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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 1,117 records · Page 62
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Hydrogen production from high-volume organic construction and demolition wastes

The Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) has partnered with Simonpietri Enterprises, LLC (SEL) with the objective of developing an integrated waste preparation, gasification, and syngas cleanup process capable of using a high-volume, negative-value, highly contaminated feedstock consisting of construction and demolition (C&D) waste to economically produce 99+% pure hydrogen. The target is to achieve $\$$1/kg H2 at a modular scale ranging from 5- to 50-MWe-equivalent size by testing the gasification of organic C&D debris containing treated waste lumber and construction materials, permanently sequestering contaminants into the ash. C&D debris waste is one the largest-volume waste streams in the United States; is already aggregated and available across the country, lending itself to hub operations; and has fewer alternatives for energy conversion than are available for coal, biomass, and municipal solid waste because of contamination from treated lumber and other construction materials.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2025

Findings on subtask 3.3 – applicability of automated brine chemistry determinations for treatment and recovery processes through facility automation/modularization: engineering design study

Under the Energy & Environmental Research Center’s (EERC’s) ~$\$$22 million Phase II Brine Extraction and Storage Test (BEST) Program, a multimillion-dollar brine treatment technology test bed facility was established in western North Dakota to provide a platform for evaluating developing technologies and approaches for brine treatment and volume reduction. The initial facility, and associated research effort, was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), with in-kind contributions provided by several industry participants and the state of North Dakota. Since its opening, the Brine Technology Test Facility (BTTF) has supported performance evaluations of desalination technologies capable of treating high-salinity produced water (PW) and enabled data collection for multiple approaches of PW management and critical material recovery. As part of the decommissioning process for the original project, facility ownership and liability were transferred to Select Water, which is providing the EERC with a continuing site access option for state or federal research and/or commercial technology development. This report documents the findings from a design study conducted by the EERC and the engineering firm that was originally contracted to design and construct the facility (Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services, LLC [AE2S]) that evaluated the current status of BTTF and its systems and developed a retrofit design to increase the facility’s capabilities through automation and modularization of its PW treatment infrastructure. The proposed retrofit will provide DOE and industry with an expanded range of conditioned PW that can be produced at the facility for evaluating fit-for-purpose water treatment technologies, online instrumentation for brine chemistry determination, and systems that recover critical materials like lithium and magnesium. The current facility consists of an 9600-square-foot facility that includes a 40-foot by 65-foot Class 1, Division 2-rated demonstration area and associated control rooms and lab-ready space capable of sourcing oil and gas PW and wastewater from industrial sources or tailoring brine compositions up to 300,000 mg/L total dissolved solids (TDS) and supplying them at rates up to 25 gpm for extended-duration technology demonstrations. The colocation of the facility with Select Water’s water management facilities allows for access and unloading of more than 10,000 bbl/day of trucked water delivered to site and associated access to on-site Class I and Class II brine disposal wells and nearby hazardous waste landfills operated and/or contracted by Select Water to dispose of concentrate and/or effluents associated with the testing.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Ultrafast adiabatic frequency conversion

Abstract Ultrafast adiabatic frequency conversion is a powerful method, capable of efficiently and coherently transfering ultrashort pulses between different spectral ranges, e.g. from near-infrared to mid-infrared, visible or ultra-violet. This is highly desirable in research fields that are currently limited by available ultrafast laser sources, e.g. attosecond science, strong-field physics, high-harmonic generation spectroscopy and multidimensional mid-infrared spectroscopy. Over the past decade, adiabatic frequency conversion has substantially evolved. Initially applied to quasi-monochromatic, undepleted pump interactions, it has been generalized to include ultrashort, broadband, fully-nonlinear dynamics. Through significant theoretical development and experimental demonstrations, it has delivered new capabilities and superior performance in terms of bandwidth, efficiency and robustness, as compared to other frequency conversion techniques. This article introduces the concept of adiabatic nonlinear frequency conversion, reviews its theoretical foundations, presents significant milestones and highlights contemporary ultrafast applications that may, or already do, benefit from utilizing this method.

