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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 145 records · Page 8
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2011

Commissioning of output factors for uniform scanning proton beams

Purpose: Current commercial treatment planning systems are not able to accurately predict output factors and calculate monitor units for proton fields. Patient-specific field output factors are thus determined by either measurements or empirical modeling based on commissioning data. The objective of this study is to commission output factors for uniform scanning beams utilized at the ProCure proton therapy centers. Methods: Using water phantoms and a plane parallel ionization chamber, the authors first measured output factors with a fixed 10 cm diameter aperture as a function of proton range and modulation width for clinically available proton beams with ranges between 4 and 31.5 cm and modulation widths between 2 and 15 cm. The authors then measured the output factor as a function of collimated field size at various calibration depths for proton beams of various ranges and modulation widths. The authors further examined the dependence of the output factor on the scanning area (i.e., uncollimated proton field), snout position, and phantom material. An empirical model was developed to calculate the output factor for patient-specific fields and the model-predicted output factors were compared to measurements. Results: The output factor increased with proton range and field size, and decreased with modulation width. The scanning area and snout position have a small but non-negligible effect on the output factors. The predicted output factors based on the empirical modeling agreed within 2% of measurements for all prostate treatment fields and within 3% for 98.5% of all treatment fields. Conclusions: Comprehensive measurements at a large subset of available beam conditions are needed to commission output factors for proton therapy beams. The empirical modeling agrees well with the measured output factor data. This investigation indicates that it is possible to accurately predict output factors and thus eliminate or reduce time-consuming patient-specific output measurements for proton treatments.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2014

SU-E-T-438: Commissioning of An In-Vivo Quality Assurance Method Using the Electronic Portal Imaging Device

Purpose: Patient specific pre-treatment quality assurance (QA) using arrays of detectors or film have been the standard approach to assure the correct treatment is delivered to the patient. This QA approach is expensive, labor intensive and does not guarantee or document that all remaining fractions were treated properly. The purpose of this abstract is to commission and evaluate the performance of a commercially available in-vivo QA software using the electronic portal imaging device (EPID) to record the daily treatments. Methods: The platform EPIgray V2.0.2 (Dosisoft), which machine model compares ratios of TMR with EPID signal to predict dose was commissioned for an Artiste (Siemens Oncology Care Systems) and a Truebeam (Varian medical systems) linear accelerator following the given instructions. The systems were then tested on three different phantoms (homogeneous stack of solid water, anthropomorphic head and pelvis) and on a library of patient cases. Simple and complex fields were delivered at different exposures and for different gantry angles. The effects of the table attenuation and the EPID sagging were evaluated. Gamma analysis of the measured dose was compared to the predicted dose for complex clinical IMRT cases. Results: Commissioning of the EPIgray system for two photon energies took 8 hours. The difference between the dose planned and the dose measured with EPIgray was better than 3% for all phantom scenarios tested. Preliminary results on patients demonstrate an accuracy of 5% is achievable in high dose regions for both 3DCRT and IMRT. Large discrepancies (>5%) were observed due to metallic structures or air cavities and in low dose areas. Flat panel sagging was visible and accounted for in the EPIgray model. Conclusion: The accuracy achieved by EPIgray is sufficient to document the safe delivery of complex IMRT treatments. Future work will evaluate EPIgray for VMAT and high dose rate deliveries. This work is supported by Dosisoft, Cachan, France.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Accelerator commissioning and rare isotope identification at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams

In 2008, Michigan State University was selected to establish the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB). Construction of the FRIB accelerator was completed in January 2022. Phased accelerator commissioning with heavy ion beams started in 2017 with the normal-conducting ion source and radio-frequency quadrupole. In April 2021, the full FRIB driver linear accelerator (linac) was commissioned, with heavy ion beams accelerated to energies above 200 MeV/nucleon by 324 superconducting radiofrequency (SRF) resonators operating at 2 K and 4 K with liquid-helium cooling. Further, in preparation for high-power operation, a liquid lithium charge stripper was commissioned with heavy ion beams up to uranium-238, followed by the simultaneous acceleration of multiple-charge-state heavy ion beams to energies above 200 MeV/nucleon. In December 2021, selenium-84 was produced with the FRIB target using a krypton-86 primary beam, demonstrating FRIB’s capability for scientific discovery.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Commissioning and Operation of FAST Electron Linac at Fermilab

