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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 865 records · Page 48
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Corn stover harvest reduces soil CO 2 fluxes but increases overall C losses

Abstract Harvesting corn ( Zea mays L.) stover for use as bioenergy feedstock may provide short‐term economic benefits and perhaps improve grain yield in continuous corn systems, but excessive stover removal may lead to long‐term depletion of soil C stocks. To better quantify the impacts of stover harvest on the soil C balance, we investigated CO 2 fluxes under three harvest treatments (none, moderate, and high) in three continuous corn systems: (a) no tillage and no biochar applications, (b) chisel plowing with biochar amendments, and (c) chisel plowing without biochar amendments were quantified. We sampled static chambers 14, 13, and 15 times in 2010, 2011, and 2012, respectively, and the measurements were used to calibrate the Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator model. Although CO 2 ‐C emissions did not differ among the three systems, both moderate (approximately 30%) and high (approximately 60%) stover removal rates reduced simulated CO 2 ‐C emissions by nearly 10% and more than 22%, respectively. Despite these reductions in CO 2 flux, the sum of CO 2 ‐C and stover C exceeded CO 2 ‐C losses in those plots without stover removal. This finding suggested soil C depletion was occurring for the soil and crop management practices used, even though depletion was not evident after 3 years. Application of biochar increased soil C levels, suggesting it may be able to offset some C losses. We conclude that for sustainable, highly productive agroecosystems that include stover harvest, all agronomic practices must be optimized to minimize C losses and maintain soil quality.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Electron energy loss spectra from silica glass optical fibers

To investigate the possible structural differences between silica glass fibers and bulk silica glasses, electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) has been used to study the short-range and medium-range structures of both forms of silica glasses. The short-range structure of silica glass, such as the coordination and symmetry, was investigated by the energy loss near edge structure (ELNES) of Si L 2,3 -edges. Furthermore, the ordering structure in the medium-range was analyzed by the exponential optical absorption edge also known as the Urbach edge of the glasses. The optical absorption data were obtained from the low energy loss spectrum of EELS through Kramers-Kronig analysis. The results show that silica fiber has the same short-range structure as the bulk specimen, but is significantly more disordered than the bulk glasses.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Shake loss intensities in x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy: Theory, experiment, and atomic composition accuracy for MgO and related compounds

The relative intensities of XPS core levels, scaled by their photoionization cross sections, are regularly used to determine sample atomic composition. Cross sections, however, give the intensity to all possible final states for the core ionizations, not just to the main peak. This includes all intrinsic satellite structure (shake states and, for open shell systems, the different ionic multiplets). In practice, for solids, this is usually experimentally impossible to determine accurately because such a satellite structure sits on the inelastically scattered electron background and cannot be easily separated. Therefore, usually, only the intensity of the main peak is used. This limits the ultimate possible accuracy of XPS composition determination. The purpose of the present paper is to examine the contributions that a theoretical analysis of losses of intensity can make to improve quantitation. For an MgO single crystal, we show that the correct stoichiometry of 1:1 can be recovered using the theoretical analysis of the experimental MgO peak ratio intensities. For materials with a sufficient bandgap for the XPS main peaks to be separated from the scattered background, the intensity of main peaks can often be accurately determined. Thus, if one uses theory to calculate that fraction of the total intensity lost from a main peak into all its satellite structure, the intensity of just main peaks could then be used to more accurately determine relative atom % composition. This work tests this approach using a single crystal MgO (50% Mg, 50% O) standard. Ab initio electronic structure theory of representative MgO clusters is used to determine Hartree–Fock wave functions for the ground state and final ionized states corresponding to the main Mg 2p and O1s XPS peaks of the oxide. The sudden approximation, SA, is used to determine the fractional losses from these main peaks to shake satellites, which is found to be greater for O1s than Mg2p. This results in predicted “apparent composition” for stoichiometric MgO of 55.2% Mg, 44.8% O instead of the true 50% Mg, 50% O. Equivalent theory for CaO results in a predicted apparent Ca value of 53.4%. Experimentally, using Mg2s or 2p intensity ratio to O1s, we find values between 52.2% and 56.0% Mg using two crystals and four different instrument electron pass energies. The average value of the measurements is 54.5% Mg when corrected for the presence of an adventitious carbon overlayer and slight surface hydroxide. Though this agreement with theory may be somewhat fortuitous, given the potential experimental errors, which are fully discussed, it is similar to that in our earlier study on LiF. We also present preliminary experimental data on Mg(OH) 2 and MgSO 4 , which show a similar trend of apparently higher than 50% Mg, but we have no theory values. We are not yet able to experimentally test for validation of the difference between apparent composition for MgO (55.2% Mg) and CaO (53.4% Ca), owing to significant carbonate formation at the surface of the single crystal CaO. Here, an important conclusion is that the theoretical determination of shake losses, obtained with ab initio wavefunctions and the SA, is likely to be a useful way to calibrate the accuracy and reliability of compositions obtained from XPS intensities and merits further study.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2016

