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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 19 records

Experimental investigation of a closed vapour box module for a divertor-like configuration in Magnum-PSI

Efficient management of extreme heat fluxes in the divertor region to extend the lifetime of the components remains a critical challenge for the realization of nuclear fusion-based power plants. Among the alternative concepts explored for the divertor region, the use of liquid metals, particularly lithium, is of interest due its ability to dissipate the incoming plasma heat flux through the vapour shielding effect (VS). In this work, we experimentally investigated a ‘closed’ configuration of a dedicated Vapour Box Module (VBM) in the linear plasma device Magnum-PSI. The goal of the experiments is to simulate the vapour box divertor environment conditions and assess its performance in terms of power mitigation and redistribution and lithium confinement. Initial testing without Li demonstrated the efficacy of a closed VBM structure in inducing detachment via neutral gas accumulation. Apertures which enabled non-condensing gas to be effectively pumped while ensuring lithium condensed on the inner surfaces were therefore added. With a lithium capillary porous structure target used, lithium is directly vaporized by the plasma, forming a dense lithium vapour cloud that interacts with the incoming plasma. This resulted in a significant reduction of the target temperature of at least 48%, together with a temperature locking effect, a phenomenon typically observed in the VS regime. Lithium vapour confinement within the VBM was strongly correlated with the wall temperature. Relatively cold walls promoted Li re-condensation and therefore improved Li confinement, although with the expected trade-off of increased hydrogenic retention on lithium-wetted surfaces. As the wall temperature increased, the confinement efficiency decreased, consistent with reduced Li re-condensation and thermally activated Li–H chemistry and remobilization at the walls. Diagnostic measurements through embedded thermocouples and calorimetry revealed that lithium vaporization and re-condensation processes also playedsignificant roles in plasma power dissipation. The results advance the case for a closed divertor chamber with direct lithium evaporation from the strike-points as a viable method to manage divertor heat fluxes in future fusion reactors.

Romano, Fabio [Dutch Institute for Fundamental Ene↗

Lock out tag out padlock

A lockout padlock controls access to a hazardous energy source control box. The control box has a box body and a door that closes the box body. The door has an aperture. A staple is connected to the box body and the staple extends through the aperture in the door of the control box. A first lockout hinge part has a first lockout hinge part padlock hole. A second lockout hinge part has a second lockout hinge part padlock hole. The first lockout hinge part and the second lockout hinge part are position together to form a padlock pocket. A first padlock is positioned and locked in the staple. The first padlock is positioned in said padlock pocket and covered by said first lockout hinge part and said second lockout hinge part. A second padlock is positioned in the first lockout hinge part padlock hole and in said second lockout hinge part padlock hole.

Ancheta, Dione↗

Characterization of Quantum Frequency Processors

Frequency-bin qubits possess unique synergies with wavelength-multiplexed lightwave communications, suggesting valuable opportunities for quantum networking with the existing fiber-optic infrastructure. Although the coherent manipulation of frequency-bin states requires highly controllable multi-spectral-mode interference, the quantum frequency processor (QFP) provides a scalable path for gate synthesis leveraging standard telecom components. Here, we summarize the state of the art in experimental QFP characterization. Distinguishing between physically motivated “open box” approaches that treat the QFP as a multiport interferometer, and “black box” approaches that view the QFP as a general quantum operation, we highlight the assumptions and results of multiple techniques, including quantum process tomography of a tunable beamsplitter—to our knowledge the first full process tomography of any frequency-bin operation. Our findings should inform future characterization efforts as the QFP increasingly moves beyond proof-of-principle tabletop demonstrations toward integrated devices and deployed quantum networking experiments.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Energy and particle balance during plasma detachment in a long-leg divertor configuration

Abstract Comprehensive studies of energy and particle balances in the transition to plasma detachment in an alternative divertor configuration with long outer legs are shown. Numerical simulations are performed with the 2D code suite SOLPS 4.3, using a disconnected double null grid with narrow, tightly baffled long poloidal leg divertors at the outer lower target and outer upper target. A particle count scan is performed using the ‘closed gas box’ model, where the tunable parameter in the simulations is the total number of deuterium particles in the simulation space and all other parameters are held fixed, including a constant input power and trace neon impurity radiation, to assess the physics of the transition to detachment in the system as the particle count increases. Three main aspects of the physics of divertor detachment are addressed: the criteria for the local onset of divertor detachment in each of the divertors, the distribution of heat flux and other plasma parameters between the four divertors as each divertor transitions to detachment, and the role of perpendicular transport in the transition to the detached regime. A synergistic mechanism by which the cross-field transport is reduced by factors associated with the onset of plasma recombination effects is identified. These results are compared to the existing understanding of the physics of the transition to plasma detachment in standard divertors.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Operation, maintenance, and installation instructions for HLW thermal catalytic oxidizer/reducer (TCO)

