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Evaluation of Commercially Available Precursors for Obscuring Wet Industrial Irradiator Facility Pools to Delay Adversarial Source Removal (Part 2)

Boyle, Timothy J.; Reuel, Paris R.; Romero, Monica P.; Thompson, Andrew D.; Hanson, Donald J.

The behavior of commercially available potential obscurants for cobalt-60 (60Co) wet-source storage industrial irradiator facilities (IRFs) were further evaluated for corrosive behavior of Nordion C-188 pencil stubs and obscurant properties under radiation exposure (60Co). The potential obscurants studied included: titania aqueous dispersions (TAD - water soluble white paint), Chlorazol Black (CBOD - Chlorazol Black organic dye), powdered milk (COW - calcium obscurant in water), diatomaceous earth (DEA - diatomaceous earth additive), and rhodamine 6G (R6G). For corrosion efforts, stubs from an inert C-188 pencil-source rod were soaked in obscurant solutions and visually inspected. For radiation stability, obscurant samples were exposed to 60Co radiation sources at 207 rad/s. The results from these studies reveal: the obscurants had no impact on the surrogate samples and may assist in terms of corrosion resistance; materials that did not rely on organic compounds to provide obscurance performed the best, as the organic compounds decomposed too rapidly in the high radiation environment, whereas the materials survived.

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We Know Where We Don't Know: 3D Bayesian CNNs for Credible Geometric Uncertainty

LaBonte, Tyler M.; Martinez, Carianne M.; Roberts, Scott A.

Deep learning has been successfully applied to the segmentation of 3D Computed Tomography (CT) scans. Establishing the credibility of these segmentations requires uncertainty quantification (UQ) to identify untrustworthy predictions. Recent UQ architectures include Monte Carlo dropout networks (MCDNs), which approximate deep Gaussian processes, and Bayesian neural networks (BNNs), which learn the distribution of the weight space. BNNs are advantageous over MCDNs for UQ but are thought to be computationally infeasible in high dimension, and neither architecture has produced interpretable geometric uncertainty maps. We propose a novel 3D Bayesian convolutional neural network (BCNN), the first deep learning method which generates statistically credible geometric uncertainty maps and scales for application to 3D data. We present experimental results on CT scans of graphite electrodes and laser-welded metals and show that our BCNN outperforms an MCDN in recent uncertainty metrics. The geometric uncertainty maps generated by our BCNN capture distributions of sigmoid values that are interpretable as confidence intervals, critical for applications that rely on deep learning for high-consequence decisions.

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Executive Micro-CT Low-resolution Summary for Catheter Parts [Slides]

Griego, James J.M.; Noell, Philip N.

Data scans were performed on a Zeiss Xradia 520 Versa operated by departments 1851 (Philip Noell) and 1819 (James Griego). Sample 1, 2, and 3 Catheters were scanned with a 30 um pixel (low-resolution) to get an overall view of the part. (This does not include the entire height of the catheter assembly.) The following slides show the Z, Y, and X slice plane at a specific cross-hair location. We can perform a higher resolution scan down to —0.7 um pixel size including a limited field of view of ~700 um wide. Slide 5 has some requests for the customer for further scan locations. These catheters were provided to us by Simon Dunham of Weill Cornell Medical College.

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MRDIS Case Study

Dodge, Haley D.

The Mobile Radiation Detection and Identification System (MRDIS) is a large mobile scanner that inspects containers in transit from cargo ships for radiological materials. The MRDIS platform operates as a two-part system with one MRDIS using a plastic Polyvinyl Toleune (synthetic polymer) for primary detection and another MRDIS that uses spectroscopic detectors for secondary isotopic identification. MRDIS can operate either independently or as part of a team, depending on the needs of the port. MRDIS is controlled by a human operator, who searches the computer monitor for any traces of radiological materials when the containers pass through the center of the system. Each MRDIS can also feed data into a central system or collect data on its own for additional material analysis. The system integrates radiation detection, radioisotope identification, an optical character recognition system, occupancy/speed sensors, wireless communications, and data processing capabilities to discern what specific radiological materials are of particular interest. In addition, Sandia engineers created a detailed set of requirements for subsequent models, allowing for faster implementation of additional detection systems.

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Hyperfine structures and isotopic shifts of uranium transitions using tunable laser spectroscopy of laser ablation plumes

Spectrochimica Acta. Part B, Atomic Spectroscopy

Harilal, Sivanandan; Murzyn, Christopher M.; Phillips, Mark; Martin, Jeffrey B.

We report isotopic shifts and hyperfine structures of selected U transitions employing tunable spectroscopy viz: laser-induced fluorescence and laser absorption spectroscopy of laser ablation plumes. The plasmas were produced during ns laser ablation on a natural U metal target which contains 0.73% 235U. Our results show that isotopic shifts between 238U and 235U are entangled with hyperfine structures of 235U. Measurements obtained using laser-induced fluorescence are affected by the high absorbance of 238U. Time-resolved laser absorption spectroscopy is carried out for evaluating the optical absorption and estimating the hyperfine constants.

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Design of High-Performance Photon-Number-Resolving Photodetectors Based on Coherently Interacting Nanoscale Elements

ACS Photonics

Leonard, Francois L.; Sarovar, Mohan S.; Young, Steve M.

A number of applications in basic science and technology would benefit from high-fidelity photon-number-resolving photodetectors. While some recent experimental progress has been made in this direction, the requirements for true photon number resolution are stringent, and no design currently exists that achieves this goal. Here we employ techniques from fundamental quantum optics to demonstrate that detectors composed of subwavelength elements interacting collectively with the photon field can achieve high-performance photon number resolution. We propose a new design that simultaneously achieves photon number resolution, high efficiency, low jitter, low dark counts, and high count rate. We discuss specific systems that satisfy the design requirements, pointing to the important role of nanoscale device elements.

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Shape-constrained Input Estimation for Efficient Multi-shaker Vibration Testing

Experimental Techniques

Schultz, Ryan S.; Laros, James H.

Multi-shaker vibration testing is gaining interest from structural dynamics test engineers as it can provide a much more accurate match to complicated field vibration responses than traditional single-axis shaker tests. However, the force capabilities of the small modal shakers typically used in multi-shaker vibration tests has limited the achievable response levels. To date, most multi-shaker vibration tests have been performed using a variety of standard, commercially-available control systems. While these control systems are adequate for a wide range of multiple-input/multiple-output tests, their control algorithms have not been tailored for the specific problem of multi-shaker vibration tests: efficiently coordinating the various shakers to work together to achieve a desired response. Here, a new input estimation algorithm is developed and demonstrated using simulations and actual test data. This algorithm, dubbed shape-constrained input estimation, is shown to effectively coordinate multiple shakers using a set of constraint vectors based on the deflection shapes of the test structure. This is accomplished by using the singular vector shapes of the system frequency response matrix, which allows the constraint vectors to automatically change as a function of frequency. Simulation and test results indicate a significant reduction in the input forces required to achieve a desired response. Finally, the results indicate that shape-constrained input estimation is an effective method to achieve higher response levels from limited shaker forces which will enable higher level multi-shaker vibration tests to be performed.

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Library of Advanced Materials for Engineering (LAM) 4.56

Lester, Brian T.; Long, Kevin N.; Scherzinger, William M.; Vignes, Chet V.

Accurate and efficient constitutive modeling remains a cornerstone issue for solid mechanics analysis. Over the years, the LAME advanced material model library has grown to address this challenge by implementing models capable of describing material systems spanning soft polymers to stiff ceramics including both isotropic and anisotropic responses. Inelastic behaviors including (visco)plasticity, damage, and fracture have all incorporated for use in various analyses. This multitude of options and flexibility, however, comes at the cost of many capabilities, features, and responses and the ensuing complexity in the resulting implementation. Therefore, to enhance confidence and enable the utilization of the LAME library in application, this effort seeks to document and verify the various models in the LAME library. Specifically, the broader strategy, organization, and interface of the library itself is first presented. The physical theory, numerical implementation, and user guide for a large set of models is then discussed. Importantly, a number of verification tests are performed with each model to not only have confidence in the model itself but also highlight some important response characteristics and features that may be of interest to end-users. Finally, in looking ahead to the future, approaches to add material models to this library and further expand the capabilities are presented.

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Sierra/SolidMechanics 4.56 Example Problems Manual

Beckwith, Frank B.; Belcourt, Kenneth N.; de Frias, Gabriel J.; Koester, Jacob K.; Manktelow, Kevin M.; Merewether, Mark T.; Miller, Scott T.; Mosby, Matthew D.; Plews, Julia A.; Porter, V.L.; Shelton, Timothy S.; Thomas, Jesse D.; Treweek, Benjamin T.; Tupek, Michael R.; Veilleux, Michael V.; Wagman, Ellen B.

Presented in this document are tests that exist in the Sierra/SolidMechanics example problem suite, which is a subset of the Sierra/SM regression and performance test suite. These examples showcase common and advanced code capabilities. A wide variety of other regression and verification tests exist in the Sierra/SM test suite that are not included in this manual.

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Thermodynamics of the insulator-metal transition in dense liquid deuterium

Physical Review B

Desjarlais, Michael P.; Knudson, Marcus D.; Redmer, Ronald

Recent dynamic compression experiments [M. D. Knudson et al., Science 348, 1455 (2015); P. M. Celliers et al., Science 361, 677 (2018)] have observed the insulator-metal transition in dense liquid deuterium, but with an approximately 95-GPa difference in the quoted pressures for the transition at comparable estimated temperatures. It was claimed in the latter of these two papers that a very large latent heat effect on the temperature was overlooked in the first, requiring correction of those temperatures downward by a factor of 2, thereby putting both experiments on the same theoretical phase boundary and reconciling the pressure discrepancy. We have performed extensive path-integral molecular dynamics calculations with density functional theory to directly calculate the isentropic temperature drop due to latent heat in the insulator-metal transition for dense liquid deuterium and show that this large temperature drop is not consistent with the underlying thermodynamics.

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Array directivity enhancement by leveraging angle-dependent scattering

Journal of the Acoustical Society of America

Laros, James H.; Niezrecki, Christopher; Laros, James H.

The quality of a sonar array's localization capabilities, often expressed as directivity, is limited by the sonar's aperture, that is, the length of the sonar array. Previous attempts to improve directivity, without increasing array size, have been moderately successful. Wave scattering within a nontraditional array, such as an array fabricated from a non-homogeneous material, could provide additional information to the localization calculations and improve array directivity without increasing the size of the array. An investigation of array directivity improvement through wave scattering is performed. This paper modifies existing localization and directivity calculations to consider the scattered waves and uses the derived equations to explain why previous proposed scattering was incapable of increasing directivity. Finally, a scattering relationship capable of enhancing array localization without increasing array size is proposed, and the directivity improvement claims are verified with beamform plot comparisons and directivity index calculations.

