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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 793 records · Page 44
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Hearing carrier-envelope offset frequency and phase in air with a microphone

Attosecond science and frequency metrology rely on the precise measurement and control of the laser pulse waveform, a feat traditionally achieved using optoelectronic techniques. In this study, we conducted a laser-induced acoustic experiment in air ionized by carrier-envelope phase (CEP)-stabilized sub-4 fs pulses. Our results reveal that the acoustic signal exhibits CEP dependence in few-cycle pulses, primarily through amplitude modulation from laser-driven ionization. This optoacoustic phenomenon is, to the best of our knowledge, a novel phenomenon that enables not only the measurement of the carrier-envelope offset frequency but also the direct characterization of the waveform of optical pulses through a microphone. Our study highlights the potential of laser-induced acoustic waves for advancing ultrafast science.

Han, Meng [Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS ↗
DOE OSTI2025

Machine learning model inputs, outputs, and scripts associated with “Artificial intelligence-guided iterations between observations and modeling significantly improve environmental predictions”

NOTE: The manuscript associated with this data package is currently in review. The data may be revised based on reviewer feedback. Upon manuscript acceptance, this data package will be updated with the final dataset and additional metadata. This data package is associated with the manuscript “Artificial intelligence-guided iterations between observations and modeling significantly improve environmental predictions” (Malhotra et al., in prep). This effort was designed following ICON (integrated, coordinated, open, and networked) principles to facilitate a model-experiment (ModEx) iteration approach, leveraging crowdsourced sampling across the contiguous United States (CONUS). New machine learning models were created every month to guide sampling locations. Data from the resulting samples were used to test and rebuild the machine learning models for the next round of sampling guidance. Associated sediment and water geochemistry and in situ sensor data can be found at https://data.ess-dive.lbl.gov/datasets/doi:10.15485/1923689, https://data.ess-dive.lbl.gov/datasets/doi:10.15485/1729719, and https://data.ess-dive.lbl.gov/datasets/doi:10.15485/1603775. This data package is associated with two GitHub repositories found at https://github.com/parallelworks/dynamic-learning-rivers and https://github.com/WHONDRS-Hub/ICON-ModEx_Open_Manuscript. In addition to this readme, this data package also includes two file-level metadata (FLMD) files that describes each file and two data dictionaries (DD) that describe all column/row headers and variable definitions. This data package consists of two main folders (1) dynamic-learning-rivers and (2) ICON-ModEx_Open_Manuscript which contain snapshots of the associated GitHub repositories. The input data, output data, and machine learning models used to guide sampling locations are within dynamic-learning-rivers. The folder is organized into five top-level directories: (1) “input_data” holds the training data for the ML models; (2) “ml_models” holds machine learning (ML) models trained on the data in “input_data”; (3) “examples” contains files for direct experimentation with the machine learning model, including scripts for setting up “hindcast” run; (4) “scripts” contains data preprocessing and postprocessing scripts and intermediate results specific to this data set that bookend the ML workflow; and (5) “output_data” holds the overall results of the ML model on that branch. Each trained ML model resides on its own branch in the repository; this means that inputs and outputs can be different branch-to-branch. There is also one hidden directory “.github/workflows”. This hidden directory contains information for how to run the ML workflow as an end-to-end automated GitHub Action but it is not needed for reusing the ML models archived here. Please see the top-level README.md in the GitHub repository for more details on the automation. The scripts and data used to create figures in the manuscript are within ICON-ModEx_Open_Manuscript. The folder is organized into four folders which contain the scripts, data, and pdf for each figure. Within the “fig-model-score-evolution” folder, there is a folder called “intermediate_branch_data” which contains some intermediate files pulled from dynamic-learning-rivers and reorganized to easily integrate into the workflows. NOTE: THIS FOLDER INCLUDES THE FILES AT THE POINT OF PAPER SUBMISSION. IT WILL BE UPDATED ONCE THE PAPER IS ACCEPTED WITH ANY REVISIONS AND WILL INCLUDE A DD/FLMD AT THAT POINT. We thank the United States Forest Service, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Cowiche Canyon Conservatory, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (Scientific Research Permit #210901), and the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation for access to field locations where the samples labeled “SSS” were collected. We also thank the Yakama Nation Tribal Council and Yakama Nation Fisheries for working with us to facilitate sample collection and optimization of data usage according to their values and worldview. WHONDRS consortium members were asked to provide any acknowledgments for the collection of samples labeled “CM” and the following is a list of acknowledgments that were submitted with their corresponding Site IDs: (MART) Research activities were conducted in part on the Wind River Experimental Forest within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest; (MP- 100379) Philadelphia is part of Lenapehoking, the ancestral homelands of the Lenape peoples; (MP-102398) Land surveyed is the ancestral homelands of the Nookhose'iinenno (Arapaho), Tsis tsis'tas (Cheyenne), and Nuuchu (Ute); (MP-100749 and MP- 100747) Georgia Coastal Ecosystem LTER, OCE-1832178; (SP-70 and SP-72) Eastern Shoshone, Shoshone-Bannock; (MP- 102944) Funded by Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board. On the traditional lands of the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz, Confederated Tribes of the Grand Rhonde, and the Clatsop-Nehalem Confederated Tribe; (MP- 100607) Holiday Creek is located on the traditional territory of the Monacan Indian Nation; (SP-45) Lafayette Blue Springs State Park; (MP-102420) NSF DEB-2016749; (MP-100019) New Hampshire Agriculture Experiment Station; (SP-35) Rayonier (land owner; https://www.rayonier.com/); (MP- 101276) US Department of Energy, Office of Science, Biological and Environmental Research, Subsurface Biogeochemical Research, Watershed Dynamics and Evolution SFA at ORNL; (MP- 103224) Watershed Dynamics and Evolution SFA at ORNL; (MP- 101584) Traditional lands of the Oceti Sakowin (Dakota, Lakota, Nakoda) and Anishinaabe Peoples.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Array-Based Seismic Measurements of OSIRIS-REx’s Re-Entry

