Stationary Fuel Cell Application Codes and Standards: Overview and Gap Analysis (open access)

Stationary Fuel Cell Application Codes and Standards: Overview and Gap Analysis

This report provides an overview of codes and standards related to stationary fuel cell applications and identifies gaps and resolutions associated with relative codes and standards.
Date: September 1, 2010
Creator: Blake, C. W. & Rivkin, C. H.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Development of in situ, at-wavelength metrology for soft x-ray nano-focusing (open access)

Development of in situ, at-wavelength metrology for soft x-ray nano-focusing

At the Advanced Light Source (ALS), we are developing broadly applicable, high-accuracy, in situ, at-wavelength wavefront slope measurement techniques for Kirkpatrick-Baez (KB) mirror nano-focusing. We describe here details of the metrology beamline endstation, the at-wavelength tests, and an original alignment method that have already allowed us to precisely set a bendable KB mirror to achieve a FWHM focused spot size of ~;;120 nm, at 1-nm soft x-ray wavelength.
Date: September 19, 2010
Creator: Yuan, Sheng Sam; Yashchuk, Valeriy V.; Goldberg, Kenneth A.; Celestre, Richard; McKinney, Wayne R.; Morrison, Gregory Y. et al.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Double Pomeron Exchange: from the ISR to the LHC (open access)

Double Pomeron Exchange: from the ISR to the LHC

I discuss Double Pomeron Exchange processes from their first observation at the CERN Intersecting Storage Rings, focusing on glueball searches, through the observations of exclusive {chi}{sub c0}, {gamma}{gamma} and di-jets at the Tevatron, to prospects at the LHC for exclusive Higgs boson production.
Date: September 1, 2010
Creator: Albrow, Michael
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
The application of quaternions and other spatial representations to the reconstruction of re-entry vehicle motion. (open access)

The application of quaternions and other spatial representations to the reconstruction of re-entry vehicle motion.

The analysis of spacecraft kinematics and dynamics requires an efficient scheme for spatial representation. While the representation of displacement in three dimensional Euclidean space is straightforward, orientation in three dimensions poses particular challenges. The unit quaternion provides an approach that mitigates many of the problems intrinsic in other representation approaches, including the ill-conditioning that arises from computing many successive rotations. This report focuses on the computational utility of unit quaternions and their application to the reconstruction of re-entry vehicle (RV) motion history from sensor data. To this end they will be used in conjunction with other kinematic and data processing techniques. We will present a numerical implementation for the reconstruction of RV motion solely from gyroscope and accelerometer data. This will make use of unit quaternions due to their numerical efficacy in dealing with the composition of many incremental rotations over a time series. In addition to signal processing and data conditioning procedures, algorithms for numerical quaternion-based integration of gyroscope data will be addressed, as well as accelerometer triangulation and integration to yield RV trajectory. Actual processed flight data will be presented to demonstrate the implementation of these methods.
Date: September 1, 2010
Creator: De Sapio, Vincent
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Impact of defects on the electrical transport, optical properties and failure mechanisms of GaN nanowires. (open access)

Impact of defects on the electrical transport, optical properties and failure mechanisms of GaN nanowires.

We present the results of a three year LDRD project that focused on understanding the impact of defects on the electrical, optical and thermal properties of GaN-based nanowires (NWs). We describe the development and application of a host of experimental techniques to quantify and understand the physics of defects and thermal transport in GaN NWs. We also present the development of analytical models and computational studies of thermal conductivity in GaN NWs. Finally, we present an atomistic model for GaN NW electrical breakdown supported with experimental evidence. GaN-based nanowires are attractive for applications requiring compact, high-current density devices such as ultraviolet laser arrays. Understanding GaN nanowire failure at high-current density is crucial to developing nanowire (NW) devices. Nanowire device failure is likely more complex than thin film due to the prominence of surface effects and enhanced interaction among point defects. Understanding the impact of surfaces and point defects on nanowire thermal and electrical transport is the first step toward rational control and mitigation of device failure mechanisms. However, investigating defects in GaN NWs is extremely challenging because conventional defect spectroscopy techniques are unsuitable for wide-bandgap nanostructures. To understand NW breakdown, the influence of pre-existing and emergent defects during high current …
Date: September 1, 2010
Creator: Armstrong, Andrew M.; Aubry, Sylvie; Shaner, Eric Arthur; Siegal, Michael P.; Li, Qiming; Jones, Reese E. et al.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Final Report: DoE SBIR Phase 2 Low-Cost Small Diameter NMR Technologies for In-Situ Subsurface Characterization and Monitoring (open access)

