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41421 Publications

Quantitative nanoscale imaging using transmission He ion channelling contrast: Proof-of-concept and application to study isolated crystalline defects

Tabean, S.; Mousley, M.; Pauly, C.; de Castro, O.; Serralta Hurtado De Menezes, E.; Klingner, N.; Hlawacek, G.; Wirtz, T.; Eswara, S.

Quantitative nanoscale imaging using transmission He ion channelling contrast: Proof-of-concept and application to study isolated crystalline defects

Keywords: HIM; STIM; channeling

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32753
Publ.-Id: 32753


Heat transfer assessment of the COSMEA facility cooling side

Adili, T.; Panneer Selvam, K.; Leyer, S.; Moonesi Shabestary, A.

Reliable performance of passive safety systems – which function using natural physics laws such as density difference without external interventions during an accident- is an important issue with respect to nuclear power plant (NPP) safety. Investigation of thermal behavior and the operational stability of passive safety systems in Generation III and III+ nuclear reactors is the objective of the German project PANAS (PAssive Nachzerfallswärme-AbfuhrSysteme – Passive Residual Heat Removal System) funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). In this context, experiments are being performed in the high-pressure COSMEA test facility at HZDR (Helmholtz Zentrum Dresden Rossendorf) to assess the emergency condenser (EC) based on the KERENA boiling water reactor. The objective of the presented work is to complement previous efforts related to the primary side heat transfer coefficient with the focus on heat transfer assessment of the secondary side. The assessment of state-of-the-art heat transfer models has been presented, and it shows that they often fail to predict the heat transfer behavior of the secondary side in COSMEA test facility. Therefore, because of the system’s sensitive heat transfer behavior due to different factors such as mass flow rate, it is important to have an accurate determination of heat transfer performance in the system. In this regard, a 3D CFD simulation of the COSMEA secondary side by ANSYS CFX has been proposed to show the flow pattern, temperature gradient and heat transfer performance of the system. The COSMEA experiments serve as validation basis for the CFD simulation.

Keywords: Heat transfer model; COSMEA; ANSYS CFX

  • Contribution to proceedings
    The 19th International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Reactor Thermal Hydraulics (NURETH-19), 06.-11.03.2022, Brussels, Belgium

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32752
Publ.-Id: 32752


Aufbau einer Versuchsanlage mit superkritischen Kohlenstoffdioxid (sCO2) als Arbeitsmedium in Kraftkreisläufen

Unger, S.; Fogel, S.; Rath, S.; Gampe, U.; Hampel, U.

Der Großteil elektrischer Energieerzeugung erfolgt durch thermische Kraftkreisläufe, welche durch eine Wärmequelle versorgt werden. Hierbei werden zwei Typen kommerzieller Anlagen betrieben, der offene direkt befeuerte Brayton oder Joule-Kreislauf (bsp. Gasturbinenkreisläufe) und der geschlossene indirekt befeuerte Rankine-Kreislauf (Dampfkreislauf). Neben diesen konventionellen Kraftkreisläufen existiert seit einigen Jahren, basierend auf den Brayton-Kreislauf, ein innovatives Konzept mit superkritischen Kohlenstoffdioxid (sCO2) als Arbeitsmedium. Zahlreiche Studien haben gezeigt, dass sCO2 Kreisläufe das Potential haben, höhere Wirkungsgrade zu erreichen, einen niedrigeren Brennstoff- und Wasserverbrauch zu erzielen (Subbaraman et al., 2011; Kacludis et al., 2012; Shelton et al., 2016). SCO2 kombiniert den Vorteil der hohen Dichte von Flüssigkeiten und die niedrige Viskosität von Gasen, sodass geringere Komponentengrößen, kleinere Footprints der Gesamtanlage und damit niedrigere Kapitalkosten möglich sind.
Bei der Prozessführung wird zwischen dem offenen und dem geschlossenen sCO2 Brayton-Kreislauf unterschieden. Bei einem geschlossenen Kreislauf wird sCO2 nahe des kritischen Punktes (ca. 31 °C und 74 bar) verdichtet, in einem Rekuperator vorgewärmt, in einem Erhitzer durch die Wärmequelle aufgeheizt, in einer Expansionsturbine entspannt, durch den Rekuperator auf der Gegenseite geführt und anschließend bis nahe des kritischen Punktes zurückgekühlt, um den Kreislauf erneut zu beginnen. Dieser Prozess kann für unterschiedlichste Wärmequellen, wie fossile Kraftstoffe, Kernenergie, industrielle Abwärme, Geothermie oder Solarstrahlung eingesetzt werden. Der offene Kreislauf adressiert dagegen höhere Temperaturen und wird üblicherweise für eine Sauerstoffverbrennung untersucht. Dabei wird ein Sauerstoff-Methan-Gemisch bei hohen Druck und hoher Temperatur verbrannt. Das Rauchgas wird dann, vermischt mit großen Mengen sCO2, in einer Turbine entspannt. Das sCO2-Wasserdampf-Gemisch wird ebenfalls in einem Rekuperator genutzt, um anschließend Wasser sowie kleine Mengen CO2 mittels Kondensation sowie Abtrennung aus dem Kreislauf zu entfernen. Der verbleibende sCO2-Strom wird erneut dem Verbrennungsprozess zugeführt. Dieser offene Kreislauf ist besonders attraktiv, um Erdgas, synthetisch erzeugte Gase oder vergaste Kohle zu nutzen. Verglichen mit dem geschlossenen Kreislauf können hier noch höhere Wirkungsgrade und Leistungsdichten erreicht werden.
Um diese Kraftwerkskonzepte sowie die dafür notwendigen Komponenten auf einer experimentellen Basis untersuchen zu können, wurde das Projekt CARBOSOLA in Zusammenarbeit mit der TU Dresden, dem DLR und der Siemens Energy AG initiiert. Inhalt dieses Projektes ist unter anderem der Aufbau einer Versuchsanlage am HZDR, zur Untersuchung von sCO2 bei bis zu 650 °C, bei gleichzeitig 300 bar und einem Massenstrom bis zu 3,3 kg/s. Die damit verbundenen Herausforderungen und Lösungen werden erläutert.

Keywords: superkritischen Kohlenstoffdioxid; Energieumwandlung; hohe Wirkungsgrade; CARBOSOLA

  • Lecture (Conference)
    53. Kraftwerkstechnisches Kolloquium, 05.-06.10.2021, Dresden, Deutschland
  • Contribution to proceedings
    53. Kraftwerkstechnisches Kolloquium, 05.-06.10.2021, Dresden, Deutschland
    Proceedings des 53. Kraftwerkstechnisches Kolloquium

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32751
Publ.-Id: 32751


Inverting the Beamline

Steinbach, P.

In many domains of modern physics, we encounter the situation that generations of scientists have created high precision simulations of the effects under study. Today, these simulations have become essential to the scientific method. However, these
(often mechanistic) simulations of high predictive power carry with them a burden of inference. Once a forward process has been simulated, an inversion of a simulation given observed data from experiments is challenging, sometimes even impossible.

In this presentation, I'd like to provide an introduction to simulation based inference for inverting a beamline simulation at BESSY in Berlin. In this project, I studied the inversion of a beamline simulation using state-of-the-art machine learning. We will start our journey with normalizing flows, walk by conditional invertible neural networks and finish with Automatic Posterior Transformation for Likelihood-Free Inference. To stay with the metaphor: please bring your mathematical boots, wear a hat of Bayes Law and bring your best compass of statistics - otherwise you likely get lost in about a quarter of the presentation.

Keywords: beamline; simulation; normalizing flows; posterior; inverse problem; machine learning

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32750
Publ.-Id: 32750


Methods for the non-invasive analysis of the inventory status for containers during extended interim storage (DCS-Monitor II)

Wagner, M.; Kobelt, S.; Stephan, M.; Reinicke, S.; Hampel, U.

In the completed project DCS-MONITOR, feasibility studies for non-invasive monitoring of the container contents were carried out by the applicants using numerical and laboratory experimental tools. Radiation-based measurement techniques, thermography, acoustic spectroscopy and technical vibration analysis were investigated for their suitability. The previous analyses showed that the photon and neutron field around the vessel, muon imaging and passive acoustic spectroscopy are in principle suitable for monitoring the vessel inventory, but also differ in their informative value. For thermography, a lack of informative value was found for physical reasons. For active vibration diagnostics, technical hurdles and informative value were assessed negatively. With regard to passive acoustic spectroscopy, experts also dispute whether embrittled cladding tubes burst at all, with a corresponding sound emission in the container. On the basis of these results, the approaches of radiation field-based diagnostics with gamma radiation, neutrons and muons are investigated in more detail within the project DCS-MONITOR II in order to qualify them as an applicable monitoring procedure especially for CASTOR casks. For the first time, this includes studies on large scale geometries and containers.

  • Lecture (Conference) (Online presentation)
    5th Workshop on the Safety of the Extended Dry Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel, 09.-10.06.2021, Garching, Deutschland

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32749
Publ.-Id: 32749


Indikatoren für Open Science: Report des Helmholtz Open Science Forum

Ferguson, L. M.; Pampel, H.; Bertelmann, R.; Dirnagl, U.; Zohbi, J.; Kapitza, D.; Keup-Thiel, E.; Konrad, U.; Lorenz, S.; Mittermaier, B.; Rechid, D.; Schuck-Zöller, S.

Open Access, Open Research Data und Open Research Software: Diese Themen prägen die aktuellen Diskussionen zu Open Science in der Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft. Doch an welchen Indikatoren lässt sich der Kulturwandel hin zu Open Science festmachen? Und welche Anreize setzen Indikatoren für die Entwicklung von Open Access? Diesen und weiteren Fragen widmete sich das virtuelle Helmholtz Open Science Forum unter dem Motto „Indikatoren für Open Science“ am 20. Januar 2021. Im Zuge der Veranstaltung wurden anhand von Impuls- und Praxisvorträgen Indikatoren für Open Science vorgestellt, untersucht und mit einem breiten Publikum aus der Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft diskutiert. Dieser Report fasst die Vorträge und Diskussionen des Forums zusammen und bietet eine Basis für weitere Entwicklungen des Themenfeldes in der Gemeinschaft.

Keywords: Open Access; Softwareentwicklung; Software Development; Indikatoren; Indicators; Helmholtz Gemeinschaft; Open Science

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32748
Publ.-Id: 32748


Chirality Remote Control in Nanoporous Materials by Circularly Polarized Light

Kanj, A. B.; Bürck, J.; Vankova, N.; Li, C.; Mutruc, D.; Chandresh, A.; Hecht, S.; Heine, T.; Heinke, L.

The ability to dynamically control chirality remains a grand challenge in chemistry. Although many molecules possess chiral isomers, lacking their isolation, for instance during photoisomerization, results in racemic mixtures with suppressed enantiospecific chiral properties. Here, we present a nanoporous solid in which chirality and enantioselective enrichment is induced by circularly polarized light (CPL). The material is based on photoswitchable fluorinated azobenzenes attached to the scaffold of a crystalline metal–organic framework (MOF). The azobenzene undergoes trans-to-cis-photoisomerization upon irradiation with green light and reverts back to trans upon violet light. While each moiety in cis conformation is chiral, we show the trans isomer also possesses a nonplanar, chiral conformation. During photoisomerization with unpolarized light, no enantiomeric enrichment is observed and both isomers, R- and S-cis as well as R- and S-trans, respectively, are formed in identical quantities. In contrast, CPL causes chiral photoresolution, resulting in an optically active material. Right-CPL selectively excites R-cis and R-trans enantiomers, producing a MOF with enriched S-enantiomers, and vice versa. The induction of optical activity is reversible and only depends on the light-handedness. As shown by first-principle DFT calculations, while both, trans and cis, are stabilized in nonplanar, chiral conformations in the MOF, the trans isomer adopts a planar, achiral form in solution, as verified experimentally. This shows that the chiral photoresolution is enabled by the linker reticulation in the MOF. Our study demonstrates the induction of chirality and optical activity in solid materials by CPL and opens new opportunities for chiral resolution and information storage with CPL.

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32747
Publ.-Id: 32747


Hermes Project Poster

Druskat, S.; Schlauch, T.; Bertuch, O.; Juckeland, G.; Knodel, O.

The goal of this project is to support researchers in publishing their research software, in a way that makes it findable, comprehensible, citable and reusable. The key to this is the creation, curation and deposit of rich metadata with software publications. To this end, the project will conceptualize, produce and provide well-documented, adoption-ready workflows with automation interfaces and reference implementations for InvenioRDM and Dataverse.

Keywords: research software; FAIR; software publication; metadata; workflows

  • Open Access Logo Poster (Online presentation)
    Info event for the second project call of the Helmholtz Incubator Platform Helmholtz Metadata Collaboration (HMC), 15.06.2021, Berlin, Germany
  • Open Access Logo Poster (Online presentation)
    Helmholtz Metadata Collaboration | Conference 2022, 05.-06.10.2022, online, online
    DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7092347

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32746
Publ.-Id: 32746


Heliport Project Poster

Knodel, O.; Voigt, M.; Ufer, R.; Pape, D.; Lokamani, M.; Müller, S.; Gruber, T.; Juckeland, G.; Kaluza, M. C.; Hein, J.; Kessler, A.; Eckner, E.; Schuller, B.

The HELIPORT project aims at developing a platform which accommodates the complete life cycle of a scientific project and links all corresponding programs, systems and workflows to create a more FAIR and comprehensible project description.

Keywords: Data Management; Heliport; Metadata; Data provenance; FAIR

  • Open Access Logo Poster (Online presentation)
    Info event for the second project call of the Helmholtz Incubator Platform Helmholtz Metadata Collaboration (HMC), 15.06.2021, Berlin, Germany

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32745
Publ.-Id: 32745


Superradiant many-qubit absorption refrigerator

Kloc, M.; Meier, K.; Hadjikyriakos, K.; Schaller, G.

We show that the lower levels of a large-spin network with a collective anti-ferromagnetic interaction and collective couplings to three reservoirs may function as a quantum absorption refrigerator. In appropriate regimes, the steady-state cooling current of this refrigerator scales quadratically with the size of the working medium, i.e., the number of spins. The same scaling is observed for the noise and the entropy production rate.

Keywords: open quantum systems; collective interactions; quantum heat engine; quantum absorbtion refrigerator; Dicke superradiance

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32744
Publ.-Id: 32744


Non-equilibrium boundary driven quantum systems: models, methods and properties

Gabriel, T. L.; Dario, P.; Gernot, S.

Recent years have seen tremendous progress in the theoretical understanding of quantum systems driven dissipatively by coupling them to different baths at their edges. This was possible because of the concurrent advances in the models used to represent these systems, the methods employed, and the analysis of the emerging phenomenology. Here we aim to give a comprehensive review of these three integrated research directions. We first provide an overarching view of the models of boundary driven open quantum systems, both in the weak and strong coupling regimes. This is followed by a review of state-of-the-art analytical and numerical methods, both exact, perturbative and approximate. Finally, we discuss the transport properties of some paradigmatic one-dimensional chains, with an emphasis on disordered and quasiperiodic systems, the emergence of rectification and negative differential conductance, and the role of phase transitions.

Keywords: open quantum systems; quantum transport; phase transitions; local and global master equations; chain models

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32743
Publ.-Id: 32743


Validation of Serpent-SUBCHANFLOW-TRANSURANUS pin-by-pin burnup calculations using experimental data from the Temelín II VVER-1000 reactor

Garcia, M.; Vocka, R.; Tuominen, R.; Gommlich, A.; Leppanen, J.; Valtavirta, V.; Imke, U.; Ferraro, D.; van Uffelen, P.; Milisdorfer, L.; Sanchez-Espinoza, V.

This work deals with the validation of a high-fidelity multiphysics system coupling the Serpent 2 Monte Carlo neutron transport code with SUBCHANFLOW, a subchannel thermalhydraulics code, and TRANSURANUS, a fuel-performance analysis code. The results for a full-core pin-by-pin burnup calculation for the ninth operating cycle of the Temelín II VVER-1000 plant, which starts from a fresh core, are presented and assessed using experimental data. A good agreement is found comparing the critical boron concentration and a set of pin-level neutron flux profiles against measurements. In addition, the calculated axial and radial power distributions match closely the values reported by the core monitoring system. To demonstrate the modeling capabilities of the three-code coupling, pin-level neutronic, thermalhydraulic and thermomechanic results are shown as well. These studies are encompassed in the final phase of the EU Horizon 2020 McSAFE project, during which the Serpent-SUBCHANFLOW-TRANSURANUS system was developed. © 2021

Keywords: Fuel-performance analysis; High-fidelity multiphysics; Monte Carlo neutron transport; Pin-level burnup; Subchannel thermalhydraulics; VVER-1000

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32740
Publ.-Id: 32740


Morphology-Tunable Synthesis of Intrinsic Room-Temperature Ferromagnetic γ-Fe2O3 Nanoflakes

Jia, Z.; Wang, W.; Li, Z.; Sun, R.; Zhou, S.; Leonard Deepak, F.; Su, C.; Li, Y.; Wang, Z.

Intrinsic two-dimensional (2D) magnetic materials with room-temperature ferromagnetism and air stability are highly desirable for spintronic applications. However, the experimental observations of such 2D or ultrathin ferromagnetic materials are rarely reported owing to the scarcity of these materials in nature and for the intricacy in their synthesis. Here, we report a successful controllable growth of ultrathin γ-Fe2O3 nanoflakes with a variety of morphologies tunable by the growth temperature alone using a facile chemical vapor deposition method and demonstrate that all ultrathin nanoflakes still show intrinsic room-temperature ferromagnetism and a semiconducting nature. The γ-Fe2O3 nanoflakes epitaxially grown on α-Al2O3 substrates take a triangular shape at low temperature and develop gradually in lateral size, forming eventually a large-scale γ-Fe2O3 thin film as the growth time increases due to a thermodynamic control process. The morphology of the nanoflakes could be tuned from triangular to stellated, petaloid, and dendritic crystalloids in sequence with the rise of precursor temperature, revealing a growth process from thermodynamically to kinetically dominated control. Moreover, the petaloid and dendritic nanoflakes exhibit enhanced coercivity compared with the triangular and stellated nanoflakes, and all the nanoflakes with diverse shapes possess differing electrical conductivity. The findings of such ultrathin, air-stable, and room-temperature ferromagnetic γ-Fe2O3 nanoflakes with tunable shape and multifunctionality may offer guidance in synthesizing other non-layered magnetic materials for next-generation electronic and spintronic devices.

Keywords: γ-Fe2O3 nanoflakes; morphology tunable synthesis; room-temperature ferromagnetism; coercivity; resistivity

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32739
Publ.-Id: 32739


The response of the accumulator plants Noccaea caerulescens, Noccaea goesingense and Plantago major towards the uranium

Burger, A.; Weidinger, M.; Baumann, N.; Vesely, A.; Lichtscheidl, I.

