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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 1,081 records · Page 60
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Structural dynamics modeling of spent nuclear fuel during hypothetical package drop events

The response of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) to hypothetical package drop events is of particular interest in the scope of spent fuel storage and transportation because of the mechanical shock encountered in such scenarios. Previous testing and modeling by the U.S. Department of Energy has demonstrated that the shock and vibration environment of normal shipping and handling conditions (excluding package drop events) is relatively benign and does not challenge the integrity of spent nuclear fuel. Cask drop events are worth considering because SNF packages are required to withstand free drops onto unyielding surfaces as part of their licensing basis. The acceleration experienced during drop events can be orders of magnitude higher, and thus more advanced models are needed to encompass potential nonlinear behavior of the fuel, such as spacer grid buckling and rod-to-rod impact. This work describes a number of finite element models developed to calculate the response of spent nuclear fuel to various hypothetical drop events that have been validated by package and fuel assembly drop tests conducted in the last decade. Sensitivity of the model response to factors such as package drop orientation, secondary impacts, and irradiated material properties as well as their potential impacts to fuel cladding integrity, was also investigated. Cask drops are not expected as a regular occurrence during SNF transportation, but this work helps raise the understanding of SNF mechanical loads to the point of consistency with the package design requirements.

Kadooka, Kevin↗
DOE OSTI2014

SU-E-T-543: Is It Feasible to Tighten the Criteria for IROC's Anthropomorphic Phantoms?

Purpose: To analyze results of IROC Houston QA center's (RPC) H and N and prostate IMRT phantoms to determine the effect that tightening criteria would have on the phantom pass rate. Methods: IROC Houston's anthropomorphic H and N and prostate phantoms are used to credential institution's to participate in NCI clinical trials that allow the use of IMRT. The phantoms are shipped to institutions where they are filled with water and undergo imaging, treatment planning, and irradiation as a patient would. Each phantom houses targets and organs at risk. They also hold film and TLD. Dosimeter results are compared to the institution's treatment plan using the criteria of 7% for PTV TLD doses and ≥85% pixels must pass 7%/4 mm global gamma analyses. Pass rates for the H and N and prostate phantoms were recalculated using the following tighter criteria options: 1) 5% TLD and 85% pixels 7%/4 gamma2) 5% TLD and 90% pixels 7%/4 gamma3) 5% TLD and 85% pixels 5%/4 gammaGamma analysis was repeated for the 30 most recent irradiations of each phantom to estimate results for criteria 3. Results: Pass rates using current criteria for the H and N and prostate phantoms are 84% and 85% respectively. Pass rates since gamma criteria were introduced in 2012 are 90% and 87%. Criteria 1 applied to all irradiations drops pass rates to 78% and 82%. Applying it to only irradiations with gamma results give 77% and 84%. Applying criteria 2 to only phantoms with gamma results drops pass rates to 80% and 74% and they fall to 83% and 67% respectively using criteria 3. Conclusion: Applying tighter criteria to phantom results has potential to increase quality in clinical trials. The results of the 30 most recent irradiations indicate that there may be room to tighten H and N phantom criteria in the future. Work supported by PHS grant CA10953 and CA081647 (NCI, DHHS)

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2014

SU-E-T-590: An Activation Study of Materials and Devices Present in a Proton Treatment Room

