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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 361 records · Page 20

Splitting Mono- and Di-Branched Alkane Isomers by a Robust Aluminum-Based Metal-Organic Framework Material with Optimal Pore Dimensions

The separation of alkanes with different degrees of branching, particularly mono- and dibranched isomers, represents a challenging yet important industrial process for the production of premium gasoline blending components with high octane number. We report here the separation of linear/monobranched and dibranched alkanes through complete molecular sieving by a robust aluminum-based MOF material, Al-bttotb (H 3 bttotb = 4,4',4"-(benzene-1,3,5-triyltris(oxy))tribenzoicacid). Single- and multicomponent adsorption experiments reveal that the material adsorbs linear and monobranched alkanes, but fully excludes their dibranched isomers. Adsorption sites of alkanes within the MOF channels have been identified by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies, and the adsorption mechanism was explored through computational calculations and modeling. The highly selective adsorption of the MOF should be attributed to its optimal pore dimensions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Optimal stomatal behaviour around the world

Stomatal conductance (g s ) is a key land-surface attribute as it links transpiration, the dominant component of global land evapotranspiration, and photosynthesis, the driving force of the global carbon cycle. Despite the pivotal role of g s in predictions of global water and carbon cycle changes, a global-scale database and an associated globally applicable model of g s that allow predictions of stomatal behaviour are lacking. Here, we present a database of globally distributed g s obtained in the field for a wide range of plant functional types (PFTs) and biomes. We find that stomatal behaviour differs among PFTs according to their marginal carbon cost of water use, as predicted by the theory underpinning the optimal stomatal model 1 and the leaf and wood economics spectrum 2,3 . We also demonstrate a global relationship with climate. In conclusion, these findings provide a robust theoretical framework for understanding and predicting the behaviour of g s across biomes and across PFTs that can be applied to regional, continental and global-scale modelling of ecosystem productivity, energy balance and ecohydrological processes in a future changing climate.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Optimal renormalization of multiscale systems

While model order reduction is a promising approach in dealing with multi-scale time-dependent systems that are too large or too expensive to simulate for long times, the resulting reduced order models can suffer from instabilities. We have recently developed a time-dependent renormalization approach to stabilize such reduced models. In the current work, we extend this framework by introducing a parameter that controls the time-decay of the memory of such models and optimally selecting this parameter based on limited fully resolved simulations. First, we demonstrate our framework on the inviscid Burgers equation whose solution develops a finite-time singularity. Our renormalized reduced order models are stable and accurate for long times while using for their calibration only data from a full order simulation before the occurrence of the singularity. Furthermore, we apply this framework to the 3D Euler equations of incompressible fluid flow, where the problem of finite-time singularity formation is still open and where brute force simulation is only feasible for short times. Our approach allows us to obtain for the first time a perturbatively renormalizable model which is stable for long times and includes all the complex effects present in the 3D Euler dynamics. We find that, in each application, the renormalization coefficients display algebraic decay with increasing resolution, and that the parameter which controls the time-decay of the memory is problem-dependent.

Price, Jacob↗

Towards Efficient Alternating Current Optimal Power Flow Analysis on Graphical Processing Units

We present a solution of sparse ACOPF analysis on GPU. In particular, we discuss the performance bottlenecks and detail our efforts to accelerate the linear solver, a core component of ACOPF that dominates the computational time. ACOPF solutions of two large-scale systems, synthetic Northeast (25,000 buses) and Eastern (70,000 buses) \cite{birchfield2017tamu-cases} on GPU show promising speed-up compared to CPU based solution using a state-of-the-art solver. To our knowledge, this is the first result demonstrating acceleration of sparse ACOPF on GPUs.

Power grid analysis, GPU↗

Optimization of Transition Edge Sensor Arrays for Cosmic Microwave Background Observations With the South Pole Telescope

In this paper, we describe the optimization of transition-edge-sensor (TES) detector arrays for the third-generation camera for the South PoleTelescope. The camera, which contains similar to 16 000 detectors, will make high-angular-resolution maps of the temperature and polarization of the cosmic microwave background. Our key results are scatter in the transition temperature of Ti/Au TESs is reduced by fabricating the TESs on a thin Ti(5 nm)/Au(5 nm) buffer layer and the thermal conductivity of the legs that support our detector islands is dominated by the SiOx dielectric in the microstrip transmission lines that run along the legs.

Ding, Junjia↗

Optimizing Energy For Delivery Drones - A Comprehensive Tool Set For Drone Energy Calculation And Drone Fleet Optimization

This tool is intended to be deployed for potential customers to compare the energy profiles across various drone types/classes. The primary factors considered were design of the drone, the weight of the drone, the weight of the payload, and how the drone is flown. It has energy comparison metrics like "Drone (A) vs Drone (B) ", "Drone vs Ground Vehicle", "Drone Energy from delivery via landing versus hovering". It also includes the ability to determine the number of drones and batteries needed to optimally deliver goods from a chosen location to a set of destinations.

