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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Design, Synthesis, and Validation: Genome Scale Optimization of Energy Flux through Compartmentalized Metabolic Networks in a Model Photosynthetic Eukaryotic Microbe (Final Report)

Photosynthetic organisms have recently gained considerable attention for a role in development of renewable energy sources. Genome-enabled systems biology methodology and modeling, coupled with high throughput genome engineering strategies, present opportunities to develop sustainable and economical applications such as fuel production within the next 10 to 15 years. However, optimization of light-driven metabolism for biomass or biofuel production will require significant advances in methodological throughput as well as improvements in detailed systems biology understanding of photosynthetic processes and cellular metabolism. The ability of diatoms to thrive in upwelling-induced, periodically nutrient-rich conditions makes them the base for the world’s shortest and most energy-efficient food webs. Diatom photosynthesis is estimated to account for between 25% and 40% of the 45-50 billion tons of organic carbon fixed annually in the sea.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

Formation of Non-Doped Cubic Lithium Lanthanum Zirconium Oxide Nanofibers: Insights from In Situ Synchrotron X-Ray Scattering

This study investigates the formation mechanism of non-doped cubic lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide (c-LLZO) nanofibers using in situ synchrotron X-ray scattering techniques. Electrospun polymer precursor nanofibers were annealed at temperatures up to 800 °C, enabling real-time tracking of phase transitions via simultaneous small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), and evolved CO 2 gas analysis. The results reveal a three-step transformation pathway: polymer decomposition, formation of La 2 Zr 2 O 7 (LZO), and direct conversion of LZO to c-LLZO without intermediate tetragonal phases detected within the sensitivity of our in situ WAXS measurement. Cryo-electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) further elucidates the role of lithium diffusion, showing Li enrichment at fiber surfaces and Li deficiency in the interior, which stabilizes the cubic phase. This Li segregation effect in nanostructured LLZO materials extends beyond the previously reported size effect. This work advances the understanding of c-LLZO formation mechanisms and provides practical insights for optimizing synthesis routes to achieve phase-pure c-LLZO for solid-state battery applications.

LLZO phase stability↗
DOE OSTI2026

A Smart Vision-Aided RICH (Robotic Interface Control and Handling) System for VULCAN

High-flux neutron beams and high-efficiency detectors enable rapid neutron diffraction measurements at the Engineering Materials Diffractometer (VULCAN) at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). To optimize beam time utilization, efficient sample exchange, alignment, and automated measurements are essential. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have expanded the capabilities of robotic systems. Here, we report the development of a Robotic Interactive Control and Handling (RICH) system for sample handling at VULCAN, designed to support high-throughput experiments and reduce overhead time. The RICH system employs a six-axis desktop robot integrated with AI-based computer vision models capable of recognizing and localizing samples in real time from instrument and depth-resolving cameras. Vision algorithms combine these detections to align samples with designated measurement positions or place them within complex sample environments such as furnaces. This integration of machine learning-assisted vision with robotic handling demonstrates the feasibility of autonomous sample detection and preparation, offering a pathway toward fully unmanned neutron scattering experiments.

automation↗
DOE OSTI2025

BOPTEST as a Platform for Building Controls and Grid-Interactive Buildings Workforce Training

