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DOE OSTI2017

Real-Time Sensing of Single-Ligand Delivery with Nanoaperture-Integrated Microfluidic Devices

The measurement of biological events on the surface of live cells at the single-molecule level is complicated by several factors including high protein densities that are incompatible with single-molecule imaging, cellular autofluorescence, and protein mobility on the cell surface. Here, we fabricated a device composed of an array of nanoscale apertures coupled with a microfluidic delivery system to quantify single-ligand interactions with proteins on the cell surface. We cultured live cells directly on the device and isolated individual epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs) in the apertures while delivering fluorescently labeled epidermal growth factor. We observed single ligands binding to EGFRs, allowing us to quantify the ligand turnover in real time. These results demonstrate that this nanoaperture-coupled microfluidic device allows for the spatial isolation of individual membrane proteins while maintaining them in their cellular environment, providing the capability to monitor single-ligand binding events while maintaining receptors in their physiological environment. Lastly, these methods should be applicable to a wide range of membrane proteins.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2024

National User Resource for Biological Accelerator Mass Spectrometry

The National User Resource for Biological Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (User Resource) will provide isotopic analysis (primarily radiocarbon or 14C) by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) for NIH- funded researchers across the United States and will be the only User Resource of its type in the United States. The User Resource will provide measurement capability and expertise to a research community that requires highly sensitive, quantitative isotope analyses. Since commissioning a new accelerator mass spectrometer in June 2014, we have measured over 4000 samples a year for collaborators and service users. The User Resource will enable us to continue to meet these research needs, as well as provide for new users whose research programs would benefit from AMS as a measurement tool. The User Resource’s forte will be ultra-high sensitivity quantitation of radiocarbon and selected other radioisotopes for research studies where isotopes are required. Radioisotope labeling studies have been and will continue to be an important tool for addressing many complex biomedical science problems. AMS is a specialized and unique type of mass spectrometry that provides absolute quantitation of radiocarbon and other relevant radioisotopes with extreme sensitivity, having limits of detection in real samples on the order of a few attomol/mg of sample at measurement precisions of ~3%. It is the only instrumental method capable of quantifying radioisotope-labeled agents routinely in real-world samples with such precision and sensitivity. The sensitivity of AMS allows for the quantification of radiolabeled metabolites in extremely complex matrices of cells and organisms at very low concentrations and in small samples. AMS allows studies to be conducted without perturbing metabolism leading to more relevant quantification of metabolic rates and pathways. In addition, it enables quantification of pharmacokinetic and metabolic properties of toxicants at environmentally relevant concentrations in model systems as well as the ability to quantify pharmacokinetics and other molecular endpoints directly in humans. Such quantitative assessments can 1) improve risk assessment for toxicants, 2) address safety and efficacy considerations for therapeutic entities, 3) deepen understanding of xenobiotic and intermediary metabolism, 4) help understand the interactions between critical molecular pathways, and 5) improve efforts to model and predict various metabolic and biological states. These capabilities have been applied in a number of areas including research in carcinogenesis, toxicology, nutrition, pharmacology/drug development and basic biological science. As a NIGMS National Resource the National User Resource for Biological Accelerator Mass Spectrometry will help NIH funded scientists achieve a deeper understanding of the etiology of human health concerns by (1) enabling the quantification of pharmacokinetics and other molecular endpoints directly in humans; (2) offering the ability to conduct quantitative studies using biologics such as proteins or lipids, and thereby reducing the amount of radioisotope usage in biomedical labs; and (3) enabling more relevant studies of metabolic pathways in health and disease through the use of much lower, more biologically-relevant, concentrations of metabolic substrates in cells and intact organisms. Such studies support NIGMS’s basic biomedical research areas that contribute to the understanding of fundamental cellular and physiological principles and enable research supported by the Biophysics, Biomedical Technology, and Computational Biosciences (BBCB); Genetics and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (GMCDB); Pharmacology, Physiology, Biological Chemistry (PPBC) and Training, Workforce Development, and Diversity (TWD) Divisions.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2025

