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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 109 records · Page 6
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

A review of thermo-hydro-mechanical modeling of coupled processes in fractured rock: From continuum to discontinuum perspective

Coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) processes in fractured rock are playing a crucial role in geoscience and geoengineering applications. Diverse and conceptually distinct approaches have emerged over the past decades in both continuum and discontinuum perspectives leading to significant progress in their comprehending and modeling. This review paper offers an integrated perspective on existing modeling methodologies providing guidance for model selection based on the initial and boundary conditions. By comparing various models, one can better assess the uncertainties in predictions, particularly those related to the conceptual models. The review explores how these methodologies have significantly enhanced the fundamental understanding of how fractures respond to fluid injection and production, and improved predictive capabilities pertaining to coupled processes within fractured systems. It emphasizes the importance of utilizing advanced computational technologies and thoroughly considering fundamental theories and principles established through past experimental evidence and practical experience. The selection and calibration of model parameters should be based on typical ranges and applied to the specific conditions of applications. The challenges arising from inherent heterogeneity and uncertainties, nonlinear THM coupled processes, scale dependence, and computational limitations in representing field scale fractures are discussed. Realizing potential advances on computational capacity calls for methodical conceptualization, mathematical modeling, selection of numerical solution strategies, implementation, and calibration to foster simulation outcomes that intricately reflect the nuanced complexities of geological phenomena. Future research efforts should focus on innovative approaches to tackle the hurdles and advance the state-of-the-art in this critical field of study.

Coupling scheme↗
DOE OSTI2025

Biomanufacturing from gaseous C1 feedstocks: A perspective on opportunities and challenges

Single-carbon (C1) substrates including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and methane are abundantly available from natural and anthropogenic sources and present potential feedstocks for biomanufacturing. Utilizing these C1 gas feedstocks in bioprocesses for sustainable production of chemicals and fuels could prove pivotal in removing excess carbon from the atmosphere. This perspective describes the spectrum and sources of CO2, CO, and CH4 and examines emerging opportunities in microbial bioconversion and bioelectrochemical processes for these feedstocks. We discuss existing challenges in bioprocess development that currently restrict the commercialization of C1 biomanufacturing technologies. We detail different aerobic and anaerobic bioconversion approaches for C1 feedstocks employing pure and mixed cultures and examine the suitability of each scenario for producing specific molecules. Beyond strain engineering and bioprocess constraints, we address often overlooked factors that limit the development of efficient and reliable bioprocesses, including technology availability for research and safety considerations. We then discuss and recommend the necessary safety features and technological research tools for developing fast, safe, and efficient bioprocesses using gaseous feedstocks to support the scale-up and commercialization of C1 biomanufacturing technologies. This perspective provides an overview of the current scientific and industrial state of the art and offers insights into future technological needs that must be addressed to realize the potential of biomanufacturing from gaseous feedstocks. Synopsis: C1 gases offer a sustainable feedstock for biomanufacturing of fuels and chemicals. This work analyzes bioconversion methods, challenges, and safety considerations, and emphasizes the need for improved technology to enable commercialization.

Biomanufacturing↗
DOE OSTI2020

The synergy between stakeholders for cellulosic biofuel development: Perspectives, opportunities, and barriers

While understanding individual stakeholders' perspectives on the adoption and conversion to a biofuel-based landscape has been a subject of many previous studies on biofuels, there has been relatively little attention given to understanding how the interaction between multiple stakeholders involved in biofuel development could influence the widespread adoption of biofuel production. Here, this paper analyzes the key stakeholder interactions utilizing various data sources including survey results, social media posts, and empirical and theoretical analyses. An intensive review is conducted for a number of surveys and research papers on different aspects of biofuel development such as land use choices, biorefinery and transportation, infrastructure development, consumer priorities, environmental impacts, etc. Following that, a stakeholder synergy approach is applied to synthesizing typical responses of stakeholders, such as producers, consumers, biorefineries, rural communities, and the government, and discussing how their responses influence each other's decisions and the overall system performance. Based on the findings of inadequate stakeholder synergy, it is recommended that new surveys and further research should be conducted to understand why synergy between stakeholders in biofuel development is absent. Additionally, this paper provides research perspectives, including (1) applying cutting-edge text-mining techniques to conduct sentiment analysis, and research and public attention analysis; (2) using an agent-based model to simulate stakeholder interactions and understand the factors that influence stakeholder synergy and the emergence of a bioeconomy.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Material, Phase, and Interface Stability of Photovoltaic Perovskite: A Perspective

