Data-Driven Parsimonious Models for Virtual Diagnostics and Control
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Accelerator Design, Technology, and Operations↗
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Adaptively Switching Gradient Descent for Reliable PINN Training with Guarantees
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Accelerator Design, Technology, and Operations↗
Preliminary Look at the LBEG & MPEG Beam Transmissions between HPSim and Operation Data
This report summarizes recent work on estimating the transmission of LANSCE H- beams from the end of the present DTL to both the PSR stripper foil (LBEG) and WNR target 4 (MPEG). The LBEG beam might be considered a more typical LINAC beam and lends itself to continuous monitoring of transmission through the various stages of the accelerator. For the MPEG, however, the widely-spaced micropulses and lack of the requisite sensitivity current monitors throughout the accelerator make these measurements extremely difficult and more uncertain. Therefore, to assist in estimating the MPEG beam transmission, beam-dynamics simulations using HPSim were employed. These beam transmission estimates from the end of the Drift Tube Linac (DTL) to Target 4 (MPEG) and the PSR stripper foil (LBEG) are vital to determine the charge requirements for LAMP’s front end. In this technote, we demonstrate three major efforts in determining the transmission: (1) Convert the WNR beamline lattice from TRANSPORT to HPSim for use in the simulation; (2) Simulate the optimization process in the Central Control Room (CCR) that brings down the losses by up to a factor of 4000 between the end of the initial physics-based tuneup phase and production beam operation; (3) Analyze operational data to deduce measured transmissions. Table 1 shows the estimated losses with HPSim and operational analysis. Finally, a better measurement and other improvements to refine the results are also proposed.
43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
Post-DTL Beam Delivery
Ensuring that the beam delivered from the upgraded Front-End (FE) meets the Key Performance Parameters (KPPs) at each user facility is critical to the success of the LANSCE Accelerator Modernization Project (LAMP). For a high-intensity, multi-user facility like LANSCE, compliance with beam loss and radiation thresholds is as important as the charge delivered to each target. While early LAMPF/LANSCE operations relied on iterative tuning to minimize losses from beam halo and tail particles, the new FE may introduce different beam distributions and loss modes—making predictive modeling essential. To manage this, the F2E (Front-End to End) effort is developing detailed particle-tracking models that reflect realistic beamline conditions, including halo formation and expected diagnostic readings. These "snapshot" simulations aim to benchmark live machine performance at a given moment. This will help quantify how beam quality from the new FE will propagate downstream through the facility. Only by validating these models can we confidently assess and mitigate the potential impacts of the LAMP FE on beam delivery. Post-DTL, the beam splits to serve five major user facilities. Historically, low-energy beam transport has been modeled using TRACE, and higher-energy sections with TRANSPORT. These have now been unified into MAD-X format and validated with codes such as Elegant, pyOrbit, XSuite, Impact-Z, and HPSim. The primary focus now is on accurate modeling of full particle distributions (including beam halo) as they traverse the accelerator and beamlines to each experimental station. All models are at various stages of validation with empirical data.
43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
Microtron Data Log
The Microtron at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a versatile electron accelerator originally designed for medical therapy. Since 2001, it has been used for non-destructive radiographic imaging and research and development applications. Operating at four different energy levels—6, 10, 15, and 20 MeV—the Microtron produces dose rates of approximately 780, 1800, 2700, and 2800 R/min at a distance of one meter from the source, respectively. This high-energy X-ray source enables detailed internal examination of dense and thick objects without causing damage, making it invaluable for various scientific and industrial applications. For instance, LANL’s Microtron has been utilized to study the performance of large-panel cerium-doped lutetium yttrium silicon oxide (LYSO) scintillators, which are essential components in advanced imaging systems.
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
Unveiling the Hidden Evolution of Crystal Defects and Disorder in Energy Materials
Control of point defects and disorder in functional thin films and 2D materials is critical to realizing their full potential in applications ranging from energy storage to advanced electronics. However, these phenomena are often poorly understood, difficult to characterize, and challenging to direct with precision. This presentation explores emerging multi-modal computer vision to decipher and predict order in materials across multiple length scales in the electron microscope, from the atomic to the nanoscale. By fusing data from diverse sources, these powerful models provide unprecedented insights into materials' lifecycles, enabling the control of defects and their associated properties at a fundamental level. This capability promises to transform materials design and accelerate the development of next-generation technologies.
97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
TCF Base Commercialization Enabling Final Report: Lab Making Advanced Technology Commercialization Harmonized (MATCH) Prize
The Lab MATCH prize, funded by the Office of Technology Commercialization through the Technology Commercialization Fund, was designed to accelerate the commercialization of national laboratory intellectual property (IP) by incentivizing for-profit companies and startups to license lab IP aiming to enable more affordable, available, reliable and secure energy solutions. The Lab MATCH prize program offers both technical and commercial benefits, aligning with the Department of Energy's (DOE) mission to advance energy solutions through innovation, commercialization, and market-ready deployment. In summary, the Lab MATCH Prize promotes DOE's objectives by marrying technical innovation with commercialization expertise, resulting in scalable, market-ready solutions that strengthen the U.S. economy, advance energy technologies, and reaffirm U.S. leadership in energy innovation.
