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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

Draft Electric Rule 21 Test Protocols for Advanced Inverter Functions

Disclaimer: The following document includes draft certification protocols and should not be viewed as a consensus-based performance standard. Distributed energy resources (DERs), such as photovoltaic (PV) systems, when deployed in a large scale, are capable of significantly influencing the operation of bulk and local power systems. Looking to the future, European and American stakeholders are working on standards to make it possible to manage the potentially complex interactions between DER and the power system. One of the jurisdictions considering modifications to the DER interconnection requirements is California. To determine what changes could improve electric grid reliability and allow greater penetrations of renewable energy, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the California Energy Commission (CEC), in conjunction with consultant Frances Cleveland, convened the Smart Inverter Working Group (SIWG) in January 2013. The SIWG--composed of state agencies, utility engineers, national laboratories, manufacturers, trade associations, and advocacy groups--provided the CPUC a set of recommendations in early 2014 1 . The recommendations included specific advanced DER functions and interoperability requirements, along with a proposed timeline, for California to add new capabilities to grid-interconnected DER. On August 18, 2014 the three California Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs)--Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), Southern California Edison Company (SCE) and San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E)--drafted a Advice Letter filing to the CPUC setting forth revisions to Electric Tariff Rule 21 to conform to the seven recommendations made by the Working Group 2 . After a comment period, the CPUC issued an update to the IOU recommendations 3 . At the time of this publication, there was no final legal ruling on the CPUC Rulemaking (R.) 11-09-011 ("Order Instituting Rulemaking on the Commission's Own Motion to improve distribution level interconnection rules and regulations for certain classes of electric generators and electric storage resources"). In the U.S., Nationally Recognized Test Laboratories (NRTLs) independently verify products to safety and functional standards. PV inverters are certified to Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Standard 1741 4 . However, new advanced inverter functions described in the SIWG and IOU proposals are not included in this standard, so there is a critical need to develop test protocols for these functions in preparation of a positive ruling by the CPUC. Through a California Solar Initiative Grant, Sandia National Laboratories (Sandia or SNL), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. (EPRI), Xanthus Consulting, SunSpec Alliance, Loggerware, and utility and PV inverter manufacturers have collaborated to draft this certification protocol for the Rule 21 SIWG Phase 1 advanced inverter functions. This report also includes test procedures for Phase 2 and Phase 3 functions that will be demonstrated later in the CSI4 project. This collaborative effort was performed in close junction with the UL 1741 Standards Technical Panel (STP) working group. This document represents a snapshot of the draft testing protocols at the time of publication and not a consensus certification protocol for advanced inverters. 1 California Public Utilities Commission, "Recommendations for Updating the Technical Requirements for Inverters in Distributed Energy Resources, Smart Inverter Working Group Recommendations," Filed 7 Feb 2014. 2 J.J. Newlander, R.G. Litteneker, S.W. Walter, M. Dwyer, Joint motion of Pacific Gas and Electric Company (U 39 E), Southern California Edison Company (U 338 E) and San Diego Gas & Electric Company (U 902 E) regarding implementation of smart inverter functionalities, Rulemaking 11-09-011 Advice Letter, 18 July, 2014. 3 J.T. Sullivan, CPUC Rulemaking 11-09-011 Agenda ID #13460, 13 Nov, 2014. 4 Underwriters Laboratories Std. 1741 Ed. 2, "Inverters, Converters, Controllers and Interconnection System Equipment for use with Distributed Energy Resources," 2010.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Chalkboard 2 - How to Make Clean Hydrogen

Clean hydrogen is a carbon-free energy carrier that can be produced from water and sustainable energy sources such as wind, solar, and nuclear. Therefore, clean hydrogen is one of the best ways to not only decarbonize the energy supply system, but also address the zero-emission challenges specific to large-carbon emitting industries that are difficult to separate from fossil fuels. To help achieve the Biden Administration's goal of a 100% clean energy economy and net-zero emissions by 2050, several tens of millions of metric tons of clean, low-cost hydrogen will be needed annually. The HydroGEN Advanced Water Splitting Materials (AWSM) Consortium was established in 2016 as part of the Energy Materials Network (EMN) under the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office to enhance the performance, improve the durability, and reduce the cost of clean hydrogen production technologies, and it is helping to advance the H2@Scale vision.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2019

