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All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI2023

Study of The Compression of an Imploding Plasma and the Magnetic- Field Flux Using Advanced, Non-Intrusive, Spectroscopic Techniques

The main motivation of the project was to measure the magnetic field in pulsed power driven plasma compression using advanced non-intrusive spectroscopic techniques. The strength of the project is that it encompasses a combination of laboratory experiments with diagnostics for both the magnetic field and plasma properties and computational modeling. The following issues were addressed: (1) Plasma and magnetic field dynamics, (2) Field compression and diffusion, (3) Energy balance in the system, (4) Onset of instabilities, and (5) Correlation of the plasma and field evolutions with the initial conditions. The unique feature of the research was the use of advanced spectroscopy to measure both the magnetic field and various plasma properties in multiple locations using both side-on and end-on views, simultaneously. The experimental system allowed for imploding different gas mixtures (which facilitated local measurements) and for flexibility in modifying the initial conditions. Two current generators were used with significantly different current rise times (200 ns and 1.6 µs) but at the same current level of 400 kA. The slower pulsed power generator (at rise time 1.6 µs) was based at the Weizmann Institute of Science (WIS) and imploded plasma into which an axial magnetic field (up to 1 T) was initially embedded. The faster current rise time generator (at rise time 200 ns) based at University of California San Diego (UCSD) was used for plasma parameter studies initially, with collaborative efforts we successfully implemented the advanced spectroscopy techniques at UC San Diego. One graduate student (Nick Aybar) and a postdoctoral scholar (Maylis Dozeries) were trained. They both are based at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory now.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2021

An improved Method for Determining Transient Fuel Dilution of Oil in an Internal-Combustion Engine Using Laser-Induced Florescence and Multivariate Least Square Calibration

An optical diagnostic, based on laser-induced fluorescence (LIF), has been developed for on-engine measurements of real-time fuel dilution of engine oil or fuel in oil (FIO). Fuel dilution of oil is broadly relevant to advancing engine technology including durability, calibration, and catalyst-system management, and believed to promote destructive stochastic pre-ignition (SPI) during high-load engine operations. While standard (e.g., ASTM D3524-90) methods are not capable of real-time transient measurements, the LIF technique resolves transient dilution on the minutes time scale. We have expanded on our original FIO instrument development by introducing an improved analysis based on multivariate least square chemometrics analysis. The measurement uses a fuel dye (180–1300 parts per million, by mass) and monitors for its presence in the oil using 532 nm excitation and LIF. While the original FIO instrument utilized a two-color ratio method for analysis, the improved chemometric analysis uses the fully resolved LIF dye spectra to provide better predictive FIO accuracy (>92%) over a wide FIO range (1.5–14%) typical of engine application. We also investigate the effect of oil temperature on the LIF signal. Limited engine applications for demonstrating and validating the improved FIO instrument are shown, and the related data used to quantify practical detection limit and sensitivity. The improved analysis is insensitive to laser power fluctuation and change in detector integration time, providing an excellent FIO sensitivity (1–2%) and detection limit (0.01 %FIO) over a wide range of loads and injection timings, illustrating this updated approach to be a promising tool for advancing engine technology.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2011

Investigation of Path Dependence in Commercial Li-ion Cells Chosen for PHEV Duty Cycle Protocols (paper)