Uranium (U) is a naturally occurring metal; its environmental levels can be increased due to processes in the nuclear industry and fertilizer production. The transfer of U in the food chain from plants is associated with deleterious chemical and radiation effects. To date, limited information is available about U toxicity on plant physiology. This study investigates the responses of metal-accumulating plants to different concentrations of U. The plants Noccaea caerulescens and Noccaea goesingense are known as metal hyperaccumulators and therefore could serve as candidates for the phytoremediation of radioactive hotspots; Plantago major is a widely used pharmaceutical plant that pioneers polluted grounds and therefore should not contain high concentrations of toxic elements. The experimental plants were grown hydroponically at U concentrations between 1 μM and 10 mM. The content of U and essential elements was analyzed in roots and leaves by ICP-MS. The amount of accumulated U was influenced by its concentration in the hydroponics. Roots contained most of the metal, whereas less was transported up to the leaves, with the exception of N. goesingense in a medium concentration of U. U also influenced the nutrient profile of the plants. We localized the U in plant tissues using EDX in the SEM. U was evenly distributed in roots and leaves of Noccaea species, with one exception in the roots of N. goesingense, where the central cylinder contained more U than the cortex. The toxicity of U was assessed by measuring growth and photosynthetic parameters. While root biomass of N. caerulescens was not affected by U, root biomass of N. goesingense decreased significantly at high U concentrations of 0.1 and 10 mM and root biomass of P. major decreased at 10 mM U. Dry weight of leaves was decreased at different U concentrations in the three plant species; a promotive effect was observed in N. caerulescens at lowest concentration offered. Chlorophyll a fluorescence was not affected or negatively affected by U in both Noccaea species, whereas in Plantago also positive effects were observed. Our results show that the impact of U on Plantago and Noccaea relates to its external concentration and to the plant species. When growing in contaminated areas, P. major should not be used for medicinal purpose. Noccaea species and P. major could immobilize U in their rhizosphere in hotspots contaminated by U, and they could extract limited amounts of U into their leaves.

Keywords: Accumulation; Chemotoxicity; Distribution; Localization; Uptake; Uranium

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32738
Publ.-Id: 32738


Influence of plants on speciation and mobility of U(VI) and Eu(III)

Jessat, J.; Moll, H.; John, W.; Steudtner, R.; Hübner, R.; Drobot, B.; Vogel, M.; Bok, F.; Stumpf, T.; Sachs, S.

For a safety assessment of repositories, possible accident scenarios must be considered. If radionuclides (RNs) are released from a repository into the groundwater, they can migrate and interact with the biosphere. In addition to microorganisms, higher organisms such as plants also play a role in this context. For this reason, it is necessary that a process understanding on RN plant interactions on the molecular level is elucidated by suitable biochemical and spectroscopic methods to improve biogeochemical models for a reliable modeling of the transfer behavior of RNs in the environment up to the food chain. Interaction with plant cells can lead to immobilization and speciation changes of the RNs. Uranium as the main component (by mass) of spent nuclear fuel rods is of interest for our investigations. Furthermore, we studied europium as a non-radioactive analogue for the trivalent actinides Am(III) and Cm(III), whereby the former in particular will dominate the radiotoxicity in a potential repository. We investigated the time and concentration-dependent immobilization of these two metals to the biomass of different plant cell cultures. Biochemical methods were accompanied by spectroscopic (time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy, TRLFS) and microscopic techniques for determination of speciation and localization of the metals within the plant cells, respectively. In addition, the combination of luminescence spectroscopy with microscopy in the form of chemical microscopy revealed for the first time the spatially resolved localization of different Eu(III) species in plant root tissues. We observed bioassociation (immobilization) of U(VI)/Eu(III), but in some cases also re-mobilization of U(VI), which temporally coincided with a change in the metal speciation in solution. Moreover, we successfully identified metabolites released by the plant cells that can complex with U(VI)/Eu(III) and influence their mobility and thus bioavailability in the environment. Our studies can help to integrate RN plant interactions in assessment strategies of nuclear waste repositories.

Keywords: plants; TRLFS; uranium; europium; speciation; immobilization

  • Lecture (Conference) (Online presentation)
    45th Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management Symposium, 25.-28.10.2021, Jülich, Germany

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32737
Publ.-Id: 32737


High-field spin-flop state in green dioptase

Prokhnenko, O.; Marmorini, G.; Nikitin, S. E.; Yamamoto, D.; Gazizulina, A.; Bartkowiak, M.; Ponomaryov, O.; Zvyagin, S.; Nojiri, H.; Diaz-Ortega, I. F.; Anovitz, L. M.; Kolesnikov, A. I.; Podlesnyak, A.

The high-field magnetic properties and magnetic order of the gem mineral green dioptase Cu6[Si6O18] · 6H2O have been studied by means of single-crystal neutron diffraction in magnetic fields up to 21 T and magnetization measurements up to 30 T. In zero field, the Cu2+ moments in the antiferromagnetic chains are oriented along the c axis with a small off-axis tilt. For a field applied parallel to the c axis, the magnetization shows a spin-flop-like transition at B = 12.2 T at 1.5 K. Neutron diffraction experiments show a smooth behavior in the intensities of the magnetic reflections without any change in the periodicity of the magnetic structure. Bulk and microscopic observations are well described by a model of ferromagnetically coupled antiferromagnetic XXZ spin- 1/2 chains, taking into account a change of the local easy-axis direction.We demonstrate that the magnetic structure evolves smoothly from a deformed Néel state at low fields to a deformed spin-flop state in a high field via a strong crossover around B. The results are generalized for different values of interchain coupling and spin anisotropy.

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32736
Publ.-Id: 32736


Joint project: Geochemical retention of radionuclides on cement alteration phases (GRaZ) - Subproject B

Schmeide, K.; Philipp, T.; Wolter, J.-M.; Kretzschmar, J.; Dullies, P.; Lippold, H.; Schymura, S.; Stumpf, T.

The report summarizes the results obtained by the Institute of Resource Ecology of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf within the BMWi-financed Joint Research Project “Geochemical retention of radionuclides on cement alteration phases (GRaZ)”. The project focused on the retention behavior of Ca-bentonite and cementitious material, both constituents of the geo-engineered barrier of deep geological repositories for high-level radioactive waste, towards radionuclides. Specifically, the influence of increased salinities and of hyperalkaline conditions on interaction processes in the system radionuclides – organics – clay/cementitious materials – aquifer was studied. For this purpose, complexation, sorption and desorption studies were performed at alkaline to hyperalkaline pH conditions (pH 8-13) and under variation of the ionic strength (0.1 to 4 M) applying complex solution compositions. For the U(VI) citrate system molecular structures dominating in the pH range 2-9 were studied spectroscopically (NMR, UV-Vis, FT-IR). As dominating species 2:2, 3:3, 3:2 and, above critical concentrations also 6:6 and 9:6 U(VI) citrate complexes were identified or confirmed and complex formation constants were determined. U(VI) sorption on Ca-bentonite at (hyper)alkaline conditions in mixed electrolyte solutions was studied by means of batch sorption experiments. The U(VI) retention on Ca-bentonite was shown to be very effective at pH>10, even in the presence of carbonate and despite the prevalence of anionic aqueous uranyl species. The presence of two independent U(VI) surface complexes on Ca-bentonite at pH 8-13 was shown by site-selective TRLFS and EXAFS spectroscopy. The sorption of anionic uranyl hydroxide complexes to the mineral surface was shown to be mediated by calcium cations. In further experiments, the effect of isosaccharinic acid (ISA) and polycarboxylate ether (PCE) on U(VI) and Eu(III) sorption, respectively, on Ca-bentonite was studied. An effect of ISA on U(VI) sorption on Ca-bentonite only occurs when ISA is present in very high excess to U(VI). The effect of PCE, as a commercial cement superplasticizer, on Eu(III) sorption onto Ca-bentonite was negligible already at moderate ionic strengths. The retention of U(VI) and Cm(III) by various C-(A-)S-H phases, representing different alteration stages of concrete, was studied by batch sorption experiments. Sorbed or incorporated actinide species were identified by TRLFS. The stability of U(VI) and Cm(III) doped C-(A-)S-H phases at high ionic strengths conditions was studied in solutions simulating the contact with North German claystone formation water. Potential changes of actinide speciation as well as formation of secondary phases due to leaching effects were followed spectroscopically. The results of this project show that both bentonite and cementitious material constitute an important retention barrier for actinides under hyperalkaline conditions and increased ionic strength.

Keywords: uranium; curium; europium; Ca-bentonite; site-selective TRLFS; EXAFS; speciation; C-S-H; cement; ionic strength; citric acid; complexation; NMR; surface complexation; TRLFS

Related publications

  • Open Access Logo Wissenschaftlich-Technische Berichte / Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf; HZDR-114 2021
    ISSN: 2191-8708, eISSN: 2191-8716

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32735
Publ.-Id: 32735


ALFERROCK Heat Storage Systems in the Chemical Process Industry

Hampel, U.; Unger, S.; Vishwakarma, V.; Bangalore Mohankumar, M.

Energy storage is a central element of future energy systems. In the process industry, the storage of heat is of particular importance. The talk discusses possible applications of high-temperature heat storage in thermal separation processes using the example of a new heat storage material produced from bauxite residues by the company Alferrock GmbH.

Keywords: heat storage; sensible heat storage; high-temperature heat storage; chemical industry; distillation

  • Invited lecture (Conferences) (Online presentation)
    72. BHT - Freiberger Universitätsforum, 09.-11.06.2021, Freiberg, Germany

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32734
Publ.-Id: 32734


Value of functional in-vivo endpoints in preclinical radiation research

Kummer, B.; Lock, S.; Gurtner, K.; Hermann, N.; Yaromina, A.; Eicheler, W.; Baumann, M.; Krause, M.; Jentsch, C.

Background: Cancer research faces the problem of high rates of clinical failure of new treatment approaches after positive preclinical data. We hypothesize that a major confounding factor to this problem in radiooncology is the choice of the preclinical endpoint. Methods: We present a comprehensive re-evaluation of large-scale preclinical in-vivo data on fractionated irradiation alone or simultaneously with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor inhibition. Taking the permanent local tumour control assay as a gold standard, we evaluated different tumour volume dependent endpoints that are widely used for preclinical experiments. Results: The analysis showed the highest correlations between volume related and local tumour control endpoints after irradiation alone. For combined treatments, wide inter-tumoural variations were observed with reduced correlation between the endpoints. Evaluation of growth delay per Gray (GD/Gy) based on two or more dose levels showed closest correlation with local tumour control dose 50% (TCD50). Conclusions: GD/Gy with at least two dose groups correlates with TCD50, but cannot replace the latter as the goldstandard.

Keywords: Combined modality therapy; EGFR; Irradiation; Neoplasms; Preclinical research; Xenografts

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32733
Publ.-Id: 32733


Sample-size calculation for preclinical dose–response experiments using heterogeneous tumour models

Ciecior, W.; Ebert, N.; Borgeaud, N.; Thames, H. D.; Baumann, M.; Krause, M.; Lock, S.

Background: In preclinical radio-oncological research, local tumour control is considered the most relevant endpoint as it reflects the inactivation of cancer stem cells. Preclinical tumour-control assays may compare dose–response curves between different radiotherapy strategies, e.g., assessing additional targeted drugs and immunotherapeutic interventions, or between different radiation modalities. To mimic the biological heterogeneity of human tumour populations and to accommodate for approaches of personalized oncology, preclinical studies are increasingly performed combining larger panels of tumour models. For designing the study protocols and to obtain reliable results, prospective sample-size planning has to be developed that accounts for such heterogeneous cohorts. Methods: A Monte-Carlo-based method was developed to estimate the sample size of a comparative 1:1 two-arm prospective tumour-control assay. Based on repeated logistic regression analysis, pre-defined dose levels, assumptions on the dose–response curves of the included tumour models and on the dose-modifying factors (DMF), the power is calculated for a given number of animals per dose group. Results: Two applications are presented: (i) For a simple tumour-control assay with the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) model FaDu, 10 animals would be required for each of 7 dose levels per arm to reveal a DMF of 1.25 with a power of 0.82 without drop out (total: 140 animals). (ii) In a more complex experiment combining six different lung tumour models to a heterogeneous population, 21 animals would be required for each of 11 dose levels per arm to reveal a DMF of 1.25 with a power of 0.81 without drop out (total: 462 animals). Analyzing the heterogeneous cohort reduces the required animal number by more than 50% compared to six individual tumour-control assays. Conclusion: An approach for estimating the required animal number for comparative tumour-control assays in a heterogeneous population is presented, allowing also the inclusion of different treatments as a personalized approach in the experimental arm. The software is publicly available and can be applied to plan comparisons of sigmoidal dose–response curves based on logistic regression.

Keywords: Dose-modifying factor; Dose-response curves; Pre-clinical research; Sample size; Tumour models; Tumour-control assay

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32732
Publ.-Id: 32732


Solution synthesis and dielectric properties of alumina thin films: understanding the role of the organic additive in film formation

Hoffmann, R. C.; Liedke, M. O.; Butterling, M.; Wagner, A.; Trouilletc, V.; Schneider, J. J.

Alumina thin films are synthesized by combustion synthesis of mixtures of aluminium nitrate (ALN) and methylcarbazate (MCZ). The interdependence of the ratio of oxidizer and reducing agent on composition, microstructure and electronic properties of the resulting oxide layers is investigated. The dielectric and insulating behaviour is improved by addition of different amounts of MCZ (MCZ : ALN = 0.67 or 2.5). In this way films (thickness ∼140 nm) with a dielectric constant κ of 9.7 and a dielectric loss tan δ below 0.015 can be achieved. Medium concentrations of MCZ (MCZ : ALN = 1.0 or 1.5) lead to films with lower performance, though. Our studies indicate two opposing effects of the organic additive. Removal of organic residues during film formation as combustion gases is potentially detrimental. Larger amounts of MCZ, however, cause condensation reactions in the precusor mixture, which improve the microstructure. The porosity of the films can be sucessfully analyzed by positron annihilation liftetime studies. In this way the impact of the organic ligand sphere on the resulting microstructure can be quantified. Samples prepared from ALN alone exhibit mesopores and also larger micropores. In contrast, the formation of mesopores can be inhibited by addition of MCZ.

Keywords: alumina; thin films; Al2O3; positron annihilation spectroscopy; combustion synthesis; dielectrics; insulator

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32731
Publ.-Id: 32731


Exceptional field dependence of antiferromagnetic magnons in LiFePO4

Werner, J.; Neef, C.; Koo, C.; Ponomaryov, O.; Zvyagin, S.; Klingeler, R.

Low-energy magnon excitations in magnetoelectric LiFePO4 have been investigated by high-frequency–highfield electron spin resonance spectroscopy inmagnetic fields up to B = 58 T and frequencies up to f = 745 GHz. For magnetic fields applied along the easy magnetic axis, the excitation gap softens and vanishes at the spin-flop field of BSF = 32 T before hardening again at higher fields. In addition, for B ≲ BSF we observe a resonance mode assigned to excitations due to Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya (DM) interactions, thereby evidencing a sizable DM interaction of ≈150 μeV in LiFePO4. Both the magnetization and the excitations up to high magnetic fields are described in terms of a mean-field theory model which extends recent zero-field inelastic neutron scattering results. Our results imply that magnetic interactions as well as magnetic anisotropy have a sizable quadratic field dependence which we attribute to significant magnetostriction.

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32730
Publ.-Id: 32730


Magnetohydrodynamic effects in liquid metal batteries

Weber, N.; Benard, S.; Horstmann, G. M.; Klopper, T. S.; Landgraf, S.; Nimtz, M.; Personnettaz, P.; Stefani, F.; Weier, T.

Liquid metal batteries (LMBs) are a new technology for grid-scale energy storage. They consist of all liquid cells that operate
with liquid metals as electrodes and molten salts as electrolytes. The
liquids separate into three stably stratified layers by virtue of
density and mutual immiscibility (see the two upper left inserts in
Fig.~\ref{fig}a). This conceptually very simple and self-assembling
structure has the unique advantage to allow for an easy scale-up at
the cell level: single-cell cross sections can potentially reach
several square-meters. Such cell sizes enable highly favourable and
otherwise unattainable ratios of active to construction material
because of the cubic scaling (volume) of the former and the quadratic
scaling (surface) of the latter.

The talk will start with a general introduction to LMBs and then focus
on the fluid mechanics in these devices. Electric currents, magnetic fields, and heat
and mass transfer are tightly coupled with the cells'
electrochemistry. First a number of fluid dynamic instabilities will
be discussed in relation to operational safety. The remainder of the
talk will deal with transport phenomena in the positive
electrode. While transport in most modern battery systems is typically
dominated by diffusion and migration in micrometer-scale liquid layers
and solids, convection - with exception of the aforementioned
redox-flow batteries - rarely plays a role. This is in stark contrast
to LMBs were mediated by the fully liquid interior fluid flow can be
driven by various mechanisms. The influence of solutal convection on
the cycling behavior of a cell will be
demonstrated. Electromagnetically induced convection can be used to
improve mixing thereby mitigating diffusion
overpotentials.

Keywords: Liquid metal batteries; wave coupling; mass transport; energy storage; Magnetohydrodynamics

  • Open Access Logo Invited lecture (Conferences) (Online presentation)
    Electromagnetic processing of materials 2021 - Summer course, 09.-11.06.2021, Riga, Lettland

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32729
Publ.-Id: 32729


Ultrasound measurement technique for the single-turn-coil magnets

Nomura, T.; Hauspurg, A.; Gorbunov, D.; Miyata, A.; Schulze, E.; Zvyagin, S.; Tsurkan, V.; Matsuda, Y. H.; Kohama, Y.; Zherlitsyn, S.

Ultrasound is a powerful means to study numerous phenomena of condensed-matter physics as acoustic waves couple strongly to structural, magnetic, orbital, and charge degrees of freedom. In this paper, we present such a technique combined with single-turn coils (STCs) that generate magnetic fields beyond 100 T with the typical pulse duration of 6 μs. As a benchmark of this technique, the ultrasound results for MnCr2S4, Cu6[Si6O18]⋅6H2O, and liquid oxygen are shown. The resolution for the relative sound-velocity change in the STC is estimated as Δv/v ∼ 10−3, which is sufficient to study various field-induced phase transitions and critical phenomena.

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32728
Publ.-Id: 32728


Raw data, magnetization measurements for paper Room temperature ferromagnetism in Sb doped ZnO

Xu, C.; Zhou, S.

Raw data, magnetization measurements for samples involved in paper Room temperature ferromagnetism in Sb doped ZnO

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32727
Publ.-Id: 32727


Room temperature ferromagnetism in Sb doped ZnO

Luo, C.-Q.; Zhu, S.-C.; Xu, C.; Zhou, S.; Lame, C.-H.; Ling, F. C.-C.

Using first-principle calculations, the magnetic properties of the monovacancies and the Sb-related defects including VZn, VO, SbZn, SbO, SbZn-VZn and SbZn-2VZn are studied. It is found that the isolated VZn with the charge state of 0 and −1 can contribute to ferromagnetism in ZnO material. The substitution of Sb on O sites (SbO0) also results in magnetic property. Moreover, the SbZn-2VZn complex is another defect having non-zero magnetic moment and energetically favors for the ferromagnetic state. The resultant density of states (DOS) and spin density distribution clearly show that the ferromagnetic interaction is majorly due to the O-p Zn-d and Sb-p states. To check this calculation, Sb-doped ZnO samples were grown by pulsed laser deposition with different Sb composition under P(O2) = 1.3 Pa. SQUID study showed that all of these samples are ferromagnetic at room temperature. The variation of the saturation magnetization against the Sb composition is discussed.

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32726
Publ.-Id: 32726


Real time flow control during continuous casting with Contactless Inductive Flow Tomography

Glavinic, I.; Stefani, F.; Eckert, S.; Wondrak, T.

Lack of appropriate flow measurement techniques for liquid steel during continuous casting limits the application of control strategies that could improve the quality of the end product. Contactless Inductive Flow Tomography (CIFT) is a promising measurement technique that can provide information about the flow structure in the mould to a real time controller. On this basis, electromagnetic actuators can be used to react on undesired flow conditions in the mould. However, because of their nature, these actuators pose a significant challenge for inductive measurement methods. In this work we describe the influence of an electromagnetic brake on CIFT in a laboratory environment. We also show how this influence can be fully compensated, which facilitates the viability of CIFT as a key ingredient of real time control of continuous casting.

