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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 505 records · Page 28
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Geant4 Event Biasing and Fast Simulation

Geant4 offers advanced event biasing techniques to significantly accelerate simulations involving rare events. Various biasing methods, such as leading particle selection, cross-section biasing, radioactive decay enhancement, and bremsstrahlung splitting, enable efficient event sampling, though they require careful handling. Additionally, Geant4 provides a Fast Simulation Interface, allowing the replacement of standard processes in specific region and for selected particles, enabling faster execution or external code integration. Applications of fast simulation include electromagnetic shower modeling in calorimeters, machine learning inference, and offloading tasks to specialized hardware like GPUs, making Geant4 a powerful tool for computationally demanding simulations.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2021

EMPIRE-PIC: A Performance Portable Unstructured Particle-in-Cell Code

In this study we introduce EMPIRE-PIC, a finite element method particle-in-cell (FEM-PIC) application developed at Sandia National Laboratories. The code has been developed in C++ using the Trilinos library and the Kokkos Performance Portability Framework to enable running on multiple modern compute architectures while only requiring maintenance of a single codebase. EMPIRE-PIC is capable of solving both electrostatic and electromagnetic problems in two- and three-dimensions to second-order accuracy in space and time. In this paper we validate the code against three benchmark problems — a simple electron orbit, an electrostatic Langmuir wave, and a transverse electromagnetic wave propagating through a plasma. We demonstrate the performance of EMPIRE-PIC on four different architectures: Intel Haswell CPUs, Intel's Xeon Phi Knights Landing, ARM Thunder-X2 CPUs, and NVIDIA Tesla V100 GPUs attached to IBM POWER9 processors. This analysis demonstrates scalability of the code up to more than two thousand GPUs, and greater than one hundred thousand CPUs.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Verification of a Fluid-Based Plasma-Edge Model Within the Multiphysics Object-Oriented Simulation Environment (MOOSE) Framework

As the goal of achieving fusion power on the grid comes closer to fruition, fully coupled multiphysics models of fusion devices will be crucial. These models must incorporate the interconnected phenomena of these devices, including plasma physics, neutronics, first wall interactions, and tritium transport. Currently, there are two main approaches to developing these platforms: (1) loosely coupled, where one couples existing codes and solvers together through input and output parameters and data, and (2) tightly coupled, where one develops the necessary models within a singular, integrated framework. This work focuses on the latter approach for magnetically confined fusion devices by developing a fluid-based plasma-edge model within the Multiphysics Object Oriented Simulation Environment (MOOSE) Framework. This effort is coordinated with other efforts to develop, test, demonstrate, and deploy fusion relevant multiphysics capabilities including electromagnetics, particle-in-cell plasma, tritium transport, and fusion blanket design. This new model is an expansion of the MOOSE-based plasma application, Zapdos, which was originally formulated to model low-temperature, non-magnetized plasma processes. Verification studies have been conducted using newly developed magnetic plasma capabilities. These involved convergence analyses utilizing the method of manufactured solutions to verify new operators and case studies. A modular approach was taken here to demonstrate increasingly complicated simulation scenarios, which included a singular fluid with uniform magnetic field case, a singular fluid with spatially varying magnetic field case, and a coupled multifluid case.

70 - PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

SPACE: 3D parallel solvers for Vlasov-Maxwell and Vlasov-Poisson equations for relativistic plasmas with atomic transformations

A parallel, relativistic, three-dimensional particle-in-cell code SPACE has been developed for the simulation of electromagnetic fields, relativistic particle beams, and plasmas. In addition to the standard second-order Particle-in-Cell (PIC) algorithm, SPACE includes efficient novel algorithms to resolve atomic physics processes such as multi-level ionization of plasma atoms, recombination, and electron attachment to dopants in dense neutral gases. SPACE also contains a highly adaptive particle-based method, called Adaptive Particle-in-Cloud (AP-Cloud), for solving the Vlasov-Poisson problems. It eliminates the traditional Cartesian mesh of PIC and replaces it with an adaptive octree data structure. The code's algorithms, structure, capabilities, parallelization strategy, and performance have been discussed. Additionally, typical examples of SPACE applications to accelerator science and engineering problems are described.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Disruption prediction with artificial intelligence techniques in tokamak plasmas

