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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 379 records · Page 21

A new gamma-ray diagnostic for energetic ion distributions - The Compton tail on the neutron capture line

This paper presents a new radiation diagnostic for assaying the energy spectrum and the angular distribution of energetic ions incident on thick hydrogen-rich thermal targets. This diagnostic compares the number of emergent photons in the narrow neutron capture line at 2.223 MeV to the number of Compton scattered photons that form a low-energy tail on the line. It is shown that the relative strength of the tail can be used as a measure of the hardness of the incident ion-energy spectrum. Application of this diagnostic to solar flare conditions is the main thrust of the work presented here. It is examined how the strength of the Compton tail varies with flare viewing angle and the angular distribution of the flare-accelerated particles. Application to compact X-ray binary systems is also briefly discussed.

Vestrand, W. Thomas↗

Design Evaluation of High Reliability Lithium Batteries

Within one year, a lithium battery design can be qualified for device use through the application of accelerated discharge testing, calorimetry measurements, real time tests and other supplemental testing. Materials and corrosion testing verify that the battery components remain functional during expected battery life. By combining these various methods, a high reliability lithium battery can be manufactured for applications which require zero defect battery performance.

Buchman, R. C.↗

On possibility of low-emittance high-energy muon source based on plasma wakefield acceleration

We report plasma wakefield acceleration (PWA) channels are characterized by very high accelerating gradients and very strong focusing fields. We propose to employ these properties for effective production of low emittance high energy muon beams, consider muon beam dynamics in the PWFA cell and analyze various options and potential of the PWA-based muon sources.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Artificial or variable gravity attained by tether systems

The simplest orbiting tethered system demands for stability that the mass centers of two end bodies be displaced above and below the position of zero acceleration. Therefore, the contents of the end bodies are subjected necessarily to acceleration fields or artificial gravity whose magnitudes depend on the dimensions and masses of the system. If the length of the tether changes, so do the fields. Even for a fixed tether length, the acceleration field at a location in the system may be somewhat variable unless special means are employed to maintain a constant value. These fundamental properties of a tethered system can be used to advantage if small or variable acceleration fields are desired for experimental or operational reasons. This potential use involves a few expressions from a formulation of tether system dynamics. Some of these formulae were collected for convenient use. Two and three body tethered equilibrium equations are explained. A special application of acceleration field control using a tether system is attainment of near-zero gravity. In this applicaition, even small variations about zero become a critical matter.

Lundquist, C. A.↗

Highly accelerated life testing (HALT): A review from a statistical perspective

Despite its use in one form or another for at least four decades, HALT and related techniques [e.g., highly accelerated-stress screening (HASS) and stress audits (HASA)] are not well understood within the statistical community and remain controversial. This largely reflects a conflict in motivation between engineers, testing under harsh conditions to discover and eliminate failure modes, and statisticians, taking a more cautious approach to develop quantitative estimates of parameters such as mean time between failures (MTBF). Here, this review article will clarify HALT concepts and methods and explain where it fits within the universe of methods that involve the application of accelerating factors to compress the time required to evaluate or enhance product reliability. A major distinction is between methods such as HALT, a high-stress test-analyze-fix-test iterative process directed at improving reliability by discovering and fixing weak points in a design, and quantitative accelerated life testing (QALT), whose goal is the estimation of product life for a fixed design. We discuss methods such as physics of failure that offer some hope of bridging the gap between the qualitative nature of HALT, and purely quantitative statistical methods. We present a variety of engineering applications of HALT including metal fatigue, piping and pressure vessels, structural damage, radiation damage, and rotating machinery. We also discuss potential synergies between HALT and QALT, such as rapid identification, through HALT, of failure modes requiring quantitative analysis. For further study, extensive references to the applicable literature are provided as well as an appendix that describes related methods.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Non-Electric Applications of Generation IV Reactors: Accelerating Economy-Wide Decarbonization via Nuclear Energy