Keywords: Contactless inductive flow tomography; Continuous casting; Electromagnetic brake

  • Open Access Logo Contribution to proceedings
    Electromagnetic processing of materials 2021, 13.-17.06.2021, Riga, Latvia
  • Lecture (Conference) (Online presentation)
    Electromagnetic processing of materials 2021, 16.06.2021, Riga, Latvia
  • Magnetohydrodynamics 58(2022)1-2, 157-165
    DOI: 10.22364/mhd.58.1-2.17

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32723
Publ.-Id: 32723


Final Results of the Prospective Biomarker Trial PETra: [11C]-MET-Accumulation in Postoperative PET/MRI Predicts Outcome after Radiochemotherapy in Glioblastoma

Seidlitz, A.; Beuthien-Baumann, B.; Löck, S.; Jentsch, C.; Platzek, I.; Zöphel, K.; Linge, A.; Kotzerke, J.; Petr, J.; van den Hoff, J.; Steinbach, J.; Krex, D.; Schmitz-Schackert, G.; Falk, M.; Baumann, M.; Krause, M.

Purpose: This prospective trial investigates the association of time to recurrence (TTR) in glioblastoma with [11C]methionine (MET) tracer uptake before postoperative radiochemotherapy (RCT) aiming to guide radiotherapy boost regions.

Experimental Design: Between 2013 and 2016, 102 patients with glioblastoma were recruited. RCT was performed with concurrent and adjuvant temozolomide to a total dose of 60 Gy. Tumor residues in postresection PET and MRI were together defined as gross tumor volumes for radiotherapy treatment planning. [11C]methionine (MET)-PET/MRI was performed before RCT and at each follow-up.

Results: The primary hypothesis of a longer TTR for patients without increased tracer accumulation in postoperative MET-PET was confirmed in 89 patients. With 18.9 months (95% confidence interval, 9.3–28.5 months), median TTR was significantly (P < 0.001) longer for patients without (n = 29, 32.6%) as compared with 6.3 months (3.6–8.9) for patients with MET accumulation (n = 60, 67.4%) in pre-RCT PET. Although MRI often did not detect all PET-positive regions, an unfavorable impact of residual tumor in postsurgical MRI (n = 38, 42.7%) on TTR was observed [4.6 (4.2–5.1) vs. 15.5 months (6.0–24.9), P < 0.001]. Significant multivariable predictors for TTR were MRI positivity, PET-positive volume, and O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) hypermethylation.

Conclusions: Postsurgical amino acid PET has prognostic value for TTR after RCT in glioblastoma. Because of the added value of the metabolic beyond the pure structural information, it should complement MRI in radiotherapy planning if available with reasonable effort, at least in the context of maximal therapy. Furthermore, the spatial correlation of regions of recurrence with PET-positive volumes could provide a bioimaging basis for further trials, for example, testing local radiation dose escalation.

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32718
Publ.-Id: 32718


Exploring Data Version Control for machine learning pipelines in research

Sultova, N.

Exploration of Data Version Control as framework for managing machine learning workflows for HelmholtzAI.
The content consists of blogposts and additional code to follow along the tutorials-part.

Keywords: machine learning version control pipelines

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32717
Publ.-Id: 32717


Origin of the quasi-quantized Hall effect in ZrTe5

Galeski, S.; Ehmcke, T.; Wawrzyńczak, R.; Lozano, P. M.; Cho, K.; Sharma, A.; Das, S.; Küster, F.; Sessi, P.; Brando, M.; Küchler, R.; Markou, A.; König, M.; Swekis, P.; Felser, C.; Sassa, Y.; Li, Q.; Gu, G.; Zimmermann, M. V.; Ivashko, O.; Gorbunov, D.; Zherlitsyn, S.; Förster, T.; Parkin, S. S. P.; Wosnitza, J.; Meng, T.; Gooth, J.

The quantum Hall effect (QHE) is traditionally considered to be a purely two-dimensional (2D) phenomenon. Recently, however, a three-dimensional (3D) version of the QHE was reported in the Dirac semimetal ZrTe5. It was proposed to arise from a magnetic-field-driven Fermi surface instability, transforming the original 3D electron system into a stack of 2D sheets. Here, we report thermodynamic, spectroscopic, thermoelectric and charge transport measurements on such ZrTe5 samples. The measured properties: magnetization, ultrasound propagation, scanning tunneling spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy, show no signatures of a Fermi surface instability, consistent with in-field single crystal X-ray diffraction. Instead, a direct comparison of the experimental data with linear response calculations based on an effective 3D Dirac Hamiltonian suggests that the quasi-quantization of the observed Hall response emerges from the interplay of the intrinsic properties of the ZrTe5 electronic structure and its Dirac-type semi-metallic character.

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32716
Publ.-Id: 32716


Topological magnetic order and superconductivity in EuRbFe4As4

Hemmida, M.; Winterhalter-Stocker, N.; Ehlers, D.; Krug Von Nidda, H.-A.; Yao, M.; Bannies, J.; Rienks, E. D. L.; Kurleto, R.; Felser, C.; Büchner, B.; Fink, J.; Gorol, S.; Förster, T.; Arsenijevic, S.; Fritsch, V.; Gegenwart, P.

We study single crystals of the magnetic superconductor EuRbFe4As4 by magnetization, electron spin resonance (ESR), angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, and electrical resistance in pulsed magnetic fields up to 63 T. The superconducting state below 36.5 K is almost isotropic and is only weakly affected by the development of Eu2+ magnetic order at 15 K. On the other hand, for the external magnetic field applied along the c axis the temperature dependence of the ESR linewidth reveals a Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless topological transition below 15 K. This indicates that Eu2+ planes are a good realization of a two-dimensional XY magnet, which reflects the decoupling of the Eu2+ magnetic moments from superconducting FeAs layers.

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32715
Publ.-Id: 32715


Decarbonizing Copper Production by Power-to-Hydrogen: A Techno-Economic Analysis

Reuter, M. A.; Röben, F. T. C.; Schöne, N.; Bau, U.; Dahmen, M.; Bardow, A.

Electrifying energy-intensive processes is currently intensively explored to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
through renewable electricity. Electrification is particularly challenging if fossil resources are not
only used for energy supply but also as feedstock. Copper production is such an energy-intensive process
consuming large quantities of fossil fuels both as reducing agent and as energy supply.
Here, we explore the techno-economic potential of Power-to-Hydrogen to decarbonize copper production.
To determine the minimal cost of an on-site retrofit with Power-to-Hydrogen technology, we formulate and
solve a mixed-integer linear program for the integrated system. Under current techno-economic parameters
for Germany, the resulting direct CO2 abatement cost is 201EUR/tCO2-eq for Power-to-Hydrogen
in copper production. On-site utilization of the electrolysis by-product oxygen has a substantial economic
benefit. While the abatement cost vastly exceeds current European emission certificate prices, a sensitivity
analysis shows that projected future developments in Power-to-Hydrogen technologies can greatly reduce
the direct CO2 abatement cost to 54EUR/tCO2-eq. An analysis of the total GHG emissions shows that
decarbonization through Power-to-Hydrogen reduces the global GHG emissions only if the emission factor
of the electricity supply lies below 160 gCO2-eq/kWhel.
The results suggest that decarbonization of copper production by Power-to-Hydrogen could become
economically and environmentally beneficial over the next decades due to cheaper and more efficient Powerto-
Hydrogen technology, rising GHG emission certificate prices, and further decarbonization of the electricity
supply.

Keywords: Decarbonization; Power-to-Hydrogen; Copper production; Greenhouse gas emissions (GHG)

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32714
Publ.-Id: 32714


An In Situ Activity Assay for Lysyl Oxidases

Wang, H.; Poe, A.; Pak, L.; Jandu, S.; Nandakumar, K.; Steppan, J.; Löser, R.; Santhanam, L.

The lysyl oxidase family of enzymes (LOXs) catalyze oxidative deamination of lysine side chains on collagen and elastin to initialize cross-linking that is essential for the formation of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Elevated expression of LOXs is highly associated with diverse disease processes. To date, the inability to detect total LOX catalytic function in situ has limited the ability to fully elucidate the role of LOXs in pathobiological mechanisms. Using LOXL2 as a representative member of the LOX family, we developed an in situ activity assay by utilizing the strong reaction between hydrazide and aldehyde to label the LOX-catalyzed allysine (-CHO) residues with biotin-hydrazide. The biotinylated ECM proteins are then labeled via biotin-streptavidin interaction and detected by fluorescence microscopy. This assay detects the total LOX activity in situ for both overexpressed and endogenous LOXs in cells and tissue samples and can be used for studies of LOXs as therapeutic targets.

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32713
Publ.-Id: 32713


Role of TRPC6 in Kidney Damage after Acute Ischemic Kidney Injury

Zheng, Z.; Tsvetkov, D.; Bartolomaeus, T.; Erdogan, C.; Krügel, U.; Schleifenbaum, J.; Schaefer, M.; Nürnberg, B.; Chai, X.; Ludwig, F.-A.; Ndiaye, G.; Köhler, M.-B.; Wu, K.; Gollasch, M.; Markó, L.

Transient receptor potential channel subfamily C, member 6 (TRPC6), a non-selective cation channel
that controls influx of Ca2+
and other monovalent cations into cells, is widely expressed in the kidney.
TRPC6 gene variations have been linked to chronic kidney disease but its role in acute kidney injury
(AKI) is unknown. Here we aimed to investigate the putative role of TRPC6 channels in AKI. We used
Trpc6−/− mice and pharmacological blockade (SH045 and BI-749327), to evaluate short-term AKI
outcomes. Here, we demonstrate that neither Trpc6 deficiency nor pharmacological inhibition of
TRPC6 influences the short-term outcomes of AKI. Serum markers, renal expression of epithelial
damage markers, tubular injury, and renal inflammatory response assessed by the histological
analysis were similar in wild-type mice compared to Trpc6−/− mice as well as in vehicle-treated versus
SH045- or BI-749327-treated mice. In addition, we also found no effect of TRPC6 modulation on renal
arterial myogenic tone by using blockers to perfuse isolated kidneys. Therefore, we conclude that
TRPC6 does not play a role in the acute phase of AKI. Our results may have clinical implications for
safety and health of humans with TRPC6 gene variations, with respect to mutated TRPC6 channels in
the response of the kidney to acute ischemic stimuli.

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32712
Publ.-Id: 32712


Automated objective optimization of iterative image reconstruction protocols

Nikulin, P.; Maus, J.; Hofheinz, F.; van den Hoff, J.

Goal
The image quality achieved in iterative PET image reconstruction is influenced by several internal and user-settable parameters (number of iterations and subsets, PSF model, etc.). Typically, there are more than 3 user-settable parameters involved, interacting in a non-intuitive way. Reasonable settings typically are obtained interactively by try-and-error which is highly subjective. This proof-of-concept work proposes a method for automated reconstruction parameters optimization for a given, preselected image quality metric.

Methods
In out approach, we reconstruct images of cylindrical phantom with six "hot" sphere inserts simulating lesions of different sizes and target-to-background activity concentration ratios (20:1, 10:1, 5:1). 4 parameters of our in-house reconstruction tool THOR [1] were varied during optimization: no. of iterations and subsets, tube of response (ToR) radius, Gaussian post filter FWHM. As image quality metric we chose the weighted sum of standard deviation of contrast recovery coefficients of all 6 inserts (as a surrogate for image resolution), the image noise, and Gibbs artifacts. This metric is minimized with Bayesian optimization method using Gaussian process as a surrogate function. The reconstruction parameters resulting in the minimum metric value were chosen.

Results
The optimization process lasted for 50 iterations. The resulting reconstruction parameters were: no. of iterations/subsets=2/21, ToR radius=2.95mm, Gaussian filter FWHM=4.0mm. The resulting images show [4.7-5.8]mm resolution and 14% noise level. Gibbs artifacts level was found to be below 3.5%.

Conclusion
Our framework for reconstruction protocol optimization is capable of deriving reasonable reconstruction parameters in a fully automated manner. The presented approach might also be used to improve and objectify the comparison of different image reconstruction algorithms.

Literature

[1] A. Lougovski, et al., Physics in Medicine and Biology, vol.59(3), p.561, 2014

Keywords: PET; Iterative image reconstruction; THOR; MLEM; Bayesian optimization

  • Lecture (Conference) (Online presentation)
    NuklearMedizin 2021 – hybrid, 14.-17.04.2021, Online, Online
  • Contribution to proceedings
    NuklearMedizin 2021 – hybrid, 14.-17.04.2021, Online, Online
    Nuklearmedizin 2021; 60(02): 151, eRef: Thieme Publishing Group
    DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1726740

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32711
Publ.-Id: 32711


Contributing to OpenFOAM Foundation Release - An effective code development strategy

Schlegel, F.; Peltola, J.

Open source has changed the world of software development significantly over the last decades. There are many prominent examples where open source software is successfully developed and widely applied, e.g., the Linux kernel, the office suite LibreOffice or the famous Python language. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is a highly specialised field and the software is characterized by a vast complexity of the underlying physics and equations. Seldom there is the “one” correct way for obtaining a solution for a given numerical problem. In this agile environment OpenFOAM established itself as the leading open source software package for numerical simulations in engineering applications, like nuclear safety research. Today it owns a significant share of the market and the OpenFOAM community is growing constantly.

There are many arguments for adopting open source software for numerical simulations. To qualify a CFD software for usage in a design process of nuclear power plants or critical infrastructure as well as safety analysis, the full access to the source code is an important prerequisite to guarantee transparency and reliability, e.g. to check the truthful implementation of methods and models, to have information about potential correction terms, to track the history of changes, to guarantee a long-term availability and independence from commercial interests of software manufacturers. For research in particular, transparency and reproducibility of results according to the FAIR principles is a fundamental requirement for good scientific work. Using open source software is a key prerequisite to fulfill these criteria. However, FAIR research requires more, because the modifications done by researchers have to be available to the research community in a referencable way. Furthermore, these references and repositories require maintenance and have to be further developed as knowledge evolves to have full transparency and reproducibility. Another benefit is the active community that usually develops around open source software and the availability of a common code base, which helps to enhance joint developments and the exchange of knowledge. Most importantly, open source software can be developed through a process of quick-turnaround releases incorporating lots of user feedback, at a scale that matches the complexity of what is being developed.

For a sustainable development of a complex piece of open source software, criteria like robustness, functionality, usability, extensibility and accessibility are very important as well as a significant number of users. For instance, users rely on the availability of the software package for various platforms, the usability of the solvers and utilities, as well as someone doing basic maintenance. OpenFOAM is designed as a library with multiple solvers, utilities and model libraries. This structure allows an enormous amount of applications, because all features can be combined in different ways, depending on the physical problem that should be analyzed. This flexibility has high demands on the robustness of the implementation and the underlying algorithms. Furthermore, extensibility has to be a main software design aspect (APIs, library structure) when adding new features or functionality, which is particular complicated for CFD software as there is typically more than one way to solve a problem and various, sometimes not compatible theories. All of these points mentioned above require a continuous maintenance and redesign of the OpenFOAM core.

Such a well maintained open source software package is the basis for the community to develop new technologies and own extensions for OpenFOAM. Unfortunately, for ease of development many users fork a stable OpenFOAM version for their implementations and features. The problem of such a fork is that it is rarely synchronized with the main development line of OpenFOAM. As a result bugs can remain unrecognized and unfixed, new features and functionality will be not available or have to be backported with big effort and sharing the code with others becomes problematic at some point. Clearly, for research the FAIR principles are hard to fulfill with such a fork. Hence, contributing features and functionality to the release would be desirable. As already pointed out OpenFOAM has an enormous field of applications, a lot of – maybe conflicting – interests of users, it is integrated into large design workflows and if it is used for safety analysis or in a certification process, all changes have to be well analyzed for side effects and documented. This incomplete list of requirements clearly illustrates that contributions have to fulfill a very high standard concerning software design, robustness, code style and maintainability.

Investing resources in contributions and discussions with core maintainers has another important aspect. One of the main benefits of open source software is that the community grows day by day and develops new fields of application, often into directions that were not foreseen when software got released. The intensive discussions during a contribution helps do broaden the understanding of new developments and technologies and their implications on the source code on both sides, contributors and core maintainers. It also allows to develop generalized, maintainable interfaces for potentially conflicting theories, such that users can pick up the new developments and develop their own ideas or apply them to new, unforeseen fields of application. For sure such discussions are non-trivial, time consuming and require willingness to compromise, but they are necessary to develop OpenFOAM in a sustainable and maintainable way.

VTT Finland and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf have become active contributors to the OpenFOAM Foundation release over the last years, which is a challenge and requires a long term commitment. The population balance framework contributed by Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf and VTT Finland in end of 2017 will serve as an example how an effective contribution can look like and what benefits arise from such a contribution. Based on these experiences HZDR develops an extension for multiphase flows and – as presented in another contribution – coordinates the activities of the German nuclear society to develop an extension for numerical simulations in the reactor cooling system. For both extensions a close collaboration and a short way communication with the OpenFOAM Foundation and CFD Direct is established to influence the development of important interfaces, critical infrastructure and functionality done by the OpenFOAM core maintainers. This allows an effective, maintainable and sustainable development of HZDR’s extensions and an efficient development of new technologies in the field of CFD. Furthermore, due to the presence of other contributors, like the Process Engineering Consortium or VTT Finland, new functionality relevant for nuclear applications was developed for OpenFOAM in the last years without direct funding by HZDR. Prominent examples are energy conservation with realistic material properties, species diffusion modelling, tabulated material properties, dynamic mesh support in multiphaseEulerFoam or the revised film modelling interface. For sustainable development of
a complex piece of open source software, criteria like robustness, functionality, usability, extensibility and accessibility are very important as well as a significant number of users.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This work is carried out in the frame of a current research project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, project number 1501604.

  • Lecture (Conference) (Online presentation)
    IAEA Technical Meeting on the Development and Application of Open-Source Modelling and Simulation Tools for Nuclear Reactors, 20.-24.06.2022, Mailand, Italien

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32710
Publ.-Id: 32710


Simultaneous Ligand and Cation Exchange of Colloidal CdSe Nanoplatelets toward PbSe Nanoplatelets for Application in Photodetectors

Galle, T.; Spittel, D.; Weiß, N.; Shamraienko, V.; Decker, H.; Georgi, M.; Hübner, R.; Metzkow, N.; Steinbach, C.; Schwarz, D.; Lesnyak, V.; Eychmüller, A.

Cation exchange emerged as a versatile tool to obtain a variety of nanocrystals not yet available via a direct synthesis. Reduced reaction times and moderate temperatures make the method compatible with anisotropic nanoplatelets (NPLs). However, the subtle thermodynamic and kinetic factors governing the exchange require careful control over the reaction parameters to prevent unwanted restructuring. Here, we capitalize on the research success of CdSe NPLs by transforming them into PbSe NPLs suitable for optoelectronic applications. In a two-phase mixture of hexane/Nmethylformamide, the oleate-capped CdSe NPLs simultaneously undergo a ligand exchange to NH4I and a cation exchange reaction to PbSe. Their morphology and crystal structure are well-preserved as evidenced by electron microscopy and powder X-ray diffraction. We demonstrate the successful ligand exchange and associated electronic coupling of individual NPLs by fabricating a simple photodetector via spray-coating on a commercial substrate. Its optoelectronic characterization reveals a fast light response at low operational voltages.

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32705
Publ.-Id: 32705


Development and maintenance of OpenFOAM_RCS for German nuclear safety research related to the reactor cooling system

Lehnigk, R.; Schlegel, F.; Lucas, D.

