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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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10 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Advancing Fusion Research and Development at TAE Technologies Through INFUSE Program

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Innovation Network for Fusion Energy (INFUSE) program serves as a crucial catalyst by fostering public-private partnership that accelerates technological innovation for fusion energy research and development (R&D) in the private sector. Further, this article provides a comprehensive overview of the technical goals and accomplishments of projects awarded to TAE Technologies through the INFUSE program since 2019. We offer high-level perspectives on how these projects have contributed to fusion energy R&D, and we address key challenges encountered during these collaborations.

field-reversed configuration↗
DOE OSTI2024

Innovative Joining Method for Hybrid Composites with Tailored Performance

In various industries, such as renewables and aerospace, the demand for carbon fiber is rapidly growing to meet the requirements of high-performance applications with optimized designs. Traditionally, these optimized designs have been limited to single-material composites due to process constraints. However, this study aims to explore the feasibility of transitioning between two different fiber types for pultrusion and filament winding processes, thereby enhancing design flexibility, and optimizing performance. This research introduces a novel method of hybrid reinforcement through splicing techniques. By employing a splicing method, fibers are merged prior to infusion, resulting in a transition of higher strength compared to traditional joints. Moreover, this technique enables the creation of composites with variable compositions, allowing for the selective placement of properties in a process previously characterized by static properties. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the mechanical properties of dry fiber splicing and its impact on the resulting composite material. Through comprehensive analysis, we aim to provide insights into the feasibility and advantages of employing this innovative splicing technique in composite manufacturing processes.

Guzorek, Steven↗
DOE OSTI2024

Post-Deployment Characterization of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Thermoset and Thermoplastic Composite Tidal Turbine Blades

In 2021, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) supported Verdant Power with the most successful tidal energy deployment in U.S. history. Three of their Gen5d 5 m turbines were deployed as part of the Roosevelt Island Tidal Energy project. Initially, the three rotors initially deployed were manufactured from glass fiber-reinforced epoxy composites. Midway through the deployment, one rotor was replaced with one manufactured at NREL. The new rotor utilized a novel infusible thermoplastic resin system. Since the deployment, one epoxy rotor and one thermoplastic rotor were returned to NREL for continued materials and manufacturing research. The two rotors underwent full-scale structural testing before being sectioned and cut into specimens for a variety of manufacturing quality tests, thermomechanical characterization, and evaluation of material performance in marine environments to understand the key differences between the fiberglass-reinforced epoxy and Elium composites used for the respective rotors. Matrix burn-off tests showed that the Elium blades had a considerably higher fiber volume fraction compared to the epoxy blades (61% vs. 49%). Environmental aging of the specimens showed that the epoxy laminates absorbed more water over the conditioning period; however, it was determined that the Elium laminates had higher diffusion coefficients, so they initially absorbed water faster. Finally, one full epoxy blade and one full Elium blade were conditioned at ambient temperatures for up to 11 months, while periodic mass measurements were taken. The datasets were extrapolated to assume a full 20-year operational life span, and it was determined that the blades would not reach full saturation during that time span.

composite manufacturing↗
DOE OSTI2024

Post-Deployment Characterization of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Thermoset and Thermoplastic Composite Tidal Turbine Blades

In 2021, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) supported Verdant Power with the most successful tidal energy deployment in U.S. history. Three of their Gen5d 5 m turbines were deployed as part of the Roosevelt Island Tidal Energy project. Initially, the three deployed rotors were manufactured from glass fiber-reinforced epoxy composites. Midway through the deployment, one rotor was replaced with one manufactured at NREL. The new rotor utilized a novel infusible thermoplastic resin system (Elium from Arkema). Since the deployment, one epoxy rotor and one thermoplastic rotor were returned to NREL for continued materials and manufacturing research. The two rotors underwent full-scale structural testing before being sectioned and cut into specimens for a variety of manufacturing quality tests, thermomechanical characterization, and evaluation of material performance in marine environments to understand the key differences between the fiberglass-reinforced epoxy and Elium composites used for the respective rotors. Matrix burn-off tests showed that the Elium blades had a considerably higher fiber volume fraction compared to the epoxy blades (61% vs. 49%). Environmental aging of the specimens showed that the epoxy laminates absorbed more water over the conditioning period; however, it was determined that the Elium laminates had higher diffusion coefficients, so they initially absorbed water faster. Finally, one full epoxy blade and one full Elium blade were conditioned at ambient temperatures for up to 11 months, while periodic mass measurements were taken. The datasets were extrapolated to assume a full 20-year operational life span, and it was determined that the blades would not reach full saturation during that time span.