This presentation covers the role of nuclear energy in support net-zero solutions, highlighting work within the US DOE Integrated Energy Systems, Light Water Reactor Sustainability, and Hydrogen at Scale programs. The discussion will also introduce the recently-establishing Generation-IV International Forum (GIF) interim task force on non-electric applications of nuclear heat (NEaNH-iTF). This work is presented within a special invited webinar organized by the GIF Education and Training Working Group and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

08 HYDROGEN↗

The effects of random accelerations on estimation accuracy with applications to the Mariner 1969 relativity experiment

A simple point of view is presented for establishing the relationship between a general modeling error and estimation accuracy. Tentative models are given for the random, nongravitational forces thought likely to affect the Mariner 6 and 7 spacecraft. The navigation data from these spacecraft were used to determine the relativity parameter Gamma. The effect that random accelerations have on the classical least squares filter, which assumes the accelerations do not exist, is calculated, and it is demonstrated that their presence seriously affects the estimates, particularly when an extended data arc is employed. Finally, some preliminary exploration using sequential-type filters, which attempt to model and thus ameliorate the effects of these same accelerations, is reported.

Curkendall, D. W.↗

Optimization of Energy Flow Through Synthetic Metabolic Modules and Regulatory Networks in a Model Photosynthetic Eukaryotic Microbe

Diatoms are important oceanic photosynthetic microorganisms, responsible for approximately 20% of all carbon fixation on Earth. Additionally, diatoms are attractive metabolic engineering candidates. This investigation leveraged Systems Biology techniques to advance our understanding of and potential to engineer diatoms for bioproducts of societal interest, such as biofuels. Systems Biology combines computational and experimental techniques to understand an organism at the whole-cell level as well as characterize the interface between the organism and its environment. Our research resulted in major contributions to the understanding of systems-level light-driven metabolism. Diatoms have a unique evolutionary history. As a result, existing understanding of photosynthetic metabolism may not be applicable to diatom physiology. We generated, validated, and published a high-quality metabolic model of diatom metabolism facilitating novel insights into these unique organisms. Additionally, we overcame a consistent challenge in the modeling of photosynthetic organisms by integrating light into metabolic models. This result allows realistic assessments of how the light environment affects cell physiology and metabolism, a necessary advancement for bioengineering. Next, we generated several methodologies for integrating large-scale datasets with models of metabolism. These “big data” approaches begin to address a constant challenge in biology, which is translating data into information and understanding. Finally, we built web-based databases for housing, distributing, and visualizing systems-level biology data. These projects created an online ecosystem for sharing, analyzing, and characterizing metabolic information and is currently being used by public and private institutions. Photosynthetic bioengineering has the promise to create high-energy products with minimal inputs. Systems Biology has a long history of facilitating bioengineering of cellular metabolism. However, photosynthetic organisms are only sparsely present in this history. This project and its outputs have accelerated the application of proven Systems Biology techniques to light-driven metabolism. The resulting methodologies will accelerate public and private endeavors leveraging photosynthetic systems in the bioengineering of bioproducts such as biofuels or carbon sequestration.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Novel Materials R&D for Next-Generation Accelerator Target Facilities

High-Entropy Alloys and Electrospun Nanofiber materials are two classes of novel materials that can offer improved resistance to beam-induced radiation damage and thermal shock. Research to develop these new materials specifically for multi-megawatt accelerator target applications, such as beam windows and particle-production targets, are ongoing at Fermilab within the scope of a DOE Early Career Research Program. The research program combines in-beam experiments with complementary simulations to tailor the microstructures of these novel materials for use in next-generation accelerator target facilities. Iterative simulations to optimize the material composition, physics performance, and beam-induced thermomechanical response will guide the material design and fabrication processes based on established figures of merit. This will be followed by material irradiation experiments using low-energy ions and prototypic high-energy protons with extensive post-irradiation material characterization to assess and qualify the selected novel materials. This talk will describe the alloy design and synthesis, microstructural pre-characterization of the alloys, and plans for the eventual down selection following low-energy ion irradiation studies.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Acceleration and evolution of a hollow electron beam in wakefields driven by a Laguerre-Gaussian laser pulse

