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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 595 records · Page 33

Albedo Data for Bifacial PV Systems

At the September 2018 Bifacial PV Workshop in Lakewood, CO, a better understanding of albedo values and characteristics was identified as a key need by both the PV and financial communities to better estimate performance and to reduce risk of bifacial PV systems. To meet this need, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has initiated work with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to provide the following: A multi-year database of measured and quality assessed albedo values with temporal resolution of one hour or less for numerous locations and types of ground surfaces. Site metadata for each location (Pictures, instruments and calibration history, soil and vegetation types, etc.) Site albedo statistics for each location (diurnal profiles, monthly and annual means, interannual variability) Analysis of the spectral mismatch for bifacial PV modules of the ground-reflected radiation for anticipated deployment surfaces (using both measured and modeled spectral albedo data). Comparisons of the measured albedos with available satellite-derived MODIS albedo products to validate the MODIS albedo products for estimating bifacial PV system performance.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Incoherent range-based holography of far-distant objects using LIDAR

Los Alamos National Laboratory has developed an incoherent, long-range, sub-centimeter resolution (LIDAR) with which we achieve centimeter-scale reflection holography at extremely long ranges. The system consists of a pulsed laser and photon-counting receiver. This combination yields round-trip time of flight data to illuminate parts of the object of interest. The aggregation of these data for many LIDAR pulses yields a plot with a range on the X axis and reflectance on the Y axis, which we refer to as a range profile. Observing that the range profile is a projection of the reflection map of the object onto the view vector, we collect profiles from a variety of viewing angles and invert these data to form an image. We adapt imaging algorithms from the field of computer aided tomography to suit our application and present results from imaging demonstrations at a 10 km range.

Hoffmann, Mitchell P. (ORCID:0000000170551324)↗

Pattern-matching indexing of Laue and monochromatic serial crystallography data for applications in materials science

Serial crystallography data can be challenging to index, as each frame is processed individually, rather than being processed as a whole like in conventional X-ray single-crystal crystallography. An algorithm has been developed to index still diffraction patterns arising from small-unit-cell samples. The algorithm is based on the matching of reciprocal-lattice vector pairs, as developed for Laue microdiffraction data indexing, combined with three-dimensional pattern matching using a nearest-neighbors approach. As a result, large-bandpass data (e.g. 5–24 keV energy range) and monochromatic data can be processed, the main requirement being prior knowledge of the unit cell. Furthermore, angles calculated in the vicinity of a few theoretical and experimental reciprocal-lattice vectors are compared, and only vectors with the highest number of common angles are selected as candidates to obtain the orientation matrix. Global matching on the entire pattern is then checked. Four indexing options are available, two for the ranking of the theoretical reciprocal-lattice vectors and two for reducing the number of possible candidates. Furthermore, the algorithm has been used to index several data sets collected under different experimental conditions on a series of model samples. Additionally, knowing the crystallographic structure of the sample and using this information to rank the theoretical reflections based on the structure factors helps the indexing of large-bandpass data for the largest-unit-cell samples. For small-bandpass data, shortening the candidate list to determine the orientation matrix should be based on matching pairs of reciprocal-lattice vectors instead of triplet matching.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Determining Infrared Optical Constants for Dolomite using Single Angle Reflectance and Spectroscopic Ellipsometry

The optical constants, namely the real (n) and imaginary (k) parts of the complex refractive index, are of particular interest to generate the infrared (IR) spectra of liquid and solid materials in different morphologies. To obtain n/k, however, most materials are typically not found in the monolithic forms necessary to easily measure n/k, and thus require the use of other methods such as pressing powders to form planar, specularly-reflective pellets. In this work dolomite crystals are measured using fixed-angle IR reflectance spectroscopy in both 1) a monolithic form with the crystal fixed in epoxy and polished, but data are also recorded from 2) pressed-pellet forms of powders of the same mineral using the same spectroscopic protocols. First results for the two methods are compared. It was found that the measured reflectance can vary by as much as a factor of two between the dolomite crystals and the pressed powder forms. For the two-sample preparation approaches the preliminary spectra are compared and the implications and limitations of each method for determining the optical constants of given materials are discussed. Comparison to literature data suggest that polarization effects likely account for the differing amplitude results for reflectance (and hence the k -vectors): Dolomite is known to be biaxial with significantly differing ordinary and extraordinary rays; the pressed pellet method measures an ensemble of microcrystals in randomly oriented positions, whereas the single crystal maintains just one orientation relative to the optical axis.