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Light Hydrocarbon Separations Using Porous Organic Framework Materials

Chemistry - A European Journal

Taylor, Mercedes T.; Jiang, Lingchang; Zhang, Shuhao; Ren, Hao; Zhu, Guangshan

Light hydrocarbons (C1–C3) are used as basic energy feedstocks and as commodity organic compounds for the production of many industrially necessary chemicals. Due to the nature of the raw materials and production processes, light hydrocarbons are generated as mixtures, but the high-purity single-component products are of vital importance to the petrochemical industry. Consequently, the separation of these C1–C3 products is a crucial industrial procedure that comprises a significant share of the total global energy consumption per year. As a complement to traditional separation methods (distillation, partial hydrogenation, etc.), adsorptive separations using porous solids have received widespread attention due to their lower energy costs and higher efficiency. Extensive research has been devoted to the use of porous materials such as zeolites and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as solid adsorbents for these key separations, owing to the high porosity, tunable pore structures, and unsaturated metal sites present in these materials. Recently, porous organic framework (POF) materials composed of organic building blocks linked by covalent bonds have also shown excellent properties in light hydrocarbon adsorption and separation, sparking interest in the use of these materials as adsorbents in separation processes. This Minireview summarizes the recent advances in the use of POFs for light hydrocarbon separations, including the separation of mixtures of methane/ethane, methane/propane, ethylene/ethane, acetylene/ethylene, and propylene/propane, while highlighting the relationships between the structural features of these materials and their separation performances. Finally, the difficulties, challenges, and opportunities associated with leveraging POFs for light hydrocarbon separations are discussed to conclude the review.

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Coherent electrical control of a single high-spin nucleus in silicon

Nature

Asaad, Serwan; Mourik, Vincent; Joecker, Benjamin; Johnson, Mark A.I.; Baczewski, Andrew D.; Firgau, Hannes R.; Madzik, Mateusz T.; Schmitt, Vivien; Pla, Jarryd J.; Hudson, Fay E.; Itoh, Kohei M.; Mccallum, Jeffrey C.; Dzurak, Andrew S.; Laucht, Arne; Morello, Andrea

Nuclear spins are highly coherent quantum objects. In large ensembles, their control and detection via magnetic resonance is widely exploited, for example, in chemistry, medicine, materials science and mining. Nuclear spins also featured in early proposals for solid-state quantum computers1 and demonstrations of quantum search2 and factoring3 algorithms. Scaling up such concepts requires controlling individual nuclei, which can be detected when coupled to an electron4–6. However, the need to address the nuclei via oscillating magnetic fields complicates their integration in multi-spin nanoscale devices, because the field cannot be localized or screened. Control via electric fields would resolve this problem, but previous methods7–9 relied on transducing electric signals into magnetic fields via the electron–nuclear hyperfine interaction, which severely affects nuclear coherence. Here we demonstrate the coherent quantum control of a single 123Sb (spin-7/2) nucleus using localized electric fields produced within a silicon nanoelectronic device. The method exploits an idea proposed in 196110 but not previously realized experimentally with a single nucleus. Our results are quantitatively supported by a microscopic theoretical model that reveals how the purely electrical modulation of the nuclear electric quadrupole interaction results in coherent nuclear spin transitions that are uniquely addressable owing to lattice strain. The spin dephasing time, 0.1 seconds, is orders of magnitude longer than those obtained by methods that require a coupled electron spin to achieve electrical driving. These results show that high-spin quadrupolar nuclei could be deployed as chaotic models, strain sensors and hybrid spin-mechanical quantum systems using all-electrical controls. Integrating electrically controllable nuclei with quantum dots11,12 could pave the way to scalable, nuclear- and electron-spin-based quantum computers in silicon that operate without the need for oscillating magnetic fields.

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Societal Verification for Nuclear Nonproliferation and Arms Control

Nuclear Non-proliferation and Arms Control Verification: Innovative Systems Concepts

Gastelum, Zoe N.

Societal verification-the use of data produced by the public to support confirmation that a state is in compliance with its nonproliferation or arms control obligations-is a concept as old as nonproliferation and arms control proposals themselves. With the tremendous growth in access to the Internet, and its accompanying public generation of and access to data, the concept of societal verification has undergone a recent resurgence in popularity. This chapter explores societal verification through two mechanisms of collecting and analyzing societallyproduced data: mobilization and observation. It describes current applications and research in each area before providing an overview of challenges and considerations that must be addressed in order to bring societally-produced data into an official verification regime. The chapter concludes by emphasizing that the role of societal verification, if any, in nonproliferation and arms control will supplement rather than supplant traditional verification means.

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Comparison of amplification via the acousto-electric effect of Rayleigh and Leaky-SAW modes in a monolithic surface InP:InGaAs/lithium niobate heterostructure

Ferroelectrics

Siddiqui, Aleem M.; Hackett, Lisa P.; Dominguez, Daniel; Tauke-Pedretti, Anna; Friedmann, Tom; Peake, Gregory; Miller, Michael R.; Douglas, James K.; Eichenfield, Matt

This paper demonstrates a monolithic surface acoustic wave amplifier fabricated by state-of-the-art heterogenous integration of a III-V InGaAs-based epitaxial material stack and LiNbO3. We compare amplification of Raleigh-SAW and leaky-SAW modes on a on Y-cut, X-propagating delay line amplifier. Due to the superior properties of the materials employed, we observe a net terminal gain of 3dB for an LSAW overtone mode This platform enables further advances in active and non-reciprocal piezoelectric acoustic devices.

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How To Manual - 4.56

Bunting, Gregory B.; Crane, Nathan K.; Day, David M.; Dohrmann, Clark R.; Ferri, Brian A.; Flicek, Robert C.; Hardesty, Sean H.; Lindsay, Payton L.; Miller, Scott T.; Stevens, B.L.; Walsh, Timothy W.

The "how to" document is designed to help walk the analyst through difficult aspects of software usage. It should supplement both the User's manual and the Theory document, by providing examples and detailed discussion that reduce learning time for complex set ups. These documents are intended to be used together. We will not formally list all parameters for an input here — see the User's manual for this. All the examples in the "How To" document are part of the Sierra/SD test suite, and each will run with no modification. The nature of this document casts together a number of rather unrelated procedures. Grouping them is difficult. Please try to use the table of contents and the index as a guide in finding the analyses of interest.

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Seismology on Venus with infrasound observations from balloon and orbit

Krishnamoorthy, Siddharth; Komjathy, Attila; Cutts, James A.; Lognonne, Philippe; Garcia, Raphael F.; Panning, Mark P.; Byrne, Paul K.; Matoza, Robin S.; Jolly, Art D.; Snively, Jonathan B.; Lebonnois, Sebastien; Bowman, Daniel B.

The study of Venus' evolution is inexorably linked with studying its interior properties, which can be investigated by performing seismic studies on the planet. However, seismology on Venus has long eluded planetary scientists due to technological challenges presented by high surface temperature and pressure, which limit lifetimes of surface-based instrumentation. In this white paper, we present two complementary techniques for performing seismology on Venus by measuring the low-frequency acoustic signature (infrasound) produced by seismic activity through coupling between the solid planet and the atmosphere. These techniques may be implemented with technology available today, without the use of high-temperature electronics.

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New Predictive Capabilities for Nuclear Weapons in Composite Fires

Hewson, John C.

The prevalence of flammable carbon-based composite airframe materials and their use in high-temperature nuclear weapon re-entry systems requires analysts to address the abnormal thermal environment hazards associated with composite material fires. These fires tend to burn very differently than conventional fuel fires, usually burning less intensely, but much longer. This could lead to challenges in understanding margins in classic safety themes. The technical challenges in modeling the phenomena associated with these new types of fires are considerable, but new models have been developed. Their predictions have been compared with well-documented measurements of a vertical porous burner fire, known as a "wall fire" (a "wall-fire" validation simulation is reflected in the figures below). These measurements were conducted at FMGlobal, a mutual insurance company with a strong fire risk management program, as part of an ongoing collaboration between Sandia and FMGlobal. To date, the "wall-fire" scenario has been set up and initial model assessments with grid refinement studies have been conducted focusing on mesh resolutions suitable for full weapon system simulations. This work will continue with further verification and validation tasks assessing the predictions of the new model. Future work will address specific aspects of the wall models that are lacking in their predictive ability.

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Xyce Case Study

Dodge, Haley D.

With the elimination of underground nuclear testing and declining defense budgets, science-based stockpile stewardship requires increased reliance on high performance modeling and simulation of weapon systems. Today's weapon systems are comprised of various electrical components and systems. As a result, there is a need for tools that will allow the use of massively parallel modeling and simulation techniques on high performance computers in existing and future weapons' electrical systems models. The Xyce Parallel Electronic Simulator is a SPICE (Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis)- compatible circuit simulator designed to run on large-scale parallel computing platforms, though it can also execute efficiently on a variety of architectures including single processor workstations. As a mature platform for large-scale parallel circuit simulation, Xyce supports standard capabilities available in commercial simulators, in addition to various devices and models specific to Sandia's needs. Specifically, Xyce aids in the design and verification of electrical and electronic circuits and systems prior to weapons' manufacturing and deployment.

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Accurate Atomic Correlation and Total Energies for Correlation Consistent Effective Core Potentials

Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation

Annaberdiyev, Abdulgani; Melton, Cody A.; Bennett, M.C.; Wang, Guangming; Mitas, Lubos

Very recently, we introduced a set of correlation consistent effective core potentials (ccECPs) constructed within full many-body approaches. By employing significantly more accurate correlated approaches, we were able to reach a new level of accuracy for the resulting effective core Hamiltonians. We also strived for simplicity of use and easy transferability into a variety of electronic structure methods in quantum chemistry and condensed matter physics. Here, as a reference for future use, we present exact or nearly exact total energy calculations for these ccECPs. The calculations cover H-Kr elements and are based on the state-of-the-art configuration interaction (CI), coupled-cluster (CC), and quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) calculations with systematically eliminated/improved errors. In particular, we carry out full CI/CCSD(T)/CCSDT(Q) calculations with cc-pVnZ with up to n = 6 basis sets and we estimate the complete basis set limits. Using combinations of these approaches, we achieved an accuracy of ≈1-10 mHa for K-Zn atoms and ≈0.1-0.3 mHa for all other elements - within about 1% or better of the ccECP total correlation energies. We also estimate the corresponding kinetic energies within the feasible limit of full CI calculations. In order to provide data for QMC calculations, we include fixed-node diffusion Monte Carlo energies for each element that give quantitative insights into the fixed-node biases for single-reference trial wave functions. The results offer a clear benchmark for future high-accuracy calculations in a broad variety of correlated wave function methods such as CI and CC as well is in stochastic approaches such as real space sampling QMC.

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Surface Energies and Structure of Salt-Brine Interfaces

Langmuir

Rimsza, Jessica R.; Kuhlman, Kristopher L.

Permeability of salt formations is controlled by the equilibrium between the salt-brine and salt-salt interfaces described by the dihedral angle, which can change with the composition of the intergranular brine. Here, classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were used to investigate the structure and properties of the salt-brine interface to provide insight into the stability of salt systems. Mixed NaCl-KCl brines were investigated to explore differences in ion size on the surface energy and interface structure. Nonlinearity was noted in the salt-brine surface energy with increasing KCl concentration, and the addition of 10% KCl increased surface energies by 2-3 times (5.0 M systems). Size differences in Na+ and K+ ions altered the packing of dissolved ions and water molecules at the interface, impacting the surface energy. Additionally, ions at the interface had lower numbers of coordinating water molecules than those in the bulk and increased hydration for ions in systems with 100% NaCl or 100% KCl brines. Ultimately, small changes in brine composition away from pure NaCl altered the structure of the salt-brine interface, impacting the dihedral angle and the predicted equilibrium permeability of salt formations.