Purpose: The use of protons for radiation therapy is growing rapidly. One consequence of protons interacting with different media is activation. These nuclear reactions induced by the protons, scattered neutrons, and gamma rays, activate different materials encountered, particularly by the therapists. The purpose of this study was to examine the derived nuclides from the activation, and also the decay rate. Methods: The study was conducted in our proton therapy facility. Protons are derived from a synchrocyclotron and pass through field shipping systems, apertures, and range compensators to define the beam within the patient.Included materials of concerns measured; the patient support couch, sheet rock in the wall, solid plastics used for quality assurance and dosimetry, and the passive scattering system itself, which includes brass apertures, and Lucite or blue wax compensators. All devices were studied post irradiation using gamma spectroscopy to determine the nuclides, and a sodium iodine scintillation detector to measure decay, particularly when the dose rate fell to background levels. Results: We have also determined from the measurements we will maintain brass apertures for three months before sending them for scrap. Some of the radionuclides arrived from these measurements included Na-22 for the blue wax compensator, C1-34m for the sheetrock, and Sc-44 and Co-60 for the brass apertures. We found compensators made out of Lucite or wax decayed to background in 2 hours. The patient support couch decayed to background in approximately 40 minutes, and sheet rock decayed in 80 minutes. In terms of the aperture layers, the most proximal aperture slab had much higher activity than the distal slab. Also the proximal sides of the slabs were much more activate than the distal. Conclusion: We have given proper instruction to therapists performing quality assurance in terms of the handled plastics, and to handle apertures rapidly as possible.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

SU-E-T-259: Development of a Primary Standard for LDR Brachytherapy

Purpose: The National Research Council initiated a program in 2012 to develop a primary standard to calibrate I-125 and Pd-103 sources used for LDR brachytherapy and disseminate this through calibration services to Canadian users. This will simplify procedures as Canadian cancer centres currently have to ship instruments to the US. Methods: The standard is based on a commercial version of the wide-angle free air chamber (WAFAC) pioneered by NIST. Significant enhancements were implemented to improve signal-to-noise and measurement reproducibility and eliminate electric field effects. Validation of this ionization chamber was then carried out in a low-energy X -ray beam (∼ 31 keV) where the dose rate had been previously established using the existing NRC primary standard free-air chamber. As a final component of this initial testing, measurements were made with a set of I-125 seeds (with air kerma strength traceable to NIST). Results: Excellent agreement of the two NRC free-air chambers was obtained within the combined standard uncertainty of 0.5 %. However, it was found that the WAFAC response is very sensitive to the beam geometry (distance from the source, diameter of the beam-defining aperture, etc) and Monte Carlo calculations, carried out to evaluate these geometry corrections, have confirmed the experimental results. The results for the seed measurements indicated a precision of better than 1 % is achievable for a reasonable acquisition time and the air kerma strength agreed with the manufacturer (NIST-traceable) value within 2 %. Conclusion: The prototype primary standard for LDR brachytherapy has met accuracy target of 3 % for the determination of air kerma strength. Work is ongoing to refine operation of the device and develop the calibration protocol for clinical users, with an anticipated launch of a calibration service in late 2015.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

SU-F-T-304: Complex Multi-PTV Treatment Evaluation Using a Remotely Processed 3D Gel Dosimeter

Purpose: A new 3D gel dosimeter (ClearView™, Modus Medical Systems) was investigated for use as a QA tool for stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) plans exhibiting high dose gradients and spatially separated treatment targets. The unique feature of this gel dosimeter is the remote processing service provided by Modus Medical Systems. Methods: The gel dosimeters were filled in either 10 cm diameter or 15 cm diameter clear plastic jars. The jars were then shipped in ice-cooled containers to our department for irradiation. Clinical SRS plans for treatment of multiple metastases and plans with simulated concave structures were applied to a CT scan of the gel dosimeter. The gel was irradiated in treatment position using modulated arcs and then returned in the cooled container for processing. The 3D gel dose was compared to the DICOM-RT dose from the treatment plan to assess dosimetric and geometric agreement. Results: There was no discernible difference between the planned and measured dose for dose gradients as high as 10%/mm, which was the highest gradient we evaluated. Geometric agreement for distant metastases separated by 6 cm was within 1.5 mm. Among three identically irradiated gels using a plan intended for nine metastases, the 3%/3mm gamma passing rate was 84.5% with a range of 14.7%, measured over the entire volume of the dosimeter. Regions of larger gamma values correlated with geometric offsets between the planned and measured data. Conclusion: The gel dosimeter exhibits the dosimetric and geometric characteristics necessary for 3D evaluation of treatment plan deliverability. The range of observed gamma passing rates suggests a high sensitivity to geometric registration. With proper management of geometric registration between planned and measured data, this service should enable a radiation oncology department to use 3D dosimetry in end-to-end testing or patient plan delivery QA without the expense of an in-house processing system.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Genomic surveillance reveals multiple introductions of SARS-CoV-2 into Northern California

