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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 847 records · Page 47
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2019

Overuse of Preoperative Staging of Patients Undergoing Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

Background: Guidelines of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) discourage the use of imaging to stage newly diagnosed early breast cancer (stages 1 and 2). This study aimed to evaluate preoperative staging imaging rates among patients with stage 1 or 2 breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Methods: From a prospectively maintained database, 303 patients with stage 1 or 2 breast cancer who had NAC from 2008 to 2016 were identified. The main outcome measures were the rate and outcomes of staging imaging performed. Results: The mean age of the 303 patients with stage 1 or 2 breast cancer was 51 years (range, 26–87 years). Of these 303 patients, 278 (92.4%) had invasive ductal cancer. 90 (30.2%) had estrogen receptor (ER)-positive disease, 79 (26.5%) had triple-negative disease, and 127 (42.6%) had human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive disease. Staging positron emission tomography (PET) or computed tomography (CT) scan was performed for 258 patients (85.2%), brain imaging for 94 patients (31%), bone scans for 117 patients (38.6%), and all three for 48 patients (15.8%). As a result, 15 patients (4.9%) with a positive PET/CT scan were upstaged to stage 4 breast cancer. No difference was observed among the ER-positive (p = 1.000), HER2-positive (p = 0.259), or triple-negative (p = 0.369) receptor profiles of the patients upstaged to stage 4 disease. One patient (1.1%) had positive brain imaging. Five patients (4.3%) had a positive bone scan, and three of these patients (60%) had bone metastasis also shown on the PET/CT scan. Conclusion: Despite guideline recommendations, a high rate of preoperative staging imaging is completed for patients with clinical stage 1 or 2 breast cancer who receive NAC, with few positive results.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Rapid Automated Dissolution and Analysis Techniques for Radionuclides in Recycle Process Streams

The analysis of process samples for radionuclide content is an important part of current procedures for material balance and accountancy in the different process streams of a recycling plant. The destructive sample analysis techniques currently available necessitate a significant amount of time. It is therefore desirable to develop new sample analysis procedures that allow for a quick turnaround time and increased sample throughput with a minimum of deviation between samples. In particular, new capabilities for rapid sample dissolution and radiochemical separation are required. Most of the radioanalytical techniques currently employed for sample analysis are based on manual laboratory procedures. Such procedures are time- and labor-intensive, and not well suited for situations in which a rapid sample analysis is required and/or large number of samples need to be analyzed. To address this issue we are currently investigating radiochemical separation methods based on extraction chromatography that have been specifically optimized for the analysis of process stream samples. The influence of potential interferences present in the process samples as well as mass loading, flow rate and resin performance is being studied. In addition, the potential to automate these procedures utilizing a robotic platform is evaluated. Initial studies have been carried out using the commercially available DGA resin. This resin shows an affinity for Am, Pu, U, and Th and is also exhibiting signs of a possible synergistic effects in the presence of iron.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Dynamic Surface Tension and Diffusivity Measurements of NG-CSSX Next Generation Solvent

Since 2008, the Savannah River Site has processed more than four million gallons of radioactive supernatant. To continue compliance with downstream processes, MCU is switching to the improved solvent called Next Generation Solvent (NG-CSSX). The new solvent formulation promises higher cesium removal efficiency and laboratory testing suggests the potential of higher processing rates. Similarly, laboratory testing demonstrated improvements in separation of the solvent from the effluent aqueous streams. To complete implementation at MCU, additional work was needed to develop methods that can measure physical properties relevant to the performance of the new solvent. This work measures two relevant physical properties: static interfacial tension and diffusvity. Both properties play a relevant role in mixing and separating immiscible liquids. This work evaluated the impact of changes in composition or aqueous phase on these physical properties to gauge the sensitivity of the system to the losses of chemical components.

Fondeur, F. F.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Rapid Memory Footprint Access Diagnostics

Footprint and reuse distance measure temporal locality and therefore do not capture the significance of access patterns (spacial locality). A strided access pattern has the largest possible footprint but usually has the best performance. To highlight exposed memory latency, we separate footprint into strided (prefetchable) and irregular (non-prefetchable) access components and calculate the growth rate of each. To rapidly compute these footprint access diagnostics, we present two methods, whole-program and precise. Current footprint analyses can cause 200× or more slowdown with realistic inputs and are therefore impractical. Our whole-program method reduces the overhead to 10% by computing upper bounds, but still yields inter-procedural insight through a call path profile. Our precise method uses additional static analysis and profiling to refine the upper bounds for intra-procedural loop nests. We evaluate our approaches using benchmarks that vary access patterns (strided \vs unpredictable), sparsity (all words in a cache line \vs some), and reuse (varying and repeated accesses per element). Notably, for loop nests with unpredictable accesses, the precise method's accuracy is within 10% of ideal. The whole-program method has sufficient accuracy to diagnose bottlenecks.

