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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 253 records · Page 14

Development of a mobile toolmark characterization/comparison system [Development of a mobile, automated toolmark characterization/comparison system]

Since the development of the striagraph, various attempts have been made to enhance forensic investigation through the use of measuring and imaging equipment. This study describes the development of a prototype system employing an easy-to-use software interface designed to provide forensic examiners with the ability to measure topography of a toolmarked surface and then conduct various comparisons using a statistical algorithm. Acquisition of the data is carried out using a portable 3D optical profilometer, and comparison of the resulting data files is made using software named “MANTIS” (Mark and Tool Inspection Suite). The system has been tested on laboratory-produced markings that include fully striated marks (e.g., screwdriver markings), quasistriated markings produced by shear-cut pliers, impression marks left by chisels, rifling marks on bullets, and cut marks produced by knives. Using the system, an examiner has the potential to (i) visually compare two toolmarked surfaces in a manner similar to a comparison microscope and (ii) use the quantitative information embedded within the acquired data to obtain an objective statistical comparison of the data files. Finally, this study shows that, based on the results from laboratory samples, the system has great potential for aiding examiners in conducting comparisons of toolmarks.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Development of boron oxide potentials for computer simulations of multicomponent oxide glasses

Molecular dynamics and related atomistic computer simulations are effective ways in studying the structures and structure–property relations of glass materials. However, simulations of boron oxide (B 2 O 3 )-containing oxide glasses pose a challenge due to the lack of reliable empirical potentials. This paper reports development of a set of partial charge pairwise composition-dependent potentials for boron-related interactions that enable simulations of multicomponent borosilicate glasses, together with some of the existing parameters. This set of potentials was tested in sodium borate glasses and sodium borosilicate glasses and it is shown capable to describe boron coordination change with glass composition in wide composition ranges. Structure features such as boron N 4 value, density, Q n species distribution, fraction of non-bridging oxygen around boron and silicon, total correlation function, and bond angle distribution function were calculated and compared with available experimental data. Mechanical properties of the simulated glasses calculated with the new potential also show good agreement with experiments. Therefore, this new set of potential can be used to simulate boron oxide-containing multicomponent glasses including those with wide industrial and technology applications.

nuclear, defects, corrosion↗

Developing high-frequency ultrasound tomography for testicular tumor imaging in rats: An in vitro study

Purpose: This paper describes a feasibility study for developing a 35-MHz high-frequency ultrasound computed-tomography (HFUCT) system for imaging rat testicles. Methods: The performances of two kinds of HFUCT-attenuation and sound-speed UCT-based on transmission and pulse-echo modes were investigated in this study. Experiments were carried out using phantoms and actual rat testiclesin vitro. HFUCT images were reconstructed using a filtered backprojection algorithm. Results: The phantom experimental results indicated that all types of HFUCT can determine the dimensions of a plastic cylinder with a diameter of 500μm. Compared to sound-speed HFUCT, attenuation HFUCT exhibited a better performance in recognizing a tiny sclerosed region in a gelatin phantom. Therefore, the in vitro testicular experiments were performed using attenuation HFUCT based on transmission and pulse-echo modes. The experimentally measured attenuation coefficient and sound speed for healthy rat testicles were 2.92 ± 0.25 dB/mm and 1537 ± 25 m/s, respectively. Conclusions: A homogeneous texture was evident for healthy testicles using both modes. An artificial sclerosed tumor could also be clearly observed using two- and three-dimensional attenuation HFUCT in both modes. However, an object artifact was apparent in pulse-echo mode because of ultrasound beam refraction. All of the obtained experimental results indicate the potential of using HFUCT as a novel tool for monitoring the preclinical responses of testicular tumors in small animals.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Development of Low-Intermediate Temperature Fuel Cells for Direct Conversion of Methane to Methanol Fuel

The objective of this project is development of a durable, low-cost, and high performance Low Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (LT-SOFC) for direct conversion of methane to methanol and other liquids, characterized by: a) operating temperature < 500oC, b) current density of > 100 mA/cm2 in liquid hydrocarbon production mode, c) continuous operation of > 100 h, d) cell area >100 cm2, e) cell cost per rate of product output < 100,000/bpd, f) process intensity of > 0.1 bpd/ft3, g) product yield and carbon efficiency > 50%, and h) volumetric output per cell > 30 L/day.

