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DOE OSTI2025

Steady-State Microbunching using Optical Stochastic Cooling

Optical Stochastic Cooling (OSC) is a state-of-the-art beam cooling technology first demonstrated in 2021 at the IOTA storage ring at Fermilab's FAST facility. A second phase of the research program is planned to run in 2026 and will incorporate an optical amplifier to enable significantly increased cooling rates and greater operational flexibility. In addition to beam cooling, an OSC system can be configured to enable advanced control over the phase space of the beam. An example operational mode could enable crystallization, where the particles in a bunch are locked into a self-reinforcing, regular microstructure at the OSC fundamental wavelength; we refer to this as Optical Stochastic Crystallization (OSX). OSX represents a new path toward Steady-State Microbunching (SSMB), which may enable light sources combining the high brightness of a free-electron laser with the high repetition rate of a storage ring. Such a source has applications from the terahertz to the extreme ultraviolet (EUV), including high-power EUV generation for semiconductor lithography. This contribution will discuss the integration of OSX development as part of the OSC program at IOTA. The design of an accelerator lattice to enable the mechanism and associated high fidelity simulations demonstrating the beam dynamics will be shown, and a path to realizing an experimental demonstration will be discussed.

Wallbank, Michael James [Fermilab]↗

DOE OSTI2026

Residential Vehicle-to-Home Backup Power Capabilities: Key Findings from a ComEd Beneficial Electrification R&D Pilot

This report summarizes key findings from a collaborative technical study of residential, non-grid-tied vehicle-to-home (V2H) backup power systems in Commonwealth Edison’s (ComEd’s) service territory. The work integrates (1) a feeder-level technoeconomic analysis (TEA) using historical outage-event data and simulated electric-vehicle (EV) driving/charging profiles to estimate potential reliability and customer interruption-cost impacts under V2H and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) adoption scenarios; (2) controlled laboratory performance testing of a representative V2H backup ecosystem to characterize transfer-to-backup behavior, sustained power delivery, efficiency trends, and repeatable reliability limitations; and (3) a cybersecurity assessment aligned with NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0 and ISO/SAE 21434 to evaluate interface-level risk drivers and identify program-relevant mitigations. Results indicate that V2H can provide measurable resilience value, but outcomes are strongly context dependent on outage patterns and the share of events that are “V2H-applicable.” Typical transfer-to-backup behavior clustered on the order of minutes, but rare long-delay edge cases were observed (including an event approaching 30 minutes) and should be treated as a reliability risk. High-power testing showed that peak-rated output is not necessarily continuously deliverable; stable operation may require operation below nameplate ratings and attention to thermal and installation constraints. The cybersecurity assessment highlights a broad attack surface spanning commissioning, home networks, embedded services, and cloud/OTA pathways, motivating minimum controls for secure onboarding, signed updates, patch cadence, and coordinated vulnerability response for any scaled deployment.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2026

Requirements and Overview of the LAMP PDM Vault

The Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) is located at Technical Area 53 (TA-53) at Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, New Mexico. LANSCE is driven by an 800 mega electron volt (MeV) proton accelerator that delivered first beam in 1972. The LANSCE accelerator is unique in that it accelerates both H- (to full energy of 800 MeV) and H+ ions (up to 100 MeV currently but has accelerated high-power H+ beam to 800 MeV in the past) and supports five separate experimental areas that operate simultaneously with each having different timing and beam current requirements.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

