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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 OSTI2026

New Report Highlights LAMP's Role as a Robust and Reliable System for Wave Energy Converter Testing

Harnessing the power of waves requires more than just putting devices in the ocean - it takes tools that can refine and accelerate innovation before the first deployment. That's where NLR's largeamplitude motion platform, or LAMP, comes in. LAMP is a six-degree-of-freedom motion system designed to replicate the response of a wave energy converter (WEC) device in realistic ocean conditions. By letting researchers evaluate WEC performance in a safe, controlled lab environment before moving offshore, LAMP helps accelerate innovation while reducing risk. An NLR report, titled Initial Characterization of the NLR LargeAmplitude Motion Platform (https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy26osti/93733.pdf), provides a deeper understanding of LAMP's capabilities and also lays the groundwork for future advancements in WEC testing methodologies. Researchers studied LAMP's amplitude and frequency limits across different payloads and collected data from 16 test profiles. Testing demonstrated that platform accuracy remained consistent across all payloads evaluated; researchers expect similar accuracy up to LAMP's 10,000-kilogram capacity limit. The measured position limits for single degrees of freedom experienced by WECs, including surge, sway, heave, roll, pitch, and yaw, also exceeded the original manufacturer specifications, providing new insight into the true boundaries of the system.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2025

FY24 progress report on A709 mechanical properties data development and A709 thermal aging status

The report provides the status of the creep, fatigue, and creep-fatigue testing to date conducted at Idaho National Laboratory to generate the data package. This data package evaluates the material performance from three commercial heats to support the Alloy 709 qualification in American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section III, Division 5. First procured heat was manufactured by G.O. Carlson with heat number 58776. Second and third heats were fabricated by ATI Specialty Rolled Products with heat numbers 529900 and 530843, respectively. A series of creep and cyclic specimens were fabricated from these three heats and tests were performed. A list of finished, ongoing, and planned test are presented for creep, fatigue, and creep-fatigue tests. Cyclic properties of three commercial heats are compared.

36 - MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

A Microreactor Program Plan for The Department of Energy

The DOE Microreactor Program was established in FY 2019 to support research and development (R&D) of technologies related to the development, demonstration, and deployment of low-power, transportable reactors to provide power and heat for decentralized generation in civilian, industrial, and defense energy sectors. The program conducts both fundamental and applied R&D to de-risk technology performance and manufacturability readiness of microreactors. R&D projects and work packages are selected to support concept-neutral technology maturation. The intent is to ensure those concepts can be licensed and deployed by commercial entities to meet specific use case requirements. At the same time, the program will also support R&D specific to certain reactor technology groups (e.g., heat pipe reactors and gas-cooled reactors) to ensure relevancy and address the technology needs of commercial developers. The program will ensure coordination of work and activities across participating laboratories and universities, establish, and manage stakeholder interactions, and support program meetings. These stakeholders include, but are not limited to, industry developers, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Department of Energy, policymakers, and end users. This document provides an overview of the overall Microreactor Program, including its vision, key technical objectives, and scope of the current and proposed R&D portfolio. It covers a 5-year rolling currently from Fiscal year 2025 through Fiscal year 2030. This document will be revised at least biennially to reflect changing priorities.

99 - GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Machine Learning for Well Log Analysis in Uranium Mining

This project explores the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques to automate well log analysis for uranium mining. Geophysical log data—spontaneous potential, resistivity, and gamma ray—were used to classify lithology, correlate well logs and identify roll front zonation patterns, which are critical for locating uranium ore bodies. Supervised ML algorithms such as eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Categorical Boosting (CatBoost), and Random Forest were trained to classify lithology with high accuracy. Gradient Boosting Machines (GBM), XGBoost, Random Forest, and Neural Networks were also used for role front zone identification. Moreover, a Fast Dynamic Time Warping (FastDTW) algorithm was employed for well log correlation. Additionally, sample lag was addressed using dynamic programming. Results demonstrate the potential of AI and ML to streamline well log analysis and enhance uranium exploration workflows.