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is becoming an increasingly important tool for reactor safety research. Since many years, research groups in Germany and worldwide actively work on qualifying CFD methods, e.g. for the simulation of accident scenarios in the primary circuit that involve complex multiphase flow phenomena. In order to ensure a long-term availability of model developments and validation setups, German research projects funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) used to be geared towards using a common reference code. Until the more recent past, the software of choice has been the proprietary code CFX, acquired by ANSYS, Inc. in 2003. However, recent company policy has led to a reduction of development efforts directed to CFX, particularly with respect to its multiphase capabilities, showing that the dependence of research projects on commercial software can be unsustainable.
In the meantime, open-source solutions have developed into an attractive alternative. A CFD simulation platform that is widely used in academia and industry is OpenFOAM, a free software package released under the GNU General Public License by the OpenFOAM Foundation (https://openfoam.org), maintained by a team of dedicated contributors. OpenFOAM constitutes a software library rather than a large monolithic solver and elements of it are combined into applications, each designed for a specific task. Users interact with the software through the command line; a graphical user interface is not distributed by the OpenFOAM Foundation and graphical post-processing needs to be done via third party tools.
Open-source implies full availability of the source code which generates several advantages, including, but not limited to, unobstructed verification, flexibility of implementing innovative concepts and no direct dependence on software manufacturers. Although the code itself is free, use of open-source software in general and OpenFOAM in particular can generate cost in other ways. Performing complex simulations is usually more demanding than with commercial codes and requires extensive knowledge about numerical methods. In order to extend the code, sufficient programming experience is needed and additional implementations must be continuously maintained to comply with changes of the programming and user interfaces, which are sometime inevitable in order to keep the core code maintainable and extensible. In the scope of nuclear reactor safety research, the associated effort is considerable and careful coordination is required in order to avoid duplicate efforts of partners and continuous availability of related research software developments.

In 2017, it was determined that for future BMWi-funded projects, CFD model developments should preferably be carried out using OpenFOAM. Since 2020, the BMWi is funding the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden – Rossendorf (HZDR) to coordinate, gather and deploy current and future OpenFOAM developments from German research projects related to the reactor cooling system. In the past years, HZDR has gained experience with the development process of OpenFOAM by frequently contributing code for inclusion in the official development line. In order to preserve German OpenFOAM developments from nuclear research activities that are not intended for contribution, HZDR has created an OpenFOAM addon called OpenFOAM_RCS, wherein RCS stands for reactor cooling system. The addon is developed and maintained with the software development environment GitLab, using an instance provided by the Helmholtz Federated IT Services. Based on the version control management system Git, GitLab provides the required tools for managing the process of continuous integration and development (CI/CD). Through the use of CI/CD-pipelines, code from partners that is intended for inclusion can be tested with respect to style aspects and, more importantly, whether it impedes previous developments. Build tests help to ensure that the code can be compiled at all times and unit tests allow to continuously verify added functionality. Finally, simulation setups from partners are archived in a separate repository and automatically tested as well to make sure that they keep functioning and deliver the expected results.
OpenFOAM_RCS includes a Doxygen-generated source code documentation. Members can effectively communicate about developments through the Mattermost chat service. The addon is deployed in precompiled form as a Docker image that includes all dependencies. Next to the option of compiling the source code themselves, partners can use it to conveniently run OpenFOAM_RCS on any operating system in a containerized form.

  • Poster (Online presentation)
    Technical Meeting on the Development and Application of Open-Source Modelling and Simulation Tools for Nuclear Reactors, 20.-24.06.2022, Milano, Italia

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32702
Publ.-Id: 32702


Magnetite surfaces for radionuclide retention using DFT+U

Katheras, A.; Karalis, K.; Krack, M.; Scheinost, A.; Churakov, S. V.

In many countries, spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste from operation of nuclear power plants will be stored in deep geological repositories. Thick steel casks are used to prevent the release of radionuclides into the environment. Steel is known to slowly corrode under repository conditions forming mixed iron oxides e.g. magnetite (Fe3O4). It is expected that after a long corrosion period of several ten thousand years, the steel casks may breach and long-lived radionuclides (e.g. plutonium (Pu), technetium (Tc)) may get in contact with the steel oxidation products. Such interaction can result in the formation of surface complexes or incorporation of the radionuclides into the crustal structures. The pre-dominance of one or another mechanism will strongly affect the retention and transport of long-lived hazardous radionuclides. The mechanism of these reactions, especially the structural relationships at the solid-liquid interface and adsorption kinetic, are poorly understood at the atomistic scale. This project further investigates the redox sensitive uptake of Tc and Pu at the surface of magnetite under incorporation of these elements into the magnetite structure combining atomistic simulations and X-ray absorption spectroscopy1,2.
The necessary preparatory step in this study is the identification of dominant low index surfaces on nano-magnetite particles and their termination at the relevant conditions. The atomistic simulations based on the Kohn-Sham density functional theory (DFT) are performed using the open source CP2K code. For highly correlated chemical elements such as iron (Fe), a correction due to the highly localized 3d electrons is necessary and can be achieved by utilizing the DFT+U method. Initially, the Hubbard U parameter has been determined similar to earlier investigations3 by comparing the experimental cell constants and the band gap. The preferential magnetite orientation plane (111) with six different surface terminations are examined as function of oxygen or water fugacity.

1 R. Kirsch, D. Fellhauer, M. Altmaier, V. Neck, A. Rossberg, T. Fanghänel, L. Charlet and A. C. Scheinost, Environmental Science & Technology, 2011, 45, 7267–7274.
2 E. Yalç𝚤ntas, A. C. Scheinost, X. Gaona and M. Altmaier, Dalton Transactions, 2016, 45, 17874–17885.
3 A. Kéri, R. Dähn, M. Krack and S. V. Churakov, Environmental Science & Technology, 2017, 51, 10585–10594.

Keywords: Magnetite; DFT; Nuclear waste; Sorption; Structural incorporation

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  • Poster (Online presentation)
    CECAM workshop on “Multi-approach modeling of alloy nanoparticles: from non-equilibrium synthesis to structural and functional properties", 07.-09.07.2021, Lausanne, Switzerland

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32701
Publ.-Id: 32701


The contribution of hydrodynamic processes to calcite dissolution rates and rate spectra

Agrawal, P.; Bollermann, Till; Raoof, A.; Iliev, O.; Fischer, C.; Wolthers, M.

Recent measurements on the dissolution rate of nano- and micron-scale rough calcite surfaces have shown lateral variations in dissolution rate, which can be quantified using rate spectra. This study uses numerical simulations to investigates the hydrodynamic processes during such experiments to explore whether hydrodynamic effects can explain the observed dissolution rate spectra. For this purpose, we simulated the dissolution processes of nano- and micron-scale rough calcite surfaces in COMSOL Multiphysics. We imposed surface topographies and local reaction rates measured using Vertical Scanning Interferometry (VSI), and implemented the same flow rate (i.e., 6 × 10−8 m3 s−1), solution chemistry (pH 8.8, alkalinity 4.4 meq/kg-H2O and pCO2 10−3.48 bar) and flow-cell geometry as those used in the experiment. We have compared the simulated rate spectra against the experimentally measured values at a calcite surface having the same surface topography and reactive-flow conditions.

Simulations using a single dissolution rate for the rough calcite surface did not produce similarly wide dissolution rate spectra like those observed experimentally. Our results have shown that only by explicitly incorporating the rate spectra in the model the simulated and the measured rate spectra would match. Sensitivity analyses by varying chemical composition and flow velocity were performed to examine the effects of these parameters on the calculated rate spectra. This study concludes that for the reactive-flow regimes where dissolution rate spectra are observed experimentally, the chemical heterogeneity, topography of the crystal surface and the resulting heterogeneity in the free energy landscape at the surface play a major role in controlling the dissolution rate spectra. With the injection of more acidic (pH 2) solutions at higher velocities (i.e., 0.04 m s−1), we observed an increase in the hydrodynamics-induced rate variability at microscopically rough surfaces

Keywords: Calcite dissolution; Pore-scale reactive transport model; Microscopic surface experiments; Surface roughness; Hydrodynamic effects; Dissolution rate spectra

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32700
Publ.-Id: 32700


Enhancing Ferromagnetism and Tuning Electronic Properties of CrI3 Monolayers by Adsorption of Transition-Metal Atoms

Yang, Q.; Hu, X.; Shen, X.; Krasheninnikov, A.; Chen, Z.; Sun, L.

Among first experimentally discovered two-dimensional (2D) ferromagnetic materials, chromium triiodide (CrI3) monolayers have attracted particular attention due to their potential applications in electronics and spintronics. However, the Curie temperature Tc of the CrI3 monolayer is below room temperature, which greatly limits practical development of the devices. Herein, using density functional theory calculation, we explore how the electronic and magnetic properties of CrI3 monolayers change upon adsorption of 3d transition-metal (TM) atoms (from Sc to Zn). Our results indicate that the electronic properties of the TM-CrI3 system can be tuned from semiconductor to metal/half-metal/spin gapless semiconductor depending on the choice of the adsorbed TM atoms. Moreover, the adsorption can improve the ferromagnetic stability of CrI3 monolayers by increasing both magnetic moments and Tc. Notably, Tc of CrI3 with Sc and V adatoms can be increased by nearly a factor of 3. We suggest postsynthesis doping of 2D CrI3 by deposition of TM atoms as a new route toward potential applications of TM-CrI3 systems in nanoelectronic and spintronic devices.

Keywords: 2D materials; adsorption; magnetic properteis

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32699
Publ.-Id: 32699


Defect Agglomeration and Electron Beam-Induced Local Phase Transformations in Single-Layer MoTe₂

Köster, J.; Ghorbani Asl, M.; Lehnert, T.; Komsa, H.-P.; Kretschmer, S.; Krasheninnikov, A.; Kaiser, U.

Atom migrations in single-layer 1H-MoTe₂ are studied with Cc/Cs-corrected high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) at an electron energy of 40 keV using the electron beam simultaneously for material modification and imaging. After creating tellurium vacancies and vacancy lines, we observe their migration pathways across the lattice. Furthermore, we analyze phase transformations from the 1H- to the 1T’-phase associated with the strain-induced due to the formation of Te vacancy lines. Combining the experimental data with the results of first-principles calculations, we explain energetics and driving forces of point and line defect migration and the phase transformations due to an interplay of electron-beam-induced energy input, atom ejection, and strain spread. Our results enhance the understanding of defect dynamics in 2D transition metal dichalcogenides, which should facilitate tailoring their local optical and electronic properties.

Keywords: two-dimensional materials; transition metal dichalcogenides; transmission electron microscopy; defects; first-principles calculations

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32698
Publ.-Id: 32698


Dichotomy in temporal and thermal spin correlations observed in the breathing pyrochlore LiGa1−xInxCr4O8

Lee, S.; Do, S.-H.; Lee, W.; Choi, Y. S.; van Tol, J.; Reyes, A. P.; Gorbunov, D.; Chen, W.-T.; Choi, K.-Y.

A breathing pyrochlore system is predicted to host a variety of quantum spin liquids. Despite tremendous experimental and theoretical efforts, such sought-after states remain elusive as perturbation terms and lattice distortions lead to magnetic order. Here, we utilize bond alternation and disorder to tune a magnetic ground state in the Cr-based breathing pyrochlore LiGa1−xInxCr4O8. By combining thermodynamic and magnetic resonance techniques, we provide experimental signatures of a spin-liquid-like state in x = 0.8, namely, a nearly T2-dependent magnetic specific heat and persistent spin dynamics by muon spin relaxation (μSR). Moreover, Li NMR, ZF-μSR, and ESR unveil the temporal and thermal dichotomy of spin correlations: a tetramer singlet on a slow time scale vs. a spin-liquid-like state on a fast time scale. Our results showcase that a bond disorder in the breathing pyrochlore offers a promising route to disclose exotic magnetic phases.

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32696
Publ.-Id: 32696


Magnetic properties of a quantum spin ladder in proximity to the isotropic limit

Zvyagin, S.; Ponomaryov, O.; Ozerov, M.; Schulze, E.; Scurschii, I.; Beyer, R.; Reimann, T.; Zviagina, L.; Green, E. L.; Wosnitza, J.; Sheikin, I.; Bouillot, P.; Giamarchi, T.; Wikara, J. L.; Turnbull, M. M.; Landee, C. P.

We report on the synthesis, crystal structure, magnetic, thermodynamic, and electron-spin-resonance properties of the coordination complex Cu2(pz)3(4-HOpy)4, separating the gapped spin-liquid, gapless Tomonaga-Luttinger-liquid, and fully spin-polarized phase. No signature of a field-induced transition into a magnetically ordered phase was found at temperatures down to 450 mK. The material bridges an important gap by providing an excellent physical realization of an almost isotropic spin-1/2 strong-rung Heisenberg ladder system with modest exchange-coupling energy and critical-field scales.

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32694
Publ.-Id: 32694


Simulating fullerene polyhedral formation from planar precursors

Heuser, B.; Mikkelsen, K. V.; Avery, J. E.

The synthesis path of the C60-Buckyball fullerene from a planar precursor developed by Scott et al. [Science, 2002, 295, 5559] is investigated with density functional theory (DFT) methods. Various theoretically possible closing paths are analysed with respect to structural and energetic properties. The initial geometries were obtained by geometric interpolation of a cardboard-like model comprising rigid rings connected by hinges, which were then fully optimized with a selection of DFT-functionals. Analysis of the fully optimised geometries shows remarkable stability of face planarity, bond lengths and bond angles for all studied geometries, indicating soundness of the “cardboard with hinges”-model for approximating reaction paths for molecules of this type. This raises hope for development of a force field description of fullerene precursor molecules that can aid in discovery and analysis of good precursor candidates for rational synthesis of new fullerenes.

Keywords: Fullerenes; DFT; Polyhedral Formation

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32693
Publ.-Id: 32693


Distinct field-induced ferroquadrupolar states for two different magnetic-field directions in DyNiAl

Ishii, I.; Suzuki, D.; Umeno, T.; Kurata, Y.; Wada, Y.; Suzuki, T.; Andreev, A. V.; Gorbunov, D.; Miyata, A.; Zherlitsyn, S.; Wosnitza, J.

The hexagonal Dy-based compound DyNiAl undergoes ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic-type magnetic phase transitions at TC = 30 K and T1 = 15 K, respectively. To investigate the 4f -electronic state and quadrupole interactions in DyNiAl, we carried out ultrasonic measurements versus temperature and applied magnetic field. The transverse elastic moduli C44 and C66 show a prominent elastic softening originating from an interlevel ferroquadrupolar-type interaction between the ground state and excited Kramers doublets, clarified by a crystal field analysis. In magnetic fields applied along the [100] and [001] axes, we observed a field-induced phase transition. Because the quadrupole interaction is enhanced in high magnetic fields according to our calculations, we suggest a magnetic-field-induced ferroquadrupolar ordering of the electric quadrupoles Oxy and Oyz for fields applied along [100] and [001], respectively, with different quadrupolar order parameters depending on the field direction.

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32692
Publ.-Id: 32692


Easy Diagram Creation in GitLab

Huste, T.; Jandt, U.

Recently, the Helmholtz-wide software development platform (Gitlab) has been extended with the ability to create diagrams from textual descriptions. This post will help you getting started with this new feature.

Keywords: GitLab; Software; Diagrams; UML; Markdown

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32691
Publ.-Id: 32691


Aktuelle Entwicklungen aus den Radiopharmazeutischen Wissenschaften für theranostische Anwendungen - Editorial

Mamat, C.; Kopka, K.

Die klinische Bereitstellung von Radiopharmaka für diagnostische und therapeutische Zwecke ist eine der zentralen Aufgaben der konventionellen Radiopharmazie, denn sie ist das Herzstück einer jeden modernen Nuklearmedizin. Neben einem großen, aber planbaren, logistischen Aufwand ist die Versorgung mit Radiopharmaka sowohl mit radiochemischen als auch regulatorischen Herausforderungen verbunden. Das betrifft beispielsweise die zuverlässige Verfügbarkeit einzelner Radionuklide aufgrund ihrer Kurzlebigkeit und die Erfüllung obligatorischer Qualitätskontrollen.
Daneben widmen sich die Radiopharmazeutischen Wissenschaften ihrem Forschungsauftrag, der in der Erforschung neuer Radionuklide, der Entwicklung und der (prä-)klinischen Testung neuer Radiopharmaka für Diagnose und Therapie und der Weiterentwicklung der bildgebenden Verfahren SPECT und PET
sowie der hybriden Kombinationen mit MRT und CT, besteht. In diesem Sinne ist diese Ausgabe des Nuklearmediziners ganz den neuesten Entwicklungen auf dem Gebiet der Radiopharmazie gewidmet, welche sich mittlerweile über klassische Ansätze hin zu theranostischen Anwendungen in Form von diagnose-geleiteten Therapien entfaltet.

Keywords: Nuklearmedizin; Radiopharmazeutische Wissenschaften

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32690
Publ.-Id: 32690


New dimension in magnetism and superconductivity: 3D and curvilinear nano-architectures

Makarov, D.; Volkov, O.; Kakay, A.; Pylypovskyi, O.; Budinska, B.; Dobrovolskiy, O.

Traditionally, the primary field, where curvature has been at the heart of research, was the theory of general relativity. In recent studies, however, the
impact of curvilinear geometry enters various disciplines, ranging from solid-state physics over soft-matter physics, chemistry and biology to mathematics,
giving rise to a plethora of emerging domains such as curvilinear nematics, curvilinear studies of cell biology, curvilinear semiconductors,
superfluidity, optics, two-dimensional van der Waals materials, plasmonics, magnetism and superconductivity. Here, we summarize the state of the art
and outline prospects for future research in curvilinear solid-state systems exhibiting such fundamental cooperative phenomena as ferromagnetism,
antiferromagnetism and superconductivity. Highlighting the recent developments and current challenges in theory, fabrication and characterization of
curvilinear micro- and nanostructures, special attention is paid to perspective research directions entailing new physics and to their strong application
potential. Overall, the perspective is aimed at crossing the boundaries between the magnetism and superconductivity communities and drawing attention
to the conceptual aspects of how extension of structures into the third dimension and curvilinear geometry can modify existing and aid launching
novel functionalities. In addition, the perspective should stimulate the development and dissemination of R&D-oriented techniques to facilitate rapid
transitions from laboratory demonstrations to industry-ready prototypes and eventual products.

Keywords: curvature effects in magnetism; curvature effects in superconductivity

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32689
Publ.-Id: 32689


An introduction to the Materials Learning Algorithm (MALA) python package

Fiedler, L.

Density Functional Theory (DFT) is one of the most popular quantum mechanical simulation methods, since it balances sufficient accuracy with reasonable computational cost. It is often used in material science applications at ambient and extreme conditions. Nonetheless, DFT approaches its limits in terms of computational feasbility when faced with simulation problems at larger time and length scales, especially at temperatures >> 0K. Surrogate models based on neural networks can circumvent these limitations. By training a neural network to predict properties of interest (total energy, atomic forces) based on atomic configurations, predictions with DFT-like accuracy can be done at a fraction of the computational cost. At CASUS, the Matter under Extreme Conditons department is currently developing the Materials Learning Algorithm (MALA) python package, a modular open-source python package intended to serve as a toolbox for efficiently building these surrogate models. MALA enables users to preprocess DFT data, train networks and postprocess results using only a few lines of code.

Keywords: Density Functional Theory; Machine Learning; Neural Networks

  • Open Access Logo Lecture (others) (Online presentation)
    CASUS institute seminar, 06.04.2021, Görlitz, Deutschland

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32688
Publ.-Id: 32688


Quenching Mechanism of Uranyl(VI) by Chloride and Bromide in Aqueous and Non-Aqueous Solutions

Haubitz, T.; Drobot, B.; Tsushima, S.; Steudtner, R.; Stumpf, T.; Kumke, M. U.

