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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 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Technical Background and Validation Report on the Residential Water Inhalation Risk Calculator Presented in the Risk Assessment Information System

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is critical for human health. Poor IAQ is linked to respiratory issues, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Indoor pollutants are emitted by typical household items such as cleaning products, personal care items, building materials, and tap water - an understudied volatile organic compound (VOC) source. This document presents the Residential Water Inhalation Risk Calculator (RWIRC), which estimates daily VOC exposure concentrations from various household water uses, such as showering and dishwashing, to assess exposure risks for the most vulnerable occupant. Integrated into the Risk Assessment Information System (RAIS) and sponsored by the US Department of Energy (DOE), the calculator divides a house into three compartments: shower, bathroom, and other spaces, accounting for daily water usage patterns and calculating VOC concentrations. Exposure data generated using the calculator can assist health assessors in estimating excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) and hazard index (HI) from VOC inhalation. Unlike traditional exposure models that utilize Andelman’s constant, the RWIRC continuously assesses variability in VOC concentrations and environmental conditions using differential equations to track VOC concentrations and air exchange between compartments. The calculator also provides unique volatilization fractions for each chemical and appliance, enhancing accuracy of the exposure concentration estimation. The RWIRC is accessible online and allows users to customize parameters (i.e., number of bathrooms, water temperature, and exhaust fan conditions) and input VOC characteristics (i.e., tap water and ambient air concentrations). This document provides a step-by-step guide on implementing the calculator. It also provides comparisons with the ATSDR-SHOWER calculator, using eight VOCs with varying physicochemical properties to reveal differences in algorithms and output concentrations. Simulations also assess how bathroom door positions and exhaust fan usage affect VOC exposure. The calculator results can enhance EPA risk screening levels for inhalation exposure to VOCs from tap water, offering a sophisticated tool for assessing inhalation risks and improving public health protection.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

Semi-Automatic Geographic Information System Framework for Creating Photo-Realistic Digital Twin Cities to Support Autonomous Driving Research

Digital twin cities are frequently used in vehicle and traffic simulations to render realistic on-road driving scenarios under various traffic and environmental conditions. These digital twins provide a high-fidelity replica of the physical world (e.g., buildings, roads, infrastructures, traffic) to create three-dimensional (3D) virtual-physical environments to support various emerging vehicle and transportation technologies such as connected and automated vehicles. These virtual environments provide a cost-effective digital proving ground to evaluate, validate, and test emerging technologies that include control algorithms, localization, perception, and sensors. Replicating a real-world traffic scenario in a digital twin using a traditional 3D modeling approach is a time-consuming and labor-intensive effort. Here this paper presents a semi-automated spatial framework to construct realistic 3D digital twin cities to support autonomous driving research using readily available geographic information system (GIS) data and 3D prefabricated (prefab) models. We start with a comprehensive review of geospatial data sources of essential digital entities required in a 3D digital twin city and present an integrated GIS-3D modeling pipeline using customized QGIS/GDAL and Blender scripting in Python. The pipeline outputs are realistic 3D digital twin cities compatible with common vehicle simulation software, such as CARLA and IPG CarMaker. The paper closes with a showcase to demonstrate the quality and usability of a digital twin city created to replicate the Shallowford Road corridor in Chattanooga in both Unity and Unreal engine-based virtual environment. The generated digital twin city can be applied to a hardware-in-the-loop simulation environment with an actual testing vehicle to facilitate autonomous driving research.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Design of a Novel Information System for Semi-Automated Management of Cybersecurity in Industrial Control Systems

There is an urgent need in many critical infrastructure sectors, including the energy sector, for attaining detailed insights into cybersecurity features and compliance with cybersecurity requirements related to their Operational Technology (OT) deployments. Frequent feature changes of OT devices interfere with this need, posing a great risk to customers. One effective way to address this challenge is via a semi-automated cyber-physical security assurance approach, which enables verification and validation of the OT device cybersecurity claims against actual capabilities, both pre- and post-deployment. To realize this approach, this paper presents new methodology and algorithms to automatically identify cybersecurity-related claims expressed in natural language form in ICS device documents. Here, we developed an identification process that employs natural language processing (NLP) techniques with the goal of semi-automated vetting of detected claims against their device implementation. We also present our novel NLP components for verifying feature claims against relevant cybersecurity requirements. The verification pipeline includes components such as automated vendor identification, device document curation, feature claim identification utilizing sentiment analysis for conflict resolution, and reporting of features that are claimed to be supported or indicated as unsupported. Our novel matching engine represents the first automated information system available in the cybersecurity domain that directly aids the generation of ICS compliance reports.

96 KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND PRESERVATION↗
DOE OSTI2023

International Radiation Monitoring Information System (IRMIS) – a versatile EPR tool for all member states [Slides]

IRMIS provides Competent Authorities, IEC, and other relevant International Organizations with a data sharing tool that helps to report and share information, evaluate radiation monitoring data to assess if the public is safe, identify protective actions, keep the public informed by Member State Competent Authority, and maintain transparency of data handling and processing.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Solar/Photovoltaic DC Systems: Information for Electrical Workers and Firefighters

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are common and continue to gain popularity. This article helps electrical workers and firefighters understand basic operating principles and hazards of PV dc arrays. The effects of solar radiation and temperature on power output are discussed including; PV-module testing standards; methods for calculating the number of modules in a PV string; some National Electrical Code (NEC) guidelines that are aimed toward improving array safety; dc-array commissioning, periodic maintenance, and testing; arc-flash-hazard potential ways firefighters can work safely around PV arrays; potential risks posed by moonlight and other light sources; some unique dc-system hazards. We also present statistics on PV dc-array electrical incidents and injuries.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Geographic Information System Based Emergency Response Training Assessments for DOE Radioactive Materials Transport - 20027

