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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 1,063 records · Page 59
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Root system architecture in cereals: progress, challenges and perspective

We report roots are essential multifunctional plant organs involved in water and nutrient uptake, metabolite storage, anchorage, mechanical support, and interaction with the soil environment. Understanding of this ‘hidden half’ provides potential for manipulation of root system architecture (RSA) traits to optimize resource use efficiency and grain yield in cereal crops. Unfortunately, root traits are highly neglected in breeding due to the challenges of phenotyping, but could have large rewards if the variability in RSA traits can be fully exploited. Until now, a plethora of genes have been characterized in detail for their potential role in improving RSA. The use of forward genetics approaches to find sequence variations in genes underpinning desirable RSA would be highly beneficial. Advances in computer vision applications have allowed image-based approaches for high-throughput phenotyping of RSA traits that can be used by any laboratory worldwide to make progress in understanding root function and dissection of the genetics. At the same time, the frontiers of root measurement include non-invasive methods like X-ray computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging that facilitate new types of temporal studies. Root physiology and ecology are further supported by spatiotemporal root simulation modeling. The discovery of component traits providing improved resilience and yield advantage in target environments is a key necessity for mainstreaming root-based cereal breeding. The integrated use of pan-genome resources, now available in most cereals, coupled with new in-field phenotyping platforms has the potential for precise selection of superior genotypes with improved RSA.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Time-Varying Value of Energy Efficiency in Michigan

Quantifying the time-varying value of energy efficiency is necessary to properly account for all of its benefits and costs and to identify and implement efficiency resources that contribute to a low-cost, reliable electric system. Historically, most quantification of the benefits of efficiency has focused largely on the economic value of annual energy reduction. Due to the lack of statistically representative metered end-use load shape data in Michigan (i.e., the hourly or seasonal timing of electricity savings), the ability to confidently characterize the time-varying value of energy efficiency savings in the state, especially for weather-sensitive measures such as central air conditioning, is limited. Still, electric utilities in Michigan can take advantage of opportunities to incorporate the time-varying value of efficiency into their planning. For example, end-use load research and hourly valuation of efficiency savings can be used for a variety of electricity planning functions, including load forecasting, demand-side management and evaluation, capacity planning, long-term resource planning, renewable energy integration, assessing potential grid modernization investments, establishing rates and pricing, and customer service (KEMA 2012). In addition, accurately calculating the time-varying value of efficiency may help energy efficiency program administrators prioritize existing offerings, set incentive or rebate levels that reflect the full value of efficiency, and design new programs.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2018

Reduced-order microstructure-sensitive protocols to rank-order the transition fatigue resistance of polycrystalline microstructures

We present that the transition fatigue regime between low cycle fatigue (LCF) and high cycle fatigue (HCF) is often addressed in the design and performance evaluation of load-bearing components used in many structural applications. Transition fatigue is characterized by elevated levels of local inelastic deformation in significant regions of the microstructure as compared to HCF. Typically, crystal plasticity finite element method (CPFEM) simulations are performed to model this phenomenon and to rank-order microstructures by their resistance to crack formation and early growth in the regime of transition fatigue. Unfortunately, these approaches require significant computational resources, inhibiting their use to explore novel materials for transition fatigue resistance. Reduced-order, microstructure-sensitive models are needed to accelerate the search for next-generation, fatigue-resistant materials. In a recent study, Paulson et al. (2018) extended the materials knowledge system (MKS) framework for rank-ordering the HCF resistance of polycrystalline microstructures. The efficacy of this approach lies in the reduced-dimensional representation of microstructures through 2-point spatial correlations and principal component analysis (PCA), in addition to the characterization of the HCF response with a small set of performance measures. In this work, these same protocols are critically evaluated for their applicability to rank-order the transition fatigue resistance of the same class of polycrystalline microstructures subjected to increased strain amplitudes. Success in this endeavor requires the formation of homogenization linkages that account for the significantly higher levels of local inelastic deformation and stress redistribution in transition fatigue as compared to HCF. Finally, a set of 12 α-titanium microstructures generated using the open access DREAM.3D software (Groeber and Jackson, 2014) are employed for this evaluation.

