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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 631 records · Page 35
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Analytic error analysis of cross section interpolation methods in nodal diffusion codes - I : Theory

This paper discusses two cross section interpolation methods commonly found in popular nodal codes; the partial derivatives and multiple tables models. The motivation for choosing a model, and thus a case matrix structure, is a trade off between accuracy and computational cost. Due to decades of experience, there are default structures that are sufficient for current light water reactor analysis. However, this is not necessarily the case for advanced reactor designs. Therefore, it is advantageous to understand the sources of error in cross section interpolation models so that the quality of a case matrix may be improved. A mathematical framework for these models is presented in this work that provides a more rigorous connection between the nuclear engineering field's cross section interpolation methods and the broader mathematical field of function approximation. The two cross section models examined in this paper were found to utilize Lagrange interpolation and are a subset of Lagrange tensor products. Classical results of Lagrange polynomial error analysis were then applied to the partial derivative and multiple tables models to derive expressions for the total point-wise error. The analytical results classify the total error into two parts: the model form error and interpolation error. Finally, based on our observations, a better foundation for improving the quality of a case matrix is proposed. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
NASA NTRS1983

Study of multi-kilowatt solar arrays for Earth orbit applications

A miniaturized Cassegrainian concentrator (MCC) solar array concept is being developed with the objective of significantly reducing the recurring cost of multikilowatt solar arrays. The desired cost reduction is obtained as a result of using very small high efficiency solar cells in conjuction with low cost optics. The MCC single element concept incident slar radiation is reflected rom a primary parabolic reflector to a secondary hyperbolic reflector and finally to a 4 millimeter diameter solar cell. A light catcher cone is used to improve off axis performance. The solar cell is mounted to a heat fin. An element is approximately 13 millimeters thick which permits efficient launch stowage of the concentrator system panels without complex optical component deployments or retractions. The MCC elements are packed in bays within graphite epoxy frames and are electrically connected into appropriate series-parallel circuits. A MCC sngle element with a 21 sq cm entrance aperture and a 20 efficient, 0.25 sq cm gallium arsenide solar cell has the same power output as 30 sq cm of 11-percent efficiency (at 68 C) silicon solar cells.

Patterson, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Observations of hot stars and eclipsing binaries with FRESIP

The FRESIP project offers an unprecedented opportunity to study pulsations in hot stars (which vary on time scales of a day) over a several year period. The photometric data will determine what frequencies are present, how or if the amplitudes change with time, and whether there is a connection between pulsation and mass loss episodes. It would initiate a new field of asteroseismology studies of hot star interiors. A search should be made for selected hot stars for inclusion in the list of project targets. Many of the primary solar mass targets will be eclipsing binaries, and I present estimates of their frequency and typical light curves. The photometric data combined with follow up spectroscopy and interferometric observations will provide fundamental data on these stars. The data will provide definitive information on the mass ratio distribution of solar-mass binaries (including the incidence of brown dwarf companions) and on the incidence of planets in binary systems.

Gies, Douglas R.↗
NASA NTRS2012

The Rotation Temperature of Methanol in Comet 103P/Hartley 2

Considered to be relics from Solar System formation, comets may provide the vital information connecting Solar Nebula and its parent molecular cloud. Study of chemical and physical properties of comets is thus important for our better understanding of the formation of Solar System. In addition, observing organic molecules in comets may provide clues fundamental to our knowledge on the formation of prebiotically important organic molecules in interstellar space, hence, may shed light on the origin of life on the early Earth. Comet 103PIHartley 2 was fIrst discovered in 1986 and had gone through apparitions in 1991, 1997, and 2004 with an orbital period of about 6 years, before its latest return in 2010. 2010 was also a special year for Comet 103PIHartley 2 because of the NASA EPOXI comet-flyby mission.

Chuang, Yo-Ling↗
NASA NTRS2012

BPTAP: A New Approach to IP over DTN

Traditional Internet protocols have been widely deployed for a variety of applications. However such protocols generally perform poorly in situations in which, round trip delays are very large (interplanetary distances) or . persistent connectivity is not always available (widely dispersed MANET). Delay/Disruption Tolerant Network (DTN) technology was invented to address these issues: (1) . Relay nodes "take custody" of blocks of network traffic on a hop-by -hop basis and retransmit them in cases of expected or unexpected link outage (2) Bundle lifetime may be configured for long round trip light times. BPTAP is novel by encapsulating Ethernet frames in BP

