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At least 1,387 records · Page 77

Thermal Management System of an Outer-Rotor-Motor-Based Traction Drive With Integrated Power Electronics in its Central Cavity

Increasing power densities of electric vehicle traction drive systems necessitates combining the electric motor and the power electronics into one unit. A compact, integrated traction drive unit with fewer components also drives production costs down, enabling wider adoption of electric vehicles. However, the integration of power electronics in the electric machine is associated with challenges of designing an effective thermal management solution for the combined traction drive system. This paper focuses on the thermal management approach selected for Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s outer-rotor-motor-based integrated traction drive and evaluates its potential performance. The outer-rotor-motor configuration provided an opportunity for integration of the six-phase inverter in the available space in the central cavity of the internal stator. A cylindrical inverter enclosure with integrated coolant (water-ethylene glycol) channels in its walls was designed to enable heat removal from the power electronics. Numerical thermal-fluid modeling and initial channel/fin optimization results for the cylindrical heat sink are presented here. As permanent magnets are integrated in a high-speed (20 000 RPM) outer rotor, forced air convection provides cooling for the magnets. The magnets were segmented axially to mitigate the eddy current losses. Heat generated in the stator windings and laminations is removed by water-ethylene glycol coolant circulating in interpolar T-shape ceramic heat exchangers inserted between windings. General design concepts and numerical thermal-fluid simulations illustrating the electric motor thermal management solution are also presented.

Kekelia, Bidzina↗

Smart Adaptive Structures for an Ocean Wave Energy Converter

Ocean wave energy converters face significant challenges including cost-effectiveness, minimizing maintenance requirements, and withstanding extreme conditions. However, by utilizing smart materials, these converters could overcome these challenges. Such energy harvesters could use dielectric elastomer generators to convert ocean wave energy into electricity through their dynamic straining. Conversely, by applying electricity to these generators, they become actuators - dielectric elastomer actuators - thereby enabling them to alter their stiffness and adapt to the ever-changing ocean energy environments. Such active adaptation could enhance the converter's ability to: reach resonance with ocean waves and protect itself from dangerous waves. This study utilizes numerical analyses through the COMSOL software framework to evaluate the potential energy that could be harvested by a conceptual ocean wave energy converter based upon dielectric elastomer generators/actuators. The converter is composed of an external hull (that is a hollow cylinder), an inertial mass (that is a hollow cylinder and concentric with the hull), and 'spokes' - made of dielectric elastomer generators/actuators - that connect the hull to the inertial mass. Results of the numerical analyses include those outcomes arising from the conceptual converter being simulated via a sinusoidal motion analogous to ocean waves. That motion, therefore, causes relative motion between the converter's hull and inertial mass thereby dynamically stretching the corresponding connecting elastomers. The stretching of the elastomers enables them to 'gain elastic strain energy' and is, therefore, considered to be the theoretical limit of possible electrical energy conversion for the dielectric elastomer generator/actuator spokes. Additionally, the elastomer material properties of the spokes were altered to simulate the actuation of those same elastomers; with overall strain energy being subsequently investigated. Ultimately this is a preliminary study exploring the ability of such smart materials - electricity-generating and self-actuating elastomers - to actively adapt an ocean wave energy converter's structure to address and overcome the aforementioned challenges.

active materials↗

Formation of zinc oxide films using submicron zinc particle dispersions

The thermal oxidation of submicron metallic Zn particles was studied as a method to form nanostructured ZnO films. The particles used for this work were characterized by electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction and thermal analysis to evaluate the Zn-ZnO core shell structure, surface morphology, and oxidation characteristics. Significant nanostructural changes were observed for films annealed to 400 °C or higher, where nanoflakes, nanoribbons, nanoneedles and nanorods were formed as a result of stress induced fractures arising in the ZnO outer shell due to differential thermal expansion between the metallic Zn core and the ZnO shell. Mass transport occurs through these defects due to the high vapor pressure for metallic Zn at temperatures above 230 °C, whereupon the Zn vapor rapidly oxidizes in air to form the ZnO nanostructures. The Zn particles were also incorporated into zinc indium oxide precursor solutions to form thin film transistor test structures to evaluate the potential of forming nanostructured field effect sensors using simple solution processing.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Dosimetric properties of an amorphous silicon EPID for verification of modulated electron radiotherapy

