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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 415 records · Page 23
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Object-Based Evaluation of Dynamical and Statistical Downscaled Precipitation Products over CONUS

High-resolution precipitation data, generated through dynamical downscaling (DD) or statistical downscaling (SD) of global climate model output, provide critical information for regional climate assessment and adaptation planning. Most downscaling development and validation have focused on accurate gridscale precipitation construction and ignored the spatial structure of precipitation across model grids and at the event scale. However, many applications, e.g., hydrologic modeling and the analysis using the downscaled precipitation, require a reasonable representation of the spatial structure of precipitation within watersheds. Therefore, a set of standard metrics to evaluate the representation of the spatial structure of individual storms across diverse downscaled precipitation products is desired. To address this need, we conducted an object-based evaluation of precipitation in decades-long DD and SD products over the contiguous United States (CONUS). Specifically, we evaluate their ability to reproduce various features of precipitation objects in the observations: total volume, precipitation area, peak intensity, and spatial structure. Multiple metrics (bias, Perkins score, and nonparametric statistical tests) are used to quantify model performance. Our evaluation reveals notable variations in performance among individual products across different climate zones and seasons, as well as between extreme and nonextreme events. In general, most DD products exhibit balanced performance across the four precipitation object features, while SD products vary more significantly in their performance across products. Based on this comprehensive evaluation, we provide guidance on choosing downscaled products for specific regions, seasons, and precipitation object features. These findings and recommendations can inform precipitation-relevant modeling and analysis over CONUS, guide future downscaling technique developments, and provide actionable information for climate impact assessment and adaptation.

Downscaling↗
DOE OSTI2026

Object-Based Evaluation of Dynamical and Statistical Downscaled Precipitation Products over CONUS

High-resolution precipitation data, generated through dynamical downscaling (DD) or statistical downscaling (SD) of global climate model output, provide critical information for regional climate assessment and adaptation planning. Most downscaling development and validation have focused on accurate gridscale precipitation construction and ignored the spatial structure of precipitation across model grids and at the event scale. However, many applications, e.g., hydrologic modeling and the analysis using the downscaled precipitation, require a reasonable representation of the spatial structure of precipitation within watersheds. Therefore, a set of standard metrics to evaluate the representation of the spatial structure of individual storms across diverse downscaled precipitation products is desired. To address this need, we conducted an object-based evaluation of precipitation in decades-long DD and SD products over the contiguous United States (CONUS). Specifically, we evaluate their ability to reproduce various features of precipitation objects in the observations: total volume, precipitation area, peak intensity, and spatial structure. Multiple metrics (bias, Perkins score, and nonparametric statistical tests) are used to quantify model performance. Our evaluation reveals notable variations in performance among individual products across different climate zones and seasons, as well as between extreme and nonextreme events. In general, most DD products exhibit balanced performance across the four precipitation object features, while SD products vary more significantly in their performance across products. Based on this comprehensive evaluation, we provide guidance on choosing downscaled products for specific regions, seasons, and precipitation object features. These findings and recommendations can inform precipitation-relevant modeling and analysis over CONUS, guide future downscaling technique developments, and provide actionable information for climate impact assessment and adaptation.

Environmental sciences↗
DOE OSTI2024

Fabrication of yeast engineered porous 13X adsorbent layers for CO 2 capture

This study investigates a novel environmentally friendly coating technique using yeast fermentation to obtain super porous Zeolite 13X adsorbent layers through freeze-drying technique for CO 2 capture applications. Several mass ratios of sugar to yeast were used to control the porosity and pore sizes in the adsorbent layer. A unique peeling process was integrated to obtain foamy, hollow structures to have deeper layer accessibility of adsorbent for adsorption applications. These coated adsorbent layers were experimentally characterized as a function of the mass ratio of sugar to yeast and adsorbent solid fraction. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) are used to analyze the coated layers. Here, the void fraction for coated samples is found to vary between 0.48 and 0.56, making the samples applicable for adsorption applications. Adsorption performance experiments are performed to test the coated samples' performance compared to 13X powder. Due to their simplistic fabrication, cost-effectiveness, rapid pore formation, and high adsorption capacity, these porous 13X layers hold potential for large-scale fabrication and CO 2 capture applications.

