Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “technical levels”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

Disorder in the early universe

Little is known about the microscopic physics that gave rise to inflation in our universe. There are many reasons to wonder if the underlying description requires a careful arrangement of ingredients or if inflation was the result of an essentially random process. At a technical level, randomness in the microphysics of inflation is closely related to disorder in solids. We develop the formalism of disorder for inflation and investigate the observational consequences of quenched disorder. We find that a common prediction is the presence of additional noise in the power spectrum or bispectrum. At a phenomenological level, these results can be recast in terms of a modulating field, allowing us to write the quadratic maximum likelihood estimator for this noise. Preliminary constraints on disorder can be derived from existing analyses but significant improvements should be possible with a dedicated treatment.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Thermodynamic Capacity of Quantum Processes

Thermodynamics imposes restrictions on what state transformations are possible. In the macroscopic limit of asymptotically many independent copies of a state—as for instance in the case of an ideal gas—the possible transformations become reversible and are fully characterized by the free energy. In this Letter, we present a thermodynamic resource theory for quantum processes that also becomes reversible in the macroscopic limit, a property that is especially rare for a resource theory of quantum channels. We identify a unique single-letter and additive quantity, the thermodynamic capacity, that characterizes the “thermodynamic value” of a quantum channel, in the sense that the work required to simulate many repetitions of a quantum process employing many repetitions of another quantum process becomes equal to the difference of the respective thermodynamic capacities. On a technical level, we provide asymptotically optimal constructions of universal implementations of quantum processes. A challenging aspect of this construction is the apparent necessity to coherently combine thermal engines that would run in different thermodynamic regimes depending on the input state. Furthermore, our results have applications in quantum Shannon theory by providing a generalized notion of quantum typical subspaces and by giving an operational interpretation to the entropy difference of a channel.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2018

Dataset for Biorefinery-specific feedstock price variability, Part 1: Corn stover

This dataset was utilized in a report to highlight parameters that affect near-term sustainable supply of corn stover and forest resources at $56 and $74 per dry ton delivered. While the report focus is restricted to 2018, the modeling runs are available from 2016-2022. In the 2016 Billion-ton Report (BT16), two stover cases were presented. In this dataset, we vary technical levels of those assumptions to measure stover supply response and to evaluate the major determinants of stover supply. In each of these cases, the supply is modeled first at the farmgate at prices up to $80 per dry ton for five deterministic scenarios. Building on this dataset, a supplementary dataset of delivered supply was modeled for 800k dry ton per year capacity facilities in two facility siting approaches. Results were summarized across delivered supply curves for twelve scenarios. The resulting supply curves are highly elastic, resulting in a range of potential supplies across scenarios at specified prices. Interactive visualization of these data allows exploration into any specified nth plant supply sensitivity to key variables and spatial distribution of stover resources. The analysis is economic supply risk and doesn’t account for disruptions from competing demands, namely livestock feed and bedding markets. Scenario ending in _BC3080 is a reference scenario consistent with BT16 Basecase (BC1), but with corn stover price isolation. Scenario ending in _OHB080 includes high operational efficiency constraints for corn stover. Scenario ending in _OLB080 includes low operational efficiency constraints for corn stover. Scenario ending in _PLB080 includes low opportunity cost. Scenario ending in _PHB080 includes high opportunity cost. No Land Rental costs are applied to these scenarios. All scenarios were under an exogenous price simulation using POLYSYS (v2017).

Agricultural residues, biomass resources, 2018, bi↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Primer on Phased Array Radar Technology for the Atmospheric Sciences

The scientific community has expressed interest in the potential of phased array radars (PARs) to observe the atmosphere with finer spatial and temporal scales. Although convergence has occurred between the meteorological and engineering communities, the need exists to increase access of PAR to meteorologists. Here, we facilitate these interdisciplinary efforts in the field of ground-based PARs for atmospheric studies. We cover high-level technical concepts and terminology for PARs as applied to studies of the atmosphere. A historical perspective is provided as context along with an overview of PAR system architectures, technical challenges, and opportunities. Envisioned scan strategies are summarized because they are distinct from traditional mechanically scanned radars and are the most advantageous for high-resolution studies of the atmosphere. Further, open access to PAR data is emphasized as a mechanism to educate the future generation of atmospheric scientists. Finally, a vision for the future of operational networks, research facilities, and expansion into complementary radar wavelengths is provided.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2015

Neutron and X-ray Studies of Advanced Materials VII Symposium at the 143rd TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition

