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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 829 records · Page 46

Charging Electric Vehicles in Smart Cities: An EVI-Pro Analysis of Columbus, Ohio

With the support of the U.S. Department of Energy's Vehicle Technologies Office, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) worked with the City of Columbus, Ohio, to develop a plan for the expansion of the region's network of charging stations to support increased adoption of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) in the local market. NREL's Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Projection (EVI-Pro) model was used to generate scenarios of regional charging infrastructure to support consumer PEV adoption. Results indicate that approximately 400 Level 2 plugs at multi-unit dwellings and 350 Level 2 plugs at non-residential locations are required to support Columbus' primary PEV goal of 5,300 PEVs on the road by the end of 2019. This analysis finds that while consumer demand for fast charging is expected to remain low (due to modest anticipated adoption of short-range battery electric vehicles), a minimum level of fast charging coverage across the city is required to ease consumer range anxiety concerns by providing a safety net for unexpected charging events. Sensitivity analyses around some key assumptions have also been performed; of these, consumer preference for PHEV versus BEV and for their electric driving range, ambient conditions, and availability of residential charging at multi-unit dwellings were identified as key determinants of the non-residential PEV charging infrastructure required to support PEV adoption. The results discussed in this report can be leveraged by similar U.S. cities as part of a strategy to accelerate PEV adoption in the light-duty vehicle market.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Environmental Chamber Testing and Headspace Evaluation of a Commercial-Off-The-Shelf Foam Fixative to Support Deactivation and Decommissioning Activities

The Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM) is tasked with identifying high priority technical needs and the Technology Development (TD) tasks required to meet those needs in support of ongoing deactivation and decommissioning (D&D) of Department of Energy infrastructure across the United States. This work consists of placing a radioactively contaminated facility in stable condition to minimize any risks that could affect workers, the public, and the environment. Successful deactivation and decommissioning will leave the buildings in an agreed upon end state to provide future protection against a wide range of hazards that include radiation, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, and other environmental and public health risks.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Phase II Final Technical Report: Dynamic Gamma-ray Imaging for In Vivo Tracking of Microelement Transport Across Plant-Microbial Systems

The Department of Energy Office of Biological and Environmental Research (DOE BER) Mesoscale to Molecules Bioimaging Technology Program aims to develop new imaging and measurement technology to enable in situ and dynamic imaging across a range of spatial and temporal scales. Various imaging modalities are required to span the complete spatiotemporal landscape for bioenergy and environmental bioimaging needs. The high-resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy, imaging, and sensitivity of new high-purity germanium (HPGe) instruments provide a unique opportunity to complement and enhance these research goals. The HPGe-based Gamma-ray Imager for Plant Research (GIPR) developed here provides non-invasive, in vivo measurements to dynamically track the uptake and distribution of multiple gamma-emitting radioactive elements simultaneously as they move from the soil microbiome into living plants. The hand portable GIPR utilizes commercially available radioisotopes to provide spatial and temporal imaging of plant microelement exchange for the broader scientific community.

Kiser, Matthew↗

Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium Annual Review of Research – FY 2021

Led by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office, the Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium (FCIC) is a multi-lab collaboration that develops first-principles-based knowledge and tools to understand, quantify, and mitigate the effects of feedstock and process variability across the bioenergy value chain, from the field and forest through downstream conversion. The FCIC recently published its Annual Review of Research Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 report, which presents an overview of the research accomplishments of FCIC members in FY 2021, covering both the low- and high-temperature conversion pathways and all three process areas: Feedstock harvest and storage Preprocessing Conversion. The key research achievements of each task are presented, along with planned FY 2022 work that will build on the FY 2021 accomplishments.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Regional Energy Hardware Innovation Accelerator

E4 Carolinas, Inc., along with the Joules Accelerator and Savannah River National Laboratory received a grant from the DOE Office of Technology Commercialization as part of its Energy Program for Innovation Clusters (EPIC) program to develop a Regional Energy Hardware Innovation Accelerator. The project objective was to create a regional energy hardware cluster innovation and accelerator ecosystem (Accelerator) to enhance commercialization opportunities for U.S. energy startups (Ventures) and Corporate Ventures (a new venture originating within an established company).