data locality, memory footprint, footprint access ↗
DOE OSTI2013

Rhenium volatilisation as caesium perrhenate from simulated vitrified high level waste from a melter crucible

The Waste Vitrification Plant (WVP) converts Highly Active Liquor (HAL) from spent nuclear fuel reprocessing into a stable vitrified product. Recently WVP have been experiencing accumulation of solids in their primary off gas (POG) system leading to potential blockages. Chemical analysis of the blockage material via Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) has shown it to exclusively consist of caesium, technetium and oxygen. The solids are understood to be caesium pertechnetate (CsTcO{sub 4}), resulting from the volatilisation of caesium and technetium from the high level waste glass melt. Using rhenium as a chemical surrogate for technetium, a series of full scale experiments have been performed in order to understand the mechanism of rhenium volatilisation as caesium perrhenate (CsReO{sub 4}), and therefore technetium volatilisation as CsTcO{sub 4}. These experiments explored the factors governing volatilisation rates from the melt, potential methods of minimising the amount of volatilisation, and various strategies for mitigating the deleterious effects of the volatile material on the POG. This paper presents the results from those experiments, and discusses potential methods to minimise blockages that can be implemented on WVP, so that the frequency of the CsTcO{sub 4} blockages can be reduced or even eradicated altogether. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2022

Bayesian estimation of the $S$ factor and thermonuclear reaction rate for 16 O(p, γ) 17 F

The 16 O(p, γ) 17 F reaction is the slowest hydrogen-burning process in the CNO mass region. Its thermonuclear rate sensitively impacts predictions of oxygen isotopic ratios in a number of astrophysical sites, including AGB stars. The reaction has been measured several times at low bombarding energies using a variety of techniques. The most recent evaluated experimental rates have a reported uncertainty of about 7.5% below 1 GK. However, the previous rate estimate represents a best guess only and was not based on rigorous statistical methods. We apply a Bayesian model to fit all reliable 16 O(p, γ) 17 F cross section data, and take into account independent contributions of statistical and systematic uncertainties. The nuclear reaction model employed is a single-particle potential model involving a Woods-Saxon potential for generating the radial bound state wave function. The model has three physical parameters, the radius and diffuseness of the Woods-Saxon potential, and the asymptotic normalization coefficients (ANCs) of the final bound state in 17 F. Here, we find that performing the Bayesian S -factor fit using ANCs as scaling parameters has a distinct advantage over adopting spectroscopic factors instead. Based on these results, we present the first statistically rigorous estimation of experimental 16 O(p, γ) 17 F reaction rates, with uncertainties (±4.2%) of about half the previously reported values.

6 ≤ A ≤ 19↗
DOE OSTI2015

The glass-forming ability of model metal-metalloid alloys

Bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) are amorphous alloys with desirable mechanical properties and processing capabilities. To date, the design of new BMGs has largely employed empirical rules and trial-and-error experimental approaches. Ab initio computational methods are currently prohibitively slow to be practically used in searching the vast space of possible atomic combinations for bulk glass formers. Here, we perform molecular dynamics simulations of a coarse-grained, anisotropic potential, which mimics interatomic covalent bonding, to measure the critical cooling rates for metal-metalloid alloys as a function of the atomic size ratio σ{sub S}/σ{sub L} and number fraction x{sub S} of the metalloid species. We show that the regime in the space of σ{sub S}/σ{sub L} and x{sub S} where well-mixed, optimal glass formers occur for patchy and LJ particle mixtures, coincides with that for experimentally observed metal-metalloid glass formers. Thus, our simple computational model provides the capability to perform combinatorial searches to identify novel glass-forming alloys.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Solvothermal synthesis, electromagnetic and electrochemical properties of jellylike cylinder graphene-Mn{sub 3}O{sub 4} composite with highly coupled effect

