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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 667 records · Page 37
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Performance Testing of Enhanced Linear Variable Integrated Sensor (ELVIS III) for LVDTs

The Enhanced Linear Variable Intrinsic Sensor (ELVIS) was a 2024 breakthrough discovery by Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in terms of further innovating the usage of all linear variable differential transformers (LVDTs) and enhancing their performance in harsh environments. In irradiation tests conducted within material test reactors (MTRs), LVDTs with an internal temperature sensing capability can address several critical challenges. This report focuses on performance testing of the ELVIS III device with new hybrid LVDTs provided by the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE), which is the world’s sole supplier of nuclear-grade LVDTs. The ELVIS III device was evaluated in terms of temperature showcasing promising results comparable to a typical type-K thermocouple (TC).

46 - INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AN↗
DOE OSTI2025

Steam generator model design parameter sensitivity study for small modular reactor system

Here, this study focuses on design parameter sensitivity studies pertaining to several Once-Through Steam Generator (OTSG) model cases both with and without a riser using python and advanced risk assessment and optimization tool, i.e. Risk Analysis Virtual Environment (RAVEN) developed at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), to support a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) system. The presented Steam Generator (SG) python-based model is a mathematical representation of a steam-generating unit for a Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)-type SMR system, including fluid flow and heat transfer equations, models, and correlations. Design studies involve changing the model’s input design parameters (e.g., temperature, pressure, mass flow rate) to observe the resulting effects on the output of the system, such as the Heat Transfer Coefficient (HTC), Reynolds number, Nusselt number, and heat transfer performance. Sensitivity studies analyze the degree to which system output and/or desired parameters (e.g., HTC or heat transfer performance) are sensitive to changes in the input parameters. By using RAVEN, detailed design parametric sensitivity studies. Six input parameters—namely, the pressure, temperature, and mass flow rate for the inlet of the primary-side (hot fluid) and secondary-side (cold fluid) of the SG—were randomly perturbed via RAVEN’s Monte Carlo Sampler module, using uniform distributions (i.e., ±1%, ±5% and ±10 % relative changes) for 600 samples. The analysis results give valuable insights into SG system performance, and provide justification for further research and development such as optimized sensor placement, design verification, validation, and optimization.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Dispatch Optimization Variable Engine

The Dispatch Optimization Variable Engine (DOVE) is software tool written in python, developed at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) that provides an easily accessible application-programming-interface (API) to performing resource dispatch optimization analysis for integrated energy system (IES) configurations. DOVE is an integral part of the Framework for Optimization of Resources and Economics (FORCE) software suite and is leveraged by codes such as the Holistic Energy Resource Optimization Network (HERON) and the Optimization of Real-Time Capacity Allocation (ORCA). The philosophy behind DOVE is to provide a modular software solution to IES planning and operation by utilizing state-of-the-art algorithms and machine learning. The goal is to accurately capture the dispatching behavior of a complex energy system given varying time-dependent signals for demand and commodity pricing.

McDowell, DylanJ. [Idaho National Laboratory (INL)↗
DOE OSTI2026

Asi Nuclear Energy Sensors Data Portal Chatbot And Data Structuring Tool

The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is advancing the development of an AI-powered chatbot and data structuring tool specifically designed to accelerate data mining processes for sensor-related information and seamlessly integrate the results into the ASI Sensors Data Portal (https://nes.energy.gov/). By doing so, the software aims to enhance the accessibility, usability, and organization of sensor data for nuclear energy applications. The software initial phase focuses on retrieving comprehensive datasets, prioritizing the past five years of publicly available information from the Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI). These datasets will be meticulously processed to ensure compatibility, employing cleaning and preprocessing steps to eliminate irrelevant, incomplete, or corrupted information, thus establishing a robust foundation for subsequent AI use. The data will serve as the backbone for training an AI model and chatbot, which will act as an interactive tool enabling users to ask complex, context-specific questions and receive accurate, validated answers derived from constrained literature. In parallel, the project incorporates a data structuring process supported by AI to organize sensor information from multiple sources into a standardized format. This structured data will include detailed sensor specifications, such as measurement range, applications, accuracy, and operating conditions, generated and documented with AI. These specifications will be systematically integrated into the sensor portal. To maintain the highest levels of accuracy and relevance, all AI-generated outputs will be reviewed and validated by subject matter experts (SMEs), with additional fields or parameters added as needed. Future stages of the project aim to expand the dataset beyond OSTI to include other sources and potentially incorporate unclassified controlled information (UCI) with restricted access protocols to address security and confidentiality requirements.

