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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 OSTI2026

Metal–Organic Framework-derived Atomic Metal Sites Promoting Sulfur Cathode for All-Solid-State Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

All-solid-state lithium–sulfur batteries (ASSLSBs) offer high energy density and intrinsic safety; however, they still face major challenges, including sluggish redox kinetics and poor sulfur utilization. Incorporating conductive materials into sulfur cathodes is an effective strategy to mitigate these limitations. Here, a highly conductive cobalt–nitrogen–doped carbon (Co–NC) derived from a metal–organic framework (MOF) is introduced to accelerate charge transfer and promote reversible sulfur conversion. Co−NC provides atomically dispersed Co–N sites and conductive carbon pathways that correlate with improved charge transfer, sulfur utilization, and rate capability. Co–NC@S cathode delivers 1499 mAh g–1 at C/20 with a high sulfur loading (5 mg cm–2) and retains 1292 mAh g–1 after five cycles (vs 443 mAh g–1 without Co–NC). Moreover, Co–NC derived ASSLSB achieves 903 mAh g–1 at 5C at 60 °C. This work provides a practical and effective approach to develop high energy, high-rate ASSLSBs.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Amorphous ZrCl 4 -Based Superionic Conductor as a Cost-Effective Solid Electrolyte for Batteries

Developing highly conductive and cost-effective solid electrolytes is essential for the commercialization of all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs). Zr-based halide electrolytes hold great promise due to their low estimated cost and high oxidation stability. However, the ionic conductivities of most of them are not high enough to enable moderate- and high-rate cycling of ASSBs. Here, fast ion transport is achieved in a group of cost-effective ZrCl 4 -based electrolytes via a design strategy to create highly disordered amorphous structures. Amorphous Li 0.8 ZrCl 4 (SO 4 ) 0.4 , with a low estimated cost of $21 kg –1 , achieves an ionic conductivity of 1.86 mS cm –1 at 25 °C. It also shows a high oxidation limit of 4.5 V vs Li/Li + and good compatibility with high-voltage cathodes, as demonstrated by the stable cycling of ASSBs (73.7% capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 1 C). Synchrotron X-ray diffraction, pair distribution function analysis, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy reveal that the outstanding conductivity of these amorphous electrolytes is closely related to their short-range and medium-range ordering, revealing new insights for designing high-performance, cost-effective solid electrolytes.

Zhang, Guangxing [Georgia Institute of Technology,↗
DOE OSTI2026

Reducing Internal Resistance in Activated Carbon Supercapacitors via Exfoliated Coal-Derived Graphene Additive

Low equivalent series resistance (ESR) is critical for high-rate energy storage devices (e.g., supercapacitors), and graphene is a promising additive for reducing ESR in carbon-based supercapacitor electrodes. However, graphene can be costly and difficult to produce at scale. This study investigates the addition of graphene, produced through electrochemical exfoliation of domestic coal-derived graphite, in activated carbon-based supercapacitors. The coal-derived graphene was incorporated at varying weight loadings and tested in symmetric supercapacitors with aqueous electrolytes. ESR was evaluated using both direct current internal resistance (DCIR) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. DCIR measurements revealed ESR reductions of ∼34%, ∼18%, and ∼21% at 3, 5, and 10 wt % loadings, respectively, compared to the baseline (0 wt %) of ∼0.54 Ω. These results were further confirmed by EIS measurements. Correspondingly, power density increased by ∼52%, ∼27%, and ∼35% at 3, 5, and 10 wt % loadings relative to the baseline (∼29 kW/kg). Additionally, the electrodes exhibited moderate increases in specific capacitance and energy density, along with stable cycling performance (capacitance retention above 85% after 100,000 cycles) and capacitive behavior (α = 0.95−0.97), suggesting favorable charge transfer kinetics. These findings highlight the potential of exfoliated coal-derived graphene as an effective additive for supercapacitor electrodes.

capacitors↗
DOE OSTI2026

Thermal Regulation of CO 2 Activation Pathways via Interfacial Water Restructuring Enables Ampere-Level, Near-Unity CO Electrosynthesis