The Neutron and X-Ray Studies of Advanced Materials VII Symposium, held at the 2014, 143rd Annual Meeting of The Minerals, Metals, and Materials Society (TMS), brought together experts, young investigators, and students from this sub-discipline of materials science in order for them to share their latest discoveries and develop collaborations. This annual symposium, which is organized by The Minerals, Metals, and Materials Society, is an important event for this community of scientists. This year, over 100 high-level technical talks were delivered over the course of the four day event. In addition, the large number of students and young investigators in attendance ensured the maximum benefit to the next generation’s work force in this area of study. The science surrounding the utilization of neutrons and x-rays to study advanced materials is becoming increasingly important in increasing the understanding of how the exceptional materials properties of such materials arise. In particular, x-rays and neutrons can be used to visualize material structures at an extremely high resolution and in some cases, three dimensions—allowing unprecedented insights into the mechanisms governing certain materials properties such as strength and toughness. Moreover, some of these techniques allow materials to be visualized without damaging the material, approaches known as non-destructive evaluation or “NDE”. This allows materials to be studied in 3 dimensions while undergoing change in real time which represents an important (and long sought-after) advancement in materials science. The types of interactions afforded by this event are beneficial to society at large primarily because they provide opportunities for the leaders within this field to learn from one another and thus improve the quality and productivity of their investigations. Additionally, the presence of young investigators and students with technical interests in this field provides promise that the United States will continue to be a leader in this area. The support provided by the Department of Energy for this event directly enhanced its impact on the field by helping a number of students, young investigators, and technical experts attend and participate in this event.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

(Mis)Understanding Radiation

This set of slides discusses radiation and fears concerning it at a non-technical level. Included are some misconceptions and practical consequences resulting from these. The concept of radiation hormesis is explained. The author concludes that a number of significant societal benefits are being foregone because of overly cautious concerns about low-level radiation.

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTAN↗
DOE OSTI2018

Integrated Pre-Feasibility Assessment for a Northern Michigan Basin CarbonSAFE CO 2 Storage Complex

One of the key gaps in the critical path toward carbon capture and storage (CCS) deployment is the development of commercial-scale (50+ million metric tons carbon dioxide [CO2]) geologic storage sites for CO 2 from industrial sources. There has been relatively little effort by the private sector to identify and certify (i.e., regulatory permit) geologic storage sites that are capable of storing commercial-scale volumes of CO 2 , primarily because of the lack of immediate economic incentives. As a result, commercial-scale CO 2 sources that want to develop CCS projects face the risk of not finding a suitable saline storage site for their captured CO 2 . Carbon Storage Assurance Facility Enterprise (CarbonSAFE) is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)-sponsored effort to develop an integrated CCS storage complex constructed and permitted for operation in the 2025 timeframe over a series of sequential phases of development: Integrated CCS Pre-Feasibility, Storage Complex Feasibility, Site Characterization, and Permitting and Construction. Subject to availability of funds, a series of funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) are planned to accomplish this mission. This document describes a project that addresses DOE FOA-1584 Phase I: Integrated Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Pre-Feasibility. The objective of this project was to take the first step in developing an integrated commercial geologic CO 2 storage complex in the Northern Michigan Basin, herein referred to as the CarbonSAFE – Northern Michigan Basin (CS-NMB) storage complex. This includes demonstrating that the storage sites within the complex have the potential to store more than 50 million metric tons (MMT) of industrially-sourced CO 2 emissions safely, permanently and economically. To achieve the overall objective of the Phase I pre-feasibility study, FOA-1584 required three activities: • Perform a high-level technical sub-basinal evaluation to identify a potential storage complex with storage site(s), including a description of the geology and risks associated with the potential storage site; identify and evaluate potential CO 2 sources. • Develop a plan for the storage complex and storage site(s) including a strategy that would enable an integrated capture and storage project to be economically feasible and publicly acceptable. • Form a CCS coordination team capable of addressing regulatory, legislative, technical, public policy, commercial, financial, etc. challenges specific to commercial-scale deployment of the CO 2 storage project.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Grid Ready: Strategies for Interconnecting Large-Scale PV in New York City

