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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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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Software Verification of VARPOW

The VARPOW program is a post-processing utility program for DIF3D, specifically DIF3DVARIANT, and it was developed to provide interface files for the thermal analysis program DASSH. The basic methodology of VARPOW is to take the neutron and gamma flux (moments) calculated by DIF3D (or GAMSOR) and combine them with the heating (coefficient) cross sections to calculate the spatial power distributions using the DIF3DVARIANT spatial basis. VARPOW can use the output from GAMSOR (both steady state neutron and gamma flux calculations) or standard DIF3D/REBUS calculations (neutron flux only). The correct approach for defining the power distribution is to use GAMSOR as its purpose was to properly compute the gamma heating throughout the modeled domain. The power desnities calculated by VARPOW are broken into fuel, cladding and coolant terms for which isotope-wise categorization is needed. VARPOW has built in options the user can select for the isotope categorization or VARPOW can import a file that details the isotope categorization. VARPOW can export the solution in the polynomial basis of DIF3D-VARIANT or the monomial basis of DIF3D-VARIANT. The purpose of this work is to verify the power distribution results calculated by VARPOW from both the GAMSOR and DIF3D input options and verify that the input and output options are consistent with the manual. Hand calculation and independent numerical calculation are used for this verification work.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

ComStock Measure Documentation: Heat Pump Rooftop Units with Standard Performance

This documentation focuses on a single end-use savings shape measure - heat pump rooftop units (HP-RTUs) with standard efficiencies that are prevalent in the current market. Today, these products are claimed as standard efficiency by the manufacturers and are most commonly installed. This document will primarily discuss the additional changes of performance and configuration of the standard efficiency HP-RTUs while a comprehensive overview of the fundamental modeling methodology and background of the HP-RTU measure, including applicability, sizing scheme, and other key assumptions can be found in the original documentation: Heat Pump RTU. The definition of "standard efficiency" can be a bit vague when considering detailed specifics other than efficiency metrics of a heat pump. Thus, we have focused on reflecting products where manufacturers claim as standard efficiency and products that are not top-of-the-line in their model lineup. Based on gathering information from eight products from four major manufacturers, there are some common (or relatively prevalent) characteristics and we have defined standard efficiency product as follows: direct drive outdoor unit fan, two stages of heat pump cooling, single stage heat pump heating (i.e., all compressors running at the same time), heat pump minimum lockout temperature of 0°F (-17.8°C), backup electric resistance heating, backup heating runs at the same time as heat pump heating , heat pump heating locking out below minimum operating temperature, IEER in between 11-13, and HSPF in between 8-8.9. There are cases where some of these products have other variations: a variable frequency drive fan, dual fuel (i.e., gas backup heating) option, three or more cooling stages, two stages of heat pump heating, no backup heating as default , etc. However, this work tried to reflect the most common and prevalent options for a standard efficiency product.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2020

Analysis of the multicomponent relativistic Boltzmann equation for electron scattering in big bang nucleosynthesis

Big-bang nucleosynthesis (BBN) is valuable as a means to constrain the physics of the early universe and it is the only probe of the radiation-dominated epoch. A fundamental assumption in BBN is that the nuclear velocity distributions obey Maxwell-Boltzmann (MB) statistics as they do in stars. Specifically, the BBN epoch is characterized by a dilute baryon plasma for which the velocity distribution of nuclei is mainly determined by the dominant Coulomb elastic scattering with mildly relativistic electrons. One must therefore deduce the momentum distribution for reacting nuclei from the multicomponent relativistic Boltzmann equation. However, the full multicomponent relativistic Boltzmann equation has only recently been analyzed and its solution has only been worked out in special cases. Moreover, a variety of schemes have been proposed that introduce nonthermal components into the BBN environment which can alter the thermal distribution of reacting nuclei. Here, we construct the relativistic Boltzmann equation in the context of BBN. We also derive a Langevin model and perform relativistic Monte-Carlo simulations which clarify the baryon distribution during BBN and can be used to analyze any relaxation from a nonthermal injection. Further, we show by these analyses that the thermalization process leads to a nuclear distribution function that remains very close to MB statistics even during the most relativistic environment relevant to BBN. Hence, the predictions of standard BBN remain unchanged.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2026

Neutrino-induced charged-current coherent pion production for constraining the muon neutrino flux at DUNE

