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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 685 records · Page 38

Co-Design of Marine Energy Converters for Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Docking and Recharging - Software and Data

Software and testing data from the OH Hinsdale Wave lab for DOE-funded project on Co-Design of Marine Energy Converters for Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Docking and Recharging. This project will perform foundational research and testing to accelerate the sector-wide development and deployment of marine energy converters to provide Power-At-Sea. Specifically, we seek to overcome known challenges and knowledge gaps for the successful co-design of coupled Wave Energy Converter (WEC)-Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) systems; systems designed and tested for WEC array system health and environmental monitoring applications. This project brings together an experienced, multi-institution, and multi-disciplinary team to focus on the co-design of marine energy (ME) technologies and AUV docking systems, including multi-body hydrodynamic modeling, active control, autonomy, and hardware interfaces necessary to enable new WEC-focused understanding, and allow for robust and ubiquitous AUV docking and recharging in real-world conditions.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

Living Together in Space: The International Space Station Internal Active Thermal Control System Issues and Solutions-Sustaining Engineering Activities at the Marshall Space Flight Center From 1998 to 2005

On board the International Space Station, heat generated by the crew and equipment is removed by the internal active thermal control system to maintain a comfortable working environment and prevent equipment overheating. Test facilities simulating the internal active thermal control system (IATCS) were constructed at the Marshall Space Flight Center as part of the sustaining engineering activities to address concerns related to operational issues, equipment capability, and reliability. A full-scale functional simulator of the Destiny lab module IATCS was constructed and activated prior to launch of Destiny in 2001. This facility simulates the flow and thermal characteristics of the flight system and has a similar control interface. A subscale simulator was built, and activated in 2000, with special attention to materials and proportions of wetted surfaces to address issues related to changes in fluid chemistry, material corrosion, and microbial activity. The flight issues that have arisen and the tests performed using the simulator facilities are discussed in detail. In addition, other test facilities at the MSFC have been used to perform specific tests related to IATCS issues. Future testing is discussed as well as potential modifications to the simulators to enhance their utility.

Wieland, P. O.↗

Remote Decommissioning of the Plutonium Experimental Extraction Facility, Sellafield - 17031

A redundant suite of gloveboxes formerly used for an experimental plutonium extraction process required decommissioning to avoid further degradation and a risk to other users of the Analytical Services building on Sellafield site. Following a full option selection process, remote techniques were chosen as the most appropriate (i.e. ALARP) decommissioning method. A nearby ventilation system from a previous project was re-engineered to ventilate the laboratory. Gloveboxes in neighbouring labs were cleared to create space to install a personnel access facility. The containment was reinforced where necessary to provide adequate protection from the remote machinery. Following a campaign of manual waste removal, including approximately 21 tonnes of lead chevron bricks released as exempt waste, a Brokk{sup R} 90 remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) was deployed to perform remote size reduction of the glovebox suite. The resulting plutonium-contaminated material (PCM) was delivered to a Kraft Raptor manipulator for sorting and consignment to an on-site store in 200-litre drums. Despite indications from pre-decommissioning surveys of the presence of ILW in the shielded section, none was found. Following the successful removal of the glovebox suite, and the emergence during the project of additional redundant gloveboxes within the Analytical Services building, the Remediation team has taken the opportunity to retain the decommissioning infrastructure as a remote glovebox breakdown facility. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

