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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 OSTI2023

UAV ground penetrating radar array

A GPR system the implements a modified multistatic mode of operation is provided. The GPR is suitable for mounting on an unmanned aerial vehicle. The GPR system has radar transceivers. The GPR system transmits transmit signal serially via the transceivers. For each transceiver that transmits a transmit signal, the GPR system receives a return signal acquired by each transceiver except for a return signal for the transceiver that transmits the transmit signal. The GPR system outputs of matrix of return signals that includes a null value for the return signals of the transceivers that transmit.

Beer, N. Reginald↗
DOE OSTI2017

Bifurcation of quiescent H-mode to a wide pedestal regime in DIII-D and advances in the understanding of edge harmonic oscillations

New experimental studies and modelling of the coherent edge harmonic oscillation (EHO), which regulates the conventional Quiescent H-mode (QH-mode) edge, validate the proposed hypothesis of edge rotational shear in destabilizing the low-n kink-peeling mode as the additional drive mechanism for the EHO. The observed minimum edge E×B shear required for the EHO decreases linearly with pedestal collisionality $\nu _{\text{e}}^{\ast}$ , which is favorable for operating QH-mode in machines with low collisionality and low rotation such as ITER. In addition, the QH-mode regime in DIII-D has recently been found to bifurcate into a new 'wide-pedestal' state at low torque in double-null shaped plasmas, characterized by increased pedestal height, width and thermal energy confinement (Burrell 2016 Phys. Plasmas 23 056103, Chen 2017 Nucl. Fusion 57 022007). This potentially provides an alternate path for achieving high performance ELM-stable operation at low torque, in addition to the low-torque QH-mode sustained with applied 3D fields. Multi-branch low-k and intermediate-k turbulences are observed in the 'wide-pedestal'. New experiments support the hypothesis that the decreased edge E×B shear enables destabilization of broadband turbulence, which relaxes edge pressure gradients, improves peeling-ballooning stability and allows a wider and thus higher pedestal. In conclusion, the ability to accurately predict the critical E×B shear for EHO and maintain high performance QH-mode at low torque is an essential requirement for projecting QH-mode operation to ITER and future machines.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

HyPerPy (Hydrogen Extraction and Parabolic Trough Plant Performance Models using Python) [SWR-21-53]

The HyPerPy package consists of three scripts: 1) Model for Hydrogen Tracking in Parabolic Trough Power Plants, 2) Model for Receiver Performance, and 3) Model for Hydrogen Extraction Process. The power plant model (1) tracks hydrogen generation and transport within the circulating heat transfer fluid (HTF) of the power plant. This script is a transient, initial value simulation, in which the hydrogen concentration in the circulating HTF is 0 moles per cubic meter everywhere at time 0 seconds. Hydrogen concentration is calculated at discrete locations within the circulating HTF with 4-second time resolution. During each time step, the change in hydrogen concentration due to hydrogen generation and permeation is calculated for each location according to the local HTF temperature, vessel or piping properties, hydrogen concentration and partial pressure. This model predicts hourly hydrogen concentrations for typical operating days in the spring, summer, fall, and winter seasons. Data is used to create hourly mappings of hydrogen concentrations for a typical operating year. The receiver model (2) uses a 1-hour time step to estimate getter loading and annulus pressure. For each time step, the model uses HTF and ambient temperature data to estimate absorber tube, bellows, and getter temperatures for the time step. In addition, the model uses hourly HTF hydrogen concentrations that are generated by the power plant model (1), and annulus hydrogen pressure from the previous time step. With these data, the model calculates the moles of hydrogen permeating across the absorber tube and bellows during the time step. The net change in moles hydrogen is added or subtracted from the getter loading for the previous time step, and the hydrogen pressure is re-calculated based on getter loading and temperature. The model uses this algorithm to simulate hydrogen permeation and loading 24 hours per day, 365 days per year using seasonal temperature data. The model repeats these calculations for 25 years to create a mapping of receiver getter loading and annulus hydrogen pressure for four seasons of each year. The model for hydrogen extraction (3) estimates hydrogen extraction rates for a specific separation module configuration. The rate depends primarily on membrane area, vacuum pump performance, headspace gas flowrate to the membrane, and headspace gas hydrogen partial pressure. This model has two versions. The steady-state version predicts hydrogen extraction rates when the module is operating in separation mode. The dynamic version predicts hydrogen transfer through the membrane when the module is operating in sensor mode. The steady-state version is used with the plant model (1) to predict hydrogen partial pressures in the power plant when the extraction process is operating.