The HLW TCO Units are a combination of four rectangular vessels; the Recuperative Heat Exchanger, Electric Heater, Selective Catalytic Oxidizer (SCO), and the Selective Catalytic Reducer (SCR). Each housing is simply a closed rectangular box with formed angle stiffeners welded to the outside perimeter. The housings are connected with process piping and sit on a skid. There is an external frame to support all major process piping and the Electric Heater. The process piping consists of a 14" inlet which enters the heat exchanger. Then the off-gas flows through 18" cross over piping which leads to the heater. Once the off-gas is heated, another section of 18" process piping leads the off-gas through the SCO and SCR. The off-gas then flows through the heat exchanger before exiting through 16" process piping which leads to the customer's piping. The other equipment associated with the HLW TCO is the Ammonia Dilution Skid. The dilution skid controls the ammonia injection into the off-gas. The dilution skid supports two process lines, a 2" line and a 1" line which carries process air and anhydrous ammonia respectively. Ammonia injection into the off-gas is required prior to entering the SCR to ensure the NOx reduction occurs through the SCR catalyst bank.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Direct observation of tRNA-chaperoned folding of a dynamic mRNA ensemble

T-box riboswitches are multi-domain noncoding RNAs that surveil individual amino acid availabilities in most Gram-positive bacteria. T-boxes directly bind specific tRNAs, query their aminoacylation status to detect starvation, and feedback control the transcription or translation of downstream amino-acid metabolic genes. Most T-boxes rapidly recruit their cognate tRNA ligands through an intricate three-way stem I-stem II-tRNA interaction, whose establishment is not understood. Using single-molecule FRET, SAXS, and time-resolved fluorescence, we find that the free T-box RNA assumes a broad distribution of open, semi-open, and closed conformations that only slowly interconvert. tRNA directly binds all three conformers with distinct kinetics, triggers nearly instantaneous collapses of the open conformations, and returns the T-box RNA to their pre-binding conformations upon dissociation. This scissors-like dynamic behavior is enabled by a hinge-like pseudoknot domain which poises the T-box for rapid tRNA-induced domain closure. This study reveals tRNA-chaperoned folding of flexible, multi-domain mRNAs through a Venus flytrap-like mechanism.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Integration of a grey-box refrigerated case model in EnergyPlus via Python plugin

Commercial buildings, in particular grocery stores (due mainly to their large refrigeration load), provide opportunities for energy cost reductions. Grocery stores could offer substantial load flexibility to the power grid through participation in demand response programs because of their usage patterns and relatively high energy intensity. This load flexibility could come from modifying the control of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, refrigeration systems, or both. Although estimation of the HVAC system’s load flexibility potential is relatively targeted in the literature, estimating load flexibility of refrigeration systems is nascent and has been a challenge, in part because of the lack of proper simulation tools that capture the dynamics in the refrigeration cases. The existing refrigerated case model within EnergyPlus, a whole building energy simulation program, assumes a constant case temperature throughout the simulation period and does not explicitly model the cycling of the compressor serving the refrigerated case. In addition, it does not encompass modeling of temperatures of the product inside the refrigerated case. This difference between modeled and actual operation can be a barrier to the development of demand control algorithm and accurate analysis of load flexibility potential. In this paper, we present a grey-box model for modeling refrigerated cases in grocery stores, which include medium temperature and low temperature. Four cases are modeled; two are low-temperature closed cases and two are medium-temperature cases with one closed and one open. Data from an experimental facility are used to train and test the models. Results demonstrate the efficacy of the grey-box models in predicting the temperatures. This model is integrated into EnergyPlus to capture the dynamic effects of case temperature on the environment and enhance the calculation of sensible and latent heat exchange with the environment (case credits). These enhancements can be leveraged more broadly to model advanced refrigeration controls such as defrost, develop and test unique algorithms that could affect refrigeration interactions with HVAC, and refine store design for any commercial building with refrigeration.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Cryogenic aspects of a 20 MW class low-temperature superconducting generator for the renewables industry

