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Projection-Based Model Reduction for Coupled Conduction—Enclosure Radiation Systems

Journal of Heat Transfer

Brunini, Victor; Parish, Eric; Tencer, John T.; Rizzi, Francesco

A projection-based reduced order model (pROM) methodology has been developed for transient heat transfer problems involving coupled conduction and enclosure radiation. The approach was demonstrated on two test problems of varying complexity. The reduced order models demonstrated substantial speedups (up to 185×) relative to the full order model with good accuracy (less than 3% L∞ error). An attractive feature of pROMs is that there is a natural error indicator for the ROM solution: the final residual norm at each time-step of the converged ROM solution. Using example test cases, we discuss how to interpret this error indicator to assess the accuracy of the ROM solution. The approach shows promise for many-query applications, such as uncertainty quantification and optimization. The reduced computational cost of the ROM relative to the full-order model (FOM) can enable the analysis of larger and more complex systems as well as the exploration of larger parameter spaces.

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Surface Functionalized Barium Titanate Nanoparticles: A Combined Experimental and Computational Study

ECS Journal of Solid State Science and Technology

Domrzalski, Jessica N.; Stevens, Tyler E.; Van Ginhoven, Renee M.; Fritzsching, Keith; Walder, Brennan J.; Johnson, Emily M.; Lewis, Riley E.; Vreeland, Erika; Pearce, Charles J.; Vargas, David A.; Coker, Eric N.; Bays, Nathan R.; Grey, John K.; Monson, Todd

Barium titanate (BTO) nanoparticles show great potential for use in electrostatic capacitors with high energy density. This includes both polymer composite and sintered capacitors. However, questions about the nanoparticles’ size distribution, amount of agglomeration, and surface ligand effect on performance properties remain. Reducing particle agglomeration is a crucial step to understanding the properties of nanoscale particles, as agglomeration has significant effects on the composite dielectric constant. BTO surface functionalization using phosphonic acids is known reduce BTO nanoparticle agglomeration. We explore solution synthesized 10 nm BTO particles with tert-butylphosphonic acid ligands. Recent methods to quantifying agglomeration using an epoxy matrix before imaging shows that tert-butylphosphonic acid ligands reduce BTO agglomeration by 33%. Thermometric, spectroscopic, and computational methods provide confirmation of ligand binding and provide evidence of multiple ligand binding modes on the BTO particle surface.

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MELCOR Input Model for Spent Fuel Transportation and Storage Canister

Phillips, Jesse

This report documents the progress and current results of the MELCOR spent fuel cask input model. The MELCOR model is being developed to investigate aerosol transport and deposition given the aerosol physical phenomena models within MELCOR. To perform the analyses, a general portrayal of the MAGNASTOR® cask system has been employed; however, this system was selected based on available information to provide a reasonable representation of a spent fuel cask. The analytical results are not intended to characterize the performance of the MAGNASTOR® cask. Instead, the provided results are intended to enhance our general understanding of the aerosol behavior within casks and the validity of current models. The current model efforts are being performed to investigate hypothetical UO2 release from failed fuel pins within a spent fuel cask. The existing MELCOR model of the MAGNASTOR® cask system has been adapted to permit future comparative analyses with the GOTHIC representation of the MAGNASTOR® cask. To support this comparison, the PNNL model characteristics that are unrelated to the aerosol modeling were applied to the MELCOR model. These characteristics included improved comparability of the axial fidelity, total spent fuel power, fuel pin axial power profile, and heat losses from cannister. The thermal-hydraulic solutions are improved within the capability of the MELCOR code and will permit better overall agreement with the GOTHIC results. Detailed results are presented on the thermal-hydraulic analysis of the MELCOR cask as well as characterization of UO2 aerosol dispersion and deposition within the cask.

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UT Austin's 2022 Sandia Day (Summary Report)

Miner, Nadine E.

On March 30th and 31st, 2022, the University of Texas at Austin (UT) Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) hosted Sandia National Laboratories (Sandia) for “Sandia Day at UT Austin” to understand the status of the strategic partnership and explore opportunities for partnership growth. The event brought together more than 115 UT and Sandia participants including executive leadership, researchers, faculty, staff, and students. Sandia Day primarily consisted of a half-day leadership meeting, a research poster session and networking event, and three break-out sessions focused on strategic priority areas: Microelectronics, Energy and Climate Security, and High-Performance and Edge Computing. Appendix A contains the full Sandia Day agenda. Additional meetings and workshops (adjunct meetings) were held in conjunction with Sandia Day to maximize partnership exploration. Adjunct meetings were Hypersonics, Decarbonization, Disinformation, and Battery Workshops. A summary of Sandia Day events, sessions, and meetings follows.

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Studying the Richtmyer–Meshkov instability in convergent geometry under high energy density conditions using the Decel platform

Physics of Plasmas

Yager-Elorriaga, David A.; Doss, Forrest W.; Shipley, Gabriel A.; Ruiz, Daniel E.; Porwitzky, A.; Fein, Jeffrey R.; Merritt, Elizabeth C.; Martin, Matthew R.; Myers, Clayton; Jennings, Christopher A.; Marshall, Dustin J.; Shulenburger, Luke N.

The “Decel” platform at Sandia National Laboratories investigates the Richtmyer–Meshkov instability (RMI) in converging geometry under high energy density conditions [Knapp et al., Phys. Plasmas 27, 092707 (2020)]. In Decel, the Z machine magnetically implodes a cylindrical beryllium liner filled with liquid deuterium, launching a converging shock toward an on-axis beryllium rod machined with sinusoidal perturbations. The passage of the shock deposits vorticity along the Be/D2 interface, causing the perturbations to grow. Here, we present platform improvements along with recent experimental results. To improve the stability of the imploding liner to the magneto Rayleigh–Taylor instability, we modified its acceleration history by shortening the Z electrical current pulse. Next, we introduce a “split rod” configuration that allows two axial modes to be fielded simultaneously in different axial locations along the rod, doubling our data per experiment. We then demonstrate that asymmetric slots in the return current structure modify the magnetic drive pressure on the surface of the liner, advancing the evolution on one side of the rod by multiple ns compared to its 180° counterpart. This effectively enables two snapshots of the instability at different stages of evolution per radiograph with small deviations of the cross-sectional profile of the rod from the circular. Using this platform, we acquired RMI data at 272 and 157 μm wavelengths during the single shock stage. Finally, we demonstrate the utility of these data for benchmarking simulations by comparing calculations using ALEGRA MHD and RageRunner.

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Validation Analysis of Medium-Scale Methanol Pool Fire Simulated in SIERRA/Fuego [Slides]

Kirsch, Jared R.; Faithi, Nima; Hubbard, Joshua

Analysis of methanol pool fire conducted as part of validation study for SIERRA/Fuego. Results showed trends & errors consistent with related studies. Area validation metric provides way to quantify model form uncertainty. AVM shows that more work could be done to understand how model form uncertainty varies with mesh resolution. There is a possible atypical use of MAVM on time-series data. AVM shows mismatch between predicted flame height and experimental value less sensitive to variations in mixture fraction than temperature. Mismatch about experimental value also more symmetric for mixture fraction. Our analysis showed that mixture fraction is preferable for this application.

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Subdiffusive High-Pressure Hydrogen Gas Dynamics in Elastomers

Macromolecules

Brownell, Matthew; Frischknecht, Amalie L.; Wilson, Mark A.

