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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 451 records · Page 25
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Magnetic Microcalorimeter (MMC) Gamma-Ray Detectors with Ultra-High Energy Resolution. Comprehensive Technology Readiness Assessment

Magnetic Microcalorimeter (MMC) gamma ray detectors have demonstrated very high energy resolution of 38 eV FWHM for gamma ray energies below 100 keV. This is an order or magnitude better than conventional HPGe detector and can remove most line-overlap problems in NDA by gamma spectroscopy below ~130 keV. Unlike superconducting transition edge sensors (TESs), MMCs have a reproducible and almost perfectly linear response, which greatly simplifies adding spectra from different detector pixels and reduces systematic errors in quantitative assays. The instrument is currently at TRL-5 but could advance to TRL-6 by improving the signal processing software and using the system for the quantitative analysis of a safeguards sample provided by e.g. the IAEA. Making MMC detectors commercially viable and used more widely then depends on making the technology more reliable, specifically by increasing the device uniformity and yield, and by developing commercial software. This situation is often only half-jokingly referred to as the “valley of death” and could be addressed though the SBIR program. Our collaborators at STAR Cryoelectronics LLC are well qualified to further advance MMC development, and XIA LLC is well-positioned to develop the data acquisition system and write the software for MMC readout. In addition, the advance to TRL-6 would be desirable to increase the visibility and showcase the value of MMC spectrometers, e.g. by placing one of them into the Safeguards Analytical Laboratory (SAL) at the IAEA, whose NDA experts have recently started to show interest in cryogenic detector technology. As a result of this LCP, we also now have an instrument at LLNL that we will use for various applications of MMCs in nuclear safeguards and science. We are confident that as the number of high-profile results increases, so will the interest in and commercial viability of this technology.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2020

Safeguards Hour [Sides]

This presentation provides an overview of nonproliferation and safeguards, introduces neutron coincidence counting, reviews spent fuel characterization for power reactors and research reactors, and outlines safeguards at Los Alamos.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Properties of Medium Nuclei from First Principles

During this project we have extended the Auxiliary Field Diffusion Monte Carlo (AFDMC) to calculate several properties of light/medium nuclei. In particular, we have included and tested several models of three-body forces and the associated approximations required, and the comparison with other exact calculations for simpler problems demonstrated the accuracy of the AFDMC method. In this project we have also developed new subroutines to solve for the ground-state of open shell nuclei. This case requires very complex wave function with respect to the case of closed-shell nuclei. We have used the AFDMC code to calculate many properties of nuclei up to the Oxygen, including energies, radii, spatial and momentum distributions and others.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Determination of Solar System R-Process Abundances using ENDF/B-VIII.0 and TENDL-2015 libraries

Recent multi-messenger detection of the binary neutron star merger (GW170817) energized the astrophysical community and encouraged further research for determination of nuclear physics observables. Comprehensive studies of atomic nuclei in the cosmos provide an opportunity for investigating these astrophysical phenomena and acquiring complementary information on stellar nucleosynthesis processes that can be verified using the latest nuclear data. Evaluated Nuclear Data File (ENDF) libraries contain complete collections of reaction cross sections over the energy range relevant to astrophysics, fission yields and decay data. These data collections have been used worldwide in nuclear science, industry and national security applications. There is great interest in exploring the ENDF/B-VIII.0 and TALYS Evaluated Nuclear Data Library (TENDL-2015) for nuclear astrophysics purposes and comparing findings with the Karlsruhe Astrophysical Database of Nucleosynthesis in Stars (KADoNiS). The Maxwellian-averaged cross sections (MACS) and astrophysical reaction rates have been calculated using the ENDF/B-VIII.0 and TENDL-2015 evaluated data sets. The calculated cross sections were combined with the solar system abundances and fitted using the classical model of stellar nucleosynthesis. Astrophysical rapid- and slow-neutron capture, r- and s-process, respectively, abundances were obtained from present data and compared with available values. Further analysis of MACS reveals potential evaluated libraries data deficiencies and a strong need for new measurements. The current results demonstrate a large nuclear astrophysics potential of evaluated libraries and mutually beneficial relations between nuclear industry and research e orts.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Magnetic Microcalorimeter Gamma Detectors with Ultra-High Energy Resolution - (Final Report)

