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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 235 records · Page 13
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Collection of Aerosol Particles in a Single-Stage, High Gradient Magnetic Collector

The collection of aerosol particles that have magnetic components such as actinides, Co/Ni/Fe, brass, and alloys are of interest in the nuclear industry and for regulatory applications. The collection of these particles is important for monitoring and a number of collection approaches have been developed based on separations mechanisms including size, mass, electrical or thermal properties. In this work, we present the performance of a single-stage, high gradient magnetic collector with a nickel foam matrix for removing airborne magnetic particles. The collection efficiencies for two different particle size regimes and compositions (NaCl and Fe 3 O 4 below 200 nm and SiO 2 and Fe 3 O 4 at 1-2 μm) were measured to assess the performance of the magnetic collector. The high gradient magnetic collector did not remove nanosized magnetic Fe 3 O 4 particles any more effectively than non-magnetic NaCl particles. However, in the larger size range, the collector more efficiently removed Fe 3 O 4 particles compared to SiO 2 with a collection efficiency of 99% compared to 84% for SiO 2 . The removal mechanism could be attributed to both filtration and the high gradient magnetic field.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

C-band high gradient research and facilities at Los Alamos National Laboratory [Slides]

Achieving high-gradient performance (low breakdown rates, low field emission, new materials for HOM absorption, cathodes at high gradient etc.) is a materials science problem. Los Alamos is, at core, a materials science laboratory with particular expertise in metallurgy. Los Alamos also considers itself the steward of accelerator science for the NNSA part of the DOE complex. Thus, Los Alamos has both an institutional interest in, and capability to address, this problem space. High gradient C-band work directly aligns with future NNSA and LANL missions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Hierarchical Optimal Power Flow with Improved Gradient Evaluation

Existing algorithms to solve alternating-current optimal power flow (AC-OPF) often exploit linear approximations to simplify system models and accelerate computations. In this paper, we improve a recent hierarchical OPF algorithm, which rested on primal-dual gradients evaluated in a linearized distribution power flow model. Specifically, we identify a risk of voltage violation arising from the model linearization, and propose a more accurate gradient evaluation method to eliminate that risk. We further develop a hierarchical primal-dual algorithm to solve OPF based on the proposed gradient evaluation method. Numerical results on IEEE networks show that our algorithm can enhance voltage safety with satisfactory computational efficiency.

distributed algorithm↗
DOE OSTI2023

A perfused multi-well bioreactor platform to assess tumor organoid response to a chemotherapeutic gradient

There is an urgent need to develop new therapies for colorectal cancer that has metastasized to the liver and, more fundamentally, to develop improved preclinical platforms of colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM) to screen therapies for efficacy. To this end, we developed a multi-well perfusable bioreactor capable of monitoring CRCLM patient-derived organoid response to a chemotherapeutic gradient. CRCLM patient-derived organoids were cultured in the multi-well bioreactor for 7 days and the subsequently established gradient in 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) concentration resulted in a lower IC 50 in the region near the perfusion channel versus the region far from the channel. We compared behaviour of organoids in this platform to two commonly used PDO culture models: organoids in media and organoids in a static (no perfusion) hydrogel. The bioreactor IC 50 values were significantly higher than IC 50 values for organoids cultured in media whereas only the IC 50 for organoids far from the channel were significantly different than organoids cultured in the static hydrogel condition. Using finite element simulations, we showed that the total dose delivered, calculated using area under the curve (AUC) was similar between platforms, however normalized viability was lower for the organoid in media condition than in the static gel and bioreactor. Our results highlight the utility of our multi-well bioreactor for studying organoid response to chemical gradients and demonstrate that comparing drug response across these different platforms is nontrivial.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Geographic patterns and determinants of antibiotic resistomes in coastal sediments across complex ecological gradients

