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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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DOE OSTI2014

How does pressure gravitate? Cosmological constant problem confronts observational cosmology

An important and long-standing puzzle in the history of modern physics is the gross inconsistency between theoretical expectations and cosmological observations of the vacuum energy density, by at least 60 orders of magnitude, otherwise known as the cosmological constant problem. A characteristic feature of vacuum energy is that it has a pressure with the same amplitude, but opposite sign to its energy density, while all the precision tests of General Relativity are either in vacuum, or for media with negligible pressure. Therefore, one may wonder whether an anomalous coupling to pressure might be responsible for decoupling vacuum from gravity. We test this possibility in the context of the Gravitational Aether proposal, using current cosmological observations, which probe the gravity of relativistic pressure in the radiation era. Interestingly, we find that the best fit for anomalous pressure coupling is about half-way between General Relativity (GR), and Gravitational Aether (GA), if we include Planck together with WMAP and BICEP2 polarization cosmic microwave background (CMB) observations. Taken at face value, this data combination excludes both GR and GA at around the 3 σ level. However, including higher resolution CMB observations (''highL'') or baryonic acoustic oscillations (BAO) pushes the best fit closer to GR, excluding the Gravitational Aether solution to the cosmological constant problem at the 4- 5 σ level. This constraint effectively places a limit on the anomalous coupling to pressure in the parametrized post-Newtonian (PPN) expansion, ζ{sub 4} = 0.105 ± 0.049 (+highL CMB), or ζ{sub 4} = 0.066 ± 0.039 (+BAO). These represent the most precise measurement of this parameter to date, indicating a mild tension with GR (for ΛCDM including tensors, with 0ζ{sub 4}=), and also among different data sets.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

REVERSAL OF FORTUNE: INCREASED STAR FORMATION EFFICIENCIES IN THE EARLY HISTORIES OF DWARF GALAXIES?

On dwarf galaxy scales, the different shapes of the galaxy stellar mass function and the dark halo mass function require a star-formation efficiency (SFE) in these systems that is currently more than 1 dex lower than that of Milky Way-size halos. Here, we argue that this trend may actually be reversed at high redshift. Specifically, by combining the resolved star-formation histories of nearby isolated dwarfs with the simulated mass-growth rates of dark matter halos, we show that the assembly of these systems occurs in two phases: (1) an early, fast halo accretion phase with a rapidly deepening potential well, characterized by a high SFE; and (2) a late, slow halo accretion phase where, perhaps as a consequence of reionization, the SFE is low. Nearby dwarfs have more old stars than predicted by assuming a constant or decreasing SFE with redshift, a behavior that appears to deviate qualitatively from the trends seen among more massive systems. Taken at face value, the data suggest that at sufficiently early epochs, dwarf galaxy halos above the atomic cooling mass limit can be among the most efficient sites of star formation in the universe.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Strong correspondence principle for joint measurement of conjugate observables

It is demonstrated that the statistics for a joint measurement of two conjugate variables in quantum mechanics are expressed through an equation identical to the classical one, provided that joint classical probabilities are replaced by Wigner functions and that the interaction between the system and the detectors is accounted for. This constitutes an extension of Ehrenfest's correspondence principle and is thereby dubbed the strong correspondence principle. Furthermore, it is proved that the detectors provide an additive term to all the cumulants and that if they are prepared in a Gaussian state they contribute only to the first and second cumulants.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2011

Measurement contextuality is implied by macroscopic realism

Ontological theories of quantum mechanics provide a realistic description of single systems by means of well-defined quantities conditioning the measurement outcomes. In order to be complete, they should also fulfill the minimal condition of macroscopic realism. Under the assumption of outcome determinism and for Hilbert space dimension greater than 2, they were all proved to be contextual for projective measurements. In recent years a generalized concept of noncontextuality was introduced that applies also to the case of outcome indeterminism and unsharp measurements. It was pointed out that the Beltrametti-Bugajski model is an example of measurement noncontextual indeterminist theory. Here we provide a simple proof that this model is the only one with such a feature for projective measurements and Hilbert space dimension greater than 2. In other words, there is no extension of quantum theory providing more accurate predictions of outcomes and simultaneously preserving the minimal labeling of events through projective operators. As a corollary, noncontextuality for projective measurements implies noncontextuality for unsharp measurements. By noting that the condition of macroscopic realism requires an extension of quantum theory, unless a breaking of unitarity is invoked, we arrive at the conclusion that the only way to solve the measurement problem in the framework of an ontological theory is by relaxing the hypothesis of measurement noncontextuality in its generalized sense.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2018

