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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

Repair strategy for fused silica wedged focus lens with high-density filamentary damage

The National Ignition Facility (NIF) is intentionally operated with the final fused silica glass (SiO2) optics exposed to fluences and intensities with the potential to induce damage that will grow with additional laser exposure. Therefore, the NIF operates a recycle loop to refurbish final optics by mitigating any initiated surface damage to arrest its growth. However, the morphology of filamentary damage, caused by local self-focusing in the bulk of a silica optic, adds complexity to optics mitigation and provides a limitation to optic reusability. Here, we evaluate techniques for mitigating isolated and clustered filamentary damage. Optical microscopy before and after installation on NIF was used to determine the efficacy of filamentary mitigation after a series of high fluence and intensity laser exposures. The challenges and success rate of the methods are compared for various filamentary damage mitigation strategies.

National Ignition Facility↗

SIERRA Code Coupling Module: Arpeggio User Manual (V.5.20)

The SNL Sierra Mechanics code suite is designed to enable simulation of complex multiphysics scenarios. The code suite is composed of several specialized applications which can operate either in standalone mode or coupled with each other. Arpeggio is a supported utility that enables loose coupling of the various Sierra Mechanics applications by providing access to Framework services that facilitate the coupling. More importantly Arpeggio orchestrates the execution of applications that participate in the coupling. This document describes the various components of Arpeggio and their operability. The intent of the document is to provide a fast path for analysts interested in coupled applications via simple examples of its usage.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

SIERRA Code Coupling Module: Arpeggio User Manual - Version 5.18

The SNL Sierra Mechanics code suite is designed to enable simulation of complex multiphysics scenarios. The code suite is composed of several specialized applications which can operate either in standalone mode or coupled with each other. Arpeggio is a supported utility that enables loose coupling of the various Sierra Mechanics applications by providing access to Framework services that facilitate the coupling. More importantly Arpeggio orchestrates the execution of applications that participate in the coupling. This document describes the various components of Arpeggio and their operability. The intent of the document is to provide a fast path for analysts interested in coupled applications via simple examples of its usage.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

SIERRA Code Coupling Module: Arpeggio User Manual - Version 5.24

The SNL Sierra Mechanics code suite is designed to enable simulation of complex multiphysics scenarios. The code suite is composed of several specialized applications which can operate either in standalone mode or coupled with each other. Arpeggio is a supported utility that enables loose coupling of the various Sierra Mechanics applications by providing access to Framework services that facilitate the coupling. More importantly Arpeggio orchestrates the execution of applications that participate in the coupling. This document describes the various components of Arpeggio and their operability. The intent of the document is to provide a fast path for analysts interested in coupled applications via simple examples of its usage.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

SIERRA Code Coupling Module: Arpeggio User Manual (V.5.26)

The SNL Sierra Mechanics code suite is designed to enable simulation of complex multiphysics scenarios. The code suite is composed of several specialized applications which can operate either in standalone mode or coupled with each other. Arpeggio is a supported utility that enables loose coupling of the various Sierra Mechanics applications by providing access to Framework services that facilitate the coupling. More importantly Arpeggio orchestrates the execution of applications that participate in the coupling. This document describes the various components of Arpeggio and their operability. The intent of the document is to provide a fast path for analysts interested in coupled applications via simple examples of its usage.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

SIERRA Code Coupling Module: Arpeggio User Manual - Version 5.28

The SNL Sierra Mechanics code suite is designed to enable simulation of complex multiphysics scenarios. The code suite is composed of several specialized applications which can operate either in standalone mode or coupled with each other. Arpeggio is a supported utility that enables loose coupling of the various Sierra Mechanics applications by providing access to Framework services that facilitate the coupling. More importantly Arpeggio orchestrates the execution of applications that participate in the coupling. This document describes the various components of Arpeggio and their operability. The intent of the document is to provide a fast path for analysts interested in coupled applications via simple examples of its usage.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

SIERRA Code Coupling Module: Arpeggio User Manual - Version 5.30

The SNL Sierra Mechanics code suite is designed to enable simulation of complex multiphysics scenarios. The code suite is composed of several specialized applications which can operate either in standalone mode or coupled with each other. Arpeggio is a supported utility that enables loose coupling of the various Sierra Mechanics applications by providing access to Framework services that facilitate the coupling. More importantly Arpeggio orchestrates the execution of applications that participate in the coupling. This document describes the various components of Arpeggio and their operability. The intent of the document is to provide a fast path for analysts interested in coupled applications via simple examples of its usage.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

