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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.
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Results are given of a study of the intensities, energy spectra, and angular distribution of energetic particles in the magnetosphere of Jupiter; the heliocentric radial gradient of the intensity of galactic cosmic rays; and the occurrence, intensity, and angular distribution of solar flare particles and their propagation through the interplanetary medium at large heliocentric distances.
An overview is presented of the structure and function of the Applied Physics Laboratory's low-energy charged particle (LECP) instrument used in NASA's Voyager program. The LECP experiment was designed to measure the intensity, energy spectra, composition, angular distributions, and spatial and temporal characteristics of ions and electrons that are encountered by the spacecraft. Scientific findings of previous planetary encounters are noted, and color energy-time spectrograms that summarize the LECP results at each planet are presented and analyzed. Some details of the encounter by Voyager 2 of Neptune are provided, noting that the characteristics of the trajectory that was used provided for close observation of Triton, observations of particle structures, and exploration of Neptune's polar cap. A schematic of Neptune's magnetosphere is provided and analyzed.
Advanced, high-performance computing at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has enabled access to vast data resources with cutting-edge software techniques to understand, design, plan for, and maintain energy-efficient and resilient infrastructure. We have focused on cities and airports, but the technology we have developed will easily translate to seaports, inland ports, military installations, or other complex and large-scale energy-intensive systems. We can digitally simulate and explore current and future scenarios to make datadriven decisions for optimizing advanced energy systems, transportation and building operations, infrastructure planning and expansion, and battery storage to guide short- and long-term investments, electrification strategies, and integration of new technologies.
Radiology plays a vital role in patient care, but a reliance on energy-intensive imaging equipment leads to significant greenhouse gas emissions. MRI scanners can consume up to 80% of their total energy during times when there is not active patient imaging. Characterizing MRI average power and time to enter low-power mode across scanning protocols can identify energy efficiency opportunities.
Liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) are recognized as promising sustainable hydrogen (H 2 ) carriers due to their high volumetric capacity and ability to store H 2 at ambient conditions, eliminating the need for energy-intensive liquefaction or compression processes associated with H 2 or ammonia gas. One of the main current drawbacks, however, is LOHCs’ high energy demand for H 2 release. This work presents the photo-induced liberation of H 2 from formic acid (FA) as a liquid H 2 carrier, using visible light and well-established 5 wt% palladium nanoparticles supported over carbon (Pd/C). We show that low-power light-emitting diodes (LEDs) produced higher gas flow than their thermal baseline (35 °C), with 27.2 mL/min and 7.72 mL/min, respectively. Further, the rate of gas evolved with light intensity, catalyst loading, and the concentration of FA. Light-induced dehydrogenation shows similar deactivation as the known thermal mechanisms, such as the decreased Pd 2+ /Pd 0 ratio and Pd nanoparticle agglomeration. Hence, these observations suggest a photothermal mechanism, whereby the LED provides heat efficiently absorbed by the Pd/C catalyst and enhanced by Pd’s ability to absorb light, thereby driving the FA dehydrogenation reaction at ambient conditions.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Manufacturing Office (predecessor to AMMTO) established PowerAmerica in December 2014 to develop and accelerate the adoption of wide bandgap (WBG) semiconductor chips and power electronics in manufacturing. The objective was to spark early commercialization of energy efficient products; educate and train the workforce; create high-tech jobs; and nurture the growth of the U.S. WBG semiconductor manufacturing industry. PowerAmerica isled by North Carolina State University by way of a five-year, $140M cooperative agreement with DoE. This private-public partnership with DoE includes member companies ranging from startups and small-medium enterprises to large system integrators, world-class universities, and national labs. The WBG power electronic ecosystem formed by our diverse membership is focused on using advanced manufacturing to 1) lower the cost of silicon carbide and gallium nitride semiconductor devices to be comparable to silicon devices; 2) demonstrate the system benefits and energy efficiency advantages of WBG semiconductor power electronics through system demonstrations that validate their effectiveness; and 3) build an education pipeline for a skilled workforce to meet the future demand for emerging WBG semiconductor markets — and enhance U.S. economic competitiveness globally. PowerAmerica was initially funded in six budget periods, each lasting 12 to 18 months. By the end of Budget Period 6 (August 2023), PowerAmerica had achieved its major objectives in technology development, semiconductor device cost reduction, ecosystem growth and engagement, and education and workforce development. Through strategic foundry investments, we helped to establish the first U.S. SiC foundry (X-FAB) and supported a lab (Microchip) to start SiC volume production. We’ve helped bring together companies from different parts of the supply chain, resulting in several successful new partnerships and business relationships. Through projects with some of the largest manufacturers of energy-intensive equipment in the U.S. — John Deere, GE, United Technologies, Raytheon, Carrier, Toshiba, and others — we have successfully demonstrated the energy and system benefits of WBG technology. We have also harnessed the unique capabilities and facilities of national labs — the Naval Research Laboratory, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and Argonne National Laboratory — to help solve challenging technical problems for industry. Thanks to our many webinars, tutorials, annual events, and presence at major energy and electronics conferences around the world, the PowerAmerica name has become synonymous with WBG technology advancement. The commercial interest in WBG technology is higher than ever; companies and governments around the world have announced hundreds of millions of dollarsin future investment to build capacity — and compete with silicon in many markets and applications. We have trained hundreds of engineering students, from universities across the U.S., through hands-on projects and WBG coursework. Working professionals have also benefited through the years from our many targeted short courses, tutorials, and technical webinars. In short, PowerAmerica has made great strides in each of our key objectives, and the organization has been operating without government or NC State
