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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 973 records · Page 54
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Robust Dark Energy Constraints with the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Survey (Final Technical Report)

This project developed and applied advanced theoretical, computational, and data-analysis methodologies to extract robust and precise cosmological constraints from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI). The work focused on maximizing the scientific return of DESI through optimized survey strategy, novel higher-order clustering statistics, improved modeling of small-scale structure, and rigorous mitigation of observational systematics. Over the award period, the project made substantial contributions to DESI science planning, produced new methods for bispectrum and three-point correlation function analyses, advanced constraints on primordial non-Gaussianity, and delivered widely used software tools. The project also played a major role in training graduate students and a postdoctoral researcher who contributed directly to DESI key projects. The results have significantly enhanced the cosmological reach of DESI and provide a strong foundation for future surveys such as DESI-II and Stage-V experiments.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Nanoscale Three-Dimensional Imaging of Integrated Circuits Using a Scanning Electron Microscope and Transition-Edge Sensor Spectrometer

X-ray nanotomography is a powerful tool for the characterization of nanoscale materials and structures, but it is difficult to implement due to the competing requirements of X-ray flux and spot size. Due to this constraint, state-of-the-art nanotomography is predominantly performed at large synchrotron facilities. We present a laboratory-scale nanotomography instrument that achieves nanoscale spatial resolution while addressing the limitations of conventional tomography tools. The instrument combines the electron beam of a scanning electron microscope (SEM) with the precise, broadband X-ray detection of a superconducting transition-edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeter. The electron beam generates a highly focused X-ray spot on a metal target held micrometers away from the sample of interest, while the TES spectrometer isolates target photons with a high signal-to-noise ratio. This combination of a focused X-ray spot, energy-resolved X-ray detection, and unique system geometry enables nanoscale, element-specific X-ray imaging in a compact footprint. The proof of concept for this approach to X-ray nanotomography is demonstrated by imaging 160 nm features in three dimensions in six layers of a Cu-SiO 2 integrated circuit, and a path toward finer resolution and enhanced imaging capabilities is discussed.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2026

Electromagnetic Transient Modeling of Data Centers

This report serves as a user manual for the accompanying EMT model library developed by the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) for various equipment in large data centers. The EMT model library enables detailed modeling of large data center loads for conducting grid stability studies. The EMT model library for data centers include detailed models of a 5.5 kW power supply unit (PSU), a 2.5 uninterruptible power supply (UPS), a 260 MW gas turbine-generator, a 500 kW motor load, and a 33 kW IT rack. These components represent all major equipment in data centers that need to be modeled for performing grid stability studies for data centers.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2017

Review of Transient Testing of Fast Reactor Fuels in the Transient REActor Test Facility (TREAT)

The restart of the Transient REActor Test (TREAT) facility provides a unique opportunity to engage the fast reactor fuels community to reinitiate in-pile experimental safety studies. Historically, the TREAT facility played a critical role in characterizing the behavior of both metal and oxide fast reactor fuels under off-normal conditions, irradiating hundreds of fuel pins to support fast reactor fuel development programs. The resulting test data has provided validation for a multitude of fuel performance and severe accident analysis computer codes. This paper will provide a review of the historical database of TREAT experiments including experiment design, instrumentation, test objectives, and salient findings. Additionally, the paper will provide an introduction to the current and future experiment plans of the U.S. transient testing program at TREAT.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2013

Performance of a HPGe System for Surface and Container Measurements - 13582

The decommissioning of a nuclear facility or post-accident cleanup is an immense engineering effort requiring an array of specialist tools and techniques. The decommissioning and cleanup activities generate large quantities of low activity waste. For economic disposal, it is desirable to certify the waste as suitable for free release. Every container must be assayed to a sufficient degree of accuracy and sensitivity so that it may be certified to be or not to be suitable for 'free release'. In a previous work, the performance of a highly-automated system for free release of large numbers of containers was presented in which the spectroscopy hardware comprised four ORTEC Interchangeable Detector Module (IDM) mechanically cooled HPGe spectrometers in conjunction with ORTEC ISOPlus waste assay software. It was shown that the system was capable of assaying large containers to free release levels in reasonable measurement times. Not all operations have enough waste to justify an automated system or rapid assay results may be required, perhaps in a remote location. To meet this need, a new mobile system has been developed for the assay of smaller objects (drums, boxes, and surfaces) In-Situ. The system incorporates the latest generation IDM-200 and ISOPlus software and a new variant of the ISOCart hardware. This paper will describe the system and performance. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2018

Aerial Lidar and Geomorphic Change Detection Software- Tools for Monitoring Canyon Sediments at LANL - 18668

