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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

Dark Energy Survey Year 3 results: Simulation-based cosmological inference with wavelet harmonics, scattering transforms, and moments of weak lensing mass maps. II. cosmological results

Here, we present a simulation-based cosmological analysis using a combination of Gaussian and non-Gaussian statistics of the weak lensing mass (convergence) maps from the first three years of the Dark Energy Survey. We implement the following: (1) second and third moments; (2) wavelet phase harmonics; (3) the scattering transform. Our analysis is fully based on simulations, spans a space of seven 𝑤 Cold Dark Matter (𝑤⁢ CDM) cosmological parameters, and forward models the most relevant sources of systematics inherent in the data: masks, noise variations, clustering of the sources, intrinsic alignments, and shear and redshift calibration. We implement a neural network compression of the summary statistics, and we estimate the parameter posteriors using a simulation-based inference approach. Including and combining different non-Gaussian statistics is a powerful tool that strongly improves constraints over Gaussian statistics (in our case, the second moments); in particular, the figure of merit (𝑆 8 , Ω m ) is improved by 70% (Λ ⁢CDM) and 90% (𝑤 ⁢CDM). When all the summary statistics are combined, we achieve a 2% constraint on the amplitude of fluctuations parameter 𝑆 8 ≡ 𝜎 8 ⁢(Ω m /0.3) 0.5 , obtaining 𝑆 8 = 0.794 ±0.017 (Λ⁢ CDM) and 𝑆 8 = 0.817 ±0.021 (𝑤 ⁢CDM), and a ∼10% constraint on Ω m , obtaining Ω m =0.259 ±0.025 (Λ ⁢CDM) and Ω m = 0.273 ±0.029 (𝑤⁢ CDM). In the context of the 𝑤⁢ CDM scenario, these statistics also strengthen the constraints on the parameter 𝑤, obtaining 𝑤 <−0.72. The constraints from different statistics are shown to be internally consistent (with a 𝑝-value>0.1 for all combinations of statistics examined). We compare our results to other weak lensing results from the first three years of the Dark Energy Survey data, finding good consistency; we also compare with results from external datasets, such as planck constraints from the cosmic microwave background, finding statistical agreement, with discrepancies no greater than <2.2⁢𝜎.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Comparison of free vortex wake and blade element momentum results against large-eddy simulation results for highly flexible turbines under challenging inflow conditions

Abstract. Throughout wind energy development, there has been a push to increase wind turbine size due to the substantial economic benefits. However, increasing turbine size presents several challenges, both physically and computationally. Modeling large, highly flexible wind turbines requires highly accurate models to capture the complicated aeroelastic response due to large deflections and nonstraight blade geometries. Additionally, the development of floating offshore wind turbines requires modeling techniques that can predict large rotor and tower motion. Free vortex wake methods model such complex physics while remaining computationally tractable to perform key simulations necessary during the turbine design process. Recently, a free vortex wake model – cOnvecting LAgrangian Filaments (OLAF) – was added to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's engineering tool OpenFAST to allow for the aerodynamic modeling of highly flexible turbines along with the aero-hydro-servo-elastic response capabilities of OpenFAST. In this work, free vortex wake and low-fidelity blade element momentum (BEM) results are compared to high-fidelity actuator-line computational fluid dynamics simulation results via the Simulator fOr Wind Farm Applications (SOWFA) method for a highly flexible downwind turbine for varying yaw misalignment, shear exponent, and turbulence intensity conditions. Through these comparisons, it was found that for all considered quantities of interest, SOWFA, OLAF, and BEM results compare well for steady inflow conditions with no yaw misalignment. For OLAF results, this strong agreement with the SOWFA results was consistent for all yaw misalignment values. The BEM results, however, deviated significantly more from the SOWFA results with increasing absolute yaw misalignment. Differences between OLAF and BEM results were dominated by the yaw misalignment angle, with varying shear exponent and turbulence intensity leading to more subtle differences. Overall, OLAF results were more consistent than BEM results when compared to SOWFA results under challenging inflow conditions.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Summary of Analytical Results from Samples Supporting Tank Closure Cesium Removal (TCCR) Batch 3 and Modeling Results for Cs Loading on CST

