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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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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Scaling methodologies and similarity analysis for thermal hydraulics test facility development for water-cooled small modular reactor

Small modular reactors (SMRs) represent a promising option for providing clean and sustainable energy due to their potential for enhanced safety, reduced capital costs, and increased siting flexibility. However, new reactor systems require the development and operation of representative scaled-down test facilities to support the verification and validation of system computer codes and models. Here this study reviews the research on scaling methodologies and similarity principles pivotal in developing non-nuclear integral effects test and separate effects test facilities for water-cooled SMRs. The study focuses on a review of the scaling methods, similarity approaches, and possible challenges posed by the unique and compact design features of integral-pressurized water reactor-type SMRs, and their representative test facilities. This study also reviews previous research related to scaling and similarity methodologies and provides insights into design considerations for achieving prototypic conditions in test facilities. The findings and recommendations emphasize the broader impact of appropriate scaling and similarity principles to ensure meaningful and transferable results from non-nuclear test facilities to accelerate the safe and efficient deployment of next-generation water-cooled SMRs.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Integrated Neutronics Modeling for Inertial Fusion Energy Systems: Development and Application to LD-FIRST

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is proposing a new Laser Driven Fusion Integration Research and Science Test Facility (LD-FIRST) with the goal of providing an experimental testbed for future Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) systems. However, IFE systems require detailed and accurate multiphysics modeling to quantify material damage, thermal loading, and tritium breeding within complex chamber environments. This article presents the first step in an integrated multiphysics framework that couples meshed CAD-based geometry within Monte Carlo neutronic simulations to enable high-fidelity analysis of IFE chamber concepts, with future coupling to external codes. The neutronics workflow utilizes OpenMC and its third-party capability to use CAD-based geometries through DAGMC and tally on unstructured meshes with Libmesh to evaluate neutron transport behavior, geometric fidelity, and material performance under reactor-relevant conditions. The use of tailored tallies on unstructured meshes in this framework allows direct transfer without interpolating to CFD simulation tools. Two IFE chambers were evaluated, both conceived by LLNL: HYLIFE-II and Laser IFE (LIFE). This work produced high-fidelity conformal surface and volumetric meshes of the HYLIFE-II and LIFE chambers with mapped spatial insight into material damage, thermal loading, and tritium breeding. The HYLIFE-II model was built utilizing available resources and used as a test case to verify that the neutronics framework can handle complex geometries. The LIFE chamber CAD was provided by LLNL and was the main focus of this work. This work analyzes multiple ternary alloy breeding materials for the LIFE chamber, across different 6 Li enrichments to produce data relevant to the LD-FIRST project. This work also investigates the level of model fidelity for the LIFE chamber, and results show that inclusion of detailed first wall and coolant structures increased the predicted tritium breeding ratio (TBR) by ~30%, highlighting the sensitivity of tritium breeding and the need for a high-fidelity simulation framework for IFE chambers. These developments provide a scalable toolset for the design and optimization of next-generation IFE chambers, forming a solid foundation for future coupled multiphysics analysis.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

Transformative Efficiency and Automation in Modular Homes (TEAMH)

This report documents the Transformative Efficiency and Automation in Modular Homes (TEAMH) project, which evaluates the integration of advanced building envelope technologies and automation-assisted modular construction to improve residential energy performance and construction efficiency. The study investigates high-performance insulation systems, including vacuum insulation panels (VIPs), combined with light gauge steel (LGS) modular construction and factory automation. Laboratory testing, whole-building energy modeling across multiple climate zones, and factory demonstrations were conducted to assess thermal performance, energy savings, and production efficiency. Results indicate that upgraded envelope assemblies can achieve up to ~50% heating and ~34% cooling energy savings relative to IECC 2018 code-compliant homes, while automation-assisted construction can reduce wall assembly time by 24%–46% compared to conventional wood framing. The findings demonstrate the potential for scalable, high-performance modular homes that deliver significant energy savings with competitive projected costs.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2023

