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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 73 records · Page 4

Numerical Model Development of a Variable-Geometry Attenuator Wave Energy Converter

Because the wave energy industry is still in its infancy, an optimal design for wave energy converters (WECs) has yet to be established; more work is needed to explore various cost-reduction pathways. The primary cost-reduction pathway considered for this work is the optimization of the geometric profile on an attenuator WEC to maximize power production while, at the same time, minimizing capital expenditures through the use of variable-geometry modules. In this investigation, the variable-geometry modules consist of inflatable bags placed on either side of a base central steel cylinder that would be inflated in low-moderate sea states to maximize power capture and then deflated in moderate-extreme sea states to minimize wave loading. The numerical model and simulation of the attenuator WEC were developed and completed using WEC-Sim, which is an open-source code that is appropriate for use in evaluating the dynamic response of the different WEC models in operational seas. The power production estimates were obtained from the Wave Energy Prize (WEP) sea states, which are representative of U. S. deployment sites, to calculate the average climate capture width that is used in the WEP ACE calculation. Preliminary capital expenditure costs were obtained assuming the base central steel cylinder mass was equal to the fluid displaced mass, minus the mass of the variable-geometry bags. The additional weight required to offset the additional buoyancy from the variable-geometry bags was assumed to come from the addition of seawater ballast. The variable-geometry attenuator model was found to have a similar power capture efficiency as a fixed-body model, but is expected to have a lower characteristic capital expenditure given its more streamlined profile, which demonstrates that variable-geometry modules may provide a realistic cost-reduction pathway to help design a more cost-competitive WEC.

50 EE - Wind and Water Power Program - Water (EE-4↗

High resolution time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy with 11 eV laser pulses

Performing time- and angle-resolved photoemission (tr-ARPES) spectroscopy at high momenta necessitates extreme ultraviolet laser pulses, which are typically produced via high harmonic generation (HHG). Despite current advances, HHG-based setups still require large pulse energies (from hundreds of μ J to mJ) and their energy resolution is limited to tens of meV. Here, we present a novel 11 eV tr-ARPES setup that generates a flux of 5 × 10 10 photons/s and achieves an unprecedented energy resolution of 16 meV. It can be operated at high repetition rates (up to 250 kHz) while using input pulse energies down to 3 µ J. We demonstrate these unique capabilities by simultaneously capturing the energy and momentum resolved dynamics in two well-separated momentum space regions of a charge density wave material ErTe 3 . This novel setup provides the opportunity to study the non-equilibrium band structure of solids with exceptional energy and time resolutions at high repetition rates.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Wave Prediction using X-Band Radar (Final Summary Report)

Model Predictive Control (MPC) is the best controls framework available to wave energy today. It allows for the maximization of energy yield from a WEC system while respecting various constraints and losses in the system. This type of constrained optimization is a critical capability for the techno-economic optimization of WEC devices and is difficult to do effectively with causal controls frameworks. MPC requires a future prediction of wave excitation forces, requiring wave prediction on a future time horizon of up to 30 seconds. The future horizon required is highly dependent on the WEC and PTO type available. To our knowledge no-one has been able to implement MPC on a WEC device at sea, due to the fact that phase-resolved wave-prediction is not a capability that has been sufficiently developed to date. The key objectives of this project are focused on developing “industry-ready” wave prediction technology building blocks that can be applied to a wide range of different wave energy conversion topologies. Our collaborative work with device developers has demonstrated that the level of improvement attainable for any particular device is heavily dependent on the device and PTO topology chosen. The range of annual average power capture improvements is on the order of 10% to over 100%. However, the important aspect is that we can get within about 10% of theoretical upper limits even when considering errors in the wave prediction and more importantly, we can optimize performance while respecting various constraints such as motion amplitude or peak structural loads. The combination of improved performance while limiting structural loads has a net effect of reducing the levelized cost of energy from these emerging technologies and allows us to design control laws that meet an economic optimum. Efforts under a previous project on controls has focused on developing a set of wave-prediction algorithms that work by leveraging a network of wave sensing measurement buoys that are equipped with real-time telemetry. The present work is focusing primarily on using X-band radar to measure the wave-field around the WEC to predict the future excitation forces on the structure and combining the measurements of these different sources to create improvements in the wave-prediction accuracy.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

