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At least 937 records · Page 52

Vehicle Technologies Program Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) Report for Fiscal Year 2015

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) invests in research, development, demonstration, and deployment of advanced vehicle technologies under a diverse set of technology programs. This report provides estimates of the benefits that would accrue from successfully developing and deploying these technologies relative to a “Base case” that represents a future in which there is no VTO-supported vehicle technology development. This was done by estimating fuel use, primary energy use, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, including energy and GHG emissions from fuel production for the Base case and the program “Target” case. The Target case represented the future with completely successful deployment of VTO technologies. Market penetrations of different vehicle types with and without VTO technologies were projected using market share models, and a stock and energy accounting model was used to make projections of energy consumption and GHG emissions for the Base and Target cases. The differences between the Base case and the Target case were attributed to VTO technologies. Improvements in fuel economy of various vehicle types and the resulting fuel savings by the on-road vehicle stock were attributed to individual VTO technology areas, which included batteries and electric drives, advanced combustion engines, fuels and lubricants, materials (i.e., reducing vehicle mass, also called “lightweighting”), and for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, reduction in rolling and aerodynamic resistance.

Stephens, T. S.↗

Roadmap to MaRIE January 2015

After the decision to end nuclear testing and the inception of the Stockpile Stewardship program, the condition of the stockpile was the primary mission driver. During the first two decades of stewardship, the primary program goal could be described as underwriting the Stockpile-to-Target Sequence (STS), the military requirements on the conditions the nuclear warheads needed to survive and still operate.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

RISMC Advanced Safety Analysis Project Plan – FY 2015 - FY 2019

In this report, a project plan is developed, focused on industry applications, using Risk-Informed Safety Margin Characterization (RISMC) tools and methods applied to realistic, relevant, and current interest issues to the operating nuclear fleet. RISMC focuses on modernization of nuclear power safety analysis (tools, methods and data); implementing state-of-the-art modeling techniques (which include, for example, enabling incorporation of more detailed physics as they become available); taking advantage of modern computing hardware; and combining probabilistic and mechanistic analyses to enable a risk informed safety analysis process. The modernized tools will maintain the current high level of safety in our nuclear power plant fleet, while providing an improved understanding of safety margins and the critical parameters that affect them. Thus, the set of tools will provide information to inform decisions on plant modifications, refurbishments, and surveillance programs, while improving economics. This set of tools will also benefit the design of new reactors, enhancing safety per unit cost of a nuclear plant. The proposed plan will focus on application of the RISMC toolkit, in particular, solving realistic problems of important current issues to the nuclear industry, in collaboration with plant owners and operators to demonstrate the usefulness of these tools in decision making.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Preparations for p-Au run in 2015

The p-Au particle collision is a unique category of collision runs. This is resulted from the different charge mass ratio of the proton and fully stripped Au ion (1 vs.79/197). The p-Au run requires a special acceleration ramp, and movement of a number of beam components as required by the beam trajectories. The DX magnets will be moved for the first time in the history of RHIC. In this note, the planning and preparations for p-Au run will be presented.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Solvent Hold Tank Sample Results for MCU-15-129-130-131: January 2015 Monthly Sample

SRNL received one set of Solvent Hold Tank (SHT) samples (MCU-15-129, MCU-15-130, and MCU-15-131), pulled on 01/25/2015 for analysis. The samples were combined and analyzed for composition. Analysis of the composite sample MCU-15-129-130-131 indicated low concentrations of the suppressor (TiDG), of the extractant (MaxCalix), and of the modifier (CS-7SB) in the solvent relative to their nominal values. This analysis confirms a downward trend of these components. No impurities were found in this solvent. The laboratory will continue to monitor the quality of the solvent in particular for any new impurity or degradation of the solvent components.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Final Scientific/Technical Report – March 2015

The Center for Interface Science: Solar Electric Materials (CISSEM) was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences (BES) from August 1, 2009 – December 31, 2014 under Award Number DE-SC0001084, as part of a broad set of Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRCs) designed to underpin the development of economical energy conversion platforms for the 21st century. CISSEM successfully integrated the research groups of 19 principal investigators at The University of Arizona (the lead institution), the Georgia Institute of Technology, Princeton University, the University of Washington, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) into a coordinated and synergistic program, while also building a highly productive collaboration with the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. Our mission was to advance the understanding of interface science underlying solar energy conversion technologies based on organic and organic-inorganic hybrid materials – specifically in organic photovoltaic solar cells (OPVs); and to inspire, recruit and train future scientists and leaders in the basic science of solar electric energy conversion. CISSEM researchers focused on establishing a foundational understanding of the electronic properties of interfaces in area-scalable, thin-film photovoltaic platforms. Metal oxide interlayers used in OPVs to improve the efficiency of charge harvesting at electrodes was our central focus. A key feature of CISSEM research has been our ability to develop a comprehensive understanding of interfaces and interfacial processes at the atomic and molecular scales. This is a scientific foundation for thin-film photovoltaic technologies and our nation’s pursuit of lowering the costs of transforming the sun’s energy into electricity. Our efforts combined: i) theoretical modeling; ii) new materials development; iii) developing new measurement science approaches to characterize composition, molecular and supramolecular structure, band edge energies, electrical properties, and charge harvesting or injection; and iv) integrating our use-inspired new materials and enhanced knowledge of interfaces and interfacial processes into OPV platforms. The strengths of the characterization methodologies developed in CISSEM were recognized within the EFRC network, and were a major component of our interactions with other DOE-funded programs including EFRCs. CISSEM research has resulted in a legacy of 120+ peer-reviewed publications describing our basic science. Much of this highly collaborative research will now be built upon at CISSEM member institutions, with other extramural funding sources. Furthermore, the state-of-the-art facilities and expertise created for modern interface science, especially as they pertain to energy conversion and energy storage challenges, will ensure their broadest continued impact. DOE EFRC funding has positively impacted and enhanced the training and development of more than 140 graduate students, postdoctoral researchers and research scientists at the five CISSEM institutions, and students from three Colorado universities associated with NREL. Our legacy also includes these student, postdoctoral researcher and scientist alumni who have taken positions of impact and responsibility in technology industries, government agencies and academia in the U.S., Asia and Europe.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Sandia_HighTemperatureComponentEvaluation_2015

