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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 1,531 records · Page 85
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Finite element procedure for thermomechanical and structural integrity analysis of beam intercepting devices subjected to free electron laser

High-energy particles, including photons (x-ray, γ-ray, bremsstrahlung), electrons, and protons, possess the capability to penetrate materials and deposit energy within them. The degree of absorption depends on both the energy and type of particles, as well as the properties of the materials with which they interact. This energy deposition can manifest either at the material's surface or throughout its volume, potentially resulting in various failure modes. The primary aim of this paper is to establish a structured analysis methodology for evaluating the structural integrity of beam-intercepting devices when subjected to high-energy particles. Here, the paper also reviews some of the underlying physics, pertinent to the scope of the thermomechanical analysis, potential failure modes, and introduces verification and validation methodologies. Engineers and researchers can utilize the guidelines presented in this paper to effectively plan the development of beam intercepting devices, thereby ensuring their reliability and performance in the presence of high-energy particle exposure.

Finite element analysis↗
DOE OSTI2017

The methodology of the search for a correlated signal from a supernova explosion using the data of gravitational wave detectors and neutrino observatories

The proposed methodology developed in cooperation of the LIGO, VIRGO, Borexino, LVD, and IceCube collaborations is based on a joint analysis of data from neutrino and gravitational wave detectors which record corresponding radiations, almost undistorted by the interstellar medium and propagating with similar speeds. This approach allows to increase the reliability of observations, detect the so-called Silent supernovae and explore the properties and generation mechanisms of gravitational waves.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Contingency Analysis Post-Processing With Advanced Computing and Visualization

Contingency analysis is a critical function widely used in energy management systems to assess the impact of power system component failures. Its outputs are important for power system operation for improved situational awareness, power system planning studies, and power market operations. With the increased complexity of power system modeling and simulation caused by increased energy production and demand, the penetration of renewable energy and fast deployment of smart grid devices, and the trend of operating grids closer to their capacity for better efficiency, more and more contingencies must be executed and analyzed quickly in order to ensure grid reliability and accuracy for the power market. Currently, many researchers have proposed different techniques to accelerate the computational speed of contingency analysis, but not much work has been published on how to post-process the large amount of contingency outputs quickly. This paper proposes a parallel post-processing function that can analyze contingency analysis outputs faster and display them in a web-based visualization tool to help power engineers improve their work efficiency by fast information digestion. Case studies using an ESCA-60 bus system and a WECC planning system are presented to demonstrate the functionality of the parallel post-processing technique and the web-based visualization tool.

Chen, Yousu↗
DOE OSTI2026

Improving neutrino-nuclei interaction models: Recommendations and case studies on Peelle’s Pertinent Puzzle

Improving the modeling of neutrino-nuclei interactions using data-driven methods is crucial for high-precision neutrino oscillation experiments. This paper investigates Peelle’s Pertinent Puzzle (PPP) in the context of neutrino measurements, a longstanding challenge to fitting theoretical models to experimental data. Inconsistencies in data-model comparisons hinder efforts to enhance the accuracy and reliability of model predictions. We analyze various sources contributing to these inconsistencies and propose strategies to address them, supported by practical case studies. We advocate for incorporating model fitting exercises as a standard practice in cross section publications to enhance the robustness of results. We use a common analysis framework to explore PPP-related challenges with MicroBooNE and T2K data in an unified manner. Our findings offer valuable insights for improving the accuracy and reliability of neutrino-nuclei interaction models, particularly by systematically tuning models using data.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Effective and accurate approach for modeling of commensurate–incommensurate transition in krypton monolayer on graphite

Commensurate–incommensurate (C-IC) transition of krypton molecular layer on graphite received much attention in recent decades in theoretical and experimental researches. However, there still exists a possibility of generalization of the phenomenon from thermodynamic viewpoint on the basis of accurate molecular simulation. Recently, a new technique was developed for analysis of two-dimensional (2D) phase transitions in systems involving a crystalline phase, which is based on accounting for the effect of temperature and the chemical potential on the lattice constant of the 2D layer using the Gibbs–Duhem equation [E. A. Ustinov, J. Chem. Phys. 140, 074706 (2014)]. The technique has allowed for determination of phase diagrams of 2D argon layers on the uniform surface and in slit pores. This paper extends the developed methodology on systems accounting for the periodic modulation of the substrate potential. The main advantage of the developed approach is that it provides highly accurate evaluation of the chemical potential of crystalline layers, which allows reliable determination of temperature and other parameters of various 2D phase transitions. Applicability of the methodology is demonstrated on the krypton–graphite system. Analysis of phase diagram of the krypton molecular layer, thermodynamic functions of coexisting phases, and a method of prediction of adsorption isotherms is considered accounting for a compression of the graphite due to the krypton–carbon interaction. The temperature and heat of C-IC transition has been reliably determined for the gas–solid and solid–solid system.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