Glatzmaier, Gregory↗
DOE OSTI2019

Statistical Analysis of the Eigenmode Spectrum in the SRF Cavities with Mechanical Imperfections

The superconducting radio frequency (SRF) technology is progressing rapidly over last decades toward high accelerating gradients and low surface resistance making feasible the particle accelerators operation with high beam currents and long duty factors. However, the coherent RF losses due to high order modes (HOMs) excitation becomes a limiting factor for these regimes. In spite of the operating mode, which is tuned separately, the parameters of HOMs vary from one cavity to another due to finite mechanical tolerances during cavities fabrication. It is vital to know in advance the spread of HOM parameters in order to predict unexpected cryogenic losses, overheating of beam line components and to keep stable beam dynamics. In this paper we present the method of generating the unique cavity geometry with imperfections while preserving operating mode frequency and field flatness. Based on the eigenmode spectrum calculation of series of randomly generated cavities we can accumulate the data for the evaluation the HOM statistics. Finally, we describe the procedure for the estimation of the probability of the resonant HOM losses in the SRF resonators. The study of these effects leads to specifications of SC cavity and cryomodule and can significantly impact on the efficiency and reliability of the machine operation

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Systematic input scheme for many-boson Hamiltonians with applications to the two-dimensional 𝜙 4 theory

We develop a novel, systematic input scheme for many-boson Hamiltonians in order to solve field theory problems within the light-front Hamiltonian formalism via quantum computing. We present our discussion of this input scheme based on the light-front Hamiltonian of the two-dimensional ϕ 4 theory. In our input scheme, we employ a set of quantum registers, where each register encodes the occupation of a distinct boson mode as binaries. We squeeze the boson operators of each mode and present the Hamiltonian in terms of unique combinations of the squeezed-boson operators. We design the circuit modules for these unique combinations. Based on these circuit modules, we block encode the many-boson Hamiltonian utilizing the idea of quantum walk. For demonstration purposes, we present the spectral calculations of the Hamiltonian utilizing the hybrid quantum-classical symmetry-adapted quantum Krylov subspace diagonalization algorithm based on our input scheme, where the quantum computations are performed with the IBM Qiskit quantum simulator. The results of the hybrid calculations agree with exact results. Here, we can incorporate the input scheme in this work with the input scheme for many-fermion Hamiltonians; they jointly offer new pathways to solving the structure and dynamics of more general field theory problems on future fault-tolerant quantum computers.

