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This submittal encompasses NASA presentations to be shared at the forthcoming Trilateral S&MA Summit at ESRIN in Frascati, Italy. This event is an annual meeting comprised of SMA leadership and supporting staff from NASA, ESA, and JAXA. The Trilateral Parties discuss current and future areas of cooperation in areas of Safety & Mission Assurance.
Detection of present and past volcanism on Venus is one of the major goals of the proposed ISRO’s Venus orbiter mission. The S-band, high-resolution (40 m/pixel) fully Polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar (PolSAR) instrument on this mission [1] may have the capabilities to detect volcanism within the mission lifetime using repeated PolSAR imagery, and possibly SAR Interferometry (InSAR, experimental mode). The global mapping efforts of Venus by Magellan mission has enabled comprehensive mapping of lava flows and indicated that Venus has an extensive history of volcanism, the ages of which are largely unknown (e.g. [2]). While Magellan radar emissivity data (e.g. [3, 4]) and Near Infrared emissivity data from VIRTIS [5] suggested the occurrence of recent episodes of volcanic activity (e.g. Maat Mons and Ganis Chasma), as well as the presence of stratigraphically young lava flows (e.g. Idunn Mons), measuring changes in radar backscatter amplitude alone to identify lava flows has many challenges. Although very large changes in the shape of the terrain can be observed in radar backscatter amplitude changes (e.g. [6]), smaller, or relatively flat lava flows are difficult to detect. Previous terrestrial studies suggest that PolSAR and InSAR techniques are very effective for mapping lava flows (e.g. [7-9]), and can be used when changes cannot be distinguished in radar backscatter images. We use the unvegetated lava flows on Hawaiʻi island as a terrestrial analogue to study Venus lava flows for the following reasons: (a) It is extensively studied at several wavelengths commonly used in remote sensing studies (including PolSAR and InSAR methods); and (b) it is a volcanically active area with new lava flows frequently covering older emplaced flows. To investigate the surface roughness, texture, and fine-grained mantling associated with Mauna Loa and Kilauea lava flows, we utilize C- and L-band PolSAR datasets obtained from RISAT-1A (EOS-4) and ALOS PALSAR missions respectively. In particular, we will use the quad-polarized backscatter and polarimetric parameters to characterize the texture of the terrestrial lava flows to understand whether the Venus crust is continuously disrupted during flow emplacement. While some previous studies (e.g. [10, 11]) suggested that surface roughness of most of the Venus flows is comparable to that of terrestrial pāhoehoe flows, other studies indicated that fractal dimensions of some large lava flows on Venus imply high eruption rates which favour the formation of a’a flows (e.g. [12]). We will also analyse the terrestrial flows for the presence/absence of pyroclastic mantling as radar-bright diffuse deposits near the summit regions of some coronae on Venus have been proposed to be young pyroclastics, and possible evidence of a renewed epoch of mantle volcanism that taps into deeper volatiles [13]. A recent study using EOS-4 RISAT-1 data of a part of fresh Mauna Loa lava flows (2022 eruption) emphasizes the ability of fully polarimetric SAR data to understand the diversity of physical properties (e.g. texture and morphology) associated with them (Sreejith et al. 2024); and we will apply similar methods to the PolSAR data obtained from ISRO’s Venus mission for our proposed objectives.
This is a keynote presentation for the NASA LaRC's POWER (Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources) Project's Global Summit to be held from November 6-7 as a on-line interactive webinar. This presentation presents a quick overview of the POWER project, the most recent accomplishments and the an overview of POWER's initiatives in 2025 and beyond.
