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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 199 records · Page 11
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Rethinking radiation effects in materials science using the plasma-focused ion beam

This work demonstrates the viability of using a plasma-focused ion beam (PFIB) as a new platform to carry out radiation effects studies in solids. While materials subjected to irradiation in either nuclear reactors or energetic particle accelerators experience limitations with respect to inaccuracies in both flux measurements and lack of precise control of irradiation areas, we demonstrate a new irradiation technique that allows the exposure of a single specimen in multiple areas, at multiple doses, and in site-specific dependencies - all with flux variations on the order of only 1%. This versatile technique also allows materials to be exposed to significantly higher irradiation dose rates than conventional accelerators. To validate the new methodology, we selected the classical example of ion-beam-induced amorphization of pure single-crystal Si. By pioneering the use of the PFIB for radiation effects studies in materials science, we were able to exploit, in both micro- and nanometer-sized detail, the differences in electron image contrast arising from crystalline versus amorphous solid-state phases in classical semiconductors subjected to irradiation, thus providing new insights on amorphization mechanisms. This methodology opens new research frontiers at the fringe of materials science with promising applications beyond the scope of materials at extremes such as in nanopatterning, nanodevices and nanoarchitectonics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Real-Time In Situ Observation of CsPbBr 3 Perovskite Nanoplatelets Transforming into Nanosheets

The manipulation of nano-objects through heating is an effective strategy for inducing structural modifications and therefore changing the optoelectronic properties of semiconducting materials. Despite its potential, the underlying mechanism of the structural transformations remains elusive, largely due to the challenges associated with their in situ observations. To address these issues, we synthesize temperature-sensitive CsPbBr 3 perovskite nanoplatelets and investigate their structural evolution at the nanoscale using in situ heating transmission electron microscopy. We observe the morphological changes that start from the self-assembly of the nanoplatelets into ribbons on a substrate. We identify several paths of merging nanoplates within ribbons that ultimately lead to the formation of nanosheets dispersed randomly on the substrate. These observations are supported by molecular dynamics simulations. We correlate the various paths for merging to the random orientation of the initial ribbons along with the ligand mobility (especially from the edges of the nanoplatelets). This leads to the preferential growth of individual nanosheets and the merging of neighboring ones. These processes enable the creation of structures with tunable emission, ranging from blue to green, all from a single material. Our real-time observations of the transformation of perovskite 2D nanocrystals reveal a route to achieve large-area nanosheets by controlling the initial orientation of the self-assembled objects with potential for large-scale applications.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Optimization of La 2 NiO 4+δ Electrolysis Cell Oxygen Electrode through Surfactant-Enabled LaCoO 3±δ Nanocatalyst Deposition

Lanthanum nickelate (LNO) has shown promise as a Cr-resistant air electrode material for SOECs but has suboptimal surface oxygen exchange properties. Nanocoating of the LNO surface with lanthanum cobaltite (LCO) was chosen to improve cell performance as a surface oxygen conductor. The work focused on the implementation of a two-step nano-LCO film deposition utilizing catechol molecules in a porous LNO electrode. The subgoals of the work were to maintain nanosized LCO particles/ grains to increase active surface area and to control the regularity/ homogeneity of the coating across the microstructure. To achieve these goals, a novel surfactant-enhanced liquid infiltration method was utilized, where nucleation sites were spread across the electrode structure to control the location and size of LCO particles. Various catechol surfactant compositions were evaluated for their ability to control the kinetics of nanoparticle deposition and the homogeneity of the coating. Chelated LCO was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), which found a substantial improvement in LCO formation with surfactant addition and determined polymerized norepinephrine to be the best-performing surfactant, with 88.4% pure LCO formed at low temperature. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed LCO nanostructures formed by the two-step infiltration process, showing no impurities and a stable perovskite structure. Deposition kinetics were analyzed using atomic force microscopy (AFM), correlating infiltration times and solution molarity to nanoparticle size and distribution, the results of which were confirmed in symmetrical cell samples by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) testing demonstrated substantial improvements in polarization resistance, where the nanocoating reduced the resistance by ∼55% to 0.152 Ω·cm 2 at 700 °C and 0.039 Ω·cm 2 at 800 °C. Electrical conductivity relaxation (ECR) at this temperature confirmed an improved surface oxygen exchange coefficient of the LCO + LNO heterostructure predicted by the Bode data from EIS, alongside a reduction in activation energy by about 30%.