The return home of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft in September 2023 marked only the fifth time that an artificial object entered the Earth’s atmosphere at interplanetary velocities. Although rare, such events serve as valuable analogs for natural meteoroid re-entries; enabling study of hypersonic dynamics, shock wave generation, and acoustic-to-seismic coupling. Here, in this study, we report on the signatures recorded by a dense (100 m scale) 11-station array located almost directly underneath the capsule’s point of peak atmospheric heating in northern Nevada. Seismic data are presented, which allow inferences to be made about the shape of the shock wave’s footprint on the surface, the capsule’s trajectory, and its flight parameters.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Uranyl Capture and Activation with Lewis Acids and Macrocyclic Hosts (Final Technical Report)

This document is the final report for the project with the title, “Uranyl Capture with Lewis Acids and Macrocyclic Hosts.” Nuclear power is attractive for meeting the current and future energy needs of society, in that it does not release carbon dioxide or other pollutants into the atmosphere during routine use. This motivated the project, because preparation of nuclear fuel, recovery of useful components from used fuel, and handling of waste materials remain significant impediments to further deployment of important nuclear technologies. In part, these problems arise from limited availability of chemical reactions that can reliably interconvert forms of uranium and other heavy elements during preparation and processing. For example, harsh and expensive chemicals are often required for making and breaking chemical bonds to uranium, and the reactions involved are inefficient. The overall objective of this research was to harness knowledge of chemical structure and bonding to develop a useful and predictive und

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Precision Agriculture using Networks of Degradable Analytical Sensors (PANDAS) (Final Technical Report)

