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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 811 records · Page 45

LESSONS FROM NUCLEAR ENERGY: BUILDING SNOW AND AVALANCHE SIMULATION TOOLS USING A COMMON OPEN-SOURCE FRAMEWORK

The Department of Energy (DOE) is currently investing millions of dollars annually into various modeling and simulation tools for all aspects of nuclear energy. An important part of this effort includes developing applications based on the open-source Multiphysics Object Oriented Simulation Environment (MOOSE; mooseframework.org) from Idaho National Laboratory (INL). Through the DOE and outside collaborators, MOOSE includes a large set of physics modules, including phase field, level set, heat conduction, tensor mechanics, Navier-Stokes, and porous media, among others. The phase-field module, in particular, is well-suited for micro-structure evolution simulations, including solidification, as shown in the figure. It was also used, in conjunction with the heat conduction module, to build a multiscale snow model (Pika) as presented at the 2014 International Snow Science Workshop (Slaughter et al., 2014). The snow science community should learn from the nuclear industry, and harness the enormous effort underway to build simulation tools that are open, modular, and share a common framework. In particular, MOOSE-based multi-physics solvers are inherently parallel, dimension agnostic, adaptive in time and space, fully-coupled, and capable of interacting with other applications. The snow science community must build on existing tools to enable collaboration between researchers and practitioners throughout the world, and advance the state-of-the-art in line with other scientific research efforts.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Converter topologies for common mode voltage reduction

An inverter includes a three-winding transformer, a DC-AC inverter electrically coupled to the first winding of the transformer, a cycloconverter electrically coupled to the second winding of the transformer, and an active filter electrically coupled to the third winding of the transformer. The DC-AC inverter is adapted to convert the input DC waveform to an AC waveform delivered to the transformer at the first winding. The cycloconverter is adapted to convert an AC waveform received at the second winding of the transformer to the output AC waveform having a grid frequency of the AC grid. The active filter is adapted to sink and source power with one or more energy storage devices based on a mismatch in power between the DC source and the AC grid. At least two of the DC-AC inverter, the cycloconverter, or the active filter are electrically coupled via a common reference electrical interconnect.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Review of Inorganic Salt Hydrates with Phase Change Temperature in Range of 5°C to 60°C and Material Cost Comparison with Common Waxes

Phase change materials (PCMs) with desirable phase change temperatures can be used to provide a constant temperature thermal source or sink for diverse applications. As such, incorporating PCMs into building materials, equipment, or appliances can shift and/or reduce the energy load. The motivation of this work is to identify low-cost inorganic salt hydrate PCMs that can complement current building systems and designs, and compare them with common paraffins.In this work, we analyzed inorganic salt hydrates with phase change temperatures in the range of 5-60°C, to target both space heating and cooling applications. The properties of the salt hydrates were compared with paraffins over the same temperature range. The results showed that PCMs with a melting temperature above 20°C, salt hydrates have advantages over paraffins including higher thermal energy density (45-120 kWh/m3 for salt hydrates; 45-60 kWh/m3 for paraffins) and generally lower material energy cost (1-20 $/kWh for salt hydrates; 20-30 $/kWh for comparable paraffins). For PCMs with a melting temperature less than 20°C, the material cost is higher for both salt hydrates and paraffins (30-110 $/kWh for both classes of materials) and salt hydrates retain their advantage of greater thermal energy density (50-120 kWh/m3 for salt hydrates; 45-60 kWh/m3 for paraffins). In all cases, factors including thermal cyclability, stability, congruency, corrosion, and supercooling must be considered when comparing paraffins and salt hydrates for a particular application. Finally, we give an overview of enhancement techniques for salt hydrate PCMs and find that limited efforts have been pursued to tune salt hydrate phase change temperatures, with a wider range of studies investigating stabilization and minimization of supercooling. This analysis shows the potential of developing salt hydrate PCMs for low-cost heating and cooling thermal energy storage systems for a range of applications.

