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At least 1,495 records · Page 83

Update on Integrated Optical Design Analyzer

Updated information on the Integrated Optical Design Analyzer (IODA) computer program has become available. IODA was described in Software for Multidisciplinary Concurrent Optical Design (MFS-31452), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 25, No. 10 (October 2001), page 8a. To recapitulate: IODA facilitates multidisciplinary concurrent engineering of highly precise optical instruments. The architecture of IODA was developed by reviewing design processes and software in an effort to automate design procedures. IODA significantly reduces design iteration cycle time and eliminates many potential sources of error. IODA integrates the modeling efforts of a team of experts in different disciplines (e.g., optics, structural analysis, and heat transfer) working at different locations and provides seamless fusion of data among thermal, structural, and optical models used to design an instrument. IODA is compatible with data files generated by the NASTRAN structural-analysis program and the Code V (Registered Trademark) optical-analysis program, and can be used to couple analyses performed by these two programs. IODA supports multiple-load-case analysis for quickly accomplishing trade studies. IODA can also model the transient response of an instrument under the influence of dynamic loads and disturbances.

Moore, James D., Jr.↗

Streamlining and Transparently Automating Complex Waste Determinations at Los Alamos National Laboratory - 17286

Environmental programs at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) generate a large amount of sampling activities that can result in waste that needs to be characterized and properly disposed. Since 2011, sampling results are managed in the cloud-based Environmental Information Management (EIM) database, which contains over 16 million current and historical data records. In many cases, the database's analytical records are used to characterize and dispose waste from environmental operations. Three factors contribute to streamlining of the waste disposition operations: (1) if possible, use of the existing analytical data for waste characterization to avoid additional laboratory analysis; (2) reduction in time spent on data evaluation for various waste acceptance criteria; and (3) choice of the proper and least expensive disposal alternative. Use of the existing analytical data, when allowed by law, creates some paradoxical problems: when chemical analysis is requested with the purpose of characterizing waste, it creates only 100 to 400 analytical records. However, use of exiting analytical data at LANL may lead to evaluation of tens of thousands of analytical records, with many records for each single analyte. This occurs because data were collected for environmental characterization and not waste characterization. To streamline data analysis for waste disposition using existing data, LANL has created a Waste Data Summary (WDS) module in the site's EIM database. Recognizing that waste determination is performed by groups outside the environmental program at LANL, the WDS allows for logically guided data selection for a specific waste determination (solids, liquids, radiological, etc.) and reduces potentially thousands of rows of data into simple formatted data reports that are easy to comprehend and process. This allows the waste evaluators to review data using multiple approaches to make their own determination on the most appropriate disposal method. There are four basic principles of WDS operation: (1) The highest detected analytical result is evaluated for the selected samples (or the lowest undetected result if there are no detected results); (2) All approved disposal pathways are evaluated; (3) Any failures of the Waste Acceptance Criteria are visibly highlighted to focus the attention of the evaluator; and (4) The decision of the disposal path is left to the trained waste evaluator (WDS does not choose or suggest any disposal paths). The summary results are presented as the set of short data reports. These reports can be divided into two groups: general comparison reports and disposal pathway specific forms. The general comparison forms show all Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) analytes with pass/fail evaluation and with preference for toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) results (or 20x rule) for solid samples, the potential RCRA hazard codes assignment for detected analytes, and all rad results. The detected chemical and radioactivity results are compared to the background values and to Soil Screening and Soil Action limits (SSL/SAL limits). Disposal pathway specific forms follow Waste Acceptance Criteria requirements for all disposal pathways available at LANL. The programming of the WDS tries to maximize existing data by analyte substitutions (like using gross alpha for necessary alpha emitting isotopes) or by making calculations when analytical results do not agree with legal requirements (like total chlordane in the RCRA regulations, which is most often analyzed and reported as individual isomers). All forms may be annotated by the waste evaluator to provide additional information to support decision making. Upon final decision of a disposal path, the complete dataset used in the evaluation and the WDS forms with annotations is 'frozen' as an un-editable PDF export to document the data used in the waste disposal determination. The streamlined process results in less work for waste evaluators and reduces overall labor and analytical costs. By comparison, a full review of a 10,000 record parent dataset may take a waste evaluator over a week to review, whereas with the WDS module, the task can be accomplished in less than one hour with clear, reproducible results. These results can be reviewed and checked at any time by quality assurance personnel, thus ensuring transparency in the decision making process. LANL believes this approach has broad applicability to other sites where waste determination is based on review of existing data collected for more generalized environmental purposes. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Precision Description of Processes at Colliders in the SANC System