Elastomeric rubber materials serve a vital role as sealing materials in the hydrogen storage and transport infrastructure. With applications including O-rings and hose liners, these components are exposed to pressurized hydrogen at a range of temperatures, cycling rates, and pressure extremes. High-pressure exposure and subsequent rapid decompression often lead to cavitation and stress-induced damage of the elastomer due to localization of the hydrogen gas. Here, we use all-atom classical molecular dynamics simulations to assess the impact of compositional variations on gas diffusion within the commonly used elastomer ethylene−propylene−diene monomer (EPDM). With the aim to build a predictive understanding of precursors to cavitation and to motivate material formulations that are less sensitive to hydrogen-induced failure, we perform systematic simulations of gas dynamics in EPDM as a function of temperature, gas concentration, and cross-link density. Our simulations reveal anomalous, subdiffusive hydrogen motion at pressure and intermediate times. We identify two groups of gas with different mobilities: one group exhibiting high mobility and one group exhibiting low mobility due to their motion being impeded by the polymer. With decreasing temperatures, the low-mobility group shows increased gas localization, the necessary precursor for cavitation damage in these materials. At lower temperatures, increasing cross-link density led to greater hydrogen gas mobility and a lower fraction of caged hydrogen, indicating that increasing cross-link density may reduce precursors to cavitation. Finally, we use a two-state kinetic model to determine the energetics associated with transitions between these two mobility states.

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Identifying University Chemicals That Pose Security Risks: A Simple Qualitative Approach

ACS Chemical Health and Safety

Nelson, Andrew W.; Aluoch, Austin O.; Mulcahy, Mary M.

Various laboratory-focused tools and methodologies for completing a safety risk assessment have been published, yet few similar resources to address chemical security exist.Herein, we describe a chemical security risk assessment case study at a university in a developing country.In this case study, we demonstrate a chemical security risk assessment for a university chemistry department, using an original inventory of 645 entries which was condensed to 295 chemicals after removing duplicates and erroneous entries.We then prioritized to highlight 83 chemicals of interest based on hazardous or dual-use properties that could lead to unacceptable consequences.We further refined to a list of 34 high-risk chemicals that required action, 48 chemicals that may need further justification and consideration for additional protection, and 1 chemical that did not need further consideration for additional protection.

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Spectroscopic investigation of electron-beam-induced excitation and ionization of air [Abstract]

Jackson, Stuart L.; Hinshelwood, David D.; Kaiser, Eric R.; Swanekamp, Stephen B.; Richardson, Andrew S.; Schumer, Joseph W.; Johnson, Michael J.; Foster, John E.; Durot, Christopher J.

Time-dependent visible and near-ultraviolet emission spectroscopy was used to track the presence of excited and ionized states induced as an electron beam transited a cavity filled with air at low pressures. An electron beam was produced in vacuum using a Febetron pulsed-power generator modified to produce a peak voltage of 100 kV, a peak current of 4.5 kA, and a pulse width of 100 ns. The beam electrons then passed through thin anode and pressure foils and transited a cavity filled with dry air at either 0.1 Torr or 1 Torr, exciting and ionizing the air along the way. The spectral measurements were combined with information from electrical, interferometric, and imaging diagnostics to reveal different ionization dynamics for the two cases under study.

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Physical Compact Model for Three-Terminal SONOS Synaptic Circuit Element

Advanced Intelligent Systems

Bays, Nathan R.; Talin, Albert A.; Marinella, Matthew; Williams, R.S.

A well-posed physics-based compact model for a three-terminal silicon–oxide–nitride–oxide–silicon (SONOS) synaptic circuit element is presented for use by neuromorphic circuit/system engineers. Based on technology computer aided design (TCAD) simulations of a SONOS device, the model contains a nonvolatile memristor with the state variable QM representing the memristor charge under the gate of the three-terminal element. By incorporating the exponential dependence of the memristance on QM and the applied bias V for the gate, the compact model agrees quantitatively with the results from TCAD simulations as well as experimental measurements for the drain current. The compact model is implemented through VerilogA in the circuit simulation package Cadence Spectre and reproduces the experimental training behavior for the source–drain conductance of a SONOS device after applying writing pulses ranging from –12 V to +11 V, with an accuracy higher than 90%.

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Time-domain self-broadened and air-broadened nitrogen S-branch Raman linewidths at 80-200 K recorded in an underexpanded jet

Journal of Chemical Physics

Richardson, Daniel R.; Retter, Jonathan E.; Koll, Matthew; Kearney, Sean P.

We report pure-rotational N2-N2, N2-air, and O2-air S-branch linewidths for temperatures of 80-200 K by measuring the time-dependent decay of rotational Raman coherences in an isentropic free-jet expansion from a sonic nozzle. We recorded pure-rotational hybrid femtosecond/picosecond coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (fs/ps CARS) spectra along the axial centerline of the underexpanded jet, within the barrel shock region upstream of the Mach disk. The dephasing of the pure-rotational Raman coherence was monitored using probe-time-delay scans at different axial positions in the jet, corresponding to varying local temperatures and pressures. The local temperature was obtained by fitting CARS spectra acquired at zero probe time delay, where the impact of collisions was minimal. The measured decay of each available Raman transition was fit to a dephasing constant and corrected for the local pressure, which was obtained from the CARS-measured static temperature and thermodynamic relationships for isentropic expansion from the known stagnation state. Nitrogen self-broadened transitions decayed more rapidly than those broadened in air for all temperatures, corresponding to higher Raman linewidths. In general, the measured S-branch linewidths deviated significantly in absolute and relative magnitudes from those predicted by extrapolating the modified exponential gap model to low temperatures. The temperature dependence of the Raman linewidth for each measured rotational state of nitrogen (J ≤ 10) and oxygen (N ≤ 11) was fit to a temperature-dependent power law over the measurable temperature domain (80-200 K) and extrapolated to both higher rotational states and room temperature. The measured and modeled low-temperature linewidth data provided here will aid low temperature gas-phase pressure measurements with fs/ps CARS.

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A Framework for Inverse Prediction Using Functional Response Data

Journal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering

Ries, Daniel C.; Zhang, Adah; Tucker, J.D.; Shuler, Kurtis; Ausdemore, Madeline

Inverse prediction models have commonly been developed to handle scalar data from physical experiments. However, it is not uncommon for data to be collected in functional form. When data are collected in functional form, it must be aggregated to fit the form of traditional methods, which often results in a loss of information. For expensive experiments, this loss of information can be costly. In this study, we introduce the functional inverse prediction (FIP) framework, a general approach which uses the full information in functional response data to provide inverse predictions with probabilistic prediction uncertainties obtained with the bootstrap. The FIP framework is a general methodology that can be modified by practitioners to accommodate many different applications and types of data. We demonstrate the framework, highlighting points of flexibility, with a simulation example and applications to weather data and to nuclear forensics. Results show how functional models can improve the accuracy and precision of predictions.

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A compact x-ray diffraction system for dynamic compression experiments on pulsed-power generators

Review of Scientific Instruments

Ao, T.; Morgan, Dane V.; Stoltzfus, Brian; Austin, Kevin N.; Usher, Joshua; Breden, Eric W.; Pacheco, Lena M.; Dean, Steven; Brown, Justin L.; Duwal, Sakun; Fan, Hongyou; Knudson, Marcus D.; Rodriguez, Mark A.; Lane, James M.D.

Pulsed-power generators can produce well-controlled continuous ramp compression of condensed matter for high-pressure equation-of-state studies using the magnetic loading technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD) data from dynamically compressed samples provide direct measurements of the elastic compression of the crystal lattice, onset of plastic flow, strength–strain rate dependence, structural phase transitions, and density of crystal defects, such as dislocations. Here, we present a cost-effective, compact, pulsed x-ray source for XRD measurements on pulsed-power-driven ramp-loaded samples. This combination of magnetically driven ramp compression of materials with a single, short-pulse XRD diagnostic will be a powerful capability for the dynamic materials’ community to investigate in situ dynamic phase transitions critical to equation of states. Finally, we present results using this new diagnostic to evaluate lattice compression in Zr and Al and to capture signatures of phase transitions in CdS.