We study neutrino-induced charged-current coherent pion production ( ν μ CC - Coh π ) as a tool for constraining the neutrino flux at the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE). The neutrino energy and flavor in the process can be directly reconstructed from the outgoing particles, making it especially useful to specifically constrain the muon neutrino component of the total flux. The cross section of this process can be obtained using the Adler relation with the π -Ar elastic scattering cross section taken either from external data or, as we explore, from a simultaneous measurement in the DUNE near detector. We develop a procedure that leverages ν μ CC - Coh π events to fit for the neutrino flux while simultaneously accounting for relevant effects in the cross section. We project that this method has the statistical power to constrain the uncertainty on the normalization of the flux at its peak to a few percent. This study demonstrates the potential utility of a ν μ CC - Coh π flux constraint, though further work will be needed to determine the range of validity and precision of the Adler relation upon which it relies, as well as to measure the π -Ar elastic scattering cross section to the requisite precision. We discuss the experimental and phenomenological developments necessary to unlock the ν μ CC - Coh π process as a “standard candle” for neutrino experiments.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Soot formation and precursor chemistry in Counterflow flames of aviation fuel surrogates

To meet market demands, the aviation sector is interested in utilizing drop-in Synthetic Aviation Turbine Fuels (SATF), either as neat fuels or in blends with conventional Jet A. SATF currently approved in standard specifications may have lower aromatic content with significant fractions of normal, branched, and cyclo-alkanes. Fundamental studies on soot formation from aviation fuels (Jet A, SATF) and their surrogate components are essential to understand how fuel composition influences soot and soot precursor formation. Here, this study reports new measurements of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and soot in counterflow diffusion flames (CDFs) of aviation fuel surrogates. Both intrusive and non-intrusive diagnostics are employed to determine the profiles of temperature, gas phase species, PAHs (up to C16), and soot volume fraction (SVF) in CDFs of iso-octane and surrogate mixtures. These measurements shed light on the transition of soot precursors to primary soot particles. In addition to serving as a common surrogate component in Jet A surrogate mixtures, iso-octane is a template species for larger, less volatile branched alkanes found in SATF mixtures. The newly developed Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) PAH and soot model successfully captures temperature, precursor species, and SVF profiles for the mixtures and conditions discussed in this work. Finally, a high-fidelity surrogate for Jet A is proposed that matches targeted physical and chemical properties well, while leveraging the wide range of candidate fuel molecules available in the LLNL detailed chemical model. The proposed surrogate formulation is validated against newly acquired measurements of the surrogate and literature measurements of Jet A. These new experiments and simulations provide critical insights into the PAH and soot formation from aviation fuels. Reaction pathways which require further investigation are highlighted, such that future work may bridge the remaining quantitative gaps in predicting soot formation from aviation fuel surrogates and surrogate components.

Aviation fuels↗
DOE OSTI2025

Neutrino Induced Charged Current Coherent Pion Production for Constraining the Muon Neutrino Flux at DUNE

We study neutrino induced charge current coherent pion production (νμ CC-Coh π) as a tool for constraining the neutrino flux at the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE). The neutrino energy and flavor in the process can be directly reconstructed from the outgoing particles, making it especially useful to specifically constrain the muon neutrino component of the total flux. The cross section of this process can be obtained using the Adler relation with the π-Ar elastic scattering cross section, taken either from external data or, as we explore, from a simultaneous measurement in the DUNE near detector. We develop a procedure that leverages νμ CC-Coh π events to fit for the neutrino flux while simultaneously accounting for relevant effects in the cross section. We project that this method has the statistical power to constrain the uncertainty on the normalization of the flux at its peak to a few percent. This study demonstrates the potential utility of aνμ CC-Coh π flux constraint, though further work will be needed to determine the range of validity and precision of the Adler relation upon which it relies, as well as to measure the π-Ar elastic scattering cross section to the requisite precision. We discuss the experimental and phenomenological developments necessary to unlock the νμ CC-Coh π process as a "standard candle'' for neutrino experiments.