Savannah River Remediation (SRR) is currently operating the Tank Closure Cesium Removal (TCCR) process to remove 137 Cs from tank waste supernate using an ion exchange process. As part of that process, Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) receives and analyzes samples in support of the qualification of each batch to be processed. SRNL recently received supernate samples retrieved from Tank 10H as well as in-tank batch contact samples for characterization in support of qualifying Batch 3 for processing through the TCCR unit. Some results from analysis of those samples have been previously reported. This report documents the remaining analyses of the in-tank batch contact samples as well as the results of ZAM (Zheng, Anthony, Miller) isotherm modeling performed for comparison to the measured results. Results of the additional analyses include analysis of the loading of other radionuclides besides 137 Cs on the crystalline silicotitanate (CST) contained within the in-tank batch contact test samples. Results from those analyses revealed the next highest contributor to the activity on the CST was 90 Sr with an average loading of 2.76E+08 dpm/g CST compared to 3.56E+10 dpm/g CST for the 137Cs. Isotopes of plutonium were also detected on the samples. ZAM modeling was performed using the measured composition of the Tank 10H Batch 3 qualification samples. The modeling predicted a maximum Cs loading approximately 2.2x higher than the measured result. This is a slightly lower ratio (expected/measured) compared to what was observed for the prior TCCR in-tank batch contact testing performed for Batches 1A and 2 where the ZAM results were 2.7-2.8x higher than the measured values.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Preliminary Cryogenic Cold Test Results of the First 9-Cell LSF Shape Cavity

Following successful prototyping and testing of single- & 5-cell LSF shape cavities *, **, the first 9-cell LSF shape cavity LSF9-1 was successfully constructed using an innovative process at JLab with the in-house facilities. The cavity was then shipped to KEK for post-fabrication mechanical adjustment and ILC TDR style treatment and surface processing. Cold testing was carried out at the JLab VTA facility, instrumented with a suite of Kyoto instruments. Favorable values for the bath pressure detuning sensitivity and Lorentz force detuning coefficient were experimentally measured, validating the design improvement in cell stiffeners. Pass-band measurements indicate 4 out of 9 cells reaching gradient capability of > 45 MV/m, including 2 cells reaching 51 MV/m. Cornell OST detectors identified the cell and location responsible for the current hard quench limit. Multipacting-like barriers observed in end cells are investigated both analytically and numerically. The cavity was shipped to FNAL and received a light EP at the joint ANL/FNAL facility for further cold testing at Jlab. Two new 9-cell LSF cavities are being constructed including one made of large-grain niobium material.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Phenotypic effects of changes in the FTVTxK region of an Arabidopsis secondary wall cellulose synthase compared with results from analogous mutations in other isoforms

Abstract Understanding protein structure and function relationships in cellulose synthase (CesA), including divergent isomers, is an important goal. Here, we report results from mutant complementation assays that tested the ability of sequence variants of AtCesA7, a secondary wall CesA of Arabidopsis thaliana , to rescue the collapsed vessels, short stems, and low cellulose content of the irx3‐1 AtCesA7 null mutant. We tested a catalytic null mutation and seven missense or small domain changes in and near the AtCesA7 FTVTSK motif, which lies near the catalytic domain and may, analogously to bacterial CesA, exist within a substrate “gating loop.” A low‐to‐high gradient of rescue occurred, and even inactive AtCesA7 had a small positive effect on stem cellulose content but not stem elongation. Overall, secondary wall cellulose content and stem length were moderately correlated, but the results were consistent with threshold amounts of cellulose supporting particular developmental processes. Vibrational sum frequency generation microscopy allowed tissue‐specific analysis of cellulose content in stem xylem and interfascicular fibers, revealing subtle differences between selected genotypes that correlated with the extent of rescue of the collapsing xylem phenotype. Similar tests on PpCesA5 from the moss Physcomitrium (formerly Physcomitrella ) patens helped us to synergize the AtCesA7 results with prior results on AtCesA1 and PpCesA5. The cumulative results show that the FTVTxK region is important for the function of an angiosperm secondary wall CesA as well as widely divergent primary wall CesAs, while differences in complementation results between isomers may reflect functional differences that can be explored in further work.

