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Results for “45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE”

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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3,264 records · Page 24
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Financial Analysis of the Smallmouth Bass Flows implemented at the Glen Canyon Dam during 2025

The Glen Canyon Dam (GCD) is a Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP) power resource that is a component of the Salt Lake City Area Integrated Projects (SLCA/IP). The 2016 record of decision (ROD) for the GCD long-term experimental and management plan (LTEMP) final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) specifies criteria for GCD monthly water releases, daily and hourly operating limits, and experimental releases.

Ploussard, Quentin [Argonne National Laboratory (A↗
DOE OSTI2026

Aerosol Can Fireball Tests: Commodity Hazards in the Transportation Environment Phase 1 Report

This report describes a series of tests performed at Sandia’s burn site to better understand the behavior of aerosol commodities and their hazards in the transportation environment. This comes on the tail of a prior study on the use cases and historical hazards associated with aerosol commodities in the shipping environment (Cambridge Systematics Incorporated, CSI, 2020). It is also mindful of the National Fire Protection Agency NFPA30B standard for safe warehousing of aerosol commodities. Warehousing is different from transit because warehousing typically involves active suppression and mitigation measures not practical or relevant to the shipping environment. Transit also typically involves tighter packing and smaller enclosure spaces. The transportation hazard space has not been heavily studied in prior testing specifically aimed towards the ground, rail, and nautical shipping environments.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

Validation Data for Benchmarking Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing Process Simulations

Residual stresses cause geometric distortion and affect mechanical performance of additively manufactured structures, yet they are notoriously difficult to assess and predict. Distortion (warpage) can drive parts outside dimensional tolerance limits, leading to part rejection or rework. For parts that meet tolerance, locked-in residual stress fields can affect structural integrity during operation, particularly subcritical cracking by fatigue, creep, or corrosion. This work develops benchmark data for a common additive manufacturing process (Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing) that can be applied for calibration and validation of physical process models that predict residual stress fields. The work includes design of two different samples of differing geometry, detailed manufacturing records for a set of physical samples, and an extensive set of residual stress measurement data developed using two diverse techniques (the contour method and neutron diffraction). An initial application of the work is also reported, where a modeling challenge was issued to secure residual stress model predictions from two independent laboratories that were blind to residual stress measurement data. These initial blind residual stress predictions show significant discrepancies relative to the measurement data, illustrating the potential value of the underlying validation data. An open repository for this work, including the sample designs, manufacturing process records, and the residual stress data, is also provided for future application in non-blind validation efforts.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Solvent-Mediated Control of Nanocellulose Dispersion: An Integrated Computational and Experimental Investigation

Fibrillated cellulose derived from forestry feedstocks represents a renewable and high-strength materials platform for circular bioeconomies. However, its practical implementation is hindered by the irreversible aggregation of nanocellulose architectures, including cellulose nanofibers (CNFs). Solvent-based dispersion offers a simple and practical route to prevent CNF aggregation. Here, in this work, we integrate classical and enhanced sampling molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with experimental suspension rheology and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to elucidate how solvent environments tune CNF–CNF interactions and dispersion stability. CNF–CNF contact free energies computed from MD simulations reveal reduced aggregation in acetone/water, γ-valerolactone (GVL)/water, and tetrahydrofuran (THF)/water and pure acetone compared with pure water, reflecting stronger CNF-solvent relative to inter-CNF interactions. Correspondingly, CNF-solvent suspensions in these solvent systems exhibit stronger inter-fibril network structures and enhanced recovery compared to water, indicating improved CNF-solvent affinity. Liquid cell AFM imaging in acetone–water mixtures and in pure acetone further confirm the presence of well-dispersed CNFs. By combining multiscale computation with targeted experiments, this study establishes a rational framework for solvent design to achieve stable nanocellulose dispersions for high-strength biobased materials and efficient bioenergy conversion.