Many manufacturing industries require substantial capital and utilize energy intensive processes that involve complex phenomena. One example of such an industry is the steel industry, which is the fourth largest energy consuming industry in the U.S. By harnessing the power of High-Performance Computing (HPC) to enhance current simulation and visualization methods in the steel industry, it should be possible to increase resolution and/or decrease time of these methods by a factor of 1000. In this way, information can be obtained in a time frame that is useful for making business and engineering decisions, optimizing manufacturing processes and, ultimately, improving the completeness of U.S. industries. For example, if coke usage in blast furnaces were optimized such that the average coke rate was reduced from 797 lb/net tonne of hot metal (NTHM) to 604 lb/NTHM, costs could be reduced by $894 million/year. Additionally, members of the steel industry need the flexibility to efficiently operate blast furnaces at a range of production rates in order to meet fluctuating market demands. Large scale parameter studies can be utilized to discover workable operating parameters at a range of production rates.
Friction extrusion (FE) is a novel solid-state process for synthesis and recycling of metals and alloys. The novelty of FE is that it utilizes the frictional heating and extensive plastic deformation intrinsic in the process to stir, mechanically alloy, consolidate, and convert powders, chips, and other recyclable feedstock metals into a usable product form of highly engineered materials. FE represents a potentially transformational sustainable manufacturing technology. Being a solid-state process, it eliminates the energy-intensive melting and solidification steps, which are necessary in the conventional metal recycle and synthesis processes. Therefore, FE is a highly energy-efficient, practically zero-emission, and economically competitive process. Here, in this work, the concept and configuration of FE are introduced, the energy-saving advantage of FE is analyzed, the feasibility of FE is demonstrated with synthesizing Al alloys, and the results of some metallographic and mechanical properties studies are presented. A prognosis of the friction extrusion technology is outlined.
The Quick Start Guide aims to serve as an introduction to energy efficiency for small to medium manufacturers, explaining why energy management is important and achievable for all organizations, not just well-resourced, energy-intensive large organizations. It also makes connections to the tools and resources available from DOE to help small to medium manufacturers drive energy savings and sustain the progress. Finally, it provides a list of common energy efficiency opportunities for energy consuming systems such as steam, process heating, and motor-driven systems. Explore the guide to see how smaller manufacturing companies can get started with energy efficiency.
The BRICR project applied large-scale building energy modeling concepts with the aim of reducing the cost of energy efficiency targeting, design, and project development, and measurement of energy savings for energy efficiency programs implemented by local governments that serve small and medium commercial buildings (SMB). The project leveraged the services and resources of existing local government energy programs serving disadvantaged and hard-to-reach SMB customers. In contrast to programs run by utilities, local government programs generally do not have direct access to energy billing records for an entire class of customers in a geographic area, which prior research demonstrated useful for large-scale building energy model baseline development and calibration. , However, local governments are rich in public records that offer important clues about physical attributes and uses that, along with behavior, determine energy use. Relying only on public records, BRICR demonstrated development of credible baseline energy models for 3,792 office, retail, and hotel buildings. Publicly disclosed annual energy use data from a local energy benchmarking program and anonymized data from the Building Performance Database, the nation’s largest dataset about energy-related characteristics of buildings, were utilized to validate and calibrate energy models via an innovative method comparing distributions of energy intensity by fuel type for portfolios of buildings of similar size, vintage, and use. Portfolio calibration does not provide certainty that an energy model fits an individual building; the method is useful when billing data is not accessible – a common situation for researchers, energy service providers and ESCOs, local governments, and any party other than a utility. A software component was developed, the BRICR gem, which automates simulation when relevant data is added or edited by the user to a file saved in the standardized BuildingSync XML schema for energy audit data. The component was demonstrated as a simplified means to generate a mass of energy models corresponding to public records containing basic attributes such as building scale, location, use, year built, and aspect ratio in combination with building energy code prototype data corresponding to use and vintage. The component was also demonstrated as a simplified means to automate energy simulation when attributes are revised; the intention was to enable iterative improvement of the baseline model and energy savings estimates for common energy conservation measures as users revise relevant attributes based on their observations. In the context of institutional change and uncertainty for the participating local government energy programs, 13 whole building retrofits were completed. Impacts were measured by applying the CalTRACK2.0 methods to standardize measurement of normalized metered energy consumption. The GRIDMeter methods of stratified sampling and individual load shape analysis were applied to adjust for impacts of the effect of COVID-19 on retrofitted buildings in the context of all local buildings of similar size and use. Excluding impacts of the pandemic, retrofitted buildings demonstrated between 1.6% and 25.1% reduction in energy use. The project contributed use cases and feedback that helped inform evolution of the software tools and data formats that were combined for the first time in the BRICR project.
