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DOE OSTI2017

International symposium on clusters and nanomaterials (energy and life-sciences applications)

The International Symposium on Clusters and Nanomaterials was held in Richmond, Virginia during October 26-29, 2015. The symposium focused on the roles clusters and nanostructures play in solving outstanding problems in clean and sustainable energy and life sciences applications; two of the most important issues facing science and society. Many of the materials issues in renewable energies, environmental impacts of energy technologies as well as beneficial and toxicity issues of nanoparticles in health are intertwined. Realizing that both fundamental and applied materials issues require a multidisciplinary approach the symposium provided a forum by bringing researchers from physics, chemistry, materials science, and engineering fields to share their ideas and results, identify outstanding problems, and develop new collaborations. Clean and sustainable energy sessions addressed challenges in production, storage, conversion, and efficiency of renewable energies such as solar, wind, bio, thermo-electric, and hydrogen. Environmental issues dealt with air- and water-pollution and conservation, environmental remediation and hydrocarbon processing. Topics in life sciences included therapeutic and diagnostic methods as well as health hazards attributed to nanoparticles. Cross-cutting topics such as reactions, catalysis, electronic, optical, and magnetic properties were also covered. The symposium attracted 132 participants from 24 countries in the world. It featured 39 invited speakers in 14 plenary sessions, in addition to one key-note session. Eighty-five contributed papers were presented in two poster sessions and 14 papers from this list were selected to be presented orally at the end of each session to highlight hot topics. Papers presented at the symposium were reviewed and published in SPIE so that these can reach a wide audience. The symposium was highly interactive with ample time allotted for discussions and making new collaborations. The participants’ response was that this was a high quality conference and covered topics at the cutting edge of science and technology. The symposium was endorsed by the American Physical Society, The Materials Research Society, SPIE, The Metallurgical Society, and the American Vacuum Society. The symposium was supported by external grants from the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy as well as by internal grants from Virginia Commonwealth University (Offices of the President, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Vice President of Research, Vice Provost for Life Sciences, Dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences, and the Dean of the School of Engineering). The funding from DOE was used to support partial expenses of invited speakers, students and postdoctoral fellows.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Compact Ceramic Microchannel Heat Exchangers

The objective of the proposed work was to demonstrate the feasibility of a step change in power plant efficiency at a commercially viable cost, by obtaining performance data for prototype, compact, ceramic microchannel heat exchangers. By performing the tasks described in the initial proposal, all of the milestones were met. The work performed will advance the technology from Technology Readiness Level 3 (TRL 3) to Technology Readiness Level 4 (TRL 4) and validate the potential of using these heat exchangers for enabling high efficiency solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) or high-temperature turbine-based power plants. The attached report will describe how this objective was met. In collaboration with The Colorado School of Mines (CSM), specifications were developed for a high temperature heat exchanger for three commercial microturbines. Microturbines were selected because they are a more mature commercial technology than SOFC, they are a low-volume and high-value target for market entry of high-temperature heat exchangers, and they are essentially scaled-down versions of turbines used in utility-scale power plants. Using these specifications, microchannel dimensions were selected to meet the performance requirements. Ceramic plates were fabricated with microchannels of these dimensions. The plates were tested at room temperature and elevated temperature. Plates were joined together to make modular, heat exchanger stacks that were tested at a variety of temperatures and flow rates. Although gas flow rates equivalent to those in microturbines could not be achieved in the laboratory environment, the results showed expected efficiencies, robust operation under significant temperature gradients at high temperature, and the ability to cycle the stacks. Details of the methods and results are presented in this final report.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2016