We report results of the beam commissioning and first operation of the 1.3 GHz superconducting RF electron linear accelerator at Fermilab Accelerator Science and Technology (FAST) facility. Construction of the linac was completed and the machine was commissioned with beam in 2017. The maximum total beam energy of about 300 MeV was achieved with the record energy gain of 250 MeV in the ILC-type SRF cryomodule. The pho-toinjector was tuned to produce trains of 200 pC bunches with a frequency of 3 MHz at a repetition rate of 1 Hz. This report describes the aspects of machine commission-ing such as tuning of the SRF cryomodule and beam optics optimization. We also present highlights of an experimental program carried out parasitically during the two-month run, including studies of wake-fields, and advanced beam phase space manipulation.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2026

LLRF commissioning of the CEBAF C75 upgrades SAM 2024/25

An often-overlooked aspect of Low Level Radio Frequency (LLRF) design is commissioning of a new system. During Jlab’s Scheduled Accelerator Maintenance (SAM) in 2024, two C75 Cryomodule were installed in CEBAF with Jlab’s LLRF 3.0 system. Jlab’s team has invested effort in automating and standardizing their commissioning process. Several key components are klystron characterization, cavity characterization, and interlock verification. This poster will present the summary of LLRF preparation and commissioning efforts at Jlab.

Accelerator Physics↗
DOE OSTI2025

Lessons from commissioning of the cryogenic system for the Short-Baseline Neutrino Detector at Fermilab

Results from commissioning and first year of operations of the cryogenic system of the Short-Baseline Neutrino Detector (SBND) and its membrane cryostat installed at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory are described. The SBND detector is installed in a 200 m$^3$ membrane cryostat filled with liquid argon, which serves both as target and as active media. For the correct operation of the detector, the liquid argon must be kept in very stable thermal conditions while the contamination of electronegative impurities must be consistently kept at the level of small fractions of parts per billion. The detector is operated in Booster Neutrino Beams (BNB) at Fermilab for the search of sterile neutrinos and measurements of neutrino-argon cross sections. The cryostat and the cryogenic systems also serve as prototypes for the much larger equipment to be used for the LBNF/DUNE experiment. Since its installation in 2018-2023 and cooldown in spring of 2024, the cryostat and the cryogenic system have been commissioned to support the detector operations. The lessons learned through installation, testing, commissioning, cooldown, and initial operations are described.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Nuclear Nonproliferation and Arms Control Primer Prepared for the Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future

To provide a brief overview of key arms control and nonproliferation arrangements for the layperson that may be relevant to the Commission's comprehensive review of policies for managing the back end of the nuclear fuel cycle. Primer would be published by the Commission and made publicly available, probably as an appendix to a larger Commission report.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2018

NWTC Dynamometer and Controllable Grid Interface Commissioning and Testing of General Electric Wind Turbine Drivetrain: Cooperative Research and Development Final Report, CRADA Number CRD 14-551

This CRADA (1) facilitates commissioning of the new NWTC 5MW dynamometer facility while testing a General Electric (Participant) 2.75MW wind turbine drivetrain under loaded conditions, (2) facilitates commissioning of the new NWTC the Controllable Grid Interface (CGI) as part of testing the GE 2.75MW drivetrain, (3) facilitates further wind turbine drivetrain testing utilizing the commissioned dynamometer and CGI test facilities.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Commissioning Plan for the Cameca NanoSIMS 50L

In late March of 2017 a Cameca® NanoSIMS 50L was delivered to the Nuclear Security Advanced Technologies (NSAT) group at ORNL. This instrument occupies the cutting edge of Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) technology, and will ultimately solidify the NSAT group’s position at the forefront of the nuclear security research and development community. This document describes the processes whereby the ORNL NanoSIMS 50L will be commissioned, culminating in the group’s ability to demonstrate both depth of proficiency and breadth of capability to sponsors and the broader community. Before describing the specific metrics and benchmarks defining the commissioning process, this document delves into the body of literature specific to SIMS analysis in support of nuclear forensics research. This in-depth literature review sets the stage for an explanation of how the NanoSIMS 50L platform will help address existing research questions and define new ones. Lastly, the document describes the measurements and projects that will take place as part of the instrument’s commissioning phase.

