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At least 91 records · Page 5

Development of a coupled experimental–computational approach for engineering optimization of spout-fluidized bed particle coating systems

The design of spout-fluidized bed (SFB) coating systems for nuclear particle fuels typically relies on trial-and-error processes, comprising iterative and time-consuming coating deposition experiments and post-deposition characterization. At an engineering scale, this approach to guided SFB system design is inefficient, highlighting the need for streamlined experimental methodologies which can correlate fluidization conditions to downstream coating outcomes. In this study, we combine time-resolved particle image velocimetry (PIV) with CFD–DEM simulations to benchmark hydrodynamic behavior in a 3D spout-fluidized bed. By exploiting easily accessible optical measurements of particle motion at the bed wall and within the spouting region, we obtain quantitative velocity fields that can be directly compared with model predictions of the occluded bed region, without resorting to complex imaging and characterization techniques such as X-ray or magnetic resonance tomography. Experimental benchmarking reveals strong agreement between CFD–DEM and PIV in the spout and annulus regions, while discrepancies near the wall highlight areas for future model development. Here, the proposed integrated experimental–numerical framework will enable a direct connection between measured variables and numerically predicted fluidization performance of dense, surrogate nuclear particle fuel feedstock such that experimental SFB component design can be rapidly evaluated, informing design decisions for nozzle geometry and operating conditions. Future work will extend this framework by correlating quantified fluidization metrics across nozzle geometries and operating conditions with the resulting coating morphology, microstructure, and uniformity. Establishing these correlations will enable predictive links between hydrodynamic performance and coating quality, providing a rational, scalable basis for optimizing SFB design prior to coating deposition.

CFD/DEM↗

Spark-Assisted HCCI Residential CHP

A transformative small spark ignition (SI) internal combustion (IC) engine fueled with natural gas was developed for combined heat and power (CHP) applications using a combination of cycle simulations, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling, and engine experiments. The resulting 1 kW CHP engine was demonstrated to achieve 36.1% brake thermal efficiency (BTE) while meeting aggressive exhaust emissions targets using a low-cost three-way catalyst. Starting from a “clean-sheet” design, modeling tools were used to select the optimal engine parameters and operating characteristics. The disruptive technologies developed for the CHP system have a target lifetime of at least 10 years. The engine cost at volume of 10,000 units was estimated to be $\$$1,050. A combination of experimental and simulation results were used to identify a path to the program target of 38.6% BTE. Base engine design parameters (i.e., displacement, speed, bore, stroke, valve timings, and compression ratio) were optimized to reduce friction, heat transfer, and exhaust losses. The base clean sheet prototype engine achieved 32% BTE. Optimization of the lube oil and coolant temperatures added 1.8% BTE. The addition of exhaust gas recirculation added 1.1% BTE. Novel thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) developed over the course of the project added 1.2% BTE. Further improvements in engine friction reduction (1.3% BTE) and improved combustion (1.2% BTE) are estimated to meet the program target 38.6% BTE, while also meeting the stringent criteria pollutant emissions targets.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Descriptor Aided Bayesian Optimization for Many-Level Qualitative Variables With Materials Design Applications

Abstract Engineering design often involves qualitative and quantitative design variables, which requires systematic methods for the exploration of these mixed-variable design spaces. Expensive simulation techniques, such as those required to evaluate optimization objectives in materials design applications, constitute the main portion of the cost of the design process and underline the need for efficient search strategies—Bayesian optimization (BO) being one of the most widely adopted. Although recent developments in mixed-variable Bayesian optimization have shown promise, the effects of dimensionality of qualitative variables have not been well studied. High-dimensional qualitative variables, i.e., with many levels, impose a large design cost as they typically require a larger dataset to quantify the effect of each level on the optimization objective. We address this challenge by leveraging domain knowledge about underlying physical descriptors, which embody the physics of the underlying physical phenomena, to infer the effect of unobserved levels that have not been sampled yet. We show that physical descriptors can be intuitively embedded into the latent variable Gaussian process approach—a mixed-variable GP modeling technique—and used to selectively explore levels of qualitative variables in the Bayesian optimization framework. This physics-informed approach is particularly useful when one or more qualitative variables are high dimensional (many-level) and the modeling dataset is small, containing observations for only a subset of levels. Through a combination of mathematical test functions and materials design applications, our method is shown to be robust to certain types of incomplete domain knowledge and significantly reduces the design cost for problems with high-dimensional qualitative variables.

