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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 127 records · Page 7
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

The Curious Case of ASASSN-20hx: A Slowly Evolving, UV- and X-Ray-Luminous, Ambiguous Nuclear Transient

Abstract We present observations of ASASSN-20hx, a nearby ambiguous nuclear transient (ANT) discovered in NGC 6297 by the All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae (ASAS-SN). We observed ASASSN-20hx from −30 to 275 days relative to the peak UV/optical emission using high-cadence, multiwavelength spectroscopy and photometry. From Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite data, we determine that the ANT began to brighten on 2020 June 22.8 with a linear rise in flux for at least the first week. ASASSN-20hx peaked in the UV/optical 30 days later on 2020 July 22.8 (MJD = 59052.8) at a bolometric luminosity of L = (3.15 ± 0.04) × 10 43 erg s −1 . The subsequent decline is slower than any TDE observed to date and consistent with many other ANTs. Compared to an archival X-ray detection, the X-ray luminosity of ASASSN-20hx increased by an order of magnitude to L x ∼ 1.5 × 10 42 erg s −1 and then slowly declined over time. The X-ray emission is well fit by a power law with a photon index of Γ ∼ 2.3–2.6. Both the optical and near-infrared spectra of ASASSN-20hx lack emission lines, unusual for any known class of nuclear transient. While ASASSN-20hx has some characteristics seen in both tidal disruption events and active galactic nuclei, it cannot be definitively classified with current data.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

ADCP Acoustic Interference Survey Data, Sequim Bay Inlet, WA

Raw ADCP (Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler) datasets from acoustic interference surveys with a TRDI Workhorse 300, a Nortek Signature500 and two Signature1000 instruments from August 2020. One Signature 1000 ADCP was deployed for 13 days on a bottom lander in Sequim Bay Inlet, WA. Data from the other three instruments were taken from a survey vessel running transects above the deployed lander.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2021

Design of high deflection foils for MHK applications - CFD files

The Ocean Renewable Power Company's (ORPC's) goal is to design, develop, and test hydrofoils with large deflections. The effects of the deflections on cross-flow turbine performance would be evaluated in order to inform design considerations for full-scale water turbines and other marine hydrokinetic devices. OpenFOAM V1912 files for straight foil model scale turbines in the University of New Hampshire tow tank. Strut Locations = (0.13, 0.225, 0.450, 0.675, 0.900) [m] Tip speed ratio = 2.40

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2023

Non-Synchronous Rotation on Europa Driven by Ocean Currents

It has been suggested that the ice shell of Jupiter's moon Europa may drift non-synchronously due to tidal torques. Here we argue that torques applied by the underlying ocean are also important and can result in non-synchronous rotation. The resulting spin rate can be slightly slower than the synchronous angular rate that would have kept the same point of the ice shell facing Jupiter. We develop an ice shell rotation model, driven by ocean stress calculated using a high-resolution state-of-the-art ocean general circulation model, and take into account the viscoelastic deformation of the ice shell. We use the ice shell model results together with observed limits on the ice shell drift speed to constrain ice shell parameters such as effective viscosity, which is currently uncertain by at least four orders of magnitude. Our results suggest, at best, sluggish ice shell convection. Depending on the relaxation time scale of the ice shell and on the ocean currents, the ice shell may exhibit negligible drift, constant drift, or oscillatory drift superimposed on random fluctuations. The expected rotation rate exceeds ~30 m/yr; future spacecraft observations can be used to test these predictions and yield insight into the properties of the ice shell and underlying ocean.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Comparison of experimental and computational methods for discharge measurements from tidal wetlands

This short communication describes the use and comparison of three methods used to calculate the flow discharge from a tidal wetland stream. The techniques presented are a) bottom-mounted ADCP deployments, b) vessel-mounted ADCP transects, and c) a volume inundation spatial model that relies on a high-resolution LiDAR dataset and time-series of water surface elevation data. The relative agreement between these three methods is used to build confidence in the application of these techniques to the challenge of deducing flow discharge from tidal wetlands.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

2020 State of the Science Report, Chapter 7: Changes in Oceanographic Systems Associated with Marine Renewable Energy Devices

Oceanographic processes define the marine environment: the flow of water determines the concentrations of dissolved gases and nutrients, transports sediments, and maintains the habitats and water quality that support marine organisms and healthy ecosystems. Important physical processes in the ocean include, but are not limited to, tidal circulation and basin flushing, wave action, local and basin-scale ocean currents, temperature and salinity gradients, sediment transport forming and shaping coastlines, and the exchange of heat and dissolved gases at the air-water interface. Harnessing energy with marine renewable energy (MRE) devices has the potential to affect these processes in both the nearfield (within a few device lengths) and the farfield (farther from the device, from the scale of multiple devices to the scale of an enclosed basin) by removing energy from the system, changing natural flow patterns around devices, and/or decreasing wave heights. https://tethys.pnnl.gov/publications/state-of-the-science-2020-chapter-7-oceanographic-systems