Safety and security are priorities of U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) radioactive materials shipping campaigns. In the more than 70-year history of domestic transport of spent nuclear fuel (SNF), there has never been a transportation-related radiological injury. To support transportation planning, among the tools that DOE uses is the Stakeholder Tool for Assessing Radioactive Transportation (START). START contains geospatial data and transportation route analyses capabilities designed to support a range of DOE transportation planning initiatives. One of those functions is the capability to support emergency response planning and training for State and Tribal jurisdictions located on routes used for DOE shipments of radioactive materials. As part of the Department's commitment to public safety, DOE provides federally-funded radiological response training to emergency responders along DOE radioactive materials transportation corridors through its Transportation Emergency Preparedness Program (TEPP). START contains spatial data representing the locations and emergency-response capabilities of fire departments, police, hospitals, State emergency response centers, and where TEPP-trained personnel are based. The START tool supports State and Tribal users' ability to evaluate emergency-response coverage on active and potential DOE radioactive materials transport routes through their jurisdictions, provide expected response times to reach the scene of an incident, identify equipment available to support a response, and identify the number of response personnel and their respective training levels. In addition, START can be used to identify gaps in coverage along a transportation corridor where additional radiological emergency response training may be needed. This paper describes the data, features, and functionality DOE uses to provide a resource for emergency response training needs assessments for States and Tribes along active and potential routes for transporting radioactive materials, and illustrates its use. It also discusses future plans to integrate TEPP and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) radiological training data to provide a more comprehensive source of geospatial information on personnel who have received equivalent radiological response training. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2024

2024 OES-Environmental 2024 State of the Science Report, Chapter 8: Marine Renewable Energy Data and Information Systems

As the marine renewable energy (MRE) sector grows, large amounts of environmental and technical data and information are being collected. When these data and information are openly available, they can be used to guide research and development, inform responsible siting and consenting of projects, and increase stakeholder understanding through transparency. For example, quality environmental data collected during the siting, consenting, construction, operation, and decommissioning of MRE projects can all play key roles in better characterizing baseline conditions, developing effective monitoring and mitigation strategies, and retiring environmental risks through data transferability (see Chapter 6). Ensuring that these data and information are easily discoverable and accessible will help the MRE sector make informed decisions and coexist in an increasingly busy ocean environment.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2022

Synthesis of Eu(HCOO) 3 and $\mathrm{Eu(HCOO)_3}$ • $\mathrm{(HCONH_2)_2}$ crystals and observation of their 5 D 0 → 7 F 0 transition for quantum information systems

Two stoichiometric metal-organic frameworks containing Eu 3+ cations are probed as candidates for photon-based quantum information storage. Synthesis procedures for growing 0.2 mm, rod-shaped Eu(HCOO) 3 and 1–3 mm, rhombohedral $\mathrm{Eu(HCOO)_3}$ • $\mathrm{(HCONH_2)_2}$ single crystals are presented with visible precipitation as soon as 1 h into heating for Eu(HCOO) 3 and 24 h for $\mathrm{Eu(HCOO)_3}$ • $\mathrm{(HCONH_2)_2}$. Room temperature and 1.4 K photoluminescence measurements of the 5 D 0 → 7 F J transitions of Eu 3+ are analyzed for both compounds. Comparisons of peak width and intensity are discussed along with the notable first report for both of the 5 D 0 → 7 F 0 transition, the hyperfine structure of which has potential use in quantum memory applications. Furthermore, the air instability of $\mathrm{Eu(HCOO)_3}$ • $\mathrm{(HCONH_2)_2}$ and the transformation of its photoluminescence properties are discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Superconducting microwave cavities and qubits for quantum information systems

Superconducting microwave cavities featuring ultrahigh Q-factors, which measure the efficiency of energy storage in relation to energy loss in a system, are revolutionizing quantum computing by providing long coherence times exceeding 1 ms, crucial for the development of scalable multi-qubit quantum systems with low error rates. Here, in this work, we provide an in-depth analysis of recent advances in ultrahigh Q-factor cavities, integration of Josephson junction-based qubits, and bosonic-encoded qubits in 3D cavities. We examine the sources of quantum state dephasing caused by damping and noise mechanisms in cavities and qubits, highlighting the critical challenges that need to be addressed to achieve even higher coherence times. We critically survey the latest progress made in implementing single 3D qubits using superconducting materials, normal metals, and multi-qubit and multi-state quantum systems. Our work sheds light on the promising future of this research area, including novel materials for cavities and qubits, modes with nontrivial topological properties, error correction techniques for bosonic qubits, and new light–matter interaction effects.

3D printing↗
DOE OSTI2025

The Risk Assessment Information System Compendium of Ecological Screening Benchmarks for Chemicals and Radionuclides (2025) (Volume V – Chemicals for Surface Water: General)

Volume V presents the chemical benchmarks for surface water: general. The benchmarks here are applicable to both fresh water and marine or where no differentiation was made by the source. These values are not repeated in the fresh water and marine categories. Likewise, values listed in the fresh water and marine categories are not repeated in the generic categories. Consult Volume I for information on the sources.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

The Risk Assessment Information System Compendium of Ecological Screening Benchmarks for Chemicals and Radionuclides (2025) (Volume VIII – Chemicals for Sediment: General)

Volume VIII presents the chemical benchmarks for sediment: general. The benchmarks here are applicable to both freshwater sediments and marine sediments or where no differentiation was made by the source. These values are not repeated in the freshwater sediment and marine sediment categories. Likewise, values listed in the freshwater sediment and marine sediment categories are not repeated in the generic categories. Consult Volume I for information on the sources.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