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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 775 records · Page 43

Identifying and classifying localized states in gapless systems using pseudospectral methods

For decades, band theory has been used to understand the physical properties of crystals by leveraging these systems’ translational symmetries to determine the spectral range and distribution of their Bloch eigenstates. However, many important phenomena only manifest at a crystal’s defects or boundaries where this translational symmetry is broken, such as defect-localized states that appear at color centers, or boundary-localized states whose existence is guaranteed by topology. Although it is possible to extend band theoretic approaches to study these classes of states, these extensions are only applicable in gapped systems, where any localized states are spectrally isolated from the crystal’s bulk states.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Deployment of Digital Twins and Advanced Instrumentation to Identify Looseness Between Rotor Spider Arms and Rim Attachment in Hydro Turbines

The project aimed to develop a Virtual Sensor Digital Twin (VS-DT) to monitor rotor rim float displacement (RRFD) in legacy hydropower turbines. RRFD, if undetected, can cause rotor and stator damage, leading to costly repairs and safety concerns. The purpose of the VS-DT was to predict RRFD signals using existing conventional sensors instead of installing dedicated, costly physical sensors, thereby reducing operational costs and enhancing safety.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗

Improving Performance via Energy Efficiency JUSTIFI: Open-Source Software for Identifying and Quantifying Non-Energy Benefits

Energy efficiency is pivotal to achieving operational excellence, as it enhances value while reducing waste. This presentation explores the integration of non-energy benefits (NEBs) into energy efficiency projects, which can lead to risk reduction, value creation, and cost savings. By quantifying NEBs - such as improved safety, decreased pollution, and increased productivity - companies can strengthen their business cases for energy investments, ultimately improving payback periods and aligning with strategic goals. Designed for a diverse audience, from trained auditors to novices in energy assessments, we have developed open-source software called JUSTIFI, NEB finding methodology, and training materials which build on existing frameworks and leverages resources from the U.S. Department of Energy and Better Plants energy system analysis software suite such as MEASUR. This work aims to maximize ROI through NEB identification, utilizing tools like JUSTIFI and the NEBs Discovery Protocol.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Identifying Decoherence Mechanisms in Superconducting Qubits through Advanced Materials Characterization

Although superconducting qubits have emerged as a leading technology platform for quantum computing through large improvements in device coherence times and gate fidelity in recent years, the presence of defects and impurities at the interfaces and surfaces in the constituent materials continue to limit performance and serve as a critical barrier in achieving scalable quantum systems. Understanding and eliminating these sources of quantum decoherence in superconducting qubit devices requires dedicated studies aimed at establishing robust structure-property relationships that will enable researchers to target and eliminate defects strategically. As part of the Superconducting Materials and Systems (SQMS) center, we have extensively employed state-of-the-art materials characterization techniques, including scanning/transmission electron microscopy, secondary ion mass spectrometry, atom probe tomography, x-ray diffraction, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy in conjunction with device measurements to elucidate such relationships. In this talk, I will discuss some of our recent findings, including linking atomic defects to microwave loss in surface oxides, linking impurities in the Josephson Junction to qubit parameters, and linking low temperature precipitates to device performance. By applying these insights, we have been able to strategically develop and implement mitigation strategies for reliable fabrication of high coherence superconducting qubits.

Murthy, A. [Fermilab] (ORCID:0000000176776866)↗

Identifying Decoherence Mechanisms in Superconducting Qubits through Advanced Materials Characterization

Although superconducting qubits have emerged as a leading technology platform for quantum computing through large improvements in device coherence times and gate fidelity in recent years, the presence of defects and impurities at the interfaces and surfaces in the constituent materials continue to limit performance and serve as a critical barrier in achieving scalable quantum systems. Understanding and eliminating these sources of quantum decoherence in superconducting qubit devices requires dedicated studies aimed at establishing robust structure-property relationships that will enable researchers to target and eliminate defects strategically. As part of the Superconducting Materials and Systems (SQMS) center, we have extensively employed state-of-the-art materials characterization techniques, including scanning/transmission electron microscopy, secondary ion mass spectrometry, atom probe tomography, x-ray diffraction, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy in conjunction with device measurements to elucidate such relationships. In this talk, I will discuss some of our recent findings, including linking atomic defects to microwave loss in surface oxides, linking impurities in the Josephson Junction to qubit parameters, and linking low temperature precipitates to device performance. By applying these insights, we have been able to strategically develop and implement mitigation strategies for reliable fabrication of high coherence superconducting qubits.

