Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “rock type”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Full Scale HEPA Filter Encapsulation in Ultra-High-Performance Grout - Proof of Concept

The Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) currently being constructed to treat radioactive waste, includes vitrification facilities for both the high-level waste (HLW) and low activity waste (LAW) fractions. Operation of the WTP will produce contaminated high-efficiency particulate air filters (HEPA), as part of the solid secondary waste (SSW) stream. The HEPA filters receive off-gas from the vessel vent header and primary off-gas treatment system in LAW Facility and remove particulate contaminants including 99 Tc and 129 I salts. The current disposal method for HEPA filters is encapsulation in metal containers using cementitious material (CM) and disposal in the Integrated Disposal Facility (IDF). Results from the 2017 IDF Performance Assessment (PA) WRPS (2018) demonstrated that while compliance is maintained for the 1000 year compliance period mandated by DOE O 435.1 and its accompanying manual, release of constituents from the HEPA filters result in exceedance of the performance objective imposed as the groundwater regulatory limit at later times. For example, at about 1500 years post-closure, solid secondary waste (SSW), including HEPA filters is predicted to become a dominant contributor to 99 Tc release and over the 10,000-year sensitivity analysis period, SSW is the dominant contributor of 129 I release to the groundwater. The estimated release could potentially be reduced if the HEPA filters are not compacted and waste containers could be distributed throughout a large space, thereby diluting the contaminant release. Additionally, a better cementitious material could be used to encapsulate the HEPA filters. One alternative method for disposal of contaminated HEPA filters is encapsulation of the filters in ultra high-performance grout (UHPG). UHPG is a variation of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) is commonly used in the prestressed concrete industry for large structural members. Recent studies of UHPG show it has excellent properties for containing radionuclides such as 99 Tc and 129 I Nichols and Kaplan (2021). This report presents the results of the first attempt to encapsulate a clean, full-size HEPA filter in UHPG and evaluate the effectiveness of the immobilization process and final waste form. A full-scale proof-of-concept simulated waste form was prepared by encapsulating a HEPA filter in a 110-gallon stainless steel (SS) drum using UHPG. A change from Type I/II PC to Type 1L PLC was made after American Rock Products informed the team that they would no longer be using Type I/II by the end of 2024 and the northwest was phasing out Type I/II PC overall. Type I/II PC used in previous studies of UHPG for encapsulation (Nichols and Kaplan 2021). After the UHPG was cured both the scaled mockup and the full-scale simulated waste forms were sectioned for visual examination. UHPG completely encapsulated the filters and bonded to the external surfaces of materials comprising the filters. No cracks were observed in the sectioned waste forms.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2026

Pore-Scale Study on the Positive Feedback Between Stress and Porosity Caused by Pressure Solution in Porous Media

Pressure solution is an important process in the evolution of sedimentary rocks, which provide storage space for most of our petroleum resources. It directly influences the generation, migration, and storage of petroleum fluids in subsurface sedimentary rocks. Here, in this paper, we develop a pore-scale, mechanochemical model to demonstrate a possible positive feedback between the local porosity and pore surface stress, in which a higher local porosity causes a higher local pore surface stress, thus enhancing pressure solution and consequently further increasing the local porosity. Pore surface stress represents stress on a solid grain adjacent to a pore. Specifically, the pore-scale, mechanochemical model directly simulates the stress distribution over solid and pore surfaces using a finite element model. The dissolution of solids at the solid-pore interfaces under a far-from-equilibrium condition is simulated using a first-order kinetics model that accounts for the local stress distribution. The updated pore geometry, caused by pore surface dissolution, is then used in the stress simulation in the next numerical iteration. Two types of porous media, the Oriskany sandstone and an artificial porous medium with spherical pores, were tested in the mechanochemical simulation. The positive stress-porosity feedback during pressure solution was observed in both samples. In addition, the model quantitatively illustrated the distribution of local mineral dissolution rates on all pore surfaces, as well as its relation to the effective mineral dissolution rate of the entire sample. Based on the comparison between the two porous media, the local mineral dissolution was regulated by pore space distribution, geometry, and coalescence during pressure solution. This work is the first that uses direct, pore-scale numerical simulation to demonstrate the positive stress-porosity feedback during pressure solution, which has the potential to advance the understanding of the mechanical-chemical (MC) coupling in many geological processes that are relevant to subsurface energy systems, such as the recovery of petroleum hydrocarbons and geothermal energy.

