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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 1,135 records · Page 63
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Multiplicity dependence of f 0 (980) production in pp collisions at $\mathbf{\sqrt{s}}$ = 13 TeV

The dependence of f 0 (980) production on the final-state charged-particle multiplicity is reported for proton–proton (pp) collisions at the centre-of-mass energy, $\mathbf{\sqrt{s}}$ = 13 TeV. The production of (980) is measured with the ALICE detector via the decay channel in a midrapidity region of |y| < 0.5. The evolution of the integrated yields and mean transverse momentum of f 0 (980) as a function of charged-particle multiplicity measured in pp at $\mathbf{\sqrt{s}}$ = 13 TeV follows the trends observed in pp at $\mathbf{\sqrt{s}}$ = 5.02 TeV and in proton–lead (p–Pb) collisions at$\mathbf{\sqrt{s_{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV. Particle yield ratios of f 0 (980) to π ± and K* (892) are found to decrease with increasing charged-particle multiplicity. These particle ratios are compared with calculations from the canonical statistical thermal model as a function of charged-particle multiplicity. The thermal model calculations provide a better description of the decreasing trend of particle ratios when no strange or antistrange quark composition for f 0 (980) is assumed, which suggests that the data do not support significant hidden strangeness in the f 0 (980).

Abualrob, I. J. [University of Houston] (ORCID:000↗
DOE OSTI2026

Medium-induced modification of azimuthal correlations of electrons from heavy-flavor hadron decays with charged particles in Pb–Pb collisions at $\mathbf {\sqrt{s_{\textrm{NN}}} = 5.02}$ TeV

The azimuthal-correlation distributions between electrons from the decays of heavy-flavor hadrons and associated charged particles in Pb–Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\textrm{NN}}} = 5.02$ TeV are reported for the 0–10% and 30–50% centrality classes. This measurement provides access to the jet-like correlation observables in the heavy-flavor sector in Pb–Pb collisions. The analysis is performed for trigger electrons from heavy-flavor hadron decays with transverse momentum $4< p_\textrm{T}^\textrm{e} < 16~\textrm{GeV}/c$, considering associated particles within the transverse-momentum range $1< p_\textrm{T}^\textrm{assoc} < 7$ GeV/c, and a pseudorapidity difference of $|\Delta \eta |<1$ between the trigger electron and associated particles. The per-trigger nuclear modification factor ( I AA ) is calculated to compare the near- and away-side peak yields to those in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 5.02$ TeV. In 0–10% central collisions, the indicates a hint of enhancement of associated-particle yields with $p_\textrm{T}<3$ GeV/c on the near side, and a suppression of yields with $p_\textrm{T}>4$ GeV/c on the away side. The I AA for electron triggers from heavy-flavor hadron decays is compared with that for light-flavor and strange-particle triggers to investigate the dependence on different fragmentation processes and parton-medium dynamics, and is found to be the same within uncertainties.

Abualrob, I. J. [University of Houston] (ORCID:000↗
DOE OSTI2025

ALICE-USA Barrel Tracking Upgrade (Project Final Report)

The ALICE-USA Barrel Tracking Upgrade (BTU) project began in 2015 to participate in a major upgrade of the Time Projection Chamber (TPC) and the Inner Tracking System (ITS) of the ALICE Experiment at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland. This upgrade increased the maximum readout rate of the ALICE detector to accommodate the increased heavy ion interaction rates following Long Shutdown 2 of the Large Hadron Collider, and greatly improved the vertexing performance of the detector. The original scope was completed and reviewed in November 2019. The BTU project document BTU.19.v1 "ALICE Barrel Tracking Upgrade Project Closeout / Transition to Operations (2019)" from November 2019 describes the status in detail and is attached as Appendix 1 below. At that point, all delivery milestones had been met on time, all Key Performance Parameters (KPPs) of the project had been satisfied, and the project was under budget. Several subsequent No Cost Extensions (NCEs) supported integration and pre-commissioning of the BTU project deliverables at CERN, as well as study and assessment of performance with Pb-Pb collisions at 50 kHz. The BTU project was successfully completed on 30 September 2024.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2026

