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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 559 records · Page 31
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Influence of extreme temperature conditions on CO 2 direct air capture using amino-acid solutions

Geological features play a pivotal role in determining the feasibility of deploying CO₂ direct air capture (DAC) technologies, primarily because they influence the availability of cost-effective energy sources, such as natural gas and geothermal energy, and also due to the potential for CO₂ sequestration. Many regions face challenges due to variable weather conditions including seasonal temperature fluctuations, high or low humidity, and sub-ambient temperatures. These extremes can reduce DAC performance or even lead to catastrophic events. Aqueous solvents considered for DAC systems are particularly vulnerable to seasonal variations in colder climates, where the solvent may underperform or freeze. It is therefore essential to investigate the CO₂ capture efficiency of aqueous solvents across a broad range of environmental temperatures, spanning sub-zero to hot conditions (>30 °C). In this study, DAC operation is examined using a high-flux solvent–air crossflow contactor under two major weather scenarios: (i) cold conditions below 0 °C and (ii) hot conditions above 30 °C. A parametric study is conducted to investigate the contactor performance regarding CO₂ removal efficiency, uptake capacity, and reaction kinetics versus temperature when the air velocity through the contactor exceeds 1 m/s. The efficacy of the contactor is systematically investigated using various anti-freeze amino-acid solvent formulations. A mass-transfer mechanistic model is developed to assess the process performance over a wide temperature range and propose scalable design guidelines. Machine learning is also employed to identify key parameters affecting the CO₂ capture efficiency. It is shown that air velocity and temperature are the primary factors influencing CO₂ uptake. Based on performance data obtained under subfreezing temperatures, a technoeconomic analysis is conducted to evaluate the feasibility of using aqueous solvents in seasonal cold regions. In conclusion, the findings of this study provide valuable insights into siting considerations for deploying solvent-based DAC, thereby contributing to the advancement of sustainable carbon removal solutions.

Air–liquid contactor↗
DOE OSTI2020

Multi-model Hydroclimate Projections for the Alabama-Coosa-Tallapoosa River Basin in the Southeastern United States

Abstract This study uses a high-resolution, process-based modeling framework to assess the impacts of changing climate on water resources for the Alabama-Coosa-Tallapoosa River Basin in the southeastern United States. A 33-member ensemble of hydrologic projections was generated using 3 distributed hydrologic models (Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System, Variable Infiltration Capacity, and Distributed Hydrology Soil Vegetation Model) of different complexity. These hydrologic models were driven by dynamically downscaled and bias-corrected future climate simulations from 11 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 global climate models under Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 emission scenario, with 40 years each in baseline (1966–2005) and future (2011–2050) periods. The hydroclimate response, in general, projects an increase in mean seasonal precipitation, runoff, and streamflow. The high and low flows are projected to increase and decrease, respectively, in general, suggesting increased likelihood of extreme rainfall events and intensification of the hydrologic cycle. The uncertainty associated with the ensemble hydroclimate response, analyzed through an analysis of variance technique, suggests that the choice of climate model is more critical than the choice of hydrologic model for the studied region. This study provides in-depth insights of hydroclimate response and associated uncertainties to support informed decisions by water resource managers.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

Volume 10: Flow Test Facilities

Adding additional flow testing facilities has been considered as part of the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) Sustaining and Enhancing Neutron Science (SENSe) Initiative at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to support HFIR operations and experiments. This prospect has prompted many ideas and discussions regarding potential features, configurations, locations, and applications for the facilities. A working group of ORNL staff members was formed in fiscal year 2022 to recommend one or more configurations to best support future HFIR operations and scientific capacities and to develop order-of magnitude cost estimates and timing. The ideas discussed in this report include options ranging from upgrading existing small-scale testing facilities to building a full-scale HFIR mockup for detailed thermohydraulic testing and fuel assessment.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

