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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

Cyber Halo Innovation Research Program (CHIRP) Student Research Report: Program Analysis

The Cybersecurity and Space Systems Research Program (CHIRP) conducted multi-year, mission-focused research addressing emerging cybersecurity challenges affecting space and ground systems. Students from California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB), University of Texas El Paso (UTEP), and California State University Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) conducted structured research, developed proof-of-concept demonstrations, participated in applied cybersecurity training, and collaborated with Space Systems Command (SSC), academic, and industry partners. This report documents the research questions, methodologies, findings, demonstrations, and student contributions associated with each cohort. It also summarizes the program’s workforce-development outcomes, including applied cybersecurity training, professional certifications, technical credentials, and partnerships with organizations such as CT Cubed, Inc. and ISC2. Collectively, CHIRP strengthened the space-cybersecurity workforce pipeline and produced research and prototype efforts that may inform future cybersecurity assessments, test and evaluation activities, cyber-range development, acquisition planning, operational training, and mission-assurance initiatives.

McKenzie, Penny L.↗

Cyber Halo Innovation Research Program (CHIRP) Handbook: CHIRP Program Document 2026

The Cyber Halo Innovation Research Program (CHIRP) handbook outlines a comprehensive framework designed to advance space cybersecurity education, workforce development, recruitment efforts for United States Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) and the Department of the Airforce, and foster students’ professional growth. It provides an overview of CHIRP's objectives and strategic focus, establishing the foundation for participant engagement through a network of collaborations with academic institutions, contracted industry partners, training and certification organizations, federal agencies, and community organizations. It states a clear participation strategy for SSC and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) for program execution and successful support for student transition to a career in space cybersecurity.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗

A Multi-Model, Multi-Scale Research Program in Stressors, Responses, and Coupled Systems Dynamics at the Energy-Water-Land Nexus and for Concentrated, Interdependent Infrastructures: Toward Next Generation Capabilities in Integrated Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability (I-IAV) Modeling and a Community of Practice

The goal of this research program was to build a next generation integrated suite of science-driven modeling and analytic capabilities, and a more expanded and connected community of practice, for analyses of the stressors, impacts, adaptations and vulnerabilities of global and regional change. The emphasis was on understanding energy-water-land interactions and feedbacks and interdependent infrastructures at appropriate regional and temporal scales. Although the scope spans many complex facets of data, modeling, and analysis, as well as scales appropriate for integrated impacts and adaptation research, the focus of this effort was the development of multi-model, multi-scale capabilities spanning the domains of Multi-Sector Dynamics (MSD) models; Impact, Adaptation, and Vulnerability (IAV) models; and Earth System Models (ESMs).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

NSTX-U National Research Program: White Paper in Response to Call from FESAC Sub-Committee

Both scientific and technical innovation is needed for the realization of an attractive engineering solution for a timely and cost-effective Pilot Plant, the design and construction of which is the overarching recommendation of the FESAC Long Range Plan, and the 2021 NASEM Pilot Plant reports, which underpin the Bold Decadal Vision. The two most significant plasma physics gaps to close for a Compact Pilot Plant (CPP) are core confinement improvement and heat flux mitigation, neither of which have been closed in an integrated fashion for any planned fusion power production device. High core confinement and stability are essential for producing majority self-driven plasmas in CPPs with reduced size and auxiliary heating power requirements, with an improvement in confinement being the major driver for cost reduction of a CPP. The National Spherical Tokamak Experiment - Upgrade (NSTX-U) is a unique low aspect ratio research facility that will address the fundamental challenge of developing the science and technology basis for a CPP design that integrates high core and edge confinement with the ability to mitigate very high incident heat fluxes. NSTX-U capabilities will enable the high performance, already achieved on NSTX, to extend into physics regimes much closer to those anticipated in Spherical Tokamak (ST)-based CPPs. These confinement and stability properties will be assessed by a full complement of diagnostics and analysis tools, which will also aid in the development of the underlying theory and predictive models needed for further optimization. Both conventional and transformative heat flux mitigation methods, such as liquid lithium plasma-facing components, will be developed and tested in-situ in NSTX-U at incident heat fluxes of ~100 MW/m 2 , and will inform plans and reduce risk for a subsequent major upgrade to the device to fully heated, high-Z wall and full liquid lithium divertor capability, a technology that potentially could then be implemented on any magnetic confinement device at any aspect ratio. NSTX-U research is fully complementary to programs performed on other STs, nationally and internationally. Furthermore, NSTX-U research has a direct connection to the private sector by informing design choices for future power production facilities being developed by these companies. The NSTX-U program will operate as a national User Facility, with collaborating researchers, engineers, and graduate students from 19 outside institutions, and open to participation and experiments led by researchers from both public and private entities. The research program will advance workforce development through training of young scientists, engineers, and technicians, and it will also serve for further diagnostic innovation, especially for high heat flux and high-Z wall environments, and implementation of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) for plasma and heat flux control.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Synopsis of NREL's Automated Mobility District (AMD) Research Program and Associated Publications

