Browsing by Author "Li, Wei"
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Item A New Kinetic Assay Method for Effective Scale Inhibitor Concentration Determination with Low Detection Limit(SPE, 2022) Dai, Zhaoyi; Ko, Saebom; Wang, Xin; Dai, Chong; Paudyal, Samridhdi; Zhao, Yue; Li, Wei; Leschied, Cianna; Yao, Xuanzhu; Lu, Yi-Tsung; Kan, Amy; Tomson, MasonScale inhibitors are widely used for mineral scale control in various industries, including oil and gas productions, geothermal energy acquisitions, and heat exchanger scale control to mention a few. In most applications, these scale inhibitors are effective at substoichiometric concentrations (e.g., 1 mg/L or lower), and the optimization of these applications is based on the ability to accurately measure the effective inhibitor concentration at such low concentrations. For example, the continuous treatment injection rate, the squeeze treatment frequency, or the batch treatment schedule need to be optimized to ensure the minimum inhibitor concentration (MIC) is achieved during production. However, the non- or low-phosphorous polymeric scale inhibitor concentration determination is difficult using inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-optic emission spectroscopy/mass spectrometry or ion chromatography, especially at mg/L level concentrations due to their high detection limits. The recently developed hyamine method or high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) method involves intensive labor and high costs. Furthermore, in the complex oilfield operational conditions, the presence of other chemicals (e.g., surfactants, biocides, and corrosion inhibitors), the potential degradation of scale inhibitors and the use of combination scale inhibitors require the measurement of effective scale inhibitor concentration, which cannot be accomplished by the traditional methods. In this study, a new kinetic assay method has been developed to determine the effective scale inhibitor concentration with limits of detection (LODs) less than or around 0.1 mg/L for most cases. This method uses a continuous stirring tank reactor (CSTR) apparatus and is developed based on the linear correlation between the effective inhibition concentration and the measured critical time when laser signal changes. The results show that the inhibitor concentrations of various non- or low-phosphorous polymeric scale inhibitors in synthetic field brine, laboratory solutions, and real oilfield brines can be accurately determined at mg/L level, or lower, with less than 10% error. The method is robust, accurate, and much less time- or labor-consuming than other existing methods especially for non- or low-phosphorous polymeric scale inhibitors.Item Chiral Magnetic Effects in Nuclear Collisions(Annual Reviews, 2020) Li, Wei; Wang, GangThe interplay of quantum anomalies with strong magnetic fields and vorticity in chiral systems could lead to novel transport phenomena, such as the chiral magnetic effect (CME), the chiral magnetic wave (CMW), and the chiral vortical effect (CVE). In high-energy nuclear collisions, these chiral effects may survive the expansion of a quark–gluon plasma fireball and be detected in experiments. The experimental searches for the CME, the CMW, and the CVE have aroused extensive interest over the past couple of decades. The main goal of this article is to review the latest experimental progress in the search for these novel chiral transport phenomena at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider at Brookhaven National Laboratory and the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. Future programs to help reduce uncertainties and facilitate the interpretation of the data are also discussed.Item Collective flow from AA, pA to pp collisions – Toward a unified paradigm(Elsevier, 2017) Li, WeiI give an overview of the latest development in understanding collective phenomena in high-multiplicity hadronic final state from relativistic nucleus-nucleus, proton-nucleus and proton-proton collisions. Upon reviewing the experimental data and confronting them with theoretical models, a unified paradigm in describing the observed collectivity across all hadronic collision systems is emerging. Potential future paths toward addressing key open questions, especially on collectivity in small systems (pp, pA), are discussed.Item Collective long-range particle correlation in proton-proton and proton-nucleus collisions at the LHC with the CMS detector(2017-06-28) Chen, Zhenyu; Li, WeiMeasurements of two--particle angular correlations of inclusive charged particles as well as identified strange hadron in pp and pPb collisions are presented over a wide range in pseudorapidity and full azimuth. The data were collected using the CMS detector at the LHC, with nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy of 5.02 TeV for pPb collision and 5, 7, 13 