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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 343 records · Page 19
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Diagnosis of PV Cell Passivation Degradation Resulting from Hot-Humid, High Voltage Potential Aging

Corrosion of the antireflective coating on the cell ("AR c corrosion") was previously observed in studies using hot-humid test conditions with external high voltage (HV) bias. Because AR c corrosion is not well understood, mini-modules (MiMos) were examined in a comparative experiment using PERC and PERT as well as legacy Al-BSF cells. For separate MiMos with the cell circuit electrical at +1500 V, -1500 V, or unbiased "V oc", test conditions in the comparative study included 60degrees C/60% RH for 96 h, as in IEC TS 62804-1; 70degrees C/70%RH for 200 h; and 85degrees C/85% RH for 200 h. Characterizations at each read point included: camera and electroluminescence (EL) imaging, colorimetry, and I-V curve tracing. Characterizations at the final read point included: SunsVoc; spatially mapping external quantum efficiency (EQE); high resolution: photoluminescence (PL), EL, and dark lock-in thermographic (DLIT) imaging. Forensics were performed on extracted cores, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and scanning Auger microscopy (SAM). Forensics were also conducted on MiMos (stepped HV aging) and full-sized modules (outdoor aging) from previous studies. AR c corrosion was specifically observed for the glass/encapsulant/cell side of +1500 V (HV+) stressed MiMos, where appearance, color, and reflectance were the characteristics most distinguished relative to simultaneously occurring degradation modes. SEM/EDS and SAM identified conversion of silicon nitride to silicon oxide or hydrous silica, preferentially occurring at the edges and tips of the pyramidal textured cell surface.

aging↗
DOE OSTI2024

Development of an MKID frequency-to-pixel LED mapper for SPT-3G+

SPT-3G+ is the next-generation camera for the South Pole Telescope (SPT). SPT is designed to measure the cosmic microwave background (CMB) and the mm/sub-mm sky. The planned focal plane consists of 34,000 microwave kinetic inductance detectors (MKIDs), divided among three observing bands centered at 220, 285, and 345 GHz. Each readout line is designed to measure 800 MKIDs over a 500 MHz bandwidth, which places stringent constraints on the accuracy of the frequency placement required to limit resonator collisions that reduce the overall detector yield. To meet this constraint, we are developing a two-step process that first optically maps the resonance to a physical pixel location, and then next trims the interdigitated capacitor (IDC) to adjust the resonator frequency. We present a cryogenic LED apparatus operable at 300 mK for the optical illumination of SPT-3G+ detector arrays. We demonstrate integration of the LED controls with the GHz readout electronics (RF-ICE) to take data on an array of prototype SPT-3G+ detectors. We show that this technique is useful for characterizing defects in the resonator frequency across the detector array and will allow for improvements in the detector yield.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2024

A Vision–based Robust $\mathcal{H}$ ∞ Gain Scheduling Longitudinal and Lateral Following Controller for Autonomous Vehicles on Urban Curved Roads

Implementing advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in congested and intricate urban traffic scenarios poses significant challenges. To address the frequent stop–and–go motions exhibited by autonomous vehicles (AVs) navigating urban roads with changes in curvature, we propose a vision–based robust $\mathcal{H}$ ∞ adaptive cruise control system (ACC) for longitudinal control, plus a lane keeping assist system (LKAS) for lateral control. For the vision-based ACC, a weighted probability objective function for the vehicle following behavior is formulated. We incorporate $\mathcal{H}$ ∞ performance and gain scheduling techniques to mitigate the impact of uncertainty in visual sensor measurements. Furthermore, the optimal time headway is scheduled based on the velocity to ensure traffic flow efficiency and safety during the vehicle following process. For the LKAS, we introduce a road curvature estimation method that integrates lane and vehicle dynamics information to obtain the lateral and heading offsets. Next, the design criterion of the observer–based robust gain scheduling lateral motion controller is established by linear matrix inequality (LMI). Here, a series of experiments conducted within a camera–in–loop platform validate the proposed method.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Background-Oriented Schlieren Velocimetry of Helium Coolant Flow in Additively Manufactured Channels

