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DOE OSTI2024

Enhancing Discoverability and Management of Atmospheric Data at Scale: Solutions from the ARM Data Center

The Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) is a multi-laboratory and multi-institutional U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science National User Facility. The ARM Data Center (ADC), located at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, collects, archives, and shares vast atmospheric data crucial for climate research. The ADC manages over 7 PB of data from 460 instruments worldwide, processing it into more than 11,000 diverse data products using the Network Common Data Form (NetCDF) for machine-independent accessibility. The primary challenge addressed in this paper is the efficient management and distribution of vast and diverse datasets essential for the climate research community, enhancing accessibility through advanced tools like Data Discovery. The ADC has developed advanced infrastructure and software architecture to handle the continuous influx of heterogeneous data to enhance data discoverability, resulting in increased scientific collaboration. In 2023, users from over 34 countries downloaded and utilized ARM data, resulting in 1,455 publications. The ADC’s efforts have significantly improved the discoverability and usability of atmospheric data, fostering extensive scientific research and collaboration. This paper details the solutions implemented by the ADC team for efficient data discovery and distribution, and it demonstrates ARM’s capability of staging processed data for scientific analysis.

Shah, Chirag [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000203145737)↗

DOE OSTI2024

Advanced Fuels Campaign Execution Plan

The Advanced Fuels Campaign (AFC) Execution Plan outlines the strategy, mission, scope, near-term and long-term goals, structure, and organization associated with nuclear fuels and materials research, development, and demonstration activities within the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Supply Chain (NFCSC) program. NFCSC has been given responsibility to identify and mature advanced fuel technologies for the DOE using a science-based approach, focused on developing a fundamental understanding of nuclear fuels and materials to drive development of integrated nuclear fuel and materials technology. This science-based approach combines theory, experiments, and multiscale modeling and simulation to achieve a predictive understanding of relevant behaviors ranging from fuel fabrication processes (and their resulting fuel microstructures) through fuel/cladding performance under irradiation (in contrast to more empirical, observation-based approaches frequently used in fuel performance modeling and fuel qualification). The traditional scope of AFC includes the evaluation and development of multiple fuel forms to support two fuel cycle options: once-through and full recycle. The word “fuel” is used generically to include conventional fuels, transmutation targets, and any associated cladding or duct materials. The once-through fuel cycle addresses advanced light water reactor fuels with enhanced performance, extended burnup, and reduced waste generation. In fiscal year (FY) 2012, AFC’s scope expanded to include research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) for light water reactor (LWR) fuels with enhanced accident tolerance. Fuel fabrication activities include the development of innovative methods to enhance process efficiencies, reduce waste, and improve control over as-fabricated fuel microstructural properties to achieve desired in-reactor performance. Using modern modeling and simulation approaches, the objective is to predict fresh fuel properties given the feedstock characteristics and fabrication process parameters. The performance-related activities include small-scale, in-reactor, and out-of-reactor phenomenological testing (distinct from, but synergistic with, integral prototypic testing) and extensive, quantitative characterization (focusing on characterization of fuel and cladding materials at the scale of microstructure) both before and after testing. Larger-scale, prototypic experiments are conducted in concert with phenomenological testing to drive a Fuel Development and Qualification program, incorporating a fundamental understanding of fuel behavior performance characteristics. Then, using the tools developed under the productive science-based approach, fuels will be optimized to meet specific performance requirements, thereby minimizing the need to repeatedly perform large-scale, integral experiments over a wide parametric range as a means of experimental exploration. Two significant initiatives are underway within AFC. First, a gap analysis completed in early FY 2019 identified critical irradiation testing needs that are lacking within the national light water reactor (LWR) fuels testbed since the shutdown of the Halden Reactor in 2018. The identified gaps are for instrumented, prototypic testing of LWR fuels, especially under boiling water reactor conditions, ramp conditions, and conditions leading to fuel failure; these needs exist for supporting current LWR fuels and their possible extension to higher burnups, but are especially urgent relative to near-term development and qualification of accident-tolerant fuels. Recommendations that resulted from the Halden Gap Analysis focused on enhancements at Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) and Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT) to fill gaps in testing capabilities relative to these needs. Second, a concerted effort to develop and demonstrate a systematic approach to accelerating the development, testing, and qualification of new fuel systems has been initiated. This is highlighted by a test strategy that combines the considerable advances in multiscale, mechanistic fuel modeling of recent years with a MiniFuel separate effects test program in the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) and a Fission Accelerated Steady-state Testing (FAST) semi-integral accelerated test program in ATR. This approach is being tested/demonstrated using the metallic fuel system, but if successful it is expected to be extensible to multiple fuel types and diverse applications. This document includes an overview of the NFCSC program, a definition of science-based development of nuclear fuels, near-term goals for Advanced LWR fuels (ALFs), and longer-term goals for Advanced Reactor Fuels (ARFs) RD&D. This includes the activities that will be conducted to achieve success toward the grand challenge, as well as the goals and milestones to be achieved over the next few decades of research and development. Long-term goals are based on the DOE Office of Nuclear Energ

