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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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At least 271 records · Page 15
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Structural and chemical evolution in layered oxide cathodes of lithium-ion batteries revealed by synchrotron techniques

Abstract Rechargeable battery technologies have revolutionized electronics, transportation and grid energy storage. Many materials are being researched for battery applications, with layered transition metal oxides (LTMO) the dominating cathode candidate with remarkable electrochemical performance. Yet, daunting challenges persist in the quest for further battery developments targeting lower cost, longer lifespan, improved energy density and enhanced safety. This is, in part, because of the intrinsic complexity of real-world batteries, featuring sophisticated interplay among microstructural, compositional and chemical heterogeneities, which has motivated tremendous research efforts using state-of-the-art analytical techniques. In this research field, synchrotron techniques have been identified as a suite of effective methods for advanced battery characterization in a non-destructive manner with sensitivities to the lattice, electronic and morphological structures. This article provides a holistic overview of cutting-edge developments in synchrotron-based research on LTMO battery cathode materials. We discuss the complexity and evolution of LTMO’s material properties upon battery operation and review recent synchrotron-based research works that address the frontier challenges and provide novel insights in this field. Finally, we formulate a perspective on future directions of synchrotron-based battery research, involving next-generation X-ray facilities and advanced computational developments.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Galaxy morphologies revealed with Subaru HSC and super-resolution techniques. I. Major merger fractions of L UV ∼ 3–15 L*UV dropout galaxies at z ∼ 4–7

Abstract We perform a super-resolution analysis of the Subaru Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC) images to estimate the major merger fractions of z ∼ 4–7 dropout galaxies at the bright end of galaxy UV luminosity functions (LFs). Our super-resolution technique improves the spatial resolution of the ground-based HSC images, from ∼1″ to $\lesssim \!\!{0{^{\prime \prime }_{.}}1}$, which is comparable to that of the Hubble Space Telescope, allowing us to identify z ∼ 4–7 bright major mergers at a high completeness value of $\gtrsim \!\!90\%$. We apply the super-resolution technique to 6412, 16, 94, and 13 very bright dropout galaxies at z ∼ 4, 5, 6, and 7, respectively, in a UV luminosity range of LUV ∼ 3–$15\, L_{\rm UV}^*$ corresponding to −24 ≲ MUV ≲ −22. The major merger fractions are estimated to be $f_{\rm merger}\sim 10\%$–$20\%$ at z ∼ 4 and $\sim 50\%$–$70\%$ at z ∼ 5–7, which shows no fmerger difference compared to those of a control faint galaxy sample. Based on the fmerger estimates, we verify contributions of source blending effects and major mergers to the bright-end of double power-law (DPL) shape of z ∼ 4–7 galaxy UV LFs. While these two effects partly explain the DPL shape at LUV ∼ 3–$10\, L_{\rm UV}^*$, the DPL shape cannot be explained at the very bright end of $L_{\rm UV}\gtrsim 10\, L_{\rm UV}^*$, even after the AGN contribution is subtracted. The results support scenarios in which other additional mechanisms such as insignificant mass quenching and low dust obscuration contribute to the DPL shape of galaxy UV LFs.

Shibuya, Takatoshi↗
DOE OSTI2021

Novel technique for the study of pileup events in cryogenic bolometers

Precise characterization of detector time resolution is of crucial importance for next-generation cryogenic-bolometer experiments searching for neutrinoless double-beta decay, such as CUPID, in order to reject background due to pile-up of two-neutrino double-beta decay events. In this paper, we describe a technique developed to study the pile-up rejection capability of cryogenic bolometers. Our approach, which consists of producing controlled pile-up events with a programmable waveform generator, has the benefit that we can reliably and reproducibly control the time separation and relative energy of the individual components of the generated pile-up events. The resulting data allow us to optimize and benchmark analysis strategies to discriminate between individual and pile-up pulses. We describe a test of this technique performed with a small array of detectors at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso, in Italy; we obtain a 90% rejection efficiency against pulser-generated pile-up events with rise time of ~15 ms down to time separation between the individual events of 2 ms.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Following nuclei through nucleosynthesis: A novel tracing technique