Burris, Jason N.↗

Bioenergy Technologies in Long-Run Climate Change Mitigation: Results from the EMF-33 Study

Bioenergy is expected to play an important role in long-run climate change mitigation strategies as highlighted by many integrated assessment model (IAM) scenarios. These scenarios, however, also show a very wide range of results, with uncertainty about bioenergy conversion technology deployment and biomass feedstock supply. To date, the underlying differences in model assumptions and parameters for the range of results have not been conveyed. Here we explore the models and results of the 33rd study of the Stanford Energy Modeling Forum to elucidate and explore bioenergy technology specifications and constraints that underlie projected bioenergy outcomes. We first develop and report consistent bioenergy technology characterizations and modeling details. We evaluate the bioenergy technology specifications through a series of analyses—comparison with the literature, model intercomparison, and an assessment of bioenergy technology projected deployments. We find that bioenergy technology coverage and characterization varies substantially across models, spanning different conversion routes, carbon capture and storage opportunities, and technology deployment constraints. Still, the range of technology specification assumptions is largely in line with bottom-up engineering estimates. We then find that variation in bioenergy deployment across models cannot be understood from technology costs alone. Important additional determinants include biomass feedstock costs, the availability and costs of alternative mitigation options in and across end-uses, the availability of carbon dioxide removal possibilities, the speed with which large scale changes in the makeup of energy conversion facilities and integration can take place, and the relative demand for different energy services.

bioenergy↗

Dark Energy Survey Year 3 results: calibration of lens sample redshift distributions using clustering redshifts with BOSS/eBOSS

ABSTRACT We present clustering redshift measurements for Dark Energy Survey (DES) lens sample galaxies used in weak gravitational lensing and galaxy clustering studies. To perform these measurements, we cross-correlate with spectroscopic galaxies from the Baryon Acoustic Oscillation Survey (BOSS) and its extension, eBOSS. We validate our methodology in simulations, including a new technique to calibrate systematic errors that result from the galaxy clustering bias, and we find that our method is generally unbiased in calibrating the mean redshift. We apply our method to the data, and estimate the redshift distribution for 11 different photometrically selected bins. We find general agreement between clustering redshift and photometric redshift estimates, with differences on the inferred mean redshift found to be below |Δz| = 0.01 in most of the bins. We also test a method to calibrate a width parameter for redshift distributions, which we found necessary to use for some of our samples. Our typical uncertainties on the mean redshift ranged from 0.003 to 0.008, while our uncertainties on the width ranged from 4 to 9 per cent. We discuss how these results calibrate the photometric redshift distributions used in companion papers for DES Year 3 results.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Why Increased CdSeTe Charge Carrier Lifetimes and Radiative Efficiencies did not Result in Voltage Boost for CdTe Solar Cells

After a focused effort over the last decade, order-of-magnitude improvements in doping and electro-optical characteristics (radiative efficiency, carrier lifetime, and passivation) have been reported for polycrystalline CdSeTe solar cells. Surprisingly, this did not result in higher solar cell voltages regardless of device contacting layers, absorber grading profiles, and other changes in device architecture. From detailed evaluation of radiative emission and carrier dynamics in CdSeTe heterostructures and devices, it is shown that the complexity introduced to the absorber to achieve lifetime and passivation metrics resulted in charge carrier trapping, which now negatively affects CdSeTe absorbers.