Torabi, Alireza↗

The Role of Radiative Interactions in Tropical Cyclone Development under Realistic Boundary Conditions

Abstract The impact of radiative interactions on tropical cyclone (TC) climatology is investigated using a global, TC-permitting general circulation model (GCM) with realistic boundary conditions. In this model, synoptic-scale radiative interactions are suppressed by overwriting the model-generated atmospheric radiative cooling rates with their monthly varying climatological values. When radiative interactions are suppressed, the global TC frequency is significantly reduced, indicating that radiative interactions are a critical component of TC development even in the presence of spatially varying boundary conditions. The reduced TC activity is primarily due to a decrease in the frequency of pre-TC synoptic disturbances (“seeds”), whereas the likelihood that the seeds undergo cyclogenesis is less affected. When radiative interactions are suppressed, TC genesis shifts toward coastal regions, whereas TC lysis locations stay almost unchanged; together the distance between genesis and lysis is shortened, reducing TC duration. In a warmer climate, the magnitude of TC reduction from suppressing radiative interactions is diminished due to the larger contribution from latent heat release with increased sea surface temperatures. These results highlight the importance of radiative interactions in modulating the frequency and duration of TCs.

Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences↗

Development of a broad-host synthetic biology toolbox for Ralstonia eutropha and its application to engineering hydrocarbon biofuel production

Background: The chemoautotrophic bacterium Ralstonia eutropha can utilize H 2 /CO 2 for growth under aerobic conditions. While this microbial host has great potential to be engineered to produce desired compounds (beyond polyhydroxybutyrate) directly from CO 2 , little work has been done to develop genetic part libraries to enable such endeavors. Results: We report the development of a toolbox for the metabolic engineering of Ralstonia eutropha H16. We have constructed a set of broad-host-range plasmids bearing a variety of origins of replication, promoters, 5' mRNA stem-loop structures, and ribosomal binding sites. Specifically, we analyzed the origins of replication pCM62 (IncP), pBBR1, pKT (IncQ), and their variants. We tested the promoters P BAD , T7, P xyls/PM , P lacUV5 , and variants thereof for inducible expression. We also evaluated a T7 mRNA stem-loop structure sequence and compared a set of ribosomal binding site (RBS) sequences derived from Escherichia coli, R. eutropha, and a computational RBS design tool. Finally, we employed the toolbox to optimize hydrocarbon production in R. eutropha and demonstrated a 6-fold titer improvement using the appropriate combination of parts. Conclusion: We constructed and evaluated a versatile synthetic biology toolbox for Ralstonia eutropha metabolic engineering that could apply to other microbial hosts as well.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Imaging in 3D under pressure: a decade of high-pressure X-ray microtomography development at GSECARS

The high-pressure X-ray microtomography (HPXMT) apparatus has been operating at the GeoSoilEnviroCARS (GSECARS) bending magnet beamline at the Advanced Photon Source since 2005. By combining the powerful synchrotron X-ray source and fast switching between white (for X-ray diffraction) and monochromatic (for absorption imaging) modes, this technique provides the high-pressure community with a unique opportunity to image the three-dimensional volume, texture, and microstructure of materials under high pressure and temperature. The ability to shear the sample with unlimited strain by twisting the two opposed anvils in the apparatus allows shear deformation studies under extreme pressure and temperature to be performed. HPXMT is a powerful tool for studying the physical properties of both crystalline and non-crystalline materials under high pressure and high temperature. Over the past 10 years, continuous effort has been put into technical development, modifications to improve the overall performance, and additional probing techniques to meet users’ needs. Here in this paper, we present an up-to-date report on the HPXMT system, a brief review of some of its many exciting scientific applications, and a discussion of future developments.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Data for Protoplast Fusion as a Strategy to Increase Ploidy in Rhodotorula toruloides for Strain Development