TeV for pp collision. The results are compared to semi-peripheral PbPb collision data at center-of-mass energy of 2.76 TeV, covering similar charged-particle multiplicities in the events. The observed azimuthal correlations at large relative pseudorapidity are used to extract the second-order and third-order anisotropy harmonics as function of the charged-particle multiplicity in the event and the transverse momentum of the particles.Item Entropic and Enthalpic Effects in Thin Film Blends of Homopolymers and Bottlebrush Polymers(American Chemical Society, 2019) Mah, Adeline Huizhen; Laws, Travis; Li, Wei; Mei, Hao; Brown, Chance C.; Ievlev, Anton; Kumar, Rajeev; Verduzco, Rafael; Stein, Gila E.We present a combined experimental and computational study of surface segregation in thin films of nearly athermal blends of linear and bottlebrush polymers. The lengths of bottlebrush backbone (Nb), bottlebrush side chain (Nsc), and linear polystyrene host (Nm) are systematically varied to examine the effects of polymer architecture on phase behavior. From the experiments, combinations of architectural parameters are identified that produce enrichment and depletion of bottlebrush at the polymer–air interface. These surface segregation behaviors are consistent with entropy-dominated thermodynamics. In addition, the experiments reveal conditions where bottlebrush and linear polymers are equally preferred at the surface. Simulations based on the self-consistent field theory (SCFT) qualitatively capture the three types of surface segregation behaviors and highlight the delicate interplay of entropic and enthalpic effects. Our investigations demonstrate that controlling both entropic and enthalpic driving forces is critical for the design of surface-active bottlebrush polymer additives.Item Fatty acid productivity(2018-07-03) San, Ka-yiu; Li, Wei; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark OfficeThe present disclosure relates to an engineered microbe capable of improved productivity of fatty acid or fatty acid derivative. An NAD+-dependent 3-oxoacyl-ACP reductase or NAD+-dependent 3-oxoacyl-CoA reductase replaces or supplements the native NADP+-dependent 3-oxoacyl-ACP reductase so as to utilize the higher availability of NAD+ rather than NADP+ in the cell. Higher production, yield and titer of fatty acids are therefore obtained. Such microbes can be combined with other mutations to further improve yield of fatty acids or fatty acid derivatives.Item Gypsum scale formation and inhibition kinetics with implications in membrane system(Elsevier, 2022) Dai, Zhaoyi; Zhao, Yue; Paudyal, Samridhdi; Wang, Xin; Dai, Chong; Ko, Saebom; Li, Wei; Kan, Amy T.; Tomson, Mason B.Water desalination using membrane technology is one of the main technologies to resolve water pollution and scarcity issues. In the membrane treatment process, mineral scale deposition and fouling is a severe challenge that can lead to filtration efficiency decrease, permeate quality compromise, and even membrane damage. Multiple methods have been developed to resolve this problem, such as scale inhibitor addition, product recovery ratio adjustment, periodic membrane surface flushing. The performance of these methods largely depends on the ability to accurately predict the kinetics of mineral scale deposition and fouling with or without inhibitors. Gypsum is one of the most common and troublesome inorganic mineral scales in membrane systems, however, no mechanistic model is available to accurately predict the induction time of gypsum crystallization and inhibition. In this study, a new gypsum crystallization and inhibition model based on the classical nucleation theory and a Langmuir type adsorption isotherm has been developed. Through this model, it is believed that gypsum nucleation may gradually transit from homogeneous to heterogeneous nucleation when the gypsum saturation index (SI) decreases. Such transition is represented by a gradual decrease of surface tension at smaller SI values. This model assumes that the adsorption of inhibitors onto the gypsum nucleus can increase the nucleus superficial surface tension and prolong the induction time. Using the new model, this study accurately predicted the gypsum crystallization induction times with or without nine commonly used scale inhibitors over wide ranges of temperature (25–90 °C), SI (0.04–0.96), and background NaCl concentration (0–6 mol/L). The fitted affinity constants between scale inhibitors and gypsum show a good correlation with those between the same inhibitors and barite, indicating a similar inhibition mechanism via adsorption. Furthermore, by incorporating this model with the two-phase mineral deposition model our group developed previously, this study accurately predicts the gypsum deposition time on the membrane material surfaces reported in the literature. We believe that the model developed