In this paper we give a progress update on the cryogenic design for cooling a 20 MW class, partially superconducting generator with stationary field coils for offshore wind renewables industry [1-2]. This is a continuation of an earlier program on a 10 MW system dating back ten years. Whereas this new power rating increase leads to a radial diameter expansion of the superconducting field coils from 4 to > 9.5 m, it maintains the axial length. We show the design based on this scaled up with enlarged diameter. The field coil size increase asks for higher cooling power that leads to a bigger cold box size to accommodate the cryocoolers. In the design, as many as 8 cryocoolers can be accessed and serviced from the nacelle that houses the main cryogenic components. A typical thermal load balance sheet with all components is given and compared against the available cryocooler cooling power at different operating conditions. Due to the cryocoolers’ local point of contact cooling within the nacelle, the temperature gradient of the thermal shield that fully encloses the cold mass with its embedded field coils needs to be balanced out to minimize the heat burden on the field coils. This requires additional analytical efforts and implementation of further design features. The extended nacelle houses the cold box with its cryogenic infrastructure. The interface for the envisaged cryogenic pushbutton closed-loop circulating system remains invisible, requires no handling of cryogenic liquids and is hermetically closed. The field coil diameter increase also leads to a greater initial helium gas storage volume. In addition, it requires higher initial room temperature fill pressure within the toroidal helium vapor storage tanks and in cooling tubes connecting to the cryocoolers. The toroidal helium gas tanks are thermally coupled with the thermal shield so that helium convection inside the storage tank can improve heat transfer and reduce the temperature gradient of the thermal shield. Besides those heat transfer challenges, additional mechanical strain within this large structure is exerted on the torque tubes during initial cooldown and when energizing field coils. Some of those design challenges are quite unexpected, leading to novel workarounds in order to maintain the chosen cooling strategy. Finally, we assess those design limitations in view of further cryogenic scalability with emphasis on manufacturability and assembly.

cryogenics↗

Implementation and (Inverse Modified) Error Analysis for Implicitly Templated ODE-Nets

We focus on learning unknown dynamics from data using ODE-nets templated on implicit numerical initial value problem solvers. First, we perform inverse modified error analysis of the ODE-nets using unrolled implicit schemes for ease of interpretation. It is shown that training an ODE-net using an unrolled implicit scheme returns a close approximation of an inverse modified differential equation (IMDE). In addition, we establish a theoretical basis for hyperparameter selection when training such ODE-nets, whereas current strategies usually treat numerical integration of ODE-nets as a black box. We thus formulate an adaptive algorithm which monitors the level of error and adapts the number of (unrolled) implicit solution iterations during the training process, so that the error of the unrolled approximation is less than the current learning loss. This helps accelerate training while maintaining accuracy. Several numerical experiments are performed to demonstrate the advantages of the proposed algorithm compared to nonadaptive unrollings and validate the theoretical analysis. Here, we also note that this approach naturally allows for incorporating partially known physical terms in the equations, giving rise to what is termed “gray box” identification.

ODE-nets↗

Grid Parameters and Voltage Estimation Approach Integrating Data-Driven Converter Model

With Measurements of grid voltage and current are essential for the optimal operation of the grid protection and control (P&C) systems. Grid parameters vary through time during the faults and especially in the converter interfaced resources (CIRs) rich power grid, and thus accurate estimation is critical to avoid the mis-operation of the P&C systems. In this paper, a moving horizon estimation (MHE) as an observer is devised and applied to estimate the grid line parameters and grid voltages for protection enhancement. Due to the proprietary and confidentiality of CIRs, the proposed approach uses the black-box model to represent their dynamics. Leveraging the easily accessible measurements of output current from the black-box model of CIR and voltage at the point of common coupling, the proposed method estimates the grid impedance and grid voltage during normal and faulty operating conditions. The performance shows that the optimization-based observer was able to closely observe the accurate states and parameters, which can be utilized by the P&C systems.