Muon capture on the deuteron in chiral effective field theory

Here, we consider the capture of a muon on a deuteron. An uncertainty analysis of the dominant channels is important for a careful analysis of forthcoming experimental data. We quantify the theoretical uncertainties of chiral effective-field-theory predictions of the muon-deuteron capture rate from the relevant neutron-neutron partial wave channels in the final state. We study the dependence on the cutoff used to regularize the interactions, low-energy constants calibrated using different fitting data and strategies, and truncation of the effective-field-theory expansion of the currents. Combining these approaches gives as an estimate of $Γ^{1/2}_{μd}$ = 399.1 ± 7.6 ± 4.4 s –1 for capture from the atomic doublet state, and $Γ^{3/2}_{μd}$= 12.31 ± 0.47 ± 0.04 s –1 for capture from the quartet state and the first and second uncertainties given here are due to the effective field theory truncation error and the uncertainty in the axial radius, respectively.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Implementation and Verification of Cable Bending Stiffness in MoorDyn

The relatively large motions experienced by floating wind turbines and wave energy converters pose a challenge for power cables, whose internal components provide significant bending resistance and are sensitive to deformation. The behavior and associated design considerations of power cables in these highly dynamic applications make coupled analysis relevant for design. Bending stiffness capabilities have recently been added to the lumped-mass mooring dynamics model MoorDyn to enable simulation of dynamic power cables. MoorDyn is a common modeling choice for floating wind energy simulation (often coupled with OpenFAST) and floating wave energy converter simulation (often coupled with WEC-Sim) but the model’s previous line elasticity formulation only considered axial stiffness. To properly capture the dynamics of power cables, a bending stiffness model has been added that approximates cable curvature based on the difference in tangent vectors of adjacent elements. The resulting bending moment is realized by applying forces on adjacent nodes, enabling cable modeling while leaving the underlying lumped-mass formulation unchanged. In this paper, the new bending stiffness implementation is verified in static conditions against analytical solutions and then in a dynamic power cable scenario in comparison with the commercial simulator OrcaFlex. The dynamic scenario uses prescribed motions and includes wave loadings on the cable. Results indicate correct implementation of bending stiffness and show close agreement with OrcaFlex.

50 EE - Wind and Water Power Program - Water (EE-4↗

Convectively coupled Rossby–Gravity waves in a field campaign: How they are captured in reanalysis products

Abstract Convectively coupled equatorial waves are a significant source of atmospheric variability in the tropics. Current numerical models continue to struggle in simulating the coupled diabatic heating fields that are responsible for the development and maintenance of these waves. This study investigates how the diabatic fields associated with Mixed Rossby–Gravity waves (MRGs) are represented in four reanalysis products by using a unique observational dataset from the TRMM‐KWAJEX (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission‐Kwajalein Experiment) field campaign. These reanalyses include ERA5, Japanese 55‐year Reanalysis (JRA‐55), Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR), and Modern‐Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA). We found that all four reanalyses captured the MRG structures in winds and temperature, and to a lesser degree in the humidity field except in the boundary layer. However, only the ERA5 and MERRA reanalyses captured the gradual rise and succession of the diabatic heating from boundary layer turbulence, shallow convection, cumulus congestus, and deep convection within the waves. ERA5 is the only product that also captured the gradual rise of the subgrid‐scale vertical transport of moist static energy. All reanalysis products underestimated the diabatic heating from cumulus congestus. Results provide observational basis on what aspects of MRG can be trusted and what cannot in the reanalysis products.