The Los Alamos National Laboratory Environmental Remediation program has conducted extensive geomorphic surveys of sediment deposits in the canyon bottoms within and surrounding the facility. The goal of the geomorphic surveys was to provide basic information needed to characterize chemical inventories of the sediments downstream of historical release sites. Sediment units were mapped based on depositional setting and age. Representative characterization samples were collected for each unit and submitted for chemical analysis. Chemical inventories were estimated by calculating the total volume of each depositional unit and multiplying by average chemical concentration. This method of characterization provides a spatial distribution of chemical data based on fluvial processes. In general, for the canyon bottom sediments, the higher concentrations of industrial chemicals were associated with fine-grained floodplain deposits closest to the source. Since initial characterization, many of the reaches have undergone changes in response to post-wildfire floods and severe rain events. These events impacted the channel and floodplain deposits. Much of the elevated concentrations are confined to the over-bank deposits distal from the primary channel. In order to ensure that the sediment units containing elevated chemical concentrations are stable, repeat aerial light detection and ranging (LiDAR) surveys are conducted and changes are assessed using the Geomorphic Change Detection (GCD) plug-in for ArcGIS. These tools provide high confidence uncertainty estimates and extensive areal coverage. This is a valuable method for long-term monitoring of surface sediments with low-level but widespread contaminant distributions. All of the monitored canyon bottom reaches pass risk assessment and present technically infeasible sediment removal options. Following the 2014 monsoon season, aerial LiDAR data has been collected annually and the resulting digital elevation models (DEMs) processed using the GCD method. Changes are identified using GCD and are verified by field walk downs. If erosion is identified in areas which are vulnerable to mobilizing contaminated sediment, enhanced controls can be installed to stabilize banks or other areas with high erosion potential. Annual sediment monitoring samples are collected where there is evidence for flow and deposition within the past year. Since 2014, no severe floods have been catalogued using the LiDAR surveys and GCD software. The recent rainfall/runoff events have not caused major changes to the canyon bottom channels and floodplains. Geomorphic processes identified in the monitoring results include channel aggradation and incision that over the course of a monsoon season results in minor changes to the system. Other active processes contributing to observed changes are minor slides, flows, slumps, and falls of unconsolidated sediment on steep bedrock or soil surfaces. A comprehensive baseline has been established by geomorphic mapping and characterization sampling. Periodic monitoring consists of LiDAR surveys and GCD analysis which offers an effective and defensible methodology for documenting stability of surface sediments. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2017

Safety software release options to support plant start-up and commissioning activities - 285

The schedule demands on new nuclear power plant site testing and commissioning programs challenge the plant's Instrumentation and Control (I and C) supplier's ability to provide certified safety software releases to meet the needs of these programs. This paper outlines the typical certified safety software development and certification process which follows a Waterfall software life-cycle model. The conflicts that result between supporting the site program and the safety software supplier's internal certification program are identified. An adapted 'functional' safety release process is presented that supports the site program's needs for software changes and in parallel enables the safety software certification process to proceed. Comparisons between the two safety software release processes are examined and the benefits realized through the use of the adapted 'functional' safety software release process are discussed. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Development of a diversity and defense-in-depth strategy for the TerraPower TWR-P Advanced nuclear power plant - 380

A Diversity and Defense in Depth (D3) analysis was performed for the Traveling Wave Reactor, which is a Generation IV fast reactor design. The analysis demonstrated that the current I and C design for TWR-P provides sufficient diversity in the reactor shutdown system, the engineered safety features, and the post-accident monitoring system. In addition, an analysis was performed for the Embedded Digital Devices (EDD) to ensure a postulated Software Common Cause Failure (SWCCF) will not affect the safety functions of the TWR-P I and C system. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Advanced Instrumentation for Metal Additive Manufacturing

Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is the most widely used process for metal additive manufacturing (AM), particularly where complex geometries provide performance advantages unattainable with traditional manufacturing techniques. However, LPBF is highly sensitive to innate variability in both the powder spreading and fusion steps, often leading to defects such as pores that are difficult to detect yet significantly impair component mechanical properties and fatigue life. This thesis presents a range of novel instruments enabling both precise assessment of powder layer characteristics and in-situ thermal metrology of metal AM to advance the quality control of LPBF. First, leveraging a custom X-ray microscope and a radiation-transport model developed through this work, transmission X-ray imaging is used to study spreading of thin metal powder layers. Effective layer depth is directly mapped at a process-relevant size scale, surpassing optical techniques that can only estimate local deposition from layer surface topography. Layer packing density and quality are shown to be influenced by powder flowability and particle size relative to nominal powder layer thickness. Layer quality is additionally connected to the geometry of the spreading implement and its velocity. This technique and its presented findings enable pairing feedstocks with spreading strategies that create layers with consistent packing density and uniformity. Second, a twofold approach is employed to optically interrogate the laser fusion step of LPBF for observing signatures of defect formation. Aperture division multiplexing is conceptualized, providing for simultaneous laser delivery and high-fidelity infrared (IR) process monitoring through a common optic. In-situ microscopy at 50 μm spatial resolution and at mid-wave IR wavelengths is proven readily achievable with the first purpose-built optic of this type. Next, a bespoke imaging spectrometer, along with a temperature-emissivity separation technique, is used to retrieve accurate process temperatures over a 1000 K range. Data from these instruments are correlated to porosity as fine as 4.3 μm in two LPBF test artifacts, as verified using computed tomography (CT), establishing the viability of robust optically-based component qualification.

Penny, Ryan↗
DOE OSTI2012

Instrumentation and Equipment for Three Independent Research Labs

Completed in 2011, Albright's new Science Center includes three independent student and faculty research labs in Biology, Chemistry/Biochemistry, and Physics (separate from teaching labs). Providing independent research facilities, they eliminate disruptions in classrooms and teaching labs, encourage and accommodate increased student interest, and stimulate advanced research. The DOE grant of $369,943 enabled Albright to equip these advanced labs for 21st century science research, with much instrumentation shared among departments. The specialty labs will enable Albright to expand its student-faculty research program to meet growing interest, help attract superior science students, maximize faculty expertise, and continue exceeding its already high rates of acceptance for students applying for postgraduate education or pharmaceutical research positions. Biology instrumentation/equipment supports coursework and independent and collaborative research by students and faculty. The digital shaker, CO 2 and water bath incubators (for controlled cell growth), balance, and micropipettes support cellular biology research in the advanced cell biology course and student-faculty research into heavy metal induction of heat shock proteins in cultured mammalian cells and the development of PCR markers from different populations of the native tree, Franklinia. The gravity convection oven and lyophilizer support research into physical and chemical analysis of floodplain sediments used in assessment of riparian restoration efforts. The Bio-Rad thermocycler permits fast and accurate DNA amplification as part of research into genetic diversity in small mammal populations and how those populations are affected by land-use practices and environmental management. The Millipore water deionizing system and glassware washer provide general support of the independent research lab and ensure quality control of coursework and interdisciplinary research at the intersection of biology, chemistry, and toxicology. Grant purchases support faculty and students working in the areas of plant cellular biology, landscape ecology and wildlife management, wetland restoration, and ecotoxicology of aquatic invertebrates. Chemistry/BioChemistry instrumentation supports a wide range of research and teaching needs. The Dell quad core Xeon processors and Gaussian 09 support computational research efforts of two of our faculty. The computational work of one of these groups is part of close collaboration with one organic chemist and provides support info for the synthetic work of this professor and his students. Computational chemistry studies were also introduced into the physical chemistry laboratory course for junior chemistry concentrators. The AKTA plus system and superdex columns, Thermoscientific Sorvall RC-6 plus superspeed centrifuge, Nanodrop spectrometer, Eppendorf microfuge, Homogenizer and Pipetman pipetters were incorporated into a research project involving purification and characterization of a construct of beta 2-microglobulin by one of our biochemists. The vacuum system (glove box, stand, and pump) makes a significant contribution to the research of our inorganic chemist, the newest department member, working on research projects with four students. The glove box provides the means to carry out their synthetic work in an oxygenless atmosphere. Supporting basic research pursued by faculty and students, the remaining items (refrigerator/freezer units for flammable storage, freezer, refrigerated water bath, rotary evaporator system, vacuum oven, analytical and top-loading balances) were distributed between our biochemistry and chemistry research labs. The Nanodrop spectrometer, Sorvall centrifuge, and rotary evaporator system are used in several junior/senior lab courses in both biochemistry and chemistry. To date, 14 undergraduate research students have been involved in projects using the new instrumentation and equipment provided by this grant. Physics equipment acquired is radically transforming Albright research and teaching capabilities. The two main purchases are an atomic force microscope (AFM) and a scanning tunneling microscope (STM). These two devices allow us to view surfaces at much higher resolution than ever before, even to the level of individual atoms. Already the AFM has been incorporated into courses for advanced physics and biology students, allowing them to view at high resolution material such as carbon nanotubes, cell structure, and proteins. These devices offer possibilities for interdisciplinary collaboration among students and faculty in various departments that have barely begun to be tapped. Additional equipment, such as software, optical tables, lasers, and other support equipment, is also strengthening our research and teaching capabilities in optics-related areas.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2023

