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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 OSTI2020

A Comprehensive Review and Qualitative Analysis of Micro-Combined Heat and Power Modeling Approaches

Concurrent production of electrical and thermal energy from a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) device is an attractive tool to address the growing energy needs of the planet. Micro CHP (µCHP) systems can reduce a building’s primary energy consumption, reduce carbon footprint, and enhance resiliency. Modeling of the µCHP helps understand the system from multiple perspectives and helps discover errors earlier, improves impact analysis and simulation of system solutions for ease of integration with the building. Consequently, there is a need for analysis of the impact of µCHP modeling approach on its reliability and flexibility. The primary objective of this paper is to review the state-of-the art models in the µCHP space with a focus towards internal combustion engine as the primary mover (PM) and limit the study to system modeling, calibration, and validation methodologies. Based on the analysis, recommendations for further model considerations and refinements are presented.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Biological Consequences of Marine Energy Development on Marine Animals

Marine energy devices harness power from attributes of ocean water to form a sustainable energy source. Knowledge gaps remain about whether marine energy systems can affect the environment, adding another threat to animal populations and habitats already under pressure from climate change and anthropogenic activities. To date, potential environmental effects have been studied under the scope of stressor–receptor interactions, where moving parts of, or emissions from, a system could harm the animals, habitats, and natural processes. While crucial for understanding effects and identifying knowledge gaps, this approach misses a holistic view of what animals may experience in the presence of marine energy systems. We look at six biological consequences and forces that drive the health of an animal population and the effects expected from marine energy development: success of early life stages; changes in competitive capabilities; growth and survival based on food availability; susceptibility to predators; injury or death; and reproductive success. We use case studies to develop this approach, focusing on a variety of marine animals. An approximate level of risk is assigned for each interaction based on the biological consequences. This work highlights the need to examine the effects of marine energy development on animal populations within their natural habitats.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2022

Seismic Waveform Inversion Capability on Resource-Constrained Edge Devices

Seismic full wave inversion (FWI) is a widely used non-linear seismic imaging method used to reconstruct subsurface velocity images, however it is time consuming, has high computational cost and depend heavily on human interaction. Recently, deep learning has accelerated it’s use in several data-driven techniques, however most deep learning techniques suffer from overfitting and stability issues. In this work, we propose an edge computing-based data-driven inversion technique based on supervised deep convolutional neural network to accurately reconstruct the subsurface velocities. Deep learning based data-driven technique depends mostly on bulk data training. In this work, we train our deep convolutional neural network (DCN) (UNet and InversionNet) on the raw seismic data and their corresponding velocity models during the training phase to learn the non-linear mapping between the seismic data and velocity models. The trained network is then used to estimate the velocity models from new input seismic data during the prediction phase. The prediction phase is performed on a resource-constrained edge device such as Raspberry Pi. Raspberry Pi provides real-time and on-device computational power to execute the inference process. In addition, we demonstrate robustness of our models to perform inversion in the presence on noise by performing both noise-aware and no-noise training and feeding the resulting trained models with noise at different signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio values. We make great efforts to achieve very feasible inference times on the Raspberry Pi for both models. Specifically, the inference times per prediction for UNet and InversionNet models on Raspberry Pi were 22 and 4 s respectively whilst inference times for both models on the GPU were 2 and 18 s which are very comparable. Finally, we have designed a user-friendly interactive graphical user interface (GUI) to automate the model execution and inversion process on the Raspberry Pi.

Manu, Daniel (ORCID:0000000154982677)↗
DOE OSTI2025

Dynamics and Formation of Antiferromagnetic Textures in MnBi 2 Te 4 Single Crystal

We report coherent X-ray imaging of antiferromagnetic (AFM) domains and domain walls in MnBi 2 Te 4 , an intrinsic AFM topological insulator. This technique enables direct visualization of domain morphology without reconstruction algorithms, allowing us to resolve antiphase domain walls as distinct dark lines arising from the A-type AFM structure. The wall width is determined to be 550(30) nm, in good agreement with earlier magnetic force microscopy results. The temperature dependence of the AFM order parameter extracted from our images closely follows previous neutron scattering data. Remarkably, however, we find a pronounced hysteresis in the evolution of domains and domain walls: upon cooling, dynamic reorganizations occur within a narrow ∼1 K interval below 𝑇 𝑁 , whereas upon warming, the domain configuration remains largely unchanged until AFM order disappears. These findings reveal a complex energy landscape in MnBi 2 Te 4 , governed by the interplay of exchange, anisotropy, and domain-wall energies, and underscore the critical role of AFM domain-wall dynamics in shaping its physical properties. These sharply defined and hysteretically evolving walls may provide a controllable AFM texture in MnBi 2 Te 4 , hinting at potential use in low-power spintronic devices based on domain-wall dynamics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Ultra-sensitive radon assay using an electrostatic chamber in a recirculating system