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Preparing sparse solvers for exascale computing

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences

Heroux, Michael A.; Anzt, Hartwig; Boman, Erik G.; Falgout, Rob; Ghysels, Pieter; Li, Xiaoye; Mcinnes, Lois C.; Mills, Richard T.; Rajamanickam, Sivasankaran R.; Rupp, Karl; Smith, Bryce B.; Yamazaki, Ichitaro Y.; Yang, Ulrike M.

Sparse solvers provide essential functionality for a wide variety of scientific applications. Highly parallel sparse solvers are essential for continuing advances in high-fidelity, multi-physics and multi-scale simulations, especially as we target exascale platforms. This paper describes the challenges, strategies and progress of the US Department of Energy Exascale Computing project towards providing sparse solvers for exascale computing platforms. We address the demands of systems with thousands of high-performance node devices where exposing concurrency, hiding latency and creating alternative algorithms become essential. The efforts described here are works in progress, highlighting current success and upcoming challenges. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Numerical algorithms for high-performance computational science'.

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Jaqal the Quantum Assembly Language for QSCOUT

Landahl, Andrew J.; Lobser, Daniel L.; Morrison, Benjamin M.; Rudinger, Kenneth M.; Russo, Antonio R.; Van Der Wall, Jay W.; Maunz, Peter L.

QSCOUT is the Quantum Scientific Computing Open User Testbed, a trapped-ion quantum computer testbed realized at Sandia National Laboratories on behalf of the Department of Energy's Office of Science and its Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR) program.

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Multiscale Characterization of Lignocellulosic Biomass Variability and Its Implications to Preprocessing and Conversion: A Case Study for Corn Stover

ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering

Ray, Allison E.; Williams, C.L.; Hoover, Amber N.; Li, Chenlin; Sale, Kenneth L.; Emerson, Rachel M.; Klinger, Jordan; Oksen, Ethan; Narani, Akash; Sun, Ning; Yan, Jipeng; Tanjore, Deepti; Yunes, Manal; Bose, Elizabeth; Leal, Juan H.; Bowen, Julie L.; Wolfrum, Edward J.; Resch, Michael G.; Semelsberger, Troy A.; Donohoe, Bryon S.

Feedstock variability that originates from biomass production and field conditions propagates through the value chain, posing a significant challenge to the emerging biorefinery industry. Variability in feedstock properties impacts feeding, handling, equipment operations, and conversion performance. Feedstock quality attributes, and their variations, are often overlooked in assessing feedstock value and utilization for conversion to fuels, chemicals, and products. This study developed and employed a multiscale analytical characterization approach coupled with data analytic methods to better understand the sources and distribution of feedstock quality variability through evaluation of 24 corn stover bales collected in 4 counties of Iowa. In total, 216 core samples were generated by sampling nine positions on each bale using a reliable bale coring process. The samples were characterized for a broad suite of physicochemical properties ranging across field and bale, macro, micro, and molecular scales. Results demonstrated that feedstock quality attributes can vary at all spatial scales and that multiple sources of variability must be considered in order to establish and manage biomass quality for conversion processes.

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Reification of latent microstructures: On supervised unsupervised and semi-supervised deep learning applications for microstructures in materials informatics

Laros, James H.; Rodgers, Theron R.; Wildey, Timothy M.

Machine learning (ML), including deep learning (DL), has become increasingly popular in the last few years due to its continually outstanding performance. In this context, we apply machine learning techniques to "learn" the microstructure using both supervised and unsupervised DL techniques. In particular, we focus (1) on the localization problem bridging (micro)structure (localized) property using supervised DL and (2) on the microstructure reconstruction problem in latent space using unsupervised DL. The goal of supervised and semi-supervised DL is to replace crystal plasticity finite element model (CPFEM) that maps from (micro)structure (localized) property, and implicitly the (micro)structure (homogenized) property relationships, while the goal of unsupervised DL is (1) to represent high-dimensional microstructure images in a non-linear low-dimensional manifold, and (2) to discover a way to interpolate microstructures via latent space associating with latent microstructure variables. At the heart of this report is the applications of several common DL architectures, including convolutional neural networks (CNN), autoencoder (AE), and generative adversarial network (GAN), to multiple microstructure datasets, and the quest of neural architecture search for optimal DL architectures.

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Robust Mølmer-Sørensen gate for neutral atoms using rapid adiabatic Rydberg dressing

Physical Review A

Mitra, Anupam; Martin, Michael J.; Biedermann, Grant W.; Marino, Alberto M.; Poggi, Pablo M.; Deutsch, Ivan H.

The Rydberg blockade mechanism is now routinely considered for entangling qubits encoded in clock states of neutral atoms. Challenges towards implementing entangling gates with high fidelity include errors due to thermal motion of atoms, laser amplitude inhomogeneities, and imperfect Rydberg blockade. We show that adiabatic rapid passage by Rydberg dressing provides a mechanism for implementing two-qubit entangling gates by accumulating phases that are robust to these imperfections. We find that the typical error in implementing a two-qubit gate, such as the controlled phase gate, is dominated by errors in the single-atom light shift, and that this can be easily corrected using adiabatic dressing interleaved with a simple spin echo sequence. This results in a two-qubit Mølmer-Sørensen gate. A gate fidelity ∼0.995 is achievable with modest experimental parameters and a path to higher fidelities is possible for Rydberg states in atoms with a stronger blockade, longer lifetimes, and larger Rabi frequencies.

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Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator Accident Pre-Assessed Scenario

Cochran, Lainy D.; Hunt, Brian D.; Laiche, Thomas P.

This scenario was drafted for inclusion in a revision of Federal Radiological Monitoring and Assessment Center (FRMAC) Assessment Manual, Volume 2 - Pre-Assessed Default Scenarios. The contents of this scenario were reviewed and approved by the FRMAC Assessment Working Group in March 2020. The scenario is being issued separately from the full volume ahead of the Mars 2020 launch. The full volume will be published in the future once all scenarios are complete.

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ATDM AD projects to ECP Report (Q3 FY2020)

Trujillo, Gabrielle T.

The SPARC team has completed much of the workflow development needed for the coupled and uncoupled analyses needed to support our flight test validation work. The SPARC team has continued to make progress on development activities to support unsteady, full reentry vehicle aero analysis, which have focused on turbulence modeling, uniform mesh refinement, in-situ visualization (with the Paraview/Catalyst team), and performance analysis. The SPARC team is making solid progress towards our Q4 goal of demonstrating an improved Wall Modeled Large Eddy Simulation (WMLES) capability for standard geometries using high-order finite difference, discontinuous Galerkin, and low-dissipation finite volume methods. The SPARC team has met the minimum completion criteria for parts of the L1, including documenting performance and scaling of SPARC on Trinity, Sierra and Astra, and performing runs for the flight test validation case.

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A Novel Modeling Framework for Computationally Efficient and Accurate Real-Time Ensemble Flood Forecasting With Uncertainty Quantification

Water Resources Research

Sargsyan, Khachik S.; Tran, Vinh N.; Ivanov, Valeriy Y.; Kim, Jongho

A novel modeling framework that simultaneously improves accuracy, predictability, and computational efficiency is presented. It embraces the benefits of three modeling techniques integrated together for the first time: surrogate modeling, parameter inference, and data assimilation. The use of polynomial chaos expansion (PCE) surrogates significantly decreases computational time. Parameter inference allows for model faster convergence, reduced uncertainty, and superior accuracy of simulated results. Ensemble Kalman filters assimilate errors that occur during forecasting. To examine the applicability and effectiveness of the integrated framework, we developed 18 approaches according to how surrogate models are constructed, what type of parameter distributions are used as model inputs, and whether model parameters are updated during the data assimilation procedure. We conclude that (1) PCE must be built over various forcing and flow conditions, and in contrast to previous studies, it does not need to be rebuilt at each time step; (2) model parameter specification that relies on constrained, posterior information of parameters (so-called Selected specification) can significantly improve forecasting performance and reduce uncertainty bounds compared to Random specification using prior information of parameters; and (3) no substantial differences in results exist between single and dual ensemble Kalman filters, but the latter better simulates flood peaks. The use of PCE effectively compensates for the computational load added by the parameter inference and data assimilation (up to ~80 times faster). Therefore, the presented approach contributes to a shift in modeling paradigm arguing that complex, high-fidelity hydrologic and hydraulic models should be increasingly adopted for real-time and ensemble flood forecasting.

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Property values associated with the failure of individual links in a system with multiple weak and strong links

Reliability Engineering and System Safety

Brooks, Dusty M.; Helton, J.C.; Sallaberry, Cedric J.

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Comparison of numerical methods for modeling the wave field effects generated by individual wave energy converters and multiple converter wave farms

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering

Mcnatt, J.C.; Porter, Aaron; Ruehl, Kelley M.

This numerical study compares thewave field generated by the spectral wave action balance code, SNL-SWAN, to the linear-wave boundary-element method (BEM) code, WAMIT. The objective of this study is to assess the performance of SNL-SWAN for modeling wave field effects produced by individual wave energy converters (WECs) and wave farms comprising multiple WECs by comparing results from SNL-SWAN with those produced by the BEM codeWAMIT. BEM codes better model the physics of wave-body interactions and thus simulate a more accurate near-field wave field than spectral codes. In SNL-SWAN, the wave field's energy extraction is modeled parametrically based on the WEC's power curve. The comparison between SNL-SWAN andWAMIT is made over a range of incident wave conditions, including short-, medium-, and long-wavelength waves with various amounts of directional spreading, and for three WEC archetypes: a point absorber (PA), a pitching flap (PF) terminator, and a hinged raft (HR) attenuator. Individual WECs and wave farms of five WECs in various configuration were studied with qualitative comparisons made of wave height and spectra at specific locations, and quantitative comparisons of the wave fields over circular arcs around the WECs as a function of radial distance. Results from this numerical study demonstrate that in the near-field, the difference between SNL-SWAN andWAMIT is relatively large (between 20% and 50%), but in the far-field from the array the differences are minimal (between 1% and 5%). The resultant wave field generated by the two different numerical approaches is highly dependent on parameters such as: directional wave spreading, wave reflection or scattering, and the WEC's power curve.

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Margins associated with loss of assured safety for systems with multiple weak links and strong links

Reliability Engineering and System Safety

Helton, J.C.; Brooks, Dusty M.; Sallaberry, Cedric J.

Representations for margins associated with loss of assured safety (LOAS) for weak link (WL)/strong link (SL) systems involving multiple time-dependent failure modes are developed. The following topics are described: (i) defining properties for WLs and SLs, (ii) background on cumulative distribution functions (CDFs) for link failure time, link property value at link failure, and time at which LOAS occurs, (iii) CDFs for failure time margins defined by (time at which SL system fails) − (time at which WL system fails), (iv) CDFs for SL system property values at LOAS, (v) CDFs for WL/SL property value margins defined by (property value at which SL system fails) − (property value at which WL system fails), and (vi) CDFs for SL property value margins defined by (property value of failing SL at time of SL system failure) − (property value of this SL at time of WL system failure). Included in this presentation is a demonstration of a verification strategy based on defining and approximating the indicated margin results with (i) procedures based on formal integral representations and associated quadrature approximations and (ii) procedures based on algorithms for sampling-based approximations.