Building automation and controls are becoming increasingly complex with the emergence of Grid Integrated Efficient Buildings (GEBs) as well as new highly efficient sequences of operation and data-driven control schemes. However, there remains a significant gap in hands-on training opportunities for building operators and technicians to gain practical experience with advanced control systems in a low-risk environment. This paper presents BOPTEST (Building Optimization Performance Test) as a suitable platform for workforce training in building controls and GEB technologies. BOPTEST provides a suite of standardized building simulation test cases with a REST API, real-time control interfaces through BACnet, semantic models connecting users to building data, and built-in calculation of control metrics and performance indicators. The platform enables trainees to interact with virtual buildings using industry-standard protocols while learning how to implement and innovate control strategies. The training platform is designed to offer a structured and interactive learning experience for building engineers, helping them effectively develop, learn, and retain skills in fault identification, troubleshooting, and correction. The workflow is divided into three main phases: 1) Setup, 2) Exercise, and 3) Review, each comprising specific activities performed by either the instructor or the student. Initial pilot training sessions have yielded positive feedback from instructors and participants and demonstrates that BOPTEST effectively fills an industry need for a low-risk training resource via simulation of real building control systems, allowing trainees to gain practical experience before working in the field. The platform's ability to provide immediate performance feedback while maintaining familiar industry interfaces makes it particularly suitable for workforce development programs. This work provides a replicable model for leveraging building simulation in control education and training.

Paul, Lazlo↗
DOE OSTI2011

Analytic Nonlinear Methods for Beam Optics

In recent years there have been major advances in the computation and use of high-order maps for the design, optimization and operation of beamlines. We will describe five practical examples for both linear and circular colliders. From least to most complex these examples will be: use of similarity transformations (FFTB design, SLC diagnosis); statistical maps (SSC smear and tune-shift); aberrations (SLC upgrade); resonance basis and nPB tracking (PEP-II design); and kick factorization (possibly LHC).

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2017

MODELING THE INFLUENCE OF NOZZLE-GENERATED TURBULENCE ON DIESEL SPRAYS

Predictive engine simulations are key for rapidly exploring and optimizing the design of cleaner burning and more fuel efficient engines. Injection strategies in advanced engine concepts are resulting in the injection and atomization of fuel under a wide range of operating conditions in order to meet stringent emission regulations. However, the physics governing the breakup of an injected liquid fuel jet into droplets under these conditions have not been well studied or experimentally characterized to date. In the sprays literature, three agents have been proposed as the likely mechanisms contributing to primary atomization in diesel sprays, namely the aerodynamic growth of waves on the fuel jet surface, turbulence generated in the injector nozzle, and cavitation. If computational design tools are to be used to guide the use of direct injection strategies for cleaner and more fuel efficient engines, the physics underpinning the role of these primary atomization mechanisms must be better understood to ensure the development of predictive simulations of fuel-air mixing and vaporization within the engine. Thus, the central aim of this thesis is to improve the physical representation of spray breakup physics within today’s engine simulation packages. The work presented in this thesis investigates the role of the proposed physical mechanisms on the primary atomization process in diesel sprays. In order to advance current understanding of spray breakup, the dynamic and geometric factors contributing to cavitation were suppressed so that primary atomization due to aerodynamics and nozzle-generated turbulence could be studied in isolation. In the absence of sufficiently resolved images to visualize the primary atomization process under dieselrelevant conditions, droplet sizing spray measurements are needed to characterize the outcomes of the spray breakup process. Therefore, a new experimental methodology was developed and applied in a high-pressure spray chamber to characterize the average size of droplets formed from the spray breakup process. This experimental data, in conjunction with x-ray measurements from the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory, have been used to assess predictions from existing spray breakup models. Comparison between predicted and measured drop size distributions revealed that a spray atomization model, premised on droplet formation from the growth of aerodynamically induced instabilities, could capture experimentally observed sensitivities and features in the measured droplet size distributions under conventional diesel engine conditions. However, for injection into relatively lower ambient density environments, aerodynamic breakup models could not accurately predict the initial rate of droplet size decrease in the near-nozzle region, suggesting that other mechanisms, such as turbulence generated inside the nozzle, likely augment and enhance the primary breakup process. Evaluation of newly available droplet sizing measurements under low ambient density conditions allowed for the turbulence-induced breakup process to be studied, while minimizing the influence of aerodynamic inertial forces on the spray. Although several turbulence-induced breakup models have been proposed in the literature, the scaling of droplet sizes with the integral length scale, assumed in the majority of turbulent breakup models, was found to be inconsistent with the experimentally observed trends in droplet size along the spray centerline. However, empirical correlations describing droplets formed from eddies within the inertial sub-range of the turbulence spectrum were better able to capture the measured sensitivities in droplet size to changes in ambient and injection conditions. These findings informed recommendations for an improved hybrid spray breakup model, capable of representing both aerodynamic and turbulent breakup mechanisms in the atomization of non-cavitating diesel sprays.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Numerical study to predict the effect of surface roughness on the thermal and hydraulic performance of additively manufactured heat exchangers

