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DOE OSTI2024

Introducing NOODLES: Collaborative Visualization in a Flavorful Package

We introduce NOODLES, a lightweight collaborative visualization and analysis protocol. NOODLES was developed to enable new scientific workflows while enhancing existing pipelines. Using a technology-minimal approach to strengthen applicability, this protocol allows researchers to tie disparate software together as well as making domain specific visualizations accessible across various platforms and form factors. In this talk we discuss background, challenges, and gaps in the current tool landscape that lead to the development of the protocol. We then describe the design of the protocol and present several use cases to demonstrate the efficacy of NOODLES in addressing complex visualization challenges and how it co-exists with existing tools. We conclude by outlining in-progress work and potential avenues for future development within the NOODLES framework.

collaborative analysis↗

DOE OSTI2026

Integrative Modeling and Analysis of Fungal Central Carbon Metabolism

Over a thousand fungal genomes have been sequenced, yet manually curated genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs) are available for only a limited number of species. Moreover, these models have often been developed independently, leading to inconsistencies in namespaces, compartment definitions, and pathway representations that hinder comparative analysis, the systematic reuse of prior curation efforts, and the integration of consolidated metabolic knowledge. Here, we present the Consolidated Fungal Core Metabolism Model (CFCMM), constructed by integrating thirteen published fungal models spanning Ascomycota, Mucoromycota, and both Crabtree-positive and Crabtree-negative yeasts. We harmonized metabolites and reactions into a non-redundant shared ModelSEED ontological space, standardized compartmentalization, and refined gene–protein–reaction (GPR) rules. Using pathway-level visualization and systematic gap detection, we further improved the integrated network through literature-guided curation to correct stoichiometry, stereospecificity, and pathway architecture. Orthologous protein family reconstruction and functional annotation workflows were used to validate and inform GPR associations, with particular emphasis on ambiguous enzyme superfamilies and membrane-associated components. Using the resulting CFCMM, we built high-quality central carbon core models for each fungus and performed flux balance analysis to quantify ATP-yield variation under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, explicitly evaluating scenarios driven by differences in electron transport chain (ETC) composition. Simulations reproduced the expected fermentative yield of approximately 2 mmol ATP per mmol glucose under anaerobic conditions and separated the thirteen fungi into two bioenergetic groups under aerobic respiration based on Complex I status, with predicted yields of approximately 30 versus 22 mmol ATP per mmol glucose. Forcing flux through the alternative oxidase bypass further reduced ATP yields to approximately 12 and 4 mmol ATP per mmol glucose in Complex I-containing and Complex I-lacking fungi, respectively. Collectively, this work provides a manually curated, ModelSEED-consistent, and extensible fungal core metabolic template, deployed in DOE KBase as a resource for automated reconstruction of central carbon core models from any sequenced fungal genome. In addition, the CFCMM provides modular components for developing GEMs with more accurate energy predictions and enables robust comparative analyses of fungal bioenergetics and core metabolic diversity

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2021

Assessment of the driving factors of CO 2 mitigation costs of household biogas systems in China: A LMDI decomposition with cost analysis model

China has been placing a substantial focus on biogas for reducing energy consumption and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions. The operation mode of biogas systems may make the CO 2 reduction target over-optimistic. There is limited research to investigate the influential factors that may be causing the gap between the actual and theoretical CO 2 reduction costs of biogas systems in China. In this research, by using field survey data of 209 biogas users and 489 non-biogas users from 19 villages in 2015, the gap between actual and theoretical unit CO 2 reduction cost is quantified at approximately 156 USD/t CO 2 . By employing the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index I (LMDI) model, it is found that both the cost effect (48%) and the reduction effect (52%) contribute to the unit CO 2 reduction cost gap. Furthermore, four influential factors–household labor, accessibility to the energy resource, acceptance of biogas technology, and subsidy–significantly narrow the gap between actual and theoretical CO 2 reduction costs, while the levelized subsidy contributes to widening the gap. On average, biogas systems should be operated for at least four years and the substitution rate should be more than 67% in order to keep the gap between actual and theoretical CO 2 reduction costs under 50%.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

DOE OSTI2025

Nonadiabatic dynamics of photoexcited thiopyridone isomers: An interplay between El-Sayed’s conditions and energy gap law