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Advanced CMOS Reliability Update: Sub 20nm FinFET Assessment

Grzybowski, Thomas A.; Walraven, J.A.; Laros, James H.; Kaplar, Robert K.; Haase, Gad S.

Advances in FinFET design and fabrication enable manufacturing of denser, more compact integrated circuits (ICs) with substantially reduced leakage while shortening the channel-lengths. The same stress-induced leakage and breakdown degradation mechanisms that affect planar transistors also impact FinFET devices. Reliability concerns such as Bias Temperature Instability (BTI), Time Dependent Dielectric Breakdown (TDDB), and Hot Carrier Injection (HCI) become very important with changes to transistor geometry and fin sidewall crystal orientation. Recent testing has shown that FinFETs respond differently to radiation (radiation effects such as total ionizing dose) when compared to planar transistors. These reliability and radiation effects issues become very important when changing transistor geometry and scaling FinFETs towards smaller feature sizes (22-nm, 16-nm, 14- nm, 10-nm, and smaller critical dimensions). The comparable 2019 state of the art transistor densities in current high-volume manufacturing silicon-based foundries is 7-nm (ISMC, Samsung) and 10-nm (Intel) [www.anandtech.com,fuse.wikichip.org]. Released products include supporting components for the cellphone and commercial microprocessor markets respectively. Extensive development in the foundry industry is driving to a 5-nm technology node in late 2020.

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Model reduction of dynamical systems on nonlinear manifolds using deep convolutional autoencoders

Journal of Computational Physics

Lee, Kookjin L.; Carlberg, Kevin T.

Nearly all model-reduction techniques project the governing equations onto a linear subspace of the original state space. Such subspaces are typically computed using methods such as balanced truncation, rational interpolation, the reduced-basis method, and (balanced) proper orthogonal decomposition (POD). Unfortunately, restricting the state to evolve in a linear subspace imposes a fundamental limitation to the accuracy of the resulting reduced-order model (ROM). In particular, linear-subspace ROMs can be expected to produce low-dimensional models with high accuracy only if the problem admits a fast decaying Kolmogorov n-width (e.g., diffusion-dominated problems). Unfortunately, many problems of interest exhibit a slowly decaying Kolmogorov n-width (e.g., advection-dominated problems). To address this, we propose a novel framework for projecting dynamical systems onto nonlinear manifolds using minimum-residual formulations at the time-continuous and time-discrete levels; the former leads to manifold Galerkin projection, while the latter leads to manifold least-squares Petrov–Galerkin (LSPG) projection. We perform analyses that provide insight into the relationship between these proposed approaches and classical linear-subspace reduced-order models; we also derive a posteriori discrete-time error bounds for the proposed approaches. In addition, we propose a computationally practical approach for computing the nonlinear manifold, which is based on convolutional autoencoders from deep learning. Finally, we demonstrate the ability of the method to significantly outperform even the optimal linear-subspace ROM on benchmark advection-dominated problems, thereby demonstrating the method's ability to overcome the intrinsic n-width limitations of linear subspaces.

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Correlating results from high resolution EBSD with TEM- and ECCI-based dislocation microscopy: Approaching single dislocation sensitivity via noise reduction

Ultramicroscopy

Ruggles, Timothy R.; Yoo, Jeremy; Dunlap, B.E.; Crimp, M.A.; Kacher, J.

High resolution electron backscatter diffraction (HREBSD), an SEM-based diffraction technique, may be used to measure the lattice distortion of a crystalline material and to infer the geometrically necessary dislocation content. Uncertainty in the image correlation process used to compare diffraction patterns leads to an uneven distribution of measurement noise in terms of the lattice distortion, which results in erroneous identification of dislocation type and density. This work presents a method of reducing noise in HREBSD dislocation measurements by removing the effect of the most problematic components of the measured distortion. The method is then validated by comparing with TEM analysis of dislocation pile-ups near a twin boundary in austenitic stainless steel and with ECCI analysis near a nano-indentation on a tantalum oligocrystal. The HREBSD dislocation microscopy technique is able to resolve individual dislocations visible in TEM and ECCI and correctly identify their Burgers vectors.

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Cookoff experiments of a melt cast explosive (Comp-B3)

Combustion and Flame

Hobbs, Michael L.; Kaneshige, Michael J.; Erikson, William W.; Brown, Judith A.; Anderson, Mark U.; Todd, Steven T.; Moore, David G.

Validated models of melt cast explosives exposed to accidental fires are essential for safety analysis. In the current work, we provide several experiments that can be used to develop and validate cookoff models of melt cast explosives such as Comp-B3 composed of 60:40 wt% RDX:TNT. We present several vented and sealed experiments from 2.5 mg to 4.2 kg of Comp-B3 in several configurations. We measured pressure, spatial temperature, and ignition time. Some experiments included borescope images obtained during both vented and sealed decomposition. We observed the TNT melt, the suspension of RDX particles in the melt, bubble formation caused by RDX decomposition, and bubble-induced mixing of the suspension. The RDX suspension did not completely dissolve, even as temperatures approached ignition. Our results contrast with published measurements of RDX solubility in hot TNT that suggest RDX would be completely dissolved at these high temperatures. These different observations are attributed to sample purity. We did not observe significant movement of the two-phase mixture until decomposition gases formed bubbles. Bubble generation was inhibited in our sealed experiments and suppressed mixing.

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Extent-of-Condition Review of Electrical Events Fiscal Year 2019

MacKenzie, Cheryl M.; Lafreniere, Michael P.

Sandia National Laboratories has experienced a number of electrical events in recent years. A careful examination of data shows that for the third year in a row, two of the three most frequently categorized Occurrence Reporting and Processing System (ORPS)-reportable event types were unexpected or unintended personal contact with a hazardous energy source and a failure to follow a prescribed hazardous energy control process, as defined in the occurrence reporting criteria of DOE Order 232.2A, Occurrence Reporting and Processing of Operations Information, 2D(1) and 2D(2). Sandia policy CA001.2, Identify and Manage Issues, requires an extent-of-condition review for any high-level reportable occurrence, and the analysts were tasked to perform this EOC in light of high-level reportable occurrence NA-SS-SNL-1000-2019- 0007, Contact with Electrical Energy During Marx Capacitor Troubleshooting. This extent of condition not only evaluated the 10 reportable electrical occurrences for Fiscal Year 2019, but also looked at 11 other related events: those involving control of hazardous energy and electrical events associated with less than hazardous energy.1 This Extent-of-Condition report makes several observations, conclusions, and recommendations for improvement.

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Corrective Action Management Unit Report of Post-Closure Care Activities Calendar Year 2019

Ziock, Robert Z.; Little, Bonnie C.

The Corrective Action Management Unit (CAMU) at Sandia National Laboratories, New Mexico (SNL/NM) consists of a containment cell and ancillary systems that underwent closure in 2003 in accordance with the Closure Plan in Appendix D of the Class 3 Permit Modification (SNL/NM September 1997). The containment cell was closed with wastes in place. On January 27, 2015, the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) issued the Hazardous Waste Facility Operating Permit (Permit) for Sandia National Laboratories (NMED January 2015) to the U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) and its Management and Operating (M&O) contractor. The current M&O contractor is National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC (NTESS). The Permit became effective February 26, 2015. The CAMU is undergoing post-closure care in accordance with the Permit, as revised and updated. This CAMU Report of Post-Closure Care Activities documents all activities and results for calendar year (CY) 2019, as required by the Permit.

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Hydrogen Refueling Reference Station Lot Size Analysis for Urban Sites

Ehrhart, Brian D.; Bran Anleu, Gabriela A.; Sena, Ethan; Muna, Alice B.; Ye, Dongmei Y.; Hecht, Ethan S.; Rivkin, Carl

Hydrogen Fueling Infrastructure Research and Station Technology (H2FIRST) is a project initiated by the DOE in 2015 and executed by Sandia National Laboratories and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to address R&D barriers to the deployment of hydrogen fueling infrastructure. One key barrier to the deployment of fueling stations is the land area they require (i.e. "footprint"). Space is particularly a constraint in dense urban areas where hydrogen demand is high but space for fueling stations is limited. This work presents current fire code requirements that inform station footprint, then identifies and quantifies opportunities to reduce footprint without altering the safety profile of fueling stations. Opportunities analyzed include potential new methods of hydrogen delivery, as well as alternative placements of station technologies (i.e. rooftop/underground fuel storage). As interest in heavy-duty fueling stations and other markets for hydrogen grows, this study can inform techniques to reduce the footprint of heavy-duty stations as well. This work characterizes generic designs for stations with a capacity of 600 kg/day hydrogen dispensed and 4 dispenser hoses. Three base case designs (delivered gas, delivered liquid, and on-site electrolysis production) have been modified in 5 different ways to study the impacts of recently released fire code changes, colocation with gasoline refueling, alternate delivery assumptions, underground storage of hydrogen, and rooftop storage of hydrogen, resulting in a total of 32 different station designs. The footprints of the base case stations range from 13,000 to 21,000 ft2 . A significant focus of this study is the NFPA 2 requirements, especially the prescribed setback distances for bulk gaseous or liquid hydrogen storage. While the prescribed distances are large in some cases, these setback distances are found to have a nuanced impact on station lot size; considerations of the delivery truck path, traffic flow, parking, and convenience store location are also important. Station designs that utilize underground and rooftop storage can reduce footprint but may not be practical or economical. For example, burying hydrogen storage tanks underground can reduce footprint, but the cost savings they enable depend on the cost of burial and the cost land. Siting and economic analysis of station lot sizes illustrate the benefit of smaller station footprints in the flexibility and cost savings they can provide. This study can be used as a reference that provides examples of the key design differences that fueling stations can incorporate, the approximate sizes of generic station lots, and considerations that might be unique to particular designs.

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XyceTM XDM Netlist Translator User Guide (V 2.0)

Templet, Gary J.; Ng, Garrick N.; Schiek, Richard S.; Sholander, Peter E.; Verley, Jason V.

This manual describes the installation and use of the XyCeTM XDM Net list Translator. XDM simplifies the translation of netlists generated by commercial circuit simulator tools into Xyce-compatible netlists. XDM currently supports translation from PSpice and HSPICE netlists into XyceTM netlists.

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UQTk User Manual (V.3.1.0)

Sargsyan, Khachik S.; Safta, Cosmin S.; Johnston, Katherine J.; Khalil, Mohammad K.; Chowdhary, Kamaljit S.; Rai, Prashant R.; Casey, Tiernan A.; Zeng, Xiaoshu; Debusschere, Bert D.

The UQ Toolkit (UQTk) is a collection of libraries and tools for the quantification of uncertainty in numerical model predictions. Version 3.1.0 offers intrusive and non-intrusive methods for propagating input uncertainties through computational models, tools for sensitivity analysis, methods for sparse surrogate construction, and Bayesian inference tools for inferring parameters from experimental data. This manual discusses the download and installation process for UQTk, provides pointers to the UQ methods used in the toolkit, and describes some of the examples provided with the toolkit.

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Conservative Estimation of Tail Probabilities from Limited Sample Data

Jekel, Charles F.; Romero, Vincente J.

