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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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NASA NTRS1996

Ion-Accelerator Grids With Elongated Holes

Ion-accelerator grids designed and fabricated with elongated holes instead of circular holes. Although grids made of lightweight carbon/carbon composites and conceived for use in ion thrusters for spacecraft, also made of other materials and installed in industrial ion accelerators for material-processing applications. Elongated holes offer advantages of lower costs of fabrication and option to increase open-area fractions of grids, thereby increasing output ion currents extracted through grids.

Mueller, Juergen↗

NASA NTRS2003

Standards Development Activities at White Sands Test Facility

The development of standards and standard activities at the JSC White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) has been expanded to include the transfer of technology and standards to voluntary consensus organizations in five technical areas of importance to NASA. This effort is in direct response to the National Technology Transfer Act designed to accelerate transfer of technology to industry and promote government-industry partnerships. Technology transfer is especially important for WSTF, whose longterm mission has been to develop and provide vital propellant safety and hazards information to aerospace designers, operations personnel, and safety personnel. Meeting this mission is being accomplished through the preparation of consensus guidelines and standards, propellant hazards analysis protocols, and safety courses for the propellant use of hydrogen, oxygen, and hypergols, as well as the design and inspection of spacecraft pressure vessels and the use of pyrovalves in spacecraft propulsion systems. The overall WSTF technology transfer program is described and the current status of technology transfer activities are summarized.

Baker, D. L.↗

DOE OSTI2023

MCNP Neutronic Design Optimization of an Accelerator-Driven Subcritical Assembly for Mo-99 Production

Molybdenum-99 (99Mo) has been in short supply in the recent decades. The most common productionmechanism, irradiation in a reactor fueled by highly enriched uranium (HEU), raisesproliferation concerns. Novel efforts are being pursued to meet the demand for 99Mo withoutHEU irradiation, relying on the processing of low-enriched uranium or natural uranium. Onesuch concept is to use an electron linear accelerator to generate bremsstrahlung that, through aphotonuclear reaction, can help multiply neutrons in a subcritical assembly. The goal of this workwas to neutronically optimize the subcritical assembly for keff and 99Mo production. This optimizationis unique for The design was optimized in terms of reflector type, pitch, and LEU andNU mass. Results of the paper show the effects of fuel mass, pitch, and reflector material on keffand the NU fission fraction. keff was found to be mostly driven by LEU mass, and the NU fissionfraction was dependent on several parameters, primarily pitch and mass.

Conant, Andrew↗

DOE OSTI2024

LAMP RFQ vane tip macro-based 3D modeling

This report covers the workflow and the demonstration of modeling the radiofrequency quadrupole (RFQ) vane tip geometry in 3D, for the Front End Upgrade of the LANSCE Modernization Project (LAMP). The goal is to develop an automated procedure to generate the 3D model of the LAMP RFQ vane tip geometry, so as to eliminate the need to manually enter the design parameters for each RFQ cell, when building the 3D model. With the developed procedure, the LAMP RFQ design optimization work can be significantly more efficient.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

NASA NTRS1993

Appendix A: Proposed statement of work, 1994

This NRA effort is devoted to developing new techniques and methodologies which utilize and/or provide support to Integrated Vehicle Health Management (IVHM) concepts and techniques, modern design processes, and open architectures to realize an avionics system architecture that relieves the flight control system (FCS) of the requirement of maintaining intimate knowledge and control of the vehicle subsystems (for instance, the reaction control system (RCS)). The benefit of this architecture is that future upgrades and enhancements to the system(s) or to individual components within the system(s) are greatly simplified. This approach also allows a much more straightforward treatment of failure analysis, system diagnosis, and the design of fault containment domains. This NRA effort is also devoted to realizing capabilities to provide an available avionics system (and subsystem(s)) at minimum operational cost. This thrust provides a direct benefit to NASA in that it seeks to accelerate the design cycle to allow state of the art components and designs to actually appear in the fielded system rather than merely in the initial design. To achieve this, this effort is intended to benefit from efforts already underway at Lockheed and other major contractors. For instance, Lockheed Sanders is currently engaged in a major DoD funded development program which has the goal of cutting design cycle time of high performance electronics by a factor of four while simultaneously improving quality also by a factor of four. The early work on this program was used to enable the rapid prototyping of the Reaction Jet Drive Controller which was accomplished in 1993. Similarly, maximum leverage will be derived from recent NASA and DoD efforts to increase the content of high quality commercial grade electronic components in systems for aerospace applications. Both of these goals result in a system with enhanced cost effectiveness, increased reliability, and greatly increased performance compared to a system developed using a more conventional approach.

