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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 1,045 records · Page 58
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

Basic Research Needs Workshop on Synthesis Science for Energy Relevant Technology

The technology that lies at our fingertips becomes more powerful each day. Smartphones connect us instantly to family, friends, and co-workers around the globe; give us access to a limitless stream of information; control the heating in our homes; and serve as our cameras, calculators, flashlights, music players, boarding passes and, on occasion, our phones. Cars are ever more fuel-efficient, safer, semi-autonomous, and have more computing power than the systems that guided humankind to the moon. LED lighting and solar panels are becoming commonplace, replacing less efficient technologies and expanding the energy options available worldwide. Novel polymers and nanoparticles are playing a crucial role in enhanced oil recovery. None of these advances would have been possible without the discovery and development of, and ability to create, new materials and chemical processes. Now imagine what our world would be like if we could accelerate those discoveries a thousandfold. What if the only limit to synthesizing new forms of matter were the imagination? We could build complex assemblies of atoms and molecules with architectures and capabilities far exceeding those of materials found in nature—for example, develop catalysts that turn garbage into fuels, design solar cells to power our homes directly from sunlight, make batteries with the energy density of gasoline, and create one- and two-dimensional solids that transport charge hundreds of times faster than silicon or allow us to build quantum bits based on the spins of electrons or photons to realize the promise of “beyond Moore’s law” computing. Advances in synthesis science are required to bring about this future—we not only must know how to design new molecules and materials with desired functions and properties through theory and computational techniques; we also must be able to make the materials we envision. New approaches to discovering as yet unimagined matter require a sea change in the way we think about the science of synthesis. Chemical and materials sciences have traditionally focused on understanding structure–function relationships with the goal of predicting where the atoms should be placed to achieve a targeted property or process. Much less effort has been directed toward a predictive science of synthesis—understanding how to get the atoms where they need to go to achieve the desired structure. This report, which is the result of the Basic Energy Sciences Workshop on Basic Research Needs for Synthesis Science for Energy Technologies, lays out the scientific challenges and opportunities in synthesis science. The workshop was attended by more than 100 leading national and international scientific experts. Its five topical and two crosscutting panels identified four priority research directions (PRDs) for realizing the vision of predictive, science-directed synthesis.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Operationally-Relevant Cyber Situational Awareness Tool Development.

Research was undertaken to gain an understanding of the interplay between cyber security professionals and the software tools utilized in performing their jobs. Substantial investments are devoted to purchasing and developing software tools targeting cyber security operations. However, development is largely based on anecdotal knowledge concerning the work processes, cognitive demands, and the needs and requirements of cyber security analysts. The current study first characterized the workflow of a Cyber Security Incidence Response (CSIRT) team, including their use of software tools, and instantiated this workflow within a simulation model. Next, data was collected during cyber security training exercises reflecting the use of software tools. It was discovered that while cyber security professionals rely heavily on specialized software tools, their jobs require that they effectively integrate the use of specialized software tools with the use of general- purpose software tools.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2020

Studies of Autoionizing States relevant to Dielectronic Recombinaton

Doubly excited autoionizing states of alkaline earth atoms are explored by multistep laser spectroscopy, which is precisely the inverse process to dielectronic recombination, the recombination of hot electron with ions via an autoionizing state. Dielectronic recombination is an important mechanism leading to power loss in high temperature plasmas. Measurements included the autoionization rates of atoms in zero field and in the presence of electric and magnetic fields, as might be encountered in a plasma. To mimic the effects of the rapidly varying fields of electron collisions measurements were made in the presence of microwave electric fields. These experiments are analogous to experiments conducted with combined high intensity infrared and vuv laser fields, In laser/microwave experiments the effects of laser pulse envelope timing relative to the microwave phase were explored extensively.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Survey of existing and emerging power conversion technologies relevant to a self-powered furnace

Furnaces for residential space heating consume about 2.5% of all annual primary energy consumed in the US. Conventional furnaces utilize electricity from the electric grid to power blowers and other components. A self-powered furnace would utilize fuel energy to generate its own power, while rejecting the waste heat from the power cycle to provide additional useful building heating. Assuming the total energy use remains the same as for a conventional furnace, there are advantages in primary energy efficiency and operating cost. With no electrical connection to the grid, the self-powered furnace also improves resiliency to electric grid outages and reduces demand on the grid, which can be important during periods of peak heating. In addition, when unit size and venting type are maintained, a drop-in replacement with no incremental installation cost and increased potential for market adoption is achieved. In this work, the power generation requirements for such a drop-in-ready, self-powered furnace are analyzed, and available power generation technologies are surveyed.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2020

