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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 703 records · Page 39
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Neutron imaging of inertial confinement fusion implosions

We review experimental neutron imaging of inertial confinement fusion sources, including the neutron imaging systems that have been used in our measurements at the National Ignition Facility. These systems allow measurements with 10 µm resolution for fusion deuterium–deuterium and deuterium–tritium neutron sources with mean radius up to 400 µm, including measurements of neutrons scattered to lower energy in the remaining cold fuel. These measurements are critical for understanding the fusion burn volume and the three-dimensional effects that can reduce the neutron yields.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Parametrized uncertainties in the spectral function model of neutrino charged-current quasielastic interactions for oscillation analyses

A substantial fraction of systematic uncertainties in neutrino oscillation experiments stem from the lack of precision in modeling the nuclear target in neutrino-nucleus interactions. Whilst this has driven significant progress in the development of improved nuclear models for neutrino scattering, it is crucial that the models used in neutrino data analyses be accompanied by parameters and associated uncertainties that allow the coverage of plausible nuclear physics. Based on constraints from electron scattering data, we propose such a set of parameters, which can be applied to nuclear shell models, and test their application to the Benhar [] spectral function model. The parametrization is validated through a series of maximum likelihood fits to cross section measurements made by the T2K and MINERvA experiments, which also permit an exploration of the power of near-detector data to provide constraints on the parameters in neutrino oscillation analyses. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Anisotropic Flow in Fixed-Target 208 Pb + 20 Ne Collisions as a Probe of Quark-Gluon Plasma

The System for Measuring Overlap with Gas (SMOG2) at the LHCb detector enables the study of fixed-target ion-ion collisions at relativistic energies ($\sqrt{𝑠_{NN}}$ ∼ 100 GeV in the center of mass). Here, with input from ab initio calculations of the structure of 16 O and 20 Ne , we compute 3+1⁢D hydrodynamic predictions for the anisotropic flow of Pb+Ne and Pb+O collisions to be tested with upcoming LHCb data. This will allow the detailed study of quark-gluon plasma formation as well as experimental tests of the predicted nuclear shapes. Elliptic flow (𝑣 2 ) in Pb + Ne collisions is greatly enhanced compared to the Pb + O baseline due to the shape of 20 Ne , which is deformed in a bowling-pin geometry. Owing to the large 208 Pb radius, this effect is seen in a broad centrality range, a unique feature of this collision configuration. Larger elliptic flow further enhances the quadrangular flow (𝑣 4 ) of Pb + Ne collisions via nonlinear coupling, and impacts the sign of the kurtosis of the elliptic flow vector distribution (𝑐 2 ⁡{4}). Exploiting the shape of 20 Ne proves thus an ideal method to investigate the formation of quark-gluon plasma in fixed-target experiments at LHCb, and demonstrates the power of System for Measuring Overlap with Gas as a tool to image nuclear ground states.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Bimolecular Chemistry in the Ultracold Regime

Advances in atomic, molecular, and optical physics techniques allowed the cooling of simple molecules down to the ultracold regime ([Formula: see text]1 mK) and opened opportunities to study chemical reactions with unprecedented levels of control. This review covers recent developments in studying bimolecular chemistry at ultralow temperatures. We begin with a brief overview of methods for producing, manipulating, and detecting ultracold molecules. We then survey experimental works that exploit the controllability of ultracold molecules to probe and modify their long-range interactions. Further combining the use of physical chemistry techniques such as mass spectrometry and ion imaging significantly improved the detection of ultracold reactions and enabled explorations of their dynamics in the short range. We discuss a series of studies on the reaction KRb + KRb → K 2 + Rb 2 initiated below 1 μK, including the direct observation of a long-lived complex, the demonstration of product rotational state control via conserved nuclear spins, and a test of the statistical model using the complete quantum state distribution of the products.

Chemistry↗
DOE OSTI2020

Demonstrate embedding of sensors in a relevant microreactor component

This report describes the first successful embedding of sensors in stainless steel pipe specimens and a miniature hex block to support structural health monitoring of microreactor components during electrically heated testing in non-nuclear testbed facilities. Sensors were embedded with an ultrasonic additive manufacturing process that uses a combination of downward pressure and an ultrasonic scrubbing motion to bond stainless steel foils to underlying materials. After placing sensors within cavities that have been machined to the size of the sensors, the ultrasonic bonding process fills the gaps around the sensors and embeds them within the part. Both Type K thermocouples and spatially distributed fiber-optic strain sensors were successfully embedded within two pipe specimens and a miniature hex block. After the fiber-optic sensors were embedded, they were interrogated and found to have minimal signal attenuation within the embedded region—a significant improvement compared to previous trials. This is likely because of the low-bend-loss fiber that was used, which greatly reduces microbending losses that occur after the embedding process. In addition to showing minimal signal attention, the fibers also showed adequate compressive strain, which is a strong indication that the sensors are physically embedded in the parts as opposed to simply being loosely contained inside the machined cavities. The embedded fibers were able to capture the strain induced in one of the pipe specimens while the pipe was actively heated with a moving heat source.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2022