Distributed Mafic Rock Resources for Carbon Mineralization in Arizona

Ex-situ carbon mineralization is a process by which CO2 is reacted with alkaline silicate minerals and rocks to produce stable carbonate materials, which can be used for other industrial processes. Arizona, U.S.A., hosts abundant surficial mafic rocks in three young volcanic fields, Geronimo-San Bernardino, San Francisco, and Springerville, and other distributed locations throughout the state. We created a Mafic Rock Resource Inventory (MRRI) that categorizes geochemical, physical, and textural characteristics of a diverse suite of surficial mafic rock samples and provide a benchmark reaction dataset parameterizing the temperature, pressure, and pH conditions best suited ex-situ mineralization in different rock types. MRRI data is publicly available online via a map-viewer. We establish two reaction condition sets, varied in temperature, pressure, and pH, where crystal-rich and glassy rocks reach maximum reaction extent and different carbonate phases are formed. Systematic ex-situ mineralization experiments on 21 diverse rock types show trends in geochemical, mineralogical, and reactivity behavior and establish maximum effective capture capacity. From this, scoria cones in three Arizona volcanic fields have a ~62 Gt effective CO₂ storage capacity with one of the fields having a ~42 Gt storage capacity in lava flows. Reactivity results have applications to alkaline mafic rock resources exposed globally, including producing additional effective storage capacity estimates and scaled commercialization of mafic rock ex-situ mineralization, should reaction extents be improved through advances in mineralization techniques. MRRI data were used to create a Direct Air Capture to Mineralization (DACM) systems model, technoeconomic analysis, and life-cycle assessment. These documents are presented as three appendices.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2021

Ahtna Tribal Energy Planning and Technical Assistance Project (Final Report)

Ahtna Intertribal Resource Commission (AITRC) provided technical assistance and capacity building activities for eight (8) tribal communities in the Ahtna region to: 1. reduce energy costs; 2. improve community wildfire readiness and biomass utilization; 3. provide local food security; and 4. reduce unemployment, poverty and outmigration in the Ahtna villages. AITRC provided community education on energy needs, conservation and efficiency, issues and options, assisted the tribes in identifying appropriate renewable energy systems, and increased their capacity to implement successful energy projects that employed local tribal members. AITRC also successfully assisted the member Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations in pursuing additional funding to advance their energy goals and projects, including Tribal Resiliency Planning, community biomass heating and wood resource assessment projects, and hydroelectric.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Energy system analysis of cutting off Russian gas supply to the European Union

The reduction of European Union's pipeline gas imports from Russia as a consequence of the Russian war against Ukraine has had severe economy-wide implications for the EU. Using a multisector integrated assessment model (GCAM), we find that a potential complete cut-off of Russian pipeline gas exports to the EU unevenly impacts the energy mix, prices, and trade flows of different subregions within the EU, depending on their access to alternative gas pipelines and LNG infrastructure. Moreover, there are also large changes in the volume and geographical distribution of global gas infrastructure capacity additions and stranded assets. Our results show that by significantly reducing demand for natural gas, the EU Fit-for-55 policy framework already improves resilience against a complete and persistent cut-off of Russian pipeline gas. However, further improvements in energy efficiency and renewable targets could further soften impacts, while bringing climate objectives closer in sight.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Performance Assessment for the E-Area Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility at the Savannah River Site: Appendix I

As stated in Section 9.1.2.2, a final inventory of parent radionuclides is projected for every DU at the time of facility operational closure in 2065. These final closure inventories are upper-bound estimates wherein each DU is assumed to reach its activity capacity. Composition vectors based on existing DU inventories are employed to estimate the final compositions of all existing and future DUs. Specifically, (1) the existing DU compositions are assumed to remain constant; (2) future DUs are assigned averaged existing compositions based on appropriately averaged DUs. This information is detailed in Appendix H, Section H.7. In addition, the variability in composition among existing DUs is used to generate log-normal distributions for uncertainty quantification, which is detailed in Section I.1.1.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2021

Techno-economic comparison of electrification for heavy-duty trucks in China by 2040

We show that electrification of heavy-duty trucks (HDTs) is critical of achieving sustainability and carbon neutrality in road freight. Based on the total cost of ownership and the life-cycle emissions, the study compared the traditional diesel internal combustion engine vehicle technologies with potential electrification options for HDTs in China, including battery electric vehicle, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, and battery electric catenary vehicle. Scenario and sensitivity analysis were explored the life-cycle effects of these electrification options in China from 2020 to 2040. It is found that green electricity and green hydrogen are the most important factors influencing the life-cycle emissions of CO 2 , NO X , and PM 2.5 for different HDTs’ electrification options. The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle of HDTs has shown good performance in terms of total cost and carbon emissions, mainly due to the reduced battery capacity and the current grid mix in China.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Impact of Baloxavir Resistance-Associated Substitutions on Influenza Virus Growth and Drug Susceptibility