Ab initio calculations↗
DOE OSTI2017

DACCIWA Cloud-Aerosol Observations in West Africa Field Campaign Report

Interactions between aerosols and clouds, and their effects on radiation, precipitation, and regional circulations, are one of the largest uncertainties in understanding climate. With reducing uncertainties in predictions of weather, climate, and climate impacts in mind, the Dynamics-Aerosol-Chemistry-Cloud Interactions in West Africa (DACCIWA) project, funded by the European Commission, set out to improve our understanding of cloud-aerosol interactions in southern West Africa. This region is ideal for studying cloud-aerosol interactions because of its rich mix of natural and anthropogenic aerosols and diverse clouds, and because of the strong dependence on the regional and global climate of the sensitive West African monsoon. The overview of DACCIWA is described in Knippertz et al. 2015. The interdisciplinary DACCIWA team includes not only several European and African universities, but also Met Centres in the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, Benin, Ghana, and Nigeria. One of the crucial research activities in DACCIWA is the major field campaign in southern West Africa from June to July 2016, comprising a benchmark data set for assessing detailed processes on natural and anthropogenic emissions; atmospheric composition; air pollution and its impacts on human and ecosystem health; boundary layer processes; couplings between aerosols, clouds, and rainfall; weather systems; radiation; and the monsoon circulation. Details and highlights of the campaign can be found in Flamant et al. 2017. To provide aerosol/cloud microphysical and optical properties that are essential for model evaluations and for the linkage between ground-based, airborne, and spaceborne observations, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Climate Research Facility loaned two sun photometers to the DACCWIA team for the campaign from June 8 to July 29, 2016. The first sun photometer was deployed at Kumasi, Ghana (6.67962°N, 1.56019°W) by the University of Leeds (UK). The instrument was supposed to operate in normal aerosol mode in clear-sky conditions for aerosol monitoring, and operate in cloud mode for measuring cloud properties when clouds block the sun. Unfortunately, the robot of the sun photometer did not work properly from the beginning of the deployment, and remained problematic throughout the campaign. No useful data was recovered. The second sun photometer was deployed at Savé, Benin (8.000842°N, 2.413115°E), set up and maintained by the Karlsruher Institut fuer Technologie, Germany. Unlike most sun photometers that are designed to monitor aerosol properties and thus operated in normal aerosol mode, this sun photometer at Savé was operated in a special cloud mode, pointing vertically and measuring zenith radiance continuously at wavelengths of 440, 500, 675, 870, 1020, and 1640 nm with 10-sec temporal resolution. Zenith radiances at 440, 870, and 1640 nm alone can be used to retrieve cloud optical depth and column-mean effective radius (Chiu et al. 2010, 2012). The following section takes 6 and 7 July as an example to highlight a typical diurnal cycle of clouds observed during the campaign. Cloud properties retrieved from zenith radiance are compared against those retrieved from microwave radiometer (MWR) measurements, and against in situ measurements collected from the Twin Otter aircraft.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

A new generation of uranium coincidence fast neutron collars for assay of LWR fresh fuel assemblies

The active uranium neutron coincidence collar provides a means of non-destructively assaying the fissile linear density of Light Water Reactor fresh fuel assemblies containing low enriched uranium. These neutron collars can operate in two modes: a thermal and a fast mode. In fast mode, a neutron collar has an added cadmium (Cd) liner in the sample cavity of the detector to reduce the impact of the burnable poison (thermal neutron absorber) on the detector signal (doubles). The main advantage for operating in fast mode is a detected signal that is less dependent of the burnable neutron poison content and thus less dependent on facility operator declarations. The drawback is that operating in fast mode requires a longer measurement time (~hour vs tens of minutes for thermal mode) to achieve the statistically needed precision in the measurements. The trend in the modern reactor fuel assemblies is moving to higher burnup by using higher initial enrichment and, consequently, a higher number of burnable poison rods to compensate the initial neutron reactivity. The increase of the burnable poison loading has motivated the development of a new generation of high efficiency fast neutron collars to allow practical measurements in-field by nuclear inspectors. This paper describes the development and performance evaluation of a new generation of neutron collars, for both boiling water reactor (BWR) and pressurized water reactor (PWR) fuels, jointly developed between the US Department of Energy, through Los Alamos National Laboratory, and the Euratom Safeguards Directorate of the European Commission. In this work, we present here calibrations with reference fuel assemblies at Los Alamos National Laboratory as well as the results of in-field measurement campaigns in fuel fabrication plants with modern commercial fuel assemblies. The experimental results show that a typical PWR verification can be made in a total time of 30 min with an uncertainty in the measured mass of 2% at one standard deviation (1σ). A BWR verification can be made in 47 min with an uncertainty in the measured mass of 1.9% at 1σ, or a total time of 20 min with 1σ uncertainty in the measured mass of 2.5%.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2018

Operation and performance of microhexcavity pixel detector in gas discharge and avalanche mode

