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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 1,549 records · Page 86
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2018

Development of a laser system of the laboratory AVLIS complex for producing isotopes and radionuclides

The use of atomic vapour laser isotope separation (AVLIS) for solving a number of urgent problems (formation of {sup 177}Lu radionuclides for medical applications, {sup 63}Ni radionuclides for betavoltaic power supplies and {sup 150}Nd isotope for searching for neutrinoless double β decay and neutrino mass) is considered. An efficient three-step scheme of photoionisation of neodymium atoms through the 50474-cm{sup −1} autoionising state with radiation wavelengths of the corresponding stages of λ{sub 1} = 6289.7 Å, λ{sub 2} = 5609.4 Å and λ{sub 3} = 5972.1 Å is developed. The average saturation intensity of the autoionising transition is ∼6 W cm{sup −2}, a value consistent with the characteristics of the previously developed photoionisation schemes for lutetium and nickel. A compact laser system for the technological AVLIS complex, designed to produce radionuclides and isotopes under laboratory conditions, is developed based on the experimental results. (laser applications and other topics in quantum electronics)

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Radius measurement via super-resolution microscopy enables the development of a variable radii proximity labeling platform

The elucidation of protein interaction networks is critical to understanding fundamental biology as well as developing new therapeutics. Proximity labeling platforms (PLPs) are state-of-the-art technologies that enable the discovery and delineation of biomolecular networks through the identification of protein-protein interactions. These platforms work via catalytic generation of reactive probes at a biological region of interest; these probes then diffuse through solution and covalently “tag” proximal biomolecules. The physical distance that the probes diffuse determines the effective labeling radius of the PLP and is a critical parameter that influences the scale and resolution of interactome mapping. As such, by expanding the degrees of labeling resolution offered by PLPs, it is possible to better capture the various size scales of interactomes. At present, however, there is little quantitative understanding of the labeling radii of different PLPs. Here, we report the development of a superresolution microscopy-based assay for the direct quantification of PLP labeling radii. Using this assay, we provide direct extracellular measurements of the labeling radii of state-of-the-art antibody-targeted PLPs, including the peroxidase-based phenoxy radical platform (269 ± 41 nm) and the high-resolution iridium-catalyzed µMap technology (54 ± 12 nm). Last, we apply these insights to the development of a molecular diffusion-based approach to tuning PLP resolution and introduce a new aryl-azide-based µMap platform with an intermediate labeling radius (80 ± 28 nm).

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Methodology to Support the Development of a New State Vision for the U.S. Nuclear Industry

Recent changes in natural gas prices combined with reduced capital costs for solar and wind systems has created challenges for the continued operation of existing nuclear power plants (NPPs) in the United States. A new strategy in the way in which U.S. NPPs are operated, maintained, and supported is needed. One such strategy is to transform the NPP operating model through a business-driven approach that leverages technology to enable new capabilities that improve performance and reduce costs. This paper presents a methodology for developing an achievable yet transformative new state vision that ensures the continued safe and efficient operations of the U.S. NPP fleet. Here this work builds on existing guidance and leverages previous research to comprehensively address both utility needs and high-level human factors engineering design principles when developing a new state vision. The proposed methodology is intended to provide industry-wide guidance for developing a new state vision that leverages both the selected vendor’s capabilities in a way that meets the utility’s modernization goals while ensuring state-of-the-art systems engineering and human factors engineering principles are applied that promote overall plant safety, performance, and efficiency.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Development of Whole System Digital Twins for Advanced Reactors: Leveraging Graph Neural Networks and SAM Simulations