High-pressure helium gas cooling is an attractive solution for thermal management of the fusion blanket first wall, as this coolant is chemically and neutronically inert and separable from hydrogenic species. However, due to the low thermal mass of helium, geometric optimization of these channels is required to provide sufficient cooling at manageable flow rates and pumping burdens. Increasingly, analysis and optimization of these coolant channels rely on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, and these require relevant experimental data for turbulence model validation. Toward this end, a high-pressure helium gas flow visualization system has been employed to image the flow of helium in flow channels with one-sided heating, mimicking the blanket first wall environment. Flow of helium at 4 MPa pressure and flow rates up to 68 g/s (Reynolds number 57 000) is supplied to rectangular channel test sections, with uniform heating applied to the bottom wall of the channel at heat fluxes varied between roughly 50 and 130 kW/m2. A high-speed camera is used to image index of refraction (IOR) gradients in the fluid via background-oriented schlieren (BOS), and temperature and pressure instrumentation are used to characterize thermal-hydraulic performance of each channel. Cross correlation of time-resolved BOS images is then used to calculate time-averaged 2-D helium velocity fields. Flow in additively manufactured (AM) channels is examined in this manner, including both featureless channels and those containing baffling as a heat transfer enhancement. The flow distribution seen in the featureless case differs significantly from that seen in prior simulations, whereas the flow in the baffled case shows the predicted behavior of flow forced along the heated wall. This augmented flow distribution is seen to increase the heat transfer coefficient in the baffled test section. Here, strategies are discussed for ongoing and future validation of these simulations, with the aim of model deployment for blanket cooling design and optimization.

Additive manufacturing↗
DOE OSTI2024

Climate, food and humans predict communities of mammals in the United States

Abstract Aim The assembly of species into communities and ecoregions is the result of interacting factors that affect plant and animal distribution and abundance at biogeographic scales. Here, we empirically derive ecoregions for mammals to test whether human disturbance has become more important than climate and habitat resources in structuring communities. Location Conterminous United States. Time Period 2010–2021. Major Taxa Studied Twenty‐five species of mammals. Methods We analysed data from 25 mammal species recorded by camera traps at 6645 locations across the conterminous United States in a joint modelling framework to estimate relative abundance of each species. We then used a clustering analysis to describe 8 broad and 16 narrow mammal communities. Results Climate was the most important predictor of mammal abundance overall, while human population density and agriculture were less important, with mixed effects across species. Seed production by forests also predicted mammal abundance, especially hard‐mast tree species. The mammal community maps are similar to those of plants, with an east–west split driven by different dominant species of deer and squirrels. Communities vary along gradients of temperature in the east and precipitation in the west. Most fine‐scale mammal community boundaries aligned with established plant ecoregions and were distinguished by the presence of regional specialists or shifts in relative abundance of widespread species. Maps of potential ecosystem services provided by these communities suggest high herbivory in the Rocky Mountains and eastern forests, high invertebrate predation in the subtropical south and greater predation pressure on large vertebrates in the west. Main Conclusions Our results highlight the importance of climate to modern mammals and suggest that climate change will have strong impacts on these communities. Our new empirical approach to recognizing ecoregions has potential to be applied to expanded communities of mammals or other taxa.

Kays, Roland↗
DOE OSTI2025

Deer Vigilance and Movement Behavior Are Affected by Edge Density and Connectivity