America Saves! Energizing Main Street's Small Businesses

The America Saves! Energizing Main Street Small Businesses project engaged the 1,200-member National Main Street Center (NMSC) network of downtown organizations and other local, regional, and national partners to test a methodology for sharing customized energy efficiency information with owners of commercial buildings smaller than 50,000 square feet. Led by the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Preservation Green Lab, the project marshalled local staff and volunteers to gather voluntarily-disclosed energy use information from participating businesses. This information was analyzed using a remote auditing tool (validated by the National Renewable Energy Lab) to assess energy savings opportunities and design retrofit strategies targeting seven building types (food service and sales, attached mixed-use, strip mall, retail, office, lodging, and schools). The original project design contemplated extensive leveraging of the Green Button protocol for sharing annualized utility data at a district scale. Due the lack of adoption of Green Button, the project partners developed customized approaches to data collection in each of twelve pilot communities. The project team encountered considerable challenges in gathering standardized annual utility data from local partners. After overcoming these issues, the data was uploaded to a data storehouse. Over 450 properties were benchmarked and the remote auditing tool was tested using full building profiles and utility records for more than 100 commercial properties in three of the pilot communities. The audit tool demonstrated potential for quickly capturing, analyzing, and communicating energy efficiency opportunities in small commercial buildings. However, the project team found that the unique physical characteristics and use patterns (partial vacancy, periodic intensive uses) of small commercial buildings required more trouble-shooting and data correction than was anticipated. In addition, the project revealed that remote technology alone (such as audits) is not sufficient to convince most owners of commercial buildings or businesses to invest in energy efficiency. Additional, one-on-one personal communication is critical. A combination of technology and well-planned direct contact is likely to produce the highest rate of energy efficiency implementation in the small commercial building market sector. Note that only two of the three planned phases of this project were completed. As a result, research and testing were not fully implemented and thus all results and conclusions from the America Saves! Energizing Main Street Small Businesses project should be considered preliminary. In addition to the National Main Street Center, local organizations, and regional utilities, the America Saves! project partners included the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Energy Center of Wisconsin (Seventh Wave), Lend Lease, Building Energy, and Energy RM.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2017

Footprint of Sandia's August 15 2016 Informal Idea Exploration Session on "Towards an Engineering and Applied Science of Research".

On August 15, 2016, Sandia hosted a visit by Professor Venkatesh Narayanamurti. Prof Narayanamurti (Benjamin Peirce Research Professor of Technology and Public Policy at Harvard, Board Member of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, former Dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science at Harvard, former Dean of Engineering at UC Santa Barbara, and former Vice President of Division 1000 at Sandia). During the visit, a small, informal, all-day idea exploration session on "Towards an Engineering and Applied Science of Research" was conducted. This document is a brief synopsis or "footprint" of the presentations and discussions at this Idea Exploration Session. The intent of this document is to stimulate further discussion about pathways Sandia can take to improve its Research practices.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2016

Weldon Spring, Missouri, Site Annual Report for Calendar Year 2015 June 2016

1.1 Purpose and Scope. This report summarizes the activities, compliance status, annual inspection, and environmental monitoring results from calendar year 2015 for the Weldon Spring, Missouri, Site. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) prepares this annual report as part of the site’s long-term surveillance and maintenance (LTS&M) activities, in accordance with the requirements of the Long-Term Surveillance and Maintenance Plan for the Weldon Spring, Missouri, Site (LTS&M Plan) (DOE 2008a) and the Federal Facility Agreement for the Weldon Spring Site (DOE 2006). The Weldon Spring site is a Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) site. 1.2 Site Description. The Weldon Spring site is located in St. Charles County, Missouri, about 30 miles west of St. Louis, Missouri (Figure 1). The site comprises two geographically distinct, DOE-owned properties: the former Weldon Spring Chemical Plant and Raffinate Pit sites (Chemical Plant) and the former Weldon Spring Quarry (Quarry). The former Chemical Plant is located about 2 miles southwest of the junction of Missouri State Route 94 and Interstate 64. The Quarry is about 4 miles southwest of the former Chemical Plant. Both sites are accessible from Missouri State Route 94. During the early 1940s, the Department of the Army acquired 17,232 acres of private land in St. Charles County for the construction of the Weldon Spring Ordnance Works facility. The former Ordnance Works site has since been divided into several contiguous areas under different ownership, as depicted in Figure 2. Current land use of the former Ordnance Works site includes the former Chemical Plant and Quarry, the U.S. Army Reserve Weldon Spring Training Area, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Division of State Parks (MDNR-Parks), Francis Howell High School, a St. Charles County highway maintenance (formerly Missouri Department of Transportation [MoDOT]) facility, the Public Water Supply District No. 2 water supply facility, the St. Charles County law enforcement training center, the village of Weldon Spring Heights, and a University of Missouri research park. The former Chemical Plant and Quarry areas total 228.16 acres. The Former Chemical Plant property occupies 219.50 acres, and the Quarry occupies 8.66 acres.

