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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 739 records · Page 41
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Design and Development of the Handling Frame Assembly Table for the NIF Sustainment Project (Draft)

The Handling Frame Assembly Table is a custom designed piece of equipment developed to support the NIF Sustainment Project. The NIF Sustainment project's goal is to refurbish the National Ignition Facility (NIF), the world’s largest and most energetic laser, so it can continue advancing research in fusion energy, national security, and high energy density physics. A key aspect of this effort involves replacing all 1,728 blast shields on the NIF, which requires specialized equipment such as the Handling Frame Assembly Table to support the production of new blast shields. This project follows a systems engineering approach that guides the design sequence. This report documents the design process from initial concept through final design, including stakeholder analysis, requirements development, conceptual design, design analysis and validation, and final design. Future work will focus on building and commissioning the system.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

Design and Development of the Handling Frame Assembly Table for the National Ignition Facility Blast Shields

The Handling Frame Assembly Table is a custom designed piece of equipment developed to support the NIF Sustainment Project. The goal of the NIF Sustainment Project is to refurbish the National Ignition Facility (NIF), the world’s largest and most energetic laser, so it can continue advancing research in fusion energy, national security, and high energy density physics. A key aspect of this effort involves replacing all 1,728 blast shields on the NIF, which requires specialized equipment such as the Handling Frame Assembly Table to support the production of new blast shields. This project follows a systems engineering approach that guides the design sequence. This report documents the design process from initial concept through final design, including stakeholder analysis, requirements development, conceptual design, final design, and design validation. Future work will focus on building and commissioning the system.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Microstructure & Mechanical Properties of Scaled Thermally Aged LPBF 316H SS Builds

As part of the US Department of Energy’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies program’s mission to accelerate qualification of advanced manufacturing pathways for nuclear applications, laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) 316H stainless steel (SS) has been selected as a model system to develop a rapid code case framework. This effort directly addresses the grand challenges of (1)expanding the limited portfolio of materials currently codified for elevated-temperature nuclear structural service under Section III, Division 5of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code; and (2) significantly reducing qualification timelines that traditionally exceed a decade. The strategic importance of LPBF 316H lies in its immediate industrial relevance, existing data foundation from wrought 316H, and alignment with ongoing code case development for LPBF 316L.Prior work revealed accelerated precipitation of deleterious secondary phases and reduced creep ductility in as-printed LPBF 316H. Building on that prior research, FY2025activities focused on establishing an understanding of the key failure mechanisms of crept 316H specimens to aid in code case development and on evaluating stress relief (SR) parameters on the high-temperature performance and thermal aging-induced degradation of tensile and fracture behavior in LPBF316H.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Design and Development of the Handling Frame Assembly Table for the National Ignition Facility Blast Shields

The Handling Frame Assembly Table is a custom designed piece of equipment developed to support the NIF Sustainment Project. The goal of the NIF Sustainment Project is to refurbish the National Ignition Facility (NIF), the world’s largest and most energetic laser, so it can continue advancing research in fusion energy, national security, and high energy density physics. A key aspect of this effort involves replacing all 1,728 blast shields on the NIF, which requires specialized equipment such as the Handling Frame Assembly Table to support the production of new blast shields. This project follows a systems engineering approach that guides the design sequence. This report documents the design process from initial concept through final design, including stakeholder analysis, requirements development, conceptual design, final design, and design validation. Future work will focus on building and commissioning the system.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Graded Buffer Bragg Reflectors with High Reflectivity and Transparency for Metamorphic Optoelectronics