Poster - 31: Predicting IQ and hearing loss following radiotherapy in pediatric brain tumors: proton vs photon

Purpose: The increased sparing of normal tissues in intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) in pediatric brain tumor treatments should translate into improved neurocognitive outcomes. Models were used to estimate the intelligence quotient (IQ) and the risk of hearing loss 5 years post radiotherapy and to compare outcomes of proton against photon in pediatric brain tumors. Methods: Patients who had received intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) were randomly selected from our retrospective database. The existing planning CT and contours were used to generate IMPT plans. The RBE-corrected dose was calculated for both IMPT and IMRT. For each patient, the IQ was estimated via a Monte Carlo technique, whereas the reported incidence of hearing loss as a function of cochlear dose was used to estimate the probability of occurrence. Results: The integrated brain dose was reduced in all IMPT plans, translating into a gain of 2 IQ points on average for protons for the whole cohort at 5 years post-treatment. In terms of specific diseases, the gains in IQ ranged from 0.8 points for medulloblastoma, to 2.7 points for craniopharyngioma. Hearing loss probability was evaluated on a per-ear-basis and was found to be systematically less for proton versus photon: overall 2.9% versus 7.2%. Conclusions: A method was developed to predict IQ and hearing outcomes in pediatric brain tumor patients on a case-by-case basis. A modest gain was systematically observed for proton in all patients. Given the uncertainties within the model used and our reinterpretation, these gains may be underestimated.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

On loss compensation, amplification and lasing in metallic metamaterials

The design of metamaterials, which are artificial materials that can offer unique electromagnetic properties, is based on the excitation of strong resonant modes. Unfortunately, material absorption—mainly due to their metallic parts—can damp their resonances and hinder their operation. Incorporating a gain material can balance these losses, but this must be performed properly, as a reduced or even eliminated absorption does not guarantee loss compensation. Here we examine the possible regimes of interaction of a gain material with a passive metamaterial and show that background amplification and loss compensation are two extreme opposites, both of which can lead to lasing.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Data from Adopting Bioenergy Crops: Does Farmers’ Attitude Toward Loss Matter?

We apply prospect theory to examining farmers’ economic incentives to divert a share of their land to bioenergy crops (miscanthus and switchgrass in this study). Numerical simulation is conducted for 1,919 rain‐fed U.S. counties to identify the impact of loss aversion on bioenergy crop adoption, and how this impact is influenced by biomass price, discount rate, credit constraint status, and policy instruments. Results show that ignoring farmer’s loss aversion causes overestimation of miscanthus production but underestimation of switchgrass production, particularly when farmers are credit constrained and have a high discount rate. We find that establishment cost subsidy induces more miscanthus production whereas subsidized energy crop insurance induces more switchgrass production. The efficacy of these two policy instruments, measured by biomass production increased by per dollar of government outlay, depends on the magnitude of farmers’ loss aversion and discount rate.

