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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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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

It is not σ 8 : constraining the non-linear matter power spectrum with the Dark Energy Survey Year-5 supernova sample

The weak gravitational lensing magnification of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) is sensitive to the matter power spectrum on scales $k\gt 1 h$ Mpc$^{-1}$, making it unwise to interpret SNe Ia lensing in terms of power on linear scales. We compute the probability density function of SNe Ia magnification as a function of standard cosmological parameters, plus an empirical parameter $A_{\rm mod}$ which describes the suppression or enhancement of matter power on non-linear scales compared to a cold dark matter only model. While baryons are expected to enhance power on the scales relevant to SN Ia lensing, other physics such as neutrino masses or non-standard dark matter may suppress power. Using the Dark Energy Survey Year-5 sample, we find $A_{\rm mod} = 0.77^{+0.69}_{-0.40}$ (68 per cent credible interval around the median). Although the median is consistent with unity there are hints of power suppression, with $A_{\rm mod} \lt 1.09$ at 68 per cent credibility.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Warming induces unexpectedly high soil respiration in a wet tropical forest

Abstract Tropical forests are a dominant regulator of the global carbon cycle, exchanging more carbon dioxide with the atmosphere than any other terrestrial biome. Climate models predict unprecedented climatic warming in tropical regions in the coming decades; however, in situ field warming studies are severely lacking in tropical forests. Here we present results from an in situ warming experiment in Puerto Rico, where soil respiration responses to + 4 o C warming were assessed half-hourly for a year. Soil respiration rates were 42-204% higher in warmed relative to ambient plots, representing some of the highest soil respiration rates reported for any terrestrial ecosystem. While respiration rates were significantly higher in the warmed plots, the temperature sensitivity (Q 10 ) was 71.7% lower, pointing to a mechanistic shift. Even with reduced Q 10 , if observed soil respiration rates persist in a warmer world, the feedback to future climate could be considerably greater than previously predicted or observed.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗
DOE OSTI2021

Photosynthesis tunes quantum-mechanical mixing of electronic and vibrational states to steer exciton energy transfer

Significance Photosynthetic light-harvesting antennae transfer energy toward reaction centers with high efficiency, but in high light or oxidative environments, the antennae divert energy to protect the photosynthetic apparatus. For a decade, quantum effects driven by vibronic coupling, where electronic and vibrational states couple, have been suggested to explain the energy transfer efficiency, but questions remain whether quantum effects are merely consequences of molecular systems. Here, we show evidence that biology tunes interpigment vibronic coupling, indicating that the quantum mechanism is operative in the efficient transfer regime and exploited by evolution for photoprotection. Specifically, the Fenna–Matthews–Olson complex uses redox-active cysteine residues to tune the resonance between its excitons and a pigment vibration to steer excess excitation toward a quenching site.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

2022 INL Site Report

Visualization is key to the work we do at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). We support research computing, nuclear science, and educational outreach using both traditional and emerging visualization tools and technologies. In this presentation, we will introduce and summarize INL and its mission, describe some of the visualization resources INL provides, and present example applications from recent years.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2025

2025 INL Site Report

Visualization is key to the work we do at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). We support research computing, nuclear science, and educational outreach using both traditional and emerging visualization tools and technologies. In this presentation, we will introduce and summarize INL and its mission, describe some of the visualization resources INL provides, and present example applications from recent years.

Visualization↗
DOE OSTI2024

2024 INL Site Report

Visualization is key to the work we do at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). We support research computing, nuclear science, and educational outreach using both traditional and emerging visualization tools and technologies. In this presentation, we will introduce and summarize INL and its mission, describe some of the visualization resources INL provides, and present example applications from recent years.

97 - MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2024

Enhancing the Conductivity and Thermoelectric Performance of Semicrystalline Conducting Polymers through Controlled Tie Chain Incorporation

Abstract Conjugated polymers are promising materials for thermoelectric applications, however, at present few effective and well‐understood strategies exist to further advance their thermoelectric performance. Here a new model system is reported for a better understanding of the key factors governing their thermoelectric properties: aligned, ribbon‐phase poly[2,5‐bis(3‐dodecylthiophen‐2‐yl)thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene] (PBTTT) doped by ion‐exchange doping. Using a range of microstructural and spectroscopic methods, the effect of controlled incorporation of tie‐chains between the crystalline domains is studied through blending of high and low molecular weight chains. The tie chains provide efficient transport pathways between crystalline domains and lead to significantly enhanced electrical conductivity of 4810 S cm −1 , which is not accompanied by a reduction in Seebeck coefficient or a large increase in thermal conductivity. Respectable power factors of 173 µW m −1 K −2 are demonstrated in this model system. The approach is generally applicable to a wide range of semicrystalline conjugated polymers and could provide an effective pathway for further enhancing their thermoelectric properties and overcome traditional trade‐offs in optimization of thermoelectric performance.