National User Resource for Biological Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (Final Report)

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

DOE OSTI2017

Field characterization of the PM 2:5 Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor: insights into the composition, sources, and processes of fine particles in eastern China

A PM 2.5 -capable aerosol chemical speciation monitor (Q-ACSM) was deployed in urban Nanjing, China, for the first time to measure in situ non-refractory fine particle (NR-PM 2.5 ) composition from 20 October to 19 November 2015, along with parallel measurements of submicron aerosol (PM 1 ) species by a standard Q-ACSM. Our results show that the NR-PM 2.5 species (organics, sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium) measured by the PM 2.5 -Q-ACSM are highly correlated ( r 2 > 0.9) with those measured by a Sunset Lab OC / EC analyzer and a Monitor for AeRosols and GAses (MARGA). The comparisons between the two Q-ACSMs illustrated similar temporal variations in all NR species between PM 1 and PM 2.5 , yet substantial mass fractions of aerosol species were observed in the size range of 1–2.5 µm. On average, NR-PM 1-2.5 contributed 53 % of the total NR-PM 2.5 , with sulfate and secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) being the two largest contributors (26 and 27 %, respectively). Positive matrix factorization of organic aerosol showed similar temporal variations in both primary and secondary OAs between PM 1 and PM 2.5 , although the mass spectra were slightly different due to more thermal decomposition on the capture vaporizer of the PM 2.5 -Q-ACSM. We observed an enhancement of SOA under high relative humidity conditions, which is associated with simultaneous increases in aerosol pH, gas-phase species (NO 2 , SO 2 , and NH 3 ) concentrations and aerosol water content driven by secondary inorganic aerosols. These results likely indicate an enhanced reactive uptake of SOA precursors upon aqueous particles. Therefore, reducing anthropogenic NO x , SO 2 , and NH 3 emissions might not only reduce secondary inorganic aerosols but also the SOA burden during haze episodes in China.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

NASA NTRS1995

FTIR instrumentation to monitor vapors from Shuttle tile waterproofing materials

The Space Shuttle Thermal Protection System (TPS) tiles and blankets are waterproofed using DimethylEthoxySilane (DMEX) in the Orbiter Processing Facilities (OPF). DMES has a Threshold Limit Value (TLV) for exposure of personnel to vapor concentration in air of 0.5 ppm. The OPF high bay cannot be opened for normal work after a waterproofing operation until the DMES concentration is verified by measurement to be below the TLV. On several occasions the high bay has been kept closed for up to 8 hours following waterproofing operations due to high DMES measurements. In addition, the Miran 203 and Miran 1 BX infrared analyzers calibrated at different wavelengths gave different readings under the same conditions. There was reason to believe that some of the high DMES concentration readings were caused by interference form water and ethanol vapors. The Toxic Vapor Detection Laboratory (TVDL) was asked to test the existing DMES instruments and identify the best qualified instrument. In addition the TVDL was requested to develop instrumentation to ensure the OPF high bay could be opened safely as soon as possible after a waterproofing operation. A Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer instrument developed for an earlier project was reprogrammed to measure DMES vapor along with ethanol, water, and several common solvent vapors. The FTIR was then used to perform a series of laboratory and field tests to evaluate the performance of the single wavelength IR instruments in use. The results demonstrated that the single wavelength IR instruments did respond to ethanol and water vapors, more or less depending on the analytical IR wavelength selected. The FTIR was able to separate the responses to DMES, water and ethanol, and give consistent readings for the DMES vapor concentration. The FTIR was then deployed to the OPF to monitor real waterproofing operations. The FTIR was also used to measure the time for DMES to evaporate from TPS tile under a range of humidity conditions in controlled laboratory tests. The combination of laboratory and field tests with the FTIR instrument demonstrated superior sensitivity, ability to reject interference from water and ethanol vapors, ruggedness to be transported from the lab to the OPF and set up without special procedures or degradation of performance. The multiple component vapor analysis algorithm was developed at KSC and incorporates automatic baseline correction and shape fitting of the spectra. The analysis for DMES, TetraMethylDiSiloxane (TMDS), ethanol, methanol, isopropanol, and baseline parameters uses 161 points per sample at 4 cm(exp -1) resolution, and processes an eight scan sample every ten seconds. The standard deviation of the measurements is 0.013 ppm and the upper linear limit is 125 ppm DMES. Based on successful demonstration of capabilities we produced three mobile instrument carts to be used in each OPF to support future waterproofing operations. The design and building of the 'DMES Carts' were accomplished in Fiscal year 1995.