EXCLUSIVE NEUTRAL PION ELECTROPRODUCTION CROSS SECTION MEASUREMENTSWITHANEUTRALPARTICLE SPECTROMETER

Deep Virtual Compton Scattering (DVCS), the exclusive electron-proton scattering process ep ¿e'p'¿, provides access to generalized parton distributions (GPDs), which correlate information about the longitudinal momentum and transverse spatial structure of quarks inside the nucleon. Experiment E12-13-010 in Hall C at Jefferson Lab was designed to take high-precision measurements of the DVCS cross section over an extended kinematic range using the newly commissioned Neutral Particle Spectrometer (NPS). The NPS features a high-resolution electromagnetic calorimeter and a streaming data acquisition system optimized for operation at high luminosities. This thesis presents the detector and analysis work carried out to support the NPS DVCS program. In particular, it focuses on the hardware design, calibration, and performance of the calorimeter. A development of a waveform reconstruction analysis of the calorimeter signals enabled improved extraction of pulse amplitudes and times. The waveform analysis was also extended to operate in a multithreaded environment, substantially reducing processing time for large datasets. Analysis of exclusive neutral pion electroproduction events in the calorimeter gives a strong validation of the calorimeter’s performance and resolution. Together these developments establish a foundation for future analyses and extraction of the DVCS cross section and its use in constraining the GPDs.

Kerver, Mitchell [Old Dominion Univ., Norfolk, VA ↗

Multiplexer/Demultiplexer Loading Tool (MDMLT)

The purpose of the MDMLT is to improve the reliability and speed of loading multiplexers/demultiplexers (MDMs) in the Software Development and Integration Laboratory (SDIL) by automating the configuration management (CM) of the loads in the MDMs, automating the loading procedure, and providing the capability to load multiple or all MDMs concurrently. This loading may be accomplished in parallel, or single MDMs (remote). The MDMLT is a Web-based tool that is capable of loading the entire International Space Station (ISS) MDM configuration in parallel. It is able to load Flight Equivalent Units (FEUs), enhanced, standard, and prototype MDMs as well as both EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) and SSMMU (Solid State Mass Memory Unit) (MASS Memory). This software has extensive configuration management to track loading history, and the performance improvement means of loading the entire ISS MDM configuration of 49 MDMs in approximately 30 minutes, as opposed to 36 hours, which is what it took previously utilizing the flight method of S-Band uplink. The laptop version recently added to the MDMLT suite allows remote lab loading with the CM of information entered into a common database when it is reconnected to the network. This allows the program to reconfigure the test rigs quickly between shifts, allowing the lab to support a variety of onboard configurations during a single day, based on upcoming or current missions. The MDMLT Computer Software Configuration Item (CSCI) supports a Web-based command and control interface to the user. An interface to the SDIL File Transfer Protocol (FTP) server is supported to import Integrated Flight Loads (IFLs) and Internal Product Release Notes (IPRNs) into the database. An interface to the Monitor and Control System (MCS) is supported to control the power state, and to enable or disable the debug port of the MDMs to be loaded. Two direct interfaces to the MDM are supported: a serial interface (debug port) to receive MDM memory dump data and the calculated checksum, and the Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) to transfer load files to MDMs with hard disks. File transfer from the MDM Loading Tool to EEPROM within the MDM is performed via the MILSTD- 1553 bus, making use of the Real- Time Input/Output Processors (RTIOP) when using the rig-based MDMLT, and via a bus box when using the laptop MDMLT. The bus box is a cost-effective alternative to PC-1553 cards for the laptop. It is noted that this system can be modified and adapted to any avionic laboratory for spacecraft computer loading, ship avionics, or aircraft avionics where multiple configurations and strong configuration management of software/firmware loads are required.

Brewer, Lenox Allen↗

Transfer reactions in 206 $\mathrm{Pb}$ + 118 $\mathrm{Sn}$: From quasielastic to deep-inelastic processes

Here, we measured multinucleon transfer reactions for the 206 Pb+ 118 Sn system at E lab =1200 MeV by employing the large solid angle magnetic spectrometer PRISMA. Differential and total cross sections and Q-value distributions have been obtained for a variety of neutron and proton pick-up and stripping channels. The Q-value distributions show how the quasi-elastic and deep inelastic processes depend on the mass and charge of the transfer products. The corresponding cross sections have been compared with calculations performed with the GRAZING code. An overall good agreement is found for most of the few nucleon transfer channels. The underestimation of the data for channels involving a large number of transferred nucleons indicates that more complicated processes populate the given isotopes.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Impact Experiments into Granular Targets Containing Solitary Blocks of Varying Strength and Size