space links↗
DOE OSTI2026

Curvilinear Magnonic Crystal Based on 3D Hierarchical Nanotemplates

Curvilinear magnetic nanostructures enable control of magnetization dynamics through geometry-induced anisotropy and chiral interactions, as well as magnetic field modulation. In this work, we report a curvilinear magnonic crystal based on large-area square arrays of truncated nanospikes fabricated by conformal coating of 3D hierarchical templates with permalloy thin films. Brillouin light scattering spectroscopy reveals an anisotropic band structure with multiple dispersive and folded Bloch-type dispersive spin-wave modes as well as nondispersive modes exhibiting direction-dependent frequency shifts and intensity asymmetries along lattice principal axes. Finite element micromagnetic simulations indicate that curvature-induced variations of the demagnetizing field govern the magnonic response, enabling the identification of modes propagating in nanochannels and others localized on nanospike apexes or along the ridges connecting adjacent nanospikes. The combination of geometric curvature and optical probing asymmetry produces directional dependence of magnonic bands, establishing 3D hierarchical templates as a versatile platform for curvature-engineered magnonics.

3D hierarchical templates↗
DOE OSTI2025

Chromium-doped uranium dioxide fuels: A review

UO 2 doped with parts per million CR 2 O 3 powder is considered a potential near term accident tolerant fuel candidate. Here, the results of decades of industry and academic research into Cr-doped UO 2 are analyzed and their shortcomings are critiqued. Focusing on the incorporation mechanisms of Cr into the fuel matrix, we explore a mechanistic understanding of the characteristic properties of Cr-doped UO 2 , notably, enhanced fission gas retention attributed to enlarged grain sizes following sintering, along with marginal improvements in the thermophysical properties. The findings of recent X-ray Adsorption Near Edge Spectroscopy studies were compared and put into conversation with historic data regarding the incorporation of Cr in UO 2 . On the basis of defect mechanisms, the case is made for the substitutional incorporation of Cr governing the lattice solubility but not the enhanced U diffusivity. Instead, Cr/CR 2 O 3 redox chemistry in a well-defined oxygen potential explains the differences in the U diffusivity and O/M ratio. The primary mechanism of doping enhanced grain growth is found to be liquid assisted sintering due to a CRO (1) eutectic phase at the grain boundaries. The role of inhomogeneities in Cr concentration in UO 2 at various length scales across the materials microstructure is highlighted and connected to promising experimental and modeling work to fill in the gaps in the current understanding of Cr-doped UO 2 . The review considers both the open scientific questions and engineering applications to illustrate the deep connections between the practice and theory in the design of accident tolerant nuclear fuels. In conclusion, the review ends with an outline of future works that combine meticulous irradiation studies and high resolution experiments with next generation modeling and simulations techniques empowered by machine learning advances to accelerate the fabrication and adoption of Cr-doped UO 2 light water reactors.

Cleveland, Mack Wesley [Massachusetts Inst. of Tec↗
DOE OSTI2024

Ligand field exciton annihilation in bulk CrCl 3

The layered van der Waals material CrCl 3 exhibits very strongly bound ligand field excitons that control optoelectronic applications and are connected with magnetic ordering by virtue of their d-orbital origin. Time-resolved photoluminescence of these exciton populations at room temperature shows that their relaxation is dominated by exciton–exciton annihilation and that the spontaneous decay lifetime is very long. Furthermore, these observations allow the rough quantification of the exciton annihilation rate constant and contextualization in light of a recent theory of universal scaling behavior of the annihilation process.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1971

Supernova explosions.

The recent history of theoretical investigations of the supernova mechanism is considered, giving attention also to a number of nuclear physical problems which have yet to be solved in connection with the thermonuclear detonation. A variety of different processes of nucleo-synthesis are expected to occur in association with the supernova explosions. Aspects of the chemical evolution of the galaxy are discussed including the cosmic ray production of lithium, beryllium, and boron in the interstellar medium. Various hypotheses to account for the very large amount of light that comes from a supernova explosion are also examined.

Cameron, A. G. W.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Method and apparatus for measuring minority carrier lifetimes and bulk diffusion length in P-N junction solar cells

Carrier lifetimes and bulk diffusion length are qualitatively measured as a means for qualification of a P-N junction photovoltaic solar cell. High frequency (blue) monochromatic light pulses and low-frequency (red) monochromatic light pulses were alternately applied to the cell while it was irradiated by light from a solar simulator, and synchronously displaying the derivative of the output voltage of the cell on an oscilloscope. The output voltage is a measure of the lifetimes of the minority carriers (holes) in the diffused N layer and majority carriers (electrons) in the bulk P material, and of the diffusion length of the bulk silicon. By connecting a reference cell in this manner with a test cell to be tested in reverse parallel, the display of a test cell that matches the reference cell will be a substantially zero output.