Mattson, C. B.↗

NASA NTRS1998

BioSIGHT: Interactive Visualization Modules for Science Education

Redefining science education to harness emerging integrated media technologies with innovative pedagogical goals represents a unique challenge. The Integrated Media Systems Center (IMSC) is the only engineering research center in the area of multimedia and creative technologies sponsored by the National Science Foundation. The research program at IMSC is focused on developing advanced technologies that address human-computer interfaces, database management, and high-speed network capabilities. The BioSIGHT project at is a demonstration technology project in the area of education that seeks to address how such emerging multimedia technologies can make an impact on science education. The scope of this project will help solidify NASA's commitment for the development of innovative educational resources that promotes science literacy for our students and the general population as well. These issues must be addressed as NASA marches toward the goal of enabling human space exploration that requires an understanding of life sciences in space. The IMSC BioSIGHT lab was established with the purpose of developing a novel methodology that will map a high school biology curriculum into a series of interactive visualization modules that can be easily incorporated into a space biology curriculum. Fundamental concepts in general biology must be mastered in order to allow a better understanding and application for space biology. Interactive visualization is a powerful component that can capture the students' imagination, facilitate their assimilation of complex ideas, and help them develop integrated views of biology. These modules will augment the role of the teacher and will establish the value of student-centered interactivity, both in an individual setting as well as in a collaborative learning environment. Students will be able to interact with the content material, explore new challenges, and perform virtual laboratory simulations. The BioSIGHT effort is truly cross-disciplinary in nature and requires expertise from many areas including Biology, Computer Science Electrical Engineering, Education, and the Cognitive Sciences. The BioSIGHT team includes a scientific illustrator, educational software designer, computer programmers as well as IMSC graduate and undergraduate students.

Wong, Wee Ling↗

DOE OSTI2018

Demonstration of LOTUS multiphysics BEPU analysis framework for LB-LOCA simulations

The LOCA Toolkit for U.S. light water reactors (LOTUS) currently under development at Idaho National Labs (INL) is a plug and play, multiphysics environment to be used in support of system level plant transient analysis. New proposed rule changes in LOCA safety regulations (10 CFR 50.46c) require the inclusion of cladding hydrogen content in the evaluation of equivalent cladding reacted (ECR) and peak cladding temperature (PCT). The potential for a future implementation of said rule change motivates the current development of a unique union of core design, system analysis, and fuel performance codes within a framework allowing for uncertainty quantification (UQ). A demonstration of LOTUS capabilities to address this potential need is performed with an integration of the core design code PHISICS, the fuel performance code FRAPCON, and the system analysis code RELAP5-3D. UQ is performed via Wilks’ method to compute the one sided 95/95 confidence values of the aforementioned safety metrics. Results demonstrate the benefits of the Multiphysics Best Estimate Plus Uncertainty (MP-BEPU) methodology and provide useful visualization of the limiting cases.

