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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 OSTI2024

Atomically Precise Hexanuclear Ce(IV) Clusters as Functional Fluorescent Nanosensors for Rapid One-Step Detection of PFAS

Here, the presence of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment is associated with adverse health effects but measuring PFAS is challenging due to the associated high cost and technical complexities of the analysis. Here, the reactivity of atomically precise metal-oxo clusters is reported and the foundation for their use is provided as fluorescent nanosensors for PFAS detection. The material comprises crystalline, water soluble, hexanuclear cerium-oxo clusters [Ce 6 (µ 3 -O) 4 (µ 3 -OH) 4 ] 12+ decorated with glycine molecules (Ce-Gly) characterized by fluorescence emission at 353 nm. The Ce-Gly fluorescence is found sensitive to long chain carboxylated PFAS of CF 3 –(CF 2 ) n –, where n ≥ 6, such as perfluorooctanoic, perfluorononanoic and perfluorodecanoic acids. This unique reactivity leads to a change in the emission spectra in a concentration dependent manner, enabling PFAS detection through ligand exchange and aggregation-induced emission (AIE) enhancement. No significant cross-reactivity from potentially co-existing species, including sulfonated PFAS, octanoic and dodecanoic acids, humic acid, and inorganic ions is observed. With an optimal concentration of 3.3 µg mL -1 Ce-Gly, the method demonstrated detection limits of 0.24 ppb for PFOA and 0.4 ppb for PFNA. These findings highlight the potential of fluorescence-based detection strategies utilizing nanoscale probes such as Ce-Gly as fluorescent probes and nanosensors for PFAS.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Progress and prospects of thermo-mechanical energy storage – A critical review

The share of electricity generated by intermittent renewable energy sources is increasing (now at 26% of global electricity generation) and the requirements of affordable, reliable and secure energy supply designate grid-scale storage as an imperative component of most energy transition pathways. The most widely deployed bulk energy storage solution is pumped-hydro energy storage (PHES), however, this technology is geographically constrained. Alternatively, flow batteries are location independent and have higher energy densities than PHES, but remain associated with high costs and low lifetimes, which highlights the importance of developing and utilizing additional larger-scale, longer-duration and long-lifetime energy storage alternatives. Here, we review a class of promising bulk energy storage technologies based on thermo-mechanical principles, which includes: compressed-air energy storage (CAES), liquid-air energy storage (LAES) and pumped-thermal electricity storage (PTES). The thermodynamic principles upon which these thermo-mechanical energy storage (TMES) technologies are based are discussed and a synopsis of recent progress in their development is presented, assessing their ability to provide reliable and cost-effective solutions. The current performance and future prospects of TMES systems are examined within a unified framework and a thermoeconomic analysis is conducted to explore their competitiveness relative to each other as well as when compared to PHES and flow battery systems. This includes carefully selected thermodynamic and economic methodologies for estimating the component costs of each configuration in order to provide a detailed and fair comparison at various system sizes. The analysis reveals that the technical and economic characteristics of TMES systems are such that, especially at higher discharge power ratings and longer discharge durations, they can offer promising performance (round-trip efficiencies higher than 60%) along with high lifetimes (> 30 years), low specific costs (often below 100 $/kWh), low ecological footprints and unique sector-coupling features compared to other storage options. TMES systems have significant potential for further progress and the thermoeconomic comparisons in this paper can be used as a benchmark for their future evolution.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2020

CASTOR THTR/AVR Containment Review

The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)Radioactive Material Packaging and Transportation Review Team (herein referred to as ‘LLNL Staff’) was tasked with the technical review and confirmatory analysis of the containment analysis and corresponding leakage test implementation procedure for the CASTOR®THTR/AVR radioactive material transportation package with the AVR contents.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Proliferation of Interstellar Plutonium into the Solar System

The astrophysical site of production of actinides in the galaxy has long been debated. Recently, neutron star mergers have been shown to produce actinides, though their contribution to the total amount is unknown. A second site, Type II supernovae, likely also contributes. The relative frequencies and production totals of these two sources lead to two very different and distinguishable predictions for the contemporary concentration of actinides in the local interstellar medium. This project was aimed at measuring live cosmological 244 Pu in lunar soil in order to infer the current interstellar concentration of Pu for comparison with the concentration inferred in the early solar system 4.5 billion years ago. This requires detecting Pu in lunar soil at a concentration of 10 4 – 10 5 atoms/g. We developed Pu separation and detection methodologies that exceed the current state of the art by ~100× and are now capable of making this extremely challenging measurement in principle. Based on that success we obtained a sample of lunar soil from the Apollo 17 mission. We have not yet analyzed it owing to difficulties in quantitatively and reproducibly transferring such minute quantities of Pu from the separation step to the analysis step. Once this technical issue is resolved we will be able to analyze the lunar soil.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Involute Working Group – Development and Validation of the Finite Element Models of the Cheverton-Kelley Experiments