Mendadhala, Rohit [Idaho National Laboratory (INL)↗

Information transfer as a framework for optimized phase imaging

In order to efficiently image a non-absorbing sample (a phase object), dedicated phase contrast optics are required. Typically, these optics are designed with the assumption that the sample is weakly scattering, implying a linear relation between a sample’s phase and its transmission function. In the strongly scattering, nonlinear case, the standard optics are ineffective, and the transfer functions used to characterize them are uninformative. We use the Fisher information (FI) to assess the efficiency of various phase imaging schemes and to calculate an information transfer function (ITF). We show that a generalized version of Zernike phase contrast is efficient given sufficient prior knowledge of the sample. We show that with no prior knowledge, a random sensing measurement yields a significant fraction of the available information. Finally, we introduce a generalized approach to common path interferometry that can be optimized to prioritize sensitivity to particular sample features. Each of these measurements can be performed using Fourier lenses and phase masks.

Koppell, Stewart↗

Transport Studies Enabling Efficiency Optimization of Cost-Competitive Fuel Cell Stacks (aka AURORA: Areal Use and Reactant Optimization at Rated Amperage)

Hydrogen fuel cells are recognized as one of the most viable solutions for mobility in the 21st century; however, there are technical challenges that must be addressed before the technology can become available for mass production. One of the most demanding aspects is the costs of present-day fuel cells which are prohibitively high for the majority of envisioned markets. The fuel cell community recognizes two major drivers to an effective cost reduction: (1) decreasing the noble metals content, and (2) increasing the power density in order to reduce the number of cells needed to achieve a specified power level. To date, the majority of development work aimed at increasing the value metric (i.e. W/mg-Pt) has focused on the reduction of precious metal loadings, and this important work continues. Efforts to increase power density have been limited by two main factors: (1) performance limitations associated with mass transport barriers, and (2) the historical prioritization of efficiency over cost. This program is driven by commercialization imperatives, and challenges both of these factors. The premise of this Program, supported by proprietary cost modeling by Nuvera, is that DOE 2015 cost targets can be met by simultaneously exceeding DOE 2015 targets for Platinum loadings (using materials with less than 0.2 mg-Pt/cm 2 ) and MEA power density (operating at higher than 1.0 Watt/cm 2 ). The approach of this program is to combine Nuvera’s stack technology, which has demonstrated the ability to operate stably at high current densities (> 1.5 A/cm 2 ), with low Platinum loading MEAs developed by Johnson Matthey in order to maximize Pt specific power density and reduce stack cost. A predictive performance model developed by PSU/UTK is central to the program allowing the team to study the physics and optimize materials/conditions specific to low Pt loading electrodes and ultra-high current density and operation.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Contingency Contractor Optimization Phase 3 Sustainment Requirements Document Contingency Contractor Optimization Tool - Prototype

This requirements document serves as an addendum to the Contingency Contractor Optimization Phase 2, Requirements Document [1] and Phase 3 Requirements Document [2]. The Phase 2 Requirements document focused on the high-level requirements for the tool. The Phase 3 Requirements document provided more detailed requirements to which the engineering prototype was built in Phase 3. This document will provide detailed requirements for features and enhancements being added to the production pilot in the Phase 3 Sustainment.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Contingency Contractor Optimization Phase 3 Sustainment Verification and Validation V&V) Report - Contingency Contractor Optimization Engineering - Prototype

The reports and test plans contained within this document serve as supporting materials to the activities listed within the “Contingency Contractor Optimization Tool – Prototype (CCOT-P) Verification & Validation Plan” [1]. The activities included test development, testing, peer reviews, and expert reviews. The engineering prototype reviews were done for both the software and the mathematical model used in CCOT-P. Section 2 includes the peer and expert review reports, which summarize the findings from each of the reviews and document the resolution of any issues. Section 3 details the test plans that were followed for functional testing of the application through the interface. Section 4 describes the unit tests that were run on the code.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Design, Optimization, and Control of Floating Offshore Wind Farms for Optimal Energy Production (Final report)

The uncertainty and irregularity of ocean waves and the ocean environment is a major factor in the development of commercial scale floating wind turbines as the operation of floating structures in such an environment can lead to irregular and unpredictable loading, fatigue, and ultimately a reduction in the operational life of the turbine system which affects energy production over the lifetime of the turbine. Control solutions that can limit float motions and mitigate stressful events on the structure become essential for extending lifetime and limiting the operational uncertainty of a floating wind turbine. Digital twins are computational replicas of physical systems that operate in parallel with the operation of the physical system. Given advanced knowledge of a systems input, digital twins have the ability to predict the behavior of a system in advance, which can be valuable in the control of that system. In this project, we developed and assessed potential digital twin models developed in house and openly available (OpenFast) for use in the real time control of the six degree of freedom response motions of a floating wind turbine in ocean waves. Coupling these models with near-field real time irregular sea surface (wve) measurement/sensings and prediction models, we used the digital twin to predict how the floating turbine will respond to the incoming waves. Applying this information to a motion control system of the float, one can limit and control float motions to prevent undesirable loading events/large angular motions, thus increasing system life and ultimately contributing to optimizing energy production. Due to the computational intensity of operating a digital twin in real time, we investigated the use of artificial intelligence techniques to speed-up the processes of the digital twin, as well as the wave reconstruction/prediction models. Model tank testing at the University of Rhode Island and University of Maine both validated and demonstrated the developed techniques on simple float geometries and a scale model of the NREL 15 MW reference turbine.

17 WIND ENERGY↗