The objective of this project is to perform independent evaluation of high temperature components to determine their suitability for use in high temperature geothermal tools. Development of high temperature components has been increasing rapidly due to demand from the high temperature oil and gas exploration and aerospace industries. Many of these new components are at the late prototype or first production stage of development and could benefit from third party evaluation of functionality and lifetime at elevated temperatures. In addition to independent testing of new components, this project recognizes that there is a paucity of commercial-off-the-shelf COTS components rated for geothermal temperatures. As such, high-temperature circuit designers often must dedicate considerable time and resources to determine if a component exists that they may be able to knead performance out of to meet their requirements. This project aids tool developers by characterization of select COTS component performances beyond published temperature specifications. The process for selecting components includes public announcements of project intent (e.g., FedBizOps), direct discussions with candidate manufacturers,and coordination with other DOE funded programs.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Roadmap to MaRIE March 2015

Los Alamos National Laboratory’s proposed MaRIE facility is slated to introduce the world’s highest energy hard x-ray free electron laser (XFEL). As the light source for the Matter-Radiation Interactions in Extremes experimental facility (MaRIE), the 42-keV XFEL, with bursts of x-ray pulses at gigahertz repetition for studying fast dynamical processes, will help accelerate discovery and design of the advanced materials needed to meet 21st-century national security and energy security challenges. Yet the science of free-electron lasers has a long and distinguished history at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), where for nearly four decades Los Alamos scientists have been performing research, design, development, and collaboration work in FEL science. The work at Los Alamos has evolved from low-gain amplifier and oscillator FEL development to highbrightness photoinjector development, and later, self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE) and high-gain amplifier FEL development.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Los Alamos National Laboratory RD 2015 Profile

A vital, multidisciplinary national security science laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory applies science and technology to help solve the nation’s toughest challenges. Outstanding science is the foundation for the past, present, and future. A rich variety of research programs directly and indirectly support the Laboratory’s basic mission: to ensure the safety, security, and reliability of the nation’s nuclear deterrent; reduce global threats; and solve emerging national security energy challenges. The Laboratory also works on nuclear nonproliferation and border security, energy and infrastructure security, and measures to counter nuclear and biological terrorist threats.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

2015 Geothermal Technologies Office Peer Review Summary: Energetic Materials for EGS Well Stimulation

The development of enhanced or engineered geothermal systems (EGS), by definition, includes an engineered approach to reservoir stimulation. EGS require an effective method of generating a high surface area network of fractures, or the stimulation of existing fractures, in a formation in order to increase permeability/heat-transfer. The most accepted methodologies include hydraulic fracturing and chemical stimulation. Alternative methods employing energetic materials have been employed for reservoir stimulation. For oil & gas reservoirs, this has been accomplished in the past with solid propellant gas generators and high explosives but the pressurization rate and final pressure cannot be controlled or easily adjusted in the field. Our program is investigating controlled and tailored rapid gas generation from solid, liquid and gaseous energetic formulations to operate in the chasm between conventional propellants and solid high explosives. This distinct solid, liquid and gas phase energetic materials approach has specific attributes and that could be used synergistically or individually to enhance a specific formation. This may prove to enhance the viability of using geothermal resources for power production. By employing optimized energetic materials we can tailor burn rates above propellant burn rates to optimize the gas generation rate without entering the excessive realm of the high pressures generated by high explosives. Gas phase energetic materials offer a unique method of tailoring reaction rate and final pressure. Again, rapid pressurization at rates, far exceeding quasi-static conventional hydraulic rates, can generate multiple radial wellbore fractures and potentially provide a mechanism to induce shear destabilization within the formation that enables the fractures to be self-propping. Multiple fractures from the wellbore allow efficient coupling to the existing formation fracture network. Furthermore, these techniques allow for repeated stimulations allowing fractures to be extended further. Controlled rate pressurization is a useful tool for the efficient implementation of EGS. This multi-phase approach to fracturing can eliminate the need for massive pumping equipment and the water required with conventional hydraulic fracturing methods. Additionally these methods use “green” materials with negligible environmental impact. These methods promise to be more economical than conventional stimulation techniques. Our objective is to develop a family of ideal candidate energetic systems for optimally stimulating a formation.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Responder Technology Alert Monthly (January 2015)

As part of technology foraging for the Responder Technology Alliance, established by the Department of Homeland Science and Technologies First Responders Group, this report summarizes technologies that are relevant in the area of “wearables,” with the potential for use by first responders. The content was collected over the previous month(s) and reproduced from a general Internet search using the term wearables. Additional information is available at the websites provided. This report is not meant to be an exhaustive list nor an endorsement of any technology described herein. Rather, it is meant to provide useful information about current developments in the areas wearable technology.

96 KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND PRESERVATION↗