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At least 631 records · Page 35
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Vehicle Tracking

The detection and tracking of vehicles moving at hypersonic speeds (> Mach 5) at altitudes of ~100 km has been of growing interest due to the ongoing development of hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs) by the U.S., Russia and China. This challenge is notably different from traditional ballistic missile systems whose re-entry vehicles move at hypersonic velocities but at much higher altitudes on a ballistic course. Hypersonic glide vehicles are also designed to be able to make sudden turns along their flight path making prediction of their trajectories difficult. Their ability to maneuver, combined with their high velocity and altitude make them difficult to track. The combination of these characteristics presents a challenge for anyone attempting to defend against a hypersonic glide vehicle attack by generally shortening the time available to react. That reaction can involve moving potential targets or attempting to detect the hypersonic glide vehicle and intercept it before it reaches the intended target. Figure 1 compares the trajectory of hypersonic vehicles compared to that of a traditional ballistic missile.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2022

Snowmass2021 Topical Group Report from AF07: Targets and Sources

For the next multi-megawatt accelerator generation, targets and other beam-intercepting components will face even more severe challenges due to the higher power densities, higher energy, and higher radiation. A comprehensive research and development program must be implemented to address the challenges. International collaborations such as RaDIATE or High Power Targetry Workshop should be leveraged and expanded to accelerate knowledge gain and avoid duplicated efforts. The next generation of high power targets will need novel designs allowing better high heat flux cooling methods, novel materials, advanced simulations, and better instrumentation. Four main R&D tracks were identified and discussed for targets. For electron sources, current state of art and challenges we are facing for key components such as cathodes, guns and injector design for sources R&D are presented for highly polarized electrons and unpolarized high current high brightness beams. For ion sources such as electron cyclotron resonance ion source (ECRIS), laser ion source (LIS), charge breeders, status of development are reviewed, and areas require investment for future R&D are discussed separately. Facilities critical for various source development are recommended.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2023

A Simulation of the Photoionization of H- Together With the Subsequent Tracking of the Liberated Electrons

The Proton Improvement Plan - II (PIP-II) is a new linear accelerator (LINAC) complex being built at Fermilab. It is based on superconducting radiofrequency cavities and will accelerate H- ions to 800 MeV kinetic energy before injection into the existing Booster ring. Measurements of the profile of the beam along the LINAC must be done by non-intercepting methods due to the superconducting cavities. The method chosen is photoionization of a small number of H- by a focused infrared laser, aka laserwire. The number of ionized electrons is measured as a function of laser position within the H- beam. To aid in the design of the collection mechanism, a simulation was written in MATLAB with input from the commercial electromagnetic simulation, CST. This simulation calculates the number and positions of the liberated electrons and tracks them through the magnetic collection and H- beam fields to the collection point. Results from this simulation for various points along the LINAC will be shown.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Science & Technology Review (April/May 2023)

NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART), featured beginning on p.4, has been a testament to Lawrence Livermore’s multidisciplinary expertise. For DART, the Laboratory developed planetary defense strategies, modeled materials and impacts, and utilized advanced machine learning to create and evaluate multitudes of impact scenarios—informing prediction and analysis of the intercept of a small spacecraft with a much larger asteroid of unknown properties. The success of the project heralds a bright future for space science and security work at the Laboratory.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Computational Study of Hydraulic Performance of South Carolina DOT Catch Basins Type CB 1, CB 16, and CB 17

Proper design of surface drainage of roadways is essential to minimize flooding and provide for traffic safety. Inlets collect the excess storm water from the drainage area of a roadway and discharge it to storm drains. Knowing the hydraulic efficiency of inlets, defined as the percentage of intercepted flow to the total street flow, is necessary in drainage design to determine inlet spacing such that the system can transport all or the majority of the road surface flow during rain events off of the road into the catch basins.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2024