In Silico Measurement of Elastic Moduli of Nematic Liquid Crystals

Experiments on confined droplets of the nematic liquid crystal 5CB have questioned long-established bounds imposed on the elastic free energy of nematic systems. This elasticity, which derives from molecular alignment within nematic systems, is quantified through a set of moduli which can be difficult to measure experimentally and, in some cases, can only be probed indirectly. This is particularly true of the surfacelike saddle-splay elastic term, for which the available experimental data indicate values on the cusp of stability, often with large uncertainties. Here, we demonstrate that all nematic elastic moduli, including the saddle-splay elastic constant k 24 , may be calculated directly from atomistic molecular simulations. Importantly, results obtained through in silico measurements of the 5CB elastic properties demonstrate unambiguously that saddle-splay elasticity alone is unable to describe the observed confined morphologies.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Modeling and Simulation of High-Frequency Solar Irradiance

As the use of solar power as a source of electricity is increasing, so is the interest in modeling radiation at high temporal resolutions. High-dimensional remote sensing data products depend on cloud cover variability, atmosphere aerosol levels, and other atmospheric parameters. Because of weather fronts and aerosols, it is difficult to quantify solar power variability based on distributed solar networks. The global horizontal irradiance (GHI) component in the National Solar Radiation Database (NSRDB) is available at a 30-min time resolution. The algorithm proposed in this paper produces 1-min-resolution GHI samples at locations where NSRDB data are available. The synthetic irradiance datasets are produced using log-additive non-Gaussian mixture models and resampling techniques. The model is trained over historical data, and predicted values are compared with in situ data. This approach allows for estimating the solar irradiance at subhourly temporal resolutions, while featuring variability for locations where measurements are otherwise not available.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2012

Spectral indices measurements using miniature fission chambers at the MINERVE zero-power reactor at CEA using calibration data obtained at the BR1 reactor at SCK.CEN

Spectral indices measurements performed in 2004 at the CEA MINERVE facility loaded with the R-UO{sub 2} lattice, using calibration data acquired at the SCK center dot CEN BR1 facility in 2001, resulted in ambivalent conclusions. On one hand, spectral indices involving only fissile isotopes gave consistent discrepancies between calculation and experiment. On the other hand, spectral indices involving both fissile and fertile isotopes, in particular the {sup 238}U(n, f)/{sup 235}U(n, f) spectral index, showed inconsistent results depending on the type of calibration data used. For different reasons, no definitive explanation was given at that time. In 2009, the preparation of the AMMON program at the EOLE facility motivated the manufacturing of a new set of detectors. At the same time, the re-installation of the R1-UO{sub 2} lattice in MINERVE provided the opportunity to carry out again a spectral indices measurement campaign. Nevertheless, although the isotopic compositions of active deposits were better known than previously, the comparison between experimental results and calculations still lead to inconsistent discrepancies. In April 2010, a new calibration series conducted again at the BR1 facility allowed the CEA to reanalyze the spectral indices measurements performed in 2009. With these very latest calibration data, experimental values of spectral indices finally matched calculations within the uncertainty margins. This paper also sums up the work that has been achieved to explain the incoherencies observed in 2004. (authors)

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Water use and radiation balance of miscanthus and corn on marginal land in the coastal plain region of North Carolina

Abstract Miscanthus is a perennial grass that can yield substantial amounts of biomass in land areas considered marginal. In the Coastal Plain region of North Carolina, marginal lands are typically located in coarse‐textured soils with low nutrient retention and water‐holding capacity, and high erosivity potential. Little is known about miscanthus water use under these conditions. We conducted a study to better understand the efficiency with which miscanthus uses natural resources such as water and radiant energy to produce harvestable dry biomass in comparison to corn, a typical commodity crop grown in the region. We hypothesized that under non‐limiting soil water conditions, miscanthus would have greater available energy and water use rates owing to its greater leaf area, thus leading to greater agronomic yields. Conversely, these effects would be negated under drought conditions. Our measurements showed that miscanthus intercepted more radiant energy than corn, which led to greater albedo (by 0.05), lower net radiation (by 4% or 0.4 MJ m −2 day −1 ), and lower soil heat flux (by 69% or 1.0 MJ m −2 day −1 ) than corn on average. Consequently, miscanthus had greater available energy (by 7% or 0.6 MJ m −2 day −1 ) and water use rates (by 14% or 0.5 mm day −1 ) than corn throughout the growing season on average, which partially confirmed our hypothesis. Greater water use rates and radiation interception by miscanthus did not translate to greater water‐use (1.5 g kg −1 vs. 1.6 g kg −1 ) and radiation‐use (0.9 g MJ −1 vs. 1.1 g MJ −1 ) efficiencies than corn. Compared to literature values, our data indicated that water and radiation availability were not limiting at our study site. Thus, it is likely that marginal land features present at the Coastal Plain region such as low soil fertility and high air temperatures throughout the growing season may constrain agronomic yields even if soil water and radiant energy are non‐limiting.

