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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 1,333 records · Page 74
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

ED-cPSD: Fast Phase-Size Distribution via Sequential Erosion-Dilation

The Erosion-Dilation continuous Phase-Size Distribution, ED-cPSD, is an application for calculating continuous pore and particle-size distribution from digital reconstructions and/or image-based structural data. It is based on the erosion-dilation continuous phase-size distribution method. A continuous size distribution is a measure of the probability density of finding a particle or pore of a certain size. These distributions are of interest in any field of study involving porous media, including but not limited to electrochemistry, petroleum engineering, geology, and food science. The algorithm behind the software provides a computationally efficient way to calculate phase-size distributions for large domains. For a 3D battery electrode reconstruction with 1.3 x 10 8 voxels, the particle size distribution is derived in under 2 min on a desktop, while also retaining flexibility and computational efficiency for HPC-scale multi-threading. The software can handle structures with over 10 9 voxels. The algorithm is roughly 280 times faster than a previous version on the same task.

Characterization↗
DOE OSTI2023

The Neutronic Engine: A Platform for Operando Neutron Diffraction in Internal Combustion Engines

Neutron diffraction is a powerful tool for noninvasive and nondestructive characterization of materials and can be applied even in large devices such as internal combustion engines thanks to neutrons’ exceptional ability to penetrate many materials. While proof-of-concept experiments have shown the ability to measure spatially and temporally resolved lattice strains in a small aluminum engine on a timescale of minutes over a limited spatial region, extending this capability to timescales on the order of a crank angle degree over the full volume of the combustion chamber requires careful design and optimization of the engine structure to minimize attenuation of the incident and diffracted neutrons to maximize count rates. Here, we present the design of a “neutronic engine,” which is analogous to an optical engine in that the materials and external geometry of a typical automotive engine have been optimized to maximize access of the diagnostic while maintaining the internal combustion chamber geometry and operability of the engine. The high transparency of aluminum to neutrons makes it the ideal window material for neutron diagnostics, which allows the neutronic engine to be a truly all-metal engine with the same load and boundary condition capabilities of a modern downsized passenger car engine. The neutronic engine will enable 3D and time-resolved measurements of strain, stress, and temperature fields as well as phase transformation, texture, and microstructure throughout the metal components of the combustion chamber.

Wissink, Martin↗
DOE OSTI2023

Small Angle X-Ray Scattering and Polymers

Polymers are some of the most versatile and useful materials on this planet. Properties of polymers are a result of their processing history, chemical makeup, and physical structure. Therefore, characterization is necessary to develop new polymer formulations and processes. Many established techniques for polymer characterization are destructive, and alternative methods that don’t destroy samples are in high demand. Thermal analysis techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) yield important characteristic information for polymer samples while destroying the sample. Non-destructive strategies such as X ray diffraction (XRD) or small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) can also find polymer characteristics while preserving a sample’s attributes. Sample preservation is desirable when investigating novel formulation and processing methods. SAXS analysis will be done on two different polymers: polyethylene, and a triblock copolymer. Using these two polymers allows for confidence between tests as polyethylene is very common, and well understood. Polyethylene analysis will be done first, and when methods have been refined so that the SAXS data matches accepted thermal analysis values for HDPE, there will be confidence to use the same analysis on block copolymers. Block copolymers remain relatively unexplored, so SAXS data will yield valuable information on their characteristics. Understanding the mechanical properties of these polymers is paramount to their application in upcycling, a process by which waste plastic can be converted into a higher value commodity. For this project, the upcycling process will be done via 3-dimensional (3d) printing.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Advances in Design Capabilities for Planetary Missions from the NASA Entry Systems Modeling and Instrumentation Portfolio