Computational Analysis of Hydraulic Efficiency of Michigan DOT Cover C

Drainage structures are used to capture stormwater runoff in streets and highways in urban environments. These drainage structures, which typically consist of catch basins with grates, inlets, or combination grates/inlets, collect stormwater runoff and discharge through buried conveyance systems. They are strategically placed for public safety in curb and gutter systems to provide efficient drainage of water from roadways and thus reduce the risk of hydroplaning. The performance of drainage structures is measured in terms of hydraulic efficiency, which is defined as the percentage of flow captured by the basin as compared to the total flow drainage to the structure. Understanding of the performance of these drainage structures helps designers properly space inlets to promote an economic design that ensures the safety of the traveling public. The current design methodology used to determine drainage structure follows guidelines established in the current Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Drainage Manual (2006). The guidelines in the MDOT Drainage Manual were modeled after the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Hydraulic Engineering Circular 22 “Urban Drainage Design” (HEC-22). HEC-22 includes empirically derived equations to calculate the interception capacity of drainage structures for several commonly used grate configurations, such as the parallel bar, curved vane and tilt bar grates, which are based on a research study performed by Burgi et al. in the 1970s. MDOT uses several drainage structures to capture runoff that are detailed as Standard Plans. Many of these drainage structures utilize sinusoidal type grates that are not described in HEC-22. Physical modeling of these structures has been limited, posing the need to have them analyzed to verify their capture efficiency. Current MDOT practice is to assume a similar sized reticuline grate, as described in HEC-22, for capture efficiencies. Until recently, evaluating the hydraulic performance of drainage structures was limited to physical modeling in a hydraulics laboratory. With advances in engineering software and computing power, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling has become a more cost-effective alternative. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) provides states the option to evaluate their drainage structures using CFD through the Transportation Pooled Fund Program. This study, “Computational Analysis of Hydraulic Efficiency of Michigan DOT Cover C,” was carried out using the pooled fund. MDOT’s Cover C was chosen as the first test candidate, given its similar sinusoidal pattern to other MDOT grates, but it is typically used for high-volume, higher speed applications. A similar version, Cover CX, is used on interstate highways but does not have traverse bars for bicycle safety. Additional grates may be considered for evaluation in the future.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2024

Computational Exploration of High Entropy Alloys as Promising Materials for Future Beam Windows

With the ever-increasing demand for high beam power, the currently used beam-intercepting devices (BIDs) such as targets, and beam windows may not be able to handle the high power required for future accelerator complexes or the lifetime may be reduced drastically. As beam power increases, the damage incurred by BIDs, including thermal shock, fatigue, and irradiation damage, also rises. Therefore, it is imperative to design materials that can withstand high beam power for longer lifetimes. High entropy alloys (HEAs) have emerged as potential alternative materials for designing next-generation BIDs. In this study, we primarily focus on materials for developing beam windows for next-generation accelerator complexes. We propose an integrated approach that combines various computational techniques to study and design new materials. Specifically, we use CALPHAD, density functional theory (DFT), and molecular dynamics (MD) to comprehensively investigate the defect properties of suitable HEAs, offering potential alternatives for future beam windows. We begin by scanning the extensive phase space provided by Cr-Mn-V-Ti-Al-Co HEAs, selecting 8 compositions after evaluating approximately 120,000 unique compositions using CALPHAD. We, then employ DFT-informed machine learning techniques to develop force-field parameters. Finally, MD simulations using these developed force-field parameters will be used to study the effects of radiation damage on the defect and mechanical properties of the selected alloys. This research explains the use of the CALPHAD approach and shows how critical modeling (DFT and MD) is in developing novel material such as HEAs. It also highlights the promising role of machine learning in this field. The results from this study will greatly improve the novel materials development to be used in next-generation accelerator components, leading to higher beam power and longer operational times of BIDs.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2024

High-Power Targetry R&D for Next-Generation Accelerator Target Facilities

Beam-intercepting devices such as beam windows and particle-production targets are critical components of accelerator target facilities for High Energy Physics (HEP) experiments. The high-power, pulsed structure of the particle beams used for these experiments leads to thermal shock and high-cycle fatigue in addition to radiation damage resulting from the accumulated particle fluence. This can lead to degradation of the target system s mechanical and thermal properties; considerably reducing their lifetimes and presenting substantial challenges to reliable operation of multi-MW class facilities. Recently several major accelerator facilities have been forced to operate at reduced power levels due to target survivability concerns. Furthermore, at Fermilab it is planned to increase the neutrino production beam power up to 2.4 MW in coming years. Therefore, timely R&D on the irradiated behavior of target system materials is critical to efficient operation of accelerator facilities and full utilization of recent accelerator power upgrades for HEP research. This talk will begin with an overview of high-power targetry, and the significant challenges presented by beam power increases expected for future HEP experiments. We will then cover several past materials irradiation studies that have been completed by the High-Power Targetry R&D group at Fermilab and its collaborators on common accelerator and target materials such as graphite, beryllium, titanium, and tungsten. Finally, we will conclude with a discussion of two novel materials investigations under way within the group; high-entropy alloys for beam window applications, and electrospun nanofibers to serve as particle production targets.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Predicting seismic amplitudes with machine learning

