Results for “test frameworks” — Page 38

DOE OSTI2024

FUEL PERFORMANCE SIMULATION OF HIGH BURNUP FUELS IN PLANNED INTEGRAL DESIGN BASIS ACCIDENT EXPERIMENTS

High burnup (HBu) fuel rods from the Byron Nuclear Generating Station (BNGS) were recently received at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to support a variety of planned Nuclear Energy fuel cycle R&D objectives ranging from fuel performance, fuel recycle, and spent fuel research topics. Among these R&D activities, these fuel rods will be the subjects of multiple in-pile experiment programs at the Transient Reactor Test (TREAT) facility as well as detailed characterization and testing in the hot cells at INL and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). TREAT RIA experiments are planned for the Nuclear Energy Agency Framework for Irradiation Experiments (FIDES) Joint Experimental Program called High burnup Experiments in Reactivity Initiated Accident (HERA) program. TREAT and ORNL-furnace LOCA experiments are part of the Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Fuels Campaign (AFC) program U.S. consensus LOCA test plan, and the in-pile experiments have also been proposed in a FIDES project called Loss of Coolant-High Burnup (LOC-HBu). The results of these test programs will provide crucial data about safety performance enabling extended licensable burnup limits for these fuels. The purpose of this paper is to document fuel performance computational simulations of the BNGS fuel using the Bison code. The detailed assessments include (1) the irradiation history of the fuel to provide prediction of as-run fuel conditions and (2) extending the irradiated fuel conditions into the as-designed experiment conditions for the HERA-HBu RIA experiments and for the LOC-HBu LOCA experiments. The results of these assessments will inform post-irradiation examinations (PIE) of the BNGS parent rods and detailed final design of the planned experiments.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

DOE OSTI2024

FUEL PERFORMANCE SIMULATION OF HIGH BURNUP FUELS IN PLANNED INTEGRAL DESIGN BASIS ACCIDENT EXPERIMENTS

High burnup (HBu) fuel rods from the Byron Nuclear Generating Station (BNGS) were recently received at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to support a variety of planned Nuclear Energy fuel cycle R&D objectives ranging from fuel performance, fuel recycle, and spent fuel research topics. Among these R&D activities, these fuel rods will be the subjects of multiple in-pile experiment programs at the Transient Reactor Test (TREAT) facility as well as detailed characterization and testing in the hot cells at INL and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). TREAT RIA experiments are planned for the Nuclear Energy Agency Framework for Irradiation Experiments (FIDES) Joint Experimental Program called High burnup Experiments in Reactivity Initiated Accident (HERA) program. TREAT and ORNL-furnace LOCA experiments are part of the Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Fuels Campaign (AFC) program U.S. consensus LOCA test plan, and the in-pile experiments have also been proposed in a FIDES project called Loss of Coolant-High Burnup (LOC-HBu). The results of these test programs will provide crucial data about safety performance enabling extended licensable burnup limits for these fuels. The purpose of this paper is to document fuel performance computational simulations of the BNGS fuel using the Bison code. The detailed assessments include (1) the irradiation history of the fuel to provide prediction of as-run fuel conditions and (2) extending the irradiated fuel conditions into the as-designed experiment conditions for the HERA-HBu RIA experiments and for the LOC-HBu LOCA experiments. The results of these assessments will inform post-irradiation examinations (PIE) of the BNGS parent rods and detailed final design of the planned experiments.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Fuel Performance Simulation of High Burnup Fuels in Planned Integral Design Basis Accident Experiments

High burnup (HBu) fuel rods from the Byron Nuclear Generating Station (BNGS) were recently received at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to support a variety of planned Nuclear Energy fuel cycle R&D objectives ranging from fuel performance, fuel recycle, and spent fuel research topics. Among these R&D activities, these fuel rods will be the subjects of multiple in-pile experiment programs at the Transient Reactor Test (TREAT) facility as well as detailed characterization and testing in the hot cells at INL and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). TREAT RIA experiments are planned for the Nuclear Energy Agency Framework for Irradiation Experiments (FIDES) Joint Experimental Program called High burnup Experiments in Reactivity Initiated Accident (HERA) program. TREAT and ORNL-furnace LOCA experiments are part of the Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Fuels Campaign (AFC) program U.S. consensus LOCA test plan, and the in-pile experiments have also been proposed in a FIDES project called Loss of Coolant-High Burnup (LOC-HBu). The results of these test programs will provide crucial data about safety performance enabling extended licensable burnup limits for these fuels. The purpose of this paper is to document fuel performance computational simulations of the BNGS fuel using the Bison code. The detailed assessments include (1) the irradiation history of the fuel to provide prediction of as-run fuel conditions and (2) extending the irradiated fuel conditions into the as-designed experiment conditions for the HERA-HBu RIA experiments and for the LOC-HBu LOCA experiments. The results of these assessments will inform post-irradiation examinations (PIE) of the BNGS parent rods and detailed final design of the planned experiments.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