A graded buffer Bragg reflector (GBBR) is a bifunctional device component that provides the reflection of a distributed Bragg reflector and the adjustable lattice constant of a compositionally graded buffer. Prior work showed that these properties can be combined with low threading dislocation density and high reflectivity. Here, we design and demonstrate complex GBBRs for specific metamorphic solar cell applications. We design buffers that provide (1) high reflectivity over a narrow bandwidth, for quantum well solar cells, (2) reflectivity over a wide bandwidth, for optically thin solar cells, and (3) low sidelobe reflection, for multijunction devices that demand low out-of-band reflection. Apodized and triple GBBRs are demonstrated, and transparency is always considered, requiring designs with carefully engineered material combinations. A GBBR with a reflection of 99% is demonstrated, as well as a triple GBBR that has over 80% reflection for 100?nm of the spectrum around 800?nm. We also analyze potential deviations in a baseline GBBR from that of a perfect DBR using transmission electron microscopy to analyze imperfections in the material and modeling to analyze the impact of imperfect refractive index data for lattice-mismatched AlGaInAs. Minimal crosshatch roughness and unintentional thickness variation occur throughout the buffer, which likely influences reflection slightly. Small deviations between the calculated AlGaInAs and utilized AlGaAs refractive index exist, giving methods for future GBBR improvement. While the GBBR designs are intended for metamorphic solar cells, the broad and high reflection may also be useful for other optoelectronic devices such as light-emitting diodes or lasers.

41 EE - Solar Energy Technologies Office (EE-4S)↗
DOE OSTI2024

LES and RANS Spray Combustion Analysis of OME 3-5 and n-Dodecane

Clean-burning oxygenated and synthetic fuels derived from renewable power, so-called e-fuels, are a promising pathway to decarbonize compression–ignition engines. Polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers (PODEs or OMEs) are one candidate of such fuels with good prospects. Their lack of carbon-to-carbon bonds and high concentration of chemically bound oxygen effectively negate the emergence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and even their precursors like acetylene (C 2 H 2 ), enabling soot-free combustion without the soot-NO x trade-off common for diesel engines. The differences in the spray combustion process for OMEs and diesel-like reference fuels like n-dodecane and their potential implications on engine applications include discrepancies in the observed ignition delay, the stabilized flame lift-off location, and significant deviations in high-temperature flame morphology. For CFD simulations, the accurate modeling and prediction of these differences between OMEs and n-dodecane proved challenging. This study investigates the spray combustion process of an OME 3 − 5 mixture and n-dodecane with advanced optical diagnostics, Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS), and Large-Eddy Simulations (LESs) within a constant-volume vessel. Cool-flame and high-temperature combustion were measured simultaneously via high-speed (50 kHz) imaging with formaldehyde (CH 2 O) planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) representing the former and line-of-sight OH* chemiluminescence the latter. Both RANS and LES simulations accurately describe the cool-flame development process with the formation of CH 2 O. However, CH 2 O consumption and the onset of high-temperature reactions, signaled by the rise of OH* levels, show significant deviations between RANS, LES, and experiments as well as between n-dodecane and OME. A focus is set on the quality of the simulated results compared to the experimentally observed spatial distribution of OH*, especially in OME fuel-rich regions. The influence of the turbulence modeling is investigated for the two distinct ambient temperatures of 900 K and 1200 K within the Engine Combustion Network Spray A setup. The capabilities and limitations of the RANS simulations are demonstrated with the initial cool-flame propagation and periodic oscillations of CH 2 O formation/consumption during the quasi-steady combustion period captured by the LES.

CFD↗
DOE OSTI2020

Ignition delay time and speciation of dibutyl ether at high pressures

Dibutyl ether (DBE) is a promising biofuel due to its high cetane number (~ 100) and high volumetric energy density (31.6 MJ/L). It could either be used directly in compression ignition engines or blended with other conventional or renewable fuels. Oxidation and pyrolysis kinetics of DBE are not well known, particularly at high pressures. In this work, we have experimentally investigated the chemical kinetics of DBE in three domains: (a) ignition delay time measurements in a rapid compression machine over T = 550–650 K, P = 10, 20, 40 bar, φ = 0.5, 1; (b) ignition delay time measurements in a shock tube over T = 900–1300 K, P = 20, 40 bar, φ = 0.5, 1; (c) laser-based carbon monoxide speciation measurements in a shock tube during DBE pyrolysis and oxidation over T = 1100–1400 K, P = 20 bar. Pressure time-histories measured in RCM experiments exhibited unique 3-stage and 4-stage ignition behavior predominantly at fuel-lean conditions. Experimental data were compared with the predictions of two recent chemical kinetic models of DBE. Sensitivity analyses were carried out to identify key reactions which may have caused the discrepancy between experiments and simulations. We found that the rate of decomposition of DBE may need to be revisited to improve the oxidative and pyrolytic predictions of DBE kinetic model.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Scaled Thermally Aged LPBF 316H SS Builds

