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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 OSTI2020

Roles of Carburization and Oxidation on Transition-Metal Catalyzed Surface Reactions

Many industrial chemical transformation processes are based on reactions catalyzed by transition metals. In some cases the nano-size particles used as catalysts are synthesized simultaneously or right before the initiation of the main catalytic reaction. Synthesis treatments involve complex processes such as reductions followed by calcinations in oxygenated environments coupled to the presence of gases used for the main reaction. Synthesis details are crucial because they have important consequences on the catalyst shape, size, and chemical composition, and may also affect the structure and composition of the catalyst support. All these effects may alter the main catalyzed reaction in unexpected ways. This work focuses on the synthesis of the overall catalytic system that includes catalyst and support taking place in parallel with the initial stages of the main catalyzed reaction. Two important processes are characterized: carburization and oxidation of the transition metal catalyst during synthesis or initial stages of the main reaction. The objective is to understand how the coking mechanism coupled to surface oxidation and changes in the substrate influence the dry reforming of methane taken as a model reaction. The approach uses first principles computational methods to investigate the catalyst synthesis and characterization and catalytic reaction mechanisms. These studies are complemented with experimental characterization done by the group of Dr. Renu Sharma at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (unfunded collaborator) using high resolution transmission electron microscopy. Specific goals are to identify the role of the synthesis process on the initial nanocatalyst structure and composition, and to determine how that structure and composition may evolve after being exposed to the reactants atmosphere. These studies facilitate a systematic analysis of conditions where the nanoparticle composition can be optimized regarding activity and stability. Moreover, the fundamental study of catalyst/support interactions yields valuable insights for other catalytic processes and is a first step toward controlled nanocatalyst synthesis.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Using Raman scattering to study reacting gas flow over a catalyst

l present a series of computational methods for analyzing and correcting Raman scattering from a reacting gas flow. My work focused on the laser diagnostic measurements of formaldehyde production over a silver catalyst, specifically the Raman spectroscopy component. This technique offers a non-intrusive, in situ way to measure the coupling between the gas phase and surface activity of a catalytic reaction at relevant industrial conditions. This report outlines the steps followed for correcting the non-idealities in the data due to both the detection optics and scattering mechanics. By implementing such refinement steps, l can generate an accurate 2D spatial map of the temperature profile, number densities for major species, and relative consumption of reactants throughout the reactor cell.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

BISON Capabilities for LWR Fuel Behavior Analysis During Accident and High-burnup Conditions

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) program aims to develop predictive capabilities using computational methods for the analysis and design of advanced reactor and fuel cycle systems. This program has been supporting the development of BISON which is a high-fidelity and high-resolution fuel performance tool at the engineering scale. Increasing recent interest in applications at extended burnups motivated this study to incorporate more physically based models in BISON. This document details integration of newly implemented modeling capabilities into BISON, which includes (1) new thermal conductivity models that are valid up to 100 GWd/t, (2) models for the formation of the high-burnup structure (HBS), (3) two porosity correction methods beingapplied on the thermal conductivity due to the conducting pores during the HBS formation. BISON's results are verified and validated to test the new modeling capabilities

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Biofidelic Digital Head Model Software

Researchers at Los Alamos have extensive capabilities in biofidelic modeling, simulation and software development for predicting traumatic brain injury (TBI). Since injury-causing experiments cannot be performed on live humans, and head dummies are incapable of predicting brain deformations/strain, our approach uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data for the brain combined with advanced computational methods and substructure constitutive properties to identify harmful accelerations that may develop diffused axonal injury in the brain. The goal is to develop this capability to analyze the effectiveness of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as, helmets and the advanced energy-absorbing materials used in PPE to mitigate brain injury. Los Alamos is seeking a collaborative partner (through a cooperative research and development agreement) to develop this capability toward a potential technology that will have commercial viability.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2021

Accurate temperature determination from XRD and EXAFS measurements (Full Technical Final Report)

Measuring temperature is of fundamental importance for High Energy Density science (HED), for studying melting, phase transitions and equations of state. However, temperature determination of high pressure and high temperature (0.1-1 eV) condensed matter remains one of the biggest challenges in such experiments. This project used a combination of advanced experimental techniques and state-of-the-art computational methods to construct a framework relating the observed attenuation of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) signals due to thermal fluctuations to the actual temperature achieved in the experiments. This approach was benchmarked against low temperature resistive heating diamond anvil cell (DAC) experiments and cross-validated at higher pressure and temperature by combining the two complementary and independent techniques, diffraction and EXAFS.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2021