2-point correlations↗
DOE OSTI2024

Mapping use cases and dataset needs for benchmarking buildings data

A perennial challenge in buildings research is the lack of high-quality datasets that can be relied upon for a wide array of tasks, including model calibration and improving energy efficiency and load flexibility. Instrumenting a building for data collection is resource intensive, so it is important to be methodical in the approach and ensure that resulting data are flexible and useful for a broad range of analyses. This study aims to fill the gaps in characterizing potential use cases for buildings datasets and mapping them to dataset needs using a well-defined data infrastructure. Here, we have developed a systematic mapping strategy between buildings dataset needs and use cases to help streamline the processes of efficiently targeting datasets, designing building sensing systems, and determining buildings research use cases. We selected 14 prospective use cases and 11 refined buildings data categories for developing the preliminary dataset-needs-to-use-cases mapping matrix (‘DN-UC mapping matrix’) with generic ‘Tags’—a detailed sub-level of data categories extracted by justifying the needs of an aspect of the datasets to use cases. We present two example applications of the developed mapping matrix to demonstrate use of the mapping matrix and its effectiveness.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2018

Consumptive Water Use in the Production of Ethanol and Petroleum Gasoline — 2018 Update

The production of energy feedstocks and fuels requires substantial water input. Not only do biofuel feedstocks like corn, switchgrass, and agricultural residues need water for growth and conversion to ethanol, but petroleum feedstocks like crude oil and oil sands also require large volumes of water for drilling, extraction, and conversion into petroleum products. Moreover, in many cases, crude oil production is increasingly water dependent. Competing uses strain available water resources and raise the specter of resource depletion and environmental degradation. Water management has become a key feature of existing projects and a potential issue in new ones. This report examines the growing issue of water use in energy production by characterizing current consumptive water use in liquid fuel production. As used throughout this report, “consumptive water use” is the sum total of water input less water output that is recycled and reused for the process. The estimate applies to surface and groundwater sources for irrigation but does not include precipitation. Water requirements are evaluated for five fuel pathways: bioethanol from corn, ethanol from cellulosic feedstocks, gasoline from Canadian oil sands, Saudi Arabian crude, and U.S. conventional crude from onshore wells. Regional variations and historic trends are noted, as are opportunities to reduce water use.

02 PETROLEUM↗
DOE OSTI2021

Establishing an Early CO 2 Storage Complex in Kemper County, Mississippi (ECO 2 S) (CarbonSAFE Phase II, Final Report)

The CarbonSAFE Phase II: Storage Complex Feasibility project, entitled “Establishing an Early CO 2 Storage Complex in Kemper County, Mississippi: Project ECO 2 S,” demonstrates that the subsurface adjacent to the Kemper County energy facility can safely and permanently store commercial-scale volumes of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). Project ECO 2 S is led by the Southern States Energy Board (SSEB). Mississippi Power Company (MPC) serves as the site host. The project includes technical and field implementation support from Advanced Resources International (ARI) and obtains analytical support from two national laboratories (Los Alamos and Lawrence Berkeley), a host of universities, and other key participants. A 30,000-acre area of interest was established. Three new characterization wells were drilled to facilitate the detailed geologic analyses, characterization, and modeling of three prospective storage reservoirs. The results verify and validate that the subsurface reservoirs examined have gigatonne CO 2 storage potential. This final report documents the achievements of the project team in successfully attaining the goals and objectives set forth for the project and summarizes the results of the feasibility study.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗
DOE OSTI2024

Revenue Analysis of Stationary and Transportable Battery Storage for Power Systems: A Market Participant Perspective

The power system faces a growing need for increased transmission capacity and reliability with the rising integration of renewable energy resources. To tackle this challenge, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESSs) prove effective in enhancing grid capacity and relieving transmission congestion. This paper focuses on the PJM market, conducting a thorough revenue analysis to identify and characterize highly profitable nodes for BESS market participants. A comparison between stationary and transportable BESSs reveals that the transportable BESSs can generate higher potential revenue in energy and regulation markets. Based on these findings, we propose an optimal placement algorithm to support market participants in selecting strategic sites for BESS installation, validated with real PJM market data. This paper provides valuable insights for navigating market-based power system participants and promoting the effective integration of BESSs.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
NASA NTRS1992