Strategic Petroleum Reserve Cavern Leaching Monitoring CY22

The U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) is a crude oil storage system administered by the U.S. Department of Energy. SPR injected a total of over 230 MMB of raw water into 48 caverns as part of oil sales in CY22. Leaching effects were monitored in these caverns to understand how the sales operations may impact the long-term integrity of the caverns. The leaching effects were modeled here using the Sandia Solution Mining Code, SANSMIC. The modeling results indicate that leaching-induced features do not raise concern for the majority of the caverns. In addition to 12 caverns identified in previous leaching reports, seven caverns have been identified for further monitoring based on the results of this report. Twenty-two caverns had pre- and post-leach sonars that were compared with SANSMIC results. Overall, SANSMIC was able to capture the leaching well.

02 PETROLEUM↗
DOE OSTI2026

Summary of GFL Inverter Capability and Performance: Malawi [Slides]

This presentation provides a comprehensive comparison of inverter-based resource (IBR) technical requirements across multiple international grid codes - including IEEE 2800, ESO, EirGrid, and Malawi's evolving regulatory framework - to support capacity building for electricity-sector institutions in Malawi. It highlights key performance expectations for grid-following (GFL) inverters across critical domains such as primary and fast frequency response, ramping behavior, frequency and voltage ride-through capabilities, reactive power and voltage control, ROCOF withstand, phase jump tolerance, system strength considerations, protection schemes, and dynamic modeling requirements. Emphasizing a "Do no harm, do something, do more" philosophy, the document synthesizes best practices and operational benchmarks to guide the integration and stability of inverter-based resources within Malawi's power system. The presentation forms part of the SABESS Center of Excellence initiative supported by the Global Energy Alliance for People and the Planet.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2024

Creating Continuous Integration Infrastructure for Software Development on U.S. Department of Energy High-Performance Computing Systems

The Exascale Computing Project (ECP) software deployment effort developed and advanced DevOps capabilities. One goal was to enable robust continuous integration (CI) workflows that span the protected high performance computing (HPC) environments found within many of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) national laboratories. This article highlights several challenges encountered with enabling automation, such as charging models for CI jobs, and meeting individualized security requirements that revolve around strongly associating running code with a human identity. Here, it also describes how the Jacamar CI tool evolved to meet latter requirements and became a key aspect of the solutions currently offered. Derived from this experience, we offer a conceptual framework for understanding current and future CI challenges at DOE facilities and offer suggestions for long-term solutions.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
NASA NTRS2023

Universal Two-Phase Convection Heat Transfer Correlations for Cryogenic Pipe Chilldown

This paper presents a set of universal two-phase convection heat transfer correlations for modeling boiling heat transfer during pipe chilldown fit over the widest available range of cryogenic fluids and thermodynamic conditions. The correlations improve upon prior correlations that were developed separately for liquid nitrogen (LN2) and liquid hydrogen (LH2) pipe quenching datasets. The new correlations include equations to calculate the single-phase vapor heat transfer, film boiling heat transfer, transition boiling heat transfer, nucleate boiling heat transfer, single-phase liquid heat transfer, bulk vapor temperature during high quality film boiling, Leidenfrost temperature, critical heat flux, critical heat flux temperature, and the onset of nucleate boiling temperature. The correlations were validated against LH2, LN2, liquid methane, liquid oxygen, and liquid argon pipe quenching datasets. The eight datasets cover the following parameter ranges: pipe lengths of 0.1 to 6.5m; outer pipe diameters of 12.7 to 25.4 mm; pipe wall thicknesses from 0.51 to 1.64 mm; flow directions of upward, downward, and horizontal; gravity levels of 1g and 0g±0.01g. A numerical model assumes homogeneous mixing between the vapor and liquid and implicitly integrates the coupled energy equations for the pipe and fluid, as well as continuity for the fluid. The model was used to estimate the equilibrium quality and fluid mass accumulation along the pipes during chilldown from estimates of the fluid-pipe heat transfer extracted from temperature measurements. The correlations can be implemented in lumped parameter codes such as SINDA/FLUINT and the Generalized Fluid System Simulation Program (GFSSP) to improve the accuracy of chilldown time and chilldown boiloff mass predictions. Such predictions are useful for designing ground or in-space cryogenic liquid transfer systems.