Purpose: To investigate the dosimetric properties of an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) for electron beam detection and to evaluate its potential for quality assurance (QA) of modulated electron radiotherapy (MERT). Methods: A commercially available EPID was used to detect electron beams shaped by a photon multileaf collimator (MLC) at a source-surface distance of 70 cm. The fundamental dosimetric properties such as reproducibility, dose linearity, field size response, energy response, and saturation were investigated for electron beams. A new method to acquire the flood-field for the EPID calibration was tested. For validation purpose, profiles of open fields and various MLC fields (square and irregular) were measured with a diode in water and compared to the EPID measurements. Finally, in order to use the EPID for QA of MERT delivery, a method was developed to reconstruct EPID two-dimensional (2D) dose distributions in a water-equivalent depth of 1.5 cm. Comparisons were performed with film measurement for static and dynamic monoenergy fields as well as for multienergy fields composed by several segments of different electron energies. Results: The advantageous EPID dosimetric properties already known for photons as reproducibility, linearity with dose, and dose rate were found to be identical for electron detection. The flood-field calibration method was proven to be effective and the EPID was capable to accurately reproduce the dose measured in water at 1.0 cm depth for 6 MeV, 1.3 cm for 9 MeV, and 1.5 cm for 12, 15, and 18 MeV. The deviations between the output factors measured with EPID and in water at these depths were within {+-}1.2% for all the energies with a mean deviation of 0.1%. The average gamma pass rate (criteria: 1.5%, 1.5 mm) for profile comparison between EPID and measurements in water was better than 99% for all the energies considered in this study. When comparing the reconstructed EPID 2D dose distributions at 1.5 cm depth to film measurements, the gamma pass rate (criteria: 2%, 2 mm) was better than 97% for all the tested cases. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the high potential of the EPID for electron dosimetry, and in particular, confirms the possibility to use it as an efficient verification tool for MERT delivery.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

WE-E-17A-05: Complementary Prognostic Value of CT and 18F-FDG PET Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Tumor Heterogeneity Features Quantified Through Texture Analysis

Purpose: Previous studies have shown that CT or 18F-FDG PET intratumor heterogeneity features computed using texture analysis may have prognostic value in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), but have been mostly investigated separately. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential added value with respect to prognosis regarding the combination of non-enhanced CT and 18F-FDG PET heterogeneity textural features on primary NSCLC tumors. Methods: One hundred patients with non-metastatic NSCLC (stage I–III), treated with surgery and/or (chemo)radiotherapy, that underwent staging 18F-FDG PET/CT images, were retrospectively included. Morphological tumor volumes were semi-automatically delineated on non-enhanced CT using 3D SlicerTM. Metabolically active tumor volumes (MATV) were automatically delineated on PET using the Fuzzy Locally Adaptive Bayesian (FLAB) method. Intratumoral tissue density and FDG uptake heterogeneities were quantified using texture parameters calculated from co-occurrence, difference, and run-length matrices. In addition to these textural features, first order histogram-derived metrics were computed on the whole morphological CT tumor volume, as well as on sub-volumes corresponding to fine, medium or coarse textures determined through various levels of LoG-filtering. Association with survival regarding all extracted features was assessed using Cox regression for both univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: Several PET and CT heterogeneity features were prognostic factors of overall survival in the univariate analysis. CT histogram-derived kurtosis and uniformity, as well as Low Grey-level High Run Emphasis (LGHRE), and PET local entropy were independent prognostic factors. Combined with stage and MATV, they led to a powerful prognostic model (p<0.0001), with median survival of 49 vs. 12.6 months and a hazard ratio of 3.5. Conclusion: Intratumoral heterogeneity quantified through textural features extracted from both CT and FDG PET images have complementary and independent prognostic value in NSCLC.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Optimization approaches to volumetric modulated arc therapy planning

Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) has found widespread clinical application in recent years. A large number of treatment planning studies have evaluated the potential for VMAT for different disease sites based on the currently available commercial implementations of VMAT planning. In contrast, literature on the underlying mathematical optimization methods used in treatment planning is scarce. VMAT planning represents a challenging large scale optimization problem. In contrast to fluence map optimization in intensity-modulated radiotherapy planning for static beams, VMAT planning represents a nonconvex optimization problem. In this paper, the authors review the state-of-the-art in VMAT planning from an algorithmic perspective. Different approaches to VMAT optimization, including arc sequencing methods, extensions of direct aperture optimization, and direct optimization of leaf trajectories are reviewed. Their advantages and limitations are outlined and recommendations for improvements are discussed.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

Low tube voltage dual source computed tomography to reduce contrast media doses in adult abdomen examinations: A phantom study

Purpose: To evaluate the potential of low tube voltage dual source (DS) single energy (SE) and dual energy (DE) computed tomography (CT) to reduce contrast media (CM) dose in adult abdominal examinations of various sizes while maintaining soft tissue and iodine contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Methods: Four abdominal phantoms simulating a body mass index of 16 to 35 kg/m{sup 2} with four inserted syringes of 0, 2, 4, and 8 mgI/ml CM were scanned using a 64-slice DS-CT scanner. Six imaging protocols were used; one single source (SS) reference protocol (120 kV, 180 reference mAs), four low kV SE protocols (70 and 80 kV using both SS and DS), and one DE protocol at 80/140 kV. Potential CM reduction with unchanged CNRs relative to the 120 kV protocol was calculated along with the corresponding increase in radiation dose. Results: The potential contrast media reductions were determined to be approximately 53% for DS 70 kV, 51% for SS 70 kV, 44% for DS 80 kV, 40% for SS 80 kV, and 20% for DE (all differences were significant, P < 0.05). Constant CNR could be achieved by using DS 70 kV for small to medium phantom sizes (16–26 kg/m{sup 2}) and for all sizes (16–35 kg/m{sup 2}) when using DS 80 kV and DE. Corresponding radiation doses increased by 60%–107%, 23%–83%, and 6%–12%, respectively. Conclusions: DS single energy CT can be used to reduce CM dose by 44%–53% with maintained CNR in adult abdominal examinations at the cost of an increased radiation dose. DS dual-energy CT allows reduction of CM dose by 20% at similar radiation dose as compared to a standard 120 kV single source.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

SU-G-IeP2-15: Virtual Insertion of Digital Kidney Stones Into Dual-Source, Dual- Energy CT Projection Data

Purpose: In order to investigate novel methods to more accurately estimate the mineral composition of kidney stones using dual energy CT, it is desirable to be able to combine digital stones of known composition with actual phantom and patient scan data. In this work, we developed and validated a method to insert digital kidney stones into projection data acquired on a dual-source, dual-energy CT system. Methods: Attenuation properties of stones of different mineral composition were computed using tabulated mass attenuation coefficients, the chemical formula for each stone type, and the effective beam energy at each evaluated tube potential. A previously developed method to insert lesions into x-ray CT projection data was extended to include simultaneous dual-energy CT projections acquired on a dual-source gantry (Siemens Somatom Flash). Digital stones were forward projected onto both detectors and the resulting projections added to the physically acquired sinogram data. To validate the accuracy of the technique, digital stones were inserted into different locations in the ACR CT accreditation phantom; low and high contrast resolution, CT number accuracy and noise properties were compared before and after stone insertion. The procedure was repeated for two dual-energy tube potential pairs in clinical use on the scanner, 80/Sn140 kV and 100/Sn140 kV, respectively. Results: The images reconstructed after the insertion of digital kidney stones were consistent with the images reconstructed from the scanner. The largest average CT number difference for the 4 insert in the CT number accuracy module of the phantom was 3 HU. Conclusion: A framework was developed and validated for the creation of digital kidney stones of known mineral composition, and their projection-domain insertion into commercial dual-source, dual-energy CT projection data. This will allow a systematic investigation of the impact of scan and reconstruction parameters on stone attenuation and dual-energy behavior under rigorously controlled conditions. Dr. McCollough receives research support from Siemens Healthcare.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