Wang, Xiaocong↗

Ultrasonic nondestructive diagnosis of lithium-ion batteries with multiple frequencies

Accurately estimating the state of charge (SoC) in battery management systems (BMSs) requires the measurement of numerous parameters and advanced algorithms. This work studies multifrequency ultrasonic waves to estimate the SoC of Li-ion batteries by sensing the material changes during charge/discharge. A pouch-type LiNi 0.6 Mn 0.2 Co 0.2 O 2 (NMC622) graphite battery cell is designed and fabricated with a capacity of 2.4 Ah. Different ultrasonic testing setups are explored to determine the optimal testing parameters for the battery. An ultrasonic monitoring system is developed to monitor the battery during charge/discharge at 750 kHz, 1 MHz, and 1.5 MHz. Signal processing algorithms are proposed for extracting three ultrasonic features—amplitude, wave velocity, and attenuation. In a three-cycle test, the amplitude histories do not show clear correlations with the SoC. The wave velocities of all three frequencies have an approximately linear relationship with the SoC, which can be used for SoC estimation. Hysteresis behavior is observed for the wave velocity in terms of a larger slope in the discharge process and velocity drop after a close charge/discharge cycle. The wave attenuation is able to capture the material phase transitions during charge/discharge.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

DFT Analysis of the Binding of Rare Earth Nitrates at Internal and External Surfaces of MCM-22

MCM-22-type zeolites constitute a well-characterized tunable class of aluminosilicates suitable for elucidating the fundamental aspects of the binding of rare earth elements (REEs) in layered materials. Starting from the pure silica version ITQ-1 with a unit cell of Si 72 O 144 , a model for periodic bulk crystalline MCM-22 with a finite Al concentration is provided by replacing a Si atom with an Al atom in the unit cell at suitable tetrahedral sites near an internal pore surface. Then, a H atom is added to an O atom bridging Si and Al atoms to create a Brønsted acid site (BAS). There are no internal silanol groups in this bulk model. To generate a model for an external surface, we adopt the fully hydroxylated surface structure of a layer within the ITQ-1 precursor with two silanols per lateral unit cell. A BAS on the external surface can be generated by replacing a near-surface Si atom with an Al atom and adding a H atom, as above. The strength of binding at a BAS of REE, X, taken to be present in the solution phase as nitrates, is determined from the energy change in the reaction X(NO 3 ) 3 + ≡Si–{OH}–Al≡ → ≡Si–{OX(NO 3 ) 2 }–Al≡+ HNO 3 . The strength of binding at the silanols is determined similarly. Binding energies are determined from two approaches. The first performs periodic plane-wave density functional theory (DFT) total energy analysis for an entire unit cell of MCM-22. The second utilizes cluster models capturing the local environment of REE binding sites and performs DFT analysis with localized basis sets. The two approaches yield consistent results for Nd, revealing similarly strong binding at either an external or internal BAS, but much weaker binding at a silanol site. This is consistent with the picture deduced from recent experiments. Here, we also comment on binding at Al-bridged siloxane sites, which have been suggested as alternative binding sites to BAS.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Finite-frequency modeling of regional tropospheric infrasound using realistic atmospheres and terrain

Infrasonic waves have been observed to propagate to regional (greater than 15 km) distances through the troposphere. Infrasound propagation in the geometric acoustics approximation has shown that realistic terrain can scatter acoustic energy from tropospheric ducts; however, ray methods cannot intrinsically capture finite-frequency behavior such as diffraction. A two-dimensional finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method has been developed to solve linearized equations for infrasound propagation with realistic terrain. Acoustic wave propagation over 100 km with both flat terrain and a Gaussian hill was first simulated in order to compare finite-frequency propagation with ray predictions. The effects of realistic terrain and atmospheres on infrasound signals from a 2012 surface explosion at the Utah Testing and Training Range are then investigated. Propagation through the troposphere is suggested by array processing results, but eigenrays are not predicted due to weak to nonexistent ducting conditions. FDTD modeling suggests that the inclusion of terrain and finite frequency effects helps explain much of the observed signal in a realistic scenario. Furthermore, these results suggest that geometric acoustics may underestimate propagation through the troposphere, and that recorded waveforms at regional distances may be noticeably affected by terrain.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

High-fidelity kinetic modeling of instabilities and gyromotion physics in nonuniform low-beta plasmas