Carvalho, Henrique D. R.↗
DOE OSTI2011

4D dose-position verification in radiation therapy using the RADPOS system in a deformable lung phantom

Purpose: A novel 4D in vivo dosimetry system (RADPOS), in conjunction with a deformable lung phantom, has been evaluated as a potential quality assurance tool for 4D radiotherapy. Methods: RADPOS detectors, which consist of a MOSFET dosimeter combined with an electromagnetic positioning probe, were placed inside the deformable lung phantom. One detector was positioned directly inside a tumor embedded in the lung phantom and another was positioned inside the lung portion of the phantom, outside the tumor. CT scans were taken with the phantom at three breathing phases, and for each phase, the detector position inside the phantom was read with the RADPOS software and compared to the position as determined from the CT data. These values were also compared to RADPOS measurements taken with the phantom on the couch of a Varian Clinac 6EX linac. The deformable phantom and the RADPOS system were also used in two radiation delivery scenarios: (1) A simulation of a free-breathing delivery and (2) a simulation of an adaptive treatment. Results: Compared to CT imaging, the RADPOS positional accuracy was found to be better than 2.5 mm. The radial displacement measurements taken in the CT and linac rooms agreed to within an average of (0.7{+-}0.3) mm. Hence, the system can provide relative displacement measurements in the treatment room, consistent with measurements made in the CT room. For the free-breathing delivery, the total dose reported by RADPOS agreed to within 4% and 5% of the treatment planning doses in the tumor and the lung portion of the phantom, respectively. The RADPOS-measured dose values for the adaptive delivery were within 1.5% of the treatment plan values, which was well within the estimated experimental uncertainties. Conclusions: This work has shown that the deformable lung phantom-RADPOS system can be an efficient quality assurance tool for 4D radiation therapy.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2013

Pediatric radiation dosimetry for positron-emitting radionuclides using anthropomorphic phantoms

Purpose: Positron emission tomography (PET) plays an important role in the diagnosis, staging, treatment, and surveillance of clinically localized diseases. Combined PET/CT imaging exhibits significantly higher sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy than conventional imaging when it comes to detecting malignant tumors in children. However, the radiation dose from positron-emitting radionuclide to the pediatric population is a matter of concern since children are at a particularly high risk when exposed to ionizing radiation.Methods: The authors evaluate the absorbed fractions and specific absorbed fractions (SAFs) of monoenergy photons/electrons as well as S-values of 9 positron-emitting radionuclides (C-11, N-13, O-15, F-18, Cu-64, Ga-68, Rb-82, Y-86, and I-124) in 48 source regions for 10 anthropomorphic pediatric hybrid models, including the reference newborn, 1-, 5-, 10-, and 15-yr-old male and female models, using the Monte Carlo N-Particle eXtended general purpose Monte Carlo transport code.Results: The self-absorbed SAFs and S-values for most organs were inversely related to the age and body weight, whereas the cross-dose terms presented less correlation with body weight. For most source/target organ pairs, Rb-82 and Y-86 produce the highest self-absorbed and cross-absorbed S-values, respectively, while Cu-64 produces the lowest S-values because of the low-energy and high-frequency of electron emissions. Most of the total self-absorbed S-values are contributed from nonpenetrating particles (electrons and positrons), which have a linear relationship with body weight. The dependence of self-absorbed S-values of the two annihilation photons varies to the reciprocal of 0.76 power of the mass, whereas the self-absorbed S-values of positrons vary according to the reciprocal mass.Conclusions: The produced S-values for common positron-emitting radionuclides can be exploited for the assessment of radiation dose delivered to the pediatric population from various PET radiotracers used in clinical and research settings. The mass scaling method for positron-emitters can be used to derive patient-specific S-values from data of reference phantoms.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Measurement of cardiac output from dynamic pulmonary circulation time CT