2015 Annual Report Weldon Spring↗
DOE OSTI2017

A journey from nuclear criticality methods to high energy density radflow experiments

Los Alamos National Laboratory is a nuclear weapons laboratory supporting our nation's defense. In support of this mission is a high energy-density physics program in which we design and execute experiments to study radiationhydrodynamics phenomena and improve the predictive capability of our largescale multi-physics software codes on our big-iron computers. The Radflow project’s main experimental effort now is to understand why we haven't been able to predict opacities on Sandia National Laboratory's Z-machine. We are modeling an increasing fraction of the Z-machine's dynamic hohlraum to find multi-physics explanations for the experimental results. Further, we are building an entirely different opacity platform on Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's National Ignition Facility (NIF), which is set to get results early 2017. Will the results match our predictions, match the Z-machine, or give us something entirely different? The new platform brings new challenges such as designing hohlraums and spectrometers. The speaker will recount his history, starting with one-dimensional Monte Carlo nuclear criticality methods in graduate school, radiative transfer methods research and software development for his first 16 years at LANL, and, now, radflow technology and experiments. Who knew that the real world was more than just radiation transport? Experiments aren't easy, but they sure are fun.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

GATEWAY Demonstrations: Exterior LED Lighting Projects at Princeton University

This report focuses on four exterior solid-state lighting projects that have been completed at Princeton since 2008, when the University adopted a comprehensive sustainability plan. Through these initial projects – which include a parking garage, a pedestrian path, and two parking lot installations – the school’s facilities engineering staff learned important lessons about SSL technology and gained experience in dealing with the rapidly changing landscape of lighting manufacturers and their suppliers.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2015

GATEWAY Report Brief: Exterior Lighting at Princeton University

Summary of GATEWAY report focuses on four exterior solid-state lighting projects that have been completed at Princeton since 2008, when the University adopted a comprehensive sustainability plan. Through these initial projects – which include a parking garage, a pedestrian path, and two parking lot installations – the school’s facilities engineering staff learned important lessons about SSL technology and gained experience in dealing with the rapidly changing landscape of lighting manufacturers and their suppliers.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2017

High-Temperature Thermochemical Storage with Redox-Stable Perovskites for Concentrating Solar Power, CRADA Number: CRD-14-554

As part of a Federal Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Award, the project will be led by Colorado School of Mines (CSM) to explore and demonstrate the efficacy of highly reducible, redox-stable oxides to provide efficient thermochemical energy storage for heat release at temperatures of 900 degrees Celcius or more. NREL will support the material development for its application in a concentrating solar power (CSP) plant. In the project, NREL will provide its inventive system design, chemical looping for CSP, and use it as a platform to accommodate the chemical processes using a cost effective perovskite materials identified by CSM. NREL will design a 5-10kW particle receiver for perovskite reduction to store solar energy and help the development of a fluidized-bed reoxidation reactor and system integration. NREL will develop the demonstration receiver for on-sun test in the 5-10 kWt range in NREL's high flux solar furnace. NREL will assist in system analysis and provide techno-economic inputs for the overall system configuration.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

