrix for the electronic ground-state. Regarding (ii) we used standard electronic structure methods based on density functional theory to model topological materials and interpret experimental observations. Finally, regarding (iii) we further developed a numerical approach to compute the renormalized couplings within real space renormalization group theory in the context of lattice spin models. The main findings were the following. (i) We found that with our approximate two-body density matrix, which works well for small molecules, is not sufficiently accurate for condensed phase systems. Missing a systematic way of improving on the adopted approximations, we decided not to pursue this approach. (ii) We performed two studies. In one, we investigated the influence of Te defects on the topological properties of a WTe2 monolayer, finding that while Te vacancies, even in modest concentration, destroy the topological character, Te adatoms do not, consistent with a recent experiment. In another study, we predicted Weyl semimetal character and strong anomalous Hall effect in the Heusler compensated ferrimagnet Ti2MnAl. (iii) We developed a new Monte Carlo method to do real space renormalization group calculations for lattice spin models. We subsequently extended the scheme to deal with lattice spin models in presence of quenched disorder, finding that the approach can distinguish systems with finite and strong disorder. In the finite disorder case, the method allows one to find with good approximation the critical coupling distribution and the critical exponents.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2022

Lifelong cytomegalovirus and early‐LIFE irradiation synergistically potentiate age‐related defects in response to vaccination and infection

Abstract While whole‐body irradiation (WBI) can induce some hallmarks of immune aging, (re)activation of persistent microbial infection also occurs following WBI and may contribute to immune effects of WBI over the lifespan. To test this hypothesis in a model relevant to human immune aging, we examined separate and joint effects of lifelong latent murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) and of early‐life WBI over the course of the lifespan. In late life, we then measured the response to a West Nile virus (WNV) live attenuated vaccine, and lethal WNV challenge subsequent to vaccination. We recently published that a single dose of non‐lethal WBI in youth, on its own, was not sufficient to accelerate aging of the murine immune system, despite widespread DNA damage and repopulation stress in hematopoietic cells. However, 4Gy sub‐lethal WBI caused manifest reactivation of MCMV. Following vaccination and challenge with WNV in the old age, MCMV‐infected animals experiencing 4Gy, but not lower, dose of sub‐lethal WBI in youth had reduced survival. By contrast, old irradiated mice lacking MCMV and MCMV‐infected, but not irradiated, mice were both protected to the same high level as the old non‐irradiated, uninfected controls. Analysis of the quality and quantity of anti‐WNV immunity showed that higher mortality in MCMV‐positive WBI mice correlated with increased levels of MCMV‐specific immune activation during WNV challenge. Moreover, we demonstrate that infection, including that by WNV, led to MCMV reactivation. Our data suggest that MCMV reactivation may be an important determinant of increased late‐life mortality following early‐life irradiation and late‐life acute infection.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

Helium segregation on surfaces of plasma-exposed tungsten

Here we report a hierarchical multi-scale modeling study of implanted helium segregation on surfaces of tungsten, considered as a plasma facing component in nuclear fusion reactors. We employ a hierarchy of atomic-scale simulations based on a reliable interatomic interaction potential, including molecular-statics simulations to understand the origin of helium surface segregation, targeted molecular-dynamics (MD) simulations of near-surface cluster reactions, and large-scale MD simulations of implanted helium evolution in plasma-exposed tungsten. We find that small, mobile He-n (1 <= n <= 7) clusters in the near-surface region are attracted to the surface due to an elastic interaction force that provides the thermodynamic driving force for surface segregation. Elastic interaction force induces drift fluxes of these mobile Hen clusters, which increase substantially as the migrating clusters approach the surface, facilitating helium segregation on the surface. Moreover, the clusters' drift toward the surface enables cluster reactions, most importantly trap mutation, in the near-surface region at rates much higher than in the bulk material. Moreover, these near-surface cluster dynamics have significant effects on the surface morphology, near-surface defect structures, and the amount of helium retained in the material upon plasma exposure. We integrate the findings of such atomic-scale simulations into a properly parameterized and validated spatially dependent, continuum-scale reaction-diffusion cluster dynamics model, capable of predicting implanted helium evolution, surface segregation, and its near-surface effects in tungsten. This cluster-dynamics model sets the stage for development of fully atomistically informed coarse-grained models for computationally efficient simulation predictions of helium surface segregation, as well as helium retention and surface morphological evolution, toward optimal design of plasma facing components.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Implications of doping on microstructure, processing, and thermoelectric performance: The case of PbSe

Abstract In this work, we highlight the often-overlooked effects of doping on the microstructure and performance of bulk thermoelectric materials to offer a broader perspective on how dopants interact with their parent material. Using PbSe doped with Na, Ag, and K as a model material system, we combine original computational, experimental, and microscopy data with established trends in material behavior, to provide an in-depth discussion of the relationship between dopants, processing, and microstructure, and their effects on thermoelectric efficiency and thermal stability. Notable observations include differences in the microstructure and mass loss of thermally treated samples of Na- and Ag-doped PbSe, as well as findings that Na and K cations exist predominantly as substitutional point defects while Ag also occupies interstitial sites and exhibits lower solubility. We discuss how these differences in point defect populations are known to affect a dopants’ ability to alter carrier concentration and how they may affect the mechanical properties of PbSe during processing. Graphic Abstract