Crater scaling relationships provide a means to correlate dimensions of laboratory-scale impact experiments to naturally formed craters at planetary scales. For relatively larger impact events, where gravity is the dominant arresting force against crater growth, these scaling relations are comparatively simple. For smaller craters, however, the target properties have increasing influence over the cratering process. Further complexities are easily envisaged when considering realistic surfaces that contain small-scale heterogeneities in cohesive strength, density, porosity, friction, as these properties will each have unequal effects on the resultant crater morphometry. Even when produced under controlled laboratory conditions, understanding (and controlling) the entire relevant parameter space is daunting, and deconvolution of the relevant contributors can be complicated even in the best-case scenario. To this end, we have begun an extensive series of impact experiments that will provide a nascent framework that will aid in the interpretation of craters observed on complex natural surfaces throughout the solar system. To start with the simplest configuration, experiments were performed with cylindrical PVC buckets that were filled with quartz sand and contained a single cubic block of synthetic sandstone. The blocks varied in size (14-33 mm) and unconfined compressive strength (0.5-7.4 MPa) and were placed in/on the sand along the trajectory of the incoming impactor and buried to different depths. All experiments were conducted using the vertical gun located in the Experimental Impact Lab at NASA Johnson Space Center with alumina projectiles that were accelerated to ~1.53 km s^-1 under a vacuum of 1 torr. After the impact, target containers were removed from the chamber are morphometric data were extracted by using a Peel 2 3D-scanner in combination with the open-source software, CloudCompare. Initial results show that block strength is a secondary effect on crater diameter and depth, but when at least one edge of the block is exposed and the surface (partial burial) the strength will dictate the number of surviving block fragments around the crater, as well as how much disrupted block material is retained within the crater walls.

Christopher J. Cline II↗

Network Models of Active Degradation Mechanisms and Pathways for Service Life Prediction of Indoor and Outdoor PV Modules

ct: PV service lifetime prediction (SLP) enables accurate calculation of levelized cost of energy (LCOE), which is crucial to rationalizing PV investment and installation. However, SLP is challeging since PV reliability in the field is affected by many combined factors, including various environmental stresses and module quality. In order to map out the active degradation mechanisms and pathways that best resemble real world conditions, we introduce the framework of a study protocol and use network models fitted to data, to enable analysis and SLP of complex PV systems with multiple active degradation mechanisms. The study protocol is the experimental design, including module variants and different exposure conditions, selection of evaluation methods, time-series data acquisition and training of network models to these data. We present SLP of minimodules in the lab and PV systems in the field. For lab SLP, minimodules with 8 variants based on manufacturer, architecture, and encapsulation were prepared and aged in modified damp heat with or without full spectrum light exposure. Stepwise I-V and Suns-Voc data acquisition tracks changes in electrical properties including Rs,IV, Isc,IV, Vmp,PIV providing insights into power loss of minimodules. Network structural equation modeling (netSEM) was utilized to construct degradation pathway models that identify active degradation mechanisms and predict power loss over time. For field SLP, datastreams of Pmp values and I-V curve datastreams of two types of modules installed in three distinctly different Köppen-Geiger climate zones for 9 years were acquired. With power loss modes corresponding to uniform current loss (ΔPIsc), recombination (ΔPVoc), series resistance (ΔPRs), and current mismatch (ΔPImis) determined, the performance loss rates (PLR) were determined using PVplr. We show how to establish a study protocol framework to ensure appropriate parametric variations and valid data collection from the variants of your complex systems. Then the data-driven netSEM model fitting provides a comprehensive mapping of multiple active degradation mechanisms, and accurate service life prediction.

network model, degradation, photovoltaic, solar↗

Synchronization for CXL Based Memory

Compute Express Link (CXL) is an important emerging standard for disaggregated memory. While this standard provisions coherency across numerous hosts and devices, implementing hardware support for type three devices is challenging. In this work, we look at the overhead of software synchronization and using software-based coherency. Moreover, we discuss the limits of software-based coherency in fully expressing modern synchronization techniques for a CXL-based disaggregate memory system. We demonstrate our approach using a CXL hardware prototype and running a version of the famous Peterson Lock (enhanced to run with more than two threads). We analyze its performance and share how more advanced synchronization techniques might interact with software-based coherence CXL hardware and program execution models.