Plasma Sciences Exposition at APS-DPP

Plasma Sciences Expo provides an exhibition that focuses on interactive, hands-on informal science education for students at all levels, parents, teachers and the general public. DPP research students and scientists inform this audience of the wonders of science with a particular focus on fusion and plasma science. School groups attend 8:00 am to 2:00 pm and the public attends 6 to 8 pm.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

Theoretical Research at the High Energy Frontier: Cosmology and Beyond

The forefront of particle physics has focused on possible physics beyond the standard model which might help explain its peculiarities, including the nature of the spectrum of masses of elementary particles, the peculiar hierarchy between the Planck scale and the electroweak scale, and the possible manner in which the standard model might be embedded in a quantum theory which incorporates gravity. Over the past several decades it has become clear that several of the key out-standing problems associated with our understanding of fundamental interactions are inextricably tied to questions that are also of current interest in cosmology and astrophysics. At the same time, remarkable new data is being gathered that will allow empirical testing of theoretical ideas that have been around for a generation, from the discovery of the Higgs at the LHC to the possible detection of gravitational waves from Inflation at the GUT scale. The questions of the origin of mass, and possible grand unification are both tied to the possible existence of phase transitions in the early universe. Neutrino masses, as probed from astrophysical sources, may play a key role in elucidating the physics associated with the generation of baryon number. It is also possible that new physics at the electroweak scale may play a role in the nature of primordial cosmological magnetic fields. Low Energy Supersymmetry as a solution to the hierarchy problem can predict, besides events detectable at the LHC, stable weakly interacting particles that might make up the dark matter of the universe. The possible existence of large extra dimensions might also impact upon the hierarchy problem, but these could also dramatically affect our picture of the evolution of the Universe both at early times, and possibly on large scales. Inflation may depend upon new physics at the GUT scale, but its detection may now be imminent with the possible detection of a gravitational wave signature in the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation. Undoubtedly the most significant outstanding problem in high-energy physics is also a problem in cosmology, and indeed originated not from accelerators but from astrophysical observations: What is the origin and nature of the dark energy that appears to dominate the Universe? An understanding of quantum gravity, and perhaps a new understanding of quantum mechanics or quantum field theory may be required to fully address this problem. At the moment, the physics of black holes may provide the best opportunity to explore these issues, while the discovery of the Higgs suggests several new possible connections to physics that might be relevant for dark energy. Finally, pending confirmation of a gravitational wave signal from inflation, to date the only direct evidence for fundamental particle physics beyond the standard model comes, at least in part, from astrophysical neutrino observations. A remarkable convergence of theory, observation and experiment has been taking place that is allowing great strides to be made in our knowledge of the parameters that describe the universe, if not the origin of these parameters. Given the new discoveries now being made, and the incredible capabilities of future instruments, it is an exciting time to make progress in our fundamental understanding the origin and evolution of the Universe and the fundamental forces that guide that evolution. As a result, it is natural that our DOE theory research program at Arizona State University focuses in large part on the connections between particle physics and cosmology and astrophysics in order to improve our understanding of fundamental physics. Our areas of research cover all of the areas described above. Our group now consists of four faculty PI’s and their postdocs and students, complemented by long term visitor Frank Wilczek, and physics faculty colleagues Cecilia Lunardini, Richard Lebed, and Andrei Belitsky, whose interests overlap in areas ranging from particle theory and phenomenology to neutrino astrophysics. In addition, we interact with astronomers, and experimentalists in both Physics and the School of Earth and Space Exploration. In addition, Krauss and Parikh are associated, respectively, with the ASU Origins Project and the ASU Beyond Center. Both of these groups have helped us leverage DOE funds by supporting workshops associated with our activities from time to time. To continue the active program we have built up here, we are asking for support for 3 graduate students, and 3 postdocs (note that the PI will forego summer salary support in order to support one additional postdoc beyond the request in our last proposal for 2 postdocs). We have been fortunate to build a vibrant group based in part on University startup support for our program. Now that that support is coming to a close for most of our group, we are hoping that the exciting program we have created motivates continued DOE support at a level that, while not as great as the level we enjoyed with startup support, will nevertheless allow us to maintain our momentum.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Travel patterns and characteristics of low-income subpopulation in New York state