XA21-specific induction of stress-related genes following Xanthomonas infection of detached rice leaves

The rice XA21 receptor kinase confers robust resistance to the bacterial pathogen Xanthomonas oryzaepv. oryzae (Xoo). We developed a detached leaf infection assay to quickly and reliably measure activation of the XA21-mediated immune response using genetic markers. We used RNA sequencing of elf18 treated EFR:XA21:GFP plants to identify candidate genes that could serve as markers for XA21 activation. From this analysis, we identified eight genes that are up-regulated in both in elf18 treated EFR:XA21:GFP rice leaves and Xoo infected XA21 rice leaves. These results provide a rapid and reliable method to assess bacterial-rice interactions.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Effect of Be Modification on the Oxide Bifilms and Tensile Strength Reliability of Al-Si-Mg Alloys Containing Excess Fe

The effect of oxide bifilms and Be modification (0.2 wt pct) on the tensile strength reliability of the as-cast and T{sub 6} heat-treated Al-9Si-0.35Mg-1.5Fe alloy was investigated using Weibull analysis. For this purpose, the density of oxide bifilms in the molten alloy was intentionally increased by surface agitation. According to the results, Be modifies the β-Al{sub 5}FeSi particles to the less harmful α-Fe compounds and substantially decreases the bifilm density in the castings leading to improved tensile properties and higher reliability. Moreover, the beneficial effect of Be was found to be more in the samples containing higher amounts of bifilms. For instance, in the heat-treated condition, Be increased the Weibull modulus of the non-agitated and surface-agitated samples by 4 and 94 pct, respectively. This improvement can be attributed to the strengthening effect of Be on the young surface oxides so that they resist more against rupture when melt is subjected to the surface turbulence. The reduced pressure test and fractography investigations also confirmed the reduction of bifilm density and bifilm-related defects in Be-modified samples.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Accelerating Hanford Site Cleanup through Operations Research Modeling - 20238

The Hanford Site cleanup effort will require the integration of dozens of unique facilities and processes, many of which will be first-of-a-kind in implementation and design. Each facility will be governed by its own set of operating logic, configured with a unique array of unit operations, and subject to a set of constraints that will affect its behavior. The collection of facilities have multiple points of interface, making the operations of any one facility potentially significant to the operations of other up- or downstream processes. It is therefore highly desirable to accurately predict these operations, as it allows for Site officials to identify and preempt bottlenecks and vulnerabilities before they unexpectedly inhibit the cleanup mission. With the quantity and complexity of the processes that will be on Site, building a pen-and-paper or even a spreadsheet-assisted model of the cleanup mission quickly becomes overwhelming in scope and inaccurate in execution. The Engineering organization for the Site's Tank Operations Contract (TOC) has therefore implemented the use of operations research (OR) modeling to simulate and predict future operations of Site facilities. These models are created using a discrete event simulation tool that allows for the development of detailed, versatile, and robust models. Not only can these models account for complex logical behaviors, but they can also simulate process details down to the level of vessel sizing, labor utilization, equipment reliability, and resource availability. To date, the TOC has developed OR models for several facilities on Site, including for single-shell tank (SST) farms, double-shell tank (DST) farms, the Effluent Treatment Facility (ETF), and the waste transfer system. These models have focused on identifying bottlenecks and operational constraints, and have been used to quantify the effects of implementing process changes. This latter point is particularly valuable, as it allows for several alternatives to be studied in a virtual setting before committing resources to making a change in the field. The decision to develop OR models has gained tremendous support from the Site's stakeholders and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) management, and has prompted the use of the tool to support additional internal and external initiatives. Recently, an initiative was proposed to use the models to help identify and provide quantitative backing for risks and opportunities for the TOC. This application of OR could not only help inform how the TOC manages its risks (e.g. quantities and types of spare parts), but could also help drive process improvements whose benefits might otherwise be hard to quantify. The models have also been used to drive the TOC's cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) initiatives. These initiatives will not only improve the ability of the TOC to more rapidly respond to the needs of its customers, but it will also aid in the ability of the TOC to analyze and improve the processes it studies. Partnership with two external software development and consulting companies (Lanner and Ynformed) has furthered not only the application of AI and ML within the TOC, but has also spurred the development of new/improved software tools and platforms used by the companies. These partnerships have proven to be mutually beneficial and productive, and have set a precedent for the types of gains that can be made by exploring such options. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2018