Putnam, Gray [Fermilab]↗
DOE OSTI2020

Interlaboratory Study of Digital Volume Correlation Error Due to X-Ray Computed Tomography Equipment and Scan Parameters: an Update from the DVC Challenge

Background: The quality of Digital Volume Correlation (DVC) full-field displacement measurements depends directly on the characteristics of the X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) equipment, and scan procedures used to acquire the tomographic images. Objective: In this work, we seek to experimentally study the effects of XCT equipment and tomographic scan procedures on the quality of these images for DVC analysis, and to survey the level of DVC error that may be achieved using standard XCT operating procedures. Methods: Six participants in an interlaboratory study acquired high-quality XCT scans of a syntactic foam before and after rigid body motion. The resulting images were correlated using commercial DVC software to quantify error sources due to random image noise, reconstruction artifacts, as well as systematic spatial or temporal distortion. Results: In the absence of rigid body motion, the standard deviation of the displacement measurements ranged from 0.012 to 0.043 voxels using a moderate subvolume size, indicating that subvoxel measurement resolution could readily be achieved with a variety of XCT equipment and scan recipes. Comparison of consecutive scans without rigid body motion showed transient dilatational displacement gradients due to self-heating of the X-ray source and/or thermal expansion of the foam. Evaluation of the scans after rigid body motion showed significant, machine-specific spatial distortion in the displacement fields of up to 0.5 voxels; new approaches to remove this error need to be developed. Conclusions: Analysis of the scan protocols used in the interlaboratory study, as well as a complementary parametric sensitivity study, showed that the DVC error was strongly influenced by the XCT equipment, but could be mitigated by adjusting the total scan duration.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Summary of Geometric Parameters and Their Effects on Performance of U-10Mo Fuel Plates

A monolithic plate-type fuel system has been under development to convert high-performance test reactors from highly enriched uranium to low-enrichment uranium fuels and is now moving into the qualification phase, a predecessor to the timely conversion of the target reactors. To qualify this fuel system, the plates must meet safety standards and perform well in a reactor. The plates must maintain mechanical integrity, exhibit geometric stability, and have stable and predictable in-reactor behavior. The requirement to maintain mechanical integrity under normal operating conditions is primarily demonstrated by successful testing. However, each high-performance reactor employs a distinct design, resulting in distinct plate geometries, with unique features, attributes, irregularities, and tolerances. Due to the abundance of such distinct geometric varieties, a single “generic” plate geometry capturing all extremes is not achievable. It is also impractical to test each of these proposed designs in a reactor. This limitation necessitates cautious evaluations since the thermomechanical response of a plate with a certain geometry may not be representative for a plate with a significantly different geometry. To address concerns related to in-reactor plate performance, large set of sensitivity studies were performed. These parametric studies aimed to better understand irradiation performance, while evaluating the sensitivity of results to various modeling inputs, including geometric, operational, and material parameters. This work studied selected geometric parameters based on provided fuel specifications and performed a series of parametric simulations. The resulting temperature, displacement, and stress strains were comparatively evaluated to determine the effects of various geometric parameters. This draft provides a “high-level summary” of our parametric sensitivity studies and summarizes the key findings.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2023

Distinguishing photo-induced oxygen attack on alkyl chain versus conjugated backbone for alkylthienyl-benzodithiophene (BDTT)-based push–pull polymers

Synthetic design has enabled increasing power conversion efficiency advances in organic photovoltaics (OPV). One continuing knowledge gap is detailed understanding of single-material chemical (photo)stability. Many considerations are based on prior OPV-relevant donor homopolymer systems rather than the next-generation push–pull architectures. Generally, energetic offsets between the lowest occupied molecular orbital of the donor and molecular oxygen are assumed to dictate kinetics of photo-induced charge transfer to a super oxide radical. Herein we determine the ambient-induced photo-degradation pathways, presented as proposed site-specific arrow-pushing mechanisms, for five donor polymers all containing the same push unit – alkylthienyl-substituted-benzodithiophene (BDTT) – but with chemically distinct pull units. The donor-only polymer films were subject to controlled photobleaching in air as an accelerated degradation approach, coupled with simultaneous monitoring of absorptance. Sample subsets were periodically removed and analyzed with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, to evaluate near-surface chemical composition and oxygen additions to hetero reporter atoms on either the BDTT push unit or distinct pull unit (i.e., sulphur and nitrogen). Here, this methodology allows us to distinguish between different mechanisms of bond cleavage and formation. Overall, we find that neither polymer redox properties nor individual push or pull unit stability are sufficient to predict photo-oxidative degradation of these polymers. Rather, there is a greater dependence on the susceptibility of unique structural groups within a polymeric system. Alkyl chain oxygen addition is generally the first attack site and direct sulfur oxidation on the conjugated backbone occurs after saturation of the alkyl chain initiation sites. This work provides a standard that could be used to evaluate relative photo-oxidative (in)stability for new OPV materials quickly – prior to time-consuming device optimization – and demonstrates an effective methodology for correlating optical degradation with chemical structure alterations via spectroscopic signatures to guide synthetic design.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Navigation and Meteorological Data from Multiple Sensors on Airborne Platform (NAVMET-AIR) Value-Added Product Report