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Nuclear Physics Network Requirements Review (Final Report)

The Energy Sciences Network (ESnet) is the high-performance network user facility for the US Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science (SC) and delivers highly reliable data transport capabilities optimized for the requirements of data-intensive science. In essence, ESnet is the circulatory system that enables the DOE science mission by connecting all its laboratories and facilities in the US and abroad. ESnet is funded and stewarded by the Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR) program and managed and operated by the Scientific Networking Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). ESnet is widely regarded as a global leader in the research and education networking community. ESnet interconnects DOE national laboratories, user facilities, and major experiments so that scientists can use remote instruments and computing resources as well as share data with collaborators, transfer large datasets, and access distributed data repositories. ESnet is specifically built to provide Between July 2023 and October 2023, ESnet and the Nuclear Physics program (NP) of the DOE SC organized an ESnet requirements review of NP-supported activities. Preparation for these events included identification of key stakeholders: program and facility management, research groups, and technology providers. Each stakeholder group was asked to prepare formal case study documents about its relationship to the NP program to build a complete understanding of the current, near-term, and long-term status, expectations, and processes that will support the science going forward.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

DOE OSTI2024

Neutron-induced capture-to-fission cross section ratio measured at LANSCE

Capture-to-fission cross section ratios are used as an alternative to absolute cross section measurements. This is due to the simplification on the calculations and the reduction of the uncertainties with respect to an absolute measurement of the cross section by eliminating experimental complications like self-absorption, beam/target overlap and non-uniformities. Different capture-to-fission reactions have been measured through the years at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) using the Detector for Advanced Neutron Capture Experiments (DANCE) combined with different fission detectors. Some of these are a Parallel Plate Avalanche Counter (PPAC) to detect fission fragments (FF), and the NEUtron detector array at DANCE (NEUANCE) to detect fission neutrons. As DANCE detects the γ-rays produced in capture and fission reactions, the fission instrument placed inside the DANCE cavity is used to tag the fission γ-rays for background identification and subtraction. Some examples of capture-to-fission ratio measurements performed with DANCE in the last years are the 233 U, 235 U and 239 Pu. The measurement technique, the different setups, and other potential applications of the instruments will be explained.

Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)↗

DOE OSTI2026

Volatile Organic Compounds in Bankhead National Forest (AMF3). August to September, 2025

The formation of atmospheric aerosols through the transformation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is a fundamental process in aerosol-climate interactions, as these particles serve as cloud condensation nuclei and ultimately influence Earth’s radiative balance. However, there remains a critical need to quantify the effects of multiple coexisting VOC precursors on aerosol formation beyond the limitations of laboratory-scale studies. This research aims to advance the mechanistic understanding of secondary organic aerosol formation in the southeastern United States by investigating interactions among coexisting VOC precursors observed at the third ARM Mobile Facility located in the Bankhead National Forest. The dataset was generated from the deployment of Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s PTR-TOF 6000 X2 Proton Transfer Reaction Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer (PTR-ToF-MS) for the real-time, continuous monitoring of VOCs from August 21 to September 15, 2025. To minimize sampling artifacts and compound losses, the PTR-ToF-MS inlet was connected to the cabin flow line by replacing the existing Tygon tubing with 1/2-inch outer diameter perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) tubing. The instrument operated on an hourly measurement cycle consisting of 8 minutes of zero-air measurements followed by 52 minutes of ambient air sampling, with a temporal resolution of 10 seconds. The dataset includes concentrations, reported in ppb, of methanol, acetone, acetonitrile, isoprene, methyl vinyl ketone and methacrolein (MVK + MACR), monoterpenes, benzene, toluene, and catechol.

