Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “module architecture”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Multi-module-based CVAE to predict HVCM faults in the SNS accelerator

We present a multi-module framework based on Conditional Variational Autoencoder (CVAE) to detect anomalies in the power signals coming from multiple High Voltage Converter Modulators (HVCMs). We condition the model with the specific modulator type to capture different representations of the $\mathcal{normal}$ waveforms and to improve the sensitivity of the model to identify a specific type of fault when we have limited samples for a given module type. We studied several Artificial Neural Network (ANN) architectures for our CVAE model and evaluated the model performance by looking at their loss landscape for stability and generalization. Our results for the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) experimental data show that the trained model generalizes well to detecting multiple fault types for several HVCM module types. The results of this study can be used to improve the HVCM reliability and overall SNS uptime.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Optimizing feed modulation for coupled methane and NO x conversion over Pd-Pt/Mn 0.5 Fe 2.5 O 4 /Al 2 O 3 monolith catalyst

Here the impacts of feed modulation (frequency, amplitude) and catalyst design (composition and architecture) parameters are reported for the conversion of methane and NO x over a dual-layer Pt+Pd/Al 2 O 3 + Mn 0.5 Fe 2.5 O 4 /Al 2 O 3 monolith. CH 4 and NO x conversion data show that the dual-layer catalyst outperforms single-layer samples having the same catalyst loadings, with and without spinel. Close proximity of the PGM and MFO functions in the mixed-layer catalyst lowers the CH 4 conversion at high temperature while separating the PGM and spinel layers with an intermediate Al 2 O 3 layer does not. Methane conversion enhancement is linked to its nonmonotonic dependence on O 2 . The performance gains are tied to a transient activity spike that occurs during the lean-to-rich feed transition when water is present in the feed. The transient spike is attributed to the removal of CO and H 2 products via reactions with stored O 2 in the spinel, eliminating inhibition of methane steam reforming.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2026

LuSEE-night power distribution system design

The Lunar Surface Electromagnetic Experiment at Night (LuSEE-Night) is a low-frequency, 0.5 to 50 MHz, radio experiment on the radio-quiet far side of the Moon. The instrument will be launched by NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services in 2026. The LuSEE-Night instrument core is composed of a radio frequency spectrometer (SPT) processing signals from four antennas, the Data Controller Board (DCB), low electromagnetic interference (EMI) Picket Fence Power Supply (PFPS), and Power Distribution Unit (PDU). The battery powers the instrument during the lunar night and stores energy harvested by the solar panel array during the lunar day. The battery charging is controlled by the Power Conditioning and Distribution Unit (PCDU). The unregulated power is supplied either by the SpaceCraft (S/C) or the battery and gets distributed to the PFPS, communication radio, heaters, and deployables through the PDU. The PFPS generates all regulated low-voltage rails using switching regulation synchronized to the LuSEE-Night clock, which ensures self-generated EMI will be confined to well-defined frequency bins. Here, we discussed the unregulated power distribution system architecture and functionality. The PDU engineering and flight modules are developed and characterized to confirm compliance with LuSEE-Night requirements. At the time of writing, all power subsystem components have been integrated into the payload.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2021

A software package for plasma facing component analysis and design: the Heat flux Engineering Analysis Toolkit (HEAT)

The engineering limits of plasma facing components (PFCs) constrain the allowable operational space of tokamaks. Poorly managed heat fluxes that push the PFCs beyond their limits not only degrade core plasma performance via elevated impurities, but can also result in PFC failure due to thermal stresses or melting. Simple axisymmetric assumptions fail to capture the complex interaction between 3D PFC geometry and 2D or 3D plasmas. This results in fusion systems that must either operate with increased risk or reduce PFC loads, potentially through lower core plasma performance, to maintain a nominal safety factor. High precision 3D heat flux predictions are necessary to accurately ascertain the state of a PFC given the evolution of the magnetic equilibrium. A new code, the Heat flux Engineering Analysis Toolkit (HEAT), has been developed to provide high precision 3D predictions and analysis for PFCs. HEAT couples many otherwise disparate computational tools together into a single open source python package. Magnetic equilibrium, engineering CAD, finite volume solvers, scrape off layer plasma physics, visualization, high performace computing, and more, are connected in a single web-based user interface. Linux users may use HEAT without any software prerequisites via an appImage. This manuscript introduces HEAT, discusses the software architecture, presents first HEAT results, and outlines physics modules in development.