cellulose↗
DOE OSTI2026

Humins-Derived Hard Carbon as a Low-Cost Material for Sodium-Ion Battery Anodes

The growing demand for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) in grid storage underscores the need for electrode materials that balance performance and cost, including sustainable and robust carbon sources. The equitable and abundant distribution of materials for SIBs, along with their superior low-temperature performance, safety, and fast-charging capability, further distinguishes them from lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Hard carbon (HC) is the state-of-the-art anode for SIBs, but current commercial HC production is localized mostly to one region of the world, raising concerns about supply chain vulnerability, critical material dependency, and environmental aspects. Here, the first demonstration of humins, an abundant biorefinery byproduct, as a precursor for HC anodes for sodium-ion storage is reported. Humins were carbonized at 1100 degrees C-1300 degrees C, and the resulting materials were subjected to comprehensive materials and electrochemical characterization. Among the temperatures studied, humins-derived hard carbon synthesized at 1200 degrees C delivers an initial reversible capacity 270mA h g-1 , with stable cycling performance up to 500 cycles and excellent rate capability, representing the optimal performance. This study establishes humins as a promising and low-cost carbon source that provides a route to mitigate supply chain risks and valorizes an underutilized biorefinery waste stream for high-performance SIB anodes.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Phonon-mediated ultrafast dynamics in self-assembled monolayers of 4-mercaptobenzoic acid on gold

Non-equilibrium interactions between plasmonic metals and adsorbed molecules lie at the heart of emerging applications such as plasmonic photocatalysis and sensing, though the ultrafast charge and energy transfer mechanisms arising from these interactions are not well understood. Herein, we investigate the ultrafast dynamics of Au nano-islands tethered with a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of electron-withdrawing 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4MBA) molecules. Ultrafast UV-visible transient absorption spectroscopy following excitation of the interband transition in Au reveals three well-known, characteristic time constants that quantify electron–electron (el–el), electron–phonon (el–ph) and phonon–phonon (ph–ph) scattering lifetimes. When comparing the dynamics of bare Au and 4MBA-Au, we find that the el–ph and ph–ph scattering lifetimes are notably longer in 4MBA-Au. Density functional perturbation theory calculations ascribe the elongation in el–ph lifetimes in 4MBA-Au to the significant coupling of acoustic phonon modes of Au with certain molecular vibrations of 4MBA, leading to decreased spatial overlap between carrier electronic states and the acoustic modes. We speculate that the elongation of ph–ph scattering lifetimes in 4MBA-Au arises due to poor thermal conductivity of the SAM which disrupts efficient energy dissipation from Au to the environment, thus slowing down the thermalization of phonons. This work provides a glimpse into how molecular adsorbates modify the charge carrier and phonon dynamics of Au and sets the stage for further systematic exploration of plasmonic metal–molecule interactions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2026

Microstructure-dependent particulate populations in ODS steels revealed by single-particle ICP-TOF-MS

In this work, we evaluated the ability of single-particle inductively coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-TOF-MS) to characterize particulates generated from 300 series stainless steels and oxide dispersion–strengthened (ODS) steels. Particulates were produced using two different rotary tools (cutting disk and grinding bit) to assess the influence of particle generation on effluent particulates. Across all materials and preparation techniques, SP-ICP-TOF-MS detected a substantial population of particles containing the expected constituent elements, with average compositions closely matching the nominal alloy values. A secondary population of Y-bearing particles was evident in ODS steels; their formation is strongly favored in particulates generated using the grinding bit. Specifically, in PM2000, Y-bearing particles were predominantly colocated with Al, whereas in 14YWT, Y-bearing particles were less frequently Fe-free but showed stronger colocation with Ti. These trends are consistent with the known microstructural differences between Y–Al–O oxide particles in PM2000 and finer Y–Ti–O nanoclusters in 14YWT. Together, these results demonstrate that SP-ICP-TOF-MS can resolve distinct particulate populations in complex, multicomponent steels at the femtogram mass scale, enabling particle-resolved insight into microstructure-driven phase separation and preparation-dependent particle generation.

Brubaker, Zach E. [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (↗
DOE OSTI2026

Self-Healing Lithium Dendrites through Spontaneous Passivating Layer Formation for Stable Solid-State Lithium–Metal Batteries

All-solid-state lithium–metal batteries have attracted significant attention, owing to their high energy density and superior safety. However, lithium–metal penetration through the solid electrolyte, leading to short-circuiting, remains a critical failure mode that demands comprehensive mitigation strategies. Most existing strategies are effective only prior to the initiation of lithium-dendrite formation and fail once dendrites begin to propagate through the electrolyte. In this study, we propose a self-healing mechanism in which the penetrated lithium reacts with a self-healing agent to form a passivating layer along the particle boundaries. Lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) was incorporated into a Li 6 PS 5 Cl solid electrolyte as the self-healing agent to suppress lithium-dendrite propagation even after dendrite formation initiated under high current densities. The self-healing induced by LiTFSI was verified through comprehensive experimental analyses and was further demonstrated in a full-cell configuration. Moreover, LiTFSI incorporation plays an important role in increasing the critical current density by reducing the overall electronic conductivity of the solid electrolyte and facilitating the formation of a robust LiF-containing solid-electrolyte interphase.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Sequence-Structure–Property Relationships in Short-Chain Polyesters: How Primary Structure Governs Macroscopic Performance