High Performance Computing (HPC)↗

HOLISTIC ENERGY EFFICIENCY ANALYSIS OF ELECTRIFIED OFF-HIGHWAY MATERIAL HANDLER: FROM DRIVE CYCLE CHARACTERIZATION TO POWERTRAIN, HYDRAULIC, AND THERMAL SYSTEM PERFORMANCE

Three complexities surrounding the operation and testing of hybrid electric, heavy-duty nonroad machines have been addressed experimentally and using 1D simulation. Their resolutions have been intertwined with the development of a prototype machine that was proven to reduce fuel consumption in excess of 20%. A real-world drive cycle that leveraged hydraulic cylinder position was developed and utilized to ensure accurate reproduction of hydraulic work between the baseline and hybrid machines, while simultaneously maintaining less than 5% RMS error in position for main load handling functions. The newly developed, machine-specific drive cycle also contributed towards making equivalent comparisons in energy consumption between machine types through composite performance metrics that were extrapolated over a typical shift duration. Lastly, this work addressed thermal management energy consumption, a topic of increasing popularity when discussing electrified vehicles, by proposing a 1.4% energy savings through special mechanization and control of cooling system components.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Demonstration of LOTUS multiphysics BEPU analysis framework for LB-LOCA simulations

The LOCA Toolkit for U.S. light water reactors (LOTUS) currently under development at Idaho National Labs (INL) is a plug and play, multiphysics environment to be used in support of system level plant transient analysis. New proposed rule changes in LOCA safety regulations (10 CFR 50.46c) require the inclusion of cladding hydrogen content in the evaluation of equivalent cladding reacted (ECR) and peak cladding temperature (PCT). The potential for a future implementation of said rule change motivates the current development of a unique union of core design, system analysis, and fuel performance codes within a framework allowing for uncertainty quantification (UQ). A demonstration of LOTUS capabilities to address this potential need is performed with an integration of the core design code PHISICS, the fuel performance code FRAPCON, and the system analysis code RELAP5-3D. UQ is performed via Wilks’ method to compute the one sided 95/95 confidence values of the aforementioned safety metrics. Results demonstrate the benefits of the Multiphysics Best Estimate Plus Uncertainty (MP-BEPU) methodology and provide useful visualization of the limiting cases.

10CFR50.46c↗

CyDER: A Cyber Physical Co-simulation Platform for Distributed Energy Resources in Smartgrids

The CyDER project aimed at developing an open-source, modular and scalable co-simulation platform for power grids with large shares of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs). The project partners are the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL), Lawrence Livermore National Lab (LLNL), PG&E, SolarCity, and ChargePoint. The prime recipient is LBNL; SolarCity and ChargePoint were partners for the project’s first two years. Increased DER integration introduces a number of challenges in power grid operation including a more dynamic interaction between the transmission grid and distribution grids, and increased modeling complexity. Although specialized software exists to precisely model different components of the power system, it is far from trivial to integrate all various models and perform a holistic simulation. Instead of replicating all models in a common simulation program, a commonly accepted approach to tackle this model diversity is to couple third-party simulators and models through a co-simulation platform that coordinates information exchange among the various components. Following this line of research, this project’s objective was to develop a co-simulation platform based on a widely accepted industrial standard called Functional Mockup Interface (FMI). Within this process, the project developed models compliant with the FMI standard, called Functional Mockup Units (FMUs), and used them to perform various operational and planning power system analyses. Relying and building upon an industrial standard is the main differentiation of this project compared with previous or parallel efforts in the co-simulation area. Particular emphasis was put on delivering software utilities to facilitate setting up and running co-simulations by end-users. Furthermore, a strong aspect of this project is demonstrating that co-simulation techniques can be used to perform Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulations that couple software components (e.g., simulated models) with hardware components (e.g., real devices such PV systems and batteries). The long-term goal of CyDER project is to help establish FMI as a powerful standard for co-simulation and promote adoption by electric utilities and other interested stakeholders. The main accomplishments of the project include the development of several FMUs including distribution and transmission grid models, PV inverters with Volt/Var/Watt controllers, batteries, and predictive optimal controllers. Additionally, a unique software package was developed, called SimulatorToFMU, which is capable of exporting any Python-driven simulator or Python script as an FMU. This is an important contribution towards establishing FMI as one of the main co-simulation standards, because more and more third-party programs for sub-system modeling and simulation are delivered with Python APIs. The CyDER platform was used to perform PV hosting capacity analyses in real utility feeders with and without smart inverter controls, battery storage, and EV charging. Smart inverter controls include conventional Volt/Var/Watt controls for reactive power support and active power curtailment, but also predictive controls that optimize the charging and discharging profile of the battery connected on the DC side in order to minimize the customer’s economic benefit. Finally, an important result of this project is delivering an experimental setup that consists of residential-scale PV inverters with battery storage, a real-time grid simulator with an ideal voltage source as grid emulator, and micro Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs). All these components and additional software modules are coupled to one another using the FMI standard and can be co-simulated with the CyDER platform.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