Electrochemical reduction of CO 2 to CO is a key step in carbon utilization technologies, yet maintaining high CO selectivity under elevated temperatures relevant to industrial membrane-electrode-assembly (MEA) electrolyzers remains challenging due to the competing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Additionally, the temperature dependence of CO selectivity on Cu-based catalysts has remained largely unexplored. Here, we demonstrate that incorporating atomic In or Sn into Cu fundamentally reshapes the selectivity of Cu catalysts at elevated temperatures. Dilute alloy catalysts, In 1 Cu and Sn 1 Cu, achieve >95% FE of CO over a broad current-density window (0.1−1.1 A cm −2 ) at 60 °C in MEA electrolyzers, far exceeding their performance at ambient temperature. In situ attenuated total reflection surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy suggests that elevating temperature depletes interfacial water activity, which favors a shift in CO 2 activation from a proton-coupled *COOH pathway toward an electron-driven *COO − -associated pathway, while also suppressing HER and CO hydrogenation. In contrast, benchmark CO-selective catalysts such as Ag exhibit minimal temperature-induced changes in CO production at 20−60 °C. These findings identify temperature as an unavoidable yet previously underutilized operating parameter in MEA electrolyzers for high-rate, selective CO production on Cubased catalysts.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2026

Bioadaptive Ni single atoms unlock high rate microbial electrosynthesis of isopropanol from CO 2

Hybrid systems that integrate electrochemical CO 2 reduction with microbial upgrading offer a viable route to high value organic compounds from CO 2 at ambient conditions. However, electrocatalyst deactivation in microbial growth media remains a key barrier, limiting efficiency and increasing cost. Here we show that a bioadaptive single-atom nickel catalyst (Ni SAC), coupled with genetically engineered Clostridium ljungdahlii, enables robust electrosynthesis of isopropanol (IPA) from CO 2 via a CO-mediated pathway. Instead of relying on H 2 as an electron carrier, the system applies high-rate CO formation in complex growth media, maintaining a tunable CO Faradaic efficiency up to 92%, which is 9.4 to 52.7 times greater than conventional Ag catalysts. This performance supports stable IPA production at current density of 10.8 A/m 2 and production rate of 161.3 mg/L/day. In situ Raman and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, together with theoretical calculations, indicate that the Ni SAC can resist competing organic adsorption and retain its coordination structure during CO 2 reduction in bioelectrolytes, providing a mechanistic basis for the catalyst stability and integrated process performance.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2026

Characterization of UV optical components for photon detector calibration in liquid argon TPCs

Large liquid argon time projection chambers (LArTPCs)require stable and well-characterized delivery of ultraviolet (UV)light for in situ calibration of photosensors at cryogenictemperatures. This article reports bench-top and cryogenicmeasurements of the optical components used in a UV lightcalibration system, including multi-mode fused-silica fibers,SMA-to-SMA connectors, optical fiber feedthroughs, andlight-diffuser assemblies. Light loss in several fiber types and SMAconnectors was measured across wavelengths from275–970 mm. In addition,light-loss measurements of the tested fibers after severalliquid-nitrogen thermal cycles showed no statistically significantdegradation relative to baseline measurements, and high-rate pulsedexposure (30–90 million pulses from a275 nm LED) likewise showed nomeasurable aging in jacketed fibers. A compact, palm-sized,3D-printed PEEK diffuser housing with stacked UV-grade fused-silicadiffusers yields Lambertian emission and the most uniform angulardistribution. Optical components exhibiting improved UV transmissionwere deployed successfully in multiple DUNE small- and large-scaleprototypes, demonstrating reliable operation of UV light calibrationsystem. These findings inform component selection and calibrationprocedures for achieving reliable, uniform UV light delivery inlarge-scale cryogenic detectors such as DUNE.