The goal of this project was to build a commercially viable magnetic microcalorimeter (MMC) γ-spectrometer with an ultra-high energy resolution <50 eV for accurate non-destructive assay (NDA) of nuclear materials. Improved NDA simplifies and accelerates safeguards analyses in the nuclear fuel cycle and enhances capabilities to detect the diversion of nuclear materials for illicit purposes. High-resolution MMC γ-spectrometers can also improve the accuracy of nuclear data that NDA is based on.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Advanced Instrumentation Testbed (AIT) - antiNeutrino Experiment One (NEO) (Q1 FY2021)

In anticipation of the planned June 2021 design review, conceptual design, costing, and documentation efforts continued. The quarter was highlighted by the completion of three significant milestones: 1) 50% conceptual design and costing of the AIT facility, 2) bottom-up cost estimates for NEO, and 3) parametric NEO performance estimates (via the Big Trade Study). Because cost estimates exceed available funding levels, the project team started (late Dec 2020) a value engineering/pivot exercise to align costs with available funds. This exercise is anticipated to consume the project team for most of Q2. The end-result expectation (of the exercise) is a programmatically feasible and scientifically relevant AIT-NEO conceptual design that is aligned with available funds.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2020

Microcalorimeters for IAEA NML (Annual Report FY2020)

Based on input from Andrey Bosko (IAEA NML) during a visit to LLNL October 17-18, 2019, the project focused on adapting magnetic microcalorimeters (MMCs) for high-resolution decay energy (Q) spectroscopy of actinides. This included fabricating an MMC detector suitable for MeV signals, testing different approaches on how to embed an alpha source inside an absorber, and demonstrating Q-spectroscopy with MMCs.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2020

Verification of Spent Fuel Inside Dry Storage Casks by Fast/Epi-thermal Neutron Mapping: FY2020 Annual Report to NA241 (Annual Report)

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has embarked upon development of a novel methodology for verification of spent fuel inside dry storage casks. The issue of verification of the integrity of spent fuel inside dry storage has been one of the most challenging technical problems facing IAEA for many decades. The difficulty arises because of the massive amount of shielding between the inner spent fuel and the outer surface where measurements can be performed. Despite many efforts, detection of useful gamma rays or neutrons from the outer surface has so far proven unsuccessful.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2021

24.1.3.1 - Verification of Spent Fuel Inside Dry Storage Casks by Fast/Epi-thermal Neutron Mapping

Development of a spent-fuel verification method based upon positional measurement of fast neutrons emitted from the top surface of the dry storage casks. A proof-of-principle field test on a partially loaded spent-fuel cask will be conducted by measuring the fast neutron flux on the top of the cask as a function of position using a single detector. If a useful verification signature is demonstrated, a multi-detector scanning array will be built and tested in FY2021 to demonstrate a practical rapid verification system in FY2022.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Magnetic Microcalorimeter Gamma Detectors with Ultra-High Energy Resolution (FY2021 Q2 Report)

For a follow-up project, we are currently funded by NA-241 to build a decay energy spectrometer based on the MMC technology developed in this LCP. The IAEA is specifically interested in accurate isotope analysis of small particles that decay energy (Q) spectroscopy is well-suited for. We have established an SP-1 collaboration with the IAEA that is expected to continue beyond FY20.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Development of a New Neutron Electric Dipole Moment Experiment at LANL [Slides]

Conclusion: New timing filter amps and power supplies for the PMTs have been procured. The second switcher is built and will be tested with UCN soon. The second simultaneous spin analyzer is being built at Indiana University and will be tested this year. We plan to start taking production data from next year

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Introduction to the Consortium for Monitoring, Technology, and Verification (MTV) [Slides]

Our mission is to develop new technologies that detect and deter nuclear proliferation activities while training the next generation of nuclear professionals. The three technical thrust areas are: 1. Fundamentals of nuclear and particle physics, 2. Signals and source terms for nuclear nonproliferation, and 3. Nuclear explosion. There are opportunities for collaborations with university faculty, possible student and post-doc work, and posting job ads. Further, MTV hosts various workshops, symposiums.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