Precision agriculture, where sensing of soil, environment and crop conditions are used to precisely synchronize inputs (such as water and fertilizer) to crop needs enhances input use efficiency. This can improve yields and farm profitability while mitigating environmental losses, improving soil carbon content and substantially decreasing energy use for food, feed and fuel crops. Unfortunately, farmers are not yet able to harness the full potential of these management technologies as there is a lack of available management information, and there is therefore a need for sensors that are able to economically measure spatio-temporal variability in soil and crop properties of extremely heterogeneous farm fields precisely at high resolution and at low cost. Real-time, in-situ monitoring of agricultural soil conditions is today carried out using devices that limit the total number of nodes that can be used economically to typically one per acre or less. Higher spatio-temporal resolution sensing would enable more precise agricultural input optimization, with significant benefits to the farmer and the environment. In order to address this issue, this project focused on developing additively manufactured, biodegradable, soil sensors with predicted costs of < $\$$1 per unit to monitor crop inputs (such as water and fertilizer) that predictably, harmlessly degrade away into the soil when no longer needed. These sensor nodes should be easy to place, accurately and continuously monitor soil and crop conditions for an entire season, be read remotely using existing farm equipment, require no ongoing maintenance, not impede farm operations and produce no persistent waste. This approach could enable a >100× increase in information density over current solutions for precision farming of row and other crops, and lead to significant reductions in input energy use and provide increased yield for biofuel crops. Over the course of this project the team at the University of Colorado Boulder, University of California Berkeley, and Colorado State University/Kansas State University investigated a wide range of printable biodegradable electronic materials and sensor designs for determining soil moisture and soil nitrate concentration. These efforts expanded the available materials set for printed soil degradable electronic materials, particularly for conductors, enabling high conductivity and stability. Printed soil moisture and nitrate sensors with suitable sensitivity and selectivity were developed and characterized. Low power and passive wireless electronic systems were integrated with the soil sensors, and testing was carried out with completed sensors to understand their functionality under agricultural conditions. Additionally, other sensor types enabled by the biodegradable materials set created during this project, such as soil microbial activity sensors, were also developed and demonstrated. Project outputs include 10 peer reviewed publications, 4 patent applications, 21 technical presentations, 3 PhD thesis, 10 media reports, 8 additional grants worth over $\$$6M, and the formation of 3 start-up companies.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2024

Electrifying Terminal Trucks To optimize freight yards

The objectives of this project were to demonstrate the feasibility of electrification for freight yards’ diesel terminal fleets through pilot projects with two or more fleets, and to generate outreach material that can be used regionally and nationally to promote electrification in other terminal fleets. We planned to leverage the data into a model program for adoption of zero emissions freight handling and make information about this project, its outcomes, and the business case for zero emission deployments available to the larger freight marketplace.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2025

Charged Current Coherent Pion Production Cross-Section Measurement at MicroBooNE

Coherent pion production, characterized by a neutrino interacting with an entire nucleus without breaking it apart, results in a forward-going muon, pion, and a low-momentum recoil nucleus. By leveraging an improved understanding of particle identification and background parameterization, we aim to achieve a new level of sensitivity to coherent interactions at low neutrino energy. The outcome of this analysis will contribute to ongoing efforts to model neutrino nucleus interactions accurately in neutrino oscillation studies and beyond Standard Model searches in MicroBooNE and future experiments, such as DUNE. We present progress towards a measurement of charged current coherent pion production cross-section on argon with the MicroBooNE liquid argon time projection chamber detector. This measurement will use MicroBooNE's full dataset collected from the Booster Neutrino Beam with a total exposure of \( 1.3 \times 10^{21} \) protons-on-target and average neutrino energy of 0.8 GeV.

Hussain, Adil [Kansas State U.]↗
DOE OSTI2025

Robust Dark Energy Constraints with the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Survey (Final Technical Report)

This project developed and applied advanced theoretical, computational, and data-analysis methodologies to extract robust and precise cosmological constraints from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI). The work focused on maximizing the scientific return of DESI through optimized survey strategy, novel higher-order clustering statistics, improved modeling of small-scale structure, and rigorous mitigation of observational systematics. Over the award period, the project made substantial contributions to DESI science planning, produced new methods for bispectrum and three-point correlation function analyses, advanced constraints on primordial non-Gaussianity, and delivered widely used software tools. The project also played a major role in training graduate students and a postdoctoral researcher who contributed directly to DESI key projects. The results have significantly enhanced the cosmological reach of DESI and provide a strong foundation for future surveys such as DESI-II and Stage-V experiments.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Frequency-Nadir-Constrained Unit Commitment for Low-Inertia, High-IBR Island Power Systems [Slides]