The Entry Systems Modeling project (ESM) is supported by both the NASA Space Technology and the Science Mission Directorates and focuses on developing simulation tools and validated models for characterizing the performance of entry systems tailored to planetary destinations across the Solar System. ESM is organized into six technical capability areas that together address all relevant factors related to spacecraft entry, as well as some aspects of descent: Thermal Protection System (TPS) Materials; Aerothermodynamics; Entry & Descent Vehicle Dynamics; Guidance, Navigation, and Control; Vehicle Systems Analysis; and Advanced Tools and Numerical Methods. Development within the capability areas is undertaken explicitly with a focus on transition and infusion to science missions, human exploration missions, and commercial space activities. The present talk details developments that specifically impact science missions, including simulation tool capabilities that aid in mission design and model development to understand entry system performance at a given destination. Examples of the successful infusion and transition of such project outcomes to science missions also are provided. Several simulation tool development efforts within ESM have resulted in new design capabilities for missions. One such outcome is improved toolsets for mission trajectory and concept of operations design. Specifically, an initiative to couple a leading tool for entry, ascent/descent, and orbital trajectory optimization (Program to Optimize Simulated Trajectories II or POST2) to those used within the Agency for interplanetary trajectory optimization (Copernicus and Monte) has made substantial progress, with the outcomes to date promising to allow efficient trajectory optimization across mission phases. Additionally, toolchains for the evaluation of vehicle performance during entry and descent have been developed that allow assessment of multi-dimensional aeroheating on detailed vehicle geometries, characterization of deployment and inflation of parachutes, and assessment of vehicle dynamic stability during descent. These capabilities are achieved by coupling diverse sets of physics together – material response, computational fluid dynamics, radiation, and vehicle dynamics – to suitably describe complex entry and descent phenomena. Several model development and validation efforts for specific destinations and entry regimes also are underway within the ESM project. For instance, new experimental capabilities to validate radiation models at low densities/high altitudes recently have been established with project support, specifically the Low-Density Shock Tube (LDST) at the NASA Ames Research Center Electric Arc Shock Tube (EAST) facility. The LDST is being leveraged to develop improved models of shock layer kinetics and radiation in Titan atmospheres, while future studies will be conducted in the LDST and the existing high velocity shock tube to provide validation data for radiation models of Venus, Ice Giants, and Mars atmospheres. Models describing the aerothermal and thermo-structural performance of Thermal Protection System (TPS) materials has been another focus, with multiscale modeling activities on-going for the two leading TPS materials applicable to a range of entry conditions and science missions: the Phenolic-Impregnated Carbon Ablator (PICA) and woven materials like 3D Mid-Density Carbon Phenolic (3MDCP). A continual effort is made to infuse and transition outcomes from ESM simulation tool and model development activities into relevant science missions. Significant progress has been made on this front, with missions such as Dragonfly, DAVINCI, and Mars Missions benefitting from project outcomes. The groundwork also is being laid to provide insights into forward looking missions to Gas/Ice Giants as well as for potential sample returns.

Justin Haskins↗
DOE OSTI2022

Measurement of Transport Properties of Woody Biomass Feedstock Particles Before and After Pyrolysis by Numerical Analysis of X-Ray Tomographic Reconstructions

Lignocellulosic biomass has a complex, species-specific microstructure that governs heat and mass transport during conversion processes. A quantitative understanding of the evolution of pore size and structure is critical to optimize conversion processes for biofuel and bio-based chemical production. Further, improving our understanding of the microstructure of biochar coproduct will accelerate development of its myriad applications. This work quantitatively compares the microstructural features and the anisotropic permeabilities of two woody feedstocks, red oak and Douglas fir, using X-ray computed tomography (XCT) before and after the feedstocks are subjected to pyrolysis. Quantitative analysis of the three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions allows for direct calculations of void fractions, pore size distributions and tortuosity factors. Next, 3D images are imported into an immersed boundary based finite volume solver to simulate gas flow through the porous structure and to directly calculate the principal permeabilities along longitudinal, radial, and tangential directions. The permeabilities of native biomass are seen to differ by three to four orders of magnitude in the different principal directions, but we find that this anisotropy is substantially reduced in the biochar formed during pyrolysis. The quantitative transport properties reported here enhance the ability of pyrolysis simulations to account for feedstock-specific effects and thereby provide a useful touchstone for the biorefining community.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Probing the Contribution of Lateral Pathways to Out–of–Plane Charge Transport in Organic Bulk Heterojunctions