Coastal areas are highly influenced by terrestrial runoffs and anthropogenic disturbances, commonly leading to ecological gradients from bay, nearshore, to offshore areas. Although the occurrence and distribution of sediment antibiotic resistome are explored in various coastal environments, little information is available regarding geographic patterns and determinants of coastal sediment antibiotic resistomes across ecological gradients at the regional scale. Here, using high-throughput quantitative PCR, we investigated the geographic patterns of 285 antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in coastal sediments across a ~ 200 km scale in the East China Sea. Sediment bacterial communities and physicochemical properties were characterized to identify the determinants of sediments antibiotic resistome. Higher richness and abundance of ARGs were detected in the bay samples compared with those in nearshore and offshore samples, and significant negative correlations between the richness and/or abundance of ARGs and the distance to coastline (DTC) were identified, whereas different types of ARGs showed inconsistency in their relationships with DTC. The composition of antibiotic resistome showed significant correlations with nutrition-related variables (including NH 4 + -N, NO 3 − -N, and total phosphorus) and metals/metalloid (including As, Cu, Ni, and Zn), suggesting that terrestrial disturbances largely shape the antibiotic resistome. The Bipartite network showed strong associations between ARGs and mobile genetic elements (MGEs), and Partial Least Squares Path Modeling further revealed that terrestrial disturbance strength (as indicated by DTC) directly affected abiotic environmental conditions and bacterial community composition, and indirectly affected antibiotic resistome via MGEs. These findings provide insights into regional variability of sediment antibiotic resistome and its shaping path across complex ecological gradients, highlighting terrestrial disturbances as determinative forces in shaping coastal sediment antibiotic resistomes.

Xiong, Shangling↗
DOE OSTI2022

Fed-DeepONet: Stochastic Gradient-Based Federated Training of Deep Operator Networks

The Deep Operator Network (DeepONet) framework is a different class of neural network architecture that one trains to learn nonlinear operators, i.e., mappings between infinite-dimensional spaces. Traditionally, DeepONets are trained using a centralized strategy that requires transferring the training data to a centralized location. Such a strategy, however, limits our ability to secure data privacy or use high-performance distributed/parallel computing platforms. To alleviate such limitations, in this paper, we study the federated training of DeepONets for the first time. That is, we develop a framework, which we refer to as Fed-DeepONet, that allows multiple clients to train DeepONets collaboratively under the coordination of a centralized server. To achieve Fed-DeepONets, we propose an efficient stochastic gradient-based algorithm that enables the distributed optimization of the DeepONet parameters by averaging first-order estimates of the DeepONet loss gradient. Then, to accelerate the training convergence of Fed-DeepONets, we propose a moment-enhanced (i.e., adaptive) stochastic gradient-based strategy. Finally, we verify the performance of Fed-DeepONet by learning, for different configurations of the number of clients and fractions of available clients, (i) the solution operator of a gravity pendulum and (ii) the dynamic response of a parametric library of pendulums.

Moya, Christian↗
DOE OSTI2023

Optimization of Conductive Fins to Minimize UO2 Fuel Temperature and Radial Temperature Gradient

To further the development of low-enriched uranium fuels, precedence has been placed on delivering the same amount of power while lowering the fuel temperature and radial temperature gradient. To address this, modeling efforts have resulted in a novel design featuring conductive fins of varying thermal conductivities and geometries inserted into the fuel matrix. These conductive inserts were not allowed to exceed 6% of the original fuel volume. This constraint was imposed due to other designs displacing 10% of fuel volume. A parametric study was performed that consisted of 2.56 million BISON simulations involving varying fin characteristics (i.e., fin thermal conductivity, number, and geometry) to determine the optimal geometric configuration for a desired amount of fuel volume displaced. The results from this study show that the thickness and length of each fin affect the fuel temperature and temperature gradient more than varying the number and thermal conductivity of the fins. The parametric study resulted in the development of an optimized combination to produce the lowest peak fuel temperature, lowest radial temperature gradient, and highest temperature reduction for the amount of original fuel volume displaced. The simulations presented in this work will eventually be compared with irradiation experiments of similar fuel designs at Idaho National Laboratory’s Advanced Test Reactor.

