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DOE OSTI2020

Spectrally selective fundamental core mode suppression in optical fibre containing absorbing rods

The feasibility of making a wavelength-selective fibre filter using fibre with absorbing rods in its silica cladding has been demonstrated theoretically for the first time. The technique described in this paper is of great practical interest for designing fibre lasers and amplifiers emitting at wavelengths where lasing is impeded by the presence of more energetically favourable radiative transitions in the active medium. In addition, the approach proposed here can be used for stimulated Raman scattering suppression. The unique feature of the fundamental core mode suppression mechanism examined is that there is a (bending) controlled spectral width of a region where excess losses are produced. (selection of papers presented at the international workshop on fibre lasers (20 – 24 September 2020, Novosibirsk))

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2023

Engineering a modular 44 Ti/ 44 Sc generator: eluate evaluation in preclinical models and estimation of human radiation dosimetry

Background: 44 Sc/ 47 Sc is an attractive theranostic pair for targeted in vivo positron emission tomographic (PET) imaging and beta-particle treatment of cancer. The 44 Ti/ 44 Sc generator allows daily onsite production of this diagnostic isotope, which may provide an attractive alternative for PET facilities that lack in-house irradiation capabilities. Early animal and patient studies have demonstrated the utility of 44 Sc. In our current study, we built and evaluated a novel clinical-scale 44 Ti/ 44 Sc generator, explored the pharmacokinetic profiles of 44 ScCl 3 , [ 44 Sc]-citrate and [ 44 Sc]-NODAGA (1,4,7-triazacyclononane,1-glutaric acid-4,7-acetic acid) in naïve mice, and estimated the radiation burden of 44 ScCl 3 in humans. Methods: 44 Ti/ 44 Sc (101.2 MBq) in 6 M HCl solution was utilized to assemble a modular ZR resin containing generator. After assembly, 44 Sc was eluted with 0.05 M HCl for further PET imaging and biodistribution studies in female Swiss Webster mice. Based on the biodistribution data, absorbed doses of 44 / 47 ScCl 3 in human adults were calculated for 18 organs and tissues using the IDAC-Dose software. Results: 44 Ti in 6 M HCl was loaded onto the organic resin generator with a yield of 99.97%. After loading and initial stabilization, 44 ScCl 3 was eluted with 0.05 M HCl in typical yields of 82.9 ± 5.3% (N = 16), which was normalized to the estimated generator capacity. Estimated generator capacity was computed based on elution time interval and the total amount of 44 Ti loaded on the generator. Run in forward and reverse directions, the 44 Sc/ 44 Ti ratio from a primary column was significantly improved from 1038 ± 440 to 3557 ± 680 (Bq/Bq) when a secondary, replaceable, ZR resin cartridge was employed at the flow outlet. In vivo imaging and ex vivo distribution studies of the reversible modular generator for 44 ScCl 3 , [ 44 Sc]-citrate and [ 44 Sc]-NODAGA show that free 44 Sc remained in the circulation significantly longer than the chelated 44 Sc. The dose estimation of 44 ScCl 3 reveals that the radiation burden is 0.146 mSv/MBq for a 70 kg adult male and 0.179 mSv/MBq for a 57 kg adult female. Liver, spleen and heart wall will receive the highest absorbed dose: 0.524, 0.502, and 0.303 mGy/MBq, respectively, for the adult male. Conclusions: A clinical-scale 44 Ti/ 44 Sc generator system with a modular design was developed to supply 44 ScCl 3 in 0.05 M HCl, which is suitable for further radiolabeling and in vivo use. Our data demonstrated that free 44 ScCl 3 remained in the circulation for extended periods, which resulted in approximately 10 times greater radiation burden than stably chelated 44 Sc. Stable 44 Sc/ 47 Sc-complexation will be more favorable for in vivo use and for clinical utility.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