Path dependence is emerging as a premier issue of how electrochemical cells age in conditions that are diverse and variable in the time domain. For example, lithium-ion cells in a vehicle configuration will experience a variable combination of usage and rest periods over a range of temperature and state of charge (SOC). This is complicated by the fact that some aging can actually become worse (or better) when a lithium-ion cell is idle for extended periods under calendar-life (calL) aging, as opposed to cycle-life (cycL) conditions where the cell is used within a predictable schedule. The purpose of this study is to bridge the gap between highly idealized and controlled laboratory test conditions and actual field conditions regarding PHEV applications, so that field-type aging mechanisms can be mimicked and quantified in a repeatable laboratory setting. The main parameters are the magnitude and frequency of the thermal cycling, looking at isothermal, mild, and severe scenarios. To date, little is known about Li-ion aging effects caused by thermal cycling superimposed onto electrochemical cycling, and related path dependence. This scenario is representative of what Li-ion batteries will experience in vehicle service, where upon the typical start of a HEV/PHEV, the batteries will be cool or cold, will gradually warm up to normal temperature and operate there for a time, then will cool down after the vehicle is turned off. Such thermal cycling will occur thousands of times during the projected life of a HEV/PHEV battery pack. We propose to quantify the effects of thermal cycling on Li-ion batteries using a representative chemistry that is commercially available. The secondary Li-ion cells used in this study are of the 18650 configuration, have a nominal capacity rating of 1.9 Ah, and consist of a {LiMn2O4 + LiMn(1/3)Ni(1/3)Co(1/3)O2} cathode and a graphite anode. Electrochemical cycling is based on PHEV-relevant cycle-life protocols that are a combination of charge depleting (CD) and charge sustaining (CS) modes discussed in the Battery Test Manual for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (INL, March 2008, rev0). A realistic duty cycle will involve both CD and CS modes, the proportion of each defined by the severity of the power demands. We assume that the cells will start each cycling day at 90% SOC, and that they will not be allowed to go below 35% SOC, with operation around 70% SOC being a nominal condition. The 35, 70, and 90% SOC conditions are also being used to define critical aspects of the related reference performance test (RPT) for this investigation. There are three primary components to the RPT, all assessed at room temperature: (A) static and residual capacity (SRC) over a matrix of current, (B) kinetics and pulse performance testing (PPT) over current for SOCs of interest, and (C) EIS for SOCs of interest. The RPT is performed on all cells every 30 day test interval, as well as a pulse-per-day to provide a quick diagnostic snapshot. Where feasible, we utilize various elements of Diagnostic Testing (DT) to characterize performance of the cells and to gain mechanistic-level knowledge regarding both performance features and limitations. We will present the rationale behind the experimental design, early data, and discuss the fundamental tools used to elucidate performance degradation mechanisms.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

DOE OSTI2019

Development of the Ultimate One-Dimensional Time to Explosion (UODTX) Apparatus

With recent advancements in experimental capabilities and worldwide improvement of digital data acquisition and control, there is sufficient justification to develop a new version of the One Dimensional Time to eXplosion (ODTX) system to allow for additional diagnostics and improved control to increase sample throughput and increase the adaptability of future experiments. The legacy ODTX system was designed to measure time to explosion (TTX) for a given temperature, which it does well, but it was not equipped to handle the recent experimental advances of Pressure-ODTX (PODTX) and Composition-ODTX (CODTX). PODTX involves fielding a pressure transducer as an additional diagnostic and applying arbitrary heating-profiles to the system anvils. CODTX furthers this concept by including in-situ gas-composition analysis via infrared (IR) absorption techniques with plans to extend CODTX to solid composition detection and in-situ mass spectrometry (MS). The legacy ODTX system was not built with these experiments in mind and performing them involves substantial modifications and downtime to the existing machine. Developing a standalone system that can perform all C/P/ODTX experiments and is adaptable to unconceived experiments would allow for the continued use of ODTX as a work-horse for Small Scale Safety Testing (SSST), but also provide a testbed for new explosive safety research. This system would ultimately be housed in the neighboring ODTX cell and would live at the High Explosive Application Facility (HEAF) until the end of its service life. HEAF, Chemistry, and Engineering would be the primary stakeholders for the system’s design as they all have experiments that they want to perform. Engineering would be responsible for the system development and would work closely with HEAF to ensure that the system is built with high explosive (HE) safety in mind. By the end of development and after product realization, HEAF/Chemistry would be the system owner, operator, and primary user. The proposed system design is highly influenced by the existing ODTX design. The system will have load frame to support the experiment, anvils to confine the explosive, and some means of applying confining pressure. The samples will be able to be heated and cooled through the confining the anvils. The biggest change from the legacy design is the ability to add diagnostics to the experiment as needed: thermocouples (TCs), resistance temperature detectors (RTDs), pressure transducers (PTs), infrared transmittance/absorbance (IR), mass spectrometry (MS), strain gages (SGs), photonic doppler velocimeter (PDV), as well as arbitrary 4-20 mV signals and +/- 10 VDC signals. The current design does not allow for flexibility in that respect and is hardwired with a few diagnostic channels. The onus will fall on designing a load frame that can support system modifications as well as a data acquisition system that can handle the multitude of signal types.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2018