Paaren, Kyle M.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Improving Cathode Testing with a High-Gradient Cryogenic Normal Conducting RF Photogun

Future electron accelerator applications such as X-ray free electron lasers and colliders are dependent on significantly increasing beam brightness. With the observation that linac beam manipulation’s best preservation of max brightness is at the cathode, we are incentivized to create an environment where we can study how to achieve the highest possible photogun brightness. In order to do so, we intend to extract beams from high-brightness photocathodes with the highest achievable accelerating gradients we can manage in a klystron-powered radiofrequency (RF) photogun. We utilize here cryogenic normal conducting cavities to achieve ultra-high gradients via limitation of breakdown rates (BDR). The low temperatures should also reduce cathode emittance by reducing the mean transverse energy (MTE) of electrons near the photoemission threshold. To this end, we have designed and produced a new CrYogenic Brightness-Optimized Radiofrequency Gun (CYBORG) for use in a new beamline at UCLA. We will introduce the enabling RF and photoemission physics as a primer for the new regime of high field low temperature cathodes we intend to enter. We further report the current status of the beamline commissioning, including the cooling of the photogun to 100 K, and producing 0.5 MW of RF feed power, which corresponds to cathode accelerating fields in the range of 80–90 MV/m. We further plan iterative improvements to both to 77 K and 1 MW corresponding to our ultimate goal >120 MV/m. Our discussion will include future beamline tests and the consideration of the initial realization of an ultra-high-gradient photoinjector concept.

Lawler, Gerard Emile (ORCID:0000000160113435)↗
DOE OSTI2024

Experimental Study of Alfvén Wave Reflection from an Alfvén-speed Gradient Relevant to the Solar Coronal Holes

Abstract We report the first experimental detection of a reflected Alfvén wave from an Alfvén-speed gradient under conditions similar to those in coronal holes. The experiments were conducted in the Large Plasma Device at the University of California, Los Angeles. We present the experimentally measured dependence of the coefficient of reflection versus the wave inhomogeneity parameter, i.e., the ratio of the wavelength of the incident wave to the length scale of the gradient. Two-fluid simulations using the Gkeyll code qualitatively agree with and support the experimental findings. Our experimental results support models of wave heating that rely on wave reflection at low heights from a smooth Alfvén-speed gradient to drive turbulence.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Applying the Velocity Gradient Technique in NGC 1333: Comparison with Dust Polarization Observations

Magnetic fields (B-fields) are ubiquitous in the interstellar medium (ISM), and they play an essential role in the formation of molecular clouds and subsequent star formation. However, B-fields in interstellar environments remain challenging to measure, and their properties typically need to be inferred from dust polarization observations over multiple physical scales. In this work, we seek to use a recently proposed approach called the velocity gradient technique (VGT) to study B-fields in star-forming regions and compare the results with dust polarization observations in different wavelengths. The VGT is based on the anisotropic properties of eddies in magnetized turbulence to derive B-field properties in the ISM. We investigate that this technique is synergistic with dust polarimetry when applied to a turbulent diffused medium for the purpose of measuring its magnetization. Specifically, we use the VGT on molecular line data toward the NGC 1333 star-forming region ( 12 CO, 13 CO, C 18 O, and N 2 H + ), and we compare the derived B-field properties with those inferred from 214 and 850 μm dust polarization observations of the region using Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy/High-Resolution Airborne Wide-band Camera Plus and James Clerk Maxwell Telescope/POL-2, respectively. We estimate both the inclination angle and the 3D Alfvénic Mach number M A from the molecular line gradients. Crucially, testing this technique on gravitationally bound, dynamic, and turbulent regions, and comparing the results with those obtained from polarization observations at different wavelengths, such as the plane-of-sky field orientation, is an important test on the applicability of the VGT in various density regimes of the ISM. We in general do not find a close correlation between the velocity gradient inferred orientations and the dust inferred magnetic field orientations.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Tracing Magnetic Field in Super-Alfvénic Turbulence with Gradient Technique

