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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 19 records

An analytical method for predicting CMOS SRAM upsets with application to asymmetrical memory cells

An analytical method was developed to predict the heavy-ion-induced upset rate of static random access memory (SRAM) cells. The method was applied to the design of a memory with asymmetrical cells where the goal was to increase the upset rate in order to increase the number of observed upsets in a space environment. The asymmetry is achieved by increasing the drain area of selected transistors in the cell. Results from the analytical model for a space environment indicate the upset rate for the experimental asymmetrical cell (17.2 upsets/1 kbit-year) will be 4.7 times larger than the upset rate for the minimum-geometry balanced cell (3.6 upsets/1 kbit-year). The asymmetrical SRAM was designed into a test chip intended for the Combined Release and Radiation Effects Satellite (CRRES).

Buehler, Martin G.↗

Improved Low Temperature Performance of Supercapacitors

Low temperature double-layer capacitor operation enabled by: - Base acetonitrile / TEATFB salt formulation - Addition of low melting point formates, esters and cyclic ethers center dot Key electrolyte design factors: - Volume of co-solvent - Concentration of salt center dot Capacity increased through higher capacity electrodes: - Zeolite templated carbons - Asymmetric cell designs center dot Continuing efforts - Improve asymmetric cell performance at low temperature - Cycle life testing Motivation center dot Benchmark performance of commercial cells center dot Approaches for designing low temperature systems - Symmetric cells (activated carbon electrodes) - Symmetric cells (zeolite templated carbon electrodes) - Asymmetric cells (lithium titanate/activated carbon electrodes) center dot Experimental results center dot Summary

benchmark↗

Opposite polarity programs regulate asymmetric subsidiary cell divisions in grasses

Grass stomata recruit lateral subsidiary cells (SCs), which are key to the unique stomatal morphology and the efficient plant-atmosphere gas exchange in grasses. Subsidiary mother cells (SMCs) strongly polarise before an asymmetric division forms a SC. Yet apart from a proximal polarity module that includes PANGLOSS1 (PAN1) and guides nuclear migration, little is known regarding the developmental processes that form SCs. Here, we used comparative transcriptomics of developing wild-type and SC-less bdmute leaves in the genetic model grass Brachypodium distachyon to identify novel factors involved in SC formation. This approach revealed BdPOLAR, which forms a novel, distal polarity domain in SMCs that is opposite to the proximal PAN1 domain. Both polarity domains are required for the formative SC division yet exhibit various roles in guiding pre-mitotic nuclear migration and SMC division plane orientation, respectively. Nonetheless, the domains are linked as the proximal domain controls polarisation of the distal domain. In summary, we identified two opposing polarity domains that coordinate the SC division, a process crucial for grass stomatal physiology.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Asymmetrical SRAM Cells For Radiation Tests

Features of circuits altered to increase or decrease sensitivity to radiation. State-space analysis used to analyze single-event-upset behavior of memory cell. When voltage on node a is set at one of indicated initial values Vao and then released, voltages on nodes a and b then follow indicated trajectory to final logic "one" or logic "zero" state. Ability to do this important for design of radiation-detecting integrated circuits (deliberately made more sensitive to ionizing radiation) and "radiation-hardened" integrated circuits - those intended to be relatively invulnerable to intense radiation.

Buehler, Martin G.↗

Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion (ShAPE) of Lightweight Automotive Components (CRADA 418)

Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion (ShAPE) was developed to manufacture non-circular multicell profiles from secondary aluminum. This was accomplished by integrating a porthole die approach within the rotating ShAPE process. Complexity of the profile geometry was deliberately advanced over the course of the project from round to square, to asymmetric trapezoidal, to two-cell asymmetric trapezoidal. Aluminum alloy 6063 in the form of briquettes (compacted shreddings and engineered machining chips) and castings from pre-consumer industrial scrap were utilized as the feedstock. Tensile properties were shown to exceed the ASTM minimum standard and ASM typical values with the best results reaching yield strength = 247 ± 10 MPa, ultimate tensile strength = 271 ± 10 MPa, and uniform elongation = 16.5 ± 2.4%. These values were achieved for porthole extrusion using unhomogenized castings made from 100% aluminum 6063 industrial scrap. The ability to extrude unhomogenized billet was made possible by in situ conversion of plate-like β-type Fe-rich intermetallics to more extrudable needle-like α-type which is not possible with conventional extrusion. By eliminating the need to dilute iron with primary aluminum during the recycling process, savings of >90% on lifecycle carbon footprint and >50% on embedded energy could ultimately result in lower cost, more environmentally friendly, automotive components.

42 ENGINEERING↗

PCM1 coordinates centrosome asymmetry with polarized endosome dynamics to regulate daughter cell fate

Vertebrate radial glia progenitors (RGPs) balance self-renewal and differentiation through asymmetric cell division (ACD), which involves unequal centrosome inheritance. How centrosome asymmetry directs cell fate remains poorly understood. Here, we identify Pericentriolar material 1 (Pcm1) as a key player in this process. In zebrafish embryonic RGPs, Pcm1 is asymmetrically associated with Cep83, a mother centrosome marker. Using in vivo time-lapse imaging and nanoscale-resolution expansion microscopy, we detect Pcm1 on Notch ligand-containing endosomes, where it interacts–either directly or indirectly–with Par-3 and dynein. Loss of pcm1 disrupts endosome dynamics, increasing neuronal differentiation at the expense of RGP self-renewal. Mechanistically, Pcm1 facilitates the transition from Rab5b to Rab11a and promotes the assembly of Par-3 and dynein macromolecular complexes on recycling endosomes. Furthermore, we find conserved PARD3-PCM1-CEP83-RAB11 associations in human cortical brain organoids. Our findings uncover that Pcm1 links centrosome asymmetry to polarized endosome trafficking, thereby regulating RGP fate decisions.

Cell fate and cell lineage↗

Comparison of model high-lititude electron densities with Millstone Hill observations

The predictions of a high-latitude ionospheric model are compared with the diurnal variations of plasma convection velocities and electron densities observed at Millstone Hill on a geomagnetically moderately active day near equinox. The observed convection pattern was consistent with a two-cell, asymmetric pattern with enhanced plasma flow in the dusk sector, with flow speeds reaching 1.5 km/s. In the dusk strong convection cell, the falloff of the magnetospheric potential with latitude was proportional to the inverse of the sine of colatitude to the fourth power. On the dayside, a region of high density occurred at 500 km in the 1000-1900 LT sector. The nocturnal midlatitude trough was deepest and widest and reached its most equatorward position in the morning sector. The model, which is based on average auroral precipitation fluxes, can describe the gross features of the enhanced densities in the auroral zone.

Sojka, J. J.↗

Cryogenic single-molecule fluorescence annotations for electron tomography reveal in situ organization of key proteins in Caulobacter

Superresolution fluorescence microscopy and cryogenic electron tomography (CET) are powerful imaging methods for exploring the subcellular organization of biomolecules. Superresolution fluorescence microscopy based on covalent labeling highlights specific proteins and has sufficient sensitivity to observe single fluorescent molecules, but the reconstructions lack detailed cellular context. CET has molecular-scale resolution but lacks specific and nonperturbative intracellular labeling techniques. Here, we describe an imaging scheme that correlates cryogenic single-molecule fluorescence localizations with CET reconstructions. Our approach achieves single-molecule localizations with an average lateral precision of 9 nm, and a relative registration error between the set of localizations and CET reconstruction of ∼30 nm. We illustrate the workflow by annotating the positions of three proteins in the bacterium Caulobacter crescentus : McpA, PopZ, and SpmX. McpA, which forms a part of the chemoreceptor array, acts as a validation structure by being visible under both imaging modalities. In contrast, PopZ and SpmX cannot be directly identified in CET. While not directly discernable, PopZ fills a region at the cell poles that is devoid of electron-dense ribosomes. We annotate the position of PopZ with single-molecule localizations and confirm its position within the ribosome excluded region. We further use the locations of PopZ to provide context for localizations of SpmX, a low-copy integral membrane protein sequestered by PopZ as part of a signaling pathway that leads to an asymmetric cell division. Our correlative approach reveals that SpmX localizes along one side of the cell pole and its extent closely matches that of the PopZ region.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Highly reversible Zn anode with a practical areal capacity enabled by a sustainable electrolyte and superacid interfacial chemistry