A review of the SANC computer system intended for theoretical support of experiments at colliders is presented. The system allows the precision predictions to be obtained semiautomatically for a wide class of particle interaction processes within the Standard Model. In this case, one considers total contributions of one-loop radiative corrections. Basic elements of the computer system are described, and examples of using the system for the high-precision description of certain processes of the Standard Model particle interactions are given. The MCSANC code developed using the Monte Carlo simulation is presented, which is used to calculate cross sections of a number of processes, investigated at the Large Hadron Collider. The prospects of research development in this field for theoretical support at future hadron and lepton colliders are discussed.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Subalpine and alpine species range shifts with climate change: temperature and soil moisture manipulations to test species and population responses (Final Report)

The Alpine Treeline Warming Experiment (ATWE) was established in 2008-2009 to experimentally test how climate change would affect species ranges at and beyond the cold edge limits of forest growth. One key finding was that warming can hinder upslope tree migration by increasing seedling water stress and reducing seedling survival. We found evidence for more conservative traits in seedlings from high elevation tree populations, which may further slow tree expansion into the current alpine. In the alpine, warming may only increase productivity if summer rain increases, as dominant alpine life forms were negatively affected by heating unless water was added. The ATWE experimental design and focus on dynamic vegetation were novel, and the setting at the mountain treeline transition was important to understanding effects of climate variability and change on water resources, carbon cycling and biodiversity. We ended climate manipulations and removed associated infrastructure from the field in 2016 following 8 years of data collection. To date, 5 MS theses and 18 peer-reviewed papers have been published or accepted (including one that yielded the cover image in Global Change Biology, left), and 1 PhD thesis and at least 5 papers are in review or active development. Numerous past seasonal and long-term field staff have gone on to graduate school, and subsequently to research positions as university faculty or agency scientists. PI Kueppers continues collecting data on soil microclimate and seedling survival for long-lived tree species to fill a critical gap in knowledge regarding the seedling-to-sapling transition across species and elevations. Primary project data is housed on the project’s virtual server, organized according to topic. Published data and model code is available either through the project website or via other permanent archives. Our results are influencing understanding and modeling of climate and genetic constraints on dynamic vegetation change across the landscape, particularly in the mountains of the Western U.S.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Nemchinov-Dyson Solutions of the Two-Dimensional Axisymmetric Inviscid Compressible Flow Equations [Review]

We investigate the two-dimensional (2D) inviscid compressible flow equations in axisymmetric coordinates, constrained by an ideal gas equation of state (EOS). Beginning with the assumption that the 2D velocity field is space-time separable and linearly variable in each corresponding spatial coordinate, we proceed to derive an in nite family of elliptic or hyperbolic, uniformly expanding or contracting \gas cloud" solutions. Construction of specific example solutions belonging to this family is dependent on the solution of a system of nonlinear, coupled, second-order ordinary differential equations, and the prescription of an additional physical process of interest (e.g., uniform temperature or uniform entropy flow). The physical and computational implications of these solutions as pertaining to quantitative code verification or model qualification studies are discussed in some detail.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Advanced propeller research

Resent results of aerodynamic and acoustic research on both single and counter-rotation propellers are reviewed. Data and analytical results are presented for three propellers: SR-7A, the single rotation design used in the NASA Propfan Test Assessment (PTA); and F7-A7, the 8+8 counterrotating design used in the proof-of-concept Unducted Fan (UDF) engine. In addition to propeller efficiencies, cruise and takeoff noise, and blade pressure data, off-design phenomena involving formation of leading edge vortices are described. Aerodynamic and acoustic computational results derived from three-dimensional Euler and acoustic radiation codes are presented. Research on unsteady flows, which are particularly important for understanding counterrotation interaction noise, unsteady loading effects on acoustics, and flutter or forced response is described. The first results of three-dimensional unsteady Euler solutions are illustrated for a single rotation propeller at an angle of attack and for a counterrotation propeller. Basic experimental and theoretical results from studies of the unsteady aerodynamics of oscillating cascades are outlined. Finally, advanced concepts involving swirl recovery vanes and ultra bypass ducted propellers are discussed.