Super-Alfvénic turbulence is important for many astrophysical objects, particularly galaxy clusters. In this paper, we explore the accuracy of synchrotron intensity gradients and X-ray intensity gradients to map magnetic fields in super-Alfvénic turbulence for a set of astrophysically relevant parameters of turbulent driving. Analyzing our synthetic observations, we report a good accuracy for both techniques. Our results are suggestive that other types of gradient technique can be successfully employed to trace magnetic fields within super-Alfvénic subsonic turbulence.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Mechanism-Resolved PFM of Ferroionic and Ferroelectric Responses in Thickness-Gradient Hf 0.5 Zr 0.5 O 2 Libraries

Resolving growth mechanisms and thickness evolution of functional properties is one of the key tasks in materials discovery and optimization involving thin-film materials, traditionally requiring significant experimental budgets. Here we introduce the combination of thickness-gradient libraries and automated scanning probe microscopy as a systematic pathway to elucidate growth modes and disentangle ferroelectric and electrochemical contributions in ferroelectric thin films. As a model system, we explore the Hf 0.5 Zr 0.5 O 2 (HZO) gradient thin films grown on La x Sr 1-x MnO 3 (LSMO) bottom electrode thin films. Automated piezoresponse force microscopy, spectroscopy, and lithography reveals that irreversible topographic deformation arises from electrochemical activity at the LSMO surface, whereas reversible phase inversion in HZO reflects ferroelectric switching. Automated topography height-map scans are used to further quantify nucleation density, particle-size evolution, and roughness correlations across the thickness-gradient, demonstrating that improved plume stabilization during growth suppresses interfacial reactions and promotes dense, fine-grained HZO conducive to ferroelectric phase formation. This combined materials-engineering and automated-SPM framework establishes a platform for high-throughput, mechanism-resolved characterization of ferroionic and ferroelectric responses in complex oxide films.

FOS: Physical sciences↗
DOE OSTI2022

Local-thermal-gradient and large-scale-circulation impacts on turbine-height wind speed forecasting over the Columbia River Basin

Abstract. We investigate the sensitivity of turbine-height wind speed forecast to initial condition (IC) uncertainties over the Columbia River Gorge (CRG) and Columbia River Basin (CRB) for two typical weather phenomena, i.e., local-thermal-gradient-induced marine air intrusion and a cold frontal passage. Four types of turbine-height wind forecast anomalies and their associated IC uncertainties related to local thermal gradients and large-scale circulations are identified using the self-organizing map (SOM) technique. The four SOM types are categorized into two patterns, each accounting for half of the ensemble members. The first pattern corresponds to IC uncertainties that alter the wind forecast through a modulating weather system, which produces the strongest wind anomalies in the CRG and CRB. In the second pattern, the moderate uncertainties in local thermal gradient and large-scale circulation jointly contribute to wind forecast anomaly. We analyze the cross section of wind and temperature anomalies through the gorge to explore the evolution of vertical features of each SOM type. The turbine-height wind anomalies induced by large-scale IC uncertainties are more concentrated near the front. In contrast, turbine-height wind anomalies induced by the local IC thermal uncertainties are found above the surface thermal anomalies. Moreover, the wind forecast accuracy in the CRG and CRB is limited by IC uncertainties in a few specific regions, e.g., the 2 m temperature within the basin and large-scale circulation over the northeast Pacific around 140∘ W.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Trapped-ion entangling gates with bichromatic pair of microwave fields and magnetic field gradient

A trapped-ion quantum logic gate and a method of operating the trapped-ion quantum logic gate are provided. The trapped-ion quantum logic gate includes at least one ion having two internal states and forming a qubit having a qubit transition frequency ω 0 0, a magnetic field gradient, and two microwave fields. Each of the two microwave fields has a respective frequency that is detuned from the qubit transition frequency ω 0 by frequency difference δ. The at least one ion has a Rabi frequency Ω μ due to the two microwave fields and a Rabi frequency Ω g due to the magnetic field gradient. The method includes applying the magnetic field gradient and the two microwave fields to the at least one ion such that a quantity Ω g /δ is in a range between zero and 5×10 −2 .