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Analysis of the nonvented fill of a 4.96-cubic-meter lightweight liquid hydrogen tank

As part of its development of cryogenic fluid management techniques for spacecraft, the NASA Lewis Research Center Cryogenic Fluid Technology Office (CFTO) is planning to perform ground tests of nonvented fill techniques on a 4.96-cubic-meter lightweight liquid hydrogen tank. This tank is similar in size and shape to the tankage planned for CFTO's COLD-SAT liquid hydrogen flight experiment. The analyses used to select two injection systems are presented for nonvented fills of this tank at design flow rates between 220 and 450 kg/hr. The first system uses multiple nozzles spraying from the top of the tank through the ullage space. This system should be capable of liquid fill levels in excess of 95 percent. The second system injects the liquid through a submerged nozzle and should produce fill levels on the order of 80 percent liquid.

Chato, David J.↗

High-Power Hall Propulsion Development at NASA Glenn Research Center

The NASA Office of the Chief Technologist Game Changing Division is sponsoring the development and testing of enabling technologies to achieve efficient and reliable human space exploration. High-power solar electric propulsion has been proposed by NASA's Human Exploration Framework Team as an option to achieve these ambitious missions to near Earth objects. NASA Glenn Research Center (NASA Glenn) is leading the development of mission concepts for a solar electric propulsion Technical Demonstration Mission. The mission concepts are highlighted in this paper but are detailed in a companion paper. There are also multiple projects that are developing technologies to support a demonstration mission and are also extensible to NASA's goals of human space exploration. Specifically, the In-Space Propulsion technology development project at NASA Glenn has a number of tasks related to high-power Hall thrusters including performance evaluation of existing Hall thrusters; performing detailed internal discharge chamber, near-field, and far-field plasma measurements; performing detailed physics-based modeling with the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Hall2De code; performing thermal and structural modeling; and developing high-power efficient discharge modules for power processing. This paper summarizes the various technology development tasks and progress made to date

Kamhawi, Hani↗

High-Power Hall Propulsion Development at NASA Glenn Research Center

The NASA Office of the Chief Technologist Game Changing Division is sponsoring the development and testing of enabling technologies to achieve efficient and reliable human space exploration. High-power solar electric propulsion has been proposed by NASA's Human Exploration Framework Team as an option to achieve these ambitious missions to near Earth objects. NASA Glenn Research Center is leading the development of mission concepts for a solar electric propulsion Technical Demonstration Mission. The mission concepts are highlighted in this paper but are detailed in a companion paper. There are also multiple projects that are developing technologies to support a demonstration mission and are also extensible to NASA's goals of human space exploration. Specifically, the In-Space Propulsion technology development project at the NASA Glenn has a number of tasks related to high-power Hall thrusters including performance evaluation of existing Hall thrusters; performing detailed internal discharge chamber, near-field, and far-field plasma measurements; performing detailed physics-based modeling with the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Hall2De code; performing thermal and structural modeling; and developing high-power efficient discharge modules for power processing. This paper summarizes the various technology development tasks and progress made to date.

Kamhawi, Hani↗

Mineralogical, Elemental, and Tomographic Reconnaissance Investigation for CLPS (METRIC): A Payload Designed for Exploration of Terrestrial Planetary Bodies