10CFR50.46c↗

NASA NTRS1992

An 8-DOF dual-arm system for advanced teleoperation performance experiments

This paper describes the electro-mechanical and control features of an 8-DOF manipulator manufactured by AAI Corporation and installed at the Jet Propulsion Lab. (JPL) in a dual-arm setting. The 8-DOF arm incorporates a variety of features not found in other lab or industrial manipulators. Some of the unique features are: 8-DOF revolute configuration with no lateral offsets at joint axes; 1 to 5 payload to weight ratio with 20 kg (44 lb) payload at a 1.75 m (68.5 in.) reach; joint position measurement with dual relative encoders and potentiometer; infinite roll of joint 8 with electrical and fiber optic slip rings; internal fiber optic link of 'smart' end effectors; four-axis wrist; graphite epoxy links; high link and joint stiffness; use of an upgraded JPL Universal Motor Controller (UMC) capable of driving up to 16 joints. The 8-DOF arm is equipped with a 'smart' end effector which incorporates a 6-DOF forcemoment sensor at the end effector base and grasp force sensors at the base of the parallel jaws. The 8-DOF arm is interfaced to a 6 DOF force reflecting hand controller. The same system is duplicated for and installed at NASA-Langley.

Bejczy, Antal K.↗

NASA NTRS1998

BioSIGHT: Interactive Visualization Modules for Science Education

Redefining science education to harness emerging integrated media technologies with innovative pedagogical goals represents a unique challenge. The Integrated Media Systems Center (IMSC) is the only engineering research center in the area of multimedia and creative technologies sponsored by the National Science Foundation. The research program at IMSC is focused on developing advanced technologies that address human-computer interfaces, database management, and high- speed network capabilities. The BioSIGHT project at IMSC is a demonstration technology project in the area of education that seeks to address how such emerging multimedia technologies can make an impact on science education. The scope of this project will help solidify NASA's commitment for the development of innovative educational resources that promotes science literacy for our students and the general population as well. These issues must be addressed as NASA marches towards the goal of enabling human space exploration that requires an understanding of life sciences in space. The IMSC BioSIGHT lab was established with the purpose of developing a novel methodology that will map a high school biology curriculum into a series of interactive visualization modules that can be easily incorporated into a space biology curriculum. Fundamental concepts in general biology must be mastered in order to allow a better understanding and application for space biology. Interactive visualization is a powerful component that can capture the students' imagination, facilitate their assimilation of complex ideas, and help them develop integrated views of biology. These modules will augment the role of the teacher and will establish the value of student-centered interactivity, both in an individual setting as well as in a collaborative learning environment. Students will be able to interact with the content material, explore new challenges, and perform virtual laboratory simulations. The BioSIGHT effort is truly cross-disciplinary in nature and requires expertise from many areas including Biology, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Education, and the Cognitive Sciences. The BioSIGHT team includes a scientific illustrator, educational software designer, computer programmers as well as IMSC graduate and undergraduate students. Our collaborators include TERC, a research and education organization with extensive k-12 math and science curricula development from Cambridge, MA.; SRI International of Menlo Park, CA.; teachers and students from local area high schools (Newbury Park High School, USC's Family of Five schools, Chadwick School, and Pasadena Polytechnic High School).

Wong, Wee Ling↗

NASA NTRS2014

Synthetic Biology and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life

Are we alone? is one of the primary questions of astrobiology, and whose answer defines our significance in the universe. Unfortunately, this quest is hindered by the fact that we have only one confirmed example of life, that of earth. While this is enormously helpful in helping to define the minimum envelope for life, it strains credulity to imagine that life, if it arose multiple times, has not taken other routes. To help fill this gap, our lab has begun using synthetic biology, the design and construction of new biological parts and systems and the redesign of existing ones for useful purposes, as an enabling technology. One theme, the Hell Cell project, focuses on creating artificial extremophiles in order to push the limits for Earth life, and to understand how difficult it is for life to evolve into extreme niches (http:2012.igem.orgTeam:Stanford-BrownHellCellIntroduction). In another project, we are re-evolving biotic functions using only the most thermodynamically stable amino acids in order to understand potential capabilities of an early organism with a limited repertoire of amino acids. This should lead to a more universal theory of the origin of life based on materials found commonly in meteorites and other pre-biotic settings.

