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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 361 records · Page 20

Real-Time Inference For MI/RR Deblending

The Fermilab Main Injector (MI) and Recycler Ring (RR) share a common beam loss monitor (BLM) system, making loss events difficult to attribute to their source machine when beam is present in both simultaneously. The Real-time Edge AI for Distributed Systems (READS) project addresses this by deblending BLM readings in real time using machine learning (ML). The current FPGA based implementation meets the sub-3 ms latency requirement but carries a resource intensive hls4ml development cycle, motivating exploration of GPU based deployment. This paper characterizes inference latency on an NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano and introduces a packet organization scheme for assembling synchronized event frames from seven distributed BLM DAQ streams. Using a Python based DAQ simulation with injected timing jitter in place of unavailable live beam data, the pipeline achieved an average end to end latency of 0.456 ms (σ = 0.122 ms) across 167,000 test frames, comfortably meeting the timing constraint. Early outliers were attributed to TensorRT warm-up rather than steady state limitations, suggesting GPU based inference is a viable alternative to the existing FPGA implementation.

Yu, Kellen [Cornell U.]↗

Methods of Securing Chemical and Pharmaceutical Knowledge and Recommendations for International Institutions to Enhance Research Integrity

Here, this paper examines strategies for securing chemical and pharmaceutical expertise in a globalized research environment, focusing on safeguarding intellectual property and preventing the misuse of sensitive and potentially dual-use information. The product of collective efforts between Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, and New Bulgarian University, highlights the challenges and opportunities posed by cross-border research collaborations, particularly in the context of differing regulatory frameworks and research cultures. It explores current mechanisms to prevent data loss and unauthorized access to sensitive information while assessing the effectiveness of existing security measures, frameworks, and international export control regimes. The approach examines the differing methodologies for promoting transparency, trust-building, and mutual accountability in joint research projects to cultivate secure data-sharing practices and intellectual property. It provides recommendations for international institutions to implement security guidelines in framing research priorities, encourages continual training and education programs, and the integration of processes for monitoring research compliance. This partnership aims to advance scientific innovation while maintaining global stability, ensuring compliance with international norms, and safeguarding valuable intellectual property as measures in chemical and pharmaceutical research security practices continue to expand due to international collaboration and knowledge exchange.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Exploration of Real Time Inference for MI-RR Deblending on GPU/TPU Systems

The Fermilab Main Injector (MI) and Recycler Ring (RR) share a common beam loss monitor (BLM) system, making loss events difficult to attribute to their source machine when beam is present in both simultaneously. The Real-time Edge AI for Distributed Systems (READS) project addresses this by deblending BLM readings in real time using machine learning (ML). The current FPGA based implementation meets the sub-3 ms latency requirement but carries a resource intensive hls4ml development cycle, motivating exploration of GPU based deployment. This paper characterizes inference latency on an NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano and introduces a packet organization scheme for assembling synchronized event frames from seven distributed BLM DAQ streams. Using a Python based DAQ simulation with injected timing jitter in place of unavailable live beam data, the pipeline achieved an average end to end latency of 0.456 ms (σ = 0.122 ms) across 167,000 test frames, comfortably meeting the timing constraint. Early outliers were attributed to TensorRT warm-up rather than steady state limitations, suggesting GPU based inference is a viable alternative to the existing FPGA implementation.

Yu, Kellen [Fermilab; Cornell U.]↗

Redshift evolution of the underlying type Ia supernova stretch distribution

The detailed nature of type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) remains uncertain, and as survey statistics increase, the question of astrophysical systematic uncertainties arises, notably that of the evolution of SN Ia populations. We study the dependence on redshift of the SN Ia SALT2.4 light-curve stretch, which is a purely intrinsic SN property, to probe its potential redshift drift. The SN stretch has been shown to be strongly correlated with the SN environment, notably with stellar age tracers. We modeled the underlying stretch distribution as a function of redshift, using the evolution of the fraction of young and old SNe Ia as predicted using the SNfactory dataset, and assuming a constant underlying stretch distribution for each age population consisting of Gaussian mixtures. We tested our prediction against published samples that were cut to have marginal magnitude selection effects, so that any observed change is indeed astrophysical and not observational in origin. In this first study, there are indications that the underlying SN Ia stretch distribution evolves as a function of redshift, and that the age drifting model is a better description of the data than any time-constant model, including the sample-based asymmetric distributions that are often used to correct Malmquist bias at a significance higher than 5σ. The favored underlying stretch model is a bimodal one, composed of a high-stretch mode shared by both young and old environments, and a low-stretch mode that is exclusive to old environments. The precise effect of the redshift evolution of the intrinsic properties of a SN Ia population on cosmology remains to be studied. The astrophysical drift of the SN stretch distribution does affect current Malmquist bias corrections, however, and thereby the distances that are derived based on SN that are affected by observational selection effects. We highlight that this bias will increase with surveys covering increasingly larger redshift ranges, which is particularly important for the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Connecting Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure to Commercial Buildings