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Distinguishing Gas-Phase and Nanoparticle Contributions to Small-Angle X-ray Scattering in Reacting Aerosol Flows

Journal of Physical Chemistry A

Michelsen, Hope A.; Campbell, Matthew F.; Tran, Ich C.; Johansson, K.O.; Schrader, Paul; Bambha, Ray; Hammons, Joshua A.; Schaible, Eric; Zhu, Chenhui; Van Buuren, Anthony

We have developed a strategy for distinguishing between small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) from gas-phase species and newly formed nanoparticles in mixed gas- and particle-phase reacting flows. This methodology explicitly accounts for temperature-dependent scattering from gases. We measured SAXS in situ in a sooting linear laminar partially premixed co-flow ethylene/air diffusion flame. The scattering signal demonstrates a downward curvature as a function of the momentum transfer (q) at q values of 0.2-0.57 Å-1. The q-dependent curvature is consistent with the Debye equation and the independent-atom model for gas-phase scattering. This behavior can also be modeled using the Guinier approximation and could be characterized as a Guinier knee for gas-phase scattering. The Guinier functional form can be fit to the scattering signal in this q range without a priori knowledge of the gas-phase composition, enabling estimation of the gas-phase contribution to the scattering signal while accounting for changes in the gas-phase composition and temperature. We coupled the SAXS measurements with in situ temperature measurements using coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy. This approach to characterizing the gas-phase SAXS signal provides a physical basis for distinguishing among the contributions to the scattering signal from the instrument function, flame gases, and nanoparticles. The results are particularly important for the analysis of the SAXS signal in the q range associated with particles in the size range of 1-6 nm.

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Stabilized Hyperfoam Modeling of the General Plastics EF4003 (3 PCF) Flexible Foam

Long, Kevin N.; Hamel, Craig

Constitutive model parameterizations for the General Plastics EF4003 low density 3 pound per cubic foot are needed for design and qualification purposes in normal and abnormal mechanical simulations. The material is expected to be deformed in two ways: first during preloading, and second under impact conditions of the system (transient dynamic). All analyses are to be performed at room temperature. The goal is to provide the analysis community a robust constitutive model parameterization to represent the compression behavior of the EF4003 foam from small deformations up to massive compressive deformations when the foam is densifying. It is worth noting the EF4003 exhibits anisotropy in its stress-strain behavior between the rise and transverse directions (See figure 2.8c-d) as well as plateau behavior that is very likely to cause material stability issues, due to the buckling transition, (and has historically done so) when using Sandia’s current workhorse models for flexible foams, Hyperfoam and Flex Foam. A Stability-informed Hyperfoam parameterization procedure is developed and executed to calibrate a hyperfoam model for the EF4003 room temperature, transversely loaded data. A rise orientation parameterization was not attempted due to localization in the experiments.

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The effect of metal-insulator interface interactions on electrical transport in granular metals

Journal of Physics Condensed Matter

Gilbert, Simeon J.; Rosenberg, Samantha G.; Kotula, Paul G.; Kmieciak, Thomas; Biedermann, Laura B.; Siegal, Michael P.

We present an in-depth study of metal-insulator interfaces within granular metal (GM) films and correlate their interfacial interactions with structural and electrical transport properties. Nominally 100 nm thick GM films of Co and Mo dispersed within yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), with volumetric metal fractions (φ) from 0.2-0.8, were grown by radio frequency co-sputtering from individual metal and YSZ targets. Scanning transmission electron microscopy and DC transport measurements find that the resulting metal islands are well-defined with 1.7-2.6 nm average diameters and percolation thresholds between φ = 0.4-0.5. The room temperature conductivities for the φ = 0.2 samples are several orders of magnitude larger than previously-reported for GMs. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy indicates both oxygen vacancy formation within the YSZ and band-bending at metal-insulator interfaces. The higher-than-predicted conductivity is largely attributed to these interface interactions. In agreement with recent theory, interactions that reduce the change in conductivity across the metal-insulator interface are seen to prevent sharp conductivity drops when the metal concentration decreases below the percolation threshold. These interface interactions help interpret the broad range of conductivities reported throughout the literature and can be used to tune the conductivities of future GMs.

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

Joule

Li, Chang; Shyamsunder, Abhinandan; Hoane, Alexis G.; Long, Daniel M.; Kwok, Chun Y.; Kotula, Paul G.; Zavadil, Kevin R.; Gewirth, Andrew A.; Nazar, Linda F.

Aqueous zinc-metal batteries are plagued by poor Zn reversibility owing to zinc dendrite and layered double hydroxide (LDH) formation. Here, we introduce a novel additive—N,N-dimethylformamidium trifluoromethanesulfonate (DOTf)—in a low-cost aqueous electrolyte that can very effectively address these issues. The initial water-assisted dissociation of DOTf into triflic superacid creates a robust nanostructured solid-electrolyte interface (SEI)—revealed by operando spectroscopy and cryomicroscopy—which excludes water and enables dense Zn deposition. We demonstrate excellent Zn plating/stripping in a Zn||Cu asymmetric cell for more than 3,500 cycles. Furthermore, near 100% CE is realized at a combined high current density of 4 mA cm−2 and an areal capacity of 4 mAh cm−2 over long-term cycling. Zn||Zn0.25V2O5·nH2O full cells retain ∼83% of their capacity after 1,000 cycles with mass-limited Zn anodes. By restricting the depth of discharge, the cathodes exhibit less proton intercalation and LDH formation with an extended lifetime of 2,000 cycles.

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Exchange-Mediated Transport in Battery Electrolytes: Ultrafast or Ultraslow?

Journal of the American Chemical Society

Dereka, Bogdan; Lewis, Nicholas H.C.; Zhang, Yong; Hahn, Nathan T.; Keim, Jonathan H.; Snyder, Scott A.; Maginn, Edward J.; Tokmakoff, Andrei

Understanding the mechanisms of charge transport in batteries is important for the rational design of new electrolyte formulations. Persistent questions about ion transport mechanisms in battery electrolytes are often framed in terms of vehicular diffusion by persistent ion-solvent complexes versus structural diffusion through the breaking and reformation of ion-solvent contacts, i.e., solvent exchange events. Ultrafast two-dimensional (2D) IR spectroscopy can probe exchange processes directly via the evolution of the cross-peaks on picosecond time scales. However, vibrational energy transfer in the absence of solvent exchange gives rise to the same spectral signatures, hiding the desired processes. We employ 2D IR on solvent resonances of a mixture of acetonitrile isotopologues to differentiate chemical exchange and energy-transfer dynamics in a comprehensive series of Li+, Mg2+, Zn2+, Ca2+, and Ba2+ bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide electrolytes from the dilute to the superconcentrated regime. No exchange phenomena occur within at least 100 ps, regardless of the ion identity, salt concentration, and presence of water. All of the observed spectral dynamics originate from the intermolecular energy transfer. These results place the lower experimental boundary on the ion-solvent residence times to several hundred picoseconds, much slower than previously suggested. With the help of MD simulations and conductivity measurements on the Li+ and Zn2+ systems, we discuss these results as a continuum of vehicular and structural modalities that vary with concentration and emphasize the importance of collective electrolyte motions to ion transport. These results hold broadly applicable to many battery-relevant ions and solvents.

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Estimation of stagnation performance metrics in magnetized liner inertial fusion experiments using Bayesian data assimilation

Physics of Plasmas

Knapp, P.F.; Glinsky, Michael E.; Schaeuble, Marc-Andre; Jennings, Christopher A.; Evans, Matthew; Gunning, James; Awe, Thomas J.; Chandler, Gordon A.; Geissel, Matthias; Gomez, Matthew R.; Hahn, Kelly D.; Hansen, Stephanie B.; Harding, Eric; Harvey-Thompson, Adam J.; Humane, Shailja; Klein, Brandon; Mangan, Michael A.; Nagayama, Taisuke; Porwitzky, A.; Ruiz, Daniel E.; Schmit, Paul F.; Slutz, Stephen A.; Smith, Ian C.; Weis, Matthew R.; Yager-Elorriaga, David A.; Ampleford, David; Beckwith, Kristian; Mattsson, Thomas; Peterson, K.J.; Sinars, Daniel

Here we present a new analysis methodology that allows for the self-consistent integration of multiple diagnostics including nuclear measurements, x-ray imaging, and x-ray power detectors to determine the primary stagnation parameters, such as temperature, pressure, stagnation volume, and mix fraction in magnetized liner inertial fusion (MagLIF) experiments. The analysis uses a simplified model of the stagnation plasma in conjunction with a Bayesian inference framework to determine the most probable configuration that describes the experimental observations while simultaneously revealing the principal uncertainties in the analysis. We validate the approach by using a range of tests including analytic and three-dimensional MHD models. An ensemble of MagLIF experiments is analyzed, and the generalized Lawson criterion χ is estimated for all experiments.

