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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 523 records · Page 29
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2012

Development of Novel Front Contract Pastes for Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells

In order to improve the efficiencies of silicon solar cells, paste to silicon contact formation mechanisms must be more thoroughly understood as a function of paste chemistry, wafer properties and firing conditions. Ferro Corporation has been involved in paste development for over 30 years and has extensive expertise in glass and paste formulations. This project has focused on the characterization of the interface between the top contact material (silver paste) and the underlying silicon wafer. It is believed that the interface between the front contact silver and the silicon wafer plays a dominant role in the electrical performance of the solar cell. Development of an improved front contact microstructure depends on the paste chemistry, paste interaction with the SiNx, and silicon (“Si”) substrate, silicon sheet resistivity, and the firing profile. Typical front contact ink contains silver metal powders and flakes, glass powder and other inorganic additives suspended in an organic medium of resin and solvent. During fast firing cycles glass melts, wets, corrodes the SiNx layer, and then interacts with underlying Si. Glass chemistry is also a critical factor in the development of an optimum front contact microstructure. Over the course of this project, several fundamental characteristics of the Ag/Si interface were documented, including a higher-than-expected distribution of voids along the interface, which could significantly impact electrical conductivity. Several techniques were also investigated for the interfacial analysis, including STEM, EDS, FIB, EBSD, and ellipsometry.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2012

Final Report for DOE contract DE-FG02-98ER62609

Several publications document, analyze, and map the paleoclimatic data available for the last glacial maximum (LGM) 21,000 years ago. Data coverage is fairly extensive for North America, Eurasia, and Africa. The data show much lower temperatures for that time in earth history. These data were used to check climate model simulations for the LGM. Simulations forced by the CLIMAP SST for the LGM, where the west/east SST gradient across the Pacific is reduced compared to present, produce a reduction in the strength of the trade winds and a decrease in the west/east slope of the equatorial thermocline that is incompatible with thermocline depths newly inferred from foraminiferal assemblages. Stronger than-present trade winds, and a more realistic simulation of the thermocline slope, are produced when eastern Pacific SSTs are 2°C cooler than western Pacific SSTs. Sensitivity experiments for the model simulations of the LGM were also used to show which aspects of the climate boundary conditions produced various changes in model simulations for the LGM. An experiment which has the LGM ice sheets for the Northern Hemisphere but no Eurasian ice sheet shows that the downstream cooling in Asia is largely dependent on sea-ice growth in the North Atlantic, which is a product of the Laurentide ice sheet. Weaker Asian monsoons develop as a result of this downstream cooling, which is largest for low Laurentide ice sheets of large areal extent.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2010

Report on Project performance under the CRADA No PNNL/254, PLA 1, between BATTELLE as operator of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory under its U.S. Department of Energy Contract No. DE-AC05-76RL0 1830 and Isonics Corporation, Chairman and CEO: Christopher M. Toffales

Unattended decontamination of bio agents in enclosed environments. The goal of the project is the development of unattended method for environmentally safe, highly effective volumetric decontamination that kills on a contact multiple bio-agents including airborne and surface-adsorbed pathogens of different nature in enclosed environments with complex geometry like various buildings and transportation units as aircraft and ships The method employs two elements, proprietary Vortical Aerosol Generator (VAG) and Electrochemically Activated Solutions (EAS). The prototype of the method was developed under CRADA No PNNL/254, and was shown highly effective for irreversible decontamination of vegetative microbial cells, spores and viruses in a test chamber of ~100 ft 3 and in a room of ~3000 ft 3 . The electrochemical activation technology is based on the production of meta-stable (activated) solutions with anomalous physicochemical and catalytic reactivity for their further use in various technological processes in place of traditionally applied aggressive chemicals. Usual source for electrochemical activation processes is sodium chloride aqueous solution with the concentration of 1.0 g/L. EAS bactericidal effectiveness was previously demonstrated for different applications however, in all previous applications EAS was only used as a liquid agent. Present Method suggests an application of EAS as micro-aerosol (particle size in the range of 0.5-10 mµ), which behaves like a gas and eventually fills entire enclosed environment including hardly, not otherwise accessible sites. The term micro-aerosol of EAS (MAEAS) herein refers to an air-suspended EAS having micro-particle droplets of characteristic cross section and/or size comprising electrochemically-active agents with sufficiently large surface areas whereby the probability of a contact with bio agents in a process area is extremely high. EAS is produced with a commercially available STEL device (FEM-3 flow electrochemical module element; US Pat 5,635,040). Pneumatic Vortical Aerosol Generator (VAG) produces MAEAS. VAG is an original high output atomizer allowing for the production of the aerosol particles with the size in the range of 0.5 to 12 µm at the rate from 5 to 300 ml/min correspondingly, allowing a control of a required particle size. MAEAS has significant advantages over EAS, allowing for simultaneous decontamination of airborne and surface-adsorbed bio agents with minimal volume of atomized EAS and with essentially no waste. Experimental data indicate that MAEAS has very low corrosiveness, possess no negative effect to sensitive equipment and does not destroy the surface of different tested materials. Limited toxicity tests were conducted with mice directly exposed to EAS aerosol; no acute and short-term toxicity was identified.