Subedi, Sunil↗

Robustness of Deep Learning Classification to Adversarial Input on GPUs: Asynchronous Parallel Accumulation Is a Source of Vulnerability

The ability of machine learning (ML) classification models to resist small, targeted input perturbations—known as adversarial attacks—is a key measure of their safety and reliability. We show that floating-point non associativity (FPNA) coupled with asynchronous parallel programming on GPUs is sufficient to result in misclassification, without any perturbation to the input. Additionally, we show that this misclassification is particularly significant for inputs close to the decision boundary and that standard adversarial robustness results may be overestimated up to 4.6 when not considering machine-level details. We first study a linear classifier, before focusing on standard Graph Neural Network (GNN) architectures and datasets used in robustness assessments. We develop a novel black-box attack using Bayesian optimization to discover external workloads that can change the instruction scheduling which bias the output of reductions on GPUs and reliably lead to misclassification. Motivated by these results, we present a new learnable permutation (LP) gradient-based approach to learning floating-point operation orderings that lead to misclassifications. The LP approach provides a worst-case estimate in a computationally efficient manner, avoiding the need to run identical experiments tens of thousands of times over a potentially large set of possible GPU states or architectures. Finally, using instrumentation-based testing, we investigate parallel reduction ordering across different GPU architectures under external background workloads, when utilizing multi-GPU virtualization, and when applying power capping. Our results demonstrate that parallel reduction ordering varies significantly across architectures under the first two conditions, substantially increasing the search space required to fully test the effects of this parallel scheduler-based vulnerability. These results and the methods developed here can help to include machine-level considerations into adversarial robustness assessments, which can make a difference in safety and mission critical applications.

Shanmugavelu, Sanjif [Maxeler Technologies, a Groq↗

ORBUMP Pulsed Dipole Magnet Design for Fermilab Booster

Fermilab initiated the accelerator magnet system upgrade project PIP-II for future neutrino experiments. Old ORBUMP pulsed dipoles should be replaced with new stronger magnets occupying the same space as old ones. Four of these magnets connected in series form dogleg type of proton beam orbit. The magnet field and 19 kA current pulse length are close to 1 ms. Old magnet cores were based on a ferrite material. For new magnets, a magnet gap field is above 0.4 T, which completely saturates ferrite material. So, for the magnet core, 0.127 mm thick laminations of low carbon steel with inorganic coating, as the magnet were placed in a vacuum box. There were investigated transient magnet parameters including skin effect in the iron core and in the single-turn copper coil. The integrated field homogeneity was improved by the copper coil shimming. Simulated by OPERA3D power losses were used for the thermal analysis by ANSYS code. The magnet performance is strongly coupled with the power source. The dynamic magnet inductance and resistance were included in the pulsed power source design. Finally, the paper presented the ORBUMP magnet system design.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

A system identification approach for non-intrusive reduced order modeling of radiation-induced photocurrents

In this study, development of compact photocurrent models is currently dominated by analytical techniques that rely on physical assumptions to render the governing equations solvable in a closed form. Violation of these assumptions can reduce the accuracy of the models and/or limit their scope. In this paper we show that system identification of nonlinear state-space systems can serve as an alternative numerical basis for non-intrusive reduced order modeling of photocurrent effects. To that end we develop a compact gray box photocurrent model (GBPM) by using a state-space representation with a low-dimensional latent state equation that mimics a mathematical model for the response of an idealized class of devices to ionizing radiation. In so doing we obtain a model that learns the dynamics of a quantity of interest directly from its measurements without requiring snapshots of the internal device state or its discretized model, and can be inferred from very small data sets. To demonstrate the approach we train the GBPM using a small experimental data set for a Z5236 Zener diode and a small synthetic data set obtained by simulating a synthetic pn-junction device. We then compare the GBPMs with black box models trained on the same data and show that performance of the latter is limited by the size of the data set, while the former are able to achieve excellent performance in both the reproductive and the predictive regimes.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Runaway Eccentricity Growth: A Pathway for Binary Black Hole Mergers in AGN Disks

Binary black holes (BBHs) embedded within the accretion disks that fuel active galactic nuclei (AGN) are promising progenitors for the source of gravitational wave (GW) events detected by LIGO/VIRGO. Several recent studies have shown that when these binaries form, they are likely to be highly eccentric and retrograde. However, many uncertainties remain concerning the orbital evolution of these binaries as they either inspiral toward merger or disassociate. Previous hydrodynamical simulations exploring their orbital evolution have been predominantly two-dimensional or have been restricted to binaries on nearly circular orbits. We present the first high-resolution, three-dimensional local shearing-box simulations of both prograde and retrograde eccentric BBHs embedded in AGN disks. We find that retrograde binaries shrink several times faster than their prograde counterparts and exhibit significant orbital eccentricity growth, the rate of which monotonically increases with binary eccentricity. Our results suggest that retrograde binaries may experience runaway orbital eccentricity growth, which may bring them close enough together at pericenter for GW emission to drive them to coalescence. Although their eccentricity is damped, prograde binaries shrink much faster than their orbital eccentricity decays, suggesting they should remain modestly eccentric as they contract toward merger. Finally, binary precession driven by the AGN disk may dominate over precession induced by the supermassive black hole depending on the binary accretion rate and its location in the AGN disk, which can subdue the evection resonance and von Ziepel–Lidov–Kozai cycles.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Optimization of lithium vapor box divertor evaporator location on NSTX-U using SOLPS-ITER