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COVID-19 Technical Assistance Program: Agrivoltaic for Rural Economic Development and Electric Grids Resilience

Jones, Christian B.; Ropp, Michael E.; Martinez, Mason

Over the past 50 years, the Renewable Energy Program at Sandia has advanced research in the field with a focus on three key goals; 1) reduce the cost, 2) improve resilience and reliability and, 3) decrease the regulatory burden of renewable energy. Sandia’s expertise, coupled with the Village of Questa’s expanding renewable energy portfolio, presents the opportunity to deploy the Labs’ deep science and engineering capabilities towards the energy goals of KCEC and the Village of Questa. Preliminary research efforts by Sandia technical staff has broadly identified early opportunities for further research, development, and demonstration in the emerging renewable energy segment of agrivoltaics. Agrivoltaics is an emerging and promising area of photovoltaics which entails land use considerations as well as concerns regarding landscape transformation, biodiversity, and ecosystem well-being. In recent years, agrivoltaics systems have been the subject of numerous studies due to their potential in the food-energy (and water) nexus. This document is a preliminary evaluation of the projects performance opportunities of agrivoltaics as a renewable energy technology strategy in the region of Questa, NM.

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Adrian Portales Coop Internship Report

Portales, Adrian; Monson, Todd

Using the thesis of W.R. Nolan (cite) as a guide, Cobalt Iron (CoFe) powders were reacted with 0.1 wt.% and 0.2 wt.% phosphoric acid in a 20:1 ratio of acetone to phosphoric acid. The powders were then dried at room temperature. The resulting phosphate coated CoFe was then mixed with 0.75 wt.% of the lubricant N,N' ethylene bis-stearamide (trade name: Acrawax C) and hot pressed to form a consolidated soft magnetic material referred to as CoFeP. With an avenue of synthesis for CoFeP determined, a proper amount of stock was synthesized for continuous “brick” production. While under current optimization, these 1x1 mm magnetic bricks will ultimately be placed and secured along the inside wall of each MK Magnetics transformer core by an appropriate CoFeP dispersed epoxy. As of now each brick has been produced though a pressing and annealing process via square 2x2 cm die. Before a brick is made a pressure calculation is run to ensure the dies maximum operating pressure is not exceeded. Figure 1. ensures the user’s safety by showing that the tons-on-ram required for a 2x2 cm square die to reach 760 MPa is below the point of die failure.

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Scintillators

Truyol, Sabine O.

As concerns about the illicit movement of radioactive materials across international borders increase, so too has the need for increased protection of those borders both foreign and domestic. The challenge is not only to detect hidden radioactive materials, but also to distinguish them from legitimate radionuclides such as radio-pharmaceuticals that are often transported across borders and shipped throughout a country. With more than 600 U.S. border sites to protect, screening imported radioactive material requires a careful balance of high throughput and high search efficiency. However, these requirements are difficult to meet as rapid screening operations leave less time for radiation detectors to efficiently evaluate materials. In support of border security, Sandia developed organic glass scintillators.

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Thermal activation of low-density Ga implanted in Ge

Applied Physics Letters

Foster, Natalie D.; Miller, Andrew J.; Hutchins-Delgado, T.; Smyth, Christopher M.; Wanke, Michael C.; Lu, T.M.; Luhman, Dwight R.

The nuclear spins of low-density implanted Ga atoms in Ge are interesting candidates for solid state-based qubits. To date, activation studies of implanted Ga in Ge have focused on high densities. Here, we extend activation studies into the low-density regime. We use spreading resistance profiling and secondary ion mass spectrometry to derive electrical activation of Ga ions implanted into Ge as a function of the rapid thermal anneal temperature and implant density. We show that for our implant conditions, the activation is best for anneal temperatures between 400 and 650 °C with a maximum activation of 69% at the highest fluence. Below 400 °C, remaining implant damage results in defects that act as superfluous carriers, and above 650 °C, surface roughening and loss of Ga ions are observed. The activation increased monotonically from 10% to 69% as the implant fluence increased from 6 × 10 10 to 6 × 10 12 cm-2. The results provide thermal anneal conditions to be used for initial studies of using low-density Ga atoms in Ge as nuclear spin qubits.

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Quality Control Metrics to Assess MoS2 Sputtered Films for Tribological Applications [Slides]

Babuska, Tomas F.; Curry, John F.; Thorpe, Ryan; Dugger, Michael T.; Delrio, Frank W.; Jones, Morgan; Strandwitz, Nicholas C.; Chowdhury, Md I.; Chrostowski, Robert; Mangolini, Filippo; Grejtak, Tomas; Doll, Gary L.; Krick, Brandon

Easily measured metrics that could assign quantifiable values to coating batches for quality control have started to be developed. High-density is an attribute of quality films. Increased density results in harder, more wear resistant coatings in inert and humid environments. Denser films are more resistant to oxidation from aging, limiting the severity and depth of oxide into the coating. Future work includes using metrics for quality. The next step is to develop in house deposition capabilities to develop process-structure relationships.

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DECOVALEX-2023, Task F Specification, Revision 8

Laforce, Tara C.; Jayne, Richard S.; Leone, Rosemary C.; Stein, Emily; Nguyen, Son

This report is the revised (Revision 8) Task F specification for DECOVALEX-2023. Task F is a comparison of the models and methods used in deep geologic repository performance assessment. The task proposes to develop a reference case for a mined repository in a fractured crystalline host rock and a reference case for a mined repository in a salt formation. Teams may choose to participate in the comparison for either or both of the reference cases. For each reference case, a common set of conceptual models and parameters describing features, events, and processes that impact performance will be given, and teams will be responsible for determining how best to implement and couple the models. The comparison will be conducted in stages, beginning with a comparison of key outputs of individual process models, followed by a comparison of a single deterministic simulation of the full reference case, and moving on to uncertainty propagation and uncertainty and sensitivity analysis. This report provides background information, a summary of the proposed reference cases, and a staged plan for the analysis.

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In-situ thermal analysis of intermetallic and thermite projectiles in high velocity impact experiments

International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer

Woodruff, Connor; Dean, Steven W.; Cagle, Colton; Croessmann, Charles L.; Dube, Pascal; Pantoya, Michelle L.

Particle fragmentation influences thermochemical energy conversion processes in different ways and is of significance in energy generation technologies. Different reactive material formulations trigger varied thermal response in extreme environments such as high velocity impact. This study investigated optical thermal response of powder gun launched intermetallic (Al:Zr) and thermite (Al:MoO3) projectiles using pyrometry and thermography. Projectiles were launched at 1250 m/s into an air-filled chamber and impacted a steel witness plate to create a dust explosion. The pyrometer was configured to measure temperatures directly at the point of impact, while the thermographic system measured temperatures throughout the explosion chamber. Results show that impact temperatures ranged between 3500 and 4000 K, but that the dynamics of energy conversion were different for the intermetallic and thermite projectiles. The intermetallic exhibited secondary reactions due to fragmented debris impacting the walls of the chamber. The thermite exhibited greater gas generation, propelling the debris field, and producing a more stochastic response with faster spreading and dissipation of thermal energy. Unique features such as microexplosions within fragmented particles were also analyzed. While both reactive materials produce similar temperatures, their mechanisms of energy conversion and release are different, indicating the potential of these materials for different ballistic applications.

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A fast matrix-free approach to the high-order control volume finite element method with application to low-Mach flow

Computers and Fluids

Knaus, Robert C.