The nanoscale interpenetrating electron donor–acceptor network in organic bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells results in efficient charge photogeneration but creates complex 3D pathways for charge transport. At present, little is known about the extent to which out-of-plane charge flow relies on lateral electrical connectivity. In this work, a procedure, based on conductive atomic force microscopy, is introduced to quantify lateral current spreading during out-of-plane charge transport. Using the developed approach, the dependence of lateral spreading on BHJ phase separation, composition, and molecule type (small molecule vs polymer) is studied. In the small-molecule BHJ, 7,7'-(4,4-bis(2-ethylhexyl)-4H-silolo[3,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene-2,6-diyl)bis(6-fluoro-4-(5'-hexyl-[2,2'-bithiophen]-5-yl)benzo[c]-[1,2,5]thiadiazole):(6,6)-Phenyl-C 71 -butyric acid methyl ester (p-DTS(FBTTh 2 ) 2 :PC 71 BM), an increase is observed in lateral hole current spreading as the population of donor crystallites, bearing an edge-on molecular orientation, is increased. When integrated into BHJs, the polymer donor poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) leads to greater lateral hole current spreading and more spatially uniform charge transport than the small-molecule donor, owing to in-plane charge transport along the polymer backbone. Finally, through the newly introduced electrical characterization scheme, these experiments bring to light the role of lateral electrical connectivity in assisting charge navigation across BHJs.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Quantitative phenotyping of crop roots with spectral electrical impedance tomography: a rhizotron study with optimized measurement design

Background: Root systems are key contributors to plant health, resilience, and, ultimately, yield of agricultural crops. To optimize plant performance, phenotyping trials are conducted to breed plants with diverse root traits. However, traditional analysis methods are often labour-intensive and invasive to the root system, therefore limiting high-throughput phenotyping. Spectral electrical impedance tomography (sEIT) could help as a non-invasive and cost-efficient alternative to optical root analysis, potentially providing 2D or 3D spatio-temporal information on root development and activity. Although impedance measurements have been shown to be sensitive to root biomass, nutrient status, and diurnal activity, only few attempts have been made to employ tomographic algorithms to recover spatially resolved information on root systems. In this study, we aim to establish relationships between tomographic electrical polarization signatures and root traits of different fine root systems (maize, pinto bean, black bean, and soy bean) under hydroponic conditions. Results: Our results show that, with the use of an optimized data acquisition scheme, sEIT is capable of providing spatially resolved information on root biomass and root surface area for all investigated root systems. We found strong correlations between the total polarization strength and the root biomass (R 2 = 0.82) and root surface area (R 2 = 0.8). Our findings suggest that the captured polarization signature is dominated by cell-scale polarization processes. Additionally, we demonstrate that the resolution characteristics of the measurement scheme can have a significant impact on the tomographic reconstruction of root traits. Conclusion: Our findings showcase that sEIT is a promising tool for the tomographic reconstruction of root traits in high-throughput root phenotyping trials and should be evaluated as a substitute for traditional, often time-consuming, root characterization methods.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2015

Improved Detection System Description and New Method for Accurate Calibration of Micro-Channel Plate Based Instruments and Its Use in the Fast Plasma Investigation on NASA's Magnetospheric MultiScale Mission

The Fast Plasma Investigation (FPI) on NASAs Magnetospheric MultiScale (MMS) mission employs 16 Dual Electron Spectrometers (DESs) and 16 Dual Ion Spectrometers (DISs) with 4 of each type on each of 4 spacecraft to enable fast (30 ms for electrons; 150 ms for ions) and spatially differentiated measurements of the full 3D particle velocity distributions. This approach presents a new and challenging aspect to the calibration and operation of these instruments on ground and in flight. The response uniformity, the reliability of their calibration and the approach to handling any temporal evolution of these calibrated characteristics all assume enhanced importance in this application, where we attempt to understand the meaning of particle distributions within the ion and electron diffusion regions of magnetically reconnecting plasmas. Traditionally, the micro-channel plate (MCP) based detection systems for electrostatic particle spectrometers have been calibrated using the plateau curve technique. In this, a fixed detection threshold is set. The detection system count rate is then measured as a function of MCP voltage to determine the MCP voltage that ensures the count rate has reached a constant value independent of further variation in the MCP voltage. This is achieved when most of the MCP pulse height distribution (PHD) is located at higher values (larger pulses) than the detection system discrimination threshold. This method is adequate in single-channel detection systems and in multi-channel detection systems with very low crosstalk between channels. However, in dense multi-channel systems, it can be inadequate. Furthermore, it fails to fully describe the behavior of the detection system and individually characterize each of its fundamental parameters. To improve this situation, we have developed a detailed phenomenological description of the detection system, its behavior and its signal, crosstalk and noise sources. Based on this, we have devised a new detection system calibration method that enables accurate and repeatable measurement and calibration of MCP gain, MCP efficiency, signal loss due to variation in gain and efficiency, crosstalk from effects both above and below the MCP, noise margin, and stability margin in one single measurement. More precise calibration is highly desirable as the instruments will produce higher quality raw data that will require less post-acquisition data correction using results from in-flight pitch angle distribution measurements and ground calibration measurements. The detection system description and the fundamental concepts of this new calibration method, named threshold scan, will be presented. It will be shown how to derive all the individual detection system parameters and how to choose the optimum detection system operating point. This new method has been successfully applied to achieve a highly accurate calibration of the DESs and DISs of the MMS mission. The practical application of the method will be presented together with the achieved calibration results and their significance. Finally, it will be shown that, with further detailed modeling, this method can be extended for use in flight to achieve and maintain a highly accurate detection system calibration across a large number of instruments during the mission.