MR Imaging of Chondrogenic Tumors: Update on Select Imaging Challenges

Purpose of Review: This review article discusses the updated World Health Classification of chondrogenic skeletal tumors and the role of conventional and advanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the evaluation of chondrogenic skeletal lesions with emphasis on select diagnostic dilemmas. Recent Findings: The majority of benign chondrogenic skeletal lesions have typical radiographic and MR features. Conventional MR imaging sequences can be helpful in the distinction of tumor-like lesions from chondrogenic tumors, and the evaluation of anatomic extent, particularly with regard to the detection of soft tissue masses associated with a chondrosarcoma (CS). Benign, atypical, and malignant chondrogenic lesions can have overlapping features on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mapping although dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) sequences can be helpful in the characterization of chondrogenic tumors as benign or malignant. Patients with multiple chondrogenic tumor conditions or syndromes are predisposed to developing CS and extra-skeletal malignancies, and as such, a small subset may benefit from imaging surveillance. Summary: The majority of chondrogenic skeletal lesions can be characterized confidently on imaging. In the small subset of intermediate and malignant chondrogenic lesions with overlapping imaging and pathological features, a multidisciplinary approach should be used.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

DOE OSTI2019

Premixed flames subjected to extreme turbulence: Some questions and recent answers

It has been predicted that several changes will occur when premixed flames are subjected to the extreme levels of turbulence that can be found in practical combustors. Our report is a review of recent experimental and DNS results that have been obtained for the range of extreme turbulence, and it includes a discussion of cases that agree or disagree with predictions. “Extreme turbulence” is defined to correspond to a turbulent Reynolds number (Re Τ , based on integral scale) that exceeds 2800 or a turbulent Karlovitz number that exceeds 100, for reasons that are discussed in Section 2.1. Several data bases are described that include measurements made at Lund University, the University of Sydney, the University of Michigan and the U.S. Air Force Research Lab. The data bases also include DNS results from Sandia National Laboratory, the University of New South Wales, Newcastle University, the California Institute of Technology and the University of Cambridge. Several major observations are: (a) DNS now can be achieved for a realistic geometry (of the Lund University jet burner) even for extreme turbulence levels, (b) state relations (conditional mean profiles) from DNS and experiments do tend to agree with laminar profiles, at least for methane-air and hydrogen-air reactants that are not preheated, and (c) regime boundaries have been measured and they do not agree with predicted boundaries. Results indicate that the range of conditions for which flamelet models should be valid is larger than what was previously believed. Additional parameters have been shown to be important; for example, broken reactions occur if the “back-support” is insufficient due to the entrainment of cold gas into the product gas. Turbulent burning velocity measurements have been extended from the previous normalized turbulence levels (u’/S L ) of 24 up to a value of 163. Turbulent burning velocities no longer follow the trend predicted by Shchelkin but they tend to follow the trend predicted by Damköhler. The boundary where flamelet broadening begins was measured to occur at Re Taylor = 13.8, which corresponds to an integral scale Reynolds number (Re T ) of 2800. This measured regime boundary can be explained by the idea that flame structure is altered when the turbulent diffusivity at the Taylor scale exceeds a critical value, rather than the idea that changes occur when Kolmogorov eddies just fit inside a flamelet. A roadmap to extend DNS to complex chemistry and to higher Reynolds numbers is discussed. Exascale computers, machine learning, adaptive mesh refinement and embedded DNS show promise. Some advances are reviewed that have extended the use of line and planar PLIF and CARS laser diagnostics to studies that consider complex hydrocarbon fuels and harsh environments.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2017