composite manufacturing↗
DOE OSTI2026

High-$Q_0$ treatment of CEBAF 1.5 GHz SRF cavities

The Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF) was the first large-scale accelerator to employ superconducting radiofrequency (SRF) cavities for continuous-wave operation. Ongoing research and development efforts continue to focus on increasing the intrinsic quality factor (Q 0 ) of these cavities in order to reduce cryogenic losses while maintaining operational gradients. Here, in this work, we report on the application of high-Q 0 surface treatments to single-cell and multicell C100 and C75 style 1.5 GHz niobium cavities used in the CEBAF accelerator. Nitrogen infusion and oxygen alloying via medium-temperature baking were applied under heat-treatment constraints relevant to existing cavity hardware. Both processes yielded substantial improvements in Q 0 at moderate accelerating gradients, achieving values of approximately 2 × 10 10 at 2.07 K and 20 MV/m. The effectiveness of nitrogen infusion at reduced annealing temperatures and the successful extension of oxygen alloying to multicell cavities are demonstrated. These results establish viable pathways for implementing high-Q 0 treatments in CEBAF-compatible cavities and support future integration into cryomodules for reduced operational cryogenic load.

Dhakal, Pashupati [Thomas Jefferson National Accel↗
DOE OSTI2026

Conformable, Composite Tank for Liquid Hydrogen Storage in Heavy-duty Ground Transportation

Raytheon Technologies Research Center (RTRC), with its partners, Argonne National Labs and University of Dayton Research Institute proposed to design and manufacture a conformable composite tank prototype to store liquid Hydrogen (LH2) for heavy-duty truck applications. A dual-wall tank concept was proposed where an outer shell covers and protects an inner pressure vessel that stores liquid hydrogen. The inner pressure vessel is liner-less and designed with a conformable concept, derived from prior RTRC ARPA-E program where multiple vessels are coalesced into one, maximizing space utilization and reducing surface area for heat leak. The gap between the dual wall is evacuated of air pressure, and filled with multi-layer insulation to minimize radiative heat transfer. Fiber reinforced composites were proposed for light-weighting and conformable shape manufacture. To minimize LH2 leakage, carbon nanotubes-infused composites were proposed, in addition to use of thin plies. The project was divided into two 18-month budget periods (BP), BP1 and BP2, separated by a Go/No-Go gate review. The high-level goal for BP1 was to demonstrate the feasibility of the overall approach, the tank design, material selection, and manufacturing methodology, build and test a prototype tank; and the goal for BP2 was to design and manufacture a conformal tank per DOE requirements (minimum 20 kg of LH2) and perform a successful test of the tank. The program was terminated about two-thirds of the way through BP1. The outcome of this program would have permitted long-haul trucks and construction vehicles to use liquid Hydrogen, reducing the emission of green-house gases. This technology is applicable to other transportation sectors as well.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2025

Investigating the mechanism of copper–carbon interactions in ultraconductor materials via in situ thermal X-ray and Raman spectroscopy

Improving energy transfer efficiency is critical to advancing technologies for a more sustainable future. Nanoscale materials, specifically metal–carbon composites such as ultraconductors, have shown promise in this field due to their enhanced electrical and thermal conductivities. However, the origin of the enhancement has yet to be determined. Prior research has primarily explored these materials at room temperature in an attempt to explain this phenomenon, but these materials have not yet been examined under enhanced thermal conditions. This study probes ultraconductor materials during the heating process to uncover the origins of their enhanced thermal conductivity. Understanding the mechanism underpinning the enhanced properties of the material could lead to increased property enhancement and therefore improved performance in energy transfer technologies. In this work we employ in situ thermal X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) and Raman spectroscopy to characterize copper-based covetic materials, revealing how thermal conditions influence the bonding environment and interaction between the copper and infused carbon. Our findings suggest that heating the materials does not result in the formation of chemical bonds between the carbon and copper framework of the material but rather points to a primarily physical interaction within the sample. Furthermore, we hypothesize possible mechanisms underlying the nature of the physical interaction leading to enhanced properties. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of the material's behavior under relevant thermal conditions and highlight its potential for integration into next-generation energy systems.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