The accurate estimation of seismic wave amplitude is vital to precisely determine the yield, magnitude, and event discrimination possible for a given network – a critical element in nuclear explosion monitoring. This task is complicated by several factors, including but not limited to radiation pattern, scattering effects, and crustal variations, which can lead to the attenuation or amplification of amplitude along a given raypath. In this report, we explore the novel application of machine learning to the task of seismic amplitude estimation by training a simple Artificial Neural Network (ANN) on an S-wave amplitude dataset from Lai et al. (2019). Attributes from this dataset used as input to the ANN included event-station distances, station locations (latitude, longitude), event locations (latitude, longitude), event depths, event magnitudes, radiation patterns, signal-to noise ratio (SNR) measurements (average-amplitude, peak-to-trough, maximum peak), and signal periods. We find that the trained ANN predicts S-wave amplitudes with a modest tendency toward underestimating the actual values, as indicated by a linear regression between predicted and actual data (slope: 0.892, intercept: -0.651). These results suggest that an ANN can perform this task, with potential for significant improvements through improved datasets, architectures, and parameter tuning.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗
DOE OSTI2025

Machine protection system for coherent electron cooling experiment

The coherent electron cooling (CeC) experiment employs a 15 MeV electron beam with up to a few milliamperes current which is capable of destroying the vacuum equipment or intercepting beam diagnostics. The high-current beam can be delivered to two different dumps. RF systems include normal conducting and superconducting cavities which also require protection from abnormal conditions. In this paper, we describe in detail the design and operation of the machine protection system for the CeC accelerator.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Unraveling the Noise: An Investigation Plan for Signal Interference in Hearing Aids

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) has revolutionized the performance of hearing aids with functionalities like seamless audio streaming and enhanced auditory functions. However, BLE operates within the highly congested 2.4 GHz frequency band, making it susceptible to signal interference that can degrade performance, reduce audio quality, and impact user experience. This paper documents interference patterns in BLE communication and introduces practical mitigation techniques aimed at improving the reliability of hearing aids. Attack vectors associated with Bluetooth enabled hearing aids include communication jamming, the interception of data between target devices, and GATT handle exploitation. Attackers could also use the vulnerabilities to block communications or intercept sensitive audio streams, posing significant security and privacy risks. These threats compromise two critical components of the CIA triad: (1) availability, by causing persistent connectivity issues, and (2) integrity, by enabling unauthorized data modifications. It is necessary to deal with these problems to ensure hearing aids work well and safely. This study investigates the impact of BLE signal interference on hearing aids, using tools such as HackRF [1], a Python tool to simulate interference scenarios, and Ubertooth [2] to sniff Bluetooth traffic between hearing aids and the device with the application. This paper investigates testing of BLE traffic in search of specific interference patterns that would impact the functionality of hearing aids, including jamming and flooding. This research focuses on developing robust mitigation techniques with the aim of securing BLE-enabled hearing aids against those vulnerabilities.

Baldwin, David [Savannah River National Laboratory↗
DOE OSTI2025

RaDIATE Collaboration Thermal shock studies

As next-generation accelerator target facilities (High Energy Physics, Spallation Sources, ... ) become increasingly more powerful and intense, high power target systems face key technical challenges, such as radiation damage and thermal shock. Those ultimately degrade the performance and lifetime of targets and have been identified as the leading cross-cutting challenges of high-power target facilities. In order to operate reliable beam-intercepting devices in the framework of energy and intensity increase for next generation accelerators, the RaDIATE Collaboration (Radiation Damage In Accelerator Target Environment), established in 2012 and managed by Fermilab, brings together existing expertise in nuclear material and accelerator targets from 20 international institutions, including CERN, to execute a coordinated strategy for high power targetry R&D. In this context, several thermal shock studies were performed at CERN's HiRadMat (High-Radiation to Materials) facility, that took a key step towards improving our knowledge on target damage tolerance. The first experiment HRMT-24, supported by EURCARD2 and completed in 2015, successfully validated the Johnson-Cook strength model developed at SwRI on beryllium S200FH (used for beam window material), providing a better confidence in simulating the thermal shock response of current and future S200FH beryllium components. HRMT-43, supported by ARIES and completed in 2018, tested various materials (Be, C, SiC, Si, Ti and ceramic nanofiber). It was a first and unique test which included pre-irradiated specimens from high energy proton beam irradiation to identify thermal shock response differences between non-irradiated and previously irradiated materials. Real-time measurement of dynamic thermomechanical response of graphite helped to benchmark numerical simulations.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Swept-Lookback Deflectometry for High Performance Concentrating Solar Power Optical Metrology