DOE OSTI2026

High-Burnup LOCA Burst Susceptibility BISON Analysis in PWRs and BWRs

Accurately assessing high-burnup fuel behavior during loss-of-coolant accidents (LOCAs) is essential for understanding fuel fragmentation, relocation, and dispersal (FFRD) risks across the US light-water reactor fleet. This work updates previous Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) Program multiphysics LOCA analyses for a pressurized water reactor (PWR) and a boiling water reactor (BWR) by incorporating recent model and material property advancements in the BISON fuel performance code, including a high-burnup structure (HBS) model, revised cladding burst criteria, and updated thermal–mechanical correlations. This update was needed to support ongoing industry initiatives and upcoming regulatory changes. Full-core, rod-resolved operating histories generated using Virtual Environment for Reactor Analysis (VERA) and system-level LOCA conditions obtained from TRACE were applied to statistically representative rod samples in BISON to evaluate burst behavior and FFRD susceptibility. These calculations used two cladding burst correlations and three fuel pulverization models so that the predictions of these models could be compared. The updated PWR simulations show markedly improved numerical stability as the number of crashed simulations decreased by 95% compared to the previous study, and hence higher confidence in results. The updated PWR simulations predicted cladding bursts exclusively among once-burned, high-power rods, with two different cladding burst models identifying the same burst-susceptible population. Resulting FFRD susceptibility estimates are significantly reduced compared with earlier studies, driven by cooler predicted fuel and plenum temperatures, lower hoop strains, and reduced fission gas release in the updated models. In contrast, none of the BWR rods were predicted to burst under either burst criterion, reaffirming minimal BWR FFRD susceptibility even with updated HBS and material models. Comparisons between the PWR and BWR end-of-cycle predictions are made. Comparison with prior work highlights significant shifts in PWR fuel performance metrics and confirmation of earlier BWR conclusions. Overall, the updated results underscore the importance of having high-resolution detailed modeling capability and continuously integrating evolving material models and physics into high-resolution multiphysics simulations. The unified assessment presented here strengthens confidence in predicting high-burnup LOCA behavior by improving agreement between different cladding burst correlations. These results also provide an improved foundation for future BISON model development, FFRD susceptibility calculations.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

DOE OSTI2026

World’s First Vertical GaN based High Power (200 kW) Multi-level Traction Electric Drive Design

Vertical GaN (vGaN) technology leverages a fully conductive 3D semiconductor structure, enabling superior power density compared to GaN-on-Si and other wide bandgap devices. It offers a pathway to surpass cost and efficiency limitations of Si and SiC devices in traction applications. However, scaling for high-voltage, high-power systems remains challenging. This paper presents the design of an 800V, 200kW traction inverter utilizing vertical GaN devices. The inverter achieves ultra-high efficiency (> 99.5%) through advanced power module integration and employs multilevel neutral-point-less X-type (NPL.X) inverter topology to ensure optimal traction drive system performance. These innovations demonstrate the potential of vGaN for nextgeneration electric propulsion systems.

Alam, Khorshed [General Motors LLC, Detroit, MI (U↗

DOE OSTI2026

Configuration Management Plan

The Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) is located at Technical Area 53 (TA-53) at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in Los Alamos, New Mexico. LANSCE is driven by an 800 megaelectronvolt (MeV) proton accelerator that delivered its first beam in 1972. The LANSCE accelerator is unique in that it accelerates both H– (to full energy of 800 MeV) and H+ ions (up to 100 MeV currently but has accelerated high-power H+ beam to 800 MeV in the past) and supports five separate experimental areas that operate simultaneously, with each having different timing and beam current requirements. Many of the LANSCE accelerator front-end components date back to original commissioning in 1972, including the ion sources, Cockcroft-Walton (CW) generators, and the Drift Tube LINAC (DTL), which accelerates the beam up to 100 MeV.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

DOE OSTI2026

Contextual modeling and Bayesian Optimization for Improved Injection at the Fermilab Booster

The Fermilab accelerator complex delivers high-intensity proton beams to serve the lab’s neutrino, muon, and fixed-target programs. A normal-conducting Linac accelerates H− beam to 400 MeV and injects into the Booster rapid cycling synchrotron via charge exchange, which accelerates protons to 8 GeV. Injection from the Linac into the Booster is a critical area for high-power performance of the Fermilab proton complex. The Booster is a high-intensity proton ring with extreme space-charge forces which necessitates precise control over the beam losses through the acceleration cycle. The main challenge for the reliability of Booster performance is compensating for drifting conditions in the beam from the Linac, which can drift daily in energy by up to O(1) MeV w.r.t. design. Drifts in Linac orbit and energy must be corrected to match the Booster, while simultaneously accommodating interdependent drifts in transverse and longitudinal beam quality. Operationally, compensation for these changes is addressed by manual tuning of the Linac output energy and/or Booster acceptance, which can be inefficient and time-consuming. This works describes contextual Bayesian Optimization for injection tuning that takes into account the state of Linac beam via information from instrumentation in the injection line (Beam position monitors (BPMs), beam loss monitors (BLMs), wire scanners for transverse profiles (WSs)), as well as RF cavity setting parameters from the Linac.

