Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “flexible operation”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,369 records · Page 76
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

A Self-Organizing Nano Grid (SONG) for Energy Access Clusters

In this paper, a bottom-up dc Self-Organizing Nano Grid (SONG) for rural electrification at ultra-low-cost through a flexible and scalable topology is presented. The proposed nano grid requires no communication and uses dc-bus signaling to convey excess energy in the system through the bus voltage, allowing independent agents to conduct energy transactions based on their needs in a decentralized manner. Moreover, this article proposes a concept that uses a novel multi-source, multi-segment droop control strategy with demand coordination, allowing for dynamic self-balancing of the system under fluctuating operating conditions. The unique use of a surplus photovoltaic (PV) power droop mode precisely estimates energy availability to minimize load chattering that helps in stabilizing the dc-bus. In addition, this architecture uses standard dc/dc converters for a low-cost, modular, Plug and Play ( PnP ) solution with highly automated operation, enabling local assembly, operation, and maintenance by non-technical personnel. The proposed SONG concept was validated in simulation and with a 700W, laboratory-scale, custom made nano grid system. The simulation and experimental test cases show the feasibility of the SONG system by demonstrating the proposed multi-source, multi-segment droop control strategy without load chattering under varying operating conditions.

dc-dc converter↗
DOE OSTI2021

Prospects and challenges of colloidal quantum dot laser diodes

Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) combine the superior light-emission characteristics of quantum-confined semiconductors with the chemical flexibility of molecular systems. We find that these properties could, in principle, enable solution-processable laser diodes with an ultrawide range of accessible colours. However, the realization of such devices has been hampered by fast optical gain decay due to non-radiative Auger recombination and poor stability of QD solids at the high current densities required for the lasing regime. Recently, these problems have been resolved, which resulted in the development of electrically pumped optical gain devices operating at ultrahigh current densities of around 1,000 A cm -2 . The next step is the realization of a QD laser diode (QLD). Here we assess the status of the QD lasing field, examine the remaining challenges on the path to a QLD and discuss practical strategies for attaining electrically pumped QD lasing.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

A Configuration Based Pumped Storage Hydro Model in the MISO Day-Ahead Market

Pumped storage hydro units (PSHU) can provide flexibility to power systems. This becomes particularly valuable in recent years with the increasing shares of intermittent renewable resources. However, due to emphasis on thermal generation in the current market practices, the flexibility from PSHUs have not been fully explored and utilized. This paper proposes a configuration based pumped storage hydro (PSH) model for the day-ahead market, in order to enhance the use of PSH resources in the system. A strategic design of incorporating and fully optimizing PSHUs in the day-ahead market is presented. Here, we show the compactness of the proposed model. Numerical studies are presented in an illustrative test system and the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) system.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Dispatch Manager for NEML2 Constitutive Model Calculations Embedded in MOOSE

This report describes the extended capabilities of the NEML2 constitutive modeling library, including a flexible and efficient work dispatching system designed to leverage both CPU and GPU resources. This enhancement addresses one of the primary computational challenges in large-scale simulations: the ability to distribute and execute batches of material model evaluations across heterogeneous computing devices. The new dispatch system introduces a modular set of dispatcher and scheduler classes that coordinate the flow of data and execution between devices. The dispatcher is responsible for efficiently packaging work, managing device-specific memory operations, and synchronizing results. This modularity allows for extensibility, making it straightforward to integrate additional computing backends in the future. From an implementation standpoint, the dispatcher system interfaces seamlessly with NEML2's existing models. They handle device-aware tensor operations, optimize memory transfers, and support asynchronous execution when applicable. This design ensures that batches of material points can be evaluated concurrently, substantially improving throughput compared to previous single-device or serial implementations. These improvements not only enhance the raw performance of NEML2 but also improve its usability in multiscale and high-fidelity simulations, where the simultaneous evaluation of large material point batches is critical. Benchmarks included in the report demonstrate the system’s scalability, highlighting its effectiveness when leveraging modern GPU architectures.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Multi-Model Framework for Assessing Long- and Short-Term Climate Influences on the Electric Grid

