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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 829 records · Page 46
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

CalTestBed - Delphire - Testing and Evaluation of Delphire Sentinel System (CRADA Final Report)

The Delphire Sentinel is a modular fire detection and communications system operating as a mobile field unit, with low voltage DC power supplied by onboard photovoltaics (PV) and batteries. The Sentinel addresses several aspects of fire detection, communications and data analysis. The Sentinel's mobility enables it to be rapidly deployed and operate independently of existing power and communications networks. The duration of independent operation depends critically on the energy consumption of the systems and performance of the onboard PV and battery. The purpose of this testing is to ascertain the power draw and energy consumption of the Delphire Sentinel prototype system under several operational states, including various data transfer packet sizes, transmission time and frequencies, and communication pathways (Wi-Fi, cellular, satellite) expected to be encountered in field deployments. It will also include procedures to test the ability of the Sentinel to operate for extended periods without loss of functionality. Based on results from energy and power measurements, and anticipated duty cycles in field deployments, we will model annual system autonomy (e.g. loss of load probability) for off-grid operation in representative locations.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2025

Spinor representations for fields with any spin: Lorentz tensor basis for operators and covariant multipole decomposition

This paper discusses a framework to parametrize and decompose operator matrix elements for particles with higher spin (j > 1/2) using chiral representations of the Lorentz group, i.e. the (j, 0) and (0, j) representations and their parity-invariant direct sum. Unlike traditional approaches that require imposing constraints to eliminate spurious degrees of freedom, these chiral representations contain exactly the 2j + 1 components needed to describe a spin-j particle. The central objects in the construction are the t-tensors, which are generalizations of the Pauli four-vector σ μ for higher spin. For the generalized spinors of these representations, we demonstrate how the algebra of the t-tensors allows to formulate a generalization of the Dirac matrix basis for any spin. For on-shell bilinears, we show that a set consisting exclusively of covariant multipoles of order 0 ≤ m ≤ 2j forms a complete basis. We provide explicit expressions for all bilinears of the generalized Dirac matrix basis, which are valid for any spin value. As a byproduct of our derivations we present an efficient algorithm to compute the t-tensor matrix elements. The formalism presented here paves the way to use a more unified approach to analyze the non-perturbative QCD structure of hadrons and nuclei across different spin values, with clear physical interpretation of the resulting distributions as covariant multipoles.

Angular momentum of light↗
DOE OSTI2021

Low-energy effective quantum field theoretic description of excitations about soliton configurations

Solitons are the classical field configurations connecting two trivial vacua. These are also the solutions of classical field equations of motion with particle-like properties. Moreover, they are localized in space, having finite energy, and are stable against decay into radiation. The coherent state description of kink-solitons is discussed in the present article. Further, the relation between topological solitons and occupation numbers corresponding to low momentum excitations are also discussed coherently. The description of the low energy excitations about solitons in quantum field theory is the main theme of this article. Further, a few physical observables, namely some low order correlation functions, are computed up to certain integral forms. Furthermore, we have shown that it is possible to detect the presence of soliton-like classical configurations in many-particle systems from the nature of the one-point function and non-conservation of momentum feature of one-point, two-point and three-point functions in this low-energy effective field theory of these excitations.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2011

Confinement and Lattice Quantum-Electrodynamic Electric Flux Tubes Simulated with Ultracold Atoms

We propose a method for simulating (2+1)D compact lattice quantum-electrodynamics, using ultracold atoms in optical lattices. In our model local Bose-Einstein condensates' (BECs) phases correspond to the electromagnetic vector potential, and the local number operators represent the conjugate electric field. The well-known gauge-invariant Kogut-Susskind Hamiltonian is obtained as an effective low-energy theory. The field is then coupled to external static charges. We show that in the strong coupling limit this gives rise to ''electric flux tubes'' and to confinement. This can be observed by measuring the local density deviations of the BECs, and is expected to hold even, to some extent, outside the perturbative calculable regime.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2013