divertor physics↗
DOE OSTI2025

Efficient, reliable and cost-effective reversible solid oxide cell technology for hydrogen and electricity production

This report summarizes the work performed by University of California San Diego (UCSD) – OxEon Energy LLC (OxEon) for the U. S. Department of Energy/National Energy Technology Laboratory (DOE/NETL) under Cooperative Agreement DE-FE0031940 entitled “Efficient, Reliable and Cost Effective Reversible Solid Oxide Cell Technology for Hydrogen and Electricity Production”. This reversible solid oxide cell (RSOC) technology has two main novel elements: (i) a compact and low-cost stack architecture that consists of multi-cell cell modules in electrical parallel and series connections and (ii) high performance and fuel-flexible reversible cells with electrodes or all components made by sputtering deposition process for efficient operation in both fuel cell (power generation) and electrolysis (hydrogen production) modes.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗
DOE OSTI2025

Advances in Carbon Electrode Integration for Stable and Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells and Modules

Carbon-electrode-based perovskite solar cells (C-PSCs) have emerged as a cost-effective and scalable alternative to noble-metal-based PSCs, addressing critical challenges related to device stability, fabrication complexity, and commercialization potential. This review explores the recent progress in C-PSC development, focusing on the benefits of carbon electrodes (CEs), including their hydrophobicity, chemical inertness to halide corrosion, and compatibility with low-temperature cost-effective solution-based deposition methods. Despite relatively lower power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) than their metal (e.g., Au/Ag) counterparts, recent advances in carbon paste formulation, interfacial contact engineering, and work function modification have elevated C-PSC efficiencies above 22%. This review further examines strategies to enhance electrode conductivity, interfacial properties, and charge selectivity to further increase C-PSC performance. Progress in carbon-electrode-based perovskite solar modules (C-PSMs), particularly within mesoporous and planar architectures, is also analyzed, revealing significant developments in active area scaling and long-term stability. Notably, the limited research in inverted (PIN) C-PSCs is also highlighted as a compelling opportunity for innovation, given the architecture's inherent advantages in flexibility, tandem integration, and low-temperature processing. Collectively, these insights affirm the potential of C-PSCs and C-PSMs to deliver affordable, stable, and high-performance photovoltaics suitable for scalable deployment.

Carbon Electrodes↗
DOE OSTI2020

Highly Integrated WBG Power Module for Next Generation Plug-In Vehicles

Current inverter technologies used in electric vehicles (EVs) are bulky, heavy, and expensive. The performance of the inverter is also limited by the traditional Si-based semiconductor and packaging technology. These constraints are responsible for extra weight and volume in the vehicle that reduces the driving range along with usable space within the vehicle. Moreover, operating temperature restrictions, and boundaries on the inverter location within the vehicle drastically reduces the inverter performance. Thus an improved inverter design is required for next generation electric vehicles. The objective of this project was to research, develop and demonstrate a highly integrated WBG power module targeting the next generation of plugin hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). This power module needed to be functionally and mechanically optimized for General Motors (GM) traction inverter architecture. General Motors was the prime contractor, led the project, and oversaw the design, build, and test of the integrated power module. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VT) performed modeling and simulation tasks as well as power module design support. Monolith Semiconductor, Inc provided SiC dies and consulted on devices for the inverter. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) performed power module technology evaluations, design evaluations of interconnect options, and performed material analysis and cross-sectioning of die activities.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Surface vs Homogeneous Organo-Hafnium Catalyst Ion-Pairing and Ligand Effects on Ethylene Homo- and Copolymerizations