Mapes, NormanJ. [Idaho National Laboratory (INL), ↗
DOE OSTI2024

Mapping Support for Targeted Critical Minerals Exploration and Extraction

The United States’ dependency on imported minerals poses significant risks to economic stability and national security due to potential supply disruptions. Recognizing the strategic importance of critical minerals, the Department of Energy (DOE) emphasizes the need for a secure and resilient supply chain to support emissions reduction, technology development, and capitalization on clean energy opportunities. The DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC), in collaboration with the Office of Policy (OP), addresses these vulnerabilities by focusing on upstream domestic critical minerals production, balancing extraction with social and environmental goals, including conservation, environmental justice, and respect for Tribal sovereignty. This report showcases a collaborative effort involving Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Argonne National Laboratory (Argonne), National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to map mineral development potential along with key social and environmental datasets. A geographical information system (GIS)-based web map application was developed as a preliminary tool for environmental analysis, integrating 158 geospatial data layers such as critical habitat, land ownership, economic indicators, and environmental concerns. Data were sourced from agencies like the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and USGS and processed using GIS technology to enhance visualization and analysis. The proposed analysis framework categorizes areas into high, mid, and low concern based on withdrawn lands, special status species, the Economic Development Capacity Index (EDCI) Mining Composite Index, and the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST). While the application provides broad visualizations, it is not a substitute for detailed environmental reviews required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Users must conduct further analyses and engage with tribal entities and other stakeholders for comprehensive planning. A case study of the Idaho Cobalt Belt (ICB) in Lemhi County, Idaho, has been provided in the report to illustrate the tool's practical use. This report introduces a GIS application and framework to support stakeholders in identifying and prioritizing areas for critical mineral exploration, promoting secure supply chains, and advancing the nation's energy independence through responsible resource stewardship.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Reactor System Facility Modification to Detect Compromised Human Machine Interfaces

This study focuses on a multi-layered Industrial Control System (ICS)/Operational Technology (OT) security architecture to aid in the discovery and mitigation of compromised Human Machine Interface (HMI)/Instrumentation & Control (I&C) based systems for modifying a prototypical reactor condition test facility called the Flowing Autoclave System (FAS) at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). This is achieved through a three-layered combination of network security solutions, hash-based algorithms, and blockchain technologies. Hash algorithms are mathematical functions used to generate a predetermined set of fixed-length values. They are widely used in computer security to verify the integrity of system information and data, both on a local network and the wider internet. Even small amounts of unauthorized system modification will cause the hash algorithm to output a set of characters that deviate significantly from its original value. Assisting secure hash functions, blockchain technology is a secure and distributed technology used to provide an immutable set of records replicated on all devices within a decentralized network. Blockchain offers a cost-effective solution to detect system compromise by providing a traceable breadcrumb trail of all network activity and data modification happening on a system. If both are used in conjunction with network monitoring tools, the integration of this three-pronged approach can become an asset in detecting suspected system compromises before any real damage can occur.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Geographically Distributed Co-Simulation for the Interplay of Integrated Energy Systems and Power Grid

The increased penetration of renewable generation induces unbalanced demand-supply on a power grid, while integrated energy systems (IES) can provide high part-load efficiency and high flexibility to support grid resilience. To study the transients and improve dynamic operability, it’s important to investigate the interplay between IES and power grid concurrently using real-time co-simulation approaches. In this presentation, we showed the previous co-simulation test between NETL and INL and discussed how this co-simulation can be beneficial for both IES and power grid research. In addition, we gave an overview about the SuperLab2.0 project, which was a federated national platform to address future power grid challenges. (Virtual presentation to the MILLENNIUM CLEAN and SUSTAINABLE POWER workshop 2025).

Co-simulation↗
DOE OSTI2026

Equipment Assessment Guide: A Technical Inspection and Hardening Guide for Devices in Power Grid Operations

This Equipment Assessment Guide, developed by Idaho National Laboratory (INL), provides a comprehensive framework designed to enhance the security of operational technology (OT) devices within power grid operations. The guide outlines essential steps for asset owners to conduct technical inspections and harden vulnerable hardware and firmware components commonly found in embedded systems. It focuses on components frequently targeted by cyber threats, offering valuable identification techniques for locating and recognizing critical components on devices. Additionally, the guide presents recommended secure configurations aimed at minimizing exposure and reinforcing defenses, along with impact analysis that highlights the potential consequences for grid operations if components are compromised. By implementing the recommendations outlined in this guide, asset owners can significantly enhance their cybersecurity posture, reduce the attack surface of field-deployed devices, and improve the resilience of grid services against emerging cyber threats.