Heat exchangers are used in many industries to transfer thermal energy between two or more objects with an associated thermal and hydraulic performance indicated by thermal effectiveness and pressure drop respectively. Many investigations have aimed to enhance the thermal effectiveness of heat exchangers by introducing turbulent flow inducers that increase the heat transfer rate at the expense of increasing pressure drop. Flow inducers like surface roughness can be controlled with advanced manufacturing methods like additive manufacturing for heat exchanger production. Selecting and manufacturing an optimal surface roughness for heat exchangers requires a more comprehensive approach that accounts for the surface roughness effect on the thermal and hydraulic performance of a sample. Since fabricating samples with additive manufacturing to a desired surface roughness can be an extensive experimental process, this study will fundamentally investigate the effect of surface roughness on the thermal and velocity boundary layers for various surface roughness profiles with physics-based computational modeling. To accurately model the surface roughness effect on thermohydraulic performance, correlations like roughness ratio, friction factor, and Nusselt number are investigated. This study expects to indicate correlations for different flow regimes which can successfully predict the effect of surface roughness on thermohydraulic performance. Results generated from modeling surface roughness effect with unique correlations are then compared to experimental data obtained from literature for validation. The results of this study will provide insight to understand the thermal fluid physics associated with surface roughness and design guidelines for heat exchangers produced with additive manufacturing.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Ongoing Data Platform Development for High-Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor (HTGR) Thermal-Fluid Experiments Supported by Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP) [Presentation Slides]

There are in total 30NEUP projects focusing on the thermal-fluid experiments related with High-Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor (HTGR) from FY2009 to FY2021, producing a large amount of high-quality validation data, however, these valuable data has been scattering everywhere and not been disseminated to the community well, and final reports are available only from OSTI webpage. This could potentially be a huge waste, not only for government budget but also for the HTGR research community. To improve access to this HTGR validation data and optimize the return on the significant investment made by DOE and supported by the Advanced Reactor Technologies (ART) Gas-Cooled Reactor (GCR) program, we conducted a survey to assess completed and ongoing HTGR NEUP projects with the aim to develop a public-access data platform that can be used to retrieve code validation data and guide future NEUP investments.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2022

TRANSSFORM Workshop Empowering the US manufacturing industry proceedings report

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO) hosted the TRANSSFORM (Transformative, Resilient, Adaptive, Nimble, Sustainable, Smart, Flexible, Optimal, Robust, and Model-based1 – A Bold Vision for the Future of U.S. Manufacturing) Workshop on September 8–10, 2021. The objective of the workshop was to hear from stakeholders about how manufacturing digitalization can improve manufacturing competitiveness and reduce energy consumption and emissions production from U.S. manufacturing, and what research, development, and demonstrations are needed to have the desired impact.