Here, in this work, we introduce a novel method to develop whole system digital twins (DTs) for advanced nuclear reactors. This method treats a complex reactor system as a heterogeneous graph: with the system components as different types of graph nodes and their physical interconnections as edges. Based on the heterogeneous graph, a graph neural network combining graph convolution and temporal node attention is developed as the DT, facilitating a comprehensive understanding of the system's dynamic behavior. By utilizing the System Analysis Module (SAM) code for simulating various operational transients, we develop a graph-based database that trains the DT. This DT is characterized by two primary functions: It can infer the entire system's status using sparse node information, and it can predict the progress of transients based on current and historical system information. Our approach is validated through case studies on the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II) system and a generic Fluoride-salt-cooled High-temperature Reactor (gFHR), demonstrating the DT's accuracy in forecasting operational transients. The DT's rapid computation capabilities enhance its potential for supporting advanced reactor operations, offering benefits in intelligent simulation, autonomous control, and anomaly detection, paving the way for improved safety analysis and intelligent component health management for advanced reactor systems and reducing their operations and maintenance cost.

EBR-II↗
DOE OSTI2026

Development of MOSCATO: A CFD-Level Electrochemistry and Corrosion Simulator for Molten Salt Systems

For both coolant and fueled variants of molten salt reactors (MSRs), the corrosion of structural materials is a significant challenge. The corrosion stems from chemical and electrochemical reactions initiated by fissile material, fission products, and impurities in the salt. Lower-fidelity models rely on empirical correlations for mass transfer, simplified lumped temperature profiles, and similar assumptions. They do not capture detailed spatial variations in complex geometries, creating the need for high-fidelity modeling to bridge this gap.As we approach the demonstration and possible deployment of MSRs in this decade, the development of a high-fidelity, high-performance simulator becomes imperative. To simulate the complex electrochemical environment and corrosion within molten salt systems, we have developed the Molten Salt Chemistry And TranspOrt (MOSCATO) code. This endeavor is comprised of three essential components. First, mass transfer equations are coupled with the Navier-Stokes equations in order to account for the transport of species in the salt. Second, the diffusion of alloy constituents, such as Cr, Fe, Ni, etc. is simulated within the structural metals. Third, the alloy and salt domains are coupled to account for the heterogeneous chemical and electrochemical reactions that occur at the salt-alloy interface.MOSCATO manages all three components within the framework of the highly scalable, open-source spectral element method computational fluid dynamics code Nek5000/NekRS. This integration enables MOSCATO to harness the immense computational power of modern high-performance computing resources, ensuring both high fidelity and computational speed.In addition to code development, we have initiated a comprehensive verification and validation campaign, utilizing data from diverse sources. First, MOSCATO's electrochemical solver was verified with reference numerical data. Then validation occurred against experiments: one of a thermal galvanic cell and the other for corrosion in flowing molten salt of FLiNaK (LiF-NaF-KF). This campaign verified and validated MOSCATO as a reliable tool for simulating electrochemical environments and corrosion in molten salt systems.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Developing a space-filling mixture experiment design when the components are subject to linear and nonlinear constraints

This article presents a case study of developing a space-filling design (SFD) for a constrained mixture experiment when the experimental region is specified by single-component constraints (SCCs), linear multiple-component constraints (LMCCs), and nonlinear multiple-component constraints (NMCCs). Traditional methods and software for designing constrained mixture experiments with SCCs and LMCCs (using either optimal design or SFD approaches) are not directly applicable because of the NMCCs. A SFD algorithm in the JMP software was modified to accommodate the nonlinear MCCs; the modification is described in this article. The case study involves high-level waste (HLW) glass that is subject to the formation of nepheline crystals as the glass cools. This can significantly reduce the durability of HLW glass (which is undesirable). The goal of the study was to develop a SFD for the HLW glass compositional region where nepheline may form, and generate data for modeling nepheline formation as a function of HLW glass composition. The HLW glass composition region was specified in terms of eight components with SCCs, two LMCCs, and two NMCCs. The NMCCs were based on a nonlinear logistic regression model for a binary-response nepheline response that was developed from previous data. This article discusses the HLW glass example, the constraints specifying the experimental composition region, and how an existing algorithm for generating SFDs was modified to accommodate the NMCCs. The methodology discussed in this article can be applied to any example in which the experimental region is specified by one or more nonlinear constraints in addition to linear constraints on mixture components and/or non-mixture variables.

