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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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NASA NTRS2016

CosmoQuest: Better Citizen Science Through Education

In the modern era, NASA SMD missions and facilities are producing data at a rate too great for the science community to maximally utilize. While software can help, what is really needed is additional eyes, hands, and minds - help we can find in the form of citizen scientist volunteers. The CosmoQuest virtual research facility has demonstrated through published research results that classroom students and the public can, with proper training and support from Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), fill roles more traditionally filled by university students. The research question behind CosmoQuest's creation was simple: if students and the public are provided a properly scaffolded experience that mirrors that of researchers, will they come and perform as well as our students? and can they rise up to be research collaborators? In creating CosmoQuest, we started with a core of citizen science portals, educational materials for both students and life-long learners, and collaboration areas. These three primary focuses mirror the research, courses, and collaboration spaces that form the foundation of a university department. We then went on to add the features that make a center stand out - we added seminars in the form of Google Hangouts on Air, planetarium content through our Science on the Half Sphere program, and even the chance to vicariously attend conferences through live blogging by our team members. With this design for a virtual research facility, the answer to our foundational question has been a resounding yes; the public can aid us in doing science provided they are properly trained. To meet the needs of our population we have developed four areas of engagement: research, education, media, and community.

Gay, P. L.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Developing a Medical System Foundation for Level of Care IV: Short-Duration Lunar Orbit

The Human Research Program (HRP) Exploration Medical Capability (ExMC) element has developed a Medical System Foundation for Level of Care IV, as defined by NASA’s space flight human-system standards, for short-duration lunar orbit missions by employing a systems engineering approach using model-based systems engineering tools. This Foundation includes a concept of operations, medical system architecture, associated functional and non-functional requirements and rationales, and medical conditions, capabilities, and resources. Collectively, these serve as a starting point (“Foundation”) for a medical system that meets the Level of Care IV requirement. The Foundation also includes traces to the current versions of NASA standards documents and lower (e.g., sub-system) and higher (e.g., vehicle system) level requirements. Stakeholders can use the Foundation to analyze the traces between medical capabilities, medical conditions, medical resources, and requirements; identify medical system interfaces with other vehicle systems/subsystems; and as a basis for performing trades on risks vs. medical system mass and volume allocation. To facilitate communication of the Foundation to stakeholders who do not have access to the modeling tools used, an HTML representation of the Foundation was created. This discussion will focus on the processes through which the Medical System Foundation was developed, how the Foundation builds a bridge between the medical and engineering domains and facilitates communication between these communities, and how these processes can be applied more broadly to a crew health and performance system and other system domains.

S. Lumpkins↗
DOE OSTI2023

Editorial special issue: Advancing foundational sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence science