As part of the US Department of Energy’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies program’s mission to accelerate qualification of advanced manufacturing pathways for nuclear applications, laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) 316H stainless steel (SS) has been selected as a model system to develop a rapid code case framework. This effort directly addresses the grand challenges of (1) expanding the limited portfolio of materials currently codified for elevated-temperature nuclear structural service under Section III, Division 5 of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code; and (2) significantly reducing qualification timelines that traditionally exceed a decade. The strategic importance of LPBF 316H lies in its immediate industrial relevance, existing data foundation from wrought 316H, and alignment with ongoing code case development for LPBF 316L. Prior work revealed accelerated precipitation of deleterious secondary phases and reduced creep ductility in as-printed LPBF 316H. Building on that prior research, FY 2025 activities focused on establishing an understanding of the key failure mechanisms of crept 316H specimens to aid in code case development and on evaluating stress relief (SR) parameters on the high-temperature performance and thermal aging induced degradation of tensile and fracture behavior in LPBF 316H.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Multi-Scale Integrated Monitoring System for Enhancing Methane Emission Detection, Quantification & Prediction

This report details the progress and findings of a comprehensive study on reviewing existing solutions, identifying technology gaps, and formulating an “all-in-one” integrated strategy for developing the next-generation multiscale methane monitoring and modeling platform, conducted under grant number DE-FE0032292. Co-led by Dr. David Ebert, Dr. Binbin Weng, and Dr. Chenghao Wang at the University of Oklahoma, the project’s goal was to develop an integrated approach for building this engineering platform to detect, quantify, and mitigate methane emissions across various temporal scale, spatial scales, and sectors. The planning grant study began with an extensive review of various methane sensing and monitoring technologies and systems, surveying over 100 technology providers globally. This review revealed the prevalence of optical methods over chemical methods in commercially available sensors, with Non-Dispersive Infrared (NDIR), Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS), and Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) cameras being the most prevalent options. A trend towards more advanced optical techniques was observed, driven by increased regulatory focus and technological advancements. The technical evaluation of these sensing technologies provided crucial insights into their capabilities and limitations. The study examined emerging technologies such as Differential Absorption LiDAR (DIAL), which show promise for high-precision and long-range detection. The team then investigated the features and application bandwidth of various sensing platforms, including handheld, fixed/stationary, mobile, aerials, and spaceborne monitors. Pilot field studies were conducted to assess the capabilities of solutions for different emission scenarios. Field work with sensor deployments was conducted at three distinct site types: an oil & gas industry site, a cattle ranching operation, and a waste processing facility. The team also conducted a thorough review of methane flux inverse modeling approaches, focused on physically based methods. These approaches were categorized into simple, intermediate, and advanced methods. A realtime WRF-GHG (Weather Research and Forecasting-Greenhouse Gas) modeling system was developed and applied, incorporating multiple data sources to guide field experiments and inform methane plume detection. The project identified and analyzed numerous categories of methane data sources, including satellite measurements, ground-based sensors, and inventory databases. Key platforms examined include EDGAR, EPA GHGI, NASA TROPOMI, Carbon Mapper, and Climate TRACE, among others. The team proposed an architecture for a comprehensive methane monitoring platform. This system incorporates multi-source data acquisition, advanced data processing and assimilation, interactive visualization tools, and analytical capabilities for emissions forecasting and scenario analysis. The proposed platform aims to provide a user-friendly interface catering to various stakeholders, from researchers to policymakers. The architecture includes sophisticated data ingestion methods, a centralized data warehouse, and advanced analytical tools for data fusion and interpretation. To ensure the relevance and effectiveness of the proposed system, a comprehensive survey was conducted to gather stakeholder input on system requirements. Key findings include a strong need for integrating various data types and formats, a preference for real-time data updates and advanced visualization tools, and a demand for user-friendly interfaces catering to different expertise levels.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Low-cost production method for fluorescent particles for liquid flow velocimetry applications