The First Neptunium Dioxide Neutron Diffraction Experiment at HFIR

Here we present the first neutron diffraction experiment of a 50 mg sample of neptunium(IV) dioxide (NpO 2 ) powder at the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) using the wide-angle neutron diffractometer (WAND 2 ) HB-2C. We also provide a brief literature survey to pinpoint gaps in the crystal, electronic, and magnetic structure of NpO 2 to determine the optimum experiment to be pursued in the next HFIR user proposal cycle. Characterizing actinide materials with neutron diffraction, inelastic scattering, neutron imaging, polarized neutron studies, and small-angle neutron scattering techniques will increase our understanding of 5f electron behavior and elucidate atomic and magnetic structural properties. This strategy will help fill gaps in the literature and provide theoretical physicists with the data needed to build physical and chemical models to guide and validate computational methods. These methods may be used for predicting structural and chemical features of actinide-based materials. This proof-of-principle effort begins to uncover how to advance actinide science and technology at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) using neutron capabilities. This effort has already sparked collaborative discussions between researchers outside the Radioisotope Science and Technology Division, including theoretical physicists from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Division and beamline scientists in the Neutron Scattering Division. We intend to continue pursuing neutron experiments and develop a scientific strategy focused on studying transuranium elements (e.g., Np, Pu, Am, and Cm) using the advanced neutron capabilities at ORNL.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Development of Passive HC/NOx Trap Catalysts for Low Temperature Gasoline Applications

This project aimed to develop fundamental understanding of the chemistry of NO adsorption and reaction in Pd/zeolites so as to facilitate the rational design of passive NOx adsorber catalysts. The approach adopted combined both experimental and computational methods, which together allow a deeper understanding of the governing chemistry than the use of either method alone. The workflow began with Pd/H-CHA and Pd/H-BEA catalyst synthesis and characterization, in which the Si/Al ratio and Al siting were systematically varied. This was followed by catalyst evaluation using temperature-programed adsorption/desorption methods, as well as in situ spectroscopic measurements to probe the chemistry of NO adsorption. In parallel, the adsorption of NO and other relevant species (H 2 O, CO, HCs) was studied by means of quantum chemical calculations in order to rationalize the experimental data and provide additional insights. Catalyst aging studies were also performed with the aim of elucidating the mechanism of catalyst degradation. Finally, the insights gained in this project were applied to the preparation of an optimized HC/NOx adsorber catalyst, the performance of which was studied using exhaust gas from an engine dynamometer.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Characterization and Modeling of Deformation Induced Damage in Titanium Alloys

Over the lifetime of their DOE support, and specifically during the past funding cycle, the PIs have primarily focused on ambient temperature studies of the mechanisms of heterogeneous deformation and shear transfer at GBs. The PIs have developed and applied a broad array of experimental approaches complemented by advanced computational methods and simulations to enable new understanding of GB shear transfer, and a new approach for modeling this behavior at the mechanistic level has been established. The PIs have examined how slip behavior differs on the surface and interior of polycrystals using a variety of approaches. Some of the associated data has been used to generate 3-D models of experimentally-characterized microstructures that both support interpretation of deformation mechanisms as well as reveal where modeling needs to be improved to more closely agree with what is experimentally observed. The PIs progress in constitutive modeling of crystal plasticity has introduced explicit GB resistance to shear that depends on the mutual geometry of active slip systems. This past work places the PIs in a good position to take on the challenges associated with mechanistically understanding the interplay between GBS and slip interactions.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2022

Air Exchange Rate Impact on Activity Equilibrium Factors and Inhalation Fractional Equilibrium Factors for Rn, Xe, Kr, Ar, Ne, and Their Progeny in Vapor Intrusion, Risk, and Dose Models

Exposure to the radioactive noble gasses, especially radon, is of high concern and poses a significant risk to humans in an indoor air environment as the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. To evaluate and minimize the risks posed by these gasses, it is important to understand their radiological and physical properties. The EPA’s Radon Vapor Intrusion Screening Level (RVISL) calculator calculates indoor air RVISLs based on target working levels (WLs), target excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR), and annual dose limits for the actinon (Rn-219), thoron (Rn-220), and radon (Rn-222) decay series. The RVISLs are based on inhalation and submersion in gas cloud exposure routes for residential and commercial settings. The RVISLs are analogous to preliminary remediation goals (PRGs) and dose compliance concentrations (DCCs), where the isotope-specific values are in units of activity concentration (activity per unit volume). If the concentration of a parent isotope of radon or its progeny is found to exceed the RVISL, then further action to ensure cleanup of the contaminant may be necessary. In residential and commercial settings, the RVISLs will vary based on the air exchange rate present. The EPA’s Radionuclide PRG and DCC Calculators also assess the risk/dose from noble gases in the air due to household use of water like showering. In this study, a computational method in MATLAB was developed to determine the impact of the air exchange rate on the activity equilibrium factor (A eq ) and the inhalation fractional equilibrium factor (F eq ). Both factors are values that reflect the equilibrium concentrations of progeny to their parent in the air. These factors have a direct impact on the RVISL, PRG, and DCC calculations of WL, ELCR, and annual dose, respectively. This study builds on a previous report that only focused on actinon, thoron, and radon by revisiting the original A eq and F eq calculation methods, as well as including the values for the Rn-207, Rn-209, Rn-210, Rn-211, Rn-215, Rn-216, Rn-217, Rn-218, Rn-223, Ne-24, Ar-42, Ar-43, Ar-44, Kr-74, Kr-75, Kr-76, Kr-77, Kr-88, Kr-89, Xe-120, Xe-121, Xe-122, Xe-123, Xe-135m, and Xe-138 decay chains, which are not currently available in literature. The EPA’s RVISL calculator will be updated to include the new A eq and F eq values for the actinon, thoron, and radon decay chains, while the rest of the calculators will incorporate all the new A eq and F eq values as appropriate.