The Quickest, Lowest-cost Lunar Resource Assessment Program: Integrated High-tech Earth-based Astronomy

Science and technology applications for the Moon have not fully kept pace with technical advancements in sensor development and analytical information extraction capabilities. Appropriate unanswered questions for the Moon abound, but until recently there has been little motivation to link sophisticated technical capabilities with specific measurement and analysis projects. Over the last decade enormous technical progress has been made in the development of (1) CCD photometric array detectors; (2) visible to near-infrared imaging spectrometers; (3)infrared spectroscopy; (4) high-resolution dual-polarization radar imaging at 3.5, 12, and 70 cm; and equally important (5) data analysis and information extraction techniques using compact powerful computers. Parts of each of these have been tested separately, but there has been no programmatic effort to develop and optimize instruments to meet lunar science and resource assessment needs (e.g., specific wavelength range, resolution, etc.) nor to coordinate activities so that the symbiotic relation between different kinds of data can be fully realized. No single type of remotely acquired data completely characterizes the lunar environment, but there has been little opportunity for integration of diverse advanced sensor data for the Moon. Two examples of technology concepts for lunar measurements are given. Using VIS/near-IR spectroscopy, the mineral composition of surface material can be derived from visible and near-infrared radiation reflected from the surface. The surface and subsurface scattering properties of the Moon can be analyzed using radar backscattering imaging.

Pieters, Carle M.↗
NASA NTRS2003

NASA Tech Briefs, December 2003

Topics covered include: Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Polymer/Clay Nanocomposites; Less-Toxic Coatings for Inhibiting Corrosion of Aluminum; Liquid Coatings for Reducing Corrosion of Steel in Concrete; Processable Polyimides Containing APB and Reactive End Caps; Rod/Coil Block Copolyimides for Ion-Conducting Membranes; Techniques for Characterizing Microwave Printed Antennas; Cylindrical Antenna With Partly Adaptive Phased-Array Feed; Command Interface ASIC - Analog Interface ASIC Chip Set; Predicting Accumulations of Ice on Aerodynamic Surfaces; Analyzing Aeroelasticity in Turbomachines; Software for Allocating Resources in the Deep Space Network; Expert Seeker; High-Speed Recording of Test Data on Hard Disks; Functionally Graded Nanophase Beryllium/Carbon Composites; Thin Thermal-Insulation Blankets for Very High Temperatures; Aerostructures Test Wing; Flight-Test Evaluation of Flutter-Prediction Methods; Piezoelectrically Actuated Microvalve for Liquid Effluents; Larger-Stroke Piezoelectrically Actuated Microvalve; Innovative, High-Pressure, Cryogenic Control Valve: Short Face-to-Face, Reduced Cost; Safer Roadside Crash Walls Would Limit Deceleration; Improved Interactive Medical-Imaging System; Scanning Microscopes Using X Rays and Microchannels; Slotting Fins of Heat Exchangers to Provide Thermal Breaks; Methane Clathrate Hydrate Prospecting; Automated Monitoring with a BSP Fault-Detection Test; Automated Monitoring with a BCP Fault-Decision Test; Vector-Ordering Filter Procedure for Data Reduction; Remote Sensing and Information Technology for Large Farms; Developments at the Advanced Design Technologies Testbed; Spore-Forming Bacteria that Resist Sterilization; and Acoustical Applications of the HHT Method.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2016

The "Puck" Energetic Charged Particle Detector: Design, Heritage, and Advancements

Energetic charged particle detectors characterize a portion of the plasma distribution function that plays critical roles in some physical processes, from carrying the currents in planetary ring currents to weathering the surfaces of planetary objects. For several low-resource missions in the past, the need was recognized for a low-resource but highly capable, mass-species-discriminating energetic particle sensor that could also obtain angular distributions without motors or mechanical articulation. This need led to the development of a compact Energetic Particle Detector (EPD), known as the "Puck" EPD (short for hockey puck), that is capable of determining the flux, angular distribution, and composition of incident ions between an energy range of approximately 10 kiloelectronvolts to several megaelectronvolts. This sensor makes simultaneous angular measurements of electron fluxes from the tens of kiloelectronvolts to about 1 megaelectronvolt. The same measurements can be extended down to approximately 1 kiloelectronvolt per nucleon,with some composition ambiguity. These sensors have a proven flight heritage record that includes missions such as MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) and New Horizons, with multiple sensors on each of Juno, Van Allen Probes, and Magnetospheric Multiscale. In this review paper we discuss the Puck EPD design, its heritage, unexpected results from these past missions and future advancements. We also discuss high-voltage anomalies that are thought to be associated with the use of curved foils, which is a new foil manufacturing processes utilized on recent Puck EPD designs. Finally, we discuss the important role Puck EPDs can potentially play in upcoming missions.