Economics↗
DOE OSTI2020

Multiplexable high-temperature stable and low-loss intrinsic Fabry-Perot in-fiber sensors through nanograting engineering

This paper presents a method of using femtosecond laser inscribed nanograting as low-loss– and high-temperature–stable in-fiber reflectors. By introducing a pair of nanograting inside the core of a single-mode optical fiber, an intrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer can be created for high-temperature sensing applications. The morphology of the nanograting inscribed in fiber cores was engineered by tuning the fabrication conditions to achieve a high fringe visibility of 0.49 and low insertion loss of 0.002 dB per sensor. Using a white light interferometry demodulation algorithm, we demonstrate the temperature sensitivity, cross-talk, and spatial multiplexability of sensor arrays. Both the sensor performance and stability were studied from room temperature to 1000°C with cyclic heating and cooling. Our results demonstrate a femtosecond direct laser writing technique capable of producing highly multiplexable in-fiber intrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer sensor devices with high fringe contrast, high sensitivity, and low-loss for application in harsh environmental conditions.

Wang, Mohan (ORCID:0000000166784993)↗
DOE OSTI2022

Nano-porous GaN cladding and scattering loss in edge emitting laser diodes

We report continuous wave operation of electrically injected InGaN laser diodes using nano-porous GaN n-side cladding with 33% porosity. At 454 nm emission wavelength, the pulsed injection slope efficiency is 0.24 W/A with a high loss of 82 cm -1 . The considerable 60 cm -1 of excess loss of the nano-porous clad lasers is attributed to scattering at pores in unintentionally 3% porosified layers, supported by numerical modeling. Simulations comparing porous GaN cladding to AlInN cladding for lasers operating at 589 nm indicate that the porous cladding provides similar internal loss and lower thermal impedance.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

CMOS-fabricated ultraviolet light modulator using low-loss alumina piezo-optomechanical photonics

Ultra-violet (UV) and near-UV wavelengths are necessary for many important optical transitions for quantum technologies and various sensing mechanisms for biological and chemical detection. However, all well-known photonic platforms have excessively high losses in the UV, which has prevented photonic integrated circuits (PICs) being used to address these and other important application spaces. Photonic waveguides using low-loss alumina cores and silicon dioxide cladding have emerged as a promising solution because of alumina’s large optical bandgap and the high quality of films enabled by atomic layer deposition. These properties allow passive, low-loss waveguide operation down to at least 266 nm using multimode widths. However, to the best of our knowledge, active alumina PICs have only been realized using thermo-optic tuning, which precludes switching speeds shorter than approximately 100 microseconds, high circuit densities, and cryogenically compatible operation. Here, we introduce a CMOS-fabricated, piezo-optomechanical PIC platform using alumina waveguides and piezoelectric aluminum nitride strain actuators. The platform allows for sub-microsecond switching times, high circuit densities, and cryogenic operation which is desired in many UV PIC applications. We demonstrate a high-performance, reconfigurable optical filter operating at wavelengths as low as 320 nm. The filter has a 6-nanosecond switching time, a loaded linewidth of 3.3 GHz, tuning rate of 28 V/linewidth, and a hold power of less than 20 nW at one linewidth detuning. This work establishes the foundations for a new class of CMOS-fabricated, rapidly reconfigurable, and low-power UV photonic circuits compatible with wavelengths as low as 225 nm.

Castillo, Zachary A. [Sandia National Laboratories↗
DOE OSTI2016

Microbial Potential for Ecosystem N Loss Is Increased by Experimental N Deposition

Fossil fuel combustion and fertilizer use has increased the amount of biologically available N entering terrestrial ecosystems. Nonetheless, our understanding of how anthropogenic N may alter the physiological mechanisms by which soil microorganisms cycle N in soil is still developing. Here, we applied shotgun metagenomics to a replicated long-term field experiment to determine how two decades of experimental N deposition, at a rate expected by mid-century, has affected the genetic potential of the soil microbial community to cycle N in soils. Experimental N deposition lead to a significant and persistent increase in functional assemblages mediating N cycle transformations associated with ecosystem N loss (i.e., denitrification and nitrification), whereas functional assemblages associated with N input and retention (i.e., N fixation and microbial N assimilation) were less positively affected. Furthermore, the abundance and composition of microbial taxa, as well as functional assemblages involved in housekeeping functions (i.e., DNA replication) were unaffected by experimental N deposition. Here taken together, our results suggest that functional genes and gene pathways associated with ecosystem N loss have been favored by experimental N deposition, which may represent a genetic mechanism fostering increased N loss as anthropogenic N deposition increases in the future.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Thermal profile shaping and loss impacts of strain annealing on magnetic ribbon cores