Sharankova, R. [Fermilab] (ORCID:000000027014593X)↗

DOE OSTI2026

Fermilab complex upgrades and CLFV

I review the current status and future prospects of charged lepton flavor violation (CLFV) searches at Fermilab, with emphasis on their sensitivity to physics beyond the Standard Model and their complementarity to the mission-critical LBNF/DUNE neutrino program. In this context, strategic considerations for the evolution of the complex in the Linac-II era will be discussed, including synergies between CLFV initiatives and mission-critical commitments such as reliable high-power beam delivery to LBNF/DUNE.

Hedges, Michael [Fermilab] (ORCID:0000000165041872↗

DOE OSTI2025

Synthesis and Lithium Storage Properties of Spinel (Al 0.2 Mn 0.2 Co 0.2 Ni 0.2 Zn 0.2 ) 3 O 4 High-Entropy Oxide

High-entropy oxides (HEOs) have garnered significant interest as next-generation anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their high theoretical specific capacity and excellent structural stability. This study successfully synthesized spinel-structured (Al 0.2 Mn 0.2 Co 0.2 Ni 0.2 Zn 0.2 ) 3 O 4 HEO via a sol–gel method. The material was characterized by XRD, Raman and TEM, confirming a homogeneous single-phase spinel structure, with uniformly distributed elements-a hallmark of HEOs. Electrochemical tests demonstrated a stable cycling performance (438 mAh g −1 at 100 mA g −1 after 100 cycles and 350 mAh g −1 at 1 A g −1 after 1000 cycles) and rate capacity of 159 mAh g −1 at 2 A g −1 , The remarkable long-term cyclability and good rate capability highlight the potential of this HEO for practical applications in durable, high-power lithium-ion batteries. This work underscores the advantage of incorporating structurally stabilizing elements in HEOs for advanced energy storage.

anode materials↗

DOE OSTI2024

Experimental Validation of a Modular All-Electric Power Take-Off Topology for Wave Energy Converter Enabling Marine Renewable Energy Interconnection

Power electronic converters are an enabling technology for the emerging marine energy applications, such as using ocean waves to produce electricity. This paper outlines the power take-off system and its key components used in a wave energy converter offering modularity and scalability to generate power efficiently. The proposed power take-off system was implemented based on a modular multilevel converter and could be deployed to convert any alternating current electrical energy to a different alternating current for interconnection to grid or non-grid applications. Examples of widespread deployment are supplying electricity to coastal communities or producing clean drinking water. The analysis using both the simulation tests and laboratory experiments verified the design objectives and basic functionality of the developed power take-off system. An acceptable response using a field programmable gate array-based controlled laboratory testbench was achieved, complying with guidelines specified in the prevalent industry standards. Seamless operation during steady-state and transients for the studied wave energy converter was achieved as supported by the obtained results. The key findings of this work were experimentally examined under different load conditions, direct current bus voltage fluctuations, and generator speed–torque regulation. The ability of the power take-off system to generate high-power quality of the waveforms, e.g., against adhering to the IEEE 519-2022 standard for total harmonic distortion limits, is also confirmed.

Engineering↗

DOE OSTI2025

High Power Density, Carbon Neutral Electrical Power Generation for Air Vehicles

The synergistic integration of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell-Combustor (SOFC-C) with a turbogenerator (TG) will provide a very high fuel-to-electricity conversion efficiency while maintaining high power-to-weight ratio during high-altitude flight. The proposed SOFC-C-TG power generation technology exceeds the REEACH technical performance targets (TPT). This unique concept addresses many of the challenges faced in all electric propulsion-based aviation. The system has high part-load efficiency (more than 65% lower heating value (LHV)) during long cruise times, load following capability, high-power capacity at high altitudes adapting to low temperatures and pressures, rapid startup time of less than 30 minutes (proven with current SOFC technology), high power density (more than 3.2 kW/kg), efficient thermal management, and a foundation for a compact, efficient electrical storage and power generation system (ESPG). The SOFC-C concept achieves the technology targets by reducing the complexity of traditional fuel cell-gas turbine hybrid systems (FC-GT). The SOFC-C does not require heat exchangers and dramatically reduces the balance of plant increasing power density and performance in efficiency. The reduction in mass through elimination of heat exchangers, external reformer, and other components dramatically decreases the overall thermal dampening of the system which enables rapid startup and load following capability. Direct control of the cathode inlet temperature of the SOFC-C enables rapid warm-up of the SOFC tubes with the ability to reach operating temperature and full power in less than 30 minutes.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Leveraging FPGA Advantages for Quicker Data Processing for LBNF