The first research on the possibilities offered by chlorophyll-a fluorescence to track the daily course of CO 2 assimilation by leaves dates back to the last century (Kautsky and Hirsch, 1931). In the second half of the XXth Century, the development of the field of active fluorescence, which relies mainly on the pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) fluorimetry technique, allowed the unraveling of the relationship between the yield of chlorophyll-a fluorescence and photochemistry (linear electron transport), which is modulated by a third process known as non-photochemical quenching (Genty et al., 1989). Since then, active fluorescence has been regularly used in ecophysiology, forestry, and crop sciences to understand the plant response to stress (Schreiber, 2004). Since the beginning of the 2000s, the development of portable field spectrometers allows for measuring passive sun-induced fluorescence (SIF) at strong solar or telluric absorption features, which do not rely on the use of artificial excitation light (e.g., Meroni and Colombo, 2006; Meroni et al., 2009; Perez-Priego et al., 2005). Since then, the field has rapidly evolved, and now fluorescence is measurable with automated field spectrometers in the field (Grossmann et al., 2018; Gu et al., 2019b; Rossini et al., 2010), airborne platforms (Rascher et al., 2015; Zarco-Tejada et al., 2000), and satellites (Guanter et al., 2012; Sun et al., 2018). These advances offer the potential to couple ecosystem-scale measurements of CO 2 fluxes and SIF to probe new aspects related to ecosystem structural impacts on SIF andphotosynthesis processes at different time-scales and on different ecosystems (e.g., Damm et al., 2010; Magney et al., 2019; Porcar-Castell et al., 2021). While SIF has been proven as a good proxy of gross primary productivity (GPP), mainly across large spatial and temporal gradients, a series of studies showed that different factors could confound this relationship, namely different canopy structures (e.g., Dechant et al., 2020; Migliavacca et al., 2017), stress conditions (e.g., Martini et al., 2022; Wieneke et al., 2018; Wohlfahrt et al., 2018), nutritional conditions (Cendrero-Mateo et al., 2015; Martini et al., 2019), species-specific differences (e.g., Van Wittenberghe et al., 2013) and light regimes (e.g., Liu and Liu, 2018). At the same time, the modeling of SIF developed rapidly (Gu et al., 2019a; Han et al., 2022; Han et al., 2021; van der Tol et al., 2014; van der Tol et al., 2009) and with an increasing degree of realism, offering the possibility to retrieve important vegetation parameters from remote sensing (Pacheco-Labrador et al., 2019; Verrelst et al., 2015; Verrelst et al., 2016; Zhang et al., 2014). Excellent and comprehensive reviews of the field are by (Mohammed et al., 2019; Porcar-Castell et al., 2021; Porcar-Castell et al., 2014; Sun et al., 2023a; Sun et al., 2023b). Despite the exponential increase in the number of publications in the field, significant progress is still needed. Here, this special issue aims to report foundational SIF science, including theoretical modeling and measurement-based research that is urgently needed to unleash the full potential of SIF for physiological and ecological applications at scales spanning from leaf to globe. The 14 articles collected in this special issue reported on the following specific aspects: first, technical capabilities enabling spectrally resolved SIF observations and their inter-comparability in space and time; second, theoretical developments in SIF-photosynthesis relationships to correctly interpret the signal and extract mechanistic information on vegetation structure and function; third, evaluation of the potential of SIF to track process beyond photosynthesis, such as transpiration; fourth, large scale-applications of SIF observations; and finally, upscaling fluorescence from leaf to canopy scales.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Basic Energy Sciences Roundtable: Foundational Science for Carbon Dioxide Removal Technologies (Brochure)

Basic research to identify and understand the fundamental principles governing carbon dioxide removal processes of capture, conversion, and storage is essential for achieving zero carbon emissions by 2050. In March 2022, the Office of Basic Energy Sciences (BES)—in coordination with the US Department of Energy (DOE) technology Offices of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, and Nuclear Energy—held a roundtable titled, “Foundational Science for Carbon Dioxide Removal Technologies,” to discuss the scientific and technical barriers for CO 2 capture, conversion, and storage. Five priority research opportunities were identified to address these scientific and technical challenges and accelerate progress toward the realization of zero carbon emissions. The PROs are as follows: 1) Master Interfacial Processes of CO2 Transport and Reactivity Across Multiple Length and Time Scales; 2) Create Materials that Simultaneously Exhibit Multiple Properties for CO 2 Capture and Release or Conversion; 3) Discover Unconventional Pathways for Energy-Efficient CO 2 Capture, Release, and Conversion; 4) Control Multiphase Interactions Required for CO 2 Conversion into Minerals and Materials; and 5) Achieve Predictive Understanding of Coupled Processes in Complex Subsurface Geologic Systems for Secure Carbon Storage.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Basic Energy Sciences Roundtable: Foundational Science for Carbon-Neutral Hydrogen Technologies

Basic research to identify and understand the fundamental principles governing hydrogen processes is essential for achieving a carbon-neutral, hydrogen-based energy and chemical infrastructure. In August 2021, the Office of Basic Energy Sciences (BES)—in coordination with the US Department of Energy (DOE) technology Offices of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, and Nuclear Energy—held a roundtable titled, “Foundational Science for Carbon-Neutral Hydrogen Technologies,” to discuss the scientific and technical barriers for carbon-neutral hydrogen production, storage, and utilization. Four priority research opportunities (PROs) were identified to address these scientific and technical challenges and accelerate progress toward the realization of energy-efficient, carbon-neutral cycles for hydrogen processes. The PROs are as follows: Discover and Control Materials and Chemical Processes to Revolutionize Electrolysis Systems; Manipulate Hydrogen Interactions to Harness the Full Potential of Hydrogen as a Fuel; Elucidate the Structure, Evolution, and Chemistry of Complex Interfaces for Energy- and Atom-Efficiency; and Understand and Limit Degradation Processes to Enhance the Durability of Hydrogen Systems.