Food systems—encompassing activities in food production, land-use change, supply chains and waste management—contribute significantly to climate change. Recent estimates indicate that food systems produce over 30% of annual anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (about 20% of CO 2 , 50% of CH 4 , and 75% of N 2 O), with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimating a notably broad range of 23%–42% of global GHG emissions. This paper synthesizes current research on the contributions of food systems to climate change, highlights challenges in quantifying their impact and proposes a harmonized accounting framework for more effective climate action. We recommend that an expert committee aligned with the IPCC develop guidance for food systems emissions accounting in four key areas, including: (1) defining system boundaries and nomenclature; (2) developing protocols to allocate broader sectoral emissions to food systems; (3) prioritizing critical areas for research into activity data and emissions factors; and (4) developing a balanced framework for evaluating the impact of mitigation interventions in light of other food systems imperatives. The committee should be integrated into two key international policy processes—the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the United Nations Food Systems Summit—to support coordinated action towards global net-zero goals. Guidance from the committee could significantly improve the ability of governments, companies, and researchers to estimate, report, monitor and ultimately reduce the climate impacts of food systems.
U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Office of Global Threat Reduction (GTRI) recently removed legacy plutonium materials from Sweden in collaboration with AB SVAFO, Sweden. This paper details the activities undertaken through the U.S. receiving site (Savannah River Site (SRS)) to support the characterization, stabilization, packaging and removal of legacy plutonium materials from Sweden in 2012. This effort was undertaken as part of GTRI’s Gap Materials Program and culminated with the successful removal of plutonium from Sweden as announced at the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit. The removal and shipment of plutonium materials to the United States was the first of its kind under NNSA’s Global Threat Reduction Initiative. The Environmental Assessment for the U.S. receipt of gap plutonium material was approved in May 2010. Since then, the multi-year process yielded many first time accomplishments associated with plutonium packaging and transport activities including the application of the of DOE-STD-3013 stabilization requirements to treat plutonium materials outside the U.S., the development of an acceptance criteria for receipt of plutonium from a foreign country, the development and application of a versatile process flow sheet for the packaging of legacy plutonium materials, the identification of a plutonium container configuration, the first international certificate validation of the 9975 shipping package and the first intercontinental shipment using the 9975 shipping package. This paper will detail the technical considerations in developing the packaging process flow sheet, defining the key elements of the flow sheet and its implementation, determining the criteria used in the selection of the transport package, developing the technical basis for the package certificate amendment and the reviews with multiple licensing authorities and most importantly integrating the technical activities with the Swedish partners.
Profile story on Alcoa and ArcelorMittal for the American Energy and Manufacturing Competitiveness Summit.
Small Modular Reactors (SMR) with power levels significantly less than the currently standard 1000 to 1600-MWe reactors have been proposed as a potential game changer for future nuclear power. SMRs may offer a simpler, more standardized, and safer modular design by using factory built and easily transportable components. Additionally, SMRs may be more easily built and operated in isolated locations, and may require smaller initial capital investment and shorter construction times. Because many SMRs designs are still conceptual and consequently not yet fixed, designers have a unique opportunity to incorporate updated design basis threats, emergency preparedness requirements, and then fully integrate safety, physical security, and safeguards/material control and accounting (MC&A) designs. Integrating safety, physical security, and safeguards is often referred to as integrating the 3Ss, and early consideration of safeguards and security in the design is often referred to as safeguards and security by design (SSBD). This paper describes U.S./Russian collaborative efforts toward developing an internationally accepted common approach for implementing SSBD/3Ss for SMRs based upon domestic requirements, and international guidance and requirements. These collaborative efforts originated with the Nuclear Energy and Nuclear Security working group established under the U.S.-Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission during the 2009 Presidential Summit. Initial efforts have focused on review of U.S. and Russian domestic requirements for Security and MC&A, IAEA guidance for security and MC&A, and IAEA requirements for international safeguards. Additionally, example SMR design features that can enhance proliferation resistance and physical security have been collected from past work and reported here. The development of a U.S./Russian common approach for SSBD/3Ss should aid the designer of SMRs located anywhere in the world. More specifically, the application of this approach may lead to more proliferation resistant and physically secure design features for SMRs.