Chemistry↗
DOE OSTI2025

The Dark Energy Survey Supernova Program: an updated measurement of the Hubble constant using the inverse distance ladder

We measure the current expansion rate of the Universe, Hubble’s constant $H_0$, by calibrating the absolute magnitudes of supernovae to distances measured by baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO). This ‘inverse distance ladder’ technique provides an alternative to calibrating supernovae using nearby absolute distance measurements, replacing the calibration with a high-redshift anchor. We use the recent release of 1829 supernovae from the Dark Energy Survey spanning $0.01\lt z\lt 1.13$ anchored to the recent baryon acoustic oscillation measurements from Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) spanning $0.30 \lt z_{\mathrm{eff}}\lt 2.33$. To trace cosmology to $z=0$, we use the third-, fourth-, and fifth-order cosmographic models, which, by design, are agnostic about the energy content and expansion history of the universe. With the inclusion of the higher redshift DESI-BAO data, the third-order model is a poor fit to both data sets, with the fourth-order model being preferred by the Akaike Information Criterion. Using the fourth-order cosmographic model, we find $H_0=67.19^{+0.66}_{-0.64}\mathrm{~km} \mathrm{~s}^{-1} \mathrm{~Mpc}^{-1}$, in agreement with the value found by Planck without the need to assume Flat-$\Lambda$CDM. However, the best-fitting expansion history differs from that of Planck, providing continued motivation to investigate these tensions.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Nanorod Pair Complexes Manipulated via Magnetic Casimir Forces

Here, we demonstrate a route to modulate Casmir–Lifshitz interactions between anisotropic nanoparticles and magnetic fluids. By semiclassical quantum electrodynamics, we study ground state dispersion forces for cylindrical dielectric nanorods made of polystyrene (PS) and zinc oxide (ZnO) embedded in toluene-based host media with gold-coated magnetite nanoparticles and also predict magnetic contributions to the fully retarded excited state interaction. The variation in magnetic permeability enables tuning between repulsive and attractive interactions, and measurable magnetic Casimir traps are predicted between a pair of ZnO–PS nanoparticles whose equilibrium position can be modulated over an order of magnitude with a small variation in the size of the magnetite nanoparticle. This provides an alternative magnetic Casimir-effect pathway to reversibly tune quantum electromagnetic forces at the nanoscale for the assembly and enhancement of colloidal stability.

Excited-state interaction↗
DOE OSTI2026

Catabolism of lignin-related methoxylated compounds in white-rot fungi utilizes non-canonical oxidoreductases

White-rot fungi (WRF) are the most effective lignin-degrading organisms in nature, making them essential to Earth’s carbon cycle. Lignin is a highly methoxylated, heterogeneous biopolymer derived from plants. However, the pathways WRF use to metabolize methoxylated aromatic monomericcompounds as carbon sources remain unidentified. Here, we employ a systems biology approach to elucidate the intracellular catabolism of vanillate – a monomethoxylated aromatic compound – in two white-rot fungi (WRF), Gelatoporia subvermispora and Trametes versicolor. We identified and biochemically validated a four-enzyme pathway that converts vanillate into ß-ketoadipate – a metabolite that enters central carbon metabolism. This pathway deviates from typical bacterial pathways, where vanillate is initially demethylated and ring-cleaved by intradiol dioxygenases; instead, oxidative decarboxylation occurs prior to ring cleavage by extradiol dioxygenases. Thus, we conducted an in-depth investigation of ring cleavage and further downstream catabolism by the identified fungal enzymes using biochemical and structural approaches. This revealed non-canonical enzymes, including a highly substrate-specific extradiol dioxygenase and a metal-free, promiscuous reductase, the latter capable of acting on catabolic intermediates derived from both methoxylated and non-methoxylated aromatic compounds. This work emphasizes the potential of WRF and their enzymes to advance lignin valorization and enhance our understanding of their role during wood decay.