A major hindrance in utilizing uranyl(VI) luminescence as a standard analytical tool, for example, in environmental monitoring or nuclear industries, is quenching by other ions such as halide ions, which are present in many relevant matrices of uranyl(VI) speciation. Here, we demonstrate through a combination of time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy, transient absorption spectroscopy, and quantum chemistry that coordinating solvent molecules play a crucial role in U(VI) halide luminescence quenching. We show that our previously suggested quenching mechanism based on an internal redox reaction of the 1:2-uranyl−halide-complex holds also true for bromide-induced quenching of uranyl(VI). By adopting specific organic solvents, we were able to suppress the separation of the oxidized halide ligand X2·− and the formed uranyl(V) into fully solvated ions, thereby “reigniting” U(VI) luminescence. Time-dependent density functional theory calculations show that quenching occurs through the outer-sphere complex of U(VI) and halide in water, while the ligand-tometal charge transfer is strongly reduced in acetonitrile.

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32687
Publ.-Id: 32687


Divalent ion selectivity in capacitive deionization with vanadium hexacyanoferrate: Experiments and quantum-chemical computations

Singh, K.; Li, G.; Zuilhof, H.; Lee, J.; Mehdi, B. L.; Zornitta, R. L.; de Smet, L. C. P. M.

Selective removal of ions from water, via capacitive deionization (CDI), is relevant for
environmental and industrial applications like water purification, softening, and
resource recovery. Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) are proposed as an electrode
material for selectively removing cations from water, based on their size. So far, PBAs
used in CDI have been selective towards monovalent ions. Here, we introduce
vanadium hexacyanoferrate (VHCF), a PBA, as a new electrode material in a hybrid
CDI setup, to selectively remove divalent cations from water.
These electrodes preferred divalent Ca 2+ over monovalent Na + , with a separation
factor, β Ca/Na ≈ 3.5. This finding contrasts the observed monovalent ion selectivity
by PBA electrodes. This opposite behavior was rationalized by Density Functional
Theory (DFT) simulations. Furthermore, the coating of the VHCF electrodes with a
conducting polymer (poly-pyrrole, doped with poly-styrenesulphonate, PPy/PSS)
prevented the contamination of the treated water following the degradation of the
electrode. This facile and modular coating method can be effortlessly extended to other
PBA electrodes, limiting the extent of treated water contamination during repeated
cycling in CDI. This study paves the way for tunable selectivity while extending the
library of electrodes that can be successfully used in (selective) CDI.

Keywords: Intercalation; capacitive deionization; Prussian Blue analogs; ion selectivity; DFT simulation

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32686
Publ.-Id: 32686


Ultra-high dose rate proton radiobiology at the “Dresden platform for high dose-rate radiobiology”

Beyreuther, E.; Brand, M.; Hideghéty, K.; Löck, S.; Metzkes-Ng, J.; Pawelke, J.; Pietzsch, J.; Seco, J.; Schramm, U.

The recent rediscovery of the “Flash-effect” revived the interest in high dose-rate radiation effects throughout the radiobiology community, promising protection of normal tissue, while simultaneously not altering tumour control. Several preclinical and clinical studies are presently dedicated to electron FLASH with Linacs. However, the mechanisms of Flash is still unresolved albeit its clear impact in tissue sparing to radiation toxicity. For protons, the Flash effect was confirmed in a few animal experiments using the beam parameters available at clinical cyclotrons.
Laser-driven proton accelerators offer the possibility to extend the range of proton beam parameters to higher dose rates enabling the investigation in vivo of high dose-rate effects for up to 10^9 Gy/s. The general applicability of these beams for radiobiological studies was proven with simple cellular models and zebrafish embryos. One-step further, systematic in vivo experiments were prepared with a proof-of-principle mouse irradiation campaign at the Draco laser accelerator and, for comparison, at the University Proton Therapy Dresden (UPTD). Moreover, to investigate the interplay of oxygen tension, oxygen consumption and proton dose rate in more detail, an experiment with zebrafish embryos was performed at both proton sources.
At the conference, we will give an overview of our radiobiological experiments performed at both DRACO and Oncoray/UPTD, for different dose rates and varying oxygen pressures.

  • Lecture (Conference) (Online presentation)
    PTCOG 59 Conference, 04.-07.06.2021, Online, online
  • Lecture (Conference) (Online presentation)
    Flash Radiotherapy and Particle Therapy Conference, 01.-03.12.2021, Wien, Österreich
  • Invited lecture (Conferences)
    Medical Physics Seminar at the German Cancer Research Center – DKFZ, 13.07.2022, Heidelberg, Deutschland

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32685
Publ.-Id: 32685


Dataset and simulation program for "Limitation of THz conversion efficiency in DSTMS pumped by intense femtosecond pulses"

Li, J.; Rana, R.; Zhu, L.; Liu, C.; Schneider, H.; Pashkin, O.

- Raw experimental data of the measured THz and OPA spectra

- Origin file with the experimentally measured THz conversion efficienbcy as a function of the OPA fluence

- Matlab program for the simulation of the THz generation process in DSTMS

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32684
Publ.-Id: 32684


GLS-driven glutamine catabolism contributes to prostate cancer radiosensitivity by regulating the redox state, stemness and ATG5-mediated autophagy

Mukha, A.; Kahya, U.; Linge, A.; Chen, O.; Löck, S.; Lukiyanchuk, V.; Richter, S.; Alves, T.; Peitzsch, M.; Telychko, V.; Skvortsov, S.; Negro, G.; Aschenbrenner, B.; Skvortsova, I.-I.; Kunz-Schughart, L.; Baretton, G.; Baumann, M.; Krause, M.; Peitzsch, C.; Dubrovska, A.

Abstract
Radiotherapy is one of the curative treatment options for localized prostate cancer (PCa). The curative potential of radiotherapy is mediated by irradiation-induced oxidative stress and DNA damage in tumor cells. However, PCa radiocurability can be impeded by tumor resistance mechanisms and normal tissue toxicity. Metabolic reprogramming is one of the major hallmarks of tumor progression and therapy resistance. Specific metabolic features of PCa might serve as therapeutic targets for tumor radiosensitization and as biomarkers for identifying the patients most likely to respond to radiotherapy. The study aimed to characterize a potential role of glutaminase (GLS)-driven glutamine catabolism as a prognostic biomarker and a therapeutic target for PCa radiosensitization.
Methods: We analyzed primary cell cultures and radioresistant (RR) derivatives of the conventional PCa cell lines by gene expression and metabolic assays to identify the molecular traits associated with radiation resistance. Relative radiosensitivity of the cell lines and primary cell cultures were analyzed by 2-D and 3-D clonogenic analyses. Targeting of glutamine (Gln) metabolism was achieved by Gln starvation, gene knockdown, and chemical inhibition. Activation of the DNA damage response (DDR) and autophagy was assessed by gene expression, western blotting, and fluorescence microscopy. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the ratio of reduced glutathione (GSH) to oxidized glutathione (GSSG) were analyzed by fluorescence and luminescence probes, respectively. Cancer stem cell (CSC) properties were investigated by sphere-forming assay, CSC marker analysis, and in vivo limiting dilution assays. Single circulating tumor cells (CTCs) isolated from the blood of PCa patients were analyzed by array comparative genome hybridization. Expression levels of the GLS1 and MYC gene in tumor tissues and amino acid concentrations in blood plasma were correlated to a progression-free survival in PCa patients.
Results: Here, we found that radioresistant PCa cells and prostate CSCs have a high glutamine demand. GLS-driven catabolism of glutamine serves not only for energy production but also for the maintenance of the redox state. Consequently, glutamine depletion or inhibition of critical regulators of glutamine utilization, such as GLS and the transcription factor MYC results in PCa radiosensitization. On the contrary, we found that a combination of glutamine metabolism inhibitors with irradiation does not cause toxic effects on nonmalignant prostate cells. Glutamine catabolism contributes to the maintenance of CSCs through regulation of the alpha-ketoglutarate (α-KG)-dependent chromatin-modifying dioxygenase. The lack of glutamine results in the inhibition of CSCs with a high aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity, decreases the frequency of the CSC populations in vivo and reduces tumor formation in xenograft mouse models. Moreover, this study shows that activation of the ATG5-mediated autophagy in response to a lack of glutamine is a tumor survival strategy to withstand radiation-mediated cell damage. In combination with autophagy inhibition, the blockade of glutamine metabolism might be a promising strategy for PCa radiosensitization. High blood levels of glutamine in PCa patients significantly correlate with a shorter prostate-specific antigen (PSA) doubling time. Furthermore, high expression of critical regulators of glutamine metabolism, GLS1 and MYC, is significantly associated with a decreased progression-free survival in PCa patients treated with radiotherapy.
Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that GLS-driven glutaminolysis is a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for PCa radiosensitization.

Keywords: Prostate cancer; Radioresistance; Cancer stem cells; Autophagy; GLS1

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32683
Publ.-Id: 32683


Electronic fingerprint mechanism of NOx sensor based on single-material SnP3 logical junction

Ramzan, M. S.; Han, S. K.; Kuc, A. B.

The field of 2D materials has gained a lot of attention for vast range of applications. Amongst others, the sensing ability towards harmful gases is the application, which we explored in the present work using quantum-mechanical simulations for the SnP3 material. Its electronic properties, namely 1 and 2 layers being semiconducting, while multilayers being metallic, offer a possibility to build a single-material logical junction with strongly reduced Schottky barrier. In addition, the harmful gases studied here all show physical adsorption with charge transfer from the substrate to the gas molecules. Calculated recovery times show promise of a good sensing material. The I-V characteristics calculated for all cases indicate that SnP3 could be a viable sensing material towards NO gas via negative differential resistance.

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32682
Publ.-Id: 32682


Tuning capacitance wire-mesh sensor gains for measurement of conductive fluids

de Assis Dias, F.; Wiedemann, P.; Da Silva, M. J.; Schleicher, E.; Hampel, U.

In this paper, the front-end circuit of a capacitance wire-mesh sensor (WMS) is analyzed in detail and a new methodology to tune its feedback gains is reported. This allows, for the first time, a capacitance WMS to be able to provide linear measurements of multiphase fluids with electrical conductivity greater than 100 uS/cm, which is particularly important for tap water, where the conductivity is typically in between 100-500 uS/cm. Experimental and numerical results show that the selected gains using the proposed methodology contribute to suppress cross-talk and energy losses, which in turn, reduces considerably the deviation of the conductivity measurement and the estimation of derived flow parameters, such as local and average phase fraction.

Keywords: capacitance wire-mesh sensor; multiphase flow; electronic circuit modelling; finite-element method

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32681
Publ.-Id: 32681


Tyrosine kinase C-MET as therapeutic target for radiosensitization of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas

Lüttich, L.; Besso, M. J.; Heiden, S.; Koi, L.; Baumann, M.; Krause, M.; Dubrovska, A.; Linge, A.; Kurth, I.; Peitzsch, C.

The receptor tyrosine kinase c-MET activates intracellular signaling and induces cell proliferation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal-transition and migration. Within the present study, we validated the prognostic value of c-MET in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with radio(chemo)therapy using the Cancer Genome Atlas database and found an association of increased MET gene expression and protein phosphorylation with reduced disease-specific and progression-free survival. To investigate the role of c-MET-dependent radioresistance, c-MET-positive cells were purified from established HNSCC cell lines and a reduced radiosensitivity and enhanced sphere-forming potential, compared to the c-MET-depleted cell population, was found in two out of four analyzed cell lines pointing to regulatory heterogeneity. We showed that c-MET is dynamically regulated after irradiation in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, no direct impact of c-MET on DNA damage repair was found. The therapeutic potential of eight c-MET targeting agents in combination with irradiation demonstrated variable response rates in six HNSCC cell lines. Amongst them, crizotinib, foretinib, and Pha665752 exhibited the strongest radiosensitizing effect. Kinase activity profiling showed an association of crizotinib resistance with compensatory PI3K/AKT and MAP kinase signaling. Overall, our results indicate that c-MET is conferring radioresistance in HNSCC through modulation of intracellular kinase signaling and stem-like features.

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32680
Publ.-Id: 32680


Dataset: Measuring the structure and equation of state of polyethylene terephthalate at megabar pressures

Lütgert, B. J.; Vorberger, J.; Hartley, N.; Voigt, K.; Rödel, M.; Schuster, A.; Benuzzi-Mounaix, A.; Brown, S.; Cowan, T.; Cunningham, E.; Döppner, T.; Falcone, R. W.; Fletcher, L. B.; Galtier, E.; Glenzer, S. H.; Laso García, A.; Gericke, D. O.; Heimann, P. A.; Lee, H. J.; McBride, E. E.; Pelka, A.; Prencipe, I.; Saunders, A. M.; Schölmerich, M.; Schörner, M.; Sun, P.; Vinci, T.; Ravasio, A.; Kraus, D.

This repository contains raw-data related to our publication "Measuring the structure and equation of state of polyethylene terephthalate at megabar pressures".

The XRD data in the "LCLS" folder is accompanied with a "calibration.poni" file that provides information about the experiment's geometry and can be used in pyFAI (GitHub page) or Dioptas (GitHub page) to integrate the two-dimensional data azimuthally. Integrated XRD data after background-subtraction and filter-corrections is presented in Fig. 2 and 3 of the manuscript while 2D data of run 215 is used in Fig. 1. The "shotlist.csv" file contains information about the relative X-ray to drive-laser timing, shot-type and X-ray energy for the individual events.

VISAR, SOP and reflectivity measurements can be found in the "LULI" directory. 2ω-VISAR and SOP datasets of shot 08 are displayed as inserts in Fig. 5 (the first after performing a ghost-fringe subtraction). "shotlist.csv" provides additional parameters.

The DFTMD folder contains the results of our density functional theory molecular dynamics simulation.
In the "XRD" subdirectory, "wrofk_mylar_chomd*.dat" files can be found in which the quantities to calculate the lineouts in Fig. 3 and 4 are saved for given temperatures, pressures and densities. The header of those files is given in "header.txt" and additional information about the conditions and settings for individual calculations can be obtained from "param_mylar_md.txt".
The dataset for the Hugoniot curve from our DFT-MD equation-of-state (which is plotted in Fig. 5) is provided in the "Hugoniot" sub-folder.

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Downloads

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32679
Publ.-Id: 32679


Nanomagnetism and spintronics of Cr2O3 thin-film 
magnetoelectric antiferromagnets

Makarov, D.

Thin film magnetoelectric antiferromagnets (AF) is a viable material science platform for prospective high speed and energy efficient spintronic devices for memory and logic applications. To explore their application potential, it is necessary to understand modifications of the magnetic properties of AF thin films with respect to their bulk counterparts. Here, we will discuss spintronics, magnetometry and microscopy of bulk α-Cr2O3 single crystals [1] and relate them to the properties of α-Cr2O3 thin films [2-5]. In transport experiments, we access the magnetic state of the Cr2O3 relying on the spin Hall physics in a Pt thin film brought in proximity to the insulating antiferromagnet [2-4]. The analysis of the transport data is backed up by the real space imaging of AF domain patterns using NV microscopy [1,5]. Considering grainy morphology of thin films, we address questions regarding the change of the intergranular exchange [5], criticality behavior and switching of the order parameter [2] and physics of the readout signal in α-Cr2O3 interfaced with Pt [3]. In particular, the possibility to read-out the antiferromagnetic order parameter all-electrically enables a new recording concept of antiferromagnetic magnetoelectric random access memory (AF-MERAM) [3]. Furthermore, relying on the elasticity of antiferromagnetic domain walls in Cr2O3 single crystals and exploring their efficient pinning at lithographically defined mesa structures, the concept of domain wall based antiferromagnetic memory was put forth [1].

1. N. Hedrich, K. Wagner, O. V. Pylypovskyi, B. J. Shields, T. Kosub, D. D. Sheka, D. Makarov, P. Maletinsky, Nature Physics, (2021), doi:10.1038/s41567-020-01157-0.
2. T. Kosub, M. Kopte, F. Radu, O. G. Schmidt, D. Makarov, Physical Review Letters, 115 (2015) 097201.
3. T. Kosub, M. Kopte, R. Hühne, P. Appel, B. Shields, P. Maletinsky, R. Hübner, M. O. Liedke, J. Fassbender, O. G. Schmidt, D. Makarov, Nature Communications, 8 (2017) 13985.
4. R. Schlitz, T. Kosub, A. Thomas, S. Fabretti, K. Nielsch, D. Makarov, S. T. B. Goennenwein, Applied Physics Letters, 112 (2018) 132401.
5. P. Appel, B. J. Shields, T. Kosub, R. Hübner, J. Fassbender, D. Makarov, P. Maletinsky, Nano Letters, 19 (2019) 1682.

Keywords: antiferromagnetic spintronics

Related publications

  • Invited lecture (Conferences) (Online presentation)
    3rd International Conference on Advances in Functional Materials, 18.08.2021, Los Angeles, USA

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32678
Publ.-Id: 32678


Highly compliant flexible and printable magnetoelectronics for human-machine interfaces and soft robotics

Makarov, D.

Motion sensing is the primary task in numerous disciplines including industrial robotics, prosthetics, virtual and augmented reality appliances. In rigid electronics, rotations, displacements and vibrations are typically monitored using magnetic field sensors. Here, we will discuss the fabrication of flexible, stretchable and printable magnetoelectronic devices. The technology platform relies on high-performance magnetoresistive and Hall effect sensors deposited or printed on ultrathin polymeric foils. These skin compliant flexible and printable magnetosensitive elements enable touchless interactivity with our surroundings based on the interaction with magnetic fields, which is relevant for smart skins, soft robotics and human-machine interfaces.

Keywords: flexible magnetic field sensors; flexible electronics; printed electronics

Related publications

  • Invited lecture (Conferences) (Online presentation)
    2021 IEEE International Flexible Electronics Conference (IFETC), 09.08.2021, Glenview, USA

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32677
Publ.-Id: 32677


Flexible magnetic field sensor technologies

Makarov, D.

Conventional magnetic field sensors are fabricated on flat substrates and are rigid. Extending 2D structures into 3D space relying on the flexible electronics approaches allows to enrich conventional or to launch novel functionalities of spintronic-based devices by tailoring geometrical curvature and 3D shape. Here, we will briefly review fundamentals of 3D curved magnetic thin films [1] and primarily focus on their application potential for eMobility [2,3], consumer electronics, virtual and augmented reality [4-7] appliances. The technology platform relies on high-performance magnetoresistive and Hall effect sensors fabricated on ultrathin polymeric foils [8] and paves the way towards skin-compliant devices enabling touchless interactivity with our surroundings. Flexile magnetosensitive elements impact emerging research and technology fields of smart skins, soft robotics and human-machine interfaces. In this talk, recent fundamental and technological advancements on flexible magnetoelectronics will be reviewed.

[1] R. Streubel, D. Makarov et al., J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. (Review) 49, 363001 (2016).
[2] M. Melzer, D. Makarov et al., Adv. Mater. 27, 1274 (2015).
[3] I. J. Mönch, D. Makarov et al., IEEE Trans. Magn. 51, 4004004 (2015).
[4] G. S. Cañón Bermúdez, D. Makarov et al., Science Advances 4, eaao2623 (2018).
[5] G. S. Cañón Bermúdez, D. Makarov et al., Nature Electronics 1, 589 (2018).
[6] P. N. Granell, D. Makarov et al., npj Flexible Electronics 3, 3 (2019).
[7] J. Ge, D. Makarov et al., Nature Communications 10, 4405 (2019).
[8] D. Makarov et al., Appl. Phys. Rev. (Review) 3, 011101 (2016).

Keywords: flexible magnetic field sensors; flexible electronics; curvilinear magnetism

Related publications

  • Invited lecture (Conferences) (Online presentation)
    SPIE Spintronics Symposium 2021: Nanoscience + Engineering, 02.08.2021, San Diego, USA

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32676
Publ.-Id: 32676


Micromagnetism of magnetoelectric collinear antiferromagnets

Makarov, D.

In this talk I will review our recent activities on curvilinear and magnetoelectric antiferromagnets.