SU-G-TeP3-09: Proton Minibeam Radiation Therapy Increases Normal Tissue Resistance

Purpose: The dose tolerances of normal tissues continue being the main limitation in radiotherapy. To overcome it, we recently proposed a novel concept: proton minibeam radiation therapy (pMBRT) [1]. It allies the physical advantages of protons with the normal tissue preservation observed when irradiated with submillimetric spatially fractionated beams (minibeam radiation therapy) [2]. The dose distributions are such that the tumor receives a homogeneous dose distribution, while normal tissues benefit from the spatial fractionation of the dose. The objective of our work was to implement this promising technique at a clinical center (Proton therapy center in Orsay) in order to evaluate the potential gain in tissue sparing. Methods: Dose distributions were measured by means of gafchromic films and a PTW microdiamond detector (60019). Once the dosimetry was established, the whole brain of 7 weeks old male Fischer 344 rats was irradiated. Half of the animals received conventional seamless proton irradiation (25 Gy in one fraction). The other rats were irradiated with pMBRT (58 Gy peak dose in one fraction). The average dose deposited in the same targeted volume was in both cases 25 Gy. Results: The first complete set of dosimetric data in such small proton field sizes was obtained [3]. Rats treated with conventional proton irradiation exhibited severe moist desquamation and permanent epilation afterwards. The minibeam group, on the other hand, exhibited no skin damage and no clinical symptoms. MRI imaging and histological analysis are planned at 6 months after irradiation. Conclusion: Our preliminary results indicate that pMBRT leads to an increase in tissue resistance. This can open the door to an efficient treatment of very radioresistant tumours. [1] Prezado et al. Med. Phys. 40, 031712, 1–8 (2013).[2] Prezado et al., Rad. Research. 184, 314-21 (2015). [3] Peucelle et al., Med. Phys. 42 7108-13 (2015).

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

TU-H-CAMPUS-TeP3-03: Dose Enhancement by Gold Nanoparticles Around the Bragg Peak of Proton Beams

Purpose: To make clear the spatial distribution of dose enhancement around gold nanoparticles (GNPs) located near the proton Bragg peak, and to evaluate the potential of GNPs as a radio sensitizer. Methods: The dose enhancement by electrons emitted from GNPs under proton irradiation was estimated by Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation toolkit in two steps. In an initial macroscopic step, 100 and 195 MeV proton beams were incident on a water cube, 30 cm on a side. Energy distributions of protons were calculated at four depths, 50% and 75% proximal to the Bragg peak, 100% peak, and 75% distal to the peak (P50, P75, Peak, and D75, respectively). In a subsequent microscopic step, protons with the energy distribution calculated above were incident on a 20 nm diameter GNP in a nanometer-size water box and the spatial distribution of dose around the GNP was determined for each energy distribution. The dose enhancement factor (DEF) was also deduced. Results: The dose enhancement effect was spread to several tens of nanometers in the both depth and radial directions. The enhancement area increased in the order of P50, P75, Peak, and D75 for both cases with 100 and 195 MeV protons. In every position around the Bragg peak, the 100 MeV beam resulted in a higher dose enhancement than the 195 MeV beam. At P75, the average and maximum DEF were 3.9 and 17.0 for 100 MeV, and 3.5 and 16.2 for 195 MeV, respectively. These results indicate that lower energy protons caused higher dose enhancement in this incident proton energy range. Conclusion: The dose enhancement around GNPs spread as the position in the Bragg peak region becomes deeper and depends on proton energy. It is expected that GNPs can be used as a radio sensitizer with consideration of the location and proton beam energy.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