dioxygenase↗
DOE OSTI2025

The molecular architecture distinctions between compression, opposite and normal wood of Pinus radiata

In gymnosperms compression wood is a specialised type of structural cell wall formed in response to biomechanical stresses. The differences in terms of gross structure, ultrastructure and chemistry are well-known. However, the differences between compression wood, normal wood, and opposite wood regarding the arrangements and interactions of the various polymers and water within their cell walls still needs to be established. The analysis of 13 C-labelled Pinus radiata by solid-state NMR spectroscopy and other complementary techniques revealed several new aspects of compression and opposite wood molecular architecture. Compared to normal wood, compression wood has a lower water content, its overall nanoporosity is reduced, and the water and matrix polymers have a lower molecular mobility. Galactan, which is a specific marker of compression wood, is broadly distributed within the cell wall, disordered, and not aligned with cellulose, and is found to be in close proximity to xylan. Dehydroabietic acid (a resin acid) is immobilised and close to the H-lignin only in compression wood. Although the overall molecular mobility of normal wood and opposite wood are similar, opposite wood has different arabinose conformations, a large increase in the amount of chain ends, contains significantly more galactan and has additional unassigned mobile components highlighting the different molecular arrangement of cell wall polymers in opposite and normal wood.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Bituminous Coal and Natural Gas to Electricity: >90% Capture Cases Technical Note

This technical note provides cost and performance estimates for post combustion carbon capture (PCCC) systems designed for greater than 90 percent capture on conventional PC- and NG-fueled power plants. The cost and performance estimates provided here were developed using the National Energy Technology Laboratory’s (NETL’s) well-documented methodology for conducting technoeconomic analysis of fossil energy conversion systems and leveraging published performance and cost projections for higher capture rate systems. Included in this technical note is a brief description of the method used to adjust select 90 percent capture cases from NETL’s Cost and Performance Baselines for Fossil Energy Systems Volume 1: Bituminous Coal and Natural Gas to Electricity, hereafter referred to as the Baseline Study. This technical note is intended to serve as an interim update to NETL’s Baseline Study cases by providing cost and performance estimates for high capture PCCC technology that can be deployed in the near-term at fossil-fueled electricity generating units.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2020

DOE Award No.: DE-FE0023919 Phase 3 Scientific/Technical Report

This is the Phase 3 Report for the ‘Deepwater Methane Hydrate Characterization and Scientific Assessment or Genesis of Methane Hydrates in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM2)’ research project (DOE Award No. DE-FE0023919). The report summarizes activities from January 16, 2018 to September 30, 2019. The project is led by the University of Texas at Austin (UT). The objective is to gain insight into the nature, formation, occurrence and physical properties of methane hydrate-bearing sediments for the purpose of methane hydrate resource appraisal through the planning and execution of drilling, coring, logging, testing and analytical activities that assess the geologic occurrence, regional context, and characteristics of marine methane hydrate deposits in the Gulf of Mexico outer continental shelf (OCS). We determined that it would not be possible to pursue the project with the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) and then developed a revised science and operations plan to maximize the science using a commercial vessel within the budget that is available. We improved the scientific capability of the UT pressure core center by adding the ability to X-ray pressure cores, and the ability to cut and store multiple core samples for experimental analysis. We transferred pressure cores to peer institutions, including the National Energy Technology Lab (NETL) the United States Geological Survey (USGS Woods Hole). We made advances in understanding the composition and source of gasses locked in the methane hydrate from Green Canyon 955 (GC-955). We developed approaches to determine the in-situ salinity of hydrate-bearing samples, revealing that the in situ salinity of the GC 955 reservoir is just above that of seawater. We determined that the GC-955 hydrate reservoir is composed of sandy silt with a high concentration of hydrate interbedded with clayey silt with no hydrate present. We determined that some or all of the intervals bounding the hydrate reservoir are composed of material similar to the reservoir (sandy silt with hydrate and clayey silt with no hydrate), but with a lower net to gross. We determined that the reservoir effective permeability at a hydrate saturation of ~80-90 % is ~0.1 mD (or 1.0×10-16 m2) to ~0.5 mD (or 5.0×10-16 m2) and the intrinsic permeability is ~12 mD (or 1.2×10-14 m2). The GC-955 reservoir in-situ porosity of sandy silt is 0.38 to 0.40 and is largely independent of effective stress, and that the porosity of clayey silt is 0.33 at an in situ effective stress of 3.8 MPa to ~0.37 at zero effective stress. We developed a systematic, repeatable approach to studying hydrate reservoir properties by reconstituting individual lithofacies from dissociated pressure cores. We determined index properties of GC-955 reservoir, including liquid limit and plasticity, porosity, capillary behavior, and particle size distribution. We developed a more robust pressure coring technology. We finalized and published the UT-GOM2-1 Expedition Volume and we finalized a dedicated volume on the UT-GOM2-1 expedition that will be published in the American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin (AAPG) in spring 2020.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Dark Energy Survey Year 6 results: cell-based coadds and METADETECTION weak lensing shape catalogue