The Long Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) will deliver a 2.4 MW muon neutrino beam from Fermilab to the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), requiring unprecedented precision in beamline alignment to achieve DUNE's neutrino oscillation measurement goals. Vertical misalignments of beamline components as small as 0.5 mm can contribute 6-7\% uncertainty in predicted neutrino flux, necessitating sub-0.1 mm alignment monitoring capabilities. The Horn Location Sensor (HLS) system employs frequency sweep interferometry (FSI) in a distributed hydrostatic leveling network to achieve the required precision under harsh radiation conditions up to 5000 kRad/year. Traditional FSI implementations suffer from laser sweep nonlinearities that degrade resolution and require computationally intensive post-processing corrections using gas reference cells. This work presents a real-time FPGA-based implementation of the HLS data acquisition and processing system using a sweep tracker interferometer for dynamic sweep linearization. The system utilizes a PYNQ-Z2 FPGA with programmable logic implementing parallel 16k-point FFT processing across four channels, synchronized by the sweep tracker signal to eliminate post-processing requirements. Spectral performance testing demonstrates significant improvements in peak sharpness compared to traditional fixed-frequency digitization. The FPGA implementation enables real-time displacement monitoring with processing speeds orders of magnitude faster than software-based approaches, essential for the operational requirements of LBNF's eventual distributed sensor network. This advancement in real-time FSI processing directly supports DUNE's precision neutrino physics program by providing the rapid feedback necessary for maintaining stringent beamline alignment tolerances during high-power beam operations.

Rossel, Jacob↗

DOE OSTI2025

Evaluating Chemical Kinetics Predictions for Propane Using 3-D and 0-D Models in a Boosted Spark-Ignited Engine

Propane has been shown to be a promising alternative fuel to reduce emissions while simultaneously achieving high efficiencies in medium- and heavy-duty engines. These high-power density applications require boosted engines which, combined with high compression ratio, can lead to auto-ignition and knock. While three-dimensional (3-D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models are often used for resolving the complex fluid flow in engines, these models can become computationally expensive when simulating detailed chemical kinetics. Likewise, zero-dimensional (0-D) models are computationally concise enough for kinetics development, but lack any flow-field information which governs the flame propagation processes in spark ignition (SI) engines. This work presents a comprehensive comparison between 3-D and 0-D closed cycle simulations at knocking conditions in a high compression ratio high stroke-to-bore ratio propane engine. In order to initialize the flow-field for the 3-D closed cycle (intake valve closing, (IVC) to exhaust valve opening, (EVO)) simulation, a motored multi-cycle 3-D model was run using Converge to create a map at IVC, reducing the computational time. The map allowed a non-homogeneous 3-D closed cycle simulation to be satisfactorily validated against experiments, while a homogeneous case using only the turbulence field mapping was also simulated, mimicking 0-D modeling. The 3-D simulations were used to prescribe the initial conditions (e.g., IVC thermodynamics, speciation, burn-rate profile) for a 2-zone 0-D SI engine model in Chemkin Pro for both cases. It was found that 2-zone 0-D modeling underpredicted the knock onset timing, likely due to the lack of thermal stratification in the unburned gas region. Future work will carry multi-zone 0-D modeling to capture the fuel auto-ignition in the unburned region.