Margules, Peleg (ORCID:0000000335573370)↗
DOE OSTI2024

Development and Experimental Optimization of High-Temperature Modeling Tools and Methods for Concentrated Solar Power Particle - Systems

A novel, open-source radiative modeling toolset was developed to extend the functionality of particle-based modeling software (e.g. discrete element method (DEM)) to environmental conditions relevant to concentrated solar power applications. This toolset was optimized for deployment on desktop workstations instead of high-performance computing systems, to render such tools more accessible to the research community. Both particle-based modeling and radiative exchange modeling are computationally expensive and often require specialized programming expertise, making these methods cumbersome to use. Recent developments in DEM software by DCS Computing have greatly reduced these challenges, providing a graphical-user-interface based platform and modeling optimization for desktop workstations, HPCs, and cloud computing. The University of Dayton leveraged the experience of DCS Computing in developing a user-friendly, open-source radiative heat transfer expansion for DEM modeling. The University of Dayton DEM+ radiative modeling toolset was developed using a combination of fundamental experimental measurements, modeling, and simplified flow experiments over a range of temperatures and flow conditions. The toolset provides researchers with access to multiple radiative models including an accelerated Monte-Carlo Ray Tracing (application agnostic, highly computationally expensive), an expanded database of distance-based approximations (application limited, computationally light), and a weighted blending of the two methods capable of achieving over 90% reduction in computation time with equivalent accuracy compared to Monte-Carlo Ray Tracing. Through a graphical user interface, users can customize the radiative models to match their desired accuracy and available computational resources, improving access to particle based modeling for the research community. Ceramic sintered bauxite proppants were used in modeling and experimentally as a baseline. Both the radiative heat transfer and flow properties for particulate systems were investigated at elevated temperatures up to 800 °C. The major accomplishments for this work include a verified, open-source radiative modeling toolset to be distributed amongst the research community and the fabrication of three small-scale test facilities to investigate particle behavior and tune DEM flow properties for operation up to 800 °C. The findings have been shared with the research community via conference modeling workshops, deployment of the tools in DCS Computing Aspherix®, and open-source access to the developed radiative modeling tool. The development of next-generation CSP facilities and thermal energy storage systems based on ceramic particles requires providing access to computationally efficient and accurate modeling tools. Particles will experience a wide range of environments (20-800 °C) and handling conditions (dilute curtains or dense packing), requiring specially designed and optimized equipment. Optimizing solid particle physics models and establishing best-practices for particle modeling in CSP environments will assist researchers with designing optimized equipment, accelerating the deployment of more economically-competitive CSP facilities.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Acoustic Wafer Defect Detection System

Researchers at Los Alamos have developed the Acoustic Wafer Defect Detection System, a technology that enables rapid diagnosis of critical defects during wafer production. This technology is capable of both efficient and accurate detection of defects in wafers, including defects that are undetectable through current optical techniques. The system identifies the wafer defects by exciting resonant vibrations in the wafers and by exciting “crack breathing” modes. These vibrations cause the crack to periodically open and close. Specific resonance characteristics, combined with acoustic signatures resulting from crack breathing, result in a technique that is highly sensitive to cracked wafers. There are minimal custom parts used to build the system, and it can be easily implemented in nearly any wafer production plant with minimal modifications. We are seeking a commercialization partner to license the technology or partner through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to develop into a usable product for commercial purposes.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Powering the Woods Hole X-Spar Buoy with Ocean Wave Energy—A Control Co-Design Feasibility Study

Despite its success in measuring air–sea exchange, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s (WHOI) X-Spar Buoy faces operational limitations due to energy constraints, motivating the integration of an energy harvesting apparatus to improve its deployment duration and capabilities. This work explores the feasibility of an augmented, self-powered system in two parts. Part 1 presents the collaborative design between X-Spar developers and wave energy researchers translating user needs into specific functional requirements. Based on requirements like desired power levels, deployability, survivability, and minimal interference with environmental data collection, unsuitable concepts are pre-eliminated from further feasibility study consideration. In part 2, we focus on one of the promising concepts: an internal rigid body wave energy converter. We apply control co-design methods to consider commercial of the shelf hardware components in the dynamic models and investigate the concept’s power conversion capabilities using linear 2-port wave-to-wire models with concurrently optimized control algorithms that are distinct for every considered hardware configuration. During this feasibility study we utilize two different control algorithms, the numerically optimal (but acausal) benchmark and the optimized damping feedback. We assess the sensitivity of average power to variations in drive-train friction, a parameter with high uncertainty, and analyze stroke limitations to ensure operational constraints are met. Our results indicate that a well-designed power take-off (PTO) system could significantly extend the WEC-Spar’s mission by providing additional electrical power without compromising data quality.