Keywords: antiferromagnetic spintronics; curvilinear magnetism

Related publications

  • Invited lecture (Conferences) (Online presentation)
    PetaSpin: Virtual Workshops and Seminars 2021, 15.10.2021, Messina, Italy

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32675
Publ.-Id: 32675


Curvilinear magnetism

Makarov, D.

Conventional magnetic field sensors are fabricated on flat substrates and are rigid. Extending 2D structures into 3D space relying on the flexible electronics approaches allows to enrich conventional or to launch novel functionalities of spintronic-based devices. The lack of an inversion symmetry and the emergence of a curvature induced effective anisotropy and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) are characteristic of curved surfaces, leading to curvature-driven magnetochiral responses and topologically induced magnetization patterning. The possibility to tailor magnetic responses by geometry of the object is a new approach to material science, which allows to obtain a desired functionality of spintronic and spin-orbitronic devices yet without the need to rely on the optimization of the intrinsic material properties. Here, we will review fundamentals of 3D curved magnetic thin films and focus on their applications in eMobility, virtual and augmented reality, soft robotics, and human-machine interfaces.

Keywords: curvature effects in magnetism; flexible magnetic field sensors

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  • Invited lecture (Conferences) (Online presentation)
    W2S Seminar (Webinar series on Spintronics), 25.03.2021, Khurda, India

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32674
Publ.-Id: 32674


Der sechste Sinn – Magnetfelder verändern den Alltag

Makarov, D.

Magnetic fields are not visible. As humans we know cannot feel them. In contrast to birds, we humans do not use them for navigation. There might be even an impression that magnetic fields are of very limited relevance for our everyday life. This is in strong contrast to the fact that the magnetic field of the Earth protects life from dangerous cosmic radiation, that there are numerous magnetic field sensors, which are implemented in devices around us including electronic compasses in our cellphones, crucial component of motors in electrical cars, even level of water in our coffee machines is measured using magnetic field sensors. Our society with all known industrial and technology revolutions is not thinkable without the use of magnetic fields and magnetic field sensors. Still, this is an established fact that for thousands of years humans believed that they are not susceptible to magnetic fields. Therefore, in contrast to vision, audio or haptic perception, magnetic field as an information channel was not considered seriously for humans.
The situation changed very recently. New studies show that similar to birds, mammals including humans also feel geomagnetic fields, the property which is called magnetoception. Although this sense for humans is still to be understood, we are working on the realisation of artificial magnetoception. We design and fabricate electronic skins - magnetosensitive devices prepared on mechanically soft and compliant support, which does not disturb our everyday activity when applied to skin or integrated in a textile. Mit unserer hochempfindlichen, aber tragbaren und sogar implantierbaren Sensorplattform möchten wir die Magnetorezeption quasi in einen „Sechsten-Sinn“ verwandeln. Die Anwendungsmöglichkeiten dieser Technologie sind kaum zu überschätzen und tangieren viele wichtige gesellschaftliche Bereiche; von der Informationstechnologie, über die Halbleitertechnologie, die E-Mobilität bis zur Realisierung neuartiger Mensch-Maschine-Schnittstellen zur Hilfe bei schweren Erkrankungen.

Keywords: flexible magnetic field sensors; flexible electronics; printed electronics

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  • Lecture (others)
    Campus Talks, 08.06.2021, Berlin, Germany

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32673
Publ.-Id: 32673


FLEXISENS - ultra-thin magnetic field sensor for new fields of application

Makarov, D.

The Helmholtz Innovation Lab “FlexiSens” focuses on the development and application of a flexible and printable magnetic field sensors (Hall effect and magneto-resistive effects). We have developed novel high-performance magnetic field sensors on ultra-thin flexible substrates that have a high mechanical adaptability. Due to their extremely thin and unconventional mechanical properties, flexible and printed sensors can be used not only on various flat, but also curved objects. Our technology enables new fields of application, for example as wearable electronics on the skin, as smart implants in medicine or for monitoring movements in large glass or roof structures.

Keywords: flexible magnetic field sensors; flexible electronics; printed electronics

Related publications

  • Lecture (Conference) (Online presentation)
    15th Silicon Saxony Day, 27.05.2021, Dresden, Germany

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32672
Publ.-Id: 32672


Critical Diameter for Lift Reversal of Bubbles in Linear Shear Flows

Hayashi, K.; Lucas, D.; Legendre, D.; Tomiyama, A.

The lift coeffcient C_L of a bubble in a shear flow is known to change its sign depending on the bubble shape, i.e. C_L of spherical bubbles are positive for any the bubble Reynolds numbers while those of ellipsoidal bubbles can be negative due to the deformation-induced negative lift. The critical bubble diameter, d_C, for the lift reversal was discussed in this study by making use of available CL correlations for clean bubbles in linear shear flows. As a result, the following conclusions were obtained: (1) the C_L correlations well describe the complex characteristics of d_C and the lift reversal criterion in terms of Re_C is well reproduced with the correlations, (2) in the surface tension and inertial force dominant regime, the critical Eötvös and Weber numbers can be used to develop a simple criterion of lift reversal, i.e.they are almost constant, and the Capillary number for d_C can be expressed in terms of the Morton number only, M; these dimensionless groups in the viscous force dominant regime, however, show more complex dependence on M, and (3) the critical Ohnesolge number, Oh_C, monotonically increases with increasing M even in the viscous force dominant regime.

Keywords: lift force; lift reversal; negative lift; shape deformation

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32671
Publ.-Id: 32671


Limitation of THz conversion efficiency in DSTMS pumped by intense femtosecond pulses

Li, J.; Rana, R.; Zhu, L.; Liu, C.; Schneider, H.; Pashkin, O.

Terahertz (THz) generation via optical rectification (OR) of near-infrared femtosecond pulses in DSTMS is systematically studied using a quasi-3D theoretical model, which takes into account cascaded OR, three-photon absorption (3PA) of the near-infrared radiation, and material dispersion/absorption properties. The simulation results and the comparison with experimental data for pump pulses with the center wavelength of 1.4 μm indicate that the 3PA process is one of the main limiting factors for THz generation in DSTMS at high pump fluences. The THz conversion efficiency is reduced further by the enhanced group velocity dispersion effect caused by the spectral broadening due to the cascaded OR. We predict that for broadband pump pulses with a duration of 30 fs, the THz conversion efficiency can be enhanced by a factor of 1.5 by using a positive pre-chirping that partially suppresses the cascaded OR and the 3PA effects.

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32670
Publ.-Id: 32670


Recent developments in modelling of polymer electrochemical cells

Beale, S.; Zhang, S.; Hess, S.; Reimer, U.; Weber, N.; Marschall, H.; Lehnert, W.

Polymer electrolyte electrochemical cells (PECs) offer exciting possibilities as energy converters in the form of both fuel cells and electrolyzers. Computational fluid dynamics can be used to analyse the performance of virtual prototypes at the micro-scale, as well as the cell and stack levels. This presentation details a comprehensive program of development of open source tools to describe and predict PEC operation. The software employed is OpenFOAM, which mimics the governing partial differential equations that describe the physics of PEC behaviour. Models range from detailed two-phase flow in porous transport layers based on digital reconstructions and the volume of fluid method, through single and multi-fluid cell models employing Eulerian-Eulerian solvers, to stack-level models whereby volume averaging also known as local homogenization is employed for both single-phase and two-phase formulations. The development of a multi-phase stack model represents an original and novel scheme not previously published.
The results of mathematical calculations are compared with analytical solutions for one-dimensional idealizations, previous three-dimensional (3-D) numerical work by other researchers, and detailed experimental data gathered in-house. Comparisons are made in terms of local current density and species mass/molar fractions, as well as current density vs. voltage, i.e., polarization characteristics. Different levels of model complexity are also considered, for instance comparisons of a 2-D electrochemical formulation based on a Kirchhoff-Ohm equation (ideal potential less losses/over-potentials) vs. a fully 3-D simulation of both ionic and protonic potential fields. The presentation concludes with an assessment of the needs/requirements of the next generation of PEC analysis tools.

  • Lecture (Conference)
    8th International Symposium on Advances in Computational Heat Transfer CHT-21, 15.-19.08.2021, Rio De Janeiro, Brasilien

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32669
Publ.-Id: 32669


Flat panel proton radiography in high-precision image-guided mouse brain proton irradiation

Bodenstein, E.; Beyreuther, E.; Bock, J.; Dietrich, A.; Müller, J.; Pawelke, J.; Schürer, M.; Suckert, T.; Lühr, A.

Further development of proton therapy takes place largely through in-vivo experiments, which are subject to increasingly strict ethical and technical requirements. Proton irradiation of small animal organs demand for highly suitable experimental setups and intelligent protocols to mimic clinical workflows as closely as possible. This includes the possibility of on-beam imaging for precise positioning and treatment. To meet these requirements, proton radiography was integrated into an existing beam setup for mouse brain proton irradiation at the University Proton Therapy Dresden (UPTD).
For the realization of the radiography a flat panel detector was installed on proton beam axis behind mouse position. Transmission imaging was achieved by increasing the proton energy significantly above that required for brain irradiation, i.e. the protons pass through the mouse and reach the detector with minimal dose deposition.
The final workflow includes the acquisition of cone-beam computed tomography scans and planar X-ray images before the irradiation to receive anatomical information and perform a treatment planning. The hippocampus as target region for current mouse brain irradiation experiments can be determined by registration with mouse brain atlas data. Proton radiography is acquired with a scattered proton beam right before the irradiation, resulting in a radiograph, which can be registered to the X-ray image. Finally, the target volume can be aligned to the collimated proton beam for accurate brain irradiation, which was validated by immunohistochemical staining of DNA damage region.
The setup for proton radiography and mouse brain irradiation, parameters influencing the radiography quality and experimental data will be presented.

  • Lecture (Conference) (Online presentation)
    PTCOG 59 Conference, 04.-07.06.2021, Online, online

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32668
Publ.-Id: 32668


KLOE hadronic cross section data in the HepDATA repository

Müller, S.

Presentation at "PrecisionSM" Working Group Meeting, 26.5.2021 (virtual)

Keywords: HEPData; STRONG2020

  • Lecture (Conference) (Online presentation)
    3rd Meeting on database on hadronic cross sections, 26.05.2021, Europ/Rome (virtual), Italy

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32667
Publ.-Id: 32667


Epileptogenic zone detection in MRI negative epilepsy using adaptive thresholding of arterial spin labeling data

Gajdoš, M.; Říha, P.; Kojan, M.; Doležalová, I.; Mutsaerts, H. J. M. M.; Petr, J.; Rektor, I.

Drug-resistant epilepsy is a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, mainly in patients with negative MRI findings. State-of-the-art imaging methods complement standard epilepsy protocols with new information and help epileptologists to increase the reliability of their decisions. In this study, we investigate whether arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion MRI can help localize the epileptogenic zone (EZ). To that end, we developed an image processing method to detect the EZ as an area with hypoperfusion relative to the contralateral unaffected side, using subject-specific thresholding of the asymmetry index in ASL images. We demonstrated three thresholding criteria (termed minimal product criterion, minimal distance criterion, and elbow criterion) on 29 patients with MRI-negative epilepsy (age 32.98 ± 10.4 years). The minimal product criterion showed optimal results in terms of positive predictive value (mean 0.12 in postoperative group and 0.22 in preoperative group) and true positive rate (mean 0.71 in postoperative group and 1.82 in preoperative group). Additionally, we found high accuracy in determining the EZ side (mean 0.86 in postoperative group and 0.73 in preoperative group out of 1.00). ASL can be easily incorporated into the standard presurgical MR protocol, and it provides an additional benefit in EZ localization.

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32666
Publ.-Id: 32666


Curvilinear Antiferromagnetism: Current State and Perspectives

Pylypovskyi, O.

Antiferromagnets (AFMs) emerged as a versatile material science platform, which enabled numerous fundamental discoveries including the observation of monopole quasiparticles in frustrated systems and collective quantum effects, such as spin superfluidity and Bose–Einstein condensation of magnetic excitations [1]. Primary advantages of antiferromagnets are their terahertz operating frequencies, the absence of stray fields, magnetic field robustness, all of which result in numerous advantages including those in spintronics and spinorbitronics [2]. The key enabler of those applications is the presence of the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI). This, in turn, put stringent requirements on the magnetic symmetry of AFM, which should support weak ferromagnetism and chiral helimagnetism. This makes the portfolio of material systems available for these studies very limited that renders the progress in AFM-related fundamental and technological research to depend on time-consuming material screening and optimization of intrinsic chiral properties of AFMs. The field of curvilinear magnetism is well explored for ferromagnets, where magnetic responses are tailored by local curvatures [3]. By contrast, the topic of curvilinear AFMs is at its infancy [4-9]. The energy landscape of ring AFM and geometrically frustrated chains at non-zero temperature is characterized by a large number of metastable states including long-living noncollinear textures if anisotropy is strong enough [6]. In experiment, curvilinear AFMs are mainly represented by the molecular magnets [7] and metalized DNA molecules [8]. The shape anisotropy stemming from magnetostriction plays the major role in the ordering of the Neel vector in perovskite zig-zag stripes and nanodots determining the easy direction as the parallel or perpendicular to the boundary [9]. In this presentation, we will demonstrate that chiral responses of AFMs can be tailored by a geometrical curvature without the need to adjust material parameters. In a general case, an intrinsically achiral one-dimensional curvilinear AFM spin chain behaves as a chiral helimagnet with geometrically tunable DMI, orientation of the Neel vector and the helimagnetic phase transition, see Fig. 1 [4]. The helix-shaped spin chain possesses two ground states: the so-called homogeneous and periodic ones with respect to the motion along the chain. The energetically favorable state is determined by the direction of the geometry-driven DMI vector. In contrast to ferromagnets, there is no easy axis anisotropy competing with the geometry-driven one. Furthermore, the curvature-induced DMI results in the hybridization of spin wave modes. The low-frequency branch is gapless for straight chains and possesses the gap for any finite curvature. In addition, the DMI enables a geometrically-driven local minimum of the low frequency branch which increases for larger curvature and torsion, see Fig. 2. This opens exciting perspectives to study long-lived collective magnon states in AFMs. These findings position curvilinear 1D antiferromagnets as a novel platform for the realization of geometrically tunable chiral antiferromagnets for antiferromagnetic spinorbitronics and fundamental discoveries in the formation of coherent magnon condensates in the momentum space. The proposed description of vector fields living at curvilinear geometries can be applied for other systems with complex order parameters, such as ferroelectrics [10] or liquid crystals [11].

[1] C. Castelnovo, R. Moessner, S. L. Sondhi, Nature, Vol. 451, p. 42 (2008); N. Nagaosa, Y. Tokura, Phys. Scr. Vol. T146, p. 014020 (2012);
A. A. Zvyagin, Low Temp. Phys. Vol. 39, p. 901 (2013) [2] T. Jungwirth, J. Sinova, A. Manchon et al, Nat. Phys. Vol. 14, p. 200 (2018); V. Baltz,
A. Manchon, M. Tsoi et al, Rev. Mod. Phys. Vol. 90, p. 015005 (2018) [3] R. Streubel, P. Fischer, F. Kronast et al, J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. Vol. 49,
p. 363001 (2016); A. Fernandez-Pacheko, R. Streubel, O. Fruchart et al, Nat. Comm. Vol. 8, p. 15756 (2016); D. D. Sheka, O. V. Pylypovskyi, P.
Landeros et al., Comm. Phys. 3, 128 (2020) [4] O. V. Pylypovskyi, D. Y. Kononenko, K. V. Yershov et al, Nano Lett. Vol. 20, p. 8157 (2020) [5]
K. K. Nanda, A. W. Addison, E. Sinn et al, Inorg. Chem. Vol 35, p. 5966 (1996); O. Cador, D. Gatteschi, R. Sessoli et al, Ang. Chem. Int. Ed. vol 43,
p. 5196 (2004); M. Grzelczak, M. Correa-Duarte, V. Salgueirino-Maceira et al, Ang. Chem. Int. Ed. Vol. 46, p. 7026 (2007); T. Guidi, B. Gillon, S. A.
Mason et al, Nat. Comm. Vol. 6, p. 7061 (2015) [6] S. Castillo-Sepulveda, R. A. Escobar, D. Altbir et al, Phys. Rev. B, Vol. 96, p. 024426 (2017) [7] S.
J. Blundell, F. L. Pratt, J. Phys.: Cond. Matt. Vol. 16, p. R71 (2004) [8] K. Mizoguchi, S. Tanaka, M. Ojima et al, J. Phys. Soc. Jap. Vol. 76, p. 043801
(2007) [9] A. D. Bang, I. Hallsteinsen, R. V. Chopdekar et al, Appl. Phys. Lett. Vol. 115, p. 112403 (2019); M. S. Lee, P. Lyu, R. V. Chopdekar et al,
J. Appl. Phys. Vol. 127, p. 203901 (2020) [10] M. Owczarek, K. A. Hujsak, D. P. Ferris et al, Nat. Comm. Vol. 7, p. 13108 (2016) [11] G. Napoli, L.
Vergori, Phys. Rev. Lett. Vol. 108, p. 207803 (2012)

Keywords: antiferromagnetism; curvilinear magnetism

  • Invited lecture (Conferences) (Online presentation)
    IEEE International Magnetic Virtual Conference INTERMAG21, 26.-30.04.2021, Online, Online

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32665
Publ.-Id: 32665


Domain Walls in Antiferromagnetic Samples With non-Trivial Surface Topography

Pylypovskyi, O.; Hedrich, N.; Wagner, K.; Tomilo, A.; Shields, B.; Kosub, T.; Sheka, D.; Makarov, D.; Maletinsky, P.

Antiferromagnets (AFMs) have regained strong attention from the magnetism community especially with the advent of antiferromagnetic spintronics [1]. The key operational element of spintronic devices is represented by information carriers, such as domain walls (DWs) and skyrmions. The simplest AFM DW separates two regions with the opposite orientation of the Neel order parameter. Although highly relevant, the experimental studies of AFM DWs (visualization, dynamics, mechanics) are challenging because of strict requirements on measurement techniques to access their properties. Here, we overcome these limitations and conduct detailed, quantitative studies of the mechanics and the nanoscale properties of individual, antiferromagnetic DWs in a single crystal Cr2O3 – a room-temperature, magnetoelectric, insulating AFM [2]. Our results reveal a remarkably pristine DW behaviour, which is governed by DW energy minimization and boundary conditions, but largely unaffected by pinning or disorder – a “textbook example” of antiferromagnetic DW physics. In our experiment, the crystal’s (0001) surface is patterned by a grid of mesas with mean thickness and width t=166 nm and w=2400 nm, respectively. The DW is nucleated by means of magnetoelectric field cooling by inverting the electric bias field over opposite halves of the sample. The DW may also be dragged through the mesa pattern by a focused laser spot. The magnetic texture is imaged using Nitrogen Vacancy (NV) magnetometry [3]. We find that the DW mimics an elastic surface with specific mechanical properties, determined by the interaction with the topographic features of the sample where the DW is (i) deflected from the straight plane crossing the mesa; (ii) bent around mesa corners. To address the DW behaviour theoretically, we perform large-scale spin-lattice simulations with GPU speed-up [4]. The analytical Ansatz is developed based on the numerically-obtained, three-dimensional DW profile. All main features of the DW behaviour can be determined taking into account the nearest-neighbour exchange and uniaxial anisotropy for a general model of a bipartite AFM. Crossing the mesa, the DW experiences an S-shaped distortion observed at the mesa surface, which is the result of exchange-driven boundary conditions at the side faces of the mesa, see Fig. 1. Below the top surface, the DW possesses a twist to match this distortion with the straight plane far below the sample’s surface. We find that the DW surface is deflected from the plane over a characteristic depth of 0.34w. Comparison of the equilibrium DW direction in bulk and at the mesa’s top surface allows us to derive an effective Snell’s law for the DW behaviour at the sample’s surface with the given incidence and refraction angles θ1 and θ2. The effective refraction coefficient is determined by the analytical energy minimization and reads neff = 1 + 3.1t/w + O(θ1). Controlled manipulation via laser not only enables DW dragging through the mesa, but also pinning at mesa corners. The shape of the DW surface is governed by its intrinsic elasticity. In terms of mechanics of an elastic ribbon, the corresponding tension coefficient is determined by the temperature-dependent exchange stiffness and anisotropy coefficient. This allows for curved DW states in which it is pinned at the opposite mesa sides. Using mesas as bistable pinning sites, we propose a potential DW-based AFM memory concept. Here, the memory state “0” or “1” is associated with the direction of the Neel order parameter at the mesa surface. We have realized such pinning sites experimentally and have shown manipulation of the state via laser dragging. In summary, we realize engineered DW potentials and control over DW trajectories by topographic structuring and manipulation of the DW position by means. The physics of AFM DWs in a single crystal with non-trivial surface topography is described theoretically by means of spin-lattice simulations and analytical model. A novel nanoscale AFM memory architecture is suggested.

