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Hughes, Michael

Publications and source records attributed to Hughes, Michael.

9 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Susceptibility of pESI positive Salmonella to treatment with biocide chemicals approved for use in poultry meat processing as compared to Salmonella without the pESI plasmid

Abstract Salmonella is a common cause of human foodborne illness, which is frequently associated with consumption of contaminated or undercooked poultry meat. Serotype Infantis is among the most common serotypes isolated from poultry meat products globally. Isolates of serotype Infantis carrying the pESI plasmid, the most dominant strain of Infantis, have been shown to exhibit oxidizer tolerance. Therefore, 16 strains of Salmonella with and without pESI carriage were investigated for susceptibility to biocide chemical processing aids approved for use in US poultry meat processing: peracetic acid (PAA), cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), calcium hypochlorite, and sodium hypochlorite. Strains were exposed for 15 s to simulate spray application and 90 min to simulate application in an immersion chiller. All strains tested were susceptible to all concentrations of PAA, CPC, and sodium hypochlorite when applied for 90 min. When CPC, calcium hypochlorite, and sodium hypochlorite were applied for 15 s to simulate spray time, strains responded similarly to each other. However, strains responded variably to exposure to PAA. The variation was not statistically significant and appears unrelated to pESI carriage. Results highlight the necessity of testing biocide susceptibility in the presence of organic material and in relevant in situ applications.

Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology↗
DOE OSTI2022

Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Nanostructure-Based Asymmetric Light Transmission Interfaces for Solar Concentrator Applications

Research in asymmetric light transmission interfaces has been recently gaining traction. While traditionally considered for optical circuitry applications, there is a new interest to use these interfaces in luminescent solar concentrators. Previous studies have shown that applying them to the top surface of a concentrator could mitigate surface losses. This paper presents experimental results for proof-of-concept asymmetric light transmission interfaces that may have potential applications in luminescent solar concentrators. The interfaces and the underneath substrate were created in a single step from polydimethylsiloxane using silicon molds fabricated on <100> wafers via anisotropic wet etching. The resulting structures were pyramidal in shape. Large surface areas of nanostructures repeating at 800 nm, 900 nm, and 1000 nm were tested for backward and forward transmission using a spectrometer. Results showed a 21%, 10%, and 0% average transmissivity difference between the forward and backward directions for each periodicity, respectively. The trends seen experimentally were confirmed numerically via COMSOL simulations.

Oliveto, Vincent↗
DOE OSTI2022

Continuous fiber malleable thermoset composites with sub-1-minute dwell times; validation of impact performance and evaluation of the efficacy of the compression forming process. CRADA Final Report

Mallinda is developing polyimine malleable thermoset prepreg composite materials which have excellent mechanical properties (100 GPa tensile modulus, 2 GPA tensile strength, 2.4% elongation at break) and high operating temperatures (Tg>200°C). At scale, polyimine resins are commensurate in price with commodity epoxy resins. What distinguishes malleable thermoset prepreg from traditional thermoset prepreg materials, is that they are fully cured during Mallinda’s roll-to-roll production of prepreg laminate. This results in 5 key value-differentiating benefits. First, it simplifies manufacturing logistics by enabling ambient transportation and storage, and by significantly extending out-life and shelf-life almost indefinitely. Second, elimination of autoclave curing reduces the economic and energy costs to the customer. Third, scrap rates can be reduced as malleable thermoset prepreg materials are directly reusable. Fourth, the manufacturing consolidation step can be roughly 10x faster than traditional thermosets, because the resin is already cured. Parts can be made via compression forming by the application of heat and pressure to quickly vitrify and consolidate a multilayer part – easily leading to sub 3-minute cycle times (at lab scale we have demonstrated a 20 second dwell time, with room for further optimization). Finally, the closed-loop cradle-to-cradle solution-based recyclability of malleable thermoset composites can also contribute significantly to the future of sustainable lightweight materials. The focus of this project was the development, optimization and validation of malleable thermoset composite materials which exhibit manufacturing cycle times of 3-minute or less, high speed impact performance on par with incumbent technologies, and defect-free consolidation of 3 dimensional parts.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

HGP component with effusion cooling element having coolant swirling chamber

An effusion cooling element for the surface of a hot gas path (HGP) component is disclosed. The effusion cooling element includes a coolant swirling chamber embedded within the body of the HGP component. A coolant delivery passage is in the body and configured to deliver a coolant to the coolant swirling chamber. The coolant swirling chamber imparts a centrifugal force to the coolant. An effusion opening is in the HGP surface and in fluid communication with the coolant swirling chamber, the effusion opening having a smaller width than the coolant swirling chamber. The coolant exits the effusion opening over substantially all of 360° about the effusion opening, creating a coolant film on the HGP surface.