Source record↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Computationally Guided Design of Polymer-Coated Microparticles as Reusable Materials

Long-duration space exploration missions and sustained lunar or Martian surface operations present greater demands for multifunctional and reusable materials. By scaling down the amount of material to be launched from Earth, both mission cost and risk can be reduced. In this regard, leveraging in-space manufacturing capabilities with reusable feedstock materials is an attractive option, as it will allow for articles to be generated on demand, utilized, and then recycled for additional use. NASA’s Enabling Sustained Presence Using Recyclables (ESPUR) project aims to develop reusable materials using polymer-coated microparticles that are bonded via reversible Diels-Alder reactions, where only modest heat is needed to trigger the reverse reaction and enable reuse. For proof-of-concept demonstration, research is currently focused on the fabrication of epoxy microparticles that contain a copoly(carbonate urethane) coating with maleimide and furan functionalities. Here, we discuss the integration of computational materials modeling approaches to help navigate the large design space in this development effort. We perform molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with atomistic and coarse-grained models of the copolymer, which allow us to evaluate the effects of design parameters like the molecular weight and composition on the molecular interactions and chain dynamics. We show how the properties change with the reversible bonds. We also leverage discrete element method (DEM) simulations to assess how microparticle design parameters like the size ratio and volume fraction can be tuned to increase the packing density and number of microparticle contacts to improve the mechanical properties. Our results demonstrate how computational tools can be used in close collaboration with experimental efforts to accelerate material design.

reusable materials↗

DOE OSTI2022

Niowave: Flow measurement development - FY2022

It is critical to maintain proper flow rate of lead bismuth eutectic (LBE) for the operation of the Niowave converter. The high temperature of the LBE (> 200 °C) makes it difficult to purchase simple off the shelf flow meters. One method that can be used to measure the flow rate indirectly, is to use a venturi, with a known throat diameter and differential pressure measurement across the throat. LANL designed the venturi and after numerous iterations with vendors, narrowed down a differential pressure transducer to use with the venturi.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

DOE OSTI2022

Context-Aware Learning for Inverse Design in Photovoltaics

This document describes progress in the ARPA-E DIFFERENTIATE project titled “Context-Aware Learning for Inverse Design in Photovoltaics” during the period of May 2019 to May 2022. This project is being performed at Iowa State University, New York University, Stanford University, and National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The project aims to develop a new machine learning (ML) framework to significantly accelerate the design of organic microstructures for improved organic photovoltaic performance. In this project, we had developed an inverse design framework using Deep Learning called InvNets for generating microstructures with desired physics-driven properties. As a preliminary product, in Milestone 3, we demonstrated how InvNets show 20% improvement in the performance of the microstructures and over 100X speedup in the performance compared to traditional processes for physics-driven inverse design. Later, in Milestone 6, we demonstrated that InvNets work for more complex physics properties, specifically, generating microstructures for organic photovoltaic cells with desired current-voltage characteristics. Further, in Milestone 4, we explored the idea of using physics-aware surrogates for obtaining solutions of partial differential equations(PDE) called as DiffNets(now called as NeuFENets to avoid ambiguity of names). The connection between both frameworks is that DiffNet surrogates form the physics-aware surrogate in the InvNet framework. Finally in Milestone 8, we extend our framework for other physics domains. Specifically, we explore building geometry-aware NeuFENets by developing physics surrogates that exploit ideas from traditional immersed boundary finite element methods. With these updates, we are able to achieve all the Milestones.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2023

Conceptual Design of 20 T Hybrid Accelerator Dipole Magnets

Hybrid magnets are currently under consideration as an economically viable option towards 20 T dipole magnets for next generation of particle accelerators. In these magnets, High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) materials are used in the high field part of the coil with so-called insert coils, and Low Temperature Superconductors (LTS) like Nb 3 Sn and Nb-Ti superconductors are used in the lower field region with so-called outsert coils. The attractiveness of the hybrid option lays on the fact that, on the one hand, the 20 T field level is beyond the Nb 3 Sn practical limits of 15-16 T for accelerator magnets and can be achieved only via HTS materials; on the other hand, the high cost of HTS superconductors compared to LTS superconductors makes it advantageous exploring a hybrid approach, where the HTS portion of the coil is minimized. Here we present in this paper an overview of different design options aimed at generating 20 T field in a 50 mm clear aperture. The coil layouts investigated include the Cos-theta design (CT), with its variations to reduce the conductor peak stress, namely the Canted Cos-theta design (CCT) and the Stress Management Cos-theta design (SMCT), and, in addition, the Block-type design (BL) including a form of stress management and the Common-Coil design (CC). Results from a magnetic and mechanical analysis are discussed, with particular focus on the comparison between the different options regarding quantity of superconducting material, field quality, conductor peak stress, and quench protection.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Rapid Design of Cost-Effective Refractory High Entropy Alloys Strengthened by Precipitation