detection system↗
DOE OSTI2024

Formation and coarsening of epitaxially-supported metal nanoclusters

This mini-review describes developments over the last ~30 years in characterizing the nucleation & growth of epitaxially-supported metal nanoclusters (NCs) or islands during vapor deposition, as well as their post-deposition coarsening. A beyond-mean-field treatment for homogeneous nucleation & growth corrects the deficiencies of traditional treatments in describing, e.g., the island size distribution, but also necessitates consideration of the spatial distribution of islands and their capture zones. We discuss advances in modeling capabilities, including those based upon on an ab-initio level treatment of periphery diffusion kinetics, for description of the non-equilibrium growth shapes of these NCs, focusing on 2D NCs. For post-deposition coarsening of arrays of NCs, there is generally a competition between Ostwald Ripening (OR) and Smoluchowski Ripening (SR). SR is also known as Particle Migration & Coalescence. For 2D NCs in homoepitaxial systems, conventional OR is observed on pristine fcc(111) surfaces, dramatically enhanced OR in the presence of even trace amounts of chalcogens for Cu(111) and Ag(111), and anomalous OR on anisotropic fcc(110) surfaces. The unexpected discovery of SR for fcc(100) homoepitaxial systems prompted extensive analysis of the underlying diffusivities of 2D NCs as a function of size, as well as of NC coalescence dynamics. A comprehensive understanding of these processes is now available. Self-assembly of 3D NCs during deposition, issues related to heterogeneous nucleation, directed assembly, NC growth structure selection, and coarsening are addressed. Finally, for SR of 3D epitaxial NCs, recent insights into the size-dependence of diffusivity are described.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Construction and Modeling of a Coculture Microplate for Real-Time Measurement of Microbial Interactions

The dynamic structures of microbial communities emerge from the complex network of interactions between their constituent microorganisms. Quantitative measurements of these interactions are important for understanding and engineering ecosystem structure. Here, we present the development and application of the BioMe plate, a redesigned microplate device in which pairs of wells are separated by porous membranes. BioMe facilitates the measurement of dynamic microbial interactions and integrates easily with standard laboratory equipment. We first applied BioMe to recapitulate recently characterized, natural symbiotic interactions between bacteria isolated from the Drosophila melanogaster gut microbiome. Specifically, the BioMe plate allowed us to observe the benefit provided by two Lactobacillus strains to an Acetobacter strain. We next explored the use of BioMe to gain quantitative insight into the engineered obligate syntrophic interaction between a pair of Escherichia coli amino acid auxotrophs. We integrated experimental observations with a mechanistic computational model to quantify key parameters associated with this syntrophic interaction, including metabolite secretion and diffusion rates. This model also allowed us to explain the slow growth observed for auxotrophs growing in adjacent wells by demonstrating that, under the relevant range of parameters, local exchange between auxotrophs is essential for efficient growth. The BioMe plate provides a scalable and flexible approach for the study of dynamic microbial interactions.