Aqueous zinc-metal batteries are plagued by poor Zn reversibility owing to zinc dendrite and layered double hydroxide (LDH) formation. Here, we introduce a novel additive—N,N-dimethylformamidium trifluoromethanesulfonate (DOTf)—in a low-cost aqueous electrolyte that can very effectively address these issues. The initial water-assisted dissociation of DOTf into triflic superacid creates a robust nanostructured solid-electrolyte interface (SEI)—revealed by operando spectroscopy and cryomicroscopy—which excludes water and enables dense Zn deposition. We demonstrate excellent Zn plating/stripping in a Zn||Cu asymmetric cell for more than 3,500 cycles. Furthermore, near 100% CE is realized at a combined high current density of 4 mA cm -2 and an areal capacity of 4 mAh cm -2 over long-term cycling. Zn||Zn 0.25 V 2 O 5 ·nH 2 O full cells retain ~83% of their capacity after 1,000 cycles with mass-limited Zn anodes. By restricting the depth of discharge, the cathodes exhibit less proton intercalation and LDH formation with an extended lifetime of 2,000 cycles.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Dynamical Janus Interface Design for Reversible and Fast-Charging Zinc–Iodine Battery under Extreme Operating Conditions

Aqueous zinc (Zn) iodine (I 2 ) batteries have emerged as viable alternatives to conventional metal-ion batteries. However, undesirable Zn deposition and irreversible iodine conversion during cycling have impeded their progress. Here, to overcome these concerns, we report a dynamical interface design by cation chemistry that improves the reversibility of Zn deposition and four-electron iodine conversion. Due to this design, we demonstrate an excellent Zn-plating/-stripping behavior in Zn||Cu asymmetric cells over 1000 cycles with an average Coulombic efficiency (CE) of 99.95%. Moreover, the Zn||I 2 full cells achieve a high-rate capability (217.1 mA h g –1 at 40 A g –1 ; C rate of 189.5C) at room temperature and enable stable cycling with a CE of more than 99% at -50 °C at a current density of 0.05 A g –1 . In situ spectroscopic investigations and simulations reveal that introducing tetraethylammonium cations as ion sieves can dynamically modulate the electrode–electrolyte interface environment, forming the unique water-deficient and chloride ion (Cl – )-rich interface. Such Janus interface accounts for the suppression of side reactions, the prevention of ICl decomposition, and the enrichment of reactants, enhancing the reversibility of Zn-stripping/-plating and four-electron iodine chemistry. This fundamental understanding of the intrinsic interplay between the electrode–electrolyte interface and cations offers a rational standpoint for tuning the reversibility of iodine conversion.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Deciphering metabolic differentiation during Bacillus subtilis sporulation

Abstract The bacteriumBacillus subtilisundergoes asymmetric cell division during sporulation, producing a mother cell and a smaller forespore connected by the SpoIIQ-SpoIIIA (or Q-A) channel. The two cells differentiate metabolically, and the forespore becomes dependent on the mother cell for essential building blocks. Here, we investigate the metabolic interactions between mother cell and forespore using genome-scale metabolic and expression models as well as experiments. Our results indicate that nucleotides are synthesized in the mother cell and transported in the form of nucleoside di- or tri-phosphates to the forespore via the Q-A channel. However, if the Q-A channel is inactivated later in sporulation, then glycolytic enzymes can form an ATP and NADH shuttle, providing the forespore with energy and reducing power. Our integrated in silico and in vivo approach sheds light into the intricate metabolic interactions underlying cell differentiation inB. subtilis, and provides a foundation for future studies of metabolic differentiation.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗

A higher voltage Fe( II ) bipyridine complex for non-aqueous redox flow batteries

Non-aqueous redox flow batteries (RFBs) offer the possibility of higher voltage and a wider working temperature range than their aqueous counterpart. In this study, we optimize the established 2.26 V Fe(bpy) 3 (BF 4 ) 2 /Ni(bpy) 3 (BF 4 ) 2 asymmetric RFB to lessen capacity fade and improve energy efficiency over 20 cycles. We also prepared a family of substituted Fe(bpyR) 3 (BF 4 ) 2 complexes (R = –CF 3 , –CO 2 Me, –Br, –H, – t Bu, –Me, –OMe, –NH 2 ) to potentially achieve a higher voltage RFB by systematically tuning the redox potential of Fe(bpyR) 3 (BF 4 ) 2 , from 0.94 V vs. Ag/AgCl for R = OMe to 1.65 V vs. Ag/AgCl for R = CF 3 (ΔV = 0.7 V). A series of electronically diverse symmetric and asymmetric RFBs were compared and contrasted to study electroactive species stability and efficiency, in which the unsubstituted Fe(bpy) 3 (BF 4 ) 2 exhibited the highest stability as a catholyte in both symmetric and asymmetric cells with voltage and coulombic efficiencies of 94.0% and 96.5%, and 90.7% and 80.7%, respectively.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

On the role of asymmetric molecular geometry in high-performance organic solar cells

Although asymmetric molecular design has been widely demonstrated effective for organic photovoltaics (OPVs), the correlation between asymmetric molecular geometry and their optoelectronic properties is still unclear. To access this issue, we have designed and synthesized several symmetric-asymmetric non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) pairs with identical physical and optoelectronic properties. Interestingly, we found that the asymmetric NFAs universally exhibited increased open-circuit voltage compared to their symmetric counterparts, due to the reduced non-radiative charge recombination. From our molecular-dynamic simulations, the asymmetric NFA naturally exhibits more diverse molecular interaction patterns at the donor (D):acceptor (A) interface as compared to the symmetric ones, as well as higher D:A interfacial charge-transfer state energy. Moreover, it is observed that the asymmetric structure can effectively suppress triplet state formation. These advantages enable a best efficiency of 18.80%, which is one of the champion results among binary OPVs. Therefore, this work unambiguously demonstrates the unique advantage of asymmetric molecular geometry, unveils the underlying mechanism, and highlights the manipulation of D:A interface as an important consideration for future molecular design.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Rapid assessment of beech leaf disease in Fagus sylvatica buds

Abstract The European beech (Fagus sylvatica) is threatened by the foliar nematodeLitylenchus crenataesubsp.mccannii(Lcm), the causal agent of beech leaf disease (BLD). Thus far, the majority of studies regarding BLD have focused on American beech (F. grandifolia). To better determine the impact of Lcm in buds of European beech, a total of 54 buds were collected from naturally symptomatic trees. Here, we characterized for the first time the bud scale morphology of two different cultivars ofF. sylvaticainfected with Lcm. Detailed observations of asymptomatic and symptomatic bud scales provided insight into the physical changes and arrangements of cells in the bud scale, shedding light on the dynamic processes occurring during Lcm infection. In addition, we evaluated the suitability of using the bud scale morphology for the early detection of BLD and Lcm in naturally infected buds. The distinct cellular arrangement of symptomatic bud scales cells (i.e., asymmetric pattern of enlarged cells) provides a rapid and visual, user‐friendly methodology to prematurely diagnose BLD symptoms within the buds, as well as the detection of associated nematodes.

Forestry↗