The process of energy decarbonization in island power systems is accelerated due to the swift integration of inverter-based renewable energy resources (IBRs). The unique features of such systems, including rapid frequency changes resulting from potential generation outages or imbalances due to the unpredictability of renewable power, pose a significant challenge in maintaining the frequency nadir without external support. This paper presents a unit commitment (UC) model with data-driven frequency nadir constraints, including either frequency nadir or minimum inertia requirements, helping to limit frequency deviations after significant generator outages. The constraints are formulated using a linear regression model that takes advantage of real-world, year-long generation scheduling and dynamic simulation data. The efficacy of the proposed UC model is verified through a year-long simulation in an actual island power system using historical weather data. The alternative minimum inertia constraint, derived from actual system operation assumptions, is also evaluated. Findings demonstrate that the proposed frequency nadir constraint notably improves the system's frequency nadir under high photovoltaic (PV) penetration levels, albeit with a slight increase in generation costs, when compared to the alternative minimum inertia constraint.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

Molecular To Mesoscale Targeting of Oxoanions with Multi-Tasking Hosts

Achieving a better understanding of anion interactions both in solution and crystalline state was the overarching goal of this project. Anions are everywhere throughout Nature and play important roles in biological and environmental processes. They can be beneficial or deleterious or both in different situations and concentrations. For either reason it is important to have molecules that can bind anions for key needs that benefit society. However, recognition of specific anions is challenging due to the diffuse nature of their negative charge(s) as well as their various shapes and sizes. Understanding the basic properties of anions and how they interact with other molecules and ions in surrounding environments is key to selective recognition. In this project multi-tasking molecules for selective binding of targeted anions were designed to achieve cooperativity and synergism in one rather than multiple host molecules, including (1) cation:anion pair hosts for anions with charges of -2 or greater; (2) pH and redox activated hosts for on-off binding and release; and (3) multiple anion capture in extended host networks. Our design strategy was to combine the use of simple inexpensive building blocks and high yield synthetic pathways to provide economically feasible scale-up for applications. Oxoanions representing multiple shapes and charges were chosen based on having the potential for significant impact on DOE separations needs. Amide/amine-based macrocycles and urea/amine-based chelates and macrocycles with multiple hydrogen bonding sites provided the basic anion-binding frameworks. Successful multi-tasking outcomes were forthcoming in all three tasks. In Task 1, successful ion pair binding for anions with multiple charges was achieved. Furthermore, the ion pair molecules were capable of extended interactions through supramolecular intertwining, like fishing nets for capturing pools of fish (also fitting with Task 3). In Task 2, molecules were synthesized possessing on-off switches. These included a pH sensitive sensor for on-off binding of anions in general, as well as an electrochemical sensor selective for sulfate capture. Three new classes of extended anion host networks capable of binding multiple ions was a major outcome of Task 3. These systems included: anion sensitive, fluorescent organogels; channel-forming macrocycles for studying anion-water including larger macrocyclic cluster sandwiches; and, the offshoot of Task 1, fishing net ion-pair networks for higher valent anions. These strategies can be expanded in the future to other ions and molecules for a better understanding of intermolecular and interionic interactions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2026

First Measurement of Sub-GeV nu_mu Charged-Current Coherent Pion Production on Argon in MicroBooNE

Coherent pion production, characterized by a neutrino interacting with an entire nucleus without breaking it apart, results in a forward-going muon, pion, and a low-momentum recoil nucleus. This process provides a sensitive probe of neutrino-nucleus interactions and offers a potential standard candle for neutrino-flux normalization in neutrino-oscillation experiments. We present the first measurement of the flux-averaged charged-current coherent pion production cross section on argon nucleus using the MicroBooNE liquid argon time projection chamber. The analysis employs particle identification together with a data-driven background parameterization to isolate the coherent signal. This measurement uses the full MicroBooNE dataset collected from the Fermilab Booster Neutrino Beam, corresponding to an exposure of 1.26E10^21 protons on target and an average neutrino energy of approximately 0.8 GeV. The result provides the first constraint on charged-current coherent pion production on argon nucleus at sub-GeV energies and supplies important input for improving neutrino interaction modeling in current and future experiments such as DUNE.