ABSTRACT Animal behavior is an important component of individual, population, and community responses to anthropogenic habitat alteration. For example, antipredator behavior (e.g., vigilance) and animal movement behavior may both be important behavioral responses to the increased density of habitat edges and changes in patch connectivity that characterize highly modified habitats. Importantly, edge density and connectivity might interact, and this interaction is likely to mediate animal behavior: linear, edge‐rich landscape features often provide structural connectivity between patches, but the functional connectedness of patches for animal use could depend upon how edge density modifies animal vigilance and movement. Using remote cameras in large‐scale experimental landscapes that manipulate edge density (high‐ vs. low‐density edges) and patch connectivity (isolated or connected patches), we examined the effects of edge density and connectivity on the antipredator behavior and movement behavior of white‐tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ). Deer vigilance was 1.38 times greater near high‐density edges compared to low‐density edges, regardless of whether patches were connected or isolated. Deer were also more likely to move parallel to connected high‐density edges than all other edge types, suggesting that connectivity promotes movement along high‐density edges. These results suggest that increases in edge density that accompany human fragmentation of existing habitats may give rise to large‐scale changes in the antipredator behavior of deer. These results also suggest that conservation strategies that simultaneously manipulate edge density and connectivity (i.e., habitat corridors) may have multiple effects on different aspects of deer behavior: linear habitat corridors were areas of high vigilance, but also areas where deer movement behavior implied increased movement along the habitat edge.

Bartel, Savannah L. [University of Wisconsin‐Madis↗
DOE OSTI2024

Effects of human presence on African mammal waterhole attendance and temporal activity patterns

Abstract Human impacts on the environment and wildlife populations are increasing globally, threatening thousands of species with extinction. While wildlife‐based tourism is beneficial for educating tourists, generating income for conservation efforts, and providing local employment, more information is needed to understand how this industry may impact wildlife. In this study, we used motion‐activated cameras at 12 waterholes on a private game reserve in northern Namibia to determine if the presence of humans and permanent infrastructure affected mammal visits by examining their (1) number of visits, (2) time spent, and (3) diel activity patterns. Our results revealed no differences in the number of visits based on human presence for any of the 17 mammal species studied. However, giraffes ( Giraffe camelopardalis ) spent more time at waterholes before observer presence compared to during. Additionally, several species changed diel activity patterns when human observers were present. Notably, several carnivore and ungulate species increased overlap in their activity patterns during periods while humans were present relative to when humans were absent. These modifications of mammal temporal activity patterns due to human presence could eventually lead to changes in community structure and trophic dynamics because of altered predator–prey interactions. As humans continue to expand into wildlife habitats, and wildlife‐based tourism increases globally, it is imperative that we fully understand the effects of anthropogenic pressures on mammal behavior. Monitoring of wildlife behavioral changes in response to human activity is crucial to further develop wildlife tourism opportunities in a way that optimizes the impact of conservation goals.

Patterson, J. R. [Savannah River Ecology Lab, Warn↗
DOE OSTI2025

Review of High‐Speed Digital Image Correlation: Advancements and Good Practices

This paper reviews the current state of the art in high‐speed (HS) and ultrahigh‐speed (UHS) digital image correlation (DIC) techniques, emphasizing their critical role in experimental research across various scientific domains. HS and UHS DIC have evolved significantly, driven by advancements in camera systems, image processing algorithms and experimental methodologies. These developments have opened new avenues for capturing and analysing dynamic events with unprecedented temporal and spatial detail, but not without introducing challenges such as optical distortions, motion blur and lighting issues that can affect measurement quality. This review advocates for standardized reporting practices in HS/UHS DIC methodologies to improve reproducibility and reliability across studies, drawing on guidelines from the International Digital Image Correlation Society (iDICs). Through a comprehensive analysis of over 150 articles, this review identifies key advancements in imaging technology and their application in six research domains: material characterization, test development, fracture mechanics, model validation, ballistic and explosive phenomena assessment and measurement uncertainties. Distinctions between two‐dimensional (2D) and stereo‐DIC applications are explored, offering insights into their practical implementation and trade‐offs. Good practices for HS/UHS DIC applications are proposed along with suggestions for future directions for this evolving field, highlighting the indispensable role of technological innovation in expanding the capabilities of optical metrology.

experimental mechanics↗
DOE OSTI2024

Optical Flow Diagnostics of Counter Fluidization of Gravity-Driven Moving Packed Bed for a CSP Receiver Section Featuring Staggered Array of Cylindrical Pins