Behera, B. [South Dakota Sch. Mines Tech.] (ORCID:↗
DOE OSTI2026

Towards a self-driving trigger at the LHC: adaptive response in real time

Real-time data filtering and selection—or trigger—systems at high-throughput scientific facilities such as the experiments at the Large Hadron Collider must process extremely high-rate data streams under stringent bandwidth, latency, and storage constraints. Yet these systems are typically designed as static, hand-tuned menus of selection criteria grounded in prior knowledge and simulation. In this work, we further explore the concept of a self-driving trigger, an autonomous data-filtering framework that reallocates resources and adjusts thresholds dynamically in real-time to optimize signal efficiency, rate stability, and computational cost as instrumentation and environmental conditions evolve. We introduce a benchmark ecosystem to emulate realistic collider scenarios and demonstrate real-time optimization of a menu including canonical energy sum triggers as well as modern anomaly-detection algorithms that target non-standard event topologies using machine learning. Using simulated data streams and publicly available collision data from the Compact Muon Solenoid experiment, we demonstrate the capability to dynamically and automatically optimize trigger performance under specific cost objectives without manual retuning. Our adaptive strategy shifts trigger design from static menus with heuristic tuning to intelligent, automated, data-driven control, unlocking greater flexibility and discovery potential in future high-energy physics analyses.

Emami, Shaghayegh [Michigan U.] (ORCID:00090007589↗
DOE OSTI2026

Measurement of 𝐵 meson production fraction ratios in proton-proton collisions at √𝑠 = 13 TeV using open-charm and charmonium decays

Production fraction ratios of 𝐵 + , 𝐵 0 , and 𝐵$^{0}_{𝑠}$ mesons are measured in proton-proton collisions at √𝑠 = 13 TeV using a special dataset recorded in 2018 with high-rate triggers designed to collect an unbiased sample of 1⁢010 𝑏 hadrons with the CMS experiment at the LHC. These data allow the study of the open-charm decays of 𝐵 mesons (𝐵 (𝑠) → 𝜋⁢𝐷 (𝑠) ) where the 𝐷 meson decays into fully hadronic final states. By utilizing known branching fractions and precise theoretical calculations, production fraction ratios as functions of 𝐵 meson transverse momentum (𝑝 T ) and rapidity (𝑦) are measured using open-charm decays in the kinematic range of 8 < 𝑝 T < 60 GeV and |𝑦| <2.25. In addition, the same dataset is used to measure the relative production fraction ratios with the charmonium decay channels [𝐵 (𝑠) →𝑋⁢𝐽/𝜓 with 𝑋 indicating a 𝐾 + , 𝐾*(892) 0 , or 𝜙⁡(1020) meson] where the 𝐽/𝜓 meson decays into a pair of muons. The open-charm results are used to normalize the relative production fraction ratios obtained from the charmonium samples. Measurements of the ratios of branching fractions of 𝐵 meson decays to charmonium and open-charm final states are also reported, which will improve the world-average values of these ratios. Finally, we test isospin invariance in 𝐵 meson production in proton-proton collisions and observe that it holds within the experimental precision.

Bottom mesons↗
DOE OSTI2026

Zero-added-loss entanglement multiplexing using time-bin spectral shearing

High-quality quantum communications that enable important capabilities, such as distributed quantum computing and sensing, will require quantum repeaters for providing high-quality entanglement. To realize high-rate heralded entanglement for quantum repeaters, Chen et al . [Phys. Rev. Appl. 19 , 054029 (2023)] proposed a scheme for heralded-multiplexed generation of quasideterministic entangled photon pairs, called zero-added-loss multiplexing (ZALM). Here, we propose a design of the ZALM source using time-bin entanglement and spectral shearing. Additionally, we provide an analysis of experimentally relevant spectral-shearing parameters to optimize the spectral multiplexing. Moreover, we experimentally verify the compatibility of time-bin pulses and spectral shearing, as supported by observation of no appreciable phase shift when the same shearing is applied to both time bins. These results expand the benefits of applying a ZALM source to time-bin entanglement use cases. Moreover, more fully demonstrating time-bin and spectral shearing compatibility clears a path toward a broader use of spectral shearing that provides a deterministic frequency shift of high utility.