In nuclear fusion reactors, plasmas are heated to very high temperatures of more than 100 million kelvin and, in so-called tokamaks, they are confined by magnetic fields in the shape of a torus. Light nuclei, such as deuterium and tritium, undergo a fusion reaction that releases energy, making fusion a promising option for a sustainable and clean energy source. Tokamak plasmas, however, are prone to disruptions as a result of a sudden collapse of the system terminating the fusion reactions. As disruptions lead to an abrupt loss of confinement, they can cause irreversible damage to present-day fusion devices and are expected to have a more devastating effect in future devices. Disruptions expected in the next-generation tokamak, ITER, for example, could cause electromagnetic forces larger than the weight of an Airbus A380. Furthermore, the thermal loads in such an event could exceed the melting threshold of the most resistant state-of-the-art materials by more than an order of magnitude. In this work, to prevent disruptions or at least mitigate their detrimental effects, empirical models obtained with artificial intelligence methods, of which an overview is given here, are commonly employed to predict their occurrence—and ideally give enough time to introduce counteracting measures.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Characterizing the effect of hypersonic boundary layer turbulence on antenna performance: A computational approach

The degradation of antenna performance during hypersonic re-entry is a well known phenomenon that can lead to complete radio blackout. Recent additions to the Empire code establish it as a tool for the study and analysis of the problem. Coupling to the Sandia Parallel Aerodynamics and Reentry Code (SPARC) enables the electromagnetic analysis of realistic re-entry plasma profiles. The geometric flexibility afforded by both Empire and SPARC allow the consideration of arbitrary vehicle and antenna configurations. We have used this tool to study antenna performance during re-entry when the boundary layer becomes turbulent. A concise description of line-of-sight transmissions, which employs advanced statistical methods, was developed. New insights into the low altitude reflectometer readings of RAM-C2 are offered. Techniques for the reconstruction of the re-entry plasma profile from reflectometer data were explored.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2026

Quantifying System Strength From Grid-Forming Resources Using Frequency Scan Approach: Preprint

Current industry practices for quantifying the system strength contribution from grid-forming (GFM) resources to ensure stability of power systems dominated by inverter-based resources (IBRs) are primarily based on iterative electromagnetic transient (EMT) time-domain simulation studies. While feasible, these approaches are resource-intensive, lack scalability and intuition, and might not evaluate the system strength contribution over the entire frequency range of interest. This paper introduces a novel, frequency-domain approach to quantify system strength support provided by a GFM resource using frequency scans. The proposed method uses transfer functions from the grid voltage magnitude (V) and phase (?), respectively, to the reactive (Q) and active power (P) output of a GFM resource for quantifying its contribution to system strength. These transfer functions provide a direct measure of the ability of a GFM resource to behave as a stiff voltage source behind a reactance over a specified frequency range, enabling robust quantification of its system strength contribution. The key innovation of this work is the development of a frequency domain system strength metric called the dynamic short-circuit ratio (dSCR) that is suitable for IBR-dominated power systems and is directly related with the familiar short circuit ratio (SCR) metric. The new metric, dSCR, enables the assessment of system strength contributions from both synchronous machines and converter-based GFM resources using a unified benchmark, which is not possible with the traditional SCR metric. The paper also demonstrates how impedance scans could identify if an unstable condition observed during weak grid conditions is a result of the lack active or reactive power support or both. By leveraging the proposed frequency-domain dSCR metric for quantifying system strength contribution from GFM IBRs, the paper demonstrates targeted mitigation strategies for weak grid instabilities without resorting to repeated, time-consuming time-domain simulations. The result is a scalable and efficient approach to remediate stability challenges in power systems with high shares of IBRs and accelerating the integration of GFM technologies for system strength support in power systems.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2023

Measurement of charge state distributions using a scintillation screen

Absolute cross sections measured using electromagnetic devices to separate and detect heavy recoiling ions need to be corrected for charge state fractions. Accurate prediction of charge state distributions using theoretical models is not always a possibility, especially in energy and mass regions where data is sparse. As such, it is often necessary to measure charge state fractions directly. In this paper we present a novel method of using a scintillation screen along with a CMOS camera to image the charge dispersed beam after a set of magnetic dipoles. A measurement of the charge state distribution for 88 Sr passing through a natural carbon foil is performed. Using a Bayesian model to extract statistically meaningful uncertainties from these images, we find agreement between the new method and a more traditional method using Faraday cups. Additional future work is need to better understand systematic uncertainties. Our technique offers a viable method to measure charge state distributions.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2024

Adaptive Protection and Validated Models to Enable Deployment of High Penetrations of Solar PV (PV-MOD)