Sensitivity Analysis and Emulation for Functional Data using Bayesian Adaptive Splines

When a computer code is used to simulate a complex system, one of the fundamental tasks is to assess the sensitivity of the simulator to the different input parameters. In the case of computationally expensive simulators, this is often accomplished via a surrogate statistical model, a statistical output emulator. An effective emulator is one that provides good approximations to the computer code output for wide ranges of input values. In addition, an emulator should be able to handle large dimensional simulation output for a relevant number of inputs; it should flexibly capture heterogeneities in the variability of the response surface; it should be fast to evaluate for arbitrary combinations of input parameters, and it should provide an accurate quantification of the emulation uncertainty. In this paper we discuss the Bayesian approach to multivariate adaptive regression splines (BMARS) as an emulator for a computer model that outputs curves. We introduce modifications to traditional BMARS approaches that allow for fitting large amounts of data and allow for more efficient MCMC sampling. We emphasize the ease with which sensitivity analysis can be performed in this situation. We present a sensitivity analysis of a computer model of the deformation of a protective plate used in pressure-driven experiments. Our example serves as an illustration of the ability of BMARS emulators to fulfill all the necessities of computability, flexibility and reliable calculation on relevant measures of sensitivity.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2016

Gradient elution moving boundary electrophoresis enables rapid analysis of acids in complex biomass-derived streams

Biomass conversion processes such as pretreatment, liquefaction, and pyrolysis often produce complex mixtures of intermediates that are a substantial challenge to analyze rapidly and reliably. To characterize these streams more comprehensively and efficiently, new techniques are needed to track species through biomass deconstruction and conversion processes. Here, we present the application of an emerging analytical method, gradient elution moving boundary electrophoresis (GEMBE), to quantify a suite of acids in a complex, biomass-derived streams from alkaline pretreatment of corn stover. GEMBE offers distinct advantages over common chromatography-spectrometry analytical approaches in terms of analysis time, sample preparation requirements, and cost of equipment. As demonstrated here, GEMBE is able to track 17 distinct compounds (oxalate, formate, succinate, malate, acetate, glycolate, protocatechuate, 3-hydroxypropanoate, lactate, glycerate, 2-hydroxybutanoate, 4-hydroxybenzoate, vanillate, p-coumarate, ferulate, sinapate, and acetovanillone). The lower limit of detection was compound dependent and ranged between 0.9 and 3.5 umol/L. Results from GEMBE were similar to recent results from an orthogonal method based on GCxGC-TOF/MS. Altogether, GEMBE offers a rapid, robust approach to analyze complex biomass-derived samples, and given the ease and convenience of deployment, may offer an analytical solution for online tracking of multiple types of biomass streams.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Delayed Gamma-ray Assay for Nuclear Materials Safeguards. Comprehensive Technology Readiness Assessment

Spectroscopic analysis of beta-delayed gamma-rays emitted from fission products following active interrogation was investigated as a non-destructive assay technique for detection and characterization of nuclear materials in shielded and complex configurations. This measurement technique is expected to be applicable to a variety of applications within the nuclear material safeguards, arms control, and emergency response areas, where active neutron interrogation is acceptable. Potential applications of the delayed gamma-ray assay in the nuclear material safeguards area include characterization of U and Pu isotopic content in spent and unirradiated nuclear fuel, enrichment measurements, verification of bulk material in containers, and the characterization of nuclear wastes. In the arms control area, this method can be used as a part of warhead dismantlement measurements to confirm separation of components, and may be applicable in warhead confirmation. In the context of emergency response, it can be used for detailed diagnostics of an unknown item. At present, the delayed gamma-ray assay technology reliably qualifies for the Technical Readiness Level 3 (TRL 3). The R&D work completed under this project has successfully demonstrated the empirical proof-of-concept for this active interrogation technology for a variety of measurement configurations, neutron sources, and nuclear material samples. A robust first-principles analytical signature modeling methodology was developed, experimentally validated, and can be easily extrapolated to a range of realistic measurement scenarios. Several response analysis methodologies have been implemented and deemed reliable for a variety of active interrogation applications in the areas of nuclear material safeguards, arms control, and emergency response. The initial readiness level before the start of this project was assessed at TRL 0, since only fragmentary records of the signature observations and speculative statements of the relevant non-destructive assay applications existed at that time. The delayed gamma-ray technology readiness can be easily advanced to TRL 4 in a short period, if a certain measurement application is specified and set for a demonstration in a laboratory environment. The critical hardware components of the delayed gamma-ray measurement technology (neutron generators, gamma-ray spectrometers) are readily available as COTS and can be configured for a specific deployment configuration. The primary risk of the delayed gamma-ray assay methodology is defined by the applicationspecific uncertainties. Evaluation of the system performance can be effectively completed once the expected measurement purpose, nuclear material characteristics, dimensions, and radiation exposure constraints are specified. A minor risk can be associated with the delayed gamma-ray response analysis techniques. Several approaches were proposed and demonstrated primarily using the modeled signatures. The observed performance may not be easily transferrable to the conditions of a real measurement setup, and some additional R&D may be required. Overall, the delayed gamma-ray assay technology can be recommended for follow-up demonstrations addressing relevant measurement applications in the areas of nuclear material safeguards, arms control, and emergency response.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Statistical Strength Analysis of Dissimilar AA2024-T6 and AA6061-T6 Friction Stir Welded Joints