Engineering↗

Planar Transformer With Asymmetric Integrated Leakage Inductance Using Horizontal Air Gap

This article presents a novel planar-based transformer winding and core structure with controllable leakage inductance generation for integrated magnetics applications. As a result of limitations in integrated magnetics from the literature, a new approach is proposed utilizing semi-interleaved windings and controllable leakage via a leakage flux core leg featuring a horizontal air gap. Here, the proposed transformer design is analyzed via detailed reluctance modeling to determine closed-form equations for the magnetizing and asymmetrically distributed leakage inductances. Next, a genetic-algorithm-based multiobjective design optimization problem is developed, seeking to minimize the core and winding losses of the proposed transformer subject to a set of parametric and geometric constraints in a dc-ac dual-active-bridge topology for microinverter applications. The optimization was extended to include other integrated magnetic structures from the literature, where it is determined that the proposed transformer is superior from the perspectives of efficiency, footprint area, and parasitic capacitance. Based on the results of the optimization analysis, two designs with theoretical transformer California Energy Commission (CEC) efficiency drops (i.e., CEC efficiency reduction specifically due to the transformer loss mechanisms) of 1.19% and 0.83% were fabricated and evaluated for electrical and thermal performance in the proposed 40 V, 400 W microinverter.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Simulation-driven design optimization of reaction injection molding (RIM) process for polydicyclopentadiene (pDCPD): Minimizing cycle time, defects, and warpage

Replacing metal components in trucks, trailers, and buses with lightweight polymer composites is challenging due to high temperatures and complex manufacturing. The Reaction Injection Molding (RIM) process using Dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) resin offers a solution by producing robust parts with excellent stiffness, impact strength, and resistance properties. Simulations are essential for optimizing this process, predicting defects, and improving quality. However, most commercial software is tailored for thermoplastics, requiring thermoset users to generate their own datasets. In this study, a material data card for DCPD was developed to perform RIM simulations. Design of Experiments (DOE) was used to identify key factors affecting filling, curing, and warpage, aiming to minimize cycle time and defects. The simulations explored varying injection gate parameters (size, location, number) and process conditions (mold/resin temperature, injection/curing pressure). Results showed that gate design significantly impacts filling behavior and defects. A single central gate provided balanced flow with fewer defects, while two corner gates led to more defects. Additionally, lower injection pressure increased filling time, while higher mold temperature accelerated curing but led to more warpage. In conclusion, this optimization framework aims to enhance DCPD part performance and promote sustainable manufacturing by reducing waste and energy consumption.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Design Optimization of Medium-Frequency Transformer for DAB Converters With DC Bias Capacity

Medium-frequency transformer (MFT) dc bias is critical for the safe operation of dual-active-bridge (DAB) converters. To analyze the dc bias, expressions of dc bias are derived for SiC MOSFET DAB converters. It shows that the dc bias is a current source in steady state; thus, a dc bias current capacity is defined and used as a design constraint in the optimization of MFT. The dc bias current capacity is related to core materials, geometric parameters, and flux density, which is analyzed with analytical expression. Optimization equations with geometric variables are derived, which can be solved theoretically or numerically for both interleaved winding (IW) and separated winding (SW) MFT without and/or with leakage inductance design. Based on the optimization equations, different MFT designs for a 150-kW SiC MOSFET DAB converter are compared on the aspects of core materials, winding structures, and without/with leakage inductance design. The combination of IW structure MFT with auxiliary phase shift inductors is chosen, and the assembled prototype is tested with the 150-kW DAB converter. Here, the designed dc bias capacity, temperature rise, and efficiency are verified.

