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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 OSTI2020

Manufacturing control systems and logic for prognosis of defects in composite materials

Presented are manufacturing control systems for composite-material structures, methods for assembling/operating such systems, and transfer molding techniques for predicting and ameliorating void conditions in fiber-reinforced polymer panels. A method for forming a composite-material construction includes receiving a start signal indicating a fiber-based preform is inside a mold cavity, and transmitting a command signal to inject pressurized resin into the mold to induce resin flow within the mold cavity and impregnate the fiber-based preform. An electronic controller receives, from a distributed array of sensors attached to the mold, signals indicative of pressure and/or temperature at discrete locations on an interior face of the mold cavity. The controller determines a measurement deviation between a calibrated baseline value and the pressure and/or temperature values for each of the discrete locations. If any one of the respective measurement deviations exceeds a calibrated threshold, a void signal is generated to flag a detected void condition.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

3D printable feedstock inks for signal control or computation

A 3D printable feedstock ink is disclosed for use in a 3D printing process where the ink is flowed through a printing nozzle. The ink may be made up of a non-conductive flowable material and a plurality of chiplets contained in the non-conductive flowable material in random orientations. The chiplets may form a plurality of percolating chiplet networks within the non-conductive flowable material as ones of the chiplets contact one another. Each one of the chiplets has a predetermined circuit characteristic which is responsive to a predetermined electrical signal, and which becomes electrically conductive when the predetermined electrical signal is applied to the ink, to thus form at least one conductive signal path through the ink.

Murialdo, Maxwell↗
DOE OSTI2019

Multiscale Modeling of Microstructural Evolution in Fused-Coating Additive Manufacturing

A quantitative phase field model with adaptive-computational-domain-expansion (ACDE) method was developed to simulate the microstructural evolution in fused-coating additive manufacturing process. A heat transfer and fluid flow model was established to investigate the solidification behavior of the molten pool in a single deposited layer. The solidification parameters such as temperature gradient and solidification rate were calculated from the macroscopic model and then fed into the phase field model to get the microstructure at different positions within a single deposited layer. Columnar dendrites were formed at the bottom of the deposited layer, and equiaxed dendrites appeared in the upper part of the layer. The ACDE method is used to improve the simulation efficiency. The metallographic experiments and energy-dispersive spectrometer analysis for composition were conducted on the fused-coating specimen, and the results were in good accordance with the simulations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Catalytic Activation of Polyethylene Model Compounds Over Metal-Exchanged Beta Zeolites

Decomposition of polymers by heterogeneous catalysts presents a promising approach for reuse of waste plastics. Here, we demonstrated non-hydrogenative decomposition of model polyolefins over proton-form and metal (Cu, Ni) ion-exchanged beta zeolites at moderate temperatures (ca. 300 degrees C). Near complete polyolefin decomposition was observed in batch reactions monitored by thermogravimetric analysis, while decomposition at partial conversion was studied in flow reactions. Ni-exchanged zeolites produced H 2 at substantially higher rates (> 10x) than other catalysts while also uniquely resisting deactivation over time. Application of the delplot formalism offered insights into the reaction network for polyolefin decomposition over Ni/BEA, most notably that H 2 is solely a primary product. We deduce that H 2 production is catalyzed by activation of C-H bonds at ionic Ni sites, and H 2 prevents buildup of polyaromatic coke species in Ni-exchanged zeolites that deactivate Cu-exchanged and protonic zeolites.

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

Flexible dynamic boundary microgrid operation considering network and load unbalances

Flexible microgrids with dynamic boundaries have recently been introduced in the literature. With the ability to reconfigure the topology of the microgrids dynamically through remotely controlled switches, flexible microgrids with dynamic boundaries can further improve the resiliency and energy efficiency of microgrids with distributed energy resources (DERs). This paper focuses on the optimal operation considering one of the predominant characteristics of microgrids and distribution systems – unbalanced networks and loads. In existing literature, balanced modeling of microgrids is more common due to its attractive simplicity. The three-phase power unbalance has not been considered as a constraint on the generation units in a microgrid. Further, negative sequence constraints have also been neglected. In this article, we propose a set of constraints that is specifically related to the capabilities of inverter interfaced resources to supply unbalanced current/power when the microgrid is islanded from the main distribution grid. We incorporate the new set of constraints into two optimization formulations leveraging two convex relaxations of the three-phase power flow equations: mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) and mixed-integer semidefinite programming (MISDP) that optimize the dispatch of controllable switches and DERs in the microgrid. The algorithms are then extended to networked microgrids with grid-forming sources. We test the algorithms on a realistic community microgrid model in Puerto Rico as well as standardized IEEE distribution test feeders. The testing results demonstrate the performance of the proposed algorithms. The MILP is fast and scalable, and the MISDP enforces the negative sequence voltage constraints.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Synthesis of U 3 O 8 and UO 2 microspheres using microfluidics