42 - ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Manufacturability and performance response of developed Ni-based alloys for reactor environments

Under the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies program, two Ni-based alloys fabricated by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) at ORNL and laser powder directed energy deposition (LP-DED) at INL have been evaluated: γ′-strengthened Haynes 282 and solution-strengthened Inconel 625. Printing defects were observed in the LPBF 282 alloy fabricated using a Renishaw AM250 machine, likely due to particle spattering during printing. For both the LPBF and LP-DED 282 alloys, annealing at 1,180°C for 1 h resulted in partial recrystallization and a bimodal grain distribution, while subsequent aging for 4 h at 800°C led to the formation of a high density of nano size γ′-strengthening precipitates. Creep testing performed at 750°C revealed lower creep life and ductility for the LPBF and LP-DED 282 compared with wrought 282. X-ray computed tomography combined with optical and scanning electron microscopy microstructural characterization revealed crack formation in the LPBF 282 alloy during creep testing, initiated either from printing defects or from creep cavitation at grain boundaries. Creep cavitation and cracking at grain boundaries were also observed for the LP-DED 282 alloy, and optimization of the printing strategies and post heat treatments will be needed to fabricate high performance 282 components for high temperature nuclear applications.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Forced flow transient safety analysis of irradiation device with adjustable orifice for research reactor fuel assemblies

The Belgium Reactor 2 (BR2) of the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN) has several irradiation devices or rigs that are dedicated to the fuel performance and qualification demonstration testing of research reactor fuels. In support of the U.S. High Performance Research Reactor (USHPRR) LEU conversion project, a new flexible irradiation apparatus, MUSTANG-R, has been constructed. SCK CEN has completed the design and safety study, in cooperation with Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), to allow for the irradiation testing of a full-size fuel assembly in a 200 mm diameter channel in the BR2 reactor. The moveable valve is a key design feature of the device and acts like an adjustable orifice enhancing or restricting the flow through a coolant channel inlet located in the BR2 upper plenum. This moveable valve allows the flow through the device to be adjusted prior to each BR2 cycle to obtain the necessary conditions for the fuel qualification test. This ensures accurate and representative thermal-hydraulic conditions of the fuel design are achieved. The device was designed and qualified as passively safe, implying verification by a combination of mechanical and thermal-hydraulic analysis and testing. This includes characterization of the safety margin required for a scenario where the moveable valve is assumed to be erroneously closed during irradiation. A simplified and conservative method is proposed for analyzing the corresponding forced flow transient using a critical heat flux criterion. In conclusion, this allows the required minimum valve opening to be determined for the experiments' design and safety studies.

11 - NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Resilience Development For Electric Energy Delivery Systems

The Resilience Development for Electric Energy Delivery Systems (ResDEEDS) tool walks users through the process of evaluating electric energy delivery systems (EEDS) for resiliency. It implements the steps of the INL Resilience Framework for EEDS and provides automated tracking of resilience planning and suggestions for mitigating hazards.

Culler, MeganJ.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Multiplayer Engineering

INL engineers developed a special purpose software framework designed to establish real-time connections between multiple running Unity instances. The framework is developed in Unity, a game engine development platform. This framework programmatically attaches functions to engineering models, enabling users to interact with, observe, and make changes to virtual models. These interactions are broadcasted through websocket connections, and received by other engineers in real-time.

Woodruff, Nathan↗
DOE OSTI2025

Advancing Multi-Hazard Risk and Safety Considerations for Aging Nuclear Facilities (Revision 1)