Universal Correlations↗
DOE OSTI2025

Facets of hydro power and future trends in a Nordic Context

Hydropower technologies bolster high penetration of variable renewable energies (VREs) in the net zero emissions scenarios. Nevertheless, there are various challenges to meeting the ambitious goal, such as stability, reliability, resiliency, security, lack of reactive power, voltage support and inertia, large-scale storage deployment and coordination, interconnectedness, demand-side response, higher thermal cycles with increased start/stops, and inadequate Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) for system-wise VRE integration and profitability. This survey conducts a bottom-up analysis to unveil the opportunities to utilize hydropower facilities and disentangle the nested problem for intertwining design features, control algorithms, operation, optimization approaches, incentives, services, and market mechanisms using a three-pillar framework perspective: grid owners, power producers, and machine designers. The survey identified emerging trends in real-time and capacity markets, flexible power systems, and enhanced grid capabilities, including advanced voltage support and updated grid codes. These developments present significant opportunities for hydropower, such as achieving super-flexibility through hybridization, expanded reactive power capabilities, and advanced operational modes like a synchronous condenser and power adequator functionalities. These opportunities require novel design philosophies — including new winding, stator, and rotor configurations, optimized ventilation, and active cooling systems — to enhance performance under stressed grid and climate conditions. Finally, integrating climate and energy models for multi-basin optimization with finer spatial and temporal granularity enhances the planning accuracy for water management of hydropower while addressing environmental challenges. The review delivers helpful prospective suggestions and tools that would serve researchers, power engineers, and stakeholders in making decisions about hydropower technologies and services in 2050 and beyond.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS2003

Investigation of the Flow Physics Driving Stall-Side Flutter in Advanced Forward Swept Fan Designs

Flutter-free operation of advanced transonic fan designs continues to be a challenging task for the designers of aircraft engines. In order to meet the demands of increased performance and lighter weight, these modern fan designs usually feature low-aspect ratio shroudless rotor blade designs that make the task of achieving adequate flutter margin even more challenging for the aeroelastician. This is especially true for advanced forward swept designs that encompass an entirely new design space compared to previous experience. Fortunately, advances in unsteady computational fluid dynamic (CFD) techniques over the past decade now provide an analysis capability that can be used to quantitatively assess the aeroelastic characteristics of these next generation fans during the design cycle. For aeroelastic applications, Mississippi State University and NASA Glenn Research Center have developed the CFD code TURBO-AE. This code is a time-accurate three-dimensional Euler/Navier-Stokes unsteady flow solver developed for axial-flow turbomachinery that can model multiple blade rows undergoing harmonic oscillations with arbitrary interblade phase angles, i.e., nodal diameter patterns. Details of the code can be found in Chen et al. (1993, 1994), Bakhle et al. (1997, 1998), and Srivastava et al. (1999). To assess aeroelastic stability, the work-per-cycle from TURBO-AE is converted to the critical damping ratio since this value is more physically meaningful, with both the unsteady normal pressure and viscous shear forces included in the work-per-cycle calculation. If the total damping (aerodynamic plus mechanical) is negative, then the blade is unstable since it extracts energy from the flow field over the vibration cycle. TURBO-AE is an integral part of an aeroelastic design system being developed at Honeywell Engines, Systems & Services for flutter and forced response predictions, with test cases from development rig and engine tests being used to validate its predictive capability. A recent experimental program (Sanders et al., 2002) was aimed at providing the necessary unsteady aerodynamic and vibratory response data needed to validate TURBO-AE for fan flutter predictions. A comparison of numerical TURBO-AE simulations with the benchmark flutter data is given in Sanders et al. (2003), with the data used to guide the validation of the code and define best practices for performing accurate unsteady simulations. The agreement between the analyses and the predictions was quite remarkable, demonstrating the ability of the analysis to accurately model the unsteady flow processes driving stall-side flutter.

