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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

Constraints on Neutrino Oscillation Parameters from Neutrinos and Antineutrinos with Machine Learning

NOvA is a two detector, long baseline neutrino oscillation experiment measuring the oscillations of muon neutrinos from the \numi neutrino beam over a baseline of \SI{810}{km}. The experiment uses four oscillation channels, $\numu \rightarrow \numu$, $\numubar \rightarrow \numubar$, $\numu \rightarrow \nue$, and $\numubar \rightarrow \nuebar$, with a peak neutrino energy of \SI{1.8}{GeV}. This dissertation describes the analysis of these channels using a dataset of $13.6\times10^{20}$ protons on target neutrino beam mode and $12.5\times10^{20}$ protons on target antineutrino beam mode. The analysis makes use of improvements in the treatment of systematic uncertainties and machine learning techniques to reconstruct neutrino interactions. A technique for decorrelating systematic errors using principle component analysis was utilized to reduce and optimize neutrino cross section and beam related uncertainties. The improved machine learning algorithms make use of convolutional ne ural net works for neutrino event classification, particle classification, and instance segmentation. The selection of neutrino signal events utilizing the neutrino event classifier shows an efficiency of 63\% for the selection of electron neutrinos in neutrino beam mode and 75\% for electron antineutrinos in antineutrino beam mode. Using this algorithm, 82 appearing electron neutrino candidates and 33 appearing electron antineutrino candidates were observed with expected backgrounds of 26.8 and 14.0 respectively. In addition, 211 surviving muon neutrino candidates and 105 muon antineutrino candidates were identified with a purity of more than 96\% using the same neutrino event classifier. Fitting these data to the three flavor neutrino oscillation model, using constraints on \thetaonetwo, \thetaonethree, and \dmsqonetwo from solar and reactor neutrino experiments, the oscillation parameters are measured to be $\sintwothree = 0.57^{+0.04}_{-0.03}$, $\dmsqthreetwo = \SI[parse-numbers= false]{+ 2.41\pm0.07 \times 10^{-3}}{eV^2}$, and $\dcp=0.82^{+0.27}_{-0.87}\pi$ with a preference for the normal neutrino mass hierarchy. Leading systematic uncertainties for these measurements come from detector calibration and neutrino interaction models.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Phase identification using statistical analysis

A device includes at least one processor configured to determine, based on (i) a first plurality of time-varying electrical measurements corresponding to a feeder head of a power distribution network having a plurality of phases and (ii) a second plurality of time-varying electrical measurements corresponding to a node in the power distribution network, and using statistical analysis, a predicted phase, from the plurality of phases, that corresponds to the node. The processor may be configured to use ranked correlation coefficients (such as the Kendall rank correlation coefficient) to determine the predicted phase and may use principle component analysis. The processor is also configured to cause at least one device of the power distribution network to modify operation based at least on part on the predicted phase.

Veda, Santosh Sambamoorthy↗

Transmission-distribution long-term volt-var planning considering reactive power support capability of distributed PV

High penetration of grid-edge, inverter-based photovoltaic (PV) can cause significant voltage fluctuations not only at the distribution but also at the sub-transmission levels due to PV output intermittency. Traditional reactive power planning approaches do not consider intermittency, nor the possibility of coordinating the control of existing and future volt-ampere reactive resources. This paper proposes a reactive power planning tool for sub-transmission systems to mitigate voltage violations and fluctuations caused by high PV penetration and intermittency with a minimum investment cost. The planning tool coordinates with an optimization-based volt-var operational tool for: a) modeling the coordination of all existing var assets in both sub-transmission and distribution systems to reduce the need of new equipment, and b)selecting a set of scenarios with voltage violations, derived from PV intermittency c) testing the final investment decision. The tool obtains an investment need for each intermittency scenario with a proposed optimal power-flow framework with efficient techniques to handle a high number of discrete variables. Two options are provided for final planning decision: i) a conservative direct combination of investment need solutions and ii) a machine learning-based selection of representative investment needs at most time steps. The final investment decision options are verified using a realistic large-scale sub-transmission system and 5-minute PV and load data. The results show a significant voltage performance improvement with a lower investment cost for additional var equipment compared to conventional approaches.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Reducing the Energy Consumption of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography Scanners: Integrating Ecodesign and Sustainable Operations