We show that a ring-shaped hollow electron beam can be injected and accelerated by using a Laguerre-Gaussian laser pulse and ionization-induced injection in a laser wakefield accelerator. The acceleration and evolution of such a hollow, relativistic electron beam are investigated through three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. We find that both the ring size and the beam thickness oscillate during the acceleration. The beam azimuthal shape is angularly dependent and evolves during the acceleration. The beam ellipticity changes resulting from the electron angular momenta obtained from the drive laser pulse and the focusing forces from the wakefield. The dependence of beam ring radius on the laser-plasma parameters (e.g., laser intensity, focal size, and plasma density) is studied. Such a hollow electron beam may have potential applications for accelerating and collimating positively charged particles.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Electron Multi-Beams (Electron Grids, Electron Lattices and Electron Grates): New Elements for Accelerators

Since the initial proposal in 1990s, the method of electron lenses has been successfully developed and employed at the high energy particle colliders, like Tevatron and RHIC. Here we propose a new set of electron multi beam elements (electron grids, electron lattices, electron grates and other) which employ many beams in various spatial configurations, with possible time varying currents. We present major principles of operation and generation of such systems and briefly discuss a set of possible applications in accelerators.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Uncertainty Analysis in Space Radiation Protection

Space radiation is comprised of high energy and charge (HZE) nuclei, protons, and secondary radiation including neutrons. The uncertainties in estimating the health risks from galactic cosmic rays (GCR) are a major limitation to the length of space missions, the evaluation of potential risk mitigation approaches, and application of the As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) principle. For long duration space missio ns, risks may approach radiation exposure limits, therefore the uncertainties in risk projections become a major safety concern and methodologies used for ground-based works are not deemed to be sufficient. NASA limits astronaut exposures to a 3% risk of exposure induced death (REID) and protects against uncertainties in risks projections using an assessment of 95% confidence intervals in the projection model. We discuss NASA s approach to space radiation uncertainty assessments and applications for the International Space Station (ISS) program and design studies of future missions to Mars and other destinations. Several features of NASA s approach will be discussed. Radiation quality descriptions are based on the properties of radiation tracks rather than LET with probability distribution functions (PDF) for uncertainties derived from radiobiology experiments at particle accelerators. The application of age and gender specific models for individual astronauts is described. Because more than 90% of astronauts are never-smokers, an alternative risk calculation for never-smokers is used and will be compared to estimates for an average U.S. population. Because of the high energies of the GCR limits the benefits of shielding and the limited role expected for pharmaceutical countermeasures, uncertainty reduction continues to be the optimal approach to improve radiation safety for space missions.

Cucinotta, Francis A.↗

X-band RF Photoinjector for Laser Compton X-ray and Gamma-ray Sources

Extremely bright narrow bandwidth gamma-ray sources are expanding the application of accelerator technology and light sources in new directions. An X-band test station has been commissioned at LLNL to develop multi-bunch electron beams. This multi-bunch mode will have stringent requirements for the electron bunch properties including low emittance and energy spread, but across multiple bunches. The test station is a unique facility featuring a 200 MV/m 5.59 cell X-band photogun powered by a SLAC XL4 klystron driven by a Scandinova solid-state modulator. This paper focuses on its current status including the generation and initial characterization of first electron beam. Design and installation of the inverse-Compton scattering interaction region and upgrade paths will be discussed along with future applications.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Trajectories of Microbial Community Function in Response to Accelerated Remediation of Subsurface Metal Contaminants

Objectives of proposed research were to; Determine if the trajectories of microbial community composition and function following organic carbon amendment can be related to, and predicted by, key environmental determinants; Assess the relative importance of the characteristics of the indigenous microbial community, sediment, groundwater, and concentration of organic carbon amendment as the major determinants of microbial community functional response and bioremediation capacity; and Provide a fundamental understanding of the microbial community ecology underlying subsurface metal remediation requisite to successful application of accelerated remediation and long-term stewardship of DOE-IFC sites.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Ka-band linearizer for the Ultra-Compact X-ray free-electron laser at UCLA