Heterogeneous catalysts have long dominated polyethylene and polypropylene production, but understanding their catalysis is challenged by uncertainties in active site structures and percentages. Surface-bound organometallic catalysts are an emerging strategy to combine successful homogeneous catalysts having well-understood structures, relatively high percentages of active sites, and exceptional control of selectivity, with the attractions of surface catalysts, to transition promising homogeneous systems to large-scale heterogeneous ones. Nevertheless, surface-bound olefin polymerization catalysts typically produce ultrahigh M w ’s but with low activity and comonomer selectivity. Here, we report the systematic synthesis and characterization of a series of pyridylamido–Hf complexes and their corresponding surface catalysts chemisorbed on sulfated alumina (AlS) and zirconia (ZrS). Comparative ethylene homo- and 1-octene copolymerizations reveal similar activity and 1-octene selectivity trends in the homogeneous and heterogeneous systems. For the surface pyridylamido–Hf catalyst series, large variations in activity (up to 10×) and 1-octene incorporation (up to 28×) are achieved by ligand and support manipulation. Interestingly, while the homogeneous catalysts exhibit positive comonomer effects in ethylene/1-octene copolymerization, the surface catalysts behave oppositely. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) reveals significantly elongated Hf···O bond distances vs typical Hf–O covalent bonds (2.06 vs 1.97 Å). Furthermore, density functional theory (DFT) analysis of the heterolytic ion pair separation enthalpies, olefin insertion energetics, and NBO/Bader charges also suggest electrostatic Hf cation–anionic support binding and catalytic patterns, which are modulated by the ion-pairing energetics and ligand architecture.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

The promise of metal-halide-perovskite solar photovoltaics: A brief review

Solar photovoltaics (PVs) based on metal-halide perovskites (MHPs) have taken the renewable-energy world by storm. The excitement stems from the promise of a high-efficiency, low-cost, and low “carbon-footprint” new PV technology. Here, a brief overview of the important topics pertaining to MHPs, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and perovskite solar modules (PSMs) is presented. The topics include: (1) PSC architectures, (2) MHPs, (3) synthesis and processing of MHP thin films, (4) MHP thin-film microstructures, (5) PSC functional layers, (6) interfacial engineering in PSCs, (7) PSC performance, (8) PSC stability, (9) PSMs, (10) lead toxicity, and (11) mechanical behavior and reliability. The significant challenges in the path toward commercialization of this burgeoning PV technology are also highlighted. Chief among them are scalability, stability, reliability, and safety, while achieving high efficiency, low cost, and low “carbon-footprint.” Furthermore, the promise of this new PV technology and the fascinating underlying science make it a worthwhile endeavor to address these challenges.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Domain Aware Deep-learning Algorithms Integrated with Scientific-computing Technologies (DADAIST)

This technical report summarized the contribution of the DADAIST project funded by the Data Model Convergence Initiative via the Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) investments at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). Specifically, we report the development of the NeuroMANCER (Neural Modules with Adaptive Nonlinear Constraints and Efficient Regularizations), a new open-source Scientific Machine Learning library for formulating and solving parametric constrained optimization problems, physics-informed system identification, and parametric optimal control problems. NeuroMANCER is using differentiable programming to combine modern data-driven models and optimization modeling language into a coherent algorithmic and software framework. NeuroMANCER is a Pytorch-based framework and adopts much of its philosophy focused on research and development, rapid prototyping, and streamlined deployment. Strong emphasis is given to extensibility, interoperability with the PyTorch ecosystem, and quick adaptability to custom domain problems. Neuromancer repository contains a comprehensive library of differentiable modules, including custom activation functions, matrix factorizations, deep learning architectures, neural differential equations, differential equation solvers, implicit layers such as iterative solvers, high-level API for symbolic expressions, API for modeling and control of dynamical systems, and extensive set of tutorial code examples in the form of python scripts and jupyter notebooks.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Towards Automatic and Agile AI/ML Accelerator Design with End-to-End Synthesis