[1] T. Jungwirth, J. Sinova, A. Manchon et al, Nat. Phys. Vol. 14, p. 200 (2018); T. Jungwirth, X. Marti, P. Wadley et al, Nat. Nano. Vol. 11, p. 231 (2016); V. Baltz, A. Manchon, M. Tsoi et al, Rev. Mod. Phys. Vol. 90, p. 015005 (2018); O. V. Pylypovskyi, D. Y. Kononenko, K. V. Yershov et al, Nano Lett. Vol. 20, p. 8157 (2020) [2] N. Hedrich, K. Wagner, O. V. Pylypovskyi et al, arXiv:2009.08086 [3] L. Rondin, J.-P. Tetienne, T. Hingant et al, Rep. Prog. Phys. Vol. 77, p. 056503 (2014); N. Hedrich, D. Rohner, M. Batzer et al, Phys. Rev. Applied, Vol. 14, p. 064007 (2020) [4] SLaSi simulation package, http://slasi.knu.ua; O. V. Pylypovskyi, D. D. Sheka, Book of Abstracts, EUROPT Workshop, p. 11 (2013)

Keywords: Cr2O3; NV magnetometry; topography; surface; domain wall

  • Lecture (Conference) (Online presentation)
    IEEE International Magnetic Virtual Conference INTERMAG21, 26.-30.04.2021, Online, Online

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32664
Publ.-Id: 32664


Description of Symmetry-Breaking Effects in Curvilinear Ferromagnetic Shells

Sheka, D.; Pylypovskyi, O.; Landeros, P.; Kakay, A.; Makarov, D.

The behaviour of any physical system is governed by the order parameter, determined by the geometry of the physical space of the object, namely their dimensionality and curvature. Usually, the effects of curvature are described using local interactions only, e.g. local spin-orbit- or curvature-induced Rashba and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions (DMI). In the specific case of ferromagnetism, until recently, there was no analytical framework, which was treating curvature effects stemming from local [1] and non-local [2] interactions on the same footing. The lack of a proper theoretical foundation impedes the description of essential micromagnetic textures like magnetic domains, skyrmion-bubbles and vortices. Here, we present a micromagnetic theory of curvilinear ferromagnetic shells, which allows to describe the geometry-driven effects stemming from exchange and magnetostatics within the same framework [3]. A general description of magnetic curvilinear shells can be done using tangential derivatives of the unit magnetization vector. Tangential derivatives are represented by the covariant derivatives of in-surface components and the regular derivative of the normal magnetization component, normalized by the square root of the corresponding metric tensor coefficient. This allows to separate the explicit effects of curvature and spurious effects of the reference frame. The shape of a given thin shell can be determined by two principal curvatures k1 and k2, which are functions of coordinate. The respective classification of curvilinear surfaces operates with (i) developable surfaces, where one of the principal curvatures equals to zero; (ii) minimal ones, where the mean curvature k1 + k2 = 0; and (iii) the general case. The local geometry-driven energy contributions are represented by the DMI and anisotropy, whose coefficients are determined by powers of the principal curvatures. This allows to cancel the influence of one of the DMI terms for the developable surfaces for any magnetic texture. The magnetostatic interaction is a source of new chiral effects, which are essentially non-local in contrast to the conventional DMI. The physical origin is the non-zero mean curvature of a shell and the non-equivalence between the top and bottom surfaces of the shell. We demonstrate that the analysis of non-local effects in curvilinear thin shells can become more straightforward when introducing three magnetostatic charges. In this respect, in contrast to the classical approach by Brown [4], we split a conventional volume magnetostatic charge into two terms: (i) magnetostatic charge, governed by the tangent to the sample’s surface, and (ii) geometrical charge, given by the normal component of magnetization and the mean curvature. In addition to the shape anisotropy (local effect), there appear four additional non-local terms, determined by the surface curvature. Three of them are zero for any magnetic texture in shells with the geometry of minimal surfaces. The fourth term is determined by the non-equivalence of the top and bottom surfaces of the shell and becomes zero only for the special symmetries of magnetic textures. The discovered non-local magnetochiral effects introduce handedness in an intrinsically achiral material and enables the design of magneto-electric and ferro-toroidic responses. This will stimulate to rethink the origin of chiral effects in different systems, e.g. in fundamentally appealing and technologically relevant skyrmionic systems, and further theoretical investigations in the field of curvilinear magnetism as well as experimental validation of these theoretical predictions. These developments will pave the way towards new device ideas relying on curvature effects in magnetic nanostructures. The impact of effects predicted in this work goes well beyond the magnetism community. Our description of the vector field behaviour can be applied to different emergent field of studies of curvature effects. The prospective applications include curved superconductors [5], twisted graphene bilayers [6], flexible ferroelectrics [7], curved liquid crystals [8].

[1] Yu. Gaididei, V. P. Kravchuk, D. D. Sheka, Phys. Rev. Lett., 112, 257203 (2014); D. D. Sheka, V. P. Kravchuk, Yu. Gaididei, J. Phys. A: Math. Theor., 48, 125202 (2015); O. V. Pylypovskyi, V. P. Kravchuk, D. D. Sheka et al, Phys. Rev. Lett., 114, 197204 (2015); V. P. Kravchuk, D. D. Sheka, A. Kakay et al, Phys. Rev. Lett., 120, 067201 (2018) [2] P. Landeros, A. S. Nunez, J. Appl. Phys. Vol. 108, p. 033917 (2010); J. A. Otalora, M. Yan, H. Schultheiss et al, Phys. Rev. Lett., 117, 227203 (2016); J. A. Otalora, M. Yan, H. Schultheiss et al, Phys. Rev. B, 95, 184415 (2017) [3] D. D. Sheka, O. V. Pylypovskyi, P. Landeros et al., Comm. Phys. 3, 128 (2020) [4] W. F. Brown Jr. Micromagnetics (Wiley, New York, 1963) [5] V. Vitelly, A. M. Turner, Phys. Rev. Lett., 93, 215301 (2004) [6] W. Yan, W.-Y. He, Z.-D. Chu et al, Nat. Comm., 4, 2159 (2013) [7] M. Owczarek, K. A. Hujsak, D. P. Ferris et al, Nat. Comm., 7, 13108 (2016) [8] G. Napoli, L. Vergori, Phys. Rev. Lett., 108, 207803 (2012)

Keywords: curvilinear magnetism; magnetostatics; curvilinear geometry

  • Lecture (Conference) (Online presentation)
    IEEE International Magnetic Virtual Conference INTERMAG21, 26.-30.04.2021, Online, Online

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32663
Publ.-Id: 32663


Exploration of DVC (Data Version Control)

Sultova, N.

The repository contains tutorials and code which were created based on the exploration of DVC (Data Version Control) as a potential tool for managing machine learning pipelines within HZDR.
The tutorials aim to help understanding the tools features and drawbacks and also serve as future teaching material.

Keywords: machine learning version control pipelines

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32662
Publ.-Id: 32662


Preclinical Proof of Concept Study towards Modifiable 225Ac-Chelators for Mild Condition Labeling and PSMA-targeting

Reissig, F.; Bauer, D.; Zarschler, K.; Novy, Z.; Bendova, K.; Ludik, M.-C.; Kopka, K.; Pietzsch, H.-J.; Petrik, M.; Mamat, C.

Targeted alpha therapy is currently one of the most intensively investigated topics in radiopharmaceutical sciences and cancer management in nuclear medicine. Especially, the alpha emitter 225Ac provides excellent physical and chemical properties (t1/2 = 10 d, 4 α and 2 β decays). Thus, it is consistently gaining an increasing interest for the radioligand therapy (RLT) of various tumor entities. The aim of this study was to synthesize macropa-based chelators that allow room temperature labeling and offer the modular functionalization properties for a straightforward coupling of temperature-sensitive biomolecules by e.g. click chemistry approaches. As a proof of concept study, the chelators were coupled to known PSMA-targeting vector molecules and then evaluated in vitro as well as in vivo.

Keywords: alpha therapy

  • Lecture (Conference) (Online presentation)
    EANM'21 virtual (34th congress), 20.-23.10.2021, Wien, Österrreich

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32661
Publ.-Id: 32661


131Ba as a promising SPECT-diagnostic match for 223/224Radium

Reissig, F.; Bauer, D.; Ullrich, M.; Kreller, M.; Pietzsch, J.; Kopka, K.; Pietzsch, H.-J.; Walther, M.; Mamat, C.

We recognize 131Ba as a SPECT radionuclide, which provides a diagnostic match for the therapeutic alpha-emitting radionuclides 223Ra and 224Ra. The gamma-emitter barium-131 (t½ = 11.5 d) decays with an energy of 123.8 keV (30% intensity) of the first decay via cesium-131 (t½ = 9.7 d) to stable xenon-131, each by electron capture. Our aim was to develop of a straightforward resin-based radiochemical separation to yield 131Ba with high radionuclide purity. Furthermore, the radiolabeling of the complexing agent macropa with [131Ba]Ba2+ using mild labeling conditions was intended. For this purpose, different TLC systems as reaction control were utilized. The radiopharma-cological characterization of 131Ba-labeled macropa in comparison to uncomplexed [131Ba]Ba2+ was carried out in healthy mice, including biodistribution and small animal SPECT/CT experiments.

Keywords: alpha therapy; Barium-131; Radium-224; SPECT

  • Lecture (Conference) (Online presentation)
    eSRS 2021 Virtual Meeting, 17.-19.05.2021, Nantes, France
  • Abstract in refereed journal
    Nuclear Medicine and Biology 96-97/S1(2021), S107
    DOI: 10.1016/S0969-8051(21)00423-6

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32660
Publ.-Id: 32660


Timing of the post-LGM retreat of the Iller Piedmont Glacier (Southern Germany) based on in-situ ³⁶Cl exposure dating of glacial erratics

Hildebrandt, D.; Hofmann, F.; Merchel, S.; Rugel, G.; Strößner, K.; Akber, S.; Friedrich, A. M.

The dynamic behavior of glacial retreat following the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), which is globally diachronous, is poorly understood. Along strike of the northern Alpine margin, multiple lobes of large foreland glaciers left a complex morpho-sedimentary record. While the reconstructed LGM ice extent is laterally constant in the west, it shows significant variations in the central and eastern part. We use these local geologic variations to explore how regional climatic conditions relate to global climate during this period of rapid late Pleistocene climate change. The chronology for this interval has been well-constrained in Switzerland, but radiometric ages have only been reported for a few locations along the Alpine Foreland in Germany. In this study, we employ cosmogenic ³⁶Cl in limestone to constrain the in-situ exposure age of glacial erratics situated on moraine walls of the Iller Piedmont Glacier. We sampled erratic boulders along a transect perpendicular to three moraine ridges previously interpreted to represent the LGM along with two post-LGM retreat stands. Our preliminary raw data show that the sampled lithology provides internally consistent, reproducible, and geologically meaningful dates. We discuss our results taking into account limestone weathering, erosion and local postglacial landscape stabilization, and apply appropriate correction factors to obtain more accurate ages. This exposure age data gives first insights into the spatio-temporal patterns of glacial retreat in the northern Alpine Foreland, which can be used to reconstruct Central European paleoclimate in the late Pleistocene.

Keywords: AMS; LGM; glacier; climate; TCN

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  • Poster
    Geokarlsruhe 2021, 19.-24.09.2021, Karlsruhe, Deutschland

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32659
Publ.-Id: 32659


The npSCOPE: a new multimodal instrument for in-situ correlative analysis of nanoparticles

de Castro, O.; Biesemeier, A.; Serralta Hurtado De Menezes, E.; Bouton, O.; Barrahma, R.; Hung Hoang, Q.; Cambier, S.; Taubitz, T.; Klingner, N.; Hlawacek, G.

Over the last decades, nanoparticles have become a key element in a number of scientific and technological fields, spanning from materials science to life sciences. The characterisation of nanoparticles or samples containing nanoparticles in terms of morphology, chemical composition and other parameters typically involves investigations with various analytical tools, requiring complex workflows and extending the duration of such studies to several days or even weeks. Here, we report about the development of a new unique in-situ correlative instrument, allowing to answer questions about the nanoparticles’ shape, size, size-distribution and chemical composition using a single probe. Combining various microscopic and analytical capabilities in one single instrument allows a considerable increase in flexibility and a reduction of the duration of such complex investigations. The new instrument is based on focused ion beam microscopy technology, using a gas field ion source as a key enabler and combining it with specifically developed secondary ion mass spectrometry and scanning transmission ion microscopy technology. We will present the underlying concept, the instrument and its main components, and proof of concept studies performed on this novel instrument. For this purpose, different titanium dioxide nanoparticular samples, as well as their distribution and localisation in biological model systems, have been investigated. Our results demonstrate the performance and usefulness of the instrument for nanoparticle investigations, laying the ground for a number of future applications, including in particular nanotoxicological research.

Keywords: Multi-modal characterisation; Correlative; in-situ; nanotoxicology; secondary ion mass spectrometry; scanning transmission ion microscopy; helium ion microscopy

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32658
Publ.-Id: 32658


High-field THz pulses from a GaAs photoconductive emitter for non-linear THz studies

Singh, A.; Li, J.; Pashkin, O.; Rana, R.; Winnerl, S.; Helm, M.; Schneider, H.

This is the raw data related to the publication "High-field THz pulses from a GaAs photoconductive emitter for non-linear THz studies".

  • The file "THzPowerMeasurement.xlsx" is manually noted THz power reading from the locking. It is used for Figs. 2(a&b).
  • The file "005-PCA-60V_100mW.thz" is the THz time-domain data corresponding to Fig2 (c).  
  • The files "017******* to 027**********" are data corresponding to Figs 3(a&b). Plots in Figs. 4(b-d) are also calculated from these data files.
  • The files "003-PCA-1mm.thz", "004-PCA-withoutAperture.thz", and "005-PCA-1point2mm.thz" are data used for THz spot diameter calculation.

Keywords: Terahertz emitter; Photoconductive THz emitter; Nonlinear THz effects

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32657
Publ.-Id: 32657


Rise and fall of laser-intensity effects in spectrally resolved Compton process

Hernandez Acosta, U.; Titov, A.; Kämpfer, B.

The laser intensity dependence of nonlinear Compton scattering is discussed in some detail. For sufficiently hard photons with energy ω', the spectrally resolved differential cross section dσ/dω'|ω'=const, rises from small toward larger laser intensity parameter ξ, reaches a maximum, and falls toward the asymptotic strong-field region. Such a rise and fall of a differential observable is to be contrasted with the monotonously increasing laser intensity dependence of the total probability, which is governed by the soft spectral part. We combine that hard-photon yield from Compton scattering with the seeded Breit–Wheeler pair production in a folding model and obtain a rapidly increasing e+e− pair number at ξ ≲ 4. Laser bandwidth effects are quantified in the weak-field limit of the related trident pair production.

Keywords: non-linear Compton scattering; nonlinear Breit-Wheeler pair production; strong-field QED

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32656
Publ.-Id: 32656


Data for: Bubble formation from sub-millimeter orifices under variable gas flow conditions

Mohseni, E.; Ziegenhein, T.; Reinecke, S. F.; Hampel, U.

This is the data for the publication ID 32653.

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32655
Publ.-Id: 32655


Bubble formation from sub-millimeter orifices under variable gas flow conditions

Mohseni, E.; Ziegenhein, T.; Reinecke, S.; Hampel, U.

We provide an experimental investigation on the mechanism of the bubble formation from sub-millimeter orifices under variable gas flow conditions VGFC. The effect of influential parameters including the volumetric gas flow rate Q, the orifice diameter dor, and the volume of the gas reservoir Vc upstream of the orifice are investigated in detail. We found that, by enlarging Vc, q increases. This affects various aspects of bubble formation dynamics such as the bubble base expansion, the apparent contact angle at the three-phase contact point, and the bubble detachment criterion. The effect of Vc is best presented by its dimensionless group, the capacitance number Nc. The minimum Nc from which the influence of the gas reservoir becomes important depends on the orifice size. Moreover, a significant increase in Vc leads to a change in the bubbling regime towards multiple bubble formation.

Keywords: Bubble formation; Sub-millimeter orifice; Gas reservoir; Bubble dynamics

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32653
Publ.-Id: 32653


Research and Metadata Management at HZDR

Knodel, O.

The talk introduces the current status of the research and metadata management at HZDR.

Keywords: Data Management; Rodare; Mediawiki; Heliport

  • Open Access Logo Invited lecture (Conferences) (Online presentation)
    Research Data and Metadata Management Workshop Health, 21.05.2021, Heidelberg, Germany

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32652
Publ.-Id: 32652


Photoexcitation of 76Ge

Schwengner, R.; Massarczyk, R.; Schmidt, K.; Zuber, K.; Beyer, R.; Bemmerer, D.; Hammer, S.; Hartmann, A.; Hensel, T.; Hoffmann, H.; Junghans, A.; Kögler, T.; Müller, S. E.; Pichotta, M.; Turkat, S.; Turko, J. A. B.; Urlaß, S.; Wagner, A.

The dipole strength of the nuclide 76Ge was studied in photon-scattering experiments using bremsstrahlung produced with electron beams of energies of 7.8 and 12.3 MeV at the γELBE facility. We identified 210 levels up to an excitation energy of 9.4 MeV and assigned spin J = 1 to most of them. The quasicontinuum of unresolved transitions was included in the analysis of the spectra and the intensities of branching transitions were estimated on the basis of simulations of statistical γ-ray cascades. The photoabsorption cross section up to the neutron-separation energy was determined and compared with predictions of the statistical reaction model as well as with results of experiments using other reactions.

Keywords: photon scattering; nuclear resonance fluorescence; dipole strength; photoabsorption cross section

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32651
Publ.-Id: 32651


Technetium retention by green rust chloride

Mayordomo, N.; Rodriguez Hernandez, D. M.; Schild, D.; Roßberg, A.; Scheinost, A.; Brendler, V.; Müller, K.