Jellylike cylinder graphene-Mn{sub 3}O{sub 4} composite with highly coupled effect was successfully synthesized by a simple solvothermal process. Without using toxic reducing agent and expensive equipment, this method is environmental compatible and suitable for low cost mass production. High capacitance Mn{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles are homogeneously anchored on excellent conductivity graphene framework and a growth mechanism is hypothesized. Excellent electron conductivity and unique structure of Mn{sub 3}O{sub 4}-graphene composite give rise to various applications such as microwave absorber and electrode material. As a microwave absorber, the composite exhibits lowest reflection loss of −14.2 dB in the frequency range of 2–18 GHz. Good microwave absorption performance is due to the structure of the composite where conductive channels form between nano sized Mn{sub 3}O{sub 4} and high conductivity graphene with defects and dangling bonds. As for electrochemical property, Mn{sub 3}O{sub 4}-graphene composite with coupled effect shows excellent performance with highest specific capacitance of 246.7 F g{sup −1} in saturated K{sub 2}SO{sub 4} at a scan rate of 5 mV s{sup −1}. Good electrochemical property is also attributed to the structure with high utilization of Mn{sub 3}O{sub 4}, fast charge carrier transmission, and excellent electronic conductivity. This composite shows a promising application in absorbing materials and electrodes. - Graphical abstract: Graphene-Mn{sub 3}O{sub 4} composite. Display Omitted - Highlights: • Strongly coupled graphene-Mn{sub 3}O{sub 4} composite is synthesized by a solvothermal method. • Excellent microwave absorption property is ascribed to the composite structure. • Good capacitance performance is attributed to the structure and physical property. • The composite shows promising application in absorbing material, and electrode.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Electrodeposited porous metal oxide films with interconnected nanoparticles applied as anode of lithium ion battery

Highlights: • Highly porous NiO film is prepared by a co-electrodeposition method. • Porous NiO film is composed of interconnected nanoparticles. • Porous structure is favorable for fast ion/electron transfer. • Porous NiO film shows good lithium ion storage properties. - Abstract: Controllable synthesis of porous metal oxide films is highly desirable for high-performance electrochemical devices. In this work, a highly porous NiO film composed of interconnected nanoparticles is prepared by a simple co-electrodeposition method. The nanoparticles in the NiO film have a size ranging from 30 to 100 nm and construct large-quantity pores of 20–120 nm. As an anode material for lithium ion batteries, the highly porous NiO film electrode delivers a high discharge capacity of 700 mA h g{sup −1} at 0.2 C, as well as good high-rate performance. After 100 cycles at 0.2 C, a specific capacitance of 517 mA h g{sup −1} is attained. The good electrochemical performance is attributed to the interconnected porous structure, which facilitates the diffusion of ion and electron, and provides large reaction surface area leading to improved performance.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

A novel research approach on the dynamic properties of photogenerated charge carriers at Ag{sub 2}S quantum-dots-sensitized TiO{sub 2} films by a frequency-modulated surface photovoltage technology

Graphical abstract: The changed SPV with chopping frequencies indicate the separation speeds of photogenerated charge carriers in different films. - Highlights: • Ag{sub 2}S-sensitized TiO{sub 2} films show good photoelectric responses in visible-light region. • Frequency-modulated SPV give dynamic information and evidence of Ag{sub 2}S QDSSCs’ performance. • Frequency-modulated SPV can supply complementary information in the study of Ag{sub 2}S ODSSCs. - Abstract: Ag{sub 2}S quantum-dots-sensitized TiO{sub 2} films with different amount of Ag{sub 2}S were fabricated by a successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. The separation and transport of photogenerated charge carriers at different spectral regions were studied by the frequency-modulated surface photovoltage technology. Some novel dynamic information of photogenerated charge carriers in a wide spectral range is found. The results indicate that the rate and direction of separation (diffusion) for photogenerated charge carriers are closely related to the performance of quantum-dots-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) based on the Ag{sub 2}S/TiO{sub 2} nano-structure.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Understanding the heat generation mechanisms and the interplay between joule heat and entropy effects as a function of state of charge in lithium-ion batteries

The thermal performance of lithium-ion battery cells is critical for ensuring their safe and reliable operation across various applications. In this study, we employed an isothermal calorimetry method to investigate the heat generation of commercial 18650 lithium-ion battery fresh cells during charge and discharge at different current rates, ranging from 0.05C to 0.5C, and across various temperatures: 20 °C, 30 °C, 40 °C, and 50 °C. Our findings revealed a direct correlation between heat generation and current rates, indicating that higher current rates lead to increased heat generation within the cells. Conversely, we observed that heat generation remained relatively stable as the temperature rose, suggesting that temperature changes within this range may not significantly impact the heat generation of fresh cells during typical operations. Furthermore, our study explored irreversible heat generation, which depends on the applied current and overpotential, using the galvanostatic intermittent titration technique at 0.05C–0.5C and 30 °C. Additionally, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was performed on the same cells during charge and discharge at 20 °C, 30 °C, and 40 °C to analyze cell impedance. Finally, our results indicated a consistent dependence of impedance on the state of charge and depth of discharge, with a significant increase in impedance observed at the end of the discharge process.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Assessing Gaseous Hydrogen Assisted Fatigue Crack Growth Susceptibility of Pipeline Steel Weld Fusion Zones and Heat Affected Zones