Atmospheric concentration of volatile organic comp↗

DOE OSTI2024

Johnson-noise-limited cancellation-free microwave impedance microscopy with monolithic silicon cantilever probes

Abstract Microwave impedance microscopy (MIM) is an emerging scanning probe technique for nanoscale complex permittivity mapping and has made significant impacts in diverse fields. To date, the most significant hurdles that limit its widespread use are the requirements of specialized microwave probes and high-precision cancellation circuits. Here, we show that forgoing both elements not only is feasible but also enhances performance. Using monolithic silicon cantilever probes and a cancellation-free architecture, we demonstrate Johnson-noise-limited, drift-free MIM operation with 15 nm spatial resolution, minimal topography crosstalk, and an unprecedented sensitivity of 0.26 zF/ √ Hz. We accomplish this by taking advantage of the high mechanical resonant frequency and spatial resolution of silicon probes, the inherent common-mode phase noise rejection of self-referenced homodyne detection, and the exceptional stability of the streamlined architecture. Our approach makes MIM drastically more accessible and paves the way for advanced operation modes as well as integration with complementary techniques.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

DOE OSTI2026

Quantum Enhanced Fiber Sensing for Oil and Gas Applications (Final Technical Report)

The major goal of the project was to develop a quantum sensing approach compatible with current infrastructure in the oil and gas industry that could provide a quantum enhancement, with a focus towards pipeline leak detection. The proposed approach to achieving this goal consisted of the use of quantum states of light to enhance the sensitivity of fiber optic sensors beyond the classical limit. To address the limitations of existing commercial leak detection, the project focused on the study of two technologies: distributed acoustic sensors (DAS) and fiber Bragg grating (FBG)-based sensors. The initial phase of the project centered around the identification and mitigation of dominant sources of classical noise to enable operation at the classical shot noise limit (SNL). The second phase focused on the use of quantum resources to obtain sensitivities beyond the classical SNL. The final phase sought to combine quantum noise reduction techniques with advanced dynamical classical noise cancelation approaches.

02 PETROLEUM↗

DOE OSTI2025

Model Development and Analysis of a High-Fidelity Neutron Transport Sensor: The Quadrupole Detector Concept for Measurement of the Neutron Flux Gradient

Accurate reconstruction of the neutron flux distribution within a reactor core is essential for safe and efficient reactor operation. Traditional power shape synthesis in Light Water Reactors relies on hundreds of in-core detectors. However, this approach becomes impractical for Advanced Reactors and Microreactors due to limited space and harsh environments. To address this challenge, we propose a data-driven methodology that combines high-fidelity modeling with real-time ex-core sensor measurements, enabling the reconstruction of core power distribution while minimizing the reliance on intrusive in-core instrumentation. This project began in FY24 and achieved two initial milestones: (1) the definition of a three-year development plan for a Digital Twin framework and (2) the development of high-fidelity neutronics models of the Purdue University Reactor One (PUR-1) using both MCNP6 and OpenMC. The PUR-1 reactor, a zero-power facility, was selected due to its suitability for neutronics-focused modeling and the availability of experimental data for validation. Both models were benchmarked using neutron flux measurements obtained from irradiated gold foils, which were strategically placed within the core during a dedicated campaign in July 2024. This report marks the continuation and completion of those foundational tasks. The OpenMC model has been refined (improved geometric accuracy, expanded cross-section libraries, and refined sampling) and validated using additional experimental data. An updated sensor design—based on quadrupole configuration—was designed to measure both ex-core flux and its spatial gradient. These measurements will serve as inputs to a neural network-based reconstruction algorithm. Finally, the methodology was demonstrated on a two-dimensional test case representative of the heterogeneous material composition of the PUR-1 reactor core. A neural network implementation of the Kirchhoff-Helmholtz integral equation was employed to solve the boundary value problem using peripheral sensor measurements. The preliminary results confirm the strong potential of the proposed approach for accurate and minimally invasive neutron flux reconstruction.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Southern Ocean Aerosols Field Campaign Report