Astrophysical nucleosynthesis is a family of diverse processes by which atomic nuclei undergo nuclear reactions and decay to form new nuclei. The complex nature of nucleosynthesis, which can involve as many as tens of thousands of interactions between thousands of nuclei, makes it difficult to study any one of these interactions in isolation using standard approaches. In this work, we present a new technique, nucleosynthesis tracing, that we use to quantify the relative fraction of nuclear abundances that pass through individual nuclear reaction, decay, and fission processes at any point during nucleosynthesis. Here, we apply this technique to study fission and β – decay as they occur in the rapid neutron capture (r) process of nucleosynthesis.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Advanced EXAFS analysis techniques applied to the L -edges of the lanthanide oxides

The unique properties of the lanthanide (Ln) elements make them critical components of modern technologies, such as lasers, anti-corrosive films and catalysts. Thus, there is significant interest in establishing structure–property relationships for Ln-containing materials to advance these technologies. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) is an excellent technique for this task considering its ability to determine the average local structure around the Ln atoms for both crystalline and amorphous materials. However, the limited availability of EXAFS reference spectra of the Ln oxides and challenges in the EXAFS analysis have hindered the application of this technique to these elements. The challenges include the limited k-range available for the analysis due to the superposition of L-edges on the EXAFS, multielectron excitations (MEEs) creating erroneous peaks in the EXAFS and the presence of inequivalent absorption sites. Herein, we removed MEEs to model the local atomic environment more accurately for light Ln oxides. Further, we investigated the use of cubic and non-cubic lattice expansion to minimize the fitting parameters needed and connect the fitting parameters to physically meaningful crystal parameters. The cubic expansion reduced the number of fitting parameters but resulted in a statistically worse fit. The non-cubic expansion resulted in a similar quality fit and showed non-isotropic expansion in the crystal lattice of Nd 2 O 3 . In total, the EXAFS spectra and the fits for the entire set of Ln oxides (excluding promethium) are included. The knowledge developed here can assist in the structural determination of a wide variety of Ln compounds and can further studies on their structure–property relationships.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Multimodal hard X-ray nanoprobe techniques for operando investigations of photovoltaic devices

Compared with conventional laboratory-scale X-ray techniques, synchrotron based X-rays with higher brilliance and higher coherence allow for the investigation of various material properties with high spatial resolution. The microscopic behaviours of materials can be examined using the Hard X-ray Nanoprobe beamline (I14) at Diamond Light Source, which provides a 50 nm focused beam and has been successfully employed to identify nanoscale optoelectronic features in energy-harvesting materials such as halide perovskites that exhibit local heterogeneity. We have developed X-ray beam-induced current (XBIC) measurement capability at I14 to address the growing demand for operando analysis in energy-harvesting research. Here, we demonstrate that X-ray fluorescence (XRF)/XBIC multimodal measurements are feasible at I14 and apply these newly implemented techniques to study perovskite solar cells with various additive concentrations to understand the effect of the additive on nanoscale optoelectronic performance. This expanded operando characterization capability offers the possibility of monitoring nanometre-scale compositional variations and corresponding optoelectronic features of actual solar cell configurations.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Background optimization of powder electron diffraction for implementation of the e-PDF technique and study of the local structure of iron oxide nanocrystals

The local structural characterization of iron oxide nanoparticles is explored using a total scattering analysis method known as pair distribution function (PDF) (also known as reduced density function) analysis. The PDF profiles are derived from background-corrected powder electron diffraction patterns (the e-PDF technique). Due to the strong Coulombic interaction between the electron beam and the sample, electron diffraction generally leads to multiple scattering, causing redistribution of intensities towards higher scattering angles and an increased background in the diffraction profile. In addition to this, the electron–specimen interaction gives rise to an undesirable inelastic scattering signal that contributes primarily to the background. The present work demonstrates the efficacy of a pre-treatment of the underlying complex background function, which is a combination of both incoherent multiple and inelastic scatterings that cannot be identical for different electron beam energies. Therefore, two different background subtraction approaches are proposed for the electron diffraction patterns acquired at 80 kV and 300 kV beam energies. From the least-square refinement (small-box modelling), both approaches are found to be very promising, leading to a successful implementation of the e-PDF technique to study the local structure of the considered nanomaterial.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