08 HYDROGEN↗
NASA NTRS2013

Growing Spaceships?

NASA currently has a program called the Space Synthetic Biology Project. Synthetic Biology or SynBio is the design and construction of new biological functions and systems not found in nature. Four NASA field centers, along with experts from industry and academia, have been partnering on the Space Synthetic Biology Project and are working on new breakthroughs in this increasingly useful pursuit, which is part a science discipline and part engineering. Led by researchers at NASA s Ames Research Center, the team is studying how this powerful new tool can help NASA now and in the future. The project was created to harness biology in reliable, robust, engineered systems to support the agency s exploration and science missions, to improve life on Earth and to help shape NASA's future. The program also is intended to contribute foundational tools to the synthetic biology research community.

Robertson, Glen A.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Mechanisms in Regulating the Quasi‐Biennial Oscillation in Exascale Earth System Model Version 2

Abstract The update to the deep convection parameterization in the energy exascale Earth system model version 2 (E3SMv2) makes the simulated quasi‐biennial oscillation (QBO) have a shorter period than without the update when other tunable parameters the same since the update makes convection more intense but less frequent while leaving the time‐mean convective heating tendency almost unchanged. Amplitudes of momentum fluxes of parameterized gravity waves (GWs) are intensified since they are determined by the square of convective heating tendency. In addition, stronger planetary waves are simulated in E3SMv2 with the convection scheme update, partially due to the tropospheric precipitation change. Furthermore, there is evidence that planetary waves are intensified in the stratosphere due to the dissipation of enhanced parameterized GWs. These factors are found to be responsible for modulating the QBO simulated in E3SMv2.

Li, Yuanpu [Climate and Global Dynamics Division U↗
DOE OSTI2021

Building Neutron Scattering Infrastructure in Louisiana for Advanced Materials (Final Report)

The main objective of the Louisiana Consortium for Neutron Scattering (LaCNS) is to build a major neutron scattering infrastructure capable of treating both soft and hard materials. The goal is to create a sustainable effort having the quality, breadth, and depth necessary to produce competitive proposals including collaborative and center type proposals. Our scientific aim is to understand the role of coupling in emergent complex materials and its impact on the structure/property relationship and to explore how to tune the key couplings to guide the design of materials with the desired properties. This naturally includes building a base of users of the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) and the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) in Louisiana; to train highly talented graduate and post-doctoral students in synthesis, neutron scattering, and simulation and modeling techniques, thereby helping to produce the next generation of scientist who use neutron scattering techniques as a crucial part of their research. The goal of our hard matter program is to understand the interplay between spin, charge, orbital, and lattice degrees of freedom in carefully selected complex materials. We have made considerable progress on number of complex systems including the oxide Sr3(Ru1-xMnx)2O7 where short-range magnetic ordering with anisotropic spin texture is initiated at the metal-insulator transition that clearly indicates a strong spin-charge coupling. Another critical area is in quantum materials. For example, in the topological semimetal BaMnSb2, we found a 3D canted antiferromagnetic Weyl semimetal with a 2D electronic structure and a nontrivial Berry phase. In addition, in the hexagonal chiral Mn1/3NbS2 system, we found soliton/soliton and soliton/antisoliton domain walls where the application of small fields or small currents can be used to control nanoscopic magnetic domains where the control of domain walls is crucially important for information storage. In addition, chemical transformation investigations were performed on the VISION instrument at Spallation Neutron Source (SNS). The soft matter effort was focused on understanding the role of non-covalent interactions on the structure and dynamics of fluid-based soft matter. One key focus was on sequence-defined (SD) amphiphilic peptoid polymers that allow encoding of molecular interactions and thereby systematic investigations of how charge directs the solution self-assembly of amphiphilic polymers in water. Another important area was on the dynamics of lipids self-assembled into membranes for exploring the permeability and mechanical using both neutron spin echo (NSE) spectroscopy and quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS) to distinguished between viscoelasticity and permeability at the molecular scale. Overall, the LaCNS project was quite successful, generating 145 publications and 245 presentations. Our graduate and post-doctoral students were well trained resulting in positions in national laboratories (Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Argonne National Laboratory and Los Alamos National Laboratory), major research universities, and industry. We also developed a uniaxial pressure cell along with ORNL for SNS. A critical goal of this project was to establish a foundation for competing nationally in federally funded research programs. To this end, we were quite successful in generating over twenty-two federally and non-federally funded grants including awards from NSF, DOE, and DOD, and two early career awards. Equally important, we were able to secure a key major piece of instrumentation via a large ARO grant for a state-of-the-art electron microscope.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS2015