An Evaluation of Advanced Tools for Distributed Wind Turbine Performance Estimation: Preprint

We evaluate various classes of distributed wind turbine performance tools across two sites in the USA. The tools class ranges from the simple mass conservation model to coupled Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) model, all initiated by the WIND Toolkit dataset. The resource estimation at the site is evaluated against measured data at the mast location. Taking a sample 100 kW wind turbine and constant losses, we evaluate Openwind, Continuum, and WindNinja tools and document Annual Energy Production (AEP) and time series statistics associated with the performance estimation of the wind turbine. Using a methodology that is consistent and unbiased across the three advance options currently available in the industry, we elaborate results at the two sample locations and discuss the probable sources of discrepancy in the AEP estimates. The discussion includes additional values these tools may bring into the energy assessment process to enhance the owners' confidence over the distributed wind power systems.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Three-dimensionally scaffolded Co 3 O 4 nanosheet anodes with high rate performance

Advances in secondary batteries are required for realization of many technologies. In particular, there remains a need for stable higher energy batteries. Here we suggest a new anode concept consisting of an ultrathin Co 3 O 4 nanosheet-coated Ni inverse opal which provides high charge–discharge rate performance using a material system with potential for high energy densities. Via a hydrothermal process, about 4 nm thick Co 3 O 4 nanosheets were grown throughout a three-dimensional Ni scaffold. This architecture provides efficient pathways for both lithium and electron transfer, enabling high charge–discharge rate performance. Here, the scaffold also accommodates volume changes during cycling, which serves to reduce capacity fade. Because the scaffold has a low electrical resistance, and is three-dimensionally porous, it enables most of the electrochemically active nanomaterials to take part in lithiation–delithiation reactions, resulting in a near-theoretical capacity. On a Co 3 O 4 basis, the Ni@Co 3 O 4 electrode possesses a capacity of about 726 mAh g –1 at a current density of 500 mA g –1 after 50 cycles, which is about twice the theoretical capacity of graphite. The capacity is 487 mAh g –1 , even at a current density of 1786 mA g –1 .

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Deciphering Catalyst–Support Interaction via Doping for Highly Active and Durable Oxygen Evolution Catalysis

The design of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts demands a delicate balance between activity and stability. Here, in this study, we present a rational design approach that leverages catalyst-support interactions to enhance both the intrinsic activity and durability of Ir-based catalysts. Our study reveals that while Mo doping energetically promotes the formation of high-valent Ir species, enhancing intrinsic catalytic activity, it also leads to a reduction in electrical conductivity. These findings emphasize that supporting doping can introduce both beneficial and limiting effects, highlighting the need for a carefully balanced design strategy to optimize the overall OER performance. Simultaneously, in situ analytical techniques and comparative evaluation reveal the crucial role of oxide supports in stabilizing the catalyst. These findings highlight the pivotal role of interface engineering in maintaining catalyst integrity and the need for support materials that balance dopant-driven electronic promotion with structural and electrochemical robustness. These interconnected degradation pathways highlight the need to move beyond a catalyst-centric view and instead adopt a system-level understanding of the stability. Our approach offers a strong foundation for the rational design and evaluation of high-performance OER electrocatalysts for electrochemical energy applications.