Studies have shown that people residing in poverty face more mobility challenges in their daily travels as compared to those living in higher income households. In many cities, the lack of a public transportation systems and investments in low-income areas are making it difficult for those living in poverty to access jobs, goods, and services (schools, groceries, health cares, etc. In this study, Oak Ridge National Laboratory was tasked by the New York State (NYS) Department of Transportation to conduct a detailed examination of the travel behaviors and identify patterns and trends of the low-income residents within NYS. The 2009 National Household Travel Survey data was used as the primary information source to analyze subjects associated with poverty and mobility, as well as to address questions such as are there differences in traveler demographics between the low-income population and those of others who live in various NYS regions (e.g., New York City, other urban areas of NYS)? How do they compare with the population at large (e.g., rest of the country) or with findings from previous years (i.e., trend)? Are there any regional differences (e.g., urban versus rural)? Do any unique travel characteristics or patterns exist within the low-income group? Through this study, various key findings on low-income population sizes, household characteristics, travel patterns, and mobility limitations were identified and summarized in this report.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

Comprehensive Study of the Model Mercury-Based Cuprate Superconductors

This is the Final Report on DE-SC0006858, which opened 15 August 2011 and closed 14 August 2017. The Principal Investigator is Martin Greven, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 555455 (email: greven@umn.edu). The Administrative Point of Contact is Patricia Jondahl, phone: 612-624-5599, email: awards@umn.edu. The DOE Program is the Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Program manager is Dr. P. Thiyagarajan, Neutron Scattering SC-22.2/ Germantown Bldg. (email: Thiyagarajan@science.doe.gov). The chief activity was the crystal growth, characterization, neutron and X-ray scattering study of the mercury-based cuprates, arguably the most desirable high-Tc superconductors for experimental study due to their record values of Tc and their relatively simple crystal structures. It is thought that the unusual magnetic and charge degrees of freedom of the copper-oxygen sheets that form the fundamental building block of all cuprate superconductors give rise to the high Tc and to many other unusual properties exhibited by the class of quantum materials. Neutron scattering experiments were performed to reveal the nature of the magnetic degrees of freedom of the copper-oxygen sheets, whereas X-ray scattering experiments and complementary charge-transport experiments were performed to reveal the nature of the charge degrees of freedom. In addition, collaborations were initiated with experts in the use of complementary experimental techniques. The primary products are (i) scientific articles published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, (ii) scientific presentations at national and international conferences, and (iii) education of postdoctoral researchers, PhD graduate students and undergraduate researchers by providing a research experience in crystal growth, characterization and scattering. Twenty scientific papers were published in peer-reviewed journals, thirty-one invited talks were presented at national or international conferences, or as colloquia or seminars, and three postdoctoral researchers, six PhD graduate students and nine undergraduate researchers were supported wholly or in part in the pursuit of the scientific topics of this award. This report summarizes the activity and productivity, lists highlights, publications and conference presentations, postdocs, students and collaborators. A balance of zero remained at the close of the grant.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2017

Reconciling Basin-Scale Top-Down and Bottom-Up Methane Emission Measurements for Onshore Oil and Gas Development: Cooperative Research and Development Final Report, CRADA Number CRD-14-572