Energy Storage for DC Fast Chargers Development and Demonstration of Operating Protocols for 20-kWh and 200-kWh Field Sites

Many of the currently available and future electric vehicles can be fast charged, and, typically, at least 50% of the battery capacity can be returned in 15 to 20 minutes. This charge rate requires a power of at least 50 kilowatts, which can be expensive in terms of both infrastructure and electric utility demand charges. One potential way of minimizing this cost is to charge the electric vehicle with combined battery and grid power, thereby reducing the peak load on the grid. Many sizes and configurations are possible for such a battery. This study examines two possibilities: (1) a 20-kilowatt hour (kWh) battery energy storage (BES) system and (2) a 200-kWh BES system, as well as developing standard test procedures for assessing the suitability of battery technologies for use in such systems.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Learning the generating functional for variance reduction in lattice QCD

The generating functional in quantum field theory provides the natural framework for constructing correlation functions as derivatives with respect to source operators. We present a methodology that leverages machine-learned normalizing flows to reduce the variance of arbitrary $N$-point correlation functions of bosonic operators in lattice gauge field theory calculations by encoding a representation of the generating functional. We show that it is possible to systematically approach noiseless estimators of correlation functions in this framework. We demonstrate this methodology with applications to calculations of glueball correlation functions and Wilson loops in Quantum Chromodynamics and Yang-Mills theory. The results show up to three orders of magnitude variance reduction.

Abbott, Ryan [Columbia U.] (ORCID:0000000258778005↗
DOE OSTI2022

Mass transport limitations in polymer electrolyte water electrolyzers using spatially-resolved current measurement

Here this work utilizes spatially-resolved current measurements to provide insight into mass transport limitations in electrolyzers that are not observable from traditional polarization measurement. In this study, two types of flow-fields (parallel and triple-serpentine) and two types of diffusion media (patterned porous thin titanium foil LGDLs and Ir-coated titanium felt PTLs) were examined. A non-uniform current distribution dominated by mass transport limitations was observed to be instigated by the restriction of liquid water transport to catalyst sites. Additionally, conditions are revealed which yield similar polarization performance but dissimilar current distributions. In such cases, the transport limitations for different architectures and porous media affect polarization in different regions of the active area. Furthermore, the triple-serpentine flow-field used in this study performs better than the parallel flow-field under mass transport limited operating conditions. This indicates that the parallel flow-field used in this study is more susceptible to starvation than the triple-serpentine flow-field for the electrolyzer studied.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2011

Magnetic Insulation for Electrostatic Accelerators

The voltage gradient which can be sustained between electrodes without electrical breakdowns is usually one of the most important parameters in determining the performance which can be obtained in an electrostatic accelerator. We have recently proposed a technique which might permit reliable operation of electrostatic accelerators at higher electric field gradients, perhaps also with less time required for the conditioning process in such accelerators. The idea is to run an electric current through each accelerator stage so as to produce a magnetic field which envelopes each electrode and its electrically conducting support structures. Having the magnetic field everywhere parallel to the conducting surfaces in the accelerator should impede the emission of electrons, and inhibit their ability to acquire energy from the electric field, thus reducing the chance that local electron emission will initiate an arc. A relatively simple experiment to assess this technique is being planned. If successful, this technique might eventually find applicability in electrostatic accelerators for fusion and other applications.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Pushing Particles with Waves: Current Drive and α -Channeling

It can be advantageous to push particles with waves in tokamaks or other magnetic confinement devices, relying on wave-particle resonances to accomplish specific goals. Waves that damp on electrons or ions in toroidal fusion devises can drive currents if the waves are launched with toroidal asymmetry. Theses currents are important for tokamaks, since they operate in the absence of an electric field with curl, enabling steady state operation. The lower hybrid wave and the electron cyclotron wave have been demonstrated to drive significant currents. Non-inductive current also stabilizes deleterious tearing modes. Waves can also be used to broker the energy transfer between energetic alpha particles and the background plasma. Alpha particles born through fusion reactions in a tokamak reactor tend to slow down on electrons, but that could take up to hundreds of milliseconds. Before that happens, the energy in these alpha particles can destabilize on collisionless timescales toroidal Alfven modes and other waves, in a way deleterious to energy confinement. However, it has been speculated that this energy might be instead be channeled instead into useful energy, that heats fuel ions or drives current. Furthermore, an important question is the extent to which these effects can be accomplished together.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