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread globally, with >365,000 cases in California as of 17 July 2020. We investigated the genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Northern California from late January to mid-March 2020, using samples from 36 patients spanning nine counties and the Grand Princess cruise ship. Phylogenetic analyses revealed the cryptic introduction of at least seven different SARS-CoV-2 lineages into California, including epidemic WA1 strains associated with Washington state, with lack of a predominant lineage and limited transmission among communities. Lineages associated with outbreak clusters in two counties were defined by a single base substitution in the viral genome. These findings support contact tracing, social distancing, and travel restrictions to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in California and other states.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

The radiation characteristics of the transport packages with vitrified high-level waste

The calculation method of neutron yield in the (α, n) reaction for a homogeneous material of arbitrary composition is represented. It is shown that the use of the ORIGEN 2 code excluding the real elemental composition of vitrified high-level waste leads to significant underestimation of the neutron yield in the (α, n) reaction. For vitrified high-level waste and spent nuclear fuel from VVER, the neutron fluxes are analyzed. The thickness of the protective materials for a transfer cask and a shipping cask with vitrified highlevel waste are estimated.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Synthesis of superheavy elements at the Dubna gas-filled recoil separator

A survey of experiments at the Dubna gas-filled recoil separator (Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions, JINR, Dubna) aimed at the detection and study of the “island of stability” of superheavy nuclei produced in complete fusion reactions of {sup 48}Ca ions and {sup 238}U–{sup 249}Cf target nuclei is given. The problems of synthesis of superheavy nuclei, methods for their identification, and investigation of their decay properties, including the results of recent experiments at other separators (SHIP, BGS, TASCA) and chemical setups, are discussed. The studied properties of the new nuclei, the isotopes of elements 112–118, as well as the properties of their decay products, indicate substantial growth of stability of the heaviest nuclei with increasing number of neutrons in the nucleus as the magic number of neutrons N = 184 is approached.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Synthesis of new superheavy elements using the Dubna Gas-Filled Separator: The complex of technologies

All the new isotopes of superheavy elements in the reactions with {sup 48}Ca ions and actinide targets, synthesized at the Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions (FLNR), have been obtained at the Dubna Gas-Filled Recoil Separator (DGFRS). Success was achieved with the use of several techniques, algorithms and approaches with record performance in their area. The most sophisticated of them are rare event detection technology, methods of measuring the effective equilibrium charges of heavy ions and nuclei in hydrogen at low pressure, modified approaches to evaluation of probabilistic characteristics of detected multichain events, beam-free test methods of detection equipment, and some other ones. The author analyzes the approaches that have led ultimately to a real breakthrough and an advance in experiments on the synthesis of superheavy elements. The development of detection systems also attracts the authors’ attention. Contributions from some facilities—such as SHIP, TASCA, and GARIS (RIKEN)—to synthesis experiments are partially noted. Under consideration are methods of automation of similar experiments, including the development of control and shielding systems for operation with highly active actinide targets. Some techniques for detecting α decay of heavy nuclei that came before the current experiments with electromagnetic separators are reviewed briefly. The methods, algorithms and hardware presented cover a more than twenty-year period of commissioning and application in long-term experiments at FLNR DGFRS.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Synthesis of new transuranium isotopes in multinucleon transfer reactions using a velocity filter

Recently, we reported the observation of several new isotopes with proton numbers Z ≥ 92 in low-energy collisions of 48 Ca + 248 Cm . The peculiarity is that the nuclei were produced in multinucleon transfer reactions, a method which is presently discussed as a possible new way to enter so far unknown regions in the upper part of the Chart of Nuclides. For separation of the transfer products we used a velocity filter, the Separator for Heavy Ion Reaction Products SHIP at GSI. The resulting strong background suppression allowed us to detect nuclei with cross-sections down to the sub-nanobarn scale. Beside the new isotopes we identified about 100 further target-like transfer products and determined their cross-sections. In conclusion, the results together with previous measurements strongly indicate that multinucleon transfer reactions are a viable pathway to the production of new transuranium isotopes.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Light $$Z^\prime $$ and Dirac fermion dark matter in the $$B-L$$ model