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTAN↗
DOE OSTI2022

Impact of FERC Order 2222 on DER Participation Rules in US Electricity Markets

Electricity markets in the bulk grid are beginning to implement market mechanisms that support the procurement of flexible capabilities from wide range of technologies, including distributed energy resources (DERs). The flexibility of these resources will help counterbalance supply uncertainties from large-scale integration of variable renewable generation. To encourage development of distributed and aggregated market participants, FERC Order 2222 was issued in September 2020 to require each Independent System Operator (ISO) in the US to implement rules that enable broader participation from aggregations of DERs in the bulk market. The following paper first describes the generic design of ISO markets before introducing the new market participation rules that ISOs have proposed for compliance with Order 2222. The paper then describes how software performance issues may continue to affect the eligibility requirements and offer structures for DER aggregations participating in ISOs, noting that continued research on computational methods may help reduce burdens for DER integration. The prospects for transmission and distribution system coordination is second major issue discussed, which will require minor changes to existing processes in the short term. In the longer term, there is more opportunity for more wide-ranging reforms, such as the development of a Distribution System Operator (DSO) framework. Newly proposed market rules may affect how Transactive Energy Systems (TES) will help facilitate efficient formation of DER aggregations and operation of the individual DERs within an aggregation. Within the TES context, the challenge is to fully understand how resource eligibility and operational and planning coordination methods will affect the design and implementation of TES.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2023

Compare Mechanistic Predictions for Doped UO 2 Mechanical Response and Other Properties with Empirical Models and Experimental Measurements

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation program develops predictive capabilities using computational methods for the analysis and design of advanced reactor and fuel cycle systems. This program has been supporting the development of BISON, a high-fidelity, high resolution fuel performance tool at the engineering scale. As part of its development, additional modeling capabilities and improvements have been developed for relevant fuel forms. In this work, a fuel creep deformation model for Cr-doped fuel has been implemented into BISON, along with improvements to the empirical UO 2 fuel creep model based on experimental data and improvements to the radial power factor calculation for doped fuels. This work allows for more accurate simulation analyses for both UO 2 and doped-UO 2 fuels.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Dashboard for Marine Energy Site Assessment and Monitoring

The marine energy (ME) industry presently relies upon fragmented site assessment solutions that require high resource expenditure for deployment at each site and do not leverage the wealth of readily available tools and information. A wave energy resource assessment dashboard, currently in development, will substantially improve siting, permitting, operations, and maintenance of ME projects by providing an integrated solution that is a one-stop-shop for a developer’s needs. The Site Energy Assessment and MOnitoring Dashboard (SEAMOD) will be of commercial interest to anyone seeking to deploy an ME project and is easily expandable to include tidal and wind energy site assessments. The integrated dashboard is being developed using state-of-the-art database and cloud computing methods and data-assimilative modeling tools that can be coupled with low-cost, rapidly deployable wave buoys and environmental sensing hardware. The combined software and hardware dashboard will reduce wave energy site characterization and wave climate monitoring costs by more than 60 percent and provide assessments that meet international industry standards. To realize a thriving global ME industry, the physical environment at a potential deployment site must be understood, not only for resource characterization, but also for optimization of device and power conversion performance. SEAMOD directly addresses these needs with a commercially marketable product. SEAMOD is a low-cost solution that provides comprehensive ME resource assessments, baseline environmental monitoring, and offshore characterizations required for successful ME development. The key technical objectives for Phase I were a series of software development goals, which when implemented with monitoring solutions, produced an initial proof-of-concept low-cost wave energy resources dashboard. In Phase II, the development of the prototype SEAMOD continued. The basic framework employed was the development of a revised dashboard and monitoring tool customized for ME applications by focusing on IEC site assessment and method requirements. Development was focused on the integration of full hindcast metocean products to provide hindcast resource characterization and environmental information. The final integrated dashboard provides a low-cost solution that delivers comprehensive, scalable, industry-standard energy resource assessments and offshore characterizations required for successful ME development. The integrated dashboard offers visibility of the most recent site modeling, measurements, and historical data. The application and integration of consensus-based standards for wave energy resource assessment, as determined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), are crucial for the impact and value of SEAMOD. SEAMOD includes monthly, seasonal, and yearly statistics, as well as the total 30-year record, offering temporal resolution of the IEC parameters to aid potential developers in determining the available wave energy resources in their area of interest.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2024

