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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 649 records · Page 36

Nanostructure Sensing and Transmission of Gas Data

A system for receiving, analyzing and communicating results of sensing chemical and/or physical parameter values, using wireless transmission of the data. Presence or absence of one or more of a group of selected chemicals in a gas or vapor is determined, using suitably functionalized carbon nanostructures that are exposed to the gas. One or more physical parameter values, such as temperature, vapor pressure, relative humidity and distance from a reference location, are also sensed for the gas, using nanostructures and/or microstructures. All parameter values are transmitted wirelessly to a data processing site or to a control site, using an interleaving pattern for data received from different sensor groups, using I.E.E.E. 802.11 or 802.15 protocol, for example. Methods for estimating chemical concentration are discussed.

Li, Jing↗

Robust Matrix Completion State Estimation in Distribution Systems

Due to the insufficient measurements in the distribution system state estimation (DSSE), full observability and redundant measurements are difficult to achieve without using the pseudo measurements. The matrix completion state estimation (MCSE) combines the matrix completion and power system model to estimate voltage by exploring the low-rank characteristics of the matrix. This paper proposes a robust matrix completion state estimation (RMCSE) to estimate the voltage in a distribution system under a low-observability condition. Tradition state estimation weighted least squares (WLS) method requires full observability to calculate the states and needs redundant measurements to proceed a bad data detection. The proposed method improves the robustness of the MCSE to bad data by minimizing the rank of the matrix and measurements residual with different weights. It can estimate the system state in a low-observability system and has robust estimates without the bad data detection process in the face of multiple bad data. The method is numerically evaluated on the IEEE 33-node radial distribution system. The estimation performance and robustness of RMCSE are compared with the WLS with the largest normalized residual bad data identification (WLS-LNR), and the MCSE.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

A study of sacrificial mirrors for use prior to a laser wakefield accelerator driven by the Z-Petawatt laser

Many experiments at Sandia’s Z Pulsed Power Facility require x-ray backlighting diagnostics to understand experiment performance. Due to limitations in present-day source/detection modalities, most x-ray diagnostics at Z are restricted to photon energies <20 keV, ultimately limiting the density, amount, and atomic number of targets diagnosable in experiments. These limitations force the use of low-Z materials like Beryllium, and they prevent acquisition of important backlighting data for materials/densities that are opaque to soft x-rays and where background emission from the Z load and transmission lines overwhelm diagnostics. In this LDRD project, we have investigated the design and development of a laser wakefield acceleration platform driven by the Z-Petawatt laser – a platform that would enable the generation of a pulsed, collimated beam of high energy x-rays up to 100 keV. Geometrical considerations for implementation on the Z Machine require the use of sacrificial mirrors, which have been tested in offline experiments in the Chama target chamber in building 983. Our results suggest the use of sacrificial mirrors would not necessarily inhibit the laser wakefield x-ray process, particularly with the benefits stemming from planned laser upgrades. These conclusions support the continuation of laser wakefield source research and the development of the necessary infrastructure to deliver the Z-Petawatt laser to the Z center section along the appropriate lines of sight. Ultimately, this new capability will provide unprecedented views through dense states of matter, enabling the use of previously incompatible target materials/designs, and uncovering a new set of observables accessible through diffraction and spectroscopy in the hard x-ray regime. These will amplify the data return on precious Z shots and enhance Sandia’s ability to investigate fundamental physics in support of national security.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Multimodal imaging and machine learning to enhance microscope images of shale

A machine learning based image processing workflow is presented to enhance shale source rock microscopic images obtained using diverse imaging platforms. Images were acquired from a 30 μm diameter cylindrical Vaca Muerta shale sample using both nondestructive Transmission X-Ray Microscopy (TXM, alternately referred to as nano computed tomography) and destructive Focused Ion Beam-Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB-SEM). Output cross-sectional images from each modality were aligned using a combination of manual and automated registration techniques to create a registered image dataset. We then apply this dataset for two image processing tasks: prediction of image cross sections with SEM-like resolution from nondestructive TXM data and repair of charged region artifacts (localized accumulation of electrons) within SEM images. The image processing algorithms for both tasks use deep learning models, specifically image-to-image Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and conditional Generative Adversarial Networks (cGANs). In the image enhancement tasks, we are able to achieve significant qualitative and quantitative improvement in TXM images. Here, the best model reaches an average Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR) of 15.8 dB. Conditioning on TXM data is also shown to reduce artifacts from SEM charging, achieving an average PSNR of 25.8 dB. Furthermore, our results suggest that properly trained and validated networks are capable of significant enhancement of images obtained using nondestructive techniques, thereby improving interpretation of two- and three-dimensional images while preserving samples for future use.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Towards time-resolved MicroED grid preparation using mix-and-inject gas dynamic virtual nozzles