ICRF scenarios for ITER's half-field phase

The non-active operation phase of ITER will be done in H and {sup 4}He plasmas at half the nominal magnetic field, B{sub 0} = 2.65T. At this field and for the given frequency range of the ICRF system (f = 40-55MHz), three ICRF heating scenarios are available a priori: (i) Fundamental ICRH of majority H plasmas at f{approx_equal}40MHz,(ii) second harmonic (N= 2) {sup 3}He ICRH in H plasmas at f{approx_equal}53MHz and (iii) fundamental minority H heating in {sup 4}He plasmas at f{approx_equal}40MHz. While the latter is expected to perform well for not too large H concentrations, the heating scenarios available for the Hydrogen plasmas are less robust. Recent JET experiments performed in similar conditions to those expected in ITER's half-field phase confirmed the low performance of these two scenarios and numerical simulations have shown that the situation is not much improved in ITER, mainly because of the rather modest plasma temperature and density expected in its initial operation phase. A summary of the main experimental results obtained at JET followed by numerical predictions for ITER's half-field ICRF heating scenarios will be presented.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Development of a Neutron Diffraction Based Experiemental Capability for Investigating Hydraulic Fracturing for EGS-like Conditions

Hydraulic fracturing to enhance formation permeability is an established practice in the Oil & Gas (O&G) industry and is expected to be an enabler for EGS. However, it is rarely employed in conventional geothermal systems and there are significant questions regarding the translation of practice from O&G to both conventional geothermal and EGS applications. Lithological differences(sedimentary versus crystalline rocks, significantly greater formation temperatures and different desired fracture characteristics are among a number of factors that are likely to result in a gap of understanding of how to manage hydraulic fracturing practice for geothermal. Whereas the O&G community has had both the capital and the opportunity to develop its understanding of hydraulic fracturing operations empirically in the field as well through extensive R&D efforts, field testing opportunities for EGS are likely to be minimal due to the high expense of hydraulic fracturing field trials. A significant portion of the knowledge needed to guide the management of geothermal/EGS hydraulic fracturing operations will therefore likely have to come from experimental efforts and simulation. This paper describes ongoing efforts at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to develop an experimental capability to map the internal stresses/strains in core samples subjected to triaxial stress states and temperatures representative of EGS-like conditions using neutron diffraction based strain mapping techniques. This capability is being developed at ORNL\'s Spallation Neutron Source, the world\'s most powerful pulsed neutron source and is still in a proof of concept phase. A specialized pressure cell has been developed that permits independent radial and axial fluid pressurization of core samples, with axial flow through capability and a temperature rating up to 300 degrees C. This cell will ultimately be used to hydraulically pressurize EGS-representative core samples to conditions of imminent fracture and map the associated internal strain states of the sample. This will hopefully enable a more precise mapping of the rock material failure envelope, facilitate a more refined understanding of the mechanism of hydraulically induced rock fracture, particularly in crystalline rocks, and serve as a platform for validating and improving fracture simulation codes. The elements of the research program and preliminary strain mapping results of a Sierra White granite sample subjected only to compressive loading will be discussed in this paper.

egs↗
DOE OSTI2011

Variational Approach to Yang-Mills Theory with non-Gaussian Wave Functionals

A general method for treating non-Gaussian wave functionals in quantum field theory is presented and applied to the Hamiltonian approach to Yang-Mills theory in Coulomb gauge in order to include a three-gluon kernel in the exponential of the vacuum wave functional. The three-gluon vertex is calculated using the propagators found in the variational approach with a Gaussian trial wave functional as input.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