A fourth-order accurate continuum kinetic Vlasov solver and a systematic method for constructing customizable kinetic equilibria are demonstrated to be powerful tools for the study of nonuniform collisionless low-beta plasmas. The noise-free methodology is applied to investigate two gradient-driven instabilities in 4D (x,y,vx,vy) phase space: the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability and the lower hybrid drift instability. Nonuniform two-species configurations where ion gyroradii are comparable to gradient scale lengths are explored. The approach sheds light on the evolution of the pressure tensor in Kelvin–Helmholtz instabilities and demonstrates that the associated stress tensor deviates significantly from the gyroviscous stress tensor. Even at high magnetization, first-order approximations to finite-gyromotion physics are shown to be inadequate for the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability, as shear scales evolve to become on par with gyromotion scales. The methodology facilitates exploring transport and energy partitioning properties associated with lower hybrid drift instabilities in low-beta plasma configurations. Distribution function features are captured in detail, including the formation of local extrema in the vicinity of particle-wave resonances. Finally, the approach enables detailed targeted investigations and advances kinetic simulation capability for plasmas in which gyromotion plays an important role.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Depth-Resolved X-Ray Nanoimaging of Coherent and Incoherent Energy Transport in Silicon Carbide

Understanding lattice dynamics is crucial for optimizing the process of creating functional structures, such as laser writing of color-center defects. However, existing structural probes have difficulty measuring structural dynamics with submicrometer depth sensitivity. Here, in this study, a depth-resolved ultrafast X-ray nanodiffraction technique is developed to track the lattice dynamics of silicon carbide (SiC) in three dimensions. Upon laser excitation of an aluminum layer that acts as a heat and strain transducer, a specular Bragg peak of SiC shows an overall increase in the X-ray diffraction intensity rather than a peak shift. The relaxation dynamics of the increased intensity are significantly different when probed on and off the Bragg peak. The fast subnanosecond relaxation probed at the maximum of the Bragg peak is a result of the propagation of a coherent strain wave along the depth direction, while a slow relaxation probed at the wings of the Bragg peak reflects a localized incoherent lattice heating. To further visualize these processes, spatiotemporal maps were obtained by scanning the relative position and delay between the laser pump and X-ray probe beams, which capture the propagation of the strain wave, as well as a stationary structural distortion close to the aluminum/SiC interface. These depth-resolved structural measurements disentangle energy dissipation mechanisms in laser-excited SiC, and they open opportunities for finer control of, for example, the formation of optically addressable defect complexes central to quantum information applications.

X-ray nanodiffraction↗

Real-time imaging of acoustic waves in bulk materials with X-ray microscopy

The dynamics of lattice vibrations govern many material processes, such as acoustic wave propagation, displacive phase transitions, and ballistic thermal transport. The maximum velocity of these processes and their effects is determined by the speed of sound, which therefore defines the temporal resolution (picoseconds) needed to resolve these phenomena on their characteristic length scales (nanometers). Here, we present an X-ray microscope capable of imaging acoustic waves with subpicosecond resolution within mm-sized crystals. We directly visualize the generation, propagation, branching, and energy dissipation of longitudinal and transverse acoustic waves in diamond, demonstrating how mechanical energy thermalizes from picosecond to microsecond timescales. Bulk characterization techniques capable of resolving this level of structural detail have previously been available on millisecond time scales—orders of magnitude too slow to capture these fundamental phenomena in solid-state physics and geoscience. As such, the reported results provide broad insights into the interaction of acoustic waves with the structure of materials, and the availability of ultrafast time-resolved dark-field X-ray microscopy opens a vista of new opportunities for 3D imaging of materials dynamics on their intrinsic submicrosecond time scales.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Simulating Long–Term Dynamics of Radiation Belt Electrons Using DREAM3D Model