Purpose: To introduce a method of estimating cardiac output from the dynamic pulmonary circulation time CT that is primarily used to determine the optimal time window of CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA). Methods: Dynamic pulmonary circulation time CT series, acquired for eight patients, were retrospectively analyzed. The dynamic CT series was acquired, prior to the main CTPA, in cine mode (1 frame/s) for a single slice at the level of the main pulmonary artery covering the cross sections of ascending aorta (AA) and descending aorta (DA) during the infusion of iodinated contrast. The time series of contrast changes obtained for DA, which is the downstream of AA, was assumed to be related to the time series for AA by the convolution with a delay function. The delay time constant in the delay function, representing the average time interval between the cross sections of AA and DA, was determined by least square error fitting between the convoluted AA time series and the DA time series. The cardiac output was then calculated by dividing the volume of the aortic arch between the cross sections of AA and DA (estimated from the single slice CT image) by the average time interval, and multiplying the result by a correction factor. Results: The mean cardiac output value for the six patients was 5.11 (l/min) (with a standard deviation of 1.57 l/min), which is in good agreement with the literature value; the data for the other two patients were too noisy for processing. Conclusions: The dynamic single-slice pulmonary circulation time CT series also can be used to estimate cardiac output.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2011

Magnetocaloric properties of La{sub 1-x}KxMnO{sub 3} manganites

A technology for obtaining single-phase ceramic samples of La{sub 1-x}K{sub x}MnO{sub 3} manganites, as well as the dependence of their structure parameters on the potassium content, is described. The magnetocaloric effect in the samples has been measured by two direct methods, the classical method and the magnetic field modulation method, and has been calculated from the specific heat data. The values of the magnetocaloric effect obtained by these methods are significantly different. The observed discrepancies have been explained. Correlation between the doping level and the value of the effect has been found. It has been shown that the magnetic-field dependence of variation of the magnetic entropy near T{sub C} in weak fields corresponds to theoretical calculations and that the value of the magnetocaloric effect in high magnetic fields can be predicted using this dependence.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Folding model analysis of pion elastic and inelastic scattering from {sup 6}Li and {sup 12}C

{pi}{sup {+-}}-Nucleus scattering cross sections are calculated applying the Watanabe superposition model with a phenomenological Woods-Saxon potential. The phenomenological potential parameters are searched for {pi}{sup {+-}} scattering from {sup 6}Li and {sup 12}C to reproduce not only differential elastic cross sections but also inelastic and total and reaction cross sections at pion kinetic energies from 50 to 672 MeV. The optical potentials of {sup 6}Li and {sup 12}C are calculated in terms of the alpha particle and deuteron optical potentials. Inelastic scattering has been analyzed using the distorted waves from elastic-scattering data. The values of deformation lengths thus obtained compare very well with the ones reported earlier.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Improved measurement of the absolute branching fraction of $D^{+}\rightarrow \bar{K}^0 \mu ^{+}\nu _{\mu }$

Here, by analyzing 2.93 fb -1 of data collected at √s = 3.773 GeV with the BESIII detector, we measure the absolute branching fraction B(D + → K¯ 0 μ + ν μ ) = (8.72 ± 0.07 stat. ± 0.18 sys. )%, which is consistent with previous measurements within uncertainties but with significantly improved precision. Combining the Particle Data Group values of B(D 0 → K - μ + ν μ ), B(D + → K¯ 0 e + ν e ), and the lifetimes of the D 0 and D + mesons with the value of B(D + → K¯ 0 μ + ν μ ) measured in this work, we determine the following ratios of partial widths: Γ(D 0 → K - μ + ν μ )/Γ(D + → K¯ 0 μ + ν μ ) = 0.963 ± 0.044 and Γ(D + → K¯ 0 μ + ν μ )/Γ(D + → K¯ 0 e + ν e ) = 0.988 ± 0.033.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2021