There is a strong demand for accelerating structures able to achieve higher gradients and more compact dimensions for the next generation of linear accelerators for research, industrial and medical applications. Notably innovative technologies will permit compact and affordable advanced accelerators as the linear collider and X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) with accelerating gradients over twice the value achieved with current technologies. In particular XFELs are able to produce coherent X-ray pulses with peak brightness 10 orders of magnitude greater than preceding approaches, which has revolutionized numerous research fields through imaging of the nanoscopic world at the time and length scale of atom-based systems, that is of femtosecond and Angstrom. There is a strong interest for combining these two fields, to form a proper tool with the goal of producing a very compact XFEL in order to investigate multi-disciplinary topics in chemistry, biology, materials science, medicine and physics. In the framework of the Ultra-Compact XFEL project under study at the University of California, Los Angeles, a high gradient radio-frequency accelerating structure for the longitudinal phase-space linearization with an integrated voltage of at least 15 MV working on 6th harmonic of the main Linac frequency is required. We here present the electromagnetic design of a cryogenic normal-conducting 8 cm long Ka-band standing-wave linearizer working on π mode with a target accelerating gradient beyond 100 MV/m. The studies have been performed analytically and numerically to investigate the beam dynamics and electromagnetic issues.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

RF Accelerator Technology R&D: Report of AF7-rf Topical Group to Snowmass 2021

Accelerator radio frequency (RF) technology has been and remains critical for modern high energy physics (HEP) experiments based on particle accelerators. Tremendous progress in advancing this technology has been achieved over the past decade in several areas highlighted in this report. These achievements and new results expected from continued R&D efforts could pave the way for upgrades of existing facilities, improvements to accelerators already under construction (e.g., PIP-II), well-developed proposals (e.g., ILC, CLIC), and/or enable concepts under development, such as FCC-ee, CEPC, C 3 , HELEN, multi-MW Fermilab Proton Intensity Upgrade, future Muon Colloder, etc. Advances in RF technology have impact beyond HEP on accelerators built for nuclear physics, basic energy sciences, and other areas. Recent examples of such accelerators are European XFEL, LCLS-II and LCLS-II-HE, SHINE, SNS, ESS, FRIB, and EIC. To support and enable new accelerator-based applications and even make some of them feasible, we must continue addressing their challenges via a comprehensive RF R&D program that would advance the existing RF technologies and explore the nascent ones.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Technology development for modern SRF accelerators

Superconducting RF (SRF) linear accelerators are widely used for scientific application. Challenges, status, breakthroughs and progress in SRF technology for accelerator application are discussed.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

A 1.2 T canted cos $θ$ dipole magnet using high-temperature superconducting CORC ® wires

In this study, REBa 2 Cu 3 O x (REBCO, RE = rare earth elements) coated conductors can carry high current in high background fields, in principle enabling dipole magnetic fields beyond 20 T. Although model accelerator magnets wound with single REBCO tapes have been successfully demonstrated, magnet technology based on high-current REBCO cables for high-field accelerator magnet applications has yet to be established. We developed a two-layer canted cosθ dipole magnet with an aperture of 70 mm using 30 m long commercial Conductor on Round Core (CORC ® ) wires. The 3.1 mm diameter CORC ® wire contained 16 commercial REBCO tapes with a 30 $μ$m thick substrate. The magnet was tested at 77 and 4.2 K. It generated a peak dipole field of 1.2 T with 4.8 kA at 4.2 K with neither thermal runaway nor training. Reasonable geometric field quality and strong magnetization-current effects with multipole decay were observed. Our work demonstrated a feasible high-temperature superconducting magnet technology as a first step toward a new accelerator magnet paradigm that will enable high-field inserts for next-generation circular colliders and stand-alone magnets that can operate over a wide temperature range for a broad range of applications.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