The Utility in Conjoint Analysis as a Fast Expert Elicitation Technique

This paper presents an interface and analysis technique for quickly conducting expert elicitation with the goal of determining entity importance. Our interface deploys a two-alternative choice experiment that is capable of representing knowledge graphs in an easy to interpret fashion for users with limited experience with knowledge graphs. Our analysis methodology takes advantage of conjoint analysis techniques and provides entity weights for many SMEs simultaneously. The results largely align with individual participant fits.

Conjoint Analysis, interface, Expert Elicitation, ↗
DOE OSTI2021

Novel Health Assessment Techniques for a Modern Power Distribution System

Distribution systems are large and complex systems that grow over time. When contingencies occur dispatchers, engineers, and executives need to know the answer to the question, "How bad is it?", in order to make timely and meaningful decisions. Therefore, a scalable method to add context to system conditions is needed. In this paper we present novel deviation-based techniques which enable scaled bus voltage and line power measurement deviations to quickly assess local and global health, and lend context to the severity of contingencies. The proposed techniques are demonstrated using simulations of line-to-line, line-to-ground, and three-phases-to-ground fault conditions on an IEEE 33-bus distribution model.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2025

Enhancing Smart Home Privacy: A Tutorial on Local Differential Privacy Techniques for Frequency and Mean Estimation

The ubiquity of Internet of Things (IoT) systems has seamlessly integrated into our daily lives, particularly in smart homes where devices continuously monitor and optimize our living environments. These systems significantly contribute to home automation, energy efficiency, and overall comfort. However, this widespread connectivity poses inherent risks linked to the streaming of sensitive household data, necessitating robust privacy preservation mechanisms. This tutorial systematically examines privacy preservation through local differential privacy (LDP), with a particular focus on frequency and mean estimation techniques for smart home applications. Here, we present a comprehensive taxonomy of smart home data formats and provide detailed implementation guidance for event-based and w-event LDP mechanisms. Through practical examples using smart thermostats and HVAC systems, we demonstrate how these techniques can be effectively deployed in real-world scenarios. The tutorial concludes by examining emerging research directions, including adaptive privacy budgets and federated learning approaches, establishing a foundation for privacy-preserving smart home deployments.

Kotevska, Olivera [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (↗
DOE OSTI2021

Measurement of Local Differential Privacy Techniques for IoT-based Streaming Data

Various Internet of Things (IoT) devices generate complex, dynamically changed, and infinite data streams. Adversaries can cause harm if they can access the user’s sensitive raw streaming data. For this reason, protecting the privacy of the data streams is crucial. In this paper, we explore local differential privacy techniques for streaming data. We compare the techniques and report the advantages and limitations. We also present the effect on component (e.g., smoother, perturber) variations of distribution-based local differential privacy. We find that combining distribution-based noise during perturbation provides more flexibility to the interested entity.

Afrose, Sharmin↗
DOE OSTI2020

“Figure‐of‐Eight” Suture‐Button Technique for Fixation of Displaced Anterior Cruciate Ligament Avulsion Fracture

Objective To assess the clinical results of the “figure‐of‐eight” suture‐button technique in the arthroscopic treatment of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tibial avulsion fractures. Methods This was a retrospective study reviewing data from September 2013 to June 2019. A total of 27 patients (13 males and 14 females) who underwent arthroscopic “figure‐of‐eight” suture‐button fixation for displaced ACL avulsion fractures were analyzed. The mean age of the patients in the sample was 15.8 years (10–29 years), with a mean follow‐up of 24 months (6–48 months). According to Meyers–McKeever classification, 11 patients were classified as type III and 16 as type IV. All patients were evaluated following the guidelines of the radiological union, the Lysholm knee scoring scale, and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC). Results Fractures were united within 3 months after surgery in all 27 cases. During the last follow‐up, all the anterior drawer and Lachman tests were negative, except in 1 patient whose anterior drawer test was 1° positive. The range of motion was improved from 72.22° ± 27.92° before surgery to 137.78° ± 7.38° at the last follow‐up ( P < 0.05); the Lysholm score was improved from 45.81 ± 10.94 before surgery to 93.04 ± 5.66 at the last follow‐up ( P < 0.05); and the IKDC score was increased from 43.89 ± 11.16 before surgery to 90.26 ± 5.86 at the last follow‐up ( P < 0.05). In 1 patient, an inflammatory reaction was observed at the medial incision of the tibial tubercle; the symptoms disappeared with administration of antibiotics for 1 week. All patients returned to their preinjury physical activities at the last follow‐up. Conclusion The “figure‐of‐eight” suture‐button technique achieves a satisfactory clinical outcome and provides an effective method for the treatment of displaced ACL avulsion fractures.