The Navigation and Meteorological Data from Multiple Sensors on Airborne Platform (NAVMET-AIR) value-added product encompasses the aafnaviwg data set in the ARM Data Center (ADC), known as the IWG file, named for the Inter-Agency Working Group for Airborne Data and Telemetry Systems (IWGADTS). Its purpose is to produce a suite of tools to promote standardization of instrument interface, data format, and data processing. This data set’s contents are navigational and meteorological state variables at 1 Hz. It also contains higher-order data flags created by ARM Aerial Facility (AAF) scientists to aid analysis such as periods when the aircraft is flying level, operating in maneuvers, or flying through cloud. Due to the nature of research flights, the payload of the aircraft consists of many duplicate and overlapping instruments to ensure, in case of instrument failure, there is a backup to record the data. Measurements from multiple instruments are consolidated into a single file. Each variable of this data set is carefully chosen from the onboard instrumentation and quality checked by AAF scientists to create this wholistic and most accurate data set for airborne research. This document is intended to be a hub towards the individual “read me” files produced for each campaign. For reference about what instrument was used for calculations on specific days, the read me files are located in the ARM IOP archive at the addresses listed, or access the IOP (intensive operational period) database at https://www.archive.arm.gov/.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Market Driven Residential Energy Codes: Comparing Performance in a Changing Technological Environment

The research project is undertaken to better understand the changing relationship between the two basic methods of building energy code compliance – prescriptive and performance – and how those methods relate to each other with respect to advancements in building energy computer simulation standards and capabilities. The International Energy Efficiency Code (IECC) is a model code adopted by many jurisdictions across the United States. Historically, the prescriptive compliance methodology has been preferred in most jurisdictions. The prescriptive methodology requires meeting or exceeding specific efficiency minimums for each envelope component. This tends to be a simple method to teach and verify. A more involved prescriptive alternative called the Total UA alternative is sometimes used. This method requires some multiplication, summing, and comparison to compute, so it is done with a fairly simple computer program. However, advances in computer and building energy simulation technology have resulted in increased use of more detailed performance compliance methods. The performance compliance method establishes the annual energy cost threshold via hourly simulation models. The compliance threshold is determined with a comparison building model simulation with geometry similar to the proposed home and with energy feature parameters and efficiencies as specified in the IECC. This project examines relationships between the two methods of building energy code compliance, including: • Overall annual energy use based on utility bill analysis by compliance method • Code official work processes with respect to compliance methods • Gaps and issues associated with building code compliance methods • Simulated energy use difference between compliance methods • Code compliance cost as a function of compliance method • Code compliance labeling effectiveness for high performance residences • Getting to net zero energy use and net zero greenhouse gas emissions through high performance code alternatives • Electronic code permitting and compliance alternatives

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Root genetics in the field to understand drought adaptation and carbon sequestration (Final Scientific/Technical Report)