DOE OSTI2023

Feasibility of Power Ramp Testing in the Advanced Test Reactor

For decades, the Halden Boiling Water Reactor (HBWR) in Norway was an international resource for assessing nuclear fuels and materials behavior and its unexpected shutdown in 2018 represented a significant loss in experimental capability for prototypical irradiation testing. In the aftermath of the closure, a study was performed to assess capability gaps related to the Accident Tolerant Fuels (ATF) program. It was concluded that the primary capability gaps left by the closure of the HBWR were the loss of prototypic in-pile Light Water Reactor (LWR) loops that provide operational transient testing and in-pile Loss-of-Coolant Accident (LOCA) testing capabilities. The study also concluded that the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) and Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT) likely have the necessary key capabilities to absorb the breadth of the HBWR mission gaps related to the ATF program, but additional investments in experimental infrastructure were needed. One such investment is the design and installation of additional pressurized water loops in the medium-I positions of the ATR, hereafter referred to as I-Loops, to support power ramp testing and testing in Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) conditions. This paper gives an overview of the planned ATR I-Loops and assesses the feasibility of performing power ramp testing inside such a loop.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2023

Pyridine-containing substrate analogs are restricted from accessing the human cytochrome P450 8B1 active site by tryptophan 281

The human oxysterol 12α-hydroxylase cytochrome P450 8B1 (CYP8B1) is a validated drug target for both type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, but effective selective inhibitors are not yet available. Herein, steroidal substrate-mimicking compounds with a pyridine ring appended to the C12 site of metabolism were designed as inhibitors, synthesized, and evaluated in terms of their functional and structural interactions with CYP8B1. While the pyridine nitrogen was intended to coordinate the CYP8B1 active site heme iron, none of these compounds elicited shifts in the CYP8B1 Soret absorbance consistent with this type of interaction. However, when CYP8B1 was cocrystallized with the pyridine-containing compound with the 3-keto-Δ4 steroid backbone most similar to the endogenous substrate, it was apparent that this ligand was bound in a channel leading to the active site, instead of near the heme iron. Inspection of this structure suggested that tryptophan 281 directly above the heme might restrict active site binding of potential inhibitors with this design. This hypothesis was supported when a CYP8B1 W281F mutation did allow all three compounds to coordinate the heme iron as designed. These results indicated that the design of next-generation CYP8B1 inhibitors should be compatible with the low-ceiling tryptophan immediately above the heme iron.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2023

Leveraging visible and near-infrared spectroelectrochemistry to calibrate a robust model for Vanadium(IV/V) in varying nitric acid and temperature levels

Spectroelectrochemistry and optimal design of experiments can be used to rapidly build accurate models for species quantification and enable a greater level of process awareness. Optical spectroscopy can provide vital elemental and molecular information, but several hurdles must be overcome before it can become a widely adopted analytical method for remote analysis in the nuclear field. Analytes with varying oxidation state, acid concentration, and fluctuating temperature must be efficiently accounted for to minimize time and resources in restrictive hot cell environments. The classic one-factor-at-a-time approach is not suitable for frequent calibration/maintenance operations in this setting. Therefore, a novel alternative was developed to characterize a system containing vanadium(IV/V) (0.01–0.1 M), nitric acid (0.1–4 M), and varying temperatures (20–45 °C). Here, spectroelectrochemistry methods were used to acquire a sample set selected by optimal design of experiments. This new approach allows for the accurate analysis of vanadium and HNO 3 concentration by leveraging UV–Vis–NIR absorption spectroscopy with robust and accurate chemometric models. The top model's root mean squared error of prediction percent values were 3.47%, 4.06%, 3.40%, and 10.9% for V(IV), V(V), HNO 3 , and temperature, respectively. These models, efficiently developed using the designed approach, exhibited strong predictive accuracy for vanadium and acid with varying oxidation states and temperature using only spectrophotometry, which advances current technology for real-world hot cell applications. Additionally, Nernstian analysis of the V(IV/V) standard potential was performed using traditional absorbance methods and multivariate curve resolution (MCR). The successful tests demonstrated that MCR Nernst tests may be valuable in highly convoluted spectral systems to better understand the redox processes' behavior.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2024

Highly Efficient Regeneration Module for Carbon Capture Systems in NGCC Applications