3D printed device↗
NASA NTRS2005

Evaluation of Late Effects of Heavy-Ion Radiation on Mesenchymal Stem Cells

The overall objective of this recently funded study is to utilize well-characterized model test systems to assess the impact of pluripotent stem cell differentiation on biological effects associated with high-energy charged particle radiation. These stem cells, specifically mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), have the potential for differentiation into bone, cartilage, fat, tendons, and other tissue types. The characterization of the regulation mechanisms of MSC differentiation to the osteoblastic lineage by transcription factors, such as Runx2/Cbfa1 and Osterix, and osteoinductive proteins such as members of the bone morphogenic protein family are well established. More importantly, for late biological effects, MSCs have been shown to contribute to tissue restructuring and repair after tissue injury. The complex regulation of and interactions between inflammation and repair determine the eventual outcome of the responses to tissue injury, for which MSCs play a crucial role. Additionally, MSCs have been shown to respond to reactive oxygen species, a secondary effector of radiation, by differentiating. With this, we hypothesized that differentiation of MSCs can alter or exacerbate the damage initiated by radiation, which can ultimately lead to late biological effects of misrepair/fibrosis which may ultimately lead to carcinogenesis. Currently, studies are underway to examine high-energy X-ray radiation at low and high doses, approximately 20 and 200 Rad, respectively, on cytogenetic damage and gene modulation of isolated MSCs. These cells, positive for MSC surface markers, were obtained from three persons. In vitro cell samples were harvested during cellular proliferation and after both cellular recovery and differentiation. Future work will use established in vitro models of increasing complexity to examine the value of traditional 2D tissue-culture techniques, and utilize 3D in vitro tissue culture techniques that can better assess late effects associated with radiation.

Gonda, S.R.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Predictive Modeling of Carbon Ablators

Efforts to build a Predictive Material Modeling (PMM) framework from the micro-scale to the macro-scale are presented in this abstract. To reduce the need for extensive testing, accelerate the design cycle process, and reduce uncertainty margins applied to final designs, NASA is developing simulation and modeling tools that enable characterization of material properties and response to high-enthalpy environments. The Porous Microstructure Analysis (PuMA) code has been developed for computing macroscale (volume averaged) properties of porous materials using microscale images from micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Microscale modeling requires a realistic representation of a material microstructure; these are obtained either synthetically during the design of the material or through X-ray micro-CT. Volume averaged properties are then used to inform macroscale material response models, such as those implemented in the Porous-material Analysis Toolbox based on OpenFOAM (PATO) software, also actively developed by NASA. The computational model in PATO is a generic heat and mass transfer model for porous reactive materials containing several solid phases and a single gas phase. The detailed chemical interactions occurring between the solid phases and the gas phase are modeled at the pore scale assuming local thermal equilibrium. These tools were developed to efficiently interface with other pre-existing codes such as SPARTA (direct simulation Monte Carlo), DPLR (hypersonic CFD), NEQAIR (radiative transport) and DAKOTA (uncertainty quantification and optimization). Detailed flight data (Mars Science Laboratory [MSL] Entry Descent and Landing Instrument [MEDLI]) is critical for validating these computational tools for NASA applications. Examples of modeling ablative material response using these codes will be presented including 3D simulations of the full-scale heatshield of the MSL capsule. The simulations demonstrate the ability of the modern material response code, PATO, to handle the material response of geometrically complex and large domains, through the use of massively parallel computations.

Thermal Protection Systems↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Predictive Modeling of Carbon Ablators Using Micro and Macro-Scale Modeling

Efforts to build a Predictive Material Modeling (PMM) framework from the micro-scale to the macro-scale are presented in this abstract. To reduce the need for extensive testing, accelerate the design cycle process, and reduce uncertainty margins applied to final designs, NASA is developing simulation and modeling tools that enable characterization of material properties and response to high-enthalpy environments. The Porous Microstructure Analysis (PuMA) code has been developed for computing macroscale (volume averaged) properties of porous materials using microscale images from micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Microscale modeling requires a realistic representation of a material microstructure; these are obtained either synthetically during the design of the material or through X-ray micro-CT. Volume averaged properties are then used to inform macroscale material response models, such as those implemented in the Porous-material Analysis Toolbox based on OpenFOAM (PATO) software, also actively developed by NASA. The computational model in PATO is a generic heat and mass transfer model for porous reactive materials containing several solid phases and a single gas phase. The detailed chemical interactions occurring between the solid phases and the gas phase are modeled at the pore scale assuming local thermal equilibrium. These tools were developed to efficiently interface with other pre-existing codes such as SPARTA (direct simulation Monte Carlo), DPLR (hypersonic CFD), NEQAIR (radiative transport) and DAKOTA (uncertainty quantification and optimization). Detailed flight data (Mars Science Laboratory [MSL] Entry Descent and Landing Instrument [MEDLI]) is critical for validating these computational tools for NASA applications. Examples of modeling ablative material response using these codes will be presented including 3D simulations of the full-scale heatshield of the MSL capsule. The simulations demonstrate the ability of the modern material response code, PATO, to handle the material response of geometrically complex and large domains, through the use of massively parallel computations.