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
Next Generation Feedstocks for the Emerging Bioeconomy
The Next Generation Feedstocks for the Emerging Bioeconomy project, led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, was designed to accelerate the development of sustainable, cost-competitive biomass feedstocks that can be grown on marginal lands, which are not suitable for row crop production. By focusing on advanced bioenergy-type switchgrass cultivars and related perennial grasses, the project directly supported the U.S. “Billion-Ton Vision,” which aims to expand biomass production to displace fossil fuels while providing environmental and economic benefits. The project improved understanding of perennial bioenergy crop performance at a large scale in marginal environments.
09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
Advances in genetic tools for metabolic engineering of non-conventional yeasts
Non-conventional yeasts are emerging as powerful alternatives to Saccharomyces cerevisiae for metabolic engineering, owing to their innate stress tolerance, broad substrate utilization, and distinctive metabolic capabilities. These attributes position them as promising chassis for producing biofuels, pharmaceuticals, and specialty chemicals. This review synthesizes recent advances in genetic toolkits for four such species—Pichia kudriavzevii (Issatchenkia orientalis), Starmerella bombicola, Debaryomyces hansenii, and Pachysolen tannophilus—highlighting progress across plasmid architectures (episomal and integrative), identification of autonomously replicating sequences and centromeric elements, and the development of safe-harbor genomic loci. We summarize promoter and terminator libraries enabling tunable expression, the expansion of auxotrophic and antifungal selection markers with recycling strategies, and the rapid adaptation of CRISPR-based systems (Cas9 and Cas12a) with optimized guide RNA expression, multiplex editing, and approaches that enhance homologous recombination (e.g., KU70/80 disruption). We also review landing-pad platforms for modular, repeated integrations and transposon-based tools (e.g., piggyBac) that facilitate multigene pathway assembly. Collectively, these innovations are accelerating design-build-test-learn cycles and enabling precise, scalable engineering of non-conventional yeasts. Remaining challenges—including limited species-specific episomal systems, variable transformation efficiencies, genome-stability concerns, and alternative codon usage—define clear priorities for future toolkit development. Together, these advances and open needs chart a path toward robust, sustainable biomanufacturing using diverse non-conventional yeast chassis.
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
Supporting hierarchical soil biogeochemical modeling: version 2 of the Biogeochemical Transport and Reaction model (BeTR-v2)
Abstract. Reliable soil biogeochemical modeling is a prerequisite for credible projections of climate change and associated ecosystem feedbacks. This recognition has called for frameworks that can support flexible and efficient development and application of new or alternative soil biogeochemical modules in Earth system models (ESMs). The the Biogeochemical Transport and Reaction model version 1 (BeTR-v1) code (i.e., CLM4-BeTR) is one such framework designed to accelerate the development and integration of new soil biogeochemistry formulations into ESMs and to analyze structural uncertainty in ESM simulations. With a generic reactive transport capability, BeTR-v1 can represent multiphase (e.g., gaseous, aqueous, and solid), multi-tracer (e.g., nitrate and organic carbon), and multi-organism (e.g., plants, bacteria, and fungi) dynamics. Here, we describe the new version, Biogeochemical Transport and Reaction model version 2 (BeTR-v2), which adopts more robust numerical solvers for multiphase diffusion and advection and coupling between biogeochemical reactions and improves code modularization over BeTR-v1. BeTR-v2 better supports different mathematical formulations in a hierarchical manner by allowing the resultant model be run for a single topsoil layer or a vertically resolved soil column, and it allows the model to be fully coupled with the land component of the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM). We demonstrate the capability of BeTR-v2 with benchmark cases and example soil biogeochemical (BGC) implementations. By taking advantage of BeTR-v2's generic structure integrated in E3SM, we then found that calibration could not resolve biases introduced by different numerical coupling strategies of plant–soil biogeochemistry. These results highlight the importance of numerically robust implementation of soil biogeochemistry and coupling with hydrology, thermal dynamics, and plants – capabilities that the open-source BeTR-v2 provides. We contend that Earth system models should strive to minimize this uncertainty by applying better numerical solvers.
58 GEOSCIENCES↗
Cryogenic applications for environment simulation.
Some of the applications of cryogenics for simulating space environmental conditions are reviewed, and typical existing space simulation facilities are described. The techniques of adapting cryogenics to environmental simulation are discussed. Special attention is given to cryosorption pumps designed to accelerate cryogenic cooling of the adsorbent material.
Hardgrove, W. F.↗
Theoretical study of self-balancing missiles
A theoretical study based on linear theory is presented for two types of 'self-balancing' missiles, designed to accelerate vertically or laterally without pitching or yawing. One type of missile had a variable-incidence wing and the other type had wing flaps to provide acceleration. The main objective of this investigation is to compare the maximum available acceleration for these self-balancing missiles with that of conventional pitching-type missiles. Ten different configurations were considered. The results indicate that self-balancing missiles with either variable wing incidence or wing flaps are feasible, but that the maximum available acceleration for these missiles is less than for a conventional pitching-type missile having the same wing and tail surfaces.