Climate change influences many aspects of the electric grid, but prior work and industry practices often ignore the potential effects of changing climate, or they only consider a single effect or individual effects in isolation. Challenges vary with each grid and include adapting to long-term trends such as changing temperature and precipitation or shorter-term events such as drought or storms that could increase in frequency or intensity. Here we present a multi-model framework designed to analyze the effects of long and short-term climate impacts in combination. This framework couples capacity expansion and production cost models with hydrologic models and future climate scenario data to analyze alternative climate and energy futures at high spatial, temporal, and process resolutions. Furthermore, we constructed and evaluated the results of a suite of simulated scenarios exploring climate impacts on capacity investment and stress-tested the resulting future infrastructures using hourly dispatch modeling under alternative drought and load conditions. We demonstrate the approach through a case study of the U.S. Western Interconnection, where climate impacts depend on interactions between temperature-induced load, water availability for hydropower, technology competitiveness, and demand flexibility. Changes in 2038 generating capacity range from -8.5-16.6 GW, and changes in 2038 transmission capacity range from -1-2 GW. Capacity increases are driven by higher load from higher temperatures, while capacity reductions can be achieved in scenarios with higher future hydropower availability and increased demand flexibility. Scenarios requiring additional capacity cost an additional $\$5$-$\$17$ billion (discounted) from 2018 to 2038; however, scenarios with capacity reductions cost $\$1$-$\$18$ billion less. Stress tests on four 2038 infrastructures demonstrated that the identified systems were able to serve at least 99.999% of load and 99.96% of reserves. However, drought and unexpected high-load conditions can result in reduced capacity to respond to contingency events we did not model. Although these results are system and scenario specific, they highlight the importance of considering multiple climate change impacts simultaneously in long-term planning efforts and demonstrate a multi-model, multiscale approach that can be flexibly applied to any system and set of climate change concerns.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2024

Design, construction, and operation of a 1-ton Water-based Liquid scintillator detector at Brookhaven National Laboratory

Water-based liquid scintillators (WbLS) are a new class of detector materials that provide efficient and tunable detection of both Cherenkov and scintillation light. A massive WbLS neutrino detector with suitable photosensor coverage for low intensity light detection could therefore reconstruct the momentum of an energetic charged particle and also have enhanced low-energy sensitivity. These materials are also better suited for metal doping broadening the potential scientific utility. Here, we recently constructed and commissioned a 1-ton WbLS detector with good photosensor coverage and a capable data acquisition and calibration system. We intend to use this flexible detector system as a testbed for WbLS R&D. In this paper we give an overview of the 1-ton system and provide some early results.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Building an Integrated Ecosystem of Computational and Observational Facilities to Accelerate Scientific Discovery

Future scientific discoveries will rely on flexible ecosystems that incorporate modern scientific instruments, high performance computing resources, parallel distributed data storage, and performant networks across multiple, independent facilities. In addition to connecting physical resources, such an ecosystem presents many challenges in logistics and accessibility, especially in orchestrating computations and experiments that span across leadership computing systems and experimental instruments. Past efforts have typically been application-specific or limited to interfaces for computing resources. This paper proposes a general framework for integrating computation resources and instrument operations, addressing challenges in code development/execution, data staging and collection, software stack, control mechanisms, resource authorization and governance, and hardware integration. We also describe a demonstration use case wherein a Bayesian optimization algorithm running on an edge computing resource guides a scanning probe microscope to autonomously and intelligently characterize a material sample. This science edge ecosystem framework will provide a blueprint for federating multi-institutional, disparate resources and orchestrating scientific workflows across them to enable next-generation discoveries.