bioagents↗
DOE OSTI2013

Heritable Genetic Changes in Cells Recovered from Irradiated 3D Tissue Contracts (Final report)

Combining contemporary cytogenetic methods with DNA CGH microarray technology and chromosome flow-sorting increases substantially the ability to resolve exchange breakpoints associated with interstitial deletions and translocations, allowing the consequences of radiation damage to be directly measured at low doses, while also providing valuable insights into molecular mechanisms of misrepair processes that, in turn, identify appropriate biophysical models of risk at low doses. The aims of this work apply to cells recovered from 3D tissue constructs of human skin and, for the purpose of comparison, the same cells irradiated in traditional 2D cultures. These aims are: to analyze by multi-flour fluorescence in situ hybridization (mFISH) the chromosomes in clonal descendents of individual human fibroblasts that were previously irradiated; to examine irradiated clones from Aim 1 for submicroscopic deletions by subjecting their DNA to comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) microarray analysis; and to flow-sort aberrant chromosomes from clones containing stable radiation-induced translocations and map the breakpoints to within an average resolution of 100 kb using the technique of 'array painting'.

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTAN↗
DOE OSTI2013

LIFE Reactor Study: Fiscal Year 2013 Contract Report

Sensitivity study of LIFE Chamber dynamics with BUCKY radiation hydrodynamics simulation code: We will continue to model the interaction of ICF target ion and x-ray output with the LIFE reactor cavity and first wall using the BUCKY 1-D radiation hydrodynamics code. We specifically will address the approach to a cyclic steady state condition, blast conditions for the final optics, and the first wall temperature. We will interface BUCKY output with LLNL and UIUC codes for long time analysis of chamber conditions. We will perform sensitivity studies of the chamber as directed by LLNL through varying parameters such as the xenon opacities. Task 1 was accomplished. “Hand off” parameters produced by BUCKY were sent to UIUC for use as the source term in VTF 3-D simulations of the LIFE chamber. A number of parameter sweeps were done with the BUCKY code to see the influence on engineering quantities such as first surface maximum temperature and overpressure.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2014

Final Report for contract DE-SC0010151, "A Cost-Effective Oxygen Separation System Based on Open Gradient Magnetic Field by Polymer Beads"

At present much of the oxygen enrichment market is based primarily on cryogenic systems, ion transport membranes made of ceramics, or polymer membranes technologies. All these methods have some positive and some negative attributes, but remain too expensive for the cost effective production of pure oxygen needed for clean renewable energy conversion projects. In a very successful Phase I period, the ITN-TAMU team accomplished the completion of most of the sub-tasks on oxygen separation based on our proposed magnetic field gradients. Theoretical and computer simulation data under different conditions of flow rates, magnetic flux, magnetic beads packing density, pressure and temperature have resulted very valuable observations. Chitosan based polymer magnetic beads showed the best results for uniformity and column packing. Due to limited magnetic force of 1 Tesla, we were restricted to use only single small column of magnetic beads and limited air pressure with controlled flow rate. We also fabricated smaller sized beads column with metal and clear plastic frames to be used for more concentrated packed capacity. Beads made with rare earth Neodymium were not uniform and were quite brittle. Different surfactants have minimized the effect of the de-aggregation of polymer magnetic beads. This Phase I development work also included overcoming key packaging hurdles such as high packing capacity of magnetic polymer beads and formation of consistent batch of magnetic beads. Market and commercialization studies were also initiated to show that there is a growing market for the proposed cost-effective oxygen separation system for energy conversion projects.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2014