We report the use of the advanced manufacturing technique of strain annealing for nanocomposite magnetic ribbons enables control of relative permeabilities and spatially dependent permeability profiles. Tuned permeability profiles enable enhanced control of the magnetic flux throughout magnetic cores, including the concentration or dispersion of the magnetic flux over specific regions. Due to the correlation between local core losses and temperature rises with the local magnetic flux, these profiles can be tuned at the component level for improved losses and reduced steady-state temperatures. We present analytical models for a number of assumed permeability profiles. This work shows significant reductions in the peak temperature rise with overall core losses impacted to a lesser extent. Controlled strain annealing profiles can also adjust the location of hotspots within a component for optimal cooling schemes. Finally, as a result, magnetic designs can have improved performance for a range of potential operating conditions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Disentangling Beam Losses in The Fermilab Main Injector Enclosure Using Real-Time Edge AI

The Fermilab Main Injector enclosure houses two accelerators, the Main Injector and Recycler Ring. During normal operation, high intensity proton beams exist simultaneously in both. The two accelerators share the same beam loss monitors (BLM) and monitoring system. Deciphering the origin of any of the 260 BLM readings is often difficult. The (Accelerator) Real-time Edge AI for Distributed Systems project, or READS, has developed an AI/ML model, and implemented it on fast FPGA hardware, that disentangles mixed beam losses and attributes probabilities to each BLM as to which machine(s) the loss originated from in real-time. The model inferences are then streamed to the Fermilab accelerator controls network (ACNET) where they are available for operators and experts alike to aid in tuning the machines.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2017

OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE WITH FAST FIBER-OPTIC BEAM LOSS MONITORS FOR THE ADVANCED PHOTON SOURCE STORAGE RING SUPERCONDUCTING UNDULATORS

Fast fiber-optic (FFO) beam loss monitors (BLMs) installed with the first two superconducting undulators (SCUs) in the Advanced Photon Source storage ring have proven to be a useful diagnostic for measuring deposited charge (energy) during rapid beam loss events. The first set of FFOBLMs were installed outside the cryostat of the short SCU, a 0.33-m long device, above and below the beam centerline. The second set are mounted with the first 1.1-mlong SCU within the cryostat, on the outboard and inboard sides of the vacuum chamber. The next 1.1-m-long SCU is scheduled to replace the short SCU later in 2016 and will be fitted with FFOBLMs in a manner similar to original 1.1-m device. The FFOBLMs were employed to set timing and voltage for the abort kicker (AK) system. The AK helps to prevent quenching of the SCUs during beam dumps [1] by directing the beam away from the SC magnet windings. The AK is triggered by the Machine Protection System (MPS). In cases when the AK fails to prevent quenching, the FFOBLMs show that losses often begin before detection by the MPS.

Dooling, J.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Harvesting Fertilized Rye Cover Crop: Simulated Revenue, Net Energy, and Drainage Nitrogen Loss

Harvesting fertilized rye (Secale cereale L.) cover crop has been suggested as a method to increase producer revenue and biofuel feedstock production, but drainage N loss impacts are currently unknown. Using the tested Root Zone Water Quality Model (RZWQM) across several N rates, spring application of 120 kg N ha -1 prior to winter rye harvest reduced drainage N loss by 54% compared with no cover crop and by 18% compared with planted rye that was neither fertilized nor harvested. Estimates of producer revenue and net energy were also positive, with 8.3 Mg ha -1 of harvested rye biomass. If confirmed by field studies, these results suggest that double-cropping fertilized rye is a promising strategy to increase producer revenue, increase net energy production, and reduce drainage N loss.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