The past decade has witnessed the unprecedented boost of power conversion efficiency (PCE) of photovoltaics based on halide perovskite materials since its early discovery. Despite its remarkably good performance, long-term stability is yet one of the last barriers before commercializing halide perovskite photovoltaics is possible. In this perspective, we discuss the challenges and concurrently the strategies regarding the stability of the perovskite materials, photoactive crystal phases, and the performance as well as stability limiting interfaces. Future perspectives of stable halide perovskite and perovskite solar cells are also proposed to shine light on letting perovskite technology satisfy long-term operation warranty.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2026

Gate-All-Around Nanowire Field-Effect Transistors: A Historical Perspective

The development of transistor architectures, evolving from 2D planar metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) to FinFETs and then to gate-all-around nanowire (GAANW) FETs, plays a crucial role in downscaling technology nodes in the semiconductor industry. This perspective reviews the concept of MOSFETs and summarizes this historical development with particular emphasis on GAANW transistors due to their importance in next-generation technology for nodes below 3 nm. Specifically, the concept of GAANW transistors and their advantages over planar and FinFET devices for further scaling are presented, along with a discussion of their transition from early conceptual ideas to laboratory demonstrations and, ultimately, industrial adoption. Furthermore, potential solutions, such as complementary FETs (CFETs) and 2D semiconductor-based FETs, and their associated challenges for the future generation, known as the Angstrom Era, are discussed in a technological roadmap. In conclusion, this perspective may inspire both industry and academia in future research directions for realizing the Angstrom Era.

gate-all-around transistors↗
DOE OSTI2025

A Perspective on Multiscale Modeling of Explicit Solvation-Enabled Simulations of Catalysis at Liquid–Solid Interfaces

Catalysis at liquid-solid interfaces is profoundly influenced by the interfacial solvent structure, which affects catalytic activity, selectivity, and reaction pathways. This perspective discusses state-of-the-art multiscale modeling methods that integrate quantum mechanics and molecular mechanics approaches to apply explicit solvent molecules to capture these interfacial phenomena. Specifically, the construction of multiscale models, the importance of capturing the interfacial solvent structure, and the computational strategies used to achieve this are explored, and the challenges in balancing chemical accuracy with computational expense are highlighted. Additionally, this perspective addresses the limitations of current methods. Opportunities for integrating machine learning are proposed. Here, by advancing the efficiency and user friendliness of multiscale modeling, it is argued that deeper insights into heterogeneous catalysis in liquid phases can be provided, which will ultimately contribute to the development of more efficient catalytic processes.

Ab initio molecular dynamics↗
DOE OSTI2019

Perspective on ab initio phonon thermal transport

Coupling of the Peierls-Boltzmann equation with density functional theory paved the way for predictive thermal materials discovery and a variety of new physical insights into vibrational transport behaviors. Here, rapid theoretical and numerical developments have generated a wealth of thermal conductivity data and understanding of a wide variety of materials—1D, 2D, and bulk—for thermoelectric and thermal management applications. Nonetheless, modern ab initio descriptions of phonon thermal transport face challenges regarding the effects of defects, disorder, structural complexity, strong anharmonicity, quasiparticle couplings, and time and spatially varying perturbations. Highlighting recent research on these issues, this perspective explores opportunities to expand current ab initio phonon transport techniques beyond the paradigm of weakly perturbed crystals, to the wider variety of materials possible. Recent developments in phonon-defect interactions, complexity, disorder and anharmonicity, hydrodynamic transport, and the rising roles of molecular dynamics simulations, high throughput, and machine learning tools are included in this perspective. Lastly, as more sophisticated theoretical and computational methods continue to advance thermal transport predictions, novel vibrational physics and thermally functional materials will be discovered for improved energy technologies.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

A Perspective on interfacial engineering of lithium metal anodes and beyond

This Perspective reviews interfacial engineering of lithium metal anodes. Critical issues and open scientific questions related to coatings on the lithium metal anode are discussed. Essential features for ideal coatings, especially those that can potentially enable lithium plating underneath the coating, are highlighted. While most existing approaches use kinetic control to regulate the coating thickness, here we offer a Perspective on thermodynamically controlled interfacial engineering, focusing on spontaneously formed 2D interfacial phases (also known as “complexions”). This approach has been applied to other battery systems but has yet to be realized for lithium metal anodes.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2023

A perspective on the device physics of lead halide perovskite semiconducting detector for gamma and x-ray sensing

Metal-halide perovskites are emerging materials for radiation sensing featuring high absorption cross section, high charge mobility, and long carrier lifetime enabling superior detection efficiencies even at room temperature. Perovskite detector technologies are more complex involving different detecting modes and device architectures. Here, to elucidate the working principles, we provide a Perspective on the device structures and the operational principles of halide perovskite direct conversion detectors for radiation sensing. We will first discuss different detection modes and introduce the commonly used device architectures and their working principles. Based on our work and pioneer developments in the field, we will next compare the performances of the reported detectors. Additionally, we will summarize the single crystal detectors and polycrystalline thin film devices and discuss their advantages and disadvantages for different applications. Finally, we provide a future Perspective on the critical problems that must be addressed to commercialize this technology.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