Friction stir welding has been emerged as one of the most reliable processes for joining aerospace-grade aluminum alloys. However, limited studies have been focused so far on the reliability of these joint types. In this study, the effect of welding parameters (traverse and rotation speeds) on the fracture strength of dissimilar AA2024-T6 and AA6061-T6 friction stir welded joints was statistically analyzed by the Weibull approach. Based on the results, the Weibull approach was found to be much more accurate than widely used standard deviation for evaluating the scatter of the fracture strength data. The improper selection of the process parameters not only decreased the average fracture strengths of the joints, but also scattered them around the mean value, and increased the failure probability under the same applied tension. According to the microscopic and macroscopic examinations and microhardness measurements, although the microstructural inhomogeneities caused by the improper setting of the welding parameters negatively affected the joints hardness and fracture strength, the welding defects were likely to be the most responsible factor affecting the fracture strength and its reliability.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Evaluation of Rapid for a UNF cask benchmark problem

To ensure criticality safety and maintain a high level of security of Used Nuclear Fuel (UNF), it is necessary to perform detailed Particle Transport simulations. The commonly used technique is the 3-D, continuous energy Monte Carlo method that is time-consuming and, for eigenvalue calculations, may have difficulties with the source convergence. Wenner and Haghighat and Dufek demonstrated that in criticality problems with high dominance ratio and/or under-sampling possibilities, the fission matrix (FM) methodology should be used in order to be able to obtain unbiased solution. The RAPID (Real-time Analysis for Particle transport and In-situ Detection) code system is based on the Multi-stage Response-function Transport (MRT) methodology, and uses the FM formulation to determine eigenvalue, subcritical multiplication and fission density distribution of nuclear systems. This paper uses a benchmark problem similar to the GBC-32 Cask to evaluate the accuracy and performance of RAPID against the results of a reference MCNP solution. We performed a detailed sensitivity analysis on a single-assembly model in order to determine the MCNP eigenvalue parameters necessary to obtain a reliable reference solution. These results provided a guide for the selection of an appropriate set of parameters for the eigenvalue calculation for the whole cask. The paper is organized as follows: initially, the RAPID code system is briefly discussed; then, the benchmark problem is introduced. The methodology used to analyze results is proposed and some of the results of different cases are analyzed to identify the best set of eigenvalue parameters for a reference MCNP calculation. The selected case is then compared with the RAPID calculation for both a single assembly and a full cask model. In the end some conclusions and future work perspectives are drawn.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2026

Residential Vehicle-to-Home Backup Power Capabilities: Key Findings from a ComEd Beneficial Electrification R&D Pilot

This report summarizes key findings from a collaborative technical study of residential, non-grid-tied vehicle-to-home (V2H) backup power systems in Commonwealth Edison’s (ComEd’s) service territory. The work integrates (1) a feeder-level technoeconomic analysis (TEA) using historical outage-event data and simulated electric-vehicle (EV) driving/charging profiles to estimate potential reliability and customer interruption-cost impacts under V2H and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) adoption scenarios; (2) controlled laboratory performance testing of a representative V2H backup ecosystem to characterize transfer-to-backup behavior, sustained power delivery, efficiency trends, and repeatable reliability limitations; and (3) a cybersecurity assessment aligned with NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0 and ISO/SAE 21434 to evaluate interface-level risk drivers and identify program-relevant mitigations. Results indicate that V2H can provide measurable resilience value, but outcomes are strongly context dependent on outage patterns and the share of events that are “V2H-applicable.” Typical transfer-to-backup behavior clustered on the order of minutes, but rare long-delay edge cases were observed (including an event approaching 30 minutes) and should be treated as a reliability risk. High-power testing showed that peak-rated output is not necessarily continuously deliverable; stable operation may require operation below nameplate ratings and attention to thermal and installation constraints. The cybersecurity assessment highlights a broad attack surface spanning commissioning, home networks, embedded services, and cloud/OTA pathways, motivating minimum controls for secure onboarding, signed updates, patch cadence, and coordinated vulnerability response for any scaled deployment.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2020