manufacturing digitalization, decarbonization, IoT↗
DOE OSTI2016

Fuel hardware considerations for BWR PCI mitigation

Pellet-clad interaction (PCI) remains a potential cause of fuel failures and is a major consideration in the design of new BWR fuel assemblies. The design and material properties of both the pellet and the cladding have been investigated and optimized to mitigate the impact of PCI. The creep behavior of standard and ADOPT (Advanced Doped Pellet Technology) fuel pellets has been measured across a wide range of temperatures. Dopants have been found to increase the high temperature creep properties of the fuel and can explain the improved PCI resistance of ∼5 kW/m in ramp tests. Other effects, such as chemical trapping of fission products and modified crack patterns cannot be ruled out, but these are at an earlier stage of investigation. It is shown that the enhanced creep effect occurs at the high centerline fuel temperatures during a ramp test, but is not present during the much lower temperatures of commercial fuel operation. Thus low temperature PCI benefits in routine commercial operation are not expected. The development of cladding materials with liner provided a great improvement for PCI mitigation in BWRs. With the softer Westinghouse liner, stepwise ramp tests have shown a benefit of ca 15-20 kW/m. Differences between stepwise and single step ramp tests are discussed. Notably the benefit of the liner remains under all types of fuel operation and temperatures. It is also thought to provide significant benefit in the case of fuel relocation or pellet defects such as missing pellet chips. The results of post irradiation examination (PIE) of a commercial fuel rod that experienced fuel fragment relocation are presented in the paper. To provide the maximum PCI benefit in the next generation BWR fuel design, TRITON11, the proven benefits of both the liner and ADOPT pellets will be included. To reduce the hydrogen pickup, below that of Zircaloy-2, the outer cladding component will be made from HiFi. TRITON11, ADOPT and HiFi are registered trademarks of Westinghouse Electric Company LLC in the United States. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Laboratory and Field Characterization of the Electrical Response of Modules Containing Configurable Current Cells (C3) Under Non-Optimal Conditions Such as Shading (Final Report)

This work is to be conducted in support of the American Made Challenges Solar Prize. The intent is to connect competitor teams with national laboratories that can help accelerate the development of innovative solutions and products. Teams who have won the Set! and Go! Contests are eligible to utilize vouchers at national laboratories to advance their ideas. Laboratory and field characterization of the electrical response of modules containing Configurable Current Cells (C3) under non-optimal conditions such as shading.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

Applying State-of-the-Art Tools for Safety-Optimized D and D - 17410

Decommissioning, Demolition and Disposal of 'hot' facilities (D3) is a relatively new science to the extent it has been part our public consciousness for ∼50-years. Due to the high hazard of uncontrolled exposure and the possibility of environmental release, the technologies applied to D3 have not embraced many of the recently developed engineering tools, especially those that leverage the digital and optical advances of the past 10-years. This summary paper provides an overview of how we are layering readily available technologies with sophisticated techniques to D3, ranging from agile program management to advanced modular construction to augmented reality. Using this approach, we are significantly improving safety and ALARA aspects while saving costs, optimizing schedules, maintaining quality and engaging the customer and the regulator in the D3 environment. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2017

Demonstration of Advanced CO 2 Capture Process Improvements for Coal-Fired Flue Gas

This document summarizes the activities of Cooperative Agreement DE-FE0026590, “Demonstration of Advanced CO 2 Capture Process Improvements for Coal-Fired Flue Gas” during the performance period of October 1, 2015 through May 31, 2017. This project was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). Southern Company Services, Inc. (SCS) was the prime contractor and co-funder of the project. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America (MHIA) and AECOM were project team members. The overall project objective was to improve costs, energy requirements, and performance of an existing amine-based CO 2 capture process. This will occur via improvements in three areas: 1. Reboiler design – The first objective of the program was to demonstrate performance of an integrated stripper/reboiler (termed Built-in Reboiler, or BIR) to reduce footprint, capital costs, and integration issues of the current technology. 2. Particulate management – The second objective was to carry out a Particulate Matter Management (PMM) test. This has the potential to reduce operating costs and capital costs due to the reduced or eliminated need for mechanical filtration. 3. Solvent – The third objective was to carry out a new solvent test plan (referred to as NSL) to demonstrate a new solvent (termed New Solvent A), which is expected to reduce regeneration steam. The bulk price is also expected to be lower than KS-1, which is the current solvent used in this process. NSL testing would include baseline testing, optimization, long term testing, solvent reclamation testing, and final inspection. These combine to form the Advanced Carbon Capture (ACC) technology. Much of this work will be applicable to generic solvent processes, especially in regards to improved reboiler design, and focused to meet or exceed the DOE’s overall carbon capture performance goals of 90% CO 2 capture rate with 95% CO 2 purity at a cost of $40/tonne of CO 2 by 2025 and at a cost of electricity (COE) 30% less than baseline CO 2 capture approaches by 2030. This project was divided into two phases. Phase 1 is the planning phase, and Phase 2 is the construction, operations, testing, and analysis phase. A down select occurred after Phase 1. Phase 1 activities were carried out during this reporting period, and therefore, Phase 1 activities are solely considered in this report. The project was not selected for Phase 2 funding.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗
DOE OSTI2018