Rare event searches such as neutrinoless double beta decay and Weakly Interacting Massive Particle detection require ultra-low background detectors. Radon contamination is a significant challenge for these experiments, which employ highly sensitive radon assay techniques to identify and select low-emission materials. This work presents the development of ultra-sensitive electrostatic chamber (ESC) instruments designed to measure radon emanation in a recirculating gas loop, for future lower background experiments. Unlike traditional methods that separate emanation and detection steps, this system allows continuous radon transport and detection. This is made possible with a custom-built recirculation pump. A Python-based analysis framework, PyDAn, was developed to process and fit time-dependent radon decay data. Radon emanation rates are given for various materials measured with this instrument. A radon source of known activity provides an absolute calibration, enabling statistically-limited minimal detectable activities of 20 uBq. These devices are powerful tools for screening materials in the development of low-background particle physics experiments.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2021

IEEE P2988: Recommended Practice of Use and Functions of Virtual Synchronous Machines

Power systems are going through a paradigm shift from centralized generation to distributed generation. This brings unprecedented challenges to power systems stability, reliability, and security. Operating power electronic converters as Virtual Synchronous Machines (VSMs) can bring backward compatibility to power systems, unify and harmonize the integration and interaction of future power systems players, and improve power system stability, reliability, and security. This is vital for the large-scale adoption of distributed energy resources, the advancement of sustainability, and the development of a low-carbon economy. This IEEE 2988 Recommended Practice will define the fundamental principles, mandatory functions, and optional functions of a VSM, i.e., a power electronic converter that is operated to behave like conventional synchronous machines. It will not describe or specify power semiconductor devices, hardware topologies, or micro-controllers that are used to build a VSM. This talk will discuss the activities and development plan for IEEE 2988 with the aim to engaging broad stakeholders and widening participation.

Zhong, Qing-Chang↗
DOE OSTI2023

IP Protection in TinyML

Tiny machine learning (TinyML) is an essential component of emerging smart microcontrollers (MCUs). How- ever, the protection of the intellectual property (IP) of the model is an increasing concern due to the lack of desktop/server-grade resources on these power-constrained devices. In this paper, we propose STML, a system and algorithm co-design to Secure IP of TinyML on MCUs with ARM TrustZone. Our design jointly optimizes memory utilization and latency while ensuring the security and accuracy of emerging models. We implemented a prototype and benchmarked with 7 models, demonstrating STML reduces 40% of model protection runtime overhead on average.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2024

Utility Perspective on Protection Challenges with High IBR Penetration [Slides]

Utilities have seen rapid increase in Solar, Wind, and Battery Energy Storage Resources that interconnect to their electric system through Inverters. Inverter-Based Resources (IBRs) have fault current characteristics that are unlike the fault current response of traditional rotating-machine-based generators, which is well known and repeatable. IBR’s non-traditional fault current behavior is due to the IBR control scheme, which is configured to provide a clean AC output but also protect the inverter’s sensitive power electronics devices from damage, one source of which is overcurrent. This results in low fault current magnitude, low or no negative sequence current injection, the variability of sequence component currents, the variability of voltage with respect to current angles, and the lack of inertia. The control scheme also results in a fault current response that can vary between manufactures and between models of the same manufacturer. High penetration of IBRs can adversely affect the protection schemes applied in areas with high penetration of IBRs. With the proliferation of IBRs, utilities are finding out that conventional protection schemes are not adequately equipped to protect the electric systems. This is mainly because the existing protection elements and practices have been designed based on the fault current response of conventional rotating machines. In several cases, the available literature does not provide any clear solution for the issues when the protection scheme does not operate properly near IBRs. This report identifies various protection challenges due to IBRs that industry is facing, from the utility perspective. Instead of facing on one issue, this report looks broadly on all the challenges that system protection has experienced with high penetration of IBRs. Based on the IBR response from various utilities during real fault events and gathering perspective from different utility SMEs via questionnaire, the report summarizes on gathered data and internal experiences.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Semiconductor topologies and devices for soft starting and active fault protection of power converters

Various examples are provided related to semiconductor topologies and devices that can be used for soft starting and active fault protection of power converters. In one example, an active switch device includes an active switch having a gating control input; and a thyristor having a gating control input. The thyristor is coupled in parallel with the active switch. The active switch can be an IGBT, MOSFET, or other appropriate device. In another example, a power converter can include the active switch devices and switching control circuitry coupled to gating control inputs of the active switch devices.

Beddingfield, Richard B.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Automating Component-Level Stress Measurements for Inverter Reliability Estimation

In the near future, grid operators are expected to regularly use advanced distributed energy resource (DER) functions, defined in IEEE 1547-2018, to perform a range of grid-support operations. Many of these functions adjust the active and reactive power of the device through commanded or autonomous operating modes which induce new stresses on the power electronics components. In this work, an experimental and theoretical framework is introduced which couples laboratory-measured component stress with advanced inverter functionality and derives a reduction in useful lifetime based on an applicable reliability model. Multiple DER devices were instrumented to calculate the additional component stress under multiple reactive power setpoints to estimate associated DER lifetime reductions. A clear increase in switch loss was demonstrated as a function of irradiance level and power factor. This is replicated in the system-level efficiency measurements, although magnitudes were different—suggesting other loss mechanisms exist. Using an approximate Arrhenius thermal model for the switches, the experimental data indicate a lifetime reduction of 1.5% when operating the inverter at 0.85 PF—compared to unity PF—assuming the DER failure mechanism thermally driven within the H-bridge. If other failure mechanisms are discovered for a set of power electronics devices, this testing and calculation framework can easily be tailored to those failure mechanisms.