Electric vehicles (EVs) are growing in popularity and gaining meaningful market share with record sales year over year in the last decade. EV charging equipment, also known as EV chargers (EVC) or EV supply equipment (EVSE), must proportionally match the growing number of new EVs on the road for a comparable experience to gas-powered vehicles. The majority of EV charging currently happens at residential buildings. However, demand for EV charging at commercial buildings will significantly increase with wider mainstream EV adoption and as businesses return to more normal operation following COVID-19 pandemic disruptions. Charging equipment can include various sub-systems like power conditioning module, control software, safety devices, metering, communication, cooling, connectors, and its wiring. EV charging at commercial buildings could be used for public, workplace, and commercial fleet charging. This document aims to describe how EVC can be connected to commercial buildings, including considerations for facility managers, and the effects that charging will have on the buildings electrical distribution system. More specifically, this resource provides an overview of: understanding EV charging basics: how charging equipment connects to the building and to EVs; required infrastructure updates needed at the building site to connect EVC to existing distribution systems; network strategies for cost-effective operation; metering and utility considerations for billing and incentives; charging equipment ownership options; future trends in EVC connection to buildings.

ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS,ENERGY CONSERVATION, C↗

Mathematical modeling of plus-strand RNA virus replication to identify broad-spectrum antiviral treatment strategies

Plus-strand RNA viruses are the largest group of viruses. Many are human pathogens that inflict a socio-economic burden. Interestingly, plus-strand RNA viruses share remarkable similarities in their replication. A hallmark of plus-strand RNA viruses is the remodeling of intracellular membranes to establish replication organelles (so-called “replication factories”), which provide a protected environment for the replicase complex, consisting of the viral genome and proteins necessary for viral RNA synthesis. In the current study, we investigate pan-viral similarities and virus-specific differences in the life cycle of this highly relevant group of viruses. We first measured the kinetics of viral RNA, viral protein, and infectious virus particle production of hepatitis C virus (HCV), dengue virus (DENV), and coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) in the immuno-compromised Huh7 cell line and thus without perturbations by an intrinsic immune response. Based on these measurements, we developed a detailed mathematical model of the replication of HCV, DENV, and CVB3 and showed that only small virus-specific changes in the model were necessary to describe the in vitro dynamics of the different viruses. Our model correctly predicted virus-specific mechanisms such as host cell translation shut off and different kinetics of replication organelles. Further, our model suggests that the ability to suppress or shut down host cell mRNA translation may be a key factor for in vitro replication efficiency, which may determine acute self-limited or chronic infection. We further analyzed potential broad-spectrum antiviral treatment options in silico and found that targeting viral RNA translation, such as polyprotein cleavage and viral RNA synthesis, may be the most promising drug targets for all plus-strand RNA viruses. Moreover, we found that targeting only the formation of replicase complexes did not stop the in vitro viral replication early in infection, while inhibiting intracellular trafficking processes may even lead to amplified viral growth.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

NEAMS Model Contributions in 2023 to the National Reactor Innovation Center Virtual Test Bed for Use by Industry and Other Stakeholders

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy’s Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) Program develops models of advanced reactor phenomena to demonstrate code applicability to challenging physics problems, drive code development through user assessment, and perform code verification and validation. Meanwhile, the U.S. DOE’s National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) hosts an open-source website and associated GitHub repository called the Virtual Test Bed (VTB) on which computational models for advanced reactors are documented and shared with the reactor community. This work documents NEAMS efforts to support industry adoption of advanced modeling tools through contribution of 10 NEAMS models to the NRIC Virtual Test Bed including models for the High Temperature Test Facility (HTTF), TRISO fuel failure in a microreactor, and multiphysics models of a molten chloride fast reactor, among others. The open sharing of these models benefits the reactor community by providing “best practice” examples using NEAMS tools for advanced reactor physics problems. In particular, the HTTF model is being used for code validation and benchmarking activities. The microreactor and molten chloride fast reactor models are representative of analysis that may be useful for current candidates of DOME and LOTUS, NRIC’s physical testbeds. This report summarizes and provides links to these new models, among others.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Towaoc Housing Solar Initiative