Laser Ablation Molecular Isotopic Spectrometry for Molecules Formation Chemistry in Femtosecond-Laser Ablated Plasmas

Recently, laser ablated molecular isotopic spectrometry (LAMIS) has expanded its capability to explore molecules formation mechanism in laser-induced plasma in addition to isotope analysis. LAMIS is a powerful tool for tracking the origination of atoms that is involved in formation of investigated molecules by labeling atoms with their isotopic substitution. The evolutionary formation pathways of organic molecules, especially of C 2 dimers and CN radicals, were frequently reported. However, very little is known about the formation pathways for metallic radicals and heterodimers in laser ablated plasma. This research focuses on elucidating the formation pathways of AlO radicals in femtosecond laser ablated plasma from 18 O-labeled Al 2 O 3 pellet. Plasmas expanding with strong forward bias in the direction normal to the sample surface were generated in the wake of a weakly ionized channel created by a femtosecond laser. The formation mechanism of AlO and influence of air were investigated with multiple plasma diagnostic methods such as monochromatic fast gating imaging, spatiotemporal resolved optical emission spectroscopy, and LAMIS. An advanced LAMIS fitting procedure was used to deduce the spatiotemporal distributions of Al 18 O and Al 16 O number densities and also their ratios. We found that the Al 16 O/Al 18 O number density ratio is higher for plasma portion closer to the sample surface, which suggests that chemical reactions between the plasma plume and ambient air are more intense at the tail of the plasma. The results also reveals that direct association of free Al and O atoms is the main mechanism for the formation of AlO at the early stage of the plasma. Finally, to the contrast, chemical reactions between plasma materials and ambient oxygen molecules and the isotope exchange effect are the dominant mechanisms of the formation of AlO and evolution of Al 16 O/Al 18 O number density ratio at the late stage of the plasma.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2010

Summary Report of Working Group 1: Laser-Plasma Acceleration

Advances in and physics of the acceleration of particles using underdense plasma structures driven by lasers were the topics of presentations and discussions in Working Group 1 of the 2010 Advanced Accelerator Concepts Workshop. Such accelerators have demonstrated gradients several orders beyond conventional machines, with quasi-monoenergetic beams at MeV-GeV energies, making them attractive candidates for next generation accelerators. Workshop discussions included advances in control over injection and laser propagation to further improve beam quality and stability, detailed diagnostics and physics models of the acceleration process, radiation generation as a source and diagnostic, and technological tools and upcoming facilities to extend the reach of laser-plasma accelerators.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

DOE OSTI2023

Probing local electron temperature and density inside a sheared flow stabilized Z-pinch using portable optical Thomson scattering

We report the first optical Thomson scattering measurements inside a high electron temperature (≳1 keV) and moderate electron density (mid 10 16 cm –3 ) plasma. This diagnostic has been built to provide critical plasma parameters, such as electron temperature and density, for Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy-supported fusion-energy concepts. It uses an 8 J laser at 532 nm in 1.5 ns to measure the high frequency feature of the Thomson scattering profile at 17 locations along the probe axis. It is able to measure electron density from 5 × 10 17 cm –3 to several 10 19 cm –3 and electron temperatures from tens of eV to several keV. Here, in this paper, we describe the design, deployment, and analysis on the sheared flow stabilized Z-pinch machine at Zap Energy named FuZE. The probe beam is aimed at an axial distance of 20 cm from the central electrode and is timed within the temporal envelope of neutron emission. The high temperature and moderate density plasmas generated on FuZE lie in an unconventional regime for Thomson scattering as they are between tokamaks and laser-produced plasmas. We described the analysis considerations in this regime, show that the electron density was below 5 × 10 16 cm –3 at all times during these measurements, and present a sample shot where the inferred electron temperature varied from 167 ± 16 eV to 700 ± 85 eV over 1.6 cm.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