Domain-specific designs offer greater energy efficiency and performance gain than general-purpose processors. For this reason, modern system-on-chips have a significant portion of their silicon area with custom accelerators. However, designing hardware by hand is laborious and time-consuming, given the large design space and the performance, power, and area constraints that are not realized in the software. Moreover, domain-specific algorithms (e.g., machine learning models) are evolving quickly, challenging the accelerator design further. To address these issues, this paper presents SODA Synthesizer, an automated open-source high-level ML framework to Verilog modular compiler targeting AI/ML Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) accelerators. SODA tightly couples the Multi- Level Intermediate Representation (MLIR) compiler infrastructure [24] and open-source HLS approaches. Thus, SODA can support various ML frameworks and algorithms and can perform optimizations that combine specialized architecture templates and conventional HLS to generate the hardware modules. In addition, SODA’s closed-loop design space exploration (DSE) engine allows developers to perform end-to-end design space explorations on different metrics and technology nodes.

Zhang, Jeff↗
DOE OSTI2022

A High-Voltage High-Reliability Scalable Architecture for Electric Vehicle Power Electronics (Final Report)

This project developed and demonstrated new composite converter technologies that lead to high power density (> 20 kW/L) at power levels of 10s of kW, 100s of kW, or possibly higher, with fundamental advances in converter efficiency and Q that lead to substantial increases in mean time to failure (MTTF). These advantages were realized through development of new composite converter topologies that perform buck, boost, or other conversion functions and that are scalable to higher voltage and power levels through sharing of voltage and current stresses among multiple dissimilar partial-power converter modules. The project led to experimental demonstration of a125 kW multifunction electric vehicle power conversion system having in-creased dc bus voltage (950 V nominal, 1200 V peak) that interfaces a 200 V to 400 V battery pack, and that includes integrated level 2 wired charging and wireless charging functions. The project incorporated SiC MOSFET modules having switching frequencies in excess of 100 kHz, planar magnetics, a hierarchical control architecture that enables scaling to higher voltages and powers with additional converter modules, and a high-power density in excess of 20 kW/L. The research demonstrated how a more complex converter approach can increase mean-time-to-failure, even though the number of elements is increased. This is achieved through significant reduction of temperature rise through fundamentally superior converter circuit topologies. The research also demonstrated new high power planar magnetics that increase power density. The technology is appropriate to a variety of applications including EV power trains, EV charging, PV inverters, battery storage, and similar areas. These systems potentially can be manufactured in the U.S.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Early Application Results on Pre-exascale Architecture with Analysis of Performance Challenges and Projections (Milestone PM-AD-1080 WBS 2.2)

This Exascale Computing Project (ECP) Milestone Report summarizes the status of all 30 ECP Applications Development (AD) sub-projects at the end of FY19. In August and September of 2019, a comprehensive assessment of AD projects was conducted jointly by the ECP leadership and a team of external subject matter experts. Reviews took place in person over five days-two at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and three at Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Chicago. The review committees were tasked with evaluating each sub-project's progress in porting their code(s) to current multi-GPU architectures considered precursors to planned exascale machines. This includes characterizing which modules have been ported to multi-accelerator nodes, initial performance analyses, the status of software integration, and a current vision of successes, obstacles, and next steps. As such this report contains not only an accurate snapshot of each sub-project's current status, but also represents an unprecedentedly broad account of experiences porting large scientific applications to next-generation HPC architectures.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2020

Application of neural networks to determine the discrete spectrum of the direct Zakharov – Shabat problem

A neural network architecture is proposed to determine the number of solitons generated by random processes in optical wavelength-division multiplexed telecommunication systems with QPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM, and 1024-QAM modulation. The dependence of the prediction quality of a neural network with a special architecture on the number of soliton modes in the signal and the parameters of this signal is studied. (paper)

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2022

Designing a Magnetic Measurement Data Acquisition and Control System With Reuse in Mind: A Rotating Coil System Example

