Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “COMPACTING”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 559 records · Page 31
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2013

Structure and expression of a novel compact myelin protein – Small VCP-interacting protein (SVIP)

Highlights: •SVIP (small p97/VCP-interacting protein) co-localizes with myelin basic protein (MBP) in compact myelin. •We determined that SVIP is an intrinsically disordered protein (IDP). •The helical content of SVIP increases dramatically during its interaction with negatively charged lipid membrane. •This study provides structural insight into interactions between SVIP and myelin membranes. -- Abstract: SVIP (small p97/VCP-interacting protein) was initially identified as one of many cofactors regulating the valosin containing protein (VCP), an AAA+ ATPase involved in endoplasmic-reticulum-associated protein degradation (ERAD). Our previous study showed that SVIP is expressed exclusively in the nervous system. In the present study, SVIP and VCP were seen to be co-localized in neuronal cell bodies. Interestingly, we also observed that SVIP co-localizes with myelin basic protein (MBP) in compact myelin, where VCP was absent. Furthermore, using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic measurements, we determined that SVIP is an intrinsically disordered protein (IDP). However, upon binding to the surface of membranes containing a net negative charge, the helical content of SVIP increases dramatically. These findings provide structural insight into interactions between SVIP and myelin membranes.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Compact cryomodule for mobile stand-alone superconducting industrial accelerators

Superconducting RF (SRF) accelerators have the potential to be more profitable in comparison with normally conducting accelerators, as long they can be made compact, achieve operational simplicity, autonomy, trans- portability, satisfactory energy efficiency, as well as have reasonable costs. The development of SRF technologies such as Nb 3 Sn coating, conductively-cooled resonators, and high-capacity liquid-helium-free cryocoolers made SRF accelerators mobile and energetically and economically efficient at a beam power of tens of kW. One of the key elements of such an accelerator is the cryomodule, which must have minimal thermal losses to enable operation from low power cryoheads and enable conductive cooling of SRF resonator. In this research we present the design and test results of a compact cryomodule for an industrial stand-alone SRF linear accelerator proto- type, based on 650 MHz elliptical resonators, being developed at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Compact and accurate chemical mechanism for methane pyrolysis with PAH growth

In this study, a reliable and compact chemical mechanism of gas-phase methane pyrolysis leading to formation of large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules has been developed. This model is designed for studies of carbon nanostructure synthesis such as carbon black and graphene flakes, including soot growth kinetics. Methane pyrolysis with carbon nanostructure synthesis is a two-stage process where conversion of CH 4 to C 2 H 2 precedes the growth of PAH molecules from acetylene. We present a single chemical mechanism that accurately describes both stages. We have constructed a compact and accurate chemical mechanism capable of modeling both stages of methane pyrolysis based on the ABF mechanism which was expanded with the most prominent reaction pathways from the mechanism by Tao for small PAH molecules and HACA pathways for larger PAH molecules, up to 37 aromatic rings. The resulting mechanism was validated through comparison to multiple available sets of experimental data. Good agreement with the experimental data for both processes was obtained. Performance of the mechanism was tested for pyrolysis of methane-rich mixtures under long residence times leading to abundant formation of PAH molecules. It is shown that the inclusion of larger PAH species (up to A37) in the chemical mechanism is important for accurate prediction of the fraction of carbon converted to PAH molecules and, correspondingly, the residual fraction of acetylene in the mixture. The mechanism file is available upon request.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2014

Compact Spreader Schemes

This paper describes beam distribution schemes adopting a novel implementation based on low amplitude vertical deflections combined with horizontal ones generated by Lambertson-type septum magnets. This scheme offers substantial compactness in the longitudinal layouts of the beam lines and increased flexibility for beam delivery of multiple beam lines on a shot-to-shot basis. Fast kickers (FK) or transverse electric field RF Deflectors (RFD) provide the low amplitude deflections. Initially proposed at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) as tools for beam diagnostics and more recently adopted for multiline beam pattern schemes, RFDs offer repetition capabilities and a likely better amplitude reproducibility when compared to FKs, which, in turn, offer more modest financial involvements both in construction and operation. Both solutions represent an ideal approach for the design of compact beam distribution systems resulting in space and cost savings while preserving flexibility and beam quality.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Compact readout of large CLYC scintillators with silicon photomultipler arrays