This review aims to provide valuable insights into how energy consumption in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scanners can be effectively monitored, managed, and reduced, thereby contributing to more sustainable medical imaging practices. Demand for advanced imaging technologies such as MRI and CT scanners continues to increase, and understanding the resultant impact on greenhouse gas emissions requires a thorough evaluation of their energy consumption. Here, this review examines the energy monitoring and consumption characteristics of MRI and CT scanners, highlighting potential approaches for energy savings. An overview of MRI and CT principles, hardware components, and their associated energy consumption is provided. After addressing the technical aspects, the hardware and software requirements essential for accurate energy metering are detailed. Baseline measurements of energy consumption data are then provided as a foundation to understand current usage patterns and identify areas for improvement. Ongoing efforts to reduce energy consumption are categorized into 3 main strategies: operations, scanner design enhancements, and active scanning techniques, including accelerated MRI protocols. Ultimately, we emphasize that achieving sustainability in medical imaging requires collaboration across disciplines. By incorporating eco-friendly design in new imaging equipment, we can reduce the environmental impact, promote sustainability, and set a health care industry standard for a healthier planet.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

American Chemical Society's summer school in nuclear and radiochemistry. Final report

The ACS Summer Schools in Nuclear and Radiochemistry (herein called “Summer Schools”) were held each year at San Jose State University (SJSU) and Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). The Summer Schools are an intensive, six-week program that includes both a lecture component covering fundamental principles of nuclear chemistry and radiochemistry and a laboratory component providing hands-on experience for the students to observe and test many of the basic principles that they learn about in lecture and in the special seminars. Each site hosts 12 undergraduate students annually. Participants are selected from a nation-wide pool of applicants who are currently enrolled as undergraduates seeking bachelors’ degrees, preferably in disciplines of physical sciences or engineering. To broaden the students’ perspectives on nuclear science, prominent research scientists active in nuclear and/or radiochemical research participate in a Guest Lecture Series. Symposia emphasizing nuclear security, nuclear medicine, and career opportunities are conducted as a part of the program.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

Magnetic contributions to corundum-eskolaite and corundum-hematite phase equilibria: A DFT cluster expansion study

Magnetic contributions have the potential to significantly influence predicted phase stability within alloy and mineral mixing phase diagrams, yet have been historically challenging to incorporate due to a significant increase to phase space sampling. Here, in this work, we employ a computational protocol that includes spin orientation as an additional configurational component within multi-component cluster expansions between magnetic and non-magnetic metal oxide alloys [calculated using density functional theory (DFT) and the generalized gradient approximation]. This approach was used to determine the effect of magnetic contributions to corundum-eskolaite and corundum-hematite phase equilibria from first principles. Two-component cluster expansions of the magnetic components of eskolaite and hematite were first performed showing the ability of this method to properly calculate their respective magnetic properties. Two-component cluster expansions were then performed for non-magnetic Al(III) and ferromagnetic Cr(III) and Fe(III), and phase diagrams were calculated for later comparison. Finally, a non-magnetic Al(III) and “up” and “down” magnetic configurations for anti-ferromagnetic Cr(III) and Fe(III) were performed. Magnetic contributions to the calculated phase diagram for the corundumeskolaite system were shown to be inconsequential but are vital for accurate determination of the corundum-hematite solvus.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

CRISPR-Cas based system for targeting single-stranded sequences

The present invention relates to a CRISPR-Cas based system for targeting nucleic acid sequences. In part, the invention relates to synthetic guiding components for targeting single-stranded sequences, as well as design principles for constructing such components. Also described herein are methods of employing such components, e.g., to repress or activate a desired target within the subject.