FINAL SCIENTIFIC REPORT Southwest United States of America – Distributed Technology Training Consortia (SWUSA-DTTC) Contract Number: DE-EE0006339

The Southwest United States of America – Distributed Technology Training Consortia (SWUSA-DTTC) leveraged the highest concentration of renewable resources in the U.S. as well as operation of the leading independent microgrid installations and other distributed technologies to collect and analyze real-time data streams, advance power system simulations and analysis, identify educational and training gaps and develop solutions-focused curricula. The SWUSA-DTTC consortium posed a unique collaboration between universities and utilities to ensure that classes were focused on subjects and topics of interest to the utilities and ones that had practical benefit related to the preparedness for accommodating high penetration of solar and other distributed energy technologies. This approach to have a close collaboration and shared effort to develop the course content and curriculum is unique and a significant departure from conventional course development. This coursework and training was intended to endure over a long time horizon (10-20 year time frame), and include professionals over the entire Southwest region and the rest of the US, and even outreach into foreign countries. Project Objectives In order to support the increase in power systems research, development, and analytical capacity, the SWUSA-DTTC brought together respected professors in Power Systems education, student/professor research and development, and valuable industry and utility experience. Through this program, the partnered universities created and/or modified existing curricula available to students and professionals in the form of university courses, short courses, videos, consortia-led training, and online materials. During this time, the supporting vendors and utilities provided the SWUSA-DTTC with technical advisory roles as well as providing input and feedback in terms of utility and related energy industry needs. The goals were to create power and energy systems training, curricula, and workforce preparedness through the inclusion of data collection and analysis, power systems expertise, and application-specific training activities which build on fundamental principles, modeling and simulation tools, field-immersed training and methods of performance validation. The outcome of the program was to result in better prepared and greater number of graduates ready to contribute to the field of power systems which depend upon the safe, reliable and efficient generation sources which make up an increasingly diverse mix of renewable power. Additionally, the program was to deliver critical training modules which are intended to support mid-career professionals and be woven into utility training programs used all over the country. Discontinuation Summary On September 29, 2014, Electricore received notice of discontinuation of federal funding under subject Award DE-EE0006339. DOE’s notice of discontinuation was the first indication provided to Electricore that the work completed against Task 1 - Program Planning and Evaluation during Budget Period 1 was inadequate. Significantly, the discontinuation was based in large part on the erroneous assertion that many of the tasks were incomplete as indicated in the Continuation Application. However, the Continuation Application was submitted July 29, 2014, while the period of performance for this last quarter in Budget Period 1 did not end until September 30, 2014. Accordingly, the performance for this last quarter in Budget Period 1 will be reported in the upcoming Quarterly Report which is not due until October 30, 2014. Nevertheless, in response to DOE’s letter and in further support of Electricore’s Continuation Application, we are providing a detailed status demonstrating adherence to all program requirements for each Task 1, Budget Period 1 SOPO activity and milestones in response to the DOE review.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Final Technical Report for Contract No. DE-EE0006332, "Integrated Simulation Development and Decision Support Tool-Set for Utility Market and Distributed Solar Power Generation"

This project will enable utilities to develop long-term strategic plans that integrate high levels of renewable energy generation, and to better plan power system operations under high renewable penetration. The program developed forecast data streams for decision support and effective integration of centralized and distributed solar power generation in utility operations. This toolset focused on real time simulation of distributed power generation within utility grids with the emphasis on potential applications in day ahead (market) and real time (reliability) utility operations. The project team developed and demonstrated methodologies for quantifying the impact of distributed solar generation on core utility operations, identified protocols for internal data communication requirements, and worked with utility personnel to adapt the new distributed generation (DG) forecasts seamlessly within existing Load and Generation procedures through a sophisticated DMS. This project supported the objectives of the SunShot Initiative and SUNRISE by enabling core utility operations to enhance their simulation capability to analyze and prepare for the impacts of high penetrations of solar on the power grid. The impact of high penetration solar PV on utility operations is not only limited to control centers, but across many core operations. Benefits of an enhanced DMS using state-of-the-art solar forecast data were demonstrated within this project and have had an immediate direct operational cost savings for Energy Marketing for Day Ahead generation commitments, Real Time Operations, Load Forecasting (at an aggregate system level for Day Ahead), Demand Response, Long term Planning (asset management), Distribution Operations, and core ancillary services as required for balancing and reliability. This provided power system operators with the necessary tools and processes to operate the grid in a reliable manner under high renewable penetration.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2018