Vonroos, O. H.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Accelerated stress testing of thin film solar cells: Development of test methods and preliminary results

If thin film cells are to be considered a viable option for terrestrial power generation their reliability attributes will need to be explored and confidence in their stability obtained through accelerated testing. Development of a thin film accelerated test program will be more difficult than was the case for crystalline cells because of the monolithic construction nature of the cells. Specially constructed test samples will need to be fabricated, requiring committment to the concept of accelerated testing by the manufacturers. A new test schedule appropriate to thin film cells will need to be developed which will be different from that used in connection with crystalline cells. Preliminary work has been started to seek thin film schedule variations to two of the simplest tests: unbiased temperature and unbiased temperature humidity. Still to be examined are tests which involve the passage of current during temperature and/or humidity stress, either by biasing in the forward (or reverse) directions or by the application of light during stress. Investigation of these current (voltage) accelerated tests will involve development of methods of reliably contacting the thin conductive films during stress.

Lathrop, J. W.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Dark radiation constraints on portal interactions with hidden sectors

Here, we update dark radiation constraints on millicharged particle (MCP) and gauged baryon-number-minus-lepton-number (B-L) extensions of the Standard Model (SM). In these models, a massive SM gauge singlet mediator couples the SM plasma to additional SM-singlet light degrees of freedom. In the early Universe, these new light particles are populated via the interaction of the SM with the MCP, or the new B-L gauge boson, and act as dark radiation. The presence of dark radiation in the early Universe is tightly constrained by current and upcoming cosmic microwave background (CMB) measurements. We update bounds on MCPs from current measurements of N eff and show that future CMB experiments will be able to rule out or discover the extended MCP model invoked to explain the EDGES anomaly. Our analysis of the gauged B-L model goes beyond previous studies by including quantum-statistical and out-of-equilibrium effects. Further, we account for the finite lifetime of the B-L gauge boson, which boosts the subsequent right-handed neutrino energy density. We also develop a number of approximations and techniques for simplifying and solving the relevant Boltzmann equations. We use our approximations to develop a lower bound on the radiation density in a generic hidden sector with a light relic that is insensitive to the details of the hidden sector, provided the mediator interacts more strongly with the hidden sector than with the SM.

cosmological neutrinos↗
DOE OSTI2024

Sustainable Public Transport: Providing Responsive, On-Demand Service with Clean Energy

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) uses the Mobility Energy Productivity (MEP) as a metric and a lens to guide applied research into high performance public mobility. In the current initiative to abate global warming, the US needs not only zero-emission vehicles in the transit fleet (such as buses and shuttles) but also time- and cost-effective services to connect people with goods, services and employment toward a high-quality of life. Our current transportation system is overly dependent on personally-owned automobiles for high quality mobility, with public modes being less viable in many areas. Simply electrifying the drivetrains of existing public transit modes will fail to improve the quality of mobility for those that do not have access to private automobiles. The slow rebound by transit from the pandemic reveals the need to reinvent public transit service. Using the MEP lens, NREL researchers have tracked various novel developments in the public mobility space, with the confluence of shared, on-demand transit (ODT) services using light duty vehicles emerging as a key enabler of high-efficiency public mobility. Deployments such as those in Arlington, TX, Dallas, TX, Fort Erie, ON, and Innisfil, ON showcase the use of fleets of light-duty vehicles as the basis for community circulation and first/last mile to intra-regional transit. ODT services have demonstrated improvements in being more time efficient for riders, more energy efficient in operation (even before the introduction of fully electric vehicles), as well as being cost effective. It appears that aspects of the long-awaited promise of Personal Rapid Transit from the 1970s are beginning to be realized through ODT deployments, leveraging transportation network company (TNC) logistics, popularized by Uber and Lyft, but applied to public mobility. Currently, manually driven ODT operations are already cost competitive with traditional transit systems on a cost per ride basis, and full automation promises to reduce costs by 50% while providing additional safety and verified customer service. Connecting these ODT systems with efficient and effective intra-regional backbone transit service is the next step, with transit agencies like DART providing early results. This discussion will walk through the evidence for this postulated outcome and show results from a series of case-studies.

ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS,ENERGY PLANNING, POLIC↗
DOE OSTI2025

A network-enabled pipeline for gene discovery and validation in non-model plant species

Identifying key regulators of important genes in non-model crop species is challenging due to limited multi-omics resources. To address this, we introduce the network-enabled gene discovery pipeline NEEDLE, a user-friendly tool that systematically generates coexpression gene network modules, measures gene connectivity, and establishes network hierarchy to pinpoint key transcriptional regulators from dynamic transcriptome datasets. After validating its accuracy with two independent datasets, we applied NEEDLE to identify transcription factors (TFs) regulating the expression of cellulose synthase-like F6 ( CSLF6 ), a crucial cell wall biosynthetic gene, in Brachypodium and sorghum. Our analyses uncover regulators of CSLF6 and also shed light on the evolutionary conservation or divergence of gene regulatory elements among grass species. These results highlight NEEDLE’s capability to provide biologically relevant TF predictions and demonstrate its value for non-model plant species with dynamic transcriptome datasets.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Piecewise Linear Optimization for Public EV Charging Depots in Different Utility Environments

With the proliferation of electric vehicles (EVs), EV supply equipment technology is being pushed to increasingly higher power levels, such as extreme fast charging (XFC) at 300kW or more. As more public XFC depots are connected to electric distribution systems, utility operators will mitigate their impact with pricing schemes and programs such as demand response, demand charges, and time-varying prices. In this paper we describe an XFC management system that combines an on-site battery energy storage system and an optimization application that minimizes the cost to operate the depot in light of the utility pricing programs. We have designed the optimizer specially to use fast and simple linear programming so that it can be deployed to low-cost computing platforms. We also describe how several utility pricing schemes are integrated into a single piecewise model, reducing the engineering effort to implement the optimizer in different utility environments.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
NASA NTRS1981

54 Cam - A new variable star

Differential photometry of the RS CVn-type binary 54 Cam is presented, which shows that the light was variable with a period of 10.163 + or - 0.009 d, and with an amplitude increase from 0.03 to 0.06 m between 1979 and 1980. The photometric period of 10.163 d is 9% shorter than the orbital period of 11.0764 d, and is suggested as an explanation for the radio emission from 54 Cam due to a process of connection, disruption, and reconnection of magnetic field lines.

Hall, D. S.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Gravity Sensors and the Role of 3-D Visualization and Simulation in Biomedical Research

Ross 3.0 software was developed in the Biocomputation Center for semi-automated reconstruction of objects from serial thin sections. Data are captured directly from a transmission electron microscope via a video camera to a graphics workstation where the sections are mosaicked and contours are traced, registered and displayed by semi-automated methods. For the first time, macular type II cells are described completely for their innervation patterns. The purposes are to learn more about the fundamental circuitry of the macula and to demonstrate whether the terminals are altered morphologically by space flight. Current examples, from the medial part of the macula, are from maculas collected in-flight on the Space Life Sciences-2 mission, 4.5 hrs post-flight, and from a ground control. Results show that the typical type 11 cell receives processes from up to six nearby calyces or afferents. Nearly all the processes are elongated; some have bouton-like swellings and numerous vesicles. Multiple (2 to 4) processes from a single calyx to a type II cell are common, and approx. 1/3 of the processes innervate 2 type II cells of a neighboring cluster of 3 cells. About 2% of type II cells resemble type I cells morphologically and are surrounded by demicalyces. Differences in size or shape of the terminals under flight conditions could not be determined because the sample size is still too small; but it is clear that reconstruction methods provide insights into macular circuitry not obtainable by other techniques. The results demonstrate a morphological basis for interactions between adjacent receptive fields, through feedback-feedforward connections, during preprocessing of linear acceleratory information by the maculas. While the methods are currently being tested using vestibular maculas as the model system, it is clear that the technology is applicable to any tissue that can be physically or optically sectioned. ROSS software has already been implemented for reconstructing objects from tissues studied by confocal and by transmitted light microscopy, and research into magnetic resonance imaging-computational tomography combined visualization are underway.

Ross, Muriel D.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Segmented Hexagonal Antenna Reflector Concentrically Stacked Using Shape Memory Composite Tubular Hinges

A new architecture for solid surface reflector antennas scalable to sizes greater than 10 m is presented. The design combines the compact, lightness and simplicity characteristics of advanced deployable structures to create sub-reflectors that can be assembled in space into larger units using a robotic arm and operations under development by a related parallel project. The seven-panel hexagonal sub-reflector is divided into hexagonal panels of that efficiently stack concentrically and vertically. The central panel is connected to each side panel on the back side by a pair of tubular shape memory composite hinges that enable the required deployment kinematics. A secondary mechanism ultimately closes the interpanel gap. The focus of the paper is on the development of the sub-reflector elements, namely the tubular hinges that use embedded heaters and sensors for actuation, the actuation mechanisms, and the lightweight sandwich construction panels. A finite element analysis parametric study assessed how design features of the hinge affect its stowage and deployment dynamics. The component fabrication and testing plans for the two-panel assembly breadboard model are outlined.

deployable reflectors↗