Adsorbent coating↗
DOE OSTI2025

Structural Design and Modeling of MARVEL Primary Coolant System Using the ASME Section III, Division 5, Code

This paper presents the structural design and supporting analysis for the Microreactor Applications Research Validation and Evaluation (MARVEL) primary coolant system (PCS) using the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Division 5, rules. MARVEL is a liquid metal–cooled microreactor intended to provide experimental capabilities for the rapid testing and development of microreactor technologies. The PCS utilizes high-temperature sodium-potassium liquid metal as the primary coolant and operates at a design temperature of 570°C, necessitating the consideration of creep-related failure mechanisms. The base metal for the PCS is 316H stainless steel, and the weldments are made with a 16-8-2 filler. The design approach incorporates the current base code rules along with ASME code cases N-924, N-861, and N-862 to address primary load, ratcheting, and creep-fatigue evaluations, respectively. The reactor’s operation involves complex thermal and mechanical interactions due to natural convective flow and differential thermal expansion between components. In conclusion, this paper discusses the structural engineering challenges encountered, such as managing thermal stresses in the distribution plenum and guard vessel, and outlines the strategies implemented to meet the code requirements, including design modifications and operational constraints.

21 - SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLAN↗
DOE OSTI2024

Carbon-Storing Structural Material Based on Wastewater-Cultivated Chlorella Sorokiniana

Microalgae cultivation is a promising technology for carbon sequestration and wastewater remediation. It is economically and logistically critical to find viable applications for the large quantities of produced biomass. In current research, a structural material is developed by using nearly 100% Chlorella sorokiniana. The otherwise non-cohesive microalgae cells are first surface-activated and then compacted under a relatively high pressure. The resulting material is a dense solid, stronger than typical steel-reinforced concrete in flexural tests. The processing procedure is simple and fast, and the setup is scalable. This technique may be useful for next-generation green construction and provide a use-case for sustainable microalgae biomass.

Yi, Haozhe↗
DOE OSTI2023

Formation and Shape Changing of Conductive Helical Ribbons via Deposition of Highly Stressed Films on Mechanically Responsive Substrates

Abstract This work demonstrates that the electrodeposition of highly stressed films on compliant ribbons is a robust process to obtain helical structures with excellent mechanical stability and potentially high thermal and electrical conductance. Electrodeposition on end‐tethered ribbons alters their axial and bending stiffness while imparting mechanical stress to drive the formation of a helix with a microscale diameter and pitch in a controlled and scalable manner. The process generates helices with diameters and pitches between 80 and 200 µm and lengths as large as several millimeters. The approach is amenable to parallel processing a large number of 3D structures on any substrate, including large‐area semiconductor wafers. This phenomenon is explained in terms of the change of stress gradients as material is added. Applications of the fabricated helices include antennas, metamaterials, and slow‐wave structures in frequency ranges not previously attainable.

Chemistry↗
DOE OSTI2024

Validation of a Tapered Impact Damper for Traffic Signal Structure Vibrations Using the Method of Harmonic Balance

Significant vibration amplitudes and cycles can be produced when traffic signal structures with low inherent damping are excited near one of their natural frequencies. For the mitigation of wind-induced vibrations, dynamic vibration absorbers coupled to the structure are often used. Here, this research investigates the performance of a tapered impact damper, consisting of a hanging spring-mass oscillator inside a housing capable of reducing vibration amplitude over a broader frequency range than the conventional tuned mass damper. A nonlinear, two degree-of-freedom model is developed with coordinates representing the traffic structure and the tapered impact damper. This research focuses on the application of the harmonic balance method to approximate the periodic solutions of the nonlinear equations to compute the nonlinear dynamics of the damped traffic signal structure. After designing and manufacturing a tapered impact damper, the traffic signal structure is tested with and without the damper using free vibration snapback tests. The experimental frequency and damping backbone curves are used to validate the analytical model, and the effectiveness of the damper is discussed.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2026