An automated mobility district (AMD) envisions a system of integrated mobility options that serves major activity centers such as campuses, central business districts, and large medical facilities. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has been investigating the implementation prospects for fully automated passenger transport systems that are deployed to operate within dense urban settings. This document provides a synopsis of findings revealed over the last three phases of work, which have yielded insights into the creation and management of AMDs anticipated to use automated vehicle (AV) technology over the next decade. Phase I and Phase II tracked the deployment and lessons learned from 10 early-stage demonstrations of automated shuttle deployments, and their associated insights into the challenges for automated driving systems to achieve safe operations within district-scale deployments. Phase III began in-depth investigations of critical subsystem components, as automation, electrification, and on-demand service continue to converge within initial AMD operations. These directed studies focus on elements of electrification, curbfront/station management, the role of infrastructure sensing, and overall integration of AMD safety management in central, simultaneous coordination of multiple AMD fleets. Future research in AMDs includes systems engineering methodology (more frequently referred to as "digital twins") for planning, design, testing, and ongoing operation of AMDs; location (or co-location) of management functions; and human supervision and passenger communications for safety and security in unattended vehicles. The synopsis references the foundational research products (papers and presentations) that have been published through conference proceedings, journal articles, and NREL reports.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

A research program to measure the lifetime of spin polarized fuel

The use of spin polarized fuel could increase the deuterium-tritium (D-T) fusion cross section by a factor of 1.5 and, owing to alpha heating, increase the fusion power by an even larger factor. Issues associated with the use of polarized fuel in a reactor are identified. Theoretically, nuclei remain polarized in a hot fusion plasma. The similarity between the Lorentz force law and the Bloch equations suggests polarization can be preserved despite the rich electromagnetic spectrum present in a magnetic fusion device. The most important depolarization mechanisms can be tested in existing devices. The use of polarized deuterium and 3 He in an experiment avoids the complexities of handling tritium, while encompassing the same nuclear reaction spin-physics, making it a useful proxy to study issues associated with full D-T implementation. 3 He fuel with 65% polarization can be prepared by permeating optically-pumped 3 He into a shell pellet. Dynamically polarized 7 Li-D pellets can achieve 70% vector polarization for the deuterium. Cryogenically-frozen pellets can be injected into fusion facilities by special injectors that minimize depolarizing field gradients. Alternatively, polarized nuclei could be injected as a neutral beam. Once injected, the lifetime of the polarized fuel is monitored through measurements of escaping charged fusion products. Multiple experimental scenarios to measure the polarization lifetime in the DIII-D tokamak and other magnetic-confinement facilities are discussed, followed by outstanding issues that warrant further study.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Upper-air soundings collected during the CROCUS Urban Canyons 2024 campaign in Chicago, Illinois USA

Funded by the Department of Energy’s Office of Science, Biological and Environmental Research program, Community Research on Climate and Urban Science (CROCUS) studies urban climate change and the impact it has on communities, with particular focus on disinvested, under-resourced communities. This information leads to new insights on urban climate challenges and informs future actions for mitigating and adapting to climate change at the street, neighborhood and regional levels.As part of the CROCUS effort, the Urban Canyons 2024 project was undertaken to study conditions at unprecedented detail over various neighborhoods in Chicago, Illinois. This dataset consists of upper air soundings that were collected as part of this effort. Soundings were launched during two intensive observing periods, IOP1 occurred on 22-23 July 2024, while IOP2 occurred on 27-28 July 2024. For IOP1, soundings were launched at coordinated times from three sites, Shedd Aquarium in Downtown Chicago, Abizu Campus High School in Humboldt Park, and Gary Comer Youth Center in West Woodlawn. For IOP2, the Gary Comer site was replaced by a neighborhood site in West Woodlawn, Chicago. The Abizu Campos site was operated by Valparaiso University and used iMET-4 rawinsondes, the other sites were operated by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and used GRAW DFM-19 sondes.This dataset contains netCDF files containing quality-controlled temperature, dewpoint, geopotential height, pressure, and vector wind measurements at 1 second intervals following launch. These files are readable by the open-source netCDF software libraries available in many software packages (i.e., python, R, fortran, C++, etc.). The dataset also contains quicklook plots of each launch on a skew-T log-p thermodynamic diagram. These are in png format viewable by most web browsers.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Development of electro-optical quantum transducers based on three-dimensional superconducting cavities