Hell Cell↗

DOE OSTI2023

A cryogenically cooled 200 kV DC photoemission electron gun for ultralow emittance photocathodes

Novel photocathode materials like ordered surfaces of single crystal metals, epitaxially grown high quantum efficiency thin films, and topologically non-trivial materials with dirac cones show great promise for generating brighter electron beams for various accelerator and ultrafast electron scattering applications. Despite several materials being identified as brighter photocathodes, none of them have been tested in electron guns to extract electron beams due to technical and logistical challenges. In this paper, we present the design and commissioning of a cryocooled 200 kV DC electron gun that is capable of testing a wide variety of novel photocathode materials over a broad range of temperatures from 298 to 35 K for bright electron beam generation. This gun is designed to enable easy transfer of the photocathode to various standard ultra-high-vacuum surface diagnostics and preparation techniques, allowing a full characterization of the dependence of beam brightness on the photocathode material and surface properties. We demonstrate the development of such a high-voltage, high-gradient gun using materials and equipment that are easily available in any standard university lab, making the development of such 200 kV electron guns more accessible.

Instruments & Instrumentation↗

DOE OSTI2026

Cold compressor performance and energy consumption improvements at Jefferson Lab’s Central Helium Liquefiers

Abstract Jefferson Lab operates two central helium liquefiers (CHLs) which both utilize full cold compression from the saturation pressure at operating temperature (approximately 2.1 K) to just over atmospheric pressure. The original plant, CHL1, was recently outfitted with a replacement subatmospheric cold box (SC1R) containing state-of-the-art cold compressor technology, while the newer plant, CHL2, uses an older cold compressor system. In both cases, the heat of compression is absorbed at low temperature at the expense of electrical power consumed by the warm compressors. Due to the superior efficiency and turndown capabilities of SC1R, a new operating mode has been identified for CHL1 in which the required number of operating warm compressors is reduced by one. A cost-based method for optimizing cold compressor stability and efficiency has been developed and applied to CHL2, improving its turndown and lowering the warm compressor discharge pressure. As a result of these efforts, power consumption of the combined CHLs during normal operations has been reduced by nearly 10%, or a total of 650 kW. The observed performance of CHL1 with SC1R, as well as the cold compressor optimization method, leading to this improved energy consumption rate will be discussed in detail.

Mastracci, B [Thomas Jefferson National Accelerato↗

DOE OSTI2021

Request for Proposal: MSI Workforce Program Funding Opportunity

Los Alamos National Laboratory is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. The Laboratory strives to enhance national security and make the world safer through research and advances in innovative science and technology. The Lab inspires the talent of its workforce and the region to solve problems related to defense, energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns. LANL currently employs 11,700 and anticipates hiring 1000 plus people this year. The LANL mission is critical to meeting military requirements to ensure the U.S. nuclear deterrent is modern, responsive, and resilient. LANL is designated by NNSA as the nation’s Plutonium Center of Excellence. LANL has an experienced and skilled workforce, high-hazard nuclear facilities and associated infrastructure, and unique plutonium processing, fabrication, and experimental capabilities.

96 KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND PRESERVATION↗

NASA NTRS1989

The 3D model control of image processing

Telerobotics studies remote control of distant robots by a human operator using supervisory or direct control. Even if the robot manipulators has vision or other senses, problems arise involving control, communications, and delay. The communication delays that may be expected with telerobots working in space stations while being controlled from an Earth lab have led to a number of experiments attempting to circumvent the problem. This delay in communication is a main motivating factor in moving from well understood instantaneous hands-on manual control to less well understood supervisory control; the ultimate step would be the realization of a fully autonomous robot. The 3-D model control plays a crucial role in resolving many conflicting image processing problems that are inherent in resolving in the bottom-up approach of most current machine vision processes. The 3-D model control approach is also capable of providing the necessary visual feedback information for both the control algorithms and for the human operator.