Technical success is one thing, but commercial success is another. ARPA-E’s unique Technology-to-Market program was designed to help our awardees move their research out of the lab and into the market, accelerating the adoption of potentially game-changing technologies. The Technology-to-Market team is dedicated to the common goal of answering the fundamental question: if it works, will it matter? Featuring remarks from Cheryl Martin, ARPA-E’s Deputy Director for Commercialization, as well as interviews with three members of the Technology-to-Market team, this video demonstrates ARPA-E’s commitment to both the development and deployment of transformational energy technologies. The video also incorporates footage shot on site with several ARPA-E awardees, much of which will be highlighted in other videos shown throughout the 2015 ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit.
Sunshot Summit summary for FPACE1 project studying optical design of solar cells to approach the theoretical limit.
The world faces urgent energy challenges brought on by projected population increases, aging infrastructure and the global threat of climate change. ARPA-E is investing in some of the country’s brightest energy entrepreneurs that are developing innovative technological options to help meet future energy needs. Featuring remarks from ARPA-E Director Dr. Ellen D. Williams, as well as interviews with the Deputy Director of Commercialization Dave Henshall, Senior Technology-to-Market Advisor Sue Babinec, and a number of ARPA-E awardees, this video highlights the energy entrepreneur, and the critical role they play in creating solutions to address future energy challenges and ensure a secure energy future. The video also incorporates footage shot on site with several ARPA-E awardees who are spurring innovation, much of which will be highlighted in other videos shown throughout the Summit.
Summit Texas Clean Energy, LLC (STCE) is developing the Texas Clean Energy Project (TCEP or the Project) to be located near Penwell, Texas. The TCEP will include an Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) power plant with a nameplate capacity of 400 megawatts electric (MWe), combined with the production of urea fertilizer and the capture, utilization and storage of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) sold commercially for regional use in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in the Permian Basin of west Texas. The TCEP will utilize coal gasification technology to convert Powder River Basin subbituminous coal delivered by rail from Wyoming into a synthetic gas (syngas) that will be cleaned and further treated so that at least 90 percent of the overall carbon entering the IGCC facility will be captured. The clean syngas will then be divided into two highhydrogen (H 2 ) concentration streams, one of which will be combusted as a fuel in a combined cycle power block for power generation and the other converted into urea fertilizer for commercial sale. The captured CO 2 will be divided into two streams: one will be used in producing the urea fertilizer and the other will be compressed for transport by pipeline for offsite use in EOR and permanent underground sequestration. The TCEP was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy (FE) for cost-shared co-funded financial assistance under Round 3 of its Clean Coal Power Initiative (CCPI). A portion of this financial assistance was budgeted and provided for initial development, permitting and design activities. STCE and the DOE executed a Cooperative Agreement dated January 29, 2010, which defined the objectives of the Project for all phases. During Phase 1, STCE conducted and completed all objectives defined in the initial development, permitting and design portions of the Cooperative Agreement. This topical report summarizes all work associated with the project objectives, and additional work required to complete the financing of the Project. In general, STCE completed project definition, a front-end, engineering and design study (FEED), applied for and received its Record of Decision (ROD) associated with the NEPA requirements summarized in a detailed Environmental Impact Statement. A topical report covering the results of the FEED is the subject of a separate report submitted to the DOE on January 26, 2012. References to the FEED report are contained herein. In August 2013, STCE executed fixed-price turnkey EPC contracts and previously, in December 2011 a long-term O&M agreement, with industry-leading contractors. Other work completed during Phase 1 includes execution of all commercial input and offtake agreements required for project financing. STCE negotiated long-term agreements for power, CO 2 and urea offtake. A contract for the purchase of coal feedstock from Cloud Peak Energy’s Cordero Rojo mine was executed, as well as necessary agreements (supplementing the tariff) with the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) for delivery of the coal to the TCEP site. STCE executed firm agreements for natural gas transportation with ONEOK for long-term water supply with a private landowner. In addition, STCE secured options for critical easements and rights-of-way, completed and updated a transmission study, executed an interconnection agreement and has agreed a target October 31, 2013 financial closing date with debt and conventional and tax equity.