The EUCLID Experiment and Nuclear Data Library Comparisons

The EUCLID (Experiments Underpinned by Computational Learning for Improvements in Nuclear Data) project at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) was a Laboratory Directed Research and Development project which aimed to reduce compensating errors in nuclear data. One major component of the project was a series of critical experiments, both measuring k eff and various other observables with the goal of using these experiments to constrain 239 Pu nuclear data uncertainties and identify compensating errors. This paper details some of the experiment design and how various nuclear data libraries simulate the EUCLID system, including sensitivities compared to Jezebel.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2019

A neutron-gamma pulse shape discrimination method based on pure and mixed sources

We present a novel trainable approach to distinguish neutrons from gammas using a particle detector. Traditionally, Pulse Shape Discrimination (PSD) methods for this problem utilize an ad-hoc computation of tail signal energy to perform the detection. Our first contribution is a rigorous analysis of the performance of this existing approach on gold standard Time of Flight (TOF) data. While this approach performs well for high energy pulses, its accuracy drops dramatically as the pulse energy decreases. Our second contribution is a novel data driven classifier that is trained from two readily available sources: one that emits gamma particles (Cs-137), and another that emits a mixture of gamma and neutron particles (Cf-252). We test our approach using TOF experiments and show a marked improvement in accuracy over the traditional method for low false positive rates and low energies.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2012

Evaluating Performance, Power, and Cooling in High Performance Computing (HPC) Data Centers

This chapter explores current research focused on developing our understanding of the interrelationships involved with HPC performance and energy management. The first section explores data center instrumentation, measurement, and performance analysis techniques, followed by a section focusing on work in data center thermal management and resource allocation. This is followed by an exploration of emerging techniques to identify application behavioral attributes that can provide clues and advice to HPC resource and energy management systems for the purpose of balancing HPC performance and energy efficiency.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2011

Neural Network Modeling of Degradation of Solar Cells

Neural network modeling has been used to predict the degradation in conversion efficiency of solar cells in this work. The model takes intensity of light, temperature and exposure time as inputs and predicts the conversion efficiency of the solar cell. Backpropagation algorithm has been used to train the network. It is found that the neural network model satisfactorily predicts the degradation in efficiency of the solar cell with exposure time. The error in the computed results, after comparison with experimental results, lies in the range of 0.005-0.01, which is quite low.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2014

Coincidence ion imaging with a fast frame camera

A new time- and position-sensitive particle detection system based on a fast frame CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductors) camera is developed for coincidence ion imaging. The system is composed of four major components: a conventional microchannel plate/phosphor screen ion imager, a fast frame CMOS camera, a single anode photomultiplier tube (PMT), and a high-speed digitizer. The system collects the positional information of ions from a fast frame camera through real-time centroiding while the arrival times are obtained from the timing signal of a PMT processed by a high-speed digitizer. Multi-hit capability is achieved by correlating the intensity of ion spots on each camera frame with the peak heights on the corresponding time-of-flight spectrum of a PMT. Efficient computer algorithms are developed to process camera frames and digitizer traces in real-time at 1 kHz laser repetition rate. We demonstrate the capability of this system by detecting a momentum-matched co-fragments pair (methyl and iodine cations) produced from strong field dissociative double ionization of methyl iodide.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2023

Neutron Leakage Spectra of the EUCLID Experiment [Abstract]

Integral experiments with sub-critical and critical configurations of special nuclear material are performed in support of nuclear data validation and adjustment. Different nuclear data evaluations may have different values for individual cross sections due to uncertainties in (or lack of) differential experiments, but compensating errors in these data sets can lead to the same k eff results for one application while vastly different for another application. One example of this is 239 Pu, where both ENDF/B-VIII.0 and JEFF-3.3 correctly compute k eff of the Jezebel critical assembly, but the individual contributions from each reaction are vastly different. To help resolve this specific case, the Experiments Underpinned by Computational Learning for Improvements in Nuclear Data (EUCLID) project used machine learning to design a set of experiments to help resolve the compensating errors in 239 Pu. A total of six responses were measured during the experimental campaign, which constrain the data in ways that k eff alone cannot and will be used for adjustment of the nuclear data. One of these responses is the neutron leakage spectrum, which recent work has shown to be useful for constraining the prompt fission neutron spectrum and inelastic scattering. The neutron leakage spectra were measured utilizing a 3 in. right cylinder EJ-301D detector. The measured signal in the detector was deconvoluted using spectrum unfolding techniques, which are presented and compared to simulations.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