The Microhexcavity Panel (μHex) is a novel gaseous micropattern particle detector comprised of a dense array of close-packed hexagonal pixels, each operating as an independent detection unit for ionizing radiation. It is a second generation detector derived from plasma panel detectors and microcavity detectors. The μHex is under development to be deployed as a scalable, fast timing (ns) and hermetically sealed gaseous tracking detector with high rate (> 100KHz / cm 2 ) capability. The devices reported here were fabricated as 16 × 16 pixel arrays of 2 mm edge-to-edge, 1 mm deep hexagonal cells embedded in a thin, 1.4 mm glass–ceramic wafer. Cell walls are metalized cathodes, connected to high voltage bus lines through conductive vias. Anodes are small, 457 μm diameter metal discs screen printed on the upper substrate. The detectors are filled with an operating gas to near 1 atm and then closed with a shut-off valve. They have been operated in both avalanche mode and gas discharge devices, producing mV to volt level signals with about 1 to 3 ns rise times. Operation in discharge mode is enabled by high impedance quench resistors on the high voltage bus at each pixel site. Results indicate that each individual pixel behaves as an isolated detection unit with high single pixel intrinsic efficiency to both βs from radioactive sources and to cosmic ray muons. Finally, continuous avalanche mode operation over several days at hit rates over 300 KHz / cm 2 with no gas flow have been observed. Measurements of pixel isolation, timing response, efficiency, hit rate and rate stability are reported.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2024

Application of a Comprehensive Lagrangian–Eulerian Spark-Ignition Model to Different Operating Conditions

Increasing engine efficiency is essential to reducing emissions, which is a priority for automakers. Unconventional modes such as boosted and highly dilute operation have the potential to increase engine efficiency but suffer from stability concerns and cyclic variability. To aid engineers in designing ignition systems that reduce cyclic variability in such engine operation modes, reliable and accurate spark-ignition models are necessary. Here, in this article, a Lagrangian–Eulerian spark-ignition (LESI) model is used to simulate electrical discharge, spark channel elongation, and ignition in inert or reacting crossflow within a combustion vessel, at different pressures, flow speeds, and dilution rates. First the model formulation is briefly revisited. Then, the experimental and simulations setups are presented. The results showcase the model’s ability to predict the secondary circuit voltage, current, and power signals, in addition to the spark channel elongation, for the inert cases, or flame front growth, for the reacting cases. The results also compare simulation spark channel and flame growth plots to experimental Schlieren images at different instants in time. This work serves to highlight LESI’s ability to predict the characteristics of discharge and ignition across a variety of operating conditions.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Investigating realistic anode off-gas combustion in SOFC/ICE hybrid systems: mini review and experimental evaluation

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have been deployed in hybrid decentralized energy systems, in which they are directly coupled to internal combustion engines (ICEs). Prior research indicated that the anode tailgas exiting the SOFC stack should be additionally exploited due to its high energy value, with typical ICE operation favoring hybridization due to matching thermodynamic conditions during operation. Consequently, extensive research has been performed, in which engines are positioned downstream the SOFC subsystem, operating in several modes of combustion, with the most prevalent being homogeneous compression ignition (HCCI) and spark ignition (SI). Experiments were performed in a 3-cylinder ICE operating in the latter modus operandi, where the anode tailgas was assimilated by mixing syngas (H 2 : 33.9%, CO: 15.6%, CO 2 : 50.5%) with three different water vapor flowrates in the engine’s intake. While increased vapor content significantly undermined engine performance, brake thermal efficiency (BTE) surpassed 34% in the best case scenario, which outperformed the majority of engines operating under similar operating conditions, as determined from the conducted literature review. Nevertheless, the best performing application was identified operating under HCCI, in which diesel reformates assimilating SOFC anode tailgas, fueled a heavy duty ICE (17:1), and gross indicated thermal efficiency ([Formula: see text]) of 48.8% was achieved, with the same engine exhibiting identical performance when operating in reactivity-controlled compression ignition (RCCI). Overall, emissions in terms of NO x and CO were minimal, especially in SI engines, while unburned hydrocarbons (UHC) were non-existent due to the absence of hydrocarbons in the assessed reformates.