We investigated the non-adiabatic dynamics of photoexcited thiopyridone systems across their ortho-, meta-, and para-isomeric forms. The relaxation pathways of the three isomers in both gas phase and solvent environments are mapped using surface hopping dynamics based on time-dependent density functional theory. Our analysis highlights the influence of isomeric structures on photophysical behavior, offering insights into design principles to control photochemical phenomena. The simulations suggest a systematic reduction in the rate of intersystem crossing (ISC) from ortho- to meta- to para-isomer. Comparisons with multiconfigurational wave function methods in the gas phase further demonstrate how electronic structure influences the predicted dynamical pathways. The simulated dynamics demonstrates that the spin–orbit coupling strength alone does not determine the rate of ISC, as both state energetics and underlying electronic and structural features play decisive roles. These aspects explain the much slower ISC in the para-isomer, as well as the non-negligible role of the El-Sayed forbidden pathway in the computed ISC dynamics.

Complete-active space self-consistent field↗

DOE OSTI2024

Measurement bias in self-heating x-ray free electron laser experiments from diffraction studies of phase transformation in titanium

X-ray self-heating is a common by-product of X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) techniques that can affect targets, optics, and other irradiated materials. Diagnosis of heating and induced changes in samples may be performed using the x-ray beam itself as a probe. However, the relationship between conditions created by and inferred from x-ray irradiation is unclear and may be highly dependent on the material system under consideration. Here, we report on a simple case study of a titanium foil irradiated, heated, and probed by a MHz XFEL pulse train at 18.1 keV delivered by the European XFEL using measured x-ray diffraction to determine temperature and finite element analysis to interpret the experimental data. We find a complex relationship between apparent temperatures and sample temperature distributions that must be accounted for to adequately interpret the data, including beam averaging effects, multivalued temperatures due to sample phase transitions, and jumps and gaps in the observable temperature near phase transformations. The results have implications for studies employing x-ray probing of systems with large temperature gradients, particularly where these gradients are produced by the beam itself. Finally, this study shows the potential complexity of studying nonlinear sample behavior, such as phase transformations, where biasing effects of temperature gradients can become paramount, precluding clear observation of true transformation conditions.

Crystallography↗

DOE OSTI2020

Observation of gapped state in rare-earth monopnictide HoSb

The rare-earth monopnictide family is attracting an intense current interest driven by its unusual extreme magnetoresistance (XMR) property and the potential presence of topologically non-trivial surface states. The experimental observation of non-trivial surface states in this family of materials are not ubiquitous. Here, using high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, magnetotransport, and parallel first-principles modeling, we examine the nature of electronic states in HoSb. Although we find the presence of bulk band gaps at the G and X-symmetry points of the Brillouin zone, we do not find these gaps to exhibit band inversion so that HoSb does not host a Dirac semimetal state. Our magnetotransport measurements indicate that HoSb can be characterized as a correlated nearly-complete electron-hole-compensated semimetal. Our analysis reveals that the nearly perfect electron-hole compensation could drive the appearance of non-saturating XMR effect in HoSb.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

DOE OSTI2026

First-principles theory of direct-gap optical emission in hexagonal Ge and its enhancement via strain engineering

The emergence of hexagonal Ge (2H-Ge) as a candidate direct-gap group-IV semiconductor for Si photonics mandates a rigorous understanding of its optoelectronic properties. Theoretical predictions of a “pseudodirect” band gap, characterized by weak oscillator strength, contrast with a claimed high radiative recombination coefficient 𝐵 comparable to conventional (cubic) InAs. We compute 𝐵 in 2H-Ge from first principles and quantify its dependence on temperature, carrier density, and strain. For unstrained 2H-Ge, our calculated spontaneous emission spectra corroborate that measured photoluminescence corresponds to direct-gap emission, but with 𝐵 being approximately three orders of magnitude lower than in InAs. We confirm a pseudodirect-to-direct-gap transition under ∼2% [0001] uniaxial tension, which can enhance 𝐵 by up to 3 orders of magnitude, making it comparable to that of InAs. Beyond quantifying the strong enhancement of 𝐵 via strain engineering, our analysis suggests the dominance of additional, as-yet unquantified recombination mechanisms in this nascent material.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2022

University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) LEU Fuel Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis

The University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR ® ) is one of five U.S. high performance research reactors (USHPRR), plus one critical facility, that are actively collaborating with the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Material Management and Minimization (M 3 ) Reactor Conversion Program to convert from highly enriched uranium (HEU, ≥ 20 wt.% U-235) to low-enriched uranium (LEU, < 20 wt.% U-235) fuel. A new type of LEU fuel with very high density, based on an alloy of uranium and 10 weight percent molybdenum (U-10Mo), is expected to allow the conversion to LEU of USHPRR that have been found unable to be converted with previously qualified uranium silicide-aluminum (U 3 Si 2 -Al) dispersion fuel. MURR has been working with the USHPRR Reactor Conversion (RC) Pillar at Argonne National Laboratory to perform fuel element design and fuel cycle performance analyses, steady-state thermal hydraulics safety analyses, and accident safety analyses in preparation for the conversion of MURR and to support a preliminary Safety Analysis Report (SAR) for conversion to LEU fuel. In this work, Fluid-structure interaction (FSI) analysis at the fuel element level, as compared to the fuel plate level of the previous work. is performed which models all components of the MURR LEU fuel element, including fuel plates and the supporting structures e.g., side plates, end fittings, and combs. Therefore, the effect of supporting structures on the coolant flow distribution, the fuel plate deflection, and the resulting coolant channel gap reduction can be evaluated. In addition to the nominal element geometry and flow rate, the tolerances in the geometry dimensions of coolant channel and plate thickness, the effect of a comb on plate deflection, and the uncertainty of the flow rate per element are considered in this work. The effect of comb on plate displacement is quantified through two bounding cases: the case assuming a perfect bond between the comb and plates and the case neglecting the comb effect. Note that in this analysis, the FSI has been decoupled from the other structural effects caused by irradiation (e.g., swelling and irradiation creep). Assessment of combined effects is planned for a later stage of this project.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Even Higher-Level Synthesis: An Exploration of AI Hardware Accelerators using HLS4ML

With the rise of artificial intelligence, the popularization of deep learning, and a constantly evolving industry, the demand for flexible and efficient tools has never been greater. As algorithms grow more complex, their runtime and energy consumption increase exponentially. Customized hardware accelerators, long used for specific mathematical operations, remain essential for managing modern applications' computational and power demands. Hardware accelerators can speed up complex computations by orders of magnitude, but their manual design and verification processes are often challenging and time-consuming. High-Level Synthesis (HLS) provides a solution by transforming high-level algorithm descriptions, typically written in C++ or SystemC, into synthesizable RTL suitable for hardware implementation. This approach reduces development time for RTL engineers while offering flexibility beyond what traditional handwritten RTL can provide. We extended this capability to the machine-learning domain with the open-source framework hls4ml, which allows neural networks trained in Python frameworks like Tensorflow or PyTorch to be synthesized into efficient hardware representations for the traditional FPGA and ASIC flows. This breakthrough addresses the growing need for reduced design turnaround and easy verification of ML hardware accelerators with low latency and power efficiency constraints. During this tutorial, we will demonstrate how Python complements HLS by simplifying the ML design process, bridging the gap between software and hardware development. Attendees will explore how we translate neural networks modeled in Python into fixed-point C++ models suitable for HLS workflows. We will dive into strategies like Value-Range Analysis and Quantization-Aware Training, which optimize these designs for deployment and evaluate their accuracy, power consumption, and energy efficiency. To exemplify these concepts, experts from Fermilab will share their experiences applying this technology to high-energy physics experiments, where real-time, low-latency processing is critical. Over the years, Fermilab engineers have demonstrated how deep neural networks, optimized for hardware using hls4ml, can meet the stringent requirements of trigger systems at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. These systems rely on rapid decision-making to process immense data volumes while retaining only the most relevant events for further analysis. The application of hls4ml has also been extended to innovative technologies like smart pixel arrays. These smart pixels integrate ML inference capabilities directly into sensor devices, enabling localized data processing at the pixel level. This approach drastically reduces the need to transmit raw data to external processing units, significantly decreasing power consumption and latency. By embedding neural networks within the pixel architecture, the smart pixels can identify and prioritize relevant data in real time, providing a highly efficient solution for edge computing in scenarios such as particle detectors and imaging systems. Fermilab's work highlights the potential of hardware-accelerated ML in scenarios where both speed and power efficiency are mission-critical. Through this tutorial, attendees will gain valuable insights into the challenges and solutions of deploying ML in hardware. Understanding how HLS and hls4ml streamline the development of neural network-based hardware accelerators is fundamental for the industry's future. Participants will learn how these technologies are shaping the future of AI and scientific computing.

