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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 145 records · Page 8
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DOE OSTI2024

Optimal Design of Food Packaging Considering Waste Management Technologies to Achieve Circular Economy

Plastic packaging plays a fundamental role in the food industry, avoiding food waste and facilitating food access. The increasing plastic production and the lack of appropriate plastic waste management technologies represent a threat to the environmental and human welfare. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify sustainable packaging solutions. Circular economy (CE) promotes reducing waste and increasing recycling practices to achieve sustainability. In this work, we propose a CE framework based on multi-objective optimization, considering both economic and environmental impacts, to identify optimal packaging designs and waste management technologies. Using mixed-integer linear programming (MILP), techno-economic analysis (TEA), and life cycle assessment (LCA), this work aims to build the first steps in packaging design, informing about the best packaging alternatives and the optimal technology or technologies to process packaging waste. For the economic analysis, we consider the minimum increase in price (MIP) when adding recycling to the cost of each packaging solution, while for the environmental analysis, the greenhouse gas emissions impact was considered. A case study on ground coffee packaging is used to illustrate the proposed framework. The results demonstrate that the multilayer bag option is the most convenient when considering both the chosen economic and environmental impacts.

Life Cycle Analysis↗
DOE OSTI2024

Digital Twin Enabling Technologies for Online Condition Monitoring of Nuclear Power Plant Components

Online condition monitoring is an area of active research that may enable improved scheduling, maintenance, and safety of nuclear power plant components, reducing unnecessary derate while simultaneously improving operational capacity. Digital twins are one avenue to conduct online condition monitoring and are currently being explored by national laboratories and universities alike. Digital twins for online condition monitoring are, in essence, state concurrent models that emulate a physical process which predicts a parameter and compares it against a measured value. However, digital twins may also provide additional insights by combining and interpreting various sources of information. These insights may be used for preventative maintenance scheduling optimization or early fault detection and are projected to be valuable for meeting requirements under 10 CFR 50.55a. However, digital twin technologies are still under significant development; quantifying model uncertainties, improving unique fault identification, and multimodal sensor fusion are some areas under investigation. Therefore, in this work, we discuss and review the various enabling technologies, in the form of advanced sensors, instrumentation, and modelling methods, that may be used to implement and enhance digital twins for online condition monitoring. A potential use case for pump-motors is presented to demonstrate how these various pieces of enabling digital twin technologies may integrated together for online condition monitoring. Challenges and opportunities associated with the pump-motor digital twin enabling technologies are also identified and discussed.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Annual Technology Baseline: The 2024 Electricity Update

Consistent cost and performance data for various electricity generation technologies can be difficult to find and may change frequently for certain technologies. With the Annual Technology Baseline (ATB), the National Renewable Energy Laboratory annually provides an organized and centralized set of such cost and performance data. The ATB uses the best information from the Department of Energy national laboratories' energy analysts. The ATB has been reviewed by experts and it includes the following electricity generation and storage technologies: land-based wind, offshore wind, distributed wind, utility-scale solar photovoltaics (PV), commercial-scale solar PV, residential-scale solar PV, concentrating solar power, geothermal power, hydropower, utility-scale battery storage, commercial battery storage, residential battery storage, pumped storage hydropower, nuclear, coal, and natural gas. EIA data for conventional biopower are included for reference. This webinar presentation introduces the 2024 update to the ATB Electricity data and documentation.

battery storage↗
DOE OSTI2024

From IMPEL to Impact: Lessons Learned in Accelerating Innovative Building Technologies