CT scanning↗
DOE OSTI2026

Linking Domain Structure Evolution at a Grain Boundary to Piezoelectric Response via Nano‐Diffraction

Electric-field-induced domain structure switching in a 1 𝜇⁢m -thick Pb 0.99 (Zr 0.45 Ti 0.55 ) 0.98 Nb 0.02 O 3 (Nb-doped PZT) bicrystal film was characterized in situ via nano-focused synchrotron diffraction. The epitaxial film was deposited on a (100) SrTiO 3 bicrystal substrate. The changes in domain structure were mapped within a 5 𝜇⁢m × 5 𝜇⁢m area at and around an in-plane tilt-type (23.6°) grain boundary with 50 nm spatial resolution. Rocking curves collected at each point of the mapped area provided the ability to reconstruct spatially-varying three-dimensional (3D) reciprocal space maps around the grain boundary. The 3D reciprocal space maps reveal how different tilted 𝑎 -type domain variants interact with the grain boundary as a function of increasing electric field. Initially, a subset of 𝑎 -type domain variants with their polarization vectors largely orthogonal to the grain boundary were found in greater abundance within 570 nm of the grain boundary, possibly due to X-ray beam-induced local increases in the electrical conductivity, but after the coercive field was exceeded, reconfiguration of the ferroelastic domains was observed. The spatially-varying reciprocal space maps also facilitated evaluation of the strain field across the mapped area, along with 𝑑 33,𝑓 . Significant spatial heterogeneity of strain and 𝑑 33,𝑓 are observed, especially at the coercive field, which was attributed to maintaining deformation compatibility and correlated ferroelastic switching.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Metasomatic Alteration of Type 3 Ordinary and Carbonaceous Chondrites

Metasomatism refers to the process during which a pre-existing rock undergoes compositional and mineralogical transformations associated with chemical reactions triggered by the reaction of fluids which invade the protolith. It changes chemical compositions of minerals, promotes their dissolution and precipitation of new minerals. In this paper, we review metasomatic alteration of type 3 ordinary (H, L, LL) and carbonaceous (CV, CO, CK) chondrites, including (i) secondary mineralization, (ii) physicochemical conditions, (iii) chronology ( 53 Mn- 53 Cr, 26 Al- 26 Mg, 129 I- 129 Xe) of metasomatic alteration, (iv) records of metasomatic alteration in H, O, N, C, S, and Cl isotopic systematics, (v) effects of metasomatic alteration on O- and Al-Mg-isotope systematics of primary minerals in chondrules and refractory inclusions, and (vi) sources of water ices in metasomatically altered CV, CO, and ordinary chondrites, and outline future studies.

129I-129Xe chronology↗
DOE OSTI2025

Primitive Cubic Cation-Disordered Niobium Tungsten Oxides

In recent years, metastable cation-disordered oxides have had a significant impact on both fundamental and application-driven materials science research. Along this direction, developing new and simple structural types that can accommodate cation disorder at the same crystallographic site has yet to receive extensive research focus. In this work, we use niobium tungsten oxides (NbWOs), a series of materials encompassing diverse structural features, as a material platform to explore new cation-disordered structural types. Relying on mechanochemistry, we realized primitive cubic cation-disordered NbWOs with a ReO 3 -type structure, featuring unique electronic and vibrational properties. Furthermore, when applied as a Li-ion battery anode, the materials undergo a unique perovskite-rock salt structural change mechanism, different from that of complex ordered NbWOs. All these advancements suggest a rich opportunity in developing other new material structural types and realizing new material properties based on the methodology of the work.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