CdTe↗

Degradation in Photovoltaic Encapsulant Transmittance: Results of the Second PVQAT TG5 Artificial Weathering Study

The optical degradation of encapsulants from ultraviolet (UV) radiation has historically resulted in a significant loss in performance throughout the life of a photovoltaic (PV) module. International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) test methods have recently been developed to screen for PV encapsulants prone to loss in optical performance. The present study was performed to benchmark polymeric packaging materials relative to IEC 62788-1-4 (covering the measurement of optical transmittance) and IEC 62788-1-7 (on the durability of transmittance), provide feedback toward improvement of the methods, and develop insight regarding optical degradation. Contemporary materials were examined, including poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA), thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), polyolefin elastomer (POE), and polyvinyl butyral (PVB) encapsulants; a poly(ethene-co-tetrafluoroethene)/poly(ethylene terephthalate) (ETFE/PET) transparent backsheet; and a polystyrene (PS) working reference material. The use of silica-, specialty-, and rolled-glass was also compared in laminated coupons. Specimen size was separately examined from 2.5 to 12.5 cm. Weathering was performed with a xenon source, using IEC TS 62788-7-2 methods A2, A3, A4, and A5 (chamber temperature of 55 degrees C, 65 degrees C, 75 degrees C, or 85 degrees C), respectively. Characterizations were made using a UV-visible-near-infrared (UV-VIS-NIR) spectrophotometer (transmittance and reflectance, with and without an integrating sphere), a UV-VIS fluorescence spectrophotometer, a camera, and an optical microscope. Performance was analyzed, including solar weighted transmittance, yellowness index, UV cut-off wavelength, and haze (scattering). Separate Arrhenius analyses were performed to assess retention of transmittance and changes in yellowness index. The activation energy for both characteristics was found to range from 15-80 kJ mol-1, with an average of 48 kJ mol-1, similar to the average of 45 kJ mol-1 identified in the previous international PV Quality Assurance Task Force (PVQAT) Task Group 5 (TG5) study of more traditional encapsulants. The separate degradation modes of discoloration and scattering were distinguished in the encapsulants using a comprehensive spectral characterization. Based on these results, the IEC 62788-1-7 pass/fail criteria of 5% change in transmittance was confirmed to identify a known bad encapsulant.

durability↗

The sensitive surface chemistry of Co-free, Ni-rich layered oxides: identifying experimental conditions that influence characterization results

Recent studies have suggested that Co-free, Ni-rich layered cathodes (e.g., doped LiNiO2) can provide promising battery performance for practical applications. However, these layered cathodes suffer from significant surface instability during various stages of the sample history, which generates inherent challenges for achieving stable battery performance and obtaining statistically representative characterization results. To reliably report the surface chemistry of these materials, delicate controls of stepwise sample preparation are required. In this study, we aim to reveal how the surface chemistry of LiNiO2 based materials changes with various environments, including human exhalation, sample storage, sample preparation, electrochemistry cycling, and surface doping. Our results demonstrate that the surface of these materials is highly reactive and prone to alter at various stages of sample handling and characterization. The sensitive surface could impact the interpretation of the surface chemical and structural information, including surface carbonate formation, transition metal reduction and dissolution, and surface reconstruction. Importantly, the heterogeneity of the surface degradation calls for a consolidation of nanoscale, high-resolution characterization, and ensemble-averaged methods in order to improve statistical representation. Furthermore, the doping chemistry can effectively mitigate the surface degradation and improve overall battery performance due to the enhanced surface oxygen retention. Our study highlights the necessity of strict measurements through complementary characterizations at multiple length scales to eliminate unintentional biased conclusions.

surface chemistry, Co-free Ni-rich cathodes, Istab↗

DayCent data and results for "Robust paths to net greenhouse gas mitigation and negative emissions via advanced biofuels"

