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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 613 records · Page 34

Mapping the space radiation environment in LEO orbit by the SATRAM Timepix payload on board the Proba-V satellite

Detailed spatial- and time-correlated maps of the space radiation environment in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) are produced by the spacecraft payload SATRAM operating in open space on board the Proba-V satellite from the European Space Agency (ESA). Equipped with the hybrid semiconductor pixel detector Timepix, the compact radiation monitor payload provides the composition and spectral characterization of the mixed radiation field with quantum-counting and imaging dosimetry sensitivity, energetic charged particle tracking, directionality and energy loss response in wide dynamic range in terms of particle types, dose rates and particle fluxes. With a polar orbit (sun synchronous, 98° inclination) at the altitude of 820 km the payload samples the space radiation field at LEO covering basically the whole planet. First results of long-period data evaluation in the form of time-and spatially-correlated maps of total dose rate (all particles) are given.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Characterizing and communicating uncertainty: lessons from NASA’s Carbon Monitoring System

Navigating uncertainty is a critical challenge in all fields of science, especially when translating knowledge into real-world policies or management decisions. However, the wide variance in concepts and definitions of uncertainty across scientific fields hinders effective communication. As a microcosm of diverse fields within Earth Science, NASA’s Carbon Monitoring System (CMS) provides a useful crucible in which to identify cross-cutting concepts of uncertainty. The CMS convened the Uncertainty Working Group (UWG), a group of specialists across disciplines, to evaluate and synthesize efforts to characterize uncertainty in CMS projects. This paper represents efforts by the UWG to build a heuristic framework designed to evaluate data products and communicate uncertainty to both scientific and non-scientific end users. We consider four pillars of uncertainty: origins, severity, stochasticity versus incomplete knowledge, and spatial and temporal autocorrelation. Using a common vocabulary and a generalized workflow, the framework introduces a graphical heuristic accompanied by a narrative, exemplified through contrasting case studies. Envisioned as a versatile tool, this framework provides clarity in reporting uncertainty, guiding users and tempering expectations. Beyond CMS, it stands as a simple yet powerful means to communicate uncertainty across diverse scientific communities.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Noniterative finite amplitude methods for E 1 and M 1 giant resonances

The finite amplitude method (FAM) is a very efficient approach for solving the fully self-consistent random-phase approximation (RPA) equations. We use FAM to rederive the RPA matrices for Skyrme functionals, calculate the electric dipole ( E 1) and the magnetic dipole ( M 1) giant resonances, and compare the results with available experimental and evaluated data. For the E 1 transitions in heavy nuclei, the calculations reproduce well the resonance energy of the photoabsorption cross sections. In the case of M 1 transitions, we show that the residual interaction does not affect the transition strength of double-magic nuclei, which suggests that the spin terms in the Skyrme force currently neglected in the present computation could improve the agreement between FAM and experimental data.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Fission product yields from the 238 U ( n,f ) reaction at E n = 4.6 MeV

Here, we present cumulative fission product yields from the 238 U (n, f) reaction at an incident energy of 4.6 MeV for fission products with half-lives from less than one second to several hours. We employed direct γ-ray spectroscopy to measure unseparated fission products with a conventional neutron activation analysis and a cyclic activation technique using the RApid Belt-driven Irradiated Target Transfer System (RABITTS). Yields were determined for 78 isotopes and isomers, covering the mass range 84 ≤ A ≤ 148 and the charge range from 33(As) ≤ Z ≤ 58(Ce). Our experimental cumulative yields are compared to the literature and evaluated data at E n ≈0.5 MeV from ENDF/B-VIII.0 and JEFF-3.3 libraries and with theoretical models using the GEF and FREYA codes at E n =4.6 MeV.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Measurement of the cross section of the Q=4.4398 MeV 12 C (n, n'γ) reaction from threshold to 16.5 MeV using γ and correlated n–γ detection

The Q=4.4398 MeV 12 C (n, n'γ) cross section was measured using a white incident neutron source through the detection of γ rays only and n–γ coincidences using a segmented liquid scintillator detector array. While the n–γ technique utilized here is more generally applicable to a wide variety of neutron scattering measurements, the γ-only technique was successfully applied to this reaction to exploit the precise time resolution and high efficiency of this detection system to yield results with unprecedented statistical precision and total uncertainties < 2 % from reaction threshold up to 16 MeV incident neutron energy, clearly resolving many features in this reaction that were previously not well known. The γ-only and n–γ results are consistent with each other for the majority of the incident energy range covered in this paper, thereby lending validation to the n–γ technique for future measurements, though significant disagreements are observed between both results and with the ENDF/B-VIII.0 nuclear data evaluation. These differences are particularly noticeable in the recently evaluated energy range below 6.5 MeV, and also near 14 MeV where a “sawtooth”-like feature is observed similar to that in other 12 C+n reaction channels. Finally, both γ-only and n–γ results are presented here with thorough covariance derivations.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Measurement of the 238 U( n,f ) prompt fission neutron spectrum from 10 keV to 10 MeV induced by neutrons with 1.5–20 MeV energy