NASA NTRS2010

Advances in Landslide Hazard Forecasting: Evaluation of Global and Regional Modeling Approach

A prototype global satellite-based landslide hazard algorithm has been developed to identify areas that exhibit a high potential for landslide activity by combining a calculation of landslide susceptibility with satellite-derived rainfall estimates. A recent evaluation of this algorithm framework found that while this tool represents an important first step in larger-scale landslide forecasting efforts, it requires several modifications before it can be fully realized as an operational tool. The evaluation finds that the landslide forecasting may be more feasible at a regional scale. This study draws upon a prior work's recommendations to develop a new approach for considering landslide susceptibility and forecasting at the regional scale. This case study uses a database of landslides triggered by Hurricane Mitch in 1998 over four countries in Central America: Guatemala, Honduras, EI Salvador and Nicaragua. A regional susceptibility map is calculated from satellite and surface datasets using a statistical methodology. The susceptibility map is tested with a regional rainfall intensity-duration triggering relationship and results are compared to global algorithm framework for the Hurricane Mitch event. The statistical results suggest that this regional investigation provides one plausible way to approach some of the data and resolution issues identified in the global assessment, providing more realistic landslide forecasts for this case study. Evaluation of landslide hazards for this extreme event helps to identify several potential improvements of the algorithm framework, but also highlights several remaining challenges for the algorithm assessment, transferability and performance accuracy. Evaluation challenges include representation errors from comparing susceptibility maps of different spatial resolutions, biases in event-based landslide inventory data, and limited nonlandslide event data for more comprehensive evaluation. Additional factors that may improve algorithm performance accuracy include incorporating additional triggering factors such as tectonic activity, anthropogenic impacts and soil moisture into the algorithm calculation. Despite these limitations, the methodology presented in this regional evaluation is both straightforward to calculate and easy to interpret, making results transferable between regions and allowing findings to be placed within an inter-comparison framework. The regional algorithm scenario represents an important step in advancing regional and global-scale landslide hazard assessment and forecasting.

Kirschbaum, Dalia B.↗

DOE OSTI2026

A Nonparametric Method for the Inference of Halo Occupation Distributions

The galaxy–halo connection traces processes by which galaxies form and evolve. The halo occupation distribution (HOD) describes the relationship between galaxies and their host dark matter haloes. Measurements of the galaxy two-point correlation function (2PCF) allow us to extract information about the HODs of observed galaxy samples. Several parametric HOD models have been proposed in the literature, but the choice of parameterization restricts the space of possible HODs. To resolve this issue, we introduce a nonparametric HOD fitting method in which we train an emulator to learn the mappings among the galaxy 2PCF, physical properties used to select galaxy samples, and the HOD, all obtained from simulated past light cones constructed with the Santa Cruz semianalytic model. Implementing this emulator within a likelihood analysis framework, we derive constraints on the HOD of a galaxy sample when provided with a measurement of its 2PCF. Using the emulator to accelerate likelihood evaluations, we test the nonparametric HOD approach on a set of 2PCFs for mock galaxy samples drawn from the TNG100-1 simulation and selected above threshold values of stellar mass and star formation rate. Our framework is able to recover TNG100-1 HODs within 0.2 dex. We use the TNG100-1 mocks to tune the reported uncertainties to estimate those expected in the analysis of observations. Comparing to parametric HOD modelling routines applied to the same mock galaxy samples, our approach consistently infers the HOD with comparable or greater precision and accuracy.