Compact readout of a large (5 x 5 x 5 cm 3) CLYC scintillator was demonstrated with a 8 x 8 array of 6mm silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs, specifically, a SensL ArrayJ-60035-64P) and an optimized amplification and summing circuit. Read out by the SiPM array, the crystal yielded an energy resolution of 5.5% at 662 keV and a figure of merit of 3.5, equivalent to the performance achieved with a 3-inch Hamamatsu R6233-100 PMT. To reduce channel count and avoid individual amplification of each SiPM in the array, the standard outputs of 16 SiPMs were passively summed then amplified. A current feedback amplifier was used for each channel to provide the required fast response time. The four amplified channels were then passively summed resulting in a single signal channel. A custom laboratory setup, based on the PSD8C ASIC, was used to capture the output and provide time-gated integration for PSD computation. We conclude the compact volume, low bias voltage, and reduced mass of the SiPM array readout are desirable for space and national security applications.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2022

Development of the multi-purpose Cologne Compact Differential Plunger (CoCoDiff) for the measurement of nuclear level lifetimes with the Recoil Distance Doppler-shift method

Here, a new 3-foil plunger device, the Cologne Compact Differential (CoCoDiff) plunger has been built and commissioned. Due to its compact size, it can be used together with many different spectrometers and auxiliary detectors. As a commissioning experiment, level lifetimes of the $2^{+}_{1}$ and the $4^{+}_{1}$ excited states of 50 Cr have been measured, using the Differential Decay Curve method (DDCM). A derivation is given on how this method can be applied to a differential plunger measurement, in order to measure distances for lifetimes from two different regions of sensitivity at the same time. The commissioning experiment took place at the Cologne FN tandem accelerator, using the reaction 24 Mg( 32 S,4p2n) 50 Cr. Lifetimes, deduced from this measurement, agree well with literature values from earlier measurements.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2019

Sub-MeV ultra-compact linac for radioactive isotope sources replacement, non-destructive testing, security and medical applications

RadiaBeam Technologies, LLC has developed an inexpensive, hand-portable 180 keV electron accelerator to replace 57 Co radionuclide sources in Cascade Header Enrichment Monitor detectors. We used two innovative technologies in our design: a Ku-band (1 cm wavelength) magnetron, and a split accelerating structure design to reduce manufacturing costs. In this paper, we will discuss the accelerator, including X-ray convertor and accelerating structure design. The results of RF measurements of a Ku-band split structure prototype will also be reviewed. Other applications of Ku-band linacs include compact backscatter and transmission X-ray security inspection systems, as well as computed tomography (CT) systems for luggage and parcel screening. The main requirement for luggage inspection systems is that the X-ray source must be extremely compact. Further, the required energies should cover the range from 180 keV to 1 MeV. In this paper, we will discuss the linac’s energy scalability and other modifications that will enable our technology to address these applications.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2023

Radioisotope replacement with compact electron linear accelerators

The replacement of radioactive sources with alternative technologies has been identified as a priority by international authorities, due to the risk of accidents and diversion by terrorists for use in Radiological Dispersal Devices. Many of these sources can be replaced with the X-rays produced by electron beams accelerated to MeV energies. However, the size, weight and costs of electron linacs must be significantly reduced to be considered for radioisotope replacement. RadiaBeam Technologies, LLC is developing a series of inexpensive compact electron accelerators in the 1–10 MeV range for radioisotope replacement such as Ir-192, Cs-137 and Co-60 for various applications. The dramatic level of miniaturization and cost-reduction was achieved thanks to the implementation of such innovative technologies as high-frequency magnetrons, split accelerating structure fabrication technology and solid-state Marx modulators. Here, in this paper, we overview RadiaBeam's compact linac developments, discuss the enabling technologies, and report on the current progress.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Modeling radionuclide release of TRISO bearing fuel compacts during post-irradiation annealing tests

