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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 181 records · Page 10

Electromagnetic Shielding Design for 200 kW Stationary Wireless Charging of Light-Duty EV

Wireless power transfer (WPT) is a developing technology with the advantage of convenience and flexible charging. SAE recommended practice J2954 defines typical size and geometry with aluminum or ferrite plate shielding to limit leakage electromagnetic (EM) fields for WPT with power levels lower than 22 kVA from the input side. However, as the WPT power goes up to 100- or 200-kW level, EM safety surrounding the WPT becomes a critical concern. To address this oncoming safety challenge, a novel ferrite shielding design is proposed in this paper. Different misalignment scenarios in accordance with definitions in SAE J2954 are also taken into consideration to ensure EM safety under various operation scenarios. Simulation results, which are preliminarily verified by magnetic field measurements at 1.1 m from the center of the vehicle side coil under 100 kW operation, indicate that the magnetic field leakage can be maintained below the limits defined in SAE J2954 for 200 kW operation. A 3.3 kW scale-down test was also carried out and compared to parallel scale-down simulations. 26.8% field emission reduction is observed from the scale-down test, which supports the effectiveness of the proposed shielding design.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Ecological Monitoring and Compliance Program 2020 Report

The Ecological Monitoring and Compliance Program (EMAC), funded through the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Field Office (NNSA/NFO), monitors the ecosystem of the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) and ensures compliance with laws and regulations pertaining to NNSS biota. This report summarizes the program’s activities conducted by Mission Support and Test Services, LLC (MSTS), during calendar year 2020. Program activities included (a) biological surveys at proposed activity sites, (b) desert tortoise compliance, (c) ecosystem monitoring, (d) sensitive and protected/regulated plant monitoring, (e) sensitive and protected/regulated animal monitoring, and (f) habitat restoration monitoring. During 2020, all applicable laws, regulations, and permit requirements were met, enabling EMAC to achieve its intended goals and objectives.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Accelerated Beta Radiation Aging of Interlayer Titanium Nitride in Gallium Nitride Contacts

Research conducted under the Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, a multiprogram national laboratory operated by Battelle for the U.S. Department of Energy. An NNSS author co-authored this paper, and portions of this work were supported by the Mission Support and Test Services, LLC, under Contract No. DE-NA0003624 with the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration, NA-10 USDOE NA Office of Defense Programs (NA-10). PNNL-SA-163618 Currently, there is no good way to determine the influence of radiation on the aging of betavoltaic electrical contacts. This work tested a method to accelerate the aging of the contacts inside a betavoltaic by enhancing energy deposition within the interfacial region of interest. An electrical contact of gold-titanium on gallium nitride was aged by exposure to tritium betas and electrons in a beamline. The interface stoichiometry was compared to the electrical performance of the contact. The method to age the betavoltaic component could help predict the lifetime performance of the internal electrical contacts and provide assurance of deployment reliability.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Warrick Conductivity Level Controllers Series 3H

This is my internship poster. In the poster I talk about the level controllers that I wired together and installed to support electrolysis testing systems in efforts to make the systems more efficient and run based on the communication between devices to ensure a closed loop system that can run on its own in a safe and controlled manner. I included pictures of some of the wiring as well as the level sensor devices and relays. I also included pictures of the tanks that will be filled at different heights with deionized water based on where the level sensors are.

08 HYDROGEN↗

MODELING, IMPLEMENTATION AND CONTROL OF A CVT BASED PTO FOR A SMALL SCALE MHK-TURBINE IN LOW FLOW SPEED OPERATION

Modeling, implementation, field testing and control of a power takeoff (PTO) device equipped with a ball-type continuously variable transmission (B-CVT) for a small marine hydrokinetic (MHK) turbine deployed from a floating unmanned autonomous mobile catamaran platform is described. The turbine is a partially submerged multi-blade undershot waterwheel (USWW). A validated numerical torque model for the MHK turbine has been derived and a speed controller has been developed, implemented and tested in the field. The dependance of the power generated as a function of number and submergence level of turbine blades has been investigated and the number of blades that maximizes power production is determined. Bench and field testing in support of characterizing the power conversion capabilities of MHK turbine and PTO are described. Detailed results of the final torque and power coefficient models, the controls architecture, and the MHK turbine performance with varying numbers of blades are provided.