DOE OSTI2014

The Carina project. VII. Toward the breaking of the age-metallicity degeneracy of red giant branch stars using the C {sub U,} {sub B,} {sub I} index

We present an analysis of photometric and spectroscopic data of the Carina dSph galaxy, testing a new approach similar to that used to disentangle multiple populations in Galactic globular clusters (GCs). We show that a proper color combination is able to separate a significant fraction of the red giant branch (RGB) of the two main Carina populations (the old one, ∼12 Gyr, and the intermediate-age one, 4-8 Gyr). In particular, the c {sub U,} {sub B,} {sub I} = (U – B) – (B – I) pseudo-color allows us to follow the RGB of both populations along a relevant portion of the RGB. We find that the oldest stars have a more negative c {sub U,} {sub B,} {sub I} pseudo-color than intermediate-age ones. We correlate the pseudo-color of RGB stars with their chemical properties, finding a significant trend between the iron content and the c {sub U,} {sub B,} {sub I}. Stars belonging to the old population are systematically more metal-poor ([Fe/H] =–2.32 ± 0.08 dex) than the intermediate-age ones ([Fe/H] =–1.82 ± 0.03 dex). This gives solid evidence of the chemical evolution history of this galaxy, and we have a new diagnostic that can allow us to break the age-metallicity degeneracy of H-burning advanced evolutionary phases. We compared the distribution of stars in the c {sub U,} {sub B,} {sub I} plane with theoretical isochrones, finding that no satisfactory agreement can be reached with models developed in a theoretical framework based on standard heavy element distributions. Finally, we discuss possible systematic differences when compared with multiple populations in GCs.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2015

SOLAR FLARE CHROMOSPHERIC LINE EMISSION: COMPARISON BETWEEN IBIS HIGH-RESOLUTION OBSERVATIONS AND RADIATIVE HYDRODYNAMIC SIMULATIONS

Solar flares involve impulsive energy release, which results in enhanced radiation over a broad spectral range and a wide range of heights. In particular, line emission from the chromosphere can provide critical diagnostics of plasma heating processes. Thus, a direct comparison between high-resolution spectroscopic observations and advanced numerical modeling results could be extremely valuable, but has not yet been attempted. In this paper, we present such a self-consistent investigation of an M3.0 flare observed by the Dunn Solar Telescope’s Interferometric Bi-dimensional Spectrometer (IBIS) on 2011 September 24 which we have modeled using the radiative hydrodynamic code RADYN. We obtained images and spectra of the flaring region with IBIS in Hα 6563 Å and Ca ii 8542 Å, and with RHESSI in X-rays. The latter observations were used to infer the non-thermal electron population, which was passed to RADYN to simulate the atmospheric response to electron collisional heating. We then synthesized spectral lines and compared their shapes and intensities to those observed by IBIS and found a general agreement. In particular, the synthetic Ca ii 8542 Å profile fits well to the observed profile, while the synthetic Hα profile is fainter in the core than for the observation. This indicates that Hα emission is more responsive to the non-thermal electron flux than the Ca ii 8542 Å emission. We suggest that it is necessary to refine the energy input and other processes to resolve this discrepancy.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2020