Hirschey, Jason↗

Summary of Workshop on Common Neutrino Event Generator Tools

A neutrino community workshop was held at Fermilab in Jan 2020, with the aim of developing an implementation plan for a set of common interfaces to Neutrino Event Generators. This white paper summarizes discussions at the workshop and the resulting plan.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Monolithically-integrated AC switch having JBSFETs therein with commonly-connected drain and cathode electrodes

A monolithically-integrated AC switch includes a semiconductor substrate having first and second insulated-gate field effect transistors therein, which contain first and second spaced-apart and independently-controllable source terminals extending adjacent a first surface of the semiconductor substrate, yet share a common drain electrode extending adjacent a second surface of the semiconductor substrate. According to some of these embodiments of the invention, the first and second insulated-gate field effect transistors include respective first and second independently-controllable gate electrodes, which extend adjacent the first surface. The first and second insulated-gate field effect transistors may be configured as first and second vertical power MOSFETs, respectively. The semiconductor substrate may also include at least one edge termination region therein, which extends between the first and second vertical power MOSFETs.

42 ENGINEERING↗

In-Package Common-Mode Filter for GaN Power Module with Improved Radiated EMI Performance

This paper discusses the impact of parasitic inductances on the electromagnetic interference (EMI) performance at radiated frequency and provides a new concept for high-frequency wide bandgap (WBG) power module package design with integrated π-type common mode filter (π-CMF). The connection parasitic-inductances of a π-type CMF model are analyzed, and the parasitic inductances from the CMF to the CM noise source and to the heatsink are minimized to improve the CMF's EMI performance in the radiated frequency range. Therefore, placing the π-CMF closer to the power module (i.e. in-package CMF) provides a larger noise attenuation compared to placing it outside the module (i.e. external CMF). To verify the theoretical analysis, a half-bridge GaN power module with an in-package π-CMF is designed, and experiments are conducted by comparing the attenuated noise spectrums of a 70-V/1.75-A hard-switching buck converter built by the designed module with an external CMF and the power-module integrated CMF. According to the experiment results, up to 10 dBμV more attenuation is achieved by the in-package CMF than the external CMF, validating the analytical conclusion.

Xue, Lincoln↗

NECTURUS MACULOSUS (Common Mudpuppy). NESTING

Common Mudpuppies (Necturus maculosus maculosus) are the most widespread and wellstudied of the Proteidae, ranging from northern Georgia into eastern Canada and west to the Great Plains. Despite this extensive range, most of our knowledge of life history traits for mudpuppies is based on studies occurring in the northern half of its range, specifically the Great Lakes region. Little is known regarding life history traits in the southern portion of its range. In Tennessee, N. maculosus is thought to occur statewide in permanent streams, rivers, and likely in reservoirs and lakes. Literature suggests that parturition and nest-guarding in N. maculosus maculosus occurs in late winter through spring, but there are no published observations to verify this in Tennessee (Pasachnik and Niemiller 2011. In Niemiller and Reynolds [eds.], The Amphibians of Tennessee, pp. 231-233. University of Tennessee Press, Knoxville, Tennessee). Here, we report four observations of N. maculosus maculosus nests that were discovered while conducting snorkel surveys and lifting cover objects opportunistically for aquatic salamanders from 2011 to 2017, and approximate timing of laying in three river tributaries to the Tennessee River.

Nelson, Stephen K.↗

Impacts of common cause failure regulatory requirements on protection system architectures - 304

Regulatory-based design considerations for potential common cause failures (CCF) in digital instrumentation and control (I and C) systems have evolved over time and have impacted the development of protection system I and C architectures. The single failure criterion used to be the main design driver for a protection system I and C architecture and resulted in the familiar four-fold and three-fold system architectures. The single failure criterion has now been replaced by the conservative assumptions associated with digital CCF concerns (i.e., assumed digital CCF coincident with an anticipated operational transient or postulated accident) which are classified as 'beyond design basis events' by regulatory authorities. It is unusual for a beyond design basis event to be the controlling factor for a safety system design but that is now the reality for I and C system designers. The preferred regulatory solution is to introduce diversity into I and C system designs to guard against the general concern of digital CCF. However, the lack of clear criteria on how to define sufficient diversity (i.e., how much, what kind, and whether it is linked to identified digital CCF vulnerabilities) had led to more complex I and C architectures. The trend has been towards lengthy and more difficult reviews for the treatment of digital CCF vulnerabilities and I and C system architectures because of the subjective definition of digital CCF vulnerabilities and the lack of clear acceptance criteria for diversity strategy. Improvement in the treatment of digital CCF is needed to reverse the trend of increased I and C system architecture complexity and longer regulatory reviews. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Geothermal Heat Pump Case Study: Norton Commons, Kentucky