Hydrogen (H2) has been identified as a leading sustainable contender to replace fossil fuels in transportation and electricity generation. H2 production can be achieved by concentrating solar thermal power (CSP) systems collecting thermal energy from the sun to various chemical processes for fuel production. Fuel production via solar thermal chemical processes integrated with CSP uses the full spectrum of sunlight compared with photovoltaic power conversion and stores solar energy directly and efficiently [1]. The solar fuel production can be realized by thermochemical processes (e.g., water splitting for H2 production, carbon dioxide reduction, or methane reforming) or thermal electrochemical methods (e.g., integration with solid oxide electrolysis cell). Technology development for CSP-integrated solar fuel production requires broad technological bases from solar energy collection to chemical energy conversion. H2 generated from renewable sources can be an energy carrier for a carbon-free economy. Integrating CSP with high temperature electrolysis (HTE) using solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOEC) provides a renewable path for H2 generation. The CSP-HTE integration approach provides the benefit of thermal energy storage (TES) for continuous operation, improved capacity, and SOEC life. H2 gas has low energy density for transportation, pipeline networks are expensive, and H2 liquefaction is energy intensive. However, an alternative method for H2 distribution is to use carbon dioxide (CO2) capture and liquid hydrocarbon synthesis to convert solar energy into liquid fuels that are compatible with the existing fossil fuel infrastructure.
A process of producing ethylene involving steam cracking ethane to produce a steam cracker product stream containing ethylene; cooling and drying the steam cracker product stream; contacting the cooled and dried steam cracker product stream with a MOF sorbent capable of adsorbing ethylene from the product stream, and desorbing the ethylene from the MOF sorbent using an ethylene sweep gas. The process replaces complex and energy intensive fractionation steps of the prior art with a selective adsorption step for separating ethylene from the steam cracker product stream. An energy efficient ethylene sorbent regeneration method and related apparatus systems are also disclosed.
In the current energy and environment scenario, it is imperative to develop energy efficient routes for chemical manufacturing that also pave the way for mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions. This work presents an efficient pathway for continuous syngas production via a chemical looping conversion of the two most potent greenhouse gases—CH 4 , and CO 2 . The well-known dry-reforming process of converting CH 4 , and CO 2 to syngas is energy-intensive and suffers from catalyst deactivation. The chemical looping approach, on the other hand, provides avenues for mitigating catalyst deactivation and enabling improved energy efficiency. The key to such process enhancements lies in the intricate structure–function relationships of the catalyst and its correlation to the process variables. We present the reduction and oxidation characteristics of 5 wt.% Ni/Ce 1-x Zr x O 2 -based catalysts (x = 0, 0.4, and 0.625). We demonstrate low temperature CH4 activation over Ni-promoted samples as opposed to pure Ce 1-x Zr x O 2 . Moreover, our results depict an optimum regeneration of these catalysts when oxidized by CO 2 , and H 2 O, which allows for chemical looping operation of steam reforming of methane as well. Process variables were tuned to optimize the CH 4 conversion (over 80%), and H 2 /CO ratio at 650 °C. The critical surface reactions—carbon accumulation and gasification, and thermocatalytic CO 2 splitting were investigated to elucidate the dynamic nature of the catalyst surface. In conclusion, the impact of this work lies in showcasing the opportunities to design chemical looping reactors for energy efficient syngas production from waste greenhouse gases.
As the flexibility, efficiency, and application space of additive manufacturing continues to grow, many have begun to investigate more sustainable feedstocks as well as options for the end of life of additively manufactured parts. This study examines the effects of mechanical recycling on additively manufactured parts from bio-based feedstock. Here, articles were printed on the Big Area Additive Manufacturing (BAAM) system at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory using poly (lactic acid)/wood flour (PLA/WF) pellets. These parts were shredded and granulated, and the granulate was fed directly back into the BAAM system for re-printing, skipping the costly and energy-intensive steps of extrusion and pelletization. The chemical, mechanical, thermal, and rheological changes to PLA/WF before and after recycling were investigated. Additionally, the energy savings from directly printing granulate on the BAAM system without extrusion and pelletization is reported. It is shown that PLA/WF is an excellent candidate for recycling of large format additively manufactured parts, and value of these parts can be reclaimed while saving cost and energy through mechanical recycling.