The Towaoc Housing Solar initiative was implemented to install net-metered solar generation systems on twenty-three Tribal buildings in Towoac, CO on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation. The project was funded 80% by Department of Energy and 20% by the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. The project and grant are authorized by Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Council Resolution 2020-116. The systems were designed to cumulatively generate 160 direct current (DC) kilowatts on average, translating to 222,585 kilowatt hours per year. The average cost for the generation was calculated at $\$$3.34/watt with a return on investment period anticipated at 22 years for a simple payback of all costs, 11 years for the Tribe’s investment at 50% cost-share. The systems should last for 30 years. The primary goals of the project for the Tribe were identified as the reduction of electricity costs for the twenty three Tribal buildings of the Housing Authority (comprising 22 rental homes and a small apartment building with 11 units) and the reduction of carbon pollution through the transition of energy sources used in the buildings.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

States with Community Solar Policy Updates and Capacity Growth Potential [PowerPoint]

This presentation deck provides an overview of emerging community solar markets. The presentation covers specific states with emerging community solar markets who have new programs or policies without many currently interconnected projects, as well as states that have recently updated their community solar policies or programs.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Sustainable Public Transport: Providing Responsive, On-Demand Service with Clean Energy

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) uses the Mobility Energy Productivity (MEP) as a metric and a lens to guide applied research into high performance public mobility. In the current initiative to abate global warming, the US needs not only zero-emission vehicles in the transit fleet (such as buses and shuttles) but also time- and cost-effective services to connect people with goods, services and employment toward a high-quality of life. Our current transportation system is overly dependent on personally-owned automobiles for high quality mobility, with public modes being less viable in many areas. Simply electrifying the drivetrains of existing public transit modes will fail to improve the quality of mobility for those that do not have access to private automobiles. The slow rebound by transit from the pandemic reveals the need to reinvent public transit service. Using the MEP lens, NREL researchers have tracked various novel developments in the public mobility space, with the confluence of shared, on-demand transit (ODT) services using light duty vehicles emerging as a key enabler of high-efficiency public mobility. Deployments such as those in Arlington, TX, Dallas, TX, Fort Erie, ON, and Innisfil, ON showcase the use of fleets of light-duty vehicles as the basis for community circulation and first/last mile to intra-regional transit. ODT services have demonstrated improvements in being more time efficient for riders, more energy efficient in operation (even before the introduction of fully electric vehicles), as well as being cost effective. It appears that aspects of the long-awaited promise of Personal Rapid Transit from the 1970s are beginning to be realized through ODT deployments, leveraging transportation network company (TNC) logistics, popularized by Uber and Lyft, but applied to public mobility. Currently, manually driven ODT operations are already cost competitive with traditional transit systems on a cost per ride basis, and full automation promises to reduce costs by 50% while providing additional safety and verified customer service. Connecting these ODT systems with efficient and effective intra-regional backbone transit service is the next step, with transit agencies like DART providing early results. This discussion will walk through the evidence for this postulated outcome and show results from a series of case-studies.

ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS,ENERGY PLANNING, POLIC↗

AutoSAC-Automated Sample Activation Calculation on VULCAN

AutoSAC is an automated python program to conduct sample activation calculation immediately after neutron scattering experiment on VULCAN. AutoSAC takes account of sample dimensions, compositions, forms, sample environments, neutron beam configurations, neutron scattering history, and proton charged resolved beam power etc., and uses a simplified method to rapidly estimate the radioactivity at end of beam or after. It generates a draft report per sample and repository of radioactivity per measurement and provides feedback of current radioactivity and decay time back to a neutron proposal Slack channel to inform users immediately on sample handling. It also utilizes either the sample note field in EPICS or sample composition or thickness correction and takes slack prompt or command to conduct post-beam SAC by demand. The program can be shared to be used in other beamlines at spallation neutron source with modified instrument configurations including instrument specific characteristic beam fluxes.