DayCent data and results for:J. L. Field, T. L. Richard, E. A. Smithwick, H. Cai, M. S. Laser, D. S. LeBauer, S. P. Long, K. Paustian, Z. Qin, J. J. Sheehan, P. Smith, M. Q. Wang, L. R. Lynd, Robust paths to net greenhouse gas mitigation and negative emissions via advanced biofuels. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2020). https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1920877117 This zip file contains a UNIX-format DayCent model executable, input files, automation code, and associated directory structure necessary to re-produce the DayCent analysis underlying the manuscript. The main script 'autodaycent.py' (written for Python 2.7) opens an interactive command line routine that facilitates:* Calibrating the DayCent pine growth model.* Initializing DayCent for a set of case studies sites.* Executing an ensemble of model runs representing case study site reforestation, grassland restoration, or conversion to switchgrass cultivation. * Results analysis & generation of manuscript Fig. 3. Note that the interactive analysis code requires that all input files to be contained in the directory structure as uploaded, without modification. Executable versions of the DayCent model (https://www.nrel.colostate.edu/projects/daycent/) compatible with other operating systems are available upon request.Please send questions/comments to John.L.Field@gmail.com

Agro-ecosystem function and prediction↗

Spatial variation in soil microbial processes as a result of woody encroachment depends on shrub size in tallgrass prairie

Aims: As woody plants encroach into grassland ecosystems, we expect that altered plant-soil interactions will lead to changes in the microbial processes that affect carbon storage and nutrient cycling. Specifically, this research aimed to address how (1) soil chemistry, (2) microbial nutrient demand, and (3) the rate and source of potential soil C mineralization vary spatially under individual woody shrubs of varying size within a mesic grassland. Methods: Here, we collected soil samples from the center, the midpoint between the center and edge, the edge, and the shrub-grass ecotone of multiple Cornus drummondii shrubs across a shrub-size gradient in infrequently burned tallgrass prairie. Results: We found total soil carbon and total soil nitrogen increased with shrub size in every location but the edge. Microbial demand for nitrogen also increased as shrubs increased in size. Across all shrub sizes and sampling locations, potential soil carbon mineralization rates were higher when microbes broke down proportionally more shrub-derived (C 3 ) organic matter than grass-derived (C 4 ) organic matter. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the spatio-temporal context of woody encroachment is critical for understanding its impact on belowground microbial processes. In this ecosystem, a longer period of occupancy by woody plants increases potentially mineralizable carbon.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Achieving Highly Reproducible Results in Graphite-based Li-ion Full Coin Cells

Electrode materials, cathodes or anodes, are mostly evaluated in half coin cells where lithium (Li) metal is used. However, due to the instability nature of Li metal, the cycling performances of the half cells is more likely reflecting Li anode stability instead of the coupled electrodes, questioning the conclusions. Full coin cells utilizing graphite as the anode effectively assesses materials. But the key factors of preparing full coin cells with reproducible performances have rarely been discussed and overlooked leading to many inconsistent results. This work discusses the scientific gap between cell preparation and observed electrochemical performances to unveil the key parameters for achieving consistent and reliable results in full coin cells, critical for effective evaluation of any new materials tested under relevant conditions. The knowledge from this work is broadly applicable in other full cells systems such as Si-based full cells or Na-ion batteries.

Hu, Jiangtao↗

Enhanced charge carrier lifetime and mobility as a result of Rb and Cs incorporation in hybrid perovskite

Alkali addition in organic–inorganic perovskite has become the standard recipe for achieving solar cells with efficiencies exceeding 20%, but the mechanism is not well understood. We use non-contact carrier lifetime measurements, mobility measurements, and synchrotron-based x-ray characterization techniques to show that there is a unique benefit to adding hybrid perovskite samples with Rb and Cs simultaneously. When either Rb or Cs is added, charge carrier mobility increases with alkali concentration. Charge carrier lifetime benefits from alkali incorporation as well, but is optimized with only moderate concentration at 1%. When both Rb and Cs are introduced, however, the high mobility is maintained and the charge carrier lifetime increases considerably. Our results show that when incorporated alone, Rb and Cs have very similar roles in a perovskite crystal, but when co-added, halide distribution becomes homogenized correlating with improved charge transport properties.

