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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

Cybersecurity Standards for Photovoltaic Operations

Solar energy plays an important role in securing a more resilient, cyber-secure electrical grid in Pennsylvania. Solar's ability to be widely "distributed" on residential and large roofs, marginal lands, and many other locations across Pennsylvania - as opposed to being centralized - offers a strong option for addressing the myriad of potential disruptions that can occur to the grid's infrastructure. And when combined with energy storage, local energy needs can be met immediately without having to wait on the delivery of an off-site fuel source. As more and more distributed solar electricity generation is brought online, researchers, technology developers, solar developers and grid operators are paying close attention to the potential for solar to enhance grid cybersecurity. Although nobody may know when, where, or how the next cyberattack will take place, there are security measures, technical solutions, and management practices that are being implemented across the industry to protect against network control issues and grid operations. Everyone participating in the solar value chain stands to gain from a coordinated, iterative approach to protect against cyber vulnerabilities and build deeper resilience into the architecture of our grid.

cybersecurity↗

U.S. DOE/NETL LCA of LNG: Overview & Key (LCA) Challenges

Mr. Timothy Skone provided the opening session presentation at the LNGnet Special Working Group 2: "Managing methane emissions across the LNG value chain" meeting held on virtually on July 1, 2021. The presentation provides a brief overview of NETL life cycle analysis (LCA) modeling of U.S. natural gas production and liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to European and Asian markets. The talk focuses on challenges in conducting LCAs of LNG shipments.

Source record↗

BioSecure Digital Twin: Manufacturing Innovation and Cybersecurity Resilience

U.S. national security, prosperity, economy, and well-being require secure, flexible, and resilient Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing. The COVID-19 pandemic reaffirmed that the biomedical production value-chain is vulnerable to disruption and has been under attack from sophisticated nation-state adversaries. Current cyber defenses are inadequate, and the integrity of critical production systems and processes are inherently vulnerable to cyber-attacks, human error, and supply chain disruptions. The following chapter explores how a BioSecure Digital Twin will improve U.S. manufacturing resilience and preparedness to respond to these hazards by significantly improving monitoring, integrity, security, and agility of our manufacturing infrastructure and systems. The BioSecure Digital Twin combines a scalable manufacturing framework with a robust platform for monitoring and control to increase U.S. biopharma manufacturing resilience. Then, the chapter discusses some of the inherent vulnerabilities and challenges at the nexus of health and advanced manufacturing. Next, the chapter highlights that as the Pandemic evolves, we need agility and resilience to overcome significant obstacles. This section highlights an innovative application of Cyber Informed Engineering to developing and deploying a BioSecure Digital Twin to improve the resilience and security of the biopharma industrial supply chain and production processes. Finally, the chapter concludes with a process framework to complement the Digital Twin platform, called the Biopharma (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) OODA Loop Framework (BOLF), a four-step approach to decision-making outputs from the Digital Twin. The BOLF will help end users leverage twin technology by distilling the available information, focusing the data on context, and rapidly making the best decision while remaining cognizant of changes that can be made as more data becomes available.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

Bio-Optimized Technologies to Keep Thermoplastics out of Landfills and the Environment (BOTTLE)

Plastics have revolutionized modern life, but reliance on these fossil-based materials that persist for centuries is causing a pollution crisis and contributing to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To develop new technologies to address this problem, the Bio-Optimized Technologies to keep Thermoplastics out of Landfills and the Environment (BOTTLE) Consortium will deliver selective, scalable technologies to enable cost-effective recycling, upcycling, and increased energy efficiency. BOTTLE is an interdisciplinary team of experts that aim to develop selective, scalable processes to deconstruct and upcycle today's plastics and thermosets, redesign tomorrow's plastics to be recyclable-by-design (RBD) and derived from both bio-based and plastic waste-based feedstocks, work with industrial partners across the value chain to catalyze the circular economy for plastics, and leverage AMO and BETO investments in analysis-guided R&D, integrated process development, chemical and biological catalysis, materials characterization, modeling, and data science. BOTTLE is guided by techno-economic analysis (TEA) and supply chain-based life-cycle assessment (LCA). BOTTLE comprises members from ten partner institutions. Primary outcomes to date include establishment of a full consortium, impactful, benchmarking analyses that will be important for the plastics recycling and upcycling community, and multiple impactful, high-impact publications across the breadth of our research portfolio.