Here, we compared the performance of DREAM3D simulations in reproducing the long-term radiation belt dynamics observed by Van Allen Probes over the entire year of 2017 with various boundary conditions (BCs) and model inputs. Specifically, we investigated the effects of three different outer boundary conditions, two different low-energy boundary conditions for seed electrons, four different radial diffusion (RD) coefficients (DLL), four hiss wave models, and two chorus wave models from the literature. Using the outer boundary condition driven by GOES data, our benchmark simulation generally well reproduces the observed radiation belt dynamics inside L* = 6, with a better model performance at lower μ than higher μ, where μ is the first adiabatic invariant. By varying the boundary conditions and inputs, we find that: (a) The data-driven outer boundary condition is critical to the model performance, while adding in the data-driven seed population doesn't further improve the performance. (b) The model shows comparable performance with DLL from Brautigam and Albert (2000, https://doi.org/10.1029/1999ja900344), Ozeke et al. (2014, https://doi.org/10.1002/2013ja019204), and Liu et al. (2016, https://doi.org/10.1002/2015gl067398), while with DLL from Ali et al. (2016, https://doi.org/10.1002/2016ja023002) the model shows less RD compared to data. (c) The model performance is similar with data-based hiss models, but the results show faster loss is still needed inside the plasmasphere. (d) The model performs similarly with the two different chorus models, but better capturing the electron enhancement at higher μ using the Wang et al. (2019, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018ja026183) model due to its stronger wave power, since local heating for higher energy electrons is under-reproduced in the current model.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

S -factor and scattering-parameter extractions from ${}^{3}\mathrm{He}+{}^{4}\mathrm{He}{ \rightarrow }^{7}\mathrm{Be}+\gamma $

Previous studies of the reaction ${}^{3}\mathrm{He}+{}^{4}\mathrm{He}\to {}^{7}\mathrm{Be}+\gamma $ have mainly focused on providing the best central value and error bar for the S factor at solar energies. Experimental measurements of this capture reaction at higher energies, the ${}^{3}\mathrm{He}$–${}^{4}\mathrm{He}$ scattering phase shifts, as well as properties of ${}^{7}\mathrm{Be}$ and its excited state, have been used to constrain the theoretical models employed for this purpose. Here we show that much more information than was previously appreciated can be extracted from angle-integrated capture data alone. We use the next-to-leading-order (NLO) amplitude in an effective field theory (EFT) for ${}^{3}\mathrm{He}+{}^{4}\mathrm{He}\to {}^{7}\mathrm{Be}+\gamma $ to perform the extrapolation. At this order the EFT describes the capture process using an s-wave scattering length and effective range, the asymptotic properties of ${}^{7}\mathrm{Be}$ and its excited state, and short-distance contributions to the E1 capture amplitude. We extract the multi-dimensional posterior of all these parameters via a Bayesian analysis that uses capture data below 2 MeV. We find that properties of the ${}^{7}\mathrm{Be}$ ground and excited states are well constrained. The total S factor $S(0)\,={0.577}_{-0.016}^{+0.015}$ keV b, while the branching ratio for excited- to ground-state capture at zero energy, ${Br}(0)={0.406}_{-0.011}^{+0.013}$, both at 68% degree of belief. This S(0) is broadly consistent with other recent evaluations, and agrees with the previously recommended value $S(0)=0.56\pm 0.03\,\,\mathrm{keV}$ b, but has a smaller error bar. We also find significant constraints on ${}^{3}\mathrm{He}$–${}^{4}\mathrm{He}$ scattering parameters, and we obtain constraints on the angular distribution of capture gamma rays, which is important for interpreting experiments. The path forward for this reaction seems to lie with better measurements of the scattering phase shifts and S(E)'s angular dependence away from zero energy, together with better understanding of the asymptotic normalization coefficients of the ${}^{7}$Be bound states' wave functions. Lastly, data on these could further reduce the uncertainty on S(0).

