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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 1,441 records · Page 80
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

IDAC-Bio, A Software for Internal Dosimetry Based on the New ICRP Biokinetic Models and Specific Absorbed Fractions

Radiation dosimetry is central to virtually all radiation safety applications, optimization, and research. It relates to various individuals and population groups and to miscellaneous exposure situations—including planned, existing, and emergency situations. The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) has developed a new computational framework for internal dose estimations. Important components are more detailed and improved anatomical models and more realistic biokinetic models than before. The ICRP is currently producing new organ dose and effective dose coefficients for occupational intakes of radionuclides (OIR) and environmental intakes of radionuclides (EIR), which supersede the earlier dose coefficients in Publication 68 and the Publication 72 series, respectively. However, the ICRP only publishes dose coefficients for a single acute intake of a radionuclide and for an integration period of 50 years for intake by adults and to age 70 years for intakes by pre-adults. The new software, IDAC-Bio, performs committed absorbed dose and effective dose calculations for a selectable intake scenario, e.g., for a continuous intake or an intake during x hours per day and y days per week, and for any selected integration time. The software uses the primary data and models of the ICRP biokinetic models and numerically solves the biokinetic model and calculates the absorbed doses to organs and tissues in the ICRP reference human phantoms. The software calculates absorbed dose using the nuclear decay data in ICRP publication 107. IDAC-Bio is a further development and an important addition to the internal dosimetry program IDAC-Dose2.1. Here, the results generated by the software were validated against published ICRP dose coefficients. The potential of the software is illustrated by dose calculations for a nuclear power plant worker who had been exposed to varying levels of 60 Co and who had undergone repeated whole-body measurements, and for a hypothetical member of the public subject to future releases of 148 Gd from neutron spallation in tungsten at the European Spallation Source.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗
DOE OSTI2020

In situ high-temperature X-ray diffraction study of Sc-doped titanium oxide nanocrystallites

Titanium dioxide is an inexpensive wide-gap highly ionic semiconductor with striking photocatalytic capabilities in several heterogeneous photoredox reactions. A small crystal size is desirable to maximize the surface area, since photocatalytic reactions occur at the surface of a photocatalyst. Presented in this work are the synthesis and microstructural characterization of 4 at.% Sc-doped TiO 2 (4SDT) prepared by water-based co-precipitation. The crystal structure of 4SDT was examined via in situ high-temperature powder X-ray diffraction experiments from 25 to 1200°C. Rietveld analysis revealed single-phase anatase up to 875°C, while at 900°C the anatase-to-rutile phase transformation occurred and at higher temperatures additional reflections of Sc-rich phases (Sc 2 TiO 5 from 975°C and Ti 3 Sc 4 O 12 or Sc 2 O 3 at 1200°C) were observed. Debye function analysis (DFA) was applied to model the total scattering pattern directly in reciprocal space, allowing the reconstruction of Ti vacancies. Both Rietveld and DFA methods were applied to estimate the nanocrystallite size and shape with consistent growth in crystallite size with temperature: an ellipsoid shape with equatorial ~4.7 nm / axial (001) ~6.9 nm at 25°C to equatorial ~27.9 nm / axial (001) ~39.6 nm at 900°C refined by Rietveld analysis, versus a cylinder shape with D a , b = 4.3 nm and size dispersion σ ab = 1.5 nm, L c = 4.9 nm and σ c = 2.3 nm at 25°C to D a , b = 21.4 nm, σ ab = 8.3 nm, L c = 23.9 and σ c = 10.9 nm at 900°C estimated by DFA. The microstructural changes obtained by Rietveld and DFA methods were supported by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy image analysis, as well as by the less direct nitrogen sorption techniques that provide information on the size of non-agglomerated and dense particles. The Ti site-occupancy factor showed a linear increase from 0.6–0.8 at 25°C to unity at 900°C for anatase, and from ~0.7 at 900°C to unity at 1200°C for rutile, via Rietveld analysis and DFA.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Considerations for Commercial Building Participation in a Transactive Energy System

With transactive energy (TE), commercial customers have the potential to provide flexibility to the electricity grid by shifting electricity demand to avoid high-priced periods. The characteristics of commercial buildings and end uses are explored to determine factors supporting the feasibility of participation in a TE system. The key factors of commercial buildings that affect the potential benefits of participating in a TE system are the ownership and lease arrangement, the perceived impact of occupant comfort on worker productivity and customer sales, the state of buildings and equipment or the readiness of the buildings, and in some cases the additional standards in place that are unique to commercial settings. These characteristics will affect the commercial customer’s ability to adjust the timing of electricity consumption and benefit from a TE system.