Preserving the Science Legacy from the Apollo Missions to the Moon

Six Apollo missions landed on the Moon from 1969-72, returning to Earth 382 kg of lunar rock, soil, and core samples-among the best documented and preserved samples on Earth that have supported a robust research program for 45 years. From mission planning through sample collection, preliminary examination, and subsequent research, strict protocols and procedures are followed for handling and allocating Apollo subsamples. Even today, 100s of samples are allocated for research each year, building on the science foundation laid down by the early Apollo sample studies and combining new data from today's instrumentation, lunar remote sensing missions and lunar meteorites. Today's research includes advances in our understanding of lunar volatiles, lunar formation and evolution, and the origin of evolved lunar lithologies. Much sample information is available to researchers at curator.jsc.nasa.gov. Decades of analyses on lunar samples are published in LPSC proceedings volumes and other peer-reviewed journals, and tabulated in lunar sample compendia entries. However, for much of the 1969-1995 period, the processing documentation, individual and consortia analyses, and unpublished results exist only in analog forms or primitive digital formats that are either inaccessible or at risk of being lost forever because critical data from early investigators remain unpublished. We have initiated several new efforts to rescue some of the early Apollo data, including unpublished analytical data. We are scanning NASA documentation that is related to the Apollo missions and sample processing, and we are collaborating with IEDA to establish a geochemical database called Moon DB. To populate this database, we are working with prominent lunar PIs to organize and transcribe years of both published and unpublished data. Other initiatives include micro-CT scanning of complex lunar samples to document their interior structure (e.g. clasts, vesicles); linking high-resolution scans of Apollo film products to samples; and new procedures for systematic high resolution photography of samples before additional processing, enabling detailed 3D reconstructions of the samples. All of these efforts will provide comprehensive access to Apollo samples and support better curation of the samples for decades to come.

Evans, Cindy↗
DOE OSTI2025

Yes, No, Maybe So: Human Factors Considerations for Fostering Calibrated Trust in Foundation Models Under Uncertainty

High-stakes analytical environments require analysts to evaluate evidence and generate conclusions to inform critical decisions often under conditions of uncertainty. Probabilistic decision-making based on incomplete or inaccurate information can reduce productivity, compromise national interests, and endanger public safety. Researchers are developing expert systems built on foundation models (FMs) to support analysts’ decision-making processes by enabling human-artificial intelligence (AI) teaming, in part through the quantification and expression of uncertainty information. As FMs continue to mature, it is imperative to correspondingly consider analysts’ needs for appropriately interpreting and using uncertainty information. However, prior research indicates that it remains unclear how analysts engage with FM-generated uncertainty information and the extent to which these interactions influence trust in, and reliance on, expert systems. We plan to review the state of the science and conduct an exploratory, qualitative study to (a) understand how properly communicated uncertainty can foster calibrated trust and appropriate reliance and (b) identify approaches for effectively conveying FM-generated uncertainty information during analytical workflows. We will administer semi-structured interviews with analysts from a specific high-stakes analytical environment to collect their current experiences with job-related uncertainty and their impressions when viewing FM-generated uncertainty information. During the interview protocol, participants will be presented with several different FM outputs and invited to discuss their thoughts and beliefs about the uncertainty information displayed. Participants may provide insights into how trust and reliance may be influenced by uncertainty. The results of this study will help us to better understand how analysts currently interpret and use uncertainty information. Our findings may inform human factors recommendations for effectively conveying uncertainty information to foster calibrated trust in, and appropriate reliance on, expert systems. Interaction designers and FM developers can use this knowledge to enhance human-AI teaming and ensure the responsible deployment of FM-based expert systems in analytical workflows.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Medical System Foundation Overview for Long-Duration Lunar Orbit and Surface Operations Missions