Supramolecular Assembly of Multielement Ribbon-like Structures Derived from Halide Perovskites

Halide perovskites are crucial materials with broad applications owing to their exceptional optoelectronic properties. Vacancy-ordered double perovskites, featuring highly tunable transition metal sites, enable controllable optoelectronic properties through multielement compositional design. Here, in this study, we introduced 18-crown-6 into the vacancy-ordered double perovskites system and developed two-dimensional ribbon-like single crystals (18C6@K) 2 {PtSnTeIrRe} 1 Cl 6 via an antisolvent supramolecular assembly method, demonstrating morphology modulation through multielement composition design. The crystals crystallize in the centrosymmetric space group $P\bar{1}$. The dumbbell-shaped structural units (crown ether@A)2MX6 pack along a and b axes to form a 2-dimensional (2D) monolayer, and these monolayers further stack along the c axis to generate the ribbon-like single crystals. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) qualitatively confirmed the uniform distribution of the five transition metals throughout the crystal, while inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP–AES) quantitatively verified their atomic ratios. We further investigated the origin of the morphology, distinct from the previously reported cube-like single crystals with the $R\bar{3}$ space group. When acetonitrile was used as the solvent, three-dimensional crystals with $R\bar{3}$ symmetry were obtained, whereas dimethylformamide (DMF) was essential for forming two-dimensional ribbon-like single crystals. The essential role of DMF could be ascribed to its capability to maintain a higher concentration of the building blocks. Moreover, Ir 4+ and Pt 4+ cations also played critical roles in inducing the two-dimensional ribbon-like morphology. The three-element (18C6@K) 2 {PtSnTe}1Cl 6 single crystals exhibited bright yellow emission under 375 nm laser excitation, demonstrating the tunability of optoelectronic properties of this class of material.

Zhu, Heqing [University of California, Berkeley, C↗
DOE OSTI2026

Sub-melt nanosecond pulsed-laser induced densification and strain-field relaxation in single-crystal diamond

Dislocations and polishing-induced defect networks in synthetic diamond introduce local strain fields and broaden Raman features, limiting performance in optical, thermal, and electronic applications. Laser annealing is emerging as a promising approach to repair surface and near-surface defects in diamond without entering the melt regime, yet surface densification, defect-state modification, and associated structural changes have not been well quantified. In this work, we show that sub-melt nanosecond pulsed-laser annealing (PLA) induces near-surface densification and defect-mediated strain relaxation in single-crystal Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) diamond. Single- and two-pulse PLA were applied, and structural evolution was quantified using co-registered ISO 25,178 white-light interferometry, depth-resolved Raman spectroscopy, and cross-sectional STEM with geometric phase analysis (GPA). Across a 5 × 6 grid (n = 30), responsive regions exhibit large reductions in local slope (Sdq 45–65%), developed area (Sdr 60–90%), height spread (Sp, Sz 30–65%), void volume (Vv 57–60%), and roughness amplitude (Sa, Sq 48–57%), consistent with densification of ∼4–6.5 nm. Raman profiling shows narrowing of the diamond line and improved spectral uniformity to depths of ∼2–3 μm. Given that the Raman probing depth significantly exceeds the densified layer thickness, this response is interpreted as consistent with long-range strain-field redistribution originating from the near-surface region. STEM-GPA strain maps further support this interpretation, showing smoother strain fields, suppressed hotspots, and redistribution of localized strain concentrations following PLA. These results are consistent with defect-mediated strain relaxation and densification-driven modification of the near-surface energy state. The approach provides a scalable pathway for improving near-surface structural quality in diamond relevant to electronic, photonic, and quantum applications.