STEVENSON-WYDLER (15 USC 3710) COOPERATIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT No. JSA 2009S007 BETWEEN Jefferson ScienceAssociates, LLC under its U.S.Department of Energy Contract No. DE-AC05-060R23 177 AND Black Laboratories, L.L.C.

The Cooperative Research and Development agreement, No. JSA 2009S00 resulted in collaborations and conference participations on research topics related to high purity (RRR) niobium applications for superconducting radio frequency cavities used by Jefferson Lab. Documented results were shown in Reports and Publications listed below. Reports were issued to The Commonwealth of Virginia, Center for Innovative Technology; to ATI Wah-Chang and several publications were produced with DESY in Hamburg, Germany, with Jefferson Lab and with Christopher Newport University.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2019

Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Investment Grade Audit for Service Performance Contracting: First Steps Toward Developing Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency on Tribal Lands

The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (Band) performed an investment grade audit (IGA) to identify energy conservation measures to increase energy efficiency in 22 of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe’s worst performing government buildings. With this IGA the Band identified energy control measures to reduce our energy use by 2,728,278 kW/year. The funding also provided for the drafting and printing of the Band’s Sustainability Energy Portfolio.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Accomplishments of Sandia and Kitware CMake/CTest/CDash Contract for (FY2017-2020)

We describe the accomplishments jointly achieved by Kitware and Sandia over the fiscal years 2016 through 2020 to benefit the Advanced Scientific Computed (ASC) Advanced Technology Development and Mitigation (ATDM) project. As a result of our collaboration, we have improved the Trilinos and ATDM application developer experience by decreasing the time to build, making it easier to identify and resolve build and test defects, and addressing other issues . We have also reduced the turnaround time for continuous integration (CI) results. For example, the combined improvements likely cut the wall clock time to run automated builds of Trilinos posting to CDash by approximately 6x or more in many cases. We primarily achieved these benefits by contributing changes to the Kitware CMake/CTest/CDash suite of open source software development support tools. As a result, ASC developers can now spend more time improving code and less time chasing bugs. And, without this work, one can argue that the stabilization of Trilinos for the ATDM platforms would not have been feasible which would have had a large negative impact on an important internal FY20 L1 milestone.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2015

Stockham Waste Management Contract SOW

Sandia National Laboratories, New Mexico (SNL/NM) is a multi-program Research and Development Facility, owned by the Department of Energy (DOE) and operated by Sandia Corporation, a Lockheed Martin Company (LMC). Sandia waste management operations include radioactive and mixed waste and hazardous waste (including classified and explosive). Waste management activities include managing and characterizing the waste, completing waste disposal requests, and providing guidance on sorting, packaging, & storing wastes, preparing all necessary disposal request documents, and/or recycling, maintaining accurate records, help the line organizations in assuring the compliance of all waste management activities, and preparing compliance-related documentation. Additional contaminants may include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), asbestos, and beryllium. Some radioactive and hazardous waste may also be managed as classified waste.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2022

8 Ft Vessel Refinishing Contract Introduction [Slides]

LANL utilizes spherical vessels for numerous basic science, materials, and system performance experiments. The 8 ft vessel was fabricated in the early 2000s to ASME B&PVC Section VIII Division 1 using HSLA-100 material. This vessel was not used operationally due to programmatic change in direction. Years of improper maintenance and storage has resulted in deterioration of sealing surfaces and bolt hole threads. New mission needs call for expanded capabilities in terms of vessel sizes, therefore refinishing the 8ft vessel is crucial.

42 ENGINEERING↗