In an involute-plate reactor, the fuel plates and side-plates are subjected to a non-uniform distribution of loads. Temperature variation derives from a variation in power distribution throughout the core. Due to small imperfections in the channel thickness, the coolant flowing in between the plates produces pressure differentials with a non-uniform distribution on the plate surface. The main goal of the analysis presented in this technical report is to investigate the ability of the commercial software STAR-CCM+ to model deformation of involute plates subjected to mechanical and thermal loads, representative of involute reactor operation conditions.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Economic Extraction, Recovery and Upgrading of Rare Earth Elements from Coal-Based Resources (Final Report)

The overall objective of this project is to produce a rare earth elements product with greater than 8% rare earth elements from coal-based resources using an economically viable and environmentally benign processing methodology. The objective of the coal processing work will be to acquire appropriate coal feed and produce a viable clean coal product, a concentrated REE feed stream, and a pyrite stream (where available) that can be used to enhance leaching. The objective of the bio-oxidation portion of the project is to utilize bacteria to oxidize sulfide minerals and ferrous ions to ferric ions to accelerate leaching and remove the sulfides to prevent future acid mine drainage and related liabilities. The objective of the solution conditioning work is to remove iron and control leaching solution conditions to facilitate extraction of REEs without significant thorium extraction. The objective of the column leaching work is to engineer/model and simulate heap leaching to demonstrate low-cost extraction of REEs from coal-based resources. The objective of the solvent extraction work is to selectively extract and recover through controlled stripping of REEs that are solubilized through leaching. The objective of the precipitation portion of the project is to recover the REEs from the solvent extraction stripping solutions and dry them to achieve the final product of rare earth elements that is > 8 % REEs. The objective of the technical, economic, and environmental analysis is to determine the overall viability of the processing approach that is demonstrated in this project

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗
DOE OSTI2023

Financial Analysis of the 2022 Macroinvertebrate Production Flow Experiment at Glen Canyon Dam

This report was prepared by Argonne National Laboratory (Argonne) in support of a financial analysis of the Glen Canyon Dam (GCD) flow experiment that was intended to support downstream macroinvertebrate production that are a primary food supply for fishes in the Colorado River. Also known as “bug flow” experiments, these experimental water releases were conducted on the weekends and holidays from the beginnings of May 2022 through the end of August 2022. This analysis was funded by and prepared for the Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP) Office of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Western Area Power Administration (WAPA). CRSP markets electricity produced by hydroelectric facilities collectively known as the Salt Lake City Area Integrated Projects including dams equipped for power generation on the Colorado, Green, Gunnison, and Rio Grande Rivers and on Plateau Creek in the states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. Staff members in Argonne’s Energy Systems and Infrastructure Analysis Division prepared this technical memorandum with assistance from WAPA’s CRSP and Energy Marketing and Management Offices (EMMO).

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Analysis of Solids Obtained from 201O, 201P, 202A, and 202B Contactors in the Salt Waste Processing Facility