Abstract In this Technical Note, we present a simple and low-cost production method for fluorescent particles perfectly suitable for velocimetry applications. We leverage the unique ability of Nile Red (NR) fluorophores to adsorb on the polymer surface and/or embed itself in between polymeric chains. The laboratory procedure to dye polyamide particles with NR and monetary advantages over commercially available fluorescent particles is outlined. Subsequently, the fluorescence behavior of the dyed particles is tested under a laser illumination source in polar and non-polar liquids. The distinct advantage of the emission spectrum of NR-dyed particles is demonstrated with sample test results.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2022

Pulse Strengthened and Laser Edge Sealed Vacuum Insulation Glazing

A scalable, low-cost processing strategy for glass strengthening and sealing is proposed to improve the thermal performance of insulating glass units and develop innovative window technologies. In this project, a combination of large area photonic processing, additive manufacturing, and laser encapsulation techniques is reported to realize a vacuum glazing technology to meet the cost, performance, reliability, and throughput demands. A modeling framework for evaluating the mechanical and thermal response was established to verify the structural deformation and thermal conductance. Micro-size glass frits in printing ink and a continuous-wave laser curing were employed to allow the formation of a hermetic bonding layer and led to improvement of glass edge sealing. Various sealing parameters, including laser traveling speed, spot diameter, and laser power were optimized. The water seepage and mechanical strength of the resulting glass-to-glass bonding were examined as well. These results showcase the development of a practical vacuum insulating glazing with several unique features through a combination of photonic processing, laser encapsulation, and additive manufacturing.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2021

Development of a cell surface display system in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Cell-surface display systems are biotechnological techniques used to express heterologous proteins on the cell surface. Their application depends directly on the cell system used, as well as on the anchoring point for the surface displayed protein. To meet most application demands an inexpensive, safe, and scalable production platform, that reduces the economic barriers for large scale use is needed. Toward this goal, we screened three possible cell surface anchoring points in the green algae Chlamydomonas by fusing mVenus to prospective anchors moieties. The vectors harboring mVenus:anchor were screened for mVenus fluorescence and tested for cellular localization by confocal laser scanning microscopy. This strategy allowed the identification of two functional anchors, one for the cytoplasmic membrane using the MAW8 GPI-anchor signal, and one for the cell wall using the GP1 protein. We also exploited GP1 chemical and biological traits to release the fused proteins efficiently during cell wall shedding. Our work provides a foundation for surface engineering of C reinhardtii supporting both cell biology studies and biotechnology applications.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Dynamic magnetic phase transition induced by parametric magnon pumping

Uncovering pathways to optically drive magnetic order-disorder transitions on ultrashort timescales can lead to the realization of novel out-of-equilibrium quantum phenomena. A long-sought pathway is to directly excite a highly nonthermal energy-momentum distribution of magnons, bypassing both charge and lattice degrees of freedom. However, this remains elusive owing to the weak coupling and large momentum mismatch between photons and magnons. Here we demonstrate strong parametric excitation of magnons across the entire Brillouin zone of the antiferromagnetic insulator Sr 2 ⁢Cu 3 ⁢O 4 ⁢Cl 2 by periodically modulating the superexchange interaction with the electric field of light. The excitation efficiency is greatly enhanced by tuning to the van Hove singularity in the magnon spectrum, sufficient to transiently collapse the antiferromagnetic state using a pulsed laser field of 10 9 V/m. The order parameter recovery timescale increases by over 1000 times as a function of excitation density, reflecting a crossover from high- to low-energy magnon dominated decay dynamics. This electric-field induced parametric magnon pumping mechanism is applicable to a broad range of magnetic insulators and opens up the possibility of dynamically engineering magnon distributions by design.