42 ENGINEERING↗

ALchemist (Active Learning Toolkit for Chemical and Materials Research) [SWR-25-102]

ALchemist is a modular Python toolkit that brings active learning and Bayesian optimization to experimental design in chemical and materials research. It is designed for scientists and engineers who want to efficiently explore or optimize high-dimensional variable spaces—without writing code—using an intuitive graphical interface.

Coatney, Caleb [National Renewable Energy Laborato↗

Materials Design using an Active Subspace-based Batch Bayesian Optimization Approach

Integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) calls for integrating simulation tools and/or experiments to develop new materials and materials systems. However, implementation of ICME approaches is challenging mainly due to the considerable computational expense of such frameworks and large dimensionality of the design space. Addressing these challenges is thus critical to the success of ICME initiatives. We present here a specific Bayesian optimization framework designed to address these two challenges. In particular, we propose an active subspace batch Bayesian optimization framework. The framework makes use of dimension reduction via the active subspace method and makes use of the ability to query in parallel via the batch Bayesian optimization approach. Here, the integration of these techniques leads to significant efficiency improvements while maintaining accuracy.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Accelerate Nuclear Research and Development by Reducing Time and Cost Spend in the Pre-conceptual Design Phase of Advanced Reactor Experiments

The design process of every new concept, such as advanced nuclear reactors or associated experiments, starts with the pre-conceptual design phase. In this phase, the viability of a wide range of design options needs to be assessed quickly, to understand the operating envelope and its feasibility. A variety of physics models (thermal-hydraulics, neutronics, mechanical design, etc.) has to be considered at this very first design stage and optimum component sizes and materials (e.g. heat exchangers, piping, turbomachinery, coolant type, etc.) have to be chosen for a given set of boundary conditions (e.g. heat source, heat sink, flow rate, etc.). Detailed solutions such as provided by high fidelity methods like computational fluid dynamics (CFD), Monte Carlo methods, etc. and even lower fidelity tools such as system or subchannel codes, etc. are usually not used during the pre-conceptual design due to the relatively long time needed to create input models, the computational time to obtain a solution and the lack of flexibility to quickly investigate different combinations of components, individual component sizes and material properties. High fidelity tools are usually only employed in the conceptual design and later phases once a base concept has been identified during the pre-conceptual design stage. The current practice during the pre-conceptual design stage is that analysts collect the needed equations, material properties, closure laws, etc. and create ad-hoc solutions form scratch for every new problem. There clearly is a lack of a flexible scoping tool that can be used during pre-conceptional design before higher fidelity tools (as described above) come into play. To reduce user errors in ad-hoc solutions and increase fidelity and efficiency, this project aims to investigate and develop a user-friendly scoping tool to address the thermal-hydraulic designing needs during preconceptual experiment design, i.e. Thermal-hydraulic Research Universal Scoping Tool (TRUST). The success of TRUST will provide the nuclear engineers with an easy-to-use and affordable calculator for early reactor system design and optimization.

42 ENGINEERING↗

An AI-driven microstructure optimization framework for elastic properties of titanium beyond cubic crystal systems

Materials design aims to identify the material features that provide optimal properties for various engineering applications, such as aerospace, automotive, and naval. One of the important but challenging problems for materials design is to discover multiple polycrystalline microstructures with optimal properties. This paper proposes an end-to-end artificial intelligence (AI)-driven microstructure optimization framework for elastic properties of materials. In this work, the microstructure is represented by the Orientation Distribution Function (ODF) that determines the volume densities of crystallographic orientations. The framework was evaluated on two crystal systems, cubic and hexagonal, for Titanium (Ti) in Joint Automated Repository for Various Integrated Simulations (JARVIS) database and is expected to be widely applicable for materials with multiple crystal systems. The proposed framework can discover multiple polycrystalline microstructures without compromising the optimal property values and saving significant computational time.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Design, optimization, and validation of a triply periodic minimal surface based heat exchanger for extreme temperature applications