This article presents calculated radionuclide release fractions from TRISO fuel during post-irradiation annealing and comparison with AGR-1 irradiated TRISO compacts using the BISON fuel performance code. The BISON code was found to produce good agreement in an analytical comparison and with legacy German TRISO compact irradiation data. However, the recommended IAEA fission product diffusion coefficients did not produce good agreement with the 2014 AGR-1 data. Furthermore, the diffusion coefficients prefactors and activation energies were modified to obtain best agreement with the recent AGR data. Future work involves investigating the release behavior of silver from silicon carbide and implementing methods to provide predictive capability for the silver release behavior.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Multiphysics simulation of TRISO fuel compacts and the effects of homogenization on silver release predictions

This work studies the impact of explicit and homogenized modeling approaches on the multiphysics simulation of TRistructural ISOtropic (TRISO) fuel compacts in prismatic High Temperature Gas Reactors (HTGRs) and the silver release predictions. TRISO fuel compacts exhibit complex double heterogeneity that significantly affects heat conduction, neutron transport, and fission products release. In this work, we use Cardinal, a multiphysics tool based on the Multiphysics Object-Oriented Simulation Environment (MOOSE) framework, to couple neutron transport and heat conduction. OpenMC is used for neutron transport and the MOOSE heat transfer module is used for the heat conduction. Then, we use BISON for the silver release predictions. Two different modeling approaches—explicit modeling of individual TRISO particles and homogenized representation using effective thermal properties—are compared at high TRISO packing fractions (20% and 40%) across varying power densities. Results demonstrate that homogenization significantly under-predicts peak temperatures, for the case of high power/TRISO, there is a difference of 83.73 K in the maximum temperature. Additionally, homogenization underestimates the silver release predictions compared to explicit modeling. Specifically, the temperature and power density differences lead to significant differences in silver release predictions. This work demonstrates the importance of accurately modeling heterogeneity of the TRISO particles to reliably predict fission product release and assess reactor safety margins.

11 - NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Steady RANS methodology for calculating pressure drop in an in-line molten salt compact crossflow heat exchanger

We report the development of molten salt cooled reactors (MSR) and fluoride-salt cooled high temperature reactors (FHR) requires the use of advanced design tools for the primary heat exchanger design. Due to geometric and flow characteristics, compact (pitch to diameter ratios equal to or less than 1.25) heat exchangers with a crossflow flow arrangement can become desirable for these reactors. Unfortunately, the available experimental data is limited for compact tube bundles or banks in crossflow. Computational Fluid Dynamics can be used to alleviate the lack of experimental data in these tube banks. Previous computational efforts have been primarily focused on large S/D ratios (larger than 1.4) using unsteady Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes and Large Eddy Simulation frameworks. These approaches are useful, but have large computational requirements that make comprehensive design studies impractical. A CFD study was conducted with steady RANS in an effort to provide a starting point for future design work. The study was performed for an in-line tube bank geometry with FLiBe (LiF-BeF2), a frequently selected molten salt, as the working fluid. Based on the estimated pressure drops, the pressure and velocity distributions in the domain, an appropriate meshing strategy was determined and presented. Periodic boundaries in the spanwise direction transverse flow were determined to be an appropriate boundary condition for reduced computational domains. The domain size was investigated and a minimum of 2-flow channels for a domain is recommended to ensure the behavior is accounted for. Finally, the standard low Re κ-ε (Lien) turbulence model was determined to be the most appropriate for steady RANS of this case at the time of writing.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2014

Determining heavy metals in spent compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and their waste management challenges: Some strategies for improving current conditions