The objective of this work was twofold: (1) measure reliable fatigue crack growth relationships for X65 steel and its girth weld in high-pressure hydrogen gas to enable structural integrity assessments of hydrogen pipelines, and (2) evaluate the hydrogen accelerated fatigue crack growth susceptibility of the weld fusion zone and heat-affected zone relative to the base metal. Fatigue crack growth relationships (da/dN versus ΔK) were measured for girth welded X65 pipeline steel in high pressure hydrogen gas (21 MPa) and in air. Hydrogen assisted fatigue crack growth was observed for the base metal (BM), fusion zone (FZ), and heat-affected zone (HAZ), and was manifested through crack growth rates reaching nearly an order of magnitude acceleration over rates in air. Addditionally, at higher ΔK values, crack growth rates of BM, FZ, and HAZ were coincident; however, at lower ΔK, the fatigue crack growth relationships exhibited some divergence with the fusion zone having the highest crack growth rates. These relative fatigue crack growth rates in the BM, FZ, and HAZ were provisional, however, since both crack closure and residual stress contributed to the crack-tip driving force in specimens extracted from the HAZ. Despite the relatively high applied R-ratio (R = 0.5), crack closure was detected in the heat affected zone tests, in contrast to the absence of crack closure in the base metal tests. Crack closure corrections were performed using the adjusted compliance ratio method and the effect of residual stress on K max was determined by the crack-compliance method. Crack-tip driving forces that account for closure and residual stress effects were quantified as a weighted function of ΔK and K max (i.e., K norm ), and the resulting da/dN versus K norm relationships showed that the HAZ exhibited higher hydrogen accelerated fatigue crack growth rates than the BM at lower K norm values.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Local convergence analysis of an inexact trust-region method for nonsmooth optimization

In Baraldi, we introduced an inexact trust-region algorithm for minimizing the sum of a smooth nonconvex function and a nonsmooth convex function in Hilbert space—a class of problems that is ubiquitous in data science, learning, optimal control, and inverse problems. Furthermore, this algorithm has demonstrated excellent performance and scalability with problem size. In this paper, we enrich the convergence analysis for this algorithm, proving strong convergence of the iterates with guaranteed rates. In particular, we demonstrate that the trust-region algorithm recovers superlinear, even quadratic, convergence rates when using a second-order Taylor approximation of the smooth objective function term.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2013

Calculating infinite-medium {alpha}-eigenvalue spectra with a transition rate matrix method

The time-dependent behavior of the energy spectrum in neutron transport was investigated with a formulation, based on continuous-time Markov processes, for computing {alpha}-eigenvalues and eigenvectors in an infinite medium. For this, a research Monte Carlo code called TORTE was created and used to estimate elements of a transition rate matrix. TORTE is capable of using both multigroup and continuous-energy nuclear data, and verification was performed. Eigenvalue spectra for infinite homogeneous mixtures were obtained and an eigenfunction expansion was used to investigate transient behavior of the neutron energy spectrum. (authors)

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2017

Roadmap for the Application of Ion Beam Technologies to Challenges for the Advancement and Implementation of Nuclear Energy Technologies

The use of ion beams in interrogating materials performance for nuclear energy applications is advancing at a rapid rate. Ion irradiations have been proven to produce radiation effects data that are of direct relevance for understanding neutron-induced displacement damage. This development reflects significant and continued investment in infrastructure by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as well as support of science and engineering research at universities and national laboratories. Application of ion beam irradiation methods to enhance the deployment of materials in reactors is in the spirit of the Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) initiative sponsored by DOE to accelerate the deployment of innovation in the U.S. nuclear industry. Ion beam irradiation shows considerable promise for assisting in down selecting candidate materials for use in both current and advanced nuclear energy systems. Ion beams allow rapid achievement of materials damage levels not accessible by neutron irradiation in test reactors due to cost and time constraints. Ion beam studies provide data on the effects of irradiation under very specific conditions of temperature, radiation dose, and radiation dose rate that are difficult or impossible to achieve via reactor irradiation experiments. This data can be used to develop and validate detailed predictive radiation effects models for use in reactor materials research and development. Despite the current high state of the art and the maturity of quality assurance, there are still challenges to the deployment of ion beam data in support of reactor materials qualification. For the most part, these challenges arise from the lack of a detailed mechanistic understanding of potential difference between ion induced and neutron induced materials damage, which is exacerbated by difficulties in obtaining bulk physical and mechanical properties data from the micron-scale heavy ion irradiation depths. In particular, improved understanding of dose rate effects, as a function of temperature, are needed. This document offers a roadmap for the development and enhancement of current U.S. ion beam irradiation technologies within university and national laboratory settings, and especially for the deployment of new highly controlled in situ interrogation of materials during irradiation to provide dynamic and mechanistic data for model development. The status and capabilities of relevant U.S. ion beam facilities are summarized and recommended “best practices” for performing ion irradiations are described. The potential role of ion beam irradiations to assist the development and deployment of reactor materials is outlined. Key principles include developing methods for rapid and cost-effective materials selection and development, characterizing fundamental material response under irradiation, and developing a robust mechanistic understanding of microstructure evolution under irradiation (including development and validation of reliable predictive models for microstructure evolution).