transactive energy, commercial lease, occupant com↗
DOE OSTI2019

Characterizing sources and emissions of volatile organic compounds in a northern California residence using space- and time-resolved measurements

We investigate source characteristics and emission dynamics of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a single-family house in California utilizing time- and space-resolved measurements. About 200 VOC signals, corresponding to more than 200 species, were measured during 8 weeks in summer and five in winter. Spatially resolved measurements, along with tracer data, reveal that VOCs in the living space were mainly emitted directly into that space, with minor contributions from the crawlspace, attic, or outdoors. Time-resolved measurements in the living space exhibited baseline levels far above outdoor levels for most VOCs; many compounds also displayed patterns of intermittent short-term enhancements (spikes) well above the indoor baseline. Compounds were categorized as "high-baseline" or "spike-dominated" based on indoor-to-outdoor concentration ratio and indoor mean-to-median ratio. Short-term spikes were associated with occupants and their activities, especially cooking. High-baseline compounds indicate continuous indoor emissions from building materials and furnishings. Indoor emission rates for high-baseline species, quantified with 2-hour resolution, exhibited strong temperature dependence and were affected by air-change rates. Decomposition of wooden building materials is suggested as a major source for acetic acid, formic acid, and methanol, which together accounted for ~75% of the total continuous indoor emissions of high-baseline species.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

SU-E-P-20: Personnel Lead Apparel Integrity Inspection: Where We Are and What We Need?

Purpose: In recent years, tremendous efforts have been devoted to radiation dose reduction, especially for patients who are directly exposed to primary radiation or receive radiopharmaceuticals. Limited efforts have been focused on those personnel who are exposed to secondary radiation while fulfilling their work responsibilities associated with diagnostic imaging and image-guided interventions. Occupational exposure is compounded in daily practice and can lead to a significant radiation dose over time. Personnel lead apparel is a well-accepted engineering control to protect healthcare workers when radiation is inevitable. The question is, do we have a nationally established program to protect personnel? This study is to investigate the lead apparel inspection programs among the USA. Methods: A series of surveys of state regulations, the University Health System Consortium, and federal regulations and regulations determined by accrediting bodies were conducted. The surveys were used to determine the current status of lead apparel programs regarding integrity inspections. Based on the survey results, a thorough program was proposed accordingly. Results: Of 50 states, seventeen states and Washington D.C. require lead apparel integrity inspections within their state regulations. Eleven of these states specify that the inspection is required on an annual basis. Two of these states require lead apron integrity checks to be performed semi-annually. Eleven out of the two hundred academic medical centers surveyed responded. The results show that the method (visually vs. fluoroscopy) used to conduct lead apparel integrity checks differ greatly amongst healthcare organizations. The FDA, EPA, CRCPD and NCRP require lead apparel integrity checks. However, the level of policies is different. A standard program is not well established and clearly there is a lack of standardization. Conclusion: A program led by legislative (state or federal government) and with specific frequency, methods, tracking and criteria is needed to ensure the integrity of personnel lead apparel.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

BRCore: an R package implementing flexible selection of core taxa using contribution to Bray-Curtis dissimilarity and neutral model fitting

Identifying core taxa in microbial ecology highlights groups likely to participate in a broad range of potential ecological interactions. Here, we present BRCore, an R package to identify core taxa using abundance-occupancy distributions and beta-diversity contributions across ecological niches, and predict stochastic and deterministic taxa.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

On the theory of adsorption on graphene-like compounds

Based on a previously proposed model of the electronic spectrum of binary A{sub N}B{sub 8–N} graphene-like compounds (GLC), adsorption theory is constructed, which allows determination of the role of the adatom level position, the adatom–substrate coupling constant, and the gap inherent to GLC in the free state with heteropolar bonds in the formation of the adatom electronic structure. The cases of free-standing and epitaxial GLCs on a metal surface are considered. In the case of free-standing GLCs, analysis shows local states mainly contribute to the adatom occupation number n{sub a} at large and intermediate adatom–GLC coupling constants; as the coupling constants decrease, the contribution of the GLC valence band increases. The main feature of an epitaxial GLC on metal is the absence of a gap, hence, the contribution of adatom local states to n{sub a}. Estimations show that changes in the adatom–substrate and GLC–metal coupling constants affect n{sub a} in almost the same way. In this case, the dependence of n{sub a} on the GLC gap is not critical from the qualitative viewpoint. Adsorption on the GLC–semiconductor structure is briefly discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Cluster Model of Lateral Graphene-Like Heterostructure: Estimates of Charge Transfer