Uranium-bearing microspheres below 50µm with a narrow size distribution allows for a wider variety of fuel forms. To accommodate the smaller size, gel microspheres with a composition of UO 3 ∙nH 2 O∙mNH 3 were synthesized using microfluidics and subsequently converted to U 3 O 8 and UO 2 . To accommodate the slower flow rates required by microfluidics, a more stable broth was established. Additionally, the gelation studies resulted in a broth that was stable for more than two days at 0°C and for close to 3 h at room temperature while still gelling within 25 s. Synthesis of gel microspheres with a narrow size distribution lasted for 5 h and produced ~0.5 g of air-dried material. The gelled microspheres were converted to U 3 O 8 and UO 2 and with sizes of 50 and 40 µm in diameter, respectively.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Ion-temperature- and density-gradient-driven instabilities and turbulence in Wendelstein 7-X close to the stability threshold

Electrostatic gyrokinetic instabilities and turbulence in the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator are studied. Particular attention is paid to the ion-temperature-gradient (ITG) instability and its character close to marginal stability [Floquet-type turbulence (Zocco et al., Phys. Rev. E, vol. 106, 2022, p. L013202) with no electron temperature gradient]. The flux tube version of the δƒ code stella (Barnes et al., J. Comput. Phys., vol. 391, 2019, pp. 365–380) is used to run linear and nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations with kinetic electrons. The nature of the dominant instability depends on the wavelength perpendicular to the magnetic field, and the results are conveniently displayed in stability diagrams that take this dependence into account. This approach highlights the presence of universal instabilities, which are less unstable but have longer wavelengths than other modes. A quasi-linear estimate of the heat flux suggests they are relevant for transport. Close to the stability threshold, the linear eigenmodes and turbulence form highly extended structures along the computational domain if the magnetic shear is small. Numerical experiments and diagnostics are undertaken to assess the resulting radial localisation of the turbulence, which affects the interaction of the latter with zonal flows. Increasing the amplitude of the magnetic shear (e.g.through current drive) has a stabilising effect on the turbulence and, thus, reduces the nonlinear energy transport.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Microextraction–TQ–ICP–MS for the Direct Analysis of U and Pu from Cotton Swipes

Here, the microextraction sampling technique was integrated with triple quadrupole–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (TQ–ICP–MS) to directly sample and measure the isotopic compositions of uranium (U) and plutonium (Pu) from cotton swipes. Once extracted, the U/Pu were directed into the TQ–ICP–MS instrument for isotopic determination. Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and helium (He) gases were delivered to a collision reaction cell within the ICP–MS system for ion separation. The CO 2 reacts with the U + forming UO + which is ultimately separated from the Pu + ions of interest in the third quadrupole. This study demonstrates direct liquid extraction of U/Pu from a solid surface and subsequent measurement by TQ–ICP–MS in <60 s. Flow rates were optimized (0.3 mL min –1 CO 2 and 5 mL min –1 He) in the reaction cell of the ICP–MS system to maximize the Pu signal while minimizing U interferences (i.e., 238 U + tail and 238 UH + ) at m/z 239. Low levels of Pu (~2 pg) were deposited on a cotton swipe along with U at concentrations ranging from 20 to 200 ng. The 240 Pu/ 239 Pu ratio was measured with <7% relative difference from the certified value at all U concentrations. Major and minor U isotope ratios were also measured with <4% relative difference. This highlights that the microextraction–TQ–ICP–MS method can extract a mixed U/Pu sample directly from a cotton swipe and measure both isotopic systems without chemical separation.

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

Flux-driven simulations of self-generated radial electric fields and transition to improved confinement regime

The evolution of plasma profiles and radial electric fields in the edge of tokamaks during a transition to an improved confinement regime is explored in an unfavorable configuration based on self-consistent, flux-driven simulations of reduced Braginskii models with ion pressure dynamics. The edge plasma response to the heating power is explored by varying the heat source strength. The energy transfer from turbulent to mean flows is induced by the large-amplitude fluctuations as the power input becomes sufficiently strong. It is found that ion pressure fluctuations play an important role in the generation of the Reynolds power. Consequently, the plasma spontaneously forms radial electric fields localized at the edge, which reduces the radial correlation and amplitudes of edge fluctuations. An edge temperature pedestal also forms while the density profiles remain nearly unchanged, featuring an I-mode-like regime.