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL P↗
DOE OSTI2015

NSLS-II SR Commissioning Report

The NSLS-II storage ring (SR) phase I commissioning has been successfully completed in May 12, 2014. In accordance to the project milestone, 25 mA average current was achieved in the storage ring with PETRA III 500 MHz 7-cell PETRA-III RF cavity but w/o ID’s and Landau cavities. In about 5 weeks we delivered a 3 GeV beam to the ring injection straight section, made the 1st turn around the ring, achieved hundreds of turns optimizing injection, stored beam having sextupoles and RF turned ON. Injection efficiency was achieved 95%, close orbit rms value is ~100 um, tune and chromaticity were measured and adjusted as desired, and beam lifetime was a few hours depending on the stored beam current. This report consists of a summary, a chronological part, the injector system performance in Ch3, SR commissioning experience in Ch4 and the outlook of remaining work in Ch5. The SR commissioning experience includes the software experience, hardware (timing, diagnostics, RF, vacuum, PS) operation experience, the strategy for initial injection beam to the stored beam, measurement of the linear optics and control to the desired value, nonlinear beam dynamics study, beam instability study, the subsystem reliability and fault study at different scenarios.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Construction Specification Section 01810 Facility Commissioning Requirements (Revised Version)

The purpose of the commissioning process for this project is to provide SNL assurance that equipment/systems have been provided as required, installed in the prescribed manner and operate in compliance with SNL project requirements, basis of design, contract documentation, and operational needs. In addition, commissioning provides SNL assurance that any special safety engineered features to prevent or control the accidental release of hazardous energy operate appropriately. Commissioning is intended to enhance the quality of system startup, operation and aid in the orderly and timely transfer of fully functioning systems.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2020

Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH) FAST Commissioning Prize Technical Analysis

The US energy landscape has undergone major changes over the past 10 years and will continue to see significant changes in future decades as the power grid increases its reliance on variable renewable energy resources. Because of the inherent variability of these resources, renewable energy growth may require additional energy storage capacity to provide flexible load-following capabilities and other grid services that can quickly adjust to changes in energy demand and generation. Pumped storage hydropower (PSH)—one such energy storage technology—uses pumps to convey water from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir for energy storage and releases water back to the lower reservoir via a powerhouse for hydropower generation. PSH facility pump and generation cycling often follows economic and energy demand conditions. Across the United States, 43 PSH facilities are in operation and 55 projects are in various permitting or licensing stages. Altogether, the 43 operational projects provide the wide majority (95%) of utility-scale electricity storage in the United States. These facilities also provide significant power and nonpower grid benefits, including large-scale electrical system reserve capacity, grid reliability support, and electricity supply-demand balancing through quick-response capabilities and operational flexibility. PSH systems can accomplish these at a scale (e.g., size) and cost that makes these systems highly attractive from a technical standpoint. Although these research concepts are still in their infancy, they demonstrate promising potential as future PSH energy storage technologies. Although PSH has many advantages, development in the United States has effectively stalled since the 1990s, partially because of the magnitude of project costs and financing interest during development and construction, the length of time from project investment until project revenue begins, permitting challenges, construction risks, competition from other storage technologies (e.g., batteries, hydrogen storage), and electricity market evolution and uncertainty. In short, the time, cost, and risk associated with modern PSH development have resulted in limited growth in the United States recently, despite the growing energy storage demand stemming from increased wind and solar power deployment. Technology innovation is needed to help reduce PSH commissioning time, cost, and risk, particularly during the post-licensing phase of project development. To address challenges facing the PSH industry and to improve PSH commissioning timelines, the US Department of Energy (DOE) Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) initiated the PSH Furthering Advancements to Shorten Time to (FAST) Commissioning Prize project.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Lessons from commissioning of the cryogenic system for the Short-Baseline Neutrino Detector at Fermilab