ellipsometry, dolomite, complex refractive index, ↗

Expansion of the Petroleum Refinery Life Cycle Inventory Model (PRELIM) to Support Characterization of a Full Suite of Commonly Tracked Impact Potentials

This study updates the Petroleum Refinery Life Cycle Inventory Model (PRELIM) to provide a more complete gate-to-gate life cycle inventory and to allow for the calculation of a full suite of impact potentials commonly used in life cycle assessment (LCA) studies. We updated the model to add criteria air pollutants, hazardous air pollutants, releases to water, releases to land, and managed wastes reflecting 2014 reported releases and waste management practices using data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, National Emissions Inventory, Discharge Monitoring Reports, and Toxic Release Inventory together with process unit capacities and fuel consumption data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (U.S. EIA). The expanded version of PRELIM offers users a reliable, transparent, and streamlined tool for estimating the effect of changes in petroleum refineries on LCIA results in the context of policy analysis.

Source record↗

Modeling Subsurface Explosions Recorded on a Distributed Fiber Optic Sensor

Fiber optic distributed acoustic sensors (DAS) are becoming a widely used tool for seismic sensing. Here we examine recordings of two subsurface chemical explosions, DAG-1 and DAG-3, each of which was about one metric ton (TNT equivalent), that were recorded from a helical fiber installed in two boreholes 80 m away from the source location. Several clear phases including the initial P wave, a weak S wave, and a surface reflected P wave are observed on the helical DAS data. We estimate a velocity model using arrival times measured from the fiber. The DAS waveform data were compared with colocated accelerometers at specific depths in both frequency and time domains. Furthermore, the spectra of the DAS data matched spectra estimated from the accelerometer records. Comparisons of observed waveform shape between the accelerometer records and the fiber measurements (strain-rate) show reasonable agreement except for the data near the event depth. The DAS data and the accelerometer agreed in relative amplitudes but we had difficulties in matching absolute amplitudes, possibly due to errors in metadata. Synthetic strain-rate waveforms were calculated using a 2D wavenumber algorithm and matched the waveform shape and relative amplitudes. In general, DAS is effective at recording strong ground motions at high spatial density. Comparison of the synthetic seismograms with observed data indicate that the waveforms are not consistent with a pure isotropic explosion source and that the observed S waves originate from very near the source region.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Scalable Wind Turbine Generator Bearing Fault Prediction Using Machine Learning: A Case Study

Operation and maintenance (O&M) costs for wind turbines pose a risk to competitiveness and asset owners. With machine-learning technologies and digitalization rapidly maturing, the wind industry is actively investigating these new technologies to optimize O&M practices and reduce costs. This paper reviews recent work on machine-learning approaches to generator bearing failure prediction and presents a relevant real-world case study through a collaboration between the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Envision Digital Corporation. In the case study, we evaluate the performance of representative machine-learning algorithms for predicting wind turbine generator bearing failures. Operational supervisory control and data acquisition data from one wind power plant was used to train and test the machine-learning models. The investigated data channels are chosen based on whether physically they reflect the failed generator bearing conditions and the component historical usage, including both environmental and operational conditions. Benefits and drawbacks of different methods are identified.

generator bearing failures↗

An Overview of Spread Spectrum Time Domain Reflectometry Responses to Photovoltaic Faults

Spread spectrum time domain reflectometry (SSTDR) is a broadband electrical reflectometry technique that has been used to detect and locate faults on live electrical systems, including photovoltaic systems. In this article, we evaluate the detectability and localizability from both existing literature and our own measurements using SSTDR of open-circuit faults, connection faults, short-circuit faults, ground faults, arc faults, shading faults, bypass diode faults, and accelerated degradation faults in PV cells and mini-modules. Additionally, reflection magnitudes for these faults are compared. Herein, preliminary data on buried and grounded PV cable along with arc fault detection are presented.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Li-Ion Battery Electrode Contact Resistance Estimation by Mechanical Peel Test