A Graph-Net with Node Embeddings to Detect False Data Injection Attacks in Photovoltaic Systems

Distributed energy resources (DER) contribute to the operational stability of the larger power grid both at utility-scale as well as commercial and residential scales in aggregated forms. These DER in-turn are susceptible to increasing cyber threats. An adversary can plug into the same local network that a field photovoltaic (PV) system uses to interconnect its data loggers and inverters and manipulate certain measurements collected from the network or trick existing irradiance and inverter readings through false data injection attacks (FDIA). Control routines that rely on these measurements can propagate the false data, impacting critical decisions that result in a suboptimal operation or even cause intentional harm leading to inverter-tripping or unscheduled loads that need to be shed. To detect FDIA in PV systems, the paper introduces an attention-based graph neural network with node embeddings and applied it to a simple prototypical DC-coupled microgrid with PV, energy storage, and load. The algorithm shows a detection accuracy of up to 98.95%. The proposed FDIA detection technique will provide micro-grid operators with an effective method to safeguard their systems, guaranteeing the secure and reliable operation.

Parvez, Imtiaz [Utah Valley University]↗

Transforming Cyber Education thru Open to All Accessible Pathways

Boise State University’s (BSU) Cyber Operations and Resilience CORe program was intentionally designed so that any student, especially non-traditional and non-technical students, with an interest in cybersecurity could have an education and training pathway to enter the cyber workforce. The CORe curriculum focuses on teaching students how to design, apply, and improve cybersecurity through the interaction of people, processes, and technology. CORe is a stackable curriculum with elective credit hours and options for various academic and industry certificates and certifications that enable students to customize their unique career pathway. The CORe program guides students to think about the system being managed, the risks presented, and the dynamic intersection of system elements when considering how to incorporate resilience frameworks in achieving a resilient system. By developing systems thinking, the students gain an understanding of the interdependencies interacting with the operational system. Further, the CORe program encourages students to integrate cybersecurity knowledge with models and frameworks found in other academic disciplines through a unifying systems approach. CORe is designed around the realities of today’s broad cyber landscape: that breaches will occur in any system over time and proactive design of resilience into systems to detect, respond, and recover in a timely and orderly manner is critical. Students are taught to think holistically about cybersecurity focusing on all system elements. CORe is not a traditional cybersecurity degree. CORe is distinguished by the non-traditional engineering, computer science approach to cybersecurity education with the singular focus on infusing resilience operations and transdisciplinary systems thinking principles throughout the curriculum.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

1. Physical Security Engineering by Design for Nuclear Facilities; 2. Nuclear Power Plant Site Security Management – A Security Strategy; 3. The UAE Women in Nuclear Energy Security

1. Security by design, or SeBD, is a comprehensive approach that integrates the physical protection system of a nuclear plant into every stage of its existence. This includes planning, designing, constructing, commissioning, and operating the facility, using a combination of analytical, physical, technological, and procedural measures. Essentially, SeBD involves intentionally applying and incorporating security into all aspects of design and operation throughout the entire lifecycle of a facility. By implementing this methodology throughout various phases such as program development, process implementation, staff training and procedures management in conjunction with plant equipment, facilities can be optimized to minimize security risks without compromising functional design requirements. This ultimately improves the overall security posture of the site and reduces the need for costly modifications or additional security resources post-design. 2. A site security strategy is a living document that is revised on a periodic or event-driven basis, ensuring that site security operations and corresponding procedures provide long-term, effective protection for the entire nuclear power plant (NPP) site. A site security strategy aims to mitigate threats across the entire NPP site via in-depth defense approaches and mutual support; therefore, if a layer is omitted or altered, then the effect across all layers must be re-evaluated. Therefore, the aim of the site security strategy is to provide an appropriate, scalable security regime that deters, denies, delays, and detects incidents and, equally importantly, reassures legitimate users and the regulator that due diligence and regulatory compliance have been achieved, ensuring that the site is safe and secure. Robust access control for vehicles and pedestrians is at the heart of the strategy. Vehicle and pedestrian searching and screening are seen as the strongest mitigation methods against vehicle- and pedestrian-borne attacks. The security strategy must also be supported through comprehensive staff training and the development of robust processes, procedures, and planning. If all these measures are to be effective, then training must be implemented during each phase of construction, partial operation/commissioning, and full operation. No single element of site security is completely isolated from the influence of other elements. Ideally, consideration of all key elements will result in a security strategy that is integrated and proportional to the threat and that does not over specify individual security solutions through the application of isolated measures but rather applies a holistic, all-encompassing approach. 3. When women enter the labor force, numerous positive outcomes emerge, including increased GDP, educational gains, and decreased maternal mortality. Despite these benefits, women's employment rates and equality vary significantly worldwide as does support for women in the workforce. This paper will explore the multifaceted benefits of women's employment, the factors influencing labor force participation rates, and the urgency to achieve gender equality as outlined in the 2015 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It will then examine the emerging presence of women in the traditionally male-dominated nuclear field, specifically within the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a testament to their resilience and determination to break social norms and advance gender equality.