Kennedy, Jacob [Rutgers Univ., Piscataway, NJ (Uni↗

DOE OSTI2024

Planning Roadmap for DER Integration in India: Industry Best Practices and Resource Guide

Ensuring safe, reliable, cost-effective DER integration at scale requires holistic planning, broad stakeholder engagement, and should address key development areas such as standards adoption, equipment testing and certification, interoperability and cybersecurity, interconnection procedures, and advanced forecasting and DER management. Each of these areas currently represent significant challenges for utilities, regulators, OEMs, developers, and even consumers worldwide. India has already seen significant growth of DERs and has announced targets for substantial growth yet to come, with the potential for DERs to make up a non-negligible portion of the country's overall generation capacity. As such, it is of critical importance that Indian stakeholders consider the potential impacts of wide-spread adoption of DERs and take preemptive action related to the five development areas listed here, among others. India should consider strategies including the adoption of key DER standards related to interconnection, testing, and cybersecurity; enabling effective and secure communication channels for DER interoperability; testing and certifying DER equipment in accredited testing laboratories; building robust, streamlined interconnection procedures; and revamping legacy system planning structures to incorporate DERs in a holistic planning framework.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2024

Proof-of-Concept for Sensor Modeling in MOOSE for the Design of Autonomous Nuclear Reactor Control

Autonomous operation is essential for the deployment of microreactors and fission batteries, both in terrestrial and space applications. However, prototypes of microreactors and fission batteries do not exist yet, and even the design space has not been narrowed down conclusively, making the instrumentation and control system design difficult. For this reason, there is a need for flexible computational capabilities to create a numerical stand-in of potential microreactor and fission battery designs. The latter can be used to design and test control strategies to support autonomous operations. In this paper, we describe the initial implementation of a pluggable sensor system for the easy implementation of realistic sensor models in the multiphysics object-oriented simulation environment (MOOSE) framework. This new capability will enable MOOSE users to create a numerical stand-in of microreactors and fission batteries, ultimately allowing them to easily test new control algorithms, and instrumentation strategies for advanced systems in the design phase

22 - GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Proof-of-Concept for Sensor Modeling in MOOSE for the Design of Autonomous Nuclear Reactor Control

Autonomous operation is essential for the deployment of microreactors and fission batteries, both in terrestrial and space applications. For this reason, recent studies have investigated autonomous control by using adaptive model predictive control and multi-objective optimization for heat pipe–cooled microreactors under normal and heat pipe failure conditions. However, prototypes of microreactors and fission batteries do not exist yet, and even the design space has not been narrowed down conclusively, making the instrumentation and control system design difficult. For this reason, there is a need for flexible computational capabilities to create a numerical stand-in of potential microreactor and fission battery designs. The latter can be used to design and test control strategies to support autonomous operations. In this poster, we describe the initial implementation of a pluggable sensor system for the easy implementation of realistic sensor models in the multiphysics object-oriented simulation environment (MOOSE) framework. This new capability will enable MOOSE users to create a numerical stand-in of microreactors and fission batteries, ultimately allowing them to easily test new control algorithms, and instrumentation strategies for advanced systems in the design phase.

22 - GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

NASA NTRS2012

Towards Validation of an Adaptive Flight Control Simulation Using Statistical Emulation

Traditional validation of flight control systems is based primarily upon empirical testing. Empirical testing is sufficient for simple systems in which a.) the behavior is approximately linear and b.) humans are in-the-loop and responsible for off-nominal flight regimes. A different possible concept of operation is to use adaptive flight control systems with online learning neural networks (OLNNs) in combination with a human pilot for off-nominal flight behavior (such as when a plane has been damaged). Validating these systems is difficult because the controller is changing during the flight in a nonlinear way, and because the pilot and the control system have the potential to co-adapt in adverse ways traditional empirical methods are unlikely to provide any guarantees in this case. Additionally, the time it takes to find unsafe regions within the flight envelope using empirical testing means that the time between adaptive controller design iterations is large. This paper describes a new concept for validating adaptive control systems using methods based on Bayesian statistics. This validation framework allows the analyst to build nonlinear models with modal behavior, and to have an uncertainty estimate for the difference between the behaviors of the model and system under test.