A High-Magnetic-Field Polarized 3He Target for Jefferson Lab’s CLAS12 Spectrometer

We are developing a polarized 3He target concept for use in high luminosity electron scattering experiments in the high magnetic field environment of Jefferson Lab's CLAS12 spectrometer. By combining recent advancements in metastability exchange optical pumping of 3He with cryogenic, double-cell target methods such as those used for the MIT-Bates 88-02 experiment, a target with polarization and gas density comparable to traditional, low-field polarized 3He targets can be reached within high magnetic fields. We have established a new 3He pumping system at JLab, and are preparing for our first tests exploring polarization performance versus magnetic field and gas pressure in a single cell before we move to the construction of a full, cryogenic, double-cell prototype target.

Maxwell, James↗

High-bandwidth frequency domain multiplexed readout of transition-edge sensors for neutrinoless double beta decay searches

The next-generation of cryogenic neutrinoless double-beta decay experiments require increasingly fast readout in order to improve background discrimination. These experiments, operated as cryogenic calorimeters at ∼ 10 mK, are usually read out by high-impedance neutron transmutation doped (NTD) thermistors, which provide good energy resolution, but are limited by ∼ 1 ms response times. Superconducting detectors, such as transition-edge sensors (TESs) with a time resolution of ∼ 100 μs, offer superior timing performance over NTD semiconductor bolometers. To make this technology viable for an application to a thousand or more channels, multiplexed readout is necessary in order to minimize the thermal load and radioactive contamination induced by the readout. Frequency-domain multiplexing readout (fMUX) for TESs, previously developed at Berkeley Lab and McGill University, is currently in use for mm-wave telescopes with detector sampling rates in the order of 100 Hz. We demonstrate a new readout system, based on the McGill/Berkeley digital fMux readout, to satisfy the higher bandwidth and noise requirements of the next generation of TES-instrumented cryogenic calorimeters. Each multiplexing readout module comprises 10 superconducting resonators in the 1–5 MHz range and a DC superconducting quantum interference device (DC-SQUID), interfaced to high-speed field programmable gate array (FPGA)-based electronics for digital signal processing and low-latency SQUID feedback. The new readout samples detectors at 156 kHz, three orders of magnitude faster than its cosmology-oriented predecessor, and demonstrates a stable feedback bandwidth of 3 kHz in a real TES-based system.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Quick Look Report of Godiva U233 shot March 2022 Data Collection Activities