Somnath, Suhas↗
DOE OSTI2026

A Full-Induction Magnetohydrodynamics Solver for Liquid Metal Fusion Blankets in Vertex-CFD

Multiphysics modeling of liquid metal fusion blankets, which produce tritium and convert energy of neutrons created via fusion reactions into heat, is crucial for predicting performance, ensuring structural integrity, and optimizing energy production. While traditional blanket modeling of liquid metal flows during normal steady operating conditions commonly employs the inductionless approximation of the magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) equations, transient scenarios, when the plasma-confining magnetic field varies on millisecond time scales, require a full-induction MHD approach that dynamically evolves the magnetic field via the time-dependent induction equation. This paper presents the formulation, implementation, and initial verification of a full-induction MHD solver integrated within the open-source Vertex-CFD framework, which aims to achieve tight multiphysics coupling, a flexible software design enabling easy extension and addition of physics models, and performance portability across computing platforms. The solver utilizes finite element spatial discretization, implicit Runge–Kutta time integration, and an inexact Newton method to solve the resulting discrete nonlinear system, leveraging Trilinos packages for efficient computation. Verification against selected benchmark problems demonstrates accuracy and robustness of the solver. Furthermore, when the solver is applied to an idealized blanket model in 2.5D and full 3D, results obtained with Vertex-CFD are in good agreement with recently published quasi-2D simulations. These findings establish a computational foundation for future simulations of transient MHD phenomena in liquid metal blankets with Vertex-CFD, and open avenues for future extensions and performance optimizations.

Endeve, Eirik [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000312519507)↗
DOE OSTI2024

Heterogeneous oxidation of hydrogen-natural gas blends in a safe, clean, and efficient burner design

The growth of hydrogen as an alternative clean fuel for fulfilling thermal energy needs of multiple economic sectors globally requires access to reliable, safe, energy efficient, emission free combustion technology. The work described in this short communication shows the applicability of a novel heterogeneous combustion design in utilizing a wide range of hydrogen blended methane concentrations to cleanly and safely generate thermal energy. The utilization of a simple first principles design approach along with engineered materials yielded a fuel-flexible hybrid infrared-convection burner design capable of lowering NOx emissions by more than 95% while simultaneously improving the heat transfer efficiency by 15% with a wide range of hydrogen concentrations. Here, the safety and performance of the combustion design was demonstrated in an burner at capacities of up to 12,000 Btu/h in producing temperatures of 900 °C. The atmospheric burner concept was integrated in a cooktop configuration with combined thermal power rating of 30,000 Btu/h and operated with hydrogen blended natural gas.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2026

High Multiplicity Trigger for long-lived particles in CMS detector

Searches for long-lived particles (LLPs) at the CMS experiment often involve unconventional event topologies that are difficult to efficiently select using standard trigger strategies. To improve sensitivity to such signatures during LHC Run 3 operation, a dedicated High Multiplicity Trigger (HMT) has been developed and deployed in the CMS trigger system. The trigger targets events containing unusually large numbers of hits in the CMS cathode strip chamber (CSC) muon detectors, a characteristic signature of several LLP scenarios involving displaced decays in the muon system. The HMT implementation, trigger logic, rate dependence with pileup, and operational stability are described. Optimized hit multiplicity thresholds are used to maintain acceptable trigger rates under high-luminosity and high-pileup conditions while preserving high efficiency across a broad range of LLP lifetimes and kinematic regimes. The trigger performance is evaluated using both simulated event samples and proton-proton collision data collected during Run 3 of the LHC. The HMT substantially extends the CMS sensitivity to non-standard signatures associated with LLP decays and provides a flexible platform for future searches for physics beyond the Standard Model.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Building Load Control Using Distributionally Robust Chance-Constrained Programs with Right-Hand Side Uncertainty and the Risk-Adjustable Variants