Scalable quantum computational science: A perspective from block-encodings and polynomial transformations

Significant developments made in quantum hardware and error correction recently have been driving quantum computing toward practical utility. However, gaps remain between abstract quantum algorithmic development and practical applications in computational sciences. In this perspective article, we propose several properties that scalable quantum computational science methods should possess. We further discuss how block-encodings and polynomial transformations can potentially serve as a unified framework with the desired properties. Recent advancements on these topics are presented, including the construction and assembly of block-encodings, and various generalizations of quantum signal processing (QSP) algorithms to perform polynomial transformations. The scalability of QSP methods on parallel and distributed quantum architectures is also highlighted. Promising applications in simulation and observable estimation in chemistry, physics, and optimization problems are presented. We hope this perspective serves as a gentle introduction to state-of-the-art quantum algorithms for the computational science community and inspires future development of scalable quantum computational science methodologies that bridge theory and practice.

Bayesian inference↗
DOE OSTI2026

A perspective on the electronic instabilities in kagome AV 3 Sb 5

The electronic properties of solids are strongly shaped by lattice geometry. A prime example is the kagome lattice, whose band structure features van Hove singularities (vHS), flat bands, and Dirac crossings. These characteristics naturally promote strong electronic correlations. In the kagome metals AV 3 Sb 5 , the Fermi level lies close to kagome-derived vHS, placing the system in a regime of heightened electronic susceptibility and correlation-driven instabilities. In this Perspective, we discuss the electronic instabilities observed experimentally in AV 3 Sb 5 , outline the physical pictures that we find most compelling, and share our views on the current excitement, open debates, and future opportunities in these materials. We view AV 3 Sb 5 as a uniquely clean platform for exploring how multiple correlated phases coexist, compete, and intertwine on a single Fermi surface, offering a level of conceptual richness comparable to that of the cuprates. Although a lot of information about AV 3 Sb 5 has been collected in recent years, we still lack a clear understanding of each of its electronic phases or their interplay. Furthermore this Perspective aims to expose the status of the field and cajole a communal effort toward a unified physical description of these compounds.

Yeh, Eric C. H. [University of California, Los Ang↗
DOE OSTI2025

Experimental search for the chiral magnetic effect in relativistic heavy-ion collisions: A perspective

The chiral magnetic effect (CME) refers to generation of the electric current along a magnetic field in a chirally imbalanced system of quarks. The latter is predicted by quantum chromodynamics to arise from quark interaction with nontrivial topological fluctuations of the vacuum gluonic field. The CME has been actively searched for in relativistic heavy-ion collisions, where such gluonic field fluctuations and a strong magnetic field are believed to be present. The CME-sensitive observables are unfortunately subject to a possibly large non-CME background, and firm conclusions on a CME observation have not yet been reached. In this perspective, we review the experimental status and progress in the CME search, from the initial measurements more than a decade ago to the dedicated program of isobar collisions in 2018 and the release of the isobar blind analysis result in 2022 to intriguing hints of a possible CME signal in Au + Au collisions, and discuss future prospects of a potential CME discovery in the anticipated high-statistic Au + Au collision data at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider by 2025. We hope such a perspective will help sharpening our focus on the fundamental physics of the CME and steer its experimental search.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

A Perspective on the Impact of Group Delay Dispersion in Future Terahertz Wireless Systems

This article discusses the challenges and opportunities of managing group delay dispersion (GDD), and its relation to the performance standards of future sixth-generation (6G) wireless communication systems utilizing terahertz frequency waves. The unique susceptibilities of 6G systems to GDD are described, along with a quantitative description of the sources of GDD, including multipath, rough surface scattering, intelligent reflecting surfaces, and propagation through the atmosphere. An experimental case-study is presented that confirms previous models quantifying the impact of atmospheric GDD. Several GDD manipulation strategies are presented, illustrating their hindered effectiveness in the 6G context. Conversely, some benefits of leveraging GDD to enhance 6G systems, such as improved security and simplified hardware, are also discussed. Finally, a perspective on using photonic GDD control devices is provided, revealing quantitative benefits that may unburden existing equalization schemes. Here, the article argues that GDD will uniquely and significantly impact some 6G systems, but that its careful consideration along with new mitigation strategies, including photonic devices, will help optimize system performance. The conclusion provides a perspective to guide future research in this area.