antiferromagnetism↗
DOE OSTI2023

Exploration of Options for Ultra-Fast Mass Spectroscopy for Pulsed Power Applications

Mega-ampere class pulsed power machines drive intense currents into small volumes to study high energy and density environments. Power lost during these events is a difficult and paramount problem to solve. For example, facilities such as Sandia National Laboratories’ Z machine experience meaningful power loss, which can be linked to non-linear ohmic heating at high currents (i.e., 26 MA on Z) leading to thermal desorption of contaminants and subsequent shunt plasma formation. Characterizing and understanding this type of thermal desorption is key to design optimizations necessary to minimize current loss, which will be even more important for next generation pulsed power. This type of characterization requires the ability to identify and determine concentration of analytes with nanosecond resolution given the pulse width of Z is on the order of 100 ns. This report summarizes progress on a small exploratory project focused on investigating options to meet this challenge using mass spectrometry. The main focus of these efforts utilized an Energy and Velocity Analyzer for Distributions of Electric Rockets intending to determine how quickly transient data could be resolved. This probe combines an electrostatic analyzer with a Wien velocity filter (ExB) to obtain ion energy and velocity distributions. Primary results from this exploratory project indicate significant additional work is needed to demonstrate a nanosecond time scale mass spectrometer for this application and also highlight that alternative detection methods such as laser-based diagnostics should be considered to meet the need for ultra-fast detection.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Thermodynamics and kinetics of precipitation and austenite reversion during aging of Ti-free grade 300 maraging steel manufactured by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF)

Austenite reversion and intermetallic precipitation are two key phase transformations in maraging steels which determine the strength and ductility. Usually, an optimum aging temperature/time is determined using trial and error approach with inputs from thermodynamic databases and a-posteriori microscopy/hardness evaluations. In this study, a thermo-kinetic model is developed to predict the precipitation and austenite reversion kinetics during various post-fabrication heat treatments in a Ti-free variant of grade 300 maraging steel manufactured using laser powder bed fusion. The thermo-kinetic model was based on the principles of Scheil solidification and the classical nucleation theory. The predictions from the thermo-kinetic model were verified using suitable microscopy techniques, and the results from the thermo-kinetic model agree well with the experimental measurements. Overall, results highlight the fact that an Integrated Computational Materials Engineering approach can be used to predict the precipitation and austenite reversion kinetics, and be used as an input for an efficient design of heat treatments for achieving optimum mechanical properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Controlling homogenization length scales and microstructure in additively manufactured Ti-Ta functionally graded materials

Materials with smooth compositional gradients or functionally grade materials (FGMs) produced via additive manufacturing (AM), enables joining dissimilar materials and optimizing multiple properties in advanced engineering applications. However, as-printed AM microstructures exhibit micro-segregation and solidification defects which, when combined with controlling macroscale gradient properties, complicates necessary post-processing. Here, we use CALPHAD-informed diffusion modelling to design post-processing heat treatments for lightweight to refractory FGMs. Ti-Ta (0 to 85 at. % Ta) FGMs were fabricated using laser-based directed energy deposition AM. Post-processing heat treatments at 1000° C and 1500° C were designed to promote homogenization across specific length scales and experimentally validated. Investigation of chemical segregation and microstructures demonstrated that the length scale of homogenization is controlled as a function of time, temperature, and local composition. Ta-rich regions exhibited incomplete homogenization compared to Ti-rich layers. Unmelted Ta particles were found to completely dissolve at 1500 °C. By controlling cooling rate (200 °C/min), martensitic structures were produced between 14–36 at. % Ta, consistent with martensite-start temperatures calculations, while furnace cooling (2 °C/min) produced α+β morphologies. This work establishes a validated predictive framework for designing post-processing to tailor microstructure and chemical architecture in AM FGMs, facilitating their deployment in demanding environments.

Materials science↗