He, Yuning↗

DOE OSTI2026

Toward Intelligent Multimodal Holography for Real-Time Chemical Imaging of Dynamic Ion Separation

Molecular-level visualization of ion transport and separation dynamics in complex environments is crucial for advancing energy systems, water purification, and critical materials recovery. Achieving this requires imaging platforms that combine structural sensitivity, chemical specificity, and real-time operation. Digital off-axis holography (DOAH) provides high-throughput, label-free quantitative phase imaging but inherently lacks chemical selectivity. Integrating DOAH with complementary spectroscopic channels such as fluorescence or hyperspectral imaging introduces the needed molecular specificity, while also creating challenges in multimodal data fusion, synchronization, and computational throughput. Artificial intelligence offers a powerful route to address these limitations by uniting physics-based reconstruction with data-driven interpretation. In this Perspective, we outline a framework for intelligent multimodal holography and demonstrate its potential using a preliminary AI-driven test case. Raw DOAH holograms of lanthanide solutions subjected to magnetic field gradients were analyzed using multi-agent AI workflows that autonomously selected reconstruction tools, extracted NMF components, and generated scientific claims consistent with true paramagnetic and diamagnetic behavior. This demonstration shows how AI-enabled reasoning can deliver real-time chemical–structural interpretation directly from raw holograms. Together, these advances define a path toward adaptive, intelligent holography platforms capable of supporting in situ chemical separations, dynamic ion transport analysis, and next-generation interfacial science.

Ricchiuti, Giovanna↗

DOE OSTI2025

Optimizing the design and operation of water networks: Two decomposition approaches

We consider the design and operation of water networks simultaneously. Water network problems can be divided into two categories: the design problem and the operation problem. The design problem involves determining the appropriate pipe sizing and placements of pump stations, while the operation problem involves scheduling pump stations over multiple time periods to account for changes in supply and demand. Our focus is on networks that involve water co-produced with oil and gas. While solving the optimization formulation for such networks, we found that obtaining a primal (feasible) solution is more challenging than obtaining dual bounds using off-the-shelf mixed-integer nonlinear programming solvers. Therefore, we propose two methods to obtain good primal solutions. One method involves a decomposition framework that utilizes a convex reformulation, while the other is based on time decomposition. To test our proposed methods, we conduct computational experiments on a network derived from the PARETO case study.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2026

Graphene Quantum Dot Composites Embedded with CoZn Alloy Nanoparticles for Enhanced Oxygen Reduction and Evolution Reactions

Developing efficient and durable electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reactions (OER) is crucial for energy conversion technologies. In this study, core–shell graphene quantum dot (GQD) composites embedded with Co, Zn, and CoZn alloy nanoparticles were synthesized using a solid-state microwave synthesis method and systematically investigated for their electrochemical performance. The structural and compositional analyses confirm that the integration of transition metal nanoparticles enhances the electronic properties of GQDs, providing abundant active sites and facilitating charge transfer. Electrochemical characterization reveals that GQD-CoZn-3 (GQD:Co:Zn = 10.5:0.5:0.5) exhibits superior ORR and OER catalytic activities, achieving the highest current densities of 205 A g–1 and 102 A g–1 at 100 mV s–1, respectively. These performance values surpass those of pristine GQDs and single-metal (Co or Zn) embedded counterparts, emphasizing the strong synergistic effect between the CoZn alloy and the functionalized carbon framework. Impedance measurements further reveal a substantial reduction in charge-transfer resistance, while chronoamperometry tests demonstrate excellent catalytic stability and CO tolerance, highlighting the robustness of the core–shell GQD structure. These findings provide valuable insights into the design of advanced carbon-based electrocatalysts for energy applications.

Panda, Pradeep Kumar↗

DOE OSTI2026

Design and simulation of a muon detector to characterize geological overburden

This study presents the design, construction, and simulation of a mobile muon detector tailored for geological overburden characterization. The detector employs plastic scintillator paddles with silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) and a QuarkNet data acquisition system, offering a portable solution suitable for remote field deployment. The simulator’s modular aluminum frame allows for adjustable geometry and directional sensitivity, while its battery system supports over a week of autonomous operation. Preliminary experimental tests confirmed that its muon flux measurements were consistent with theoretical expectations. A comprehensive simulation framework using Geant4 and CORSIKA was developed to model detector response and overburden effects. Analytical and Monte Carlo methods were used to assess quadrant resolution and infer muon directionality. This work lays the foundation for future overburden mapping and supports the development of reconstruction algorithms for geological applications.