Pimentel, Hugo↗

SAVY-4000 Finite-Element Drop Test Analysis

PFE Auxiliary Systems conducted drop testing on SAVY-4000 containers to evaluate structural response under 12-foot drop conditions. In support of that effort, a finite-element modeling capability was developed to simulate drop response across multiple container sizes and impact orientations. The purpose of this work was to provide a consistent analysis framework that could support interpretation of testing, compare response trends across multiple configurations, and generate quantities of interest for later comparison with experimental data. More broadly, the analysis and testing were intended to assess whether the containers continued to perform their primary function after a 12-foot drop, namely maintaining structural integrity and containment of the contents. The modeling approach combined an implicit preload analysis with an explicit drop simulation so that each drop event began from a mechanically realistic assembled condition, including compression of the silicone O-ring. Separate models were developed for 2-quart, 5-quart, 12-quart, and 10-gallon containers. The results were evaluated in terms of strain-gauge response, collar-lid gap behavior, and accumulated plastic strain. In addition, parametric studies were performed on the 2-quart container to assess sensitivity to O-ring stiffness, friction, canister thickness, geometry tolerance, and mesh density. The simulations showed that predicted drop responses depended strongly on both container size and drop orientation. Gap metrics identified cases in which the predicted collar-lid opening exceeded the nominal O-ring cross-section threshold, while plastic strain metrics identified localized regions of elevated permanent deformation. Parametric studies showed that the predicted response was especially sensitive to the assumed O-ring stiffness and contact friction, while the geometry tolerance study produced smaller changes in the cases examined. The main value of this work was that it established a repeatable modeling and simulation workflow to support drop-test implementation, evaluate effects of future configuration changes, and understand modeling assumptions that most influenced predicted response. At the current stage, the results were viewed as preliminary model predictions rather than validated predictions. The next step would be to compare drop-test data to the model so that predictive values of the workflow could be refined and used with greater confidence to assess whether the containers maintained structural integrity and containment of the contents after a 12-foot drop.

42 ENGINEERING↗

BOPTEST: Initial FRP Test Case Development

To support an emulator model development of Building Optimization Testing (BOPTEST) framework, a team at the US Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed a medium-sized office building written in Modelica to serve as a reference test case. The reference test case was modeled based on an actual research platform that represents a typical medium-sized office building. This test case would encourage model-based design and testing of new controllers in which a developer first prototypes and debugs on a model before implementing in the real world. The developed preliminary model and control parameters will be further calibrated and tuned with actual measured data from experiments

42 ENGINEERING↗

Sensitive Resources Assessment and Forest Analysis for the Proposed Versatile Test Reactor, Oak Ridge, Tennessee