Murthy, A. [Fermilab] (ORCID:0000000176776866)↗

Identifying Barriers to Solar and Storage Hybrids: Modeled vs. empirical wholesale market value and net-value for co-located solar + storage projects [Slides]

Large-scale (1MW+) co-located solar and battery storage projects are expanding rapidly in the United States, but their realized contribution to the bulk power system remains poorly understood because public project-level operating data are limited. The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory estimates the wholesale market value of 280 operational photovoltaic-plus-storage (PV+S) projects across the seven ISOs/RTOs and 19 additional balancing authorities, representing roughly 95% of the U.S. PV+S fleet in 2024. We model optimized hourly dispatch under energy, capacity, and ancillary-service market opportunities and compare the resulting value with standalone PV value, project-specific levelized cost estimates, and empirical operating or revenue data where available.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Identifying the Accuracy of Surface Roughness for Metal Additive Manufacturing Parts Captured with Computed Tomography Scanning

Conventional surface roughness measurement techniques require direct access to internal surfaces, often necessitating destructive sectioning of test articles. Computed tomography (CT) offers a non-destructive alternative for internal surface characterization, but its application in metrology remains unstandardized and sensitive to machine resolution and operator technique. This study investigates the feasibility of using CT scanning to quantify areal surface roughness in metal AM heat exchanger tubes with three distinct internal geometries: ribbed, discrete W, and featureless. CT-derived surface parameters were extracted using custom Python scripts and compared to measurements obtained from a focus variation microscope calibrated against a known standard. Results show that CT-based roughness measurements closely matched microscope values for the discrete W specimen, deviations between CT and microscope measurements were minimal—less than 1 µm—indicating reliable reconstruction. In contrast, the ribbed and featureless specimens, with lower roughness values showed greater discrepancies. The findings suggest that CT scanning can be a viable non-destructive metrology tool for AM parts with surface roughness above approximately 8 µm. For smoother surfaces, current CT capabilities may not provide sufficient accuracy, highlighting the need for resolution-aware workflows and further standardization in CT-based surface metrology.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Collaborative Approach to Identify Degradation Mechanisms and Validate Aging Protocols for a Diverse Set of DAC Materials (TCF Base Technology-Specific Final Report)

This work supports the mission of the U.S. Department of Energy to promote American energy leadership, technological innovation, and economic growth through the development of technologies for cost effective carbon capture. While capture technologies can provide carbon dioxide for enhanced oil recovery, many capture materials suffer from oxidative, hydrolytic and/or thermal degradation which leads to capacity loss and unwanted emissions such as ammonia. Short lifetimes increase operational costs and cost studies suffer from uncertainty because the true lifetimes of many capture materials are unknown. In this study, a suite of capture materials were studied to quantify their degradation, provide insight into the mechanisms that lead to their uptake loss and provide validated accelerated aging protocols for industry.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Leveraging hyperspectral imaging to identify drought tolerant Populus species and genotypes within species

The aim of this study was to identity variation in drought tolerance across genotypes of Populus deltoides, Populus trichocarpa, and hybrids of the two species. A panel of 102 Populus genotypes, comprising 37 genotypes of P. trichocarpa, 37 of P. deltoides and 28 unique hybrid genotypes (P. trichocarpa x P. deltoides and P. deltoides x P. trichocarpa) were evaluated in the greenhouse under two treatments, well-watered (WW) and drought (DS). Plant physiological data were collected throughout the experiment once the drought treatment began. Throughout the experiment, we tracked soil volumetric water content, pot weight, stomatal conductance, quantum yield of photosystem II, and electron transport rate. In addition to those measurements, upon completion of the experiment, we assessed above and belowground plant biomass, plant height and stem diameter, leaf number, specific leaf area, relative water content, total protein, and total chlorophyll. We obtained hyperspectral signatures of one leaf from each plant at the end of the experiment. Columns BC – LL are hyperspectral averages for one leaf from each plant at each wavelength as described in the column header.

Hyper-spectral imaging, Populus, plant stress tole↗