Chapter 14: Dynamic Flux Analysis: An Experimental Approach of Fluxomics

Metabolic flux analysis represents an essential perspective to understand cellular physiology and offers quantitative information to guide pathway engineering. A valuable approach for experimental elucidation of metabolic flux is dynamic flux analysis, which estimates the relative or absolute flow rates through a series of metabolic intermediates in a given pathway. It is based on kinetic isotope labeling experiments, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and computational analysis that relate kinetic isotope trajectories of metabolites to pathway activity. Herein, we illustrate the mathematic principles underlying the dynamic flux analysis and mainly focus on describing the experimental procedures for data generation. This protocol is exemplified using cyanobacterial metabolism as an example, for which reliable labeling data for central carbon metabolites can be acquired quantitatively. This protocol is applicable to other microbial systems as well and can be readily adapted to address different metabolic processes.

BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

Unpacking the Disconnect Between Wholesale and Retail Electric Rates [PowerPoint]

The 2017 DOE Staff Report to the Secretary on Electricity Markets and Reliability noted a disconnect between falling wholesale electricity prices and flat or rising retail investor-owned utility (IOU) electricity prices between 2008 and 2016. This analysis sought to assess recent trends in utility costs, retail sales, and/or retail rates vis-à-vis wholesale market prices in order to help explain this disconnect. Using FERC Form 1 and ICE Power Indices data, Berkeley Lab researchers developed key annual metrics between 2007 and 2016 at a regional level for five of the seven NERC regions: Midwest Reliability Organization (MRO), Northeast Power Coordinating Council (NPCC), ReliabilityFirst Corporation (RFC), SERC Reliability Corporation (SERC), and Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC). The analyses of these metrics enabled Berkeley Lab researchers to arrive at the following conclusions: Retail and wholesale rates were increasingly disconnected across all included NERC regions; Reductions in wholesale electricity market prices happened concurrently with reductions in IOU fuel and purchased power (FPP) costs, but sizable regional differences in the degree of FPP cost reductions existed; Reductions in IOU FPP costs were offset in part by increases in non-fuel operations and maintenance (O&M) costs, but modest regional differences in the degree of these cost impacts existed; Reductions in IOU FPP costs were also offset in part by increases in capital expenditures, but regional differences in the magnitude and type of investments existed; and, Reductions in retail sales tended to mitigate the effect on retail rates from reductions in total utility costs, but regional differences existed that were sometimes counterintuitive and suggest the value in a more detailed analysis of utility costs vis-à-vis general rate case filings and decisions to better understand retail rate changes over time.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Deployment Feasibility Futures Analysis of Natural Gas Combined Cycle with Carbon Capture in Five U.S. Regions

A broad suite of technologies will be required to enable the United States to meet the current goal of a zero-carbon power sector by 2035, while continuing to provide the U.S. consumer with reliable, secure, stable, and affordable electricity. This study was conducted to evaluate the competitiveness of a natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) with carbon capture and storage (CCS) in five independent system operating areas, the PJM interconnection (PJM) regional transmission organization, Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), Western Electricity Coordinating Council’s (WECC) Northwest Power Pool (NWPP) region, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and the SERC Reliability Corporation (SERC) in the 2030 to 2035 time horizon. The modeling and simulation efforts focused on determining the dispatch characteristics and the economic feasibility of constructing an NGCC plant with CCS in each of those regions. The analysis indicates that a NGCC system with CCS can be economically viable in the ERCOT and PJM regions. Additional revenue stream and/or capacity payments are required in MISO, NWPP, and SERC to enable successful commercial deployment of a NGCC with CCS.

Pickenpaugh, Gavin↗
DOE OSTI2025

Leading Energy Analysis: Data-Driven Insights That Power Our Energy Future

Energy analysts at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) use a broad set of expertise and cutting-edge tools to capture the complexities of our interconnected energy system. Decision-makers rely on these insights to drive cost savings, enhance grid reliability, support long-term innovation, and bolster America's energy workforce and global competitiveness. This fact sheet highlights some of NREL's high-impact analyses, data, and tools, largely focusing on power grid analysis.

data↗