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At least 19 records

Dispersion-enhanced sequential batch sampling for adaptive contour estimation

In computer simulation and optimal design, sequential batch sampling offers an appealing way to iteratively stipulate optimal sampling points based upon existing selections and efficiently construct surrogate modeling. Nonetheless, the issue of near duplicates poses tremendous quandary for sequential learning. It refers to the situation that selected critical points cluster together in each sampling batch, which are individually but not collectively informative towards the optimal design. Near duplicates severely diminish the computational efficiency as they barely contribute extra information towards update of the surrogate. To address this issue, we impose a dispersion criterion on concurrent selection of sampling points, which essentially forces a sparse distribution of critical points in each batch, and demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach in adaptive contour estimation. Specifically, we adopt Gaussian process surrogate to emulate the simulator, acquire variance reduction of the critical region from new sampling points as a dispersion criterion, and combine it with the modified expected improvement (EI) function for critical batch selection. The critical region here is the proximity of the contour of interest. This proposed approach is vindicated in numerical examples of a two-dimensional four-branch function, a four-dimensional function with a disjoint contour of interest and a time-delay dynamic system.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

(U) A Tool to Set Up an MCNP6 Input to Use Correlated Sampling with Batch Statistics

Correlated sampling using batch statistics with MCNP6’s tally fluctuation charts (TFCs) is a powerful means of reducing the statistical uncertainties of various combinations of tallies. Because MCNP6 prints a maximum of 20 entries in the TFCs, at least five inputs must be run to obtain the recommended number of at least 100 batches. A new software tool, MAKE_COSUBS, reads an MCNP6 input file and sets up a sequence of input files to be run. The user runs MAKE_COSUBS for the unperturbed and all perturbed MCNP6 inputs, runs MCNP6 for the inputs, and finally analyzes the outputs using COSUBS.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

(U) A General-Purpose Code for Correlated Sampling Using Batch Statistics with MCNP6 for Fixed-Source Problems

Correlated sampling can be used to reduce the uncertainty of a difference of tallies by taking advantage of the negative covariance term in the sandwich formula. Booth first showed how correlated sampling can be applied with batch statistics using MCNP’s tally fluctuation chart (TFC) to reduce the uncertainty of a difference of tallies in fixed-source problems. Booth presented a problem in which a 1273% uncertainty in a difference was reduced to 8% by accounting for correlations. Researchers He and Su recently studied correlated sampling using the TFC in MCNP version 5. They determined that the code did not print enough digits in the TFC tally means for accurate batch statistics in some cases. After modifying the source code, they concluded that “correlated sampling can yield a standard deviation of about one magnitude smaller than that predicted by the direct, un-correlated simulation when the changes in system response are small (say about 1%), which is equivalent to saving in CPU time by a factor of 100. Such saving [sic] becomes less significant as the change in system response becomes larger.” He and Su provided the formulas needed to apply batch statistics to compute the correlated uncertainty of a difference of tallies. In this report, we follow up on their work by providing the formulas needed to apply batch statistics to compute the correlated uncertainty of a ratio of tallies and of a difference of two tallies divided by a third tally. We extend these formulas to differences and ratios of ratios. These formulas are applied to reduce the uncertainty associated with calculating a relative sensitivity. He and Su did not investigate the accuracy of their correlated sampling uncertainty estimates. We use their test problems and evaluate the accuracy of the uncertainty estimates by comparing with results obtained from random sampling, and, in simple cases, with theoretical values of the “exact” uncertainties. We find that the uncertainties obtained from batch statistics are accurate as long as at least 100 batches are used. We present a new computer code, COSUBS (COrrelated Sampling Using Batch Statistics), that reads MCNP6 TFCs and applies correlated sampling using batch statistics for the tally combinations that the user specifies. COSUBS is a very general tool that compares all TFCs for a base case and one or two perturbed cases. It computes uncertainties for ratios if given only a base case. This report is organized as follows. The equations to apply batch statistics to the difference of random tallies are reviewed in Sec. II. Section III presents the equations for applying batch statistics to a ratio of random tallies; this is useful for computing relative sensitivities using a one-sided finite difference and the relative sensitivity using the differential operator method. Section IV presents the equations for applying batch statistics to a difference of two random tallies divided by a third; this is useful for computing a relative sensitivities using a central difference. Section V presents the equations for applying batch statistics to a difference of two ratios with four random tallies. Section VI presents the equations for applying batch statistics to a one-sided finite difference estimate of the relative sensitivity of a ratio (this uses four random tallies). Section VII presents the equations for applying batch statistics to a central difference estimate of the relative sensitivity of a ratio (this uses six random tallies). Section VIII presents the equations for applying batch statistics to a sum of random tallies. Section IX discusses how to apply batch statistics using MCNP6. Section X presents COSUBS, describing its command-line options and logic. Sections XI through XVI present numerical results for various test problems. Section XVII is a summary and conclusions. Appendix A derives the theoretical Monte Carlo tally variance given certain assumptions; these variances are used to verify the batch statistics for some of the problems. Appendix B lists the MCNP6 input for the unperturbed example problem. Appendix C presents modifications made to MCNP6.3 to support this work.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