Negrete, Oscar↗

Deep learning of structural morphology imaged by scanning X-ray diffraction microscopy

Scanning X-ray nanodiffraction microscopy is a powerful technique for spatially resolving nanoscale structural morphologies by diffraction contrast. One of the critical challenges in experimental nanodiffraction data analysis is posed by the convergence angle of nanoscale focusing optics which creates simultaneous dependency of the far-field scattering data on three independent components of the local strain tensor-corresponding to dilation and two potential rigid body rotations of the unit cell. All three components are in principle resolvable through a spatially mapped sample tilt series; however, traditional data analysis is computationally expensive and prone to artifacts. In this study, we implement NanobeamNN, a convolutional neural network specifically tailored to the analysis of scanning probe X-ray microscopy data. NanobeamNN learns lattice strain and rotation angles from simulated diffraction of a focused X-ray nanobeam by an epitaxial thin film and can directly make reasonable predictions on experimental data without the need for additional fine-tuning. We demonstrate that this approach represents a significant advancement in computational speed over conventional methods, as well as a potential improvement in accuracy over the current standard.

Luo, Aileen [Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY (United Sta↗

Inventory of Composable Elements (ICE) v6.0.0

The Inventory of Composable Elements (ICE) is an open source registry software platform for managing information about biological parts. It is capable of recording information about plasmids, microbial host strains and seeds, as well as DNA parts. Includes features such as DNA sequence visualization, editing and annotation, auto-aligning sequencing trace files against reference templates, SBOL XML/RDF support, and web-of-registries functionality. The web of registries functionality provides strong support for distributed interconnected use and enables sharing and transfer of biological parts across various independent ICE instances. ICE adopts modern software development principles, leveraging component-base frameworks, offering a REST API for convenient third-party integration and emphasizing scalability, security, and service integrations for dynamic content availability. The source code is hosted at https://github.com/JBEI/ice. A public instance is available at public-registry.jbei.org, where users can try out features, upload parts or simply use it for their projects.

Plahar, Hector↗

OPEN2018 (continuation of GENSETS effort)

This project has demonstrated the key components and engineering principles to support a residential scale (1 to 2 kWe) recuperated Brayton cycle generator based upon a screw compressor and screw expander. This technical work is a continuation of the previously awarded ‘GENSETS’ program. The product goal has been to achieve a 40% fuel-to-electric LHV efficiency, an 80% overall CHP efficiency, emissions qualified to the California Air Resources Board standards, and at noise levels of 55 dB or less at 1 meter. Further, the product must operate with 8,000 hour service intervals and achieve a mean-time to overhaul of 90,000 hours. Lastly, and possibly most importantly, the product must meet demanding cost targets, exhibiting a factory cost well below $1,500/kWe. After extensive aerodynamic studies under the ‘GENSETS’ program, Brayton concluded that miniature turbomachinery could not achieve an efficiency consistent with the product’s system performance goal. Given compressor and turbine efficiency targets in the range of 78 to 81%, Brayton turned to the rotary screw machines. While the justification for a screw compressor over a conventional centrifugal compressor is well supported by industry experience, the high temperature expander represented the core technology advancement. To meet the extremely high efficiency goals, an all-ceramic rotary screw expander hot section was developed and has now been tested in the laboratory. This first-of-its-kind ceramic screw expander prototype was able to demonstrate aerodynamic efficiency in line with predictions. The test article was successfully run to full stress conditions so has also validated the mechanical design of such a unit. This has opened new avenues for the commercialization of high efficiency, small scale power generation. Interest in the technology has sparked several requests for alternate uses, an invitation to present at a screw machine conference, and continued interest from parties looking to develop a product in the spirit of the original ‘GENSETS’ goals.

