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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 OSTI2022

Impacts of annealing treatment on the microstructure of U-Mo monolithic fuel plates

The objective of this paper is to analyze the effect of different heat treatments on the fuel microstructure and texture in laboratory scale monolithic U-Mo fuel plates. Such analyses are relevant as they could possibly inform future fabrication methods for the optimization of microstructure and of material properties to ultimately improve fuel performance during irradiation. For this reason, detail characterization including Energy x-ray dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) techniques were applied on U-Mo plates fabricated with different heat treatments to understand the influence of fabrication on fuel microstructure. Here, U-Mo fresh fuel specimens with or without annealing treatments (homogenization and stress release annealing) after rolling were analyzed in this work. In this study for the first time EBSD was systematically used to analyze the heat treatments influence on texture present in fresh fuel monolithic U-Mo fuel plates. Such changes were connected to other known microstructural and chemical changes. In this work minimization of molybdenum concentration variation and gamma phase decomposition of the U-Mo fuel core after homogenization was observed. Also, an increase in the interaction layer of the U-Mo fuel core with the Zr interlayer diffusion barrier was observed with the UZr 2 growing up to 1 µm in thickness. Such microstructural changes were aligned to the changes in texture and grain structure. Indeed, common texture observed in body-centered cubic (BCC) metal after cold rolling (e.g., α, ξ, γ fibers) were minimized by the annealing/homogenization process. Moreover, grain structure was influenced by the fabrication route with elongated grains formed in the rolled sample and equiaxed grains found after annealing. Such features are relevant since the formation of microstructural features formed during fuel fabrication can impact fuel performance in reactor.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Microstructurally validated stable and predictable swelling in low-enriched uranium monolithic U-10Mo fuel mini-plates

Qualification of the low-enriched uranium (LEU) monolithic U-10 wt%Mo (U-10Mo) plate-type fuel system requires a demonstration of a stable and predictable fuel swelling behavior over the anticipated operating conditions of the United States high-performance research reactors (USHPRRs) selected for conversion to LEU operation. This will allow each reactor to develop appropriate safety margins that will retain fuel element lifetime coolability. Additionally, the fuel system must maintain performance attributes when fabricated at a commercial scale. The Mini-plate 1 experiment represents the first irradiation test of commercially fabricated miniaturized monolithic LEU U-10Mo fuel plates. Here, the swelling behavior within this experiment was compared against that of historical fuel developmental tests to reveal that the commercially fabricated fuel performed within the current recommended U-10Mo swelling model's predictions. Additionally, the fuel microstructural evolution was evaluated to link initial conditions to subtle variations detected in the swelling response, providing validation and confidence that the fuel system is robust.

11 - NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Modeling Plastic Deformation of Steel Plates in Hypervelocity Impact Experiments

Hypervelocity impact experiments were done with a two-stage light gas gun to study the plastic deformation of metallic plates. Cylindrical Lexan projectiles were fired at A36 steel target plates with a velocity range of 4.5-6.0 km/s. Experiments were designed to produce a front side impact crater and a permanent bulging deformation on the back surface of the target while preventing complete perforation. Free surface velocities from the back surface of target plate were acquired using the newly developed Multiplexed Photonic Doppler Velocimetry (MPDV) system. Two different computational techniques were developed to simulate this type of experiment: Lagrangian-based smooth particle hydrodynamics (SPH) in LS-DYNA and the Eulerian-based hydrocode CTH. Parameters for material models including equation of state, compressive strength, and spall model were selected to obtain highest fidelity numerical results to compare with experiment.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Room-Temperature Calcium Plating and Stripping Using a Perfluoroalkoxyaluminate Anion Electrolyte