Heat exchanger (HX) innovation offers potential for significant improvements in energy efficiency for a host of applications including but not limited to aviation and power generation cycles. Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces (TPMS) have received significant attention in recent years due to their incredibly high surface area density, which makes them very attractive from a heat transfer point of view. Recent efforts have largely focused on thermal-hydraulic characterization of the many available TPMS and the testing of small-scale HX prototypes. However, practical implementation remains largely unexplored, partially due to the extreme computational cost associated with accurately simulating these complex structures. In this work, we present the design, simulation, and optimization of a TPMS-HX for high temperature (900 °C) and pressure (25 MPa) applications. Detailed analysis of HX sub-sections is conducted to define the smallest repeatable section which may be used to characterize the thermal-hydraulic performance of the entire HX, enabling rapid design and iteration with significantly reduced computational cost. Compared to preliminary results for a water-to-water experiment, calibrated heat transfer and pressure drop predictions were within ±5 % and ±10 %, respectively. Optimization results show a 10x increase in volumetric power density over the initial design, which is verified against a parametric exhaustive search of the HX design space. Furthermore, it was found that reducing the unit cell hydraulic diameter cell plays the largest role in increasing heat transfer, increasing the surface area density and enabling a more compact and efficient HX.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Applying a Compact Porous Media Model to Numerically Derive Resistance Coefficients for Lattice Structures

Additive Manufacturing allows for exploring various geometries to achieve specific engineering criteria. Lattices are one geometry with unique properties, including being periodically repeating structures which allow flow through them to be represented as a porous media according to Darcy-Forchheimer equations. These equation’s coefficients are generally experimentally derived, but this work demonstrates the ability to numerically derive them with CFD. Simulations were performed using three-dimensional stead state Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes with a k-ω Shear Stress Transport turbulence model using Ansys Fluent. Three lattice geometries were investigated and drag coefficients were derived. The method was validated against externally published data for similar geometries demonstrating strong agreement, and grid convergence for all simulations was calculated with a Grid Convergence Index method. Wall roughness is demonstrated to have a non-negligible impact on results and roughness values are considered for the primary focus Octahedral geometry where both smooth wall and rough wall coefficients were derived. The porosity coefficients for the Octahedral geometry at 1.0 [m/s] were found to be 2.89×10 6 and 2.90×10 6 [1/(Pa*m*s)] for the permeability coefficients, 6.37×10 1 and 5.44×10 1 [m 2 /kg] for the inertial resistance coefficients, and with a max pressure drop of 5116.7 [Pa] and 4429.5 [Pa] for the smooth walls and rough walls, respectively. The derived numerical method enables rapid exploration and optimization of new lattice designs for diverse engineering applications.

42 ENGINEERING↗

MODELING AND PARAMETRIC STUDY OF END-GAS AUTOIGNITION TO ALLOW THE REALIZATION OF ULTRA-LOW EMISSIONS, HIGH-EFFICIENCY HEAVY-DUTY SPARK-IGNITED NATURAL GAS ENGINES

