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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

Tunable Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysis by Phenazine-Modified Carbons (Final Report)

This project aims to systematically investigate the fundamental interfacial chemistry that underlies the four-electron, four-proton oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) mediated by heteroatom-doped graphitic carbon electrodes. Heteroatom-doped (Fe, N, etc.) graphitic carbons have emerged as a rich class of materials that are promising ORR catalysts in low temperature fuel cells because of their earth-abundant elements, extremely low cost, environmental harmlessness, and high tolerance to impurities in the fuel stream. However, despite decades of research, systematic efforts to improve the activity, selectivity, and durability of these catalysts has been hampered both by a complex heterogeneous distribution of potential N- and Fe-dopant active sites and by the inability to tune the local electronic structure and environment of the active site with molecular precision. Understanding the fundamental chemistry that influences the turnover-limiting and selectivity determining steps for ORR and other multielectron/multiproton electrocatalytic transformations requires new and innovative methods to prepare heteroatom active sites with molecular precision on carbon surfaces.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Frequency-Selectable Laser Source (FLS) for Cosmic Microwave Background Experiments

Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) experiments measure remnant radiation from the early universe and use that data to determine fundamental properties of the universe. We can constrain key parameters, such as \textit{r}, the cosmic tensor-to-scalar ratio, and $N_\text{eff}$, the effective number of relativistic species, by analyzing the CMB power spectra. Improving our measurements of the CMB requires improving our instrument systematics, one of the most important of which is detector bandpass. Current experiments use a Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) to measure bandpass. However, the FTS is systematics limited, and cannot achieve the accuracy needed to make improved CMB measurements. For this reason, we are developing a new instrument, the Frequency-Selectable Laser Source (FLS) to decrease the uncertainty in bandpass by an order of magnitude. In this paper, we describe work completed to support the version 2 upgrade to the FLS. Using ray-tracing software, we modeled the FLS optics to set physical tolerances for the new design. We also discuss the laser calibration, and future work to be completed in further development of the FLS upgrade.

Rosen-Turits, Gabriel M.↗

Accessing scattering amplitudes using quantum computers

Future quantum computers may serve as a tool to access non-perturbative real-time correlation functions. In this talk, we discuss the prospects of using these to study Compton scattering for arbitrary kinematics. The restriction to a finite-volume spacetime, unavoidable in foreseeable quantum-computer simulations, must be taken into account in the formalism for extracting scattering observables. One approach is to work with a non-zero iϵ-prescription in the Fourier transform to definite momentum and then to estimate an ordered double limit, in which the spacetime volume is sent to infinity before ϵ is sent to 0. For the amplitudes and parameters considered here, we find that significant volume effects arise, making the required limit very challenging. We present a practical solution to this challenge that may allow for future determinations of deeply virtual Compton scattering amplitudes, as well as many other reactions that are presently outside the scope of standard lattice QCD calculations.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Energy storage devices having coated passive components

The present invention provides various passive electronic components comprising a layer of coated particles, and methods for producing and using the same. Some of the passive electronic components of the invention include, but are not limited to conductors, resistors, current collectors, capacitors, piezoelectronic devices, inductors and transformers. The present invention also provides energy storage devices and electrode layers for such energy storage devices having passive, electrically-conductive particles coated with one or more thin film materials.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Energy storage devices having coated passive components

The present invention provides various passive electronic components comprising a layer of coated particles, and methods for producing and using the same. Some of the passive electronic components of the invention include, but are not limited to conductors, resistors, current collectors, capacitors, piezoelectronic devices, inductors and transformers. The present invention also provides energy storage devices and electrode layers for such energy storage devices having passive, electrically-conductive particles coated with one or more thin film materials.

King, David M.↗

Energy storage devices having coated passive particles

The present invention provides various passive electronic components comprising a layer of coated particles, and methods for producing and using the same. Some of the passive electronic components of the invention include, but are not limited to conductors, resistors, current collectors, capacitors, piezoelectronic devices, inductors and transformers. The present invention also provides energy storage devices and electrode layers for such energy storage devices having passive, electrically-conductive particles coated with one or more thin film materials.