Several sparse-sample uncertainty quantification (UQ) methods are compared for conservative but not overly conservative estimation of small tail probabilities involving responses that lay beyond specified thresholds in the tails of probability distributions. Sixteen very differently shaped distributions (or probability density functions, PDFs) and tail probability magnitudes ranging from 10-5 to 10-1 are considered in order for the study to be relevant to a wide range of risk analysis and quantification of margins and uncertainty (QMU) problems. The emphasis of the study is on limited data regimes ranging from N = 2 to 20 samples, reflective of most experimental and some expensive computational situations. Relatively simple sparse-sample UQ methods tested for this regime involve statistical tolerance interval "Equivalent Normal and related "Ensemble of Normals" and "Superdistribution (SD) approaches. (The independently derived SD is effectively equivalent to the Bayesian posterior predictive distribution given the assumptions of the derivation.) The performance of the methods was generally improved for N ≥ 5 samples with a generalized Jackknife resampling technique, which determines a tail probability estimate by averaging estimates from smaller sub-samples. Several quantitative metrics for method conservatism and accuracy of tail probability estimation are used to assess and rank the methods' performance over many random trials for each test PDF and probability magnitude. A variant of Bootstrap resampling was also tried, but did not significantly improve tail probability estimates in most cases. Detailed results are presented from over 100-million tests over the above factors that provide useful granular information on which methods or combination of methods perform best in various areas of the factor space.

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Accelerating Learning with Set-Based Concurrent Engineering

Rodriguez, Dominic; Gaffney, Emily M.; Stewart, Taylor M.; Apblett, Christopher A.; Tafoya, Joan T.

The traditional design approach for product development is to develop a design based on customer requirements and technical knowledge, build the product according to the detail requirements provided, and then test the product to validate that it works as intended. The team typically starts by identifying a single design approach and spends their time validating a single design during testing. Design teams often encounter issues in the course of development with performance, manufacturability, interfaces and more. To compensate for test failures, teams often build in time into the schedule for additional design loopbacks. Further, when the loopbacks lead to change, the late changes are costly and risky, causing the team to focuses on "fixing the bare minimum" to meet cost and schedule expectations.

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Evaluation of the Nanometrics Centaur Digitizer

Slad, George W.; Merchant, Bion J.

Sandia National Laboratories has tested and evaluated a new digitizer, the Centaur, manufactured by Nanometrics, Inc. This digitizer is used to record sensor output for seismic and infrasound monitoring applications. The purpose of the digitizer evaluation was to measure the performance characteristics in such areas as power, sensitivity, self-noise, dynamic range, system noise, modified noise power ration, relative transfer function, analog bandwidth, harmonic distortion, common mode, cross talk, timing tag accuracy and timing drift. The Centaur provides six channels of 24 bit digitization, three of which may be transmitted utilizing CD1.1 protocol.

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Kinemetrics Q330M+ Digitizer Evaluation

Slad, George W.; Merchant, Bion J.

Sandia National Laboratories has tested and evaluated a new digitizer, the Q330M+, manufactured by Quanterra, a division of Kinemetrics Inc. This digitizer is used to record sensor output for seismic and infrasound monitoring applications. The purpose of the digitizer evaluation was to measure the performance characteristics in such areas as sensitivity, input impedance, power consumption, self noise, dynamic range, system noise, relative transfer function, analog bandwidth, modified noise power ratio, harmonic distortion, common mode, cross talk, timing tag accuracy and timing drift. The Q330M+ provides six channels of 24 bit digitization, all of which may be transmitted utilizing CD1.1 protocol, at multiple sample rates.

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Guralp Affinity Digitizer Evaluation

Slad, George W.; Merchant, Bion J.

Sandia National Laboratories has tested and evaluated a new digitizer, the Affinity, manufactured by Guralp Systems. This digitizer is used to record sensor output for seismic and infrasound monitoring applications. The purpose of the digitizer evaluation was to measure the performance characteristics in such areas as sensitivity, power, self-noise, dynamic range, system noise, relative transfer function, modified noise power ratio, analog bandwidth, harmonic distortion, common mode, cross talk, timing tag accuracy and timing drift. The Affinity provides eight, rather the typical six, channels of 24 bit high sample rate digitization, all of which may be transmitted utilizing the CD1.1 protocol, at multiple sample rates.

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Transitional Markov Chain Monte Carlo Sampler in UQTk

Safta, Cosmin S.; Khalil, Mohammad K.; Najm, H.N.

Transitional Markov Chain Monte Carlo (TMCMC) is a variant of a class of Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithms known as tempering-based methods. In this report, the implementation of TMCMC in the Uncertainty Quantification Toolkit is investigated through the sampling of high-dimensional distributions, multi-modal distributions, and nonlinear manifolds. Furthermore, the Bayesian model evidence estimates obtained from TMCMC are tested on problems with known analytical solutions and shown to provide consistent results.

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Xyce Case Study

Dodge, Haley D.

With the elimination of underground nuclear testing and declining defense budgets, science-based stockpile stewardship requires increased reliance on high performance modeling and simulation of weapon systems. Today's weapon systems are comprised of various electrical components and systems. As a result, there is a need for tools that will allow the use of massively parallel modeling and simulation techniques on high performance computers in existing and future weapons' electrical systems models. The Xyce Parallel Electronic Simulator is a SPICE (Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis)- compatible circuit simulator designed to run on large-scale parallel computing platforms, though it can also execute efficiently on a variety of architectures including single processor workstations. As a mature platform for large-scale parallel circuit simulation, Xyce supports standard capabilities available in commercial simulators, in addition to various devices and models specific to Sandia's needs. Specifically, Xyce aids in the design and verification of electrical and electronic circuits and systems prior to weapons' manufacturing and deployment.

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Chemical Waste Landfill Annual Post-Closure Care Report, Calendar Year 2019

Mitchell, Michael M.; Little, Bonnie C.

The Chemical Waste Landfill (CWL) at Sandia National Laboratories/New Mexico (SNL/NM) is a remediated hazardous waste landfill that underwent closure in accordance with Title 20, Chapter 4, Part 1 of the New Mexico Administrative Code (20.4.1.600 NMAC), incorporating Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 265, (40 CFR § 265) Subpart G, and the CWL Final Closure Plan (SNL/NM December 1992 and subsequent revisions). The CWL Post- Closure Care Permit (PCCP) (NMED October 2009), which became effective June 2, 2011 (Kieling June 2011) and as modified, defines all post-closure requirements. This ninth CWL Annual Post-Closure Care Report documents all activities and results as required by the PCCP Attachment 1, Section 1.12.

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Deep Direct-Use Geothermal Feasibility Study for Hawthorne NV

Lowry, Thomas S.; Ayling, Bridget; Hinz, Nicholas; Sabin, Andrew; Arguello, Raymond; Blake, Kelly; Tiedeman, Andy

The Hawthorne Nevada, deep direct-use geothermal study is a two-year effort funded by the U.S. Department of Energy to determine the techno-economic feasibility of implementing a large-scale, direct-use facility for the Hawthorne Army Depot (HAD) and the public facilities of the city of Hawthorne and Mineral County. The approach links a production side analysis (PSA) and a demand side analysis (DSA) into a whole-system analysis (WSA) to provide an integrated assessment of the resource and the probability of delivering economically viable direct-use energy to Hawthorne. Hawthorne, Nevada is in the western part of the Basin and Range province and has been the focus of geothermal investigations for over 40 years. Over the last 15 years, several studies completed by the U.S. Navy Geothermal Program Office (GPO) in conjunction with industry professionals quantified the existence of several low temperature geothermal prospects, the most promising of which is called Prospect A. The promise of Prospect A is based on drilling and flow testing that produced ~100 °C water at flow rates of up to 31 l/s (500 gallons per minute). Measured productivity indexes range from 40-85 l/s/MPa, suggesting a warm and productive heat source. Despite the promise of the resource, uncertainties in its spatial extent and long-term sustainability mean that techno-economic analyses must include probabilities of the sustainability of the resource under different operating scenarios. Here, the PSA is conducted by integrating a wide range of disparate data to estimate lognormal P90, P50, and P10 resource capacities. These capacities are used as input to a thermal-hydrologic (T-H) model to estimate thermal drawdown for each capacity estimate for several different DSA scenarios. Using a systems-based approach, the WSA links the dynamic T-H simulations of the PSA/DSA combinations with the techno-economic model GEOPHIRES to account for both the temporal dynamics and uncertainties in the system to produce probabilistic distributions of several performance metrics including the levelized cost of heat (LCOH) and the return on investment (ROI). This report is the final delivery for the project and documents the study's activities and results.

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sCO2 Brayton System Market Analysis

Drennen, Thomas E.

Supercritical CO2 Brayton cycle systems (sCO2) offer potential benefits over traditional steam plants. The changing economics of the electricity sector favors solar photovoltaic (PV), wind, and natural gas combined cycle (NGCC). Ultimately, the ability of sCO2 systems to compete depends on the economics and ability to offer additional benefits to the market, such as the ability for dry cooling and their compact size. Updated results show that the projected LCOE for Brayton systems in the 100 to 300 MWe size range are between ${$}$44.8 and ${$}$56.1/MWh (4.48 and 5.61 cents/kWh). This report presents screening tools for assessing the potential market size and concludes that while at these LCOE estimates sCO2 systems can compete directly against NGCC, there are many hurdles to commercialization, including the need to demonstrate long-term operations at low-cost and ability to quickly ramp for integration with intermittent resources. Additional customer discovery is necessary to fully understand the ability of this technology to solve customer problems that other technologies cannot.

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Comparison of DTRA/NACT Next Generation Digitizer Evaluations

Slad, George W.; Merchant, Bion J.

Sandia National Laboratories has tested and evaluated three digitizers, the Affinity, manufactured by Guralp Systems, the Centaur, manufactured by Nanometrics, and the Q330M+, manufactured by Quanterra, a division of Kinemetrics. These digitizers are used to record sensor output for seismic and infrasound monitoring applications. The purpose of this document is to highlight various results and observations collected during comprehensive evaluations conducted on each unit.

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Basic Research of Intrinsic Tamper indication Markings and Patterns defined by Pulsed Laser Irradiation

Adams, David P.

With our previous research, it was found that surface asperities or roughness must be present to create periodic surface structures upon laser exposure. In particular, an initial rough surface morphology (such as that found with a machined surface) provides multiple sites for light scattering, which underlies the formation of periodic ripple morphologies. Light scattering from a random surface creates patterns of periodic structures (with complex orientations) that could be used as intrinsic markings for tagging materials and equipment. Despite these initial findings, the fundamental mechanisms that give rise to periodic surface structures and their characteristic shapes were not identified in prior research.

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Sierra/SolidMechanics 4.56 Verification Tests Manual

Veilleux, Michael V.; Beckwith, Frank B.; Belcourt, Kenneth N.; de Frias, Gabriel J.; Koester, Jacob K.; Manktelow, Kevin M.; Merewether, Mark T.; Miller, Scott T.; Mosby, Matthew D.; Plews, Julia A.; Porter, V.L.; Shelton, Timothy S.; Thomas, Jesse D.; Treweek, Benjamin T.; Tupek, Michael R.; Wagman, Ellen B.