For all crop plants, roots play a critical role in growth. Roots anchor the plants, and are the primary site of nutrient and water uptake. Roots are also the main source of C to soil in the form of root tissues and exudates, and thus greatly influence SOM stocks. To perform these functions, primary roots extend into soil, producing a network of branching roots of characteristic form, known as its root system architecture (RSA). RSA varies among species, and among varieties within a species that are adapted to different environments. Root traits are major targets for the second green revolution because of their potential to improve crop productivity, increase drought tolerance and nutrient acquisition, and increase C capture of soil. Improving the quality of roots in maize will be particularly valuable, since this crop is planted on over 92 million acres annually in the US. The future sustainability of agricultural systems relies on their ability to enhance soil organic matter (SOM) storage and reduce GHG emissions, while maintaining or enhancing productivity. This program had two components, Sensors and Models. For the first component, we designed and built a high-throughput phenotyping platform for root pulling of maize plants. This eliminated the physical labor of manually pulling up plants and reduced the number of personnel required down to one. The standardized pulling mechanism allowed recording force curves during the pulling process, providing additional information. We validated that the maximum force for pulling the root system was well-correlated with the root system mass and provided root crowns for further RSA analysis. These root crowns identified significant correlations with 2D root area and root depth, along with 3D root volume, total root length and number of root tips. We then used this system for field-based studies in maize on the genetics of root system architecture and its relation to nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE), including using lines relevant to the Corteva breeding program. Varieties were also evaluated at Corteva sites in the cornbelt and Danforth farm in Missouri, to establish responses across sites. From these studies we have identified genetic loci associated with root traits and created mutant lines for these loci and correlations of root traits with NUE. For the Models component, we worked to incorporate root and soil characteristics into the MEMS 2.0 soil and ecosystem biogeochemical model. Existing soil C models, such as Century, are unable to represent specific root trait interactions with the soil environment and therefore to accurately forecast the potential C sequestration benefits of root breeding under different climatic and soil type conditions. We have developed the MEMS 2.0 ecosystem biogeochemical model to improve quantification of farm-scale soil carbon and greenhouse gas emissions. The new knowledge and large datasets produced by this project will be used to develop and drive an innovative model capable of forecasting the impacts on soil C stocks and nutrient dynamics. An innovation was to use the empirical data from the field studies (in 1, above) to model genetic variation in nitrogen use efficiencies and soil C input. Our work demonstrated that maize root-derived C rapidly replaces existing soil C and after 3 years of continuous maize, up to 20% of soil organic C in the topsoil (0-15cm) and 3% in the subsoil (15-30cm) was contributed by maize. However, this contribution did not entirely represent a net increase. Root C contribution to soil was affected by maize genetics. We have analyzed soils derived from the CSU field trials for C and N stocks, in the different soil physical fractions represented by the MEMS model, using both physical fractionation with elemental analyses, and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. Data will be used to link crop nitrogen use efficiencies with soil C sequestration and provide data to bridge the field trials with the model development, for verification of model predictions. The project had a number of successful outcomes: we have used the new phenotyping platform to identify new genetic loci that can enhance root phenotypes; we have partnered with multiple maize seed companies phenotype varieties in their breeding programs; we have developed the MEMS model that can help inform industry on the potential for carbon sequestration in the agricultural sector, and which is now available at the CSU Soil Carbon Solutions Center for use.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

Digitalization Guiding Principles and Method for Nuclear Industry Work Processes

The commercial U.S. light-water reactor fleet has been operating at historical efficiency, reliability, and safety over the last decade. Nuclear power has the highest capacity factor of any other power generation technology while also serving as the largest baseload source for carbon-free energy. Despite this remarkable achievement, continued operations for many plants are threatened due to fierce electricity market competition and rising operations and maintenance costs of which continued maintenance of obsolete analog equipment is a contributor. The digital age and associated technologies are where the future lies in process control, and nuclear has yet to take full advantage of the capabilities offered therein. The Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program (LWRS) at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), sponsored by the Department of Energy, has a mission to help the light-water reactor fleet manage its foundational capabilities to continue providing safe and reliable carbon-free power. LWRS helps support that mission by providing scientific, technology-based solutions for advanced concepts of operations with a more viable business model that will allow the fleet to continue to operate at peak levels through extended plant operation. The LWRS Digitalization Project at INL seeks to leverage digital technologies to synthesize and transform work processes. We provide a state-of-the-art analysis of digitalized work processes in nuclear power and investigate ways in which researchers at INL and the nuclear industry can work together to identify what data to access, how to access it, what to do with the data, and most importantly, how to use the insights for decision-making across all levels within the business. Borne from these considerations, we present four guiding principles for digitalization: develop a coherent digitalization plan, apply human factors engineering, establish data governance, and anticipate unintended consequences. Together, these principles form a method that plants can use to effectively to digitalize nuclear industry work processes. Our guiding principles are informed by multiple knowledge sources. First, we document activities from the Work Digitalization Initiative, which was conceived as a means for nuclear organizations to help define and standardize the industry’s approach to digitalizing work. Second, we detail primary research conducted with industry professionals regarding drivers and barriers to digitalization adoption. We present survey results that demonstrate what the industry hopes to get out of digitalization and the ways that INL can continue to support the industry’s digital transformation. Third, we present a digitalization use case with industry partners NextAxiom Technology and Xcel Energy. The project objective was to transform the current condition report work process from paper to digital, incorporating digitalized principles. We report the development of the application and lessons learned. The accomplishments achieved by this research and development serve to identify critical needs for plant guidance in support of digitalization implementation and contribute to the knowledge and strategies available for utilities considering or undertaking digitalization.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Dynamic Nanopeptide Assemblies for Trans-Tympanic Drug Delivery