SOSAT: Geohazard Risk Assessment in Carbon Sequestration Operations

Like all operations in which fluids are injected into the subsurface, geologic carbon storage (GCS) presents inherit risks that must be assessed and mitigated to successfully deploy such technology in the field. For example, alterations to pore pressure and the stress state due to fluid injection may trigger certain geohazards, such as potential fault activation and induced seismicity or unintentional hydraulic fracturing. Here we present capabilities for assessing these potential risks using the State of Stress Analysis Tool (SOSAT): a Python library and web-based application capable of probabilistically estimating the subsurface state of stress informed by various field observations. Using posterior distributions of principal stress components, SOSAT can assess the risk of fault activation within the injection formation for either a critically oriented fault or a fault with a user-prescribed orientation. Additionally, SOSAT can estimate the probability of unintentional hydraulic fracturing of the intact reservoir rock. Here, we demonstrate these SOSAT capabilities using a hypothetical GCS site. This type of risk assessment can assist with the effective deployment of GCS technology in the field by informing safe design and management practices.

Haagenson, Ryan J.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Electrofracturing of Shale at Elevated Pressure

Electrofracturing deeply buried shale formations could be used to increase reservoir permeability and improve reservoir production without requiring large volumes of freshwater. This paper describes a novel experimental system and initial test results to electrofracture shale under high confining pressures. Core-scale laboratory testing was performed on twelve rock samples recovered from a shale gas reservoir. Each sample was subjected to confining pressures of 20.7 MPa (3000 psi) or 58.6 MPa (8000 psi), representative of overburden pressures at depth. Samples were then subjected to application of high voltage until specimen fracture. The experiments produced deformed samples with multiple fracture types, both parallel and oblique to bedding planes. Electrofracturing increased permeabilities by up to nine orders of magnitude for extended time periods. Rock fracture and throughgoing fractures were demonstrated. Computed tomography images revealed the creation of fractures and tube/tunnel flow channels, which resisted closure under hydrostatic pressures up to 58.6 MPa. The breakdown energy and permeability changes in the sample were independent of applied confining pressure. The cumulative energy input required for fracture depended on applied confining pressure and sample length. The energy required to fracture samples up to 9 cm in length is generally more than 0.5 kJ/cm, but no greater than 1 kJ/cm. Our results show that electrofracture of shales under confining pressure is possible and could be a possible water-free mechanism for reservoir stimulation.

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Pretest Modeling A Spent Nuclear Fuel Seismic Shake Test

The U.S. Department of Energy Spent Fuel and Waste Science and Technology (SFWST) program is planning to conduct a series of full-scale shake table tests to simulate hypothetical earthquake conditions and record the response of surrogate spent nuclear fuel (SNF) assemblies in a dry canister storage system mockup. The shake table motions will represent a range of hypothetical earthquake conditions at hypothetical locations in the continental U.S. to generally define the range of mechanical loads that SNF can be expected to experience during extended dry storage periods. This paper describes the pretest predictions made with LS-DYNA models of the mockup storage systems. The test will use two dry storage system configurations, a mockup vertical concrete cask (VCC) and a mockup horizontal storage module (HSM). The test will use a production-quality canister and basket. Within the canister will be four instrumented fuel assemblies with fuel rods containing surrogate mass and 28 instrumented dummy assemblies that are intended to match the mass and outer dimension of a fuel assembly. The finite element models include models of the VCC and HSM on the shake table to calculate the system level dynamic responses and separate single fuel assembly models to calculate stress and strain in fuel assembly components. Both types of models include nonlinear behavior like rod-to-rod contact and the ability for VCC’s to rock and slide. This paper presents the expected response of the VCC, HSM, and fuel assemblies to the shake table testing that is planned to start in April of 2024. The earthquake conditions represent seismic hazards in the 2,000-to-20,000-year return period range. The test data is expected to confirm the expectation that fuel rod cladding will remain intact, fuel assembly structural components like guide tubes will remain intact, and no significant VCC sliding or tipping will occur in the range of conditions to be tested with the shake table.