autonomous systems↗
DOE OSTI2021

DOE Microreactor Program: Summary of Experimental Capabilities Development and Activities

This document provides a summary of the experimental capabilities and activities developed and currently performed under the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Microreactor Program. These capabilities, along with other laboratory capabilities, are available to support developer and other stakeholder needs. Specific experimental capabilities described in this document include the single primary heat extraction and removal emulator (SPHERE), the microreactor agile non-nuclear experimental test bed (MAGNET), microreactor applications research validation and evaluation (MARVEL), yttrium hydride fabrication, the Hypatia critical experiment series, and a brief overview of the National Criticality Experiments Research Center (NCERC), which provides the platform to conduct experiments and training with critical assemblies and fissionable material.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Sequim Campus Master Plan

Based in Richland, Washington, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is one of ten U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science (SC) national laboratories. PNNL is DOE’s premier chemistry, earth sciences, and data analytics laboratory, delivering vital mission impacts in energy resiliency and national security. PNNL has 19 core capabilities, each a powerful combination of world-class staff, state-of-the- art equipment, and mission-ready facilities. These capabilities represent a collective set of skills and a body of world-leading scientific and engineering work that provides exceptional value and mission delivery to DOE, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and other federal agencies and industry through strategic partnership projects on a not-to-interfere basis. Currently operated by Battelle Memorial Institute, PNNL occupies more than 2.3 million gross square feet (GSF) of buildings and employs approximately 4,700 staff members. PNNL has implemented a rolling 10-year campus strategy, initiated in fiscal year 2013, designed to deliver the foundation for the multidisciplinary science and engineering expertise, equipment, instrumentation, facilities, and infrastructure required to continue providing exceptional value and mission delivery. This strategy is incorporated into PNNL’s annual Laboratory Plan, which serves as DOE-SC’s equivalent of the Five- Year Site Plan required by DOE Order 430.1C Chg. 1, Real Property Asset Management. The PNNL Sequim Campus is located in Clallam County, just outside of Sequim, Washington. PNNL Sequim builds upon a rich history of research related to marine and coastal resources, environmental chemistry, water resources modeling, ecotoxicology, biotechnology, and national security. Facilities at the PNNL Sequim Campus were designed to take advantage of two unique locational assets: the pristine coastal ocean water in Sequim Bay and the region’s exceptionally clean air. Research facilities on the waterfront are supplied with up to 200 gallons per minute (gpm) of seawater and/or groundwater that enables research on aquatic systems ranging from fully seawater to fresh water, with an onsite water treatment system that removes all biological and hazardous chemical residues prior to discharge. Multiple large seawater tanks outside the waterfront laboratories, along with a boat ramp, pier, and floating dock, enable lab-to-field research. The uplands facility takes advantage of the amazing air quality and is built and operated to enable ultratrace chemical/radiological analytical chemistry. This combination of capabilities is not available at any other marine laboratory in the nation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Visualizing and analyzing 3D biomolecular structures using Mol* at RCSB.org: Influenza A H5N1 virus proteome case study

The easiest and often most useful way to work with experimentally determined or computationally predicted structures of biomolecules is by viewing their three-dimensional (3D) shapes using a molecular visualization tool. Mol* was collaboratively developed by RCSB Protein Data Bank (RCSB PDB, RCSB.org) and Protein Data Bank in Europe (PDBe, PDBe.org) as an open-source, web-based, 3D visualization software suite for examination and analyses of biostructures. It is capable of displaying atomic coordinates and related experimental data of biomolecular structures together with a variety of annotations, facilitating basic and applied research, training, education, and information dissemination. Across RCSB.org, the RCSB PDB research-focused web portal, Mol* has been implemented to support single-mouse-click atomic-level visualization of biomolecules (e.g., proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates) with bound cofactors, small-molecule ligands, ions, water molecules, or other macromolecules. RCSB.org Mol* can seamlessly display 3D structures from various sources, allowing structure interrogation, superimposition, and comparison. Using influenza A H5N1 virus as a topical case study of an important pathogen, we exemplify how Mol* has been embedded within various RCSB.org tools—allowing users to view polymer sequence and structure-based annotations integrated from trusted bioinformatics data resources, assess patterns and trends in groups of structures, and view structures of any size and compositional complexity. In addition to being linked to every experimentally determined biostructure and Computed Structure Model made available at RCSB.org, Standalone Mol* is freely available for visualizing any atomic-level or multi-scale biostructure at rcsb.org/3d-view.