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2013

Demonstration and optimisation of an ultrafast all-optical AND logic gate using four-wave mixing in a semiconductor optical amplifier

We have proposed an all-optical AND logic gate based on four-wave mixing (FWM) in a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) integrated with an optical filter. In the scheme proposed, the preferred logical function can be performed without using a continuous-wave (cw) signal. The modified nonlinear Schroedinger equation (MNLSE) is used for the modelling wave propagation in a SOA. The MNLSE takes into account all nonlinear effects relevant to pico- and sub-picosecond pulse durations and is solved by the finite-difference beam-propagation method (FD-BPM). Based on the simulation results, the optimal output signal with a 40-fJ energy can be obtained at a bit rate of 50 Gb s{sup -1}. In the simulations, besides the nonlinearities included in the model, the pattern effect of the signals propagating in the SOA medium and the effect of the input signal bit rate are extensively investigated to optimise the system performance. (optical logic elements)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2017

High-rate and long-life lithium-ion battery performance of hierarchically hollow-structured NiCo 2 O 4 /CNT nanocomposite

In this paper, 3D-transition binary metal oxides have been considered as promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries with improved reversible capacity, structural stability and electronic conductivity compared with single metal oxides. Here, carbon nanotube supported NiCo 2 O 4 nanoparticles (NiCo 2 O 4 /CNT) with 3D hierarchical hollow structure are fabricated via a simple one-pot method. The NiCo 2 O 4 nanoparticles with interconnected pores are consists of small nanocrystals. When used as anode material for the lithium-ion battery, NiCo 2 O 4 /CNT exhibits enhanced electrochemical performance than that of Co 3 O 4 /CNT and NiO/CNT. Moreover, ultra-high discharge/charge stability was obtained for 4000 cycles at a current density of 5 A g –1 . The superior battery performance of NiCo 2 O 4 nanoparticles is probably attributed to the special structural features and physical characteristics, including integrity, hollow structure with interconnected pores, which providing sufficient accommodation for the volume change during charge/discharge process. Besides, the consisting of ultra-small crystals enhanced the utility of active material, and intimate interaction with CNTs improved the electron-transfer rate.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

SU-E-J-168: Automated Pancreas Segmentation Based On Dynamic MRI

Purpose: MRI guided radiotherapy is particularly attractive for abdominal targets with low CT contrast. To fully utilize this modality for pancreas tracking, automated segmentation tools are needed. A hybrid gradient, region growth and shape constraint (hGReS) method to segment 2D upper abdominal dynamic MRI is developed for this purpose. Methods: 2D coronal dynamic MR images of 2 healthy volunteers were acquired with a frame rate of 5 f/second. The regions of interest (ROIs) included the liver, pancreas and stomach. The first frame was used as the source where the centers of the ROIs were annotated. These center locations were propagated to the next dynamic MRI frame. 4-neighborhood region transfer growth was performed from these initial seeds for rough segmentation. To improve the results, gradient, edge and shape constraints were applied to the ROIs before final refinement using morphological operations. Results from hGReS and 3 other automated segmentation methods using edge detection, region growth and level set were compared to manual contouring. Results: For the first patient, hGReS resulted in the organ segmentation accuracy as measure by the Dices index (0.77) for the pancreas. The accuracy was slightly superior to the level set method (0.72), and both are significantly more accurate than the edge detection (0.53) and region growth methods (0.42). For the second healthy volunteer, hGReS reliably segmented the pancreatic region, achieving a Dices index of 0.82, 0.92 and 0.93 for the pancreas, stomach and liver, respectively, comparing to manual segmentation. Motion trajectories derived from the hGReS, level set and manual segmentation methods showed high correlation to respiratory motion calculated using a lung blood vessel as the reference while the other two methods showed substantial motion tracking errors. hGReS was 10 times faster than level set. Conclusion: We have shown the feasibility of automated segmentation of the pancreas anatomy based on dynamic MRI.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