The built environment is a complex ecosystem of social institutions and physical infrastructures. Innovation and entrepreneurship in the building industry are critical levers for market transformation toward equitable climate action. However, climate tech innovation for the built environment is not moving fast enough for global needs, and it lacks fundamental diversity, leading to inequitable outcomes. IMPEL (Incubating Market-propelled Entrepreneurial-mindset at the Labs and Beyond) - a U.S. Department of Energy incubator–addresses these critical issues. Over five years, IMPEL has enabled 250 innovators, including 55% women and diverse founders, to accelerate their buildings and clean energy technologies towards market and climate impact. IMPEL provides access to strategic mentoring and coaching, carbon tools training, testbeds, and powerful public-private pipelines, including industry demonstrations, non-dilutive grants, and venture capital networks. The IMPEL innovation ecosystem has accelerated the pace of innovation and market adoption of building decarbonization technologies. In this paper, leverage the IMPEL stakeholder ecosystem - from innovators to investors and product industry to policymakers - to analyze the critical barriers to decarbonization still encountered in the building industry. We study the IMPEL approach and highlight lessons learned that benefit young businesses pursuing innovative building and building-edge energy technologies to develop new ideas and products. Finally, we propose a ‘market forming’ framework to improve the quality and efficiency of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the building industry. This framework could scale vetted technologies and the participation of diverse founders to de-risk the climate tech

Singh, Reshma↗
DOE OSTI2024

Digital-Twin-Enabling Technologies for Online Condition Monitoring of Nuclear Power Plant Components

Online condition monitoring is an area of active research that may enable improved scheduling, maintenance, and safety of nuclear power plant components, reducing unnecessary derates while simultaneously improving operational capacity. Digital twins are one avenue to conduct online condition monitoring and are currently being explored by national laboratories and universities alike. Digital twins for online condition monitoring are, in essence, state concurrent models that emulate a physical process which predicts a parameter and compares it against a measured value. However, digital twins may also provide additional insights by combining and interpreting various sources of information. These insights may be used for preventative maintenance scheduling optimization or early fault detection and are projected to be valuable for meeting requirements under 10 CFR 50.55a. However, digital twin technologies are still under significant development; quantifying model uncertainties, improving unique fault identification, and multimodal sensor fusion are some areas under investigation. Therefore, in this work, we discuss and review the various enabling technologies, in the form of advanced sensors, instrumentation, and modelling methods, that may be used to implement and enhance digital twins for online condition monitoring. A potential use case for pump-motors is presented to demonstrate how these various pieces of enabling digital twin technologies may integrated together for online condition monitoring. Challenges and opportunities associated with the pump-motor digital twin enabling technologies are also identified and discussed.

22 - GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Prioritizing Transformative Energy Efficiency Technologies in the Pulp and Paper Sector Through Levelized Cost of Conserved Energy

This presentation explores how the U.S. pulp and paper sector can prioritize energy efficiency (EE) technologies using the Levelized Cost of Conserved Energy (LCCE) metric. As mills face market shifts and rising costs, technologies such as advanced drying, membrane concentration, waste heat recovery, and recovery boiler replacements offer potential savings but face economic barriers. LCCE enables consistent comparison of technologies by calculating cost per unit of energy saved, including capital, operating, and potentially non-energy benefits like productivity, maintenance, and safety improvements. Preliminary findings show economies of scale significantly influence recovery boiler replacement feasibility, with larger systems achieving lower LCCE values. Ongoing work incorporates non-energy benefits to provide a more comprehensive cost-effectiveness assessment and guide research, development, and deployment priorities for underutilized and emerging technologies.

Kamath, Dipti [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000278739994)↗
DOE OSTI2025

Pushing the limits of NAND technology scaling with ferroelectrics

Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to drive transformative advancements across various industries. The data-intensive nature of AI training (and inferencing) has resulted in the generation of unprecedented volumes of data with machine-generated content surpassing human-generated data by more than 100-fold in 2025. Efficiently managing this data influx necessitates advanced digital storage technologies. However, traditional NAND flash memory, which is critical for supporting data flows in AI systems—alongside high-bandwidth memory, for AI training—faces fundamental scaling limitations as it approaches the 1000-layer milestone, encompassing more than 40 trillion transistors. This article delves into the potential of hafnia-based ferroelectric materials as a breakthrough solution to these challenges. Recent advancements indicate that the intrinsic limitations of ferroelectric field-effect transistors (FEFETs) can be mitigated through material and device-level engineering. These advancements enable FEFETs to meet the stringent density, reliability, and scalability requirements of future three-dimensional NAND technology. The role of ferroelectrics in addressing NAND scaling challenges and expanding storage capabilities presents a promising avenue for meeting the storage demands of the AI-driven era.