The US Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is a leading institution in advanced materials, supercomputing, neutrons, and nuclear science. As a research laboratory managed by UT-Battelle, LLC for DOE, ORNL has national priorities in energy, security, and scientific discovery that necessitate facility improvements and expansions. DOE is also committed to environmental stewardship. The laboratory is located on the ~32,000-acre (~13,000-ha) Oak Ridge Reservation (ORR), much of which is categorized as a National Environmental Research Park (NERP) and a state Wildlife Management Area. DOE works with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), US Department of Agriculture, and other agencies to serve as an effective steward of the ORR. Accordingly, project managers must conform to environmental regulations, agreements, and policies at the federal, state, and institutional levels. Per 40 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) 1508.14, potential effects on research and science education also represent potential effects of federal actions on the NERP, and impacts on, e.g., deer harvest, must be considered on the Oak Ridge Wildlife Management Area when other aspects of the human environment are affected. The United States currently has no fast neutron testing capability to support advanced nuclear research and development. The proposed Versatile Test Reactor (VTR) will take advantage of current investments by the US government and private industry in nuclear reactors to expedite the design and construction process, using proven technology to create a world-class scientific infrastructure. The VTR will take advantage of fast neutrons provided by this proven technology, along with a capability to rapidly insert, conduct, and remove state-of-the-art experiments. An advantage of the VTR is that it can support future innovations in experimental capabilities without modifying the facility. The VTR will support progress in a variety of science and technology areas, including testing and qualification of advanced reactor fuels; testing and qualification of innovative structural materials; testing of innovative components and instruments; validation of advanced modeling and simulation tools; and versatility for future technical missions. Through proven technology, the VTR can take advantage of existing reactor designs and operating experience to reduce the risk, cost, and time for design and construction. The top available resources of DOE laboratories, industry, and universities will be used to expedite reactor design and construction toward developing the scientific infrastructure that affords a strong testing capability that can be sustained over many years. This report summarizes current knowledge of natural and cultural resources primarily within the VTR construction area. At the time of this report, the proposed VTR site design includes a construction area of ~150.4 acres (~69.9 ha), which contains an ~51.3-acre (~20.8-ha) operations area, located within forested natural areas of the ORR. The primary goal of the work presented here was to evaluate potential effects on sensitive resources that might result from development and construction activities associated with VTR. In addition to on-the-ground surveys during spring and summer 2020 by the ORNL Natural Resources Management Program and Aquatic Ecology Group staff, this report makes use of historical (pre-1995) and contemporary (1995 to present) data from additional confirmed sources (e.g., TDEC). Likewise, forest conditions were compiled from a 2011 forest inventory and supplemented with limited ground observations in 2020. The individuals who obtained and compiled the data presented here are familiar with and routinely assess sensitive resources on the ORR. Anyone who references this report must consider that the timing of surveys did not permit a complete delineation of the resources that will be affected. If the VTR project proceeds, additional surveys will be required to account for the seasonal patterns of various threatened and endangered species. Data deficiencies and potential resources that likely went undetected are indicated where possible. Accordingly, this report should facilitate more environmentally sound decisions during planning and 2 development of the VTR site, provide a foundation for further assessment of sensitive and cultural resources, and help project managers better address regulatory guidance and DOE policies on sustainable development in compliance with, for example, the US Endangered Species Act (ESA), Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Tennessee Rare Plant Protection and Conservation Act of 1985, Tennessee Nongame and Endangered or Threatened Wildlife Species Conservation Act of 1974, several federal and state regulations regarding aquatic resource protection, and site-specific policies as outlined in various ORR management plans developed by ORNL and TWRA for DOE.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

DuraMelter 100 Sub-Envelope Changeover Testing Using LAW SubEnvelopes A1 and C1 Feeds in Support of the LAW Pilot Melter (Final Report)

The primary goal of the testing described in this report was to develop and recommend a compliant HLW glass formulation to support the actual waste testing of AZ-101 Envelope D waste (blended with actual pretreatment products including Cs- and Tc-eluates from pretreatment of AP-101 and AZ-101 LAW). Testing of actual waste will be performed at Battelle, Pacific Northwest Division. The test objective was met by the development and recommendation of the glass formulation HLW98-95; the formulation has been transmitted to the WTP to support vitrification of HLW AZ-101 actual waste.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Four Design Demonstration Elments (DDEs) to be irradiated in the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) and the Belgian Reactor 2 (BR2)

The U.S. High Performance Research Reactor Conversion fuel qualification team is focused on developing and qualifying plate type uranium-molybdenum (U-Mo) monolithic and uranium silicide (U3Si4) fuel. Several irradiations of mini-plates and full-size plate irradiations will demonstrate the fuel’s behavior. Along with qualifying fuel, larger tests are planned to support licensing fuel elements. These tests are referred to as DDEs. As a result of a scoping study performed in 2018, a decision was made to irradiate two DDEs in ATR at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and two other DDEs in BR2 in Belgium. The objective is to demonstrate successful irradiation of each DDE to support the licensing submittal of that specific reactor. Neutronics analysis is being performed to match the power density distribution of the represented elements. Test train hardware design are being done to ensure all the target conditions are being met for the two DDEs to be irradiated.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Comparison of metagenomes from fermentation of various agroindustrial residues suggests a common model of community organization