In December 2022, Savannah River Mission Completion personnel recovered solids samples from four contractors (EXT-001, EXT-007, EXT-031, and EXT-040) employed at the Salt Waste Processing Facility (SWPF). These solids were submitted to Savannah River National Laboratory for analysis and characterization. This Technical Report outlines the analytical findings and observations associated with these samples and explores the potential source of solid generation within the SWPF. The following conclusions are offered as a result of this work: the light color solids recovered from EXT-007 are consistent with crystallized, soluble salt components (such as sodium nitrate, sodium hydroxide, and sodium carbonate), all of which can be easily re-dissolved in process water and do not represent a threat to SWPF CSSX processing. While the light solids from the top of EXT-040 were not analyzed, it is believed that they share similar characteristics to those recovered from EXT-007; The dark color solids recovered from EXT-001, EXT-031, and the inside of EXT-040 appear to be complex, consisting of several different types of solids: High concentrations of mercury (Hg, 40-75% by mass) partially present as elemental Hg are consistent with the precipitation of Hg 0 /Hg 2+ from disproportionation of Hg + species in pH swing conditions; Moderate concentrations of titanium (Ti) (2-7%, by mass) are also present, often co-located with Hg. This is consistent with co-precipitation, entrainment, and/or amalgamation of Ti and Hg; Moderate concentrations of iron (Fe) (1-3%, by mass) are observed in SWPF solids and are likely attributable to erosion of stainless-steel components within the CSSX process; Small concentrations of tungsten (W) and cobalt (Co) (<1%, by mass) are observed in SWPF solids. The presence of these solids is consistent with the erosion of components coated with W and Co (e.g., Stellite); Small concentrations of aluminum (Al) (<1%, by mass) are observed in the form of gibbsite and potentially sodium aluminosilicate. The presence of these compounds is likely attributable to the pH swing observed between the scrub and extraction cycles within the CSSX process. The following recommendations are made as a result of this work: Testing should be performed to determine the chemical drivers, process, and mechanism of Hg precipitation in CSSX processing. Special care should be taken to include titanium in tests to evaluate the potential for co-precipitation, entrainment, and amalgamation; Hg-mitigation options that would minimize or eliminate risks of Hg precipitation and solids accumulation (e.g., Hg-absorption techniques, ion exchange/adsorbents, flowsheet changes, etc.) should be assessed.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2025

Retro-Commissioning Sensor Suitcase for Energy Efficiency (CRADA Final Report)

The Sensor Suitcase project aimed to enable cost-effective, data-driven retro-commissioning (RCx) in small commercial buildings through a self-installable toolkit consisting of portable sensors and diagnostic software. Results showed that the Sensor Suitcase could identify common operational faults leading to 5–15% energy savings opportunities, with automated reports requiring minimal user interpretation. The project adhered closely to its Statement of Work (SOW) but evolved the reporting interface and sensor logging duration based on field feedback. The development and validation of diagnostics are documented in PNNL technical reports and internal analysis summaries.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2025

Sensor Placement Optimization Study for the Built Environment: Next Steps Report

Systems of fixed-position radiation sensors can provide information that assists emergency responders following nuclear incidents. First responder organizations that implement systems of fixed-position sensors face numerous decisions regarding sensor selection, quantity, and placement. Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have evaluated the performance of several hypothetical sensor systems during a simulated activation of a radiological dispersal device. Due to technical limitations, PNNL’s analysis was limited to a single location and number of scenarios. This document describes additional research and analysis that would result in improved guidance to first responder organizations considering installation of radiation monitoring systems.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2025

NSTTF Voucher Program RPPR-1 (Final Report)

Sandia issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit proposals from industry, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, and individuals on the use of the National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF) to increase CSP technology market adoption across the United States. The voucher funds will be used to cover the cost of NSTTF test facilities usage and technical staff support for analysis, design and test planning and execution. Sandia will collect submitted proposals, coordinate their review through DOE SETO, and work in partnership or under contract with the applicants to complete the funded research. Through this program, participants will be supported in their use of the world class facilities and expertise available at the NSTTF at Sandia in Albuquerque, NM to accelerate the advancement of CST technologies toward meeting 2030 SETO goals for CSP. The goals of this semi-annual reporting period were to complete all administrative tasks and contracting, begin testing on three of the vouchers, and report on initial findings. The fourth voucher (University of Michigan) is predicated on the results of an ongoing heat exchanger test that is expected to conclude by the end of FY22.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Hydrogen's Economic Potential Within the United States

This presentation includes a very brief summary of the H2@Scale concept and results from the H2@Scale Technical and Economic Potential Analysis that was published in October 2020.

ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY,HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2023

ResStock Communities LEAP Pilot Residential Housing Analysis - Detailed Methodology

This methodology document supports residential building analysis for some communities receiving technical assistance through the Department of Energy Communities LEAP (Local Energy Action Program). Communities LEAP supports community-wide economic and environmental benefits through technical assistance.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2022