Quantum transducers enable the conversion of quantum information and signals between different physical platforms. Based on the pioneering works in three-dimensional superconducting cavity technology developed at Fermilab, we are advancing the development of three-dimensional microwave-optical transducers and exploring their applications in quantum information processing and sensing. We present our progress in the design, fabrication, and characterization of three-dimensional microwave cavities integrated with bulk lithium niobate resonators. The material characterization using three-dimensional cavities based on a resonant-type method allows for understanding of complex permittivity and loss mechanism of electro-optic materials at cryogenic temperatures. We also evaluate the potential of the high-efficiency quantum transducers in enhancing the performance of quantum sensors for applications such as dark matter detection, compared to conventional homodyne detection approaches. This manuscript has been authored by Fermi Research Alliance, LLC under Contract No. DE-AC0207CH11359 with the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of High Energy Physics. This work is funded by the DOE's Early Career Research Program. This research used resources of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, National Quantum Information Science Research Centers, Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center (SQMS) under Contract No. DE-AC02-07CH11359.

Zorzetti, Silvia↗

Optimizing Alabama’s CO 2 Storage in Shelby County (Project OASIS) - Deliverable Task 7: Risk Assessment

The “Optimizing Alabama’s CO 2 Storage in Shelby County: Project OASIS” CarbonSAFE Phase II Project seeks to build on regional data sets that demonstrate that the subsurface within Shelby County, Alabama has the potential to store commercial volumes of CO 2 safely, permanently, and economically. The primary target CO 2 Storage Complex is the deep Ketona Dolomite located within a 140 square mile area of the Valley and Ridge Region of Alabama. This deep saline reservoir is beneath a confining system encompassing at least 6,500 ft of shales and other low permeability sediments. Project OASIS drilled a deep stratigraphic test well to confirm the geological properties of the confining system and storage reservoir(s) within the Storage Complex. The geological data was incorporated into numerical models to establish the areal extent of the CO 2 plume and help design the storage site and its monitoring system. The project is managed by the Southern States Energy Board (SSEB), an interstate compact organization consisting of governors and state legislative leaders from sixteen southern states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as an appointee by the President of the United States. The organizational compact provides it with access to state government organizations and legislatures. The Board also maintains an Associate Members program comprised of energy resource companies, utilities, trade groups, academic R&D science and technology experts and energy consultants. Further, the SSEB staff is experienced in managing and coordinating complex energy and environmental programs, from research programs to full-scale design and demonstrations of new and innovative technologies. Project OASIS is a public-private partnership of six entities with multiple principal investigators (PIs). SSEB’s Lead PI and Co-PI are responsible for all aspects of project performance in accordance with the DOE-NETL Cooperative Agreement. SSEB has issued subgrants to Advanced Resources International, Inc., Alabama A&M University, Auburn University, Crescent Resource Innovation, and Oklahoma State University. Advanced Resources International, Inc., issued subgrants to Baker Hughes and Loudon Technical Services for field services

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗

Metamaterials as a Platform for the Development of Novel Materials for Energy Applications

To explore the fundamental properties of metamaterials (MMs) / metasurfaces and their potential for control of energy at the sub‐wavelength scale in support of the mission of the Department of Energy and the office of Basic Energy Sciences. Electromagnetic metamaterials provide a platform for the discovery and design of new materials with novel structures, functions, and properties. The PI proposes to advance the knowledge base of these materials through fundamental investigations of the experimental and theoretical properties of metamaterials for the discovery, prediction and design of new materials with novel structures, functions, and properties. The proposed research activities emphasize a complete basic research program including the conceptual / computational design, fabrication / synthesis of the materials, and the characterization and analysis of their electromagnetic properties. The proposed project explores the fundamental properties of metamaterials / metasurfaces and their potential for energy applications. There are three main topics which will be investigated: 1) Dispersion engineering with metamaterials and metasurfaces, 2) Epsilon near zero metamaterial absorbers and emitters, and 3) All dielectric metamaterials. The program implements a complete basic research program consisting of theory / design, modeling, characterization, and analysis, in order to fully characterize metamaterials and metasurfaces, while at the same time minimizing iterations necessary to achieve the proposal goals.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