Aggregation of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) loads can provide reserves to absorb volatile renewable energy, especially solar photo-voltaic (PV) generation. In this paper, we decide HVAC control schedules under uncertain PV generation, using a distributionally robust chance-constrained (DRCC) building load control model under two typical ambiguity sets: the moment-based and Wasserstein ambiguity sets. We derive mixed integer linear programming (MILP) reformulations for DRCC problems under both sets. Especially, for the Wasserstein ambiguity set, we use the right-hand side (RHS) uncertainty to derive a more compact MILP reformulation than the commonly known MILP reformulations with big-M constants. All the results also apply to general individual chance constraints with RHS uncertainty. Furthermore, we propose an adjustable chance-constrained variant to achieve tradeoff between the operational risk and costs. We derive MILP reformulations under the Wasserstein ambiguity set and second-order conic programming (SOCP) reformulations under the moment-based set. Using real-world data, we conduct computational studies to demonstrate the efficiency of the solution approaches and the effectiveness of the solutions. Summary of Contribution: The problem studied in this paper is motivated by a building load control problem that uses the aggregation of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) loads as flexible reserves to absorb uncertain solar photovoltaic (PV) generation. The problem is formulated as distributionally robust chance-constrained (DRCC) programs with right-hand side (RHS) uncertainty. In addition, we propose a risk-adjustable variant of the DRCC programs, where the risk level, instead of being predetermined, is treated as a decision variable. The paper aims to provide tractable reformulations and solution algorithms for both the (general) DRCC and the (general) adjustable DRCC models with RHS uncertainty.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Staged OMB for Modular Gasifier/Burner

The goal of this final project report is to comprehensively summarize the work conducted on project DE-FE0031506. In accordance with the Statement of Project Objectives (SOPO), the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research (UK CAER) (Recipient) has developed a staged opposed multi-burner (OMB) gasifier, scaled down from a commercial gasification technology to utilize coal slurry as feed for the high-temperature gasification. The project involved the design, fabrication, commissioning, parametric testing, and performance validation of the entrained gasifier with multiple burners to narrow the major near-term technical gaps that impede the application of small-size gasification by modularizing the system. Project results verified the UK CAER approach to address the major technical challenges on the gasification modularization for a distributed application at a small scale of 1-5 MWe, while maintaining advantages in cost and flexibility, which include: 1) a cost-effective burner configuration to provide high flexibility in both load and fuel feed; 2) the modularized staged-OMB to provide better gasification performance such as a desired temperature profile, better fuel conversion, better gasification efficiency, and long lifetimes of the refractory wall and burners; and 3) load control simply through changing the number of burners firing. UK CAER’s staged gasifier configuration, fuel blend performance, and economic evaluation shows promise, as summarized in this report, as an effective means for improved gasification efficiency with reduced operation cost and process complexity.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗
DOE OSTI2025

Particle Beam Acceleration Using 3 Petawatt Laser Pulses

The Zettawatt-Equivalent Ultrashort pulse laser System (ZEUS) is presently operational at the Gerard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Science (CUOS) at the University of Michigan. ZEUS is a significant upgrade of the previous high power laser systems at CUOS and consists of two beamlines thatoperate in perfect synchronization. The 500 TW beamline became operational in 2023, 2 PW operation started in 2025 and full 3 PW power levels will be available in 2026. It is presently the highest power laser system in the US. In this grant the high field science group at CUOS has leveraged this unique high power laser facility to investigate laser wake field acceleration (LWFA) in ultra-high power laser plasma interactions and have shown how this can scale for future electron–positron colliders at high energy. The dual beam experimental configuration enables flexibility for many frontier experiments in laser-driven acceleration research, in particular, enabling extended channelling/acceleration experiments, positron generation/acceleration experiments and proof-of-principle transverse pumping “dephasingless” electron acceleration experiment and theory. LWFA may be able to miniaturize particle accelerators for high energy physics and also enable new sources of ultrafast, extreme brightness and precise x-rays for a wide variety of applications. In laser wake field acceleration, an electron bunch “surfs” on the electron plasma wave (the “wake field”) generated by the ponderomotive force of an intense laser. The plasma wave has a strong longitudinal electric field that stays in phase with the relativistic driver. A relativistic charged particle may, therefore, remain in phase with the accelerating field over long distances and gain ultra-relativistic energies. The accelerating electric field strength that the plasma wave can support can be many orders of magnitude higher than that of conventional accelerators, which makes laser wakefield acceleration an exciting prospect as an advanced accelerator concept. In this research project we have investigated the scaling of this mechanism to laser powers of 2 PW and have measured the x-ray emission and radio frequency emission resulting from the acceleration process. We have also performed theoretical investigation of mechanisms to scale laser driven accelerators to much higher energy using dephasingless acceleration processes.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Concept of circular-linear energy recovery accelerator to probe the energy frontier