Hussain, Adil [Kansas State U.] (ORCID:00000001621↗
DOE OSTI2026

Quantum Solver Using Singular Value Decomposition for Computational Fluid Dynamics

Numerical solutions for fluid flow problems are challenging and have been focus of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) research for past several decades. The advent of quantum computing promises exponential speedup in comparison to existing classical methods and alleviate computational constraints posed by CFD problems. Although solutions for most problems of interest in fluid dynamics using quantum computing are distant, recent advances in algorithms, software and hardware provide a path towards realizing this goal. Quantum linear solver algorithms (QLSA) such as Harrow–Hassidim–Lloyd (HHL) and Variational Quantum Linear Solver (VQLS) have been successfully implemented to solve for canonical problems such as Hele-Shaw flow. However, these algorithms still suffer to scale and address problems with ill-conditioned Jacobians. In the current paper, we alleviate these restrictions with a new quantum solver based on Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) and simulate flow past a 2D cylinder. The fidelity of the SVD based quantum solver in predicting the flow past 2D cylinder is computed along with an assessment of errors. Classical and quantum solutions for the flow are compared for different resolutions. Finally, we discuss variation in the solutions based on number of shots used.

Gottiparthi, Kalyan [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000213540255↗
DOE OSTI2026

Reproducibility, Replicability, and Research Quality in Homogeneous Catalysis

Researchers from all sectors of homogeneous catalysis convened in response to concerns regarding reproducibility in science to analyze the issue and provide recommendations. In addition to an in- person workshop, the group engaged the broader homogeneous catalysis community through a webinar series and virtually during the workshop. Results of the project affirm that homogeneous catalysis is not in a reproducibility crisis, as evidenced by the field’s current and past contributions to society that have led to economic growth and advances in a range of industries from agriculture to consumer goods to human health. However, it is not uncommon for researchers to encounter obstacles related to reproducibility. Ensuring reproducibility remains the responsibility of the community, both in current work and in training future researchers. This report is intended to engage key stakeholders, including disciplinary societies, publishers, employers, research leaders, and researchers, in practices that maximize reproducible homogeneous catalysis and ensure continued innovation and translatable discoveries. Recommendations made herein are also framed to be applicable beyond homogeneous catalysis, empowering the broader chemical if not scientific community.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Editorial: Structure and mechanism of microbial membrane active transporters

Membrane active transporters play essential roles in microbial physiology. They couple energy transduction to conformational changes that drive translocation of nutrients, substrates and ions, as well as molecular communication. The structure and function of microbial membrane active transporters are highly diverse. Typical examples include the primary active transporters in the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) superfamily (Thomas and Tampé, 2020; Davidson et al., 2008; Locher et al., 2002), the secondary active transporters in the Major Facilitator Superfamily (MFS) (Drew et al., 2021; Kaback and Guan, 2019), and the ligand-gated porins in the TonB-dependent transporter (TBDT) family (Klebba et al., 2021). As structural, proteogenomic, and computational methods advance, active transporters are increasingly recognized as dynamic molecular machines whose mechanisms can now be visualized and modeled with remarkable precision, building on decades of biochemical and biophysical discovery that established the foundations of this field. The transporter studies recruited in this Research Topic provide us with new insights into the field including structure-function of sugar transporters in yeast, structural prediction and classification of ABC complexes in Bacillus subtilis, Type VI Secretion System (T6SS) in Bacteroides fragilis, amino acids uptake in Escherichia coli and bacterial spore germination.

mechanism↗