Computational Modeling of Atmospheric Processes at Texas Southern University

Texas Southern University (TSU) is strengthening its research program in atmospheric chemistry and physics with a climate science emphasis by leveraging partnerships with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Facility, Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), and the Tracking Aerosol Convection Interactions ExpeRiment (TRACER). This RDPP-supported program focuses on secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) and reactive atmospheric species that influence cloud formation, precipitation processes, and radiative forcing. SOAs play a critical role in cloud microphysics and Earth’s energy balance, yet the chemical and physical mechanisms governing SOA–cloud interactions remain a significant source of uncertainty in predictive climate models. Through computational modeling, observational data analysis, and national laboratory collaboration, this program develops a skilled cohort of students trained in atmospheric science, environmental data analysis, and climate-relevant modeling. These research experiences build technical competencies that are transferable to careers in government laboratories, academia, and industry. By engaging students from historically underrepresented communities in high-impact climate research, TSU expands participation in the atmospheric sciences workforce while contributing meaningful scientific insights to DOE-supported ARM research activities. This partnership strengthens national capacity in climate science and supports the development of the next generation of atmospheric researchers.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

HydroMINE: Simple, Modular and Scalable (Final Scientific/Technical Report)

Hydromine is a novel extremely versatile solution to hydrokinetics energy generation, where the external water flow facing energy sweeping area (&structure) is completely passive. One or multiple Hydromine units can easily deploy from a multitude of floating or stationary marine structures, opening a multitude of application and use cases. Proposing Hydromine, it was initially found that the concept could easily scale into all of the four areas of ARPA-E SHARKS cases, as well as other applications, this is illustrated in Figure 1. Also, the relatively aggressive cost of energy targets of the program could be met in the conceptual phase.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

OES CO 2 Pipeline FEED Project Design Basis Memorandum

The OES CO₂ Pipeline project will move captured carbon dioxide from two ethanol facilities near Gibson City, Illinois, roughly 7.8 miles southeast to three injection wells outside Anchor, where it will be permanently stored underground. The system is designed to handle up to 4.5 million metric tonnes per year of dense-phase CO₂ at pressures up to 2,500 psig, using 16-inch mainline pipe and 10.750-inch laterals made from API 5L X-60 and X-65 steel. Wall thicknesses vary depending on location, with thinner pipe in open country, heavier wall at road crossings, and the heaviest where the pipe passes under highways or railroads via horizontal directional drill. The pipe gets a fusion-bonded epoxy coating, with an added abrasion-resistant layer wherever it's bored or drilled. Major water crossings will use HDD rather than open trenching. The pipeline will be cathodically protected, equipped with SCADA-compatible pressure and temperature instrumentation, and monitored for leaks using a computational pipeline monitoring system per API RP 1130. Hydrostatic testing will be performed at 1.25 times design pressure, and an ILI caliper run will follow to catch any construction defects. Several items, including fracture toughness requirements, specific NDE methods, and ILI tool selection, are left for the detailed design phase. The whole system falls under 49 CFR Part 195 and ASME B31.4, and Gulf Interstate Engineering prepared this document as the FEED-level design basis under the CarbonSAFE Phase III program.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2025

A review of NEST models for liquid xenon and an exhaustive comparison with other approaches

This paper discusses the microphysical simulation of interactions in liquid xenon, the active detector medium in many leading rare-event searches for new physics, and describes experimental observables useful for understanding detector performance. The scintillation and ionization yield distributions for signal and background are presented using the Noble Element Simulation Technique (NEST), a toolkit based on experimental data and simple empirical formulas, which mimic previous microphysics modeling but are guided by data. The NEST models for light and charge production as a function of the particle type, energy, and electric field are reviewed, along with models for energy resolution and final pulse areas. NEST is compared with other models or sets of models and validated against real data, with several specific examples drawn from XENON, ZEPLIN, LUX, LZ, PandaX, and table-top experiments used for calibrations.