Zineddin, Dr. Z.↗

OB200-DV-1 Treatability Testing: Final Results

The Hanford Site in Washington state previously generated plutonium for nuclear weapons. During operations, radionuclide byproducts and chemical process fluids were intentionally and/or unintentionally released to the subsurface, resulting in more than 800 contaminated waste sites across the Central Plateau, where historical chemical separations and waste management activities took place. As the Hanford Site mission transitioned from operations to site cleanup, remediation of the vadose zone and groundwater became a priority. However, given the depth of the unsaturated zone contamination above the groundwater, the unique nature of the waste, and the continuing impacts on groundwater quality, technologies needed to be identified and evaluated for in situ remediation in the deep vadose zone (DVZ). A laboratory treatability study has been completed to evaluate site-relevant effectiveness for nine in situ technologies that may be used to treat continuing sources of contaminants in specific areas of the Central Plateau waste sites that are grouped into the 200-DV-1 Operable Unit (OU). The 200-DV-1 OU was established in 2010 to address 43 Central Plateau waste sites with complex DVZ remediation challenges. Eight of these technologies were identified through a prescreening effort that evaluated remedial technologies potentially applicable to DVZ contamination in the Central Plateau . These eight technologies were selected for further study based on site specific knowledge gaps about their effectiveness. A ninth technology was added to the treatability study based on new information from separate laboratory investigations (conducted following the prescreening effort) demonstrating the technology’s potential effectiveness (see Section 1.2 for more information) and value for inclusion in the treatability study.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Ultrasound preliminary cyber-physical evaluation

In this assessment, we focused on identifying unwanted RF emissions from the subject devices. This consisted of two major approaches: 1) Monitor for emitted RF during operation and ensure it is within expected bounds. 2) Inspect circuit board construction for any geometry or design patterns that could lead to RF emissions, whether intentional or unintentional. These patterns include: a) Single-ended PCB traces that could operate as an antenna. b) Insufficient shielding around typically “noisy” components such as switching power supplies. c) Free-hanging high-speed signal wires with no shielding that could emit RF. Suspicious components and design patterns were given a plausible reason to be included in the design. Any suspicious components or patterns warranted reason for deeper investigation. After more in-depth analysis no components were found to be intentionally malicious or had unexpected functionality.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Implementing Directive-Based Deferred Execution for Effective Network Aggregation

Remote direct memory access technology provides an efficient mechanism for one-sided communication that can be leveraged to implement a distributed shared memory programming model. However, when applications generate large numbers of small, irregular messages, network congestion often arises. Existing solutions address this small message problem by facilitating message aggregation but typically require disruptive code transformations that detract from the algorithmic intent of applications, or can be limited by dependent operations on aggregated data between synchronisation points. A solution is to use a directive-assisted approach that enables compilers to transform code dependent on aggregated communication for deferred execution. This paper presents an algorithm that a compiler can use to implement and optimise deferred execution for code dependent on aggregated data, based on an "aggregation context" extension for the OpenSHMEM partitioned global address space library. This new capability addresses a key challenge of message aggregation, allowing its full potential to reduce network congestion and enhance programmability to be realised.

Welch, Aaron [ORNL]↗

BlendPATH (Blending Pipeline Analysis Tool for Hydrogen) [SWR-24-10]

BlendPATH provides case-by-case techno-economic analysis for potential projects where hydrogen is blended into a natural gas transmission pipeline. BlendPATH estimates 1) the transmission pipeline modifications and operating conditions necessary to blend hydrogen to a user specified volume faction of hydrogen in pipeline gas and 2) the incremental capital and operating expenses to prepare said transmission pipeline for hydrogen blending. BlendPATH is developed in Python and requires SAInt, a underlying commercial natural gas pipeline network modeling software, to run. Pipeline modification and operation condition estimation is guided by ASME B31.12. The intent of this software is to target application for projects in the initial project assessment stage and provide the user with the capability of assess promising opportunities before the use proceeds with further detailed pipeline evaluation based on a probable economic outcome.