Highlights: • Heavy metals in spent compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) determined. • Current waste management condition of CFLs in Iran assessed. • Currently, waste of CFLs is disposed by municipal waste stream in waste landfills. • We propose extended producer responsibility (EPR) for CFLs waste management. - Abstract: From environmental viewpoint, the most important advantage of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) is reduction of green house gas emissions. But their significant disadvantage is disposal of spent lamps because of containing a few milligrams of toxic metals, especially mercury and lead. For a successful implementation of any waste management plan, availability of sufficient and accurate information on quantities and compositions of the generated waste and current management conditions is a fundamental prerequisite. In this study, CFLs were selected among 20 different brands in Iran. Content of heavy metals including mercury, lead, nickel, arsenic and chromium was determined by inductive coupled plasma (ICP). Two cities, Tehran and Tabriz, were selected for assessing the current waste management condition of CFLs. The study found that waste generation amount of CFLs in the country was about 159.80, 183.82 and 153.75 million per year in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. Waste generation rate of CFLs in Iran was determined to be 2.05 per person in 2012. The average amount of mercury, lead, nickel, arsenic and chromium was 0.417, 2.33, 0.064, 0.056 and 0.012 mg per lamp, respectively. Currently, waste of CFLs is disposed by municipal waste stream in waste landfills. For improving the current conditions, we propose by considering the successful experience of extended producer responsibility (EPR) in other electronic waste management. The EPR program with advanced recycling fee (ARF) is implemented for collecting and then recycling CFLs. For encouraging consumers to take the spent CFLs back at the end of the products’ useful life, a proportion of ARF (for example, 50%) can be refunded. On the other hand, the government and Environmental Protection Agency should support and encourage recycling companies of CFLs both technically and financially in the first place.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2017

Solvent-Engineering Method to Deposit Compact Bismuth-Based Thin Films: Mechanism and Application to Photovoltaics

Bismuth-based materials have been studied as alternatives to lead-based perovskite materials for photovoltaic applications. However, poor film quality has limited device performance. Here, we developed a solvent-engineering method and show that it is applicable to several bismuth-based compounds. Through this method, we obtained compact films of methylammonium bismuth iodide (MBI), cesium bismuth iodide (CBI), and formamidinium bismuth iodide (FBI). On the basis of film growth theory and experimental analyses, we propose a possible mechanism of film formation. Additionally, we demonstrate that the resultant compact MBI film is more suitable to fabricate efficient and stable photovoltaic devices compared to baseline MBI films with pinholes. We further employed a new hole-transporting material to reduce the valence-band offset with the MBI. The best-performing photovoltaic device exhibits an open-circuit voltage of 0.85 V, fill factor of 73%, and a power conversion efficiency of 0.71%, the highest reported values for MBI-based photovoltaic devices.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Amorphous TiO 2 Compact Layers via ALD for Planar Halide Perovskite Photovoltaics

A low temperature (< 120 °C) route to pinhole-free amorphous TiO 2 compact layers may pave the way to more efficient, flexible, and stable inverted perovskite halide device designs. Toward this end, we utilize low-temperature thermal atomic layer deposition (ALD) to synthesize ultra-thin (12 nm) compact TiO 2 underlayers for planar halide perovskite PV. While device performance with as-deposited TiO 2 films is poor, we identify room temperature UV-O 3 treatment as a route to device efficiency comparable to crystalline TiO 2 thin films synthesized by higher temperature methods. Here, we further explore the chemical, physical, and interfacial properties 2 that might explain the improved performance through x-ray diffraction, spectroscopic ellipsometry, Raman spectroscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. These findings challenge our intuition about effective electron selective layers as well as point the way to a greater selection of flexible substrates and more stable inverted device designs.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Construction of a Compact Array of Microplasma Jet Devices and Its Application for Random Mutagenesis of Rhodosporidium toruloides