72 - PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2026

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) for Photovoltaic Inverter

Photovoltaic (PV) inverters are critical yet vulnerable components in modern energy systems, often acting as reliability bottlenecks that increase the levelized cost of energy (LCOE). To address this, this paper presents a comprehensive Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) tailored for PV inverters. Leveraging field data and literature, we identify failure-prone components, such as capacitors,, and relays, and prioritize their risks based on quantitative Risk Priority Numbers (RPNs). The analysis reveals that surge-induced MOV short circuits, capacitor degradation, and environmental cooling fan failures dominate the risk profile. These findings provide a targeted framework for reliability improvement, guiding future efforts in predictive diagnostics, design optimization, and accelerated life testing strategies.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2026

Bio-Inspired Energy-Efficient Nanofabricated Electrical Contacts

Nanoscale electrical contacts, especially those between materials of dissimilar electronic properties, often represent one of the main causes of drops in energy transfer efficiency. They are also among the sources of above-threshold noise, and their performance often decreases over the lifetime of the nanodevices. Scale-down limitations from mesoscopic to nanoscale devices, and likewise, of nanoscale to quantum-scale devices are also impeded by contacts’ quality. Making more reliable, energy-efficient electrical contacts is among the goals of the nanoelectronics research within the framework of energy-efficient electronic systems. This report focuses on the design, nanofabrication, and testing of novel shapes of electrical contacts. Lithography and nanofabrication were utilized to mimic the approximate shape of insect setae for mesoscale contacts design. The contacts are tested for elementary charge transport via I–V curves and for the broadband, 1/f noise. Tests show that contacts design leads to a measurable decrease in the energy necessary to operate a contact as a switch by at least 12–20%, depending on temperature, while broadband noise shows measurably lower power spectra, for bio-inspired contacts. The proposed method is open to modifications and improvements as required by various on-chip applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

NASA NTRS1978

Imaging radar observations of Askja Caldera, Iceland

A 'blind' test involving interpretation of computer-enhanced like- and cross-polarized radar images is used to evaluate the surface roughness of Askja Caldera, a large volcanic complex in central Iceland. The 'blind' test differs from earlier analyses of radar observations in that computer-processes images and both qualitative and quantitative analyses are used. Attention is given to photogeologic examination and subsequent survey-type field observations, along with aerial photography during the field trip. The results indicate that the 'blind' test of radar interpretation of the Askja volcanic area can be considered suitable within the framework of limitations of radar data considered explicitly from the onset. The limitations of the radar techniques can be eliminated by using oblique-viewing conditions to remove geometric distortions and slope effects.

Malin, M. C.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Acquisition and production of skilled behavior in dynamic decision-making tasks

Detailed summaries of two NASA-funded research projects are provided. The first project was an ecological task analysis of the Star Cruiser model. Star Cruiser is a psychological model designed to test a subject's level of cognitive activity. Ecological task analysis is used as a framework to predict the types of cognitive activity required to achieve productive behavior and to suggest how interfaces can be manipulated to alleviate certain types of cognitive demands. The second project is presented in the form of a thesis for the Masters Degree. The thesis discusses the modeling of decision-making through the use of neural network and genetic-algorithm machine learning technologies.

Kirlik, Alex↗

NASA NTRS2000

Theory and Design Tools For Studies of Reactions to Abrupt Changes in Noise Exposure

Study plans, a pre-tested questionnaire, a sample design evaluation tool, a community publicity monitoring plan, and a theoretical framework have been developed to support combined social/acoustical surveys of residents' reactions to an abrupt change in environmental noise, Secondary analyses of more than 20 previous surveys provide estimates of three parameters of a study simulation model; within individual variability, between study wave variability, and between neighborhood variability in response to community noise. The simulation model predicts the precision of the results from social surveys of reactions to noise, including changes in noise. When the study simulation model analyzed the population distribution, noise exposure environments and feasible noise measurement program at a proposed noise change survey site, it was concluded that the site could not yield sufficient precise estimates of human reaction model to justify conducting a survey. Additional secondary analyses determined that noise reactions are affected by the season of the social survey.

Fields, James M.↗