Erodici, Matthew P.↗

Publishing unbinned differential cross section results

Machine learning tools have empowered a qualitatively new way to perform differential cross section measurements whereby the data are unbinned, possibly in many dimensions. Unbinned measurements can enable, improve, or at least simplify comparisons between experiments and with theoretical predictions. Furthermore, many-dimensional measurements can be used to define observables after the measurement instead of before. There is currently no community standard for publishing unbinned data. While there are also essentially no measurements of this type public, unbinned measurements are expected in the near future given recent methodological advances. The purpose of this paper is to propose a scheme for presenting and using unbinned results, which can hopefully form the basis for a community standard to allow for integration into analysis workflows. This is foreseen to be the start of an evolving community dialogue, in order to accommodate future developments in this field that is rapidly evolving.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Dark Energy Survey Year 3 results: Cosmology from cosmic shear and robustness to data calibration

This work, together with its companion paper, Secco, Samuroff et al., presents the Dark Energy Survey Year 3 cosmic shear measurements and cosmological constraints based on an analysis of over 100 million source galaxies. With the data spanning 4143 deg 2 on the sky, divided into four redshift bins, we produce the highest significance measurement of cosmic shear to date, with a signal-to-noise of 40. We conduct a blind analysis in the context of the ΛCDM model and find a 3% constraint of the clustering amplitude, S 8 ≡ σ 8 (Ω m /0.3) 0.5 = 0.759$^{+0.025}_{-0.023}$. A ΛCDM-Optimized analysis, which safely includes smaller scale information, yields a 2% precision measurement of S 8 = 0.772$^{+0.018}_{-0.017}$ that is consistent with the fiducial case. The two low-redshift measurements are statistically consistent with the Planck Cosmic Microwave Background result, however, both recovered S 8 values are lower than the high-redshift prediction by 2.3σ and 2.1σ (ρ-values of 0.02 and 0.05), respectively. The measurements are shown to be internally consistent across redshift bins, angular scales and correlation functions. The analysis is demonstrated to be robust to calibration systematics, with the S 8 posterior consistent when varying the choice of redshift calibration sample, the modeling of redshift uncertainty and methodology. Similarly, we find that the corrections included to account for the blending of galaxies shifts our best-fit S 8 by 0.5σ without incurring a substantial increase in uncertainty. We examine the limiting factors for the precision of the cosmological constraints and find observational systematics to be subdominant to the modeling of astrophysics. Specifically, we identify the uncertainties in modeling baryonic effects and intrinsic alignments as the limiting systematics.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Dark Energy Survey Year 1 Results: Cosmological Constraints from Cluster Abundances, Weak Lensing, and Galaxy Correlations

We present the first joint analysis of cluster abundances and auto or cross-correlations of three cosmic tracer fields: galaxy density, weak gravitational lensing shear, and cluster density split by optical richness. From a joint analysis (4×2pt+N) of cluster abundances, three cluster cross-correlations, and the auto correlations of the galaxy density measured from the first year data of the Dark Energy Survey, we obtain Ωm=0.305-0.038+0.055 and σ8=0.783-0.054+0.064. This result is consistent with constraints from the DES-Y1 galaxy clustering and weak lensing two-point correlation functions for the flat νΛCDM model. Consequently, we combine cluster abundances and all two-point correlations from across all three cosmic tracer fields (6×2pt+N) and find improved constraints on cosmological parameters as well as on the cluster observable-mass scaling relation. This analysis is an important advance in both optical cluster cosmology and multiprobe analyses of upcoming wide imaging surveys.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