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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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1,592 records · Page 55

A Probabilistic Approach to Load Modeling for Central HVAC Systems in Large Commercial Buildings for Retrofit Decisions Under Uncertainty

Retrofitting central HVAC systems in large commercial buildings with advanced technologies like heat recovery chillers (HRCs) offers a significant opportunity to enhance energy efficiency. However, analyzing these retrofits is challenging with traditional whole-building simulation tools, which require intensive calibration and struggle to model innovative system configurations and controls. To overcome these limitations, this study proposes a load profilebased retrofit analysis framework that provides better decisions under uncertainty. The main focus of this paper is the development of a probabilistic load profile model that can be used in the framework by using exploratory data analysis (EDA) of measured building data to properly quantify its inherent variability. A non-parametric Gaussian Process (GP) model was employed to capture the time- and weather-dependent characteristics of the heating load while explicitly modeling its uncertainty. The model's effectiveness is demonstrated through strong predictive performance on unseen data and physically interpretable insights into load behavior. This data-driven, probabilistic load profile serves as a robust and flexible input for subsequent system simulations, enabling a more confident and statistically sound analysis of retrofit potential.

Ham, S W

Domestically Manufactured Fuel Cells for Heavy Duty Applications

This project, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy under Award DE-EE0009248, advances the domestic development of fuel-cell stack technologies for heavy-duty transportation applications. The work directly supports the Million-Mile Fuel Cell Truck (M2FCT) initiative by improving performance, durability, and manufacturability—key requirements for next-generation hydrogen fuel-cell systems.

08 HYDROGEN

A Phenazine‐Based Two‐Dimensional Covalent Organic Framework for Photochemical CO 2 Reduction with Increased Selectivity for Two‐Carbon Products

Abstract The reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into valuable products will contribute to sustainable carbon use. Here we report the photocatalytic reduction of CO₂ to carbon monoxide, formate, and oxalate ions using a redox‐active phenazine‐based 2D covalent organic framework (Phen‐COF) and its phenazine monomer. Under similar irradiation conditions,Phen‐COFproduced 2.9 times more CO, 11 times more formate, and 13 times more oxalate compared to equimolar amounts of the monomeric phenazine, demonstrating that the COF architecture enhances catalytic performance (TOF COF : 10 −7 s −1 CO, 10 −8 s −1 formate, and 10 −11 s −1 oxalate). Structural analysis, including X‐ray diffraction and N₂ porosimetry, confirmed the COF's long‐range order and porosity. Mechanistic studies suggest a sequential formate‐to‐oxalate pathway, with CO and formate acting as intermediates. These results demonstrate the potential of the COF architecture to improve the performance of metal‐free, redox‐active aromatic systems such as phenazines to facilitate efficient and selective CO₂ conversion under mild conditions.

Chemistry

Direct Observation of Elusive (DTBM‐SEGPHOS)CuH Monomer Enables Mechanistic Insights Into Hydrocupration, Aggregation, and Dynamics of Alkene Functionalization Catalysis

The bulky diphosphine DTBM-SEGPHOS is widely employed in CuH-catalyzed transformations as it provides remarkably active catalyst systems. The transient (DTBM-SEGPHOS)CuH monomer (LCuH) is the often-invoked active species. However, its instability has prevented spectroscopic characterization and mechanistic elucidation, hindering mechanistic understanding. We report low-temperature NMR spectroscopic characterization of LCuH, enabling quantitative kinetic analysis of the stoichiometric hydrocupration and catalytic hydroboration of cyclopentene, as well as the structural identification of two CuH clusters. LCuH inserts cyclopentene at −43°C, reaffirming its high reactivity toward olefins. LCuH deactivates to form L 2 Cu 3 H 3 and L 2 Cu 4 H 4 clusters, in which LCuH dimerization initiates aggregation. Kinetic analysis of reactions of unactivated alkenes indicates that competing on-cycle alkene hydrocupration and LCuH dimerization impact performance, as catalyst deactivation and turnover occur on comparable timescales. Structure–activity analysis using atomistic simulations shows that the steric profile of DTBM-SEGPHOS increases the CuH dimerization barrier by ∼7.7 kcal mol−1 compared to that of SEGPHOS, rationalizing the unique ability of DTBM-SEGPHOS to stabilize a reactive monomer for hydrocupration of broader alkene substrates. These findings illustrate the fundamental design principle that steric control of aggregation governs CuH catalyst performance, explaining both the exceptional activity of (DTBM-SEGPHOS)CuH and the limitations imposed by competing deactivation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH

UNIFI Specifications for Grid-Forming Inverter-Based Resources: Version 3

The UNiversal Interoperability for grid-Forming Inverters (UNIFI) Consortium addresses fundamental challenges facing the integration of grid-forming (GFM) inverters in electric grids alongside rotating machines and other inverter-based resources (IBRs). This document defines a set of UNIFI specifications for GFM IBRs that provides requirements from both a power system level as well as functional requirements at the inverter level that are intended to provide means for the vendor-agnostic operation of GFM IBRs at any scale in electric power systems.

14 SOLAR ENERGY

An Assessment of the Nevada Test Site for Low-Level Waste Management

This report presents a summary of description information, facilities, and operating practices at the Nevada Test Site. It is concluded that NTS is not only a feasible location for surface and near-surface storage of low-level wastes, but also a potential site for underground storage of higher level wastes.

052002* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Waste Disposal & Storag

Mechanical, Electrochemical & Thermal Modeling of Electric Vehicle Batteries for Crash Simulation (CRADA CRD-19-00811 Final Report)

Under the proposed effort in partnership with Hyundai Motor Company (HMC), the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) will cooperate with HMC to develop mathematical models for battery cells and modules for simulating abuse response in batteries subject to the type of mechanical crushing that can occur in a full motor vehicle crash.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS

Feedstock Choices for Advancing the Bioeconomy in the US and Policy Implications

Biomass feedstocks will be critical for scaling up the bioeconomy in the United States to meet multiple demands for biofuels, sustainable aviation fuel, bioproducts, and biochemicals. There is a wide range of choices of feedstocks, including a variety of dedicated energy crops and crop residues. There are substantial differences in the yields, costs of production, and carbon intensity of these feedstocks and for each feedstock across locations. These feedstocks also differ in the trade-offs they offer among multiple environmental impacts. We discuss the economic factors that will influence the production of these feedstocks and the implications of alternative biofuel and low-carbon policies for the mix of feedstocks that will be incentivized.

Khanna, Madhu (ORCID:0000000349944451)

Challenges for Megawatt-Scale Artificial Intelligence Rack Infrastructure

As artificial intelligence (AI) computing densities continue to increase, industry is pursuing megawatt-scale rack architectures that require tightly coordinated advances in electrical power delivery, thermal management, operations, and infrastructure integration. This document summarizes the primary technical challenges for achieving this target.

Nawaz, Kashif [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000251612491)