The availability and validation of various PV models in commercial tools differ, with some models not yet thoroughly validated for advanced inverter functionalities and reliable performance under weak system conditions. Many existing models do not fully incorporate new inverter control functions, which can affect system stability. The increasing deployment of solar PV and other inverter-based resources (IBRs), including distributed energy resources (DERs), is influencing the reliable operation of protection schemes in distribution systems and microgrids. Emerging adaptive protection schemes (APS) offer new opportunities for protecting these systems during varying configurations and DER operating conditions, though their demonstration and validation remain limited. Adaptive protection schemes face similar challenges, as they are typically designed for specific configurations. There is a growing need for tools and methodologies to streamline the deployment of adaptive protection for safe and reliable DER integration. The project main objective was to develop and validate high-fidelity generic models of solar PV facilities for stability, protection, EMT, and QSTS analyses. This objective was achieved, and these models can now be integrated into commercial software tools, enabling utilities, vendors, and developers to study high-penetration PV systems more confidently. The project also demonstrated advanced applications of these models, including the design and deployment of adaptive protection schemes in high-penetration field applications and microgrids, supporting grid safety and reliability. Several milestones were reached by the end of the project. A sophisticated inverter test plan was developed, and inverters representative of the North American marketplace were selected. EPRI and NREL tested various inverters, conforming to IEEE standards. Improvements were made to existing generic models of IBR units, IBR plants, and aggregated feeders for various analyses. The first generic electromagnetic transient (EMT) model for a solar PV plant was developed, conforming to IEEE Std 2800™-2022 and validated against laboratory measurements of a 2.2 MVA large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) inverter. That model was then used to produce reference responses illustrating examples of validated and verified IBR plant models that pass or fail tests for technical minimum capability and performance as specified in the IEEE standard. The developed, tested, and validated generic models can be used for transmission planning, stability assessments, expansion planning, and evaluating potential future IBR interconnection requirements. They can also support interconnection screens and conformity assessments of IBR plants, including solar PV. The project significantly contributed to the ongoing standardization and model-based representation and verification of IBR responses. The project further addressed challenges of common distribution protection schemes with increasing deployment of DER by developing, validating, and demonstrating adaptive protection schemes (APS) that can improve the reliable and safe integration of DER into distribution systems. New APS were designed using improved DER models for three common distribution systems: a radial feeder, a meshed network, and a microgrid. Modeling and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing of the APS were conducted, successfully showing their effectiveness and selectivity. Proof-of-concept field demonstration was achieved for two APS, i.e., one on a radial feeder and another one in a microgrid. Field demonstration could not be achieved for the APS on a meshed network, primarily due apprehension of one utility partner and also due to limited access to the protective algorithms in the network protectors. Guidelines developed from the lessons learned in the project lay out the general process followed in the design, installation, and commissioning of APS for various distribution systems. Distribution utility partners’ apprehension about field demonstration of the new APS were addressed—with varying success—by taking a stepped risk-management approach of modeling of a wide range of sensitivities first, performing in-depth proof-of-concept testing in the laboratory including HIL next, and finally deliberately implementing and commissioning the actual protection equipment and algorithms into parts of—or in parallel operation to—the three real distribution systems. Future work should include pilot projects that further show the acceptable performance of the developed APS before these schemes be rolled out more widely. Inclusion of both utility and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in future projects could increase chances of successful field demonstration. Despite challenges in achieving the field demonstration goal of the project for all three APS, the research significantly contributed to the innovation of adaptive protection solutions for scalable and reliable DER integration into distribution systems. This project significantly enhances the understanding of the impact of using appropriate inverter models on distribution and transmission (T&D) systems. By addressing the limitations of existing generic models, the project introduces high-fidelity models for stability, protection, electromagnetic transient (EMT), and quasi-static time series (QSTS) analyses. These models, integrated into commercial software tools, enable utilities, vendors, and developers to confidently study high-penetration PV systems. The project also demonstrates advanced applications, including adaptive protection schemes (APS) for distribution systems and microgrids, ensuring grid safety and reliability. The technical effectiveness and economic feasibility of the methods are evident through the development and validation of sophisticated inverter test plans and the selection of representative inverters. Testing by EPRI and NREL on retail, commercial, and utility-scale inverters, conforming to IEEE standards, underscores the robustness of the models. Improvements to existing generic models for various analyses further enhance their validity and applicability. The project also identifies gaps in common distribution protection schemes and designed new APS using improved DER models, demonstrating their effectiveness through modeling and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing. The project’s benefits to the public are manifold. By advancing the standardization and model-based representation of IBR response, it supports transmission planning, stability assessments, and future IBR interconnection requirements. The generic models can facilitate better communication between transmission planners and developers, supporting expected IBR plant capability and performance. Additionally, the development of APS for radial feeders, meshed networks, and microgrids supports the integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) into distribution systems, enhancing grid reliability and safety. The project’s emphasis on thorough testing and simplicity in design ensures practical and scalable solutions for DER integration.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Studying electroweak few-body observables in chiral effective field theory