The objective of this project is to design, fabricate, and test a highly efficient regeneration module capable of providing an ultra-lean absorption solution that is required for capturing CO 2 from dilute sources at 95% or better efficiency. By integrating this advanced regenerator module with SRI International’s Mixed Salt Process (MSP) absorption modules, SRI expects to demonstrate significant progress toward a reduction in cost of capture versus the DOE reference natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) plant with carbon capture. SRI designed, built, and tested an advanced stripper to enhance the performance of SRI’s MSP for CO 2 capture – a transformational ammonia-based solvent technology – for natural gas (NG) power sources. The testing of the advanced stripper for MSP was conducted at an SRI site using a simulated flue gas stream equivalent to about 10 kWe. The research work included modeling of the advanced stripper and integrating it with the MSP absorbers; studying the strategies for producing very highly alkaline lean solvent with minimized emissions; operating the stripper with advanced heat integration to improve process efficiencies; and collecting critically important data for a detailed techno-economic analysis (TEA). The project tasks were designed to address concerns relating to scale-up and integration of the technology to NG power plants—more specifically, to maximize the carbon capture efficiency achievable with MSP and identify pathways to achieve higher capture efficiencies and ultimately zero net carbon emissions. SRI teamed up with a process modeling company (OLI Systems), a process and chemical engineering company (Trimeric Corporation), and a cost-sharing commercial partner (Baker-Hughes – a leading multinational company that designs, manufactures, and services transformative energy technologies) to execute the project. The research findings will accelerate the MSP development and pave the way for the technology to reach the DOE’s goal, and ultimately commercialization of the MSP technology for low-cost CO 2 capture from NGCC flue gas and other dilute CO 2 sources.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Refining Absorber Shroud Geometry to Maximize Power Output and Reduce Power Peaking in ATF Test Train

In the wake of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident in 2011, the accident tolerant fuels (ATF) program was initiated to enhance the safety of light-water reactor fuels, placing significant emphasis on cladding. A crucial step for the broad implementation of ATF in commercial reactors involves irradiation testing of the fuel designs. ATF-2D, the latest experiment in the ATF series, is slated to undergo irradiation in the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). ATF-2D is a joint effort of the INL with industry partners General Electric Global Research; Framatome; General Atomics; the Japan Atomic Energy Agency; Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd; Global Nuclear Fuel-Japan Co., Ltd; Nippon Nuclear Fuel Development Co., Ltd; and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. The ATF-2D test train design consists of four tiers, each housing six rodlets. The device will be inserted in Loop 2A within the central flux trap of the ATR, and is anticipated to undergo irradiation throughout three 60-day cycles. Typical pressurized water reactor conditions will be emulated during the irradiation. The objective of the work presented here is to dimension neutron-absorbing hafnium (Hf) components surrounding the fuel rodlets, such that the axial power profile is flattened, while simultaneously ensuring that the total fission power output of the entire test train remains below 200 kW.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Refining Absorber Shroud Geometry to Maximize Power Output and Reduce Power Peaking in ATF Test Train

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

DOE OSTI2026

Demonstration of gold nanorod systems for enhanced total efficiency: Experimental and numerical analysis

This study investigates the photothermal performance of gold nanorods engineered to exhibit longitudinal plasmon resonances at 695 nm, 780 nm, and 970 nm. The work combines synthesis, structural characterization, extinction measurements, numerical modeling, and controlled temperature experiments to quantify how nanorod geometry, resonance tuning, concentration, and chamber shape jointly influence heat generation. Transmission electron microscopy confirms that increasing nanorod aspect ratio systematically shifts the longitudinal plasmon peak toward the near-infrared region. Extinction measurements show strong agreement with theoretical predictions, validating the numerical model across two independent datasets. Three chamber geometries were tested under laser excitation at 640 nm, 808 nm, and 980 nm: an ascending stepped base, a flat base, and a descending stepped base. Without nanorods, the ascending geometry produced the highest efficiency due to enhanced natural convection. After introducing gold nanorods, all geometries exhibited substantial thermal enhancement, with total efficiencies exceeding 20%. The strongest improvement was obtained for nanorods resonant at 780 nm with a mass concentration of 4.6 mg/mL implemented on the descending stepped-base geometry. This performance resulted from the combined effect of spectral overlapping with the 808 nm laser, the highest nanorod concentration, and localized heat accumulation that intensified buoyancy-driven flow. The findings demonstrate that total efficiency is governed by a synergistic interplay between optical resonance, nanoparticle concentration, and macroscopic chamber design, revealing the system-level coupling between nanoscale plasmonic absorption and macroscale heat-transfer phenomena. The results provide a validated framework for tuning nanoscale plasmonic absorbers and optimizing thermal systems for applications requiring efficient light-to-heat conversion.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2020