WE-AB-202-01: Evaluating the Toxicity Reduction with CT-Ventilation Functional Avoidance Radiation Therapy

Purpose: CT-ventilation is an exciting new imaging modality that uses 4DCTs to calculate lung ventilation. Studies have proposed to use 4DCT-ventilation imaging for functional avoidance radiotherapy which implies designing treatment plans to spare functional portions of the lung. Although retrospective studies have been performed to evaluate the dosimetric gains to functional lung; no work has been done to translate the dosimetric gains to an improvement in pulmonary toxicity. The purpose of our work was to evaluate the potential reduction in toxicity for 4DCT-ventilation based functional avoidance. Methods: 70 lung cancer patients with 4DCT imaging were used for the study. CT-ventilation maps were calculated using the patient’s 4DCT, deformable image registrations, and a density-change-based algorithm. Radiation pneumonitis was graded using imaging and clinical information. Log-likelihood methods were used to fit a normal-tissue-complication-probability (NTCP) model predicting grade 2+ radiation pneumonitis as a function of doses (mean and V20) to functional lung (>15% ventilation). For 20 patients a functional plan was generated that reduced dose to functional lung while meeting RTOG 0617-based constraints. The NTCP model was applied to the functional plan to determine the reduction in toxicity with functional planning Results: The mean dose to functional lung was 16.8 and 17.7 Gy with the functional and clinical plans respectively. The corresponding grade 2+ pneumonitis probability was 26.9% with the clinically-used plan and 24.6% with the functional plan (8.5% reduction). The V20-based grade 2+ pneumonitis probability was 23.7% with the clinically-used plan and reduced to 19.6% with the functional plan (20.9% reduction). Conclusion: Our results revealed a reduction of 9–20% in complication probability with functional planning. To our knowledge this is the first study to apply complication probability to convert dosimetric results to toxicity improvement. The results presented in the current work provide seminal data for prospective clinical trials in functional avoidance. YV discloses funding from State of Colorado. TY discloses National Lung Cancer Partnership; Young Investigator Research grant.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Direct HCN synthesis via plasma-assisted conversion of methane and nitrogen

Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is synthesized from ammonia (NH 3 ) and methane (CH 4 ) at ~1200°C over a Pt catalyst. Ammonia synthesis entails several complex, highly emitting processes. Plasma-assisted HCN synthesis directly from CH 4 and nitrogen (N 2 ) could be pivotal for on-demand HCN production. Here, we evaluate the potential of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) N 2 /CH 4 plasma for decentralized catalyst-free selective HCN production. We demonstrate a single-step conversion of methane and nitrogen to HCN with a 72% yield at <300°C. HCN is favored at low CH 4 concentrations with ethane (C 2 H 6 ) as the secondary product. We propose a first-principles microkinetic model with few electron impact reactions. The model accurately predicts primary product yields and elucidates that methyl radical (·CH 3 ) is a common intermediate in HCN and C 2 H 6 synthesis. Compared to current industrial processes, N 2 /CH 4 DBD plasma can achieve minimal CO 2 emissions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Measurement of piezoelectric constants of lanthanum-gallium tantalate crystal by X-ray diffraction methods

A method for measuring piezoelectric constants of crystals of intermediate systems by X-ray quasi-multiple-wave diffraction is proposed and implemented. This technique makes it possible to determine the piezoelectric coefficient by measuring variations in the lattice parameter under an external electric field. This method has been approved, its potential is evaluated, and a comparison with high-resolution X-ray diffraction data is performed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Health outcomes among offspring of US Coast Guard responders to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, 2010–2011