Final Report: DoE SBIR Phase 2 Low-Cost Small Diameter NMR Technologies for In-Situ Subsurface Characterization and Monitoring

In this Phase 2 SBIR program, Vista Clara successfully developed and field-tested small diameter NNR logging tools for subsurface characterization and monitoring. This effort involved the design and development surface electronics, a winch with 470ft cable, and three interchangeable downhole probes: a 3.5â diameter borehole NMR probe, a 1.67â diameter borehole NMR probe, and a 2.5â diameter NMR probe that can be deployed using a Geoprobe direct push machine. The 3.5â probe was tested extensively over a 6 week period including 4â to 8â boreholes in Washington, Idaho, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Connecticut and Massachusetts. The field test campaign was highly successful. The 1.67â probe was assembled, tested and calibrated in the laboratory. The 2.5â Geoprobe probe is in final assembly and testing at the time of this report. The completed Phase 2 R&D program has resulted in the first NMR logging tool that can be deployed in boreholes of 4â diameter, the first NMR logging tool that can be deployed in boreholes on 2â diameter, and the first NMR logging tool that can be deployed by a direct push machine. These small diameter tools make NMR logging technically and economically feasible, for the first time. Previously available NMR logging tools …
Date: September 3, 2010
Creator: Walsh, David Oliver
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Assessment of Residential GSHP System (open access)

Assessment of Residential GSHP System

This report first briefly reviews geothermal heat pump (GHP) technology and the current status of the GHP industry in the United States. Then it assesses the potential national benefits, in terms of energy savings, reduced summer peak electrical demand, consumer energy cost savings, and reduced CO{sub 2} emissions from retrofitting the space heating, space cooling, and water heating systems in existing U.S. single-family homes with state-of-the-art GHP systems. The investment for retrofitting typical U.S. single-family homes with state-of-the-art GHP systems is also analyzed using the metrics of net present value and levelized cost.
Date: September 1, 2010
Creator: Liu, Xiaobing
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
FABSOAR--A Fabry-Perot Spectrometer for Oxygen A-band Research Final Technical Report (open access)

FABSOAR--A Fabry-Perot Spectrometer for Oxygen A-band Research Final Technical Report

Because this was a Phase I project, it did not add extensively to the body of A-band knowledge. There was no basic research performed on that subject. The principal addition was that a mechanical and optical design for a triple-etalon Fabry-Perot interferometer (FABSOAR) capable of A-band sensing was sketched out and shown to be within readily feasible instrument fabrication parameters. The parameters for the proposed triple-etalon Fabry-Perot were shown to be very similar to existing Fabry-Perots built by Scientific Solutions. The mechanical design for the FABSOAR instrument incorporated the design of previous Scientific Solutions imagers, condensing the three three-inch-diameter etalons into a single, sturdy tube. The design allowed for the inclusion of a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) filter wheel and a thermocooled CCD detector from Andor. The tube has supports to mount to a horizontal or vertical opticaltable surface, and was to be coupled to a Scientific Solutions pointing head at the Millstone Hill Observatory in Massachusetts for Phase II calibration and testing.
Date: September 10, 2010
Creator: Watchorn, Steven
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Learning Demonstration Interim Progress Report -- July 2010 (open access)