Physics↗
DOE OSTI2024

System and method for alfvenic reconnecting plasmoid plasma acceleration

According to various embodiments, a system for using magnetic reconnection to accelerate plasma is disclosed. The system includes a pair of electrodes including two concentric rings separated by an electrode gap and held at different electrostatic potential by applying a voltage to generate an inter-electrode electric field. The system further includes a plurality of magnetic coils configured to produce magnetic field lines that connect the pair of electrodes. The system additionally includes a gas injector configured to inject gas into the electrode gap, the injected gas being partially ionized by the inter-electrode electric field to generate a poloidal current that flows along open magnetic field lines across the electrode gap. A total Lorentz force causes oppositely directed magnetic field lines to be expanded around a region of the gas injector to further create an azimuthal current in the form of an axially elongated current sheet that is unstable such that the axially elongated current sheet reconnects and breaks into plasmoids.

Ebrahimi, Fatima Arezu↗
DOE OSTI2021

An organic bifunctional redox active material for symmetric aqueous redox flow battery

Symmetric redox flow batteries utilizing a single redox active material as catholyte and anolyte, offer a plausible and unique strategy to alleviate cross-contamination issues during cycling, making them an ideal energy storage device for large scale applications. In this work, a low-cost riboflavin organic molecule is coupled with a 2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidinyl-N-oxyl (TEMPO) radical molecule to form a single Riboflavin-TEMPO (RIBOTEMPO) bifunctional redox active material, which is used in both aqueous anolyte and catholyte. Cyclic voltammetry analysis of the combined molecule displays electrochemically reversible reactions for the redox couples at 0.72 V and 0.51 V versus Hg/Hg2SO4, leading to a theoretical cell voltage of 1.23 V. A symmetric cell testing demonstrated over 100 consecutive charge/discharge cycles with nearly 80% coulombic efficiency and capacity retention of 44.7% at a current density of 2.5 mA cm(-2). By utilizing a pH neutral supporting electrolyte, a lowcost, safe, and environmental-friendly redox flow battery is achieved. This work provides a pathway for the design and development of bifunctional redox active molecules for symmetric battery applications.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2021

UNH TDP - ADCP Raw Data and Processing Scripts - Fall 2021

This submission contains raw Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) data and processing scripts associated with MHKDR submission 394 (UNH TDP - Concurrent Measurements of Inflow, Power Performance, and Loads for a Grid-Synchronized Vertical Axis Cross-Flow Turbine Operating in a Tidal Estuary, DOI: 10.15473/1973860) from the University of New Hampshire and Atlantic Marine Energy Center (AMEC) turbine deployment platform. The user is directed to the MHKDR submission 394 for relevant context and detail of this deployment; see link below. The 394_READ_ME file here provides the description from that submission for quick reference. The READ_ME file for this specific instrument from the 394 submission is also available here. This submission contains a zipped folder structure containing raw data in its original format and MATLAB (2019a) processing scripts used to process and manipulate the data into its final form. The final data products are submitted in the 394 submission.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2021

Compatibility of SiC with ODS FeCrAl in flowing Pb-Li at 600° - 700°C

To establish the maximum operating temperature for the dual coolant lead lithium (DCLL) blanket concept, thermal convection loop (TCL) experiments were conducted for 1000 h with a peak temperature of 700 °C to determine compatibility with commercial eutectic Pb~17at.%Li. Two TCLs were fabricated from alloy APMT (FeCrAlMo) and the baseline TCL experiment contained only APMT specimens. The second TCL experiment exposed more fusion relevant CVD SiC and ODS Fe-10Cr-6Al specimens in the hot and cold legs. In the second experiment, the mass losses were much larger for the ODS FeCrAl specimens and most of the CVD SiC specimens experienced a mass gain as SiC reacted to form an Fe- and Cr-rich carbide reaction product. Dissolved Fe and Cr reacted with the SiC and removing Fe and Cr from the liquid appeared to increase ODS FeCrAl dissolution. Such a dissimilar material interaction appears consistent with thermodynamic calculations. Significant attack at the top of the hot leg in both experiments suggests that the Pb-Li compatibility of FeCrAl alloys is inadequate at 700 °C in a flowing environment and the maximum PbLi temperature is < 675 °C.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Forced Oscillation Source Location in Power Systems Using MVMD-assisted DEF in TF Plane