Deposition↗
DOE OSTI2021

Design principles of tandem cascade photoelectrochemical devices

Cascade photoelectrocatalysis (PEC) is a possible method to improve the selectivity of solar-driven CO 2 reduction (CO 2 R). This concept can be realized by coupling different CO 2 R catalysts to different subcells in a multijunction photovoltaic (PV) stack. Efficient implementation will require careful tuning of the photocurrents and design of the photovoltages provided by the subcells to the CO 2 R catalysts in such a way as to facilitate the target reaction. Here, we outline the design principles of the tandem PEC approach using two-step conversion of CO 2 to ethylene in aqueous electrolyte, via a CO intermediate, as a model system. To perform this reaction, the first coupled PV-catalyst component should provide 4 electrons to reduce 2 molecules of CO 2 to CO; the second component should provide 8 electrons to reduce 2 CO molecules to C 2 H 4 . Based on known CO 2 R catalysts, the overpotential required to produce CO can be less than that required to reduce it to ethylene, creating the opportunity for improved efficiency. Cascade PEC can be realized in a three-terminal tandem (3TT) configuration using III–V-semiconductor based subcells coupled to Au (produces CO intermediate) and Cu (converts CO to ethylene). The current to each catalyst can be controlled by the area of the subcell exposed to the electrolyte, and the photovoltage is determined by the materials selected and device configuration. Operating conditions are found by simulating the coupled system using the open-source circuit simulator SPICE (Simulation Program with Integrated Circuits Emphasis). We identify conditions under which a 3TT configuration can have a higher solar to chemical conversion efficiency compared to a two-terminal two-junction tandem (2T 2J) with the same absorbers and a Cu catalyst only. We also show that 3TT PEC devices can be less sensitive to variations in catalyst activity compared to 2T devices. Lastly, we discuss the applications of cascade PEC to CO 2 reduction, using different intermediates, and to other chemical networks.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

NEFTSec: Networked federation testbed for cyber-physical security of smart grid: Architecture, applications, and evaluation

As today's power grid is evolving into a densely interconnected cyber-physical system (CPS), a high fidelity and multifaceted testbed environment is needed to perform cybersecurity experiments in a realistic grid environment. Traditional standalone CPS testbeds lack the ability to emulate complex cyber-physical interdependencies between multiple smart grid domains in a real-time environment. Therefore, there are ongoing research and development (R&D) efforts to develop an interconnected CPS testbed by sharing geographically dispersed testbed resources to perform distributed simulation while analysing simulation fidelity. This paper presents a networked federation testbed for cybersecurity evaluation of today's and emerging smart grid environments. Specifically, it presents two novel testbed architectures, including cyber federation and cyber-physical federation, identifies R&D applications, and also describes testbed building blocks with experimental case studies. It also presents a novel co-simulation interface algorithm to facilitate distributed simulation within cyber-physical federation. The resources available at the PowerCyber CPS security testbed at Iowa State University (ISU) and the US Army Research Laboratory are utilised to develop this platform for performing multiple experimental case studies pertaining to wide-area protection and control applications in power system. Finally, experimental results are presented to analyse the simulation fidelity and real-time performance of the testbed federation.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2020

Device-quality, reconfigurable metamaterials from shape-directed nanocrystal assembly

Significance Colloidal nanocrystals with defined sizes and shapes are ideal building blocks for nanofabrication. However, the ability to arbitrarily arrange them on surfaces with control over their orientation remains elusive. Here we report a shallow-template-assisted DNA-mediated assembly strategy to precisely arrange colloidal nanocrystals on surfaces, with single-particle control across submillimeter areas. In addition, the oligonucleotide bonds between the nanocrystals and substrate can be reversibly expanded and contracted enabling postsynthetic tunability of the assembled structures. Using this approach, we synthesized a nanocrystal-based, dynamically tunable metasurface (an anomalous reflector), thereby illustrating the potential for unique device construction via DNA programmable assembly.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Autonomous Anomaly Detection for MPC Forecasts of HVAC Systems in Residential Communities

The use of residential heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) to shift peak demand or provide ancillary services is a potential solution in the presence of older grids and distributed renewables. However, to ensure the efficient use of devices, utilities need to accurately forecast the load and adopt error correction schemes when necessary. While significant theoretical research exists in the area of predictive control of HVAC, little experimental evidence exists. The lack of experimental data in turn causes researchers to be unprepared for unsystematic errors which emerge due to the higher complexity of the data generating process. This study offers an anomaly detection methodology that uses unsupervised machine learning algorithms to detect and isolate these errors with different forecast error ranges. The results of anomaly detection procedure can then be used for error correction and would eventually help develop better predictive controllers. The methodology is tested using real world data from a smart neighborhood that currently operates in Atlanta. GA.