Kim, Jinyeop [Korea Advanced Inst. Science and Tec↗
DOE OSTI2014

Economic Conditions and Factors Affecting New Nuclear Power Deployment

This report documents work performed in support of the US Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy’s Advanced Small Modular Reactor (AdvSMR) program. The report presents information and results from economic analyses to describe current electricity market conditions and those key factors that may impact the deployment of AdvSMRs or any other new nuclear power plants. Thus, this report serves as a reference document for DOE as it moves forward with its plans to develop advanced reactors, including AdvSMRs. For the purpose of this analysis, information on electricity markets and nuclear power plant operating costs will be combined to examine the current state of the nuclear industry and the process required to successfully move forward with new nuclear power in general and AdvSMRs in particular. The current electricity market is generally unfavorable to new nuclear construction, especially in deregulated markets with heavy competition from natural gas and subsidized renewables. The successful and profitable operation of a nuclear power plant (or any power plant) requires the rate at which the electricity is sold to be sufficiently greater than the cost to operate. The wholesale rates in most US markets have settled into values that provide profits for most operating nuclear power plants but are too low to support the added cost of capital recovery for new nuclear construction. There is a strong geographic dependence on the wholesale rate, with some markets currently able to support new nuclear construction. However, there is also a strong geographic dependence on pronuclear public opinion; the areas where power prices are high tend to have unfavorable views on the construction of new nuclear power plants. The use of government-backed incentives, such as subsidies, can help provide a margin to help justify construction projects that otherwise may not seem viable. Similarly, low interest rates for the project will also add a positive margin to the economic analysis. In both cases, the profitable price point is decreased, making more markets open to profitable entry. Overall, the economic attractiveness of a nuclear power construction project is not only a function of its own costs, but a function of the market into which it is deployed. Many of the market characteristics are out of the control of the potential nuclear power plant operators. The decision-making process for the power industry in general is complicated by the short-term market volatility in both the wholesale electricity market and the commodity (natural gas) market. Decisions based on market conditions today may be rendered null and void in six months. With a multiple-year lead time, nuclear power plants are acutely vulnerable to market corrections.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Next Generation Anodes for Lithium Ion Batteries: Thermodynamic Understanding and Abuse Performance.

As we develop new materials to increase performance of lithium ion batteries for electric vehicles, the impact of potential safety and reliability issues become increasingly important. In addition to electrochemical performance increases (capacity, energy, cycle life, etc.), there are a variety of materials advancements that can be made to improve lithium-ion battery safety. Issues including energetic thermal runaway, electrolyte decomposition and flammability, anode SEI stability, and cell-level abuse tolerance behavior. Introduction of a next generation materials, such as silicon based anode, requires a full understanding of the abuse response and degradation mechanisms for these anodes. This work aims to understand the breakdown of these materials during abuse conditions in order to develop an inherently safe power source for our next generation electric vehicles. The effect of materials level changes (electrolytes, additives, silicon particle size, silicon loading, etc.) to cell level abuse response and runaway reactions will be determined using several techniques. Experimentation will start with base material evaluations in coin cells and overall runaway energy will be evaluated using techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and accelerating rate calorimetry (ARC). The goal is to understand the effect of materials parameters on the runaway reactions, which can then be correlated to the response seen on larger cells (18650). Experiments conducted showed that there was significant response from these electrodes. Efforts to minimize risk during testing were taken by development of a smaller capacity cylindrical design in order to quantify materials decision and how they manifest during abuse response.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Next Generation Anodes for Lithium-ion Batteries: Thermodynamic Understanding and Abuse Performance

As we develop new materials to increase performance of lithium ion batteries for electric vehicles, the impact of potential safety and reliability issues become increasingly important. In addition to electrochemical performance increases (capacity, energy, cycle life, etc.), there are a variety of materials advancements that can be made to improve lithium-ion battery safety. Issues including energetic thermal runaway, electrolyte decomposition and flammability, anode SEI stability, and cell-level abuse tolerance behavior. Introduction of a next generation materials, such as silicon based anode, requires a full understanding of the abuse response and degradation mechanisms for these anodes. This work aims to understand the breakdown of these materials during abuse conditions in order to develop an inherently safe power source for our next generation electric vehicles.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Fundamental Studies of Metal Centered Transformations Relevant to Catalysis