Dynamic stiffness modification by internal features in additive manufacturing

Dynamic stiffness, or the product of the modal stiffness and damping ratio, is an important consideration for the design of additively manufactured parts that will experience dynamic loading. Here, this paper describes a demonstration component which was designed and manufactured in two configurations using a metal wire arc additive process. The first configuration was an open channel structure, while the second contained a dynamic absorber in the internal cavity. Frequency response measurements of the two components showed a significant magnitude reduction for the modified component at the original open channel structure's natural frequency and an overall increase in dynamic stiffness. Polymer damping material was then added to further increase the dynamic stiffness.

Additive manufacturing↗

DOE OSTI2025

Annealing-Driven Phase Control Enables Plasmonic Tunability in Alloy Nanoparticles

A critical aspect of designing and realizing useful solid state materials is controlling phase and structure to tailor physical properties. While common for semiconductor and quantum materials, plasmonic materials have inhabited a narrow phase space typically comprising one or two elements, e.g., face-centered cubic metals. While this simplicity has enabled robust use and understanding of Au and Ag nanoparticles, it has also limited the design and manipulation of solid state properties. Here, we show that by tuning the phase and elemental composition of binary Au−Sn nanoparticles, the steady-state absorbance and ultrafast thermalization properties of plasmonic nanoparticles can be controlled. Solid state characterization suggests this is due to the dealloying of Sn and destabilization of the AuSn phase, leading to higher quality Au 5 Sn intermetallic phases alongside Au. Consequently, this work shows that phase control can profoundly influence the properties of plasmonic nanoparticles, providing important tunability for applications in catalysis, photothermal heating, and sensing.

Gold↗

DOE OSTI2025

Unraveling the Mechanism of Interfacial Charge Transfer and Photoresponsivity of WS 2 Quantum Dots/MoS 2 (0D–2D) Heterostructure-Based Transistors

To assess the efficacy of a mixed-dimensional van der Waals (vdW) heterostructure in modulating the optoelectronic responses of nanodevices, the charge transport properties of the transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMD)-based heterostructure comprising zero-dimensional (0D) WS 2 quantum dots (QDs) and two-dimensional (2D) MoS 2 flakes are critically analyzed. Herein, a facile strategy was materialized in developing an atomically thin phototransistor assembled from mechanically exfoliated MoS 2 and WS 2 QDs synthesized using a one-pot hydrothermal route. The amalgamated photodetectors exhibited a high responsivity of ∼8000 A/W at an incident power of 0.05 nW of white light, surpassing that of the pristine MoS 2 devices. Furthermore, the detectivity of pristine MoS 2 , which was on the order of 10 10 , increased to 10 12 Jones for the WS 2 QDs/MoS 2 heterostructure photodetector, outperforming other WS 2 -based materials. The quasiparticle band gap and density of states (DOS) are further analyzed to elucidate the photophysics of the WS 2 QD/MoS 2 hybrid assembly. The difference in the work function between MoS 2 and WS 2 QDs gives rise to an electric field across the 0D–2D interface, facilitating effective charge separation and migration and contributing to the enhancement of photoresponsivity. The analysis of optical responses using density functional theory (DFT) revealed stronger absorption and less reflection over a broader spectrum of wavelengths for the heterostructure compared to the pristine materials. The estimated optical conductivity aligns well with the experimentally predicted maximum photoresponsivity under visible light, which is attributed to the high absorbance of 2D MoS 2 . In conclusion, combining diverse spectroscopic and imaging techniques with quantum simulation provides insights that clarify the pertinence of 0D–2D TMDs in designing phototransistors.