Fast and accurate forced oscillation source location (FOSL) is critical for mitigating forced oscillations in power systems. Here, to overcome the shortcomings of traditional dissipating energy flow (DEF) in decomposing the forced oscillation components from the measurement responses, a multivariate variational mode decomposition (MVMD)-assisted FOSL is proposed in this paper to locate the forced oscillation sources from measurements in time-frequency (TF) plane. The multi-channel measurement matrix of each generator is formed, then the multi-channel modes are decomposed from the formed multi-channel measurement matrix using the MVMD. Further, the intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) associated with the forced oscillation mode are distinguished from the decomposed modes according to the relative energy weights. With the distinguished IMFs, the MVMD-assisted DEF calculation method is developed to locate the forced oscillation source. Finally, the performance of the proposed method is evaluated using the simulation data of the WECC 179-bus test system and IEEE-NASPI Oscillation Source Location Contest as well as the actual PMU data of ISO New England. The results validated the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed method in the FOSL.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2020

Engineering the Composition of Bimetallic Nanocrystals to Improve Hydrodeoxygenation Selectivity for 2-Acetylfuran

Hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of 2-acetylfuran (2-AF) was examined at 473 K and 33 bar over carbon-supported, bimetallic catalysts. Monodispersed, Pt-based (PtNi, PtCo, and PtCu) and Ni-based (NiCu) nanocrystals (NCs) with well-defined sizes and compositions were prepared via colloidal synthesis. Steady-state, flow-reactor measurements demonstrate that selectivities for the HDO reaction to 2-ethylfuran (2-EF) are strongly dependent on the alloy compositions. The HDO of 2-AF is shown to be sequential, where 2-EF can react further to form over-hydrogenated products. The NiCu 3 /C nanocatalyst was superior to the other bimetallics; with the optimal residence time, it was possible to achieve a selectivity of 75% 2-EF with 80% conversion of 2-AF, with good stability for up to at least 5 hours time-on-stream. Deactivation due to coking became an issue when the NCs were deposited on oxide supports with weak acidity (SiO 2 and γ-Al 2 O 3 ). Furthermore, this work provides insights into which bimetallic catalytic systems might be useful for HDO of 2-AF reaction.

2-acetylfuran↗
DOE OSTI2022

AI-enabled traveling wave protection for microgrids

Grid forming inverters provide voltage and frequency regulations for microgrids; in the meantime, new challenges are introduced for microgrid protections. For instance, inverters’ control strategies can affect protection behaviors, and low short-circuit ratios and bi-directional power flows also make protection operations complex. Protection schemes based on conventional principles such as overcurrent and distance relays do not always provide reliable, sensitive, or selective operations. Here, we devise a traveling wave protection approach for microgrids using a wavelet-driven deep neural network named WaveletKernelNet (WKN). Compared with conventional methods, the presented approach provides enhanced sensitivity, higher selectivity, and better identification of various faults in microgrids. Extensive case studies validate the efficacy and excellent performance of the devised approach.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2022

USEEIO v2.0, The US Environmentally-Extended Input-Output Model v2.0

USEEIO v2.0 is an environmental-economic model of US goods and services that can be used for life cycle assessment, footprinting, national prioritization, and related applications. This paper describes the development of the model and accompanies the release of a full model dataset as well as various supporting datasets of national environmental totals by US industry. Novel methodological elements since USEEIO v1 models include waste sector disaggregation, final demand vectors for US consumption and production, a domestic form of the model that can be used to separate domestic and foreign impacts, and price adjustment matrices for converting outputs to purchaser price and in various US dollar years. Improvements in modeling national totals of industry and environmental flows are described. The model is validated through reproduction of national totals from input data sources and through analysis of changes from the most recent complete USEEIO model that can be explained based on data updates or method changes. The model datasets can all be reproduced with open source software packages.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Pattern formation and flocking for particles near the jamming transition on resource gradient substrates

Here, we numerically examine a bidisperse system of active and passive particles coupled to a resource substrate. The active particles deplete the resource at a fixed rate and move toward regions with higher resources, while all of the particles interact sterically with each other. We show that at high densities, this system exhibits a rich variety of pattern-forming phases along with directed motion or flocking as a function of the relative rates of resource absorption and consumption as well as the active to passive particle ratio. These include partial phase separation into rivers of active particles flowing through passive clusters, strongly phase separated states where the active particles induce crystallization of the passive particles, mixed jammed states, and fluctuating mixed fluid phases. For higher resource recovery rates, we demonstrate that the active particles can undergo motility-induced phase separation, while at high densities, there can be a coherent flock containing only active particles or a solid mixture of active and passive particles. The directed flocking motion typically shows a transient in which the flow switches among different directions before settling into one direction, and there is a critical density below which flocking does not occur. We map out the different phases as function of system density, resource absorption and recovery rates, and the ratio of active to passive particles.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