The overall objectives the research performed have been to advance the mission of the U. S. Department of Energy, with specific emphasis concerned with the conversion and use of fossil and renewable energy resources, and the synthesis of advanced chemicals. Achieving this objective requires improvements in rational catalyst design by establishing details of reaction mechanisms and their kinetics. Therefore, over the course of this award, emphasis has been directed towards obtaining detailed information concerned with fundamental transformations that occur at metal centers, with particular attention given towards reactions such as (i) hydrodesulfurization (HDS) and hydrodenitrogenation (HDN), (ii) the use of carbon dioxide as a renewable C1 feedstock, (iii) the generation of hydrogen on demand, and (iv) transformations that involve the cleavage of H–H, C–H and C–C bonds. HDS and HDN are the essential processes for removing sulfur- and nitrogen-containing impurities from crude oil in order to obtain (i) cleaner fuels that minimize environmental pollution and (ii) cleaner chemical feedstocks that are less likely to poison the catalysts that are used for subsequent transformations. The catalysts employed for HDS and HDN are typically molybdenum and tungsten sulfides and, to gain insight into these transformations at the molecular level, we have focused on developing the coordination chemistry of heterocyclic sulfur and nitrogen compounds with molybdenum and tungsten. For example, we obtained the first examples of the cleavage of thiophene C–S bonds by employing molecular molybdenum compounds. The efficient utilization of carbon dioxide as a renewable C 1 source for the synthesis of value added organic chemicals and fuels has prompted much effort towards developing catalytic reactions to functionalize CO 2 . One such approach is hydrosilylation, which can proceed in a stepwise manner to afford a series of products with different levels of reduction, namely silyl formates, silyl acetals, methoxy silanes and methane. Despite the utility of these transformations, however, most catalysts employ precious metals, which operate at elevated temperatures, and control of the level of reduction is challenging. Therefore, it is significant that we have developed zinc and magnesium systems that can achieve hydrosilylation of CO 2 and which may be modified to control the level of reduction. The growing demand for energy requires the development of alternative energy sources that are more sustainable than fossil fuels and have a reduced impact on the environment. In this regard, an attractive energy storage medium is provided by hydrogen, which can, for example, be consumed in a fuel cell with only water as a byproduct. Unfortunately, a problem with using hydrogen in this manner is that present storage and transportation techniques are inadequate. For example, not only does storing liquid hydrogen present a safety risk, considerable energy is also required to liquefy the hydrogen and maintain it in this form. Therefore, we have focused on the application of chemical methods to provide hydrogen on demand. One such method utilizes formic acid as a storage medium and we reported the first examples of molybdenum compounds that serve as catalysts for releasing H 2 from formic acid. The nature of the interaction of a C–H bond with a metal center is of pivotal importance in many transformations of organic molecules, and we have examined several systems to probe how the interaction varies according to whether the metal is molybdenum or tungsten. These studies demonstrate that tungsten exhibits a greater propensity to cleave a C–H bond. While the oxidative addition of C–H bonds to a metal center is well precedented, transformations that feature oxidative addition of C–C bonds are uncommon and so it is noteworthy that we have observed the cleavage of a strong C–C bond that is a component of an unstrained 6-membered aromatic ring. The oxidative addition of dihydrogen to a metal center, and its microscopic reverse, reductive elimination, are two of the simplest yet most important transformations in organometallic chemistry. For example, oxidative addition of dihydrogen is a key step in many transition metal-catalyzed reactions involving H 2 . However, relatively few studies have established in detail the factors that influence the thermodynamics of this transformation. Therefore, it is significant that we demonstrated experimentally that that the energetics of the oxidative addition of H 2 to the six coordinate molybdenum and tungsten halide complexes depends very strongly on the nature of both the metal and the halogen. Deuterium kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) and equilibrium isotope effects (EIEs) serve as versatile tools to infer details about reaction mechanisms. In this regard, primary deuterium isotope effects are often interpreted by using two simple guidelines: (i) the KIE for an elementary reaction is normal (k H /k D > 1) and (ii) the EIE is dictated by deuterium preferring to be located in the site corresponding to the highest frequency oscillator. We have evaluated the applicability of these rules to the interactions of H–H and C–H bonds with a transition metal center and our results question the ability to predict primary EIEs in these systems based on the simple notion that deuterium prefers to occupy the highest frequency oscillator. The key findings are that the EIEs for (i) formation of σ–complexes by coordination of H–H and C–H bonds and (ii) oxidative addition of dihydrogen exhibit unusual temperature dependencies, such that the same system may exhibit both normal (i.e. K H /K D > 1) and inverse (i.e. K H /K D < 1) values.