Atmospheric processes over the Southern Ocean have a profound influence on regional and global climate. This is a part of the world where global climate models perform particularly poorly, with models persistently overpredicting the amount of sunlight reaching the Earth's surface (Regayre et al. 2020). A major challenge when trying to improve the representation of atmospheric processes in this part of the globe is the scarcity of observations capable of constraining our understanding. During 2024/25 a U.S. Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) User Facility field campaign (CAPE-k) deployed a suite of instrumentation at the kennaook/Cape Grim atmospheric monitoring station in Tasmania, Australia to provide detailed cloud-aerosol observations in this region in order to address the greatest source of uncertainty in climate models – atmospheric aerosols and how they influence cloud formation (Carslaw et al. 2013). In support of the ARM observations, an Australian Research Council (ARC)-funded project “Southern Ocean aerosols: sources, sinks and impact on cloud properties,” led by the Queensland University of Technology, complemented the ARM measurements with a suite of chemical measurements at the kennaook/Cape Grim site in northwestern Tasmania to provide more information on the processes controlling aerosol formation and growth. The deployment of the University of York LIF-SO2 instrument (Temple et al. 2025) in the ARM mobile facility container was part of this chemistry-focused deployment. Increased observational efforts are critical for understanding sources and sinks of Southern Ocean aerosols, in particular the role of marine micro-organisms (phytoplankton, algae) on aerosols formation, their properties and growth, cloud droplet formation, and the conversion of cloud droplets to ice crystals and precipitation. The observational focus of the ARC-funded project is aerosol chemical composition and their gaseous precursors. The remote nature of the Southern Ocean poses a significant analytical challenge when studying gaseous precursors, as low concentrations are often below the limits of detection of commercial instrumentation. Historically this has meant that observations have had to be time-averaged over days to weeks to achieve the limits of detection required. Although useful when considering overall average levels of aerosol precursors, this time-averaging obscures temporal variability that can provide insight into the controlling processes. Over recent years advances in analytical techniques have made high-time-resolution measurements of key gas-phase aerosol precursors achievable with sufficiently low limits of detection.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2024

Diamond and SiC Detectors for Rare Event Searches

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in developing detectors which are sensitive to sub-GeV dark matter and low-energy events from coherent neutrino scattering. Due to carbon’s light atomic weight and its tendency to form crystals with high-energy, long-lived phonon modes, carbon-based crystals (including diamond and silicon carbide (SiC)) present themselves as natural target materials for scattering-based searches in this regime. Here, we present our preliminary results in adapting our TES-based detectors to these substrates, specifically 4-H SiC and polycrystalline diamond. We focus on our fabrication efforts, specifically tuning the transition temperature (T C ) of tungsten films sputtered on these materials, as well as our advancement toward fabricating and testing devices on these substrates.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

DOE OSTI2025

Early Career Award: Single Molecule Fluorescence Imaging for a Background-Free Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay Search

This project aimed to develop a suite of novel technologies targeted at detecting individual barium ions produced in neutrinoless double beta decays of 136 Xe, as part of the NEXT program of gaseous xenon detectors. We realized novel molecules which could sense Ba 2+ ions in dry conditions; new microscopy techniques operable in dry noble gases, including the required operating conditions of xenon at 10 bar pressure; and new radiofrequency ion transport methods (developed both theoretically and experimentally) that can transport ions in dense xenon gas. Together, these developments represent a major advance toward a background-free neutrinoless double beta decay experiment based on single molecule fluorescence imaging of Ba 2+ daughter ions.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2024

Design improvements to the SNS ion source and diagnostics

The U.S. Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) is a state-of-the-art neutron scattering facility delivering the world's most intense pulsed-neutron beams to a wide array of instruments which are used to conduct investigations in many fields of science and engineering. The accelerator system is fed by an RF-driven, multicusp, H - ion source which nominally provides pulsed beam currents of 50-60 mA (1ms, 60Hz). This report provides a discussion of ongoing design improvements to the SNS ion source and Low Energy Beam Transport (LEBT) as well as diagnostic upgrades undertaken since the previous ICIS conference. These improvements include (i) simple mechanical modifications to the source outlet aperture which resulted in dramatically increased extracted beam current and comparable or lower emittance at similar beam currents, (ii) design improvements to the LEBT chopper target which will enable full power beam-dumping during physics studies, (iii) refinement of the SNS Allison emittance scanner that has enabled the first reliable LEBT beam measurements at full beam power (65kV, 50-100mA, 1ms, 60Hz) on the SNS ion source test stand and (iv) the implementation of a thermal imaging camera for the monitoring the LEBT electrode temperatures. (v) The design of an advanced Cs system, capable of more efficient Cs utilization with significantly lower Cs losses from the source is also presented. Mechanical details, computational simulations and experimental results are discussed within the context of these improvements.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