Techntium-99 (99Tc) is one of the most concerning fission products due to its long half-life (2.14∙10⁵ years) and the mobility of the anion pertechnetate (TcO₄⁻). [1] However, Tc migration decreases when Tc(VII) is reduced to Tc(IV). This scavenging step is favored by reductive material, among which Fe(II) minerals have been widely studied due to their versatility, low cost and ubiquity. [2]
Green rust is a Fe(II)-Fe(III) mixed hydroxide that possesses adsorption, anion exchange and reduction capabilities. Its presence is expected in the near- and far-field of a nuclear waste repository because it is an iron corrosion product, and it is also formed in the environment when Fe²⁺ interacts with Fe(III) minerals. [3]
Batch contact studies have been performed under a wide range of conditions, i.e. pH (3-11), Tc concentration (nM-mM), and ionic strength (0-0.1 M). X-ray diffraction, Raman microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) provided information on Tc oxidation state and speciation as well as on secondary redox products related to the Tc interaction with green rust. In addition, re-oxidation experiments have been performed during six months.
The results show that green rust removes Tc from solution with efficiencies between 80% (Kd = 8.0∙103 mL/g) and ≈100% (Kd = 9.9∙10⁵ mL/g) for pH > 6.0, regardless on the ionic strength and the Tc concentration. In contrast, Tc removal for pH < 6.0 drops with decreasing pH, and ranges from 80% to 50% (Kd = 2.0∙10³ mL/g), reaching a minimum at pH 3.5. XPS analysis reveals the predominance of Tc(IV) at all evaluated pH values (3.5 to 11.5), supporting that Tc reductive immobilization is the main retention mechanism. Re-oxidation experiments show that Tc is slowly solubilized when time increases.
We thank the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) for funding the VESPA II project (02E11607B).
[1] Meena, A.H.; Arai, Y. Env. Chem Lett (2017), 15, 241–263.
[2] Pearce, C.I. et al. Sci. Total Environ. (2020), 716, 132849.
[3] Usman, M. et al. Chem. Rev. (2018), 118, 3251–3304.

Keywords: Technetium; Reductive immobilization; Sorption; Fe(II)-minerals

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  • Lecture (Conference) (Online presentation)
    Goldschmidt 2021, 04.-09.07.2021, Online, Online

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32650
Publ.-Id: 32650


Interfacial flow of a surfactant-laden interface under asymmetric shear flow

Eftekhari, M.; Schwarzenberger, K.; Heitkam, S.; Eckert, K.

Hypothesis
The shear stress of the axisymmetric flow field triggers a nonuniform distribution of the surfactants at the surface of a rising bubble, known as stagnant cap. The formation of the stagnant cap gives rise to Marangoni stresses that reduce the mobility of the interface, which in return reduces the rising velocity. However, the conditions in technological processes usually deviate from the linear rise of a single bubble in a quiescent unbounded liquid. Asymmetric shear can act on the bubble surface e.g. due to the vorticity in the surrounding flow, bubble-bubble interactions, or influence of the reactor wall. A different surfactant distribution at the interface is expected under asymmetric shear, which can change the hydrodynamic behavior of the interface drastically.
Experiments
Here we conduct model experiments with a bubble or a drop at the tip of a capillary placed in a defined flow field. Thereby we investigate the influence of asymmetric shear forces on the interface in the presence of surfactants. Microscopic particle tracking velocimetry is employed to measure the velocity of the surfactant-laden interface for different degrees of asymmetry in the surrounding liquid flow.
Findings
We show a direct experimental observation of the circulating flow at the interface under asymmetric shear, which prevents the formation of the typical stagnant cap. Additionally, we reveal that the interface remains mobile regardless of the surfactant concentration. Our results confirm that increasing the degree of asymmetry increases the shear forces and thus the interfacial velocity.

Keywords: Rising bubble; Stagnant cap; Surfactant distribution; Marangoni effect; Particle image velocimetry; Interfacial flow

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32649
Publ.-Id: 32649


Investigation of Np(V) sorption onto the zircaloy corrosion product ZrO₂

Jessat, I.; Scheinost, A.; Roßberg, A.; Foerstendorf, H.; Jordan, N.

In a safety assessment of a high-level radioactive waste repository, interactions of radionuclides (e.g. neptunium(V)) with corroded phases in the near field of the repository have to be taken into account. The corrosion product of the zircaloy cladding material of spent nuclear fuel rods, namely zirconia (ZrO₂), potentially represents a first migration barrier towards mobilized radionuclide ions.
The interactions of Np(V) with monoclinic zirconia were studied at room temperature on a macroscopic and molecular scale. To gain comprehensive characteristics on the macroscopic level, batch sorption experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of different parameters (time, pH, Np(V) concentration and ionic strength). Np(V) showed increasing sorption to ZrO₂, starting from pH 3 and with a maximum uptake reached at pH ≥ 7. The Np(V) sorption is independent of ionic strength in the studied range (0.01 ‒ 0.1 M), indicating the formation of Np(V) inner-sphere sorption complexes on the ZrO₂ surface. Electrophoretic measurements further support this result by shifting the isoelectric point of ZrO₂ towards higher pH values in the presence of Np(V) compared to neat zirconia material.
Spectroscopic studies enable a deeper understanding of Np(V) sorption on a molecular scale. In situ Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier-transform Infrared spectroscopy potentially provides information on the number of sorption species, their denticity and the reversibility of the sorption process. From Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure spectroscopy access is given to the interatomic Np-Zr distances and the coordination numbers. Information gained on the macroscopic and molecular level will subsequently be used for surface complexation modelling (SCM) to parametrize a comprehensive description of the Np(V)-ZrO₂ system. This will contribute to a more reliable prediction of the environmental fate of neptunium(V).

Keywords: neptunium(V); sorption; zirconia; spectroscopy

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  • Lecture (Conference) (Online presentation)
    45th Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management (SBNWM), 24.-29.10.2021, Cologne, Germany

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32648
Publ.-Id: 32648


Scaling of Lift Reversal of Deformed Bubbles in Air-Water Systems

Hayashi, K.; Heßenkemper, H.; Lucas, D.; Legendre, D.; Tomiyama, A.

Scaling of the lift reversal for a deformed bubble in the surface tension-inertial force dominant regime was discussed. Lift data of bubbles in water recently reported in literature were used. The negative lift component was well correlated in terms of the drag coefficient, which, in turn, implies that the vorticity produced at the bubble surface plays a key role in both drag and lift forces as is the case with the viscous force dominant regime. The scaling was confirmed to give good evaluations of the lift coefficients.

Keywords: Lift force; Lift reversal; Negative lift; Shape deformation

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32647
Publ.-Id: 32647


Interfacial mobility of surfactant and nanoparticle -laden interfaces under asymmetric shear flow

Eftekhari, M.; Schwarzenberger, K.; Heitkam, S.; Javadi, A.; Eckert, K.

The shear stress of an axisymmetric flow field triggers a nonuniform distribution of the surfactants at the surface of a rising bubble, known as stagnant cap. This nonuniform surfactant distribution creates a surface tension gradient that counteracts the viscous shear stress of the flow and thus reduces the mobility of the interface. However, in technological processes the flow field often is asymmetric e.g. due to the vorticity in the flow. Under such conditions, the interface experiences an unbalanced shear stress that is not curl-free. Thus, it cannot be compensated by the redistribution of the surfactants at the interface [1].
Here, we conduct model experiments with a bubble at the tip of a capillary placed in a defined asymmetric flow field. Thereby, we investigate the mobility of the interface in the presence of surfactants and nanoparticles using microscopic particle tracking velocimetry. Compared to surfactants, nanoparticles have substantially higher desorption energy, leading to irreversible adsorption. Thus, a different interaction between the bulk flow and the interface is expected for different types of adsorbed materials.
In this study, we show a direct experimental observation of the circulating flow at the interface under asymmetric shear stress. The results indicate that the interface remains mobile regardless of the surfactant concentration [2]. Additionally, we show that the nanoparticle-laden interface adopts a solid-like state and resists the interfacial flow upon surface compression. Our results imply that the immobilization of the interface can be described by the ratio of the interfacial elasticity to the bulk viscous forces.

Keywords: Rising bubble; asymmetric shear flow; surfactant distribution; nanoparticles; interfacial immobility

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  • Lecture (Conference)
    European Colloid & Interface Society, 05.-10.09.2021, Athens, Greece

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32645
Publ.-Id: 32645


Llama, a low level abstraction library for memory access

Gruber, B. M.

This talk presents the current state of LLAMA, the library for Low Level Abstraction of Memory Access.

  • Open Access Logo Lecture (Conference) (Online presentation)
    Compute Accelerator Forum, 12.05.2021, virtual, Switzerland

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32643
Publ.-Id: 32643


Stable isotope fractionation of thallium as novel evidence for its geochemical transfer during lead‑zinc smelting activities

Zhou, Y.; He, H.; Wang, J.; Liu, J.; Lippold, H.; Bao, Z.; Wang, L.; Lin, Y.; Fang, F.; Huang, Y.; Jiang, Y.; Xiao, T.; Yuan, W.; Wei, X.; Tsang, D. C. W.

Thallium(Tl) is a highly toxic trace metal. Lead(Pb)-zinc(Zn) smelting, which is a pillar industry in various countries, is regarded as one of the dominant anthropogenic sources of Tl contamination in the environment. In this study, thallium isotope data have been evaluated for raw material and a set of industrial wastes produced at different stages of Pb-Zn smelting in a representative large facility located by the North River, South China, in order to capture Tl isotope signatures of such typical anthropogenic origin for laying the foundation of tracking Tl pollution. Large variations in Tl isotopic compositions of raw Pb-Zn ores and solid smelting wastes produced along the process chain were observed. The ε205Tl value of raw Pb-Zn ores and return fines are −0.87 ± 0.26 and −1.0 ± 0.17, respectively, contrasted by increasingly more negative values for electrostatic precipitator dust (ε205Tl = −2.03 ± 0.14), lime neutralizing slag (ε205Tl = −2.36 ± 0.18), and acid sludge (ε205Tl = −4.62 ± 0.76). The heaviest ε205Tl (1.12 ± 0.51) was found in clinker. These results show that isotopic fractionation occurs during the smelting processes. Obviously, the lighter Tl isotope is enriched in the vapor phase (−3.75 ε205Tl units). Further XPS and STEM-EDS analyses show that Tl isotope fractionation conforms to the Rayleigh fractionation model, and adsorption of 205Tl onto hematite (Fe2O3) may play an important role in the enrichment of the heavier Tl isotope. The findings demonstrate that Tl isotope analysis is a robust tool to aid our understanding of Tl behavior in smelting processes and to provide a basis for source apportionment of Tl contaminations.

Keywords: Tl contamination; Tl isotope; Pb-Zn smelting; Rayleigh fractionation

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32642
Publ.-Id: 32642


Low Carbon Footprint Recycling of Post-Consumer PET Plastic with a Metagenomic Polyester Hydrolase

Sonnendecker, C.; Oeser, J.; Richter, P. K.; Hille, P.; Zhao, Z.; Fischer, C.; Lippold, H.; Blázquez-Sánchez, P.; Engelberger, F.; Ramírez-Sarmiento, C. A.; Oeser, T.; Lihanova, Y.; Frank, R.; Jahnke, H.-G.; Billig, S.; Abel, B.; Sträter, N.; Matysik, J.; Zimmermann, W.

Our planet is flooded with plastics and the need for sustainable recycling strategies of polymers has become increasingly urgent. Enzyme-based hydrolysis of post-consumer plastic is an emerging strategy for closed-loop recycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The polyester hydrolase PHL7 isolated from a compost metagenome completely hydrolyzed amorphous PET films, releasing 91 mg of terephthalic acid per hour and mg of enzyme. Degradation rates of the PET film of 6.8 µm h-1 were monitored by vertical scanning interferometry. Structural analysis indicated the importance of leucine at position 210 for the extraordinarily high PET-hydrolyzing activity of PHL7. Within 24 h, 0.6 mgenzyme gPET -1 completely degraded post-consumer thermoform PET packaging in an aqueous buffer at 70°C without any energy-intensive pretreatments. Terephthalic acid recovered from the enzymatic hydrolysate was used to synthesize virgin PET, demonstrating the potential of polyester hydrolases as catalysts in sustainable PET recycling processes with a low carbon footprint.

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32641
Publ.-Id: 32641


Optimization of multi-group energy structures for diffusion analyses of sodium-cooled fast reactors assisted by simulated annealing – Part II: methodology application

Di Nora, V. A.; Fridman, E.; Nikitin, E.; Bilodid, Y.; Mikityuk, K.

Part I of this study introduced a novel methodology for the optimization of energy group structures to be used in diffusion calculations of Sodium Fast Reactors (SFRs). Such a methodology is assisted by either direct or simulated annealing search techniques. The capabilities of the method were preliminarily demonstrated on a single core state of the Superphénix reactor by using the DYN3D nodal diffusion code.
The scope of Part II is the further demonstration of the methodology efficiency through its application to more challenging “real-life” cases. In this respect, a static Superphénix neutronic benchmark comprising 13 different core states and a transient test initiated by an increase of the core inlet temperature at the Phénix reactor are considered.
For both Superphénix and Phénix reactor cores, 2- to 12-group optimal condensed energy group structures are identified using the 24-group structure as a starting point. The obtained optimal structures are thus employed in DYN3D and compared to the reference 24-group DYN3D solutions.
The outcomes show that also for a broader range of core configurations and under transient conditions the optimal energy group structures allow for significant acceleration of the DYN3D performance with practically negligible degradation of the solution accuracy.

Keywords: Serpent; SFR; energy structure optimization; simulated annealing

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32640
Publ.-Id: 32640


High brightness ion sources for laser-induced ionization of metal and metalloid ions

Machalett, F.; Ying, B.; Wustelt, P.; Huth, V.; Bischoff, L.; Klingner, N.; Kübel, M.; Sayler, A. M.; Stöhlker, T.; Paulus, G. G.

Gold and silicon ions emitted from high brightness liquid metal ion sources (LMIS) are used as ionic targets for strong field laser interaction with femtosecond laser beams. Field ionization processes in the field emission source at electrostatic fields of some 10 V/nm allow the generation of various metallic and metalloid ion beams with charge states such as Au2+ and Si2+. Studying the ionization in strong femtosecond laser fields with intensities of up to 1016 W/cm2, we observed for these elements charge states of up to Au11+ and Si4+.

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  • Open Access Logo Contribution to external collection
    in: Jahresbericht 2020 des Helmholtz-Instituts Jena, Jena: Helmholtz-Institut Jena, 2021

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32639
Publ.-Id: 32639


Inductive System for Magnesium Level Detection in a Titanium Reduction Reactor

Krauter, N.; Eckert, S.; Gundrum, T.; Stefani, F.; Wondrak, T.; Khalilov, R.; Dimov, I.; Frick, P.

The determination of the magnesium level in a titanium reduction retort by inductive methods
is often hampered by the formation of titanium sponge rings which disturb the propagation of
electromagnetic signals between excitation and receiver coils. We present a new method for the
reliable identification of the magnesium level which explicitly takes into account the presence of sponge rings with unknown geometry and conductivity. The resulting inverse problem is solved by a look-up-table method, based on the solution of the inductive forward problems for several tens thousands of parameter combinations. The feasibility of that method is demonstrated by performing numerical simulations and measurements on a model experiment. This method is not limited to the production of titanium but can also be applied to other applications in metal production and processing.

Keywords: Kroll Process; Numerical Simulation; Inductive Measurements; Titanium; Level Detection

  • Contribution to proceedings
    Electromagnetic Processing of Materials 2021, 13.-17.06.2021, Riga, Lettland
    Proceedings of the 10th international conference on Electromagnetic Processing of Materials
  • Lecture (Conference) (Online presentation)
    Electromagnetic Processing of Materials 2021, 13.-17.06.2021, Riga, Lettland
  • Lecture (Conference) (Online presentation)
    4th Russian Conference on Magnetohydrodynamics, 20.-22.09.2021, Perm, Russland

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32638
Publ.-Id: 32638


Eddy Current Flow Meter Flow Rate Measurements in Liquid Sodium at the Superfennec Loop

Krauter, N.; Paumel, K.; Girard, M.; Eckert, S.; Gerbeth, G.

The Eddy Current Flow Meter is an inductive flow rate sensor which can be used in many liquid metal applications and is well suited for operation in liquid metal cooled fast reactors. There it can be used as part of the safety instrumentation in order to detect a loss of flow in the reactor core. To further qualify the Eddy Current Flow Meter for use in liquid metal cooled reactors, measurements with a high temperature prototype of the sensor have been performed at the sodium loop SUPERFENNEC for sodium temperatures between 200 °C and 300 °C and flow velocities of up to 2.5 m/s. By measuring the magnitude or phase shift of the output voltage of the sensor, the flow rate or velocity of the liquid sodium in a certain volume around the sensor can be determined. Depending on the frequency of the excitation current, the sensitivity of the sensor is changing. Therefore, measurement results for different frequencies and temperatures are presented as well as the results of a frequency sweep for determining the optimal excitation frequency of the sensor.

Keywords: Flow Measurements; Eddy Current Flow Meter; Liquid Sodium; Inductive Measurements

  • Poster (Online presentation)
    International Conference on Fast Reactors and Related Fuel Cycles FR22: Sustainable Clean Energy for the Future (CN-291), 19.-22.04.2022, Wien, Österreich

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32637
Publ.-Id: 32637


Coolant Flow Monitoring With an Eddy Current Flow Meter at a Mock-Up of a Liquid Metal Cooled Fast Reactor

Krauter, N.; Stefani, F.; Wondrak, T.; Eckert, S.; Gerbeth, G.

The Eddy Current Flow Meter is an inductive velocity sensor which can be used in liquid metal applications, such as liquid metal cooled fast reactors. There it can be used as part of the safety instrumentation in order to monitor the coolant flow through subassemblies under normal operating conditions or to detect and locate blockages in case of a local freezing of the coolant. Typically the Eddy Current Flow Meter is used in pipe flows where the flow is mostly parallel to the sensor axis, whereas the flow angle may change significantly above subassemblies in a liquid metal cooled reactor. In the first part, the paper therefore deals with investigating the influence of varying flow angles on the performance of the Eddy Current Flow Meter. By performing measurements in a model experiment, the effect of different flow angles on the measured velocities will be demonstrated. In the second part of the paper, multiple Eddy Current Flow Meters in an array are used to detect and locate blockages in an array of seven subassemblies in the same model experiment. All experiments are carried out at room temperature with a liquid alloy of gallium, indium and tin.

Keywords: Flow Measurements; Eddy Current Flow Meter; Reactor Safety; Liquid Metals

  • Lecture (Conference) (Online presentation)
    International Conference on Fast Reactors and Related Fuel Cycles FR22: Sustainable Clean Energy for the Future (CN-291), 19.-22.04.2022, Wien, Österreich

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32636
Publ.-Id: 32636


H2pyhox - Octadentate Bis(pyridyloxine)

Southcott, L.; Wang, X.; Choudhary, N.; Wharton, L.; Patrick, B.; Yang, H.; Zarschler, K.; Kubeil, M.; Stephan, H.; Jaraquemada-Pelaez, M. D. G.; Orvig, C.

A new versatile chelating ligand for intermediate size and softness radiometals [64Cu]Cu2+ and [111In]In3+, H2pyhox, was synthesized by introducing
pyridine as a new donor moiety to complement 8-hydroxyquinoline on an ethylenediamine backbone. The combination of pyridine
and oxine as donor sets was explored through structural analysis, and crystals of the three metal complexes with Cu2+, La3+ and In3+ demonstrate how the ligand adapts to accommodate metal ions of different sizes and charge. Exhaustive in-batch UV solution studies characterized the protonation constants of the free ligand as well as the formation constants of the metal complexes with Cu2+, In3+ and La3+. Preliminary concentration dependent radiolabeling studies with [111In]In3+ and [64Cu]Cu2+ show the robustness of H2pyhox to successfully coordinate both radiometals under mild conditions (< 15 min, room temperature, pH 6). H2pyhox is the first oxinate ligand to successfully radiolabel [225Ac]Ac3+, albeit only at high concentrations (0.1 – 1 mM) with gentle heating to 37℃. Whole serum, protein and ligand challenge assays further demonstrate the kinetic inertness of the radiometal-ligand complexes, confirming H2pyhox to be a promising versatile radiopharmaceutical chelator.

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32635
Publ.-Id: 32635


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