(U) Correlated Sampling Using Batch Statistics to Reduce the Uncertainty of Combinations of KSEN Outputs with MCNP6

The relative sensitivity of k eff to the densities of nuclides in a material are combined to compute relative sensitivities to other inputs. When computed in a single Monte Carlo run, the nuclide density sensitivities are correlated, and the statistical uncertainties propagated to other inputs will be incorrect unless those correlations are accounted for. Equations are presented to apply correlated sampling using batch statistics for the sum of an arbitrary number of random tallies and the difference of two random tallies when each is multiplied by a different constant. When correlated sampling is used on a recent benchmark evaluation, the correct statistical uncertainties for certain combinations of sensitivities are dramatically smaller than the incorrect uncertainties. A user-controlled, regular output of MCNP6’s KSEN sensitivities that allows batch statistics to be applied to combinations would be extremely valuable.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Measurement Acceptance Region (MAR) Assessment Results Based on Confirmation Sample Sludge Batch 10 Projections

The Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) is currently preparing to initiate processing of Sludge Batch 10 (SB10), which is comprised of material from Tanks 11H, 13H, 15H, 26F, 40H (heel only), and Alternate Feed Stock-2 and Sodium Reactor Experiment material from H-Canyon. Frit 473 was recommended for sludge-only (SO) and coupled processing with the Salt Waste Processing Facility (SWPF) based on previous assessments of SB10 projections with the DWPF Product Composition Control System (PCCS) glass property models and their associated Measurement Acceptance Region (MAR) constraints. Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC) subsequently pursued Wash Cycle Y to further reduce the total sulfur in the sludge batch and increase processing flexibility at DWPF. In October 2022, SRMC System Planning provided an updated SB10 Tank 40H blend baseline projection based on the Tank 51 confirmation sample results. Due to the reduced Na concentration relative to previous SB10 projections, two additional projections based on the addition of 7,000 gallons of caustic were provided in November 2022.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Enhanced H 2 production from subsurface through organic acids stimulation Report

Geologic hydrogen (H 2 ) generation through serpentinization of ultramafic rocks presents a promising alternative to conventional hydrogen production, utilizing Earth's abundant magnesium- and iron-rich minerals. This study explores the use of short-chain organic acids (specifically malic acid, MA; and citric acid, CA) to enhance hydrogen yields by stimulating mineral dissolution and iron oxidation from ultramafic rock samples. Batch experiments were conducted with crushed peridotite samples from the Tamarack Complex (Minnesota) and Del Puerto Ophiolite (California). Experiments employed 0.05 M and 0.1 M solutions of MA or CA, under 500 psi (35 bar) nitrogen pressure, at temperatures up to 150 °C. Real-time gas monitoring, aqueous chemistry and solid-phase analyses were performed to track reaction progress and hydrogen production.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Enhanced H 2 production from subsurface through organic acids stimulation

Geologic hydrogen (H₂) generation through serpentinization of ultramafic rocks presents a promising alternative to conventional hydrogen production, utilizing Earth's abundant magnesium- and iron-rich minerals. This study explores the use of short-chain organic acids (specifically malic acid, MA; and citric acid, CA) to enhance hydrogen yields by stimulating mineral dissolution and iron oxidation from ultramafic rock samples. Batch experiments were conducted with crushed peridotite samples from the Tamarack Complex (Minnesota) and Del Puerto Ophiolite (California). Experiments employed 0.05 M and 0.1 M solutions of MA or CA, under 500 psi (35 bar) nitrogen pressure, at temperatures up to 150 °C. Real-time gas monitoring, aqueous chemistry and solid-phase analyses were performed to track reaction progress and hydrogen production.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Single-Molecule Fluorescence Microscopy Reveals Energy Transfer Active versus Inactive Nanocrystal/Dye Conjugate Pairs