in this study can not only accurately predict the gypsum crystallization induction time with or without scale inhibitors, elucidate the gypsum crystallization and inhibition mechanisms, but also optimize the mineral scale control in the membrane filtration system.Item Imaging the initial condition of heavy-ion collisions and nuclear structure across the nuclide chart(Springer Nature, 2024) Jia, Jiangyong; Giacalone, Giuliano; Bally, Benjamin; Brandenburg, James Daniel; Heinz, Ulrich; Huang, Shengli; Lee, Dean; Lee, Yen-Jie; Loizides, Constantin; Li, Wei; Luzum, Matthew; Nijs, Govert; Noronha-Hostler, Jacquelyn; Ploskon, Mateusz; van der Schee, Wilke; Schenke, Bjoern; Shen, Chun; Somà, Vittorio; Timmins, Anthony; Xu, Zhangbu; Zhou, YouHigh-energy nuclear collisions encompass three key stages: the structure of the colliding nuclei, informed by low-energy nuclear physics, the initial condition, leading to the formation of quark–gluon plasma (QGP), and the hydrodynamic expansion and hadronization of the QGP, leading to final-state hadron distributions that are observed experimentally. Recent advances in both experimental and theoretical methods have ushered in a precision era of heavy-ion collisions, enabling an increasingly accurate understanding of these stages. However, most approaches involve simultaneously determining both QGP properties and initial conditions from a single collision system, creating complexity due to the coupled contributions of these stages to the final-state observables. To avoid this, we propose leveraging established knowledge of low-energy nuclear structures and hydrodynamic observables to independently constrain the QGP’s initial condition. By conducting comparative studies of collisions involving isobar-like nuclei—species with similar mass numbers but different ground-state geometries—we can disentangle the initial condition’s impacts from the QGP properties. This approach not only refines our understanding of the initial stages of the collisions but also turns high-energy nuclear experiments into a precision tool for imaging nuclear structures, offering insights that complement traditional low-energy approaches. Opportunities for carrying out such comparative experiments at the Large Hadron Collider and other facilities could significantly advance both high-energy and low-energy nuclear physics. Additionally, this approach has implications for the future electron-ion collider. While the possibilities are extensive, we focus on selected proposals that could benefit both the high-energy and low-energy nuclear physics communities. Originally prepared as input for the long-range plan of U.S. nuclear physics, this white paper reflects the status as of September 2022, with a brief update on developments since then.Item Metabolic engineering of carbon and redox flow in the production of small organic acids(Springer, 2014) Thakker, Chandresh; Martínez, Irene; Li, Wei; San, Ka-Yiu; Bennett, George N.; Bioengineering; Biosciences; Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringThe review describes efforts toward metabolic engineering of production of organic acids. One aspect of the strategy involves the generation of an appropriate amount and type of reduced cofactor needed for the designed pathway. The ability to capture reducing power in the proper form, NADH or NADPH for the biosynthetic reactions leading to the organic acid, requires specific attention in designing the host and also depends on the feedstock used and cell energetic requirements for efficient metabolism during production. Recent work on the formation and commercial uses of a number of small mono- and diacids is discussed with redox differences, major biosynthetic precursors and engineering strategies outlined. Specific attention is given to those acids that are used in balancing cell redox or providing reduction equivalents for the cell, such as formate, which can be used in conjunction with metabolic engineering of other products to improve yields. Since a number of widely studied acids derived from oxaloacetate as an important precursor, several of these acids are covered with the general strategies and particular components summarized, including succinate, fumarate and malate. Since malate and fumarate are less reduced than succinate, the availability of reduction equivalents and level of aerobiosis are important parameters in optimizing production of these compounds in various hosts. Several other more oxidized acids are also discussed as in some cases, they may be desired products or their formation is minimized to afford higher yields of more reduced products. The placement and connections among acids in the typical central metabolic network are presented along with the use of a number of specific non-native enzymes to enhance routes to high production, where available alternative pathways and strategies are discussed. While