Sanders, Albert J.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Development of an Improved RELAP5-3D Model for the High Temperature Test Facility

High-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs) are rapidly approaching deployment. Confidence in transient analysis of these systems requires modeling and simulation tools that have been validated against data relevant to HTGR conditions. The High Temperature Test Facility (HTTF) is an integral effects thermal hydraulics test facility for prismatic HTGRs. In spring and summer of 2019, HTTF was used for a series of experiments that now serve as the basis for the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development / Nuclear Energy Agency Thermal Hydraulic Code Validation Benchmark for High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors using HTTF Data (HTGR T/H Benchmark). Previous analyses as part of the HTGR T/H benchmark used a RELAP5-3D model developed at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and demonstrated an ability to reproduce trends in the measured data but difficulties reproducing experimental values within their uncertainty. These difficulties were largely attributed to assumptions made during the development of the initial RELAP5-3D model, which predated the HTTF experiments. A significant cause of difficulty reproducing the measured temperatures may be the radial nodalization of the previous RELAP5-3D model. In this paper, we present a new RELAP5-3D model of HTTF with finer radial nodalization built to assess the impact of radial heat transfer. We describe the new model and compare it against the old one at full-power steady state and for the pressurized conduction cooldown (PCC) transient. These analyses are based on the code-to-code comparison exercise for the PCC problem of the HTGR T/H benchmark. We compare maximum block temperature as the primary figure of merit and include discussion on intracore natural circulation.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Hydrogen Risk Assessment Models (HyRAM) (Version 3.0 Technical Reference Manual)

The HyRAM software toolkit provides a basis for conducting quantitative risk assessment and consequence modeling for hydrogen infrastructure and transportation systems. HyRAM is designed to facilitate the use of state-of-the-art science and engineering models to conduct robust, repeatable assessments of hydrogen safety, hazards, and risk. HyRAM includes generic probabilities for hydrogen equipment failures, probabilistic models for the impact of heat flux on humans and structures, and computationally and experimentally validated first-order models of hydrogen release and flame physics. HyRAM integrates deterministic and probabilistic models for quantifying accident scenarios, predicting physical effects, and characterizing hydrogen hazards (thermal effects from jet fires, overpressure effects from deflagrations), and assessing impact on people and structures. HyRAM is developed at Sandia National Laboratories for the U.S. Department of Energy to increase access to technical data about hydrogen safety and to enable the use of that data to support development and revision of national and international codes and standards. HyRAM is a research software in active development and thus the models and data may change. This report will be updated at appropriate developmental intervals. This document provides a description of the methodology and models contained in the HyRAM version 3.0. HyRAM 3.0 includes the new ability to model cryogenic hydrogen releases from liquid hydrogen systems, using a different property calculation method and different equations of state. Other changes include modifications to the ignition probability calculations, component leak frequency calculations, and addition of default impulse data.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2020

Model predictive control of KSTAR equilibrium parameters enabled by TRANSP

Due to the complex behavior of tokamak plasmas and the importance of optimizing performance while avoiding instabilities and machine limits, plasma control algorithms are becoming increasingly dependent on sophisticated model-based control approaches. It is anticipated that the use of integrated modeling codes in the model-based control design process will reduce the amount of experimental time needed to implement new control algorithms by facilitating development of control-oriented models and enabling higher-fidelity closed-loop simulations. In this work, a reduced model is developed from a series of TRANSP simulations and is used to develop a model predictive control (MPC) algorithm for controlling important equilibrium parameters in KSTAR [1] discharges. The control algorithm uses the KSTAR neutral beam injection system and the target plasma current and plasma boundary as actuators, and optimizes the plasma stored energy, loop voltage, and internal inductance while avoiding constraints that could lead to disruptions. Higher fidelity testing of the control algorithm is performed using a flexible framework for enabling external processes to actively control plasma parameters in TRANSP simulations. Furthermore, closed-loop simulations demonstrate the ability of the control algorithm to respond to disturbances in density and confinement, handle actuator failures, and move the discharge to high non-inductive fraction conditions.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS2002