Abstract We consider a $$U(1)_{B-L}$$ U ( 1 ) B - L model with a $$Z^\prime $$ Z ′ portal Dirac fermion dark matter (DM) $$\chi $$ χ of low mass which couples very weakly to the $$B - L$$ B - L gauge boson $$Z^\prime $$ Z ′ . An arbitrary $$B-L$$ B - L charge $$Q\ne \pm 1, \pm 3$$ Q ≠ ± 1 , ± 3 of the DM $$\chi $$ χ ensures its stability. Motivated by the sensitivity reach of forthcoming “Lifetime Frontier” experiments, we focus on the $$Z^\prime $$ Z ′ mass, $$m_{Z^\prime }$$ m Z ′ , in the sub-GeV to few GeV range. To evaluate the DM relic abundance, we examine both the freeze-out and freeze-in DM scenarios. For the freeze-out scenario, we show that the observed DM abundance is reproduced near the $$Z^\prime $$ Z ′ resonance, $$m_\chi \simeq m_{Z^\prime }/2$$ m χ ≃ m Z ′ / 2 , where $$m_\chi $$ m χ is the DM mass. For the freeze-in scenario, we focus on $$m_\chi \ll m_{Z^\prime }$$ m χ ≪ m Z ′ . We show that for a fixed value of $$m_{Z^\prime }$$ m Z ′ , $$g_{BL}$$ g BL values roughly scale as 1/ Q to reproduce the observed DM abundance. For various Q values in the range between $$10^{-6}$$ 10 - 6 and $$10^2$$ 10 2 , we show that the gauge coupling values $$g_{BL}$$ g BL needed to reproduce the observed DM abundance lie in the search reach of future planned and/or proposed experiments such as FASER, Belle-II, LDMX, and SHiP. In the freeze-in case, the Q values to realize observable $$g_{BL}$$ g BL values are found to be much smaller than that in the freeze-out case.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Neuromorphic data microscope

In 2016, Lewis Rhodes Labs, (LRL), shipped the first commercially viable Neuromorphic Processing Unit, (NPU), branded as a Neuromorphic Data Microscope (NDM). This product leverages architectural mechanisms derived from the sensory cortex of the human brain to efficiently implement pattern matching. LRL and Sandia National Labs have optimized this product for streaming analytics, and demonstrated a 1,000x power per operation reduction in an FPGA format. When reduced to an ASIC, the efficiency will improve to 1,000,000x. Additionally, the neuromorphic nature of the device gives it powerful computational attributes that are counterintuitive to those schooled in traditional von Neumann architectures. The Neuromorphic Data Microscope is the first of a broad class of brain-inspired, time domain processors that will profoundly alter the functionality and economics of data processing.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2021

A multimodal and integrated approach to interrogate human kidney biopsies with rigor and reproducibility: guidelines from the Kidney Precision Medicine Project

Comprehensive and spatially mapped molecular atlases of organs at a cellular level are a critical resource to gain insights into pathogenic mechanisms and personalized therapies for diseases. The Kidney Precision Medicine Project (KPMP) is an endeavor to generate three-dimensional (3-D) molecular atlases of healthy and diseased kidney biopsies by using multiple state-of-the-art omics and imaging technologies across several institutions. Obtaining rigorous and reproducible results from disparate methods and at different sites to interrogate biomolecules at a single-cell level or in 3-D space is a significant challenge that can be a futile exercise if not well controlled. Here we describe a “follow the tissue” pipeline for generating a reliable and authentic single-cell/region 3-D molecular atlas of human adult kidney. Our approach emphasizes quality assurance, quality control, validation, and harmonization across different omics and imaging technologies from sample procurement, processing, storage, shipping to data generation, analysis, and sharing. We established benchmarks for quality control, rigor, reproducibility, and feasibility across multiple technologies through a pilot experiment using common source tissue that was processed and analyzed at different institutions and different technologies. A peer review system was established to critically review quality control measures and the reproducibility of data generated by each technology before their being approved to interrogate clinical biopsy specimens. The process established economizes the use of valuable biopsy tissue for multiomics and imaging analysis with stringent quality control to ensure rigor and reproducibility of results and serves as a model for precision medicine projects across laboratories, institutions and consortia.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