Results from commissioning and first year of operations of the cryogenic system of the Short-Baseline Neutrino Detector (SBND) and its membrane cryostat installed at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory are described. The SBND detector is installed in a 200 m3 membrane cryostat filled with liquid argon, which serves both as target and as active media. For the correct operation of the detector, the liquid argon must be kept in very stable thermal conditions while the contamination of electronegative impurities must be consistently kept at the level of small fractions of parts per billion. The detector is operated in Booster Neutrino Beams (BNB) at Fermilab for the search of sterile neutrinos and measurements of neutrino-argon cross sections. The cryostat and the cryogenic systems also serve as prototypes for the much larger equipment to be used for the LBNF/DUNE experiment. Since its installation in 2018-2023 and cooldown in spring of 2024, the cryostat and the cryogenic system have been commissioned to support the detector operations. The lessons learned through installation, testing, commissioning, cooldown, and initial operations are described.

Geynisman, Michael [Fermilab]↗
DOE OSTI2024

Sensorium: commissioning abundant sensors with augmented reality and QR codes

In the future, it will be possible to build high-quality models of building interiors based on data from a dense fleet of sensors reporting on air volumes much smaller than a room or zone. To enable such models, we are creating technologies that allow a fleet of sensors to be commissioned quickly at low cost. Our sensor commissioning process builds a 3D model of each building interior that includes sensor positions and sensor networking information such as sensor MAC addresses. It employs multiple technologies, including augmented reality, LiDAR, QR codes, and computer vision. Sensors can be commissioned at more than 10x the speed and at less than one tenth the cost of traditional approaches.

Bier, Eric A.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Geothermal research and development program of the US Atomic Energy Commission

Within the overall federal geothermal program, the Atomic Energy Commission has chosen to concentrate on development of resource utilization and advanced research and technology as the areas most suitable to the expertise of its staff and that of the National Laboratories. The Commission's work in geothermal energy is coordinated with that of other agencies by the National Science Foundation, which has been assigned lead agency by the Office of Management and Budget. The objective of the Commission's program, consistent with the goals of the total federal program is to facilitate, through technological advancement and pilot plant operations, achievement of substantial commercial production of electrical power and utilization of geothermal heat by the year 1985. This will hopefully be accomplished by providing, in conjunction with industry, credible information on the economic operation and technological reliability of geothermal power and use of geothermal heat.

Werner, L. B.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Report of the Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident, Volume 1

The findings of the Commission regarding the circumstances surrounding the Challenger accident are reported and recommendations for corrective action are outlined. All available mission data, subsequent tests, and wreckage analyses were reviewed and specific failure scenarios were developed. The Commission concluded that the cause of the Mission 51-L accident was the failure of the pressure seal in the aft field joint of the right solid rocket motor. The failure was due to a faulty design unacceptably sensitive to a number of factors. These factors were the effects of temperature, physical dimensions, the character of materials, the effects of reuse, processing, and the reaction of the joint to dynamic loading. In addition to analyzing the material causes of the accident, the Commission examined the chain of decisions that culminated in approval of the launch. It concluded that the decision making process was flawed in several ways including (1) failure in communication resulting in a launch decision based on incomplete and misleading information, (2) a conflict between engineering data and management judgements, and (3) a NASA management structure that permitted flight safety problems to bypass key Shuttle managers.

Rogers, W. P.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Implementation of the Recommendations of the Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident

This final status report describes the actions taken by NASA in response to the recommendations of the Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident (Mission 51-L). The Commission recommendations and NASA's responses to them are summarized in the Executive Summary, which is accompanied by a schedule showing significant program milestones. A detailed discussion of the activities undertaken by NASA to implement each of the nine Commission recommendations is included and other related NASA actions required for safe return to flight are discussed. A copy of the interim plan submitted to the President one year ago and other significant reference documents are included as appendixes.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2006

Commissioning Results on the JWST Testbed Telescope

The one-meter 18 segment JWST Testbed Telescope (TBT) has been developed at Ball Aerospace to facilitate commissioning operations for the JWST Observatory. Eight different commissioning activities were tested on the TBT: telescope focus sweep, segment ID and Search, image array, global alignment, image stacking, coarse phasing, fine phasing, and multi-field phasing. This paper describes recent commissioning results from experiments performed on the TBT.

Dean, Bruce H.↗