Mixture experiment, space-filling experimental des↗
DOE OSTI2023

Fatty acid-mediated signaling as a target for developing type 1 diabetes therapies

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which pro-inflammatory and cytotoxic signaling drive the death of the insulin-producing ß cells. This complex signaling is regulated in part by fatty acids and their bioproducts, making them excellent therapeutic targets. We provide an overview of the fatty acid actions on ß cells by discussing how they can cause lipotoxicity or regulate inflammatory response during insulitis. Additionally, we also discuss how diet can affect the availability of fatty acids and disease development. Finally, we discuss development avenues that need further exploration. Fatty acids, such as hydroxyl fatty acids, ω-3 fatty acids and their downstream products, are druggable candidates that promote protective signaling. Inhibitors and antagonists of enzymes and receptors of arachidonic acid and free fatty acid metabolites, which cause pro-inflammatory and cytotoxic responses, have the potential to be developed as therapeutic targets also. Further, because diet is the main source of fatty acid intake in humans, balancing protective and pro-inflammatory/cytotoxic fatty acid levels through dietary therapy may have beneficial effects, delaying T1D progression. Therefore, therapeutic interventions targeting fatty acid signaling hold potential as avenues to treat T1D.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Pellet-Injector Technology—Brief History and Key Developments in the Last 25 Years

High-speed injection of solid fuel was first proposed in 1954 as a possible solution to the problem of transporting fresh fuel across the confining magnetic fields into the plasma of a fusion reactor. While it took a few decades, the use of cryogenic pellets (typically H 2 and D 2 ) on fusion experiments became common place; most tokamaks and stellarators are now equipped with a pellet injector(s). These devices operate at low temperatures (~10 to 20 K) and most often use a simple light gas gun to accelerate macroscopic-size pellets (~0.4- to 6-mm diameter) to speeds of ~100 to 1000 m/s. Before the advantages of pellet injection from the magnetic high-field side (HFS) of a tokamak were recognized in 1997, development focused on increasing the pellet speed to achieve deeper plasma penetration and higher fueling efficiency. The HFS injection technique typically dictates slower pellets (~100 to 300 m/s) to survive transport through the curved guide tubes that route the pellets to the plasma from the inside wall of the device. Two other key operating parameters for plasma fueling are the pellet-injection repetition rate and time duration—a single pellet is adequate for some experiments and a steady-state injection rate of up to ~50 Hz is appropriate for others. In addition to plasma fueling, cryogenic pellets have often been used for particle transport and impurity studies in fusion experiments (most often with neon pellets). During the past two decades, a few new applications for cryogenic pellets have been developed and used successfully in plasma experiments: (1) one for edge-localized mode mitigation, (2) one for plasma disruption mitigation (requires large pellets that are shattered before injection into the plasma), and (3) another in which pure argon pellets are used to trigger runaway electrons in the plasma for scientific studies. Here in this paper, a brief history and the key developments in this technology during the past 25 years are presented and discussed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Development of New Magnetron Sputter Deposition Processes for Laser Target Fabrication

Magnetron sputter deposition is an enabling technology for laser target fabrication. Solutions are readily available for the deposition of most sub-micron-thick elemental films on planar substrates. However, major challenges still remain for the development of robust deposition processes in regimes of ultrathick (over ~10 μm) coatings and nonplanar substrates. These challenging deposition regimes are directly relevant to laser target applications, including both sphero-cylindrical hohlraums and spherical ablators for inertial confinement fusion (ICF) targets. Understanding underlying physical mechanisms for a specific material system is crucial for process development, given the overall complexity of the deposition process, its nonlinear dependence on deposition parameters, and a very large process space, often precluding conventional process optimization approaches. Here, we describe our approach to developing new deposition processes and give practical advice with examples of new results from our ongoing studies of glassy boron carbide ceramics for next-generation ICF ablators and nonequilibrium gold-tantalum alloys for hohlraums for magnetized ICF schemes. Emphasis is given to two major challenges of ultrathick coatings related to achieving process stability and reducing residual stress.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Development of building energy asset rating using stock modelling in the USA