many organic acids are derived from a few precursors within central metabolism, each organic acid has its own special requirements for high production and best compatibility with host physiology.Item Non-equilibrium BaxSr1-xSO4 solid solution compositions at elevated Sr2+ concentration, ionic strength, and temperature(Elsevier, 2022) Zhao, Yue; Dai, Zhaoyi; Wang, Xin; Dai, Chong; Paudyal, Samridhdi; Ko, Saebom; Li, Wei; Kan, Amy T.; Tomson, MasonThe BaxSr1-xSO4 solid solution is ubiquitously present in both geological and industrial processes, where they mostly form under non-equilibrium conditions. Compared with those formed under equilibrium conditions, the BaxSr1-xSO4 solid solution formed at non-equilibrium condition has significantly higher Sr incorporation at the same aqueous phase compositions. The solid composition of BaxSr1-xSO4 formed at non-equilibrium condition is critical for the study of chemical palaeoceanography as well as the solid solution nucleation and growth kinetics. However, few studies have been conducted to investigate the composition of the BaxSr1-xSO4 solid solution when it precipitates at non-equilibrium conditions. In this study, the distribution coefficient of Ba2+ and Sr2+ between the BaxSr1-xSO4 solid solution and the aqueous phases (KD,Sr-Barite) at non-equilibrium conditions was studied with barite saturation index (SIbarite) from 0.9 to 1.5, [Sr2+]/[Ba2+] molality ratio from 0.33 to 30, temperature (T) from 50 to 90 °C and ionic strength (IS) from 0.01 M to 3 M as NaCl, with celestite being undersaturated. The composition of the BaxSr1-xSO4 solid solution formed at non-equilibrium conditions can then be calculated from the KD,Sr-Barite values. The results show that the KD,Sr-Barite value decreases with the increase of aqueous Sr2+ concentration at fixed SIbarite and T conditions. The IS effect on the KD,Sr-Barite value is small. Based on the experimental results, a new empirical model is developed to accurately predict the measured compositions of BaxSr1-xSO4 solid solution at non-equilibrium conditions under a wide T and IS conditions as follows (the plot of the predicted log10KD,Sr-Barite versus the measured log10KD,Sr-Barite with : Several theoretical models have also been compared against the experimental data. The birth and spread crystal growth model (B + S model) could accurately predict the solid composition of BaxSr1-xSO4 at higher barite SI and/or higher T conditions (barite SI = 1.5 at 70 °C and barite SI = 1.2–1.5 at 90 °C with [Sr2+]/[Ba2+] = 0.33–10). However, the B + S model predictions show larger deviations at lower SI and/or lower T conditions (barite SI = 0.9 and 1.2 at 50 °C and barite SI = 0.9 at 70 °C with [Sr2+]/[Ba2+] = 0.33–10 in this study). For other theoretical models, such as the CNT model and the BCF model, the predicted solid compositions of BaxSr1-xSO4 are significantly higher than the measured results. This quantitative study of the BaxSr1-xSO4 solid solution compositions could help reconstruct oceanic physical conditions and chemistry. It also establishes a solid foundation to further investigate the kinetics of the BaxSr1-xSO4 solid solution formation during non-equilibrium geological and industrial processes.Item Observations of CO2 Corrosion-Induced Carbonate Scale Formation and Inhibition on Mild Steel(SPE, 2022) Li, Wei; Dai, Zhaoyi; Wang, Xin; Ko, Saebom; Paudyal, Samiridhdi; Yao, Xuanzhu; Leschied, Cianna; Shen, Yu-Yi; Pimentel, Daniel; Kan, Amy T.; Tomson, MasonAqueous CO2-containing environment is ubiquitous in oil and gas production. Carbonate scales (e.g., calcite) tend to form in such an environment. Meanwhile, the CO2 corrosion of mild steel infrastructure may result in corrosion-induced scales including siderite (FeCO3). Previously, siderite was generally treated as a corrosion problem rather than a scale problem. However, the relationship between the corrosion-induced scale and other metal carbonate scales on the steel surface is unclear. For example, how does siderite influence calcite deposition on the mild steel? In this study, the mild steel corrosion and mineral carbonate scaling behaviors were investigated simultaneously in the presence of various cations such as Ca2+ and Mg2+. We observed a two-layer scale structure on the mild steel surface under simulated oilfield conditions. The inner layer is an iron-containing carbonate scale such as ankerite or siderite, while the outer layer is calcite. In addition, calcite deposition at a very low saturation index was observed when the inner layer was present. Furthermore, a common scale inhibitor [diethylenetriaminepentakis(methylenephosphonic acid) or DTPMP] can effectively mitigate calcite, siderite, and ankerite formation on the steel surface, but meanwhile, aggravate the steel corrosion because of the absence of protective scale layers.Item Partonic rescatterings during jet