The use of nuclei to study electroweak probes is becoming increasingly relevant experimentally. The success of dark matter and neutrino experiments strongly depends on the ability to control nuclear effects in order to extract the fundamental parameters associated with external probes. Therefore, reliable theoretical calculations of nuclear structure and reactions, with well-controlled errors, are crucial for the success of experimental efforts. Currently, chiral effective field theory ($\chi$EFT) coupled with {\it ab-initio} methods represents one of the best approaches that fulfills these requirements. To use this approach as a tool for studying fundamental physics, it is essential to validate it against experimental data for which the calculations are well under control, such as the elastic scattering of electrons on nuclei. In this proceeding, I will present recent developments in the fitting of electromagnetic currents derived using $\chi$EFT and the calculation of electromagnetic form factors of light nuclei. The results of these calculations demonstrate the strength of the theory in describing the interaction of nuclei with electromagnetic probes over a broad range of momentum transfers and highlight the robustness of $\chi$EFT for analyzing future experimental data aimed at extracting fundamental parameters.

Gnech, Alex [Old Dominion Univ., Norfolk, VA (Unit↗
DOE OSTI2024

Mechanisms of electromagnetic field control on mineral scaling in brackish water reverse osmosis: Combined homogenous and heterogeneous nucleation

Electromagnetic field (EMF) treatment has emerged as a promising approach for scaling control due to its cost-effectiveness, simplicity, and low energy consumption. However, there is a limited understanding of the mechanisms by which applied EMF impacts mineral scaling in reverse osmosis (RO) systems. This has led to inconclusive and varied results and uncertainties regarding its effectiveness. This study elucidates the impacts of EMF on homogenous and heterogeneous nucleation and membrane performance during RO desalination of different feedwaters. Our results reveal that EMF exhibits greater efficacy in treating near-saturated water (SI∼0), especially when coupled with extended hydraulic flushing (HF). For saturated brackish water desalination, heterogeneous scaling predominantly occurs on membrane surfaces, with the effectiveness of EMF in inhibiting scaling primarily attributed to the hydration effect. In supersaturated solutions, EMF promotes bulk precipitation due to the magnetohydrodynamic effect, quickly blocking membrane pores. Thus, when the saturation reaches a certain high level during RO desalination, magnetohydrodynamic EMF effects can accelerate flux decline caused by homogeneous scaling. In conclusion, this work provides an efficient method for predicting EMF efficiency, emphasizing the importance of saturation conditions and HF cleaning duration in determining membrane performance, suggesting these show promise for improving undersaturated or near-saturated feedwater desalination via RO.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Particle resonances in toroidal fusion devices

Resonances of high energy particles in magnetic confinement devices due to electromagnetic instabilities can strongly modify the distribution, leading to a reduction in fusion power and even discharge termination and particle loss to the device walls through avalanche. The existence of a mode particle resonance depends on properties of the equilibrium, particle trajectories, and perturbation mode harmonic content. Resonance location is a function of particle energy and equilibrium field line helicity. Different methods for finding resonance location and energy dependence are developed. The properties of resonances are discussed using examples from magnetic fusion devices. Here, we show that if mode resonances exist at low particle energy, they very likely also exist at high energy, thus modifying high energy beam particles and fusion products. It is possible for a resonance to appear due to mode induced orbit helicity modification when it is forbidden at low mode amplitude.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Characterizing Baselines and Change in Gas Hydrate Systems using EM Methods

The objective of this project was to advance our understanding of gas hydrate systems in nature by characterizing their electrical properties in the field and in the laboratory. In the laboratory measurements, methane hydrate was synthesized from pure water ice and flash frozen seawater, with varying amounts of sand or silt added. Electrical conductivity was determined by impedance spectroscopy, using equivalent circuit modeling to separate the effects of electrodes and to gain insight into conduction mechanisms. Silt and sand increase the conductivity of pure hydrate, inferred to be contaminant NaCl contributing to conduction in hydrate, to a peak conductivity in agreement with peak resistivities observed in well logs through massive hydrate (3,000--10,000 Ωm). The addition of silt and sand lowers the conductivity of hydrate synthesized from seawater, by an amount consistent with Archie's Law. All samples were characterized using cryogenic scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy, which shows good connectivity of salt and brine phases. Electrical conductivity measurements of pure hydrate and hydrate mixed with silt during pressure-induced dissociation supports previous conclusions that sediment increases dissociation rate. In order to characterize gas hydrate systems in the field, we collected 360 line kilometers of controlled-source electromagnetic data on Walker Ridge 313, Orca Basin (WR100), Mad Dog (GC781), and Green Canyon 955 in the Gulf of Mexico, all areas with known or seismically inferred gas hydrate deposits and which have be drilled or targeted for future drilling. We deep-towed an EM transmitter that generates an alternating electric field which propagates through the seafloor geology. Data were recorded on 6 receivers towed behind the transmitter at distances between 550 and 1550 m. In the presence of conductive geology, the electric fields will be attenuated, and conversely, in resistive geology the fields will be preserved. Our data were inverted using a 2D inversion method that first optimizes the model-data misfit, then finds the smoothest model fitting the data. This ensures that resistivity structures present in the final model are likely necessary. At each of the proposed drilling sites we found increased resistivity, interpreted as increased hydrate concentrations. However, not only were the primary drilling sites not always more resistive than the alternate sites, at WR313 the strongest resistors were not at the locations targeted for drilling.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Precision current regulator for NMR electromagnets