Particle fluidized beds have the potential to improve the efficiency of heat transfer in concentrated solar receiver furnace for use in next generation concentrated solar power (CSP) plants. This study presents an experimental investigation on the flow characterization of vertically downward moving packed bed with counter fluidization through an array of jets. To control the bubble size and its distribution in the bubbling fluidized bed, an array of cylindrical pin fins was arranged uniformly across the test article. The flow visualization was performed on the surface of transparent glass coated with electrically conductive materials for electrostatic dissipation purposes. The image acquisition was carried out via high-speed camera at a frequency of ~ 1kHz. The acquired images were analyzed in pairs with the help of a modern optical flow algorithm capable of calculating the movement of dense particle flow in the fluidized bed by tracking the light intensity of each predefined window of the frames. A comparison of fluidized beds with plane and pin-finned channels revealed distinct bubble behavior. Pin-finned channels were found to produce a larger number of small-sized bubbles, while plane channels generated fewer but larger bubbles at any given instant. The presence of pin fins was observed to reduce bubble size by preventing bubble merging and splitting larger bubbles when they encountered a pin.

concentrating solar power↗
DOE OSTI2025

Experimental Analysis of Advanced Turbine for Supercritical CO2 Power Cycle

An advanced first stage high pressure turbine blade for a supercritical CO2 power cycle is tested in the Big Rig for Aerothermal Stationary Turbine Analysis (BRASTA) annular cascade at the Purdue Experimental Turbine Aerothermal Laboratory (PETAL) high pressure blow down facility alongside a baseline blade for comparison of aerodynamic performance. Both geometries are tested simultaneously using a novel off-axis rig design to allow for the blade geometries to be scaled up to achieve higher Reynolds numbers. The off-axis design necessitates the use of discrete sectors of airfoils, which are designed and additively manufactured in house using an mSLA printer. Printing the blades allows for unique routing of passage for blade surface static pressure taps that contour to the blade shape instead of requiring a straight line view from surface tap to egress, allowing all instrumentation for 15%, 50%, and 85% span to exist in the same passage. A flow conditioning gauze [1] is placed upstream of the blade passages to impart pressure, Mach, and swirl profiles to mimic the rotor relative frame inlet conditions to the blade. Downstream, a sonic valve is used to alter the backpressure to achieve different pressure ratios for different blowdown setpoints. The design of the rig, sonic wheel, and instrumentation are discussed along with the manufacturing and GD&T of the blades with respect to the build-up of this novel experimental apparatus. Initial commissioning data is obtained from inlet total pressure and temperature rakes, blade static pressure taps, and exit total pressure rakes. Oil visualization is performed using a silicone oil mixture containing titanium dioxide and pigmented for contrast of the blade suction side surface with the hub and shroud endwalls. The viscosity of the oil is tuned so that the oil does not fully thin and blow away during the time of the test, and endoscopic cameras are placed in the rig for live monitoring and recording. The preliminary oil visualization and rake profiles are presented, showcasing the operability of this additively manufactured off-axis flow path design.

Tuite, Logan [Purdue University]↗
DOE OSTI2024

Static metrology of the meter-scale deformable heliostat

This paper describes a heliostat metrology system which is developed based on deflectometry, utilizing a static perforated panel instead of conventional dynamic monitor displays to provide incident rays. The developed method is named static screen deflectometry (SSD). This robust and scalable method is especially valuable for outdoor tests of large reflectors used in concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP) systems. The developed method has been successfully demonstrated on a 2.4 𝑚 × 3.3 𝑚 float glass deformable reflector bent to focus sunlight at 113 𝑚 distance throughout a day. From images obtained from a camera at 50𝑚 distance, the reflector surface was measured to an accuracy of less than 1 𝑚𝑟𝑎𝑑 rms slope error in the full test scope.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Performance of the first mechanically-coupled twisting heliostat: encircled energy vs angle of incidence, and closed loop tracking