Di Guglielmo, Giuseppe [Fermilab]↗

DOE OSTI2024

Building a FAIR data ecosystem for incorporating single-cell transcriptomics data into agricultural genome to phenome research

Introduction The agriculture genomics community has numerous data submission standards available, but the standards for describing and storing single-cell (SC, e.g., scRNA- seq) data are comparatively underdeveloped. Methods To bridge this gap, we leveraged recent advancements in human genomics infrastructure, such as the integration of the Human Cell Atlas Data Portal with Terra, a secure, scalable, open-source platform for biomedical researchers to access data, run analysis tools, and collaborate. In parallel, the Single Cell Expression Atlas at EMBL-EBI offers a comprehensive data ingestion portal for high-throughput sequencing datasets, including plants, protists, and animals (including humans). Developing data tools connecting these resources would offer significant advantages to the agricultural genomics community. The FAANG data portal at EMBL-EBI emphasizes delivering rich metadata and highly accurate and reliable annotation of farmed animals but is not computationally linked to either of these resources. Results Herein, we describe a pilot-scale project that determines whether the current FAANG metadata standards for livestock can be used to ingest scRNA-seq datasets into Terra in a manner consistent with HCA Data Portal standards. Importantly, rich scRNA-seq metadata can now be brokered through the FAANG data portal using a semi-automated process, thereby avoiding the need for substantial expert curation. We have further extended the functionality of this tool so that validated and ingested SC files within the HCA Data Portal are transferred to Terra for further analysis. In addition, we verified data ingestion into Terra, hosted on Azure, and demonstrated the use of a workflow to analyze the first ingested porcine scRNA-seq dataset. Additionally, we have also developed prototype tools to visualize the output of scRNA-seq analyses on genome browsers to compare gene expression patterns across tissues and cell populations. This JBrowse tool now features distinct tracks, showcasing PBMC scRNA-seq alongside two bulk RNA-seq experiments. Discussion We intend to further build upon these existing tools to construct a scientist-friendly data resource and analytical ecosystem based on Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) SC principles to facilitate SC-level genomic analysis through data ingestion, storage, retrieval, re-use, visualization, and comparative annotation across agricultural species.

Genetics & Heredity↗

NASA NTRS2002

Effects of Imperfections on the Buckling Response of Compression-Loaded Composite Shells

The results of an experimental and analytical study of the effects of initial imperfections on the buckling and postbuckling response of three unstiffened thin-walled compression-loaded graphite-epoxy cylindrical shells with different orthotropic and quasi-isotropic shell-wall laminates are presented. The results identify the effects of traditional and non-traditional initial imperfections on the non-linear response and buckling loads of the shells. The traditional imperfections include the geometric shell-wall mid-surface imperfect ions that are commonly discussed in the literature on thin shell buckling. The non-traditional imperfections include shell-wall thickness variations local shell-wall ply-gaps associated with the fabrication process, sheltered geometric imperfections, non-uniform applied end loads, and variations in the boundary conditions including the effects of elastic boundary conditions. A high-fidelity non-linear shell analysis procedure that accurately accounts for the effects of these traditional and non-traditional imperfections on the nonlinear response, and buckling loads of the shells is described. The analysis procedure includes a non-linear static analysis that predicts stable response characteristics of the shells and a non-linear transient analysis that predicts unstable response characteristics.

Hilburger, Mark W.↗

NASA NTRS2007

Amazon Land Wars in the South of Para

The South of Para, located in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon, has become notorious for violent land struggle. Although land conflict has a long history in Brazil, and today impacts many parts of the country, violence is most severe and persistent here. The purpose of this article is to examine why. Specifically, we consider how a particular Amazonian place, the so-called South of Para has come to be known as Brazil's most dangerous badland. We begin by considering the predominant literature, which attributes land conflict to the frontier expansion process with intensified struggle emerging in the face of rising property values and demand for private property associated with capitalist development. From this discussion, we distill a concept of the frontier, based on notions of property rights evolution and locational rents. We then empirically test the persistence of place-based violence in the region, and assess the frontier movement through an analysis of transportation costs. The findings from the analyses indicate that the prevalent theorization of frontier violence in Amazonia does little to explain its persistent and pervasive nature in the South of Para. To fill this gap in understanding, we develop an explanation based the geographic conception of place, and we use contentious politics theory heuristically to elucidate the ways in which general processes interact with place specific history to engender a landscape of violence. In so doing, we focus on environmental, cognitive, and relational mechanisms (and implicated structures), and attempt to deploy them in an explanatory framework that allows direct observation of the accumulating layers of the region's tragic history. We end by placing our discussion within a political ecological context, and consider the implications of the Amazon Land War for the environment.