Li-ion battery electrode electronic properties, including bulk conductivity and contact resistance, are critical parameters affecting cell performance and fast-charge capability. Contact resistance between the coating and current collector is often the largest electronic resistance in an electrode and is affected by chemical, microstructural, and interfacial variations. Direct measurements of contact resistance and bulk conductivity have proven to be challenging. In their absence, a mechanical electrode peel test is often used to compare adhesion and electrical contact resistance. However, using a micro-flexible-surface probe, contact resistance can be directly determined. Here, this work compares contact resistance and mechanical peel strength of multiple commercial-grade HE5050 and NCM523 cathodes and graphite and silicon anodes. It was found that peel strength correlates well with contact resistance in a carefully curated data set (p < 0.05) and in some situations may be a good metric to estimate electrical properties. However, there were distinct outliers in the data set, indicating that peel strength may not accurately reflect electrical properties when there is significant variation in electrode composition. These results illustrate the value of the micro-flexible-surface probe in quantifying contact resistance and bulk conductivity to better understand how battery composition and processing steps affect microstructure and resulting cell performance.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Graupel and Hail Identification Algorithm for the Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) on the GPM Core Satellite

Precipitation consists of many types of hydrometeors, such as raindrops, ice crystals, graupel, and hail. Due to their impacts, graupel and hail (GH) have received particular attention in the literature. Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) dual-frequency radar (DPR) has proved to be a very reliable system for global precipitation retrievals. This paper aims to develop a GH identification algorithm for GPM DPR. This algorithm is constructed using a precipitation type index (PTI) defined for DPR. The PTI is effective in separating hydrometeor types and is calculated using measurements of reflectivity, dual-frequency ratio, and storm top height data. The output of the algorithm is a Boolean product representing the existence of graupel or hail along with the vertical profile for each Ku- and Ka-band matched footprint. Cross validation is performed with the Weather Service Radar (WSR-88D) network over continental United States as well as during the Remote sensing of Electrification, Lightning, and Mesoscale/Microscale Processes with Adaptive Ground Observations (RELAMPAGO) experiment. Evaluation of the GH identification algorithm is performed on a global basis, which illustrates promising comparisons with the global lightning and hail precipitation maps generated using radar and radiometer.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Conservative Estimation of Tail Probabilities from Limited Sample Data

Several sparse-sample uncertainty quantification (UQ) methods are compared for conservative but not overly conservative estimation of small tail probabilities involving responses that lay beyond specified thresholds in the tails of probability distributions. Sixteen very differently shaped distributions (or probability density functions, PDFs) and tail probability magnitudes ranging from 10 -5 to 10 -1 are considered in order for the study to be relevant to a wide range of risk analysis and quantification of margins and uncertainty (QMU) problems. The emphasis of the study is on limited data regimes ranging from N = 2 to 20 samples, reflective of most experimental and some expensive computational situations. Relatively simple sparse-sample UQ methods tested for this regime involve statistical tolerance interval "Equivalent Normal and related "Ensemble of Normals" and "Superdistribution (SD) approaches. (The independently derived SD is effectively equivalent to the Bayesian posterior predictive distribution given the assumptions of the derivation.) The performance of the methods was generally improved for N ≥ 5 samples with a generalized Jackknife resampling technique, which determines a tail probability estimate by averaging estimates from smaller sub-samples. Several quantitative metrics for method conservatism and accuracy of tail probability estimation are used to assess and rank the methods' performance over many random trials for each test PDF and probability magnitude. A variant of Bootstrap resampling was also tried, but did not significantly improve tail probability estimates in most cases. Detailed results are presented from over 100-million tests over the above factors that provide useful granular information on which methods or combination of methods perform best in various areas of the factor space.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Working Safely at LANL during the COVID-19 Pandemic (Rev. 2)