Learning Demonstration Interim Progress Report -- July 2010

This report discusses key results based on data through December 2009 from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Controlled Hydrogen Fleet and Infrastructure Validation and Demonstration Project, also referred to as the National Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Learning Demonstration. The report serves to help transfer knowledge and lessons learned within various parts of DOE's hydrogen program, as well as externally to other stakeholders. It is the fourth such report in a series, with previous reports being published in July 2007, November 2007, and April 2008.
Date: September 1, 2010
Creator: Wipke, K.; Spirk, S.; Kurtz, J. & Ramsden, T.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Application of the DG-1199 methodology to the ESBWR and ABWR. (open access)

Application of the DG-1199 methodology to the ESBWR and ABWR.

Appendix A-5 of Draft Regulatory Guide DG-1199 'Alternative Radiological Source Term for Evaluating Design Basis Accidents at Nuclear Power Reactors' provides guidance - applicable to RADTRAD MSIV leakage models - for scaling containment aerosol concentration to the expected steam dome concentration in order to preserve the simplified use of the Accident Source Term (AST) in assessing containment performance under assumed design basis accident (DBA) conditions. In this study Economic and Safe Boiling Water Reactor (ESBWR) and Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (ABWR) RADTRAD models are developed using the DG-1199, Appendix A-5 guidance. The models were run using RADTRAD v3.03. Low Population Zone (LPZ), control room (CR), and worst-case 2-hr Exclusion Area Boundary (EAB) doses were calculated and compared to the relevant accident dose criteria in 10 CFR 50.67. For the ESBWR, the dose results were all lower than the MSIV leakage doses calculated by General Electric/Hitachi (GEH) in their licensing technical report. There are no comparable ABWR MSIV leakage doses, however, it should be noted that the ABWR doses are lower than the ESBWR doses. In addition, sensitivity cases were evaluated to ascertain the influence/importance of key input parameters/features of the models.
Date: September 1, 2010
Creator: Kalinich, Donald A.; Gauntt, Randall O. & Walton, Fotini
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
User's Guide to MBC3: Multi-Blade Coordinate Transformation Code for 3-Bladed Wind Turbine (open access)

User's Guide to MBC3: Multi-Blade Coordinate Transformation Code for 3-Bladed Wind Turbine

This guide explains how to use MBC3, a MATLAB-based script NREL developed to perform multi-blade coordinate transformation of system matrices for three-bladed wind turbines. In its current form, MBC3 can be applied to system matrices generated by FAST.2.
Date: September 1, 2010
Creator: Bir, G. S.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Studies of Limits on Uncontrolled Heavy Ion Beam Losses for Allowing Hands-On Maintenance (open access)

Studies of Limits on Uncontrolled Heavy Ion Beam Losses for Allowing Hands-On Maintenance

Dose rates from accelerator components activated by 1 W/m beam losses are obtained semiempirically for a 1 GeV proton beam and by use of Monte Carlo transport codes for the proton beam and for 777 MeV/u 3He, 500 MeV/u 48Ca, 86Kr, 136Xe, and 400 MeV/u 238U ions. The dose rate obtained by the semi-empirical method, 0.99 mSv/h (99 mrem/h) at 30 cm, 4 h after 100 d irradiation by a 1-GeV proton beam, is consistent with studies at several accelerator facilities and with adopted hands-on maintenance dose rate limits. Monte Carlo simulations verify this result for protons and extend studies to heavy ion beam losses in drift-tube linac and superconducting linac accelerating structures. The studies indicate that the 1 W/m limit imposed on uncontrolled beam losses for high-energy proton beams might be relaxed for heavy ion beams. These studies further suggest that using the ratio of neutrons produced by a heavy ion beam to neutrons produced by a proton beam along with the dose rate from the proton beam (for thin-target scenarios) should allow an estimate of the dose rates expected from heavy ion beam losses.
Date: September 11, 2010
Creator: Ronningen, Reginald M. & Remec, Igor
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Void Growth and Coalescence in Dynamic Fracture from the Atomistic Level (open access)