The US Building Energy Asset Score helps building stakeholders quickly gain insight into the efficiency of building systems (envelope, electrical and mechanical systems). A robust, easy-to-understand 10-point scoring system was developed to facilitate an unbiased comparison of similar building types across the country. The Asset Score does not rely on a database or specific building baselines to establish a rating. Rather, distributions of energy use intensity (EUI) for various building use types were constructed using Latin hypercube sampling and converted to a series of stepped linear scales to score buildings. A score is calculated based on the modelled source EUI after adjusting for climate. A web-based scoring tool, which incorporates an analytical engine and a simulation engine, was developed to standardize energy modelling and reduce implementation cost. This paper discusses the methodology used to perform several hundred thousand building simulation runs and develop the scoring scales.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2017

A review and prospects for Nb 3 Sn superconductor development

Nb 3 Sn superconductors have significant applications in constructing high-field (> 10 T) magnets. This article briefly reviews development of Nb 3 Sn superconductor and proposes prospects for further improvement. It is shown that significant improvement of critical current density (J c ) is needed for future accelerator magnets. After a brief review of the development of Nb 3 Sn superconductors, the factors controlling J c are summarized and correlated with their microstructure and chemistry. The non-matrix J c of Nb 3 Sn conductors is mainly determined by three factors: the fraction of current-carrying Nb 3 Sn phase in the non-matrix area, the upper critical field B c2 , and the flux-line pinning capacity. Then prospects to improve the three factors are discussed respectively. An analytic model was developed to show how the ratios of precursors determine the phase fractions after heat treatment, based on which it is predicted that the limit of current-carrying Nb 3 Sn fraction in subelements is ~65%. Then, since B c2 is largely determined by the Nb 3 Sn stoichiometry, a thermodynamic/kinetic theory was presented to show what essentially determines the Sn content of Nb 3 Sn conductors. This theory explains the influences of Sn sources and Ti addition on stoichiometry and growth rate of Nb 3 Sn layers. Next, to improve flux pinning, previous efforts in this community to introduce additional pinning centers (APC) to Nb 3 Sn wires are reviewed, and an internal oxidation technique is described. Lastly, prospects for further improvement of non-matrix J c of Nb 3 Sn conductors are discussed, and it is seen that the only opportunity for further significantly improving J c lies in improving the flux pinning.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2017

Development of an ADC radiation tolerance characterization system for the upgrade of the ATLAS LAr calorimeter

ATLAS LAr calorimeter will undergo its Phase-I upgrade during the long shutdown (LS2) in 2018, and a new LAr Trigger Digitizer Board (LTDB) will be designed and installed. Several commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) multi-channel high-speed ADCs have been selected as possible backups of the radiation tolerant ADC ASICs for the LTDB. Here, to evaluate the radiation tolerance of these backup commercial ADCs, we developed an ADC radiation tolerance characterization system, which includes the ADC boards, data acquisition (DAQ) board, signal generator, external power supplies and a host computer. The ADC board is custom designed for different ADCs, with ADC drivers and clock distribution circuits integrated on board. The Xilinx ZC706 FPGA development board is used as a DAQ board. The data from the ADC are routed to the FPGA through the FMC (FPGA Mezzanine Card) connector, de-serialized and monitored by the FPGA, and then transmitted to the host computer through the Gigabit Ethernet. A software program has been developed with Python, and all the commands are sent to the DAQ board through Gigabit Ethernet by this program. Two ADC boards have been designed for the ADC, ADS52J90 from Texas Instruments and AD9249 from Analog Devices respectively. TID tests for both ADCs have been performed at BNL, and an SEE test for the ADS52J90 has been performed at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). Test results have been analyzed and presented. The test results demonstrate that this test system is very versatile, and works well for the radiation tolerance characterization of commercial multi-channel high-speed ADCs for the upgrade of the ATLAS LAr calorimeter. It is applicable to other collider physics experiments where radiation tolerance is required as well.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Development of ITER non-activation phase operation scenarios