Lebakula, Viswadeep↗
DOE OSTI2021

Cyber-Power Co-Simulation for End-to-End Synchrophasor Network Analysis and Applications

The resiliency, reliability and security of the next generation cyber-power smart grid depend upon efficiently leveraging advanced communication and computing technologies. Also, developing real-time data-driven applications is critical to enable wide-area monitoring and control of the cyber-power grid given high-resolution data from Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs). North American Synchrophasor Initiative Network (NASPlnet) provides guidance for PMU data exchanges. With the advancement in networking and grid operation, it is necessary to evaluate the performance of different data flow architectures suggested by NASPInet and analyze the impact on applications. Therefore, we need a cyber-power co-simulation framework that supports very large-scale co-simulation capable of running in parallel, high-performance computing platforms and capturing real-life network behavior. This work presents an end-to-end automated and user-driven cyber-power co-simulation using NS3 to model communication networks, GridPACK to model the power grid, and HELICS as a co-simulation engine. Comparative analysis of latency in synchrophasor networks and a performance evaluation of a power system stabilizer application utilizing PMU data in an IEEE 39 bus test system is presented using this cosimulation testbed.

Mustafa, Hussain M.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Electric Grid Simulator For Human Factor Research

The developed code simulates real-time monitor and control for west area of IEEE 118-bus system. The 24-hour load profile for each bus is derived by scaling the system’s rated load in the PSSE sav file according to the California Independent System Operator’s Day-ahead load forecast for May 1, 2024. This simulator performs several critical functions: (1) Calculating time-series power flow every 4 seconds; (2) Updating and dispatching AGC signals every minute; (3) Conducting N-1 contingency analysis every 5 minutes. Additionally, the simulator can trip lines and subsequently update and dispatch AGC signals, running power flow analysis after each tripping event.

Huang, Jianqiao [Idaho National Laboratory (INL), ↗
DOE OSTI2020

Detection of Head and Neck Cancer Based on Longitudinal Changes in Serum Protein Abundance

Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) is significantly represented in the military population with substantial impact on military operations. Two-thirds of new HNSCC cases are first diagnosed at advanced stage III or IV with lymph node metastases. Thus, there is an urgent need of biomarkers for early detection and risk stratification. Archived serum samples from the Department of Defense Serum Repository provide a unique resource for longitudinal studies of HNSCC in the military and the identification of early detection biomarkers. Methods: We identified 175 patients diagnosed with HNSCC with 175 matched healthy controls and retrieved a total of 978 serum samples drawn at the time of diagnosis, 2 and 4 years prior to diagnosis, and 2 years after diagnosis. Following immunoaffinity depletion, serum samples were analyzed by targeted proteomics assays for multiplexed quantification of a panel of 146 candidate protein biomarkers from the curated literature. Results: We derived a 13-protein signature that distinguishes case versus controls based on longitudinal changes in serum protein concentration. The abundances of each of the 13 proteins remain constant over time in control subjects. The area under the curve for the derived random forest classifier was 0.90. Conclusions: This 13-protein classifier is highly promising for detection of HNSCC prior to overt symptoms. Impact: Use of longitudinal samples has significant potential to identify biomarkers for detection and risk stratification.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

C-FOG: Life of Coastal Fog

C-FOG is a comprehensive bi-national project dealing with the formation, persistence, and dissipation (life cycle) of fog in coastal areas (coastal fog) controlled by land, marine, and atmospheric processes. Given its inherent complexity, coastal-fog literature has mainly focused on case studies, and there is a continuing need for research that integrates across processes (e.g., air–sea–land interactions, environmental flow, aerosol transport, and chemistry), dynamics (two-phase flow and turbulence), microphysics (nucleation, droplet characterization), and thermodynamics (heat transfer and phase changes) through field observations and modeling. Central to C-FOG was a field campaign in eastern Canada from 1 September to 8 October 2018, covering four land sites in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia and an adjacent coastal strip transected by the Research Vessel Hugh R. Sharp . An array of in situ, path-integrating, and remote sensing instruments gathered data across a swath of space–time scales relevant to fog life cycle. Satellite and reanalysis products, routine meteorological observations, numerical weather prediction model (WRF and COAMPS) outputs, large-eddy simulations, and phenomenological modeling underpin the interpretation of field observations in a multiscale and multiplatform framework that helps identify and remedy numerical model deficiencies. An overview of the C-FOG field campaign and some preliminary analysis/findings are presented in this paper.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

SFWST Disposal Research R&D 5-Year Plan - FY2021 Update.