Features Events and Processes Relevant to DPC Disposal Criticality Analysis

The Department of Energy is evaluating the technical feasibility of disposal of spent nuclear fuel in dual-purpose canisters in various geologies. As part of ongoing research and development, the effect of potential post-closure criticality events on repository performance is being studied. Many different features, events, and processes (FEPs) could affect the potential for criticality or the extent of a criticality event. Additionally, a criticality event could affect other FEPs. This report uses existing lists of FEPs as a starting point to evaluate the FEPs that could affect or be affected by an in- package criticality event. The evaluation indicates that most of the FEPs associated with the waste form, the waste, or the EBS have some effect on post-closure criticality and/or are affected by the consequences of post-closure criticality. In addition, FEPs not previously considered are identified for further development.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2018

Aluminum Hydroxide Solubility in Sodium Hydroxide Solutions Containing Nitrite/Nitrate of Relevance to Hanford Tank Waste

The technical basis to support the One System River Protection Project Integrated Flowsheet assumption for diluting staged direct feed low-activity waste (DFLAW) from the Hanford waste tanks with raw river water must be assessed in light of the risk of aluminum hydroxide (gibbsite) precipitation prior to the subsequent transfer of tank contents into the low-activity waste pretreatment system (LAWPS) and/or the Tank Side Cesium Removal (TSCR) system from days to months after dilution. Aluminum solubility must be predicted as a function of the significant variables that influence gibbsite dissolution and precipitation. These variables include (i) other solution components that meaningfully affect the activity coefficient of either hydroxide or the aluminate ion, particularly nitrate and nitrite; and (ii) temperature. Based on a review of waste solubility data and the impact of dilution on solution stabilities with specific focus on aluminum hydroxide, data gaps associated with the impact of these variables on the prediction of gibbsite solubility with temperature were identified. An experimental program to aid in the prediction of gibbsite solubility in NaOH solutions containing a range of sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite concentrations up to the solubility limit at a range of temperatures has been conducted. The results of these investigations are summarized in this report.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2022

Fundamental Studies in Basic Plasma Science: Experimental Investigations of Alfven Wave Damping Processes Relevant to the Solar Corona (Final Report)

Motivated by recent observations suggesting that the solar corona is heated by Alfvén wave damping at unexpectedly low heights, we performed experiments to study the basic plasma physics of Alfvén wave dissipation. Proposed coronal damping mechanisms rely on inhomogeneities in the plasma, but these theories have not been systematically studied in the laboratory. We performed experiments using the Large Plasma Device (LAPD) to test these theories.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Demonstrate embedding of sensors in a relevant microreactor component

This report describes the first successful embedding of sensors in stainless steel pipe specimens and a miniature hex block to support structural health monitoring of microreactor components during electrically heated testing in non-nuclear testbed facilities. Sensors were embedded with an ultrasonic additive manufacturing process that uses a combination of downward pressure and an ultrasonic scrubbing motion to bond stainless steel foils to underlying materials. After placing sensors within cavities that have been machined to the size of the sensors, the ultrasonic bonding process fills the gaps around the sensors and embeds them within the part. Both Type K thermocouples and spatially distributed fiber-optic strain sensors were successfully embedded within two pipe specimens and a miniature hex block. After the fiber-optic sensors were embedded, they were interrogated and found to have minimal signal attenuation within the embedded region—a significant improvement compared to previous trials. This is likely because of the low-bend-loss fiber that was used, which greatly reduces microbending losses that occur after the embedding process. In addition to showing minimal signal attention, the fibers also showed adequate compressive strain, which is a strong indication that the sensors are physically embedded in the parts as opposed to simply being loosely contained inside the machined cavities. The embedded fibers were able to capture the strain induced in one of the pipe specimens while the pipe was actively heated with a moving heat source.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

EdgeAI: How to Use AI to Collect Reliable and Relevant Watershed Data

Focal Area(s): Focal areas are on data acquisition and assimilation enabled by AI, advanced methods including experimental/network design/optimization, unsupervised learning (including deep learning), and hardware-related efforts involving AI (e.g., edge computing). Science Challenge: The transformational science challenge that we address is the following: – Ensuring, in near real-time, that the data collected from distributed sensor networks is accurate and contains useful information to identify, quantify, and predict watershed and ecosystem dynamic responses to short- and long-term perturbations.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Study of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology for Freight Rail Propulsion and Review of Relevant Industry Standards.