bio-optimized↗

NETL’s Techno-Economic Models for Assessing CO2 Pipeline Transport and Geologic Storage

Presentation at Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Workshop: Future Energy Roadmap – Navigating Through the Energy Transition, held in Galveston, Texas, August 22-23, 2022. The presentation provides an overview of the techno-economic models NETL has developed for assessing performance characteristics and cost drivers for CO2 pipeline transport (FECM/NETL CO2 Transport Cost Model or CO2_T_COM), CO2 saline storage (FECM/NETL CO2 Saline Storage Cost Model or CO2_S_COM), and oil production and CO2 storage using CO2 enhanced oil recovery (EOR) (FE/NETL CO2 Prophet Model or CO2_Prophet and FE/NETL Onshore CO2 EOR Cost Model or CO2_E_COM). A high-level description of each model is presented along with useful outputs that can be generated with each model. These tools can be used individually to evaluate the economic opportunity for specific CCUS components, or they can be used in tandem to assess an integrated CCUS value chain.

Morgan, David↗

Techno-Economic Models are Instrumental in Analyzing Decarbonization Strategies

This presentations provides a high-level overview of the NETL-developed techno-economic models associated with the CO2 transport and CO2 storage components of the carbon capture and storage (CCS)/carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) value chain. It also discusses the models’ capabilities through the discussion of select modeling applications (both internal and external) and highlights current model modifications and future work. It was presented at the CCUS 2023 conference, organized and presented by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), and Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) and held in Houston, Texas, April 25-27, 2023.

Guinan, Allison↗

Microreactors Electrify the Future of Mining

This presentation is for the Joint Coeur d’Alene and Columbia Basin meeting of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration on May 12. The presentation briefly defines microreactor technology, potential markets, provide an example of a remote mining case study in Alaska, describes ways to extend the product value chain, presents a concept for a microreactor powered integrated mining operation, and describes Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations in mining.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

NETL’s Techno-Economic Modeling Resources for Analyzing Decarbonization Strategies Using CCUS

NETL has developed techno-economic models to evaluate the performance characteristics and cost drivers for elements of the carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS/CCS) value chain: CO2 capture, CO2 pipeline transport, CO2 saline storage, and oil production and CO2 storage using CO2 enhanced oil recovery (EOR). These tools can be used individually to evaluate the economic opportunity for specific CCUS components, or they can be used in tandem to assess integrated CCUS systems. An overview and high-level description of the transport and storage models is presented in a poster along with useful outputs that can be generated with each.

Morgan, David↗

The NREL Sensor Laboratory: Hydrogen Leak Detection for Large Scale Deployments: Preprint

The NREL Hydrogen Sensor Laboratory was commissioned in 2010 as a resource for sensor developers, end-users, and regulatory agencies within the national and international hydrogen community. The Laboratory continues to provide as its core capability the unbiased verification of hydrogen sensor performance to assure sensor availability and their proper use. However, the mission and strategy of the NREL Sensor Laboratory has evolved to meet the needs of the growing hydrogen market. The Sensor Laboratory program has expanded to support research in conventional and alternative detection methods as hydrogen use expands to large-scale markets as envisioned by the DOE National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap. Current research encompasses advanced methods of hydrogen leak detection including stand-off and wide area monitoring approaches for large scale and distributed applications. In addition to safety applications, low-level detection strategies to support the potential environmental impacts of hydrogen and hydrogen product losses along the value chain are being explored. Many of these applications utilize detection strategies that supplement and may supplant the use of traditional point sensors. The latest results of the hydrogen detection strategy research at NREL will be presented.

detection↗

Detection and Quantitation of Hydrogen Emissions Role and Status of Detection Technology