fragmentation in the QCD vacuum(2024-04-18) Gardner, Parker T; Li, WeiHigh energy collisions of small systems like Proton-Proton ($pp$) and Proton-Lead ($p$Pb) have demonstrated surprising evidence for the existence of collectivity where it had previously been thought not to occur. Specifically, the medium produced by these collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) exhibits signatures of a strongly interacting, thermalized quark-gluon plasma (QGP). Searches in many other small systems have so far been inconclusive. These strongly interacting partonic systems are described by Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) which is generally separated into perturbative and nonperturbative energy regimes. Many of the interesting phenomena in QCD, including collectivity, are partially or entirely in the nonperturbative regime and present theoretical challenges. Experimental efforts therefore become an essential tool to understand and explore these surprising and unexpected phenomena. We postulate that collective effects similar to those observed in high energy collisions can emerge from the fragmentation and hadronization evolution of a partonic jet. We first describe an analysis procedure to search for these effects and define key observables. We demonstrate this procedure using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations which serve to establish a baseline for our observables~\cite{Parker1}. We subsequently apply our analysis procedure to the entire $pp$ collision data set produced at the LHC during Run II. We present a search for partonic collectivity inside jets using the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) detector at the LHC. We compare results from data to two MC simulations employing different phenomenological models. Deviations between data and both MC simulations are observed, in accordance with our initial postulate. We investigate and quantify these deviations through a series of measurements, validations, and cross-checks. The results yield new insights into QCD vacuum dynamics and parton fragmentation~\cite{Parker2}.Item Proteomic analyses reveal distinct chromatin‐associated and soluble transcription factor complexes(EMBO, 2015) Li, Xu; Wang, Wenqi; Wang, Jiadong; Malovannaya, Anna; Xi, Yuanxin; Li, Wei; Guerra, Rudy; Hawke, David H.; Qin, Jun; Chen, JunjieThe current knowledge on how transcription factors (TFs), the ultimate targets and executors of cellular signalling pathways, are regulated by protein–protein interactions remains limited. Here, we performed proteomics analyses of soluble and chromatin‐associated complexes of 56 TFs, including the targets of many signalling pathways involved in development and cancer, and 37 members of the Forkhead box (FOX) TF family. Using tandem affinity purification followed by mass spectrometry (TAP/MS), we performed 214 purifications and identified 2,156 high‐confident protein–protein interactions. We found that most TFs form very distinct protein complexes on and off chromatin. Using this data set, we categorized the transcription‐related or unrelated regulators for general or specific TFs. Our study offers a valuable resource of protein–protein interaction networks for a large number of TFs and underscores the general principle that TFs form distinct location‐specific protein complexes that are associated with the different regulation and diverse functions of these Tfs.Item Embargo Search for and studies of Quark-Gluon Plasma via dynamics and productions of heavy quarks in proton-proton and heavy ion collisions at the LHC with CMS detector(2023-08-29) Zhang, Yousen; Li, WeiHeavy flavor quarks are sensitive to both the initial stage conditions and the subsequent in-medium evolution of nuclear collisions, and thus can provide insights to the inner workings of Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP) in large ion collisions and the origin of the collectivity in small systems. In this thesis, data collected by the CMS detector at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) from 2016 to 2018 are analyzed. The elliptic flow (v2{2}) and v2{4}) for charm mesons using two- and four-particle correlation technique in lead-lead collisions at a nucleon-nucleon center of mass energy 5.02 TeV is presented. The splitting between v2{4}/v2{2} of light charged particles and charm mesons is hinted in peripheral collisions, indicating that the potential energy loss fluctuations may become evident in a small QGP volume. Heavy flavor hadron production and their flow are also measured in proton-proton and proton-lead collisions, to search for tiny QGP in small systems. The charm and bottom v2{2} are measured through prompt and nonprompt D0 mesons in proton-proton at 13 TeV and proton-lead collisions at 8.16 TeV, as a function of transverse momentum (pT) and charged hadron multiplicity. The positive v2{2} signal