Nguyen, An H.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Thermal Analysis for Orbiter and ISS Plume Impingement on International Space Station

The NASA Reaction Control System (RCS) Plume Model (RPM) is an exhaust plume flow field and impingement heating code that has been updated and applied to components of the International Space Station (ISS). The objective of this study was to use this code to determine if plume environments from either Orbiter PRCS jets or ISS reboost and Attitude Control System (ACS) jets cause thermal issues on ISS component surfaces. This impingement analysis becomes increasingly important as the ISS is being assembled with its first permanent crew scheduled to arrive by the end of fall 2000. By early summer 2001 , the ISS will have a number of major components installed such as the Unity (Node 1), Destiny (Lab Module), Zarya (Functional Cargo Block), and Zvezda (Service Module) along with the P6 solar arrays and radiators and the Z-1 truss. Plume heating to these components has been analyzed with the RPM code as well as additional components for missions beyond Flight 6A such as the Propulsion Module (PM), Mobile Servicing System, Space Station Remote Manipulator System, Node 2, and the Cupola. For the past several years NASA/JSC has been developing the methodology to predict plume heating on ISS components. The RPM code is a modified source flow code with capabilities for scarfed nozzles and intersecting plumes that was developed for the 44 Orbiter RCS jets. This code has been validated by comparison with Shuttle Plume Impingement Flight Experiment (SPIFEX) heat flux and pressure data and with CFD and Method of Characteristics solutions. Previous analyses of plume heating predictions to the ISS using RPM have been reported, but did not consider thermal analysis for the components nor jet-firing histories as the Orbiter approaches the ISS docking ports. The RPM code has since been modified to analyze surface temperatures with a lumped mass approach and also uses jet-firing histories to produce pulsed heating rates. In addition, RPM was modified to include plume heating from ISS jets to ISS components where the jet coordinates are specified, together with the engine cant angle. These latter studies have been focused on the PM with plumes from its reboost and ACS jets impinging on various ISS components and also focused on the Japanese H2 Transfer Vehicle (HTV) with the plumes from its reboost engines impinging on the Cupola window. This paper will present plume heating and surface temperature results on a number of ISS components with and without jet-firing histories, evaluate post-flight data, and describe any potential thermal issues

Rochelle, William C.↗

DOE OSTI2019

Embedded Optical Sensing Systems For Distribution Transformer Monitoring

Traditional utility monitoring systems do not provide real-time visibility into the condition of transformers or accurate performance measurements. This has resulted in the use of lagging indicators, such as oil sample analysis, typically requiring expensive field visits, grid outages, and laboratory sample testing. This presentation reviews the use of optical sensing systems for managing transformers and improving grid resiliency and safety. The sensing systems allow direct internal monitoring of critical transformer components. Versatility covering different monitoring parameters of interest in embedded configurations for new transformers and a retrofittable configuration for older transformers is achieved by applying hair-thin multiplexed fiber-optic and other low-profile optical sensors in combination with a high-resolution optical readout and advanced analytics. Under an initiative funded by the DOE Office of Electricity, PARC, GE and Con Edison built, tested, and qualified commercial network transformers with embedded optical sensing systems. The parameters monitored were validated across a range of scenarios with lab instruments typically used for qualification testing. An ongoing field trial to demonstrate the robustness of the technology for remote monitoring through the industrial internet under demanding grid deployment conditions in New York City is showing promise toward scale-up of the technology. This presentation will provide an overview of the typical pain points in managing transformers and parameters for monitoring. It will also cover the requirements for highly constrained installations that need to have a larger capacity and flexible rating but that must fit into a tight space. The unique capabilities of optical sensing systems and a low-cost approach to interpreting the signals from sensors in transformers for predictive maintenance will be covered. The presentation will discuss the compatibility of the sensors in the transformer environment. It will discuss the validation testing per IEEE standards that enabled the solution to be implemented in field-deployable commercial transformers. The initial results from the field deployment and the potential for the technology to provide systematic alerts for unsafe/unexpected events will be discussed. The technology could enable utility professionals to gain information they can use to better plan for maintenance/management, and improve grid performance. This would in turn accommodate DERs and other evolving grid market dynamics.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2015