42 ENGINEERING↗

The ePIC dual-radiator RICH detector

The dual radiator Ring Imaging Cherenkov (dRICH) detector is required to provide continuous hadron identification from ≈3 GeV/c up to ≈50 GeV/c, and to supplement electron and positron identification from a few hundred MeV/c up to about 15 GeV/c, in the forward (ion-side) end-cap of the ePIC experiment. Such an extended momentum range imposes the use of two radiators, gas and aerogel. The common imaging system, that ensures compactness and cost-effectiveness, is based on SiPM sensors to work in a high non-uniform magnetic field. During the R&D phase, the dual radiator principle and the single component performance have been validated. A status overview of the project is presented. The design and technological choices are discussed together with the results obtained from laboratory characterization of the component demonstrators and beam tests of the evolving prototypes.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Phase Switching as the Origin of Large Piezoelectric Response in Organic-Inorganic Perovskites: A First-Principles Study

Piezoelectrics are critical functional components of many practical applications such as sensors, ultrasonic transducers, actuators, medical imaging, telecommunications. So far, the best performing piezoelectrics are ferroelectric ceramics, many of which are toxic, heavy, hard, and cost-ineffective. Recently, a groundbreaking discovery of extraordinarily large piezoelectric coefficients in the family of organic-inorganic perovskites gave a hope for a cheaper, environmentally friendly, inexpensive, light-weight and flexible alternative. However, the origin of such response in organic-inorganic ferroelectrics whose spontaneous polarization is an order of magnitude smaller than for inorganic counterparts remains unclear. In this study we employ first-principles simulations to predict that the mechanism associated with large piezoelectric constants is of extrinsic origin and associated with switching between the stable phase and previously overlooked energetically competitive metastable phase that can be stabilized by the external stress. Here, the phase switching changes the polarization direction and, therefore, gives origin to large piezoelectric response, similar to PbZr$_{1-x}$Ti$_x$O$_3$ near morphotropic phase boundary. Existence of such metastable phases is likely to manifest as the dynamical molecular disorder above the Curie temperature and, therefore, could be intrinsic to the entire family of organic-inorganic ferroelectrics with such disorder.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Validating first-principles phonon lifetimes via inelastic neutron scattering

Phonon lifetimes are a key component of quasiparticle theories of transport; yet first-principles lifetimes are rarely directly compared with inelastic neutron scattering (INS) results. Existing comparisons show discrepancies even at temperatures where perturbation theory is expected to be reliable. In this paper, we demonstrate that the reciprocal space voxel (q voxel), which is the finite region in reciprocal space required in INS data analysis, must be explicitly accounted for within theory in order to draw a meaningful comparison. Here, we demonstrate accurate predictions of peak widths of the scattering function when accounting for the q voxel in CaF 2 and ThO 2 . Passing this test implies high fidelity of the phonon interactions and the approximations used to compute the Green's function, serving as a critical benchmark of theory and indicating that other material properties should be accurately predicted, which we demonstrate for thermal conductivity.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Interactions and immobilization of lanthanides with dopants in uranium-based metallic fuels

In uranium-based fuels, production and migration of lanthanide fission products and subsequent chemical interactions with cladding constituents lead to fuel–cladding chemical interaction (FCCI), limiting fuel performance. In general, dopant addition to the fuel matrix to arrest lanthanides within the fuel by forming intermetallics is found to be effective in mitigating FCCI. Recently, we proposed ab-initio based alloy-design principles, which can be useful in identifying dopant(s) that can bind a lanthanide (Nd) inside the fuel matrix. Here, we demonstrate the robustness of such principles by performing a systematic study to choose dopants to form compounds with a range of experimentally-observed lanthanide fission products. Results reveal that for a given dopant, lanthanide Ce and La exhibit similar behavior in their compound-forming tendencies compared to Nd and Pr, which is linked to lanthanide intrinsic characteristics such as the electronic configurations. Our predicted lanthanide-dopant intermetallic formation is verified experimentally in selective cases. Finally, we showed alloy design principles that accurately identify previously known dopants like Pd, and also predict new dopants As and Se, that can be effective in binding all lanthanides within the uranium matrix. Altogether, this research helps to develop generic alloy-design principles for complex multi-component systems based on lanthanide and dopant intrinsic characteristics.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Open Architecture for Cost Savings in Advanced Nuclear Reactors