In the planning for FY2020 in the U.S. DOE NE-81 Spent Fuel and Waste Science and Technology (SFWST) Campaign, the DOE requested development of a plan for activities in the Disposal Research (DR) Research and Development (R&D) over a five (5)-year period, and DOE requested periodic updates to this plan. The DR R&D 5-year plan was provided to the DOE based on the FY2020 priorities and program structure (Sassani et al., 2020) and represents a strategic guide to the work within the DR R&D technical areas (i.e., the Control Accounts), focusing on the highest priority technical thrusts. This FY2021 report is the first update to the DR R&D 5-year plan for the SFWST Campaign DR R&D activities. This 5-year plan will be a living document and is planned to be updated periodically to provide review of accomplishments and for prioritization changes based on aspects including mission progress, external technical work, and changes in SFWST Campaign objectives and/or funding levels (i.e., Program Direction). The updates to this 5-year plan will address the DR R&D that has been completed (accomplishments) and the additional knowledge gaps to be investigated, with any updates to the DR R&D priorities for the next stages of activities.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2022

End-to-end Analytics for Grid Arch Design & All-hazard Assessment

Resiliency, reliability, and security of the next-generation smart grid depend upon leveraging advanced communication and computing technologies, integrating them with physical power systems, and developing real-time, fast, data-based applications to help in wide-area monitoring and control of the grid. Using a high sampling data rate from phasor measurement units (PMUs) to develop applications has opened the door to achieving the next-generation grid requirements. The North American Synchrophasor Initiative Network (NASPlnet) was developed in 2007-09 to create a standard and guide for PMU data exchanges. With the advancement in both networking and grid requirements, it is necessary to evaluate the performance of different NASPInet versions and their impact on applications. Therefore, we need a cyber-power cosimulation framework that supports very large-scale co-simulation capable of running in parallel, high-performance computing platforms and capturing real-life network behavior. This work presents a cyber-physical co-simulation testbed using NS3 to model the communication network, GridPACK to model the power grid, and HELICS as a co-simulation engine. Comparative analysis of latency in synchrophasor networks and a performance evaluation of a power system stabilizer application based on PMU data in an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 39-bus test system is presented using this co-simulation testbed.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2025

Findings on subtask 3.3 – applicability of automated brine chemistry determinations for treatment and recovery processes through facility automation/modularization: engineering design study

Under the Energy & Environmental Research Center’s (EERC’s) ~$\$$22 million Phase II Brine Extraction and Storage Test (BEST) Program, a multimillion-dollar brine treatment technology test bed facility was established in western North Dakota to provide a platform for evaluating developing technologies and approaches for brine treatment and volume reduction. The initial facility, and associated research effort, was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), with in-kind contributions provided by several industry participants and the state of North Dakota. Since its opening, the Brine Technology Test Facility (BTTF) has supported performance evaluations of desalination technologies capable of treating high-salinity produced water (PW) and enabled data collection for multiple approaches of PW management and critical material recovery. As part of the decommissioning process for the original project, facility ownership and liability were transferred to Select Water, which is providing the EERC with a continuing site access option for state or federal research and/or commercial technology development. This report documents the findings from a design study conducted by the EERC and the engineering firm that was originally contracted to design and construct the facility (Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services, LLC [AE2S]) that evaluated the current status of BTTF and its systems and developed a retrofit design to increase the facility’s capabilities through automation and modularization of its PW treatment infrastructure. The proposed retrofit will provide DOE and industry with an expanded range of conditioned PW that can be produced at the facility for evaluating fit-for-purpose water treatment technologies, online instrumentation for brine chemistry determination, and systems that recover critical materials like lithium and magnesium. The current facility consists of an 9600-square-foot facility that includes a 40-foot by 65-foot Class 1, Division 2-rated demonstration area and associated control rooms and lab-ready space capable of sourcing oil and gas PW and wastewater from industrial sources or tailoring brine compositions up to 300,000 mg/L total dissolved solids (TDS) and supplying them at rates up to 25 gpm for extended-duration technology demonstrations. The colocation of the facility with Select Water’s water management facilities allows for access and unloading of more than 10,000 bbl/day of trucked water delivered to site and associated access to on-site Class I and Class II brine disposal wells and nearby hazardous waste landfills operated and/or contracted by Select Water to dispose of concentrate and/or effluents associated with the testing.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Microreactor Security-by-Design Recommendations for Domestic and International Deployments

