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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 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Prototype HB650 Cryomodule Heat Loads Simulations

During the design stages of the PIP-II cryomodules, many analytical calculations and FEA have been performed on simpler geometry in order to estimate the heat loads and also to optimize the design. To better analyze the cryomodule cold tests, simulations have been performed with MATLAB to determine the temperature of the main components during cool down and to determine the heat loads of the cryomodule. These simulations have been applied to the High Beta 650 MHz prototype cryomodule design and compared to the cold tests performed on it.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Design Improvements in Liquid Argon Purification Techniques in DUNE Cold Electronics Test Cryostat (Iceberg)

A proposed design improvement for the removal of electronegative impurities from liquid argon for the purpose of neutrino detector research is described. The design will utilize a commercially available submersible pump to circulate liquid argon through an external filter containing molecular sieve and activated copper media, removing water and oxygen, respectively. The existing state-of-the-art filter design provides a throughput of 0.5 L/min, while the capacity of the submersible pump design is at least 4 L/min, though could be even higher depending on total losses within the filtration piping assembly. An additional benefit of the new design will be the ability to regenerate the filter media in situ without stopping the experimental testing. The following work will describe the design, operation, and expected performance using CFD analysis.

Schwartz, F.↗
DOE OSTI2026

A Graphical User Interface for the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment Robotic Test Stand

In preparation for DUNE, Fermilab along with six other institutions are testing cold electronics for quality control before components placed in the far detector. We test them by using a robotic arm that places these chips into sockets on a computer board that will test their functionality. Up until now, the chips have been tested using a command line script that drives a state machine to conduct tests step-by-step. In order to lower the skill barrier to conduct tests and to speed up the quality control process, I was tasked to create a graphical user interface that would allow users to use buttons, text boxes, and drop-down menus to input information and tell the testing state machine how to operate. I had to learn about the Python package Tkinter to start the process of widget placement. I further developed a pause feature unused in the previous command line script that would allow the user to shut down testing gracefully, bring the robotic arm to go back to ground state, and go forward or backward a step in the testing process. After completing the basic functionality of the GUI, I started testing production chips with the GUI to debug. Some issues were found, which required me to further develop parts of the inherited state machine code. The code for the GUI has now been pushed into the copy the DUNE/FD_CE git repository and will soon be merged with the official DUNE/FD_CE repository so that the other institutions testing DUNE cold electronics can use and expand upon it.

Gutierrez Villanueva, Jaziel [Fermilab]↗
DOE OSTI2021

A Full-length Quench Antenna for MQXFA Production Series Quadrupole Magnet Testing

The MQXFA production series quadrupoles being built for the Hi-Lumi (HL) LHC upgrade by the US Accelerator Upgrade Project (US-HL-LHC AUP) will have very limited instrumentation for characterizing quench events that occur during magnet training and performance validation testing. In order to understand the origin of the quenches, and whether they have some implication for ongoing magnet fabrication, it was decided to build a full-length Quench Antenna (QA) with axial resolution of 50mm to be employed during cold testing in the anticryostat used for magnetic measurements. The goal is to have fineresolution, full-length coverage detection of quench events axially, as well as to have azimuthal resolution on the order of the cable width (about 1 degree for the cross-section), in a device that can be used both for vertical and horizontal testing. To achieve this, a 5m long QA with 128 channels of high-speed data acquisition has been designed and fabricated. The cylindrical antenna features an array of 12 full-length, dipole- and quadrupole-bucked coils positioned radially in the QA interior for azimuthal localization, and over 100 individual channels of short, high-sensitivity, antennas etched as flexible PCB circuits (which also buck dipole and quadrupole fields) wrapped circumferentially on the cylinder exterior in steps of 50mm along the magnet length for axial detection. This report discusses the design, construction and analysis of the MQXFA QA, and first results from using the antenna during quench testing in the production magnets.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2024

VTS Dynamic Model and Experimental Validation for Vibration Suppression

High Q-factor superconducting radio-frequency (SRF) cavities are extremely sensitive to mechanical vibrations, which can cause an uncontrolled shift of the electromagnetic resonance frequency, with detrimental effects on the cavity performance. To avoid this phenomenon (i.e. microphonics) the dynamic behavior of the assembly must be studied, to design vibration suppression systems. In this paper, the numerical model of the Vertical Test Stand (VTS) insert adopted at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory for cold tests was studied, in the framework of the experimental characterization of Dark SRF cavities conducted by the SQMS (Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems) center. Due to the complexity of the assembly, experimental activity is of utmost importance to validate the model. Thus, vibration testing was performed on the actual system, and a good correlation between numerical and experimental results was found. Additionally, two different setups were compared, with and without implementing a preliminary passive vibration suppression system, to assess its effectiveness in reducing the microphonics phenomenon. The obtained results allowed for the design of an improved isolation system, which will be the subject of future experimental testing.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2026