Hydrogen is a critical strategy to decarbonize energy and manufacturing industries. Hydrogen is nontoxic and can be handled safely, but potential for secondary greenhouse impacts. Hydrogen releases arise from a variety of mechanisms (process, design features, "leaks") that contribute to total hydrogen releases. Detection methodologies will be critical to detect and quantify hydrogen emissions. Detection is to be integrated with advanced analytics (AI) and behavior modelling to effectively identify, quantify, and source locate hydrogen releases. Modelling of emissions will contribute to facility safety and reliability. DOE is committed to develop the tools to model and mitigate the impact of hydrogen releases which include: Support modeling to elucidate released hydrogen degradation; Support the development of tools for emissions quantitation; and Support engineering advancements to minimize hydrogen losses along the value chain (including process, design features, and leaks).

detection↗

Soybean rust‐resistant and tolerant varieties identified through the Pan‐African Trial Network

Abstract BACKGROUND The global demand for soybeans is increasing rapidly, with projections indicating an escalation of 70–80 million metric tons over the next decade. Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) contributes significantly to this growth, with soybean production increasing by 6.8% per year, outpacing the global average increase of 4.7%. Despite the expansion, soybean productivity in Africa remains less than half of the global average. This yield gap is largely due to diseases and pests, such as soybean rust, which can be particularly severe. Effective management of soybean rust depends on several factors, including resistant cultivars. However, there has been limited information on the rust‐resistance levels of African cultivars. To address this gap, the Pan‐African Trial network conducted soybean varietal trials across diverse locations. RESULT Analyzing data from 370 individual trials conducted between 2015–2022, the network identified 81 cultivars with sufficient rust‐resistance data. Six cultivars including, Black Hawk, Dundee, Egret, Heron, Ibis, and Peka 06 were found to be resistant, and 12 were classified as tolerant. CONCLUSION This research is a significant step forward in improving soybean productivity in Africa, and further assessments are being undertaken to address other crop production challenges in the region. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

Favoretto, Vitor Rampazzo [Cenex Harvest States (C↗

Solving problems by interrogating sets of knowledge systems: Toward a theory of multiple knowledge systems

The main purpose is to develop a theory for multiple knowledge systems. A knowledge system could be a sensor or an expert system, but it must specialize in one feature. The problem is that we have an exhaustive list of possible answers to some query (such as what object is it). By collecting different feature values, in principle, it should be possible to give an answer to the query, or at least narrow down the list. Since a sensor, or for that matter an expert system, does not in most cases yield a precise value for the feature, uncertainty must be built into the model. Also, researchers must have a formal mechanism to be able to put the information together. Researchers chose to use the Dempster-Shafer approach to handle the problems mentioned above. Researchers introduce the concept of a state of recognition and point out that there is a relation between receiving updates and defining a set valued Markov Chain. Also, deciding what the value of the next set valued variable is can be phrased in terms of classical decision making theory such as minimizing the maximum regret. Other related problems are examined.

Dekorvin, Andre↗

Value-Added Process Intensification in the Supply Chain

The project goal is to assess opportunities for value-adds in the supply chain through designing a feedstock logistics systems that uses moisture during the residence time in storage to protect and increase feedstock value.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

A review of water valuation metrics: Supporting sustainable water use in manufacturing

In the manufacturing sector, water has been often considered too cheap to conserve. Such thinking relies on water valuations that limit the value of water to the price paid. Using such simple methods, the share of water cost to total manufacturing cost is significantly small, <3%. As a result, conserving water and enabling technology uptake is difficult to justify economically and slow to advance, hindering progress toward sustainable water use. However, the value of water to a manufacturer is far greater than the price paid. Valuations such as the true cost of water consider the additional in-plant treatment and energy costs and have been gaining greater traction in the manufacturing sector. However, true cost alone still undervalues water by not accounting for economic and social costs related to scarcity and environmental externalities. This paper makes the case and presents a framework for valuing manufacturing water beyond the price paid and the true cost. The proposed fuller valuation of manufacturing water takes into account the internal and opportunity costs associated with the realization of water risks. The paper follows with a review of a wide range of water valuation metrics, both at the specific industry level and regional/economy-wide level. The use of various valuation metrics incorporating the relationship between the change in value with change in water use, such as marginal value of water, shadow price, and elasticity at the specific industry level, has been limited in the U.S. manufacturing sector. Further, a limited number of studies exist on data-intensive subjective evaluation techniques such as computable general equilibrium modeling and input-output modeling for regional water valuation. After reviewing water value metrics, several recent case studies from manufacturers from the literature are presented to illustrate both the promise and challenges of a fuller valuation of water as proposed here. Some large multinational corporations have moved toward assessing the value of water via supply chain sustainability initiatives, environmental profit and loss accounting, estimating risk-adjusted values of water, hydro-economic modeling, natural capital asset valuation, and developing value chain indices. This paper provides policymakers and technology developers a framework for monetizing water value beyond its true cost and current metrics. If adopted, such fuller water valuations can help make the business case for the development and deployment of cost-effective water-conserving technologies, thereby improving the sustainability of the manufacturing sector with respect to water.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Increasing the content of long chain fatty acids in seed oil