Areal surface metrology (ISO 25,178)↗
DOE OSTI2025

Solvated Ionic Liquid-based Electrolytes: Experimental Characterization, Atomistic Modeling and Applications in Energy Storage

This study aimed on understanding the molecular structure and transport mechanisms of high-concentration lithium electrolytes, with a particular focus on solvate ionic liquids (SILs) based on glyme solvents, for use in next-generation, high-voltage energy storage systems. The hypothesis is that the composition of the solvents in these electrolytes can be designed and adjusted to control cation solvation, enabling charge transport via an ion-hopping mechanism. This mechanism resembles Grotthuss conduction of protons in water and is independent of electrolyte viscosity. The experimental studies employed linear and nonlinear infrared spectroscopy (FTIR and 2D IR), electrochemical measurements, and vibrational probes.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Testing the thermal Sunyaev-Zel’dovich power spectrum of a halo model using hydrodynamical simulations

Statistical properties of large-scale cosmological structures serve as powerful tools for constraining the cosmological properties of our Universe. Tracing the gas pressure, the thermal Sunyaev-Zel’dovich (tSZ) effect is a biased probe of mass distribution and, hence, can be used to test the physics of feedback or cosmological models. Therefore, it is crucial to develop robust modelling of hot gas pressure for applications to tSZ surveys. Since gas collapses into bound structures, it is expected that most of the tSZ signal is within halos produced by cosmic accretion shocks. Hence, simple empirical halo models can be used to predict the tSZ power spectra. In this study, we employed the HMx halo model to compare the tSZ power spectra with those of several hydrodynamical simulations: the Horizon suite and the Magneticum simulation. We examine various contributions to the tSZ power spectrum across different redshifts, including the one- and two-halo term decomposition, the amount of bound gas, the importance of different masses, and the electron pressure profiles. Our comparison of the tSZ power spectrum reveals discrepancies between the halo model and cosmological simulations that increase with redshift. We find a 20% to 50% difference between the measured and predicted tSZ angular power spectrum over the multipole range ℓ = 10 3 − 10 4 . Our analysis reveals that these differences are driven by the excess of power in the predicted two-halo term at low k and in the one-halo term at high k . At higher redshifts ( z ∼ 3), simulations indicate that more power comes from outside the virial radius than from inside, suggesting a limitation in the applicability of the halo model. We also observe differences in the pressure profiles, despite the fair level of agreement on the tSZ power spectrum at low redshift with the default calibration of the halo model. In conclusion, our study suggests that the properties of the halo model need to be carefully controlled against real or mock data to be proven useful for cosmological purposes.

Ayçoberry, Emma (ORCID:0000000292351195)↗
DOE OSTI2025

Enhanced domain dynamics in alternating current poled rhombohedral Pb(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 –PbTiO 3 single crystals

Abstract The understanding of domain dynamics in ferroelectric materials is crucial for optimizing their performance in piezoelectric and electro‐optic applications. Although previous studies have focused on static domain structures and macroscopic characteristics, the time‐resolved approach of domains remains largely unexplored. In this study, we compare the dynamic responses of direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) poled [001]‐oriented rhombohedral Pb(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 –PbTiO 3 (PMN–PT) single crystals using X‐ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS) during the application of external electric fields. Our results demonstrate that the AC‐poled sample exhibit enhanced reconfiguration of domain variants in response to driving fields compared to the DC‐poled counterpart, as evidenced by accelerated correlation decay and faster relaxation time. This phenomenon is attributed to enhanced reversible domain wall motion achieved through AC poling, which facilitates field‐induced domain realignment. These findings provide insight into the relationship between dynamics and macroscopic properties in relaxor‐PT single crystals for high‐performance applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Aggregation Methods for Quantifying PTM and Structural Changes in Bottom-Up Proteomics

Bottom-up proteomic workflows rely on sequential preprocessing steps, commonly including peptide-to-protein aggregation (“roll-up”), to enhance data reliability and interpretability. While roll-up is effective for protein-centered analyses, it may be suboptimal for applications focused on post-translational modifications (PTMs) or protein structural changes, such as limited proteolysis–mass spectrometry (LiP-MS). Here, we investigate how different roll-up strategies influence site-level quantification in PTM differential analysis. Moreover, we introduce a novel site-centric roll-up approach tailored for LiP-MS, which quantifies proteolytic fragments rather than solely tryptic peptides. We benchmark these methods through simulation studies, comparing their sensitivity and specificity in detecting structural and PTM-driven changes. We found that the median and mean roll-up methods outperform the sum method in both PTM and LiP proteomics, and site-level quantification in LiP outperforms peptide-level quantification. Our findings offer the first systematic, data-driven guidance for selecting roll-up techniques in site-level proteomic analyses, with implications for both PTM-focused and structural proteomics studies.