Hard disk drive based microsecond x-ray chopper for characterization of ionization chambers and photodiodes

A fast X-ray chopper capable of producing ms long X-ray pulses with a typical rise time of few μs was realized. It is ideally suited to investigate the temporal response of X-ray detectors with response times of the order of μs to ms, in particular, any kind of ionization chambers and large area photo diodes. The drive mechanism consists of a brushless DC motor and driver electronics from a common hard disk drive, keeping the cost at an absolute minimum. Due to its simple construction and small dimensions, this chopper operates at home lab based X-ray tubes and synchrotron radiation sources as well. The dynamics of the most important detectors used in time resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy, namely, ionization chambers and Passivated Implanted Planar Silicon photodiodes, were investigated in detail. The results emphasize the applicability of this X-ray chopper.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2015

A Public-Private-Academic Partnership to Advance Solar Power Forecasting

Executive Summary NOAA is making major contributions to the solar forecasting project in three areas. First, it is improving its forecasts of solar irradiance, clouds, and aerosols in its numerical weather prediction models. Second, it is providing advanced satellite products for DOE's FOA awardees to use in their forecast systems. Third, it is using high-quality ground-based measurements from SURFRAD and ISIS stations to verify and validate forecast model output. This reports covers results from all three areas for the period May 1, 2014 - April 30, 2015. Modeling In its modeling effort, NOAA continues work to improve the skill of solar forecasts from the Earth System Research Lab (ESRL) research versions of the 13-km Rapid Refresh (RAP) and the 3-km High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) models, which are in turn transitioned into operations at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP). A major milestone was achieved in September 2014 with the initial operational implementation of the HRRR at NCEP. In the ESRL research versions of the models, testing and development, in both real-time runs and retrospective experiments, is guided by an extensive in-house verification system. Early in the SFIP project, we developed the capability to verify our model forecasts against the high-quality surface radiation measurements from the SURFRAD and ISIS networks. This highlighted some shortcomings with the RAP and HRRR forecasts of incoming shortwave radiation. Most of our effort during Phase 1 of SFIP was focused on addressing these problems with a variety of model system improvements. The RAP and HRRR models during the warm season of 2014 had a noticeable warm and dry bias in near-surface conditions over most of the central and eastern United States, and our new SURFRAD/ISIS verification revealed that there was also a large excess of incoming global horizontal irradiance in the models. We hypothesized that a lack of cloud cover (particularly low-level cloud cover) in the models was resulting in too much heating of the land surface. This, in turn, caused unrealistically strong surface heat fluxes and turbulent mixing in the planetary boundary layer (PBL), which further reduced the already deficient cloud cover. We addressed these issues with a combination of data assimilation system modifications and model physics improvements. Many of our data assimilation changes were made with a view towards improving the near-term representation of clouds and precipitation. One of these changes involved better accounting for regions of weak reflectivity in the RAP cloud / hydrometeor assimilation system, in order to improve the representation of light precipitation in the RAP initial conditions and provide more realistic initial cloud cover. Additional modifications more accurately accounted for radar beam blockage and data gaps (particularly in the western United States), which improves shorter lead times forecasts of clouds and precipitation. We have also tested the assimilation of new data sources within the RAP and the HRRR, including radar radial velocity data and surface mesonet observations. Within the HRRR, we have tested the cycling of the 3-km land surface fields to allow a higher-resolution treatment of land surface processes. In terms of model physics development for SFIP, we have implemented a shallow cumulus scheme within the RAP, and have made numerous improvements to the Mellor-Yamada-Nakanishi-Niino (MYNN) PBL scheme to address insufficient low-level cloud cover in the models. We have conducted tests incorporating the radiation effects of (parameterized) boundary-layer clouds within the modified MYNN PBL scheme (independent of the convective