Baloxavir marboxil (baloxavir) is a recently FDA-approved influenza virus polymerase acidic (PA) endonuclease inhibitor. Several PA substitutions have been demonstrated to confer reduced susceptibility to baloxavir; however, their impacts on measurements of antiviral drug susceptibility and replication capacity when present as a fraction of the viral population have not been established. We generated recombinant A/California/04/09 (H1N1)-like viruses (IAV) with PA I38L, I38T, or E199D substitutions and B/Victoria/504/2000-like virus (IBV) with PA I38T. These substitutions reduced baloxavir susceptibility by 15.3-, 72.3-, 5.4-, and 54.5-fold, respectively, when tested in normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells. We then assessed the replication kinetics, polymerase activity, and baloxavir susceptibility of the wild-type:mutant (WT:MUT) virus mixtures in NHBE cells. The percentage of MUT relative to WT virus necessary to detect reduced baloxavir susceptibility in phenotypic assays ranged from 10% (IBV I38T) to 92% (IAV E199D). While I38T did not alter IAV replication kinetics or polymerase activity, IAV PA I38L and E199D MUTs and the IBV PA I38T MUT exhibited reduced replication levels and significantly altered polymerase activity. Differences in replication were detectable when the MUTs comprised ≥90%, ≥90%, or ≥75% of the population, respectively. Here, droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) analyses showed that WT viruses generally outcompeted the respective MUTs after multiple replication cycles and serial passaging in NHBE cells when initial mixtures contained ≥50% of the WT viruses; however, we also identified potential compensatory substitutions (IAV PA D394N and IBV PA E329G) that emerged and appeared to improve the replication capacity of baloxavir-resistant virus in cell culture.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Closed Loop Pumped Storage Hydropower Resource Assessment of the United States

The data includes a geospatial and spreadsheet representation of a resource analysis for closed loop pumped storage systems across the Continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. The data includes energy storage potential, water volume, distance from source to storage, hydraulic head, dollars per kilowatt of storage, and transmission spurline cost for each pumped storage hydropower (PHS) reservoir. Each reservoir represented in this dataset is represented on potential 10 hour storage duration PSH system comprised of two reservoirs. Units of measure are laid out in the dataset. Pumped storage hydropower (PSH) represents the bulk of the United States' current energy storage capacity: 23 gigawatts (GW) of the 24 GW national total (Denholm et al. 2021). This capacity was largely built between 1960 and 1990. PSH is a mature and proven method of energy storage with competitive round-trip efficiency and long life spans. These qualities make PSH a very attractive potential solution to energy storage needs, particularly for longer-duration storage (8 hours or more); such storage will be crucial to bridge gaps in electricity production as variable wind and solar production continue to comprise an ever-larger portion of the United States' energy portfolio. This study seeks to better understand the technical potential for PSH development in the United States by developing a national-scale resource assessment for closed-loop PSH. For more information, please refer to the Closed Loop Pumped Storage Hydropower Resource Assessment for the United States linked in the resources.

Array↗
DOE OSTI2025

Development of a TRISO assessment case for BISON based on transient experiments in the NSRR

The tristructural isotropic (TRISO) fuel assessment and validation database currently available in BISON is based mainly on steady-state irradiation and high-temperature furnace testing. Transient assessment cases are needed to support ongoing U.S. industry efforts to design and deploy commercial reactors that utilize TRISO fuels. Most available historical transient tests involving TRISO fuels were characterized by power densities, temperatures, and energy depositions that were highly conservative with respect to typical high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) accident conditions. Nonetheless, assessment of BISON's predictive capabilities, adaptation of material properties toward high-temperature and high-particle-power regimes, and development of a systematic approach to validating BISON for TRISO transient applications now motivate the modeling of historical transient tests. This work describes the development of 1-D thermal models of transient experiments conducted at the Nuclear Safety Research Reactor (NSRR) in Japan, with BISON predictions of energy deposition, UO2 melting onset, and molten volume fractions being compared against experimental measurements. Melting is accounted for by defining an effective specific heat capacity for UO2—one that leverages the material's heat of melting. BISON's predictions of energy deposition and molten volume fraction are in good agreement with the experimental data from the low-energy-deposition tests; however, BISON tends to overpredict melting at higher energy depositions. Though overly conservative compared to the operating conditions expected for near-term TRISO-fueled reactor applications, these simulations effectively exercise BISON TRISO models over a wider range of conditions than those encompassed by the existing assessment database. Potential contributors to the observed discrepancies are noted and additional future developments proposed.