The COVID-19 pandemic is an emerging, rapidly evolving public health emergency. The content of this course reflects the most up-to-date guidance and information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) and scientific literature available at the time the course was developed. Check the LANL COVID-19 Hub for the latest information and guidance. Updates to the course will be made as necessary to reflect evolving guidance form public health authorities and new data form the scientific literature.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Precision Measurement of the Proton Magnetic Form Factor at High Q2

Elastic electromagnetic form factors characterize the distribution of electric charge and magnetization current inside the nucleon and reflect the internal structure determined by Quantum Chromodynamics. Existing data on the proton magnetic form factor at high Q2 (the 4-momentum transfer squared) have large statistical and systematic uncertainties. The GMp experiment E12-07-108 was one of the first set of experiments to run in Hall A at Jefferson Lab after the 12 GeV upgrade with the goal of this experiment to precisely measure the electron-proton elastic cross section for Q2 up to 17 GeV2 with an accuracy of better than 2% - several times better than existing data in this Q2 range. This will allow further tests of form factor scaling predicted by pQCD and, additionally, will be an important benchmark for many other experiments where elastic electron-proton scattering is used for normalization. Since, GMp data were taken at lower ?(virtual photon polarization) than SLAC data, the measured cross sections recieve a smaller contribution from the electric form factor. This dissertation analyzed the GMp experiment data for five different kinematic settings determining the form factor with total uncertainties nearly two times smaller than the existing data at these Q2. This dissertation also presents the results of all Fall 2016 and Spring 2016 GMp experiment data. The proton magnetic form factors were extracted using both the Rosenbluth separation method and a parameterization of the form factor ratio (?pGpE=GpM) obtained from a fit to the existing cross section data. At the end of this thesis, the extracted GMp form factor data is compared to the existing data. The results for ?pGpE=GpM from Rosenbluth separations are found to be consistent with previous extractions, but with significantly reduced uncertainties, further highlighting the discrepancy with the polarization transfer technique. This data set can provide significant additional constraints on contributions from two-photon exchange.

Narayan Gautam, Thir↗

Hardware-in-the-loop Laboratory Performance Verification of Flexible Building Equipment in a Typical Commercial Building

This project aims to develop high-resolution equipment performance and occupant data that quantifies demand flexibility in typical commercial buildings. The dataset documented in this report includes comprehensive time-series measurements from hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) experiments conducted across multiple testbeds designed to simulate realistic operational environments for HVAC systems. Specifically, it captures minute-by-minute high-resolution data on the performance of various typical HVAC systems, including a variable-air-volume (VAV) air handling unit (AHU) system with chillers and an ice tank in the Intelligent Building Agents Laboratory (IBAL) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a two-stage air-source heat pump (ASHP) at the NIST, and a water-source heat pump (WSHP) at Texas A&M University (TAMU). The data were generated under a range of controlled conditions reflecting different grid scenarios and climatic influences, as well as various control strategies, building types, occupancy patterns, and occupant behaviors. This dataset provides DE-EE0009153 Final Report 5 detailed insights into the demand flexibility of these systems, including their response to grid signals, occupant behaviors, energy consumption patterns, and operational efficiency under different conditions.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

U–Pb Geochronology and Stable Isotope Geochemistry of Terrestrial Carbonates, Lower Cretaceous Cedar Mountain Formation, Utah: Implications for Synchronicity of Terrestrial and Marine Carbon Isotope Excursions

