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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

Flat TBPS Integration Testing for the CMS Outer Tracker Upgrade

The upcoming High-Luminosity (HL) LHC will significantly increase luminosity, introducing more demanding operating conditions for the CMS detector. To meet these challenges, CMS is undergoing major upgrades, including a complete replacement of its tracking detector. This poster presents recent integration testing efforts conducted at Fermilab on the Flat Tracker Barrel with pixel-strip (PS) modules integration test stand, a subcomponent of the outer tracker located in the central barrel region. In this region, PS modules are mounted on structures that provide mechanical support and cooling, called planks. The testing focuses on validating the integrated system’s thermal and electrical performance. Results from these tests will be discussed, highlighting their importance for ensuring reliable tracker operation in the HL-LHC era.

Salazar Segovia, Itzelli [UC, Davis]↗

Integrated Test Stand

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Using containers to speed up development, to run integration tests and to teach about distributed systems

GlideinWMS is a workload manager provisioning resources for many experiments including CMS and DUNE. The software is distributed both as native packages and specialized production containers. Following an approach used in other communities like web development we built our workspaces, system-like containers to ease development and testing. Developers can change the source tree or check out a different branch and quickly reconfigure the services to see the effect of their changes. In this paper, we’ll talk about what differentiates workspaces from other containers. We’ll describe our base system composed of three containers. A one-node cluster including a compute element and a batch system. A GlideinWMS Factory controlling pilot jobs. And a scheduler and Frontend, to submit jobs and provision resources. Additional containers can be used for optional components. This system can easily run on a laptop and we’ll share our evaluation of different container runtimes, with an eye for ease of use and performance. Finally, we’ll talk about our experience as developers and with students. The GlideinWMS workspaces are easily integrated with IDEs like VS Code, simplifying debugging and allowing development and testing of the system also when offline. They simplified the training and onboarding of new team members and Summer interns. And they were useful in workshops where students could have first-hand experience with the mechanisms and components that, in production, run millions of jobs.

Mambelli, Marco↗

Using Containers to Speed Up Development, to Run Integration Tests and to Teach About Distributed Systems

GlideinWMS is a workload manager provisioning resources for many experiments, including CMS and DUNE. The software is distributed both as native packages and specialized production containers. Following an approach used in other communities like web development, we built our workspaces, system-like containers to ease development and testing. Developers can change the source tree or check out a different branch and quickly reconfigure the services to see the effect of their changes. In this paper, we will talk about what differentiates workspaces from other containers. We will describe our base system, composed of three containers: a one-node cluster including a compute element and a batch system, a GlideinWMS Factory controlling pilot jobs, and a scheduler and Frontend to submit jobs and provision resources. Additional containers can be used for optional components. This system can easily run on a laptop, and we will share our evaluation of different container runtimes, with an eye for ease of use and performance. Finally, we will talk about our experience as developers and with students. The GlideinWMS workspaces are easily integrated with IDEs like VS Code, simplifying debugging and allowing development and testing of the system even when offline. They simplified the training and onboarding of new team members and summer interns. And they were useful in workshops where students could have first-hand experience with the mechanisms and components that, in production, run millions of jobs.

Mambelli, Marco [Fermilab] (ORCID:0000000294892681↗

Proton Dynamics Scenarios in the Integrable Optics Test Accelerator (IOTA) at Fermilab

The Integrable Optics Test Accelerator (IOTA) at Fermilab provides a versatile platform for studying the interplay of space-charge, impedance, and non-linear optics in high-intensity hadron beams within synchrotrons and storage rings. This report examines the parameters and dynamics of 2.5~MeV proton beam operations in two configurations of the bare IOTA lattice: one for demonstrating Non-linear Integrable Optics with the Danilov-Nagaitsev magnet, and the other for use with electron cooling. We offer order-of-magnitude estimates of the transverse emittance growth rate as a function of beam intensity, highlighting contributions from residual gas scattering, intra-beam scattering, and space-charge effects. Under nominal conditions, the beam lifetime is projected to be less than 7~minutes at low intensity with the current vacuum quality, and fewer than 100,000~turns at high intensity due to strong space-charge effects. The calculations presented here will guide strategies to mitigate emittance growth and inform future IOTA experiments.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Design of Ionization Profile Monitors at the Integrable Optics Test Accelerator Facility at Fermilab

The Integrable Optics Test Accelerator (IOTA) at Fermilab is transitioning from an electron beam facility to a proton beam facility for studies in nonlinear accelerator optics and space-charge dominated proton beams. This project involves the commissioning and fabrication of Ionization Profile Monitors (IPMs) to enable beam profile measurements at IOTA. In general, IPMs work on principle of residual gas ionization by the beam to generate beam profile. This work focuses on a mechanical design that leverages a controlled injection of noble gases, primarily Argon, as the ultra-high vacuum of the IOTA ring provides insufficient residual gas for ionization. Efforts to understand vacuum integration to ensure compatibility with the storage ring environment, the integration of real-time data acquisition systems and the commissioning of the IPMs will be discussed. This project provides a versatile diagnostic tool, supporting IOTA’s role as a testbed for larger-scale accelerator facilities and contributing to the broader understanding of beam physics in high-intensity, high-space-charge regimes.