King, David M.↗

Frequency-Selectable Laser Source for Cosmic Microwave Background Experiments

Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) experiments measure remnant radiation from the early universe and use that data to determine fundamental properties of the universe. We can constrain key parameters, such as \textit{r}, the cosmic tensor-to-scalar ratio, and $N_\text{eff}$, the effective number of relativistic species, by analyzing the CMB power spectra. Improving our measurements of the CMB requires improving our instrument systematics, one of the most important of which is detector bandpass. Current experiments use a Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) to measure bandpass. However, the FTS is systematics limited, and cannot achieve the accuracy needed to make improved CMB measurements. For this reason, we are developing a new instrument, the Frequency-Selectable Laser Source (FLS) to decrease the uncertainty in bandpass by an order of magnitude. In this paper, we describe work completed to support the version 2 upgrade to the FLS. Using ray-tracing software, we modeled the FLS optics to set physical tolerances for the new design. We also discuss the laser calibration, and future work to be completed in further development of the FLS upgrade.

Rosen-Turits, Gabriel M. [Fermilab]↗

CovTransformer: A transformer model for SARS-CoV-2 lineage frequency forecasting

With hundreds of SARS-CoV-2 lineages circulating in the global population, there is an ongoing need for predicting and forecasting lineage frequencies and thus identifying rapidly expanding lineages. Accurate prediction would allow for more focused experimental efforts to understand pathogenicity of future dominating lineages and characterize the extent of their immune escape. Here, we first show that the inherent noise and biases in lineage frequency data make a commonly-used regression-based approach unreliable. To address this weakness, we constructed a machine learning model for SARS-CoV-2 lineage frequency forecasting, called CovTransformer, based on the transformer architecture. We designed our model to navigate challenges such as a limited amount of data with high levels of noise and bias. We first trained and tested the model using data from the UK and the USA, and then tested the generalization ability of the model to many other countries and US states. Remarkably, the trained model makes accurate predictions two months into the future with high levels of accuracy both globally (in 31 countries with high levels of sequencing effort) and at the US-state level. Our model performed substantially better than a widely used forecasting tool, the multinomial regression model implemented in Nextstrain, demonstrating its utility in SARS-CoV-2 monitoring. Assuming a newly emerged lineage is identified and assigned, our test using retrospective data shows that our model is able to identify the dominating lineages 7 weeks in advance on average before they became dominant. Overall, our work demonstrates that transformer models represent a promising approach for SARS-CoV-2 forecasting and pandemic monitoring.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

2020 International Conference on Smart Grids and Energy Systems (SGES)

This paper is concerned about phasor-based linear state estimation of three-phase power grids which contain non transposed lines and unsymmetrical branches. It builds upon our previous work where the linear measurement equations were decoupled into three independent sets via the symmetrical component transformation. Such a transformation may however not fully decouple the measurement equations if there are nontransposed transmission lines and unsymmetrical branches in the system. This paper addresses this limitation by deriving additive terms that compensate for the remaining coupling between sequence measurements after the application of the conventional transformation. It will be shown that general unbalanced threephase power grids can still be transformed into three decoupled subsystems and their state estimation solution can be obtained in parallel by the proposed approach.

Khalili, Ramtin↗

A Medium Voltage Three-Stage Power Converter Topology for Distribution Grid Scale Energy Storage Systems

This work proposes a three-stage converter topology with a medium frequency isolation transformer for direct integration of energy storage systems into medium voltage distribution grids. The distributed architecture of the topology, using standard AC/DC converters, has been developed with the aim of plug-and-play capability and voltage and power scalability. The medium frequency transformer facilitates improved power density, while its 20:1 voltage translation capability enables the use of limited voltage level (500 Vdc) of the commercially available batteries. This paper presents the topology structure and details how it can be scaled to reach the full range of the distribution grid voltages and the required power levels. A transformer design for 500 Hz rated frequency is discussed. The control scheme of the converter equipped with voltage support, frequency support, and black start capabilities is also presented. Control hardware-in-the-loop results using OPAL-RT, with converter switching models connected to a weak IEEE-4 node test feeder modified for the aforementioned grid services, are provided to show the topology feasibility.

Chinthavali, Madhu Sudhan↗

Probing the proton exchange kinetics of BaZr 0.1 Ce 0.7 Y 0.1 Yb 0.1 O 3− δ ceramic electrolyte by operando diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy

Proton exchange kinetics plays an important role in governing the performance of intermediate-temperature protonic ceramic electrolysis cells (PCECs) for hydrogen production. Our understanding of the nature of the surface hydration reaction at the single-cell level, however, remains very limited, hampering further efficiency improvements. Here, in this study, we developed a custom operando diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) platform that operates under high temperature and steam conditions with applied bias. Quantitative investigations of surface H 2 O/D 2 O isotope exchange in a BaZr 0.1 Ce 0.7 Y 0.1 Yb 0.1 O 3−δ (BZCYYb1711) protonic electrolyte-based single cell were conducted under different applied voltages using this DRIFTS platform, to gain molecular-level insight into hydration kinetics. The findings show that the application of an external voltage significantly enhances the surface proton exchange rate, decreasing the apparent activation energy from 29.1 kJ mol −1 at open-circuit voltage (OCV) to 6.8 kJ mol −1 at 1.3 V. In addition, distinct voltage-induced spectral shifts in O–D vibrations point to dynamic changes in surface hydration. These findings demonstrate a sensitive spectroscopic platform for probing interfacial proton processes and reveal strong electrochemical control over surface proton kinetics, offering new opportunities for probing electrolyte hydration behavior in PCECs.

36 - MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Single Shot Characterization of High Transformer Ratio Wakefields in Nonlinear Plasma Acceleration

We report that plasma wakefields can enable very high accelerating gradients for frontier high energy particle accelerators, in excess of 10 GeV/m. To overcome limits on single stage acceleration, specially shaped drive beams can be used in both linear and nonlinear plasma wakefield accelerators (PWFA), to increase the transformer ratio, implying that the drive beam deceleration is minimized relative to acceleration obtained in the wake. In this Letter, we report the results of a nonlinear PWFA, high transformer ratio experiment using high-charge, longitudinally asymmetric drive beams in a plasma cell. An emittance exchange process is used to generate variable drive current profiles, in conjunction with a long (multiple plasma wavelength) witness beam. The witness beam is energy modulated by the wakefield, yielding a response that contains detailed spectral information in a single-shot measurement. Using these methods, we generate a variety of beam profiles and characterize the wakefields, directly observing transformer ratios up to R=7.8. Lastly, a spectrally based reconstruction technique, validated by 3D particle-in-cell simulations, is introduced to obtain the drive beam current profile from the decelerating wake data.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

MultiGreen: A multiplexing architecture for GreenGate cloning

Genetic modification of plants fundamentally relies upon customized vector designs. The ever-increasing complexity of transgenic constructs has led to increased adoption of modular cloning systems for their ease of use, cost effectiveness, and rapid prototyping. GreenGate is a modular cloning system catered specifically to designing bespoke, single transcriptional unit vectors for plant transformation—which is also its greatest flaw. MultiGreen seeks to address GreenGate’s limitations while maintaining the syntax of the original GreenGate kit. The primary limitations MultiGreen addresses are 1) multiplexing in series, 2) multiplexing in parallel, and 3) repeated cycling of transcriptional unit assembly through binary intermediates. MultiGreen efficiently concatenates bespoke transcriptional units using an additional suite of level 1acceptor vectors which serve as an assembly point for individual transcriptional units prior to final, level 2, condensation of multiple transcriptional units. Assembly with MultiGreen level 1 vectors scales at a maximal rate of 2*⌈ log 6 n ⌉+3 days per assembly, where n represents the number of transcriptional units. Further, MultiGreen level 1 acceptor vectors are binary vectors and can be used directly for plant transformation to further maximize prototyping speed. MultiGreen is a 1:1 expansion of the original GreenGate architecture’s grammar and has been demonstrated to efficiently assemble plasmids with multiple transcriptional units. MultiGreen has been validated by using a truncated violacein operon from Chromobacterium violaceum in bacteria and by deconstructing the RUBY reporter for in planta functional validation. MultiGreen currently supports many of our in-house multi transcriptional unit assemblies and will be a valuable strategy for more complex cloning projects.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗

Deletion of biofilm synthesis in Eubacterium limosum ATCC 8486 improves handling and transformation efficiency

Abstract Eubacterium limosum is an acetogenic bacterium of potential industrial relevance for its ability to efficiently metabolize a range of single carbon compounds. However, extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) produced by the type strain ATCC 8486 is a serious impediment to bioprocessing and genetic engineering. To remove these barriers, here we bioinformatically identified genes involved in EPS biosynthesis, and targeted several of the most promising candidates for inactivation, using a homologous recombination-based approach. Deletion of a single genomic region encoding homologues for epsABC, ptkA, and tmkA resulted in a strain incapable of producing EPS. This strain is significantly easier to handle by pipetting and centrifugation, and retains important wild-type phenotypes including the ability to grow on methanol and carbon dioxide and limited oxygen tolerance. Additionally, this strain is also more genetically tractable with a 2-fold increase in transformation efficiency compared to the highest previous reports. This work advances a simple, rapid protocol for gene knockouts in E. limosum using only the native homologous recombination machinery. These results will hasten the development of this organism as a workhorse for valorization of single carbon substrates, as well as facilitate exploration of its role in the human gut microbiota.

