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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 523 records · Page 29

The circular bioeconomy: a driver for system integration

Background: Human and earth system modeling, traditionally centered on the interplay between the energy system and the atmosphere, are facing a paradigm shift. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s mandate for comprehensive, cross-sectoral climate action emphasizes avoiding the vulnerabilities of narrow sectoral approaches. Our study explores the circular bioeconomy, highlighting the intricate interconnections among agriculture, forestry, aquaculture, technological advancements, and ecological recycling. Collectively, these sectors play a pivotal role in supplying essential resources to meet the food, material, and energy needs of a growing global population. We pose the pertinent question of what it takes to integrate these multifaceted sectors into a new era of holistic systems thinking and planning. Results: The foundation for discussion is provided by a novel graphical representation encompassing statistical data on food, materials, energy flows, and circularity. This representation aids in constructing an inventory of technological advancements and climate actions that have the potential to significantly reshape the structure and scale of the economic metabolism in the coming decades. In this context, the three dominant mega-trends—population dynamics, economic developments, and the climate crisis—compel us to address the potential consequences of the identified actions, all of which fall under the four categories of substitution, efficiency, sufficiency, and reliability measures. Substitution and efficiency measures currently dominate systems modeling. Including novel bio-based processes and circularity aspects might require only expanded system boundaries. Conversely, paradigm shifts in systems engineering are expected to center on sufficiency and reliability actions. Effectively assessing the impact of sufficiency measures will necessitate substantial progress in inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration, primarily due to their non-technological nature. In addition, placing emphasis on modeling the reliability and resilience of transformation pathways represents a distinct and emerging frontier that highlights the significance of an integrated network of networks. Conclusions: Existing and emerging circular bioeconomy practices can serve as prime examples of system integration. These practices facilitate the interconnection of complex biomass supply chain networks with other networks encompassing feedstock-independent renewable power, hydrogen, CO 2 , water, and other biotic, abiotic, and intangible resources. Elevating the prominence of these connectors will empower policymakers to steer the amplification of synergies and mitigation of tradeoffs among systems, sectors, and goals.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Stress Drivers of Glucose Dynamics during Ozone Exposure Measured Using Radiotelemetry in Rats

Inhaled irritant air pollutants may trigger stress-related metabolic dysfunction associated with altered circulating adrenal-derived hormones. We used implantable telemetry in rats to assess real-time changes in circulating glucose during and after exposure to ozone and mechanistically linked responses to neuroendocrine stress hormones. First, using a cross-over design, we monitored glucose during ozone exposures (0.0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 ppm) and nonexposure periods in male Wistar Kyoto rats implanted with glucose telemeters. A second cohort of unimplanted rats was exposed to ozone (0.0, 0.4 or 0.8 ppm) for 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, or 4 h with hormones measured immediately post exposure. We assessed glucose metabolism in sham and adrenalectomized rats, with or without supplementation of adrenergic/glucocorticoid receptor agonists, and in a separate cohort, antagonists. Ozone (0.8 ppm) was associated with significantly higher blood glucose and lower core body temperature beginning 90 min into exposure, with reversal of effects 4–6 h post exposure. Glucose monitoring during four daily 4-h ozone exposures revealed duration of glucose increases, adaptation, and diurnal variations. Ozone-induced glucose changes were preceded by higher levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone, corticosterone, and epinephrine but lower levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone, prolactin, and luteinizing hormones. Higher glucose and glucose intolerance were inhibited in rats that were adrenalectomized or treated with adrenergic plus glucocorticoid receptor antagonists but exacerbated by agonists. We demonstrated the temporality of neuroendocrine-stress–mediated biological sequalae responsible for ozone-induced glucose metabolic dysfunction and mechanism in a rodent model.