Groeneweg, John F.↗

A Perspective on Computational Aerothermodynamics at NASA

The evolving role of computational aerothermodynamics (CA) within NASA over the past 20 years is reviewed. The presentation highlights contributions to understanding the Space Shuttle pitching moment anomaly observed in the first shuttle flight, prediction of a static instability for Mars Pathfinder, and the use of CA for damage assessment in post-Columbia mission support. In the view forward, several current challenges in computational fluid dynamics and aerothermodynamics for hypersonic vehicle applications are discussed. Example simulations are presented to illustrate capabilities and limitations. Opportunities to advance the state-of-art in algorithms, grid generation and adaptation, and code validation are identified.

Gnoffo, Peter A.↗

Prediction of Launch Vehicle Ignition Overpressure and Liftoff Acoustics

The LAIOP (Launch Vehicle Ignition Overpressure and Liftoff Acoustic Environments) program predicts the external pressure environment generated during liftoff for a large variety of rocket types. These environments include ignition overpressure, produced by the rapid acceleration of exhaust gases during rocket-engine start transient, and launch acoustics, produced by turbulence in the rocket plume. The ignition overpressure predictions are time-based, and the launch acoustic predictions are frequency-based. Additionally, the software can predict ignition overpressure mitigation, using water-spray injection into the rocket exhaust stream, for a limited number of configurations. The framework developed for these predictions is extensive, though some options require additional relevant data and development time. Once these options are enabled, the already extensively capable code will be further enhanced. The rockets, or launch vehicles, can either be elliptically or cylindrically shaped, and up to eight strap-on structures (boosters or tanks) are allowed. Up to four engines are allowed for the core launch vehicle, which can be of two different types. Also, two different sizes of strap-on structures can be used, and two different types of booster engines are allowed. Both tabular and graphical presentations of the predicted environments at the selected locations can be reviewed by the user. The output includes summaries of rocket-engine operation, ignition overpressure time histories, and one-third octave sound pressure spectra of the predicted launch acoustics. Also, documentation is available to the user to help him or her understand the various aspects of the graphical user interface and the required input parameters.

Casiano, Matthew↗

Summary of Pressure Gain Combustion Research at NASA

NASA has undertaken a systematic exploration of many different facets of pressure gain combustion over the last 25 years in an effort to exploit the inherent thermodynamic advantage of pressure gain combustion over the constant pressure combustion process used in most aerospace propulsion systems. Applications as varied as small-scale UAV's, rotorcraft, subsonic transports, hypersonics and launch vehicles have been considered. In addition to studying pressure gain combustor concepts such as wave rotors, pulse detonation engines, pulsejets, and rotating detonation engines, NASA has studied inlets, nozzles, ejectors and turbines which must also process unsteady flow in an integrated propulsion system. Other design considerations such as acoustic signature, combustor material life and heat transfer that are unique to pressure gain combustors have also been addressed in NASA research projects. In addition to a wide range of experimental studies, a number of computer codes, from 0-D up through 3-D, have been developed or modified to specifically address the analysis of unsteady flow fields. Loss models have also been developed and incorporated into these codes that improve the accuracy of performance predictions and decrease computational time. These codes have been validated numerous times across a broad range of operating conditions, and it has been found that once validated for one particular pressure gain combustion configuration, these codes are readily adaptable to the others. All in all, the documentation of this work has encompassed approximately 170 NASA technical reports, conference papers and journal articles to date. These publications are very briefly summarized herein, providing a single point of reference for all of NASA's pressure gain combustion research efforts. This documentation does not include the significant contributions made by NASA research staff to the programs of other agencies, universities, industrial partners and professional society committees through serving as technical advisors, technical reviewers and research consultants.

Perkins, H. Douglas↗

Monitoring CO 2 sequestration into deep saline aquifer and associated salt intrusion using coupled multiphase flow modeling and time lapse electrical resistivity tomography

Successful geological storage and sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO2) require efficient monitoring of the migration of CO2 plume during and after large-scale injection in order to verify the containment of the injected CO2 within the target formation and to evaluate potential leakage risk. Field studies have shown that surface and cross-borehole electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) can be a useful tool in imaging and characterizing solute transport in heterogeneous subsurface. In this synthetic study, we have coupled a 3-D multiphase flow model with a parallel 3-D time-lapse ERT inversion code to explore the feasibility of using time-lapse ERT for simultaneously monitoring the migration of CO2 plume in deep saline formation and potential brine intrusion into shallow fresh water aquifer. Direct comparisons of the inverted CO2 plumes resulting from ERT with multiphase flow simulation results indicate the ERT could be used to delineate the migration of CO2 plume. Detailed comparisons on the locations, sizes and shapes of CO2 plume and intruded brine plumes suggest that ERT inversion tends to underestimate the area review of the CO2 plume, but overestimate the thickness and total volume of the CO2 plume. The total volume of intruded brine plumes is overestimated as well. However, all discrepancies remain within reasonable ranges. Our study suggests that time-lapse ERT is a useful monitoring tool in characterizing the movement of injected CO2 into deep saline aquifer and detecting potential brine intrusion under large-scale field injection conditions.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