Sanford, Patrick A.↗

Carbon-efficient conversion of natural gas and natural-gas condensates to chemical products and intermediate feedstocks via catalytic metal–organic framework (MOF) chemistry

The net-zero carbon emission scenario of stopping hydrocarbon use as fuel is unlikely to end the extraction of fossil hydrocarbons. Remaining will be a sizable need for hydrocarbons as feedstocks for commodity chemicals destined for transformation into polymers, manufacturing-relevant intermediates, and value-added chemicals. Historically, the primary feedstock source has been oil. Over the past dozen years, however, fracking-based extraction of shale-trapped natural gas from known enormous reserves, in North America, has resulted in feedstock sourcing instead from wet shale gas. This shift has transformed the catalytic chemistry of commodity chemical manufacturing. In this paper, following a brief discussion of the merits and limitations of crystallographically well-defined metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as model catalysts and catalyst-supports, we examined their applications for understanding and potentially enabling carbon-economical, catalytic transformation of C 1 , C 2 , C 3 , and C 4 components of natural gas to desirable commodity chemicals, intermediates, or model compounds.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

Evaluating the Thermal Impacts of Inadvertent Export on Service Transformers

As more DER interconnect to the system there are times where the total generation (or load) of a DER cannot be supported by the system. To more quickly allow these DER to interconnect they may need to regulate their output to a different export capacity than their nameplate capacity via a power control system (PCS). In the time it takes PCS to respond, however, an inadvertent export may occur, where the DER operates beyond its export limit. This report evaluates the potential thermal impact such momentary violations may have on service transformers, to determine whether response times should be more tightly controlled or not.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Planar Transformer With Asymmetric Integrated Leakage Inductance Using Horizontal Air Gap

This article presents a novel planar-based transformer winding and core structure with controllable leakage inductance generation for integrated magnetics applications. As a result of limitations in integrated magnetics from the literature, a new approach is proposed utilizing semi-interleaved windings and controllable leakage via a leakage flux core leg featuring a horizontal air gap. Here, the proposed transformer design is analyzed via detailed reluctance modeling to determine closed-form equations for the magnetizing and asymmetrically distributed leakage inductances. Next, a genetic-algorithm-based multiobjective design optimization problem is developed, seeking to minimize the core and winding losses of the proposed transformer subject to a set of parametric and geometric constraints in a dc-ac dual-active-bridge topology for microinverter applications. The optimization was extended to include other integrated magnetic structures from the literature, where it is determined that the proposed transformer is superior from the perspectives of efficiency, footprint area, and parasitic capacitance. Based on the results of the optimization analysis, two designs with theoretical transformer California Energy Commission (CEC) efficiency drops (i.e., CEC efficiency reduction specifically due to the transformer loss mechanisms) of 1.19% and 0.83% were fabricated and evaluated for electrical and thermal performance in the proposed 40 V, 400 W microinverter.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Reducing Non-Radiative Recombination in Perovskite Solar Cells with a SiO2-Graphene Oxide Buried Interface Layer

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have emerged as a transformative photovoltaic technology. However, the device performance of inverted PSCs is dramatically limited by surface defects and the underlying film morphology of metal halide perovskite (MHP) thin film. Herein, we report a novel buried interface layer consisting of SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) chemically bonded to graphene oxide (GO), deposited atop a hydrophobic hole extraction layer (HEL) to address this limitation. The SiO2 NPs serve as insoluble scaffolds that immobilize GO sheets on the hydrophobic HEL surface, enabling the formation of homogeneous MHP thin films. Meanwhile, the GO functional groups interact with surface-uncoordinated Pb2+, suppressing interfacial defects and guiding crystal grain growth of the resultant MHP thin films. This synergistic effect suppresses non-radiative charge recombination and enhances charge extraction efficiency. As a result, a 26.07% efficiency with significantly suppressed photocurrent hysteresis is observed from PSCs incorporating the SiO2-GO buried interface layer. Moreover, the above PSCs maintain 92% of their initial PCE after 1800 h of continuous operation at the maximum power point under AM 1.5 G (100 mW/cm2) illumination at 25 degrees C in air with 50-60% relative humidity. These results demonstrate that we have developed a facile and effective way to realize high-performance inverted PSCs.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