Kuang, Shi‐da↗
DOE OSTI2022

Machine Straightness Error Measurement Based on Optical Fiber Fabry–Pérot Interferometer Monitoring Technique

Abstract In this research, we propose an Error Separation Technique (EST) based on optical fiber sensors for on-machine straightness error measurement. Two fiber optic Fabry–Pérot interferometers have been developed serving as two displacement sensors. The displacement distance is computed according to the reflected spectrum from interferometers, which can achieve a sub-micrometer resolution. The two-point method has been employed to separate the straightness error of the slides and the profile error of a fine-polished standard block. The spacing distance between two interferometers is determined by the diameter of optical fibers so that the EST's resolution has the potential to reach the sub-millimeter scale. In the experiment, the straightness error has been measured on a commercially available computer numerical control machine tool, and the measurement has been conducted on its x-axis. The spacing distance between two optical fiber sensors is 1.5 mm which equals the EST's resolution along the machine tool's x-axis. The separated profile error of the measured standard block is around 30 µm which has been verified by a high precision Coordinate Measurement Machine (CMM). The magnitude of the separated straightness error is around 40 µm. This technique is flexible and simple to be conducted, which can contribute to the micro-machine tool calibration and other straightness error applications.

Engineering↗
DOE OSTI2021

Nonlinear ultrasonic technique for the characterization of microstructure in additive materials

This study employs nonlinear ultrasonic techniques to track microstructural changes in additively manufactured metals. The second harmonic generation technique based on the transmission of Rayleigh surface waves is used to measure the acoustic nonlinearity parameter, β. Stainless steel specimens are made through three procedures: traditional wrought manufacturing, laser-powder bed fusion, and laser engineered net shaping. The β parameter is measured through successive steps of an annealing heat treatment intended to decrease dislocation density. Dislocation density is known to be sensitive to manufacturing variables. In agreement with fundamental material models for the dislocation-acoustic nonlinearity relationship in the second harmonic generation, β drops in each specimen throughout the heat treatment before recrystallization. Geometrically necessary dislocations (GNDs) are measured from electron back-scatter diffraction as a quantitative indicator of dislocations; average GND density and β are found to have a statistical correlation coefficient of 0.852 showing the sensitivity of β to dislocations in additively manufactured metals. Moreover, β shows an excellent correlation with hardness, which is a measure of the macroscopic effect of dislocations.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Multi-technique characterization of iron reduction by an Antarctic Shewanella : an analog system for putative Martian biosignature identification