Engine knock and misfire are barriers to pathways leading to high-efficiency Spark-Ignited (SI) Natural Gas (NG) engines. The general tendency to knock is highly dependent on engine operating conditions and the fuel reactivity. The problem is further complicated by the low emission limits and the wide range of chemical reactivity in pipeline-quality natural gas. Depending on the region and the source of the natural gas, its reactivity, described by its Methane Number (MN), which is analogous to the Octane Number for liquid SI fuels, can span from 65 to 95. In order to realize diesel-like efficiencies, SI NG engines must be designed to operate at high Brake Mean Effective Pressures (BMEP), near or beyond knock limits, over a wide range of fuel reactivity. This requires a deep understanding of the combustion-engine interactions pertaining to flame propagation and End-Gas Autoignition (EGAI), i.e., the autoignition of the unburned gas (end gas) ahead of the flame front. However, EGAI, if controlled, provides an opportunity to increase SI NG engine efficiency by increasing the combustion rate and the total fraction of burned fuel, mitigating the effects of the slow flame speeds characteristic of natural gas fuels, which generally reduce BMEP and increase unburned hydrocarbon emissions. For this reason, to realize diesel-like efficiencies and ultra-low emissions on SI NG engines, this work proposes the study of the main parameters influencing the modeling and prediction of NG EGAI to allow for its control. In this work, a novel EGAI detection and onset determination method was developed to reliably quantify EGAI for data analysis and engine control. The new method allowed the prediction of EGAI on SI NG engines without the need to use engine- and operating-condition-dependent thresholds and reduced the error in quantifying the fraction of the total energy released by the EGAI event by up to 40%pts. One- and three-dimensional engine models were then developed to study the engine/fuel interactions that lead to NG EGAI and its performance benefits. These models, although having decent agreement with experimental data, showed the need to account for NOx chemistry when predicting NG EGAI due to a consistently later prediction of the EGAI onset (~1.65 crank-angle degrees) and thus, a new reduced chemical mechanism for real NG fuels was developed containing NOx chemistry. The new reduced mechanism improved the EGAI onset prediction agreement to within ±0.5 crank-angle degrees and decreased simulation time during combustion by nearly 50% when using the further reduced AREIS50NOx chemical mechanism. These models were then used to study the role of NG composition on EGAI, evaluate the engine/fuel interactions leading to NG EGAI, and perform engine optimization while leveraging EGAI to increase thermal efficiency. Piston design optimization combined with a Controlled EGAI (C-EGAI) combustion mode allowed a Heavy-Duty (HD) SI NG engine to operate at diesel-like efficiencies, i.e., Brake Thermal Efficiency (BTE) ≥44%. Experimental and modeling data analysis revealed that earlier and faster heat release increases combustion efficiency by an average of 1%pts, increases work transferred to the piston resulting in a decrease in exhaust losses by 50% depending on the engine operating condition while slightly increasing heat losses. Finally, the simulation results revealed an opportunity to further enhance the BTE (up to 50%) by enabling C-EGAI combustion at leaner conditions, λ=1.4-1.6.

Bestel, Diego Bernardi↗

Heat Pump Retrofits for Central Plant Hydronic Heating Systems: A Software Toolkit for Screening and Design

Retrofitting existing central plants with high-efficiency heat pump technologies can play a crucial role in achieving long-term planning goals. Modern heat pump technologies are able to use waste heat recovery to meet a building's heating demand, but there is a lack of accessible tools designed for non-HVAC experts, such as building owners, to quickly and easily conduct what-if analysis, e.g., estimating retrofit costs and payback period for their partial or full equipment replacement. This paper introduces an open-source software toolkit designed to facilitate the initial screening and decision-making of heat pump retrofits in existing central plants using a building's yearly load profile from metered or utility bill data. The toolkit evaluates the technical and economic viability of replacing traditional central plant equipment with various options including water-to-water or air-to-water heat pumps, which can provide efficient and lower-cost heating and cooling. It allows users to compare current central plant configurations with retrofit scenarios, assessing energy consumption, life-cycle costs, and environmental impact. The toolkit offers (1) a web-based tool designed for user-friendly access by a broad audience and (2) Python-based source code for researchers and engineers conducting parametric studies and design parameter optimization. The toolkit compares a typical central plant configuration to a configuration that uses a heat pump to supply hydronic heating and cooling. The output metrics include energy consumption and output of each equipment, life-cycle cost analyses and metrics, and environmental impact of the system.

Excell, L↗

Fuel Spray Mixing and Wall Interaction

All future high-efficiency engines will have fuel directly sprayed into the engine cylinder. Engine developers agree that a major barrier to the rapid development and design of these high-efficiency, clean engines is the lack of accurate fuel spray computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models. The spray injection process largely determines the fuel–air mixture processes in the engine, which subsequently drive combustion and emissions in both direct-injection gasoline and diesel systems, particularly at cold-start conditions when aftertreatment is ineffective. Engines must be tolerant to a range of fuels, and there must be an understanding of how specific fuel properties affect the spray mixing and evaporation processes to intentionally create better fuels and better injectors. More predictive spray combustion models will enable rapid design and optimization of future high-efficiency engines, providing more affordable vehicles and saving fuel.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Multiscale Characterization of the Caney Shale — An Emerging Play in Oklahoma