11 - NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Correlation of Oxygen Anion Redox Activity to In‐Plane Honeycomb Cation Ordering in Na x Ni y Mn 1− y O 2 Cathodes

Sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) are one of the most promising next‐generation energy storage systems because of their abundant and low‐cost component materials. However, the lower energy density of SIBs compared with lithium‐ion batteries diminishes their practical value proposition. Among the many sodium‐based cathodes, layered transition metal oxides with high sodium content have energy densities comparable with the lithium‐ion battery technology. When charged above 4.1 V, the sodium‐based cathodes often undergo transformations because the activation of oxygen anion redox causes irreversible oxygen release, transition metal ion migration, lattice distortion, and rapid capacity decay. Here, in situ gas analysis is performed to evaluate the lattice oxygen anion redox activity in Na x Ni y Mn 1− y O 2 cathodes with P2 and O3 structural orderings. Operando X‐ray diffraction and neutron diffraction are performed to assess the structural changes related to lattice oxygen redox and transition metal ion migration in Na x Ni y Mn 1− y O 2 cathodes. The results unveil that in‐plane honeycomb cationic ordering can help suppress oxygen anion redox activity, which is critical for the future design of layered transition metal oxide cathodes that are prone to achieve high‐energy for durable SIBs.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Promising performance of sulfide catholytes compared to halide alternatives in NMC811 cathodes for sheet-type sulfide solid-state batteries

Sulfide-based solid-state batteries (SSBs) show promise in achieving energy densities over 350 Wh/kg, yet challenges persist with their incorporation of high-voltage, nickel-rich layered oxide cathodes, such as LiNi₀.₈Mn₀.₁Co₀.₁O₂ (NMC811), due to the poor oxidation stability of sulfide solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) like Li₆PS₅Cl (LPSCl). Although halide SSEs such as Li₃InCl₆ (LIC) and Li₃YCl₆ (LYC) have previously shown promise in stabilizing high-voltage NMC cathodes, our research reveals that sulfide SSE catholytes, particularly when combined with surface-coated NMC cathodes, deliver superior performance. Here, this investigation assesses the cycling stability of various catholytes—LPSCl, LIC, Li₁₀GeP₂S₁₂ (LGPS), combined LIC-LPSCl, and LYC-LPSCl—in SSBs with LiNbO₃-coated NMC811 cathodes against sheet-type LPSCl separators. Findings indicate that while LGPS-based cathodes maintain higher capacity retention, they yield lower deliverable capacity, and LIC cathodes experience significant electrochemical degradation. Importantly, our results underscore that sulfide SSE catholytes, in conjunction with LiNbO₃-coated cathodes, optimize the cathode-electrolyte interphase (CEI), enhancing both kinetics and mass transport. These insights provide a strategic direction for optimizing catholyte composition in the development of sheet-type sulfide-based SSBs.

Catholyte↗
DOE OSTI2024

EverGREEN 2045: An Energy mix to Decarbonize Washington State

The Clean Energy Transformation Act transitions Washington State to 100% clean energy by 2045. As the future resource mix will likely include intermittent renewables, hydropower, and new, carbon-free, flexible technologies including advanced nuclear reactors and enhanced geothermal systems, we assess the cost and feasibility of the future resource mix with proprietary cost data from our industry partners for new technologies. For plausible future resource mix scenarios, we find that revenues are sufficient to cover variable operations and maintenance costs for most technologies, but capacity payments or power purchase agreements will be necessary for new, flexible resources to participate in the future resource mix.

clean energy, energy policy, energy transition, re↗
DOE OSTI2020

In Operando XANES Imaging of High Capacity Intermetallic Anodes for Lithium Ion Batteries

In operando 2D X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) imaging was performed near the Cu K-edge during cycling of Cu 6 Sn 5 composite anodes for lithium ion batteries. Galvanostatic lithiation and delithiation with intermittent constant voltage holds near reaction plateaus show evolution of absorption spectra for active material particles. XANES spectra obtained from images taken during cycling were compared to standard spectra for Cu, Cu 6 Sn 5 , and Li 2 CuSn. Chemical composition was assessed for Cu-containing phases. Distinct Cu, Cu 6 Sn 5 , and Li 2 CuSn regions were identified for each voltage plateau. Mechanical degradation, electrode particle fracture and expansion were observed during delithiation. Furthermore, movement of particles during cycling suggests that expansion also impacts the supporting secondary phases and the transport networks therein. These results demonstrate that spectroscopic X-ray imaging methods can clearly distinguish chemically distinct phases in alloy electrodes and have the versatility to observe the evolution of these phases during lithiation and delithiation.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Stochastic Thermo-Hydro Modeling and Neural Network Surrogate Development for Thermal Resource Assessment of the Galleries-to-Calories Geobattery