Simmons, Cynthia S.↗

DOE OSTI2024

Securing Solar for the Grid: Spring 2024 IAB Meeting

The Spring 2024 IAB meeting will focus on updates from the research team and collective feedback and inputs for an updated Roadmap for Solar Cybersecurity. Researchers from the four DOE National Laboratories will present with industry counterparts for the major research tasks within the S2G program, including: Solar Cybersecurity Standards and Certifications, Solar Risk Assessments & Mitigation, Solar Supply Chain Assessment, Network Monitoring Tools and Analysis, and Training and Workforce Development. Sandia National Laboratories developed an original Roadmap for PV Cybersecurity in 2017. This year, we are updating that roadmap to reflect the current state of research and industry and identify gaps and priorities still to be addressed. We look forward to the IAB’s input on key topics for the roadmap.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2024

Site-specific Design Case Study for Wet Waste Hydrothermal Liquefaction and Biocrude Upgrading to Hydrocarbon Fuels

Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is a thermal process that converts wet biomass to renewable hydrocarbon fuel blendstocks (i.e., renewable naphtha, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)). It can utilize a wide range of pure and blended wet feedstocks, including sewage sludge from water resource recovery facilities (WRRF), food and agriculture wastes, algae, fats, oils and greases (FOG) and blends of dry and wet wastes/feedstocks. Historically, techno-economic analysis (TEA) and annual state of technology (SOT) assessments with standard economic assumptions used by the Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) were conducted for the wet waste HTL pathway leveraging experimental data collected from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s (PNNL) continuous flow reactor systems. The objective of the SOT assessment has been to guide and track progress of BETO’s HTL research and development (R&D) toward reduced cost and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for the pathway. However, gaps exist between BETO’s traditional SOT updates and the needs of key external stakeholders that – if addressed – will accelerate technology adoption. This Business Case Study aims to bridge this gap by providing an updated design, TEA, and LCA based on PNNL’s FY23 R&D with added analyses and information that provide enhanced relevance for stakeholders of the HTL technology. This includes specific siting, regional wet waste resource inventory and transportation cost analyses, fuel market information, sustainable fuel policy impacts, economic metrics of net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR), greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions analysis, and statistical analysis of cost and technical uncertainties of the HTL plant design. The study focuses on the “Detroit combined statistical area (CSA)” region for siting of a wet waste HTL plant adjacent to the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) facility with guidance from industry participants. Regional resource and siting analyses were conducted to identify feedstock availability, scale, and cost, as well as a beneficial site location. TEA with detailed rigorous capital cost estimation for the specific site application was conducted to evaluate the key economic metrics of most value to industrial partners. These include total capital investment, operating costs, minimum fuel selling price (MFSP) of the biocrude and fuel blendstock, and NPV and internal rate of return IRR with sustainable fuel credits. Life cycle analysis was conducted to evaluate the supply chain greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for the wet waste HTL process as compared with petroleum derived diesel. This study is also informed by years of R&D and process de-risking learnings and was conducted with a basic engineering HTL plant design and costing that akin to a “first-of-a-kind” plant economics. This differs from our conventional “nth plant ” SOT assessments. Specifically, the HTL process model has been updated with more operationally reliable methods for feed heating and phase separations. Further, we have implemented additional spare equipment for redundancy, a more rigorous installed equipment cost estimation approach, and additional costs associated with feed formatting and delivery, building, piping and site development. An Excel-based cost sheet based on the basic engineering design is also released alongside the report that allows users to conduct customized TEA with their own feed composition and financial assumptions.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Supporting data for Site-specific Design Case Study for Wet Waste Hydrothermal Liquefaction and Biocrude Upgrading to Hydrocarbon Fuels