WS2 QDs/MoS2 heterostructure↗

DOE OSTI2026

Grain Boundary Effects on Radiation Damage and Tritium Diffusion in Li–Al–O Ceramics from Molecular Dynamics and Experiments

Understanding irradiation damage and tritium transport in LiAlO2 ceramics is essential for their deployment in tritium-producing burnable absorber rods (TPBARs). Grain boundaries (GBs) play an important role in governing radiation response and tritium transport in LiAlO2 and its secondary phase LiAl5O8. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we investigated defect evolution and tritium diffusion during displacement cascades in single-crystal and bicrystal LiAlO2 and LiAl5O8 at 600 K. The results reveal that GBs suppress the damage in the LiAlO2 bicrystals as compared to single crystals, via interstitial emission. The effect is more pronounced for Li defects, than for Al and O. In LiAl5O8 the damage reduction due to introduction of GB is less pronounced overall. Tritium diffusion coefficients at GBs are higher by factors of 2–10 relative to diffusion inside grain bulk. The effect is particularly pronounced in LiAlO2, where S5, S17, and S25 GBs promote rapid tritium transport, whereas LiAl5O8 exhibits slower diffusion due to reduced free volume at its GBs. These findings evince a trade-off that while GBs mitigate radiation damage by absorbing interstitials, they simultaneously provide fast pathways for tritium migration which is not desirable for TPBAR application. The mechanistic insights gained here establish a foundation for microstructural design strategies to balance radiation tolerance and tritium retention in ceramic breeder materials.

Roy, Ankit↗

DOE OSTI2024

Broadband and Tunable Microwave Absorption Properties from Large Magnetic Loss in Ni–Zn Ferrite

Highly effective electromagnetic (EM) wave absorber materials with strong reflection loss (RL) and a wide absorption bandwidth (EBW) in gigahertz (GHz) frequencies are crucial for advanced wireless applications and portable electronics. Traditional microwave absorbers lack magnetic loss and struggle with impedance matching, while ferrites are stable, exhibit excellent magnetic and dielectric losses, and offer better impedance matching. However, achieving the desired EBW in ferrites remains a challenge, necessitating further composition design. In this study, impedance matching is successfully enhanced and EBW in Ni–Zn ferrite is broadened by successive doping with Mn and Co , without incorporation of any polymer filler. It is found that Ni 0.4 Co 0.1 Zn 0.5 Fe 1.9 Mn 0.1 O 4 material exhibits exceptional EM wave absorption, with a maximum RL of −48.7 dB. It also featured a significant EBW of 10.8 GHz, maintaining a 90% absorption rate (RL < −10 dB) for a thickness of 4.5 mm. These outstanding properties result from substantial magnetic losses and favorable impedance matching. These findings represent a significant step forward in the development of microwave absorber materials, addressing EM wave pollution concerns within GHz frequencies, including the frequency band used in popular 5G technology.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2022

Data-driven design of novel halide perovskite alloys

The great tunability of the properties of halide perovskites presents new opportunities for optoelectronic applications as well as significant challenges associated with exploring combinatorial chemical spaces. Here, in this work, we develop a framework powered by high-throughput computations and machine learning for the design and prediction of mixed cation halide perovskite alloys. In a chemical space of ABX 3 perovskites with a selected set of options for A, B, and X species, pseudo-cubic structures with B-site mixing are simulated using density functional theory (DFT) and several properties are computed, including stability, lattice constant, band gap, vacancy formation energy, refractive index, and optical absorption spectrum, using both semi-local and hybrid functionals. Neural networks (NN) are used to train predictive models for every property using tabulated elemental properties of A, B, and X site species as descriptors. Starting from a DFT dataset of 229 points, we use the trained NN models to predict the structural, energetic, electronic, and optical properties of an extensive dataset of 17955 compounds, and perform high-throughput screening in terms of stability, band gap, and defect tolerance, to obtain 392 promising compounds that are ranked as potential absorbers according to their photovoltaic figure of merit. Compositional trends in the screened set of attractive mixed cation halide perovskites are revealed and additional computations are performed on selected compounds. The data-driven design framework developed here is promising for designing novel mixed compositions and can be extended to a wider perovskite chemical space in terms of A, B, and X species, different kinds of mixing at the A, B, or X sites, non-cubic phases, and other properties of interest.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2025

THE DESIGN OF RADIAL HONEYCOMB LATTICES FOR IMPACT ENERGY ABSORPTION IN RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS PACKAGES