Commercial fusion reactors will be faced with extremely high divertor target heat fluxes that will require mitigation. Simulations of detachment in an NSTX-U scenario projected to have 92 MW/m 2 unmitigated peak target heat flux are presented, which reaches sub-10 MW/m 2 target heat flux using a highly dissipating lithium vapor box divertor design. The lithium vapor box is a detached divertor design which employs lithium vapor evaporation and condensation to contain lithium below the X-point. Previous SOLPS modeling has indicated a lithium vapor box can reduce the heat flux down to 10 MW/m 2 via simultaneous evaporation from the Private Flux Region (PFR) and the Common Flux Region (CFR) sides of the vapor box. It is found here that PFR evaporation has improved access to the separatrix leading to significantly more efficient power dissipation than CFR evaporation. Simulations of target evaporation with an evaporation distribution that is self-consistent with the temperature of a Capillary Porous System with Fast flowing liquid lithium (CPSF) could reach n Li / n e ~ 0.025-0.030 at the Last Closed Flux Surface (LCFS) depending on the liquid metal flow speeds and lithium sputtering yield, while PFR-side evaporation can reach acceptable heat fluxes with n Li / n e ~ 0.038 at the LCFS. However, PFR evaporator performance can be improved if the target is allowed to be hot enough such that it reflects lithium, reaching n Li / n e ~ 0.028 and reducing required lithium evaporation. Ultimately PFR evaporation and target evaporation are found to have similar ability to produce acceptable heat flux solutions with minimal upstream concentration.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Solving sparse finite element problems on neuromorphic hardware

The finite element method (FEM) is one of the most important and ubiquitous numerical methods for solving partial differential equations (PDEs) on computers for scientific and engineering discovery. Applying the FEM to larger and more detailed scientific models has driven advances in high-performance computing for decades. Here we demonstrate that scalable spiking neuromorphic hardware can directly implement the FEM by constructing a spiking neural network that solves the large, sparse, linear systems of equations at the core of the FEM. We show that for the Poisson equation, a fundamental PDE in science and engineering, our neural circuit achieves meaningful levels of numerical accuracy and close to ideal scaling on modern, inherently parallel and energy-efficient neuromorphic hardware, specifically Intel’s Loihi 2 neuromorphic platform. We illustrate extensions to irregular mesh geometries in both two and three dimensions as well as other PDEs such as linear elasticity. Our spiking neural network is constructed from a recurrent network model of the brain’s motor cortex and, in contrast to black-box deep artificial neural network-based methods for PDEs, directly translates the well-understood and trusted mathematics of the FEM to a natively spiking neuromorphic algorithm.

Applied mathematics↗

Streamlined Approach for Environmental Restoration (SAFER) Plan for Corrective Action Unit 578: Miscellaneous Inactive Sites Nevada National Security Site, Nevada, (Rev. 0)

This Streamlined Approach for Environmental Restoration (SAFER) Plan addresses the actions needed to achieve closure for Corrective Action Unit (CAU) 578, Miscellaneous Inactive Sites, identified in the Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO). CAU 578 comprises the following 11 corrective action sites (CASs) located in Areas 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 12, and 23 of the Nevada National Security Site: • 02-26-01, Lead (Concrete Box w/Lining) • 02-26-07, Gun Turret w/Lead in Barrel • 03-16-01, U-3auS Disposal Site • 04-26-02, Lead on Instrument Bunker • 06-99-07, Sump • 07-99-01, Miscellaneous Debris • 12-02-11, UST-P-2 • 12-06-01, Muckpile • 12-06-04, Muckpile • 23-12-01, Boiler (2) • 23-99-04, Salvage Yard This plan provides the methodology for field activities needed to gather the necessary information for closing each CAS. There is sufficient information and process knowledge from historical documentation and investigations of similar sites regarding the expected nature and extent of potential contaminants to recommend closure of CAU 578 using the SAFER process. Additional information will be obtained by conducting a field investigation before selecting the appropriate corrective action for each CAS. The results of the field investigation will support a defensible recommendation that no further corrective action is necessary. This will be presented in a closure report that will be prepared and submitted to the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) for review and approval.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