3D biostructure↗
DOE OSTI2020

Advances in Silicon-Nanoelectronics, Nanostructures and High-Efficiency Si-Photovoltaics

This Special Issue of physica status solidi (a) features presentations of Symposium D, 2019 Spring-EMRS Meeting in Nice, France. Silicon in various bulk forms remains a fascinating material allowing for solar cell efficiency records by ultimate passivation of the bulk, surfaces, and contacts. In parallel, Si nanostructures emerge as capable building blocks in diverse fields ranging from nano-electronics and photonics to sensing. This symposium aimed to share the latest research in these fields and to create new interdisciplinary ideas.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Fused filament fabrication of novel phase-change material functional composites

Additively manufactured polymer heat exchangers are of recent interest in the thermal sciences due to their lightweight and intricate heat-transfer-enhancing geometrical features. The goal of the present research is to directly encapsulate phase-change material (PCM) into polymer filament for the purpose of 3D printing polymer heat exchangers capable of latent heat thermal energy storage and management. PCMs have the ability to absorb large amounts of latent heat while undergoing a solid-to-liquid phase change at a nearly constant temperature. Encapsulation or containment of PCMs is necessary to prevent leaking since the material continuously cycles between a liquid and a solid state. An organic-based PCM and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) were combined and extruded into a functional composite filament. For the first time, with the aid of a heated enclosure and HDPE build plates, it was demonstrated that these functional composite materials can be printed using fused filament fabrication (FFF). Printing HDPE is known to be difficult; however, based on what was observed in the current study, the PCM and HDPE composite was easier to print than pure HDPE. Thermal properties, such as latent heat of fusion, phase-change temperature, and thermal conductivity, of the composite filament and 3D printed samples were investigated and compared with compression-molded bulk material. Finally, the microstructures of the composite filament and 3D printed samples were visualized, and the basic structures of the HDPE and PCM within both the filament and 3D printed parts were clearly delineated.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

A review of emerging photoinduced degradation methods for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in water

The remediation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water continues to garner significant attention due to their environmental persistence and adverse health effects. Among the various PFAS remediation methods, photoinduced approaches have recently emerged as promising techniques for the degradation of these persistent contaminants. However, many questions remain unanswered regarding the detailed mechanisms in these photoinduced methods as well as the best ways to leverage these approaches for PFAS degradation. In this review, we provide an update on recent experimental and theoretical developments in photoinduced PFAS degradation techniques over the past 2–5 years. We conclude with a perspective of promising research directions in this vibrant area and give recommendations on future experimental and computational approaches needed to further advance these photoinduced remediation capabilities.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Additive manufacturing of AISI M2 tool steel by binder jetting (BJ): Investigation of microstructural and mechanical properties

The presented research demonstrates for the first time the successful processing of AISI M2 tool steel by binder jetting, a promising additive manufacturing technique capable of producing complex shapes with minimal residual stresses and isotropic properties. The optimal printing parameters were explored by varying processing parameters such as the binder saturation (45 %–105 %), binder set time (0 to 10 s), targeted bed temperature (50–60 °C), oscillator (2600–2750 rpm), recoater (20–28 mm/s), and roller speeds (200–300 rpm). Microstructural characterization and evaluation of mechanical properties of binder jetted parts were performed using x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) to study their chemical composition, powder morphology, microstructure, carbide morphologies, relative density, hardness, compressive strength, and ductility. Two powder sizes (5 and 10 μm) were used, and sintering was performed at varying temperatures (1270, 1280, and 1300 °C) and durations (60 and 120 min), followed by a furnace, air, and water cooling. An optimum hardness of ~970 HV was obtained when parts were sintered at 1270 °C for 60 min, followed by water quenching. Impressive compressive strength of ~ 3580 MPa was observed in the sample sintered at 1280 °C for 60 min duration, followed by air cooling. Furnace-cooled parts showed the highest density of ~95 %, whereas the relative density of air- and water-cooled parts varied between ~91 to 93.50 %, respectively. The microstructure of sintered samples revealed the formation of M 6 C stable carbide, M 2 C metastable carbide, MC as a secondary carbide, and a-Fe matrix, which contributed to the observed increase in mechanical properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Identification of a specific exporter that enables high production of aconitic acid in Aspergillus pseudoterreus