PeakQC: A Software Tool for Omics-Agnostic Automated Quality Control of Mass Spectrometry Data

Mass spectrometry is broadly employed to study complex molecular mechanisms in various biological and environmental fields, enabling 'omics' research such as proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics. As study cohorts grow larger and more complex with dozens to hundreds of samples, the need for robust quality control (QC) measures through automated software tools becomes paramount to ensure the integrity, high quality, and validity of scientific conclusions from downstream analyses and minimize the waste of resources. Since existing QC tools are mostly dedicated to proteomics, automated solutions supporting metabolomics are needed. To address this need, we developed the software PeakQC, a tool for automated QC of MS data that is independent of omics molecular types (i.e., omics-agnostic). It allows automated extraction and inspection of peak metrics of precursor ions (e.g., errors in mass, retention time, arrival time) and supports various instrumentations and acquisition types, from infusion experiments or using liquid chromatography and/or ion mobility spectrometry front-end separations and with/without fragmentation spectra from data-dependent or independent acquisition analyses. Diagnostic plots for fragmentation spectra are also generated. Here, in this paper, we describe and illustrate PeakQC’s functionalities using different representative data sets, demonstrating its utility as a valuable tool for enhancing the quality and reliability of omics mass spectrometry analyses.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2024

Simulation Evaluation of a Large-Scale Implementation of Virtual-Phase Link-Based Model Predictive Control

Traffic congestion is a serious problem in the US, and traffic signal control is one of the effective solutions to congestion. Previous research on model predictive control (MPC)-based traffic signal control showed substantial benefits over conventional methods. This study focused on implementing MPC over a large-scale network with complex intersections and the impact of cycle length, network size, and imperfect state estimation on performances. This study implemented a virtual phase link (VPL)-based model predictive control method which used the number of vehicles in each VPL as input state variables and was suitable for National Electrical Manufacturing Association (NEMA) ring-barrier control. To test the impact of network size, the performance of distributed MPC (36 intersections in the network are divided into five subnetworks) was compared with that of MPC over the full network for a set of cycle lengths. To test the impact of imperfect state estimation, we synthetically infused estimation error and developed two scenarios, MPC-error and MPC-error narrow, which had higher and lower estimation errors, respectively. The performance of these MPC methods was compared with that of the existing time-of-day (TOD) method and an offline method that used Webster's method for split and MULTIBAND for cycle length and offset optimization. Trajectory and linkwise signal performance measures were collected from the simulation to evaluate performance. The distributed MPC method with perfect state estimation had the lowest delay and highest energy efficiency of all the methods. The performance of MPC decreased as the prediction inaccuracy increased. MPC-error had 7% and 11% more delay than MPC-error narrow in the morning and evening peaks, respectively. Overall, simulation results suggest that even with imperfect state estimation, MPC methods will outperform offline methods significantly.

large-scale simulation↗
DOE OSTI2025

New Deformation Mechanisms in Nanocrystalline Nano-porous Small Scale Metals as Defined by Kinetically-driven Microstructures

This report describes recent advances in the design and fabrication of nanostructured metallic pillars with hierarchical microstructures using a novel nanoscale additive manufacturing approach. Through a hydrogel-infusion-based two-photon lithography (TPL) method, we successfully fabricated 3D nickel nanopillars exhibiting both nanocrystalline and nanoporous features. The resulting “bamboo-like” internal architecture comprises 30–50 nm grains and voids with similarly scaled pores. These geometrically tunable pillars, with diameters ranging from ~130 to 550 nm, serve as an ideal platform for probing deformation mechanisms in structurally heterogeneous metals at the nanoscale.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