Recent progress in gas dynamic virtual nozzle (GDVN) technologies in combination with high-brilliance synchrotron and X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) has allowed the visualization of protein dynamics in crystallo by mixing macromolecular protein crystals with a substrate using tunable mixing times on the order of milliseconds to seconds prior to serial X-ray diffraction data collection. This has become the method of choice for high-resolution structure determination of intermediate states. However, such experiments require large counts of crystals of proper sizes for high-resolution data collection, and premium beam times for screening efforts. Cryogenic microcrystal electron diffraction (MicroED) represents a complementary technique that may be a more accessible avenue for time-resolved nanocrystallography compared with serial X-ray diffraction experiments. MicroED can produce full diffraction datasets from just a few submicrometre-thick crystals, and the approach is more readily accessible, requiring standard cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (TEM) equipment available at many universities and institutes. Cryogenic MicroED, like other forms of cryo-EM, begins with rapidly freezing biological material on electron microscopy grids. In the case of MicroED, micro- to nano-crystals (<500 nm thick) are deposited onto electron microscopy grids and plunge-frozen for subsequent electron diffraction data collection. Here, we have incorporated GDVN technology developed originally for XFEL experiments into the freezing process as a first step towards time-resolved studies. We describe the limited deposition efficiency of the model MicroED protein proteinase K on TEM grids using GDVNs, preceding sample vitrification and successful MicroED data collection. We discuss both the initial results from such experiments and the methodological challenges in developing this approach into a reliable workflow for millisecond-to-second time-resolved structural studies of macromolecules. Our results promise a strategy to deposit crystals on grids using GDVNs and determine high-resolution structures by MicroED, constituting a first step towards development of time-resolved MicroED experiments.

MicroED↗

Enhanced Tensor Completion Based Approaches for State Estimation in Distribution Systems

Grid state estimation is essential for effective control and management of distribution systems. While weighted least squares has been the conventional method for state estimation, sparsity-aware methods have become popular due to their superior performance with limited data. Matrix completion and compressed sensing-based state estimation approaches exploit the underlying smoothness in the state variables. However, classic matrix completion methods do not take into account the temporal correlation of system states. Compressed sensing methods, on the other hand, require an appropriate choice of sparsifying basis that may not be easy to identify. This paper proposes a blocktensor completion based framework which uses an alternative approach to estimate voltage phasor, power injections and branch currents. This approach utilizes the temporal correlation of the system states in a tensor trace-norm minimization formulation with power flow equations as constraints. Herein, feature scaling is introduced in the problem formulation to benefit from the improved sensitivity of the tensor trace norm to the matrix columns in the scaled unfoldings of the tensor. Weighted tensor norm is utilized to exploit the structures of the different unfoldings of the state measurement tensor to improve the voltage estimation. The estimation accuracy is further improved by alternatively estimating the tensor columns and increasing the available data at each stage in the tensor completion process. The proposed methods are evaluated on the IEEE-33, 37 test systems and a 100- node test system. The proposed methods are shown to provide significant performance gains relative to the classic matrix and tensor completion based approaches.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

The Baseline Performance Reference for Irradiance in PV System Applications

This report proposes the definition of a new baseline performance reference (BPR). The definition goes beyond existing standards pertaining to photovoltaic (PV) reference cells and devices to define the response under all possible operating conditions in the field. Field evaluations using BPR devices will be more sensitive to performance anomalies than pyranometers because they track PV system power output more closely. At the same time, they will be able to detect a broader range of performance anomalies than traditional matched reference devices, which might have matching defects. The BPR definition also opens the door to new practices in resource assessment and yield prediction. Solar resource data can be collected or modeled and validated directly as BPR irradiance, and PV system simulations based on BPR irradiance need fewer assumptions and less processing to obtain the effective irradiance on modules. As a result, lower uncertainty in yield assessments can be expected.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Project Explorer's unique experiments: Get Away Special #007