Fiber-reinforced polymer composites are lightweight structural materials widely used in the transportation and energy industries. Current approaches for the manufacture of composites require expensive tooling and long, energy-intensive processing, resulting in a high cost of manufacturing, limited design complexity, and low fabrication rates. Here, we report rapid, scalable, and energy-efficient additive manufacturing of fiber-reinforced thermoset composites, while eliminating the need for tooling or molds. Use of a thermoresponsive thermoset resin as the matrix of composites and localized, remote heating of carbon fiber reinforcements via photothermal conversion enables rapid, in-situ curing of composites without further post-processing. Rapid curing and phase transformation of the matrix thermoset, from a liquid or viscous resin to a rigid polymer, immediately upon deposition by a robotic platform, allows for the high-fidelity, freeform manufacturing of discontinuous and continuous fiber-reinforced composites without using sacrificial support materials. This method is applicable to a variety of industries and will enable rapid and scalable manufacture of composite parts and tooling as well as on-demand repair of composite structures.
Ambient energy harvesting has great potential to contribute to sustainable development and address growing environmental challenges. Converting waste energy from energy-intensive processes and systems (e.g. combustion engines and furnaces) is crucial to reducing their environmental impact and achieving net-zero emissions. Compact energy harvesters will also be key to powering the exponentially growing smart devices ecosystem that is part of the Internet of Things, thus enabling futuristic applications that can improve our quality of life (e.g. smart homes, smart cities, smart manufacturing, and smart healthcare). To achieve these goals, innovative materials are needed to efficiently convert ambient energy into electricity through various physical mechanisms, such as the photovoltaic effect, thermoelectricity, piezoelectricity, triboelectricity, and radiofrequency wireless power transfer. By bringing together the perspectives of experts in various types of energy harvesting materials, this Roadmap provides extensive insights into recent advances and present challenges in the field. Additionally, the Roadmap analyses the key performance metrics of these technologies in relation to their ultimate energy conversion limits. Building on these insights, the Roadmap outlines promising directions for future research to fully harness the potential of energy harvesting materials for green energy anytime, anywhere.
In the coming decades, our planet will witness unprecedented urban population growth in both established and emerging communities. The development and maintenance of urban infrastructures are highly energy-intensive. Urban areas are dictated by complex intersections among physical, engineered, and human dimensions that have significant implications for traffic congestion, emissions, and energy usage. In this chapter, we highlight recent research and development efforts at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the largest multipurpose science laboratory within the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) national laboratory system, that characterizes the interactions between the human dynamics and critical infrastructures in conjunction with the integration of four distinct components: data, critical infrastructure models, and scalable computation and visualization, all within the context of physical and social systems. Discussions focus on four key topical themes: population and land use, sustainable mobility, the energy-water nexus, and urban resiliency, that are mutually aligned with DOE’s mission and ORNL’s signature science and technology capabilities. Using scalable computing, data visualization, and unique datasets from a variety of sources, the institute fosters innovative interdisciplinary research that integrates ORNL expertise in critical infrastructures including energy, water, transportation, and cyber, and their interactions with the human population.
A subset of QuantISED Sensor PIs met virtually on May 26, 2020 to discuss a response to a charge by the DOE Office of High Energy Physics. In this document, we summarize the QuantISED sensor community discussion, including a consideration of HEP science enabled by quantum sensors, describing the distinction between Quantum 1.0 and Quantum 2.0, and discussing synergies/complementarity with the new DOE NQI centers and with research supported by other SC offices. Quantum 2.0 advances in sensor technology offer many opportunities and new approaches for HEP experiments. The DOE HEP QuantISED program could support a portfolio of small experiments based on these advances. QuantISED experiments could use sensor technologies that exemplify Quantum 2.0 breakthroughs. They would strive to achieve new HEP science results, while possibly spinning off other domain science applications or serving as pathfinders for future HEP science targets. QuantISED experiments should be led by a DOE laboratory, to take advantage of laboratory technical resources, infrastructure, and expertise in the safe and efficient construction, operation, and review of experiments. The QuantISED PIs emphasized that the quest for HEP science results under the QuantISED program is distinct from the ongoing DOE HEP programs on the energy, intensity, and cosmic frontiers. There is robust evidence for the existence of particles and phenomena beyond the Standard Model, including dark matter, dark energy, quantum gravity, and new physics responsible for neutrino masses, cosmic inflation, and the cosmic preference for matter over antimatter. Where is this physics and how do we find it? The QuantISED program can exploit new capabilities provided by quantum technology to probe these kinds of science questions in new ways and over a broader range of science parameters than can be achieved with conventional techniques.