WIMPs↗
DOE OSTI2025

Monte Carlo Simulations of Polarized Radiative Transfer in Neutron Star Atmospheres

Soft X-ray emission from neutron stars affords powerful diagnostic tools for uncovering their surface and interior properties, as well as their geometric configurations. In the atmospheres of neutron stars, the presence of magnetic fields alters the photon-electron scattering cross sections, resulting in nontrivial angular dependence of intensity and polarization of the emergent signals. This paper presents recent developments of our Monte Carlo simulation, MAGTHOMSCATT, which tracks the complex electric field vector for each photon during its transport. Our analysis encompasses the anisotropy and polarization characteristics of X-ray emission for field strengths ranging from nonmagnetic to extremely magnetized regimes that are germane to magnetars. In the very low field domain, we reproduced the numerical solution to the radiative transfer equation for nonmagnetic Thomson scattering, and provided analytical fits for the angular dependence of the intensity and the polarization degree. These fits can be useful for studies of millisecond pulsars and magnetic white dwarfs. By implementing a refined injection protocol, we show that, in the magnetar regime, the simulated intensity and polarization pulse profiles of emission from extended surface regions becomes invariant with respect to the ratio of photon (ω) and electron cyclotron (ω B ) frequencies once ω/ω B ≲ 0.01. This circumvents the need for simulations pertinent to really high magnetic field strengths, which are inherently slower. Our approach will be employed elsewhere to model observational data to constrain neutron star geometric parameters and properties of emitting hot spots on their surfaces.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

exoALMA. XI. ALMA Observations and Hydrodynamic Models of LkCa 15: Implications for Planetary Mass Companions in the Dust Continuum Cavity

In the past decade, the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) has revealed a plethora of substructures in the disks surrounding young stars. These substructures have several proposed formation mechanisms, with one leading theory being the interaction between the disk and newly formed planets. In this Letter, we present high angular resolution ALMA observations of LkCa 15’s disk that reveal a striking difference in dust and CO emission morphology. The dust continuum emission shows a ringlike structure characterized by a dust-depleted inner region of ~40 au in radius. Conversely, the CO emission is radially smoother and shows no sign of gas depletion within the dust cavity. We compare the observations with models for the disk–planet interaction, including radiative transfer calculation in the dust and CO emission. This source is particularly interesting, as the presence of massive planets within the dust cavity has been suggested based on previous near-IR observations. We find that the level of CO emission observed within the dust cavity is inconsistent with the presence of planets more massive than Jupiter orbiting between 10 and 40 au. Instead, we argue that the LkCa 15 innermost dust cavity might be created either by a chain of low-mass planets or by other processes that do not require the presence of planets.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Timing-Based Search for Magnetic Monopoles with the NOvA Detector on the Surface

We report a search for a magnetic monopole component of the cosmic-ray flux in a 2743-live-day exposure of the NOvA experiment's Far Detector, a 14 kt segmented liquid scintillator detector designed primarily to observe GeV-scale electron neutrinos. No events consistent with monopoles were observed, setting an upper limit on the flux of $8\times 10^{-16}~\mathrm{cm^{-2}s^{-1}sr^{-1}}$ at 90% C.L. for monopole speed $6\times 10^{-4} < β< 5\times 10^{-3}$ and mass greater than $10^{9}$ GeV. Because of NOvA's small overburden of 3 meters-water equivalent, this constraint covers a previously unexplored low-mass region.