2023 Annual Report: Laboratory Directed Research & Development Program Activities

Each year, Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is required to provide a report of its completed Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program (LDRD) projects to the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Scientific and Technical Information in accordance with DOE Order 413.2C Chg1 (MinChg) dated August 2, 2018. This summary report provides an overview of all the LDRD projects funded at Brookhaven that concluded in FY 2023 in satisfaction of that requirement.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

Novel Concepts for High Gradient Acceleration (Final Technical Report)

We have conducted an intensive, pioneering program to demonstrate novel concepts for achieving high gradient acceleration at frequencies from the conventional microwave bands up to the millimeter wave /THz bands. High gradient accelerators hold the promise of smaller and less costly accelerators for applications ranging from the largest scale accelerators used for discovery science down to the smallest accelerators used for industrial, homeland security and medical applications. The research consisted of two major research thrusts: 1.) Structure-based wakefield accelerator (SWFA) research in collaboration with the Argonne Wakefield Accelerator research group and 2.) Millimeter Wave / THz high gradient acceleration in collaboration with SLAC. The specific goals of the research program were: Design novel metallic metamaterial structures that increase the beam-wave coupling for the accelerator mode and reduce the effect of high order modes; test novel metamaterial structures to achieve higher output power, > 1 GW at X-Band (11.7 GHz), in test at the Argonne Wakefield Accelerator (AWA); determine the experimental breakdown threshold for nanosecond-scale pulses at X-Band in testing at the AWA; test a 110 GHz accelerator structure with a field emission electron gun, built at SLAC, using pulses from a 1 MW, 110 GHz gyrotron; design, build and test a 110 GHz quasi-optical, resonant-ring pulse compressor to compress microsecond pulses from the 1 MW gyrotron into > 20 MW, 5 ns output pulses for accelerator structure testing. The proposed research program built on our successes in our research program including: Generation of 510 MW, 2.1 ns (FWHM) pulses at 11.7 GHz from a metallic metamaterial structure in test at the Argonne Wakefield Accelerator using a train of eight 65 MeV electron bunches spaced at 1.3 GHz with a total charge of 280 nC. The metamaterial structure consisted of 100 copper unit cells each consisting of a “wagon-wheel” plate and a spacer plate with a total structure length of 0.2 m. The 510 MW pulse generated an on-axis wakefield of 130 MV/m that could be used to accelerate a trailing witness bunch. Demonstration of coupling of an unprecedented rf power level of 575kW into a 110 GHz accelerator structure using a quasi-optical setup. The standing structure consisted of a central copper cavity located between two matching cavities fed by a TM01 mode. The 6 ns input pulses were sliced from 3 microsecond pulses from the gyrotron using a laser-driven silicon switch. We obtained an unprecedented high gradient up to 230MV/m corresponding to a peak surface electric field of more than 520 MV/m.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Cluster for Research Excellence (CRE) for Accelerator Physics

The purpose of this Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) was to establish a Cluster of Research Excellence (CRE) for Accelerator Physics and broaden the accelerator physics collaboration between Northern Illinois University (NIU) and Fermilab. The CRE was based in both Fermilab’s Accelerator Division and in NIU’s Department of Physics. A research agenda and strategy for the CRE for Accelerator Physics included specific research topics, experiments, and research facility upgrades. The scope of the research program covered two thrusts with subtopics in the Accelerator Science Research Program utilizing the infrastructure of FAST, IOTA, the Fermilab Accelerator Complex, and the Illinois Accelerator Research Center (IARC). Specific areas of proposed exploration included: 1.Tests of novel “nonlinear integrable” systems including beam self-fields; 2.Experimental tests of phase-space diffusion and chaos in intense beams; 3.Investigate technically feasible approaches towards next generation intenseneutrino facilities; 4.Understanding optical control of charged particle beams; 5.Exploitation of bright electron beams from FAST for novel applications; 6. Conduct research into accelerator-based ‘precision science’, such as Muon g-2, EDM, Mu2e, etc.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