Thermal Protection Systems↗
DOE OSTI2022

3D magnetic imaging using electron vortex beam microscopy

Abstract Electron vortex beams are free-electron waves that carry orbital angular momentum. There has been growing theoretical and experimental interest in the use of electron vortex beams as a tool for the investigation of magnetic materials. However, due to the complex wavefront of the propagating waves, a deeper understanding of the interaction of electron vortex beams and the magnetic sample is needed. Here we calculate the magnetic phase shift that an electron vortex beam obtains upon transmitting through a magnetic sample. We show that this magnetic phase shift is influenced by the out-of-plane magnetization, which is a unique characteristic of incident electron vortex beams and is proportional to their orbital angular momentum. Finally, we develop a phase retrieval methodology to retrieve the out-of-plane component of magnetization. Based on our theory, we discuss suitable experimental conditions that would enable this imaging capability for magnetic materials and further extend to non-magnetic chiral materials.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2023

DEEPEN: Newberry Volcano MT and Gravity Data - 2022 and 2023 Acquisition and Processing

As part of DEEPEN (DE-risking Exploration of geothermal Plays in magmatic ENvironments), a 3D play fairway analysis (PFA) was conducted at Newberry Volcano in Central Oregon for multiple play types (conventional hydrothermal, superhot EGS, and supercritical). For use in this PFA, combined full tensor broadband magnetotelluric (MT) and gravity data were acquired, processed, and inverted by Enthalpion Energy LLC (Enthalpion) with support from NREL staff. The data collection efforts took place from June 19th to July 24. Data were collected with the goal of gaining an improved understanding of the South Flank and the extent of the magma chamber. This GDR submission includes the raw data, single inversions, joint inversions, resolution matrices, and a report on these processes. More detailed information about the folder structure of the datasets included in this submission may be found on pages 94-97 of Magnetotelluric and Gravity Survey Report.pdf below.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Mixed Material Scintillator Systems Quarterly Report FY20Q4

This project aims to invent, model, and prototype architected multimaterial scintillator systems (AMSSs), a new class of radiation detectors that use heterogenous internal structures of different scintillating materials to detect additional properties of radiation. These internal structures can be produced using additive manufacture (AM, i.e. 3D printing) of scintillator, a currently emerging application of additive manufacture technology. AMSSs combine the low cost and complexity of conventional scintillation detectors with capabilities currently only available in more expensive and complex detectors. By identifying promising AMSS designs, this project will enable a new class of detectors to meet DNN’s mission needs for SNM detection. In past reporting, we have described this detector concept as “mixed material scintillator systems” (MMSS), but as part of preparing papers for publication we have concluded the term “architected multimaterial scintillator systems” (AMSS) better reflects the importance of structure in these detectors. We plan to use the AMSS acronym going forward. This quarter, we participated in an Independent Assessment of the work so far. The panelists on the review concluded that the AMSS concept has great potential and our work so far was effective at bringing that potential to light. They highly encouraged further work on this topic. The panelists also had several useful suggestions, which we took to heart. This review is described in more detail below. This quarter saw a resumption of work on the final task of this project, prototyping. In the first half of the quarter, this work focused on solving specific technical barriers to achieve 1x1x1 cm prints. In the second half, we focused on producing high-quality samples and making characterization measurements of those samples, with an eye on our deliverable report on the prototyping task. This report can be expected along with the end-of-year report on October 30. This project successfully spent the entirety of its remaining funds this quarter, except for $13k refunded to this project in the last days of the fiscal year due to LLNL cost adjustments. This project has captured the interest of many LLNL experts, and so we have been able to effectively use our budget to harness the available effort.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