Aim: Otitis media is a common otolaryngologic diagnosis worldwide. Invasive methods to curtail and treat frequent occurrences are undesirable, thus necessitating the identification and production of a non-invasive approach to treating the disease. Due to tympanic membrane thickness, ototopical drug delivery is challenging. In this preliminary study, formulations integrating nanopeptides and thermoresponsive polymeric hydrogels are utilized to improve the efficiency of trans-tympanic membrane drug delivery. Methods: Peptides were synthesized using standard Fmoc (fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl protecting group) based solid state peptide synthesis on an automated peptide synthesizer. Ciprofloxacin release was simulated using multiwell microplates with porous inserts. Rate of Ciprofloxacin release was measured over a 48-hour period using a 200 uL solution of peptide fibers and Ciprofloxacin at 1 wt% each, and the labeled peptide at 0.1 wt% in PBS at pH of 7.4. The cytotoxicity of the PA (peptide amphiphile, specifically c16-AHL 3 K 3 -CO 2 H) micelle and fiber with and without ciprofloxacin was investigated by examining epidermal keratinocyte viability in the presence of the material at various concentrations. Laser scanning confocal microscopy was performed with excitation of the calcein dye at 485 nm and the PA-TAMRA (rhodamine labeled peptide) at 515 nm. Results: We have demonstrated the potential viability of a self-assembled peptide amphiphile hydrogel capable of transitioning from a network of 1D nanoscale fibers to 0D micelles. This dissociative mechanism of action yields a peptide that is an effective cell penetrating peptide (CPP) while temporally controlling the release of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin. Conclusion: This work highlights the potential utility of the dynamic process of an engineered peptide hydrogel capable of dissociating into CPPs capable of facilitating drug delivery across the tympanic membrane.

cell culture↗
DOE OSTI2021

Tamper-Indicating Enclosures with Visually Obvious Tamper Response (Final Project Report)

Sandia National Laboratories is developing a new method for detecting penetration of tamper - indicating enclosures (TIEs). This method incorporates the use of "bleeding" materials (analogous to visually obvious, colorful bruised skin that doesn't heal) into the design of TIEs. As designed, it will allow inspectors to use simple visual observation to detect attempts to penetrate the external surfaces of a TIE, without providing adversaries the ability to repair damage. A material of this type can enhance tamper indication of current TIEs used to support treaty verification regimes. Current TIE inspections are time - consuming and rely on subjective visual assessment by an inspector, equipment such as eddy current or camera devices, or involve approaches that may be limited due to application environment. The complexities and requirements that volumetric sealing methods (or TIEs) must address are: (1) enclosures that are non - standard in size/shape; (2) enclosures that may be inspectorate - or facility - owned; (3) finding tamper attempts that are difficult and time consuming for an inspector to locate; (4) enclosures that are reliable and durable enough to survive the conditions that exist in the operating environment (including facility handling); and (5) methods that prevent adversaries from repairing penetrations. Early project R&D [1] focused on encapsulated transition metals. Due to the challenges associated with the transition metal - based approach, a mitigation approach was investigated resulting in two separate research paths — one that involves fabricating custom TIE molds that meet the specific (size and shape) needs of safeguards equipment a nd one that can be deployed as a sprayed on or painted coating to an existing TIE or surface. The "custom mold" approach is based on creating thin layers of materials that , when penetrated, expose an inner material to O 2 which causes an irreversible color change. The "in-situ coating" approach is based on applying a sensor solution containing color changing microcapsules that bleed when the microcapsule is ruptured. The anticipated benefits of this work are passive, flexible, scalable, robust , cost-effective TIEs with visually obvious responses to tamper attempts. This provides more efficient and effective monitoring , as inspectors will require little or no additional equipment and will be able to detect tamper without extensive time - consuming visual examination. Applications include custom TIEs (cabinets , equipment enclosures or seal bodies ), or spray-coating/painting onto facility-owned items, walls or structures, or circuit boards. The paper describes research and testing completed to-date on the method and integration of select system components.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

LLMs for Mfg.—On the State of Large Language Models and Applications to Manufacturing