Remote Area Modular Monitoring of Critical Facilities

The scope and pricipal objectives of the CRADA project is to (1) improve the design of patented Remote Area Modular Monitoring (RAMM) system, and (2) construct prototypes for testing and demonstration in nuclear facilities at Argonne National Laboratory and other DOE labs/sites.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2023

Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured 316L Stainless Steel Before and After Neutron Irradiation–FY23

This report presents the observed mechanical behavior of the additively manufactured (AM) 316L stainless steel (SS) before and after neutron irradiation. In the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies (AMMT) program, a variety of mechanical and physical property data are generated and accumulated to assess the AM austenitic alloy for nuclear reactor applications. The testing and evaluation task in the FY 2023 focused on elucidating the effects of sampling location and build size on the mechanical properties of AM 316L SS (in stress-relieved condition) before and after neutron irradiation. The laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process produced 316L plates of three distinct sizes from which SS-J3 miniature tensile specimens were machined from six different locations. The tensile specimens were irradiated in the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) normally to 2 and 10 dpa at the target temperatures of 300 °C and 600 °C. Post-irradiation tensile testing was performed at room temperature, 300 °C, and 600 °C. The mechanical properties of AM 316L SS were significantly influenced by the characteristic microstructures of printed materials, which include fine grains and high-density dislocations. Compared with the traditional 316L SS, AM 316L showed higher initial strength and lower ductility. Regardless of sampling location, the AM 316L steel retained relatively high strength and ductility to the highest irradiation dose. A prompt necking at yield (with little uniform ductility) was observed after irradiation at 300 °C but no embrittlement was observed up to 10 dpa. Ductilization by irradiation–the radiation-induced increase of ductility–was observed for the 600 °C irradiation only and it occurred in low dose range only. The neutron irradiation increased the data variation in many tensile property datasets, particularly after 600 °C irradiation, and no clear dependence of tensile properties on build thickness or sampling location was observed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order Nevada National Security Site Use Restriction Management Plan, Revision 2

This Use Restriction Management Plan (URMP) provides the information needed to create, modify, and manage use restrictions (URs) for sites on the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS), and sites accessed through the NNSS main gate, that were closed using the corrective action alternative (CAA) of closure in place under the Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO). It addresses URs established under the FFACO for releases related to the development, testing, and production of nuclear weapons that are located on the NNSS and that are accessed through the NNSS main gate. FFACO URs are established at sites where contamination remains at levels exceeding final action levels (FALs) or is forecasted to exceed Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) maximum contaminant levels (CFR, 2025a) over the next 1,000 years following completion of corrective actions. Administrative URs are established at Industrial Sites and Soils sites where contamination remains at levels exceeding industrial action levels as defined in the Soils RBCA document. All URs stipulate restrictions sufficient to ensure the protection of human health, safety, and the environment.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Ultra-high Bandwidth, Ultra-high Dynamic Range X-Ray Shock Characterization via Photonic Integrated Circuit

Nuclear weapon component assessment tests at the Z Machine rely on accurate X-ray yield measurements for model validation, design and analysis of component survivability, and source optimization. Yield measurement devices currently used do not provide the requisite certainty to enable accurate and efficient data analysis of test results, which leads to an increase in Z-shots required for evaluation, longer device development times, and higher operation costs. Additionally, current X-ray flux detectors lack high temporal resolution at the tails. Similarly, shock measurement techniques used for component assessment often lack the ability to spatially resolve wave behavior thereby limiting the ability to measure shock propagation dynamics needed to design the next generation of ND components. Here we present the development of a photonic micro-calorimeter and shock sensor consisting of meter-long waveguide spirals that are optomechanically coupled to X-ray absorbing layers to characterize yield and shock propagation at nanosecond timescales.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2025

The propagation of seismic waves, misinformation, and disinformation from the 2024-10-05 M 4.5 Iran earthquake

The 2024-10-05 Iran M 4.5 earthquake took place at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East. We perform a discrimination and moment tensor analysis and identify a shallow-dipping, reverse fault source commensurate with the compressional setting of the Iranian interior. Nonetheless, the event's aftermath saw widespread dissemination of misinformation, and potentially active disinformation, concluding that it was in fact a test of an Iranian nuclear weapon. The 'evidence' for many of these claims was based on inaccurate interpretation of seismic data. In this paper, we analyze how geophysical 'fake news' propagated through social media (mainly Twitter/X) following this event, eventually gaining traction in mainstream, earned media. This event is an illustrative warning of how seismic data can be misinterpreted and/or manipulated in public discourse.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

DOE EM Sponsored Research on Long-Term Dry Storage of Aluminum Clad SNF

This PowerPoint presentation describes and discusses DOE EM and INL lead studies on addressing potential technical issues associated with long-term dry storage of aluminum clad spent nuclear fuel. This same presentation was made to the US Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board in Nov 2019.