While polymer properties are fundamentally linked to their nanostructure, the influence of monomer sequence remains less understood than stereochemical factors like tacticity. This study examines how sequence distribution affects the thermal behavior and morphology of homo- and copolyesters, specifically comparing polymers derived from constitutionally identical monomers but with varying degrees of sequence regularity depending on monomer structure or polymerization selectivity. Our findings show that increasing sequence defects progressively diminish thermal stability, crystallinity, melting temperatures, and morphological order. As new materials become more compositionally complex, this work underscores the importance of sequence control in the design of advanced polymers for emerging applications.

Bocharova, Vera [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (OR↗
DOE OSTI2026

Probing the atomic dynamics of ultrafast melting with femtosecond electron diffraction

Melting is an every-day phase transition that is determined by thermodynamic parameters like temperature and pressure. In contrast, ultra-fast melting is governed by the microscopic response to a rapid energy input and, thus, can reveal the strength and dynamics of atomic bonds as well as the energy flow rate to the lattice. Accurately describing these processes remains challenging and requires detailed insights into transient states encountered. Here, we present data from femtosecond electron diffraction measurements that capture the structural evolution of copper during the ultrafast solid-to-liquid phase transformations. At absorbed energy densities 2-4 times the melting threshold, melting begins at the surface slightly below the nominal melting point followed by rapid homogeneous melting throughout the volume. Molecular dynamics simulations reproduce these observations and reveal a weak electron-lattice energy transfer rate for the given experimental conditions. Both simulations and experiments show no indications of rapid lattice collapse when its temperature surpasses proposed limits of superheating, providing evidence that the inherent dynamics limits the speed of disordering in ultrafast melting of metals.

FOS: Physical sciences↗
DOE OSTI2026

Initial Feasibility Assessment and Broader Strategy Development for Fiber Integration via Advanced Manufacturing

Structural health monitoring is critical for ensuring the operational safety and cost-competitiveness of the developing advanced reactor designs. The extreme operational envelopes of these advanced architectures, having operating temperatures ranging 400°C–1,000°C and heightened displacement damage doses, render conventional commercially available piezoelectric transducers and resistive strain gauges unviable. Optical fiber sensors present an attractive solution for advanced radiation-hardened instrumentation due to their high thermal stability and distributed sensing capabilities. However, their deployment in embedded applications can be hindered by the severe thermomechanical strain driven by the coefficient of thermal expansion mismatch between fused silica glass and structural metal alloys like stainless steel (e.g., SS316L).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Mapping the Microhardness of Al Matrix in U-7Mo/Al Dispersion Fuels at Medium and High Burn-up by in situ Nanoindentation

The mechanical degradation of the Al matrix in U-7Mo dispersion fuels was detected after irradiation in previous studies, but more details of the degradation mechanism are not clear yet to clarify the root cause. In this study, microhardness mapping in fresh and irradiated U-7Mo dispersion fuels coated with ZrN, with burn-up of 3.35 × 10 21 and 6.28 × 10 21 f/cm 3 , are measured to reveal the hardening of the Al matrix as a function of distance to fuel particles. Micro cubes were pulled by plasma focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy and tested by in situ nanoindenter with Berkovitch tip. Size effects are measured in medium and high burn-up samples. The higher burn-up specimen exhibits a more pronounced size effect when indent load is lower than 20 mN. Size effect correction models are also calculated by plots fitting, which predicts the true microhardness without size effect. Results shows that the hardness of the Al matrix near the ZrN coating has the highest value, then decreases moving away from the coating and become stable when the distance reaches ∼10 µm. The hardness starts increasing again getting closer to the next fuel particle, which makes the hardness distribution between two fuel particles to be “U” shape.