The High Rigidity Spectrometer at the FRIB: Magnet Development Status

This paper presents the 2025 progress of the High Rigidity Spectrometer (HRS) project at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB). We report on the construction and testing of the first-article HRS-High Transmission BeamLine (HTBL) magnets. An HTBL dipole magnet has successfully completed cold testing, achieving full magnetic performance without quenching, and is now ready for field mapping at FRIBs offline test bench. HTBL quadrupole triplet coils have been fabricated and tested, with all coils reaching their design currents, some following initial training quenches. Furthermore, the preliminary design of the large-scale, large-aperture SPectrometer Section (SPS) magnets has progressed to determine the baseline of the downstream HRS-SPS subproject in 2025. This includes the introduction of novel magnet designs, such as the sweeper dipole magnet, the sector dipole magnet, and iron-free coil-dominated quadrupole magnets, representing a significant scale breakthrough and a first for FRIB.

Choi, Yoonhyuck↗
DOE OSTI2025

Development of the first 1 GHz niobium-tin quarter-wave cavity

Niobium-Tin (Nb3Sn) is a promising alternative to pure niobium for low-beta ion accelerators due to low RF losses even at high frequencies. At 4.5 K, the expected Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer resistance of Nb3Sn is a few nano-Ohms at 1 GHz, with two orders of magnitude improvement compared to pure niobium. The low Nb3Sn RF losses allow the use of higher frequency, much smaller cavities while maintaining 4.5 K operation that is compatible with cryocoolers. This work aims to demonstrate the feasibility of coating a high-frequency 1 GHz, compact quarter-wave cavity. The development of this cavity has the potential to transform low-beta ion accelerators through size reductions and by enabling the replacement of large helium cryoplants with small plug-in cryocoolers. We have designed, built, and tested a 1GHz Nb3Sn coated quarter-wave cavity. Nb3Sn coating has been performed once by vapor diffusion at Fermilab. Cryogenic cold tests show a quality factor of ~1E9 at low accelerating electric fields or ~7 times higher than the theoretical limit for pure niobium at 1GHz. This first coating does not yet meet our quality factor or gradient goals; however, we plan to continue to develop this cavity.

Zhou, Yang [Argonne]↗
DOE OSTI2025

Design, Fabrication and Concept for the Surface Treatment of the SRF Cavity Prototype for the CLIC Damping Rings

The Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) Damping Rings (DRs) need to generate ultra-low emittance bunches to achieve high luminosity in CLIC. This requires many wiggler magnets with big energy loss which is compensated by the Radio Frequency (RF) system. The resulting strong beam loading transients lead to a challenging design for the RF system. A novel SRF cavity at 2 GHz with an ultra-low R/Q parameter of below 1 Ω is proposed to minimize the transient beam loading effects below acceptable level. The design and fabrication of the bulk Nb prototype based on turning from a single piece of Nb and EB welding is presented. Moreover, conceptual study of the system for cavity surface treatment to achieve the highest surface magnetic field which is the main goal of the prototype cold test is described as well. To enable excellent performance in this cavity, we plan to apply the 75/120C modified low temperature bake in combination with the cold electropolishing process. This surface treatment approach has been shown to consistently deliver high accelerating gradients and improved quality factors in TESLA-shaped 1.3 GHz SRF cavities. By adapting and implementing this process for the 2 GHz ultra-low R/Q design, we aim to maximize the achievable surface magnetic field while minimizing residual resistance and field emission. This treatment strategy will be critical for demonstrating that the cavity can meet the demanding performance requirements of the CLIC damping ring RF system under high beam loading conditions.

Bafia, Daniel P. [Fermilab]↗
DOE OSTI2021

Test Results of the Prototype SSR1 Cryomodule for PIP-II at Fermilab

A prototype cryomodule containing eight Single Spoke Resonators type-1 (SSR1) operating at 325 MHz and four superconducting focusing lenses has been successfully assembled and cold tested in the framework of PIP-II project at Fermilab. The performance of cavities and focusing lenses along with test results of other cryomodule’s key parameters are presented in this contribution.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Cold Spray Cobalt Magnetostrictive Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducers for High Temperature Structure Monitoring