Neutronics Analysis Supporting Baseline Fuel-Rodlet Irradiation Design in TREAT Multi-SERTTA Vehicle

The Transient Reactor Test (TREAT) Facility is a thermal-spectrum test reactor designed to evaluate reactor fuels and structural material under simulated nuclear excursion and transient power/cooling mismatch situations in nuclear reactors. TREAT was historically operated from 1959 through 1994. There are ongoing activities to resume its transient testing capabilities to support advanced reactor designs and validate computational predictions of fuel and core behavior. Such validation will be an important factor for review and approval of next generation power reactor design and safety evaluations. Historic methods used in TREAT were very approximate and served to estimate a predicted transient power shape. A number of calibration test experiments were then required prior to the actual transient test to better estimate the power that would have been deposited in the experiment during a transient pulse. Much of the experience in the use of these legacy methods has also been lost over the past two decades. Monte Carlo criticality codes are being utilized for calculation of the initial critical state, control rod reactivity worth, and power coupling between core and experiments. Current efforts primarily support neutronics characterization with safety and design analyses for the Multi-SERTTA (Static Environment Rodlet Transient Test Apparatuses) experiment test vehicle, which can accommodate up to four concurrent rodlets under separate environmental conditions. Ongoing efforts are necessary in preparation of transient testing support for Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) characterization and other future fuels testing requirements. The power coupling factor (PCF) is one of two key parameters utilized in designing and characterizing the performance of a TREAT fuel irradiation experiment. The second key parameter is the Transient Correction Factor (TCF) which accounts for time-dependent effects. The PCF is the effective quantity of fission-generated energy per mass of fuel specimen per total core energy. The quantity of energy deposited into a fuel rodlet under various test environments can be used to evaluate overall fuel performance, including failure mechanisms and thresholds. Baseline fuel rodlet calculations have been performed to estimate the effectiveness of the Multi-SERTTA test vehicle and optimization of PCF for various test conditions. The baseline serves as reference fuel pin conditions against which calibration and baseline experiments can be performed prior to actual ATF transient testing. Baseline experiments further serve to validate computational analyses and experimental test methods prior to design planning, experimentation, and evaluation of the ATF candidates. This paper serves to document activities performed to evaluate a reference Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) rodlet design in the TREAT Multi-SERTTA test vehicle. (authors)

42 ENGINEERING↗

MicroRNAs and their target gene networks in renal cell carcinoma

Research highlights: {yields} MiRNAs are related to the processes of cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis in RCC. {yields} MiRNAs expression profiles are associated with several RCC-specific genetic alterations. {yields} It has been well documented that several miRNAs are downstream effector molecules of the HIF-induced hypoxia response. {yields} MiR-200 family is linked to epithelial-mesenchymal transition which is one of the most significant pathogenetic mechanism in RCC. {yields} Mechanistic studies in RCC have provided the rationale of using miRNAs as potential therapeutic targets. -- Abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-protein-coding short single stranded RNAs in the size range 19-25 nucleotides that are associated with gene regulation at the transcriptional and translational level. Recent studies have proved that miRNAs play important roles in a large number of biological processes, including cellular differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, etc. Changes in their expression were found in a variety of human cancers, including renal cell carcinoma pathogenesis. Specific miRNA alterations were associated with key pathogenetic mechanisms of renal cell carcinoma like hypoxia or epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of miRNA functions in renal cell carcinoma with an emphasis on miRNAs potential to serve as a powerful biomarker of disease and a novel therapeutic target in oncology.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

New technologies accelerate the exploration of non-coding RNAs in horticultural plants

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), that is, RNAs not translated into proteins, are crucial regulators of a variety of biological processes in plants. While protein-encoding genes have been relatively well-annotated in sequenced genomes, accounting for a small portion of the genome space in plants, the universe of plant ncRNAs is rapidly expanding. Recent advances in experimental and computational technologies have generated a great momentum for discovery and functional characterization of ncRNAs. Here we summarize the classification and known biological functions of plant ncRNAs, review the application of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology and ribosome profiling technology to ncRNA discovery in horticultural plants and discuss the application of new technologies, especially the new genome-editing tool clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) systems, to functional characterization of plant ncRNAs.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Multi-phenomenology Yield Characterization