The overall objective of the Research Partnership to Secure Energy for America (RPSEA)-funded research project is to develop independent estimates of methane emissions using top-down and bottom-up measurement approaches and then to compare the estimates, including consideration of uncertainty. Such approaches will be applied at two scales: basin and facility. At facility scale, multiple methods will be used to measure methane emissions of the whole facility (controlled dual tracer and single tracer releases, aircraft-based mass balance and Gaussian back-trajectory), which are considered top-down approaches. The bottom-up approach will sum emissions from identified point sources measured using appropriate source-level measurement techniques (e.g., high-flow meters). At basin scale, the top-down estimate will come from boundary layer airborne measurements upwind and downwind of the basin, using a regional mass balance model plus approaches to separate atmospheric methane emissions attributed to the oil and gas sector. The bottom-up estimate will result from statistical modeling (also known as scaling up) of measurements made at selected facilities, with gaps filled through measurements and other estimates based on other studies. The relative comparison of the bottom-up and top-down estimates made at both scales will help improve understanding of the accuracy of the tested measurement and modeling approaches. The subject of this CRADA is NREL's contribution to the overall project. This project resulted from winning a competitive solicitation no. RPSEA RFP2012UN001, proposal no. 12122-95, which is the basis for the overall project. This Joint Work Statement (JWS) details the contributions of NREL and Colorado School of Mines (CSM) in performance of the CRADA effort.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

Subalpine and alpine species range shifts with climate change: temperature and soil moisture manipulations to test species and population responses (Final Report)

The Alpine Treeline Warming Experiment (ATWE) was established in 2008-2009 to experimentally test how climate change would affect species ranges at and beyond the cold edge limits of forest growth. One key finding was that warming can hinder upslope tree migration by increasing seedling water stress and reducing seedling survival. We found evidence for more conservative traits in seedlings from high elevation tree populations, which may further slow tree expansion into the current alpine. In the alpine, warming may only increase productivity if summer rain increases, as dominant alpine life forms were negatively affected by heating unless water was added. The ATWE experimental design and focus on dynamic vegetation were novel, and the setting at the mountain treeline transition was important to understanding effects of climate variability and change on water resources, carbon cycling and biodiversity. We ended climate manipulations and removed associated infrastructure from the field in 2016 following 8 years of data collection. To date, 5 MS theses and 18 peer-reviewed papers have been published or accepted (including one that yielded the cover image in Global Change Biology, left), and 1 PhD thesis and at least 5 papers are in review or active development. Numerous past seasonal and long-term field staff have gone on to graduate school, and subsequently to research positions as university faculty or agency scientists. PI Kueppers continues collecting data on soil microclimate and seedling survival for long-lived tree species to fill a critical gap in knowledge regarding the seedling-to-sapling transition across species and elevations. Primary project data is housed on the project’s virtual server, organized according to topic. Published data and model code is available either through the project website or via other permanent archives. Our results are influencing understanding and modeling of climate and genetic constraints on dynamic vegetation change across the landscape, particularly in the mountains of the Western U.S.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

Federal Labs and Research Centers Benefiting California: 2017 Impact Report for State Leaders.

Sandia National Laboratories is the largest of the Department of Energy national laboratories with more than 13,000 staff spread across its two main campuses in New Mexico and California. For more than 60 years, the Sandia National Laboratories campus in Livermore, California has delivered cutting-edge science and technology solutions to resolve the nation’s most challenging and complex problems. As a multidisciplinary laboratory, Sandia draws from virtually every science and engineering discipline to address challenges in energy, homeland security, cybersecurity, climate, and biosecurity. Today, collaboration is vital to ensuring that the Lab stays at the forefront of science and technology innovation. Partnerships with industry, state, and local governments, and California universities help drive innovation and economic growth in the region. Sandia contributed to California’s regional and statewide economy with more than $145 million in contracts to California companies, $92 million of which goes to California small businesses. In addition, Sandia engages the community directly by running robust STEM education programs for local schools and administering community giving programs. Meanwhile, investments like the Livermore Valley Open Campus (LVOC), an innovation hub supported by LLNL and Sandia, help catalyze the local economy.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