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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 757 records · Page 42
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2017

Elucidation of roles for vitamin B 12 in regulation of folate, ubiquinone, and methionine metabolism

Significance Using a chemical probe mimic of vitamin B 12 , we reveal a light- and B 12 -dependent DNA regulator, and make the unexpected discovery of B 12 having regulatory involvement in microbial folate, ubiquinone, and methionine processes. These findings suggest a pivotal role for B 12 in the control of cell growth, which may lead to coordination of cell behavior in complex multicellular systems. As key research questions emerge from host-associated and environmental microbiomes, we anticipate that B 12 regulatory control of metabolism will be found to be generalizable, will be critical for coordination of individual microbe and community metabolism, and that organismal interdependencies for B 12 may be pertinent to microbiome organization, stability, and overall function.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Review of Recent Progress in Plasma-Facing Material Joints and Composites in the FRONTIER U.S.-Japan Collaboration

The plasma-facing components (PFCs) of future fusion reactors will have intricate structures and require multiple materials because no one material can simultaneously satisfy all the requirements of the component. The dissimilar material joints in PFCs must withstand extreme thermal and stress gradients under neutron irradiation. The Fusion Research Oriented to Neutron Irradiation and Tritium Behavior at Material Interfaces (FRONTIER) U.S.-Japan collaboration seeks to explore and explain the behavior of internal solid interfaces in PFCs under neutron irradiation. The first step of the collaboration was to identify the leading PFCs that should be studied further and prepare them for the next step, which will include neutron irradiation. Different strategies for material development are being pursued worldwide to produce robust PFCs. Here, in this work, an overview is presented of some of the most promising materials in the areas of copper alloys, tungsten-copper composites, tungsten-steel composites, additively manufactured tungsten, particle-reinforced tungsten, and tungsten and SiC fiber composites. Each material’s fabrication and benefits are described, and some discussion of remaining questions is given.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Learning electric vehicle driver range anxiety with an initial state of charge-oriented gradient boosting approach

This manuscript focuses on the modeling of electric vehicle (EV) driver’s range anxiety, a fear that a vehicle does not have sufficient range, or state of charge (SOC) of the battery pack, to reach its destination and would strand its occupants. Despite numerous research studies on the modeling of charging behaviors, modeling efforts to understand at what battery percentages do EV drivers charge their vehicles, and what are the associated contributing factors, are rather limited. To this end, an ensemble learning model based on gradient boosting is developed. The model sequentially fits new predictors to new residuals of the previous prediction and, then, minimizes the loss when adding the latest prediction. A total of 18 features are defined and extracted from the multisource data, which cover information on driver, vehicles, stations, traffic conditions, as well as spatial-temporal context information of the charging events. The analyzed dataset includes 4.5-year’s charging event log data from 3,096 users and 468 public charging stations in Kansas City Missouri, and the macroscopic travel demand model maintained by the metropolitan planning organization. Here, the result shows the proposed model achieved a satisfactory result with a R square value of 0.54 and root mean square error of 0.14, both better than multiple linear regression model and random forest model. To reduce range anxiety, it is suggested that the priorities of deploying new charging facilities should be given to the areas with higher daily traffic prediction, with more conservative EV users or that are further from residential areas.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Numerical methodology for treating static and dynamic dislocation problems near a free surface

Abstract Simulation of dislocation dynamics enables researchers and scientists to explore the plastic behavior of crystalline materials under loading. Analytic solutions for the stress field due to a linear dislocation segment near a free surface are case-specific, e.g. dealing with either a horizontal segment or a vertical segment, and therefore hard to implement in time-dependent dislocation dynamics simulations as different dislocation segments could be differently oriented. This article presents a generalized numerical framework to find the stress field beneath a free surface due to the presence of a dislocation segment. The framework can be expanded to non-flat surfaces. Also, three-dimensional discrete dislocation dynamics simulations are performed here, which clearly show the effect of free surfaces on the flow stress of a material.