The liquid residue resulting from various agroindustrial processes is both rich in organic material and an attractive source to produce a variety of chemicals. Using microbial communities to produce chemicals from these liquid residues is an active area of research, but it is unclear how to deploy microbial communities to produce specific products from the different agroindustrial residues. To address this, we fed anaerobic bioreactors one of several agroindustrial residues (carbohydrate-rich lignocellulosic fermentation conversion residue, xylose, dairy manure hydrolysate, ultra-filtered milk permeate, and thin stillage from a starch bioethanol plant) and inoculated them with a microbial community from an acid-phase digester operated at the wastewater treatment plant in Madison, WI, United States. The bioreactors were monitored over a period of months and sampled to assess microbial community composition and extracellular fermentation products. We obtained metagenome assembled genomes (MAGs) from the microbial communities in each bioreactor and performed comparative genomic analyses to identify common microorganisms, as well as any community members that were unique to each reactor. Collectively, we obtained a dataset of 217 non-redundant MAGs from these bioreactors. This metagenome assembled genome dataset was used to evaluate whether a specific microbial ecology model in which medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) are simultaneously produced from intermediate products (e.g., lactic acid) and carbohydrates could be applicable to all fermentation systems, regardless of the feedstock. MAGs were classified using a multiclass classification machine learning algorithm into three groups, organisms fermenting the carbohydrates to intermediate products, organisms utilizing the intermediate products to produce MCFAs, and organisms producing MCFAs directly from carbohydrates. This analysis revealed common biological functions among the microbial communities in different bioreactors, and although different microorganisms were enriched depending on the agroindustrial residue tested, the results supported the conclusion that the microbial ecology model tested was appropriate to explain the MCFA production potential from all agricultural residues.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Coupled Thermal-Hydraulic and Fuel Performance Simulations of the TWIST LOCA Commissioning Test Series in TREAT

As the nuclear industry is looking to increase light water reactor (LWR) burnup limits, Idaho National Laboratory has developed an experiment vehicle for the Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT) to support high burnup fuel safety testing. One of the main purposes of this vehicle, known as the Transient Water Irradiation System for TREAT (TWIST), is to perform in-pile loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) experiments on high burnup LWR fuel to investigate phenomena termed fuel fragmentation, relocation, and dispersal (FFRD). Prior to performing experiments on high burnup fuel specimens, a commissioning test series will be performed. The main purpose of the Loss-of-Coolant-Commissioning (LOC-C) test series is to qualify the TWIST device and validate the power coupling between TREAT and the TWIST fuel rod as well as validation of the thermal-hydraulic and fuel performance simulation predictions.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

FY19 Report for Instrumentation Development for the Transient Testing Program

This report details the technical activities and accomplishment carried out under funding from the Department of Energy (DOE) Nuclear Technology Research and Development (NTRD) program for in-pile instrumentation supporting the transient testing program in FY19. These activities were performed in support of cross-cutting transient testing experiment objectives. The purpose of this report is to provide a summary of key technical work, of particular interest to nuclear irradiation test experimenters and in-pile instrumentation engineers. During FY19, development activities are focused on deployment of devices to perform online measurement of neutron flux, temperature, and mechanical behaviors in nuclear fuels experiments. Specifically, these R&D activities include in-pile investigations at the Transient Reactor Test (TREAT) facility throughout the year. Other in-pile instrumentation R&D activities are being carried out under other DOE programs, which may be recognized but not the focus of this document. A brief summary of activities and accomplishments is first provided for each major activity. More detailed summaries are presented in appendices.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