Mwaniki, M. W. [IIT, Chicago] (ORCID:0000000169057↗

UNIFI 1-MW Multi-Vendor Grid-Forming Inverter Test Updates

This presentation gives an update on UNIFI 1MW multi-vendor GFM inverter testing. The 1MW demo enters the last stage of the test, which is the integration test. And the main objectives of the integration tests include: 1) explore the interoperability of dispatching a future grid with energy mix (GFM inverters, GFL inverters and synchronous machine). The presentation highlights one example test, ROCOF, and summarizes all the key learning.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

RELAP5-3D Capabilities for High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor Analysis

RELAP5-3D is the premier systems thermal-hydraulic code in the world. The code has been used significantly for high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) analyses over the last 10 years, but there has not been a comprehensive summary of RELAP5-3D capabilities and methods for HTGR modeling. In this paper, we provide a guide for how novice users can build models for prismatic HTGRs. This guide includes best practices for developing heat structures and setting up radiation and conduction heat transfer. We also provide a summary of relevant validation studies. These studies are divided into three categories: separate effects tests, integral effects tests, and nuclear reactor studies. We present a comprehensive review of RELAP5-3D HTGR applications for reactor modeling over the last 10 years. These applications include work for the Modular High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor benchmark, design activities for a prismatic HTGR as part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Demonstration and Test Reactor Options Study, and studies performed to design gas-cooled microreactors. Following the comprehensive literature review, we present a gap analysis highlighting capabilities of RELAP5-3D that are available and missing for a complete analysis of HTGR thermal hydraulics. We also discuss the limitations of existing code capabilities and potential improvements that could improve analyses. Current research efforts have yet to fully validate RELAP5-3D for a prismatic HTGR analysis; however, some of this is attributable to confounding factors in the available experimental data as opposed to code capabilities. In conclusion, this paper presents the most comprehensive review to date on RELAP5-3D capabilities, limitations, and applications for HTGR analysis.

22 - GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

From quantitative trait loci towards mechanisms: Linkage Integration Hypothesis Testing (LIgHT) sheds light on the mechanisms of genetically modulated stress tolerance

The goal of this work is to assess the mechanistic bases of natural genetic variations in plant responses of photosynthesis to stress. To achieve this goal, we devised the Linkage Integration Hypothesis Testing (LIgHT) approach, comparing chromosomal locations of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for multiple phenotypes to distinguish between hypothetical mechanisms. As a use case, we explored genetic variations in photosynthesis-related processes under chilling stress in recombinant inbred lines of cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.). We focused on photosynthesis-related parameters measurable in high throughput and indicative of proposed chilling responses, including the states of PSI and PSII, photoprotective non-photochemical quenching, PSII photodamage, and nyctinastic leaf movements (NLMs). The patterns of QTL linkages indicated that chilling stress tolerance is genetically controlled by avoiding PSII photodamage rather than PSI damage or NLMs. This model was validated in a separate experiment measuring the rates of PSII photodamage and repair. Additional linkages suggest that chilling-induced damage to PSII is controlled by the thylakoid proton motive force and redox state of PSII. This regulation appears to be modulated by thylakoid fatty acid composition, previously associated with the same genetic loci and now supported by broader mechanistic evidence. We propose that the LIgHT approach can be broadly applied to test mechanisms underlying genetic variations.

MultispeQ↗

The Simons Observatory: Design, Integration, and Testing of the Small Aperture Telescopes

The Simons Observatory (SO) is a cosmic microwave background survey experiment that includes small-aperture telescopes (SATs) observing from an altitude of 5200 m in the Atacama Desert in Chile. The SO SATs will cover six spectral bands between 27 and 280 GHz to search for primordial B-modes to a sensitivity of σ(r) = 0.002, with quantified systematic errors well below this value. Each SAT is a self-contained cryogenic telescope with a 35° field of view, 42 cm diameter optical aperture, 40 K half-wave plate, 1 K refractive optics, and <0.1 K focal plane that holds >12,000 transition edge sensor detectors. We describe the nominal design of the SATs and present details about the integration and testing for one operating at 93 and 145 GHz.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Thoroughly testing and integrating hundreds of Pull Requests per month: ROOT’s new Cost-efficient and Feature Rich GitHub-based CI