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Modelling the Effects of Wetland Restoration on Coastal Hydrology: A Case Study of Elkhorn Slough Watershed, California

ABSTRACT Coastal wetlands, some of the most productive ecosystems on Earth, provide critical ecosystem services, including support of biodiversity, carbon sequestration and flood protection. In recent decades, these ecosystems have experienced extensive coastal wetland loss. Coastal wetland restoration provides a beacon of hope, offering a chance to reclaim these important habitats. However, even with billions of dollars invested worldwide in restoring coastal wetlands, we still lack comprehensive knowledge about the effectiveness of these restoration efforts in recovering wetland ecosystem functions and how future climate change may affect these efforts. The ability to evaluate how these ecosystems will function in the future is vital for examining current investments and developing future protection and management plans. We selected Elkhorn Slough, a tidal estuary, in California, to investigate the impact of wetland restoration and sea level rise (SLR) on coastal hydrology using the process‐based coastal hydrologic model, Advanced Terrestrial Simulator (ATS), informed by site‐specific data. We designed a novel modelling workflow for incorporating wetland restoration features into land cover and soil properties for the model parameterization. The validation results demonstrate a strong agreement between modelled and observed data. We studied the characteristics of coastal watershed hydrology, then focused on the surface water dynamics at two wetland sites within Elkhorn Slough, a reference site and a restored site. Our simulation results indicate that the restored site successfully maintains surface elevation, resulting in reduced surface inundation. We also examined the impact of wetland restoration under expected SLR over the next few decades. The low‐lying Yampah Marsh, the reference site, is likely to be inundated due to future SLR when highest tides arrive, while a higher percentage of Hester Marsh, the restored site, would retain marsh vegetation in coming decades, regardless of tidal conditions. Our study provides important information for examining the outcome of restoration practices that include surface elevation in tidal wetlands under climate changes.

advanced terrestrial simulator↗
DOE OSTI2023

TEAMER: Water Tunnel Data from Testing the Pterofin Skimmer Concept

Pterofin's Skimmer concept relies on a flapping and pitching hydrofoil to extract hydrokinetic energy from water flows. The concept aims to utilize unsteady fluid dynamics phenomena (added mass, shed vorticity, and unsteady boundary layer development) to achieve higher lift coefficients, enabling increased power density of the hydrokinetic device and a fundamental shift in the rpm/torque scaling of the power take off compared with turbines. The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State, in collaboration with Pterofin, designed and built a proof-of-concept flapping/pitching mechanism which was subsequently tested in ARL's 12-inch water tunnel facility. The mechanical power supplied to or extracted from the mechanism was measured for a range of hydrofoils provided by Pterofin over operating conditions including reduced frequency, Reynolds number, and the ratio between pitching and flapping amplitudes. The power lost to friction in the mechanism was removed from the net power measurement by means of a bare hub tare, with the resultant hydrodynamic power being used to calculate a mechanism-independent and non-dimensional power coefficient. The product of this effort is a dataset describing the power coefficient of a hydrofoil having simultaneous pitching and flapping motions, both of which are approximately sinusoidal. Power coefficients were collected for a range of primary design variables including: - Reduced frequency: 0.01 to 0.95 - Pitching/flapping peak angle ratio: 1.5 to 3.0 - Chord-based Reynolds number: 60,000 to 560,000 Secondary design variables relating to the hydrofoil geometry were explored including: - Aspect ratio - Planform shape - Section thickness distribution - Hydrofoil position relative to the pitching axis - Hydrofoil sweep angle relative to the pitching axis Measured data are provided in mean and time series formats. MATLAB scripts are provided which can be used to generate figures of time-averaged and phase-averaged hydrodynamic power coefficients calculated from the measured data. A complete description of the experiment and data reduction can be found in the Post Access Report for the Pterofin Skimmer test effort which will be available on the TEAMER website. This work was supported by the Pacific Energy Ocean Trust via a TEAMER award.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2023

Integrated path planning and control through proximal policy optimization for a marine current turbine