The Human Research Program (HRP) Exploration Medical Capability (ExMC) Element has developed a Medical System Foundation for Level of Care IV, as defined by NASA’s space flight human-system standards, for long-duration lunar orbit and surface operation missions by employing a systems engineering approach using model-based systems engineering tools. This Foundation model includes a concept of operations; functional decomposition; clinical content (medical conditions, capabilities, and resources); associated functional, interface and non-functional technical requirements; and traces to the current versions of NASA standards documents and parent-level (Program- and Vehicle habitat system level) requirements. Collectively, these components constitute a foundation that serves as a starting point for a medical system that meets the Level of Care IV requirement. The Foundation was developed by a multidisciplinary team consisting of systems engineers, scientists, and clinicians across NASA, and information is presented in an easily accessible format that is understandable across disciplines. Stakeholders can use the Foundation to analyze the traces between medical capabilities, medical conditions, medical resources, and requirements and to identify medical system interfaces with other vehicle systems/subsystems. It can also be used as a basis for performing trades on risks vs. medical system mass and volume allocation. This discussion will focus on the processes through which the Medical System Foundation was developed, how the Foundation builds a bridge between the medical and engineering domains and facilitates communication between these communities, and how these processes can be applied more broadly to a crew health and performance system and other system domains. The presentation also discusses Foundation modifications based on the recently updated versions of the NASA 3001 Standards.

S. Lumpkins↗
DOE OSTI2025

AI in Astrophysics: Tackling Domain Shift, Model Robustness and Uncertainty

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing physics research from probing the large-scale structure of the Universe to modeling subatomic interactions and fundamental forces. Yet, a major challenge persists: AI models trained on simulations or old experiment / astronomical survey often perform poorly when applied to new data exposing issues of dataset (domain) shift, model robustness, and uncertainty in predictions. This talk will introduce common challenges in applying AI across domains and present solutions based on domain adaptation a set of techniques designed to improve model generalization under domain shift. We will cover foundational ideas, practical strategies, and current research frontiers in this area. Through examples in astrophysics, we'll explore how domain adaptation can help bridge the gap between synthetic and real-world data, improve trust in model outputs, and advance scientific discovery.

Ciprijanvoic, Aleksandra [Fermilab] (ORCID:0000000↗
DOE OSTI2025

Shift Happens: Building Robust AI Models with Domain Adaptation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing physics research—from probing the large-scale structure of the Universe to modeling subatomic interactions and fundamental forces. Yet, a major challenge persists: AI models trained on simulations or old experiment / astronomical survey often perform poorly when applied to new data—exposing issues of dataset (domain) shift, model robustness, and uncertainty in predictions. This summer school session will introduce students to common challenges in applying AI across domains and present solutions based on domain adaptation—a set of techniques designed to improve model generalization under domain shift. We will cover foundational ideas, practical strategies, and current research frontiers in this area. Through examples in astrophysics, we'll explore how domain adaptation can help bridge the gap between synthetic and real-world data, improve trust in model outputs, and advance scientific discovery. The concepts discussed are broadly applicable across physics and other scientific disciplines, making this a valuable topic for anyone interested in building robust, transferable AI models for science.

Ciprijanovic, A. [Fermilab] (ORCID:000000031281719↗
NASA NTRS2016

Rescue and Preservation of Sample Data from the Apollo Missions to the Moon

Six Apollo missions landed on the Moon from 1969-72, returning to Earth 382 kg of lunar rock, soil, and core samples. These samples are among the best documented and preserved samples on Earth that have supported a robust research program for 45 years. From mission planning through sample collection, preliminary examination, and subsequent research, strict protocols and procedures are followed for handling and allocating Apollo subsamples, resulting in the production of vast amounts of documentation. Even today, hundreds of samples are allocated for research each year, building on the science foundation laid down by the early Apollo sample studies and combining new data from today's instrumentation, lunar remote sensing missions and lunar meteorites. Much sample information is available to researchers at curator.jsc.nasa.gov. Decades of analyses on lunar samples are published in LPSC proceedings volumes and other peer-reviewed journals, and tabulated in lunar sample compendia entries. However, for much of the 1969-1995 period, the processing documentation, individual and consortia analyses, and unpublished results exist only in analog forms or primitive digital formats that are either inaccessible or at risk of being lost forever because critical data from early investigators remain unpublished.