With the recent emergence of fast nuclear reactors, there has been a corresponding increasing interest in 238 U-related nuclear data. However, while existing literature data span much of the energy ranges of interest for the prompt fission neutron spectrum (PFNS) for neutron-induced fission of 238U, most literature data sets are highly correlated, and thus new, independent measurements of this quantity are needed. In this work, we report the results of a new measurement of the 238 U PFNS at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center for incident neutron energies from 1.5–20.0 MeV, and outgoing neutron energies of 0.01–10.0 MeV. With some notable exceptions, the present results generally agree with existing literature data, especially with regard to features relating to multichance fission and pre-equilibrium features in the PFNS, thus adding confidence to existing nuclear data evaluations and filling in gaps of knowledge at previously unmeasured incident neutron energies. This result is the third in a series of PFNS measurements by the Chi-Nu collaboration now spanning all three major actinides, 239 Pu, 235 U, and 238 U. Thus, for the first time, we report reliable experimental PFNS ratios and average PFNS energy comparisons for measurements of all three of these isotopes including accurate correlations between the different, but correlated experiments.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Measurement of the prompt fission neutron spectrum from 800 keV to 10 MeV for 240 Pu(sf) and for the 240 Pu($n,f$) reaction induced by neutrons of energy from 1–20 MeV

Here, the presence of 240 Pu in nuclear fuels for reactors has resulted in high uncertainties in the results of reactor and nuclear transmutation calculations because of deficiencies in 240 Pu-related nuclear data. Specifically for the prompt fission neutron spectrum (PFNS) of 240 Pu, there is only one neutron-induced, (n,f), measurement at 0.85 MeV incident neutron energy and only one complete spontaneous fission, (sf), measurement. This limited availability of data does not sufficiently guide nuclear data evaluations of these quantities. Here we report on a measurement of both the 240 Pu(sf) and the 240 Pu(n,f) PFNS, both over the emitted neutron energy range of 0.79–10.0 MeV, and from incident neutron energies of 1.0–20.0 MeV for the (n,f) reaction. Measurements were made with a hemispherical array of liquid scintillators at the high-energy Los Alamos Neutron Science Center white neutron source at the Weapons Neutron Research facility as part of the joint LANL-LLNL Chi-Nu experimental campaign to measure actinide fission neutron spectra. These measurements are the first of their kind, and provide clear experimental evidence for second-chance fission, third chance fission, and pre-equilibrium neutron emission processes in neutron-induced fission of 240 Pu, and are the first ever measurements above 1 MeV incident neutron energy.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Extended optical model for fission

A comprehensive formalism to calculate fission cross sections based on the extension of the optical model for fission is presented. It can be used for description of nuclear reactions on actinides featuring multi-humped fission barriers with partial absorption in the wells and direct transmission through discrete and continuum fission channels. The formalism describes the gross fluctuations observed in the fission probability due to vibrational resonances, and can be easily implemented in existing statistical reaction model codes. The extended optical model for fission is applied for neutron induced fission cross-section calculations on 234,235,238 U and 239 Pu targets. A triple-humped fission barrier is used for 234,235 U(n,f), while a double-humped fission barrier is used for 238 U(n,f) and 239 Pu(n,f) reactions as predicted by theoretical barrier calculations. The impact of partial damping of class-II/III states, and of direct transmission through discrete and continuum fission channels, is shown to be critical for a proper description of the measured fission cross sections for 234,235,238 U(n,f) reactions. The 239 Pu(n,f) reaction can be calculated in the complete damping approximation. Calculated cross sections for 235,238 U(n,f) and 239 Pu(n,f) reactions agree within 3% with the corresponding cross sections derived within the Neutron Standards least-squares fit of available experimental data. Lastly, the extended optical model for fission can be used for both theoretical fission studies and nuclear data evaluation.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Evaluating Unified Memory Performance in HIP

Heterogeneous unified memory management between a CPU and a GPU is a major challenge in GPU computing. Recently, unified memory (UM) has been supported by software and hardware components on AMD computing platforms. The support could simplify the complexities of memory management. In this paper, we attempt to have a better understanding of UM by evaluating the performance of UM programs on an AMD MI100 GPU. More specifically, we evaluate data migration using UM against other data transfer techniques for the overall performance of an application, assess the impacts of three commonly used optimization techniques on the kernel execution time of a vector add sample, and compare the performance and productivity of selected benchmarks with and without UM. The performance overhead associated with UM is not trivial, but it can improve programming productivity by reducing lines of code for scientific applications. We aim to present early results and feedback on the UM performance to the vendor.