Rhodotorula toruloides is a red oleaginous yeast with growing commercial interest because of its hardiness and exceptional lipid production capacity. Because it is a basidiomycete yeast with a complex life cycle, many of the classical breeding methods used with ascomycetes are unavailable for strain improvement. However, we have been able to construct polyploid yeast by fusing protoplasts of parents with the same mating type. Fusing of Y-6985 (A2) and Y-48190 (A2), which had been transformed with complementary antibiotic markers, led to the recovery of two diploids and one triploid. The stability of the fusion yeasts was tested by plating them on non-selective medium after several growth cycles under antibiotics and then testing five colonies per strain for nuclear DNA contents using flow cytometry and standard cell cycle analysis: the triploid and one diploid were stable. Fusants inherited their mitochondria from a single parent, which was demonstrated using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of mitochondrial DNA. The phenotypic properties of the parents and fusants were compared in glucose fed-batch bioreactor studies and cellulosic sugar batch cultures. The final lipid titers for the fed-batch cultures were 24.9–39.7 g/L with Y-6985 and the diploid and triploid performing the best and worst, respectively. The fusants demonstrated intermediate hardiness for growth on hydrolysate prepared with dilute-acid pretreated switchgrass and were outperformed by Y-48190. Unlike one of the haploid parents, the fusants grew in 70% v/v concentrated hydrolysate. However, they did not grow as fast as the other haploid. In this study, a modernized protoplast fusion method is resurrected a useful tool for strain development in this yeast, which is complementary with other available methods.

FOS: Biological sciences↗

Thermal enhancement cartridge heater modified (TECH Mod) tritium hydride bed development, Part 1 - Design and fabrication

The Savannah River Site (SRS) tritium facilities have used first generation (Gen1) LaNi{sub 4.25}Al{sub 0.75} (LANA0.75) metal hydride storage beds for tritium absorption, storage, and desorption. The Gen1 design utilizes hot and cold nitrogen supplies to thermally cycle these beds. Second and third generation (Gen2 and Gen3) storage bed designs include heat conducting foam and divider plates to spatially fix the hydride within the bed. For thermal cycling, the Gen2 and Gen3 beds utilize internal electric heaters and glovebox atmosphere flow over the bed inside the bed external jacket for cooling. The currently installed Gen1 beds require replacement due to tritium aging effects on the LANA0.75 material, and cannot be replaced with Gen2 or Gen3 beds due to different designs of these beds. At the end of service life, Gen1 bed desorption efficiencies are limited by the upper temperature of hot nitrogen supply. To increase end-of-life desorption efficiency, the Gen1 bed design was modified, and a Thermal Enhancement Cartridge Heater Modified (TECH Mod) bed was developed. Internal electric cartridge heaters in the new design to improve end-of-life desorption, and also permit in-bed tritium accountability (IBA) calibration measurements to be made without the use of process tritium. Additional enhancements implemented into the TECH Mod design are also discussed. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Development of combined function dipole-quadrupole PMQs magnets for NSLS-II upgrade

This paper focuses on the R&D performed for the development of permanent magnets-based dipoles-quadrupoles combined function magnets (PMQs) for the future NSLSII upgrade “complex bend” lattice (CB). This new lattice uses PMQs that provide both bending (dipole) and strong focusing (quadrupole) magnetic field on the electron beam. The permanent magnet (PM) technology is suitable for the high magnetic field strengths (0.5 T, 130 T/m) required for such combine function magnets. PM technology leads to a compact magnet design that is essential in realizing the complex bend lattice concept, as well as a passive magnet solution which does not require electrical power supply reducing power consumption by ~ 80% (from 1.7 MW to 0.3 MW for NSLS-II). Two PMQs magnets designs are under consideration: A hybrid design that use both PM and soft iron poles, and Halbach type that is a pure PM design. Both PMQs designs present challenges in achieving the specified magnetic field quality due to their higher sensitivity to errors (mechanical tolerances and PM properties). This paper presents cost-effective designs and prototypes results for hybrid and Halbach PMQs, addressing various technical challenges while meeting the field requirements of the complex bend lattice for the NSLS-II upgrade.

N'gotta, Patrick [Brookhaven]↗

Cylindrical Magnetron Development for Nb3sn Deposition via Magnetron Sputtering

Due to its better superconducting properties (critical temperature Tc~ 18.3 K, superheating field Hsh~ 400 mT), Nb₃Sn is considered as a potential alternative to niobium (Tc~ 9.25 K, Hsh~ 200 mT) for superconducting radiofrequency (SRF) cavities for particle acceleration. Magnetron sputtering is an effective method to produce superconducting Nb₃Sn films. We deposited superconducting Nb₃Sn films on samples with magnetron sputtering using co-sputtering, sequential sputtering, and sputtering from a stoichiometric target. Nb₃Sn films produced by magnetron sputtering in our previous experiments have achieved DC superconducting critical temperature up to 17.93 K and RF superconducting transition at 17.2 K. A magnetron sputtering system with two identical cylindrical cathodes that can be used to sputter Nb₃Sn films on cavities has been designed and is under development now. We report on the design and the current progress on the development of the system.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Development of Novel RTP-like Processing for Solar Cell Fabrication using UV-Rich Light Sources: Cooperative Research and Development Final Report