An, Ke [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak ↗

Establishing Regulatory Jurisdictional Boundaries at Collocated Advanced-Reactor Facilities

This white paper discusses establishing and applying nuclear facility jurisdictional boundaries at advanced-nuclear-reactor facilities. It was written for industry review and evaluation with possible consideration by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for subsequent regulatory action. The paper proposes a regulatory basis for establishing jurisdictional boundaries at operational advanced (i.e., non-light water) reactor installations at sites proximate to and sharing systems with non-NRC regulated facilities (e.g., users of process heat, fossil-plant retrofits, microgrid electrical power, desalination, etc.). Advanced-reactor technologies can be applied to support many industrial applications to replace the burning of fossil fuels as well as produce steam for electricity. The principal application of the current light-water reactor fleet is electricity generation. These varied industrial applications may involve an advanced-reactor design in combination with different site-specific energy-conversion systems. Some of these process-heat applications will require process-heat delivery systems to lie partially outside the advanced-reactor operator’s facility. Energy conversion systems are conventional, non-nuclear equipment and buildings. Given these varied applications, there should be a clear understanding between the advanced-reactor applicant and the NRC regarding a nominal demarcation between those systems that reside within the nuclear facility under the regulatory jurisdiction of the NRC (i.e., within the scope of a 10 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 50 operating license or Part 52 design certification and a combined license) and those that fall outside the scope of the NRC (e.g., an industrial facility). Additionally, it is important to have a clear understanding regarding the plant scope that should be addressed in an advanced-reactor facility Part 52, design certification application and the part of the plant scope that could be addressed as part of a site specific combined license application.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Panel Session 36: Hot Topics in US Commercial Low-Level Waste Management

This panel focused on emerging issues in commercial LLW management in the US from the perspective of active members of the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Forum, Inc. State, compact, federal and industry officials shared their views on a variety of timely and significant topics related to low-level radioactive waste management, disposal and related issues. Session no. 36 Co-Chairs, Patricia Holahan and Daniel Shrum, introduced the panelists and provided a summary of the purpose of the session. This Panel Session focused on several current and emerging issues impacting the commercial Low-Level Radioactive Waste (LLRW) management in the US from the perspective of active members of the Low-Level Waste Forum, Inc., States, Compact, as well as Federal and nuclear industries. The panelists provided different perspectives on number of key issues such as: LLW disposal facility status and updates (e.g.; in terms of disposal capacity, plans, and waste acceptance conditions). The panelists also addressed waste disposal rates and potential impacts of ongoing regulatory developments by the NRC and the concerned States. Other timely topics pertaining to the revision of 10CFR Part 61, the Greater-than-Class C (GTCC) and Transuranic (TRU) waste, and Very Low-Level Waste (VLLW) disposal issues were also addressed at this Session. Panelists with presentations: Hot Topics in US Commercial LLW Management (Joe Weismann); Texas LLRW Compact (David Carlson); Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission (John Salsman); Barnwell LLRW Disposal Facility (Benjamin Smith, Bill Carver)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Transitioning to a Sustainable, Circular Economy for Plastics [Workshop Report]

The “Transitioning to a Sustainable, Circular Economy for Plastics” workshop, coordinated by the Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) and the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO) in collaboration with The Climate Pledge, brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss the current challenges and opportunities in transitioning to a sustainable, circular economy for plastics in the United States. Input from the workshop will be used to ensure the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Strategy for Plastics Innovation (SPI) evolves with the rapidly changing landscape. Presentations, panel discussions, and breakout sessions provided a framework for sharing information and building direct connections among stakeholders across the value chain. This document summarizes the content discussed at the workshop to provide an update on the state of plastic sustainability in the United States.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Reviewing Flexibility in Industrial Electrification: U.S. Green Ammonia and Steel Industries [Slides]

The renewable energy transition in the power sector involves a paradigm shift for flexibility. Supply flexibility faces new constraints due to the increased share of variable renewable resources. Increased demand flexibility can allow less use of peaking power plants and delay need for additional capacity and transmission. Industrial customers are larger on average than residential and commercial consumers and have typically provided the largest share of demand response in the United States. We consider industrial demand, studying characteristics of flexible industrial loads. We examine the dynamics of change occurring around industrial load flexibility by focusing on two case studies: green ammonia and steel production via electric arc furnaces. Electric arc furnace steel production is an important component of current demand response programs, whereas green ammonia and green fuels offer new paradigms for flexibility. We analyze the structure and functions of the technological innovation systems of load flexibility in those two industries via interviews with twenty-two stakeholders. We conclude that the technological innovation systems are not well-functioning for flexibility in EAF based steelmaking, but are in the green ammonia space. Explicit connections between scope two greenhouse gas emissions reporting and flexibility are lacking, and industry stakeholders do not appear to make a connection between decarbonization and load flexibility.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Polymeric Membranes for H2S and CO2 Removal from Natural Gas for Hydrogen Production: A Review