FY20 Report for Instrumentation Development for the Transient Testing Program

This yearly report provides a summary of accomplishments carried out under funding from the Department of Energy (DOE) Nuclear Technology Research and Development (NTRD) program for in-pile instrumentation supporting the transient testing program in FY20. These activities were performed in support of cross-cutting transient testing experiment objective. In this year, specific instrument R&D has been a lesser priority to years past, with complementary instrumentation R&D being ramped up under the DOE Advanced Sensors and Instrumentation Program. The primary focus of the work in FY20 pertain to defining a process and system, developed over the past several years, for developing, qualifying, and deploying instrumentation in in-pile experiments. The purpose of this report is to provide a summary of these outcomes and be a reference for researchers that are interested in developing in-pile instrumentation, with a particular emphasis on the Transient Reactor Test (TREAT) facility for deployment.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Nonproliferation and Arms Control Research and Development (NPAC R&D) [Slides]

NPAC R&D focus areas include: Advancing U.S. capabilities to detect and characterize nuclear weapon development activities globally, including material production, the movement of special nuclear materials and nuclear weapons, and the testing or use of nuclear weapons, Supporting the development and testing of policy options and technical capabilities for international nuclear safeguards, arms control / treaty verification, nuclear export controls, and nonproliferation initiatives consistent with U.S. Government goals and objectives to enable monitoring and verification, Utilizing uranium, lithium, and high explosives (HE) materials expertise to support national-level activities in nuclear forensics and nuclear detection technology testing and evaluation, Providing unique training and capacity-building programs, particularly with the Nuclear Detection and Sensor Testing Center (NDSTC), and Engaging internationally to promote nonproliferation and arms control norms and best practices through bilateral and multilateral work.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

TEAMER: Pitching Foil Crossflow Turbine Efficiency Data

This dataset documents the efficiency testing of a pitching foil crossflow turbine, conducted at the University of New Hampshire's (UNH) Chase Ocean Engineering Laboratory tow tank facility. The tests explored various pitch phases and amplitudes, ranging from 0 to 18 degrees, across different flow speeds and turbine RPMs. Specifically, testing was performed at pitch amplitudes of 0,3,6,9,12,15 and 18 degrees. The results indicate that turbine efficiency improves with increased pitch amplitude, reaching optimal performance at 12 degrees. Modifications were made to the test frame by UNH to enhance the stiffness of the support structure. The testing specifically mapped the efficiency of a single quadrant of the Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) Autonomous Turbine Generator Unit (ATGU), covering the full range of allowable pitching amplitudes and phases. The dataset provides both raw and processed data, including drag and torque measurements, and contains Python scripts used for data processing and visualization. This research was supported by funding from TEAMER RFTS 1 (Request for Technical Support).

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

Design of the DUNE APATF cryogenic system

Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL) is developing the international Long- Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) and Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) to advance neutrino science. The flagship of the DUNE project consists of a large particle detector constructed one-mile (1.6 km) beneath the surface at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) in Lead, SD. The SURF detector is the largest of its type ever built and is comprised of four cryostats totaling 70,000 tons of liquid argon (LAr) to record neutrino interactions with unprecedented precision. Each cryostat houses a detector, the first includes 150 Anode Panel Assemblies (APA) submersed within 17,500 tons of LAr. Before installing 150 APA within the SURF detector they will be cryogenically cooled to nominally 90 K at the APA Test Facility (APATF) utilizing nitrogen flows. The APATF cryogenic system is entirely located one-mile underground at the SURF facility and includes nominally 13 kW of refrigeration at 80 K, cryogenic transfer lines, APA test cryostats, a cryogenic control system, and various control and pressure safety elements to ensure performance and safety requirements are achieved. The APATF preliminary design is in progress and major considerations include an efficient, costeffective mechanism to deliver the required refrigeration to the APATF underground, support of rigid testing intervals to support the DUNE operating schedule, temperature stability of the APA and electronics within cryostats, efficient cryogenic system operation to minimize heat leak and/or liquid nitrogen consumption, thermo-mechanical stability and flexibility of components, and pressure safety of the APATF cryogenic system. Installation and integration of the APATF cryogenic system within the footprint and to adjacent sub-systems is also discussed.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