Energy-frontier accelerators provide powerful tools performing high precision measurements confirming the fundamentals of the physics and broadening new research horizons. Such machines are either driven by circular or linear accelerators. The circular machines, having the centre-of-mass (CM) energy values reaching 200 GeV (for leptons) and above, experience beam energy loss and quality dilution, for example, due to synchrotron radiation, limiting the overall CM energy achievable and requiring a constant energy top-up to compensate the loss and the beam quality dilution. Linear colliders overcome these limitations, while the finite capabilities of generating high average current beams limits the luminosity. This is partially compensated by the quality of the colliding beams. In this work, we suggest a novel design of circular-linear accelerator based on the merging of the “non-emitting”, low-energy storage rings and energy recovery linear accelerators. We suggest using the recently considered dual-axis asymmetric cavities to enable the operation of such a system, and in particular the energy recovery from spent, high-intensity beams. The machine considered, under the scope of the SNOWMASS-2021 initiative, can be potentially used to reach ultimate energy frontiers in high-energy physics as well as to drive next generation light sources. The merging of circular and linear systems, and applications of dual axes cavities, should allow the maintaining of high beam quality, high luminosity, and high energy efficiency, while offering a flexible energy management and opening clear opportunity for reducing the running cost. We note that the numbers shown in the paper are for illustration purpose and can be improved further.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Deploying MARTe2 and MDSplus for Scalable Real-Time Control Systems: A Proof-of-Concept for the SMART Tokamak

The SMART tokamak is a spherical tokamak with flexible shaping that will need a modular and high-performance real-time control system. This work presents the implementation and validation of the MARTe2 framework at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) as a testbed for supporting SMART (University of Seville, Spain). The system integrates MARTe2, MDSplus for data archiving, and user datagram protocol (UDP)-based communication with both synthetic and physical devices. A deterministic control loop was developed using custom control algorithms, showing the system’s ability to operate under strict real-time constraints. The resulting framework is scalable, maintainable, and adaptable to experimental tokamaks like SMART.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Progress Report of Alloy 709 Performance in Liquid Sodium

With improved high-temperature properties, Alloy 709 shows great potential for advanced reactor applications. To understand the effects of sodium on A709, small tensile specimens were machined from two commercial heats and subject to sodium exposure in two forced convection loops operated by Argonne. Thermal aging experiments were also conducted in parallel to isolate any sodium-specific effects. An increasing trend in yield strength and a decrease trend in ultimate tensile strength can be seen with the increasing exposure time, suggesting microstructural changes at these temperatures. Nonetheless, the thermally aged and sodium exposed samples behaved similarly, implying no sodium-specific effect at these temperatures. In contrast, 316H SS exposed to sodium at 650°C showed a strong sodium effect. The different responses of A709 and 316H SS to sodium exposure is of interest and requires additional effort to understand. The cold traps of the sodium loop were replaced early in FY23. During a maintenance operation, an unexpected sodium leak incident occurred at one of the sodium loops, triggering an emergency response. An investigation into the incident revealed that the leak happened at a VCR fitting on the recently replaced cold trap. The metal gasket of the leaked VCR fitting was not compressed sufficiently. A dimensional mismatch between the new component and old piping configuration was responsible for a significant misalignment. A new cold trap with improved design is in production. The new design provides additional flexibility and an access point for post-installation helium leak check and for venting of trapped gas. These design features will make the system more error-tolerant and the installation quality verifiable. A thermodynamic analysis was performed to understand the carburization-decarburization behavior of A709 in sodium environment. The equilibrium carbon activity in the alloy was evaluated with M 23 C 6 , TiC, and NbC. The carburization-decarburization boundary was calculated with different methods developed previously. The results suggests that A709 will be carburized in SMT-1 and SMT-2, and can be decarburized in low-carbon-activity environments such as EBR-II at temperatures above 620-650°C. Nonetheless, A709 should be less likely to be decarburized than 316H SS when exposed to the same low-carbon-activity environment.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Protecting and Defending against Autonomous Control Systems and Digital Twin Cyber Attacks: Response Strategy for Hyperparameter attacks of Digital Twin Machine Learning Models in Nuclear Power Plants (Final)