Li, Shuyun↗

DOE OSTI2023

Overcoming persistent challenges in putting environmental flow policy into practice: a systematic review and bibliometric analysis

The implementation of environmental flows (e-flows) aims to reduce the negative impacts of hydrological alteration on freshwater ecosystems. Despite the growing attention to the importance of e-flows since the 1970s, actual implementation has lagged. Therefore, we explore the limitations in e-flows implementation, their systemic reasons, and solutions. We conducted a systematic review and a bibliometric analysis to identify peer-reviewed articles published on the topic of e-flows implementation research in the last two decades, resulting in 68 research and review papers. Co-occurrence of terms, and geographic and temporal trends were analyzed to identify the gaps in environmental water management and propose recommendations to address limitations on e-flows implementation. We identify the underlying causes and potential solutions to such challenges in environmental water management. The limitations to e-flow implementation identified were categorized into 21 classes. The most recognized limitation was the competing priorities of human uses of water (n = 29). Many secondary limitations, generally co-occurring in co-causation, were identified as limiting factors, especially for implementing more nuanced and sophisticated e-flows. The lack of adequate hydrological data (n = 24) and ecological data (n = 28) were among the most mentioned, and ultimately lead to difficulties in starting or continuing monitoring/adaptive management (n = 28) efforts. The lack of resource/capacity (n = 21), experimentation (n = 19), regulatory enforcement (n = 17), and differing authorities involved (n = 18) were also recurrent problems, driven by the deficiencies in the relative importance given to e-flows when facing other human priorities. In order to provide a clearer path for successful e-flow implementation, system mapping can be used as a starting point and general-purpose resource for understanding the sociohydrological problems, interactions, and inherited complexity of river systems. Secondly, we recommend a system analysis approach to address competing demands, especially with the use of coupled water-energy modeling tools to support decision-making when hydropower generation is involved. Such approaches can better assess the complex interactions among the hydrologic, ecological, socioeconomic, and engineering dimensions of water resource systems and their effective management. Lastly, given the complexities in environmental water allocation, implementation requires both scientific rigor and proven utility. Consequently, and where possible, we recommend a move from simplistic flow allocations to a more holistic approach informed by hydroecological principles. To ease conflicts between competing water demands, water managers can realize more 'pop per drop' by supporting key components of a flow regime that include functional attributes and processes that enhance biogeochemical cycling, structural habitat formation, and ecosystem maintenance.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

NASA NTRS1982

Pulsed plasma thruster ignitor plug ignition characteristics

The operating characteristics of the semiconductor spark gap ignitor plug used to initiate the discharge in a pulsed plasma thruster are investigated. Current and voltage waveform measurements for the ignitor plug alone, and for the plug mounted in the thruster cathode indicate an average dynamic impedance of 0.2 ohms for a wide range of operating conditions, and a trigger circuit energy transfer efficiency to the plug on the order of 25%. Two modes of trigger ignition are found which are related to the rise time of the applied voltage pulse. Analysis of plasma characteristics reveals plug erosion to occur primarily in the semiconductor and anode regions, by mechanisms including plug metal embrittlement, plasma sputtering and vaporization caused by the discharge current pulse. Measurements also indicate a plume velocity on the order of 1580,000 cm/sec which increases with trigger circuit stored energy. The results establish levels of performance for future applications of semiconductor spark gap ignitor plugs in plasma devices.

Brady, M. E.↗

DOE OSTI2023

A standard capsule design for structural material testing in the Advanced Test Reactor

Nuclear materials testing is commonly completed in various material test and research reactors throughout the world, including the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR), but the current capsule design, analysis, and fabrication process can take years to complete. To decrease the costs and time associated with materials testing, a standard capsule has been designed which houses various specimen geometries and allows irradiation in virtually any ATR test position. The standard capsule features locking end caps which connect and lock together to form the capsule stack, eliminating the need for a basket and maximizing the quantity of specimens which are contained within the capsule. A customizable internal gas gap provides thermal resistance between the specimens and reactor coolant, making specimen temperatures from approximately 370 to 1000 K achievable. The flexibility of the capsule design allows experimenters to choose irradiation positions based off desired neutron flux, with typical fluences per cycle ranging from 8.8x10 19 to 2.3x10 21 n/cm 2 , depending on experiment position. Here this paper presents and discusses the standard capsule design and analysis.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