Siddique, Abu Bakar↗
DOE OSTI2021

A High-Fidelity Cyber-Physical Testbed-Based Benchmarking Dataset For Testing Operational Technology Specific Intrusion Detection Systems

Quality datasets serve a critical purpose in cyber security research. Data is needed to understand system behavior and develop security controls to protect critical systems. However, for critical infrastructure operational environments there is a lack of available datasets to study because of the high cost and specialized capabilities necessary to generate them. This paper documents the development of a dataset of high fidelity hardware in the loop laboratory simulated models of electric and natural gas distribution systems with real cyber attack test cases. A deep dive discussion for the experimental setup and controls for generating the data is provided along with observations from using the data in evaluating intrusion detection approaches.

Ashok, Aditya↗
DOE OSTI2026

Progress and Perspectives: Zirconium Electrodeposition from Different Electrolytes

Zirconium (Zr) possesses outstanding properties, including exceptional chemical resistance and a high melting point, and is therefore desirable for use in a wide variety of challenging environments, such as in nuclear reactors and the chemical processing industry. To minimize the amount of Zr required for any given application, developing methods for generating metallic Zr coatings is highly advantageous. Owing to Zr’s highly negative reduction potential, electrodeposition in traditional solvents at near ambient temperatures remains challenging and thus not well understood. Due to the extreme conditions required to deposit this metal, extensive work has been conducted in molten salt electrolytes, however the broad applicability of this methodology is limited due to its corrosivity. The primary focus of this article is to present an overview of Zr’s electrochemical behavior and to consolidate the efforts of researchers in exploring electrodeposition techniques for Zr involving aqueous, organic, ionic liquid, deep eutectic, and molten salt solvents. With this information, we highlight trends across solvent systems and opportunities for future research.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2023

Boosting SNR of cascaded FBGs in a sapphire fiber through a rapid heat treatment

This Letter reports the performance of femtosecond (fs) laser-written distributed fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) under high-temperature conditions up to 1600°C and explores the impact of rapid heat treatment on signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) enhancement. FBGs are essential for reliable optical sensing in extreme temperature environments. Comprehensive tests demonstrate the remarkable performance and resilience of FBGs at temperatures up to 1600°C, confirming their suitability for deployment in such conditions. Here, the study also reveals significant fringe visibility improvements of up to ∼10 dB on a 1-m-long sapphire optical fiber through rapid heat treatment, representing a first-time achievement to the best of our knowledge. These enhancements are vital for improving the SNR and overall performance of optical fiber systems in extreme temperatures. Furthermore, the research attains long-term stability for the cascaded FBGs over a 24-hr period at 1600°C. This research expands our understanding of the FBG behavior in high-temperature environments and opens avenues for developing robust optical fiber systems for energy, aerospace, oil and gas, and high-temperature distributed sensing applications.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2014

Field Trial of a Low-Cost, Distributed Plug Load Monitoring System

Researchers have struggled to inventory and characterize the energy use profiles of the ever-growing category of so-called miscellaneous electric loads (MELs) because plug-load monitoring is cost-prohibitive to the researcher and intrusive to the homeowner. However, these data represent a crucial missing link to our understanding of how homes use energy, and we cannot control what we do not understand. Detailed energy use profiles would enable the nascent automated home energy management (AHEM) industry to develop effective control algorithms that target consumer electronics and other plug loads. If utility and other efficiency programs are to incent AHEM devices, they need large-scale datasets that provide statistically meaningful justification of their investments by quantifying the aggregate energy savings achievable. To address this need, we have investigated a variety of plug-load measuring devices available commercially and tested them in the laboratory to identify the most promising candidates for field applications. The scope of this report centers around the lessons learned from a field validation of one proof-of-concept system, called Smartenit (formerly SimpleHomeNet). The system was evaluated based on the rate of successful data queries, reliability over a period of days to weeks, and accuracy. This system offers good overall performance when deployed with up to ten end nodes in a residential environment, although deployment with more nodes and in a commercial environment is much less robust. We conclude that the current system is useful in selected field research projects, with the recommendation that system behavior is observed over time.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2014