Optimization study for the experimental configuration of CMB-S4

The CMB Stage 4 (CMB-S4) experiment is a next-generation, ground-based experiment that will measure the cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization to unprecedented accuracy, probing the signature of inflation, the nature of cosmic neutrinos, relativistic thermal relics in the early universe, and the evolution of the universe. CMB-S4 will consist of O (500,000) photon-noise-limited detectors that cover a wide range of angular scales in order to probe the cosmological signatures from both the early and late universe. It will measure a wide range of microwave frequencies to cleanly separate the CMB signals from galactic and extra-galactic foregrounds. To advance the progress towards designing the instrument for CMB-S4, we have established a framework to optimize the instrumental configuration to maximize its scientific output. The framework combines cost and instrumental models with a cosmology forecasting tool, and evaluates the scientific sensitivity as a function of various instrumental parameters. The cost model also allows us to perform the analysis under a fixed-cost constraint, optimizing for the scientific output of the experiment given finite resources. In this paper, we report our first results from this framework, using simplified instrumental and cost models. Here, we have primarily studied two classes of instrumental configurations: arrays of large-aperture telescopes with diameters ranging from 2–10 m, and hybrid arrays that combine small-aperture telescopes (0.5-m diameter) with large-aperture telescopes. We explore performance as a function of telescope aperture size, distribution of the detectors into different microwave frequencies, survey strategy and survey area, low-frequency noise performance, and balance between small and large aperture telescopes for hybrid configurations. Both types of configurations must cover both large (~ degree) and small (~ arcmin) angular scales, and the performance depends on assumptions for performance vs. angular scale. The configurations with large-aperture telescopes have a shallow optimum around 4–6 m in aperture diameter, assuming that large telescopes can achieve good performance for low-frequency noise. We explore some of the uncertainties of the instrumental model and cost parameters, and we find that the optimum has a weak dependence on these parameters. The hybrid configuration shows an even broader optimum, spanning a range of 4–10 m in aperture for the large telescopes. We also present two strawperson configurations as an outcome of this optimization study, and we discuss some ideas for improving our simple cost and instrumental models used here. There are several areas of this analysis that deserve further improvement. In our forecasting framework, we adopt a simple two-component foreground model with spatially varying power-law spectral indices. We estimate de-lensing performance statistically and ignore non-idealities such as anisotropic mode coverage, boundary effect, and possible foreground residual. Instrumental systematics, which is not accounted for in our analyses, may also influence the conceptual design. Further study of the instrumental and cost models will be one of the main areas of study by the entire CMB-S4 community. Finally, we hope that our framework will be useful for estimating the influence of these improvements in the future, and we will incorporate them in order to further improve the optimization.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Approach and Model Used to Represent a Timeline Analysis for Security Design Enhancements