schemes). The Grell-Freitas-Olson shallow cumulus scheme has also been tested within the 3-km HRRR. Finally, we have also modified the RUC land surface model (LSM) treatment of the vegetation wilting point, reducing it to increase evapotranspiration and increase cloud cover in the boundary layer. All of these changes work in tandem to significantly improve the model forecasts of cloud cover, incoming shortwave radiation, and near-surface temperature and moisture. Satellite The role of NOAA/NESDIS in the Solar Forecasting Improvement Project is to provide Advanced Satellite Products (ASPs) for the two forecasting teams at NCAR and IBM. The ASPs are cloud, surface, and atmosphere products derived from geostationary satellite imagery at the highest possible spatial and temporal resolution - such quantities as cloud mask, cloud probability, cloud transmission, cloud top height, cloud top temperature, cloud effective particle size, etc. Ancillary data, such as elevation and numerical weather prediction fields are provided in the files at the same resolution as well. There are at this time 147 different variables in the ASP output, including quality flags and processing information. The main goals for Year 1 of the project were to implement an Advanced Satellite Products system for the use of the IBM and NCAR teams, begin validation, and make any needed changes based on feedback from the teams. ASP files are being produced every GOES Imager acquisition, which occur on a 15-30 minute schedule. Processing is done on a dedicated computer, with a turn-around time of 8-21 minutes from image acquisition to results available on ftp. Several helpful visualizations of the data are also created for users on web pages. Users have been provided with a document titled "User's Guide for 1km Cloud Products Derived from GOES Imager Data using CLAVR-x", which discusses the basics of the source imagery, the process by which it is turned into Advanced Satellite Products, and considerations users should make when using the data. Validation of selected variables from the older 4km version of the products was also included. Future work will concentrate on validation of the 1km products and improving the turn-around time, product variety, and product quality as needed. Ground Observations In the ground-based measurement effort, NOAA's main objectives are to provide high quality radiation products for validation and verification of short-term to day-ahead solar forecasts. More specifically for the three year project, our goals include (1) Maintaining and providing data from our 7 SURFRAD and 7 ISIS; (2) Update ISIS radiation measurements from 3 min to 1 min data: (3) Purchase and install new pyrheliometers for direct solar irradiance measurements at the 7 SURFRAD sites; (4) Building, testing, and deploying two mobile SURFRAD stations at two utility plants in collaboration with DOE sponsored partners, and includes ongoing maintenance and processing of the data at the mobile sites; (5) Upgrading the data acquisition and communications at 7 SURFRAD sites and 7 ISIS sites; (6) Providing radiation data at the 7 SURFRAD sites in near real-time; (7) Develop and provide aerosol optical depth and cloud images and cloud fraction at our two mobile sites; (8) Provide data recovery rates each year; (9) Provide temporally and spatially averaged radiation products for comparison to HRRR and RAP solar forecasts and advanced satellite products; (10) Provide a data-set for analysis of conversion of direct and diffuse to sloped surfaces; (11) and as time permits develop and provide spectral solar irradiance, cloud optical depth and spectral albedo from the mobile sites. Milestones this year include working with the DOE sponsored teams to find locations to deploy two mobile SURFRAD stations. One existing unit was deployed at a 30MW PV facility in the San Luis Valley in collaboration with Xcel and the NCAR team in August, 2014. The second unit was built and tested at our facilities in Boulder, CO and deployed near Green Mountain Power's Education Center in Rutland, VT in collaboration with Green Mountain Power and the IBM Team in October, 2014. Data processing was implemented and the radiation data from these two mobile sites have been made available on our ftp server in near real-time. We also are providing images and cloud fraction from the TSI cameras for these two mobile sites on our ftp site. Another milestone was upgrading our data acquisition and communication systems at 7 SURFRAD and 7 ISIS sites. We accelerated our schedule for these upgrades to provide timely radiation products. These upgrades allow more reliable and near-real time radiation data delivery to the DOE sponsored teams to meet their goals. Lastly, we changed the data rate at the ISIS sites from 3 min to 1 min.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