This project will demonstrate a multi-hazard time-dependent probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) approach for nuclear facilities considering aging-related deterioration of structures. A generic pressurized water reactor (PWR) reactor subjected to seismic mainshock-aftershock sequences considering the aging of the containment structure will be used as a case study to demonstrate the multi-hazard PRA approach. Using advanced modeling and simulation, seismic mainshock-aftershock fragility functions will be simulated for the containment structure considering aging effects. A multi-hazard PRA model for a generic PWR reactor will be built to quantify the multi-hazard core damage frequency (CDF) and large early release frequency (LERF) with explicit time-dependent modeling of event sequences. To date, the cascading impacts of multi-hazards are not adequately accounted for in the PRA models for nuclear facilities. In addition, for both initial and periodic evaluation of facilities to withstand natural phenomena hazards (NPH), deterioration of the SSCs due to aging and other effects is not adequately considered. By advancing multi-hazard considerations accounting for aging effects, this project will contribute to improved understanding of the safety of aging nuclear facilities. Project outcomes such as the multi-hazard CDF and LERF will also allow facility owners to optimize upgrade and retrofit protocols. This project is divided into two components: (1) advanced modeling and simulations; and (2) multi-hazard PRA. For the first component, Idaho National Laboratory’s (INL) Multi-hazard Analysis for STOchastic time-DOmaiN phenomena (MASTODON) and BlackBear codes will be used to simulate the seismic response and damage of a containment structure under cascading mainshock-aftershock sequences with aging effects. Uncertainties related to the seismic inputs, material parameters, and environmental factors such as temperature and humidity will be identified and propagated to the fragility functions. These fragility functions, which consider aging effects, will be time dependent. The second component will take the fragility information from the first component to build a multi-hazard time-dependent PRA model starting from a generic PWR model to evaluate the multi-hazard CDF and LERF and characterize the associated consequences. For this component, OpenPRA Web Application and SAPHIRE code will be used. Events such as the Fukushima Daiichi accident have highlighted the importance of considering the cascading impacts of multi-hazards for PRA. Moreover, many of the reactors in the current nuclear fleet in the United States (US) are already operating well beyond their initially planned design life, and applications for further extensions to operating licenses are being considered. Therefore, considering multi-hazard effects and aging deterioration in the NPH risk assessment process will contribute to the safety of both existing and future nuclear facilities. Outcomes of this project will thus directly benefit the standards DOE-STD-1020-16 and DOE-HDBK-1224-18.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Securing the Modern Grid: Federal Investments, Digitization, and Supply Chain Strategy

Across the United States (U.S.) grid expansion and modernization is underway, paving the way for accelerated load growth and intelligent resource management. Digitization of the grid is supported by several state and federal programs, providing support for utilities installing advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), AI-powered analytics systems, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and distributed energy resource management systems (DERMS) to transform the grid from a one-way power delivery system into an intelligent, responsive network that will enable faster load growth and power expansion of data centers for advanced artificial intelligence (AI) applications. The digital transformation of America's grid presents opportunity for increased efficiency and resiliency but also introduces new digital risks that require careful management. Digital equipment often contains several vulnerabilities such as unencrypted communication protocols, and persistent remote access capabilities that could be exploited to manipulate device settings, coordinate service disruptions, or inject false data into grid operations. These digital risks become particularly important as the grid must rapidly scale to support AI-driven data centers, which the administration has identified as essential for maintaining U.S. technological leadership and economic competitiveness. These vulnerabilities are compounded by supply chain realities: Chinese manufacturers currently produce 70-90% of essential grid components including inverters, batteries, and control systems, with the U.S. lacking domestic manufacturing capacity for critical assets like extra-high voltage transformers. Recent federal legislation has established Foreign Entity of Concern (FEOC) restrictions to address these risks, requiring projects to achieve escalating thresholds of non-FEOC content to receive tax credits while utilities work to expand sourcing channels for their supply chains and strengthen security measures. These restrictions arrive precisely when utilities face unprecedented electricity demand growth driven by the rapid growth in data centers, creating a considerable challenge: rapidly expanding infrastructure while navigating complex compliance requirements while lacking viable alternatives for many critical components. Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and its partners have developed practical approaches to help utilities navigate these intersecting challenges as they leverage federal investment to strengthen and grow the grid. These solutions include Cyber-Informed Engineering (CIE) principles that build resilience directly into systems, the Cirrus tool for secure cloud migration, and enhanced procurement guidance that embeds security requirements throughout equipment lifecycles. Federal initiatives, such as the Technical Assistance for Digital Assurance (TADA) project, provide direct support to utilities implementing these approaches while facilitating knowledge sharing across the industry. While these tools and frameworks cannot eliminate all risks inherent in foreign supply chain dependencies, they offer pragmatic pathways for strengthening security posture without sacrificing the deployment momentum essential to meeting surging electricity demand. Ultimately, securing America's digital energy infrastructure demands dedicated coordination across multiple fronts: building domestic supply chains, implementing robust digital assurance practices, and maintaining the aggressive modernization timeline necessary for reliability, resilience, and energy independence.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2025