Differential credibility assessment for statistical downscaling

Climate science is increasingly using (i) ensembles of climate projections from multiple models derived using different assumptions and/or scenarios and (ii) process-oriented diagnostics of model fidelity. Efforts to assign differential credibility to projections and/or models are also rapidly advancing. A framework to quantify and depict the credibility of statistically downscaled model output is presented and demonstrated. Here, the approach employs transfer functions in the form of robust and resilient generalized linear models applied to downscale daily minimum and maximum temperature anomalies at 10 locations using predictors drawn from ERA-Interim reanalysis and two global climate models (GCM; GFDL-ESM2M and MPI-ESM-LR). The downscaled time series are used to derive several impact relevant CLIMDEX temperature indices that are assigned credibility based on (1) the reproduction of relevant large-scale predictors by the GCMs (i.e. fraction of regression beta-weights derived from predictors that are well-reproduced) and (2) the degree of variance in the observations reproduced in the downscaled series following application of a new variance inflation technique. Credibility of the downscaled predictands varies across locations, between the two GCM and is generally higher for minimum temperature than maximum temperature. The differential credibility assessment framework demonstrated here is easy to use and flexible. It can be applied as is to inform decision makers regarding projection confidence, and/or extended to include other components of the transfer functions, and/or used to weight members of a statistically downscaled ensemble.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2014

Advanced Accelerator Concepts (Final Report)

A major focus of research supported by this Grant has been on the ALPHA antihydrogen trap. We first trapped antihydrogen in 2010 and soon thereafter demonstrated trapping for 1000s. We now have observed resonant quantum interactions with antihydrogen. These papers in Nature and Nature Physics report the major milestones in anti-atom trapping. The success was only achieved through careful work that advanced our understanding of collective dynamics in charged particle systems, the development of new cooling and diagnostics, and innovation in understanding how to make physics measurements with small numbers of anti-atoms. This research included evaporative cooling, autoresonant excitation of longitudinal motion, and centrifugal separation. Antihydrogen trapping by ALPHA is progressing towards the point when a important theories believed by most to hold for all physical systems, such as CPT (Charge-Parity-Time) invariance and the Weak Equivalence Principle (matter and antimatter behaving the same way under the influence of gravity) can be directly tested in a new regime. One motivation for this test is that most accepted theories of the Big Bang predict that we should observe equal amounts of matter and antimatter. However astrophysicists have found very little antimatter in the universe. Our experiment will, if successful over the next seven years, provide a new test of these ideas. Many earlier detailed and beautiful tests have been made, but the trapping of neutral antimatter allows us to explore the possibility of direct, model-independent tests. Successful cooling of the anti atoms, careful limits on systematics and increased trapping rates, all planned for our follow-up experiment (ALPHA-II) will reach unrivaled precision. CPT invariance implies that the spectra of hydrogen and antihydrogen should be identical. Spectra can be measured in principle with great precision, and any differences we might observe would revolutionize fundamental physics. This is the physics motivation for our experiment, one that requires only a few dozen researchers but must effectively integrate plasma, accelerator, atomic, and fundamental physics, as well as combine numerous technologies in the control, manipulation, and measurement of neutral and non-neutral particles.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

DOE OSTI2022

3D, Real-time Label-free Visualization of Cellular Health

This work directly addresses a key question raised in TA7, Topic L1 of HDTRA1-16-24-FRCWMDCall, “Can quantum level changes be detected, mapped, and understood in the biological environment to allow faster diagnostic responses?” This work will use the inherently sensitive quantum property of a molecular excited state lifetime to visualize and map discrete, subtle nanometer-scale changes (e.g. NADPH vs NADH) that are key indicators of cellular health in response to chemical and biological threats and MCMs. It will also develop and exploit new, fast imaging light-sheet methods to allow faster diagnostic responses. This new imaging system will exploit time-correlated single photon counting and new advances in single-objective light-sheet microscopy (oblique plane microscopy) for fast, quantitative analysis of cellular redox state. We will add an entirely new dimension (excited state fluorescence lifetime) to oblique plane microscopy—a method that even without this added dimension was labeled by Nature Methods in 2021 as a ‘Method to Watch.’ Following instrument development and validation, we will explore cellular response to Burkholderia infections and antibiotic treatment in immortal cell lines followed by expansion to more realistic cellular environments (such as neuro-muscular junctions, NMJs) to test nerve agent simulants and their MCMs. As a microscopy platform, these methods hold the promise of being able to visualize a single infected cell (or a cellular compartment) and MCM treatment well before a larger and later organ/organism response.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