The Project Explorer payload represents the first attempt at broadcasting digitized voice signals via a Space Shuttle flight on amateur radio frequencies. These amateur ham-radio frequencies will be transmitting real time data while the experiments are operating. Experiments 1, 2, and 3 represent the work of students ranging from materials processing to the science of biology. Experiment 1 will study the solidification of two hypereutectic alloys, lead-antimony and aluminum-copper. Experiment 2 will investigate the examination and growth of radish seeds in space. Experiment 3 will examine the electrochemical growth process of potassium tetrocyonoplatinate hydrate crystals and Experiment 4 involves amateur radio transmissions, monitoring and support of the entire Get Away Special (GAS) 007 payload.

Arthur J. Henderson, Jr.↗

HTS thin films: Passive microwave components and systems integration issues

The excellent microwave properties of the High-Temperature-Superconductors (HTS) have been amply demonstrated in the laboratory by techniques such as resonant cavity, power transmission and microstrip resonator measurements. The low loss and high Q passive structures made possible with HTS, present attractive options for applications in commercial, military and spacebased systems. However, to readily insert HTS into these systems improvement is needed in such areas as repeatability in the deposition and processing of the HTS films, metal-contact formation, wire bonding, and overall film endurance to fabrication and assembly procedures. In this paper we present data compiled in our lab which illustrate many of the problems associated with these issues. Much of this data were obtained in the production of a space qualified hybrid receiver-downconverter module for the Naval Research Laboratory's High Temperature Superconductivity Space Experiment 2 (HTSSE-2). Examples of variations observed in starting films and finished circuits will be presented. It is shown that under identical processing the properties of the HTS films can degrade to varying extents. Finally, we present data on ohmic contacts and factors affecting their adhesion to HTS films, strength of wire bonds made to such contacts, and aging effects.

Miranda, F. A.↗

Feeder Power Disaggregation: A Data-Efficient Matrix Completion Approach

This paper presents a data-driven algorithm for the feeder power disaggregation problem in distribution systems. Leveraging spatio-temporal power patterns in residential homes, residential power is discomposed into three components: sparse-switching loads, periodic loads, and photovoltaic (PV) generation, which are characterized through the design of two sparse matrices and a low-rank matrix. The matrix completion process is data-efficient because of the matrix sparsity and low rankness, along with the use of power system models. The proposed approach is tested using real-world residential data set on a 33-bus distribution system, demonstrating accurate power disaggregation with efficient matrix completion.

distribution system↗

A Refined Method to Translate Solar Data Quality Assessment Flags to Estimated Measurement Uncertainty

Integrating solar resource uncertainties due to radiometer measurement performance and operational data quality assessment can provide improved estimates of economic bankability, system design performance, and compliance of solar energy conversion systems. Estimating radiometer measurement uncertainty is an established procedure consistent with recognized best practices and international guidelines. SERI QC is a robust solar data quality assessment software tool that has been in continuous use for more than three decades. This report, the fourth of six for the Data Quality and Uncertainty Integration Project, presents a refined algorithm description for software to translate solar resource data quality assessment results into estimated uncertainty values in a Solar Resource Operational Uncertainty Integrator (SROUI) application. This algorithm requires three-component solar irradiance measurements - global horizontal irradiance, direct normal irradiance, and diffuse horizontal irradiance - collected at 1- to 60-minute intervals, as described in the previous deliverables. The development of this report as Deliverable 6.4 was an iterative process that included reviews and feedback from the project team on initial drafts designed to refine how the new software could best support determining solar resource data uncertainty. The results of this effort will contribute to the final software system development by National Renewable Energy Laboratory staff.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Command and data handling for Atmosphere Explorer satellite

The command and data-handling subsystem of the Atmosphere Explorer satellite provides the necessary controls for the instrumentation and telemetry, and also controls the satellite attitude and trajectory. The subsystem executes all command information within the spacecraft, either in real time (as received over the S-band command transmission link) or remote from the command site (as required by the orbit operations schedule). Power consumption in the spacecraft is optimized by suitable application and removal of power to various instruments; additional functions include control of magnetic torquers and of the orbit-adjust propulsion subsystem. Telemetry data from instruments and the spacecraft equipment are formatted into a single serial bit stream. Attention is given to command types, command formats, decoder operation, and command processing functions.