Abubakar, S. [Erciyes U.]↗
DOE OSTI2026

Enhanced Ionization Charge Identification in the Short-Baseline Neutrino Program Neutrino Detectors with Deep Neural Networks

We present a deep neural net-based region of interest detection method (DNN ROI) for signal processing in the liquid argon time projection chambers of the Short-Baseline Neutrino (SBN) Program, SBND and ICARUS. DNN ROI addresses limitations of the traditional wire-by-wire thresholding algorithm by leveraging the full two-dimensional detector readout and cross-plane matching information. To account for detector performance variations, we explore training with augmented samples. We find that DNN ROI outperforms the traditional method in both low-level ROI identification performance and high-level reconstruction metrics for high-energy cosmic and accelerator neutrino interaction products, while also being more robust against detector variations, with or without sample augmentation.

Abratenko, P. [Tufts U.]↗
DOE OSTI2026

Optimizing Transportation Networks for E-Waste Reverse Logistics: A Multi-Modal Cost Allocation and Pricing Strategy

The exponential growth of electronic waste (e-waste) poses critical challenges for sustainable reverse logistics and transportation network optimization. This study develops a dual-channel transportation framework for e-waste logistics that integrates dynamic freight pricing, cost allocation mechanisms, and game-theoretic coordination. The model captures interactions between centralized hubs and distributed processing networks, accounting for freight rate elasticity, volume allocation, and capacity constraints. Using Stackelberg game theory and cost-sharing strategies, the framework optimizes transportation efficiency and profit distribution across logistics channels. Numerical simulations show that the dual-channel structure increases centralized hub profit by 226.8% compared to baseline single-channel operations, while boosting total transported volume by 1.2% and nearly doubling freight collector profit under cost-sharing. Scenario analyses across regional infrastructures reveal that network density, policy incentives, and logistics costs shape routing efficiency and profit allocation. These findings suggest that coordinated strategies combining dynamic pricing, targeted infrastructure investment, and strategic cost allocation are needed to design efficient, resilient, and regionally adaptable e-waste transportation systems.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2026

Measurement of the $\bar ν_μ-$Hydrogen Charged-Current Quasi-Elastic Cross Section using the NOvA Near Detector

We report a measurement of the total cross section for muon antineutrino charged-current quasi-elastic scattering on hydrogen, $\bar ν_μ{\rm H} \to μ^+ n$, in the NOvA near detector using a $1.2\times10^{21}$ proton-on-target exposure in the NuMI beam. A selection based on topological and kinematic constraints yields 35,509 signal events in the hydrogen-rich ($10.8\%$) detector, providing the highest statistics of (anti)neutrino--hydrogen interactions measured to date. Backgrounds from (anti)neutrino interactions on heavier nuclei are constrained using dedicated data control samples, significantly reducing the related systematic uncertainties. We obtain a value $σ(\bar ν_μ{\rm H} \to μ^+ n) = 0.538 \pm 0.009 ({\rm stat}) \pm 0.010 ({\rm syst}) \pm0.055 ({\rm flux}) \times 10^{-38}$ cm$^2$ for the total cross section at an average energy of 1.9 GeV, the most precise total cross-section measurement of this process to date. The combined statistical and non-flux systematic uncertainty is more than four times smaller than the flux uncertainty, allowing a future use of this measurement to constrain the absolute $\bar ν_μ$ flux.

Abubakar, S. [Erciyes U.]↗
DOE OSTI2026

Measurement of the $\bar ν_μ-$Hydrogen Charged-Current Quasi-Elastic Cross Section using the NOvA Near Detector