In this research we present a variation on the corrugation technique of honeycomb lattices, for cylindrical honeycombs, making them much easier to design for impact energy absorption in radioactive materials packages. This variation, termed radial honeycomb lattices, eliminates the residual strain and saddle effect. The use of honeycomb lattices provides advantages over the typically used foams. While foams are effective at absorbing impact energy, they can burn, their material properties are difficult to control, they can degrade over time, and procurement of raw materials can be dependent on timing of manufacturer batch runs. While the weaknesses of foam are strengths for honeycomb lattices, lattices have a different set of problems. Typically, when cylindrical honeycomb lattices are manufactured, they are manufactured flat, wrapped around a mandrel of the desired radius, and then brazed. This approach introduces residual strains, resulting in the saddle effect, which limits both the radial thickness and cylinder length. The radial honeycomb lattice approach presented here makes the design of thicker and longer cylinder honeycombs possible. To address these issues, we propose a honeycomb lattice which changes in cross-section from the inner to the outer radius of the cylinder. This causes the lattice to automatically wrap into a cylinder as it exits the corrugating gears. The theoretically bounding case, of a square cross-section at the inner radius, transitioning through a hexagon, to a diamond cross-section at the outer radius, results in a maximum thickness of approximately 41% of the inner radius. Full mathematical derivations, implemented in computer code, allow for the design of an entire radial honeycomb lattice, including the corrugating gears. To accomplish this only the radial thickness, inner cross-section shape, cell size, and nominal gear radius need to be specified, making the design of these lattices very efficient. Radial honeycomb lattice prototypes have demonstrated that the honeycomb does indeed wrap into a cylinder as intended, without the saddle effect, and can therefore be used to create thick-walled cylinders of any length. These design improvements make cylindrical honeycomb lattices much more accessible as a design element for radioactive materials packages

Johnson, William R. [Savannah River National Labor↗

DOE OSTI2025

Hybrid Plasmonic Coupled‐Mode Metasurface Design for Shot‐Noise Limited Ppb‐Level Hydrogen Detection

Plasmonic hydrogen sensors have enabled hydrogen detection below parts-per-million (ppm) range by boosting the sensitivity using localized surface plasmonic resonant (LSPR) structures. However, the intrinsic optical losses of Palladium (Pd), the primary plasmonic metal used for hydrogen detection, result in a low quality (Q) factor LSPR, which fundamentally hinders further improvement. In this work, a hybrid plasmonic metasurface is proposed that couples Pd-based LSPR structure with an Au film supporting surface plasmon polariton mode (Au-SPP). The coupled near-perfect absorber resonance yields a spectrally narrow, high Q response that retains strong sensitivity to hydrogen while improving resonance localization. Numerical analysis shows that, under shot-noise-limited conditions, the limit of detection (LoD) can be improved by over threefold compared to the state-of-the-art designs. Furthermore, this hybrid plasmonic coupled-mode metasurface thus presents a promising pathway to achieve parts-per-billion-level (ppb-level) hydrogen detection with enhanced spectral precision and robustness.

coupled modes↗

DOE OSTI2025

Hydrodynamic characterization of the coastal pioneer array ocean observing system

Ocean observation buoys require relatively small amounts of power, yet traditionally necessitate costly resupply trips for battery replacement. With the offshore location of the buoys and small power requirements, wave energy may be an effective solution for providing consistent and reliable power to support the buoy instrumentation. The US National Science Foundation Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) includes arrays of point absorber-like buoy systems used for ocean observation that have been deployed at multiple locations including the Southern Mid-Atlantic Bight. A study is currently underway to design a pitch resonator wave energy converter to supplement existing renewable energy generation for powering observation instrumentation. This paper details field measurements from surface moorings of the OOI Coastal Pioneer Array, which informs the subsequent development of a numerical model for the moored observation system. The model is developed in Wave Energy Converter Simulator (WEC-Sim), which leverages the Simscape multibody solver within the MATLAB/Simulink framework and linear potential flow theory to simulate the hydrodynamic interactions and multibody dynamics in 6 degrees of freedom. Multiple tuning variables are considered to produce a model for the system that matches well with empirical data (about 8% error). In conclusion, the WEC-Sim model will serve as a platform for integrating the pitch resonator wave energy converter concept and deployment preparation (detailed design including power take-off and control systems, response evaluation, etc.).

hydrodynamic modeling↗