Geological materials (indeed, all solid objects) are characterized by their crystal structure, elemental composition, and morphology. The Mineralogical, Elemental, and Tomographic Reconnaissance Investigation for CLPS (METRIC) instrument suite quantifies all three. These measurements address fundamental science questions (e.g., the origin and evolution of planetary bodies) and support the human exploration of space (e.g., the characterization of regolith for ISRU and the constraint of its geotechnical properties). METRIC comprises an X-ray Diffraction/X-ray Fluorescence instrument (XRD: mineral structure and XRF: elemental composition), an X-ray micro-Computed Tomography instrument (XCT: 3D internal micromorphology), and a hyperspectral imaging infrared spectrometer (IRS) to provide local/regional mineralogic context for these measurements. METRIC XRD/F draws heritage from the highly successful Mars Science Laboratory CheMin instrument. The METRIC XRD/F employs two separate sample cells, one optimized for XRD and one for XRF, resulting in more rapid XRD analysis (tens of minutes vs. tens of hours for CheMin) and an orders-of-magnitude improvement in XRF detection. XCT has not been deployed in space, so the METRIC XCT represents a new capability for solar system exploration. The XCT uses the same basic high-TRL components as METRIC XRD/F, decreasing its development cost for flight. The METRIC IRS is a derivative of the NASA Earth Science Technology Office funded Hyperspectral Thermal Imager instrument and utilizes the NASA Technology Transfer Program to incorporate a commercial-of-the-shelf infrared camera ruggedized for space by NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. The IRS spectral range (8–14 µm) and resolution (10.8 cm -1 ) are tailored to quantify mineralogy in rocks using their characteristic Reststrahlen bands and to characterize mineralogy of soils using the position of the Christensen Feature. The METRIC payload is currently designed for deployment to the Moon on a Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) mission, where the XRD/F and XCT would be located on a lander and the IRS would be on deployed on a companion rover to evaluate the mineralogical diversity of the landing site. A pneumatic drill designed by Honeybee Robotics would excavate regolith up to 50 cm below the lander and deliver multiple aliquots of regolith to the XRD/F and XCT. The METRIC payload could also be deployed on a rover. In this case, a sample handling system on a robotic arm could scoop regolith and/or drill rocks and deliver powder to the XRD/F and XCT located in the rover’s interior. Alternatively, METRIC instruments could be used singly or in combination on human space missions. The XRD/F and XCT could be used to characterize samples in a rover or in a science laboratory within a habitat. These data could help astronauts identify resource-enriched rocks and regolith and triage geologic samples to return samples of high interest for analysis in terrestrial laboratories. The IRS could be attached to a human-navigated rover to collect mineralogical data along a traverse and identify high-priority science samples.

E. B. Rampe↗

Treatment of Lignin Precursors to Improve their Suitability for Carbon Fibers: A Literature Review

Lignin has been investigated as a carbon fiber precursor since the 1960s. Although there have been a number of reports of successful lignin-based carbon fiber production at the lab scale, lignin-based carbon fibers are not currently commercially available. This review will highlight some of the known challenges, and also the reported methods for purifying and modifying lignin to improve it as a precursor. Lignin can come from different sources (e.g. hardwood, softwood, grasses) and extraction methods (e.g. organosolv, kraft), meaning that lignin can be found with a diversity of purity and structure. The implication of these conditions on lignin as carbon fiber precursor is not comprehensively known, especially as the lignin landscape is evolving. The work presented in this review will help guide the direction of a project between GrafTech and ORNL to develop lignin carbon fiber technology, as part of a cooperative agreement with the DOE Advanced Manufacturing Office.

Paul, Ryan↗

Filter Sensing Technologies

Leaders from Filter Sensing Technologies, CTS Corporation, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory discuss how a small business developed an award-winning diesel emissions control sensor with support from the DOE Vehicle Technologies Office and researchers at ORNL’s National Transportation Research Center.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Integrated Energy Systems Program Management Plan

In 2012, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) initiated the Nuclear Energy Enabling Technology Program, which includes the Crosscutting Technology Development (CTD) portfolio of subprograms, to conduct research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) to support existing, new and advanced reactor designs and fuel cycle technologies. This program plan describes the Integrated Energy Systems (IES) Program, an element of the CTD portfolio since 2016 that seeks to improve the economic competitiveness, efficiency and environmental performance of nuclear energy systems by expanding their potential application space beyond electricity and optimizing their utilization in the context of the larger U.S. electric and non-electric energy system.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Vehicle and Mobility Technologies 2021 Annual Impact Report

Research and development at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory supports the U.S. Department of Energy's Vehicle Technologies Office in advancing efficient and sustainable transportation technologies that will improve energy efficiency, fuel economy, and mobility energy productivity, and will enable America to achieve a resilient, secure, clean, and affordable transportation future.

ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Mechanical Testing of Hydrided Fuel Cladding

The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy, Office of Fuel Cycle Technology established the Used Fuel Disposition Campaign (UFDC) to conduct research and development activities related to storage, transportation, and disposal of used nuclear fuel (UNF) and high-level radioactive waste. Within the UFDC, the storage and transportation task has been created to address issues of extended storage and transportation. One gap in knowledge identified as high priority by UFDC includes hydrogen effects in zirconium alloy cladding and reorientation of cladding hydrides. During reactor operations, hydrogen is generated from the oxidation of the surface of zirconium alloy materials in the coolant of light water reactors can be absorbed into the cladding and form zirconium hydrides. At high temperatures and hoop stresses, these normally circumferential oriented hydrides in high burnup UNF (HB-UNF) may reorient in the radial direction and affect the mechanical properties of the cladding. Understanding these changes in mechanical properties will aid in analyzing how UNF will perform during storage and transportation. Separate effects testing to measure the mechanical properties of un-hydrided, pre-hydrided, and irradiated HB-UNF is currently underway at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). In order to measure these mechanical properties, staff at PNNL are employing tensile, compression, and burst testing. Systems have been developed to pre-hydride cladding and reorient cladding hydrides. The development of these systems and the testing methods are described herein.

Cladding, Zirconium, Hydrides, Mechanical Testing↗

Vehicle and Mobility Technologies 2022 Annual Impact Report

Research and development at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory supports the U.S. Department of Energy's Vehicle Technologies Office in advancing efficient and sustainable transportation technologies that will improve energy efficiency, fuel economy, and mobility energy productivity, and will enable America to achieve a resilient, secure, clean, and affordable transportation future.

ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Vehicle Technologies Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Report

Research and development at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory supports the U.S. Department of Energy's Vehicle Technologies Office in advancing efficient and sustainable transportation technologies that will improve energy efficiency, fuel economy, and mobility energy productivity, and will enable America to achieve a resilient, secure, clean, and affordable transportation future.

ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Pursuing Cost Effective Tank Waste Characterization at the Savannah River Site - 16172

The U. S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management has tasked the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) with developing strategies and technologies to understand, optimize, scale, and speed up tank waste characterization. This scope is part of a multi-year project with the end goal of implementing programmatic changes that accelerate tank waste processing and tank closure schedules, and at the same time reduce characterization costs, while maintaining data integrity. The project is currently in its second year. During the first year of the project, SRNL completed a series of activities focused on understanding the range of current characterization practices, needs, gaps, risks, and potential alternative approaches. Based on the results, conclusions were drawn regarding aspects of the programs that are most costly and time consuming; particular waste constituents that drive costs, schedule, and program risks; alternative characterization approaches (other than sampling and analysis) that are less expensive and more rapid; new laboratory methods holding the greatest promise for reducing characterization costs and schedule; and in whole, the primary areas where current characterization practices can be improved. SRNL's current scope is focusing on three primary activities: 1) development of a technical basis/strategy for improving the cost effectiveness and schedule of SRNL's tank closure characterization program; 2) design/assembly of hardware, plumbing, and software for automating select radiochemical separation and waste removal processes; and 3) development and testing of alternative radiochemical separation protocols most likely to improve high resource demand/time consuming analysis methods (such as Ra-226, Pa-231, Tc-99/I-129, and/or Y/trivalent actinide separations). (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