Next-generation reactors will be able to use risk to inform and performance base the licensing of many aspects of the reactor, facility, and site design, including attributes of physical security. There are several factors related to security, including site topography, reactor design, and physical protection system components, to consider when designing the physical protection system into the overall facility design and plan of operation. With the versatility of advanced reactors, especially micro reactors, methods are needed to simplify and quickly evaluate potential timelines for designing a site configuration. This report describes an approach to generate qualitative and quantitative insights using a risk-informed simulation. The modeling process is described in detail, focusing on three aspects: (1) the facility mission time (the time required to control the plant until safe), (2) the attacker timeline (the time to potential sabotage), and (3) the response timeline (the time to counter the facility attack). The modeling capabilities also are extended to include facility physical phenomena such as thermal-hydraulics and heat transfer to capture realistic representation of dynamic changes to a facility. While the plant models and examples are hypothetical and do not represent a real facility, these modeling approaches could be used for future security-by-design engineering in advanced reactors. The outputs and insights from the modeling approach may be used to modify and optimize the security posture of a facility by efficiently making modifications to the model and seeing the overall impact from the modification. Lastly, use of the approach described in this report can also provide the technical basis for a physical protection program, describing how the facility and security strategy will cope with off-normal events.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Leveraging Intelligent Vehicle Technologies to Maximize Fuel Economy (Presentation)

Advancements in vehicle electronics, along with communication and sensing technologies, have led to a growing number of intelligent vehicle applications. Example systems include those for advanced driver information, route planning and prediction, driver assistance, and crash avoidance. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory is exploring ways to leverage intelligent vehicle systems to achievefuel savings. This presentation discusses several potential applications, such as providing intelligent feedback to drivers on specific ways to improve their driving efficiency, and using information about upcoming driving to optimize electrified vehicle control strategies for maximum energy efficiency and battery life. The talk also covers the potential of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems(ADAS) and related technologies to deliver significant fuel savings in addition to providing safety and convenience benefits.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2019

Optimal Reconfiguaration and Resilient Control Framework for Real-Time Photopholtaic Dispatch to Manage Critical Infrastructure (ReDis-PV)

The consortium is conducting cutting-edge collaborative research that will allow advancing solar energy’s role in strengthening the resilience of the U.S. electricity grid. The U.S Department of Energy Solar Technologies Office (SETO) has awarded 4.6 million to Professor Sukumar Kamalasadan (The University of North Carolina at Charlotte) for the project “Optimal Reconfiguration and Resilient Control Framework for Real-Time Photovoltaic Dispatch to Manage Critical Infrastructure (ReDis-PV)”. The project developed a grid management tool that detects cyber and physical threats and forms dynamic clusters to manage photovoltaic and energy optimally. The project collaborating team includes the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Clemson University, New Mexico State University, Florida International University, Argonne National Laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory, OPAL-RT Corporation, and Duke Energy.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Novel Gas Composition Sensor for Monitoring Advanced Power Generation Systems

Power generation based on combustion will be an important part of American energy production for the foreseeable future. Optimization of the combustion process to maximize fuel efficiency and minimize harmful emissions will benefit from sensors capable of withstanding the harsh high pressure and high temperature environment typically found in the chamber. These devices must be versatile and easy to use with low probe cost in order to gain widespread acceptance and use. Physical Sciences Inc. and the research group of Prof. Scott Sanders at the University of Wisconsin have designed and demonstrated a novel sensor system for monitoring the concentration of multiple gas species in power generation systems. The system combines a novel laser from the optical telecommunications industry with a high-temperature measurement probe, sensitive detection electronics, and data processing algorithms. The Phase I program resulted in a successful demonstration of broadband spectroscopy combined with sensitive detection and chemometric algorithms to detect multiple gas species at high temperatures and pressures. A novel optical probe based on a sapphire fiber architecture that is compatible with the conditions expected in coal gasification systems was also designed. The initial target application for the proposed sensor is the monitoring of full scale, advanced power generation systems including coal gasifiers and gas turbines. The technology developed in this work may also be applied to many additional industrial processes, including continuous emission monitoring, pharmaceutical manufacturing and explosives detection. The ability to identify multiple species and measure their concentrations in a gas mixture will allow manufacturers to increase yields and reduce costs.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