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Review of Marine Renewable Energy in Integrated Resource Plans

As part of a literature review of reference material for grid applications of marine hydrokinetic energy capture technologies, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) surveyed U.S. electric utility integrated resource plans for the mention or treatment of marine renewable energy technologies, principally wave energy, tidal energy, and offshore wind energy. This review offers a window into utility decision-making and data utilization with regard to these generating technologies. The report also offers perspectives on the relationship between traditional and emerging resource planning paradigms and metrics.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

An Efficient Three-Dimensional CFD-Based Numerical Wave Tank for a Wave Energy Converter in Extreme Irregular Waves: Preprint

A numerical wave tank approach for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling of an extreme irregular seastate is presented. The technique couples a potential flow solution with a CFD solver for more efficient numerical predictions. This method has recently become attractive both for the research community and the industry working with offshore structures. The model is used to determine the response of a submerged pressure differential wave energy converter (WEC) in a fully nonlinear irregular wave condition using the high fidelity CFD code, STAR-CCM+. Potential flow based numerical models are commonly used to predict motions and performance of wave energy converters. Wave kinematics can deviate from potential flow predictions for extreme wave conditions; the excitation loads on an absorber can also be increasingly influenced by viscous effects, not captured in engineering level models. In these extreme conditions, a Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes CFD model can better predict motions and loads for a WEC. Long time series with varying random seed numbers can be used to identify singular extreme wave events from a stochastic irregular sea state. This approach simulates a more realistic wave series for a given sea state than a regular wave or a focused wave. However, it is computationally infeasible to run these long time series for three-dimensional (3D) CFD simulations. In this work, two-dimensional (2D) CFD simulations with a long domain allow the full development of an extreme nonlinear wave condition. The results are used to identify extreme events from a 50-year storm condition for the PacWave site off the coast of Oregon. A relatively short time window including this extreme event is then mapped to a 3D simulation using a user defined wave methodology. Convergence studies for domain length, wave forcing lengths, and time before the extreme event were conducted.

cfd↗

Adapting Optimal Velocity Tracking Control to Account for WEC Constraints and Power-Take-Off Efficiencies: Preprint

Wave energy converters (WECs) come in many different forms, from point absorbers, oscillating water columns, to bulge wave devices. This paper focuses on the control of point absorber WECs, which typically have a narrow-banded frequency response and, therefore, control is well placed to improve the energy capture of such WECs. The acausal nature of the control problem means that theoretically optimal control is almost impossible to achieve inpractice; however optimal velocity tracking (OVT) offers a simple and robust approximation to optimal control that can achieve better power capture than passive linear damping methods, albeit with necessarily higher force demands. OVT is a form of impedance matching and the magnitude of the power-take off (PTO) force demand is often not linearly proportional to the WEC velocity, which can lead to PTO force and speed combinations far from the optimalPTO efficiency. The highly non-linear PTO force and speed to efficiency mapping can, without remedial measures, severely diminish the effectiveness of OVT techniques. In this paper, limits to the movement and force of the PTO are demonstrated, allowing OVT to be more easily applied in practice. The effect of PTO efficiency is explored, and a potential solution to the problem of adapting control to account for efficiency is presented. Both aspects of the work presented highlight the requirement for co-design of the WEC, PTO, and controller.

conversion efficiency↗

Anisotropic magnetic excitations of a frustrated bilinear-biquadratic spin model: Implications for spin waves of detwinned iron pnictides

Elucidating the nature of spin excitations is important to understanding the mechanism of superconductivity in the iron pnictides. Motivated by recent inelastic neutron scattering measurements in the nearly 100% detwinned BaFe 2 As 2 , we study the spin dynamics of an $\textit{S}$ = 1 frustrated bilinear-biquadratic Heisenberg model in the antiferromagnetic phase with wave vector (π, 0). The biquadratic interactions are treated in a dynamical way using a flavor-wave theory in an $\textit{SU}$(3) representation. Besides the dipolar spin wave (magnon) excitations, the biquadratic interactions give rise to quadrupolar excitations at high energies. In this work, we find that the quadrupolar wave significantly influences, in an energy dependent way, the anisotropy between the spin excitation spectra along the (π, 0) and (0, π) directions in the wave vector space. Our theoretical results capture the essential behavior of the spin dynamics measured in the antiferromagnetic phase of the detwinned BaFe 2 As 2 . More generally, our results underscore the importance of electron correlation effects for the microscopic physics of the iron pnictides.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