A simple cluster model is proposed to describe zigzag and armchair contacts of graphene to a hexagonal two-dimensional binary compound adsorbed on a metal substrate. A graphene–boron nitride heterostructure (HS) is studied in detail. Analytical expressions are obtained for the local densities of states and the occupation numbers of contact atoms. The charge transfer for quasi-free HSs is analyzed. The energy of binding of a HS to a metal substrate is estimated.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Condensation of Pseudomagnons in a Two-Dimensional Anisotropic S = 1 Pseudospin System

Abstract—A 2D anisotropic system of S = 1 centers of the charge triplet type in systems with variable valence or “semi-hard-core” boson systems with a limitation for the occupation of lattice sites n = 0, 1, 2 is studied in the framework of the pseudospin formalism. Assuming that the ground state is a quantum paramagnet, the pseudo-spin wave spectrum and also the conditions of the condensation of pseudomagnons with a phase transition to a superconducting state have been found using the Schwinger boson method.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2020

Lung cancer mortality among construction workers: implications for early detection

Objectives This study examined predictors of lung cancer mortality, beyond age and smoking, among construction workers employed at US Department of Energy (DOE) sites to better define eligibility for low-dose CT (LDCT) lung cancer screening. Methods Predictive models were based on 17 069 workers and 352 lung cancer deaths. Risk factors included age, gender, race/ethnicity, cigarette smoking, years of trade or DOE work, body mass index (BMI), chest X-ray results, spirometry results, respiratory symptoms, beryllium sensitisation and personal history of cancer. Competing risk Cox models were used to obtain HRs and to predict 5-year risks. Results Factors beyond age and smoking included in the final predictive model were chest X-ray changes, abnormal lung function, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), respiratory symptoms, BMI, personal history of cancer and having worked 5 or more years at a DOE site or in construction. Risk-based LDCT eligibility demonstrated improved sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value compared with current US Preventive Services Task Force guidelines. The risk of lung cancer death from 5 years of work in the construction industry or at a DOE site was comparable with the risk from a personal cancer history, a family history of cancer or a diagnosis of COPD. LDCT eligibility criteria used for DOE construction workers, which includes factors beyond age and smoking, identified 86% of participants who eventually would die from lung cancer compared with 51% based on age and smoking alone. Conclusions Results support inclusion of risk from occupational exposures and non-malignant respiratory clinical findings in LDCT clinical guidelines.

Public, Environmental & Occupational Health↗
DOE OSTI2012

Managing the Drivers of Air Flow and Water Vapor Transport in Existing Single Family Homes (Revised)

This document focuses on managing the driving forces which move air and moisture across the building envelope. While other previously published Measure Guidelines focus on elimination of air pathways, the ultimate goal of this Measure Guideline is to manage drivers which cause air flow and water vapor transport across the building envelope (and also within the home), control air infiltration,keep relative humidity (RH) within acceptable limits, avoid combustion safety problems, improve occupant comfort, and reduce house energy use.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2013

Demonstration Assessment of Light-Emitting Diode Parking Structure Lighting at U.S. Department of Labor Headquarters

This report documents a solid-state lighting (SSL) technology demonstration at the parking structure of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Headquarters in Washington, DC, in which light-emitting diode (LED) luminaires were substituted for the incumbent high-pressure sodium (HPS) luminaires and evaluated for relative light quantity and performance. The demonstration results show energy savings of 52% from the initial conversion of HPS to the LED product. These savings were increased to 88% by using occupancy sensor controls that were ultimately set to reduce power to 10% of high state operation after a time delay of 2.5 minutes. Because of the relatively high cost of the LED luminaires at their time of purchase for this project (2010), the simple payback periods were 6.5 years and 4.9 years for retrofit and new construction scenarios, respectively. Staff at DOL Headquarters reported high satisfaction with the operation of the LED product.

LEDs↗
DOE OSTI2016

Summary of Building Protection Factor Studies for External Exposure to Ionizing Radiation

Radiation dose assessments are used to help inform decisions to minimize health risks in the event of an atmospheric release of radioactivity including, for example, from a Radiological Dispersal Device, an Improvised Nuclear Device detonation, or a Nuclear Power Plant accident. During these incidents, radiation dose assessments for both indoor and outdoor populations are needed to make informed decisions. These dose assessments inform emergency plans and decisions including, for example, identifying areas in which people should be sheltered and determining when controlled population evacuations should be made. US dose assessment methodologies allow consideration of the protection, and therefore dose reduction, that buildings provide their occupants. However, these methodologies require an understanding of the protection provided by various building types that is currently lacking. To help address this need, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, in cooperation with Sandia National Laboratories and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, was tasked with (a) identifying prior building protection studies, (b) extracting results relevant to US building construction, and (c) summarizing building protection by building type. This report focuses primarily on the protection against radiation from outdoor fallout particles (external gamma radiation).