AbacusSummit Halo Light Cone Catalogs

This is a set of halo light cone catalogs from the AbacusSummit suite of cosmological N-body simulations (abacussummit.readthedocs.io/). They are a value-added data product provided by post-processing the simulation output. The main application of the halo light cone catalogs is the construction of realistic mock galaxy catalogues and weak lensing maps on the sky. The algorithm (described in Hadzhiyska et al. 2021) associates CompaSO halos from 29 redshift epochs spanning z = 0.1-2.5 with their particles at the time of light-cone crossing. It then records the halo and particle information into an easily accessible product, which can be read with the CompaSO reader. The 25 base resolution boxes at fiducial cosmology have a halo light cone catalog covering an octant of the sky to z approx 0.8 and about 2000 deg2 extending to z approx 2.4. The huge boxes provide light cone information of the full sky until z approx 2.18 and extend further towards the corners of the box (available until z = 2.25). Galaxy mock catalogs on the sky can be generated easily though the AbacusHOD script providing an extended HOD framework (see Yuan et al. 2021, for details), which has been modified to work with the halo light cone catalogs. The available tracers are luminous red galaxies (LRGs), emission-line galaxies (ELGs), and quasi-stellar objects (QSOs).

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Extreme Significant Wave Heights for US Coastal Waters

Includes extreme significant wave heights, in meters, computed using peaks over threshold method on NOAA 30-year WWIII hindcast data. Extreme values for 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 year return periods were computed. Sites cover US coastlines. Column 1: Site identifier/name Column 2: Site latitude Column 3: Site longitude Column 4: 5-year extreme Hs, in meters Column 5: 10-year extreme Hs, in meters Column 6: 25-year extreme Hs, in meters Column 7: 50-year extreme Hs, in meters Column 8: 100-year extreme Hs, in meters

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2012

Commercialization of New Lattice-Matched Multi-Junction Solar Cells Based on Dilute Nitrides: July 8, 2010 - March 7, 2012

All the milestones for this program were achieved and in most cases, particularly those related to cell performance, more samples were supplied than was required, and the deliverables substantially exceed the performance milestones. Moreover, the cell deliverables sent to NREL for evaluation were cells 4 mm or 5.5 mm, nearly 5 to 10 times larger in area than the 2 mm cells called for in the subcontract, and one of the most common sizes in the CPV industry. For the entire program there were 12 separate cell performance milestones, the most important of which was the 3J cell efficiency. Phase 1 had 2 3J efficiency milestones and Phase 2 had three. For the Phase 1 milestone calling for 38% efficiency, NREL measured a peak efficiency of 41.1%, about 2% higher than the data sheet values of commercial cells at that time. The efficiencies measured in Phase 1 exceed the Phase 2 cell performance milestones in the subcontract’s original Statement of Work. Cells submitted to NREL as part of this subcontract, although not as deliverables, were measured to have a new World Record cell efficiency of 43.5%, breaking the previous World Record by 1.2% absolute. In addition to improved cell performance, during Phase 1 a modeling capability for designing ARCs was developed and verified by comparing the measured current from a cell using a specific ARC with the current predicted by the model. This model was then used to design a new ARC giving lower reflectivity and a corresponding higher cell current. Again the prediction of the model was verified by measured cell properties. In Phase 2, the modeling capability was used to design a glass matched ARC, the type most in use in the CPV industry, which was tuned to the band structure of a 3J cell with a dilute nitride bottom cell. Finally, tools and test methodologies were developed that enable HALT to be applied to cells to determine the operating and destruct limits and to determine or set bounds on the lifetime of the cells in typical CPV operating conditions. As part of this effort a novel HALT system was built that enabled cells to be subjected to light at concentrations up to 80 W/cm 2 , (800 suns) while the cell temperature could be held or cycled between -100C and +180C. As part of the Phase 2 effort the system was modified to enable the light to the cell to be interrupted at a maximum rate of 10 times/second. Tests using interrupted light at >500 suns on cells held at 180C showed no evidence of failure after a total of >22 sun-years of operation at 100C. Another key outcome of the reliability efforts of the program was from high temperature storage tests done independently of the HALT test. There were two key outcomes of this activity: 1) single junction GaInNAs cells showed no evidence of failure under the equivalent of at least 100 years of on-sun time operating at 100C and 2) we can conclude with 95% confidence that the probability of device failure after 30 sun-years of operation at 100C is less than 1.5%, and mostly less than 0.5%. Based on these results there is no reason to believe that dilute nitrides in and of themselves pose a reliability problem for CPV applications and that 3J cells using dilute nitrides have very low probability of failure during the expected 20-30 year life of a CPV power plant.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