This Grid Ready Solar project is intended to help create transparency for building owners and developers, so they can better understand and more quickly navigate the interconnection process for large-scale photovoltaic (PV) projects on Con Edison's electrical grid in New York City. Phase 1 of the project provided high-level technical screens of grid interconnection requirements in an attempt to streamline the interconnection of large-scale solar PV systems to the New York City grid. In Phase 2 of the Grid Ready project, the focus of this report, Sustainable CUNY worked with NREL to evaluate a range of solutions for improving the economics of large-scale (over 200 kW) PV within the five boroughs of New York City that are in Con Edison's service territory, as identified on the NY Solar Map.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Plant Efficiency Evaluation at Navajo Generating Station

Summary report of a high-level technical and engineering assessment of opportunities for improving the heat rate (i.e., efficiency) of the three existing coal-fueled electric generating units at the Navajo Generating Station located near Page, Arizona.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2015

TMS 2014 143rd Annual Meeting & Exhibition, Annual Meeting Supplemental Proceedings (ISBN: 978-1-118-88972-5)

The Magnetic Materials for Energy Applications IV, held at the 2014, 143rd Annual Meeting of The Minerals, Metals, and Materials Society (TMS), brought together experts, young investigators, and students from this sub-discipline of materials science in order for them to share their latest discoveries and develop collaborations. This symposium, which is organized by The Minerals, Metals, and Materials Society, is an important event for this community of scientists. This year, over 50 high-level technical talks were planned over the course of the event. In addition, the students and young investigators in attendance ensured the maximum benefit to the next generation’s work force in this area of study. Meeting global energy needs in a clean, efficient, secure and sustainable manner is arguably the greatest challenge facing mankind today. Magnetic materials play a critical role in myriad devices for the collection, conversion, transmission and storage of energy. For example, high performance permanent magnets are currently in great demand for the generators in wind turbines and electric motors in hybrid vehicles. Other classes of advanced magnetic materials are essential for efficient inductors/transformers and motors. Energy efficient cooling based on the magnetocaloric effect is another exciting possibility which is rapidly becoming industrially viable. The potential energy savings related to refrigeration and air conditioning based on magnetocaloric materials are highly attractive. This symposium allowed experts in areas relating to the advanced characterization, simulation, and optimization of magnetic materials to convene and present their latest research. The types of interactions afforded by this event are beneficial to society at large primarily because they provide opportunities for the leaders within this field to learn from one another and thus improve the quality and productivity of their investigations. Additionally, the presence of young investigators and students with technical interests in this field provides promise that the United States will continue to be a leader in this area. The support provided by the Department of Energy for this event directly enhanced its impact on the field by helping a number of students, young investigators, and technical experts attend and participate in this event. This symposium brought together research experts and students in the field to present the latest developments on the science surrounding advanced characterization, simulation, and optimization of magnetic materials and their use in energy applications such as generation and magnetic cooling. A strong technical program, containing more than 50 presentations was developed and organized around the following technical sessions. A strong list of invited speakers contributed to the high quality of technical content. Rare Earth Permanent Magnets: Processing, Characterization and Modeling Rare Earth Free Permanent Magnets Fundamentals of the Magnetocaloric Effect and Current Status of Magnetic Cooling Technology Magnetocaloric Materials High Performance Soft Magnets I High Performance Soft Magnets II

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Markets and Economic Requirements for Fission Batteries and Other Nuclear Systems