This paper presents an integrated path planning and tracking control framework for a marine current turbine (MCT), where the MCT is treated as an energy-harvesting autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). Considering the ocean (space of action) is continuous, the proposed framework employs two modules to address path planning and path tracking enabled by the proximal policy optimization (PPO) algorithm, which is a policy gradient deep reinforcement learning (RL) method. Further, to enable fully autonomous operation in a stochastic oceanic environment, the proposed path planning seeks a primary objective of maximizing the harvested energy; then, the path tracking module is designed to minimize the tracking error and avoid collisions with static and dynamic obstacles. Using field-collected acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) data, the performance of the proposed framework is evaluated. Comparative studies with baseline algorithms in three different scenarios of path planning, path tracking without an obstacle, and path tracking with collision avoidance verify the effectiveness of our proposed approach.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2024

Total Water Level Prediction at Continental Scale: Coastal Ocean

We demonstrate recent progress made in the simulation of total water level (TWL) at continental scale, using the coastal ocean of US East Coast/Gulf of Mexico coast as an example. A key difference between the continental-scale and small-scale modeling is that the former requires a more accurate vertical datum. Using a geoid-based datum (xGEOID20b), a satellite altimetry product, and a state-of-the-art 3D unstructured-grid model, we significantly improve the accuracy for TWL both near- and off-shore. The average root-mean-square error at all NOAA stations is 14 cm. The non-tidal signals are found to be sensitive to the representation of a large-scale current system near the boundary and extending the domain extent to accommodate this system improves these signals.

Cui, Linlin↗
DOE OSTI2022

AmeriFlux US-Hsm Hill Slough Marsh

This is the AmeriFlux version of the carbon flux data for the site US-Hsm Hill Slough Marsh. Site Description - The site is currently a diked marsh - upland ecotone located at the northern Suisun Marsh. It will undergo tidal restoration in Fall 2021. Restoration work is done by Ducks Unlimited Inc. and will cover an area of 649 acres. After levee breaches, the site tower will be in a high marsh system. Water level at high tide is estimated to be 0.5-1 m above the soil. Ducks Unlimited, Inc. and the Berkeley Biometeorology lab are working together to evaluate the effects of the proposed tidal marsh restoration project.

Kyle_Delwiche, Kyle_Delwiche↗
DOE OSTI2025

AmeriFlux FLUXNET-1F US-Hsm Hill Slough Marsh

This is the AmeriFlux Management Project (AMP) created FLUXNET-1F version of the carbon flux data for the site US-Hsm Hill Slough Marsh. This is the FLUXNET version of the carbon flux data for the site US-Hsm Hill Slough Marsh produced by applying the standard ONEFlux (1F) software. Site Description - The site is currently a diked marsh - upland ecotone located at the northern Suisun Marsh. It will undergo tidal restoration in Fall 2021. Restoration work is done by Ducks Unlimited Inc. and will cover an area of 649 acres. After levee breaches, the site tower will be in a high marsh system. Water level at high tide is estimated to be 0.5-1 m above the soil. Ducks Unlimited, Inc. and the Berkeley Biometeorology lab are working together to evaluate the effects of the proposed tidal marsh restoration project.

Kyle_Delwiche, Kyle_Delwiche [University of Califo↗
DOE OSTI2024

Performance data for an axial-flow turbine with passive adaptive blades

To support the development of simulation tools for passive adaptive turbine rotors, an experimental data set from a laboratory-scale axial-flow turbine with passive adaptive blades is provided. The 0.45-meter diameter turbine was tested in the Alice C. Tyler Flume at the University of Washington. Blade and rotor loads were measured at 1 kHz using six-axis force/torque sensors while deflection and twist at the blade tip were tracked using a high-speed camera. This data submission includes a technical report, the raw and processed experimental data, and a README file explaining the file/folder structure and where to find the processing/plotting scripts used to produce the figures in the technical report.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2023

Marine energy converters: Potential acoustic effects on fishes and aquatic invertebrates

The potential effects of underwater anthropogenic sound and substrate vibration from offshore renewable energy development on the behavior, fitness, and health of aquatic animals is a continuing concern with increased deployments and installation of these devices. Initial focus of related studies concerned offshore wind. However, over the past decade, marine energy devices, such as a tidal turbines and wave energy converters, have begun to emerge as additional, scalable renewable energy sources. Because marine energy converters (MECs) are not as well-known as other anthropogenic sources of potential disturbance, their general function and what is known about the sounds and substrate vibrations that they produce are introduced. Furthermore, while most previous studies focused on MECs and marine mammals, this paper considers the potential of MECs to cause acoustic disturbances affecting nearshore and tidal fishes and invertebrates. In particular, the focus is on particle motion and substrate vibration from MECs because these effects are the most likely to be detected by these animals. Finally, an analysis of major data gaps in understanding the acoustics of MECs and their potential impacts on fishes and aquatic invertebrates and recommendations for research needed over the next several years to improve understanding of these potential impacts are provided.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2022