Defect-mediated energy transfer (EnT) is a radiative process that occurs between donor defect states in the forbidden bandgap of semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) and dye molecules bound to their surfaces. The EnT efficiency depends on the number of dye molecules attached to each NC, the donor–acceptor distance, and the dipole orientation factor between the donor and acceptor, all of which vary across all individual NCs in a sample. While ensemble-level fluorescence spectroscopy measurements have provided average values for donor–acceptor distances, dye-to-NC ratios, and EnT rate constants, questions remain about the impact of donor/acceptor heterogeneity on observed EnT efficiencies. Notably, ensemble-level measurements cannot distinguish between bare NCs and EnT-active versus inactive NC/dye pairs in the same sample batch, limiting the ability to design systems with 100% EnT efficiency. To address this, we studied defect-mediated EnT between AlexaFluor 555 dye acceptors chemically bound to ZnO NC donors at the level of single molecules and single NCs. Interestingly, 20% of bound NC/dye pairs are EnT-inactive, likely contributing to residual defect photoluminescence (PL) observed in ensemble-level measurements and reducing overall EnT efficiency. Single particle-level ZnO defect PL and acceptor fluorescence trajectories exhibited distinct microfluctuations, which are absent in bare ZnO NCs. We hypothesized that our observations can be explained with a competitive dye fluorescence quenching pathway, possibly due to charge transfer between the excited state dye and the ZnO NC. Numerical simulations of single-molecule PL traces for this scenario produced microfluctuations consistent with the experimental results. These findings highlight the impact of sample heterogeneity on EnT processes and provide insights for designing light-harvesting systems with optimized EnT efficiency.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Stochastic projective splitting

Here, we present a new, stochastic variant of the projective splitting (PS) family of algorithms for inclusion problems involving the sum of any finite number of maximal monotone operators. This new variant uses a stochastic oracle to evaluate one of the operators, which is assumed to be Lipschitz continuous, and (deterministic) resolvents to process the remaining operators. Our proposal is the first version of PS with such stochastic capabilities. We envision the primary application being machine learning (ML) problems, with the method’s stochastic features facilitating “mini-batch” sampling of datasets. Since it uses a monotone operator formulation, the method can handle not only Lipschitz-smooth loss minimization, but also min–max and noncooperative game formulations, with better convergence properties than the gradient descent-ascent methods commonly applied in such settings. The proposed method can handle any number of constraints and nonsmooth regularizers via projection and proximal operators. We prove almost-sure convergence of the iterates to a solution and a convergence rate result for the expected residual, and close with numerical experiments on a distributionally robust sparse logistic regression problem.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

pCAM precursor produced from electroextraction technology and its application in synthesis of NMC 811 cathode material

The synthesis and characterization of LiNi 0.8 Co 0.1 Mn 0.1 O 2 (LNMC811) cathodes produced from recycled hydroxide precursors obtained from spent lithium-ion batteries is evaluated. Two precursor batches (Sample 1 and Sample 2) are prepared using modified recycling processes to examine how residual impurities and processing conditions influence the properties of the regenerated materials. Structural and compositional characterization by X-ray diffraction, ICP and SEM shows that the recycled precursors exhibit layered hydroxide structures containing both α Ni(OH) 2 and β Ni(OH) 2 phases. Trace impurities including sodium, boron, and aluminum are detected and partially mitigated during processing, with boron found to play a beneficial role in electrochemical behavior. Following lithiation with lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide at 800 °C under an oxygen rich atmosphere, the resulting LNMC811 materials show electrochemical performance comparable to conventionally synthesized cathodes. Sample 2, which contains higher boron levels and improved cation ordering, delivers an initial discharge capacity of 174 mAh g -1 and retains more than 93 percent of its capacity after 50 cycles. The stable cycling behavior and structural integrity of these materials demonstrate that recycled precursors can be converted into high performance layered cathodes and support recycling as a practical and sustainable route for lithium-ion battery manufacturing.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Scanning transmission x-ray microscopy (STXM) of plutonium oxide

Scanning transmission x-ray microscopy was used to examine plutonium oxide particles formed by the corrosion of δ-phase plutonium alloy under high-humidity conditions. O K-edge spectra collected from eight distinct particles displayed significant spectral differences, revealing heterogeneity in oxidation states within a single sample batch. Here, this variation suggests complex chemical environments and formation histories, which are important considerations for nuclear forensic investigations. These findings highlight both the potential of synchrotron-based x-ray microscopy for nondestructive, high-resolution analysis of nuclear materials and the need for expanded reference datasets to improve the interpretation and forensic utility of such measurements.