Thermal Response Modeling System for a Mars Sample Return Vehicle

A multi-dimensional, coupled thermal response modeling system for analysis of hypersonic entry vehicles is presented. The system consists of a high fidelity Navier-Stokes equation solver (GIANTS), a two-dimensional implicit thermal response, pyrolysis and ablation program (TITAN), and a commercial finite element thermal and mechanical analysis code (MARC). The simulations performed by this integrated system include hypersonic flowfield, fluid and solid interaction, ablation, shape change, pyrolysis gas generation and flow, and thermal response of heatshield and structure. The thermal response of the heatshield is simulated using TITAN, and that of the underlying structural is simulated using MARC. The ablating heatshield is treated as an outer boundary condition of the structure, and continuity conditions of temperature and heat flux are imposed at the interface between TITAN and MARC. Aerothermal environments with fluid and solid interaction are predicted by coupling TITAN and GIANTS through surface energy balance equations. With this integrated system, the aerothermal environments for an entry vehicle and the thermal response of the entire vehicle can be obtained simultaneously. Representative computations for a flat-faced arc-jet test model and a proposed Mars sample return capsule are presented and discussed.

Chen, Y.-K.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Thermal Response Modeling System for a Mars Sample Return Vehicle

A multi-dimensional, coupled thermal response modeling system for analysis of hypersonic entry vehicles is presented. The system consists of a high fidelity Navier-Stokes equation solver (GIANTS), a two-dimensional implicit thermal response, pyrolysis and ablation program (TITAN), and a commercial finite-element thermal and mechanical analysis code (MARC). The simulations performed by this integrated system include hypersonic flowfield, fluid and solid interaction, ablation, shape change, pyrolysis gas eneration and flow, and thermal response of heatshield and structure. The thermal response of the heatshield is simulated using TITAN, and that of the underlying structural is simulated using MARC. The ablating heatshield is treated as an outer boundary condition of the structure, and continuity conditions of temperature and heat flux are imposed at the interface between TITAN and MARC. Aerothermal environments with fluid and solid interaction are predicted by coupling TITAN and GIANTS through surface energy balance equations. With this integrated system, the aerothermal environments for an entry vehicle and the thermal response of the entire vehicle can be obtained simultaneously. Representative computations for a flat-faced arc-jet test model and a proposed Mars sample return capsule are presented and discussed.

Chen, Y.-K.↗
DOE OSTI2023

New Covariant Density Functionals of Nuclear Matter for Compact Star Simulations

We generate three families of extended covariant density functionals of nuclear matter that have varying slope of symmetry energy and skewness at nuclear saturation density, but otherwise share the same basic parameters (symmetry energy, compressibility, saturation parameters, etc.) with the standard DDME2, DD2, and MPE functionals. Tables of the parameters of these new density functionals are given, which can be straightforwardly used in DDME2, DD2, and MPE parameterization-based codes. Furthermore, we provide tables of a large number of equations of state (81 for each family) that can be used in astrophysical simulations to assess the impact of variations of the not-well-known slope of symmetry energy and skewness of nuclear systems on the astrophysics of compact objects. We also provide tables of computed integral parameters (mass, radius, and tidal deformability) that can be used, e.g., for modeling gravitational waveforms. Finally, for the extended DDME2-based parameterization, we implement a first-order phase transition to quark matter to obtain a family of equations of state that accommodates a phase transition to quark matter. Analogous tables of the equations of state and integral parameters are provided for this case as well.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS2015

Integrated Modeling of Aerosol, Cloud, Precipitation and Land Processes at Satellite-Resolved Scales