Field Trial of a Low-Cost, Distributed Plug Load Monitoring System

Researchers have struggled to inventory and characterize the energy use profiles of the ever-growing category of so-called miscellaneous electric loads (MELs) because plug-load monitoring is cost-prohibitive to the researcher and intrusive to the homeowner. However, these data represent a crucial missing link to understanding how homes use energy. Detailed energy use profiles would enable the nascent automated home energy management (AHEM) industry to develop effective control algorithms that target consumer electronics and other plug loads. If utility and other efficiency programs are to incent AHEM devices, they need large-scale datasets that provide statistically meaningful justification of their investments by quantifying the aggregate energy savings achievable. To address this need, NREL researchers investigated a variety of plug-load measuring devices available commercially and tested them in the laboratory to identify the most promising candidates for field applications. This report centers around the lessons learned from a field validation of one proof-of-concept system, called Smartenit (formerly SimpleHomeNet). The system was evaluated based on the rate of successful data queries, reliability over a period of days to weeks, and accuracy. This system offers good overall performance when deployed with up to 10 end nodes in a residential environment, although deployment with more nodes and in a commercial environment is much less robust. NREL concludes that the current system is useful in selected field research projects, with the recommendation that system behavior is observed over time.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2018

Spy the Lie: Detecting Malicious Insiders

Insider threat is a hard problem. There is no ground truth, there are innumerable variables, and the data is sparse. The types of crimes and abuses associated with insider threats are significant; the most serious include espionage, sabotage, terrorism, embezzlement, extortion, bribery, and corruption. Malicious activities include an even broader range of exploits, such as negligent use of classified data, fraud, cybercrime, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and illicit communications with unauthorized recipients. Inadvertent action or inaction without malicious intent (e.g., disposing of sensitive documents incorrectly) can also cause harm to an organization. This review article will explore insider threat, specifically behaviors, beliefs, and current debates within the field. Additionally particular focus is given to deception, a significant behavioral component of the malicious insider. Finally, research and policy implications for law enforcement and the intelligence community are addressed.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗
DOE OSTI2021

Mechanical Behavior of Hybrids with Hyper-Connected Molecular Networks

Our research is focused on fundamental studies related to the molecular design, synthesis, characterization and modeling of molecular-reinforced hybrid glass films for superior mechanical and fracture properties. Molecular-reinforced hybrid glass films exhibit unique electro-optical properties while maintaining excellent thermal stability. They have important technological application for emerging nanoscience and energy technologies including anti-reflective and ultra-barrier layers in photovoltaics, display technologies, as well as quantum technologies. However, they are often inherently brittle in nature, do not adhere well to adjacent substrates, and exhibit poor mechanical properties. Furthermore, a robust understanding of the underlying mechanisms of deformation, fracture and fatigue has been lacking particularly given their mechanically fragile nature. The related lack of structure-property relationships between molecular structure, mechanical properties and processing represents a fundamental challenge to their integration into device technologies, compromises their thermomechanical reliability and has thwarted efforts to improve mechanical and, particularly, fracture properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Utilizing Physics-Informed Synthetic Data to Train a Digital Twin for Predicting Reactor Operations

Understanding techniques to strengthen the nuclear nonproliferation regime is crucial in reducing the creation of nuclear weaponry on the basis of advancements in the nuclear energy industry. Prior to construction of a nuclear power plant, it is necessary to understand the proliferation potential of the plant’s reactor. Digital twins serve as a unique solution to recognizing reactor behavior indicative of nuclear proliferation. The following research conducted serves as a validation to training a digital twin on synthetic data fabricated via means of reactor physics simulations based on parameters of Idaho State University’s AGN-201 reactor. The synthetic data is utilized to train a long short-term memory (LSTM) recurrent neural network model. The accuracy of the predicted data is measured against real operational data to verify the reliability of the synthetic data creation methods and if these methods should be used in the future to inform inspectors of a reactor’s proliferation capabilities.