entanglement production↗
DOE OSTI2026

Commissioning of the large-scale lead tungstate scintillating calorimeter

Here, we report on the installation and initial commissioning of a large-scale lead tungstate (PbWO4) scintillating crystal calorimeter developed for high-rate photon detection and precise energy measurement. The calorimeter comprises 1596 high-granularity, high-resolution scintillating crystals optimized for electromagnetic-shower detection over a wide energy range. Scintillation light from each crystal is read out by Hamamatsu R4125 photomultiplier tubes equipped with a custom voltage divider and front-end amplifier to ensure stable gain at high rates. All calorimeter modules were fabricated and characterized using a light-emitting diode–based optical test system prior to installation to verify uniformity and photodetector performance. After installation, the electromagnetic calorimeter was fully integrated into the experiment data acquisition and energy-based trigger systems. The optical response of the modules was equalized using the light-monitoring system, cosmic-ray muons, and photons from Compton-scattering events. Commissioning results demonstrate a reliably calibrated optical response and stable detector performance during the first run. These results validate the calorimeter design and commissioning methodology for large-scale scintillator-based photonic instrumentation.

Analog to digital converters↗
DOE OSTI2026

Process Optimization and Real-Time Control of Synergistic Microalgae Cultivation and Wastewater Treatment (Final Technical Report)

The overarching goal of this work was to accelerate the commercialization of high productivity, mixed community microalgal treatment technologies for the synergistic treatment of wastewater and the production of biofuel feedstocks. This project addressed a critical barrier to the financial viability and energy efficiency of algal wastewater treatment: an inability to design and operate high-rate processes that reliably achieve target effluent qualities, areal productivities, and biochemical compositions (lipid, protein, carbohydrate content) despite fluctuations in wastewater composition, weather, and microbial communities. Key outcomes from this work include an optimized and controlled Advanced Biological Nutrient Recovery (ABNR) design as well as a suite of open-source tools that include a calibrated and validated algae process simulator in QSDsan and a novel low-cost, real-time microbial monitoring tool. These tools can be leveraged by other algal cultivation and wastewater treatment technology developers in future work.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Non-Contact Eddy Current Method for Assessing Proton Conductivity in Nafion Membranes

Accurate measurement of proton conductivity in Proton Exchange Membranes (PEMs) is vital for fuel cell performance and durability. This study explores eddy current testing as a non-destructive, non-contact and high-rate quality control (QC) method for measuring Nafion membrane proton conductivity, with potential for high-volume manufacturing applications.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Signal Processing in SBND with Calibrated and Validated Electronics and Field Responses

SBND is a liquid argon time projection chamber in Fermilab’s Short-Baseline Neutrino Program, located 110 m from the neutrino source and operating in a high-rate environment with unprecedented statistics. Charged particles from neutrino interactions ionize the argon, and the resulting electrons drift to the anode wires, inducing current signals recorded as raw waveforms. These waveforms are a convolution of deposited charge with the electronics and TPC field responses, making accurate signal processing essential for recovering the true charge distribution. Signal processing forms the starting point for SBND reconstruction, directly impacting hit finding, charge calibration, clustering, and the reconstruction of tracks and showers, and therefore playing a key role in energy reconstruction and particle identification. In this poster, we present an overview of the SBND signal processing chain, including noise removal, channel-by-channel electronics correction, signal identification, and deconvolution using measured electronics and TPC field responses. We demonstrate that the two kernel functions—electronics and field responses—achieve high precision when compared to data, ensuring that the SBND signal processing chain provides a robust and accurate foundation for event reconstruction and precision physics measurements.

Singh, Prabhjot [Louisiana State U.] (ORCID:000000↗
DOE OSTI2026

Two 28-nm front-end ASICs for ultra-fine spatial resolution and precision timing to be 3D integrated with 12 LGADs

The 3DIntSenS Collaboration—a joint effort between SLAC, Fermilab, and LLNL—is developing enabling technologies for next-generation radiation imaging detectors that combine ultra-fine spatial resolution (about 10 µm) with precision timing (<20 ps), while maintaining low power <1 W/cm2 and high data throughput. The approach leverages 3D integration between advanced CMOS readout ASICs and finely pixelated LGAD sensors to achieve the performance and scalability required for large-area, high-rate applications. High-granularity, precision-timing detectors are essential for scientific advances in HEP, NP, BES, and FES, but widespread adoption is limited by the cost and complexity of 3D integration. To close this gap, the collaboration is developing LGAD sensors compatible with 12-inch commercial CMOS processes, enabling cost-effective integration with high-performance ASICs under development. We present two 28 nm CMOS ASIC prototypes, including a low-jitter front end, and in-pixel TDC demonstrating sub-10 ps timing resolution. These advances represent a critical step toward scalable, high-resolution radiation imaging systems for future scientific instrumentation.