Non-activation phase operations in ITER in hydrogen (H) and helium (He) will be important for commissioning of tokamak systems, such as diagnostics, heating and current drive (HCD) systems, coils and plasma control systems, and for validation of techniques necessary for establishing operations in DT. The assessment of feasible HCD schemes at various toroidal fields (2.65–5.3 T) has revealed that the previously applied assumptions need to be refined for the ITER non-activation phase H/He operations. A study of the ranges of plasma density and profile shape using the JINTRAC suite of codes has indicated that the hydrogen pellet fuelling into He plasmas should be utilized taking the optimization of IC power absorption, neutral beam shine-through density limit and H-mode access into account. The EPED1 estimation of the edge pedestal parameters has been extended to various H operation conditions, and the combined EPED1 and SOLPS estimation has provided guidance for modelling the edge pedestal in H/He operations. The availability of ITER HCD schemes, ranges of achievable plasma density and profile shape, and estimation of the edge pedestal parameters for H/He plasmas have been integrated into various time-dependent tokamak discharge simulations. In this paper, various H/He scenarios at a wide range of plasma current (7.5–15 MA) and field (2.65–5.3 T) have been developed for the ITER non-activation phase operation, and the sensitivity of the developed scenarios to the used assumptions has been investigated to provide guidance for further development.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

Current ramp-up studies for NSTX-U in support of the development of non-inductive current ramp-up scenarios in STs

The Spherical Tokamak (ST) is a low-aspect-ratio tokamak projected to enable simultaneous operation at high normalized toroidal beta and high bootstrap current fraction. However, a compact ST reactor cannot be built with a full-sized solenoid. The remaining current required for sustained operation must be ramped up non-inductively. Sustained 100% non-inductive current drive at the MA level has not yet been demonstrated on an ST. Non-inductive current ramp-up is therefore a more challenging objective that the NSTX-U research program aims to address. In support of this development, free-boundary TRANSP simulations have been used to develop a current ramp-up scenario in which a significant fraction of the current is driven non-inductively by a combination of neutral-beam and bootstrap current drive. The resulting discharge has properties favorable for non-inductive current drive, such as a low normalized internal plasma inductance of approximately 0.45, a minimum safety factor exceeding 2, and a slightly reversed-shear q-profile. In these discharges, the plasma current ramps to 900 kA within 250 ms in an L-mode configuration, with varying electron density and density profiles. These discharges should be suitable for next-step NSTX-U experiments aimed at generating a robust L-mode fiducial scenario with low central solenoid flux consumption, which could be progressively improved as new NSTX-U experimental discharges are developed.

Raman, Roger [Univ. of Washington, Seattle, WA (Un↗
DOE OSTI2020

The effect of dynamic near-wake modulation on utility-scale wind turbine wake development

High-resolution field-scale experiments using flow visualization with natural snowfall and high-fidelity large eddy simulations are combined to investigate the effect of dynamic turbine operation and atmospheric conditions on wind turbine wake mixing and recovery in the wake of a 2.5 MW wind turbine. Instantaneous near-wake expansion and deflection in response to changes in blade pitch and wind direction, termed dynamic wake modulation, is quantified using both techniques, demonstrating excellent agreement. The simulations are used to extend these results by calculating the energy flux into the wake 7 rotor diameters downstream, showing that dynamic turbine-atmospheric interactions enhance mixing in the far-wake. This finding is exhibited under both uniform and turbulent inflow conditions. Under turbulent flow, a synergistic relationship is also observed between dynamic wake modulation and wake meandering, as wake recovery can be further accelerated when the two phenomena occur together. The results of this study have implications for the development of more realistic far-wake models that include the significant impact of dynamic wake modulation on wake mixing and development. Additionally, the findings from the current study can be used to develop advanced control algorithms to speed up wake breakdown and recovery, further improving wind farm efficiency.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Development of a Superconducting Adaptive Gap Undulator Prototype for NSLS-II