is suggested in high multiplicity proton-proton collisions. When investigating multiplicity dependence, charm v2{2} shows diminishing trend towards smaller multiplicity. The hierarchy of charm and bottom v2{2} in low pT region is also indicated in proton-lead collisions. This suggests a potential mass dependence of v2{2}. The charm baryon-to-meson production ratio is also presented as a function of event multiplicity in proton-lead collisions at a nucleon-nucleon center of mass energy 8.16 TeV. Strikingly, no multiplicity dependence is observed for charm quarks in contrast to light strange quarks, though they show similar elliptic flow signal across a large range of multiplicity. Future measurements are necessary to understand the dynamics and hadronization of heavy quarks in small systems and heavy ion collisions. The first collision at the High Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) is expected to be delivered in 2030. CMS Collaboration is preparing for its Phase-2 Upgrade to handle the challenge of a high beam intensity at the HL-LHC era. The physics impacts of CMS Phase-2 Upgrade at HL-LHC are presented, deciphering the nature of heavy flavor physics in QGP in an unprecedented way.Item Search for the anomalous chiral effects via charge-dependent azimuthal correlations in proton-nucleus and nucleus-nucleus collisions at the LHC(2018-04-19) Tu, Zhoudunming; Li, WeiSearching for the chiral magnetic effect (CME) via the charge-dependent azimuthal correlations with respect to the reaction plane has been attempted in AuAu collisions at the top Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider (RHIC) energy 200 GeV by the STAR Collaboration, and later in PbPb collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) energy 2.76 TeV by the ALICE Collaboration. The observation of the significant charge separation signal from the correlators was first believed to be consistent with a CME, where the strong initial magnetic field induced from the spectator protons can generate an electric current from the chirality imbalance in the chiral medium, and consequently lead to a charge separation effect for the final-state particles. One of the most important implications of searching for the CME, is to experimentally confirm the chiral symmetry restoration in heavy ion collisions at sufficiently high temperature. Taking a step further to the initial measurement of the CME, the STAR Collaboration at RHIC and the ALICE Collaboration at the LHC also measured the charge-dependent second-order Fourier coefficient as a function of event charge asymmetry, which has been found to be consistent with the scenario of a chiral magnetic wave (CMW), a long-wavelength collective excitation arising from the CME. However, the experimental results were later found to be qualitatively consistent with some non-CME correlations, which could be related to momentum conservation, local charge conservation coupled with anisotropy flow, and short-range correlations, e.g., jets and resonance decay. Due to the nature of the complicated background contribution in the conventional way of measuring the CME and CMW, the speculated background correlations have never been explicitly shown in the experimental data, which makes the question of whether there is an unambiguous CME signal a longstanding problem for the past decade. Motivated by the problem of the CME background, the work of this thesis is the first attempt of exploring the background correlation in the experimental data, with a novel idea of using the small collision systems. In a high-multiplicity pA collision, the magnetic field in the overlap region and its correlation with respect to the event plane angle, are expected to be much smaller than in AA collisions. On the other hand, the azimuthal anisotropies of the final-state particles have been well established in the recent studies at the LHC, where a clear evidence of collectivity that is similar to AA collisions has been observed. Therefore, the small collision systems, e.g., pA collisions, provide a perfect testing ground and baseline for searching the CME and its background correlations. In addition, new experimental strategies have been developed, e.g., correlators with respect to higher harmonics, and a stringent upper limit has been set on the possible CME signal at the LHC energy for both pA and AA collisions. The contribution to the CME and CMW searches from the work of this thesis is highly significant in the community, where the quantitative measurements not only explicitly show the presence of backgrounds and set an upper limit on the CME at the LHC, but also provide a series of new measurements for the lower energy search. With a better understanding of the background correlations and new experimental approaches, the CME signal might be discovered in the upcoming isobaric run using the STAR detector at RHIC energy.