A fast matrix-free formulation of the control volume finite element method is presented, requiring much less memory and computational work than previous efforts. The method is implemented and evaluated as a solver for low-Mach flow, including the evaluation of a preconditioning strategy for the pressure Poisson equation. The efficiency and scaling with polynomial order is evaluated on simple turbulent flows of interest, with appropriate solution quality metrics, and compared with a reference node-centered finite volume discretization. For a turbulent channel flow test, we show improvement in computational work for a given accuracy with the high-order scheme. The performance on a GPU accelerated platform is also investigated, with benefit shown for the matrix-free discretization.

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Establishing temperature from radiance of dynamically compressed metals

Journal of Applied Physics

Hartsfield, T.M.; Bays, Nathan R.

Precise temperature determination is a significant challenge in extreme environments of dynamic compression studies. How can radiance measurements taken in high-pressure shock experiments constrain temperature in a meaningful and physically consistent way? Experiments maintaining sample compression against a transparent window can be tailored to present a uniform measurement area with uncertain spectral emissivity. We compare several methods to analyze radiance collected at multiple wavelengths, applying statistical methods and physical principles to improve temperature inference. With proper radiance collection and analysis, dynamic temperature uncertainties become comparable to thermomechanical ambiguities of the emitting surface.

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Vapor transport analysis of a chloride molten salt flow control valve

AIP Conference Proceedings

Armijo, Kenneth M.; Mendoza, Hector; Parish, Jeffrey

This investigation explores thermal-fluid flow phenomena in a proportional flow control valve (FCV) within a 2 in. ID high-temperature piping transport system. The FCVs are critical components to ensure flexible nominal operation of a 2 MWth concentrating solar power (CSP) pilot-scale system in present development at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL). A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) / finite element analysis (FEA) model was developed in ANSYS that investigates multifluid phase-change transport within various sections of an FCV to explore plating and subsequent thermal-mechanical stress challenges that can exist with operations as high as 730°C. Results from the thermal-fluid model in development suggest salt vapor phase change in the N2 gas purge lines as low as approximately 476°C, which can have a negative impact on valve reliability.

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Design considerations for commercial scale particle-based thermal energy storage systems

AIP Conference Proceedings

Sment, Jeremy N.I.; Harvey, Timothy; Albrecht, Kevin; Ho, Clifford K.; Davidson, Murphy; Lambert, Matthew; Bateman, Bradley

Particle-based heat transfer materials used in concentrating solar power systems benefit from gravity-fed arrangements such as vertically integrated components inside the receiver tower which can eliminate the need for conveyance machinery. However, the amount of particles required for commercial scale systems near 100 MWe can require towers with very thick walls that must be built with high-strength concrete. Cost models for particle-based receiver towers with internal particle storage are being developed in this work and compared to well-established cost models that have been used to estimate tower costs for molten salt systems with external storage tanks. New cost models were developed to accommodate the high-temperature applications required for CSP. Further research is needed to directly compare costs between tower-integrated and external storage. For now, a method is proposed to superimpose increased storage costs with existing molten salt CSP towers. For instances where suitable materials are unavailable or do not meet the structural requirements, ground based storage bins must be used in concert with mechanical conveyance systems. Ground based storage vessels have been shown to be consistent with low thermal energy storage cost and heat loss goals. Ground based storage vessels are well-established in industry.

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LIDAR for heliostat optical error assessment

AIP Conference Proceedings

Small, Daniel; Little, Charles Q.

This project extends Sandia's experience in Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) to gain an understanding of the abilities and limits of using 3D laser scanning to capture the relative canting angles between heliostat mirror surfaces in 3D space to an accuracy sufficient to measure canting errors. To the authors' knowledge, this approach has never been developed or implemented for this purpose. The goal is to be able to automatically perform a 3D scan, retrieve the data, and use computational geometry and a-priori mechanical knowledge of the heliostats (facet arrangement and size) to filter and isolate the facets, and fit planar models to the facet surfaces. FARO FocusS70 laser range scanners are used, which provide a dense data coverage of the scan area in the form of a 3D point-cloud. Each point has the 3D coordinates of the surface position illuminated by the device as it scans the laser beam over an area, both in azimuth and elevation. These scans can contain millions of points in total. The initial plan was to primarily use the back side of the heliostat to capture the mirror (the back side being opaque). It was not expected to capture high-quality data from the reflective front side. The discovery that the front side did, indeed, yield surface data was surprising. This is a function of the soiling, or collected dust, on the mirror surface. Typical point counts on the mirror facets are seen to be between 10k - 100k points per facet, depending on the facet area and the scan point density. By collecting facet surface points, the data can be used to calculate an individual planar fit per facet, the normals of which correlate directly with the facet pointing angle. Comparisons with neighboring facets yield the canting angles. The process includes software which automatically: 1) controls the LiDAR scanner and downloads the resultant scan data, 2) isolates the heliostat data from the full scan, 3) filters the points associated with each individual facet, and 4) calculates the planar fit and relative canting angles for each facet. The goal of this work has been to develop this system to measure heliostat canting errors to less than 0.25 mrad accuracy, with processing time under 5 minutes per heliostat. A future goal is to place this or a comparable sensor on an autonomous platform, along with the software system, to collect and analyze heliostats in the field for tracking and canting errors in real time. This work complements Sandia's strategic thrust in autonomy for CSP collector systems.

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Receiver design and On-Sun testing for G3P3-USA

AIP Conference Proceedings

Ho, Clifford K.; Schroeder, Nathaniel R.; Laubscher, Hendrik F.; Yue, Lindsey; Mills, Brantley; Shaeffer, Reid; Christian, Joshua M.; Albrecht, Kevin

This paper summarizes the evolution of the Gen 3 Particle Pilot Plant (G3P3) receiver design with the goal of reducing heat losses and increasing thermal efficiencies. New features that were investigated included aperture covers and shrouds, active airflow, multistage catch-and-release devices (stairs), and optimization of receiver cavity geometry. Simulations and ground-based testing showed that a reduced receiver volume and aperture shroud could reduce advective heat losses by ∼40 - 50%, and stairs could increase opacity and reduce backwall temperatures. The reduced volume receiver and stairs were selected for on-sun testing, and receiver efficiencies up to 80 - 90% were achieved in the current test campaign. The receiver thermal efficiency generally increased as a function of incident power and particle mass flow rates. In addition, particle outlet temperatures were maintained to within ±10 °C of a prescribed setpoint temperature up to ∼700 °C using a PID controller that adjusted the particle mass flow rate into the receiver in response to the measured particle outlet temperatures.

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Particle-to-sCO2heat exchanger experimental test station design and construction

AIP Conference Proceedings

Laubscher, Hendrik F.; Albrecht, Kevin J.

Design and construction of a particle-to-sCO2 heat exchanger test station is described in this paper. The purpose of this test station is to make steady-state measurements of thermal performance with sCO2 as the working fluid. While the test station was initially constructed to test a 20 kW heat exchanger developed under the Gen3 Particle pilot plant (G3P3) project, it also was designed to accommodate testing of other heat exchanger configurations. Improvements for this test station design is based on lessons learned from prior heat exchanger testing. Maximum pressure and temperature ratings are based on the desire to use primarily stainless steel in the construction to reduce cost and lead time of components. Construction of the test station was completed and commissioning and initial testing took place during the October to November 2020 timeframe.

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Characterization of dot-specific and tunable effective g factors in a GaAs/AlGaAs double quantum dot single-hole device

Physical Review. B

Padawer-Blatt, Aviv; Ducatel, Jordan; Bogan, Alex; Gaudreau, Louis; Zawadzki, Piotr; Austing, D.G.; Sachrajda, Andrew S.; Studenikin, Sergei; Tracy, Lisa A.; Reno, John; Hargett, Terry

Difference in g factors in multidot structures can form the basis of dot-selective spin manipulation under global microwave irradiation. Here employing electric dipole spin resonance facilitated by strong spin-orbit interaction (SOI), we observe differences in the extracted values of the single-hole effective g factors of the constituent quantum dots of a GaAs/AlGaAs double quantum dot device at the level of ~ 5 %–10%. We examine the continuous change in the hole g factor with electrical detuning over a wide range of interdot tunnel couplings and for different out-of-plane magnetic fields. The observed tendency of the quantum dot effective g factors to steadily increase on decreasing the interdot coupling or on increasing the magnetic field is attributed to the impact on the SOI of changing the dot confinement potential and heavy-hole light-hole mixing.