EnergyPlus™ [SWR-17-23]

Originally developed in 1999, an updated version 8.8.0 with bug fixes was released on September 30th, 2017. EnergyPlus™ is a whole building energy simulation program that engineers, architects, and researchers use to model both energy consumption—for heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting and plug and process loads—and water use in buildings. EnergyPlus is a console-based program that reads input and writes output to text files. It ships with a number of utilities including IDF-Editor for creating input files using a simple spreadsheet-like interface, EP-Launch for managing input and output files and performing batch simulations, and EP-Compare for graphically comparing the results of two or more simulations. Several comprehensive graphical interfaces for EnergyPlus are also available. DOE does most of its work with EnergyPlus using the OpenStudio® software development kit and suite of applications. DOE releases major updates to EnergyPlus twice annually.

Source record↗
DOE OSTI2018

Gas Reliability Analysis Integrated Library (GRAIL)

The Gas Reliability Analysis Integrated Library (GRAIL) is a prototype computational tool for solving a class of intra-day model-predictive control problems for a simplified network model of midstream natural gas pipeline systems. The model accurately resolves dynamic gas flows through long pipes using a non-ideal gas equation of state. It can be used to provide optimal intra-day flow schedules as well as spatiotemporal economic values of natural gas while ensuring that pipeline hydraulic limitations, compressor station constraints, operational factors, and pre-existing shipping contracts are satisfied. The inputs to the code are a model of the pipeline system as well as time-series data that specify boundary conditions on the network and time-dependent constraints on the optimal control problem. The outputs are time-series data that provide an approximately optimal solution of flows, pressures, compressor settings, and sensitivities to the objective function.

Zlotnik, Anatoly↗
DOE OSTI2020

TrackTable Trajectory Analysis

Tracktable is designed for analysis and rendering of the trajectories of moving objects such as planes, trains, automobiles and ships. Its purpose is to operate on large sets of trajectories (millions) to help a user detect, analyze and display patterns. It will also be used to disseminate trajectory research results from Sandia's PANTHER Grand Challenge LDRD.

Wilson, AndrewT.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Pipeline Hydrogen Decarbonization and Repurposing Analyzers (P-HyDRAs)

The Pipeline Hydrogen Decarbonization and Repurposing Analyzers (P-HyDRAs) are a set of prototype computational tools for simulating and optimizing midstream natural gas pipeline system operations subject to location and time-dependent hydrogen blending. The models can accurately resolve dynamic gas flows through large-scale pipeline networks using non-ideal gas equations of state. The codes can be used as decision support for planning and design decisions involving intra-day energy flow schedules as well as spatiotemporal economic values of natural gas, hydrogen, and net energy delivered to consumers while ensuring that pipeline hydraulic limitations, gas compressor station constraints, operational factors, and pre-existing shipping contracts are satisfied. The inputs to the codes are a model of the pipeline system as well as time-series data that specify boundary conditions on the network. For optimization, the code module requires price and quantity offers for natural gas and hydrogen and price and quantity bids for energy, which are used as time-dependent constraints in an optimal control problem. The outputs are time-series data that provide a predictive simulation of gas flows, mass fractions, and pressures, or with additional degrees of freedom give an approximately optimal solution for gas injections/withdrawals, compressor settings, and sensitivities to the objective function that provide locational values of energy.

Zlotnik, Anatoly↗