ROOT is an open source framework, freely available on GitHub, at the heart of data acquisition, processing and analysis of HE(N)P experiments, and beyond. It is developed collaboratively: contributions are not authored only by ROOT team members, but also by the user community at large: developers and scientists from universities, labs as well as the private sector. More than 1500 GitHub Pull Requests are merged on average per year. It is in this context that code integration acquires a primary role. The review of code contributions isn’t enough: not only they need to be thoroughly reviewed, they also need to be thoroughly tested through a powerful CI infrastructure on several different platforms to comply with the high code quality standards of the project. Since the end of 2023, ROOT moved its continuous integration system from Jenkins to GitHub Actions. In this contribution, we characterise the transition to the GitHub CI, focussing on our strategy, its implementation and the lessons learned, as well as the advantages the new system offers with respect to the previous one. Particular emphasis will be given to the evaluation of the cost-benefit ratio for Jenkins and GitHub Actions for the ROOT project. We also describe how we manage to run in less than one hour thousands of unit, integration, functional and end-to-end tests on different flavours of Windows, four versions of macOS, as well as about ten of the most used Linux distributions, taking advantage of the CERN computing infrastructure.

Piparo, Danilo [CERN]↗

Complete development of LAROMance-type surrogate models for Zircaloy, as well as initial integration and testing in MOOSE, which addresses industry needs for licensing advanced LWR fuels

This milestone report details the progress in the constitutive surrogate modeling framework for Zircaloy’s mechanical behavior under extreme conditions, within the NEAMS program throughout the U.S. fiscal year 2024 (FY24). The presented work expands on the spectral based mechanical solver and the mechanistic material model for Zircaloy, which were introduced in the NEAMS program during FY22 and detailed in the previous fiscal year (FY23). As part of the NEAMS program, the current effort described in this report focused on the development of a novel viscplastic (creep) surrogate for the mechanistic, polycrystal-based model. To this end, the work was subdivided into two interdependent components related to the necessary improvements to the LApx constitutive model and algorithm and, to the development and use of a surrogate model.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Reducing Methane Emissions with an Engine Fuel Reformer

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) designed and demonstrated a compact, plasma-based fuel reformer designed to reduce methane leaks from natural-gas engines used in pipeline compression and industrial power applications. The system uses pulsed electrical discharges to convert a small portion of methane (CH4) into hydrogen (H2) and light hydrocarbons, promoting more complete combustion and reducing unburned methane in the exhaust. The reformer was evaluated through bench-scale testing, high-flow facility testing, and engine-integration testing on representative low-speed and high-speed natural-gas engines. Measured methane-leak reductions ranged from 1 to 27 percent, depending on engine type and operating condition, while reformer energy consumption remained below one percent of total engine output. Design refinements addressed thermal and electrical challenges, resulting in reliable operation with minimal impact on engine control systems. The project achieved all performance objectives within budget and schedule, produced a patentable pulsed-power system design, and established a scalable, energy-efficient pathway for mitigating methane leaks from existing natural-gas engine infrastructure.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

Energy Technology Proving Ground Program Plan

New methods of energy production and distribution are required to meet clean energy goals and demands across all U.S. energy sectors. Idaho National Laboratory’s (INL) Integrated Energy Systems (IES) initiative is enabling clean energy research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) activities. To date, IES demonstration programs have been limited by distributed infrastructure and a lack of large-scale facilities to accommodate industry-scale research of Technical Readiness Level (TRL) 6-8 technologies. The IES initiative plans to eliminate these constraints by establishing a new research complex at INL known as the Energy Technology Proving Ground (Proving Ground) to be led by the Energy and Environment Science and Technology Directorate. The Energy and Environment Science and Technology (EES&T) directorate, one of five Idaho National Laboratory (INL) RD&D organizations, focuses on clean energy technologies that anchor the industry-enabling research of the Proving Ground. The Proving Ground will combine diverse clean energy systems into lean integrated test bed of independent multiscale capabilities available to the government and commercial industries to perform research; and will enable INL’s goal of becoming a Net-Zero entity by 2031. This program encompasses existing and new research space at both the in-town Research and Education Campus (REC) and the Arco desert site (the Site). The Proving Ground will support the maturation of IES technologies from TRL 1 through 8 by providing the infrastructure and capabilities needed to sustain a continuum of RD&D from basic science to industry-scale. To establish The Proving Ground and meet INL’s net-zero goals by 2031, nine research program areas have been identified within the IES initiative that require expanded and new capital infrastructure. This program plan provides guidance for establishing the Proving Ground at the Site for plug-and-play pilot testing and proofing of integrated energy system functionality including fission and renewable energy sources for industry driven application platforms.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Energy Technology Proving Ground FY-2026 Program Plan (Rev.1)