Multivalent ion chemistries, like Ca 2+ , used in energy storage boast the potential to utilize solid metallic anodes and provide high volumetric energy density. The promise of such systems relies on the ability to incorporate high-voltage cathode materials while sustaining robust plating and stripping at the anode. These processes are dependent on an electrochemically stable electrolyte for ion transport and storage. In this work, we report an addition to the limited pool of nonaqueous electrolytes capable of plating and stripping calcium at room temperature. The synthesis and structural properties of calcium tetrakis(perfluoro-tert-butoxy) aluminate (Ca[TPFA] 2 ) are described along with the electrochemical performance during plating and stripping (up to 55% Coulombic efficiency) and a proof of concept for full cell viability with a CuS cathode material. X-ray experiments were used to study both the bulk solvation structure around calcium and possible decomposition pathways of the weakly coordinating TPFA anion.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2026

Texture Evolution of Plated Lithium in Anode-Free Solid-State Batteries

Here, this study investigates lithium plating texture in anode-free solid-state batteries using synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction. Conventional methods are limited by lithium’s low electron density and softness, which hinders direct interrogation in anode-free solid-state batteries. Results reveal that lithium plating texture is influenced by temperature and current density. Under mild conditions, lithium exhibited a ⟨110⟩ fiber texture. However, higher current densities and elevated temperatures led to a more randomized orientation, suggesting a dependence on plating conditions. The results highlight how the operating and processing conditions for lithium metal can influence the texture of lithium metal and reversible operation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Structure of the Ecuadorian Upper Plate From a Joint Seismic‐Gravity Inversion

The Ecuadorian portion of the South American subduction zone presents an interesting case study in the structure and complex evolution of an upper plate. There are outstanding questions about its tectonic history, composition, and magmatic processes. While previous studies have employed ambient noise tomography to image the Ecuadorian upper plate, surface wave inversions alone often lack sensitivity at relevant shallow depths. This limitation can be overcome with an independent, complementary data set, such as gravity. We have jointly inverted Rayleigh wave phase velocities and Bouguer gravity anomalies to provide a more detailed seismic velocity model of the Ecuadorian upper plate. Our joint inversion has yielded several key improvements from previous models. First, we observe much shallower slow velocities beneath major basins (the Manabí, Progreso, and Gulf of Guayaquil), better aligning with expected basin structure. Second, we identify a high-velocity block beneath the entire forearc, corresponding to the Piñon Terrane, with velocities suggesting the presence of ultramafic material. Third, we highlight a new narrow swath of slow velocities beneath the Ecuadorian Andes, which closely follows the active volcanoes along the Eastern Cordillera. The extent of these slow velocities coincides with the termination of active arc volcanism and the predicted location of the subducted Carnegie Ridge. The predicted compositions for the mid to lower crust in the region preclude a purely compositional explanation for these velocities, suggesting that some level of partial melt is necessary.

Birkey, Andrew [Univ. of Delaware, Newark, DE (Uni↗
DOE OSTI2023

High-throughput feedback-enabled optogenetic stimulation and spectroscopy in microwell plates

Abstract The ability to perform sophisticated, high-throughput optogenetic experiments has been greatly enhanced by recent open-source illumination devices that allow independent programming of light patterns in single wells of microwell plates. However, there is currently a lack of instrumentation to monitor such experiments in real time, necessitating repeated transfers of the samples to stand-alone analytical instruments, thus limiting the types of experiments that could be performed. Here we address this gap with the development of the optoPlateReader (oPR), an open-source, solid-state, compact device that allows automated optogenetic stimulation and spectroscopy in each well of a 96-well plate. The oPR integrates an optoPlate illumination module with a module called the optoReader, an array of 96 photodiodes and LEDs that allows 96 parallel light measurements. The oPR was optimized for stimulation with blue light and for measurements of optical density and fluorescence. After calibration of all device components, we used the oPR to measure growth and to induce and measure fluorescent protein expression in E. coli . We further demonstrated how the optical read/write capabilities of the oPR permit computer-in-the-loop feedback control, where the current state of the sample can be used to adjust the optical stimulation parameters of the sample according to pre-defined feedback algorithms. The oPR will thus help realize an untapped potential for optogenetic experiments by enabling automated reading, writing, and feedback in microwell plates through open-source hardware that is accessible, customizable, and inexpensive.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