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QSE 04-21-2022 ST-11 Alpha Data Report

Labs, Alpha

In the California Industrial General Permit (IGP) 2014-0057-DWQ for storm water monitoring, effective July 1, 2015, there are 21 contaminants that have been assigned NAL (Numeric Action Level) values, both annual and instantaneous. For annual NALs, an exceedance occurs when the average of all analytical results from all samples taken at a facility during a reporting year for a given parameter exceeds an annual NAL value listed in Table 2 of the General Permit. For instantaneous maximum NALs, an exceedance occurs when two or more analytical results from samples taken for any parameter within a reporting year exceed the instantaneous maximum NAL value (for TSS and O&G), or are outside of the instantaneous maximum NAL range (for pH) listed in Table 2.

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Validation of Calibrated k–ε Model Parameters for Jet-in-Crossflow

AIAA Journal

Miller, Nathan; Beresh, Steven J.; Ray, Jaideep

Previous efforts determined a set of calibrated, optimal model parameter values for Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulations of a compressible jet in crossflow (JIC) using a $k–ε$ turbulence model. These parameters were derived by comparing simulation results to particle image velocimetry (PIV) data of a complementary JIC experiment under a limited set of flow conditions. Here, a $k–ε$ model using both nominal and calibrated parameters is validated against PIV data acquired from a much wider variety of JIC cases, including a realistic flight vehicle. The results from the simulations using the calibrated model parameters showed considerable improvements over those using the nominal values, even for cases that were not used in the calibration procedure that defined the optimal parameters. This improvement is demonstrated using a number of quality metrics that test the spatial alignment of the jet core, the magnitudes of multiple flow variables, and the location and strengths of vortices in the counter-rotating vortex cores on the PIV planes. These results suggest that the calibrated parameters have applicability well outside the specific flow case used in defining them and that with the right model parameters, RANS solutions for the JIC can be improved significantly over those obtained from the nominal model.

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Machined phononic crystals to block high-order Lamb waves and crosstalk in through-metal ultrasonic communication systems

Applied Physics Letters

Sugino, Christopher; Gerbe, Romain; Baca, Ehren; Reinke, Charles M.; Ruzzene, Massimo; Erturk, Alper; El-Kady, Ihab F.

For systems that require complete metallic enclosures (e.g., containment buildings for nuclear reactors), it is impossible to access interior sensors and equipment using standard electromagnetic techniques. A viable way to communicate and supply power through metallic barriers is the use of elastic waves and ultrasonic transducers, introducing several design challenges that must be addressed. Specifically, the use of multiple communication channels on the same enclosure introduces an additional mechanism for signal crosstalk between channels: guided waves propagating in the barrier between channels. This work numerically and experimentally investigates a machined phononic crystal to block MHz Lamb wave propagation between ultrasonic communication channels, greatly reducing wave propagation and the resulting crosstalk voltage. Blind grooves are machined into one or both sides of a metallic barrier to introduce a periodic unit cell, greatly altering the guided wave dispersion in the barrier. Numerical simulations are used to determine a set of groove geometries for testing, and experiments were performed to characterize the wave-blocking performance of each design. The best-performing design was tested using piezoelectric transducers bonded to the barrier, showing a 14.4 dB reduction in crosstalk voltage. The proposed periodic grooving method is a promising technique for completely isolating ultrasonic power/data transfer systems operating in a narrow frequency range.

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Review of recent studies on nanoscale electrical junctions and contacts: Quantum tunneling, current crowding, and interface engineering

Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology A

Banerjee, Sneha; Zhang, Peng

The study of charge carrier transport at nanoscale electrical contacts is crucial for the development of next-generation electronics. In this study, we review recent modeling efforts on quantum tunneling, current crowding, and contact resistance across electrical interfaces with nanometer scale dimensions. A generalized self-consistent model for quantum tunneling induced electron transport in metal–insulator–metal (MIM) junctions is summarized. Rectification of a dissimilar MIM junction is reviewed. A modified two-dimensional (2D) transmission line model is used to investigate the effects of spatially varying specific contact resistivity along the contact length. The model is applied to various types of electrical contacts, including ohmic contacts, MIM junction based tunneling contacts, and 2D-material-based Schottky contacts. Roughness engineering is recently proposed to offer a possible paradigm for reducing the contact resistance of 2D-material-based electrical contacts. Contact interface engineering, which can mitigate current crowding near electrical contacts by spatially designing the interface layer thickness or properties, without requiring an additional material or component, is briefly reviewed. Tunneling engineering is suggested to eliminate severe current crowding in highly conductive ohmic contacts by introducing a thin tunneling layer or gap between the contact members. Furthermore, unsolved problems and challenges are also discussed.

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Experiments and modelling of adhesive failure initiation of an epoxy underfill: a study of electronic packaging survivability

International Journal of Theoretical and Applied Multiscale Mechanics

Elisberg, Brenton; Khraishi, Tariq

Epoxy underfills can be implemented in electronic packaging to enhance solder joint reliability of surface mounted components. However, it is important for an engineer to have a failure criterion that can be used for failure predictions and redesign of electronic assemblies. For this study, data from epoxy bond failure in mock electronic part assemblies were correlated to finite element analyses to predict adhesive failure initiation. Experiments were performed to determine failure loads for various loading locations and nonlinear viscoelastic analyses were performed for the same loading locations to determine a maximum principal strain failure parameter. Predictions showed that a maximum principal strain failure parameter defined from one test could be used as an indicator of adhesive failure of an epoxy bond undergoing other modes of loading. Failure initiation predictions matched experimental data using a maximum principal strain failure parameter for an epoxy bond undergoing mixed modes of loading for both unfilled and alumina oxide filled 828DEA epoxy. Such experimental setup is deemed appropriate for future epoxy testing.

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Xyce™ Parallel Electronic Simulator Users' Guide, Version 7.5

Keiter, Eric R.; Russo, Thomas V.; Schiek, Richard; Thornquist, Heidi K.; Mei, Ting; Verley, Jason C.; Aadithya, Karthik V.; Schickling, Joshua D.

This manual describes the use of the Xyce Parallel Electronic Simulator. Xyce has been designed as a SPICE-compatible, high-performance analog circuit simulator, and has been written to support the simulation needs of the Sandia National Laboratories electrical designers. This development has focused on improving capability over the current state-of-the-art in the following areas: (1) Capability to solve extremely large circuit problems by supporting large-scale parallel computing platforms (up to thousands of processors). This includes support for most popular parallel and serial computers. (2) A differential-algebraic-equation (DAE) formulation, which better isolates the device model package from solver algorithms. This allows one to develop new types of analysis without requiring the implementation of analysis-specific device models. (3) Device models that are specifically tailored to meet Sandia's needs, including some radiation-aware devices (for Sandia users only). (4) Object-oriented code design and implementation using modern coding practices. Xyce is a parallel code in the most general sense of the phrase — a message passing parallel implementation — which allows it to run efficiently a wide range of computing platforms. These include serial, shared-memory and distributed-memory parallel platforms. Attention has been paid to the specific nature of circuit-simulation problems to ensure that optimal parallel efficiency is achieved as the number of processors grows.