Strecker, Karl↗
DOE OSTI2018

Joint Evaluation of System Host and Developer Financial Perspectives within the System Advisor Model

The System Advisor Model (SAM)11https://sam.nrel.gov already contains several RE project financing including residential mortgage, commercial loan partnership flips, and third-party ownership. However, a variety of SAM users wanted to evaluate a system in which a third party owned the system, both from the developer's perspective and the system host perspective concurrently. Therefore, a new host and developer co-model has been added and is described. This model effectively combines the previously-released 'third party ownership' and 'Single owner' models into the same analysis.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Chiral magnetism: a geometric perspective

We discuss a geometric perspective on chiral ferromagnetism. Much like gravity becomes the effect of spacetime curvature in theory of relativity, the Dzyaloshinski-Moriya interaction arises in a Heisenberg model with nontrivial spin parallel transport. The Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya vectors serve as a background SO(3) gauge field. In 2 spatial dimensions, the model is partly solvable when an applied magnetic field matches the gauge curvature. At this special point, solutions to the Bogomolny equation are exact excited states of the model. We construct a variational ground state in the form of a skyrmion crystal and confirm its viability by Monte Carlo simulations. The geometric perspective offers insights into important problems in magnetism, e.g., conservation of spin current in the presence of chiral interactions.

Hill, Daniel↗
DOE OSTI2020

The Ignition and Growth Concept: The πSURF Perspective. Preliminary document

The ignition and growth reactive burn models used in the most generally-used hydrocodes (Pagosa, CTH, ALE3D, etc.) originate from the same basic idea: reactive burn results from distinct contributions from ignition of hot-spots and growth of reaction (deflagration) from the hot spots. We focus here on reviewing the development of the scaling relationship from the SURF perspective, and we emphasize that we are reviewing the ideas of Menikoff and Shaw from our own perspective in the context of developing the pSURF model.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

The North American Renewable Integration Study (NARIS): A U.S. Perspective

The North American electric power system is undergoing significant change, with renewable resources now contributing more generation than ever before. This transformation is poised to continue given decreasing technology costs and ambitious decarbonization goals at the federal, state, local, corporate, and consumer levels. The North American Renewable Integration Study (NARIS) aims to inform grid planners, utilities, industry, policymakers, and other stakeholders about challenges and opportunities for continental system integration of large amounts of wind, solar, and hydropower to support a low-carbon future grid. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) conducted a detailed, continent-wide analysis with planning scenarios of transmission, generation, and demand to reach 80%–92% carbon reductions (from 2005) for the Canadian electric power system, and up to 80% reductions continent-wide. We used a suite of models to study future scenarios and gain insights, including potential impacts on costs, emissions, resource adequacy, and the specific technologies that help enable the transition to a low-carbon grid. Our analysis had a particular focus on the potential role of cooperation among the three North American countries and between regions within each country, and how transmission can support sharing of supply and demand diversity. The NARIS project began in 2016. This report describes a U.S. perspective in coordination with the U.S. Department of Energy, and a companion report describes a Canadian perspective in coordination with the Natural Resources Canada. NARIS was an extension of a previous body of work, including the Western Wind and Solar Integration Study, the Eastern Renewable Generation Integration Study, Interconnections Seam Study, and the Pan Canadian Wind Integration Study. NARIS analyzed the entire continent in detail while studying higher renewable generation than previous studies. The scenarios in NARIS were informed by the goals in the Mid-Century Strategies for the Paris Agreement in each country.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

The North American Renewable Integration Study (NARIS): A Canadian Perspective

The North American electric power system is undergoing significant change, with renewable resources now contributing more generation than ever before. This transformation is poised to continue given decreasing technology costs and ambitious decarbonization goals at the federal, state, local, corporate, and consumer levels. The North American Renewable Integration Study (NARIS) aims to inform grid planners, utilities, industry, policymakers, and other stakeholders about challenges and opportunities for continental system integration of large amounts of wind, solar, and hydropower to support a low-carbon future grid. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) conducted a detailed, continent-wide analysis with planning scenarios of transmission, generation, and demand to reach 80%–92% carbon reductions (from 2005) for the Canadian electric power system, and up to 80% reductions continent-wide. We used a suite of models to study future scenarios and gain insights, including potential impacts on costs, emissions, resource adequacy, and the specific technologies that help enable the transition to a low-carbon grid. Our analysis had a particular focus on the potential role of cooperation among the three North American countries and between regions within each country, and how transmission can support sharing of supply and demand diversity. The NARIS project began in 2016. This report describes a Canadian perspective in coordination with the Natural Resources Canada, and a companion report describes a U.S. perspective in coordination with the U.S. Department of Energy. NARIS was an extension of a previous body of work, including the Western Wind and Solar Integration Study, the Eastern Renewable Generation Integration Study, Interconnections Seam Study, and the Pan Canadian Wind Integration Study. NARIS analyzed the entire continent in detail while studying higher renewable generation than previous studies. The scenarios in NARIS were informed by the goals in the Mid-Century Strategies for the Paris Agreement in each country.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