02 PETROLEUM↗
DOE OSTI2026

Performance contracting centers of expertise: a framework for federal implementation

This report examines the establishment and operation of Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) Centers of Expertise (COEs) within the federal government. EPCs, including Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs) and Utility Energy Service Contracts (UESCs), are critical mechanisms for advancing energy efficiency, resilience, and infrastructure modernization without the need for significant upfront appropriations. However, EPCs require specialized knowledge in project development, contracting, financing, legal parameters and technical project oversight. Currently federal agencies have varying levels of expertise and institutionalized policy to effectively and consistently use congressionally authorized EPCs which have decades of proven and impactful use. To address these challenges, several federal agencies have created COEs to centralize expertise, standardize practices, and streamline implementation. This report reviews statutory and policy drivers, highlights the benefits and challenges and presents case studies from the General Services Administration (GSA), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center Huntsville (HNC). Recommendations are also provided for agencies considering the establishment of EPC COEs, which will bring much needed structure, consistency and lead to implementation of these energy and infrastructure building projects to save costs for U.S. taxpayers.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2018

ADMS Evaluation Platform

Deploying an ADMS or looking to optimize its value? NREL offers a low-cost, low-risk evaluation platform for assessing ADMS performance. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has developed a vendor-neutral advanced distribution management system (ADMS) evaluation platform and is expanding its capabilities. The platform uses actual grid-scale hardware, large-scale distribution system models, and advanced visualization to simulate realworld conditions for the most accurate ADMS evaluation and experimentation.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2020

Effects of Neutron Irradiation on the Micro/Nano Scale Structure and Fission Product Distribution of TRISO Coated Particle Fuel Kernels from AGR Experiments

The Advanced Reactor Technologies (ART) Program at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) includes the Advanced Gas Reactor (AGR) fuel development and qualification program that consists of fuel fabrication, experiment irradiations, post-irradiation examination (PIE) and safety testing to assess tristructural isotropic (TRISO) fuel performance during normal irradiation and under potential accident conditions. Advanced microscopy work on selected AGR-1 and AGR-2 unirradiated and irradiated fuel specimens is performed as part of the PIE effort. PIE work on fuel from the first experiment irradiation, AGR-1, began at INL in April 2010, and AGR-2 PIE began at INL in July 2014. This work scope includes University of Florida (UF) performing advanced electron microscopy examination and analysis using facilities at the Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES), INL or UF’s electron microscopy facilities. Electron microscopic examination and analysis may include scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area diffraction (SAD), electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and atom probe tomography (APT) on the fuel kernels of TRISO-coated fuel particles. The electron microscopy lamellae will be provided by INL and will be available at CAES or Irradiated Materials Characterization Laboratory (IMCL).

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Strategic Approach to Advance Magnet Technology for Next Generation Colliders

Colliders are built on a foundation of superconducting magnet technology that provides strong dipole magnets to maintain the beam orbit and strong focusing magnets to enable the extraordinary luminosity required to probe physics at the energy frontier. The dipole magnet strength plays a critical role in dictating the energy reach of a collider, and the superconducting magnets are arguably the dominant cost driver for future collider facilities. As the community considers opportunities to explore new energy frontiers, the importance of advanced magnet technology - both in terms of magnet performance and in the magnet technology's potential for cost reduction - is evident, as the technology status is essential for informed decisions on targets for physics reach and facility feasibility.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Novel Materials and Devices for Solid-State Neutron Detection

There is a need in many fields, such as nuclear medicine, non-proliferation, energy exploration, national security, homeland security, nuclear energy, etc, for miniature, thermal neutron detectors. Until recently, thermal neutron detection has required physically large devices to provide sufficient neutron interaction and transduction signal. Miniaturization would allow broader use in the fields just mentioned and open up other applications potentially. Recent research shows promise in creating smaller neutron detectors through the combination of high-neutron-cross-section converter materials and solid-state devices. Yet, till recently it is difficult to measure low neutron fluxes by solidstate means given the need for optimized converter materials (purity, chemical composition and thickness) and a lack of designs capable of efficient transduction of the neutron conversion products (x-rays, electrons, gamma rays). Gadolinium-based semiconductor heterojunctions have detected electrons produced by Gd-neutron reactions but only at high neutron fluxes. One of the main limitations to this type of approach is the use of thin converter layers and the inability to utilize all the conversion products. In this LDRD we have optimized the converter material thickness and chemical composition to improve capture of conversion electrons and have detected thermal neutrons with high fidelity at low flux. We are also examining different semiconductor materials and converter materials to attempt to capture a greater percentage of the conversion electrons, both low and higher energy varieties. We have studied detector size and bias scaling, and cross-sensitivity to xrays and shown that we can detect low fluxes of thermal neutrons in less than 30 minutes with high selectivity by our approach. We are currently studying improvements in performance with direct placement of the Gd converter on the detector. The advancement of sensitive, miniature neutron detectors will have benefits in energy production, nonproliferation and medicine.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2014