Void Growth and Coalescence in Dynamic Fracture from the Atomistic Level

An important example of multiscale material response is the fracture of ductile solids. In the process of ductile fracture, voids nucleate, grow and coalesce, and it is this linking process that creates the fracture. Ductile fracture has typically been modeled at the continuum level, in a variety of models that may or may not model voids explicitly. Previously we have studied the plasticity associated with void growth in fcc metals, focusing on copper. In the work discussed here we examine void growth in single crystal and polycrystalline body-centered cubic (bcc) metals (V, Nb, Ta, Mo and W) subjected to tension at a high rate and high triaxiality. Large-scale atomistic models provide detailed information on void nucleation and growth and the plasticity generated as voids coalesce, based solely on the constitutive properties inherent in the interatomic forces. The details of the plasticity may be used to inform dislocation dynamics and continuum plasticity models in order to develop models that scale beyond the nanoscale. We also discuss concurrent multiscale modeling of void growth using Coarse-Grained Molecular Dynamics.
Date: September 30, 2010
Creator: Rudd, R E
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Peer-to-peer architectures for exascale computing : LDRD final report. (open access)

Peer-to-peer architectures for exascale computing : LDRD final report.

The goal of this research was to investigate the potential for employing dynamic, decentralized software architectures to achieve reliability in future high-performance computing platforms. These architectures, inspired by peer-to-peer networks such as botnets that already scale to millions of unreliable nodes, hold promise for enabling scientific applications to run usefully on next-generation exascale platforms ({approx} 10{sup 18} operations per second). Traditional parallel programming techniques suffer rapid deterioration of performance scaling with growing platform size, as the work of coping with increasingly frequent failures dominates over useful computation. Our studies suggest that new architectures, in which failures are treated as ubiquitous and their effects are considered as simply another controllable source of error in a scientific computation, can remove such obstacles to exascale computing for certain applications. We have developed a simulation framework, as well as a preliminary implementation in a large-scale emulation environment, for exploration of these 'fault-oblivious computing' approaches. High-performance computing (HPC) faces a fundamental problem of increasing total component failure rates due to increasing system sizes, which threaten to degrade system reliability to an unusable level by the time the exascale range is reached ({approx} 10{sup 18} operations per second, requiring of order millions of processors). As computer …
Date: September 1, 2010
Creator: Vorobeychik, Yevgeniy; Mayo, Jackson R.; Minnich, Ronald G.; Armstrong, Robert C. & Rudish, Donald W.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Methods Data Qualification Interim Report (open access)

Methods Data Qualification Interim Report

The overall goal of the Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP) Data Management and Analysis System (NDMAS) is to maintain data provenance for all NGNP data including the Methods component of NGNP data. Multiple means are available to access data stored in NDMAS. A web portal environment allows users to access data, view the results of qualification tests and view graphs and charts of various attributes of the data. NDMAS also has methods for the management of the data output from VHTR simulation models and data generated from experiments designed to verify and validate the simulation codes. These simulation models represent the outcome of mathematical representation of VHTR components and systems. The methods data management approaches described herein will handle data that arise from experiment, simulation, and external sources for the main purpose of facilitating parameter estimation and model verification and validation (V&V). A model integration environment entitled ModelCenter is used to automate the storing of data from simulation model runs to the NDMAS repository. This approach does not adversely change the why computational scientists conduct their work. The method is to be used mainly to store the results of model runs that need to be preserved for auditing purposes or …
Date: September 1, 2010
Creator: Alessi, R. Sam; Grimmett, Tami; Vang, Leng & McGrath, Dave
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Operation and analysis of a supercritical CO2 Brayton cycle. (open access)

Operation and analysis of a supercritical CO2 Brayton cycle.