Rainbow trapping of ultrasonic guided waves in chirped phononic crystal plates

The rainbow trapping effect has been demonstrated in electromagnetic and acoustic waves. In this study, rainbow trapping of ultrasonic guided waves is achieved in chirped phononic crystal plates that spatially modulate the dispersion, group velocity, and stopband. The rainbow trapping is related to the progressively slowing group velocity, and the extremely low group velocity near the lower boundary of a stopband that gradually varies in chirped phononic crystal plates. As guided waves propagate along the phononic crystal plate, waves gradually slow down and finally stop forward propagating. The energy of guided waves is concentrated at the low velocity region near the stopband. Moreover, the guided wave energy of different frequencies is concentrated at different locations, which manifests as rainbow guided waves. We believe implementing the rainbow trapping will open new paradigms for guiding and focusing of guided waves. Furthermore, the rainbow guided waves with energy concentration and spatial separation of frequencies may have potential applications in nondestructive evaluation, spatial wave filtering, energy harvesting, and acoustofluidics.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Interlaced zone plate optics for hard X-ray imaging in the 10 nm range

Multi-keV X-ray microscopy has been particularly successful in bridging the resolution gap between optical and electron microscopy. However, resolutions below 20 nm are still considered challenging, as high throughput direct imaging methods are limited by the availability of suitable optical elements. In order to bridge this gap, we present a new type of Fresnel zone plate lenses aimed at the sub-20 and the sub-10 nm resolution range. By extending the concept of double-sided zone plate stacking, we demonstrate the doubling of the effective line density and thus the resolution and provide large aperture, single- chip optical devices with 15 and 7 nm smallest zone widths. The detailed characterization of these lenses shows excellent optical properties with focal spots down to 7.8 nm. Furthermore, beyond wave front characterization, the zone plates also excel in typical imaging scenarios, verifying their resolution close to their diffraction limited optical performance.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2014

Simulation of computed radiography with imaging plate detectors

Computed radiography (CR) using phosphor imaging plate detectors is taking an increasing place in Radiography Testing. CR uses similar equipment as conventional radiography except that the classical X-ray film is replaced by a numerical detector, called image plate (IP), which is made of a photostimulable layer and which is read by a scanning device through photostimulated luminescence. Such digital radiography has already demonstrated important benefits in terms of exposure time, decrease of source energies and thus reduction of radioprotection area besides being a solution without effluents. This paper presents a model for the simulation of radiography with image plate detectors in CIVA together with examples of validation of the model. The study consists in a cross comparison between experimental and simulation results obtained on a step wedge with a classical X-ray tube. Results are proposed in particular with wire Image quality Indicator (IQI) and duplex IQI.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2021

Laser-driven flyer plate impact: Computational studies guided by experiments

We present a computational approach using a multimaterial, arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian code termed ALE3D to model the nanosecond/micrometer dynamics of the launch of 0.5–4.5 km/s laser-driven metal flyer plates and the impact with stationary targets of Pyrex and fused silica glasses, and Lexan and Plexiglas polymers, producing pressures in the target in the range of 5–20 GPa. The simulations are compared to experimental results where the flyer velocity profile and the velocity profile imparted to the target material were measured with high-speed velocimetry. The experimental flyer launch by a high-intensity pulsed laser is modeled by depositing heat into a thin vaporizable layer under the flyer plate. This model produces a flyer plate that has not been exposed to the laser pulse, allowing us to compare the properties of the real flyer to a simulated ideal flyer. The simulations of target impact are generally in good agreement with the experiment except at the highest impact velocities where the shock release process in the experiment is slower than that in the simulation. The cause of this disagreement is attributed to an inadequate description of the shock viscosity during the nanosecond unloading process.