3D NAND↗
DOE OSTI2025

A critical review of electrochemical heat pump technologies: Status, challenges, and perspectives

The development of advanced heat pump technologies is critical for reducing global energy consumption in the building sector, where space heating and cooling account for nearly 50% of energy use. Electrochemical heat pumps (EHPs) offer a promising alternative to vapor compression systems by enabling direct electrochemical-to-thermal energy conversion, often with environmentally benign working fluids that exhibit low or zero global warming potential (GWP). Prior literature has predominantly focused on chemically reactive heat pumps, while comprehensive assessments of electrochemical mechanisms remain limited. Here, this review addresses this gap by systematically evaluating the underlying principles, architectures, and performance metrics of EHP systems. Compared to conventional vapor compression systems, EHPs can achieve 10%-30% higher energy efficiency, with reported cooling coefficients of performance (COP c ) ranging from 3.5 to 14.3 under standard operating conditions. Despite these advantages, widespread adoption is hindered by challenges including membrane degradation, electrode fouling, sluggish redox kinetics, and elevated system-level capital costs. To address these limitations, the review outlines three research priorities: (i) the development of advanced membranes, catalysts, and electrode materials with enhanced chemical and mechanical stability; (ii) the application of molecular-level simulations for the rational design of high-performance redox-active working fluids; and (iii) the integration of advanced diagnostic techniques for real-time monitoring and sustained operation of EHPs. By consolidating recent advances and explicitly identifying technological and scientific gaps, this work uniquely contributes a comprehensive framework for guiding future electrochemical heat pump research and facilitating the transition to sustainable thermal management technologies.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2025

Development of advanced vacuum technologies for extending plasma pulse duration on EAST

Advanced vacuum technologies, including pumping, fueling and wall conditioning, have been successfully developed or upgraded to efficiently control the fuel and impurity particles to extend the plasma pulse duration in the experimental advanced superconducting tokamak (EAST). To improve the particle exhaust rate cryopumps with a 60% increase in pumping speed and ∼2 times increase in saturation capacity have been developed, and molecular pumps with a ∼30% increase in pumping speed have been upgraded. In order to monitor the molecular pump status while avoiding bearing faults and overload accidents, a fault detection system has been built which can offer an early warning to avoid more losses within the fusion device. A series of fueling technologies have been developed including gas injection system, supersonic molecular beam injector, pellet injector (PI), massive gas injector and shattered pellet injector, installed at the midplane and divertor positions at different ports to improve fueling uniformity and efficiency. Meanwhile, routine wall conditioning such as electric and hot N 2 baking, ion cyclotron wall conditioning and glow discharge cleaning have been successfully developed to remove the impurity particles from the inner component and materials. The low Z material wall coating and real-time powder injection during plasma discharge are also designed and applied to further improve particle control capability. Finally, by using these advanced vacuum related technologies, good vacuum (<2 × 10 −6 Pa) and wall conditions are realized, and the fuel and impurity particles can be effectively and stably controlled, which promotes the achievement of the record plasma of ∼1056 s pulse duration with the line-averaged electron density of 1.8 × 10 19 m −3 on EAST. They provide a very important reference for vacuum system design and operation for future fusion devices.

EAST↗
DOE OSTI2025

Technology readiness assessment of magnetohydrodynamic stability control

The technology readiness level scale is revised with clear definitions for magnetohydrodynamic stability control technologies for magnetic confinement fusion. The definitions are in the form of a sentence with three dimensions, which are the system complexity, the test environment, and the cost. A clear and simple definition is sought after to make an assessment based on the evidence which is agreeable to the fusion energy development community. A sample technology readiness assessment (TRA) for the electron cyclotron current drive-based control of neoclassical tearing mode for ST Advanced Reactor, using the proposed scale, reveals that the risk of a TRA being misinterpreted is high, which can only be avoided with an understanding of the procedure described in this paper.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Device- and System-Level Thermal Packaging for Electric-Drive Technologies (Final Technical Report)