The Department of Energy’s Advanced Sensors and Instrumentation program seeks to develop and qualify advanced sensors for the nuclear industry. Reliable high temperature and high radiation sensors for detection and characterization of structural flaws in pipes, vessels, and structurally critical components is a weakness for both conventional light water reactors with coolant T-hot approaching 350oC, and for advanced reactors with T-hot temperatures in excess of 500 to 800oC. Magnetostrictive Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducers using a cold spray cobalt coating have been proposed as a sensor design that can withstand these kinds of temperatures and radiation levels to serve as online sensors to detect flaws before cracks, pits, or erosion/corrosion flaws progress to through-wall failures. This report tests cold spray cobalt as part of a magnetostrictive EMAT for high temperature service. Cobalt is known to have strong magnetostrictive properties however the effect of cold spray application is not well studied. This program was surprised to discover that cold sprayed cobalt exhibited little or no magnetostrictive behavior until it was thermally annealed. Following annealing to 650oC however, cold spray cobalt did exhibit a magnetostrictive response. Work to date prior to this milestone report publication showed that magnetostrictive EMAT was successfully tested to 400oC with an alnico permanent magnet. The program plans to extend testing with an electromagnet to higher temperatures. This follow-on work will be reported under subsequent publications or as a revision to this report.

Glass, Samuel W.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Testing of a 15 kA Superconducting Transformer

Here, the manufacturing of superconducting magnets for High Energy Physics (HEP) and Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) applications requires high-current conductors to generate stronger magnetic fields without increasing the inductance of the magnet. Increased inductance is undesirable due to the associated AC losses, which reduce the temperature margin; and the quench protection also becomes complicated. Testing high-current conductors with a direct current (DC) room temperature power supply is unfeasible for two primary reasons: 1) the limited capacity to supply large currents, and 2) the significant heat load losses at the current leads. A superconducting transformer offers a solution to both challenges. A 50-kA superconducting transformer is planned for manufacturing and commissioning at Brookhaven National Laboratory as part of its user facility upgrade. This transformer will facilitate the testing of superconducting cables, conductors, joints, and insert coils under high magnetic field conditions (10 T) and with currents up to 50-kA. To evaluate the manufacturing process and validate the theoretical models, the magnet division has developed and tested a 15-kA prototype transformer. A control loop has been implemented to ensure precise current delivery to the sample. This paper presents the coil design, manufacturing, and experimental results from the cold tests.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2023

Test Shipment of the PIP-II 650 MHz Transport Frame Between FNAL to STFC-UKRI

The PIP-II Project will receive fully assembled cryomodules from CEA and STFC-UKRI as in-kind contributions. Damage to these cryomodules during transport is understood to be a significant risk to the project, so an extensive testing and validation program is in process to mitigate this risk. The centerpiece of this effort is the eventual shipment from FNAL to STFC-UKRI and back of a prototype HB650 cryomodule with cold testing before and after shipment to verify no functionality changes from shipment. Most recently, a test shipment to the UK and back using a cryomodule analog was completed using realistic logistics, handling, instrumentation, and planning. The process of executing this test shipment, lessons learned, and plan moving forward will be presented here.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Successful International Validation Test Shipment of the PIP-II HB650 Cryomodule Transportation System

The PIP-II Project will receive fully assembled cryomodules from CEA and STFC-UKRI as in-kind contributions. Damage to these cryomodules during transport is understood to be a significant risk to the project, so an extensive testing and validation program has been executed to mitigate this risk. The centerpiece of this effort was the successful shipment, from FNAL to STFC-UKRI and back, of a prototype HB650 cryomodule with cold testing before and after shipment to verify no functionality changes from shipment. Building on an escalating test transport program, the prototype cryomodule was shipped to the UK and back using realistic logistics, handling, instrumentation, and planning. The process of executing this shipment, lessons learned, and plan moving forward will be presented here.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Optimization of a 123 mm Aperture Nb3Sn Dipole Coil with Stress Management

A 123 mm aperture Nb3Sn cos-theta (CT) dipole coil with stress management (SM) was developed at Fermilab to demonstrate and test the SM concept. Additive Manufacturing technology was used to produce the coil mandrel. Several changes were made to the SMCT coil design and technology based on the analysis of post-production and two cold tests of the first SMCT coil. This article describes the differences in coil design, fabrication steps, and final parameters of the second SMCT coil and its components.

Novitski, Igor [Fermilab]↗
DOE OSTI2024

Status of the INFN LASA in-kind contribution to PIP-II project

The status of INFN LASA in-kind contribution to the PIP-II project at Fermilab is reported in this paper. The effort for the series production of the 38 INFN LASA designed, 5-cell cavities with beta 0.61 for the LB650 section of the linac commenced and the status of ongoing activities and major procurements is here conveyed. At the same time, preliminary tests on INFN LB650 cavity prototypes are progressing in order to optimize the complete preparation and qualification cycle. All cavities will be produced, and surface treated in industry to reach the unprecedented performances required, qualified through vertical cold test at state-of-the art infrastructures and delivered as installation ready at the string assembly site.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