Grovogui, Jann A. (ORCID:0000000200481049)↗
DOE OSTI2017

Micro-PIV measurements of multiphase flow of water and liquid CO 2 in 2-D heterogeneous porous micromodels

We present an experimental study of pore-scale flow dynamics of liquid CO 2 and water in a two-dimensional heterogeneous porous micromodel, inspired by the structure of a reservoir rock, at reservoir-relevant conditions (80 bar, 21°C). The entire process of CO 2 infiltration into a water-saturated micromodel was captured using fluorescence microscopy and the micro-PIV method, which together reveal complex fluid displacement patterns and abrupt changes in velocity. The CO 2 front migrated through the resident water in an intermittent manner, forming dendritic structures, termed fingers, in directions along, normal to, and even opposing the bulk pressure gradient. Such characteristics indicate the dominance of capillary fingering through the micromodel. Velocity burst events, termed Haines jumps, were also captured in the heterogeneous micromodel, during which the local Reynolds number was estimated to be ~21 in the CO 2 phase, exceeding the range of validity of Darcy's law. Furthermore, these drainage events were observed to be cooperative (i.e., across multiple pores simultaneously), with the zone of influence of such events extending beyond tens of pores, confirming, in a quantitative manner, that Haines jumps are nonlocal phenomena. After CO 2 completely breaks through the porous section, shear-induced circulations caused by flowing CO 2 were also observed, in agreement with previous studies using a homogeneous porous micromodel. To our knowledge, this study is the first quantitative measurement that incorporates both reservoir-relevant conditions and rock-inspired heterogeneity, and thus will be useful for pore-scale model development and validation.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2019

Irradiation induced creep in nanocrystalline high entropy alloys

Irradiation induced creep (IIC) compliance in NiCoFeCrMn high entropy alloys is measured as a function of grain size (30 < x < 80 nm) and temperature (23–500 °C). For 2.6 MeV Ag 3+ irradiation at a dose rate of 1.5×10 – 3 dpa – 1 s – 1 the transition from the recombination to sink limited regimes occurs at ~ 100 °C. In the sink-limited regime, the IIC compliance scales inversely with grain size, consistent with a recently proposed model for grain boundary IIC. The thermal creep rate is also measured; it does not become comparable to the IIC rate, however, until ~ 650 °C. Here, the results are discussed in context of defect kinetics in irradiated HEA systems.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Irradiation induced void spheroidization, shrinkage and migration in Cu at elevated temperatures: An in situ study

We show understanding the void evolution in irradiation environment is of great interest and significance, as irradiation-induced voids typically lead to pronounced volumetric swelling and degradation of mechanical properties. In situ studies on the irradiation response of nanovoids at elevated temperature remain limited. In this work, we performed systematic in situ 1 MeV Kr ++ irradiations on Cu with nanovoids in a transmission electron microscope up to 350 °C. The in situ studies revealed intriguing void spheroidization, shrinkage and migration. Furthermore, the morphology evolution and migration of nanovoids showed a strong dependence on irradiation temperature and initial void size. Post-irradiation analyses identified defect clusters in the form of stacking fault tetrahedrons, and the remaining large faceted nanovoids. The underlying mechanisms of irradiation-induced void spheroidization and shrinkage were discussed based on phase-field modeling.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Utilizing machine learning to predict tensile ductility and yield strength of CoNiV-based multi-principal elements alloys

This study explores the use of machine learning (ML) as a computational tool to accelerate the design of multi-principal element alloys (MPEAs) with improved tensile elongation. An ML model was trained using available experimental data from the literature along with theoretically derived features to predict yield strength (YS) and ductility. A subset of ML-predicted compositions—CoNiVFe, CoNiVTi, CoNiVTiFe, and CoCrNiVTi—was synthesized and evaluated through tensile testing. The ML model underpredicted YS by approximately 20–30 % and overpredicted ductility by 60–70 % for Ti-containing alloys. Microstructural analysis revealed that Ti segregation at interdendritic regions contributed to early fracture, leading to discrepancies in ductility predictions. Ti segregation at these regions likely drives the increased YS due to segregation strengthening. In contrast, the CoNiVFe alloy showed good agreement with both experimental YS and elongation, with prediction errors of ∼10.2 % and ∼20.7 %, respectively. Microstructural characterization revealed minimal segregation in this alloy, suggesting that the ML model can reliably predict the properties of alloys with little to no segregation. These findings highlight the capability of ML in predicting YS with good accuracy but underscore its limitations in capturing defect-driven failure mechanisms such as segregation-induced embrittlement.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