DAISY Acoustic Measurements in Agate Pass, WA

Acoustic data and metadata from Drifting Acoustic Instrumentation SYstem (DAISY) testing in Agate Pass (separating the north end of Bainbridge Island and the Kitsap Peninsula in Puget Sound), WA in April 2022. The goal was to characterize radiated noise from a cross-flow turbine deployed from a moored vessel. As discussed in the accompanying report, sound produced by the turbine was below the ambient nose floor at the surveyed ranges.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2023

Prospects for a Precise Equation of State Measurement from Advanced LIGO and Cosmic Explorer

Gravitational-wave observations of neutron star mergers can probe the nuclear equation of state by measuring the imprint of the neutron star's tidal deformability on the signal. We investigate the ability of future gravitational-wave observations to produce a precise measurement of the equation of state from binary neutron star inspirals. Because measurability of the tidal effect depends on the equation of state, we explore several equations of state that span current observational constraints. We generate a population of binary neutron stars as seen by a simulated Advanced LIGO–Virgo network, as well as by a planned Cosmic Explorer observatory. We perform Bayesian inference to measure the parameters of each signal, and we combine measurements across each population to determine R 1.4 , the radius of a 1.4 M ⊙ neutron star. We find that, with 321 signals, the LIGO–Virgo network is able to measure R 1.4 to better than 2% precision for all equations of state we consider; however, we also find that achieving this precision could take decades of observation, depending on the equation of state and the merger rate. On the other hand, we find that with one year of observation, Cosmic Explorer will measure R 1.4 to better than 0.6% precision. In both cases, we find that systematic biases, such as from an incorrect mass prior, can significantly impact measurement accuracy, and efforts will be required to mitigate these effects.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Near wake evolution of a tidal stream turbine due to asymmetric sheared turbulent inflow with different integral length scales

Tidal stream turbines deployed at highly energetic open water sites are subjected to sheared inflow in the rotor plane. The inflow shear is expected to cause asymmetric loading on the rotor blades and affect the downstream wake. In the current study, two different turbulent inflow conditions, static-high shear and dynamic shear, were generated via an active-grid turbulence generator. A 1:20 scaled three-bladed horizontal axis tidal turbine model was tested in those conditions. The results were compared to a quasi-laminar case with no imposed turbulence or shear. The results show that the high shear reduces the average performance, with a drop of up to 16% in the optimal power coefficient. Besides, the shear profiles increase torque fluctuations and induce significant differences in wake hydrodynamics between the high-speed (upper) and low-speed (lower) regions. The large integral length scales further enhance the load fluctuations perceived by the rotor but have a negligible effect on the mean wake field quantities and the wake recovery. The lower half region featured a faster breakdown of tip vortex structure and a rapid drop of swirl number, a phenomenon conjectured to be a consequence of the strong turbulence intensities and Reynolds stresses in the lower half region. Furthermore, the sheared turbulent inflow also results in a very intensive energy redistribution process towards large-scale, low-frequency motions, which is important to the downstream turbines.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2024

Empirical Dynamic Modeling Reveals Complexity of Methane Fluxes in a Temperate Salt Marsh

Abstract Methane dynamics within salt marshes are complex because vegetation types, temperature, oscillating water levels, and changes in salinity and redox conditions influence CH 4 production, consumption, oxidation, and emissions. These non‐linear and complex interactions among variables affect the traditionally expected functional relationships and present challenges for interpreting and developing process‐based models. We employed empirical dynamic modeling (EDM) and convergent cross mapping (CCM) as a novel approach for characterizing seasonal/multiday and diurnal CH 4 dynamics by inferring causal variables, lags, and interconnections among multiple biophysical variables within a temperate salt marsh using 5 years of eddy covariance data. EDM/CCM is a nonparametric approach capable of quantifying the coupling between variables while determining time scales where variable interactions are the most relevant. We found that gross primary productivity, tidal creek dissolved oxygen, and temperature were important for seasonal/multiday dynamics (rho = 0.73–0.80), while water level was most important for diurnal dynamics during both the growing and dormancy phenoperiods (rho = 0.72 and 0.56, respectively). Lags for the top‐ranked variables (i.e., gross primary productivity, dissolved oxygen, temperature, water level) occurred between 1 and 5 weeks at the seasonal scale and 1–24 hr at the diurnal scale. The EDM had high prediction capabilities for intra‐/inter‐seasonal patterns and annual CH 4 sums but had limitations in representing large, infrequent fluxes. Results highlight the importance of non‐linearity, drivers, lag times, and interconnections among multiple biophysical variables that regulate CH 4 fluxes in tidal wetlands. This research introduces a novel approach to examining CH 4 fluxes, which will aid in evaluating current paradigms in wetlands and other ecosystems.

Environmental Sciences & Ecology↗