Provided are plants that express, or overexpress, a pPLAIIIδ protein. Constitutive or seed-specific expression of pPLAIIIδ protein in Arabidopsis increases seed oil content, the amount of C20 and C22 fatty acids, and the amount of C56, C58, and C60 triacylglycerols, effectively resulting in significantly higher oil yield per plant. Use of pPLAIIIδ is therefore an effective biotechnological tool to significantly increase plant yield, including oil, and the amount of high value long chain fatty acids in agricultural and horticultural crops, especially oilseed crops.

Wang, Xuemin↗

When One Cannot Bypass the Byproducts: Plastic Packaging Waste Embedded in Production and Export

While packaging is praised for reducing waste of perishable food products, packaging waste is a growing concern. Its least recyclable type, plastics waste, is increasingly polluting the marine environment and many developing countries are now refusing to take the waste from developed countries. Before responsibility can be established, one has to identify the key producers and consumers. This paper adjusts the packaging waste satellite account in EXIOBASE 3 by combining the official waste data published by the World Bank. Based on input-output methods, we find that the world's top suppliers of plastic packaging waste are the United States, China, and Brazil. Food and beverage products constitute the bulk of the problem. Yet, 21% of these countries' plastic packaging waste is induced export. At the global level, it is 25.8%. About 76.0% of export-induced plastic packaging waste corresponds to packaging of the exported goods that will ultimately be disposed of in the destination country; while the others correspond to the packaging used in their supply-chain and wasted domestically. We conclude that international efforts need to assign shared responsibility and promote improvement in plastic packaging recyclability.

environment responsibility↗

Thermochemical processes for CO 2 hydrogenation to fuels and chemicals: Challenges and opportunities

This manuscript discusses the potential use of CO 2 as a carbon and oxygen carrier to return it to the carbon life cycle in the form of fuels or chemicals via thermochemical catalytic pathways. Theoretically, CO 2 hydrogenation can form a variety of fuels and chemicals. Practically, however, the selectivity, conversion, operating range, and kinetic limitations and operational cost determine the end product. Because of their high value and versatility as a chemical or fuel, small olefins (i.e., C 2 H 4 ) and methanol are often considered as target species. Whether alcohol or olefin formation, CH 4 and CO are the nature’s primary choices of CO 2 conversion. They can be formed over a wide operating temperature, pressure, and CO 2 :H 2 ratios. They are often competitive carbon species in olefin or methanol formation steps. Although they are less valuable as end products, they can be used as intermediate species. Secondary processes of CO and CH 4 to form chemicals and fuels can increase the overall CO 2 hydrogenation yield. Independent of the choice of end product, CO 2 hydrogenation requires hydrogen. Pure hydrogen derived mostly from fossil fuels adds to the overall process cost and also increases the CO 2 emissions. Hydrogen produced from water electrolysis is a renewable green pathway but is limited by the process efficiency and cost. As an alternative to pure hydrogen, low-value, small chain paraffins are suggested as the hydrogen carriers. Carbon dioxide–assisted oxidative dehydrogenation of paraffins to olefins process is a direct pathway to olefin formation. The paper discusses these potential pathways for CO 2 utilization based on theoretical analysis and recent advances in academia and industry.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