This report serves as the first delivery of a four-year applied science effort to transform and advance the error bounds for the yield estimate of an explosion. Each year’s delivery will be in this form, culminating in the submission of this work for peer review to a scientific journal. Importantly, the yearly progress reports can then also be viewed as expanding drafts working towards a formal journal article submission. For the first tranche of funding, we collaborated with Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) scientists to identify unclassified real-world data that demonstrate and validate our advanced error propagation methods. Collaboration includes visits to AFTAC and telecons. For this development, we illustrate the fusion of seismic, acoustic, optical, and surface effect signatures from an explosion. The mathematics and code being adapted to this specific application (Williams et al., 2021) involves physics models of multiple sensor signatures. We have also identified related physics models and have integrated them into code. Current methods of underground explosion yield estimation for the Threshold Test Ban Treaty (TTBT) have served the US treaty monitoring mission well for decades. A research objective of the Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research and Development (DNN R&D) office of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has always been to provide new technical capabilities for monitoring lower thresholds. The general model and error propagation code to be developed in this project is based on significant advances in error modeling and propagation needed to analyze data at lower detection thresholds. The second tranche of funding for this project began on May 1, 2022, and planned work for the second tranche includes: i) completing the integration of physical model code into the general error model framework; this code accommodates a wide range of linear/nonlinear source models, fixed/ random effects, and frequentist/Bayesian analyses (the purpose of which is not to dictate to users how to analyze data, but instead to allow users the maximum flexibility in their work); ii) illustrative application of code to identified data, and; iii) initial planning with AFTAC researchers on delivery of code to the Common Development Environment at AFTAC, and continued writing of the planned final journal article submission (year two of this progress report), with particular emphasis on descriptions of data identified for this effort.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗

Design and Field Measurements of Printed-Circuit Quadrupoles and Dipoles

Air-core printed-circuit (PC) quadrupoles and dipoles have been developed for the University of Maryland electron ring, currently under construction. The quadrupoles and dipoles are characterized by very small magnetic fields (about 15 G at the aperture edge) and small aspect ratios (length/diameter < 1). We review the theory behind the design of the PC lenses and bending elements, and present general expressions for estimating the values of integrated field and integrated field gradient as functions of design parameters. The new quadrupole magnet represents an improvement over an earlier version which was based on an empirical approach. Further, we summarize the results of multipole content of the magnet fields as measured with a rotating coil apparatus of special construction. The results are compared with calculations with an iron-free magnetics code and are related to different types of errors in the manufacture and assembly of the PC magnets.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Prompt fission neutron and gamma ray properties as a function of incident neutron energy

The CGMF code provides a complete description of the properties of the prompt neutrons and γ rays, emitted before beta decays. It is based on a Monte Carlo implementation of the Hauser-Feshbach statistical model, which provides an accurate phenomenological description of the de-excitation of the fission fragments toward stable configurations via neutron and γ-ray emissions. This approach allows a detailed description of a large number of observables, such as multiplicity probabilities and correlations between the emitted particles. In this contribution, we briefly review the approach and present selected examples of neutron and γ-ray observables for neutron incident energies from thermal to 20 MeV, and compare against available data for 235 U(n,f) reaction.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Final Technical Report