Accelerator magnet test facilities frequently need to measure different magnets on differently equipped test stands and with different instrumentation. Designing a modular and highly reusable system that combines flexibility built-in at the architectural level as well as on the component level addresses this need. Specification of the backbone of the system, with the interfaces and dataflow for software components and core hardware modules, serves as a basis for building such a system. The design process and implementation of an extensible magnetic measurement data acquisition and control system are described, including techniques for maximizing the reuse of software. The discussion is supported by showing the application of this methodology to constructing two dissimilar systems for rotating coil measurements, both based on the same architecture and sharing core hardware modules and many software components. The first system is for production testing 10 m long cryo-assemblies containing two MQXFA quadrupole magnets for the high-luminosity upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider and the second for testing IQC conventional quadrupole magnets in support of the accelerator system at Fermilab.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Distinct protein architectures mediate species-specific beta-glucan binding and metabolism in the human gut microbiota

Complex glycans that evade our digestive system are major nutrients that feed the human gut microbiota (HGM). The prevalence of Bacteroidetes in the HGM of populations worldwide is engendered by the evolution of polysaccharide utilization loci (PULs), which encode concerted protein systems to utilize the myriad complex glycans in our diets. Despite their crucial roles in glycan recognition and transport, cell-surface glycan-binding proteins (SGBPs) remained understudied cogs in the PUL machinery. Here, we report the structural and biochemical characterization of a suite of SGBP-A and SGBP-B structures from three syntenic β(1,3)-glucan utilization loci (1,3GULs) from Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron (Bt), Bacteroides uniformis (Bu), and B. fluxus (Bf), which have varying specificities for distinct β-glucans. Ligand complexes provide definitive insight into β(1,3)-glucan selectivity in the HGM, including structural features enabling dual β(1,3)-glucan/mixed-linkage β(1,3)/β(1,4)-glucan-binding capability in some orthologs. The tertiary structural conservation of SusD-like SGBPs-A is juxtaposed with the diverse architectures and binding modes of the SGBPs-B. Specifically, the structures of the trimodular BtSGBP-B and BuSGBP-B revealed a tandem repeat of carbohydrate-binding module-like domains connected by long linkers. In contrast, BfSGBP-B comprises a bimodular architecture with a distinct β-barrel domain at the C terminus that bears a shallow binding canyon. The molecular insights obtained here contribute to our fundamental understanding of HGM function, which in turn may inform tailored microbial intervention therapies.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

General Design Rules for Bimetallic Platinum(II) Complexes

A series of platinum(II) bimetallic complexes were studied to investigate the effects of ligands on both the geometric and electronic structure. Modulating the Pt-Pt distance through the bridging ligand architecture was found to dictate the nature of the lowest energy electronic transitions, localized in one-half of the molecule or delocalized across the entire molecule. By reducing the separation between the platinum atoms, the lowest energy electronic transitions will be dominated by the metal-metal-to-ligand charge transfer transition. Conversely, by increasing the distance between the platinum atoms, the lowest electronic transition will be largely localized metal-to-ligand charge transfer or ligand centered in nature. Additionally, the cyclometalating ligands were observed to have a noticeable stabilizing effect on the triplet excited states as the conjugation increased, arising from geometric reorientation and increased electron delocalization of the ligands. Furthermore, such stabilization of the triplet state energy has been shown to alter the excited state potential energy landscape as well as the excited state trajectory.

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

Polariton Dynamics in Two-Dimensional Ruddlesden–Popper Perovskites Strongly Coupled with Plasmonic Lattices

Strong coupling between light and matter can produce hybrid eigenstates known as exciton-polaritons. Although polariton dynamics are important photophysical properties, the relaxation pathways of polaritons in different coupling regimes have seen limited attention. This paper reports the dynamics of hybridized states from 2D Ruddlesden-Popper perovskites coupled to plasmonic nanoparticle lattices. The open cavity architecture of Al lattices enables the coupling strength to be modulated by varying either the lead halide perovskite film thickness or the superstrate refractive index. Both experiments and finite-difference time-domain simulations of the optical dispersion diagrams showed avoided crossings that are a signature of strong coupling. Furthermore, our analytical model also elucidated the correlation between the exciton/plasmon mixing ratio and polariton coupling strength. Using fs-transient absorption spectroscopy, we found that both the upper and lower polaritons have shorter lifetimes than the excitons and that polaritons can show faster excited state dynamics when they have access to additional energy transfer channels.

2D perovskite↗