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Bystander Effects of Ionizing Radiation

The objectives of this grant renewal are to provide administrative support and travel funds to allow the continued participation of the principal investigator (Dr. John B. Little) as an advisor to research initiated by several research fellows from his laboratory. The actual research will be carried out under the direction of Dr. Hatsumi Nagasawa with the collaboration of Dr. Joel Bedford at the Colorado State University, and by Drs. Edouard Azzam and Sonia de Toledo at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Dr. Little will advise on the planning of experiments and development of experimental protocols, the analysis of data, and the preparation of manuscripts for publication. The Specific Aims for several of the planned experiments include: 1) to extend studies of the role of recombinational repair in the bystander effect by examining other genes in this pathway and cell lines deficient in excision repair; 2) to continue studies to determine the nature of the damage signal transmitted to bystander cells including the expression of several connexins in the bystander response, and the extent to which the enhanced oxidative metabolism observed in bystander cells may relate to the nature of the transmitted bystander signal; 3) to utilize a genome-wide approach to examine the genetic basis for the hypersensitivity to ionization we have observed in unaffected parents of patients with hereditary retinoblastoma, as well as from a group of apparently normal individuals that show similar radiosensitivity; 4) to complete studies concerning the induction of high frequencies of cells with massive chromosome damage in clonal derivatives of p53 and p21 knockout mouse cell lines; in particular to examine the role of telomere changes in this phenomenon. Overall, the results of these studies should enhance our understanding of the risk of low-dose exposures to ionizing radiation, including human populations to residential radon as well as occupational exposures.

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTAN↗
DOE OSTI2017

Advanced Manufacturing for Thermal and Environmental Control Systems: Achieving National Energy Goals

This project was part of a regional initiative in the five counties of Central New York (CNY) that received funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and four other federal agencies through the 2012 Advanced Manufacturing Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge (AMJIAC). The CNY initiative was focused on cultivating the emergent regional cluster in “Advanced Manufacturing for Thermal and Environmental Control (AM-TEC).” As one component of the CNY AM-TEC initiative, the DOE-funded project supported five research & development seed projects that strategically targeted: 1) needs and opportunities of CNY AM-TEC companies, and 2) the goal of DOE’s Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO) to reduce energy consumption by 50% across product life-cycles over 10 years. The project also sought to fulfill the AMO mission of developing and demonstrating new, energy-efficient processing and materials technologies at a scale adequate to prove their value to manufacturers and spur investment. The five seed projects demonstrated technologies and processes that can reduce energy intensity and improve production as well as use less energy throughout their lifecycles. The project was conducted over three years in two 18-month budget periods. During the first budget period, two projects proposed in the original AMJAIC application were successfully completed: Seed Project 1 focused on saving energy in heat transfer processes via development of nano structured surfaces to significantly increase heat flux; Seed Project 2 addressed saving energy in data centers via subzero cooling of the computing processors. Also during the first budget period, a process was developed and executed to select a second round of seed projects via a competitive request for proposals from regional companies and university collaborators. Applicants were encouraged to form industry-academic partnerships to leverage experience and resources of public and private sectors in the CNY region. Proposals were evaluated by a national panel of experts. Three projects were selected for awards and were completed successfully during the second budget period: Seed Project 3 focused on enabling self-powered furnaces to permit residents to shelter in place during power outages; Seed Project 4 addressed development of a novel method of controlling air conditioning systems that could enable flexible load matching in market segments not possible with existing technologies; and Seed Project 5 focused on the creation of smarter occupancy sensors to enable effective highly localized demand based ventilation.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗
DOE OSTI2017

Mini-Split Heat Pump Evaluation and Zero Energy Ready Home Support

IBACOS worked with builder Imagine Homes to evaluate the performance of an occupied new construction test house following construction of the house in the hot, humid climate of San Antonio, Texas. The project measures the effectiveness of a space conditioning strategy using a multihead mini-split heat pump (MSHP) system in a reduced-load home to achieve acceptable comfort levels (temperature and humidity) and energy performance. IBACOS collected long-term data and analyzed the energy consumption and comfort conditions of the occupied house after one year of operation. Although measured results indicate that the test system provides comfort both inside and outside the ASHRAE Standard 55-2010 range, the occupants of the house claimed both adequate comfort and appreciation of the ease of use and flexibility of the installed MSHP system. IBACOS also assisted the builder to evaluate design and specification changes necessary to comply with Zero Energy Ready Home, but the builder chose to not move forward with it because of concerns about the 'solar ready' requirements of the program.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