Legacy Metallic Fuel U(Pu)Zr Data Qualification

The Metallic Fuels Irradiation and Physics Database (FIPD) is an organized collection of legacy metallic fuel U(Pu)Zr data, measurements, and reactor conditions from the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II) and the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF). The database provides a wealth of information and is easily accessed and utilized by the U.S. nuclear industry and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The database contains three categories of data. The first category covers fuel pin fabrication specifications, including fuel slug diameter and length, cladding diameter, smeared density, etc. The second consists of operational conditions, which include axial distributions of power, temperature, fluence, burnup, isotopic density, etc. The third category contains post-irradiation examination (PIE) results, largely collected at facilities now part of the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), formerly part of Argonne National Laboratory -West (ANL-W) and at the Alpha-Gamma Hot Cell Facility (AGHCF) at Argonne National Laboratory, comprising fission gas release and chemistry analysis, profilometry measurements, neutron radiography data, etc. All these data have been organized and preserved in FIPD.

11 - NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2025

CalderaCast User Manual Version 1.0

CalderaCast is a user-friendly web-based tool for electrical-load forecast, providing stakeholders with a fully customizable decision-support framework that estimates the likely power draw from a possible future electric-vehicle (EV) charging station at a given location on a given day along an alternative fuel corridor (AFC). These EV charging profiles are accurately modeled in CalderaCast using the Caldera software framework developed by Idaho National Laboratories (INL), reflecting the realistic charging levels observed in actual charge events. This tool was developed as part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, which is quickly generating substantial interest from would-be charging station operators (CSO), large and small electric utilities, and state transportation planners, some of whom had not seriously considered EV charging previously. All these entities—with or without background in EV infrastructure—must estimate the electricity load that a proposed charging station will generate. This load forecast is critically important for a utility to properly assess the capacity of their distribution network to support the proposed station or properly size grid upgrades for potential load growth due to future EV adoption, vehicle technology improvements, or station growth. This document describes each aspect of the CalderaCast tool and provides guidance to users who are interested in utilizing the tool for their work.

24 - POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2025

STARTR: An Open-Source MARVEL model for the NRIC Virtual Test Bed [Poster]

The National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) seeks to improve the understanding of microreactor physics in industry and academia through the development of a Microreactor Applications Research Validation and Evaluation (MARVEL) reactor-based model, published on the Virtual Test Bed (VTB). To achieve this goal, the Sodium-cooled Thermal-spectrum Advanced Research Test Reactor (STARTR) model was built using publicly available MARVEL specifications where possible and approximations where applicable, and was optimized for fast runtimes for researchers to receive rapid simulation feedback. STARTR will fill a gap between stakeholder interest and available models, as the first Sodium-cooled Thermal Reactor (STR) hosted on the VTB with baseline performance sanctioned by INL. This project involved the definition of all materials used in the reactor, geometry and all reactor subcomponents, and assertion of tallies and simulation settings within OpenMC 0.13.3. This poster details a small subset of the overall reactor physics testing: the two-dimensional power peaking factors and the flux energy spectrum, as well as plots of the created geometry. Future work includes code-to-code verification between the OpenMC-based model and a separately designed MCNP 6.2-based model.

21 - SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLAN↗
DOE OSTI2025

CyberMESA: Evaluation Procedures and Metrics for Charging Infrastructure Cybersecurity

A report detailing the cybersecurity evaluation and assessment procedures for EV charging infrastructure. This report is authored by three national lab contributors. INL, PNNL, NRL. The grid integration of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI) is a large and complex system of systems (SoS) made up of components from many manufacturers and integrated by various companies responsible for their operation and maintenance. This complexity makes it challenging to implement security standards like IEC 62443 across the entire infrastructure. This document aims to aid in the vulnerability assessments of individual devices, such as Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE), to support vendors in adopting and implementing security standards such as UL 2900, NIST SP 800-53 and Common Criteria (CC) (ISO/IEC 15408). This document serves as a guide to help evaluate the cybersecurity posture of EVCI assets. It aims to provide a consistent method for evaluating EVCI, enabling cybersecurity research teams to systematically test a wide range of electric vehicle (EV) assets. The target audiences include cybersecurity research teams, vendor development teams, automotive OEMs, and third-party evaluators.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