Presented in this document is a small portion of the tests that exist in the Sierra / SolidMechanics (Sierra / SM) verication test suite. Most of these tests are run nightly with the Sierra / SM code suite, and the results of the test are checked versus the correct analytical result. For each of the tests presented in this document, the test setup, a description of the analytic solution, and comparison of the Sierra / SM code results to the analytic solution is provided. Mesh convergence is also checked on a nightly basis for several of these tests. This document can be used to conrm that a given code capability is veried or referenced as a compilation of example problems. Additional example problems are provided in the Sierra / SM Example Problems Manual. Note, many other verication tests exist in the Sierra / SM test suite, but have not yet been included in this manual.

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A Plasma Modeling Hierarchy and Verification Approach

Kramer, Richard M.; Cyr, Eric C.; Miller, Sean M.; Phillips, Edward G.; Radtke, Gregg A.; Robinson, Allen C.; Shadid, John N.

This report reviews a hierarchy of formal mathematical models for describing plasma phenomena. Starting with the Boltzmann equation, a sequence of approximations and modeling assumptions can be made that progressively reduce to the equations for magnetohydrodynamics. Understanding the assumptions behind each of these models and their mathematical form is essential to appropriate use of each level of the hierarchy. A sequence of moment models of the Boltzmann equation are presented, then focused into a generalized three-fluid model for neutral species, electrons, and ions. This model is then further reduced to a two-fluid model, for which Braginskii described a useful closure. Further reduction of the two-fluid model yields a Generalized Ohm's Law model, which provides a connection to magnetohydrodynamic approaches. A verification approach based on linear plasma waves is presented alongside the model hierarchy, which is intended as an initial and necessary but not sufficient step for verification of plasma models within this hierarchy.

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Separating divertor closure effects on divertor detachment and pedestal shape in DIII-D

Physics of Plasmas

Moser, A.L.; Casali, L.; Covele, B.M.; Leonard, A.W.; Wang, H.Q.; Mclean, A.G.; Shafer, M.W.; Watkins, Jonathan G.

Comparison between an open divertor and a more-closed divertor in DIII-D demonstrates detachment up to 40% lower pedestal density (n e, ped) in the closed divertor due to a combination of decreased fueling of the pedestal and increased dissipation in the scrape off layer (SOL) in the closed divertor, both resulting from increased neutral trapping in the divertor. Predicting whether the relationship between divertor closure and detachment will hold for an opaque SOL, in which the contribution of ionizing neutrals to fueling the pedestal is lessened, requires separating out different mechanisms contributing to the density difference at detachment. A series of experiments on DIII-D characterizes matched discharges using various divertor configurations to isolate the effects of divertor closure. These experiments show detachment up to 25% lower n e, sep in the closed divertor than in the open divertor, supported by simulations showing increased neutral trapping, and hence, increased dissipation, in the closed divertor. A difference in n e, ped / n e, sep is also seen: for matched n e, sep, the closed divertor has up to 20% lower n e, ped, consistent with modeling showing a smaller ionization fraction inside the separatrix in this case. Understanding how these pieces fit together will help in the development of predictive models of pedestal density and detached divertors compatible with a high performance core.

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SCEPTRE 2.1 Quick Start Guide

Bruss, Donald E.; Fan, Wesley C.; Pautz, Shawn D.

This report provides a summary of notes for building and running the Sandia Computational Engine for Particle Transport for Radiation Effects (SCEPTRE) code. SCEPTRE is a general purpose C++ code for solving the Boltzmann transport equation in serial or parallel using unstructured spatial finite elements, multigroup energy treatment, and a variety of angular treatments including discrete ordinates and spherical harmonics. Either the first-order form of the Boltzmann equation or one of the second-order forms may be solved. SCEPTRE requires a small number of open-source Third Party Libraries (TPL) to be available, and example scripts for building these TPL's are provided. The TPL's needed by SCEPTRE are Trilinos, boost, and netcdf. SCEPTRE uses an autoconf build system, and a sample configure script is provided. Running the SCEPTRE code requires that the user provide a spatial finite-elements mesh in Exodus format and a cross section library in a format that will be described. SCEPTRE uses an xml-based input, and several examples will be provided.

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Adding Magnetization to the Eddy Current Approximation of Maxwell's Equations

Siefert, Christopher S.

The eddy current approximation to Maxwell's equation often omits terms associated with magnetization, removing permanent magnets from the domain of validity of the approximation. We show that adding these terms back into the eddy current approximation is relatively straightforward, and demonstrate this on using a simple material constitutive model.

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Transport of kJ-laser-driven relativistic electron beams in cold and shock-heated vitreous carbon and diamond

New Journal of Physics

Bailly-Grandvaux, M.; Kim, J.; Krauland, C.M.; Zhang, S.; Dozieres, M.; Wei, M.S.; Theobald, W.; Grabowski, P.E.; Santos, J.J.; Nicolai, Ph; Mckenna, P.; Desjarlais, Michael P.; Beg, F.N.

We report experimental results on relativistic electron beam (REB) transport in a set of cold and shock-heated carbon samples using the high-intensity kilojoule-class OMEGA EP laser. The REB energy distribution and transport were diagnosed using an electron spectrometer and X-ray fluorescence measurements from a Cu tracer buried at the rear side of the samples. The measured rear REB density shows brighter and narrower signals when the targets were shock-heated. Hybrid PIC simulations using advanced resistivity models in the target warm-dense-matter (WDM) conditions confirm this observation. We show that the resistivity response of the media, which governs the self-generated resistive fields, is of paramount importance to understand and correctly predict the REB transport.

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The Gulf Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Institute: A Multidisciplinary Educational Approach for Integrated Nuclear Energy Safety Security and Safeguards in the Middle East

Journal of Nuclear Materials Management

Williams, Adam D.; Solodov, Alexander A.; Mohagheghi, Amir H.; Beeley, Philip A.; Alameri, Saeed

The Gulf Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Institute (GNEII) at Khalifa University of Science and Technology was created as a regional institute offering education, research and technical services to support nuclear energy safety, security and safeguards (3S) objectives. A mixed methods approach—using the (1) Course Evaluation, (2) GNEH Alumni Survey, (3) Capstone Project and, (4) GNEII-Related Literature data sets—was used to evaluate the effect of implementing this multidisciplinary `3S' educational program and the broader impact of the associated `3S' multidisciplinary institute on nuclear energy human resource development. Data sets (1), (2) and (3) illustrate how well GNEII implemented this novel 3S curriculum and resulted in successful knowledge transfer. Data sets (2), (3) and (4) illustrate how well GNEII's impact has positively influenced professional workplace behaviors and the institute's broader reputation to support responsible nuclear energy program education. Furthermore, GNEII demonstrates one option for successfully providing a multidisciplinary, 3S curriculum to support broader nuclear infrastructure and human resource development aims.

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Plasma etching of wide bandgap and ultrawide bandgap semiconductors

Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology A: Vacuum, Surfaces and Films

Douglas, Erica A.; Shul, Randy J.; Pearton, Stephen J.; Ren, Fan

The precise patterning of front-side mesas, backside vias, and selective removal of ternary alloys are all needed for power device fabrication in the various wide bandgap (AlGaN/GaN, SiC) and ultrawide bandgap (high Al-content alloys, boron nitride, Ga2O3, diamond) semiconductor technologies. The plasma etching conditions used are generally ion-assisted because of the strong bond strengths in these materials, and this creates challenges for the choice of masks in order to have sufficient selectivity over the semiconductor and to avoid mask erosion and micromasking issues. It can also be challenging to achieve practical etch rates without creating excessive damage in the patterned surface. The authors review the optimum choices for plasma chemistries for each of the semiconductors and acknowledge the pioneering work of John Coburn, who first delineated the ion-assisted etch mechanism.

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The organic redox transistor for neuromorphic computing

Nanotechnology

Talin, A.A.

Inspired by the in-memory computing architectures of biological systems, neuromorphic computing using crossbar arrays of artificial synapses based on non-volatile memory (NVM) devices with variable conductances has emerged as a new paradigm to enable massively parallel and ultra-low power computing hardware for data centric applications. Although inference has been demonstrated successfully using crossbars based on a variety of NMV technologies, efficient learning and scaling to large arrays (>106 elements) remains a challenge due to the synaptic elements' non-ideal electrical characteristics which degrades ANN accuracy. A further challenge is that in the conductive state memristors draw large currents >μA resulting in significant voltage drops in the interconnect wires and increased probability of failure in scaled arrays. We suggest the organic polymer redox transistor (RT) is an alternate approach that could solve many of these challenges, enabling both inference and parallel outer product updates, as recently demonstrated by Fuller et al. An RT consists of redox-active channel and gate electrodes in contact with a liquid or solid electrolyte. lon insertion through the electrolyte controls the channel electronic conductivity, while electron transfer through an external circuit maintains overall charge neutrality. Unlike a rechargeable battery, in the RT the voltage built-up across the electrolyte is kept to a minimum (typically <100 mV) by using the same material for the gate and channel. Elimination of the voltage offset simplifies integration of the RT into programmable arrays by enabling the use of various selectors. RTs based on inorganic and organic materials have been recently demonstrated with conductance tuning occurring at potentials of just a few mV and hundreds to thousands of linearly and symmetrically programmable conductance states, enabling near ideal accuracy in neural network simulations. Introduced in the 1980's, redox transistors with metallic gate electrodes and organic channel materials, also known as organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs), have been explored for a variety of applications such as chem- and bio-sensing, neural interfaces, and low cost printed circuits. A typical channel material for OECTs is the conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS). PEDOT is a p-type semiconducting polymer with mobile positively charged polarons that hop chain-to-chain.

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Numerical assessment of fault impact on caprock seals during CO2 sequestration

International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control

Newell, Pania N.; Martinez, Mario J.

Coupled fluid-flow and geomechanical analysis of caprock integrity has gained a lot of attention among scientists and researchers investigating the long-term performance of geologic carbon storage systems. Reactivation of pre-existing fractures within the caprock or re-opening of faults can create permeable pathways which can influence the seal integrity. Stability of the caprock during and after injection of super-critical CO2, and the impact of pre-existing fractures in the presence or absence of one or multiple faults have been investigated in this study. The impact of the wellbore orientation and the injection rate are among other key factors in understanding the structural trapping mechanisms within such geological formations. In this study, we numerically investigated the impact of each of these factors. This study revealed the interplay between joints and faults and how different leakage pathways are formed and under which scenario they play a dominant role in terms of CO2 leakage. This study also highlights the role of one versus multiple faults in the domain and the importance of the fault hydrological property in forming leakage pathway.

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KinBot: Automated stationary point search on potential energy surfaces

Computer Physics Communications

Van De Vijver, Ruben; Zador, Judit Z.