Engineering↗
DOE OSTI2021

Numerical Analysis of Fuel Effects on Advanced Compression Ignition Using a Cooperative Fuel Research Engine Computational Fluid Dynamics Model

Growing environmental concerns and demand for a better fuel economy are driving forces that motivate the research for more advanced engines. Multi-mode combustion strategies have gained attention for their potential to provide high thermal efficiency and low emissions for light-duty applications. These strategies target optimizing the engine performance by correlating different combustion modes to load operating conditions. The extension from boosted spark ignition (SI) mode at high loads to advanced compression ignition (ACI) mode at low loads can be achieved by increasing the compression ratio and utilizing intake air heating. Further, in order to enable an accurate control of intake charge condition for ACI mode and rapid mode-switches, it is essential to gain fundamental insights into the autoignition process. Within the scope of ACI, homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) mode is of significant interest. It is known for its potential benefits, operation at low fuel consumption, low NOx, and particulate matter (PM) emissions. In the present work, a virtual Cooperative Fuel Research (CFR) engine model is used to analyze fuel effects on ACI combustion. In particular, the effect of fuel octane sensitivity (S) (at constant Research Octane Number (RON)) on autoignition propensity is assessed under beyond-RON (BRON) and beyond-MON (BMON) ACI conditions. The three-dimensional CFR engine computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model employs a finite-rate chemistry approach with a multi-zone binning strategy to capture autoignition. Two binary blends with Research Octane Number (RON) of 90 are chosen for this study: primary reference fuel (PRF) with S = 0 and toluene–heptane (TH) blend with S = 10.8, representing paraffinic and aromatic gasoline surrogates. Reduced mechanisms for these blends are generated from a detailed gasoline surrogate kinetic mechanism. Simulation results with the reduced mechanisms are validated against experimental data from an in-house CFR engine, with respect to in-cylinder pressure, heat release rate, and combustion phasing. Thereafter, the sensitivity of combustion behavior to ACI operating condition (BRON versus BMON), air-fuel ratio (λ = 2 and 3), and engine speed (600 and 900 rpm) is analyzed for both fuels. It is shown that the sensitivity of a fuel’s autoignition characteristics to λ and engine speed significantly differs at BRON and BMON conditions. Moreover, this sensitivity is found to vary among fuels, despite the same RON. It is also observed that the presence of low-temperature heat release (LTHR) under BRON condition leads to more sequential autoignition and longer combustion duration than BMON condition. Finally, the study indicates that the octane index (OI) fails to capture the trend in the variation of autoignition propensity with S under the BMON condition.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Utilization of the CW magnetrons as coherent RF sources for superconducting RF accelerators

CW magnetrons designed and optimized for industrial heaters, driven by an injection-locking signal, were suggested to power Superconducting RF (SRF) cavities. However, the CW magnetrons, which are regenerative generators, are intended to operate in self-excitation mode, so, for reliable starting they use a large regenerative gain, causing a large regenerative instability in operation. Thus, power supply ripple, even shot noise, etc., lead to multiple sidebands forming a quasi-continuous noise spectrum at the carrier frequency. Therefore, in the traditionally used mode of operation and control, such magnetrons are inapplicable for powering high Q-factor SRF cavities. A new approach to operation and control of CW magnetrons considering non-stationary processes during start-up and operation makes it possible to find a mode of almost coherent RF generation of tubes with a significant reduction in regenerative instability and noise and increased efficiency. In our work is presented substantiation for the newly developed mode with an analysis of the new approach based on experimental results. •In this article, for the first time, non-stationary, regenerative processes are considered during the start-up and operation of CW magnetrons for powering high-Q superconducting RF cavities.•An analytical study, confirmed by experiments, showed that the traditionally used modes of starting and operating CW magnetrons are not suitable for powering high-Q superconducting RF cavities.•In fact, to make CW magnetrons suitable for such cavities, the physics of starting and operating CW magnetrons must be changed. This has been demonstrated in our work.•In developing the Stimulated Coherent Generation Mode [NIM A 980 (2020) 164366], we have shown the suitability of this mode for starting and operating CW magnetrons for high-Q superconducting RF cavities.•Analytical analysis, verified experimentally, substantiates in our article the suitability of the “Mode of stimulated coherent generation” of CW magnetrons for powering high-Q superconducting cavities in pulsed and continuous modes.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Modeling and control of nuclear–renewable integrated energy systems: Dynamic system model for green electricity and hydrogen production