Flicker, Jack (ORCID:0000000212232154)↗
DOE OSTI2023

Interactive Power to Frequency Dynamics Between Grid-Forming Inverters and Synchronous Generators in Power Electronics-Dominated Power Systems

With increased attention on grid-forming inverters as a power system stabilizing device during high shares of inverter-based resource operations, there is a present need for a transparent and methodical investigation of the inverted and direct power to frequency control capabilities and impacts of these devices on emerging power systems. Here, analysis of the frequency dynamics of the droop-controlled grid-forming inverter and the synchronous generator illuminates the inverted active power-frequency relationship and the frequency response order reduction, forming the basis for novel, nonlinear frequency control approaches. Device-level electromagnetic transient domain simulations corroborate the order-reduction findings, establish that a properly designed dc-side system has a negligible impact on power transfer and will not impede frequency regulation, and confirm the primary frequency response improvement with nonlinear control. Simulations of the 9- and 39-bus test systems validate the order reduction and associated decoupling of the nadir and rate of change of frequency in larger networks. Oscillatory mode analysis confirms the grid-forming benefit of increased damping; decreased damping is observed at shares above 80%, but not at 100%. Finally, simulations on a validated Maui power system model with a 96% of inverter-based resources model yield a trend toward a first-order response.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2025

Enhancing EV Charging Station Resilience with Multifunctional Converter Leg Integration

In this paper, a multifunctional converter leg is integrated into an EV charger’s power circuit to enhance EV charging station resilience under power electronics converter device faults and grid outages. In the event of a device fault, it substitutes the failed converter leg, maintaining operation. During a grid outage, it assists the system as a fourth leg to the front-end converter, enabling grid-forming capability to supply power to the charging station critical loads while allowing limited power vehicle charging. The proposed approach’s effectiveness under both front-end power converter device faults and grid outage scenarios are validated through simulation and controller hardware-in-the-loop results.

Pereira Pinto, Joao [ORNL]↗
DOE OSTI2020

Thermophotovoltaic Heat Engine

This project was aimed at developing a thermophotovoltaic device that efficiently converts thermal radiation to electrical power. Historically, TPV devices have been plagued by poor robustness; this project sought to overcome this by merging innovations in nanophotonics, photovoltaics, and robust thermal engineering. Efforts were focused on developing high efficiency TPV devices which may drastically alter the electricity sector by enabling efficient (> 20%), fuel-flexible (any combustion fuel), distributed (< 10 kW) power generation. The project research identified the technical performance limits, technology differentiator, and customer value proposition for TPV devices and established technical performance requirements for a minimum viable product.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗
DOE OSTI2023

Compiler directed fine grained power management

Systems, methods, devices, and computer-implemented instructions for processor power management implemented in a compiler. In some implementations, a characteristic of code is determined. An instruction based on the determined characteristic is inserted into the code. The code and inserted instruction are compiled to generate compiled code. The compiled code is output.

Bharadwaj, Vedula Venkata Srikant↗
DOE OSTI2021

PISCES-RF: a liquid-cooled high-power steady-state helicon plasma device

Radio-frequency (RF) driven helicon plasma sources can produce relatively high-density plasmas (n > 1019 m -3 ) at relatively moderate powers (<2 kW) in argon. However, to produce similar high-density plasmas for fusion relevant gases such as hydrogen (H), deuterium (D) and helium (He), much higher RF powers are needed. For very high RF powers, thermal issues of the RF-transparent dielectric window, used in the RF source design, limit the plasma operation timescales. To mitigate this constraint, we have designed, built and tested a novel helicon plasma source assembly with a fully liquid-cooled RF-transparent window which allows steady state operations at high power (up to 20 kW) and successfully produces high-density plasma with both argon and H. Deionized (DI) water, flowing between two concentric dielectric RF windows, is used as the coolant. We show that a full azimuthal blanket of DI water does not prevent high-density plasma production. From calorimetry on the DI water, we measure the net heat removed by the coolant at steady state conditions. Using infra-red imaging, we calculate the constant plasma heat deposition and measure the final steady state temperature distribution patterns on the inner surface of the ceramic layer. The heat deposition pattern follows the helical shape of the antenna. We also show the consistency between the heat absorbed by the DI water, as measured by calorimetry, and the total heat due to the combined effect of the plasma heating and the absorbed RF. These results are being used to answer critical engineering questions for the 200 kW RF device materials plasma exposure experiment being designed at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory as a next generation plasma material interaction device.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