From a hydrocarbon perspective, the Caney Shale has historically been evaluated as a sealing unit, which resulted in limited studies characterizing the rock properties of the Caney Shale and its suitability for hydraulic fracturing. The objective of our research is to help bridge the current knowledge gap through the integration of multiscale laboratory techniques and to characterize the macro- and microscale rock properties of the Caney Shale. We employed an integrated approach for the characterization of the Caney using 200 ft (61 m) of Caney core from a target well in southern Oklahoma. Core observation and petrographic analysis of thin sections were combined to characterize the general rock types and associated fabrics and textures. Mineralogical composition, pore system architecture, and rock fabric were analyzed using x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), and focused ion beam (FIB)-SEM. In addition, rebound hardness and indentation testing were carried out to determine rock hardness (brittleness) and elasticity, respectively. With the integrated multiscale characterization, three mixed carbonate-siliciclastic rock types were identified — mudstone, calcareous siltstone, and silty carbonate — likely representing a spectrum of deposition from low to relatively high energy environments in the distal portions of a ramp system. Silty carbonate contains mostly interparticle pores. The calcareous siltstones and silty mudstones contain a combination of organic matter pores and interparticle pores. Each of the rock types shows unique mineralogical compositions based on XRD. The mudstone lithofacies has the highest clay content and the least carbonate content. Calcareous siltstones show moderate carbonate and clay content. Silty carbonate indicates the highest carbonate content with the least clay content. In an order of mudstone, calcareous siltstone, and silty carbonate, rebound hardness and Young’s modulus show an increasing trend. As a result of rock-fluid interactions, there are potential scaling reactions during completion and production that could ultimately affect permeability and production rates. Overall, the proposed multiscale integration approach is critical for the geologic characterization of most rocks. However, in shale reservoirs dominated by microporosity and microstructure where engineered fractures are expected to provide permeability at a reservoir scale, successful integration is essential. An optimized, integrated geological characterization of the Caney Shale that is well aligned with the engineering designs in drilling, completing, and producing wellbores will ultimately lead to optimal production while providing safe and environmentally responsible operations.

Wang, Yulun↗

AI‐Driven Defect Engineering for Advanced Thermoelectric Materials

Thermoelectric materials offer a promising pathway to directly convert waste heat to electricity. However, achieving high performance remains challenging due to intrinsic trade-offs between electrical conductivity, the Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity, which are further complicated by the presence of defects. This review explores how artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are transforming thermoelectric materials design. Advanced ML approaches including deep neural networks, graph-based models, and transformer architectures, integrated with high-throughput simulations and growing databases, effectively capture structure-property relationships in a complex multiscale defect space and overcome the “curse of dimensionality”. This review discusses AI-enhanced defect engineering strategies such as composition optimization, entropy and dislocation engineering, and grain boundary design, along with emerging inverse design techniques for generating materials with targeted properties. Finally, it outlines future opportunities in novel physics mechanisms and sustainability, highlighting the critical role of AI in accelerating the discovery of thermoelectric materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Featureless adaptive optimization accelerates functional electronic materials design

Electronic materials that exhibit phase transitions between metastable states (e.g., metal-insulator transition materials with abrupt electrical resistivity transformations) are challenging to decode. For these materials, conventional machine learning methods display limited predictive capability due to data scarcity and the absence of features that impede model training. In this article, we demonstrate a discovery strategy based on multi-objective Bayesian optimization to directly circumvent these bottlenecks by utilizing latent variable Gaussian processes combined with high-fidelity electronic structure calculations for validation in the chalcogenide lacunar spinel family. We directly and simultaneously learn phase stability and bandgap tunability from chemical composition alone to efficiently discover all superior compositions on the design Pareto front. Previously unidentified electronic transitions also emerge from our featureless adaptive optimization engine. Our methodology readily generalizes to optimization of multiple properties, enabling co-design of complex multifunctional materials, especially where prior data is sparse.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