The first automatic twisting heliostat, with 8 m2 reflector, was completed and tested on-sun in January 2024. It was set up on a target-oriented dual-axis mount, with the target-axis aimed at a target 113 m to the west. The shape-twisting is purely automatic, made by a mechanical cam coupling to the cross-axis, which turns as the angle of incidence of the sun’s rays on the reflector. Three unsaturated images taken at different times of day were recorded of the sun on the target, reflected at angles of incidence of 5°, 49° and 68°. The measured FWHM of three images is very similar, about 1.09 m or 9.5 mrad, only slightly larger than an ideal solar disc, indicating that the different twisted reflector shapes are close to the ideal biconics needed to image the sun. The encircled energy measured for all three images was similar, 87% within approximately 1.30 m diameter. We report here also on a novel, tracking camera that employs a semitransparent beamsplitter fixed perpendicular to the mirror surface and to the plane of incidence. Over 2.5 hours of measurement of closed loop tracking, errors were ≤ 0.36 mrad rms, in both tracking axes.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Automated nuclear cloud feature extraction from film

Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives incidents require rapid detection and characterization for appropriate response. For a nuclear detonation, visible-light cameras may be used to locate the cloud and characterize fallout deposition when coupled with numerical models. Films from the United States’ nuclear testing era compose the only sizeable collection of imagery depicting high-yield detonations. These films offer unique insights into characteristics of flows involving scales that are difficult to replicate experimentally, and they are a valuable source of data for the validation of models for nuclear fallout transport, either as part of emergency response or forensic activities. In this work, we implement modern computer vision and machine learning techniques to identify and track the cloud automatically and subsequently determine the time dependence of some of its features. We trained a ResNet-18 image classifier on hundreds of images to categorize nuclear cloud morphology. Each category or cloud regime is determined by early cloud evolution and is associated to constitutive properties of the flow, such as distribution of vorticity. Next, we identified keypoint features using the KAZE algorithm and tracked these keypoints in the images, allowing us to determine the dimensions and velocities of the cloud across film frames. These measurements converted to real-world units provide valuable experimental data that can be used in the development and validation of nuclear cloud models. We compared the results of this method against manual cloud rise measurements from two different films. In one, our automated method accelerated the feature extraction process without sacrificing measurement accuracy.

Khristy, Joel [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000209963060)↗
DOE OSTI2025

Complex surface topographic changes from explosive experiments at the Dry Alluvium Geology site, southern Nevada, United States

Understanding the surface topographic change that results from underground explosions is important for global security. Current techniques to relate the surface change to underground explosion characteristics usually involve assuming the earth has homogenous properties, leading to highly variable interpretations. Here we use an unoccupied aerial platform and a digital single lens reflex camera along with 200+ ground control points surveyed with a real-time kinematic global navigation satellite system to measure the surface topographic change resulting from two underground explosions at the Dry Alluvium Geology site in Yucca Flat, Nevada National Security Site, southern Nevada, United States. We find areas of 5–7 cm of subsidence that are not directly above the explosion source but rather 200–300 m away. For experiment DAG2, this zone is located south and west of the explosion, while for DAG4, there is a zone of subsidence located northeast of the explosion. In addition, late-time measurements show as much as 5 cm of horizontal change without measurable associated vertical change in the weeks following DAG4 but not DAG2. These indicate that the deformation resulting from underground chemical explosions can be very complex and bear little to no resemblance to predictions using half-space models. It is likely the tectonic environment plays a significant role in controlling the surface change, but the details are not fully understood.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Web Based Beamline Control System (Bluesky Web) v0.1.0

Bluesky Web is a web based interface that provides beam line controls to the end user. It allows users to issue commands to various physical devices at a beam line end station like motors and cameras. It utilizes an open source Python library (Bluesky) as the controller. It uses Bluesky to also allow for running "plans" or a sequence of device operations that can be used when running an experiment. This program is different from other controls technologies because it is intended to be open source and can be accessed from a web browser, as opposed to other paid software that is run as a stand-alone application on a computer.