Todd, Nancy S.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Quantum Plasmonic Sensors

The extraordinary sensitivity of plasmonic sensors is well-known in the optics and photonics community. These sensors exploit simultaneously the enhancement and the localization of electromagnetic fields close to the interface between a metal and a dielectric. This enables, for example, the design of integrated biochemical sensors at scales far below the diffraction limit. Despite their practical realization and successful commercialization, the sensitivity and associated precision of plasmonic sensors are starting to reach their fundamental classical limit given by quantum fluctuations of light—known as the shot-noise limit. To improve the sensing performance of these sensors beyond the classical limit, quantum resources are increasingly being employed. This area of research has become known as “quantum plasmonic sensing”, and it has experienced substantial activity in recent years for applications in chemical and biological sensing. This review aims to cover both plasmonic and quantum techniques for sensing, and it shows how they have been merged to enhance the performance of plasmonic sensors beyond traditional methods. We discuss the general framework developed for quantum plasmonic sensing in recent years, covering the basic theory behind the advancements made, and describe the important works that made these advancements. We also describe several key works in detail, highlighting their motivation, the working principles behind them, and their future impact. The intention of the review is to set a foundation for a burgeoning field of research that is currently being explored out of intellectual curiosity and for a wide range of practical applications in biochemistry, medicine, and pharmaceutical research.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2025

End-of-Century Changes in Orographic Precipitation with the Intermediate Complexity Atmospheric Research Model over the Western United States

Abstract Downscaled precipitation projections were created using the Intermediate Complexity Atmospheric Research (ICAR) model over the western United States to increase the physical realism in orographic precipitation changes. End-of-century simulations from eight models in phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) were downscaled with ICAR and compared to the widely utilized statistically downscaled dataset, localized constructed analogs (LOCAs), to understand where and why projections of cool-season (September–May) precipitation differed. ICAR and LOCA precipitation projections were similar, but their sign differed in hydrologically relevant regions likely due to ICAR’s simulation of microphysics and mesoscale dynamics with high-resolution topography (6 km). In the Pacific Northwest, cool-season precipitation projections from ICAR showed an increase on the windward side of the Cascades and no significant change within the lee. This difference between the windward and leeward side was attributed to reduced zonal wind speeds, allowing more time for microphysical processes within ICAR. This contrast is enhanced by rain’s faster fall speed compared to snow, limiting transport into the lee. Meanwhile, LOCA projected an increase in precipitation across the Cascades. In the Upper Colorado River basin, LOCA projected an increase in precipitation in high elevation regions (>3000 m), but ICAR projected no significant change or a decrease in precipitation. High elevation differences were most evident in the spring and fall and were also attributed to a snow-to-rain transition and dynamical processes that impacted orographic enhancement within ICAR. Idealized, controlled studies are needed to better isolate individual processes, but these results underscore the importance of including microphysics and mesoscale dynamics within regional-scale precipitation projections. Significance Statement A set of global climate model simulations was downscaled using an atmospheric model that contains key physical equations, referred to as Intermediate Complexity Atmospheric Research (ICAR). ICAR was used to examine projected changes in end-of-century cool-season precipitation over mountains in the western United States. Precipitation projections from ICAR were similar to projections that used statistical relationships to downscale climate projections. However, projections differed between ICAR and statistically downscaled datasets in whether they increased, decreased, or stayed the same in specific, hydrologically relevant regions such as the eastern Cascades and high elevation areas of the Upper Colorado River basin. These differences were attributed to the simulation of physical processes in ICAR. The results highlight the importance of kilometer-scale atmospheric processes in regional climate projections.

Currier, William Ryan [NOAA/Physical Sciences Labo↗
NASA NTRS1995

The Center for Astrophysics in Antarctica

Nowhere on Earth are the infrared skies clearer, darker, or more stable than on the high Antarctic Plateau. At some wavelengths, Antarctic telescopes may be more than one to two orders of magnitude more efficient than at other sites. However, exploiting these advantages requires first addressing the formidable practical difficulties of working in the remote and frigid polar environment. This was the motivation for the Center for Astrophysical Research in Antarctica (CARA), one of twenty-five National Science Foundation Science and Technology Centers. At its inception, the Center organized its research into four projects. Three - AST/RO, COBRA, and SPIREX - address key problems in star formation, evolution of galaxies, and the distribution of matter in the early universe. They feature surveys which can be conducted effectively with moderate-size telescopes operated in a highly automated mode. They also explore the potential of the Antarctic Plateau for a broad range of astrophysical research over a spectral range extending from the near-infrared to millimeter wavelengths. A fourth, ATP, was created to obtain quantitative data on the qualities of the South Pole site and to plan for future scientific projects. During the next five years, AST/RO, COBRA, and SPIREX will become operational, and the Center will begin to build a second generation of telescopes which can address a broader range of problems and accommodate a larger community of users.