Sutherland, Robert Tyler↗
DOE OSTI2022

Gradient Design for High–Energy and High–Power Batteries

Charge transport is a key process that dominates battery performance, and the microstructures of the cathode, anode, and electrolyte play a central role in guiding ion and/or electron transport inside the battery. Rational design of key battery components with varying microstructure along the charge-transport direction to realize optimal local charge-transport dynamics can compensate for reaction polarization, which accelerates electrochemical reaction kinetics. Here, the principles of charge-transport mechanisms and their decisive role in battery performance are presented, followed by a discussion of the correlation between charge-transport regulation and battery microstructure design. The design strategies of the gradient cathodes, lithium-metal anodes, and solid-state electrolytes are summarized. Further, future directions and perspectives of gradient design are provided at the end to enable practically accessible high-energy and high-power-density batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Gradient Doping in Sn–Pb Perovskites by Barium Ions for Efficient Single-Junction and Tandem Solar Cells

Narrow bandgap tin-lead (NBG Sn-Pb) perovskites generally have a high density of unintentional p-type self-doping, which reduces the charge carrier lifetimes, diffusion lengths and device efficiencies. Here, we demonstrate a p-n homojunction across the Sn-Pb perovskite resulted from a gradient doping by Ba 2+ . We report that 0.1 mol% Ba 2+ can effectively compensate the p-doping of Sn-Pb perovskites or even turns it to n-type without changing its bandgap. Ba 2+ cations are found to stay at the interstitial sites and work as shallow electron donor. In addition, Ba 2+ cations show a unique heterogeneous distribution in perovskite film. Most of the barium ions stay in the top 600 nanometer region of the perovskite films and turn it into weakly n-type, while the bottom portion of the film remains to be p-type. The gradient doping forms of a homojunction from top to bottom of the perovskite films with a built-in field that facilitates extraction of photogenerated carriers, resulting an increased carrier extraction length. Furthermore, this strategy enhanced the efficiency of Sn-Pb perovskite single-junction solar cells to over 21.0% and boosted the efficiencies of monolithic perovskite-perovskite tandem solar cells to 25.3% and 24.1%, for active areas of 5.9 mm2 and 0.94 cm 2 , respectively.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

MCML: Combining physical constraints with experimental data for a multi-purpose meta-generalized gradient approximation

The predictive power of density functional theory for materials properties can be improved without increasing the overall computational complexity by extending the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) for electronic exchange and correlation to density functionals depending on the electronic kinetic energy density in addition to the charge density and its gradient, resulting in a meta-GGA. Here, we propose an empirical meta-GGA model that is based both on physical constraints and on experimental and quantum chemistry reference data. Overall, the resulting optimized meta-GGA MCML yields improved surface and gas phase reaction energetics without sacrificing the accuracy of bulk property predictions of existing meta-GGA approaches.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Core–Multishell-Structured Digital-Gradient Cathode Materials with Enhanced Mechanical and Electrochemical Durability

Ni-rich cathode materials provide high energy density, but their structural and surface instability limits their cyclability and thermal stability. As one of the approaches to mitigate this problem, cathode materials comprising Ni-rich high-capacity core wrapped in Mn-rich multiple shells are produced successfully. In contrast to the conventional batch-type process for concentration-gradient materials, a digital-gradient cascade coprecipitation process described here achieves the improvements in productivity and quality consistency needed to move toward large-scale manufacturing. The core-multishell cathode materials produced in this manner not only have longer cycle life and improved rate performance compared to homogeneous Ni-rich cathode materials having the same overall composition, but also show remarkably enhanced thermal stability and low impedance growth characteristics. In a novel attempt to determine the correlation between the mechanical properties of the core-multishell cathode particles and their electrochemical cyclabilities, their breaking force and elasticity were successfully measured using a statistical approach, which indicates that a cathode particle with stable surface composition as well as high breaking force has improved capacity retention and durability. These results guide the realization of long life and high thermal stability in Ni-rich cathode materials through heterogeneous particle engineering.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