Klymyshyn, Nicholas A.↗
DOE OSTI2025

On the viability of stimulated hydrogen generation from iron-rich formations

Hydrogen-based technologies present a promising solution for the global energy transition. In addition to electrolytic production, subsurface geological formations provide a potential natural source of hydrogen. Iron-rich ultramafic rocks, in particular, are favorable for hydrogen generation through natural processes such as serpentinization. Naturally occurring reactions and migration can be enhanced through various types of stimulation, including thermal, hydraulic, and chemical treatment. Through numerical simulations, we analyzed the complex interplay of factors influencing the production and migration within the subsurface, emphasizing the importance of different stimulation techniques, catalysts, and conditions. Our findings indicate that key parameters, such as damage zone permeability and width, significantly impact producible hydrogen mass. Our results indicate that a combination of large damage zone widths, high permeability, and a stimulated reaction rate of 1 × 10 -9 can yield economically viable production rates of up to 1 kg s -1 at the wellhead. Moreover, the availability of ferrous iron, rather than the serpentinization rate itself, has been identified as the primary limiting factor in achieving economically sustainable hydrogen production. In conclusion, while an unstimulated rock volume of 0.165 km 3 yields only 45t of hydrogen in two years, various stimulation techniques can increase production to 18500t.

08 - HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2024

Rare Earth Elements (REEs) Measurement in Coal and Rock Mineral Matrices

Although critical minerals including rare earth elements (REEs) can be analyzed in laboratory by some established and reliable laboratory based analytical techniques, their in-situ measurements in the field have always been challenging. For identification of REE-rich sites and REEs distribution measurement, portable field applicable technologies are paramount. As Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has enormous potential for field measurement, it has been explored for REEs measurements by many research groups. However, most of the studies are still dealing with simulated samples with traditional bench top experiments. In real world, REEs are available in various types of natural complex matrices in low content depending on the geographical locations. Considering this, LIBS has been evaluated for REE measurement in two different complex coal and rock mineral matrices representing some natural REE-rich sites. In addition, multiple samples collected from some natural sites in Wyoming, USA were experimented by using NETL’s bench top as well as miniaturized prototype setups for REE measurements.

Bhatt, Chet R.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Williston Basin Resource Study for Commercial-Scale Subsurface Hydrogen Storage

The Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), the EERC’s State Energy Research Center (SERC), MPLX Operations LLC, and TC Energy Development Holdings Inc. (a subsidiary of TC Energy Corporation), studied the potential for subsurface hydrogen storage and recovery in the Williston Basin of western North Dakota. The project’s goal was to evaluate the feasibility of large-scale, secure geologic H 2 storage to support future hydrogen generation, storage, and use. This work included laboratory testing, H 2 –rock–fluid exposure experiments, literature reviews on H 2 embrittlement, and reservoir modeling and simulations. The study included an assessment of storage potential across three types of storage reservoirs using both reservoir simulation and DOE’s web-based tool SHASTA-HELP (Subsurface Hydrogen Assessment, Storage, and Technology Acceleration – Hydrogen Estimator for Logistical Planning), as well as investigation of potential H 2 production and markets for commercial-scale deployment. Building on prior EERC gas storage research, three storage options were selected for detailed evaluation: the Broom Creek Formation (a clastic saline reservoir), the Dickinson Lodgepole Mounds (DLM) complex (carbonate mud mound structures) of the Lodgepole Formation (an active oil and gas producing reservoir), and the Dunham Salt Interval of the Piper Formation (to be used for engineered salt cavern development). These targets were prioritized based on prior EERC research using datasets related to seal capacity, reservoir quality, mechanical integrity, and injectivity. Exposure tests on Broom Creek and DLM samples showed mineral dissolution and precipitation that increased brine salinity and altered reservoir rock surfaces. Although these results provide useful insight, they are limited by small sample sizes and short-term (30-day) exposure, requiring further study to assess long-term storage integrity. Salt formations were not tested because of their known nonreactivity and established mechanical stability. Results of reservoir simulations performed for a single site demonstrated that the Broom Creek Formation may be capable of receiving up to 42,000 tonnes of injected H 2 over 7 months via one well. H 2 recovery took place over 5 months, resulting in approximately 26,000 tonnes (~62% without cushion gas [CG]). This work suggests water production may be important and subsequent cycles of injection and production may perform more efficiently; however, significant site-specific work in the future is needed to assess actual reservoir performance of injection and withdrawal of H 2 storage. For oil reservoir potential, a multiple-well model was used to simulate injection of approximately 32,000 tonnes of H 2 into a single wellbore while simultaneously producing in place reservoir fluids from four offset wells to maintain reservoir pressure. The simulation results suggested a high recovery (~98%); in addition, cost advantages through existing infrastructure could be realized. Challenges in this reservoir include vi managing gas purity and leakage risks. In both scenarios, production of H 2 takes place in a single-well scenario with 10 cycles (7 months of injection and 5 months of production) over 10 years. Finally, the use of engineered caverns in the Dunhan Salt was evaluated, and the results suggest that while they have a smaller capacity (<1000 tonnes per cavern), they exhibit nearly complete gas recovery (>99%), fast response times, and low purity risk. While caverns in North Dakota may be smaller in capacity, fields can be developed in galleries to accommodate the volumetric needs and rapid turnaround times necessary to meet market demands. Geographic limitations and thin salt intervals in North Dakota may represent less total storage potential than salt domes elsewhere, but significant opportunities exist to expand this market for gas storage in North Dakota. A basinwide assessment was performed to estimate a first-of-its-kind value for H 2 storage on a large scale. DOE’s SHASTA-HELP, combined with EERC simulation work, was used to perform the assessment. Estimated H 2 storage potential varied widely for each formation type. The Broom Creek saline formation was estimated to have a storage potential of approximately 1.7–90.5 million tonnes (MMt). The DLM oil reservoirs were estimated to have 0.07–0.19 MMt of capacity. Notably, each of these estimates relies on significant assumptions regarding reservoir thickness, porosity, permeability, and CG needed for operation. Much research is needed to understand the true site-specific storage resource potential of each formation. Using the Dunham Salt Interval for cavern development may result in as much as 4.79 MMt (up to 2.87 MMt working gas) of H 2 storage potential. An important note for consideration is that the values presented here need significantly more geological characterization and engineering assessments prior to gaining confidence in performance. This will be a focal point for future research and development needs. The basinwide evaluation also indicated that North Dakota has significant H 2 generation potential, with estimates up to a possible 13 MMt annually, suggesting a substantial opportunity for H 2 market development and thus the need for commercial-scale H 2 storage to facilitate growth and resilience. Key Recommendations 1. Conduct detailed site characterization (3D seismic, well logs, core sampling) to reduce geologic uncertainty. 2. Perform techno-economic analyses incorporating market, regulatory, and incentive frameworks. 3. Investigate long-term interactions among H 2 , CGs, well materials, and formations to assess risks. 4. Develop pilot- and field-scale demonstrations to validate models and establish best practices.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Blue Canyon Dome Emplacement Artifacts

The Blue Canyon Dome (BCD) experiments are a series of intermediate scale subsurface chemical explosions designed to explore the geophysical relationship between scaled yields and formation damage. Phase 2 of this experiment involved explosions designed to evaluate the effect of damage, demonstrating the effect of geologic features and previous damage on the near field seismic signatures, not just in amplitude, but also in spectral content. Based on the emplacement effect on the seismic signature, the moment-based yield estimates showed error between 10s-1000s of percent. This report details an alternative approach to emplacement-based filtering techniques of the seismic signatures to improve yield estimates for explosions in damaged rock. The results will be used to develop an improved inverse yield model that leverages the information in the seismic signature for each source based on emplacement type.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗
DOE OSTI2026

Electrochemically recovered struvite matches conventional fertilizers in soil nutrient supply

Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient for agriculture, yet global reliance on finite phosphorite reserves raises concerns about long-term food and nutrient security. Struvite (MgNH 4 PO 4 ·6H 2 O), a mineral recovered from municipal wastewater, represents a sustainable and circular source of P, but uncertainty remains regarding its nutrient availability relative to conventional fertilizers. This study evaluated the fertilizer value and environmental safety of electrochemically recovered struvite (RecoP) in comparison with diammonium phosphate (DAP), triple superphosphate (TSP), and rock phosphate (RockP). Nutrient availability, potential contaminant concentrations, and soil P and nitrogen (N) dynamics were assessed using standardized chemical analyses and an 8-week incubation experiment across three soils with contrasting soil types. RecoP contained 14.7% citrate-soluble P, significantly greater than RockP and comparable to DAP and TSP. Across all soils, RecoP increased both readily available and moderately labile P pools (p < 0.01), matching the performance of conventional fast-release fertilizers. Despite containing approximately half the total of DAP, RecoP stimulated nitrification rates that were 2.2 times greater than the control and exceeded those of TSP, suggesting that fertilizer-derived N bioavailability, rather than total N loading, governed microbial N transformation responses. Concentrations of potentially toxic elements in RecoP were consistently well below US Environmental Protection Agency regulatory limits thresholds. Collectively, these results indicate that RecoP functions as a readily available source of both P and N, comparable to widely used conventional fertilizers, while meeting environmental safety standards. RecoP therefore represents a viable component of sustainable nutrient management strategies that support P recycling and agricultural productivity.

Kharal, Sudarshan [Ohio Univ., Athens, OH (United ↗
DOE OSTI2024

Characterization of Soil Thermal and Electrical Properties along Multiple Hillslope Transects at Teller Road Site, Seward Peninsula, Alaska, 2017

This dataset has been acquired along five-119 m long transects located on the bottom part of the watershed hillslope at the NGEE Arctic Teller Road site at mile marker 27 (TL_MM27) on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska in July and September 2017. The Distributed Temperature Profiling (DTP) system dataset consist in vertically-resolved profile of soil temperature covering the top 0.8 m of soil with 8 cm interval. In addition to DPT data, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) data, soil moisture, depth to rock or thaw layer thickness (no differentiation) and ground elevations data have been acquired along each of the transects. A UAV-based geotiff mosaic of the investigated site is also provided. The four data types provided with this dataset of 37 files (*.csv, *.tif, *.DATA): (1) soil temperature profiles, (2) ERT data, (3) the physical measurements of the thaw layer, and (4) an orthomosaic GeoTIFF of the transect study area.The Next-Generation Ecosystem Experiments: Arctic (NGEE Arctic), was a research effort to reduce uncertainty in Earth System Models by developing a predictive understanding of carbon-rich Arctic ecosystems and feedbacks to climate. NGEE Arctic was supported by the Department of Energy's Office of Biological and Environmental Research.The NGEE Arctic project had two field research sites: 1) located within the Arctic polygonal tundra coastal region on the Barrow Environmental Observatory (BEO) and the North Slope near Utqiagvik (Barrow), Alaska and 2) multiple areas on the discontinuous permafrost region of the Seward Peninsula north of Nome, Alaska.Through observations, experiments, and synthesis with existing datasets, NGEE Arctic provided an enhanced knowledge base for multi-scale modeling and contributed to improved process representation at global pan-Arctic scales within the Department of Energy's Earth system Model (the Energy Exascale Earth System Model, or E3SM), and specifically within the E3SM Land Model component (ELM).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

The potential for New Mexico basalts to sequester CO2 with a focus on critical element mobility