11 - NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Quench process modeling & simulation in the heat-treatment of critical aerospace components

To manufacture light-weight, advanced metal alloy components for gas turbine engines, quench heat-treatment processes are typically used. By quenching the component from elevated temperatures, the alloy sometimes undergoes a solid-state phase transformation which produces special microstructures with the required, enhanced mechanical properties. However, the quenching can also lead to cracks forming in the component. Addressing the quench cracking problems adds a significant burden to the cost, schedule, and energy demand of manufacture. Currently, optimizing the quench process to mitigate or avoid the cracking is performed largely by trial-and-error, relying heavily on costly experimental (thermocouple)trials to understand the local thermal gradients which cause the cracks to form. In this first part (Phase 1) of the work, high-performance computing is employed to establish the ability of modern CFD (computational fluid dynamics) to alleviate or wholly replace the experimental quenching trials by virtual testing. A Baseline CFD model is defined and its accuracy established to be comparable to(and which usually exceeds) the accuracy of existing HTC (heat-transfer coefficient) based simulation methods of quenching. As a first-principles based approach, “calibration” of the Baseline CFD model is independent of the quench process itself, but instead relies on the accuracy of the underlying (modeled),generic two-phase fluid processes which cannot be currently resolved by CFD for large, industrial-scale cases. A novel, high-fidelity DNS capability has been developed and verified to examine and further improve upon the mean-field closure submodels on which the Baseline CFD approach is based.1

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Comprehensive evaluation of commercially scalable atomic-layer-deposited alumina coating impact on full cell battery performance across varied test conditions

Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) has emerged as a strategic enhancement method for lithium-ion battery (LIB) materials offering potential benefits and durability benefits for industrial battery production. However, the translation from laboratory achievements to commercial-scale applications has been limited. Here, this study aims to bridge this gap by comprehensively evaluating the effects of commercially scalable Al 2 O 3 ALD coatings using full pouch cell performance as a means to assess the ALD impact. We utilized large-scale slot-die coating techniques to ensure consistent electrode quality and tested four configurations of pouch cells to analyze the individual effects of ALD coating on anode and cathode electroactive materials. Our extensive testing matrix included long-term cycling, fast discharge, fast charge, leakage current, and high voltage tests. While at lower C-rates (<~1C), the influence of Al 2 O 3 coatings on cell performance is not significant. Fast charging conditions reveal that the anode ALD coating significantly enhances performance via a passivating effect, while on the cathode, it is detrimental, potentially due to increased resistance of the thin interfacial layer formed during the ALD processing. Leakage current and high-voltage tests show that the application of ALD coatings on either anode or cathode effectively minimizes side reactions at the electrode-electrolyte interface. Additionally, ALD coatings significantly mitigate concentrated and localized lithium plating on the anodes. These insights provide a valuable understanding of the potential of ALD technologies in LIB manufacturing to tailor cell performance, paving the way for safer, more efficient, and cost-effective battery solutions.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Membrane Electrode Assembly Manufacturing Automation Technology for the Electrochemical Compression of Hydrogen: Cooperative Research and Development (Final Report)

Electrochemical compression has the possibility to outcompete mechanical compression for hydrogen end- use applications. While HyET has a compressor that can output JO kilograms (kg)/day (fully scalable from home-to-industrial application) at up to 700 bar, the energy demand and reliability require top-quality electrochemical hydrogen compression (EHC) membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), preferably prepared by cost-effective high-capacity manufacturing. High pressure requires a special MEA design, deviating from typical proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) MEAs with adapted catalyst layer substrates, asking for a modified coating process. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will help HyET by developing an automated catalyst coating process fit for EHC MEA manufacturing. In addition, inline quality inspection methods will be developed/selected to improve the MBA quality as it is used for EHC stack assembly. In a joint effort, NREL and HyET will even design an automated manufacturing process for the EHC MEA and approach potential United States (US) suppliers of manufacturing equipment.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗
DOE OSTI2026

Non-Contact Eddy Current Method for Assessing Proton Conductivity in Nafion Membranes

Accurate measurement of proton conductivity in Proton Exchange Membranes (PEMs) is vital for fuel cell performance and durability. This study explores eddy current testing as a non-destructive, non-contact and high-rate quality control (QC) method for measuring Nafion membrane proton conductivity, with potential for high-volume manufacturing applications.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Radiation‐Resistant Aluminum Alloy for Space Missions in the Extreme Environment of the Solar System