KinBot is a Python code that automatically characterizes kinetically important stationary points on reactive potential energy surfaces and arranges the results into a form that lends itself easily to master equation calculations. This version of KinBot tackles C, H, O and S atom containing species and unimolecular (isomerization or dissociation) reactions. KinBot iteratively changes the geometry of the reactant to obtain initial guesses for reactive saddle points defined by KinBot's reaction types, which are then optimized by a third-party quantum chemistry package. KinBot verifies the connectivity of the saddle points with the reactant and identifies the products through intrinsic reaction coordinate calculations. New calculations can be automatically spawned from the products to obtain complete potential energy surfaces. The utilities of KinBot include conformer searches, projected frequency and hindered rotor calculations, and the automatic determination of the rotational symmetry numbers. Input files for popular RRKM master equation codes are automatically built, enabling an automated workflow all the way to the calculation of pressure and temperature dependent rate coefficients. Four examples are included. (i) [1,3]-sigmatropic H-migration reactions of unsaturated hydrocarbons and oxygenates are calculated to assess the relative importance of suprafacial and antrafacial reactions. (ii) Saddle points on three products of gamma-valerolactone thermal decomposition are studied and compared to literature potential energy surfaces. (iii) The previously published propene+OH reaction is reproduced to show the capability of building an entire potential energy surface. (iv) All species up to C4 in the Aramco Mech 2.0 are subjected to a KinBot search. Program summary: Program title: KinBot Program files doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.17632/hsh6dvv2zj.1 Licensing provisions: BSD 3-Clause Programming language: Python Supplementary material: 1. A static version of the source code (KinBot.tar), 2. The manual for the static version (KinBot_Manual.pdf) 3. Geometries and energies of the stationary points on the potential energy surface of the sigmatropic reaction search (sigmatropic_H_shift.out) 4. Geometries and energies of the stationary points on the potential energy surface of the propene+ OH central and terminal addition reaction (propene+oh central addition.out, propene+oh terminal addition.out) 5. Geometries and energies of the stationary points on the potential energy surface of gamma valerolactone, 4-pentenoic acid and 3-pentenoic acid (GVL energies and geometries.out, 4PA energies and geometries.out, 3PA energies and geometries.out) 6. Example runs including all input and output files for a one-well search for propanol radical, full PES search for the n-pentyl radical, a search for all homolytic scission in propanol, and the reaction searches for GVL (output.zip) 7. Results of symmetry calculations for a literature benchmark dataset (Symmetry_correct.pdf, Symmetry_wrong.pdf) Nature of problem: Automatic discovery of unimolecular reaction pathways (isomerization and dissociation) for molecules and radicals relevant in gas-phase combustion and atmospheric chemistry, including oxidation and pyrolytic processes for structures including carbon, oxygen, sulfur and hydrogen atoms. The reactants, products, and transition states are characterized using a suite of tools coupled to electronic structure codes, and the results are provided in a format that lends itself easily to calculating rate coefficients based on statistical rate theories with other external codes. Solution method: Reaction pathways are identified using heuristic searches starting from a reactant by iteratively altering its geometry toward a good guess for a transition state for reactions with barriers. The transition state is identified as a first-order saddle point on the potential energy surface, which is located using local optimization methods of third-party quantum chemistry codes. We use intrinsic reaction coordinate calculations to verify the direct connectivity of the saddle point to the reactant and to identify the product species. Conformational searches, hindered rotor potentials, frequency calculations, and high-level optimizations yield the necessary data for RRKM master equation calculations. Additional comments including restrictions and unusual features: KinBot is designed to run on Unix clusters, and is written in Python, compatible with versions 2.7 and 3. It communicates with a PBS or SLURM workload manager to submit quantum chemistry calculations to third-party software. It makes use of a modified fork of ASE for the input writing, calling and output parsing of the quantum chemistry software which has been tested with Gaussian (G09RevD.01). OpenBabel (2.4.1) and RDKit (2018.09.01) are used to convert smiles to internal species representations and for species comparison and results visualization. The output of KinBot can be visualized with the PESViewer script, and graph structures are drawn using NetworkX. The master equation solvers MESS or MESMER are needed to calculate rate coefficients at the end of a given run. This version of KinBot can handle H, C, S, and O atom-containing molecules, and searches for isomerization and dissociation pathways.

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What is the fractional Laplacian? A comparative review with new results

Journal of Computational Physics

Lischke, Anna; Pang, Guofei; Gulian, Mamikon G.; Song, Fangying; Glusa, Christian A.; Zheng, Xiaoning; Mao, Zhiping; Cai, Wei; Meerschaert, Mark M.; Ainsworth, Mark; Karniadakis, George E.

The fractional Laplacian in Rd, which we write as (−Δ)α/2 with α∈(0,2), has multiple equivalent characterizations. Moreover, in bounded domains, boundary conditions must be incorporated in these characterizations in mathematically distinct ways, and there is currently no consensus in the literature as to which definition of the fractional Laplacian in bounded domains is most appropriate for a given application. The Riesz (or integral) definition, for example, admits a nonlocal boundary condition, where the value of a function must be prescribed on the entire exterior of the domain in order to compute its fractional Laplacian. In contrast, the spectral definition requires only the standard local boundary condition. These differences, among others, lead us to ask the question: “What is the fractional Laplacian?” Beginning from first principles, we compare several commonly used definitions of the fractional Laplacian theoretically, through their stochastic interpretations as well as their analytical properties. Then, we present quantitative comparisons using a sample of state-of-the-art methods. We discuss recent advances on nonzero boundary conditions and present new methods to discretize such boundary value problems: radial basis function collocation (for the Riesz fractional Laplacian) and nonharmonic lifting (for the spectral fractional Laplacian). In our numerical studies, we aim to compare different definitions on bounded domains using a collection of benchmark problems. We consider the fractional Poisson equation with both zero and nonzero boundary conditions, where the fractional Laplacian is defined according to the Riesz definition, the spectral definition, the directional definition, and the horizon-based nonlocal definition. We verify the accuracy of the numerical methods used in the approximations for each operator, and we focus on identifying differences in the boundary behaviors of solutions to equations posed with these different definitions. Through our efforts, we aim to further engage the research community in open problems and assist practitioners in identifying the most appropriate definition and computational approach to use for their mathematical models in addressing anomalous transport in diverse applications.

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Benchmarking current and emerging approaches to infrasound signal classification

Seismological Research Letters

Albert, Sarah A.; Linville, Lisa L.

Low-frequency sound ≤20 Hz, known as infrasound, is generated by a variety of natural and anthropogenic sources. Following an event, infrasonic waves travel through a dynamic atmosphere that can change on the order of minutes. This makes infrasound event classification a difficult problem, as waveforms from the same source type can look drastically different. Event classification usually requires ground-truth information from seismic or other methods. This is time consuming, inefficient, and does not allow for classification if the event locates somewhere other than a known source, the location accuracy is poor, or ground truth from seismic data is lacking. Here,we compare the performance of the state of the art for infrasound event classification, support vector machine (SVM) to the performance of a convolutional neural network (CNN), a method that has been proven in tangential fields such as seismology. For a 2-class catalog of only volcanic activity and earthquake events, the fourfold average SVM classification accuracy is 75%, whereas it is 74% when using a CNN. Classification accuracies from the 4-class catalog consisting of the most common infrasound events detected at the global scale are 55% and 56% for the SVM and CNN architectures, respectively. These results demonstrate that using a CNN does not increase performance for infrasound event classification. This suggests that SVM should be the preferred classification method, as it is a simpler and more trustworthy architecture and can be tied to the physical properties of the waveforms. The SVM and CNN algorithms described in this article are not yet generalizable to other infrasound event catalogs. We anticipate this study to be a starting point for development of large and comprehensive, systematically labeled, infrasound event catalogs, as such catalogs will be necessary to provide an increase in the value of deep learning on event classification.

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A kinematic comparison of meshfree and mesh-based Lagrangian approximations using manufactured extreme deformation fields

Computational Particle Mechanics

Bishop, Joseph E.

Meshfree methods for solid mechanics have been in development since the early 1990’s. Initial motivations included alleviation of the burden of mesh creation and the desire to overcome the limitations of traditional mesh-based discretizations for extreme deformation applications. Here, the accuracy and robustness of both meshfree and mesh-based Lagrangian discretizations are compared using manufactured extreme deformation fields. For the meshfree discretizations, both moving least squares and maximum entropy are considered. Quantitative error and convergence results are presented for the best approximation in the H1 norm.

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A causal perspective on reliability assessment

Reliability Engineering and System Safety

Hund, Lauren H.; Schroeder, Benjamin B.

Causality in an engineered system pertains to how a system output changes due to a controlled change or intervention on the system or system environment. Engineered systems designs reflect a causal theory regarding how a system will work, and predicting the reliability of such systems typically requires knowledge of this underlying causal structure. The aim of this work is to introduce causal modeling tools that inform reliability predictions based on biased data sources. We present a novel application of the popular structural causal modeling (SCM) framework to reliability estimation in an engineering application, illustrating how this framework can inform whether reliability is estimable and how to estimate reliability given a set of data and assumptions about the subject matter and data generating mechanism. When data are insufficient for estimation, sensitivity studies based on problem-specific knowledge can inform how much reliability estimates can change due to biases in the data and what information should be collected next to provide the most additional information. We apply the approach to a pedagogical example related to a real, but proprietary, engineering application, considering how two types of biases in data can influence a reliability calculation.

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Experimental Evidence of the Lorentz-Like Effective Medium Resonance in Semiconductor Hyperbolic Metamaterials Using Strong Coupling to Plasmonic Metasurfaces

IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation

Campione, Salvatore; Klem, John F.; Liu, Sheng; Montano, Ines; Sinclair, Michael B.; Luk, Ting S.

The Lorentz-like effective medium resonance (LEMR) exhibited by the longitudinal effective permittivity of semiconductor hyperbolic metamaterials (SHMs) has been known for some time. However, direct observation of this resonance proved to be difficult. Herein, we experimentally demonstrate its existence by strongly coupling SHMs to plasmonic metasurfaces. We consider four strong coupling implementations of SHMs that exhibit different LEMR absorption profiles (both in frequency and in strength) to validate our approach.

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Mesoscale modeling of hypervelocity impacts using the CTH shock physics code

International Journal of Impact Engineering

Bouchey, Stephanie N.Q.; Hollenshead, Jeromy T.

Material fragmentation after a hypervelocity impact is important to predictive electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) modeling. Successful comparisons with data require that hot, submicron fragments are generated in such impacts; however, experimental data has so far been unable to produce fragments of this scale. The purpose of this work was to investigate how modeling assumptions of macro-scale, bulk materials might influence the generation of debris in hypervelocity impacts and ultimately the predicted EO/IR signatures of these debris clouds. Sphere-on-plate impact simulations simplified the comparison of different modeling approaches. In one set of simulations, materials were modeled with the traditional, bulk approach. Those results were compared to simulations run with the mesoscale material grain structure explicitly modeled. This study focused on the comparison of two parameters that are tied directly to the EO/IR signature: strain rate at failure (a proxy for debris fragment size) and material temperature. Interfaces between grains, here due to void insertion, resulted in the most notable change in both the strain rate at failure and material temperature. Shock reflections from grain-void interfaces induced higher strain rates and material temperatures, and it is expected that similar effects may be produced from inclusions or dislocations in real materials. Thus, interfaces within a material may play an important role in producing smaller hot debris fragments that support the EO/IR predictive models of hypervelocity impacts.