David Henshall, Deputy Director for Commercialization presents at the 2017 ARPA-E Innovation Summit.
NREL presented an overview about hydrogen infrastructure financial and sustainability analysis at the California Hydrogen Business Council Summit in Sacramento, California, September 25-27, 2017.
This campaign, entitled Sea Ice Effect on Arctic Precipitation, started in January 2010 and ended in December 2016. The campaign involved sampling precipitation, storm by storm, within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Climate Research Facility observatory at Barrow, Alaska. Before the ARM Atqasuq, Alaska site was closed in September, 2014, precipitation samples were also collected at Atqasuq. The objective of this campaign was to study how sea ice retreat under warming conditions affects the arctic hydrological cycle, namely evaporation and precipitation, using oxygen and hydrogen isotopic measurements in precipitation. One of the roles of sea ice in the arctic climate system is to influence evaporative fluxes from the sea surface. When sea ice melts, the evaporation is promoted from the newly opened sea surface, which increases the moisture supply, and precipitation. Reduction of sea ice cover may feed back to the climate system in several ways. First, it affects the latent heat flux from the sea surface. Second, the increased precipitation in the Arctic may change the surface albedo. For example, if the increased precipitation falls as snow, it would increase the albedo in spring due to delayed melting. Both mechanisms would affect the radiation balance of the Arctic and thus induce additional climate change. Stable isotopic ratios in precipitation record meteorological conditions from the moisture source through the transport path and to the precipitation site. If moisture from the arctic sea surface increases, the average transport distance would decrease. This would result in an enrichment of oxygen-18 and deuterium in precipitation. Samples collected at Barrow allow us to track the moisture source areas for each sampled storm and analyze if the sea ice change is associate with systematic shift of hydrological conditions. Between July 2011 and December 2014, Barrow was one of the sites in a network of pan-Arctic precipitation observations in the project called iisPacs, standing for Isotopic Investigation of Precipitation in Sea ice in the Arctic Climate System. The project included eight stations where precipitation was collected following the protocols developed in Barrow and Atqasuq. These stations included Barrow and Atqasuq, Alaska, Cambridge Bay, Canada, Ny Ålesund, Norway, Ikerasaarsuk and Summit, Greenland, and Chersky and Tiksi, Russia. Currently, synthesizing data from all of these stations is in progress.
Modeling thermonuclear supernovae is a premier application for leadership-class supercomputers and requires multi-physics simulation codes to capture hydrodynamics, nuclear burning, gravitational forces, etc. As a nuclear detonation burns through the stellar material, it also increases the temperature. An equation of state (EOS) is then required to determine, for example, the new pressure associated with this temperature increase. In fact, an EOS is needed after thermodynamic conditions are changed by any physics routines. This means it is called many times throughout a simulation, requiring the need for a fast EOS implementation. Fortunately, these calculations can be performed independently during each time step, so the work can be offloaded to GPUs. Using results from the IBM/NVIDIA early test system (Summitdev, a precursor to the upcoming Summit supercomputer) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, we describe a hybrid OpenMP implementation with offloaded work to GPUs. We compare performance results between the two implementations, with a discussion of some of the currently available features of OpenACC and OpenMP 4.5.
This chapter describes the implementation and benchmarking of a new software code for nonorthogonal configuration interaction calculations. GronOR is named after the University of Groningen and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the two institutions that are collaborating on the development of this code for the largest massively parallel supercomputers for open science. The basic implementation approach is described and preliminary benchmarking results are given as obtained from early access to Summit, the next Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility's supercomputer with 200 PFlop.
This presentation briefly describes the R&D efforts on supercritical CO2 (sCO2) power cycles currently being performed at NETL's Research & Innovation Center. R&D is ongoing in five main areas: Aerothermal/Heat Transfer, Oxy-combustion, sCO2 Materials, Dynamic Cycle Modeling, and Techno-economic Analyses. This presentation was delivered at the 2017 sCO2 Summit in Albuquerque, NM, on 11/15/17.