The need for decarbonization and diversification of energy resources has led to the development of integrated energy systems (IESs), where multiple resources supply more than one energy sector. Here, one such IES with small modular nuclear reactors and renewables (wind and solar) as generating resources, catering to the demand of the electric grid while producing hydrogen for industries, is modeled in this paper. The physics-based component models are represented using the Modelica language and interconnected to form the IES. The control and coordination of the overall system are ensured by designing a suitable control architecture composed of individual subsystem-level controls and supervisory control. The dynamic performance and the load-following capability of the IES are evaluated, while satisfying the safe operational limits of the components. Different configurations and modes of IES operation are considered, where the adaptability of the control system in the presence of varying demands and renewable generations is validated. The simulation results indicate that hydrogen as a flexible load facilitates the supply of varying grid demand. Additionally, the renewables are also accommodated into the IES owing to the flexibility of the balance of plant associated with the nuclear reactors.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2024

Potential Adoption and Benefits of Co-Optimized Multimode Engines and Fuels for U.S. Light-Duty Vehicles

Exploring a diverse portfolio of technologies for decarbonization is crucial to understanding the potential impacts of different technological solutions and their associated environmental implications. Using high-octane, high-sensitivity biofuel blends in co-optimized multimode engines can increase engine efficiency and reduce vehicle emissions. Here, the multimode engine research focuses on the benefits of light-duty vehicle engines, which can operate in multiple modes depending on the vehicle's load. Low-temperature combustion can improve efficiency and reduce emissions (such as those from oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter) during low-load operation, while spark ignition performance is maintained in high-load operation. These advanced engines can be optimized to run on blends of biobased fuels. This analysis models scenarios for potential market adoption of co-optimized multimode vehicles fueled by three different bioblendstocks: ethanol, isopropanol, and isobutanol. An integrated modeling approach is used to forecast the energy and environmental impacts of the deployment of co-optimized multimode vehicles and fuels in the light-duty sector over the 2020-to-2050 time horizon. The multidisciplinary approach combines vehicle sales modeling, system dynamics modeling of the biorefining industry, and life cycle assessment to estimate the emissions and energy benefits. The models consider market forces such as consumer preferences for vehicle attributes, biofuel supply and demand dynamics subject to biorefinery capacity build-out and bioresource constraints, and forecasted changes to the U.S. bulk energy system over time. Market adoption of co-optimized vehicles is evaluated across a wide parameter space for incremental vehicle cost and engine efficiency improvement. This analysis reveals that the deployment of co-optimized multimode fuels and vehicles results in up to a 5% reduction in annual sector-wide life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, relative to a business-as-usual scenario, but is also indicates environmental trade-offs, such as higher life cycle water-use. Emission benefits could potentially increase beyond 2050, as the new technologies penetrate the market and gain a foothold. Results also show that, under certain circumstances, vehicles with engines co-optimized for use with high-octane, high-sensitivity biofuel blends can be cost-competitive with conventional gasoline, while reducing GHG emissions. Our modeling results indicate that co-optimized multimode fuels and engines can be strategically leveraged in tandem with electrification to decarbonize the light-duty sector. Co-optimized vehicles could play a role in the early years of the time horizon, while electric vehicles (EVs) could become more competitive in the later years, highlighting the complementary benefits of these technologies for GHG reductions.

Oke, Doris↗
DOE OSTI2019

Tunable electron beam pulser for picoseconds stroboscopic microscopy in transmission electron microscopes