The photon flux and brightness of synchrotron radiation, crucial parameters for any light source, vary significantly depending on the type of source employed. Among the 23 Insertion Device (ID) sources at the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) at Brookhaven National Lab (BNL), the 12-year-old 3m-long In-Vacuum Undulator (IVU20) stands out for its superior performance, although it no longer represents the cutting edge of technology. Recently, there has been a shift in focus towards developing next-generation sources, particularly Superconducting Undulators (SCUs), characterized by smaller gaps, shorter periods, and maximum lengths. However, despite ongoing research and development efforts, SCUs have yet to surpass their predecessors, the Cryogenic Permanent Magnet Undulators (CPMUs), in terms of performance. This is largely attributed to the limitations posed by traditional superconducting wire, as well as challenges in the design of the magnetic structure and vacuum chamber. In this paper, we aim to overcome such limitations through the development of a unique prototype Superconducting Adaptive Gap Undulator (SC-AGU) magnet core and vacuum chamber design. This paper will outline a novel technical approach aimed at constructing a compact prototype magnet array utilizing state-of-the-art superconducting wire technology. This approach provides a more efficient magnetic structure, allowing for enhanced magnetic field strength and stability.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Technological developments and accelerator improvements for the FRIB beam power ramp-up

The Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) began operation with 1 kW beam power for scientific users in May 2022 upon completion of 8 years of project construction. The ramp-up to the ultimate beam power of 400 kW, planned over a 6-year period, will enable the facility to reach its full potential for scientific discovery in isotope science and applications. In December 2023, a record-high beam power of 10.4 kW uranium was delivered to the target. Technological developments and accelerator improvements are being made over the entire facility and are key to completion of the power ramp-up. Major technological developments entail the phased deployment of high-power beam-intercepting systems, including the charge strippers, the charge selection systems, the production target, and the beam dump, along with support systems, including non-conventional utilities (NCU) and remote handling facilities. Major accelerator improvements include renovations to aging legacy systems associated with experimental beam lines and system automation for improved operational efficiency and better machine availability. Experience must be gained to safely handle the increased radiological impacts associated with high beam power; extensive machine studies and advanced beam tuning procedures are needed to minimize uncontrolled beam losses for the desired operating conditions. This paper discusses the technological developments and accelerator improvements with emphasis on major R&D efforts.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Design, development and commissioning of a multi-alkali semiconductor photocathode deposition system for the IUAC Delhi light source photoinjector

A fourth-generation light source, called Delhi Light Source (DLS) based on photocathode-based RF gun has been commissioned at Inter-University Accelerator Centre, New Delhi. Presently, the electron beam is being generated from copper photocathode and the beam is being used for scheduled experiments. Soon, the semiconductor photocathode will be used to produce higher beam current. Here, to develop the semiconductor photocathode, a dedicated photocathode deposition facility was developed in collaboration with Brookhaven national Laboratory (BNL) and has been successfully commissioned and becomes operational at IUAC. This deposition facility is an integrated system with the electron gun and is a unique system as it is capable of producing, preserving (without residual gas poisoning) and in-vacuum transfer of the deposited photocathodes from the deposition chamber up to the RF electron gun. The system is designed to operate under ultra-high vacuum (UHV) and is equipped with load-lock chambers, substrate heating assembly, thickness monitoring via a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), and an in-situ setup for quantum efficiency (QE) measurements. After testing of all the subsystems and a detailed calibration, the first deposition of a cesium telluride (Cs 2 Te) photocathode was successfully performed on a copper (Cu) substrate. This successful commissioning and initial deposition mark a significant step toward the indigenous photocathode development and lays the groundwork for further research into advanced photo emissive materials at IUAC. This paper will discuss the salient features, installation, commissioning, first semiconductor photocathode deposition and its results.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