Hopkins, E. J.↗
Solar/hydrogen systems assessment. Volume 1: Solar/hydrogen systems for the 1985 - 2000 time frame
Opportunities for commercialization of systems capable of producing hydrogen from solar energy were studied. The hydrogen product costs that might be achieved by the four selected candidate systems was compared with the pricing structure and practices of the commodity gas market. Subsequently, product cost and market price match was noted to exist in the small user sector of the hydrogen marketplace. Barriers to and historical time lags in, commercialization of new technologies are reviewed. Recommendations for development and demonstration programs designed to accelerate the commercialization of the candidate systems are presented.
Foster, R. W.↗
Central station market development strategies for photovoltaics
Federal market development strategies designed to accelerate the market penetration of central station applications of photovoltaic energy system are analyzed. Since no specific goals were set for the commercialization of central station applications, strategic principles are explored which, when coupled with specific objectives for central stations, can produce a market development implementation plan. The study includes (1) background information on the National Photovoltaic Program, photovoltaic technology, and central stations; (2) a brief market assessment; (3) a discussion of the viewpoints of the electric utility industry with respect to solar energy; (4) a discussion of commercialization issues; and (5) strategy principles. It is recommended that a set of specific goals and objectives be defined for the photovoltaic central station program, and that these goals and objectives evolve into an implementation plan that identifies the appropriate federal role.
Source record↗
Applications of a new mass-driver concept
A description of the operating principles and requirements of a novel mass-driver concept is presented. The design obtains acceleration of payload bucket coils by means of transverse focussing from strong, off-axis restoring forces that are produced by drive coils operating in a 'pull-only' mode. The concept offers the unprecedented possibility of operating high-performance mass-drivers entirely within the limitations of existing commercial switching devices, such as silicon-controlled rectifiers, spark gaps, vacuum-triggered arcs or vacuum mechanical switches. Representative applications of the concept described are: (1) a large-diameter magnetic lunar launcher for payloads having autonomous maneuvering; (2) an intermediate-diameter launcher with long operational life; and (3) a reaction engine for orbit transfer of large, massive objects.
Oneill, G. K.↗
A solution procedure for three-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes equation and its application
An implicit, finite-difference procedure is presented for numerically solving viscous incompressible flows. For convenience of applying the present method to three-dimensional problems, primitive variables, namely the pressure and velocities, are used. One of the major difficulties in solving incompressible flows that use primitive variables is caused by the pressure field solution method which is used as a mapping procedure to obtain a divergence-free velocity field. The present method is designed to accelerate the pressure-field solution procedure. This is achieved by the method of pseudocompressibility in which the time derivative pressure term is introduced into the mass conservation equation. The pressure wave propagation and the spreading of the viscous effect is investigated using simple test problems. The present study clarifies physical and numerical characteristics of the pseudo-compressible approach in simulating incompressible flows. Computed results for external and internal flows are presented to verify the present procedure. The present algorithm has been shown to be very robust and accurate if the selection of the pseudo-compressibility parameter has been made according to the guidelines given.
Kwak, D.↗
Ion beamlet steering for two-grid electrostatic thrusters
An experimental study of ion beamlet steering in which the direction of beamlets emitted from a two grid aperture system is controlled by relative translation of the grids, is described. The results can be used to design electrostatic accelerating devices for which the direction and focus of emerging beamlets are important. Deflection and divergence angle data are presented for two grid systems as a function of the relative lateral displacement of the holes in these grids. At large displacements, accelerator grid impingements become excessive and this determines the maximum allowable displacement and as a result the useful range of beamlet deflection. Beamlet deflection is shown to vary linearly with grid offset angle over this range. The divergence of the beamlets is found to be unaffected by deflection over the useful range of beamlet deflection. The grids of a typical dished grid ion thruster are examined to determine the effects of thermally induced grid distortion and prescribed offsets of grid hole centerlines on the characteristics of the emerging beamlets. The results are used to determine the region on the grid surface where ion beamlet deflections exceed the useful range. Over this region high accelerator grid impingement currents and rapid grid erosion are predicted.
Homa, J. M.↗
The design and performance estimates for the propulsion module for the booster of a TSTO vehicle
A NASA study of propulsion systems for possible low-risk replacements for the Space Shuttle is presented. Results of preliminary studies to define the USAF two-stage-to-orbit (TSTO) concept to deliver 10,000 pounds to low polar orbit are described. The booster engine module consists of an over/under turbine bypass engines/ramjet engine design for acceleration from takeoff to the staging point of Mach 6.5 and approximately 100,000 feet altitude. Propulsion system performance and weight are presented with preliminary mission study results of vehicle size.
Snyder, Christopher A.↗