New methods of energy production and distribution are required to meet clean energy goals and demands across all U.S. energy sectors. Idaho National Laboratory’s (INL) Integrated Energy Systems (IES) initiative is enabling clean energy research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) activities. To date, IES demonstration programs have been limited by distributed infrastructure and a lack of large-scale facilities to accommodate industry-scale research of Technical Readiness Level (TRL) 6-8 technologies. The IES initiative plans to eliminate these constraints by establishing a new research complex at INL known as the Energy Technology Proving Ground (Proving Ground) to be led by the Energy and Environment Science and Technology Directorate. The Energy and Environment Science and Technology (EES&T) directorate, one of five Idaho National Laboratory (INL) RD&D organizations, focuses on clean energy technologies that anchor the industry-enabling research of the Proving Ground. The Proving Ground will combine diverse clean energy systems into lean integrated test bed of independent multiscale capabilities available to the government and commercial industries to perform research; and will enable INL’s goal of becoming a Net-Zero entity by 2031. This program encompasses existing and new research space at both the in-town Research and Education Campus (REC) and the Arco desert site (the Site). The Proving Ground will support the maturation of IES technologies from TRL 1 through 8 by providing the infrastructure and capabilities needed to sustain a continuum of RD&D from basic science to industry-scale. To establish The Proving Ground and meet INL’s net-zero goals by 2031, nine research program areas have been identified within the IES initiative that require expanded and new capital infrastructure. This program plan provides guidance for establishing the Proving Ground at the Site for plug-and-play pilot testing and proofing of integrated energy system functionality including fission and renewable energy sources for industry driven application platforms.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Advancing the HERO WEC Through Integrated Modeling, Testing, and Field Deployments

The Hydraulic and Electric Reverse Osmosis Wave Energy Converter (HERO WEC) was developed by the National Laboratory of the Rockies as a modular platform for advancing wave-powered desalination technologies. Designed to operate in either a hydraulic or electric configuration, the system enables direct comparison of mechanical-to-water and electrical-to-water conversion pathways using a single hardware architecture. Deployments in 2022 and 2024 at the Jennette's Pier test site in North Carolina demonstrated freshwater production between 60 and 300 gallons per day, including successful operation in wave heights as low as 0.25 m. A structured evaluation approach combining numerical modeling of hydrodynamic and power take-off response, controlled laboratory testing, and in-ocean field deployments has been used to characterize and refine system performance. Specifically, insights from these efforts are now informing the second-generation HERO WEC (V2) to increase robustness and overall survivability. Changes from the original prototype include improved drivetrain components, refined geometry, enhanced control systems, and design. The HERO WEC platform continues to serve as an open-access research asset supporting broader marine energy and desalination development.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

Advancing the HERO WEC Through Integrated Modeling, Testing, and Field Deployments: Preprint

The Hydraulic and Electric Reverse Osmosis Wave Energy Converter (HERO WEC) was developed by the National Laboratory of the Rockies as a modular platform for advancing wave-powered desalination technologies. Designed to operate in either a hydraulic or electric configuration, the system enables direct comparison of mechanical-to-water and electrical-to-water conversion pathways using a single hardware architecture. Deployments at the Jennette's Pier test site in 2022 and 2024 demonstrated freshwater production between 60 and 300 gallons per day, including successful operation in wave heights as low as 0.25 m. A structured evaluation approach combining numerical modeling of hydrodynamic and PTO response, controlled laboratory testing, and in-ocean field deployments has been used to characterize and refine system performance. Insights from these efforts are now informing the second-generation HERO WEC (V2), which incorporates improved drivetrain components, refined geometry, enhanced control systems, and design updates aimed at increasing robustness and long-duration survivability. The HERO WEC platform continues to serve as an open-access research asset supporting broader marine energy and desalination development.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

Loss of Flow Conditions in a Modern Pool-type SFR and In-Pile Experiment Design

The metallic fuel safety performance under unprotected design-basis transients is a key consideration for the deployment of advanced sodium fast reactors (SFRs). Reliable data are needed to validate advanced safety codes, reduce uncertainty in cladding failure thresholds, and strengthen confidence in licensing approaches. To address this need, this report develops blueprints for a conceptual sodium loss-of-flow (LOF) experiment in the Mk-IIIR loop at the Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT), providing the technical foundation for future integral testing.

11 - NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