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Molecular Inclusion of Small Aging Products into the Hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20) Lattice: Part I, Infrared Spectra

Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics

Beste, Ariana

Accelerated aging studies of β CL-20 thin films deposited on glass surfaces in different environments (N2, air, air/water) were conducted. Samples were analyzed with attenuated total reflectance infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopy. Spectral features of molecular lattice inclusions in CL-20 films aged in an air/water environment were observed. The features occurred after β CL-20 polymorph transformation to α CL-20 and were accompanied by the appearance of lattice water peaks. To assist ATR-IR peak assignment, density functional theory studies were performed, and IR spectra of α CL-20 lattice inclusions of small molecules that were identified as degradation products of CL-20 were computed. Simulated spectra of NO2, HNCO, N2O, and CO2 incorporated into partially hydrated α CL-20 matched the experimental spectrum of β CL-20 thin films aged in air/water.

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Measurements of Low-Mode Asymmetries in the Areal Density of Laser-Direct- Drive DT Cryogenic Implosions on OMEGA Using Neutron Spectroscopy

Forrest, Chad; Betti, Riccardo; Knauer, James; Glebov, Vladimir; Gopalaswamy, Varchas; Mohamed, Zaarah; Bahukutumbi, Radha; Regan, Sean; Schwemmlein, Arnold; Stoeckl, Christian; Theobald, Wolfgang; Frenje, Johan; Gatu Johnson, Maria; Appelbe, Brian; Crilly, Aidan; Mannion, Owen

Abstract not provided.

Phase transitions in high-purity zirconium under dynamic compression

Physical Review B

Greeff, C.W.; Brown, Justin L.; Velisavljevic, N.; Rigg, P.A.

We present results from ramp compression experiments on high-purity Zr that show the α→ω, ω→β, as well as reverse β→ω phase transitions. Simulations with a multiphase equation of state and phenomenological kinetic model match the experimental wave profiles well. While the dynamic α→ω transition occurs ∼9GPa above the equilibrium phase boundary, the ω→β transition occurs within 0.9 GPa of equilibrium. We estimate that the dynamic compression path intersects the equilibrium ω-β line at P=29.2GPa, and T=490K. The thermodynamic path in the interior of the sample lies ∼100K above the isentrope at the point of the ω→β transition. Approximately half of this dissipative temperature rise is due to plastic work, and half is due to the nonequilibrium α→ω transition. The inferred rate of the α→ω transition is several orders of magnitude higher than that measured in dynamic diamond anvil cell (DDAC) experiments in an overlapping pressure range. We discuss a model for the influence of shear stress on the nucleation rate. We find that the shear stress sji has the same effect on the nucleation rate as a pressure increase δP=cϵijsji/(ΔV/V), where c is a geometric constant ∼1 and ϵij are the transformation shear strains. The small fractional volume change ΔV/V≈0.1 at the α→ω transition amplifies the effect of shear stress, and we estimate that for this case δP is in the range of several GPa. Correcting our transition rate to a hydrostatic rate brings it approximately into line with the DDAC results, suggesting that shear stress plays a significant role in the transformation rate.

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Surrogate modeling for efficiently, accurately and conservatively estimating measures of risk

Reliability Engineering and System Safety

Jakeman, John D.; Kouri, Drew P.; Huerta, Jose G.

We present a surrogate modeling framework for conservatively estimating measures of risk from limited realizations of an expensive physical experiment or computational simulation. Risk measures combine objective probabilities with the subjective values of a decision maker to quantify anticipated outcomes. Given a set of samples, we construct a surrogate model that produces estimates of risk measures that are always greater than their empirical approximations obtained from the training data. These surrogate models limit over-confidence in reliability and safety assessments and produce estimates of risk measures that converge much faster to the true value than purely sample-based estimates. We first detail the construction of conservative surrogate models that can be tailored to a stakeholder's risk preferences and then present an approach, based on stochastic orders, for constructing surrogate models that are conservative with respect to families of risk measures. Our surrogate models include biases that permit them to conservatively estimate the target risk measures. We provide theoretical results that show that these biases decay at the same rate as the L2 error in the surrogate model. Numerical demonstrations confirm that risk-adapted surrogate models do indeed overestimate the target risk measures while converging at the expected rate.

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Impact Response of Control Atmosphere Plasma Spray Deposited Materials

Branch, Brittany A.; Mccoy, Chad A.; Vackel, Andrew

Thermal spray processing of metals and respective blends is becoming increasingly attractive due to the unique properties such as increased yield strength, low ductility, and differences in tensile and compressive strengths that result from microstructural features due to the spray process compared to other additive manufacturing methods. Here we report the results of plate impact experiments applied to Controlled Atmosphere Plasma Spray deposits of tantalum (Ta), niobium (Nb), and a tantalum-niobium blend (TaNb). These methods allowed for definition of the Hugoniot for each material type and the assessment of the Hugoniot Elastic Limit (HEL). Spallation experiments were conducted, and soft recovery of each material type allowed for scanning electron microscopy to characterize the fracture mechanism during tensile loading.

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A Tanks-in-Series Approach to Estimate Parameters for Lithium-Ion Battery Models

Journal of the Electrochemical Society

Kolluri, Suryanarayana; Mittal, Prateek; Subramaniam, Akshay; Preger, Yuliya; De Angelis, Valerio; Ramadesigan, Venkatasailanathan; Subramanian, Venkat R.

Advanced Battery Management Systems (BMS) play a vital role in monitoring, predicting, and controlling the performance of lithium-ion batteries. BMS employing sophisticated electrochemical models can help increase battery cycle life and minimize charging time. However, in order to realize the full potential of electrochemical model-based BMS, it is critical to ensure accurate predictions and proper model parameterization. The accuracy of the predictions of an electrochemical model is dependent on the accuracy of its parameters, the values of which might change with battery cycling and aging. Parameter estimation for an electrochemical model is generally challenging due to the nonlinear nature and computational complexity of the model equations. To this end, this work utilizes the recently proposed Tanks-in-Series model for Li-ion batteries (J.Electrochem. Soc., 167, 013534 (2020)) to perform parameter estimation. The Tanks-in-Series approach allows for substantially faster parameter estimation compared to the original pseudo two-dimensional (p2D) model. The objective of this work is thus to demonstrate the gain in computational efficiency from the Tanks-in-Series approach. A sensitivity analysis of model parameters is also performed to benchmark the fidelity of the Tanks-in-Series model.

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Infrasound direction of arrival determination using a balloon-borne aeroseismometer

JASA Express Letters

Bowman, Daniel C.; Rouse, Jerry W.; Krishnamoorthy, Siddharth; Silber, Elizabeth A.

Free-floating balloons are an emerging platform for infrasound recording, but they cannot host arrays sufficiently wide for multi-sensor acoustic direction finding techniques. Because infrasound waves are longitudinal, the balloon motion in response to acoustic loading can be used to determine the signal azimuth. This technique, called “aeroseismometry,” permits sparse balloon-borne networks to geolocate acoustic sources. This is demonstrated by using an aeroseismometer on a stratospheric balloon to measure the direction of arrival of acoustic waves from successive ground chemical explosions. A geolocation algorithm adapted from hydroacoustics is then used to calculate the location of the explosions.

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Entangling-gate error from coherently displaced motional modes of trapped ions

Physical Review A

Ruzic, Brandon; Barrick, T.A.; Hunker, J.D.; Law, Ryan; Mcfarland, Brian; Mcguinness, Hayden J.E.; Parazzoli, L.P.; Sterk, Jonathan D.; Van Der Wall, Jay W.; Stick, Daniel L.

Entangling gates in trapped-ion quantum computers are most often applied to stationary ions with initial motional distributions that are thermal and close to the ground state, while those demonstrations that involve transport generally use sympathetic cooling to reinitialize the motional state prior to applying a gate. Future systems with more ions, however, will face greater nonthermal excitation due to increased amounts of ion transport and exacerbated by longer operational times and variations over the trap array. In addition, pregate sympathetic cooling may be limited due to time costs and laser access constraints. In this paper, we analyze the impact of such coherent motional excitation on entangling-gate error by performing simulations of Mølmer-Sørenson (MS) gates on a pair of trapped-ion qubits with both thermal and coherent excitation present in a shared motional mode at the start of the gate. We quantify how a small amount of coherent displacement erodes gate performance in the presence of experimental noise, and we demonstrate that adjusting the relative phase between the initial coherent displacement and the displacement induced by the gate or using Walsh modulation can suppress this error. We then use experimental data from transported ions to analyze the impact of coherent displacement on MS-gate error under realistic conditions.