We report a measurement of the total cross section for muon antineutrino charged-current quasi-elastic scattering on hydrogen, $\bar ν_μ{\rm H} \to μ^+ n$, in the NOvA near detector using a $1.2\times10^{21}$ proton-on-target exposure in the NuMI beam. A selection based on topological and kinematic constraints yields 35,509 signal events in the hydrogen-rich ($10.8\%$) detector, providing the highest statistics of (anti)neutrino--hydrogen interactions measured to date. Backgrounds from (anti)neutrino interactions on heavier nuclei are constrained using dedicated data control samples, significantly reducing the related systematic uncertainties. We obtain a value $σ(\bar ν_μ{\rm H} \to μ^+ n) = 0.538 \pm 0.009 ({\rm stat}) \pm 0.010 ({\rm syst}) \pm0.055 ({\rm flux}) \times 10^{-38}$ cm$^2$ for the total cross section at an average energy of 1.9 GeV, the most precise total cross-section measurement of this process to date. The combined statistical and non-flux systematic uncertainty is more than four times smaller than the flux uncertainty, allowing a future use of this measurement to constrain the absolute $\bar ν_μ$ flux.

Abubakar, S. [Erciyes U.]↗
DOE OSTI2026

Supramolecular Metal‐Organic Framework Electrocatalysts With Hydration‐Adaptive Gallery Expansion and Linker‐Mediated Distal Ni‐Co Cooperation Enable Framework‐Retentive Oxygen Evolution

Atomic‑level tailoring of electronic communication between spatially separated metal sites offers a route to accelerate multielectron electrocatalysis. We report Ni-TPTC, Co-TPTC, and heterobimetallic Ni-Co-TPTC supramolecular metal-organic frameworks (SMOFs) for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) built from a terphenyl‑tetracarboxylate (TPTC) linker. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction of heterobimetallic Ni–Co–TPTC reveals trans-bis-aqua octahedral chains assembled into a π-stacked, hydrogen-bonded lattice and confirms retention of the parent architecture, while powder X-ray diffraction supports an isostructural Co analog. In 1.0 M KOH, Ni-Co-TPTC reaches 20 mA cm −2 at 350 mV and maintains operation at ∼60 mA cm −2 for 45 h with modest decay of the initial current. Time‑dependent ex situ diffraction shows dominant framework reflections with low‑angle shifts consistent with gallery dilation (d‑spacing ∼7.7 → ∼9.2 Å) during early operation, while Co K‑edge X‑ray absorption and microscopy reveal Co‑rich oxide/oxyhydroxide‑like domains at longer times that correlate with decay. X‑ray photoelectron spectroscopy, quantified by the Remote Binding‑Energy Differential, tracks composition‑dependent Ni-Co polarization, and DFT free‑energy analysis suggests that a model Ni-Co environment lowers the Co‑centered potential‑limiting step by ∼0.24 eV relative to the Co‑only framework. Furthermore, these results suggest that framework‑retentive expansion and distal Ni-Co coupling can drive OER activity before gradual deligation and oxide formation mark longer‑time degradation.

Supramolecular metal-organic frameworks (SMOFs)↗
DOE OSTI2025

Evolution of the Electronic Gap of Directly Synthesized Versus Mechanically Transferred WS 2 Monolayer to Multilayer Films

The electronic properties of 2D materials play a critical role in determining their potential for device applications. Despite rapid developments in 2D semiconductors, studies of fundamental electronic parameters, including the electronic gap and ionization energy, are limited, with significant discrepancies in reported values. The study focuses on tungsten disulfide (WS₂) and investigates the electronic structure of films comprising an increasing number of layers deposited with two different methods: direct synthesis via metal–organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) and additive mechanical transfer of exfoliated single layers. The films are characterized via Raman, UV–vis, and photoluminescence spectroscopies, as well as ultraviolet photoelectron and inverse photoemission spectroscopies (UPS/IPES). The electronic gap of WS₂ is found to decrease from 2.43 eV for the monolayer to 1.97 eV for the trilayer, indicating a bulk transition at the trilayer thickness. This reduction in the electronic gap is primarily due to the downward shift of the conduction band minimum relative to the valence band maximum. A comparative analysis with MOCVD-grown WS₂ reveals a slightly larger electronic gap for MOCVD-grown samples, attributed to differences in defect densities. The electronic levels evaluated through UPS/IPES highlight the significant influence of preparation methods on the electronic properties of WS₂.

2D materials↗