This report outlines methods vendors can use to incorporate security-by-design (SeBD) into their microreactor facility design to support and address security for both U.S. and international deployment. The team developed a hypothetical below-grade microreactor with a physical protection system (PPS) to protect the microreactor against acts of theft and sabotage and evaluated it against two adversary attack scenarios defined by a group of adversary subject matter experts (SMEs). The hypothetical microreactor facility consists of two distinct buildings. The first is the above-grade protected area (PA) entry control point (ECP) building, which houses security personnel responsible for conducting screenings and managing access to the PA. The second building is the reactor building, which features both an above-grade floor and a below-grade floor.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Quantum Computing in Next-Generation Transportation Optimization

We explore how quantum computing (QC) can advance transportation optimization, with a focus on two high-impact areas: traffic signal control and vehicle electrification with grid integration. As transportation systems grow in complexity, classical optimization methods increasingly struggle to deliver scalable and efficient solutions, particularly for real-time, data-rich environments. This work identifies key challenges within these two domains where QC may offer advantages, particularly in handling combinatorial decision spaces and dynamic constraints. We begin by outlining the limitations of classical approaches for traffic signal control optimization and electric vehicle charging coordination, highlighting where computational limitations arise. Previous quantum formulations are presented and new formulations are proposed to demonstrate how emerging quantum algorithms, including quantum annealing and the Quantum Approximation Optimization Algorithm, could be leveraged to reformulate and address these problems. We also evaluate the suitability of current quantum hardware and discuss recent trends that indicate when QC may become a viable tool for transportation applications. While acknowledging the present limitations of QC technologies, this poster emphasizes the importance of preparing quantum-compatible models today. By reviewing and establishing formulations that align with the strengths of quantum algorithms, researchers and practitioners can better position themselves to take advantage of QC advancements as they occur. This work aims to provide a practical, forward-looking perspective on the near-term potential of quantum computing in transportation optimization.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Updated Commercial Aviation Non-Airport Crash Density Values Using Data Obtained from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board for 2000 through 2019

This report documents the calculation of the commercial aviation (CA) non-airport crash density for Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) area associated with the Contiguous United States (CONUS) using the methodology outlined in the Department of Energy (DOE) Standard 3014-2006, Accident Analysis for Aircraft Crash Into Hazardous Facilities. For analytical purposes, the CA aircraft fleet is comprised of aircraft engaged in operations under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 121 (i.e., Air Carrier) and Part 135 (i.e., Air Taxi).

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Measurements of TRACER pre-convective conditions and mesoscale circulations using small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS)

Improved comprehension of the physical processes governing convective cloud formation and lifecycle are of critical importance for understanding and predicting future climate states. The influence of these clouds on the planetary energy budget, including on precipitation, is significant. Things are particularly complex in coastal regimes, where gradients in aerosol particle properties, localized circulations such as sea breezes, and large population centers are found. To date, numerical models struggle to accurately represent these critical clouds and are therefore challenged to provide a realistic view on the planetary energy budget. Through the proposed research, we deployed two uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) equipped with a variety of instruments alongside sensors deployed by the US Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program for the TRACER (Tracking Aerosol Convection Interactions Experiment) field campaign. The two small UAS platforms consisted of a CU RAAVEN fixed-wing airplane and an OU CopterSonde system, with the copter collecting frequent vertical profiles of thermodynamic and kinematic variables such as temperature, pressure, wind and humidity. At the same time, the fixed-wing captured horizontal gradients of these quantities and aerosol size distribution. These systems were deployed south of the Houston metro area, in an area that is impacted by the Gulf of Mexico sea breeze on a daily basis. These observations offer enhanced and complementary perspectives to those provided by the DOE ARM Mobile Facility (AMF) which is was deployed in southeast Houston, and an ancillary site in a more rural location west of the urban Houston area. Quality-controlled versions of the UAS data were collected and posted on the DOE ARM data archive after the conclusion of the campaign where they are accessible by the research community and general public. The UAS perspective offers revolutionary insight into key spatial and temporal effects that have not been evaluated previously.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