Additive Manufacturing Flaw Assessment Methodology

An evolution fatigue data and flaw tolerance of components produced using the Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) Additive Manufacturing (AM) process is documented in this report. Initial differences in fatigue data for AM components compared to smooth bar fatigue data indicated a need for a more detailed analysis of AM data available in technical literature. The investigation was initiated to support the development of a fatigue analysis methodology for AM components to support the of codification of AM technology for pressure equipment. The project was initiated to collect and analyze stainless steel 304L and 316L AM fatigue test data and corresponding process and quality information to develop S-N and E-N based fatigue data representation. Additional AM fatigue test data including Inconel Ti-6-4 and aluminum alloys were also considered for comparison purposes Metallic AM parts tend to contain various forms of defects distributed throughout the part. If an AM part is subjected to fatigue loading in service, a fatigue analysis needs to be performed during the design process to ensure an acceptable service life for the part. Post-process machining and polishing do not to improve fatigue resistance in any significant degree. The low cycle fatigue regime is of particular interest to this project in support of flaw acceptance criteria currently under development by ASME’s BPTCS/BNCS. Internal defects become exposed as external surface defects during machining for the machining of the AM part to final dimensions. This implies that as long as inherent AM defects are within a controlled limit in terms of both size and distribution characteristics, the corresponding fatigue test data in terms of either S-N (stress life) or E-N (strain life) can be investigated and characterized to establish fatigue properties of AM parts for design and fatigue evaluation purposes. The resulting S-N or E-N curves and their scatter bands can be used to derive fatigue design allowable stress values by capturing the effects of distributed discontinuities within an acceptable limit.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Industrial process heat decarbonization: A user-centric perspective

Eliminating greenhouse gas emissions from industrial process heat (IPH) is considered a key element of decarbonizing the overall industrial sector. However, industrial users and the processes by which they may adopt and implement technologies for decarbonization have largely been overlooked in the United States by an emphasis on developing and commercializing new technologies. While recent deployment and demonstration programs are an indication that decarbonization policy is beginning to acknowledge industrial users, little research has been conducted to understand how users mediate technical and nontechnical requirements to decarbonize IPH. Our exploratory analysis uses interviews with industry representatives and document analysis to begin developing a user-centric perspective. Here, we find that successful adoption and implementation of decarbonized IPH technologies may require adaptation to diverse and potentially unique combinations of user requirements and local contexts. Instead of pursuing "crosscutting" IPH technologies, a more effective and expeditious approach may be to develop crosscutting decision-making that spans multiple technologies. This approach may offer unexplored opportunities to improve demonstration and deployment programs, but more user-centric research is needed.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2023

Techno-Economic Analysis of Hydrogen-Fueled Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems

This technical report presents findings from a techno-economic analysis that assessed the cost and performance implications of fueling solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology with hydrogen fuel. The exothermic hydrogen oxidation reaction results in various impacts when compared to a natural gas SOFC system, which benefits from an endothermic methane reforming reaction. The excess heat generated from the system requires management, thereby increasing system costs. An application where the excess heat can be used in a combined heat and power application seems to be the most economical use of a hydrogen fueled SOFC system.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2026

Scaling open-weight large language models for hydropower regulatory information extraction: A systematic analysis

Information extraction from regulatory and technical documents using large language models (LLMs) involves practical trade-offs between extraction quality and computational cost. We evaluate eight open-weight LLMs spanning 0.6B–70B parameters on hydropower licensing documents and report deployment-oriented evidence under a unified extraction schema and evaluation protocol. Across the model set, we observe clear scale-dependent trends in both baseline extraction quality and the effectiveness of reflective reasoning (self-checking) under our fixed-prompt, no-augmentation setting. Mid-scale models often provide a favorable balance of accuracy and efficiency, whereas the smallest models show limited or inconsistent gains from the reasoning variants tested. Larger models achieve the highest overall F1 scores but incur substantially greater compute and infrastructure requirements. We further find that reliability failure modes can distort conventional metrics in this domain: in particular, high recall can coincide with systematic extraction errors when models fabricate values for fields that are absent from the source text, underscoring the importance of conservative null handling and evidence-grounded evaluation. Overall, our study provides a reproducible resource–performance comparison for open-weight LLM-based extraction in hydropower regulatory documentation and offers practical guidance for model selection under different deployment constraints.

Evaluation protocol↗
DOE OSTI2026

Scalable High-Throughput Open-Air Spray-Plasma Manufacturing of Solid-State Lithium Batteries

This final technical report presents a comprehensive analysis of a novel plasma-based in-line manufacturing process for large-area, LLZO-separator-based, solid-state lithium-ion batteries, demonstrating both technical feasibility and economic advantages over conventional vacuum deposition methods. The technical validation shows that spray-deposition with plasma curing achieves comparable electrode and separator quality to vacuum techniques while enabling continuous processing of components and industrially relevant film areas. Critical material interfaces maintain low porosity and high ionic conductivities, which confirm the process's ability to overcome the primary limitation of conventional methods - the trade-off between deposition quality and economically-viable production scale.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