Funded by the ARPA-E ULTIMATE program, this project aims to develop cost-effective refractory high entropy alloys (RHEAs) for gas turbine blades applications at 1300 degree Celsius and above. The alloy design focuses on carbides precipitation strengthening in a strong and ductile solid solution BCC matrix. The goal is to achieve balanced mechanical properties including room temperature ductility & fracture toughness and high temperature strength and creep resistance, while maintaining comparable oxidation resistance and densities to Ni-base superalloys. To accelerate alloy design, multiscale modeling including CALPHAD and first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations and machine learning are performed. Specifically, high throughput phase diagram calculations and screening are carried out using CALPHAD; DFT calculations are performed to predict intrinsic ductility, grain boundary strengthening potential, coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and temperature-dependent elastic constants. Temperature dependent yield stress, creep strain and CTE are also predicted using machine learning. Down-selected alloys are synthesized in small buttons of about 250g using arc melting for rapid evaluation on microstructure and mechanical properties before employing plasma arc melting and additive manufacturing for producing large ingots. Preliminary computational and experimental results of this project will be presented and future direction in RHEA development will be discussed.

high temperature materials↗

DOE OSTI2026

Elucidating molecular level interfacial interactions between a de novo protein and nucleated calcite with solid-state NMR

Biomineralization is the process by which organisms use biomolecules to produce hierarchically structured organic–inorganic composites. Using biology as inspiration, a protein construct (FD31) was previously designed to accelerate formation of nano-calcite with an unconventional {110} face. Here, to understand the molecular interactions essential for protein aided calcite nucleation, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) spectroscopy was used in this work to characterize the FD31–calcite interface at the atomic level. Glutamic acid side chains designed to interact directly with calcium ions on the surface were found to have dynamics on the sub-millisecond timescale, indicating possible interactions between the protein and surface waters that were not included in the original model. Dipolar ssNMR recoupling techniques also showed that the protein backbone is ∼2 Å closer to the surface than in the original docking model. Refined molecular simulations were done in the presence of explicit waters, which resulted in the protein backbone closer to the surface than in the original docking structure, providing better agreement with experiment and highlighting the important role played by water in FD31–calcite interactions. While this work provides the first experimental confirmation that FD31 interactions with calcite are localized to the surface of the protein designed to serve as a template, these studies do indicate a more dynamic binding and closer binding mode between FD31 and the nucleated surface than originally proposed. In all, this enhanced molecular insight into the FD31–calcite interface has advanced our fundamental understanding of the atomic interactions at the organic–inorganic interface and will aid in the design of biological templates for the nucleation of inorganic crystals.

Close, Emily G. S. [Pacific Northwest National Lab↗

DOE OSTI2025

DataSet for Elucidating molecular level interfacial interactions between a de novo protein and nucleated calcite with solid-state NMR

Biomineralization is the process by which organisms use biomolecules to produce hierarchically structured organic-inorganic composites. Using biology as inspiration, a protein construct (FD31) was previously designed to accelerate formation of nano-calcite with an unconventional {110} face. To understand the molecular interactions essential for protein aided calcite nucleation, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) spectroscopy was used in this work to characterize the FD31-calcite interface at the atomic level. Glutamic acid side chains designed to interact directly with calcium ions on the surface were found to have dynamics on the sub-millisecond timescale, indicating possible interactions between the protein and surface waters that were not included in the original model. Dipolar ssNMR recoupling techniques also showed that the protein backbone is ~2 Å closer to the surface than in the original docking model. Refined molecular simulations were done in the presence of explicit waters, which resulted in the protein backbone closer to the surface than in the original docking structure, providing better agreement with experiment and highlighting the important role played by water in FD31-calcite interactions. These studies provide the first experimental evidence to confirm that FD31 interactions with calcite are localized to the surface of the protein designed to serve as a template. However, these studies do indicate a more dynamic binding and closer binding mode between FD31 and the nucleated surface than originally proposed. In all, this enhanced molecular insight into the FD31-calcite interface has advanced our fundamental understanding of the atomic interactions at the organic-inorganic interface and will aid in the design of biological templates for the nucleation of inorganic crystals.

Saccuzzo Close, Emily Grace [Pacific Northwest Nat↗

DOE OSTI2022

Mo-100 Disk Structural Integrity Tests I

The NorthStar pressed and sintered 29 mm diameter, 0.5 mm thick Mo-100 disks will be subjected to large temperature gradients when in beam during production. The beam preferentially heats the disk center, while the aggressive cooling by the helium keeps areas outside the beam spot relatively cool. The result is a temperature gradient of up to 900°C over the radial distance of 14.5 mm. To test the disk integrity with this high temperature gradient, a special holder for a single disk was made such that proper cooling can be applied as in the design target and the disk heating can be replicated with induction heating. NorthStar press and sintered disks were used for these tests.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2024