Additive Manufacturing (AM), referred to as 3D printing, has emerged as a key pillar of Industry 4.0 enabling layer-by-layer fabrication of intricate geometries from CAD models. In parallel, Large Language Models (LLMs), deep learning models for natural language generation trained on vast text corpora, have demonstrated unprecedented capabilities in understanding and generating human-like text. The convergence of these trends opens new opportunities at the intersection of AM and AI/ML, where LLMs can assist engineers and researchers in design, manufacture planning, and knowledge discovery. Recent academic work has begun to explore LLM applications in AM and adjacent fields, such as material science, mechanical engineering, and design for additive manufacturing. This exploration ranges from intelligent process planning to domain-specific knowledge retrieval. This survey provides a comprehensive review of current developments, focusing on peer-reviewed literature contributions that apply, adapt, and advance LLMs in general and domain-specific domains. We analyze state-of-the-art (SOTA) techniques, such as fine-tuning foundational models for specific domains, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) pipelines, knowledge graph integration, and delve into the architectures and evaluation methods employed. The goal of this survey is to inform researchers and practitioners of the current capabilities and limitations of LLMs in general and in domain-specific applications, and to outline how these models are being tailored to meet the requirements of these applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

New Physics from the Neutrino Portal: Early Universe Implications and Detection Prospects

Despite their ubiquity, the nature of Dark Matter (DM) and neutrinos remains mysterious. Both are examples of particles which are neutral, stable, and require physics beyond the Standard Model (SM) of particle physics. It is therefore natural to investigate theories which relate them. If DM has more than gravitational interactions, it must not couple very sizably to the Standard Mode (SM) in order to have escaped detection so far. The nature of this coupling (or “portal”) is of paramount importance in determining the optimal experimental search strategies. This proposal aims to focus on the implications of “Hidden Sector” models of new physics where the dominant interaction is from the neutrino-mixing portal. Such scenarios give rise to new neutrino self-interactions and DM-neutrino interactions with a variety of consequences. By undertaking the thorough study of neutrino portal (NP) theories of DM this proposal seeks to achieve the following specific objectives: (1) Expand and deepen the theoretical foundations of self-interacting neutrinos in the early universe with application to sterile neutrino DM, (2) establish theoretical and phenomenological bases for DM-modified neutrino oscillations, (3) establish sensitivity projections for neutrino self-interactions from future IceCube data. The proposed research will intellectually contribute to the physics literature by thoroughly characterizing the consequences of “hidden sector” models incorporating DM and neutrinos. Theoretical consistency and a complete description of their impact on the early universe will constitute one component of this work. As a result of the additional structure in the neutrino sector the detectability of various aspects of neutrino physics will be impacted. This includes modifications to oscillation experiments, ultra-high-energy neutrino telescopes (e.g. IceCube, KM3NET), and Cosmic Microwave Background data. The success of this research proposal will depend on the successful integration of these complementary probes of new physics in the proper context of theoretically motivated scenarios determined from their impact on the early universe.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Facilitated Direct Liquid Fuel Cells with High Temperature Membrane Electrode Assemblies

Dimethyl ether (DME) is a liquid fuel of great potential impact due to its exceptionally high energy density. However, it has received minimal prior investigation as an alternative to either purified hydrogen or other liquid fuels, including methanol (MeOH). In the limited published literature work on direct dimethyl ether fuel cells, regardless of operating temperature, PtRu (either supported or unsupported on carbon) has been established as the standard catalyst of choice. The majority of the work in this program also utilized a Johnson Matthey (JM) HiSPEC ® 12100 PtRu/C (nominally 50% Pt, 25% Ru) while looking at electrode optimizations, beginning of life (BoL) performance, pressure- and temperature-dependent studies to look at the effect of binding affinity of DME oxidation intermediates, mass transport effects, crossover studies, and durability. However, it does also investigate some promising alternatives to PtRu/C as well, which should be investigated in more detail in further work. Those catalysts include a pair of ternary PtRuPd/C catalysts (from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and Pajarito Powder, LLC. (PP)) as well as a Pt 2 Bi Black catalyst from Professor Anastasios Angelopoulos of the University of Cincinnati (UC). This work achieved several project objectives, including an optimization of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) process using PtRu/C anode catalyst. Additionally, these direct dimethyl ether fuel cells (DDFCs) were able to match or exceed many performance metrics for the state-of-the-art (SOA) direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs), a primary and more evolved competitor to direct dimethyl ether fuel cells. This included peak specific power, total platinum group metal (PGM) loading, crossover current, degradation rate, start/stop cycling losses, and anode specific current.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