ABSTRACT Microbes from terrestrial extreme environments enable testing of biosignature production in conditions relevant to astrobiological targets. Mars, which was likely more conducive to life during early warmer and wetter epochs, has inspired missions that search for signs of early life in the surficial rock record, including mineral or organic biosignatures. Microbial iron reduction is a common and ancient metabolism that may have also operated on other rocky celestial bodies. To investigate biosignature production during iron reduction, aShewanellasp. (strain BF02_Schw) isolated from a subglacial discharge known as Blood Falls, Antarctica, was incubated with the electron acceptor ferrihydrite (Fh). Biosignatures associated with Fh reduction were identified using a suite of techniques currently utilized or proposed for Mars missions, including X-ray diffraction and infrared, Mössbauer, and Raman spectroscopy. The biotic origin of features was validated by transcriptional changes observed between treatments with and without Fh and comparison to killed controls. In live treatments, Fh was reduced to magnetite and goethite, both detected in Martian lacustrine basins. Several soluble and volatile metabolites were also detected, including riboflavin and dimethyl sulfide (DMS), which could be astrobiological indicators of active microbial processes. While none of the identified biosignatures individually would serve as definitive proof of life (past or present), detecting concomitant features associated with known terrestrial biotic processes would provide compelling rationale for more targeted life detection missions. Terrestrial extremophiles can support the exploration of astrobiologically relevant microbial processes, validation of life detection instrumentation, and potentially the discovery of new biomarkers. IMPORTANCE Culture-based experiments with terrestrial extremophiles can elucidate biosignatures that may be analogous to those produced under extraterrestrial conditions, and thus inform sampling and technology strategies for future missions. Here, we demonstrate the production of several biosignatures under iron-reducing conditions byShewanellasp. BF02_Schw, originally isolated from an Antarctic analog feature. These biosignatures could be detectable using flight-ready instrumentation. Growth experiments with terrestrial extremophiles can identify biosignatures measurable by current methodologies and inform the development and optimization of techniques for detecting extant or extinct life on other worlds.

Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology↗
DOE OSTI2020

Spin response function technique in spin-transparent synchrotrons

Small perturbative fields in a synchrotron influence both the spin and orbital motion of a stored beam. Their effect on the beam polarization consists of two contributions, a direct kick and an effect of the ring lattice due to orbit perturbation. Spin response function is an analytic technique to account for both contributions. We develop such a technique for the spin-transparent synchrotrons where the design spin motion is degenerate. Several perspective applications are illustrated or discussed. In particular, we consider the questions of the influence of lattice imperfections on the spin dynamics and spin manipulation during an experiment. The presented results are of a direct relevance to NICA (JINR), RHIC (BNL), EIC (BNL) and other existing and future colliders when they arranged with polarization control in the spin-transparent mode.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2023

New techniques for jet calibration with the ATLAS detector

A determination of the jet energy scale is presented using proton–proton collision data with a centre-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 140 fb -1 collected using the ATLAS detector at the LHC. Jets are reconstructed using the ATLAS particle-flow method that combines charged-particle tracks and topo-clusters formed from energy deposits in the calorimeter cells. The anti-k t jet algorithm with radius parameter R = 0.4 is used to define the jet. Novel jet energy scale calibration strategies developed for the LHC Run 2 are reported that lay the foundation for the jet calibration in Run 3. Jets are calibrated with a series of simulation-based corrections, including state-of-the-art techniques in jet calibration such as machine learning methods and novel in situ calibrations to achieve better performance than the baseline calibration derived using up to 81 fb -1 of Run 2 data. The performance of these new techniques is then examined in the in situ measurements by exploiting the transverse momentum balance between a jet and a reference object. The b -quark jet energy scale using particle flow jets is measured for the first time with around 1% precision using $\gamma$+jet events.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Pulse shape discrimination technique for diffuse supernova neutrino background search with JUNO

Pulse shape discrimination (PSD) is widely used in particle and nuclear physics. Specifically in liquid scintillator detectors, PSD facilitates the classification of different particle types based on their energy deposition patterns. This technique is particularly valuable for studies of the diffuse supernova neutrino background (DSNB), nucleon decay, and dark matter searches. This paper presents a detailed investigation of the PSD technique, applied in the DSNB search performed with the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO). Instead of using conventional cut-and-count methods, we employ methods based on boosted decision trees and neural networks and compare their capability to distinguish the DSNB signals from the atmospheric neutrino neutral-current background events. The two methods demonstrate comparable performance, resulting in a 50–80% improvement in signal efficiency compared to a previous study performed for JUNO (An et al. [JUNO] in J Phys G 43(3):030401, 2016). Moreover, we study the dependence of the PSD performance on the visible energy and final state composition of the events and find a significant dependence on the presence/absence of 11 C. Finally, we evaluate the impact of the detector effects (photon propagation, PMT dark noise, and waveform reconstruction) on the PSD performance.

FOS: Physical sciences↗