Sandia National Laboratories is investigating advanced Brayton cycles using supercritical working fluids for use with solar, nuclear or fossil heat sources. The focus of this work has been on the supercritical CO{sub 2} cycle (S-CO2) which has the potential for high efficiency in the temperature range of interest for these heat sources, and is also very compact, with the potential for lower capital costs. The first step in the development of these advanced cycles was the construction of a small scale Brayton cycle loop, funded by the Laboratory Directed Research & Development program, to study the key issue of compression near the critical point of CO{sub 2}. This document outlines the design of the small scale loop, describes the major components, presents models of system performance, including losses, leakage, windage, compressor performance, and flow map predictions, and finally describes the experimental results that have been generated.
Date: September 1, 2010
Creator: Wright, Steven Alan; Radel, Ross F.; Vernon, Milton E.; Pickard, Paul S. & Rochau, Gary Eugene
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Single top quark production and Vtb at the Tevatron (open access)

Single top quark production and Vtb at the Tevatron

Single top quark production via the electroweak interaction was observed by the D0 and CDF collaborations at the Tevatron proton-antiproton collider at Fermilab. Multivariate analysis techniques are employed to extract the small single top quark signal. The combined Tevatron cross section is 2.76{sub -0.47}{sup +0.58} pb. This corresponds to a lower limit on the CKM matrix element |V{sub tb}| of 0.77. Also reported are measurements of the t-channel cross section, the top quark polarization in single top quark events, and limits on gluon-quark flavor-changing neutral currents and W{prime} boson production.
Date: September 1, 2010
Creator: Schwienhorst, Reinhard
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
The pilot way to Grid resources using glide in WMS (open access)

The pilot way to Grid resources using glide in WMS

Grid computing has become very popular in big and widespread scientific communities with high computing demands, like high energy physics. Computing resources are being distributed over many independent sites with only a thin layer of Grid middleware shared between them. This deployment model has proven to be very convenient for computing resource providers, but has introduced several problems for the users of the system, the three major being the complexity of job scheduling, the nonuniformity of computer resources, and the lack of good job monitoring. Pilot jobs address all the above problems by creating a virtual private computing pool on top of Grid resources. This paper presents both the general pilot concept, as well as a concrete implementation, called glideinWMS, deployed in the Open Science Grid.
Date: September 1, 2010
Creator: Sfiligoi, Igor; Bradley, Daniel C.; Holzman, Burt; Mhashilkar, Parag; Padhi, Sanjay & Wurthwrin, Frank
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Large-Scale Offshore Wind Power in the United States: Executive Summary (open access)

Large-Scale Offshore Wind Power in the United States: Executive Summary

This document provides a summary of a 236-page NREL report that provides a broad understanding of today's offshore wind industry, the offshore wind resource, and the associated technology challenges, economics, permitting procedures, and potential risks and benefits.
Date: September 1, 2010
Creator: Musial, W. & Ram, B.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Reduced order models for thermal analysis : final report : LDRD Project No. 137807. (open access)

Reduced order models for thermal analysis : final report : LDRD Project No. 137807.

This LDRD Senior's Council Project is focused on the development, implementation and evaluation of Reduced Order Models (ROM) for application in the thermal analysis of complex engineering problems. Two basic approaches to developing a ROM for combined thermal conduction and enclosure radiation problems are considered. As a prerequisite to a ROM a fully coupled solution method for conduction/radiation models is required; a parallel implementation is explored for this class of problems. High-fidelity models of large, complex systems are now used routinely to verify design and performance. However, there are applications where the high-fidelity model is too large to be used repetitively in a design mode. One such application is the design of a control system that oversees the functioning of the complex, high-fidelity model. Examples include control systems for manufacturing processes such as brazing and annealing furnaces as well as control systems for the thermal management of optical systems. A reduced order model (ROM) seeks to reduce the number of degrees of freedom needed to represent the overall behavior of the large system without a significant loss in accuracy. The reduction in the number of degrees of freedom of the ROM leads to immediate increases in computational efficiency and allows …
Date: September 1, 2010
Creator: Hogan, Roy E., Jr. & Gartling, David K.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Microscopic Motion of Liquid Metal Plasma Facing Components In A Diverted Plasma (open access)