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Fluidic Flow Assisted Deterministic Folding of Van der Waals Materials

Advanced Functional Materials

Zhao, Huan; Wang, Beibei; Yan, Xiaodong; Wang, Haozhe; Leong, Wei S.; Stevens, Mark J.; Vashishta, Priya; Nakano, Aiichiro; Kong, Jing; Kalia, Rajiv; Wang, Han

Origami offers a distinct approach for designing and engineering new material structures and properties. The folding and stacking of atomically thin van der Waals (vdW) materials, for example, can lead to intriguing new physical properties including bandgap tuning, Van Hove singularity, and superconductivity. On the other hand, achieving well-controlled folding of vdW materials with high spatial precision has been extremely challenging and difficult to scale toward large areas. Here, a deterministic technique is reported to fold vdW materials at a defined position and direction using microfluidic forces. Electron beam lithography (EBL) is utilized to define the folding area, which allows precise control of the folding geometry, direction, and position beyond 100 nm resolution. Using this technique, single-atomic-layer vdW materials or their heterostructures can be folded without the need for any external supporting layers in the final folded structure. In addition, arrays of patterns can be folded across a large area using this technique and electronic devices that can reconfigure device functionalities through folding are also demonstrated. Such scalable formation of folded vdW material structures with high precision can lead to the creation of new atomic-scale materials and superlattices as well as opening the door to realizing foldable and reconfigurable electronics.

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Short barriers for lowering current-density in terahertz quantum cascade lasers

Photonics

Gao, Liang; Reno, J.L.; Kumar, Sushil

Scattering due to interface-roughness (IR) and longitudinal-optical (LO) phonons are primary transport mechanisms in terahertz quantum-cascade lasers (QCLs). By choosing GaAs/Al0.10Ga0.90As heterostructures with short-barriers, the effect of IR scattering is mitigated, leading to low operating current-densities. A series of resonant-phonon terahertz QCLs developed over time, achieving some of the lowest threshold and peak current-densities among published terahertz QCLs with maximum operating temperatures above 100 K. The best result is obtained for a three-well 3.1 THz QCL with threshold and peak current-densities of 134 A/cm2 and 208 A/cm2 respectively at 53 K, and a maximum lasing temperature of 135 K. Another three-well QCL designed for broadband bidirectional operation achieved lasing in a combined frequency range of 3.1-3.7 THz operating under both positive and negative polarities, with an operating current-density range of 167-322 A/cm2 at 53 K and maximum lasing temperature of 141 K or 121 K depending on the polarity of the applied bias. By showing results from QCLs developed over a period of time, here we show conclusively that short-barrier terahertz QCLs are effective in achieving low current-density operation at the cost of a reduction in peak temperature performance.

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Near-Zero Power Mechanical Shock-Resistant Inertial Wakeup System with Scaled Inputs

INERTIAL 2020 - 7th IEEE International Symposium on Inertial Sensors and Systems, Proceedings

Yen, Sean Y.; Griffin, Benjamin A.; Barney, Bryson; Edstrand, Adam E.; Young, Andrew I.; Donahue, Emily D.; Pluym, Tammy; Reger, Robert W.

This paper reports on a near-zero power inertial wakeup sensor system supporting digital weighting of inputs and with protection against false positives due to mechanical shocks. This improves upon existing work by combining the selectivity and sensitivity (Q-amplification) of resonant MEMS sensors with the flexibility of digital signal processing while consuming below 10 nW. The target application is unattended sensors for perimeter sensing and machinery health monitoring where extended battery life afforded by the low power consumption eliminates the need for power cables. For machinery health monitoring, the signals of interest are stationary but may contain spurious mechanical shocks.

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Recommendations for Data-in-Transit Requirements for Securing DER Communications

Onunkwo, Ifeoma O.

With the adoption of Distributed Energy Resource (DER) interoperability standards, common communication protocols are now being deployed between power system operators and DER devices. In 2018, a revision to the US interconnection and interoperability standard, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Std. 1547, required DER equipment to have an IEEE 2030.5, IEEE 1815, or SunSpec Modbus communication exchange interface. This change supports the future transition to secure connection and exchange of information between the DER equipment and implementing parties, such as grid operators. Adoption of standardized communication protocols and associated information models is a critical step toward interoperability between power system operators and DER, such as photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage systems. However, security requirements for these standardized communication protocols are not comprehensive, resulting in non-standard and vendor-specific implementation that may leave DER equipment susceptible to cyberattacks. This paper examines the data-in-flight security requirements for standardized DER communication protocols, per IEEE 1547-2018 revision, as it relates to device authentication, key management, and encryption. The state of the art for these security features is also explored, addressing their impact on communication and performance of low-cost single board computers, which are typical of DER devices. In conclusion, a recommendation is provided to adopt a common set of communication requirements, which are intended to achieve interoperability and implement data security over DER network pathways, while ensuring reliable, secure, and real-time information delivery.

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Al-rich AlGaN based transistors

Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology A: Vacuum, Surfaces and Films

Baca, A.G.; Armstrong, Andrew A.; Klein, Brianna A.; Allerman, A.A.; Douglas, Erica A.; Kaplar, Robert J.

Research results for AlGaN-channel transistors are reviewed as they have progressed from low Al-content and long-channel devices to Al-rich and short-channel RF devices. Figure of merit (FOM) analysis shows encouraging comparisons relative to today's state-of-the-art GaN devices for high Al-content and elevated temperatures. Critical electric field (EC), which fuels the AlGaN transistor FOM for high Al-composition, is not measured directly, but average gate-drain electric field at breakdown is substantially better in multiple reported AlGaN-channel devices compared to GaN. Challenges for AlGaN include the constraints arising from relatively low room temperature mobility dominated by ternary alloy scattering and the difficulty of making low-resistivity Ohmic contacts to high Al-content materials. Nevertheless, considerable progress has been made recently in the formation of low-resistivity Ohmic contacts to Al-rich AlGaN by using reverse compositional grading in the semiconductor, whereby a contact to a lower-Al alloy (or even to GaN) is made. Specific contact resistivity (ρc) approaching ρc ∼2 × 10-6ωcm2 to AlGaN devices with 70% Al-content in the channel has been reported. Along with scaling of the channel length and tailoring of the threshold voltage, this has enabled a dramatic increase in the current density, which has now reached 0.6 A/mm. Excellent ION/IOFF current ratios have been reported for Schottky-gated structures, in some cases exceeding 109. Encouraging RF performance in Al-rich transistors has been reported as well, with fT and fmax demonstrated in the tens of gigahertz range for devices with less than 150 nm gates. Al-rich transistors have also shown lesser current degradation over temperature than GaN in extreme high-temperature environments up to 500 °C, while maintaining ION/IOFF ratios of ∼106 at 500 °C. Finally, enhancement-mode devices along with initial reliability and radiation results have been reported for Al-rich AlGaN transistors. The Al-rich transistors promise to be a very broad and exciting field with much more progress expected in the coming years as this technology matures.

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Large-Scale Plasmonic Hybrid Framework with Built-In Nanohole Array as Multifunctional Optical Sensing Platforms

Small

Lu, Ping L.

Light coupling with patterned subwavelength hole arrays induces enhanced transmission supported by the strong surface plasmon mode. In this work, a nanostructured plasmonic framework with vertically built-in nanohole arrays at deep-subwavelength scale (6 nm) is demonstrated using a two-step fabrication method. The nanohole arrays are formed first by the growth of a high-quality two-phase (i.e., Au–TiN) vertically aligned nanocomposite template, followed by selective wet-etching of the metal (Au). Such a plasmonic nanohole film owns high epitaxial quality with large surface coverage and the structure can be tailored as either fully etched or half-way etched nanoholes via careful control of the etching process. The chemically inert and plasmonic TiN plays a role in maintaining sharp hole boundary and preventing lattice distortion. Optical properties such as enhanced transmittance and anisotropic dielectric function in the visible regime are demonstrated. Numerical simulation suggests an extended surface plasmon mode and strong field enhancement at the hole edges. Two demonstrations, including the enhanced and modulated photoluminescence by surface coupling with 2D perovskite nanoplates and the refractive index sensing by infiltrating immersion liquids, suggest the great potential of such plasmonic nanohole array for reusable surface plasmon-enhanced sensing applications.

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Size-dependent stochastic tensile properties in additively manufactured 316L stainless steel

Additive Manufacturing

Roach, Ashley M.; White, Benjamin C.; Garland, Anthony G.; Jared, Bradley H.; Carroll, Jay D.; Boyce, Brad B.

Recent work in metal additive manufacturing (AM) suggests that mechanical properties may vary with feature size; however, these studies do not provide a statistically robust description of this phenomenon, nor do they provide a clear causal mechanism. Because of the huge design freedom afforded by 3D printing, AM parts typically contain a range of feature sizes, with particular interest in smaller features, so the size effect must be well understood in order to make informed design decisions. This work investigates the effect of feature size on the stochastic mechanical performance of laser powder bed fusion tensile specimens. A high-throughput tensile testing method was used to characterize the effect of specimen size on strength, elastic modulus and elongation in a statistically meaningful way. The effective yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and modulus decreased strongly with decreasing specimen size: all three properties were reduced by nearly a factor of two as feature dimensions were scaled down from 6.25 mm to 0.4 mm. Hardness and microstructural observations indicate that this size dependence was not due to an intrinsic change in material properties, but instead the effects of surface roughness on the geometry of the specimens. Finite element analysis using explicit representations of surface topography shows the critical role surface features play in creating stress concentrations that trigger deformation and subsequent fracture. The experimental and finite element results provide the tools needed to make corrections in the design process to more accurately predict the performance of AM components.

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Design and Evaluation of Nano-Composite Core Inductors for Efficiency Improvement in High- Frequency Power Converters

Conference Proceedings - IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition - APEC

Langlois, Eric L.; Huber, Dale L.; McDonough, Matthew; Monson, Todd M.; Neely, Jason C.; Watt, John

This paper evaluates the performance of a novel nano-composite core inductor. In this digest, a brief explanation of the superparamagnetic magnetite nanoparticle core is given along with magnetic characterization results and simulated design parameters and dimensions. A nearly flat relative permeability (μr) of around 5 is measured for the magnetic material to 1 MHz. A synchronous buck converter with nano-composite inductor was constructed and evaluated; the converter demonstrates a 1% improvement in conversion efficiency at higher currents (4% reduction in electrical losses), compared to an identical circuit with a benchmark commercial ferrite inductor.

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Evaluation of Multi-cell Failure Propagation

Lamb, Joshua H.; Torres-Castro, Loraine T.; Stanley, June S.; Grosso, Christopher G.; Gray, Lucas S.

Failure propagation testing is of increasing interest to the designers and end users of battery systems. One of the chief difficulties, however, is choosing an appropriate initiation method to perform the test. Single cell abuse testing is typically used to initiate thermal runaway but this can involve a large amount of additional energy injected into the system. It is assumed that this will have some impact on the behavior of a propagating thermal runaway event, but there is little data available as to how significant this would be. Further, it is ultimately difficult to develop viable propagation tests for compliance and public safety activities without better knowledge of how test methods will impact the results. This work looks at propagating battery failure with a variety of chemistries, formats, configurations and initiation methods to determine the level of significance of the chosen initiation method on the test results. We have ultimately found while there is some impact on the detailed results of propagation testing, in most cases other factors, particularly the energy density of the system play a much greater role in the likelihood of a propagation event consuming an entire battery. We have also provided some guidelines for test design to support best practices in testing.

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Results 16201–16400 of 96,771
Results 16201–16400 of 96,771