Stekovic, Svjetlana (ORCID:0000000163878070)↗
DOE OSTI2017

Surface heat flux feedback controlled impurity seeding experiments with Alcator C-Mod's high-Z vertical target plate divertor: performance, limitations and implications for fusion power reactors

The Alcator C-Mod team has recently developed a feedback system to measure and control surface heat flux in real-time. The system uses real-time measurements of surface heat flux from surface thermocouples and a pulse-width modulated piezo valve to inject low-Z impurities (typically N 2 ) into the private flux region. It has been used in C-Mod to mitigate peak surface heat fluxes >40 MW m -2 down to <10 MW m -2 while maintaining excellent core confinement, H 98 > 1. While the system works quite well under relatively steady conditions, use of it during transients has revealed important limitations on feedback control of impurity seeding in conventional vertical target plate divertors. In some cases, the system is unable to avoid plasma reattachment to the divertor plate or the formation of a confinement-damaging x-point MARFE. This is due to the small operational window for mitigated heat flux in the parameters of incident plasma heat flux, plasma density, and impurity density as well as the relatively slow response of the impurity gas injection system compared to plasma transients. Given the severe consequences for failure of such a system to operate reliably in a reactor, there is substantial risk that the conventional vertical target plate divertor will not provide an adequately controllable system in reactor-class devices. Finally, these considerations motivate the need to develop passively stable, highly compliant divertor configurations and experimental facilities that can test such possible solutions.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Effects of the foil flatness on irradiation performance of U10Mo monolithic mini-plates

Monolithic plate-type fuels comprise of a high density, low enrichment, U10Mo fuel foil encapsulated in a cladding material. This concept generates several fabrication challenges such as flatness, centering or thickness variation. There are concerns, if these parameters have implications on overall performance. To investigate these inquiries, the effects of the foil flatness were studied. For this, a representative plate was simulated for an ideal case. The simulations were repeated for additional cases with various foil curvatures to evaluate the effects on the irradiation performance. The results revealed that the stresses and strains induced by fabrication process are not affected by the flatness of the foil. Furthermore, fabrication stresses in the foil are relieved relatively fast in the reactor. The effects of the foil flatness on peak irradiation stressstrains are minimal. There is a slight increase in temperature for the case with maximum curvature. The major impact is on the displacement characteristics. Furthermore, while the case with a flat foil produces a symmetrical swelling, if the foil is curved, more swelling occurs on the thin-cladding side and the plate bows during irradiation.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2024

Effects of Aluminum Plate Initial Residual Stress on Machined-Part Distortion

Dimensional tolerances for high-speed-machined aluminum products continue to tighten due to the demand for automated assembly of complex monolithic parts in aerospace and other industries. Understanding the contribution of inherent residual stress in wrought Al 7050-T7451 plate, common in aircraft manufacture, to distortion of high-aspect-ratio machined parts is critical but remains problematic due to the alloy's low residual stress magnitude over large geometries. Prior investigations into residual stress effects on machined part distortion suffer inadequate characterizations of the wrought material stress field, either because of low fidelity due to “slitting” methods, confounding effects in machined-layer removal methods, or small sample size when using neutron diffraction (ND). In this work, inherent residual stress is measured via ND at 860 locations in a 90.5 mm thick Al 7050-T7451 plate having dimensions 399 mm in the rolling direction and 335 mm in the transverse direction. Unlike prior studies, the ND residual stress is reconstructed using an iterative algorithm to ensure fully compatible, equilibrated 3D field prior to examining its effect on distortion. Further, the findings from simulations and experiments show that inherent residual stress alone could distort a high-aspect-ratio part beyond aerospace industry requirements, that slitting measurements may not sufficiently characterize residual stress for predicted distortion, and that parts machined from different plate thickness locations could exhibit reversed distortion patterns. Thus, research into distortion prediction that considers machining should carefully characterize and reconstruct inherent residual stress so that the coupled machining effects are accurately modeled.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Poster — Thur Eve — 02: Measurement of CT radiation profile width using Fuji CR imaging plate raw data