aggregation↗
DOE OSTI2024

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↗
DOE OSTI2026

Nanometer Scale Imaging to Develop Quantitative Descriptors of Bipolar Membrane Junction Structure

Swings in pH can be achieved by electrically polarizing a bipolar membrane (BPM) to drive water dissociation at the BPM junction for electrochemical conversion and separation processes. BPM junction design is critical to tailor performance for specific applications; however, characterization techniques capable of resolving the nanometer scale physical structure of the junction are limited. We present sample preparation, imaging, and analysis workflows that are adaptable to a variety of BPM junction architectures. Atomic force microscopy produces BPM junction images with nanometer scale lateral resolution for samples with and without a graphene oxide water dissociation catalyst in the junction. Subsequent image segmentation and analysis quantify line edge roughness and catalyst layer thickness as descriptors of junction structure. Comparison of pre- and post-electrodialysis junctions suggests electric field-induced alignment of catalyst particles during electrodialysis. This characterization workflow can inform manufacturing protocols, computational modeling, and failure mode analysis for next-generation BPMs.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Calibration of RAFM Micromechanical Model for Creep Using Bayesian Optimization for Functional Output

A Bayesian optimization procedure is presented for calibrating a multimechanism micromechanical model for creep to experimental data of F82H steel. Reduced activation ferritic martensitic (RAFM) steels based on Fe(8–9)%Cr are the most promising candidates for some fusion reactor structures. Although there are indications that RAFM steel could be viable for fusion applications at temperatures up to 600°C, the maximum operating temperature will be determined by the creep properties of the structural material and the breeder material compatibility with the structural material. Due to the relative paucity of available creep data on F82H steel compared to other alloys such as Grade 91 steel, micromechanical models are sought for simulating creep based on relevant deformation mechanisms. As a point of departure, this work recalibrates a model form that was previously proposed for Grade 91 steel to match creep curves for F82H steel. Due to the large number of parameters (9) and cost of the nonlinear simulations, an automated approach for tuning the parameters is pursued using a recently developed Bayesian optimization for functional output (BOFO) framework (Huang et al., 2021, “Bayesian optimization of functional output in inverse problems,” Optim. Eng., 22, pp. 2553–2574). Incorporating extensions such as batch sequencing and weighted experimental load cases into BOFO, a reasonably small error between experimental and simulated creep curves at two load levels is achieved in a reasonable number of iterations. In conclusion, validation with an additional creep curve provides confidence in the fitted parameters obtained from the automated calibration procedure to describe the creep behavior of F82H steel.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2026

Phase Transitions of Eutectic High Entropy Alloy AlCoCrFeNi 2.1 Under Shock Compression

High entropy alloys (HEAs) are a new class of metals that exhibit unique mechanical performance. Among HEAs, additively manufactured eutectic high entropy alloys (AM EHEAs) have recently emerged as candidate materials for use in extreme conditions due to their simultaneous high strength and ductility. However, the deformation and structural evolution of AM EHEAs under conditions of high pressure have not been well characterized, limiting their use in extreme applications. Dynamic compression experiments and molecular dynamics simulations are presented to study the structural evolution of AM EHEA AlCoCrFeNi 2.1 when compressed to pressures up to 400 GPa. In situ X-ray diffraction measurements capture the appearance of face-centered cubic and body-centered cubic phases at different pressure conditions, with pure- and mixed-phase regions. Furthermore, understanding the phase stability and structural evolution of the AM EHEA offers new insights to guide the development of high-performance complex materials for extreme conditions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