Fission Batteries (FBs) are nuclear reactors defined by five characteristics which enable large-scale deployment: cost competitive, standardized sizes for economic mass production, easy installation and removal, secure and safe unattended operation with high reliability. FBs are not defined by technology or power level. Technical and market considerations suggest that most FBs will produce 20 to 30 MWt. This proceedings reports on the outcomes of two workshops that were held in January 2021 to better define markets and economic challenges for FBs. Three major markets were identified. The largest market is the industrial and commercial heat market. There are about 4000 industrial users (excluding utilities) that require more than one megawatt of heat. The number of customers versus size of heat demand was determined. In a low-carbon world there is the potential for many additional customers—including expanded biofuels production and district heat. The second market is for non-grid electricity. This includes co-generation plants that produce heat and electricity for a single customer. The third market is the maritime market with ~100,000 ships worldwide. In the United States, natural gas is the low-cost energy option today and will remain so unless constraints or taxes impact its use. If restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions, the FB competition includes natural gas with carbon capture, biofuels, hydrogen and grid electricity. Natural gas with carbon capture is not economically viable on a small scale. Biofuels may be expensive but may be the economically preferred option for locations with small energy demands of a few megawatts. Hydrogen is a potential competitor with many of the characteristics of natural gas. Grid electricity is not a competitive source of heat. For FBs to be economically competitive, the price of delivered heat must be $20-50/MWh ($6-15/million BTU). The economically competitive range for non-grid electricity is estimated at $70-100/MWh. These electricity prices are competitive with the retail prices of electricity in many parts of the United States for the customer. FBs are not expected to be competitive selling wholesale electricity to the grid. To achieve the aforementioned cost targets for heat and electricity markets, FB designers must (1) maximize the power output within the constraints of a FB (e.g., truck transportability, passive decay heat removal), (2) drastically reduce the size of onsite staff, (3) adopt core designs with low fuel costs (enrichment and fabrication), and (4) develop a system design that is efficiently manufactured in factories. The business case depends upon more than being just a replacement for natural gas. The largest incentives for adoption of FBs is where they create new markets and new sources of revenue. An example is the paper and pulp industry that burns biomass wastes to provide heat and electricity to make paper. An external heat source could meet the demand for heat and electricity by the paper process and enable converting waste biomass into liquid biofuels rather than burning to provide heat. Other markets, such as data centers, are driven by special energy requirements such as extreme reliability. Most customers are not in the energy business but need heat and electricity to produce a product—a manufactured good, education, retail sales (shopping malls), marine transport or some other product. As a consequence, there will be large incentives to lease rather than own FBs. Leasing avoids the regulatory challenges that remain with the owner of the FB. Leasing creates large incentives for FP standardization of sizes and transportability to maintain the value of the FB at the end of the lease—similar to the leasing of jet engines and aircraft. The economic constraints combined with technical constraints suggest competitive FBs will likely have outputs exceeding 10 MWt. There appear to be little incentives for very long-lived reactor cores because such machines require much larger inventories of fuel. Maintenance requirements and the options to provide technology updates may favor shorter lifetimes (~5 years). The assessment is that there is the potential for FBs to be economically viable and play a major role in global decarbonization in three markets: heat, non-grid electricity and maritime applications.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Frequency spectrum analysis code for nuclear noise based on improved wavelet algorithm - 337

The core of the narrow flow channel generally faced the problem of local bubble boiling with the temperature rise of the nuclear fuel element, it is necessary and meaningful to answer and deal with the problem on the technical level. Reactor noise analysis begins with the study of the physical characteristics of the core, after nearly 30 years of research and development it has become a powerful tool in the auxiliary monitoring of the power reactor operating. By using this noise frequency spectrum analysis technology, the reactor dynamic parameter such as prompt neutron decay constant can be measured. Also, through such system, the frequency characteristics of reactor can be real-time monitored, which is helpful for safety operation and fault diagnosis. Spectrum analysis technology in the Fourier analysis era is now barely available, the reason is that the local spectral characteristics of this technology are not obvious, but this defect can be greatly improved by wavelet analysis technique, however, the traditional wavelet analysis will introduce the problem of spectral confusion. To solve the problem, based on the improved wavelet algorithm, frequency spectrum analysis code for nuclear noise is developed,from the perspective of fine spectral analysis, the local boiling accident of the coolant can be prejudged and avoid. Based on the analysis and test of experimental data,The results show that the calculation ability of the code is in accordance with the expected, it can be applied in the operation of research reactor. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2016

From genomes to metabolomes: Understanding mechanisms of symbiosis and cell-cell signaling using the archaeal system Ignicoccus-Nanoarchaeum