Improved thermoelectric performance of n-type Ca and Ca-Ce filled skutterudites

Thermoelectric (TE) technology for use in automotive waste heat recovery is being advanced by General Motors with support from the US Department of Energy. Skutterudites are a very promising material for this application of TE technology due to their superior mechanical properties and good TE performance. Double-filled Yb{sub x}Ba{sub y}Co{sub 4}Sb{sub 12} with ZT values around 1.1 at 750 K are the best performing n-type skutterudites produced on a large scale using an economically viable approach of melt spinning (MS) in conjunction with spark plasma sintering (SPS). Another economical production method on the tons scale, the melt quench annealing (MQA) technique, has been recently claimed by Treibacher Industrie AG, further information is available [G. Rogl et al., Acta Mater. 76, 434–448 (2014)]. A possible hurdle to commercial implementation of these materials is the use of rare earths as the fillers to reduce thermal conductivity and improve the electrical transport properties. It will be shown herein that skutterudites double-filled with Ca and Ce, both of which are lower-cost fillers, display markedly different TE properties depending on whether they are produced by MQA or MS + SPS synthesis techniques. Ca and Ce double-filled skutterudites prepared by MS + SPS have TE properties that are superior to the same compositions prepared by MQA and that are comparable to the best performing Yb and Ba filled materials. Furthermore, the results of this study suggest that the unusually poor transport properties of MQA Ca-filled skutterudites can be ascribed to deleterious secondary phases, which is contrary to reports in the literature attempting to explain these irregularities via band structure features.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Progress Towards Microcalorimeter Gamma Spectroscopy Analysis for Nuclear Fuel Separations

The High Efficiency and Resolution Microcalorimeter Spectrometer, 400 pixels (HERMES-400) is an ultra-high resolution gamma-ray spectrometer at Idaho National Laboratory’s Materials and Fuels Complex. HERMES-400 is intended to enable precise nondestructive analysis of advanced fuel cycle materials. Key upgrades and repairs of the instrument were performed this year to improve performance. First, the fourth and final microcalorimeter detector module was installed, meeting the milestone for its integration into the system. Operation with all four modules enables higher detector efficiency than any previous microcalorimeter gamma-ray system. Second, a thinner magnetic shield was installed. This shields the sensitive microcalorimeter pixels from stray magnetic fields while allowing transmission of lower-energy gamma rays, which are important to isotopic analysis. Finally, the cryostat, which provides cooling of the modules to their operating temperature, was found to have a helium coolant leak, which was repaired. HERMES-400 is in a stable state to perform repeated, long-term gamma-ray measurements with good detector efficiency and energy resolution. In FY25, irradiated TRISO fuel and salts from advanced electrochemical recycling techniques are candidates for microcalorimeter measurements. A final upgrade of the magnetic shielding and vibration damping of the system is also planned to maximize the system performance.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2024

New Directions for Thermoelectrics: A Roadmap from High‐Throughput Materials Discovery to Advanced Device Manufacturing

Thermoelectric materials, which can convert waste heat into electricity or act as solid‐state Peltier coolers, are emerging as key technologies to address global energy shortages and environmental sustainability. However, discovering materials with high thermoelectric conversion efficiency is a complex and slow process. The emerging field of high‐throughput material discovery demonstrates its potential to accelerate the development of new thermoelectric materials combining high efficiency and low cost. The synergistic integration of high‐throughput material processing and characterization techniques with machine learning algorithms can form an efficient closed‐loop process to generate and analyze broad datasets to discover new thermoelectric materials with unprecedented performances. Meanwhile, the recent development of advanced manufacturing methods provides exciting opportunities to realize scalable, low‐cost, and energy‐efficient fabrication of thermoelectric devices. This review provides an overview of recent advances in discovering thermoelectric materials using high‐throughput methods, including processing, characterization, and screening. Advanced manufacturing methods of thermoelectric devices are also introduced to realize the broad impacts of thermoelectric materials in power generation and solid‐state cooling. In the end, this article also discusses the future research prospects and directions.

Song, Kaidong↗