Alternatives to conventional diesel electric propulsion are currently of interest to rail operators. In the U.S., smaller railroads have implemented natural gas and other railroads are exploring hydrogen technology as a cleaner alternative to diesel. Diesel, battery, hydrogen fuel cell, or track electrification all have trade-offs for operations, economics, safety, and public acceptability. A framework to compare different technologies for specific applications is useful to optimize the desired results. Standards from the Association of American Railroads (AAR) and other industry best practices were reviewed for applicability with hydrogen fuel cell technology. Some technical gaps relate to the physical properties of hydrogen, such as embrittlement of metals, invisible flames, and low liquid temperatures. A reassessment of material selection, leak/flame detection, and thermal insulation methods is required. Hydrogen is less dense and diffuses more easily than natural gas, and liquid hydrogen is colder than liquefied natural gas. Different densities between natural gas and hydrogen require modifications to tank designs and flow rates. Leaked hydrogen will rise rather than pool on the ground like diesel, requiring a modification to the location of hydrogen tanks on rolling stock. Finally, the vibration and shock experienced in the rail environment is higher than light-duty vehicles and stationary applications for which current fuel cell technology has been developed, requiring a modification in tank design requirements and testing.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2021

National Opacity Program: Analysis of Opacity-relevant X-ray Emission Spectra (Milestone Report ID 7121)

We have produced high energy density iron plasmas at temperatures above 1 keV and electron densities exceeding 1023 cm -3 (~ 1 g/cm 3 ) using the Orion laser at the Atomic Weapons Establishment. These plasmas were created by irradiating 50 µm diameter layered targets with frequency doubled (λ = 527 nm), 1 ps laser pulses focused to a 100 µm diameter producing an irradiance of ~ 2 x 10 18 W/cm 2 . The buried layer targets consist of 160 nm iron sulfide (FeS), 60 nm potassium chloride (KCl), and 15 nm carbon. The combined layers are tamped on both sides with 3 µm of parylene-N. The x-ray emission from the plasma was measured using two time-resolved, and four time-integrated Bragg crystal spectrometers, as well as one time-integrated imaging system. One time-resolved x-ray spectrometer measured emission from L-shell transitions in highly charged iron, the other from K-shell transitions in helium-like S 14+ and hydrogen-like S 15+ . The time-integrated spectrometers are intensity-calibrated and measured emission from K-shell transitions in sulfur, potassium, chlorine, and both K-shell and L-shell transitions in iron. The density and temperature of the plasma were determined by modeling the x-ray spectra using different spectral and hydrodynamic modeling packages. A brief overview of the uncertainties associated with the measurements and models are presented. We also give an overview of our 1-D HYDRA-DCA radiation-hydrodynamics model and improvements for future work. Our results aid in assessing experimental uncertainties associated with plasma uniformity and with x-ray emission employed as diagnostics in opacity experiments at temperatures and densities not achievable elsewhere and represent a significant step in creating and diagnosing plasmas near LTE. These results are summarized as part of the completion requirements for milestone 7121

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

A hierarchical evaluation framework for assessing climate simulations relevant to the energy-water-land nexus (Final Report)

The overarching goal was to construct a hierarchy of new and well-tested metrics and analysis tools that support both fundamental and use-inspired research. Motivating this goal was a convergence of needs from climate scientists and stakeholders alike for a systematic, robust framework of model evaluation and diagnosis to provide scientific insights, inform model development, support best practices for the use of climate model outputs, and facilitate communication of climate information in the evolving landscapes of multi-model, multi-resolution, and large ensemble simulations that generate terabytes of data for any single climate run. Steps toward attaining these goals benefited from expertise and established capability of the project team, which included leadership of the North American Regional Climate Change Assessment Program (NARCCAP) and the Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX), development of hierarchical model evaluation approaches, and successful research in the analysis and diagnosis of climate model skill, as well as the understanding and modeling of regional climate processes in North America. As part of the overarching goal, the project worked to disseminate a suite of methodologies, algorithms, and software components that the wider community can employ to advance climate science and applications. With rigorous demonstration, the evaluation framework and the mix of standard and high risk / high reward approaches helped form the basis for future development of a computationally enabled user-friendly system for community use.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Gel Permeation Chromatography Methods for Stockpile Relevant PBXs

In order to accurately characterize chemical changes to the binder in plastic-bonded explosives (PBXs) it is important to develop new gel permeation chromatography (GPC) methodologies as well as update previous methods. Herein we present new and updated GPC methodology for Viton A, Kraton G, and Oxy 461. The methods developed were specifically designed for Malvern OMNISEC with a Mixed C column, but minor modifications could be made to these methods to make applicable to other instrumentation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