Navigating through the complex tapestry of technological advancements, "Response Strategy for Hyperparameter attacks of Digital Twin Machine Learning Model in Nuclear Power Plants" stands at the intersection of cybersecurity and nuclear power plant operations, embarking on a journey through the intricacies of securing digital twins against malicious cyber activities. As nuclear power plants progressively integrate digital twin technology and machine learning models to optimize operations and ensure system reliability, they inadvertently expose themselves to a new spectrum of vulnerabilities, notably in the realm of hyperparameter attacks. Hyperparameters, integral in machine learning model tuning and optimal performance of digital twins, have emerged as a target for adversaries aiming to destabilize the predictive capabilities and therefore, the operational accuracy of these digital entities within critical infrastructures like nuclear plants. This paper, therefore, meticulously threads the needle through the development of a robust response strategy, poised to shield these digital reflections against calculated hyperparameter manipulations, ensuring that the digital twin can effectively and securely function as a reliable proxy for its physical counterpart. The ensuing sections delve into the orchestrated maelstrom of multi-rate time-changing intelligent coordinated hyperparameter attacks and the implementation of event-triggered predictive control, laying down a structured, predictive, and responsive framework that safeguards the nexus where the digital and physical realms of nuclear power plants coalesce. The operational integrity of digital twins in nuclear power plants depends critically on the security of machine learning hyperparameters. This study makes two different contributions. First, a decision-based idea known as a multi-rate time changing intelligent coordinated hyperparameter attack is put forth. In this attack, many hyperparameters are repeatedly changed using both random and intelligent optimal techniques by the attacker. These assaults introduce varied rates at different attack steps, compromise various amounts of hyperparameters, and improve stealth and flexibility. Second, a technique is developed for event triggered predictive control to rapidly respond to potential hyperparameter attacks. This control integrates a sliding window framework, retaining a history of previous data points and employing linear regression to predict the next data point from the current dataset. The control gain K is determined using the Lyapunov-Krasovskii method, and subsequently, an action is developed. Finally, the outcome of the simulation demonstrates the viability of the proposed method for defending nuclear power plant digital twins from hyperparameter attacks.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2025

The Optical Stochastic Cooling Program at Fermilab

Recently, Optical Stochastic Cooling (OSC) became the first demonstrated method for ultra-high-bandwidth stochastic cooling. The initial experiments at Fermilab’s IOTA ring explored the essential physics of the method and demonstrated cooling, heating and manipulation of beams and single particles. Having been validated in practice, with continued development, OSC carries the potential for dramatic advances in the state-of-the-art performance and flexibility for beam cooling and control. The ongoing program at Fermilab is now focused on the development of an OSC system that includes high-gain optical amplification, which promises a two-order-of-magnitude increase in the strength of the OSC force. Here we review the progress and plans for the amplified OSC program. This includes detailed lattice designs and tracking simulations for the various experimental configurations, designs and status for the various hardware systems, and near-term operational plans and use cases.

Jarvis, J. [Fermilab]↗