Pernic, Robert J.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Hydropower Geotechnical Foundations: Current Practice and Innovation Opportunities for Low-Head Applications

Hydropower is a renewable energy resource that produces electricity from flowing water under pressure. Engineered hydropower structures, such as dams, are used to create a hydraulic head, enabling a turbinegenerator unit to convert pressurized flow into electricity. While hydropower has been a source of renewable energy since antiquity, new development in the United States has slowed in recent decades. Based on recent resource assessments, the largest opportunity to expand hydropower in the United States is from new stream-reach development (i.e., new hydropower development along stream-reaches that do not currently have hydroelectric facilities or other forms of infrastructure, such as dams). Roughly 75% of identified new stream-reach development potential is from low-head sites (less than 30 ft of head), which typically suffer from smaller power densities and higher normalized costs, given economies of scale. Hydropower developers and other stakeholders are thus interested in strategies to reduce initial capital costs while practicing sustainable development to maximize environmental compatibility with minimal disruption to natural aquatic life, sediment, and water flows. Historically, civil works have represented a significant cost driver for new hydropower development, with the foundation system representing a major cost component and source of uncertainty. The foundation system is the collection of engineered structural features (e.g. cutoff trenches, walls, grouting, anchors) constructed at or below the preconstruction ground surface that interfaces between the overlying structures (superstructures) and the bed material below (subsurface). Development of a hydropower foundation system must consider the various characteristics of the surrounding stream environment and subsurface while adhering to the engineering requirements of the superstructure that it supports. The care of water, excavation, and other construction activities are important features of foundation design and construction. The design and construction cost of the foundation system is largely dependent on the site geology and riverbed composition and is influenced by the level of geotechnical assessment required and conducted. Thus, a hydropower facility’s geotechnical foundation is often highly site-specific, with proper site selection and assessment being important to project success. The foundation system is designed to provide structural stability (of the foundation and dam), limit seepage, ensure public safety, and maintain functionality for the project life, during both construction and facility operations. Inadequate foundation or dam design can result in dam failure and the uncontrolled release of significant volumes of water, which could cause a high number of casualties and extensive property damage downstream of the failure. According to the Association of State Dam Safety Officials, approximately 30% of all historical dam failures in the United States are attributed to foundation or abutment defects, and another 20% are attributed to piping or seepage through the embankment, foundation, or abutment. To ameliorate these safety considerations, foundations often require massive amounts of construction material (e.g., grout, concrete, engineered dam fill) and long construction times. Foundation design also requires significant analysis prior to construction because the initial in-stream and abutment subsurface conditions are site-specific, and sufficient data for them often are lacking. Current practice requires on-site assessment, using expensive drilling and invasive and non-invasive investigation methods, to determine the expected cost of foundation material and treatment. Additionally, foundation construction often requires site dewatering (and other care of water activities), which involves constructing temporary diversion structures upstream and often downstream, called cofferdams, and water diversion systems that route water around the construction site. Cofferdams and water diversion systems can drastically increase construction costs and contribute to environmental disruption, including modification of flow patterns and benthic habitats. Given the technical, economic, and environmental challenges associated with hydropower foundations, opportunities exist to improve the current state of practice and to develop new and innovative solutions to Hydropower is a renewable energy resource that produces electricity from flowing water under pressure. Engineered hydropower structures, such as dams, are used to create a hydraulic head, enabling a turbinegenerator unit to convert pressurized flow into electricity. While hydropower has been a source of renewable energy since antiquity, new development in the United States has slowed in recent decades. Based on recent resource assessments, the largest opportunity to expand hydropower in the United States is from new stream-reach development (i.e., new hydropower development along stream-reaches that do not currently have hydroelectric facilities or other forms of infrastructure, such as dams). Roughly 75% of identified new stream-reach development potential is from low-head sites (less than 30 ft of head), which typically suffer from smaller power densities and higher normalized costs, given economies of scale. Hydropower developers and other stakeholders are thus interested in strategies to reduce initial capital costs while practicing sustainable development to maximize environmental compatibility with minimal disruption to natural aquatic life, sediment, and water flows. Historically, civil works have represented a significant cost driver for new hydropower development, with the foundation system representing a major