Jin, Zheming↗

Using models to guide field experiments: a priori predictions for the CO 2 response of a nutrient- and water-limited native Eucalypt woodland

One major uncertainty in Earth System models is the response of terrestrial ecosystems to rising atmospheric CO 2 concentration (Ca), particularly under nutrient-lim- ited conditions. The Eucalyptus Free-Air CO 2 Enrichment (EucFACE) experiment, recently established in a nutrient- and water-limited woodlands, presents a unique opportunity to address this uncertainty, but can best do so if key model uncertainties have been identified in advance. Moreover, we applied seven vegetation models, which have previously been comprehensively assessed against earlier forest FACE experi- ments, to simulate a priori possible outcomes from EucFACE. Our goals were to provide quantitative projections against which to evaluate data as they are collected, and to identify key measurements that should be made in the experiment to allow discrimination among alternative model assumptions in a postexperiment model intercompari- son. Simulated responses of annual net primary productivity (NPP) to elevated Ca ranged from 0.5 to 25% across models. The simulated reduction of NPP during a low-rainfall year also varied widely, from 24 to 70%. Key processes where assumptions caused disagreement among models included nutrient limitations to growth; feedbacks to nutri- ent uptake; autotrophic respiration; and the impact of low soil moisture availability on plant processes. Finally, knowledge of the causes of variation among models is now guiding data collection in the experiment, with the expectation that the experimental data can optimally inform future model improvements.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

WE-G-BRD-06: Variation in Dynamic Positron Emission Tomography Imaging of Tumor Hypoxia in Early Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Undergoing Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy

Purpose: Tumor hypoxia is correlated with treatment failure. To date, there are no published studies investigating hypoxia in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients undergoing SBRT. We aim to use 18F-fluoromisonidazole (18F-FMISO) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging to non-invasively quantify the tumor hypoxic volume (HV), to elucidate potential roles of reoxygenation and tumor vascular response at high doses, and to identify an optimal prognostic imaging time-point. Methods: SBRT-eligible patients with NSCLC tumors >1cm were prospectively enrolled in an IRB-approved study. Computed Tomography and dynamic PET images (0–120min, 150–180min, and 210–240min post-injection) were acquired using a Siemens BiographmCT PET/CT scanner. 18F-FMISO PET was performed on a single patient at 3 different time points around a single SBRT delivery of 18 Gy and HVs were compared using a tumor-to-blood ratio (TBR)>1.2 and rate of influx (Ki)>0.0015 (Patlak). Results: Results from our first patient showed substantial temporal changes in HV following SBRT. Using a TBR threshold >1.2 and summed images 210–240min, the HVs were 19%, 31% and 13% of total tumor volume on day 0, 2 (48 hours post-SBRT), and 4 (96 hours post-SBRT). The absolute volume of hypoxia increased by nearly a factor of 2 after 18 Gy and then decreased almost to baseline 96 hours later. Selected imaging timepoints resulted in temporal changes in HV quantification obtained with TBR. Ki, calculated using 4-hour dynamic data, evaluated HVs as 22%, 75% and 21%, respectively. Conclusions: ith the results of only one patient, this novel pilot study highlights the potential benefit of 18F-FMISO PET imaging as results indicate substantial temporal changes in tumor HV post-SBRT. Analysis suggests that TBR is not a robust parameter for accurate HV quantification and heavily influenced by imaging timepoint selection. Kinetic modeling parameters are more sensitive and may aid in future treatment individualization based on patient-specific biological information.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Improving fission-product decay data for reactor applications: part I—decay heat

Effort has been expended to assess the relative merits of undertaking further decay-data measurements of the main fission-product contributors to the decay heat of neutron-irradiated fissionable fuel and related actinides by means of Total Absorption Gamma-ray Spectroscopy (TAGS - sometimes abbreviated to TAS) and Discrete Gamma-ray Spectroscopy (DGS). This review has been carried out following similar work performed under the auspices of OECD/WPEC-Subgroup 25 (2005–2007) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (2009, 2014), and various highly relevant TAGS measurements completed as a consequence of such assessments. Here, we present our recommendations for new decay-data evaluations, along with possible requirements for total absorption and discrete high-resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy studies that cover approximately 120 fission products and various isomeric states.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Characterization and Comparison of Planar and Trench Silicon Carbide (SiC) Power MOSFETs