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Graph theory and nighttime imagery based microgrid design

Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy

Lugo-Alvarez, Melvin; Kleissl, Jan; Khurram, Adil; Lave, Matt; Jones, Christian B.

Reducing the duration and frequency of blackouts in remote communities poses an engineering challenge for grid operators. Outage effects can also be mitigated locally through microgrids. This paper develops a systematic procedure to account for these challenges by creating microgrids prioritizing high value assets within vulnerable communities. Nighttime satellite imagery is used to identify vulnerable communities. Using an asset classification and rating system, multi-Asset clusters within these communities are prioritized. Infrastructure data, geographic information systems, satellite imagery, and spectral clustering are used to form and rank microgrid candidates. A microgrid sizing algorithm is included to guide through the microgrid design process. An application of the methodology is presented using real event, location, and asset data.

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Bioinspired synthesis of thermally stable and mechanically strong nanocomposite coatings

MRS Advances

Xu, Guangping; Fan, Hongyou; Mccoy, Chad A.; Mills, Melissa M.; Schwarz, Jens

Abstract: An innovative biomimetic method has been developed to synthesize layered nanocomposite coatings using silica and sugar-derived carbon to mimic the formation of a natural seashell structure. The layered nanocomposites are fabricated through alternate coatings of condensed silica and sugar. Sugar-derived carbon is a cost-effective material as well as environmentally friendly. Pyrolysis of sugar will form polycyclic aromatic carbon sheets, i.e., carbon black. The resulting final nanocomposite coatings can survive temperatures of more than 1150 °C and potentially up to 1650 °C. These coatings have strong mechanical properties, with hardness of more than 11 GPa and elastic modulus of 120 GPa, which are 80% greater than those of pure silica. The layered coatings have many applications, such as shielding in the form of mechanical barriers, body armor, and space debris shields. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

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Federated Learning and Differential Privacy: What might AI-Enhanced co-design of microelectronics learn?

Eugenio, Evercita C.

Data is a valuable commodity, and it is often dispersed over multiple entities. Sharing data or models created from the data is not simple due to concerns regarding security, privacy, ownership, and model inversion. This limitation in sharing can hinder model training and development. Federated learning can enable data or model sharing across multiple entities that control local data without having to share or exchange the data themselves. Differential privacy is a conceptual framework that brings strong mathematical guarantee for privacy protection and helps provide a quantifiable privacy guarantee to any data or models shared. The concepts of federated learning and differential privacy are introduced along with possible connections. Lastly, some open discussion topics on how federated learning and differential privacy can tied to AI-Enhanced co-design of microelectronics are highlighted.

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Front-End Design for SiPM-Based Monolithic Neutron Double Scatter Imagers

Sensors

Cates, Joshua W.; Steele, J.; Balajthy, Jon A.; Negut, Victor; Hausladen, Paul; Ziock, Klaus; Brubaker, Erik M.

Neutron double scatter imaging exploits the kinematics of neutron elastic scattering to enable emission imaging of neutron sources. Due to the relatively low coincidence detection efficiency of fast neutrons in organic scintillator arrays, imaging efficiency for double scatter cameras can also be low. One method to realize significant gains in neutron coincidence detection efficiency is to develop neutron double scatter detectors which employ monolithic blocks of organic scintillator, instrumented with photosensor arrays on multiple faces to enable 3D position and multi-interaction time pickoff. Silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) have several advantageous characteristics for this approach, including high photon detection efficiency (PDE), good single photon time resolution (SPTR), high gain that translates to single photon counting capabilities, and ability to be tiled into large arrays with high packing fraction and photosensitive area fill factor. However, they also have a tradeoff in high uncorrelated and correlated noise rates (dark counts from thermionic emissions and optical photon crosstalk generated during avalanche) which may complicate event positioning algorithms. We have evaluated the noise characteristics and SPTR of Hamamatsu S13360-6075 SiPMs with low noise, fast electronic readout for integration into a monolithic neutron scatter camera prototype. The sensors and electronic readout were implemented in a small-scale prototype detector in order to estimate expected noise performance for a monolithic neutron scatter camera and perform proof-of-concept measurements for scintillation photon counting and three-dimensional event positioning.

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Measurements of the temperature and velocity of the dense fuel layer in inertial confinement fusion experiments

Physical Review E

Mannion, Owen; Crilly, A.J.; Forrest, C.J.; Appelbe, B.D.; Betti, R.; Glebov, V.Y.; Gopalaswamy, V.; Knauer, J.P.; Mohamed, Z.L.; Stoeckl, C.; Chittenden, J.P.; Regan, S.P.

The apparent ion temperature and mean velocity of the dense deuterium tritium fuel layer of an inertial confinement fusion target near peak compression have been measured using backscatter neutron spectroscopy. The average isotropic residual kinetic energy of the dense deuterium tritium fuel is estimated using the mean velocity measurement to be ∼103 J across an ensemble of experiments. The apparent ion-temperature measurements from high-implosion velocity experiments are larger than expected from radiation-hydrodynamic simulations and are consistent with enhanced levels of shell decompression. These results suggest that high-mode instabilities may saturate the scaling of implosion performance with the implosion velocity for laser-direct-drive implosions.

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Xyce™ Parallel Electronic Simulator Reference Guide, Version 7.5

Keiter, Eric R.; Russo, Thomas V.; Schiek, Richard; Thornquist, Heidi K.; Mei, Ting; Verley, Jason C.; Aadithya, Karthik V.; Schickling, Joshua D.

This document is a reference guide to the Xyce Parallel Electronic Simulator, and is a companion document to the Xyce Users' Guide. The focus of this document is (to the extent possible) exhaustively list device parameters, solver options, parser options, and other usage details of Xyce. This document is not intended to be a tutorial. Users who are new to circuit simulation are better served by the Xyce Users' Guide.

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Electrical-Discharge-Machining Contamination Removal from Metal Additively Manufactured Components

Banga, Dhego O.; Chames, Jeffery M.; Yee, Joshua K.; Jankowski, Alan F.

The use of an electrochemical dissolution process is shown to remove the recast layer contamination from the surfaces of electrical-discharge-machining cut components, as well as the interior exposed surfaces of the structure. The solution chemistry, cell potential, and exposure time are all relevant interdependent variables. Optimization of the electrode geometry should be made for each type of component. For the case of Cu-Zn recast contamination of 300-series alloy components, surface composition analysis indicates that complete electrochemical dissolution is achieved using a dilute solution of nitric acid (HNO3). For example, electrochemical dissolution of the Cu-Zn recast is accomplished at 1.2 V cell potential using a 20% nitric solution and an exposure time of 4 h. The use of a nitric acid bath was specifically chosen since it’s chemically compatible and will not degrade the host alloy or the component. In sum, an electrochemically driven dissolution process can be tailored to remove of the recast contamination without affecting the integrity of the host component structure and its dimensional tolerances.

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Molecular Inclusion of Small Aging Products into the Hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20) Lattice: Part I, Infrared Spectra

Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics

Beste, Ariana; Alam, Mary K.

Accelerated aging studies of β CL-20 thin films deposited on glass surfaces in different environments (N2, air, air/water) were conducted. Samples were analyzed with attenuated total reflectance infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopy. Spectral features of molecular lattice inclusions in CL-20 films aged in an air/water environment were observed. The features occurred after β CL-20 polymorph transformation to α CL-20 and were accompanied by the appearance of lattice water peaks. To assist ATR-IR peak assignment, density functional theory studies were performed, and IR spectra of α CL-20 lattice inclusions of small molecules that were identified as degradation products of CL-20 were computed. Simulated spectra of NO2, HNCO, N2O, and CO2 incorporated into partially hydrated α CL-20 matched the experimental spectrum of β CL-20 thin films aged in air/water.

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