The Galleries-to-Calories Geobattery concept explores the use of abandoned coal mine workings for large-scale thermal energy transport and storage. The system involves injecting waste heat from a supercomputing facility into flooded mine galleries, where groundwater flow can store and transport thermal energy for potential recovery in downgradient district heating and cooling applications. To evaluate the feasibility and performance of the Geobattery under geological and operational uncertainty, we developed a suite of stochastic thermo-hydrological (TH) simulations using Monte Carlo sampling of key uncertain parameters (e.g., permeability, porosity, thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity) and operating conditions (e.g., injection rate, injection temperature). Results identified injection rate and temperature as the most influential parameters governing thermal front propagation, while the geometry of the room-and-pillar structure played a critical role in directing the extent and orientation of thermal advancement. Optimal combinations of material properties for maximizing heat recovery were also determined. To address the high computational cost of coupled-process stochastic modeling, we trained a neural network surrogate model on 24,000 physics-based realizations, achieving an R² > 0.99 and MAE < 0.1 for temperature predictions at monitoring locations. This surrogate enabled an additional 100,000 realizations for global sensitivity analysis and probabilistic thermal resource assessment. The integrated stochastic physics–surrogate modeling framework offers a computationally efficient tool for quantifying uncertainty, identifying key drivers, and informing early-stage design decisions for Geobattery systems.

15 - GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Mechanical behavior of carbonated MgO-based Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC) after high temperatures exposure

Carbonated MgO-based Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC) has ultrahigh tensile ductility and tight crack width control behavior. However, the expectation of improved fire-resistant has not been confirmed. This study explored the alterations to mechanical and microstructure characteristics of this material after exposure to temperatures up to 500 °C. Material mass loss, compressive strength, tensile strength, strain capacity, and matrix fracture toughness were measured. Scanning electron microscopy, mercury intrusion porosimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray diffraction were used to probe the degradation of the cement matrix and fibers. The effect of elevated temperature on carbonated MgO-based ECC was further assessed via examination of the micromechanical behavior of the fiber-matrix. The objective of this research was to assess the performance of carbonated MgO-based ECC exposed to fire hazards. The tensile ductility of carbonated MgO-based ECC was found to be enhanced when exposed to ~100 °C as compared with those at room temperature ~20 °C. Further increase in exposure temperature, however, posed a negative impact on the composite compressive strength, ultimate tensile strength, and ability to control crack width. Here the results provide a useful database for further investigations into carbonated MgO-based ECC for fire safety enhancement.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Life cycle analysis of polylactic acids from different wet waste feedstocks

Producing a valuable chemical product through diversion of wet wastes can simultaneously resolve the problems associated with increasing wastes and greenhouse gas emissions from conventional chemical production processes. In this work, we investigated the life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions, water, and fossil-fuel consumption for waste-derived polylactic acids (PLA) from three different waste feedstocks, namely wastewater sludge, food waste, and swine manure, using the Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Technologies (GREET) model. The decarbonization potential of replacing fossil-based resins with the waste-derived polymer was also investigated. The results show that swine manure-to-PLA pathway was the least carbon intensive (—1.4 kgCO 2 e/kg) among the three waste-to-PLA pathways on a cradle-to-grave basis, followed by the food waste case (—1.3 kgCO 2 e/kg) and then by the wastewater sludge case (0.6 kgCO 2 e/kg). In the baseline scenario, all three waste-to-PLA pathways were less carbon intensive than both fossil-based PET and HDPE on a cradle-to-grave basis: 66% (vs. PET) and 56% (vs. HDPE), 171 and 192%, 181 and 205% reduction in GHG emissions for wastewater sludge-, food waste-, and swine manure-to-PLA pathway, respectively. For all sensitivity cases investigated, the food waste- and swine manure-to-PLA pathways were significantly less carbon intensive than their fossil-counterparts. In terms of the annual decarbonization potential of replacing fossil-based PET or HDPE, the wastewater sludge- and food waste-pathway showed higher mitigation potential than the swine manure-pathway: i) 18–28 kilotons CO 2 e-reduction per year for wastewater sludge pathway; ii) 23–26 kTCO 2 e-reduction/yr for food waste pathway; and iii) about 5 kTCO 2 e-reduction/yr for swine manure pathway depending on the type of conventional resin replaced. However, given the abundant availability of the swine manure feedstocks across the United States, the decarbonization potential of swine manure-based pathway can also increase as the plant capacity or the number of plants grow.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