Aconitic acid is an unsaturated tricarboxylic acid that is attractive for its potential use in the manufacture of biodegradable and biocompatible polymers, plasticizers, and surfactants. Previously Aspergillus pseudoterreus was engineered as a platform to produce aconitic acid by deleting the cadA (cis-aconitic acid decarboxylase) gene in the itaconic acid biosynthetic pathway. In this study aconitic acid transporter gene (aexA) was identified using comparative global discovery proteomics analysis between the wild-type and cadA deletion strains. Deletion of aexA almost eliminated aconitic acid secretion, while its overexpression led to a significant increase in aconitic acid production. Transportation of aconitic acid across the plasma membrane is a key limiting step. In vitro proteoliposome transport assay further validated AexA’s function and its substrate specificity. This research provides new approaches to efficiently pinpoint and characterize exporters of fungal organic acids and accelerate the metabolic engineering to improve secretion capability and lower cost for bioproduction.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Experimental analysis of conductive drying of paper and board

The primary heat transfer source in the conventional multi-cylinder drying of paper and board is conduction. Conduction is facilitated by high-tension contact with steam-heated cylinders, while convective drying, the main mass transfer source, operates as heated air flows over the paper web in the pockets. This conduction process occurs at elevated temperatures and contact pressures to ensure effective contact between the wet paper web and the heated cylinders. The contact pressures and temperatures of the hot surface significantly influence the conductive drying characteristics. This research paper presents an experimental study that involves designing a simple lab-scale setup with in-situ and continuous sensing capabilities for various commercially available grades of paper and board. Embedded thermocouples measure the temperatures of the heated platen and the sheet, allowing the collection of flux data to determine heat transfer characteristics. Here, the goal of this study is to ascertain the instantaneous contact coefficients for different basis weights as a function of moisture content. The acquired data will provide valuable insights and information towards process development, design and simulation of the paper drying process.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2022

Real-time Distribution Simulation and Application Development for Power Systems Education

To help bridge the gap between traditional power system engineering instruction and emerging industry needs, a new set of classroom and research tools are needed. Real-time simulation tools emulating power system control room software present an opportunity to introduce students to the array of operational considerations, technical challenges, and decision-making associated with power system operations. The GridAPPS-D platform is proposed to support coursework and academic research as it provides an open-source platform for simulation, application development, and software integration. The GridAPPS-D platform, simulation capabilities, development environment, and interactive training are discussed in the context of lessons-learned from implementation for undergraduate and graduate students in the US and India. A series of potential GridAPPS-D supported academic capabilities are introduced.

Active distribution networks, open educational res↗
DOE OSTI2024

High-performance finite elements with MFEM

The MFEM (Modular Finite Element Methods) library is a high-performance C++ library for finite element discretizations. MFEM supports numerous types of finite element methods and is the discretization engine powering many computational physics and engineering applications across a number of domains. Furthermore, this paper describes some of the recent research and development in MFEM, focusing on performance portability across leadership-class supercomputing facilities, including exascale supercomputers, as well as new capabilities and functionality, enabling a wider range of applications. Much of this work was undertaken as part of the Department of Energy’s Exascale Computing Project (ECP) in collaboration with the Center for Efficient Exascale Discretizations (CEED).

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2024

Status and prospects of lithium iron phosphate manufacturing in the lithium battery industry

Abstract Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO 4 , LFP) has long been a key player in the lithium battery industry for its exceptional stability, safety, and cost-effectiveness as a cathode material. Major car makers (e.g., Tesla, Volkswagen, Ford, Toyota) have either incorporated or are considering the use of LFP-based batteries in their latest electric vehicle (EV) models. Despite LFP’s well-researched status as a cathode material, it is expected to fulfill additional demands in electric vehicle applications, such as fast-charging capabilities, wide temperature range adaptability, and higher energy density. This perspective examines the LFP supply chain, synthetic approaches, manufacturing processes, market trends, recent advancements, and evolving demands to better understand its future role in the EV market. Graphical abstract

Lu, Yanying↗