DOE OSTI2024

Pre-Transient Characterization of Historic EBR-II Pins for Transient Testing

Current interest in sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) designs, such as TerraPower’s Natrium Reactor, has highlighted the need for advanced reactor fuel technology development. Modern U-Zr and U- Pu-Zr pin designs are primary candidates to fuel SFRs and boast high fuel utilization capacity, increased fuel-cladding compatibility, and improved safety through inherent feedback mechanisms. Despite over 60 years of metallic fuel irradiation, uncertainties exist in the performance of the fuel system, particularly under transient overpower (TOP) and loss of flow (LOF) scenarios. Throughout historical testing within the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II) and the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF), fuel behavior has demonstrated benign response to transient reactor conditions; however, accurate predictions of failure thresholds to inform operational limitations rely heavily on fuel composition, burnup, and irradiation history. In expanding TOP and LOF testing, the Transient Heat sink Overpower Response (THOR) Capsule will be used to test modern fuel technologies in a static sodium environment in the Transient Reactor Test (TREAT) Facility. The THOR capsule is highly instrumented and will provide time-dependent thermal behavior of SFR fuel pins subjected to accident conditions within TREAT. The THOR-Metallic (THOR- M) campaign aims to validate and expand historical TOP and LOF testing on high burnup U-Zr and U-Pu- Zr fuel alloys previously irradiated in EBR-II by running the rods to failure. This contribution focuses primarily on the pre-transient engineering-scale destructive and non- destructive characterization that has been conducted on both the test and sibling pins used for the TOP and LOF tests. All pins underwent visual examination, neutron radiography, element contact profilometry, and precise gamma scan. The sibling pins used for each test were further analyzed using gas assay, sampling, and recharge analysis (GASR), and optical microscopy. The results from each technique confirmed that the fuel pins were intact and devoid of any atypical developments when compared to historical data. Additionally, the analyzed measurements establish a baseline for comparison to post-transient analysis. Key fuel behaviors quanitifed include axial elongation of the fuel column, diametral strain of the pin, patterns in fluff structure geometry, changes in axial isotope distribution, evolution of constituent redistribution, porosity, and fission gas release. The pre-transient measurements and changes attributed to transient behavior from post-transient measurement will be compared to historical data to capture the behavioral dependence on composition, burnup, and irradiation history. Results from this work advance the initiatives of the THOR-M campaign, which aid in informing fuel performance models and establishing safety criteria for SFR operational limits. The novel combination of test environment, in-situ instrumentation, and comprehensive suite of characterization methods provides greater understanding of transient fuel behavior. Overall, information on the time and condition of pin failure for high burnup U-Pu-Zr will greatly expand the limited existing TOP and LOF test data.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Pre-Transient Characterization of Historic EBR-II Pins for Transient Testing

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

DOE OSTI2026

Development of a Test-Bed for Testing and Refining EarthEn’s Supercritical CO 2 Based Energy Storage System

EarthEn’s energy storage concept leverages supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO 2 ) as a working fluid and relies on compact, high-performance components operating at elevated pressures and temperatures. To accelerate component development and reduce technical risk prior to larger-scale demonstrations, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) developed a 100 kW-scale sCO 2 test-bed under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with EarthEn (CRADA NO. NFE-24-10050). The objective of the work was to design and construct a flexible experimental facility capable of reproducing key thermodynamic state points and heat-transfer conditions relevant to EarthEn’s thermal energy storage (TES) cycle, with particular emphasis on enabling development and evaluation of next-generation heat exchangers and TES concepts. The test-bed consists of a closed-loop sCO 2 circulation system housed within an open-topped enclosure. In its as-installed configuration, dense-phase sCO 2 is recirculated through a printed circuit recuperator, an electrically heated section, a throttling device used to simulate turbine expansion, and a water-cooled printed circuit heat exchanger that rejects heat to the building chilled-water system before returning to the pump. The pump is driven by a variable frequency drive, enabling controlled adjustment of flow and operating point. A comprehensive instrumentation suite was integrated to support both safe operation and high-quality data collection. Installed sensors include Coriolis flow meters for sCO 2 flow rate and density, resistance temperature detectors and thermocouples distributed throughout the loop (including the heated section and key heat exchanger ports), and pressure transducers for absolute and differential pressure measurements. The facility was designed to support high-pressure (19 MPa nominal) and high-temperature (575°C nominal) operation with credited overpressure protection provided by a rupture disk. Nominal operating conditions were selected to support 100 kW-class testing while maintaining flexibility for non-heated and heated shakedown, control development, and future integration of advanced TES test sections. In parallel with facility development, a system-level thermal-hydraulic model was created using Modelica-based tools to support component sizing, anticipate performance over targeted test conditions, and establish a framework for future model calibration against experimental data. At the conclusion of the project performance period, the facility was in final assembly, and the pressure boundary was nearly completed. However, several practical challenges associated with high-pressure/high-temperature systems and specialized component procurement impacted schedule and prevented initial pump-driven operation and full commissioning within the available resources. This report documents the as-built design, operating capabilities, and instrumentation, and it summarizes key lessons learned related to heater fabrication and testing, first-of-a-kind assembly factors, specialty flange supply constraints, and fill pump corrective actions. Finally, it outlines a phased plan for future commissioning and experimental campaigns, including control and instrumentation shakedown, heater characterization, model calibration, and testing at state points representative of EarthEn’s TES cycle.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