Clark, G.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Bioreactor Development for CO2-Based In Situ Resource Utilization Manufacturing

Sustainable long-duration manned missions on both the Moon and Mars will require in situ resource utilization (ISRU). Carbon dioxide (CO2) has great potential as a harvestable resource, making up 95% of the atmosphere on Mars and being produced as respiratory waste in spacecraft and future planetary habitats. Through ISRU, biomanufacturing has the capability to produce a near limitless array of products from local space resources, which include pharmaceuticals, bioplastics, chemical feedstocks, and industrial enzymes. Here, a CO2-based ISRU recombinant protein bioreactor and associated biomanufacturing organisms were designed to produce a highly stable carbonic anhydrase (CA). Initial work characterized candidate organisms for growth on acetate and formic acid, carbon substrates that can be synthesized via electrochemical conversion of CO2. To improve growth on the CO2 producing substrate formic acid and for direct integration of ISRU CO2, a synthetic Calvin-Benson-Bassam cycle was designed for use in Cyberlindnera jadinii and Escherichia coli. Genetic modifications in E. coli will be facilitated by a tailored CRISPR/Cas9 and λ red recombineering two-vector system. For expression of CA, a blue light regulated T7 promoter was employed for dynamic and small molecule free induction. Efficient bioproduction through a fed-batch exponential feeding strategy was determined via mass balance calculations from ISRU substrates to biomass and CA yield. Flux balance analysis was used to model ISRU substrate metabolism and metabolic pathway engineering in candidate organisms under cultivation strategy conditions for both metabolism reconstruction and pathway design optimization. Finally, a small-scale, disposable bag bioreactor concept for use in the NASA Bioculture System infrastructure was designed to enable CO2-based CA production in reduced-gravity environments.

Biomanufacturing, Pathway Engineering, Flux Balanc↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Decision Framework for Classifying the State of Knowledge for Pharmaceutical Stability in Spaceflight

The currently approved medication formulary for exploration-class spaceflight missions presently exceeds 200pharmaceuticals. However, these medications' physical and chemical stability during long-term exposure to the spaceflight environment remains uncharacterized. A multi-disciplinary team of pharmacy and spaceflight subject matter experts (SMEs) collaborated to develop a decision framework that will prioritize medications for future stability research. This framework prioritizes the physical stability, drug quality, and safety of the active pharmaceutical ingredient of finished drug products selected for specific design reference mission (DRM) drug formularies. The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) defines drug stability as "the extent to which a drug product retains, within specified limits, and throughout its period of storage and use, the same properties and characteristics that it possessed at the time of its manufacture.1"The candidate medication is assessed by applying a sequence of drug agnostic questions to evaluate the limits of stability information pertinent to spaceflight. The answers to these questions ultimately lead to one of three characterizations: green (not prioritized for further research for this DRM), yellow (requires further literature review/additional studies), or red (not suitable for this DRM based on current knowledge). The decision framework will rely on several information resources to inform the ultimate decision, including the ExMC Pharmacy Information Database, published literature, FDA/drug manufacturer monographs, and USP. The results of this framework will be used to classify the state of knowledge for pharmaceutical stability for any specified DRM and guide future research efforts accordingly. This presentation will provide an overview of how this decision framework was developed, detail the challenges and limitations of the pathways, and discuss how researchers can apply the lessons learned from this project to future work

S Kurian↗
DOE OSTI2017

ER-20-12: A Case Study of Corrective Action Investigation in a Challenging Environment - 17236