This study investigates the potential for New Mexico basalts to serve as geologic CO₂ sequestration media through mineral carbonation. Batch-type experiments were conducted using crushed basalts from the Carrizozo and Taos regions at low PCO₂ (0.7–2 bar) and temperatures up to 40°C over 180 days. The experiments evaluated the kinetics of CO₂-water-rock interaction, cation release, and critical element mobility (Cu, Ni, Co, Zn). Solid and fluid samples were analyzed using SEM, EMPA, ICP-OES, and ICP-MS, and geochemical modeling was performed with GEM-Selektor and PHREEQC. Results indicated that up to 80% of the injected CO₂ was mineralized within 100 days, forming secondary carbonates such as siderite and ankerite. Additionally, significant mobilization of critical metals was observed, which has implications for resource recovery and mine-waste valorization in future CO₂ sequestration projects.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Volcanic arc rigidity variations illuminated by coseismic deformation of the 2011 Tohoku-oki M9

Rock strength has long been linked to lithospheric deformation and seismicity. However, independent constraints on the related elastic heterogeneity are missing, yet could provide key information for solid Earth dynamics. Using coseismic Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) data for the 2011 M9 Tohoku-oki earthquake in Japan, we apply an inverse method to infer elastic structure and fault slip simultaneously. We find compliant material beneath the volcanic arc and in the mantle wedge within the partial melt generation zone inferred to lie above ~100 km slab depth. We also identify low-rigidity material closer to the trench matching seismicity patterns, likely associated with accretionary wedge structure. Along with traditional seismic and electromagnetic methods, our approach opens up avenues for multiphysics inversions. Those have the potential to advance earthquake and volcano science, and in particular once expanded to InSAR type constraints, may lead to a better understanding of transient lithospheric deformation across scales.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Searching for heavy neutral leptons at a future muon collider

As the planning stages for a high energy muon collider enter a more concrete era, an important question arises as to what new physics could be uncovered. A TeV-scale muon collider is also a vector boson fusion (VBF) factory with a very clean background, and as such it is a promising environment to look for new physics that couples to the electroweak (EW) sector. In this paper, we explore the ability of a future TeV-scale muon collider to search for Majorana and Dirac heavy neutral leptons (HNLs) produced via EW bosons. Employing a model-independent, conservative approach, we present an estimation of the production and decay rate of HNLs over a mass range between 200 GeV and 9.5 TeV in two benchmark collider proposals with s = 3 , 10 TeV, as well as an estimation of the dominant Standard Model (SM) background. We find that exclusion limits for the mixing between the HNLs and SM neutrinos can be as low as O ( 10 − 6 ) . Additionally, we demonstrate that a TeV-scale muon collider allows for the ability to discriminate between Majorana and Dirac type HNLs for a large range of mixing values. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Kwok, Tsz Hong↗
DOE OSTI2025

Utah FORGE: Well 16B(78)-32 Drill Core Fracture Analysis Images and Data

This dataset contains drilling core data from well 16B(78)-32, including PDF documents with flattened core images annotated by feature type and core interval, as well as spreadsheets detailing feature morphologies by depth, planar feature measurements, and planar feature orientations rotated to in situ conditions. Core was recovered from three intervals, one per stimulation stage, in the crystalline rocks affected by the stimulation of well 16A(78)-32. Seven core runs were conducted, yielding 135.8 feet of recovered core. Features in the core were categorized into planar fractures, semi-planar fractures, unbroken mineralized fractures, rough fractures, curviplanar fractures, concave-convex surfaces, and planar compositional features such as mylonite or dike-like structures. Planar features were measured while the core was positioned horizontally, with the core axis aligned to a downhole azimuth of 42 degrees. Planar core measurements from stimulations 2 and 3 that could be confidently correlated with FMI data were rotated to in situ orientations. This was done by rotating the planes along vertical and horizontal axes to match the azimuth and inclination data recorded in the directional survey of well 16B(78)-32, as well as applying an axial rotation to resemble the fracture orientations observed in the FMI log at corresponding depths. Coherent sets of planar fracture measurements were made by aligning the core within each 3-foot section of the dissected core barrel, and between adjacent 3-foot sections within a core run by matching rock fabrics, saw cuts and/or tool marks. Where coherent fracture measurements could not be made within a core run, data sets are denoted by a subscript (i.e. 2-Ta and 2-Tb both come from tangent core run number 2).

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