Statement of the problem or situation that is being addressed in your application. The DOE and its national laboratories developed the Home Energy Score™ (HES) to encourage homeowners to improve their energy performance, lower costs and to share energy information through the MLS listing, appraisal, and financing channels. While the HES is an instrumental tool, it is currently underutilized and consists of technical, structural and sector barriers which need to be addressed in order to scale and many energy efficiency contractors are understandably overwhelmed by the added time and effort and lack of incentive to sell and deliver deep retrofit projects while simultaneously meeting the DOE HES program requirements; consequently, contractors may decide to forgo participation. Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Raters have the opportunity to play the critical Assessor role in producing a Home Energy Score (HES); this role has immense potential but currently is unfulfilled. Lastly, while utilities are interested in their customer base achieving greater energy efficiency, especially to help offset growing residential loads in states like California that are accelerating electrification, utilities do not have access to the market actors who are on the front line of influence to homeowners or review and approve their permits: HERS Raters, assessors, contractors and building departments. General statement of how this problem is being addressed: ConSol will integrate the Home Energy Score™ (HES) to its State of California, approved home energy rating services (HERS) platform (CHEERS) to develop a single tool for contractors nationwide to assess, record and install recommended cost, energy, and emissions saving measures to the 140 million single-family homes throughout the U.S. and 14 million homes in California (CHEERS+HES). The CHEERS high fidelity energy code permitting data will be integrated with HES for simple, accurate, easy-to-use home energy estimation and analysis and will directly gain access to the retrofit and renovations markets with the same upgraded platform. This innovative project will assist the utilities in supporting existing homes in their jurisdictions with HES and develop measures to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions. How is this problem being addressed? What is the overall project approach? In effort to expand the Home Energy Score™ (HES) by increasing the use of aggregable home energy asset data, ConSol proposes to integrate the DOE HES via Application Programming Interface (API) to its State of California approved home energy rating services platform (CHEERS). Once the CHEERS platform and HES are integrated (CHEERS+HES), this enhanced platform will be instantly available and actively deployed via Phase 1 pilot to HERS Raters, assessors and contractors in California to market-test the solution, understand the rate of adoption and identify opportunities for improvement prior to scaling nationally. The CHEERS high fidelity energy code permitting data will be integrated with HES for simple, accurate, easy-to-use home energy estimation and analysis and will directly gain access to the retrofit and renovations markets with the same upgraded platform. This innovative project will assist the building industry and homeowners with an easy-to-use assessment if energy and carbon impacts of existing homes, and assist the utilities in supporting existing homes in their jurisdictions with HES to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions. What is to be done in Phase I? During Phase I of this proposed project, ConSol will (1) design software architecture that links CHEERS to the Home Energy ScoreTM via API, (2) solicit partnership from one or more California utilities for a regional pilot, (3) test the new software with its HERS Raters and contractor network in the partnership utility jurisdiction, (4) launch a pilot version of the newly developed software with HERS Raters and contractors in the utility territory, and (5) explore California’s GoGreen energy efficiency homeowner lending program in parallel with the pilot. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits. Summarize the future applications or public benefits if the project is carried over into Phase II or Phase III and beyond. The CHEERS+HES commercialized product will be ready for national market scale following a successful Phase 1 performance. The CHEERS+HES adoption is estimated to reach a 5% adoption growth rate versus the 110,000 baseline, starting in Year 1 after Phase I completion, and continuing each year. As a direct benefit to the DOE, CHEERS will set a goal of 100,000 Home Energy Score assessments for existing home alterations within the first 10 years following Phase 1 performance. The technical benefits of this proposed project include the harmonized, automated, and seamless integration of the DOE HES into the widely used and market leading California energy registry, CHEERS. The social benefits include the aggregate energy, cost and GHG savings by allowing the broader public streamlined access to the CHEERS+HES measurement and the energy efficiency recommended measures that may result. Key Words: Home Energy ScoreTM (HES); Application Programming Interface (API); Home Energy Rating Services (HERS); HERS Raters; contractors; assessors; existing homes, energy asset data; cost, energy, and emissions saving measures; energy code (Title 24) compliance; document repository; utilities; pilot; newly developed software; energy efficiency; homeowner. Summary for Members of Congress: The DOE Home Energy Score™ (HES) is a tool to encourage homeowners to improve their energy performance, lower costs and share energy information but is underutilized and consists of barriers which need to be addressed in order to scale. In effort to expand the HES, CHEERS, Inc. will integrate the HES to its State of California, approved home energy rating services (HERS) platform (CHEERS) to develop a single tool for contractors nationwide to assess, record and install recommended cost, energy, and emissions saving measures to the 140 million single-family homes throughout the U.S. and 14 million homes in California.

Application Programming Interface (API)↗

Key nuclear data for non-LWR reactivity analysis

An assessment of nuclear data performance for non-light-water reactor (non-LWR) reactivity calculations was performed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory that involved a thorough literature review to collect related observations made across different research institutions, an interrogation of the latest ENDF/B evaluated nuclear data libraries, and propagation of nuclear data uncertainties to key figures of merit associated with reactor safety for six non-LWR benchmarks. The outcome of this comprehensive study was published in a technical report issued by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. This paper provides a summary of the study’s key observations and conclusions and demonstrates with two examples how the various methods available in the SCALE code system were used to identify key cross section uncertainties for non-LWR reactivity analyses.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