When using electromagnets or non-persistent superconducting magnets, the field stability can be directly proportional to the current stability. We present in this report a simple design for a current regulator based upon a high-precision, dc-dc fluxgate transformer. The output current and NMR frequency are stabilized by about a factor of 50, over times of order one hour. The method can be applied to essentially any current supply.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Neutral pion reconstruction using machine learning in the experiment at 〈E ν〉 6 GeV

This paper presents a novel neutral-pion reconstruction that takes advantage of the machine learning technique of semantic segmentation using MINERvA data collected between 2013–2017, with an average neutrino energy of 6 GeV. Semantic segmentation improves the purity of neutral pion reconstruction from two γs from 70.7 ± 0.9% to 89.3 ± 0.7% and improves the efficiency of the reconstruction by approximately 40%. We demonstrate our method in a charged current neutral pion production analysis where a single neutral pion is reconstructed. This technique is applicable to modern tracking calorimeters, such as the new generation of liquid-argon time projection chambers, exposed to neutrino beams with 〈E ν〉 between 1–10 GeV. In such experiments it can facilitate the identification of ionization hits which are associated with electromagnetic showers, thereby enabling improved reconstruction of charged-current νe events arising from νμ → νe appearance.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2026

Impact of Annealing on Superconducting Properties of Tantalum Thin Films

The pursuit for higher-coherence superconducting qubits has led to the adoption of new materials and innovative fabrication techniques. Among the commonly used superconducting materials, tantalum-based or tantalum-capped superconducting qubits have demonstrated the longest lifetimes, outperforming niobium devices even in the presence of their native oxides. Given the losses introduced by the surface oxide, one method to further improve performance is to reduce or eliminate the native oxide on tantalum through UHV annealing. In this work, we examine the effect of dissolved oxygen as a function of annealing temperature on the superconducting properties of tantalum thin films. Dissolved oxygen is quantified using atom probe tomography (APT) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) and correlated with electromagnetic transport measurements performed using a Physical Property Measurement System (PPMS). This study observes that annealing decomposes the native oxide and drives oxygen diffusion into the film matrix. Increasing oxygen content decreases the superconducting transition temperature (Tc) and the residual resistivity ratio (RRR). The critical field decreases with the incorporation of oxygen, while the film’s coherence length decreases relatively by 5%. These results, as well as findings from ongoing studies linking fabrication processes to the structural and chemical properties of the superconducting film and Josephson junction, provide insight into effective strategies for improving the performance of superconducting devices.

Shinde, Maithilee [IIT, Chicago; Fermilab]↗
DOE OSTI2023

Optimizing the tuning range of the Fermilab Recycler 53MHz RF cavities by exploiting the avoided crossing of the tuner and cavity modes

The electromagnetic eigenmodes of the Fermilab Recycler RF cavities were simulated with ACE3P running on NERSC's 'Perlmutter' supercomputer in an attempt to optimize their tuning range to comfortably support slip-stacking. A theory, based on coupled circuits and avoided crossings, was developed to explain the origins of the tuning range for tuner-cavity waveguide systems. This provided a logical, rigorous method to carry out this optimization, although engineering problems due to high voltages in the tuner and the operational $\mu$ range of the garnet had to be carefully implemented. It was shown that the desired goal of 10kHz of tuning was not attainable with the current cavity specifications. The maximum tuning range obtained was 5.59kHz for a single tuner with a coaxial line of length 63in. A double tuner cavity was also studied using the simulation software, although with little improvement in the tuning range. A promising technique to improve the tuning range involving the desynchronization of the garnets' magnetic permeabilities is proposed.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