This report describes an initial investigation into a proposed solution to the important problem of performing a detailed evaluation of heliostat optical performance, in situ in a heliostat field. Our approach is to place digital cameras in a position near the receiver where they look back toward the heliostat mirrors. The pixels of each camera sensor identify a set of small cells on the mirror surface, each corresponding to a “mixel.” By either passing reflected sunbeam over the camera or passing the camera through the reflected sunbeam, the cameras intercept sunlight reflected from each mixel. We then analyze the recorded video data to determine times when each mixel transitions from dark to light, and then back to dark. We then use these transitions to construct vectors from the camera to the mixel, and then from the mixel to the edge of the Sun at that moment. We then compute the surface normal at the mixel, which bisects the angle between these vectors. Performing this analysis for all mixels in the mirror yields a high-resolution map of slope across the mirror surface. We have implemented most of this process, successfully collecting data for an example heliostat facet and computing a preliminary estimated slope map. However, more work remains to complete this calculation, since certain factors and transformations are not yet included. Our observations so far support our hypothesis that such a system is possible, but we have not yet completed our quantitative evaluation of the concept.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Towards Portable Laser Desorption Postionization Mass Spectrometry Utilizing Microchip Laser Pulses

A 355 nm, 1.5 ns, up to 1 kHz microchip laser system has been tested to both yield ablation spots and postionize material within a plasma plume. A 30 µJ pulse energy microchip laser successfully ablated all samples: 6601 aluminum, 316 and 304 stainless steel, and Mo metal. While visible ablation craters were observed on all samples mentioned above, the stainless-steel samples displayed visible color changes in the resolidified iron, indicating ionization with the 355 nm pulses during ablation. Additionally, when used to intercept a plasma plume of Cs 2 CO 3 made with a separate laser system, the microchip laser pulses yielded Cs + emission signal otherwise not observed. With these experiments completed, the microchip laser has been successfully verified for readiness to be integrated into the front end of a mass spectrometer system as the ion source.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Hybrid Bioenergy and Hydropower Systems: Leveraging Heterogeneous Biomass and Wastes from Watersheds

Sandia National Laboratories and INL explore the water-for-energy nexus in this white paper, focusing on the impact of heterogeneous watershed waste materials on hydropower facilities. They identify key challenges—such as wildfires, and debris intercepted at water intakes—that adversely affect both watershed health and hydropower operations. More importantly, SNL and INL highlight opportunities to valorize these bioresources and waste materials by converting them into usable energy.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Benchmarking the Use of BPM Quadrupole Moments to Measure Emittance

For the PIP-II program, transverse emittance in the Fermilab Booster must remain well controlled at higher bunch intensities. 4-plate beam position monitors (BPMs) have a small but measurable quadrupole moment, making it possible to infer transverse emittance. By compositing many BPMs together, it becomes possible to improve the quality of the quadrupole signal. The Fermilab Booster BPM system has been used to measure these quadrupole moments in the past year and derive emittances from them. Recent benchmarks show that the derived BPM emittances show similar emittance evolution and value to IPM and Multiwire data. This approach can both supplement and complement existing non-intercepting emittance monitors in accelerators.

Balcewicz, Michael A. [Fermilab] (ORCID:0009000557↗
DOE OSTI2026

VIC-Global Parameter Dataset Sensitivity with the Variable Infiltration Capacity Model: Evaluating the importance of dynamic land surface parameters when using the VIC-Global parameter dataset

Accurate prediction of runoff is essential to water resources management, flood risk assessment, and ecosystem protection. However, many hydrological models still have relatively substantial limitations when representing the influence of land use and land cover (LULC) on runoff generation and routing. Changes in LULC, such as deforestation, urban expansion, agricultural intensification, and wetland loss, have been shown to alter the water balance at the land surface through fundamental hydrologic processes (e.g., interception, infiltration, evapotranspiration, and soil storage). However, it remains an open question what the exact magnitude and timing of these impacts are for the spatial and temporal scales commonly used in engineering applications. In this analysis we focus on one aspect of recent LULC change for assessing human impacts, which is urbanization. Specifically we seek to determine the impacts of urbanization on the magnitude and timing of surface runoff and baseflow in HUC-12 basins in Clark County, Nevada which has experienced rapid urbanization. We use the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) hydrology model with a widely used off-the-shelf dataset of land surface parameters, VIC-Global, both of which have been commonly used in the past for water and energy balance modeling for large scale hydrologic studies. We examine two scenarios where the first scenario removes all urbanized land cover and parameterizes those areas of the basins as barren or open shrubland. The second scenario tests the opposite case where all areas of the basins are classified as urban regardless of their present classification. The results from the VIC model show there is a low sensitivity for daily surface runoff between scenarios. The daily baseflow values indicate similar low sensitivity to the classification change during specific periods, but then have substantial differences during other period when large precipitation events are occurring. This is likely due to the assumed parameter values for the urban land cover classification made by the VIC-Global dataset. Using a static land cover parameterization is reasonable for large domain hydrology models that are being used for near-term planning horizons (<30 years). However, longer planning horizons where feedbacks between the atmosphere and land surface are important, especially in transient climate situations, considerations for how to update land surface parameters should be incorporated.

42 ENGINEERING↗