Fuldner, W. V.↗

Investigation on experimental techniques to detect, locate and quantify gear noise in helicopter transmissions

A robotic system to automate the detection, location, and quantification of gear noise using acoustic intensity measurement techniques has been successfully developed. Major system components fabricated under this grant include an instrumentation robot arm, a robot digital control unit and system software. A commercial, desktop computer, spectrum analyzer and two microphone probe complete the equipment required for the Robotic Acoustic Intensity Measurement System (RAIMS). Large-scale acoustic studies of gear noise in helicopter transmissions cannot be performed accurately and reliably using presently available instrumentation and techniques. Operator safety is a major concern in certain gear noise studies due to the operating environment. The man-hours needed to document a noise field in situ is another shortcoming of present techniques. RAIMS was designed to reduce the labor and hazard in collecting data and to improve the accuracy and repeatability of characterizing the acoustic field by automating the measurement process. Using RAIMS a system operator can remotely control the instrumentation robot to scan surface areas and volumes generating acoustic intensity information using the two microphone technique. Acoustic intensity studies requiring hours of scan time can be performed automatically without operator assistance. During a scan sequence, the acoustic intensity probe is positioned by the robot and acoustic intensity data is collected, processed, and stored.

Flanagan, P. M.↗

HTS Thin Films: Passive Microwave Components and Systems Integration Issues

The excellent microwave properties of the High-Temperature-Superconductors (HTS) have been amply demonstrated in the laboratory by techniques such as resonant cavity, power transmission and microstrip resonator measurements. The low loss and high Q passive structures made possible with HTS, present attractive options for applications in commercial, military and space-based systems. However, to readily insert HTS into these systems, improvement is needed in such areas as repeatability in the deposition and processing of the HTS films, metal-contact formation, wire bonding, and overall film endurance to fabrication and assembly procedures. In this paper, we present data compiled in our lab which illustrate many of the problems associated with these issues. Much of this data were obtained in the production of a space qualified hybrid receiver-downconverter module for the Naval Research Laboratory's High Temperature Superconductivity Space Experiment II (HTSSE-II). Examples of variations observed in starting films and finished circuits will be presented. It is shown that under identical processing the properties of the HTS films can degrade to varying extents. Finally, we present data on ohmic contacts and factors affecting their adhesion to HTS films, strength of wire bonds made to such contacts, and aging effects.

Miranda, F. A.↗

High-Resolution Wind Resource Data Set of the Greater Puerto Rico Region

In February 2022, the U.S. Department of Energy and six national laboratories launched the Puerto Rico Grid Resilience and Transitions to 100% Renewable Energy Study (PR100). PR100 aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of possible pathways for Puerto Rico's energy future, with a goal of 100% renewable energy by 2050. As a part of the renewable energy potential assessment in this project, we developed 20 years (2001-2020) of data using a numerical weather prediction (NWP) model for onshore and offshore wind resource assessment for the Puerto Rico. The research steps in developing the long-term wind resource data sets based on the NWP model were: 1. Model wind resource based on the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. 2. Develop WRF model configurations for Puerto Rico. 3. Test WRF with 11 different physics parameterizations for planetary boundary layer (PBL). 4. Assess WRF output from the different PBL schemes against observations. 5. Select a final model configuration which can produce the modeled wind speed with sufficient accuracy. 6. Produce 20 years wind resource data sets for Puerto Rico region. In the first stage of our framework for developing wind resource data, we developed a WRF model configuration using two nested domains (9 km and 3 km) to cover Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands and downscale the ERA5 reanalysis data (0.25 degrees x 0.25 degrees; hourly interval) to a 3-km domain. For the second stage, we implemented one-year simulations focused on using 11 different PBL physics parameterizations to find a combination of WRF physics parameterizations that could provide accurately modeled wind speed for Puerto Rico. We also analyzed the sensitivity of the modeled wind speed to PBL schemes for onshore and offshore locations. The WRF output resulting from the 11 WRF experiments using different PBL parameterizations were evaluated against observations obtained from the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) as well as at hub height for a location for which measurements were available. A final model setup selected through the validation with observational data was used to produce 20 years of data with 3-km spatial and 5-minute temporal resolution. The WRF model output was post-processed to include wind profiles and basic atmospheric variables in a format that can be easily used for downstream modeling. The 20 years of wind resource data will be made available through NREL and support the estimation of wind energy development costs for the PR100 study.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Phase Composition and Phase Transformation of Additively Manufactured Nickel Alloy 718 AM Bench Artifacts