cost component and source of uncertainty. The foundation system is the collection of engineered structural features (e.g. cutoff trenches, walls, grouting, anchors) constructed at or below the preconstruction ground surface that interfaces between the overlying structures (superstructures) and the bed material below (subsurface). Development of a hydropower foundation system must consider the various characteristics of the surrounding stream environment and subsurface while adhering to the engineering requirements of the superstructure that it supports. The care of water, excavation, and other construction activities are important features of foundation design and construction. The design and construction cost of the foundation system is largely dependent on the site geology and riverbed composition and is influenced by the level of geotechnical assessment required and conducted. Thus, a hydropower facility’s geotechnical foundation is often highly site-specific, with proper site selection and assessment being important to project success. The foundation system is designed to provide structural stability (of the foundation and dam), limit seepage, ensure public safety, and maintain functionality for the project life, during both construction and facility operations. Inadequate foundation or dam design can result in dam failure and the uncontrolled release of significant volumes of water, which could cause a high number of casualties and extensive property damage downstream of the failure. According to the Association of State Dam Safety Officials, approximately 30% of all historical dam failures in the United States are attributed to foundation or abutment defects, and another 20% are attributed to piping or seepage through the embankment, foundation, or abutment. To ameliorate these safety considerations, foundations often require massive amounts of construction material (e.g., grout, concrete, engineered dam fill) and long construction times. Foundation design also requires significant analysis prior to construction because the initial in-stream and abutment subsurface conditions are site-specific, and sufficient data for them often are lacking. Current practice requires on-site assessment, using expensive drilling and invasive and non-invasive investigation methods, to determine the expected cost of foundation material and treatment. Additionally, foundation construction often requires site dewatering (and other care of water activities), which involves constructing temporary diversion structures upstream and often downstream, called cofferdams, and water diversion systems that route water around the construction site. Cofferdams and water diversion systems can drastically increase construction costs and contribute to environmental disruption, including modification of flow patterns and benthic habitats. Given the technical, economic, and environmental challenges associated with hydropower foundations, opportunities exist to improve the current state of practice and to develop new and innovative solutions to challenges frequently encountered with traditional approaches. With this understanding, it is critically important to understand and document the current state of practice for hydropower geotechnical foundations, identify key challenges, and define opportunities for innovative solutions. To this end, this report documents the current state of practice across the three main phases of geotechnical foundation development: (1) geotechnical site assessment, (2) design, and (3) construction for hydropower systems. It also describes the major challenges with conventional approaches and identifies opportunities for innovation to reduce hydropower foundations costs, timelines, and risks. Key takeaways from this report include the following: Approximately 80% of available low-head sites are expected to have foundations on soil beds rather than rock beds, suggesting that rockfill and earthfill dams may be the most cost-effective conventional dam type for new projects.; Geotechnical and geologic investigation activities are time-consuming and expensive but are essential to define the parameters and criteria needed for foundation design.; Certain riverbed soil and bedrock types present significant technical challenges or require expensive foundation construction, which can prove financially prohibitive for low-head project development.; Modular hydropower design and prefabricated modular foundations represent a promising but unproven paradigm for new hydropower development. Design and construction approaches using optimized and highly repeatable, reliable components would benefit project cost, time, and risk but require additional research and development.; Temporary construction features for foundations, including cofferdams, water diversion, and water control systems, can prove costly and have inherent construction risk.; For economically viable development, hydropower geotechnical foundations should be limited to 4 to 15% of the project’s total initial capital costs. Many proposed projects have experienced cost overruns attributable to foundation difficulties or surprises during construction. These overruns may have been due to inadequate investigations, lack of adequate engineering effort to tailor the structures to site geology and topography, and/or contractual terms, among other considerations.; Challenges for hydropower foundations and opportunities for innovative technology solutions are identified in the following areas (consistent with the three main phases of foundation development): Geotechnical site assessment, Foundation design and materials, Construction methods and technology. Ultimately, this report aims to provide information about geotechnical foundations for low-head hydropower and to motivate transformative technologies to support hydropower growth.

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