With support from NASA's Modeling and Analysis Program, we have recently developed the NASA Unified-Weather Research and Forecasting model (NU-WRF). NU-WRF is an observation-driven integrated modeling system that represents aerosol, cloud, precipitation and land processes at satelliteresolved scales. "Satellite-resolved" scales (roughly 1e25 km), bridge the continuum between local (microscale), regional (mesoscale) and global (synoptic) processes. NU-WRF is a superset of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Advanced Research WRF (ARW) dynamical core model, achieved by fully integrating the GSFC Land Information System (LIS, already coupled to WRF), the WRF/ Chem enabled version of the Goddard Chemistry Aerosols Radiation Transport (GOCART) model, the Goddard Satellite Data Simulation Unit (G-SDSU), and custom boundary/initial condition preprocessors into a single software release, with source code available by agreement with NASA/GSFC. Full coupling between aerosol, cloud, precipitation and land processes is critical for predicting local and regional water and energy cycles.

Satellite-resolved↗
DOE OSTI2020

The Multiphysics on Advanced Platforms Project

In 2015, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory started development of next-generation multiphysics simulation capabilities for the National Nuclear Security Administration under the Advanced Technologies Development and Mitigation (ATDM) element of the Advanced Simulation and Computing program in collaboration with the Exascale Computing Project (ECP). A key driver for this effort across the NNSA tri-lab was the emergence of advanced high performance computing (HPC) architectures based on heterogeneous compute capabilities, including GPU based systems, as part of the national drive toward exascale computing platforms at multiple Department of Energy (DOE) facilities. Developing a multiphysics code capable of meeting the various simulation needs of the NNSA as defined by the current generation of integrated codes (or ICs), initially developed as part of the Accelerated Strategic Computing Initiative (ASCI) program beginning in 1996, and able to scale to the current 100 petaflop class pre-exascale systems, as well the forthcoming exaflop class computers, is a daunting challenge. To accomplish this ambitious goal, LLNL has embraced two key themes: use of high-order numerical methods and a modular approach to code development. The LLNL next generation effort is organized under the Multi-Physics on Advanced Platforms Project (MAPP). A foundational component of MAPP is the Axom computer science (CS) toolkit which provides infrastructure for the development of modular, performance portable, multi-physics application codes. MARBL is a next-generation application code built on the Axom base to address the modeling needs of the high energy density physics (HEDP) community for simulating high-explosive, magnetic or laser driven experiments such as inertial confinement fusion (ICF), pulsed-power magneto-hydrodynamics (MHD), equation of state (EOS) and material strength studies as part of the NNSA’s stockpile stewardship program (SSP).

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2022

Electric Vehicles at Scale (EVs@Scale) Laboratory Consortium Deep-Dive Technical Meetings: High Power Charging (HPC) Summary Report

Electric vehicle (EV) adoption will change the composition of EV charging load to higher-power charging as more medium- (MD) and heavy-duty (HD) applications are electrified, and as all vocations, including light-duty (LD) vehicles, are capable of faster charging. These shifts provide the opportunity for high-power charging (HPC) and facility equipment to evolve and improve efficiency, cost, and space. High-Power Electric Vehicle Charging Hub Integration Platform (eCHIP) project designs and develops a high-power, interoperable charging experimental platform to research, develop, and demonstrate the integration approaches and technology solutions. The project addresses (1) interconnection and management of a grid-tied inverter; (2) development of a DC distribution system that is responsible for system energy management, interoperability, and DC protection; (3) modular DC/DC conversion for vehicle charging; (4) EV charging interface and DC/DC integration; and (5) smart charge control and vehicle-to-edge (vehicle-to-building [V2B], vehicle-to-everything [V2X]) capability. This summary presentation is the first technical progress output of the project. It provides insight for the first deep-dive technical meeting outputs in terms of research presentations and also includes summary of the discussions occurred in the follow-up breakout sessions. The summary presentation covers three technical areas: (1) HPC: State of the art power architectures and the design of the power electronics, (2) Modeling, energy management, and power control in the HPC station, and (3) Codes and standards work that are in line with the previous two topic areas.

ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS,POWER TRANSMISSION AND↗