Collaborative Research: Understanding Ion Losses to Plasma Boundaries Sheaths and Presheaths

Sheaths are common to all bounded steady-state plasmas. This includes laboratory, industrial, fusion, and in some cases even space plasmas. They form in general to balance particle loss and maintain quasi-neutrality in plasmas. Electrons are lighter than the ions by 2000 times or more (depending on the gas), and in most plasmas ion temperatures are rarely higher than the electron temperature and generally much lower. Thus in most cases, negative potential sheaths occur to confine electrons and allow ions to be freely lost. We have investigated how a plasma locally response to a positive bias on a small electrode, and have established area criteria which plasma reacts differently to the positive bias – first a pure electron sheath, and a global non-ambipolar regime where all electrons are lost to the electrode, and a double layer structure identified as a virtual cathode forms to limiting electron loss and maintain quasi-neutrality, and finally a anode spot regime where a secondary discharge occurs in front of the electrode, turning it into the major loss area of the entire plasma. Electrode area and plasma parameters criteria for these regimes were established, and the effect of the virtual cathode on the electrode’s I-V characteristics was investigated. We have also developed a global non-ambipolar electron source to replace hollow cathodes in a number of plasma applications. This eliminates the lifetime limitation and maintenance cost of hollow cathodes as they easily wear out easily and cannot be replaced in space applications.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Marginal Loss Calculations for the DCOPF

The purpose of this paper is to explain some aspects of including a marginal line loss approximation in the DCOPF. The DCOPF optimizes electric generator dispatch using simplified power flow physics. Since the standard assumptions in the DCOPF include a lossless network, a number of modifications have to be added to the model. Calculating marginal losses allows the DCOPF to optimize the location of power generation, so that generators that are closer to demand centers are relatively cheaper than remote generation. The problem formulations discussed in this paper will simplify many aspects of practical electric dispatch implementations in use today, but will include sufficient detail to demonstrate a few points with regard to the handling of losses.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Parasitic Cavities Losses in SPEAR-2

In PEP the large number of particles in a bunch, together with the small bunch length, may cause grievous energy loss from the beam to parasitic modes in the accelerating cavities. I have recently tried to estimate the parasitic cavity in PEP, based on a paper of Keil and I have obtained the result that the loss to parasitic modes will be about 10 MeV per particle per revolution for a bunch length of about 10 cm. In this note, I bring together some of the considerations that might bear on an experimental investigation of the loss using SPEAR-2.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Wake loss and energy spread factor of the LEReC Booster cavity caused by short range wake field

LEReC project uses a DC photoemission gun with multi-alkali (CsK 2 Sb or NaK 2 Sb) cathode [1]. To get 24 mm “flat-top” distribution, 32 Gaussian laser bunches with 0.6 mm rms length are stacked together with 0.75 mm distance [2]. In this case one cannot simply use a 1 cm rms length Gaussian/step/delta bunch for short range wake field simulation since a 0.6 mm bunch contains frequency much higher than the 1 cm bunch. A short range wake field simulation was done using CST Particle Studio™ with 0.6 mm rms Gaussian bunch at the speed of light, and this result was compared with the result for 1 cm rms Gaussian bunch in Figure 1, from where one notice that the wake potential for the 0.6 mm bunch is ~10 times higher than that of the 1 cm bunch. The wake potential of the 0.6 mm bunch, as well as the charge distribution, was then “shift and stack” every 0.75 mm, the normalized results are shown in Figure 2. The wake loss factor (WLF) is the integration of the product of wake potential and normalized bunch charge, and the energy spread factor (ESF) is the rms deviation from the average energy loss. It is calculated by summing the weighted squares of the differences and taking the square root of the sum. These two factors were then divided by β 2 for 1.6 MV beam energy. The wake loss factor is at 0.86 V/pC and energy spread factor is at 0.54 V/pC rms. With 100 pC electron bunch, the energy spread inter-bunch is 54 V rms.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