Additive manufacturing (AM) technologies offer unprecedented design flexibility but are limited by a lack of understanding of the material microstructure formed under their extreme and transient processing conditions and its subsequent transformation during post-build processing. As part of the 2022 AM Bench Challenge, sponsored by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, this study focuses on the phase composition and phase evolution of AM nickel alloy 718, a nickel-based superalloy, to provide benchmark data essential for the validation of computational models for microstructural predictions. Here, we employed high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction, in situ synchrotron X-ray scattering, as well as high-resolution transmission electron microscopy for our analyses. The study uncovers critical aspects of the microstructure in its as-built state, its transformation during homogenization, and its phase evolution during subsequent aging heat treatment. Specifically, we identified secondary phases, monitored the dissolution and coarsening of microstructural elements, and observed the formation and stability of γ ’ and γ ” phases. The results provide the rigorous benchmark data required to understand the atomic and microstructural transformations of AM nickel alloy 718, thereby enhancing the reliability and applicability of AM models for predicting phase evolution and mechanical properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Exploring electron-beam induced modifications of materials with machine-learning assisted high temporal resolution electron microscopy

Directed atomic fabrication using an aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) opens new pathways for atomic engineering of functional materials. In this approach, the electron beam is used to actively alter the atomic structure through electron beam induced irradiation processes. One of the impediments that has limited widespread use thus far has been the ability to understand the fundamental mechanisms of atomic transformation pathways at high spatiotemporal resolution. Here, we develop a workflow for obtaining and analyzing high-speed spiral scan STEM data, up to 100 fps, to track the atomic fabrication process during nanopore milling in monolayer MoS 2 . An automated feedback-controlled electron beam positioning system combined with deep convolution neural network (DCNN) was used to decipher fast but low signal-to-noise datasets and classify time-resolved atom positions and nature of their evolving atomic defect configurations. Through this automated decoding, the initial atomic disordering and reordering processes leading to nanopore formation was able to be studied across various timescales. Using these experimental workflows a greater degree of speed and information can be extracted from small datasets without compromising spatial resolution. This approach can be adapted to other 2D materials systems to gain further insights into the defect formation necessary to inform future automated fabrication techniques utilizing the STEM electron beam.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Grid Utility Asset Vulnerability Assessment (GUAVA) Software Tool

Increasing demand and changes in generation portfolios is pushing power grid to operate towards the limit. However, due to lack of analytical tools for understanding various scales of impact on grid, it is becoming more vulnerable to wide scale power outages and blackouts. A vulnerable grid operating at its limit can be easily disrupted by asset failures caused by devastating hurricanes which has been known to damage transmission and distribution lines along its track. In this direction, researchers have focused on determining these assets by conducting Monte Carlo simulations of hurricanes with uncertainties and collected a large set of simulation data. To determine the infrastructure updates necessary for mitigating wide scale impact of hurricanes on the grid, we propose a software tool named “Grid Utility Asset Vulnerability Analysis” (GUAVA) framework. GUAVA presents a novel data-driven probabilistic analytical approach to (1) post-process hurricane failure scenarios, (2) identify/rank assets that are most vulnerable and critical to failing and are associated with highest impact/risk, and (3) to inform system upgrade decisions & prioritization. Based on the observed results and employed data-driven methodology, it is expected GUAVA can be adapted to provide power system planners with a recommendation engine for making informed decisions to improve resilience of grid.

Mahapatra, Kaveri↗