For two decades, time-resolved transmission electron microscopes (TEM) have relied on pulsed-laser photoemission to generate electron bunches to explore sub-microsecond to sub-picosecond dynamics. Despite the vast successes of photoemission time-resolved TEMs, laser-based systems are inherently complex, thus tend not to be turn-key. In this paper, we report on the successful retrofit of a commercial 200 keV TEM, without an external laser, capable of producing continuously tunable pulsed electron beams with repetition rates from 0.1 GHz up to 12 GHz and a tunable bunch length from tens of nanoseconds down to 10 ps. This innovation enables temporal access into previously inaccessible regimes: i.e., high repetition rate stroboscopic experiments. Combination of a pair of RF-driven traveling wave stripline elements, quadrupole magnets, and a variable beam aperture enables operation of the instrument in (1) continuous waveform (CW) mode as though the instrument was never modified (i.e. convention TEM operation mode, where the electrons from the emission cathode randomly arrive at the sample without resolvable time information), (2) stroboscopic (pump-probe) mode, and (3) pulsed beam mode for dose rate sensitive materials. In order to analyze the effect of a pulsed beam on image quality, we examined Au nanoparticles using bright field, high-resolution TEM imaging and selected area diffraction in both continuous and pulsed-beam mode. Furthermore, in comparison of conventional TEMs, the add-on beam pulser enables the observation of ultrafast dynamic behavior in materials that are reversible under synchronized excitation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Four-Switch Buck-Boost Converter Based on Model Predictive Control with Smooth Mode Transition Capability

Four-switch buck-boost converter supports both voltage step-up and step-down functionalities, but it suffers from mode transfer challenge that would need reliable mode detection when designed to operate in multi different modes. In this paper, a novel control method based on model predictive current control is proposed for such converter with inherent smooth mode transfer capability without extra design on mode detection and transfer scheme. Modulator and mode detection are replaced by an optimization process through cost function. This largely simplifies the design and makes it easily implemented. Therefore, seamless transfer between buck and boost modes is achieved with many other system level benefits. Simulation and experimental results are provided to verify the effectiveness of proposed method for the four-switch buck-boost converter.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2024

Investigation of the Impact of Flow on MHD Perturbations with the NIMROD Code (Final Report)

This work will enable improved understanding of tokamak edge flows and impurity-species dynamics and their impact on MHD stability as it relates to ELMs, RMPs and QH-mode by leveraging computational developments of the NIMROD code. Experimentally, it is established that the tokamak flows and impurities species can have a substantial effect on MHD stability. This is particularly true for the edge plasma where, for example, large flow shear is correlated with the occurrence of the Quiescent H-mode (QH- mode) state as opposed to operation with edge localized modes (ELMs). Understanding plasma flows is challenging because of the many physical effects that come into play: particle orbits loss, neutrals dynamics, and interaction between multiple ion species with decoupled motion. We will develop a model that incorporates multiple ion species into the MHD framework that includes self-consistent magnetic-field evolution. With this model we will understand how the presence of impurities impacts the tokamak edge-pedestal flows. Finally, we will quantify the impact of the new multiple species modeling on 3D QH-mode simulations. This work will have broader impacts on all MHD studies when multiple species are present (as is the case in modern tokamaks), as well as contributing to the edge and transport communities who also are interested in the studies of multiple-ion-species flows in the edge pedestal region.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Investigating the Unique Ability of Trichodesmium To Fix Carbon and Nitrogen Simultaneously Using MiMoSA

The open ocean is an extremely competitive environment, partially due to the dearth of nutrients. Trichodesmium erythraeum, a marine diazotrophic cyanobacterium, is a keystone species in the ocean due to its ability to fix nitrogen and leak 30 to 50% into the surrounding environment, providing a valuable source of a necessary macronutrient to other species. While there are other diazotrophic cyanobacteria that play an important role in the marine nitrogen cycle, Trichodesmium is unique in its ability to fix both carbon and nitrogen simultaneously during the day without the use of specialized cells called heterocysts to protect nitrogenase from oxygen. Here, we use the advanced modeling framework called multiscale multiobjective systems analysis (MiMoSA) to investigate how Trichodesmium erythraeum can reduce dimolecular nitrogen to ammonium in the presence of oxygen. Our simulations indicate that nitrogenase inhibition is best modeled as Michealis-Menten competitive inhibition and that cells along the filament maintain microaerobia using high flux through Mehler reactions in order to protect nitrogenase from oxygen. We also examined the effect of location on metabolic flux and found that cells at the end of filaments operate in distinctly different metabolic modes than internal cells despite both operating in a photoautotrophic mode. These results give us important insight into how this species is able to operate photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation simultaneously, giving it a distinct advantage over other diazotrophic cyanobacteria because they can harvest light directly to fuel the energy demand of nitrogen fixation.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