Natural gas, an important source of hydrogen, is expected to be crucial in the transition to a hydrogen-based economy. The landscape of the gas processing industry is set to change in the near future with the development of highly acidic sour gas wells. Natural gas purification constitutes a major share of the gas separation membrane market, and the shift to low-quality sour gas wells has been mirrored in the trends of membrane material research. Purification also constitutes the major portion of the cost of natural gas, posing implications for the cost of hydrogen production. This review provides an update on the current state of research regarding polymeric membranes for H2S removal, along with CO2 separation, from natural gas that is used for hydrogen production via steam methane reforming. The challenges of adapting polymeric membranes to ternary H2S/CO2/CH4 separations are discussed in detail. Key polymeric materials are highlighted, and the prospects for their application in H2S removal from natural gas are evaluated. Finally, the growing interest in H2 production from H2S is discussed. Advances in the membrane industry and the emergence of new membrane materials may significantly improve the commercial viability of such processes.

Rao, Shraavya↗

Reviewing flexibility in industrial electrification: Focusing on green ammonia and steel in the United States

The renewable energy transition in the power sector involves a paradigm shift for flexibility. Flexible demand is more attainable than before, while supply flexibility faces new constraints due to the increased share of variable renewable resources. Increased demand flexibility can allow less use of peaking power plants and avoid need for additional capacity. Industrial flexibility could be especially interesting in this regard, as industrial customers are larger on average than other customers and have typically provided the largest share of demand response in the United States. We consider industrial demand, studying characteristics of flexible industrial loads. We then examine the dynamics of change occurring around industrial load flexibility by focusing on two case studies: green ammonia and steel production via electric arc furnaces. Electric arc furnace steel production is an important component of current demand response programs, whereas green ammonia and green fuels offer new paradigms for flexibility. We analyze the structure and functions of the technological innovation systems of load flexibility in those two industries via interviews with twenty-two stakeholders. Here, we conclude that in the United States these technological innovation systems are not well-functioning for industry in general or for steel, but do seem to be present for green ammonia. Additionally, explicit connections between scope two greenhouse gas emissions (those from purchased energy) and flexibility are lacking, and likewise industry stakeholders do not appear to make a connection between decarbonization and load flexibility, thus flexible demand is not viewed as a tool in industrial decarbonization.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Experimental and numerical investigation of proppant embedment and conductivity reduction within a fracture in the Caney Shale, Southern Oklahoma, USA

The current worldwide energy supply is insufficient to meet the rising demand. As a result, the energy prices are expected to keep soaring despite the recent increases in a variety of renewable energy resources. Although not renewable, shale oil and gas — “unconventional” hydrocarbon resources are relatively clean forms of energy resources, which still hold a vast share of the energy market. For many oil and gas companies, meeting profitable production goals from shale reservoirs is sometimes challenging, due to the loss of fracture conductivity and premature declines in the production. In this paper we investigate the stress-dependent changes in the hydraulic conductivity of proppant-filled fractures and mechanical fracture–proppant interactions in Caney Shale, a calcareous, organic-rich mudrock, through laboratory experiments and numerical modeling. American Petroleum Institute (API) fracture conductivity tests were conducted using 2% KCl on five locations within the Caney Shale that consisted of selecting three brittle (reservoir) zones and two ductile zones. Confining pressures ranged from 1,000 psi to 12,000 psi at 210 °F. Conductivity, permeability as well as embedment were measured during the test. Also, an additional, laboratory in-situ visualization test was conducted to examine the detailed proppant-shale matrix interaction under elevated stress (3,920 psi effective stress) and temperature (252 °F), with a synthetic reservoir fluid. Our experimental results have confirmed that improved fracture conductivity is attributed to proppant size, and that the increase in porosity of the proppant pack, closure pressure changes and the reduction in fracture conductivity are a function of many factors such as fracture closure stress.

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS↗