Final Technical ReportThis project aimed to research, develop, and test electric traction drive system technology for use in vehicle applications that are capable of meeting the targets set by the Department of Energy Vehicle Technologies Office. The project is categorized into three major thrusts: Bonding interfaces for packaging, thermal management of electric vehicle (EV) power inverters, and electric motor thermal management. Device- and System-Level Thermal Packaging for Electric-Drive Technologies project aimed to develop, analyze, and validate transformative approaches in thermal management and packaging for power electronics and electric motor systems, with the ultimate goal of enhancing power density, efficiency, and reliability in electrified transportation platforms.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Novel Energy-Efficient Drying Technologies for Food, Pulp and Paper, and other Energy Intensive Manufacturing Industries

The purpose of this project was to develop innovative dryer technologies for the food and pulp & paper industry sectors to reduce their corresponding drying energy by at least 25%. By working on these novel drying technologies and the aid of smart sensors and a physics-based artificial intelligence methodology, the foundation for the next generation energy efficient smart dryers for the food and pulp & paper industry sectors have been developed. The innovative dryer technologies developed are applicable to other energy intensive industries as well.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2025

A comprehensive academic and industrial survey of blockchain technology for the energy sector using fuzzy Einstein decision-making

The global energy sector is undergoing a significant transformation driven by decarbonization and digitalization, leading to the emergence of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) — particularly blockchain — as a promising tool for enhancing transparency, security, and efficiency in modern power systems. This study aims to provide a comprehensive academic and industrial survey of blockchain applications in the energy sector and develop a robust decision-making framework to identify and prioritize the most promising real-world use cases based on multidisciplinary criteria. A three-stage methodology was adopted: (i) a literature and market review encompassing over 300 academic publications and commercial blockchain initiatives in energy, (ii) an in-depth evaluation of the evolution and viability of blockchain initiatives in energy with the help of expert surveys, and (iii) a novel decision-making model using a q-rung orthopair fuzzy Multi-Attributive Border Approximation (q-ROF-MABAC) method under the Einstein operator. The results were compared with existing decision models to validate consistency and robustness. Nine key blockchain use case categories were identified and ranked based on technical, economic, and governance dimensions. The results demonstrated that integrating expert insights into a fuzzy logic framework helps filter out overhyped claims in the literature and prioritize realistic and high-impact applications such as green certificates, grid services, and peer-to-peer energy trading. The model’s rankings remained stable across varying weight configurations, confirming the robustness of the methodology. This study provides an evidence-based decision-support tool for researchers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers to better understand, evaluate, and adopt blockchain technologies in the energy sector.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Automation of debris removal and resurfacing of insulators in terawatt pulsed power systems using state of the art laser technology

The increasing complexity and scale of pulsed power systems necessitate effective maintenance strategies to ensure optimal performance and safety. This report investigates the automation of debris removal and resurfacing of insulators in terawatt pulsed power systems using advanced laser cleaning technologies. The motivation for this research stems from the limitations of current manual cleaning methods, which are labor-intensive and pose health risks due to hazardous materials. The study addresses the problem of surface flashover, a significant issue affecting insulator performance, by evaluating two innovative cleaning techniques: Pulsed Laser Cleaning (PLC) and Flash Lamp Annealing (FLA). Experimental results demonstrate that PLC effectively restores the dielectric strength of Rexolite insulators, while FLA shows limited success. The findings highlight the potential for automated cleaning solutions to enhance safety and efficiency in insulator maintenance, paving the way for future advancements in pulsed power technology.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Techno-Economic Analysis of Sorbent-Based Direct Air Capture Informed by EPC Input and Recent Technological Advancements

Direct air capture (DAC) technology has been developing at an accelerated rate. Independent, comprehensive, and transparent techno-economic analyses (TEAs) of DAC technologies are required to inform future development. NETL is publishing an update to the 2022 sorbent-based DAC case study report. This manuscript highlights select TEA results that will be presented in the upcoming NETL report. The analysis considers three sorbent-based DAC system configurations (direct steam temperature swing, indirect steam temperature swing, and direct steam temperature/vacuum swing) and two scenarios for providing the required electricity and steam (stand-alone system with a combined heat and power plant generating the required steam and electricity, and a purchased power case utilizing an electric boiler). Detailed sensitivity analyses are included and highlight the impact of external market factors, sorbent performance, and economies of scale. The potential for cost reductions by opting for temperature vacuum swing adsorption is highlighted. More detailed background and TEA results will be presented in the upcoming NETL report titled “Direct Air Capture Case Studies: Sorbent System (Revision 1)”.