Low-level tritium was unexpectedly detected in 2010 in a monitoring well located more than three kilometers (km) down-gradient of an area formerly used for underground nuclear testing. The approach used by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to investigate potential sources for the tritium is an exemplary case study of corrective action investigation at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS). Multiple challenges presented themselves during the course of the investigation, ranging from difficulties associated with confirming the presence tritium within the well to a field site characterized by remote, rugged terrain, high elevation, inclement weather, great depths to groundwater, complex geology, and residual surficial contamination originating from the near-surface detonations of two large-scale nuclear plowshare tests. Limited resources required a judicious process for evaluating competing conceptual models. Timely communication of monitoring results to stakeholders and early involvement of regulatory authorities in the planning process were critical components of the overall investigation. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2024

Beyond the Hype: Navigating the Promise and Pitfalls of Multi-Modal Models for Materials Science

Multi-modal models offer great potential for accelerating discovery in materials and chemical systems, but their adoption raises crucial questions: What materials science challenges are best addressed by multi-modal approaches? How do we weigh the benefits against the resource investment required for multi-modal data acquisition? And critically, how can we optimize experimental workflows to leverage these models effectively? In this presentation, I will delve into the development of multi-modal characterization and analytics, focusing on their application in the demanding fields of next-generation microelectronics and energy storage materials. I will share challenges encountered in designing these workflows, highlighting lessons learned and posing questions that remain unanswered.

AI↗
DOE OSTI2024

Evolution of a Geological Model for Co-Producing Electricity at the Blackburn Oil Field, Nevada: Preprint

Oil fields characterized by significant proportions of hot water in the reservoir offer a unique opportunity for geothermal energy co-production and utilization. Development of an accurate geological model is essential in understanding the subsurface. However, this is a challenge at the preliminary stages of resource assessment when data on the subsurface parameters and subterranean fault network is scarce. Our focus in this paper is to explore a methodology for developing an accurate conceptual geological model of the complexly faulted reservoir at the Blackburn Field, Nevada, to create a numerical simulation that will eventually be used to assess the potential of co-producing electricity. There are four steps to the evolution of this model: (1) collection of public data and research on the geological setting of the system; (2) digitization of seismic time-interpretation and cross-sections to create the most representative model of the subsurface; and (3) creation of a natural-state numerical model to simulate the thermal gradient through the subsurface. Utilizing publicly available data of the geological system and Leapfrog conceptual modeling software, we refined a preliminary model to be more representative of the subsurface geology of an active geothermal exploration stage project. The conceptual geological model developed has been imported into VOLSUNG reservoir modeling software to create a natural-state model, further characterizing the Blackburn Field reservoir's thermal gradient. In the future, new seismic data will be utilized to further evolve the conceptual geological model for numerical simulations.

Basin and Range province↗
DOE OSTI2025

Examining future changes in coastal low-level jet properties offshore California through dynamical downscaling

The coastal low-level jet, or coastal low-level jet (CLLJ), is a synoptically-forced meteorological feature frequently present offshore the western United States (U.S.). Characterized by a wind speed maximum that resides at the top of the marine boundary layer, the CLLJ is largely controlled by the location and strength of the North Pacific High (NPH) as well as the coastal geometry. Considering the rich wind resource available in this offshore region, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management identified wind energy lease areas offshore California and supported the deployment of two U.S. Department of Energy wind lidar buoys near Morro Bay and Humboldt. Despite our relatively good understanding of the fundamental mechanisms responsible for large-scale CLLJ properties offshore the western U.S., future changes in CLLJ characteristics are less clear. To address this research challenge, and ultimately to better inform future wind turbine deployments, we use simulations driven by three global climate models (GCMs). We apply self-organizing maps to the model outputs for a historical and two future climate periods to show the range of NPH regimes that support CLLJ conditions during the warm seasons, as well as the subtle contribution from land-falling cyclones approaching the mainland during the cold seasons. Compared to the historical period, the three GCM-driven simulations agree that CLLJ conditions will become more (less) prevalent from central California northward (southward). They agree less with respect to future changes in maximum CLLJ wind speeds and CLLJ heights. However, after considering model biases present during the historical period, wind speeds between the models are actually more similar during the 2070–2095 period than during the historical period. The potential combination of more frequent CLLJ conditions characterized by relatively consistent wind speeds occurring at lower heights across northern California suggests that the Humboldt lease area may be ideal for a long-term wind turbine deployment.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