We present the metadetection weak lensing galaxy shape catalogue from the 6-yr Dark Energy Survey (DES Y6) imaging data. This data set is the final release from DES, spanning 4422 deg 2 of the southern sky. We describe how the catalogue was constructed, including the two new major processing steps, cell-based image coaddition, and shear measurements with metadetection. The DES Y6 M etadetection weak lensing shape catalogue consists of 151 922 791 galaxies detected over riz bands, with an effective number density of n eff = 8.22 galaxies per arcmin 2 and shape noise of σ e = 0.29. We carry out a suite of validation tests on the catalogue, including testing for point spread function (PSF) leakage, testing for the impact of PSF modelling errors, and testing the correlation of the shear measurements with galaxy, PSF, and survey properties. In addition to demonstrating that our catalogue is robust for weak lensing science, we use the DES Y6 image simulation suite to estimate the overall multiplicative shear bias of our shear measurement pipeline. We find no detectable multiplicative bias at the roughly half-per cent level, with m = (3.4 ± 6.1) x 10 –3 , at 3σ uncertainty. This is the first time both cell-based coaddition and Metadetection algorithms are applied to observational data, paving the way to the Stage-IV weak lensing surveys.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2023

Characterization of the new Ultracold Neutron beamline at the LANL UCN facility

The neutron electric dipole moment (nEDM) experiment that is currently being developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) will use ultracold neutrons (UCN) and Ramsey’s method of separated oscillatory fields to search for a nEDM. Here, in this paper, we present measurements of UCN storage and UCN transport performed during the commissioning of a new beamline at the LANL UCN source and demonstrate a sufficient number of stored polarized UCN to achieve a statistical uncertainty of δd n = 2 x 10 -27 e cm in 5 calendar years of running. We also present an analytical model describing data that provides a simple parameterization of the input UCN energy spectrum on the new beamline.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2023

Electronic and magnetic phase diagrams of the Kitaev quantum spin liquid candidate Na 2 Co 2 TeO 6

The 3⁢d 7 Co 2+ -based insulating magnet Na 2 ⁢Co 2 ⁢TeO 6 has recently been reported to have strong Kitaev interactions on a honeycomb lattice and is thus being considered as a Kitaev quandum spin liquid candidate. However, due to the existence of other types of interactions, a spontaneous long-range magnetic order occurs. This order is suppressed by applied magnetic fields leading to a succession of phases and ultimately saturation of the magnetic moments. The precise phase diagram, the nature of the phases, and the possibility that one of the field-induced phases is a Kitaev quantum spin liquid phase are still a matter of debate. Here, in this study, we measured an extensive set of physical properties to build the complete temperature-field phase diagrams to magnetic saturation at 10 T for magnetic fields along the a and a* axes, and a partial phase diagram up to 60 T along c. We probe the phases using magnetization, specific heat, magnetocaloric effect, magnetostriction, dielectric constant, and electric polarization, which is a symmetry-sensitive probe. With these measurements, we identify all the previously incomplete phase boundaries and find additional high-field phase boundaries. We find strong magnetoelectric coupling in the dielectric constant and moderate magnetostrictive coupling at several phase boundaries. Furthermore, we detect the symmetry of the magnetic order using electrical polarization measurements under magnetic fields. Based on our analysis, the absence of electric polarization under zero or finite magnetic field in any of the phases or after any combination of magnetic/electric field cooling suggests that a zigzag spin structure is more likely than a triple-Q spin structure at zero field. Finally, we investigate the hysteresis and first- or second-order nature of each phase transition and its entropy changes. With this information, we establish a map of the magnetic phases of this compound and its magnetic, thermodynamic, and magnetoelectric properties, and discuss where spin liquid or other phases may be sought in future studies.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