36 - MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Advanced-Research-on-Integrated-Energy-Systems-Based Analysis to Support Resilient System Upgrades: Energy to Communities Energyshed In-Depth Partnership with Molokai, Hawaii

The Molokai, Hawaii, Energy to Communities (E2C) Energyshed project represents a collaborative effort between the National Laboratory of the Rockies, Shake Energy Collaborative, the Molokai Clean Energy Hui, Sustainable Molokai, and Ho'ahu Energy Cooperative Molokai to advance Molokai's Community Energy Resilience Action Plan (CERAP). Supported by Hawaiian Electric Company and the Hawaii State Energy Office, the initiative aims to develop a community-defined portfolio of renewable energy solutions that enhance energy resilience while aligning with the Hawaiian Electric Integrated Grid Plan (IGP) and Molokai's energy goals. Phase 1 focused on technical analyses and community engagement to co-design feasible energy scenarios. Challenges such as grid upgrades, storage sizing, and inverter ride-through standards were addressed to align technical and operational requirements with community preferences. The project equips Molokai with actionable data and insights to implement energy initiatives while ensuring resilient and culturally informed solutions. Future efforts aim to finalize project designs, secure interconnection agreements, and deploy energy projects that reflect community priorities and technical feasibility.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2026

Integrating AI Data Centers with the Power Grid

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) has triggered an unprecedented surge in electricity demand, with US data center energy use projected to double or triple 2023 levels by 2028. This exponential growth places strain on grid infrastructure, which can hinder timely construction of desired computing capacity. To bridge this supply-demand gap, utilities and AI developers are increasingly turning to demand flexibility, a strategy that incentivizes shifting or reducing power use during peak periods of grid stress. Data centers are uniquely equipped for flexible operations due to their digital workloads, built-in redundancy, and onsite energy assets. This article outlines four primary mechanisms to enable data center flexibility: computational load flexibility (shifting tasks temporally or geographically), flexible use of core facility infrastructure adjustments, energy storage utilization, and onsite electricity generation. To encourage adoption, utilities are deploying new tariff designs, including voluntary interruptible service riders, mandated flexibility requirements, and streamlined interconnection processes for flexible loads. For the highly capitalized and rapidly growing AI industry, the primary motivators for embracing these strategies are expediting facility interconnection, satisfying emerging regulatory mandates, and mitigating community resistance. While demand flexibility cannot substitute the long-term need for new bulk power generation, it serves as an essential, immediate solution for enabling near-term deployment. By transforming data centers from grid stressors into stabilizing assets, flexible operations can ensure reliable grid integration, ease market pressures, and support a resilient power system.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2026

Study of Key 57 Ni ⁢(𝑝,𝛾)⁢ 58 Cu Resonances to Understand 44 Ti Nucleosynthesis in Supernovae

An important validation of nucleosynthesis models of core-collapse supernovae is the comparison of radioisotope predictions to abundances inferred from observations of 𝛾 rays emitted in remnants. One such isotope, 44 Ti, is especially sensitive to the 57 Ni ⁢(𝑝,𝛾)⁢ 58 Cu reaction rate. Despite this importance, no experimentally constrained rate exists for this reaction. It is thus crucial to determine this rate. GRETINA ORRUBA: Dual Detectors for Experimental Structure Studies (GODDESS) was used along with the first use of the Enge split-pole spectrograph at Notre Dame to measure structure properties of 58 Cu via the 58 Ni ⁢( 3 He,𝑡)⁢ 58 Cu reaction. Here, the combined analysis of these complementary data sets allows for precise determination of 58 Cu level energies, and spins are constrained from analysis of the 𝛾-ray decay. 44 Ti yields were found to change by over 25% compared to previous estimates in model calculations using the new experimentally constrained reaction rate.

energy levels↗
DOE OSTI2026

Enzymatic Nylon Deconstruction: Enzyme Discovery, Engineering, and Opportunities

Nylons are widely used synthetic polyamides valued for their strength, versatility, and durability across diverse applications. However, their petrochemical origin and energy-intensive production underscore the need for efficient, circular solutions. Conventional recycling methods remain limited by incomplete recovery, material degradation, and costly sorting requirements. Enzymatic depolymerization offers a selective, low-energy alternative capable of processing mixed waste streams under mild conditions. While significant progress has been achieved for polyesters, enzymatic degradation of polyamides is still at an early stage. The discovery of nylon hydrolases demonstrated the potential of biological systems to evolve catalysts for synthetic polyamides, yet reported depolymerization yields remain low. These limitations reflect both the structural complexity of nylons and the need for improved enzyme discovery and engineering. In conclusion, this review highlights recent advances, key challenges, and future directions for enzymatic nylon recycling, outlining its potential role enabling mixed polymer waste to be used as a green feedstock for remanufacturing.

Amides↗