Geothermal heat pumps can be great alternatives to air conditioners and furnaces, and require less electricity to run. This case study focuses on Norton Commons, Kentucky and is part of a series: https://www.energy.gov/eere/geothermal/geothermal-heat-pump-case-studies.

case study↗

Navigating Common Electric Vehicle and Charging Infrastructure Concerns

Increasing knowledge about electric vehicles (EVs) can increase Tribal member comfort level with the technology, leading to increased EV adoption. This fact sheet lists common EV and charging infrastructure concerns and provides information to help address these hurdles during engagement with Tribal communities.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Toxicity of Common Fluoropolymers and PFAS on C. Elegans and an Innovative Strategy to Promote in Situ Remediation - 26128

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a broad class of synthetic chemicals used in a variety of modern technologies and consumer products. PFAS have an alkyl backbone with all or most of the hydrogen (H) atoms replaced with fluorine (F) atoms. PFAS generally fall into one of two categories, they can be non-polymeric with relatively low molecular weights, or long-chain polymers. PFAS are a diverse group of organic compounds that can be solids, liquids, dispersions, or gases. Their mobility and toxicity are influenced by their chain lengths and functional groups. Non-polymeric PFAS are common building blocks for the manufacturing of fluoropolymers. Non-polymeric PFAS are known to be mobile in the environment and some are considered contaminants of emerging concern. Polymeric PFAS, or fluoropolymers, are typically thought to be of low concern, however few systematic investigations into their toxicity have been completed. PFAS, including fluoropolymers and microplastics, have been found in pristine environments and animals located far from site of origin including the arctic and deep ocean.

Jacobs, Stephanie [Savannah River National Laborat↗

In the Face of Cybersecurity: How the Common Information Model Can Be Used

Efforts are underway to combine smart grid information, devices, networking, and emergency response information to create messages that are not dependent on specific standards development organizations (SDOs). This supports a future-proof approach of allowing changes in the canonical data models (CDMs) going forward without having to perform forklift replacements of solutions that use the messages. This also allows end users (electric utilities) to upgrade individual components of a larger system while keeping the message payload definitions intact. The goal is to enable public and private information sharing securely in a standards-based approach that can be integrated into existing operations. We provide an example architecture that could benefit from this multi-SDO, secure message approach. This article also describes how to improve message security

capability maturity model↗

Chapter 21: Estimating Net Savings - Common Practices. The Uniform Methods Project: Methods for Determining Energy Efficiency Savings for Specific Measures

This chapter focuses on the methods used to estimate net energy savings in evaluation, measurement, and verification (EM and V) studies for energy efficiency (EE) programs. The chapter provides a definition of net savings, which remains an unsettled topic both within the EE evaluation community and across the broader public policy evaluation community, particularly in the context of attribution of savings to a program. The chapter differs from the measure-specific Uniform Methods Project (UMP) chapters in both its approach and work product. Unlike other UMP resources that provide recommended protocols for determining gross energy savings, this chapter describes and compares the current industry practices for determining net energy savings but does not prescribe methods.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

University of Maryland Eastern Shore Common Garden

Located at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), this data set is composed of the geographic coordinates of four transgenic Populus tremula x alba INRA 717-IB4 lines (CHX20, XBAT35, EXO70, DIR18) as well as a wild type (WT), and Empty vector (EV)). Our site is monitored by an ATOMS 41 weather station, which collects solar radiation, air temperature, vapor and atmospheric pressure, precipitation, and other weather variables. We will assess a suite of variables reflecting growth and performance, focusing on root allocation and soil carbon sequestration.

CBI, Populus, common garden, transgenic↗