The terrestrial Lower Cretaceous Cedar Mountain Formation, Utah, is a critical archive of paleoclimate, tectonics, and vertebrate ecology and evolution. Early Cretaceous carbon cycle perturbations associated with ocean anoxia have been interpreted from this succession, as expressed in stable carbon isotopes. However, refining the timing of the observed stable isotope excursions remains a key challenge in understanding how marine anoxia affects the Earth system, and is ultimately recorded in the terrestrial realm. The geochronology and geochemistry of a terrestrial carbonate near the base of this succession, which potentially records the Ap7 global carbon isotope excursion, is studied here. Petrographic and geochemical analyses are used to test plausible mechanisms for U incorporation into the calcite lattice in this sample. Using these methods, the hypothesis that the incorporation of U was at or close to the timing of carbonate precipitation is evaluated. U–Pb geochronology of calcite indicates a plausible Early Cretaceous age. However, comparison of the new U–Pb ages of calcite with detrital zircon maximum depositional ages immediately beneath the studied sample indicates a disparity in the apparent sedimentation rates if both types of geochronologic information are interpreted as reflecting the timing of sediment deposition. The totality of data supports an early, and high-temperature, diagenetic timing of U incorporation, with potential for minor leaching of U in subsequent fluid–rock interaction. The most likely mechanism for U transport and immobilization in these samples is hydrothermal fluid–rock interaction. Therefore, the radiometric ages, and corresponding stable isotope composition of U-bearing carbonate domains in this sample, indicate early subsurface fluid–rock interactions and not a record of atmosphere–soil geochemical reactions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

0.7–2.5 μ m Spectra of Hilda Asteroids

The Hilda asteroids are primitive bodies in resonance with Jupiter whose origin and physical properties are not well understood. Current models posit that these asteroids formed in the outer solar system and were scattered along with the Jupiter Trojans into their present-day positions during a chaotic episode of dynamical restructuring. In order to explore the surface composition of these enigmatic objects in comparison with an analogous study of Trojans, we present new near-infrared spectra (0.7–2.5 μ m) of 25 Hilda asteroids. No discernible absorption features are apparent in the data. Synthesizing the bimodalities in optical color and infrared reflectivity reported in previous studies, we classify 26 of the 28 Hildas in our spectral sample into the so-called less-red and red sub-populations and find that the two sub-populations have distinct average spectral shapes. Combining our results with visible spectra, we find that Trojans and Hildas possess similar overall spectral shapes, suggesting that the two minor body populations share a common progenitor population. A more detailed examination reveals that while the red Trojans and Hildas have nearly identical spectra, less-red Hildas are systematically bluer in the visible and redder in the near-infrared than less-red Trojans, indicating a putative broad, shallow absorption feature between 0.5 and 1.0 μ m. We argue that the less-red and red objects found in both Hildas and Trojans represent two distinct surface chemistries and attribute the small discrepancy between less-red Hildas and Trojans to the difference in surface temperatures between the two regions.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Mobility Energy Productivity Evaluation of Prediction-Based Vehicle Powertrain Control Combined with Optimal Traffic Management

Transportation vehicle and network system efficiency can be defined in two ways: 1) reduction of travel times across all the vehicles in the system, and 2) reduction in total energy consumed by all the vehicles in the system. The mechanisms to realize these efficiencies are treated as independent (i.e., vehicle and network domains) and, when combined, they have not been adequately studied to date. This research aims to integrate previously developed and published research on Predictive Optimal Energy Management Strategies (POEMS) and Intelligent Traffic Systems (ITS), to address the need for quantifying improvement in system efficiency resulting from simultaneous vehicle and network optimization. POEMS and ITS are partially independent methods which do not require each other to function but whose individual effectiveness may be affected by the presence of the other. In order to evaluate the system level efficiency improvements, the Mobility Energy Productivity (MEP) metric is used. MEP specifically measures the connectedness of a system while accounting for time and energy externalities of modes that provide mobility in a given location. A SUMO model is developed to reflect real traffic patterns in Fort Collins, Colorado and data is collected by a probe SUMO vehicle which is validated against data collected on a real vehicle driving the same routes through the city. Individual vehicle and system level efficiencies are calculated using SUMO outputs for scenarios which integrate POEMS and ITS independently as well as jointly. Results from application of POEMS and ITS show improvement in energy consumption and travel times respectively when compared to the respective baseline scenarios. Our conclusion is that there are promising synergistic benefits to travel time and energy efficiency when POEMS and ITS are combined.

ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Oregon Offshore Wind Site Feasibility and Cost Study

The focus of this presentation is to: Reflect current floating wind technology trends and industry market data in cost models; Provide cost analysis in support of Oregon state energy planners considering floating offshore wind's potential contribution to future state energy supplies.

17 WIND ENERGY↗