organic↗

Sampling synchronization through GPS signals

A method uses a distributed data acquisition system with multiple, physically unconnected, data acquisition units, that can be in wireless communication with a remote host, to timestamp measurement data with sub-microsecond time base accuracy of sampling clock relative to an absolute timeframe. A current absolute time is derived from messages received from a satellite radio beacon positioning system (GPS). Measurement data is sampled by each unit at a specified sampling rate. Using hardware logic, batches of sampled data are associated with corresponding timestamps representing the absolute time at which the data was sampled. Data and timestamps may be transmitted to the host. A time offset bias is compensated by comparing timestamps against a nominal time based on start time and nominal sampling rate. The sampling clock rate may be disciplined using time pulses from the GPS receiver. An initial start of data sampling by all units can also be synchronized.

Zhuge, James Q.↗

Summary of Savannah River Site FY22 Salt Waste Qualification Data

The Savannah River National Laboratory analyzed samples from Savannah River Site Waste Tank 41H, 21H and 42H to support qualification of Salt Waste Processing Facility (SWPF) Waste Batches 5, 6, and 7 for processing (the FY22 Salt Batch Qualification samples). None of the samples displayed any unusual or unexpected characteristics such as large amounts of solids, floating solids, or unusual color. Characterization of these samples confirmed similar chemical composition and characteristics to previous salt waste batches. These results were initially provided to Savannah River Mission Completion (Liquid Waste Operations subcontractor) as External Sample Results LIMS Reports and the Tank 41H (Salt Batch 5 sample) was also summarized in two separate technical reports. The analytical results (both rapid and long term) are now summarized and discussed in this technical report.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Total metals, carbon, nitrogen & anion concentration data; Slate River & East River floodplains, Crested Butte, CO; May 2022-October 2022

This data package includes processed and undiluted measurements for metal, total carbon, total nitrogen, and anion concentrations from pore water (groundwater) and surface water samples from the Slate River and East River floodplains of Crested Butte, CO, focus field sites for the SLAC Floodplain Hydro-Biogeochemistry SFA. The data was generated as part of the work targeting the overarching research question for the SLAC SFA: How do ubiquitous subsurface interfaces mediate molecular-scale biogeochemical processes and groundwater quality in floodplains and watersheds? Samples were collected between May and October of 2022. These measurements were all recorded at the Arizona Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants (ALEC) at the University of Arizona located in Tucson, AZ. Groundwater samples were extracted from a network of installed rhizon (Rhizosphere Research Products, part no. 19.60.21F, 0.6 micrometer mesh size) and piezometer wells within the river floodplain. All water samples were shaded from sun exposure during extraction from the subsurface and preserved at 4C until measured at ALEC.Analysis by ICP-MS (metals):Measurements for total metals were made on the Agilent 7700x ICP-MS (for total metals) – Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA. The analytical QA/QC protocol was adapted from US EPA Method 200.8 for analysis by ICP-MS. Calibration standards were prepared from multi-element stock solutions (SPEX Certiprep, Metuchen, NJ). Calibration curves include at least 7 points with correlation coefficients > 0.995. The QC protocol includes a continuing calibration blank (CCB), a continuing calibration verification (CCV) solution and at least one quality control sample (QCS) to be analyzed just after calibration and again after every 12 samples and at the completion of the run. The QCS solutions are from an independent source, such as NIST SRM 1643e - Trace elements in water, or QCS solutions from High Purity Standards (Charleston, SC). Acceptable QC responses must be between 90 and 110% of the certified value. Lastly, a suitable internal standard (usually Rh, In, Ga or Ge) is added using on-line addition into the sample line and mixing tee.Analysis by Shimadzu TOC-L (TOC/TN):The TOC-L system is a combustion technique where liquid samples are injected and combusted into CO2 for carbon detection by non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) and NO for detection by chemiluminescence. A calibration curve using five standard solutions between 0.1 and 7 ppm for carbon and 0.05 and 3.5 ppm for nitrogen is made for each type of measurement with a linearity >0.99. All samples, standards, and QC’s are prepared in 24mL scintillation vials that have been baked for 4hrs at 475 Cº and made using RO water (18.2mΩ). QC’s include a calibration blank check (CCB), continuing calibration check (CCC), and a certified reference material check (CRM). All QC’s are within ±10% error and are run before and after each batch of samples. Samples are diluted and rerun if any measurement concentrations are above the highest standard.Analysis by Ion Chromatography (Anions):The instrument used is the Thermo Scientific Dionex ICS-6000 using AS+AG22 column set for anion analysis with sodium carbonate eluent. A calibration curve using five standard solutions between 5 and 250 umol/L is made with a linearity >0.99. Standards and QC’s are prepared in 15mL polypropylene conical tubes, pipetted along with the samples into 1.5mL polypropylene vials. Dilutions are made using RO water (18.2mΩ). QC’s include a calibration blank check (CCB), continuing calibration check (CCC), and a certified reference material check (CRM). All QC’s are within ±10% error and are run before and after each batch of samples. Samples are diluted and rerun if any measurement concentrations are above the highest standard.All files are in csv format.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Summary of Savannah River Site FY24 Salt Waste Qualification Data

Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC), the Liquid Waste Operations subcontractor at SRS, and Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) analyzed samples from Savannah River Site (SRS) Waste Tanks 21H, 41H, and 42H to support qualification of Salt Waste Processing Facility (SWPF) Waste Batches 10, 11, 12, and 13 for processing (the FY24 Salt Batch Qualification samples). These Tanks (i.e. 21H, 41H and 42H) are blend tanks for feed to SWPF. This report focuses on the characterization of the Salt Batch Qualification sub-samples (i.e., any adjustments after qualification or as a part of processing are documented elsewhere). None of the samples displayed any unusual or unexpected characteristics such as large amounts of solids, floating solids, or unusual color. Characterization of these samples confirmed similar chemical composition and characteristics to previous salt waste batches. The analytical results (both rapid, typically 4 weeks, and long-term, typically 8 weeks) for Salt Batches 10, 11, 12, and 13 are now summarized and discussed in this technical report. SRMC-Analytical Laboratory (SRMC-AL), for the first time, provided all the short-term analyses data used in the qualification evaluations of SWPF Salt Batches 10, 11, 12, and 13. These SRMC short-term results are presented along with the results for the long-term analyses provided by SRNL.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Summary of Savannah River Site FY23 Salt Waste Qualification Data

The Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) analyzed samples from Savannah River Site (SRS) Waste Tanks 41H and 21H to support qualification of Salt Waste Processing Facility (SWPF) Waste Batches 8 and 9 for processing (the FY23 Salt Batch Qualification samples). These Tanks (i.e. 41H and 21H) are blend tanks for feed to SWPF. None of the samples displayed any unusual or unexpected characteristics such as large amounts of solids, floating solids, or unusual color. Characterization of these samples confirmed similar chemical composition and characteristics to previous salt waste batches. The results for Batches 8 and 9 were provided by SRNL to Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC), the Liquid Waste Operations subcontractor at SRS, as External Sample Results (Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)) Reports. Additionally, a separate technical memo was issued by SRNL to report re-test data for Batch 8 for Cs-137 for filtered samples only which were run at the request of SWPF. For Batch 9, a set of samples was also analyzed in parallel by the SWPF-Analytical Laboratory (SWPF-AL). The SWPF-AL data is included herein for comparison with the SRNL data where applicable. The analytical results (both rapid, typically 4 weeks, and long term, typically 8 weeks) for Batches 8 and 9 are now summarized and discussed in this technical report.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Results of Long-Term Analyses of the Salt (Macro) Batch 11 Tank 21H Qualification Sample

Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) analyzed samples from Tank 21H in support of qualification of Salt Waste Processing Facility (SWPF) Salt Batch 11. This document reports the long-term results of the analyses of the sample of Tank 21H. Analysis of this sample indicates that the material does not display any unusual characteristics or observations, such as visually apparent solids. However, the sample was dark colored. This report satisfies Deliverable 3 of the Technical Task Request (TTR).

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Results of Long-Term Analyses of the Salt (Macro) Batch 11 Tank 21H Qualification Sample

Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) analyzed samples from Tank 21H in support of qualification of Salt Waste Processing Facility (SWPF) Salt Batch 11. This document reports the long-term results of the analyses of the sample of Tank 21H. Analysis of this sample indicates that the material does not display any unusual characteristics or observations, such as visually apparent solids. However, the sample was dark colored. This report satisfies Deliverable 3 of the Technical Task Request (TTR). This revision adds a further triplicate analysis for 129 I content.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