NREL and Mattson Technology are interested in developing new processing techniques for fabrication of solar cells using UV-rich optical processing. UV light has a very high absorption coefficient in most semiconductors, allowing the semiconductor surface to be heated locally and, in some cases, without a significant increase in the substrate temperature. NREL has several projects related to cell processing that currently use an optical furnace (having a spectrum rich in visible and infrared light). Mattson Technology has developed a UV rich light source that can be used in either pulse or continuous modes. The objective of this CRADA is to explore applications in solar cell processing where absorption characteristics of UV light can lead to lower cell cost and/or higher efficiencies.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Development of Inorganic Precursors for Manufacturing of Photovoltaic Devices: Cooperative Research and Development Final Report, CRADA Number CRD-08-308

Both NREL and Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials are interested in the development of solution phase metal and semiconductive precursors for the manufacturing of photovoltaic devices. In particular, we intend to develop material sets for atmospheric deposition processes. The cooperation between these two parties will enable high value materials and processing solutions for the manufacturing of low cost, roll-to-roll photovoltaics.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) for Bio Imaging Research & Development Consortium between State University of New York at Stony Brook (SBU) and Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL)

SBU is launching an initiative in bioimaging, with the goal of creating an integrated approach to a wide spectrum of imaging methods and technologies and their continued development and translation, primarily but not exclusively to biomedical applications. BNL has a long tradition and record of pioneering accomplishments in positron emission tomographic (PET) imaging and associated radiotracer and instrumentation development, and in technologies generally relevant to bioimaging.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

Isothermal Battery Calorimeter Technology Transfer and Development: Cooperative Research and Development Final Report

During the last 15 years, NREL has been utilizing its unique expertise and capabilities to work with industry partners on battery thermal testing and electric and hybrid vehicle simulation and testing. Further information and publications about NREL’s work and unique capabilities in battery testing and modeling can be found at NREL’s Energy Storage website: http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/energystorage/. Particularly, NREL has developed and fabricated a large volume isothermal battery calorimeter that has been made available for licensing and potential commercialization (http://techportal.eere.energy.gov/technology.do/techID=394). In summer of 2011, NREL developed and fabricated a smaller version of the large volume isothermal battery calorimeter, called hereafter “cell-scale LVBC.” NETZSCH Instruments North America, LLC is a leading company in thermal analysis, calorimetry, and determination of thermo-physical properties of materials (www.netzschthermal-analysis.com). NETZSCH is interested in evaluation and eventual commercialization of the NREL large volume isothermal battery calorimeter.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Report 1: International Cooperation to Development of Strategy and R&D Collaboration for Substitution of Rare Earth Resources and Report 2: Development of Magnetocaloric Alloys without Critical Elements

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ames Laboratory and Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH) in April of 2011 to establish a close cooperative relationship of research on Rare Metals. The Ames Laboratory through its operating contractor, Iowa State University, and the KITECH, as one of the goals of a joint Memorandum of Understanding, made agreement on a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) for a personnel exchange in April of 2012. Ames Laboratory and KITECH would be jointly performing collaboration work in this cooperation as the Parties. The individual backgrounds and capabilities of the Parties are ideally suited to the successful execution of this work. The Ames Laboratory has a history spanning more than 60 years of pioneering work in rare-earth (RE) research. With its team of internationally recognized rare-earth experts, the Ames Laboratory is uniquely positioned to provide the knowledge, expertise and training necessary to help ensure a global leadership position for the United States in rare-earth research, development and applications. The KITECH was founded to promote technological capability of small and medium-sized enterprises in Korea and has a mission of supporting research on materials science and engineering in Korea. In 2009, Korea Institute for Rare Metals (KIRAM) at KITECH was established. KIRAM makes selection and funding decisions for technology projects for strategic rare metals, and provides oversight of R&D programs. The KIRAM is focusing on the commercialization and recycling of particular rare metals. In addition KIRAM will be coordinating government, local universities, and small to medium enterprises to facilitate R&D support for core technologies. KIRAM will be carrying them through to commercialization, and establishing new industry.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