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTAN↗

Hourly gap-filled meteorological data from PIE LTER measurements (2004-2023) used as drivers to run ELM PFLOTRAN simulations

This dataset contains continuous gap-filled precipitation, solar radiation, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and barometric pressure data recorded primarily at the Marshview Farm weather station within the Plum Island Long Term Ecosystems Research (PIE LTER) in Newbury Massachusetts (MA) from 2004 to 2023. We compiled the data set from published annual data packages in 15min resolution available on DataOne. Gaps were filled using different statistical techniques or available observations from the vicinity, e.g. the US-PLo and the US-PHM Ameriflux sites, also located within the PIE LTER. Flags are included in this dataset to indicate the origin of each data point. Metadata files ELMPFLOTRAN_met_dd.csv and ELMPFLOTRAN_met_flmd.csv contain more information on site locations, gap filling protocols, data variables, flags, and QA/QC methods. The data set was used in the spin up and simulations of a land surface model coupled to a biogeochemical reaction network (ELM PFLOTRAN) assessing impacts of hydrology and salinity input on methane fluxes in 2022 and 2023 (Sulman et al., 2024).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Market Barriers and Drivers for the Next Generation Fault Detection and Diagnostic Tools

Commercial buildings in the U.S. consume as much as 30% excess energy compared to buildings that operate fault free and efficiently. Fault detection and diagnostic (FDD) platforms help to continually identify operational inefficiencies and maintain low-carbon performance. However, the recommendations generated by FDD tools need to be implemented by technicians, resulting in delays or lost savings opportunities. Recent research advances showed fault AUTOcorrection integrating with commercial FDD offerings filled this gap. Seven innovative AUTOcorrection algorithms were integrated into two FDD platforms and deployed across four buildings. The enhanced tools successfully correct faults focusing on incorrectly programmed schedules, override not released, control hunting, rogue zone, and suboptimal setpoints. Although its technical efficacy has been proven in the field, fault AUTO-correction is still early in the deployment cycle and opportunities and barriers need to be understood to reach its full potential in market transformation. This paper broadly introduces the new technology that automatically corrects HVAC faults. The authors describe in detail technology potential, market barriers, and enablers for scalability based on field testing results and interviews with the FDD providers and facility managers. The interviewees agreed that AUTO-correction can reduce the extent to which savings are dependent upon human intervention, scale building operators’ ability to act on FDD findings (especially for facilities with small operation teams), and achieve significant savings. To enable scalable deployment, future efforts are needed to overcome the barriers such as cybersecurity and accountability concerns from building operators and standardization of control parameters used in building automation systems.

Pritoni, Marco↗

Reflectin: Protein Driver of Dynamically Tunable Biophotonics; New Paradigm for Tunably Reconfigurable Materials

We discovered that the reflectins, with architecture and sequences unlike those of any other proteins known, exhibit a novel interplay between signal-controlled nucleation and growth of dynamically arrested liquid-liquid phase-segregated assemblies that uniquely enables the continuous and precise fine-tuning of physical properties governing the color and brightness of light reflected from the membrane-enclosed nanostructures that contain them. Our research included high-resolution structural analyses conducted at the DOE-BES user facilities of the Stanford Synchrotron Light Source and LBL National Laboratory’s Molecular Foundry, leveraging their capabilities for time-resolved SAXS and cryo-TEM with our ongoing genetic engineering, biophysical and computational analyses to identify the structural determinants and mechanisms governing the dynamic behaviors of the reflectins. We augmented these methods with EPR analyses that revealed for the first time the existence of a specific pathway of reflectin assembly. Using dynamic light scattering and continuously monitored circular dichroism and Raman microscopy, we elucidated the progression of structural changes underlying the mechanisms of signal-induced condensation, folding, assembly, liquefaction, dynamic arrest, regulation and reversal.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Enhancing Resilience of Urban Systems Against Climate-Induced Floods Using Advanced Data-Driven and Computing Techniques: A Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) Framework