A small and efficient DNA mutation-inducing machine was constructed with an array of microplasma jet devices (7 × 1) that can be operated at atmospheric pressure for microbial mutagenesis. Using this machine, we report disruption of a plasmid DNA and generation of mutants of an oleaginous yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides. Specifically, a compact-sized microplasma channel (25 × 20 × 2 mm 3 ) capable of generating an electron density of greater than 10 13 cm –3 was constructed to produce reactive species (N 2 *, N 2 +, O, OH, and H α ) under helium atmospheric conditions to induce DNA mutagenesis. The length of microplasma channels in the device played a critical role in augmenting both the volume of plasma and the concentration of reactive species. First, we confirmed that microplasma treatment can linearize a plasmid by creating nicks in vitro. Second, we treated R. toruloides cells with a jet device containing 7 microchannels for 5 min; 94.8% of the treated cells were killed, and 0.44% of surviving cells showed different colony colors as compared to their parental colony. Microplasma-based DNA mutation is energy-efficient and can be a safe alternative for inducing mutations compared to conventional methods using toxic mutagens. In conclusion, this compact and scalable device is amenable for industrial strain improvement involving large-scale mutagenesis.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Structures of monomeric and dimeric PRC2:EZH1 reveal flexible modules involved in chromatin compaction

Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) is a histone methyltransferase critical for maintaining gene silencing during eukaryotic development. In mammals, PRC2 activity is regulated in part by the selective incorporation of one of two paralogs of the catalytic subunit, EZH1 or EZH2. Each of these enzymes has specialized biological functions that may be partially explained by differences in the multivalent interactions they mediate with chromatin. Here, we present two cryo-EM structures of PRC2:EZH1, one as a monomer and a second one as a dimer bound to a nucleosome. When bound to nucleosome substrate, the PRC2:EZH1 dimer undergoes a dramatic conformational change. We demonstrate that mutation of a divergent EZH1/2 loop abrogates the nucleosome-binding and methyltransferase activities of PRC2:EZH1. Finally, we show that PRC2:EZH1 dimers are more effective than monomers at promoting chromatin compaction, and the divergent EZH1/2 loop is essential for this function, thereby tying together the methyltransferase, nucleosome-binding, and chromatin-compaction activities of PRC2:EZH1. We speculate that the conformational flexibility and the ability to dimerize enable PRC2 to act on the varied chromatin substrates it encounters in the cell.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

A compact cold-atom interferometer with a high data-rate grating magneto-optical trap and a photonic-integrated-circuit-compatible laser system

Abstract The extreme miniaturization of a cold-atom interferometer accelerometer requires the development of novel technologies and architectures for the interferometer subsystems. Here, we describe several component technologies and a laser system architecture to enable a path to such miniaturization. We developed a custom, compact titanium vacuum package containing a microfabricated grating chip for a tetrahedral grating magneto-optical trap (GMOT) using a single cooling beam. In addition, we designed a multi-channel photonic-integrated-circuit-compatible laser system implemented with a single seed laser and single sideband modulators in a time-multiplexed manner, reducing the number of optical channels connected to the sensor head. In a compact sensor head containing the vacuum package, sub-Doppler cooling in the GMOT produces 15 μK temperatures, and the GMOT can operate at a 20 Hz data rate. We validated the atomic coherence with Ramsey interferometry using microwave spectroscopy, then demonstrated a light-pulse atom interferometer in a gravimeter configuration for a 10 Hz measurement data rate and T = 0–4.5 ms interrogation time, resulting in Δ g / g = 2.0 × 10 −6 . This work represents a significant step towards deployable cold-atom inertial sensors under large amplitude motional dynamics.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

A nearby long gamma-ray burst from a merger of compact objects

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are flashes of high-energy radiation arising from energetic cosmic explosions. Bursts of long (greater than two seconds) duration are produced by the core-collapse of massive stars, and those of short (less than two seconds) duration by the merger of compact objects, such as two neutron stars. A third class of events with hybrid high-energy properties was identified, but never conclusively linked to a stellar progenitor. The lack of bright supernovae rules out typical core-collapse explosions, but their distance scales prevent sensitive searches for direct signatures of a progenitor system. Only tentative evidence for a kilonova has been presented. Here we report observations of the exceptionally bright GRB 211211A, which classify it as a hybrid event and constrain its distance scale to only 346 megaparsecs. Our measurements indicate that its lower-energy (from ultraviolet to near-infrared) counterpart is powered by a luminous (approximately 10 42 erg per second) kilonova possibly formed in the ejecta of a compact object merger.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