This paper presents a comprehensive evaluation and experimental comparison of silicon carbide power MOSFETs through double pulse test. First, a universal hardware platform is designed and developed to test power semiconductor devices with various device packages and measuring requirements. Using the developed platform, the static characteristics and switching performance of the two types of SiC MOSFETs (one planar and one trench type) are evaluated under different case temperatures from 25 oC to 175 oC. Based on the evaluation data, a comparison of both SiC MOSFETs is conducted in terms of their on-state resistance, switching loss, and temperature dependent behavior. It is found that the latest trench SiC MOSFETs present similar switching loss while much lower conduction loss compared to existing commercial planar SiC MOSFETs. Moreover, the trench devices show a nearly temperature independent switching loss, which is beneficial to suppress the potential thermal runaway issue under high temperature continuous operation.

double pulse test↗

Serial2Parallel

In the era of machine learning, we often need to run the same code/script many times with little or no variations (e.g., performance evaluation, data preprocessing, data generation, hyperparameter tuning, etc.). It is not a problem when you just need to do that a few times, but when the number of repetitions becomes very large, it can be a daunting task. The code “Serial2Parallel” provides an easy way for users to be able to run many numbers of any serial code/scripts in a parallel manner across multiple nodes in an message passing interface (MPI) cluster. The code includes the server program that deals with task pool management and client program that processes task. The server gets the tasks ready and waits for clients' connections. The client code pulls tasks from the server and processes them. The client code will run in parallel.

Sangkeun, MattLee↗

Models for synthetic data generation

The software includes a suite of probabilistic statistical/machine learning models that can generate discrete synthetic data. Each model is trained on a set of real (private) data and then it can be used to generate synthetic but statistically similar data. Once ready, the model can generate as many samples as we want. Finally, in addition to the actual models, the software includes code to process data, evaluate results (based on cross validation), and produce reports.

De Oliveira Sales, Ana Paula↗

ARIADNE

The code ARIADNE performs uncertainty quantification of experimental data for nuclear data. It also performs nuclear data evaluations with the algorithm generalized squares.

Neudecker, Denise↗

Global Precipitation Experiment—A New World Climate Research Programme Lighthouse Activity

The future state of the global water cycle and the prediction of freshwater availability for humans around the world remain among the challenges of climate research and are relevant to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The Global Precipitation Experiment (GPEX) takes on the challenge of improving the prediction of precipitation quantity, phase, timing, and intensity, characteristics that are products of a complex integrated system. It will achieve this by leveraging existing World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) activities and community capabilities in satellite, surface-based, and airborne observations, modeling, and experimental research and by conducting new and focused activities. It was launched in October 2023 as a WCRP Lighthouse Activity. Here, we present an overview of the GPEX Science Plan that articulates the primary science questions related to precipitation measurements, process understanding, model performance and improvements, and plans for capacity development. The central phase of GPEX is the WCRP Years of Precipitation for 2–3 years with coordinated global field campaigns focusing on different storm types (atmospheric rivers, mesoscale convective systems, monsoons, and tropical cyclones, among others) over different regions and seasons. Activities are planned over the three phases (before, during, and after the Years of Precipitation) spanning a decade. These include gridded data evaluation and development, advanced modeling, enhanced understanding of processes critical to precipitation, multiscale prediction of precipitation events across scales, and capacity development. These activities will be further developed as part of the GPEX Implementation Plan.

Climate change↗

Sensitivity-based Experiment Design Optimization for a Molybdenum Critical Experiment

A lack of intermediate molybdenum benchmarks in the ICSBEP has been identified by LANL, Y-12, and IRSN. This lacking adversely effects criticality safety operations and leaves new differential molybdenum data unvalidated. NCERC is proposing a series of intermediate integral experiments to better the understanding of molybdenum systems. Using MCNP6.2 with the ENDF/B-VIII.0 nuclear data library a single unmoderated and four moderated system designs were identified using a sensitivity optimization method. Each proposed system was found to be at least twice as sensitive to the 95 Mo capture cross section in the URR as the sole existing intermediate molybdenum benchmark in the ISCBEP handbook. The addition of a new molybdenum sensitive intermediate system would improve future nuclear data evaluations.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