This report discussing the March 2022 irradiation of U233 on the Godiva critical assembly using burst mode and subsequent analysis of the fission products starting at 65 minutes post irradiation, and ending 12 days later. The Short-Lived Fission Product Yield (SLFPY) project is one of many efforts under the Nuclear Physics Multi-Lab and related Venture Project. The objective of the SLFPY project is to provide improved measurements of fission product yields for select nuclides. The SLFPY project consists of measurement and analysis campaigns. To produce fission data, samples of actinide material are irradiated in a high-flux neutron environment. These samples are quickly placed in front of a detection system where both gamma singles and coincidence spectra are collected as a function of time. Gamma spectroscopy is performed on the irradiated material on site near the irradiation facility, starting as soon as feasible after the irradiation and continuing for 7 days or longer. Following the data collection, time-dependent fission yield analyses are performed using gamma-ray spectroscopy. This document summarizes the measurement campaign performed March 21 - April 4, 2022 where sub-gram quantities of 233 U nitrate (UO 2 (NO 3 ) 2 ) were irradiated in the Godiva reactor. The Godiva burst #2076 conducted under experiment IER 504 had a temperature change of +156 degrees Celsius, lasted 13.32 microseconds, and had a reactivity of $\$$1.089. The targets consisted of uranium oxide solution deposited in a quartz tube and packed with quartz wool. The flame-sealed quartz ampoules were used to contain the uranium samples for the irradiation and count activities. On March 22, 2022, at 10:27:00 a.m. the three uranium ampoules, along with a witness foil pack, were irradiated in the Godiva critical assembly using burst mode operations.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Studies of Quark Transport and Hadronization in Nuclei

In this project, we conducted the first measurement of di‑hadron azimuthal correlations in deep inelastic scattering (DIS) off nuclei using the CLAS detector at Jefferson Lab. Using 5 GeV electron‑beam data collected on deuterium, carbon, iron, and lead targets, we extracted di‑pion correlation functions over a broad kinematic range. The results show a monotonic broadening of the correlation peak with increasing nuclear mass, along with pronounced dependencies on the pions’ kinematics. Separately, we implemented an algorithm based on the Kalman filter that achieved the first complete alignment of the CLAS12 central tracking system. In parallel, we developed simulations, algorithms, and performance studies that informed the conceptual designs of the forward hadronic calorimeter Insert and the Zero Degree Calorimeter, both of which are now included in the ePIC detector baseline for the forthcoming Electron Ion Collider.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Calibration, testing and orbital performance of the halogen occultation experiment (HALOE) on the upper atmosphere research satellite

HALOE is an occultation viewing radiometer that requires part per million signal precision and characterization. Gas correlation radiometry is used to infer HF HCl, CH4 and NO concentrations, while broad band radiometry is used for temperature, pressure, O3, H2O and NO2. Validated results verify that goals have been met or exceeded in all channels. This was achieved through a comprehensive instrument analysis and calibration process on the ground and in orbit. Components and systems were put through a battery of tests in the lab. In orbit, a variety of exoatmospheric solar disk measurements are used for precise real time inferral of critical calibration parameters. In the end, technical success was based on the close interaction of scientist, engineer and data analysts. The accuracy and precision of HALOE species profiles are equal to any ever achieved from orbiting sensors.

Gordley, Larry L.↗

Direct Drive Wave Energy Buoy

This Project aims to satisfy objectives of the DOE’s Water Power Program by completing a system detailed design (SDD) and other important activities in the first phase of a utility-scale grid-connected ocean wave energy demonstration. In early 2012, Columbia Power (CPwr) had determined that further cost and performance optimization was necessary in order to commercialize its StingRAY wave energy converter (WEC). CPwr’s progress toward commercialization, and the requisite technology development path, were focused on transitioning toward a commercial-scale demonstration. This path required significant investment to be successful, and the justification for this investment required improved annual energy production (AEP) and lower capital costs. Engineering solutions were developed to address these technical and cost challenges, incorporated into a proposal to the US Department of Energy (DOE), and then adapted to form the technical content and statement of project objectives of the resulting Project (DE-EE0005930). Through Project cost-sharing and technical collaboration between DOE and CPwr, and technical collaboration with Oregon State University (OSU), National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) and other Project partners, we have demonstrated experimentally that these conceptual improvements have merit and made significant progress towards a certified WEC system design at a selected and contracted deployment site at the Wave Energy Test Site (WETS) at the Marine Corps Base in Oahu, HI (MCBH).

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