Bottom-up design of actinide materials from molecular clusters: Demonstration of a general-purpose simulation capability leveraging machine-learned atomic potentials

Actinide thin-film coatings such as uranium dioxide (UO 2 ) play an important role in nuclear reactors and other mission-relevant applications, but realization of their potential requires a deep fundamental understanding of the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes used for their growth. The slow experimental progress can be attributed, in part, to the standard safety guidelines associated with handling uranium byproducts, which are often corrosive, toxic, and radioactive. Accurate simulation techniques, when used in concert with experiment, can improve laboratory safety, material durability, and deliverable timeframes. However, state-of-the-art computational methods are either insufficiently accurate or intractably expensive. To remedy this situation, in this project we suggested a machine-learning (ML) accelerated workflow for simulating molecular clustering toward deposition. As a benchmark test case, we considered molecular clustering in steam and assessed independent components of our workflow by comparing with measured thermodynamic properties of water. After analyzing each component individually and finding no fundamental barrier to realization of the workflow, we attempted to integrate the ML component, a Sandia-developed tool called FitSNAP. As this was the first application of FitSNAP to atoms and molecules in the gas phase at Sandia, the method required more fitting data than was originally anticipated. Systematic improvements were made by including in the fit data diatomic potentials, molecular single-bond-breaking curves, and symmetry-constrained intermolecular potentials. We concluded that our strategy provides a feasible pathway toward modeling CVD and related processes, but that extensive training data must be generated before it can be of practical use.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Best Practices for Nuclear Experiment Data Preservation at Idaho National Laboratory: A Guide for Researchers and Reactor Operators

Preserving experimental data is essential for supporting advancements in nuclear science and ensuring the longevity of Idaho National Laboratory's contributions to reactor technology and safety. This report provides a comprehensive guide to best practices for experimental data management and preservation, focusing on standardized data formats, redundancy in storage, metadata documentation, and alignment with international standards. By following these recommendations, experimentalists and reactor operators can enhance the accessibility, reproducibility, and utility of critical datasets for regulatory review, validation computational methods, and future research.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Multimodal Ligand Non-Innocence for Reduction Catalysis (Final Technical Report)

The goal of this project was to develop multimodal ligand non-innocence in late transition metal complexes of aminophenolate ligands and to apply this ligand-centered reactivity to small-molecule reduction reactions relevant to energy-conversion chemistry. Specific aims were, 1) Prepare new coordination complexes of aminophenolate ligands and characterize them using a battery of structural, spectroscopic, and computational methods. 2) Benchmark the thermodynamics and kinetics of e - , H + , H • , and H - transfer reactivity to establish the baseline reactivity of new metal complexes containing aminophenolate ligands. 3) Apply new aminophenolate complexes to catalytic reduction reactions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2026

Reconstruction of 6D Phase Space

A ‘Phase Space’ is a mathematical representation of all possible physical states of matter of a physical volume or system. Particle beams at Fermilab exist in a six-dimensional phase space: three position dimensions, and three momentum dimensions. To ‘reconstruct’ that space means to take measurement data from virtual detectors along those beams and map out where particles are and how they’re moving, using computational methods. In this experiment, we simulated a particle beam (Fig 1) and used the position distribution of each particle at each detector to map out the magnitude of the beam’s initial momentum.

Shirlee, Jermaine [DuPage Coll.]↗
DOE OSTI2024

Predictive Phenomics Initiative Project Dataset Catalog Collection

The Predictive Phenomics Science & Technology Initiative (PPI) at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are tackling the grand challenge of understanding and predicting phenotype by identifying the molecular basis of function and enable function-driven design and control of biological systems. Research projects within this initiative are divided into three Thrust Areas (TAs): TA1) Enhancing Multi-Scale Phenomics Measurements, TA2) Identifying Molecular Patterns of Biological Function, and TA3) Computational Methods - Phenotypic Signatures. In efforts to enable discovery, reproducibility, and reuse of PPI-funded digital research data generated or used through the course of the proposed research-funded lifecycles, all corresponding digital data assets conducted under the Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program at PNNL are linked to this PPI dataset catalog collection.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