Kee, Jamie↗

Post-2026 Environmental Impact Statement Rate Analysis for the Colorado River Storage Project

The Glen Canyon Dam (GCD) is a principal power-generating asset within the Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP), accounting for approximately 70–80% of CRSP power production over the past two decades. In June 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) issued a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) outlining operational guidelines and strategies for Colorado River Basin reservoirs after 2026 (Reclamation, 2023). Power generation is among CRSP’s statutory purposes under the Colorado River Storage Project Act of 1956 (U.S. Congress, 1956). Assessing how alternative policy frameworks affect CRSP power production and the resulting electricity rates for U.S. customers is therefore essential to inform decision-making. This report evaluates projected electricity rates and the market value of electricity from the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) CRSP GCD under multiple post-2026 policy scenarios to support Reclamation’s EIS development. Results from advanced econometric and machine learning models indicate that the Enhanced Coordination alternative (EnhanCoor), Maximum Operational Flexibility alternative (CCA), and Supply Driven - 55 alternative (SD55) alternatives yield more favorable hydropower generation and capacity outcomes, which are objectives outlined in Reclamation’s documentations (Reclamation, 2007; Reclamation, 2016). Specifically, these scenarios are associated with higher electricity production, lower projected rate trajectories, and greater economic value to the U.S. power system from CRSP generation. The remaining five scenarios generally produce lower generation, higher rate trajectories, and reduced long-term market values.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗

Misalignment Tolerant Three-phase Wireless Fast Charging System for Electric Vehicles

This project proposes improving the technology level of the three-phase wireless charging technology developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Successful commercialization of wireless charging systems require that they meet strict safety standards for electromagnetic field emissions and interoperability with other wireless charging technology. ORNL has previously demonstrated a 50kW three-phase wireless power transfer system with 95% efficiency. This prototype system weighed less than 50% of similar high-power wireless charging system while simultaneously exhibiting better safety characteristics. Due to better material utilization, the reduction in mass is expected to translate into similar cost reduction for the magnetic coupler. Additionally, the smaller footprint of the system can ease vehicle integration difficulties that would be encountered using other technology. Furthermore, the three-phase design can be made to operate with existing single-phase coupler design more easily and without intentional physical misalignment which would otherwise pose safety issues.This project developed ORNL’s WPT technology to satisfy the specifications and requirements for electric vehicle (EV) charging. The result of the project will be a prototype and reference design for a high-power wireless charging system—including magnetics, power electronics, and controls—serving as a baseline for product development.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Misalignment Tolerant Three-phase Wireless Fast Charging System for Electric Vehicles

This project proposes improving the technology level of the three-phase wireless charging technology developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Successful commercialization of wireless charging systems require that they meet strict safety standards for electromagnetic field emissions and interoperability with other wireless charging technology. ORNL has previously demonstrated a 50kW three-phase wireless power transfer system with 95% efficiency. This prototype system weighed less than 50% of similar high-power wireless charging system while simultaneously exhibiting better safety characteristics. Due to better material utilization, the reduction in mass is expected to translate into similar cost reduction for the magnetic coupler. Additionally, the smaller footprint of the system can ease vehicle integration difficulties that would be encountered using other technology. Furthermore, the three-phase design can be made to operate with existing single-phase coupler design more easily and without intentional physical misalignment which would otherwise pose safety issues. This project developed ORNL’s WPT technology to satisfy the specifications and requirements for electric vehicle (EV) charging. The result of the project will be a prototype and reference design for a high-power wireless charging system—including magnetics, power electronics, and controls—serving as a baseline for product development.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

U.S. Hydropower Relicensing and License Surrender Data and Metadata, 2026

The U.S. Hydropower Relicensing and License Surrender Database (2026) provides a comprehensive, nationwide snapshot (as of December 31, 2025) of hydropower projects across the United States that are undergoing Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) relicensing or license surrender processes. Compiled by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the dataset includes detailed project-level attributes such as geographic location, ownership type, waterway, project type (hydropower or pumped storage), regulatory milestones (e.g., Notice of Intent, application dates, FERC issuance dates), licensing process type (ILP, TLP, ALP), operational characteristics, capacity changes, settlement agreements, construction or turbine‑generator investments, and project status categories spanning relicensing, surrenders, exemptions, and terminations. Together, the relicensing and surrender records offer a detailed view of regulatory trends, infrastructure transitions, dam removals, and economic drivers influencing the evolution of the U.S. hydropower fleet.

Johnson, Megan [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000290141741)↗