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL P↗
DOE OSTI2026

Lithium–Divertor Interactions and Helium/Hydrogen Trapping in Lithiated Metals (Final Technical Report)

The goal of this project was to develop a fundamental understanding of helium and hydrogen behavior in lithium, both in bulk and at interfaces with tungsten, in order to inform the design of lithium based plasma facing components for fusion devices. Over the course of the award, the project produced the first comprehensive, peer reviewed dataset describing helium energetics, migration behaviors, and defect interactions in lithium. The research demonstrated that helium behaves in ways not previously observed in any other body centered cubic (BCC) metal: its interstitial configurations are more stable than substitutional ones, and its migration barriers are extraordinarily low, in some cases more than an order of magnitude below those in tungsten or iron. These discoveries reveal that helium in lithium diffuses so rapidly that its transport may be dominated by translational motion rather than the vibrationally activated mechanisms that underpin conventional solid state diffusion. This work lays a scientific foundation for understanding gas retention, bubble formation, and wall evolution in lithium based fusion environments and provides new computational tools, most notably a newly developed Li–He interatomic potential, for advancing future modeling efforts.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1973

Space age management for social problems

Attempts to apply space age management to social problems were plagued with difficulties. Recent experience in the State of Delaware and in New York City, however, indicate new possibilities. Project management as practiced in NASA was applied with promising results in programs dealing with housing and social services. Such applications are feasible, according to recent research, because project management utilizes social and behavioral approaches, as well as advanced management tools, such as PERT, to achieve results.

Levine, A. L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

An analysis of short haul air passenger demand, volume 2

Several demand models for short haul air travel are proposed and calibrated on pooled data. The models are designed to predict demand and analyze some of the motivating phenomena behind demand generation. In particular, an attempt is made to include the effects of competing modes and of alternate destinations. The results support three conclusions: (1) the auto mode is the air mode's major competitor; (2) trip time is an overriding factor in intermodal competition, with air fare at its present level appearing unimportant to the typical short haul air traveler; and (3) distance appears to underly several demand generating phenomena, and therefore, must be considered very carefully to any intercity demand model. It may be the cause of the wide range of fare elasticities reported by researchers over the past 15 years. A behavioral demand model is proposed and calibrated. It combines the travel generating effects of income and population, the effects of modal split, the sensitivity of travel to price and time, and the effect of alternative destinations satisfying the trip purpose.

Blumer, T. P.↗
NASA NTRS1980

An equation of state for liquids

Closed expression for volume as function of pressure and temperature has been verified for over 250 liquids. Equation can assist chemical engineers, soild-state researchers, and others with interest in thermodynamic behavior of liquids.

Fedors, R. F.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Solar thermal materials research and development

Objectives of the Materials Research and Development effort are examined. The behavior and interaction of different materials used in solar thermal technologies are studied so as to create a sound technical base for future system and component designs. Materials are developed to extend the application potential of systems by either making materials more reliable in difficult operating environments or by offering lower cost alternatives to presently used materials. Solar thermal systems designed for electric power, industrial process heat from low to high temperature, and fuels and chemicals applications are discussed.

Gupta, B. P.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Living in contained environments: Research implications from undersea habitats

A cost-reward model is used to frame a discussion of differences in observed behavior of individuals and groups in confined environments. It has been observed that the high cost of functioning in a stressful environment is likely to produce poor performance when anticipated rewards are low but that participants can manage the stress and achieve high performance if they anticipate high rewards. The high-reward environment is exemplified by early undersea habitats such as Sealab and Tektite and by early space missions. Other aspects of behavior occur in all confined environments and point to an important area for future research. Of particular interest are intergroup conflicts arising between the confined group and its external control. Also, individual differences in personality seem always to have an impact in confined environments. Recent research has focused on: (1) predicting performance and adjustment based on instrumental and expressive aspects of the self; (2) the differential predictive power of achievement striving and irritation/irritability in Type A personalities; and (3) the nature and role of leadership in small, isolated groups.

Helmreich, Robert L.↗