England, Troy [Fermilab] (ORCID:0000000154405255)↗
DOE OSTI2026

Two 28-nm front-end ASICs for ultra-fine spatial resolution and precision timing to be 3D integrated with 12 LGADs

The 3DIntSenS Collaboration—a joint effort between SLAC, Fermilab, and LLNL—is developing enabling technologies for next-generation radiation imaging detectors that combine ultra-fine spatial resolution (about 10 µm) with precision timing (<20 ps), while maintaining low power <1 W/cm2 and high data throughput. The approach leverages 3D integration between advanced CMOS readout ASICs and finely pixelated LGAD sensors to achieve the performance and scalability required for large-area, high-rate applications. High-granularity, precision-timing detectors are essential for scientific advances in HEP, NP, BES, and FES, but widespread adoption is limited by the cost and complexity of 3D integration. To close this gap, the collaboration is developing LGAD sensors compatible with 12-inch commercial CMOS processes, enabling cost-effective integration with high-performance ASICs under development. We present two 28 nm CMOS ASIC prototypes, including a low-jitter front end, and in-pixel TDC demonstrating sub-10 ps timing resolution. These advances represent a critical step toward scalable, high-resolution radiation imaging systems for future scientific instrumentation.

England, Troy [Fermilab] (ORCID:0000000154405255)↗
DOE OSTI2026

Microstructure Validation of Graph Theory Model-Derived Cooling Rates in the Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing of ER70S-6 Steel

Wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) enables high-rate fabrication of large metallic components, but spatial variations in thermal history can lead to microstructural heterogeneity that requires efficient process models to evaluate. This study evaluates whether cooling rates extracted from a graph theory model (GTM)-based thermal simulation are consistent with the microstructural evolution observed in an ER70S-6 WAAM wall. Thermal histories from the model were analyzed at selected build heights, and cooling rates were extracted from the final thermal excursion through the austenite phase field. Microstructures at corresponding locations were characterized using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) to quantify grain size distributions, and pearlite interlamellar spacing was used as an additional indicator of cooling behavior. The modeled cooling rates were highest near the substrate and generally decreased with build height, consistent with the observed reduction in the fine grain fraction and the progressive shift in the grain size distribution as build height increased. Pearlite spacing trends also supported the modeled cooling rate variation. These results indicate that GTM-derived thermal histories can be post-processed into metallurgically meaningful cooling rate estimates for WAAM steel builds and linked to dataset specific empirical grain size distribution relationships for process–thermal history–microstructure assessment.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

rustpix

rustpix is a high-performance, open-source Rust library with first-class Python bindings (via PyO3) for processing pixel-detector data in neutron imaging. It targets time-stamping detectors such as Timepix3 (TPX3) at ORNL's Spallation Neutron Source (VENUS beamline), where each detected neutron deposits charge across a cluster of pixels within a very high-rate event stream (96M+ hits/sec). rustpix parses TPX3 event data in parallel using memory-mapped I/O, offers four interchangeable clustering algorithms (ABS adjacency-based search, DBSCAN, graph/union-find connected components, and a parallel grid method), and extracts weighted, super-resolved centroids to produce neutron-event lists. A streaming architecture lets it process files larger than available memory. rustpix is distributed as a pip-installable Python package (with NumPy integration), Rust crates, a command-line tool, and an interactive GUI; it writes HDF5, Apache Arrow, and CSV; and it is designed to extend to TPX4 and other detector types. Released as open-source under the MIT License.

Zhang, Chen [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL),↗