The main objective of this project was to use symbiotic Nanoarchaeaota, a group of thermophilic Archaea that are obligate symbionts/parasites on other Archaea, to develop an integrated multi-omic approach to study inter-species interactions as well as to understand fundamental mechanism that enable such relationships. As part of this grant we have achieved a number of important milestone on both technical and scientific levels. On the technical side, we developed immunofluorescence labeling and tracking methods to follow Nanoarchaeota in cultures and in environmental samples, we applied such methods in conjunction with flow cytometry to quantify and isolate uncultured representatives from the environment and characterized them by single cell genomics. On the proteomics side, we developed a more efficient and sensitive method to recover and semi-quantitatively measure membrane proteins, while achieving high total cellular proteome coverage (70-80% of the predicted proteome). Metabolomic analyses used complementary NMR and LC/GC mass spectrometry and led to the identification of novel lipids in these organisms as well as quantification of some of the major metabolites. Importantly, using several informatics approaches we were also able to integrate the transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic datasets, revealing aspects of the interspecies interaction that were not evident in the single omic analyses (manuscript in review). On the science side we determined that N. equitans and I. hospitalis are metabolically coupled and that N. equitans is strictly dependent on its host both for metabolic precursors and energetic needs. The actual mechanism by which small molecules move across the cell membrane remains unknown. The Ignicoccus host responds to the metabolic and energetic burned by upregulating of key primary metabolism steps and ATP synthesis. The two species have co-evolved, aspect that we determined by comparative genomics with other species of Ignicoccus (manuscript in preparation) and by characterizing other similar Nanoarchaeota systems. Using a single cell genomics approach we characterized the first terrestrial geothermal Nanoarchaeota system, from Yellowstone National Park. That nanoarchaeon uses a different host, a species of Sulfolobales, and comparative genomics with N. equitans-Ignicoccus allowed us to come up with an evolutionary model for the evolution of this group of organisms across marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Based on metabolic inferences we were also able to isolate in culture the first such terrestrial nanoarchaeal system, also from Yellowstone, which involves a species of Acidilobus. The novel nanoarchaeal system was characterized using proteomics and it helped us better understand the metabolic capabilities of these organisms as well as how co-evolution shapes the genomes of interacting species. It was also one of the very few cases in which prior genomic data was used to successfully design an approach to culture an organism, which remains the gold standard in microbiology research. As a better understanding of interspecies interaction requires multiple model systems, we have pursued identification and genomic characterization or isolation of additional nanoarchaeal systems from geographically and geochemically distinct environments. Two additional nanoarchaeal systems are presently being characterized from hot springs in Yellowstone and Iceland and will be the subject to future publications.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

LGFCS Prototype System Testing (Final Report)

In the project, LGFCS assembled and tested its modular SOFC Power System that incorporates all critical technology improvements identified for its “product-like” demonstration. This product demonstrator is expected to meet customer and LGFCS performance expectations for operation, availability, durability and serviceability. The principal technology improvements are aimed at increasing the fuel cell power output and reducing the stack degradation rate. Improvements were also made for added system robustness and increased reliability. The objective of this program is to test a 250kWe thermally self-sustaining modular solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) Power System for a minimum of 5,000 hours while advancing this commercial prototype product demonstrator to a Technical Readiness Level (TRL) 7. The SOFC system was tested on a site provided by Stark State College in North Canton, Ohio. System performance and degradation as well as cost estimates were compared to established SOFC Program performance metrics to assess progress. The major achievements were to assemble, and QA qualify 70 fuel cell strips for 12 integrated blocks into a fuel cell vessel and install it into a generator module with the fuel and power electronics modules on the test site. Performance to date included over 1800 hours on load at 250 KWAC to the grid with a DC efficiency of 61% and AC efficiency of 55%. Power degradation was less than 0.4% per 1000 hours and NOx emissions met standards. The LGFCS SOFC Prototype System (GEN0) was demonstrated in an operational environment and therefore achieving Technical Readiness Level 7. The work presented here represents the efforts of all the employees of LG Fuel Cell Systems. Their dedication and hard work made GEN0 possible and successful.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2019

DE-FE0031180 Final Report - LGFCS Prototype System Testing - R0

In the project, LGFCS assembled and tested its modular SOFC Power System that incorporates all critical technology improvements identified for its “product-like” demonstration. This product demonstrator is expected to meet customer and LGFCS performance expectations for operation, availability, durability and serviceability. The principal technology improvements are aimed at increasing the fuel cell power output and reducing the stack degradation rate. Improvements were also made for added system robustness and increased reliability. The objective of this program is to test a 250kWe thermally self-sustaining modular solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) Power System for a minimum of 5,000 hours while advancing this commercial prototype product demonstrator to a Technical Readiness Level (TRL) 7. The SOFC system was tested on a site provided by Stark State College in North Canton, Ohio. System performance and degradation as well as cost estimates were compared to established SOFC Program performance metrics to assess progress. The major achievements were to assemble, and QA qualify 70 fuel cell strips for 12 integrated blocks into a fuel cell vessel and install it into a generator module with the fuel and power electronics modules on the test site. Performance to date included over 1800 hours on load at 250 KW-AC to the grid with a DC efficiency of 61% and AC efficiency of 55%. Power degradation was less than 0.4% per 1000 hours and NOx emissions met standards. The LGFCS SOFC Prototype System (GEN0) was demonstrated in an operational environment and therefore achieving Technical Readiness Level 7. The work presented here represents the efforts of all the employees of LG Fuel Cell Systems. Their dedication and hard work made GEN0 possible and successful.

03 NATURAL GAS↗