Microscopic Motion of Liquid Metal Plasma Facing Components In A Diverted Plasma

Liquid metal plasma facing components (PFCs) have been identified as an alternative material for fusion plasma experiments. The use of a liquid conductor where significant magnetic fields are present is considered risky, with the possibility of macroscopic fluid motion and possible ejection into the plasma core. Analysis is carried out on thermoelectric magnetohydrodynamic (TEMHD) forces caused by temperature gradients in the liquid-container system itself in addition to scrape-off-layer currents interacting with the PFC from a diverted plasma. Capillary effects at the liquid-container interface will be examined which govern droplet ejection criteria. Stability of the interface is determined using linear stability methods. In addition to application to liquidmetal PFCs, thin film liquidmetal effects have application to current and future devices where off-normal events may liquefy portions of the first wall and other plasma facing components.
Date: September 22, 2010
Creator: Jaworski, M. A.; Morley, N. B.; Abrams, T; Kaita, R; Kallman, J; Kugel, H et al.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Procuring Solar Energy: A Guide for Federal Facility Decision Makers, September 2010 (open access)

Procuring Solar Energy: A Guide for Federal Facility Decision Makers, September 2010

This guide presents an overview of the process for successfully planning for and installing solar technology on a federal site. It is specifically targeted to managers of federal buildings and sites, contracting officers, energy and sustainability officers, and regional procurement managers. The solar project process is outlined in a concise, easy-to-understand, step-by-step format. Information includes a brief overview of legislation and executive orders related to renewable energy and the compelling reasons for implementing a solar project on a federal site. It also includes how to assess a facility to identify the best solar installation site, project recommendations and considerations to help avoid unforeseen issues, and guidance on financing and contracting options. Case studies with descriptions of successful solar deployments across multiple agencies are presented. In addition, detailed information and sample documents for specific tasks are referenced with Web links or included in the appendixes. The guide concentrates on distributed solar generation and not large, centralized solar energy generation.
Date: September 1, 2010
Creator: Stoltenberg, B. & Partyka, E.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Dissemination of Climate Model Output to the Public and Commercial Sector (open access)

Dissemination of Climate Model Output to the Public and Commercial Sector

Climate is defined by the Glossary of Meteorology as the mean of atmospheric variables over a period of time ranging from as short as a few months to multiple years and longer. Although the term climate is often used to refer to long-term weather statistics, the broader definition of climate is the time evolution of a system consisting of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere. Physical, chemical, and biological processes are involved in interactions among the components of the climate system. Vegetation, soil moisture, and glaciers are part of the climate system in addition to the usually considered temperature and precipitation (Pielke, 2008). Climate change refers to any systematic change in the long-term statistics of climate elements (such as temperature, pressure, or winds) sustained over several decades or longer. Climate change can be initiated by external forces, such as cyclical variations in the Earth's solar orbit that are thought to have caused glacial and interglacial periods within the last 2 million years (Milankovitch, 1941). However, a linear response to astronomical forcing does not explain many other observed glacial and interglacial cycles (Petit et al., 1999). It is now understood that climate is influenced by the interaction of solar radiation with …
Date: September 23, 2010
Creator: Robert Stockwell, PhD
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Financing Solar Installations with New Markets Tax Credits: Denver, Colorado (Fact Sheet) (open access)

Financing Solar Installations with New Markets Tax Credits: Denver, Colorado (Fact Sheet)

Fact sheet provides a brief overview of New Markets Tax Credits (NMTCs), a third-party financing incentive for solar installations in the public sector. NMTCs are intended to encourage economic activity in low-income and disadvantaged neighborhoods. The use of NMTCs in an innovative solar project transaction by the City of Denver, Colorado, is highlighted.
Date: September 1, 2010
Creator: Coughlin, J.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library