DOE OSTI2024

Plant Disease Detection Technology Assessment

Visual inspections by US Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists have identified approximately 20,000 regulated, quarantined pests each year in agricultural products entering the United States. Most of these pests identified in the Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection (AQI) program are insects. Many pathogens are difficult to detect in agricultural products, particularly in early stages of infection. New technologies can help to detect plant pathogens and the diseases that they cause. This technology assessment was performed for the US Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T) through the Food, Agriculture, and Veterinary Defense (FAV-D) program to identify emerging technologies that could address this hard problem. These emerging technologies differ in their diagnostic sensitivities and specificities, as well as in their measurement time and training requirements. New instruments that detect volatile organic compounds characteristic of plant disease or pathogens could provide a less invasive inspection method. Dogs, which can successfully detect many concealed agricultural products, have also been trained to detect some plant pests and pathogens. Simple immunological tests offer sensitive and specific detection of many pathogens at the point of use. Advanced imaging methods that use AI to sort fruits and vegetables and recognize anomalies at high speeds could be used in cooperation with exporters to improve food quality and reduce pests. Advances in nucleic acid–based detection methods that have become gold standards for confirmatory diagnostics are now making those methods available for faster, point-of-use detection. These new methods should be developed in the context of AQI operational requirements, which apply risk-based sampling protocols to protect agriculture and facilitate commerce and passenger transit.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2024

Improving the Concrete Crack Detection Process via a Hybrid Visual Transformer Algorithm

Inspections of concrete bridges across the United States represent a significant commitment of resources, given their biannual mandate for many structures. With a notable number of aging bridges, there is an imperative need to enhance the efficiency of these inspections. This study harnessed the power of computer vision to streamline the inspection process. Our experiment examined the efficacy of a state-of-the-art Visual Transformer (ViT) model combined with distinct image enhancement detector algorithms. We benchmarked against a deep learning Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model. These models were applied to over 20,000 high-quality images from the Concrete Images for Classification dataset. Traditional crack detection methods often fall short due to their heavy reliance on time and resources. This research pioneers bridge inspection by integrating ViT with diverse image enhancement detectors, significantly improving concrete crack detection accuracy. Notably, a custom-built CNN achieves over 99% accuracy with substantially lower training time than ViT, making it an efficient solution for enhancing safety and resource conservation in infrastructure management. These advancements enhance safety by enabling reliable detection and timely maintenance, but they also align with Industry 4.0 objectives, automating manual inspections, reducing costs, and advancing technological integration in public infrastructure management.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2026

Statistical Analysis of Inter-Area Oscillations in the U.S. Eastern Interconnection: A 2017-2023 Perspective

Recent advancements and the accumulation of high-resolution, long-term phasor measurement unit (PMU) data have provided detailed insights into inter-area oscillations in power grids. This study conducts a comprehensive statistical analysis of inter-area oscillations within the United States Eastern Interconnection from 2017 to 2023. Utilizing data captured by the advanced wide-area Frequency Monitoring Network (FNET/GridEye), this investigation examines the occurrence patterns, dominant frequencies, damping ratios, and excitation mechanisms of these oscillations. Our analysis sheds light on the evolving statistical behaviors of inter-area oscillations, offering updated and critical information for grid operators and planners. The insights gained from this study can be instrumental in enhancing the operational resilience of the power network and guiding strategic developments in grid infrastructure to accommodate future challenges. Additionally, the study discusses emerging challenges associated with the modernization of the power grid, including increased renewable penetration, dynamic load variability, and cyber-physical vulnerabilities that complicate oscillation monitoring and control.

Inter-area oscillations↗