De Leon, Seij↗
DOE OSTI2025

Radsource Mr: Mixed Reality Planning Tool For Radioactive Recovery

The RadSource MR system leverages Meta Quest 3's advanced mixed reality capabilities to create a comprehensive spatial planning platform for end-of-life sealed radioactive source recovery operations. The application utilizes the Quest 3's high-resolution passthrough cameras and spatial mapping algorithms to generate accurate 3D environmental models. Core technical components include: (1) Real-time spatial measurement algorithms calculating distances, angles, slopes, and surface areas with sub-centimeter accuracy; (2) Virtual object placement system allowing users to position digital representations of recovery equipment (trailers, containment vessels, protective barriers) within the real environment; (3) Voice recording and annotation system for hands-free documentation in protective equipment; (4) 3D mesh capture and storage capabilities for post-operation analysis and regulatory documentation. (5) Procedure documentation is available for viewing in Mixed Reality, providing an innovative and convenient way to access the information during pre-visit and inspection activities. (6) Support for screen capture for the view for real world and virtual objects together to use it later for planning. The system integrates computer vision techniques for environmental understanding, spatial mathematics for precise measurements, and human-computer interaction principles optimized for hazardous environment operations. Data persistence allows teams to save and share planning sessions across multiple stakeholders while maintaining operational security requirements.

Khadka, Rajiv [Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Id↗
DOE OSTI2026

IPC-Fusion (Infrastructure Perception and Control (IPC): Multisensor Data Fusion Software) [SWR-25-153]

As part of the National Laboratory of the Rockies' (NLR’s) Infrastructure Perception and Control Laboratory, the IPC-Fusion toolkit provides a probabilistic, scalable, multi-sensor fusion framework that integrates (late-stage fusion) heterogeneous object detection data from traffic sensors to enable robust, real-time tracking of roadway occupants. The algorithmic design of the toolkit is motivated by the need for creating a digital twin of traffic at the edge in a scalable and affordable manner. The software operates by combining object-level measurements (such as position and velocity) from a suite of sensors (such as radar, lidar, camera) using Kalman filtering and probabilistic data association techniques to overcome individual sensor limitations and achieve superior tracking performance in complex traffic zones. The framework addresses key challenges including heterogeneous measurement uncertainties, asynchronous data streams, varying spatiotemporal data resolutions, robust data association, and adaptive object lifecycle management. Validated on real-world traffic intersection data including vehicles and pedestrians, IPC-Fusion demonstrates enhanced tracking reliability across scenarios involving occlusions, sensor failures, and varying traffic densities, supporting the broader IPC initiative's goal of transforming transportation infrastructure through advanced perception capabilities for intelligent transportation systems, traffic safety applications, and autonomous vehicle support.

Sandhu, Rimple [National Laboratory of the Rockies↗
DOE OSTI2026

lumicap v0.1

Automated HDR luminance imaging system designed for daylighting research and building science. It controls a fisheye-lens camera to capture time-lapse bracket sequences, merges them into calibrated HDR images, and runs a full post-processing pipeline — all unattended. Features: - Scheduled LDR bracket capture via gphoto2 - HDR merging with vignetting, ND filter, and fisheye projection corrections - Illuminance and luminance meter integration (Konica Minolta T-10A, LS-100/150) - Daylight glare probability (DGP) and solar position computation - Automated false-color rendering, JPEG thumbnails, and daily time-lapse video - CSV data logging per timestep Uses: - Long-term monitoring of daylight conditions in buildings - Glare analysis for occupant comfort research - Solar irradiance and sky luminance studies Advantages: - End-to-end automation — capture, calibration, analysis, and archiving run without manual intervention - Built on the proven Radiance toolchain, ensuring photometrically accurate HDR output - Hardware-agnostic meter support via serial auto-detection - Lightweight — no GUI overhead, deployable on a headless Raspberry Pi or similar embedded system

Wang, Taoning [Lawrence Berkeley National Laborato↗