DOE OSTI2024

Fabrication of a Point-Like Transmission Target for Reducing Computed Tomography Imaging Artifacts

In this study, we address the challenge of enhancing image quality and spatial resolution in computed tomography (CT) imaging by introducing simulation and fabrication of high aspect ratio, point-like transmission targets. Utilizing advanced electroplating techniques, traditionally employed in the fabrication of Through Substrate Via (TSV) interconnects for CMOS circuitry, we successfully embed copper targets within silicon substrates. This method allows us to create high-aspect-ratio features specifically designed for X-ray transmission targets, resulting in micro targets that exhibit a volume increase compared to conventional evaporated surface targets. Furthermore, we present simulation results of the X-ray spectrum generated by these targets, demonstrating their potential to significantly improve both image quality and spatial resolution in CT applications. Our findings suggest that leveraging advanced fabrication techniques can open new avenues for the development of enhanced imaging technologies in medical diagnostics and beyond.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

DOE OSTI2026

Building Operation Model (Morpheus) for Dallas Fort Worth Airport (CRADA CRD-19-16301 Final Report)

The primary objective of this project was to leverage digital twin technology to enhance the design and operation of DFW Airport terminals and their associated energy systems. To achieve this, Morpheus, a building digital twin, was developed to guide improvements in airport operations, specifically targeting reductions in peak power demand and overall energy consumption.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

NASA NTRS1989

Overview of aerothermodynamic loads definition study

Over the years, NASA has been conducting the Advanced Earth-to-Orbit (AETO) Propulsion Technology Program to provide the knowledge, understanding, and design methodology that will allow the development of advanced Earth-to-orbit propulsion systems with high performance, extended service life, automated operations, and diagnostics for in-flight health monitoring. The objective of the Aerothermodynamic Loads Definition Study is to develop methods to more accurately predict the operating environment in AETO propulsion systems, such as the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) powerhead. The approach taken consists of 2 parts: to modify, apply, and disseminate existing computational fluid dynamics tools in response to current needs and to develop new technology that will enable more accurate computation of the time averaged and unsteady aerothermodynamic loads in the SSME powerhead. The software tools are detailed. Significant progress was made in the area of turbomachinery, where there is an overlap between the AETO efforts and research in the aeronautical gas turbine field.

Gaugler, Raymond E.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Results of thermal vacuum tests for the PASP+ flight modules

The PASP PLUS (Photovoltaic Array Space Power Plus Diagnostics) program is a photovoltaic experiment which will be flown on the Air Force satellite APEX (Advanced Photovoltaic And Electronic Experiment). APEX will be launched with a Pegasus during the summer of 1993. There are two other small experiments on APEX but PASP+ is the largest, uses the most power, and accounts for over 90 percent of the data requirements. The orbit is elliptical with apogee and perigee of 1050 and 190 nautical miles respectively. The inclination is 70 deg. The two main objectives of PASP+ are to determine the interactions between high voltage arrays and the space plasma environment and to determine the radiation damage characteristics of several newer types of solar cells. In order to determine the interactions with the space plasma, several of the individual cell strings will be biased to voltages up to plus or minus 500 V, and leakage currents and arcing rates will be measured. The radiation degradation characteristics will be determined by the continuous monitoring of I-V data for all of the cell strings. As part of an overall testing program, the PASP+ panels and controller were put through a thermal vacuum test in order to check the thermal analysis, obtain temperature coefficients for the individual modules, and have an end-to-end test of the entire PASP+ experiment. This thermal vacuum test is described briefly and the results obtained during that testing are discussed.

Curtis, Henry↗