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

Design and Optimization of a Gas-Cooled, Airfoil Fin Microchannel Heat Exchanger

High-performance microchannel heat exchangers are needed to supply heat for power conversion for nuclear microreactors. An airfoil fin microchannel design, constructed of Alloy 617 with helium as the working fluid, was analyzed and optimized using a design of experiments with artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques. The use of airfoil fins offers the potential to reduce pressure drop across the heat exchanger, as compared to other types of channel configurations. A framework for topology optimization of airfoil fin PCHEs has been developed that can be readily extended to different fin sizes and shapes, as well as different inlet and operating conditions, materials of construction, and working fluids. An optimization procedure was developed that employs computational fluid dynamics for a set of design points identified using Latin hypercube sampling. STAR-CCM+ was used to analyze a simplified two-channel configuration where five parameters were varied – inlet angle, fin scale, extent of staggering, transverse and longitudinal pitches. Two methods were compared for generating surrogate models – a 5D polynomial and a regression neural network. A response surface approximation was created from the surrogate models and input to a genetic algorithm. The genetic algorithm identified a set of optimal points on the Pareto front. The optimal geometry was found across six channel Reynolds numbers ranging from 1000 to 5000 to analyze how varying inlet conditions affects the optimal design. A set of optimal designs that maximizes heat transfer and minimizes pressure drop was identified, and a thermal stress analysis was performed on the optimal design. This work has developed a digital framework for the expedient topology design and evaluation of PCHE designs for gas-cooled microreactor applications. Correlations for the Nusselt number and Darcy friction factor were developed that can be useful for thermal hydraulic analyses using system codes. A thermal stress analysis was conducted and a brief discussion of the status of code cases of PCHEs for nuclear applications is given. Testing and thermomechanical modeling is needed to facilitate future code compliance of PCHEs for high pressure and high temperature applications.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

2021 Source Term Template.xlsx

This is a screening spreadsheet and is used as a tool to calculate the source term for annual reporting, a new proposed project (APAD) or to calculate a periodic confirmatory measurement (PCM). NASA is doing a study of possible locations for a nuclear thermal propulsion ground test site and would like to use the spreadsheet to refine their study and provide guidance for future planning.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Fuel Refabrication Prototype - Presentation for 2021 ASI Annual Webinar

This power point presentation is a summary of the work produced in FY2021 under the LWR Fuel Reinstrumentation project funded by DOE's Advanced Sensor Initiative, and the outlook for FY22. The objective of this portion of the ASI program is to "Capture critical technology created by the Institute For Energy (formerly Halden Reactor Project) to reinstrument irradiated fuel rodlets, and further this technology to enable incorporation of advanced instrumentation: fiberoptics, LVDTs, ultrasonic based sensors". The presentation explains that two of the three equipment modules were received and INL and a number of practice runs were conducted with them. In FY22 the third equipment module will arrive and using the three equipment modules measurement sciences personnel will create a complete prototypical instrumented fuel rodlet (using ceramic surrogates in the place of UO2).

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2023

Neutron Coincidence Measurements of Uranium-233 Oxide

Renewed international interest in thorium-fueled advanced reactors has challenged the safeguards community to address future proliferation concerns. Thorium-based technology presents many benefits but does not eliminate the proliferation risks associated with producing and processing fissile material. A byproduct of thorium-fueled reactors is uranium-233, which is classified as a direct-use material. As a result, the development of new or improved methods to characterize and measure materials containing 233U must mirror the pace of development of reactors and facilities that produce such material. Research is underway to assess, develop, and test approaches for safeguarding nuclear materials within the thorium fuel cycle. Neutron signatures from the nondestructive assay (NDA) of materials containing 233U are being quantified to inform the potential characterization of these materials. Using a traditional neutron coincidence counter and a series of well-documented 233U oxide samples, initial measurements have been made to assess the feasibility of 233U characterization and discrimination from other uranium isotopes, primarily 235U, using a combination of measurement techniques and analysis methods. Data acquisition is performed in list mode, allowing for a variety of analyses to be performed on the raw data that is not available using traditional shift register technology. Measurements were performed in passive and active configurations to quantify the strength of signal and to validate simulations in support of this work. This paper presents and discusses the results of the initial measurements of 233U oxide performed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Lockhart, Madeline↗