Focal Area: This white paper proposes advanced data-driven and computing techniques to improve the predictability of extreme climate events (precipitation) and focuses on comprehending their impact dynamics to enhance resilience of urban systems. Science Challenge: In urban systems, climate change has presented significant challenges related to accurate spatiotemporal prediction of extreme climate events (heavy precipitation) and their impacts, i.e. flooding. The occurrence of extreme climate events and their compounding repercussions on the built environment make urban systems increasingly more vulnerable. The interactions between extreme climate events, urban systems, and the corresponding impacts are irregular, non-linear, and dynamic, making it difficult to standardize resilience. As it stands, the management of complex urban systems is affected by uncertainties related to the nature of short- and long-term consequences caused by extreme events.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Isotopic Characterization of HALEU from EBR-II Driver Fuel Processing

Provide the isotopic characteristics of the High Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU) product recovered during the used nuclear fuel treatment operations occurring at Idaho National Laboratory. Revision one of this document (TEV-3537 Rev 1) provides isotopic characterization for material that has been recast using the drip cast crucible gravity casting technique used to transform traditional EBR-II uranium ingots into regulus.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Assessing the drivers of Isoprene SOA: laboratory studies, field observations and modeling (Final Technical Report)

This report describes the research results and products stemming from the funding award DE-SC0018221. The main goals of this project were to develop a quantitative understanding of the factors driving secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation from biogenic volatile organic compounds, namely isoprene and monoterpenes, using a combination of laboratory measurements, field data analysis, and modeling. Specifically, we aimed to: 1) develop an observationally constrained volatility distribution of trace gases produced from the oxidation of biogenic hydrocarbons that can explain the formation of SOA from in situ observations made during DOE ASR/ARM field campaigns such as HI-SCALE and BAECC 2) use new and existing (e.g. DOE ASR funded SOAFFEE experiments) laboratory chamber experiments to develop detailed parameterizations of isoprene-derived epxoy diol (IEPOX) reactive uptake, including product branching, product volatility, and solubility constants, as well as SOA formation generally from the formation of highly oxygenated organic molecules (HOM) formed from isoprene and monoterpene photo-oxidation that can be directly incorporated into models. 3) collaborate with PNNL modeling teams to incorporate new parameterizations into detailed box models, such as MOSAIC, and regional or Earth System models such as WRF.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

NNSA Light Source Enhancements: Coupling a High Energy Laser Driver to an XFEL

NNSA has an unmet capability gap to predict how changes in material microstructure, due to aging and new manufacturing practices, can affect performance at extremes. This capability gap is the basis for the Dynamic Mesoscale Material Science Capability (DMMSC) CD-0 that was signed in 2015 [1]. Because of the delay to the MaRIE facility approach, the Tri-Lab in March 2020 proposed separate complementary investments at the APS and LCLS to address portions of the DMMSC mission need [2].

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Advancing Platooning with ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems) Control Integration and Assessment

Application of Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control (CACC) to heavy duty trucks known as truck platooning has shown fuel economy improvements on the test track under ideal driving conditions. However, limited test data is available to assess the truck platooning under real-world driving conditions. Under this Cummins-led project that was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, truck platooning with CACC has been tested on a real-world interstate highway and the results of the project are reviewed in this report. At first, the real-world driving conditions were characterized using National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Fleet DNA database to define test factors, including route, terrain, and highway traffic. Afterward, both test track and on-highway testing guided by SAE J1321 procedures were conducted to assess truck platooning under controlled and real-world driving conditions. On-highway testing was done on a highway route in Indiana, consisting of low, medium, and high road grade segments. The highway test results of 2-truck and 3-truck platooning showed considerably reduced fuel savings compared to the controlled test track data, which mainly stems from the traffic or high-grade portions of the route. However, integration of Cummins powertrain and vehicle eco-driving features such as predictive cruise control and neutral coasting called ADEPT™ on the lead truck showed an improvement of fuel saving for the trucks in CACC operation. Furthermore, the importance of tire connectivity in efficient and safe operation of the trucks in platooning is characterized.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