To evaluate the potential for adverse health outcomes among infants born to US Coast Guard (USCG) responders to the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill disaster. Department of Defense Birth and Infant Health Research programme data identified a cohort of singleton infants born 2010–2011 to USCG personnel in the DWH Oil Spill Coast Guard Cohort study. Infants were included if their military parent (‘sponsor’) responded to the oil spill during a selected reproductive exposure window (ie, 3 months preconception for male sponsors and periconception through pregnancy for female sponsors), or if their sponsor was a non-responder. χ 2 tests and multivariable log-binomial regression were used to compare the demographic and health characteristics of infants born to spill responders and non-responders. Altogether, 1974 infants with a male sponsor (n=182 responder, n=1792 non-responder) and 628 infants with a female sponsor (n=35 responder, n=593 non-responder) in the DWH Oil Spill Coast Guard Cohort were identified. Health outcomes were similar among the offspring of male responders and non-responders. The frequency of any poor live birth outcome (ie, low birth weight, preterm birth or birth defect) was higher among infants born to female responders (17.1%, n=6) than non-responders (8.9%, n=53); the maternal age-adjusted association was suggestively elevated (risk ratio 1.93, 95% CI 0.89 to 4.16). Infant health outcomes were comparable between the offspring of male USCG oil spill responders and non-responders. Findings were limited by the small number of infants identified, particularly among female responders, and should be interpreted with caution.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

CHARM-SYCL: New Unified Programming Environment for Multiple Accelerator Types

Addressing performance portability across diverse accelerator architectures has emerged as a major challenge in the development of application and programming systems for high-performance computing environments. Although recent programming systems that focus on performance portability have significantly improved productivity in an effort to meet this challenge, the problem becomes notably more complex when compute nodes are equipped with multiple accelerator types—each with unique performance attributes, optimal data layout, and binary formats. To navigate the intricacies of multi-accelerator programming, we propose CHARM-SYCL as an extension of our CHARM multi-accelerator execution environment [27]. This environment will combine our SYCL-based performance-portability programming front end with a back end for extremely heterogeneous architectures as implemented with the IRIS runtime from Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Our preliminary evaluation indicates potential productivity boost and reasonable performance compared to vendor-specific programming system and runtimes.

Fujita, Norihisa↗

HostDesigner, Version 3

HostDesigner is a computer-aided molecular design code that enables the general application of de novo structure-based methods to problems in chemistry and material science. Its purpose is to identify organic molecules with 3D structures that match user-input specifications. To accomplish this, the code connects chemical fragments to build millions of potential molecules, evaluates the resulting structures based on geometric constraints, and outputs a rank-ordered list of candidates. Example applications include the design of metal ion sequestering agents for use in separations processes, molecules that form self-assembled nanoscale containers, and molecular building blocks for metal-organic frameworks.

Hay, Benjamin↗

RAIS Oak Ridge Background Values

The RAIS offers a site-specific background dataset for the Oak Ridge Reservation. The Oak Ridge Background Values (https://rais.ornl.gov/tools/orr_background.html)are from a Background Soil Characterization Project done at ORR in 1993. The purpose of the project was to evaluate the potential human health concerns from naturally occurring background constituents.

Dolislager, Fred [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (O↗

A Probabilistic Radar Forward Model for Branched Planar Ice Crystals

Polarimetric radar measurements provide information about ice particle growth and offer the potential to evaluate and better constrain ice microphysical models. To achieve these goals, one must map the ice particle physical properties (e.g., those predicted by a microphysical model) to electromagnetic scattering properties using a radar forward model. Simplified methods of calculating these scattering properties using homogeneous, reduced-density spheroids produce large errors in the polarimetric radar measurements, particularly for low-aspect-ratio branched planar crystals. To overcome these errors, an empirical method is introduced to more faithfully represent branched planar crystal scattering using scattering calculations for a large number of detailed shapes. Additionally, estimates of the uncertainty in the scattering properties, owing to ambiguity in the crystal shape given a set of bulk physical properties, are also incorporated in the forward model. To demonstrate the utility of the forward model developed herein, the radar variables are simulated from microphysical model output for an Arctic cloud case. The simulated radar variables from the empirical forward model are more consistent with the observations compared to those from the homogeneous, reduced-density-spheroid model, and have relatively low uncertainty.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