MICROREACTOR APPLICATIONS, RESEARCH, VALIDATION, AND EVALUATION (MARVEL) REACTOR ? STATUS, CONSTRUCTION, AND TESTING

The paper presents the current status of the Microreactor Applications, Research, Validation, and Evaluation (MARVEL) microreactor design, qualification testing, fabrication, and high-level construction schedule. An overview of initial criticality, low power physics testing, and start-up testing is included, as well as an overview of the envisioned processes in which end-users can engage the project for access to operational data or specific demonstrations. Designed by the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) under the auspices of the US Department of Energy’s Microreactor Program for construction and operation at the INL, MARVEL is a small, fully functional advanced reactor with UZrH fuel and thermal output of 85 kW. It offers a unique opportunity for scaled demonstrations that can dramatically accelerate the design, licensing, and deployment of commercial microreactors for power production or process heat applications. MARVEL’s objective is to build a small liquid-metal thermal reactor at the INL to demonstrate design and operating processes for microreactors, microgrid integration, and process heat applications. MARVEL finished 90%-final-design in September 2023 and completed an independent project assessment in early 2024. Fabrication of long-lead components and fuel, safety analysis review, and procurement for construction are underway. MARVEL assembly and construction will start in 2025 and fuel loading is expected in mid- 2027. Initial criticality will be performed in a dry condition in late 2027, followed by loading of NaK coolant and start-up testing. Approximately six months later, release for unrestricted operations will enable subsequent testing of microreactor characteristics, microgrid integration and select heat extraction applications.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

DOE OSTI2021

Additive Manufacturing in the Nuclear Reactor Industry

This article discusses the application of additive manufacturing in the nuclear reactor industry.Additive manufacturing for nuclear applications increased significantly in the late 2010s due to rapid progress in technology, particularly with methods using metals and ceramics.Because these manufacturing technologies are uniquely data-rich, they allow for an advanced understanding of materials, and they offer the potential to predict part performance based on build data. The inherent characteristics of additive manufacturing technologies allow for rapid prototyping and geometric freedom, making it possible to implement an accelerated agile design process for advanced nuclear reactor applications. Predictive high-fidelity multiphysics simulations are crucial to fully leverage this geometric flexibility. Qualification and regulator acceptance ultimately determine the breadth and scope of applications for these technologies. The US Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy Transformational Challenge Reactor program integrates many of these elements to accelerate the deployment of additive manufacturing technologies to industry.

Betzler, Benjamin↗

DOE OSTI2025

Artificial intelligence–powered biofoundries for protein engineering and metabolic engineering

Synthetic biology is rapidly evolving through the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and automated biofoundries. This convergence accelerates the design–build–test–learn cycle, shifting protein engineering and metabolic engineering from labor-intensive manual experimentation to autonomous experimentation. This review summarizes recent advances in workflow development, AI models, and their integration with biofoundries for automated or autonomous protein engineering and metabolic engineering. Particularly, we highlight the potential of AI-powered biofoundries for accelerated scientific discovery and innovation in synthetic biology.

Chen, Junyu [Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign↗

DOE OSTI2023

Simulation of Proton Beams in the AGS Booster with Space Charge

As higher intensity accelerators are designed, built and operated, the resonances and instabilities caused by space charge can become dominant effects in limiting the intensity of the beam that can be delivered. Particle loss has many causes but space charge can be a major factor in reducing beam intensity and generating emittance growth, particularly at low energies and in the lower energy stages of accelerators such as the AGS Booster. Successful operation relies on a good understanding of basic particle dynamics and it becomes an important challenge to ascertain how the beam evolves when charged particles experience both external forces through the fields of the magnets combined with internal forces through Coulomb interactions. A possible approach to such a study is to include calculations of space charge in computer simulation codes that track the motions of charged particles in 6D phase space. Unfortunately, repeated space charge calculations in 6D phase space are computationally intensive even with the most modern computing facilities. Study with traditional models of space charge is then either limited to a short real-time scale, or sacrifices accuracy and often omits some of the physics. The study described in this report attempts to explore all aspects of the Booster from injection, through RF capture and acceleration to the extraction energy. The simulations are allied to real machine settings. They do not attempt to model effects that are well known and for which accurate experimental data are available, but they try in many cases to extend beyond the normal Booster parameter range so as to understand the limitations on operations and suggest areas for improvement.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

NASA NTRS1995

Accelerating Commercial Remote Sensing

Through the Visiting Investigator Program (VIP) at Stennis Space Center, Community Coffee was able to use satellites to forecast coffee crops in Guatemala. Using satellite imagery, the company can produce detailed maps that separate coffee cropland from wild vegetation and show information on the health of specific crops. The data can control coffee prices and eventually may be used to optimize application of fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation. This would result in maximal crop yields, minimal pollution and lower production costs. VIP is a mechanism involving NASA funding designed to accelerate the growth of commercial remote sensing by promoting general awareness and basic training in the technology.

Source record↗