carbon dioxide removal↗
DOE OSTI2026

Accelerating Discovery to Deployment: Argonne's Materials Engineering Research Facility (MERF) and Its Role in Scaling Materials Technologies for Water and Resource Solutions

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories represent a unique class of government‐owned, contractor‐operated research institutions dedicated to conducting research and development (R&D) related activities that address national priorities, supporting and advancing the DOE mission. They play a vital role in sustaining U.S. innovation capacity, stewarding the nation's technical base, and nurturing science and technologies. In this perspective, we highlight the processing science and scaleup capabilities of the Materials Engineering Research Facility (MERF) at DOE's Argonne National Laboratory to demonstrate how DOE National Laboratories bridge fundamental science and applied technology development to accelerate deployment. Case studies are presented on selective membranes for critical mineral recovery, sensors for per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) detection, surface functionalization via atomic layer deposition (ALD) and sequential infiltration synthesis (SIS), and lithium recovery from battery recycling waste streams using a novel electrodialysis process. These examples underscore MERF's role in translating innovative technologies into practical solutions for renewable water and critical resource recovery, which also leverage Argonne's analytical and computational capabilities. This perspective also outlines mechanisms for collaborating with the DOE national laboratories to strengthen partnerships across government, the national laboratories, academia, and industry.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Evaluating advanced nuclear fission technologies for future decarbonized power grids

Advanced nuclear fission, which encompasses various innovative nuclear reactor designs, could contribute to the decarbonization of the United States electricity sector. However, little is known about how cost-competitive these reactors would be compared to other technologies, or about which aspects of their designs offer the most value to a decarbonized power grid. We employ an electricity system optimization model and a case study of a decarbonized U.S. Eastern Interconnection circa 2050 to generate initial indicators of future economic value for advanced reactors and the sensitivity of future value to various design parameters, the availability of competing technologies, and the underlying policy environment. These results can inform long-term cost targets and guide near-term innovation priorities, investments, and reactor design decisions. We find that advanced reactors should cost $\$5.7$–$\$7.3$/W to gain an initial market share (assuming 30 year asset life and 3.5 %–6.5 % real weighted average cost of capital), while those that include thermal storage in their designs can cost up to $\$6.0$/W–$\$7.7$/W (not including cost of storage). Since the marginal value of advanced fission reactors declines as market penetration increases, break-even costs fall ~32 % at 100 GW of cumulative capacity and ~51 % at 300 GW. Additionally, policies that provide investment tax credits for nuclear energy create the most favorable environment for advanced nuclear fission. In conclusion, these findings can inform near-term resource allocation decisions by stakeholders, innovators and investors working in the energy technology sector.

Capacity expansion↗
DOE OSTI2024

Frontier system-on-chip (SoC) technology for microwave diagnostics (invited)

The next generation of fusion reactors, exemplified by projects such as the Demonstration Power Plant following the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, faces the monumental challenge of proving the viability of generating electricity through thermonuclear fusion. This pursuit introduces heightened complexities in diagnostic methodologies, particularly in microwave-based diagnostics. The increased neutron fluence necessitates significant reductions in vessel penetrations and the elimination of internal diagnostics, posing substantial challenges. SoC technology offers a promising solution by enabling the miniaturization, modularization, integration, and enhancing the reliability of microwave systems. After seven years of research, our team successfully pioneered the V- and W-band system-on-chip approach, leading to the development of active transmitters and passive receiver modules applied in practical settings, notably within the DIII-D tokamak project. Arrays of these modules have supported microwave imaging diagnostics. New physics measurement results from the Electron Cyclotron Emission Imaging system on DIII-D provide compelling evidence of improved diagnostics following the adoption of SoC technology. Furthermore, we achieved a breakthrough in developing an F-band SoC, advancing higher frequency capabilities for fusion devices. These achievements represent a significant leap forward in fusion diagnostic technology, marking substantial progress toward establishing reliable and efficient plasma diagnostics for future fusion reactors.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