Measuring the CT collimation width and assessing the shape of the overall profile is a relatively straightforward quality control (QC) measure that impacts both image quality and patient dose, and is often required at acceptance and routine testing. Most CT facilities have access to computed radiography (CR) systems, so performing CT collimation profile assessments using CR plates requires no additional equipment. Previous studies have shown how to effectively use CR plates to measure the radiation profile width. However, a major limitation of the previous work is that the full dynamic range of CR detector plates are not used, since the CR processing technology reduces the dynamic range of the DICOM output to 2{sup 10}, requiring the sensitivity and latitude settings of CR reader to be adjusted to prevent clipping of the CT profile data. Such adjustments to CR readers unnecessarily complicate the QC procedure. These clipping artefacts hinder the ability to accurately assess CT collimation width because the full-width at half maximum value of the penumbras are not properly determined if the maximum dose of the profile is not available. Furthermore, any inconsistencies in the radiation profile shape are lost if the profile plateau is clipped off. In this work we developed an opensource Matlab script for straightforward CT profile width measurements using raw CR data that also allows assessment of the profile shape without clipping, and applied this approach during CT QC.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

Inspection of plate weldments through an interposed layer of viscoelastic material using an elastic-electromagnetic scanning method

In this study, an elastic-microwave based non-destructive evaluation method is presented to inspect for cracks in weldments and thinning of coated steel plates. The approach uses a microwave interferometer operating at 94 GHz to record the total surface displacement of a coated steel plated as it is driven by an incident elastic field. These spatiotemporal data coupled with wavefield processing algorithms provide powerful detection and localization capabilities. From these wavefield data sets, a plate thickness mapping capability has been demonstrated that can detect thickness changes on the order of 0.79 mm (1/32 in.). It is also shown that a topological energy analysis of the wavefield data can detect and locate small flaws on the order of 5–10 mm (0.19–0.40 in.) in the welded joint. Note, all of these results are obtained through a 50.8 mm (2 in.) thick viscoelastic coating without disturbing the coating or the coating bond. At present the algorithm cannot resolve individual flaws within a grid space, just their cumulative effect. Even with the current limitations, this detection approach appears to be a promising alternative to traditional phased array imaging methods where the coating layer must be removed prior to inspection.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2023

Plating and Stripping of Lithium Metal Stabilized by a Block Copolymer Electrolyte: Local Current Density Measurement and Modeling

Here, plating and stripping of lithium protrusions in lithium metal symmetric cells containing a solid block copolymer electrolyte was studied as a function of time in 3D using time-resolved X-ray tomography. These measurements enabled determination of the spatial variation in current densities at the plating and stripping electrodes. The initial interelectrode distance was 27 μm. Correlation functions were calculated to reveal the relationships between current densities at the two electrodes and local electrolyte thickness. Current densities at opposing electrode locations during protrusion growth is uncorrelated until the local interelectrode distance decreases to less than 6 μm, just before the cell shorts. Mass balance was used to determine the area from which lithium ions that form a protrusion were stripped. Computational modeling of the plating and stripping process reveals the interplay between electrochemical and mechanical driving forces and their effect on nonuniform current distribution. Model predictions were compared with experiments without resorting to any adjustable parameters. The computed correlation functions were in qualitative agreement with experiments. Finally, the model was used to calculate contour plots of electrochemical potential within the electrolyte, shedding light on how geometry, salt concentration, interelectrode distance, and mechanical stress influence local rates of electrochemical reaction.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Galvanostatic Plating with a Single Additive Electrolyte for Bottom-Up Filling of Copper in Mesoscale TSVs

A methanesulfonic acid (MSA) electrolyte with a single suppressor additive was used for potentiostatic bottom-up filling of copper in mesoscale through silicon vias (TSVs). Conversly, galvanostatic deposition is desirable for production level full wafer plating tools as they are typically not equipped with reference electrodes which are required for potentiostatic plating. Potentiostatic deposition was used to determine the over-potential required for bottom-up TSV filling and the resultant current was measured to establish a range of current densities to investigate for galvanostatic deposition. Galvanostatic plating conditions were then optimized to achieve void-free bottom-up filling in mesoscale TSVs for a range of sample sizes.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