Future human exploration of the solar system demands advanced materials capable of withstanding extreme environments, particularly exposure to solar energetic particle radiation. Current material selection criteria for space applications prioritize a high strength-to-weight ratio, high corrosion resistance and manufacturability, favoring age-hardenable Al-based alloys. However, conventional precipitation-hardened Al alloys suffer from irradiation-assisted dissolution of strengthening phases at doses as low as 0.2 displacements-per-atom (dpa), undermining their performance. Furthermore, these alloys develop radiation-induced defects, such as dislocation loops and voids, even at low doses. This study presents a novel ultrafine-grained (UFG) Al-based alloy, designed using the crossover alloying concept and strengthened by T-phase precipitates, featuring a chemically-complex structure with 162 atoms in its unit cell composed of Mg 32 (Zn,Al) 49 . It is showed that T-phase precipitates have exceptional radiation tolerance up to 24 dpa. Owing to the nanoscale UFG structure, dislocation loops are suppressed, and voids are only observed beyond 75 dpa. Microtensile tests up to 20 dpa confirm the preservation of mechanical performance under irradiation. The results underline the potential of this alloy as a radiation-resistant, lightweight material for future space applications. Three key strategies enable this performance: (i) stabilization of a UFG microstructure, (ii) T-phase precipitation featuring a highly negative Gibbs free energy and chemically-complex giant unit cell, and (iii) precise process control to prevent grain growth during heat treatment and irradiation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Intrinsic and environmental drivers of pairwise cohesion in wild Canis social groups

Animals within social groups respond to costs and benefits of sociality by adjusting the proportion of time they spend in close proximity to other individuals in the group (cohesion). Variation in cohesion between individuals, in turn, shapes important group-level processes such as subgroup formation and fission–fusion dynamics. Although critical to animal sociality, a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing cohesion remains a gap in our knowledge of cooperative behavior in animals. We tracked 574 individuals from six species within the genus Canis in 15 countries on four continents with GPS telemetry to estimate the time that pairs of individuals within social groups spent in close proximity and test hypotheses regarding drivers of cohesion. Pairs of social canids (Canis spp.) varied widely in the proportion of time they spent together (5%–100%) during seasonal monitoring periods relative to both intrinsic characteristics and environmental conditions. The majority of our data came from three species of wolves (gray wolves, eastern wolves, and red wolves) and coyotes. For these species, cohesion within social groups was greatest between breeding pairs and varied seasonally as the nature of cooperative activities changed relative to annual life history patterns. Across species, wolves were more cohesive than coyotes. For wolves, pairs were less cohesive in larger groups, and when suitable, small prey was present reflecting the constraints of food resources and intragroup competition on social associations. Pair cohesion in wolves declined with increased anthropogenic modification of the landscape and greater climatic variability, underscoring challenges for conserving social top predators in a changing world. We show that pairwise cohesion in social groups varies strongly both within and across Canis species, as individuals respond to changing ecological context defined by resources, competition, and anthropogenic disturbance. Our work highlights that cohesion is a highly plastic component of animal sociality that holds significant promise for elucidating ecological and evolutionary mechanisms underlying cooperative behavior.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Strong interfaces: the key to high strength in nano metallic laminates

Excellent mechanical properties of nanomaterials are usually attributed to their nanoscale feature size and high-density interfaces. This work explores the effects of intrinsic interface properties on mechanical properties of nano metallic laminates (NMLs). We show that the interface strength significantly affects the mechanical properties of NMLs. Via in situ mechanical testing and characterization, we investigate the deformation behavior and concurrent microstructure evolution in NMLs with four types of dissimilar interfaces. Our results show that the strength and deformation behaviors of NMLs are largely determined by interface strength. Strong interfaces can simultaneously increase the strength, work hardening capability, and deformability of NMLs. In conclusion, this work brings new insight into the design of advanced metallic materials through tuning of interface properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Melting temperature, emissivity, and thermal conductivity of rare-earth silicates for thermal and environmental barrier coatings

In recent years, rare-earth silicates have become the industry standard for coating state-of-the-art SiC ceramic matrix composite (CMC) gas turbine engine components, due to their low volatility, high melting point, and thermal shock resistance. Current research is focused on designing rare-earth silicate based thermal-environmental barrier coatings (T/EBCs) with improved resistance to CMAS (CaO-MgO-Al 2 O 3 -SiO 2 ), steam, and crack formation, while maintaining high temperature performance and stability. Here, in this work we compare the high temperature performance of a variety of single and multi-component rare-earth mono- and disilicates (MS, DS) and rare earth apatites by measuring their melting points and spectrally averaged visible emissivities using laser heating and radiation pyrometry. We also report room temperature thermal conductivity measured by time-domain thermoreflectance (TDTR).

Environmental barrier coatings↗