Recently, nuclear power plant build projects in the West have run over budget due to high capital costs and schedule overruns. Compared to other sources of energy, nuclear power plants have higher capital costs. Reactors are often different at every site, resulting in a lack of standardization. Nuclear is expected to compete with other low carbon sources of energy which have lower capital costs making it essential for nuclear to develop ways of reducing costs. Strategies such as standardization, learning rates, modularization, and schedule reduction in advanced reactors can reduce nuclear costs by about 40%. Standardization as a way of cutting capital costs has been explored even in large nuclear power plants. Standardization of certain plant components can result in lower component and installation costs and higher learning from experience. Standardization can be achieved by adopting a criterion of key performance indicators and general design principles for a specific system or component such as the balance of plant. Modularization allows the construction of certain components of SMRs in a factory, which saves time, increases productivity, and encourages higher learning rates. Production learning decreases the time and the cost related to an activity. The potential for modularized components of advanced reactors to be manufactured in factories makes it conducive to achieving higher learning rates. Developing large-capacity nuclear programs through sequential builds cultivates a higher learning rate, which in effect may reduce schedule overruns. Open architecture has been identified as a way to drive standardization among advanced reactor designs and result in cost savings. Open architecture (OA) is defined as a design enabling a diverse supply chain by defining and publishing requirements of systems or equipment in functional and/or interface terms, utilizing technical standards in widespread use. Currently, the nuclear industry’s approach is to use closed architecture, making most designs proprietary. However, collaboration between various advanced reactor vendors and suppliers utilizing the concept of open architecture can result in modular and standardized architecture of subsystems or subcomponents of a nuclear power plant. Completely standardizing nuclear power plants may be impossible, however, certain common subsystems amongst the various reactor designs could be standardized and/or access a wider supply chain and leverage existing learning from other sectors. Open architecture will save time and allocate resources to the parts of the plants that have the most unique features. A key advantage of open architecture is its ability to improve production learning across advanced reactors (AR) types in the industry, by providing and utilizing the same kind of component. Sodium fast reactor (SFR), High Temperature Gas Reactor (HTGR) and Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) are the advanced reactors considered for this project. This paper aims to determine the cost savings in advanced reactor programs due to open architecture learning rate. This work is an extension of work done on light water reactor small modular reactors; the cost methodology was utilized to investigate the impact of open architecture on advanced reactors with a particular focus on sodium fast reactors. The cost data on sodium fast reactors used in the model presented the most adequate information required for the analysis.

Advanced Nuclear Reactors↗

Divide and conquer: broadly neutralizing antibody combinations for improved HIV-1 viral coverage

Successful HIV-1 prevention and therapy will require broad and potent coverage of within-host and global viral diversity. Broadly neutralizing antibody (bNAb) combination and multispecific therapeutics provide an opportunity to meet this challenge due to the complementary activity of individual antibody components. Here, we review the principles and applications of this concept. The Antibody Mediated Prevention (AMP) trials have demonstrated the high bar for neutralization potency and breadth that bNAb-mediated prevention modalities will need to achieve to have a meaningful impact on the HIV-1 epidemic. Additional clinical studies have recently shown that an even higher bar may be required for therapeutic inhibition of the diverse within-host quasispecies present in viremic and aviremic people with HIV-1 (PWH). We discuss how the complementarity of bNAbs in terms of neutralization profiles, resistance mutations and coverage of within-host quasispecies may overcome these stringent requirements and lead to effective bNAb combination or multispecific antibody based prophylactic and therapeutic strategies. The design of next-generation bNAb-based combination or multispecific therapeutics for the prevention and/or treatment of HIV-1 infection will need to leverage the complementarity of component bNAbs to maximize the potency and breadth that will be required for clinical success.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