Douvry-Rabjeau, Julien [Oakland University, Roches↗

DOE OSTI2026

DAMSA Experiment Conceptual Design White Paper

DAMSA (DArk Messenger Searches at an Accelerator) is a novel short-baseline accelerator experiment aimed at probing short-lived physics processes, including searches for evidence of a dark sector of particle physics and well-motivated Standard Model signals. Motivated by open questions in neutrino physics and the absence of conclusive evidence for conventional weakly interacting massive particles, DAMSA targets MeV-to-sub-GeV dark-sector messengers with feeble couplings that can be produced in abundance at the PIP-II LINAC. By employing an ultra-short baseline of order one meter, DAMSA is uniquely positioned to overcome the beam-dump "ceiling" that limits sensitivity to promptly decaying particles in longer-baseline experiments. The conceptual design emphasizes a beam-dump production scheme combined with a compact detector optimized for rare decays while mitigating intense neutron-induced backgrounds inherent to high-power proton beams. To validate the experimental strategy and detector technologies, the Little DAMSA Path-Finder (LDPF) proof-of-concept experiment is proposed, focusing on axion-like particles decaying to two photons and operating with 300 MeV electron beams at FAST. Successful realization of LDPF will establish the feasibility of the DAMSA approach, enabling a broad and powerful program to explore short-lived new physics and precision Standard Model processes in a previously inaccessible regime. This conceptual design document outlines the technical details of DAMSA's physics goals, the beam facility proposals, key experimental challenges and how to overcome them, and the proposed experimental staging campaigns.

Bhattarai, Prithak [Texas U., Arlington]↗

DOE OSTI2025

Novel technology of non-contact real-time radiation damage sensors for high power targets.

This report summarizes the contributions of an intern participating in the Community College Internship (CCI) program at Fermilab, focusing on the development of a novel, non-contact, real-time radiation damage sensor technology. The core objective is to create a reliable sensor capable of measuring radiation-induced degradation on high-power targets without physical contact. The experiment involves using a Class 3B supercontinuum laser directed toward a single material sample placed within a vacuum test chamber. The laser beam reflects off the sample's surface, with changes in reflectivity, indicative of radiation damage, measured by a spectrometer positioned at the chamber’s output port. The intern’s primary responsibilities included designing an interlock system to ensure laser operational safety, developing a camera-based monitoring system using Raspberry Pi devices, and creating structural supports using 3D modeling and printing techniques. Components for the interlock and camera systems were successfully designed and ordered, with preliminary 3D models printed and refined through iterative testing. Challenges encountered in the 3D printing process, such as fragile initial prototypes and difficult support removal, were overcome by adjusting printer settings and incorporating design enhancements like chamfered edges. Future activities, pending component delivery, involve installing and configuring the interlock and camera systems, as well as further improving the structural supports. Overall, the internship significantly enhanced the intern’s technical proficiency in hardware design, software integration, and advanced 3D printing, contributing directly to Fermilab’s operational safety standards and experimental effectiveness in high-energy physics research.

Pumarino Meza, Rafael [Unlisted; Fermilab]↗

DOE OSTI2025

Real-Time FPGA Implementation For Frequency Sweep Interferometry In The LBNF Complex

Rossel, A. Jacob [Fermilab; Unlisted]↗

DOE OSTI2025

Filter-Banks for Ultra-Wideband Communications, Sensing, and Localization

Recently, filterbank multi-carrier spread spectrum (FBMC-SS) has been proposed as a candidate waveform for ultrawideband (UWB) communications. It has been noted that FBMCSS is a perfect match to this application, leading to a trivial method of matching to the required spectral mask at different regions of the world. FBMC-SS also allows easy rejection of high-power interfering signals that may appear over different parts of the UWB spectral band. In this paper, we concentrate on the use of staggered multitone spread spectrum (SMT-SS) for UWB communications. SMT makes use of offset QAM modulation to transmit data symbols over narrowband, overlapping subcarrier bands. This form of FBMC-SS is well-suited to UWB communications because it has good spectral efficiency and a flat power spectral density (PSD), resulting in good utilization of the UWB spectral mask. Additionally, we explore new methods for multi-coding that result in higher bit rates than previous FBMCSS systems. Moreover, we study methods for equalizing the UWB multipath channel and cancelling narrowband interference. Excellent performance of the proposed methods are substantiated by presenting simulation results.

99 - GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

DOE OSTI2026

Machine Learning for Multipactor Susceptibility Prediction in Planar RF Gaps

Multipactor discharge is a nonlinear electron avalanche that limits the performance of high-power radio-frequency (RF) and vacuum electronic devices. Predicting multipactor susceptibility traditionally relies on Monte Carlo or particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations, which become computationally expensive for large parametric studies. In this work, we present a supervised machine-learning (ML) framework for prediction of multipactor susceptibility in a two-surface planar geometry. The models are trained using high-fidelity PIC simulation generated susceptibility data and learn the relationship between operational parameters, geometry, and material-dependent secondary electron emission properties. The proposed approach enables rapid reconstruction of susceptibility charts while preserving the physical structure of multipactor growth regions.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