Berry, Jonathan Dwight↗
DOE OSTI2021

Advanced Multi-Tube Mixer Combustion for 65% Efficiency (Final Report)

This project targeted advanced low NOx combustion for advanced gas turbines capable of 65%, or greater, efficiency in combined cycle application. This technology advancement has further potential to benefit gas turbines used in coal based IGCC applications with pre-combustion carbon capture and hydrogen as the resulting fuel. The program developed and synthesized the most advanced combustion system capable of achieving low NOX emissions up to turbine inlet temperatures of 3100F while also supporting the load-following needs of a modern grid. The combustion system contributes to the overall gas turbine efficiency goal by setting the maximum cycle temperature achievable for a given NOX level and by minimizing the through-combustor air flow pressure drop. Focus areas for this project targeted maximizing the turbine inlet temperature entitlement, as constrained by emissions considerations. The design also minimized parasitic air flow pressure drop by using advanced cooling techniques and performance materials selections and by minimizing hot surface area. These two technology objectives (maximum, emissions-compliant cycle temperature and minimum air flow pressure drop) were integrated into a prototype design. The primarily analytical project sought to identify the most promising technologies to meet these objectives. Additional critical “jugular” data were obtained from multi-tube mixer tests to realize the potential of leveraging “micro flames” for minimizing overall hot surface area. This data was used, in conjunction with an understanding of advanced material and cooling design technologies, to analytically develop multiple design concepts. Phase I focused on in-depth engineering analysis and design, with minimal supporting laboratory testing to enable a selection of the top three combustion architectures for achieving these overall objectives. Phase II of the program developed the selected design through a combination of sub-scale testing and analytical efforts. Early tests included a cold-flow cascade to establish aerodynamic performance characteristics and a sub-scale fired test at GE Global Research in Niskayuna, NY, to establish cooling and heat transfer characteristics in conjunction with combustion performance. The data from these tests validated the analytical models to ultimately design a full-scale, test article to evaluate at prototypical pressure and temperature conditions at GE Gas Power’s Gas Turbine Technology Laboratory in Greenville, SC. GE Gas Power also developed, tested, and recommended a suitable seal design to be applied to the unique features of the combustor. To assess the technology challenges from prospective future production of the combustor from a ceramic matrix composite material, screening tests of Environmental Barrier Coatings were completed.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
NASA NTRS2014

Forward Bay Cover Separation Modeling and Testing for the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle

Spacecraft multi‐body separation events during atmospheric descent require complex testing and analysis to validate the flight separation dynamics model and to verify no recontact. NASA Orion Multi‐Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) teams examined key model parameters and risk areas to develop a robust but affordable test campaign in order to validate and verify the Forward Bay Cover (FBC) separation event for Exploration Flight Test‐1 (EFT‐1). The FBC jettison simulation model is highly complex, consisting of dozens of parameters varied simultaneously, with numerous multi‐parameter interactions (coupling and feedback) among the various model elements, and encompassing distinct near‐field, mid‐field, and far‐field regimes. The test campaign was composed of component‐level testing (for example gas‐piston thrusters and parachute mortars), ground FBC jettison tests, and FBC jettison air‐drop tests that were accomplished by a highly multi‐disciplinary team. Three ground jettison tests isolated the testing of mechanisms and structures to anchor the simulation models excluding aerodynamic effects. Subsequently, two air‐drop tests added aerodynamic and parachute parameters, and served as integrated system demonstrations, which had been preliminarily explored during the Orion Pad Abort‐1 (PA‐1) flight test in May 2010. Both ground and drop tests provided extensive data to validate analytical models and to verify the FBC jettison event for EFT‐1, but more testing is required to support human certification, for which NASA and Lockheed Martin are applying knowledge from Apollo and EFT‐1 testing and modeling to develop a robust but affordable human spacecraft capability.

Ali, Yasmin↗