New ORNL inventions

MAPSTER: Automated Geospatial Data Sharing
202205219 // IT and Communications // Security and Defense
MAPSTER is a lightweight software package that automatically searches deployed laptops for geospatial data and complies metadata (GPS coordinates, file size, etc.) at central checkpoint. The checkpoint allows for an organization to see what geospatial data is being collected in the field by multiple assets. It can prioritize what geospatial data is sent back to the final database. Laptops can also directly push geospatial data to the final database.

Development of 3D Printing-Assisted Type-V Tanks for Compressed Hydrogen Storage with High Operating Pressure
202205249 // Energy and Utilities // Manufacturing
Liners in Type-IV hydrogen storage tanks often fail due to hydrogen saturation, additional weight and design limitations. This technology is a Type-V hydrogen storage tank with a dissolvable liner, using 3D-printed assisted automated manufacturing that eliminates the need for troublesome liners and offer efficient hydrogen storage.

A Novel Reduced Activation Ferritic-Martensitic Steel
202305399 // Energy and Utilities
The first wall and blanket of a fusion energy reactor must maintain structural integrity and performance over long operational periods under neutron irradiation and minimize long-lived radioactive waste. The steel alloys in this invention serve as structural materials to enable the first wall and blanket to withstand more heat and to keep them from falling apart, and also have low activation. This invention makes the operation of fusion reactors thermodynamically more efficient and more environmentally friendly.

A Low-Cost Device to Quickly Measure Circulation Refrigerant Composition in the Field/Factory
202305499 // Detectors and Sensors // Energy and Utilities
The quality and quantity of refrigerant charge in any vapor compression-based heating and cooling system is vital to its energy efficiency, thermal capacity, and reliability. But it also imposes significant risk as improper charging of the vapor compression system at the factory or in the field results in significant performance issues, resulting in both energy and thermal penalties. This technology is a hand-held composition detection system based on chemical titration and chromatic transformation that results in instant readings that can lead to corrective actions in real time.

Carbon Fiber Monolith Made from Coal-based Isotropic Pitch
202405573 // Manufacturing // Materials
A bonded carbon fiber monolith was made using a coal-based pitch precursor without a binder.

Advanced PIP for High Density SiC and SiOC Using Silicones and Siloxanes
202405591 // Energy and Utilities // Security and Defense
Using all polymer formulations, the PIP densification is improved almost 70% over traditional preceramic polymers and PIP material, leading to cost and times saving for densifying ceramic composites made from powder or fibers.

QVis Visual Circuit Optimizer
202405641 // IT and Communications // Security and Defense
The QVis Quantum Device Circuit Optimization Module gives users the ability to map a circuit to a specific quantum devices based on the device specifications. The module provides methods for visualizing the effects of different transpilation optimizations, which are generated behind the scenes using the IBM Qiskit transpiler.

Simulation Cloning for Digital Twins: A Scalable Approach
202405651 // Energy and Utilities // Transportation
Digital twins (DTs) have emerged as essential tools for monitoring, predicting, and optimizing physical systems by using real-time data. Traditional DTs use machine learning and simulations, but these models often face challenges in real-time analysis of imminent scenarios. There is no parallel in using simulation clones, especially for large-scale systems such as power grids, transportation, and communication networks.

Ion Irradiation of Functional Wurtzites
202405655 // Detectors and Sensors // IT and Communications
High coercive fields prevalent in wurtzite ferroelectrics present a significant challenge, as they hinder efficient polarization switching, which is essential for microelectronic applications. While methods exist to facilitate polarization switching in nitrides, direct write methods for engineering ferroelectricity are limited. This technology consists of strategic ion irradiation techniques to stabilize defects conducive to enhanced device operation, by targeting the creation and annihilation of defect types such as point defects, grain boundaries, and nanoparticles.

Sapphire Isolated Diode (SID)
202405656 // Detectors and Sensors // Materials
Neutron scattering experiments cover a large temperature range in which experimenters want to test their samples. Commonly used equipment can cool and heat samples in ranges from about 10K up to 750K, but the thermometry cannot provide accurate readings below 28K; thermometers that read lower than this temperature will not survive the high temperature environment. This technology is a sapphire isolated diode (SID) that enables low temperature measurements of equipment and samples in systems that previously could not be measured. Scientists either do not know the temperature of their sample at low temperatures or they must run multiple sample environments or in different configurations. This technology uses a sapphire crystal that functions as a heat switch to allow conduction at low temperatures and protection of the sensor at high temperatures.

Output Current Estimation and Control in Primary Side LCC Secondary Side Series Compensated Wireless
202405665 // Transportation
Wireless charging of electric vehicles require the ability to control the output current in the power transfer system, but that is often not possible as the availability of signals from the secondary side to the primary side is difficult and not always feasible. This technology is an algorithm that provides output current estimation and control in the primary side of the power transfer system.

System and Method for In-Situ Monitoring of Additively Manufactured Components Geometric Accuracy
202405672 // IT and Communications // Manufacturing
For additive manufacturing of large-scale parts, significant distortion can result from residual stresses during deposition and cooling. This can result in part scraps if the final part geometry is not contained in the additively manufactured preform. This technology is a method for monitoring additive manufacturing part geometric accuracy through intermittent machining, using spindle power to detect the geometry during machining.

To learn more about these technologies, email partnerships@ornl.gov or call
865-574-1051.